“Aren't you the one that said you'd like to fulfil your potential?” The Bishop asked.

“By my own effort and by myself. I don't need a busybody like you watching me.”

“Is that the case?” He asked. He picked him up by his shirt and the old man tried to counter. The Bishop blocked and quickly snapped his arm.

“Gargh!” Ash groaned. He tried to hide the pain but there was nobody worth fooling around.

“Try that again and I'll break another limb. But it seems I'll have to try something else to make you more responsive.”

The Bishop walked out of the room with Ash in his grip, being dragged along the floor. All Ash could do was grip his arm and wait to see what this bastard was going to do. As much as he goaded him, he wasn't quite ready to throw away this new start to his life so easily.

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“Tch.” Ash groaned. He had tears in his eyes and wiped his face. “Fine. I'll do whatever you want, you bastard.”

Both were sitting at a table and a man walked away from the table alongside a woman in a suit.

“Quite touching, isn't it? Family is a strong motivator for many people.” The Bishop said.

“Just shut your mouth and tell me what to do.”

“Like I said, you have great potential. Add in the fact I can mould and improve your magic further with my own knowledge and experiences, and it's as if you were made to serve me. I must thank the Lord for this unexpected gift.”

“You think I believe that? After killing that priest of yours?”

“Think real hard about what you saw earlier.”

“...” He clicked his tongue.

“But do not worry. With enough repentance and contributions to our Lord, all sins can be forgiven.” He said as he extended his hand towards Ash.

“How many times can I see him?” Ash asked.

“As much as you'd like. That is how much value I see in you.”

He looked at his hand in contemplation. And begrudgingly shook his. After seeing what he saw here today, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

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The Bishop brought him to a room that looked similar to the last.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“This will be yours for the following month. After that, you will be free to choose where your permanent residence is. Just keep in mind I can't bring him anywhere outside the Palace.” The Bishop stated.

“Firstly, you got a name?” Ash asked. “Back in my day, when you were introduced to a partner, they at least gave you a name. Real or fake.” He looked in one of the drawers and was surprised it contained a full wardrobe.

“If you were thinking I bought those, think again. I decided to put some old clothes of mine to use.”

“How frugal of you.”

He pulled one out and took a proper look at it. It was just as tacky as the shirt he was wearing and looked just as expensive.

“You don't mind if I pawn these off for a proper wardrobe, would you?” He asked.

“Do what you please with them, as I said I just wanted to put them to use. Selling or wearing them would accomplish the same goal.” He before turning around.

“Leaving to think of your fake name?” Ash asked.

“Blasius.” The man stated. “That is what you will refer to me as. And you can survey your quarters later. I will show you around the palace, to familiarise you with your new organisation.”

He walked outside and Ash could do nothing but click his tongue before following him.

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When they went outside, Ash couldn't help but notice something off about the sky. He took a closer and it seemed like some sort of string was running all throughout the sky. Or more appropriately, a web. It seemed to go in every direction and he couldn't make heads or tails of it. There was nowhere in the sky it didn't occupy.

“What is that?” Ash asked.

“Our Lord's protection. Without it, this country would have been overrun by the outside world years ago.”

(“So it’s the barrier. I never thought I’d be on the other side of this.”) He thought. Well, as long as it protected him instead of harming him, it could look any way it wanted.

They were currently walking through a castle garden, with an eight-winged angel at its centre. It was a fountain with water leaving from the statue's eyes into the basin below.

“Is that your lord?” Ash asked as he observed them.

“Indeed, it is our Lord and soon-to-be eternal mother, Lucifer,” Blasius answered as he watched the statue.

“You'd think you could at least give your lord some decency.” He commented.

The angel was a woman completely nude, with long flowing hair and accurately sculpted body parts.

“Clothes are a human invention. It'd be an insult to place our Lord in those without first gaining her forgiveness.”

Ash rolled his eyes at that malarkey but the Bishop didn't care in the slightest.

“At least, that's what some of us believe. Our Lord was found in clothing so I'm not too sure about that belief.” He said it with an uncaring face. It was as if he were a tourist guide and not a Bishop.

“What a religion. Having your lord… presented in the nude.” Ash said, not even trying to hide his disappointment. “I'd fear my God striking me down if I witnessed such a thing, let alone create it.”

“Well fear not, your current lord will do no such thing.” He said in a stern voice. He looked directly into Ash's eyes, with a sharp gaze.

“Yes, all hail Lucifer.” Ash quickly stated. “B-but I do think I'd need to learn more about this lord of ours. After all, I wouldn't want to heap false praise, would I?” Ash asked, his voice wavering. He didn't know why but each time this man looked him in the face, something within him became deeply unnerved. He wasn't bad-looking, he could even be considered handsome but he felt sick to his stomach whenever that face came into view.