Lady Temerilla sat in her office, still trying to clean up the mess the Silver Bloods had caused. She had received news that the Hero of Sylfaerune was returning to complete his conquering of the dungeon. The lady was not looking forward to the meeting.

“My lady.” Alpen entered the room, looking a bit unnerved.

“Yes?”

Alpen hesitated. “I’m sorry, my lady. A representative of the hero has arrived. He is waiting at the door.”

She sighed heavily. Of course, he would expect her to go to him. Lady Temerilla stood, organized a few documents just in case, and headed downstairs.

The local lord stepped out of her manor to be greeted by a pompous-looking man.

“Temerilla, the Hero Gabriel demands your presence.” The man ordered.

“My, how rude of a servant.” Lady Temerilla hid her mouth with a fan while putting on a smiling façade.

“You have caused trouble for his grace.” The man replied to her.

“Really?” Her eyes turned icy cold, causing the man to tense up. “A disrespectful cur who believes that the authority of a hero belongs to himself. I could have you severely punished and imprisoned, and guess what?” She leaned forward a bit, whispering her following words. “And the hero would not care in the least bit so long as I compensated him with Tress.”

The man broke out in a cold sweat. Something was different about the local lord. Her eyes had a dangerous glint that they didn’t have before, which terrified him.

Lady Temerilla leaned back and looked disinterested. “Now, I am guessing the hero wishes to see me now? I still have considerable work to do after the Silver Blood debacle.”

The man summoned what little spine he had to respond. “Y-Yes. He is at his favorite inn.”

“Very well. Hannah, I put aside some documents on my desk. Could you bring them for me? I will work on them on my way there.” Lady Temerilla requested, and Hannah went off to do her duty.

“I will get the carriage ready.” Alpen bowed and headed off.

Lady Temerilla looked at the pathetic man. “What are you still doing here? You have done your duty. Begone.” She ordered.

The man jumped and walked quickly away.

The lord huffed in frustration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the best inn in the town. The hero and his group rented out the entire building, banning everyone else from entering.

Lady Temerilla’s group was escorted inside. In the main hall, many Silver Bloods sat around and looked at the lord coldly as she sat down at the table the hero was at. She was disgusted by his behavior, as he had two ladies, one on each arm, fawning over him as he felt them up.

“I am a busy woman, Hero Gabriel. What is it you want?” Lady Temerilla demanded.

Gabriel was taken aback by her change in attitude. He didn’t like it.

“Temerilla.”

“That is Lady Temerilla if she permits it. Otherwise, you shall address her as her Ladyship.” Alpen coldly cut in.

“Watch your tone, old man.” Gabriel aggressively responded.

“You will be the one to watch his tone. I have filed a complaint with the imperial family about the mismanagement of your Silver Blood Mercenary band. Here is a copy of the letter they provided.” Lady Temerilla said. Alpen dropped the letter before the hero.

Gabriel glanced at the letter before looking back at Lady Temerilla again. “Release my men.” He ordered.

“I cannot do that. They are guilty of several crimes. Please see the report.”

Alpen placed a thick folder before the hero.

Again, he merely glanced at it before turning his attention back to Lady Temerilla.

His expression changed to a mocking one. “What crimes?”

She sighed at his arrogance. “The report before you have all the details. But to summarize: Rape, kidnapping, extortion, blackmail, destruction of property, assault, disorderly conduct, money laundering, drug dealing, attempted murder on a noble.” She summarized, her expression turning cold.

“And you have proof of it?” Gabriel asked.

“It is detailed in the report. But much of it is a confession from the individuals themselves.” She shrugged her shoulders while acting mockingly.

“You are not being very supportive, Temerilla.” Gabriel narrowed his eyes at her.

She smiled confidently. “I am merely doing what is authorized of me by the power of the imperial family. If you read the letter, you would have known.”

Lady Temerilla stood from her seat. “Know this, Hero of Sylfaerune. You besmirch the goddess you serve with the actions you allow.” She then spoke loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear. “If any Silver Blood thinks to act like the ones who stayed here, know that you will be arrested for your crimes and punished accordingly.”

She turned her back to the hero and headed toward the door. “Being a part of the hero’s group will no longer protect you.” Lady Temerilla left the inn victoriously.

Gabriel stared at the door, his left eye twitching in anger. How dare she question someone chosen by the gods!?

“Your grace, what should we do?” A Silver Blood asked.

“Out…”

“What?”

“OUT! GET OUT! ALL OF YOU!” He yelled.

They all shuffled out of the building without another word, leaving him alone.

Gabriel slammed his fist on the table. Dammit! What was happening!? This is not what the goddess promised him.

He took a deep breath and calmed himself down. “It’s okay. I still have the dungeon ability to get. I will find a way to deal with that noble. How dare she see herself as greater than a hero.” The hero convinced himself.

Now he needed to work out his anger. His people should have gotten all the necessary supplies. Gabriel headed outside and found his usual party waiting around.

“Come on. We’re heading to the dungeon. We are not leaving until we conquer it.” Gabriel stated.

“Um, your grace, we just overheard some mercs talking. It seems like something happened at the dungeon.” A Silver Blood said.

“What? It should still be locked down for me!” Gabriel fumed. “Get the carriage right now! We are going to that bitch’s place!”

They arrived at the lord’s manor. Gabriel went up to the door and kicked it, but it didn’t budge. “What the hell? Temerilla!” He shouted.

A window above opened. “What is it, Hero Gabriel? I am very busy.” Temerilla tiredly answered.

“Why is the dungeon open!? It is supposed to be locked down for me!” He shouted up at her.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She sighed heavily. “All you had to do was read the letter.”

“What?! Answer me!”

She looked down at him like he was scum. “I will not. Read the letter.” Going back into her office, she shut the window.

“Dammit! Answer me, you bitch!” He shouted and kicked the door again and again. It did not budge under his strength.

“Fuck! Someone bring that letter.” He ordered.

One of his men brought over the letter.

Ripping it open, he read the paper.

Hero Gabriel.

It has been brought to our attention that the Silver Bloods, under the command of Lord Vern, had attempted a coup on the local lord. Other than an attempt on Lady Temerilla’s life, they committed several other crimes. I have asked her to detail a report for you. As of now, the imperial family’s protection will only extend to the Divine Chosen Heroes. Keep in mind we have heard several complaints about your misconduct. As a Hero, you must conduct yourself justly and righteously.

All dungeon mining operations are hereby banned for the dangers of structure components being found to change into monsters. The equipment shall be confiscated and managed by the imperial family.

We have revoked the lockdown of the Flower dungeon as we received direct reports that the Demon-Lord has conquered the dungeon already. The last report was that it was heading to the southeast. We shall keep you posted on any news. You are welcome to continue using the dungeon to gain strength while we search for another new dungeon.

The Emperor’s Representative,

Minister Valentin Burlow

The letter crumbled in the hero’s grip. “It was here?! THE FUCKING DEMON-LORD WAS HERE!?”

The window opened once more. “I see you have read the letter. Now would you take your incessant screaming from my manor? I still have much to clean up after your subordinate’s debacle.”

Gabriel refused to face her. He headed toward his carriage, and his group headed to the dungeon. The hero had some issues to work out.

They arrived at the dungeon to see it bustling more than before they first took it over.

“Why are there so many of them here?” Gabriel wondered, annoyed by their presence.

Some of the mercenaries recognized him and scorned his arrival. They remembered how he kicked them out before. Even the new arrivals had heard, and they gave them a wide berth.

A magic circle appeared, and two people appeared in nothing but their underwear. Several of the mercenaries chuckled and helped them up.

“DAMMIT! We were so close!” One cursed.

“We need to update the attack pattern for that boss. At least we’ll get paid for that.” The other said.

“What the hell?” Gabriel went to question them when the gateway made an announcement.

“Attention! Attention! Dungeon Rules have been altered due to Demon-Lord’s influence. This dungeon shall no longer absorb interlopers. Interlopers will be expelled from the dungeon. Their equipment shall be the price.”

“It changed the rules?!” Gabriel quickly concluded that you can’t die in the dungeon but lose all your gear. “Whatever. Let’s go.”

Gabriel went up to the gateway. Putting his arm through, he was instantly blasted backward onto his back. “ACK!”

“Your grace!” His men rushed over to him.

“W-What?” Gabriel was confused.

“Attention! Attention! Banned individual attempted entry and was repelled! Any further attempts will lead to additional disciplinary actions!” The gate announced.

“Banned!? You have to shitting me!” Gabriel stood and tried again.

He was blasted back even further, and the announcement repeated.

“FUCK!” Gabriel charged at the gate and seemed to have successfully gone in but was thrown back out, naked as the day he was born.

“Your grace!” One of the Silver Bloods covered him with his cloak.

“Dammit! FUCK YOU! GIVE MY EQUIPMENT BACK!” He shouted at the silent gateway.

He looked around and saw many mercenaries openly laughing at him.

Red with anger and embarrassment, the disgraced hero left the dungeon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lady Temerilla said goodnight to Hannah as the maid headed to bed. She had done well today and felt great. Putting Gabriel in his place felt liberating to her.

She snickered. “Garbage hero.” She laughed aloud, gripping her stomach.

They still had not determined who it was who attacked her, but she was starting to think it may have been the hero. Who else would have the gall or bravery to do something like that? There was also a glint in Gabriel’s eyes that made her skin crawl. She used her disgust to fuel her anger toward him in the meeting in the afternoon.

Lady Temerilla hugged her body tightly. “Lord Caeldaemos.” Her eyes shot open, and her face turned red. Remembering his tight embrace when he cleared the darkness from her heart made its beat rate quicken.

“My goodness. I have been single too long.” She jested to herself.

It was then something hit the barrier that Caeldaemos established.

“AAAARRRRRRGGGH!” A man cried out before being blasted away from the manor. She quickly grabbed her Crys-Link and recorded the man who was struggling to get up.

She activated an alarm to call the guards to her home. The alarm blared through the night air. The man panicked and quickly escaped.

Seeing the man a bit clearer, she was sure he was the one who attacked her, but he was too well covered that no one would be able to tell who it was. But her instincts screamed it was him.

“Gabriel… you bastard.” She shivered in disgust. Darkness began to grow in her heart. “Cael….”

“You alright?” A deep, worried voice asked.

She turned to see him. The Demon-Lord himself.

Tumbling into his arms, she cried. “It was him! I’m sure of it!”

Hannah and Alpen glanced in before closing the door, leaving their lady in his capable arms.

“The Hero of the garbage goddess.” He muttered, holding her tightly.

“Thank you, Cael. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for protecting me….”

He stroked her hair caringly. “Do you want me to go after him?” He asked.

She felt his muscles ripple with power, ready to charge forward. All it would take was a single word from her, and the hero would be crushed.

She shook her head. “No. I want to see him suffer. You said you can do custom curses, right?”

Caeldaemos smiled wickedly. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

She smiled back at him. “Probably.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabriel returned to his room feeling horrible. He wondered what the hell that powerful barrier was. He was already stronger than most humans being rank 26. Such a barrier should have meant little to him, but it repelled him with just as much force at the dungeon.

He tossed his clothes and dagger aside. Drinking an elixir, he felt far better and energized. Too energized after he could not punish Temerilla.

As Gabriel went to check himself in his full mirror. He got woozy. Stumbling, he searched for another elixir and drank it. The wooziness dissipated, and he felt better. Not sure if it was a side effect of that barrier, he drank another just in case.

Feeling better, he decided to enjoy some time with his ladies.

He left his room and headed to the room next to where they were.

The two scantily dressed ladies welcomed him, rubbing their bodies on him.

“Ladies…” Something felt wrong. Looking down at his little soldier… nothing. No reaction at all!

“What the hell!?” He exclaimed.

“Let me help you, your grace.” One of the women tried coaxing it.

“I… I don’t feel anything…” Gabriel fell to his knees. “That barrier… made me impudent…”

The two ladies looked at each other.

One mouthed, ‘What should we do?’

‘I don’t know!’ The other replied.

‘Should we leave tonight?’ The first asked.

The other nodded.

“Y-Your grace. Perhaps a priest may be able to help in the morning?” One of the ladies offered.

“A priest? Yes. Yes! A priest should be able to help! Either that or the goddess!” He exclaimed.

Gabriel stood. “Now. Let us at least sleep tonight. Tomorrow I will look after both of you extra long.”

The two ladies nodded and joined him in his room.

The following morning, both ladies were gone along with some of his Tress.

“Those bitches!” He shouted.

Gabriel got ready and headed down to the hall. After ordering a few of his men to find the two ladies, he headed to the local temple.

“I-I’m sorry, Hero Gabriel, but there is nothing we can do….” The high priest said as he bowed.

Curse of Impotence. The Blessed Plate in the temple revealed what had happened. Someone had cursed him.

“It was her. It had to be Temerilla!” Gabriel shouted.

He turned to the statue of Sylfaerune, only for the blood to drain from his face.

Massive. Cloaked in darkness. A giant demon stood upon the pedestal.

“W-What…” His voice caught his throat.

With a single swing of the demon’s arm and the statue of Sylfaerune was obliterated.

Gabriel used his Hero’s Eye to see the status of the being.

Avatar of the Demon-Lord

It turned to face him. “Good to meet you for the first time, Hero of the garbage goddess.” Its powerful voice shook the building.

“W-W-W-W-Why are you here?!” Gabriel meekly asked.

The avatar laughed. “Did you like the gift I gave you?”

“G-Gift?”

It laughed again. “The curse! I saw you liked forcing yourself on women and thought you were a disgrace. So, I made it so you cannot do that anymore!” The avatar laughed loudly. The building rattled and shook.

Gabriel and the priest were afraid the very voice of the avatar would bring it down around them.

“I have a bone to pick with your goddess. This is merely one of many steps. Good luck, garbage hero.” A wide and wicked grin came to the avatar’s face.

The avatar flew about the room, laughing gleefully as it destroyed every symbol, stained window, or visage of Sylfaerune in the temple. Once its work was complete, the avatar dove into a shadow, disappearing into darkness, its laughter fading.

“Hero Gabriel!” The high priest yelled.

Gabriel looked at the old man.

“Why didn’t you do anything!? You have the Hero’s Call!”

Gabriel stood and turned toward the exit. “I… It was too strong. It must have reached its pinnacle of power. Which means all five heroes will be needed.”

Another thing the high priest could tell the pathetic hero needed was a new set of drawers by the stench of the leaving man.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Caeldaemos and Lady Temerilla laughed heartily together.

“Oh! My lord! That could not have gone better! Hah, hah, hah!” She continued to laugh.

Caeldaemos stood from where he was seated. “Well, he should not trouble you anymore. If he does, let me know. You’ve got the Demon-Lord on speed dial.”

She smiled warmly at the leaving Demon-Lord. “I will, Cael.”

Caeldaemos vanished, moving back to Dunluun.

She sighed, and Hannah entered the room. “My lady?”

“Yes, Hannah?”

“Will we have a lord of the manor? You did spend all night with him.” Hannah teased.

The noble lady’s face turned red. “I did nothing of the sort!” She turned away meekly. “Not to say I did not want to…” She trailed off.

Hannah giggled. “Well, you have a demon, demi-human, and fae spirit to contend with.”

The woman hugged her master. “Next time, my lady. He is the sort that you need to be clear with. Subtle hints will not have him understand.”

Lady Temerilla looked away in disappointment. “If you say so…”

Hannah hugged her master more tightly. Placing her faith, instead of the gods, in the ‘fearsome’ Demon-Lord.