Nothing worthy of note happened during the twelve days that it took to journey to Amartia, the Teryo and Ieros’s shadows had kept the carriage quite safe from any danger and the Seal of Athera allowed them passage into amartian lands. Of course, with Ieros’s magic, Saerus and Elysant had enjoyed the smoothest ride of their lives, they could scarcely believe that they were indeed traveling in a carriage. Of course, this was due to Ieros separating the room of the carriage in an alternate dimensional plane, they would still be able to see and hear the world around them but they wouldn’t be able to feel anything that happened on their original plane.

They were also provided with a most excellent cuisine, Ieros was not slacking whenever he attended a royal feast, he had been analyzing each morsel of food that entered his mouth, recording every single taste and sensation as it traveled from his mouth to his stomach. In order to gather as much data as possible, he tasted many types of foods as possible during these feasts and would accept the food gifts that the villagers would give him as payment for his services.

Of course, to eat with only half of one’s face is a rather hard thing to do but this problem was easily solved with barrier magic, after all, the food just had to be kept inside the mouth. Of course, he could have simply just regenerated his flesh but in order to keep his persona as a human, Ieros had to make a habit of eating this way so he wouldn’t slip up in the future. After all, perfect practice makes perfect and one has to practice perfectly all the time. After all, even with the influence of the Surveyor, Ieros was only human, even he made mistakes sometimes, well, at least he pretended to.

But finally, the Capital of Amartia was in sight and the Surveyor began to extend its influence to the city’s shadows, processing the knowledge that was flowing through it at an incredible rate. In just a few seconds the processing was done. It then returned to Ieros’s body, Ieros now knowing why Amartia was called the Kingdom of Sin. Within the walls of the capital was what at first appeared to be anarchy, everyone did as they wanted to, indulging in their carnal desires as well as massive fights breaking out everywhere. There appeared to be no sort of societal system to keep things in check, only amartians pleasuring themselves in every conceivable way.

Upon closer inspection, however, Ieros did see some amartians at work, approximately half of them while the other half pleasured themselves. It seems that there is one ironclad rule of the city, that all of its citizens would work for their pleasure. Although its citizens could participate in all sorts of pleasure, they could only do so for as long as they work. An example would be one citizen works hard for a year and then has pleasure for a year. Whether that work was as a soldier, farmer, tailor, smith or whatever else, they had to work for their vacation. Of course, they also had to work hard, for through working hard could they advance through the social hierarchy where the higher, the longer their vacation for the same amount of work. Of course, the work was harder but it was worth it to these people.

It was also a society in which money did not rule supreme, currency still existed but it was something that was only used in the upper class to buy exotic items from merchants. Rather, the reward for one’s work is said vacation of pleasure, almost a working version of communism one might say, as food and goods are distributed to all although there is still a social hierarchy. But some sort of hierarchy and competition is needed in order for the populace to continue working hard.

Truly a strange city, Ieros looked forward to learning more, although perhaps at a distance, Ieros was still human and the Surveyor knew that humans were not perfect. It was possible that Ieros would succumb to his desires and the Surveyor would prefer that did not happen. It had acted out of preservation of itself earlier because it lacked the proper knowledge to allow Ieros to live while keeping itself unaffected and although it had developed such a method now, it still did not wish to lose Ieros. It would be too troublesome to let Ieros gain humanity and then abuse his power, the Surveyor had already simulated all possible scenarios where this happened and eighty percent of them ended in the premature end of Agleon. With such high stakes, it couldn’t afford to let Ieros become human. So the Surveyor made sure to keep a tighter rein on Ieros’s emotions, it would not let Ieros become human.

—???—

I watched the atherans from the castle walls, especially the dark robed man who sat on the wyrm. His face was hidden in shadow, even when I used magic to try and peer within his hood, there was only a dark void. I watched them for a moment more, confirming that the two atheran ambassadors were indeed here before returning to the King. I entered through his open balcony, the stench of love-making, cum, and other various body fluids heavy in the air. Ignoring all this, although I did tie my mask on a bit tighter, I headed to the King to make my report, trying to avoid the puddles of whitish liquid and the humping bodies of twenty or so people.

I longed to join them right then and there but I was on the job and I couldn’t afford to fuck it up right now, not when I had only three months remaining. Finally, I stood before the King, unable to tear my eyes away at his massive dick which went in and out of the lucky whore which had fainted from ecstasy. Of course, I was horny when I entered but now I was even hornier, but a disapproving glare from the King quickly dried me up.

I quickly gave my report, “Your majesty, the atheran ambassadors have arrived with the promised escort, four guards and a mage, although from the mana literally pouring from him, I’d say he is an archmage.”

The King continued thrusting for a few more moments before finishing inside of the woman, the woman’s body spasming instinctively as her womb accepted his cum. He then let her body slide off of his dick and then he sat back, two more women crawling to him and beginning to clean his dick.

He mused, “An archmage huh, what else did you see about this archmage.”

I diverted my eyes lest I too began to suck on his delicious, long… no, I have to focus.

I answered, “It appears he also has a magical amulet, a black crystal necklace which appears to be made of obsidian. It also appears that the four guards are products of his magic as they are made of a similar mana to his.”

The King asked, “What type of mage is he?”

I answered, “Rumors say that he is a creationist although from what I saw, it seems that he is also gifted in dark magic.”

“Dark magic…”, the King mused while he resumed fucking, fingering another girl while he was at it.

While he began to pound fiercely, he asked, “What of the ambassadors?”

I replied, “There are two of them, Lord Saerus and Lady Elysant.”

“Elysant?”, the King asked in surprise, “I would have never thought she would have been an ambassador…”

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He trailed off, looking off into the distance as he thrust less powerfully, although he didn’t stop. With his free arm, he waved his hand in a clear dismissal. I bowed and left, a bit glad having left, I wasn’t sure if I could have held myself back for much longer. I then made my way back to spy on the ambassadors, using magic to cloak myself as I watched from a rooftop. But as I watched, the mage turned and looked at me, the dark void within his hood staring right back at me. It then looked away but I knew that he had seen me, I had felt his eyes stare right into my soul. One of his guards noticed his look and its eyes followed his, also looking directly at me.

It then spoke to the mage in a strange language but the mage shook his head, replying, “Let her watch, it is not like she could harm the ambassadors.”

The guard nodded and continued to escort the ambassadors, although I could feel that it and the other three were watching me. I was shocked and angry, shocked that he was able to see me and angry at the fact he dismissed me as harmless. I hate people who underestimate me but he’s right, and that makes me hate him even more. I’d like to whoop his ass but my opponent was a damn archmage, people who are second only to the gods, I would only be an insignificant ant compared to his power.

———

The carriage stopped at the royal palace, where maids dressed in skimpy outfits led the ambassadors inside to their rooms. They were very touchy, putting their hands on the bodies of the ambassadors as they led them. They tried to do the same with Ieros but the overpowering aura that emanated from him managed to fend off the maids. That and his faceless glare, one that paralyzed all that were caught within, the black void hidden within his hood seeming to devour them whole.

The ambassadors were no exception and Elysant said, “Control that aura of yours, it is unpleasant.”

The aura disappeared and Ieros apologized, “Forgive me, but I had been using this to keep monsters and wild animals at bay during our travels, I seem to have forgotten to control it.”

Once more, the maids tried to latch on to his arms but with a simple shake of his head, they stopped. They then continued to their living quarters, Lord Saerus attempting to dislodge the maids in order to be professional. Elysant had already slipped their grasp, putting a hand on her rapier and threatening to draw it if they came any closer. The Teryo meanwhile had dismounted and took positions next to the ambassadors, their presence discouraging the maids from clinging to Lord Saerus.

Saerus thanked Ieros and he just nodded, “It is my duty Lord Saerus. You need not thank me.”

Then without further distractions, they headed to their living quarters. The Teryo were stationed outside the rooms of the ambassadors while Ieros had whisperers protect his room. They were given an hour to rest and adjust to their new surroundings before they would be summoned to the dining hall for dinner. The ambassadors decided to take a nap while Ieros explored the palace by using the shadows, revealing all of the palace’s secrets to him. While he did this, he sensed the presence of two people who were powerful enough to prove an interesting challenge, although neither of them had sensed him yet.

He soon withdrew back to his body, he did not want to be noticed just yet. But he planted observers in their shadows, he wanted to know what they were doing at all times, he couldn’t afford to ignore people of their caliber. He then continued to memorize the halls and chambers within the palace until the hour was done. Then there was knocking at the door and he opened it, one of the maids were there. She nervously told him that he had been summoned to the dining hall and that she would be his guide. Ieros nodded and followed her, the maid unsettled by the lack of footsteps behind her. Of course, Ieros was walking but his feet were slightly above the ground, making his movement silent except for the rustling of cloth.

Ieros noticed her discomfort and knew the reason behind it but he didn’t stop, it was better to remain a mystery. That way he would be left alone, undisturbed to continue his research.

Soon they reached the dining hall and Ieros spoke, startling her, “Thank you.”

She stammered, “I-it was nothing.”

She then scampered off, Ieros ignoring her and taking a seat by the ambassadors. He noticed as he walked that the two presences were here, and he sighed, How troublesome. He then took his seat by Lord Saerus, his still hooded visage attracting the attention of all gathered to eat.

In Amartia, it was considered rude to keep one’s hood on so the King said, “You probably do not know of our customs but you will have to take off your hood, mage.”

Ieros bowed his head, “My apologies, but if I were to reveal my face, I’m afraid everyone would lose their appetite. My face has been… damaged, I’m afraid it is quite a horrific sight.”

The King said, “That is of no matter, keeping your hood on is rude!”

Ieros then asked, “May I cast illusion magic to hide it then?”

The King shook his head adamantly, “No, one must show his face at the table!”

Ieros then sighed, showing his face would cause unnecessary trouble but so was refusing the King’s offer.

Finally, he said, “Your majesty, I am afraid that I will have to keep my face hidden. If I have to leave the dining hall then so be it. Please do not think of this as an insult to you but rather a kindness, my marred face would only disrupt your appetite.”

The King’s face grew grim and he stood abruptly, “I will not tolerate your rudeness-”

Ieros stood as well, the room visibly darkening, growing colder as a sudden pressure weighed down upon them.

He spoke, “Your majesty, it seems that you have forgotten to whom you speak. I am Archmage of the East, I have tried to be polite and courteous but I shall not endure your rudeness any further. I may be your guest but I am not your subject. Now, if you shall excuse me, I’ve quite lost my appetite.”

The room lightened, growing warmer and the pressure disappearing. Everyone suddenly let out the breath that they didn’t know they were holding, all eyes upon Ieros. Suddenly, a fork flew through the air towards Ieros’s face and he dodged, the hood partly coming off as the fork grazed it. But what lay beneath wasn’t a face, it was part of a skull with flesh writhing at the edges, trying to grow back onto the bone. Ieros quickly replaced his hood and glared at the offender, raising out his hand as a transparent beating heart of shadow appeared in it. He then closed his hand around it, crushing it without mercy. The person who threw the fork grabbed at his chest, his face pale and twisted with pain. He gasped for air, trying to get the oxygen he so desperately needed but without his heart to pump fresh blood to the rest of his body, breathing was useless. Suddenly, his breathing stopped and he fell forward, spilling various dishes before him.

Ieros then took his leave, saying, "My apologies, I... lost my temper."

Silence followed his words and Ieros took this chance to escape, creating a gate and stepping through.

All were silent in his absence, the King finally asking the ambassadors, “Why... why is his face like that?”

Lord Saerus, who had heard some rumors, “It is unconfirmed but it is said that the Archmage dabbled with something he shouldn't have, something related to the gods. As punishment, he was struck with a curse, resulting in what you saw.”

"Just what could he have dabbled with to result in such a horrific curse?" the King mused, more to himself than anyone.

No one had an answer for his question and the King soon clapped his hands, commanding the maids to remove the corpse.  

The King said, "Well I give everyone permission to leave the table, today's events have been... stressful to say the least.”

A few did leave, having completely lost their appetite after having witnessed the death of one of them. But others stayed and continued to eat, mostly the ambassadors who wished to speak with the King. As the feast continued on, Ieros was standing on the roof of the palace, staring at the sun which was nearing the horizon.

Then, seemingly to no one, he said, “Come out.”