image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]

From my infernal throne, I gazed upon the human world, feeling a tinge of boredom as I observed its chaos through the enchanted mirror. Death and destruction pervaded the mortal realm, with the elves in disarray, the dwarves hiding within their caves, and the humans persistently preaching that their lord was still with them.

It was utterly laughable, their feeble attempts to resist me.

Transferring my consciousness back into my human body, I awoke in my private demonic chambers atop the imposing Hellfire Citadel. As always, opulence surrounded me, and just beyond the chamber doors stood my loyal guards.

"It has been quite some time," I murmured, rising from my bed and flexing my fingers, adjusting to the sensation of the mortal vessel.

Yet, amidst the vastness of my power and dominion, her name, Mila, inexplicably seeped into my thoughts.

Damn it, why does her name persist as my first thought?

Enveloping myself in an ethereal shroud of infernal hellfire, I conjured a spell to transport me back to the human world, where I had previously left off.

image [https://i.imgur.com/7fgH3qs.png]

My body returned to the once lush, grassy plains, now transformed into a desolate wasteland. My gaze scanned the barren hills, their vibrant green now reduced to a lifeless brown. In the distance, the once peaceful and serene town stood, but now devoid of any signs of life.

"Is this the result of my magic?" I mused, a hint of uncertainty creeping into my thoughts.

Stepping onto the road that traversed the desolate plains, I proceeded towards the town. The wind whispered dryly, carrying an eerie silence through the air. Overhead, clouds cast a somber shadow upon the land, intensifying the gloomy atmosphere. As I walked along the road, I found no resistance in entering the town; the guards who once patrolled its boundaries had vanished. The town itself lay in darkness, devoid of lights and sounds.

"Did my demons slay them all?" I questioned, contemplating the absence of bodies left behind. "No, they must have evacuated... but where?"

Making my way towards the guild hall, I passed through cobwebs and watched as small spiders scurried away in fear. Inside, the reception desk stood empty, covered in a thick layer of dust. The guild hall seemed abandoned, a mere shell of its former bustling self.

"Seems I won't find any answers here," I muttered to myself, recognizing the futility of my search.

Leaving the guild hall, I continued to travel through the city, but to no avail, life itself had perished.

Frustration seeped into my thoughts as I muttered a curse under my breath. Determined to explore further, I set my course towards the west, leaving behind the unyielding emptiness of the town I had decimated.

"Damn it..."

Making my way across the desolate wasteland, I pressed forward along the road, my human form carrying me through the barren expanse. The once thriving landscape had transformed into a desolation of cracked earth and lifeless vegetation.

image [https://i.imgur.com/lhqCDcB.png]

For two relentless nights, I roamed the desolate planes, my sleepless journey occasionally interrupted by encounters with demons who crossed my path. Unwilling to waste time on their futile conversion, I swiftly dispatched each one, leaving no trace of their existence.

However, amidst the barren landscape, a glimmer of hope beckoned me forward. I had stumbled upon the legendary Lake of Conyon Cyopo. After traversing the desolation for what felt like an eternity, the sight of vibrant greenery surrounding the lake brought a sense of relief. The fields teemed with life, a stark contrast to the lifelessness that had consumed my surroundings.

Driven by curiosity, I approached the tranquil shores of the lake. Leaning down, I extended my hand, cautiously dipping my fingertips into the water. To my surprise, instead of the refreshing touch I expected, a sharp stinging sensation coursed through my fingertips, causing me to recoil.

Holy Water?

Across the lake, a cluster of tents stood along its serene coast, capturing my attention as I withdrew my stinging hand from the water's touch. Curiosity ignited within me, urging me to approach the individuals who had established their camp in this verdant sanctuary.

As I made my way towards the encampment, my senses sharpened, taking note of a dozen figures, presumably human, who had sought solace in this haven. One of the guards on duty noticed my approach and stepped forward, his demeanor cautious yet curious.

"State your business, traveler," he commanded, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.

Lowering my guard, I spoke with a mix of urgency and weariness. "I seek refuge among your ranks. My village to the east fell victim to a brutal demon attack."

The guard removed his helmet, his expression shifting to one of empathy mixed with remorse. He sighed and glanced down, momentarily lost in thought before meeting my gaze again.

"Yeah, well, you're welcome to join us. I'm sorry for what you've endured," he offered, his voice tinged with genuine sympathy.

Seeking to dismiss any concern, I responded, "There's no need to trouble yourself. It's fine, really."

With a reassuring nod, the guard gestured for me to enter the encampment, acknowledging my presence as a welcome one.

"We are a traveling group dedicated to offering aid to those in need," the guard explained, his voice carrying a sense of purpose. "Feel free to stay with us as long as you desire. To speak with our leader, Yarine, head to the main camp. You'll recognize it easily."

"Yarine, understood," I replied, committing the name to memory.

With a nod of gratitude, I entered the encampment, finding it surprisingly effortless to blend in among the humans. Numerous tents were scattered about, but one stood out prominently. Its design boasted an intricate emblem of the holy cross, accompanied by banners and vigilant guards.

Curiosity drew me towards the tent, sensing that it belonged to the mentioned Yarine. The guards stationed outside offered no resistance, permitting my entry without a second thought.

Inside, I beheld a scene that hinted at both strength and compassion. A young woman, adorned in the attire of the church, wore a silver cross around her neck. Her long staff rested beside her as she knelt on the ground, tenderly tending to the wounds of a fellow human. Each touch exuded care and a deep sense of empathy.

As I approached her, the young woman startled, her eyes widening in surprise before she swiftly turned to face me. A faint shiver passed through her, an unexplained feeling unsettling her senses.

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"Uh, hello," I mumbled, feigning cluelessness. "You are Yarine, right?"

Straightening her dress, she nodded in affirmation. "Yes, that's me."

Her soft white hair cascaded around her shoulders, while her eyes shimmered with the enchanting hue of an amethyst. If not for her attire, one might have mistaken her for a pureblood elf.

"I assume you're here seeking refuge?" she inquired, her voice carrying a hint of weariness as she composed herself.

"Yes, that's correct," I replied, my tone neutral.

Before I could elaborate on my situation, her voice took on a hint of desperation. "Well, I'm sorry to inform you, but I can barely manage taking care of the few here. You might find yourself in a difficult situation if you choose to stay with us..."

My gaze shifted towards the injured unconscious man lying on the ground.

"You see, I am a priestess of the Church of Michael. We were sent on a missionary journey to aid those in need, but..." Yarine's voice trailed off, her gaze filled with a mix of regret and frustration. "As you can see, I can't even accomplish that."

The Church of Michael, a foundation formed by the holy order to praise Michael, the archangel. However, with him locked within our dungeons, she would have difficulties communicating with him. Bah, fool of a human.

"Why do you serve Michael, is he not the angel of war?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Yarine paused for a moment, contemplating her response. "Yes, Michael is often associated with the aspect of war," she admitted. "But his role extends beyond that. He carries out his duties with the ultimate goal of bringing peace."

Peace... Hahah! HAHAHHAHA! PEACE?!

"Do you carry a sword to protect or to bring harm?" I questioned, injecting a hint of sarcasm into my tone.

Yarine paused, her expression briefly flickering with a mix of surprise and amusement as she deciphered the underlying humor. She chose her words carefully, contemplating the essence of my jest.

"It is true that the very existence of weapons is rooted in the intention to cause harm," she acknowledged, her voice tinged with a touch of solemnity. "The harsh reality is that weapons would hold no purpose if it were not for the potential to impose violence upon others. However, I believe in wielding a sword in the name of justice, just as the great archangel Michael does in the Lord's honor."

She's as brainwashed as they come huh?

Dealing with religious folk like her is just a pain in the ass really... I'll just pretend that she's right.

I once heard that stupid people drag you down to their level and beat you with experience, the person who suggested this was a genius.

"I suppose wielding the blade of justice in itself is quite admirable, but only if it is to protect others," I mused, acknowledging the value of using power for noble purposes.

Yarine's gaze held a mixture of surprise and curiosity at my changed tone, her eyes searching for the underlying intention behind my words.

As my attention shifted to the injured man lying on the ground, I couldn't help but inquire further. "So, what's the deal with him?"

Yarine's expression softened, her voice laced with a touch of sorrow as she shared his story. "He is a survivor of the locust invasion. They descended upon his crop fields, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Though he managed to escape, he was not unscathed. His arm was bitten by the relentless insects, and as if that wasn't enough, he was later attacked by a demon. Now, his veins carry the taint of demonic corruption."

If that's the case then I can easily stop the corruption from spreading, but I don't see a reason why I should help.

"I've tried my very best to heal him using the holy water within the lake, but that didn't seem to stop the advance of the chaos infection. And my prayers to Michael have gone unanswered. I even beseeched the name of the Holy Father, and the Lord has ignored my summons..." Yarine's voice carried a tinge of frustration and disappointment.

I offered a reassuring smile, attempting to uplift her spirits. "I'm sure they will help sooner or later! Never give up! Just as they never give up on you."

Yarine nodded, gratitude and renewed hope shining in her eyes. "Thank you for reaffirming my faith. You must be a messenger of the Gods, sent to provide me with strength during these difficult times."

Her words stirred a mix of emotions within me, but I chose to remain focused on the matter at hand. "But would you indulge me on why you have camped out here? Shouldn't you resume your journey?"

Yarine sighed, her gaze reflecting a weight of responsibility. "You are correct, we would like nothing more than to continue our journey. However, this lake provides us with a source of holy water, which keeps the demons at bay. It is a safe haven amidst the chaos."

Her expression grew solemn as she continued. "But there is more to our situation. We are surrounded by demons, and our group lacks the strength to fight them off. On our way here, nearly a hundred of our companions have been killed, leaving only the twelve of us, and even among the guards, there are only five left."

The spell I cast has proven to be more effective than I had first thought...

Too bad I can't cast it again for some time.

"If you want, I could aid you on your journey back, in exchange for a reward,"

Yarine's gaze intensified, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if trying to unravel the truth behind my words. She spoke, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, "You have such a confident gaze... You must be an adventurer rather than the refugee you claimed to be."

I maintained my composure, refusing to falter under her penetrating scrutiny. "Appearances can be deceiving, Yarine. As for my true nature, let's say I have a penchant for finding myself in intriguing situations."

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, followed by a soft smile. "Nonetheless, I would gladly accept any aid you can lend us. But you wouldn't ask an extortionate price from someone such as me now, would you?"

But what can I even ask her... hm...

"Three Hundred Gold."

Yarine's eyes widened as the weight of the price I had proposed settled upon her. Three hundred gold was indeed a substantial sum, and she knew it would strain their already dwindling resources. For a brief moment, her gaze flickered with hesitation and concern, her mind calculating the value of their lives against the cost demanded.

"You're really a demon, you know that?" Yarine finally spoke, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and disbelief.

A wry smile played upon my lips as I acknowledged her observation. "I've been told as much. But in this world of turmoil, desperate times call for unconventional solutions. The question remains, will you make a deal with the devil to save the lives of your men?"

Her gaze shifted towards the injured man lying before us, his life hanging in the balance. It was a somber reminder of the stakes at hand, and the urgency of their situation. After a moment of contemplation, Yarine let out a deep sigh.

"I accept these terms," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of determination and resignation.

A sense of satisfaction washed over me, for I had found a willing ally in Yarine, willing to take a leap of faith in the face of adversity. "Excellent," I replied, my tone betraying a hint of approval.

She had no choice in my eyes, and if she refused, I would just leave her to her death, to let her continue in believing that her mighty lord would come down to aid her, little did she know that Michael was locked away, rotting in hell.

"Then I demand you tell your men to pack up immediately, take down the tents, take your belongings. I will personally escort you out of here, and I can guarantee your safety as a high-ranking adventurer that no harm shall come to you."

Yarine's expression tightened as my demand echoed in the air. She felt the weight of my authority bearing down upon her, and the reality of her limited options became starkly apparent. Her faith in the divine protection of her Lord wavered, and she realized that her only hope lay in the assistance I could provide.

"I... I understand," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and determination. "I will gather our men and instruct them to pack up immediately. We shall be ready to depart as soon as possible."

I nodded approvingly, acknowledging her compliance. "Very well. Ensure that everything is prepared swiftly. Time is of the essence, and we must not linger in this dangerous territory any longer than necessary."

Yarine's eyes met mine, a flicker of apprehension passing through them. "You mentioned guaranteeing our safety as a high-ranking adventurer. What assurance can you provide?"

A hint of a smile played upon my lips, a calculated mixture of charm and confidence. "You'll have to take my word for it, but if it makes you feel any better, my abilities are beyond that of a mere mortal. With me by your side, no harm shall befall you or your companions. I am skilled in the arts of combat, and I will utilize my powers to shield you from any threats we may encounter."

Yarine's gaze softened slightly, a glimmer of hope mingling with her lingering doubt. "I... I will trust in your words," she said, her voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and resolve as she left the room in order to issue her commands to begin packing their belongings.

A trusting girl, no wonder she's so brainwashed, but I've made a pact with her, and I'll see this through...