image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]
"Are our preparations complete?" I inquired as I joined the guards and Yarine, who were engaged in conversation near the observation tower.
Yarine turned to face me, her eyes narrowing as she responded curtly, "Yes, but we'll be making a brief detour to the Holy Capital."
"Why the detour?"
"I have received a summons from the Holy Emperor," Yarine replied, her tone indicating a sense of urgency.
Standing beside Yarine, Yosef added, "They have summoned Yarine for a private council. The letter arrived this morning. It seems they want to discuss her future within the order."
Yarine, visibly frustrated with Yosef's interjection, composed herself before continuing, "That is none of his concern." Her attention turning to me, she continued, "Furthermore, I will compensate you once we reach the capital. I have no intention of sullying our sacred church with your black magic."
Yosef let out a subtle chuckle under his breath, seemingly amused by the situation.
"The very magic that Arbious wielded to save us should make us more inclined to show him hospitality," Yosef remarked, challenging Yarine's decisions.
"Enough questioning my decisions, Captain," Yarine retorted firmly.
"It's alright. Once I receive my payment, I will depart as you wish," I responded calmly.
Yarine turned her attention towards the caravan and headed towards the wounded, leaving Yosef and me standing in silence.
"Sorry about that. Maybe she'll reconsider," Yosef commented, breaking the silence. "She means no harm, but you know how superstitious people can be."
"I'm well aware," I replied with a nod.
Yosef chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure you've had your fair share of encounters. Listen, I won't be accompanying Yarine to the Church of Michael. My journey ends at the Holy Capital."
"Is that so?" I inquired, intrigued by his statement. "And what lies ahead for you?"
"Freelancing," he responded with a hint of determination. "I've already informed the church that I will act as a missionary, spreading the word of God to nearby villages."
"Which God?" I asked, a mischievous tone in my voice.
"Whichever God answers my call," he replied with a devilish grin.
"And if the Demon God were to answer those summons?" I questioned, a mix of curiosity and disbelief in my voice.
Yosef's expression remained unshaken as he confidently replied, "That won't happen, but if it did, I would gladly oblige."
"But isn't he considered evil? Would you truly serve someone as cruel and malevolent as him?"
Yosef's eyes gleamed with unwavering determination. "Indeed, he may be seen as evil by many, but he is still a God. To serve a divine entity, regardless of their nature, would be an honor of the highest order."
I couldn't help but press further. "And if he did call upon you, what would you have to offer? What would you do for him? Why should he choose you?"
With unwavering conviction, Yosef stood his ground. "I would give every fiber of my being to serve him. I would use my knowledge to seek out and convert new devout followers, establishing an entirely new order, a religion, in his name."
"You've truly gone mad!" I exclaimed, a mixture of amusement and astonishment evident in my voice.
"Better than serving a God who won't even answer prayers, isn't it?" Yosef challenged with a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Indeed..."
Yarine, who had been watching us from a distance, waved to signal us to join the group. Yosef, turning to me with a smile, gestured for me to lead the way, assuring me of our privacy.
As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue mixed with caution. Yosef's aspirations and beliefs were far from conventional, and I knew our conversation could take us down a dangerous path. But curiosity got the better of me, and I was eager to hear what he had to say.
As we approached Yarine, Yosef leaned in and spoke in a hushed tone, ensuring our conversation remained confidential. "I hope we can speak in confidence when we have the opportunity. It would be... troublesome if someone were to overhear us."
"Of course,"
image [https://i.imgur.com/7fgH3qs.png]
The journey south to the Holy Empire was a smooth one, with well-maintained and protected roads. The cloudy skies blocked out the sunlight, creating an eerie atmosphere. Despite the ominous weather, there was no rain, only the distant sound of thunder echoing through the air.
During our journey, we made brief stops to tend to the wounded, as Yarine attended to them with care. She remained with the injured, while I stayed at the head of the caravan. Yosef stayed with his comrades in the third wagon, where the supplies were stored.
As my mind wandered, dark thoughts consumed me. Chaotic energies danced around me, consuming my thoughts. Gradually, my human form was getting accustomed to my demonic nature, shedding the remaining traces of human emotions, including those I once held for Mila. Still, a flicker of curiosity lingered, wondering what she might be doing now.
In the distance, the walls of the Holy Empire came into view. It was a magnificent city, radiating with holy and positive energy. Most demons would be intimidated by such power, but as the Demon God, I was immune to its effects. However, a strategic question arose in my mind.
If I were to invade this city, how would I deploy my troops when they have such a strong protective holy aura?
No matter, I have Alpos by my side. With his tactical brilliance, we would find a way to overcome any obstacle.
image [https://i.imgur.com/lhqCDcB.png]
Arriving at the Holy Empire, we were relieved to see the wounded quickly and efficiently taken off the wagons and escorted to a nearby hospital for the care they needed. Yarine, Yosef, and I stepped out of our wagons, stretching our tired bodies after the long journey. As we surveyed the surroundings, our eyes were drawn to the magnificent capital building in the distance. The grand structure, a marbled castle with crosses adorning its domes, stood as a symbol of the empire's religious beliefs.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Gathering near the city entrance, we observed our wagons being unloaded and our belongings swiftly organized by the diligent locals. The guards, recognizing the official letter from the Holy Emperor that Yarine presented as her summons, granted us easy access into the city. The level of security was impressive, with guards stationed along the walls and priests and nuns bustling through the streets. Even the common folk conducted their trades in a more refined and civilized manner compared to what we were accustomed to in Hupu Village.
So this is a true city huh...
Yosef, showing his support, placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, standing steadfastly by my side as he spoke.
"Taking in the view, my friend?" he asked.
I let out a sigh, my weariness evident in my response. "As much as one can in these circumstances."
Yarine, standing beside Yosef, chimed in with a hint of concern in her voice. "Yosef, are you certain about leaving us now? We are already short-handed, and your skills are invaluable."
Yosef nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I understand, Yarine, but I need to find my own path, and sort things out for myself."
"Very well then," Yarine responded, her attention shifting to me. "Arbious, I have not forgotten about the payment owed to you. Once we've met with the Holy Emperor, I will make sure to request a proper payment to be issued in your name."
Thoughts of the Holy Emperor flooded my mind. I had heard numerous tales and rumors about this enigmatic figure, but I couldn't help but wonder how much of it was true.
"Are you sure it's wise to bring someone as tainted as myself before your esteemed Emperor?"
Yarine's gaze narrowed, her tone becoming sharper. "The Holy Emperor possesses a power that far surpasses any threat you may pose."
"Then if you insist."
"Be there in an hour, no later. Understood?"
"Yes... I'll be there."
Yarine took a moment to retrieve her letter, her eyes scanning its contents once more as she separated from our group, making her way towards the capital. We watched her depart, her head bowed as she focused on the words written on the parchment.
image [https://i.imgur.com/Qj0qq7o.png]
Left alone with Yosef, we gazed out into the distance, the weight of my impending meeting with the Holy Emperor settling upon me.
"You know, Yosef, I've been reflecting on what I said earlier, I may have misjudged you. Your value goes beyond what I initially perceived."
Curiosity laced Yosef's response. "What do you mean?"
I paused, choosing my words carefully. "When I mentioned your limited mana reserves, I believed you were ill-suited for proper spellcasting."
A hint of intrigue crossed Yosef's face. "So, are you suggesting there might be another way?"
"There are... certain forbidden arts that can enable a practitioner to expand their mana capacities, without resorting to soul manipulation... However, I'm not yet convinced that you are deserving of such knowledge,"
A glimmer of excitement danced in Yosef's eyes, and I could sense his growing fascination with the prospects of increased power.
"What is it that you seek from me in exchange for this knowledge?" he inquired, his voice filled with both curiosity and a hint of trepidation.
"It's not a matter of what I require from you, but rather what you must do to attain it," I explained, my voice taking on a mysterious tone.
"What do you mean by 'what I must do'?" Yosef pressed, eager to learn the path that lay ahead.
"Karma, or Alignment..." I emphasized, my words weighted with significance. "The very essence by which this world operates. By harnessing the energies of either good and evil, you can wield magic in those respective domains. For instance, demons possess the ability to invoke the powers of the infernal scriptures."
Yosef's face contorted with concern, sensing the direction of our conversation. "Holddd on a minute. I want no part in dealing with the Infernal Scripture," he protested, his voice uncertain.
"If you desire true power, you must be willing to tap into the magic bestowed by the Demon God. Do not be foolish enough to reject the gifts that lie within its realm, It is through him I wield my magic, and it is through him you will get the power you seek."
Silence hung in the air as Yosef absorbed the weight of my words. His worries intensified, knowing all too well the forbidden nature of discussing the infernal scriptures, especially within the sanctity of the Holy Empire. A mere mention of its name could lead to dire consequences, including execution.
"I see, so you are a servant of the great Demon God..." Yosef spoke with a mixture of resignation and understanding.
A sly grin curved on my lips as I acknowledged his perception. "More or less, you could say that..."
Yosef's eyes narrowed, a trace of skepticism lingering in his gaze. "That would certainly explain your persistent and manipulative nature. But still..."
His voice trailed off, leaving an air of uncertainty as he grappled with his thoughts. The realization that he stood in the presence of one who served the very embodiment of darkness weighed heavily on him.
"And how would I go about harnessing the powers of this evil you speak of? How can I serve this Demon God you speak so fondly of?"
My expression turned even darker as Yosef inquired about harnessing the powers of evil. The sinister grin on my face grew as I revealed what he needed to do.
"To tap into the powers of darkness, you must first lower your alignment to neutral," I explained, relishing in the twisted nature of my words. "You still radiate positivity, which means you'll need to engage in acts of evil, chaos, and rebellion against the established order. Anything that goes against the rules and principles of righteousness will help you achieve this goal."
Yosef's face contorted with a mix of disbelief and horror as he processed the implications of my words. The weight of what I was suggesting hung heavily in the air.
"But I must warn you," I continued, my voice taking on a sinister edge. "To expedite this process, there is a specific type of murder required—a special one. You must take the life of someone close to you, someone you hold dear."
"To... Kill someone I hold dear?"
I recoiled slightly at my own words, realizing the depths to which I had plunged. Nevertheless, I maintained a sinister composure as I presented an alternative path to Yosef.
"Yes, to kill a loved one, a family member, or the one you hold closest... Alternatively," I offered, my voice dripping with malevolence. "You could choose to unleash unspeakable chaos and carnage, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, even thousands of people. It is through this immense display of destruction that the Demon God may finally acknowledge your efforts. However, to truly prove your loyalty to the infernal scripture, a sacrifice of personal significance must be made. The choice, ultimately, is yours to make."
Yosef's face contorted with a mixture of horror and contemplation as he absorbed the weight of my proposition. His voice trembled as he spoke, struggling to comprehend the enormity of the decision before him.
"And if I were to undertake these actions, are you absolutely certain that the Demon God will grant me access to the powers I seek?" he asked, his voice filled with a desperate longing for assurance.
A malevolent smile twisted across my face as I responded, my voice laced with dark promises. "What you seek and more shall be granted unto you. You will become a hero in the eyes of the masses, their cheers ringing in your ears. However, remember this: The nature of your alliance with the Demon God must remain a secret, hidden from all who may seek to expose its darkness."
A palpable darkness loomed before Yosef, its tendrils of malevolence entwining with the promises of power that hung in the air. The twisted magic that emanated from me, fueled by chaotic energies, began to subtly infiltrate his thoughts. Each word I spoke acted as a poisonous dagger, mercilessly corrupting his mind and altering his perception.
Yosef's once clear and noble thoughts were now clouded by a haze of darkness. The allure of forbidden power danced tantalizingly before him, its seductive whispers captivating his senses. The corrupted magic that surrounded me seeped into his very being, slowly eroding his moral compass and tainting his judgment.
His eyes, once filled with innocence and compassion, now flickered with a sinister glimmer. The darkness within him stirred, embracing the growing temptation to embrace the path of evil. The chaotic forces that swirled around us enhanced his susceptibility to its influence, blurring the line between right and wrong.
As I observed the transformation unfolding before me, a wicked smile curled upon my lips. Yosef was on the precipice of a fateful decision, a choice that would forever alter his destiny and unleash untold consequences upon the world.
"I'll do it."