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

I awoke to the rhythmic cadence of knocking at my chamber door. The three deliberate taps resonated through the room, capturing my attention instantly. As my eyes fluttered open, I promptly sat upright on the bed, ensuring my attire was impeccably arranged.

"Enter."

The door, an aged fixture of the castle, groaned softly as it swung open, revealing Arbos. A quick assessment assured him of my preparedness, prompting his entrance.

"I trust you had a restful slumber?" I inquired, my gaze turning to him as he entered the room.

"Yes, my lord."

"Call me 'father'," I interjected gently, seeking to bridge the formalities.

A mixture of bewilderment and a fleeting flush of embarrassment painted Arbos' expression. "Yes, father."

"I'm pleased to hear that. But you've come to my quarters, so I'm intrigued by the purpose of this visit."

"Father..."

His voice wavered, sensing my attention fixed upon him.

"Yes, Arbos?" I inquired, a hint of amusement tugging at my lips.

"Father, pardon my directness. You have company. Visitors, to be precise. They patiently await your presence in the dining hall."

"Visitors?" I mused aloud, a tinge of skepticism tainting my tone. "Pray tell, who might these visitors be?"

"They represent the church. Their proclamation is solemn – they believe an ominous presence festers within these walls."

A wry grin curled upon my lips, my amusement transforming into a subtle satisfaction. "Is that so? Well then, let us extend to these guests the hospitality they deserve."

A shiver crawled down Arbos's spine. Rising from my bed, I smoothed my robes with practiced grace. Conjuring a mirror with a casual wave of my hand, I met my own gaze briefly, a display of magic that did not escape Arbos' awe-struck observation.

"Shall we, then?"

The words hung in the air like a promise, and we proceeded, leaving the chamber shrouded in a newfound energy.

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

In the dimly lit expanse of the dining room, two figures sat poised, adorned in immaculate white church vestments and elongated hats that cast their faces in ominous shadow. As we strode into the room, an inner struggle kept me from erupting into malevolent laughter at the audacity of these bishops who purported to offer assistance.

"Salutations, Lord Arbious," intoned one of the church envoys, rising from his chair with an air of feigned reverence. "Or should we now address you as Viscount Arbious?"

"Lord Arbious is just fine," I replied, my voice a silky, insidious murmur that seemed to slither through the air.

Approaching the duo, I watched as the other representative also rose from his seat.

"And what purpose has brought you within the walls of my abode?" I inquired with calculated disinterest.

"We arrive with the solemn intent to cleanse this domain of a putrid taint that festers within," came the response, dripping with an affectation of righteousness.

"Is that so?" I retorted, a faint curl of mockery playing upon my lips. "Yet, you've lingered, partaking in the hospitality we so generously offer."

My gaze shifted to Arbos, stationed by the door. A subtle inclination of my head signaled him to seal our isolation within the chamber.

As the door closed, the two churchmen resumed their rehearsed discourse, unfazed by the growing sense of tension in the room.

"Our sacred duty binds us to safeguard every corner against malevolent influences. With your progeny gracing these halls, our hearts yearn to cleanse this realm. However, such divine interventions require due recompense."

"Indeed, and what value do you assign to your intervention?" I inquired, a sardonic lilt tinging my words.

"A mere two hundred gold coins, and we shall labor tirelessly to restore sanctity," they affirmed, their conviction masking their underlying greed.

"Two hundred gold coins?" I echoed, a deceptive facade of surprise crossing my features. "How astonishingly modest. Are you certain that this trifling sum suffices?"

"Yes," they replied in unison, asserting their mastery of their craft.

"Fortunate then, that your renowned expertise has found its way here," I remarked, my tone laden with irony. "Your presence alone instills such a sense of security."

The sarcasm, a blade edged with malevolence, passed over their heads, but not Arbos'.

"Very well," I conceded, allowing a fraction of my sinister aura to unfurl.

Instantly, beads of sweat formed on their brows, fear blossoming in their eyes. Their instincts urged them to flee, but an unseen force anchored them in place.

"Lost your words, gentlemen? The vigor of your convictions seems to have waned," I taunted, savoring their vulnerability.

With an imperious raise of my hand, I effortlessly lifted the two hapless men into the air, ensnaring them with invisible tendrils of my malevolent magic. Their futile struggles were matched only by the tightening grip of my power, constricting their throats in a merciless stranglehold. As their faces contorted in desperation, I cast a sidelong glance at Arbos, who averted his gaze, unable to witness the unfolding horror.

"Arbos," I beckoned, my voice a twisted symphony of command. He approached, his hesitation palpable, a testament to the last remnants of his dwindling morality. Meeting his gaze with my chilling stare, I proceeded to lay out my wicked plans.

"The time has come for you to learn the ways of magic," I declared, a perverse excitement tainting my words. "To set you forth on this journey, a spell of great significance awaits your command."

Arbos turned his attention to the agonizing spectacle before him, his reluctance evident. In a hushed, questioning tone, he voiced his darkest apprehensions, "Must I take their lives?"

"You are rather sharp on your observations," I replied with sadistic amusement. "But do not think of it as murder. Instead, view it as a crucial step toward your ascendancy."

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"What is required of me?" Arbos inquired, a mixture of dread and curiosity warping his voice.

"Extend your hand, fingers outstretched," I directed, my words dripping with malevolence.

Following my instructions with a trembling hand, Arbos raised his fingers in tandem with his apprehension.

"Now, align the tips of your fingers with the very core of their existence—their hearts," I instructed, my voice a sinister whisper that slid into his psyche.

As Arbos aimed his fingers at the suspended victims, I reveled in the anticipation of the depravity that was about to unfold.

"Feel the pulse of their lives, the rhythmic cadence that sustains them," I continued, my words guiding his descent into darkness. "Sense their futile struggles, their racing heartbeats as they gasp for precious breath."

Arbos's gaze remained fixed upon the writhing men, their muffled screams a chilling symphony of torment.

"Now, envision their beating hearts within your grasp, and with a cruel twist of your fingers, crush those hearts as if they were mere playthings."

Arbos's fingers began their sinister dance, a sickening mimicry of my own gestures. His movements, guided by my malevolent guidance, acted as the conduit for the malefic spell I had meticulously devised.

The spell, a sinister orchestration of motion and intention, brought to life a grotesque spectacle. From Arbos's outstretched fingers emanated an eerie, viridescent beam of energy that snaked its way toward one of the struggling men. The verdant light bore into the priest's form, a vile fusion that commenced the extraction of his life essence.

As the agonizing ordeal unfolded, the priest's anguished screams echoed through the room, intertwining with Arbos's anguished conflict. Yet, despite the turmoil within him, a twisted ember of rage and resentment began to take root. The seeds of hatred that I had so carefully cultivated within him found its first fertile ground, fanning the flames of his burgeoning evil.

As the priest's lifeforce was inexorably drained, his tormenting cries grew more desperate. Arbos's eyes twitched with a mixture of guilt and resentment, the struggle between his dwindling morality and the insidious seeds of darkness taking a palpable toll.

In mere moments, the life force of the human was completely drained, leaving the body suspended in the air, devoid of any vitality. Once the process was complete, the body descended lifelessly, its struggle extinguished. The mana seamlessly flowed into Arbos, augmenting his mana reserves by a subtle degree.

"What have you done boy! Get away from this demon at once!"

I merely allowed for the priest to speak now, wanting to ensure Arbos's loyalty. If he failed here and paid heed to his warnings, I would kill Arbos on the spot.

Yet to my dismay, I did not have the luxury of finding out Arbos's answer.

An insistent knocking echoed from the door, prompting Arbos to swiftly turn his gaze toward me.

Gripping my fist tightly, I effortlessly obliterated the human bodies in an instant. Their remains burst into a crimson pool, leaving no trace of flesh or bone. They ruptured like a blood-filled balloon, showering the surroundings with their gruesome contents. The blood sprayed in all directions, coating the floors, tables, and even staining Arbos's hair. His astonishment at the speed of my lethal efficiency was palpable, yet the persistent knocking at the door persisted.

"Come in."

Celestie entered the room with an air of enthusiasm, only to be confronted with the unsettling scene. Her gaze shifted between the two of us, mired in profound confusion.

"Celestie, ensure this place is tidied without delay. Understood?"

Stepping toward the room's exit, I approached Celestie, who still stood in a daze. Placing my hand gently on her shoulder, I leaned in close to her ear. "Leave no trace behind."

With those words lingering, I directed Arbos to accompany me as we departed the dining area, making our way outside.

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

The sun's radiant light bathed us, casting elongated shadows of the battlements upon the ground. Proceeding to the gardens, Arbos followed in my wake.

At the fountain's edge, Arbos knelt to cleanse himself with the water, but I motioned for him to halt.

"Let the blood remain, no water."

Arbos's gaze faltered, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as they met mine.

"Your proficiency in magic is remarkable, and your aptitude for learning is evident. It's time for your first assignment. Are you prepared?"

It was a formality with no real room for refusal.

"Yes, Father. What is required of me?"

"You will venture into the elven woods. I believe your training has equipped you to wield your knowledge against nature. Can you rise to the occasion?"

"The elven woods?"

The expanse of the elven woods stretched east of the castle, not far from my mansion. Roughly half an hour's walk from the gatehouse would lead to its entrance. Within its depths resided a faction of rogue elves who harbored enmity towards humans and waged war against the holy empire—a circumstance unsurprising to say the least.

Arbos, despite being a half-elf, should ostensibly be safe. However, I sought his growth through this experience.

"Yes, the elven woods..."

There was more to these enigmatic woods than met the eye. For instance, the ancient elven woods harbored a form of magic with depths unfamiliar even to me. This ancient magic was not overwhelmingly potent, yet its intricacies made it a challenging puzzle to unravel. Often, it manifested in the form of curses. Curiously, despite my status as a God of Black Magic, these curses remained an enigma to me, their mechanics shrouded in mystery. The desire to comprehend and wield them beckoned me, but their limited combat utility, compared to the spells at my disposal, dampened my enthusiasm.

However, this didn't alter the fundamental truth that a God of Black Magic ought to be proficient in all facets of the craft. Even though this particular strand of magic appeared feeble, it was worth pursuing; perhaps, I could leverage curses to my advantage. Who could tell? With the might under my command, my curses might outshine those of even the most skilled witches and wizards.

My strategy was twofold. Firstly, I intended for Arbos to glean knowledge from the elven realms and stand on his own. Secondly, I intended to have my watcher shadow his journey. Arbos possessed perceptive qualities and a relentless thirst for knowledge. Given this, it wouldn't be surprising if he stumbled upon a method to dabble in curse magic. When that moment arrived, I would simply assiMilate this knowledge into my repertoire.

"Arbos, the elven woods are the home of your kind. Knowing this, it would be advantageous for you to establish connections. Moreover, navigating an environment that compels self-reliance will invariably fortify your determination. The insights you've gathered here, particularly the art of siphoning life force from creatures, can prove invaluable in this endeavor. But endeavor without enlightenment is ultimately fruitless."

"A realm of my people?"

It came as no shock that he was oblivious. Considering his birthplace was Dorma Rhode, access to information was a luxury scarce in their circumstances.

Drawing a deep breath to proceed, I continued speaking.

"Indeed. Concealed within these woods lies a realm of elves, and your mission is to absorb all conceivable knowledge from them. Simultaneously, I beseech you to serve as my envoy, to introduce my illustrious name to their proud nation and illuminate them about my might. Do you believe you possess the capability for this task?"

For the first time, a flicker of curiosity adorned Arbos' expression. Clearly lost in contemplation, he delved deep within, ruminating over my words.

"But, my lord... I mean, my father..."

Words struggled to escape his lips, a weighty unease settling within his throat. His gaze faltered, fear encroaching upon him.

"Yes, go on..."

He clenched his fist, mustering courage for one last effort, and spoke.

"I shall strive to propagate your illustrious name among all who dare oppose you!"

image [https://i.imgur.com/Qj0qq7o.png]

Arbos meticulously prepared his belongings, signaling the commencement of his journey, and then embarked on his path. Gazing from the vantage point of the gatehouse, I tracked his departure with a mixture of emotions. Fondness for him had grown within me, recognizing his exceptional potential. I couldn't afford to allow him to stumble.

Yet, in a different scenario, should he falter, it might indicate a deficiency of strength. Notwithstanding this thought, I took every measure to safeguard him.

The initial enchantment I wove around him was the Infernal protection, a spell of the tenth tier. It remained dormant until he teetered on the brink of death. Imbuing this spell without his awareness exacted a substantial toll on my mana reservoirs, but the outcomes justified the cost. This enchantment functioned as a guarantee, triggering a surge of hellfire in all directions upon activation. None could survive its wrath.

The subsequent enchantment I bestowed upon him was the Arrow Ward Protection, a third-tier spell. Elves boasted precision in archery, thus this safeguard proved pivotal.

With these dual enchantments layered upon him, my confidence in his survival surged. However, what lay ahead remained uncertain.

Amidst my vigil from the gatehouse, approaching footsteps materialized in my awareness. Gradually, the steps echoed nearer, with an ominous cadence. Given their rhythm and weight, it was almost a certainty that the approaching figure was Celestie.

Upon reaching the summit, Celestie confronted me, her gaze set upon my back.

"Lord Arbious... It is done."

"The blood?" I inquired. "Is it gone?"

Her voice emanated as a whisper, yet resolute. "Yes... all traces of it have been purged... completely..."

"Excellent..."

I pivoted, meeting Celestie's gaze. Her visage bore no emotion, her eye sockets darkened, evoking a sense of dread.

"You witnessed it, didn't you?"

Her body broke out in cold sweat as her eyes widened yet she looked as if seeing through me.

"I sensed eyes watching us back then... So those eyes belonged to you... Well... This isn't good now is it."