image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]
The trio arrived at the Lawk Inn as Graybeard had mentioned, and the scene that greeted them was a city bustling with activity. The village was packed with adventurers and common folk who engaged in trade and indulged in foods and drinks right on the streets. Amidst the vibrant atmosphere, Arbious couldn't help but find amusement in the creations of these individuals, knowing that one day he would bring destruction to this very town.
As they approached the inn, a large, weathered building stood before them. Its worn-out walls spoke volumes of its age. A small patio area adorned the exterior, with hedges covering the entrance, adding a touch of greenery to the scene. Curiosity welled up within Arbious as they stepped inside, wondering about the kind of people who frequented such an establishment. To his surprise, the inn was filled with dwarves, sitting, laughing, and indulging in ale as if there were no tomorrow. Graybeard's eyes gleamed with joy at the sight of his comrades reveling in their drinks.
As far as Arbious's memory served, he recalled that dwarves lived deep within the cavernous cities and mines, so witnessing such a large gathering of them outside in the open was unexpected. Contemplating the thousands of rampant thoughts coursing through his mind, Mila grabbed onto his hand, feeling uneasy by the drunken atmosphere in the air. It reeked of alcohol, a smell Arbious didn't favor either.
A fat dwarf sitting by a gambling table near the entrance called out to them with a playful tone. "Come on over, will ya?"
The dwarf had a dark brown beard, far longer than Graybeard. Beards for dwarves were a sign of their wealth or status, or that's what Arbious was told once. The trio approached, with Graybeard leading the way.
"You're gambling again, I take it?" Graybeard retorted playfully as he reached for an ale from the counter. Seeing this, Mila and Arbious discreetly stepped away from the conversation, sensing that it would likely stretch on for quite some time—a conversation that held no interest for them.
Mila's attitude toward Arbious, especially grabbing his hand had caught him by surprise. In search of peace and quiet, Arbious decided to head upstairs. Without a clear destination in mind, Mila followed suit. Upon reached the top of the staircase, Arbious turned to find Mila struggling for breath, having exerted herself climbing up the numerous steps. Arbious, on the other hand, remained unfazed by the physical effort. "I assume you've stayed here before, then?"
Of course, the question was a rather dull one, but it was more of a way to start a conversation. Mila simply nodded in response, reaching into her pocket to retrieve a set of keys. One key stood out, with the number 3 engraved upon it. They proceeded to locate their assigned room, guided by the key in Mila's possession.
Upon entering, Mila placed her staff on a nearby table, positioned near the door for easy access. The fact that she would let down her guard so easily in front of him was somewhat disturbing to Arbious. She was far too trusting. But he didn't have much time to think about it as they stepped inside.
He looked around the room, taking in the surroundings where he would spend the night. The inside was shabby but friendly. A small wooden table with two seats was placed by the fireplace to the back. Next to the very same fireplace, were two windows that overlooked the street.
Mila made her way to a door that separated the dining area from what Arbious would presume was the bedroom. "Just to let you know, the bathroom is down the hall," Mila spoke from within the bedroom.
"Thank you," Arbious spoke loudly enough so that she could hear.
The place was small, and in no way fit for a Demon God such as him, and yet he didn't feel the need to complain. This place would serve his purposes for the time being and offer for a good cover to mask his false identity.
He attempted to enter the bedroom, wondering about the conditions he would have to spend the night in, only to see that the door was locked. Immediately he was alarmed, but then he heard Mila's voice. "Wait a moment, please. I'm getting changed." She shouted with a sense of urgency.
Arbious took his hand off the doorknob. His eyes darted back to the entrance where Mila's staff was. If he wanted to, he could easily kill her, not that she would've stood a chance with her weapon either. His conversation with Mila came to mind regarding her soul. She had kept her mouth shut about it so far, perhaps she didn't think highly of it or believed his offer to be a jest. Though the question was, could she have been dense enough to not realize he was a demon from that exchange?
He left the room he was in and stood in the hallway. Located at the start of the hallway, right next to the stairs, was the bathroom. Arbious, having nothing else to do, decided to make his way to the bathroom. On his way, he crossed paths with a dwarf couple heading towards their own rooms further down the corridor, their breath reeking of booze. He knew that dwarves were alcoholics, but this was absurd. Did every single one of them enjoy this beverage? Surely not.
He made his way into the bathroom, taking in the surroundings. The bathroom was worn down just like the rest of the building. Bathroom stalls stretched across the right side, and five sinks with mirrors were placed by the left side wall. Approaching the mirror, Arbious looked at himself, wondering what he looked like in his mortal form.
He was tall, his human form endowed with a physique that would make most envious. His long, black hair fell in a messy cascade, framing his face in a way that hinted at both mystery and danger. As he looked at his own eyes, their crimson hue confirmed what Mila had described. Being in this human guise was a novel sensation for Arbious. In this form, he could perceive his surroundings with a clarity that surpassed his demonic senses, and the gentle caress of the breeze against his skin was a sensation he had never experienced before.
Arbious was grateful for Alpos' suggestion that he take on this form, though he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his general's insistence than met the eye.
I can use my unholy magic here... But I shouldn't do it... It might alert the authorities that something is going on... So rather than that, I should consider sticking to a singular spell... If that's the case, then I should stick to my flame magic. But that also has its downsides because the church has deemed fire magic as evil... But the alternative forms of magic are incredibly bland, I just can't see myself using any of them.
He turned on the faucet as the water gushed out of the sink. Dwarven engineering is it... Why can't demons create stuff like this, if we had capable workers in the underworld, those pesky angels would stand no chance!
A flaming orb magically manifested in front of Arbious. As he gazed through it, Alpos sat on his inferior throne, attempting to communicate with him.
"Alpos. You know I'm busy. What is it you need." Arbious questioned, attempting to maintain a powerful image as a ruler.
"My lord. I am contacting you regarding the state of the underworld." Alpos's voice echoed through the flames, yet not loud enough for it to reach beyond the bathroom's doors.
"Give me your report," Arbious commanded, moving the magical orb to the side as he looked himself in the mirror, fidgeting around with his long hair while listening to him.
"Certainly," Alpos replied. "The past two hours that you've been gone, I've managed to establish a new standing army consisting of Impions such as myself. We also created the funds needed for a new hellfire forge for weapon manufacturing."
He did all that in two hours??!?
"I see..." Arbious replied, slightly annoyed by how efficient Alpos was.
"Is that not satisfactory my lord?! Please, I beg thee for your forgiveness. I will strive to do even better!"
That's not the issue...
"It's fine Alpos, good work. As for the Impions, how many have you managed to bring to our ranks?"
"About three thousand soldiers of Impions are under your disposal, my lord. Additionally, I planned for the construction of the unholy pits, so that we can increase our numbers, however, I wanted your permission to proceed."
Alpos has been a loyal minion thus far and was with me through thick and thin, but now, he is working harder than he ever has, which is commendable at the very least.
"You have my permission."
"Thank you, Your Excellency," Alpos replies. "And have you made progress in the human realm my lord?"
Arbious felt compelled to offer a vague response, primarily because he hadn't accomplished anything noteworthy. The most challenging task he had undertaken was turning a faucet—a trivial feat by his standards. "I've managed to infiltrate their ranks. Humans seem to have an inexplicable trust for their own kind."
"Your intellect is truly diabolical, my lord. You are the epitome of deception. Infiltrating their ranks must have been a daunting task, yet for someone of your prowess, I imagine it was a mere trifle! I shall take my leave now, not wishing to overstay my welcome in your presence."
With that, the fiery orb dissipated, leaving Arbious in silence as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. The only remaining sound in the bathroom was the running water from the faucet. He slowly turned the dial, shutting off the water. The mirror cracked in response to Arbious's anger. It was time to elevate his efforts; he was wasting precious time in this village.
A sudden knocking on the door startled him, causing him to turn his head towards the unexpected sound. "Arbious? Are you alright? You've been in there for quite a while, and who was it you were speaking to?" a voice resembling Mila's called out from behind the door.
Gathering himself, Arbious approached the door, still contemplating which form of magic he should use. With a sigh, he turned the doorknob and opened it, only to find Mila standing before him, dressed in a white gown with a puffy skirt. Her face flushed with a hint of red as she looked up at him. "So, what do you think?" Mila asked shyly, awaiting his response.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
Arbious's mind still lingered over the conversation he had with Alpos. The forces under his command were growing thanks to his efforts, but it was too perfect. Seeing she was waiting for a response, Arbious spoke, "You look good."
To think that an Ashenhaul would speak to me so casually. I find this all so amusing.
His tone was rather cold, his delivery not quite hitting the mark. Nevertheless, a smile graced her face, visibly pleased by his compliment.
"What's the occasion, though?" Arbious asked, curious as to why she was revealing this side of herself to him.
In the past, there was only one woman who would go to such lengths to dress nicely for him. She was a witch, but he hadn't talked to her in ages as she was busy organizing her forces. This sight, however, was far more welcoming.
Mila hesitated before answering, "I thought we still had some time before retiring for the night... Gray is occupied, so... I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me in search of weapons."
Ah, so she wants me to be prepared for tomorrow, is that it?
"Sure," Arbious replied, his curiosity piqued as to what kind of weapons this village would offer. While he didn't expect to find anything particularly formidable, they would likely suffice against a few goblins.
Mila nodded eagerly; her face still flushed with excitement.
"So, what are you waiting for? Lead the way."
Together, they left the inn, embarking on their quest to find suitable weaponry. However, Arbious couldn't shake the feeling that this outing held a deeper significance beyond mere weapon shopping.
As they navigated the streets of the village, they encountered the bustling village square at its heart, adorned with a grand public fountain where people engaged in lively conversations. Multiple roads stretched out from the square, leading them to various shops. There were stores specializing in potions, magic scrolls, magical artifacts, weapons, archery ranges, and even a garrison where soldiers trained. The sheer scale and organization of the city overwhelmed Arbious. Until now, his perception of cities had been limited to strategic targets for sieges. Witnessing them function harmoniously like this, collaborating and thriving, only served to irritate him further. He finally understood, on a small scale, the way his enemy functioned and would go on to say that he was amazed at their cooperation.
After exploring the town for quite a while, Mila turned to Arbious. They had been on the search for nearly an hour, but their walk felt more like a tour of the city than anything else. "So? What type of weapon do you want to use? A wand? A staff? A bow? A sword?"
The blade of darkness in my possession is by far one of the strongest melee weapons in the entire world, The same weapon I used to injure the God of the Angels... But a sword like that is out of the question when I'm in disguise. I need to find a substitute. But while I'm at it, I suppose I should practice with other weapons. Learning comes from adventure, and even if I'm a God, clearly, I lack in some aspects...
"What do you suggest?" Arbious asked.
Mila took a moment before she answered. "You would be a formidable knight... But then again, you said you were a mage, so a staff maybe?"
"A staff? Hm, I can cast magic without it though, so I don't see a reason why."
Mila grabbed his arm, lowering him so she could whisper in his ear. "If you use a staff, you can enchant your weapon to cast Minimus without having to chant it yourself."
Oh? I've heard of people enchanting swords; however, I hadn't ever considered it myself, thinking that enchanting was a form of cheating. If I were to enhance the blade of darkness with magic, would it be even stronger than it is now? It's an interesting proposition, one that I will have to venture deeper into later on.
"I would rather fight with something melee... But not a sword..."
Arbious was more renowned for his magical abilities than his martial arts or sword skills. The only reason he wielded a sword was to mock those who believed melee combat was efficient.
"If that's the case, how about an axe?" Mila spoke, deep in thought.
Ever so prideful, Arbious responded, "No... Graybeard already has an axe, I would feel like I'm taking the spotlight from him if I get one too."
"So, you want something unique?"
"In short, yes."
"I see... You don't want to wield the same weapon as someone else in the party... I get your point, and having diversity is always a good call..."
Mila pointed at a store that had a sign out in front. The sign displayed merely a picture of a sword. As she pointed, she spoke. "This is where we usually buy our weapons, Let's see what we can find first before we make any plans."
Together, they stepped into the specialized store dedicated to melee weapons. As they entered, their eyes were greeted by an awe-inspiring sight—the vast display of thousands of weapons, ranging from swords to pikes. Each weapon boasted its own unique design, showcasing the craftsmanship and variety available. However, amidst the assortment, none of them seemed to hold a candle to the magnificence of the Blade of Darkness, the weapon Arbious wielded.
Even so, Arbious couldn't help but compare the weapons before him to the immense power and darkness that resonated within the Blade of Darkness. Its menacing aura and the memories of its devastating capabilities were etched deeply within him. None of the weapons on display could ever match its greatness, as it had become an extension of his very being.
As Mila and Arbious looked through the store, Arbious couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment, knowing that none of these weapons would satisfy his desires. Nevertheless, he remained open to the possibility that among these conventional weapons, there might be something that could complement his abilities and aid him in the battles to come. They browsed for quite a while, making their way down each aisle of weapons displayed on shelves.
Suddenly, as they were walking by the second-to-last row, Arbious's eyes caught onto a luxurious-looking scythe. It looked demon-forged, and he could tell from its craftsmanship that it was high quality. He picked it up from the shelf, inspecting its exterior. Meanwhile, Mila looked at the scythe in confusion, wondering why he had picked this specific one.
"So? Is this what you want?" Mila asked.
Arbious turned the scythe around; on its back was a piece of paper attached to it—the price tag of the scythe. "120 Silver Coins," Mila mumbled as she read the label.
Arbious wondered if that was a lot for these adventurers. He didn't want to impose, considering the way she sounded when she saw its price, but as he was about to place it back on the shelf, Mila stopped him from doing so, placing her own hand on the scythe while it was still in his hands. "We can get this if you want. It's no big deal."
Oh, so it isn't? I guess 120 silver coins isn't a lot then.
Arbious and Mila approached the counter, where a large, muscular bald man stood, a stick that permeated smoke hanging from his mouth. When they first entered, he had simply nodded at them, but now, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Mila! It's been a while," the man said, turning his attention to Arbious with the scythe still in his hand.
"It has," Mila replied anxiously, gesturing for Arbious to put the scythe on the table.
"We want this..." Mila spoke, pointing at the scythe.
Arbious placed the scythe on the counter as the man questioned. "You picked this?"
"No, he did," Mila replied, looking at Arbious.
"This scythe, is it really just 120 silver? Are you sure it wasn't priced incorrectly?" Mila questioned, finding it hard to believe that such a luxurious-looking weapon could be sold at such a low price.
"This scythe was a donation to us. I would personally estimate this to be around 140 gold coins; But I'm not the owner... And the owner of the store does not see it the way I do, saying that since the name of the manufacturer is unknown, we cannot price it."
Eyeing Arbious, The man added with a joking tone. "Well, leave it to a man with demonic eyes to pick a demonic-looking weapon."
"I think his eyes are rather beautiful," Mila softly spoke, a faint red covering her face.
Arbious's cold gaze shifted to Mila who looked at him with a tinge of embarrassment. She had already gotten used to the way Arbious looked at others. Mila had figured that this was how Arbious looked naturally, not considering that he showed disdain towards her and her kind. He was not fond of elves, and having one pay for him was demeaning.
"Ahh, women, they love danger now don't they?" He asked, his eyes darting to Arbious.
This man was quite irritating to Arbious. It took a vast portion of his willpower from incinerating him on the spot.
Mila looked back at him, debating the price of the scythe in her mind, yet the man's words left her slightly bewildered. "So... This is still for sale for 120 silver... right?" she spoke, her voice wavering, still in doubt as to what he told her.
"Yeah... 120 silver..." the man spoke, his voice lowering, a tone of sadness laced in his voice. "Honestly, I was saving the coin to buy it for myself."
"I see..." Mila replied, reaching for a pouch of coins attached to her side and beginning to count them out.
While she counted, Arbious's eye glanced at the inside the pouch, finding a singular gold coin inside, and the rest bronze coins.
"Would you take a gold coin and thirty bronze coins?" Mila asked, still unsure.
"Ah... You're a little short there," the man replied.
"The exchange rate for gold to silver, how much is it?" Arbious asked, curious as to how the humans priced their goods. Knowing this would prove to be vital in the future if he wanted to carry on his disguise as a human.
"A gold coin is the equivalent of 100 silver coins, and a silver coin is 100 bronze coins," the man at the counter explained. "Technically, because of inflation now, a gold coin is about 103 silver, but we choose to round it down."
Mila looked at Arbious and then added to the man's reply. "Don't forget the adamantine coin, equivalent to a thousand gold coins, and above them all, the angelic coins, which are used only by the grandest of people."
"Right... But listen... I can do this scythe for that gold coin you have, and thirty bronze coins," the man offered kindly.
Arbious could sense the man's aura, and the kindness he was showing, though sickening, seemed genuine.
"Really?" Mila asked.
"Yeah, you've been a good customer along with Graybeard. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I let you go empty-handed. Not to mention the hours of scolding he will give me."
Without a moment of hesitation, Mila handed over her entire pouch to the man. As he counted the coins, he nodded in confirmation. "Congratulations, the scythe is yours. Use it with the utmost care," he said, though a hint of irritation was evident in his voice. The fact remained that he also wanted to buy the scythe, but seeing that they were in need, he decided to let go of his desire. An admirable quality for a human.
As they thanked him once more, they made their way to the door, leaving the establishment. Arbious was disgusted by the fact that a filthy Ashenhaul had paid for his weapon. In any other circumstances, he would not have picked any weapon, but this weapon had already caught his eye. The only other option was to find a way to pay her back, for he hated being in debt.
Once outside, Mila smiled, Watching Arbious hold onto the scythe firmly in his hands. "I hope it's to your liking, Arbious."
"It will do," he replied.
As Arbious looked back at Mila, he noticed that she still seemed upset but smiled nonetheless at his response. "Let's head back to the inn, it's getting late," Mila said, her cheerfulness dissipating. "I wanted to eat out tonight, but seeing you with a sturdy weapon is enough for me."
Her comment left Arbious in silence, and all he could do was look at his rather formidable scythe. His insurmountable pride caused frustration within him for having her pay for his weapon. It took all of his abilities to maintain his composure. With that, they ventured back to the inn.