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

In the well-lit chamber, Princess Anna maintained her regal composure as the towering banners of the southern empire adorned the walls behind her. Flanking her were the solemn priests of the Holy Empire, visibly shaken by the gruesome spectacle displayed on the table before them—an orb which was projecting the recent demise of Ellis and her brother at the hands of Arbious.

The room's ambiance was heavy with the gravity of the situation, accentuated by the mortified expressions etched on the faces of the priests. The bishop, a trusted aide to the Holy Emperor, stood alongside them, rubbing his forehead in contemplation of the unfolding events. seeing their concern, Anna spoke. "Bishop Maxwell?" Anna's voice cut through the tension; her gaze unwavering. "I believed the weapons bestowed upon us by your holiness, Emperor Lucious, were formidable, yet as we witnessed, they proved futile."

Maxwell's response carried a touch of irritation. He was the only priest who wore a robe that had its edges etched in red, as a sign of his authority. "I am well aware of the inadequacy, Princess. Those weapons were sanctified by Emperor Lucious himself."

"Despite such divine blessings, a single spell dispatched my elitest of allies, taking the lives of Ellis and her brother in one fell swoop." Anna pointed out calmly. "Surely the church has larger goals than sending us to our demise."

Maxwell's retort held disbelief. "It was not a mere spell, Your Highness. That was a 9th-tier incantation, cast twice in succession. Our predicament is far graver than our initial estimations."

Anna's concern deepened, her gaze piercing. "I am not quaint on what that even means. And what about us? Arbious is no fool. If he uncovers our betrayal, he gains the justification to wreak havoc across our lands."

Maxwell sighed, his frustration evident. "He cannot execute such a dire reprisal. The divine blessings of our lord have woven themselves into the very fabric of this land for centuries."

"That may have been true had the necromancer not corrupted the land itself. We have a shield, but with a gaping hole in the middle, and its frame is crumbling to dust, like a house of cards against the encroaching wind."

"..." The bishop remained silent. He continued to rub his forehead, lost in thought. "For now, play along with him. Vorner claims that this Arbious, is rather short sighted. I doubt he would have caught on to this attempt to assassinate him."

"And yet..." One of the priests seated in the room spoke. "That bow we gave to that ranger... The enchantments on that were unique... The bow itself, along with its enchanted arrows, were meant to pierce through his defenses. It took us years to make such a weapon. The arrow, simply crumbled to dust the moment it reached him. This situation calls for a meeting with his holiness himself. The Demon God has access to new powers, and this confirms it. had he the same power as we once thought he did, the arrow should have worked."

"..." The bishop still remained silent, but he couldn't object either. everything he said was true. How did the Arbious achieve such power. that was the question that haunted his mind. "Princess Anna," he addressed, rising with the priests. "I will return to our empire. Act cautiously; this is a matter of life and death. We'll find another way. Play along with both parties. It's what you've always done."

Anna rose as she gave her respects to the bishop. "Thank you, Father Maxwell."

"Don't mention it. And we sincerely apologize for your loss. Rest assured, this is for the betterment of the realm."

The bishop, along with his priests exited the room, leaving Anna within who watched them exit. With them gone, a tear came down her right eye, and frustration, sadness, and anger rose within her. with her fist, she struck the table, erupting in a burst of tears. "Whyy! Why did they have to die! If only I knew his powers, I would never have pushed for this! I told them to be on their guard, HOW MUCH MORE COULD I DO EXACTLY? AND NOW WE HAVE TO BE PAWNS?!"

She took a seat, her face buried beneath her arms on the table as her tears fell. "How can I appease a demon?! For how long can I push this pride of his? It's only a matter of time till he finds some loophole in our arrangement, and I have given him plenty of reasons to find one if he wasn't searching before. Our nation has been greatly weakened thanks to this trial alone, had it not been for the necromancer, at least Uniel would have more soldiers to fight with. Now both our houses face defeat, and the ranks of the demons and undead grows by the second."

"... All I can do... for now... is play along... play to the hearts of both sides, striving to save my people... That is what I must do..."

Anna rose from her chair, making her way toward the chamber's exit. Outside, two knights in imposing iron armor stood at attention, ready to escort her. The guards remained silent as she left the room, following her lead down the hallway. Despite their presence, she found herself alone in contemplation.

Moving down the hall with a sense of purpose, her guards trailed behind. Each step resonated in the echoing halls, and with her father ailing, the weight of succession rested heavily on her shoulders.

Upon stepping outside, she dismissed her attentive guards. The skies above bore a foreboding darkness, hinting at the possibility of rain—a rare occurrence in this country. The ominous clouds cast eerie shadows over the land, and it was then that she noticed a carriage approaching.

Recognizing it as the very same carriage Arbious had departed in, she awaited its arrival. As the carriage drew near, Anna descended the mansion stairs to greet them. Arbious was the first to step out, she addressed him almost instantaneously, "Lord Arbious, I assume your travels have yielded results."

Arbious descended from the carriage, leaving an unsettling aura of fear lingering within. Fear, who was asleep at the time, remained undisturbed as he chose not to wake him. Taking a firm stance, Arbious locked eyes with Anna, delivering the grim news. "Unfortunately, Ellis died fighting the necromancer. There was nothing I could do."

Anna clenched her fist, frustration boiling within her. "Oh... I... I see," she spoke, masking the deep-seated hatred she felt toward this man, or rather, demon, standing before her. "At the very least, I am glad you are safe."

Arbious remained silent, his gaze unsettling. His eyes seemed to pierce through her, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. "Will you... Will you tell me one thing, Lord Arbious?"

Even though she had witnessed the events unfolding before her eyes, she still needed to ask. One haunting question lingered in her mind. Arbious maintained his silence, prompting her to continue. "How... How did Ellis die... Did she suffer?"

"She died a quick death," Arbious replied, devoid of emotion or any hint of sympathy.

The words brought a sense of reassurance to Anna, yet a sting in her heart lingered, knowing she would never see her friend again. Arbious's audacity to stand before her and deceive her about the circumstances of Ellis's death fueled her hatred, but she also found a strange ease in his coldness. "I see... Thank you, Lord Arbious."

Arbious turned to enter his carriage, only for Anna to reach out, grabbing him by his sleeve. "Lord Arbious... About our arrangement..."

"You have nothing to worry about, princess. Our agreement still stands. I took the liberty of cleansing the corruption and will conclude the remaining two trials as I have promised."

"And my brother?" Anna questioned.

"I have issued the order to have Prince Franz killed. He should have been dealt with as we speak," Arbious replied.

"No! You ordered him killed?! I told you that I wanted him gone! But not killed! Why did you do that?!"

"He was not required to be kept alive, princess. If you fail to meet my expectations, and should there be any difficulties in the transition of power and achieving my goals, you will face the same fate," Arbious replied, turning around to face her. With a subtle motion of his hand, he released her grasp over his robe.

Anna's eyes assumed a lifeless and despairing expression; the glamour in her voice vanished. She remained standing, mentally defeated. "And... where is the body?" she asked.

"Disposed of. You will not see him ever again," Arbious replied, sarcastically giving a light bow. "As such, my allegiances are now to you, princess. Should you deem it necessary, I can eliminate your other brothers as well. You only need to say the word."

"No! No more killing... Leave them out of it." Anna spoke quickly in a fit of frustration and panic.

Arbious smirked. "Very well."

He turned to enter his carriage, and as he did, Anna asked a final question. "Where will you be going?" she inquired.

Stopping on the steps of the carriage, Arbious spoke. "Home."

Before Anna could question further, Arbious spoke once more before entering his carriage. "And princess Anna, I must say, seeing you with that face now. it doesn't suit you. Neither does your desperation to reach out to the holy kingdom. Have hope, for all might not yet be lost for you."

The carriage trailed off as Arbious entered it. Anna watched as the carriage departed, standing in silence as darkness cast its shadow upon her.

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

In the heart of the Hellfire Citadel, standing by the throne, Alpos focused his gaze on the grand gates leading to the throne. As he waited, Sigfi approached from the distance, holding scrolls in his hands. Intrigued, Alpos descended the steps, his tail swaying from right to left. "Sigfi, why are you here?" He questioned as the two came face to face.

"Alpos, I've brought these scrolls for you," Sigfi replied, placing the pile of scrolls within his arms on the carpet.

Alpos wondered why Sigfi didn't hand them directly, but both of Sigfi's hands were already occupied. Still, it irritated him slightly watching him place them down. "Scrolls? Why?" he asked, genuinely curious as to the nature of the contents within.

"They're our expense reports," Sigfi explained.

"Expense? What expense?" Alpos questioned, picking up one of the many scrolls.

Sigfi explained as he watched Alpos pick up a scroll. "For the reconstruction of the outer walls and other necessary expenses for the Infernal Forge. We had to acquire tools from the humans."

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"But we have tools." Alpos replied.

"Outdated tools, my lord. What we consider tools are rubbish," Sigfi replied. "The tools the humans use are far superior. For instance, they have hammers and thin metal pins to connect things. Very sophisticated technology. I hoped to implement these ideas into our constructs."

"And will they hold?"

"My lord, the humans have sophisticated engineering departments; their structures last far longer than ours. The hammers and such are perfect for making rooftops, or so I was told."

"Told by who?"

"My lord. I gathered this information from villagers," Sigfi replied, a sense of pride in his work apparent. "But it isn't simply them, for I gathered intelligence watching our lord Arbious carry about his daily routine in the overworld using magic. I can see why he is always visiting that realm."

Unrolling the scroll, Alpos examined the expenses while he listened to Sigfi's explanations and was left in disbelief. "You spent twelve thousand gold coins?! Without consulting with us?!" He questioned as his eyes caught on to the bottom of the scroll.

"My lord, I took it upon myself to make such purchases. Was I mistaken?" Asked Sigfi with worry apparent in his eyes.

"Yes, you were mistaken! If Lord Arbious finds out, you are as good as dead."

"I acted in the interest of Hellfire Citadel," Sigfi replied. "Just as our great lord and you yourself have instructed."

"Nobody, nobody incurs expenses like this without informing the great lord..." spoke Alpos, adding fuel to his worries. However, Sigfi appeared distressed at the revelation. Witnessing this, Alpos felt a bit unnerved himself. He was supposed to be Sigfi's superior, so ultimately, the failure was his. "Sigfi... He doesn't have to know about this. But next time, please consult me before making such a purchase."

Sigfi lowered his gaze, and Alpos's eyes followed. "Don't tell me, are all of these separate expenses?"

"My lord, the landscape we have is only suitable for making bricks. We lack raw mineral deposits. To build stable structures, these things are necessary..."

Alpos looked at the mountain of scrolls on the ground, each one thicker than the previous. Thus far he himself had to import goods from the human realm. Often, he would have his own demons steal such materials from towns since he didn't wish to invoke Arbious's wrath by touching the treasury. "Still... I understand that some of these items might be essential, but... did we really have to pay for them? Couldn't you just steal them?"

"I suppose we could have, but this was a discreet transaction, so we technically got a decent deal. Additionally, it was a bulk sale. Stealing would have taken months to amass this supply. Not to mention we would have been caught doing so rather quickly. Moreover, my lord, the forges are now operational at maximum capacity, and some of the tools we purchased will increase the productivity of the forges tenfold."

"Since when? How did you get the imps to work there?" Alpos questioned.

"Lord Arbious sent a necromancer to Hellfire Citadel earlier today. Since you weren't present, I assigned him the task of raising undead workers, allowing us to operate the forge at maximum capacity."

Alpos felt a twinge of irritation at Sigfi's efficiency, though he couldn't voice his discontent since all the credit went to him. Briefly, Alpos wondered if Arbious harbored siMilar thoughts about him, but he quickly dismissed the notion. Only a fool would be envious of such matters. "Excellent work then, Sigfi. I'll find a way to divert our lord's attention from these expenses. Meanwhile, ensure the forges operate at maximum capacity at all times. Focus on producing tools and other non-military items for now. We've lagged behind in terms of economy; we must catch up."

"My lord, I've already issued the command. The demon pits are also operational. However, due to a lack of magical powers, only the necromancer is assigned to that post. He is raising undead for our cause temporarily from within the pits. If you wish, you may speak with him, you can find him there."

"I will address him promptly. Have you finalized today's agenda?"

Sigfi and Alpos had established a daily agenda for Alpos, involving tasks such as visiting various locations, engaging in conversations, and overall, maintaining control over the hellfire citadel. His recent failure with his abilities had left him eager to redeem himself. In his perception, his lord disapproved of his actions. The agenda served as a crucial tool to keep him focused and deter him from giving up.

"Yes, my lord. Today, you are scheduled to meet with the chief of the hellfire forge. Additionally, we need to discuss a new tax proposal for the funds you requested. Lastly, the matter of the hellfire crystals awaits your review. There's also the task, at your convenience, involving the necromancer who awaits us in the pits."

"The chief of the hellfire forge? I'm not familiar with that position," Alpos inquired. "I've never heard of such a title."

"My lord, it has been ages since you last visited the hellfire forges. Due to a lack of leadership, I established a hierarchy to ensure the demons work as ordered by our great lord."

"I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to disobey. I see no need to enforce this."

"Of course, my lord. However, you must understand that many imps tend to pretend to work. The chief ensures their productivity and prevents them from slacking off."

"Even so, do we truly need him anymore? The necromancer has provided the undead labor we desperately needed."

"As you say, but it might be in our interest to retain him. We cannot predict how long we can rely solely on the undead considering the necromancer is to be reassigned."

"You make a valid point. Very well then. I'll pay a visit to this so-called necromancer. Inform the chief of the forges that I'll be visiting soon."

With a slight nod, Sigfi bowed and left. Alone in the throne room, Alpos pondered. Another hierarchy was the last thing he desired, but if it ensured the demons worked efficiently, he saw no issue. As long as he maintained his position at the top, it shouldn't pose a problem. With a renewed sense of confidence, Alpos gathered himself, preparing to visit the necromancer. However, he couldn't leave the scrolls lying around, so he decided to burn them.

If there were no records of expenditures, it shouldn't pose any issues. Arbious hadn't visited the treasury in ages, so Alpos doubted he would notice. However, this realization sparked another idea. He needed a method to establish his own treasury, one that Arbious would not object to if he utilized it. Yes, that was to become a priority.

Looking back down at the ashes of the scrolls, Alpos then questioned one last thing. "Why didn't he just record all this in a book or something...?"

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

Within the grand cathedral of the Holy Empire, Emperor Lucious stood resolute in his crimson robes, positioned at the apex of the stairs leading to the podium where he often delivered his speeches. The vast cathedral, now eerily empty, bore the scars of Arbious's assault, scars that had been painstakingly mended at a considerable cost to the Holy Empire. The rebuilding effort had left them weakened, both politically and in influence, as they grappled with the aftermath of their failures.

Emperor Lucious, a solitary figure atop the stairs, was a man of distrustful nature and a pronounced superiority complex. He believed that humanity was made in God's image, and this fueled his open prejudice against elves, demi-humans, and others, to a point where it drove away his closest allies.

At the pinnacle of the cathedral's steps, Lucious stood alone, his gaze fixed on the grand gates, awaiting news. He sought a reason to reengage, a justification for his involvement. And on this day, an unexpected surprise awaited him.

The resonance of heavy footsteps echoed through the cathedral, drawing Lucious's attention. Straightening in anticipation of a formal encounter, he opened the gates. Descending the church's aisles was an archangel, his white wings casting a divine glow in the sacred space.

"If it isn't the traitor Anauel," Lucious remarked, his eyes assessing the diminished wings of the archangel—a clear sign of demotion. "How generous of you to finally visit our holy church. I see that heaven has not been friendly towards you. But tell me, why exactly are you here?"

Anauel, approaching Lucious, acknowledged the troubled state of affairs. "I know things aren't exactly good. What I did then, I am ashamed of and will strive to fix."

Lucious, dismissing Anauel's self-pity, pressed for information. "Enough of that. Tell me, how is Father? Has his condition changed? Is he feeling any better?"

"It has taken a turn for the worse I'm afraid. Especially with what happened to Michael. He was the only one Father truly cared about, and now we can't exactly find where he is," Anauel somberly conveyed.

"He's in the north," Lucious scoffed. "How is it that heaven has taken a turn for such incompetence while the demons are rising through their ranks?"

"How much do you know exactly?" asked Anauel.

"I know enough. Alpos has already begun gathering his forces. The south is to fall sooner or later. And thanks to your treachery, there is nothing we can do about it."

"The south?"

"Yes... Arbious has made his move. It's our turn, yet we have no options. Octavia has its hands full with Morgana's followers and suffered a heavy defeat. Supposedly, some incompetent priest from our own church was converted into their demon cult."

"How can that be?"

"Arbious's powers are growing, that's how, and if he should succeed, well... It won't be good for us."

"Why the south then? What purpose? Domination?"

"Mallus Rex," Lucious replied sternly. "His laboratory, to be exact. He is seeking it, but I'm not aware as to his reasons."

"If that's the case, we should deploy the Sword of Heaven immediately."

"And do what? Deploy it to the south and burn their entire kingdom to ash? Are you mad?" Lucious asked. "No... What we have to do is ensure the laboratory is destroyed. That will ensure his powers do not grow for some time until we form a resistance. Of course, Arbious's threat overall is not of consequence in the grand scheme of things. Our main focus should be Alpos."

"Why Alpos?" Anauel inquired.

"Grismala suggested the notion. I've only met Alpos once before, but he did strike me as odd. An abnormality among the Imps. He is deceitful and cunning. The fact that we had such difficulty defeating the demons after the Demon God left speaks volumes of his intelligence. And soon enough, he is bound to make his move as well," Lucious replied. "The south will fall at that rate. Even so, the lives there cannot be taken by us. Should we deploy the Sword of Heaven on an international scale, we would be condemned for doing so. The south may fall, but the kingdom was rotten, and so it will be the will of the heavens."

"You speak as a demon. Watch your tongue," Anauel replied.

"Of course," smirked Lucious as he turned around with his hands behind his back. "Tell me... what ever happened with that girl? What was her name... Mila, I think."

"The Ashenhaul girl?" Anauel questioned.

"Yes, her."

"She is in Octavia as we speak. I've heard that she was ambushed by the demon cult you mentioned earlier. It was the same battle at Himli which led to a decisive defeat of the holy knights at the hands of Morgana. But I do believe that she has survived."

"Morgana Blackblood... Or should I say, Morgan Le Fay... How curious after all these years she has come out of hiding. I'm sure Grismala and Julius are having quite a time with her," Lucious spoke. "Still, you didn't tell me. Why did you come to me?"

"The heavens ordered me to pay my respects to you and do as you asked," Anauel replied with a hint of defiance.

"Oh, they did? Well... Considering Morgana is in Octavia, it would be a shame to let her kill Mila."

"What are you saying exactly?" Anauel inquired.

"Protect her, of course. It would be disastrous if we were to let our creation die after all the work and effort we put in. I will deal with the south as I've been doing so already. I have no need for your services now, not that I'd sully my holy name with your treacherous behavior."

"So be it then. Not as if I would've wanted to be by your side to begin with."

"And Anauel, do make sure to remain an observer from the shadows. Only engage should you deem it necessary. I have hope in your capabilities. Understand?"

"Asking an angel to remain in the dark... Fine. Have it your way then."

As Anauel made his way to the gates, Lucious remained within the sanctuary of the cathedral. The sun began its descent, casting a warm glow through the grand stained glass behind him. The intricate patterns of colored light danced on the walls, creating an eerie scene that mixed with the shadows, intensifying the tension on Lucious's features.

His crimson robes, bathed in the setting light, emitted a deep red glow as he raised his hand slightly to look down at his palm. The play of light and shadow added an otherworldly quality to the moment, as if the cathedral itself held secrets and whispers in its sacred confines. Lucious stood in contemplation, his silent demeanor and the fading daylight combining to create a solemn atmosphere within the grand cathedral.

An incantation escaped his lips, and a few seconds later, a blazing inferno danced atop his palm. His eyes were captivated by the fire, and the flames seemed to whisper to him.

But this did not last long, as he hesitantly closed his palm with all his strength, dispersing the fire that danced before him. Without uttering a word, he placed his hand behind his back as he made his exit.

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