Destian practically crawled out of the final planned event to celebrate his visit. Not only was it incredibly boring, but there was far too much unneeded social interaction with strangers that made him want to teleport to his room. He felt like that after the first day, but he ultimately had to endure it for a week.
I don't think becoming a king was a good idea. If I could fall asleep, I would. Although, I need to ask about resurrection magic before I leave. If I don't, then I'll never remember to do so again.
He then realized that the person he needed to ask was back in the palace where the dinner was held.
I feel so unmotivated… but I guess I promised Raemond so I kind of have to now. I'm so tired even though I don't need to sleep.
Like a zombie, Destian slowly walked back into the palace. As he entered the dining area, it seemed like the majority of the guests were still there. He saw Castian in a corner, who then proceeded to wave and walk towards him.
Oh yeah, in my hurry I kind of forgot about him.
"Welcome back, my lord. It seems you made it in time for the main event!"
Main event? There's MORE?!
"What are you talking about? I thought that the dinner was the end."
"Oh, that's tomorrow. Today there is an event planned for another few hours."
Destian felt his willpower slowly crumble as his hopes and dreams were brutally shattered. He didn't even bother trying to look happy.
"Is something wrong, my lord?"
"Everything is wrong. Everything. Anyways, I have to find Lakuyas."
Castian looked around the room, and then spotted the young woman. It seemed like she was chatting with other members of Blue Rose. He then pointed in their direction.
"Thanks Castian."
Destian slowly walked over.
"Uh, hello."
Lakuyas turned her head towards the sound.
"Ah, King Destian. Are you... feeling alright?"
"No, but that isn't something to concern yourself over. Anyways, there was something that I have been meaning but forgetting to ask for a long time about resurrection magic. You can use it, correct?"
"That is correct, although shouldn't you be more knowledgeable on that field?"
"Perhaps I should be, but I only have the experience of one person. Therefore, it is probable that our knowledge does not completely overlap. As for my question, what scenario would cause a resurrection spell to not work?"
Lakuyas put her hand on her chin as she thought about the question.
"My first response would be that if the target of the spell does not have enough life force, the body will be turned to ash. However, that doesn't seem to be a problem for you."
"Correct."
"In that case, there is a legend that a person may refuse resurrection. However, that is beyond my personal experience."
"I… I see. Thank you for the help."
Destian then turned and walked away.
Of course. I doubt tortured prisoners would accept resurrection more than a few times if it just led them to be tortured again. Sorry Raemond, but I don't think there is anything I could do about it.
Destian was tempted to just leave early, but in the end, he just had to grit his teeth and take the pain.
…
The sky was darkened by the night. Perhaps the stars would have been more visible if not for the abundance of lighting in the city of Olympus, the new capital city of the new Angelic Kingdom.
After a full week of torture, Destian was finally home. Or at least, this guild base was his new home. Destian was walking on the streets, more exhausted than a being incapable of exhaustion had any right to be. However, rather than teleporting directly to his room, he decided that the night would be a good time to explore the city more in depth. This assumption turned out to be correct.
There's almost not enough activity though. Where are the angel patrols? It looks like a ghost town.
In fact, 'ghost town' would be an apt way of describing this scene. Even though everything was illuminated by golden light, and the buildings themselves were towering golden structures, everything else looked lifeless.
Destian scratched the back of his head. He could think of a few possibilities to explain this, but none of them were good.
I guess I'll just go back to the throne room.
Destian could have flown or teleported back, but he wanted to examine details. If there had been an attack, then corpses or blood should have been on the streets. He also likely would have been informed about an attack.
That would mean… shit. I hope I am wrong, but it is that day, isn't it?
Destian continued to walk to the throne room, but the ghost town feel remained. This emptiness only made his fears worsen.
From the outside, the throne room was like a indestructible citadel. It easily towered over the other golden tower-like structures in Olympus. The golden light that it radiated was equal to the mightiest of Seraph angels. To the denizens of Olympus, it could only be considered as a bastion of good, justice, and holiness.
Destian tried to push one of the massive golden doors, but when he was met with resistance, he looked up. Engraved on the door was one word.
Pull.
Destian scanned his surroundings to check if anyone watched him, but no one was around. He sighed in relief.
Destian opened the door correctly this time. Inside, he saw Castian, but not any of the Seven Virtues.
"Castian? Is there a reason why everything seems abandoned?"
"Yes, but I cannot say it. Please follow me."
No… all of the signs are telling me I'm right.
"Ok. I understand."
Castian flew out into the sky above Olympus, and Destian soon followed. The two of them quickly approached the Valhallan island that was separated from the main island. However, Destian noticed a rainbow bridge connecting the two islands.
If that is activated, then the defenses of Valhalla were probably deactivated too.
He let out a deep sigh. There was no denying the truth now.
Castian and Destian glided over to the beginning of the rainbow bridge. They gracefully landed on the main island, rather than flying over to Valhalla.
"Please walk across the bridge, my lord. I will follow behind."
Destian nodded, and then took the lead. He looked down, and realized he could see the grasslands through the transparent bridge. While Olympus was high enough to be above the clouds, that did not guarantee the presence of clouds. This was a clear night. Whether or not the reason is natural or artificial is unknown.
After a few minutes, Destian and Castian reached the main gate for Valhalla. Destian turned his head towards Castian.
"Go ahead, my lord. Please open the door."
Destian made sure to look at the label saying 'Pull' before successfully opening the door.
After the door opened, a wave of music and cheering threatened to blast Destian off of his feet. The inside of Valhalla seemed much larger than it looked in the inside, and it was still completely filled. There were tables and tables with angels and humans sitting among them. There was even a 'big' table meant for the larger angels of Olympus. That table had one large, empty seat positioned at the end.
And of course, it is a surprise birthday party. At least the music is quite good. Actually, isn't this one of the songs I had in my personal area of the library? The bards just learned the songs for this one party? And it looks like every living creature of Olympus gathered in Valhalla. That probably explains why the defenses were lowered. Maybe… maybe this won't be so bad.
"Happy Birthday!"
Everyone's eyes were on him.
"Um… I don't deserve this."
Castian was quick to intervene.
"Destian, you are too humble. We all did this because we wanted to, and because we truly believe you deserve it. You should never, even for a moment, feel that you are not the kindest person in all worlds. Now, please, even if this seems unreasonable, enter your Seraph angel form please."
That form's too large for me… but I guess I don't have much of a choice. That one large seat is probably for me.
"Ok."
Destian entered his Seraph form. His six silver wings turned golden. His hair turned gold, and a shining halo appeared over his head. He also increased in size to the point where he was a head taller than the Dominion Authority angels. He then magically hovered over to his seat, not using his wings in order to prevent a possible windstorm.
"Thanks everyone. I don't think I could imagine the amount of effort that was put into this. Again, thank you."
"Don't thank us until you've tasted the cake!"
Everyone seemed to have food in front of them except for Destian. Now he knew why. A large Angel food cake with strawberries was on a platform with wheels. This platform also had a side of some sort of fish, and pasta. The platform was slowly moving towards Destian until it made a stop in front of him. From behind the dish, a small person, no, a normal sized person in a black suit showed himself. His hair, on a first glance, seemed like a rainbow. However, while a rainbow had colors in order of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, his hair was striped pink, red, blue, yellow, and then green.
Wait, does he have a cigarette in his mouth? No, that's clearly a lollipop.
"Ah, Vinji. You prepared the food?"
"Of course, please enjoy."
"Thanks."
Well, if it's prepared by Vinji, it has to be good. There isn't a better chef in all of Olympus.
Naturally, the meal was incredibly good. Destian did not eat much since his arrival in this world, but now he was slightly regretting that. Even if he did not need to eat, he could still eat this food all of the time.
I didn't think this party would be good, but I guess I was wrong. Maybe I should give some sort of speech?
"Everyone, I would like to thank you again for all of this. It is seriously impressive. Now, of course, the Empire is due to declare war on the Kingdom soon. When that happens, I hope you will join me on the battlefield. It is important that we show the world our military might. Not all of it, but enough so the countries can understand the consequences of aggressive behavior. We will make the world fear war."
Castian flew over to Destian, bringing a small slice of cake that he ate as he flew.
"Everyone! May we forever be ruled by the wisest, kindest, most understanding, and humblest being of all! Destian, I hope you will believe in yourself as much as we believe in you, for there are no lesser words I could use to describe you."
For some time, Destian believed in these words. That time was enough for him to feel happiness, but soon, this belief would be destroyed.
...
Long after the party ended, Destian stayed in Valhalla. He changed back into his normal form. Castian also remained by his side.
"Destian? Are you fine?"
Destian looked up to Castian and smiled.
"Yes. I just need to rest for a bit. Thank you for the concern however."
He sat for several more minutes before getting up.
"I'm heading for the Treasury."
"I will accompany you."
"Please just stay at the entrance. I will enter the Treasury alone."
"As you wish."
Destian opened a trap door in the middle of the massive hall, while Castian stayed above. While there were countless items and a literal mountain of gold coins, there was only one reason why he entered on this occasion. He walked through an underground hallway lit up with golden light.
At the very end of this hallway was a statue. It was seemingly of an angel, but the art was not particularly impressive. The statue was adorned with a silver set of items, one for each possible slot a character could use. Most of these were legendary class, with some divine items as well. Destian sat down in front of the statue, and thought out loud.
"It really was a waste making these items, wasn't it? Why do I refuse to give these to the NPCs, who may need them. Why do I have to hold on to some hope. Something that will never happen. Something that could only be described as selfish. Why can't I just give these away?"
Destian knew the answer to all of these questions. He made these items for only one person.
I wanted him to be an angel summoner... Was I just being selfish? No, I am still being selfish. He should be whatever he wants to be.
These items were built for one person. And that person's name was Jacob.