Warlock of the Magus World

by Stayrr

What happens when a scientist from a futuristic world reincarnates in a World of Magic and Knights? An awesome MC is what happens! A scientist’s goal is to explore the secrets of the universe, and this is exactly what Leylin sets out to do when he is reincarnated. Dark, cold and calculating, he makes use of all his resources as he sets off on his adventures to meet his goal. Face?

37. 1139

Read Warlock of the Magus World - Chapter 1139 – Negotiations online free - Light Novel Full

Negotiations

"You want to attack Malar?" Umberlee's gaze showed that she was pondering the idea, "We're of the same alignment…"

"But not of the same alliance," Leylin countered quickly, "The two of us work in the same domain, we'll never see eye to eye. He sent his avatar to attack me during my ascension…"

"Hehe…" The Goddess of the Ocean smiled, radiating a crazed aura. She'd always been temperamental, "Good! Since I owe you one, I'll help you."

"No, I think you misunderstand me. I don't want you to help me based on the contract. I just hope that, as my ally, you can stall the orc gods in my stead…"

"The orcs?" Umberlee now felt like it was impossible to make sense of this new god.

"Mm! The enemy of an enemy, after all. Don't you feel like I'm a better ally than Malar?" Leylin blinked.

"Haha… Interesting! How interesting…" Umberlee burst into laughter, the terrifying phantom waves sweeping behind her in the dark showing her power. The blue waves formed a passageway, and Leylin and Umberlee slowly faded away.

……

In the north, within a hidden underground room.

Numerous distorted runes were carved into every corner of the wall. If one took a close look, they could sense the power of blasphemous incantations on it. It was here that Fagus and Anya Bane sat together, discussing matters at ease.

"Father… I just don't understand what we're doing. We might be asking them for help, but we're letting them handle everything that has to do with our family…" Anya's face was slightly flushed. She'd watched her father hand over the business and the secret connections that she herself had laboured over for years, and she could not help but feel her heart bleeding.

In her mind, all of that belonged to her! Now, the Giant Serpent Church and taken everything away without any effort. WIth just one thought, they could easily destroy the Neon Merchant Group and the Bane Family!

"You need to see the facts, Anya. The church would only help us after we handed everything over…" Fagus seemed calm, something glimmering in his eyes, "Besides… attempting to hoodwink a true god's church is an extremely foolish idea. We aren't one of the huge business groups, we don't have the right to be so haughty…"

Fagus' experiences had let him know the terror of a true god's church. Gods never died of age, and very few deities had been killed in the World of Gods, basically not one in thousands of years.

This let the churches live comfortably in the prime material plane. Even if they were exterminated, they could still make a comeback. Compared to the Giant Serpent Church, the Neon Merchant Group was just an ant.

Fagus found his daughter's worries hilarious. The Giant Serpent Church needed his channels and connections in the north, but the wealth gathered by the Bane Family? It probably couldn't even measure up to a palace in the divine kingdom, right?

Besides, the Neon Merchant Group wasn't powerful, they were the party asking for help. Who would dare bargain with the Giant Serpent Church?

"I'm sorry, Father… I was too rash…" Anya now seemed to realise her mistakes. She had acted too conspicuously in front of her father, and ducked her head in shame.

"Mm… it's best if you understand this…" Fagus looked at his most outstanding daughter, feeling that he still needed to guide her along.

The World of Gods was mostly a patriarchy, and the girl child could not compare. However, Anya had just been far too outstanding. If she could find a husband within the family and remain, it would be very helpful for the development of their business.

Fagus hence began to speak, his voice low, "A newly ascended god has vast future prospects. Those who follow a church during its birth will naturally gain great benefits at the end. Look at the top businesses of the mainland, which one of them isn't backed by a true god? It all comes down to the merits they gained when the church was established…"

'Father seems to think highly of this god,' Anya thought. But then she laughed at herself in mockery; which true god wasn't worth the Neon Merchant Group investing their everything?

"The God of Massacre… What kind of god is this Kukulkan?" Anya muttered under her breath, a trace of admiration in her voice. She still revered and worshipped the highest existences of the the World of Gods.

"Be careful with what you say! Even with the protection of the demonic words you shouldn't utter a true god's name without caution. They'll sense it unless you're in a divine kingdom or near other gods…" Fagus immediately looked solemn.

"I understand. My apologies…" Anya covered her red lips as she looked around her, as if afraid that the God of Massacre would suddenly jump out.

"Hehe… A mighty existence like that has millions of tasks to settle everyday. There's a very slim chance of you being noticed… as long as you don't have the worst luck…" Fagus saw how his daughter was acting, and it drew a rare chuckle from him. He finally relaxed, not having noticed the sly look within Anya's eyes.

"I actually do know a little about this existence…" Fagus told Anya, "Do you remember the youngest legendary wizard in the world?"

"Of course!" Anya nodded, "I know all about his achievements… There's also the wealth of the Faulen Family, and the great business opportunity in the southern seas being such hot news. I remembered it all died down suddenly…"

There were too many figurative halos on Leylin's head. Up till this point, he was still the idol and ideal lover of many noble ladies who did not know the inside details.

"He's the current master of the Giant Serpent Church. Leylin Faulen is the God of Massacre!" Fagus stated coldly.

"What?" Anya was now truly shocked.

"He seems to have abandoned his old name when he advanced, coming up with a new one. While this isn't common, it has happened before… The other churches, especially those of the God of Justice and the Goddess of the Weave have sealed up all information regarding him for some reason. That's why many on the continent still can't associate the two…" Fagus chuckled as he revealed an open secret.

"This… this… what great aptitude. Without the remnants from gods of previous generations, he became a god…" Anya now had no schemes in her mind. She felt ridiculously base compared to Leylin.

"The native empire on Debanks Island became a part of the mighty god's divine kingdom, which is why the southern sea fell in trade. It impacted quite a few coastal kingdoms…" Fagus narrated. Even though he was giving her a rough idea, Anya was already shaken to the core.

"The reason I'm telling you all this is to inform you that an existence so mighty and with such talent definitely will have a farsighted goal. Hence, don't try anything and serve him with sincerity. Only then will you gain approval from him!" Fagus finished off.

"Is that why Father handed over all control?" Anya looked like she had understood something.

"Mm. I will also send a few of your younger brothers to the church to study priesthood and learn the ways of the devil hunters…" With a hasty understanding of Leylin's rise, Fagus completely gave up any other thoughts. He knew that any being who could ascend themselves in such a cruel environment was extremely terrifying.

Not only was he more powerful than the others, but his shrewdness was also impeccable! Trying anything with an existence like this was akin to seeking death! Hence, he decided to swear his loyalty. The decision to send hostages basically meant putting everything on the Giant Serpent Church.

Even if their plans failed, the Giant Serpent Church would remain completely safe. At most, they would lose a few external powers. However, the Bane Family would be wiped out completely. On the other hand, the profits coming from success would definitely surpass Fagus' own imagination!

"What should I do, Father" Anya looked at her father, feeling that she still had much to learn. This was especially so in terms of making decisions with the big picture in mind, something impossible for the current her who still worried over the most minor matters.

"Have faith in the God of Massacre and serve him with sincerity!" Fagus answered sternly. "Of course, you'll need some help. I've used my connections to have you stay by a saintess. You'll have to perform well.."

"Saintess… would that be Barbara?" Anya's eyes flashed.

"Yes! She's a saintess that the God of Massacre himself chose, and has a very high position in the Giant Serpent Sect. It's even said that she's more powerful than the other saintesses, and is second only to the pope…" Fagus glanced at Anya, implying something.

"You mean… I have to do anything, regardless of the cost, to gain her favour?" Anya nodded, expressing her understanding of the situation as well as her determination to follow through.

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Proclamation

The next time Anya saw Barbara, the saintess was casting a heal on an old servant.

They were in a hidden stronghold in the north that belonged to the Bane Family. There were a few powers here who provided servants and slaves to their master, Fagus Bane, and this old man was obviously one of those servants. His back was humped with all the work he'd been subject to, and his clothes tattered.

There was a disgusting stench coming from him, one that almost caused Anya to crinkle her brows and escape. She could swear that even sewage smelled better than him, and on top of that the old man had a few disgusting lacerations on his pus-filled hands that almost caused her to vomit.

The World of Gods wasn't very advanced medically, and most priests only cast divine spells on nobles or high-ranked Professionals. Commoners had to power through sickness, while the wealthy looked for potioneers. But even the potioneers could only brew some useless anaesthetics, or they just used some bat shit mixed with canvas ash to cheat others.

With this old man's lowly status, it'd normally be impossible for him to be healed. He was looking at Barbara with imploring eyes.

"This is from half a month ago. I accidentally cut myself with a stone knife while working, and it turned out this way…"

"Don't worry, the Lord loves us mortals… He won't let you suffer this torture for eternity…" Barbara maintained her kindly smile even while facing such a person, not seeming at all bothered by the smell. Bright divine light was emanating from her hands as a healing spell caressed the wound. The swelling disappeared quickly, and much of the pus was cleaned up before bright red flesh began to emerge.

"All done! However, you still have to keep this arm clean. Don't do anything too vigorous the next few days," Barbara cautioned him.

"Oh… So kind… Thank you, kind-hearted priestess. May I know which god you serve?" the old man asked somewhat incoherently.

"The Lord is the master of massacres and healing. He is the God of Massacre, with feet in both life and death, Kukulkan!" Barbara answered seriously, turning solemn at the very mention of Leylin.

"God of Massacre, Kukulkan?" The old man was slightly confused, obviously not having heard of this name before. However, he soon regained his senses, "Only a very benevolent god would have a priestess like you. Please allow me to donate to him…"

The old man trembled as he took a few coppers from his pocket. However, the coins fell to the ground the moment he spotted Anya from the corner of his eyes, and he trembled slightly.

"Revered Mistress Anya!" The old man did not care for the rolling coppers on the ground, kneeling down immediately.

"Mm," Anya answered reservedly. When it came to a servant who could only spend their whole life in this stronghold and serve her family, even a slight answer was a great favour. However, she quickly caught herself and looked at Barbara.

"My apologies, Saintess…"

"The attitude of nobles towards servants is just…" Barbara shook her head, crouching down to pick up the fallen coppers.

"The Lord sees your offerings," she said as she stowed the insignificant wealth away. She held the old man's hands, "The faith coming from the bottom of our hearts is what the Lord wishes for. Wealth means nothing, all beings are equal in terms of soul…"

"I will arrange for him to be given easier and safer jobs, Saintess…" Anya said immediately after the old man left. At the same time, her thoughts began to run free, 'A kind and benevolent saintess? Good, it's better to deal with people like her than orcs or savages…'

"I'll be grateful, but it won't be very effective…" Barbara shook her head, eyes glimmering with wisdom. It caused Anya to feel like this saintess in front of her wasn't as simple as she seemed.

"We can only do what we can to save the person in front of us today. However, there are far too many people like this where our eyes cannot see, too many. As individuals, we cannot help them all…"

Barbara's eyes glinted, "Of course, it's great that he can get such kind treatment from you. Our Lord often tells us that success is brought about by the accumulation of small things…"

Barbara gazed at Anya with a half-smile, her wise eyes seemingly seeing through everything. "I was notified by chief Fagus that you shall be my communications official here. I will be troubling you from now…"

"No, no… It is my honour to be able to serve the Saintess!"

"Good!" Barbara used a finger to raise Anya's chin. However, she actually seemed a little excited!

"I don't want to stroll around yet, and I'm a little tired now. How about a bath?" Barbara suggested.

While it was strange to have a bath in the day, Anya did not question it. Although she felt slightly uneasy, she brought Barbara to a huge bathing area.

There was a marble statue here, that of a servant crouched respectfully with a vase in hand. Water was streaming out of the vase, large amounts of steam covering the huge, spotless-white jade-like pool.

Barbara's body that was full of youthfulness and vigour disappeared into the pool, before she waved at Anya.

"Come here…"

"Hmm? Me?" Anya felt dizzy at this, but her body still moved forward involuntarily…

……

Having finished the bath, Anya was dressed in a long, loose gown with a few droplets of water on her silky hair. She looked more beautiful than ever, but there was a look of perplexity on her face.

In contrast, Barbara was full of life as she pulled Anya to another area of the plaza.

"Sister Barbara!" "Sister Barbara!" A few little boys who were in the middle of training immediately ran over. At this point, Barbara's aura changed once more, and she was now like a gentle big sister living nearby as she greeted them kindly.

The huge difference caused Anya to feel like she was still in a dream, leaving her slightly confused.

"These are…" she inquired robotically.

"Lost sheep that the Lord's warriors found along the way…" Barbara caressed the head of a little boy, looking towards a devil hunter who was guiding them, "How is their homework?"

"They're doing rather well. These kids can take hardships. Vegeta, in particular, is the most outstanding in terms of his understanding of battle techniques and learning how to read…" Upon hearing this, a trace of pride appeared on the face of the boy who Barbara was caressing.

"You did well!" Barbara's smile grew even more tender.

"But…" The instructor seemed hesitant to speak.

"What is it? Go on." Barbara frowned, but it did not seem to mar her beauty. It instead seemed to compliment her, making her seem more delicate. However, the instructor trembled, as if afraid of something.

"There's a child… who doesn't understand the lessons at all… and has a poor physique…"

Anya understood the situation from the side. The Giant Serpent Church was taking in orphans, nurturing them into manpower in various areas. A child without any real talent would probably be useless in the future.

"What's his name?" Barbara followed the instructor's gaze, and found a petite figure crouched in a corner. It seemed like he hoped to disappear into the shadows.

"Lonce… I think? That should be his name…" The instructor answered uncertainly.

"How can you treat someone you're so unsatisfied with this way?" Barbara glanced at the instructor, "Have Amik come over, your position is being changed."

The instructor didn't dare resist the enraged saintess. He bowed and left without another word.

"Lonce! That's your name, isn't it?" Barbara asked as she walked towards the little boy.

"Y–yes, my Lady!" When Lonce looked up, it was like he saw a being of light. The holy rays emanating from her made her appear elegant and warm.

"I believe you have exceptional talent! Don't mourn for a moment's failure…" Barbara kindly patted Lonce's cheeks, causing the flush on his face to extend to his neck.

"But…" Lonce sounded ready to cry.

"If you still can't handle this, then pray. The Lord will give you courage…"

Lonce gritted his teeth hard. Only by doing so could he stop the tears of shame that were about to surge out of his eyes.

To Anya and the rest, it seemed like Barbara was the perfect saintess. She reached out to Lonce with a glowing hand of redemption, pulling him out of the shadows. The self-abasing boy seemed to grow brighter, with the courage to take on the entire world.

'So strange.. Why do I suddenly think that way?'Anya wiped at her cheeks, suddenly coming to a realisation, 'This power of influence… You've given me an extremely terrifying and difficult task, Father…'

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Hound

Walking on a cobblestone path, Barbara suddenly turned back to look at Anya.

"What's wrong, Saintess?" Anya, who was still astonished at Barbara's display, suddenly felt her heart drop as if she had been seen through.

"Do you know… who those children are?" Barbara's black eyes carried the traits of the natives, but that didn't matter. It actually left Anya wanting to get closer to her.

"They should be the refugees and fleeing slaves from the north, right? It's become common in the past few decades. Saintess Barbara taking them in is an act of kindness!" Anya naturally knew where these children had come from. Refugees and fleeing slaves who couldn't stand the orcs' harsh treatment were everywhere ever since chaos erupted in the north.

Unfortunately, even here they would not be guaranteed a better life. Freezing or starving to death was so common that there were mountains of skeletons at the sides of every road and in the plains.

With the situation being so bad for adults, children were even worse for the wear. If not for Barbara's help, those little imps would probably die from the hunger or cold in the near future. There was nothing wrong with calling her actions kind.

"Yes, an act of kindness!" Anya reiterated.

"Anya… Did you know that the Lord took in a batch of refugees and children from the north when the unrest began? He nurtured them, making priests and scholars out of those orphans… Now, as the grandchildren of these priests return to the mainland, they find their homes still ravaged by war. Things seem even worse than before…"

"Larger families, merchants, and churches would take in a certain number of children before, but now… The market is full. Lonce and the rest have nowhere else to go, and they can only starve to death…" While this was but a simple statement, Anya could see the glint in the saintess' eyes brighten.

"Anya!" Barbara suddenly yelled.

"Yes!" Anya went forward apprehensively.

"Are you willing to change the north with me?"

'She wants to break away from the chaos of war and help the commoners recover?' Anya was shocked, not expecting these desires from the saintess. But another thought occurred to her right after, leaving her shocked. 'Wait… with her status, it could very well be an order from the Lord.

'Maybe… Is a divine battle more terrifying than that of the mortal realm about to descend upon us?' Anya's heart filled with fear in that moment, but she still managed a stiff nod.

"Good! I believe in the loyalty of the Bane Family, as well as your faith in the Lord." Barbara nodded in satisfaction.

"Umm… Saintess, may I know how the church intends to end this war?" Anya asked cautiously.

"First we focus on the trade of sacrifice blood between your family and the Blackblood Tribe. That batch of blood essence will be dealt with…" Barbara glanced over at Anya.

"Does the church know everything already?" Anya's voice showed her uneasiness. After all, not all churches could tolerate such things.

"Massacring commoners, buying slaves to be killed, and pandering to evil gods of other races…" Barbara counted with her fingers as large beads of cold sweat fell from Anya's face, "Any one of those sins is enough for your family to be consigned to eternal damnation. However… thankfully, the Bane Family is still of some use to our master…" The threat in her voice was obvious.

"Yes!" Anya guaranteed, "The family will adhere to the church's instructions!"

"Good!" Barbara smiled slightly, though Anya had no right to resist, "Continue the trade with the Blackblood Tribe. I just need our people to take over…"

"It shall be as you say… But…" There was a rare hint of hesitance in Anya's voice.

"Speak. Is there any issue?" The smile on Barbara's face did not lessen, but Anya could sense the atmosphere chilling in an instant.

"Well… Our family is only in charge of the collection and processing of the blood essence. The main power still lies with a large business. They're also in charge of helping us contact the Blackblood Tribe, and take profits from us in exchange for being the middlemen…"

Anya's words implied that the smuggling into the orc empire had flourished in the darkness of the north. It was such a joke that even the higher-ups of the Silverymoon Alliance were in on the action, rumours abound that Old Mage Elminster had shares in the operation and priests of wealth were acting as guarantors.

"All trade with the Moonwood is controlled by the Blackmoon Merchant Group. We're only wandering merchants…" Anya's lips curved in a wry smile.

"Blackmoon Merchant Group? It doesn't seem to be all that powerful in the north, though?" Confusion shone in Barbara's eyes.

"It's a large business group set up in secret, formed in the black market by offshoots of the other large-scale businesses. It controls over 60% of the trade in the north." Anya's eyes reflected an obvious mockery.

"How gutsy… The queen of Silverymoon really is quite pitiful…" Barbara shook her head. Although she hadn't met such situations in her life on Debanks Island, she still had enough experience to understand a great deal.

"Then… who exactly is it that stands in our way?" Barbara asked.

Anya took a deep breath before spitting out the name, "The master of the Blackmoon Merchant Group, Shadow Hound Gloff!"

"Shadow Hound? What an interesting nickname…" Barbara began to laugh.

"He's always hidden in the shadows, like a hungry wolf not letting go of even rotten meat. Even the savages fear his greed and violence…" Anya's shoulders trembled, as if she had thought up something terrifying.

"How interesting!" the smile on Barbara's face grew, "Help me make an appointment with him…"

Dark businesses like the Neon Merchant Group and the Blackmoon Merchant Group had channels to transmit information in secret despite the surface ban on the Bane Family. It didn't take long for Anya to receive news that Gloff had agreed to meet.

The venue for the meeting was an underground bar. The owner was an intelligent person, and they'd avoided using a place where paladins could find them here. The smell of cheap wine permeated the place, mixing with tobacco and cheap perfume to cause Anya to cringe.

Once they saw Gloff's true appearance, however, even Barbara looked slightly surprised. Anya just cried out in shock.

The Shadow Hound just looked far too powerful. Canines protruded from his mount, and he had a spotted black nose that complimented red, bestial eyes. His skin was bunched together and wrinkly, full of fat and flesh.

'A mixed-blood with a Shar Pei? It's a rare combination too…' Anya thought to herself. Such beings were normally exterminated at birth, and those who even survived were rare, let alone someone growing to such heights of power. There was perhaps less than one in ten thousand who could do so.

"Please sit, beauties!" The rumbling voice coming from Gloff's throat made it seem like he was speaking with his tongue stuck out. Anya needed to spend a great amount of effort to understand what he was saying.

"Many thanks!" she said as she bowed sincerely, but as she sat down she soon felt a disgusting gaze scanning across her. The feeling of greed and lust immediately caused goosebumps to rise on her skin. 'Shadow Hound, the king of rotting meat… This nickname really was created aptly…'

"What is it, ladies? You don't seem quite satisfied with how I'm attending to you…" Gloff gulped down a fried quail stuffed with little mushrooms and spices, the sickly crimson-yellow tongue that was wagging out causing Anya to feel nauseous.

"It's about communication with the Moonwood…" She went straight to the point, forcing down the discomfort.

"So it's about that…" Gloff was still stuffing food into his mouth, and a servant took a large black notebook and began to flip through it in front of him.

"We don't really have any needs in this area now, so the noble merchants will have to wait a while…"

"Are there no other ways? Do you think we could discuss the allocation of profits here?" Anya asked, sounding him out.

"It's not about profits." Gloff seemed rather resolute. He had already finished off all the food in front of him, and a few female fox servants were using white serviettes to wipe his mouth for him.

"But… If Miss Anya insists, we could continue this conversation in private… haha…" The red glint in Gloff's eyes brightened.

……

"Damn it… That stupid hound, swine…" Anya began to complain once they reached the street.

"I do find him rather intelligent…" Barbara pushed at her black cloak, revealing her charming face.

"Saintess, do you mean I should…" Anya immediately felt bitter, but she nodded with difficulty, "If it's for the church, I'm willing to do it…"

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Scheme

"Hehe… where has your mind gone to, my little Anya… " Barbara lifted Anya's chin, "The church isn't doing so badly that you'll have to make sacrifices for it yet…"

Anya heaved a sigh of relief after hearing those words. Although she didn't mind such things, it also depended on who the other party was.

"What does the Saintess mean?"

"Though I didn't state my position, doesn't the fact that he didn't seem to care enough to ask say something?" Barbara gazed at Anya with a half-smile, "News of the Bane Family siding with the Giant Serpent Church surely must have spread throughout the north, and he must be unwilling to enter such muddy waters… Besides, their thought process is far more complicated than you'd think. I even suspect that…"

Anya immediately turned solemn. Only now did she realise that, even in terms of the refined war of business, Barbara was no less competent than her.

……

Within the hidden meeting room in the underground bar, the Shadow Hound stood up respectfully to bow to a figure in the shadows.

"Things are as you instructed, my lord, I've let them know it isn't possible and had them leave."

"Mm," a young noble walked out of the darkness. He was dressed in tailcoat and tie, with not even a strand of fiber out of place. He had silver hair and dark green pupils, the arrogance, reservation, and slyness that only nobles possessed shining forth from his eyes.

"You did well. Even if it isn't enough to fool them, we've clarified our stance…" Every movement of the youth was filled with grace, as if he was hosting an important wine reception.

"They have dealings with a church… It's not quite appropriate for us to get involved in this…" Gloff began, but an explosive sound rang out as a cane hit Gloff's forehead. The man began to bleed profusely.

"What a disgrace!" The youth's expression had changed. The smile was gone, replaced by a brewing storm.

"I was wrong, Master! Please forgive me!" How was Gloff anything like the Shadow Hound he was said to be? All he could do was shake his tail and look pitiful while kneeling in front of his master.

"Do not forget your position… you're just a lowly mixed-blood slave. How would you have the right to suggest something to me, the noble Eric?" The youth's expression was full of malice, but he quickly concealed it. Still, Gloff could only crawl in front of him in fear, his body trembling.

"Just remember. Your power, your status; your everything… it all comes from me. I gave you the world, but I can also destroy everything in an instant…" Eric patted Gloff's head in reminder, a noble smile surfacing on his face.

"I will remember it well, Master! You are my everything…" The only thing Gloff wasn't doing to express his loyalty was wagging a tail.

"The Neon Merchant Group is far from enough to fill my appetite. However, what do you think about that saintess? She isn't too bad…" The young man's eyes flashed wildly, and he burst into laughter. His shadow in the wall swayed around, like a demon dancing freely.

……

After following Barbara back to the residence, Anya perked up.

"Here's the information you wanted, Saintess!" She saw the legendary devil hunter that had left such a deep impression on her arrive. He stood respectfully at the side, hellfire sparking atop the surface of the chains in his hands to give him a unique, blazing aura.

"Mm," Barbara nodded as she took a gold crystal from him. Her brows suddenly wrinkled, "You had to attack someone just now?"

"A few high-ranked shadow thieves who were fearless enough to spy on us. So foolish…" The devil hunter sneered, and a few translucent faces showed themselves amidst the distorted hellfire.

'He's profaning souls! That's something only devils and demons do!' Anya's pupils shrank as she shrieked in her mind, but she managed to hide her expression well.

However, Barbara seemed to have sensed her uneasiness. "He's imprisoned them for now. These people will be sent to the Lord for punishment," she consoled, though her words were suspicious.

The devil hunter shot an indifferent glance at Anya, that gaze that deemed her a little bug causing her soul to tremble in fear. She understood well that this was the imposing aura that came from legendary might. If he wished to destroy her, it wouldn't be much different to stomping an ant to death.

Only now did Anya realise how amazing Barbara's kindness was.

"Take note of your own actions. You've frightened my communications officer!" Barbara frowned.

"My apologies, Saintess. I'll be on my way then." Space rippled, and the devil hunter's figure disappeared. He'd served the purpose of demonstrating his strength, making it fully clear to Anya that her family was just paper in front of legendary might.

"If this place was found out and there's people watching us, should we…" Anya cautiously asked Barbara.

"There's no need to move… After all, finding another stronghold will be difficult. With him around, everything will be taken care of." Barbara's tone displayed her absolute confidence. All too casually, she passed the information she'd received to Anya.

"This is… information on the Blackmoon Merchant Group!" Anya's pupils shrunk, feeling like the papers in her hands suddenly weighed a ton.

It implied that the Giant Serpent Church had a huge information network. Uneasiness rose in Anya's heart, fear that her family would lose its use. If that happened, there wouldn't be much time left before they were destroyed.

"Take a look…" the saintess commanded, and Anya read through everything. Her shock only grew as she read on.

'The person in control of the Blackmoon Merchant Group is Earl Eric? He's the grandson of the consul that Queen Alustriel trusts the most?' The news left Anya speechless. Although she knew that the nobility was dirty, the content of this report still exceeded her expectations.

"Such is the nobility. They can betray their own ilk for profit…" Barbara smiled in mockery, "That's not all. He seems rather interested in taking over the Neon Merchant Group… And me."

Although Barbara maintained a smile as she spoke, Anya still felt a chill down her spine. She recalled the shadow thieves the devil hunter had just eliminated, 'He's the one who sent them?'

"Hehe… Foolish mortal, my body, soul, and everything belong to the Supreme God, Kukulkan. Those who dare covet his belongings will definitely be punished, their souls crying…" A sick flush appeared on Barbara's face, causing Anya to shudder.

All of a sudden, Barbara pointed at Anya, "Come, accompany me in a bath."

"Al– alright!" Anya stammered as she agreed, the trepidation rising in her heart mixed with a tinge of anticipation.

……

New Silverymoon, Church of Tyr.

"Captain Rafiniya!" The large, dusty doors of the church opened up, revealing the face of an old priest. He spoke slowly, "Your wisdom allowed you to protect numerous budding paladins. The Lord does not blame you…"

The dim light revealed that Rafiniya's clothing was lined with spikes, and she was kneeling to atone for her sins. She seemed to be punishing herself.

"I have not forgiven myself… I let evil escape my grasp, and the innocent commoners will suffer for it. I have sinned!" Rafiniya looked extremely pale, her eyes sunken with dark lines. The torture had to have been for quite a while.

"The Lord needs you now. New Silverymoon needs you, and the commoners of the north need you more!" The old priest naturally knew what to do to affect her. "The war is about to begin, and the city is in turmoil. The innocent are still suffering, so what are you waiting for? Look at the city, it needs you!

"Besides, shouldn't you correct your mistakes?" The old priest opened the doors, producing a barely audible sound that gave rise to a sense of urgency.

"I've never denied that!" Rafiniya picked up her longsword, and her aura surged with power. Even in the garb of sinners, the captain of the paladins had returned! "I'll uproot the Neon Merchant Group, and the Bane Family… The Giant Serpent Church as well! They'll pay the price, I swear on it!" Rafiniya solemnly guaranteed.

"Very good!" The old priest left in satisfaction, not noticing a dark lustre becoming more distinct at Rafiniya's back…

Meanwhile, in a certain grand residence in New Silverymoon.

"The captain of the paladins is coming out? Haha… good, good! Leak the location of the Bane Family's stronghold to them…" Eric began to laugh crazily, "They dare take the shadow thieves I nurture with so much effort? They must pay the price!"

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Arrival

"Young master, this will harm our reputation…" An old butler spoke, his words staggered.

"We're a mighty noble family, our glory eternal. All this filthy business is the work of those under us. Got it?" Eric looked towards the butler with a gaze full of meaning. The man understood what he meant, backing down respectfully as the young noble continued to swirl the wine in his glass. It seemed like he could see those two captivating faces within the blood red wine.

"You shall all become mine! Just you wait…" he muttered pervertedly, and his cheeks flushed.

The news leaks from the Blackmoon merchant Group caused a lot of pressure to fall on the Neon Merchant Group. Under Rafiniya's lead, the paladins went all out to completely decimate a few hidden strongholds. They even managed to find an encampment close to Barbara's current position.

With her church supporting her, Rafiniya had grown more sly and cautious in dealing with the Giant Serpent Church. High-ranked priests accompanied practically every team, and a squad of legendary paladins were ready to reinforce them at any moment. History would not repeat itself in the next encounter.

With the millennia it had spent amassing power, the Church of Justice was just more powerful than the Giant Serpent Church. Tyr being a greater god wasn't the only thing they had.

Anya's face flushed red as she sent an emissary from the Blackmoon Merchant Group away. "It's a show of power! A brazen show of power!" she complained to Barbara, "I'm sure they were the ones who led the paladins here!"

Anya paced around uneasily in the drawing room, "Our location being leaked was just a warning. If we don't agree to their requests, they'll definitely hit us with something more powerful…"

"Hehe… what foolish and ignorant people. They're walking further and further along the path to death…" Barbara put the letter in her hand down, smiling with confidence. "They want to take over the Neon Merchant Group and work together with our church, and they want you to go personally as a show of sincerity? Will I have to go in the future as well?"

"Saintess…" Anya looked hesitant, feeling apprehensive.

"Of course we'll fight back, and we'll fight back strong!" Barbara sounded resolute.

"That's right! Any sinners who have the guts to go against our Saintess must be punished with hellfire!" The legendary devil hunter entered the drawing room, accompanied by Fagus.

"But the Blackmoon Merchant Guild has complicated relationships underground, and Earl Eric is someone of high status. His family can be ranked amongst the top three of the Silverymoon Alliance…" A trace of fear appeared in Anya's eyes.

The Bane Family as it was right now did not have the means to duke it out even with the Blackmoon Merchant Group, leave alone the duke backing it. Without the Giant Serpent Church assisting them in their fight, they would be like little ants.

"That's not all. Eric's father, the duke in office, is a high-ranked legendary," Fagus mumbled seriously. He turned towards the devil hunter, "How confident are you in your chances, my lord?"

It was apparent that Fagus was good at public relations. Even this prideful devil hunter pondered over this seriously, before answering stiffly in the mainland's language, "I'm confident I can kill him, but only if there's no interference. That's pretty much impossible in New Silverymoon…"

"Exactly," Fagus sighed. "Queen Alustriel and Old Mage Elminster are present there, both peak legendary beings with the power of divinity…"

Silverymoon was known to be the place with the most advanced spells in the continent, a sacred land for all wizards. Countless high-ranked spells had been created there, and even many legends had improved their craft. It even included the likes of Leylin! In the minds of many normal beings, the ascension of the young wizard was largely thanks to the great accumulations of Silverymoon.

The power the wizards had accumulated over time caused the Silverymoon Alliance to grow into a terrifying existence. Its numerous high-ranked and legendary wizards allowed it to stand the test of time, being able to hold on in the wars against the orc empire.

Most of New Silverymoon was filled with high-ranked wizards, their combined strength letting them contend even with the avatars of gods. In this light, planning an ambush or assassination was a poor decision.

"Besides, there's no use killing Eric and the duke. Their family is huge, and has organisations all over the continent. It'll only give us more enemies…" Fagus sighed once more.

The duke's family was truly enormous, with numerous hidden branches and powerful beings in their ranks. They were scattered all over the prime material plane. Even if their chief and his successor were killed, they would never give up. Unless they could eliminate the entire family at once, trying to take it on would only result in an endless amount of trouble.

The duke's family was leagues beyond the scope of the Bane Family. But that was only to be expected; after all, the Banes wouldn't be so troubled by the Church of Justice if they had such power in the first place. They would have instead been higher up the ladder in Silverymoon, able to live comfortably.

"You don't need to worry about this issue at all." Barbara stood up, solemn and dignified. A hazy layer of divine light descended upon her, and a mighty existence's conscient began to converse with the saintess. A golden lustre flashed in her eyes, and she turned certain.

She delivered a decree with complete seriousness, "The Blackmoon Merchant Group and the family of that Eric are marching to their deaths. The Lord will completely exterminate them."

The very moment Barbara stood up, the devil hunter had knelt down to pray like a devout follower.

Anya and Fagus were crouched on the ground, their bodies still trembling. They'd been frightened silly by that imposing aura that even dragons couldn't hold a candle to. Just the conscient could cause an ordinary being to bow their head.

After that powerful conscient disappeared, Fagus regained his senses and asked fearfully, "What? Is… Is the God of Massacre descending?"

"That's right! The Lord has already informed me that Eric and his family will be wiped out!" Barbara spoke with conviction. From her point of view, since even the god she believed in had made a prophecy, the family would definitely be wiped out.

'Is this the aura of a god? Even if it's a large family like that in the prime material plane with many connections and legendary beings in charge, with limitless powers hidden in the shadows, wiping them out is an easy task… Right, how could I forget? No matter how generous and gentle the servants of this existence are, he's a powerful God of Massacre…'

An absent look flashed in Fagus' eyes, and Anya's own filled with heat. This was what she truly pursued, power over millions of lifeforms!

……

Outside, Leylin's avatar descended towards the north.

"A land filled with the stench of war, a greater god watching over it at all times…" Leylin's eyes flashed as he understood everything, and he snickered before entering the prime material plane. As a true god, he basically had nothing to fear anymore. He naturally didn't have to keep a low profile.

He spread his senses slightly, and large numbers of golden thread sprang into view. They consisted of strong emotions, the souls of his worshippers forming multiple scenes before him. 'The threads of faith are being managed quite well here. It must be from the impression I left behind at the beginning, and Barbara's hard work…'

Leylin tapped a random strand, and it took him to the children inside the stronghold. A weak little boy was praying to his statue within.

"Mighty Lord of Massacre, I beg you… Give me the courage and strength to protect Sister Barbara!" Lonce's gaze was extremely resolute and filled with determination, "Please, I'm willing to give up everything!"

'Such great awareness… His faith is bordering zealotry already…' Such people were the best of seedlings for a god, ones that had to be nurtured properly. With the emphasis deities placed on faith and piety, every zealot was a treasure.

'Let's see…' Leylin sent his conscient down, scanning through the boy's memories without him even noticing. 'Hmm? So he's related to Blackmoon as well. Eric rendered him a homeless orphan, and now he's a refugee?'

Seeing these dark memories, Leylin poured a trace of his conscient into the golden thread. Lonce, who'd been praying all this while, suddenly felt himself being flooded with energy.

"I am the God of Massacre, the Ruler of Devils and Setter of Laws, Kukulkan! Speak, pious child, what do you need of me?"

The dignity and intimacy in the voice let Lonce affirm that this was the god he worshipped. Realising that a prayer from even the lowly him had been gifted an instantaneous response, hot tears filled the rims of his eyes.

"I see the future. Eric shall wail in the fires of hell in the future, while you will obtain strength to protect hope…"

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Rebuke

The gods possessed the strength to turn the heavens and the earth upside down. Leylin's divine ability, Warp Reality, made a joke of things such as innate talent or aptitude.

Even as the boy was stupefied, some changes manifested on Lonce's body. Before the youth even had the time to express his gratitude, Leylin's prophetic words ended and he fainted immediately.

The incident caused a stir all around them. The priests saw the imprint Leylin left behind on the boy, and knew what to do next.

'I'll most likely get another zealot once news of Eric's end reaches his ears…' Leylin stroked his chin.

Gods had a myriad of complex tasks to accomplish everyday, and from one point of view Leylin's actions just now were a net loss. However, his worshippers needed a boost in morale from time to time. Since Eric and his family were being destroyed anyway, he chose to reveal his divine presence.

"Let's use their demise to announce my arrival." A freezing radiance was emitted from Leylin's eyes.

Umberlee had put him in contact with the orc gods, and their greater god Gruumsh welcomed his arrival. Though, that being said, the orcs wouldn't reject anyone who wanted to team up with them to fight two greater gods.

However, things were different when Malar was brought up. Gruumsh had an ambiguous attitude at best, expressing helplessness in Leylin's conflict with the God of the Hunt. The most he could do was remain neutral.

However, his reactions made Leylin feel like Malar's relationship with the orc gods was closer than his.

However, that was quite easy to understand. The orc and beast gods were of the same faction, and there was an intrinsic foundation for their cooperation. Malar had been a longtime ally, and he would be more reliable than a stranger like Leylin. However, these gods had misunderstood Leylin's thoughts. Malar didn't qualify to be Leylin's enemy. He was mere prey, and not something he paid any mind to.

Leylin's gaze instead pierced through space, entering New Silverymoon, 'Ignorant plebeian, you dare eye my property!'

The body and soul of a saintess were the personal property of the deity they served, and this was true across all alignments and churches. Eric daring to harbour thoughts of defiling Barbara was blasphemy!

Leylin hadn't found a suitable opportunity to establish his presence and dignity before, but Eric had now come knocking on his door. Wasn't it akin to committing suicide? Even with all its legendaries and hidden branches, the dukedom was just a bunch of ants in the eyes of a god.

"Well, it's about time to let my main body through, so I'll need some test subjects as well…" Leylin smiled, as if seeing the fall of Eric's house.

.

……

Earl Eric had no idea of this star of death shining brightly over his house, and his high spirits hadn't been dampened in the least. His malicious schemes and plans had led Rafiniya and the paladins under her to clamp down on the Neon Merchant Group, and they'd obtained fantastic results. His rage had calmed down.

'I won't have to wait much longer before Anya comes knocking on my door, do I?' Eric stroked his chin, anticipation in his eyes. He'd been longing for the rose of the Bane Family for a while now.

'That saintess won't be long either… I haven't tasted a saintess yet…' Suddenly, Eric's body seemed to blaze with passion, and a small stream of heat flowed to his lower abdomen.

"My lord!" a voice interrupted just as Eric was about to get some maids to vent his lust. It was his old butler.

"What is it?" he asked with impatience, "Speak!" If the old butler had nothing of import, he would be taught an unforgettable lesson.

"The master is back. He's waiting for you in the study." However, the butler only took a sentence to calm Eric down immediately. It was like cold water was poured down on the boy.

Eric's grandfather was a duke of the Silverymoon Alliance, a legendary wizard who managed the city's consulate. He was on the same level as Old Mage Elminster, the two having studied together in the past. Put bluntly, he was the pillar of support for the entire family.

Eric seemed very powerful as he flaunted his authority, but he was nothing before his grandfather. Just a word from the man would strip him of all authority.

"I… I'm on my way!" Eric straightened out his clothes in a hurry; the duke never liked his descendants being tardy or messy. At the same time, the burning desire in his eyes was replaced by a fawning gaze.

It didn't take long for Eric to stand before his grandfather in the study. The duke had a goosefeather quill in hand, and was continuously scribbling away at a pile of documents.

"Eric…" It took over a dozen minutes for Eric to hear his grandfather's voice, his knees on the verge of buckling. It wasn't loud, but it carried a strange power that caused the young noble to straighten his back immediately.

"I hear you've been quite happy recently, forging close ties with the paladins of the God of Justice. Especially Rafiniya, you've allowed her to gain many contributions!" A hint of mockery appeared in the corner of the Duke's eyes.

"Forgive me, Lord Grandfather. I'm only doing this for the sake of work…" Eric replied feebly.

"Let me make this clear first: the Lady of Hope holds power equivalent to mine, she isn't someone you can covet. Now moving on… Have you been clamping down on the Neon Merchant Group as of late?"

Eric's body trembled as he tried to reply, his back being drenched in cold sweat, "You know, Grandfather… They're fugitives from New Silverymoon, I'm only performing my duty—"

"No matter what it is, stop now!" the duke interjected.

"But why?" Eric felt somewhat repressed. Although he had his own plans when dealing with the Neon Merchant Group, he'd also kept the expansion of the family in mind.

"The Neon Merchant Family is backed by the Giant Serpent Church. One should always show respect when dealing with a god!" Had the old duke known of Eric's lust for Barbara, his words would not have been this calm. Right now, he only felt extreme weariness. His work in the consulate took up too much of his time, and he'd remained stagnant without advancing.

"I've expanded the family enough. We don't need to grow further, we should focus on stabilising ourselves." The duke rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Think carefully about what I said… Do not try to provoke a faction that has the backing of a god! The results will not be pretty…"

"Yes, Lord Grandfather." Eric bowed and retreated from the study room…

The youth only started howling after he'd returned to his own room. "WHY?" he roared like a beast, "When I'm just about to succeed…"

"My Lord!" the maidservant Eric doted on the most ran in, her face filled with worry, "What happened?"

"Who let you in?"

It was then that the maid saw a pair of bestial eyes staring at her, icy and filled with murderous intent. An ear-piercing scream sounded out, but it quickly faded as everything returned to normal…

A hidden passage opened up some time later, and the Shadow Hound Gloff walked out.

"Master…" The owner of the Blackmoon Merchant Group took off his black robes, revealing animal hide and a body laced with fat as he greeted Eric with respect. The corpse on the floor did not faze him at all.

"Hurry and dispose of it, do not let it taint my room any further…" Eric kicked the maid's corpse away, her once soft and supple body already growing brittle.

"As you wish, Master!' Gloff moved to obey. However, he stopped for a moment in hesitation, "Also, Master, do we continue suppressing the Neon Merchant Group?"

"Hmm?" Eric frowned, before throwing a flower vase at Gloff's head. A loud shattering noise sounded, and blood spilled to the floor. "So you got the news too. Well, aren't you quite loyal? Don't forget who it is that reared a dog like you!"

Fear entered Gloff's expression as Eric bellowed in rage. However, the halfblood was instead feeling more misery than fear in his heart. No matter how powerful he seemed in the darkness, Gloff knew he was only a lackey that Eric could dispose of anytime. If Eric grew annoyed with him, he'd end up like the maid in a matter of seconds.

"Of course not, Master, how could I have the guts?! You're the greatest power in my eyes!" Gloff bowed his head and put on a fawning expression. He was almost licking Eric's boots.

"Listen up…" Eric's breathing resumed a regular pace. He viewed Gloff with a higher importance than the maidservant earlier.

"Our plans must go on… Only now, it should be kept secret from the others. Continue with our actions until the Neon Merchant Group yields. Is that understood?" There was no way Gloff did not understand Eric's intentions. However, if he did not obey he would die. The Shadow Hound valued his own life over the duke's commands, so he immediately agreed.

"I understand!"

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Curse

If that legendary duke working in Silverymoon's consulate found out what his grandson was up to, he would probably jail and hang the youth as soon as possible. He might even have blasted him to smithereens with a disjunction spell. Unfortunately, he'd been swamped with work as they prepared for battle, leaving such a huge disaster to go unnoticed.

That was until that day, that is. Warm sunlight was shining down on the north, and a few pure white clouds dotted the azure sky to make it look like velvet that was changing patterns.

Eric was in a very good mood that morning. The pressure he'd consistently put on the Neon Merchant Group had let those fools know to compromise. They'd sent him an envelope through hidden channels, which indicated their resolve was weakening.

He believed the letter would be full of flattering words, leaving a small request at the end and an indication that they were willing to offer something in exchange. Compromises between nobles always went along these lines. Thus, at the headquarters of the Blackmoon Merchant Group, he was reclining on his couch with his eyes closed, full of the pride of a victor.

Gloff was stood at his side like a humble servant, and there was another black-robed person in front of him, "All checks have been performed, there's no problem," he said as he handed the envelope over.

Naturally, Eric wasn't a careless person. The black letter had undergone countless tests before it entered his grasp. This man in front was his most trusted subordinate.

The man had a pair of arms so shrivelled one could see pale bone underneath the skin. His eyes had sunk deep, and there seemed to be no muscle on his face. It was like his entire body had been formed of skin and bone, and he stank so badly of decay that even Gloff seemed slightly disgusted. The man's robes were huge for his build, and a necklace of bone and black pearl flickered with a dull glow as the aura of death and evil spirits emanated from it. This man was obviously a necromancer.

Necromancers liked to play around with bodies and souls, being rejected by the remaining wizards on the continent. Alustriel, in particular, had set numerous bans on them in Silverymoon, making her rule the most severe in history.

"Since Mentor Adas has spoken, it must be true!" Eric said. With everyone else eager to beat them down, it was enormously difficult for any necromancer to develop. Still, as a result, every single high-ranked necromancer was earth-shatteringly powerful. Even if Adas wasn't a skeleton lich yet, he was almost at the legendary realm and his proficiency in curses and spirits left no fear of threat behind.

Eric chuckled as he took the envelope from his mentor, tearing it open. This was the moment he was waiting for; the pleas of the defeated always gave him immeasurable delight.

"This…" However, his expression soon changed. The paper inside the envelope was completely blank, with nothing on it. Eric turned it over a few times to confirm, and a feeling of humiliation surged up within him that caused his face to flush red.

"This isn't even a prank… It's a challenge! A despicable and weak family like that dares challenge me, the grandson of a legendary wizard and the star of Silverymoon? They will pay in blood!" Eric yelled, and viciously slammed the paper onto the table.

"Ma- Master!" At this moment, Gloff suddenly found something strange. A dark green flame had erupted the moment Eric touched the paper, greedily devouring everything around it.

"Hm? This…" Adas quickly made his move, many magic items on his hands flickering as the spells he'd prepared were launched.

Detect Curse, Holy Defence, Armour of Thorns! Numerous layers of light shrouded Eric, and a teleportation light quickly swallowed the mentor and pupil. The spatial transfer took them straight to their residence at the core of Silverymoon.

"We got the right coordinates. Even legendary beings wouldn't dare charge into Silverymoon without caution…" Adas glanced at Eric, "Not discovering this new type of curse was my fault.."

"Please don't say that, Mentor Adas…" Eric was still lenient in front of those with real might. "Without you here, who knows what kind of trouble I would be in now."

At that point, Eric's expression changed, "The damned Neon Merchant Group… They actually dare to use such underhanded means. I won't let them off!"

"I'm actually rather interested in that new curse," Adas caressed his necklace, "It could actually escape my detections… I hope to return and observe the reactions…"

"That's not a problem at all. Isn't Gloff there? He's the best test subject you could have. With how close he was, he must have been affected by the curse as well…" Eric answered without any hesitation, the only emotion in his eyes exasperation, not pity.

"That stupid dog, I'll need to find someone to replace it." Eric waved his arm, and a bit of green light flashed in his eyes.

"Oh! NO!" Only when Adas exclaimed did Eric realise that the green flames had appeared once again, sticking to his fingers like maggots. Thin black lines appeared on his skin, wriggling like they were absorbing his blood.

"How can there be a curse like this? It doesn't make sense…" Adas felt like everything he knew was coming apart.

Eric's yells continued to grow louder and louder, until the green flames were done absorbing his blood and swallowed up the dark lines. They continued to blaze in mid-air, the enchanting fires forming a small portal.

It was a sound that nobody could describe, one that did not exist in the world and was impossible to recreate. It sounded like a roar that possessed all the resentment and hate of the world, like a low mumble from hell that was more evil than the devils and demons combined. It spread out in all directions.

"What- what's happening to me…" Eric grew dizzy, feeling like there was a fire in his throat. His voice grew incredibly hoarse, and he sounded worse than an old bellow.

"You…" All of a sudden, Eric pointed at Adas in fear. The necromancer now had huge tumours growing on his face one after the other, and was becoming obese. Terrifying pus spilled out of the sarcomas, and great corrosive strength began to swallow up his body.

"No…NOOO! I…" Eric looked at his own hands, where abscess the size of gold coins appeared continuously, emitting pus that smelt of decay as they began to explode and corrode his skin. The great pain overwhelmed his senses.

He then lay on the ground, watching Adas who had already turned into bone and could no longer speak. He had once been someone with immeasurable strength, basically a king in the north. Now, however, he couldn't even cry for help, much less decide life or death. Eric could only watch his body be corroded in total despair, his head swelling into a huge tumour. It went out in a loud explosion, thus ending his life of sin.

Meanwhile, everyone in the prime material plane that was related to Eric by blood was startled to find their bodies filling up with terrifying tumours that ate away at them in but a moment.

Within New Silverymoon's castle, Queen Alustriel was gazing at the legendary duke as he made a report.

"These are the logistics of the Nojo defensive line, my Queen…" There were other legendary figures in the hall beside the two, including Old Mage Elminster. They were evidently discussing something extremely important.

The duke looked poised and was about to say something, when his expression changed. His skin turned a terrifying green as a tumour began to grow underneath. It was like a little mouse running around as it scurried around his body.

"Curse!" Elminster was the first to stand up and throw a dispel out. The wizards present here were amongst the best and most powerful in the world, and there were even legendary priests present. Everyone cast spell after spell, as even the duke himself tried all methods to save his life.

However, nothing worked. The rest could only watch as the duke collapsed, crying out in misery.

"A very terrifying curse!" Elminster wrinkled his forehead, using a layer to separate the legendary duke from them. He then turned to look at the duke through the barrier, or perhaps he was looking at the obsidian protection runes on the ground.

"Those are legendary substitutes that can take out any attacks, poisons, or curses in his stead. However, they've lost all effect…" he said to Alustriel. A trace of fear appeared in his eyes, "Looking at the current situation, even a clone wouldn't work…"

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Extermination

Bang!* Under the eyes of numerous helpless onlookers, desperation surfaced in the duke's eyes. However, their legendary might was all for naught as his body suddenly exploded, flesh and blood scattering as the corrosive pus covering the barrier almost caused Alustriel and the rest to puke.

"To kill a duke right in front of us… This is a serious provocation!" A solemn look surfaced on Elminster's face. He was disappointed that he hadn't been able to identify the enemy from the duke's eyes, and soon that solemnity was replaced by infinite fear. The duke was a legendary wizard himself, and he was killed so easily. What about everyone in the hall right now?

"Report!" a high-ranked wizard staggered in, the panic noticeable on his face.

"What's wrong?" Elminster asked with a frown, overstepping Alustriel's authority.

"Earl Eric, Chekov, Viscount Agar, and even Dorwick and Lady Merida… We just received news that they're all dead!" The hall grew completely silent in an instant, and everyone stared blankly at the spot where the legendary duke had exploded.

'That is to say… everyone in Silverymoon carrying his bloodline was eliminated in an instant?' Elminster felt a sudden chill in the air, invading his very soul.

……

"It seems like the bloodline curses from the Magus World work quite well…" Leylin withdrew his gaze. Even those with legendary might could not withstand his rage, and despite numerous powerful existences surrounding him the duke had died. This was the terror of the Magus World! With the extinction of all of the duke's blood, Leylin had announced to the influences and gods with the north that he'd arrived.

……

"This is clearly provoking us!" Seeing the unending stream of death reports from the frenetic city, an unperturbed look appeared on Rafiniya's face. However, this was obviously the calm before the storm.

Everyone related by blood to the legendary duke had perished without reason, and the terrifying sights of their deaths had astonished all of New Silverymoon. Adding up the clones and true bodies as well as the descendants of the legendary duke and his family, there were hundreds within Silverymoon. Furthermore, numerous family members had perished in the sight of the general public.

The disturbance caused by event allowed other villains and adventurers with ulterior motives to take advantage of the situation, causing the chaos to intensify. To Rafiniya, who'd been entrusted with maintaining public order, this was an insult to her job, a shame that could never be removed!

"Dispatch the paladins to assist the garrison in stabilising the situation!" Numerous solemn paladins rushed out of the church, causing all wild schemes to fall apart in an instant. However, the vague moans of lament within the gradually recovering city caused Rafiniya's expression to grow even more heavy.

'A curse with hundreds of victims… If we can't capture the culprit, I won't be able to account to the Queen and other citizens who trusted me…' Rafiniya swiftly started to speculate about the true mastermind. 'Was the culprit an enemy of the duke? A wizard trying to collect souls, or an evil god trying to spread fear?'

Rafiniya knew fully well that if this incident was related to a god it would become an extremely huge problem. However, the ideal of justice in her heart would not allow her to back down.

"Rafiniya!" A cardinal said as he walked towards her, his face drooping with gloom. "We just received word that another family at the Ironsword Castle met its end, the symptoms the exact same as the duke's family…"

"Could it be…" Rafiniya's brows twitched.

"Yes. It's a branch of the duke's family that separated a hundred years ago and settled down at Ironsword Castle. Even the branches passed away when the duke died, and the old and young weren't spared even if they were in a church at that moment…"

A faint trace of foreboding emerged within the cardinal's eyes, "The Church gave us the same news. The branch in the central kingdoms perished as well…"

"A curse that can affect the entire continent…" Rafiniya muttered.

"Mm. Not just that, there were a few cases of other aristocrats in Silverymoon, and even a few stable lads and gardeners. There's a lot of panic thinking it's spreading, but we know why they died…" the cardinal continued.

'Those licentious idiots, having numerous illegitimate children and causing a huge problem now…' Rafiniya was secretly elated. She'd been irked by the luxurious and messy lifestyles of the higher nobility.

"The main problem is even the descendants that we weren't aware of were killed off… This is the power of a god! An evil god has declared his arrival! The cardinal said with all seriousness.

Rafiniya nodded her head in acknowledgement. Only a true god could release such a large-scaled curse upon the mainland. Even peak legendary wizards couldn't wield such terrifying power.

"Those evil gods are the greatest threat to our cause!" Rafiniya clenched her fists, missing the cardinal's bitter smile.

'There aren't many evil gods capable of killing off descendants a thousand miles away, and they're all terrifying existences…' the cardinal sighed in secret. With his understanding of gods, he naturally knew the terror of the one behind this event. Still, his expression returned to normal soon enough, "Paladin Rafiniya. Your mission is to assist Queen Alustriel in maintaining peace and stability within New Silverymoon City… Do you intend to shirk your duties?"

……

Rafiniya's face instantly blackened after the cardinal left, and she draw her longsword to a terrifying keen. She'd noticed a clear hint of warning within the cardinal's words, asking her to accept a compromise. It was like the church didn't plan to take actions against that cruel god!

Even though Rafiniya knew that one needed to compromise and back down sometimes for the sake of justice, this incident had exceeded her bottom line. "Don't tell me even the Lord's Church has started to be corrupted by darkness…"

Even though she knew she shouldn't think that way, a trace of darkness enveloped Rafiniya's thoughts. Her expression warped within the shadows, and that trace of dark red grew even more bright.

……

"Oh Lord… Please pardon my sins, do not afflict me with such a terrifying curse…"

"No matter who it is, Lord… Please protect me, Coco, and Laffrey…"

"Dear Lord… I pray for you to swiftly end this disaster…"

"Oh Lord, whoever you are, wherever you come from… Thank you for exterminating Earl Eric and avenging my family…"

The amount of golden faith in the void had increased severalfold, and numerous prayers that matched Leylin's expectations were transmitted to him. The horrifying death of a family protected by legendary beings had caused mass panic within New Silverymoon, and only the gods had the ability to protect and comfort these civilians.

Those of faith had increased substantially within New Silverymoon, and the strength of the faith already present had grown as well. Aristocrats and businessmen grew more generous in their donations to the churches, as if such actions would prevent the misfortune from falling upon them.

All gods had raked in a great harvest, and inevitably some of this scattered faith had been devoured by Leylin. After all, spreading terror and power could also grow faith. It was simply normal for people to pray to the harbinger of this disaster out of fear. The Goddess of Plagues and Umberlee both adopted similar methods to grow their following.

'Although this line of faith isn't stable, it could be considered great replenishment…' Emotions of fear and gratitude followed the faith to Leylin. Every action of a true god would affect the entire prime material plane, and this one from Leylin could be considered a different type of miracle.

His godfire and divine domain were strengthened by the massive faith, accumulating with Leylin's true body. However, Leylin seemed apathetic, seemingly not affected by the fanaticism of the mortal world.

"Now that the Blackmoon Merchant Group and their backers have been sorted out, there should be no more obstacles to the plan. The transaction with the Blackblood Tribe should speed up as well…" Leylin simply couldn't care about a possible counterattack from the good gods. Someone had blasphemed his divinity, so how could he tolerate it? No action taken in punishment would be considered too much.

What's more, he was also an evil god! If he didn't leave a trail of terror wherever he went, would he be worthy of his reputation?

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Caravan

"I never thought I'd come back to the north…" Anya stopped her horse and looked around at the wilderness, a trancelike expression in her eyes.

"Argh!" "Ahh!" Sharp growls could be heard from goblins in the shrubbery as an enormous malicious intent enveloped the caravans behind her.

If they couldn't show a sufficient amount of force, these goblins would continue to follow them, looking for flaws in their defences as they waited for reinforcements. When the time was ripe, they'd rush into action and make mincemeat out of everyone in the caravans.

"Go!" Anya naturally knew how to deal with them. She didn't even have to say anything before several armoured knights rushed ahead. The mounts whinnied as they brandished their swords, causing the goblins to cry out in panic.

"Haha, you green-skinned midgets!" One knight laughed loudly, the dragon-patterned greatsword in his hand driving several dirty green-skinned goblins out of the grass.

Bang! Bang!* Several of the pitiful little fellows suffered fatal injuries, and the ones that were left remaining began to scream in horror as they lamented their fates. The remaining goblins fled quickly, the tall grass shaking as wave after wave escaped.

A caravan could not survive in the north without the ability to defeat the goblins and ogres of the Endless Plains. They would be swallowed up and exterminated by the other merchant groups, dispatched in a harsh fight that left their bones to rot in the wilderness forever.

Several goblins were then hung at the front of the caravan, screaming the loudest. These wails would be the best deterrent against danger, even if only against other goblins.

Anya intentionally distanced herself from the stench of the green-skinned barbarians, draping a white scarf embroidered with gold across her face.

'Damn, isn't there a better method than this?' Her eyes scanned across the normal-looking servants with a hint of resentment in her heart, 'With them here, even if we were surrounded by ogre tribes, there's nothing much to be scared of, is there?"

Of course, Anya was well aware that this place was now the territory of the orc empire. If they were surrounded by the horde here, even several legendaries would not be enough to save them. This was why she decided to swallow her resentment, refraining from speaking.

"There are matters for you to attend to, Miss Anya!" A skinny servant ran over, looking young and immature. However, his eyes revealed a calm resolution that did not match his sweet face.

"What's the matter?" Anya asked reflexively. "It's most likely an issue regarding our arrival at the Moonwood," the youth replied, causing Anya to take another glance at him.

"I'll go immediately," Anya promised, and her eyes bored into the little boy's back with a rare trace of jealousy, 'What a lucky fellow… Wasn't he called Lonce? He actually received the favour of the Lord…'

When she'd first laid eyes on him, this child was but a weak boy hiding within the shadows. But now? His temperament and physique had both been transformed greatly, and he was now receiving focused training from the Giant Serpent Church.

'He awakened his talent as a devil hunter with divine inspiration… That legendary devil hunter will very likely accept him as a disciple…' Anya looked at Lonce' back and thought of her own brothers who were sent into the Giant Serpent Church. A wry smile appeared on her face, but she could not complain.

She understood the reason behind such treatment well. The Banes were a business family without any real faith. Given that they had to be converted to Kukulkan's faith, their devotion could not be compared to what Lonce showed. Even if the heirs to the family were still young, it didn't seem like they would become zealots.

'Perhaps the next generation of children can be nurtured…' Anya deeply understood the fundamentals of the church and what it relied on to exist. Monetary and other help was one aspect, but the most fundamental aspect of one's relationship with the church was the strength of their faith. Talent and money did not matter in the face of fervour.

Anya knew that the Giant Serpent Church had a unique divine skill which could determine the depths of one's faith through the light of faith emitted by the worshipper. This sort of analytical ability made her feel that she was in deep danger.

'It looks like I should deepen my understanding of the doctrine of their god. Sister Barbara might be able to help me with this…' A blush appeared on Anya's face as she thought of Saintess Barbara, for reasons she herself did not know.

"Father!" Anya rode to Fagus' side, continuing the journey alongside him. Their current journey was so important that even the head of the family had personally joined the caravan.

"We have to handle these matters well for the Lord. We cannot afford a single mistake!" Fagus said with a solemn face.

"I understand, Father." Anya inhaled deeply. Leylin had bestowed a miracle upon their family, taking out Blackmoon and the house backing it in one go. This freed up the Neon Merchant Group immediately, allowing them to put trade with the Blackblood Tribe on the agenda.

No matter how Fagus and his daughter looked at it, the Giant Serpent Church's actions this time were rather evil. However, they'd boarded this ship themselves, and could only walk the path that Leylin had paved for them. Fagus knew deeply of the horror of a war between gods, and now an innocent like him had been thrown into the mix. Even if he was unwilling, he could only bite the bullet and continue on.

A commotion suddenly sounded out up ahead, and Anya moved to whisper into Fagus' ear, "Father, we've spotted knights of the orc empire."

"It doesn't matter." Fagus looked at the flags they'd put up, a pass the orc empire had given them to guarantee the safety of their caravan.

"Argh…" "Argh…" Bleak howls sounded out as a few knights finally appeared before Anya's eyes. These werewolves were about two heads taller than the average human, with green eyes and hair. They were riding giant wolves with silver fur.

'The Mounted Wolves!' Anya paled as she saw these elites of the orc empire, their equipment being able to contend with human knights. The Mounted Wolves were a nightmare to all the people of the north.

The horses of the caravan neighed restlessly under the wolves' gazes, stomping their hooves on the ground as white vapour condensed from their breath.

Fortunately, the commander of the Wolves waved his hand after seeing the banner atop it. The wolves made way for the caravan, and they moved ahead despite their fear. The captain even dispatched two riders to protect them at the tail.

"Sigh… Compared to the Silverymoon Alliance, the strategic warfare of the orc empire is actually…" Fagus muttered under his breath, but he didn't end the sentence.

Anya knew what her father wanted to say. The Orc Emperor Saladin was a wise leader, possessing great foresight. Seeing how the humans flourished with the advent of civilisation, he was mimicking their ways to develop his own empire.

For the sake of food and materiel, Saladin had promised the Neon Merchant Group and Blackmoon Merchant Group to protect them within his borders. Orders had been sent for orc troops to not harass them, and only engage in fair trade. This would in turn attract more merchants, and increase the strength of the empire.

Alustriel and her subordinates weren't even comparable in this aspect. The only thing that helped them was that they were of the same race, and the orcs were their natural enemies. The benefits of trade with the orc empire couldn't always get rid of the shadow of war.

On the other hand, the fact that the orcs were buying magic scrolls and powerful equipment told Fagus that they were already prepared for war.

"What do you think?" a tall, and skinny figure asked Lonce, "Are you afraid?"

"No. I have nothing to fear with the protection of the Lord…" Lonce gripped a string of hemp that was tied around his neck. Something seemed to be hidden within.

"Alright then, what do you think of the orcs turning towards civilisation and protecting our caravan?" The tanned man seemed like he wanted to test Lonce's deductive abilities. This question would be difficult even for an adult to answer.

"I feel like…" Lonce bowed his head and pondered. When he lifted his head again, his eyes no longer filled with perplexment, "The orcs give off a savage and bloody aura. It seems right to improve themselves and march towards civilisation, but I keep feeling like something's not right."

Although he didn't elaborate further, the man seemed to be satisfied with his answer, "You're right. Gruumsh, the orc god, is a god of savages. This change doesn't match the true nature of his domain, so it'll cause a serious problem… How many of the orc gods will want to change their natural disposition to civilisation?"

"Is it very difficult?" Lonce nodded his head. Just thinking about it proved to be extremely astonishing for him.

"It is! Sometimes the gods cannot even choose the change of alignments and disposition…" The figure sighed, "And even though Gruumsh himself approved this change, not many others will. The imbalance in power has caused a fatal blow to the orc empire…"

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Trade

The emperor's decree was enforced with might and savagery, causing fear to spread across the orc empire. The Neon Merchant Group dumped much of their goods along their way, using iron, food, weapons, and magic artifacts to trade for great amounts of precious metals. The orcs gave out some special items of the north at unimaginably low prices.

Gems were but stones for the orcs, and to exchange them for weaponry, rations, and clothing was a great bargain. It led to a great environment for the Neon Merchant Group as they finally arrived at the Moonwood.

This was the Blackblood Tribe's base, a place where Leylin had fought hard in multiple times in the part. Trade with the Blackblood Tribe was also what caused the paladins to notice the Neon Merchant Group, but with the urging of the Giant Serpent Church they continued with the transaction…

At the same time, another mounted group entered the Moonwood as well. They quickly passed the strange branches and obstructions, the slight wind in the forest raising their robes a little to reveal a silver lustre.

"The North, the Moonwood, and the Blackblood Tribe… I'm back," their leader muttered as she glanced at the Moonwood, lost in thought. She pulled off her cloak to reveal a young face.

"It might not be where everything started, but it was where the most blood was shed… It seems like a good place to end everything…" She muttered.

One of the cloaked figures halted beside her, revealing a benevolent and sorrowful face. "Are you feeling at a loss, Captain Rafiniya?"

"It's nothing, Cardinal Karal!" Rafiniya shook her head, "I spent a long time here before, so I'm just feeling nostalgic…"

"Mm. Your familiarity with the terrain will be to our advantage. We need to make use of that," Cardinal Karal made a hand gesture in front of his chest, "We've received intel that the sinful Neon Merchant Group is going to make contact with the Blackblood Tribe's werecreatures here soon, and supply the other side with materials for a blood sacrifice…"

"Those unscrupulous souls should go to hell!" Rafiniya gritted her teeth, her terrifying energy raging at the back of her hands as she grasped her sword. Just the thought that they were using the blood and souls of innocent beings to please the evil gods made her feel like a frightening bundle of flames was about to surge out of her chest.

"In the name of justice, I shall purge all evil and sin!" The high-ranked paladins began to chant alongside her, their faces glowing with a faint white light.

……

The Neon Merchant Group quickly met a group of werecreatures after entering the Moonwood. However, they'd obviously traded with the other party many times. The leader of the werecreatures even knew who they were, and once they showed their tokens they were quickly taken to the core of the forest where the Blackblood Tribe resided.

"It's been a long time, Shaman Gara…" Fagus greeted a shaman that was smaller than the werecreatures around him, with many strange ornaments all over his body.

"I smell something different on you…" Gara said as he moved forward to sniff at Fagus, causing Anya's heart to clench.

Fagus froze for a moment, but then he replied coolly, "Haha… what are you saying, my friend… Maybe it's that darned chef of mine who put too many onions in the morning soup…" Her father's calm expression caused Anya to feel ashamed for herself.

"Perhaps…" Gara didn't press on as he led the way, "You're late, my friend. You almost caused us to miss the ceremony this time. If the Lord gets angry, I swear your head will be hung to dry on a tree branch!"

The werecreature opened his mouth to reveal terrifying teeth. His tongue was barbed, and the disgusting smell of flesh coming from his mouth gave Anya the urge to throw up.

"You should know…" Fagus began to complain immediately, "Silverymoon's guards were switched out with a bunch of paladins. All the businesses have come under great pressure… It took me far too much to make sure I didn't miss the transaction…"

"Indeed, there's fewer caravans coming over recently. I heard your queen is squeezing the merchants dry to start the next war…" Gara nodded, as if sympathising with Fagus. He then pulled at the man's body in a friendly manner, making the difference in their builds all that more obvious.

"We won't let a friend of ours suffer, I promise you that!" he exclaimed as he patted his chest. If Anya hadn't seen how brutal the werecreatures got in their hunts and ceremonies, she would'be thought this man to be kind-hearted and honest.

"Come, let me see what you've brought for me!" After the chatter, Gara soon got to the main topic.

"Of course, my friend. I've prepared for this trade for a long time…" Fagus smiled. A dozen servants moved forward with a clap of his hands, bringing over heavy boxes with large bronze locks. One could see a thick layer of elven silk within, the fabulous material reduced here to a tool that pressed down on and prevented the items from shaking.

Fagus then opened up a smaller box after he removed the layers of silk, one made of mahogany covered in thick veiny lines. The blood essence within glowed with a radiance that caught everyone's attention, and the dense stench of blood it emitted caused Anya to wrinkle her eyebrows.

"This is it… This smell…" Shaman Gara took a deep breath. He seemed intoxicated, a flush rising upon his face, "I can confirm that this is an item of the greatest quality!"

"But of course. You don't know what I had to go through to—" Fagus started, saliva spraying out, but Gara waved him off in annoyance.

"I know what you want, my friend." He gestured to two werecreatures, and they lifted a box of items to bring it before Fagus. The wooden box seemed rather shabby, not at all comparable to what Fagus had brought. However, the light shooting out from within dazzled Anya the moment the box was opened.

Silver, gold, rubies, emeralds… All sorts of precious materials were within the box. It stroked a thirst for wealth within the group, the kind that caused adventurers and merchants to throw out their fear of even death!

"How is it? Are you satisfied?" The werecreatures burst into laughter, watching as Fagus practically pounced onto the wealth. This was a box full of gold coins and many other valuable jewellery. With some of it twisted and bloodstains still on some because of a lack of protection, it was easy to imagine how pitiful the original owner had been while the werecreatures were 'collecting' them. However, O Goddess Waukeen, which merchant cared for that?

"Enough! It's enough! Shaman Gara, your generosity is as great as the mountains and seas, more beautiful than the stars in the skies…" Fagus started to repeat his words.

"I'm glad you like it. As long as you can bring us even more weapons, magic artifacts and important ceremonial items, you can have as much of this stuff as you like…" Gara took charge, and they quickly finished the transaction. The shaman then personally brought Fagus to the edge of the Moonwood.

"You know this… When our Blackblood Tribe conducts ceremonies, we never left foreigners stay unless they are offerings to our god…" Gara laughed.

"Of course. I understand, I understand. I'll leave right now!" Fagus used a white handkerchief to wipe at the oil and sweat on his cheeks. The werecreature shaman stood at the boundaries of the forest, watching as the Neon Merchant Group disappeared into the horizon. His smile had a deep meaning to it.

……

"We should have left the territory of the werecreatures by now." Anya watched the forest disappear into the horizon, urging her horse to catch up to Lonce and the native next to him. "Are we leaving just like this, my lord?"

"Of course. The Church will deal with the rest. The Lord does not treat anyone who trusts in him poorly. All that wealth belongs to you!" The native who looked like a servant spoke stiffly in the language of the mainland, and his body began to transform. Light flickered as what seemed like a layer of water slipped off from his body, revealing his true appearance. This was the legendary devil hunter!

"Wait… I'm willing to donate half of my profits to the church!" Fagus quickly interrupted. The mission he'd believed to be extremely dangerous had gone so smoothly, and it had left him overjoyed. Even if he gave half his profit to the church the rest would still be a huge windfall for him.

"Thank you for your generosity!" The devil hunter did not hesitate to accept Fagus' donation. A budding church needed the donations of its worshippers.

The Goddess of Wealth even used income as an important criteria to measure the accomplishments of the priests of wealth, and this was used extensively by others as well. While Leylin himself had a great amount of property, the Giant Serpent Church was still developing, and he naturally would not reject this.

"This is a final warning… There will be a war and conflict here soon. Leave immediately!" The devil hunter told Fagus before leaving with his men.

Fagus waited till the devil hunter, Lonce, and the rest disappeared into the horizon. He then yelled, "Leave behind all the carts. Bring just the food and gold, we're leaving immediately!"

The mournful sound echoed in the empty plains, full of urgency.

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Ambush

"My Lord… I've already done as you instructed, and completed the trade with the Neon Merchant Group…" Gara prayed before Malar's statue after sending the Neon Merchant Group away,

"Grr… Roar!" A golden light descended upon him, and the statue released a beastly growl. Malar's conscient had descended to pass a holy decree. The shaman would have to interpret this string of sounds accurately, but that was natural to him. Hara nodded his head from time to time…

At the same time, several gods had gathered within Malar's divine kingdom.

"The Giant Serpent Church is too arrogant," an orc god sneered, his body shrouded in a strangely tranquil darkness. It was Shargaas, the Orc God of Stealth.

"Not bad… A mere lesser god dares to ally with us orc gods…" Another tall and mighty orc god smirked, giving off a rugged and barbaric aura. This was Ilneval, the Lesser God of Combat.

"ROAR!" Right at that moment, a series of roars and howls sprang forth from the divine kingdom.

"We know, Malar, we know… The massacre domain will definitely come to you. We've worked together for so many years, can't you have a little faith?" The God of Death Yurtrus said from the side. His tone dripping with sarcasm caused Malar to want to rebuke, but the vengeful spirits around his body somehow did not take away from his calmness.

Although they were all lesser gods, most orc gods were suited to fighting. Their only greater god Gruumsh was busy preparing to fend off Mystra and Tyr, and since they only had to deal with another lesser god there was no need for him to be here personally.

"The sacrifice of a god's avatar… hehe… I can't wait much longer…" Several avatars' gazes began to pierce through the horizon, and they peered into the Moonwood, where a massive sacrificial ceremony was being held by the Blackblood Tribe.

The tribe had consumed all the blood essence from the Neon Merchant Group, forming a river of blood in the ceremony site. Vengeful spirits seemed to be wailing in anguish on the surface of the river.

A powerful prisoner of another race was tied to the altar, their body filled with seals. The wounds littering it indicated the fierce battle it took for the werecreatures to cause it to submit, and the damage it had given to them before it lost.

As a God of Massacre, Malar blessed his worshippers for the deaths of powerful enemies. He'd even personally send his avatar down if they slayed a legendary expert.

The ritual being held by the Blackblood Tribe now was even larger than that. There were several legendary experts being used as sacrifice, alongside the blood essence of countless humans.

'The Lord will definitely enjoy this ceremony. He'll even give us his blessings, ranking us up…' The shamans assisting the ceremony looked somewhat excited, their eyes filled with delight as they looked at the bound prisoners.

However, their leader Gara and several other legendary shamans didn't seem as elated. There instead seemed to be a trace of worry in their expressions. Werecreatures had evolved from beasts, and they shouldn't have held such emotions in the first place. That they were appearing now was a sign that the danger they were about to face was extremely terrifying, one that even legendaries would have no control of!

"Malar, my Lord, you are the Lord of Massacre, amongst the stars in the skies. You are our protector, your name forever sacred amongst our kind. You are the one true Lord…" More and more of the werecreatures prayed fervently, and the ritual slowly reached a climax.

Several shamans draped in white robes held short black daggers in their jaws as they walked up amidst the prayers. "Malar, my Lord, you are the Devourer of Blood. The fear of your enemies gives you strength, their flesh and blood becoming your divine power. The blood of these legends shall be a source of your glory and strength…"

Even knowing their fate was sealed, the sacrifices began a futile struggle. There was even a legendary dragon amongst these prisoners, its spiritual force only inferior to the Great Dragons.

However, there were no traces of emotions on these shamans as they skilfully wielded their daggers, "O' Lord… Please accept our offerings!"

Kacha!* The thick, sturdy scales of the dragon did not seem to have any resistance against the special black dagger, cut open mercilessly as fresh green blood poured forth from the wound.

Sssii! Sssii!* The corrosive blood burnt a hole into the ground, but the dragon's eyes dimmed as they eventually lost their light.

"ROAR!" The werecreatures seemed to cheer louder than before at the scene. The shamans expertly dissected the dragon's body amidst the clamour, separating its limbs and tossing them into the river of blood.

The corrosive river began to boil, and a crimson glow was soon emanated from it as it absorbed all the flesh. A golden glow had settled around Malar's statue, indicating that the God of the Hunt had been summoned successfully. The roars and prayers only grew louder at the scene, so powerful that even the clouds in the sky were shattered apart.

As the last sacrifice, an elven prisoner, was tossed into the pool of blood, the glow around the statue strengthened. A golden ape descended upon the Moonwood amidst the werecreatures' roars, and everyone knelt as they watched their lord with a fervent gaze.

Malar howled as he arrived at the river of blood. It was apparent that he enjoyed this offering, and couldn't wait to indulge. His powerful claws stroked several shamans who were kneeling beside the blood, and golden beams of light descended upon the teary creatures.

'An instant rank up!' The onlookers could only be envious as they looked at the fortunate ones with red eyes.

"Roar!" Malar unleashed a few more growls after rewarding his worshippers, jumping into the river of blood.

Boom!* But just then, a strange event occurred. The crimson blood turned black, and the vengeful spirits within materialised as they climbed onto Malar's body. A strange black net appeared from the river of blood, trapping Malar within.

"What's happening?" Several shamans were shocked as they looked upon their comrades, watching dumbly as the scene unfolded. Some of the wiser ones had already reacted, "Those slimy humans! There's something wrong with the blood essence this time!"

It wasn't until now that they suspected the Neon Merchant Group, but it was too late to do anything about it. The black net moved into the skies, and there seemed to be an invisible rope tightening it further.

"Kukulkan, my Lord… You are the Lord of Massacre, the Ruler of Devils. You are the one true Lord of the world!" A portal opened up in the skies, and Leylin walked out amidst zealous hymns. He looked like a shrewd hunter, sapping Malar's energy through the large net. Once Malar expended all his energy, he would go in for the kill!

"He's finally here!"

Rumble!* The skies roared. Dark clouds shrouded the Moonwood, and a silver serpent emerged from within. Multiple portals opened up as the avatars of several orc gods descended upon the Blackblood Tribe, the surge of divine aura leaving the werecreatures on the ground awestruck. God after god stepped out of the portals, causing great shock to reverberate in their hearts.

Only the peak of werecreature society had been aware of this, and they hastily put up defences as they retreated. They silently prayed for their side to be victorious, and for this divine battle not to spill over to them.

"Kukulkan… God of Massacre? Become an artifact for my divine palace!" the god concealed in darkness struck first. A powerful pair of claws swiped out from the void, targeting Leylin's heart. Even a divine avatar would lose a great deal of power if they suffered such a critical injury!

'A stealth attack, and they can conceal themselves in the shadows… Shadow Realm! It's the God of Stealth, Shargaas!' Leylin instantly understood who the attacker was, but his expression remained as still as water.

Golden light surged around Leylin's body, indicating that a divine battle was about to begin!

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Sneak Attack

Meteor Explosion! Ultimate Shattering Palm! Absolute Break!

Leylin moved his fingers like an expert musician as he strummed the strings of the Shadow Weave, releasing terrifying legendary magic. Numerous spells were formed without any setup, complementing and amplifying each others' power to form a vast current of magic!

"Legendary combination technique— Arcane Torrent!" This was a project Leylin had been researching for a while. It was a divine version of the spell he'd used in his adventurer days, and this fight against Shargaas was the first time he'd used it.

The earth rumbled as a terrifying explosion hit the surface, the aftermath shrouding the space between Shargaas and Leylin. Space itself had begun to distort from the horrifying damage of the attack.

'This God of Massacre… He isn't even 400 yet but his comprehension of magic is so great. Did he receive the arcanists' inheritance?' Shargaas teleported in retreat, his body in a sorry state as his golden divine force healed the injuries. Fear could be seen within his eyes.

However, although the sneak attack hadn't managed to injure Leylin, the pressure on Malar's avatar lessened unexpectedly. The huge ape roared, tearing through the black net and escaping.

Whoosh!* The avatar that escaped dissolved into a dazzling rainbow that was instantly absorbed into his divine kingdom. Another avatar stepped forth, taking the former's strength in as its aura rose sharply.

The new avatar released a terrifying roar Leylin's way, opening a huge portal from nowhere to send a meteor from his divine kingdom that transformed into a pair of terrifyingly sharp claws.

This was Malar's divine artifact, the Beast Claws. Other than his true body, Malar had brought everything he had to bear in this fight. It seemed like he'd been harbouring hatred over the losses he suffered at Leylin's hand before, and had always been looking for an opportunity at revenge.

"Don't even think of escaping. We've sealed off this space, and Gruumsh has sent out his avatar to intercept any possible reinforcements…" A tall god with an aura of blood and savagery waved his hands, and the group of four instantly encircled Leylin.

"The Orc God of War, Ilneval?" Leylin remembered having met this god once.

"I could see through all your conspiracies. No scheme you hatch will ever succeed!" Ilneval relied cautiously, trying to probe for information even as he wanted to damage Leylin's confidence.

However, Leylin's expression didn't change in the slightest. He just moved on to the last god, the one wrapped in a dark robe who had a dense deathly aura. His eyebrows twitched, "Yurtrus… So the God of Death, the God of War, the God of Stealth, and the God of the Hunt… Looks like everything here was a trap?"

"Indeed, Kukulkan. Greed comes before the fall." Ilneval roared, and Malar at the side was eager to rush forth as well. If not for the others restraining him, he would likely have barrelled over by now.

"Malar has deep connections to our pantheon. Do you think our alliance could be shaken by an outsider like you?" Yurtrus asked coldly, "Your avatar will fall this time, and we'll strip you of your massacre divinity as compensation for Malar…"

……

"So the Lord colluded with the orc gods to ambush another god?" Gara muttered as he watched the situation incredulously. They'd already escaped a great distance, and Gara himself only had some of the information.

"Will the Lord's plan succeed?" the werecreature chief asked by his side, obviously worried.

"Everything is as the Lord wills. We only have to follow his instructions and conserve our energy, taking part in the battle at the right time," a legendary shaman stated from the side. There was an unspeakable resolution contained in his voice. Although legendary might was nothing in front of a true god, they could still contribute to an assault on an avatar.

"Mm, and it's four gods fighting him this time, our chances of victory are quite high!" Gara was confident in the current situation.

"The God of Massacre, truename Kukulkan…" the orc leader muttered to himself, "The youngest legendary wizard of the prime material plane, and someone who ascended at such a young age… That spellcasting ability… He really is a thousand year genius…"

Gara looked at the legendary magic seemingly blossoming like fireworks from Leylin's hands, the terrifying arcane torrent causing him to subconsciously shrink his neck.

"This is the Lord's plan, it will definitely succeed!" he tried to console himself internally, but the feeling of unrest couldn't be erased.

Rumble!* Endless spatial storms swept across the original land of the Blackblood Tribe, wreaking havoc upon it. The prime material plane was too weak to withstand a fight between gods, and with the entire sky filled with golden light even high-ranked Professionals would instantly be dissolved into nothingness if they tried to enter the scene. Numerous werecreatures were screaming as they escaped the scene.

A few legendaries smiled bitterly at the sight. Even they didn't have much confidence of being unaffected by a god's might. Only at the higher ranks would they be able to trade blows with an avatar, hoping to kill it.

"Sure enough… these orc gods are uncivilized and ignorant, not being able to notice even basic benefits…" Golden chains spread endlessly from Leylin's avatar in mid-air, making the entire surrounding area his divine kingdom. The dark red massacre domain was released, ensuring that any slaughter would only increase his power.

He could stand calmly amidst the centre of a barrage of orc attacks, and even had the leisure to examine his surroundings. When he sensed a familiar aura approaching the scene, a strange smile surfaced on his face.

……

The elite troops led by Rafiniya and Cardinal Karal had reached the core of the Moonwood just in time to notice the terrifying fight between the gods.

"Kukulkan! And the orc gods!" A trace of excitement appeared in Rafiniya's eyes, "Quick, inform the Lord and ask for reinforcements. Losing a few avatars should teach these gods a good lesson!"

The remaining paladins also had a look of eagerness on them, but their actions were soon stopped by Cardinal Karal.

"The Lord sees everything…" Karal's reason was strange, and caused suspicions to emerge on Rafiniya's face. She still maintained her trust in the church, however, following orders and standing down.

"Such a strong massacre domain, and he still has such divine force…" The orc gods had entered a bitter struggle with Leylin. He was already a rank 8 god, his power far surpassing these orcs. If not for their advantage in numbers, they would not be his match. The crimson massacre domain expanded endlessly, about to cover the entire Moonwood.

Shargaas couldn't hold on much longer. "Damn it… is he really a new god?" he snarled, his body covered with numerous small wounds that were leaking golden blood.

Crash!* Lightning flashed in the sky, forming a terrifying large door. Another of Shargaas' avatars walked out, joining the forces that were besieging Leylin. Golden light flashed continually as the other gods did the same.

"This number of avatars… Are they crazy?!" Rafiniya and the rest who were watching from afar cried out in surprise. Although the loss of one avatar wouldn't cause significant damage to a god, the number of avatars they were throwing at Leylin would exhaust their divine force. Even as true gods, they would likely fall into a slumber or just die.

If their luck was the same as Beelzebub's, having poured a majority of their will and divine force into an avatar that was eliminated, they wouldn't be far off from a true death. These gods were now putting themselves at risk!

"It's time!" A trace of a smile suddenly appeared on Leylin's face in spite of the imminent danger.

"What's going on?" The four gods were stunned. Leylin's expression was completely unexpected.

However, they didn't have more time to think about it. A loud explosion sounded as two terrifying powers descended upon the Moonwood, their strength directly breaking apart the spatial seal that the orc gods had set in place. The whole world trembled as an elderly warrior and a young lady entered the scene, their bodies rippling with the unfathomable power of greater gods.

The two entrants immediately spread out a huge net, seemingly wanting to catch the orc gods and Leylin in one go. "Tyr and Mystra! Where's Gruumsh?" Ilneval muttered with incredulity…

Outside the prime material plane, Tyr and Mystra had combined to trap a powerful greater god.

"Give up, Gruumsh," Mystra said coldly, "We only need to mobilise a few avatars to take out those gods of yours…"

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Cornered

"For New Silverymoon City, for the Alliance, and for the people of the north!" Even as Leylin was facing the orc gods, Queen Alustriel was garbed in her seldom-used armour as she riled up the troops in front of her, "The war for the north has come!"

"Ouh! Ouh!" The troops let out a warcry as they banged their swords against their shields.

With how slow armies travelled it would take a few more days of travel to reach the battlefield, but that didn't matter at all. Alustriel was currently boosting her troops' morale, and under Elminster's lead several high-ranked wizards had already ambushed several orcs along the borders.

With Silverymoon's strength and the backing of several legendary figures, their powerful spells would teach those orcs an unforgettable lesson! Alustriel's chest was bursting with excitement and pride…

"YOU'RE DECLARING WAR?" Gruumsh roared in rage at the two greater gods before him. He'd found out about the events in the prime material plane instantly.

Tyr spoke slowly, "This is it, you'd better choose to retreat right now."

"Stalling me here and sending your avatars to defeat my pantheon… Indeed, this strategy will deal me a heavy blow. Was it that God of Massacre that told you this?" Gruumsh immediately understood the situation. "He is indeed a crafty and evil god, with no qualms about not keeping his words…"

"Indeed, that's why we don't plan to let him go. However, that will come after we defeat your lot," Mystra said in a deep tone, the powerful Weave appearing behind her back.

……

The orc gods had been thrown into disarray by the avatars that had just descended upon the Moonwood. What was originally supposed to be an ambush had become a catalyst for a grand war, and it wasn't something they had prepared for. They couldn't help but take a second look at Leylin whom they'd 'trapped.'

The battle in mid-air was extremely interesting. Several orc gods had encircled Leylin, but surrounding them were the avatars of Mystra and Tyr. These circumstances could lead to the deaths of any avatar present here with the slightest misstep, and that would result in grievous injuries to their main bodies. The orcs didn't dare act recklessly.

Leylin's grin grew wider as he surveyed the scene that he'd crafted himself.

His first interaction with Gruumsh had told him that the orcs wouldn't give up on Malar. The werecreatures could rely on the orc pantheon. That was why he'd attracted Mystra and Tyr with the curse on Eric's bloodline, so he could meet them and come to an agreement.

However, this agreement hadn't been easy to reach. Leylin knew both his 'allies' hated him to the core, and he was sure they planned to attack him together with the orcs in one go. How would they let go of an avatar of a lesser evil god?

Knowing all this, Leylin didn't hope for much from the situation. It was enough that they'd deal with the orcs for him. The quartet would take the attention off him until they were wiped out.

……

"This is the plan of the Lord. They will first attack the avatars of the orc gods, stopping any experts from aiding them," Cardinal Karal said to Rafiniya and the remaining paladins.

"How about that God of Massacre?" Rafiniya frowned.

"He's promised to engage with the orc gods for now, so he's useful for the Lord's plans. Our goal is to deal with the orcs before we kill him," Karal replied.

This war concerned the lives of countless inhabitants of the north, and with this excuse of dealing with the orcs first the alliance with Leylin would be accepted by most of the paladins. The Cardinal represented Tyr's will, and wouldn't allow the paladins to harbour any thoughts.

However, this reason that could convince many immediately caused Rafiniya to lose a great deal of faith. Her mind grew weaker and more biased under the devilish influence Leylin had planted within her, and she growled in anger. "Teaming up with an evil god? He's the main perpetrator of the curse that hit New Silverymoon City!"

"Watch your words, Captain!" Karal's face darkened. As a legendary priest of Tyr, he would not tolerate anyone questioning the will of his Lord. A thought arose in his mind, 'It seems like I need to report this to the pope after the war. She isn't fit to serve as a captain…'

"Yes, Cardinal…" A hint of unwillingness emanated from Rafiniya's deep voice. She gripped the hilt of her sword so tightly that her fingers turned pale…

At the same time, the divine battle had reached a climax.

"Mage Flame!" A bright light was emitted from Mystra's fingers as the Weave materialised in the surroundings. She seemed to gain the support of the very world as overwhelming origin force surged forth. With Tyr's cooperation, the Mage Flame seemed to blaze through the skies as it trapped Leylin and the orc gods within.

"Silver fire…" Leylin looked at the glowing sea of flames, a trace of fear emerging in his eyes. Silver fire, from what he could remember, was the source of all magic in the World of Gods. It was a materialisation of Mystra's divinity, possessing great destructive might.

"Roar!" Malar was the most irascible of the lot, and he was the first to suffer. Several balls of fire landed on his hands, their temperature high enough to burn even the Beast Claws.

"Damn it, Mystra, why are you this determined?" Ilneval's expression turned ugly as he watched Malar's divine weapon being corroded. Some of the silver flames were pressing towards the rest of them.

Mystra's legendary silverflame had the might to destroy divine weapons and even the bodies of true gods, but it consumed her divinity to burn. Ilneval was stumped as to why she was willing to give up so much divinity to harm them.

"Retreat!" Yurtrus screamed as he unleashed a pale orb of light. Many lifeless souls sprung forth from the orb, creating a translucent barrier.

Sssii!* The silverflame began to corrode the wall the moment the two came in contact, and the barrier seemed to give way immediately.

"They've activated a powerful spatial lock, we'll need more time to break through…" Ilneval frowned. They were facing the avatars of two greater gods, and even if all avatars were more or less the same in might more powerful deities had more efficient ways to dispense their powers. They still took the upper hand in battle.

On top of that, their low divine ranks caused these lesser gods to be at a disadvantage in terms of the number of avatars and their recovery speeds. The greater gods would be able to overwhelm them in these aspects!

"Why retreat?" Shargaas roared in rage, and his eyes turned bloodshot. He seemed to have lost all signs of intelligence, turning into a primal beast.

"These aren't just two greater gods. Don't forget that there's many more subordinates, what if one of them descends as a Saint?" Ilneval rebuked coldly, causing Shargaas to stall for a moment.

Although it was extremely dangerous for gods to descend with their true bodies, when they did come down they would be at the epitome of power. If Mystra or Tyr gave it their all, several subordinate gods like the God of Wizards Azuth would descend as Saints. None of their avatars would be able to escape, the loss of divine strength from the fight taking thousands of years to replenish.

Ilneval indeed excelled in strategy. He hadn't been overcome by rage when he was ensnared in Leylin's trap. He'd instead considered how best to conserve his energy.

"You want to leave now?" Leylin asked as he laughed like a maniac. He was now the one who'd decide if he let them go.

A phantom of the first three Hells surfaced in the prime material plane, and the powerful origin force of Baator expanded Leylin's massacre domain until it encompassed all the orc gods.

"Are you crazy?" Ilneval asked Leylin. "Even if you give your all in this battle, they won't let you go either!"

"Of course! I'm aware of that, but how can I just let go of a good chance like this?" Leylin's voice covered the entire Moonwood, and the crimson glow on his body grew more apparent than before.

"Damn it, this lunatic! Is he a chaotic demon?" Ilneval suddenly felt a huge headache, but he could only think of one way out right now..

"Malar!" he sent, "Hurry and bring your worshippers into the fight! They'll help out!"

The giant ape had already been scared off by the power of the silverflame. He'd hid by the side, stroking his Beast Claws tenderly. His golden fur had been burnt black in that attack, and he himself had been reduced to a miserable state. Hearing Ilneval's words, he began to roar.

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Eicher

"The Lord has given us orders!" Several legendary werecreature shamans charged into the battlefield without the slightest hesitation. Malar had roared out their orders, and with him being the object of their faith their zealotry left them with no choice but to obey.

However, the secular leaders of the werecreatures grew irritable. Despite their reluctance, the shamans had pulled them into the fray.

"How much longer till preparations are done?" Mystra asked as she turned to Tyr. She had managed to block off the orc gods with her silverflame, and Leylin had been trapped as well.

"I need another moment, this is something we borrowed…" Tyr had reached into a ball of light that was surrounded by blue sparks. It seemed extremely magnificent, putting great pressure on the orc gods.

"There's also some worms crawling over that don't seem to know their place…" Mystra turned to the several legendary werecreatures.

"We've already prepared, haven't we? Let our people take care of them," Tyr replied indifferently.

At the same time, the ball of light finally assumed the form of an incredibly sharp spear. Ilneval was rattled immediately by the sight, and even Leylin's eyes flashed with amazement.

"Eicher's Thorn! They actually borrowed it!" Eicher's Thorn was a divine weapon that even the gods feared. It had the ability to ripple out any damage done to an avatar to its controller, and even gods weren't immune to its powers. It had caused the fall of two lesser gods in history, and sent a third into deep slumber. Mystra and Tyr had somehow managed to borrow such an ominous weapon.

"Hmm?" Leylin's brows furrowed as the A.I. Chip retrieved the relevant information from its now almost all-encompassing database.

'So it's from just after the dusk of the gods. This ability, and the energy it's radiating…' Leylin smirked, 'So they actually just took the weapon of a Magus of laws and renamed it. So much for integrity…'

Despite his smirking, Leylin grew more serious. He feared Magi much more than he did gods, their mysterious powers posing a much greater threat to him even as he was now.

On the other end, Ilneval sent a message to his comrades, "Everyone should've heard about Eicher's Thorn. If you can't get away, it's better to destroy the avatar than to let it injure you. A bit of your energy reserve isn't worth being thrown into a long slumber."

"Malar!" Yurtrus shouted, "Stop being so stingy with your subordinates! We'll give you enough compensation later…"

……

Pressured by his party, Malar pulled back the team of legendary shamans he'd sent to deal with Leylin.

However, their efforts had been halted before they could even re-enter the Moonwood. Cardinal Karal had arrived with paladins in tow, holding a staff made of aged maple. The cardinal chanted a holy spell that caused the paladins' armour to glow with light.

"Purge all evil in the name of justice!" The werecreatures were a bunch of bloodthirsty savages in the eyes of the paladins, existences that had to be removed from the face of the world.

"We don't have much time…" Gara looked at the paladins before him, a menacing look filling his face as various runes surfaced on his body. They seemed to be sacrificial rites.

Chaotic energy began to descend upon the region as a large fire began to burn in mid-air. A large metal door materialised, and numerous demons charged out under the lead of a legendary balor.

This was a legendary spell, Summon Demonic Army. Its unimaginable might was only canceled out by the complicated requirements it posed as a chaotic evil spell. The summoned army wouldn't necessarily obey the orders of their summoner.

The balor looked at Shaman Gara with hostility, but another group in the area stole its attention. Paladins and demons were in completely opposite alignments, and neither group would rest as long as the other side. Just listening to the word paladin was disgraceful, blasphemy to demonkind.

"Demons from the Abyss!" A paladin screamed as he rushed forward, waving a greatsword bathed in holy light, "Holy Slash!"

"(%!%$!" The balor spoke in an incomprehensible ancient language as it looked at the group of paladins, its voice coarse and unpleasant.

"The words of blasphemy!" A white rune radiated purity from Karal's solemn face, "This is getting too troublesome."

The balor's spell had been cast in an instant, rooting the charging paladin to the ground. The balor smiled malevolently as he brandished his sword, cleaving the still paladin in two.

"Hehehe… It's the prime material plane! We can harvest souls now…" Many other demons charged out from behind the balor, throwing spell after spell as they turned the place chaotic. It all happened too quickly, and that paladin had fallen to the balor's sword before anyone could react.

"Damn it! You evil vermin, you shouldn't exist in this world!" Rafiniya screamed as she recovered from a daze, killing intent boiling to the surface.

However, the words the balor uttered as it looked at Rafiniya astonished her, "Hehehe… A legendary paladin? No, I smell a whiff of energy from those idiots in Baator on you…"

"I am a paladin, protector of justice. Don't try to ruin my reputation!"

Even Karal didn't put any stock in the demon's words. They only served to agitate the paladin, and she radiated powerful energy as she drew her sword and entered a frontal clash with it.

"Kill!" The other paladins looked each other in the eye before charging forward to meet with the demon army.

A scene of chaos began to unfold.

……

The battle of the gods had reached its zenith at this moment. Eicher's Thorn had absorbed all the light around it, and the spear had come to float in the air as Tyr pointed it at Malar.

Whoosh!* The spear pierced through space to arrive at Malar in an instant. The Beast Claws had already been damaged once, and a hole was pierced through them with this attack. The spear moved forward unthwarted, heading towards Malar's brows.

"ROAR!" The avatar could only cry in indignance as it exploded, filling the skies with divine light.

Seeing the situation worsening, Ilneval shouted at Leylin, "Damn it, do you still want to keep us engaged? Malar's avatar has already fallen, there is nothing left here that you would want…"

"Of course… Not!" Leylin agreed immediately, just as Ilneval expected. He retracted his massacre domain, immediately reducing the pressure the three remaining gods had to face. However, none of the three noticed a spot of red light landing amongst them.

"That's right, we can still…" Before Ilneval could heave a sigh of relief, Leylin's next actions left him stupefied.

[Beep! Silverflame has been analysed, beginning protection with the Shadow Weave.] Leylin immediately dashed towards the fire in the sky, as if he was committing suicide. However, a dark web seemed to cover his body as he came into contact with the flames, cancelling out with the Weave and allowing Leylin to escape.

Without the spatial lock of the silver flames, Leylin immediately cast a teleportation spell. White light flashed on his body as he immediately left the Moonwood.

"This…" It wasn't just Ilneval that was dumbstruck. Even Tyr, controlling Eicher's Thorn from the outside, gasped.

Of course, the one under the most duress was the Goddess of the Weave. "The Weave," Mystra muttered, but then she grew silent for a moment. "No… the Shadow Weave! SHAR!" She spat out the name of her rival.

"Shar? The Goddess of Shadows?" Tyr seemed to have recalled something, "Didn't she fall already?"

"I can't be wrong, that's the Shadow Weave," Mystra confirmed. The Shadow Weave was primal and childish, but it had once been a prototype of the current Weave. How could she not recognise it?

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Heart

Mystra and Shar had never been on good terms. They were both gods of magic, and the natural rivalry between the two had ensured that only one could survive.

Shar had been thought fallen in the Final War, but she'd actually managed to escape the destruction of her divine kingdom with serious injuries. Some amount of luck had allowed her to flee to the astral plane, stumbling upon the Shadow World.

Mystra, on the other hand, had established the Weave to gain the support of worshippers and other gods. She'd become the guardian of the Weave, and the other gods had moved the channeling of their powers to complement the system.

Even having become a greater god Mystra was still cautious of the Goddess of Shadows. After all, Shar was the one god that could take over her position.

The Shadow Weave was a counter to the Weave, and it had allowed Leylin to deal with Mystra's silverflame and escape with ease. Since it was but one of his many trump cards, Leylin hadn't been afraid of revealing it.

"Kukulkan… Shar…" It was like a bridge had been connected in Mystra's mind, 'That fear of death, was it because of Shar? Kukulkan managed to find some clues about her, so it gave me the feeling that he would bring about my demise?'

Although this conclusion was only logical, Mystra had underestimated the situation. She didn't even realise that Leylin possessed another horrifying ace up his sleeve, once that could truly end her life.

"It's not a big deal that the God of Massacre escaped," Tyr reminded her, "The important thing now is to kill all these avatars. Our true bodies are already engaged in battle with Gruumsh…" Gruumsh was fighting crazily ever since he discovered that his pantheon had been ambushed. Their true bodies would not be able to hold him back much longer.

"I understand…" Mystra's face darkened, and the silverflame strengthened once more. Even without Leylin's domain pressuring them, the orc gods couldn't dare to act recklessly.

The silverflame net began to close in on them, and try as they may Ilneval and the others couldn't stop Tyr's ambush with Eicher's Thorn. Shargaas was the one unfortunate enough to be struck by it, killing the avatar and inflicting serious injuries on his main body. Only then did the silverflame crush all the other avatars to death.

"Mystra!" "Tyr!" Many roars of hatred rang out from the large wasteland that was the combined divine kingdom of the orc pantheon, causing many worshippers and even petitioners to cower in fear.

No voice came from Shargaas' divine kingdom. Having suffered the most damage, he'd directly been put to sleep. As for Ilneval and Yurtrus, they were a bit better off. However, they'd lost multiple avatars as well, and wouldn't dare act recklessly anymore.

Woooo!* A mournful and immense bugle horn note sounded in the wasteland as two orc figures wreathed in golden light appeared in mid-air.

"Gruumsh is summoning us," The male frowned, "Mystra and Tyr declared war, and summoned their subordinates as well. But right now…" This god was Bahgtru, the Lesser God of Brute Strength.

The orc pantheon was rather special. Although Gruumsh was their only greater god, and the rest of them weren't even intermediate gods, many of them excelled in combat. However, Shargaas, Ilneval, and Yurtrus were amongst the fighters, and Bahgtru alone wasn't enough to fill their shoes.

"Do you have any plans?" he asked the woman beside him helplessly. Although his mother didn't excel in fighting as the Goddess of Fertility, she had other remarkable abilities that fell under her domain.

"Shargaas was injured by Eicher's Thorn. Even if life and healing come under my domain, his true body has entered a slumber now and I can't heal him. On the other hand, Yurtrus only lost a lot of his energy. I can aid him in a swift recovery…" Luthic was extremely solemn, "But I'm not sure we've given this opportunity to recover…"

Wooooo!* Another horn sounded, this one more drawn out and more frantic than before. The sound seemed to be filled with restlessness as it spread across the plains.

"Indeed, we won't have the time to heal him. We can only stop them for now…" Bahgtru smiled wryly, "I'll send all of my avatars over. I'll leave managing my worshippers and petitioners to you…"

Several golden streaks flew out of Bahgtru's divine kingdom, joining the large army in the prime material plane…

Mystra and Tyr had been plotting to attack the orcs for a while. Leylin's push had finally let them deal severe damage to the orc pantheon, and they'd even managed to cripple one of their gods. If they didn't press the advantage now, what were they waiting for?

War sprung up on both fronts. The Silverymoon Alliance attacked even as a war raged in the upper planes. Several subordinate gods like Azuth joined with hired hands from the good alignment to wage war on the divine kingdoms of the orcs. This was their chance to teach the orcs an unforgettable lesson!

……

Within the Moonwood.

The battle between gods and those of legendary might had already ruined half the region. The forest of twisted dark trees had ceased to exist, replaced by a sea of burning flames. The dismembered bodies of werecreatures dotted the landscape.

The legendary battle was now drawing to a close. With Malar's avatar dying so quickly, the werecreatures hadn't been useful in the battle between gods. Now, they were facing the paladins. The leaders and shamans hadn't wanted to engage in a fight to the death, and they'd used Gara's demon army as a distraction as they fled.

Even if Shaman Gara had maniacally summoned an army of demons, the relentless attacks of the paladins had reduced their numbers until only the balor was left, fighting Rafiniya. The other paladins had joined Karal to chase down the fleeing werecreatures.

"Hehehe…" Even if it wasn't a flame balor, the balor Rafiniya was facing was already at the legendary realm. It peppered her with heretical spells as its greatsword struck towards her with speed and precision. A common legendary would not be its match.

However, this balor was up against a paladin. On top of that this was Rafiniya, the Holy Knight, the Lady of Hope! She was resolute in her attacks, and even as injuries covered her body she didn't take one step back. Her manic behaviour struck fear in even the demon's heart.

Rafiniya's armour had already been shattered, and the balor's sword had broken in half. The demon had also lost its whip in the midst of battle.

"Hehehe… We shall meet again, paladin!" the balor sniggered as he opened a portal. Even if he could still utter such words of pride, he was far too injured to act arrogant. Even though demons were chaotic, instinctual creatures, powerful ones like this balor still had some amount of intellect.

The paladin was nearly burnt out as well. She had to rely on her sword to stay up, putting her weight on it to keep herself from collapsing. However, her eyes lit up as she saw the demon about to leave. The light was peculiar, difficult to describe in words. I contained law and chaos, good and evil.

"For justice!" she howled, burning up the last of her energy as she leapt into the flames. Even at the cost of letting the abyssal flames encroach upon her, she thrust her sword into the balor's heart.

"You!" the balor collapsed halfway into the portal, terrified. However, a sardonic smile then appeared on his face, "HA, now I understand! Your power isn't of purity. It's the power of our rivals, the devils! In that case…"

The demon used all his strength to push Rafiniya away, using a stump of a right hand to dig into his heart.

"Hehehe… Here, take my Root of Evil!" A burning heart was suddenly thrown at Rafiniya, and having expended all her energy the paladin just couldn't block it. Filthy blood coated Rafiniya's entire body, and a pure power of evil was immediately absorbed by it.

"What's happening? Why can I absorb this energy?" Rafiniya stood up once she discovered her body was recovering, stupefied. However, the balor had been burnt to ashes, and nobody would be able to answer her question.

"The church. The mission. And support…" Rafiniya's face was blank for a long while, before she collapsed to the ground.

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A Fall From Grace

The balor's Root of Evil was but a catalyst. The seed of evil Leylin had planted in Rafiniya oh so long ago had now erupted, fuelled by the weakening of her faith. Baator's World Origin Force cheered as a legendary paladin fell from grace, turning into a devil!

"Haha," Rafiniya knelt and wept, "Good, evil, justice… What do they even mean? What did all my effort come to?"

Flames began to burn around the fallen paladin, and a phantom image of Baator appeared as numerous devils and even the Lords of Baator cheered at the sight of a legendary paladin turning.

"ARGH…" The dark flames enveloped the Lady of Hope, causing her to shriek in anguish.

The flames greatly transformed Rafiniya's body. Her face grew far more enchanting than before, as a pair of dark wings appeared behind her back to make her look like a fallen angel. The origin force continued to roar, turning the pious Holy Knight into an erinyes! Murky light enveloped the former paladin, instantly bringing her to the depths of hell.

Just as she was about to descend to the Fourth Hell, a crimson string of light appeared behind her. Leylin's divine kingdom attracted the now erinyes, pulling her into the first three Hells. The cheering Lords and their subordinates instantly began to curse Leylin, but nobody dared step into his divine kingdom to seize her.

"A legendary paladin turned erinyes, huh?" Leylin knew best about any events occurring in his divine kingdom. The power of corruption formed at the fall of such a powerful paladin was favoured by every Lord of Baator. On top of that, the paladin would become a staunchly loyal devil, the most powerful of warriors fighting under their banner.

However, Leylin didn't have the time to pay attention to Rafiniya right now. He instructed Isabel to welcome her, moving into Thultanhthar as the flying city left his divine kingdom…

The battle in the orc wastelands had reached its peak. Soul after soul was wiped out as the light of their deaths streaked across the skies of the combined divine kingdom. Hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes… Various calamities rocked the place, causing many orcs to weep and cower as if the apocalypse had arrived.

An army of valiant spirits had set up a large formation on the outskirts of the combined divine kingdom, several hundred Professionals of each class. It was a rare sight in the World of Gods, one only enabled by the accumulated power of two greater gods over tens of thousands of years.

"Give up, Gruumsh. Leave Silverymoon and return to to your plains. It's your only choice." Mystra was now outfitted in armour, the army of wizards behind her emitting a powerful aura. The array of spell lights caused the orc god's heart to turn cold.

However, it was no easy feat to attack the divine kingdom of the orc pantheon, even for two greater gods. Gruumsh was a greater god as well, and his accumulated power was not to be trifled either.

The bugles continued to sound out as the orcish armies joined up, forming a defensive line under the command of the Goddess of Fertility Luthic. Gruumsh and Bahgtru sent their clones forward to meet Mystra and Tyr, blocking their paths.

The fight for the north wasn't limited to the north. Outside the prime material plane, it had erupted into a war amongst gods! Mystra couldn't give up on Silverymoon, while Gruumsh couldn't give up on the orcs. Their worshippers' conflicts had forced them into battle, as was commonplace in history.

"Since that's your choice…" Tyr raised his one hand slowly, "KILL!"

Wave after wave of paladins surged forward, charging towards the outermost defences of the divine kingdom.

"Damn it… That's Mystra's divine kingdom!" Bahgtru roared, his multiple clones radiating energy.

"We're your opponents." A portal opened to reveal the God of Wizards. He'd brought with him the avatars of the other gods subordinate to Mystra, as well as giant demigods to protect them.

"Your pantheon has suffered great losses, Gruumsh, you have absolutely no chance of victory…" Mystra and Tyr were squaring off against Gruumsh.

With how the orc pantheon was built, if Gruumsh was seriously injured or killed the entire race would be thrown to the brink of annihilation. Mystra held the upper hand here, able to suppress Gruumsh alongside Tyr. On the other hand, Bahgtru and Luthic were not strong enough to take on the rest of their subordinates.

Gruumsh originally had the help of multiple gods from his pantheon, putting his only strength slightly below Mystra and Tyr. However, some of his subordinates had been severely injured now, and the situation had completely reversed. She believed she could push the orcs back in one go!

Battles between gods were wars of attrition. Even Mystra and Tyr couldn't defeat their enemies in one go, but they had to at least inflict heavy damage on their opponents, causing them to suffer losses in the upcoming wars in the prime material plane.

"Damn it… You despicable pygmies!" Gruumsh's body wavered at the forefront, splitting into over a dozen clones each of which possessed a terrifying amount of divine force. Even having split up so many times, each clone possessed great power that wasn't inferior to a lesser god's! He could overpower a lesser god just by stacking on them with numbers.

However, he wasn't facing a lesser god this time. Mystra and Tyr were both greater gods, and they exchanged a look that showed that they'd expected him to split up.

More clones walked out beside them as well, as a ball of light formed into a spear in Tyr's hand.

"Eicher's Thorn!" Even a greater god like Gruumsh dreaded something like Eicher's Thorn that could cause grievous wounds to his main body. He gazed deeply upon the two greater gods, eventually deciding to fall back to his divine kingdom. "Alright, you two. Come in if you want to fight!"

It wasn't easy to take out a greater god's divine kingdom. With the home ground advantage, Gruumsh would be able to take on even Eicher's Thorn without much trouble. On the other hand, his avatars and his son's had bought them ample time, allowing Luthic to stabilise the situation in their divine kingdom and gather a large army of orc petitioners that were just waiting to deal a fatal strike.

"It still happened…" Tyr shook his head in helplessness. This was the one situation that they didn't want to see.

"How is it in the prime material plane?" he asked.

Mystra's eyes flickered with light, and the events occurring in the prime material plane flashed before her eyes. "Both sides have assembled at the Thunder Valley, and are ready for war any time. Alustriel and Elminster will be barely enough to hold back Saladin and the Thunder God's Hammer…"

"Then all the more reason that we can't retreat now…" Tyr made up his mind, slashing down with his hand. An explosion sounded as space itself cracked apart, a colourless hole appearing in mid-air with a crescent blade behind it. The attack struck the borders of the orc wasteland.

The powerful divine attack caused the entire planes to rumble. A huge rift was formed at the border, large whirlwinds spreading out as paladins charged into the divine kingdom.

"Charge!" The orcs had been waiting patiently all this while, and now they rushed forward as well to meet the paladins.

The petitioners in the divine kingdom were the most fervent of zealots, their gazes filled with fanaticism as they met the wave of paladins. They pit the boost from the divine kingdom against the superior numbers and strength of the paladins and wizards, the two armies clashing violently as a chaotic war erupted. The world seemed to stand still the moment they came into contact.

"Your greatest mistake was to step in here." A massive voice boomed in the void, and the clouds in the divine kingdom turned dark.

Bzzt!* World Origin Force whistled as lightning rained down upon the paladins and wizards, annihilating a large group of troops in an instant.

"The law of lightning… You actually want to become a Lightning God!" Tyr cried out at in alarm as he saw the lightning in the skies. The lightning contained the power of laws, and wasn't something that could easily be created even in a divine kingdom. What's more, the law of lightning possessed great destructive force!

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Mark

"The fight's pretty intense!" Thultanthar was flying outside in the void, hidden between spatial rifts out of reach of the powerful lightning in the orc plains. It looked like an indomitable mountain, its strength unfathomable.

[Beep! Thultanthar concealed by Shadow Weave, setting defence levels to A1…] A black net spread out in the surroundings of the Netherese city, slowly disappearing as it intertwined with the Weave in the vicinity. It concealed the city's aura immediately, making in undetectable no matter how close it got to the battlefield.

"Initiate plan," Leylin ordered indifferently, an icy gaze flashing in his eyes.

He'd taken a risk with his avatar before, engaging with Malar and the orc gods to help Mystra and Tyr deal with the orcs. However, his intentions weren't to cause trouble for the orcs. After all, they were of the same alignment and were closer to him than Mystra and Tyr.

Still, he was an evil god. The only thing that brought his kind together were benefits, and he wouldn't hesitate to betray them for his own gains. With the greater gods embroiled in battle, it was the best time for him to execute his plans.

[Beep! Mission established, tracking target… Target found!] the A.I. Chip intoned, a large amount of information being transmitted to Leylin. The backdoor he'd left via that red spot of light activated, allowing the A.I. Chip to execute its mission.

[Beep! Target confirmed! Kingdom's defences have been broken, beginning teleportation.] A powerful hurricane engulfed Thultanthar alongside the A.I. Chip's notifications, the violent gales beginning to glow as the city streaked across the void like a sharp sword.

Buzz!* Thultanthar disappeared into the light, reappearing within the orc plains above a magnificent golden palace.

There were many orc petitioners here, praying to a strange orcish statue. They were startled by Thultanthar's appearance, and roared in rage.

[Secondary cannons online.] The A.I. Chip's icy words were the only reply. Numerous cannons atop Thultanthar shot beams of light, dissolving even the holy spirits under their power. A dark web spread across the skies, locking space down before volley after volley of cannonfire razed the palace to the ground.

A god's true body was revealed beneath the palace, dressed in loose black robes with a black-gold halo of light encircling him. A murky energy shrouded his body. Having suffered a huge loss of divine energy and being forced out of slumber, he roared at Leylin in rage.

"KUKULKAN! AND THULTANTHAR!" His voice held extreme rage and shock, but there also a major portion of fear. He hadn't been prepared for the flying city at all.

'That tracker was effective after all.' Leylin looked at the forlorn Yurtrus before him, his eyes flashing like that of a predator looking at prey.

Malar had never been his target. That ape was only a wild beast that had mastered a part of the law of massacre, not worthy of his attention. The only god of massacre he'd consider targeting was Cyric.

No, his real target was the death god of the orcs, Yurtrus. Massacre and death complemented each other perfectly, each domain being able to support a greater god. They synergized very well, their powers compounding upon each other. They'd definitely serve well as Leylin's final trump card.

Back on Debanks Island, the innumerable deaths caused by the plague had allowed Leylin to touch upon the law of death. However, it hadn't allowed him to comprehend much, leaving him miles away from comprehending the law of death.

However, this was the World of Gods, and he was a Magus! Why would he slowly comprehend a law if he could just kill a god and directly steal his position?

There were many Gods of Death in the World of Gods, the strongest of them being Kelemvor the Greater God of Death. However, he was someone too strong for Leylin to scheme against right now, and there were others from different pantheons he could target. Leylin had chosen Yurtrus, because he was considerably weaker than the others as a mere lesser god. An orc god would be much easier to deal with than the gods of the other pantheon.

More importantly, the orcs were currently at war! It was the best chance to strike! With various reasons merging together, Leylin would feel sorry for himself if he didn't seize the opportunity. That's why he orchestrated these events.

To fulfill his goal of killing Yurtrus, Leylin had used Malar as a distraction. He pretended to fall for Malar's schemes in the Moonwood, using his avatar as bait and giving up his location to Mystra and Tyr to have them wipe the orcs out in one shot. The entire process was extremely perilous. If not for multiple trump cards, his avatar would have fallen to Mystra and Tyr.

However, all of that paid off. The orcs suffered huge losses, and Gruumsh was forced to engage in a divine war that dropped all defences. Yurtrus had nobody protecting him, so now was the best time to strike.

Leylin had managed to plant a tracker on Yurtrus in the midst of battle, allowing the flying city to instantly teleport to Yurtrus' position and slay him.

With Thultanthar having been used against Sekolah before, the gods would definitely have prepared against a greater god with a Netherese city. They concealed their true bodies, preventing instant teleportation into their divine kingdoms. Had Leylin not made all this preparations, he would've had to enter Yurtrus' divine kingdom and track him down inside. By the time the A.I. Chip was done with its scan Gruumsh would have appeared to reinforce.

However, there were no what ifs in the world. His plan successful, Leylin would enjoy his spoils of war.

"What are you trying to do? This is the orc plains. My divine kingdom is extremely close to the Gruumsh. He can immediately send any of his clones over…" Yurtrus golden face seemed to be disconcerted right now, which was an extremely rare expression on a god.

This was the fruit of Leylin's labour. Several of Yurtrus' avatars had been slain by Mystra and Tyr, causing enough damage to send him to sleep. Even though he'd sensed the incoming danger now, it would be a wonder if he could use 60% of his power, and he was facing a peak form Leylin alongside Thultanthar.

"Yurtrus… In the name of the God of Massacre, I proclaim you dead…" The phantom of a powerful winged serpent appeared behind Leylin's back, its demonic wings spread out to cover half of Yurtrus' divine kingdom. A terrifying gloomy darkness loomed over Yurtrus, devouring him whole.

The serpent's eyes only contained apathy and greed, causing Yurtrus to be overwhelmed with despair.

……

Rumble!* The powerful lightning suddenly stopped in Gruumsh's divine kingdom, and he roared in fury.

"What happened?" Mystra and Tyr looked ahead in surprise, watching a terrifying scene unfold.

"Yurtrus… You damned vermin, pigmy, bastard of the hells, you actually dare…" Gruumsh roared but it was too late. A divine kingdom dimmed within the orc plains, leaving the area as it headed for the void and fell into the darkness. Anguish surged in Yurtrus' petitioners as they died without warning, and his priests in the other planes discovered themselves being cut off by the spells of their god.

This could only mean one thing: the Orc God of Death… Yurtrus… He'd fallen!

"It's the God of Massacre!' Mystra and Tyr understood this point immediately, but were unable to change the outcome. The orc armies only stalled for a moment, beginning to attack even more ferociously than before!

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Death

A powerful spatial storm enveloped Whitejade Saint Mountain within Leylin's divine kingdom, space being ripped apart as the silhouette of a flying city appeared within the chaotic region.

A cathedral atop the mountain radiated golden light that protected the surroundings, rendering them unaffected by the flying city.

"Kukulkan, my Lord, you are a star in the skies, the overlord of our souls…" The petitioners on the mountain knew Thultanthar to be their Lord's mount, a sacred artifact of the Giant Serpent Church. They were not fazed by its appearance, instead kneeling down to pray.

"A.I. Chip, report Thultanthar's status," Leylin said as he opened his eyes, sitting in the main control room dressed in gold.

[Beep! Thultanthar has suffered 36.77% damage. Energy reserves depleted, Shadow Weave broken. Secondary spell formations are 22.5% damaged…] The report caused Leylin's eyes to twitch. He remained silent for a long time.

"It's been damaged so badly?" he finally sighed.

Gods really were the darlings of the world. Even Netheril at its peak, with all its research into the arcane, had still been reduced to rubble under their might. One had to pay a price to slay a deity, even if one was a Great Arcanist controlling a flying city.

Thultanthar had already been damaged in Leylin's fight against Sekolah. It had been undergoing repairs in his divine kingdom, but it had been called out for this strike and damaged even more severely. It was a testament to Leylin's ability that the flying city had even remained intact.

Leylin's will pervaded the entire flying city, seeing through everything. There were many cracks on its silver-grey surface, and the primary cannons had suffered damage from overuse. Even the secondary core had been damaged, the city operating purely on its primary energy source. It was never easy to bear the brunt of a god's death throes.

"Heh… It's all worth it." Leylin looked excitedly at the damaged crystal floating above his hands. "The divine domain of a God of Death…"

This was Leylin's reward for slaying Yurtrus. He'd given up on searching the divine kingdom given how close it was to the other orcs', having to flee the moment he killed the God of Death as he saw a raging Gruumsh rushing over alongside the other orc gods. If he'd tarried a moment longer, even if he could eventually escape Thultanthar would've been destroyed.

However, all these scenarios held no meaning whatsoever. Leylin knew that he has succeeded. and that was enough!

Leylin looked at the divine domain crystal ball and sniggered, "Kukulkan's words will lose all credibility, and he'll be labeled unscrupulous and crazy. When news of this spreads, there likely won't be any more gods willing to ally with me…"

If he really was a being of the World of Gods, his actions just now would've led to his death. He'd be isolated by the other gods, having to hide himself in Baator forever.

However, he was a Magus. Even if he didn't offend these gods none of them would wish to ally with him once his true body descended anyway. Even if he'd offended most of the gods and had his reputation raked through the mud, he'd managed to get what he wanted and that was enough. Baator and Thultanthar would be enough to sustain him until he had the chance to let his true body descend.

"Soon…" Leylin muttered, resolution flashing in his eyes as a phantom Targaryen appeared behind his back. The power of devouring enveloped the crystal, causing the mysterious power of death to reveal itself. He instantly felt a connection to the World Origin Force that allowed him to comprehend the captivating law of death.

The A.I. Chip flashed with notifications as well:

[Beep! Host has devoured a law crystal, absorbing divine domain…] [Beep! Transfer completed, host currently has 50% comprehension of the law of death.]

Unlike other Magi who spent tens of thousands years to comprehend laws without much success, they word skyrocketing wasn't sufficient to describe Leylin's comprehension. He'd managed to comprehend half of a law as powerful as the law of death at one go, and he still felt it wasn't enough!

"A pity… Yurtrus is just an orc god and his law comprehension is 50% at most. He's also a god of orcs, souls, and other things… If I devoured Kelemvor I'd most likely be able to achieve 100% immediately, generating a death domain that belongs to me alone…"

However, Leylin knew his place. He was at his limits scheming against a lesser god, and a greater god like Kelemvor was beyond his reach.

The A.I. Chip's notifications continued:

[Beep! Host had comprehended 50% of the law of death! Activating death domain…] [Death Domain: The user becomes the ruler of death, governing all that has to do with it. Any being who perishes within the domain will lose their souls to the user, giving the domain priority.] [Beep! Host's massacre domain complements the death domain, both domains will experience a boost in power.]

"A simple explanation…" Leylin stroked his chin, thinking of a devastating possibility. "A ruler of death… That is to say that any souls that perish in my domain are mine? And with the priority, I'll have control even before the god they worship? If that's true, then the worshippers of the other churches would be subjected to my control… If I spread the domain throughout the prime material plane, won't it become a new underworld?"

However, this was all in the future. He still had to finish comprehending the law of death quickly, or it would all just be a grand illusion.

[Beep! Host status has changed, refreshing…] The A.I. Chip sent Leylin the latest stats.

[Name: Leylin Faulen.

Race: Human(Lesser God).

Divine Name: Kukulkan, the God of Massacre.

Alignment: Neutral Evil.

Domains: Massacre, Death

Divine Kingdom: Nameless, located at the first three Hells of Baator.

Divine Rank: 8.

Worshippers: Natives, Devils, Adventurers, Clerics.

Worshipper Alignments: True Neutral, Neutral Evil, Lawful Evil.

Arcanist Rank: 35. Strength: 29. Agility: 29. Vitality: 29. Spirit: 29. Arcane Energy: 350. Divine Force: 800. Status: Healthy.

Feats: Herculean Strength, Master of Knowledge, Dreamscape Vision, Epic Adaptability.

Divine Feats: Origin Force Detection, Arcane Art Amplification, Illusions.

Divine Abilities: Warp Reality, Epic Massacre]

'The completely fused domain will come soon… My understanding of the law of death will improve, and it'll only be a matter of time before I finish comprehending it… Death and Massacre, two extremely powerful roles that lean towards negative energy. What kind of effects will their fusion bring?' Leylin's face slowly brightened with anticipation.

……

The instant Leylin absorbed the law of death, a roar of fury rang out from the Fugue Plane, within a city filled with souls.

"Someone is eyeing my throne!" The voice was extremely loud, carrying the dignity of a god. Many of the dead souls here couldn't help but kneel, their translucent bodies shivering in fear.

This was Kelemvor, the Greater God of Death who ruled the Fugue Plane! He was the one who'd managed to build a kingdom of peace for the dead, his impartial attitude allowing him to obtain the favour of the plane's origin force and bringing him to the apex of the gods!

All Kelemvor had left to do was to weaken the remaining Gods of Death, obtaining primary control of the domain. He was actually happy to see Yurtrus fall, as it meant that there was one less God of Death in the world. Had Leylin offered to trade the domain crystal, he would've obtained the friendship of this greater god.

However, Leylin had used it for his own. The shift in death's origin force couldn't fool Kelemvor, and Leylin had henceforth made an enemy of another greater god.

However, Leylin had no plans to negotiate, or deviate from the path he'd set himself upon. There was nothing he could do about Kelemvor's fury.

Of course, he still realised his position. Before his true body descended upon the World of Gods to initiate the Final War once more, he would sit inside his divine kingdom and not step out. With the protection of Baator's origin force and his divine kingdom, he could still protect himself.

Kelemvor understood Leylin's plans, and the only thing he could do was give Leylin some troubles with his dead worshippers and petitioners. He was left with no choice but to roar in rage.

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Resurrection

Several years went by in the blink of an eye. Many events came to pass, the most dazzling of which was the battle between the humans and orcs in the north.

Having suffered defeat in the divine war, the orcs retreated between several lost battles. They were eventually pushed all the way back to the Old Silverymoon, with even a natural leader like Saladin unable to reverse the situation.

Old Silverymoon had only survived the assault with its powerful fortifications aided by the Thunder God's Hammer. Saladin had finally managed to repel Elminster and Alustriel, causing severe casualties to the Silverymoon Alliance and forcing them to withdraw in order to consolidate their strength once more.

However, the damage was already done and the orcs had to recuperate as well. Even if they were ready to fight to reclaim the lost land, they didn't have the faculties to start another war. The north had thus been split in twain, entering an eerie, unstable tranquility.

Within the wastelands of the combined divine kingdom of the orc pantheon.

Mystra and Tyr had already retreated, but Gruumsh had already suffered. Yurtrus falling alone was more damage than losing a hundred thousand petitioners, even if they hadn't been the ones to do it.

Leylin's notoriety had spread amongst the gods once more, causing a new wave of fear and hate. He didn't bother with that at all, however.

Right after the battle, he met with a person he was familiar with.

"It's been a long time, Rafiniya," he said from his throne as he looked down upon his new subordinate, his old friend.

"I've given up on my past name, my Lord. Please call me Phoenix— Hellfire Phoenix," the former paladin said emotionlessly as she knelt before Leylin.

'Phoenix' had changed greatly with her fall. She'd grown even more captivating than before, her tender white skin shining with a milky lustre. A pair of beautiful wings sat comfortably on her back, making her look like a fallen angel. Hers was a unique beauty, representative of the aesthetics of the Nine Hells.

"Alright then, Phoenix. Tell me, what do fairness and justice mean?" Leylin asked with a puzzled gaze.

"That answer is my life's goal," Phoenix said as she lifted her head, her exquisite face filled with determination. "However, this corrupt, filthy world cannot give me that answer. Equality can only come when the entire world is destroyed and rebuilt from scratch; I shall use my hellfire to purge this dirty world clean!"

"Words of wisdom…" Although Leylin was praising her calmly on the surface, he rolled his eyes inwardly, 'So now she's an advocator of the purge? Rafiniya is Rafiniya, even if she's changed…' All that didn't matter, however. Another legendary devil who worshipped him was worth it.

Leylin waved his hand once Phoenix left with a bow, a mirror appearing in his hands that was connected to the prime material plane. A legendary devil hunter appeared on the mirror's surface, the same one that had travelled with the Neon Merchant Group to the Orc Empire. He greeted Leylin in respect.

"Kukulkan, my Lord, you are the Lord of Massacre, the Keeper of Order. You are the Ruler of Devils….

"I've done as you wished, my Lord. The paladins and priests apart from Rafiniya are already dead, their souls trapped in their burning skeletons. I can convert them once they're transported to the kingdom…"

Leylin's mirror showed the prayer and report, causing him to nod his head slightly. Rafiniya's fall was something he'd orchestrated long ago, but a single paladin or priest would've been able to stop her from turning when she did. That was why he'd had his devil hunters focus on them, rendering them unable to assist the Lady of Hope. That was how he'd gained a new legendary erinyes in Phoenix.

"You did well. We've obtained all we could in the north, and now is the time to return. Leave the necessary information paths and priests, but bring Barbara and the other devil hunters back…" he decreed.

Leylin knew fully well that this incident had put him at odds with both Mystra's alliance and the orcs. The suppression he would face would soon grow severalfold, and in such circumstances it was better to pull his elites back before he suffered unnecessary losses. If Mystra and Tyr mobilised their forces, he would definitely lose quite a few worshippers.

As a new god, Leylin didn't have many legendary powerhouses or much wealth to his name. Every one he lost would bite him. Anyway, he'd gotten the law of death he was eyeing in the prime material plane so he didn't have much he wanted from it now. The faith coming from Debanks Island in his divine kingdom would be enough to sustain him.

Leylin thus retracted his gaze from the prime material plane, racking his brains as he thought about his new law.

'Massacre and death, a perfect match…' Leylin had obtained a new level of enlightenment regarding his role as a god, 'The power of the law of massacre is boosted by the deaths of the enemy… There needs to be a catalyst between all this… Either law can support a greater god, so if I turn this into a cycle…'

Leylin's eyes flashed with wild ambition. His root was that of a Magus, and with the A.I. Chip and his comprehension of laws he instinctively knew the path he had to take. His future advancements had grown completely clear to him.

Magi started with cultivating spiritual force, before transforming the soul to let them comprehend laws. Even as a mere rank 7, Leylin already saw the silhouette of his path as a peak rank 8. This was an extremely alarming matter to the entire astral plane!

"Death domain…" A dark energy spread out from Leylin's palace, entering the surroundings. He felt control over the life and death of everything within its increasing range, able to see every organism within.

'Death is inseparable from the soul. Thankfully I have enough research into the soul that I'm not inferior to the gods…' Leylin smiled, "A.I. Chip, what's the progress on the simulation of the law of death?"

[Beep! Law of death comprehension at 50%. Beginning soul simulation with stored data…] the A.I. Chip intoned.

Another notification soon appeared on the Chip's interface:

[Beep! The law of massacre has influenced the death domain, giving it the Death's Decree ability.

Death's Decree: The user of the domain can cause the death of any creature he wills. Those without divine power will lose their lives immediately, and the effects on divine beings depends on their divine rank.]

The A.I. Chip's powerful calculative abilities had allowed it to derive a new ability immediately.

"The death domain is really powerful…" Leylin inhaled a sharp breath after seeing the results, "Legendary powerhouses without divinity would die immediately, and even their souls will cease to exist without exemption. Even demigods have a fifty-fifty chance of dying…"

Death's Decree would be rendered useless when facing more powerful gods, but with Leylin's strength it made for a powerful weapon against the other lesser gods. He had a chance to kill them directly, one that increased the weaker his opponent was. Even more terrifying was that this ability would grow with him, its effects growing more powerful over time!

'Death's Decree… What a magnificent ability, Kelemvor has it too huh?' However, doubt soon filled Leylin's mind, 'Wait. I haven't heard of such a thing about Kelemvor or any of the other gods of death…'

A possibility surfaced in Leylin's mind, causing him to be elated. 'Could it be… Only those gods of both massacre and death obtain it, or only if they fulfill some other conditions? If that's the case, once I finish the law of death won't I be able to…'

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Fugue

The skies of the Fugue Plane were a misty gray. The Styx flowed smoothly on the ground, wiping the memories of the occasional listless soul clean to induce a calm lifelessness.

A city of black granite and rotting mud was erected in the wilderness. This was the City of Judgement, under the jurisdiction of the God of Death Kelemvor.

Countless beings with no faith were half embedded into the Wall of the Faithless, wailing as they seemed to be getting swallowed by it. The faithless in the World of Gods were treated worse than the worshippers of rival gods, demons, and devils. They wouldn't be accepted by any divine kingdom upon their death, only able to suffer eternally on the wall.

It was too late for these souls to pledge faith to any god. Kelemvor gave them three choices upon their arrival, and the other two were even more torturous for the faithless than the Wall. Only the Abyss or Baator would accept these beings, but even they only wished to turn them into soul nourishing bugs.

The City of Death was deathly silent and quiet despite being littered with sluggish souls. Even liches would wish to leave this place as soon as they could.

Boom!* A large golden gate opened up all of a sudden, radiating divine light. The glow carried the power of salvation, seemingly adding a ray of hope in this land of death.

However, reality was the exact opposite. The wandering souls shrieked in shock at the appearance of the holy light, avoiding at all costs despite only seeing a single ray. This light held the power of a mighty god, and it wasn't something they could face directly. Had they not escaped, they would have been wiped out of existence without a trace left behind.

"Damn it, a god is descending. It's the Goddess of the Weave…" The City of Judgement bustled with activity as many of the souls hid underground and in towers. Even the liches, devils, and demons cursed loudly as they escaped, portals beginning to flash throughout the city.

Mystra's figure slowly walked out of the bright golden door. Looking at the activity in the city, she smiled meaningfully.

"Mystra!" A giant voice boomed throughout the city, and a middle-aged man in blue robes came to stand before her. He looked extremely common, seeming like a nobleman, but his eyes shone an all-seeing black. A strong death domain was spread out with him at the centre, as if he was the ruler of death in this entire world. This was the king of souls, the Greater God of Death Kelemvor!

"You always bring me trouble!" he said as he saw the city rustling. His death domain reverberated with a tranquil power, soothing the agitated souls and rendering them calm once more.

This was a mutation of the standard death domain, Eternal Tranquility. It served to protect and soothe the dead, giving them respect.

Kelemvor was a neutral god, and he'd always tried his best to provide peace to the dead. He opposed those who tried to extend their lives, and despised the blasphemous arts of necromancy. His symbol was that of a skeletal arm holding up a balance.

There were rumours that Kelemvor and Mystra once loved each other as mortals. Their relationship seemed to have stalled after they ascended to godhood. Although the two had never admitted it, the current scenario suggested that the rumours were true.

"Why have you come to disturb the peace of the Fugue?" Kelemvor looked at Mystra.

Their current relationship was different from before, and it was partially because Kelemvor hated magic. He felt that magic had disrupted the peace of the dead. There may have been other reasons as well: many liches and devils guessed that Alustriel was a daughter born to Mystra through a mortal named Elminster.

"It's naturally for that God of Massacre… Kelemvor, aren't you angry at the fact that someone is eyeing your throne and prying into your powers?" Mystra laughed coldly.

"He's just a new god, his power is far from Nephthys and Segojan…" Kelemvor said after a period of silence. These other gods he'd mentioned were also gods of death, but they were intermediate gods themselves! Leylin was only a lesser deity, and without even a full comprehension of the law of death he didn't pose much of a threat.

"Really…" Mystra's expression changed, and she made up her mind. "Have you ever heard of the legend of the Nightmare Serpent?"

"Is this what you foresee?" Kelemvor grew silent once more. "For you," he started after a while, "I'll lend a hand once more. However, I once made a pact with the circle of gods, and it prevents me from doing many things…"

Kelemvor was a neutral god, and without Leylin even being a God of Death yet he couldn't just charge into his divine kingdom. It would be considered blasphemy, and if he tried it the other gods of death would ally together to suppress him. Such was his fate as the strongest God of Death.

"That's enough… I only need you to…" Mystra smiled beautifully, and spoke of her purpose.

……

"My worshippers are being detained by Kelemvor?" News from the Fugue Plane soon reached Leylin's ears, and it caused him to frown.

This was indeed a troublesome issue. Worshippers would normally enter their god's divine kingdom after death, and this was a pact that could not be violated. However, some things could still be done in between.

While pious worshippers had enough strength of faith to directly move to the divine kingdom after death, and priests would directly become powerful holy spirits, things didn't work the same way for regular worshippers. They first had to be sent to the Fugue Plane, being judged by Kelemvor. The False would be placed on the Wall, and the remaining would be sent to emissaries of their respective deities.

Kelemvor was acting up on his contract with the circle of gods that solidified his position as a neutral god. It would cause Leylin some trouble, after all only a small number of his worshippers were fervent enough to be transported directly.

"The emissary questioned him before, but Kelemvor answered with a condition. He expects you to make a trip to the Fugue Plane yourself before he releases their souls…" the valiant spirit reported, trembling in fear.

Leylin waved the man away before falling into deep thought. He smelled a conspiracy brewing, and it caused him to smile wryly.

'They're clamping down hard… Not even allowing me some time…' Even if he wanted to rest now, they would most likely not give him this chance. His laws clashed with Kelemvor's own, so the bias would be hard to fight. On top of that Leylin had no friends among the gods, only those who would watch upon his situation with schadenfreude.

'Thankfully I don't have many worshippers in the prime material plane. Most of them are here in Debanks Island, and their souls don't need to enter the Fugue Plane when they die…' He felt somewhat relieved at this thought. The best way to fight his opponents' schemes was to avoid walking into the trap, if not his outcome could only be miserable.

Having confirmed that Kelemvor intended for him to travel to the Fugue Plane where he could cause even more problems, Leylin prepared to ignore all matters and hole himself up in his tortoise shell of a divine kingdom. So what if his reputation would be ruined? So what if his faith in the prime material plane would be halted? Most of his operations were within the divine kingdom, hence there was nothing to fear.

Moreover, Leylin was someone from the Magus World. Becoming a greater god was of no use to him, and the more concern he showed about the threat the easier it was to deal with him. He would only end up losing everything if he acted. Instead, he would enter a battle of attrition.

Of course, he still had to attend to the shortage of faith that would be caused as a result of this suppression. At the very least, Leylin knew clearly that the faith from the prime material plane would drop drastically soon. His worshippers in the divine kingdom would slowly turn into petitioners over time, an irreversible process that would rob him of new faith. Although there were profits to holing up inside the divine kingdom, his main source of new faith had been cut off!

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Alliance

Although his worshippers being in his divine kingdom would benefit him in the short run, over time they'd be whittled away. It'd be akin to a slow suicide.

However, Leylin didn't care about that in the least. What he lacked the most was time, and the longer he could drag things out the more benefits he would get.

As long as he could finish becoming a God of Death before the faith from his worshippers dwindled to nothing, he would be able to bring his true body over and restart the Final War. The greater gods would be forced to deal with peak rank 8 Magi, and Leylin wouldn't have to worry about them anymore.

'But I seem to need something more to comprehend the law of death…' Leylin's eyes flashed, deep in thought, 'It'll go faster if more souls are provided as experimental subjects…'

However, it wasn't easy to find the massive number of souls needed for the A.I. Chip's simulation. Leylin estimated he'd need roughly ten thousand regular souls for every stage of progress, and the total count would need him to sacrifice all of his worshippers. Even he couldn't do such a thing.

"I can only look to the prime material plane, the Abyss, or Baator…" Devils and demons were both formed from soul bugs, so they qualified for the A.I. Chip's requirements. Leylin didn't want to help the demons or devils start a bloody war in the prime material plane— even if it supported his comprehension of death and fit his role, it wouldn't be of much benefit to him. After all, he was a god as well, unlike the other Lords of Baator.

There was no need to fight the demons either. He already had a third of Baator in hand, and with that amount of origin force sustaining his divine kingdom there was no need for him to dither around.

"With that said… It seems like I only have one choice left?" Leylin's gaze pierced through his divine kingdom, looking at the edge of Phlegethos.

"They seem to be thinking the same…" The place was packed with an army of devils. Leylin's worshippers recognised him as the Lord of Baator, so it was a given that he would take over the other levels as well. The remaining lords would definitely prepare against him.

Although all of them remained guarded against each other, and with their leader-in-name being lost scattering them further, they still maintained a unanimous front against Leylin. They'd managed to stop him from advancing into the Fourth Hell, the powerful Samuel most likely able to escape even if Leylin tried to use his flying city. By that time, the other lords would come to aid him and stop any other sneak attacks.

Now, the armies at the border had grown even more massive. They didn't seem complacent in defense, instead going for the offensive as they moved to attack Leylin's divine kingdom!

"Interesting… The armies of pride and lust as well?" The presence of the other lords' aid was extremely obvious to Leylin's divine will, "They finally decided to ally together against me, huh?" he smirked.

'Even if Asmodeus was in peak form, he wouldn't be able to bring them together like this. They wouldn't join up even if I continued to parade as the Supreme… Furthermore, how could Asmodeus recover so swiftly without a greater god helping him?'

Leylin immediately understood the danger this time. Asmodeus had definitely obtained the help of a greater god, unifying the other Lords of Baator to deal with Leylin. The gods would need to train another ten thousand years to be able to scheme against him.

'So then… Is it Gruumsh, or Mystra?' Leylin had immediately listed out the greatest suspects, and his personal opinion shifted more towards the latter. 'The chances that it's Mystra are extremely huge. She's been after me for a long time.'

Anger welled up in Leylin's heart. He immediately saw through her intentions, 'First she colludes with Kelemvor and stops my supply of worshippers. Next she uses the help of the devils and turns the tides to attack my divine kingdom… She's prepared to bleed me dry until I'm forced to make a trip to Fugue. Then she'll ambush me?'

"However… The only miscalculation you made was my strength…" he laughed coldly, his conscient travelling through his divine kingdom to bring two people before him.

"The devil hunters are prepared and awaiting orders, my Lord…" Isabel was dressed in crimson armour and what seemed to be a cape of flames, radiating an aura of valiance. She'd grown much more powerful than before, seeming like a massive beast of ancient times as the dragon blood in her body was further purified by Leylin. She was now at the peak of the legendary realm.

Beside her was the former Lady of Hope, Phoenix. The more devout someone was before their turn, the more power they would acquire with their fall. Rafiniya's staunch faith had pulled her up to become a high-ranking legendary when she turned.

Although Phoenix could adopt the appearance of a pit fiend, Leylin ended up choosing to model her after Glasya. The erinyes form gave her strength equivalent to a greater devil, and Glasya's expression if Phoenix eventually evolved to become an Erinyes Queen would be delightful to watch.

"Good! Remember, your mission is to defend and not step out of the kingdom's boundaries. My avatars will assist as necessary." Handing command of the devil hunters to the two of them, Leylin continued with his plans.

The greatest strength of devil hunters was in their ability to seal devils to use their powers. With a constant war against the other Lords of Baator ongoing, they would prove to be extremely beneficial. As long as they stayed within the divine kingdom and remained protected by its laws, they would only grow stronger with every wave of devils fighting them. And if they lost numbers? He could just recruit some more from among his worshippers.

Leylin had already considered all problems when he designed this profession, so the natural talent required of a devil hunter was not high. Their strength depended almost solely on the devils they sealed. Thus, the devil army was like paradise for those who wished to improve!

……

At the same time, the Queen of Lust was bowing towards an older devil in the endless void, "The preparations are complete, father," the Lady of Malbolge said.

"Cough… Very good, Glasya…" The old devil seemed frail, wrought with illnesses. He had black eyes, a goatee, and a horn on his head. This was the Lord of the Ninth Hell, the Supreme of Baator— Asmodeus!

"Samuel, Levistus, Baalzebul, Mephistopheles… Thank you all for making it here, we Lords haven't met in a long time…" Asmodeus looked at the figures of the other devils nearby. With all the remaining Lords of Baator gather together, even the space around them was screeching with agony under the burden.

"There's a few faces lost and another gained. Beelzebub, Mammon, and the Hag Countess are here no more, but my beloved daughter is now amongst us!" Asmodeus spoke incoherently.

"Enough!" Samuel roared, flames of anger blazing on his body, "We're gathered here for one purpose, and that's to deal with Kukulkan!"

The other lords here may just be fulfilling their curiosity, but he himself could not remain relaxed. Phlegethos was right under Leylin's divine kingdom, putting the greatest pressure on him. He'd had to hide within the depths of the Fourth Hell ever since Leylin slew Mammon, holing himself up in his fortified castle with curses and traps so he could retain a sense of safety.

"Indeed… We need to kill the God of Massacre, bringing Baator back to its former self." Asmodeus' expression hardened. Although he didn't need to face Leylin's pressure directly, the new god gave him a very strong sense of danger. Not to mention that Leylin's worshippers declared him the Ruler of Devils in their prayers day and night, a resounding slap to his face as Supreme of the Nine Hells.

"Hehe…" A strange sound travelled, causing Glasya's face to sour.

"I suggest we sign a contract immediately, splitting the tasks amongst ourselves and the united front. I can guarantee that I don't need any of the first three Hells after the war, I only wish for Baator to regain its former self as we bury that God of Massacre in the dirt." Asmodeus flipped open the black contract book in his hands.

The elated lords did not seem to notice the icy gaze hidden deep in his eyes.

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Rejection

"In the name of the Supreme, KILL THEM!" The great army that had gathered in Phlegethos charged out with a roar, entering Leylin's divine kingdom under the guidance of the pit fiends present.

Rumble!* However, they were greeted by lightning and thunder the moment they entered the place. Bolt after bolt crashed down, leaving huge pits in the ground as they completely decimated the devils in range. Some devils were even being burnt by flames, screaming miserably as their resistance to fire proved to be useless.

Although the devils had come to a ceasefire agreement with Leylin, it hadn't been all that restrictive. The contract was broken the moment the devils made their move, so Leylin had nothing holding him back.

"My Lord, Kukulkan, bestow upon us the power of massacre!" Numerous devil hunters were lying in wait behind defences created by devil slaves. Some of them watched their opponents with apathy, while others looked on with greed, even enthusiasm filling their eyes.

In their perspective, these devils were only a source of power. On top of that, they could give up everything for the divine kingdom of their Lord.

Isabel and Phoenix were completely fixated on a projection of the battlefield within a command centre, one of Leylin's avatars at their side.

"This war shall last a long time…" he prophesied.

……

Several decades passed in the blink of an eye. Leylin's divine kingdom stood tall in Baator, and even though the battles did not cease at all the petitioners and natives of Debanks Island slowly forgot about it.

Things were always the same with gods. Divine wars lasted centuries without conclusions, with few instances like the orc-human war in the prime material plane. Even then the orcs had only been suppressed, and the humans of the north given assistance…

At the heart of Leylin's divine kingdom, within the gigantic shrine atop Whitejade Saint Mountain.

[Beep! Simulation 78923 complete. Test sample ER-3's data has been obtained, storing into the law database under Death - Raising Souls - 2…]

The A.I. Chip's robotic voice brought Leylin out of a trance. He glanced over the information the Chip was showing him, taking a look at the records about his comprehension of laws.

[Beep! Host's comprehension of laws: Devouring 100%, Massacre 100%, Greed 100%, Death 99%.]

"It's already so far in, huh?" His eyes flickered with understanding, "These devils have been tremendously helpful…"

An understanding of the law of death required the analysis of a great number of souls, as well as the destructive force formed at their deaths. Even if the other Lords of Baator hadn't provoked him, Leylin was going to invade himself to kill a massive number of people.

Right now they willingly sacrificed themselves in his divine kingdom, becoming free specimens for his experiments. How could Leylin reject their wish? He kept up the fight with the devils, stalling them at the boundaries of his divine kingdom without much damage. He left them with some hope of victory, ensuring that they would send in their troops continuously to allow him to accumulate more and more information.

'I've almost added death to my role…' Leylin had now reached a threshold in his comprehension of death. He only had one last fragment before he could condense the law into his domain.

'Mystra's pressured me a lot lately…' Leylin lowered his head, his eyes filled with determination and solemnity. The Goddess of the Weave hadn't just colluded with Kelemvor to hold his worshippers back, she'd also instigated the Archdevils to attack his divine kingdom.

The Giant Serpent Church in the prime material plane didn't have it good either. A large number of wizards under Elminster had abandoned all work, looking for traces of the powerhouses of the church like crazed beasts. Had Leylin not stopped expansion in the prime material plane and summoned Tiff back beforehand, the church would likely have suffered massive losses.

The influence of her actions were already beginning to show. Leylin's faith in the prime material plane wasn't growing anymore, almost on the verge of dwindling down.

Such a situation would be extremely dangerous for gods, who relied on faith. Without enough, they wouldn't be able to sustain their powers and die out slowly, their divine kingdoms descending into darkness as their soul was destroyed. Without worshippers, a god was like a fish out of water.

Leylin was mainly supported by Debanks Island now, but even then the situation was very dangerous. The mortals in his divine kingdom would slowly all morph into petitioners, becoming souls that couldn't eat, reproduce, or do anything of the like. It would be a devastating blow if that process completed, and with the number or generations of commoners in the Faulen Empire it was close to being so.

'Thankfully my comprehension has been smooth. My main body is almost ready as well, and even now I can come in and restart the Final War.' A hint of coldness appeared in his eyes.

Leylin's main body was ultimately a Magus. This clone was merely some preparation on the path of faith, and it was alright to give it up for the sake of his main body's success. Leylin thus decided to drag things out, ignoring Mystra's challenges and refusing to confront the issue. It gave him enough time to develop his laws to this point.

Mystra wasn't a fool, but she'd never have imagined that Kukulkan was merely the clone of a Magus. Her methods could end any lesser god, but without the proper knowledge all her schemes were pointless. Leylin was just using her effectively to earn time, giving him the foundation to take on the coming storm.

All of a sudden, Leylin suddenly felt his heart squeeze. His divine sense told him of the arrival of an absolute danger, and he immediately traced it to the Celestial Hall.

Leylin's avatar opened its eyes from up on the throne, looking at Mystra who was making a speech.

"For all these reasons, I propose the God of Massacre, Kukulkan, be removed!" she proclaimed loudly, looking towards him with a chilly gaze.

The numerous gods in the Celestial Hall sized Leylin up. The good gods would never accept an evil god like him, and the evil ones didn't have much to do with him. Only Umberlee was left, looking on helplessly.

"I agree!" Tyr said immediately after Mystra's speech.

"I as well!" a voice sounded from the pedestal of death. Leylin recognised Kelemvor at a single glance. The greater god had evidently sensed Leylin's comprehension increasing, and he'd grown grim and hostile.

"And I!" Gruumsh stood up from amongst the orcs, "A god that kills his kind so brazenly does not need to exist." His stance was followed up by the other orc gods as well.

In the blink of an eye, Leylin felt himself becoming an enemy of all the gods. His pedestal was on the verge of collapse as well, and the effects of attacking other gods without allies or a foundation were beginning to show themselves.

"Agreed!" "Agreed!"

……

Waves of origin force gathered around Leylin with the loud clamour of the gods.

If the Overgod had been present the world would have stripped him of his godfire ruthlessly, causing him to fall. However, with the overgod in a deep sleep, the Celestial Hall had no power to punish him. The only thing these gods could do was eject Leylin from the place, isolating.

And isolate him is what they did. Terrifying lightning crashed down on Leylin's cracking pedestal, and the avatar was destroyed without any way to resist.

Of course the amount of divine force he'd lost was negligible, but the follow through would be terrifying. Being rejected by all sides, Leylin would be left with no space to grow anymore.

Leylin had no idea that he had unwittingly created a record. Ever since the Overgod fell into his slumber, Leylin was the only true god to be rejected by both good and evil, being forced out of the Celestial Hall.

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Begin

'She got the remaining gods to completely exclude me…' Leylin grinned coldly within his divine kingdom, 'So that's her power? Indeed, with control of the Weave and the backing of the gods of magic she has allies aplenty…'

His grin only grew wider as he recalled what Mystra had whispered to him after being ousted from the Celestial Hall.

'She's threatening me to hand over Shar's location?' Leylin rubbed his chin in interest as he thought about Mystra's conditions, 'Seems like she's scared… She thinks Shar is hiding behind my back and scheming something… True, she would be an idiot if she did not not suspect anything after I demonstrated my ability to use the Shadow Weave…'

Leylin recalled the information he had at hand. Shar and Mystra had been rivals from before the dusk of the gods, their schemes against each other unending. Mystra had eventually been allowed to become the Goddess of the Weave, letting her advance to become a greater god.

'She's focused on Shar now, thinking I know her location…' Leylin found it extremely hilarious. 'However… Even if I told her that Shar was in the Shadow World of the astral plane, how would she exit the crystal sphere? And assuming she does, what'll she do about the Magi waiting right there to attack her from all sides?'

"Now that things have fallen to this stage, she'll most likely keep this up…" After some consideration, Leylin had rejected her conditions. His eyes flashed as one of his avatars appeared at the border of his divine kingdom.

Rumble!* The power of magic surged violently at the borders of Baator, many wizard souls forming a large spell formation with the Weave. Each one of them had stern faces, casting different dazzling spells. An army of golems was beside them, their metal surfaces filled with runes as all their cannons and other weapons were aimed at Leylin's divine kingdom.

A goddess was standing at the front of this army of magic. She had an extremely exquisite face, looking so fragile that one breath could break her. Her snow-white skin and starry eyes combined with the dazzling light shining off her body to radiate divine dignity.

"Isn't ousting me from the Celestial Hall enough to quell your rage, Mystra?" the avatar asked.

"I cannot tolerate it anymore. Kukulkan, God of Massacre. Give me Shar's location immediately, or face my army of wizards." Mystra's expression turned icy, "Submit to me, and you will gain the friendship of a greater god."

The subordinates continued chanting after she spoke, the combined spell forming with a powerful flurry of energy. Each of them had the strength of a high-ranked wizard with the unlimited support of the Weave, the energy they consumed to cast spells immediately replenished by Mystra's divine force.

"A threat? This is your usual style…" Leylin was currently under extreme pressure. His faith in the prime material plane had suffered, and the worshippers he did have were being detained by Kelemvor. He'd also been at war with the devils for decades, and Mystra had just ousted him from the Celestial Hall. Even with all this, she immediately came knocking on his door to threaten him.

The Goddess of the Weave thought Leylin would submit quickly with the size of his divine kingdom, not costing much at all.

However, not everything worked according to this goddess' will. Leylin had prepared for this the moment he was kicked out of the Celestial Hall.

"SUBMIT!" "SUBMIT!" "SUBMIT TO THE LADY!"

Leylin only shook his head at Mystra and the chanting of her subordinates. "Mystra," he said sternly, "I ask sincerely, consider this once more. Do you really want to wage war with me? You won't be able to face the consequences."

'How?' Mystra's mighty will trembled th that instant, and she seemed to feel a scary omen.

However, she was a greater god! That fear was followed by utter disgrace, 'I actually fear a lesser god? Even if he's related to Shar and that legend of that Nightmare Serpent… Dammit!'

She had only hesitated for that one moment. Her thoughts moved towards her allies in Tyr, Kelemvor, and the others she'd made after the battle of the north. Her forces had almost doubled since then.

"Indeed. If you still continue to resist, then there can only be war!" Mystra waved her hands, and powerful spells surpassing even the legendary realm began to converge.

"In that case," Leylin's avatar slowly vanished. He appeared with his main body, carrying a strange circular disc.

"What are you trying to do?" Mystra grew extremely wary. After all, it was inconceivable for a god to step out of their divine kingdom with their true body. Furthermore, she felt a strange chill being emitted from that strange plate.

"If you want war… Then war it is…" Leylin Faulen smiled gently, but it looked extremely malevolent in Mystra's eyes.

……

Many Magi of laws had already gathered together outside the crystal sphere of the World of Gods.

"As was decided, Mother Core and Leylin will decide upon the first batch of Magi to descend. Is that alright?" Ignox looked at the surrounding Magi, a large bone timepiece in his hands.

It wasn't just the Magus World. Existences from the Purgatory World, Icy World, and many others were present here. This included the Nefarious Filthbird and Trial's Eye.

"No problem!" "I concur!"

The other Magi agreed. Leylin and Mother Core had been given exclusive rights to decide the first batch of Magi to descend, granting them a lot of benefits. Leylin's own aura had already become extremely hard to fathom, and nobody knew what his current strength was.

"It has begun… The destiny of billions of years… The final war with the gods…" many existences muttered to themselves, many emotions welling up within them.

It was at this moment that they saw a small hole opening on the crystal wall, intertwining with evil intent. Merciless roars sounded out as several of them launched themselves through.

……

"Then I shall fulfill your wish." Kukulkan was looking at Mystra with a faint trace of pity, "The Manderhawke Plate… Show your power to connect worlds!"

He tossed the strange plate in the air. Countless repairs and improvements had brought it to a new level of completion, and it dazzled in the air as milky white light formed a passage connecting the World of Gods to outside the crystal sphere.

All of the gods watched on incredulously as their eternal wall, the unbreakable wall fortified by the Overgod, slowly melted away to reveal a passage to the outside. Several overpowering auras rushed inside, carrying the power of evil.

"Haha… It's indeed the World of Gods!"

"I can smell the aura of the gods, and these souls… More beautiful than a skylark!"

"Kill… The divinity and ichor of the gods will fertilise my lands, until truth is found and eternity attained…"

……

"What's happening?" All the legendary beings of the world immediately shifted their gazes to this region. The mysterious evil aura seemed to dig ancient memories out of their minds.

"This magic… MAGI!" Oghma was the first to exclaim, "Heavens… the ancient dusk of the gods, is it about to happen again?"

The frightening news instantly echoed through all the divine kingdoms, alerting even the demons of the Abyss and the devils of Baator.

"Magus! You're a Magus!' Mystra was stumped when she saw Leylin's true rank 7 body standing behind his clone. Her following screams almost pierced through the skies.

[Beep! Host is a rank 35 arcanist.]

"In my name as a Magus…" Leylin walked forward, powerful origin force welling up within him as it carried the intent of the Magus World's World Will. Many Magi of laws roared out.

[Outer Weave 100% analysed, Inner Weave at 50%.]

"I announce…" The World Crystal covering the overgod's throne in the Celestial Hall began to tremble. The entire world seemed to roar out in grief.

The one that felt these changes the greatest was Mystra. She looked at Leylin's Magus body, and the fear she felt from that familiar aura almost caused her to turn around and run away.

However, it was too late.

[Beep! All conditions met, rank 12 arcane spell, Karsus' Avatar— Activated!]

"LET THE FINAL WAR BEGIN!"

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Crumble

Karsus' Avatar had been launched! Leylin was going to take over the Weave, effective immediately!

He'd tried the spell he'd inherited from Distorted Shadow once before when he was in the Shadow World. Although there had been many side effects to it, he'd managed to get rid of Shar and obtain victory in one move. The A.I. Chip had been improving it ever since, and now it was as powerful as a rank 8 spell from the Magus World as it barrelled towards Mystra.

Rumble!* The entire World of Gods trembled as the Weave materialised all around it, brimming with boundless energy.

"Mystra…" Leylin turned towards the goddess, proclaiming, "Your everything, is now mine."

'So he was the one I feared all this while, with strength that could claim my life at any time…' Mystra's enlightenment had come all too late, at her dying breaths. With control of the Weave shifting to Leylin, her true body revealed itself. Her face was filled with fear as the silverflame on her body raged out of control, engulfing her entirety.

……

"NO!" "HOW?" Gasps of exclamation were heard from the upper planes and even the underworld. Mystra's divine kingdom crumbled away, falling into the infinite void.

"Our Lady… why would the Lady…" Mystra's priests wept in the prime material plane, feeling the great agony of divine power being stripped from their bodies.

Even more shocking was the scene outside Leylin's divine kingdom. The petitioners in the place collapsed lifelessly, their auras waning as their bodies disintegrated. Several valiant spirits and holy spirits tried to resist, but with Leylin's control of the Weave they were wiped out immediately as well.

'The Weave of the World of Gods…' Despite prior experience with the World of Gods, Leylin felt an extreme burden on him the moment he took over the Weave. He felt like a little boy trying to use a large axe, about to hurt himself at any moment.

'The Weave is incompatible with my domain. Fusing with it by force will only taint my path…' Leylin concluded immediately after he wiped the army out, 'On top of that, there's still problems even if the A.I. Chip optimised the spell…'

At the same time, Leylin Farlier sneered as he felt a force of distortion congeal in the void.

"You want to control me to release your conscient? Dream on… Collapse!" With Karsus' Avatar giving him the Weave, Kukulkan ordered its destruction immediately. This wiped out the divine role of the Weave in itself, and explosions sounded out as the network of purple veins that covered the world broke apart. The sound of weeping travelled across multiple worlds.

Boom!* An explosion rocked the Celestial Hall the moment the Weave was destroyed, coming from the Overgod's throne.

Many wizards were shocked by the destruction of the Weave. The construct that they'd used from the start had lost all connection to them, and any who were casting a spell at the time of collapse suffered from an explosive backlash that left them without a complete corpse. With the Weave gone, all of the wizards in the world had become worthless!

As for the gods, they roared in rage. They'd lost the channel they used to acquire faith and converse with their worshippers. The convenient Weave gone, it was a disaster to have to expend the divine force it took to contact or bless their worshippers directly.

The so-called strongest system of the World of Gods had disappeared just like that. Even the devastation it caused right away was only the surface, the heavy repercussions of this loss only to be felt much later.

Still, the most dangerous effect of the destruction of the Weave had revealed itself.

"Jeje…" "Hahaha…" The core of the Weave revealed itself, and the seal that the gods had built to trap the conscients of many fallen Magi was broken apart. Leylin opened the doors of this prison, allowing these hardened criminals to escape!

Mortals, Professionals, various creatures… They all raised their heads, only to see the sky swamped with darkness as the moon connected to the Weave shone brightly in the skies. The Weave continued to crumble apart, severing its connection to the moon as dozens of powerful evil laughs escaped into the prime material plane.

"The moon! The moon has changed!" The white moon turned a dark purple to the shock of the mortals. A large, vile eye opened up in the centre, seemingly watching over the World of Gods.

"So the conscients were sealed in the moon, huh?" Leylin looked at the now-black moon, grinning, "BREAK!"

Rumble!* The eye on the moon shattered to the tune of Leylin's roar, several dark shadows immediately covering the world in darkness as they spread out.

"We may have been forgotten by the passage of time, but we shall never forget. VENGEANCE AGAINST THE GODS!" The fragment of a peak rank 8 Magus resurrected itself, turning into a great evil that caused the gods to turn green. The shattering Weave continued to affect the entire world, only abated by the sea of origin force doing its best to suppress the violent ripples of energy.

"The Overgod is acting? Pity, trying to stop the effects of the Weave breaking will only aggravate your wounds," Leylin said grimly.

The attack that should have destroyed more than half the world had been suppressed by the Celestial Hall. However, Leylin felt it more effective to deal the Overgod a serious injury than destroy some plains or kill a billions useless creatures.

"You… YOU DARE!" Kukulkan moved to encircled a power of distortion, causing a black figure to appear behind him and howl in rage.

"Distorted Shadow… You wished to make use of me and inserted a backdoor into Karsus' Avatar. Don't think I'm unaware of your wishes to escape the Weave." A golden net began to cover Leylin's clone, extending to the warped shadows nearby, "My path was never the path of the gods. Here, suffer the backlash of the Weave with me!"

Kukulkan laughed maniacally as several golden lights escaped from his body to be absorbed by the main body.

There was a serious flaw to Karsus' Avatar. Nobody in the astral plane could withstand an instant transfer of the Weave's authority to them, even Shar would need to spend ten thousand years adapting. On top of that, Leylin had destroyed the Weave after he gained control of it. The backlash from such an act was so devastating even the Overgod would be grievously injured. The spell was but a deathwish.

But now, Leylin's Magus body had begun to reap the fruits of his labour in the World of Gods. Although the clone perished together with Distorted Shadow under the backlash, he remained indifferent. He'd already made preparations to transfer what was important.

[Beep! Clone's comprehension of laws received— Massacre: 100%, Greed: 100%, Death: 100%.]

The killing of the greater god to obtain the Weave had pushed Kukulkan's law of death to completion. The clone would likely have added death to his portfolio, but as a Magus Leylin had no need for that.

"I was prepared to lose this clone ever since I named it Kukulkan…" When he'd sent the clone into the World of Gods, Leylin had been prepared to give up on it completely. The clone would have to bind its powers to faith and worshippers, something that disagreed with his roots. Even a greater god would die without faith, and Leylin considered that simply too sorrowful.

As a Magus, he was different. Every ounce of his strength belonged to him and him alone. Nobody could take it away!

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The Path

Devouring, massacre, greed, and death… Various powerful laws converged in Leylin's body, causing him to grow without end. The path to becoming a rank 8 Magus was the control of several laws, and with three new laws added Leylin quickly broke through from the peak of rank 7.

Everything fell into place. Even just one of death or massacre could have brought him to rank 8, but with four different laws condensing together he broke through to a different realm entirely.

A terrifying phantom Targaryen appeared behind his back, hissing like an ancient ruler of beasts. Its body guarded by fine crimson scales covered the skies, and it flapped its devilish wings as its single horn radiated terror. The most intriguing of all was its third eye, the pupil within that was as large as a star containing a trace of cold-blooded indifference.

The Targaryen was a representation of the laws Leylin comprehended. Every scale contained the power of laws so strong that another Magus could comprehend some of a law just by looking at it. It was extremely precious for Magi ranked 4 to 8.

Now, even more laws were infused into these scales. Death, massacre, and greed converged in a whirlpool as the Targaryen continued to grow. The creature hissed as multiple bulges appeared at its neck.

Boom! Boom! Boom!* Three loud explosions rang out at the Targaryen's neck as three more heads popped out, carrying the new laws Leylin had obtained. They were slightly smaller than the original, having neither the horn nor the third eye, but other than that they were identical.

Many more heads grew beside these four as well. However, they seemed illusory, as if they lacked something important that prevented them from materialising.

"A rank 8 Magus needs to comprehend multiple laws To reach the peak of rank 8 one needs to comprehend their own path, cultivating their own set of laws…" The serpent howled as Leylin's spoke, each note causing the astral plane to tremble.

"My path is the root of all evil. With dreamforce as the foundation I shall fuse gluttony, greed, and wrath, pride, lust, sloth, and envy. This shall couple with massacre and death, forming the path of original sin."

"Henceforth, I am the Lord of Original Sin!" Leylin's voice at this moment travelled across the entire astral plane. Dreamscape trembled with joy, it's origin force converging as Leylin unleashed a dark red dreamforce at the peak of its power.

With the Nightmare Absorbing Physique having sacrificed a Lord of Calamity to the world, Dreamscape gave Leylin the highest level of access to its origin force. Using it to fuse his laws would not be a problem.

Hsss!* The four-headed Targaryen roared, using the law of devouring that mutated from devouring to fuse massacre, death, and greed. Crimson dreamforce catalysed the fusion, forming the basis of a perfect path.

An incomplete, seemingly weak light shone right into the phantom Targaryen. Leylin's path having materialised, the beast underwent a complete transformation. Crimson light covered its body during the act, before fading to reveal a massive and powerful figure in the Targaryen's place.

This creature had nine pairs of devilish wings, each wide enough to cover an entire world. The scales on its body were now black, interlaced with complicated crimson runes. Nine malevolent heads roared in different directions, four real and five illusory. The head in the centre, the one with the horn and third eye, was radiating an incredibly powerful aura.

This aura far surpassed rank 7, pointing towards a path that led to truth.

[Beep!] the A.I. Chip soudned out, [Host bloodline has advanced, approaching the limit of its roots. Retrieving stats… The Targaryen Serpent's genes have been transformed, reaching perfection. Analysing law runes…]

As if dictated by something like fate, the A.I. Chip returned with a truename for this nine-headed serpent, [Beep! Host bloodline's truename is now Nine-Headed Nightmare Hydra(incomplete).

Law of devouring has evolved under the influence of the bloodline— Devour is now an innate rank 8 spell.]

'Nine-Headed Nightmare Hydra?' Leylin looked over all the information provided by the A.I. Chip. His bloodline had been transformed, but it still lacked the necessary laws to reach completion. It would have to wait until he devoured the remaining Lords of Baator, clearing all obstacles to his breakthrough to rank 9.

"The seven sins are the basis of vile thoughts. These thoughts lead to violence, and violence causes death. The cycle is thus formed…" The Nightmare Hydra roared from behind Leylin at this moment. Every emotion of gluttony and greed, every murder, and every death was absorbed into a black fog that shrouded it, making it seem more sinister and darker than before.

The source of these emotions wasn't restricted to Leylin's divine kingdom. Nay, all of Baator, the prime material plane, indeed even the entire astral plane came under his control. Be it worshippers, friends, enemies, or even strangers, the sins of all beings in existence would be absorbed by him. With the foundation of dreamforce, Original Sin would cover the entire astral plane!

"As long as intelligent beings remain in this universe, I will never die," Leylin proclaimed.

The power of sin would become his strength, a power that nobody could escape from. Put bluntly, be it gods or Magi, nothing could ever kill him unless the entire astral plane was destroyed. Even if he was attacked and slain, he would revive from the sins of any being! Such was the might of dreamforce combined with original sin!

There were various paths that led to the truth, and thus there had been many peak rank 8s that had survived to this point. However, Leylin's path of original sin was at the top of the list, a result of every move of his being painstakingly planned out.

Leylin shifted his gaze towards his divine kingdom. Despite his god clone being devoured by the main body and a small part of it dying with Distorted Shadow, it had remained upright. This was extremely unfathomable to the World of Gods, breaking all known laws.

"Kukulkan, my Lord, you are a star in the skies, the Lord of the Natives, the Ruler of Devils… You have shown mercy on my soul, and are my only haven in death…" Many petitioners continued to pray in the divine kingdom, feeling nothing amiss. It was like Kukulkan's death hadn't affected them in the slightest.

[Experiment successful. Divine kingdom remains stable, and the power of faith is moving smoothly.] Another of Leylin's clones appeared within the divine kingdom, carrying the dignity of a god. However, its voice was the extremely monotonous tone of the A.I. Chip.

Indeed, this new 'clone' was being operated by the A.I. Chip, having fused with one of Kukulkan's avatars. Even as the true body fell, this clone took over everything just as Leylin had planned.

This was also a decision Leylin had made in the past. He didn't like how faith had so much of a hold over gods, but he didn't just want to toss his divine kingdom and petitioners away. He'd instead have the A.I. Chip take control of an avatar, becoming the god Kukulkan itself.

This would be downright impossible for a god, but with the A.I. Chip having fused with his soul Leylin could do it. The A.I. Chip at this point was another Leylin, even one that had passed the probe of the World of Gods as it took over his divine kingdom.

"Great!" Leylin nodded, and the Nightmare Hydra spat out an illusory divine spark that it inserted into the clone. Having gained control of the divine domain, alongside the fact that this auxilliary A.I. Chip was under the control of the central one within Leylin, Kukulkan was reborn once more.

Even though the divinity the Hydra gave the clone was only a simulation, it was just like a greater god authorising their subordinates to manage their divine kingdom. Despite Distorted Shadow's plans, Leylin hadn't suffered any repercussions at all!

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Breakthrough

"I am Kukulkan, the God of Massacre!" The A.I. Chip clone released a powerful domain after getting the authority from the Nightmare Hydra, seeming just like the original.

[Faith channeled successfully, blessing system in order.] A lot of data appeared from the A.I. Chip.

The clone was but an intermediary. It allowed Leylin's Magus body to borrow the powers of his divine kingdom, using the divine domains he'd possessed as the god. Even as the A.I. Chip made its report he could feel his main body connecting to a massive sea of faith.

Kukulkan had accumulated decades upon decades of faith, and now it was all being absorbed by the Nightmare Hydra. It made Leylin feel stronger with each passing moment. Combined with the power of emotions he just absorbed, it pushed Leylin towards a higher realm.

[Beep! Emotion energy has been accumulated, beginning breakthrough to rank 8.] Leylin was a Warlock. It wasn't just laws that he had to worry about, his bloodline and power had to be accumulated as well. However, he'd spent all this time accumulating resources, and the fusion with the divine clone brought him up to standard. Advancing was only a matter of course now.

Hssss—* The four physical heads of the hydra continued to spew out the energies of their respective laws. A perfect path of original sin took place, forming a phantom behind the Nightmare Hydra that repelled even the origin force of the World of Gods.

Time seemed to pass in an instant, but it also felt like a million years. By the time Leylin recovered his senses all the power inside his body had fused, forming an extremely powerful bloodline that filled each and every cell in his body with power. A black stream of energy appeared before him as he raised his hand, carrying traces of the Weave.

"The fusion of bloodline and laws, coupled with dreamforce… My power has already evolved, transforming my path into one that is completely my own. This strength, this path…" The feeling of extreme power caused Leylin to grin widely, "It shall henceforth be known as the power of Original Sin, something that can only be used by its Lord!"

The A.I. Chip had a lot of information as well.

[Beep! Host has advanced to rank 8, obtained the strength of Original Sin. The Nightmare Hydra bloodline has evolved the Devour skill; obtained innate skill— World Devour.

World Devour: The laws of devouring have reached their limits. With the support of other laws, host has gained the ability to devour worlds. The NIghtmare Hydra can devour all dimensions, semi-planes, and small worlds. I can absorb the bloodlines, emotions, and even laws of what it devours…]

"Even with a small world as the limit… What a frightening ability!" Leylin sighed. No matter how small a world in the astral plane was, it still had billions of lives within it. The origin force of any one could give birth to at least a rank 7 Magus! However, these small worlds were now an insignificant meal in Leylin's eyes.

[Beep! Host's stats have changed, recalculating… Changes have been detected in the world due to a shift of laws. Stats calculated on the basis of the World of Gods' standards.

Name: Leylin Farlier, Rank 8 Warlock.

Bloodline: Nine-Headed Nightmare Hydra (Incomplete Body)

Strength: 45. Agility: 50. Vitality: 65. Spiritual Force: 99.

Soul Status: Soul of Original Sin

Laws: Devouring (100%), Massacre (100%), Death (100%), Greed (100%)

Path: Original Sins

Innate Talent: Nine-Headed Nightmare Hydra! Devour World!

Abilities: Dreamscape Vision, Origin Force Detection, Illusions, Warp Reality, Epic Massacre, Death's Decree]

'It adjusted my stats since we're in the World of Gods?' Leylin looked at the stats of his Magus body. His lips curled upwards as he looked at most of his divine force being retained, "Even a greater god only has stats hovering around 50. I'm only a new rank 8 Warlock, but my stats already surpass so many of them…"

This was quite logical. The power of a god came from their divine kingdom, their power being distributed by faith unlike Magi whose power was their own. The gods were thus weaker overall, only able to contend with the Magi due to the buffs from their divine kingdoms.

Additionally, Leylin himself had overpowering strength. He'd formed his path before even approaching the peak of rank 8, ensuring that his path of advancement smooth and his battle prowess exceptional. He was almost a peak rank 8 fighter himself, so he was vastly different from other Magi.

"This power… I can determine the life and death of a divine being!" Leylin no longer bothered with the prime material plane after his advance. It had already turned into a land of screams, being ravaged by the Magi new and old. With Mystra's fall and the collapse of the Weave, the world had turned into a mess.

With Distorted Shadow and the Goddess of the Weave taken out, there remained nobody foolish enough to challenge Leylin outright. The region around his divine kingdom was actually relatively peaceful.

'"How can a Warlock's advance not be celebrated with blood?' Leylin smiled lightly. He took a step into the Fourth Hell, where the devils and devil hunters were still embroiled in war.

He looked at the armoured devils, only speaking two words, "Original Sin!"

Hsss—* The phantom of the Nightmare Hydra appeared behind Leylin's back, seemingly turning into a black hole. The dark power of original sin that contained a trace of blood turned all the devils into ashes in an instant, even absorbing their souls.

Each of the four heads of the Nightmare Hydra had turned into a sinkhole, absorbing everything connected to original sin without end. As evil beings themselves, these devils would not be able to escape.

Phlegethos immediately turned silent, and only the six Lords of Baator showed themselves.

"Magus!" Asmodeus looked at Leylin with the greatest fear his daughter had ever seen on his face.

"The primordial contract states that even demons and devils must put aside their differences against the Magi, forming an alliance of blood. They must even join forces with the gods… For this is an apocalypse of multiple worlds!" Both of Asmodeus' hands trembled as he flipped to the last page of his book of contracts, "If the Magi are not stopped, that shall be the end…"

Devils were naturally lawful. Looking at Leylin's Magus body, every cell in their body radiated fear and rage, even their souls trembling. The lords showed themselves without the slightest reservation, all six putting aside their differences as they roared in unison, "More evil than the devils, and more chaotic than the demons… Magus, scram from Baator!"

Each Lord of Baator was a being of laws, and Asmodeus had inconceivable might. Even the gods dreaded their combined strength.

However, Leylin Farlier was not Kukulkan. Having advanced to rank 8, he feared nothing unless he was surrounded by a bunch of greater gods or was forced to fight in one's divine kingdom.

"Do you know why I brought my divine kingdom to Baator? Indeed I wanted to avoid the gods, but there's more to it… I wanted to collect your power…" A phantom hydra appeared behind Leylin, the ravenous manner in which the illusory heads looked over at them causing the Archdevils to feel fear.

"Your strength will define me. Be honoured to be a part of my path!" The void trembled with Leylin's proclamation, as an extremely sharp weapon descended from the skies.

The weapon was extremely strange. It seemed to possess the distinctive traits of all weapons at the same time, like an ancient beast of times past thirsting for blood. Dazzling origin force radiated around its body, cutting apart the very world without end.

Dazzling origin force radiated around its body, causing the void to be cut continuously. This was Leylin's origin force weapon, similar to the overgod weapon once attempted in the World of Gods. It had the power to kill gods, being the result of an ancient civilisation's research coupled with the A.I. Chip. This was something Leylin had taken several centuries of hard work to create!

Hss—* The Nightmare Hydra roared, and the nine different heads each spit out a black gas that formed more runes atop the weapon, as though celebrating its birth.

"You are now my overgod weapon, the Seven Sins!"

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Seven Sins

With the baptism of the Nightmare Hydra, Seven Sins let loose a terrifying buzz of origin force. It roared with power, thirsty for the blood of beings of law.

[Beep! Information on Seven Sins has been added to the database] the A.I. Chip reported.

[Seven Sins: Overgod Weapon(Origin Force Weapon).

Source Materials: World Crystals, Blood of Apollo, Dreamforce, Shadow Force, Mermaid Scales, Prophet's Bones.

Abilities:

Gluttony's Devouring: Seven Sins can devour the blood and souls of its enemies, obtaining their power.

Blessing of Greed: The weapon's greed boosts the user's powers.

Massacre Amplification: The souls of any beings of law killed by Seven Sins will be dispersed.

Silence In Death: Any existences killed by Seven Sins will be wiped from the passages of time, removing all chances of resurrection.

Further effects remain locked(Respective laws required).

This weapon is bound to the Lord of Original Sin. No other existence will be able to wield it.

]

The weapon that Leylin had devoted hundreds of years to finally reared its head, showing off its viciousness to the world.

"Haha… Good abilities, I like it!" Leylin grasped Seven Sins with both hands, and the weapon buzzed in harmony as it revealed a sword's blade.

"This… Overgod weapon!" The Archdevils gasped in fright, looking at the weapon's splendour with fear.

"Indeed. Your blood shall become its power!" Leylin's eyes were filled with indifference as he appeared before Samuel, the Lord of Wrath who ruled the Fourth Hell.

"Damn it… What have you done to my land?" Samuel roared in rage. His strength increased in the midst of his fury, flames howling forth from Phlegethos as a massive wave of origin force surged into him.

"You may be an Archdevil, but the origin force of just one level of Baator will not protect you from my weapon's terror." Leylin swung the massive sword without fear, the weapon buzzing violently as phantoms of Dreamscape and the Shadow World took form behind it. The rage of two large worlds immediately shattered the phantom of Phlegethos behind Samuel's back.

"Haha… Seven Sins was baptised with the origin force of two large worlds in its creation. What can a mere ninth of the origin force of Baator do to it?" Leylin was laughing like a maniac, the huge sword easily sweeping away the surging flames to sever Samuel's right hand. At the same time, it left a deep gash on his chest.

"ARGH… " Samuel screamed in agony, not daring to face Leylin directly anymore as he retreated. A being of law, an Archdevil, had been severely injured and sent into retreat in a single strike.

How would Leylin give up on such an opportunity? "Come back!" he howled, Seven Sins transforming into a bladed chain with a black hook at the end. It hooked onto Samuel, culling him back.

"Blessing of Greed!" Seven Sins transformed continually, becoming a horned hammer. With the Blessing of Greed and two large worlds backing it, it immediately crashed down Samuel's head.

The overwhelming attack caused Samuel to finally feel despair. He lost all confidence and dignity, beginnign to plead for help from the other lords, "QUICK, SAVE ME!"

"Stop him! He'll become harder to stop if he gets Samuel's powers!" Everything had happened too quickly. A Lord of Baator had been defeated in almost an instant, and even Asmodeus didn't have the time to react. By the time he moved together with the others to surround Leylin…

"A pity… It's too late!" Leylin laughed loudly, a layer of origin force melting off from Seven Sins to cover his entire body in armour. With that protection and his own might as a rank 8 Warlock, he had no fear of the devils' attacks.

"Cry, scream! Your resentment and anger shall become my power. Even Asmodeus won't be able to save you now…"

Asmodeus was indeed a crafty old devil. He was much more powerful than the rest, his blazing fists breaking through Leylin's defenses. However, Leylin was still a step ahead. Even if he was injured by hellfire the hammer continued to smash down.

BOOM!* Phelegethos seemed to freeze in that moment. The other Archdevils cursed, screamed, and roared in rage as one of their own fell to Leylin in front of their eyes!

Leylin didn't care about all that, however. He was focused on the A.I. Chip's notifications.

[Beep! Host has killed Samuel. Seven Sins has activated Gluttony's Devouring, absorbing new law… Law of wrath currently at 100%.]

Hss!* The Nightmare Hydra behind Leylin hissed loudly as another head materialised from its neck. It absorbed all of the fury in the astral plane, quickly healing itself of its injuries.

[Beep! Host has comprehended the law of wrath, Seven Sins has gained the Fury Amplification ability.

Fury Amplification: The user can double their stats by consuming the powers of wrath.]

'It really is great to battle devils! I can get stronger and gain more abilities as I kill them…' Leylin was extremely elated by the acquisition. He immediately activated the new ability.

Rumble!* Asmodeus felt Leylin's strength doubling in an instant as it pulsed with fury. The Archdevils were immediately pushed back.

"Samuel's strength… You absorbed it so quickly?" Glasya cried out in shock. The other Archdevils, including even the haughty Levistus, turned pale. How could they deal with an enemy that got stronger the more he fought?

"No! He's only putting on a strong front. Even a greater god can't escape our combined attack without injuries, he's nothing!" Asmodeus was indeed a sly old devil. He saw through Leylin's disguise immediately, "Let's attack together! We'll be able to take him out."

"I am indeed injured…" Leylin's broken armour merged back to form Seven Sins, and the weapon grew in size. "But before I die, how many of you will pay the price and join me in death? Is it two of you? Maybe three?"

Leylin mocking gaze swept past Levistus, Mephistopheles and Baalzebul, causing their expressions to change. Even average humans would double guess themselves in a time of death, let alone these powerful devils.

Asmodeus almost vomited blood at this. Even now Leylin hadn't forgotten to pick at their natural disposition. With him and his daughter being together, the ones being sacrificed would most likely be the other three. They wouldn't want to die just like that.

The other lords began to have second thoughts, exposing the fatal flaw of their unreliable alliance. With this thought in the back of their minds as they faced powerful opponents, Leylin could even turn the tides and corner him instead!

"Damn it! Let's retreat!" Asmodeus said as he looked at the evident mistrust in the eyes of his 'allies.' He seethed with fury, but all his preparations had come to naught and he had no choice but to retreat.

The other Archdevils retreated as well. Seeing the divine light from Leylin's clone covering the entirety of Phlegethos, they felt extremely humiliated.

The Lords had spent decades and sacrificed countless life to besiege Leylin's kingdom. The result? They'd ended up suffering devastating losses. Forget conquering Leylin, they'd even given him the Fourth Hell now. Snot dripped from their noses as they cried in shame and agony.

"Leave now! It'll be too late when his divine kingdom covers this area!" Levistus transmitted to his subordinates. As the Lord of the Fifth Hell, he was the most affected by Leylin's actions. He would be Leylin's next target, and this Magus was more fearsome than Kukulkan, and much harder to deal with.

"Not you." Levistus had never thought a single sentence would crush all his hopes. He'd only been slower than the rest by a beat, but Leylin caught up to him immediately. The razor sharp blade of Seven Sins was pointed at him, carrying the power of death.

"Divine ability— Death's Decree!" Leylin didn't even attack him. Levistus' consciousness just… stopped in an instant.

Powered by the laws of death and massacre, Death's Decree was an ability that grew with its wielder. With Leylin now being a rank 8 Warlock, he was at the peak of intermediate gods, rank 17. Levistus was a peak lesser god at the most, and with the sheer difference in power he was incapacitated at once.

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Intermediate God

Levistus was actually extremely lucky. Perhaps because they were both at the level of gods in the end, Death's Decree didn't have full effect.

However, the ability had still stalled him for a moment, a moment long enough to determine his fate. By the time he recovered his senses, the sharp blade of Seven Sins was already at his neck.

[Beep! Host has killed Levistus. Gluttony's Devouring has been activated, host has gained a new law… Comprehension of law of pride currently at 100%.]

Hss!* The Nightmare Hydra hissed once more, another head materialising on its body. It absorbed the pride of the entire universe, turning it into the power of original sin.

[Beep! The law of pride has awakened a new ability in Seven Sins:

Prideguard: The armour of Seven Sins has been fortified, nullifying all physical and magical attacks at the legendary realm.]

"Remember this… The hatred of an Archdevil cannot be ignored!" Asmodeus said in his fury. However, the other lords had only sped up on witnessing Leylin kill Levistus, and he was helpless to do much more.

The light of Leylin's divine kingdom didn't stop at the Fourth Hell, instead spreading out to shroud the icy lands of Stygia as well.

"Alright… With the Fifth Hell in hand the devils won't be able to turn the tides…" Leylin had possessed an advantage in power before, but now he'd become the absolute dominant force in Baator. With five of the Nine Hells in hand, the remaining Archdevils wouldn't be able to perform a miracle.

'I need to return… There are many things to do, and many comprehensions to be had. I need to heal up as well, I should be at my best for the coming fights…' Leylin seemed to be warning himself. He soothed Seven Sins down, and vanished into the void.

By this time, Kukulkan's divine kingdom already covered the first five levels of Baator. The World Origin Force whistled as it was absorbed continuously, turning the five separate levels into one whole. Many devils wept and wailed as they scampered further below into the last four.

Those who couldn't escape were given two options: They would either be sealed and killed, or they would become slaves as they pledged themselves to the God of Massacre. They would then be turned into devil petitioners.

By the time Leylin returned to Whitejade Saint Mountain, his gigantic divine palace was giving off a very imposing aura. His worshippers felt the effect of his increase in strength, causing them to kneel on the ground and pray from the bottom of their hearts.

"Kukulkan, my Lord, you are brighter than the stars in the sky. Your powers of massacre and death maintain order, and our souls belong with you in your haven…"

Massive amounts of faith surged forth, forming a golden whirlpool around Whitejade Saint Mountain. The entire divine kingdom cheered as Baator's origin force gushed in as well.

'Did the clone just advance? It makes sense, it added a lot to its portfolio and its divine kingdom advanced greatly as well…' Although Leylin could govern the divine kingdom himself, he was unwilling to bind the power of faith to his body. Using a puppet clone was a much better choice. Even if faith in him collapsed, the most he would lose was an auxiliary A.I. Chip routine and some energy. As he was right now, he wasn't afraid of such minute losses.

The power the Nightmare Hydra relied on was far more astonishing than the power of faith. Each of his heads could absorb certain emotions across the astral plane, and its reach wasn't limited to those who worshipped him. Even though the power of emotions was weaker than the power of faith head on, the sheer magnitude more than made up for the gap.

With the hydra already having six heads, Leylin no longer needed to rely on the power of faith. Divinity would at most be some additional support at this juncture, so it was important to adopt certain measures to help with that.

Leylin was happy at the thought of his clone becoming an intermediate god. After all, the auxiliary chip was under the direct control of the A.I. Chip in his soul. The clone only had a simulated godfire anyway, so even if the clone wasn't a real divine body it wasn't different from one given his control.

Bzzt!* A special tremble rippled throughout the World of Gods, the energy emanated as a lesser god advanced to become an intermediate god. It would be an event noticed by many powerful beings in the past, but now there were few with the time and energy to mind such things amongst the gods.

The origin force of multiple worlds gathered together, forming a faint, distant hymn. Petals of gold light fell to the ground as Leylin's Magus body shut his eyes, feeling the benefits of the advancement.

With this clone not being a separate being like, Leylin could feel his advancement himself, to indescribable benefit. Immersed in the energy of the World of Gods, he saw a bunch of notifications from the A.I. Chip.

[Beep! Clone has advanced, currently at rank 12. Class rank increased to level 39. The multitude of divine domains have amplified the power of the clone: 4 to all stats.] [Clone body has undergone massive changes. Recalculating stats…]

It wasn't long before the A.I. Chip with new information.

[Divine Name: Kukulkan, God of Massacre (Controlled by auxiliary A.I. Chip)

Race: Unknown (Intermediate god)

Alignment: Lawful Evil.

Divine Domains: Massacre, Death

Divine Kingdom: First five levels of Baator (nameless).

Divine Rank: 12.

Worshippers: Natives, Devils, Adventurers, Clerics.

Worshipper Alignments: True Neutral, Neutral Evil, Lawful Evil.

Domain Powers: Massacre, Death, Devour

Arcanist Rank: 39. Strength: 33. Agility: 33. Vitality: 33. Spirit: 39. Arcane Energy: 390. Divine Force: 1000. Status: Normal.

Feats: Herculean Strength, Master of Knowledge, Epic Adaptability.

Divine Feats: Origin Force Detection, Arcane Art Amplification, Illusions.

Divine Abilities: Warp Reality, Simulate Reality, Supercomputing]

"Not bad. I still have most of the abilities, and the battle prowess only went up…" Leylin stroked his chin in appreciation.

The clone didn't just inherit Kukulkan's abilities and name. It gained two new sills of its own, namely Simulate Reality and Supercomputing. Of course there were also losses, most of his abilities had been transferred to his true body causing it to weaken.

'Death and Massacre, alongside four of the seven sins… I would've gotten to rank 17 immediately.But the laws were integrated into my path, it's already great that I could push up all the way to rank 12…' Leylin felt rather regretful, but he got over it quickly. Moving along on his own path was far more rewarding than becoming a peak intermediate god.

With these thoughts in mind, Leylin looked behind his back. The Nightmare Hydra had grown more solid than before, but there was still some illusory darkness around its neck. It seemed like as he walked further on the path of Original Sin, the power of evil from the path grew greater. Only that one part of his path seemed to be missing something.

'So… Lust, sloth, and envy, huh?' The most convenient way for Leylin to obtain the three sins was to steal them from the Archdevils. It was a matter of utmost importance to him.

After all, they were in the midst of a war. This was a precarious situation, and it was hard to say whether some furious gods or Magi would intentionally slay them to stall his advance. It would then take him up to tens of thousands of years to comprehend them, delaying his entry into the Final War until it ended without giving him any benefits.

He thus made up his mind. The outside world didn't matter to him; his body would camp within his divine kingdom until he had Baator under control and absorbed the remaining Archdevils.

The outside world now would be facing complete disaster, and nobody would bother him at this time. Naturally, this was the best time for him!

"Glasya, Baalzebul, and Mephistopheles…" Leylin muttered the names of his targets, "That will finish off the seven sins, but I also need Asmodeus as well…"

Although the self-proclaimed Supreme of Baator didn't actually have any laws to his name, he was in fact shrouded by them all, making him a true embodiment of evil. He was the core of Leylin's path of Original Sin, so Leylin held him in high regard.

"My worshippers…" the clone declared, "Pick up your weapons! Help me conquer Baator, turning the entire place into a true paradise…"

The clone was still trying to adapt to its current rank, but it didn't sound different from before. Tiff, Phoenix, and even Isabel who was the closest to him didn't feel anything changed.

With their Lord's commands, the entire divine kingdom began to counterattack. Countless devil hunters surged into the Sixth Hell Malbolge, causing the devils to wail endlessly…

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The Abyss

The Magi had appeared once more, and the Final War had resumed. There would be no news more terrifying to the gods, and Mystra would never in her dreams have thought that cornering Leylin would cause him to open up the World of Gods to the Magus threat, leading to her own death.

The chaos began at Baator, quickly spreading to the other planes. Calamity befell the prime material plane, and even the Abyss was affected…

The 45th to 47th floors of the Abyss, also known as Azzagrat, were covered entirely by a single palace that represented a power of order amongst the chaotic demons.

Furies circled the skies of this Triple Realm, with innumerable demons guarding on the ground. The Argent Palace was built from whitestone of the Celestial Planes, and rumour had it that its owner once tricked an entire city of celestials into entering the mountains and mining ore for him. They hadn't even known it was going to be transported to the Abyss.

The archfiend that guarded these three levels was named Graz'zt, nicknamed the Devilish Demon. In spite of being aligned to chaos, he possessed the wits to plan far ahead, his vast lands filled with so many elite demons they could frighten multiple worlds.

As one of the three Abyssal lords, Graz'zt's name had spread across the prime material plane. He had many worshippers, ruling from his proud throne within the Argent Palace.

Only after Leylin's actions did the peace this archfiend maintained in his realm get challenged. The Argent Palace was covered in flames, chaotic green energy spreading through its entirety.

Furies were crashing to the ground like airplanes, splattering blood as they hit the surface. Countless demons were decaying to death, wailing in agony as they were turned into a putrid liquid that eventually formed a river.

The sixty six ivory towers of the Argent Palace were collapsing one after the other, the attacker powerful enough to wreak chaos across Graz'zt's lands. Explosions sounded out as altars fell, eventually forcing someone out of the core of the Argent Palace.

7

The person looked quite human, the only differences in appearance being the small horn on his head and his six-fingered hands. However, the power of evil surrounding him easily gave away his identity. This was Graz'zt, the Dark Prince of the three Abyssal Lords!

"The scent of a Magus…" Graz'zt frowned. Even the Abyss knew of the dusk of the gods, and he'd feel nervous fighting the Magi that had caused the fall of countless gods regardless of his personal strength.

"Damn it… Why aren't the Magi attacking the Celestial Planes? It would be so much better for them there…" Graz'zt knew his complaints would not change reality. He pulled out his acid-drenched greatsword from the Argent Palace, slashing towards the skies.

An immense power of darkness swept across Azzagrat, dispelling the chaotic green energy from the skies. The green clouds parted, but as the sky brightened they revealed a green eye in the air that was filled with wisdom and greed.

"I am the chaos Lord of the astral plane. Graz'zt of the Abyss, your power and authority are mine!"

The Chaos Lord's conscient swept across the Triple Realm, causing Graz'zt's expression to darken. He'd detected power equivalent to a greater god from this Magus.

'Magi can even kill gods… They definitely aren't simple.' Graz'zt could not help but grasp the hilt of his sword more tightly.

"Ahh… This aura of chaos, I love it…" The Chaos Lord had chosen to attack the Abyss for two reasons. He'd made a pact with the other Magi that stopped him from going to the Celestial Planes, and the Abyss suited his laws and abilities better anyway.

Being at the peak of rank 8, the Chaos Lord wanted to try and use the power of the Abyss to comprehend the laws of space and time, moving towards rank 9. This was, naturally, the goal of every peak rank 8 that had started the Final War once more.

Green and black energies continued to fight each other, soon covering the entirety of Azzagrat. The demons of the other levels looked on at the Argent Palace in shock, witnessing an energy they'd never seen before suppress the Dark Price and cover the entirety of the Triple Realm.

"Don't think of asking for help. There aren't many archfiends like you in the Abyss, and they're mostly chaotic and selfish…" The green energy converged into the shape of a giant that could cover the sun. The Chaos Lord was dressed in large green robes, his face covered with eyes that swirled with the power of chaos. He'd grasped Graz'zt inside his palms, and the archfiend was trying to escape.

"What? Trying to ask Mommy for help?" The Chaos Lord mocked the Dark Prince trapped in his hands.

But then, the voice turned female, "Someone else has gone to deal with the Mother of Demons. Even if Pale Night isn't injured, she won't be able to come save you…"

……

Boom!* Shockwave after shockwave carrying the power of origin force rocked the entire Abyss as the Chaos Lord spoke.

"The Endless Maze… That's Pale Night's bone castle…" Many demon lords diverted their attention to the 600th level of the Abyss. They soon saw a horrifying scene of disgusting filth drowning the Endless Maze, carrying the pollution of the entire astral plane.

A number of seals and spell formations activated within the core of the bone castle, helping it resist for a while. Pale Night's faint figure showed itself, but she was like a river fighting an entire ocean, soon overwhelmed.

"Filthy Evil Eye… So disgusting… You can't wash yourself of its odour for tens of thousands of years…" The Chaos Lord's face was riddled with disgust as she looked at the 600th floor.

"Gugu… Jiji…" On the contrary, the ocean of filth covering the Endless Maze let out a roar of delight.

"I should've known the Abyss would definitely attract that disgusting beast… Just my luck…" The Chaos Lord seemed extremely displeased as she reached her hands out. A ball of chaos burst forth, and one of the three Abyssal Lords was wiped out of existence just like that.

……

"Please awaken, my Lord. Your worshippers are lost sheep, and we require your guidance…" Cyric's pope was kneeling before his statue in the Palace of Shadows.

However, the God of Murder's madness had set in, and he completely ignored his pope's words. A layer of crimson energy covered the statue, causing it to look even more terrifying than normal. It only caused the pope to grow more frantic.

As a legendary being, the pope was vaguely aware of the changes happening in the World of Gods. He noticed all the other churches preparing for war, and it only caused him more despair.

"Please don't let me down, Merrick…" The pope gripped the hem of his robe tightly, praying with his utmost sincerity…

At the same time, Merrick had finally caught traces of Cyric within the Shadow Plane. Braving a perilous journey, the shadow thief finally handed his Lord the Book of Truth.

'I wonder why the Lord would leave his divine kingdom and come here…' the former merchant thought to himself.

The pope and his own sources had confirmed that the Lord's madness stemmed from the Book of Cyric. Once he read the Book of Truth, he would recover his sanity. The glory of saving a god and the blessings arising from it would definitely bring him to a whole new level!

Merrick yearned for this beautiful future, and he soon cast his gaze at the dark figure reading the Book of Truth.

'Please awaken, my Lord, and give me your blessings…' Merrick prayed sincerely.

"This… This… Argh…" However, things did not go to plan. Cyric only grew more manic as he read the Book of Truth, the holy light shrouding him beginning to flicker.

'How… How did it turn out like this?' His eyes almost popped out of his skull as he stared at his Lord in disbelief.

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Distorted Shadow

"ARGH! Just who am I? Cyric… Distorted Shadow…" Terrifying divine force was launched in all directions with Cyric's screams, disintegrating Merrick's body and soul without pause. But then again, it might have been kind to this worshipper that he didn't have to see what happened next.

A faint red light enveloped Cyric's body. The Book of Truth transformed into astral light that ignited upon contact with the red light, forming faint red flames. Cyric's body abruptly split in two.

The new being was a hazy shadow that radiated the might of a Magus. "I'm back!" Distorted Shadow proclaimed, "The World of Gods, and that puny Magus… I've returned!"

Being at the peak of rank 8, Distorted Shadow wasn't someone who'd die so easily. How could resurrecting with the Weave's destruction be his only plan?

He'd inserted some of his power into Cyric's true body before, giving himself a chance for revival as he killed the god. Using the remaining pieces of his soul, he'd successfully fooled the pope of the Church of Murder and Merrick into bringing him the Book of Truth. Even if some of his conscient had been eliminated by Leylin, his thousands of years of bitter plots had finally succeeded!

Distorted Shadow immediately recovered to the peak of his power, having robbed everything from Cyric when he ascended to godhood. Even if there were some imperfections in his cultivation, he had an obvious advantage over the other ancient Magi who only had their conscients remaining.

"I…I shall not fail again!" he roared, his entire body shattering to form a shadow that covered the sky.

……

"How could this happen?" The pope looked at the shattered divine statue before him, sinking to the ground as if all his bones had been lost.

"So he revived using Cyric's body…" At the same time, Leylin got wind of these events as well. He'd felt a sinister intent envelop him along with Distorted Shadow's revival. With the damage he'd done to the ancient Magus' conscient, he definitely wouldn't let him off without issue.

"Heh… I don't want to let you go either. You've just revived yourself, so what if you're at the peak of rank 8?"

Leylin flicked a finger, and a golden sphere of light surged out from his divine kingdom. The expanding sphere caught hold of some shadows, and they occasionally shrieked as they fled far away.

"Damn it… He's already found a path, it won't be long before he's at the same level as me…" The shadow in the sky radiated endless rage, looking at a round eye that appeared in front of him.

"You seem to have some disagreements with someone of the Magus World," Mother Core said. The air in her surroundings froze in place, making her seem terrifyingly grand.

Both being at the peak of rank 8, Mother Core and Distorted Shadow should have been similar in power. However, Distorted Shadow had been sealed for several thousand years. Even if he'd recovered most of his power by sacrificing Cyric, he was still nowhere close to Mother Core.

"Jejeje… I don't need you to mediate," the black shadow yelled before exploding. Mother Core sighed, earthy yellow flames instantly sweeping across the sky and trying to eliminate Distorted Shadow, but the power of distortion had already faded from the sky.

"This is going to be troublesome…" One of Mother Core's clones made its way to Baator, entering Leylin's divine kingdom, "This brat really does bring a lot of surprises…"

"Mother Core!" Leylin greeted her in person, having felt the clone's arrival a while ago.

"I know everything already. Pity, Distorted Shadow didn't let me mediate in this. His crazy and cold personality is famous throughout the astral plane…" Mother Core's conscient emitted.

Following that, several vines dug their way out of Baator to embed themselves into the soil of Leylin's divine kingdom, as if completing some sort of interaction.

"Not bad!" Mother Core nodded. Leylin's rate of improvement had impressed her greatly, "You've gotten us into the World of Gods, and even found your own path. You'll definitely be something in the future."

"Everything is fated, Leylin. I'm starting to believe your existence will be the key to the battle between the Magi and the gods…" This was another reason why Mother Core wanted to help Leylin. With his rate of improvement, it wasn't far off from the Magus World having another peak rank 8. With her vast experience, Mother Core definitely felt something about him.

"No matter how the future turns out, I will always be a Magus. The Magus World is my home," Leylin promised.

"Good!" Mother Core replied. The two seemed to have reached an agreement.

The tendrils from the clone spread across Leylin's divine kingdom, penetrating deeper and deeper into Baator. The clone found and attacked all of the shadows in the area, making Leylin believe that Distorted Shadow would find it difficult to affect his life with her as a guardian.

Bang!* A part of the earth erupted to reveal a distorted lay of light. It was being plucked out of the ground by Mother Core's plants.

"This is a seed of distortion," Mother Core explained calmly, "It's the usual kind of move Distorted Shadow makes…"

Leylin heaved a massive sigh of relief. Distorted Shadow had already been spying on his divine kingdom, something he could never have thought of. If he wasn't careful, he would've suffered major losses in the future.

"Even though divine kingdoms are powerful, they pose too many restrictions to their owner. Take now, for example. We've learnt from experience, and are attacking the prime material plane instead of the divine kingdoms…"

Leylin nodded at Mother Core's words. One would only be seeking death if they wished to fight a god in their divine kingdom. The smart thing to do was to attack their churches in the prime material plane, destroying the peoples' belief in them. It was easy for Magi to bring about disasters, inflicting damage and disease that even the Goddess of the Plague could not match.

This was similar to how Leylin had attacked Debanks Island before. The divine kingdoms would lose their source of faith in the prime material plane, some even falling from the Celestial Planes directly.

Such was the result of relying on faith. It left a big gap in one's defences, allowing them to suffer severe blows without any good way to prevent them. This was why Leylin decided not to become a god.

"Of course, it's best that we don't make our move at the beginning. We should wait and see how the others act…" Mother Core reminded him.

"I definitely don't plan to participate in the Final War before I've forged my path completely, breaking through to the peak of rank 8." Leylin naturally understood Mother Core's intentions. He followed the statement up with a request, "I hope you can protect this place well after I leave…"

Boom!* Leylin instantly left his divine kingdoms, carrying Seven Sins in hand as he infiltrated the Sixth Hell with Mother Core protecting his base. There had been a huge army of devil hunters in this place, and Leylin's arrival caused all of the Lords of Baator to be alarmed and angered…

Of course, Leylin had pondered the consequences of having Mother Core protect him at home. He could rest assured that Mother Core didn't interact much with Distorted Shadow in the past, and that the two had some animosity between themselves. On top of that, he was from the same world as her.

But then, they also had a contract between them. This protection was also an exchange of sorts, and Leylin believed that what he brought to the table was enough for Mother Core to do her best to protect him.

'I don't have to worry about my divine kingdom. Be it Distorted Shadow or any gods, Mother Core will be able to stop them. Even if she fails there's the A.I. Chip clone there as well…' Undaunted by worries, Leylin moved to attack the rest of Baator to complete his path of Original Sin.

At the same time, Distorted Shadow let out a terrifying roar from within a secret dimension. "Damn it… Mother Core dares to defy me, the master of distortion who's annihilated three Magus alliances and five different worlds…"

Despite his anger, he felt somewhat helpless. Mother Core wasn't an existence he could provoke right now, and even Leylin himself wasn't easy to deal with. Having been enlightened on his own path, the Warlock was already at the threshold of the peak of rank 8.

On the other hand, he himself had just been revived. He'd suffered a severe loss in power, and if he tried to make a move he wouldn't have much of a chance of taking out a Leylin protected by Mother Core. Not to mention that all Magi were extremely crafty, and it was unknown how many trump cards each one held in their hands. It would be troublesome to annihilate them.

'I should deal with the other gods first to get back my powers. Moreover, I should definitely hinder him from completing his own path…' This so-called hindrance was an aim to stop Leylin from killing all of the Lords of Baator, preventing him from obtaining all the laws he needed. This would greatly decrease his opponent's rate of improvement.

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Evacuation

Magi were a patient breed. Since he couldn't deal with Leylin directly right now, Distorted Shadow would instead wait at the side, recovering to full capacity. If Leylin did not increase in power himself by that time, he would have a chance for revenge!

……

The commoners of the prime material plane treated powerful existences like the gods and Magi like they came out of a fairytale. Regardless of what such powerful people did, all they cared about was earning a few more coppers for the next day. They just wanted bread to eat and beer to drink.

Doron was one such commoner. He came from a line of carpenters, having been forced into the job due to his background. However, his inheritance was lacklustre. In fact, he had to maintain the furniture of the regional lord for free a few times a year, including the mangers of the barn. He wouldn't even be given food.

Clearly, matters related to gods and devils were like the epics sung by bards to him. Such events did not have anything to do with him, and listening to them would only be treated as a pastime.

However, all of this changed one day. Seeing the purple moon explode as it formed an evil eye, he felt like his quiet life had come to an end.

The loss of the moon's light was a minor thing— after all, most normal families went to sleep early because they couldn't afford the oil for their lamps. There were many stars in the sky as well, so it didn't really affect the night much. The only exception were ladies who loved to admire the moon with a midnight drink.

No, the important issue was the revelation the moon's destruction brought about. Be it the moon turning into that eye or the terrifyingly large Weave shattering along with the moon, this was too similar to the work of demons and devils…

"The end is nigh. A powerful existence is about to destroy the world…" A few deranged minstrels in the town had changed from their usual waltz music, replacing it with a solemn prophecy that made Doron's heart feel heavier.

"The gods above… perhaps i'm thinking too much. I should head to the church more often and ask Priest Rockefeller for help…" Doron looked at the amount of money in his pocket. There were a few copper coins within, shining with how worn down they were. The edges were badly damaged as well…

'Damned Lady De Lise, she must've gotten that fat pig of hers to cut the coppers at the edges…' Doron couldn't help but complain to himself when he looked at the meagre salary he got for an entire day's work. Of course, he wouldn't dare to directly rebut his employer.

Having witnessed the strange phenomenon a few days ago, the uneasy Doron was considering making a trip to the local church, making a donation or something so he could ask for the Lord's protection.

The system of church and state ruled the World of Gods. With one controlling the people's faith and the other wielding authority over their lives, the poorest of commoners would still give one of the two all they could. Only the former may have been voluntary, but they exploited the commoners all the same.

"Doron!" A cheerful whistle sounded on the street, "You've finished up with Lady De Lise?"

Doron was familiar with the owner of this voice, turning around to face a young man wearing abnormally loose clothes. The freckled youth was called Mitch, and his eyes seemed to shine with brilliance.

"Mitch! Weren't you working at the Church of Magic? Why are you back now?" Doron asked in surprise.

The town Doron lived in was under the control of a feudal lord, and the man had built a Church to Ilmater in it. Royals greatly favoured this god, wishing to make all their followers his worshippers.

On the other hand, a church dedicated to Mystra was only available in a faraway town, requiring a day and a half of carriage travel. This was basically the distance between the ends of the world to Doron— he'd only been there once and had been deeply stunned by the bustling of the heavenly city.

He was extremely envious of Mitch's job. Even if he was only a lowly servant, the man was working at a church. He could one day awaken the power of magic, becoming a wizard respected by the rest.

Mitch grew crestfallen upon hearing this, waving his hands. "Sigh… Don't even mention it. I came back because the church closed down."

"The church… closed down?" Doron's mouth fell open. He clearly couldn't understand how these words were sharing a sentence.

Churches were overseen by their respective deities. Priests all controlled bizarre spells, and the fees of even the lowliest of churches could still make them quite a bit of wealth. How could such a place actually close down?

"It seems like you don't know… Most of the priests of the church faced a sudden death on the day of the black moon. The rest of them cried all day long…"

Having come back from the city, Mitch was full of conversation. He shuffled closer to Doron, hiding his mouth with his hands as he whispered, "I heard the Goddess of the Weave has fallen…"

"The Goddess of the Weave fell?" Doron didn't have much to say about this incident. It was far removed from him, and with Mystra not being the deity he worshipped he couldn't comprehend the stakes of the situation. Hearing that a true god had fallen, the only feeling he felt was a slight bit of schadenfreude just like when a king died.

"Mm, the wizards are out of luck…" A smile appeared on Mitch's face. It seemed like the bullying he'd faced from the priests and wizards wasn't just occasional. "A lot of wizards were already beaten to death by a mob of people…"

"What does this have to do with wizards? Couldn't they use magic to avoid being beaten to death by the commoners?" Doron was obviously suspicious of Mitch's 'secret.' Wizards to him were all superior individuals, people whom even the lords had to be respectful and courteous to.

Even the domineering Lady De Lise didn't dare to offend Wizard Holdman who stayed near their town.

"Hehe… The wizards lost their ability to cast spells once the Goddess of the Weave died… Say, would the lords and commoners they persecuted before let them off?"

Mitch revealed a sharp, toothy grin, "That's why I came back. I didn't have much chance to become an effort anyway, so I'm here to hide… Anyway, let's stop talking about this! We should head to Buck's Tavern to celebrate our reunion!"

"But…" Doron touched his cash-strapped purse, "I still want to visit the church once!"

"Church? Oh right! Some of the other churches seem to be busy all day, preparing to evacuate or something. Even businessmen and nobles can't have priests cast spells for them right now… The church here should be the same…" Mitch patted Doron's shoulder, his look telling the carpenter not to waste his time.

"No!" Doron's faith was more or less solid.

"Okay then," Mitch shrugged his shoulders in frustration, "I'll follow you."

The town church wasn't all that large, only the size of a few houses. A small fountain towered at its front, but unfortunately there was no spring water flowing out of it.

The shrine looked empty, with numerous items missing. Even the remaining servants gave off a languid air, with few people here to pray. Doron clearly noticed the change, but he still asked a servant, "Hello! I would like to see Priest Rockefeller!"

Doron still held a good impression of the kind and benevolent Rockefeller. Although the man could only cast a few low-grade spells, he could treat common injuries and had saved numerous lives in town. Doron had decided to donate to him, just in case he'd have to ask the man for something in the future.

"Priest Rockefeller…" the old fellow watching the door took a long time to react. He rubbed The sand out of his eyes, "He's already left. He took everything, only leaving a few piles of potatoes for this pitiful old baker…"

"Huh? Nobody took over either?" Doron was surprised. There were a considerable number of worshippers in town despite its small size, and no church would let go of a base where its foundation had already been laid. There should have been another priest coming over even if people were transferred.

Situations like this one were quite abnormal, and it caused a bad premonition to rise within Doron's heart.

"Why? Do you want to pray and confess? Perhaps I can help you!" Old Baker Tanner's eyes Were already aimed at Doron's purse.

"No! There's no need!" How could Doron not understand his intentions? He immediately grabbed his purse and ran away, Mitch following him.

Only after they'd left the town did Mitch turn around, fiercely laughing at his friend. "Haha…" he said between ragged breaths, "I'm right, aren't I?"

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Feast

"Maybe… Maybe Priest Rockefeller had an emergency…" Doron tried to defend his stance, but that didn't last long under Mitch's bantering gaze. "Alright alright! Let's head to the bar, I'll pay…"

Once they arrived at the tavern, Doron and Mitch ordered some liquor and sat side by side, enjoying this flavour they didn't normally get to taste— even this cheap liquor was extravagant for the likes of them.

The bar was evidently a place where information flowed. An unending stream of news entered Doron's ears from all sides.

"All the wizards are finished… Hévíz, Arundel, and the city of Minaret; there were waves of wizards perishing everywhere…" a burly red-nosed man said. He looked like a mercenary, his voice so loud that it dropped dust from the tavern's ceiling.

"Hey Red-nose! Didn't you come back from outside a short while ago? Is there any news?" The world had no lack of curious people. A scrawny figure made a hand-gesture to the bartender, having him place a large cup of honey liquor in front of the red-nosed mercenary.

"Hehe… Whose news is more accurate than mine? My reputation is no joke…"

The mercenaries around the man began to mutter as he got to the point.

"The world outside is a mess right now. All the churches and soldiers are retreating, they've lost the ability to suppress the chaos. The wizards suffered the worst consequences…

"Losing their magic, those lofty mages are ordinary people like us, or even weaker…" Red nose chugged down a large cup of alcohol, and his whole face became red. "Think about it… Just by getting rid of an shivering old man would allow them to obtain everything of theirs… Beautiful slaves, fertile lands, huge gems and bright dazzling gold… All the commoners are going crazy, and even some aristocrats fell out with the wizards while thinking of how to take action…"

Power begets power, and influence begets wealth. The wealth of the powerful wizards of the prime material plane would definitely attract the jealousy of others.

Those who could use magic were high and mighty, enjoying the best treatment no matter where they went. Wizards no longer had magic with the Weave broken apart, and with no power anymore they were just fat sheep attracting greedy gazes.

Even the wizards who paid attention to their reputations had slaves, and they'd indoubtably rely on their power to bully them. Given the chance, those with ulterior motives kicked off a vandalous rebellion.

Once it was confirmed that the wizards had no power to resist, the aristocrats were the first ones to take action. They roused the masses into fighting the wizards. The peasants could take away the trinkets, but important assets like land and property would eventually fall into their hands. They could send their troops out at a later date, pressuring the mobs into giving up what they'd plundered.

All aristocrats were skilled at maintaining personable appearances on the outside, hiding a bellyful of evil tricks that allowed them to gain the greatest benefits with little effort.

Without any more power, the wizards could only sob as their families, their riches, and their lands were taken away. They themselves would suffer horrible punishments before death.

"Hey Red nose! Are you sure those wizards have lost their powers?" a burly man in a black cloak asked. He had a large scar on his face, and standing up he was two heads taller than average.

"Of course… It's just that I arrived late, else I would definitely be able to snatch those gems or even women full of life back… those wizards are all rich…" Red-nose patted his chest in assurance.

"If that's the case, what are we waiting for?" the imposing man laughed maliciously, "Isn't there still a Lord Holdman outside town?"

……

Whoosh!* The cold winds caused Doron to shiver. He found that he'd unknowingly made his way to the house of the only wizard in town, Holdman. There were many people surrounding the residence, cursing loudly as sounds of things being smashed could be heard.

He looked upon himself in surprise, realising he was holding a sharp wooden stick that were stained with traces of blood. Several parts of his body were hurting, but he was unaware of how he was injured. Luckily he only had minor injuries, just some scraping of the skin.

He was still dazed by the alcohol, and it took him a while to remember what he'd done under the influence.

Affected by greed, they'd all fallen to become common thugs. Led by the burly man and the red-nosed mercenary, they'd arrived at Holdman's mansion outside town quickly. They broke through the building, merrily acting out their roles.

"Blegh…" He couldn't endure it anymore as he saw the corpse fallen at his feet, kneeling on the floor to vomit as he cried.

"Oh God… What have I exactly done…" He looked at the mob around him as he cried, seeing some of them even burning torches. This conduct was in stark contrast to the words of Ilmater, almost making him feel like a devil had invaded his body.

"Everyone take a look…" A man with a red beard and bright mottled clothes threw out a white-haired old man to the tune of applause. The old man's hands were like firewood, and he was hugging his head while his body shivered. It took Doron a lot of effort to connect this to that insufferably arrogant Holdman.

"This is the old fella… Not only did he instigate the noblemen to construct a wizard tower, he even wantonly looted our wealth and manpower… Take a look at this…" Red nose point towards the opened granary. Fragrant wheat filled the entire place, "We're all starving, and this old man hoards so much food and wealth through cruel exploitation…"

Those with wealth were what the mobs hated the most in time of famine. More and more eyes turned red as the mercenary spoke, and even Doron seemed to remember Holdman's butler kicking him and taking away some good wood from his home. Anger surged to his head.

"Kill him!" "Kill him!" "Kill him!" Numerous thugs cheered, their voices getting louder and louder. In contrast, Holdman seemed to have seen something as he struggled to climb towards a youth's corpse and started crying.

Sadly, his death throes couldn't wake up the thugs who were intoxicated with rage. Doron managed to clear his mind as he saw that weeping face, but then he saw Mitch climb out of a temporary tent as he buckled his belt. He gave him a glance any man would understand.

"This is a noble lady! Don't you feel like playing?" he asked.

A memory instantly emerged within Doron's mind. He'd once been summoned by Holdman to repair the furniture in his house, and he'd seen a beautiful noble lady in there. She'd been dressed in white, looking like an angel.

Of course he hadn't been paid for the job, and the dirty look in her eyes had etched itself into Doron's mind. He'd been deeply hurt, and was even depressed for a long time.

As if the devils felt that the stimulation was insufficient, two white jade legs with elegant curves stretched out of the tent. The purple daffodil on the toenails constantly aroused Doron's brain, and he couldn't help but release a bestial roar as he rushed forth…

……

Mystra's fall was only an opening. What was important was the destruction of the Weave. Wizards may have been the most hurt by its loss, but the gods had lost its convenience as well. The energy it took them to bestow divine spells increased greatly, making it impossible for them to cater to their worshippers as they came up with retreat strategies. This only exacerbated the corruption and the attacks on the wizards.

There hadn't been much centralised power in the World of Gods before, and a part of its management had been left to the churches. With the churches losing faith and authority, the power of the mobs was extremely terrifying.

Wizards without magic were just like guns without bullets. Other than those with enough scrolls and supplements or legendary wizards who'd managed to break away from the Weave, everyone suffered the calamity. The aristocrats pushed the simmering anger of the commoners into boiling point, laughing in secret as they toasted their new harvest.

When the riots ended, these mobs would only be executed or reduced to their previous, poor state. The nobles would take the greatest wealth, and almost every noble with power would gain something from this…

However, an epidemic hit the prime material at that exact time. The raging laughter was replaced by deathly wails, becoming the theme of the world.

Some said the Goddess of Plagues was hatching a scheme, others that this was a curse cast by the dead wizards. The only thing that stayed true? With the plague spreading continuously, the population of the prime material plane was dropping quick!

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