Chapter 4: Diabolica Princissa
Amidst the remnants of what was once a vibrant village, now reduced to mere ashes and dust, lay a haunting silence. Every home had been ravaged, every animal slaughtered, and no human souls remained.
"It's the same as in the other villages. Everything gets burned to the ground but no human in sight. Demons kidnapping humans it is, then." Evileye remarked, her eyes scanning the desolation, searching for signs of life.
Out of nowhere, Ulbert interjected, capturing the group's attention. "I speculate that this might be more significant than anticipated."
"What do you mean, Ulbert?" Curiosity got the better of Lakyus, who asked Ulbert.
"This demon might be using the captured humans to gain power, possibly as sacrifices to strengthen itself. But it's mere speculation on my part." Ulbert replied, causing concern to ripple across their faces. He played his role perfectly, to the part he even praised himself.
"Then we must locate this Baphomet before it amasses even more power." Lakyus asserted.
"That is one aspect of it. However, I doubt we possess the strength to defeat the demon. Baphomet proved mightier than any of us during the attack on E-Rantel, and I see no reason for him to have weakened since then." Ulbert explained, delivering a grim reality.
"How can you be so sure?" Doubt crept into Evileye's mind as she questioned Ulbert's judgment of their abilities. He turned to her, meeting her gaze with a serious tone, and asked.
"Do you possess the strength to cause such devastation to a city?" He asked in a serious tone.
Evileye's mind was flooded with unwelcome memories, uncertain if the masked mage knew of her past. Even for his mysterious persona, he could not know. Nonetheless, she mustered courage and replied. "N-No." Evileye said.
"Exactly. Alone, we stand no chance against him, especially since he has summoned hordes of demons to his side." Ulbert asserted, leaving Lakyus pondering his words.
"So, we need to enlist more adventurers to aid us in defeating him." Lakyus deduced, thinking she got the message Ulbert tried to tell.
"Indeed, not necessarily more, but those who possess the strength and power to assist us in overcoming this threat. As Baphomet continues his onslaught, targeting villages and towns, it is only a matter of time before he sets his sights on major cities." Ulbert spoke with conviction, as the demons' kidnapping spree showed no signs of relenting.
"There might be someone." Evileye chimed in, offering a glimmer of hope.
"Then it would be best to inform them now. Inform everyone who could help. This is only the beginning of the storm."
"Praise the Six!" Resonated the solemn chorus in the dimly lit chamber, as the Cardinals of the Theocracy convened to discuss the pressing matter at hand.
"It seems the reports are indeed true. E-Rantel has fallen victim to an attack by the demon Baphomet. We must address this situation as it poses a potential threat to mankind." Declared the Cardinal of Earth, Raymond, initiating the discussion.
"As long as the demon remains within the kingdom's borders, it is not our immediate concern. For it only serves to weaken that corrupt nation." His words met opposition from Yvon Jasna Delacroix, the Cardinal of Light, who dismissed the concern.
"But we must be concerned! Demonic incursions have also targeted our villages and those of the Baharut Empire. The entity behind these attacks must be neutralized without delay. Should Baphomet set its sights on one of our cities, it might be too late for us to react. We must take the fight to it!" Berenice Nagua Santini, the Cardinal of Fire, interjected with conviction.
"Before we send any Scripture to confront this demon, we should gather more information about its abilities. Let us wait until it reveals more of its power." The Cardinal of Wind added a pragmatic perspective.
"There is already a group investigating these demonic assaults. Blue Rose is leading the charge, accompanied by a mysterious man named Ulbert Alain Odle, who claims to be a 5th Tier magic caster." Raymond said as he read the reports, getting the attention of the Cardinals.
"5th Tier? How could we not have heard of him? Is he from our ranks or a known adventurer?" Inquired Maximilian Oreio Lagier, the Cardinal of Darkness, visibly surprised.
"He seems to be from distant lands, not affiliated with us or the adventurer guild. Nonetheless, he possesses remarkable abilities, including teleportation akin to our scrolls." Raymond answered, revealing the enigmatic nature of Ulbert.
"Perhaps we can try to persuade him to join our cause. His formidable magic prowess could strengthen humanity's stance." Zinedine Delan Guelfi, the Cardinal of Water, suggested.
"Let us observe the situation further before acting. When the right moment arises, we can seek to recruit him to our side." Raymond, ever the cautious strategist, recommended patience.
"Why defeat the demon when we can control it? By letting it unleash havoc within the kingdom, we may weaken it enough to neutralize its defenses. Sacrifices may be inevitable, but for the greater good of humanity, it is a viable path." Dominic put forth an unconventional proposal.
"In that case, Lady Kaire can be sent on this mission. She is still capable and will be an effective asset in this plan." Maximilian considered the idea.
"Then, when the time comes to defeat the demon, we will instead try to use the artifact of the gods against it. Any objections?" Raymond asked, but none were given. "Good. Praise the Six." With unanimous agreement, the gathering concluded, echoing their devotion to the divine powers that guided them.
E-Naeurl, a tranquil port city situated at the northern edge of Re-Estize, thrived as a bustling hub for merchants, capitalizing on the swiftness of ships and boats to facilitate trade in and out of the kingdom.
Yet, one fateful day, the city's peaceful existence would be shattered.
"Gods help us!"
The air was thick with terror and desperation as the people of E-Naeurl were engulfed in chaos. Cries of fear echoed through the streets as fires erupted, casting an ominous glow upon the once-serene city.
A horde of demonic creatures emerged at the city's forefront, charging relentlessly at the gates. Gazor Devils took to the skies, Hellhounds unleashed fiery beams, while Overeaters, their movements ponderous, advanced steadily towards the human settlement.
"Shoot at the big guys and ignore the Hell Hounds and the Gazer Devils! We can deal with them while your magic casters deal enough damage to these monsters for us to finish it." Scama Elbero, the brave leader of the Four Armaments, rallied her companions to face the demonic onslaught.
Arrows had been spent, having already claimed numerous demon lives, but Scama knew that victory hinged on sheer luck, even contemplating a retreat. However, she cast aside such thoughts, firmly resolved to defend the city at all costs. 'No, we can't do that now.'
Gazor Devils descended on the walls, but instead of attacking the soldiers, they first tried to lift them in the air. When the soldiers retaliated with their weapons, the demons killed them as they dropped them from the sky.
'What are they up to? They don't seem to initially want to kill humans. No matter, we need to defend this gate!' Scama mentally strategized as she deftly fended off an approaching Gazor Devil with her axe.
"Ahhh!"
"Help! They're taking us!"
"No, please! No!"
Scama heard as she looked back to the city, seeing Gazor Devils kidnap humans and fly away with them. 'This can't be?!' A vortex opened in the air as if space parted itself, letting demons come out as others entered with humans in their arms.
"This is no longer a battle! They want to kidnap us!" Scama urgently relayed her findings to her Four Armaments comrades nearby. Frustration and helplessness surged within her.
"Should I shoot at them?" The mage in her team asked, but Scama tilted her head from side to side.
"That won't do much. This was clearly a strategic move, attacking from the front, so we put our troops at the walls, so they could enter the city and steal the citizens." Scama realized in despair.
"The Overeaters are here!" A mage from the rows screamed, and Scama instantly reacted to his words. She went to the edge of the wall, seeing the Overeater under her. With a swift leap, she descended upon the demon, activating her weapons ability beforehand.
"[Doppel]!"
She cleaved through the weakened Overeater twice with blinding speed, reducing it to mere particles upon impact with the ground.
Her gaze returned to the front, witnessing the demons withdrawing. Though a sign of potential victory, they had accomplished their sinister goal of kidnapping humans.
Overwhelmed with a mix of anger and sorrow, Scama pounded the ground. "Damn those demons!"
"That'll be five copper coins." The merchant calmly stated, receiving the payment from the farmer for the item purchased. All seemed ordinary until a noise of terror erupted, shattering the peaceful atmosphere.
"What was that?!" The farmer screamed, the merchant being equally shocked by the sound.
"Help?! Someone!"
"No, I-I have a family! Please!"
The screams intensified, mingling with desperate pleas for help and mercy. The source of their dread soon revealed itself, casting an immense shadow over them. The farmer and the merchant gazed upward, their faces drained of color as they beheld the nightmarish sight.
"D-Demon!" The farmer shrieked, attempting to flee but was swiftly ensnared by a nearby demon, lifted into the air.
The merchant stood frozen, paralyzed by fear, as another demon approached him. Its ghastly visage, almost skull-like, coupled with its ominous black form and bat-like wings, left him trembling with dread. Before he could comprehend the horror unfolding, the demon's claws gripped his shoulders, digging into his flesh as it hoisted him aloft.
He looked down, seeing the ground slowly become smaller, houses the size of his thumb. Helpless in the demon's grasp, the merchant beseeched the gods for salvation.
"By the six, save this humble merchant from these demons…" He prayed fervently, seeking divine intervention in his dire moment of need. As he opened his eyes, he found his wish granted, though not in the way he expected.
Instead of the familiar city below, a desolate landscape of red sand greeted his bewildered gaze.
"What?!" He exclaimed, still held by the demon as they soared above the eerie terrain. The skies above were a crimson hue, torn by violent storms and lightning. Countless other demons roamed the area, each more unnerving than the last.
In a sudden twist, the Gazer Devil released its grip, and the merchant tumbled to the ground.
"What…" Trying to steady himself, he was met with a surreal sight. Humans, much like himself, with haggard faces devoid of hope, surrounded by demons clad in dark armor and armed with menacing spears. Only their eyes, burning crimson, could be seen through their fearsome hoods.
Following the other humans, the merchant fell in line, uncertain what fate awaited them.
"What have I deserved to be in such a place…" He heard the man before him whisper, hoping the demons nearby did not hear him.
Suddenly, a battalion of demons flew over his head, carrying even more humans toward where he was heading.
"Just what in the god's name is this place…" He questioned.
"This might be the demon world, haha…" The man behind him said with a tinge of madness, matching the nightmarish ambiance.
"That's impossible! It's just a myth!" The merchant protested, inadvertently drawing the attention of nearby demons. "Please, spare me! I promise I won't speak out again!"
"No, no!" The merchant screamed in fear, seeing that he was being transported to the far front of the row.
"What..." He could not believe what he was seeing. From all angles, humans were led to what he believed to be a giant crimson orb of massive size. It pulsated as it emitted some dread he could feel in his entire body.
The demons descended, nearing the orb.
"What? No, no! Please! No! I beg you!" The merchant pleaded again, seeing what the demons did with the humans. He could see how they would toss them into the orb, feeding this orb with their bodies.
But the demons did not care. Instead, let go of the old man, letting him drop into the center of the crimson giant.
"So this is it…" Instead of crying out loud, he accepted his death. Seeing there was no chance of life, he might as well see to it that he would die peacefully.
Amidst the chaos, the merchant surrendered to his destiny. As he descended into the heart of this hellish realm, his flesh dissolved, and his soul was torn from his body. With a fading vision, he succumbed to the abyss, engulfed by the crimson void.
High above E-Rantel, a mighty being, observed the mortals below with keen eyes. Sympathy had long left this being's heart, replaced by an ever-growing hate towards everything not of its kin. Yet, its true nature concealed an even darker personality.
Leaving Blue Rose at the Golden Pavilion, Ulbert went to scrutinize E-Rantel more closely. What he found did not surprise him. The peasants endured harsh living conditions while nobles indulged in lavish parties and debauchery.
"What dirt! I should eradicate this place from the eyes of the world! These nobles are no more than the ones from my earth!" Ulbert seethed with anger, his expression contorting.
Flying towards the palace, he noticed an open balcony, inviting entry for anyone daring enough. Utilizing [Perfect Unknownable], he knew he could remain unseen. He slowly descended onto the balcony and discovered a lone figure inside the room.
"I am sorry for your loss. Again. I am sorry for your loss..." The girl rehearsed a line with care, meticulously perfecting her act. Ulbert carefully observed the blonde-haired girl reflected in the mirror. None other than Princess Renner, whom he had encountered before.
As he observed, Renner's countenance shifted subtly as she practiced her deception skills. Ulbert, a natural trickster, admired her skill in the dark art of manipulation. To think a girl of her age would exhibit such cunning intrigued him.
Recalling what he knew of the Golden Princess, she appeared as a devoted and kind-hearted figure, beloved by all. But now, he saw through the facade. A witch, a deceiver, a devil masked as a human. The idea of a demon reincarnating as a human briefly crossed his mind, but he dismissed it as an improbable notion.
"Lets see how clever you are." Ulbert decided to engage her in a game of intelligence, a puzzle to test her cunning.
With a snap of his fingers, he conjured a piece of paper bearing his riddle. He inscribed the cryptic challenge:
Meet me where the sun descends into the Underworld and where reality is a shadow of itself, an imitation of what is real, a picture of the world.
The gusting wind carried the paper towards Princess Renner, landing on her desk. Curiosity replaced fear in her expression as she read the enigmatic riddle. Ulbert had enchanted the feather used to write, ensuring it could be easily read in her language.
"An imitation of what is real..." A smile crossed her face as she discerned the answer. It didn't take her long to figure it out. "Water. It must be water." She confidently replied, knowing of a location in the gardens where a sizable pond lay. Despite the late hour, Renner determined to venture there, unwilling to be outsmarted.
Ulbert was surprised by her swift deduction, though he had intentionally crafted the riddle to appear more complex than it was. Without a word, he proceeded to the meeting place. Guards surrounded the area, but the garden remained mostly undisturbed. He decided that one of his Evil Lords should meet her, contemplating which one would best suit the task.
"Mmh, Wrath wouldn't exactly be the best negotiator. Greed would maybe fit the situation. Not Envy, Sloth, or Pride. Never Gluttony! But Lust, I think it will be just fine with Evil Lord Lust." Ulbert thought as he summoned the corresponding demon lord.
The demon assumed a feminine form, a deliberate choice by Ulbert to align with the Sin of Lust's characteristics. With pale skin, dark horns, and cascading white hair, she emanated an aura of allure.
But the rest of her body was safely protected by dark armor fitted for a demon lord. She wore a black cape that went down to her armored heels, the inside of the cape being blood red, just like her eyes. And a metal triangle with a glowing red ruby adorned her forehead.
Greeting Ulbert with a bow, she humbly addressed him. "What is thy bidding, my lord."
"You will soon meet a Princess. Exploit her mind, and convince her to work against the kingdom of Re-Estize from the shadows. Then offer her something she desires for working under me." Ulbert instructed, maintaining his vision on the demon lord's head.
"As you wish, my lord." She replied, ready to fulfill his command.
"One last thing," Ulbert added, casting an illusion spell on the demon lord to alter her appearance. "Better now. But if you find it advantageous, you may reveal your true form."
Lust now resembled a regular person, free from horns, malevolence, or sinister aspects. "Go behind that tree. If she arrives, stay in the shadows. Use them to your advantage." Ulbert instructed as Lust complied.
Soon, he heard light footsteps approaching. He turned his gaze toward the source and saw Princess Renner, still dressed in her nightgown. She cautiously approached the pond, scanning the surroundings for any signs of presence.
As she ventured closer to the water, a voice emerged from behind her. "Good, we finally meet, Princess." the feminine voice spoke. Its softness held a tantalizing allure, which made Renner turn to face the speaker, only to find her hidden within the shadows of a nearby tree. The woman appeared to be approximately 1.75 meters tall, taller than the Princess.
Renner couldn't see her face, nor anything else. It seemed almost too good to be true as if the woman was using an ability to strengthen the intensity of the shadows around her. But from what she could guess, her nightly visitor was a human.
"You wanted to see me. Now here I am. You must have a compelling reason to summon a Princess at this ungodly hour." Renner responded, trying to hide her slight fear. But if someone could put a letter into her palace, one of the best-guarded positions in the kingdom, the stranger would not be joking. She could have easily killed her, but she did not. Meaning she wanted something from the Princess.
Ulbert could only watch, amused by how the Princess tried to study Lust but not finding a clue. Of course, she could not see him as he was using [Greater Invisibility] this time. Meaning even the Evil Lord could see him.
"Yes, it will be worth your wait. And I must say your acting skills are most impressive." Evil Lord Lust answers with a chuckle, the Princess making a surprised face, still thinking she could fool the person before her.
"I do not know what you mean?" She replied, acting with her best impression. Her eyes, eyebrows, nose, everything moved exactly as if she would react. But Lust would not fall for it.
"Don't play games with me. I know your true self. I know who you are." These words, exactly these words, were the first words that could shake the princess. Never did someone surprise her that much, but this woman somehow knew much about her. But she only smiled afterward.
"Then you must have spied on me for quite a while." She replied, putting her hands up to her lips as if to tease.
"There was no spying. I simply see you for who you really are." She spoke the truth, or that was what Renner was thinking. If she knew what lying sounded like, it wasn't whatever this person said.
"Then you must be skilled to see such a thing, and I won't hide it. But I want to know what you want from me, calling a Princess to such a place in the middle of the night. Do you know that I could call the guards and let them arrest you at any moment?" She continued, but the woman didn't react this time.
"Do it then." She heard a voice behind her. She quickly turned around to see nobody. Then she looked back at the woman, seeing her in the same position.
She didn't know what that was. Maybe she used a spell to focus her voice behind her, or she had some stealth abilities to move quicker than the eye. But she didn't know at all, and it frightened her.
"But you won't do it. Because I will offer you something." The woman stated, getting the Princess's attention now.
"And what would that be? What could you offer me that I do not already have?" As a Princess, it was true she had access to most things, so what could a stranger offer her?
"That may be. But for you to learn how to act and deceive tells me you don't want to be here truly, not in this situation you are in right now, at least." The woman spoke as if she were to read her mind, but she knew she could do the same with enough intellect and information.
"I see. Then what is it you want from me? And how exactly would you make my situation any better?" She was skeptical and knew this was only the next step in negotiating with this woman. But Renner could not let the feeling go that something terrifying lurked in those shadows.
Renner didn't see her face, not even her body. She didn't know where she looked or how she reacted. It was a clever trick on her part to do such, meaning she couldn't read her as easily. And she must say it worked, as she didn't find out a thing about her visitor, only that she was skillful, daring, and clever.
"Well, I want you to set stones in the way of the kingdom for my master. Make progress hard wherever you can. And for such, you will be rewarded when my lord conquers your homeland. Because you see, I know what you crave." The woman chuckled, seeing that the Princess had made a reaction this time. The Princess's eyes widened just for a millisecond. But the woman noticed even that.
"And what would that be?" Renner asked in return. The visitor had complete control over the situation, something the witch in the blue dress loathed.
"I see your lust for him. You are mad for him. Mad, I say! Hahaha…" The woman continued to laugh. On the other hand, Renner had gone quieter than a mouse, knowing now that this woman knew her secret the moment she spoke.
Ulbert was confused. "Who is she talking about?"
"So you know…" Renner said, looking down to the ground. "Then you know that it is impossible for us two."
"Mmh, for you, maybe. But my lord can change that. If you do as I say, you may spend the rest of your lives together." The strange woman offered, her proposal just as teasing as her voice.
"I accept. If you promise to make him mine. I will give everything to you." She said, her voice changed, but she stopped getting any noisier.
"Perfect. Remember your duty from now on, Golden Princess." The woman said, and suddenly she disappeared into the air, leaving nothing left of herself as if she was just an imagination of her mind. But then she felt the letter in her right hand, and it was real.
Renner smiled, knowing she had found a new purpose, which would finally give her her final wish.
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Another chapter! Hope you like it so far, as it will all lead up to a grand finale, just like Ulbert likes it. A grand performance for him to deliver.