Mattax

It was ironic in several ways that my ultimate escape from the Infernum would require heading back to it in order to strike a deal and make a purchase. Granted, it was an expensive purchase, but it was one that I would need to acquire to stay out of that hell for as long as possible. Because I needed to secure a contract, but therein lay the difficulty. Stealing one was likely not something I would be able to do well, even if I was somewhat more stealthy than I first appeared to be and was resistant to magical means of detection.

At the same time, the only one that I could probably buy it off would be the Zethu, and even then it would be a hundred thousand gold before any additional expenses come into play. And they were devils, there were going to be hidden fees and totally not bribes to pay to get it sometime relatively soon. At the same time, demons from the Infernum can enter into infernal pacts with mortals and could make them... but demons are chaotic assholes at the best of times even when you had leverage on them. Buying a pact ready to use would be a headache and more trouble than it's worth.

Which did lead to another option and one that I technically qualified for. It was even one that held the least downsides for me personally in many ways and could even open up some additional options for me with the budding cult. Or even just personal infulence and gifts. Granted, there were,with the last, a few small issues. Firstly, I would need to find and perform the required rituals before taking the needed feat. From there, I needed to spend the four thousand experience to make the pact. Painful, but at least I don't need to pay the fifty thousand in components for that due to being a fiend.

There was only one thing threading them all together. I would need to return to the Infernum to make use of them. And the thing was, I was enjoying things here. To be sure, there were downsides, largely in the sense that I preferred much colder climes, and there was the fact that I was originally from Canada in the twenty twenties. The hygiene standards in many ways were far lower, and I lived in a small town out in the country.

Rome was an experience, particularly outside of Octavia's apartments. Because as it was, she did not have a mansion inside the city, even if she had a villa and estate outside the city. Truth be told, I preferred the villa, as it was more natural, to say nothing if the lack of people pressing around me. A minor thing in many respects, but one whose value could not be overstated. Because for all that I was a welcome guest and had nominal free run of the properties, my only requirements being to attend on Octavia to perform what magic was required, as she personally focused more on the 'not really politics' side of things.

That said, I needed more. Needed to become more and learn. And battle was one of the easiest ways to do that in several respects, to feed on the essence and carnage created from it. Which may be why so many fiends revel in the acts of mayhem once they reach the mortal plane come to think of it. But, I was somewhere mostly civilized. Though there had been rumors of a great boar that had come down from the alps. Yes, a hunt was just what I needed.

Octavia Tullius Nobilior

On the one hand the fact that Mattax had decided to go off on a hunt for that giant boar was something of a relief. Oh, she was well aware that much of her mystical strength was actually the demon and not her own, even as she had been having some success in learning and performing the rites, but he had been growing increasingly restless. Increasingly disinclined to remain in the city. Not to the point where her control was slipping, but a powerful supernatural creature willing and able to play the part against one whose control was more... questionable were two different things.

One spoke more to her skill in both the mystic arts and managing the creature, while the later clearly indicated that the leash was slipping. And such slips could be fatal, not merely for her, but wherever the demon happened to break and go on a rampage before a hero sent them back to the underworld. That said demon had approached her about going on that little hunting trip, clearly seeking to go on regularly little hunting excursions in the future, meant that it was something that could be worked with. That there would be no sudden loss of control.

Still, she looked over Octavian Borili, the guard she had chosen to 'accompany' Mattax on his hunt. In truth, as she looked at the somewhat ragged man, it was more to report on what exactly happened. Because a demon off their leash sounded like it may complicate some of her investments, even with the fact that he was vital for the social club she was establishing with the others, and the related business arrangements that relied on his magical prowess. Prowess that he was sharing, as the scrolls stacked up in the library.

"The hunt went well. Though as you are aware, he does not need to sleep and can maintain a swift pace for hours at a time. But it was not until we reached the wooded foothills near where the beast was supposed to be located that he started to truly hunt." There was a pause. "He found the Orchi first." Mention of the barbaric creatures made her scowl. Taller than a man and strong, the brutes had a grey-yellow hide and somewhat pig like features in addition to loathing being clean. And the rape and devouring of good Romans. "The cowards all had prominent boar markings."

That was worrying, even as her eyes narrowed. "How many did my demon encounter?" She paused a moment, to correct herself a touch. "That you can confirm."

It was a serious question, as despite the legions purging them on a regular basis, the creatures kept crawling out of the deepest mountain pits. And while strong, they ran from anything approaching an actual fight, even if they outnumbered their potential victims. Where you saw one, to there were likely dozens more. To say nothing of their devious and cruel little cousins or monstrous gigan masters.

But the free gual merely noded. "The start of a good sized horde. Two hundred orchi over the week. None of the little ones, but the boar..." There was a pause. "That thing is not natural."

It was after all eight feet at the shoulder, twenty two feet long, with a hide like iron and bronze bristles, exposed crystalline growths humming faintly as they drank in the light, releasing an ominous red glow in the dark. Along with the fact that it was apperantly able to tunnel and had a fearsome appetite for the flesh of the still living?

Frankly, she very much agreed with the plan to sell it to Augustus to make it the first citizens problem. Yes, it would be interesting to have it as the center stage of a set of games of her own, and yet sponsoring such a game directly could be seen as reaching well beyond her station. She nodded. "Mattax managed to subdue the beast. So I can assure you that I have the superior demon." He was appearing unsure, which indicates potential problems. "There were problems it seems? Or do you doubt my control of my horned spirit?"

The Gaul, wearing a toga to demonstrate he was properly civilized (even if he kept a few of his savage customs) seemed to weigh his words carefully. "The horned one was able to punch Orchi hard enough to make pulp of bones and armor, using wild single fisted blows as he laughed. Against the demon boar? He had to be careful, to strike with overwhelming and concentrated force and it still ended up with him nearly dead. The pig remains unconscious only because he keeps rattling its head every time it looks like it might be stirring."

He shook his head. "The creature has likely had its wits damaged. But it was enough to pose a challenge to a monstrously strong man who can heal so quickly it occurs before your eyes. My question is, even if we sell it, can whoever we sell it to contain be damn thing?"

Augustus

On the one hand, he knew full well that the boar was a trap of sorts. On the other hand, as he looked over the arena made for the purpose, that horned demon ready to intervene if (or rather when) things got out of hand, it was a magnificent beast that was apperantly found in the company of the damned Orchi and potentially one of the sources of the tunnels that shelter them and lead them to the surface.

So, how could he NOT take the oppertunity to have it destroyed in a way that would help cement his legacy and bolster his successors prestige? Yes, it would contribute to the horned demons reputation as a protective spirit in addition to its healing abilities, but sometimes there were costs to be paid.

The gladiators and volunteers for the event were warned and prepared. And so, he raised his voice, still strong despite age and recently banished illness. "People of Rome! Today, a mighty blow will be struck against the vile Orchi! Behold their demon-pig! A creature as foul as they are, now here in the open that you can see it be destroyed!" And included among the spectators, and those who cheered the loudest, were members of the client cities nearest the alps, those who suffered most from their depredations. "Dragged from the darkness that sheltered it by the horned spirit of the Tullius Nobilitor and presented to the Senate."

Technically true, but there were many details missing. "It was decided that I and my heir Tiberius arrange for this event, for you to witness the destruction of an ancient enemies demonic patron!" There were gasps and howls for blood, even as the boar squealed it's rage. "Warriors! Strike for Rome!"