Chapter 121: Back In Shanta

Back in the {Orrid ‘Empire’}, within the walls of {Shanta City}, the military was still very much on high alert due to the recent incident at {Moolesh Mountain Town} that took the entire empire by surprise.As it stood there was still no news that actually came from the area; the closest ‘imperial’ stronghold to the town was actually {Shanta City} yet even that was a week away in the best circumstance. Thanks to the ‘event’ where the baron was ousted (to instead be replaced by the guilds) the empire” had essentially left the entire town alone since the money was more than enough and the risk wasn’t worth it. There was therefore nobody nearby that would willingly report to Shanta - or any other noble - that actually had the ability to do so.Except the guard captain yet he was an old man who had grown far too senile.One may question how anyone in the surrounding province (let alone the kingdom as a whole) knew about the incident. The answer was quite simple however… It was quite impossible to miss that gigantic ashen snake then that unknown phenomenon that occurred shortly afterwards. Not to mention the entire continent had experienced noticeable quakes.When consulting mages upon the incident - they reached two hypotheses on what was happening - the first conclusion being they had witnessed a battle between people far above the empire & their god. The other option was that it was a spatial phenomenon that resulted in a type of spirit from the {Spirit World} being superimposed onto reality for a moment. A far more believable scenario than a pair of entities actually being able to overpower their {God of Light} so everyone was more inclined towards it… Well most people were. Still, it had been over a week since the incident occurred, so their scouts should soon be reporting on using magic scrolls that were a standard tool. One they had to buy from the {Gobberz Kingdom} or through the mafia  - the only civilisation on the continent willing to actually trade with them while the mafia didn’t care who they sold to. Through the scouts; the entire country hoped that they would discover the proof they were seeking and perhaps even send some people over to research the natural disaster. At current the [Space Magic] tree of skills were beyond what their prosperous country. Afterall, it was a very confusing field of science which left their best scholars befuddled, the rumours that {Stratos Indigo} could actually field such magic for not only logistics but commercial use were ridiculous. Especially dumb was the idea that Chaos J Faust was a master of such magics - how could a ruler of goblins master something not even they could?However, if they were able to use this as a chance to understand space magic, there would be no problem with uniting the entire world under the banner of the true {True God}. Everyone knew it was {The Infinite Mother}’s cowardice that prevented their glorious god from felling her in battle.If their god didn’t need to bravely protect the king (sacrificing an arm to bring the highest nobles of the empire back from the void) he wouldn’t have let her run with her tail between her legs… At least that’s what everyone was told was the case. There was a certain noble within the empire who had no idea what to think anymore.Despite being the son of the sacred beast who protected their empire (or maybe perhaps he was the son of a mighty drake) he was able to sense the presence of other dragons. This was why he knew that little purple haired hatchling was a dragon all those years ago. It was also why he was unsure why those mortals thought he was the father since he only felt the bloodline resonance that told him she was partly from the earth like a drake.Yet she most certainly wasn’t one.Although it wasn’t ideal; he first thought that she would at least give birth to better descendents than any mortal could and other dragons typically looked down on drakes. So he made moves to try to make her his personal brood giver yet he decided to step back. Not because he felt intimidated by those girls working at the brothel - they certainly were strong for mere elves, however if he was willing to sacrifice the city he would have no issues taking them down in his true form.Instead it was because of the girl who Eric wanted to use as a possible replacement for their cow beastmen milk farm after that heifer ended up dying on them. Yet one day he suddenly sensed an odd change in her… A frightening draconic bloodline, that must have been lying dormant within her, abruptly awakened while that original girl also awakened more of her own.It baffled Shanta that any dragon could be mightier than his own bloodline that had supported the {God of Light} since he decided to come & cleanse the heinous {Cult of the Dreamer} from the territory. Thus, until he figured out what tricks they were using, he decided to take a more ‘passive’ approach to the two possible egg bearers. At least until this event he was considering it; although what he sensed up in those mountains had caused him to pace back & forth in his office for the last 9 days.Eric who did most of the paperwork (such petty things were obviously more suitable for a mortal than a proud dragon and noble like him) couldn’t help giving him odd looks. That still didn’t dissuade the drake from continuing his anxiety-addled actions though - instead only time helped him calm down yet he still was clearly not happy. “So my lord… The scouts should be sending their findings any day now, so maybe you could help by at least telling me what is wrong, you have clearly had something on your mind these past days.” <Eric>The beardless dwarf questioned the mighty drake with obvious nervousness behind his usually haughty tone of voice. Even he didn’t dare to question count Shanta normally - all of his confidence came from weaselling into the dragon's good graces - but it was hard to remain calm when someone so strong appeared so worried.“Have there not been any sightings of… Unusual beasts in the area?” <Shanta>That caused the dwarf's weedy grin to grow even more tense; this wasn’t the first time that the dragon had asked this exact question.In fact he had asked it well over a dozen times already.At least several times a day!Still, he knew not to show displeasure, so quickly brought that qualifier smile back to his face while shaking his head just in case it showed through his voice.“I sensed… A dragon far above my father in strength & it was the second time I sensed a beast that made me, a mighty bearer of the draconic blood, fear like I was their prey. It must have just been my imagination since it makes no sense that we would have a predator.” <Shanta>A glimmer of instability showed within the drake's eyes as he couldn’t comprehend nor accept that there was a beast out there that would treat him like a rabbit. There was never a time in his life that he truly felt fear - not even upon meeting the {God of Light} yet whatever that beast was… It felt like fear incarnate.He was sure, even without seeing that beast for himself, it was the most horrifying creature that could drill fear into reality itself.“W-well if what those mages said about the incident is true; maybe it actually amplified the snake’s bloodline which would explain the dragon. Meanwhile there are many entities that use their magic & skills to manipulate their enemies. One of them could have wandered out of the mountain range?” <Eric>“Yes, that seems li-” <Shanta>Just as he finally settled down, a knight stormed into the room, holding a freshly written document within his hands with cold sweat rolling down his entire face.“The Sable Dukedom has been burned down to the ground by a legion of undead monsters!” <Knight>“Hm? That is up north, right Eric?” <Shanta>Shanta clearly far less interested in a bunch of lowly undead.“Indeed my lord… So what is the damage?” <Eric>However, the knight didn’t reply immediately, gulping loudly as his entire body trembled as if he was atop a mountain peak naked yet his sweat was as if he was in the middle of a volcano.“I think you misunderstand sirs… The entire dukedom has fallen.”

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A young voice’s song echoed throughout the dukedom.“As-tu déjeuné, Jaco?

Et de quoi?

Ah!” <Boy>A single young boy with hair split in the middle perfectly - one half being navy in colour while the other was a vivid indigo - squatted on the stone bannister of what once was a grand cathedral. His perfectly balanced hair couldn’t help swaying in the wind as a bloody inferno covered the entirety of the once lively city below. Many buildings had already been reduced to naught in those crimson flames however the boy showed no expression of joy nor fear. Only a sombre feeling similar to a righteous execution of a once beloved but ultimately corrupt noble could be seen. Below countless entities Eel would recognise instantly, Jeeves, wandered around with their titan executioner blades as they were unbothered by the intense blaze. Dragging those instruments of murder behind them before using them to cleave any living souls in twain without mercy.From behind the shadows three figures approached the boy; one being a monochrome butterfly whose wings looked like a rorschach pattern and another being a familiar yet strange imp. Meanwhile the final figure was a girl of an average height and long black hair yet voluptuous body who had the signature features of a certain type of demon… A succubus. Unlike her more peaceful kin her expression was slightly “twisted” - with her obviously finding great revelry in the destruction that was happening below them.“Ah~ this is a mighty offering to lord Armagedon, long may his fires purge these unworthy realms, hopefully that scaleless bitch learns her lesson at last and embraces the flames~♥” <Succubus>It didn’t take a genius to find that Zandman was very uncomfortable around the woman, yet not a look of hatred or disgust, only pity filled the light behind their mask. The butterfly just landed upon the imps shoulder as if also not very happy with the situation. Neither of the two actually found it within themselves to complain about her words nor did the boy… Hence she continued on.“Since she is so busy with preparing maybe we can move things ahead and just destroy this worthless origin of sin; there is no need to hide behind the dark like that cowardly mortal ca-” <Succubus>Her rant was silenced midway through; not because she was done speaking but because the boy in front of them ever so slightly tilted his head back to meet with her eyes. His cold cruel malice brought even the servant of the {Demon God of Destruction} to a trembling stillness despite the smile that slowly began to grow on his lips. “Grr don’t think I, Demon Queen of Annihilation, need a mortal like you to help me Navy!” <Succubus>That didn’t placate her however - instead she began to sneer as ruby flames formed in her psalm as if she was about to attack the boy. Glancing to the two others as if to ensure they weren’t going to act and even paid special attention to the butterfly upon the imps shoulder. She knew little about either of them however once she found out who that bug was the child of…Still, neither of the two other figures acted in defence of him.“[Advent of Hatred]!” <Succubus>Because they didn’t need to.Those ruby flames completely consumed the boy yet this didn’t so much as cause him to sway upon the thin angled railing. Giving the demoness not even an ounce of reaction despite her powerful magic which was fueled by her loathing of all mortal kind. Simply chuckling lightly as he turned his gaze back over to the city below them. “H-ho-” <Succubus>“Cute but not one person abhors these parasites more than me nor do I have faith in any single person other than myself.” <Boy>After saying his piece, he turned to look at the imp, or more specifically the butterfly.“Say, your shtick is being a psychiatrist right, why don’t you fix me?” <Navy>Surprisingly an eloquent voice did indeed come from the butterfly; the voice showed no fear toward the boy or the succubus who was mumbling crazily. Speaking in a calming & patient fashion that suited the important profession that the boy seemed to be mocking. “A psychiatrist cannot ‘fix’ their patients; what we do is listen to the worries & tribulations of our fellow in order to help them come to terms with their choices-” <Butterfly>“Riveting - so I’m your circus monkey - tell me what you think about me~?” <Navy>Once more the insect remained silent, the imp turning to their friend in a questioning manner, yet soon it flittered up from the demon's shoulder to slowly approach the monster in the form of a boy.“You are both self and externally destructive due to prolonged exposure to excruciating pain in addition to an inability to accept your own fail-” <Butterfly>Abruptly the butterfly fluttered to the side just in time to dodge a throwing knife that flew from bellow Navy’s tattered cloak. A crimson aura weighed down on the group of four as that little boy with bi-coloured hair slowly raised from his squat. Tilting his head to once more look behind him - two horns of uneven length present on his forehead balanced a halo of pure gold.“It was not me who failed; it was them who betrayed me, you bug!” <Navy>“And for that memory you will throw everything, including your family, into danger?” <Zandman>For the first time since they had arrived in the dukedom the imp spoke up - disappointed and sadness indubitably present in their voice. Even dropping the usual jovial tone they always had. Despite no pupils being visible; one could sense the deep complexity of the emotions they hid behind that mask.“Does it matter to you… At the end of the day, whether you side with me now or not, it’s written in stone that all {Mortal Realms} will fall. After we’ve succeeded, you can build it all once again with the bug, finally ending all the suffering. Don’t tell me you are having second thoughts just because it’s getting a bit dangerous?” <Navy>Turning his gaze from the bug to the slightly bigger ‘bug’ with a clear distaste in his voice.With a sigh Zandman shook their head.“Very well… Then I have a little wrathful demoness to visit~!” <Navy>Just like that he jumped down into the flames below.