The gist of it is as follows: The defenses of the castle are lighter than expected, but heavier than anything I've faced so far.
Walls lined to the teeth with Loyalists, numbering in at least 650 Devils in total. Possibly more counting troop movements unknown to Diamor, and possibly less.
It used to be 900, but Diamor's battalion never came home. Familiars, Clan Traits, weapons - everything I could imagine being used against me will be within those walls, alongside a metric shitload of angry Devils.
Cainhurst itself is, as expected, quite fucking important to the Loyalist faction. Not only does it act as an operating base for their forces, but it acts as the first of many 'barriers' between the Satanihilus and Lucifaad, these barriers taking the form of incredibly important landmarks.
Should Cainhurst fall, then Daimadosu and Bidleid would initiate the first of many plans they have in response.
What those plans are? No fucking clue. Diamor is unfortunately suffering from 'I don't get paid enough for this' syndrome, not being nearly important enough to the Satans be included in such pivotal discussions. It does, however, mean that Cainhurst should be incredibly well defended.
...emphasis on should.
There seems to be a disconnect between Daimadosu and Bidleid, some commands lost in translation perhaps. Forces have been diverted from Cainhurst on the Asmodeus' command, consolidating on the surrounding lands as he makes his way through Agares, but Bidleid's not home to keep Cainhurst safe while the troops take surrounding land. Hell, last he was seen, Bidleid is over in old Buné lands.
In his place, though, is someone I hadn't been expecting to acquaint myself with. One of the many daughters of House Paimon, Callidore Paimon, a woman with barely any combat experience or power. Why exactly she's in Cainhurst, and not the safety of Lucifaad's walls, is something neither I nor Diamor can make heads or tails of.
She's not worth worrying about, to put simply. Whether or not I'll keep her alive when I siege Cainhurst depends on her willingness to remain peaceful with me.
Another very interesting thing to take note of is that Loyalist morale in Cainhurst is surging ever since Bidleid's spirit was... reignited. Before I poked the proverbial bear, Loyalists across the Underworld had been struggling to fight for the cause. Now? They'll be fighting to the teeth, and surrender is all but an impossibility - at least, not without making an example of some people.
Then again, it's not a real surrender if you scare them into doing it, right? That's simple self preservation, not an unwillingness to fight anymore... No, I'm not gonna get into the semantics of what surrender means in my own thoughts, I have better things to do.
All that to say, I'm going to have a very difficult time during the siege of Cainhurst. I'll need to clean out the inhabitants, keep myself safe, and most importantly be quick. My ego is large, I won't deny that, but I'm not so silly as to think I could challenge Bidleid and an army he would bring upon the castle.
...at least, not yet.
Something else Diamor mentioned, something I find very interesting, is that communications to Lucifaad had been quite shakey over the last few days before our battle. What exactly that means, whether Daimadosu was expecting Diamor to be captured and cut him off before anything could be monitored, or the dumb bastard simply started scrambling transmissions finally, I don't know.
It's both worrying and confusing, mainly in part due to the fact that I've no such thing resembling a mind for tactics. I can't imagine myself in my enemies' shoes, can't look at a map and see valuable positions to hold and defend, nor can I see seven steps ahead like some sort of grandmaster.
I am a simple man, driven by spite and hatred. I've solved every problem so far with brute force, and a shitload of pain. I'll be damned if I stop now.
My own misgivings aside, another worrying thing of note is that Daimadosu has been poking his nose in places he shouldn't.
Not Cain's Throne, he learned his lesson after that one, but instead closer to the penal colonies. Serafall has already sent word to Lilith and a battalion of Satanihilus to bolster the defenses, but I can't for the life of me understand what he wants.
The penal colonies are just full of... well, for lack of better word, mooks. Average Devils, common men and women, Low Class in every sense of the word. Yes, they'll no doubt hold a grudge against us, but there's not much else they could do beyond that.
...unless maybe he's searching for something?
What, though? A special Devil, a Clan Trait that might have slipped under our noses? Does he think the next Demi-fiend is just toiling away in a pair of cuffs, waiting for someone to unlock their hidden potential?
I suppose that's a sentiment that could very well be shared across the Underworld. I wouldn't be surprised if Half-breeds across the Underworld have been getting a lot more attention since I stumbled into this war - be that good, or bad, depends entirely on who finds them, though.
No use theorising. The closer we get to Lucifaad, the less time I'll have to spend pondering on the motivations of every move my enemy makes. Let Ajuka handle the mind games. If all goes well, Daimadosu will be dead in a few weeks time anyways.
Now then... where was I? Right. Cainhurst.
"This shouldn't be a matter of discussion, Lady Sitri. They're clearly waiting for us to make a move, leaving the castle defenseless goes against everything we've been told so far. It would be foolish to try and siege Cainhurst as things stand."
Serafall sighs, a hand in her hair as she places up and down the 'war room' established in Chastinal's town hall. The room, save for Serafall and Diallos, is dead silent, each of the Satanihilus here simply listening to the discussion.
"Diamor's out of the picture. Bidleid's out of the picture. Daimadosu's off in Agares, and the only defenses Cainhurst has is some few-hundred strong garrison. This is the best chance we've had in almost a decade! We could take the castle in a half hour!"
Diallos sighs once again, his hand clutching the dagger at his hip as though it were a throat he wished to strangle.
Part of me almost thinks it's mine.
"That's exactly why we shouldn't attack, General. This opportunity is far too good to be true, we cannot be risking so much of our efforts on the hope that our enemies have made something so simple as a logistical error - especially not when we serve to lose so much."
Diallos continues on without hesitation, his eyes flitting across the room, pointedly avoiding my gaze. He's not very happy with me using his nephew as a bargaining chip, nor at the fact that I couldn't give an answer beyond trade secrets to his valid question of: how the fuck did you know his name?
...I'm sure he'll get over it soon.
"If we lose this battle, if this is a trap like I believe it to so blatantly be, then this will utterly devastate our campaign. Morale will plummet, and most importantly, the confidence Ars Goetia has in us will wane significantly. We've already long since heard the insult that the Satanihilus are Sirzechs' Cheerleaders. How much worse do you think that impression would become if we fall for such an obvious trap like this?"
Serafall scoffs, sneering at the idea that something so silly as an insult means anything compared to winning this war.
"So you're willing to ignore our best chance to finally take Cainhurst for, what, your image? I don't care if they call us the Pissy Pants Brigade after this, I refuse to accept defeat. With Ali's help, taking the castle will be as easy as breathing- and defending it will be just as simple. Not to mention his pet dragon is quite the effective barrier between us and any enterprising opposition."
Diallos sighs once again, biting back the urge to call her an idiot. I wager he's had to deal with her bull-headedness many times.
"That's not the point, Lady Sitri. Even with the Demi-fiend and his many unique boons, we'll be utterly devastated if the castle turns out to be the crux of an ambush. We simply cannot match up to the numbers of Loyalists the Satans could throw at us. I'm not asking you to abandon Cainhurst, nor am I asking you to turn tail and hide - I'm asking you to exercise some fucking caution!"
The room falls silent.
Diallos' words are punctuated by a fist slamming down on the map of the Underworld, several pieces strewn across the table falling over and jumping as the loud thud echoes in the room.
"There is a fine line between caution and cowardice, Diallos. Insubordination, though, is very clear cut. Lower your voice, and do not use that tone with me again."
Diallos, as expected, bites his tongue and nods stiffly, composing himself with a deep breath and a curt nod. Strangely, his eyes keep flicking to me, again and again.
Serafall takes that as her cue to continue, sighing and folding her arms as the Satanihilus get to work on rearranging the table. Her eyes drift to each point on the map, her jaw tensing as she thinks.
"...you're right. It seems too good to be true. Defenses should be more intense than ever, especially since word has long since spread of the Demi-fiend's arrival. If the Satans were smart, then Cainhurst would be armed to the teeth and guarded with more men than fucking Lucifaad. It's worrying."
Another sigh, her hands running erratically through her hair as she groans.
"I just- I don't want to waste an opportunity like this. I don't want to let a chance of this size slip through our fingers, especially not after nine long years spent bashing our heads against those damn walls. This war should have ended in four months. I want to end it as soon as possible."
Diallos, recognising the situation for the mixed bag that it is, huffs morosely.
"I share that dream with you, my Lady. It is simply a matter of feasibility. An opportunity as bountiful as this simply does not happen. We do not want a repeat of what happened in Gahl, Lady Sitri. Not all problems can be solved with your power."
Serafall's foot taps against the floor impatiently, going at what seems to be a mile a minute as she glances around the room.
"What about scouting forces? Do we have any familiars available, any scouts with reports for us yet, Rapago?"
One of the many armoured Devils at the table, an older man I've never laid eyes on, steady forward and bows his head.
"No, General Sitri. No word has been received from the scouts around Cainhurst, not for the last few hours at least. There are only four Devils gathered here with familiars specialising in information gathering."
Her fist clenches. Her eyes flicker across the room, going slowly between each gathered Devil, before finally landing on me.
"Well, Ali... Any of those fancy tricks left up your sleeve? Can you do anything at all with that dragon of yours to get us an idea of the situation in Cainhurst?"
I snort, my arms long since folded as I stand opposite her at the foot of the table. Lying to her like this is, unfortunately, as easy as breathing nowadays.
"I'm afraid not. Alduin's not exactly subtle, after all, and I'm quite possibly the worst candidate for an infiltration these days given any Loyalist with half a brain will be on the prowl for a half-breed's scent."
She sneers at the reminder, no doubt missing the days where I was just a regular mook with no infamy to my name.
"Of course. So no scouts, no infiltration. Either we attack it head on now and risk springing a trap, or we sit aside and wait, shift our forces to fight for smaller towns and villages across the fringe of Gusion lands."
I hum, tilting my head in appraisal.
"Pretty much. Every second spent here is another second that risks Bidleid returning to Cainhurst with his army, and this opportunity vanishing entirely. For all intents and purposes, this is now or never, Sera."
She sighs again, this time much deeper. Serafall almost seems to age a century before my eyes, a tiredness in her gaze that leaves me feeling uniquely sympathetic.
"...I don't want this war to last any longer than it needs to. If we take Cainhurst, the first domino in a long line leading to Lucifaad will fall, and we'll be one step closer to putting this nightmare behind us. However... I won't force you through a battle that could very well be a trap. We'll hold it to a vote."
I blink in surprise, having not expected Serafall to actually be quite the reasonable leader and cherish her soldiers lives.
Ten long years of bloodshed, and she's still got her integrity. Guess you're special, huh? It only took you three months to lose yours-
"All in favour of attacking Cainhurst say aye."
Dead silence.
The room is utterly still for several long moments, before I slowly raise my hand and offer a simple Aye. For a split-second, Serafall gives me a look that I'm almost certain says: thank you for trying. Then, she's straight back to business.
"It seems we have an answer. If none of you wish to attack Cainhurst, then you won't need to. We'll hold off for now, wait for the reports from our scouts and set our sights on the greater lands of Gusion. Trebios, show me the movements of..."
She falls back into a rhythm shortly after, the usual hubbub of her garrison quickly returning. Across the table, I notice Diallos' eyes fall upon me one last time, before he steps away to discuss something with his own troops, heading to a map of the borders between Gusion and Flauros lands.
Part of me wonders if I should have told her of my plan. In spite of all the confusion my vision through the Precursor's Eye has given me, I wonder if I should have been honest. Unfortunately, I can't.
I need to be there on my lonesome. I need to kill every last Devil in Cainhurst, and steal every ounce of their power. If I can't have Diamor, then I'll settle for the next best thing.
I won't settle for Kill Contributions. I need every speck of power I can get. I refuse to die at Bidleid's hands, I need to be strong enough to fight back before that day arrives.
This is the best way I have. The best way that won't net me a possible prison time should I kill Diamor. Yes, I doubt anyone could stop me, but... there are consequences to these things. I'm not stupid enough to ignore that, yet.
With that thought in mind, I slip past the gathered Satanihilus and head back into the cellars through the rotted stairway. My every step seems to echo through the vile chamber, and if I remain silent for long enough, I'm almost certain I'd be able to hear Diamor's mumbling.
My goal isn't the Belial, though. Not this time. Just short of the entrance to the cellars, I find my true target, hidden in the shadowed corner of her cell with a firm pair of shackles around her arms and legs.
Saminora Ghaldry: Level 54
Not a Clan Devil. Not even an Extra Demon. Just a young woman fighting for what she believed in, fighting for tyranny. One of many who killed several Satanihilus during the battle for Chastinal.
She shirks away further into the cell when I take a step closer, looking up at me with something akin to terror. I've no doubt she heard our little interrogation with Diamor.
Tensing my jaw at the thought, I make sure to cast a Silencio around the surrounding area to ensure nobody hears this conversation - mainly the Satanihilus.
"I would advise you to stay still. I'm not here to torture you. There's nothing worthwhile I could get from you, anyways."
Saminora whimpers, arms raised to protect her head, as though that would keep her safe from me. For a moment, I worry that the Satanihilus have been... less than kind to this prisoner to spur on such a reaction, but no. She's entirely unharmed.
This woman truly is deathly afraid of me.
Sighing at the thought, I pull at the cell door, frowning as I realise that it's locked. With another deep sigh, this time at my own ignorance, I rear back a fist and Charge it enough to smash open the door, pointedly ignoring the yelp of shock she makes.
"As I have said, I would prefer you remain silent. I'm not here to torture you. I simply have need of you for something."
Just as I take a step forward into the cell, I find myself stopped dead in my tracks by the feeling of a cold sword at my neck, courtesy of Serafall's Frostweaver.
"Fraternising with the enemy, are we? I took you for many things, Ali... A traitor definitely wasn't one of them."
Her tone is colder than anything I've ever heard from her in my life. For a moment, I truly do worry that she's going to cut into my neck, my hands raised in surrender - but she sighs and lessens the pressure a moment later, much to my gratitude.
"My intentions here weren't quite betrayal, Sera. If that were my goal, I'd start my own faction in this war and work against both the Satanihilus and the Loyalists. I have more than enough reason to hate the both of you, after all."
I turn slowly, now meeting her eyes. She's staring at me with an odd mixture of caution and amusement.
"Really? The noise cancellation, the silent getaway... this ain't a good look, Ali."
I snort, rolling my eyes against my own will.
"You're telling me. No, as it turns out, I have a plan, Serafall. A plan for Cainhurst, one that I've no doubt will end with us inside the Castle's walls, and ready for any possible ambush. All I need is for you to trust me."
Her brow raises.
The sword at my neck presses deeper now, a drop of blood falling the tiny cut it leaves behind. The Doppelganger appears of his own volition to protect me, but he's quickly incapacitated by a flurry of knives thrown from Serafall's hand that leaves him skewered against the wall.
"Trust you, huh? That's all you need for this grand plan of yours?"
I sigh, dismissing the Doppelganger a moment later and thanking him for the lackluster attempt at protecting me.
"I mean it, Serafall. I have a plan, and I have a method. You want this war to end as soon as possible? Then trust me. That's all it ask."
Serafall drops the sword the instant I finish speaking, the blade vanishing into ice that trails up her now folded arms.
"For the record, I never actually thought you were betraying me, Ali. I'm gonna be honest, I just wanted to fuck with you."
...charming.
"Yes, well, as fun as that must have been for you, I actually meant what I was saying. I have an idea for how to take Cainhurst with minimal effort on your part, and it all starts with this here woman. Saminora, would you kindly step forward?"
Sera peers over my shoulder at the terrified woman, who ever so slowly steps forward into my space. Saminora glances at me, some form of pleading on her lips, before she notices Serafall behind me and pales.
If I thought she was afraid of me, then... fucking hell. Sera has put the fear of Go- no, the fear of Lucifer - into this woman.
"So? What's this big plan of yours, then?" Sera asks, head now leaning over my shoulder thanks to a handy chunk of ice beneath her feet, giving her the height required for such an act.
"Trade secret, I'm afraid. All you need to know is that I need this woman to be freed for my plan to work."
Sera's amusement dips considerably, shaking her head over my shoulder.
"No. Nuh-uh, not happening. She's heard too much from our conversation with Diamor. Letting her go is asking for trouble."
I sigh, summoning Caduceus into my hand, much to Saminora's growing terror.
"All I ask is that you trust me, Serafall. That you put your faith in me, much like you have before. Cainhurst will be yours within the next few hours if you just let me do this. I know we've had our differences, spilled enough blood to fill a swimming pool, but I need your confidence. I make this request not as Alistair Mammon, but as the Demi-fiend. As a soldier in your army."
...Silence.
She's mulling over the words, her body stiff against my own now as the words ring in her mind. I can almost feel the moment when she finally relents, her body relaxing against my shoulder as she sags.
"...Fine. You've proven yourself capable so far. If this goes wrong though, then you're the one who's gonna have to explain this to the High Council. And to Sirzechs."
My smile widens.
"I choose this fate of my own free will, Sera. Should this go wrong, then I'll bear their scorn with pride. Now please... do remain quiet while I do this."
Sera nods silently, saying nothing more.
Taking that as my cue, I surge forward and stab Saminora through the lung with Caduceus, several times over in a single second. She gasps silently, falling back and staring at me with a seething hatred as she clutches a hand to her chest.
Barely a moment later, I Charge my fist once again, and shatter the chains atop her hands and feet. The very second the chains are gone, and her Mana is returned, Saminora vanishes into a Teleportation circle.
Silence reigns for a long moment as I dismiss the Caduceus and dust my hands, turning back to Sera now with a wide grin.
"Step one of the plan is complete. Now, you're probably very confused, no? Why would he hurt her, if only so he could free her a moment later, right?"
She tilts her head, arms folded as she leans against the cell door.
"Yeah. Spot on, actually. That, and I'm wondering how the fuck you could possibly consider this a smart idea whatsoever. All you've done is, what, kill her? I saw those strikes, you punctured both her lungs. She's got barely a few minutes left."
I take a few steps closer to Serafall now, keeping a mental timer running in my head as I do so. With barely a few inches remaining between us, I lean down and finally let her in on my scheme.
43... 44... 45...
"You mentioned tricks up my sleeve beforehand, no? Welcome to one of them. You see, I happen to have a unique power that I've not nearly made enough use of over my time in the Satanihilus. One that is going to singlehandedly win us Cainhurst."
56... 57... 58...
Serafall levels an unimpressed look at me, her lips set in a straight line.
"Oh, yeah? Go on, then. Indulge me, oh great master of the bullshit. What absurd trick have you stumbled upon this time? You gonna pull another dragon out your pocket?"
71... 72... 73...
"No, not this time. No dragons, just... a very conditional power. You see, this one in particular allows me to place a mark on someone if I deal enough damage to them. A Hunter's Mark to be precise. Once a target is marked, I can teleport to them at any time, and from any distance."
Her eyes widen the moment I finish speaking, walking forward and reaching out as if to take hold of me, her voice eerily calm.
"Ali, that's suicide. You'd be going in alone against an entire battalion."
Her hand finally reaches my shoulder, but phases through it as I initiate the Skill.
"Ta-ta, Serafall. I'll be back before dinner."
She whirls on the spot after phasing through me, her eyes frenzied and staring at me with a mixture of worry and annoyance.
"Don't you fucking dare-"
------------------------------------
[Diallos Belial]
Every gaze in the room is drawn to the cellar door when Lady Sitri slams it open, her eyes nothing short of bloodshot and frenzied. Every conversation falls to silence, every plan and every scheme cut short as the General heaves out each breath.
Not from exhaustion, no.
This is fury. Guilt. Worry. A plethora of things that I can't possibly name running through her mind all at once.
"I need every single Satanihilus ready to move in five minutes. No exceptions. Diallos, with me."
Confusion rings out across the room, several hesitant voices speaking up about how she agreed to not move on Cainhurst just a few minutes prior, several more complaining that she's making a mistake.
Through gritted teeth and with another heaving breath, Lady Sitri says the words that, looking back, I'm almost certain spelled the beginning of the end for the Civil War.
"The Demi-fiend has gone to take Cainhurst on his own. He's there as we speak. We can't afford to waste any time."
...Dead silence.
It was as though you could hear a pin drop. The Satanihilus gathered here glance among one another, apprehensive and utterly confused as they do so.
"...on his lonesome? Are you... are you sure, Lady Sitri?" I ask, moving to her side.
"Yes! Now get moving, dammit!" She cries, her fist slamming down onto the table just as mine had several minutes prior, eyes now shadowed by her hair as she looks down.
And yet still, the room remains stunned into silence. Perhaps due to astonishment that the Demi-fiend could make such a terrible decision. Perhaps in confusion at what she expects them to do.
I, however, am not under any illusions.
As a man who has had the misfortune of being acquainted with the bizarre creature known as Alistair Mammon, I can guarantee that this isn't in fact the Underworld's most elaborate suicide attempt.
He genuinely thinks this is a good idea. Truth be told, I'm not sure if that makes this worse.
"You heard the General! Every able-bodied Satanihilus, ready to move out before the next five minutes are up. We cannot afford to lose the Demi-fiend's power, and especially not at the hands of his own stupidity!"
The spell seems to finally be broken, several of the Satanihilus making commands through their own transmissions, gathering the soldiers in their garrisons and moving around the room in a hurry.
Among them all, though, one man remains still. Lord Wornia Eligos, second son of the acting Lord. He stares at Serafall with apprehension befitting a man of cowardice.
"...are you certain this is a good idea, General Sitri? If Cainhurst is a trap like we suspect, then following after the Demi-fiend only means we'll also be caught in it."
Somehow, Serafall's fury only seems to grow upon hearing that. Before any of us can react, she whirls on the spot, her fist shattering a good portion of the cobbled stone that forms these walls.
She spends several long seconds in that position, with her fist against the cratered wall, her breathing slow and measured, before she finally pulls away.
Now composed, and most importantly focused, she unclenches her fist and turns back to Wornia, the room utterly silent.
"The Demi-fiend's power is far too valuable. Ali, in general, is incredibly valuable. I will not lose such a potent asset to our cause. He needs our help. I'll be damned if I don't give it to him, Lord Eligos."
I sigh at the man's blatant disobedience, but think nothing of it as the room returns to the visceral noise as it had before. Unfortunately for us, in a situation where just about every second counts, Lord Eligos refuses to help.
"Are you sure this is a sound tactical decision, Lady Sitri? We all noticed your little rendezvous with the Demi-fiend just a few days ago. How do we know your judgement isn't being tainted, that this isn't just the woes of a lover-"
He barely has a chance to finish the word lover before Lady Sitri blurs across the room, a sword formed of her Clan Trait pressed against the second-born's throat faster than anyone in the room could blink.
Ice slowly forms against the edges of these humble stone walls, General Sitri's breath now punctuated by a cold, heavy chill as she speaks slowly. I can't help but sigh.
"My personal life is of no consequence to you, and nor is it of consequence to this decision. The Demi-fiend is one of the most powerful Devils we have available in the Satanihilus, and one of the most potent healers the Underworld has ever seen. That is why I ask you to follow me. The next time you question my orders, it will be the last thing you say as a soldier of the Satanihilus."
Lord Eligos straightens up, a bead of sweat forming on his brow as he nods hastily, terrified by the fire in Lady Sitri's cold eyes.
"Do not be mistaken, Lord Eligos. Alistair and I have wanted to hurt one another for a great many days. This is entirely beyond that. I will not let Ali kill himself like this. I won't let him fall victim to his own ego."
Wornia, thankfully, decides that he's not in the mood for Serafall's ire today. He nods once again, a hurried 'yes, ma'am' spilling from his lips as she tosses aside the sword.
With Lord Eligos corralled, Lady Sitri walks over to my side, placing a hand to my shoulder and giving me an incredibly special command.
"If this goes wrong, we'll need someone there to keep us safe. Diallos, I need you to get in contact with Lilith. Tell them it's urgent, if you say the Demi-fiend is in danger they'll listen in the blink of an eye."
Her hold over my shoulder tightens, her eyes now gleaming with an intensity I've never seen from her, not since the first months of the Civil War.
"Sirzechs is busy scouting Judecca. Ajuka is busy handling his Agreas preparations. I need you to get in contact with Lilith, and I need you to bring Falbium here. Do you understand me, Diallos? Someone else can handle the barrier for a while. We'll need protection of our own in Cainhurst if this turns out to be a trap."
I nod, giving her a firm salute in the form of a fist over my chest and a half-bow.
"By your command, Lady Sitri. Lord Glasya-Labolas will be aiding you in this battle, of that I can promise."
She sighs, equal parts relief and exasperation.
"Thank you, Diallos."
She then turns back to the gathered Satanihilus, her voice stern and her demeanour even sterner.
"Two minutes until we move out! I'm not letting that stupid bastard die, and neither are you! Am I understood?"
A chorus of cheers ring out in response, something that I'm hesitant to admit makes me smile upon hearing.
"Yes, Ma'am! That stupid bastard won't die!"
------------------------------------
[Alistair Mammon]
The moment I open my eyes again, I find myself surrounded on all sides by Loyalists.
Saminora certainly didn't hesitate to teleport back to Cainhurst after being injured, much as I had hoped. She herself lay on the floor in what seems to be a supply room, her wounds still draining blood onto the floor as five other Devils freeze up at the sight of me.
"Boo."
My voice breaks the spell of panic that had been cast over the gathered Loyalists, swords drawn and spells pointed at me in a split-second after I finish speaking.
My grin remains as wide as ever as the Doppelganger appears at my side, Saminora's throat crushed beneath my boot and another poor Devil's skull painting the walls of this room thanks to my fist in that very same moment.
"Sir! The-"
Caduceus skewers the young man trying to contact his superior through the neck before he can finish the transmission, a second swing cutting into his nape enough to sever the spinal cord. He dies on the spot, the call cut off, but my arrival has no doubt made quite a lot of noise to begin with.
The Doppelganger also finishes with his brief battle, two armoured Devils left littered with holes as he wipes an imaginary bead of sweat from his brow, offering me a curt thumbs up just a moment later.
"That's step two, complete. Now, time to get to work, Doppel. Cainhurst won't take itself."
Following those words, I flick Caduceus aside the clean the blood from it, and walk up the steps leading into this supply room, making sure to turn off the System's Alerts for now. Rather save myself the trouble of seeing so many EXP gain notifications.
At the top of the stairway itself is a single wooden door, being bashed in by a worried Devil who has no doubt smelled the blood spilled within the room... and now he can almost definitely smell me, too.
"...Demi-fiend?"
His voice, hesitant and confused, quickly becomes a gargled choke as Thorn's bullet penetrates the wooden door, embedding itself into his chest a moment later and sending poison tearing through his veins.
Not wasting any time, I kick down the door immediately after and Sonido into the back of the first Loyalist I lay eyes on, placing Thorn to the back of her head and pulling the trigger before she has the chance to scream.
Hearing a cry of exertion behind me, I Blink away and watch as a sword cuts through where my Doppelganger now stands. The mana construct wasts no time in turning around and skewering the Devil upon his blade through the chest.
I scan the room once again, seeing nothing of note. Nothing but a corridor, anyways. I'd doubt there would be anything resembling actual Loyalist presence in here.
Tensing my jaw, and making sure Thorn is reloaded by grabbing onto the Soul in front of me, I don't hesitate to keep moving forward, walking through the next door I see and being met with-
"...pardon the intrusion."
-a room full of Loyalists, what must be twenty of them, all gathered around various tables and playing games amongst themselves.
Some play simple card games, others show off their weapons to their allies, and some even choose to play five finger fillet.
The moment they register my presence, though, it's like a bomb goes off. The room damn near explodes into motion, Devils scrambling to attack me in any way.
Thinking quickly, I Sonido forward and make a Dread Mirror of the nearest Devil I can see, stabbing him through the head shortly after and ensuring no spells make contact with me. With a barrier established, I slowly lift Thorn and fire a single deafening shot.
The unfortunate victim gags in pain, his veins and flesh immediately lit up green as ichor burns away at him, the bullet having landed squarely in his stomach.
Now for the fun part.
As the poison burns away at this poor, poor man, I summon Death's Cradle to my side and cast what could now very well be my most powerful Skill: Death Wish.
The spectral thorns wrap around the poisoned Devil's body, his skin instantly turning pale and pallid as the Blight kicks in.
And then Pestilent Propagation activates.
From one, to another, to the next, the effects of Blight and Thorn's Devourer poison spread through the room, chaining between each man. Faster than I could even blink, every Devil within is choking and gagging in agony, clutching at their bodies and letting out silent screams as they fall to the ground.
The world burns with green ichor, venom seeping through their pores and biting away at the flesh as it kills them slowly, their Blight-ailed, weakened forms only growing weaker by the moment.
I walk through the room with what can only be called giddy astonishment, watching as every last one of these Loyalists burn away thanks to Thorn's poison. One bullet, and a single cast of Death Wish. That's all it took.
...Oh, fuck yes.
This is going to be fun.