The Wandering Devil
Chapter: 36
Disclaimer: I don't own High School Dxd or any other universe used in this story.
Pa/ t reon details below the chapter if you're interested in seeing some content in advance.
(War Games)
I adjusted my grip on the weapon that Hestia had given me, which currently took the form of a long spear.
My basilisk slithered silently under my clothes, shifting to get in a comfortable position as she enjoyed the warmth of my body. I was on the 14th floor. Mostly looking for Minotaurs.
Bell and Lili were hanging out with Hestia. Welf was doing Welf things by himself in his temporary forge so I had some time to kill.
A group of Minotaurs rounded the corner ahead.
The massive, bull-headed creatures that should have charged immediately upon seeing us. Instead, they hesitated, snorting and pawing at the ground like they were weighing whether we were worth the trouble.
"You guys wouldn't happen to know the way around would you?" I questioned.
I was lost.
Now, I can't say that this was entirely my fault since this place was confusing.
The Minotaurs titled their heads as if they understood what I was saying. For a moment I almost expected the large bulky figures to pull out a map only to receive a roar instead.
I shifted my desire to the weapon I had bought for me. It was definitely divine.
It changed into a pristine golden sword with blue letters carved on its surface.
My sword carved through the first one's neck before it could raise its axe. Instead of outright using any magic or just relying on my superior speed, I used my sword to deflect the Minotaur axe away.
The Minotaur stumbled back, and I let the other one charge.
I brought my sword up in a defensive stance, remembering the basic lessons I'd received but never really put into practice.
The Minotaur's axe came down in a powerful overhead strike. Instead of simply overpowering it, I angled my blade to redirect the force, stepping to the side as the axe scraped harmlessly past.
I doubt this would work so smoothly without my superior strength and speed but it couldn't hurt to try.
These were the best monsters I could find that would imitate fighting against another humanoid.
The second Minotaur stumbled forward from its momentum, and I brought my sword around in a horizontal slash. Not perfect form, but it got the job done.
The third Minotaur was more cautious now, having seen its companions fall. It circled me slowly, looking for an opening.
I advanced, keeping my guard up. When it finally attacked, I parried rather than dodged, feeling the shock of impact travel up my arms.
My form was sloppy, but I was learning. The divine weapon seemed to hum with approval as I worked to improve my technique rather than rely purely on overwhelming power.
The Minotaur swung again, a wide horizontal arc. I ducked under it and stepped in close, driving my sword up into its chest.
I nodded in satisfaction.
The Minotaurs were physically powerful, probably a level three in pure power even if the level two's could beat them.
I spent a little longer on the 14th floor, working through the last few Minotaurs.
My sword stayed responsive to my will, and I decided to mostly practise with a sword first which was the only weapon the devil part of me was familiar with.
I didn't waste energy using magic.
I kept moving. Floor 15, then 16.
The monsters got a bit tougher, but not by much.
Not bad for someone mostly winging it.
Eventually, I stopped pretending I was just "training" and made the decision. I looked down the next set of stairs, into the deeper levels of the Dungeon.
I felt my basilisk shift under my clothes, her tongue flicking against my skin.
When I found a staircase leading down, I descended. I didn't stop at 20. I passed 21 and 24. I finally slowed down when I reached Floor 27.
Monsters came fast.
What I believed to be a Sahuagin lunged out from a pool, trident raised, only for my sword to catch it mid-charge. The monster screamed and fell back, and I followed with a second slash that opened its chest.
I didn't bother picking up the monster stone, as I used small bursts of magic to make them float into my bottomless pouch.
I hummed as a large burst of water exploded upwards as what I could identify as a Whirlpool Elemental rose nearby, its form swirling with water and faint magic.
It didn't waste its time, its two eyes locking onto me and sending a blast of high-pressure water shot at me.
I slashed at it, not before layering a variety of the shielding charms I had created with the liberal use of imagination magic. It burst apart in a splash of steam and light. I briefly sent the sword an astonished look
Before I zipped forward and slashed through the monster.
For a while, I was in the zone
Killing, testing and observing.
The dungeon was the perfect place to test out any new spells I modified or fighting styles to develop. As morbid as it was, I could kill without consequence.
I stopped on a narrow bridge, water moving below.
My basilisk moved slightly.
"We are being watched." Is hissed.
They had been for a little while as I traversed the dungeon.
Since they were watching and presumably hiding from me.
The Apollo Familia perhaps? Or the secret Familia that I had encountered a few times. It hadn't been hard to figure out that someone had been watching me. Having multiple beings watching me from the roof and the strange situation with the Apollo Familia.
I wiped my blade clean, frowning at the unusual behaviour.
The water below rippled.
I tilted my head and looked up.
There, half-shrouded in the ceiling's broken stone, was something watching me. Glowing eyes with slit pupils. Grey, stony skin. Wings tucked tight against a wide frame.
Definitely not human.
It was a monster.
A second too late, he realized I'd spotted him.
With a sharp beat of his wings, he launched from the ceiling, stone flaking off behind him as he dove straight down, claws out. His face was twisted with surprise.
I stepped aside and caught him by the throat mid-dive.
He choked out a breath, body jerking as we hit the ground. His talons scraped at the stone, his tail swinging out to regain balance. We locked eyes. His hands gripped my arm.
"What are you?" he rasped.
I blinked.
"You can talk?"
I found a stony fist swinging towards my face for my efforts. I pushed him away and deftly avoided the wild punch. I pushed aside another hit and kicked him away. Not truly attempting to kill him but defending myself.
"You are not human." The being stated. "Yet, you share a human appearance."
He sent another flurry of punches that I weaved through, sending a hard punch of my own that pushed the monster back. With its large wings, it attempted to fly and I decided to let my leathery wings explode out of my back.
The monster's eyes widened, and all its hostility seemingly vanished.
"Again, I must ask. What are you?" The monster said. "I've never seen anything like you."
I went to respond, only for the monster's eyes to narrow. Its body moved and It promptly dove from its spot in the air, gaining momentum and flying
through a crack in the floor.
I gave chase and quickly found that it led to more corridors. I attempted to follow him more out of curiosity than anything but found myself losing him rather quickly.
Well, wasn't that interesting?
I stayed still for a moment, thoughtful as I stared at the area where the monster had abruptly fled.
It seemed there was more to the dungeon than just mindless monsters, so I briefly scanned my foggy memory of the events of the canon timeline. Only to find myself coming short.
Then again, I had known that by the strange reaction to my presence that the dungeon had.
I decided to search around for a while, continuing my training while half-looking for the monster. After an hour of finding nothing, I decided to head back up to the surface.
-Scene Break-
I looked at the envelope with the Guild's insignia etched on the front of it. Officially stamped and sealed. Rose held it out reluctantly, her eyes shining with concern even if it wasn't noticeable to most.
"This is official," she said, voice flat. "You were right. The Apollo Familia really were up to something. It seems you have something they want and in typical Apollo Familia fashion they are using force to get it."
I nodded, not surprised. "So that's what they wanted."
"Do you have any idea as to what they want?" Rose asked.
"No. I've got multiple people watching me so it could be a lot of things." I replied thoughtfully.
"Right… and what did you do to earn this attention?" She asked flatly.
I sent her an aghast stare. "I'll have you know that for once I think it was something beyond me."
"Sure." She replied. "At least you have yourself a way out, though this has gained some traction. What do you intend to do?"
I shrugged. "I want to speak it over with Hestia first but… if I can, I want to take everything of their worth."
Rose sighed with a tight twitching smile. "I'm sure you do, do you realise the Apollo Familia is pretty strong? They are a mid-tier Familia with over a hundred members and more than a couple of level threes. While on paper the Hestia Familia is a low-tier Familia."
"Yes, well. That's why it's 'on paper' and not the reality of the matter." I sniffed.
"Zephyrion, you have three members including yourself," Rose replied patiently.
"And? I'd still beat them." I half-pouted.
Still, my eyes remained on the text formally decreeing the challenge and the subtle threats of what would happen if we were not to accept the War Game.
"Perhaps… and I doubt you have to worry about them invading your home if you say no." She said, pointedly looking at my Familia.
That had certainly been a shock for her once I revealed the large monster lazily sleeping around after she had passed through the wards.
It was strange.
No one outside or those who even stepped in could see them unless you went into the garden area at the front. Of course, if he left the boundaries then he would be seen, but he seemed content to sleep around.
She sighed. "This puts you in a tight spot. Be careful, Zephyrion."
"I'll try" I replied, taking the envelope. "Thanks, Rose."
She didn't look convinced, but she let me go.
I stepped into the house and closed the door behind me.
Hestia was already waiting in the main room, arms crossed. Her expression was unnaturally serious.
"What do you think?" I asked, knowing full well she had been eavesdropping as she did when Rose came around.
"She's right, Zeph," Hestia replied worriedly. "They aren't a small Familia."
I became thoughtful.
"What can I expect from a War Game?" I decided to ask.
"A War Game is a sanctioned battle between two Familia's," Hestia explained, arms crossed. "The Gods agree on the rules, the guild oversees it, and the outcome is binding by law. Whoever wins gains the demands set before the War Game begins."
She glanced towards me. "It's usually a way to settle grudges or status disputes… in this case, it seems Apollo is trying to leverage it against us."
"I see."
I walked over and dropped onto the couch.
She raised an eyebrow at my thoughtful look. "Why? I'm assuming you have some reason for not being more resistant to it."
I gave a small shrug. "There's an opportunity here."
She moved to sit beside me, close enough to brush my shoulders. "What kind of opportunity?"
"They clearly want something," I said. "And they think this will be an easy win. So we take the game. And in return, we take everything they put on the table."
She chewed her lip, frowning. "But that leaves the question… can you win? And will you get hurt in the process?"
I didn't answer right away. Then I reached over, pulled her gently onto my lap, and ran a hand through her hair.
"Of course."
She nodded.
"But if you disagree, I've made a way out," I informed her.
She perked up. "How?"
"Technically when they first came to declare themselves I baited them into 'hurting' Bell," I replied.
Her eyes gleamed. "Is that why you keep wrapping him in bandages every time he goes out?"
"Yes, if you are against it. I'm sure I could push back. But I doubt they will give up." I said, stroking her back.
She sighed heavily. "You know, there was a time I would have thought this was super cool. Now, it fills me with a horrible sensation."
"Understandable, as cute as you act. You are still a Goddess." I replied easily.
It was easy to forget that key fact.
Sometimes Hestia had moments where a hint of that ageless Goddess peeked through, emotions that I simply wasn't old enough to understand shifting through her eyes.
"Be as it may, I'm a Goddess that's found true love," Hestia replied, giving me a strange smile.
I hummed. "Yeah, That'll do it."
She giggled, and she cupped a hand to my face. "You don't realise how special that is. Do you? A virgin Goddess who's had dozens of Gods try their hand."
I smirked at her overly noble and prideful tone.
I rubbed my hands through her prominent curves slowly. "Not to brag, but I'm not exactly a common find either."
I mean, I was a Devil. A devil prince if I was really going for it.
So unless any other Devils learnt how to travel to other worlds I doubt she would find someone else like me in this world.
"I guess you are unlike any others I have met in this world." She said mysteriously.
"I would hope so, any other Devils being here may be cause for concern," I responded amusedly.
"Oh yeah, that too." She replied, leaning in and kissing me with a love I truly believed only a long-lived being could provide.
For a moment, I was drowned in the love and passion I had somehow stumbled upon.
She pulled back.
Hestia tilted her head. "Regarding your decision to take on the Apollo Familia. You do realize you'll only be allowed to bring Bell, Welf and Lili, right? No monsters. They don't count…"
"I heard," I said, giving her a crooked grin. "Apollo's Familia is big."
She nodded, clearly worried.
"But quality," I said, "Has its own worth against sheer quantity."
I picked her up by her thighs and carried her to my room, all the while she giggled uncontrollably.
-{Razgul Jenners}-
He listened as the announcement of the Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia was made.
He listened as the announcement of the Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia was made.
Interesting. Was the general consensus.
A War Game didn't happen too much, and to have one waged against the rapidly upcoming Hestia Familia was a topic of interest. The Guildhall buzzed with subdued conversations as adventurers and staff processed the news.
War Games were rare enough that most people hadn't witnessed one, let alone one involving such mismatched opponents.
Apollo Familia had over a hundred members, while Hestia Familia could be counted on one hand.
He found himself thinking about the two rapidly upcoming prodigies that had everyone talking.
Bell Cranel and the mysterious captain whose real name seemed to be a closely guarded secret. In just a few months, they had levelled up faster than anyone in recorded history.
The Guild's record keepers were practically pulling their hair out trying to verify the advancement speeds.
Everyone was more than a little curious to know their secret.
Some claimed it was a unique blessing from Hestia herself. Others whispered about forbidden magic or ancient artefacts.
The more paranoid suggested they were somehow cheating the system, though nobody could figure out how. And any God you spoke to would highly doubt a mortal could cheat a divine system. Which was to say it's impossible.
He'd heard at least a dozen different theories in the past week alone.
Many rumours about their captain being incredibly more powerful than what a Level 3 should permit travelled through the city like wildfire.
Adventurers who had seen him in action spoke in hushed tones about techniques that shouldn't be possible at his supposed level. The man had become something of a known figure with his prominent crimson hair.
Various names were being thrown about.
Such things happened when you grew to be noteworthy such as the Sword Princess, the Nine Hell elven princess and such other people.
It was a shame that the Apollo Familia had decided to take action in what was clearly a case of bullying against a smaller familia.
Apollo's reputation for collecting beautiful people was well known, and it seemed someone in the Hestia Familia had caught his attention. The god's persistence had crossed the line from annoying to predatory many years ago.
The War Game was obviously rigged from the start. Apollo had engineered the entire situation, from the public confrontation to the terms of engagement. He probably expected an easy victory that would let him absorb Hestia's children into his own familia.
Standard power play from a god with too much time and too little shame.
Still, he found himself looking forward to seeing how the infamous distant captain would handle the situation.
The betting pools were already forming near the Guild's information boards.
Most money was going toward Apollo, obviously, but a surprising number of people were putting small amounts on Hestia. Long-shot bets with massive payouts if they somehow pulled off a miracle.
He glanced at the official announcement board one more time before heading toward the dungeon entrance.
Whatever happened, it would be worth watching.
-{Zephyrion Gremory}-
The Guild's central hall was packed.
Gods, Familia members, and officials stood as the announcement of a formal War Game was confirmed.
Hestia stood beside me, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles were white.
Across from us, lounging like a king before his court, was Apollo.
He wore that insufferable smirk, his golden hair practically glowing under the hall's lights, surrounded by a small entourage of his smug, well-dressed followers.
They were overly confident. They knew they had numbers. They knew they had the supposed upper hand. Everyone in the room did.
Good.
That served me well.
I could feel my devil instincts humming.
The strange almost semi-conscious feelings that it gave me had the same thoughts as me.
It's a good position to be underestimated.
Apollo leaned forward, voice like syrup. "Shall we settle on terms, then?"
I had wanted to settle the terms in person, so I could be there to influence his decision-making and leverage the fact he was making a spectacle of himself.
I stepped forward, my boots echoing with each step against the marble floor.
"I propose different stakes."
That got everyone's attention.
Apollo's brows rose. "Oh?"
"If we win," I said, voice clear. "Apollo relinquishes everything. His estate. His wealth. All titles, and his main domain, especially the domain of the sun. All of it goes to Hestia."
Gasps broke out across the room. Even the Guild official looked stunned.
Hestia shot me a look. "Zephyrion, what are you-"
Apollo stood, laughter dancing on his tongue. "Everything? You'd make me a beggar, little bird?"
"You'd still be a god," I said simply. "Just one without your main Domain."
He looked at me in amusement, clearly wondering how I planned to take his domain away.
"And if you lose?" Apollo asked, tone lighter now. Mocking.
I looked him straight in the eyes.
"Then I serve you. For life."
The room fell dead silent.
Hestia grabbed my sleeve. "Zephyrion, you can't-"
"It's fine," I said softly to her. "Trust me."
Apollo's smirk widened into a grin, teeth showing.
I'm sure that little showing from Hestia had helped, not that it was prompted as she pinched my hand with a grip that I'm sure was borderline using her divine power.
"I accept."
He motioned to his follower, who pulled out a scroll and quill.
But I raised my hand first.
"No need."
I reached into my coat and pulled out a scroll of my own.
I handed it over.
Apollo took it, amused. "You came prepared?"
"I've met enough gods to know how you think," I replied. "Just to make it even more official."
I was going to have his ass. I had thought about stealing his divinity myself. But I honestly don't think the contract would allow me. It wasn't all-powerful and I truly believed it would only work on Hestia.
Which was why the contract had parts of Hestia's hair and a drop of her blood infused into it.
Hopefully, Hestia would get it and the contract would work.
He unrolled the scroll, and his gaze flicked over the clauses. He hesitated for a second, one breath, barely noticeable, before signing with a flourish.
He turned to me, missing the way it glowed and gave me a smug smile. "Let's see how far your little bluff goes. You only have three other people in your Familia."
He gestured dramatically to the hall. "While I have dozens of elite adventurers at my beck and call. How do you intend to win?"
I smiled, just a little.
The Guild official coughed and raised his voice. "By the power of the Guild and the consent of the deities involved, the War Game between Apollo and Hestia Familias is declared official. The format will be a castle siege, the Apollo Familia will defend, and Hestia Familia will attack. Preparations begin immediately."
I clicked my tongue.
A defence role would have been an easy win.
Apollo turned with a satisfied grin, walking off with his entourage. One of them, the smirking blonde swordswoman, Pheliyan, if I remember right, gave me a mocking bow as she passed.
Hestia rounded on me the moment they were gone.
"What the Heavens was that Zephyrion?!" she hissed. "Do you even understand what you just gambled?!"
I didn't flinch. "Yes."
"You bet your life." She hissed, looking more than a little worried.
"I bet what was necessary," I replied, wincing as Hestia glared at me for the first times
Her voice lowered. "Nothing about that was necessary. Even my own life is not worth this risk. How could you?"
"Hestia. I will win." I replied confidently.
She stared at me for a long moment.
"This doesn't excuse your bet. Nothing should be worth your eternal servitude. You better win this, or I'll be forced to extremes." She replied heatedly.
"Oh?"
"Don't think I won't break the divine rule and unleash my Godly form if they try to take you from me," Hestia whispered, and I couldn't help myself as I pulled her into a deep kiss.
I didn't care at the way many Gods gawked or when Bell covered his eyes innocently.
"I won't let it come to that. Trust me." I assured her.
She nodded into my chest, and my eyes narrowed slightly.
We waited briefly as the match grounds were being set up, Bell, Welf and Lili sitting with me.
Bell looked determined, Lili looked worried and exasperated while Welf was showing a grim expression. "So…" Welf started. "What exactly prompted you to think this was a good idea?"
His tone strangely enough seemed more curious than anything.
"I didn't start this, Welf," I replied lightly.
"Yeah, but you could have gotten us out of it." Lili pointed out. "Isn't that why you kept wrapping Bell up like a mummy? To bounce with claims of our own."
"That was the plan, but there's an opportunity to be had here," I said.
"You always say that," Lili replied blandly. "Literally, every single situation you find yourself in is somehow an opportunity."
"Indeed," I replied as if I was a wise monk.
"Do you have a plan?" Bell asked.
"I do." I nodded.
"It would have been better if we got to play defence with your warding skills." Lili sighed.
Tell me about it.
"It'll be fine. Being able to attack could work for us as well. From what I know they don't have any large-scale magical users, so that'll start to our advantage." I responded.
"As for roles, I think you'll be the long-ranged support." I decided.
While Lili was only level one, approaching level two. She was a very good shot, to the point that it was a serious talent of the small Pallum.
With the magical crossbow I bought her, it would give her the punch she needed.
Lili frowned thoughtfully, adjusting the thick strap on her magical crossbow. "So, what, you want me sniping while you draw the heat?"
I gave her a slow nod. "Exactly. You've got good aim, and with the enchanted bolts I gave you, you'll be able to pierce most armour. Think of it like an artillery role, but more precise. Stay high, stay mobile, and make your shots count."
She smirked. "I like that."
Bell tilted his head. "And me?"
I chuckled at the sheer determination in his eyes.
Bell had become a weapon. With the intense training genuinely turning him into something his canon self would be demolished by at this stage of time.
I glanced at him, eyes sharpening with focus. "You're going to be my chaos-maker."
"Chaos-maker?" he echoed.
"I want you to slip in when I draw their front. They'll be focused on me, my name's on the contract, after all. I'm the one they want to humiliate. You keep to the shadows, watch for openings, strike fast, and move. Cut ropes, take down supports, and scatter their backline. If we cause confusion behind their formation, they'll collapse from both sides."
Bell's eyes lit up slightly. "I can do that. But are you sure you don't want me to join you? I could be of help, my training with Takemikazuchi hasn't gone to waste."
"It'll be fine." I smiled. "Believe it or not I've been getting accustomed to fighting massive groups of people lately."
Welf stuck his hand up. "What am I to do?"
"Stay with Lili, they'll probably attempt to do something about her and having extra support will make me less focused on her," I replied.
Welf nodded, leaning back with a grin. "You think we can win this?"
"Oh, Zephyrion is winning," Hestia spoke up.
Just then the ground rumbled lightly. Trumpets began to sound. The announcer's voice rang through the coliseum.
The trumpets cut through the air, the Guild's announcer projecting across the grounds with magical amplification.
"The War Game will now begin! Attackers, take your positions!"
The field they stood on wasn't some open arena, it was a man-made battlefield, with a towering stone fortress at one end, surrounded by a defensive wall.
The Apollo Familia quickly took up their positions in the distance. Armoured adventurers stood along the parapets, archers knocking arrows, while others moved into formation near the outer gate.
Hestia, now seated in the Divine Box where the gods were to observe, stared down with furrowed brows. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, lips drawn in a thin line.
Bell was tightening the straps of his armour, eyes locked on the fortress-like it was prey. Welf adjusted his sword, checking Lili's crossbow for the last time.
"Alright." I started. "It seems this is it, remember the plan and let me do the most of it."
Welf and Lili nodded determinedly, both of them having a strange glint in their eyes and Bell sent me a hesitant look.
"Is there a problem?" I asked lightly.
"No… it's just, are you sure? I could be more useful helping you at the front." Bell asked conflictingly.
I knew he wanted to prove himself. While it was easy to overlook, me and Bell had become rather close.
Beyond the fact I had taken him off the street and given him a chance to work at his dream, which was already enough to make him completely loyal to me.
It was the little things such as eating together after a dungeon dive that had built up an even more fierce loyalty.
"I'll be fine. I've got a plan, and it's going to be destructive. So it's best if you are ready to sneak behind enemy lines." I replied calmly, I pulled out the cloak and his eyes widened.
Bell knew what the cloak did. Which was why he nodded, leaving to flank them.
Due to the flat plains, we were probably visible to the Adventurers on the tower.
It was a good thing I had learnt a rather useful wizarding spell for this.
I took out my wand to preserve my demonic power.
"Fumos."
A massive stream of mist began pervading the area, streaming directly to the fortress as I attempted to create a wall of mist around the large castle.
-{Riveria Ljos}-
Riveria sat with a blank mask even as excitement slithered through her as she watched the large floating screen.
She couldn't deny she was excited.
Zephyrion was obviously a prodigal magic user like herself, and learning about him had only made her more curious.
As smoke erupted in dense waves, she analysed it intently.
The screen focused on Zephyrion as he seemed to be the main focus of attention.
She glanced over to Hestia, his goddess.
Strangely, a twinge of something strange entered her as she thought of the two of them kissing earlier. Her eyes glazed over as that feeling grew as she thought about it, a brief vision of her figure overlapping with the Goddess before she shook her head.
As she wanted Zephyrion intently, she flinched at the giggle that resounded from next to her. Tione giggled.
"You look rather focused, Riveria." She teased.
Riveria didn't grace her win an answer, watching as Zephyrion prepared what was obviously a powerful spell.
-{Satomi Suzuki}-
Satomi chewed on her nails, her long hair falling beyond her as she stared at the ground in front of her.
Drawn in blood-red chalk, rimmed with ancient glyphs I barely recalled copying from Zephyrion's demonic contracts, the summoning circle pulsed like a living heart at the centre of the Throne Room.
The floor around it had been cleared by Albedo's command, none were allowed to stand within twenty meters of it, save those chosen for the ritual.
Demiurge entered, chained slaves closely dragged along, the knights from the Re-Estize Kingdom that she had enslaved after finding them attacking a village nearby.
Satomi barely paid attention to them, a wave of green seemingly stopping her from feeling anything at the death that was sure to come as they were used to power the circle.
"Supreme One." Demiurge gently bowed.
"Demiurge." She replied, only slightly stiff at the strangeness of speaking to a previously non-sentient being. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, our tenth attempt is ready. With the demonic circle meticulously inscribed and the artefact Wishing Ring Primed for activation, I am confident this ritual will succeed. This time, I truly believe we shall open a gate, one that draws His Majesty Zephyrion back to us," Demiurge said calmly.
The Wishing Ring had two charges left. Since she had already gone through one of them, Zephyrion had apparently bought all of the Wishing Rings that appeared in the store as flash sales on gacha items.
The circle was perfect.
Demiurge orchestrated the ritual.
Shalltear and Cocytus stood guard at opposite flanks.
The Pleiades, kneeling, each held a single black candle.
The NPCs had become fixated. Obsessed.
Every effort, every word spoken in hushed tones during meetings. The single line she had written into them had changed them to such an extent that it left her fascinated.
The way he'd once spoken, the few gestures he made when he visited them… burned into their memory. Satomi had found that they remembered his brief time here.
Satomi could admit that she was rather worried for Zephyrion. She had only done it as a joke.
It was useful, as they dedicated themselves to bringing him here. Which was Satomi's wish as well.
Power travelled through the hall, magic that she could actually sense travelled into the circle as the slaves were killed. Making the circle one of sacrifice.
She activated the wishing ring. Her wish connected with the demonic circle and a gate briefly opened up, a little slither of familiar crimson hair.
Light peered in and everyone in the room from the Pleiades to the guardian looked on in excitement and awe.
That all came to a screeching halt as the demonic circle began crackling, and the amount of magic passing through dropped substantially.
It was abrupt, but the entirety of the circle exploded and the magic fizzled off.
The brief visage of crimson hair was gone and in its place was a brief silence.
Satomi sighed.
Demiurge went to apologise but she held up her hand, a wide smile alight on her face.
"It worked. We simply need more power." She commented.
"Very wise, Supreme one. Travelling worlds was never going to be a task that didn't require a substantial amount of magical power." Demiurge replied.
Satomi smiled giddily.
They had found a way to retrieve Zephyrion.
Now they needed only to find a way to power such a spell.
-END-
if you wish to read up to sixteen chapters in advance among my stories and other things please visit pa/t reon * / Snipez818, the app is charging a lot more for some reason so I suggest using the website.
I appreciate all the support!