When the Creator fell, the world was left without a guiding light. From the ashes of the Creator’s power, 100 golden coins sprang forth. Each coin was a ticket to godhood, a chance to shape the world according to one’s will. The coin holders could bend the rules of reality, manipulate the flow of life and death, and influence the destiny of all living beings. The only question was whether they would be benevolent or cruel. But being a god was not a walk in the park. The world of gods was a ruthless arena, where the gods clashed and schemed for more power and higher rank. The rank was a measure of who among the 100 gods was the most formidable and who had the largest portion of the Creator’s power. The higher the rank, the greater the power. The lower the rank, the lesser the power. The rank was also affected by the followers, who were people who revered and prayed to a god. The more followers a god had, the higher their rank. The fewer followers a god had, the lower their rank. One of the gods was Moriarty, who had stumbled upon one of the coins and became the 100th god. After he had climbed up the ranks, he realized he was unhappy with his life as a god. He longed for his simple days as a mortal, before he was thrown into this chaotic game. He also despised those who forced him to become a god, and vowed to take revenge on them. He thought to himself: “Just wait, I will devise a plan to kill all of my followers. I will reclaim my peaceful life. My time for vengeance is coming.” Would Moriarty succeed in killing all his followers and restoring his peaceful life by lowering his rank? Or would the followers defy the odds and fight back against him and other gods, reaching the peak of power? Harem? Romance? From the MC’s perspective, it’s never going to happen. But from the heroines’ point of view, it’s a sure thing. They see romance and hearts everywhere.
"This act will be called, The Sunset." the Madam said, announcing the name of their next operation with a confident voice.
The captains nodded, as they read the documents in front of them that contained the draft scripts of the operation. They were curious and eager to know what the Madam had planned for them.
"Aren't your men already bored, and the act before was quite short? They must be eager for more action and excitement." she continued, taunting them with a smile. She knew how to motivate them and make them feel challenged.
She gave them some leeway and encouragement. "This is just a draft, I know it was quite sudden, and I know you can do it. So I will give you freedom to fill whatever script your men want, as long as it follows the main plot. You should be grateful for this opportunity." She trusted their skills and creativity.
They all nodded again, showing their gratitude and loyalty. They were grateful for the Madam's trust and generosity.
She slammed her hand on the table, making a loud noise that startled them. "RIGHT!" She wanted to make sure they were paying attention and ready for action.
"Hah! Yes Madam!" they shouted in unison, saluting her. They were eager to please her and show their dedication.
"Good, good." she said, nodding with satisfaction. She was pleased with their enthusiasm and obedience.
One of the captains asked, "What about the men who are off-duty? Where should we put them?" He was concerned about the trouble and unpredictability of his comrades.
"Yes, we can't have them loitering around, just put them in prison. In any case they will be happy to be there." the Madam answered, dismissing their concern. She didn't care about the off-duty men, as long as they didn't interfere with the operation.
They all nodded once more, accepting her decision. They knew better than to question her authority or judgment.
"So, ready your men before the sun sets. Is that clear?" she asked, looking at them with a stern gaze. She wanted to make sure they understood the urgency and importance of the operation.
"Hah! Yes Madam!" they replied, nodding vigorously. They understood her expectations and instructions.
"Dismissed." she said, waving her hand. She had given them their orders and expected them to execute them flawlessly.
◇
In the Capital of Kisesh Kingdom.
Sennaida checked her luggage, having finished the mission her sister gave her, to gather personal supplies that men could not order. She had spent a few days in the capital, shopping and exploring the city. She enjoyed the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis, which was different from her usual environment.
She also delivered the custom made orders her clients requested. Some of them were magic items she didn't know what they were used for as they had no useful functionality, she shrugged it as a kind of room decoration, and she didn't really care as long as she was earning money. She was proud of her craftsmanship and reputation, which attracted many customers from different places.
She was an earner and never needed the help of her sister or the kingdom fund for that matter. And she liked it that way, being independent and self-reliant. She valued her freedom and autonomy, which allowed her to pursue her interests and hobbies.
"Hah… finally! This will hold." She said to herself, as she shook her luggage checking if they would fall off. She had bought a lot of things, more than she had planned. She couldn't resist the temptation of buying new and interesting items, which caught her eye.
She didn't notice that she shopped too much, making her pocket space full and needing the remaining items to be carried instead. She had a large bag and a suitcase, both of them stuffed with clothes, accessories, books, and other things. She hoped that they would fit in her room, which was already crowded with her collections.
After a deep breath, lightning struck her location and she disappeared, only leaving a shallow crater embossed on the ground.
Within seconds she appeared miles away, lightning crackling around her. Her black hair waved in the wind, and her red eyes turned yellow. She activated her power mode, which enhanced her abilities and senses. She used her magic to teleport herself to another place, which was faster and more convenient than using any other means of transportation.
She had a fierce look on her face like her sister, contrasting her cute dress. She was wearing a pink dress with white lace and ribbons, which matched her fair skin and slender figure. She liked to dress up in girly outfits, which made her feel happy and confident.
She smiled, lightning struck again and she was gone. She moved from one place to another, using her lightning magic to travel across the land. She was heading to her next destination, the Lorelei Fortress.
◇
Moriarty nibbled the skewer with a frown, finding no joy in the flavor. He had hoped for a mouth-watering and satisfying feast, but he was met with a disgusting taste.
"What happened to the cook…" he muttered under his breath, too quiet for anyone to hear. He forced himself to swallow his food, feeling a pang of regret as he remembered his breakfast.
'The food looks so tempting and inviting, even smells heavenly, but that's all…' He grumbled in his mind, wondering how the food could be so awful. He glanced at the other soldiers who were eating happily, chatting and laughing. They seemed to enjoy their food.
'Ugh… this one is so bitter…'
He made a face as he bit into a piece of meat that had a weird taste. It was a mix of sweet, sour, spicy and sometimes salty flavors, but none of them matched or complemented each other. His mood sank lower and lower as he ate. He felt like he was eating a random pile of ingredients without any rhyme or reason. Still, he didn't waste any food, eating everything on his plate.