87 A Treatment To Follow

Having returned to the Talvit mansion, I decide to continue resting. I still feel weak and now that the priests have stopped casting spells, I can feel the pain return. Eli and Idrilth apparently decided to stay with me, even if I told them it wasn't necessary. Not so much later, Ashmodai also decided to pay a visit. He didn't pry into the Cornelius situation or the conversation I had with the first sight, but rather simply came to play cards together. He won, just like always but still, it was quite the fun distraction. I asked about what everyone was doing. Leilaya and Randyl have just been saying in the estate. Keeping themselves out of sight and generally out of trouble. Ergillaz and Tharnomath have been on edge lately, feeling rather nervous that they've lost sight of Ulthris and Anima. Sorzana Soquil on the other hand doesn't seem bothered. Well, it's not like she cared in the first place, so she has just been messing around. "Looking for excitement and fun", she said, so if we're going to do anything "fun" we should call for her.

The day gradually became night as we decided to call it a day. I decided to go to sleep early, as I don't know when the treatment is planned for tomorrow. The darkness beckons me easily, feeling exhausted and tired from my wounds and the conversations had.

***

Morning arrives, a young sunset awakens me. Feeling a bit peckish, I make my way towards the dining room. Not summoning any servants simply because I dislike social contact in the early morning. At some moment, the servants of the state used to literally stand in front of my door, waiting for me to wake up. Let's just say that they quickly realized to not bother me during the beginning minutes of my day.

Having made my way towards the dining room without any distractions, I see Ergillaz already sitting at the luxurious marble dining table. A cup of "demon's rage" already sits there, prepared for me. I immediately drink from the cup, so that I'm functional again.

"When are we going?" I ask Ergillaz.

"As soon as you're finished." He replies curtly, his golden eyes looking heavier than usual.

"That's quite the gloomy look for a treatment," I respond, trying to lighten the incredible solemn atmosphere, Ergillaz his eyes have created.

"I guess." he simply responds, immediately dismissing any hope of a conversation or change of mood.

Noting that my attempt has completely failed, I simply stay quiet and quickly finish drinking my cup. Ergillaz immediately stands up as soon as I've finished, he walks away, not looking back once as I follow with a tingling feeling of regret coursing through my spine.

***

The 40-minute walk was probably as rushed and awkward, that one could get. It was closer to a slow jog than actually walking, and the eyes aimed at us didn't really help. Their whispers soft enough so you can't distinguish who said, but loud enough, so you can hear every miserable discussion muttered.

Some were words of revelry for the new champion, others were those of concern for my injury, and many were words of disgust. Disgusted that a champions lost his arm, wondering if this was a chance to cut my neck and put my head on a pike as a sign of their own skill.

One of the onlookers even had the guts to test this theory as he walked towards me with his weapon drawn. Killing intent clear for the eye to see as a smirk was on his face thinking about the possible glory.

'At least you died with a smirk on your face.' I think watching the decapitated head of the small fry, who started to dream above his station.

I lick the blood of my summoned spear, with which I used to kill him in the blink of an eye. The murmurs of trying to kill me, quickly dispersing, as if no one ever had the idea in the first place.

***

The rest of our walk was undisturbed regarding any violence, pesky eyes did continue to stare, however. But alas, Ergillaz and I arrive at our destination. Which was apparently the church itself.

The church seems rather bare compared to some estates in the upper district, still the larger size and polished stone carry their own dignity. At a closer inspection, you can see a row of stone gargoyles on top of the church. They seem to be identical to the ones that I saw on the wall surrounding Lucille's Light.

"What are you staring at?" Ergillaz asks in a displeased tone.

"Just admiring the infrastructure," I respond dryly, seeing that we've already arrived at our destination.

"Keep up." He responds, quickly turning around.

I follow Ergillaz into the church, as he truly seems to have not one bit of patience today.

The inside of the church looked completely different from what you would expect a normal church to look like. The gray stones are dirtied with dust and remnants of blood, whilst the air is filled with the scent of narcotics. The mosaics depict their wish for strength through the images of slaughter and murder. Most noticeably however is the large 4-meter-high statue in the middle. This statue of a woman has a base made out of something resembling marble, her eyes are made of the purest shining rubies that I've ever seen and her hair and angelic wings have the color black of the darkest abyss.

A familiar figure stands before the statue as I see Treyah Tuldani await us. He also seems strangely on edge, and for some reason this makes me nervous.

"You've arrived." Treyah Tuldani calmly calls out.

"Shut up and get on with it," Ergillaz replies in an instant.

Having noticed the situation, Treyah Tuldani knocks against the statue of Luciel. The statue shifts out of the way in response, showing an underground passage.

The first sight and Treyah immediately walk into this dark passage only lit by some unknown dark red light without a second thought. Forcing me to follow without truly analyzing what this place is supposed to be.

Passing by many doors, I begin to wonder where my treatment is going to be held. Almost as if responding to my thoughts, however, Treyah opens one of the doors. Swiftly following inside, I see a rather crude sight.

A bare room that looks completely vandalized, with only a wooden table that has some sort of straps attached to it welcomes me.