29 Save the black and white cat
Now I'm walking along the old mine trying not to make noise, but the further and deeper I went, the brighter the cave became. Light is created by green and red crystals. The strangest thing is that there are a lot of magic formulas here, but I can't figure out what they are for.
As I walked, I began to think, what did the Naberius family forget here?
As far as I know, this family is engaged in scientific research in the field of sciences and magical artifacts, as well as alchemy. The leader of the family is Zayvan Naberius. This family has always had only an average influence in the Demon Kingdom, so it will be difficult for them to fight and argue with such houses as Gremory, Sitri, Renway, etc. So they have always been responsible for the development of new devices and magical artifacts, and they also have little influence on the merchant market in the Southern Demon Country.
If my assumptions are correct, prohibited developments and technologies may be carried out here. Which means I can take anything from here. And kill anyone here. After all, it turns out that this place is unofficially recognized as the territory of Naberius.
While I was walking, I felt through "echolocation[ur5]" and "five senses[ur4]" how two living beings were walking here at a calm pace. I decided to hide, covering my body with dark matter and merging with dark corners, and see what would come out of it.
-*Top*-
-*Top*-
-*Top*-
When the sounds of footsteps were close enough, I heard the conversation of those living beings, when I looked closely enough at their auras, I realized that they were probably demons.
- How boring it is to spend all the time patrolling this place... The demon said in a lazy voice.
- We get paid for it, so don't complain, but work. Another demon next to him said in a stern voice.
- Yes, but tell me, who can find this place? The answer is no one! This forbidden laboratory, the demon god knows where! The first demon answered him.
- Yes, but don't forget about monsters, they are everywhere, especially since our job is not to let children escape from here. The second demon said.
- Yes, but monsters almost never come here, only a couple of mountain monsters, and underground monsters. And the children almost can't escape, because they are kept on a "Master and Slave" contract, so we almost walk here in vain. The first demon said.
"You're right about something, but... Ahhh, shut up already, hare to chat and let's finish the patrol faster! I still haven't won back from Warbuck! The second demon said in an irritated voice.
- AHAHA, and I told you not to play cards and other games with him, he's definitely cheating... - Said the first demon with malice. I stopped listening to them and went on.
So, what do I know? This is definitely a forbidden lab. This place is definitely unofficially recognized as Naberius territory, as I understood from the conversation of these demons. Also, children are kept here for some kind of project.
From all this, I can benefit, of course, if their experiment benefits me. But what should I do with the children? Kill? Save? Or leave it to the mercy of fate? A difficult question. I'll decide along the way.
To begin with, I decided to go deeper into this mine.
---
While I was walking, I felt living beings again, but this time there are more of them, and when I looked at their auras, I realized that they were too different. And I'm not talking about character or their nature, but about their races. To be more precise, there are many things in the aura that can be used to identify you. Including: emotions, character, nature, race, control, etc.
Now I feel a lot of different races. And so many different races in a place like this does not bode well. To make sure of my theory for sure, I decided to take a chance on one crazy idea...
---------------------------
(3rd person view)
Now you can see how several dozen children are walking in a column one after another with gloomy faces, and there is not even a shred of light in their eyes, as if they have lost hope for life. Also, all the children looked very special, someone had a tail, someone had long ears, someone had claws, and someone did not look like a person at all. They also wore rags for slaves.
You can also see that a couple of adults walk next to them. One of these men is dressed in completely black clothes, as well as wearing a white mask similar to a bird's beak and in this mask there are glasses in his eyes. This man holds a book in his hand and writes something there with a pen in his right hand. When he finished, he closed the book and then said:
- Today, 4 boys and 1 girl died in the experiment. There are 37 children left in total. Take them to the arena to test new abilities. A couple more kids from other departments were supposed to be sent there. The man said in a commanding tone to the other adults next to him.
Unlike the man in black, these people wore very blue combat equipment. Also, someone is wearing a helmet with a bandage on his face, and someone is completely wearing a helmet that covers his face. When they heard what they were told, they nodded, and then one of them shouted:
- Slaves, follow me and keep up! Whoever falls behind will receive punishment! A man with a bandage on his face shouted.
The children, on the other hand, simply followed this man without disputing his words.
---
When the children and the escort group had gone far away, they all suddenly heard the sounds of footsteps from behind.
-*Top*-
-*Top*-
-*Top*-
When they looked at the place where the footsteps were coming from, they saw a dark figure from far away in the cave, the figure itself was getting closer and closer to them. When a couple of seconds had already passed, they could already understand that the dark figure was a small child, when they realized all this, one of the men shouted:
"You pathetic brat! I ordered everyone to keep up! I'm going to punish you for this! - Having said this, the man went to meet a small child.
When he got close enough the child spoke:
- Excuse me! I was sent by an adult uncle, he said that I would run to you! Please forgive me! - Said the child with fear in his voice. Now, having seen him better, the man could see the appearance of the child: golden hair, emerald-green eyes. The boy's body is covered with bruises and wounds. He wore the same rag as the slaves.
- TC! Quickly into the column! I see you're the new slave here, so for the first time, you'll get my fist! The man said, and then his fist shot at the boy and...
-*Bam*-
When the fist hit the child of the whole group of men for a brief moment, instincts shouted about the danger, but then immediately disappeared. Since they couldn't figure out what it was about, they decided to write it off to their imagination because of living in this place for too long.
-*Bam*-It was also possible to hear how the boy's body fell to the ground from a strong blow. The man looked at this child and laughed:
"AHAHA, next time, I'll kick you right in the stomach with my foot, and then I'll hit your head on the floor. And now, run to the column! - The man said, and then pointed his finger at the column of children. The boy just got up from the floor and went into the column.
After seeing this, the man just tsked, because the child did not start crying or complaining because of this, because so he could continue to beat him for the sake of "prevention".
- Everyone follow me! The man shouted the command and everyone continued on their way.
---
(From the 1st person of Meliodas)
Yeah... I barely restrained myself from killing this pathetic weakling for such a thing! But I had to restrain my anger, if I killed him, then I would have to figure it out myself. It's a good thing they don't have enough brains, otherwise they would have realized right away that I'm not one of these slave children. My bruises after the battle with the dragon also helped me. I stopped regeneration so that there would be wounds on my body. It was not difficult to find a rag for slaves, there are a lot of such lying around.
While we were walking, I was able to understand that various experiments were being conducted here. Each child has something different from the others, as the status assessment showed, someone has high strength, but very little endurance. Also their race is between demon/monster/mutant. And also, I was able to find a couple of Youkai, vampires, werewolves, elves here. Everyone has lifeless eyes.
Of course, I remember the properties of the contract "Master and slave", but it cannot deprive a slave of all his will, as well as consciousness, which means that they have become such because of experiments on their bodies. But what strikes me most is that some have new racial abilities. So I didn't get in here for nothing.
I also need to find the strongest here and try to kill him in the first and fastest way. If I can play it right, I'll get a lot of things.
While I was thinking, we have already arrived at the arena. The arena has a round shape, as well as the arena platform itself is held above the hot lava below. This means that the mountain itself may be a volcano.
When we arrived, the man who was leading everyone here suddenly shouted:
- Slaves, take your seats and wait for your number to be told, and then enter the arena! When you enter the arena, you will have an opponent, your task is to show what you can do after experimenting! Who does not come out, I will personally punish, and then you will go through a double procedure of experiments! This mercenary shouted with a voice of mirth, and then left with the others, leaving one to guard.
It's good that they strongly trust these "Master and Slave" contracts, otherwise if they put suppressive shackles on me, I would have to take urgent measures. And so I decided to inspect the arena and see who is in charge here. It was easy to escape, since the guard almost didn't look at the children, he was looking at something in the arena without taking his eyes off.
And anyway, I don't want to fight with children, even if they have been artificially installed a couple of improvements. After all, they were implanted against their will, which means they won't even want to master them properly, well, if they are forced only. But even if I am strong, I still haven't seen anyone stronger than me in terms of characteristics and level, even those mercenaries lost to me in everything. The biggest level here so far I noticed is 43, my level is already 47.
When I started exploring this place, I noticed that almost everyone was looking at the arena, I also looked for curiosity. Then I saw two kids using abilities and fighting each other. But the strangest thing is, they only use these abilities. One has tails, with which he tries to hit another child, and that child shoots red rays at him from his hands.
I also hear the screams of those who are watching:
- Come on already! Kill him! -
- Kill him! I bet on you! If you lose, I will personally kill you! Ahahaha -
- Kill yourself both, ahahaha! -
Yeah... well, the people. Of course I can save all these children, but I'm not sure if there is anyone here stronger than me. If there is one here, then I need to kill him quickly and accurately. Although the sight is disgusting to me.
I checked one child's status and this is what I saw:
__________________________________________
{Status.}
[Name - Takan]
[Level - 18]
[Class - No ]
[Age - 13 ]
[Gender - male]
[Race - Yokai/demon/mutant]
[Racial abilities - Senjutsu, Toki, fear, partial demonic transformation, demonic aura of yokai, berserk, demonic element]
[Abilities - Demonic Magic[ur1], Hypersensitivity [ur1], mana absorption [ur2].]
[Skills - demonic shot[ur2], demonic energy beam[ur3], barrier[ur1], demonic arrow[ur1].]
{Characteristics}
[Strength - 81 ]
[Dexterity - 58 ]
[Endurance - 1591/3211 ]
[Protection - 89 ]
[Mana - 1360/1360 ]
{The contract is imposed - "Master and slave"}
_________________________________________________
So they combined a Youkai and a demon, artificially. The idea is very good, it will be necessary in the future to try to create a higher demon in this way or something similar to it, or maybe create a new race? That's right, I'll try to do it when I figure out alchemy, or whoever is doing it.
I've looked at this stupid idea enough, I decided to find something more interesting and valuable here. If the situation turns out well, I will try to save these children.
---
It took me 26 minutes to find something valuable. It's a real maze here! When I found a door that stood out enough, I realized that this is the very center of this whole forbidden laboratory. There are also many living creatures here. So there are alchemists or someone else, but rather the first.
I did it in the most ordinary way. To begin with, I knocked:
-*Knock Knock*-
-*Knock Knock*-
After a couple of seconds, they could hear the locks being removed from the door. These demons are completely relaxed, they don't even expect that a killer has come to them. When the door opened, a man in a mask that resembles a bird's beak was standing in front of me. He is also wearing completely black clothes. After examining me he said in a rough voice:
- What do you want, Slave? The man asked.
- I was told to give a personal message to the most important person behind this door. - I said pretending to be submissive, otherwise they might suspect that I don't have a Master and Slave contract on me, since it hits a huge amount of electricity on the body without killing the carrier, but causes huge and noticeable pain.
- From whom? The man asked in the same rude tone.
-* Trembling*-
- He told me not to tell anyone his name. And if I tell you, I have to kill myself personally. I said, pretending to be scared. I urgently need an Oscar for such a game!
- * Sigh * I hope this is not a trifle, otherwise I will personally let you on the organs. The man said in a threatening tone. How original of him to bully a child. I decided not to waste time and enter.
The man walked me through the whole room. What I saw was a lot of magical artifacts for alchemy, as well as the alchemy devices themselves. There are even books for alchemy. Even the ingredients. In general, here is everything an alchemist needs to study whatever his heart desires. There were a lot of alchemists in the same clothes as this man. Everyone here is busy with something.
I was led to some door on which a man knocked.
-*Knock Knock*-
-*Knock Knock*-
- Come in! A voice shouted from the other side of the door.
The man opened the door, and I saw a huge office full of all sorts of things, from books to test tubes. When we came in, the man who led me here said:
- Master of Alchemy, a child slave has come to you to convey a message from whom. He says that the message is from someone important and personally for you. - The man said in a respectful tone. The old man himself continues to write something in the book.
And I'm trying to hide my feelings of surprise. If the one he called is a real Master of Alchemy, then I am very lucky. This old man looks as old as it should be. It has a wrinkled appearance. His face was covered with several scars. He was bald. There are some strange glasses on his very face. If he is definitely an alchemy master, then we need to check his status:
_______________________________________________
{Status.}
[First and Last Name - Rajar Wataron]
[Level - 99 ]
[Alchemist Class]
[Age - 231 ]
[Gender - male]
[Demon/Monster/Mutant race ]
[Racial abilities - Demonic transformation, Demonic aura, Berserk, partial metamorphosis, high regeneration, high endurance, Demonic element, earth element, water element. ]
[Abilities - Demonic Magic[ur3], Earth Magic[ur4], Water Magic[ur2], Fire Magic[ur2], Illusion Magic[ur1]. Transmutation[ur4], healing[ur5], cell decay[ur3], cell separation[ur3].]
[Skills - Master of Alchemy[ur5], creation of potions[ur9], Magic Science[ur8], Scientific Magic[ur8], Hermetics[ur7], Manipulation of elements[ur5], control of metamorphosis[ur4], control of demonic energy[ur4], control of earth[ur2], control of fire[ur2], water control[ur3], transmutation control[ur7], plasma control[ur8], heat control[ur7], demonic ray[ur8], earth wall[ur6], water jet[ur5], fireball[ur6], illusory clone[ur3], golem creation/Creation of a homunculus[ur7].]
{Characteristics}
[Strength - 221 ]
[Dexterity - 163 ]
[Endurance - 23241/26103 ]
[Protection - 311 ]
[Mana - 42635/68102 ]
{Host/Contract owner - "Master and Slave"}
_______________________________________________
Hmm... looking at his status, I can say that his knowledge in alchemy is still higher than anyone I have met before. There are also many valuable things here. What are all these books and knowledge worth? If I can acquire all this, then my research on demon blood will be completed much faster. And as a sign that I decided to take it all, a quest came to me:
_______________________________________________
[Quest: Does Alchemy create madmen or do madmen create alchemy?]
[Description: You have found insane alchemists who conduct illegal experiments on living creatures, but they have a huge stock of knowledge and devices for alchemy. Your task is to take everything that is here and remove everyone who interferes.]
[Requirement: Kill/Enslave all alchemists[0/56], Kill/Enslave all mercenaries [2/107]. Complete the quest in 10 hours.]
[Reward: Space-time ball[ur2], {{+1} to alchemy skill} .]
[Penalty for refusal: No.]
[Penalty for failure: you will go to experiments for alchemists.]
[Timer: 10 hours]
_______________________________________________
Looking at the quest, I try to hide my crazy smile. Of course, the first award tells me something, and the last one is obvious what it is, but I decided to clarify.
- (Niva, what is this "space-time ball [ur2]"? ) - I asked Niva mentally.
[This is a special ball in which two laws are enclosed: space and time. In simple words, it's like your inventory, only there you can adjust the time according to your desire. But since this ball is only 2 levels, the time difference will be a maximum of 1:30 (From the Author: 30 minutes in the ball - 1 minute in the real world.). The space itself is 10 km wide and high due to the 2 levels. If you had level 3, it would already be 100 km. Such things are very, very difficult to create, I advise you not to disclose their existence to anyone. ] - Niva answered my question.
Now I have no right to fail, if I can get such a ball, I can solve a lot of my problems. I still need a place to experiment, and with such a ball I can conduct them. While I was thinking, the old man who was called the Master of Alchemy finished writing something in the book and said:
"Leave us," the old man said in a stern and irritated voice. The man obeyed and went to the door.
-*Creak*-
-*Clap*-
The man left the office, and I was left alone with this old man. How lucky I am. I am grateful to the one who came up with the "Master and Slave" contracts, because even though it is attached to the neck, they are usually not visible until they are active.
- Tell me, slave, who sent you and why? If it's something trivial, I'll act like the wisest demon, kill the messenger, and then send his horse back. In your case, the legs, and the body are for my experiments, and don't you dare lie to me to save yourself, otherwise you will know all the pain when I order you personally to cut yourself slowly. The old man said in a stern voice. I pretended to be afraid and trembling with fear.
-* Trembling*-
- I was told that no one would hear it, as this is a very personal message. I said in a trembling voice, trying to show my fear of him.
-*Bam*-
The old man slammed his fist on the table and screams:
- Don't you dare tell me here, you miserable slave, one more extra word and I'll change your limbs first, and then I make you tell me why you were sent here! How tired I am of these stupid idiots! They always want something from me! They interfere with work! Even these stupid alchemists are always asking how to do it? Why is this necessary? Why does Artanava root not work on Avador mushrooms? Got everything! Talk to the point quickly! - The old man shouted, and then began to complain about everything that is possible. He seems to be completely distraught because of his profession as an alchemist.
I came close to him and when I was about to say something, I quickly created the paws of darkness with a quick movement of my hands, and then I grab this Master of Alchemy. And then I knocked him to the floor, with great speed.
-*Bam*- The sound of a body falling.
Holding him with a paw made of dark matter, I quickly create another paw with the help of dark matter, but smaller, and then cover his mouth and hard enough that I could not move my head much, but I could nod. I turned out to be too fast for this old man, he is not a fighter, but a simple alchemist, well, to be more precise, a "master of alchemy", but not a melee fighter. I was too fast for an old man.
And the face of this old man when he realized his situation was: surprise, shock, panic, fear, etc. And he also lost control of his aura for a short time, so I can definitely tell his emotions, but he has almost regained control of his composure. And it seems he noticed that the "Master and Slave" contract does not apply to me, and this caused even more surprise on his face.
- Quiet, old man. If you answer all my questions, honestly, I won't touch you. I said with a kind smile.
The old man, hearing my words, looked straight into my eyes, and then slowly nodded his head to me in agreement. But I know that he will lie to me at the first question, so I decided to add something else:
- And if you lie to me about something, then ..... I will destroy all your research. - I said it all with the same smile as then.
And from this part of the moss words, the old man had a very noticeable emotion, namely "fear". After all, I know that people like him don't want their research to be destroyed without a trace just like that. This means that the very "essence" of its long existence is at stake. I removed a small paw of dark cloth from the old man's mouth. But it seems the old man was very interested in my dark matter power, because he now sees better what held his mouth and head, and holds his body. He was about to say something, but it seems that remembering his position, he closed his mouth.
- The first question is, what kind of experiments are you conducting here? I asked in a stern voice of this old man.
- * Cough * Ahem... We are conducting experiments to improve and create more perfect demons than we have now. The old man replied, trying to keep his composure in his position.
- Why do you need so many different races? And also tell me, in more detail, what will it give you? I asked in the same stern voice. Of course I know why, but so far it's just guesswork and theory.
- We get the children from underground slavers or they were stolen personally from the Kingdoms of other races. They are needed to understand which races are more stable when merging with demons. This is just an additional experiment. If this experiment went well, we could get demons with all the powers of each race. The old man said with a voice of admiration.
Looks like my guess was right. The idea is certainly good, but only the key to its implementation is too problematic. If other races find out about this, then the very existence of the demon race will be under the greatest threat. But what angers me most is that they used innocent children when they could have used all sorts of criminals and deserters. Yeah... it is unlikely that everyone should know about this. The very existence of such a thing should not go out to the masses.
- Is there any protective field or barrier here? If so, where? I asked in an angry voice.
- There is. The barrier is located in the hall of grimoires. The old man said a little with panic in his voice. It seems he realized that I was getting angrier and could now arrange something that could destroy his work.
- The last question, who is the strongest here? Tell me his name and location! I asked the old man, in the same angry voice.
- Just one. His name is Vaiko Gray, he is usually located near the Arena. The old man said with fear in his voice.
- Thank you for answering all my questions. - I said with a smile, and then abruptly changed the smile to a gloomy face and added - And now you can die! Don't worry, your research will serve me well. I said with a voice full of anger. And then I covered his body with dark matter and he was inside a cocoon of darkness. Then I let hellfire in there. The screams won't get through the cocoon of darkness, so he won't be able to call for help.
After 3 minutes, I took off the "cocoon of darkness" and there was almost nothing left, not even ashes. I did not forget to take his soul, maybe in the future I will be able to learn how to steal from the soul the skills they possessed during their lifetime. For now, his soul will live in my domain.
- Hmm... surprisingly, the infernal flame is capable of not even leaving ashes, probably even from those demons outside there was nothing left. I muttered.
---
Then I started collecting everything that was here, and sometimes I read a couple of notes of this Master of Alchemy. Every time I read his notes, I regret a little that I didn't get such a master for myself. His research originates from the very foundation of our species. There is also detailed information about each internal organ of the demon, as well as the reaction of their blood to other races. Of course, I would like to have data on the blood of demons from Purgatory, but with this I will be able to understand the essence of the blood of demons from Purgatory more quickly. I tried to suppress the laughter of joy, such a find, so much knowledge, so many artifacts. I was very lucky!
When I put almost everything that was in the office in my inventory, I noticed another door. From there, I sensed living creatures, and to check, I decided to find out what was there.
-*Creak*-
When I opened the door, I saw the view of a dark room, there is almost nothing to see, but I still feel living beings ahead. When I entered, the crystals suddenly began to glow.
When the room lit up, I saw an iron cage, and two living creatures were sitting inside it. When I looked closely, I could accurately distinguish their features.
The first living being I was able to identify looks like a girl. She has black and long hair. I also see cat ears on my head. The girl also has yellow and golden eyes like a cat, which glow noticeably. She herself was dressed in a rag for slaves.
The second living being, too, turned out to be a girl, but unlike the first, she is smaller in stature. She has white hair that reaches to her shoulders. Like the first one, she has yellow and golden eyes like a cat. She was wearing a slave's rag.
But what both had was fear on their faces and in their eyes. They also have a lot of cuts on their body, as well as a lot of bruises. Their auras are not much changed, but I could tell from their aura that they are Youkai. The first girl who looks taller covers her body, the second who is small. When I came in, they look at me, and the oldest-looking one asks:
- Who are you? "What is it?" she asked in a timid and a little frightened voice. I look at them for a couple of seconds trying to figure out where I've seen them before?
- First, tell me your names. I asked in a soft voice, but for them it probably sounded somehow different, otherwise they trembled somehow strangely. Then the eldest said:
- My name is Kuroko Tojo, and this is my younger sister Shirone Tojo. Kuroko said in a trembling voice. And now I remember where I saw them before. These are the sisters of Nekomata from the anime "Demons of High School DXD". But when I was about to check their status, I suddenly got a message about a quest:
________________________________________
[Quest: Save the black and white cat.]
[Description: Rescue Kuroko and Shirone from this terrible place without losing their lives in the process.]
[Requirement: Live Kuroko and Shirone at the end of the quest. Kuroko and Shirone must be located outside of this territory. Complete the quest in 6 hours.]
[Reward:
1. Eternal gratitude to Kuroko and Shirone.
2. Kuroko and Shirone's love for you.
3. Possible loyalty to you, depending on the outcome of the quest.
4. A new, racial ability - Senjutsu.
5. A new, racial ability - Fear (From the anime "Grandson of Nurarihen")]
[Penalty for refusal: Hapsiel will be next to you for 5 years and his existence will be ignored by everyone except you.]
[Penalty for failure: Hapsiel will come to you at night and you will wake up with the feeling that you have lost something important.{Consequences} - Yui's contract will make you impotent.]
[Timer: 6 hours ]
