Trial By Fire

Somehow, it was surprisingly easy to infiltrate the Rudra Familia thanks to the ensuing chaos erupting. From time to time, as I pass through walls, I would encounter Evilus members running towards the battlefield. In turn, I hid my presence and went around them. Unexpectedly they had more adventurers than what I initially gathered.

As I move around in the shadow in a specter state, I check the Black Royal Armour provided by the [Black Emperor Tarot Card] transformation, It looked regal and imposing, it was even trimmed with gold linings it even comes with cape and crown fit for royalty.

As the ensuing massacre continues above, I have finally found their precious treasury locked behind a safe door. It was perfectly unguarded as I predicted. When I passed through the door using (Door Passing), what greeted me on the other side was mountains of valis and treasures. 'As expected of an evil organization, I struck rich.' Magical Items littered the floor, large sacks filled to the brim with valis, magic weapons, and stones too many to count lay scattered around the room, all of them ripe for the taking.

But before I started robbing the place, I checked the place for failsafes and traps, of which, as expected, there were countless. So I start the grueling process of removing traps of all kinds, even magical. If not for my Thief abilities, I would have been incapacitated by these traps, thankfully I chose thief.

Finally, I began the process of tidying up the place of Rudra Familia treasury by putting whatever the most valuable first in my inventory, I started with the sack of valis filled to the brim first. As the sole pirate on this ship, only I did the long arduous process of heavy lifting. It was surprisingly satisfying to move all this treasure into my infinite inventory knowing they all are now mine. I didn't let go of a single valis or nugget of gold untouched as I threw all of them towards the inventory.

'Coming all the way here was worth it for all it's the trouble it brought.' I giggled silently as I remembered the donations I had given them earlier. Rudra-sama would surely be thankful to me now.

I looked proudly at the emptied treasury and admired my work when I was done. The fighting upstairs still seems to be ongoing, evident from the constant erupting shockwave of the explosion that makes the ceiling drop dust from time to time.

I still need to head toward Rudra's office where all important documents are held. This short window of opportunity will determine my future. I need whatever information I can get against Evilus if I were to thrive in this world.

And so, I walk towards the most dangerous part of this area, at the center of combat and the precipice of action, above ground.

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It didn't take long to find Rudra's office, it was in the topmost room that overlooks the entire villa, and adjacent to it was Rudra's bedroom, His office contained his painted portrait just like his bedroom, it didn't take a genius to know where I was.

I started taking every paper I could find starting from the safe hidden behind the painting. 'How typically villainous I thought' Before I started wondering if Rudra's an idiot. I start my work again.

From secret drawers to hidden safes, no paper is left unturned. From the simplest letter to the thick ledgers, they all head toward my inventory.

The plan was going smoothly until I noticed a certain book that was mysteriously attracting me. As I grabbed it and put it in my inventory, the door suddenly opened and someone made an entrance.

My luck has finally run out when I notice the robed level 3 adventurer strides inside. The sword on his hilt didn't go unnoticed as I carefully positioned myself in the room.

When he finally noticed me, he said in a surprised voice.

"Who are you?"

"I'm in charge of the clean up," I replied calmly as I silently cast (Bribe)

He looked confused and was about to reply but I had already drawn my gun and aimed at his head. Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger.

*Bang*

"Argh!! Bastard, what did you do!?"

I looked at him in shock as he didn't drop dead like I had expected, the man clutched his forehead in pain as he drew his sword at me, it only took him a moment to close the distance and strike at me.

'Dodge! Dodge!' My Danger Intuition screamed at me and I bent myself backward while kicking myself away from him.

He missed his strike, but I was already on the move, I threw my throwing knives at him at his feet. It landed on his thighs, he then moved to strike me once more.

From the looks of it, the lodge knives didn't even hinder his movements a little.

I dodged his strike once more when it landed on a desk, It left wreckage. I shivered at the thought.

It seems he was only a little above me in terms of strength thanks to the Brute ability of my [Black Emperor Tarot Card].

I drew my dagger with my right hand while casting (Smoke) on it to cover its length, meanwhile on the other hand I cast (Light).

This surprised him and made him guarded as I pretended to chant.

"Oh! Can you even bear to imagine!?..."

He hastily attacked me while I dodged each strike. It seemed we had equal speed, but I made up for it with my agileness. Slowly and surely I lead him towards the thinner parts of the floor.

Pretending to slip on the floor as I stop the intensifying fire on my hand, I dropped on the floor without much defense.

As expected, he took the bait and swung his sword with all its might. The second it struck the weak floor, I was already out of the way as he fell towards below.

The drop was long as he fell on his back, I didn't let the chance slip by, I followed him through the fall and landed on him. He was groaning in pain while I aimed my revolver at his head once more.

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*...

I unloaded my bullets on his head continuously until I ran out. One of his eyes exploded in gore. But it still wasn't to kill the tough bastard because as soon I was done he kicked me off his body.

As soon as I landed on my butt. I scanned the surroundings, only to find my gunshot had attracted countless evilus members and a certain bloodied elf in shock. I of course ran towards the elf for help while I screamed like a little girl.

Thankfully, my arrival was surprising enough to stop the ensuing battle and confuse everyone. I approached Ryuu Lion and said.

"Yo, Gale Wind. Mind if I join the party?" I said as I drew heavy breathe tiredly

"Who are you!?" There was hostility and madness in her eyes as she asked me while aiming her staff at me.

"Relax, we're on the same side, I hate Evilus bastards too." I lied as naturally as I breathe

She looked at me with judging eyes intently. After a short moment, she returned her attention to the Level 5 she was fighting. I sighed with relief at her action.

As I scanned the battlefield, I spotted Rudra joyously slurping wine on his throne as he watched us without a care for the world. 'I would love to cut the pompous bastard myself but.."

Looking at Ryuu Lion I was thinking of ways to escape from here. She began to talk again.

"What do you want?" Ryuu Lion said.

"Well, currently Gale Wind, I have stolen important documents about Evilus that the guild would like to have, so why not-." Realizing my intentions, Ryuu Lion stopped me from speaking and glaringly said.

"I'm not running away from here!" Ryuu Lion said with stricken madness

"Woah! Woah!... Fine, we might as well kill them all together...Jeez! Damn it!" I grit my teeth at the situation.

As I looked at the odds and the seemingly hundreds of evilus members I asked her again.

"Well, do you have a planning partner? Because I sure don't."

The word partner seemed to strike a chord in her as she looked at me strangely.

"We'll just have to kill them all." She put it in simple terms.

"Haha! I'm going to die, well... I might as well die together with a beauty like you, partner." I said as I lost my mind at the situation I found myself in.

"Bastard! I'll!! Keeiiilll!! YoUuuu!!" I heard wailing as my previous opponent slowly approached us. His face had a disturbing makeover, it was now filled with bobbing bullet holes and the bleeding wouldn't stop. Looking at him gave me a shiver in my mind. Someone cast healing on him but to no avail.

Instinctively, I took the [Drunken Bone Rapier] from my inventory and prepared it with Soma's wine.

Its dull blade suddenly lusters brightly, it starts releasing a deathly aura that attracts everyone, at the same time, arcs of lightning emit from its vicinity. Meanwhile, I can feel the rapier's hunger for battle, it was eagerly waiting to be unleashed. I started seeing Death Perception as well.

"Are you done with your preparations?" Deadpanning she asked.

I sighed and replied.

"Very well miss level 5 adventurer, lead the way, and I shall match you partner."

She cleaned the blood on her face and said.

"I don't have time to protect you, so try to match me." A piece of advice as soon as dismissal, the tsundere took off as soon as she finished her words and I followed suit.

I let the sword's aggressiveness guide my movements, I charged at the crowd of evilus, cutting them one by one with all my might, as I dodged the oncoming attacks.

Meanwhile, I follow the mesmerizing flying death known as Ryuu Lion. Her lethal magic barrages killed countless enemies every passing second.

I was so preoccupied with the fight that I didn't notice how beautiful the swordsmanship being released by the sword as it forcefully moved my body. My mind was too intent on watching for every possible danger than care for the exquisite swordsmanship being produced by the sword using my body.

Unknown to me, it attracted everyone's attention, even the uncaring Rudra stood up on his throne to watch me.

Ryuu and my movements sync together as we fight, while she spreads death with her magic as she opens a path for me, I peerlessly struggle, slashing and stabbing, casting countless lightning towards my enemy.

As I weaved through death towards the enemy nonstop for who knows how long, I began to feel the heavy exhaustion in my body, everything was too quiet now, and I was too dizzy to know what was going on so I shouted.

"IS THERE MORE!? IS THERE MORE!?" I shouted in fear repeatedly as tears fell from my eyes.

Finally, to answer my question, I felt someone hug me from behind. I turned to see who it was, and my vision cleared.

"There's none left." A melodious feminine voice said

It was Ryuu Lion, for a moment there was a trace of life and care in her eyes, but it was soon replaced by uncaring dead eyes as we both heard a clapping sound.

Ryuu Lion looked behind me towards the source, it was the bastard Rudra with a smug smile on his face as if mocking the mountain of death that fills his familia hall.

"Bastard!" I shouted angrily

Ryuu lion let go of me and slowly walked towards Rudra.

"You two are magnificent! I have never seen such a grand performance! I'd like to congratulate you for your feats but..." The bastard said.

As Ryuu Lion gets face to face with the god, she puts her stuff on his head and...

A resounding bang can be heard in the quiet hall. Rudra dropped dead on his spot. With a cocky smile on his face.

"Finally..." Ryuu Lion muttered.

Then Ryuu Lion lost her balance and fell on the floor along with a blinding pillar of light made out of divinity flashed me.

"Partner!?" I screamed as I rushed at her when the God slowly ascended.

When I reached her I finally got a good look at her, she was riddled with countless wounds and injuries.

"Thank you...For helping me with my revenge...and sorry for dragging...you through this..." She said weakly

"Don't worry partner! It's all fine and dandy! Here, why don't you drink this healing potion." I said as it made her gulp the healing potion.

"No, It's fine...It's not so bad to end it this way... I won't make it..." Ryuu decided

"Don't give me that Ryuu Lion! Do you think your familia will be happy if you die like this? Otherwise, your familia might haunt me! Don't give up just yet! I can still save you!" I sternly told her.

For a moment there was a fighting spirit in her eyes as it slowly lost focus. I continued.

"Be strong Ryuu Lion! There's a bright future waiting for you!" I said

I grabbed her and carried her with both my arms and escaped the crime scene when I heard more commotion outside.

As I carried her through the alleyways of my escape route, I heard her speak once more.

"How unfair... I don't even know your name..."

"It's Judas! Judas Iscariot! But you can call me Black Emperor!" I eagerly replied as I trudged the empty alleyways.

She became worryingly quiet after that, but I continued my struggle towards my destination...

Soon I reached my destination, it was the Hostess of Fertility. I loudly begin knocking on the door and windows. Soon, I could hear Mia Grande angry shouting. That is when I left Ryuu Lion in front of the entrance while I hid somewhere to witness what was about to transpire.

Soon some people came out of the Hostess, it was Mama Mia accompanied by Syr Flova and Anya along with others. They begin inspecting Ryuu Lion.

Soon they began taking care of Ryuu Lion and brought out a stretcher to take her inside. Knowing she was in good hands I left and headed towards the Tower of Babel.

The performance hasn't ended yet, I still have something important to do.

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A top of the Tower of Babel, I stood. I sighed tiredly but I needed to do this.

I drew my [Drunken Bone Rapier] and aimed it towards the skies.

With all its might exhausting its power, I cast a thunder strong enough to light the entire city in light for a few seconds.

And with the following quiet that ensues, I screamed at the top of my lungs with the eloquence of the Black Emperor.

"LET IT BE KNOWN! THAT I! THE BLACK EMPEROR HAVE STRUCK AND KILLED THE RUDRA FAMILIA AND THEIR FALSE GOD! PRAISE THE JOKER!"

As the light is slowly replaced by sunrise, I disappear without a trace along with the shadows.

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Chapter End

Thanks for Reading, fixes will be done tomorrow. I'm too tired.