REWARDS

"That was glorious, my lord, what a feast indeed!" Anubis rambled on before Alex's imposing figure, which was currently reviewing his gains.

[You have received:

- x36 fearful souls [low quality: can be converted into 36 hell points]

- x23 fearful souls [medium quality: can be converted into 115 hell points]

- x16 fearful souls [high quality]: can be converted into 160 hell points]

Your demon Anubis has received:

X78 fearful souls[ medium quality: can be converted into 390 hell points]

You receive 40% in hell points.

You have received:

X156 hell points]

"Wow... I'm rich! System, open the shop feature!" Alex commanded, and a vast shop system unfolded before him. Tabs at the top offered options like skills, buildings, land, demon shards, pets, and more.

Without hesitation, he clicked on the buildings tab and found something that cost 40 hell points.

[Small Lava Punishment Zone

A small zone where demons can torture and punish souls. This zone is a small pool of lava ten times hotter than the hottest lava on Earth! Souls are burnt within this pool of lava and can receive extra punishment based on the demon's decisions and methods. This zone can only contain six souls at the moment unless upgraded. For every 100 souls punished, the lord gains one demon shard of low quality.]

"PURCHASE!" Alex eagerly spent 40 of his 156 hell points to acquire this zone.

[Deducted 40 hell points, 116 remaining]

After making the purchase and exiting the shop feature, Alex noticed a large gate with two gargoyles perched atop it, their ruby-red eyes gleaming, emerging in the south of the 100 acres of hell. It was adorned with demonic carvings and terrifying images.

The gate's doors swung open, and an exact number of 175 souls emerged.

[All souls that have been collected by the lord or his demons, even if turned into hell points, will enter the lords hell to be punished for their sins or be transformed into demons]

"Oh? I was just wondering where I'd get the souls from!" Alex mused, focusing on the gridded landscape before him. "It truly is a video game... Let's place the zone near the gates, to the right side!"

In an instant, the ground where he'd chosen vanished, replaced by a pit that slowly filled with bright orange lava.

[Please assign a demon to this punishment zone!]

"Hmm... just until a hundred souls are punished, Anubis can work here!" Alex decided.

[Demon, Anubis, has been chosen]

Anubis received the information and nodded resolutely, then screamed at the souls, coercing six of them to enter the pool of lava. Their agonised cries filled the air as the other souls wandered aimlessly in the hellish landscape.

[Congratulations, you have completed a quest! Well done on buying the first punishment zone! You are rewarded with one rare demon shard!]

'Hell yeah! Another powerful demon by my side, and another world to farm souls and get stronger! This is a piece of cake! System, summon the demon!'

[Affirmative]

From the black cave, a new demon emerged. This one was pallid in skin colour and possessed three heads. Its appearance was a grotesque amalgamation of a zombie-like creature. Only a tattered robe remained around its waist, bound by bones. The demon had four arms, each holding a sinister torture weapon: a metal whip, a rusty spear, a bloodstained axe, and a rotating orb of fire.

It glanced around, suspiciously eyeing the wandering souls and Anubis as he continued torturing a fresh batch of souls after the other 6s time was up for a while. Its wariness turned to reverence as Alex employed instant transportation to instantly appear right before its eyes. He planted his Scythe firmly in the ground and leaned against

"So," his hoarse voice reverberated, "tell me how you got here."

...

….

As Sir Tristan and Lady Aveline spurred their horses toward the grand palace of King Edmund, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Sir Tristan, still trying to shake off the unsettling images of the destroyed village, clenched his helm tighter, his broad face etched with a mixture of anxiety and determination, he hadn't seen a sight like that since 12 years ago.

'The kingdoms 12 years of peace has been threatened'

Lady Aveline, younger and less experienced than the veteran knights but no less resolute, rode with a stoic expression. Her youthful features belied the steely determination in her eyes.

The path to the king's palace was lined with tall, ancient oak trees, their branches casting long shadows in the dim moonlight. As they neared the palace gates, guarded by stern-faced sentinels, the weight of their message became all the more palpable. The ominous silence of the night was broken only by the clattering hooves of their horses.

Once they reached the palace, they were met with resistance by the palace guards. The guards, dressed in the royal crimson and gold, crossed their halberds and barred their path.

"Halt! State your business," barked the captain of the palace guard, a tall and imposing figure with a stern countenance.

Sir Tristan, his voice firm but laden with urgency, replied, "We must see King Edmund at once. We bear grave tidings that concern the safety of the kingdom."

The captain's eyebrows furrowed, and he exchanged a brief, concerned glance with his fellow guards. Clearly, this was no ordinary visit, the kingdom had been peaceful for over 12 years.

  He signalled for a subordinate to inform the king, and after a tense wait, they were granted entry into the palace.

The massive doors to the throne room creaked open, revealing the opulent chamber within. Sir Tristan and Lady Aveline entered with measured steps, their armour clinking softly with each stride. The room was adorned with rich tapestries that depicted the kingdom's storied history, and the grandeur of the space was accentuated by the massive stained glass windows that allowed the pale moonlight to filter in.

Seated on the imposing throne at the far end of the room was King Edmund, a regal figure with a crown of gold resting atop his silver hair. His eyes, once bright and full of vigour, now bore the weight of his many years of rule. He regarded the two knights with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Sir Tristan, standing tall and resolute beside her, cleared his throat before addressing the king. "Your Majesty, we bring grave tidings," he began, his voice echoing in the hallowed chamber. "A village, not far from Ardenvale, has been razed to the ground. Its people... brutally slaughtered."

King Edmund's expression darkened, and for a moment, the weight of the news seemed to bear down on him. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing in concern. "Slaughtered? By whom? What madness is this?"

"We do not know for certain, Your Majesty, '' Sir Tristan replied, his voice tinged with disappointment as he could not provide the king with an answer.

King Edmund's brow furrowed as he processed the information. "This is troubling indeed," he muttered, his gaze shifting between the two knights. "I will convene my council at once to discuss this matter further. You have done well to bring this to my attention, Sir Tristan, Lady Aveline."

Once Sir Tristan and Lady Aveline had exited the grand throne room, King Edmund remained seated on his imposing throne, his face a mask of deep contemplation. He knew that the news of the village's destruction and the brutal slaughter of its people were not to be taken lightly. It was a grim reminder that the kingdom's fragile peace, which he had worked tirelessly to maintain for the past twelve years, was now under threat.

His fingers drummed softly on the armrest of the ornate throne as he pondered the situation. His thoughts raced, and he couldn't help but recall the challenges he had faced during his reign. The years of diplomacy, negotiation, and compromises that had kept Valeria relatively untouched by conflict.

And now, this.

The reappearance of such senseless violence and chaos threatened not only the safety of his people but also the legacy he had strived to build. King Edmund had always believed that the kingdom's newfound prosperity could be sustained through unity and cooperation. 

He knew that he must act swiftly and decisively to address this threat. His council would need to convene immediately to discuss the situation and formulate a plan. King Edmund was well aware that the safety and stability of Valeria rested on his shoulders, and he was determined not to let the hard-won peace of the last twelve years crumble away.

With a resolute expression, he rose from his throne and turned to the guards who stood nearby. "Summon my council at once," he commanded. "There is much to discuss, and time is not on our side."

As the guards hurried to carry out his orders, King Edmund knew that the days ahead would test not only his leadership but also the very foundations of the kingdom he held dear.

…..