Chapter 42: The Gates of Hell Bar

After spending nearly a week repeatedly completing Assassin's Creed, Solomon set out once again. However, before continuing his journey, he needed to visit someone—or rather, something—that wasn't human. There, he might be able to find the witch Bayonetta.

To do this, Solomon had to wear Kamar-Taj's insignia to avoid being seen as an unwelcome guest.

"I've already followed the Sorcerer Supreme's rules!" grumbled the large Black man behind the bar, wiping a glass without looking up. His displeasure was evident on his face, and the black tattoos covering his bald head made him look even more intimidating. He put the glass down and added, "I haven't summoned demons or angels, and I even killed a few. Isn't that enough? Wait a second... a kid?"

This was The Gates of Hell bar, and the owner was the large Black man behind the counter. On the surface, he seemed merely intimidating, but in reality, he was once an angel, now fallen into a lower-plane being.

When the Sorcerer Supreme first mentioned this to Solomon, he wasn't surprised. It wasn't unusual for upper-plane beings to fall to lower planes, and fallen angels typically turned into succubi. However, the Sorcerer Supreme had said that this fallen angel was named Rodin, and he was male.

This shocked Solomon a little, as angels with confirmed genders were usually high-ranking ones, and in Solomon's memory, there was only one high-ranking fallen angel: Zariel, the Destroyer.

Solomon didn't know what Hell was like in this world, but typically, when a high-ranking angel fell, they became a terrifying demon lord. But Solomon's assumption was wrong. Rodin hadn't become a demon lord; instead, he had turned into a demon.

Rodin was an excellent craftsman, but because neither the upper nor lower planes could accommodate him, he had to live among humans. After agreeing to abide by the rules set by the Sorcerer Supreme and promising not to interfere with Earth's affairs, the Sorcerer Supreme allowed him to stay. Today, Rodin was Kamar-Taj's equipment supplier, and many standard pieces of equipment, including the boots Solomon wore, were made by him.

The Gates of Hell bar often appeared in slums, making a small business selling drinks and food. Following the clues provided by the Sorcerer Supreme, Solomon found the bar.

When he stepped inside, perhaps due to the magic he carried, the bar's detection mechanism activated, and the modest, shabby establishment transformed into an otherworldly realm with dark purple wallpaper. The patrons who had been drinking and eating disappeared.

Without realizing it, Solomon had entered Rodin's demi-plane.

"What are you here for? We don't serve alcohol to minors. Milk? Or warm water?" Rodin asked mockingly, as he put out his cigar and placed a glass of warm milk on the counter. "I think you can reach the bar. Now, tell me, what does the Sorcerer Supreme want?"

"The Sorcerer Supreme doesn't need anything from you. I do." Solomon climbed onto the stool, his feet dangling uncomfortably, but he could tolerate it. He picked up the warm milk and took a sip. It was sweet.

After finishing the milk, Solomon let out a milk-scented burp and said, "The Sorcerer Supreme sent me to find something. She mentioned that someone who often frequents this place could help."

"Looking for something? You need information," Rodin replied, placing another glass of warm milk in front of Solomon. He continued polishing the glass, calling out, "Enzo, someone's here for you."

"Huh?" A portly man in a light-colored trench coat, wide-brimmed black hat, and sunglasses emerged from behind a couch. "Someone looking for me?"

"Put out your cigar. We've got a minor here," Rodin said without looking up. "This little sorcerer from Kamar-Taj is looking for something. Who knows why the Sorcerer Supreme sent a kid to do the job."

"But I'm looking for Bayonetta," Solomon said, refusing the second glass of milk. He couldn't drink anymore.

Rodin looked up sharply, scrutinizing Solomon. His gaze lingered on Solomon's hands before he seemed to realize something. "So it's you!"

"You know me? But this is our first meeting," Solomon asked, confused.

"Anyone in the magical world remembers your birth, kid. You're a lot more famous than you think," Rodin said, placing a glass of iced cola on the counter. "That beam of light from Heaven was impossible to miss unless you were blind. Then you were taken in by the Sorcerer Supreme, which is common knowledge in the magical community. What's your name?"

"Solomon."

"As I expected. I knew your name from your stigmata," Rodin nodded, his tone surprisingly gentle, likely due to Solomon's age. "But I don't think it's time for you to storm Heaven and retrieve your mother's soul. Bayonetta can't help you get into Heaven. That's something you'll have to do on your own."

"I've never met my mother," Solomon said, expressionless. "But if I had the chance, I would do it. Just not now. I'm not that foolish. I'm looking for Bayonetta for something else."

"What for?" Enzo chimed in, now with his cigar extinguished. "When it comes to finding things, I'm better than Bayonetta. All she knows is fighting."

Solomon glanced at Enzo, then at Rodin, hesitating whether to bring up the Darkhold. However, he figured this sort of matter wasn't much of a secret to beings with eternal lifespans, so he shared what he knew.

He explained about the alchemical book written by Paul of Taranto, a Franciscan friar and scholar. He needed to know where Paul had written the book, as only by learning about Paul's whereabouts could he find where the Darkhold's knowledge originated.

"The Sorcerer Supreme actually tasked you with finding that book," Rodin said. "That book has been lost for ages. I doubt Enzo could locate it. Are you sure this is your mission?"

"Maybe the Sorcerer Supreme didn't want me to stay cooped up in my room, worried I might suffocate, so she sent me out. Or perhaps she wants me to gain experience, though it feels a bit early," Solomon said.

"That's true," Rodin nodded. "You're still lacking in experience. For example, you've just given Enzo free information that he didn't know."

"Don't underestimate me! I have information even you don't know!" Enzo waved his fist indignantly, though he didn't dare actually confront Rodin. His gesture was more of a protest than a threat.

Turning to Solomon, Enzo softened. "I think we could talk business. Not here though—the food here is terrible. You could come to my place. My kids, Ed and Edna, would love to meet you. My wife's cooking is much better than Rodin's."

Suddenly, the bar door swung open with a bang, and a tall, shapely figure appeared in the doorway. Long, slender legs wrapped in tight black fabric stepped inside, and the click of her high heels echoed sharply across the floor.

"Oh my~ We have a little guest today," came a seductive voice. "Rodin, since when did you start serving minors? Selling alcohol to kids is illegal, you know."

"Bayonetta, he's looking for you," Rodin helpfully reminded her.

"Hm?"

The woman approached, leaning in close, and Solomon was immediately surrounded by a captivating fragrance. His extraordinary hearing even picked up the faint sound of saliva between her teeth and the warm breath that sent shivers down his spine, as if her tongue was teasing his ear.

"Boya~ Are you looking for me?"

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