Chapter 28

While his mana reserves were still filled to the brim, his mind was currently completely set on the task at hand. Ulbert stood in the seventh-floor summoning area, his retinue behind him, ready to assist wherever needed. In the short time he had spent as a God, three powerful demons currently formed his innermost circle, his most trusted and powerful individuals. The first and most important one was his son Demiurge, who was his second in command in every matter. Then there was his sole consort Flornohe, an experienced and cunning succubus who knew the ways of the Gods. The final one was his personal attendant Melborious, a powerful demon with peculiar ambitions. Today he could obtain another to join their ranks as the immaterial realm beckoned him to draw upon the endless legions of demons and make more of them his own if things went right.

For this particular ritual, he had prepared seventy kidnapped clerics from Slane Theocracy, graciously provided by his friend's pet angel Eleleth. Chief among them was Yvon, the former cardinal of the damned nation they had partially destroyed. Their wills were still going strong, but that would change very soon. Today he would summon demons from the possessor family, an elusive kind of demon that took over their victims, leaving nothing behind besides their memories and abilities.

Ulbert exhaled, magic already dancing around his fingertips, leaping into the air. Summonings were always such exciting rituals. Slowly, he lifted his arms above his head, unleashing devastating demonic energies upon the men and women once devoted to the great six.

Their unprepared souls wailed in agony as swirling green mists surrounded them in suffocating energies, struggling with all their might. Their mortal forms twisted and contorted as the mists entered them through their orifices. One by one, the tied-up figures slowly broke their bonds and prostrated before him.

The last among them yet without a host was Yvon. His eyes were glowing with green energies as an intense battle raged within the old man's mind, the two sides fighting for dominance over the mortal frame. An ancient and powerful demon eventually broke down what once was a proud clergyman and discarded the fragmented soul into the immaterial realm, taking the body for itself.

Finally, the being possessing Yvon broke the ropes and kneeled, his face twisted in a faint smirk. "I have come to serve the young God. My will is yours, Great Ulbert Ooal Gown."

"Excellent. Serve me well and I will grant you an even better body after you've used this one for its intended purpose. What is your name?" Ulbert inquired. The demon was far above his peers in power and reached level seventy-five, the rest only ranging from forty to sixty. They were good, but not quite as good as him.

"I am known as Metonass, sire. You will find my services adequate, I assure you," The demon declared with confidence. "What are your orders?"

"You will go to the capital of Re-Estize and play the role of a crazed priest. My servant will send unwitting heroes to stop you. You will let them escape and sound the alarm. Demiurge will give you the full details of the plan. Take four of your peers with you. The rest will go to Slane and work there, Demiurge will also update you all." Ulbert gave the general gist of the plans to the demons.

<X >

"Hmm, this message is written in a different code than the previous ones," Renner mumbled under her breath as she carefully deciphered a message she herself had written and sent right into Lakyus' hands through the Eight Fingers. She had used her unwitting friend and the leader of Blue Roses to facilitate the cleanup of the crime cartel and ensure that the strongest adventurer team carried out her will, while thinking they were executing vigilante justice. If there was organized crime within the capital city, it was now hers, completely.

As their meetings went, Lakyus sat with her and sipped tea while she helped decipher whatever correspondence her friend's team had picked up from the corpses of various criminals. The twin ninjas Tia and Tina stood in the shadows of the room, nearly bumping into her succubi handlers that were so well hidden even a templar like Lakyus couldn't detect them, guarding as always.

Beside them sat the always-masked Evileye, silently nibbling on a cookie as she pushed the treat beneath the mask. She wasn't one for noble formalities and would have preferred to stay in the inn and sleep, but she was there nonetheless.

The last member of the group, Gagaran, was outside in the palace garden sparring with Gazef, as she used every opportunity possible to train and fight.

"They're catching up to us." Lakyus frowned. Her team had been careful not to leave any traces behind, as their involvement could cause the adventurer guild many problems if they were caught performing vigilantism. A team of her caliber couldn't just simply be dismissed from the guild, but at the same time, a slap on the wrist could enrage the corrupt king, a fact known throughout the land.

"No… it's…oh my, this is bad," Renner gasped, playing up her surprise.

"What is?" Lakyus leaned forward taking the bait.

"The Slane Theocracy is sending their clerics in secret to gather unwilling sacrifices for some foul ritual. Details are unclear, but it seems they are paying a fortune to Eight Fingers for assistance. There's an address." Renner scribbled on a blank sheet as she traced over the encrypted writing.

"That can't be right. Renner, I don't doubt you, but why would priests from Slane perform foul rituals? That goes against everything the Great Six taught." Lakyus' expression soured. As a devout follower of the God of Water, she couldn't conceive that any follower of the Great Six would stoop so low to consort with the demons, no matter the reasons.

There were faint rumors going around that the Slane Theocracy had enticed the wrath of the supposed God of Life and Death and paid for it dearly, as those fleeing from the isolated nation brought regular, albeit fragmented, testimonies of devastating angel attacks, but even then the right path would be to atone, not to sink deeper into heresy.

"Isn't it obvious?" Renner glanced up from the note, her nose twitching and lips slightly trembling betraying a great unease.

"Not for me. You're the genius one," Lakyus retorted. As much as she loved her dear friend, Renner, for all her incredible mind often forgot that others couldn't process the information as she did, a fact that oftentimes vexed Lakyus.

"It's a trap for us. They are catching up. Whoever wrote the note knows it would be deciphered and you would investigate such claims." It was Evileye who explained the meaning behind the message.

"Now the question is, what would they have that could be sent after you? I doubt Slane would risk their rumored Black Scripture. We might have to just ignore the bait. As much as it breaks my heart, I can't ask you to intervene even if innocent people might get hurt." Renner's expression only darkened. Playing with Lakyus' ego was an effortless thing. The former noble turned adventurer had two things in spades: bravery and stubbornness. All that was required was to attempt to talk her out of doing something she deemed as righteous and she would double down. As always, Evileye, as the voice of cynical pragmatism, aided Renner greatly in the process.

"Renner, I am happy for your concern, but I can't stand aside and ignore this. What if they summon demons? It is my duty to vanquish evil and protect the innocent." Lakyus predictably protested her suggestion.

"The princess is right. If they are setting up a trap, it's best to ignore it and hit them elsewhere and hopefully find out what Eight Fingers are planning. I wouldn't put it beside Theocracy's involvement to fake a ritual. Zuranon was formed there and with what's going on, now there might be demon-worshiping cults appearing." Evileye grabbed another cookie and shoved it behind her mask as she spoke.

"You know how Evil Boss is. She won't back down. Might as well prepare for the last stand," Tina remarked dryly, earning a disapproving look from Lakyus.

"Then I pray for your success. Please do not risk your lives foolishly and if you are overwhelmed, retreat." Renner sighed.

"We'll be careful. Let's retrieve Gagaran and go." Lakyus drank the last of her tea and stood up.

Renner, meanwhile, retrieved a small box and presented it to Evileye with a questioning look. Upon receiving a nod of agreement, she quickly packed it full with the remaining cookies and gave it to the short-statured woman.

The bait was taken and her master's plan was moving forward without a hitch. Renner watched her friend depart as she sipped her tea without hurry, a slight grin forming. Once the air was clear, a succubus sat in the chair occupied by Lakyus but a moment ago.

"Lord Ulbert is not pleased with how slowly you are moving things," Venosa remarked as she dumped the tea leaves in the saucer and put fresh ones in.

Renner glanced at her ally with a hint of annoyance as she reached for the Warm Bottle. "I can work with what I have and this plan is not solely for bringing Re-Estize under the control of the Gods, so there is a chance the order came from the very top."

"Perhaps, but still your plan is getting accelerated and not by your design or suggestion." Venosa pushed the cup towards Renner as the latter filled it with scalding water.

"Your point?"

"We are getting nowhere and Lord Ulbert knows about our alliance."

"Of course he does. I did report it as well, the moment we had formed it. As long as we carry out his will and don't sabotage anyone connected to the new Gods, there is nothing to worry about. He rewards those who work faithfully and successfully for him. Now, is there anything worth knowing about or should I reconsider our partnership?" Renner asked. The succubus was a clever one and mostly fed her information with little relevance while trying to gain insight on how to get into the good graces of Lord Ulbert, only kept around because of formalities.

"Backing out already? Fine by me." Venosa huffed.

"No, I am asking for actual tangible information we can use." Renner tilted her head, feeling the succubus' tail move under the table.

"Hmph. I doubt it will help me in any way if I tell you."

"Very well. Our talks were fun while they lasted. There was something I could give you." Renner sighed.

"Using such a cheap trick on me? I have not left your side, I know everything you know!" Venosa hissed, feeling insulted.

"Then you know that Pespea is planned to be one of the administrators," Renner smirked.

"So? He is married to your sister nonetheless… " Venosa scoffed, her gaze widening but she quickly regained her composure. "So what? He is still just one mortal man and relatively low in the pecking order."

"But giving a less influential one that position will carry a huge favor with you if you're the one to reveal its availability. A succubus there, an incubus here, and you will carry a lot of favor with your peers, perhaps enough for Lady Flornohe to notice your efforts. This world will belong to our gods in time, but while the transition happens, there are a lot of lesser positions to be claimed. If you were as clever as you think you are, you wouldn't need me to point them out." Renner explained smugly.

"If you weren't such a bitch about it, I might even like you," Venosa remarked in response.

"I can say the same about you. Now then, mind revealing what could benefit me?"

"Very well. It seems that Gods are taking mortals as their apprentices and one of them has become an apostle."

"Now that is interesting. Such a position should be within my reach." Renner's smile grew wider.

"The one who got the position is a fanatic. You can't even imagine that level of devotion, much less reach them."

"Can't imagine you say that! I will make my God the most influential one in their empire. I will get him the worshipers that pray to him in secret while fulfilling all the important roles in all the kingdoms they rule over! Don't tell me what I can or cannot do. For all your supposed insight, you still don't know a thing about me. Trickery doesn't require blind fanatic faith. On the contrary, it demands a quiet hidden reverence. The general public will never know what Lord Ulbert truly stands for. For the masses, he will be just another god standing in the shadow of the God-Emperor, but from these shadows, he will control them. Not one deed will pass his notice, not a single ambition will be realized without his will. And I will make sure of it. A fanatic fool is only useful in front lines in the battle, while those attuned to trickery poison the wells which the enemy drinks from."

For once Renner spoke with genuine passion, everyone in the room could tell. Venosa shuddered upon sensing it. She knew that the girl was a sociopath through and through and didn't believe that the former princess was capable of anything else but extreme self-interest. The raw passion coming from the young human told her otherwise. Renner had embraced Lord Ulbert's dark energies and it wouldn't take much for her to become their conduit and claim the coveted position of an apostle that only mortals born of this world could claim, surpassing even her own position.

Editing by aidan_lo.

Proofreading by aidan_lo, fvvck, Sluethen, Mfkzrocker, x4x, and clagan.

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