Chapter 9: Into the Depths

"What do I want? Do you think there would be anyone to come drink with you?"

The dwarf had his beard so long that it reached the ground. He was wearing a light-green outfit. His most notable description would be his bald head.

The dwarf took a heavy sigh. "Mind your language brat. Just cuz you dad's some bigshot doesn't mean you are as well. So what do you need?"

Laila then looked at Ethan, "It's not for me"

The dwarf looking at Ethan was surprised. His mouth was wide open from his shock. His eyes went big. He stuttered before speaking again.

"Im-Impossible. Ho- How? I must be dreaming."

The dwarf was staring at Ethan. To be precise it was Ethan's left eye which had yet to return to normal. Though Ethan was wearing a sunglass to hide that, the dwarf seemed to be looking through it like he had some otherworldly powers.

"What's your name child?" The dwarf spoke up.

"It's Ethan Cross"

"Cross?" The dwarf quickly shifted his eyes towards Laila.

"Circumstances..." Laila didn't say anything more.

The dwarf then gave a gesture to the group to follow him. He then took them to a room far back in the dark corridor. As the door was opened steam and hot temperature greeted them. There were other dwarves who had long beards like this one hammering and smelting irons. It looked like a smithy.

"I am Baldric Hoenheim and I don't like formalities so let's cut to chase what do YOU need?" As they set foot inside the smithy the dwarf asked Ethan.

Ethan took a glance at Laila and opened up his mouth. "A set of twin swords"

[ I was struggling to find a proper weapon ]

[ Since I am proficient in wielding a sword so I should go with one ]

[ but why did I choose twin swords? ]

As questions popped up in Ethan's mind Baldric's next words seemed to have answered him.

"Twin swords huh? You people don't change do you? Every single commission I took from you people 90% of the time I was told to make twin swords. Is this a tradition or obsession?"

Suddenly vivid pictures of a lich wielding twin swords came into his mind

[ So even if the world is different, the fundamental stays the same? ]

"Now show me yer hand"

Ethan showed his palm to the dwarf. The dwarf held it tight in his hands and as if a child got a new toy, he carefully examined the hand's every corner. He did the same thing for the other hand.

"Any preferences?"

"Light, thin, good-looking"

"Look at you being greedy. Come back three days later"

After coming out of the smithy, Laila lead the group to another room in the corridor.

'Bousquet's clothing' was what was written on the door.

As Laila opened the door short goblins greeted them. What was surprising was that the goblins 'greeted' them. They were wearing suits and they could speak human tongue. The goblins there knelt down to respect Laila.

A goblin came forward. He was wearing a fine suit and was wearing a monocle. "Long time no see your highness. How can I help you today?"

"I am looking for clothes for this young man"

"I see" The goblin clapped his hand and suddenly 5 other goblins surrounded Ethan and started to bind him. Ethan tried to resist but he couldn't and they stopped it after few seconds. After that they handed out a note paper to the head goblin. "Very well, please follow me."

The goblin lead them to a aisle. "Please choose."

Laila moved first as he rummaged through the clothes. Ethan came near her and whispered "What are you doing?"

"Looking clothes for you of course"

"There's no need I have enough of them"

"Not anymore you don't. And these are not just clothes, touch them."

At Laila's words Ethan checked out the clothes. He was shocked to find out it's quality. It had excellent resistance that it would be no lie to call it armor. Mana also flowed through it neatly.

As Ethan was deep in thoughts checking the clothes Laila grabbed his hand to took him to a dressing room. In her hands were more than 5 sets of clothes that made him wonder just when did she pick those.

After Laila pushed Ethan into the dressing room with the clothes Ethan began to change into them one by one. First was a black suit and pant. Laila instantly rejected it saying it was too formal. Second set was a shirt with exquisite design and black pants, something similar to what he was wearing today. Laila rejected it as well.

This kept going on until the last set of clothes which included a black overcoat that reached the knees with golden finish and a waistcoat underneath it. Unlike what it looked, the overcoat wasn't hot at all. This outfit included a black pant with golden finish at it's bottom making it give of the feeling of exquisite luxury.

Seeing Ethan in the luxurious outfit Laila instantly told the goblin to pack another set with a red face.

"Don't take it off keep. They will pack a spare set for you"

Some goblins with their small hands packed that outfit and handed it to Ethan. Ethan with his new outfit hesitantly took it. Then they went outside the way they came and returned to the corridor.

"Why are we doing all this when we should be thinking about how to save Seraphina from them?"

Laila's face suddenly changed a bit and he turned to Baal. "Do it"

With that with a snap of finger, a magic circle started to appear under Baal. Soon it enlarged enough to cover Ethan and Laila in it. In the next moment before Ethan knew it they were in a large open grass field. It was more like a garden. There was a mansion that can be seen beside the garden.

"Where are we?"

"To my house. Father wants to meet you"

"Wha-"

Laila then took Ethan's hand and took him in front of the mansion. There were butlers and maids standing there in a line to greet Laila. In this world Ethan's family was rich, but not to this extent. As they entered the mansion Ethan saw a old man with white hair and beard with eyes just like Laila standing on the upper floor of the lobby. As the old man came down his intimidating face changed into a warm and affectionate smile.

"Oh my daughter where did you ran off to at morning?"

Then he took a glance at Ethan. His eyes were enough to send shivers down Ethan's spine. "Is he the one? The survivor? Doesn't seem special to me"

The old man was checking Ethan from top to bottom. Then he offered Ethan a handshake "Nice to meet you, I am Richard Von Blackthorne, Laila's dad. Heard about you from her."

Just as Ethan was about to respond to that handshake, Laila put his hands down. "I am not here to joke father"

"Can't you dad just shake hands with a fellow noble?"

Laila kept glaring at her father.

With a deep sigh Richard expressed his sorrow. "It must be true that daughters leave you when they are of age. Anyways let's go to the dining room. I bet you are hungry."

The group then went to the mansion's dining room. The dining room was much bigger than Ethan thought it would be.

"it's big no? We Blackthornes take pride in what we have"

Ethan didn't say anything. As they kept eating Richard opened his mouth.

"So- What's your relationship with my daughter?"

Ethan thought he would be asking about his identity. before he could open his mouth Laila spoke first.

"its no- nothing. Why are you asking Ethan that? We just met yesterday."

"Well you kept pestering me on how he looked, how he fought with Baal that it made me wonder something- Anyways Ethan, what are you going to do now?"

"What do you exactly mean by that, sir?"

"Sir huh? don't make us sound so distant. We are both nobles of the demons standing at the top of food chain. So how are you gonna re-establish the Vorathals?"

"I need to rescue my friend first?"

"Ah a prison break is it? Reminds me of the time with Laila's mother. She's gone visiting her sister yesterday. But we are talking about raiding a trial here, are you sure you are up to it?"

"Father he probably doesn't know what a trial is." Laila jumped between their conversation.

"So trial, as it sounds is basically a court, but there is no victim nor perpetrator in this court, only the guilt. The punishment is decided in a trial. You should give up when you can, no one knows where this trial takes place."

"Maybe I do..."

Richard was shocked to hear that. The location of the trial was only known to the apostles and angels. Even in the war in the past, it is recorded that whoever tried to reveal it's location when subjected to immense torture were suddenly dead. It's location remains a mystery from that time and this boy just said he knows the location.

"Don't joke boy, don't throw your life away when you are the only Vorathal left just because of your friend."

"I am a Vorathal and that is exactly why I know it's location."

Ethan then explained how he absorbed Valeria and some of her memories though vivid are now in his mind. All he could say without a doubt that it was underwater. If he tried to focus very hard his internal demonic energy would run rampant.

"I understand the situation. Even among the Vorathals absorbing ones mind as well as ones power was something rare. You must have some pure Vorathal blood within you. If it's like this you should stay here, Laila can help you control your demonic energy. You can do it right Laila?"

Laila's face was a little red "Do whatever you want"

Seeing his daughter's face Richard decided to tease her a little. "Why is your face red, dear? Should I ask Ethan to take care of you?"

Laila turned her face away with a 'hmph'

As they finished eating Ethan was shown to his room in the mansion. It was very spacious and elegant. Being the clan of Pride the Blackthornes didn't want to lose to anyone. After settling down a bit he was invited by Laila to go to the training ground.

They had a huge filed like a football stadium for their training ground. They weren't the only one there. There was many other already on the field. Laila gave Ethan a set of training gears and pointed out the dressing room.

[ Her face is still red, probably because of what her father said ]

Ethan went to the dressing room. He saw a group of girls staring at her who were standing outside of the dressing room. Ethan paid them no mind and went inside. Surprisingly the male dressing room was empty. He quickly changed into his training gears and came outside. The girls were still standing there. One of them approached Ethan.

"Hey, um- Are you a new recruit?"

"Ah no I-"

Suddenly Laila came from behind and grabbed his hands.

"What are you people doing here and not training?"

She glared at the group of girls. Seeing Laila, they instantly bowed down and apologized. Laila then dragged Ethan to the training ground. They stood inside a circle at a side of the training ground.

"I will show you how to control demonic energy, so watch closely"

Laila closed her hands while her arms half raised. Demonic energy started to gather on the palm of her hand. What's interesting was that even though the amount of demonic energy kept increasing the ball did not grow bigger. It remained the same size. I tactually shrank a little by little.

Then she opened her eyes. "Though this little sphere looks small and weak it contains a vast amount of demonic energy. What I noticed in your fight with Baal was that you simply let the demonic energy in your body go rampant. Unlike normal mana which has become scarce now you control demonic energy forcibly. Mana users let mana flow like the way it wants but for demonic energy it must be tamed. Try it."

Ethan took the same position as Laila and began gathering demonic energy. Suddenly black smoke from all around the place started to gather in Ethan's palm. Everyone else who were practicing were surprised as some unknown force were sucking away their demonic energy.

They all looked at the source and was shocked that a huge ball was being formed on Ethan's hand. Ethan however was unaware of this and only focused on gathering demonic energy and shaping it. Laila noticing Ethan's focus decided to shake him to wake him up. Ethan seeing what he has created was flustered.

"Don't move. If it drops there will be a huge damage. Release it slowly, very slowly"

Ethan took a deep breath and tried to reverse what he did. As he started to release the gathered demonic energy, the flow of demonic energy put pressure on everyone.

"Slower Ethan!"

Ethan tried to make the process slower but he couldn't. Seeing this Laila put her hands under Ethan's.

"Just follow my lead"

Like that Ethan slowly released the demonic energy to the surroundings.

"Whew! That shouldn't have been possible."

"What?"

"A demon can only use his own demonic energy, it's my first time seeing someone use someone else's demonic energy like their own"

[ Is this also because my absorption power? ] Ethan looked at his hands and thought to himself.

Away from the training grounds Richard was looking at Ethan from his office in mansion.

"Is this all true?"

"Yes, your highness" Baal was kneeling behind Richard with his head down.

"Have you confirmed it?"

"Yes, I have personally checked those eyes and the markings. I have also fought with him."

"So, What do you think?"

"If you are asking for my opinion, your highness I would say he's an unpolished gem. But I believe he is still hiding something."

"What exactly"

"This was definitely not the first time he heard about the Vorathals. And those from the justice faction would never hunt him down like that just because he was the witch's friend."

"I trust that you can find it out?"

"Leave it to me your highness."

"You may go"

Baal bowed his head once more and left like a breeze of wind. Richard took a sip of the drink he was having.

"Oh Laila, who have you chosen"

Few days passed by like that.

Ethan was reading some books in the Blackthornes family library. Just like their pride, their library was also big as well.

"Ethan, it is dinner time now"

It was Laila's mother, Lily Von Blackthorne. She came back few days before. She had a good body. Unlike Laila and her father, her eyes were golden with a cross mark on top of it. It probably meant she was from another family. She had a good figure, a body which is the perfect example of golden ratio. She had black hairs just as long as Laila's. Laila probably got her face from her mother.

"Ah you don't have to worry about me Mrs. Blackthorne I will eat at my room later."

"C'mon we have living together for a long time why are you distancing yourself. Did I not tell you to call me that?"

Ethan then got up from the table and went to the dining room with Lily. Laila and Richard were already there. Ethan sat on a chair.

"How much have things progressed, Ethan?"

"I think I have a rough estimate of that location."

"What about Ethan's control, Laila?"

"He's getting better."

"I am thinking of going there tomorrow" Ethan spoke up

Immediately Laila looked at him with surprised from shock.

"I see wouldn't it be better if you take Laila and Baal with you?" Richard asked Ethan

"No I want to go alone."

"At least let Baal teleport you to close to it."

"Then I won't reject it anymore, thank you"

The next day came. This was the day Ethan went to the place of trails. Ethan met Baal, Richard and his wife at the lobby. "I don't see Laila?"

"She said she was feeling sick" said Laila's mother.

Ethan then bowed down to the family. Laila's family took care of them like their own. Ethan was very grateful for that. Baal then took Ethan to a ocean's port. Ethan then went on a ship.

As the ship sailed across the vast ocean, Ethan felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The sea breeze played with his hair, and the sound of crashing waves filled the air. He knew that this journey could be perilous, but he was determined to find Seraphina and uncover the truth about the Vorathals.

Days passed as the ship sailed farther into uncharted waters. Ethan spent his time studying the maps he had gathered and mentally preparing himself for what lay ahead. On the night before he reached the approximate location, he was standing on the deck with his eyes closed. He was wearing the clothes and sword Laila bought for him.

[ Thank you Laila, I will replay this ]

Ethan then dived in the sea. Ethan didn't know the exact location but his instincts told him it was near. Ethan was a man who trusted his instincts. As he dove down deeper the darker the sea became. Ethan covered himself with demonic energy. He made sure to keep the layer of his demonic energy as thin as possible for it to be less likely detected. He reached the ocean floor soon enough. Ethan in his past world was lucky enough to come across a technique to breath underwater after destroying an assassination organization.

This technique had the formula to breath with skin. Just like fishes, Ethan could absorb oxygen form ocean water. Ethan spread a thin net of demonic energy around and found nothing of importance. He decided to head north where there was a ravine. As he approached the ravine he was surprised seeing how wide it was. He decided to take the risk and jump down.

As he dove deeper what could be barely seen was all dark now. He used a scroll which he drew personally to cast a light spell. Each scroll would last for half an hour. As Ethan reached the ground he found a kind of bunker there.

[ This must be it ]

[ But how do I open it? ]

Just when Ethan was taking a look at what seemed the bunker door, the invisible nets he spread in the ravine gave him an alarm. He quickly looked around him and found a shipwreck in distance. He dashed towards it with all the speed he could muster. He inside the shipwreck and put out the light he casted. Suddenly a glow of light came from where he ran from.

[ That would mean someone opened it ]

Ethan focused his demonic energy into his eyes, turning it for a temporary time. He could now see clearly in the dark. Laila told him to avoid using as much demonic energy as possible which is why he brought a lot of scrolls to make up for it.

Seeing that the door was not closing even after someone went inside, Ethan slowly made his way towards the bunker door. It emitted a yellow light and had staircase fitted with bright marbles. He took a deep breath and stepped a foot inside. Nothing happened. He then went completely inside. Suddenly the door closed. Seeing that Ethan instinctively took a stance. No one appeared.

[ This is getting more and more suspicious ]

[ But this is the only clue I have ]

[ Even if it's a trap, I must go to the end of it ]

With determination and anxiety Ethan carefully went ahead. In front of him was a large hallway. The person who came before him could be nowhere seen. He slowly proceeded towards the end of that hallway. There he found an elevator looking thing. As soon as he entered it the door closed and the elevator started to descend.

Going down Ethan now was sure this was a trap. The elevator, it took him directly to the place from the memories he absorbed from Valeria. The elevator lead him to what it seemed like a court. As the door opened 5 shadow figure turned to him. This figures had vivid description of some faces. It was probably some kind of avatar the apostles used to join this trial. There was also 2 other physical figures. One of them was Mord and other was covered in robe from top to bottom. He had a strange mask on him as well. It was a white mask with a lotus pattern.

"H-How?"

Mord was the first to react as he took a step backwards in surprise.

However Ethan wasn't looking at Mord. His eyes were at the prisoner shackled to the ground in the middle of that room.