Tap Tap
Footsteps reverberated through the long hallway, accompanying the swift movements of a man dressed in priestly attire.
He briskly passed numerous nobles, ignoring them as mere bystanders, a departure from his usual interactions where he might have even lashed out at them.
But today was different.
“Damn it,” Kermit muttered under his breath as he navigated the hallway, making his way toward the exit.
He couldn’t help but curse his luck at encountering that person. ‘If only I had known my life would take this turn.’
Since being enslaved by Ryuk, he found it impossible to refrain from using divine energy to heal himself.
Yet, despite attempting various remedies, even resorting to divine water, each time, his body revealed no issues.
Seeking counsel from slave merchants proved futile as they detected no anomaly within him.
After traversing past several individuals, he reached the monastery gates.
His gaze fell upon a young boy with amber eyes, triggering an instinctive chill that swept across his body—a residual effect from their previous encounter.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” Kermit bowed, a lingering sense of fear persisting merely from gazing into those amber eyes.
An urgent desire to depart consumed him.
‘Why is he here?’ Kermit kept his gaze lowered, awaiting an answer, yet none came.
He remained composed, lacking the courage to lift his eyes.
Ryuk remained stationary, paying no heed to Kermit, his attention solely focused on the system window before him:
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◘ D𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 › »
[■■■■■■■■■□] 99%
( Another stimulus needed to complete the growth )
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A smile graced Ryuk’s face as he observed events unfold precisely as he had anticipated.
Throughout the battles with these individuals, Ryuk came to realize that their strength had been bestowed upon them by the heavens— making them different from a normal prodigy.
They could still oppose him, despite his lifelong struggle dedicated to learning and self-improvement, unlike these individuals who seemed to put in minimal effort.
Particularly in the case of the heroines, whom he had always accompanied, including Amayara, Ryuk recognized the significant effort they had invested, which, from his perspective, appeared nonexistent in comparison.
The individuals before him seemed like naturally gifted geniuses, possessing capabilities without investing substantial effort in themselves.
This realization prompted him to reassess his strategies against these individuals.
His plans were merely based on speculative What if scenarios.
What if the heavens bestow something formidable upon these individuals after witnessing their downfall at the hands of someone?
What if it became impossible for Ryuk to overcome these individuals in the future?
The notion seemed daunting, considering the unpredictability of potential variables.
In response, Ryuk strategically planted triggers he could utilize against these formidable adversaries— Son and daughters of Heavens.
He began by severing Edward’s right arm using anti-mana sword, who was a prodigy in swordsmanship.
Even if Edward resorted to prosthetic arms, the precision and strength offered by those would unquestionably play into Ryuk’s advantage.
Maria’s remarkable ability rendered her nearly immortal — Her instant regeneration healed her from numerous wounds.
If Ryuk hadn’t discovered her Divine core, confronting her would have proved immensely challenging.
This led Ryuk to contemplate the possibility of negating Maria’s one weakness.
Normally, her divine core shifted daily within her body as a protective measure.
What if this core became infused with her soul?
She would transform into an indomitable entity, boasting limitless regeneration and divine energy, essentially becoming invincible.
Of course, Ryuk could still end her but the question remained: why would he go to such extreme lengths to confront someone seemingly insignificant?
The vastness of this world held many hidden mysteries, urging Ryuk to tackle issues before they escalated, ensuring he wouldn’t waste time when stepping onto a larger stage.
‘So, we have a saintess now,’ Ryuk comprehended that Maria had awakened faster than expected, reaffirming her Heroine’s Halo once more.
Ryuk had instructed Kermit to administer Hade’s potion to her for a specific reason.
This potion had the ability to awaken the demonic seed within an individual, and its rate of growth depended on their divine energy —Higher energy levels expedited the development of the demon seed.
The ultimate consequence?
Eternal slumber.
However, Ryuk had devised a fail-safe to prevent Maria from plunging into an eternal sleep abruptly, incorporating a subtle twist into the mix.
He held the means to mitigate the impending suffering that Maria was bound to endure, firmly within his grasp in form of an temporary antidote.
Observing Maria’s prowess in battle, Ryuk recognized her potential value as a Meat-shield, particularly for himself once he departed the continent.
However, before that, he needed to train her in a manner that left nothing within her except an intense fear of him.
“Y-your Highness,” his butler standing beside him snapped him out of his thoughts.
Turning his gaze, he observed Kermit standing with lowered eyes, understanding his ignorance for not responding well but not caring much he added, “Guess Priest Kermit doesn’t know how to serve guests.”
‘This Bast—,’ Kermit attempted to curse, but remembering the pain he was going to endure due to this, he stopped midway, bowing his head before feigning his usual demeanor. “Forgive my insolence, Your Highness. Please come.”
All three made their way inside the Monastery, passing nobles who greeted Ryuk, recognizing him from his attire and widely known amber eyes which were only possessed by Queen Alisia and the Crown Prince.
“Y-your Highness, how can I help you?” Kermit inquired while shivering, wanting to know Ryuk’s reason for being here.
“Where is the Vessel?” Ryuk interrupted in his path, turned towards Kermit with cold eyes, his gaze filled with disdain for the man deserving more than death or eternal suffering.
Even Ryuk couldn’t decide what punishment would be suitable for someone like Kermit, considered the most despicable man he had ever seen.
“I-I don’t understand… Kuughhh!” With a gut-wrenching shriek.
thud
Kermit collapsed to the ground, his hands clawing at his head, trying to escape unbearable torment.
“AaaGgggHhhhh!”
Veins bulged, his face contorted in excruciating pain, blood oozing from every facial orifice, as if his very soul was tearing apart.
The torment grew deafening, shattering his eardrums, while muscles strained and tendons stretched, amplifying the unrelenting torture.
“It should be enough,” Ryuk said, calming slightly, though remembering a thousand reasons to shred the man in front of him.
“Haaaa… Haaa….” Suddenly, everything stopped, leaving Kermit’s mind in a trance, his eyes crimson red from the tremendous pain he endured.
“Now, tell me where is the Vessel,” Ryuk demanded firmly.
Kermit, spitting blood, lay on the floor, murmuring incoherently, attempting to offer an answer while pleading to be relieved from his agony. “I…n…base…men.”
Ryuk’s acute senses caught the gist. He swiftly turned in a familiar direction and issued a directive before departing, “Johan, ensure he’s healed by the time I return.”
Johan bowed, a faint bead of sweat betraying his composed facade. “I understand, Your Highness.”
As Ryuk vanished from sight, Johan turned his attention to the near-lifeless man, now firsthand understanding his Master’s indifference toward the suffering before him.
GULP
‘I think he shouldn’t have left his weakness,’ his words contradicted the time when he felt relief for Ryuk, forgetting his kindness and imprinting him with the Enslavement Grimoire.
Now, feeling regret, he only hoped that this was Ryuk’s act of kindness.
Being a Servant, he cared less. He was his Master, and only that mattered.
Slowly moving his hands towards Kermit, instead of lifting him up, he grabbed his wrist.
“Let’s go, Kermit.” Seeing the immense pain the man felt, he knew Kermit didn’t hold a favorable position in his master’s heart, prompting him to act as a loyal servant should.
“S..top i..t.” Dragged across the floor by Johan, who used one hand to pull him, Kermit retorted, his body lacking the strength to do anything but be dragged like trash.
.
.
.
.
.
Ryuk headed in a direction that felt incredibly familiar.
The distinction lay in the fact that previously, he had arrived there to vanquish a demon, whereas now, he was here to rescue it.
As he moved, memories flooded back—the primary reason behind his decision to obliterate this cultist religion.
This monastery not only traded in healing abilities but also engaged in sacrificial practices.
Their crucial aim was to awaken one of the Archdemons—Belial.
To achieve this, they sacrificed numerous children possessing exceptional abilities.
Entering the monastery’s main prayer hall, bustling with people, Ryuk was immediately recognized by a noble.
“Hey, isn’t that the Crown Prince?” The recognition prompted others to approach him for greetings.
WHOOSH
An intense aura emanated from his being, causing the onlookers to either retreat or stagger back.
In their astonishment, they beheld the boy enveloped in an amethyst aura.
“Leave this place before I take another step.” His firm warning echoed throughout the room.
Normally, if a child of five had uttered such words, it would have elicited laughter.
However, the figure before them was the future ruler, compelling them to bow and depart, assisting others to move faster.
Standing amidst it all, Ryuk cared little about what this world will label him—heretic or demon, after this.
His acknowledgment of standing far from the ocean, in this vast world, solidified his unquenchable thirst to ascend to the highest peak.
His earlier ambition, aiming to become Emperor, had once seemed a significant accomplishment.
However, his aspirations had transcended; now, he coveted dominion over the entire world.
With deliberate steps, he approached the grand statue of the Goddess Fela, gleaming white, reflecting Gaia’s rays, amplifying its divine aura.
SLICE
Abruptly, a clean thread-like incision appeared on the statue’s middle, the cut tilted, causing the entire structure to shatter into two pieces before collapsing onto the floor.
THUD
CRUMBLE
The statue’s fall caused the ground to quake, revealing a hidden passage concealed beneath its base.
‘And here I am, a heretic,’ witnessing the scene, he mused again about being branded evil when the origin of this all lay beneath the epitome of purity.
An irony akin to how shadow lurks beneath a candle that illuminates everything except its closest darkness.
Venturing inside, his amber eyes reflected the blood-stained walls, dark metal shells resembling a dungeon.
Tap Tap
Only his footsteps echoed in this place, void of anything except discarded clothing—a clear indication that a sacrificial ceremony had recently occurred, a year or two prior.
Sacrifices placed within the magic circle summoned the demon into a vessel, claiming their souls as the summoning price.
Once summoned, the demon devoured the lifeless bodies to strengthen its now physical form, rendering the place filled with discarded clothings.
Undeterred, he proceeded toward a specific location at the end of a row of cells.
Having witnessed enough bloodshed, the foul stench, and the horror etched into the walls and floors through nail scratches and final struggles, Ryuk remained unfazed.
Arriving at an open area with small underground cells etched on grounds with Metal gratings, each with space of a meter in area.
He halted before one of the metal cells.
With narrowed eyes in the dim, well-like enclosure, he observed a small girl trembling from bloody wounds all over her body.
Her tail and ears identified her as a Demi-human—a catkin.
Ryuk couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between this girl’s present state and the future he knew.
This girl was a vessel, prepared for the ascension of Belial, an Archdemon who ultimately met his demise at the hands of Emperor Ryuk von Selvius.
The purpose of his arrival was to save this girl. A minor reason was to thwart the blooming of Belial, but the primary motive lay in the girl’s race—not native to the Heindal Continent.
During Ryuk’s first encounter with a rampaging demoness, her physical features had bewildered him.
However, now with his awareness of the outside world, it was evident that this girl could hold the key to give him a pass to outside world.
Prepared for the future, Ryuk had already envisioned a place where races like hers might belong. Utilizing her, he could effortlessly deal with them.
His hand slowly approached the cell, amethyst aura enveloping it before he gripped the metal rod.
SCREECH
The sheer force began to bend the mana-infused cells, a loud noise stirring some minor movement from the girl below.
Observing her ears perk up, Ryuk understood she was about to retaliate. A faint smile graced his face as he pulled back his hand and removed the covering.
BOOM
As the lid of the cell broke, the girl’s eyes snapped open, clenching her jaws, recalling the torment she endured.
Swiftly rising, she leaped out of the cage, claws aimed at Ryuk, harboring a deep hatred toward the entire human race.
“You bastards!”
Hearing her words but paying little attention, he stepped back slightly before swiftly seizing her by the collar.
Thud
“Ughh… Leave me, you filthy animals!” She retorted while suspended in the air, her legs flailing and hands gripping Ryuk’s in a futile attempt to break free.
Only thought raced through her mind: ‘Is he human?’
Struggling, she couldn’t fathom the strength of a mere child standing before her, a stark contrast from the tales her mother had recounted about human children being as fragile as twigs.
While she continued to struggle, Ryuk’s words penetrated her turmoil, causing her to momentarily pause.
” I can help you in leaving this place ”
Readers, If u have some doubts please tell
