Chapter 106: Rest
“My knowledge of the Seven Great was limited to what was left behind in the inheritance, as well as what I found in the lost Shrine to the Emperor in the Badlands of the Shade Commune.” Leader’s voice was smooth and enthralling, that of a natural leader,
“Pride, Greed, Lust, Sloth, Gluttony, Envy, Wrath. The Seven Great Laws of the Demon Race. Each one unique and diverse, glorious in might and power. While others may decry these Laws as evil, they are merely intangible tools, guided by the user. Evil itself is merely a matter of perspective.”
Dorian nodded his head slightly as he listened to Leader speak.
They were currently on their way back to Oceapal City. Dorian ran with big, leaping jumps, sprinting over the ground at a fast pace. He made it look casual, as if this was nothing special. Leader followed suit, though he actually was running casually, used to quick movement like this.
The Nightlord had fled the moment the barrier was broken by Dorian. He hadn’t managed to see what Lord Ru, the Aeth Vampire, had done, but hoped he was okay. He’d taken a moment to check the site of their battle, and had found no one in the vicinity.
After the battle, Dorian had asked Leader a few questions about the ‘Seven Great,’ curious as to what exactly that mean. He’d been subtle, acting as if he was testing Leader’s knowledge. He knew that, realistically, there was no chance he could defeat Leader in a battle, even if he went into his Rage Dragon form.
He’d seen the power and speed the Demon had shown. The fact that Yukeli handled the Demon with such ease spoke more to Yukeli’s ungodly skill and technique than to Leader being easy to beat.
The Seven Great Sins, or Laws, of the Demon Race were several core concepts or principles that focused on certain desires. These Laws mysteriously interacted with reality, each one granting mystical abilities and powers. They were complex.
According to Leader, the legendary Demon Emperor had somehow mastered all Seven Great Laws, becoming an incredibly powerful expert just a step away from Ascendancy. He had fallen in battle to the Great Destroyer.
The Demon name for Yukeli Shorn. The man that was trying to take over Dorian’s body.
“The Seven Great Laws are extremely complex and dangerous for anyone that hasn’t undergone Demonification. Why, I remember back when I was a human how I almost died several times before I managed enough of an understanding to experience a baptism of the laws of the universe. It was only when I truly became a Demon that I managed to fully grasp the Law of Pride.” His voice was proud as he spoke, detailing his journey.
The Seven Great Laws of the Demon Race were Laws that Demons held an innate advantage in studying and practice. Leader didn’t know exactly why, only that after he had undergone Demonification, transforming from a regular human to a Demonic Human, he’d had a much easier time studying the Law of Pride.
Demonification was the process of changing a human to a Demon. Leader had experienced this after journeying to the Shrine of the fallen Demon Emperor. He described it as an agonizing, but joyful, experience, one that opened up entirely new worlds of thought to him.
“I see, I see.” Dorian nodded his head, his voice aged and wise. He was getting better at imitating how Yukeli sounded. That ghostly fellow really had a solid voice, Dorian could appreciate that, even if he was trying to murder Dorian and take his body.
By the time Leader finished speaking, explaining some of his own interpretations of the Seven Great, they had arrived at Oceapal City.
“Move along, move along!” The gate guards ushered them through alongside a large flow of travelers. Entering the city was as easy as it had been before, despite the evening light. Oceapal City had no curfew, unlike many other cities in the 30,000 Worlds. Dorian figured this was largely due to its status as a travelers city.
They continued to talk as they traversed the city.
“Yes, Great Lord of Wrath. The goal I set for myself was a low one. Merely to control a planet, hiding away from the major powers. I was blinded by my Pride. Your goal, to restore our fallen Race, is a far greater one than mine!”
Somehow, Leader had come to the conclusion that Dorian wanted to revive the Demon Race to power once more. The man had been struck by fervor, his eyes full of passion.
‘Did Yukeli knock something against his head when they fought?’ Dorian internally eyed the Demon askance.
Like that, Dorian learned that Leader was in charge of an organization trying to take over the planet. Leader also was the same man that had ordered the attack on the Women Warrior’s mercenary team. It was how Leader found him. They had a series of connections in Fate now.
‘Huh… So was this all planned?’ Dorian could remember Yukeli talking about how his plans had worked, but also how they had deviated.
‘How much of my life am I even controlling..?’ He clenched his fists briefly. He hated feeling as if he were merely a puppet, controlled by someone else.
‘He isn’t controlling everything. I stopped him from killing that innocent woman.’ His eyes flashed as he came to a realization.
‘He might have made plans… but he didn’t foresee everything, and that means I have a chance to escape whatever he has put together.’ He nodded.
“Great Lord?” Leader’s voice drew his attention.
“Those women you were hunting… allow them to go free. I have plans for them.” Dorian responded as they passed down one street and around a corner. They had reached the center region of the city.
The fading evening light had fully been replaced by darkness by now. Despite that, the city was still abuzz with energy and life. There were stone pillars set onto each street that glowed dimly, providing light, while storefronts and businesses that stayed open had glowing torches or crystals, lighting them up.
Hundreds of mercenaries, wizards, and regular people moved through the streets. Some on their way to business, others to bars or places to eat.
“Meet me at the Skycrosser Travel Company headquarters, down by the dock, tomorrow before noon.” Dorian commanded Leader, giving him a smart nod. The King Class Demon had bowed slightly and nodded in return, accepting the command.
“But first… follow me for a moment.”
‘I’ve gained my own subordinate now, too.’ Dorian thought with a small smile. He’d need to be careful, though. Leader was only following him because of Yukeli’s strength, and because he thought he was an Inheritor of one of the Seven Great.
If he found out Dorian wasn’t really what he seemed…
After a few minutes of walking, Dorian and Leader arrived at the alley the Blue Seal Casino was hidden in.
His eyes wrinkled as he knocked on the door roughly. He had some unfinished business.
He received no response.
“Hmph.”
BOOM
thud
A casual punch blasted the door open, revealing the insides of the opulent casino. A few shards of woods blasted out, pelting the ground.
“Huh.” Dorian muttered out loud as he walked in, staring.
There was no one here.
He looked around, walking up and down the aisles. A slight shifting sound caught his ears and he looked up.
On the front side of the casino, the side that lined the florist shop, he could see up through the roof. A huge, gaping hole could be seen, stretching over the florist shop. A small breeze wafted in through this hole, stirring the air about.
“Ah, right.” Their battle had destroyed the roof of that shop, and that shop was partially connected with the casino.
“But everyone is gone?” He could understand all the guests leaving. But the casino owner too?
His body tensed up, for no apparent reason, as if he was in danger. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the casino. He looked up and down it, his gaze searching.
‘Basic Magnetic Manipulation.’ Dorian activated an Ability.
WHOOSH
A small, metal coin flew off the ground, landing into his hand. He flipped the coin, rubbing it.
“No… They can’t have fled that quickly, right?” He had seen the Nightlord run away, but at the speed they got back here at, he could only have been here a brief period of time ahead of them. Enough to make everyone leave, sure, but enough to pack up and run?
“My senses detect several life forms in that direction, Great Lord.” Leader spoke up, pointing towards one side of the casino. As an Inheritor of Pride, he had an abnormally strong and sensory physique.
Dorian’s eyes turned towards the back of the casino. As he looked over there, he realized why he felt so tense.
He felt like he was being watched.
Dorian tossed the coin on the ground behind him.
‘Basic Magnetic Manipulation!’ He activated his Ability a second time. This time, instead of pulling the coin towards him, he pushed it as hard as he could.
WHOOSH
Dorian’s body flew through the air as the coin sank slightly into the ground. The coin itself wasn’t able to move any deeper, but the force of Dorian’s push had to go somewhere. Thus, he was hurled in the opposite direction.
thud
His body landed down with a thump, smashing against the side wall. Dorian punched out as he crashed into it.
BOOM
An explosion of stone and wood shot out as he broke a huge hole in the wall, his large Grakon body hurling through it.
“Blast!”
Revealing the panicked expression of the obese Nightlord Javel, who was currently having his every treasure packed up and preparing to flee the city. He was accompanied by a few of the casino attendants and bouncers, as well the Fate Wizard that had activated that Fate Siphon earlier. The guards from before were nowhere to be seen.
They appeared to be in the middle of some type of hastily constructed meeting and were in the process of tearing down everything of value in this backroom.
The room Dorian had burst into was covered in long, soft carpet, with several large couches visible. It was warmly lit, some type of resting area. Several empty spots on the walls and floor indicated that rare treasures, paintings, or objects had rested here quite recently.
“Who do you think-”
“HOLD!” Just as the stunned group of attendants was preparing a response, the Nightlord jumped forward, waving them all to silence.
“My apologies, Milord, for our quick departure.” The obese Nightlord’s voice had a nasal undertone as he spoke, jerking his hand at his followers. They all quickly backed away, stepping to the back of the room, out of earshot.
“Oh, is that so? I seem to recall we didn’t part on good terms.” The air around Dorian was full of danger as he stepped forward, his body towering over the Nightlord.
Leader stepped in through the hole behind Dorian, his eyes cold.
The obese Wizard’s head bobbed up and down as he apologized, words rushing out of him,
“Yes, yes, this Wizard was foolish beyond belief. I had eyes but could not see your greatness. I am but a lowly worm.” He practically fell to the floor, his words servile. He raised up one of his hands, however, handing Dorian a small, blue ring.
“I prepared you this gift as an apology. In it are several rare Magic Herbs, numerous Gold Shields, a rare Mistborn Shield Artifact, an-”
“Insufficient.” Dorian’s words were cold. He felt genuine anger as he looked down at the man. The Nightlord was a brutal killer that would murder the innocent for profit. If he left the man to live freely, he would just murder more.
But what else could he do? Dorian’s mind grew cluttered. Would the City Lord even care to arrest him, if he informed the City Lord of his crimes? Simply by the fact that he could operate this barely hidden casino, Dorian doubted the City Lord would even take action.
In the 30,000 Worlds, more often than not, the mighty ruled, while the weak gave way, as Dorian had come to learn. This wasn’t like Earth, where he could report someone to the police and see them justly punished.
“Milord it hol-” The Nightlord began again, but was interrupted.
WHOOSH
BOOM
A small explosion shook the air as Leader’s body blurred, his right arm slamming into the chest of the obese Nightlord. His attack was so abrupt and sudden, infused with the might of the Law of Pride, that it broke past the Nightlord’s innate barrier.
“How dare you talk like that to the Great Lord!” Leader’s voice was cold and cruel.
“Eek!”
“Ulp!”
“Oh my-!”
“F…”
A few panicked, quickly cut off screams rang out as the Nightlord’s body hurtled through the air, smashing into the wall on the opposite side of the room. The attendants had panicked and then froze as Leader’s gaze fell upon them, all of them falling unconscious.
Even the Fate Wizard that had tested Dorian’s Fate had no defense, falling to the floor in a heap. The inherent power in Leader’s gaze was devastating.
‘Fast…’ Dorian couldn’t even see Leader’s movements. His attack had been incredibly fast.
‘How on earth did Yukeli handle him? In terms of physical might and speed, he should be far stronger than my Grakon body thanks to his Law of Pride.’ He thought for a moment.
‘Wait… Yukeli used an Ability I didn’t have at first?’ His memories were vague, but at that moment, as he saw how powerful Leader was, part of his memories came clear.
‘The ‘Perfect Body’ Ability?’
Before he could look into it, Leader’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Uh…” He looked at Dorian guiltily. Leader was standing next to the Nightlord’s body, half of which was stuck in the wall.
“I killed him.” He said apologetically and shrugged.
‘Wow. That was a Pseudo-King Class Wizard with an innate barrier. To kill him in a single attack… my god, how strong is he?!’ Internally, Dorian was almost overwhelmed with shock. Externally, however, he shrugged, keeping up his facade.
“He was trash to begin with.” He tried to act like Yukeli. He walked over to the body, feeling slightly nauseous.
He picked off a Spatial Ring from the Nightlord’s hand. He’d gained two additional Spatial Rings now.
He looked over at the unconscious attendants and Wizard. He shook his head and motioned at Leader.
“Our business here is done. Let us separate for now. We shall meet before noon.” He repeated his orders, his voice authoritative.
“As you command, Great Lord. I will inform my subordinates of your words, and halt my other plans to avoid drawing attention.” Leader bowed slightly, his voice full of passion as his body blurred, vanishing.
Leaving Dorian alone, staring at the corpse of the Nightlord and the unconscious, fear-struck figures of the various attendants of the casino.
He rubbed his eyes, feeling tired, all of a sudden.
Slowly, he turned away from their prone bodies, his back bent slightly as if bearing a heavy weight. His arms shook as he left the casino grounds, exhaustion hitting him.
It was time to get some well-deserved rest.