245. Nightsveil Part 5(End of Volume 4)
by245. Nightsveil Part 5
Saffron tried to protest, but my clone took off, flying far into the distance as I watched from where I floated. Belzu’s approach slowed ever-so-slightly as he watched my companions escape. His eyes flickered back to me, seeing me hold the Breastplate of Alexander up.
And he swerved my way. The monsters came for me, ignoring Saffron and her family. My clone could leave the city unimpeded. It was just me, standing in the middle of this tempest of terrible things. The center of attention, as per usual. I relished these moments when everything revolved around me.
Even if it was kind of dangerous right. With a smirk, I equipped the Breastplate of Alexander and summoned a second clone. I could create two clones now considering the level of [Salvo of Vanity]. Even if I was going to try and give Belzu exactly what he wanted, I was going to play it safe. The instant I closed the straps of the Breastplate of Alexander, I felt a surge of power wash over me. It was like I’d been hit by a wave of magic, and it was now coursing through me and filling me with power.
Temporary General Skill [Greater Status Effect Resistance] Obtained!
Temporary General Skill [Superior Aura of Greater Protection] Obtained!
Temporary General Skill [Repudiation Repulse] Obtained!
Stats:
[Available Stat Points: 0]
[Vitality]: 136 (+25) (+50%)
[Strength]: 112 (+25)
[Endurance]: 125 (+25)
[Wisdom]: 210 (+25) (+10)
[Agility]: 268 (+25)
“Huh. Nice.”
I flexed an arm, grinning. Then I flew towards Belzu. The Primeval Demon halted as he saw my approach. I readied myself for any curse or illusions he’d throw my way, but he simply waited for me. I shouted as I finally met him, above the ruins of Nightsveil’s palace.
“Hey Belzu!”
He peered at me as thunder crackled in the background. Flames burned below and roared smoke in plumes around us. The entire city was being razed to the ground, but I didn’t really care. It wasn’t anything that mattered to me too much. I had already saved Saffron’s family, now there was no other reason for me to stay here.
Why would I fight and die for people I didn’t know or care about?
I’d always found that odd about Edithe or Daniel. Or Saffron. Or even Haec. I remembered how upset he was over the death of the others— of the [Infant Demons] that had been with him. Maybe I was just weird.
But I was Salvos. I didn’t care if I was different.
I didn’t care that despite the terror and disaster Belzu brought about, I only had one thing to say to him.
“I think you’re pretty cool!”
He blinked. He actually closed his bulbous eyes and opened them, staring at me in complete and utter shock. His meandering monsters slowed as he tried to regain his composure. I was pretty sure Belzu thought he was the one caught in an illusion. However, this was the truth. This was reality.
“So, do you want this thingy or…?”
I gestured at the rainbow-colored breastplate I was wearing. He nodded slowly, dubious.
“Indeed. That is what I seek.”
“Huh. Alright. If I give this to you, will you let me go free?”
“That depends.”
Belzu brought one of his spindly arms to his rotund face and scratched his chin.
“You have tried to foil my projects thrice now, Archdemon.”
“Hey! I didn’t do anything to stop you. I was just helping my companion out each time. Well, other than the first time where you tried to kill me in the Brilsum Ruins. Although I was trying to find a Fairy to get back to my companion, so technically I was still trying to help my companion out then too.”
I shrugged.
“Anyway, point is, I’m not going to try to stop you. I’m only going to try and stop you from killing my friends and companions. Like today. Otherwise, I honestly think you’re amazing.”
“Amazing?”
The Primeval Demon crossed all of his arms. I nodded eagerly.
“Yep! You’ve leveled up so fast and you’re so powerful. And everyone says your name in fear, and your people look up to you.”
I waved off-handedly at the monsters gathered around him. He frowned.
“Are you messing with me?”
“Nope!”
Then I leaned forward slightly, looking at him with round eyes.
“But I’m curious, Belzu. What is it that you want? Yes, I know you want this thing I’m wearing, and I’ll give it to you. However, why are you doing all this? It can’t just be for this artifact, right?”
Belzu hesitated. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took a moment to study me— to gather each and every one of my subtle changes in facial expression. Finally, when he felt like he had studied enough, he drifted towards me.
“Very well. If you want to know why I do this, I will tell you.”
I narrowed as Belzu spread his arms wide.
“I am doing this to save my kind. To stop the Demon King’s foolish plans. To prevent the merger of the planes.”
Daniel and Amanda crept their way further into Deathfall’s Dungeon. Torchlight illuminated the stone corridors, placed alongside the railway tracks that made up this system of mineshafts. It was like they were lost in a labyrinth, no one to guide them in or out.
Well, apparently Amanda could find her way back out. She was keeping track of where came from. The problem was where they were going: neither of them knew what awaited them further inside. Just that they were going further inside.
There were rooms— dorms for [Miners] to sleep. Places set up for meetings. Even equipment left behind by assassins who supposedly stayed here. And that begged the question: where was everyone?
Not once did Daniel spot a Human walking down these halls. He saw only Demons. And he understood why soon enough.
They stumbled upon a large chamber— one that was circular with a tall ceiling. In it, the largest summoning circle Daniel had ever seen was inscribed on the ground. And on it were piles of bodies. Amanda’s eyes widened as she saw the corpses.
“Those are…”
Daniel frowned.
“Assassins?”
“Yes. And not just any assassins.”
Her voice droned on, low and full of terror.
“They’re… Kedath the Quick Death… Thah the Poison Hands… Beva the Forge of Daggers… each of them are over Level 100. These are the best assassins of the Harrowed Vindicators. Why are they…?”
“They’re sacrifices.”
Daniel cut her off. He pointed past the dozens of corpses— not all of them were over Level 100, some were lower-leveled members, or non-assassins. But they were all used for the same reason.
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The summoning circle began to glow as a red aura was sucked from the bodies. Amanda staggered back.
“What is this?”
“A summoning. They’re summoning Demons.”
Daniel crouched down, bracing himself for the wave of powerful energy. And from the center of the summoning circle, a pulse shot out. It shook the ground and nearly knocked Amanda off balance. He caught her, gripping the hilt of his blade. Ready for a fight.
And from the smoke emerged a hulking serpent. It had a long body, coiled together as it stomped forward on dozens of legs. It had a yellow, square-shaped pupil which landed on the one doing the summoning. Another Demon who bowed before it.
“Levithus, welcome to the Mortal Realm.”
The serpent Demon, Levithus, smiled and bared its teeth.
“Ah, so this is our new home.”
[Hellprince – Lvl. 171]
“Now, where is that traitor Belzu hiding?”
“To prevent the merger of the planes.”
Belzu spoke slowly. His voice was deep and thundering. I listened, waiting for him to continue. When he had nothing else to say, I cocked my head.
“Huh. That’s it?”
“You don’t understand, do you, Archdemon?”
He shook his head in disappointment.
“Our King wants nothing more than to live like mortals. He so desperately desires to be a mortal, he is willing to drag our Species through the planes that separate us from them just to live like them. Such foolishness… I shall stop him. And when he lies dead beneath my feet, I shall assume his mantle and lead our kind like a true Demon.”
“I see, I see.”
I nodded along as Belzu finished his short speech. His monsters had stopped moving, but they pretty much surrounded me from all sides, waiting. Mindreapers circled me from above too. There really was nowhere I could escape. Not unless— well, it was risky, but Belzu was really bearing down on me here. And he hadn’t even promised that he’d let me go yet!
“That’s cool and all, but can I please go? I’ll give you your Breastplate of Alexander.”
The Primeval Demon produced one of his sharp hands.
“I shall let you go once you have given me what is mine.”
“I already said I would give it to you!”
“That was not what I was referring to.”
His gaze bore into me as he continued.
“Pledge fealty to me— denounce the Demon King Regnorex— and join me in opposing him, then I shall let you go.”
“Huh.”
I stared at Belzu as he gave me an expectant look. Exchanging a glance with my clone, we both had the same thought. Well, we were the same person so we only had one though— which was my thought. I turned back to the Primeval Demon and sighed.
“First of all—”
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