9 The Ranks

Kogthoz was now diligently teaching James.

"Your fate will not be a pleasant one when you return to the Hudson clan. I will announce you had a tough time recovering, lingering around my abode as you attempted to learn to live with your blindness," said Kogthoz.

"I become upset you are slowing the progress of my latest weapon forging and send you on your way paying no more mind to you."

"Seeing the Devil Ancestor showing no interest in you and even being perturbed having to deal with you, the elders will easily in act the next part of my plan with no further effort on my part."

"You, James Hudson, will be branded as trash by the clan!"

"A blind devil descendant, delving in a useless Soul Dao, who not even the Devil Ancestor saw any use in."

"All devilry resources to you will be completely cut off. Even your father's hands will be tied in the situation. From then on any devilry resources, you need will have to be gotten with your efforts!"

"It's easy for me to determine how my lineage will react to my stance on the issue, I know them best."

"Ha ha ha," said Kogthoz.

He gloated over his devilish plan.

"Why do I have to be trash!" I said.

I felt wronged. I am a supreme talent, the best of the best! Rarer than phoenix tails and dragon scales!

I might even found my own James Abyss one day!

This blind young noble should be able to strut around arrogantly with the clan's full backing.

"I hate to admit it, but it is the best way I can protect you," said Kogthoz.

"The tree that stands tallest is the quickest cut down by a storm."

"Let me ask you this. Do you know my noble devil title, little fellow?"

He hoped this conversation would bring James closer to reality.

"You're a mighty Devil Count aren't you great grandfather?" I said, feeling indignant.

My great grandfather is a dignified Devil Count lording over a vast territory where his word was law.

Why can't I be a typical young noble beloved by my clan! Whatever, I'll be the trash of the Count's Family. Arrogantly throwing my weight around to whoever crosses my path. Who dares stop my tyranny!

"That's right, looks like they at least are teaching you, young fellows, the basics," said the Devil Ancestor.

Little did he know James' mind was going in a different direction.

"My official title is Devil Count Kogthoz Hudson, Lord of the Wesser Forest, and Warden of the Hudson Rift. The Wesser Forest and the Hudson Rift are parts of our clan's Estate."

"Devil Count is a noble title held by devils that have reached the fifth realm of devilry."

"When I was first given this fief, I was a mere Devil Baron in the third realm of devilry."

"As my power and the strength of my clan has grown, so has my noble title."

"Noble titles in the Xertzul Abyss are systematic, all connected to a specific realm of devilry."

"The strongest devil within a noble devil clan lay claim to clan landholding titles."

"All devils take up noble titles consistent with their devilry realm."

"The noble titles are as follows in ascending order: Esquire, Knight, Baron, Viscount, Count, Marquess, Duke, Arch Duke, King, and finally Emperor."

"All these noble titles have a corresponding devilry realm. Congratulations, as a member of the Hudson noble devil clan at the first realm of devilry, vein opening, you are now a Devil Esquire of the Rez'gal Empire."

"Now considering I am only a Devil Count and the strongest devilry practitioner in our entire Hudson House you can see why being too talented would quickly get you killed. Devil Count is five and Devil Emperor is ten!"

"The rise of every new Devil Emperor clan is built on the bones of countless other noble houses!"

"No, noble clan that competes with us within the Rez'gal Empire would allow you to rise knowing you had such a potential future."

"So you should get used to being trash, the label will protect you far better than any guards I can send," said Kogthoz with a hint of embarrassment.

It never helped to feel weak as a devil. He was a powerful devil that lorded over many lands, but there were plenty of devilry practitioners and even members of other races more powerful than him.

"There are many powerful demon beasts within Wesser forest. They gave me this fief to reclaim these wild lands for the Rez'gal Empire."

"Rez'gal is one of the many Empires in the Xertzul Abyss. Our territory lies within lands they have staked a claim to. No Empires or Kingdoms can fight us for this territory without going to war with the Rez'gal Empire."

"However, that does not prevent other Rez'gal nobles from seeking a redistribution of Empire territories."

"Officially all of Wesser Forest is a part of my Estate however most of it remains unclaimed as the demon beast inhabitants are too powerful and constantly growing in number."

"I am only a Devil Count, I suspect there are Duke level demons or stronger within the forest but I have never ventured that deeply."

"What about the Hudson Rift?" I said.

"It's much to early for you to worry about the Rift young James," said Kogthoz.

"Only Barons can stake their lives in a Rift against the chaotic demons that spawn from them. Anyone else who entered would be courting death."

"[Mountain Shadow], Void Owls, and recruits from around the Empire man our Hudson Rift. Even the Empire puts oversight into making sure the Rift is maintained."

"By all costs, chaotic demons can not escape into the devil's civilized lands! Those vile fiends only know blood and destruction. Purely uncivilized only wanting war and panic to reign within the Endless Abyss."

"Demon beasts are feral beasts, but they at least stay to themselves. Chaotic demons even rule many Abyss, we must never let our Xertzul Abyss fall into such a depraved state."