Chapter 384: Rupert

Moby followed the voice, and his vision was led towards the corner where it met a man adorned in a long robe of black sat upon a chair with his back turned. In his hands was what seemed to be a brush, and ahead of him was a massive canvas where that same woman from before was drawn, this time stepping and torturing a white-haired angel as he struggled to breathe beneath her boot. That angel was none other than his old team leader, Artorias that he found sat unconscious ahead of the canvas, tied up firmly in a mixture of black and ashen flames unable to speak, the same flame that was used against him by the man beneath his feet. 

'What's going on? Is… Is that guy drawing Artorias for his new painting… Is that why he's still alive…' He thought to himself before shaking his head, refocusing himself after all he witnessed. 

"Ruler of this castle! I've come to see you! No harm shall be put upon you if you cooperate with me!" Moby announced.

<< Hmmm? Esphand? What is that sound? What language is th— >> The robed painter spoke with a hint of confusion as he slowly turned his head, revealing his face… 

His skin was a dark tone of gray, and his hair was a long, soft colour of ashen. The twin tips of his horn were dipped in an ominous black and his yellow, glowing eyes resembled that of a cat. 

Without a shadow of a doubt, that man was a demon… His young features would be considered handsome even by supermodel standards on earth, handsome as a devil.

Yet, that handsome, calm and collected demeanour only lasted for a split second as it shifted into an expression of bewilderment in his eyes and entire visage that was absolute, an intensity, unlike anything Moby had ever seen before in his life. 

His face turned pale, and his clean skin began to sweat profusely. His pupils enlargened, and his body became so jittery that even a vibrator paled in comparison. His emotions were so strong that his heartbeat shook the very ground like a tremor.

However, despite the great display of emotions, Moby did not feel threatened nor attempted to defend himself for he had the ability to draw power from his opponent's rage and other negative emotions… And currently, he felt absolutely nothing coming from that man…

<< L-Lord Avilia… I-I-I-I-I-I-I-Is that you… His eyes began to swell, and a stream of steady tears began to pour out of his eyes like a waterfall as he struggled to even get out of his seat and approach the entity ahead. 

'RUPERT!? WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE!?' Avilia shouted into Moby's head to the point that it shook his very skull.

'Y-you know this guy? Does he have an obsession over you!?' Moby's eyes shot open. 

'Of course, I know this guy!! He's a greater demon that lived in my damn castle! I have many die-hard admirers that worshiped the very ground I trodded on but this guy is on another level! I'll spare you the details for now! Just know you got super lucky that a greater demon like him was allied with me and not a rogue, or else you would have been dead now! Just let me transfer you the information for how you could speak demon to understand him too!'

'Wait… You can do that?! Why didn't you do that from before?'

'Yes, your mind stat is now high enough for me to dump that much complex info into you when I couldn't from before, this shouldn't be too painful or long…'

<< Rupert… That is your name correct? >> Moby spoke, surprised at how this new language rolled off his tongue as if he were a native speaker. 

<< Oh! Your highness! You remembered my true name! I had yet to reveal that name even to my closest subordinate! IT IS YOU!! IT REALLY IS… >> The demon's tears intensified, and his shaky legs gave out as he broke down on his knees with happiness unparalleled. 

<< Through all these years I had never forgotten about you, my lord! >>

<< Yes… I can tell from all these statues… >> Moby replied, looking all around the room once again. 

<< Oh! So you have realized! For all these years I have poured my heart and soul into these paintings trying to replicate your image! Yet my memory wains me and I was never satisfied… Not one painting managed to fully capture your power and beauty! What do you think of them? >>

<< Truly skillful work… >> Moby nodded. 

<< Oh! You're far too kind! I'm truly honoured! Ah— ahh— This still does not feel real… I am sorry for my state but this is truly the happiest day of my life! Never in a million years did I think this day would come! >>

'Does he think I'm you or something?' Moby asked, almost overwhelmed by the display ahead of him. 

'He might be hallucinating my image with your body since we do share a similar aura. I need answers from him… This is also the most pivotal point in my life… You have no idea how long I've waited for this… I never thought the day would be so soon… And I never thought I would see the day where I would be ecstatic to see Rupert of all people. Send him a signal for mind transference just like we did with Alucard. With your higher mind and considering he's a greater demon, there should be no need to meditate like before.' 

'Got it… I've also been waiting to hear this to…' Moby nodded, snapping his two fingers and making a hand sign. 

And the very moment that he did, his world was consumed in black. All went dark and his consciousness drifted in a flowing river until a sudden light emerged, and he opened his eyes once again to see himself stood in a void of black where he witnessed two figures. 

One was of course none-other-than Avilia herself, dressed in her demon-lord garbs and the other was the still robed and kneeling Rupert. 

<< Rupert! Speak your name and pledge your loyalty to me once more! Your actions of sending hitmen after the air to the demon throne could be seen as nothing more than treasonous! They even had the gall to call me the traitor because I was travelling with an angel! They knew not their own lord when they met her presence unlike you! >> Avilia's words were serious, cold, and distant, more eloquently spoken than when she would ever address him, as though she had flipped a switch. 

Her presence was drowning, her stance was dominant, and the gaze in her shining eyes was a physical personification of death and power. Truly, the woman who stood in front of him was a ruler amongst rulers, the same woman who's might and reach unrivalled in all three realms.

Even Moby who had known her for so long could not help but sweat profusely and stare in awe in her presence. He had only seen this side of her when they addressed Alucard. For indeed, the entity ahead of him was none other than the great demon lord Avilia Graymore.

Upon hearing Avilia's words, Rupert shuddered as though unable to believe his own ears as he gulped and responded in a beyond shaky voice.

<< How could that be… My loyalty has never waned and was always with your majesty! Seeing you now, there is not a speck of doubt in my mind! I, Rupert Elvrain shall pledge my eternal loyalty once more!! My soldiers know your face inside and out! They too revere you just as much as I! I am truly sorry for what they have done to you!! I shall have them both executed immediately for high treason! And if you so wish, I could take my own life for such a grave blunder!! >> 

<< No need. I shall exercise forgiveness for now. They did serve for good practice for my protégé,>> Avilia waved her hands with assertive elegance. << They did not fail to recognize me, but they failed to recognize my presence with that man to my side. For he is to be my future successor! >> She announced proudly.

<< I thought you were right in front of me from before!? You've chosen your successor!? >> Rupert raised his head in shock, looking around before he locked eyes with a confident Moby, standing tall and proud even beside his lord which incited several emotions as he did not bow before her as well. 

<< Indeed, >> Avilia's stuttery image nodded. << He was the man who stood in front of you prior to your arrival in this space. Unlike those shalkers of yours, you sensed my presence and identified your true lord! I was never there nor could I ever be there... Have you forgotten? I've sacrificed myself for the sake of demon-kind against those dreaded angels and I've been searching for answers ever since I had awoken from my necklace that found its place upon this man's neck… Now… Rupert… I need you to explain to me precisely what happened to the world I sacrificed everything to protect… And what circumstances led you to lay dormant in this frozen tundra within the mortal realm… >>