Chapter 182: A Poor Workman Blames His Tools

Chapter 182: A Poor Workman Blames His Tools

Zamarak sat still on his chair as he watched his son enter his study. If he was alive then it seems the newest visitors to Hell could potentially be reasoned with. Emphasis on potentially

Having high hopes for anything in Hell was an overall bad strategy. Those who did not prepare for the worst were not alive for long. Plenty of demons would kill you just because they could or they wanted to.

No greater reason, no greater cause, just a love for the slaughter

So the very fact that his son was alive and the building was still standing was cause for some hopeful optimism, even if it was an extremely cautious optimism. Plenty of raiders wouldnt kill you, they would just enslave you

Father his son said, his face a shade paler than usual.

Zarik, what news? Zamarak asked cautiously.

The ancient he he wishes to parley. Zarik stammered, his body shaking like a leaf.

Parley? Zamarak asked in slight confusion. You do not parley with those that are weaker than you. The strong took what they pleased, that was the way of the world.

I dont know, they could easily just kill us all. Zarik stammered in response, his voice shaking.

I see then come, we should not try the temper of the ancients. Zamarak said as he wearily rose to his feet. He was in his sixth decade in this world and he has seen all manner of horrors. The ancients could deliver a level of fury beyond imagining.

When Zamarak stepped through the door into the main hall of the governor's building , he saw a pair of black blades stab straight through the wall. Zamarak froze as terror crept up his spine. His mouth went dry when the entire wall was ripped off and he was left staring at this monster.

Hi there the beast said with a wide grin that showed off its rows upon rows of serrated teeth.

Zamarak stood dumbly as he listened to the ruined building creak under the strain of suddenly losing its wall.

So you are the chief, mayor or what have you? the beast said as he bent down got right up into Zamaraks face.

Zamarak audibly gasped as he stared at the rows of white serrated teeth. Each curved fang was the size of sabre and when the beast spoke his breath stank of blood.

What do you want from us? Judging by how we are still alive, you want something only the living could provide? Zamarak asked in as even a voice as he could manage. This creature radiated power, he could feel the air was thick with Ether. It was like standing next to a furnace as the waves of Ether lashed against him.

I want to find the downwards Ring Gate. the beast said in a low bestial voice with baritone that vibrated Zamaraks ribcage.

The downwards Ring Gate? Zamarak asked in confusion. Normally the desire was to move up the rings. The lower you were in the rings the worse your life was. To reside in the blazing and sprawling metropolis that was the Pride Ring was everyones dream.

They were currently close to the Ring Gate connecting the Ring of Envy to the Ring of Wrath. Since they were currently in the Envy Ring, to go down would mean to enter the Ring of Wrath which was a death sentence for most demons.

The downwards Ring Gate was controlled by a Wrath Warband. The forces of Envy have been desperately trying to reclaim the Ring Gate but so far the Wrath Ring Warband has proven to be far too difficult to defeat. So the common denizens of the Envy Ring had to deal with the constant raids from Wrath Raiders.

Yes, down I need to get to Limbo. the beast said and this threw Zamarak for another loop. Limbo? Why would an ancient want to go to Limbo? Limbo was just a continent sized slum, there was nothing there and no one was interested in it.

Even the Treachery Domain only interacted with the Realm of Limbo because they wanted to exile someone. What could there be gained for entering the Realm of Limbo?

I have a map to the downwards Ring Gate but it is guarded. Zamarak replied uncertainty as he nodded as Zarik scurried off to get it.

By the Wrath Ring I presume? the beast drawled as if he was slowly getting bored of this conversation.

Yes, they number in the tens of thousands. Zamarak said trying to be as useful as possible. Plus if this ancient destroyed the Wrath Warband it would tip the balance and make life easier here. But if the beast didnt destroy them there might be a problem.

The Wrath Ring respected strength, despite being the lowest Ring in Hell they had one of the most powerful militaries. Their ceaseless internal wars ensured that only the strong survive. It was common knowledge that if the Wrath Ring ever got their act together and united under a single banner, it would spell doom for many of the Rings.

Knowing the Wrath Ring, some at least would fall in line with this ancient. He was powerful, he needed only to claim the heads of some of the Arch Demons and he would win entire Warbands into his service.

I instantly paused and then I spat the wine out. What the fuck was this stuff?

I took one look at the pyramid of wine barrels and I waved my hands transferring it all into my pocket dimension.

What do you really think they can grow good grapes here? If you want good wine you should head to the Lust Ring. Mahaila said dryly.

I suppose it is the Envy Ring, Envy only makes sense when everything fucking sucks. I replied as I slumped down into the dirt and summoned out a barrel of my favourite fruit wine that I brought along from Averlon.

Why did you steal the wine if you already have some? Mahaila asked crossly.

One cannot have too much good wine. Rosa replied nonchalantly as she poured herself a glass from the barrel.

You want a glass? Rosa asked as she held a glass out towards Mahaila who just scowled in response.

Your loss. Rosa said with a shrug before handing it over to Serchax who took it before taking a sip.

Ah Averlon really does know how to make wine. Serchax said with a satisfied wine.

I suppose you dont get to drink much of it on account of you being underwater most of the time. Azatherine said dryly as she waved off an offered glass.

Sounds depressing. I replied as I downed half the barrel in one gulp.

Oh it really isnt, some of the best wine is found at the bottom of the ocean. You ever drunk a hundred year old vintage that has been stored at the bottom of the Azure Sea? The ether in the water seeps into the wine over time and improves the flavour. Serchax said and I turned to look at her.

You never mentioned that. I said and Serchax shrugged.

I drank the last barrel about ten years ago. I have some younger vintages if you want. Serchax replied.

Ill be taking it all when I get back. I said with a huff.

Can we focus? Limbo, our plan? Mahaila pressed testily.

All in good time, I have a Warband to smash first. I replied as I finished the rest of the barrel before producing another barrel.

How many did you bring? Rosa asked curiously as she refilled her glass.

About a thousand barrels. I replied and I saw Mahailas brow twitch in irritation. Then she took a deep breath and exhaled.

Forget it Mahaila said, finally giving up.

When is the Warband coming? Mahaila asked and I turned to look at her.

In about a day, all of you should rest. We have been on the move for three days. I replied.

Unnecessary my king, we are able to go for far longer. Azatherine said and I nodded. That was obviously true, every single person here could probably go non-stop without food, water or sleep for weeks.

The sheer amount of ether they had in their bodies allowed them to do ridiculous things like that. It wouldnt be pleasant and they would weaken slightly over that time but it would be of little issue. Three days was basically nothing but I did notice some performance dips at the eighth day mark for Azatherine. Rosa could last slightly longer at nine days. No data on Serchax and Mahaila since I have yet to see them reach their limit yet.

This little excursion of ours will push all their limits. Hell was not a hospitable place. Exposure killed here just as much as blades. Resources were scarce to non existent, good luck getting water here and growing crops was either difficult or outright impossible depending on where you were.

All of this could be remedied of course, I wasnt planning on conquering hell with fire and blood alone.

Only a poor workman uses half his tools