Chapter 185: Stray Heir

Chapter 185: Stray Heir

Now that is very interesting. I gazed down at the great city below us and let out a little whistle of appreciation. This city made Averlon look like a village. It was massive city with tall flaming spires that stretched all the way to the horizon.

It would be quite inspiring if it didnt reek. The whole place smelled of blood and rot. Alastor insisted I enter this city to get an idea of what demons were like. Not in my usual body, of course, but using my proxy body with a healthy bit of illusion magic.

This place was a giant slum and it was the only city in all of the Wrath Ring. The Daemon Prince of Wrath was a demon known as Satan. An interesting thing about the Daemon Prince of Wrath is he was but half of a being. His other half ruled the Pride Ring as the Daemon Prince of Pride, Lucifer.

Lucifer Morningstar, child of Magne Morningstar was clever much like his mother. He ruled hell and to consolidate his power, he split himself in two and took control of the Wrath Ring. Now he effectively held all of the major rings in a stranglehold since he essentially held all of them in a pincer hold.

This was the only city in all of the Wrath Ring because at the end of the day the Ring of Wrath needed a place of government, a place for the palace of Satan to stand. So while the rest of the Wrath Ring was nothing but burning wasteland covered with the ashes of a million ghosts, this place was a city.

It did make sense to a degree, after all Satans other half was the Daemon Prince of Pride and Pride would not allow for it to live in squalor.

Well, thats enough examination, lets get this show on the road. I bounced on my feet for a moment to warm up my limbs and glanced down at the red skin that now covered my arms.

Seems good enough. Mahaila stated as she glanced at me.

Yeah, seems to be. I replied as I looked over at her who looked for all intents and purposes like a female Wrath Demon.

We were both immaculately dressed and wielding some of Mahailas powerful enchanted weapons. Power spoke really loudly in hell and within the Wrath Ring combat power practically screamed.

So shall we? I asked and she nodded. It would just be the two of us, Serchax wasnt a good fit given her lack of subtly, Rosa wasnt that good of a fit considering her lack of subtly, Azatherin was a horrible fit given her complete lack of subtly and Alastor well he would meet us in there

This place smelled of many things, blood, rot and above all desperation. The city had no wall, but there were only a few safe entrances. The edges of the city were mostly covered with slums, and walking into one of those was an easy way to get shanked and maybe eaten.

I would imagine starvation was a common problem in this city. This whole realm wasnt that conducive for growing crops and with a city this size food would definitely be a problem. Judging by the butcher shops that seem to be serving some suspiciously shaped cuts I would assume cannibalism was undoubtedly on the table.

How much of that was desperation or how much of it was taste remained to be seen. But then again this was literally hell so I wasnt expecting a virtuous place.

The long queue in front of me for instance was mostly filled with skinny and starving fools. The strong ones were in the heart of the city or they were part of the warbands. A brief scan of the line showed that these ones were a weaker variant of demon. They had shorter horns, smaller frames and were overall just weaker.

Impids I muttered as I stared at the line.

Yes, the Seraphim have the Cherubin and the Daemons have the Impids. The rot sinks deep, no one is safe. Mahaila said as we just walked down the line, not even bothering to queue.

And what does Terra have? I asked with a knowing grin.

Humans. They used to call humans Ratlings because they bred like rats. Mahaila replied calmly. Our conversation wasnt exactly out of place, considering where we were and what we looked like.

The Impids all got out of our way, looking at us with fear. The weak fear the strong; that was the natural nature of things. When we eventually reached a group of guards, they turned as if to tell us to get back in line. However, the moment they got a good look at us, they bowed and gestured to the head of the line as if inviting us.

You, make sure the ones at the checkpoint dont fuck anything up. I heard one of the guards bark at one of the more junior-looking guards. The guard turned and ran ahead of us towards the checkpoint in the distance.

Quite the reception. I mused as I flashed a feral smile. The pair of Impids who was staring at me squeaked in terror when they saw my smile and turned around, trying to make themselves as small as possible.

Wait till we get in there. Some idiot is going to pick a fight Mahaila muttered in response and I let out a small laugh in response.

When we reached the previously mentioned checkpoint, we found a group of guards waiting for us. Standing at the head of the formation was this smug but nervous-looking demon who was sizing us up.

Oh thisll be fun. I said with a grin.

Dont kill anyone you dont have to. Mahaila replied.

Hmm, now that is interesting. I mused as I glanced to the side and saw this frail demon boy begging by the roadside. He looked to be in his early teens and his hair was matted and clumps of it were falling out from malnutrition. A quick scan of his body indicated that he would probably be dead in a week if he didnt get some serious help. But there was something else about him, Ive seen it in a few people but what this boy has is rare, very rare.

As I walked past, I saw him weakly shake this metal cup that was empty of coins. I looked down at his eyes and saw weariness, but yet there was a sense of strength in those eyes. He hadnt given up even though he basically had one foot in the grave. Then I noticed he had another scent on him. I noticed he was next to an alley, and I peered into it. I saw this small girl who was so weak she was just slumped against the wall.

Huh, this one looked quite similar to the boy. I saw the boy stand up warily as if he was about to get between me and the other girl.

Your friend? I asked, I could sense Mahaila staring at me warily.

Relax, Im not going to hurt them. I said through the spell and I noticed her drilling gaze lessen.

The boy didnt reply he just kept staring at me, I saw his hand reach for something that was strapped to the back of his waist. If I didnt know better, this kid is getting ready to shank me.

Relax, I would give you this but I think thats just going to get you shanked and robbed. I said with a grin as I held up a gold Soul Coin.

The boys eyes bulged briefly, but then he snapped back to his senses as he narrowed his eyes slightly.

What do you want? the boy asked cautiously.

I need some hired help and I think you would do nicely. I said, and I could feel the mounting confusion from Mahaila.

Ok what are you doing? Mahaila asked.

Oh youll see. Nothing bad, I promise. I replied with a grin.

I waved my hand, and the boy was bathed in my healing spell. Just like that, he went from malnourished and diseased to perfectly healthy.

So how about it? Want a job? You can bring that one too if you like. I said as I nodded at the girl.

The boy paused as he looked at me with suspicion. A short while later, he nodded. Wise, it's not like he has a better choice. That girl had days at best before her organs started failing. The only reason they were still alive was probably that they were too skinny to be worth eating.

Excellent, now then let's get her on her feet, and we can get you two something to eat. I said with a happy clap of my hands.

A short while later, the boy was pulling a very confused girl down the street as I headed towards the nearest tavern.

Whats your game? Since when do you pick up strays? Mahaila asked through the spell.

I pick up strays when they are useful. I replied mentally, as far as the boy and girl were concerned, the two of us were silent.

Useful? Mahaila asked.

You know someone has to replace the Daemon Princes we kill right? I replied dryly, and I could sense Mahailas mounting confusion.

Eventually anyway. I added with a slight shrug.

These two are going to replace the Daemon Princes? Mahaila asked sounding even more confused.

Well the boy is anyway, the girl isnt that useful. I replied, and I could sense some irritation starting to well up inside her.

Speak plain, what the hell is going on? Mahaila snapped.

What do you mean? Cant you tell? I replied slyly.

Its not everyday we run into an Heir of the Firstborn