"What do you mean I'm the only one with Luciel in his full name?" I ask, rather taken aback by this sudden remark.
"You're the only demon with the goddess her name in his own." Treyah Tuldani simply repeats, not explaining anything. He's clearly enjoying this situation.
"What are the consequences associated with this blessing?" I ask, clearly mocking his definition of a blessing.
"Why are you so upset. Didn't I promise that I would give you a name that would bring envy and respect?"
"You said the church's favor. Not a target that I can't get rid of." I respond annoyed, carrying the name of the goddess probably has consequences that I'm not aware of, and I don't believe he's going to tell me any of them.
"Is there any greater favor? Please do tell me." He answers, getting a bit annoyed with my stern refusal.
"If you have any way to grow my arm back, then that would be great." I respond in a sarcastic tone with an underlying hint of hope.
"Done." He responds dryly.
I don't react, not really expecting such a positive affirmation.
"But your name won't change. To be quite frank, Ergillaz and I have already discussed the treatment, and it wouldn't be fitting to leave our champion permanently injured now, would it?" Treyah Tuldani says whilst sipping some demon's rage.
Seeing that he's not going to be persuaded, I decide to let the issue be.
"You said something about a treatment?" I ask, perhaps a bit too eager.
"Yes, Ergillaz has been quite eager to discuss your recovery. Especially now that Anima and Ulthris have suddenly disappeared."
"They've disappeared?"
"Well, disappear is a strong word, rather they have left Lucille's Light, and we don't know what they are up to."
"Couldn't we have someone follow them." I ask, quite the obvious question in my opinion.
"Of course, we have sent someone to follow them." He says with this smug face, forcing me to try to keep my calm.
"So someone is currently trailing them?" I ask, feeling some premonition of complete incompetence creeping up.
"Oh, sorry, let me rephrase that. We used to have someone tailing them."
"And what happened to them?"
"What do you think?" He responds whilst dragging a finger across his neck. Basically telling me they got slaughtered without actually telling me.
"That's a shame." I respond, a bit irritated by this dead end.
We both fall quiet for a little while. Taking in the beautiful sight around whilst enjoying the calm before the storm.
"Would everyone be so kind to leave us? I believe that Secessus and I have some more private matters to attend too." Treyah Tuldani says in a polite but rather firm tone.
The 2 priests, who I've completely forgotten about during our little conversation, immediately leave the vicinity. The 2 Talvit servants on the other hand don't move and seem to have no intention to move.
"Leave us." I command firmly.
The 2 servants bow before they also make their way out.
"You've been classified as quite the important guest, congratulations." The first speaks to me, His eyes filled with curiosity or perhaps even intrigue.
"What do you want to discuss that's so private? I believe we've already discussed all the pressing matters, except for my treatment." I ask, ignoring his useless flattery.
"We will be treating your arm tomorrow. Some preparations that had to be made aren't quite finished yet, but everything is moving accordingly." He explains to me, trying to either calm me down or just get me to stop asking questions.
"If it isn't the treatment you want to talk about, then what is it? I ask, noting that he's being coy again and isn't going to explain the treatment.
"I asked everyone to leave because I wanted to ask you a question. Not the demon in employ under Ergillaz, no, forgive me. I mean the demon working with Ergillaz. Rather, I have a question for Secessus himself." Treyah Tuldani announces, his signature creepy smile again plastered on his face.
"I don't believe that there is any difference, but I'll try to respond as "Secessus" like as I can." I respond, highlighting my name in a vain attempt to get used to it.
"Well, Secessus what do you think about our faith and the teachings of our goddess." He asks earnestly.
"Is this truly something that requires such discretion?"
"The question itself? No, but I believe that your answer will."
I don't respond immediately, the question was rather unexpected and has given me quite a lot to think about.
"I'm waiting." The first sight calls out, his eagerness quickly turning to impatience.
"Will the first sight use his position to punish me, if the answer is not in line?" I ask, looking for any possible reaction that gives away his intent.
"Tell me the most brutal truth you can think of, Secessus." He replies, a bit too eager to hear a potential rant about his religion.
"The most brutal truth... What do I think about your faith."
'I've never really thought about it. What do I think about it? I guess it's rather primitive with the incessant focus on strength and there is no real enlightenment. At least, what I know it's literary just kill or be killed and if you're strong enough then you can do anything you like. All the rules like no fighting in the market district is upheld by stronger devils but not supported by the faith.'
Treyah Tuldani, the first sight and the strongest pillar of the church in Lucille's Light. The church hasn't really impressed me these past years. The priests are capable of performing some type of divine magic but compared to the fallen angels it's rather limited. Besides, the church is not active except for the tournament, and even then they weren't able to protect participants from getting murdered. However, I don't believe that this incompetence of the organization has a lot to do with the tree demon before me. From what I know, he's someone who noticed that the church has limitations and is aware that it also has his fair share of enemies.
I guess that's why he has been so eager to ally himself with me. I'm being held in high regard by Ergillaz, who whilst not impressed by the church is probably not considered hostile. In short, I'm a variable that can be swayed either side. Anima also approached me, trying to sway me, but her hostile relation with Ergillaz never truly made any offer plausible.
"I believe your faith is defective." I respond bluntly.
"In what regard?" He asks for some reason, his smile widening.
"The very foundation itself is destructive. It holds no values, no enlightenment, and the teachings are more detrimental than they are constructive."
"..."
"I'm aware that the goddess Luciel gave light and created this city. But these things are frankly the only things that are positive. These teachings of strength and incoherent chaos and murder, were simply the ravings of a woman blinded by resentment."
"..."
"If your goddess truly cared about the wellbeing of demons and devils, then she should have taught them how to live and to survive. Instead, she used their belief as a weapon, and so they became her weapons."
"..."
"In conclusion, I think very little of it." I finish off my rant. Perhaps not the smartest idea to answer so crudely, but he wanted the harsh truth, and I do believe that he's a man of his word... Well, demonic tree of his word.
Treyah Tuldani who has listened very intently to my opinion seems surprisingly happy. His smile is wide, letting a soft light of red and orange beam out of his mouth.