4 years after the summoning ritual happened.....
The Wales city, capital of the Kellar region, was peaceful as always under the rule of its Archlord Kal.
A lone man in what looked like a cape-jacket to many but in earth's standers was just a hoodie, was walking towards the church of Wales city. Most of the shopkeepers would often throw a remark or two at the man, but most of the priests knew him, after all, he had been visiting their High Priest for more than 2 years now.
The man walked past the gate of the church, the guards didn't block his way, and a priest led him towards the office of the High Priest immediately.
They took the stairs towards the left and reached the 3rd floor, where the staff had their offices. The priest passed 4 rooms and knocked on the door saying 'High Priest Chambers'.
A knock ensued which was welcomed with a "Come in".
The priest left and the man entered the room. The High Priest stood and greeted him, taking a look at his guest.
The man standing in front of the High Priest was wearing a cape-jacket whose hood was thrown at the back, the cape was black in color and had tendrils of red running through their side. The man had the cape-jacket's chain undone and was wearing a white shirt inside.
Rio sat on the chair in front of him without regarding the High Priest as always. The High Priest sat as well.
Rio manifested a bag of gold royals and poured the content on the table.
"As always your devil is here, so let's get to work."
The High Priest felt offended by those words. He sure liked money but acting like that in front of him was beyond irritating for his standards.
Rio noticed the priest's face and placed the gun resting near his hips on the table.
The High Priest's complaints and greed were washed away by the sweat.
"43rd block, house no. 4. The guy there recently lost his job, his sister is sick." Rio put 4 gold royals from the small hill of coins and separated them on the table.
"69th block, house no.7. The lady was not able to complete a dress in time as she was sick, she has a son in the home." Rio separated 2 gold royals and kept them at the side.
"Also for the school fees of the child." He separated another 6 gold royals.
The high priest took a sip from his wine to calm his nerves. Even after so long he never got used to the scene.
After Rio named a few more houses and shops in this manner, he said. "Take this 10 gold royals for building new houses for the homeless. And you can have 1 gold royal."
The High Priest was beyond pissed but wouldn't dare say anything, the man in front of him was the only one who he met, cared about others.
"Benefactor, why don't you give this money on your own and say us to do it for you?"
Rio knew well, it was not a complaint but genuine curiosity. Normally Rio would ignore that question, as he always does. But he felt like answering that day. (As our readers are reading)
[AN: Ignore the bracket lol it was a joke.]
"Because my dear High Priest. People don't need a human God whom they will watch, but an idealistic one who watches them at all times. Humans don't love God, they fear God. The same brother who is supposed to save his sister with the money I gave you, might wish to take it for himself. The father, who is supposed to hold the marriage of his daughter, might wish to marry her off to some old fossil. All because their god might be a human who can't watch them."
Those words made the High Priest ponder for a while but was interrupted by the touch of Rio's gun on his forehead.
"I don't know if there is a god or not, but I am scarier than any of them, even if there were one. I would surely know if you took the money for yourself or did as I said."
The High Priest nodded with a cold sweat. And Rio left.
Rio took a detour towards the north and walked until he was in an empty street. He stopped and looked around.
"Well, come out already. I am in a hurry."
A bunch of people came out from the corners of the houses and a lone man walked up to Rio. He was clearly a street thief. Rio counted 5 of them, nothing to worry about. Nothing to worry about holding back that is!
"Hand over all the money you have pretty face!" The man said as if it was a curse.
A facepalm from Rio ensued.
'And here I was thinking maybe I met some assassins in disguise.'
Rio put his right hand inside his coat...
"Smart mov-"
.... And took out his gun pointing at the man.
"Now put everything you have on you if you want to leave in one piece and scram!"
A series of putting space rings in the ground, and money bags being spilled on the streets ensued.
Rio picked them up using Mana Magic and put them in his space ring.
"Well, I could use some free money." Rio had a smirk on his face.
He continued walking and reached what looked like a food street. Rio avoided using flight spells in the working-class zone, as mages were quite rare even in a city like Wales, and he would like to keep a low profile as long as he could.
He arrived at the biggest restaurant in the street, namely Star restaurant, and sat on a table near the corner, so he can see the door and the counter.
"A roast chicken and two cups please." Rio said to the waitress who was standing near him.
He took a look around himself, the restaurant was mostly filled with men who were mostly contractors or merchants or some small-time adventurers, which Rio could distinguish from their outfits.
"Why two cups bro? Got a companion waiting?" A middle-aged man, the table behind Rio said.
The order of one chicken but two cups was quite amusing for the man.
Rio replied, "To enjoy a chicken only two beings are needed, one is me and the other is the chicken. The other cup for my chicken." Rio ended up laughing at the last phrase.
The middle-aged man smiled and asked Rio for his name which Rio replied politely.
When Rio's order arrived, he was mildly surprised to see the person bringing it to him.
"What are your doing here, Iki?" Rio asked to the 20 years old girl standing in front of him with the chicken.
Iki gave the plate to Rio and sat on the chair beside him.
"Well the way you ordered two cups, I thought you came to meet me!" She took the second glass and drank it. A wink was kindly returned at Rio's shocked face.
Rio glared at Iki. "You know it was for me and my-"
"Ya ya I get it! Your chicken, but drinking too much is not good for you!"
Rio flicked on her forehead. "And so is it not for you."
"Ou- You meanie. Ya ya glare all you want. Mister Demon King."
For the rest of the meal Rio ignored her, and Iki went back to her work after realizing she can't annoy him any further.
Rio met Iki more than 2 years ago. She had found him lying near the Wind Gale river and brought him home.
At first Rio thanked her and wanted to leave, but Iki had asked him where he would go. Then did Rio realize that he had no where to call home. Iki gave him a roof above his head and had taken care of him as her big brother ever since.
Rio had also helped her by bringing a lot of money home, by doing missions. He had asked Iki not to work hard outside, as he could take care of the finances, but staying all day home was not something she would take lying down.
Iki had no friends. She had been suffering from a lung disease that had kept her from working too hard. She used to previously depend on small works in houses and in the City Lord Mansion.
After Rio arrived, everything changed for her. He treated her disease slightly, as he had no real knowledge about healing magic, and having magical talent didn't help. He needed to learn things to put his talent to use.
Rio left the restaurant and flew towards the tallest building in the City.
Towards the City Lord mansion.
.
.
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