Knock! knock!
"I am allowing myself in, young master"
The heavy door creaked open, revealing a figure draped in a maid's uniform, her youthful face carrying an air of innocence. She balanced a pristine court and pant in her arms as she stepped into the room, the fabric billowing behind her.
"Who are you? Disturbing the sovereign's slumber"
The sovereign, his gaze clouded with dizziness, stirred from his slumber, his annoyance evident, demanded, his words laced with irritation.The maid, her eyes wide with confusion, froze at the unexpected manner of his speech. Her innocence shone through, a reflection of her youth and naivety, as she struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before her.
"Young Master Fuoco, what happened to your speech? Why are you speaking like that? Are you okay? Do you need anything? Can I call a doctor for you?"
Her words, tinged with worry, spilled forth from lips knitted with care, her gaze fixed upon him with an intensity born of genuine concern. Every syllable she uttered dripped with the anxious tendrils of her heart, her very being reaching out to envelop him in a cocoon of solicitude.
"Fuoco? Who is this? Halt! My voice? For what reason is it gentle and youthful? My arms? Legs? Have they shrunk? What transpired?"
The sovereign, bewildered, rose from the bed, his face contorted with confusion, his brows furrowed as if trying to grasp the sudden change. His eyes darted around the room, searching for answers amidst the haze of uncertainty that enveloped his mind.
"Verily! The lantern in question—did it truly work its arcane wonders? Am I now clothed in mortal flesh? Fuoco, a name tethered to my mortal existence. It begins to unravel the mysteries. Behold, mortals, the sovereign of hell, reborn within the confines of humanity.Hahaha!"
Within the vessel of ten-year-old Fuoco Cattivo, the sovereign of hell bellowed, his laughter resonating with sinister delight. His eyes, though gleaming with unholy joy, bore witness to depths of darkness beyond mortal comprehension.
"Young master! Young master! What happened? Why are you laughing so creepily in your baby face?"
She shouted, her eyes wide with concern and panic, taking in the sight of the young master doubled over in laughter. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting shadows that danced across the floor as the tension of the moment hung in the air.
"Ah! I have neglected the mortal maiden! She beheld my awkward mirth. This stain upon my honor must be addressed in due time. Shall I wield the blade of fate, and sever her thread of existence?"
Contemplating, Fuoco traced the air with his index finger, seeking to weave the threads of a deadly enchantment upon the maid before him. Yet, to his astonishment, his powers waned greatly within the mortal domain. The spell, once a silent and lethal whisper, now danced erratically like a drunken firefly, its potency dimmed by the earthly realm's constraints.
"By what name art thou known?"
Inquired Fuoco, seeking to shroud his conjured enchantment in veils of secrecy.
"Hmm?"
The maid arched her brow, her features contorted in confusion as the language of fuoco fell upon her ears, foreign and elusive.
"Oh, pray tell, what name do you bear?"
His query hung in the air, mingling with the faint scent of incense. Matila, her eyes flickering with concern, ventured forth.
"Master Fuoco, have you truly forgotten me? I am Matila, your faithful maid"
She replied, concern etched across her features as her gaze swept over Fuoco's form.
"Nothing of consequence. Merely a tumble outside, and I fear I may have misplaced a few memories. Matila, would you be so kind as to refresh my recollection?"
Fuoco fabricated, his gaze fixed upon her eyes, bereft of any discernible emotion.
By the words of Matila, the sovereign of Hell has been reincarnated into Fuoco Cattivo, the youngest son of the Cattivo family. The Cattivo family holds prominence as one of the four grand dukes of the Asgard Empire, situated at the eastern border of the Lisdom Continent.
While magic is practiced within the empire, it pales in comparison to the depths of the Hell realm, as this world remains merely mortal. The understanding of magic and spells here is but a fraction of what he knows. To be precise, the strongest within the Asgard Empire may only match the level of the lowest minion devil in Hell.
The Asgard Empire stands as a bastion of power and civilization on the Lisdom Continent, known for its vast territory and diverse landscapes. Its societal structure is hierarchical, with the emperor at the apex, followed by the nobility, military officials, and common citizens.
The empire is divided into four provinces, each governed by a duke or duchess appointed by the emperor. Below them are counts, barons, and various other titles that denote rank and authority. The nobility wield significant influence in both political and social spheres, often intermarrying to consolidate power and wealth.
Political dynamics within the empire are intricate, marked by alliances, rivalries, and occasional power struggles among noble houses vying for supremacy. The Emperor, Marcus Rossasea serves as the ultimate arbiter of disputes, relying on the support of his council of advisers and the loyalty of his military commanders to maintain stability.
The empire's history of magical development is deeply intertwined with its cultural and intellectual heritage. Magic is regarded as both a science and an art, with ancient texts and arcane rituals passed down through generations. The empire boasts renowned academies and libraries dedicated to the study of magic, where scholars and practitioners alike seek to unlock its mysteries and harness its power.
Throughout history, the Asgard Empire has faced threats from both within and without, prompting the development of powerful magical defenses and the establishment of secret orders tasked with safeguarding the realm. Tales of legendary wizards and heroic knights echo through the annals of time, shaping the empire's identity and inspiring its people to stand united against adversity.
"What on earth is this maid recounting? A tale of a laughably feeble political structure riddled with loopholes, alongside potent magic? Heroes? Wizards? The formidable spells they laboriously weave seem as commonplace as using magic to kindle coals for kitchen preparations in the depths of hell."
"For a robust political order devoid of such dilemmas, this realm craves the iron grip of a singular, omnipotent dictator who commands all, transcending any hierarchical divisions or functional splittings. Now, I am certain of my path."
In the vessel of Fuoco Cattivo, the Sovereign of Hell contemplated with a wicked smile and eyes ablaze with excitement, devising plans to manipulate the inhabitants of that world like chess pieces to quench his boredom.