"... To what do I owe this honor?"
The sharply dressed young Lord of Ashgate inquires.
"Asmodeus."
Kasper says, facing the demon directly opposite him at the head of the table.
Who crosses her legs seductively while matching his gaze!!
"..."
"Hmmmm."
The red haired woman exclaims causually, smirking playfully through her red lipstick...
"..."
"It's... Minister of Ashgate now, milord."
Asmodeus corrects the young lord with a curious smirk. Making certain to keep her eyes locked on his.
Her revealing red dress and matching long veil serve as a distraction for Kasper, who can't seem to figure out where to fix his gaze.
"aha..."
"Apologies, Asmodeus of Ashgate."
Kasper responds with a tone that ranges from somewhere between mocking and sarcastic.
"So?"
"To what do I owe the pleasure? Where is my father??"
The young lord of Ashgate poses the question with a quick shift in tone.
His disinterest in any drawn-out mind games obvious.
"..."
Asmodeus stays her place, her grin softening slightly as she adopts a more serious posture.
"I am afraid the Demon-Lord Supreme will not be joining us today."
She says softly...
"He sent me in his place."
The red lipsticked woman declares, her expression gradually shifting from serious back to playful...
"Ah.... I see..."
Kasper, on the other hand, gives a blank response. Devoid of any intent or emotion.
"Well, then..."
The young lord pauses, giving Asmodeus another look before proceeding.
"Let us get started, shall we?"
He says, waving off Sariel, after which Asmodeus does the same for her aides, leaving the two alone in the room.
"..."
-silence-
"..."
"May I begin?"
Finally, seemingly alone, Kasper poses the question in a similar tone-deaf manner to before.
But this time, paying close attention to Asmodeus' response...
"..."
"Sure."
The newly appointed Minister of Ashgate states bluntly. Shrugging her shoulders to emphasize how at ease she is.
"Good.."
Kasper says with a light grin on his face when...
"So, what I wanted to discuss today is--"
...Asmodeus raises a single finger, halting his progress.
"Uhmmm, is there a problem?"
The young lord of Ashgate inquires with genuine curiosity.
"...It is more of a suggestion than a problem."
Asmodeus' response is casual and indifferent.
"Yes?"
"Well its just... I am not sure about you, but I find it easier to concentrate when the table is... 'free'."
She explains, pointing to a wine glass on the table beside Kasper.
"I mean, not only do I easily find myself peckish.... But, too much 'clatter' in a room can make one feel less comfortable... and... 'forthcoming' about what they 'may' or may 'not' know.
A peculiar sentence.
One that stuns Kasper for a brief moment as he observes the cunning demon accentuate and highlight various words in a casual and playful manner.
"..."
Kasper's gaze shifts to the glass of wine sitting just ahead of him.
Paying close attention to it and the rounded shadow it creates around it's base.
"--Milord, you are free to continue as you like."
"My only concern then, would be that you might 'spill' that 'all so precious' liquor..."
Asmodeus goes on, smiling mischievously as she responds in the same up-and-down manner as before.
"...hm."
Kasper exclaims softly to himself, looking back at the glass.
"Be concerned no more; I will have the wine, and we can go on. Yes?"
Picking up the wine glass, the young lord nods and reassures Asmodeus of her 'concerns' before drinking from it.
*clink*
After setting the glass down, Kasper gives Asmodeus a questioning shrug. Asmodeus looks at the glass for a moment before letting him speak.
"Well?"
"Immaculate."
The red lipsticked woman responds, her gaze fixed firmly on the glass and its shadow, which appears to have shrunk?!
Now facing forward in alignment with the morning sun!!
"..."
Kasper smirks to himself as he watches the new Minister of Ashgate adjust her posture, leaning back and suddenly appearing more at ease than before...
"..."
-Shortly Afterward-
"..."
"So... the issue that I wished to discuss with the Demon-Lord Supreme today, and by extension, you, his proxy."
"...Are issues that could potentially have a devastating impact on not only our finances, but also our residents' morale and ability to gather information in the future."
"--Is this about Hatchett Cathedral?"
Asmodeus inquires without warning, abruptly interrupting Kasper, who gives her a tired look.
"--excuse me?"
The young lord responds politely. Unable to conceal his displeasure at being upended again.
"Oh, I apologize. I consider it my duty to be aware of everything that occurs in the area that I presently oversee."
"Comes with the job, unfortunately..."
"But carry on."
The red-haired demon remarks, smirking throughout as she takes delight in his obvious expressions of dissatisfaction.
Was this done on purpose to provoke him?
"...I see."
Kasper responds in a passive aggressive yet bored tone.
"Well, you are correct."
"It is about Hatchett Cathedral, but more importantly, the role of Hatchett cathedral to our kin..."
The young lord begins anew...
{Hatchett Cathedral}
The three major strongholds of the Demon-realm are Fort Marina, the Den of Brazier, and Hatchett Cathedral.
Situated in the exact center of the Demon-realm, Hatchett Cathedral is situated between the 'Bronze Gate of Marina' and Castle Ashgate.
Its placement guarantees that all realm inhabitants can easily access it.
The origin of the cathedral dates back more than four centuries, to the time of the first Demon-Lord.
And as one of the first structures that was erected in the realm, Hatchett Cathedral quickly established itself as the capital of Ashgate, the Demon-realm.
This was brought about by the constant construction of infrastructure surrounding the cathedral, which eventually led to the inception of the 'City of Hatchett'.
It is not an understatement to call Hatchett Cathedral the heart of the Demon-realm.
Most, if not all, inhabitants of the Demon-realm aspire to relocate there one day... While the residents who do live there are either nobles or high-ranking demons in the armies, as well as successful merchants.
Samael, the Minister of Hatchett, holds the highest authority in the 'City of Hatchett'.
An authority concerned not only with maintaining the status quo, but also with ensuring that the church's position is never challenged.
There is a religion in every society, and the demons of Ashgate only practice in the 'Faith of Vita'.
So, even though the world has changed to include newer technologies and a greater emphasis on one's own worth, no demon has ever or will ever claim to be superior to the Vita faith.
In his capacity as Minister of Hatchett, the city's ruler is tasked with ensuring that an increasing number of demons convert to the faith and that sacrifices are offered in remembrance of the Gods who first brought the demons to this land and have continued to support the demon race in the years that have followed... through the countless defeats they have suffered against humanity and the steadfast standing they have always somehow managed to maintain...
...Many a hero has come along, and many a Demon-Lord has been slain.
But not once has the Demon-realm fallen.
Not once has the status quo been upset.
In fact, perhaps for the first time since the first settlers in the Land of Per Sempre. An unheard-of triumph over a hero was accomplished by a Demon-Lord.
Vita, the Healing Goddess, and Brazier, the War God, deserve credit for this.
"..."
"...it is for these reasons that I believe that on our current path, we are destined to lose not only Ashgate's faith, but also the Gods' favor."
Kasper points to the table, which has a holographic display of the Demon-realm's geography that tracks his every thought.
"...hmmm."
Asmodeus exclaims, cupping her chin as she studies his illustration.
"Okay..."
"So, what do you recommend we do about our failing faith? Young lord of Ashgate."
She says, turning her gaze to Kasper, who, for the first time since their meeting begun, senses her seriousness.
"..."
"Well."
Rising from his chair, Kasper circles to the window behind him.
"Minister Samael ought to be aware of the details, but..."
The young lord pauses to rethink his answer.
"...But it would be prudent to launch campaigns to shift attention to the church."
"Eliminating any nobles or merchants who do not adhere to the faith is another viable option."
"Though given that our main issue with the capital right now is its failing economy..."
"Perhaps we ought to concentrate on building a new cathedral... one in name of Brazier"
Kasper says...
"One... that can create jobs for the disgruntled citizens and earn revenue from all the money we raise through offerings and donations to the Gods"
The money that the cathedral collects is reinvested in the city. Improving infrastructure to generate additional revenue to fund the Demon-realm as a whole.
Hatchett Cathedral, due to its size and monopoly, generates enough revenue to not only sustain the Demon-realm, but also to fund future ventures at Fort Marina and forge and replace armor at Brazier's den.
The gods themselves require no coin, only occasional ritualistic sacrifices as a ceremonial thanks for maintaining their domain.
Overall, Hatchett's City is the heart of the Demon-realm, both metaphorically and literally.
"...and?"
"And?..."
The young lord mimics Asmodeus's question right away.
"Is that all?"
She asks with a dejected expression.
"Is that the extent of the necessary preparations?"
The red lipsticked woman continues, prodding Kasper for something... anything!!
"Hm."
Kasper, though, merely nods. Implying that to be the extent of his suggestions.
"..."
*Sighs*... "Maybe I got too excited ..."
Asmodeus mutters to herself, scratching the side of her head with disappointment.
"Pardon?--"
"--Nothing, you are just not what I expected."
"And just what did you expect?"
"Hm."
She shrugs idly...
"Pay it no mind young lord."
The new Minister of Ashgate declares, rising from her seat and draping her long veil over her neck.
"Well, if we are done here, I will forward your suggestions to the Demon-Lord Supreme and Minister of Hatchett so they can begin the necessary preparations right away."
"Right."
Kasper nods gently as he observes her getting ready to go.
*Sigh... "Till next time, young lord."
Asmodeus, disappointed, begins to depart when...!!
"..."
"Wait."
Kasper calls out to her.
"Yes"
She gives a flat, emotionless response.
"I may not be what you were expecting... But if you want to hear something more... 'exciting,' please join me for breakfast."
The young lord replies, childishly mimicking the way she referred to him being 'not what she expected'.
"...Oh?"
Like a child who has just stumbled upon a new favorite toy, Asmodeus gives a bright grin.
"...But of course, only if 'YOU' want to."
Kasper smirks invitingly.
"Hm."
The red lipsticked demon smirks happily, pulling back her chair when...
"Ah...just one thing..."
Kasper interjects.
"Perhaps it would benefit you more to... 'take off'... the veil."
The young lord says in an up-and-down pattern, as she did earlier in their meeting.
"We wouldn't want 'it'... getting in the way now that the sun is up and our conversation is about to get... 'exciting'.
Kasper smirks mischievously!
"Hmmmm...."
Asmodeus's face lights up with delight as she returns his mischievous grin with one of her own, which has quickly become a trademark of her mysterious personality!
*Ding.Ding.
The bell sounds, signaling the servers to prepare the table for the most important meal of the day!!
"..."
"..."
-To Be Continued-