Clementine never thought she'd be back in these dark halls. The Blue carpeted floor was the only colour in this place, and the walls featured sculpted archways and prominent columns. She never understood why they couldn't use [Continual Light], considering the theocracy had an abundance of magic casters. Instead, candles hanging from the walls or on stands dimly lit the halls.
Beside her was one of the best Slane could offer the Captain of the Black Scripture. The Scripture she left unable to stand the restrictions and those stronger than her. The only person stronger that she knew of was the secret weapon.
Reaching a set of doors they opened on their own and they were let in a room only lit by moonlight. There was a set of stairs leading up to an altar with stained glass behind it depicting the Six Gods. The carpeted floor went beyond the door and up the stairs. Standing there was the Cardinal of Earth.
He wore brown Priest-like robes and his blank face revealed nothing. With his well-built physique and powerful presence, it was clear why he had once held the 3rd seat of the Black Scripture. He had a freshly trimmed and sculpted beard and moustache, and he looked at her with his brown eyes like a tool.
"Clementine, you returned to us, unexpected to say the least. I presume this has to do with your encounter with the so-called Demon King." He said loud and clear, his hands holding a book behind his back. Clementine had no thoughts of attacking. The Cardinal could probably fight her off for a while and with the Captain right behind her, she'd be dead before she could reach him.
"Yes, Cardinal, I've seen demons roam the world. After what I saw, I cannot stand back and let it stand! So I beseech you, Let me join the Scriptures again, for now I see the error in my ways. I apologise that it took facing a Demon King to see them." Clementine placed her head on the ground. It hurt her pride to bow like this to someone who was not her master, but letting them down was not an option.
He stood there for a while, stroking his beard. Turning around, he looked at the stained glass.
"You returned the Crown of Wisdom, preparing another Miko will be tedious. Luckily, we were already looking and found a suitable replacement." He turned around again, his robes billowing.
"Tell me everything you know about this demon." He's heard about it many times. Clementine, on her return, answered many questions about the Demon King, but he wanted to hear it for himself.
"It was terrifying. He has some sort of aura ability that makes you feel inferior to him. He lorded over everyone looking down on them. There was an interest in collecting powerful people. Momonga and his team, Gazef Stronoff and myself, were all offered to join him." That caught the Cardinal's interest more than anything.
It didn't disdain humanity or see them as cattle, like most demons. It wanted people to join it. That was more dangerous than anything else.
"When Momonga was pushing him back, he talked about making an empire that'll last until the end of time and how he'll grow strong enough to challenge and kill the Gods." The room went silent. The Cardinal looked the same as ever, but behind her she could hear the Captain clench his fist, the anger coming off of him.
"He said what?" the Captain said, veins popping on his face.
"He said he'll grow strong enough to challenge and kill the Gods," Clementine said slowly, genuinely thinking the Captain might just freak out.
"Control yourself." Two words from the Cardinal was all it took for the Captain to restrain himself and go back to normal.
"Did the demon mention how it plans to grow that strong?" The Cardinal said, his face an expressionless wall.
"Nothing in particular, apart from something about him being a demon of sin and suffering." The Cardinal's eyes widened and so did the Captains as the worst-case scenario came to mind. Sin and suffering fueled the demon's growth and suffering. E-Rantel may have already strengthened it.
"Then it's empire…" The Captain whispered.
"Would be a farm. No, we should not lose ourselves in basic speculation." The Cardinal shook his head before steading his gaze on Clementine.
"You will face heavier restrictions, but if there's a new threat to humanity as strong or beyond the Demon Gods that came centuries ago, then we'll use your strength." He said, looking down at the grovelling Clementine. Giving a nod to the Captain he turned around again and waited for them to leave.
He knows justifying this to the other Cardinals will be a pain, but everyone is already in a fuss about a new Demon King appearing in the Kingdom they were planning to take over. He wanted someone with firsthand experience dealing with the demon and she was strong, ex-ninth seat of the Black Scripture. She was as strong as a hero when going all out.
If nothing else, he can send her to the Dragonic Kingdom as their reinforcements.
Plans forming in his mind on how to combat a self proclaimed Demon King, based on incomplete knowledge. However strong this Jaldabaoth is, he can't be stronger than the God-kin.
-
Clementine walked down the Hallway with a hum skipping on the blue floor. The Captain walked silently behind her.
"Aren't you happy I'm back?" She said in a singing voice, getting the Captain to scrunch his face like he swallowed a lemon.
"I can't deny, I'm glad to have your strength with us. However, your treachery makes you much less trustworthy." He said, giving her a side eye and getting a smile in return.
They both stopped as in front of them stood a girl leaning against a wall messing with a multicoloured cube. She stood next to a sharp scythe, her clothing and hair half white and half black. Clementine smiled, letting the Captain take the lead in approaching her.
They talked briefly, glancing at her before moving on to a different topic. After the quick conversation, she followed the captain and walked past the strongest in the Slane Theocracy.
As their shadows crossed, a demon lurking in Clementine's own left for hers. As she walked away, Clementine smiled, relieved that she was still alive, considering the mission accomplished. That thought sent warm shivers down her spine as the Captain escorted her to her new chambers.
-
In the lost lands of the Abelion Hills ruled by the beastmen, a large icy Insectoid wandered the land. He had one goal, to turn these unruly tribes and factions into an army.