The Red Hand

Chapter 366 – The Truth Has Been Revealed!

"I see, so Chloe's found a connection to those Blood Cultists?" Akagi said as she rocked back and forth on a large outdoor swing. She'd been relaxing when her phone buzzed with a call from Nina, figuring it best to answer.

{I send that Cat on a recruiting and recon mission, and she comes back with preparations for an assault on a Cult. She's a chip off the old block! This will also make the perfect way to test her abilities as well!} (Akagi)

"Yes, it seems like they're operating out of the City of Northwind, and from the looks of it they've seeped into the underworld quite deeply." Nina explained that Chloe had been sticking her nose around the city's underworld, finding that it was almost all connected to the Blood Cult, though it seemed that most involved were not aware of that fact.

"Hmmm. Can you pull Halifax and Elariel into the conversation?" Akagi figured the two of them would have more insight into the Cult. “It may be best to bring them in on this.”

"Yes, of course. One moment." Nina said before walking out of the conference room and reappearing with the two women in question.

"So this is how you've been communicating so easily." Elariel commented as she looked at the large screen with Akagi on it. "Though for it to go between worlds as well, I'll admit that's impressive. Even we Gods couldn't easily do something like this."

{About that...} (Akagi)

"It wasn't anything that crazy, and it was simple really." Akagi laughed, knowing full well that something like this was well beyond the realm of reasonableness, while also understanding that questioning how her clan had pulled it off was pointless.

"Not in kitty mode? I was expecting to see you napping on a rock while scratching your ear with your foot." Halifax snickered as she pictured just that.

{It would've been far cuter and funnier that way.} (Halifax)

"Miji is napping, so I've got my kitty time in, for now." Akagi replied with a laugh of her own. "But anyway, it looks like we've gotten a lead on that Cult of Blood that you mentioned earlier." She looked to Halifax, who frowned.

"Tell me where and I'll kill them right now." Halifax grit her teeth as her eyes and tone sharpened. She'd hated the Cult after Korex's chosen had used her during the slaughter of the Dark Elves, and hunting them down had become a pastime. One that she may or may not have overindulged in a few times.

"While I love seeing that murderous side of you, I've already got someone on it." Akagi said.

"Come on, at least save some for me." Halifax said with a scary smile. “All I'm asking for is a couple dozen to torture for a bit, nothing crazy.”

"Halifax..." Elariel sighed as she shook her head, understanding the Divine Blade's hatred but not condoning her attitude. "But why are you getting involved with them at all?" She asked Akagi. "I wouldn't think that messing with Korex's crazy Cultists would be all that important to you right now, especially with everything else going." She thought it was a waste of time and resources to hunt down such people.

"I wasn't planning on it at first, but Chloe ended up stumbling on them while trying to find local forces to aid us." Akagi explained the cat's mission. "Now that we've made contact with that group, I'm thinking of having Chloe decimate them, and if we're lucky, that draws the big man himself out to play." She smirked.

{Killing the God of Blood and Murder would be useful in my psychological warfare game. Taking him out was always on my list, but doing it like this and in such an open fashion would be an absolute PR coup.} (Akagi)

"Well I hate to tell you, but Korex is no fool." Elariel replied, noting that he was among the most intelligent and situationally aware of the Gods. "He's absolutely aware of your power, and there's no way a man as smart as he would put himself in danger by coming down in an Avatar. Not to mention that he seldom appears before his Cultists, and I doubt he'd care if you wipe out a cell or two."

{He cares that people die, that's all. Who, how, and why are not questions that he typically asks.} (Elariel)

"If he shows, he shows. If he doesn't, then we wipe out that disgusting group and the world is just a little bit better." Akagi shrugged. The Demon detested such people and was more than happy to let Chloe do with them as she pleased.

{They'll be wiped out either now or later, so it all this really does it speed up their doomsday clock a bit.} (Akagi)

"On that note, Chloe wants your input on proceeding forward." Nina explained that a hit list was provided and that she needed to kill them all to be brought to the Blood Cult's headquarters. “She's a bit wary about taking lives in such a manner, and I can understand her hesitancy.” She didn't approve of such pointless bloodshed, and neither did most of the Ondai Clain, though the primary issue was that Akagi didn't like such things and their own opinions on the matter were irrelevant if she didn't approve.

"I'm not too bothered by it. Tell her to handle things however she pleases and do as she wishes." Akagi said, yawning as she lay down on the swing. "I will not stop her from spilling blood to get to a greater enemy."

{And its not like the people there weren't liable to get what's coming to them anyway, so oh well.} (Akagi)

"Understood." Nina nodded. “I will relay that to Chloe immediately.”

"Not going to object to that?" Elariel said to Halifax. "She's going to murder innocents as part of this whole scheme. Isn't this one of those moments where you should jump in and complain?"

{I know you well enough to understand that you hate the Cult, but how can you just watch them take down innocent people to get to them? That's not like the Halifax I know at all, and I refuse to believe that you're fine with it, even with THAT taken into account.} (Elariel)

"Huh? What are you on about? I can't be bothered to care what she does here." Halifax shrugged. "It's only a few people, and it will result in the destruction of what is likely the Headquarters of Korex's Blood Cult, so I'd say it's an overall positive trade-off." Since the number of dead would be so low, Halifax didn't see any reason to put herself out there, especially as the number of fucks she had left to give was already quite low.

{Anything that takes those assholes down is going to be pretty good in my book, and if it requires a bit of blood to be spilled to do it... Then do it.} (Halifax)

{Halifax... I'm truly starting to fear that you're turning into someone else. The girl I've known would've stepped into to demand that another method was found, but perhaps... Perhaps this was just fated to happen no matter what...} (Elariel)

"Then we're all in agreement!" Akagi chuckled, ignoring the obviously displeased Goddess. "So let Chloe know that she's got free reign to handle things as she sees fit. Just tell her not to go overboard and start a massive battle that drags in the entire city or something stupid."

{Can't have her go getting ahead of herself.} (Akagi)

"Of course." Nina nodded. "Though I must admit... Please forgive me but I'm going to speak freely... I'm concerned about the child that she picked up during her mission."

"I see that kidnapping children is something that you passed on to your students." Halifax chortled.

"Hey! Its not as bad as it sounds! We take them home, feed them, play with them, and return them to their parents before sundown! It's a completely wholesome environment here!" Akagi retorted that Miji and Alice were happy, safe and not kidnapped. "But what about this child? Are they some kind of issue?"

"Less an issue and more that I'm worried that Chloe may allow personal feelings to overtake her sense of duty. This girl is apparently a devoted adherent to the Murder God and is passionate about spilling blood." Nina explained the reports she'd gotten from the cat. "I fear that the good relationship that the two formed before she learned her true allegiance may cloud Chloe's judgment, so please allow me to recall her and send another group to finish the job." It was an unexpected request, one that momentarily shocked Akagi. The Clan was nothing if not loyal, so the Demon found it hard to believe that any of them would disobey or betray her of their own free will, at least without good reason.

"Do you truly think that Chloe would allow her own feelings to get in the way?" Akagi asked, not dismissing her concern but wanting more information. “To allow herself to defy me?”

"Members of the Ondai Clan are taught from birth to separate personal feelings from duty, but I'm sure you understand that actually doing that is not easy, my Lord." Nina replied. "Speaking honestly, Chloe is a powerful and dedicated Ninja, and we are lucky to have her as our leader, but she has a brash streak. I would rather not risk her doing something foolish if at all possible. If she really did disobey you, it would bring all of us the the greatest of shame."

{We would atone by capturing and executing Chloe, then follow that up by offering our own meager lives. But even then, that wouldn't be sufficient penance for such a betrayal.} (Nima)

"Denied." Akagi replied curtly. "Chloe will continue her mission, and you will not interfere with her or her work. Is that understood?" The Demon's meaning was not subtle and while she wasn't offended by the suggestion that Chloe could turn on her Akagi made it clear that she would give Chloe the rope in the hope that she wouldn't actually use it to hang herself.

{Even my own student is not above punishment, I've seen to that many times. If Chloe truly refuses to follow through with my commands than I shall dispose of her. I have no use for those who disobey my direct commands without good reason, and attachment is not such.} (Akagi)

"Y-Yes." Nina hurriedly bowed as sweat dripped down her face. Akagi's face had briefly shown displeasure and irritation, something that Nina knew was never a good thing, and so she decided to drop the subject. "Please forgive me for speaking out of turn."

{Akagi, you acted all tough and cold there, but I can tell that you'd be devastated if your little kitty turned on you.} (Halifax)

"Listen and listen well." Akagi sighed. "Chloe is an idiot, but she's also my student, and I have faith in her. Or, to put things in a bit more grisly words..." She chuckled, her lips curving into a nasty grin. "If there's anyone in this world that would snap a child's neck on my order, it's her."

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<Miz'ri POV>

"Is this the first time we've actually ridden out to war with an army?" Katlyn asked as she and the rest of Burning Light rode just behind Princess-Regent Ariel and her bodyguards. After stopping at one of the large fortresses within the Fumbal Gap, Burning Light was instructed to remain close to the Regent as they were planned to be a vanguard and infiltration unit during the coming battle. "Because, man, there sure are a lot of people here." She'd seen plenty of battles large and small, but the one-hundred-thousand-strong force around her was truly awe-inspiring.

{It would be cool if it didn't mean that all hell was probably about to break loose. Those guys who got sick from that spoiled meat lucked out if you ask me! Those bastards get to go back home and avoid this whole thing!} (Katlyn)

"Thinking about it, we were part of a small Imperial Operation a few years back during the war, but that was small potatoes compared to this." Nier replied as he maneuvered his horse closer to hers. "Not to mention that the Empire has all sorts of hills and mountains, but down here..." He quickly scanned to his left and right, seeing nothing but rolling plains and savannah. The Simoea Plains were basically one massive flatland after you passed the Fumbal Gap, and it was a sight that few willingly saw due to the danger from the monsters that lived within. "Ya know, I think that I understand why the centaur hordes of the past struck terror into just about everyone." He shuddered thinking about how terrifying the thundering charge of tens of thousands of such creatures storming toward you would be.

{It would be an unstoppable wall of muscle that would take the fiercest of armies to even hope to stop. No wonder the Demons built such an insanely powerful and expensive fortress chain in the Gap.} (Nier)

"I wouldn't go thinking that the threat posed by them is over. Beaten and broken as they are, the Centaurs of the Southern Plains are no less terrifying than their now extinct Northern counterparts." Ariel said, overhearing their conversation and giving her own input as she slowed up slightly. Her large black horse was covered in fancy, yet impractical armor that was more to show her rank than anything else. "From time to time, we get groups of them that attempt to establish control over the various monster tribes in the North, which is why we keep a close eye on things and launch punitive expeditions to cull the Northern Plains from time to time. However, due to the Spirit Wars we haven't been able to do that for nearly twenty years, so its likely we'll run into concentrations of monsters on our march so I'd like to ask you three to handle them if possible."

“Can we keep some of the more valuable parts?” Katlyn asked with a smirk on her face.

“So long as it doesn't slow you down, you may do as you like with the bodies.” Ariel replied, having expected the adventurers to make such a demand. “Though I will not be increasing your pay as there is no additional bounty for hunting.”

“I think the parts alone will more than suffice.” Nier commented.

“A Corrupted Draco-Shard would be an incredible find.” Miz'ri noted that one would make a perfect catalyst for her magic.

“If we find one of those, rather than turn it into a gemstone for magic use we should just sell it and retire!” Katlyn laughed. Draco-Shard's came from the hearts of Dragons and were created during their long lives as a physical crystallization of their magic. The older and more powerful a Dragon the larger it would become and the more potent a focus it would become. A corrupted shard was much the same, but one that had become poisoned and warped by the Demonic magic of the Burning Wilds that flowed from the portals to the Hells and were the single best way to channel dark magic due to their natural affinity with it. If a Draco-Shard could be considered one of the rarest magical materials on Enoris than Corrupted Draco-Shard's were of an order of magnitude rarer to the point that less than twenty had ever been found since record keeping began.

"I never understand why you people get excited or worried about these creatures. They're just a bunch of beasts, destroying them should be easy and they provide nothing of worth." Penelope scoffed. She was riding next to Ariel and had been chatting with the Princess-Regent when they heard mention of the Centaurs. "And those Centaurs are little more than slightly smarter horses, I've never had trouble beating them."

"That's because you're a Demi-God, Pen... Normal people don't do well against an eight-foot-tall hulking combination horse-human monster that screams like a psychopath..." Arcus sighed.

{And also, you fought them in confined spaces, not the open plains where there were thousands of them all at once...} (Arcus)

"You know, if its been so long since the last culling it's surprising that we've not run into any monsters. I was always told that the plains were filled with them." Miz'ri said commented. “If there hasn't been an expedition for two decades then shouldn't there be more?”

"More mundane creatures like feral goblins and orcs tend to be the only creatures this far North. This close to the fortresses we still managed to send our forces to clear them out, though the closer we get to the Burning Wilds, the more powerful creatures we'll encounter." Ariel explained.

{Demon Lord or not, the threat from the South cannot be ignored. We'll need to go on a culling soon to deal with the build up since my father last set out. If we wait to long then we're liable to have a stampede form as the creatures in the heart of the Wilds begin to force the 'weaker' creatures North due to resource shortages.} (Ariel)

"Do you think it's a coincidence that our so-called Demon Lord chose this place for its base?" Nier asked. “It strikes me as a perfect location if you ask me.”

"No, your hunch is likely correct. The Wilds is where Demon Lord Vikes first appeared, so I would imagine she's trying to evoke some kind of symbolism." Penelope said, completely sure of herself.

"He came from the Wilds?" Miz'ri asked. She'd been told a bit about Vikes from Esquire, but not where he'd come from.

"That was where he first appeared anyway. Whether or not he actually came from the Wilds is something still debated by scholars" Ariel interjected, not wanting Penelope to start injecting misinformation into the story. "The Archdukes maintain that he originated somewhere else on Enoris, but I'd say it matters little where such a monster came from."

"Exactly, all that matters is that we destroy this creature." Penelope nodded. “Akagi, Vikes, I don't care what they call themselves or if they're separate creatures or the same one. All that matters is that we eliminate them.”

"Hey, Pen..." Arcus said, using his imaginary hand to tug on her shoulder.

"What?" Penelope replied.

"So, and I'm just asking... You did remember to let Lady Reflia know that you were going on this little expedition, right?" Arcus recalled that Reflia had told her to scout, not lead an army to war and he couldn't recall any communication between the two where Penelope had explicitly told the Goddess what was going on or what she was doing. The only God he was aware of that she'd talked to after leaving Reflia's side in the Empire was Hilare but that was only to pick up the items the Demi-God planned on using to destroy Akagi.

"I shall ask for Lady Reflia's forgiveness by bringing her this 'Demon Lord's' head." Penelope turned her nose up, giving the Bow the answer that he'd already knownn/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"So that's a definite no..." Arcus sighed.

{Why did the one time she goes against Lady Reflia's orders be to march into battle against a creature that very well may be a REAL Demon Lord?!?} (Arcus)