Monarch of Darkness, Arsene



Were my standards too high to be met? Was I too cruel? Zaid had talent, but he was a Snow. We have enemies. What I've done is far worse than what our enemies would do. Zariel, Truck-kun and I are all monsters with talents that can't be contained.

But Zaid… He is technically older than me, but I find him weaker. Both mentally and physically. It's as if he never suffered. Never had someone to tell him no. He wasn't spoiled, nor was he a little bitch that whines. But he could be so much more. He could be so much more!

Lily said to be nicer, but I wonder… Had Tiamat abandoned him, would he be more than what he is today?

"Be silent," I warned him, feeling him glare daggers at me. My attention shifted to a frowning Soloman.

I had already thrown in the offer and wouldn't take it back. I am a devil of my word, after all.

"I refuse… I want nothing to do with the Nine Hells." Solomon said, his tone a lot more poised than it was before. He had collected himself. Good.

"Such a shame. Then tell me. What is it you can offer—"

"Information."

I nearly sneered: " I have all of Hell at my disposal. Do you realize how many people sell their souls, how many plead with the hells for eternal life, how many wish to have supreme talent? Information isn't something I need. But—" And I smiled, chuckling as my eyes narrowed into slits. A devilish sensation tickled my heart as I spoke: " How about I give you a chance?"

Snapping the chamber door shut, I glanced through the walls of my palace to the western towers where Belius rested: " I plan to send Belius topside to help build me a mortal army. Cannon fodder, if you will.

"You'd allow that monster to plague the Myriad Heavens again?!" Solomon barked, his wrath clouding the wisdom I'd heard so much about. "Have you any idea how many will die? How many families will he ruin? Do you realize how demonic Belius is!"

I shrugged. "I don't really give a damn. But if you care so much… I can offer you help for a price. Tenebrae has a side project she's working on. Assist her. And I'll relay Belius' location once he's topside."

"What type of work?"

I shrugged yet again: " Who can say? But that woman is running all around. You tell me, what has she been up to lately?"

Solomon grimaced: " She invited the Norse and Greek Pantheon to the Council of Omnis. Said she would bring more."

"Odin and Zeus were there?" I asked, startled for a moment.

He shook his head: "No, from what I've heard, both of them are recovering. There were in pretty bad shape. Seems that their minds were on the verge of collapse. The Norse Pantheon didn't appear, but Athena from the Greek Pantheon did."

Athena? I don't believe I've ever met her… "Have members of the round table appeared? What of Morgana and Mordred?"

"Mordred? Last I saw, she was with Eve. The two vanished long ago, as for Morgana. She appears every now and again, but I rarely see her. Why?"

Eve yet again. I've been hearing her name more and more lately. I truly wonder what she's like. She essentially sacrificed her humanity for power. How does one come back from that, as Mephisto alluded to?

But it seems Mor is doing good. That crazy bitch was fucking badass. Never met a woman with more testosterone than me.

I wonder… How Altair will deal with her. I hope they can at least meet if Tene raises him in the Myriad Heavens. Mordred was, aside from that bastard Vancurro that has yet to visit me. She was my best friend. We literally just hit it off.

That girl was fearless. Even when Zariel was about to decapitate her, she gave him the finger, shouting: "Do it motherfucker. I can take it!"

I see why most people think she was a man in literature. Nope, that there was a woman with serious mental issues.

Mordred aside, it seems like the Council of Omnis is growing: It will seem crossroad demons will have a ton more work to help levy various votes. I should take the lead on this.

Turning towards Droma, my dark paladin, I gave the command: "Send word down the chain of command. Possess who you need to possess, but I want every low-level devil to begin forming a contract with the various pantheons. Most will not be stupid to give up their souls. So ask for small favors first. Devils are smart. They should know how to play the field. But we need to get the word out."

Droma rose and bowed as he vanished in a blink of an eye, leaving only Zaid and Soloman.

An instinctual silence followed as neither of us talked. I stared, finding myself wondering how I could use Soloman and Zaid.

Solomon was a smart man. And I'm sure once he leaves and calms down. He'll get a grip on himself. Seeing reality for what it is. But the thing about a devil's deal is that it's usually too good for most people to pass up on.

A Devil's Deals are supposed to be irresistible. If they aren't, then you aren't doing it right. Solomon's drive for revenge is currently clouding judgment, so—

"How about it, Soloman? Information on belius and all his habits within the Myriad once he's on the top side, and I'll even promise he'll not receive any assistance from me."

The God of Wisdom scuffed: "What of the other Eight Monarchs of Hell? What of the Nine Kings, Princes, Dukes, marquesses, and so on? Will…"

"He'll not receive assistance from my side. That's all I can promise." I coldly said, leaning in as my voice dropped to sub-zero. " So when you attack. You better hope you can kill him in one shot. So agree to Tenebrae's terms. And I'll help you out." I raised a hand, smiling. "Do we have a deal?"

Conflict struck as quickly as hesitation came; he backed away: "This deal… isn't a written contract."

"No… It'll be Verbal. So it's disadvantageous to both sides. Find a loophole if you can." I said, playing a bit with fire. Written contracts were too strict, and I needed some room to make a move in case Belius did lose in battle.

I can't have that. Losing a general as powerful as him would be stupid. Not without a proper replacement.

Having Soloman serve under Tene doing whatever will have at least some benefits. And while I don't know what Tene will ask, I do have a general Idea. After all, all Tene is doing now is for Altair's sake. If I can drag Soloman along, then I'll have a powerful tool in the future.

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