章 374: Chapter 374: The Deal Between the Dragon and the Devil
In the infernal realm of Afnas, the first layer of the nine hells, the landscape is marred by charred earth, scattered stones, and endless devastation. The air is thick with a blood-red glow, punctuated occasionally by fiery explosions.
Streams of blood meander and ultimately flow into the main current of the River Styx. The barren surface is interrupted only by bald hills and mountains, like devilish fangs breaking the monotony. Flames engulf the feathers of sinister crows that caw raucously as they circle under the dark red sky, while various little demons scurry about relentlessly, each exuding an aura of evil.
In a burst of divine light, the god Garon descends upon this place. With a long gaze, Garon surveys the landscape, familiar with the hellish scenery due to his previous visits. His attention is caught by a bronze fortress nearby, standing desolate under the blood-red illumination.
The magnificent fortress spans a vast area, its walls stretching hundreds of feet high, enclosed by a concentric arrangement of twelve massive walls made of bronzed iron, blending into the bloody light of Afnas and exuding an indestructible aura.
The walls are adorned with fearsome spikes and torches that burn fiercely with hellfire, complemented by powerful cannons and ballistae. Armored devil soldiers stand guard atop the walls, their crimson eyes scanning vigilantly in all directions.
Despite the fortress's formidable appearance, Garon can see countless infernal souls, lesser devils, and other demonic beings laboring under the supervision of devil foremen, endlessly expanding the defensive works amid a cacophony of noise and clouds of dust.
On his first visit to Afnas after capturing the first generation of Iron Dragon Kings, Garon felt the greatest threat emanating from deep within the bronze fortress, which lies perilously close to the multicolored divine kingdom of the Undying Dragon Queen.
According to the Dragon Queen, she maintains a favorable relationship with the devil lord of the bronze fortress, given their frequent interactions within Afnas. This devil lord, also the foremost ruler of Afnas, controls an endless legion of devils and is known as Byel.
Garon is familiar with Byel, who possesses god-like powers, although the exact extent of his divine abilities is unclear. Nevertheless, Byel's strength is undoubtedly formidable, as Afnas, being the battleground of the eternal war against the abyssal hordes, constantly faces attacks from the demonic forces of the abyss, targeting the fortress.
The relentless expansion and fortification of the fortress are a response to these incessant attacks. Byel, a true warlord of hell, has fought countless battles against the demonic lords of the abyss.
With these thoughts in mind, Garon unfurls his dragon wings. Wrapped in divine light, he transforms into a streak of silver light and flies towards the fortress. His arrival is preceded by a gust of wind, and the combined aura of dragon and deity reaches the fortress, shaking its very foundations.
The devil guards on the walls, sensing the turbulent storm stirred by the approaching dragon, look up to see the splendid divine light and instantly tighten their guard, preparing for battle.
"Prepare for war!" The atmosphere thickens with demonic energy centered around the bronze fortress, boiling like water, charged with malevolent and destructive power. The devil guards, powerful and ready, await their orders.
However, Garon means no harm. His display of power is not malicious but merely announces his arrival; otherwise, numerous lesser devils would have perished instantly. Seeing the guards in battle-ready positions, Garon stops before the fortress and assesses the robust structure from the air. The social order among devils is strict and hierarchical.
Without their lord's command, the devil guards, though ready, do not initiate an attack on Garon, recognizing his divinity. Since he has not attacked first, they naturally would not provoke a powerful deity without cause; they need to consult their lord.
As Garon pauses, it appears that the devil guards receive an order. The previously boiling demonic energy quickly subsides, and the guards lower their weapons, no longer eyeing Garon with suspicion but returning to their vigilant watch over the hellscape.
Bathed in the blood-red glow, Garon hears the deep voice of the devil grand duke.
"Eternal and temporal dragon, god of the dragon pantheon, Afnas welcomes you, and I have been expecting your arrival."
A dark red flame takes shape as a devilish silhouette, guiding Garon past the twelve walls.
Given that devils generally maintain a humanoid form, Garon, as a guest, voluntarily reduces his size to that of a young dragon to enter the interior of the bronze fortress.
Led by the phantom devil through guarded gates and dark corridors, Garon finally reaches the inner sanctum of the fortress.
There, the dark red flame forming the guide dissipates. Garon surveys his surroundings
: the grand devil's hall deep within the fortress. The ground is cracked, glowing with dark red light from beneath, where molten lava churns and the wails of the damned rise continuously, reaching Garon's ears.
Torches mounted on the walls burn with a ghostly blue flame, showing numerous tormented faces as if fueled by the souls of creatures.
Eventually, his gaze follows the stairs made from layers of skulls up to a high throne burning with dark red flames.
A towering devil in pitch-black armor sits surrounded by flames, meeting Garon's gaze.
Garon's form radiates a faint light as his dragon body expands to a majestic twenty meters, leveling his gaze with the devil on the throne.
Reflected in Garon's eyes is the grand duke of the nine hells, Byel.
With a tail covered in barbs and scales, a pair of majestic devil horns, and wings similar to a dragon's, Byel embodies the infernal might of a high devil.
The dark red scales covering his body enhance his muscular form, and the gaps between the scales glow intermittently with a lava-like luminescence.
These features identify Byel's type: a Deep Hell Forged Devil, born only in the ninth and deepest layer of hell, known for their legendary strength and quasi-divine powers. They are the stalwarts of hell's armies, leading the devil generals and the hellish forces in the bloody wars, with many devil lords among them renowned for their ferocity in battle.
It is said that the Deep Hell Forged Devils were created by the master of the nine hells using hellfire and infernal materials, giving them control over the devastating hellfire and a fierce loyalty to the master of the nine hells, Byel being no exception.
"Instinct honed in the bloody wars tells me you are exceedingly dangerous," Byel remarks, his voice deep and compelling—a typical trait of devils known as the devil's whisper. This ability could cause weaker beings to sign away their souls without a second thought under its influence.
After a brief pause, Byel grins, revealing his fearsome teeth.
"And yet, as a god of the celestial mountains, daring to enter hell in your true divine form, I admire your audacity," he continues.
The celestial mountains and the nine hells are fundamentally opposed realms. Normally, a celestial deity would not dare enter hell in their true form without significant power.
"So, Grand Duke Byel, do you bear ill will toward me?" Garon asks calmly.
Byel's crimson eyes fix on Garon, silent for a moment before bursting into laughter. "The Dragon Queen speaks highly of you, and with her vouching for you, I trust you are a guest in Afnas."
Garon remains expressionless, his platinum dragon eyes meeting the devil lord's gaze, and he smiles.
"Indeed, I currently reside in the celestial mountains, but it was a close decision not to establish my domain in hell."
Garon had sensed some hostility from Byel earlier, though the devil lord, wary of the dragon pantheon's power, did not act on it. Even the demonic princes had failed against Garon, reportedly still recuperating in their fortresses.
Byel, tempted by the time dragon's power, also dared not act rashly, even within his own domain.
In general, devils are a lawful evil, planning and orderly in their malevolence, unlike the chaotic and impulsive demons that act without regard for consequences. Hell is not as perilous as the abyss, its overall strength inferior, but it manages to contend with the abyss in the bloody wars due to the disorganized demons lacking unified command, constantly warring among themselves.
Hell, under the leadership of the supreme devil of the nine hells, maintains a strict hierarchy, all devil lords obedient to the master residing in the deepest hell, Nesrus.
A prophecy in the abyss claims that should a demonic prince defeat all others and unify the abyss, his led demonic legions would bring about the end of the multiverse, with all realms consumed by the abyss.
"It's a pity, then, that we could have been neighbors," Garon says after hearing Byel's words, a hint of regret in his voice.
Straight to the point, Garon continues, "Grand Duke Byel, you must already know the purpose of my visit."
"I command an army fearless of death, endless and ready to heed the call of hell to join the infernal war efforts."
The call to arms in hell's bloody wars has been ongoing since their inception. Any creature can answer the call and fight in the bloody wars, earning military honors by slaying demons and trading them for various rewards from the devils.
Of course, it's not as simple as fighting one battle and leaving with a profit. Only after accumulating a significant amount of military honors can one be free from the bloody wars.
Ninety-nine percent of external beings die trying to gather these honors, their rewards ultimately remaining in hell.
The abyss also issues similar calls to arms, but few choose to join the chaotic and unpredictable demonic forces, preferring not to deal with unpredictable madmen wielding tremendous power.
Compared to demons, devils have a much better reputation.
Surviving the bloody wars to gain enough honors to leave makes any being a renowned noble or lord, acquiring wealth, power, and glory, with hell showing great favor to these successful individuals.
They can even hire devils as guards for their acquired treasures at a significant discount.
"Endless?" Byel questions, intrigued.
Garon nods, affirming, "Endless."
Mechanical soldiers, unlike flesh-and-blood beings, do not die in the conventional sense. Damaged but not utterly destroyed, they can be reforged and returned to battle anew.
"What creatures comprise your army?" Byel inquires.
"Metal constructs," Garon replies.
Constructs, a broad term for beings like mechanical soldiers, can be made from metal, stone, or wood, typically created through magic, but usually on a much smaller scale and lower quality compared to those crafted by the Grandmaster of Mechanics.
"Interesting, our infernal war forces have yet to include metal constructs," Byel notes.
"Being non-biological, they can resist the corrupting influence of abyssal power more effectively, making your army more suitable for missions in the abyssal homelands. However, the low intelligence of metal constructs often restricts them to fodder roles," he assesses.
Garon shakes his head, correcting, "My mechanical army is not like ordinary metal constructs; they possess sufficient intelligence."
"Oh?" Byel's interest peaks.
"That increases their value considerably," he states, his gaze sharpening.
Byel's demeanor becomes serious as he carefully probes Garon about various aspects of his army. As a devil and a warlord in the bloody wars, Byel takes these matters seriously.
Having the chance to command a powerful army against the abyss is something any devil lord would handle with utmost seriousness, rarely resorting to deceit due to the importance of their reputation in the wars.
After a series of questions and answers between the devil lord and Garon, Byel grows more cautious upon fully understanding the scale and capabilities of Garon's army. Such a force is not to be taken lightly.
After thoughtful consideration, Byel proposes, "You may represent Afnas in the bloody wars. In return, I will grant you a large infernal ore vein as a down payment."
"For every demon your army slays and every demonic fortress they conquer, corresponding military honors will be recorded," he explains.
"Different types of demons and fortresses yield varying honors, detailed on the honor table. You can exchange these honors for treasures, equipment, territories—anything hell has to offer is clearly priced and available for trade."
Pausing, Byel adds gravely, "If your honors are sufficient, you could even request the great master of the nine hells to intervene on your behalf, though that would cost a fortune."
After listening to Byel, Garon's gaze narrows slightly as he says, "Beyond these standard contract terms, I have a few conditions."
Hearing this, Byel responds, "In hell, you must first demonstrate your power and accumulate enough military honors before we can discuss further conditions."
Garon smiles, saying, "Grand Duke Byel, I believe if I represent Afnas in the bloody wars and achieve significant victories, you would benefit as the first lord."
Byel falls silent.
Garon's statement is true. The master of the nine hells grants rewards to the lords of hell based on the military honors accumulated on each layer, so the devil lords are indeed invested in the outcomes of the bloody wars.
"I am currently in the bronze fortress of Afnas, but I could just as well visit the Sinking City in the hell of Manalos or the Iron Tower of Mist in Dis," Garon hints, suggesting his ability to negotiate blood war contracts with other devil lords.
"The reason I came to Afnas first is that the Dragon Queen introduced me to you," he continues.
"I came with sincerity."
"But if you lack sufficient sincerity, I suppose I'll have to consider other layers of hell and negotiate blood war contracts with other devil lords."
Devils, known for their negotiating prowess, now find the advantage lies with Garon, who commands a formidable army.
Under Garon's calm scrutiny, Byel concedes, saying, "Speak, then. What are your conditions?"
Garon outlines, "Three large infernal ore veins as a down payment, and I wish to specify participation in the blood war zone of the Wan Yuan Plains on the first layer of the abyss."
"The territories and fortresses conquered by my army should belong to me personally."
"Lastly, my military honors should be doubled."
Byel stands, his expression turning grave. "I can agree to the first two conditions," he begins.
"But don't you think the third and fourth are too much?" His anger apparent, By
el seems deeply offended by Garon's demands.
Garon steps back, offering, "Let's disregard the fourth condition as a sign of my willingness to cooperate."
Byel shakes his head, his expression unyielding. "As a representative of Afnas, the territories you conquer also belong to Afnas. I cannot accept your third condition."
Garon falls silent for a moment.
"Grand Duke Byel, it is unfortunate, but it seems we cannot be partners," he states, preparing to leave the bronze fortress as his form begins to fade.
Byel watches solemnly, unmoved.
Just as Garon's figure is about to disappear completely, Byel's stern facade softens, and he calls out, "Wait."
His previous anger and seriousness vanish.
"It's truly challenging to gain an advantage over you true dragons," Byel grumbles.
Garon's third condition is not impossible to meet. Holding territory in the abyss is incredibly difficult, and even if Byel acquired it, it would be of little benefit unless it were in the hellish blood war zones.
If it were territory in hell, Byel would never agree to Garon's terms.
Garon, well-prepared and knowing Byel would eventually agree, listens as Byel continues to complain before finally saying, "I accept your conditions."
"Three ore veins, the specified Wan Yuan Plains war zone, and personal ownership of the conquered territories."
Afterwards, Byel's expression becomes solemn again as he declares, "In the presence of the master of the nine hells, by the River Styx, and witnessed by all devils, I, Byel, ruler of Afnas, hereby establish this blood war contract."
With Byel's incantation, a stream of grayish-white essence flows from the void, forming into a page, while bunches of infernal flames twist and turn, inscribing the contract with golden letters.
The blood war contract then floats towards Garon.
Garon carefully reviews the contract, ensuring there are no omissions or traps. Once satisfied, he smiles at Byel, saying, "Pleasure doing business."
Byel's face doesn't share the sentiment. While the partnership is generally beneficial, the concessions made in the contract make Byel, a devil, feel as uncomfortable as if prodded by angelic feathers.
A trace of divine power forms into Garon's holy sigil, sealing the contract.
Simultaneously, in the primary material world, in the realm of metal, engines of countless mechanical soldiers activate. Their bodies glow with a blue energy circuit, and the combined humming sounds like a tidal wave, signaling the readiness of an immense army.
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