21 Iblis
- Hello, - in the empty space in front of Shichika there was a woman with burgundy hair braided in two buns at the back of her head. Two demonic wings protruded from her back, and a red stone glowed between her massive breasts. She was 1.76m tall and wore black plate armor.
- Iblis? - it was not difficult to determine who was standing in front of him; the contours of the body and voice converged with one of the seven rulers of hell. It's just that this time she appeared before him not as a silhouette consisting of raging black flames, but as a creature of flesh and blood. The first in his life. Even his beloved goddess appeared in his vision as a white figure, albeit with clear contours.
- Right. That's my name. Or perhaps you were surprised by my appearance? In fact, over time, you will regain the ability to see the world in all its colors. Now this is only possible if they meet with me or the other six, if they want, of course. Your words sank deep into their souls. None of us can remember the last time someone outside showed concern for us.
- So why am I here?
- I want to ask for forgiveness.
- For what? The only thing you did was stop me from tearing off my own limbs.
- And yet... I don't want our first per9sonal conversation to contain an ounce of lies. Deep down I loved watching you suffer.
- Why are you lying to yourself?
- Are we?
- You say that because of your nature you do evil and you like it. But do evil beings regret such actions?
-*Heh* Perhaps you're right. While the girls come to their senses, I'll give you a new list of contracts.
....
Contracts:
Belphie - 37th floor - 0%....49th floor - 0%, Build a personal place to relax on the 39th floor, a talisman to scare away monsters is included, Friends who vacationed in your camps - 0%
Vaalverif - Pantries - 0%, Magic stones - 0%, Regular food - 0 %, Create dishes from dungeon ingridients( dropped loot, marble shards, fruits etc.) - 0%
Leviathan - Rare creatures - 0%, Regular creatures - 0%, Strengthened species - 0%, Destroy Udaeus alone - 0%, Compile a bestiary - 0%
Venera - Survive in The Colosseum for 5 days without rest - 0%, Organize your own ball (help from family members is acceptable) - 0%, Build your own house - 0%
Mammon - Buy shares of companies - 0%, Make profitable deals - 0%
Asha - Acknowledge your feelings - 0%, Сommunicate with the Devils - 0%
Iblis - Take revenge on Juggernaut - 0%, Defeat the adventurers (kills are optional) - 0%
...
- I didn't understand everything, but this...
- Very nice of us? In fact, this is much more difficult than the previous ones and can take many years.
- Yes, but I thought that you would ask for something impossible.
- Initially, the contracts were concluded so that you could reach our level. And we will not violate them.
- Then I have no more questions, I think it's time to say goodbye.
- Wait, - Iblis approached the adventurer and embraced him tightly, - Just give them time.
- You didn't have to ask for this, the decision has already been made.
.......
With the arrival of the sisters, life in the Loki family's house became livelier.
Previously alone in her free time, Ais now has a companion who follows her and tries to break through the defenses of her static expression. Initially, Tiona's company was a burden for the girl, but over time her resistance began to weaken.
Tione talked more with the girls from the family in order to learn how an exemplary lady should behave, periodically she spent time with Finn.
Shichika stopped participating in the golden-haired girl's morning training, currently spending more time looking for ways to fulfill contracts. And now, lying on the partition of the bridge, he was thinking about where to buy a plot of land. At a certain moment, an owl with multi-colored eyes and a letter on its paw landed on his chest. The bird's claws clanged across the adventurer's flesh.
- Of course, I know that you only do this to me, but please don't try to pull this trick on other people.
*Wo-of*
Hearing the sound of approval from Fels' familiar, Shichika took the letter. Having torn off the seal, he began to read. To briefly describe the contents of the message, Ouranos called him to discuss some issue.
This time, walking down the dark corridor, the vague meanings of the carved runes filled the teenager's head. Their main task was to strengthen the influence of the god sitting in the throne room on the dungeon.
- Shichika, you are here to help us make a decision about Gale. We gave up the pursuit in exchange for her promise not to reveal details about the death of Astraea's family. Because of her, 3 gods have already returned to Tekai, more than 30 organizations of various sizes have been completely destroyed.
- Ouranos, with all my respect, 80 million valis does not look like "Gave up the persuit"
- She brings lynching and chaos in Orario, we have no other choice.
- I understand this perfectly, that's why I want to ask what do you want from me?
- Stop her, many in the city know that you and her family had a connection.
- I won't do this, she may be driven by a thirst for revenge, but her actions make Orario safer.
- Are you suggesting that we do nothing? But how do we know when she will stop?
- Is Rudra's family still active?
- Yes. Don't you mean...
- When she's done with them, that will be the end.
- And if not?
- Then I will intervene. But you will declare her dead when everything will be over.
- Fine. We need to discuss one more issue. This time it concerns Xenos. In order for people's hatred of monsters to subside, we are planning to hold a new festival this year. It will be called Monstr Feria. Tamers from the Ganesha family, with the support of the Guild, will capture creatures in the dungeon and then transport them to the underground premises of the Amphitheatron.
On the day of the festival, adventurers will tame monsters in front of the crowd, thereby instilling in everyone the idea that coexistence between surface dwellers and living creatures from the dungeon is possible. Would you like to take part in the preparation?
- Sounds interesting. I'm in. I also have a question for you. Where can I buy a large plot of land in Orario, preferably in the North or neighboring areas of the city.
- I can`t help you, the Guild does not own the rights to the land. You'll have to search for yourself.
Forced to shelve the question, Shichika left the basement.
His path lay to the "Hostess of Fertility"; the time for breakfast in the house had already passed. Passing by Babel, a pallum girl with brown hair and eyes deliberately bumped into him. A small backpack hung on her back.
- I'm sorry, Mister Adventurer! Lily is very sloppy today. Can I somehow make amends?
- It's okay, - the strange behavior confused the teenager; several years ago he saw her in the yard of the Soma family.
- Not okay at all! Someone like me must have hurt you. Don't you have any request?
- Actually, there is, - the pallum's eyes flashed with greed.
- And what do you want?
- I'm looking for a place where I can build a house.
- Oh? I'm support in the dungeon, but it just so happens that I have a couple of places in mind.
- Then lead the way, I will pay for your help. This is why you stumbled upon me after all.
- How?!
- I won't torment you with questions. Consider it a deal.
- Y-y-yes.
As it turned out, the girl's full name was Liliruca Arde. Her main occupation was support. Like any member of the Soma family, she made money in every way possible, and it was not always legal. In order for such a lifestyle to generate at least some income, a girl must have a minimum amount of knowledge in each area. In total, this made the pallum a very valuable informant. Lily knew where, what and from whom to find the things people needed.
Of course, even in this case, none of the people providing various services paid attention to her.
The sites in the Southern part of the city were not suitable due to the houses of the Ishtar and Freya families located there. Living next to them is fraught with consequences.
The Eastern part of the city was a very crowded place, there was an Amphitheater, a structure created for holding massive events, Daedalus Streets, full of poor people, adventurer cemeteries and workshops. In general, almost everything here can be classified as public property.
The Northern part was the most businesslike, guild workers, sellers, blacksmiths and healers settled here. None of the owners of large land wanted to part with their possessions.
The choice fell on the Western sector, a block from the "Hostess of Fertility" there was an abandoned area with a church surrounded by ruins. Another poor area, but due to the lack of housing it was sparsely populated. Across the main road was the market area, Amor Square and warehouses, places with the largest number of visitors to the city.
One businesslike-looking woman gave away a large area opposite the church for 9 million valis. The price is prohibitively high for the marble fragments of the buildings that once stood here. A good house in the city costs about 1 million.
- Lily, I think it's time to say goodbye, here's the money promised to you, - pallum received a heavy wallet containing about 150 thousand valis in her hands.
- Thank you, Mr. Shichika! - the hatred of adventurers cultivated over the years did not prevent the girl from expressing words of gratitude.
As soon as Lily left the adventurer's sight, he began to walk around the area around the destroyed church. It was already evening; there was no point in staying here for long. When suddenly voices began to reach his ears.
- Miach, you are late with your monthly payment every time! If you are not able to pay the loan for your child's prosthesis, then I think we will take away your pharmacy.
- Dian Cecht, we still have a few days before the deadline, it is too early to talk about the transfer of property rights.
Four people stood in front of a building with a Blue Pharmacy sign.
- Airmid, Mr. Cecht, it's not so far from your home, but I didn't expect to meet you in this place.
The names mentioned were well known throughout Orario. The young girl, according to public opinion, was the best healer and creator of prosthetics in the world; the gray-haired man standing next to her was the god of her family. He and Loki formed an alliance that has remained in effect ever since.
- Who do I see! The boy who doesn't use our services! We're here to collect the money these two owe us.
- And they?
- Haven't you heard of them? *Hahaha* I knew I was better!
- Previously, they were our direct competitors, but after certain events only two left in their family. Miach and Naaza Erisuis, they are mired in debt for the prosthetic arm they bought from us, - the Silver Saint came forward, explaining the situation.
- Direct competitors? Then their skills are not in doubt.
- In the field of potions - of course. But at this rate, they only have a couple of days left.
- It's too early to talk about this! - the chianthrope girl with a sleeve covering her right arm tried to object.
- *Pfft..* Then see you on Sunday. Airmid, we're leaving, - the figures of both disappeared towards the main road
- *Sigh* Apparently I'll have to ask for a loan again.... - the tall blue-haired god began to rub his forehead in search of a way out of the desperate situation.
- Miach, I have a proposal for you.
- Oh? A boy from Loki's family? Now I'm ready for anything.
- I would like to conclude a contract. I will pay off your debt, in return you will give me 50, no, 45% of the profits from now on. I will not require a monthly payment from you. Later you will be able to buy out my share, but with an additional payment of 30%. What do you think?
- This is... a very serious deal. Your family won't mind? After all, you and Cecht have a close relationship.
- This concerns only you and me, there will be no problems.
- We agree.
- Then let's go to the Guild to complete the necessary documents.
