Chapter 124: Fishing in Troubled Waters (Part II)

There are things in this world, much like Pandora’s Box, that are never meant to be opened. The statue of the saint currently in Jan’s hand is precisely one of them. Though he is loath to admit it, he is almost certain that this is the saint statue of Bane, the former God of War. This means the power slumbering within this icon belongs to Bane.

The resurrection of a Demon King is far more than just a myth or a tale whispered on street corners. Both demons and gods possess the ability to return from the grave. Jan is no exception; should he fall, he would exhaust every possible means to claw his way back to life if even the slightest opportunity arose. On the continent of Klein, death is not an end, but merely a transfer station. Mortals, gods, elves, dragons—no matter the race or creature—all disembark at this station to seek their own way forward.

In truth, Jan somewhat understands why Lolth sought Bane’s saint statue. Lolth loves chaos, but she loathes war. Bane’s resurrection would inevitably drag her into a conflict—or perhaps she is already entangled, or about to be. It matters little. It is much like seeing a tiefling; even if they have done nothing, one has sufficient reason to kill them to prevent a future atrocity or make them pay for a past one. Bane was born for this. He would plunge gods, demons, and everything else into a chaotic, endless war. Perhaps civilizations will rise and fall, races will go extinct, and magnificent structures will vanish into the storm called time. Only war remains the eternal theme of this world.

Jan narrows his eyes as he studies the icon. This makes matters far more complex. If the oracle received by the Holy Church refers to Bane’s saint statue, it suggests that someone in the Divine Realm likely desires Bane’s resurrection. But what could come of it? He is a Demon King; do those pampered gods expect him to turn over a new leaf, hang up his mantle, and sit down for drinks with them in the Divine Realm?

In an instant, one hundred and eighty-seven methods of demonic resurrection flash through Jan’s mind. In truth, it would not be strange for gods to covet the statue, as it seals only a portion of Bane’s divine power and portfolio. Ordinarily, this power serves no purpose other than accelerating his return. However, circumstances have changed—Maka has been dragged into the Demon World and crucified for eternity, leaving the throne of the God of War in a vacuum. It is not impossible that the gods might choose a sacrificial lamb to inherit Bane’s power. While logic dictates that the poor soul would likely become a mere avatar for Bane, one cannot rule out the possibility that a hero with a steadfast, righteous heart might resist the corruption, absorb the power, and become the new God of War. After all, isn't that the fate of many a tortured protagonist in fantasy tales?

Regardless of whether his guess is accurate, it is clear the Divine Realm intends to achieve some goal by acquiring the statue, and Lolth clearly knows something, hence why she sent the dark elves to investigate. This is all Jan can surmise for now; Lolth would certainly never tell him the truth, and with his current strength, he is in no position to trouble the Celestial Divine Realm.

So, should he hand over the statue?

While Jan could easily forge a fake to deceive them, given that they are guided by an oracle, they would likely see through the ruse in a heartbeat. Furthermore, this item is a genuine hot potato; keeping it in his treasury brings only trouble, not benefit. Yet, if he surrenders it, he must consider the high probability of being dragged into a war. Like Lolth, Jan does not care for war—at least not now. He does not wish to see the dungeon he has painstakingly built reduced to a mess by a devastating strike. As for the thoughts of the gods, who can ever truly predict them?

Lost in thought, Jan tosses the statue from his left hand to his right, and back again. He examines the stone figure thoroughly, top to bottom, without missing a detail. Suddenly, Jan raises an eyebrow, focusing his attention on the stone crown atop the statue’s head.

A glint of realization flashes in his eyes. He turns and walks out of the treasury.

"Inform Patrina. It is time to withdraw."

"Damn humans!!"

Kadek roars, yanking his axe from the skull of a human soldier he has cleaved in two. His bloodshot eyes burn with fury. The Valkyrie Duchy’s forces have been completely wiped out, yet this brings him no relief. The news that the front wall has been breached has pushed him to the brink of rage. He had previously thought these humans were far too weak, looking every bit like bait. Now, the truth is laid bare: these cursed humans used the slaves to draw their attention, only to breach the wall under their very noses.

"Those damned bastards...!!"

"Archon, what should we do now?"

Following at Kadek’s side, his grey dwarf adjutant, also covered in gore, asks the question. In the battle against the Valkyrie Duchy, Kadek lost over a dozen grey dwarf warriors. Though they achieved a victory compared to the annihilation of the enemy, it does nothing to soothe Kadek’s temper.

"What else can we do? Get to the front line! Drive those cursed humans back! Move!"

Spitting on the brain-splattered corpse at his feet, Kadek waves his axe and bellows. Upon hearing his command, the remaining grey dwarf warriors salute and immediately break into a run, heading toward the roaring, trembling front line.

Seeing his men head out, Kadek rushes toward the Archon’s residence with two guards. For some reason, he feels an inexplicable unease. Is Brandon Stone City truly falling? If so, he had best pack his belongings and prepare to flee.

Just as Kadek charges into the main hall of the residence, a voice rings in his ears.

"I never expected to see you here, Archon Kadek."

Kadek frowns and looks toward the source of the sound. Verna is sitting leisurely on a plush sofa, watching the grey dwarf Archon with a sinister smile. Seeing the dark elf, Kadek’s expression darkens, and a sense of impending doom washes over him.

"What do you want, drow? Don't you see those humans attacking my city? I am busy. If you have nothing to say, stay out of my way!"

Taking a deep breath, Kadek forces down his anxiety and strides into the parlor. He glares at Verna and waves a hand. "By the way, where is the mage? Brandon Stone City needs his assistance! Surely he doesn't want these humans to destroy the city entirely."

"Naturally. My master would not sit by and watch the humans destroy Brandon Stone City, which is why he sent me here again."

"Hmm?"

Kadek pauses, staring at Verna with a furrowed brow. He tries to read the dark elf’s intent, but her words are clearly laced with hidden meaning. What kind of scheme is she playing...?

At that moment, Kadek suddenly spins around. His adamantine battle-axe carves through the air, striking the dark elf warrior behind him with perfect precision. The surprise attack forces a howl from the assailant; the dagger meant for Kadek’s heart misses its mark, instead plunging into his shoulder.

"Deceitful drow scum!!"

Feeling the searing pain in his shoulder, Kadek roars. His axe glows with a blinding light, and in the next heartbeat, the unfortunate dark elf is sent flying as if struck by a speeding truck, slamming into the wall with a sickening thud before falling silent.

However, Kadek’s two guards lack their Archon’s keen instincts. As Kadek raises his axe, he sees the bodies of his guards on the floor and the shadows of other dark elf warriors appearing behind him like ghosts.

"Drow, what is the meaning of this!!?"

"The meaning?" Verna stands up, staring at Kadek with a sneer. "This is a small punishment from my master. You not only ignored his goodwill but dared to deceive him. Now, you will pay the price for your folly."

"You...!!"

Kadek glares at her. He can already feel his shoulder growing cold and numb. He knows without looking that the wound has turned black and necrotic. The dark elves’ poisons are legendary in the Underdark; even a scratch is usually fatal. Though his reflexes saved him from an instant kill, it has only bought him a few extra moments.

"You despicable, shameless clown!!"

Knowing he cannot survive, Kadek descends into a frenzy. He raises his axe and lunges at Verna. Seeing him charge, Verna’s face hardens, and she waves her hand. In an instant, dozens of dark elf warriors in exquisite armor materialize from thin air. They shroud Kadek in a cloud of dark magical mist, then raise their crossbows and fire without mercy.

Obscured by the mist, Kadek roars and swings his axe, batting away arrow after arrow. Yet, he cannot resist the creeping poison. Soon, the paralysis spreads to his right arm, slowing his movements. At that instant, a bolt pierces his defenses and strikes him in the eye.

That marks the final fate of the grey dwarf Archon.

As the dark mist dissipates, only the pincushion-like corpse of Kadek remains before Verna. The Archon is utterly destroyed, reduced to a pile of mangled flesh.

Only then does Verna walk up to Kadek, cast a glance of disdain at him, and look away.

With this, the final obstacle to ruling Brandon Stone City has been thoroughly removed.