Myths Reawakened

The surgery lasted two hours. Caim had long confessed everything. The mysterious figure put the scalpels away reluctantly, sewing up Caim with gleeful malice.

“So the Death Knight took the obelisk. No wonder I couldn’t find it.”

“Two Death Knights. How interesting...”

“What’s more interesting is what’s happening in hell. Powerful demon lords are forming an alliance to dethrone one of the Seven Demon Lords...”

The mysterious figure got more and more excited, wanting nothing more than to join the demons and enjoy the exhilaration firsthand.

“But I can’t!”

The mysterious figure sighed regretfully. Thinking of something, he sewed the Book of Hell into Caim’s body. “Where’s Juliette? I’m interested in her internal structures. Can you find her?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her since we parted ways.”

“What a shame.”

The mysterious figure patted Caim on the shoulder and whispered into his ear, “Do me a favor. There are quite a lot of hellish faiths in Londan, even vessels for the Seven Demon Lords. Steal them for me, and I’ll liberate you afterwards.”

Caim nodded stiffly, the thought of saying no never occurring to him.

“And here’s a list of targets I want you to test for me,” the mysterious figure said quietly. “Celeste, legendary mage of the Ministry of Magic. He knows Holy Light too well, so I suspect that he’s a spy from the Church of Heavenly Father...”

“Planck, legendary mage of the Ministry of Magic. The old man has been acting suspiciously recently. I wonder what secrets he’s hiding.”

“Bourne, legendary mage of the Ministry of Magic. He’s been studying Astral Beasts for a long time. If possible, take his experiment reports to me.”

If something works, work it to death. The mysterious figure was obviously a Windsorian if the way he adhered to that principle was anything to go by.

“Finally, Auston Lando of the Ministry of Magic. The man is a formidable threat. He’s keeping three dragons at his home, one of them being extremely dangerous...”

“Remember, avoid the three dragons. I only want to find out Auston’s own power.”

“And it’s said that his antique silver coin was a divine artifact from the Goddess of Death...”

“Oh, if you don’t mind, Auston’s son is a curious one, too. Who knows how Obed died that day? Bring him to me.”

Caim looked lost. There were too many targets to take on.

“Um, it’ll be tiring, but I’m sure you won’t disappoint me.” The mysterious figure patted him on the shoulder, speaking considerately. “Start from the vessels of the Seven Demon Lords. I know where they are hidden. Be careful. The royal family’s Order of Holy Light is stationed there, and the old captain is quite the powerhouse.”

“As for Demon God Stolas’s mission for you, it’s nothing urgent, so just put it aside for now. Even if you can’t do it, Juliette surely can.”

The mysterious figure managed to persuade Caim, whispering tempting words into the demon’s ear. “You are incredibly talented. Serving Stolas as a mere servant is beneath you. Do your job well. If you complete all your missions, I’ll recommend you to the great Lord of Pride.”

Caim’s breathing grew heavy. His master was nothing compared to the Lord of Pride.

“Go. Do your best and demonstrate all your talent.”

“...”

Chilling wind hit his face. Caim shuddered for a reason he did not understand. When he came to, the mysterious figure was already gone, and Caim seemed to have forgotten about the encounter. He glanced at the crow on the wall, cautiously taking it back.

“Master gave me many missions. I don’t have the time to study the Mist Domain. I should first find the vessels of the Seven Demon Lords, and with them under my control, I’ll be able to complete the other missions.”

Caim felt relieved that he had come to the realization in time, or he would’ve died at the Death Knight’s blade just like Marius. Under the hazy full moon in the night sky, his translucent body phased through the wall, vanishing into the thick mist.

Based on the information given to him, he made his way to where the vessels for the Seven Demon Lords were hidden.

***

It was January eleventh, Wayne’s birthday. He hadn’t sent any invitations, intending on letting the day pass uneventfully, but just because he didn’t want to make anything out of it didn’t mean that other people would do the same.

Veryl, for example, offered him a gift in the morning. It was a pen made of gold, prepared by him and the four maids.

Wayne couldn’t turn it down. Taking it with a smile, he waited until the four maids left to grab Veryl and ask, “Didn’t I say I’m not holding a celebration? You haven’t prepared a surprise for me, have you?”

Wayne was a little nervous. Veryl, as someone closest to him, knew him very well. Of course the butler would know his birthday, too.

“Master, there’s no birthday celebration tonight. The gift is only a little something from us to show our appreciation.” Veryl’s monocle glinted.

Such a trustworthy butler!

Veryl knew very well what Wayne was worried about. Time management was a skill, but time wouldn’t just allow itself to be managed. A playboy who toyed with time would meet his retribution one day.

It wouldn’t be his birthday, but his Good Friday instead.

As a professional butler, Veryl had nothing but goodwill for his master. He reassured Wayne that there would be no surprises tonight.

Only then did Wayne calm down. “Did anyone call?”

“There was one call from the Church of Moonlight. The High Reverend’s assistant—Virna of the twins—inquired if you have anything planned for tonight.”

Wayne’s heart sank. The High Reverend had found out about his birthday. It seemed that he would have to venture into the tigress’s den tonight.

“I responded to Miss Virna that, due to you being the illegitimate son of the Lando family, the birthday on your ID is false,” Veryl responded calmly.

“Great work!” Wayne patted him on the shoulder. What a pro. With Veryl around, Wayne didn’t have to juggle his relationships on his own.

He was safe!

Just in case, Wayne had arranged for Kristen’s absence two days ago with the same excuse: that he was a bastard son with a false birthday on his ID, and there was no point in wasting gifts on him.

He ran through the potential risks while counting on his fingers. Without Filomina and Kristen in the picture, he just had to swing by the Lando Estate to have dinner tonight and receive three to four gifts, and he would survive his birthday unscathed. Moreover, he might progress his relationship with Veronica today.

He hadn’t found anything on the demons over the past few days, so he decided to take a break tonight and enjoy a feast. He would consider it his gift for himself.

***

Lando Estate, five o’clock in the evening.

Wayne wandered about the main house and looked into the dining room as he passed by. He realized to his surprise that there was no celebration prepared.

“Master hasn’t prepared anything for my birthday? Is she so busy with work that she forgets about me?” Wayne rubbed his chin. Something didn’t feel right.

From the corner, Monica flashed by. Wayne perked up and rushed to give chase at flying speed, soon intercepting the black cat. Her hackles were raised, but it didn’t matter to him. Wayne grabbed her and petted her, having thick enough skin to ignore her scratches.

“Monica, fly!”

“Why are you still here?” Auston appeared with a smile. “It’s your birthday, isn’t it? Is it really right for the star of the evening to be absent?”

“I’m here, am I not?” Wayne said in confusion. “I checked the dining room. There’s nothing there. Master must have forgotten about my birthday because of her busy work.”

“No, Silvia prepared your gift two days ago, and she took a day off from work to decorate the venue. She knows that you don’t care about your birthday, but she wants to give you a surprise.”

Auston pointed to his sides, still smiling. “See, she even recruited Megan.”

True, Megan was absent even though she was usually always following Auston around. Wayne asked curiously, “What venue? Why didn’t I see anything?”

He didn’t even see anyone, let alone a celebration.

“Your mansion. I invited a few of your friends on your behalf.”

∑(꒪⌓꒪;)

“What-what friend?”

“Those you’ve reserved a screening room for. Who else?” Auston asked with an innocent look. “Why are you sweating? You said that you didn’t have many friends, and they just happened to all be female, didn’t you?”

Bastard, I’m gonna get you sooner or later!

Wayne raged, leaving Monica behind and turning on his heels...

“It’s too late to run away now.” Satisfied, Auston picked up the well-petted cat to pet her some more, standing by the window and sighing. “They have prepared gifts for you with great care to express their feelings for you. Don’t disappoint them.”

I’m gonna kill you now!

Wayne charged and aimed a flying kick at Auston’s lower back. It missed.

When he landed and looked up, Auston was waving at him with Monica’s little paw from a distance. Wayne cursed and marched toward his mansion with the expression of a martyr marching to his death.