Myths Reawakened

Wayne didn’t even try to hide his envy. “Would you give me the silver coin? Just ask Her Majesty for another. Tell her that the Death Knight increased the price and took your coin from you.”

“Once you become the head of the family, the coin will be yours.”

“No offense, but when are you going to hell?” Wayne asked bluntly. Looking at Auston’s stoic expression, he scratched his face with embarrassment. “Sorry, I just want to get better too much. Don’t worry. I promise that I’ll keep my thoughts to myself next time.”

Auston rolled his eyes. He swore that if there was a next time, he would send Wayne to the Great Cemetery and let the Death Knight kick his ass. And damn that Death Knight and his powerful kick!

“Auston, based on what you said, the Death Knight has agreed to work with Her Majesty. But what’s next? Will the Tulip Families make a move?”

“With the Death Knight agreeing to work with us, the Tulip Families will have a much lighter workload,” Auston said slowly. Although he didn’t yet know what the Queen was planning, he could make an educated guess based on his experience that the Death Knight would be overworked once he was proven useful. The Tulip Families would each take on their duty, either disposing of the stragglers or cleaning up in the aftermath.

As for the legendary mages of the Ministry of Magic, they were a group of experts in internal strife, not to be trusted when their personal interests were at stake. Unless the Queen had other plans, there would be no mission for them to take on.

Wayne’s face twitched. “If it works, work it to death. As expected of Windsor. The Death Knight has only just stepped into this partnership, and he’s already considered the employee of the year.”

“None of that matters to you. I’ll give you a mission.”

Auston mounted his racing horse, planning on riding it outside to get some sun. Wayne took the reins Megan handed him and easily hopped on another horse, showing quite masterful riding skills.

Auston frowned. “Where did you learn that? Your movements are smooth, but your posture is atypical. And... you know how to ride?”

“Is it strange for an elite agent to know how to ride?”

Right. Even if Windsor hadn’t taught him that, Franc would have. Auston nodded in agreement.

The two of them strolled across the grass field on two black horses. Megan trailed after them on a chestnut one.

Auston struggled for quite some time before saying reluctantly, “Yesterday, I talked about your secretary, Mona. She’s infatuated with you. Do your best to win her over and taint her, making her a willing lover.”

Willing? Do my best? You don’t know how hard she’s been trying to climb me like a tree!

Wayne pursed his lips and said sarcastically, “What kind of lover? One like Megan?”

“I’ll say this again: Megan isn’t my lover.”

Yeah right. Last night, you two were over each other, and you touched her ass.

Wayne didn’t believe it and was going to press further, but Auston interrupted him. “Mona is the Church of Heavenly Father’s spy, planted to keep an eye on you. In the beginning, she might only be tasked with looking into the Blood Tyrant on Dragonheart Island, but since you continued to display your potential and go against demons out of...”

...the goodness of your heart...

Not wanting to compliment Wayne, Auston continued with a dark look, “The church has seriously misunderstood you. And since you’re now part of the Tulip Families, Mona will never leave our side. I’m sure you know what their goal is.”

Yes, they are up to no good. The Pope, especially, really knows what he’s doing.

“The church seeks to control you through Mona, or at least influence you indirectly. You’ve done well to make her fall for you, but it’s not enough. You need to convert her and make her serve you and you alone.”

“Is it really right to seduce a pure clergywoman into falling?”

“It’s the church that has fallen. You’re only making the inevitable happen sooner.” The more Auston spoke, the more annoyed he became. “Anyway, you must feel something for someone as beautiful as she is. Why don’t you make her yours and gain intel on the church through her?”

Wayne frowned. “Auston, is it your decision, or a new mission from the Ministry of Magic?”

“A new mission?”

“Yeah, my last mission target is High Reverend Filomina of the Church of Moonlight. To tell you the truth, she may have fallen in love with me.” Wayne shook his head, speaking in a guilty tone. “I don’t really like missions like this. I’m willing to sacrifice myself for Windsor, but every time I see her face, I feel tormented by guilt.”

“...” x2

Yeah, must be hard for you! x2

Megan rolled her eyes. The Lando family was on a downward trajectory and would soon meet its downfall, just like Windsor.

Auston was so furious that he struggled to speak for a while. He shot Wayne a glare. “She’s Moonlight’s High Reverend, not a young lady yearning for love. You’re being too arrogant. Who knows if she is the prey, or you are?”

Wayne nodded and accepted the advice. “I just want to tell you that seduction missions are immoral. I want to be a good man rather than someone who brings his lover around yet still treats his wife as if he had done nothing wrong.”

Auston ignored the jab. “I gave you the mission. It has nothing to do with the ministry. More and more demons are showing up in Londan. The Church of Heavenly Father won’t let this chance slip. You must quickly claim your secretary and make her eat out of your hand.”

“What if Veronica finds out?”

“Not my business.”

“Then forget it.” Wayne rolled his eyes. “I can put aside my conscience and lie to women for the family, but you have to prove my innocence. You can’t make me go against my moral codes and suffer the consequences.”

“I can help cover up your affair with your secretary, but that’s it.” Auston made a compromise.

“The High Reverend, too,” Wayne pressed. “That woman is a little unhinged and has quite the possessive streak. Whether she’s pretending to fall for me or not, you have to testify for me that I’m sacrificing myself for the country. You can’t let me suffer for my sacrifice.”

“That’s the ministry’s mission for you. What does that have to do with me? Don’t push your luck.”

“Then forget about my secretary.”

“...”

After further negotiation, Auston agreed to never throw a birthday party for him, but if Wayne invited trouble on his own, Auston wanted nothing to do with it.

His promise wasn’t worth much; when he agreed to something, he never did it without giving himself wiggle room.

Unconvinced, Wayne dragged Auston to the study for a written agreement. Megan was tasked with the actual drafting of the document, and she poured her disdain for the two men into her handwriting. Auston signed it to permit Wayne to do his work.

With the written proof in his hand, Wayne said in surprise, “Is the Church of Heavenly Father so formidable that you’d rather hurt Veronica to plant a spy, Auston? Or... has the Death Knight knocked a screw or two loose in your brain last night?”

“Her getting hurt is better than losing everything.” Auston looked at him seriously. “This Chosen Land we’re inhabiting is chosen by God—Heavenly Father—rather than any other deities. The Church of Heavenly Father holds greater power than you can ever imagine. If they return to Windsor, the royal family won’t be the only ones taking the fall, but also the Tulip Families.”

Noting Auston’s resolution, Wayne nodded solemnly. “I understand. I’ll go on a date with Mona as soon as possible to win her over, making her listen to my bidding and serve as a spy at the Church of Heavenly Father.”

“As long as you understand.”

“By the way, are you sure you haven’t been bullied by the Death Knight last night?” Wayne moved his eyebrows, suddenly changing the topic. “I have a feeling that you’ve taken quite the abuse. Just tell me. I swear to the goddess that I won’t laugh at you.”

“Piss off.”

“So it happened.”

***

Underground bunker, orphanage.

A thick, humid darkness enveloped everything. Only one lamp illuminated a small area, leaving the rest of the space obscured. At the end of the tunnel, a soft sound became infinitely loud in the silence.

Caim.

The demon familiar in the form of a gentleman was licking his own wounds outside the door, curling into himself. One half of his gold-rimmed glasses was shattered, his eyes bloodshot underneath. His walking stick was tossed to the side, and the nails of his ten fingers were dirty with mud. He looked pathetically messed up, more like a homeless man than a demon.

Because of his usefulness, he had been forced to take on three major clients in one night. He was recovering from his injury.

The plan to distract the legendary mages worked splendidly. Caim had not confronted Planck and Bourne head-on, but he had fought a real battle with the Order of Holy Light at Windsor Castle, their home ground. The battle left him severely battered.

Inside the door, the mysterious man was studying the vessels for the Seven Demon Lords. It was quite a harvest. He enhanced the divine power the vessels contained, making their resemblance to the Seven Demon Lords more than skin deep.

“Caim, I have to lie low due to the attention we’re drawing these past few days. I’ll entrust you with more work.” The mysterious man patted Caim on the shoulder, giving him the mission. “Bring the vessels of the Seven Demon Lord and the Astral Egg. You’re free to command the insane Forgotten Ones, too. Visit the Lando Estate tonight and draw his vicious dragons away. I want to see the real Auston.”

“And try to bring his silver coin to me...”

“Remember, Auston’s illegitimate son is also hiding something. Don’t underestimate him.”

“As you command...”

Caim nodded blankly. He missed home. He wanted to return to hell.