Hellnia, Forbidden Zone 3, Hazy Mountains
Hellnia is a place rife with struggle and desperation. From deep lava seas surrounded by ash covered beaches and charred bones, poisonous swamps that rot the skin and liquify the lungs, to endless snowy regions with glaciers and blizzards that crystalize creatures in seconds.
With an abundance of such places in the plane that is Hellnia, one would consider such a continent extreme. But to the residents, the demons hardened by their environments, along with the devils that lead them, have no trouble calling these torturous places home.
The relationship between the lower and higher species is what makes living in such harsh environments possible. In Hellnia, every habitable place is populated by demons and ruled by a family of devils, or a single devil four star and above.
Why? Because of the existence of what the inhabitants call 'Grand Contracts'. These are special contracts formed between devils, their subjects, and the plane's chaos platform.
With these contracts, the zone under control of a devil or devil family will turn into their domain, receive a lower chaotic level and form a more habitable area. The demons in this area will be able to live more carefree, while devils receive desire from the demons, making them stronger.
This relationship in turn forms more formidable devils on the plane, giving the chaos platform stronger defenders. As for why the chaos platform would require such entities, the residents of Hellnia have no clue, nor do they care.
But some in Hannya's old life theorized that a platform receives glimpses of the future if their existence is in danger. Leading the chaos platform to activate these types of deals in hopes of defending against these incoming threats.
However, this plan never came to fruition due to greed later taking the platform's power, and soon after imploding, along with all of Hellnia.
'Though, the threat of doom could be Greed himself.'
Hannya mused to herself as she walked up the mountain path behind Hans, her reliable guide.
As she walked and looked around curiously, she couldn't help but admire the scenery around her. She was well out of Gula's domain now, yet the flourishing greenery was still as abundant everywhere she looked.
Gula's grand contract had led to an overflow of power to such an extent that her environment grew into sections of Hellnia that did not belong to her. Tall forests, crystal clear lakes, wildlife full of vitality. All of this was due to Gula's grand contract.
Originally, the area Gula settled down on was a small oasis with just a few palm trees and a pond, surrounded by a desolate wasteland and miles upon miles of sand.
With her unique ability [All Shall Eat] she could make anything not only edible, but empowering. Everything eaten through this ability would make the person stronger.
With the help of this contract, she accumulated many contractees and followers, leading to the chaos platform to reach out and request a grand contract, slowly transforming the wasteland to a large Oasis surrounded by dense forests, making the sand in Gula's Capital city more of a symbolic novelty than anything else.
"We seem to have reached the heart of the forbidden zone young miss, the Fort shouldn't be too far away now."
A timid voice encouraged from the left of her. Hannya glanced at the individual speaking to her. A bob cutted, round eyed, light red demon maid.
"I see." Hannya simply replied before looking away.
"Young Miss, it is important that you eat and rest regularly throughout your venture through the mountains here. Although devils don't need to, it's an excellent way to relax the mind." Another maid voiced softly, a hair bunned, bespectacled maid walking to her right.
"I will keep that in mind." Hannya said curtly.
"Ah, Young Miss, I've packed ingredients and potions for you. I have arranged them by bodily improvement and outer cosmetics." A third, mature voice said walking behind her. The long haired, ruby red, mature looking maid handed a satchel full of pills and potions to the little devil.
"Mhm." Hannya took the satchel from the maid and stuck it in her spatial ring. She didn't even glance at the stuff within, nor did she wonder where she got it from.
She could sense the three maids' diligence and willful loyalty, but she couldn't help but feel annoyed with them around.
She glanced at her status screen once again. Three contracts were listed on her new panel labeled 'contracts'. All three of these contracts stated similar conditions with three different names, Penelope, Lily, and Rose.
They would be granted power from her once her devil blood awakens, and they would help her slay the Greed Devil when they were all strong enough. In exchange they offered half of their despair to feed her core and 50 years of servitude toward her cause.
Hannya clenched her fist in frustration at the sight of the three of them.
[
Name: Lily, the Charm Demon
Lv: 3 - Charm Demon
age: 22
…
…
Potential: C
]
[
Name: Rose, the Charm Demon
Lv: 5 - Charm Demon
Age: 33
…
…
Potential: C
]
[
Name: Penelope, the Charm Demon
Lv:3 - Charm Demon
Age: 24
…
…
Potential: C
]
Hans had pulled her aside when the journey started and explained the situation. She had gone into a feeding frenzy while she slept and took them as her subordinates. He was curious about the level of awareness she had during the event.
Hannya didn't remember any of that. But to not lose face, Hannya simply said it was all 'part of the grand plan'. Hans said nothing more, seemingly nodding in understanding. He really was a tactful butler, Hannya admired.
Hannya concluded that this was the work of her hidden danger. Making contracts in her sleep was not a good thing. She knew that devils could only make so many contracts at a time. If every time she fell asleep triggered such an event, she would be royally fucked.
'Feeding frenzies only happens with young devils, if I evolve here, the danger would be settled.' She hoped in her mind.
She also had a contract with Hans to train them for a year. With their potential stuck at C, they could barely reach a mid level demon if he squeezed all their possible ability out and slapped on some artifacts.
At least with the War Demon training them, she hoped they could become super maids or something. She had to milk them for all they were worth, she used her supreme contracts!
Her devil soul was telling her she only had 3 left now, she couldn't waste them.
'I just won't sleep ever again until I find a surefire solution.'
Randomly losing such useful contracts sucked!
The walk through the path was silent. To Hans and the new maids, it was a peaceful, comfortable silence. But to Hannya, it was nerve wracking and awkward.
Not only because of the contracts, but also the fact that she had woken up clean and in new clothes.
She now had on black silk robes which the maids called a 'kimono', a form of fashion the charm demons and night demons on the Hazy mountains wear.
The materials seemed short, showing off her toned legs. She had a pink sash wrapped around her tightly, while her wrists and ankles jingled from the jewelry she now donned.
Though she didn't have any shoes, walking the path was not uncomfortable, but she couldn't help but look down every now and then at her feet.
Like the nails on her fingers, her toes too were painted in a glamorous pink with white flowers dotted around.
"Here you go, young miss." Rose gave her a sandwich, which Hannya took with a nod, as she squinted her eyes at Hans, demanding answers.
Hans, feeling a piercing gaze, turned and looked at Hannya, puzzled. Seeing Rose hand the young miss a sandwich, and the young miss look at him with a threatening eye, the tactful butler understood.
He smiled and nodded warmly.
'I'll watch over them properly, young miss.' It seems the young miss really was intending to nurture them seriously. If that was the case, he would do his part faithfully.
He turned back and led the group further up, a bit more energy in his steps.
Seeing Hans' actions, Hannya's eyes went hollow. It was all but confirmed.
Hans dared touch her sacred body during her slumber? Sure, he was a butler, but weren't they in a reverse world? If a woman maid touched a young master in such a manner, wouldn't their head roll regardless of intention?
'Maybe the norms are a bit off here..' Adjusting her mind according to the world's standards was still a bit jarring for her.
She decided to shelf her grievances for the time being, besides, his sense of aesthetics was quite good for a man. In her old world, most men were more into solid, uniform, plain styles, they didn't even wear jewelry or makeup. The small touch of flashiness on clothes, nails ,and jewelry were appreciated by Hannya.
'Guess that's why he's the head butler.' She shrugged. But she would teach this old man boundaries later down the road. Such closeness with the help was unbecoming for the bride of Vainglory.
She glanced back at her own maids. She scowled at them.
'That goes both ways…'
The three new maids, seeing their young lady's determined and serious expression, nodded back seriously. They understood.
They would do what it takes to gain the strength to slay devils and trample angels while she was away.
'Hmph! Seems they know their place.' Hannya nodded in satisfaction and faced forward. Earning blazing eyes, small smiles, and clenched fists from the charm demons.
The small group continued to walk up the beaten path. The trip was uneventful, no beasts crossed their path with Hans around, and all knew not to sleep in random places on the mountain, keeping themselves incident free.
Finally they reached the outer gate of Fort Reverie, home of Baku 3rd Acadia and his dream knights.
As they approached, the ever so tactful Hans had fallen to the back of the group, allowing the young lady to lead the procession. Something Hannya did not necessarily want, but since it was her plan to come here, she could only power through and lead with purpose. She decided to go with the elegant young miss approach as she activated her [Method Actor] ability while they drew closer to the gate.
If she wanted to meet with Baku quickly, being a bumpkin, which she was, would never let her fast track her request. Every web novel enjoyer knew this.
Hans, seeing his young lady's demeanor change, her steps becoming light and graceful, her posture straight and regal, even the jingle of her bracelets and anklets rang out rhythmically, made his wizened eyes flash with surprise.
"Halt! State your name and business." A beady eyes gate guard held out his hand to stop them. He wore dream knight armor, traditional silver samurai gear and light blue robes underneath, but he held no katanas, instead he carried a simple spear. A peculiar scene given the other guards wore simple brown leather gear.
'A knight in training maybe?' Hannya thought.
He seemed annoyed as he scanned the group. 3 weak looking women and an old man, all seemingly servants to a little devil girl. When did this place become a tourist spot?
With a scowl, he followed up. "This isn't a place for fun and games, I suggest you go back to whatever fancy castle you came from."
Hans frowned. Who was this idiot? His young lady hadn't even introduced herself. He had a mind to reprimand such a careless demon. But his young miss paid him no mind and spoke.
"Hello soldier, My name is Hannya 6th Luxuria, I've come to make a proposition to your lord Baku, the Dream Eater." She gave a small, elegant curtsey.
Hans, watching this, had his eyes fill with incredulity at the scene. He had no idea where these heaven defying etiquette skills came from, but he would have to ask about that later.
The Guard, hearing Hannya's words, just snorted. "Luxuria? We already declined the offer from your faction months ago." He mocked. "And now they send a child to do the negotiating? You city devils really are shameless."
Hannya shook her head, smiling gently. She replied elegantly. "Kind soldier, I am not from the pleasure faction, I'm-"
"Ha! Not from the faction? So you're a whore devil? Ahaha A Luxuria without a veil and no faction? You're one of those devil whores right, traveling for essence with your sex cult? Sorry we ain't into kids here. You can fuck off now 'factionless whore devil'." The Guard laughed.
He laughed as if the party in front of him were below him, and the conversation between the two had already ended. Such disregard and disdain enraged the charm demons behind Hannya. But they knew they were still too weak to do anything.
Hannya couldn't help but look at the guard strangely. She had employed her elegance, but it seemed to only add fuel to the fire here.
Then she remembered. Although this one seems a little bold, Baku and the dream knights don't really like the nobility; most of them speculated the deterioration of Baku's health was due to the schemes of capital city devils.
Hannya nodded in understanding. She was an open minded devil, of course.
'He must think my elegance is too superior to be a wandering devil, concluding that I'm lying about not having a faction.'
"Quite the deduction skills, no wonder such an elite is guarding the front gate." Hannya muttered as she turned to the group behind her. They all had ugly faces.
Hannya laughed at the sight, why were they so angry? They can always just make the request for the audience to someone more helpful.
Clearly, they had Hans here, if the soft approach wasn't gonna work, the hard way it would have to be.
She turned to Hans, whose face was stoic and emotionless. Hannya thought such a face was more fitting to the title of war demon than his old man butler smile.
"Hans." Hannya spoke lightly. Hans stepped forward, his spectacles reflecting a dangerous light.
"Yes, young lady?" He asked, knowing full well the coming request. He was the head butler. He'd long since gauged the current Hannya's temperament.
Hannya pointed at the still laughing guardsman, as she scoped out the surroundings of her new base. "Just kill that guy and bring me someone useful."
The old demon took another step forward. He gave the oblivious guard a deep look.
"At your will, young Miss."
SWOOSH
"Hahahaha-huh?"
POP
SPLATTER