Chapter 235 (1): My Sword Can be Fierce, Too
The white world above the clouds contained tall pillars that comprised the gate to heaven. This was Celeste’s vitality field and his world. The legendary mage had built it after heaven to show his unwavering faith.
It was hard to say if his faith was actually unwavering, but he had put up a good front. Even an angel would commend his effort.
Two figures streaked across the cloudy sky. The eight-legged spider demon fled, while the Death Knight chased after her doggedly. Juliette had devoured the energy of the elemental fiend and merged with it to become stronger, reaching an incredible height. Unfortunately, she was a familiar whose power was gifted by the master she followed. While she could accumulate strength, she could not break through to a higher rank.
Familiars came in different tiers. One type was weak in the beginning but could get stronger through training until they rivaled their master; the other type was powerful in the beginning but could not rank up. They would forever be their master’s tool, and they were strong only when their master was strong.
Due to hell’s culture, betrayal was the norm, and there was no place for loyalty. Demons rarely recruited familiars with great potential. Most of the time, a demon would remake their apostle into a familiar and be done with it.
The Seven Demon Lords were the exceptions. The strong did not fear challenge or betrayal. Their familiars could evolve and advance in ranks. With raw power came influence. Greater raw power led to greater ambition and the desire to gain the influence they deserved. With the demon lord’s permission, they would become independent and leave their master to claim another demon’s territory.
Juliette’s master, for example, had once been the Lord of Lust’s familiar. Rather than mass-produced succubi-like creations, her master had her own path of evolution. The mission Juliette received concerned Windsor rather than the Death Knight.
Windsor was a rare case of a nation breaking free of the control of the Church of Heavenly Father. As a large nation, Windsor was incredibly valuable, and establishing it as the base of faith would be worth enough to warrant giving up one’s territory in hell. Thus, Juliette didn’t seek out the Death Knight first thing after her arrival.
Caim had received a similar mission, but he, unluckily, fell into the grasp of the mysterious man and was unable to carry out his mission. Exhaustion killed him like laborers working twenty-four seven[1].
Juliette thought she would be able to avoid the menace as long as she didn’t actively seek out the Death Knight, but death came uninvited just when her plan was reaching the most important stage.
He killed all of her children as soon as he appeared.
It didn’t matter that Celeste’s children had died, but Edward’s children were precious due to his divine blood. Now, her hard work over the past month had gone to waste. None of her children survived.