With the news of the royal family uniting, the entire kingdom became visibly tense. The smarter citizens could tell that there was a possible rift with the royal family and the three main factions. These people started to question the possibility of a war breaking out.

That’s when a terrifying news was spread across the country.

“The Sacred Church has founded King Xavier and his family guilty of treason against god, as such they will be taken into custody and brought to the holy land of Arcadia to serve their punishment. Until then, the church will appoint an overseer to manage the country until a fitting ruler appears.”

This news obviously shocked all the citizens. The church was publicly announcing that they wanted to strip the royal family of their kingdom and treat them like sinners. The next news shocked everyone further.

“If the king and his family refuses to comply, then a crusade will be put into place in the kingdom.”

Everyone shivered when they heard this. They all knew what it meant for a crusade to occur. It meant that all the citizens of the kingdom would have their human rights stripped away from them, and were then treated like animals.

They could be killed, enslaved, raped, or tortured by the church forces and nothing could come from it. It was their worst nightmare.

Everyone started to hope that the royal family would comply, but what happened next sent shivered down their spines.

The Sacred church that was stationed in the capital was destroyed in broad daylight, and everyone knew who did it.

Devil King Rory. Instead of the king or any member of the royal family, the one who replied was Rory.

“The Marigold Kingdom is now under my jurisdiction, and I will tolerate no threats. As such, I permanently ban the Sacred Church from my kingdom. If I find any signs of the church in my kingdom, I will personally destroy them.”

This declaration frightened the citizens, because they knew that now war was unavoidable. More shocking news continued to spread shortly after.

The Military and the nobles of the kingdom have publicly denounced the Devil King and the royal family behind him. They have decided to aid the Sacred Church and remove Rory from the country.

This caused a lot of people to be relieved, because this gave the country a chance at survival. All they had to do was to repel Rory. Like this, the citizens all started call for Rory’s death. Especially after rumors started to spread that Rory actually took the king captive, and forced the rest of the royal family to follow his orders.

This further increased the hatred everyone had for Rory.

The church soon announced some news as well.

“Following recent events, the Sacred church had decided to change its targets during the crusade of Marigold. The one who will be target for capture or elimination will be the Devil King Rory of Pandemonium.”

This news made many people happy, so much that they forgot that they were still stripped from their rights. In their head, as long as Rory was defeated everything would return to normal.

“People sure are naïve.”

Rory said as he sat on the palace roof which oversaw the city.

“Do they really think that it will be that easy?”

He laughed.

“The church also haven’t learnt their lesson yet. Well, not that it matters. It actually works out better for me if they make me their main target.”

He stood up and watched the sunset.

“Now all I need to do, is to fuck them up so badly that they’ll only have their eyes on me in the future.”

He showed a terrifyingly savage smile.

“That can be arranged.”

“You’re enjoying this way too much.”

At that moment, he saw Serket appear behind him.

“Life is all about fun, old hag.”

Rory replied.

“No, it’s not.”

Serket shook his head.

“You should’ve learnt that the hard way already.”

She said.

“Anyway, I think I finally have an idea of what your plan is. You’ve forced the princes to make up and cut off their supporters for the sole purpose of angering the three factions. You want the three factions at our necks, which will cause a huge battle.”

She said.

“Your goal is to destroy the three factions and remove them from the country. Leaving all the power with us. That way, we can rebuild the country with us remaining absolute.”

“That’s the basics of it.”

Rory said.

“This plan will bathe the country in blood and might even significantly weaken it. However, the country can be rebuilt. However, we lose about a quarter of our population if we’re lucky.”

Serket said before frowning.

“However, it’s still not that simple. We should’ve made the church our enemy, but it didn’t happen because you took advantage of your reputation and power to shift all the focus on you. You reignited the hatred the church had for you and made them care only about you.”

Serket looked more and more displeased.

“This way you’ll be targeted by the church again. Life will be hard on you again. I hate that.”

She said.

“What? You don’t like the fact that I’m famous again?”

Rory joked.

“No, I don’t like the fact that you’ve put yourself in danger again. Whether you want to admit it or not, I’m your second mother and you’re my eldest son. I don’t like the idea of you being targeted by the world again.”

Rory laughed.

“You’re exaggerating. It’s not the world, it’s just the faith of the world.”

He said.

“I was never a religious person, so it was fated for me to be the church’s enemy.”

He looked at her.

“In the end I’m a failure of son to both my mothers.”

He said with a smile.

“But don’t worry, once this is over all you need to do is guide and protect your kingdom from vultures trying to swoop in, and everything will be fine over time. I originally planned on slaughtering the royalties of the neighboring kingdoms to prevent them from having the opportunity to invade, but you being here is better.”

“You’re really a heartless person.”

Serket said.

“Did that sentence perhaps have a double meaning?”

Rory asked with a grin.

“While it’s true that Mio would’ve stopped me from doing this, it doesn’t mean that I can’t function with out her. Even hearts can be replaced these days.”

“So Amelia is you’re new heart.”

Rory didn’t answer and looked towards the horizon.

“Serket, as the one who knows Rory the longest you should’ve already figured out that I had two plans to cleanse this city.”

Serket nodded.

“Knowing you, this plan is more tamed compared to your last resort.”

“It is.”

Rory then said-

“I was originally planning to kill Xavier.”

Serket remained silent when she heard that.

“Of course, this was before I knew that he was your husband.”

Rory added.

“To be honest, I really liked Xavier and we get along well. However, if needed I wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.”

“I know. You regard everyone who aren’t you’re family as tools and source of entertainment. You don’t value friendship in the least.”

Rory nodded in agreement.

“Friendship is short-lived, but family is forever. That’s what Kayro used to say.”

“That girl was always strange, even among all the freaks in Pandemonium.”

Serket said. Rory laughed when he heard that before turning silent for a bit.

“I was going to kill Xavier and confuse the three princes and the factions behind them. They would all start accusing each other, while trying to prove that they were worthy to take the throne at the same time.”

“A civil war would then break out with the three factions, plunging the country into hell.”

Serket added. Rory nodded.

“I would then feed the chaos and made sure that each faction took considerable damage, before slaughtering the significant figures. Including the princes.”

“So you planned to massacre my entire family?”

Serket sighed when she saw Rory nodded.

“Do you know how much people would die if that had happened?”

“Over half the population, because the church would’ve called in a crusade and slaughter everyone.”

Rory said.

“You talk about it as if it was trivial.”

Serket said.

“Chris said that you were doing this because you wanted to get along with the country, but I’m not naïve enough to believe that.”

She said.

“Your goal is this Reina girl. Just like Amelia, you want her by your side. Because of that you never planned on killing Chris, despite what you said.”

“As expected of a hag, you’re oh so wise.”

Rory said.

“Just like Amelia, Reina is special. She’s someone I want to accept into my family like the rest of Pandemonium. To do that, I had to make her trust me by saving this country, no, Christi.”

He smiled.

“And these two ways were the only way to save him. By forcing the Sacred church out of the kingdom and make them your enemy.”

Rory nodded.

“As usual, it’s always the extremes with you.”

She sighed.

“You know, the reason you’re called the Devil King isn’t because of your strength. It’s because of how diabolical and sinister you can be. Your schemes and methods are always so terrifying that people could only see you as a devil.”

She smiled.

“Because of this, you’ve always failed as a human.”

For some reason, what she said really upset Rory.

“Either way, be careful during this thing. You’re everyone’s main target after all.”

After that, Serket disappeared from the roof. Rory was left alone as he murmured.

“Failed as a human, huh?”

He suddenly clenched his fists tightly.

The following day, the Sacred Church showed that they weren’t playing around by deploying thousands of their forces into the country to lock it down completely. No one could get in or out. It was completely isolated from the rest of the world.

Afterwards, warriors of the church started to march into the country with a haughty attitude. It was as if they were the chosen ones and everyone else were mere bugs under their feet. If anyone even looked at them funny, they would be severely punished.

They soon move towards the capital and started to surround it as if they were getting ready to siege it. However, not a single church member entered the city, they all stayed outside the walls as if they were waiting for something.

“They’re being cautious.”

Liam said after hearing the reports of the church movements.

“They know that they can’t just invade the city and act all arrogant like they usually would during crusades. They’re enemy this time is no joke.”

He then looked at Rory.

They were inside the meeting hall of the king along with Serket, the king, the other princes, the Brooks, Allan, Amelia, and Richard.

Rory was sitting at the table while playing with a knife. Amelia was next to him wondering what he was doing.

“The church and I have a long history. Even if the young ones wants to act arrogantly, those old fools at the top know better.”

Rory said without looking away from the knife.

“They hate me, and I hate them. In the end, one of us has to die.”

“Die? You do know that if the church is ever at real risk, the Sacred Army will step in? Destroying the church is impossible without destroying the army. Do you think you can do that?”

James asked with a slight mocking tone.

“Nope.”

Rory answered immediately.

“The Sacred Army is the main force of the Sacred Race that rules the world. They’re literally the world police. You can defy them, but you can’t defeat them. I mean, a single General can destroy this country in a day, not to mention the Sacred Commander that heads the army. Only a God can defeat them.”

Rory smiled.

“However, the Sacred army won’t get involved in this crusade or my grudge war.”

“Why’s that?”

Amelia asked.

“Pride.”

Rory answered.

“They may both serve the Sacred King that rules the world, but they aren’t really comrades because they disagree on the way both sides operated. As such, the Sacred Army will only help out the church when they’re facing a threat not only to them, but to the Sacred Race as a whole.”

“Like the Night Race?”

Rory nodded.

“Unless the Night Army decided to march on the church, the army will not get involved.”

Rory explained.

“That being said, I’m on the Sacred Army’s wanted list, so there should be observing this crusade and could’ve even despatch people to observe the whole thing.”

Rory then put down the knife.

“Forgot the fanatics. What about the military, did all the defect?”

“My men aren’t cowards.”

James said.

“That being said most of them still defected, right?”

Rory asked with a smile.

“……Around 70% did.”

James said reluctantly.

“Well, that’s expected. They may be well trained, they’re still humans. And humans tend to make rash decisions when they’re hurt. Your soldiers were the same. If you want completely loyal soldiers, then build a robot army.”

Rory laughed, which made James angry.

“They may have defected, but that was because of a Devil’s ploy.”

He said.

“Beside, the ones that are left are my true brothers. We’ve been through thick and thin together.”

“I see. Then, what about Black Bull Omar?”

“He stayed of course. He’s currently leading those that remain.”

“I see. That’s good. His strength will be a plus.”

Rory then looked at Brooks.

“What about the nobles? Did they withdraw all their funds from you?”

Brooks nodded. He didn’t speak much because his mind was too preoccupied with the fate of his brothers.

“Thy must be hiring warriors all over the country to fight for them. I’m sure a few of them already had their private forces, but they must be using them to protect themselves.”

Rory said.

He looked around at the faces of everyone around him and nodded.

“The forces that we have is just to my taste. Although we’ll be drastically outnumbered, that doesn’t mean that we’ll definitely lose.”

He said.

“Besides, I alone could win…..Probably.”

He then started to laugh. However, his laughing stop soon after and a serious expression appeared on his face. Everyone immediately felt the atmosphere in the room change.

Serket looked amused when she saw his expression.

“It’s been a long time.”

She muttered softly.

Rory then stood up and spoke-

“We all have unfinished business, so we can’t afford to die now. If you want to live fight freely. Other than that, I have nothing else to say. Find your own motivation, I will not do it for you.”

After saying that, he started to leave.

*BOOM!*

At that moment a loud explosion could be heard coming from the entrance to the city. Everyone in the room hearts started to race because they instantly knew what that explosion signifies.

The crusade has began!