Glad to be out of the spotlight I watch as Krenocia blesses Koko and Rachel. Then Seronia blesses Justin and Rachel, but nothing happens immediately. Seeing the disappointment on their faces I explain to them that they won't see any effect until they leave the soulscape.

Justin says "Oh, that makes sense!"

Rachel says "Then, if you will excuse us?"

"Sure, we can talk more outside."

After the three of them leave I breathe a sigh of relief and then turn to the goddesses. Both of them are still sitting comfortably and I find them watching me. As I look at them the thought of having them as wives pops into my head and I feel my face heating up.

Krenocia says "Are you really planning to solo the city?"

"I may let the heroes help a little, but for the most part, yeah."

Seronia says "We both know that you have grown a lot stronger, but are you sure of this?"

"Yes, I am sure. All these baby shadow demons can't possibly hurt me, and they will allow me to level up."

Krenocia says "Wait, are you doing this solo just to get more experience?"

"That is a bonus, but I am doing it because I am perfect for the job."

Seronia says "I still think you are being stupid."

"Hey, if I get in over my head I can just fly away!"

Krenocia says "Shadow demons can fly, don't get cocky!"

"They can't fly while inhabiting a body that can't. If they ditch the body they can't stay around long enough to be a danger."

Seronia says "He has a point. It seems he has thought things through and isn't just being a fool."

"Thanks, I think?"

Krenocia says "Well, it isn't like we can stop you. Just promise you will be careful?"

"I will be, don't worry. Don't forget I am rank seven and a sacred crusader. I am basically built to fight demons."

Seronia says "I know, but I will feel guilty if something happens to you."

"You shouldn't, I am grateful to you for bringing me here. But since then, every decision I have made myself. If anything happens to me it is my own fault and no one else's."

Krenocia says "True. No one but you could come up with such crazy plans!"

"That is probably true. All that aside, Krenocia, I wanted to ask you something."

Krenocia says "Sure, ask away."

"Why are all my spells and abilities that I have gotten only light abilities?"

Krenocia says "You mean as a sacred crusader?"

"Yeah. I thought I was a crusader for both of you?"

Krenocia says "You are, but Seronia's abilities fit much better with a sacred crusader. Why, is there something you wanted?"

"Well, there are some people I plan to punish and I was thinking that was more up your alley."

Seronia says "Who do you want to punish? Isn't killing them enough?"

"No, not by a long shot!"

Krenocia says "Care to explain?"

So I tell them about the girls I killed in the pit, and how they ended up there. Then I tell them about the list of nobles that Kara gave me and my plan to track them all down. I also tell them about the promise I made to the dead girls and my feelings of guilt for not being able to do more for them.

Krenocia says "In that case I can certainly give you an ability to help!"

Seronia says "I will teach you how to consecrate a grave. If you place a marker with their names and consecrate the grave I will be able to help them immediately."

"You mean without that they can't go to heaven?"

Seronia says "No, they will wander for a long time before getting to be judged. This will simply allow them to be judged immediately."

Krenocia says "As the one who judges them I can guarantee they will have a much happier life the next time around."

"Okay, I don't want to know any more about the afterlife. Just tell me what I need to do and I will do it."

Seronia says "This means you will have to return to the pit, are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, it is just a place. I will be fine."

They don't look like they believe me, but they don't say anything more about it. Seronia teaches me a ritual to consecrate the grave, apparently it is just a ritual so it won't show up as a skill or anything. Once that is done the two of them hug me before saying goodbye and once they leave I end the soulscape.

*DING*

Congratulations! You have gained the ability Dark Mark!

Dark Mark

DP Cost: 100

Marked Person is judged and if found guilty will die in agony.

Upon death the marked is taken straight to their punishment.

'Wow! That is perfect! Even better than I had hoped for!'

Justin says "Thank you, Ash!"

"Huh? What for?"

Justin says "I got my class up! I am now a High Paladin!"

Rachel says "I am a Divine Priestess. Thanks to you."

"You're both welcome. What about Koko?"

Justin says "Something happened to her but she won't tell us what."

"That figures. Well, I am glad things worked out for the two of you."

Justin says "Yeah, it worked out great!"

"Now, if you will excuse me, I need to find Mercy."

Rachel says "That guarded tent over there is hers. If the guards give you any problems let us know."

"Thanks!"

As I walk over to Mercy's tent I try to figure out what I am going to say to her. I am going to be killing her nobles after all so I want her to agree with me about it. I will kill them either way, but it will be easier with her permission.

Guard says "Halt! Identify yourself!"

"I'm Ash."

Mercy says "Let him in!"

"Hi, Mercy. Got a minute?"

Mercy says "For you? Always! What did you need?"

"The nobles on this list, I am going to kill them."

Mercy says "Can I ask why? You shouldn't even know who they are!"

With a sigh I start telling the story yet again, only to watch Mercy's face get redder and redder. At first I think she is embarrassed by the details, but I quickly realize her face is red from rage. Then again this is probably something she had no idea about.

Mercy says "Any chance I can convince you to bring them in alive for trial?"

"No, sorry. Krenocia gave me a new ability just for them."

Mercy says "Oh? What does it do?"

"It is basically divine judgment. If they are innocent it won't do anything, but if they are corrupt it will torture them to death and send them straight to hell. Or at least Krenocia's version of hell."

Mercy says "I guess I can live with that."

Then she pulls out a map and starts marking locations on it, she explains that the marks are the noble's estates. As much as she would like to make their punishments public, she doesn't seem inclined to try and stop me. Which I appreciate, it is much easier this way than trying to work around her.

Mercy says "They will have guards and servants, try to keep the casualties to a minimum."