V2 Chapter 173

In a ruins located in the Forest of Fog, a large cathedral-like building was located at the center.

It was old, ancient with its towers and roof broken.

This forest was one of the Forests that separate the Demon Empire with the rest of the Continent, though not one, even high-level demons tread this place.

The ancient building resembled a Greek-style Building and it exuded an ancient-like aura from it. This building was covered with a fog so thick that even sunlight cannot shine through. However, no one knows that every night of the full moon, this fog would actually thin down, revealing the beauty of an ancient city.

However, the main reason why no one dared to pass through this forest was that—this fog is extremely poisonous.

It was said that this fog was the remains of what was once a breath of an Ancient True Dragon. It was highly lethal and poisonous and even if you possess a high-level Poison Resistance, you would still be affected by it. It was also said that this fog possesses the magic that throws one’s senses making one lose all sense of direction. And worst of all, was that this place was inhabited by many strong and powerful monsters.

There were even rumors and hearsays that say that the moment you walk in, you would never be able to come back out.

Hence, this place was known as one of the Forbidden Regions.

…And tonight was the full moon that can only be seen once a month.

Wooosh. Wooosh. Wooosh.

Though this forest was usually silent and always wrapped in the darkness of the night, that night was different.

Several figures clothed in black were cutting through the darkness and into the heart of the forest; The Ancient City of Dragrod, a City that was believed to have been annihilated by an Ancient True Dragon in the past.

The dark figures that came from all directions have only one destination, and that is the largest building in the broken city, the Ancient Cathedral.

“…it’s been a long time since you’ve appeared, Quinto. Where have you been?”

A cold voice rang out in the cold and gloomy cathedral.

It came from the figure bathed in darkness while standing atop a broken pillar.

“…are you suspecting me, Settimo?”

A shadow-like figure revealed itself after the voice appeared.

The figure stood in a large humanoid sculpture with a broken head.

“Nothing, you’re too defensive. I was just a bit curious—you have not shown yourself for four months, I had almost missed you,”

“…if you had missed me, then I could accompany you tonight…perhaps, you’ve been quite lonely these past few days ad was desperately needing for a company? Then, I shall force myself to entertain you. I’m quite confident with my fingers,”

Sparks started jumping out of her black glove-laden fingertips.

When the moons passed through the large hole of the roof, the figure was bathed in moonlight, illuminating the figure’s beautiful golden hair. Unfortunately, she was wearing a plain black mask, with a big numeral ‘V’ engraved on it.

However, her clack clothes couldn’t hide the voluptuous figure she possesses.

A chuckle rang out.

But this voice didn’t come from the two figures but coming from another direction.

“…oh, I would like to accept that offer, Quinto. I’m quite hungry since Master has not been summoning me lately, and my heart is breaking in loneliness.”

A figure with bat-like wings slowly descended on one of the broken pillars. When she stood on the pillar, the light of the moon revealed the two curved horns on each side of her head and a long slender tail.

Like Quinto, she too was wearing a plain black mask with an ‘IX’ engraved on it.

“I’ll pass, Nono. You like using your little rod, which cannot be compared to master and would never be able to satisfy me. Furthermore, only the master can use my body at his own disposal…you might as well play with your little darlings. I am not interested.” Quinto smirked in contempt.

“Harsh,” Nono giggled in amusement, not caring about Quinto’s words. She sat at the top of the broken pillar, opening the slit of her overly seductive mini-skirt, revealing the smooth and white legs within. “You sure? I might not compare to master, but I also have skills only my race can give, you know~”

“Fufufu, Nono, you sure are giving your all, trying to seduce Quinto. However, you might as well give up, Quinto might be a slut, but she would bite off cocks that are not master’s… you will only cry after,” Settimo giggled.

“Who are you calling a slut, Settimo. It seems like someone had forgotten how badly trashed they were last time we met,” Quinto’s body glowed brightly, and arcs of lightning appeared around her. The tone of her voice turned cold and full of murderous intention.

“Hoo, scary… but don’t think I am the same as before, Quinto…!” Settimo stood up, and a hazy beast-like figure appeared Settimo’s back. A pair of red orbs could be seen glaring from the darkness behind her, along with a low menacing growl.

[The Beast]

That was Settimo’s title.

She possesses a very rare power that said to let her possess and acquire the power of the beast she summoned. Aside from employing them in battles, she can also merge with it, and let her use their abilities in full extent. She was a Beastmaster!

“I’ll wash the humiliation back then,”

The atmosphere turned cold.

“That’s enough…”

Suddenly a voice echoed in the hall, and an icy chill covered the entire place, even the beaming and giggling Nono who was watching the stand-off between Quinto and Settimo in amusement, stood up upright as an icy chill struck the back of her neck as if there was a naked blade placed on it

“Just because Master is not here, doesn’t mean you can do whatever the hell you want… if you shame my master’s name, I will be the one to cut all of you down…!”

Quinto, Settimo, and Nono immediately turned towards the third pillar. There, they saw standing was a small girl in height, holding a small stuffed toy that looks like their master, which apparently was what she asked of him when she was awarded after her first successful mission.

She has long beautiful silver hair, partly tied into two ponytails by red ribbons, on the left and right side of her head. She was not wearing a mask like the others but instead, she wore an eye cover that almost covers the upper part of her face.

Her skin is very pale, described to be as white as snow, but on her right cheek was a tattoo ‘III’ which apparently she took pride in, and even admired every morning as she woke up. She would even touch it with much affection every time she could as if it was the most precious thing in the world.

She looks harmless and innocent at first glance, however, every member of the Garden knows how terrifying this girl could be. Especially, if the reputation of the Garden’s Master was challenged, she could become a monstrous being that seeks every death to be as brutal as it could be.

She was a cold-blooded monster who only knows to be meek in front of their master, but a horrifying demon when he turned his back on her. Aside from Secondo and Quatro, most members where somewhat afraid and apprehensive about this harmless-looking beautiful little girl. Even the bold and somewhat mischievous succubus, Nono would not dare tease her.

“Terzo, you’re always so strict and serious… you do know that we would never tarnish the master’s name, even if it cost us our own life. So can you withdraw your power?” Settimo smiled bitterly as she said.

“You better behave in front of me, Settimo…” Terzo said coldly and the chilling cold that the three felt immediately vanished. “…or else, I will kill you myself, even if it displeased our master.”

Settimo smiled wryly behind her mask, but she didn’t dare say anything back as she knows that this beautiful little girl would really do what she says. And everyone knows that even if she did kill everyone here, their master would only punish her, but would never kill her.

She can be said to be the Garden’s Executioner, as there were already several of their people who had been killed by her in cold blood. And even one of the Numbers at that. Though they were scared of her, the killing was justified as most of those she targeted possess the tendency to betray the Garden, while the rest were outright spies.

Once you are deemed a liability for the Garden, Terzo would dispose of you without any hesitation.

That was why she was commonly known as the Hound among others—The Keeper of the Garden.

When Terzo appeared, it was at this time that the remaining Numbers had also stood in their own position, while the largest pillar which has a large throne at the top and the second pillar on its left were both unoccupied. But no one dared to complain against it, as this was the [Absolute Throne].

The exalted rightful place of their Master; [Primo].

Then, the remaining eight people took off their gloves and presented the ring towards the other members.

It was a ring with a long snake biting its tail in the form of an ‘O’ letter. Then, the ring glowed and the sculpted image on the ring was projected in front of them, with the difference that there were numeral numbers within before slowly fading.

“To arise from thy vessel and present thyself in the garden of everlasting…”

Eight overlapping voices solemn muttered before the complete disappearance of the translucent emblem.

This is the start of the meeting…

“… Still, I agree with Settimo’s doubts, Quinto, I haven’t seen you in the neighborhood for quite a while. Even if it’s Master’s task, don’t you think you should also show your face once in a while,”

“I don’t suppose you would have, Ottavo.” Quinto answered indifferently; “I am not the public figure that some other numbers choose to be. Some people prefer the spotlight, but to truly do the job right, it requires a level of anonymity. And I'm among them,”

“Right?” Settimo muttered tauntingly as she bristled at the very idea. “There’s a right way to glean?”

“Well,” Quinto answered, “…there are certainly wrong ways,” and said nothing more about it as she sat on the top of the broken neck of the sculpture she was at.

“…that’s enough squealing; time grows short for each of us. Tell me what I need to know, and I sure hope there could be good news this time,” Terzo muttered sardonically.

It wasn’t a request; rather, it could only be read as a demand.