Chapter 29

Wil stepped backwards at the admission of the older man’s true identity, the flame floating above his hand flared brighter, quickly shifting through various colors at it grew hotter. Wil wanted it nice and strong to ensure not a trace of corruption remained when he was finished.

“Easy, Lad. I just want to talk. I thought it would be easier if I took the form of someone familiar to you, ease you into the conversation. If you don’t like what I have to say, there isn’t much I can do to stop you if you choose to burn everything in sight.” The fake ‘Bell’ said, his hands still raised in a non-threatening manner.

“Nothing you can do to stop me?” Wil scoffed at the comment. “You sealed all the Azure Lord’s Mana! You’re telling me that you’re what… harmless?”

“Sealed, yes, but not in control. And yes, as of now, I can’t do a thing to stop you from attacking me. Think of it like this, The Mana’s a present for our Lord, I’m just the gift-wrapped box its being delivered to him in.” Bell said, grinning at the analogy. Seeing Wil frown at the explanation, he continued.

“But we aren’t here to talk about me, or even the Azure Lord. We’re here to talk about you, and what we can do to help you.”

“Help, I don’t even know where in the hell I am! And I wouldn’t take your help for anything!” Wil hissed out, not letting the flame above his hand to decrease in the slightest.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that. As for where you are, you’re in the same place you’ve been for quite a while. Your body is still in the ‘Inner Realm’, standing on that fine Owl of yours, in fact. I’ve just given you a small tug, brought your mind here, for a chat.” The fake Bell said, waving to the world around him.

“I’m not speaking to you while you wear my friend’s face. Show me your true self, or I swear, nothing will remain but ash.” Wil ordered.

“Very well.” ‘Bell’ sighed, as his skin morphed and changed, his body altering and twisting until a beautiful woman stood in his place, with long, black hair tied up in a loose bun, and wearing a crimson red dress that accentuated her figure.

Smiling at Wil, she twisted to the side slightly, giving him a view of her new form.

“Do you like it? Unfortunately, Wilhelm, I do not have a ‘true form’, but this is one that is unfamiliar to you. Is this more to your liking? I’ve based it on several of your…preferences.” The woman said, leaning lightly against the railing, her hands resting on the wooden rail.

Seeing Wil’s lack of reaction, she sighed again, shaking her head at him.

“So, Wilhelm, about my offer…” She trailed off, seeing him scowl and shake his head.

“Not interested.” He said, the flame spell above his hand nearly reached its peak.

“Really? But you haven’t even heard my offer yet…” The woman said, pouting at his behavior.

“Let me guess… Unlimited power, immortality, whatever my heart desires. Believe it or not, Lady, I’ve heard this pitch before.”

“Ah…but you haven’t heard one quite this…unique before. I can grant you anything, Wilhelm. Anything you have ever wanted.” She pointed to the side, a flash of mana covering the deck, before a group of scantily clad women appeared. Dressed in thin silks, they began to dance seductively, blowing him kisses with their hands and gesturing for him to join them.

“No? I thought so, but a girl can dream.” The woman said, smiling at Wil’s lack of reaction.

“How about this?” With a flash, the women were gone, and in their place were stacks of coins, bars of gold and piles of precious gems. The deck overflowed with wealth, the sunlight nearly blinding Wil from the reflection from the treasure.

More priceless objects came spilling out of large chests, and gemstones began to rain down from the sky above, pelting the deck with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. Even Wil, who grew up in one of the richest houses in the Empire, had never seen this much wealth in a single place.

Still, he showed no reaction, knowing that wealth was nearly useless to him. And if he did truly need it, he could probably obtain what he needed without making a deal with this devil.

“Not interested in this either? Huh, you are a strange one. Most men I’ve met would be tripping over themselves for a harem of women, and a lifetime of riches.” The woman said, her full, red lips pulling into a smile as she tapped her long-nailed finger against her lips, deep in thought.

“I’m not interested because none of this is real. Your gold, your women, their nothing but smoke and mirrors.” Wil said, disgust on his face at her offers. The woman laughed at his words, true amusement reflected in her face.

“You will come to find, Wilhelm, that what is real, and what is fake, it often a simple matter of perspective. This world can be just as real as the one you stood in before. And the things I offer you are genuine, the wealth for example, came from the Turtles own hoard.”

“Anything, Wilhelm. What I am offering you is anything you could ever want.” She said, her smile fading as Wil didn’t engage with her.

“You’re making this difficult, Wilhelm. But maybe…this?” She asked, pointing to deck again. The light flashed, and the treasures were gone. In its place was a single potion, glowing blue on a pedestal. The glass container was rounded, and the liquid inside was an opaque Azure.

“What is it?” Wil asked, curious, despite his attempts to not care.

“Unfortunately, I do not have access to the Azure Lord’s mind or body, since someone removed our presence there. But this is something I do have an ability to give to you. This potion will give you a portion of the Dragon Turtle’s mana, propelling you through the ranks, and giving you a piece of its natural talents.”

“I know that you have been offered power before, Wilhelm, but they probably contained caveats…loos of control, changing your body or mind. This is a freely given offer, no strings attached, or stipulations connected to it. Once consumed, it will be your power, with no one having the ability to take it away, or force you to heed their commands…No nasty crowns here, Wilhelm, whispering offers of power in your ear.” She said, smiling at the look of shock on his face.

“How do you know about that?” Wil asked, eyes wide at her words.

“I know many things about you, Wilhelm. To me, your life is an open book. And I’m a rather upfront…person. This is a simple exchange, between us.” The crimson dressed woman responded, although her face twisted slightly with disgust at calling herself a ‘person’.

“And what do you want for this power? Sell my soul, do what you say, kill all my friends and family?” Wil growled, eyes narrowing at the woman.

“Heavens no! I told you, no strings attached! You just need to take the potion and leave the Inner Realm. Once you do so, Lord Azure will be unable to bring you back here, and my mission will be complete.” She said, smiling as she finally tempted him with something.

“Your mission?”

“I, like the others you faced, have been tasked with corrupting the Dragon Turtle. My purpose, my life, is dedicated to bringing the Azure Lord’s mana back to my god, freeing him from his prison in the center of the Azure Sea.” She said, slowly standing upright from the railing and pacing the deck of the Drake.

“I do not care for anything else. You, this place, my siblings you defeated, they mean less than nothing to me. I wish to fulfill my purpose, Wilhelm, and to that end, I will offer you anything to make that happen.” She continued, gesturing to the world around her. The white light flashed again, the women and riches returning.

“And If I say no? If we’re going to fight, I’d rather get it out of the way now, rather than listen to anymore of your bullshit.” Wil said, scowling at the woman.

“Fight? Why in the world would I fight you? I’m incapable of harming you, Wilhelm. All my abilities are tied to controlling the Dragon Turtle’s mana. I’ve been given power to offer you anything in the world, my little lovely, because the things you human’s want are so…meaningless.” She said, laughing at the man in front of her, her red lips parted, showing her perfect white teeth.

“It’s always the same with you humans. So predicable! Everything always comes back to sex, or money, or power. And you, Wilhelm, I suspect you will accept the offer of the blue potion. Think of it, not just a gaining a few ranks, but a path to divinity itself!” She said, walking close to him.

“Take the potion, Wilhelm. Leave here. What do you care about the Azure Lord? Just to get your ship safely through some storms? The power you would gain here would see you through any storm, protect that little wooden toy you’re traveling in across all the seas. All I am asking, Wil, is for you to take my offer and walk away. You don’t owe it anything.” She whispered, standing just in front of him.