Chapter 138 Baals Faction 5 (2/2)

”According to Hua Tuo, Zero has a very special constitution. This body was made by Gaia and doesn't have normal magical branches like all living things. It's currently still developing and while Zero can recover mana on his own, he requires a lot of it to replenish his energy reserves after using too much of it on that divine spell.”

Raphael's rage simmered and the rage in his eyes faded away. ”Do the Great Gods know?”

Baal shrugged. ”I'll leave that decision to Hua Tuo seeing how that poor fool is in charge of this reckless munchkin,” he pulled on one of Zero's cheeks.

Raphael reverted to his regular form and heaved a sigh of relief. ”I understand. I'll pretend that I didn't know about Zero's existence. However, if you require anything at all, you know where to find me.”

Baal didn't respond to that but Raphael didn't mind. He was too used to his nephew's antics. The angel removed his clothes to look for the water skin he'd dropped earlier. Baal made a face.

”Really, do you even purify or filter that water before giving it out to the sick? This lake has been used by many to bathe in. It's just disgusting to think of anyone drinking bathing water. Someone might have peed in it too. You wouldn't know what's in it.”

Raphael dived up for air with the water skin in one hand. ”Well, they always say not to look at the kitchen of the restaurant you're eating in. Good food is good food regardless of how it is prepared. Besides, this is magic water. The mortals can deal with a little filth if I'm going to be saving their lives.”

Baal snorted. ”Don't let anyone hear you say that, you fraud. Who knew that angels could have such twisted personalities? The whole bunch of you are world class conmen and they call us demons bad...”

Raphael swatted the back of Baal's head once more. ”I could say the same for you. Choosing a child's body and acting dumb. Just so you know, the fire has already spread to your territory. If you don't take care of it quickly, no amount of damage control can recover what you're about to lose. Isis' words, not mine.”

Baal groaned. ”Go home already, old man...”

Raphael clicked his tongue in irritation. ”Such an unlovable child… Say hi to your new family for me and visit us sometimes. We miss having you around.”

Once the archangel has disappeared, Baal glared at Zero and pinched his cheek, stretching it. ”If it wasn't because of how much I like you, I wouldn't have to deal with all these headaches. You better tell me good stories once you wake up, you hear me?”

Zero didn't answer and Baal huffed. The Spring continued to bubble and Baal decided that he should review whatever his double had to report.

Once the connection was open, information kept flooding to his mind and Baal groaned. Lilith had done something absurd again.

”A new Demon King? Seriously? What the heck is Gluttony supposed to be? Also, what's with all that food? My mark shouldn't be used to transport food without having them become a tribute to me! How dare she... Oh, I swear Lilith and all her spawns are a pain in the butt! Why did I even remotely consider adding that bitch to my family? Oh yes, I was broke...”

Baal groaned and sighed once more, glaring at Zero who continued sleeping.

”Only for you...” he groaned. ”Only you, Zero. I'm never having another friend. Do you hear that? You're a pain in the butt!”

Zero didn't answer and Baal continued to groan when he felt another surge of mana leave him through the covenant mark. It was a good thing he was in the Spring of Vitality at the moment. Whatever Coux was doing had better be good. Considering the progress she'd made, Baal decided that he would close an eye to the mana abuse. Still, there was some business to be taken care of.

Summoning a magic scroll from his dimensional inventory, Baal wrote a letter and had his familiar deliver it to Mammon. Raphael was right. The fire had spread to his territory and if it wasn't taken care of, it will become an even bigger headache, one that Baal didn't want to deal with. The fact that there was a new Demon Lord running around in his territory meant that Baal was responsible for him.

The Demon King groaned. ”Why does it have to be me?” He pulled out another scroll and scribbled a letter to be sent to Lucifer.

”Whatever. Lucifer is in-charge, Demon King of Gluttony or whatever, he'll still have to go through that same torture called 'school'.”

With a smirk, he sent that letter out too. For the third time that day, Baal pulled out yet another scroll. This time, he wrote it to a certain succubus queen. If Coux was going to do something huge, she would need all the support she could get. Besides, Lilith was bugging him to no end about wanting to meet her descendant. Baal thought that now would be a good time to introduce them. He knew that the Queen of Lust would nag at him for not allowing her to meet her child before he gave her his mark. However, Baal refused to think about it for now. He'd worry about it when the time came.

”All in a day's work,” Baal smiled, feeling proud of himself. If he could, he would give himself a pat on the back. Now that the serious stuff was out of the way, he yawned.

There was no better way to reward effort other than a well-deserved nap. Baal felt his eyelid droop and hugged Zero closer to him before he fell asleep. Zero better wake up soon. If there was one thing Baal would consider a better form of reward for all the effort he put in, it would be listening to Zero's cheerful voice and funny stories.