Chapter 142 Baals Faction 9 (2/2)

The cockatrice girl swallowed harshly. It was easier said than done. With her feelings in a mess and the thoughts in her head buzzing around at top speed, Amaraline wasn't sure what would be reflected on that huge magic crystal display. Still, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm her thoughts. In the darkness, she felt Zero's reassuring magic as well as the reassurance from Qin Yun and Coux.

”It's alright,” she told herself. ”I can do this.”

Baal had his full attention on the image that swirled on the display. Wiser had outdone himself. Although it wasn't very clear, everyone in the room had an idea about the blurry figure Amaraline saw. There was only one overly grown dog with three heads in the abyss.

”My Lord,” Schaf kneeled down on one knee and bowed before the almighty guardian of the old Hell gate. It wasn't very clear in the display but there was no doubt about it. Behind Kerberos was the grand Gate of Tartarus. The black rusted iron gates were covered in vines with poisonous thorns. The Gate of Tartarus was a gift from Poseidon and Zeus when Hades first took up the office in Hell before the Demon Lords relieved him of his position. History was such a strange thing and Baal wondered how many years ago that was before Lucifer signed the treaty with Michael, separating Hell and Heaven forever.

”As promised, I will grant one wish of yours when I return back in time. Tell me, what is it that you desire?”

Schaf didn't hesitate. ”Please guide my ancestor back to the green pastures of Heaven. He was a lost sheep that strayed from the group and fell victim to the plane split when the contract was signed. With no way to return to Heaven, he had to live in the darkness of the abyss, turning us into demons over the years. His name is Schafkopf.”

Baal wanted to laugh when he heard that name. Then again, doing so would be considered rude so he let his lips twitch in amusement but remained silent. After all, the vision hasn't ended.

Kerberos didn't have Baal's courtesy and started rolling on the floor in laughter. Strangely, Schaf didn't take any offence. In fact, he seemed to have expected it.

Once Kerberos was done laughing, he gave his word. Then, the most horrifying thing happened. The three Demon Lords stared at the insane amount of amassed magic stones. Mammon was utterly horrified. He had no idea about the seriousness of the situation. For Schaf to be able to accumulate this much power, it would be easy to overthrow even Lucifer.

Unable to tear their eyes away from the screen, they watched how Kerberos used the mana harvested to open a time portal. Baal frowned. No wonder the stones could absorb a demon's mana and brainwash them. That was no magic. It was a curse originating from the Magic Ages. Baal didn't know where Schaf found the creator for the Philosopher Stone and he highly doubted the curses on those common magic stones were the real deal. If anything, it was a weaker and modified version of the original.

”Is that...?” Lilith whispered and Baal nodded, confirming her fears. The Philosopher Stone was an invention by one of Lilith's kind to help sustain incubus, succubus and cambions without having to absorb life energies by absorbing mana from the environment. Of course, it was a failed project. Back then, the Great Wizards and Witches including Merlin worked on the Magnum Opus without rest until all but Merlin remained. Many abandoned the project after the numerous failed attempts. Merlin didn't succeed in creating the Philosopher Stone but he came close. By borrowing the unknown powers of the void, Merlin was able to redirect the need for life energy to the void. However, that discovery was both a blessing and a curse. Many of Lilith's kin who used it to suppress their cravings for life energy starved to death. As such, Lilith had all the Philosopher Stones destroyed. She didn't want to lose more of her kin.

Naturally, once Merlin became a Sage God, he continued researching the Philosopher Stone, trying to make it possible. While he was unable to convert mana as a substitute for life energy, he succeeded in creating a device for harvesting mana from the environment. It was the very device Zero now had. Also, the cursed magic stones were a product of this creation. Lilith paled in fear.

Mammon was silent. He had mixed feelings about whatever Schaf had done. While he couldn't understand the motives of his best student, he knew that there was no way to forgive Schaf as a Demon Lord responsible for upholding one of the domains in Hell. Before he was a teacher, he was a Demon Lord. Death was the only option left for Schaf. It was the option that he tried so hard to avoid choosing but there was no longer a choice. Whatever his reasons were, they wouldn't be good enough to justify his actions. Killing isn't a big deal in Hell, the abyss was a lawless zone. However, disrupting the stability of mana in Hell was something that couldn't be forgiven. The treaty between Hell and Heaven shouldn't be taken lightly. After Hades left his office and passed the reins to the Demon Lords, the existence of the abyss was constantly walking on the tightrope. One wrong move and the entire dimension would cease to exist.

By the time Amaraline's vision ended, the room was filled with nothing but tension. Even Zero knew that it was serious. Honestly, he didn't want the poor goat demon to die. Schaf didn't do anything wrong. The world was at fault once more. It wasn't Schaf's decision to be born in Hell. All he wanted was a peaceful life grazing in the green pastures of heaven. Zero read those wishes loud and clear. However, he also understood the fears of Baal and the other two Demon Lords. Peace was never an easy thing. After the disagreement with Heaven, Hell walked out of the deal and was thrown into an unfavourable position. What Schaf did endangered the existence of the abyss. There was no way to forgive Schaf for putting every demon at risk for his desires.

Coux and Qin Yun didn't speak. Amaraline sank into a chair that Sekkin pulled out for her, fatigued from the use of magic. Wiser's invention isn't perfect. It took a lot out of her just to maintain the vision until the end. Luckily, the Spring of Vitality is easily accessible.

”What are you going to do?” Zero asked Baal in an almost quiet voice.

Baal took one look at Zero and the brunet turned his head away quickly. It was all too clearly reflected in the Demon Lord's eyes. Schaf was going to have to die.

”I'll be returning to my room,” Zero told everyone before running away. He didn't want to stay and listen to any more of their plans. It was obvious that they were going to catch Schaf and Kerberos in the act before punishing them. Amaraline's version of the future wasn't set in stone, the damage could still be prevented. However, the intentions that Schaf had wouldn't be changing. Zero hated it. Yet, there was nothing much he could do. He couldn't turn back time to change Schaf's mind. He couldn't turn back time to have Hades remember to take Kerberos with him.

The world as wrong and Zero didn't like it. Yet, there was nothing he could do to fix it.

***

Baal sighed when Zero excused himself. It was too obvious that Zero was going to cry in his room. Still, it might be for the best that Zero didn't involve himself in this case. It was necessary to do the right thing and not the popular thing. nobody liked death. Everybody loved peace. However, peace wasn't something that can be attained if everybody decided to selfishly pursue the things they wanted. Nobody was wrong for having an opinion. However, their opinions would be wrong if it caused despair for another person. Unfortunately for Schaf, he made the wrong choice.

”I guess that makes things very clear. It's not something we should be poking our noses in. Call the ones who started this to resolve it.”

Mammon sighed and Lilith sagged into her chair. It was easier said than done. How many years has it been since they last stepped out of the abyss to call anyone for help? If anything, the abyss was known for being aloof. Whatever happened in Hell stayed in Hell. Nobody could interfere in its matters, not even the Gods.

”We should let Lucifer know. This calls for a meeting. We can't decide this on our own. Too much is at stake,” Mammon pointed out. Lilith promptly agreed.

”We can host it at my castle,” she suggested.

Baal groaned. It sounded like too much work but it was better than hosting it here. He would hate having to explain Zero's presence and the addition of humans in Hell.

”Fine. I'll write to Raphael. When will we host the meeting? There isn't much time to prepare.”

Lilith shrugged. ”Depends on Heaven. Lucifer just has to give an order. Amon and Shittomi have to obey orders.”

”Wouldn't an invitation from Zero settle everything? Hades and Merlin can come to pick up their stones and dog. We don't even have to go through the angels.” Mammon pointed out.

”That's true. However, who will convince Zero to contact them? Knowing him, he would be trying to think of a way to save your employee and Hades' stupid pup.”

”Now now,” Lilith chided lightly. ”Let's conserve our energy. We can discuss further after the meeting with Lucifer. Besides, I don't think it's a terrible thing if Zero does manage to think of something.”

Baal glared at her but said nothing. If only the Demon Queen knew about the mess he dragged everyone into when he had one of his whims. Someone needed to educate Zero and if the Gods weren't doing it, Baal would. For someone who couldn't be called a responsible pet owner, Baal wouldn't entrust him with the responsibility of becoming Zero's voice of reason.