Chapter 174 - Redemption Day (1) (1/2)
Hua Tuo and Buddha were thrown into the centre of chaos. It was not an experience anyone wanted to talk about. Wiser almost cried tears of relief at the sight of extra manpower. While King Yama's assistants were doing a good job of keeping everyone in line, it didn't make the crowd less angry. Zero didn't blame them. It was closing to noon and nobody had anything to eat as of yet.
”Ruth,” he tried contacting her through the party call.
The vampire was startled to hear Zero's voice in his head but relaxed when he remembered that it was the young doctor's unique skill.
”What is it? I'm busy.”
”Sorry about that,” Zero apologised. ”Could you tell Amaraline to double up the production? We have some problems with the crowd but En's men are dealing with it. I think some desserts before they start their new lives would be a good way to send them off.”
Ruth couldn't say he was very surprised to hear that Zero wanted to do value-added charity work. However, he understood that this was only natural from the kind-hearted fool who was currently his master. They have not gotten to signing the magic contract due to the lack of time. However, Ruth didn't mind it. In fact, he was motivated to serve these demons who were seeking a second chance at life.
”I understand. Expect us in twenty minutes.”
In exactly twenty minutes, Zero was amazed by how efficient the vampire was. There were two hundred perfectly baked apple pie slices served to the rowdy crowd. Hua Tuo readied a crate of mana potions beside Zero. The true battle only started after the first thirty demons have finished the delicious treat.
”First wave incoming!” Wiser announced over the party call. King Yama gave the green light for Zero to proceed and Buddha was on standby to receive them.
Zero activated the Inheritor of Sins and watched as the numbers in his status screen jump up by about three hundred.
”I don't think I'll need any mana potions. Ruth might need them instead, he's running to and from Belles and Begonia with the desserts. Also, please give some to Amaraline and Qin Yun. Ship some over to Lovina too because she's helping them to cope with some of the urgent orders.”
Hua Tuo didn't think twice and did as Zero suggested. The young doctor focussed on clearing the crowd as fast as he could. After all, three days was really insufficient for a crowd as huge as this. The entire bank building was teeming with demons with high expectations for a second chance at life. Zero glanced out of the window. Even the town's square and markets were flooded with hopeful demons. As the spark for this excitement, Zero couldn't possibly disappoint them all, right?
”Do you think you could have some people pre-register them before they have their desserts? It might be faster. I can clear two waves at once if they occupy the two rooms directly beneath each other.”
Enma who was busy managing his administrators received Zero's message. Normally, he wouldn't do menial tasks himself. As the Lord ruling over the Purgatory, he had more important matters to attend to. Thankfully, he was free of all that today.
”Sure. I'll fill up the crowd who can wait for desserts after the redemption. I hope you can cope with my speed.”
Zero smiled even though Enma couldn't see it. ”You're the best!”
Enma left his post to open a new counter. While ordinary administrators had to use a magical device to measure the number of sins and record it into the system, the ruler of the Purgatory had a special gift. King Yama didn't need the device to determine a person's sin count. With his unique skills Judgement to view into a person's soul numbers, Godly Mathematics to calculate the sins and Expert Scribe to record everything into the books... King Yama was the best administrator the Purgatory had. Not even Hades was this proficient with the job.
”There's a new counter that moves five times as quickly as this queue!” one demon exclaimed. Many pairs of ears picked up on that and within a minute, demons were flooding to Enma's counter. King Yama only had to pull Sekkin from his post to help with crowd redirection after his administration. The spider demon's abilities simplified things and the duo worked efficiently. Zero was pleasantly surprised to have waves every five minutes or so. Enma surely worked fast and if Zero had to point out their weakest link in this new work arrangement, it would be Wiser who could hardly catch his breath.
***
Back in the castle, Baal shuddered and collapsed onto the floor. Coux was immediately alarmed.
”My Lord! What's wrong? Hold on, let me call for Hua Tuo...”
”No,” the Demon Lord groaned weakly as he caught his secretary's wrist. ”Arrange for a carriage to the Spring of Vitality immediately. I'll soak in there for until the Redemption Days are over. Also, you can tell Zero to have the vampire use my portal to deliver food. If the cafe is abusing my dimensional inventory to transfer goods, I don't see the harm in spending a little more mana and sustain another portal. Just... tell Zero to get over with it quickly.”
Coux looked worried but obeyed nonetheless. After arranging for the carriage, she sent a message to Lilith about the unusual illness that Baal had suddenly gotten.
”Zero, Lord Baal will open a portal for Ruth to deliver the desserts. Tell him to use it. Also, I thought that I should keep you informed about his condition. Lord Baal has suddenly collapsed, he's now heading to the Spring of Vitality to recover mana. It's best to finish this redemption event quickly, I'm not sure if Lord Baal's body can hold out till the end of three days.”