Chapter 14 - Sandstorms Suck
"Let's make things interesting now..." The white demon, Justinian said this to the entire assembly. Several heads tilted in confusion at the words of the unfathomable man. It was said, now that the old Lord of Lust is gone, that the Shah of Sloth is now the most mysterious and baffling of Rulers of Sin. No one, except those he confided and trusted in, could understand or tell what the demon was thinking. "Yes... I think I know what I want to do now."
No one knew what to say in this situation, not the district leaders, the Pillar of Lust, nor the ambassadors. Rainer assumed that since they were his subordinates, that the Anubite, Chigaru, and the Jaguar, Yaotl knew what was going on. Rainer, as he was supposed to be the representative of the entirety of this circle, decided to grow a pair, "Ah, what do you mean by 'interesting'?"
Justinian was switching his eyesight between everyone in the room, as if categorizing each person. Caetorum was currently clenching his teeth, he wouldn't do anything yet, but if something threatened his new liege's safety, he would move. Tozomat took a position that showed he was ready for anything. Teras stood still, though she had her eyes strained for anything unusual. Little Rouge smiled in the corner of her mouth, she was clearly intrigued by Justinian's words. Asmodea inched towards Rainer, ready to fight. Each of the district leaders had a slightly different reaction, some were interested, others defensive, and some apprehensive. Katiyana sipped her cold drink, her actions made it clear she didn't want to get involved. Iris ruffled her feathers, unsure whether to take action or stay relaxed. The ambassadors observed the situation with interest.
Justinian waited a small while, as if he was sorting out what to say in his head, before he replied to Rainer's question, "Oh nothing serious. As you know, a Ruler of Sin like you, or myself cannot be weak physically or mentally. I'm not doubting the last lord's choice as an heir, but I feel like it's my duty in order to investigate whether you will be a proper Lord of Lust." Justinian spoke without care, as if the situation meant nothing to him. "It's been eighteen years since a Lord of Lust ruled here. Of course myself and the other Rulers of Sin want to know whether you are worthy enough. Though myself and the Warmaster of Wrath are the only two bothering to do something about it."
"Warmaster of Wrath? What's this fellow have to do with the situation? As far as I know, you're the only Ruler of Sin here except for me." Rainer took the diplomatic approach, being unused to politics, diplomacy, or demons like Justinian in general, Rainer decided to play it passively with his words.
"I am not the usual ambassador. I was ordered here by the esteemed Warmaster." A voice joined the conservation without fear, Asura, Wrath's ambassador stood up from his seat in order to make himself known. "I do not know how, but Justinian assured the Warmaster he will take care of things, so I will follow his lead."
"Mmmhmm, as Fury said, I am going to hold a little test for you. It will be a fair one, I assure you. I am also collaborating with Arazra on this too." Justinian then said a name that resonated with everyone's minds in the room. Some people hated Arazra with passion, some respected him, and some just don't give a fuck, though everyone acknowledged the name.
"So... You, this Warmaster, and Arazra are all planning a test to see if I'm worthy to be a Lord of Lust?"
"Well, the Warmaster and I are doing that. Arazra thinks this is an honest assassination attempt. Even though I assured him that isn't my true intent. Though you may die during this test, if that is the case, then it just means you weren't really meritorious enough for the throne. As I said, it is a completely fair test, I won't make it one sided in the slightest, despite Arazra's protests." Justinian ended his words with slight annoyance, as if he didn't really like Arazra in the first place. Undoubtedly, Justinian would have arranged a test for Arazra, if he were going to be inaugurated as the Lord of Lust in Rainer's position.
It was a conversation between two Rulers of Sin, no one in the room dared to intrude for fear of punishment, even though Rainer or Justinian wouldn't have minded in the slightest. "Alright, this test sounds fun, I'll do it. If it is fair as you say, I'm fairly confident at what you throw at me. What does this test have for me?" Rainer answered the Shah of Sloth's challenge with a determined confidence; he wasn't intimidated in the slightest.
"Well, don't you have the sanguine attitude. 'Tis a simple contest between your people and mine. You're supposed to be a Ruler of Sin, so I'm sure you can handle tactics and guile in a battle. Any planning done in this contest will be done by you and you alone, although you may take suggestions from your subordinates. I'll allow you to choose up to nine people to accompany you. I have ten already chosen."
"Huh... In that case, may I know whom these people are that you've chosen? I'd like to know the names of the people whose ass I'll be handing to you." Rainer had not been in a fight in quite a while. The fight between him and the angel was exciting indeed, Rainer was thrilled to be able to feel the adrenaline rush he got from the fight again today."
"Eh, sure why not. You will be fighting against Yaotl, Chigaru, and Asura here." Yaotl and Chigaru each a step forward, Asura on the other hand was surprised at the situation. He clearly wasn't informed on this test Justinian had planned, though he welcomed it by smiling and walking towards the Shah of Sloth to join him. Justinian continued, listing off Rainer's opponents, "You'll also be fighting two people from Black Steps, Avandar and Luce." Rainer was surprised at the name of Avandar. He recalled the fight he witnessed the other day between Avandar and the late Cairz. Avandar was a skilled swordsman, Rainer was glad to have a little bit of information on one of his enemies. "Also, you will be fighting the five man assassination group known as the Parish. Their names are Archibald, Elizabeth, Veronica, Forsythe, and Reginald. Those are your ten opponents, confer with your subordinates and choose your team. I will wait outside with the three of us until you are ready." Confident that Rainer wouldn't attempt anything while he was out of the room, Justinian, Yaotl, Chigaru, and Asura exited the meeting room.
The room remained silent, most were either too stunned or were contemplating the situation in their heads. Rainer was part of the latter; he had always kept a cool head, even under extreme pressure, back on Earth. He had been in bad situations, lethal ones, though he always had a plan frighteningly similar to those you find in action movies. Which of the ten in this room would he take with him? He felt it slightly obvious that the Pillar of Lust would accompany with him. Neither Caetorum nor Asmodea would have it any other way. That would make six people, so what about the other four? He would feel more comfortable if Nerissa, Lauren, and Aureal came with him, but would they be good choices and are they even skilled enough to fight the enemies Justinian mentioned? Even if they came, what about the tenth person? Time to confer with everyone. "Alright, well to get it out there, I'm sure the pillar people will be coming."
"Of course, my lord Rain Rain." That nickname is annoying. Asmodea sounded out her confirmation.
"Obviously, young lord. I will not let any harm come to my liege." Caetorum sent in his confirmation, well he was a gimmie.
Tozomat vigorously nodded his head, out of all the pillar members, Tozomat had guarded Rainer the most (of what little time Rainer had spent since he entered the Land of Lust, he also protected the previous lord the most, only being second to Asmodea.
"I'mmmmm sure ifffff I come along, there'll beeeee plenty offffff fun enemies to fight! I'mmmmm so there.♡" Little Rouge flexed her slender arms, Rainer could feel bloodlust emanating from her.
