A spine-curdling noise echoed around the expedition as something larger, greater, in size than any demon or beast they had encountered thus far coiled around the corrupted treetops. It was a single body — a long winding torso hidden from sight, but nonetheless Lucius could make out the faint silhouettes of thousands upon thousands of legs scuttling whilst in constant motion.

The Franks huddled together and raised their weapons, but they knew it to be futile. What could such tiny and insignificant beings do against this creature without perceivable end? They needed not to gaze upon its full visage to understand that they were at its full mercy, that the paladins with their puny strength and the priests with their feeble spells would fail to even pierce its carapace.

All they could do was choke on their own breaths as the primeval thing watched them all with its countless beady eyes. Such pressure it exuded merely with its shadow that the two Peers supposed to lead them instead found themselves drenched in sweat. They dared not step forth. They couldn't, even if they wished, to approach this vast and mighty predator.

The only one who did was the ever cordial Lucius. He greeted the creature as a fellow like he would any other intelligent being.

"Do forgive us for intruding upon your territory, my friend," he said to it with a jolly voice. "We mean you no harm. That, I promise."

The moment the words left his lips, a loud, deafening howl rippled through the air around them, croaking in amusement as if the very thought of harm coming its way was just so entertaining.

"Prey… harm the… hunter?" it rasped. "I know your… kind. I know what you are… capable of. No, you can do nothing to me, children of Yeshua. Such is this… world's hierarchy. The strong prey against the weak."

Well, it certainly had the confidence of a lord. But Lucius wasn't deterred. If this beastly thing truly meant them harm, it would have slaughtered them all by now. It wanted something only they could achieve; and to do so, it even lowered itself to the level of man and spoke like a man.

Lucius smiled and adjusted his suit, before bidding the obscured beast a wag of his finger. "That may be the case for the first emperor's progeny, but there are those among us of… different origins, so to speak. Why don't you take a closer look? You might like what you see."

The beast did not reply for some time. It merely remained motionless whilst enshrouded in the dark. However, step upon ghastly step, it moved toward the expedition and their flickering torchlight. The flames danced around its figure, giving small glances and peaks at its dirtied grey fur. But it was only when Lucius could feel its hot breath pushing down on him did he meet, in full view, its true form.

The beast had not one head, but many. It was an ancient wolf of a hundred heads and even more glowing yellow eyes, and curving down from its unruly mange was the elongated body of a centipede. Spikes ran along its side. A wet, dripping purple ooze, like poison, secreted from its fangs. Lucius knew not whether this thing could be considered a beast or an arthropod.

"This smell," the beast began, staring down at the expedition with an inscrutable gaze. "It is foreign… beyond this world… beyond the Stars. Yet, prey nonetheless."

The beast suddenly snapped its heads back and lowered until it beheld Lucius in all the gentleman's entirety.

"Except for… you."

Lucius had not a clue as to what it meant and shrugged. "Whatever do you mean, my fellow?"

"You are… predator. But not predator like me. You hunt for… pleasure… not for… sustenance. The natural order does not include you. You are an abnormality."

>[Primal Hunter nods in agreement with the Beast Lord's sentiment and pays their respects to a fellow apex predator]<

>[Virtual Goddess of the Wired says that the beast is surprisingly cordial and encourages Lucius to befriend it]<

>[Clown Around Town offers you 1000 coins to poke the Beast Lord's eye. Do it. It'll be funny]<

Now why would Lucius do something like that? First impressions were most important for garnering goodwill, and so to this rugged beast, he repaid its words with a well-timed compliment.

"I must say, your articulation is quite fluent!" he said. "It must be rather difficult considering our differing vocal cords, but I appreciate your willingness to communicate with us rather than, well, consume."

The beast rumbled what sounded like a laugh. "Manflesh is little. It does not satiate me… nor do I have reason to… consume what poses me no hurt. But there was… one who could hurt. He was a strange… prey? Predator? The one called Yeshua, the father of your hairless ilk. He came to this forest, but… did not hunt. Instead, he taught. Words. Feelings. I learned to… think… not just eat. Now I serve as… guardian… ensuring the balance… that all beasts may thrive… die… maintain the natural order."

Lucius looked around the corrupted landscape, and then back to the beast. "It seems to me that this natural order of yours has been broken."

"Yes. Those invaders… they confuse me. Not like you. Not beyond the stars… but familiar… twisted. They are an… abomination… unfit to be even food."

As if to demonstrate, the beast twitched and hacked in a great fit before turning aside and retching the inky remnants of the demonic bear it had just consumed. The Beast Lord looked sickly as it did so, its menacing eyes dimming over in a pained shroud.

"Those who eat… touch… become them," it said. "I… resist… but I am only one. The forest's corruption… spreads ever more. I cannot stop it now. Even I have become… prey… ever since that… that thing appeared…"

"Oh?" Lucius asked, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "Do you by chance know where the demons first sprouted? Such is the reason why my fellows have traveled here in the first place: to eliminate the demonic seeds."

The Beast Lord tilted its many heads and pondered. "Hm… yes, I have seen… from the eyes of my kindred. Watching you. The black tar does not infect you. Perhaps you may enter… that land I cannot… perhaps you are their hunters."

Without another word, the beast turned around and slowly began to skitter deeper into the woods. "Follow… me…" it said to the expedition. The others were uneasy at first, but with a little encouragement from the gentleman, they eventually agreed and traveled forth whilst being escorted by a fabled creature of legend.

Marco, Mili, and Harper caught up to Lucius and fussed over him like a pack of cubs. Even with their experience playing this 'game', they could not move a muscle before the Beast Lord. They were stuck, helpless to act as the gentleman confronted the thing by his lonesome. This fact weighed on them greatly; but, above all else, they were just thankful to see him safe.

"Jesus, ya've got nerves of steel, Lucius," Marco said, turning his head down to avoid looking at the beast. "Now, I don't consider myself a squeamish man, but that wolf fella was even more intimidatin' than the tutorial monster. How do I say it? It's the, uh…"

"Intelligence," Harper said for him. "We've seen a lot of nasty things so far, but they were manageable. We could get rid of them because they didn't have a mind of their own. But the Beast Lord? It can think, and plan, and speak to us no problem. Hell, I think it was pressuring us on purpose. I don't feel as nauseous as I was before now that it's just scurrying without a care. My composure skill didn't even activate."

Mili nodded. "Yep, betcha that wasn't a status ailment or whatever. Just sheer intimidation. We're lucky it ain't thinking about making us into a late night snack, but who knows? I hope those fancy leaders of ours have a plan or else we might get gobbled up even after taking care of the demons."

The consensus among his party appeared quite clear: They did not trust the Beast Lord whatsoever, not when it had the capacity to wipe them out at a moment's notice. However, Lucius thought differently.

Contrary to his expectations of a savage and wild creature, the hundred-headed wolf was actually a sagely being. Blunt? Yes. Harshly demeaning? Undoubtedly so. But despite its bristly attitude toward them, the gentleman felt no actual malice or desire to kill. The Beast Lord treated them as any other animal. Whether they slayed other beasts, or were slaughtered by them, was simply part of the natural order it sought to maintain.

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In a sense, it treated them more as equals than mankind did to each other.

Sadly, he was the only one to believe as such. After bidding farewell to his companions, the good Sir Renaud and Sir Maugris approached them, both still wary, and discussed their future plans.

"Forgive our late arrival, Sir Lucius," Renaud said whilst clutching at his heart. The man was already feeble in body, but their sudden encounter had left him in even worse condition. "The stories pale in comparison to that creature's true menace. Curses… I had not the chance to react. This dishonor must be put right."

"Oh?" Lucius said. "And how will you do so?"

Renaud snuck a glance at the beast to make sure its attention was away from them, before reaching into his garb and pulling out a pale white jewel.

"The Fires of Sinai." The Peer looked at the jewel with a grim, almost fearful, expression. He hesitated to even let it out in the open air. "Uncle Ganelon entrusted it to me before our expedition set off. It is one of House Dordognes's greatest treasures… and most deadly weapons. Awakening its dormant power shall unleash upon the world a great disaster of hellfire. It is the only way to slay the thing. I had hoped to save it for our inevitable campaign against the Demon King; however, our tale must not end here, not when glory is just out of reach."

Lucius could feel the energy pulsing out of the jewel. Indeed, it was a terrible thing, but could it even slay that which had existed since the nation's beginning? With how cautiously the two Peers regarded it, perhaps there was a chance. But with wanton destruction also came great risk of their own danger. This was a last resort — not the solution.

"How about we hold off on that for now, hm?" Lucius said, bidding Renaud to put away the ghastly thing. "The Beast Lord appears to be on our side. Let us follow it to the demons' source and, if it truly should pose us danger afterwards, then we may discuss options then. Remember, killing it is not our mission."

"... Be that as it may, think of the legends that would arise from our victory. The people would sing our praises: Maugris, Lucius, and Renaud. Renaud Dordognes, hero, slaughterer of the ancient beast. My name would be hailed for generations to come, longer than any of the Peers or even that wretched Roland. Think of the honor…"

The man's initial plea was charitable, at first, citing the names of the paladins and other expedition members to be included in the annals of his imaginary fable, but it really took no time at all before the focus became about him. About how he would be honored, his conquest, and how this hunt would yield him the admiration he so longingly desired.

Not that Lucius minded all that much. Far be it for him to deny a man his ambition! But there were simply too many variables to guarantee their victory. Besides, indulging his request would only be feeding into Renaud's continued delusions, his falsehoods, the very barrier that kept him from blooming. It wasn't being special that he needed to become. Oh no, quite the opposite. Thus Lucius clicked his tongue and put a stop to his plans.

"Let me ask you a question, my friend," he began. "Is glory so important to you that you would endanger the lives of your fellows solely for your own gain?"

Renaud flinched and turned away.

"Of course, you are the leader of this gathering. I am merely an aide. Whatever you so choose, I shall follow dutifully, but I should hope you make that choice after much deliberation. Are you truly alright with this — with glory gained through sacrifice, and not your own ability?"

Maugris watched the two of them silently, but Lucius could tell the man was nervous. He gripped his sceptre and hardened his gaze. Even with his newfound power, would he be able to contend with such a primal being? No, not yet. The limits of humanity still held him back. He had neither the time nor experience with his godless magic to threaten it. All he could hope for was that the Fires of Sinai would raze the Beast Lord to ash upon first break, or else retreat would be their only option.

Eventually, Renaud raised his head, and he gave Lucius a firm answer. "Very well, I shall relent for now. A leader is a title of responsibility. If I were to use my people as sacrifices, then I would become no better than that revolting scum once called emperor."

Lucius broke into a wide grin. "A fine answer! You are a wise leader indeed, my friend."

"Hmph, I already know. But before we continue…" Renaud thrusted the white jewel into Lucius's hands and then backed away with a satisfied huff. "I shall entrust our treasure onto you."

"Pardon?"

*(NEW!) Temporarily obtained (1) S-Rank Item: Fires of Sinai

Description: An ancient jewel excavated from the volcanic bowels of Mount Vesuvius by the ninth empress of Francia, Hydaelyn the Thrill Seeker, who then gave it to her husband on their wedding night. When invoked, a raging storm of fire and magma will be unleashed onto the surroundings. May only be used once every hundred years.

As this is a loaned item, you will not have full ownership of it.

Renaud chuckled and gestured to Lucius with a sly wave. "Only for the duration of this journey, of course. It is a treasure of our family, and I will need it returned eventually. However, I trust in your judgement. Invoke it should you believe our group in danger."

Well, who was he to refuse a S-Rank item of all things? Although Lucius hoped he wouldn't need to use it — not here. It didn't take a genius to predict what would happen if a fire were to be allowed to propagate amidst such forestry land."

"I shall abide by your word, then."

"Good."

Renaud was just about to make his way back to safety, far away from the hundred-headed wolf, when he suddenly stopped and grimaced. "It appears we have arrived."

Lucius turned around, only to be met with an odd sight. There, rising high above even the corrupted trees, was a pitch-black spire. It surged upwards like a fountain and continuously spewed a rain of flowing ink, but it was not its appearance itself that interested Lucius. No, it was what came out of it. The ink, the liquid that the demons were made of… this was where it originated, and it was also where the demons were birthed.

Occasionally, a large blob would be spat out far into the distance. It flew in the air, twisting and changing, until it formed into the image of the players' mortal enemy.

The Beast Lord tried to approach the spire, but an invisible force seemed to repel it, pushing it back no matter how it growled or bared its fangs. It could not enter this unholy place. However, the same could not be said about the players.

"It is… pollution… the spreading stain…" it said, retreating back with a snarl. "The source lies within… beyond my kindreds' reach. Go, children of Yeshua. Rid the scourge and… I will… command the beasts to… give you safe leave. I shall protect the forest in the meanwhile."

With that, the Beast Lord disappeared, leaving the others to join in a relieved choir of sighs.

The expedition members looked at each other, and then toward the menacing spire. There were no demons in the vicinity — only tar and ink and wriggling black blobs. The inside appeared only large enough to fit a small portion of them, at best. Some would have to stay behind and watch the perimeter.

After some deliberation, the brave fellows picked to enter the spire were Lucius and his companions: Mister Cain, a former army veteran; Miss Rhodes the seamstress; the two Peers; five of the paladins and another five of the priests. Mister Crowley the bomberman wanted to join, but his explosives were just a tad too dangerous in an enclosed space.

"Fine, I didn't want to go into that creepy tower anyway," he said, throwing his hands up in defeat, before walking toward Mister Pierre to help him and the others set up a temporary camp. They had wandered this forest for nearly a full day's length already. Some rest was in order no matter how drab the surroundings appeared, and it also gave the spire explorers comfort knowing they would return to a hot bowl of food.

Renaud stepped up and beheld the mini squadron, before saying, "Are you all prepared? Make your grievances known now, or else we shall depart immediately."

No one said a word. The players outfitted themselves in potions and various tools, while the priests cast their blessings and imbued them with words of power. Miss Rhodes reached into her bag and pulled out a long, transparent cloak, before throwing it up and letting it drape over the group whilst hanging from an unseen hook. It was supposed to help in masking their presence, an invisibility cloak so to speak, but whether it would work on the demons had yet to be seen. Mister Cain on the other hand took out a heavy machine gun and loaded it with large bullets.

"I'll go first," the gunman grunted. "You all are gonna have to back me up when I run out. The shop's a real swindler — bullets are ten points a piece. I get some replenished daily thanks to my skill, but it ain't gonna be enough if a swarm of those fuckers come swamping our asses."

"Language, Mister Cain."

He grumbled. "Sorry, but the point stands. I'll mow the way and then you folks take care of the cleanup, roger that?"

Mili saluted him with the most American salute she could muster. "Roger, roger."

With all their preparations set, the group entered the shaded entrance of the spire. Mister Cain led the advance while Sir Maugris and the priests focused on analyzing their surroundings. It was simple here: no labyrinth, furniture, or even demons. All they found was a murky staircase leading to the very top.

There was no other direction but up, and so they climbed the staircase, step by step, all the while anticipating for some thing or manner of trap to jump out at them. But it never came. Whether that was thanks to Miss Rhodes's cloak, they didn't intend to find out.

This place was strange. Lucius knew not whether the material was of brick or stone or anything of any real substance. Everything was black, grimy, and constantly dripping, as if at any moment the base below them would melt and they would find themselves falling to their untimely deaths. The spire itself didn't seem real, more like momentarily conjured from a dream.

Thankfully, despite their caution, nothing noteworthy came their way... almost to a suspicious degree. Before they knew it, the group found themselves at the highest point of the spire, where they then stepped into a wide open room. There was only a single altar here: and on top, an object smothered in whirling shadows.

If Lucius didn't know any better, he'd say it resembled something like a diary page.

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