Chapter 223 Zariel, the Daughter of Destruction
The majestic tower reaches straight into the sky. It is completely shrouded in a magical atmosphere and is incredibly bright.
The base of the wizard's tower is made of shining obsidian blocks, and the violet spire is surrounded by gold trim. Many shining stones circle and dance around the spire, like shining stars.
Flowers are in full bloom around the tower, and various exotic flowers and plants emit bursts of rich natural fragrance, making the young paladin Moran almost dizzy.
Or, what made him feel this way was the strong pulse of magic in the air here?
This was the first time that he was so close to the Wizard Tower in Mokou Town. Standing on the top of a mountain in the Mokou Mountains, Moran immediately felt that he was so ordinary and so insignificant.
"Boy, it's time for us to leave. If you stay here for a long time, it's easy to be labeled suspicious." A soft and cunning voice came from behind Moran.
The abrupt voice made Moran shiver suddenly.
It was not because he felt how cold this bright sunny morning was, but he felt that the blue sky, soft cirrus clouds and rolling fields in front of him all suddenly became different because of the appearance of this person. It became dark.
Polyvik is a high-level devil from the hell of Baator, Moran thought.
Devils are the embodiment of tyranny, running a totalitarian society and seeking to dominate the lives of mortals.
The shadow of the Nine Hells of Baator looms over the entire multiverse, and Asmodeus, the Dark Lord of Nessus, strives to conquer the universe, hoping to satisfy his thirst for power.
To this end, they continue to expand the Hell Legion and send their servants to the mortal world to collect fallen souls for hatching new devils.
Although they, a group of paladins who had sworn an oath of 'conquest', had become firm allies with this group of demons, this did not prevent Moran from always being vigilant against them.
Because conquest, slavery and annoyance are the meaning of the devil's existence.
They take pleasure in showing off their authority to the weak, and anyone who defies their authority will witness a sudden change of face and cruel punishment.
Devils see any interaction as an opportunity to demonstrate their power, and all devils know exactly how to use or abuse their power.
They know that mortals are addicted to troubles and mistakes because of their wisdom, and use this information to guide mortals into temptation and darkness, turning mortals into slaves of desire.
Devils in the material plane are best at using their influence to control those in power of humanoid creatures, spreading evil ideas, triggering assumptions, and even directly starting tyranny.
Molan said nothing, withdrew his gaze from the towering wizard tower in Mokou Town, turned around and walked down the mountain.
"You know, the master of Mokou Town is not a fuel-efficient lamp." The high-level devil said to himself, not paying attention to the paladin's attitude towards him.
Molan heard a hint of solemnity in the devil's playful words, but he did not point it out and did not want to have too many verbal exchanges with him.
Ever since he followed his teacher and met the devil named Poliwick at the Salamander Tavern in Mokou Town, his teacher went to the High Forest with a secret mission. Hellgate Castle.
And he stayed in Mokou Town, assisting the devil in secretly observing the status of the territory.
“Remember, we are observers.”
In a trance, the warning of the high-level devil still seemed to be echoing in his ears, "Our task is to hide our identity and observe this town, not to interfere in any affairs here."
Warning to the Devil , while Moran remembered it in his heart, he couldn't help but wonder how credible his words were.
After all, how much of the words of this group of devils who can't even be restrained by a contract are worthy of trust?
Sometimes, Moran also struggled to understand why his teacher would choose to cooperate with the devil.
“Whether it is rising or setting, the sun will rise and set as usual. Our life is the same, with day and night. But it does not have a regular day like the sun. Sunrise and sunset, some people live under the sunshine all their lives, and some people have to live in the dark night all the time. What they are afraid of may be that the sun that has always existed will never rise again after it sets."
Moran couldn't help but recall the words of his teacher, Astorio, the former paladin leader of the Knights of the Severe Jaw.
He can still vividly remember that the teacher's wrinkled face was full of sadness.
He came to his senses, suppressed his chaotic thoughts, and walked towards the gate of Mokou Town with Polivik.
While walking, he could clearly feel that since last night, the Wizard Tower had erupted with amazing energy, and the top of the tower was flashing with swirling and dancing stones. The town seemed to have countless pairs of eyes hidden in the darkness. , always observing everyone's every move.
This feeling made him feel uncomfortable all over.
At this moment, a caravan coming from the west of the Kingdom of Cormyr, from the direction of Sunset Valley, caught Moran's attention.
From the deep axle marks left by the carriage on the ground, it can be seen that all these goods are mainly made of heavy steel, and among the flags of the caravan, except for the purple giant of the Kingdom of Cormyr, Outside the dragon, there is a small flag embroidered with a two-humped fire camel.
Obviously, this is the largest caravan under the command of the lord of Mokou Town.
“It seems that Ansheng’s life has passed in a few days.” High-level devil Polivik glanced at the endless caravan and sighed with a smile.
He stopped under a lush tree on the trade road, blew a strand of light golden hair hanging down to cover his eyes, and said to the young paladin beside him in a frivolous tone:< br>
"Boy, I've long heard that you once won 100 consecutive victories in the arena of Mokou Town, so I'm curious, have you ever experienced a war?"
As always.
Molan ignored the devil and waited patiently for the caravan to pass in front of him.
But when he mentioned the war, his thoughts drifted to Baldur's Gate on the banks of the Chongsa River, a veritable snake's den and rat's nest.
Those venomous snakes and rats are lying on the rocks, overlooking the Chongsa River. Their high habitat is located in the upper city. The local nobles look at the residents who live in Ruliangzhu with vague disdain. Embrace the foggy port and the common people in the dirty lower town.
Baldur's Gate reeks of blood, crime, and opportunity, and it's easy to see why pirates and merchants are drawn to it like flies above a corpse.
The Baldur's Gate he witnessed was the closest place to hell in his memory.
Five years ago, Baal, the long-dead god of killing, was reborn in Baldur's Gate amidst chaos and bloodshed. Tragedies unfolded in the city, leading to the deaths of the city's dukes and a large number of residents. .
Just what he saw and heard in the lower city was enough to haunt Moran with nightmares for the rest of his life.
Corpse blocked the river, and the priestesses in ragged robes were nailed to wooden stakes in the square. Their corpses were densely covered by swarms of shiny green flies.
Dying men wandered blindly through the streets, leaving puddles of blood in their wake, and children fought over a pot of undercooked wild dogs.
The dukes who ruled Baldur's Gate screamed as they were stripped naked and thrown into the arena, where more than two dozen hungry hellhounds pounced on them.
Fire, there is fire everywhere in the city.
To this day, he only needs to close his eyes to see the fire rising into the sky, tongues of fire coming out of the evil temple that is taller than any castle he has ever seen in his life, and wisps of greasy smoke spiraling up. , like a rampant black snake.
Although the fire was eventually brought under control, it was not completely extinguished, and the ashes drifted lazily in the breeze like big, dirty snowflakes.
It is said that the return of Baal, the god of murder, and the fact that he has regained control of the realm of murder from Cyric, the god of murder, has led some scholars and wise men to believe that the laws that the gods must abide by are changing.
Moran escaped from Baldur's Gate, which was full of blood and killings, endured the rough seas on an overcrowded ship, ate hard bread covered with weevils, and drank dark rum until he was drunk. , sleeping on a pile of moldy straw, and his nostrils were filled with the body odor of his companions... He had been mentally prepared for these series of experiences when he signed a contract with the Zhentarim and promised to be a gladiator for them in order to survive.
Although hardship is bitter, it is an essential part of an adventurous career. He often warned himself to persevere and be patient.
So, he miraculously completed a hundred consecutive victories in the 'Blood Drinking' Arena and gained freedom.
"Baldur's Gate is nothing." The high-level devil's slightly mocking laughter 'mercifully' interrupted Moran's painful memories.
"After all, you haven't seen the real hell, the real bloody battle in the abyss. Don't worry, you will see it one day, because this is your final destination."
"Of course, the premise is that you can survive. Arriving at Avernus," the devil added with a smile.
He was actually able to guess my thoughts, and I had no secrets in front of him. The young paladin glanced at this devil from Baator Hell with an unkind look.
Anger is anger, but he is able to perfectly control this power and let reason take over.
After all, his skills are inferior to others at the moment, otherwise, he would definitely punch his smiling face to pieces.
Polivik was not wrong, the bloody battle in the abyss was indeed his final destination.
He was even looking forward to this day coming soon.
In that distant era, when those sacred and glorious deeds were taking place, a cancer was gradually forming. This cancer was the bloody battle in the abyss. The venom it secreted has now spread all over the lower levels. plane.
It is said that the frenzy of the bloody battle in the abyss lasted for an extremely long time.
Some people say that it witnessed the birth of the planes, the arrival of the first mortal, and will witness the death of the last person.
It runs through all historical records—for you, this can be traced back to very remote times—and the bloody battle has never ceased in the lower planes in anyone's memory.
Even for the beings of divine power, the same is true. The bloody battle is beyond the reach of the memories of the gods, and its history is almost as old as the history of creation.
The long caravan gradually moved away, and Moran and Polivik walked towards the city gate of Mokou Town.
"Young man, no matter what, we are also allies. When we return to Avernus in the future, we will also be teammates fighting together." The high-level devil said with a smile, "You have been so hostile to me all day, and you are so hostile to me. Why bother? There is no need to get angry with these nonsense. After all, we are the only ones you can trust right now."
"In this case, in order to express your sincerity, tell me. "What is the purpose of coming to the material plane?" Moran looked at Polivik and asked in a deep voice, "I'm not a three-year-old child, so don't tell me, it's just for the so-called observation and surveillance." ”
"To be precise, our purpose is actually the same as yours."
The high-level devil smiled slightly, turned around, his sight drifted across the Stormhorn Mountains in the distance, and whispered: "We also want to find a A sword, a sword that can change the situation in Avernus."
The young paladin followed the devil's gaze and, as he expected, the devil was not looking at the Storm Horn of the Kingdom of Cormyr. Mountains, but the Sunset Mountains to the west.
…………
Dragon’s Well is an extinct volcano at the northern end of the Sunset Mountains. For some reason that mortals cannot understand, for thousands of years, a large number of dragons who are about to reach the end of their lives have died. Everyone will choose to die here.
The Dragon Witch Cult discovered the Dragon's Well a long time ago. In this dormant volcano, there are winding rock tunnels that can be used as natural corridors.
Taking advantage of geography, the Dragon Witch Cult expanded these caves for their own use.
In the central crater, they built a ritual place where dying dragons would be attracted and transformed into dracolichs. Since Severin the Dragonspeaker took over the Cult of the Dragon and renamed it the Cult of the Dragon, the catacombs below the crater and below have been transformed and reused.
Now, this place has become the largest and most magnificent temple of Tiamat, the Five-Colored Dragon Queen.
"The rule of the Dragon Queen will also begin from here."
After Severin completed his prayer to Tiamat, he walked along the winding corridor toward the deepest part of the crater.
Next to an unlocked cave, he pushed open the door and entered.
In the room, four motionless gargoyles were silently guarding.
Hundreds of nailed heads cover the ceiling, a thick carpet is spread on the cold floor, and desks, chairs, and meditation tables are placed around it.
Some of them were filled with books and scrolls, while others were piled with potion bottles, fragments of blood and blood, and other spellcasting materials that even Severin found horrifying.
“I have received new instructions from the Dragon Queen.”
The leader of the Dragon Cult, Severin, whose eyes were hidden in a dark red mask, fell on a man in red beside the desk. The bald wizard in the robe said, "Now, follow me to meet our new allies."
"Maybe they are still those ghosts with eyes on the top of their heads." The bald wizard raised his head and showed a sarcastic expression. Smile.
This is a red-robed wizard from Seir, who is Severin's strongest ally at the moment.
Ras Morda is the exile of the Red Wizards. He leads his secret organization with the intention of overthrowing the dominance of the Lich Sazastan among the Red Wizards.
Severin's promise to him was to help him release the Dragon Queen, and the Dragon Queen would definitely give him enough power to overthrow Sazastan.
“That’s not the case, this is an ally that even surprises me.” Severin said with a fearful expression.
"You have successfully aroused my curiosity, Severin." The red-robed wizard put down the scroll in his hand and stood up from his seat, "Let's go quickly, my curiosity has already made me tremble. "
Ras Morda is a necromancer, a powerful member of a research community. Although he abides by the rules of researchers like his peers, he still seems to be a maverick.
Because he is not a pure-blood Mulan noble, which is very rare among the high-level mages of the Red Robe Wizards.
As far as Severin knew, his grandfather was a Leatherman, from whom he inherited a strong and muscular body and a thick beard.
And his wizard mother gave him genius and ambition, as well as a tall stature and yellowish complexion, which are considered signs of nobility in Cyre.
Ras Moda's cold, jewel-like green eyes and narrow, aquiline nose gave him a terrifying appearance. Although he had his head shaved bald according to tradition, he was very interested in that handful. His thick, gray beard is proud of itself, distinguishing him from the almost hairless Mulan people.
In short, he is an unforgettable red-robed wizard, and centuries of cold and heat have not bent his broad, proud shoulders at all.
He is powerful in body, mind and magic. The only trace left by the past years is his slightly sparse gray hair, which he doesn't mind at all, because it only reduces the trouble of shaving his head every day. .
The two walked along the maze-like volcanic tunnel towards the living room.
“How is the progress of the mystery lock?” Severin asked as he walked.
Although under his leadership, most of the believers have turned their allegiance to the Dragon Queen, but not all. Some older traditionalists do not agree with the current style of behavior and prefer their elders. The teachings, that is, slaying the dragon and transforming it into a dracolich.
This forced him to find a reliable and powerful spellcasting group to act as allies to support his cause, and this group of exiles from the Red Robe Wizards was undoubtedly his best choice.
Otherwise, the progress of Long Kuang Mystic Lock would not have been completed so quickly.
"Basically everything has been completed." The red-robed wizard's voice was clear and loud, "Now we have begun to tentatively experiment with the characteristics and effects of the mystery lock."
"If everything goes well. "The wizard's cold voice echoed in the tunnel, "Then I will start trying to experiment on the dragon."
Severin nodded slightly, possessing the knowledge of the Netheril Empire's secret locks, and cooperating with the red robe. The knowledge of the Wizarding Society indeed accelerated his plan at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Soon, they arrived at a spacious living room at the bottom of the volcano.
The moment they stepped into the lava cave, they both saw a stunningly beautiful woman appearing quietly in front of them. She had blazing red hair and a scarlet tights that outlined her perfect figure.
I saw her holding a magic sword in her right hand and a ghost fire lingering in her left hand, walking towards them.
Behind this woman is a figure whose whole body is shrouded in a black cloak.
A lust demon and... Hell Knight from Baator Hell.
Through the vision of the dark red mask, Severin saw through the true identity of his allies.
"This beautiful lady, it's a pleasure to meet you. What should I call you?" He smiled, although it was hidden in the mask and no one could see it. "I am Severin Siraine, and this is me. My friend, Ras Moda from the Red Robe Wizards Association.”
The red robe wizard nodded slightly in response.
"You are happy too early, Severin." The beautiful woman's words were as cold as ice, "I am Rilamiel, the Lord of Avernus, the military commander of Zariel, the daughter of destruction. Adjutant.”
It turned out to be the fallen angel Zariel.
Severin glanced at Rilamiel calmly, but his heart was as turbulent as the red-robed wizard beside him.
What he never expected was that the oracle sent down by the Dragon Queen to his allies turned out to be subordinates of the Duke of Hell.
If what he expected was correct, the Duke of Hell Zariel and the Dragon Queen were old enemies. The previous Lord of Avernus, Bayer, had the support of the Dragon Queen and successfully overthrew Zariel's rule.
If Asmodeus, the Lord of the Nine Hells, had not forcibly removed Bair from his position, it would have been impossible for Zariel to stand up and become the Duke of Hell again in Avernus.
Never try to guess the devil's mind, Severin warned himself secretly.
"By the order of my lord, I am here to help you complete your plan." Ruila Mier said bluntly.
"So, beautiful lady, I dare to ask, what role do you play here?"
Severin forced himself to calm down and looked at the military adjutant of the Duke of Hell, but his eyes were locked on him from beginning to end. On the figure behind her wearing a black cloak.
His instinct told him that the lust demon in front of him was far less dangerous than the Hell Knight behind her.
Obviously, Zariel, the Daughter of Destruction, is definitely trying her best to assist her in completing the Dragon Queen's great plan to come.
This made him wonder what kind of deal the two rulers of Avernus had reached.
"My Lord's power." Rilamiel's scrutinizing eyes were fixed on the red-robed wizard, and she nodded with satisfaction.
“It will allow this group of exiled wizards to more easily summon the devil army of the Nine Hells, and allow your Dragon Worship Cult to develop more believers.”
Severin knew it well. , the Dragon Cult usually does not cooperate with the devil.
But summoning the Dragon Queen is an arduous task. Although his red-robed wizard allies are very good at summoning and commanding demons, it is still very difficult to bring the demons to the material plane.
Because the devil cannot leave the Nine Hells on his own, although Asmodeus, the Lord of the Nine Hells, can change this rule, he will almost never do so.
Most demons on the Material Plane are summoned by mortal mages, who expend enormous amounts of magical power to break through the barriers between the Nine Hells and other planes.
With the help of Avernus's daughter of destruction, Zariel, the red-robed wizard can summon the demon army to help him complete his great plan. It will undoubtedly be much easier.
Severin will use all available means to fight for anything that is beneficial to him.
"Of course, as mortals, you may be considered cunning." The female devil added: "But in front of us, you still have a lot to learn about conspiracy and betrayal."
Severin did not try to refute her words, because there was no need.
"We Sers are not new to treachery!"
The red-robed wizard Ras Moda was angered, "Without this skill, no wizard can live to my age, let alone Reach my status!"
"Really?" The devil's voice was full of sarcasm, "If that's true, how did you end up like this and become a homeless dog?"
The red-robed wizard gave her a vicious look as an answer.
In Severin's view, the devil's words hit the mark.
Ras Moda's banishment was indeed due to treachery. He was betrayed by his young apprentice, just like he betrayed his mentor. This is the tradition of the Red Robes of Seer.
"If that's the case, can this gentleman hiding in the shadows show up?" He calmed down and asked his second doubt.
At the same time, my mind quickly recalled the Hell Knights who were once loyal to the fallen angel Zariel.
"He is Haruman, but he has his own mission and will not participate in our actions." The female devil explained in a cold voice, ignoring the unkind looks cast by the Hell Knight behind her.
Hell Knight Haruman?
Severin guessed the origin of the other party. Before the fallen angel Zariel fell, Haruman, as a paladin of Tom, had been following him.
Even if Zariel fell, he voluntarily transformed into a Hell Knight to protect him.
Just a licking dog, he thought to himself.
There are rumors that Haruman guards the secret of Zariel's self-salvation. No one knows what the specific item is.
“In order to express our sincerity in cooperation.” The female devil Rilamiel said, “Before targeting the Kingdom of Cormyr, I will assist you in taking down the Zhentarim as quickly as possible. Dark Castle in the Sunset Mountains ”
After hearing this, Severin's expression hidden in the mask couldn't help but smile.
…………
(End of this chapter)