Chapter 199

Chapter 199: Chapter 199

Asael didn’t return to the cottage, instead, he made his way back to the Hells. He had been away for too long, but that didn’t mean he was eager to return.

However, he unfortunately had to show his face eventually or people would start to celebrate his death.

His return wasn’t for that; it was merely a byproduct. He returned just to gather information.

Noctyrn was a gloomy world, the skies were gray, silence etched into the very wind that blew. The mountain range was deathly quiet, no one went into the city in the heart of the valley and no one came out.

Despite sitting in the midst of the black mist, the stygian city stood tall, unwavering. Sheltered from most of the poison of the mist by a silver barrier created by the three-part moon which hung above the city.

Banishment from the city meant death as there was nothing beyond the mountain range, nothing but death and silence. Yet banished Shadow Demons had found a way to survive.

On the other side of the black fields was a large settlement, it was just as barren as the rest of the world around them but there was a large waterfall that seemed to come from the sky, it spanned thousands of miles, seeming to be without beginning or end.

It was simply logical to build the settlement next to a body of water, even though the water in question had a black undertone, it was clear but the black hue was visible to the eye. Shadow Demons were born with a measure of immunity to the poison that suffused their very world so it had no impact.

Asael lightly strode up to the settlement, aware of the eyes already on him. Well, calling it a settlement was disingenuous considering that it was as developed as a small town.

Despite their small numbers, the houses were lavish, mansions and castles weren’t a rare sight to see. And that was because, despite their inhospitable environment, banished Shadow Demons did not lack in wealth.

"We were about to start placing bets on your death," A Shadow Demon addressed him as he walked to the structure placed roughly in the center of the settlement.

A circular patch of land was tiled with black quartz, crystal tables embedded in the ground. Noctyrn was always overcast so there was little need for a roof, it scarcely rained, and when it did, everyone was forced to take cover from the potency of the poison rain.

It was more or less a gathering place for Shadow Demons, although most preferred their own company.

Without a word, he tossed a silk pouch on the table in front of the Shadow Demon that had addressed him. It clinked gently against the gleaming table, the other Demons who had been chatting growing silent at his arrival.

The settlement was better known as the City of Assassins although it was far from a city. Despite that, not all banished Shadow Demons were assassins, some were information peddlers, a very important position.

Samael picked up the pouch and peered into it, the glittering gems within made him grin, sharp white teeth breaking the dark gray skin of his handsome face.

"What do you want to know?" He asked humorously, in an even better mood.

"Flaeris." Asael said shortly.

"You’re going to have to be more specific than that." The information peddler replied, pocketing his pay.

"Tell me as much as the pay is worth."

Information was worth its weight in gold so Samael’s response wasn’t said out loud, instead, it was relayed telepathically. He was detailed with his information, citing his sources, and mentioning dates - he was incredibly thorough.

A short while later, Asael was leaving the settlement, the only Shadow Demon who didn’t live% there.

Samael’s black eyes glittered greedily as he watched the Demon depart, the only one he hadn’t been able to gather any information on.

The Shadow Demon was still young but his successful kills were famous in the settlement. However, that wasn’t what drew Samael’s attention, dangerous Shadow Demons were a common commodity.

It was more the mystery that clung to him.

Asael had appeared out of nowhere one day, no one could recognize him from when they once lived in the city. There was also the fact that the Shadow Demon didn’t live in the settlement but no one could pinpoint where he stayed in the entirety of the Hells.

It was almost like he vanished into the nether at will, and reappeared again.

"Still hung up on that ghost?" The conversation resumed after Asael disappeared into the black fields.

Samael turned his attention back to the table, a good-natured smile on his face. "Aren’t you just as curious?" He said conversationally. "Not to mention, there are a lot of powerful assassins who would pay generously to get their hands on information about him."

Most of the Shadow Demons who frequented the square at the center of the settlement were information peddlers, it was essentially their shop front.

"Not curious enough to die for it..." Another chimed in.

Samael’s friendly smile didn’t ease, there was a reason he was one of the most well-known information peddlers. "I suppose you’re right."

Unaware and uncaring of the conversation his appearance had sparked, Asael had already left the Hells. Flaeris was essentially the center of everything so naturally, information about it was the most valuable.

He was no longer actively taking missions so there was no reason to stay up to date with current events as they had little direct impact on him. However, the information he had bought had more to do with him than he thought.

The war brewing in Flaeris was treated with the severity it posed, after all, Fiends were their largest patrons. However, the direct cause of the war was the complete liberation of Hellhounds by the Hound King, and that held his attention more.

Hound King... Caedos.

Asael clicked his teeth as he took a seat in the leisure room. The Hellhound didn’t even let Dulce get over his departure before hurrying right back.