Chapter 511 (2): The Death Knight Levels Up and Becomes the Death Rider

Saigner shot Grau an icy glare. Rather than denying the accusation that she had caused Wayne’s suffering, she bowed to him and said, “I owe you a life, the position of subordinate god, and the honor that shouldn’t have gone to me. No matter what demands you have in the future, no matter the occasion, I will not turn you down.”

“What did I just say? You’re still trying to use Wayne.” Grau raised his voice. “Target someone else. You shouldn’t fixate on Wayne just because he’s an easy target.”

“I have no ulterior motives other than paying him back.”

“Really? So Wayne can just toy with you without taking responsibility for you?”

“Any time.”

Saigner nodded seriously. Noticing Wayne’s look of surprise, she walked away shamefully while Grau watched her with satisfaction.

Grau patted Wayne on the shoulder. “Don’t thank me. It’s for your benefit. That woman isn’t good enough for you, so do not develop genuine feelings for her.”

You’re right. Or Aztimor will kill Her unfilial daughter.

“Come to my place. The first time I saw you, I knew you were the same kind of people as I am.” Grau grabbed Wayne and led him out.

“What kind of people?”

“Those who seek entertainment.”

“Um...”

You’re observant!𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

“I’ve learned a lot about curses and can manipulate a target’s luck in the short term. Do you want to learn a few tricks?”

“That sounds like your brand. It would be... inappropriate to teach me, wouldn’t it?”

“Why? The goddess has awakened, so the Underworld will have a bright future. She has awakened, so the Underworld will have peace again. You’ve solved so many problems for me that it makes sense to give you knowledge in return.”

“You’re a man of integrity!”

Wayne nodded, stroking his cat. The information contained in the silver coin he had taken from Auston was limited. If he acquired more luck, Darienne could expect more ‘happy hours’ at the card table.

“How about a drink?” Grau offered.

“I don’t drink.”

“That’s good. Alcohol is bad for health.”

“I can’t not have a drink after you said that.”

“Kakaka—”

“Kekeke—”

“It’s dull for only the two of us to drink together,” Grau said. “I’ll send for two Holy Maidens for you.”

“Um...”

“Let me do this for you. Saigner isn’t a good choice. You deserve better.” Grau pounded on his chest. There were too few vermin in the Underworld, and he found no kindred spirit before Wayne came. He thus saw Wayne as a real friend.

“I don’t mind, but wouldn’t the Holy Maidens mind?”

“Buddy, take a good look at yourself,” Grau declared. “You’ve awakened the goddess and saved the Underworld. Do you know how appealing you are in their eyes?”

“Right...”

***

Grau did as he said. To protect Wayne from Saigner, he acted on his concern and invited two former Holy Maidens to keep Wayne company.

Unfortunately, as soon as the Holy Maidens shyly clinked their cups with Wayne’s—before the great hero could boast about how he had turned things around—the goddess summoned them away.

After their retirement, the Holy Maidens entered the Divine Realm and accepted the duty of serving the goddess at the Temple of Eternity as ladies in waiting. They were also known as the Night Gods of the Underworld. They were Aztimor’s personal secretary and maids, as well as honor guards and bodyguards.

They worked twenty-four-seven, slaving away harder than actual slaves. They had little personal time and had to go back to work overtime whenever Aztimor called them.

Grau didn’t think much of it. He summoned two stunning ladies among his subordinates and introduced them to Wayne, the great hero of the Underworld.

Then Grau received Aztimor’s message and had to guard the temple’s front door.

Saigner, who had been waiting in the bushes, stood up and joined the drinking party, seeing it as her chance to pay Wayne back. Kicking out Grau’s subordinates, she summoned her own subordinates instead.

Then she received a message from Aztimor.

The drinking party ended abruptly.

Wayne was speechless. He brought Monica back to the Heart of Nature. As soon as the cat saw the vast grassland, she jumped down and sniffed around, going in circles in preparation for her personal business.

Wayne took out a camera, but after a snap, both the camera and Monica vanished. The former was confiscated, while the latter became Aztimor’s pet and the Underworld’s mascot, to be kept in the Temple of Eternity. If Wayne wanted to pet the cat, he would have to visit Aztimor at the temple.

“She’s stopping me from doing anything, that petty goddess.”

Grumbling, Wayne went up to the treehouse and saw Sukra lying on the sofa at the door. He opened his mouth, but didn’t disturb her. His instinct told him that if he said anything, Sukra would also receive the goddess’s oracle and have to report to duty at the Temple of Eternity.

“How absurd. Can’t I, the hero of the Underworld, have a Holy Maiden keep me company while I drink...?”

“Saigner, too. She just wants to repay me, nothing else...”

“How petty. I’m gonna go to the temple and grope your hands!”

Wayne flipped the sky off before returning to Grau’s palace. In the study, he found books related to curses and started reading. This time, Aztimor didn’t intervene. She even sent him all Her compiled knowledge. As long as Wayne focused on his study, She would give him anything, even Her company.

That sounded like a fun idea. Wayne couldn’t stop himself from heading to the Temple of Eternity for a one-on-one lesson. He met the ‘history teacher’ he had been fantasizing about there. She was a beauty with fair skin, wearing black stilettos with red soles.

He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

***

July twenty-fifth.

Buckingham Palace, Londan.

In the back garden, Mikhael lay on a beach lounger and read a book under a parasol, dressed in a white robe adorned with gold. Around him were clergy members busily browsing documents, sorting materials, and outlining plots, led by Reza. Now and then, Reza would even make time to praise Mikhael, thanking the Viceroy for his hard work in writing the new Sacred Tome.

The more time Mikhael spent with Reza, the more he appreciated him. If Reza wasn’t looking to become a Sacred Virtue, he would’ve taken Reza under his wing and made him the Vice Captain of Mikhael’s legion.

Wayne came to the back garden with Mona in tow. He waved at Reza and the clergy to stop them from saluting him. The Anointed One disliked the strict hierarchy that religious institutes and feudal systems imposed. He claimed that all people were born equal.

After saying that, though, he ordered Mikhael to get up.

“Who do you think you are? I, the Anointed One, don’t have a seat, yet you’re lying down?” Wayne took the seat instead and stretched his arms. At the snap of his fingers, his secretary came up to massage his shoulders. His eyes fell closed, and a soft grunt escaped his mouth.

This is the life.

Mikhael stood beside him with a scowl. While there was only one rank difference between them, the Viceroy of Heaven was in no position to hiss at the Anointed One. Unable to endure the frustration, Mikhael decided to pick on Pride and Forest instead.

You want me to share my memories with you? Then I’ll share this part.

“My Viceroy of Heaven, He-Who-Is-Like-God, the strongest angel, the right hand of the divine throne, and the second in command, Mikhael, how is the drafting of the Sacred Tome going?” Wayne rattled off smoothly, having already mastered the way to leverage faith.

That’s right! That’s me. I, Mikhael, am meant for greatness!

Mikhael couldn’t resist the Anointed One’s praise. His back gradually straightened, and his lips curled up. There was no hiding the smile. The Viceroy always felt good when the Anointed One opened his mouth.

“Great Anointed One,” Mikhael bowed and said, “The last chapter, the Revelation, has already been revised, while the other chapters are still being edited. Would you like to check the Revelation for yourself?”

“No, I’m just asking.” Wayne waved at him dismissively, looking particularly punchable. “Once the book is finished, I’ll send it back for rewriting.”

Mikhael made a face, but decided to drop it since Wayne was usually quite honest about the matter.

“Oh, my dear Viceroy, why haven’t you asked me about the Underworld?”

“There is no reason to ask since you’ve returned safely.” Mikhael shook his head, but seeing the dissatisfied look on Wayne’s face, he had to say, “My Great Anointed One, has your trip to the Underworld gone smoothly?”

“More or less. The Goddess of Death is now mine.”

“...”

Mikhael wasn’t sure how to react. In what sense was the goddess his? Please clarify.

The Anointed One had ventured deep into the Underworld and sacrificed himself to eliminate evil and uphold justice, which had to be incorporated into the propaganda sooner or later. If Wayne didn’t make it clear what he meant, what if they got the story wrong?

Mikhael wanted to ask, but didn’t want to give Wayne a chance to boast. He agonized over what to do and, in the end, managed to say, “Given your power, you should’ve been able to easily conquer the Underworld. Why did it take you ten days?”

“Three days should’ve been enough.” Wayne narrowed his eyes. “However, my further study occupied me and made it a week...”

Aztimor had offered fascinating new knowledge that enthralled him. With the determination to make up for his lack of talent with hard work, instead of using the Book of Greed to swallow everything, Wayne had taken a seven-day lesson from the history teacher.

At first, Aztimor had been reluctant and remained haughty as a goddess would, only willing to put on the high heels. However, a vassal’s yearning for their faith compelled Her to put on a suit and white shirt, and in the last two days, She had even completed the look with black stockings, pointer, and glasses.

She had given in so quickly that Wayne was caught off guard. Senna, whose power and will were far inferior to those of Aztimor, had resisted for a long time, while Aztimor had gone from the Goddess of Death to Wayne’s personal history teacher in only seven days, or perhaps shorter.

Perhaps the moment She put on the heels, She had already accepted Her identity as his vassal.

He should expect that from a goddess. Since She knew there was no point struggling, She wasted no time on meaningless struggle, going as hard on Herself as She did on others.

She had shown such fierce determination that Wayne realized he shouldn’t play the game. He thus swallowed the knowledge he couldn’t yet master and ended the lesson decisively.

Just as Sukra had concluded, he was a perverted one who preferred a defiant rebel. If someone just lay down without hesitation, he would instead keep his distance.

When he returned to the human world, he brought the new leadership of the Church of Death. The Pope and the Great Sage were two white-bearded old men whom Grau had spent a long time picking, both legendary mages. As for the Holy Maiden, Ryza would return to her post as per Wayne’s demand.

Sukra, the current Holy Maiden, could finally enjoy a long, endless vacation after spending years fighting for the church. For the rest of her life, she only had to read books and enjoy snacks while lying on her back. She would be living at Wayne’s place and spending his money without the need to pay ‘taxes’. What a wonderful life!

At this moment, Sukra was already in the manor of the Holy Maiden of Darkness. Sealed by the sofa, she lay motionless with her eyes half closed, relaxed.

Wayne had asked Mona to arrange another manor for Ryza, the current Holy Maiden of Death. He also believed Sukra should move in with her master since she would forever belong to Death, both in life and in death.

Sukra rejected the idea immediately. She would rather move the sofa into a bedroom than live with her parental figure. For one, Ryza wasn’t a good parent and would only order her, a slacker, to go to work. For another, there were many unfolding plots at Anastasia’s manor. Darienne and Vichy, the frenemies, were entertaining enough to fill Sukra’s free time. It was better than staring at her master’s severe face all day long.

Wayne had made no arrangements for the two bearded old men. He tossed them the Philosopher’s Stone of the Church of Death and designated Londan as the new headquarters of the Church of Death, telling them to start from scratch and rebuild the church.

Aztimor had become Wayne’s vassal, so She no longer had to worry about corrupted knowledge. The faith in the mortal realm therefore did not matter to Her any longer. However, Wayne had promised Her that he would liberate Her one day. In the long term, it would be wise to rebuild the church.

Wayne told Mikhael about the Church of Death, but Mikhael showed no interest. He didn’t care about whatever the misfits could scrape together. Even if the church was built anew, it wouldn’t pose any threat.

“Oh, tell the Pride in Hell that the Goddess of Nature has planted a spy there,” Wayne instructed. “Stolas, the Lord of Night, serves the Goddess of Nature. You should remember that demon. Have Pride pay more attention to him. He doesn’t have to kill Stolas, but he should keep an eye on him.”

Mikhael frowned. “Who is Stolas? Is there a demon like that in Hell?”

It was typically prideful of him. Wayne waved him away.

After lounging, Wayne got up and headed to Anastasia’s manor, keeping an arm around Mona’s waist. He had been preserving energy for ten days—taking the history teacher’s class in the meantime. It was time to talk to the disciplinary teacher, Ines, about advancing to the next grade.