Though Konrad treated his harem members with incomparable care, the premise was that they were his. Never did he show such attention toward a wholly unrelated woman with nothing to do with him. If they didn't know him better, Verena and Selene would have believed his display to be a show of compassion.
And when even they couldn't comprehend what went on, one could only imagine how startled the girl was. And in that situation, she spoke the only word she could think of:
"W..why?"
Indeed, if someone appeared out of nowhere to rescue you from damnation and promise the world, the first question was "why?" And having never experienced any form of warmth in her life, the girl just couldn't wrap her head around Konrad's move.
"Because such is my wish. Your innate talent may not be anything extraordinary, but your heart is the most suitable for inheriting my craft. In time, I believe you shall be one of the sharpest spears by my side."
Konrad replied while releasing a formless force that shattered the girl's chains. In a clang, the broken pieces of metal tumbled onto the ground. Lowering his right hand onto the girl's blindfold, Konrad erased the pins and wires binding her eyes, freeing her of that long-standing pain, but still keeping the blindfold on.
In a flash, the girl found herself free of those horrible shackles, but as if lost in a dream, she didn't dare remove the blindfold. It was as if a radiant angel had appeared out of nowhere to give her hope in a world of eternal darkness and offer a road toward true heaven. But little did she know that it was in the arms of the devil incarnate that she now lay.
Though perhaps, that would never matter. And as Ravmalahk protectors felt the loss of their junior and readied to join the fray, Konrad waved his hand, erasing his presence, the corpses and the events from the mind of all onlookers before letting the girl back on her feet.
"You don't have to answer me now. But know that I have tuition fees. If you choose to follow me, the price is your Forbidden Physique. I shall take it from you."
Konrad declared, and without further ado, spun to head into the Auction Hall. His ladies followed right afterward. And now, that there was a price, as far as the girl was concerned, the situation was much simpler to accept. However, to her, this price was a blessing in disguise, the opportunity to be freed from an eternity of suffering.
Without hesitation, she dropped on the ground. And oblivious to the onlookers who seemed anchored in the past, followed her acute senses to kowtow toward Konrad.
"Master, your disciple greets you!"
The girl proclaimed with three kowtows, stopping Konrad in his tracks. And though he didn't turn back, his lips curled into a smile.
"Name?"
"Don't have any!"
"Very well, your name is now Cacillia."
Konrad proclaimed, and snapped his fingers, causing the Absolute Negation Physique within Cacillia's body to rise in black mist and merge with his body. Although at his level, without the locks it wouldn't be of much use, with his current accumulations, unleashing its true potential was but a matter of time. And seeing the affliction of a lifetime vanish in a finger snap, Cacillia firmly believed that it wasn't a common deity, but the incarnation of Heaven's Will now standing before her.
"Rise and follow me. In my house, the incompetent are not valued. Your starting point is low. If you wish to rise on our road, you'll have to put in thrice the work."
Konrad declared, and as his words echoed, Cacillia's blindfold dropped onto the ground, revealing the Celestial World's radiance to her unprepared eyes. But none of that light could compare with the back of that new master whom she recognized without direction. Shrugging off the blinding radiance, Cacillia rose to follow Konrad, stopping behind him with her head lowered in submission.
The group then walked into the auction hall, after which those legions of deities shackled by Konrad's Truth Laws regained motion. But to them, it was as if nothing had occurred to begin with. Within the auction hall, Sea Dream disciples awaited to lead Konrad into his assigned booth from which he could observe the auction in its entirety. A procession of top representatives of the hegemonic sects followed suit, each lodged in individual, luxurious booths while the rest stood below.
As all guests took their seats, the auction manager, a handsome Dream Spirit at the True God Rank, appeared on the stage to welcome the guests and introduce the first batch of nagas.
"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Moon Refining Auction. Today, from the lowest maid to the highest elders, all Nagas and Moon Spirits from the past Moon Refining Palace are up for sale! Did you ever wish to press a Cardinal Lord's women under your crotch? To ravage their relatives like base and low beasts? Or are you but that heroic soul looking to rescue beauties on hard times?
Regardless of origin or motive, this auction is for you!"
The manager exclaimed, and alongside those words, the auction officially began.
…….
Meanwhile, in the Infernal Realm's Southern Domain, Talroth's royal palace received the visit of unexpected guests whose arrival would unleash mighty waves within the Incubus Primogen's house.
Three cloaked figures stood at the gate of Talroth's palace, the one at their helm stepped forward, and before the Satyr gatekeepers raised their swords, sent a mental message that resounded within their minds and shackled all impetuous moves.
"Tell Talroth that his grandchildren have arrived to visit him."
Krann ordered, startling the ten guards protecting the entrance. With their Minor God cultivation, if not for his restraint, Krann's words would have blown them into pieces. And realizing that those three newcomers were up to no good, the gatekeepers floundered.
"Throughout the Infernal Realm, who dares act with such arrogance before his majesty's palace? Could they be…from the Central Domain?"
The guards wondered. The Central Domain was the Overlord's land, home to all Archdemons. With Archdemons being a naturally overbearing and conceited bunch, the guards immediately linked Krann to the Central Domain. Without delay, they sent mental messages to the higher-ups, requesting guidance. But little did they expect that before they finished their report, the palace's gates opened wide.
"Welcome, children, to my little corner of hell. My servants shall guide you in."
Talroth voice echoed within the minds of Krann, Elia and Helmut. And as it did, a burst of purple haze dazzled the entrance, revealing six mesmerizing ladies that, in tandem, bowed toward the three.
"Welcome, honorable guests. His majesty commands us to guide you into the main hall. Please."
The maids explained, before motioning for the three to follow them in.
