Fallon stretched out his arm and grabbed a handful of squirming soul larvae, feeding them into his mouth. The soft and smooth sensation on his tongue tingled. This vampire with a scarlet complexion closed his mouth, his razor-sharp teeth tearing and grinding the struggling soul larvae. Upon tasting their delicious fluid and the flesh that went down his throat and into his body, Fallon narrowed his eyes in joy, gazing at the human knelt before him. In Fallon’s eyes, this human was no different from other slaves: foolish, naive, and ignorant. As a demon, Fallon could never imagine why those idiots from the main plane would come to hell, in search of their so-called ‘self-value’. Or perhaps, such a thing did exist in their world?
However, this human brought him a piece of interesting intelligence. According to him, a ruler who possessed high authority and powerful strength had arrived in hell with his subordinates and had an unclear motive… Yes, this was amusing to him. Fallon had faced plenty of scoundrels who challenged his authority bravely. But those people were different. They possessed power that even he had to back off from. Of course, he knew he didn’t do it out of fear. Or perhaps, it should be said that he was the only one who knew why he didn’t send out guards to take down those people who wreaked havoc in his fortress and hang them to death on the city wall with others.
Was he too incapable or simply afraid? Or perhaps both?
But now, Fallon suddenly had a change of mind. He gazed at this tiny, humble human in curiosity, sensing a burning vengeance and rage deep in his heart. This made him somewhat interested in this human. In the long years of bloodbath, Fallon needed something to spice up this boring life of his. As of now, squashing devils into mince meat wasn’t fun for him anymore.
“That is indeed interesting, but I can’t possibly just send out men to track the so-called prey you mentioned.”
Fallon smiled, releasing breaths of sulfur from his nostrils.
“Besides, according to an earlier report, they have left the fortress, went down the River Styx, and no one knows where they are heading to…”
“I have a way to track them, Sir Fallon.”
Andre lowered his head, gazing at the ground.
“I have planted a spy in their group and I know they are heading to Casselly next. Sir Fallon, as long as you give an order, I will hunt them down like a hound and let them have a taste of true agony!”
“How interesting…”
After hearing Andre’s commitment, Fallon narrowed his eyes. He let out a snort, stood to his feet, and went up to Andre in large strides. Upon feeling the blazing heat and awful stench, Andre gnashed his teeth, held down the fear in his heart, and remained unmoved as he continued to kneel down before Fallon. The tall and mighty demon lowered his head and scanned the minute ant by his feet. After a few silent moments, he clapped his palms together and footsteps were quickly heard, followed by a string of crisp, melodious laughter that echoed in the dark, shadowy room. Andre lifted his head curiously, before widening his eyes in bafflement. Standing before him was a chuckling Succubus. Her pitch-black wings were as though the expensive fur of a wealthy woman that wrapped her slender, curvy body. Upon noticing Andre’s gaze, the Succubus winked at him and smiled alluringly. Andre couldn’t help but shudder and lower his head quickly. At this moment, Fallon’s deep, thunderous voice boomed and after hearing his answer, Andre revealed a fanatical smile.
My gamble worked.
***
The River Styx was as peaceful as ever. Or perhaps, at least for now.
Rhode sat on the side of the ferry, watching the river flow calmly before him. It seemed like the river was neither too deep nor wide and resembled a slightly murky stream. Occasionally, he vaguely saw some reefs underneath the water. However, he knew that they were only for show. If any idiot were to jump onto them, there would only be one consequence: one would immediately turn into food for the hunters lurking at the bottom of the river.
The ferryman continued to row the ferry using the long pole as though he was able to find the supporting point of the river in every movement, using the strength of the river to sail forward. This seemed rather interesting to Rhode because the River Styx had no depth. In other words, it might be bottomless like the Mariana Trench, where ordinary people couldn’t possibly sail forward using the strength of the river. Of course, based on this point, these ferrymen were truly capable.
At this thought, Rhode lifted his head and gazed at the ferryman at the bow of the ferry. Upon detecting his gaze, the ferryman was slightly startled.
Be careful, I don’t have much patience.
Without the need of spiritual communication, the ferryman easily read the meaning behind Rhode’s gaze. This left him feeling somewhat worried, but he continued to grasp the long pole and rowed the ferry with force. Along with his movement, the small ferry suddenly changed direction and sailed aside gradually. At a glance, this seemed to be a prior indication of them being stranded because there were only shallow, dried trees and hard boulders around them. But at the next moment, everyone’s vision turned black as though they were passing through a curtain. Then, their vision suddenly became well-lit.
The land and large boulders from before had vanished entirely, only to be replaced by a spacious river that flowed in the cosmos. The group clearly witnessed a bright, red planet as though they were on a spaceship headed for Mars—it was a dreamy scene. At a single glance, three dry and fiery planets with each of their own distinguishing features could be seen floating and linking up into a circle in the massive cosmos. The River Styx that flowed quietly like a stream had turned into a rapid, forward-surging river. Despite that, the ferry above it was sailing as calmly as ever.
“The endless prison, Casselly,” Stefania said, heaving a subtle sigh. She stared at this world connected by the bright, red planet with melancholic eyes. “This is the prison of all things. Apart from the ferrymen of the River Styx, no one can leave this place. It imprisons criminals of all races, including demons. This is the best execution ground for them to serve their sentences. They who are sentenced shall stay here forever to battle against devils until the final moment of their lives.”
Upon hearing Stefania’s lament, Rhode didn’t say a word as he gazed at her curiously. After closing the business deal, this plane merchant didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she followed them and boarded the ferry together. Rhode had no objections, but felt somewhat dubious of her decision. After all, what she was doing seemed to be beyond the scope of a plane merchant already.
And at this moment, Stefania suddenly lifted her head, looked ahead, and knitted her brows slightly.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. It seems like we have some troubles ahead.”
Without the need of her reminder, Rhode had also witnessed the ‘massive’ fleet ahead of them which consisted of thousands of ships in various sizes that seemed like a complete mess. But it was due to this showing that Rhode knew that they were considered bothersome enemies. Such a messy fleet was as though floating trash on the river, which could only mean that they belonged to the devils. What made matters worse was that the devil fleet was sailing toward their ferry. Considering the fast-flowing waters of River Styx, the devil fleet that was going against the river flow was actually moving faster than Rhode’s ferry. This was totally illogical and unscientific…
“Hey, customers, it seems like we’re in trouble.”
The ferryman said, but judging from the tone in his voice, he seemed to be rejoicing in their misfortune. He gazed ahead and continued to control the ferry as though to ‘try’ and avoid contact ahead. But only he knew whether he was serious or only putting on a show.
“Unfortunately, it seems like we’re blocking the sailing path of the devil fleet. Dear customers, I suggest we head another direction and take the long way. But… I suppose you wouldn’t want to start a battle with those guys on the River Styx, right?”
“Why not?”
Out of the ferryman’s surprise, not only were his ‘passengers’ not flustered and pale, but the most timid Cassidy also stood up and gazed at the dense devil fleet in disdain. It was as though they were nothing more than weeds in her eyes. Only the elf lady’s expression met the ferryman’s expectations. But it was a pity that he didn’t receive his anticipated response.
“I think it’s a good idea to attack them now. What do you think, Leader?”
Mini Bubble Gum answered the ferryman, scuttling toward Rhode and asked. Upon hearing her words, Rhode didn’t say anything. Instead, he extended his arms and two daggers appeared in his hands, emanating dazzling, spiritual blade rays. Looking at this scene, the ferryman changed his expression for the first time.
“You must be crazy! You can’t… damn it… you’re asking for death if you do that!”
However, Rhode didn’t respond to the ferryman’s snarl. Instead, he turned toward him and waved his right hand.
Along with his action, a blinding brilliance erupted.
