Ball of Nothing - Chapter 133
Chapter 133
Three days . Nobody dared to ask about Zero's condition and Baal's body double didn't give them any updates ever since they arrived at the castle . One thing they learnt quickly was how empty the building was . Coux toured every nook and cranny of the castle with Sekkin . Not a single soul was in sight . There were no servants and it made the succubus wonder how Baal maintained the castle . During their exploration, they came to understand why Baal had to take such a long detour . The castle was full of traps . If not for Amaraline's warning, they might not make it out of some unscathed . Baal's body double simply watched from the side lines, not interfering and not offering help .
Amaraline and Wiser holed themselves in the library . Qin Yun took it upon herself to prepare meals . Strangely, the food was always restocked the next day . The demoness didn't know what magic that was but there were always ingredients that she wanted . It was as if someone read her mind and readied them in advance for her . The fox demoness once asked Baal's body double if she could meet the person buying the groceries but received no answer .
"We can prepare anything you desire . If you wish to go to town, we can arrange for a familiar to escort you," was what he said .
For three days, they tried to take their mind off Zero . Amaraline decided to read up more about the history of Hell and learn the demon tongue . Wiser poured through books about forbidden spells, potions and creations . The strategist even took notes about the unique methods castles were fortified in Hell . He'd have to redesign the village's fortification when they returned . Coux did some research about the best sight-seeing spots in Hell and learn a little more about the culture . She picked up some simple demon tongue from Amaraline and practised it with Qin Yun who was a surprisingly fast learner of the language . Sekkin was surprised to find that he became stronger after soaking in the Spring of Vitality and was trying out his newly acquired demon powers . Nobody stopped him . In fact, Qin Yun sometimes offered to teach him some pointers and offered to spar with him . It was fascinating to see the spider demon and fox demoness fight . Coux winced when one of Qin Yun's tails struck Sekkin in the face again . The fox demoness was a skilled fighter with many years of experience . Her wits and tricks made it seem like she was toying with Sekkin who struggled to hold his own against her . He once thought that Mitchnew's training was hard . The dark-elf was one of the most skilful assassins back on Earth . Who knew that Qin Yun could put all assassins out of work with her level of skill?
"Is it possible to visit Zero?" Amaraline asked the body double .
The clone shook his head . "Lord Baal will take care of it . He will send word at once when Zero awakens . Please do not concern yourselves too much . "
Coux sighed . "Is it possible to travel to these famous sight-seeing spots in Hell?"
The body double nodded . "I can arrange for a familiar to act as your guide . Although the abyss is a dangerous place, there are beautiful places you can visit . If you wish to, we could establish a long term trade contract with you to market unique abyss products on Earth and have some of the unattainable consumables on Earth to be sold under Lord Baal's name . "
Coux's eyes widened and she grinned . The rest of that afternoon was spent learning more about the abyss' local produce and the kind of things demons liked . Amaraline became interested when the clone spoke about magical artefacts .
"Aren't those rare?"
"Perhaps on Earth," the clone admitted . "In the abyss, anyone could craft them . Even low levelled demons are able to create trash grade magical artefacts . There will be many of these in the market . A lot of magical artefacts humans find on Earth are trash products thrown away by the demons and washed to the material plane by the river Styx . "
Wiser blinked and Coux sparkled . She smelled a huge business opportunity and Qin Yun smirked . "Sounds like a good investment . What are the things that demons like? Perhaps we could form some sort of agreement for both parties to benefit?"
The clone smiled . "Lord Baal understands that Zero is to become the next head of Half Moon village . Seeing that they are friends, I'm sure Lord Baal wouldn't pass up on such an opportunity . However, the villagers with no alliance and loyalties to the village do not have the right to negotiate any terms . "
The succubus froze . Qin Yun's smile dropped and Amaraline lowered her eyes .
"It's true that we have no affiliations to Half Moon village," Wiser started . He put down the book and removed his glasses . "However, we made the trip to Hell because we care deeply for him . It doesn't matter what Zero is . If he considers me a friend and accepts me despite my flaws I will do the same for him . "
The clone didn't speak . Instead, he studied the five guests in the room . "We are demons . Words are contracts to us . Do you dare to swear that you will not betray Zero?"
Wiser did so without hesitation . "I swear . If I were to lie, I will have my soul shredded in the abyss and cast into the void for eternity with no salvation . "
Amaraline jumped at the opportunity next . "I swear on the eyes that Zero has given me that I will not betray him . "
Qin Yun, Sekkin and Coux made similar vows to forsake their humanity should they break the promise . As soon as the vows were made, there was a flash of light . Five scrolls materialised and they had to sign the contract with their blood . Qin Yun cautioned everyone to read through the contract before signing it as demons were known to be very crafty . Baal's clone didn't mind . In fact, he encouraged it .
After the magical scroll was signed, the body double grinned . With a wave of his hand, the scroll vanished and a symbol appeared on the back of everyone's left hand briefly before fading away .
"That is my covenant mark . In times of need, you can call upon me for assistance for a price . This mark is to protect you from other demons while you are in the abyss . Not even the other Demon Lords may harm you . It's also a pass that allows you to travel freely between Earth and Hell . Lastly, this is proof that you are under a faction in Zero's inner circle . "
"Zero's inner circle?" Coux raised a brow . She knew that Zero had a complicated background . However, she didn't think that the sweet and naive brunet was capable of forming an underground group .
Baal had to give it to her . The trader was sharp, as expected of Lilith's descendant . "It's an inner circle created by Zero's trusted aide . We gave it the nickname of the Onion Union due to the complexity of the structure . Our sole mission is to assist Zero from the shadows and protect him for as long as we can . Zero's identity is top secret and only those loyal will know it . Needless to say, you will take this information to your grave and even then, you will tell no one . "
They gulped as Baal's clone explained in detail about Zero's existence, abilities and identity . When they heard about how Zero was given a blessing by each of the Great Gods and how the Great Gods worshipped him, they paled .
"Zero is both the creator and the destroyer of our multiverse . Yes, you might not know it before but there is more than one universe . Like how different planes exit, different dimensions exist on the same timeline . Don't ask me how this is possible, it is something only Isis understands . The person who contacted me to be part of the Great Zero Alliance is no other than Truen Zheng, Zero's assigned bodyguard and assistant . "
Qin Yun frowned . In the thousands of years that she's lived, this was the most absurd story that she's heard anyone tell . Yet, she couldn't bring herself to refute it . After all, many things made sense about the brunet .
"What can we do as part of the Great Zero Alliance? Also, will we be meeting Truen?"
Baal shook his head . "As of now, I am only in contact with Truen and Mii, both sparingly so . Truen mentioned that as a faction head, I'm given the green light to do anything within my means to aid Zero in whatever way I can . He is currently training under the Great Wizard God Merlin so it is rather difficult to get hold of him . "
Coux hummed . "Well, the only way I can contribute to this alliance is to secure trade and funding for Zero's travels . If the trade route between Hell and Earth can be established, Zero wouldn't ever have to worry about finances . "
Qin Yun smiled . "I'm sure there are many things we can do for him . I remember him saying that he wanted to invent new things and start a personal herb farm that he could easily access during his travels . If we talk to Grandma Moppo, she could come up with some sort of arrangement . "
Wiser scoffed . "Fools . What Zero needs on his travels would be devices that can help protect him . "
Sekkin shrugged . "He has a bodyguard . Besides, I think Zero has everything he needs and wants . I don't think there is really anything I can contribute to in this alliance . "
Amaraline shared the same sentiments . She only made the vow thinking that Baal had something for her to do in order to repay Zero for his kindness . Feeling useless, the cockatrice descendant looked down at her toes . Baal saw that and sighed .
"Truth be told, there isn't anything much for the members of the alliance to do either . Our main sponsors have done too much . They almost spoiled Zero with their coddling when they first introduced Zero to the world . It's because of them that Hua Tuo and Merlin took it upon themselves to teach Zero about how cruel the world could be . "
"By sponsors you mean . . . "
Baal's eyebrow twitched . "Zeus, Hades, Gaia, Sedna, Freya and Isis mainly . . . King Yama and Buddha contributed but not nearly as bad as the Great Gods . Oh, Merlin might have done something too . Hua Tuo too on small occasions . The best thing we could do for Zero at this point is to whip him into shape to ready him for his travels . I heard that in another half a year, he will be training with Merlin . That boy abuses magic as you've seen . Hua Tuo couldn't put it through his tiny skull that chores should be done manually and that life isn't smooth like honey . I'm the King of laziness but at this rate, Zero might just snatch that title from me . . . "
"Don't you hire servants to do the chores around the castle?" Coux questioned .
Baal deadpanned . "No, I don't trust them . I do them myself using magic . In fact, there is an auto casting magic that cleans the castle every hour . I don't even need to lift a finger for anything . "
Qin Yun smiled uncomfortably . "The groceries in the kitchen . . . ?"
"That's different . Someone constantly visits my castle to fill it up because they're worried that I might get too lazy to eat and eventually succumb to starvation . "
Amaraline was curious as to who that person was but left the topic untouched . Baal looked like he'd eaten something sour as he said it and nobody wanted to offend the Demon Lord, allies or not .
"I suppose we could spend tonight celebrating the newly formed faction of the Great Zero Alliance," Coux reasoned . Nobody objected .
"I only drink blood wine," Baal quipped .
Wiser grinned . "I suppose we could head to town to pick out some groceries for the special occasion . Any other requests?"
"Lemon-orange squash!" Amaraline raised her hand and Qin Yun wrote them down quickly .
As soon as they had a list, Baal whistled and the rat demon familiar materialised before them . The ladies were then ushered into a carriage no less impressive than the one before albeit a little smaller . They didn't have time to say goodbye as the dark horse galloped madly at the urging of the rat demon .
Back at the Spring of Vitality, Baal groaned . He'd forgotten something very basic before he shipped the ladies to town .
Demon King Baal was known for many things . Of the many things he was known for, one of them stuck out prominently in the abyss . The lazy good for nothing Demon Lord was perpetually broke because he was too lazy to manage his territory . Whatever wealth had before were swindled by servants he previously employed before his hundred-year nap . By the time he woke up, he had nothing left except his reputation . He didn't have the heart to tell them that the food he got was stolen by his rat familiar .
"Whatever," he sighed . They would figure it out eventually .
"Besides," he grinned mischievously . "What kind of subordinates will they be if they can't even manage such a simple task?"