The Great Demon's Hall
"......It's huge."
Yoahim's first impression upon seeing the Spire Tower was one of sheer immensity. It wasn't just big—it was enormous. Sure, it made sense for a structure built to accommodate the massive frame of Haellagos, the Great Demon, but even setting that aside, it inspired genuine awe. This thing had to be bigger than the mage towers in Barakan or Tolstone. You could probably spot its towering silhouette from beyond the city walls.
"Save the admiration for later and let's head in first."
Yoahim snapped out of it at the sound of Halbert's chuckling voice. He nodded and followed the old demon butler into the Spire Tower.
"Whoa......"
Yoahim had expected the interior to feel like a dungeon—dim corridors lit by flickering torches, eerie winds howling through, monsters jumping out at every turn. That's how it was in the game, after all. But the real Spire Tower was nothing like that.
Sunlight poured in through slits and windows everywhere, illuminating lavish carpets laid along the hallways. The corridors were lined with displays of paintings, sculptures, weapons, and armor. Some pieces were a bit... questionable in taste, but overall, it felt like the refined manor of a high noble.
"This way."
Yoahim, still gawking at the interior, trailed after Halbert's voice. They approached a pillar inside the tower, where an ornate door etched with intricate patterns and gold leaf awaited. Halbert opened it and gestured inside. Yoahim stepped in promptly, and Halbert pressed one of the buttons within.
"A lift?"
Lifts were rare contraptions, practically exclusive to mage towers—maybe a few in royal palaces. Yoahim hadn't expected to see one here.
Halbert chuckled. "If human mages can make them, there's no reason our master couldn't. He's a grand master of black magic, after all."
He had a point. A powerful black mage and demon like Haellagos could whip one up without breaking a sweat.
Ding.
A clear chime signaled their arrival as the doors slid smoothly open. Yoahim stepped out alongside Halbert.
"......This is."
It was a grand hall. Vast open space, enormous pillars stretching toward a skylight dome, and a massive round table at the center. Statues of colossal figures loomed between the pillars, each frozen in dynamic poses that told tales of the past brought to life.
Clashes with demons of terrifying might. Battles against nine-headed serpents. Brutal duels with black mages wielding potent curses. Bloody fights with fire-wielding giants.
Countless challengers, and one lone champion.
At the end of the long gallery stood a single statue. The master of the Spire Tower. Devourer of Starlight. Lord of the Abyss.
Known by countless epithets, but with only one true name: the Great Demon Haellagos.
This was a colossal hall built solely for him.
"Looks like everyone's finally here."
Halbert strode confidently down the gallery to the center of the hall. Yoahim hurried after him.
The round table bathed in sunlight streaming through the ceiling's aperture, amplified by the hall's solemn atmosphere into something truly majestic. Seven chairs encircled it—four occupied, three empty.
"What a tedious wait."
The figure in the most ornate chair fixed his gaze on Yoahim. "But I shall forgive it. Welcome to the Spire Tower, Apostle Yoahim."
Yoahim instinctively knew this was Haellagos. Slender build, long wavy black hair cascading to his back, glowing purple eyes, and an overwhelming aura of mana. It didn't match his mental image, but there was no doubt—this man was Haellagos.
Polymorph?
A black mage of Haellagos's caliber could easily disguise his form. He was probably keeping a human shape for convenience.
"You've had a long trek escorting the apostle here, Halbert. Where's Aljes?"
"He's dropping the dark elves off at the temple."
"I see. Then we'll start without him."
Haellagos gestured, and Halbert nodded before taking his seat. Left standing awkwardly alone, Yoahim raised an eyebrow at the Great Demon.
"Apostle Yoahim, your seat is the one facing mine. Sit."
Why the hell does it have to be right across from him... so damn intimidating.
Yoahim grumbled inwardly but took the chair. In that instant, he felt eyes boring into him from all sides. Curiosity. Suspicion. Envy.
The varied gazes stung, but Yoahim straightened his back, steeling himself.
"You've all heard the rumors, but allow me a formal introduction. Apostle Yoahim—our god's chosen apostle and our new hope."
All eyes turned to him again. Yoahim said nothing, merely nodding slightly. It came off as the dignified poise of a solemn Dark Knight bearing a divine mission.
Fuck, this is scary as hell... Why's everyone staring?
In truth, he was just too intimidated to speak. No helping it—these were all powerhouses far beyond him.
"Now, allow me to introduce my lieutenants. First, Halbert. You've already met, but formalities matter."
Haellagos gestured, and Halbert nodded.
"Pleased to meet you properly, Apostle Yoahim. I am Halbert, a Ma demon and the master's first lieutenant, as you can see. I lead the legion's infantry and serve as the city's administrator."
With a crisp explanation, the introductions moved on.
"Pleased to meet ya, Apostle Yoahim. I'm Gellios, a dullahan and the master's second lieutenant. I command the legion's cavalry."
Gellios was a headless knight, green flames flickering endlessly where his head should be. His helmeted skull rested on the table, flames sputtering with every word.
"Me Billad! Shock troop captain! Kill! Kill master's enemies! Yoahim! Let's kill enemies together!"
Billad swung his massive axe. His frame dwarfed the chair, steel jaw glinting. Stitched scars crisscrossed his body, veins bulging fiercely. Yoahim recognized him as a Living Dead—a zombie superior with basic intelligence for conversation. Still looked like an idiot to outsiders, but his monstrous strength and regeneration made him a nightmare opponent.
"......Tilia. Master's fourth lieutenant. I lead the scouts."
The pale-skinned woman with crimson eyes spoke in a frosty tone. She looked human but wasn't alive. A banshee, monster heralding death with her wail. A bow and quiver slung across her back suggested a ranger-like role for her scouts.
But why does she seem to hate me?
Unlike the others, Tilia clearly despised Yoahim. What'd I do? He cleared his throat, ignoring her glare.
"The final lieutenant is Aljes. He's absent, so I'll introduce him. He commands the knight order."
Haellagos handled Aljes's intro. Yoahim nodded at the empty seat.
They all seem around Aljes's level.
He couldn't gauge precisely due to the level gap, but Haellagos's lieutenants matched or exceeded Aljes. With the master so mighty, no wonder no one dared challenge his rule in the Withered Land.
"This should have been said with Aljes present, but no helping it. Halbert, relay what happens here to him."
"Understood, master."
Halbert bowed politely, and Haellagos continued. "As you all know, our god was sealed by Laelro. Ka Kalli's servants faced attacks from Laelro's dogs and hid in the shadows. It was a long, humiliating era. But with Ka Kalli's apostle here, that time ends now."
Haellagos clenched his fists and roared. "We will free our god and avenge ourselves on Laelro's dogs! My legions will sweep the continent, punishing the vile traitors! We will reclaim our glory!"
The lieutenants bowed, moved by his words. Billad just excitedly swung his axe.
Can I opt out?
No faith in Ka Kalli for Yoahim, apostle or not. And Haellagos's ambitions were doomed from the start. In the game, he was just a mid-boss—powerful, but not continent-topping. Yoahim had no intention of dying in a lost cause.
"I declare here: the Withered Land's forces unite under one banner to crush all enemies. As the first step, I appoint Apostle Yoahim as my sixth lieutenant."
Gellios and Halbert hummed thoughtfully. Billad grinned vacantly at Yoahim—terrifying to onlookers. And Tilia...
"I object."
Silence fell. Haellagos, caught off-guard, narrowed his eyes. "Object? Tilia, are you defying my will?"
"Master, a vassal must speak truth at the risk of death—especially now."
"Truth, you say?"
"Yes. This Tilia stakes her life on it. Every position demands qualification. Though Yoahim is Ka Kalli's apostle, his skills are lacking, his knowledge shallow. Elevating him straight to lieutenant is unjust. Order matters—place him under Halbert or Sir Aljes to learn gradually, no?"
Haellagos stroked his chin thoughtfully, then spoke. "Then if he proves his worth, you'll withdraw your objection?"
Tilia nodded firmly. "Of course. No reason to oppose the qualified."
She shot Yoahim a smug 'Well?' glare, but he wasn't offended. In fact, it was a win. Dodging lieutenant duties meant avoiding dangerous crap.
"Any objections from you, Apostle Yoahim?"
Yoahim shook his head. "Nah, she's not wrong..."
"Very well. Then I withdraw the appointment of Apostle Yoahim as sixth lieutenant."
Yoahim nodded subtly. Perfect—if it ended here, he could coast, grab what he could from Haellagos, then bail...
"Instead, I appoint Apostle Yoahim as company captain. For the next month, he must lead troops in battle and prove his worth."
What the actual fuck...
Things just got worse. Company captain? Out on the front lines? If that's the case, why not just make him lieutenant, you lunatic!
Yoahim clenched his fists, trembling with rage.