Way of the Knights

---

"Young Lord, you're back!" Kyrie greeted when he saw Raven arriving with a flash of light inside the pocket dimension.  action

"Mn!" Raven nodded in acknowledgement. "The Soldiers are still in slumber, I just a clone in there to temporarily look after them. How's everything so far?"

"The situation had more or less stabilized within Asphodel." Kyrie said as he passed down several reports on Raven's table. "Thanks to your contributions, the Inner Disciples now had an easier time dealing with the Devils that are descending. Additionally, the Formations you made were well received by the disciples. I assume you've already received the Merit Points from them already."

"That I did." Raven nodded. 

He had indeed received the generous compensation for his hard work. The formations were sold for at least 500,000 Merit Points. It's a bit on the expensive side yet those who had purchased it used it had no complaints so far. 

How can they complain after experiencing the greatness of the Formation? Not only did the Formation repelled the Curse of Wrath that's ever present within Asphodel, it also provided them with security and comfort. The Formation can't be seen by the Devils, additionally, it also converts the irritating heat of Asphodel into cold winter breeze which was comfortable beyond belief. 

It was safe to say that the Formation was a godly tool and a must have when travelling within Asphodel. Those who bought it and used it had nothing but praises for it. 500,000 Merit Points sure is expensive but this is just a small investment that will surely pay-out greatly. Some of the people who bought already reached a break-even point, and from there onwards, they'll start earning. 

Raven's entitled to at least 50% of the profits. The materials are covered by the sect so those are not deducted to his pay, which means that he's getting 250,000 Merit Points for each Formation that was bought. Sufficed to say, Raven's pockets are definitely fatter at this point.

"I'll hand over another batch of Formations next week. Be sure to remind in case I forgot about it." Raven informed Kyrie. 

"Yes, Young Lord." Kyrie greatly admired this Young Lord of hers. He hasn't even been in the position for long yet he's already solved the problem of Merit Points earning. He truly is special.

"Anything else I needed to know?" Raven asked. 

"Here, Young Lord." Kyrie pushed a scroll on Raven's table.

Raven picked up the scroll and gently unfurled it. Looking at it's contents, his mind trembled for a bit. It's another specialized mission issued to him, this time, it was sent by the Sect Master. 

[Mission for the 9th Zeus's Chosen - Vendrick Valorheart]

: I've heard about your deeds from the Grand Elder. Impressive! I hope you continue this trend for the greater good. Nevertheless, let's talk business...

I heard you were capable of creating Empyrean-ranked Seals, there is a matter that I need your help with. Meet me at the Storm Dweller's Peak as soon as you can. I'll inform you about the details of this mission there. 

---

Raven was visibly surprised upon seeing this. He then turned to Kyrie and asked: "When did this arrive?"

"Two days ago Young Lord." She replied, "I would've let you know if it weren't for the Sect Master's orders to not disturb you lest you were in the middle of something important."

"That's...oddly humble for someone like him." Raven murmured, but it was heard by Kyrie. 

"The Sect Master must've had his own reasons." She said, "I suggest that you look for him, assuming that you don't have anything important to do right now."

"Yeah, I should do that." Raven mumbled somewhat absent-mindedly. He then stood-up and asked: "How do I go to the Storm Dweller's Peak?"

"This place had a one-way Transmission Gate towards there. I'll have it ready for you." She replied. 

"Thanks. I'll go take a bath real quick." Raven said as he went towards the bathroom. 

Several minutes later, Raven got out of the bath and ready to leave. He wasted no time and searched for Kyrie. He found her waiting beside the Transmission Gate, when Raven appeared, he nodded at her and she got the message. 

Kyrie activated the Transmission Gate and Raven stepped inside, before he left he gave her some instructions via voice transmission. Kyrie remembered everything he said and deactivated the transmission gate once he disappeared. 

When Raven's vision adjusted, he found himself standing in front of an extremely tall mountain covered with dark clouds and occasional bolts of thunder and lightning. There was an arching gate in front of him with a plate which reads: Storm Dweller's Peak. 

Raven walked forward and as soon as he got close to the gates, the mark on his forehead suddenly released a buzzing sound. Raven was confused at first but then, the gate suddenly opened up. Dismissing this with a shrug, he continued traversing the mountain with a brisk pace. The occasional bolts of lightning strikes nearby didn't do anything to deter him at all. 

Even though he could hear loud thunderclaps and had close encounters with the lightning strikes, Raven didn't stop his journey. He was neither anxious nor stressed or pressured by these things. Quite the contrary really. He looked relax, as if he was doing a regular hiking. 

Eventually, Raven arrived at the peak where another gate barred his way. This time around, this gate is the entrance to the abode at the peak of the mountain. Just like before, the thunderbolt mark on his forehead released another buzzing sound and the gates mysteriously opened once more. 

Raven stepped inside and saw a rather humble abode. It wasn't made out of the most expensive materials, nor was it staggeringly large. It was more like a vacation house that old and rich people build for themselves where they could relax and enjoy their retirement. 

From the moment Raven stepped within this territory, he already knew that some people were already watching him. It was just an undeniable feeling that could never be mistaken. Nevertheless, Raven didn't raise his guard nor felt intimidated, he only felt that it's natural. 

Raven could feel a strong aura towards the backyard. He could sense five people here, every single one was a monster in human-skin. He didn't even dare to imagine him fighting against any of these people since the result was already obvious. Thankfully, this was not the purpose of his visit. 

When he arrived at the backyard, he saw the people who's aura were like glaring torches amidst the darkness. Three old men and two ladies. 

One was currently resting at a reclining chair with a woman on his lap. One was sitting cross-legged with a beauty right beside him and the last one was respectfully sitting on his knees behind all of them. 

The old man on the recliner opened one of his eyes and looked at Raven's way. He then chuckled and said: "The Little Monster is here."

As soon as he said that, five pairs of eyes look towards Raven. 

If this was any other place, Raven would've surely be a little bit freaked-out by this sudden event. 

Imagine five people who's auras were akin to Primordial Beasts, staring at you. Who wouldn't feel alarmed? Thankfully, these people were allies.

"Disciple Vendrick greet the Elders." Raven saluted the five elders as soon as their gazes met. This was the first time that he personally met them. Well, all aside from the Grand Elder - who's surprisingly the same Elder who visited him back at Tartarus and handed him and Ancestor Sealer's necklace.

"Mn! What do you think?" The elder who's sitting cross-legged whispered at the woman by his side. 

The woman nodded and said: "He's indeed different. That Old Geezer really lucked out this time."

Raven shivered as soon as he heard that. He tried to remain indifferent but his heart was currently experiencing tumultuous waves. 

'Is it a coincidence or...'

"Relax..." the woman chuckled. "I'll hand it to you, your face doesn't give away anything but the same can't be said with your thoughts. Don't worry, you're a disciple of the Sect and ally. None of us covets your little crown."

Raven's pupils constricted. Now there's no denying it. His biggest secret was revealed! Raven felt like panicking but he knew that even if does, it wouldn't change the fact that he's at their mercy right now. 

And this is something he didn't like, even one bit.

"Aiya, you girl. Look at what you did!" The Grand Elder snorted, "You frightened the kid. What do we do if he decides to run away, huh?" 

"He's right." The old man beside her said with a bit of a helpless tone. "You've given me another headache!" 

"That isn't really a problem. We'll just tie him down here then. We'll see where he could run." The lady snorted. 

"Madam, that's...not the point." The man sitting on his knees muttered, his tone was little bit helpless too.

"Oh geez, you smelly old men are such bullies! Hmph!" The lady snorted, she then looked at Raven and said: "Why are you still nervous!? Didn't I say to relax? Look at what you did? Now this smelly old men are bullying me!"

"I-....how's this my fault?" Raven said with an almost crying expression.