The Fate of The Reincarnated

11. A lead

He sang his favorite tune slowly as he walked up the massive steps that led to the counselor's chambers; he despised the steps and despised the fact that he had to engage with them before making a decision. The old geezers were slimy, and every second he spent chatting to them made him feel like a slug.

Even though each city in Vancrest had its own council, the council in Gales was recognized as the superior magistrate by all four cities. He ascended the stairs and paused to regain his breath before passing through the massive gates that led onto a wide courtyard.

There was a huge open space within the courtyard, with three seats around the perimeter.

"Why are you here... Liric." Roman, the council member that sat in the middle said.

Liric Titanfall was the strongest adventurer in the entire world, his power being clarified by the special rank "Painite" being made just for his existence. Liric stared at the council for a minute, thousands of simulations playing simultaneously in his head. "Could he win them if he attempted an all-out brawl?" He thought to himself.

Although they didn't land the final blow, the three members of the Council. Roman, Ysley and Ansu were heavily tied to the destruction of the demon king a century ago. Each of them used a constant supply of mana from volunteers to continuously cast healing magic on themselves slowing down their aging process and although they looked in their late forties and fought like they were in their late forties they were actually old enough to birth three generations. Now back to the question of whether Liric would win in a fight against them.

"I would," Liric smirked as every simulation ended with him claiming victory appeared in his mind. "I am the strongest after all."

"Titanfall. You requested an audience, what do you seek?"

Liric snapped back to the conversation with the three grandparents and the smile on his face turned to a slight annoyance that wasn't visible at a glance. "I'm here to request permission to scour Rosso Horizon, I have reason to believe there are demons in human clothing residing in the city."

"What exactly is this reason?" Ansu asked and a vein popped up on Liric's head.

"I tortu- I 'talked' to a sentient demon I met on the edge of Gales, he was happy to cooperate."

"What about the demon found in the catacombs of Alza? Hex said he felt another demon's presence nearby. One stronger than the one he killed." Ysley stated.

"I'll be sure to look into it. Now about that Rosso Horizon permit." Liric wanted to take a shower.

"The demons are our main enemies..." Ansu started.

"However, they are not only our only enemies. The "Hand of Order" cult is growing more dangerous by the second and their motives are still unclear." Ysley completed.

"Emirus and Val can handle the Hand of Order chumps, I'm not doing the job regardless of whether you tell me to." Liric stared into Roman's eyes. "Now my permit."

"We are not giving you a permit. We need our strongest adventurer here at all times, your disappearance could open a chance for the demons to pounce on Vancrest." Roman said and Liric raised an eyebrow.

"Are you saying the other adventurers are weak?"

The wind swept through the trees, carrying with it dry leaves and dust, scattering them to the far reaches of the world. Roman's gaze remained fixed on Liric, who returned the stare unwaveringly. "You won't be getting a permit from us," Roman asserted and Liric dashed toward him, seizing him by the throat and instantly freezing him, all without resorting to a spell. Ansu glanced at Liric, amazed by his remarkable speed and the superiority of his magic compared to theirs.

[Light magic: Ray barrage] Ansu unleashed massive bursts of radiant energy beams, yet none of them managed to approach Liric, seemingly repelled by an invisible force. Liric advanced toward Ansu, who emitted an unmistakable aura of fear. [Frost magic: Titan cadaver] In an instant, ice emanated from Liric's form, rapidly encasing the entire courtyard, Ysley, and Ansu in a frozen grip, the entire sequence taking place within a mere ten seconds. Liric opened his eyes, finding each council member alive and breathing. Despite his capability to end their lives as he had done in the earlier simulation, there was no necessity. "Being accused of treason certainly leaves an unpleasant aftertaste," he mused.

Roman caressed his throat and Ansu gulped, just at that moment they were killed by Liric. They tried their best not to show fear but there was no way for them to actually defeat him if he seriously came after them. The only upper hand they had was their status and influence over the world.

"So," Liric cracked his neck. "What job are you going to give me since my permit won't be realized."

"We want you to find that presence Hex said he felt, and hence for this mission you will be accompanied by Hex and Sven."

"Why Sven?" Liric asked, wondering what the inexperienced adventurer could contribute.

As he strode back and forth, Liric's footsteps boomed across the huge concrete floors of the council's headquarters. The council members had charged him with finding the presence that Hex had sensed. Liric, accompanied by Hex and Sven, was skeptical of the young adventurer's talents. Nonetheless, he was aware of the task's peril.

"Sven is an Ianbris, although on the weaker side, he is still of their bloodline," Roman explained.

Liric raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And Ianbris mana attracts more demons than light does moths. I'm guessing you want me to go back to the catacombs of Alza," he remarked, his smirk revealing a hint of amusement. "Using my fellow adventurer as bait, so deviously evil."

Ansu, another council member, noted Liric's expression. "I know that look, Liric. What do you want?"

"Other than permission to scour Rosso Horizon? I want information on Merlo. Information I know you have," Liric asserted, his eyes locked on the council members.

The three council members exchanged glances, deliberating silently. Finally, Roman spoke, "We will give you all the information on Merlo we have after the demon that was at Alza is dead and buried six feet deep."

Liric nodded, accepting the deal. "A good deal, if I say so," he mused, his mind already racing with thoughts of revenge. "I hate this place."

With that, Liric walked away from the council, descending the long steps. He knew he had to find Hex and learn more about the presence they were after. If it was Merlo, he couldn't afford to have anyone else interfere with his plans for the wicked demon. "Can't have anyone else make the bastard suffer," he muttered quietly, unconsciously exuding an icy aura that swiftly chilled the surrounding air.