Chapter 439: Collapse of Faith II
Two days later.
The Acraepoid warriors were quick to acknowledge Grimm’s strength. He had now been designated to lead a five-member squad in charge of the defenses of a small south-western corner in Fort Santalum.
“Warrior Grimm, you have been summoned by Commander Amza.”
An Acraepoid flew in from a distance. Grimm had seen this person before. It was Amza’s close bodyguard who always passed on his messages, a rather formidable person.
Grimm served under Amza, who was one of the three great commanders. He was not really familiar with the other two.
Grimm’s eyes lit up. He nodded and flew with the Acraepoid after passing on his duties to some of his followers.
In the grand flame-colored palace, Grimm bowed in the Acraepoid’s manner. The black flame on top of his head flickered.
Other than Commander Amza, there was another commander named Kyle Keller in the palace. What surprised Grimm was that Claudia was by the side of this commander, holding hands with him intimately like a couple.
The big fish was him?
Grimm had to be very careful even when interacting with the Level-2 Acraepoids here. If there were no reason to, he would stay away from them as he was afraid he would blow his cover.
Yet Claudia…
“Greetings Commander Amza, Commander Kyle Keller.”
Grimm’s voice was absolutely heavy. He looked reliable and trustworthy.
“Hahahaha, so you are Grimm? You look just like what Claudia had described, a fine Acraepoid Warrior, no wonder you are Claudia’s brother, hahaha…”
The Acraepoid Commander seemed to enjoy Claudia’s embrace. He was light-spirited as he complimented Grimm from a higher position.
Grimm took a bow, pretending to be delighted by his praises.
“Thank you, Commander, for your words. It’s just that I have spoiled Claudia so much that I made her feel like I am an invincible Acraepoid Warrior. As a matter of fact, I am just another normal member of the millions of Acraepoid Warriors.”
Commander Amza was smiling beside them.
“What kind of normal Acraepoid Warrior would have cultivated the Infernal Spirits to your level? Even I couldn’t see through your skills. There must be a powerful Noble that was born in your ancestry.”
Grimm humbly smiled. He did not say much.
“Commander Keller, I need to ask permission from my elder brother first before I can give you my word.”
Claudia’s voice was absolutely mesmerizing. It was hard for a normal Acraepoid to make such intonations.
Claudia seemed to have an irresistible charm towards the Acraepoids. Kyle Keller was charmed by her. His face was full of pure indulgence. He could not stop laughing.
Commander Amza glared at Grimm and complained.
“Warrior Grimm! You have such a sweet sister, yet you did not introduce her to us. You were hiding her, and now he has swooped right in, hmph…”
“Hahahaha, let me ask you, Warrior Grimm, would you let Dia follow me?”
According to the Acraepoid culture, what Grimm needed to do now was to refuse him by challenging him to a duel or set out conditions for his request…
“Even if Commander Kyle Keller were to marry my sister, he would still need to prove the will of his Infernal Spirit. He must possess faith in the Infernal Gods!”
Grimm’s words were upright. He seemed like the most faithful follower of the Dark Destroyer Infernal God!
Even though it was a time when the Dark Destroyer Kingdom was at its end, and that many of the high level Acraepoids had lost faith in the Infernal Gods, none of them dared to announce it in public.
The influence of the Dark Destroyer Infernal God was like a huge mountain that was crushing on top of every citizen of the Dark Destroyer Kingdom. At the same time, it was also like a belt that held them all together.
Even if it had been sealed off or had passed away, it was still a rallying flag.
Just a single, average person waving the flag of the Dark Destroyer Infernal God at the temple altar was enough to rally millions of Acraepoids to sacrifice everything, including their lives.
“Of course! I am the most loyal follower of the great Dark Destroyer Infernal God!”
Kyle Keller’s expression was that of the most faithful follower. Amza and Claudia had the same expressions as well.
But truth be told, if they were really faithful, they would have heard the call of the Dark Destroyer at the palace altar and head forth to the capital to aid the World Guardian.
There were four people in the palace hall. Two of them the Acraepoid Commanders, two of them sorcerers in disguise. None of them believed in the Dark Destroyer Infernal Gods, yet they were all putting up a front to show how they were the most faithful of followers. They even seemed willing to die for their beliefs as well.
Look at them, such a superficial appearance.
Yet, there was unusual power embedded within the superficial appearance. Those who understood it did not willingly break the whole charade. At the same time, millions of average Acraepoids were kept from learning the truth.
If the superficial appearances were torn apart, the sorcerers would be able to severely weaken the Acraepoids’ resistance efforts. It was a reason to destroy the historical heroes and faith of the enemies.
After going through millions of Demon-Hunting expeditions, the sorcerers had gathered too many experiences from the expeditions.
In relative terms, the Infernal Spirit World was just a toddler civilization that could not withstand a storm.
No!
It would be more suiting to call it a fetus.
Grimm was excited. He appeared to be delighted by Kyle Keller’s faithfulness. He exclaimed in an upright manner, “Good! Since the Commander is a faithful servant of the Dark Destroyer Infernal God, then I implore you, close down those filthy red-light districts and arrest all the women who have tainted the sacred belief of the Infernal Gods! Punish them severely to remind the people to hold on to their faith in the great Infernal Gods!”
Hear, hear! Grimm’s words were so righteous, he was the most loyal and pure believer of the Infernal Gods.
Even in Fort Santalum now, he had not forgotten to protect the teachings of the Infernal Gods. He was still adamant in keeping his precepts. Grimm had never been in breach of any of the Infernal Gods’ teachings, which made him unblamable.
From the surface of it, Grimm was totally right!
Yet in reality, not only Kyle Keller, but even Amza was slightly hesitant.
They all knew what was going on in the red-light districts. Even the priests at the Dark Destroyer temple knew, but none of them dared to put a stop to it.
The reason was simple.
The end-of-times rules were starting to destroy the Infernal Gods’ rules, if the red-light districts were to be closed off, the women that had no one to rely on could only leave the city in search of food into the deeper regions or face death by starvation!
The consequences of believing in the Dark Destroyer Infernal God.
Would the Dark Destroyer Infernal God hand them food?
No, it would only bring death.
And when these people had to make a choice between dying and their own religion…
Grimm said coldly as he noticed the hesitation in Kyle Keller’s mind. “How… do you, commander, think that the women who have defied the Infernal Gods’ teachings of not indulging in their desires and sold their own bodies and made our Acraepoid Warriors heedless, are in the right?”
Claudia too played her part. She seemed visibly upset and released her hands from Kyle Keller’s grip.
Suddenly, Kyle Keller burst out in laughter. “I would never!?”
Kyle Keller’s face turned grim. “For defying the teachings of the great Dark Destroyer Infernal God, I have wanted to rid Fort Santalum of these disgusting worms for a long time, including the corrupted warriors who had defied the teachings, they too would be severely punished!”
Grimm raised his head in surprise. Claudia too showed an expression that was full of hope.
“Well then, I look forward to your work.”
Grimm excused himself along with Claudia.