Chapter 1038 - 1037: The Sovereign’s Letter

Simon studied the residence beyond the gates.

Pale lines traced the dark walls and disappeared beneath wide eaves. Above the entrance, a balcony overlooked the lower terraces, while tall windows caught the orange light falling through the sky.

It was considerably better than the guest quarters.

He sensed four familiar presences inside.

Sonya. Akaza. Virella. Ammor.

"How would I get separate houses for them?" he asked.

Enigma glanced at him.

"Since they’re not daemons, you can purchase additional residences. Anything in this district would be expensive, though."

Simon was about to answer when the gates opened.

"So this is what happens when little kitty becomes famous."

Sonya walked out first, with Akaza behind her. Virella and Ammor followed, stopping just beyond the entrance.

Simon looked down at the short demoness.

"I was asking about getting you houses."

"Of course. You become popular, receive a beautiful home, and immediately decide your old friends should live somewhere else."

His lips twitched.

Enigma turned toward him.

"Little kitty?"

He sounded as though he wanted to give Simon an opportunity to correct what he had heard.

Sonya angled her face toward Enigma, then back toward Simon. Her hands settled on her hips.

"No matter how powerful or famous he becomes, little kitty will always be little kitty to this Honourable."

Akaza looked away, and his shoulders moved once as he stifled a chuckle.

Simon covered his face with a palm.

Enigma’s expression became difficult to describe. His gaze travelled between the small demoness declaring her authority and the Daemon who had killed Joren.

"Don’t," Simon said.

"I haven’t said anything."

"Keep it that way."

Virella shook her head slightly.

Simon lowered his hand and faced Enigma.

"Thank you. For bringing us here and for everything you’ve helped arrange."

"It wasn’t much trouble."

"Fourth Lord."

Sonya’s voice drew Enigma’s attention.

She tilted her head back toward him, then lowered it slightly, seeming to consider him from top to bottom.

"That’s what they call you, isn’t it? The Fourth Lord of The Abyss?"

"The Fourth Abyss Lord, yes."

"Shouldn’t you have something more important to do than show little kitty around?"

Enigma’s lips twitched, then he coughed.

"Blackmoon is a special case. His admission requires more attention than most."

"Ah."

Sonya nodded with sudden understanding.

She stepped closer and patted his forearm.

"I understand."

Enigma looked down at her hand.

"Understand what?"

"You’re avoiding more troublesome work. Escorting little kitty is easier than doing whatever is waiting for you elsewhere."

Ammor made a small sound of laughter behind her.

Sonya continued before Enigma could respond.

"There’s no need to explain. This Honourable understands these things."

Enigma shifted his arm away and looked at Simon.

"Who exactly is she?"

Simon opened his mouth.

"Honourable Sonya," she declared. "The greatest talent ever to command the earth. As for strength, you may tell anyone who disagrees to come and face this Honourable."

Her chin rose.

Enigma stared at her.

Then he looked back at Simon.

"I think I’ll take my leave."

Simon shook his head.

"Alright. We’ll speak later."

Enigma gave a brief nod and turned down the path. He did not look back when Sonya waved after him.

"Work hard, Fourth Lord!"

Simon watched him reach the turning before facing her.

"What?" Sonya asked.

"You actually made him leave with nothing but your words and attitude."

"He’s a snake, but his skin isn’t very thick."

She shook her head.

"This Honourable is unimpressed."

Simon’s lips twitched again.

Across the path, a Daemon had stopped beside his gate. Two others were slowing farther down the terrace, their attention plainly directed toward Simon’s group.

"Enough people are watching us already. Let’s go inside."

Sonya turned with a satisfied hum.

The others followed them through the courtyard.

Inside, polished pale stone spread beneath a thick, dark-red carpet. Low couches surrounded a broad table, their carved wooden frames almost hidden beneath deep cushions.

Silver lamps hung from the high ceiling. A staircase curved along one wall toward the upper rooms, and tall doors at the back opened onto the enclosed practice courtyard.

There was space everywhere.

Even the sitting room was large enough that his companions didn’t need to gather around the same piece of furniture.

Simon was considering the door leading toward the study when he noticed something on the table.

A black envelope lay against the pale stone.

Crimson lines bordered its edges, meeting beneath a seal bearing The Abyss’s insignia. The seal looked ordinary until his perception brushed it.

His attention immediately sharpened.

Something dangerous lingered there. It was restrained, but sufficiently clear that he stopped examining it so casually.

Akaza noticed where he was looking.

"That appeared while we were waiting."

"Appeared?"

"Yes. I believed somebody powerful teleported the letter on the table. None of us brought it in."

He pointed to the small sheet resting on top.

"It says it’s only for Blackmoon. Nobody else is to open it or read the contents."

Simon approached.

The note said exactly that.

He had a good idea who had sent it.

The elders had promised him the details of the Sovereign’s test, and he had spent more than half a day inside the vault. Apparently, the message had reached his new home before he did.

He lifted the envelope.

The crimson lines brightened beneath his fingers. A moment later, the seal loosened.

Simon removed the folded sheet and opened it.

The last line confirmed his suspicion.

{Blackmoon,

Assist four Daemons in the capital city of the Daegrins.

The Abyss Sovereign.}

Simon stared at the page.

After a moment, he turned it over. The back was blank.

He checked the envelope, but there was nothing else inside.

That was the entire message?

His gaze returned to the few lines.

Who were these four Daemons? Where exactly was he supposed to find them, and what did they need assistance with?

Simon’s lips twitched.

He had expected the Sovereign to be a person of few words, but surely a few more wouldn’t have hurt.

The guard outside the Myriad Vault had given him more information about handling books than the Sovereign had provided about his trial.

He read the message once more, wondering whether he had overlooked something.

He hadn’t.

Simon released a quiet breath. Apparently, finding out what he was supposed to do was also his responsibility.

He could appreciate being allowed to make his own decisions. Having almost nothing on which to base those decisions was less appealing.

He lowered the letter, still considering the territory mentioned within it.

"The Daegrins..." he murmured with a frown.