Thought to add a Content Warning. This whole arc would be when this series gets the darkest, in all likelihood. So not a bad idea, though I already got my Content Warning Docs.

CW: Torture. Attempted rape.

=============== ============= ============ =========== ============= ============

"She's waking up."

"Call Anabela now!"

"And Zazarian."

"I'll make sure she doesn't try anything!

I awoke to the sound of the guards outside my cell talking angrily to each other. There were more of them now, each keeping a wary distance from my cell. They all looked to be incensed by my very existence, and the feeling was absolutely mutual, only differing in intensity. I held more hate in my hearts than they could ever fathom. It'd drive them mad… just like it did those fucking shepherds!

"Hah! Haha! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" I couldn't help it. The memory brought joy to me, and it just came flowing out. They got what they deserved, and I cherished their fates. It was the result of training that I hoped would never have to be used, but am now happy that I took the time and went through with it. I had learned how to use that bridge between brains that mind magic liked to construct!

The result was more magnificent than I could have ever hoped, especially when I went completely off-script in the end. I wasn't sure what would happen, but I held back my automatic vengeful defenses so that it could potentially build pressure, and be added upon by my conscious mind. I endured for a few minutes of this, and then I released it all as one attack in a mini-ritual that somehow sort of approached a true ritual's power. And if that wasn't enough… I activated my hyperdemon gland in the middle of that whole thing, and I was somehow able to remain loosely conscious? It was a weird sort of state, but it was like the two versions of me became one while remaining separate for this one instance, so that we could deliver the most hurt to those that we hated the most. It was fucking glorious, and I did not know half the things I did were even possible. The stress of the situation just forced me to jump several steps ahead and figure something out. There was so much left to discover, and I wished I had the freedom right now to just go out there and explore them. I would never forgive those who had trapped me in this place like this. They would all pay. I will make them pay.

[Hyperdemon Gland has reached Level 24!]

[Hyperdemon Gland has reached Level 25!]

[Hyperdemon Gland has reached Level 26!]

Oh, and, interestingly, I was rewarded so handsomely for my recent actions. I didn't think I had ever progressed this fast ever before. Not when I was just getting started, not when I was a literal baby, never.

The fates itself vindicate me.

The vault doors beyond my prison finally opened once more, and I watched closely to see who it was the guards had called upon. The same gold-ranked templar in golden armor came down, and she walked with fury evident in her every move… but all I could see was a child throwing a tantrum. Uncontrolled, unexamined, reactionary, pathetic.

"YOU!" She shouted, her fist slamming into the gates of my prison and shaking the metal bars terribly. "What have you done!?"

"Many things," I smiled gleefully, despite the infinitely deeper well of anger that I harbored. "Would you like to hear about them? I believe the bards have some really good songs."

"Fuck you! Is this a joke to you!?" she spat, and I was filled with malicious joy. "They're… they're not responding! Do you know who you just harmed! That's Duke Astro and several of his children!"

"I did know that." I nodded conversationally, causing the woman's stress to further balloon. That confirmed to me that I had made the right choice. I wanted to rage and curse like her too, but I could clearly see that this was more effective. It was an unpleasant act for me, but I was sure it was more unpleasant for them. Right now, that was all that mattered. "So very happy to meet them. Please, send them my regards."

"You… You…! YOU!" She slammed her fists into the bars of my prison again, and then grabbed a key from a nearby guard to come inside.

"You're also paying me a visit? That's–"

My words were cut off. She punched me in the face.

"--delightful." I smiled manically, finishing my sentence.

"Listen here you fucking ingrate…!" She grabbed my throat and strangled me. I did not let the smile fall from my face. "You are going to tell me what you did, and how to fix it."

"Hmmm…" I pondered that request. I nodded with a kind smile. "No. I don't think I will."

"I'm not asking!" She struck me another time in the face. Blood poured out and seeped into the floor of my prison. I kept my face studiously neutral, if not outright joyful. Anabela only proceeded to beat me harder, but it was useless. I had subjected myself to much worse.

"Talk. TALK!"

"Okay." I agreed, and she let up for a moment. "I'd comment on the weather, but I can't really see shit–"

She started punching again. I tried to get another word in, but she rudely interrupted me each time. Her own hands began to bleed, and not only from the impacts. For my mana leaked like the rays of a dying sun, with vengeance as its sole desire.

Anabela finally stopped, completely unsatisfied, when another person came through the vault doors. A vaguely familiar kobold man in fancy clothing walked up to the outside of my cell and asked, "May I talk to the prisoner, Templar Captain?"

She stood up, panted for a little while, and then nodded respectfully, "Of course."

"Thank you." He strode forward and took her place, while Anabela stood guard outside. The smart-looking kobold man regarded me. "Haell Zharignan, I presume?"

"Nope. You got the wrong person."

"I'm afraid not," he chuckled without joy. "I am Zazarian. The one tasked with capturing you here."

The magic within me roiled, and I could not help the glare that twisted my face into a grimace.

It was gone as soon as it came.

"I understand your anger, but I work directly for Queen Eden, and you have already made a great mess of things here. I would have to ask you to reverse whatever it was that you did to the good Duke."

I made a show of thinking about it. "No."

Truthfully, I didn't know how to. I didn't know if it was even possible. Even The Blur proved incapable.

"I'm afraid I'll have to insist. I can offer you some…" he regarded my dirty cell and the chains that held me. I could probably break it if I used everything, but all that would do was make them more cautious. I was somewhere underground, those vault doors only led to some stairs that went up, and I was not confident in escaping just yet. "...better accommodations for it if you wish."

"Oh wow. How generous."

"Quite."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Did this guy… not understand sarcasm?

"Yeah, no. Fuck off. The 'good' Duke can rot."

He frowned. The kobold man brought out a knife and raked his claws across it. "If you're not going to cooperate, then we will have to take more painful measures. You have aptly demonstrated that you cannot be swayed by common methods of persuasion and guidance."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"That attitude won't change your fate, only worsen it," he stabbed me right in the shoulder. I did not let a single whine escape but only stared him in the eyes. "I need you to undo what damage you still can, and then I will have you create more of your kind. These are the queen's orders. You would do well to heed them."

I blinked. That's what they wanted me for? To fucking give birth to a bunch of demons. To be their broodmare, their fucking breeding sow!?

No. Never. NEVER! I would boil myself from the inside than ever let such a future come to pass. I would not allow them to take that from me. I could already feel my blood roiling inside, ready to make a final stand so that I may take all of them down with me. I could do it. I COULD FUCKING DO IT!

I lurched forward. The chains pulled taut as I gnashed and bit at the air in front of me. Zazarian was forced to take a step back, and I continued to glower and scream at him with all the hate in the world… but did little else.

He took that to mean my powerlessness, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

"I'll be back later. I suggest you think over your situation much more carefully."

Zazarian turned around and left. I watched him go with the furious gaze of a predator stalking its prey. My hearts pumped faster as if in anticipation for the kill, and the atmosphere grew oppressive to all the guards left behind. They all flinched when my gaze roamed over them, and I only sneered.

What lies beyond is the problem. You are only fodder.

~~~

I woke up, immediately seeing red. White hot rage coursed through my veins, and I felt chains pull taut against my skin as if to split me into so many pieces of demon. My hearts beat fast, my eyes scanned the room frantically, and I roared, "What the fuck! WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!?"

"Ahhh! AAAAHHHH!!! AGGGGGGHHH!!!!! FUCK FUCK FUCK!!"

I received an unlikely response, so my eyes immediately snapped to the man in front of me. The area around his waist had become a rotting and torn mess… and so had my own. It only took a moment longer to understand what had happened.

"YOU FUCKING RAPIST! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"

True to my word, the magic roared out of me and set the space in between us both ablaze and inoculated with the deadliest curses. The man screamed louder when the pain of my rage reached him, but I would not be satisfied until he was but a husk and his soul so broken that it would never return. The templars from outside the cell streamed in to ruin my revenge, so I made them feel my rage instead. They tried to pull out the main target of my ire, and I made sure it cost them. They would go through living hell only to fail at their task in the end!!!

"Fuck!"

"KNOCK HER OUT!"

"HURRY!"

"IT HURTS!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

They tried to beat me. They struck my face. I glared at them, and my aura filled them with fear. I hung on to consciousness. I did as much damage as I could. I lamented that I could not kill the person who had tried to violate me in the one way that I could never forgive.

~~~

I stirred. Tasteless slop was being poured down my throat. I glowered at the maid feeding me, and she yelped and scooted away in response.

"S-sorry…!"

"Oh, she's awake?" The templars immediately interrupted.

"Don't fucking apologize to that fucking traitor!"

"Call Captain Anabela."

A few templars separated and went out. The maid looked fearfully between me and the remaining guards. She asked in a fearful voice, "U-ummmm… There's still some gruel for you to finish."

I continued to glare at her. My stomach roared in response. Unembarassed, I opened my mouth wide to eat whatever trash they wished to feed to me. I needed some nutrients in my body to replenish the natural weapons by which I would slaughter them all. Eventually. My enemies would fall by my hand if it was the last thing I ever did.

The maid scooted over, and began to feed the gray thing over my mouth. I allowed the disgusting sensations to fade as I thanked myself for having the foresight to keep working on the 'will' of my magic. That was partly why I was able to survive using my hyperdemon gland again. I didn't wish to ever resort to using it again, but I had made preparations, for my mana to be able to potentially act on its own. And then, I had done some other shit on the side too, just to prepare for some unlikely scenarios. I wasn't even sure that it'd work, but I was glad that my wrath was able to determine an attempted rape even when I was knocked out. The one who dared try got what he deserved, and I swore that when I get out of here, I would give him a hell even worse– but that was for later. For now, I was a bit confused that I didn't wake up the moment they tried to shake me around. I was tired, but if my mana was able to react to something like that, then I should've long been alerted already. So I could only think that they used some means to ensure that I would remain asleep while they had their way with my fucking body without me ever being able to resist!

They would pay for it.

They would all pay for it in blood!!!

"HAELL!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE NOW YOU CURSED CREATURE!!!" someone responded to my thoughts! Her voice came from above, she descended the stairs, and then entered the one corridor I could see. It was Anabela again and I matched her rage. Exceeded it by an unimaginable amount.

"WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO!? WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO SENDING A JACKASS TO RAPE ME WHILE I SLEPT YOU PATHETIC FUCKING IMBECILE!"

She paused, then burst into my cell, sending the maid scampering back.

"Rape you!? That's what you think he did!?"

"Don't fucking lie, dipshit! I know what you did and I'll fucking kill you!"

"It was under order orders dumbass! We wouldn't have had to do it if you hadn't denied the guidance of the shepherds and even fucking made them… them… so broken!"

"So that I could not only be rape-raped, but also mind-raped! Are you out of your fucking mind!? OH WAIT! Of course you are because that's what happened to you, you pathetic inbred fool!"

"WHAT!?" She grabbed my horns, and I really did not like that. "You fucking take that back right now!"

"Afraid of the truth, bitch!? EAT SHIT!"

"IT'S CALLED GUIDANCE AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL!"

"YOU'RE FUCKING BRAINWASHED!"

"I AM NOT!" she yanked on my horn and tossed my head, almost breaking the neck. "Do you even know who you just irreparably injured? That's Asordo, a Templar Captain. Someone important, far more important than you could ever be. But now most of his skin is scarred over! He can't even have children anymore! A knight without a fucking legacy! Do you not realize how much of a tragedy this is! What have you done!?"

I smiled. "Good. The only tragedy here is that I wasn't able to finish the job, but may he suffer enough and more to make up for it."

"You… You…!" Anabela shook her head. "You can't be reasoned with. Not normally at least. But even animals can be trained with enough pain."

The chains rattled. I lurched as my right arm was yanked away.

"What are you doing…?"

"Giving you a taste of his pain." My enemy drew her sword and chopped my entire arm right off in one powerful swing.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"Good, good!" she gloated, swinging the severed arm in front of my face. "You try that again, and I'll take another–"

My screams abruptly cut off. I felt the weird and powerful sensations of having two minds in sync once more. I gave no heed to the woman's last words as I spoke my own incantation.

"Ardent Retribution of The Abscised!"

The arm exploded, evaporated, into a mass of black flames. It consumed the object of my hatred in its entirety, her armor be damned. It melted alongside her flesh as she rolled and sizzled, but the cursed flame would never go out. Her resilience only prolonged her suffering, her screams did nothing, she was born only to suffer. The templars nearby immediately rushed to her aid, but they were powerless to stop the inevitable. They got as close as they dared, emboldened by the lack of heat in the air, only to immediately flinch back when they finally touched upon her peeled and exposed flesh, for now they knew how truly hot this furnace was. Some never returned to help, only hovering around the edges, feigning concern. I supposed in the end, that was only how much her people cared for her, when she was so ready to defend them even when they were a rapist.

How fucking pathetic.

More templars streamed in from above, but they were no help either. Some had access to magic, but their waters did little to quell the consequence of my rage. Anabela continued to scream and smash against everything in sight, sometimes hitting her own compatriots, much to my delight. It was so chaotic that they entirely forgot to deal with me, giving me a first-class view of the show. The once-powerful templar's flesh slowly turned to goop, her organs leaked and ruptured, and the skeleton that held it all together slowly broke apart as it turned black as coal.

The screaming stopped. It had stopped long before the squirming did. But now even that was gone. And all that was left was an empty charred husk.

The remaining templars took out their anger on me, and I allowed them to beat me into unconsciousness. They knew as well as I did that it was a futile gesture, and I enjoyed how the despair crept further into their furious expressions as my vision slowly went out like a dying light. My dreams tonight would surely be sweet, and violent.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.