However, Gruul’s loyalty wasn’t blind. He won’t let a threat to Val’s life exist.
Gruul continued, “But master, my duty as your subordinate is to teach you the responsibilities of a Devil God and correct you when you’re wrong. Just let her die. It’s better this way. It will save you from a world of trouble.”
“What do you mean?” Val asked.
“Looking out for a mortal reeking of holy power is a mistake you’ll deeply regret. A Devil God can never be friends with those who serve the light. Once she realizes who you are, she will turn on you,” Gruul replied.
“So, you are telling me to nip the bud before it blossoms,” Val said with his eyebrow raised. 𝑜𝑽𝑳xt.𝕔𝑜𝐌
Gruul nodded gravely, “That would be the wise course of action, Master. As this era’s Devil God, you should not let emotions affect your judgment.”
The words of the ancient devil made Val pause.
‘So, this is why Gruul is being so obstinate. He is attempting to take advantage of this situation to teach me a lesson. Although I am the Devil God and the master of the Shrine of Evil, I can’t act as I like. Harmonious interaction with the followers of light isn’t allowed. Loving a priestess is strictly forbidden for a devil god. But if I tell him the truth, Gruul’s mind might change.’
Val’s gaze fell on Eliana. What he was about to say next was hurtful. If she heard it, it would signify the end of their relationship.
First, he had to make sure she was really unconscious.
He inspected her. Her HP bar only had two points left, meaning she was 2 points away from death. Her status screen also showed her condition. She was grievously injured and unconscious.
“However, I do not want that,” Val spoke clearly and decisively to Gruul after confirming she couldn’t hear him, “And I believe we are not on the same page. You’ve some grave misunderstandings about me. I rarely let my emotions get the best of me, and this isn’t one of those times.
“Let me make this clear, Gruul. She isn’t my love interest. Her feelings for me are one-sided due to my manipulations. Her powers are invaluable, and I chose the easiest way to monopolize them. That’s it.”
“You mean…”
For the first time, Gruul realized his mistake – he had doubted Val’s capability. Val was chosen by the legacy of Morkus himself to become the inheritor of the Shrine of Evil. Naturally, the reason must lie more with his personality than his unique and superior bloodline.
He also realized that Val wasn’t unnecessarily evil, but he didn’t forego benefits either. As long as it could benefit him, he would even interact with his enemies, a strategy Morkus also employed.
Val was not a saint, yet he was not a sinner. He was capable of becoming either at any given time, as long as it would benefit him.
This was the personality that a Devil God should have!
“To put it in simple words, Eliana is my most valuable asset. A tool I need to wield against the uncertainties of life. I can’t afford to lose her because there won’t be a second one like her.” Val explained.
Seeing her Health bar fall to only 1 point, he shouted, “So save her!”
Gruul still had one doubt left. Just how special was she that she even earned the admiration of the Devil God?
“What power does she possess, Master?” Gruul asked.
“Her sincere prayers have the power to alter reality,” Val replied.
Upon hearing this, Gruul’s eyes lit up, “If that’s the case, Master, I will save her.”
Gruul moved his hand above Eliana’s body. Red threads rose from her body. Consequently, her wound closed up, and even the scar disappeared.
Val watched the spectacle in awe. He had never seen such a method of healing before. He had expected Gruul to be able to heal others from mortal wounds as he was an immensely powerful being who had lived for thousands of years, but not this effortlessly and uniquely.
“What exactly did you extract from her body that healed her?” Val asked.
Gruul replied, “I have extracted her wounds. She should wake up in a while.”
“I knew I could count on you, Gruul.” Val thanked his subordinate sincerely,
“Your words honor me, Master,” Gruul responded to the gratitude Val had shown him with a humble nod.
Then Gruul suggested, “If you like, I can use the extracted wounds to create a curse. You can use it to deal with your enemies.”
Interest sparked in Val’s eyes, and he said, “I would like that.”
“Wait here for a moment, Master. It won’t take long.”
Saying so, Gruul put his power and knowledge to work.
The red threads then began to intertwine, creating a crimson card with incomprehensible words written on the front and an empty back.
Gruul handed over the card to Val, “By writing the name of a person and the part of the body you want to target on the back of the card, you can inflict them with the grievous wound curse. However, it has limited power and can only be used once, so use it wisely.”
Val pocketed the card without hesitation.
“This is indeed a great help, Gruul. Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. I made a mistake and thought this was the only way I could make up to you.”
“What mistake?”
“I will tell you.”
Gruul had developed a prejudice against the forces of light ever since the dreadful war that put an end to the glorious days of the reign of the Devil Gods. His hatred was deep-seated and had been influencing his judgments ever since.
It was precisely because of this prejudice that he wanted Eliana dead. He was driven by a selfish intent and didn’t bother comprehending the thoughts of his master before speaking up, leading him to almost make a mistake.
He failed at his job.
If Val hadn’t opened up to him, he would have let his past cloud his judgment and ended up antagonizing his own master. It was a lesson for him to leave his past behind and align himself with Val’s intentions.
Val responded, “Everyone makes mistakes. So I can understand.
Gruul seemed taken aback, “You don’t blame me?”
Val shook his head, “I don’t.”
If Gruul had let Eliana die, Val wouldn’t have exiled Gruul from the shrine despite having the power to do so. Instead, he would’ve kept Gruul around until he himself was powerful enough to defend the shrine. Then he would have killed Gruul. And it wouldn’t have been to avenge Eliana. It would have been to punish Gruul for his disobedience. After all, what use was a subordinate that doesn’t listen to orders? And if something was useless, why keep it alive?
“Just don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment in the future,” Val added.
“I won’t,” Gruul replied.
Val uttered a soft “Exille” and in an instant, he and Eliana left the shrine and returned to the eastern district of the lower city.
Cradling the unconscious Eliana in his arms, he entered the haunted house.