A Demon's Journey

Azaroth was chuckling because he hadn't expected Noah to seek love advice from him so suddenly. And the way Noah phrased his question also made him laugh. He felt that Noah was too young to be thinking about these matters.

However, Azaroth knew that Noah eagerly awaited his response. Perhaps it was because he was too young that he had no idea how he should handle the situation without disappointing Azaroth. Thus, he decided to contact Azaroth.

Azaroth stared at Noah seriously and began speaking, "You have already answered your own question. If you don't want to reject them, then there is only one path left for you. To accept their confessions."

"If you reject their confessions while going against your heart, you will give birth to a heart-devil. A dreadful heart-devil who will destroy your whole being. Noah, you must always be true to yourself. Focus on making sure that you are not deceiving yourself. Thus, as I earlier said, you only have a single path left for you."

"However, I can tell you what awaits you on that route. If they ever betray you, you must be determined to put an end to them. Because betraying you would be the same as betraying me. And that person will immediately lose his right to life." Noah could hear Azaroth's remarks clearly.

Noah didn't even flinch when he heard those remarks. He paid attention to Azaroth's comments and took them seriously. Even though he was steadily developing feelings for Luna and Aria, he would not excuse them if they betrayed him and his lord.

Azaroth examined Noah's demeanor and concluded that nothing was unusual. If he had even sensed Noah's heartbeat increase or seen any other symptoms of deception, he would have responded instantly and had those two ladies killed.

However, since there was nothing unusual, Azaroth continued, "But let's assume that they don't betray you or even leave you. They stay together with you for the rest of your lives. Then you must remain resolute that you will never settle down and give up on your training. You will live two different kinds of lives. One where you are at home, taking some rest and relaxing and the other is when you are out and doing the missions that I will assign you."

"You will need to understand. No, actually imprint the priority of your life. Your greatest priority would be to obey my order and then think of anything else! You will become my right hand in the future. And for that, you need to become strong enough to claim yourself to be the Best Swordsman in the entire World, including the Demons, Angels, Elves, and all the other races out there," Azaroth proudly stated.

Even Noah was a little taken aback by Azaroth's words. He had never imagined that following Azaroth meant that he had to become the Greatest Swordsman of the entire world. He hadn't even stopped for a moment to ever dream of such a thing.

When he stared at Azaroth's projected form, though, he was certain that Azaroth truly believed in him. Despite the enormity and impossibility of the mission, Azaroth had faith in Noah's ability to do it.

Noah was instilled with great confidence by the confidence that Azaroth exuded. He was instilled with great confidence, but he was also a little overwhelmed as he stared at Azaroth's projected form.

He now realized that his master was looking at a much bigger picture. Something so big that he couldn't even imagine it with his tiny head. Noah was growing curious about what Azaroth was looking at. He wanted to know just what this bigger picture was and what Azaroth was planning.

Azaroth's plan had always been to gain invincibility against anything and everything. To do that, Azaroth knew he would have to make the entire world bleed dry. Wage wars upon wars and scheme repeatedly. He couldn't stop even for a moment.

He had to use all the knowledge and secrets that he possessed to get closer to his dream! Noah didn't know how it was possible but his desire to serve Azaroth increased even more. He then realized that he had been infected with his master's charisma.

Previously, he had always believed that all he had to do was follow Azaroth's orders. Azaroth was seeking something, but everything would come to a stop someday. But now, Noah realized that Azaroth would never stop!

Suddenly, Noah felt like he was understanding a lot of things. Like, his mind had begun to work for the first time in his life. Something just clicked and everything started to make sense to him.

Noah thought as his eyes widened in realization 'So, that's why Master has formed so many factions, each led by a particular retainer. If master's target is the entire world, he will need to gain control of these associations.'

'Currently, Master is planning to form an intelligence organization, the Beast Hunter Association, the army, a sect, a business conglomerate, a goddess, and an unknown.' Noah thought as he realized his role along with the role of Azaroth's other retainers.

He further thought and tried to form a detailed image of this structure in his mind. Azaroth had no idea that in a matter of milliseconds, Noah had figured out his role and the role of Azaroth's other retainers. Well, except for a single one.

Noah was sure that Sargan was going to head the Intelligence Organization. Ralph would become a prominent figure for the Beast Hunter Association with loads of subordinates under him. Noah's task would be to become Azaroth's right hand. That meant, he would be the sword, the iron force that would deal with all his enemies.

Yrellea would be in charge of a big business conglomerate that would serve as his eyes and ears in the community. Tiana would be in charge of her own sect, which she would lead to prominence. Laura's team would be tasked with two assignments. She would be a member of the army as well as the person with the best public image.

She would be in charge of assisting the general population and dealing with their problems. Dealing with the military, for example. Assisting residents in dealing with a local gang. Laura's organization will essentially be utilized as a conduit for Azaroth's propaganda. In certain ways, she will be regarded as a Goddess by the common population.

Her relationship with Azaroth and his other retainers will never be revealed to the broader population. As a result, the general public, particularly those from less affluent backgrounds, will be encouraged to view her as a hero or goddess who will side with them and strive for the common good.

Noah didn't have any idea what Azaroth's plan with William was. Thus, he labeled him as an unknown in his mind. In reality, Azaroth had improvised when he decided that William would be his Seventh Retainer.

Azaroth chose William as his retainer to be prepared in case he ever lost one of his retainers. There was only one person whom William couldn't replace in the roles that Azaroth had in his mind. And that individual was Sargan. Sargan's role could only be filled by Azaroth's clone.

Azaroth noticed some change in Noah's expression. It was the facial expression of realization. He knew that Noah had realized something and immediately activated his Mystic Eyes of Perception.

He could use these Mystic Eyes of Perception even in his projected form because they were Spiritual Eyes. When Azaroth used his Mystic Eyes of Perception to look at Noah, he was happy that the emotions he detected weren't ones that would lead to deceit.

Noah was merely shocked and overwhelmed. He seemed to have realized quite a bit of information and was trying his best to digest it.

After what seemed like a long minute in silence, Noah opened his mouth and began speaking, "Master, I would never in my life disappoint you. My priority has always been you first and everything else second. And this would never change! If I am confused, I will contact you to clear that confusion. Your order, whatever it is, I will accept it!"

He bowed at the end of that statement. Azaroth smirked as he heard those sincere words and saw that genuine bow.

"Very well, you know what to do then," Azaroth spoke, and his illusionary form disappeared.