I sent a message to the cat, through the Codex, that I would be gone for 10 years. He was furious!

Oh well, our contract states he can"t stifle my progress. And someone needs to look after my shop. See ya in 10 years, cat!

I headed to the attendant to start my journey in the Langen Rift.

"I have made my choice, I will venture into the Cove of Death as a blacksmith," I said.

"I have given you fair warning, young devil. Now make an oath on your devil heart to faithfully guard the Cove of Death for ten years," said the attendant.

"On my devil heart, I vow to faithfully guard the Coven of Death for 10 years," I said.

After stating that I felt a grip in my heart if I did not fulfill this promise my devilry would no longer advance. Devil heart oaths were serious business and the strictest oaths a devil could take. Normally devils would avoid them because they are truly binding.

Though with all contracts there are ways to weasel yourself out of them. This one wasn"t too strict. I had to "faithfully" guard the Lagen Rift. What faithfully meant was up to my internal interpretation.

"Here"s your introductory guide to the Cove of Death, the transport will leave in 3 month"s time from this location to fortify the Cove of Death. You have until then to make your final arraignments," said the attendant.

With three months I would have time to visit my apprentice, Mira, and settle everything in Coalfell City.

I headed directly back to Coalfell City, not stopping for any site-seeing this time.

I visited my shop first.

"Jurrath, I will be gone for 10 years in the Lagen Rift," I said.

"Meow, if you are going to the rift make me some more jerky before you leave," said the cat as he was counting his fel-shards, he had come to terms with my departure now.

This cat was addicted to "s.h.i.+nies" as he called them.

"Apprentice, I have failed you as a master. I am inept," I said looking to Alura.

"I cannot give you guidance in your primary Dao for now."

"From this point forward you will decide your own fate. It will be many years before I can receive a Dream Dao scripture for you."

"To learn Dream Dao, I have to brave the perils of the Langen Rift. My a.s.signment is for 10 years until then you are in charge of the Soulless Blacksmith Shop."

"I leave with you the full Cla.s.sic Elements Scripture. With it, you may study all the way to the Viscount realm in elemental Daos."

I patted her little head.

"When your master returns he shall teach you Dream Dao, learn blacksmithing well in your time managing this shop. If you have any problems consult the cat, he may be mischievous but he will ensure your safety," I said.

"Master," said Alura as tears welled in her eyes.

She was overcome with emotion. Her master had given her a path forward in the Abyss, he had enlightened her on a profession and taught her how to cultivate. That was much more than the local halflings had ever done for her after her parents pa.s.sed.

I hugged my little apprentice to console her. When I returned she would be a little woman. Who dares harm this young devil lord"s apprentice? I better visit Osmin to ensure she was taken care of.

I burst into Osmin"s office.

*Bang*

"Halfling!" I said.

"Ensure, you take care of my apprentice while I am away."

I burned the papers on his desk once again, then left.

Osmin just sat there dumbfounded.

"d.a.m.n Soulless!" he said, jumping up furiously.

Osmin knew of the "relations" this young devil had with his dark mistress. He wouldn"t dare do anything to hurt his apprentice. But why did this unruly devil have to come and burn up his paperwork? I keep important doc.u.ments on my desk, d.a.m.n it!

Now that Osmin had been sufficiently threatened it was time to make things right with my lover. I contacted Mira, and she came that night.

"You are venturing into the Cove of Death," she said.

"Yes, that is the place where I will hone my battle skills," I said.

"I am far too weak, only by putting my life on the line can I grow strong enough to rule the ma.s.ses. This young devil lord desires to found an Empire, maybe even an Abyss one day if I do not take risks that will never happen." I said.

"You must return safely to me Soulless," she said as she kissed me.

"I will," I said as I held her close.

I spent the night with Mira, speaking to her about my dreams and ambitions. Though she couldn"t respond most of the time because her mouth was full.

I was sure she understood me though cause she was going like "gluh gluh" with her mouth full. I figured that was her way of saying, you"re amazing.

"You"re mine," I said as I kissed her before she left.

She was my woman now, no one else could lay claim to my succubus. I was deeply in love with her. The s.e.x was amazing, and she was my first woman. Who dare lay claim to this young devil lord"s first lay?

I only had one more task to fulfill before heading to the Lagen Rift. I needed to get a few crispy wolpertingers for my lovable kitten.

Inside the wolpertinger cave was dark and murky, I had gone further in the depths than I ever had before. This time I would fight a low-Baron wolpertinger. There was no way around it.

In the Langen Rift, I"d fight strong chaotic demons regularly. Preparation was at the forefront of success. This exercise would be good training to prepare me for the demons!