NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Walpurgis
"The Creator God has returned."
The moment that sounded throughout the entire Cardinal World, everyone, even those who didn't know of Veldanava, got a feeling that this world was about to change. But whether that change would be good or bad, no one knew.
Among those who heard it, five people raised their hands to their mouths and spoke into ring imbued with magic.
"I call for a Walpurgis."
The voices that sounded to the other rings were the voices of Demon Lords Guy Crimson, Milim Nava, Ramiris, Dino and Noelle.
These rings were made by the True Dragon Velzard so that her partners alliance, if it can be called that, could communicate regardless of their position in the world. They were rarely used as they were only allowed to be activated to initiate a very important event that could decide the fate of the world. Walpurgis.
What alerted the other Demon Lords though, wasn't that the rings were activated, it wasn't even that five all used them when only three was required. It was that Milim Nava used hers. Something which hadn't happened before.
The rule was that if three Demon Lords call for a Walpurgis, it'll happen. If the Demon Lord themselves cannot attend, then they must send a high ranking subordinate to speak for them and relay information to their master. But, for the first time since the counsel was created, five of them called.
And now, the world was certain. Because a day after, the news was released. Walpurgis has been initiated. And the eleven most feared, powerful and evil people were all meeting. For the first time in decades, it was time for the Demon Lords to convene.
At least this is what the world thought Walpurgis was. In truth, it's really just the Demon Lords meeting to have a tea party, which is why the de facto leader Guy Crimson usually didn't care if people just didn't attend or send someone. But since the counsel existed to keep humanity in line, they were happy to let the facade of Walpurgis continue.
Except this time, the legends were right. And everyone knew it. Usually, if it was a serious topic and not Ramiris wanting to see everyone, Guy would send word that attendance isn't optional and he'll drag them there himself if need be. But he didn't need to do that this time. With the declaration that Veldanava had returned, the whole counsel knew they had to attend.
And most of them did. Except Milim.
"Where's Milim? She was one of the Demon Lords who called for this Walpurgis, and she isn't here." This was the voice of Leon Cromwell, the newest of the Demon Lords.
"Her absence is understandable given the news," The fallen angel Dino said.
"And why's that?" Leon wondered.
Then, a man will arrogance in his voice and long red hair spoke up, "Because, Milim is the daughter of Veldanava. Ramiris and myself visited her just yesterday to confirm her attendance. But she said to just give her the details another time."
"Guy," Leon said, "It isn't like you to let a Demon Lord miss a meeting this important."
"This situation is delicate. And I'm not sure if Milim being here would contribute anything. Milim is still in shock since the announcement was made the other day. Her being here would likely hinder the process. Now, to the topic of why we're here. The return of Veldanava.
As some of you know, Veldanava is the elder brother of the True Dragons and the eldest being in existence. He's older than even me. And he has the power to back it up.
What some of you may not know is this counsel exists because of him. He gave me a mission to ensure humanity didn't destroy itself, and the Demon Lords is how I do it. Now, neither I nor even Velzard had anticipated he'd return yet, if I'm being honest, I was starting to doubt he ever would.
And yet, for some reason. When Velzard comes back beaten and traumatised, when days later, word spreads that Veldora has declared this new king the ruler of the Great Jura Forest, when Dwargon recently announced it recognises them as a nation and is allies with them. Then Veldanava comes back, and his power returned in that forest, far from the grounds where he died.
Something about this Henrik Lazek isn't right. Just a few months ago, no one this powerful existed, we'd have known about it," Guy says before being interrupted.
"A being that could just drop out of the sky and tear down your world. What could inspire that level of dread?" Clayman spoke up.
"What are you talking about?" Dagruel asked.
"Some fairy tale I used to know. Centuries ago, the elves had a legend, about a being who was so powerful, so unbelievably evil, that it would appear and destroy your entire world. It was said that one day, this being would show up in our world and end it. Given the moves this Henrik has made, a part of me wonders if he is this being."
"He isn't." Guy answered knowingly. "Trust me, that legend is about something else. And if it got released, I'd deal with it personally."
"You couldn't deal with it personally last time Guy. If I remember correctly, you, your two little sisters there, Velzard, all us angels of origin. All us combined couldn't beat it. If I remember correctly and I do, you went running to Veldanava to save the day."
"Excuse me Dino?" Guy asked, furious Dino would say he went running to someone.
"Don't take this the wrong way Guy, but even as you are now, that beast would tear you to shreds. Before coming here I was thinking, maybe that's why he's returned. That being was sealed away but he wouldn't kill it.
Maybe the seal is breaking and he knew we'd need him again. Still, that doesn't explain why he resurrected in the forest."
"I suppose that's possible. But, this Henrik. Too many things are revolving around him, I believe he had something to do with Veldanava returning. The worst thing is, I could sense it. That power that radiated across the world. It was his full power, not the power he had after giving up most of his ultimate skills.
If he's back and allied with Henrik, it's possible he'll be coming for us."
"Just great," Carrion expressed, "So let me see if I've got this. Your girlfriend Guy, went to his nation, killed multiple of his subordinates, if the word you sent us was true, this Henrik then emanated a power like Veldanava's. Then he proceeded to beat up the oldest living and strongest living TRUE DRAGON, like it nothing.
Then, Veldora allied with him, then Dwargon. And now potentially the most powerful being ever to exist. And what was his message he gave you. Stay away or he'll end us all, which, given the easiness it was for he to beat up a True Dragon and her not be able to fight back, I'm inclined to believe he could end us all.
He seems to have a vendetta against the Demon Lords, what did we ever do to him?"
"He's just a good person."
The words came from one of the Demon Lords who hadn't yet spoken up despite being one of the ones who called for this Walpurgis. Demon Lord Noelle, the Queen of Falmouth.
"What?" Clayman asked.
"You all know I'm a reincarnated soul. I remember vividly Guy beating that information out of me when we first met. Truth is, there's a lot I haven't told you all.
In my old life, let's just say some shit happened. Then, when I died, I didn't just get reincarnated. I was sent to before the dawn of creation and met Veldanava."
"WHAT?" All of other demon lords except Guy, Ramiris and Dino exclaimed.
"I'm not just a reincarnated soul. I'm one of the first two chronologically. And one of the only two souls Veldanava ever reincarnated personally."
"What's the point is telling us this?" Frey asked.
"The point is that the other one, the first ever reincarnated soul, he was my best friend. And the person I killed. His name, is Henrik Lazek."
This stunned all of the Demon Lords, even the ones who weren't bewildered when he said he'd met Veldanava.
"Wait, this Henrik. He's someone Veldanava himself reincarnated. Then that would mean," Ramiris spoke up before being filled with dread.
"What is it?" Guy asked.
"The Wish. Long ago, before most of you were born, I went to visit Veldanava on a break from being administrator of the world. I saw him creating something and got curious. He explained that one day, a reincarnated soul would receive a gift from him. And that gift would be called the Wish of Veldanava.
He told me, it would grant the soul power second only to himself. If the soul chose right, he'd even get a skill that allows him to make stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" Dino asked.
"Don't know. I tried to asked him but he just gave me a stare that said 'You must not know Ramiris, my bestest friend in the whole world.'"
"Yeah, somehow I doubt you were his best friend. Still, you were once second only to him. This would mean that Henrik is more powerful than any of us. Clayman, you have a bounty on his head. Retract it," Guy said in a commanding tone.
"Why? If someone takes him out for us," Clayman tried to speak before Luminous interrupted, taking her seat and making Louis stand.
"No one will be able to do that. They'll just enrage him, and he'll have more of a reason to attack us. The best thing to do is infiltration. I'll have the Church seemingly open diplomatic relations with him. That way, we'll be able to gather information and then decide on the best course of action."
It took a while, but eventually, Clayman conceded and promise he'd remove the bounty. It would take a few weeks for news to complete spread but the others were fine with that.
Noelle, after Walpurgis ended went to her capitol and sat on her throne as queen of Falmouth. She had a large grin on her face and she thought of a way to get what she wanted. Her and Henrik ruling the world together.
And Veldanava's whole family would suffer.
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Hi, Omni_God2000 here.
Just wanted to let you know, I've released a picture of Henrik on my Insta if you're into that sort of thing with web novels and would be interested in going to see it. I also have one of Noelle on the way and any OC character in the future will have one as well.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned.