Debauchery of a Soul-Eating Wraith

Evian had his eyes looking out the window quite similar to how he had been when they had been on their way to Kalkao a few days ago,

'Commendations huh?' he thought, 'Seems like a necessary 'Evil'.

I don't really care about advancing in ranks within the Martial Temple but if ranks give me more freedom and more chances to sniff out prey, then why the hell not?

My reason for joining the Martial Temple from the start was a plausible reason to travel around the Kingdom and even beyond. Sure, I could do that on my own but then who knows how I'd pick prey to gain Soul Points.

As a Border Knight, I get sent to do the Martial Temple's bidding and without the slightest bit of attachment to the cause, I get what I want; Indiscriminate killing of 'Enemies of the state'.

It's a Win-win.

The Temple gets to believe they're keeping the peace and I get to line my metaphoric pockets with Soul Points.'

At this point, Evian let out a chuckle that caused the eyes of those in the Carriage to fall on him but he was hardly paying attention because, at that point, his mind had flowed naturally to his recent encounter with another individual who possessed the ability to use Eldritch Energy.

'Assistant, How likely is it that I meet another person like Karenssa in the near future.'

[Someone like the Witch? The possibilities are fairly high.]

'What about someone like me?'

[That is even more likely. You are not the Only Wraith in this World after all.]

'I'm not?'

[Of course, you're not. Wraiths are one of the most Decadent races who always find their way to the surface world from the Abyss simply by nature.

Your kind has pestered this world for millennia but despite the natural advantages they have, they end up getting exorcised early on once they cross paths with gifted Arcanists.]

'I need to be careful,' he thought earnestly. Even now he could feel Zayda's eyes on him. Her suspicions of him were at an all-time high.

But Zayda, while dangerous because of her strength, was still a more manageable variable. The most troubling issue lay in those overly zealous spiritualists who littered the Verlice Kingdom. Namely, The Arcanists.

Evian knew his interaction with Daria and its outcome had been a mixture of luck and a bit of preemptiveness that he could not rely on to deal with every other Arcanist he met.

'*Sigh* I just want to go around killing people and gobbling up their souls. Why is that such a problem?'

[I wonder if you are being sarcastic or you are already so Decadent that you cannot understand how 'normal' people will see such a practice as 'wrong'.]

'Does it really matter? I need Souls for strength and I need strength if I want to continue with my Debauchery unhindered.

Also, Strength is much more than personal. I need Allies. As many Allies as I can afford to

As Evian had that thought, his eyes moved from the window to those in the Carriage with him. Zayda was the most powerful of them all and Evian was confident that, should he manage to show her the goodness of his rod through personal experiences rather than simple and inadequate voyeurism, he could get her on his side but what about the duo of Gillert and Gryon.

So far, he knew the two were happy to fight beside him and had even neglected to be bothered or question how the energy that fuelled him did not seem to be Spiritual energy-- This could have more to do with their lack of knowledge of what posed a threat to the standard way of life in the Kingdom rather than Loyalty but it was certainly a start.

'It's not enough. I need more. I need stronger insurance to ensure they will always have my back.

Open the Decadent Store!'

The holographic screen appeared and Evian clicked on the [Spells] tab to begin scrolling through for something similar to the slave seal spell that Karenssa had cast.

And of course, he found a good few;

[Seal Of Apollyon:

Grants the ability to use the Subjugation seal of Apollyon. Can only be used on targets weaker than the User and will grow along with the User to ensure your Slave never breaks free from your control.

Note: This is NOT your Seal and control of it can be wrestled away from you.

Cost: 10000 Soul Points. [Cost of this spell Increases according to the User's level of Decadence.]

-

[Seal Of Asmodeus:

Grants the ability to use the Subjugation seal of Asmodeus. Can be used on targets weaker than the User and will grow along with the user to ensure your slave never breaks free from your control.

It also has the ability to sexually ensnare the opposite sex, improving your charm and attractiveness upon use.

Note: This is NOT your Seal and control of it can be wrestled away from you.

Cost: 15000 Soul Points. [Cost of this Spell increases according to the User's Level of Decadence.]

...

These two were the most eye-catching for Evian and he startled his jaw while he eyed them.

'They both seem right. The Asmodus Seal is a bit pretentious for suggesting I even need an increase in charm and attractiveness.

Anyway, these prices though *groan*... They're so fucking high and they increase according to my Decadence?

I know what they're doing. I'm being goaded into buying the spells now in case of an assured price increase that will make me grind my teeth.

Heh, I don't even have enough points right now. But if I did, should I even buy any of these spells?

The Seals are stated to not be mine and control can be wrestled from me. But by who?

Assistant, by who?'

[...]

'Always keeping quiet at important moments.'

[...]

'Anyway, I feel a bit uninterested in something whose control is not definitely mine.

Hold on, is there a way to create my own Seal?'

As though an answer (and it definitely was), the Decadent Store logged out of the [Spells] tab and into the Manuscripts tab, scrolling until it fell on a particular Manuscript that glowed with such sharpness, it was as though Evian was being slapped in the face so hard just for him to exclaim in his head,

'Of course! Why didn't I think of that?!'

[Surbodination/Slave Seal Manuscript:

Create a Seal that matches your glorious Decadence and imprint it on your hapless targets.

Cost: 25000 Soul Points.

(Note: Cost will increase according to your Decadence so grab it while you still can!)]

Evian's lips twitched at the sight of the cost.

'Even more pricey than the Slave Seal spells. But if it grants something unique, I think it's worth it.

*Sigh* I need so many Soul Points going forward.'

With that thought in mind, Evian closed the Decadent store and once again, looked out the window of the Carriage,

'I wonder what task we get next. I hope it sends us somewhere with actual Souls to be reaped. If I have to make do with Quasi-Eldritch Essence again, I might scream.'

***

The Carriage moved faster than Evian knew any land vehicle to move and finally, they were pulling in through massive City gates.

"Welcome to East City. So named because it houses one of the largest Martial Temple Sects in the entirety of the Verlice Kingdom. The Eastern Sect."

As the Carriage's speed declined, Zayda began to give her Squad an introduction to where they now were.

"The Eastern Sect was founded many millennia ago by a powerful Templar Knight of the Martial Temple and has stood strong for that long, passing on their most sacred techniques to only the most select and chosen few among their inner disciples.

We won't be exploring the Sect itself but the City has so many sights to see. You should get yourselves acquainted."

"How long are we going to be here?" Evian asked as he eyed the many passerby all journeying all about the boisterous and beautiful city decked with magnificent buildings and an air of Martial grace.

"At least a week. You need to recuperate and it would do us no good if your cultivation suffers from an overload of tasks."

The Carriage took them to the Sect and as Zayda had said, they did not explore. This was especially the case considering the looks Evian and the others got from Sect disciples standing all about even the outermost exterior of the Sect's massive grounds.

"Heh," Evian let out at the eyes on him and the others.

Somehow, those smirking brats knew Zayda was an important and high-ranking member of the Martial Temple and they also knew Evian and the others were not. Whatever grace they seemed to be affording Zayda, it did not stretch over to her Squad.

Zayda noticed this but felt the Squad would face less discrimination outside than they would inside so she decided to head inside on her own,

"I'll be back after handing in our report. You don't yet have your official seals as Knights of the Temple so... Stay safe."

"We'll be good," Gillert said solemnly but Evian was already sniggering.

If any of those brats crossed him, then surely, Gillert's words had nothing to do with him.