405 The Stables, ck Qilin Horses


    ''I can''t have that, now can I?'' The bumps on the road caused the carriage to jolt a little, revealing an icy face beneath an old farmer''s hat. Azmodeus''s eyes shone with a dangerous gleam that was on the verge of freezing over the whole world. The time when he was most serious was not a topic generally deemed as serious. Instead, it was when loot was involved. ''If someone thinks they can prevent me from selling dangerous goods, then they would be dead wrong.'' His fists clenched as he looked out at the rapidly shing Castle scenery. ''It is only in the most perilous of situations and under the most dire of circumstances that loot sells the best. My wealth right now is far from enough to satisfy my requirements for resources.''


    Even though Azmodeus would be considered extremely affluent if he were a Grade 9 Immortal Emperor, he still passionately believed that his current wealth was not enough. And in a way, he was correct; after all, at the rate he burned through cultivation resources, his money would likely be reduced to nothing within a few days. Every now and then, he would carve out a chunk of his wealth and give it to a shop owner. To which he would then receive a few cartloads of goods. Many stores had already beenpletely ransacked using this method. Slowly but surely, the funds he borrowed from the generous Dukes of the Azuresk Empire were going down to zero.


    Still, with his new profession in sight, opportunities for more wealth sprouted up in Azmodeus''s head.


    Before he knew it, the grandeur of the Azuresk Royal Castle was already in sight. However, contrary to expectations, he was not sent to the more influential part of the Royal Castle. "Hmm…?" Question marks were raised. "What is this about, driver," he asked. This driver was personally requested by him and was someone affiliated with the Omega Dome. Yet, his answer was baffling. "Young Omega Knight, there was something not originally mentioned in the briefings for your mission. By ''Royal Advisor,'' the Omega Dome meant assistant in semi-service to the Emperor. And by ''assistant,'' the Omega Dome was really trying to say a ''Stable Boy Assistant'' in a branched-off part of the Royal Castle."


    Azmodeus briefly widened his eyes in shock. However, after thinking about it for a moment, he realized that this made a lot more sense than being a Royal Advisor or Head Royal Advisor. After all, as far as the Omega Dome was aware, he was still a 3rd Generation Knight Apprentice nearing the peak of the Immortal Venerable Realm. A normal Royal Advisor was likely in the Immortal Emperor Realm.


    What the Omega Dome did made a lot of sense. Still, it was a scummy thing to stretch the details of the mission by such arge margin. In Azmodeus''s mind, they had already earned themselves a spot as people he would never even consider helping in their time of need. To lead him astray by such arge margin might as well have been criminal. But seeing as he was already here, he might as well see what evolves from this ''Stableboy'' profession. Maybe immense fortune would be in his near future.


    Suddenly, the carriage came to a stop. Right outside its intricately carved exterior was a medium-sized shed that appeared to be of above-average quality and structural integrity. It was separated into two floors. The first held the high-bred horses of the Emperor, while the second was where the high-quality hay bales that fed the horses were held. Azmodeus elegantly exited the carriage before scanning his new home.


    "Good luck, kid."


    As the distinct sounds of heavy clip-clopping became fainter, curiosity got the better of Azmodeus as he entered through therge open barn doors of the stable. Upon stepping foot in a ce that smelled of farm animals, he first noticed the uniqueness of the horses. "Their race," he said keenly. "I believe it is the mythical ''ck Qilin Horse.''" His legs moved around thergest and noblest of the steed lot, his eyes shining with interest. "From what I have read from the ancient records recorded in the scrolls I borrowed from the Dukes, this specific breed can even scale all the way up to the Grade 9 Immortal Emperor Realm. In other words…" His gleam of interest morphed into one of greed. "I bet they would sell for a pretty penny if I could sessfully get them out of here."


    The ck Qilin Horse he was circling neighed in weariness. It was obviously very much objecting to the notion of being sold off to the highest bidder!


    Pat, Pat.


    A few firm patsnded on the horse''s rump as Azmodeus shed a small cheeky grin. "Rx, I was just kidding," he said. "For now, I will take care of you all. To top it off, I will make sure that you grow bigger and stronger than ever!" After this exmation, he did a quick head count. His eyes brightened up once he was done. "Since there are nine of you, I will take it upon myself to name you all after a group of very famous reindeer. Doesn''t that just sound so nice?"


    "!!!" "!!!"


    The ck Qilin Horses had a really bad feeling about this new caretaker. He was bad news!


    After bestowing upon the horses their glorious names and effectively terrorizing them into acting like reindeer, Azmodeus gave them some respite. As dusk was setting, the time for sleep had arrived. To his surprise, his sleeping quarters were inside the barn, and they consisted of a simple cotton bed with holes in it and a small bedside table. Simply put, the sight was a sad one for someone as strong as himself.


    "For the one who bested an Immortal General of this Empire to be thrown into a ce like this," Azmodeus sighed. "I guess fate has a funny way of doing things." Despite his grievances, he stilly down in the bed, snuggled into the thick covers, and faded into thend of dreams.


    .....


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    Astral_Pandemonium


    Creator''s Thought