V1C28

Akia told to Matteo, "Master I managed to retrieve some information although the brain melted upon contact with my mana. It appears an Emperor had requested their services to kill the Red Demon of Khotan" Aika turned to Matteo who nodded as he finally understood some things, "Red Demon Huh? It really is that Gremory" Matteo stood up with Aika following after him as they went deeper into the natural garden coming across a maze built from Red roses.

'Find you're path that signifies who and what you are, or will become. Roses have many meanings known and unknown... Close your eyes and the real you will point you the way - Selfreflecting Roses'

Matteo felt that message enter his mind the moment he entered the maze, 'This feeling' Matteo continue to follow the pathway till it split, but here the roses differed in colour. White Roses on the left with a signboard, [Pathway to Innocent] and Orange roses on the right with a signboard [Pathway to Desire]. The strange thing was the fact he sensed presences of people who had an aura on par with the assassins he just fought before at both pathways, looking at the two boards Matteo began to consider if this pathway was meant to question oneself.

"Master, I would strongly recommend the Orange Roses. Master is far from Innocent" Aika muttered while looking at the two boards with curiosity, Matteo who heard this had a sweat drop "What you mean Aika, are you saying your master is a monster of desire?" Hearing Matteo's question Aika nodded and shook her head, "Master, your love to Erica and Liliana is pure. But your desire to monopolize them is even more evident in your actions" Aika muttered while Matteo rubbed his forehead.

'Although it stipulated that it will signify my path... But is it how I want to be in the future, or should I follow Fate?' Matteo thought but suddenly he shivered upon thinking about Fate, he was not certain but did he really have to follow Fate's plan for him? What if he wants to break free from Fate and choose his own path. Matteo closed his eyes thinking about his two girls who are stuck dealing with Luo Hao, 'I see, this does indeed make choices easier' Matteo thought.

Aika stared at her Master who had a change in his demeanour, his aura appeared to be humble but there are traces of oppression within, it felt like she was facing a real king. 'It appears Master had made his mind up...' Aika thought as a smile form on her face hidden from Matteo, 'I wonder what changes would occur in Italy when he returns the way he is now' Matteo was not aware of his spellbook's thought but he was certain that she was loyal to him from the connection he shared with her.

"Let's go" Matteo muttered as he chose Orange roses, but the reason for his choice was different. Following the orange pathway, they came across a larger opening area with orange rose barriers forming an arena block. In front of him was several knights dressed quite extravagant as their armour was made out of gold, "Who dares step in Lord Emperor Kanishka's way!?" One of the Leaders of the four-man team turned to face Matteo.

"You're in my master's way!" Aika waved her hand as she summoned a massive vortex that swallowed up the team before launching them into the skies, Matteo nodded 'Although it does itch, the fact I could not ask questions' He thought before looking at Aika, "Next time give them time to answer my questions" Matteo muttered while Aika nodded with an adorable face, the two of them went to the next pathway which interlinked with the Innocent path and divides again.

Green and Purple, [Do you believe in Life? Constant growth to the world where many lives are born and died, do you respect the lives of even your foes?] The Green Route, [Or are you passionate at seeing their demise, growing stronger by the more enemies you destroy for the sake of your passion and ambitions] Purple route.

Seeing these two routes Matteo was stumped, both routes held a part of his personality. Facing Frankenstein and the Mad Doctor he was quite happy to witness their demise because of the things they had inflicted upon the innocents but. 'I don't like the idea of a future where I will only enjoy seeing people's destructions, I am certain one day I will face an enemy I can... No, I already met one' Matteo thought about Luo Hao, although it was a short encounter. They were enemies, and he respected her.

Matteo was not certain but he moved towards the middle of the two signboards and mystically the pathways began to split apart with Green on the left and Purple on the right, [So you chose to respect Life and passionate of Destruction, You really are a strange one] Matteo's eyes widen when he saw the signboard 'These boards are alive?' Matteo thought as he walked to the next divide.

[The last trial... Friendship or Love... Which is most important to you now, if both your friend and lover were to die at two different locations and you can only save one of them... Who will it be?] Reading the board Matteo only saw a yellow rose route and a red rose route, It was quite easy since he knew what these two colours stood for despite not being a flower enthusiast.

Matteo turned to look at Aika, 'This question will not reflect on her since she is a part of me... So I guess it turned out to be about Bruno and my two girls huh?' Matteo took his seat on the ground, looking at the question. Many would select the middle path, but the question specified... Can only save one. Matteo clasp his hands in front of his mouth while he began to rethink about his past days, it was no brainer to say that his girls were more important but he was also not one to simply discard his friend.

Matteo realized this trial was helping him forge his resolve, he knew he was not god and will not be able to do everything and anything so this kind of question was necessary for him. He glances at the signboard once more before standing up, he took Aika's hand before heading into the red Roses path. 'Hoes before Bros... Although I will be sure that such a situation will not arise' Matteo thought, Aika felt a bit complicated as she knew her Master was not satisfied with this question.

'Master...' Aika thought as she gripped Matteo's hand firmly, he felt her grip getting tighter as he looked at Aika "I will always be at your side Master, so always do what you want" Aika Muttered, Matteo, smiled wryly as he gently caresses her head. "I will be counting on you from now on Aika" Matteo spoke warmly causing Aika to nod at him with a bright broad smile "Always..."

After a while of walking they came across a withered tree, what laid in the base of the tree was a golden Duchess Crown. Matteo walked forward, coming closer and closer. The strange divine energy pulsing from the crown came in touch of Matteo as a figure of a beautiful woman wearing a blood-red dress matching her crimson hair, her body was alluring curvaceous that made him feel just by gazing at her he felt something attracting him to her.

But the memories of Erica and Liliana managed to help him confront this allure with his will power, "I would never have thought that there would be someone who would be able to compete with me at my peak" Gremory spoke with a soft yet attractive voice that would pull the lesser willed men to gaze upon her seductive body, Matteo had trouble dealing with the hidden power that aid her seduction but thanks to his training with Erica and Liliana he could at least contend against it.

"So this crown is your vessel?" Matteo asked while glancing at the crown, despite his face remaining stoic his heart was beating rapidly. 'I should have considered training---' Before his thoughts completed he felt a wave of warm energy surrounding his body as he felt the attraction force could no longer reach him, when he realized it he could only rub the back of his neck thinking he really has forgotten his book at a crucial time.

"Master should not worry, this power did also influence your mind which caused your delay" Aika explained as she glared at Gremory who giggled, just from the giggle Matteo could make out the shape of her body that moves along with her laugh. "I seem to have met my match, but you have passed the trial... You know what you want and don't pretend, You chose to respect life while enjoying the death that follows..."

"But I would have imagined that you would choose both Love and Friendship at the last stage" Gremory muttered as the true answer fro the last trial was to choose one's priority decisively, choosing middle would fail. "The question specified that I would only be able to save one, although I never experienced such a situation. But if it comes to that, I made my choice according to the truth within me" Matteo muttered causing Gremory to nod.

"Unlike other Heretic Gods who have to die in order to give their Authority, I am different... It must be because of my legend I left when I walked the earth... But never I would have expected you would conquer the past...." Gremory did not continue causing Matteo's instinct to sound of bells, "The prize is yours to take" Gremory gestured to the Crown, but Matteo did not move. 'What is this uneasiness I am feeling right now' He thought as he glances at Gremory who was smiling.

But he found that smile awfully terrifying... 'If we talk about Past, then could it be Gremory is not yet the Demon of Love? If that is the case...' Matteo began to consider a few more possibilities as he believed, One could not trust a Demon's words. He glances at the crown that did attract him, but what is the answer to conquer the trial of past?

"Do you have second thoughts?" Gremory asked while glancing at Matteo, although she was not showing it but she felt exhilarated that he has shown a different reaction compared to many thousands of others, 'Trials... Past, Present Future...' Matteo began to think about it, at first he considered the trial to be for him but... 'What if this demon wanted others to think this way before the real trial began?' Matteo glances at Gremory before asking his question...

"I always thought the trial was about me, but to think you would want me to think this way... Gremory, What do you seek from this Trial that was meant for those who came to face you..." Matteo muttered, Gremory did not speak but instead Matteo continued... "Are you perhaps waiting for someone who could change your past?" Hearing Matteo's question, Gremory shook her head with a faint warm smile that was different from her seductive smile...

"Not change... But to know of my current Past"

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Author Note: Wrote this chapter in a flash... Will start stacking up chapters from tomorrow. Hope this will do