Chapter 9: The Date

As Max sat on his bed, he summoned the deadly sins, their heads prostrated before their new master as a sign of acknowledgment, he looked at each of them in turn. "Let us begin," he commanded, his voice resonating with authority.

One by one, the sins stepped forward, introducing themselves to their new master.

"Mammon," the sin of greed spoke first, his form radiating with the gleam of countless treasures. "I am the hoarder of wealth, the collector of fortunes, and the harbinger of greed."

Next came Asmodeus, the embodiment of lust, his figure exuding an aura of irresistible allure. "I am Asmodeus," he declared with a seductive smile. "In the realm of desire, I reign supreme, be it a 9mm Glock or a lollypop; fresh or used; I got whatever you need.

Following Asmodeus was Beelzebub, the sin of gluttony, "I am Beelzebub," declared the sin of gluttony, but to Max's surprise, Beelzebub appeared as a small girl, her form emanating an innocent yet insatiable appetite. "Feast upon the delights of excess, for I am the insatiable hunger that knows no bounds."

Following Beelzebub was Leviathan, the sin of envy, her presence commanding an aura of bitter resentment. "I am Leviathan," she hissed, her voice laced with jealousy. "In the depths of envy, I drown all who covet that which is not theirs."

Then came Satan, the sin of wrath, his figure cloaked in flames of rage. "I am Satan," he thundered, his voice echoing with the fury of a thousand infernos. "Bearer of righteous indignation, I am the flame that purges the impure."

Last to step forward was Belphegor, the sin of sloth, her form shrouded in a languid haze. "I am Belphegor," she murmured lazily, her voice barely rising above a whisper. "In the realm of apathy, I am the lethargy that consumes all ambition."

As each sin presented themselves, Max felt their power and influence wash over him, their loyalty sworn to him as their new master.

Max commanded "Rise" and all the spirits rose to their feet; Max then looked at each one of them individually and began

Max: Alright, let's cut the formalities, guys. You're making me sound like a grandpa. Just call me Max. He glanced at Asmodeus, who already had a knowing smile.

Mammon: Your wish is my command, my lord. You may use my treasures as you see fit.

Max: Great! And I have a special task for you, Mammon. I need you to locate the Locator.

Mammon: The Locator? But sire, it's a dangerous mythical creature.

Max: Don't worry, Mammon. The Locator is born once every century or so, and it's harmless until an angel activates it. It's our best shot at finding Lucifer. So, get to it.

Mammon: Understood, master. He vanished in a flash of light.

Max (Glancing at Satan): Now, Satan, I have another task for you. He handed Satan a vial filled with a shimmering golden substance, causing Satan to visibly react with surprise.

Satan: Sire, is this... angel blood?

Max: Correct. And I need you to track down its source.

Satan: This is no easy feat, sire. Pure angel blood is exceedingly rare. An angel must be slain by an angelic weapon, and even then, the blood may not remain pure. It's a difficult task to trace.

Max: I understand the challenge. But it's crucial to our cause. Find it, no matter the cost, and while you're at it, find out who's dealing this stuff. I need to know who the hell is supplying this.

Max: Leviathan, I need you to search the depths of the ocean for any ancient artifacts or relics that might aid us in our quest.

Leviathan: Understood, my lord. I shall explore the abyssal depths and report back with any findings.

Max: Beelzebub, I want you to scour the skies and gather any information you can about the movements of any celestial beings. We need to know if any angels are stirring.

Beelzebub: Consider it done, Master. I'll keep a close watch on the heavens.

Max: And Belphegor, despite your... inclination for sleep, I need you to delve into the underworld's network of informants. Find out who's been supplying the angel's blood and bring me their name.

Belphegor (perking up a bit): You got it, boss. I'll get right on it... after a quick nap, maybe...

Max (chuckling): Belphegor, try to stay awake this time. We need everyone at their best.

Belphegor (yawning): Yeah, yeah... I'll do my best...

As all the sins leave, Asmodeus gently reminds Max of his upcoming date. With a grin, Max snaps his fingers, conjuring a swirling vortex of flames around him. Emerging from the fiery display, he's clad in a sleek and dashing suit, perfectly suited for the occasion.

Max: You're right, Asmodeus. Can't keep the ladies waiting, can I?

Asmodeus grins mischievously.

Asmodeus: Of course not, my lord. And might I say, you're looking rather dashing today.

Max laughs and gives a playful wink before heading out for his date.

As Max reaches the place, he sees Lily, Emily, and Sophia in stunning dresses. Lily, dressed in a soft shade of lavender, with delicate lace detailing and a flowing skirt that brushes the floor looked absolutely gorgeous. Emily was dressed in a vibrant crimson, with a fitted bodice and a full, twirling skirt adorned with intricate embroidery. Sophia's dress was a shimmering emerald green, with a sleek silhouette and subtle sparkling accents that catch the light. As Max approaches, he can't help but admire the elegance of Lily's lavender dress, the boldness of Emily's crimson attire, and the grace of Sophia's emerald gown.

"Wow, you all look absolutely stunning," Max remarks, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

Lily blushes and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Max. You look quite dashing yourself," she says with a shy smile.

Emily grins mischievously. "Yeah, you clean up pretty well, Max," she teases, nudging him playfully.

Sophia nods in agreement, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Indeed, you're quite the sight to behold," she adds, her voice soft but sincere.

Max (chuckles): "Well, thank you, ladies. Shall we head inside?" he suggests, offering his arm to the ladies as they make their way into the inn.

Max's mischievous grin grows as he savors the moment, enjoying the lively atmosphere and the company of the three charming ladies.

Maximus

As I glanced at Lily, Emily, and Sophia, I couldn't help but be reminded of their esteemed lineage. Sophia, the daughter of Duke Edward Harrington, ruler of the vast lands of Harringtonshire, a crucial region in the heart of the Arvadian Empire. Emily, the daughter of Archduke Frederick Sinclair, whose influence extended throughout the central capital, ensuring stability and prosperity in the heart of the empire. And Lily, the granddaughter of Empress Valerina herself, a lineage that bestowed upon her an aura of regal grace and authority. Their influence could potentially pave the way for a smoother execution of my plans. However, I knew better than to rely solely on familial ties. Strategy and cunning would be my true allies in navigating the intricate webs of power woven by these noble families.