Chapter 10: The Date (Part-2)

After the satisfying meal, Max escorted the girls to a nearby carnival, where they indulged in a whirlwind of amusement. They hopped on thrilling rides, tried their luck at various carnival games, and savored the joyous atmosphere. As the evening went on, they joined the traditional Arvadian Dance. The dance floor quickly turned into a battleground as women competed for Max's attention, prompting him to whisk the girls away to a nearby hill amidst a chorus of laughter and playful commotion—a humorous escape from the dance floor frenzy.

Lily: Max, that was amazing! I've never had this much fun in my life!

Emily: Seriously, I can't remember the last time I laughed this hard!

Sophia: I agree! This was definitely an unforgettable night.

Max: Well, I'm glad you all enjoyed yourselves. It was my pleasure to spend time with such lovely company.

Lily: You're too kind, Max. But really, thank you for tonight. It was perfect.

Emily: Absolutely! I couldn't have asked for a better evening.

Sophia: Agreed. It was a much-needed break from the usual aristocratic gatherings.

Max: Well, anytime you want to escape the formalities, you know where to find me. Now, shall we head back before it gets too late?

Lily: Sounds like a plan! Lead the way, Max.

Emily: Lead on!

Sophia: Yes, let's head back. But can we do this again sometime, Max?

Max: Of course! Consider it a promise. Now, let's make our way down before it gets late.

As they were about to head back, Max's senses tingled with the presence of nearby monsters. Without a word, he summoned Asmodeus, who swiftly and silently dispatched all the creatures lurking in the shadows of the mountains. The girls, unaware of the danger, noticed Max's sudden change in demeanor and asked him what was wrong. Max simply smiled and reached into his pocket, pulling out a handful of colorful flowers.

"These are for you," Max said with a charming grin, handing each girl a flower. "Just a little something to brighten your evening even more."

The girls blushed and thanked him, completely unaware of the unseen danger that Max had swiftly dealt with.

Max dropped the girls off outside their dorm room, bidding them goodnight with a charming smile before he headed back to his own room. Upon entering, he found Avery sleeping peacefully. For a moment, he felt a slight affection stir within him as he looked at her, but he quickly brushed it off.

Deciding that it was time for the sins to return, Max ventured into the nearby forest. As he walked deeper into the forest, Asmodeus suddenly appeared beside him.

"She's cute," Asmodeus remarked casually, referring to Avery.

Max (chuckled softly): You think so, huh?

Asmodeus (nods): I do. You two would make a good pair.

Max (chuckled, shaking his head skeptically): Sorry, buddy, but my plan doesn't have time for love stories. Besides, didn't you notice anything strange on that hill?

Asmodeus (furrowed his brow in confusion): What do you mean, master?

Max (his expression turned serious): The hill is usually inhabited by docile creatures. And the last time I checked, powerful A-tier monsters don't just randomly show up one night unless they were summoned.

Asmodeus (bristled with rage): Who would dare disrupt your meticulously crafted plan? I swear, I'll search even the depths of hell to find this scoundrel.

Max (raised a hand in a calming gesture). We'll deal with that problem later. For now, let's focus on the task at hand and hear the reports from the others.

As Max strolled deeper into the forest, members of the Seven Deadly Sins appeared before him with their reports, Max listened intently as each of the Deadly Sins reported back to him. Mammon spoke first, his excitement noticeable in his voice as he declared that he had located the Locator in a distant beastman village. Max nodded in approval, pleased with the progress.

Next was Satan, who bowed down apologetically, admitting his failure. Max reassured him with a nod, understanding that not every task could be successful.

Then Beelzebub spoke up proudly, announcing her success. She was accompanied by Leviathan, who presented a large lump of treasure, indicating her own accomplishment.

Lastly, Belphegor returned, yawning lazily. Max raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by her lack of enthusiasm.

Max: Mammon, that's fantastic news! Good work. Satan, it's alright, don't beat yourself up over it. We'll figure it out. Beelzebub, Leviathan, great job! That's exactly what I was hoping for. And Belphegor...

Belphegor (yawns): Yeah, yeah, I know. I didn't find anything. But hey, I'm back in one piece, right?

Max (sighs): Alright, well, let's focus on the positives. Mammon, I want you to take us to the beastman village, now. Beelzebub, Leviathan, prepare to accompany him. Satan, I need you to keep searching. We can't afford to give up just yet. And Belphegor...

Belphegor (grinning lazily): Yeah?

Max: Try not to fall asleep on the job this time, alright?

Belphegor (chuckles): No promises, boss.

Max: Alright, let's not waste any time. Mammon, lead the way.

Mammon: Right away, Master Max!

With a snap of his fingers, Mammon channels his energy, creating a swirling vortex of magic around them. In an instant, they're transported across the world, landing on the border of the beastman village.

Max's sharp gaze lands on a small child with cat-like features, not older than six. Approaching with a warm smile, he towers over the child.

Max: Hey, kiddo. What's your name?

Child: I'm Pip!

Max nods and then asks where he can find the village chief. Pip points to a sturdy wooden house nearby, and Max thanks him before heading in that direction.

Max: Thank you for welcoming me, Chief Grakor. I've come seeking information about a legendary creature called the Locator. I've been told it might be found in these parts.

Grakor: The Locator, you say? Hmm... I've heard tales of such a creature, though it's been many years since anyone has spoken of it. What business do you have with this creature?

Max: It's a matter of great importance. I seek to locate and potentially harness its abilities for a noble cause.

Grakor: I see... And what is this noble cause, if you don't mind me asking?

Max: It's part of a quest to bring balance to the realms, to ensure peace and prosperity for all.

Grakor: A noble endeavor indeed. Very well, stranger, I will assist you however I can. But first, let us share a meal and discuss further.

Max: That sounds like an excellent idea, Chief Grakor. I look forward to our conversation.

Max: Actually, Chief Grakor, I believe the Locator may be Pip.

Grakor's eyes widen in surprise, his brow furrowing in thought.

Grakor: Pip? I-It can't be?

Max: Why so?

Grakor: Pip, Pip is my son.

Flooded with memories of the past, Grakor's tone turns stern, his muscles tensing with a protective instinct.

Grakor: "You will not lay a finger on my son. If I catch wind of you even thinking about him, I'll make sure you never leave this village alive."

Max: "I assure you, Chief Grakor, I mean Pip no harm. But if you won't let me speak with him, I'll have to find another way."

Grakor's voice grows heavy with the weight of past grievances, his eyes flashing with a mix of sorrow and indignation.

Grakor: "The last outsider who came here... he took my father's life and stole my daughter away. You bear a striking resemblance to that monster. Leave this village before I'm forced to take action."

Max: "I understand your anger, Chief. But I assure you, I am not that man.

Grakor's gaze softens slightly, but the pain of his past still lingers in his eyes.

Grakor: "I cannot trust you, outsider. Leave this place, and never return."

Max nods, acknowledging Grakor's decision. He turns away, knowing that his quest for the locator has hit an unexpected obstacle.

As Max stands at the border, Asmodeus's fiery loyalty ignites a fierce determination with the rest of the sins.

Asmodeus: How dare he refuse you, Master! Allow me the pleasure of teaching him a lesson!

The other sins eagerly chime in, each vying for the chance to unleash their wrath upon Grakor.

Mammon: Let me show him the price of defiance!

Satan: I'll make him regret ever crossing you!

Beelzebub: I'll scatter his bones, rip out his flesh, and feed it to the crows!

Max's smile grows wider, one of malice. The grin of a man who's hungry for vengeance, thirsty for blood.

Max (chuckles): "Hold your urges, my loyal companions. There's honor in finishing what was started, but let's do it my way.

The sins pause, curious yet intrigued by Max's approach. Max's eyes glint with a determined resolve as he continues.

Max (smiles): Trust me, I will succeed in my mission no matter the cost.

The sins nod in agreement, knowing that they have chosen the right person to follow, one that strongly resembles Lucifer, whose authority remains absolute.

Max's desire for vengeance remains steadfast. Disguised as his grandfather, he unleashes a torrent of destruction upon the village, leaving chaos and devastation in his wake. Grakor, facing the embodiment of his past trauma, attempts to stand against him, but he is no match for Max's overwhelming power.

In a cruel twist of fate, Grakor meets his end at the hands of the very person he once accused of being a monster. As he lies broken and defeated, he desperately commands his son to run, urging him to flee from the horrors unfolding before him. With tears in his eyes, Pip watches in horror as the once-mighty chief is mercilessly tortured before his eyes.

Max's desire for vengeance leaves behind a trail of suffering and despair. The sins witness in silence, a sense of relief and joy overflowing in them, only watching as their master succumbs to the darkness within him, consumed by his thirst for revenge.

In the chief's final moments, as life ebbs away, he beholds the devastation wrought upon his village. Max reveals himself in the chief's dying gaze. With a smile both haunting and serene, Max leans in close, his words a whispered lament.

"You could have done better," he murmurs, a quiet indictment of the chief's choices and the legacy of violence that led to this fateful encounter. And with those words, the chief slips from the realm of the living, his regrets echoing in the stillness of the night.

In the light of dawn, amidst the wreckage of the village, Max sees a child, nestled behind a rock, tears staining his cheeks. Recognizing Pip, Max approaches with a soft step, extending a hand of solace.

"The monster is gone now," Max murmurs, his voice a gentle balm against the lingering fear. "I'm here for you."

Pip's gaze lifts, eyes brimming with sorrow and uncertainty, yet when he sees Max's reassuring smile, a glimmer of hope flickers. With a wordless cry, Pip throws himself into Max's embrace, seeking comfort in the shelter of his arms. Surprised but deeply moved, Max returns the hug, his own smile a beacon of reassurance amidst the desolation.

As Max offers solace to the sobbing child, a crooked smile tugs at his lips. A chilling realization settles over him like a shroud in the quiet aftermath.

"Violence always does make things easier," he muses to himself, a glint of cold determination in his eyes. With a rueful smile, he adds, "Mission accomplished."