Chapter 3: The Devil’s Gambit

The cold wind howled through the orphanage courtyard, carrying the scent of blood and sulfur. The flickering lanterns barely illuminated the two figures standing in the dimly lit street—Father Alfred, his sword gleaming with demonic ichor, and the horned demon Asmodai, his crimson eyes glowing with amusement.

The demon twirled a summoned spear between his fingers, his smirk widening.

"Still the same, Alfred. Always so quick to strike down my kin," Asmodai mused, his voice laced with mockery.

Father Alfred didn't respond. His grip on his sword tightened. The demon wasn't here by chance—he had come for a reason.

"You know," Asmodai continued, tilting his head, "I wasn't planning to interfere so soon. I wanted to watch. Observe. But then, my little scout here"—he gestured at the ashes of the slain demoness—"went ahead without my permission. Tsk, tsk. What a shame."

His eyes glinted with something far more sinister.

"You killed her before she could do her job, Alfred. How rude."

Alfred remained unmoved. "And what job would that be?"

Asmodai chuckled. "To see them. The newborns." His smirk widened. "The children aren't ordinary, are they, Alfred?"

The priest's heart pounded.

This confirmed it—Asmodai knew.

The demon took a slow step forward. "Twelve newborns, left in the dead of night. A little too convenient, wouldn't you say?" His tone turned almost curious. "What do you think, old friend? Do you believe in coincidences?"

Alfred remained silent, his mind racing.

Asmodai sighed theatrically. "Ah, you were always a hard man to talk to. But that's fine, I'm patient." He extended a clawed hand, dark energy crackling at his fingertips. "So, shall we make a deal?"

Alfred narrowed his eyes. "I do not make pacts with devils."

Asmodai grinned. "Oh, but you have before."

For a moment, Alfred faltered. The past—the war, the battles, the sacrifices—flashed through his mind.

Asmodai saw it. "Ah, you remember, don't you? The last war. The Sixth War. So much blood, so many lives lost. And yet, here we are again."

The demon's smile faded.

"This time, it will be worse."

The wind howled louder, and the air around Asmodai grew heavy with dark energy.

"But I won't waste time explaining. I'll let you figure it out on your own."

With that, Asmodai raised his hand, and the darkness swirled around him.

"Protect them while you can, Alfred. Because soon, all the gods' chosen will be hunted."

The air distorted, and in a blink, Asmodai vanished into the night, leaving only a lingering shadow in his wake.

Alfred stood still, his sword lowered but his thoughts in turmoil.

The children were in danger.

And this was only the beginning.

------------------

The silence that followed Asmodai's departure was suffocating. The cold winter air bit at Father Alfred's skin, but he barely noticed. His mind was already racing—calculating, planning. The demon's words confirmed his worst fears.

The children weren't ordinary. And now, the forces of the abyss knew it too.

He turned sharply, striding toward the orphanage doors. As he stepped inside, he was immediately met by Sister Helene, Amelia, and Irene, their faces pale with fear. The other children had been ushered to their rooms, and the younger ones were asleep—blissfully unaware of the danger that had nearly breached their sanctuary.

Sister Helene, gripping the edge of her robe, was the first to speak.

"Father, what… what was that thing?"

Alfred exhaled slowly, sheathing his sword. "A demon."

The three caretakers gasped, exchanging fearful glances.

"A demon? Here?" Sister Amelia whispered, still shaken. "Why would it come to an orphanage?"

Alfred hesitated. He couldn't tell them the truth—not yet. If they knew what these children truly were, it would only bring more fear and uncertainty. The Church had to be informed first. The Emperor, too.

He forced a calm expression. "It was searching for something, but I sent it back to the abyss." He placed a reassuring hand on Sister Helene's shoulder. "There is nothing to fear now. The orphanage is safe."

The lie left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Sister Helene sighed in relief. "Thank the gods…"

Sister Irene, still wary, asked, "What should we do now?"

Alfred straightened. "You three continue taking care of the children as usual. I will inform the Central Church about this incident. They must know that demons are active in Drachenheim."

The caretakers nodded, trusting his word. They didn't need to know more. Not yet.

But the Church and the Emperor must be warned immediately.

---

It was the dead of night when Father Alfred arrived at the grand cathedral in the capital city of Velstara. The towering structure, adorned with golden spires and intricate stained glass, loomed over him like a silent sentinel.

Inside, the great hall was dimly lit by candlelight, the scent of incense heavy in the air. High Bishop Gregor, a man with piercing blue eyes and graying hair, sat behind a polished wooden desk, his expression unreadable as he read the letter Alfred had hastily written.

When he finished, he set the parchment down and looked up.

"This… is dire news, Alfred," he murmured. "Demons do not act without purpose. If one came so boldly to Drachenheim, then something of great importance must be there."

Alfred remained silent. He couldn't reveal the truth—not without evidence.

Gregor studied him for a long moment. "And the children… the ones found that night. Are they—"

"They are normal orphans," Alfred interrupted. His voice was steady, betraying nothing. "There is nothing unusual about them."

The High Bishop frowned, but nodded. "Very well. I will dispatch inquisitors to investigate Drachenheim. If demons lurk there, we must purge them before they spread their corruption."

Alfred bowed. "Thank you, Your Holiness."

As he turned to leave, Gregor's voice stopped him.

"Alfred."

He glanced back.

"If there is something you are not telling me… I trust you have your reasons. But be careful. Secrets have a way of unraveling when the gods are watching."

Alfred nodded but said nothing.

As he stepped out into the cold night, he knew this was only the first step.

Now, he had to inform the Emperor.

---

The next morning, Alfred stood before Emperor Theodoric von Thalrithia, ruler of the Thalrithian Empire. The imperial palace, a grand fortress of marble and gold, was a symbol of power unmatched in the continent.

He have reached the Capital Himmelsburg

via-teleportation magic and infront of him was .The Emperor, a man in his early forties with sharp golden eyes and gray hair and a commanding presence, listened carefully as Alfred relayed his report.

When Alfred finished, Theodoric leaned back in his ornate chair, fingers steepled.

"So… demons have started moving again," he mused. "And in Drachenheim, of all places." His gaze darkened. "This is troubling."

Alfred bowed. "Your Majesty, I request additional guards for the orphanage and the town. If demons seek something there, we must be prepared."

The Emperor nodded. "Granted. I will send a detachment of knights and a royal mage to investigate further. If this is the beginning of something greater, we must not be caught unprepared."

He then gave Alfred a piercing look.

"And the children… you are certain they are nothing unusual?"

Alfred met his gaze without hesitation. "They are normal, Your Majesty. Just orphans left at the doorstep in the middle of a harsh winter."

Another lie.

Theodoric studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "Very well. You have my trust, Alfred. See that it is not misplaced."

---

Back at the Orphanage

As Father Alfred returned to Drachenheim, he saw Sister Helene rocking a now-sleeping Beatrice in her arms, while the other infants lay quietly in their cribs.

Their expressions were far too calm. Far too aware.

These children… they were different. Powerful. Chosen.

And if the demons knew about them…

He clenched his fists.

Then war was inevitable.

As he stood there, gazing at the sleeping infants, a single thought echoed in his mind.

The game has begun.