Fairy Tale: With Sin Of Pride

"I apologize for the disrespect my family has shown to Your Majesty."

Bogula, the blood demon, lowered his head reverently.

A blood demon? Isn't that just a fancy title for a vampire?

Rhodes sat perched casually outside his carriage, one hand propping up his chin as he studied the tattered figure before him. The so-called blood demon wasn't even here in person; this was merely a puppet, a manifestation of demonic power.

"Hmm, what's he playing at?" Rhodes thought, intrigued.

After all, what kind of half-dead demigod would dare show up in front of another demigod without a very good reason? Unless, of course, this one had a few screws loose.

"You've got my attention."

Rhodes leaned back, still looking at the blood demon with amusement.

"I feel the curse of the Dark Goddess on you," Bogula began, his tone slow and deliberate. "It's clear you've slain one of her incarnations. I can assist you in dealing with her."

"And in return?" Rhodes raised an eyebrow, smirking faintly.

From the moment Bogula appeared, Rhodes could sense the familiar aura—a power akin to that of the demigod sealed in his secret chamber. Bogula's connection to the God of Darkness was painfully obvious. This wasn't an offer born of kindness. No, demons like him always came with strings attached.

"I need payment," Bogula replied smoothly, his gaze briefly flickering to Anne. "Your blood... or hers."

The audacity.

Anne remained silent, but her body stiffened slightly under Bogula's appraisal. Her blood, untouched and pure, radiated immense vitality—a tempting feast for someone like him.

Of course, what he truly desired was the blood of a demigod—Rhodes' blood. If he could obtain that, he might recover not just his strength but surpass his former peak. Yet, asking outright was pointless; Rhodes wasn't the type to give in so easily.

Rhodes chuckled. "Blood? Is that all? Sure, I'll give you as much as you want…" His tone turned sharp. "But if you touch a single human under my protection, we'll have a problem. They're mine."

Bogula laughed, his expression smug and dismissive. "They're just mortals. Surely a being as mighty as you wouldn't concern yourself with the lives of such... insignificant creatures?"

Rhodes' smile widened, but the glint in his eyes grew cold. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But sending an incarnation to bargain with me? That's insulting. If you want to talk, bring your real body."

Before Bogula could respond, Rhodes raised his hand.

BOOM!

A brilliant burst of sunfire reduced the puppet to ash.

"Do you really plan to work with him?" Yulia asked cautiously, glancing at the smoking remains of the blood demon's avatar.

"Work with him?" Rhodes laughed, shaking his head. "That trash? He's not worth my time."

Demons were persistent schemers, but their dishonesty was their undoing. If Rhodes knew where Bogula's true body was, he would've already torched it.

"I don't collaborate with demons," Rhodes said flatly. "They're all liars. Not worth trusting."

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Cinderella and Fleur watching him intently.

"What are you staring at?" he asked, smirking. "You're only half demons at best."

Cinderella snorted. Fleur said nothing, her gaze lowering once again. Silent as ever, Fleur only seemed to show any spark of emotion when dealing with Rhodes or during exorcisms. Otherwise, she hid her thoughts well.

Rhodes rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Real demons, unlike Cinderella and Fleur, were mindless engines of destruction. Puppets controlled by instincts of slaughter and chaos. Half-demons, at least, retained their reason.

"If Bogula's real body shows up, I'll gladly deal with him. It'll save the God of Darkness some trouble."

The carriage rolled on.

A figure in a black robe appeared ahead, blocking their path.

Rhodes narrowed his eyes. The person's face was obscured by a veil, but their aura felt oddly familiar.

"God of Darkness?" he muttered, his tone uncertain.

The veiled figure tilted their head slightly. "A mortal with such power… You continue to surprise me."

It was her. The God of Darkness.

Despite her calm demeanor, an undercurrent of unease radiated from her. How could it not? This mortal had shattered her divine body and torn through her kingdom. The cost of reforming her divine form had been immense—centuries of accumulated faith burned away in a single act of reconstitution.

Yet here she was, standing before the very mortal who had inflicted such humiliation upon her.

"You didn't come here just to flatter me," Rhodes said bluntly.

The God of Darkness folded her hands before her. "In the castle up ahead lies a demon lord I once sealed away. He's stirring, and I fear his power will soon recover. I want you to eliminate him."

Rhodes tilted his head, amused. "You're asking for my help now? That's a far cry from the arrogance you showed in your divine kingdom."

Her tone, however, remained steady. "In exchange, I will forgive your transgressions against my divine body and kingdom. Furthermore, the Dark Church will anoint you as a god. You'll rise above mortality and become the chosen one of the God of Darkness."

"Oh?" Rhodes smiled faintly. "God's chosen one?"

The title carried weight. The chosen of gods held higher status than even the Holy Spirit, sharing in the god's faith and power. Every divine pantheon had its chosen, beings elevated to near-godhood in service to their patrons.

"And what's the catch?" Rhodes asked.

"You would serve me as your patron," she replied. "In return, you'll ascend as one of the Eternal Night's chosen and a true god."

Rhodes chuckled, his gaze piercing. "That's quite the offer. But tell me, why should I kneel to anyone, even a god, when I've already torn your kingdom apart?"

The God of Darkness said nothing, but the faint flicker of uncertainty in her eyes betrayed her thoughts.

Strength, after all, was the only truth that mattered.