Ophuthis: Unfaltering Fidelity

Chapter 14: The Soul behind the Devil

  Today feels like every day, little shops across the sides with merchants selling various things, people filled the tight streets, and all is business as usual. Because there are so many merchants that has their own stores, no one knows what is a legitimate seller, or a snake oil salesman. But the knowledge of fraudulent activity does not matter to the citizens of this island, as most shop for everyday needs, and not for buying elixirs or unnecessary tonics.

These past few decades, the economy have risen to its highest extent, while inflation decreased significantly. This resulted in a thriving community, a place where everyone is mostly balanced, and a place where only a handful are rich.

Onlookers and spectators from across the sea may think otherwise and imagine that they are all rich. In this island, perception is important. Those who live in, and those who peek, have different thoughts and may perceive the island differently as a wealthy haven.

There is no famine, no jobless, no wars, no poor and homeless, some crimes but comparably lower than overseas. Many opportunities and varieties have also sprung up from the endless riches this place has in store.

However, despite the seemingly perfect utopia in which they inhabit, not all, if not any, are in the mood to feel blithe. They are the proof that wealth does not buy happiness. Indeed, they have manifolds of possessions, material power and live a pretentious, opulent lifestyle, but the cause of such luxury is something in which they just wished did not happen, even if they would lose every chattel they have in the process.

For the treasure and affluence is not traced back to natural riches this island has, or capitals that this place nurtured, but simply, the very existence of the Dark Father

These inhabitants are neither humans nor Demihumans, they aren't monsters as well, even though outsiders call them that. They are what are called as Demonoids.

Demonoids are once humans but was turned to lower Demons. A type similar to them, but not entirely.

There are almost no racial disadvantages these Demonoids acquired. The only closest thing to a disadvantage, are the humans' discrimination to them. They are prejudiced towards their race in which they themselves did not even wish for.

Their appearance is the same as they were when they were humans, no horns, no large fangs, no nothing. Some of the advantages of being a Demonoid brought, is the increased lifespan. Some gifted Demonoids might even live as long as 200 years. Which is why the Demon Lord's actions are recent memory to others.

The rampage of the devil two centuries ago are what made them like this. Creatures that are hated and is compared to the devil every time. They are gifted a curse with no solution but to farewell themselves to the mortal world.

Another added effect to their transformation, is that they now immediately possess Demonic Arts. A power most seniors don't even need. Especially here in East GaCotta, where crimes and protecting oneself is not a necessity. There are still times however that some train their Demonic Arts, as even if one is born with the power, training is expected if one might wish to pursue a more powerful future.

Back then, all objected the Dark Father. No one would tolerate being ruled by the evil. But as time progressed, many just accepted their living state, they aren't bothered by the Dark Father, so there is no reason to bother him too. However, that might change if the evil Demigod turn opposite to most of their expectations.

Yet even if the Dark Father were to do something the very next day, it is not as if someone would dare to rebel against him, the reason why is obvious enough.

As always, the sky is sunny. Here in the Glorian Archipelago, it isn't niveous. Just rain and cold winds. Even now as winter is nearing, cold is not as much of a problem.