Idle Mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer
chapter-207-30041322

The Qliphoth...

Home to Hypogeans in this world and serves as their base of operations. It is a place steeped in dark corruption, sin and filth.

Completely inhabitable to humans, the Qliphoth houses all sorts of nightmare-inducing Demons one could think of. The entire North Pole was their claim, turning it dark, gloomy, depressing, and soul-chilling cold.

Unlike Laguna, the Qliphoth runs deep underground. Some might say that its roots were touching the core of this world, drawing power from it, but nobody has proven that notion before so it's just speculation.

In reality, the Qliphoth is just a rough imitation of Inferno — the true home for Hypogeans.

Inferno has 18 Layers while the Qliphoth that is on this world only has 6 layers. Of course, there's also a version of the Qliphoth on other worlds that the Hypogeans claimed for themselves but those are not important for now.

In lieu of Hypogean Culture, strength reigns supreme here. All manner of conflicts could be decided upon a simple battle to death. Whoever manages to come out alive, either by hook or by crook, automatically becomes the winner. It doesn't matter if they are right or wrong, nor if their actions were justified. If you're weak here, then it is expected for you to bow down to the strong. It's as simple as that.

This is how the hierarchy of Demons works. And due to how many of them there are here, it's understandable that chaos will always ensue thanks to this rule.

Today though, it is strangely peaceful within the Qliphoth. The main reason was due to the return of their representatives.

The Revenants — or as their respective races would call them; the Envoys hold a certain reputation to their kind that demands respect. To others, the Envoys are just a step beneath the Sin Demons, therefore their presence calms down the chaos of the entire place during their stay.

Sufficed to say, the Envoys are respected as much as the Sin Demons here, and that is mostly because of their strength and reputation they held.

The Envoys returned not too long ago. A ceremony was held to receive them but instead of showing up to the event, the Envoys went ahead and reported to the Sin Demons first before attending the event.

Much like how it went with the Celestials, the Sin Demons basically heard the same thing from their Envoys.

They too became worried about the existence of the White Cloaked Reaper, they wanted to know more about the rogue but they don't have the means to do so.

And just like the Apostles, the Sin Demons also expressed their confusion as to why they can't use Divination on Humans anymore, but unlike the Apostles, the Sin Demons don't look like they're bothered with it too much.

The Sin Demons too tried to comfort them about the loss of their siblings, telling them the same thing like how their death was only temporary and they'll experience rebirth once more.

After they finished their report, they were dismissed and the Envoys attended a ceremony prepared just for them.

In the ceremony a feast was prepared for them, a feast of both food and flesh. The weaker demons were prepared especially for them to use however they please. These weaker demons are not allowed to do anything that will displease the Envoys since that will certainly spell their deaths.

Tonight, the Envoys are free to descend into wanton debauchery as much as they want. This is in exchange for their service. The Sin Demons themselves encouraged this behavior, hoping that by doing this, the Envoys will remain hardworking for their cause.

[Sinful Trio GC]

Demon C: Why did we even attend this party? Couldn't we just...make an excuse instead? Honestly, it's getting stale.

Demon B: Hang in there Cee. This is for the sake of keeping up with pretenses. We can't expose ourselves here since they're legitimately watching us.

Demon A: That's true. They're not even bothering to hide it. If you look at the ceiling, you see a Beholder's Crystal installed in there. It's clear that the Sin Demons are watching us.

Demon C: Let me guess... it's Lust, isn't it? Only that pervert would stoop this low.

Demon A: It could be Greed too.

Demon B: Either way, the fact remains that we're being watched. Be careful with your words and actions. Don't give us away now.

Demon A & C: Okay.

...- 10 minutes later -...

Demon A: Guys! I just discovered something! Holy shit!

Demon B: ...

Demon C: Bee is making out with someone right now, but what is it, Aye?

Demon A: I heard a rumor that some unruly demons were planning to attack Humanity!

Demon B & C: What!?

Demon A: It's true, and I have a reliable source this time around. Do you guys recall Farron?

Demon C: Is he the avian that Sloth turned into his mount?

Demon A: Yes. That's him. This news came from him so it does contain some merit in it.

Demon B: What exactly are they planning to do?

Demon A: Oh, Bee. Done with lip-locking?

Demon B: Shut the fuck up and answer the question.

Demon A: Alright, geez. Well, according to Farron, some Demons thought a little too highly of themselves. Thinking that they're better than us. Their main gripe about us is the fact that we're working with Angels, and for some reason, they couldn't accept that.

Demon C: Inferiority Complex at its best.

Demon A: That's what I said! And it's not like we had a choice. Anyways, this group of demons thinks that they're better than us and they planned on marching toward where Humans were to eradicate them once and for all.

Demon B: Huh...that's funny.

Demon A: Right? Farron was also confused when I laughed. Don't worry, I didn't slip and told him everything. I was being careful you see.

Demon C: Good! If you leaked Master's identity then forget about the rest, I'd personally slaughter you.

Demon A: Oh believe, I'd let you.

Demon B: Okay, stop kissing each other's ass. What do you suggest we do to those rogues?

Demon C: Do we even need to do anything? It's not like those fools could actually do anything in front of our Master.

Demon A: While that might be true, Master shouldn't be bothered since he's busy making plans for his race. We shouldn't leave these tiny problems to him.

Demon B: Ah, I know what to do!!

Demon A & C: What?

Demon B: We turn them like us! Didn't Master give us a few Slave Seals to play with? Why don't we make use of that?

Demon A: Woah, that's actually not a bad idea, Bee. Clever thinking right there!

Demon B: Thanks, I try my best.

Demon C: If we use those, then not only we are making sure to not waste any unnecessary effort, but we can also increase the servants our Master have. Mn! I Support this idea!

Demon B: I was thinking that we can use them to monitor what happens within the community while we're away, after all, we can't stay here for too long since that'll be suspicious.

Demon A: Correct! If we don't do this, then it'll be harder for us to monitor the situation here. Honestly, I am half tempted to tell the Angels to do the same.

Demon C: I don't think this will fly in Laguna, Aye. The Palace Behind the Clouds is only housing the Apostles unlike here in the Qliphoth.

Demon A: Ah shit, you're right. I forgot how secretive those feathery bastards could get.

Demon B: Now now, don't go there. We need to remain calm, remember?

Demon A & C: Right.

Demon B: Anyway, it seems that the ceremony is nearly over. I suggest that you two bring back some people to have fun with you. It'll be less suspicious that way.

Demon A: Ugh, do we really need to?

Demon B: Specifically you Aye. Back then you were the ones who beds more bitches than us combined. If you don't do it now, then it'll definitely raise suspicions. Especially since you didn't even bother socializing ever since the start of the ceremony.

Demon C: Well, Bee's not wrong. Just play along Aye. Plus, it'll be a while before we get our dicks wet again so just enjoy it.

Demon A: Damn, okay fine! You convinced me. But how long do we plan on staying here? Frankly, I hope not that long.

Demon B: I suggest three days at most. That's the usual length of our stay back then. Just being careful and shit you know? We can easily inform the angels about our plan anyways.

Demon C: Right, this chat room is seriously convenient. Master sure is resourceful.

And just like that, the Envoys stayed for a few days in the Qliphoth, acting normally to avoid suspicions.

For the most part, it worked. The ones monitoring them didn't suspect anything at all even after a close inspection. This way, they left just as freely as they arrived.

Later then, the Revenants will ambush a group of ambitious demons, turning them into Ashton's slaves as well and then sending them back to keep monitoring the situation within the Qliphoth.

Slowly but surely, Ashton's Spy Network will expand and will become useful in the future.