Maids VS Apocalypse

Opening his eyes, the first thing Zhang Tianmu noticed was the filter that turned everything within sight green. That was enough for him to understand his current situation, but instead of calming him down it unleashed his rage in the form of Soul Pressure.

The disciples outside were alerted of his waking. In a matter of seconds the medical pod he was floating in was drained of the green healing liquid and scalding water rained from above cleansing his body from anything that stuck to it.

Steam surrounded his chiselled body when he stepped out of the machine. Ten maidens rushed over and began wiping him from top to bottom then began dressing him up and styling his hair. Once he was back in his proper Priest attire, Zhang Tianmu finally retracted his pressure, and though none of the servants showed it they were all relieved that nothing gruesome happened so far.

"Well look who’s finally up!" That relief went away when a familiar voice came from the entrance. "Good morning, sleeping beauty. Thought you would need a kiss to get up."

His energetic demeanor contrasted the wrinkles on his face and the white covering his head, and despite wearing the red hood of a disciple, he was talking to a Priest like they had the same standing.

The Soul Pressure returned and the servants knelt and lowered their heads, praying that nothing bad will happen to them.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

"I’m not in the mood for your banter, Barrow." Said Zhang Tianmu. "State your business and leave."

"No can do." Clyde shook his head and wagged a finger. "I came to take you. His holiness is waiting."

The pressure instantly halted. Zhang Tianmu’ eyes were wide like saucers and fear brought sweat to his forehead. Gritting his teeth, he glared at the old man whose expression remained amiable, though the Priest only felt mockery when directed at him. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Zhang Tianmu wanted nothing more than to get him out of his sight and thus he left the medical bay right away. Unfortunately for him, the annoying geezer followed right behind him, uncaring about his foul mood.

"I am very familiar with the path to the throne room. No need for you to linger around me any longer."

Clyde met his sharp glare with a a smirk.

"I don’t remember saying his holiness summoned only you." He said. "It just so happen that I was summoned as well."

"You?" Zhang Tianmu scoffed. "Forgive me but I find it difficult to believe His Holiness would want anything from the likes of you."

"And you aren’t entirely wrong." Clyde ignored the hostile remark and replied with the same tone. "During our last outing we ran into some interesting people. Bonnie was the one who fought them, though, so I’m not too sure."

"I fail to see why you would bother His Holiness with such trivialities." "Would saying it was the same Level 05 you fought help?"

The Priest came to a stop and turned to glare at the geezer.

"What did you say?"

"Mark White, that was his name, right?" Clyde walked right past him. "To think he was..."

Zhang Tianmu opened his mouth to say something but decided against it a second later. With quick steps he caught up and surpassed the geezer. He then slowed his pace just enough to keep a short distance between them.

"So, what do you think?" Clyde asked.

"Think what?" Zhang Tianmu asked in return.

"The Level 05. Considering his identity, do you think we would be asked to dispose of him? Or to bring him back?"

"What a pointless question." The Priest sighed in exasperation. "Of course w must dispose of it. That failure should not be alive to begin with."

"Oh, I see."

The two went silent after that exchange and remained so until they reached the throne room. They stood at the engraved tall doors and waited. Once the permission to enter came, the doors parted and they walked inside. Clyde’s nonchalance was nowhere to be seen. Same as Zhang Tianmu, he kept his head lowered as he knelt before a wide podium, not daring to raise his head or look in the throne’s direction.

A couple of minutes passed before the sound of footsteps was heard once more. They were calm and unhurried, but the weight that followed each one seemed to press down on the two men, even though neither could sense any Soul Pressure coming from the same direction.

The steps stopped right in front of them and the sound of fabric being flourished followed it. Silence returned to the throne room and lasted for a couple of minutes. The two men remained still like statues, not daring to even breathe. Only once their presence was acknowledged were they allowed to function like human beings.

"Zhang Tianmu, it is good to see you back in good health."

The voice was even, lacking anything that could be called emotion. Despite that, Zhang Tianmu felt nothing but relief. Their lord had a tendency to show his displeasure first thing upon sitting on the throne, and since he has yet to do so the two believed they were in the clear.

"It is the greatest of honors to be worthy of your concern, my lord. I, Zhang Tianmu, am back in perfect health and ready to carry any orders you might have."

The silence returned however it didn’t last as long as last time.

"I have received word that you had a rather... peculiar encounter." Spoke the king. "Are you certain your eyes weren’t just playing tricks on you?"

"I would pluck them out if they dared show me falsehoods." Zhang Tianmu replied.

"So you are certain?"

"Yes, my lord." Zhang Tianmu said. "He stood out among the self proclaimed Peace Keepers as someone with no experience, yet the Soul Pressure he produces was equal to that of a Knight."

"Is that all?"

"No. One of the fighters accompanying him stood out due to her strange appearance. At first I suspected her of being a Level 04 with a transformation Ability, but I have come to realize she might be ■■■■■■."

"A ■■■■■■, you say?"

Clyde felt the man’s questioning gaze move to him.

"What do you make of this, Clyde Barrow?"

"There is no doubt about it, my lord." He replied, his voice carrying none of the humor from before. "Unlike the other heretics, she seemed proficient at the use of a rather powerful Halo. Unfortunately, her Soul has yet to recover its true strength."

"I see..."

Silence returned to the throne room. Clyde and Zhang Tianmu were left staring at the floor as their lord contemplated their testament. Minutes passed as they waited for his verdict and when he finally spoke again the two braced themselves to receive it.

"To think he would live and grow for so long." A hint of joy accompanied his words, something that sent chills trough the two cultists. "How unfortunate it is that the enemies of our Goddess had tainted him with their heresy."

Zhang Tianmu found himself trembling and unable to stop. He was overwhelmed with the desire to prostrate and beg for forgiveness, but he knew uttering a single word would put an end to his life. Clyde was no different, though he seemed better at controlling his body.

"Zhang Tianmu."

The sound of his name caused the Priest to shudder.

"Yes, my lord..."

He quickly made peace with his fate, but the words that followed breathed hope back into his flesh.

"You are to eliminate the heretics and retrieve him before the borders break. Do not disappoint me this time."

Overcome with emotion, Zhang Tianmu bowed his head even deeper and replied with utmost conviction.

"Yes, my lord! I will strive to carry your will to the letter!"

Ignoring his declaration, the lord sighed and waved them away.

"That is all. You may leave."

"By your will."

With their heads still lowered, the two cultists walked out of the throne room. Only once the doors closed behind them did they allow themselves to relax.

"Good for you, mister Priest." Clyde spoke while stretching his arms. "You get to keep your head for another week."

"Hmph, his holiness entrusted me with such an important mission." Zhang Tianmu smirked. "That only goes to show the difference in our standing."

"Well, knock yourself out." The geezer yawned and walked away. "My head is exactly where I like it. Last thing I want is to lose it chasing after glory."

Zhang Tianmu was about to berate him but stopped and let him leave. Arguing with a slacker wasn’t worth ruining his good mood. His lord had entrusted him with a great mission. Failure would come at the cost of his life, but if he manages to succeed many doors would open for him.

"Mark White, was it." He muttered, his handsome face twisted with an evil smirk. "Your days are numbred."