When Rio came back to the Heartwell vi, the daylight was slowly creeping in, and people were just waking up from their slumber. He first went to have a talk with Esme, giving her somemands about what to do while he''s in the dungeon.


    As the hero''s home ground, Harendale ys a very important and recurring role in the original novel. That also means it has many named characters and plots stored here. From silly face pping scenes, to some pick pocketing, or market bullying, or some sea side restaurant with a nice view _ too many ces and too many events start here.


    So to earn more points from his system, Rio just ordered Esme to deal with some of them. Either ruin them, kill them, or finish them early.


    As for Tanya, he didn''t want to keep her in the protagonist''s house, as who knows what fate might do to get its heroine back on track. So he just talked with Finn and told him to arrange her transport, sending her to Raven estate. It''ll take him around 2 or 3 days to get what he wants and solve the mystery of Eisjer domain, so till then Tanya can stay safe.


    Plus with Nera there in Raven house, Tanya can also make a friend and not be so bored, or grow introverted who''s just chatty in front of him or the kitchen maids.


    He already has A for that. The silent alchemist really doesn''t know much outside of her field and family.


    Once that was done, Rio started walking towards the dungeon entrance, the ce where Katherine was already waiting for him.


    As he reached the ce he saw people being pushed back and a barricade keeping them out, guards stationed in a line, patrolling the area so no one could sneak past the boundary.


    The 2 barons were also present at the scene. While Darren was trying to calm the crowd and tell them everything will be fine, beingpassionate and kind as always. _ Misha on the other hand, was chatting with Katherine. Subtly dropping hints in his conversation that his cold daughter either failed to understand, or felt too foolish to respond.


    There were also a few people from other elite families and businesses present, who rushed here after hearing the news of his arrival, but Rio ignored them. Leaving the politics and connections for Finn to handle.


    Seeing hime alone, Darren stepped forward and asked, "Master Rio, I thought you said you''ll be entering with your partners, but I don''t see anyone here?"


    "They''re here." Rio said with no worries, watching to a side where a masked man fully covered in a dark robe stepped out from the crowd and stood in front of him.


    "Greetings to the chosen one." The man said as he bent down on one knee. His gaze to the ground and demeanour full of respect and reverence. "This servant of night is at your service."


    Rio looked at the hooded figure and nodded his head, giving him permission to stand up.


    "Is he_ from the cult…?" After seeing the cloaked figure and the mark of stars and moon etched on his robe, the baron couldn''t help but stutter in his words.


    "Yes, he''s from the Temple of Nyx." Rio replied, before Darren could even finish his question. "He''s here to supervise my performance and ensure my safety."


    (Also they don''t like being called the cult of night anymore. ) Rio left a word in whispers and then started walking towards the crowd, who started cheering and rioting after recognizing him.


    While Rio was talking with the crowd, waving his hand and distributing food and drinks for everyone, answering their doubts while maintaining his angel persona _ The baron behind him kept staring at the group of dark cloaked figures standing in a corner, yet despite their shady get ups, no one seemed to focus on their presence.


    His mind kept remembering the rumors and myths surrounding Nyx''s chosen followers. And the strength they had shown during thest war of avatars.*1


    Cult of Night was an organisation built around die hard followers of Nyx. Unlike other cults or churches, this one was different as every member of it was personally epted and baptised by Nyx herself. Not just any random follower or nobody could join it through pyramid schemes.


    That''s why though they were much less in numberspared to the cults of other primordials and gods, their strength and loyalty to Nyx was unquestionable.


    Less people meant less faith and less promotion, but when had that ever been a problem for a primordial.


    "She really does dotes on him." Darren couldn''t help but mutter, his worried heart already feeling a little rxed as he felt sure about Rio''s safety and other people''s too.


    Though a part of his heart couldn''t help but wonder what exactly got Nyx suddenly so interested in Eisjer dungeon that she even called her cult members out in the open.


    [Darren''s taking this pretty chill. If anyone else saw an outsider backed with a primordial''s army going into their territory like this, they''d want their own people in too. Curiosity, greed and all that...] System spoke, after noticing that even now Darren didn''te forward to pressure him into taking his trusted aides to keep an eye on him.


    Rio took a nce over his shoulders and just sneered, "He''s just scared that if he sent his best men in, Charles would seize the house or his enemies would attack his wife again."


    [And sending rabble would do no good as you can either ditch them or kill them. Not to mention there''s a chance it could anger you and Nyx too.]


    "No gain, but only losses."


    [I''m really surprised how the dude can see and sense all this, yet somehow falls for the stupidest of lies and trickery.]


    "Plot convenience bruh. Plot convenience."


    Rio and the system kept chatting with each other, finishing each other''s thoughts and responding before the words of others even finished. Every bit of conversation showing just how in sync they had both be.


    [So what are your thoughts about the elephant in the room?] System asked, it''s robotic AI-like voice turning serious, [You think it''s here to help you?]


    Rio looked at the hooded figures who suddenly appeared to serve him, saying it was Nyx''s orders, "I don''t know. She refused to answer my calls, but knowing the original plot we do know this cult is basically my ve factory so.."


    [She won''t let you die, host. Doesn''t mean she''ll help you survive.]


    "I know that." Rio said from experience, but shook his head nheless, "Don''t worry, if she messes up again likest time, I''m gonna start our n The Godless Night*2 much earlier."


    System heard his response and peeked around his diaries, and searched the details of the said n. A n to summon and trap Nyx using a ritual Devil performs to ughter gods in the novel.


    [You don''t have nearly enough points to begin that stuff.] System replied after checking everything.


    "Guess I''ll just have to do something drastic to earn them then.."


    As the talks between the system and Rio came to an end, so did the time to end his facade in front of the people. He turned around, away from the crowd, his smile disappeared all of a sudden and face turned serious, as he took a long breath in, and started walking towards the entrance.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Let''s go." He said to Katherine, who without question, followed him through the portal.


    The group of hooded figures entered soon behind them. Their sights, still clear of the order given by their goddess.


    [Make sure he''s safe, and single when he starts his final battle. And don''t interfere until he''s on hisst breath of life.]


    _


    As everyone disappeared in the shining hues of therge portal, focus of the gods watching their moves shifted too. Some weaker ones who just wanted to see drama left to find something else entertaining, while the stronger or persistent ones paid their prices and followed him through the barriers of the dungeon.


    Indra, Odin, Apollo, Apate, Ares, H, Loki, Mara, Phonoi, Anubis, Raizel Cthulhu, Tsukoyomi, Izanagi, Sun Wukong, Fuxi, Dagda, Morrigan _ and a whole lot of other notable figures from various religions and mythos all stared fixedly at the follower of Nyx whom their avatars are possibly going to face during next battle of chosen ones.


    ###.


    *1 - battle of avatars/battle of chosen ones


    Apetition sort of event that happens every 25 years, where avatars chosen by various gods get together to fight against each other.


    The opponents for this can be chosen by both, god and mortals alike. They pick the gods/people they want to defeat and fight in front of the whole crowd.


    It''s a tournament happening every generation which kind of establishes the power gaps between chosen ones, and the strength and respect of a God.


    This is also why many gods groom new avatars from the beginning to prepare them for this challenge, so their chosen one can help them bash the arrogance of their enemies. As battles between gods are banned, defeating and insulting their opponents chosen in front of the whole world is kind of the next best thing for a God to settle grudges.


    (Also the reason why when Nyx picked him, Kali immediately started the search for someone new at the same time so she can defeat her. _ many opposing gods choose avatars at the same times, so they can start this battle at equal line and prove their vision and superiority during the next battleground.)


    ###


    *2 Godless Night


    _ A backup n of Rio to deal with Nyx, where he just throws the table where she''ve been setting up the pieces for her game. Ruining all her efforts for thest era.


    He started cooking it up after she stayed on the sidelines and watched him struggle in that dungeon, instead ofing forward to help him get out.


    If_ no, no if _when he implements this n, the world of Arcadia can say goodbye to their goddess of night as she won''t being back to the surface anytime soon. A trap powerful enough to hold the primordial in ce, until she learns her lesson and begs him to be let out.