Lord of Entertainment

(3rd Person POV)

Joshua and Elena felt amazed as they watched the champion and sacred knights acting like fools outside. The barrier's illusion proved sophisticated enough to deceive even these powerful warriors.

Despite their best efforts, the men continued searching fruitlessly for an entrance they couldn't perceive.

In the underground chamber, about forty thousand followers also observed the scene through their status scrolls.

Initially, they had trembled with anxiety, knowing the Champions' fearsome reputation from Elena's warnings.

But as they watched their would-be hunters fail to spot the entrance, protected by their Lord's barrier, their fear gave way to amusement.

"Look at those fools," someone laughed. "They're so blind they can't see the entrance right in front of them."

"Your right. Are these really the powerful warriors we were supposed to prepare for?" Another follower said, feeling reassured by the champions' apparent helplessness.

Some who had just woken joined the watching crowd. "They're still searching? I've had a full night's sleep while they wandered around."

"Hehe, if I'm counting right, they've been out there looking for the entrance for twelve hours now," another added.

Elena and Joshua found themselves growing complacent, convinced the protection barrier would shield them from the Solarus Warriors indefinitely.

"Are they really as powerful as you claimed?" Joshua asked in confusion. "They look like headless flies out there, circling aimlessly. They can't be that strong."

Elena felt her own skepticism growing about the Champions' powers, but then she remembered how efficiently they had eliminated the other leading cults. "I don't think they're weak," she said thoughtfully. "It's just that the protection our Lord provided us is incredibly powerful."

Joshua nodded, accepting her explanation.

The barrier's strength exceeded all expectations. Initially, they had anticipated it would only hold for a few hours before the Champion and Sacred Knights broke through.

They had prepared contingencies - controlling the entrance, creating mazes to confuse intruders.

"Seems we won't need to manage the controls after all," Joshua remarked, studying the gleaming sphere before them.

Elena nodded, though caution still tempered her relief. Her years at Solarus school had taught her what Champions were capable of - their power could level entire districts. Despite the barrier's apparent success, anxiety still gnawed at her heart.

***

(Lance Ashford POV)

Hours of searching yielded no entrance, despite our thorough exploration of the district. Yet this time wasn't entirely wasted.

Our prolonged search revealed something crucial - an invisible barrier of extraordinary power concealing what we sought.

When we began to attack the barrier, it effortlessly absorbed our strikes as if they were nothing.

This is no ordinary cult, I thought grimly.

Such deception would not normally work on someone of my caliber. This barrier's sophistication suggested capabilities far beyond typical cult resources.

"Lord Ashford," one of my knights approached. "Based on our analysis, the cult must possess a high-level artifact generating this barrier. Possibly celestial tier, or even higher."

I nodded slowly, processing this information. A cult with access to such powerful artifacts presents a greater threat than anticipated. We must acquire this device - both to prevent its misuse and study its capabilities.

"Report to the church," I commanded solemnly. "Request the destructive artifact to breach this barrier. The city's church possesses the 'Staff of Annihilation' - an abyssal tier artifact."

My men's expressions grew grave at the mention of such power. Abyssal tier sat one level above celestial tier in the artifact hierarchy, and the Staff of Annihilation exemplified this awesome power, currently sealed within Angel City's Solarus Church vault.

"Such a powerful artifact! We'll need permission from the highest authorities!" Vice-Champion Jier spoke up. As my second-in-command and potential successor to the Champion position, his concern carried weight.

"True, Vice-Champion," I acknowledged. "However, a Champion holds authority to request such artifacts when circumstances demand it. Right now, we need this power to expose this cult."

High Commander Burt, third in our chain of command, shifted uncomfortably. "My lord... the Staff's use carries extreme risk. Its full dangers remain unknown, but the previous Champion who wielded it descended into madness."

"And though he recovered from the insanity," Jier added, "his life ended in tragedy. The artifact seems to curse one's destiny."

Their words gave me pause. "The madness, I believe. But affecting fate? Only Eternal Tier artifacts hold such power. An Abyssal Tier weapon, even one as mighty as the Staff, lacks that capability."

Jier nodded slowly. "True, the fate-altering effects were never proven. Still, caution seems wise." He hesitated before adding, "Is a mere cult worth such risk?"

I stood in silence, weighing the decision carefully.

Is using an Abyssal Tier artifact justified against a cult wielding mere Celestial Tier power? The question troubled me, pulling me in opposite directions.

I turned to prayer, reaching out to Lord Solarus: Great Sun God, guide your champion in this hour of need. Show me the righteous path.

As expected, no direct response came. I sighed. Even as Champion, one of the highest positions within the Solarus Faith, I had never received a direct answer from our Lord.

Like all gods, He remained silent to even his most devoted followers, showing favor only through blessings - as He had blessed me.

My eyes dropped to the sun tattoo on my hand. The Mark of the Sun God - my sole tangible connection to His will. Through it, I channeled light energy from the sun itself, wielding power equal to a hundred mages combined.

The Lord may be silent, but His actions speak clearly enough. Drawing strength from this thought, I turned to my men with renewed conviction.

"Inform the city's church. We require the Staff immediately," I commanded. "This cult must be eliminated without delay."

Jier and the others exchanged glances before bowing in acceptance.

After their departure, I studied my annotated map. X-marks indicated possible entrances to the Dionysus cult's underground headquarters. The network stretched far wider than initially suspected - two to three square kilometers of hidden chambers. Such a vast complex could house thousands of followers.

A threat of this magnitude cannot be allowed to persist.

My attention fixed on one particular mark near the old church. Reports indicated a larger entrance there - likely the main access point. Yet even this supposedly massive entrance remained hidden behind the barrier's veil.

***

(3rd Person POV)

Minutes after Lance's order, the sacred knights, led by Jier, arrived at Angel City's Solarus Church, making their way into the inner sanctum where the sacred meeting room stood.

High Inquisitor Thaddeus's eyes widened at their request. "What? Lord Champion seeks to borrow the Staff of Annihilation?"

Jier maintained his solemn demeanor. "Yes. The 'Lord of Entertainment' cult has proven more troublesome than anticipated. Their headquarters is protected by a high-level artifact generating an impenetrable barrier. Neither physical force nor powerful magic can breach it."

"We're being led in circles like common fools," Burt added gravely. "Our powers alone cannot penetrate this barrier. The Abyssal Tier artifact is our only option."

The assembled priests and elders exchanged uneasy glances. Even for a Champion, lending such a dangerous artifact gave them pause. Yet church law was clear - under necessary circumstances, a Champion could request Abyssal Tier artifacts without impediment.

With visible reluctance, they led the sacred knights through the vault's heavy doors. The Staff of Annihilation would leave its resting place for the first time in decades.

***

(Jier Bastion POV)

As we entered the vault, my eyes swept across the chamber. Despite the numerous low-level or mid-level artifacts lining the walls, no staff was visible.

At the chamber's far end stood a solitary altar, bearing only a blood-red book. I turned to Thaddeus with a frown. "Where is the Staff of Annihilation? I see no staff here."

Behind me, the newer knights whispered among themselves. "First time in a church vault," Milpy murmured excitedly.

"Of course," another replied. "Even ordinary church vaults are restricted without explicit permission."

I remained silent, considering my own position. Though destined to become Champion and future captain of the Sunforge Division after Lance, I'd rarely entered church vaults myself.

Like many, I dreamed of exploring the legendary Holy Church vault and vast archives in Apollo Kingdom.

My thoughts were interrupted as Thaddeus gestured toward the blood-red book. "The Staff of Annihilation's power is too destructive to leave exposed. It's contained within the Blood Seal Tome."

My eyes widened at this revelation. "This city's church possesses not only an Abyssal Tier artifact but also a rare containment vessel?" The implications were startling.

I hadn't expected a mere city church to hold such powerful relics. The Blood Seal Tome's presence suggested Angel City's church wielded far more power than commonly known.

"The Blood Seal Tome was donated by the Champion who last wielded the Staff of Annihilation," Eryndor explained, gesturing toward the scorched, crumbling walls. "In his final testament, he specifically mandated its use to contain the Staff."

"Before the Tome's arrival, the Staff's presence damaged the vault during its unstable phases. Though mostly dormant, its occasional instability proved devastating."

"I see..." I nodded, processing this information. Champions naturally accumulated both wealth and rare artifacts during their service. A containment vessel, even one this rare, seemed fitting for a Champion's collection.

As we approached the altar, the Blood Seal Tome's presence grew more oppressive. Its crimson leather binding seemed to pulse with dark energy, ancient runes etched in its surface glowing with a dull, threatening light. The very air around it felt heavy, as if the book itself rejected our presence.

"The Tome remains sealed," Thaddeus continued, his voice dropping lower. "Opening it requires more than mere physical force. One must read the front page and establish a temporary blood pact with the Seal."

My heart sank slightly at his words. Despite knowing the Staff's destructive reputation, part of me had hoped to experience its power firsthand. That opportunity, it seemed, would belong solely to Lord Champion Lance.