The Earth After Rebirth

Kile, Aenon's advisor, looked at the establishment with much contempt. It hadn't been renovated, so it was still the old, small dingy pub.

"This is part of its charm." Kiro commented with a wide smile, seeing the expression on his face.

His expression quickly turned into an awkward smile. He involuntarily reacted, they were beings who admired beautifully built buildings. Especially those in pristine conditions. Compared to theirs, this city was on the dirty side. But they weren't here to judge.

"Of course!" He answered still smiling awkwardly.

They sat at the same table, it was the only table that wasn't taken. Seemingly people have now reserved it for Hubris.

The owner set their table with the usual, it was as if they were regulars there now.

"Excuse me," Aenon called out to the owner. "Do you have bloody whiskey here?"

"Of course sir we do, coming right up." He answered in a forced respectful tone.

"They do not like your kind here at all." Kiro commented, laughing at the situation.

"It's... well, understandable."

Aenon was a bit ashamed of their past deeds. But because they didn't want their kingdom to perish, they did what they could.

"You mentioned that your kingdom was on a decline, why is that? Can't you just sink your fangs on other beings and create more of you?"

They all looked at Kiro with bewilderment, they were both shocked and disgusted by his creativity. They didn't like that he thought they. would be created, like products in a factory. On the other side, Kiro was just acting on the information he knew about vampires in his world, nothing else.

"I'm sorry to say, but that's idiotic, how can we procreate by biting other beings?" Kile chimed in.

Kiro didn't really like this twig of skin and bones. He reminded him of Isaac, though Isaac's arrogance was blatant, this one's was subtle. Which he thought was way worse.

"Speak to me like that again, and your head will be detached from your body." Kiro said, pointing Ryu for his neck.

Aenon hit his advisor at the back of his head and smiled apologetically at Kiro.

"That's not how we procreate. To make matters worse, it's hundred times more difficult for us compared to those in other kingdoms. There hasn't been a birth in a hundred years."

Kiro nodded in understanding. He decided to keep his mouth shut about all the misconceptions he had about vampires. Clearly those from hell were very different from the ones he had fought in Asgard.

The table was filled with meat, both grilled and raw. Kiro watched as they poured a bit of blood on their already raw meat and almost gagged.

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"You guys just wander around with blood in your pockets? Not weird at all." He mumbled to himself.

"Right, there are other kingdoms, could you tell us about them?" Hubris interrupted his master's mumbles.

"There's only 3 known Kingdoms in the Underworld. The biggest, which is Abaddon, the most treacherous which is Kanine, and ours Ichor.

"Kanine has every bit of bad beings living within it. Werewolves, Kobolds, Gnolls, you name it. They are always attempting to expand their lands. So naturally, they're Ichor's enemies. That's why we can't do without an alliance with Abaddon."

Aenon took a bite of his bloody meat, and drank some bloody whisky like he were some noble. Taking a breather from all the talking, others were doing the same, not talking just listening to the history lesson.

"Our Kingdoms are close together, but it still took us several days to reach Abaddon. That's why we decided to create something that was instant transportation.

"Anyway, our 3 kingdoms didn't get along in the past. Until your father brokered peace between us, that's also when our first treaty happened, but the king of Kanine was too proud. While he ceased attacks, he wouldn't join any alliances. Though after your father's demise, he started moving, occasionally.

"We're also surrounded by vast lands, of course it'd be pompous to think we're the only ones around. Those lands haven't been ventured into, so we have no idea what lies ahead."

Kiro and Hubris were the only ones who didn't know this information at their table. Others were bored out of their minds listening to something they'd been taught since the young age.

"Why haven't you guys ventured outside your kingdoms?" Kiro asked.

"We planned to, when the doorway technology was finished, but of course the new King isn't obligated to take up the promise of the old one."

Hubris didn't say anything right away. He chewed on those words, going further than they were was unknown territory, so they could only assume it was dangerous.

But this was also the opportunity he wanted, exploring dangerous trenches to test his newfound power.

"I hear that, I think we should continue the plans to explore outside of our Kingdoms." He said, trying to contain his excitement.

He may have been able to hide it from those sitting at the table, but Kiro could feel it. He'd never felt such hunger and desire coming from Hubris. He was stung by jealously.

He'd like more than anything to go and explore with them, but he had to think of his home, his body. He didn't know how long the time out there had passed, he couldn't really risk it as much as he liked it here, he had to find a way to go back.

He had a nagging feeling that, the jump skill wasn't as useless as he thought. He had started to think, maybe, just maybe it was his ticket to going back. He was still envious nonetheless.

He promised himself then, that, if he found a way to go back and forth. The Underworld would mostly be where he came to get stronger.

"That's great to hear King Hubris, we're truly grateful that you didn't decide to terminate our alliance, I hope we continue to work together without any obstacles."

They toasted to that. They drank until the early mornings. Belial was already passed out, going at it two nights in a row wasn't something he was quite used to. He was tired more than anything.

King Hubris' first official business was a great success.