Alburet felt his pulse stir at her words but also felt his heart melt at her love. “Please, my darling Kitten.”
Stacia rose gracefully to her feet holding the crown before her chest. “Bow ya head for me a touch please, master.”
Alburet did as she requested and moment later he felt her gently place the Crown of the Demon Lord on his brow. A pop-up asked if he wished to equip and bind the item. He accepted it, lifting his gaze to Stacia who looked down at him. “It is done.” As the words left his mouth another pop-up appeared.
Crown of the Demon Lord.
Unique Scaling Item, Part of the Demon Lord set
Armor 40 to head (up to 200 depending on level) stacks with Demon Skin
Charisma 40 (up to 200 depending on level)
Wisdom 40 (up to 200 depending on level)
Indestructible
You and your party will be viewed as neutral to all unbound demons.
Becomes Soul Bound when equipped
Other parts of set:
Robe
Boots
Gloves
Pants
Belt
3 piece bonus: Race change and improved stats from armor
6 piece bonus: ???
A three-piece bonus has been rewarded.
Armor of the Demon Lord.
Two bonuses are now available to you.
Chance at race change to Half-Blood Infernaclass="underline" speak with any Infernal to start the quest chain.
All bonuses from Demon Lord Set will now be doubled.
Alburet blinked as he read the pop-up, “I can become a half-blood?”
Stacia’s eyes got big, “How would tha’ even be?”
“Good question,” Alburet replied, trying to make heads or tails out of the information he’d just gained. He recalled Victoria telling him the chance to change one’s race was in the game, she had mentioned a Vampire Lunari. “I guess I should ask somebody who might know.”
“I summon Bob the Mighty,” Alburet said, his hand palm down next to him.
Bob appeared amid the puff of smoke, “You called, master?”
“I was told to ask any Infernal about a quest to change my race to half-blood.”
Blinking, Bob paused with his head cocked to the side as if listening to something, his eyes glazing over as he did. He started speaking in a deep more resonant voice, “You should visit the sands of the Dead Lands in one week. There will be an Infernal waiting to take you to the place you need to go to.” When Bob finished speaking he shook his head, his eyes clearing. “Why did you summon me?”
Stacia’s eyes got even wider if possible as she stared at Bob. Alburet barely registered it though as he frowned. “I asked about a quest and got my answer. Apparently, someone or thing spoke through you. I can honestly say I don’t like the idea of some being using you as its mouthpiece when you are bound to me.”
Bob’s eyes went buggy, his mouth opening and closing for a second, “B…b… but…”
“The Dark Lord,” Stacia said softly with reverence. “Only he can speak through an Infernal like tha’, master.”
Whistling softly, Alburet’s own eyes got big. “So, a god of this world just gave me a quest?”
Quest: Become a Half-Blood Infernal
Visit the Dead Lands in one week to begin your transformation.
Reward: Race change to Half-Blood Infernal
“And there is my answer,” Alburet continued as he read the pop-up.
Stacia trembled as she slowly reached out to touch Alburet. “Master? Are ya goin’ to accept the quest?”
“Yeah, should be fun. Thanks Bob, you’re free to go.”
Bob nodded once, “I can’t wait to tell Tiny.” Bob vanished, his face lit with awe.
“Ya know tha’ ya standin’ in the city will fall, iffin ya do it,” Stacia told him as she embraced Alburet, as if afraid for him.
“I’ll just work harder to raise their opinion of me then,” Alburet replied, returning the embrace.
Reputation with Stormguard Guards has reached Respected.
Reputation with all Stormguard factions has reached Friendly.
Reputation with Gilden House has fallen to Hostile.
“I think my reputation can take a hit,” Alburet said, after checking his reputation notifications that had been waiting for him. “It seems my asking to be viewed favorably by the city has happened. So even if I fall a little bit, I should still be viewed okay. Besides, it is time that someone helped improve the image of the Half-Blood Infernals in the city.”
Stacia looked at Alburet with a mix of trepidation and wonder. “I love ya, master,” she whispered and kissed him fiercely.
When they broke for air Alburet was about to pick Stacia up and carry her away when a knock came on the door. Sighing, Alburet shook his head, disengaging from Stacia to go see who it was now.
It turned out to be Rolland at the door, “Sorry for the intrusion. I was wondering if you’d care to grab lunch?”
“Don’t normally get men walking up to invite me out,” Alburet replied with a straight face.
Rolland shook his head, “You’re not my type. I like them beautiful and female, like my wife or yours. I just wanted to thank you, for giving my wife this job. She’s sent me a few messages since she got here. She’s doing what she loves to do again, which is talk with people. I thought lunch might be a gesture you could appreciate. Your wife is welcome to come as well.” Rolland gave Stacia a warm smile, “If you wish to, of course.”
Stacia gave back a smile, “Iffin asthore wishes to go, then I will go as well.”
“We should probably go, there are few other stops we need to make,” Alburet said taking Stacia’s arm. “When we get back we can return to the topic we were discussing.”
Stacia bowed her head, her words carrying a hint of husk to them, “As ya wish, asthore.”
Rolland paused, catching the hint from Stacia’s voice, “Err… did I come at a bad time? We can do lunch at some later date instead.”
“No, everything is fine,” Alburet replied. “Anticipation is a good thing, after all. Where did you have in mind?”
Hesitating a moment more, Rolland shrugged, “I know a small place just down the road from here that serves a very nice pasta. You don’t mind if I bring some back for Kim, do you?”
“Feel free. We should bring some back for Erin as well,” Alburet told the mage.
“Erin? As in me sister Erin?” Stacia asked.
“Yup, she’s training under Kim. I figure having two receptionists is a good idea. This way they can have a day off as well as being able to handle assorted other tasks.”
“Did Da’ give ya any trouble?”
“Not really,” Alburet replied as they followed Rolland down the road. “He made an accusation about me trying to get all of his daughters, but your mother set him straight. Besides, this will let her have the chance to have a little freedom and a good chunk of coin.”
“How much ya be payin’ her?”
“Thirty gold for the year. Kim gets one hundred as she’s the more experienced. If Erin does well, we can give her a raise.”
Stacia shook her head, “Ya be givin’ her more than many in the city earn in a year iffin they work for another.”
“That might be true, Kitten, but as adventurers we can earn that money back easily enough. It will also give her a sense of worth and improve her odds of finding her own way in life.”
Smiling, Stacia gave his arm a squeeze, “Ya do so much for me family, asthore.”
“Here we are,” Rolland told them, “Giardino and Family.” The door emitted the same jingle as many other shops, thanks to the small bell mounted just above it. Smiling, Rolland called out to a hefty man in a white apron, “Giuseppe, I have brought new customers for you.”