Chapter 289 Crown of Beyond Depravity

Moloch explained his own situation to Duke Wolte, who listened under the mercy of Zeru. Only afterwards did Wolte relax himself enough to look at Jin with a perplexed expression with his limited slug face muscles.

"So to sum it up: You are now working for that human from another dimension over there?" Wolte slurred as he spoke.

"I know why you would be sceptical, but looking back, I have to admit, that this kind of relationship has been rather mutually beneficial. If anyone stands a chance of defeating King Baal, I think Jin here has more of a fighting chance compared to any other demon or adventurer I have known." Moloch clarified before looking at him.

"What has actually happened to you, Duke Wolte? I don't remember you being a slug at all." Moloch stifled his laugh, and the slug seemed somewhat depressed.

"As you might have guessed, it all started when King Baal became obsessed. But it was not due to his wealth nor his power. It was because of the Crown of Beyond Depravity." Wolte replied, and only Moloch and his minotaurs understood what that was.

Seeing the confused faces of all other people, especially Moloch's new master Jin, Wolte decided to explain a bit on that: "It is an item made from a defunct Dungeon Core mixed with multiple rare high grade metals, which high ranking blacksmiths had to sacrifice their lives for to create that crown. But that crown was mostly harmless, simply increasing his powers without any known side effects. That is until Marquis Kiva, the Ravenous Lord Demon of Hunger presented him an ancient gem he found in the depths of his desolate family tomb. It was meant to be a tribute. A simple show of loyalty as well as a nice finishing touch for the crown." Wolte continued.

"Shortly after he received that gem it changed him. It started consuming King Baal's logic and harness his greed. It increased his possessiveness in regards to material items, land and power. Before I rebelled, some whispered, that King Baal was secretly creating an army of loyal subjects capable of using the massive power he is currently wielding." Wolte looked even more depressed than before. Even though he was to be executed, it seemed the slug was genuinely concerned for his King.

"As a loyal subject, I was naturally worried. But when I voiced my opinion and suggested that the crown should be adequately examined as a precautionary measure King Baal refused adamantly. At the time Marquis Kiva was on site. That cowardly bastard even advised the King to be careful against dissidents. King Baal in return agreed and wanted to issue a royal decree concerning the execution of disloyal people the very next day. Marquis Kiva had even dared to object to this, trying to influence the King into issuing it that very day. Unable to challenge the authority of the King, I challenged Marquis Kiva to a duel. After all that silver glibed oversized chicken was only mighty with his words, so I thought I could crush him with my overwhelming strength. Who would have known he was crafty enough, to turn my words around making it seem as if I were challenging King Baal. I unwillingly fought against King Baal. we both know, that he should have stood no chance against me. It should have been impossible since I was his High General. I was also the one who taught him how to fight. But this time was different. The king had granted me the honour to spar with him many times, so I was familiar with his strength and his power was unbelievable. Two? Three? Heck maybe even five times stronger than me at that moment." Wolte grumbled and complained about the past, but the rest just listened to it like a bedtime story.

"So ermwant to join up with us?" Moloch who had nearly fallen asleep from the ramblings, had nearly forgotten about their objective.

"You have not answered my question yet! How exactly did you find me? I have been exiled as a 'last mercy' as he called it. But officially I should been pronounced dead!" Wolte snarled. He had wanted to fight against King Baal in his own way. Wolte found this defunct core by chance when he was running away from the demons that were chasing after him. He did not know, whether the King had changed his mind, or if that damn bird was behind it, but it mattered little. Duke Wolte never realised that this particular dungeon core was partially defunt. When presented with the chance he immediately accepted, turning him into the new master, allowing him to recreate a dungeon fortress of his own.

In return, the core became a part Wolte. Unfortunately it made him into the slug before them. Nevertheless the dungeon core delivered, what it had promised. Through it Wolte was able to raise an army of his own. He used the bodies of the adventurers and monsters, using their essences as power to function his very own robot slave army. He hoped that one day he would be able to properly rebel against King Baal. If possible he wished to wake him up from the control of Marquis Kiva.

"It may sound dumb, but it was purely coincidental. My maids found this