Earth's Greatest Magus

[Seraph City]

Sector 2, Alpha Quadrant

The vast city of Seraph unfolded across high ground, nestled between rugged mountains.

Emery could see that the city was as expansive as the Golden City or Centauri, but it exuded a solemn aura. There was an undeniable sense of reverence in the air, with grand temples and towering statues scattered throughout the metropolis, a striking contrast to the bustling streets of other magus cities.

When the transport ship finally docked, Emery and Annara stepped off alongside the other passengers. Hundreds of travelers exited with them, their faces illuminated by the golden light reflecting off the city's towering statues and temples. The city seemed quieter, less crowded. Instead of the constant hum of chatter and movement, the sound of bell chimes resonated from every corner, interwoven with the soft murmur of people chanting. The atmosphere was reverent, almost sacred, as if every corner of the city demanded quiet respect.

Annara, as expected, couldn't contain her excitement. "The two of us, exploring a new city, just like old times!" Emery, however, was focused. He ignored her enthusiasm, his eyes scanning their surroundings carefully.

The crowd was slowly moving toward the city's checkpoints, and he made sure to blend in seamlessly. Their fake identities passed through the security checks with ease.

Once they passed the last checkpoint, Annara leaned in close, her voice playful. "So, where are we going next?"

Emery shot her a glance, "You can stay here wait until I need you, or you can follow me and stay silent." The seriousness in his tone wiped away her playful grin.

Annara pouted but said nothing further, knowing when to push and when to fall in line. This was no lighthearted adventure—they were deep in Nephilim territory, and any misstep could spell disaster.

Emery led the way through the bustling streets of Seraph City, their path eventually taking them to one of the largest and most prestigious shops in the area:

[Three Feathers Enterprise] It was a colossal establishment, its grand facade adorned with intricate carvings of angelic figures, a clear nod to the city's overarching aesthetic. The shop was renowned for handling massive transactions, specializing in goods unique to the Nephilim's dominion—everything from rare artifacts to specialized resources.

Emery walked in confidently, showing a merchant identification he'd earned through his apothecary dealings. This immediately caught the attention of one of the shop's managers—a middle-aged woman with sharp features and an air of authority.

"Mister Evan, what kind of goods are you interested in?" she asked politely.

"Slaves," Emery replied directly. "I need a large number."

He mentioned a staggering figure, enough to make even the most seasoned merchant pause. The manager's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"We can certainly accommodate such a request," she said, her tone now more formal. "If you'd like, I can arrange a tour beyond the city, to some of the nearby planets where we keep our stock."

Emery nodded, showing her a golden token as proof of his ability to pay. Satisfied, she provided him with a spaceship, to ascend out of the Seraph City into a nearby planet.

Beside him, Annara grew increasingly uneasy. She stared out of the window with furrowed brows, her tension palpable. Finally, she broke the silence, sending Emery a telepathic message.

<What are you planning to do? I know you came here for revenge, but don't tell me you're going to try releasing their slaves!> Her thoughts raced, her worry evident. <This isn't like the Silvermane! These are Nephilim, their slaves are completely different!!.>

Emery, calm and composed, responded <Don't worry. I'll tell you beforehand if we're going to start fighting.>

The silence that followed was filled with Annara's exasperation. She shot him a glance, clearly unconvinced but unwilling to press further.

As the ship broke through the atmosphere of their destination, Emery caught sight of the planet below. It was smaller than Earth, roughly one-fifth its size, yet held a staggering population of over a billion. From above, the landscape stretched out in vast, yellow deserts, barren and dry. Winds swept across the dunes, carving intricate patterns into the sandy terrain.

What caught Emery's eye, however, were the massive structures that dotted the planet's surface. Gigantic statues and towering temples loomed over the landscape, their grandeur rivaling even the largest of cities. They were everywhere—surrounding residential areas, standing tall in the open desert, casting long shadows over the settlements below. The ship touched down on a platform near one of these monumental temples.

They switched transports to a sleek, ornate chariot pulled by a team of majestic flying horses, their white wings beating rhythmically as they ascended into the sky. To avoid drawing attention from the locals, it was cloaked in an invisibility spell, rendering it and its passengers completely unseen as they soared above the bustling planet below.

From this vantage point, Emery could see the true scale of the Nephilim's control. The sprawling desert gave way to a massive mine, one of the largest on the planet, where tens of thousands of slaves toiled beneath the scorching sun.

The scene was grim yet oddly disciplined. Rows upon rows of workers, some visibly too old for such labor, others far too young, and many women, all moved in unison as if driven by an unseen force.

Their bodies were covered in sweat, and fresh injuries dotted their limbs. Yet, as Emery observed closer, he realized that despite their grueling work, there was a sense of purpose in their movements. They seemed motivated, almost content with their fate, as if they were performing a task they had accepted. Some even wore faint smiles, strange and unsettling in the context of such harsh conditions.

Annara, seated next to him, sent him a wary glance, <I told you... these slaves aren't the same.>

The woman from Three Feathers turned to them with a proud expression. "Slaves like these are a rarity—strong, hard-working, and committed to their tasks. You'll be hard-pressed to find more diligent laborers anywhere else in the quadrant, especially for the price we offer."

Emery remained silent, his face betraying only a hint of dissatisfaction. Sensing his discontent, the woman from Three Feathers quickly shifted course directing them toward another destination.

They arrived at a different planet—a lush, green world teeming with towering forests that stretched far into the horizon. As they flew over the dense canopy, they came upon sprawling communities nestled within the woods, each bustling with life.

Tens of thousands of slaves populated the area, but unlike the hard laborers of the previous desert planet, these were engaged in meticulous craftwork.

The slaves here used the natural resources around them, shaping wood and stone into beautiful statues and intricate carvings. Emery could see them working with precision, their hands moving deftly as they transformed raw materials into objects of art.

Once again, despite the heavy workload, there was an odd sense of joy among them. The workers didn't appear burdened or downtrodden. Instead, they moved with a strange contentment, as if each chisel and brush stroke brought them closer to some higher purpose.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden light across the planet, Emery witnessed a remarkable sight.

Without any signal, all the slaves stopped their work in perfect unison. They knelt on the ground, heads bowed, and began to pray in complete silence. The scene was almost surreal—their devotion palpable, as if the very act of labor was an extension of their faith.

"These slaves are naturally skilled craftsmen," the woman said proudly "They're a bit more expensive than the others, but their talents make them worth every credit"

Emery's expression remained unchanged. Sensing his unspoken dissatisfaction once again, the woman from Three Feathers didn't miss a beat. Maintaining her professional demeanor, she immediately led him to other planets. Each new destination showcased a different culture of slaves, some skilled in farming, others in constructing massive stone temples or weaving intricate tapestries.

But no matter where they went, one thing remained constant—these slaves were all utterly devoted to their gods. Their lives revolved around their faith, and even in servitude, they found joy in their work, believing it to be part of their divine duty.

"Is there none to your liking?" the woman finally asked, her tone still professional, but with a hint of impatience creeping in. After a pause, she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If it's warriors or artisans you're after, it can be arranged. For every ten thousand slaves, I could slip in a few of them."

Emery, though outwardly calm, had already anticipated this move.

With VIA's help, he had learned much about how the Nephilim worlds operated. Their society was rigidly divided by a caste system. At the bottom were the slaves, above them were the artisans, then the warriors, and, the merchants.

Unlike the slaves, those higher in the caste system were not commonly traded. Some Nephilim cities even strictly forbade such transactions. But Emery wasn't interested in mere warriors or artisans. His goal lay far beyond the typical.

"I'm interested in acquiring priestesses!" he said.

The woman's face shifted from professional composure to one of surprise and slight disbelief. For a moment, she seemed to think Emery was jesting. Emery decided to make his intentions clear. He reached into his robe and pulled out a holographic display, projecting a detailed offer. "I'm willing to pay 100,000 for each priestess. I need hundreds of them."

The woman's face paled as Emery's request sank in, her hands trembling slightly. Even Annara, who had been wary of Emery's intentions, looked taken aback by the boldness of his demand. In Nephilim society, priestesses were considered sacred. The very notion of purchasing them was taboo, a dangerous proposition that could lead to severe consequences.

"My apologies, Mister Evan," she said, her voice tinged with anxiety. "We cannot assist you with this request. Such an endeavor is too perilous… It could get us killed."

Emery's gaze remained steady. "Are you sure?"

The woman hesitated, clearly torn between her fear and her desire to maintain favor with Emery. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before explaining, "If you wish to recruit a priestess, you'll need to go directly to the Seraph Flying City. It's the only place where you might have any chance of making such a request."

Emery's face remained unchanged, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips.

This was precisely what he had anticipated. The trip had served its purpose; it allowed him to gauge the Nephilim's power and their social structure. His true objective from the beginning was to gain access to the renowned Flying City, where he believed the real heart of Nephilim influence lay.

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