Rise of the Cosmic_Emperor

In all honesty, it was not that Tanya's swearing was actually reassuring, Hal just felt it was better than nothing.

"Where exactly is the Silver Moon Sect" he asked.

Tanya smiled inwardly as this question told of Hal's decision to undertake on this mission, 

"It's located at one of the four Duchys that surround the Imperial city; the Dreg Duchy. It will take two days to get there with a Teleportation circle and once at the Duchy capital, it is impossible to miss the Sect.

Let's not even talk about the glaring signs, just the fact that it is noticeably the largest and grandest territory in the Duchy will immediately let you zero in.

While the Duke indeed takes care of day-to-day activities, it is clear to everyone in the Duchy that true power over the Duchy belongs to the Silver moon sect head" Tanya explained.

"And the Duke is okay with that?" Hal asked with a raised brow and Tanya shrugged, 

"Why choice does he have? The Emperor favors the sect's authority over his and his family's own.

In fact, not fighting it is actually how the Dreg family have been able to hold on to their title and pass it on over the years.

They accept their situation and let the Silver moon Sect do what they do which is usually divine and act superior while they (The Dregs) retain control over the masses as a family not only second only to the Silver moon sect but also a family that has the full backing of the Silver moon sect who believe them losing their position in the Duchy would 'upset' the balance.

It's all just politics to me.

The Silver moon sect could very well be getting something from the Dreg family to offer their support... But this is all, of course, just speculation."

Hal stroked his beardless jaw with a contemplating look before he nodded, 

"Okay then, I'll go right away" he said.

Tanya nodded at his decision, 

"That would be for the best. Who knows how long it could take to convince the Silver moon sect head to let go of the piece of the puzzle and you still have to return to the Imperial city for the Royal entrance exam in Less than two weeks" she said.

Hal who had stood to his feet, paused as he said, 

"About the entrance exam, I'm considering skipping it"

Tanya furrowed her brows, 

"If you do so, then you can consider our arrangement over. You will go on missions but I will always hide important information from you. Telling you only all you need to know to survive" she said with a frown.

Hal smiled lightly but Tanya was not yet done, 

"In case you are not yet aware, there is already a list out. Two types of lists actually. The first is for public viewing which merely shows the names of the participants and the second type is only for the viewing of the select powerful individuals of the Haron continent.

It's a list that not only shows names, it also shows who recommended those participants. Before the list was prepared, you could have said no and I could have withdrawn my recommendation, however, right now, You not participating, with the list already out, will only bring me shame.

In fact, not only must you now participate, but you must also pass. At the very least, you must pass the first stage."

"Hmmm" was all Hal said to her words and as he made his way towards the room's door with a smile...

... Only to be blocked by Tanya's attendant who had a deep scowl on her face,

"The next time you touch the Princess, I'll cut off your hands."

Hal's eyes first darted to Tanya who was smiling lightly but ultimately said nothing.

The Blue-eyed Devil then leaned closer to the attendant, 

"I never heard your Princess complaining. If you're really that jealous, you don't have to worry, next time..." This time he spoke into her ear. His tone was so mellifluous and mesmerizing that the stoic attendant actually froze in wonder at the sound, 

"... I'll touch you too"

*Bang*

By the time the attendant recovered barely a second later, Hal was already out the door.

She turned to look at Hal, 

"Princess, I don't like him."

"Really?" Tanya asked with slightly widened eyes and a light smile, 

The attendant nodded, 

"He makes me feel... Funny"

Tanya sighed and one hand went unconsciously to one of the arms Hal had touched and she rubbed it absentmindedly.

"It's not just you, Lena... It's not just you"

...

Meanwhile, 

Hal needed no directions or guidance to navigate his way back to the lounge where Ehrlich was pacing back and forth.

Immediately the buff man saw Hal, his eyes widened and he paused as he waited for Hal to get closer to him.

"Alright then, lead me out of the Palace. I'm going to Dreg Duchy and I must leave right away" Hal said.

Ehrlich's eyes widened, 

"You're going?" 

Clearly, he knew going to Dreg Duchy meant Hal had decided to take on the mission but what was surprising was that Hal was deciding to go on the mission with a relaxed smile.

He felt Hal could not have possibly looked like that if Tanya had threatened or forced him to take on the mission.

Even if she had somehow managed to convince him, there should still be a bit of reluctance in his eyes.

The way he looked right now. 

The manner in which he was smiling told of things having gone completely his way.

It almost looked... Perverted...

What the Devil had happened in the Princess's room?

A place Ehrlich had never heard of a man who was not part of the Princess' family ever being in.

In fact, only a few family members who were male could boast of such.

Hal noticed Ehrlich's expression and what it meant but still acted oblivious as he said, 

"What are you still dawdling around for? I need to be on my way. The Princess will be paying for the trip, won't she? Both leaving and arriving?"

"What... What happened in there?" Ehrlich eventually asked.

Hal sneered, 

"Nothing you should worry your perverted, creepy virgin self about" he said and walked past the buff lackey only to turn back when he was past him to say, 

"Now stop wasting my time and tell me if the Princess will fund my expenses. If you are not ready to answer, I can always just go back in there and ask her directly" 

Ehrlich frowned and then sighed, 

"She will take care of your travel expenses. Come with me, I'll guide you out of the palace" he said.

Inwardly he thought, 

'In all honesty, how is it really any of my business? The Princess can make her own decisions and she has never made a wrong one yet'

Ehrlich led Hal out of the palace even though the Devil could definitely make his way out without any help with his perfect recall of everywhere he had been and everything he had seen on the way in.

If anything, he could clearly pinpoint his way with memories of where he had met the peculiar consort and Pietro and the many places he had met the admiring maids.

His memory was infallible that way.

Anyway, they were soon out of the palace grounds at which point, they boarded a carriage that took them to a Teleportation Circle Building. Thus one was different from the one Hal had arrived in.

Ehrlich paid the traveling expenses and then Hal got on the circle before he was sucked into the void.

As usual, he was steered through the void and when his eyes opened to normalcy only a few moments later (to him), he was inside a different Teleportation Circle building, in a different Duchy, and Two days of normal time had passed.

Once again, Hal opted not to mention his name and instead only had his image taken as he walked out of the Teleportation circle into... What had to be the busiest Duchy capital street he had been at.

Carriages dashed about, somehow managing not to hit any of the many pedestrians walking on the roads as well.

Although, while it is fair to say that the pedestrian lane was quite different from the main roads for the Carriages to pass, with the speed of movement and the haphazard movement most of the time, it was dangerous fur pedestrians nonetheless.

But the pedestrians hardly seemed to notice.

They all seemed busy with their own matters.

Hal spread his perception as wide as he could and realized that everywhere his perception reached, he noticed the same level of busyness.

This situation seemed capital wide!

Luckily, with the sheer number of pedestrians, Hal had many to call to and ask why this was so.

The first person he caught hold of was actually quite open to explaining to him. In fact, he explained with a smile on his face, 

"Welcome to Dreg Duchy capital, the busiest Duchy capital in the whole of the Haron continent Everyone has something they want to get done in a day and our streets always seem to be filled.

Of course, not everyone here is a Denizen of our busy city, many actually come here for a consultation with the Silver moon sect's Diviners or at least in the pretense of consultation but to actually look upon the beautiful faces of the Sect's maidens.

Regardless of true motives, there is always a long waiting list for a consultation..." The man eyed Hal with a smirk, 

"If that's why you're here Mister, you had better get accustomed to Dreg Duchy capital because you are going to be here a long, long time"