3rd POV
One day later, an unnamed mountain range in the Baator
Execution Temple was located in the depths of the unnamed mountain range in Baator, hidden from the eyes of others.
Execution Temple headquarters was located deep underground, beneath the mountains. That was where their citadel was located.
Right now, two members of the Custodians brought Emperor’s youngest daughter Rias Gremory to join the Execution Temple.
Both custodians who brought the Imperial House members here were of the Satan-Class, as this place was filled with ferocious monsters. Many of the monsters that roamed this place freely were of Monarch Level, which was equivalent to the Satan-Class.
Executioners of the Execution Temple thus trained even with entering their HQ safely by erasing their presence so monsters won’t notice them.
Suddenly, as they waited there, with Rias being most nervous about what was going to happen after she was basically stripped of all her privileges, three members of the Execution Temple appeared out of the shadows.
All of them wore the standard black uniform of the Execution Temple that was similar to a priest gown, just with a cape covering their head together with metal masks protecting and hiding their faces.
All of them had perfectly suppressed their aura, but based on their masks, one could see that two of them were of Executioner Rank, and the third one was Senior Executioner. Meaning all of them were of Ultimate-Class at least.
Nobody said a word; Custodians just nodded at three Executioners before they left, as the Senior Executioner signaled Rias to follow behind them.
“From today, you will be a recruit of the Execution Temple. Although you have reached the initial High-Class, which was better than even Disciple Executioners, your combat prowess is lagging even behind that of a recruit. Your training will last for six months and starts from today when we arrive at the HQ. Grand Master Valefor will personally oversee your training as decreed by his Imperial Majesty. You have received Servant Class Card Peerage, right?”
Explained Senior Executioner to her as he stated his question at the end, to which she nodded her head nervously.
“Hmm… this would be useful.”
Muttered Senior Executioner as they proceeded to enter the deeper into the mountain range while avoiding all high-level monsters that were basically everywhere.
While Rias was curious why Senior Executioner asked her that question. She got the Servant Class Card Peerage as a gift from her father a long time ago, when she wanted to collect her personal servants, and even prepared some suitable targets and how to obtain them.
***
Citadel of the Execution Temple, Entrance Hall
The entire place was dark, with the only light being at something that seemed like a reception where one Executioner of Novice Rank sitting and reading some book.
“Welcome, honorable Senior Executioner and Executioners. What can I do to help you?”
Asked Novice Executioner with an indifferent voice.
“One uniform for Recruit Executioner.”
Stated Senior Executioner.
“It will be right away.”
Answered Novice Executioner as he disappeared and soon appeared from the shadows, and passed him the uniform for Recruits.
“Here… wear this.”
Ordered Senior Executioner as he passed the uniform to Rias, as she nodded and departed to the room, which was for changing clothes, that was near to the reception.
After several minutes Rias exited the change room clothed in the standard Recruit uniform.
“You will not be saying your name, only your number as Executioner. Your identity is of utmost secrecy in the Execution Temple, understand?”
Asked Senior Executioner as she nodded nervously.
“Excellent, now come; Grandmaster is already waiting.”
He said.
Among the entire Execution Temple, only the identity of the Grandmaster was known among higher up of the Empire, only among members of the Senatorum Imperialis and some other Military leaders.
They soon entered the small room, where a man in a more luxurious version of the uniform was waiting as he was sitting cross-legged and meditating.
“Grandmaster.”
Senior Executioner bowed as he left the room and closed the door.
“Rule number 1: During your time here, your previous identity doesn’t exist. You are like any other executioner that entered this place, just a number… nothing more and nothing less.”
Said Grandmaster Valefor in a stern voice as he looked at Rias.
“I understand, Grandmaster.”
She said.
“Every day, you will train with a special batch of recruits, as you lack even elementary combat skills. Training starts at five in the morning, be late, and you will be harshly punished. Every person that is not a full-fledged Executioner lives in a shared dormitory. By the end of the week, I await that you will choose a weapon for yourself, and we will start weapon mastery training. For your Clan Trait, I will take the role of teacher. And be careful of this place and your competition… where everyone is equal and only might make right…”
Stated Grandmaster Valefor as she shuddered at the last part of the sentence.
Execution Temple was, in a certain way, a lawless place, at least for trainees. Deaths here were common, as it was an easy way to dispose of their competition and get more resources.
Nobody will do anything as long as you don’t kill anybody in plain sight and dispose of the body. There were several cases where even noble descendants were killed this way. Especially when it was done among members of the younger generation.
And she knew that if somebody killed her in this way, her father wouldn’t move a finger. She was aware that she was seen as a disgrace of the Imperial House. Even her own siblings scorned her, especially Hilda, Sigurn, and Renxue, while Sigmar ignored her for being weakling and not of any interest to him. At the same time, Sirzechs, even though he wanted for everyone to get along, he had many other duties and couldn’t be her protector from other siblings every time.
“I understand, Grandmaster.”
“Also, after one month, you will perform simple missions to earn points that could be exchanged for rewards that will greatly enhance your strength.”
Stated Grandmaster Valefor as he returned to his meditation.
