[center][img]https://gbf.wiki/images/5/54/Npc_m_3040219000_01.jpg[/img]
[b][h2]Markansas Valdark Reschyshyn
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xex4f6fpG2c]King of Infinite Hells[/url][/h2]
[h3]Academy, The Banquet of Kings[/h3][/b][/center]

Rather than attend himself, Markansas sent a puppet in his stead, disguised in a mask. Though enemy Masters might notice something wrong, not sensing the presence of a command seal, and with the puppet’s inhuman movements, there were plenty of distractions in any case.

In contrast to his usual bombastic persona, Markansas silently watched the various ongoings while trying to avoid notice. 

Upon his Servant’s request, Markansas examined the competition. The various kings gathered around all seemed interesting in their own way. Many of the Servants reached ‘King of the Abyss’ in parameters, and others were at the level of ‘Deity of Chaos’. He reported this to his Servant without the usual flair; quiet and practical.

When the attack came, Markansas merely gave a chuckle. Whoever had decided to attack such a gathering of kings and heroes had been foolish indeed. For a moment, it seemed that the banquet was over as several Servants moved to chase down the intruder. But then, the doctor appeared. 

[quote]"Come, then. Cull the disease. Slay the monster. Once more, the villain will be toppled, and the day will be saved."[/quote]

How unfortunate. How truly, truly unfortunate.

For Markansas, the concept of ‘hero’ and ‘villain’ were one and the same. Identical in function, differing only in aesthetic. Both served to unite people, to inspire them, to exist beyond the ordinary of humanity. Just as curses and blessings are the same, just as a holy sword can become a demonic sword...

Of course, there was a difference between ‘saving others’ and ‘killing others’. But when two wishes clashed, it was often simply the victor who became a hero, who decided the definition of justice. 

The nature of his ally was obvious now. Someone who fate had thrust the role of villain upon, who had attempted to embrace the role of a hero. A tragic story.

[i]How impressive.[/i] Markansas spoke to his Servant. [i]This war is truly impressive. Ah, but to think the glorious clashes between hero and villain would be so sad. I’ll use a Command Seal to bring you out if it gets dangerous. But I’ll be abandoning this puppet to see things to the end.[/i]

“You think a mere demon lord can compete with the King of Infinite Hells? Die in shame to my weakest of minions!” The pathetic voice of a cowardly master, one who swaddled himself in lies, one who hadn’t even attended the banquet himself. But in that moment, his voice did not waver.

A cursed birth that existed to prevent the success of heroes. One whose fate was always to be ‘ruin’. A person without malice, forced into the role of a villain. 

There could be no question that such an existence was a ‘scapegoat’.

[center]“I’m sorry, Hercules.”[/center]

The conditions had been set. The entity with the designation ‘Hercules’ became a being that took on the grudges of the living. 

[center][color=red]The starting penalty is five.[/color]

[@ReallyDumb] [@Froppy] [@wug] [@Yankee] [@Over Illusion] [@BB] [@Phlogistinator] [@Crusader Lord] [@Aoko Aozaki] [@Phonic] [@Reflection][/center]