Chapter 711: True Demonlord [42]

"Good morning Éclair, a grand day rises over the horizon."

"Good morning master," returned a confused little glee, "-my lord, I rarely see thee in a good mood, what's the occasion?"

"I have some vague ideas," he lined next to the counter, "-perhaps it was the thrill of death. I've reawakened feeling refreshed and ready to challenge the world. Maybe not the latter," the bi-colored eyes gave an inkling of reassurance. What's for breakfast?"

"Oatmeal," said the butler, "-a healthy light breakfast to start the day. My lord, about the proceeding of yesterday, what are the orders going forward?"

"I've had my share of fighting for now. The invasion over Odgawoan isn't severe, I spoke to a few and they say, the purpose is unknown to them. I suggest leaving the military to deal against the aftermath."

"Won't the influence spill over onto the town?"

"They've already adapted," a flick of the finger toggled a holographic display, "-very ingenious folks. Fuda mountain's out of reach, the roads are shut and redirected along a new path. Expansion of various properties has shifted to the south and west. Once the quest is accomplished, I'm certain monsters will depart, if it fails, we'll shut the gates ourselves."

"If you say so, my lord," the dishes readied in mere seconds. Behind, the hallway scattered by the sound of light feet, "-master," echoed.

"Careful," he responded, "-good morning Starix, how have you been?"

"Great," she ignored tact and went for an embrace around the stomach, seeing the hands were occupied by plates.

"I'm glad," he smiled, "-kindly let go, tis quite hard to balance dishes over an unsteady support."

"I apologize," she hastily stepped off, "-tis unbecoming behavior for a maid."

"Worry not," the head shook towards the dining hall, "-I don't care about, workers under our family are treated with respect. Maid or not, your part of the family, don't ever forget said fact."

"You're very kind."

*On later news,* murmurs on the radio cleared by the second, *-monster invasion situation has been overtaken by the military. Sources have reported the AHA to have maltreated the vigilantes, a lawsuit is being prepared to take the company to court. Among the big names are Lina Holseter, daughter of Duke Holseter. Time will decide. We conclude, the death sentence of count Oathtall was contested, the jury decided on removing the capital punishment in exchange for greater property of which will be bestowed onto the prosecutor's party. Our morning show ends,* cheery music played, *-December is upon us, be ready for the festive season.* 

"Never knew the end of the year to be a great month here," returned he head deep into the breakfast.

"December's the month of buying and profit."

"-And the month of love," said Starix, "-back in our world, December was the month to reveal one's intention to another. The month of love and affection. Pretty big hit if I remember correctly."

"Master, are you intent on staying here or heading back for the holidays?"

"I'll stick around until there's nothing to be completed. The Count's properties need to be glossed over, the casino and various gains need to be ascertained. Once Raven is on a stable footing, I'll take a few days off and fly home. You're most welcome to follow."

"I shall kindly think about the proposition, my lord."

"What about you, Starix, any plans with Cora?"

"My lord, please," her cheeks flushed, "-I bare no physical traits to be viewed as a woman. Neutral and without the drive for reproductive functions."

"Why look to the body, platonic companionship alone is sufficient. The man did leave everything behind, or so I've heard. Take care of yourself, I'm sure Éclair has prepared a bonus for the workers."

"Yes," he smiled, "-they'll have the pleasures of a party hosted in the backyard on the day thee fly to Hidros."

The conversation continued along a friendlier stream of words and a show of expression. Starix felt at home as did Éclair, the distant master, who in their mind was all-knowing and strong, came to be viewed as a man with nice words and good intentions. To the comrades, he held affection and generosity, to the adversary he held contempt and mercilessness. Was he good, was he bad, the subjective prospect depended on the person, where the retainers were concerned, Igna Haggard was but Igna Haggard. 

Shuffles shook the mattress, a pull to the right removed the blanket – slightly ajar window blew in the cold morning wind. A chill went from the feet upward into a contest to the left, the blanket slid.

"Stop taking the covers," said a muffle.

"Stop talking," returned another. 

"…" eyes opened to one another, Lina and Loftha had shared a bed unknowingly. Bare-chested and exposed down to their legs, the worse sprung to mind, "-did we do anything yesterday?" gulped Lina.

"Of the sapphic nature?" returned the princess nonchalantly, "-don't think so," she sat up and wiped her eyes, "-good morning I suppose."

"How brash can a woman be?"

"Drop the prudish act," sighed the princess, "-get changed," her mood worsened.

"Oh," Lina followed, "-yesterday…" 

"Correct."

*knock, knock,* 

"Who is it?" 

"Midne my lady, I was asked by the master to wake the sleeping beauties."

"Midne?" the door opened to a pair of ladies in their undergarments, "-what did you say about the master?" inquired Lina in a burst of wrath.

"The master waits downstairs," returned she, her braided black hair, black eyes, and innocent expression was quite a hefty load to intake, the body didn't once say of her being frail, rather, the subconscious aura of a veteran swelled, "-I'll be going now."

"Éclair," back to the dining hall, "-what's happened of Midne?"

"I sent her on a mission in the company of lord Asmodeus and lady Kul," returned Starix, "-hence my maid's outfit."

"A replacement for the Valkyrie?"

"More of a passing fancy. The mission was of the intimidation allegiance. Gang activity rose in the dozen, a few needed to be exterminated to quell the seed of revolution. The mafia is hard enough to deal with."

"I presume the report of said action has been submitted?"

"Don't frown at me master," returned puppy-dog eyes, "-I've sent my report a few hours ago. Asmodeus and Kul are at the gambling den, I asked Midne to return," she stood and twirled into he, "-I'm going to visit an acquaintance of yours, the two-faced Esvalo." 

"Good fortune on the journey."

"Thank you, master," a keyring spun around the index, "-I've taken the liberty of buying a few sports cars to befit our station."

"He did what?" fired Igna.

"He-he," replied Éclair, a thunderous roar led down the hill.

"I don't mind," shrugged Igna, "-money is meant to be spent."

Soon after, Midne joined the table and kept to a few words per bite. Her visage and confidence seemed to rise, '-Starix's mission for her was correct. Nothing increases one's self-confidence more than a show of strength. Midne's very strong among the humans, she's on the complete opposite side of the good and evil scale. An angelic purity runs through the blood and veins.' Louder footsteps leaped into sight, "-alive…"

"He is…"

"Speechless I see," remarked a jestful comment.

"Midne and I will be off to household chores. The deal successfully passed through, information should be in the inbox – shall I ready transport?"

"Please do."

"By air or by road?"

"Latter."

"Understood," he bowed.

"Glad to see you back, master," whispered Midne on the way out.

"Likewise," he replied.

"Explain, right now," Lina's eyes watered, "-didn't you die?"

"I did die, does it answer thy questions. No need to cause a scene, take a seat and I'll explain."

"…" 

"Speak."

"I used the last of my magic to illusion a façade to fool the military. In no way can they have known there were survivors. Yet, the scheming went to the drain, the radio reported a lawsuit being filed against AHA, plaintiff, you. No matter, I survived on simple reason," hair whitened, canine sharpened, "-I'm not a human, I belong to the noble race of Nightwalkers. Immortality is pretty much a guarantee from whence a person turns. I never meant for this to be a secret. I appreciate the effort it took to carry a lifeless corpse here, to that, I must give my most sincere thanks," he stood and lowered his head in gratitude, "-thank you, ladies, I'd never think my actions to be so rash on the psyche. I apologize for the harm it might have caused." The conversation continued, food served, and time passed. In the end, the daughter of the duke made for the airfield, her family jet waited. Manager Brand played a big part in her family's worries about their daughter. The jet landed shy of a few hours ago, in it were her siblings and parents. The touching reunion happened at a nearby café. 

Loftha stood silently before the parked car, "-don't be like that," the windows rolled, "-I said I was sorry, didn't I?"

"No," she stormed to the passenger side, "-I don't care about the secrets, I'm angry…"

"Because I choose solitude over asking for help?" 

"-How."

"It's obvious," the door opened, "-get in, we're headed to town. Look here," a display told of a message from the emperor, *Dear brother-in-law, if the message reaches you well, I have a humble request on behalf of the imperial family. Please bring back Loftha safely, the guards I had to watch have reported her missing. I can but think of the worse, bring my little sister back, she's important to us. I'll do anything in return, anything, the sky is the limit, her life is priceless to me, to us.* "-Who's the selfish one. I take risks knowing full well what is at stake. My life isn't worth much in the grand scheme of things, the safety of those I care about comes first. I remained behind and fought for the simple reason of success. The more shines the light of chaos, the greater becomes its shadow. At the end of the day, none's going to cry over my disappearance, neither would I, I'm cursed. You, on the other hand, have a family. Loving siblings and parents, the situation at home may be strained and awkward, the home is still present. I'm jealous, Sister Eira's part of thy household, her responsibility as empress elapses the Haggard name, she's focused on the Sultria name. Don't be foolish, strength doesn't excuse foolishness, take those words from a greater fool." 

"The merciless killer has a heart?"

"No need to say it aloud," he laughed, "-I do have a heart, it pumps blood, nothing more, nothing less." 

Tires to the asphalt, tall trees rose to the sky, the spotted foliage and tree-line sapped worries unlike anything she'd seen before, "-no one to cry. I'm not so sure."

"You say something?"

"No, ignore my babble. Guess our adventure ends?" melancholy washed her visage.

"Suppose so," he exhaled, "-listen, Loftha, you're a great girl. I'm not daft nor am I dense, the outfit is the one I gave – the blatant expression of affection can't be ignored. The way the lashes flutter in my direction fills me with pride to know you fell."

"Then," her cheeks washed red, "-do you?"

"This is the problem," he gripped the wheel, "-even if my feelings are returned, nothing good will come out of our bond. Think about it…"

"What if I said I'd be ready to leave everything behind," her visage shone in a tinge of embarrassment and relief, her pupils widened, "-you knew how I felt for all this time, didn't you. I realized it when I saw the dead body… my heart shuddered more than when I asked for help."

"Leave everything behind for what?" he slammed the breaks, a clearing in the tree-lined gave onto the townscape, "-come with me," he rushed outward, "-a grown man like me is scared," the iris washed into white with flakes of red, "-I don't want to lose anyone else. Associating will but bring misfortune and death – Tempest, Adelana, Ayleth, Ancret, Alyson, Annet, Fenrir, Millicent, Lizzie, Deadeyes, Autumn, Julius, Leko, Alicia, the list goes on and on, they who trusted me have ended in a casket. I don't want the same to happen again," he shook her shoulder, "-understand, tis the reason why I can't," the head lowered, "-not anymore, no one needs to suffer on my account…"

"Selfish," she gave a tight embrace, "-you're selfish…"