Chapter 35: The Search Draws Closer

Chapter 35: The Search Draws Closer

Sergeant Treia and Lieutenant Gwenesphia have been tracking Daniel through the Demon Wildlands since leaving Fort Peony. They have to be especially cautious, since there are an untold number of species of monsters and animals in the Demon Wildlands. They each have their own hunting methods and prey, and some are even cunning enough to be a threat to two gatonines traveling together. Their sense of smell is better than a human's, and they have a lot more experience in the wilderness than Daniel should, given how he spoke of his experience. And, although a little difficult to track at times, they have managed to continue following his bootprints where he stepped in mud, small fire places where he made camp, and in general, his scent, which both of them are familiar enough with, thanks to the weapon he made.

No one from the east side of the mountains can confirm what happened to Daniel, but the fact that his boot prints are traveling alone since leaving the Dattakorien village indicates that, in spite of the hostility they were met with trying to gather information, it is Daniel himself who is on a solo journey deep into the Demon Wildlands. That means that, not only did he somehow deter the attack from the dragons, but he also defeated the escorting force and drove them back, safely visited two villages hosting two different races of demon kin, and continued on without falling victim to the very monsters and animals the two gatonine women have to avoid as well.

Gwenesphia asks softly, “Treia?”

“Yeah?”

“How do you think he did it?”

“What? Survive this long?”

“Well, that's too. But, more specifically, defending the fort.”

“I don't even know anymore. One minute, he assaults a princess. Next, he fixes magic devices without having any magic of his own. And now, he seems to have stopped a dragon. I can't wrap my head around any of that coinciding with any other part.”

“Agreed.”

“As for survival... Did you notice those bags the demon kin use?”

“I saw everyone in the Dattakoriens had them...”

“Magic bags of some kind. I'm not sure the extent, but I'm guessing those things hold a lot more than they look.”

“You think so?”

“Gotta be. Daniel can live frugally, but he still has to have supplies. He probably snagged at least one of those bags, and kept it full of supplies.”

“How was he able to speak to the villages, do you think? They were somewhat neutral to us until we mentioned we were looking for him.”

Treia sighs. “The cynical part of me defaults to him doing something to tick them off...” She smiles a little sheepishly at Gwen when the latter frowns at her. “But... From everything I know now... It’s more likely that he helped them for free, and they’re protecting him.”

Gwen smiles, adding tenderly, “Yeah... That makes sense.”

Treia crouches, inspecting a small campsite. “Definitely looks like another of his. And, look there.” She points ahead in the rough direction they’ve been travelling. From their current position in the forest, they can both easily see a humongous fortress. However, their sharp eyes tell them what is most notable about this fortress; it is no human or normal demon kin construction. It is a mountain unto itself, towering over the world and casting a shadow on many of the villages and lakes of the wide rolling valley in which they rest.

Gwen whispers, “The Citadel...”

“The what?”

“The Citadel. My grandfather used to tell us stories about it. He said that there was an ancient fortress in the demon wildlands that used to be a place where all races could gather and share wisdom and merriment.”

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm. That’s what he said. He said the legends spoke of a castle as big as a mountain, and which surpassed all known magic and technology of this world. No siege had ever harmed the castle, and it was ruled by the most powerful of beings in the world.”

“Dragons?”

“I... That, I don’t know. But, for some reason, I don’t think so. Grandfather would’ve mentioned them.”

“Huh... Think Daniel is there?”

Gwen looks at Treia, who looks at her in turn. Daniel doesn’t even know the rumors and legends of this world, essentially. Since his path has led this far towards the Citadel, and he doesn’t seem to have avoided demon villages, it only depends on what his goal is. If he’s just exploring, he might be inclined to go to the castle. But, if he’s hunting someone, it depends on where he believes they will be. And, the location of the Demon Queen has been known for a long time, though the source of the intel has been kept secret.

Gwen finally replies, “Let’s start with the surrounding villages and see if anyone saw him pass through.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

The two continue as far as they can go, moving fairly quickly. Out in the open, they’re a little safer from monsters, but they can’t build a fire, lest they attract attention from soldiers. If they’re caught and believed to be soldiers -which is likely-, then it’s very possible they’ll be executed as spies or taken as prisoners of war... in the best case scenarios. It’s ideal for them to avoid all attention if possible and travel as two explorers. Fortunately, at a distant glance, they share enough similarity to Dattakoriens to avoid suspicion.

It takes several more days for them to approach the Citadel. Its massive size makes it appear deceptively closer than it actually is. And, like the artificial mountain that it is, it casts a long shadow from the morning to almost noon.

"Hey, Treia," murmurs Gwen as they're approaching a village.

"Hmm? What is it, Ma'am?"

"I just wanted to thank you for coming all this way with me..."

Treia sighs. "I didn't do it for you. A-a-and I definitely didn't do it because I want to! I... I have to. I still... I-I-I never got to repay... Listen, I'm here for my own reasons, s-s-so don't give it too much thought."

Gwen smiles. "You don't have to hide it... I'm willing to share with you."

"I don't know what you’re talking about!"

Gwen snickers. “We’re pretty far from everyone else, Treia. You don’t have to deflect with me. Besides, Commander already knows.”

“Urk... I... Ugh! Just... drop it for now. We haven’t found him yet.”

“True. But, I think we’re getting closer. Smell that?”

“Yeah. Burned alchemy powder and scorched iron. Strange to smell it all the way out here.”

“Wind’s coming from the direction of the Citadel. We must be getting close.”

Treia sighs. “Here’s hoping he didn’t get taken prisoner by the Citadel.”

“I think it’s supposed to be out of commission...”

“Yeah. And, this is the Demon Wildlands. If it’s not functional, it’s inhabited by demons or monsters.”

“That’s... true...”

The two look at the castle looming high above them as they’re approaching the village they walked to.

They focus on what’s right in front of them now, cautiously approaching the village. It is inhabited by what appear to be primarily oni; highly intelligent demon kin with one or two horns, generally, rising from their foreheads and tribal markings resembling tattoos. There are also peaceful goblins -a grouping of goblins that tend to settle down in villages, rather than continuing their more savage tunnelling and cave-dwelling ways-.

Thankfully, most mid and high ranking demon kin seem to know the eastern language, which gives the gatonine women away quickly, but not everyone in the Demon Wildlands is hostile. Like the eastern side of the mountains, there are civilians and innocents here. War is fought by a small population at the behest of an even smaller population. The rest are just collateral or completely uninvolved.

Gwen, who has a more welcoming and docile personality, approaches a small stand where an oni woman is selling grilled meat. Gwen speaks to her politely, “Excuse me, Miss. Do you speak the eastern language?”

The oni woman cocks her head, but she nods in confirmation. “I do. You’re a long way from home, aren’t you?”

“We’re travellers. That’s what we aspire to do.”

“Really? It’s dangerous in the Demon lands for easterners like you.”

“If we’re not careful, it can be dangerous anywhere we go. But, thank you for the concern! I’d like to ask you a question I’ve been wondering, but first, can we get two skewers and two of those smoked cutlets?”

The woman gives another affirmative nod, a little surprised, but thankful for the business. She hands over the food, asking, “What question did you want to ask?”

“Ah! Right, thank you!” Gwen hands over one of each of the food items to Treia, who bows respectfully and accepts them with a grateful nod. “We had a third companion travelling with us. A young human man. He’s pretty easy to spot. He’s really tall with dark hair and dark brown eyes. He’s probably wielding a weird looking staff.”

The woman strokes her chin as she thinks. “A human. That would be even weirder than fellow halflings.”

“Halflings?” asks Treia.

The woman looks at her. “Are your people not descended of the dattakoriens? The differences are apparent, just as my ancestors can be traced back to the true demons.”

Treia and Gwen look at each other briefly. Gwen deflects, returning to the subject at hand. “That’s the first time we’ve heard something like that. But, if possible, could you tell us about our friend? I assume you haven’t seen him.”

“Mmm, no. No humans that I’ve seen come through...”

Treia suddenly looks when she spots motion, and Gwenesphia matches her gaze. As soldiers, they need to be attune to anything that could spring an attack on them, in battle or before a battle even begins. And, this time, their two sets of eyes fall upon a young woman who isn’t an oni, specifically, but another race of lesser demon, given her long, slender tail ending at a heart-shaped point, and her unnaturally beautiful eyes, hair, and figure. Treia noticed her suspiciously tense when she overheard about a human this far into demon territory. Then, when both of them looked, she became visibly nervous, whirling around and walking away quickly.

Gwen asks the vendor, “Pardon me asking this, but do you happen to know that woman?”

“Who? Aoloan? Sure! She’s a travelling cook who likes to visit towns and pick up new recipes, sharing what she’s made. Not long ago, she was picked up to be part of one of the lord dragon’s attack force, and we thought it’d be a long time before we saw her again. Have... you encountered her?”

“No, ma’am. I was just worried she was frightened of us.”

“Ah, well, I wouldn’t put too much thought into it. Truth be told, many of us are thankful that the war doesn’t escalate. She might’ve just recognized the eastern language and thought you were hunting her. Y-... You’re not, are you?”

Just as he’s finishing his thought out loud, the armor changes colors, matching his mental color image for the armor. Surprised, he remarks, “Oh... Uh... How about digital camouflage?” As he envisions it, the color shifts on his armor, matching his mental image for digital camouflage, which is an unnatural blend of square shapes of varying gray, black, and faint green and tan coloring forming the splotchy patterns that are designed to break up the wearer’s outline efficiently and reliably.

Daniel inspects his armor, impressed that it’s able to read his mental image. He murmurs, “This shouldn’t be able to work, should it? Or, is it somehow not magic?” Given that the armor and sword seem to have their own magic, it could very well be that the armor is imbued with a soul that’s able to listen to him, since it wouldn’t be much different than Xyreko’s form, other than shape and function.

Fully geared up, Daniel heads to the audience chamber, sneaking in through the back entrance while Hekate meets with the visitor, and Ryuogriar standing by as an advisor along with Xyreko’s golem. He puts the helmet on to hide his face and takes a position like a royal knight behind the three women as Hekate speaks with the man standing before her.

The man appears to be some race of demon kin, though Daniel has no idea which one specifically. It’s a tall being, about Daniel’s height, but with a more muscular build and craggy-looking scales and spiky protrusions from his skin. Given that the Uhl’tall, represented by Vaergraes, looked distinctly different, he’s pretty sure it’s not one of the ‘Greater Demons’. Just guessing, Daniel would call the being an oni, after a Japanese demon, or an orc, a tall and strong being usually compared to pigs, but in this case, that wouldn’t be a very fitting analogy.

“... can grant you a great deal of experience and stability in running the territory around the Citadel. I can even provide workers to run day to day operations.”

Hekate, sitting in her chair as every bit the bratty princess she could have been in another life, looks at the man speaking with a straight face. She smiles, saying, “I see! Yes, that could prove to be very helpful, having free labor.”

There’s an awkward atmosphere in the room. Hekate gives him nothing, as it’s clear that it isn’t exactly the response he was expecting.

Daniel asks quietly into his helmet, “Xyreko, can you hear me?”

Her voice softly fills his helmet, likely through magic. “Yes, Master. At that volume, only I can hear you.”

“Hekate can’t?”

“No, Master. I’m actively blocking your voice from leaving the helmet.”

Daniel realizes that the armor could very much be an extension of Xyreko, which is why she can speak directly to him, as well as control his voice leaving or not leaving the helmet.

“I haven’t heard much, but it sounds like this guy is trying to start out running.”

“Indeed. He has been pressuring Hekate to establish a friendly relationship with his territory. His name is Guillelmsah, and he was present the day you met with Miss Vaergraes.”

“The Demon Queen?”

“Indeed.”

Finally gathering his composure, Guillelmsah replies, “I... Ahem, yes, well, that wasn’t entirely what I had in mind.”

Hekate, masterfully using words to hide how little interest she has, retorts, “That’s what you said, didn’t you? You would provide workers. I didn’t ask for workers. In fact, I’ve been insisting that I have nothing to offer you, and you keep insisting on remaining here to make offers.”

“Why, but of course, your ladyship. But, there is plenty to offer, and I believe that we could exchange...”

“I told you. I have nothing to offer you.”

His expression cracks a little, and he resists audibly sucking his teeth, but frustration is apparent for the briefest of moments. He tries to plaster on his diplomatic smile again, “If I’m not mistaken, your father gifted the Citadel to you after repairing its functions and vanquishing the Feral Feldrok. Surely, your father would understand...”

Hekate smiles. “You’re right. I was gifted this wonderful castle by the person I love most in this world. Unless you genuinely believe you can give me the whole world before he could, you have nothing I want. Thus, I have nothing to offer you.”

Guillelmsah looks at Xyreko and Daniel each, sizing them up briefly as he tries to process Hekate’s indignant and dismissive attitude.

“I am a very powerful leader in these lands...”

Ryuogriar finally speaks up, “You are one of the Demon Queen’s counsel. Yes, we are aware. I wonder if she is aware of you going behind her back after making a promise to return herself.”

“I...” the perturbed demon looks at Hekate with a glare. “You would allow your servant to speak in such a meeting?”

Even Daniel, immune to magic, feels like the room becomes much colder all of a sudden. However, Hekate is the one that replies with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Why wouldn’t I? I might not like her because she seduced my fiance, but she’s still more valuable than you. Oh, and you probably know her as Lady White. The dragon.”

Daniel watches the disgusted demon look at Ryuogriar. He does a double-take, turning pale as his expression drains. For effect, the dragon in humanoid form sways her tail, emphasizing her draconic traits.

Hekate adds, “Lady Blue is around here somewhere as well.” She grumbles under her breath as she glares at Ryuogriar, “Vile temptresses...”

The dragon simply smiles, ignoring Hekate’s impotent hostility. The little feldrok girl does sit up, remarking suddenly with a strangely excited tone, “Oh! But, I’ll ask if Lady Vaergraes can make an offer to counter yours. I already have a fiance, so doing human political marriages disgusts me, so really, all she has to do is not tick me off. Lady White? Do you know of what we might want or need from Lady Vaergraes?”

Ryuogriar replies politely, “Virtually nothing, Lady Hekate. Though, it would be nice to provide refuge to demon kin being evacuated.”

“Ah, agreed. Perhaps she’d be willing to pay us.” She smiles at Guillelmsah as he shrinks under the passive reminder that he’s here behind Vaergraes’ back, so merely mentioning his visit could cause problems, which Hekate not only plans to exploit, but to exacerbate. Just to rub salt into the wound, she adds chipperly, “And, of course, if we ARE to ally with Lady Vaergraes, it certainly won’t be while she has allies who would stab her in the back at the first sign of greener fields. But, thanks for visiting! It was fun! Bye bye! So long and farewell!”

“I...” Guillelmsah is dumbstruck. He glances at Ryuogriar, who simply smiles at him. He then looks at Xyreko and Daniel, who don’t move, though Daniel probably cuts a somewhat imposing figure in dark-colored armor with strange patterns on it and a sword glowing faintly with magic energy.

Xyreko says only to Daniel, “She’s good at this.”

“I’m just as surprised as you are. She must’ve seen a lot of meetings like this, even when she was a slave.”

“You may wish to concede to her, Master.”

He scoffs. “I have to complete my mission first. She’s mad for no reason.”

“Not ‘no reason’, Master.”

He sighs. “I know. But, nothing happened.”

Xyreko’s voice sighs. “Master, you can be so smart and so foolish in such short spans of time.”

Daniel rolls his eyes. “Thank you for the armor, by the way. It fits perfectly.”

“You’re welcome! It looks good on you.”

“Thank you. If Guillelmsah looks like he’ll cause trouble, be ready to stop him. If you’re certain we could win a war, you may deal with him as needed.”

“Yes, Master. I suspect the threat of two dragons being allied with you will keep him in check to the door. From there, it’s unclear what he’ll do.”

“Do you have soldiers you can send out into the world?”

“Of course, Master. Though, they will need to return every couple of weeks to recharge.”

“Stealth?”

“I have some spells that can be used. I’ll need either Hekate or the dragons to activate them.”

“Good, good. Have them prepare some soldiers and send them to protect Vaergraes. Until I know what we’re dealing with, I have a strong feeling she’s our best ally in this world in the interest of keeping the world intact.”

“I suspect you’re right. Master, may I send them with firearms?”

“On one condition; can you make the weapons self-destruct into a completely destroyed state upon loss?”

“Yes. I’ll also use synthetic dragon’s teeth for bullets and ensure the soldiers collect all casings.”

“Good. Then, please do.”

“As you wish, my Master.”

Once the visiting demon leaves, Daniel approaches Hekate and pets her head. She grins up at him happily, having briefly forgotten her irritation towards him. “Good work, Hekate.”

“Thank you, Daniel! Can you believe that guy, though? He thought my father gave me this castle.”

He scoffs and smiles. “Given the character you played, that wouldn’t be the worst cover story.”

“Mmm... Maybe, but fiance is better.” She glares at him. “Sending your mistress was mean.”

“I have no mistresses, Hekate. Ryuo has experience in this realm. We could all learn from her.”

Ryuogriar bows politely. “You flatter me, Daniel. I am honored to be of service.”

Hekate jumps up, standing between Daniel and Ryuogriar. “Stop it! You’re trying to seduce him again!”

Daniel sighs, scooping Hekate up from behind and carrying her away as he says, “Good work, Ryuo. Please check on Lady Blue, if you would. If she has awakened, we can have the conversation with her next.”

Ryuogriar agrees with a nod. “Yes, Daniel. Thank you.”

Hekate struggles, though she’s not exercising any real strength. She just wants Daniel to acknowledge her tantrum, but she’s also happy to be princess-carried by him before she escalates.

For now, there’s a little more preparatory work for Daniel to make for his real mission.

***