User blog:AloofComputer/The man who walked alone: Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Standstill

“Report for Lady Druella!”

“Report for Lady Druella!”

“Fine, FINE, just let all of it here!” Wilmaria snapped. The numbers of Ratatoskr and harpies coming and going through the communications room almost doubled after Alatar’s capture. She tossed the scroll on the ever-increasing pile. “Where the hell is Veronica?”

“She’s at the palace, under Lady Druella’s orders~” a childish voice answered.

“I am in no mood for jokes now, Mimil.” Wilmaria growled.

“Who said I was joking?” she pouted. “She is with you-know-who. I came to help~”

“Aren’t you in a happy mood...” she said with a scowl. The mention of Alatar irritated her to no end.

“Well, of course! The bad guy is caught, the city is in peace, and I get to play with big brother again~”

“Fine, just let’s get it over with.”

Mimil chanted an incantation and countless tentacles sprouted, grabbing the reports from the surprised messengers and categorizing them into their respective places. Within a couple of hours they were done.

“That is a handy trick...” Wilmaria admitted grudgingly.

“Thanks! I won’t do it for everyone, you know~ today is the day big brother wants to throw a dinner party for Lady Druella! She’s leaving for her mother tomorrow~ everyone must be there~”

“Thanks, Mimil. I owe you one.”

Mimil’s eyes glinted dangerously.

“I know~ and I know the thing I want to get even~”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“W-what is it?” Wilmaria blushed, despite herself.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“You give your turn to me~”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“!!” her blush deepened. She’s been had. But a debt is a debt. “Fine.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">She turned to the neat piles. “Don’t we get too many military reports lately?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Mimil shrugged. “That’s for Lady Druella to plan and manage.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Alatar felt his head being lifted, and the cold stone from under his head was replaced by something soft and warm. There was no mistaking this influx of mana…

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Veronica.” he said, opening his eyes.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The succubus smiled, her long blond hair tickling his face. “You are becoming something of a legend, you know? A villain to scare the children.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“That is logical. Expected, even. I suppose that is the part when you try to appeal to my emotional side? Don’t bother.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Veronica caressed Alatar’s face. “Why must it be that way? Why can’t we just be happy? Why do you have to go to such lengths?” Tears started welling up in her violet eyes.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“It is the way of the world. The logical conclusion of illogical choices.” came the monotone, emotionless reply. “By the way, when will my execution take place? I have been here for quite some time, but I have lost track of it.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“You have been here for three weeks. Lady Druella went to the Demon Lord for your case. She should be returning any time now.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">''Three weeks. Along with the other two, that gave us five weeks time. Pallanto and Frederic should be able to get the Order to prepare and respond appropriately.''

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“As for the execution thing… I am not sure. Lady Primera is the one calling for this. Lady Mimil and Lady Shasha oppose it. The others haven’t expressed an opinion.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I assume it will be up to the lilim then?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Yes. There has never been such an incident before.” She smiled and lightly pinched his nose. “Rest now, dear. You’ll need it.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I never understood it, you know. I doubt I would understand it even with my emotions back. How is it you still go after me? If I got free right now, I’d kill you, you know. Or I'd use you as a shield to get out.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">She smiled. “You’ll never understand the heart of a woman. Especially with logic.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Now, that is textbook illogical.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Druella entered her room in the palace of Lescatie, after ordering the servants not to let anyone in. Her mother’s words still resounded in her mind.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“''That is what you get for forcing things, girl. Whenever something becomes forced, even if it is pleasant, it will meet reaction. It seems the humans are going so desperate, they will even turn suicidal. What you did with Lescatie was reckless, and look what it has caused. Humans have made the perfect weapon to wreak havoc to all of the monster realm, even here, at our home. Such short-sightedness… We must make a truce with the human world. And you, you need to learn patience and humility. We must let the humans come to us, not us getting to them, isn’t that right honey? I’ll write the proposal. You will deliver it. No, this is not negotiable. It is imperative as a ruler to know when to stop. You have gone far enough.”''

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> She opened the scroll containing the conditions of the truce. The conditions seemed fair, but they betrayed the stalemate that they were in. Her entire forces along the border were beset with all manner of debilitating disasters. Food was stolen, bridges blown up, weapons destroyed, carriages breaking down, sometimes patrols getting attacked and injured… the morale of her ranks was demolished, especially those stationed in this city. The legend of the incubus had been blown out of proportions, and even the hardened veterans spoke of him in fear, awe and… respect.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">She sighed. Was this the burden of a ruler? That was something she would have to ask her mother sometime. She called for a servant.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Summon Wilmaria here.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, my Lady.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Then, came the matter of the incubus. Truth be told, even her mother was at a loss at his description. The thought that the humans were willing to put a man through the heretical procedure filled her with anger and grief. But when she told her of the man’s memories, she fell silent and told her the most curious thing:

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“I begin to believe that this is something that this man was willing to take.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">For a monster, the very thought of giving away your emotions, your pleasure, your lust, was completely unimaginable. But as her mother put it, when a human feels like something he holds dear is threatened, they are willing to sacrifice everything.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">As to what should be done with him, she just shrugged and told her that this was her first decision as a true ruler.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. “Come in, Wilmaria.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ You summoned me, my Lady?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes. I want you to arrange a meeting. In a neutral area, maybe a monster friendly territory. With the knight-commander of the order of the Holy Light, a mage called Pallanto, and Shasha’s father.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, my Lady.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Tell them it is about Alatar Moriatan.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“… yes, my Lady.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The old priest was sweeping inside of the chapel, when the knight-commander came in.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Greetings, Fullmoon.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Greetings, Frederic.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> The day after the sealing, the priest was put on trial for blasphemy. The commander had burst into the courtroom, in quite the dramatic fashion. The resulting upset kept the priest’s head on his shoulders, and after Pallanto’s grand reappearance, things were calming down. Quite the actor, that mage. He even presented the empty devil gems, Alatar’s parting gift, and the cave where he transformed, still stained with demonic mana. A huge debate ensued; the final decision was that this was to be the last application of the Nemesis Seals ever. The priest that held the knowledge were to take it to their graves. Alatar Moriatan was declared to be the last Forgotten One, and both the priest and Pallanto were under surveillance for a few years. Commander Frederic was in charge of the surveillance, and of course, he took it upon him personally.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Well, I have some further news regarding our mutual friend.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The priest’s hands clutched the broom “Really?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, but not here. Let’s go for a little stroll to my office. Our other mutual friend is waiting there. I just hope he hasn’t drunk all the brandy already.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Greetings, commander”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I see the brandy is safe. Yet.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Even I know when to lay off, commander. And this is one of those times. What is so important? And what of Alatar?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I got this letter, from an old acquaintance. Needless to say, the hands this letter went through must be many, but the origin is clear.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> The royal seal of Lescatie adorned the parchment, and as the commander broke it, demonic energy seeped from it, clear as day. Pallanto quickly cast a barrier spell to keep it inside.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Thanks. Now, let’s see… meeting at the end of the month… neutral territory… the three of us… about Alatar… terrorist? I guess that’s what he is called there now, but at least he seems to be alive for now… Lady Druella!? The damn lilim will be there?! What else… peace negotiations?! Are they serious?!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ If they were trying to sound like a cliché trap setup, they did an excellent job. But I suppose they do have a bargaining chip. Do they say anything else?” Pallanto peeked at the message.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Yes… as a proof of goodwill… heh, goodwill, sure… they will send Alatar’s gear via the same channel they sent the letter, and they will let us choose the exact location and time. Hmm, well, that’s unexpected. But this is a lilim we are talking about here. Any ideas?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“How are we to convey the exact place and time?” the priest asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Obviously, they will be tailing us.” the commander groaned. “This is fishy. How did she even know of us? Alatar would not have given such information willingly.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I’ll procure some shielded cloaks and masks. A clear plain near an inspected forest, with a protection seal?” Pallanto proposed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I’ll make sure some chapter members are there. No need to get the Order too involved; shadow members will do just fine. If anything, those monsters know what the Order of Shadows is capable of.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Anything I can do?” the priest asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, Father.” the commander answered, without a hint of sarcasm. “Blessed water is always good. And a prayer wouldn’t hurt.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The three cloaked figures came from the forest at dusk, just as the moon was rising. The air was damp and heavy, as the silence between them. A table with six chairs stood above a large magical diagram, drawn earlier this day. They sat at the table in silence.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Soon, the flapping of wings resounded over the air. Two flying figures and one running on all fours approached the table with speed. The three figures stood up, as the three monsters closed in.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> Druella and Wilmaria landed in front of the table, followed closely by Primera.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The middle figure spoke first. “Greetings.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Greetings to you too, commander, gentlemen.” Druella replied nodding respectively. She moved to sit at the middle chair. Wilmaria took a breath to say something, but Druella interrupted her with a raised hand. “No need to protest, Wilmaria; we are here to talk.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The three figures sat on the chairs. “You can understand, we had to take those precautions. After all, this is something unprecedented.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Many unprecedented events transpired over those months, commander. I understand.” She motioned her two escorts to sit, and they obliged. Frederic took a deep breath. Now a different type of battle was about to begin.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">---

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">P.S. Chapter 17 is out. Criticism welcome