“Sol, I am at my absolute limit. How should I deal with this guy?”
“…You know what? That’s my bad. Shouldn’t have asked you.”
The reason I turned to Sol for advice was that Warlord Rex was seated right in front of me. Apparently, this was the great hall of Aragon Palace, the heart of Arago. Gaining access to this place turned out to be easier than expected. In spite of this, the experience was quite a headache.
Upon arriving at the Second Stage, I was given the option of joining either the Liberators or the Marauders. I had no idea who the hell these groups were, so I chose at random. Having run through the breathtaking Talik Gorge for an indeterminate period, I reached a daunting fortress that gave me pause. The moat was giving me the chills, and I could have sworn I saw a pale face from below. I did what any sensible person would do in my situation: I leaped over the water. The guards on the walls became aware of me and demanded to know who I was.
Just as I was about to spout out a bunch of excuses, something unusual happened. They caught sight of Sol standing next to me and let out a terrible shriek before abandoning their posts. They seemed to have been frightened out of their wits from meeting a dragon for the first time. After a while, they came back with some guy wearing golden armor. I had to assume a poker-face as I was on the verge of snickering at the design. The golden armor guy then ordered his men to lower the drawbridge and allowed me to pass.
Without so much as a word, the demon led me through his city. While traveling, I saw lovely brick and wooden homes and demons who were adorned in fashionable attire. At that time, it was clearly apparent that we were in the affluent district of Arago. In comparison to theirs, my clothes appeared shabby and disheveled, much like a clown wandering into an upscale restaurant. At present, Warlord Rex and I were sitting face to face in a venue filled with tables and banners. His eyes were filled with envy as he gazed at me. He had a villainous face and piercing eyes that made him seem like he was always pissed off.
“So, you’re not an Albaniqe?” Warlord Rex asked. “Not being an Albaniqe would imply that you are a human.
With my arms crossed, I indicated my approval by nodding. “Correct. I do not know what the hell an Albaniqe is. I’m guessing it’s some sort of race among the demons?”
“Many consider them the dregs of demon society. Although I would be delighted to discuss them further, I have more urgent questions to ask. Is that dragon under your ownership?”
I arched an eyebrow at his words. “Ownership? I don’t own Sol. She’s her own person- er, creature.”
“I do not own you. Can you please stop saying that?”
Warlord Rex narrowed his eyes. “Uh, pardon? Who are you referring to?”
“Nothing, forget about it. I was just talking to myself.”
The demon grunted as he glanced around. “Before we continue our discussion, let us have a light meal.”
He raised his arms and clasped his hands together thrice. Directly following that, two female demons garbed in maid outfits entered with trolleys. Trays of freshly prepared food items such as meat, bread, and even wine glasses were present on them. The trays were handled delicately and positioned before us. They retreated away with a deep bow, closing the great doors with a resonant boom. I looked at the food hungrily. After traveling for hours in the scorching sun, I was famished! We, as superhumans, burned significantly more calories than the average person, resulting in the consumption of large quantities of food becoming the norm.
“Go on, dig i-“
Warlord Rex's instructions were unnecessary as I voraciously consumed the food before me. In just 30 seconds, I devoured a loaf of bread with hands moving as swiftly as a hurricane. It possessed a soft and alluring texture that brought to mind the taste of a luscious cloud. I savored every bite of the meat, relishing in the burst of flavorful juices that coated my tongue. After the food was done, I gulped down the wine. Satisfied with the meal, I sat back in my chair, nodding.
“Yep, that was a great light meal. Normally, I wouldn't eat so messily, but when I'm hungry, it's difficult to restrain myself.”
“Light meal, you say?” Warlord Rex said with a shaking head. “Well, it is to be expected of a Dragon Tamer. From what I heard; they all had an insatiable appetite.”
My ears perked up at his words. “So, you know about Dragon Tamers?”
“And I know that you’re a human,” Warlord Rex said. “If you’re not an Albaniqe, then you must be human. Athios have horns, which you lack, unless you're hiding them with magic. However, that isn’t possible, as I sense no traces of it.”
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“You brought me in knowing that I’m human? Don’t demons despise us since we’re weak and all that?”
Warlord Rex leaned forward, frowning. “If you are weak, then why did a dragon pledge their loyalty to you? Surely you know not anyone can become a Dragon Tamer.”
I simply dismissed his reasoning with a shrug of my shoulders. Although I was displeased by the fact that my admission was based solely on my title, I chose to accept it and move forward. If having a dragon by your side brings great benefits and simplifies life, then why not? I'm glad that I'm not in the position of being attacked by a city with hellfire and soldiers.
Sol approached me stealthily and leaped onto my lap, affectionately rubbing against my arm.
I chuckled as I patted her head, switching to [Thought Transmission].
Once our telepathic chat ended, I switched the mastery off. Warlord Rex had been waiting patiently for our conversation to end. A twinkle of interest shone in his eyes. It is possible that he was aware of our mental communication beforehand.
Enough about that. How should I bring up the topic about the Liberators? Just saying their name outright might raise needless suspicions. Making the leader of Arago your enemy is something that should be avoided at all costs. It’d be best to slip into the conversation about the Liberators easily…
“So… Who are those people outside Arago? They seemed dangerous.”
Warlord Rex arched his eyebrow. “Oh? You don’t know who they are?”
“Nope. Care to tell me?”
While standing, Warlord Rex shifted his tray of food forward. Sol wordlessly ascended onto the table and seized the tray with her mouth, subsequently dragging it to the floor. The demon noticed this but wasn’t bothered by it. He sauntered towards the nearest window and looked outside, his golden armor shining brightly in the sunlight.
“The Liberators are preparing a siege. We have been in a state of conflict for several months now, and it has not abated. The group in question shows reverence to the world's deities by kneeling, whereas the Marauders take the opposite approach. We despise the divine and want them gone. Because of such different ideologies, they have made it their mission to eradicate the Marauders all over the Demon Continent.”
“You guys hate the gods, too?”
Warlord Rex turned his body. “Too? Are you saying you share our views?”
“Yep. A few of them killed those close to me, so I and someone else have made it our goal to-“
Suddenly, Warlord Rex appeared, his armor clanging loudly with each step. He assumed a serious demeanor and straightened his posture.
“If I may be so bold to ask- Dragon Tamer, but may you assist Arago in dealing with the Liberators? I’m sure with your strength on our side, the Liberators will be no more.”
Well, I was not expecting a Warlord to ask for my help! As far as my memory serves, Luci characterized the Warlords as a group of bloodthirsty warriors who have an inclination towards plundering. From the description he gave me, they sound like brutes who’d rather cut out their own tongue than ask others for help. Now, a demon who is in hold of a Warlord title is now asking for assistance against another Warlord. The fact that Warlord Rex is conducting himself in this manner indicates that the Liberators are an extremely tough opponent.
Sol said, returning to my lap.
Sol revealed her fangs, nodding happily.
“Sure, I’ll help. I got nothing better to do right now.”
Warlord Rex's face softened. “Great news has blessed my ears. Now that we have addressed that, if you could indulge me, may I inquire as to why a human is present on the Demonic Continent? Bit far from home, aren’t you?”
And there’s the question I have been dreading to hear. During my long and sweaty trip, Sol and I constructed a ton of excuses and lies that could fly under the radar in the event we were questioned. With the little knowledge we had on the Demonic Continent, only one somewhat believable excuse popped up in our heads.
“My dragon and I are travelers, set to roam the world as we build up our strength to fight against the gods that have wronged us. By persevering through hardships and difficulties, we will gain the knowledge necessary to overcome the divine. Tisha, the master of the Demonic Dojo, had already provided us with a brief explanation of what to do - something regarding reaching the apex of martial arts.”
I felt my cheeks warm as a blush crept up. We had been practicing diligently for this specific moment. With Sol now always nearby, I’ve been less lonely when dealing with the stages and secluded some place else. Actually, thinking about it now, Isaac and I had been spending less time together. Ever since we became superhumans, we would be off doing our own things that were extremely important. While I find him annoying most of the time, I still can’t but help worry about the boy. He is my brother and I care about him deeply. I always want him in my sights, or at least always know his whereabouts.
Oh my god… Does that make me a possessive sister? No, I’m just looking out for him. This is normal behavior among siblings. Someone has to reel that reckless boy in or else he’d do something stupid.
“You are undergoing a noble cause, Dragon Tamer,” Warlord Rex said with a sad look. “I hope your journey brings you what you seek and that you accomplish your goals. If the Demonic Dojo master has recognized you, then it is natural to assume you will succeed in life.”
Rising from his seat, Warlord Rex shuffled towards the large paneled doors of the great hall. “The journey through Talik Gorge must have been tiring. Until our battle with the Liberators begins, you can rest in one of the guest bedrooms. The maids will lead you to your lodging.”
As soon as the word maids was spoken, one of them opened the great hall doors and stopped in front of Sol and me, bowing her head.
“I would be delighted to assist our distinguished guests. I will be your personal maid for the time being. Please, follow me.”