Demon continent Alsace in the year 307 in the 10-month Asmodum on the 25th day after the shattering of the empire.

Nereus looks at the young demoness or titan in front of him, depending on what you wanted to see. It was still a mystery to him that a Titan, such a young one at that, was at the same time a child of Lilith and Asmodum.

As he had hoped, Cali had come to them with her own motivation.

Nevertheless, the openness with which Cali told him what she wanted surprised him. Not that he wasn't willing to help her in that regard.

After she had helped him and his.

"The ancient script of the demons? I must say, I didn't know that the children of Lilith and Asmodus had forgotten their own script."

He looked at Izatra questioningly; she, and the other elders as well, seemed not to know what Cali was talking about.

"When you say the Ancient Demon Script and that we taught this to the Larrua, we can only tell you that we taught them the language and script of the demons. And I believe that I speak for all Nereus Ilayda present when I say that no one knows a new demon script."

Voiced Izatra.

"I mean, we still understand each other, so the demon language can't have changed, which is why I find it a little hard to believe that you've forgotten your own writing."

Disbelief and uncertainty had crept into Izatra's voice with each new word.

"Nevertheless, I think we will gladly give you what you want, if it is the knowledge we have given the Larrua then we will gladly give it to you as well. Though I ask you to reconsider your request, for your service, though involuntary, is more dear to us than what you ask."

Kepa intervened, who, as far as he knew, had talked to Cali first. It seemed to him that the elders were now fighting over the chance to see which one talked to Cali and offered her what she wanted.

As if in some sort of competition. I just hope they don't overdo it, we've taken too many liberties already. Other guests would have accused us long ago of crossing the line of hospitality.

Before any more elders could interfere, he decided to intervene.

Why did it occur to them now that they had to pamper our guest? Weren't they aware of this before? Was it only Izatra who saw Cali for what she really was? If so, then I have to deal with this problem, and better sooner than later.

With just a wave of a hand, calm returned between the elders, and Izatra came a little closer, setting herself apart from the others of the council of elders.

"So is there anything else we can give you in terms of knowledge or treasure?"

He turned his gaze back to Cali, who was still sitting on the seabed just a few steps from the newborns.

"Take your time, it will ultimately take some time to teach you everything, it took the Larrua five whole years before we taught them all. And I Nereus Progenitor of Nereus Ilayda swear by the three sisters that we are in your debt until this is paid in equal measure."

"As I have already told you, there is no need to dwell on oaths, I can see when you are trying to deceive me. And I don't think I'll have any trouble learning the script of the ancient demons."

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With that, she stood up and stretched, feeling the water around her as little as possible. It was no longer different than stretching above the surface of the water for her.

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I may be able to have them teach me some more of their methods of using Arcane Energy. Nevertheless, I must not forget what Eder asked me to do, even though he did not give me a time frame, there is a risk that I will not be able to come to the aid of him, the Larrua, and Diva in time if the time comes.

"Could you do me a favor?"

Asking shouldn't cost me anything, or at least not more than they owe me.

"Of course, as I told you, our debt to you is not paid until we have performed the same level of favors for you."

Vibrated Nereus's voice through the water, which she now noticed didn't seem to affect her either.

I wonder if he's holding back, or if I've grown accustomed to the circumstances.

She could read nothing of the sort from Nereus' surface thoughts, and she still didn't want to delve deeper into his mind than necessary.

"Could you send one of your landsmen to look for the Larrua Eda he is one of those Larrua which you have taught. I ... -" She thought about how much she should tell them about her promise to help Eda in case of conflict. -" entered into an agreement with him, which led me to you, which was payment for the favor he asked of me. Which I would hate to fail to fulfill because I am unavailable to him."

I guess it's better if I stick to the truth, and there's nothing wrong with telling them about it, after all.

"That shouldn't be a problem, I think. Izatra please send one of the Experienced Warriors to meet with Eda the Larrua."

"As you command."

Which the latter acknowledged with a bow in her and then Nereus' direction before disappearing to find and send up a warrior, as she assumed, to find Eda.

"Nevertheless, I do not wish to delay the feast any further, which I understand is yet to come?"

"That is good, for I was about to usher it in."

Thundered the voice of Nereus through the water.

"If you were to attend as an honored guest, you would be doing honor not only to me but to the rest of us Nereus Ilayda."

Kepa took over the task Izatra had held before she left.

"And I also think that Lucine would be pleased."

He said with a friendly smile.

Even though his face didn't reveal much, his thoughts spoke volumes. He was hoping for something from the fact that she and Lucine seemed to get along well.

She couldn't see any malice or any other kind of negative feeling towards her and her connection to Lucine.

Still, I should keep an eye on the elders, too much trust is also deadly and I'd rather be wrong than right.

Throughout the conversation, more and more Nereus Ilayda and aquatic creatures had awakened, meaning that all who had participated in the dance were now awake again to participate in the feast.

"With all present awake and refreshed again after a successful strengthening of the tribe, I declare the Festival of Salvation open."

Echoed the voice of Nereus over the seabed still littered with reefs and shipwrecks. And was greeted with cheers by the Nereus Ilayda and the aquatic creatures.

"Come, I will show you everything, and believe me, this time I will not let you fall into a Yanar. Even if that wouldn't be possible again until next year."

Which elicited a light and shy laugh from Lucine.

"Please don't worry about that anymore, as I said, I don't blame you for dropping me. I'm grateful to you for even noticing my situation and wanting to do something about it. Now let's enjoy the feast and after that, we'll see?"

"Yes."

With which she pulled her into the fray.

After the feast was over and without any further incidents, she would then also get the knowledge of Nereus Ilayda, even if she had a hunch that she wanted to teach it to her, where she could just copy the knowledge from the head of the corresponding person. But one didn't have to tell everything, especially if a relationship of hospitality had started like hers and that of Nereus Ilayda.