Michael awoke in his noble suite at the inn that the town had offered him. He was happy about the room since it had a tub and shower big enough for his size.
Yawning, he sat up on the edge of the bed and looked out the window to see it was morning. Michael could barely hear, but it sounded like something was happening outside.
Standing, Michael dressed in a new outfit he got as a gift from the people. Some of the larger demis, like the demi-bears, saw he was having issues with his clothing at the time.
Michael headed downstairs to the lobby, where the innkeeper wished him good morning.
He looked out the window to see a handful of armored soldiers milling about outside.
“Hey,” Michael called out to the innkeeper. “Is something going on?” He asked as he continued to watch the soldiers.
“Yes! A knight commander from Galgalake arrived early this morning. Since Mayor Toto could contact them, they sent two airships with fifty soldiers and supplies.” The innkeeper said. “Would you like breakfast?”
“Nah. I’m good. Thank you for the offer. Oh, did anyone come by looking for me?” Michael felt a bit nervous. The demon woman, Listamati, had him feeling on guard since their encounter.
“Um, Mayor Toto stopped by to see if you were awake, but he didn’t leave a message.” The innkeeper replied.
“Alright. I’ll go check in with him. Thanks.” Michael waved goodbye to the innkeeper and headed outside.
The town seemed to be getting closer to normal as they were working toward rebuilding the handful of locations the Baron’s soldiers had burned down. The demis would stop and greet Michael as he walked toward the town hall.
Entering the main building, Michael found that it had been cleaned up since last night, and the office workers were beginning their days.
“Oh, Sir Caeldaemos. Please, over here.” Mayor Toto called out to him.
The mayor seemed to be meeting with a demi-lizard of some kind. The man was lean and had a head that would make one think of a dragon. He wore a polished set of armor from his neck and below. On his belt were a sword and a holstered pistol.
“Ah. You must be the one who saved the town. You have my gratitude for saving our people.” The armored man bowed his head in respect. “I am Sir Lucas Dawn, a knight of the Galgalake Royal Army.”
“Uh, a pleasure to meet you, Sir Lucas.” Michael awkwardly bowed his head, receiving a chuckle from the knight.
“No need to force yourself, Master Caeldaemos. You may be unlike your brethren, but from what I heard, you are honorable.” Sir Lucas smiled.
Michael sighed and chuckled at himself. “Thank you, Sir Lucas.”
Mayor Toto stepped in, “Sir Lucas was informing me of some updates on our situation and their plans. You are welcome to join us, Sir Caeldaemos.”
“Sure.” Michael sat down on a chair at their table.
“So, to bring you up to date. After we received word from Mayor Toto, the Vauldulin Empire sent an emergency message about one of their nobles invading our lands and would keep us updated.” Sir Lucas started.
“Sorry, the Vauldulin Empire?” Michael asked.
“The largest human country on the continent. Their borders run along ours.” Mayor Toto answered.
“Yes. So far, from what we heard, a Barony had created a large slave trader ring, using any non-humans as their product. Their imperial family is currently running a large-scale investigation of the Baron. I heard this morning that the Baron’s assets have been frozen, and he has been placed under house arrest pending the investigation. We were requested to transport the High-Commander of this invasion force back to Vauldulin for interrogation and judgment.” Sir Lucas explained.
“And the soldiers under his command?” Michael asked.
“They said we were fine to imprison and use them as labor.” Sir Lucas answered.
“Alright. Sounds like the whole thing is getting wrapped up nicely.” Michael smiled happily, knowing his efforts had led to a good outcome.
“Also, this is for you.” Sir Lucas took out and handed a letter to Michael.
“What is this?” Michael asked as he began to open it.
“An invitation to the royal palace in Galgalake. Her majesty wishes to personally thank you for your help and likely reward you.” Sir Lucas answered with a smile.
“Oh. Well, I don’t really need a reward.” Michael was unsure how he felt about meeting royalty. A single mistake could turn him into a country’s most wanted. He already had enough on his plate with being a Demon-Lord and all.
“No need to be so humble, Master Caeldaemos. Her majesty can be understanding if you do not wish for something you do not want. But I am sure her majesty will want to give you something.” Sir Lucas’ smile widened.
“You have nothing to worry about, Sir Caeldaemos. Her majesty is kind.” Mayor Toto added.
Michael was not sure if he should believe them or not. He had no experience dealing with nobles or any actual knowledge of etiquette.
“I’m worried about offending her unintentionally.” Michael decided to be honest.
“Not to worry, Master Caeldaemos. I am sure High Councilman Yuri will ensure you know the bare minimum.” Sir Lucas said.
“Hmm… Alright. It would probably be a problem if I refused to go.” Michael concluded.
“Thank you, Master Caeldaemos, for saving me from being lectured.” Sir Lucas chuckled. “I will be leaving on the airship in a few hours. You can join us as we return to Galgalake.”
Michael thanked Sir Lucas as the knight headed out to get things ready. Mayor Toto informed Michael that the soldiers had finished unloading the emergency supplies that were sent and were working on loading the prisoners.
After saying goodbye to Mayor Toto, Michael headed out to grab some breakfast and check out the airships.
While looking at some shops, some clothing reminded him of the Other World Propriety shop. It sounded like the top shop in the world as it provided the many conveniences of his old world. The info screen from weeks ago said that the shop provided airships.
While heading toward the area where he was directed by some of the townspeople, he stopped before a large building.
“Hooooh?” A wide, wicked grin came to Michael’s face as he entered the building.
The inside was clean. Many seating pews were neatly lined up, facing the front of the large open room.
A slender demi-human woman walked up to Michael. “Welcome, savior. I thank you for visiting our temple of Io.”
She wore a simple but neat robe that covered her shoulders to her ankles and a simple hat on her head.
“Thank you. Could you tell me about your temple?” Michael asked.
“Please, follow me.” The priestess led Michael toward the front. “Our temple is built in dedication to the Goddess Io, the god that most demi-humans believe in. Are you a follower of Nanduun like most demons?” She asked.
“No. I currently follow Io.” Michael replied.
“Then welcome, brother. It is a pleasure to have you here.” The priestess smiled.
“I have a question,” Michael said as they arrived at the front. “Is there such a thing as religious oppression?”
“Oh dear, no! Well, such an atrocity occurred long ago. Many races propped up their gods and treated any who did not believe as they did terribly. It was a dark time in our world because that is when the first Demon-Lord appeared. It had achieved the title and nearly destroyed the demi-human race after crushing an old human kingdom. The demons tried their best to assist us, but nothing seemed to be able to stop it. It was then that the gods gifted us the first Heroes. Are you familiar with history?” The priestess asked, looking guilty about starting a lecture without asking beforehand.
“No. Please continue.” Michael gave her an assuring smile.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The priestess smiled and continued. “There were five Heroes, each a champion of the Five Divine. Rachael, the lancer of Tilra. Bryan, the knight of Sylfaerune. Vlad, the brawler of Orbus. Alejandro the saint, of Io. Sakura, the magician of Nanduun. The five great heroes quickly gained strength while the unified forces of the world kept the Demon-Lord and its monster army at bay. Once they were strong enough, they used their Hero’s Call to weaken the Demon-Lord and defeated it in an epic battle.”
“What happened after the Demon-Lord’s defeat?” Michael asked.
The priestess giggled, appreciative of Michael’s curiosity. “The world was at peace for nearly two centuries. The great heroes led to the creation of Other World Propriety, several reforms to governments, peace treaties between the races, mountains worth of societal and technological advancements, and many other blessings.”
“Did something happen at the end of the two centuries?” Michael asked while looking up at the large statue on the central altar.
The priestess looked up at the statue with a warm smile. “This is Io. Looking upon her always warms my heart.”
Michael had to agree. The clean white statue was of a young woman, perhaps eighteen or twenty in age. She was kneeling at the edge of a pool of crystal-clear water, her eyes closed, a light smile on her face, and her arms open wide, welcoming all who needed comforting.
“Yeah. I agree.” Michael smiled up at the statue. He was not entirely sure why, but he felt that Io had been watching over him since he crashed into the ground weeks ago.
Looking back, Michael had to admit that many convenient things had happened during his time. He wondered how much of it was his own effort, sheer dumb luck, or Io intervening.
“Ah yes, you asked what happened.” The priestess clapped her hand together, remembering his question. “At that time, a war broke out between the demons and humans. It was a terrible time.”
“Is it known what sparked it?” Michael asked.
The priestess shook her head. “The war occurred nearly a thousand years ago. The reason has been lost to time. Since then, the relationship between the two races has only worsened. Each time a war breaks out, it is believed that malevolent energy is what brings about the birth of Demon-Lords. The world falls into chaos every time they are born, but we all gain a common cause.”
“To defeat the Demon-Lord.”
“Correct. The heroes brought to our world have added to our societies and unified us for a time. But…” The priestess trailed off.
Michael sighed heavily, knowing what she was getting at. He thought back to his lecture on the seven deadly sins. “Evil and corruption gains in power.”
The priestess nodded.
“I’m curious, from your perspective, would you say certain races are more guilty than others?” Michael asked.
The priestess looked at Michael with a conflicted look.
“Ah! I’m not racist or anything! I swear by Io!” A silver haze rolled over Michael.
Seeing it, the priestess began to giggle. “I apologize. Seems I have a bit reflecting to do, to judge too quickly.” She continued to laugh a bit.
Glancing around to make sure no one else was around, she led Michael behind the giant statue of Io. There were four alcoves, each one having a two-foot-tall figure within it.
The first had a short woman who looked to be in her twenties. She wore a set of armored robes. The label below the statue said ‘Tilra.’
The next was labeled ‘Orbus.’ He was a wild-looking man with hair down to his shoulders. The statue stood proudly and confident, a broad grin on his face.
The third had a dignified man in a suit and tie. He was older with a neatly trimmed mustache and well-kept hair. It was ‘Nanduun.’
The last statue was one Michael easily recognized. It was Sylfaerune. The priestess brought them to a stop before the garbage goddess.
“Just between you and I, Sylfaerune is… can be… irresponsible.” The priestess said.
“It’s worse than that priestess,” Michael said. His anger and hatred of the goddess boiling over, his large hand reached out and wrapped around the statue. “Can you swear what you are about to hear and witness stays between us?”
The priestess, genuinely curious, swore in Io’s name that she would keep it a secret.
“I am not from this world. This garbage goddess murdered me in my last world, tearing my future and family away.” Michael lifted the statue up easily, his grip tightening.
“She dropped me into this world, right in the middle of the Great Beryl Forest, where I nearly got killed by a rank 14 ogre.” Sylfaerune’s statue began to crack.
“And she made me into the target of the Heroes. All because of her greed.” More cracks formed.
“Y-You’re the Demon-Lord?” The priestess stuttered as she realized what he had meant by being a target.
“Yeah. Not by choice. That bitch tore everything from me and still desires to make me miserable. But I will not be what she wants. I will be a good Demon-Lord who always tries to help.” Michael smiled while remembering his friend’s words. “Caeldaemos the Benevolent will be my name. I swear it in Io’s name.”
A bright flash of silver light filled the temple.
When the light died down, the statue of Sylfaerune lay on the ground in crushed bits, dust falling from Michael’s open hand.
The priestess looked upon Michael in awe.
“Blessed be. You were acknowledged by the Goddess Io! I must…!” The priestess paused before sighing. “This is far too great a secret you ask me to keep, my lord.” She shook her head while smiling.
“Sorry about that. At the very least, don’t mention it until the whole world knows me for what I am.” Michael smiled at her.
“Well, I must get a trash bin and a broom. I heard a rumor that you will be leaving with the airships?” The priestess asked.
“Yeah. Sorry about the mess.” Michael apologized.
“Not to worry. I will clean this up. You had best be on your way. It would be bad for you to be seen here now.” She shooed him away.
Michael began heading out but took one last look at the broken statue. “One.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The priestess opened her eyes but quickly realized she was not in her humble bed at the temple. She was lying on a lovely, comfortable couch.
“Good, you’re here.” A voice called out to her.
Sitting up, the priestess looked upon the voice’s owner and began to tear up joyfully.
“Oh, my goddess.” The priestess went to kneel, but Io stopped her and sat her back on the couch.
“Would you like something to drink?” Io asked.
“Oh, I, uh….”
“Please.” Io smiled while tilting her head.
“Then, some tea, please.”
With a wiggle of a finger, Io summoned a cup of tea for the priestess and herself.
“Please, try it,” Io said as she sipped from her cup.
The priestess sipped from the cup in reverence. The flavor was smooth and not overpowering. It calmed the spirit and nerves. The priestess sighed contentedly.
Taking another sip, the priestess asked. “Why have I been given such a great honor?”
Io smiled. “Because you decided to help that man. It is unfortunate what my sister did to him, so I wish to help him all I can.”
“So, what he said was true… I know I saw the light of the gods, but it just still sounded so far-fetched.” The priestess took another sip.
“Yes. I am disappointed in my sister right now. I hope he can teach her a lesson to help her grow, but it will depend on her now.” Io sighed.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” The priestess asked.
“Do not replace the statue. I will also permit you to lie about what happened to it. You will say that you just found the statue like that after hearing a crash in the temple hall. When you investigated, there was no one else in the room but you.” Io instructed.
“I understand. Um. Does he intend to destroy more of Sylfaerune’s idols?” The priestess asked.
Io smiled mischievously. “That is for me to know.”
The priestess nodded and enjoyed the rest of the cup of tea with her beloved goddess.