Winds of spring blow through the Empire as the bird sings the melody for the blooming flowers. It was one of the best time to enjoy the beauty of the Empire.
But unfortunately for Ignis, he was stuck in a cursed place known as the Lost Forest following after baseless rumors.
A man ruling over Goblins---
A rumor that spread like wildfire throughout the Empire. At first, it was considered a crazy talk by some girls who escape from a dungeon but soon the Goblins attack became more organized. More eyewitness start appearing and more proof appear causing even the nobles to start worrying about it.
Under the pressure from the noble and the people. Empire decided to send an expedition of 500 under the leadership of good for nothing hero, Ignis. A preemptive strike to kill the supposed Demon Lord.
Ignis doesn't understand why these people worried about some demon lord as he wasn't born in this world but for the people here, a demon lord is a real threat. Its last incarnation was able to reach the doorsteps of empire capital when a summoned hero was finally able to defeat him.
It left Empire completely ruined both militarily and economically for centuries to come. Leaving million dead leading to a Dark Age. It took a genius like Emperor Leo to make the Empire prosperous again.
As for Ignis, He doesn't really consider this assignment a pain in the ass. It is better than lazing around in the castle whole day. The reason behind his annoyance is his companion.
"What are you waiting for? We are already here! .........ummm! Get it done already, I wanted to visit Al-Gharib before I return to the capital."
The one to babble is the Ignis's companion, Princess Alba the third riding next to him on her white stallion. Long, blond hairs, Skin whiter than snow itself with the face of Goddess.
She was the perfect example of an idol Woman if only something can be done about her attitude.
Ignis try to ignore her and return back to his scouting.
150 Goblins, Three Human and seven unknown. The presence of seven unknown was the real reason for his hesitance. He knew a single misstep could cause him the life of his followers including the princess so he wanted to confirm the situation before moving forward and try resolve situation as peacefully as possible.
"Commander! Please announce terms of the empire to the dungeon."
Ignis turned back and called upon one of his commanders.
-Announce terms to the dungeon-
"Are you sure?"
Hearing a weird command, Commander question Ignis with Confusion completely evident on his face but Ignis simply nod compelling the commander to move forward to make his announcements.
"Wait! We aren't attacking. We venture all the way from Empire and we still aren't going to attack them."
The Princess immediately question Ignis action. This was supposed to be her maiden battle but Ignis pacifist attitude was preventing her from it.
"It will a careless move. We need to access their strength."
"What to access? You hear the guild. it is supposed to be a Goblin dungeon. We don't have to access a couple of Goblin strength. It just a baseless rumor afterall."
Ignoring Princess agitation, Ignis simply gallop his horse and move away from her. He knows that there is no use arguing with her. She might not know but Ignis was mostly worried about her safety. Her chainmail with a huge Empire emblem had already set her as the main target. If the Enemy was hiding someone stronger, she might end up as the first victim.
But despite Ignis, Princess took his move offending and turned away pouting acting as if she begun to take out her frustration on the soldiers.
The commander rushes to the Dungeon Entrance and starts announcing Empire terms.
1) Release all hostage.
2) Send leaders for negotiation unarmed.
3) End all aggression.
Announcing these terms, Commander immediately gallops back. These are the terms given by the Empire for the surrender. Offering them to a dungeon is consider an absurd act but if this dungeon is really ruled by a person he will either attack us or accept them.
---We will now play the waiting game.
"Sir, Can I speak freely?"
The returning Commander requested.
"Yes!"
"What do you think about the action of demon lord so far? Does he seems to be a powerful one like the one before?"
" hmm...."
Ignis doesn't know the Answer to this question either. Princess is correct, there have only been baseless rumors regarding demon Lord. So, either he is a foolish man who stands out too much or a genius who has set up a trap for us.
"Sir, Someone is coming!!"
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Before Ignis could answer, a soldier came screaming holding what seems like binoculars.
-That was quick-
Someone was coming through the Dungeon Entrance alone. It wasn't a monster like most expected but a person.
"It is a human!!"
Another soldier screamed as he observed the person approaching.
Ignis quickly grabbed the binoculars and look through them. It is more like a boy, no a man in early twenties. Muddy face and messy hair. It seems he hadn't washed it for days but it didn't concern Ignis. His attention was directed behind Alba.
In the trees surrounding them, there are 5 unknowns. He doesn't know when did they appear but they were there when the man came out. All of their sight aimed at the Princess. One of the weak point of Ignis Squad.
Ignis trying to ignore them, examine the man before him. Wearing a cloak behind which is a rugged shirt which had a huge hole in the center. Strangely in his clothing one thing caught Ignis attention. His trouser was something, Ignis had never seen in this world. In his original world, Ignis used to wear a lot of similar trouser but since coming here, he hadn't seen even one of them.
"A Summon one!"
He immediately galloped his horse forward toward the man. He knew that he is taking a risk by leaving the princess surrounded by the enemies but he has to take it If he had to end the war before it begins.
"Where are you going?"
Princess screamed from behind worrying over Ignis agitated face.
"Wait for my further command!"
Ignis screamed as he moves away from his party.
----
"Hey!"
The man greeted in a carefree manner while giving a cheerful smile.
"Hey!"
Ignis responded back while jumping off his horse.
For a moment both men stand there smiling at each other as the world around them revolve at its own pace.
Until finally the mysterious man decided to break the silence.
"So you are from the Empire?"
"Yeah! I am from the Empire. So you are the leader of this dungeon?"
Ignis responded with the same tone.
"Yeah! kinda they don't leave me around no matter how much I try!"
He said while kicking a peddle away.
For Ignis, the attitude seems like of a boy who was just bored.
"You aren't from here! right?"
"Huh!..... Yeah, I don't think any Human live here...... I am .... let's see..... From Republic."
Ignis question immediately caught him off guard. Surprised, he immediately responds after a bit thought. An Act which clearly revealed that he was lying.
"Sorry, let me clarify. You aren't from this world. Right?"
"Wait! you mean you are also not from this world."
To his question, Ignis responded simply by a nod.
"Really!!"
The man immediately grabbed Ignis shoulder with his eyes sparkling with joy. It was pretty easy for Ignis to understand his happiness as Ignis had also been through it but it felt creepy so Ignis throw of his arm and took a few steps back.
"Sorry, I am so excited. You are the second Summoned person, I met."
"Wait, you have met another."
It was Ignis first time even hearing about a Summoned person. Since his arrival, he had been hearing that summoning magic take too much energy so only one can be done once a century and he was the only one in this time but suddenly there are 3 of them.
"Yeah, He is..... why?... hmmm.... shut up already"
Mid-sentence, he started talking to himself. An act that causes Ignis to doubt his sanity.
"Sorry, I can't tell you about him just yet. You will meet him in due time."
A comment that feels me more like a threat to Ignis than assurance. Ignis doesn't know whether this person is really insane or just acting.
"So, how did you find this world?"
"Great! I was summoned by the Emperor so he decided o take care for my accommodation and other things. Along with that I also gain amazing power, a beautiful fiance and a large portion of Empire Army under my command. It is a wonderful life. What about you?"
The man giggles at Ignis answer and starts telling his story.
"Being stabbed, Betrayed, mark as a slave, Surviving death. Pretty much my story has been pretty grim till now but I am habitual to this life by......Huh.....Oh......other summoner helped me through it a couple of time.. My life back home was also a social nightmare so it was no big deal for me. How about your life before here?"
"A living hell!!"
It was a sensitive topic for Ignis. He immediately shows discontent on it and replied back in a rebuking voice much to the man horror.
"HUH! .... sorry, ..... I think."
Scratching his chin, he responded.
"No, actually it was nice at the beginning. I was born into a rich family. Both Parents were loving and caring. I had friends and everything even a girl I like. It was a perfect life. Until one day-"
Ignis stop to take a deep breath. Hesitance was clear on his face. He didn't want to remember his past but he couldn't ignore it either. It was what mold him into a man he was. So he continued.
"It was when I was fifteen when all of it went downhill. Trying to save a girl, I was hit by a truck and paralyzed down neck..... At first, everyone promised to stay beside my side forever but ....that was a lie. First, the girl left me then my Friends. Then, my dad left my mom and married someone else to produce an heir and finally my mom... She decided I was only a deadweight pulling her back. She killed me in the darkness of night."
"Oh, I am sorry. I didn't know you suffered."
It was the first time Ignis got a chance to talk about his feeling with someone. He felt somewhat relief but-
"Huh!"
When he looks at his face he saw a smirk. He knew at this point that the man before him was no normal. He was insane
"Oh yeah! we can talk about it later. We came here to clear the dungeon so please hide with other two Humans while we clear the dungeon."
"Oh!! Sure!"
Despite the fact that the mention of other humans never came up in their conservation. He didn't seem confused when Ignis suddenly mentioned them. Instead, he responded with a thumbs up.
Assured, Ignis get back on his horse and ride back to his party.
"Hey, What is your Name!?"
The man screamed as Ignis ride away from him.
"Robert!! Also, known as Ignis!! Hero of the Empire!"
"I am Bayezeid, Also, Known as Iblis............. "
As Ignis ride away from him, the man was hardly comprehensible.
"The Demon Lord."
Unable to hear his last words Ignis, ride back to his party.
"What were you talking about?"
"Nothing!!"
It seems everyone is fine and five unknown are also gone. Feeling relieved, he asked his soldiers to prepare for an attack.
It was a weird meeting. Ignis never understand whether he was talking to one person or two. As the other party personality continue to change during their conservation.
Waiting for the right time, he once again scouts the dungeon.
"Huh!"
He couldn't find any one inside.Not a single soul.
"Huuuhhh!"
The dungeon once occupied by 150 Goblins is now completely empty.
"What?
"Sir! SIRRR!"
A soldier came rushing pushing through the soldiers' formations. Panting. He stops to take a deep breath and continue.
"Sir!!! All our muskets are gone."
"What! What the hell were you guys doing?"
Princess quickly moves in to rebuke him but Ignis doubt it was soldiers fault. He looked back at the dungeon. He could only smirk at his own mistake.
"Calm down!! let's go to Al-Gharib."
Ignis turned around and said to the princess giving her a cheerful smile.
"What! What about the attack?"
Princess confused at the Ignis suddenly questioned him but Ignis simply replied.
"Sometimes, Battle are decided before they even begin. We have lost this battle but we will win the war. Don't worry."
With this Ignis ordered a complete retreat and Princess simply followed.
Iblis outsmarted him. 5 Unknown, his clothes, their conservation, and Iblis ignorance. All were a trap to distract Ignis.
"Lucky Bastard!"
It was the first meeting between the hero and the demon lord where Hero was completely defeated. Now, only problem remains is how Ignis is going to convey this information to the emperor but for now, it was time to enjoy shopping with the Princess.