Their army left the next day. It was a strange procession of otters, dragons, kobolds, and a host of other Underbridge Clan monsters. The humans were almost equally strange. Soldiers and priests from the Thousand Island Kingdoms walked beside dwarven supply wagons and militia being sent to reinforce the capital.

Thomas, one of Commander Cedrick's officers, led the way with his scouts ranging out ahead. Despite being around constantly, the man refused to talk to anyone other than Cedrick. At first, Gi thought it was due to him being a monster.

Later, he realized it was Important People Anxiety as he did the same with King Rellington and Ellen. He wished he would relax, but watching him answer questions from Gi as though Cedrick had asked them was humorous.

They did run into some small clans of monsters that had spawned as part of the Monster Surge, but it was little more than extra Soul Orbs for their army.

Soul Orbs that they finally had a chance to use.

An abandoned village lay nestled next to a brook about halfway through their journey. The Encampment Crystal hovered in their town hall that was right next to the brook.

Gi checked through the Encampment system for any benefits that he could grab, but they were all for improving the Encampment directly so he ended up ignoring them for improving himself and his clan.

His Soul Orbs went to improving his Wisdom, but after Rank C was expensive and he only got two levels to C2. With his fully realized Knot, he was much stronger than his Stats would appear, but even that wasn't enough.

The gods had already told him the Demon Emperor's Stats. Agility was the only thing he had that matched. Every other Stat was at least an entire rank behind.

He sighed and took a look at his Character Sheet.

Name: Gi

Race: Gang Otter (Archbishop - C)

Job: Cleric

Class: Archbishop

Level: 42

Squad: Gi's Squad

Knot:

Quicksilver Body

Heart of Crossroads

Soul of Rebirth

Realized Aspects:

Heart-Body: Blood of Nobility (Combined Aspect: Liquid Light)

Body-Soul: Mind of Forged Destiny (Combined Aspect: Stream of the Goddess)

Soul-Heart: Will of Subverted Fate (Combined Aspect: Light of the Heavens)

Stats

Strength - C

Agility - C

Vitality - C (Core: Waterborn Vitality)

Wisdom - C2

Leadership - 5

Domain:

* Papal Legion (B) formerly Archbishop

Subdomain:

* Divine Commandment (C)

Traits:

Intelligence(Inherited)

Twilight Eyes

Scales

Unorthodox Mind

Trait Skills:

* Divine Spouse (C)

* Concealing Light (D)

* God's Passage (B)

* Unstoppable Nobility (C)

* Endless Torrent (D)

* Celestial Inspiration (D)

* Danna's Realm (D)

Skills (6/6)

* Religion (E)

* Light Armor (E)

* Persuasion (E)

* Platoon Leader (D)

* Blunt Weapons (E)

* Fighting Style (Boundless Serenade of the Enlightened Hands) (E)

It looked good. Less than a dozen people had better Stats in this world and more than half of those were demons. He had good ideas to defeat all of those except the Emperor.

If they could pick off his heirs, maybe their combined strength would be enough. If not, maybe a good opportunity would arise that they could exploit.

One step at a time, Gi said, not wanting to discourage himself looking at the end before they'd arrived. He gave his character sheet one last glance.

Seven more levels and he'd get a Domain Upgrade. That's 3500 Adolescent enemies during the Surge.

That was doable.

Knowing that other monsters were waiting for their turn. Gi also used the handful of Heart Orbs that they had left to add Skirmish Specialists traits to more squads which would increase their short range evasion.

They stayed there for roughly a day which was enough to have a few additional otters spawn in with the few Children that had grown up on their journey.

Between the Stat upgrades, Squad upgrades, equipment upgrades, and additional troops, their fighting force was stronger than ever. It still wasn't enough to stop that worry about the Emperor in the back of his mind.

It only took a few more days for the scouts to find an approaching company.

Cedrick, Gi, and several of the other leaders went ahead to meet them and their company did likewise.

"Commander Luke!" Cedrick said when they were within shouting distance.

"Cedrick," Luke said. His eyes were on Gi, Samba, and Tiria though. Disgust was apparent on his face and only grew when he saw King Rellington, Ellen, and the Elders. "I thought we were supposed to be killing monsters, not serving them."

Cedrick's eyes grew hard. "Luke. These are our allies until the General says otherwise. They've saved two of our cities now that we didn't have the resources to defend."

"Hmph," Luke said, but he didn't apologize. Instead he snapped to attention and looked beyond Gi and the others. "The General appreciates your assistance against the demons that threaten Veridia. He apologizes, but due to the nature of the war, he can only allow a party of five to enter the capital of which only two may be non-humans."

Cedrick looked aghast at Luke's pronouncement. "We're not letting them into the city? There's a siege going on!"

Luke, or more accurately the General, must have been prepared for that remark. "The western wall is currently open, leaving our supply lines secure. With proper scouts and distance, your people should be safe."

"But-" Cedrick started and Gi held up a hand.

"It's quite all right. The General isn't trying to offend us. He trusts you, but doesn't know us. This is his olive branch."

Elder Altman stepped forward. "Trust but verify. Understandable considering we do have monsters on our side. Gi, I'd like to request a position on the party that goes into the city."

"Perhaps," Gi said. Elder Altman, like the King, was a master of political maneuvering and his status as the Patriarch of Hyshtel would lend credence to Gi himself.

But his loyalty was not as certain as the King's. Gi was simply a weapon to wield against the demons for him. For that, the Matriarch of Matar would be a better choice, but Hyshtel was more broadly worshipped.

"We can discuss our party as we set up our camp." Gi turned back to Commander Luke. "I assume you're set to lead us to a camp site?"

"That is my duty, yes." The man was very stiff addressing Gi directly and started to march away immediately after that. Gi made a giant golden hand and motioned for the rest of their army to follow.

Cedrick immediately hustled over to him. "King Gi, I'm very sorry about Commander Luke. He can be... a bit of a maverick sometimes and his commanding manner is not refined in the sl-"

"Peace, Cedrick," Gi said. "I'm not offended. He's been taught his whole life that monsters are evil menaces that should be destroyed. That's not going to change for most in an afternoon. If it wasn't for the trust that the King and the Elders have placed in me and the trust that their people have in them, it would be more obvious here as well."

"Then... what will you do?"

"Exactly what we said, set up camp and then head into the capital."

Cedrick squirmed as though he'd had a thought, but was torn on whether to speak up or not. Gi gave him a moment to see if he'd express himself, but he did not.

"Nothing you tell me here will change my next actions."

He chewed on his lip. "Then... have you considered that it might be a trap? The General isn't that kind of man, but... he is pragmatic when he needs to be."

"Someone has to be the first to extend their hand. If I'm not willing to do it, how can I ask them?"

Cedrick's concerned look didn't fade, but he did give a slight bow. "Thank you for your wisdom, King Gi."

Then he parted.

What Gi told Cedrick wasn't a lie. He was happy to be the one to put himself in risk if it meant working cooperatively. However, the General had already shown his willingness to consider the cooperation by inviting them at all.

The question was what did Emperor Veritas think.

***

"MONSTERS?! The demons are inside the walls?!" Emperor Veritas's voice practically rattled the stain glass windows of his throne room. General Rowan flinched at the loud sound.

"No, sir, these are the friendly monsters that I told you about and they aren't here yet."

Emperor Veritas looked every inch the wise ruler. His hair, though white, was both long and full. Gilded thread stitched all across his rich green robes in a variety of patterns and decorations that showed the exquisite nature of the craftman's hands who made it.

Sadly, Emperor Veritas's Vitality couldn't keep all of the ravages of time away. "Friendly monster? There's no such thing as a friendly monster."

"These are. They are working with the Thousand Island Kingdom. They defeated the blockade for us at Stonereach."

"Ah, yes. The demons blockaded Stonereach. That's bad news for a long siege. Tell me. When will the demons arrive? You said they'd arrive soon."

General Rowan bit back a sigh. He had nothing but respect for the man. His reasoning was still sharp as a whip and his power was second to none, but his memory...

Maybe I will die in this Surge. Stop my body from outlasting my mind...

General Rowan placed those dark thoughts to the side. He loved life and he loved his people. He wouldn't abandon them so easily. He'd just have to tell Veritas enough times until the notion of monster allies stuck.

"The siege is ongoing, sir. The monster King Gi and King Rellington of the Thousand Islands are set to arrive soon."

"Monster King?"

"Yes sir, allied with King Rellington."

Emperor Veritas tapped his chin. To an onlooker, it would look as though he considered the mysteries of the world looking deeper to the truths that lie beneath. "King Rellington. He's grown sick, has he not? Perhaps, this Monster King is taking advantage of his illness?"

"That was King Rellington the third of his name. He passed away. The fourth took over the throne just prior to the Monster Surge. I'm unaware of their current condition, but my Commander tells me that it is a voluntary arrangement."

Emperor Veritas scoffed. "I'll be the judge of that and I'll put things to right for old Rellington. That man has been stubborn for years, but yes, I'll see him right. Now, tell me about the demons. When are they expected to arrive?"

"Yes sir, the siege is currently in progress."

***

In the end, Gi chose King Rellington, Ellen Swamp, Elder Altman, and Chum to his party. The last, strangely, had been the hardest choice.

His first thought had been Tiria, but he'd burdened her far too much both before his death and during it. Samba hated him, Wane was still recovering, and Kumo literally had an aura that announced herself as a human murderer.

That left him, in his eyes, with either Poe or Chum.

Poe had a strange charisma that might have had Emperor Veritas ready to kneel right then and there, but... he also had a bit of a big mouth. He loved to gossip.

So, Gi picked Chum. Friendly, empathetic, reserved. The best choice.

Hopefully.

They'd received word through Commander Luke again that the General was ready to receive them and their party along with Commander Cedrick and Luke's groups were now heading towards a postern gate on the western wall.

Even from where they walked, the sounds of the capital, Harlond, could be heard. A small foothill composed almost entirely of jagged rock protected much of the southern flank of Harlond. It was an obstacle for an army, but it would be foolish to believe there were no demon scouts hiding amongst its crags.

If the demons were willing to split their army, they could cause trouble for Gi's camp, but that seemed an unnecessary vulnerability. Still if they now knew their blockade was ended, they also knew food could funnel into Stonereach again and thus keep Harlond supplied.

They'd have to do something eventually. Gi just hoped they'd give them time.

King Rellington's whisper brought Gi's attention back to their party. "Emperor Veritas is known as proud man, not to the point of folly, but he's accomplished much in his life. We should make a point of acknowledging him."

Elder Altman cut in. "But do not overstate it, we do not want him to believe himself superior. It is we who are bringing the tipping point to his war."

"I agree," the King agreed, "and as for General Rowan-"

Gi had a bit of a surreal moment as he walked into the Veridian capital city and it struck him as odd that he had once been human himself. From his land all this would seem just a fantasy, but now Gi had the type of existence where he received advice from kings and gods.

He wondered what Gi would have thought back when he was Richard. Would Harlond have been awe inspiring? Terrifying?

Both?

For now, it was just a part of his duty and the next step between him and seeing Danna again.