“Eliana, where is Faeyna and Raissa.” I asked.

She looked away. “I don’t know. Y-you can’t sense them?”

I clenched my teeth in frustration. The slave bonds had not been restored. It was like I had never had a slave at all. Eliana and Alysia, the two princesses, were the only bonds I could feel at the moment. It felt extremely empty and alone. Furthermore, two months had passed. Any number of things could have happened since then. I tried to keep my cool though. I would find them.

“Deek, we are both reasonable men, perhaps an agreement can be reached. I received a report just ten minutes ago. Right now, both armies are lined up on the border, ready for battle. With a word, the two armies will attack, and there will be untold loss of life on both sides. We can come up with some kind of-”

“Eliana.” I cut the man off and turned to her.

She seemed to know what I wanted and merely nodded. “Go, my love. I’ll be safe here. I promise.”

I made a face at that, but the councilman straightened. “No harm would come to Eliana here, ever!”

“Your king planned to kill Eliana, turning my child into an incubator he could use to regain his power,” I responded scornfully. “What protection could you possibly offer?”

Eliana gasped, covering her stomach, clearly shocked by my revelation. Even hearing that the Demon Lord Aberis was the king had barely phased her, but this left her scared.

“He… he did what?” That angry cry came from Draven, who had managed to find some clothing and got back on his feet.

As soon as he moved too much though, he grimaced and grabbed his side where he was still injured.

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“Did you ever think the demon lord cared about Osterians? Did you think that because he possessed one, he would have any more love for you or your people? He was using you all. Heh, he still is.”

Draven lowered his head, but there was a fury in his eyes, and it wasn’t directed at me. The councilman was also shaking his head.

“We will… we will strip him of his power.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll be taking my leave.”

The man blinked. “Wh-what are you doing? Where are you going?”

“I’m going to the border. I have a demon lord to kill.”

“K-kill him? You’ll kill the king?”

“You still want him alive after what I’ve said?” I raised an eyebrow.

“How can that be true?” It was the arch priestess who spoke up. “We oppose the demon lord vehemently! If the king even contains a fraction of his malice, then we will oppose him!”

Her words as the leader of the church held nearly as much power. It sealed the deal for everyone present. The king must be stopped.

“W-we… can help.” The councilman said after coming to a decision. “We’ll send messages to the border immediately. We’ll stop this disaster!”

“I already said… you do what you want. I’ve already decided what I’m doing.” I raised my hand and began to open a portal.

I didn’t know the exact location, but I had a good idea.

“D-Deek! He’s surrounded by an army! What do you think you can do?”

I grinned. “Alysia? Are you ready for some payback?”

Alysia smiled. “I will travel with Master anywhere.”

She turned into light and disappeared within my hand. It was still a strange enough scene that many people had to look twice.

“Watch after Eliana. The future of your country relies on it. It’d also be in the best interest of your country to find the other girls of mine you took.” I ordered.

“Y-you dare!” The loli girl snapped.

I walked up to her, towering over her small form. Her eyes widened and she fell back on her butt, shaking.

“I do, now, do you dare defy me?”

I didn’t wait for an answer. I turned and then jumped through the forming blue portal. It disappeared shortly after I entered, leaving an after shadow as the blue light dissipated.

“Th-that guy… is too overbearing…” The councilmen muttered.

Eliana smiled, the first genuine smile she had in months. It was a smile that glowed and caused all the people present to stare in wonder. A princess dressed for marriage, her hair done up, her eyes wet with tears, smiling happily. It was quite the sight.

“That man… is my master,” she declared.