Audrey was telling Konstantin that she was ready to share rooms with him, but he respectfully declined. Melian was confused as to why she would even suggest that and even more so as to why Audrey looked disappointed.
They then met up with Fallace, who told them that he bought bread, beer, and fresh meat. Audrey asked why he bought beer and learned that clean water was more expensive than beer in smaller towns away from the coast and rivers.
> "I think we're pretty much done for today. We have prepared for the journey ahead of us, and now I want to show you guys the route we will take. Follow me!" Audrey said, and the rest followed.
They arrived at Audrey's room as the sun started to set, and she sat down before the table. She started by showing everyone the map.
> "Our destination is the mountain village of Stendvor. It is located to the south of Fandohlin. I think that we should travel through the high road and take a quick stop in Leionholm and then continue southeast into the Starir peaks where Stendvor is located. Any objections?"
The others agreed and went to their rooms after a quick goodbye. Before leaving, they came to the decision to meet up outside of the inn at 06.00.
Fallace went to sleep, excited for the adventure before him. Audrey was disappointed she didn't get Konstantin's attention. She also wasn't able to stop thinking about her first day outside of town in her sleep. Konstantin went to sleep after doing a sign of the cross. He was taking a liking to the group, and it reminded him of his family at home.
Melian, however, did not sleep as elves don't need to. Instead, they rest half of the brain in a trance like state and then the other half. For no more than 4 hours total. Melian had never had a huge liking of team efforts, and this was no different. She disliked the incompetent and group dynamics as it annoyed her.
After 5 hours, it was pitch dark, and as Melian read a book, she heard knocking on the door. Melian grew anxious and thought that she would ignore it and deal with it tomorrow, but the lock opened.
Melian grabbed her staff and jumped, facing the woman in front of her. It was Demouna. However, she had a serious look that contrasted heavily with her happy demeanor from earlier.
Melian knew that something was wrong, was she here to kill her or maybe silence her. Did she think that Melian had figured out some kind of secret of hers.
> "Elf girl, your name is Melian, right? I apologize for the intrusion, but I need to get a problem settled." Demouna's face was barely visible in the dark as she spoke.
> "I can see right through you, Melian. You have realized my true identity, haven't you?"
> "Demouna, you are an undead! You monster, what are you doing here? Feasting on the locals! Melian exclaimed."
> "Melian please, I do not have malicious intentions, but I will eliminate you if you reveal the truth about me." Demouna spoke with serious voice ringing in Melians head.
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Melian directed her staff against Demouna.
> "Don't underestimate me, witch! Encantation Explosion!" Melian silently exclaimed with a desperate power.
Her staff was filled with immense hellish magic. A white glowing orb was formed at the tip of the staff and slowly flew at Demouna.
> "Melian, I thought you were just a clever girl, but it seems that you were a part of his explosion core." Demouna said and unleashed her magic aura.
The pressure overwhelmed Melian, like feeling the weight of the entire ocean weighing on her. Demouna waved away the orb with simple hand movement as she used a counter spell.
> "Melian, you must have had it tough, being one of his puppets. The Soul Sorcerer is a horrible being, but believe me, I left that path. I am no longer a Demon general like him."
> "You are a..."
> "I was once one of the 5 demon generals. However, long ago, I decided to leave that position behind me. I am an immortal lich, but I don't feed on humans."
> "Prove it, you're bluffing, you can't be one, it's impossible." Melian was overwhelmed but couldn't believe she was in the full presence of a Demon general.
The Soul Sorcerer never showed himself, and what Melian was feeling was unlike anything she had ever sensed before. Demouna approached Melian and bowed so her hair got out the way. That revealed the insignia of the Demon King on her neck. Three horns on the skull of the Demon king representing the rank of Demon general.
> "Melian, you have an insignia like that, don't you? Let's promise each other to keep our identities a secret." Demouna said as she reached out, moving aside Melian's hair, seeing the hornless insignia.
Melian collapsed to the side of her bed, breathing heavily. Demouna once again apologized and started leaving as she was interrupted.
> "Demouna, is the Soul Sorcerer more powerful than you?" Melian asked desperate for a truth she was sure was undesirable.
Demouna answered without hesitasion.
> "Yes, Essoru far surpasses all of the Demon King's army and is only less dangerous than the Demon King himself... Melian, those cursed chains on your soul... you must have lost the ownership over it to his charms."
> "One horrible day, I was coerced into dabbling with the dark arts and got tricked to swear away the ownership of my soul. It was a sinister being with an unbelievably horrifying aura, I am sure you're aware of. I was able to escape his clutches but at the cost of other miserable people who had traded away their souls for power. Once I had escaped, I remembered a plan the Soul Sorcerer mentioned. I never got to know more than that. When that plan is completed, I will die as my soul will be dragged out of my body and cross any distance to come into the possession of the Soul Sorcerer. Please Demouna, tell me there is something I can do..."
> "I, too, was aware of his plans related to collecting souls. However, he never spoke about them to anyone except the Demon King. Even we the other Demon generals never got to hear a thing. Sadly, the only way I know of dealing with the curses of the Soul Sorcerer is ensuring his demise. However, how impossible it may be, I see something truly special in your party. I wasn't lying about that. Maybe you will succeed in doing what I failed to even attempt. Your friend Konstantin, his soul is also very, very interesting. I am sorry, Melian, even as a powerful wizard, I and the other monsters in this town risk losing everything if I tell too much."
> "Demouna, I promise that I will keep this a secret, I swear!" Did Melian agree due to fear, or was she somehow convinced of her innocence.
Not even she knew herself, as she begged on the ground. Right now, she acted out of hope and feeling rather than her usual calculated actions.
> "Don't be afraid, Melian, I needed to be serious so that you don't make a terrible decision. Bye for now, I'll give you a discount next time for the trouble." Demouna said as she walked out and closed the door shut slowly."
Was this really okay? Melian thought as her mind filled with the burden of holding such a secret. But Demouna seemed serious about treasuring this town. Why would a monster like her care so much about a random little town. Also, there are more monsters here. Why?
Melian spent the whole night thinking thoughts akin to those. When morning finally came, she looked sleep-deprived for the first time in her life. Melian was the last to exit the inn with her equipment.
The others stood and waited for her happily. Audrey looked at Konstantin with heartfilled eyes while the guys were having a chat. They then got on the wagon, and the 2 donkeys pulled them out of Fandohlin.
Melian saw everyone getting closer, which reminded her of Nawi. The clingy girl that helped her escape the clutches of the Soul Sorcerer. She didn't want to lose a friend like her again.
But subconsciously, Melians very soul decided to protect the happiness of this group no matter what. All of us are going to achieve justice for what the monsters did to us.
2 days had passed, and it was decided that Melian was the perfect fit for the coachman. Due to her ability to scout day and night without sleep. Though, the group was still having trouble communicating with each other regarding deeper topics. What was discussed was mostly nothing more than shallow comments about the weather, for example.
That's about it for their adventure so far on the high road. A road spaning the entire super continent.
> "Everyone, you need to see this!" Melian screamed out disturbed.
What she just witnessed were fresh remains of 3 human bodies. Two of them had crushed and decapitated skulls with the brain matter spilling out. The other one had a crushed chest with a few broken ribs being visible through the carnage.