Qing equipped his armour and glaive before Blinking the last time to appear above King Oscar’s ship, slamming to down in a superhero landing, Magic Shield active, just in case. But no-one attacked.

Instead, two rows of prim sailors stood at attention, and the king walked between them to greet him. The witch followed close behind with the captain, a white bandage wrapped around his hand.

“Welcome back,” the king said, glancing at the dark clouds disappearing. “It is time we talk.”

“Let us start with you writing orders for your other ships to stand down and hang back while I bring my people here for a meeting.”

“Let pirates board while we transport the king? That’s insanity and I will not stand for it,” the captain said. “Sire, I won’t be able to guarantee your safety.”

Qing smiled at the king.

As if I need help to take them all down.

The king nodded to himself, as if he understood Qing’s thoughts perfectly well.

“Silence,” the king said to the captain, before asking Qing, “Who is to deliver these orders?”

“I’ll make sure they get to the right people,” Qing said with nod of his head.

And see what danger the other ships can pose.

An hour later, Qing helped Ghida across the railing and onto The Fiery Crane, King Oscar’s flagship. She looked rather white in the face from the trip over, despite the now calm sea.

Qing had Blinked between the five ships, presenting the king’s orders, and scouted out their potential enemy. Two of the ships had catapults and two were armed with ballistas. Each had carried a full complement of sailors, and a mage. One had attacked when Qing suddenly appeared, but a Chain Lightning to the face calmed things down right quick. At least after he had threatened the captain with a stroll down below the waterline for a demonstration of Arcane Explosion. The four ships had lowered sails, positioning themselves well out of range, even for the damaged Sea Serpent. Then, Qing’s friends had rowed over, Captain Thundershield standing at the row-boat’s prow, hands on hips.

“Ghida, may I present to you King Oscar of Thulenore,” Qing said.

She gave a curtsy worthy of a princess. “I am delighted.” She wore her fighter’s set taken from Frostfang, chain mail protecting her in case of kingly suicide by battlemage.

“A pleasure to meet you,” King Oscar said, taking her hand and bending over it. “Too bad it is under such circumstances.”

“The end of the world is never a pleasant subject, is it?”

For a second, he looked up at her in surprise. “End of the world? It’s only war,” he said.

“I am afraid we bring bad news,” Ghida said.

“Then come,” he said, “let us meet in my cabin and—” the king froze, his mouth dropping as if he’d seen a ghost.

Cedric hopped down from the railing, white staff clacking against the planks.

“You,” the king said. “How? This is impossible.”

“Hello, young boy,” Cedric said. “Long time no see.”

“I thought you dead.”

“It takes more than a corrupt Bonecaller, an army of demons, and a champion of the Devil to strike me down.”

“But, you haven’t aged a day!”

“Magic, old friend. Magic.”

The king turned to Qing and bowed his head. “You should have told me you were Cedric’s apprentice.”

“I’m not,” Qing said.

“You’re not?” both Cedric and King Oscar asked.

“Name one thing you’ve taught me, Cedric,” Qing said as Rowan clamped onto the ship.

“Not to insult your elders.”

“Seems you failed, then, didn’t you?” Qing said with a grin as Captain Thundershield joined them on deck, swiping his hat and bowing deeply.

“Gentlemen, sailors, kings, and witches, I bid you all fair seas.”

“Quiet,” Cedric said, waving a hand at the man without looking. “Oscar, you mentioned a private cabin?”

They were led to a stately cabin at the rear of the ship, far more luxurious than where they had attempted to interrogate Qing.

Sitting around a massive table, bolted to the floor, Qing nursed a cup of hot tea. It reminded him of the council meetings in Shadowgrove village. At first, the thought comforted him, bringing with it a joyous nostalgia. Back then, he’d sat with a mayor, a village elder, an innkeeper, a blacksmith, and a merchant. Now he had a princess on his left, the last living member of the Kine Ashguard on his right, and a king opposite. Well, Cedric had been in Shadowgrove too, but now he wasn’t hiding. At least Rowan was the same. Qing looked over his shoulder, meeting the man’s gaze and smiled. Rowan stood by the door, shield at the ready, hand on his mace. He nodded back.

“Tell me, Cedric. Why are you traveling with Princess Ghida?” King Oscar asked. “And why on the ship of a known pirate?”

“Why don’t you start by explaining why you chase us?” Qing said. “Why you blockaded the port and attacked our ships?”

The king’s bushy eyebrows drew together. “What were you expecting after sending my ambassador home in multiple bags?” the King said. “In my entire life, I have never witnessed a worse breach of diplomatic immunity.”

“Oh, come now,” Cedric interjected. “Your negotiations with the Kersuka tribe spring to mind. The way you brutalized their families while their warriors were out hunting?”

“That was different,” the king said.

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“Different how? Because you tricked them into going? Because they were barbarians?”

“They were barbarians. What rights would they have?”

Cedric placed a hand on Qing’s arm as he continued. “You are, of course, wrong,” the wizard said. “But you make my point. I would have you remember that might make right, and while you may think you have the upper hand against Zylphadia, I must tell you, you do not. More than that, Zylphadia is not your enemy.”

King Oscar crossed his arms. “You have been gone far too long, Cedric, and know not of what you speak. Their behaviour over the last decade… They have broken every agreement, failed to live up to their word, and with each year the situation has worsened. If you only—”

If I wanted to listen to old men prattling on about politics I could have stayed home, or read certain LitRPG series.

“Listen,” Qing said, interrupting. “We don’t have time for this. Cleo, a young girl, has been kidnapped and is being forced through Hell as we speak. Literally. So I’m going to make this easy for you. Wazir, the grand vizier of Zylphadia was a disloyal servant. He poisoned King Sharyar and usurped his power for years, corrupting the court. He is the one—”

“You expect me to believe someone controlled the Templar King against his wishes? Nothing could stand between the King Sharyar I knew and what he wants.”

“He speaks the truth,” Cedric said. “Not money, but dark and seductive magic, combined with a demonic corruption.”

“You want me to believe that the Devil made him kill my diplomats, burn the bridge between our countries, steal my money, and destroy my good name?”

“Be reasonable, noble king,” Ghida said. “The Devil distracted him, as you know he is wont to do. Wazir stole the power. Human greed and ambition. I was too young to stop him, not for lack of trying. Fortunately, Qing and Cedric arrived in time, stopping Wazir from becoming all-powerful.”

“All-powerful how?” the witch asked skeptically.

“His ancestors had locked away power, passed down through generations in their pyramid,” Qing said, running a hand across his face. “He unlocked it and gained magic from three classes.”

“He nearly became the most powerful magic user in the world,” Cedric said.

“That’s impossible, sire,” the witch said. “They are lying. No one has multiple classes.”

“Want to bet?” Qing said.

“How old are you?” the witch asked, looking down her nose.

“My finest magic item against yours that I can prove the possibility of having more than one class.”

“I thought we were here to make allies,” Captain Thundershield said with a grin. “This is way better. Let us scam them out of their treasure! I like how you think, Qing.”

“We are. But when people try to kill you, friendship tends to be an uphill climb,” Qing said, raising an eyebrow at the witch. “But the pirate has a point. Forget the bet.”

“Good. Stop lying and we may talk as adults,” the witch said.

Oh, you just had to…

Qing activated Shadow Sight and cast Raise Skeleton. In a clatter of bones, a skeletal warrior appeared straight behind the witch. As it placed a fleshless hand on her shoulder, she screamed, her voice going high, and she stumbled away. Qing cast Magic Missiles, bolts flashing out and blasting the skeleton to pieces.

“And in case you’re having a bad day, my new friend…” Qing said, pulling down energy from above and casting Divine Light on the king.

“What is this magic?” the king said, throwing himself out of the unmoving chair, scrambling away to put his back against the wall, his golden crown slanted.

“Just a little heal on the house,” Qing said. “And for those who are counting, that’s arcane, bonecaller, and templar magic. I’d demonstrate Chain Lightning to strengthen the point, but I wouldn’t want to be rude. Again.”

The witch stood shaking, arms clutched to her chest as she muttered under her breath.

“Oh, relax,” Cedric said, waving at them. “He is from another world, here to help us stop ours from ending.”

“So you speak true?” the witch asked, shaking. “The end of the world is approaching?”

Qing shared a glance with Ghida before sighing. “Please sit. Let me tell you the story from the beginning. You might find this interesting, Oscar, as it involves part of your army. One that went missing in Rosewood Forest.”

What felt like a million questions later, Qing soothed his throat with the now lukewarm tea.

The king paced around the table, shaking his head. “The devil is coming. It’s really happening.”

“You believe them then?” Captain Thundershield asked.

The king and the witch looked at one another. They both nodded.

“Yes, you have me convinced,” the king said. “Our oldest books talk of the destruction of Elrydisan and how Thulenore became the last bastion for humanity. According to some scholars, our citadel was built upon the very ground where the demons were finally defeated. I always thought it myth, until today.”

“You are wrong and right,” Cedric said. “Thulenore became the bastion during the last apocalypse, but not because of your strength. It was the weakest realm and most sparsely populated. The least tasty morsel in a meal, left over when the demon had had their fill. And your ancestors did not beat them back. The demons left of their own volition, leaving you as the seed. The spot from which humanity would once again spread so they could return and reap their crop. This is why the Kine Ashguard was made. Why we sacrificed so much to lock the devil away.”

Qing smiled, devoid of humour. “The good thing is, now you know. And you can help us. We are going to Hell to get Cleo back and stop the demons from freeing the devil. You take your ships, sail to The Gilded Hold and work with Sharyar. Train your army. Prepare to support us. And if the worst happens, defend the portal from the demon army waiting on the other side.”

“I cannot do that,” the king said.

“Cannot or will not?” Ghida asked.

“Cannot. I have to return to my kingdom. This threat is too large for my son to rule in my stead. Without my guiding hand, the demons will rip through our lands unopposed.”

“Do not be a fool,” Cedric said. “Only united will humanity stand a chance. What good will it do you to live an extra week while the world burns when you could have saved it instead?”

The king paused and licked his lips. “You said this corruption started in Shadowgrove village. Surely it must be cleansed, and—”

Qing rose, hammering a fist on the table, splitting it in two. “No more politics. I have had enough of kings and nobles clutching at power and wealth while the world burns around them. In Rosewood Forest, your army failed. Blightbrook and Ironcliff both fell to the enemy. Only Shadowgrove refused to bend, the horde breaking against its walls. The brave men and women of that village gave their lives and those of their loved ones to save your kingdom. To save your entire damn world. If they had lost, the Devil would dine on your family’s kidneys and piss on your castles. If I hear you’ve harmed even a single Shadowgrovian…there is not enough mages in the entire world to save you from my wrath.”

Qing glared at the king, only the wood creaking. “Say you understand.”

A brief look of rage flashed across the king’s face, but he school himself. “I understand.”

“Good. Now tell me you will help us save your world. Prove to me we can count on you.”

“And if I do not?”

“Young asses have sat on thrones before. Cedric seems to have guided enough of them. I’m sure he can do it again.”

“I do not appreciate threats.”

Qing held the kings gaze for a moment longer before he dropped into his chair and leaned his head back, groaning. “Why is it so hard to get people to do the right thing?”

Cedric chuckled. “Now you see what I have experienced for hundreds of years. This is why evil always finds a place to grow. People are self-serving. Kings and nobility are no exceptions.”

Before Qing could speak again, Ghida put a hand on his arm and leaned forward. “King Oscar, I beg of you. Show us your wisdom. Sail back to The Gilded Hold and talk with my father. I will give you a letter explaining what has happened, the attack of the demonic kraken, and our meeting. I will inform him of your understanding and how you will support our fight against the Devil.” She held her hand up, forestalling any comments. “And included in the note will be my recommendation of restitution to be paid for the damage Wazir caused. In gold. And from me, you have a royal apology.” She bowed her head deeply, nearly touching the table.

The king had stopped pacing. Now he straightened, gathering his hands by his belly, and smiled, inclining his head at Ghida. “A fine idea, my princess. If there is more ink for the quill, you might include a note to renegotiate our past trade deal. We had a plentiful harvest, one that might do Zylphadia good, in exchange for the right currency, of course.”

“You want to profit from—” Qing started, but Ghida’s nails dug into the back of his hand.

“I appreciate the king’s diplomatic words,” she said pointedly. “Thank you for laying out the situation, Qing. Now, please be a dear and leave me here to deal with the details. I am confident King Oscar and I will come to the right agreement.”

“Fine,” Qing said, standing and heading towards the door.

Rowan opened it as he approached.

“But if he pushes too far, let me know. Killing a king is still on my bucket list..”

As he stalked into the unfamiliar sunshine, Rowan followed, snickering beneath his breath.