We continued our travels the next day. Our journey was rather uneventful as we tried to avoid any settlements. A few days later we reached the lake bordering Iron Rock. Instead of taking a ship, we simply used our magic to fly across it. We arrived at the gates in the evening.
The guards reacted quickly when they noticed us.
“ALARM! DEMONS!” One of them shouted.
“What a delightful welcome.” Lilith chuckled.
I was confused at first, but it all made sense when I thought about it. Iron Rock had been attacked by demons. A demon lord even. Now Lilith, Lily and Erin were in front of their gates. No one here knew that they were friendly.
The people in front of us ran inside and a portcullis came crashing down as they tried to seal the gate. You could hear people running inside as the defenders reacted. I was impressed by their professionalism.
“What is happening? Report!” I heard a familiar voice.
“JOHN? IS THAT YOU?” I shouted and walked a bit closer to the gate.
“Lady… Lady Amaya?” He sounded uncertain. Then he peeked through the portcullis. He frowned at what he saw.
“I am not falling for your tricks, demon!”
“Uh, I am not a demon. I might travel with some but they are friendly.” I said.
He snorted. “A likely story. Even I know that succubi can shapeshift.”
“He does have a point.” Lucy added, unhelpfully.
“But we have three succubi out in the open, why would we only disguise some of us?” I pointed out.
John shook his head. “I have no idea what you are planning, but you are not getting in here. Men, prepare to fire.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Hey, why didn’t you shapeshift into humans before we arrived?” Lucy asked our companions.
“I am sorry, my lady.” Lily apologized. “I have been getting used to showing my form openly. I have failed you.”
I sighed. “No, if anything this is my fault. I should have seen this coming.”
“I am not hiding.” Lilith said. “Maybe someone should remind those mortals of their place…”
“My queen, allow me.” Erin volunteered.
“We are not going to attack them!” I insisted, while arrows started raining down on us. They were not magical and failed to pierce our skins.
A shield of fire formed on top of us and burned the next volley of arrows. Then the sky started turning red, I could feel Lilith’s aura.
“You are not going to burn down that city!” I told her, while poking her chest with my finger and staring into her eyes. “Look, their reaction is understandable. We will get this sorted out.”
Lilith’s eyes narrowed. “I expect compensation for their behaviour.”
“They have disrespected my queen. It is common to pay restitution in such cases.” Sir Francis said.
“I am very good at collecting donations from humans.” Adhira offered.
I groaned. The worst part was, none of this was surprising. I should have seen this coming and planned for it. I could have approached alone, at first, and explained the situation.
“If we start slaughtering, I want their blood!” Shani said, while twirling her scythe.
“STOP.” A new voice shouted. I looked up and saw Nicholas Earthbreaker on top of the wall. He was the only mage capable of tier nine spells inside Iron Rock. At least, the only one who lived there.
“Nicholas, you recognize me, right? We first met outside the duke’s residence. Shani was there too.” I said.
“Hi!” Shani waved.
“We indeed met as you described but a lot of people might have witnessed that. And you are in the presence of a dangerous demon. I can feel her power…”
I nodded. “So, this is Lilith, a demon lord. Then we have her servants, Erin and Sir Francis. I am travelling with my girlfriend, Lucy, who you might remember. She, eh, is a kitsune now. Then we have Shani, who has become my court elemental. Adhira and Lily are my maid knights. And… uh, right, I am actually an archfey. A lot has happened since I was here…”
Nicholas simply stared. It took a while until he responded. “The duke did mention something about you being an archfey, when he returned from the Empire. But claiming to be travelling with a demon lord…”
“Are you doubting me?” Lilith said, raising an eyebrow. “Would you like a demonstration?”
“NO! Stop trying to kill them.” I said. “Actually, John? Are you still there? Do you remember when we first met? I saved your convoy and captured the attackers. I transformed one of them, he did not react so well to it. Hey, I think you still have my shackles.”
“That… that did happen.” John admitted.
I used my magic and flew on top of the wall. One nervous soldier fired an arrow, which I ignored. Then I recounted more stories of my first time in Iron Rock. Eventually they started believing me.
“So, you are indeed Amaya Delphinium. You are our ally and always welcome here but the demon lord complicates things…” Nicholas said.
“I will keep an eye on her.” I reassured them. “Lucy and myself dealt with the last one, did we not?”
“I am willing to escort your group to the duke. Ultimately it will be his decision.” Nicholas offered.
“We are good!” I shouted to my friends, who were still in front of the wall.
Instead of flying up to me, Lucy just walked to the portcullis and began lifting it, with her hands. The guards stared in disbelief as our group entered.