A few hundred miles away, the problem is already stirring.

"But are you sure, your Highness?" The First Bride asks, looking feeble as she wrings her hands. Her plain gray robes are way too simple for her rank.

"Hmpf!" The young Princess raises her nose, dark purple hair rolling up in springy curls. "My senses never failed before. But I'll keep it a secret next time so you won't bother me."

She points at the other three, the frilly dress accentuating her moves. Being the youngest of the Brides, she's pretty, but it would be hard to call her cute. Not with the expression she makes.

"Princess, please calm down!" The Court Wizard tries to defuse the situation. "If you felt the Goddess, we'll send out a battalion to deal with her. The First Bride wants to make sure..."

"I don't care about that Goddess. And why would I help the First Bride? Even if I don't have my banners, I'm part of the Harem too." She argues, attempting to push the others out of her suite.

"Lady Elder, allow me to lead your forces!" The paladin in full plate bows in the corridor. Her short blue hair, pleasant face, and petite frame often make people forget her strength. "If the Goddess returned, I will fight her."

"Hah! It's not like you can kill the Thirteenth Bride. With or without her forces, she's way above you." The Princess laughs before slamming the door. Knowing it's pointless to argue, the other three leave for the council's chamber.

"She spoke the truth, Lambert." The First Bride nods after a while. Her long, gray hair comes undone and her hands look fragile, almost skeletal. But her eyes keep gleaming.

"Even with Cath's courage, swords can't harm a Deity. We need your magic to banish her, this is your purpose in life."

"I thought it was to heal the Church's soldiers. I should be going now." The blue aura on the chamber's entrance prevents the Court Wizard from leaving.

"We have healers, both wizards and priests." The feeble woman claims. "But only you know how to banish the enemies of mankind, it is your destiny."

"I didn't finish my training, that's the only offensive spell I learned." His protest falls on deaf ears.

"We each have our roles, Lambert." Cath, the Paladin looks over as she unsheaths her sword. Her giant falchion is almost the same size as her, slicing the air like a child's toy. "I'll take an oath to protect you, so focus on the banishment once we ride out with the Banners."

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"You can't take them." The Elder shakes her frail head. "The First Battalion has their hands full with keeping the roads open."

"Then why don't we leave her alone?" The two women stare daggers at the Cour Wizard.

"If the Princess felt her presence, we must act on it now, even if the others saw nothing."

"We can't even find her!" He yells in desperation. "Nobody else felt her presence."

"You got a point." The paladin nods, pondering. Turning towards the Elder she suggests with a straight face. "It means we have to take the Princess with us too."

"What?!" Hearing her outrageous suggestion, the Court Wizard screams.

"These are desperate times." The First Bride nods, always the tactician.

"We must protect the Princess, the future leader of all mankind. But, if we don't act now, no humans will remain to rule over."

***

"My Liege, the Seal broke!" An abrupt bang on the gates marks the entrance of the Thirteenth Champion.

Even if he's a mere goblin, every eye in the throne room turns towards him. Including His, the Demon Lord's.

"Moreover, I got intel that the Princess is about to leave Nordhaben."

He falls on his knees to report. He averts his gaze from the majestic creature as he bows as customary.

"We could catch up with her at the Cyreneian pass in two days."

"She's en route to the Old Capital. The fool." The deep laughter of the Demon Lord fills the throne room.

"Are you sure the Seal broke? Was it because she left? This means a great opportunity for Us."

"Yes, my Lord, but this is all we know so far..." The messenger bows his head again.

"It's more than enough." Without missing a beat he announces, then gives the order.

"Dioneras! Ride with the Champions, and intercept them before they can reseal the Gates of Hell!"

"Yes, my Lord!" The creatures filling the huge throne room got noisy.

"Once the royal blood of Cranta is back in Our hands, the whole continent will be at Our mercy."

The Demon Lord groans, his words met with cheers.

"If the Brides return to Us, We can become a True God too."

The monologuing twelve-foot-tall calamity overshadows even the largest creatures. Not even the torchlight can reach his face, shrouded in darkness.

Only his eyes glow crimson, his feet driven into the ground. His brute strength shakes the whole throne room.

"We will be the Lesser Races no more!"

The halls erupt into a crazed cheer and the rest of the Twelve Champions emerge. They drop on their knees, brandishing a murderous arsenal of weapons and armor.

Orcs, beastman, hobgoblins, ogres, and some undead abominations in their ranks. Even though their captain is a mere goblin, they're considered the elite.

"Fang rides on the right flank, Bastion will be at the front with me." He yells his orders on their way out.

"Come on, let me lead the vanguard instead." An orc witch bargains.

"A strategist should not lead from the first row anyway. I want to test my strength at last."

"We won't go into battle." The Thirteenth Champion, Dioneras shakes his head.

"I need you to lead the rearguard, Omerta. If anything happens, you take charge and make the calls. I'll count on you!"

"As you wish." Her smile doesn't seem genuine.

"The Princess is the youngest in the Harem. She doesn't have a banner yet." The goblin ponders, reaching the beast's stable. "What can she do against these?"

The wyverns waiting for them are enormous, majestic creatures. The best of what the dungeon could offer, after the Demon Lord got sealed here.