“Is everyone at their seats? Apologies for the sudden meeting but I hope you will soon understand the nature of our situation.” Heroes of each tower nation came to answer an unprecedented call. Despite being regarded as ‘heroes’ that united to defeat the demon lord and her spawn, none of them seem to be on good terms with each other. The farthest edges of the world span 9 towers belonging to each hero. One would think that the 9th tower was finally under the 7th nation’s control, but that is not what happened. The demons were already at the brink of defeat and utter elimination from the face of this world but for some reason, they still prevailed at the supposed ‘final battle of the 9th tower’. That today is what this meeting is all about. I could not imagine it happening, one of the heroes, dead. What was more concerning for me was how the last demons fought that battle. Its… utterly disturbing to ruminate about the reports we received, the entire Toratoga Fleet of Hero Astin Petrel completely wiped out.
“Hmph! what else is there to discuss if the demons are gone? I thought we all had an agreement to disband The Alliance of the Eight after the defeat of the demon lord?” The petite slime girl, Shia Vendyura Sareta from the Sareta Slime Federation of the 8th tower, laid back on the chair and put her feet above the crystalline table. The slimes and the wolves of the continental island of Taito formed the Taito-Sareta Empire. Both parties were once at war until they no longer had the advantage against each other. War of long attribution really has its limits.
“Come now, the red letter was not something so commonly sent to us. I am sure we can still hold an agreement in this alliance despite our ongoing conflicts between our towers, can we not? Surely this would not rush to use the red letter if the concern was merely about our ‘local’ problems?” Reontherond, a beastman lion hero from the Firo-Ud Beast Circle, came to my rescue from starting a condescending explanation to Shia. The beastmen from the 4th tower are currently at war with the Human Nation of Himmer Anderwelt of the 1st tower as well as our own in the Elfen-Rudan Council from the Elven Reach. The hero from the first tower has yet to arrive in Litoria City. Litoria, a capital city located within the continental borders of the Elven Reach holds the 2nd tower of the world Infernia. It was agreed under the Theocracy of Himmer Anderwelt as well as from the other heroes that Litoria would hold the headquarters of The Alliance of the Eight. The Elven Reach is situated far on the eastern side of the world, east of the Aiyan Sea and its millennial typhoon. A little more to the east and you shall reach the Cardavenia Islands, the only obstacle would be the Great Eastern Sea.
For the beastmen nation of Firo-Ud, they located directly southeast of our nation, separated by water. Further in that direction would be another sea that separates them from the nation of Himmer Anderwelt. Our towers' continents may be separated by the sea but make no mistake, the humans have been sticking their noses everywhere that is beneficial for them but not for any nation. Those pesky ‘adventurers’ of Aseota city in the Anderwelt Nation are simply pawns and legionnaires of the Theocracy of Himmer Anderwelt. They have always said that they were there for ‘peacekeeping’ efforts and what they call ‘humanitarian aid’ are blatant lies. They ravage everything in search for beastmen skin and meat, which are very delectable even for us the elves. Of course, I will not deny the fact that the beastmen and their animal kin are clearly food for us to survive but not to the extent that we would destroy their homes for it.
My deep thought for it was interrupted by the 5th tower hero’s response to Reontherond. “That’s right. This better be something important else I am not gonna feed any one of your subjects in Elfen-Rudan Council, High Member Mr. Theo Malis Litoris.”
“I can assure you that this matter is crucial for all of our survival. Lilia Redwing.” I responded in kind. Lilia Redwing of the Liputia Sentinels from the 5th tower is far Northeast of Litoria in the Elven Reach. Still, they are the ones responsible for the imports of grain and most of the food across the vast edges of Infernia. They hold almost a monopoly of the exquisite materials that came from Liputia, a nation of fairies with a vast and rich forest on par with those with the forest from the Elven Reach and Firo-Ud.
“I believe whatever that this matter may be that required the attention of the Heroes could be solved with a handful of Adventurers from Aseota Anderwelt you know? They are all well trained and managed by yours truly.” Tch! There goes her lies again as she entered the meeting room. Hero Patrysia Rit Square from Himmer Anderwelt of the 1st tower has finally arrived. As the elves and beastmen know, the Adventurers are living lies.
“A handful of adventurers will not be able to defeat the new demon lord! Whether they are well trained as you say, I do not hold your word for it!” The tone of my voice raised a bit and the 1st hero did not even flinch. Heroes Shia and Lilia were baffled except for Reontherond, who already knows what I mean despite being enemies ourselves. A slightly hidden grin appears on Patrysia’s face with her obnoxious purple pointy hat blocking the view of it. Uhhhg, how did heroes like these even managed to defeat the first demon lord?
Darhir Stonetell of the Dwarven Mountain Kingdom has finally arrived as well as the most powerful hero and the oldest of the Eight, Turea Icaru Aliatera of the Norden Sky Federation. 3665 years old and despite appearances, she is of elegant beauty with the wings and tail of a dragon protruding out of her body. The dragonoid were at war with the Moutain Kingdom once but it seems they have finally found peace, or what I used to think they did. The dragons have successfully driven out the dwarves from their homelands North of the Aiyan Typhoon. The dwarves from the south of the typhoon were relentless in taking the minerals of mithril and adamantite from the Northern mountains of the Federation. One would wonder how the dwarves managed to reach such a far nation as the Norden Sky. Mass Teleportation Gates were opened by the dwarves from the Norden mountains and the Dwarven Mountains. Only the heroes of Himmer Anderwelt can only create these teleport gates through their Special Skill.
I do not know why neither of the dwarves nor the dragons are against it but if I were to deduce, it must have been a relic. A relic the dwarves have activated much like the massive one in Parora City of Himmer Anderwelt. Whatever the great gate must have led to 3000 years ago, it must have been a calamity to all the people of Infernia. I for one do not know the history of how my ancestors fought against the first of the demon race. Whatever may have happened, I still feel indifferent to the truth. All of the histories of the great battle were covered by soil and crystal. Records of it only appear underground in dungeons and labyrinths that have appeared and disappeared randomly throughout Infernia. The adventurers and the Great Library of Litoria contain some of these records where attempts to decipher the ancient texts were all in vain.
“Everyone is finally here. Good. Aru von Carda has requested an urgent meeting regarding Hero Astin Petrels finishing battles and hunts in search of the last remaining armies of the Aineura Demon Empire. On the side of good news, the last demon lord, Queen Arika Tenevris Aineura is officially dead. Killed by Aqua Regina Skill of Hero Astin Petrel’s sword, Shiva. On the bad news, Hero Admiral Astin Petrel and his aide Drake Morgan have perished in the process.”
“Hmph!, so much for being known as the weakest of all the heroes. This is no surprise!” Slime Lord Shia adds. None of the heroes looked surprised on their faces. Reontherond is a warrior beastman and so looks upon Astin as a warrior that died in battle against evil and so he tilts his head down in respect and sorrow. Lilia Redwing and Shia seemed to agree that it was a pathetic loss and glanced at each other’s grins. Patrysia, Darhir, and Turea appeared unphased by the fact that a hero died. I find myself guilty as charged for not caring a single respect for Astin Petrel as he would raid the ships of Elfen-Rudan Council in search of treasure and elf slaves. I dare say he had it deserved, but as a hero, this is a monumental loss.
The first demon lord appeared a century ago and with their presence in this world, chaos, and uncertainty among the towers brew over time. It was only the Norden Sky that had a hero to defend the world. With the tensions and fears of the people of each other towers, they too made their own heroes using the same spell that the dragons had. The special skill called “#%@ Divine Intervention !$” was shared with the chosen heroes of each tower by Turea herself. It gave each hero a set of skills that were chosen by the unnamed god himself.
“That’s it? Is this what this meeting is all about? To mourn the dead? I need to g-” Lilia Redwing adds to the silent atmosphere of this meeting room.
“... The entire Toratoga Fleet of 200+ ships including their advance monitors have been destroyed. A new demon lord has risen from the center of the Aiyan Storm”
“...! What did you say?!” All of the heroes in the room except for the human Patrysia and the dragon Turea were astounded to hear that. All looked completely in shock as to how that many ships were destroyed in a single battle when the demon lord we know is alone and at a low level that could not have destroyed at least 3 ships, let alone the entire fleet!
“The Von Carda Sisters have also announced their absence at this time as they are still recovering their forces from the recent battle against the Aineuran Fortress. They only gave us information about what has happened in that dreadful battle in this battle report letter.” Lilia and Shia raced to take the letter I placed on the long table.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“We all know that Demon Lord Arika could not have done such a destruction this great. I could not even begin to imagine how Astin Petrel lost to such a low-level demon lord. The last of our reports from Petrel indicated that. The Aineuran Demons are on the run and residing in a small village on the Charon Archipelago. Apparently, there are more of them hiding inside the Eye of the Aiyan Typhoon itself.”
“...How did such a tragedy happen?!” Darhir inquires.
“How did the demons even reach the center of the storm?! As far as I know, only a monitor from the Toratoga Fleet could barely cross the storms and the fog of the Siren’s Mist. Even Astin himself returned on a small boat.” Shia added.
“As far as our information reaches, it is unclear as to how they have managed to construct their fortresses inside the storm. However…”
“...However, the destruction of the entire East Toratoga Navy must have been the aftermath of the awakening of a new demon lord. Maybe the number of humans in that one area of the storm must have fed whatever spell the demons made to rebirth Demon Lord Arika into her new form. ”
Patrysia interrupted me in the middle of the sentence with a valid point that I was just about to say. I am tired of being interrupted and let out a groan of agitation for a moment but I controlled my emotions at the last second. Respect is always the victim of power in this room.
“...”
Despite Patrysia interacting with the meeting, the dragon Turea kept her mouth shut. A loud skidding of the chair is heard as she stood up and takes her leave. Not one notice of leave or any word that she was about to skip the meeting. All heroes stared at the ice dragonoid as she left. She may have no use for any information about the new demon lord. With the Norden dragons being powerful in magic and brute strength alone, they are somehow religious and in believe of the unnamed god from the Theocracy of Himmer Anderwelt, the same as of the Humans.
“Hell! Those damn pirates only gave us more problems after another even after most of them had been killed in their little battle. How bothersome!” Shia reacted.
“As of now, only 34 ships from the combined force of West Cardavenia and East Toratoga fleet remain afloat. As of the law of the Eight, we are to aid them to recover in both resources and weaponry before the new demon lord will come for them.”
“We must settle for a temporary truce and ceasefire between all of the 8 tower nations for now. The new demon lord’s power is something we know very little of. Soo… any bright ideas as to how can we test this new demon’s power without another death of a hero?” Silence enters the room and for the next minute leaves as Reontherond proposes a suggestion. Reontherond slams the table in rage while sharing his idea that I do not doubt would be stupid.
"All of us know that the extermination of all the demons in this world would mean peace that would last forever. All of the bad omens, wars, famine, and disease come from the existence of these harbingers of demise. We must deal with defeating the last remaining demons of this world to rid us of sin!” I further added. Lest anyone forget why chaos is always present in this world, I must remind them again.
“HNG! I’d say we deal with this matter immediately and declare war against the remaining Aineuran Demons! With the element of surprise from all heroes, the new demon lord would not stand a chance!”
“Ahem… you forget the Aiyan Typhoon. That storm would be the only wall that is standing between us and the fortress inside.” Shia responded.
“What about setting the East Toratoga Island States as a massive feint? The demon lord would definitely come for the 7th tower and raze the empires around it to the ground?” Darhir suggested.
“You are talking about sacrificing the 7th tower and another of our loyal allies from the Cardavenia Empire. We cannot risk a tower just for some test on their magical capability!” I protested.
“According to our reports from the adventurers, the Carda Sisters have already betrayed the Toratoga pirates.” Patrysia intervened.
“...What?!” most of the heroes in the room reacted in unison including myself.
“Impossible! This report letter shows exactly how they fought bravely with them retreating as survivors!” Shia turned her face once again to the letter to make sure there was no mistake of information in it.
“...Well… My adventurers residing in East Toratoga Islands asked the remaining survivors of the ships that returned. It is true that there were 34 ships that survived the battle but the crew of all of them would report that the flagship of the West Cardavenia Empire was nowhere to be found. After their teleportation spell, only their fleet except their flagship arrived to fight the fortress in the eye of the Aiyan Typhoon.” Patrysia looked slightly concerned. A change in her mood reflected on her face as she moves her hat down on her lap. Curious, but I paid no attention to it.
“...And how could we know that this is not some ploy to remove the Carda sisters from this Alliance so that your nation could take 7th tower islands for yourselves?” Reontherond finally rejoined the conversation.
“Oh please… If I was not sincere in actually helping in this alliance of yours and defeating a common enemy, I would have left this room the second Turea closed the door. Besides, this next piece of information is something far more troublesome for all of us, I for one think that my honorable adventurers could not take on something this unclear and unknown.”
“Hmm..” Reontherond crossed his arms after the point is made.
“What would that be?” I questioned. I know Patyrsia Rit Square far more than anything that when she doubts her own precious ‘adventurers’, something is definitely not right and should concern us as well.
“The surviving crews of the ships of the Toratoga Fleet mentioned something about a fortress. This is not the fortress we know on that island in the Eye of the Typhoon. The fortress on that island was misinformed to us by the Carda sisters as a typical stone castle. Eyewitnesses from the ships saw a tower that was massive and taller than that of the 9 towers we know in this world. It pierced the sky along with another fortress that was rumored to be floating above the sky.” Patrysia added.
“...That must be some kind of new spell we do not know? Or perhaps whoever said this must have been so frightened that it affected their memory?” Shia asks more in denial or confusion, either of which is present among the heroes as Patrysia continues.
“There is more, it said that both the fortress and the tower spoke loud in the air. It could even hear their admiral from afar speaking in a normal tone of voice. After which it attacked the entire Toratoga Fleet with what is believed to be pure magic. Conflicting reports and rumors prevented us from learning what happened next.”
“...” Everyone is confused and stunned as to how to deal with our first action against the new demon lord that it prevented most of us from suggesting what our plan will be.
“... What.. in.. the unknown gods ?” Lilia reacted and showed utter confusion. Shia and Patrysia showed the same. Reontherond and Darhir were adamant about it and hid their reactions but they were definitely confused as well.
“...It is clear that we do not know for certain what the demon lord is capable of or what tricks they have in their magic. I despise to agree with Darhir’s plan but we must make the 7th tower a feint. With the clear misinformation and betrayal of the Carda sisters against the Alliance, we will not send aid to any of the 7th tower nations.” Turea left most likely to inform the Theocracy of Himmer Anderwelt to send a message to the Unknown God asking for his guidance. For the moment, I believe testing to see what the remaining demons can do is the best option for knowing their capability.
“Shia Vendyura and the wolves of the Taito Kingdom have the most experience in territory and nation control as well as being the reserve warriors of this Alliance. Shia, the alliance asks you to annex West Cardavenia Empire into yours as well as the East Toratoga Island states. Declare a war of Treason against the Alliance first to them before you destroy them at least.”
“AHN! As you wish, High Member Theo.” Shia was not even ashamed to show her joy in finally acquiring ‘new’ territory after being constantly deprived of it decades ago by the Taito Kingdom wolves on their continent.
“..How unfair!” Patrysia looks at me dead in the eyes with her pleading appearance like a stray cat asking for crumbs. No, I am not going to give authority to insane women who want only power and wealth illegally obtained by their ‘peacekeeping’ adventurers.
“If anyone wishes to object other than Patrysia Rit Square, tell me now.” Silence filled the room as everyone is in silent agreement.
“Remember Shia, the 7th tower nations must create a defense to test the demon lord’s power. The other towers will be watching this battle with a Looking Glass special skill. Eliminating the traitors Aru Von Carda and Eura Von Carda is also a secondary objective.” I added further. Traitors despite being heroes must always bear the weight of their treachery through death. We cannot allow heroes that betrayed their empires to live when gaining god-given powers, or they risk being the enemy and siding with the demons.
“Leave it to me…” Shia bowed her head and left with a slight grin