I didn’t bother to head back to the courtyard after the earlier encounter. Nor would I be interested in watching an instructor who was already failing his troops.

Besides, I had already pissed off the human enough. My face would be the last thing the trainees needed in their already tough training.

If his temper got the best of him, they’d run like hell all day. Then the castle would smell like vomit. And that was a scent that I’d rather avoid frankly.

So, I stayed in my room for the rest of the time, waiting for the others to head back from the courtyard. Whenever that would be.

They wouldn’t question my absence much. After all, it was no secret that I’d gotten away with leniencies during my time here. Similarly, they were smart enough to not question it. Though, I’m sure they had their own opinions on the matter.

Serlon, Eran, and Edwin wouldn’t come back till the later afternoon. Meaning, that I would be able to bask in the alone time.

Sunlight started to pour through the windows. Sparrows chirped outside, perching on the tops of the walls. I closed my eyes, settling down on my cot.

My hand cupped around my necklace, fingers tracing the grooves of the mana stone. I’d be undisturbed for a while.

Both Serlon and Edwin were unaware of the mana stone. Originally, I had told them that I had no connections back in Hellion. But why would I be truthful? Surely, they hadn’t expected me to be.

Despite their “welcomeness” to my presence, there was still distrust on both sides. Mine more so than them. We were all playing a game right now.

Edwin was hard to read. He seemed too trusting. The key word was “seemed”. We had made a deal after all.

All the talk about Florence and politics had my mind racing about Hellion’s condition. There were things that I couldn’t place.

If Hellion was facing war on two fronts, why would my father push the troops inwards now? Could Florence have been that weak?

It made more sense to hold Florence till the angelic tribe had been dealt with. That way our full forces could charge the human territory.

Dagon would know. After all, he knew my situation the best. And Abdeel had never gotten in contact. I sat up, clutching the mana stone in my hand.

It would be best to reach him, right? That way I could gain some clarity on the situation. If staying in Trane was a bad call, I’d move.

At my core, I was a strategist and former general. I couldn’t help myself. It was better to be in the know. Smarter.

“Fuck it,” I whispered under my breath, injecting the slightest bit of demonic energy into the stone.

It glowed, remaining silent for a few minutes. I moved to the side of the bed, my legs hanging over on the floor.

Now, I didn’t expect him to pick up. Dagon had no obligation to follow my orders anymore. My royal status was revoked, and I was abandoned by my father.

Formalities like that didn’t exist in Hellion. He didn’t have to honor that previous connection. And I couldn’t rely on him to respect it. I understood that.

“Hello? Young Sire?” A whispered voice echoed from the stone, “Is that you?”

It was a relief to hear him.

“Is this not a good time, Dagon?” I questioned, “You’re whispering after all.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Something fell on the other end, cursing falling out of his mouth, “-You damned!” There was banging, before a loud exhale.

“…I apologize, Sire. Your second brother is in the other room. We’re dealing with a loose Hell Rat.”

Frantic banging on the door started, my second brother’s voice in a near scream, “Dagon, get out here! Please- It’s on me!”

There was a thud, before deafening silence.

Dagon paused, clearing his throat, “We’re good.”

“…Right.” I exhaled. I didn’t think about what just happened, as long as I didn’t have to talk to that buffoon.

“What did you need, Sire?” Dagon asked, “I know you’d only call if you wanted to learn about something.”

“I’m in a kingdom called Leton. Florence is about to fall to my first brother.” I repeated the information, earning a hum from Dagon.

“And you’re probably trying to get a gauge on Hellion’s side, correct?” He returned, “I have some time. I know you have questions, Sire.”

“You’re correct again, Dagon,” I acknowledged, relieved to see that my former was as sharp as ever.

“Well. You know your father, Arslym. He’s a demon that cares about power and image. The loss that you suffered has left a mark on him,” He continued, “The two-sided war reflects that will conquer.”

In other words, my father didn’t care about the forces. He only wanted victory. By doing so, he was stretching the troops thin. I assume that Florence’s quick fall pleased him.

My former general sighed, “Hellion is working with 2/3rds of what it used to have since your disappearance. Our territory doesn’t exist anymore. Your first brother is split between the offensive battles. We’ve been tasked with defensive duties.”

It was a bitter reminder of my failure. Still, it was necessary to remember.

The burden of my absence had been placed on my brothers. With Dagon and Abdeel being tasked under their guidance, they were stretched thin.

Hellion’s situation didn’t seem stable. From Dagon’s information, my fears were correct. My father was being careless.

“I see,” I began, “Have you spoken to my first brother?”

“Unfortunately, not, Sire. He never left his territory and left suddenly for war. We’ve only spoken through official letters. How is your position currently?”

“That hermit,” I rolled my eyes, “For the moment, my position is secure. Trane is manageable.”

“I’m glad to hear that you’re well. I cannot speak about a changing war environment. So, I can’t provide future information to aid you about Trane’s condition here.” He warned, “But, I will inform you that if it’s attacked to get away. If your presence is discovered, it will be bad for you.”

“My father assumes that I’m dead?” I inferred from his speech, “I understand. If that happens, I’ll be sure to slip away. Hell would only be waiting for me if my father became aware of my presence.”

“I don’t know what he knows your condition to be. Your brothers assume that you’re deceased. But I’ve been banished from the main castle, so I only hear from outside sources.” He admitted, his tone was heavy.

It made sense for my father to banish my former generals from the castle. He didn’t want direct connections to his former son. I’m sure he made a scene about it. But he couldn’t get rid of them.

Abdeel was the strongest demon in Hellion’s army. And Dagon used to work under the King before my hatching. They were still needed for his victories.

It probably drove him crazy.

Grumbling came from the other side, before another knock, “…I fell on the rat. It’s dead, Dagon.”

Dagon’s voice echoed from the stone, quietly, “I apologize but I must go, Arsylm. Please stay safe, my Sire.”

With that, the stone stopped glowing. The mana flowing from the item ceased, leaving just a normal rock.

I applauded Dagon for entertaining my second brother. My brother was cunning and brutal in battles. If it weren’t for my draconic body, he would have been my father’s jewel.

Unfortunately, his doting nature teetered on the edge of stupidity. When I was younger, he used to visit the territory to pester me. It was peculiar for a Morningstar Demon.

Fitting to the expectation was Hellion’s first prince. My first brother never cared to become familiar with others. He operated under his territory, occasionally helping my father with political affairs.

If anything, he remained distant from anything he considered useless for his future. It’s what made him powerful in Hellion. His territory was isolated compared to the rest.

I had no relationship with him, nor did I care about it. It was likely that he’d take over rulership, once my father got bored with ruling.

The citizens expected it to be a fierce battle between the three brothers. But I had no desire for the crown. Plus, I didn’t even have a chance at it now. And my second brother wasn’t fit for it mentally.

“Asta? Are you in there?” A knock on the door, Trent’s familiar face peering into the room.

I sighed, getting to my feet, “I could have been naked, you know. Isn’t it courtesy to wait for an answer,” I scoffed.

“We’re guards. You should have answered sooner,” He defended himself, “Anyway, I didn’t see you at the trainee session.”

I glanced back at the window, “Is it over already? How was it? I thought they would have run it longer. And I was there at the start.”

It was the truth. I had been there. And I punched the instructor. Technically. But he didn’t need to know that, nor did Serlon. If no one had heard about it, then it should stay that way.

I just hoped that the instructor had a nice bruise from it.

That bastard deserved that much. What a disgrace for a combat instructor. I could have picked up a citizen in Hellion and met with more.

“It was fine. Trainees are trainees, you know. They have a lot to improve on before I deem them battle-ready. Still, it was too fast-paced for my liking. But it’s to be expected anyway. They’re rushing to prepare their hands for war.” Trent responded, crossing his arms.

He sighed, “Whatever. I don’t care that much anyway. Gunnar is holding a spot in the dining hall for the staff meals. You’re welcome to join.”

Now, I didn’t need food like humans did. It wasn’t the same way. I ate raw meats in Hellion, but I was fine living off mana.

Still, human food was interesting. It was a premise that I wanted to learn more about. The bread that I had gotten with Jamie in the village…

…It was for information gathering. That’s why I was going. I’d put up with these two for that reason only. Plus, it would do some good to not be cooped up in my room after my talks with Dagon.

Sitting on things for too long made you question everything. And that wasn’t beneficial in this case. I needed to go with the flow and maintain my position here.

I shouldn’t worry too much about problems that were no longer mine. After all, I wasn’t a general anymore. Nor a prince.

“I guess I’ll join,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes, “It’s not like I have anything better to do.”

We wouldn’t be tasked with much till the others returned from the mage tower. Right now, we were just foreign guards. It’s not like we could wander around freely.

“…Right. “Well, let’s hurry then,” Trent raised his eyebrow, turning on his heel, “If we don’t hurry, Gunnar will eat all the food. I can promise you that.”

“If you say so.”

Serlon and Edwin should be back by tonight. Maybe then, we’d finally get out of this kingdom.

I hoped so.