I didn’t stay away for too long before I headed back to the estate. The guards at the gate had added an additional hand. It was subtle but signaled the impending war to Trane. Though citizens would not notice it, any official would figure it out. Humans didn’t seem to care about small changes till it was waved in front of their face.

They were oblivious creatures that couldn't handle mere sickness from the elements. Weakly designed. Yet, they were the same creatures that made me have to seek shelter from my father's reach.

“Welcome back, Guard Asta!” The guard saluted, while giving a quick motion to the other at the gate controls, “You’re back earlier than usual.”

“Do you keep track then?” I asked while observing the state of the estate. Every window was lit, shadows of workers and generals walking through. It was safe to say that news travelled fast.

The guard laughed and waved the question off, “You’ve always just returned in the mornings. The moon is still high, Guard Asta.” He paused, “I hope I didn’t offend you.”

“You’re just performing your job.” I waved his worries off, more interested to get into the estate at this point, “Are there new gate procedures?” I asked as I stepped forward into the estate. The gate swung to a close behind me.

Another guard took over, an imperial symbol pasted on her armor, “It’s an honor to meet you, Guard Asta. I’m from the main castle’s defense unit, I’ll be overseeing gate procedures for the time being.”

I wasn’t shocked that the imperial guards had already gotten involved. It was a standard procedure in wartime. When I had been a general in my father’s armies, our scouts would report similar dynamics, especially in Trane’s situation.

Trane was controlled by their power commands. It was primarily held by the monarch, but Edwin’s estate took on most of the domestic duties. And the duke managed local shops and businesses. From a war perspective, these were also the most vulnerable places for Trane.

“I see. Do the estate units still have command then?” I just continued walking towards the entrance of the estate. The guard would follow. It was their job after all.

“Perimeter based troops fall under the command of imperial. The Prince’s private guards will continue to remain independent. I’m sure that Sir Serlon will update you on other proceedings and changes.” The guard explained.

I waved my hand, “No. Just update me now. That idiot— I mean, Serlon is going to be busy with the Prince. Troops will be operating for efficiency right now.”

The guard paused, “...Okay. Well, the policy for foreign ministers will be redirected to the border command post for security checks, before being given escorts to the Estate. Officials and royals will not be allowed to travel on foot anymore. Those are all the policies that concern your unit directly.”

“Understood.” I gave a half-hearted smile and waved the guard off, before entering the estate.

The guard stood at the estate doors and bowed, “It was nice meeting you, Guard Asta.”

I just nodded before walking away. The tension in the estate was notable. Instead of the normal patrols through the castle, more imperial soldiers were situated within the halls with the estate guards. They had moved faster than I anticipated. Then again, every more in a war drew the difference between destruction and victory.

Although Trane was merely helping with supplies, I doubted that Florence would be a stronghold against the Hellion armies. Demons were practically born to fight and humans lacked that purpose.

I felt the eyes of the guards follow my every move, despite the stillness of their bodies. I knew that they were trained well for humans, at least. They would pull their sword even at the kingdom advisors if that meant the safety of Edwin. That included me. Ironically, they’d never know the truth of that statement.

I barely rounded the corner to the hallway towards the barracks before I was stopped by Serlon’s voice, “You’re back early.” His figure approached rapidly from one of the meeting rooms.

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“Who said I went out?” I mocked, not bothered to move any further. Serlon would only become a headache if I did that.

Serlon caught up and motioned me into another empty hall “Where did you go?” His voice was stern. He seemed on edge. I wondered if he had heard anything during meetings.

“How did the imperial palace go? I see you brought back dogs.” I droned on.

“I’m being serious.” He leaned against an empty doorway, his arms crossed and expression cold.

“You look constipated. What did you want to talk about? Be frank, Serlon.” I pressed further, “I assume that something said at the imperial castle stuck a stick up your ass.”

I could guess the mirage of comments that could have been made. Though, I expected something like this to come up, especially around these times. Humans seemed to be extremely tense with these matters.

It wasn’t surprising when you considered the humans and how they operated more on emotions than logic. But, I probably wasn’t the best subject to comment on how wartimes were normally handled.

In Hellion, my father made sure that we were always at war. He valued his trophies too much to have his sons at home. My oldest brother catered to my father’s demands. And my other brother wasn’t good at anything except fighting. Point is, Hellion was constantly in a war state.

“Can you please just tell me where you went?” Serlon wasn’t giving up, “I know you went outside the kingdom walls. I know you do that. Tell me where.” I think I understand now.

“What happened?” I cocked my eyebrow, “You haven’t interrogated me this heavily before. And I’ve been adamant on my position in this kingdom. I was in the forests. The ones invested with the Bajans.”

I watched Serlon’s shoulders relax, “All the staff is on the other side of the estate right now. We can talk openly.”

“I’ll reinforce that for you.” I added, as a mana spell was casted, a clear barrier now enclosing both of us, “I don’t like to take any chances with my little vacation here.”

“I’d hardly call dealing with you a vacation.” Serlon scoffed under his breath. He knew that I could hear him.

“Well you’re no sweet trip either,” I humored him this time.

“A convoy was attacked heading from Florence.” Serlon explained, “They thought it was a demon and you were missing.”

“Well if they found the convoy, then you should have known it wasn’t me.” I said simply, “If I was the one that attacked it, it never would have been found.”

Serlon groaned, his hands pulling at his hair, “Why do I actually believe you?”

“Cause I’m a trustworthy source?” I asked.

Serlon glared, his expression giving me the entertainment that I needed for the night.

“Anyways, it wasn’t me. But I will say that there was a lot of demonic energy on those trails. I noticed it the second I arrived at Trane.” I didn’t know the extent of the attack. But if it was the Hellion troops already, then my brothers were closer than I thought. Now, I couldn’t judge if that was a good thing for me or not.

If that was the case, then Trane shouldn’t be worrying about a dead kingdom. They had bigger issues to worry about.

“What do you mean?” Serlon questioned. Did he not know?

“The demonic energy surrounding Trane was stronger than I imagined.” Though I was asleep for 100 years, “That wasn’t the case before in human territories.”

“I see. I’ll look into it.” That’s all Serlon said, “There’s going to be a war council held in the imperial palace in the morning. The prince is sleeping right now. But the convoy will only be you and I.” He added.

“You trust me in that room?” My interest piqued. Honestly, I didn’t know how my position would adapt to the war. I was at odds either way. I doubt that my father would have use for me in my current state.

Broken things don’t win wars. They’re nothing but liabilities. I knew that all too well. In fact, I used to operate on that same mentality, parts of me still do.

“Let’s be clear. I’m prepared to kill you at a moment’s notice. I don’t trust you. But Edwin does.” Serlon was honest, which I can’t fault him for. Frankly, I was ready to kill everyone in the estate if I needed to, but I’d never tell him that outright.

“A human thinking he can kill me? That’s hilarious.” I remarked, but moved on, “So that imperial palace visit went well?”

“The King has a unique way of getting his points across.” Serlon huffed.

“Well, they do seem to have a pattern of that. Don’t they?” I scoffed, under my breath. If only he knew the behavior that my father exhibits to get his wishes fulfilled. It’s quite fitting of the demonic king.

Serlon raised his eyebrow, before shifting onto his original point, “We’re leaving in an hour. There’s a uniform on your cot. Don’t kill anyone in the palace, please?”

“I should just take the opportunity to kill everyone there.” I joked, but part of me wasn’t joking.

“You'd be better not raise suspicions. The King has called in a special unit that is trained in combat against demons.” Serlon warned. If I didn't know any better, he almost looked concerned.

“A special unit?” A flashback to a battle that seemed like an eternity ago. My shoulder hurt. The battle that tore my prestige away from under my claws.

“Anti-Revenant Coalition. A secretive coalition formed by nations to eliminate revenants, demons, and other supernatural threats. A.R.C They’ve been around for a little over a hundred years-” I interrupted him.

“Back when the wars against the humans and demonic race were rampant?” I added, already knowing the answer.

“How did you know?” Serlon paused.

“I’m a lot older than you think.” I scoffed, almost bittersweet to hear the name, “Are you taking me to the palace to kill me?”

Serlon poked at the magic barrier, “I think you’re useful for Edwin. I’m telling you to warn you. Edwin wanted you to come, but I don’t think he thought about the position that it’ll put you in.”

I released the barrier and sighed, “I’ll head to Edwin’s room before we leave.”

“Right.” Serlon nodded and adjusted his uniform, “I’ll go finalize travelling preparations. Don’t wander off again.”

I nodded while watching Serlon’s disappearing figure. Pathetically, all I could do was think about the lowly position that I found myself in. Working for the humans and facing the organization that crafted my downfall.

My shoulder ached.