POV: Katerina

I was curious why we were invited to their temple. From what I could gather the demon king was going to make an announcement there. When we had arrived we were escorted by a man named Saizo. I had an uneasy feeling as we were escorted to the temple, but no one dared to approach us. That had to mean the person escorting us was of high authority or power.

He had kept silent for the most part only telling us to follow him after we had reached the city’s gate. Appearing out of the shadows startling us in surprise. When we asked him questions he remained silent while keeping a steady pace.

When we arrived we were greeted with signs of a festival with stalls and laughter filling the street. We were given some curious looks but were generally ignored.

Saizo then took us inside the temple. He led us to the front row where he told us to sit and wait. People filled every free space they could waiting for their king’s announcement.

Uther looked uneasily around us grasping at where his sword usually resided.

“I don’t like this. I agreed to leave my sword at the gate, but now we are in a crowded space and greatly outnumbered.”

Elbert, on the other hand, was relaxing in the chair.

“Relax Uther, they are just excited for their king’s announcement. It’s strange he’s giving it in a temple, but don’t you yourself draw such a crowd whenever you make an announcement to your citizens? They also aren’t armed just relax friend.”

I was amazed he was able to relax in the middle of such a scene. I myself felt quite underdressed for the occasion. I looked around to see people dressed in their very best while we were all dressed in our best travel dress. My hair was a mess and I still had dust from the journey on me.

“Let’s just hope this ends quickly. I myself am not comfortable with this scenario. Let’s just try to keep things civil Uther.”

“Fine, I’ll make sure to be on my best behavior for now.”

He looked uncomfortable as he leaned against the wooden pew.

The room suddenly went silent. Not knowing what was going on I looked to see demon king walk on top of the altar with the temple’s priest. He stood imposingly showing off his authority and power to the crowd.

“Welcome everyone! Currently, we are waiting for our special guest right now. She should be here any second. But first I would like to draw attention to our special guests today. The human ambassadors who have come to negotiate peace to end this war. It’s pleasant surprise you arrived here in time for the announcement. Aw! It appears she has arrived.”

We turned behind us to see a beautiful woman walking down the aisle in a white and gold dress. She walked a bit funny, but her beauty radiated throughout the temple. Putting even me to shame when I wore my best to a special occasion.

Her radiance left everyone speechless and the hall echoed with her footsteps as she walked up to the demon king. As she climbed up the steps to the altar he addressed the crowd with a loud booming voice.

“Ladies and gentlemen! This here is the human hero Diana and I am taking her as my wife! Let it be known to the nine divines and all who are here this is my decision and she shall be your new queen!”

Immediately after it felt like there was a disturbance as the demon king and the woman both seemed to instantly change their position.

It didn’t stop the crowd from rising in uproar at the news. I myself was shocked at the news. The demon king looked unfazed though and quickly addressed them.

“Now let everyone know of my announcement. In celebration, we shall feast!”

He then took the woman to a nearby room. Leaving us to talk amongst ourselves at the news.

Elbert was still lazily leaning back casually accepting the news. Or maybe he didn’t even notice the announcement. His eyes seemed to be glued on the woman as she was dragged along by the demon king.

“That woman definitely was a beauty. Though I think her bust is a bit small.”

Uther looked confused as well but when he heard that he quickly turned to Elbert.

“That’s what you care about? If what he said was true that was Done! How the hell is that even possible? I don’t believe it he has to be lying!”

I myself was speechless but we needed to think of something quick.

“If what he said is true we might be able to use this.”

Uther didn’t seem to buy it as he faced me.

“How can we use this. The hero is now a woman and is being married to the demon king!”

“It’s only an engagement and if she is able to manipulate the demon king as much as she has seduced Elbert here.”

I pointed to Elbert who had closed his eyes in thought probably trying to permanently etch her figure in his memory.

“Then we might be able to end this war peacefully and end this war before we suffer further losses. I don’t know about your kingdoms but mine is on its last legs. If we don’t end this soon we will all suffer as a result. It is why we came here is it not.”

“Yes, I just didn’t think we’d achieve it by these means.”

He seemed hesitant to answer this way which made me suspicious. Did he have plans to continue this war further? Hoping we would be able to stall enough time for the hero’s escape?

Elbert got up and stretched bored of our conversation.

“Don’t be foolish Uther. I know you don’t like these guys but consider our position. We can’t summon another hero and he seems to want to end this peacefully. I know you might lose face friend but we all gain more if we agree to this.”

He looked conflicted but made no further comment. Saizo appeared before us again. I must have missed his disappearance cause I swore he wasn’t there before.

“The king wishes to speak with you. Follow me.”

Making us a way through the crowd he lead us to where the demon king and the hero had gone. But as he neared the door the demon king came out and stopped us from entering.

“An unexpected medical problem has befallen Diana. Call for Flora to help her. I’m so sorry but Diana isn’t feeling well enough to meet with you. I can arrange for you to see her later.”

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Uther seemed confused at this.

“Who the heck is Diana? The hero’s name is Done. What are you trying to pull on us?”

The demon king looked like he expected this but looked annoyed at his response.

“I assure you I am not. Diana is Done’s new name. Now please, we shall discuss more in another room where we can discuss things with more discretion.”

What the hell happened to Done? It hadn’t even been a week since he stated his siege of this city and during that time he was captured and feminized. What did he do?

The demon king led us to another room as I saw a woman enter the room the demon king had just exited. What had happened to the hero? What could this medical emergency be?

The room he took us in was smaller than I expected there were two people inside sitting around the table. They had a strong resemblance to the demon king surprisingly. They looked to be a mother and daughter from what I could tell with the older woman addressing us.

“What is the meaning of this, and what are you doing with these humans in here!”

“Mother there was an unexpected emergency so I need to hold a meeting in here.”

“That’s the first thing you say to us after seeing us after so long brother? We came a long way to see you and you spring this on us out of nowhere? You could have at least sent us a letter. Don’t make us leave after just seeing you.”

“Fine sister you and mother my stay but I must talk to my guests here about some political matters which should surely bore you.”

“It’s always work with you brother. Why can’t you lighten up and take a vacation for once?”

“One doesn’t become a demon ing without lots of hard work. Something you should learn from.”

He ruffled his sister’s hair before turning to us.

“Please take a seat we have much to discuss.”

We all took a seat but I couldn’t get comfortable as his mother stared at all of us with the eyes of a predator with such intensity that even Elbert couldn’t relax. The demon king also took a seat before addressing us with a stern face.

“Now I know you must be confused at my announcement. But, what I said is indeed true. That was the hero just now. She is having a medical complication from the transformation and that is why she couldn’t meet with you as I wished.”

Uther didn’t seem to buy it though with an angry radiance surrounding him.

“Stop with the lies demon king! The hero is a man and it’s impossible to change your sex. So what you are saying is preposterous!”

Elbert seemed more confused in comparison.

“Why though? Wouldn’t it have been easier to kill him rather than do this? What it that you wish to gain by going through with this marriage?”

Uther looked dismayed at Elbert’s reply.

“Don’t tell you believe this man Elbert. All that is coming out this man’s mouth is lies!”

The demon king seemed unfazed at this and addressed Elbert.

“She represents the best of your people am I correct? If that is the case me marrying her in a mutual marriage would allow both of our races to hopefully unite and end this endless cycle of war and death that we have with each other.

Since she isn’t dead you can’t summon another hero to continue this war if you choose. My hope was to negotiate a peace between our two races using our marriage as a starting point to further our negotiations.”

I now spoke up my own doubts about all of this.

“So let me make this clear demon king. You wish to negotiate peace between humans and demons using the hero as a political bargaining chip in this marriage? Why do you want peace with us? If what you said is true you could just charge us while you have the hero here in your clutches.”

True I wanted peace but I had to make sure we were actually getting peace from any deal we negotiated with him.

“True I could, but that costs time and resources. I could spend them and easily conquer you all but after that, I would have to deal with pesky rebellions and establishing a permanent holding in your kingdoms. Franky with my current forces I don’t have enough men to do this. I would be stretched thin and my coffers would dry up before I would be able to make a profitable return on that investment.

So I am hoping with this peace treaty we can all gain from the negotiations and start a new era in our relationship. One not built on war but commerce and trust.”

What he said was true we had both suffered from this war and had spent considerable resources to maintain our forces. If he invaded all of our lands we would also form considerable resistance spreading his forces thin resulting in heavy expenses for his campaign.

Uther still didn’t seem to buy it though.

“Why should we negotiate peace with you murder! Your forces swept through my country and murder thousands of my citizens!”

What was he doing? Did he secretly want this war to continue? That would be madness what has gotten into him?

“Didn’t yours do the same to mine? We have all spilled excess blood on both sides don’t try to say you are a perfect symbol of benevolence and grace.”

Uther seemed more angrier and was about to do something stupid when Elbert put his hand on his shoulder stopping him.

“So what are your terms? Depending on what they are I am willing to consider.”

“You can’t be serious Elbert! With what he has done to us. I can’t trust this sly dog not to attack us when our backs are turned!”

“Don’t speak to my brother like that! He is a righteous and just king. It’s you sly humans who will try to backstab us at the first opportunity!”

“That’s enough sister! I understand your concerns. You don’t have to trust me completely. Each kingdom will retain its autonomy and land. All I ask is for you to be open to the possibility of peace and trade between our kingdoms I assure you we would all benefit from this deal.”

He stood up and walked over to a side table with a stack of papers picking it up and bring it over to us.

“I have created a rough draft of a treaty I ask of you to consider. We can negotiate on the exact terms later. But for now, I have other matter to attend to. Saizo take our guests to their quarters. I am sorry we can not speak further right now but I have to talk with my family. I would like you to look over the treaty in the meantime. I hope you enjoy your stay at the very least.”

Saizo then appeared what seemed to be spontaneously again. We all got up and followed him. Elbert had to convince Uther to follow along. It looked like he had more to say to the demon king but he stopped himself thank god.

We exited out a door on the other side of the room and were led to a carriage outside. Saizo spoke to the coach before the coach opened the door for us. We all took our seats before he closed the door and we started moving.

Uther was the first to speak up since we were now alone.

“I don’t trust a word that man says. He must be up to something!”

I had had enough with his constant rage. We needed this peace desperately if we wanted to avoid catastrophe.

“Calm down you fool. Even if we are allowed here as negotiators you still need to control your temper. He has the most strength right now. So at least keep an open mind. We have all suffered greatly and I wish to end this bloody war now if we can. We are all at wit’s end at what to do. We can’t summon another hero if he is still alive, and this peace could allow us to reconstruct our forces and funds to prepare for any incursions he tries to start.”

Elbert looked up from the treaty that he had in his hands.

“You don’t believe him? I for one believe him. The hero is now a woman and he does indeed intend to make her his wife.”

Uther seemed annoyed at his answer.

“It’s impossible though there isn’t such a thing!”

“That woman was no woman though. Didn’t you notice Katerina? Of all people I thought you would have seen it.”

“Seen what Elbert. That woman was just a fake. I agree with Uther. There is no way that’s possible.”

“You all were both blind then. She was walking so weirdly. The way she held herself and walked reeked of a man. She tried her best to hide it. But here movements felt stiff and awkward. That was indeed the hero. So what he said was definitely true I can assure you.”

I didn’t buy this it seemed too smart for this perverted man to notice.

“How did you notice that? I thought you were just gawking at her the whole time.”

“Who says I can’t do both Katerina? I am a multi talented man after all.”

Uther looked displeased at this resting his back in his seat giving up on the man.

“You can say what you want friend, but it’ll take more than that to convince me.”

We all sat silently as the carriage chugged along the bumpy road. Whatever had happened we had to make sure the demon king didn't screw us over. It seemed like he was honest about wanting peace but I still had my doubts. Right now I just want to take a bath and rest. It’d be nice after having spent the last three days just to get here.