Act 3: Nobles, Criminals, and the Devil
Chapter 1
Lord Renard paced in the dimly lit quarters of his modest home, his thoughts racing. Though not impoverished, he was far from the great wealth enjoyed by the noble houses of the Kingdom’s capital. His wealth kept him comfortable, but it didn’t place him among the elite—something he often resented. As he moved, his mind thought about many ideas on how to close that gap, and today, it seemed, an opportunity had presented itself.
A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts, and his aide, Martin, entered, bowing slightly before straightening his posture to relay his message.
"My lord," Martin began, his tone controlled but with an edge of excitement, "I happened to be near the city gates and saw two women arrive. They were dressed in fine clothes, as one might expect of nobility, and they made quite the entrance. They’re staying at the Silver Chalice Hotel and, interestingly enough, paid their fees in gold."
Lord Renard’s interest was piqued instantly. Gold? The Silver Chalice wasn’t a cheap inn; it was usually frequented by wealthy merchants, ambassadors, and the occasional high-ranking noble. For two women to pay in gold coins…well, that said something about their status.
"Nobles from the capital, perhaps?" Renard thought aloud, his gaze shifting as his mind raced with possibilities. ‘If they are capital nobles,’ he thought, ‘then they are connected, wealthy, and powerful. An alliance or even just an acquaintance could be the key to elevating my family’s standing.’
“Yes, my lord,” Martin continued, “they certainly have the air of nobility from the capital about them. They traveled lightly, but wore clothes that I have not seen in any noble from this city.”
Lord Renard rubbed his hands together, a slow smile spreading across his face as a plan began to form. If he moved quickly, he might be able to secure a meeting with them before any of the other local nobles caught the news of their arrival. He couldn’t afford to let another noble outmaneuver him on this chance. If he managed to make a good impression, he could gain powerful connections that would secure his family’s future.
Turning to Martin, he instructed him, “Prepare a letter of invitation immediately. Extend my warmest regards and offer to host them for a small gathering tomorrow evening. Keep it respectful, but ensure the letter conveys our family’s standing and influence in the city.”
Martin nodded, already mentally composing the letter in his head, but Renard hadn’t finished. “We must consider all possibilities here, Martin,” he said, lowering his voice slightly. “If these women truly are nobility from the capital, it might benefit us even further to… solidify the connection.” His eyes gleamed with ambition. “Perhaps I could gain their favor. And who knows—maybe one of them is seeking a match, or at the very least, willing to make introductions to eligible noblewomen at court. Imagine the prestige of a marriage alliance with a house from the capital.”
Martin gave a subtle nod, his own expression neutral but attentive. He’d long been aware of his lord’s ambitions, and this new plan fit perfectly into that vision. “Of course, my lord. Shall I arrange for additional luxuries for the gathering, in case they accept?”
“Yes, yes, that’s a good idea,” Renard replied, nodding in approval. “Flowers, rare wines, anything that might impress them. And be discreet. I don’t want the other nobles to be aware of this—not until the invitation is delivered and accepted.”
As Martin turned to leave, Renard’s mind continued to spin with possibilities. If he played this well, he could secure more than just a social connection; he could cement his family’s position in society, gaining access to circles and influence he’d only ever heard about. The capital nobility could offer him connections, opportunities, and perhaps even the legitimacy he’d long wanted. And if he was fortunate enough to form a marriage alliance—well, that would be the pinnacle of success.
Watching Martin leave, Renard’s lips twisted into a determined smile. He had no idea who these women were, but they represented everything he’d been seeking. Soon, if luck was on his side, his family name would no longer be one among the many of this fortress city of Mosas.
***
Sarah and Nami had finally reached the fortress city of Mosas, each taking in the new sights as they entered through the grand gates. Situated close to the Elizia Empire’s border, Mosas was a big hub for merchants, mercenaries, and the occasional spy from across the border. The city had an air of disciplined intensity, its soldiers marching across the city with frequency, keeping an eye on anyone who looked suspicious.
Once inside, they made their way to one of the city’s finest hotels. The accommodations weren’t quite as extravagant as those back in the capital, but the room was spacious, richly furnished, and offered comfortable beds. The floor was adorned with carpets, the walls decorated with rich tapestries depicting the city’s history, and the large beds with dark silk sheets that gave the room a noble ambiance. The two demons had no trouble settling in, with Nami immediately sprawling out on one of the beds, looking up at the ceiling with a relaxed sigh.
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Sarah, on the other hand, took a moment to study the room before sitting down on the opposite bed. After a few moments of silence, she glanced at Nami, her curiosity finally getting the better of her.
“Nami, about these Primordial Demons… what exactly are they?” she asked, her tone casual, though her eyes showed a big interest. She had read bits and pieces but wanted to know more—especially since she was now traveling with one.
Nami turned her head, her gaze lazy but intrigued by Sarah’s question. “Ah, the Primordials…” she began, crossing her arms behind her head as she relaxed further into the bed. “We’re an old, old bunch. Long before the nations and kingdoms around us even existed, we were already here, each of us embodying a primal force or idea.” She lifted a hand and gave a light shrug, her expression unbothered. “There are four of us: Red, White, Yellow, and Black. Each of us bears our own color and… specialties, I suppose you could say.”
“So, you’re ancient,” Sarah replied with a smirk, unable to resist poking fun. “I mean, I knew you were old, but ancient is a whole other level.”
Nami laughed a low, amused chuckle. “Well, in human terms, I guess that’s true. But age is just a number, right?” She grinned, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. “You should be glad you’re in the company of such venerable power.”
“Hmm, perhaps,” Sarah replied, her tone feigning a polite appreciation. “So, as a Primordial, are you capable of casting 10th-tier spells?” This was one of the things Sarah had been eager to ask. She was familiar with the power scales back in her own world, and tiered magic systems usually indicated a mage’s ability. If Nami could cast 10th-tier spells, that would confirm a lot about her strength.
Nami nodded but didn’t look particularly impressed by the concept. “I can manage a few, yes,” she replied casually. “But casting spells isn’t my primary strength. It’s just… something I can do if I need to. My specialty isn’t really as a magic caster, even if I’m probably better at it than any human mage.” She paused. “My real strength lies in physical ability.”
Sarah tilted her head, processing this. It made sense that a Primordial Demon wouldn’t simply rely on traditional magic. “I see. I’d been wondering if you Primordials all had the same abilities or if each of you had your own… skills,” she said, her tone thoughtful.
“Oh, definitely,” Nami replied, sitting up slightly and brushing a lock of white hair from her face. “We’re all powerful in different ways. That’s what makes us so… unique. Some of us are specialized in magic… others, like me, are not.” Her gaze grew a bit distant as if recalling memories from past ages.
“And speaking of unique, I’ve been hearing rumors about this place to the southeast—a Demon Lord domain. It’s a relatively new nation, established by a council of six Demon Lords who rule it together.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “A council? That’s… unusual for demons, isn’t it? I would think a domain of Demon Lords would be constantly fighting for power rather than sharing it.”
Nami nodded, a small smile crossing her lips. “You’d be right. It surprised me too. They’ve somehow managed to create a council structure, working in what seems like unity. Each Demon Lord governs a different aspect of the nation. They call it the ‘Demon’s Council State’. It’s a nation populated by all kinds of races, though humans make up the majority of the population. But it’s not nearly as populated as, say, the Kingdom or the Empire. Still, they’ve made it work.”
“Interesting,” Sarah murmured, her mind working through the implications of such a nation. “Have you ever been there to see if they’re truly powerful?”
Nami gave a slight shake of her head. “No. I’ve never felt the need to,” she admitted. “The Demon Lord Domain has only been around for, what, 400 years? That’s too recent for me, didn’t have the time yet. I’ve kept my distance from it. But I can’t deny I’m curious about their strength.” Her eyes narrowed, a hint of excitement flashing in them. “Perhaps one day we could pay them a visit. They could be an interesting challenge if they’re truly strong.”
Sarah chuckled at this. “You Primordials do seem to love your challenges. Though,” she added with a smirk, “if they’re somewhat powerful and competent, then perhaps we’d be better by making use of them. Who knows?”
Nami laughed in return. “True, but should they not submit, I will personally annihilate them all.”
The two fell silent for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts about this mysterious Demon Lord Domain. To Sarah, it seemed like a potential opportunity—another piece of the world to explore, and perhaps a source of allies, depending on how events unfolded. For Nami, it was a tempting possibility of facing an unknown strength, finding new magical artifacts, and, of course, making sure the interests of her Lady were accomplished.
As they sat in silence, a faint knock came at the door, breaking the quiet. Sarah’s eyes shifted, and Nami looked over, her expression neutral but ready.
After a moment, Sarah rose and walked to the door, opening it to reveal a young attendant, bowing politely. “Pardon the interruption, my ladies,” he said, looking up with a mixture of awe and apprehension. “I have a letter here for you, sent by Lord Renard, one of the nobles of this city. He wishes to invite you to a private gathering tomorrow evening.”
Sarah accepted the letter, glancing it over with a raised brow before nodding to the attendant, who excused himself with a polite bow and hurried off.
As she returned to her bed, she handed the letter to Nami, who opened it with mild interest.
“Seems like we’ve caught the attention of someone here,” Sarah remarked.
Nami laughed, tossing the letter back to Sarah. “Of course we have. How could we not when dressed in such clothes and looking like beautiful nobles? But it could be amusing. Maybe we’ll play along with the noble’s little game.”
Sarah nodded, a smirk appearing on her lips. “Well, that was the intention since the beginning. Attracting attention.”
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image [https://i.imgur.com/bnQ8sQU.png]