They were inside a large dinning hall with food served. Duke Gregory sat opposite of Marcus and Lizzy sat directly beside Marcus. The hall was minimally decorated and did not befit the usual grandeur one would associate with the status of duke. Duke Gregory ate slowly and looked at Lizzy disapprovingly then at Marcus with a thoughtful look.

“I take it you are the Lord’s heir.” Duke Gregory stated.

Lizzy was about to speak up, but was silenced by Marcus with a kick to her leg.

“Yes. I’ve inherited his powers.”

Duke Gregory’s cutlery paused. “So why didn’t you kill those inquisitors.”

“I’m sure you know killing inquisitors without a solid foundation of power is more trouble than it’s worth.”

Duke Gregory smiled. “Are you here for the throne then. I take it the Shadow King assigned Lizzy as your maid. It make sense, no one would expect Lizzy to serve the heir.”

Lizzy gave the Duke a ‘what is that suppose to mean look.’

Duke Gregory didn’t bother acknowledging Lizzy’s look. He had always disapproved of her professionally and personally. A mutant human unworthy of the gift of demonic power.

“No. I am not interested in the Shadow King’s throne.”

Duke Gregory put down his cutlery and looked at Marcus, examining him carefully. “I’m sure you have reasoning behind hating the Shadow King, perhaps even hating the entire Darkwoods. However, the realm needs the entire Darkwoods to be stable and ruled. The Queen Regent is already being challenged for just the current Shadow Kingdom.”

“Wouldn’t me declaring heir lead to civil war anyways?” Marcus countered.

“Show them the power of the Shadow King and no Darkwoods army would ever dare to raise their banner. The former Shadow King could have destroyed the entire Darkwoods alone.” Duke Gregory had a look of reminiscence in his eyes. “What is a few rebels in the eyes of the Shadow King.”

Marcus stared at Duke Gregory. “What happens after I achieve the so called stability of the Darkwoods. Even if I united the rest of the Darkwoods where else could we expand? Any further aggression west will trigger a collision beyond even the Shadow King’s powers. The Darkwoods is beyond unification. It will cannibalize itself as soon as outward conquest cease. Even if I intervene heavily in internal affairs, centralize power and put eyes everywhere in the Kingdom. When my inevitable demise happens what will have changed? This Kingdom will shatter again and ultimately return to nothing.”

The Duke laughed. “Marcus I didn’t take you for one of those men who believe that if death is inevitable, then nothing has meaning. All I hear is a coward’s excuse for inaction. You say expansion will trigger collision, then we turn our enemies against themselves. You say canalization is inevitable among the Darkwoods, then we create a shared identity. The truth is you are too afraid to hold the power, too afraid of its burdens and its allures.”

Marcus frowned. “Perhaps fear is part of the reason. But I believe the Queen Regent is an effective administrator. And if I stand behind her as a higher power, she will not go too far. It is when power is unchecked that it runs corrupt.”

The two men continued arguing over politics, philosophy, and laws of government long after the food became cold and the servants tidied up the table. Lizzy at some point fell asleep on the table out of sheer boredom.

“It seems like I can’t convince you. I will reluctantly help you get to the capital.” The Duke then gave instructions to maid. A while later the maid brought two necklaces with a crystal engraved. “These crystals will absorb the demonic essence from you two. It’ll make you two harder to track and more incognito.”

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Marcus examined the crystal and felt his emitted demonic aura being sucked in. “Fascinating. How did you discover these?”

“Same principle as some of the anti-demon weapons the inquisitor use. A few others manage to recently acquire the exact method of crystal production.” The Duke explained.

"Can these suppress demonic powers as well?” Marcus asked curiously.

“I suppose for younger demons who haven’t solidified their powers. Interesting point, we might research into ways to suppress demonic powers for criminals in more efficient ways with these.”

Marcus smiled having found a method of helping Page and Lily. The Duke interpreted Marcus smile in a different way. Marcus request for a couple extra necklaces and the Duke obliged.

“I digress, but Marcus mark my words. You will eventually sit on the the throne.” The Duke looked at Marcus with eyes of burning intensity.

***

Celeste was digging a grave for the corpses of the men she murdered. It was laborious work that made Celeste realize that she needed to incorporate exercise into her routine again. The frontier’s illusion of peace is shattering as the monsters and bandits start increasing in numbers. The dead men didn’t look like peasants who turned to banditry as a result of a difficult winter. They had the confident look in their eyes only found in those who had made a profession out of crime. Their clothes and coin would suggest they are natives to the Goldem Kingdom and not reavers. Though Celeste was technically still in the Goldem Kingdom due to the recent rise of the Shadow King the exact border wasn’t quite clear. This buffer zone became a lawless zone where neither kingdoms governed. Both Kingdoms’ active forts and military was just close enough away from the ambiguous border that no local lords could hold real ownership.

The bloody offensives that prelude a long winter also added as further catalyst to increase crime. But to the point of having bandits going door-to-door will be the nail in the coffin for many peasants who barely manage to survive the war. Celeste made up her mind to visit the village afterwards to make sure they were safe. She hadn’t seen the peddler for a few days, though it wasn’t unusual per se with recent events, things felt ominous to Celeste.

Regardless, crime rates didn’t matter in the present as Celeste dug her shovel into the dirt. It was almost mid spring now, the frost layer would’ve normally melted, but due to the long winter the dirt bare shovel-able even by Celeste.

The shovel eventually worn out before long and the hole wasn’t deep enough for the bodies. Celeste considered abandoning the corpses, a thought once taboo to her. She decided against it because human corpses attracted too many monsters. The best alternative is the most dangerous. To take the corpses deeper into the forest to prevent monsters from hunting near civilization. However, it would take at least a full day and a half for Celeste and she didn’t feel safe leaving the children alone at night.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have killed them.” Celeste muttered. Annoyed at the conundrum of disposing the corpses.

“Or maybe you should’ve bought a better shovel.” Lizzy said from behind Celeste.

Celeste turned and recognized Lizzy and they shared a look before Lizzy went and examined the corpses curiously.

“You better have a good explanation for her.” Celeste gestured at Lizzy with her chin.

Marcus believed Celeste and Lizzy wouldn’t necessarily get along, but they could at least come to tolerate each other. Though Lizzy wasn’t a good person by any standards she definitely wasn’t evil either. All her actions are a means to an end in terms of personal gain. That being said Lizzy was still a demon by technicality.

Marcus sent Lizzy away for a private conversation with Celeste. Marcus already thought of the pros and cons of bringing Lizzy along and how to convince Celeste of Lizzy’s presence. Marcus took a deep breath before speaking. “I think it’s better to keep Lizzy where I can see her. I hope to teach her to be better. The Shadow King failed her and I know she could do a lot more with her powers.”

Celeste paid more attention to the broken shovel than to Marcus’ words. Celeste frowned at the curled shovel head and attempted to bend it back straight.

Marcus interpreted Celeste’s disregard as a disapproval of Lizzy. “Look at the very least Lizzy could run chores, she is soul contracted by me temporarily so there won’t be any problems.”

Celeste attempted to used the shovel to dig the hole again, but the shovel head snapped off entirely. Celeste sighed. “Can you help me dispose of the bodies?” And gestured to the three corpses. Marcus nodded and his shadow expanded around the corpses. The corpses sunk into his shadow and Celeste took the opportunity to toss the broken shovel into the shadow as well.

“You know you could be a very wealthy rubbish collector in the capital. You should consider that as a backup plan.” Celeste said as she dusted off her hands.

“So about Lizzy, can she stay?” Marcus asked in a hopeful voice.

Celeste turned to look at Marcus with a confused look. “Of course. I mean she did help me kill you at one point.”