We received a letter from Jack Evergreen today. In it he explained a rather interesting situation. He seems to have found a homeless member of the demon race. Not just any member either, he found a skill holder. The letter explained the demon’s skill and the raw power it possesses.

I was immediately interested. My younger brother, the sixth prince Thomas Leore Gransus, has been drumming up more and more political power while the first and second princes are away fighting at Fort Clyfton. If I can bring another skill holder into my political faction -especially a powerful one- we can suppress him from further abusing the current state of turmoil.

I set out immediately, deciding to move with only two trusted bodyguards. I didn’t want this new skill holder to become common knowledge until I’ve had a chance to meet and, potentially, sway her over to my side. From the letter she’s apparently around my age, but with the demon race you never know about these things. She could very well be older than my grandmother.

Lucky for us, I was currently stationed in the town of Lartree. Eastrock is only a few days away by horseback. Jack mentioned sending the girl off with his son in an easy to spot carriage. We’ll meet them soon.

I woke in the morning to the sounds of howling on the wind. My guards looked to be in a panic. A pack of Devil Hounds was moving towards us. I quickly jumped into my saddle and slapped the reins down while digging my heels into the stirrups. Both guards followed suit.

It didn’t take long for the pack of Devil Hounds to begin catching up to us. Their behavior was terribly strange. They were clearly pursuing our group. Am I going to die like this? I can’t afford to die here! Gransus is on the verge of a civil war! If I die here many more citizens will fall to my brother’s hands.

He wants power purely for the sake of power alone. He’s had that snake of an advisor Phanedor whispering in his ears giving him ideas of suppressing the populace and raising armies to conquer The Forgotten Lands. Such an act was akin to political suicide in most cases, but my brother’s iron fisted approach was keeping the naysayers at bay.

If my brother ever manages to get the writ of succession, I’m afraid all of Gransus will fall. The Forgotten Lands has at least three known rank 4 beasts. We’ve seen the power of rank 4 beasts when the Dragon Baer managed to wipe out three entire armies twelve years ago.

I can’t die here. I won’t let this country die.

Then there was a flash. My savior arrived. It wasn’t a knight in shining armor like the children’s tales say; it was a girl. It was a beautiful demon girl.

She wiped out the entire pack of Devil Hounds in a single moment. I quickly dismounted and my guards followed suit. We all were interested in this hero that had come to our aid.

I, in shock, spoke to the girl in a stutter.

The girl turned towards us and started walking. Her eyes were like daggers, staring straight through my guard Remus.

Then, she flicked him. I couldn’t even react to the speed. I could barely follow it with my eyes. Remus collapsed in a heap like a puppet with its strings cut.

I tried to say something, but she refuted me. She walked to one of the man’s packs and opened it, revealing a tiny ball of fur. It was a Devil Hound… A baby devil hound.

Everything made sense in that instant. Remus betrayed me. He was trying to use the Devil Hounds to assassinate me. I wonder how long he’s been working for Thomas? I quickly had Bevil tie the traitorous scum up.

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I was finally afforded a chance to think. It was only now that I realized the girl fit Jack’s description to the letter. Off in the distance I could even make out the carriage…

He said she could use a skill? I’m certain she used at least three in front of me! I’ve heard the demon race tends to be more powerful than humans, but isn’t this just too much? Imagine how powerful we could become, as a country, if we could get an alliance with the Northern Continent? Perhaps this girl could even become the key to opening negotiations!

It was only now that I finally noticed the girl’s expression. She looked ready to cry while she held the puppy…

I approached her and asked if the animal was okay. Her reply was blunt. She said she was going to try and heal it, but she didn’t know healing magic. I could only wince at that. There’s currently one person in the entire Gransus Kingdom who can use Healing Magic… It’s a skill so difficult to master most can’t accomplish it with a lifetime of training.

I stepped back, expecting the failure.

Then I watched a powerful demon, a creature capable of wiping out an entire horde of rank 3 magical beasts, break down and cry.

It hurt my heart. I wanted to hug her and tell her it would be okay, but I didn’t. My feet wouldn’t move. I realized, then, just how terrified I really was of her, and I hated myself for it. I’m an awful person.

Once she finished crying, the girl stood up and spoke of washing off in the river. I wanted to stop her, but she already vanished from my sight. I guess, thinking about it logically, it’s not like there’s any beasts in this forest that could pose a threat to her. Still, I wish I could have at least comforted her a bit.

I was still in shock from everything that happened, but that isn’t an excuse to do nothing. I looked over the scene of the battle and could only feel awe at the sight. There were at least 40 of the Devil Hound corpses laying on the highway.

I walked to the side of the road and touched the control layer of brick. Using my mana, I made the highway start to clear the obstructions. Someone has to clean up this mess and, from the looks of things, it might be better if the demon girl doesn’t see this again.

I grabbed the horses with my remaining bodyguard and we made our way to the carriage.

I can’t stop my mind from thinking about the scenes that played out. Just how powerful is this girl? There’s no feasible way to bring someone like her into my political faction. Besides, she cried over the death of a Devil Hound. She’s far too kind to be of use in any kind of political game. I could never use her as an assassin or fighter for my merit.

I made the decision, at that moment, that instead of using this girl I'd befriend her. She’s saved my life. The least I can do is keep the other political parties away from her. If I make them think she’s part of my organization, even if she really isn’t, then no one will touch her. Not even Thomas would dare try to assassinate someone in my circle. He knows too well how I’d respond.

Yes. I will protect this girl. I, the weak princess, will protect this world shaking demon. It’s almost funny when I think of it like that… But it’s the least I can do in exchange for a life debt. Who knows, maybe we will even become friends on this journey to the Capital.