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Wheel of Woe: The Demon King's Rise (Hiatus)
Chapter 14 - Calm before the...?

Chapter 14 - Calm before the...?

Chapter 14 – Calm before the...?

Loria’s Point of View

Another morning, another jog. It’s been four months since my father and his men left. Reports from the front tell us that all is going well. My training has gone well as it can in such a short time. I don’t think I’d want to fight in these conditions, but it would be better than how I was before.

That said, an increase in Duality has helped me and Ultima finally overcome the internal communication issues. We finally understand what’s going on with each other without the need to verbalize. Similar to what we initially had when everything was chaotic.

A wall divides us now, but one we can look over, talk over, or find privacy with if we really want. It’s the best way I can explain it. Sort of like… when you try to remember a dream. Except that dream is remembering you back. The wall is sometimes there, sometimes not, depending on what either of us want…

[Ah phooey! I’m self-monologuing again.]

[Speaking of Duality. Do you think we’ll ever find a way to split us apart?]

[I’m not sure but, if the war really does end or at least a cessation of conflict? Then we will have the freedom to find out.]

[I get that, I mean, General Hard-Ass wouldn’t let us escape training as long as there’s even a scent of war.]

“A scent of war? As long as the word exists in a dictionary…” I verbalize to ourselves.

It’s been a learning experience, but Ultima has really taught me a lot about the world she came from. Having an adult in your head is, weird, but helpful. Especially with private lessons. Cheating? What? No. I don’t do that. I just already know, okay?

[It’s cheating.]

[Hush.]

[I would but you keep monologuing everything.]

[I can’t help it! Stop peaking over your side of the mind!]

With that argument closed, we wrap up our morning exercises and head towards the training yard to meet with Gel. Sword practice has gotten really fun lately, I’ve been besting Gel, thanks to Ultima.

While we journey there, I let Ultima take the helm while I reflect on things. It’s good to let her stay familiar with moving my body. Duality really helps in combat when we split our duties. Thanks to that, and the sun exposure, we’ve really grown a lot in a short time.

Ultima walks us into the courtyard. [Uh, Loria. Where is everyone?] I look back from my menu to the empty courtyard. We walk around and check the dressing rooms and nearby observation booth. Not a single soul. “Did I miss a memo or something?”

Our senses kick off and we whirl around onto the footsteps rushing towards us. “Princess!” a young messenger comes up from where I had been, panting. “I…hah… been chasing you. Entire time. Message.”

“Around the inner castle while I made laps?!”

“Y-yes?” he replied still very winded. I’ve barely broke a sweat.

“Why didn’t you just stop and wait for me to run back by?”

“… I’m sorry Princess.”

“What’s the message then, boy?”

“General Heth has received news of the front. The King is returning soon and victorious! General Ogdor and King Rall have bested the enemy in combat and forced a treaty. Furthermore, Prince Gel was recalled home for celebrations. The whole capital is in celebration right now.”

My heart races at the good word. “Such a swift victory? The plan worked. That’s… a relief,” I say, feeling some tension melting off my wear heart. “Boy, take the day off, this is a good time to celebrate… actually, what is your name? I’d like to know you so next time you won’t have to chase me.”

The young messenger lowers his head bashfully, “My name, my Princess? I, uh, ah, Willorn.” His face is turning violet with a blush across his dark green skin. Come to think of it, he’s about my age isn’t it?

[You’ve broken some boy’s heart, Loria.]

[Not my fault if he reads me wrong! Not every compliment from a girl is doting!]

[To boys it can be! Either walk it back or own it.]

“Willorn? That is a fine name. I’m appreciative of your efforts to bring me a message, as I said, take the day off.”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Ah?! Ah! I.. I tha-thank you Princess. J-just my job.”

“Are you new to the castle, to being a messenger?” I’m practically face to face with him now and I can see that he is shaking… out of fear and nervousness? I guess this is probably the closest he’s ever been to a girl, and royalty too. Yeah, Ultima is right, he’s about to faint.

“No, I mean, yes! New to the castle, not to running word. My father was a messenger and raised me to learn shortcuts of the capital.” He helpfully gives context to the situation. Hmn, good at finding shortcuts huh? I’ll keep this in mind if I ever want to sneak out.

[A sneaking princess is cliché. Please don’t.]

[Shush.]

“Willorn, thank you once more. I must be off to get out of these sweaty clothes and clean up for my father’s arrival. Please see to it that you take the day off when you can. As a reward.”

“I-I, just. Doing. Job.” He says practically falling over himself to flee from me. Ultima busts out laughing in my mind… she is just as weird as boys. I turn and simply make my way off to my room, leaving the starstruck messenger behind to his other tasks and, hopefully, a well-earned break.

Sometime later we make our way to General Heth in the war room. Our finest dress. Our finest perfume. The maid really did a good job for me as usual, as expected. “General,” I said in my capacity as a royal and not a student, “What news has been brought to us today?”

“Princess Rall. The King’s message was sent from my subordinate. Reads as follows, ‘Victory on field. Capitulation of enemy. Negotiations underway. Arriving soon. Expect diplomats.’ Our outriders have yet to report back the specifics but there is a contingent making its way towards us from the Goblin Kingdom.”

“The Goblin Kingdom? Is that why Gel was recalled… perhaps to be present for father’s arrival there?”

“I suppose that is indeed the case. Regardless, the kingdom is the quickest route to the capital. King Rall chose the pass to prevent the enemy from realizing we had the goblins finally aligned with our interests.”

[This sounds fishy as hell.] Ultima says within my thoughts.

[Agreed, but, it does fit the general gist of father’s plan and General Heth doesn’t seem concerned.]

[Ask anyways. Assumptions are bad. Why don’t we have more messages?]

“You mentioned,” I begin aloud, “Your outriders had not yet returned. They are harpies or similar peoples, are they not? Why not send reports?”

“I thought the same thing, actually. A cold front has moved in, our weather mage mentioned. They have tried to clear the way so any flying beasts or peoples can have a route. With the high winds being rough, any message would have to go by the ground, which is far slower. We expect reports this evening. If something is awry we will know by then.”

[Makes sense. Heth has a good explanation for anything, that’s why he’s a general I guess. Back home, there were high altitude winds that could change things on the fly. I suppose flying peoples would have trouble.]

[True. I’m still concerned though. Until I see my father, I always will be. I want to protect him. Not wait for news of him.]

With a low sigh, I agree with him. “I defer to your expertise, General. Still, ease my mind and keep the outer reaches of the province on standby. Just in case the enemy tries something from the pass. It is possible Father’s return could be a betrayal by the enemy.”

“I assure you Princess that all is well.”

“Do it anyways. That is an order, not a comment.”

“Yes my Princess…” General Heth seems rather pissed at being told what to do by a young girl. I understand that. Yet, his faith in my Father’s victory is too solid. We’ve seen the humans try tricks and they teach those tricks to the elves and others. I’m not a general, I don’t have experience, but I do know I’ll sleep better tonight if there’s vigilance in our bordering territories towards the pass.

[Just in case. It doesn’t hurt. Back in my world, there were enemies in a big war that would try to surrender, only to reveal an explosive. Many wars actually had this occur. They might have tricked your father, as unlikely as you might think it.]

[I… don’t like the idea that my father can fail. That is exactly why it is my duty as a princess to prepare for the situation in which he has failed. Heth, I think, is running on a high of an easy victory.]

[I really wish I had played more war games back home. I barely know what we’re doing here beyond the basics. If this were a movie, right about now we’d hear word that the enemy approaches from our flank. I reaaally think we should do more than just watch but, that’s about all I got to go on Loria. Sorry.]

[Ultima, I can’t expect us to have a grasp on this, even with your… maturity and life experiences. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the nobility courses have beaten the childhood out of me… I am still just a girl to these people. I rarely lean on my authority as a royal. I’d rather not force him to move troops and prepare for a surprise, until I know I need to do it. Abuse of authority loses trust, my teacher would always say.]

We both sigh in our thoughts before returning to General Heth. He is staring, I must have zoned out far longer than expected while chatting with Ultima. I simply nod to him, “Thank you for letting me rest easy tonight, General.” The best I can do without apologizing for stepping on his feet, I suppose.

The rest of the evening is me observing General Heth’s arrangement of security, welcoming events, and other military matters. Once his plans are set, I proceed to arrange the King’s side of things. Ideally, the King will enter the main route through the capital. Diplomats, if present, behind him. A welcoming ceremony and feast to celebrate our victory but, also, welcome our foe to consider our peace genuine.

After that, a short political meeting with some of the houses of nobility. We express our intents and invite them to the celebrations. With our plans laid out, we all eventually leave the war room to go on our ways.

[For a war room, that really sees more use than just war.]

[The old Demon Kings were… far more militaristic. The name has stuck. We’ve even used it for my sixth birthday, actually.]

[That is… weird. All the military matters in the room still go on?]

[Yes. I fondly remember all the officers leaving their desks to sing for me. Good memories.]

[Too weird. Too weird. I’d have a dining hall set aside for events. That feels like sensitive information would be easily seen by outsiders. Still, the idea of your sixth birthday being held in a room full of pencil pushers… not so fond for me.]

[Ideally, yes. Father sits with traditional use of the war room as a catch all. If orders for combat are sent, officers are at hand even if you’re hosting a cocktail party. Anything… secretive, they hide with guests. I assume.]

Once I reach my room, I change into something more comfortable and begin to write the day’s events down. In my peripheral I see Ultima going over our stats. We make small talk but, really, we’re just killing time until something happens.