CHAPTER 10.2
Interlude - Two Birds With One Stone
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◆Land Of Demons: Ruiyuko's Castle◆
At the north side, over borderline lays a subtropical desert with extreme environment. Making difficult for a Humans to live under normal circumstances.
As for Monsters and Demons, they were well-adapted in this environment.
Far away in the middle of the desert was a huge mountain, and on the top of it was a castle surrounded by the 2 layers of cities.
The first layers of city had a miserable and eerie feeling to it everywhere.
In this city, the Humans who got captured and brought here will have nightmarish life waiting for them.
Some were sent as Guinea Pigs, some were sent into Slave Market, some were sent as Sex Slave, Et cetera.
The roads were unpaved, most of the houses were unrepaired, and only few, Monsters, were walking outside.
From some alleyways a blood-curdling scream echoed off the wall time to time, but no one paid much attention and just do their own things like normal.
This city was undeveloped from every aspects, from: drinking, food supplies to their poor economy.
It was basically a Slum City.
As for second layer city, it was filled with strong individuals.
Each year, Demon Lord, himself choose at least 1 or 2 individuals from Slum City, and gave them choice to live in inner city with luxury life.
The ones who accept the offer had to go through the Binding Ritual, this ritual will place a mark deep inside their heart.
This was like a insurance for, Demon Lord, that no one will leak the information about him or about his city, and if they did then their bodies will explode from inside, killing them instantly.
And another thing about this ritual was, if needed caster can drain their Manas along with their soul and can regain more strength anytime.
The ones who lived in second layer city have to abide by, Demon Lord, decision and devote themselves to him. If they don't wanna be thrown into Slum City.
In the center of 2 layers cities, stands a huge castle which was 25 story high.
The castle looked, it was from mediaeval period.
Every side of the castle was heavily guarded by different races of Demons, making the invaders difficult to infiltrate.
Inside the castle, in a dark room were even the sunlight wasn't able to enter without permission.
On each pillars which was around the room had torch on it, which lit the whole room.
In the middle of the room, there was a huge oval shape table, there was 3 chairs on each side, and on one end of the table was 1 huge chair, which was empty.
On one side there was a pair, one was a man; who had stretch-out face with black hair. He was wearing 19th century American gentleman dress, a waistcoat with short skirts, and a coat with curving back fronts.
Another one was female; who had pale white skin along with her white short hair which was up to her shoulder. She had her hands crossed while laying her back over chair.
Man name was, Jack, and woman name was, Tia.
And on, Tia, side was another chair which was empty...
One the other side of the table was another pair, one was young boy who looked quite young like; 16 year boy... his hair was neon purple. He had his hands on his cheek while looking around.
Another one was the, Lich, who was wearing magician robe.
Lich name was, Ed, and the young boy name was, Vulpes*.
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Vulpes is a Latin word which means Fox.
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And on, Ed, side was another chair which also empty....
When Mech-Country were having their conference.
At the same time, Demon Lord, Ruiyuko, also held up a meeting with his close aides, who's also known as 'Six Fingers' in this land. But among six members only 4 were present in the room.
「Hah... How much more time will it take, Ruiyuko-dono, to return..?」< Vulpes >
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
「Be patient, Vulpes. I'm sure, Lord Ruiyuko, and other, Demon Lords, are having important discussion about the future.」< Jack >
'Future? My ass....' is, Vulpes, was about to tell them but he stop himself cause he knows very well that everybody in this room faithfully follow their, Lord, and can't tolerate any insult or disrespect towards him.
「...I see... Anyway, let's talk about our daily lives. You know, about love, foods, or anything. We rarely see each other, so why not take this chance to chat as Six Fingers... Even though, Tom-san, is not here and another member is still a mystery till this day....」< Vulpes >
「....Not interested....」< Ed >
「About love, food, huh.... I don't have any, my apologies.」< Jack >
「Who cares about this mystery person... Or about that Human brat, Tom! More importantly.... Why does even, Tom, got the chance to destroy the Mech-City, and to lead the army for this war... Am I not good enough for my, Lord?! That! That, Tom, his very existence pisses me off!!」< Tia >
Tia, bit her lip in anger, while, Vulpes, sighed at everyone's respond.
「What about you, Vulpes?」< Jack >
「Hm? About me..?」< Vulpes >
「Yes. I've heard, you've went back to the Dungeon 5 years ago, is it true?」< Jack >
「Aah yes~! I did went back to search for my little sister but the surrounding was unrecognizable, even the Dungeon entrance was destroyed....」< Vulpes >
Vulpes, couldn't help but to recollect his memories from 5 years ago; when he felt faint presence of his little sister, and following that week he straight went to the Dungeon location but when he got there the whole landscape was different from the last time when he first visited the place.
About 2km of surrounding of the Dungeon were now a subtropical forest. He knew very well, this place was untrodden rocky mountains it was impossible for life to strive here, and yet he saw life on this place.
And when he got to the Dungeon entrance, it was collapsed unable to enter inside anymore...
But he was now for sure, his little sister somehow manage to broke the highly skilled seal which was placed by the 'Monkey King' who was sealed at the end floor of the Dungeon.
But if truth to be told then, Sub along with the resident of the Dungeon were responsible for the forest.
And as for the Dungeon entrance; it was purely an illusion magic, a High-Skill Illusion Magic indeed, which even manage to trick the eyes of Tail-Fox, Vulpes.
And the caster of that magic was, Sub.
(Aww~ I can't wait for our reunion, little sis~~...) < Vulpes >
He couldn't help but to smirk at the fact, he will soon be meeting her sooner or later.
*Click*
But then, the room door opened from the outside.
First one to enter was at least 8ft in height, and had a red cape on his back with curled horns on his head, and also his body was well bulit.
He was the, Demon Lord, Ruiyuko.
When the, Demon Lord, entered everyone stood up from their chairs, making their body stiff, and puts their one hand on chest.
Another guy who was chubby soon enter the room after, Demon Lord, he was wearing butler uniform.
His name was, Gluttony.
When, Demon Lord, sat on the huge chair, everyone also sit back to their chairs and as for, Gluttony, he stood behind, Demon Lord, chair.
「Now then, let's begin our meeting, shall we?」< Ruiyuko >
When, Demon Lord, spoke everyone nodded.
「First of all. I believe, some of you might have some question to ask me, right?」< Ruiyuko >
「I have. Say, Ruiyuko-dono, you could've just win this war by sheer numbers, then why sent one of Six Fingers to lead the army.... I mean, we've already captured the, Guardian, who was the powerhouse of,
Mech-Country, right~?」< Vulpes >
「It seems that you're underestimating our enemy, Vulpes. Even though they've lost most of their fighting power, doesn't mean they can't fight. How about I tell you a story?」< Ruiyuko >
「..... A story...?」< Vulpes >
「Yes. Long time ago, for some unknown reasons 'Gate Of The Underworld' was open only to this world, cause of that every Devils and Demons swarm through the gate, and soon enough every place of this world turn into battlefields.」< Ruiyuko >
「...Hate to interrupt your story, Ruiyuko-dono, but I think everybody in this world already knows about the history of the first great war between Humans and Monsters, right?」< Vulpes >
Demon Lord, didn't say anything instead he just continue his story.
As for other members, they also didn't give much value to, Vulpes, words instead they all just listened to, Demon Lord's, story more closely.
Without any protest, Vulpes, also kept quiet and listened to the story.
「When humanity was about to give up, 4 individuals step on the battlefield turning the war on their favours. After the war Humans started to call them 'Guardians Of Humanity', among them; 1 individual was the Esper, I'd say; strongest Esper to ever live.」< Ruiyuko >
『...』
「But..... No one tried to unveil the past or the origin of the strongest Esper. So, for more than centuries I looked into it, and what I found was quite fascinating. The strongest Esper wasn't from this world nor reincarnated from other the universe, instead he was from another galaxy; to be more specific, an extarterrestrail life with advanced technology far more superior than what I've seen. And even till this day, Mech-Country never disappointed me of how advanced they are compare to any other continents.」< Ruiyuko >
「?!...I... Didn't know about this....」< Tia >
「...Me neither...」< Ed >
「...Same here...」< Jack >
Everyone got astonished after hearing the story.
「!... I see... But why keep the Guardian alive?」< Vulpes >
「The reason is simple; Espers are different, they'll get stronger based on their emotions. They are far more stronger than any Humans in comparison. The first Guardian Of Mech-Country had mated with several humans, in order to pass down his genes for future generations, and only handful of them are still alive today. And that led me to the present Gaurdian, he's somewhat strong as the first Guardian.」< Ruiyuko >
「! Oho~I think, I now understand about your plan a little bit. Can I~?!」< Vulpes >
「Heh. Energetic as always, huh, Vulpes. Go ahead.」< Ruiyuko >
When, Vulpes, stood up from his chair while raising his hand in the air and looked at, Demon Lord, with curious eyes. Demon Lord, smirk and gave him permission to say what was in his mind.
As for other, they just kept silent and looked at the interaction between, Demon Lord, and Vulpes.
Even though, Vulpes, was showing child like behavior. They knew very well that he was strong and one of them as 'Six Fingers' who work directly under, Demon Lord, for centuries. And also, Demon Lord, wasn't bother by it, instead it looked like this was normal talk for them.
「Ahem~If what I'm guessing is right then... You're trying to make the Guardian as a servant of yours, right!」< Vulpes >
「Indeed. But in order to that; I'll have to break his spirit first, and what's better way to do that by destroying Mech-Country and killing his loved ones while he watches the destruction of it from my sweet prison. Which led me to your previous question, Vulpes. Why would I send one of Six Fingers, right.」< Ruiyuko >
「?!」
「It's true. I can overwhelmed them by sheer numbers but it won't be much of a fun, won't it? So I'm making sure to give our enemies a little glimpse of hope before fully crushing them. And that's when, Tom, comes to play. Just like you all; every members of 'Six Fingers' are quite unique.」< Ruiyuko >
『...』
「Thousands of years ago, when 'Six Fingers' wasn't even form, I met Tom. That time he loved the 10th Gaurdian more than his own life, so I killed 10th Gaurdian and had to make the scenery more plausible to give, Tom, a reason to hate other Guardians.」< Ruiyuko >
He continued; After that, Tom, took the side of Demons, and killed the 12th Guardian and fatally injured the 11th Graudian on the war.
After fighting with both Guardians, Tom, was weakened a lot. So, Demon Lord, took the chance and cast the binding ritual by force and make him, his pawn.
「You must be wondering, why did I troubled myself to make, Tom, as my pawn, right? The answer is simple actually; even though he wasn't the Guardian or a Esper but he was indeed a strong human who can easily destroy anything by his Explosion Magic. And what's interesting is he's powerful as 1st Gaurdian or even more. And the fun part is; the country which 10th Gaurdian was desperately trying to save will be destroyed by her own lover, and the present Gaurdian will see it's demise, helplessly. Isn't it ironic?」< Ruiyuko >
「Yes! My Lord! I've never thought this far!」< Tia >
「...Like; Two Birds With One Stone, huh...」< Jack >
「...」
「...Now, I don't even know what you're thinking, Ruiyuko-dono.... But I still have one last question to ask.」< Vulpes >
Demon Lord, nods in response.
「...You say... Tom, is human and yet... how is he look so young even after thousand year?」< Vulpes >
「Like I said; Mech-Country got advanced technology than other continents. Among their various technologies I've got few of them with me, and among them there is one machine which can replicates any cells, and will replace older or damaged cells with newer ones, stopping one from ageing.」< Ruiyuko >
「...I see.... That's make sense....」< Vulpes >
After talking with, Vulpes. Demon Lord, turn his attention to, Tia.
「Tia?」
「! Y-Yes, My Lord!!」< Tia >
「I've heard, one of the Demi-human child runaway from the city whom your supposed to look after.」< Ruiyuko >
「...」
Tia, clenched her fist even more while avoiding the eye contact.
「...My Lord, please give me a chance.... I'll swear to catch--」< Tia >
「No need. She's just a mere child so I'm sure she won't survive in wilderness for more than few days.」< Ruiyuko >
「...As your wish, My Lord!」< Tia >
....
For more than hours, they all talk about their daily lives, and at the end, Demon Lord, concluded the meeting saying all the members in the room to standby or can go back to their daily routine for a while.
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I hope you enjoy it and sorry for my bad grammar and I hope it's understandable.
I'm trying my best to improve and if you find some mistakes or anything like that, then let me know on the comments.
Peace:)