Commander Kelly felt his stomach churn as he entered the Royal Council Chamber, also lovingly called the War Room. Unlike many of the rooms that had the word Royal dubbed to it, this one looked well-used and properly messy. Maps and papers were all over the place. The servants barely kept everything in semi-organized stacks. There was also a bunch of pencils and inkers around the place. Even a few crayons where people had to grab from the Crown Princess’s supplies.

  The only one sitting at the round table was the King himself.

  King Salazar looked exhausted, but it was still on a terrifying face. Kelly had once heard an artist say that he looked like a weasel and human had a baby, and then completely drain out of energy. Kelly had to actually privately agree.

  Salazar looked up, and then adjusted his own blonde hair. He stood up. “Any luck on these rumors of a demigod among us?”

  “Zeke Morningstar. It should have been obvious from the beginning.”

  Salazar sighed. Zeke had once gotten over the walls of the Castle to yell at a Knight who had gotten handsy with one of his employees. And he did so by duplicating himself… a million times. Kelly wouldn’t be surprised if they still found a random Zeke in the moat at some point.

  Salazar said, “Well, at least he isn’t a threat…”

  “Only if the Knights are wise. I had to break up where a group of low-ranking recruits were going after his daughter. I managed to break it up, but… well, when I saw Zeke, he was clearly debating world-ending chaos.”

  Salazar rubbed his eyes. “…fuck.”

  Kelly blinked. After his promotion to Commander, he was starting to see more angles to Salazar. Salazar was still a cold and calculating King that only cared for himself and power, but he was at least polite in public.

  And, honestly, a bit less exhausted.

  Salazar said, “…any luck getting the previous high-rangers back?”

  Kelly said, “Only… of sorts. Captain Cranin is unable to join active duty, but he said he is willing to sit at the Council table or teach at the Academy again.”

  Salazar nodded. “…good ol’ Cranin. Anyone else?”

  “Lord Hensley is working with Adventurers on the North Border. He said once the chaos dies down he will return to the Capital. We simply do not know when.”

  Salazar nodded. Kelly sighed. “Unluckily, those who remain to recruit are either retired, having families, or… the previous Commander made them lose all faith in the system.”

  Salazar said, “Like the Fords.”

  Kelly nodded. Kelly said, “If it helps His Majesty… I doubt they would have returned anyway. Their son is very young. They’d probably hold off at least until his teenage years.”

  Salazar nodded. “That would make sense.”

  He sighed and sat down. “…is there any way to make them return?”

  Kelly said, “Sir… if I may ask… why are you so determined to bring them back?”

  Salazar said, “You know Diana’s butler, correct? Do you know what species he is?”

  Kelly nodded. “But for all I know, Zeke willed him into existence. I’ve seen him do that with his metallic assistants.”

  Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

  Salazar stopped, and clearly thought a moment. He said, “That is disturbing, but fair.”

  Salazar sighed and stood up. He started to pace on his side of the table. He said, “Demons are real, Commander. They are what live beyond the Border.”

  Kelly’s gut twisted. So the Fords were right. He didn’t doubt that they saw demons that day, but he didn’t understand their persistence that it wasn’t an illusion or hallucination.

  Now he did.

  Kelly said, “…and they do not… invade? Other than… Blackstone.”

  Salazar shook his head. “The Goddess has the human lands underneath a barrier. It is extremely difficult for a demon to break through. But that is also why there are so many Dungeons near the Borders.”

  Kelly got it. “It’s strategic. To have the Adventurers nearby.”

  Salazar nodded. “Blackstone was a group that had somehow gotten close enough. The Fords should have been honored, instead of… what happened.”

  Kelly fought to keep his perfect poker face. He knew that Salazar let his friends suffer. He was lying to get cookie points with Kelly. Unluckily, Kelly wasn’t that stupid.

  Suddenly, his eyes burned.

  Kelly rubbed his eyes. Salazar noticed. “Are you all right?”

  “I think dust got in my eyes, sir. I will be fine.”

  Salazar nodded. He said, “We need Knights who know how to deal with demons. But we cannot let the news of them be widespread. After all, if people found out that they existed… it would be mass panic.”

  And they’d rebel against you and the Goddess who lied to them all along.

  Kelly said, “I understand, sir.”

  Salazar said, “The only ones right now who even know how to deal with demons are the Fords. Otherwise, we’d have to find ways to recruit Adventurers from the Border.”

  Kelly realized. “Do they know?”

  Salazar said, “I am not sure how many know there are demons who are from the Border. You know the Dungeons that spawn sentient beings, some being demons. Many Adventurers have taken Dungeon Demons as spouses and children. That is where… recruiting them will be difficult.”

  Because they know that demons, like us, are sentient and have both good and evil.

  Kelly blinked at the strange thought. It was true. But still…

  Kelly then decided to ask, “Sir, if I may ask a very… bizarre question.”

  Salazar asked, “Are there demons who live among us in general?”

  Kelly nodded slowly, a bit surprised. Salazar said, “Of course. As I’m sure there are humans who live among their populace without being tortured.”

  Kelly said, “I… did not expect that blunt an honest answer, sir.”

  Salazar cracked a small smile. “Every Commander I have ever worked with asks the same question, Kelly. I’m used to it.”

  He then grew serious. “But yes… you probably know a few yourself. Many demons have the ability to shape-shift. Many we call shapeshifters are actually demon using magic as their excuse for their twisted forms.”

  Salazar shook his head. “There is no problem with letting civilians live among us. As long as they are not a danger nor will cause a panic. And follow the law.”

  Kelly nodded in understanding. “Would any be willing to help us?”

  Salazar looked in surprise. Kelly decided to push it, “After all, if they grew up here, they’d be willing to defend their home, correct?”

  Salazar smiled sadly. “…you do not believe in the Goddess?”

  Kelly put his hands behind his back. He said, “I do. However, I do not believe she considers us important enough to watch us or care for us.”

  Salazar nodded. “She cares enough that she will inflict rage on us.”

  Kelly stiffened. But an idea was brewing in his mind. Inspired by what happened earlier… and the Holy Law he had found.

  Kelly said, “I see.”

  Salazar nodded. Probably didn’t think he convinced Kelly, but they both could agree not to push the subject. Salazar sat back down, rubbing his eyes. “…unless we can find someone who can replace the Fords, we need them. Please… find a way to get them to agree.”

  Kelly said, “I will continue trying. But I do not know if I will have success until at least Eye-Deku is older.”

  Salazar nodded… and suddenly titled his head. “Eye… Deku?”

  “Yes, sir. That is his name.”

  Salazar said, “Odd… my grandfather told stories of a hero from another land called Deku.”

  Kelly had to quickly run the Royal Family through his mind. He then remembered. “Your grandfather was an Adventurer from the West Coast, right? The Fords were stationed there for a while. Maybe they heard the same stories and named their son after him.”

  Salazar nodded, relaxing. “Very possible.”

  He sighed. “Too bad my grandfather is not around to ask about those legends.”

  Salazar waved a hand before Kelly could comment. “Just musings, Commander. You may go.”

  Kelly bowed slightly. “Of course, sir.”

  Kelly walked out. As he walked through the grand halls of the Castle, a plot was growing in his mind. Something to end Salazar and the Royal Knights. He’d make the Goddess aware of his King’s sins. Reset everything.

  Two major questions plagued his mind.

  1: where was the Goddess?

  2: how did he gaurentee a new “Salazar” didn’t sit on the throne next?