The slender man leads us to a spacious and well-lit room with a long table in the middle. 7 seats are served. Priestess is sitting at the end. To the right sits Kooli, Sana and a tall girl I haven't yet seen. The left side is empty.
Everyone's eyes are naturally drawn to the calmly smiling now princess walking by my side. I am out of place even in the dinner suit I despairingly bought in the Shop.
Good evening! - Shea greets everyone with an elegant bow.
So that is what a princess looks like... While awestruck I have now completely lost my timing for a greeting.
The man gestures asking us to take a seat.
I help Shea to sit down and receive a soft - Thank you, dear!
What is going on? I am completely lost. Are we playing a game of sorts?
- I will serve the food now, please, wait for a moment - the man leaves.
- With arrival of the newest guests, everyone has gathered now. I will proceed with the introductions. - Priestess stands up - but before that, please understand that all said here, should stay here.
- I am Priestess, hostess and owner of this palace. By a twist of fate, the current ruler of Demon Lands. I am a red Drakken, the undisputed Queen of Fire. - Priestess introduces herself then points at the girl in white dress I had met - This is Kooli.
A person alien to me stands up. Her appearance is cold and indifferent.
Priestess continues - Kooli is a blue dragon, a peculiar and strong one. She is like a little sister to me. Do not bully her or the next morning might not come for you. She spends most of her time reading books in the Forbidden Garden. Would you like to add something, Koo?
These words hit hard and painful. Priestess's little sister caught me in the Forbidden Garden and said something so weird. Now she is intensely staring at me. Why do I get in so much trouble? Does the curse of the protagonist exist?
- We already met... - Kooli drops a bomb. All eyes are immediately drawn to me. Silence prevails.
- He did? - Priestess questioning glare is burning hotter than fire. It mixes with a bit of murderous intent coming from my left, where Shea is sitting.
- Yes, I already met with Kooli. - I confess, leaving out the troublesome details.
Priestess moves onto the next introduction - The girl next to Kooli is Sana. You two already met her.
The girl in glasses, one we met earlier stands up. In contrast to Priestess and Kooli, she looks so tall.
Priestess continues - Saa is a Humen, our guest. She has her own reasons to be here with us. She is the number one person to go to for a piece of advice or when a hearing ear is needed.
- Kooli! You know what I said, do not bother our guests! - Priestess scolds Kooli in dead-serious tone, interrupting the introductions.
- No, it's okay. - I try to soften the situation.
- Aren't you freezing? - Priestess turns to me with a mix of surprise and worry in her voice.
- Freezing? No, it's pleasantly warm. Like in a sunny spring day. - I put my sensations into words.
- I cast a charm - Kooli explains with a mischievous smile and reaches her hand to me. I stretch out my in return and she catches it. Everyone gasps.
It is a delicate and warm hand, nothing out of the usual. Her fingers are shorter than Shea's, but it's a normal, feminine hand.
Priestess takes a glass of water and pours some from above. Water freezes before reaching the hands and breaks into a white powder then snowing down.
- Her body is a hundred degrees below zero. I don't know how you are still alive holding that hand. - Priestess shrugs, shaking head in disbelief.
The next girl to be introduced is the tallest of all. The gloomiest person I have seen, but that pitch-black hair is amazing. I have never seen someone with hair that long. She beats Shea by a palm or two. Even more unusual are the yellow eyes. One, to be precise. The other is hidden behind a lush strand.
After a sigh, Priestess resumes - Ayase is a Demon, a Vampire. One of my trustworthy generals. I have known her since an early age. She looks more terrifying than is. Unless you are the enemy.
- I know you wanted to say something! - Priestess gives word to the cute cyclope intensively looking at me and Shea.
- You better not enter that forbidden territory! - Ayase looks at me with deeply condemning expression.
I had been so confident no one saw me entering the Forbidden Garden. I was wrong. Confession is written all over my face.
- It is true then? - there is enough disappointment in Priestess's voice to thickly fill the room.
- Yes… - I unwillingly confirm preparing for the judgment.
- I assume you will take responsibility? - Priestess warns in a cold tone - While here, you must follow the Ancient ways.
- I will... - I promise, unsure what. What are those ways she mentioned?
- You both have a head on your shoulders. I hope you will use it for what it is meant - Priestess first looks at me then makes a quick glance at Kooli.
Is that it? I had expected a serious punishment. And what just happened? Was it a green light for me and Kooli? No, no… I have Shea, my princess.
- Where is Rea? - I ask, concerned about her absence… and to shift my thoughts.
- Rea said she did not want to participate today. - Priestess explains without any additional details.
Door to the room springs open and Rea enters, bowing deeply in apology. Without hesitation, she takes the seat next to me.
- Feeling better? - Priestess asks looking at Rea.
- Yes! - Rea answers vigorously.
- Rea is one of… - Priestess begins the introduction, is interrupted by Rea standing up with a loud noise.
- I did not know we are in the middle of introductions. - horned girl apologizes.
- Rea is one of my generals. - Priestess starts from the beginning - A Demon, Tauri. My right hand in all things. She even takes care of flowers in the Forbidden Garden.
That brutal ax swinging monstrosity is a tender gardener? This doesn't sink in.
- About that, Kooli froze the garden again yesterday! - Rea complains in indignant voice.
- What can I do? They went separate ways! - Kooli hits back, looking at Rea with a deadly gaze.
- Koo, enough! - Priestess hits girl's forehead with finger and turns to Rea - Shields?
- She broke only one this time. - Rea reports ending with a sigh.
- I will restore it tomorrow morning. - Priestess answers, then notices how I follow the exchange with interest - This lady would freeze everything tens of miles far. Palace would turn into dust. No stone would stay unturned.
- Look how beautiful it is today! - Kooli says in defense.
It was truly beautiful today. I wonder why all the plants were blooming. No way… it can't be?
- Why is it "forbidden"? - I ask the one question that has been in and out of my mind.
Rea punches me hard in the ribs - That is one thing you do not ask here!
- No man can enter. Painful death awaits that who tries. Keep away if value your life. - Priestess explains - Castle's previous owner built it for the wife. He was a jealous man.
I glance at Kooli with scared eyes, but the girl shrugs indifferently.
- Did you embarrass Rea? - Ayase changes the topic looking at Rea with a grin.
- That was not our intention. - I defend.
- She attacked Matsuda. We had no choice. I did not expect the skill would be so strong. - Shea joins the conversation, supporting my words.
We are the last left. Priestess calls my name. I stand up.
- Matsuda is a traveler who was trespassing on our land. He will lend us a hand with Bea to pay for his sin. He is a young, strong and healthy man. - Priestess makes a weird introduction for me.
Next is Shea's turn to stand up.
- This beautiful and well-mannered lady and Matsuda's travel companion with benefits is Shea, the youngest daughter of Elfen King. - Priestess makes a better, but still weird introduction for Shea.
Just as the introductions are over, our food finally arrives. Belhe puts in front of us a variety of deliciously smelling dishes.
- Thank you for sparing the life of lady Rea. - Belhe whispers to me while putting down a plate with the next dish.
- Belhe! - Rea tries to shush the man, but he completely ignores her.
- Lady Rea, please, know when to be humble! - he scolds the sulking girl.
Everyone is taken in by the delicious food and talks cease. When dishes are empty, Kooli and Sana say goodnight and leave the room. The remaining five people start discussing the rescue plan from a report by Rea.
- Bea is being held in a bandit village to the east of Lake Idris. In the basement of one of the houses. The exact location is unknown. Bandits plan to sell her as a slave to the highest bidder. In two days a likely buyer will arrive. We need to get her out of there before that. - Rea reports.
- Matsuda will act in the role of a traveling slave merchant, locate the bandits who are holding the girl captive and force them to reveal the location, with a pretext of inspecting the item. When the location is clear, rescue the girl. To make it more believable, Shea will pretend to be a slave. - Priestess explains the plan.
Shea is not herself all this time. That happy, and sometimes sad girl is burning in anger since Rea had begun the report. I'm hit the hardest by this outpour of emotions. I jump between being worried, joining her anger or getting annoyed by everything. From time to time glancing at her, I pray for this meeting to end.
Priestess notices my state and cuts it short - That is the plan. Matsuda and Shea will leave tomorrow.
The two generals, Ayase and Rea leave, saying a short goodnight from the door.
Priestess leads us out of the room and firmly closes the door. Then comes to me and gives a piece of parchment with numbers and directions - Tonight, come to this room. We need to discuss some more details of the mission. (Priestess, Demon)
On Priestess orders, Belhe leads us to the room. As soon as the door closes behind her back, I ask the question badgering me - What's wrong?
- I hate such people. They should burn in fire for eternity. - there is so much pure anger in Shea's voice, a Hell or two could be born from it.
- I agree. - but why this flood. Why waste energy and damage the body. Why this pointless stupidity. It changes nothing. Why encumber others.
No, I must not be swept away by this nonsense. No matter what world, I am above this. I need a distraction.
A small copy of Wind appears in the room.
I said it's small, but it's not smaller than some of the biggest dogs.
Shea jumps back and draws out the bow, aiming at the clone. Beast's eyes light in bright red, white gloss runs over the gray fur.
- Stop, Shea! - I yell to stop them - Wind, stay still!
- You both are idiots! - I ascertain shaking head.
Shea lowers the bow. Wind's fur returns back to gray with black.
- This is Shea! She is my companion! She is one of us. - I explain in Demon, pointing at the confused girl. Demon swings tail a few times and lowers head in apology.
- This is Wind! He is my pet! He is on our side. - I explain to Shea.
- A Higher Demon for a pet? - Shea asks with bow and arrow still in hands.
- Yes, put those away, please! - I firmly ask.
Bow disappears. Swinging the tail, Wind runs towards the princess. The animal sits in front of the girl, looking up with interest.
Insecurely the girl touches the creature's puffy mane.
- Soft! - hand dives deeper. The other joins. Shea squats.
The anger is forgotten, for now. Happiness takes the front seat. Equilibrium is back. Two hands light as fluff slide over animal's sides, back, neck, face.
This is going to be a rough ride. I sigh.