After taking down all the demon captains, capturing the fort was simple.
"Attention all demon soldiers!" [Felix]
Picking up Hurgon's head, he raised it high for all to see.
"Your captain is slain! Surrender now and your lives will be spared!" [Felix]
The battlefield froze for a moment. Demons glanced around nervously wondering whether or not to listen, whereas human soldiers were confused by the promises of someone suddenly taking command.
("They're still wavering. I still need something to solidify my authority. I will need to pretend to be a hero.") [Felix]
He wasn't sure if it would work, but Felix also chose to make use of Roderick's death.
"The hero and acting commander Roderick has perished in battle! As the Hero of Metus, I am assuming command!" [Felix]
Hearing that, all human soldiers heeded Felix.
"Demon soldiers! Drop your weapons!" [Human Soldier]
"Don't listen to them! They are just planning on tricking us!" [Demon Soldier]
A few demons fought back, but were immediately blown to smithereens the moment Adam returned. He stood in the air, arms crossed as he gazed down on the fort.
"The demon captain Asil has been captured as a prisoner of war! Submit or die!" [Adam]
Any remaining opposition died out upon hearing that. It was impossible to win when their strongest, and chain of command had fallen.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The aftermath was a mess. For the past few days Felix had taken command over all affairs. He was approached by three commanding officers: Bilt, Erise, and Pilton.
"Fable! How dare you take supreme command! You're not even part of the army!" [Bilt]
Bilt was an old heavy knight and a veteran in combat. Fable had seen him from time to time, but never really spoke to him. From what he can see, Bilt may be someone hungry for power.
"Roderick entrusted everything to me. Are you going against his last will?" [Felix]
"That's because you took immediate command! If we knew-" [Bilt]
"That's enough, Bilt. Chain of command is not the issue here." [Erise]
Then there was Erise. A knight who excelled in the sword and spear. Felix had met her in the war room with Roderick before and had the impression that she was stern and responsible.
"Shut it, Erise. Can't you see I'm talking to Fable about something important?" [Bilt]
"Your status is of no importance right now. We need to plan reconstruction of the fort and arrange food for not only ourselves, but also the prisoners we captured." [Erise]
"Just let the demons starve! We weren't going to take them prisoner in the first place! That's why Fable is-" [Bilt]
"Um… Sirs? Can we stop fighting?" [Pilton]
There was also Pilton, the lowest ranking in the room. He was the timid type and cared heavily about his subordinates. If not for his lacking combat strength, he would be ranked higher.
"Enough. We are humans. Not monsters. We will treat demons with the same respect as our own kind." [Felix]
"You fool! Do you not realize what you're doing?!" [Bilt]
Felix glared at him.
"Bilt. Know that I am tolerating you not because of your rank. If not for the fact that you are one of Roderick's men, I would have gotten rid of you the moment you opened your mouth." [Felix]
Bilt shuddered at Felix's gaze.
"U-Understood… sir." [Bilt]
("Petty bastard.") [Felix]
Felix had so much to catch up on. He had to learn about the political system quickly and the chain of command above where he was at. Thanks to Pilton and Erise, Felix was able to barely manage to figure most things out. The only problem was the dissatisfaction of the lower ranked soldiers.
"Don't you think our new commander is a bit of a… coward?" [Unhappy Soldier]
"Ah… Yeah. Sparing demons? He should be ashamed to be calling himself a hero." [Annoyed Soldier]
Whispers and gossip could be heard down the halls, most opposing Felix's authority.
"Hey, whatchu guys talking about?" [Adam]
"E-Eek!" [Unhappy Soldier]
"N-Nothing! Nothing at all!" [Annoyed Soldier]
Luckily, the opposition against Felix only amounted to gossip. Adam's show of power of obliterating his opponents and single handed destruction of the fort wall was enough to keep men in check.
"That's all good then." [Adam]
He patted the soldiers on the back before leaving.
"Are you going to visit the prison cells again?" [Krino]
("Of course.") [Adam]
The humans of this world discriminated greatly against other races. In order to ensure fair treatment to demon prisoners, Adam and Tiffany would rotate watch over them.
"You're still planning on trying to learn that skill, huh?" [Krino]
("Yep.") [Adam]
Heading underneath the fort through a hidden staircase, Adam passed by a few guardsmen.
"Greetings, Sir Astos!" [Guardsman]
"Hello~." [Adam]
Seeing that the status of Hero had stuck onto him, Adam grew used to others treating him politely. He descended the stairs until he reached a rather large hallway. Within such a hallway were cells lining the walls.
"Hey, Til." [Adam]
"Hi, Astos." [Tiffany]
There sat Tiffany, holding a log of individual information of the captives.
"How's our prisoners?" [Adam]
"Same as before. They're not very talkative, but will answer simple questions when asked. That may just be my lack of linguistic ability though." [Tiffany]
"I always forget that you haven't learned this world's language yet. It's still impressive though." [Adam]
"Thank you. Since you're here, I'll go see if Felix needs help with anything." [Tiffany]
"Alright. I'll see you later then." [Adam]
As Tiffany ascended the stairs, Adam approached one of the prison cells.
"Hey there. How's imprisonment going for you?" [Adam]
"For starters, I'm alive." [Asil]
A single cell specifically holding the demon captain. Adam visited her the most.
"I told you I'd spare you." [Adam]
"Very true. However, humans are known to be tricksters. What exactly do you want from me?" [Asil]
Adam smiled.
"I want to learn your skills." [Adam]
"My skills?" [Asil]
"Yeah. The one where you cut really fast." [Adam]
He made a motion to imitate Asil's |Windless Slash Arts: Single Point Draw|.
"Trade secret." [Asil]
She turned her head in refusal.
"Aw c'mon… Please?" [Adam]
Asil was taken aback upon hearing his plea.
"A human… begging me? You're a really weird one." [Asil]
"I'm… pretty familiar with hearing those kinds of things." [Adam]
It's not the first time he was seen as abnormal.
"Ah…" [Asil]
("...Is he an outcast like me?") [Asil]
Asil looked at the single wing she had. Compared to other demons who are usually born with two, she was seen as lesser. She sympathized with Adam, not knowing that it was a misunderstanding.
"Alright. I'll teach you." [Asil]
"Really?!" [Adam]
Adam beamed with excitement.
"You have to promise me something though." [Asil]
"Oh. Sure!" [Adam]
"Why are you agreeing? I haven't even told you about it yet." [Asil]
"If you're asking, it should be within my power right?" [Adam]
"What if I told you to kill yourself?" [Asil]
"You wouldn't do that." [Adam]
"Huh?" [Asil]
Asil was baffled. How could a human trust a demon so readily?
"Anyway, listen. I want you to release me and my fellow demons once you've learned my skills." [Asil]
"Sure." [Adam]
It was an immediate reply.
"...Seriously?" [Asil]
"Of course." [Adam]
He spoke knowing of Felix's plan. Felix had already informed Adam and Tiffany that they were going to negotiate with Lithik for supplies or the trading of prisoners later, so it wouldn't be a problem to release them when it happens. Although, it would be unlikely for demons to take prisoners considering this world's nature.
"Then… let's start with lesson one." [Asil]