"My lord, it seems we may have overestimated them," Orion states, gazing at the screen I view the raid on.
"Indeed. They struggled with a lich below level 80. That's just really weak!" Castor adds with a chuckle.
"Don't say that. Can't you see their trying. That guy with great agility looks promising," Pollux says, pointing at an adventurer on the screen. "It's not their fault that humans are so naturally weak."
"You're just saying that cause you want to play with him after," Castor retorts.
"Nuh uh!"
"That's enough. Can't you see I'm trying to watch in peace. They're about to leave the tunnel, I want to see their skills," Falacer muses, dawning an excited expression as she watches.
"Oh look! Orion's archers are up next!" Castor says in excitement.
"Lame! Two of 'em have already dropped like flies," Pollux whines. "But at least my favorite is still standing!"
"You have a favorite?" I ask gently, looking at the twins who still complain like children.
They flinch at my question, not expecting me to ask, then Pollux slowly nods. "Y-yes my lord."
"Who is it?"
"Um... that one," He says, pointing to him on the screen again. "His agility is top notch. I think he's got a lot of potential."
"Having a favorite human is gross!" Castor teased, folding his arms together.
"I don't think so," I say, glancing to the screen as well. "That human is my favorite too."
The platinum adventurer. He's dressed like a warrior and his level seems to be between 56-65, though there's just something about him that doesn't fit. If I had to guess, I'd say his job isn't really warrior. His movements are precise but not those that fit the warrior class, and his agility looks too high for his level if he's actually a warrior. He's interesting.
"Really?!" Pollux asks in surprise.
"Yes."
"T-then he's my favorite too!" Castor says, taking back what he said only three seconds ago.
I smile and pat their heads. Because of their immense strength and slight maturity, I sometimes forget that they're really only about ten years old game-time. Still, I'm a little disappointed that this ended already. They're group has been reduced to more than half of what it was, and it's only just begun.
From the screen, I can see that they've seriously run out of stamina and any energy to continue on. If they had any secret hands to play they'd have done it by now. The archers are about to shoot them down. Like this, they'll all die.
"Looks like it's over." Amaymon says, looking at the screen unenthusiastically.
"More than half are gone too." Vanir adds.
I sigh and say, "Enough. Bring them to me."
My generals stop to look at me before doing as I said. Damocles contacts Brontes through 'telepathic link' and informs him of my order.
After a moment, I watch as the bows that were drawn at the remaining individuals of the group lower.
~
"Huh?"
"What's happening?"
"Is it over?"
The group watch in confusion as the archers on the watch tower stand idly, not aiming at them anymore.
"What's going on?" Maneva asks turning to look at the lead knight.
"I-I don't know."
"Welcome, visitors." The voice of Brontes speaks behind them.
They turn in surprise to look at the man dressed in heavy armor standing behind them.
"Who...?"
"A human?" The mage adventurer asks, staring at Brontes in deep confusion.
"What is another human doing here? Do you know where the exit is? How did you get here?" The second class knight queries.
"No!" Maneva exclaims. "That isn't a human. He's a demon. Right?"
"Yes. Your sensing skills are impressive. Most humans who aren't of the priest class are unable to tell." Brontes speaks.
"You're the one who is impressive. A demon in human form who knows how to speak our language." Maneva retorts, struggling to stand, as she tightens her grip on the lead knight's shoulder.
"That really isn't something special. You just haven't come across any like me." Brontes replies, scanning each of them with the movement of his eyes.
"What- what do you want?"
Brontes squints his eyes to focus on Maneva as he responds. "You came in uninvited to my lord's home, yet you ask me what I want?"
"Y-your... lord?" The mage adventurer mumbles, repeating his last phrase in question.
"Yes. You should be grateful for my lord's benevolence. He has provided you with a little more time in this world, and orders your presence before him."
"Orders from a demon? Grateful? Why-" The second class knight begins to rant but is interrupted by the immense blood thirst exuding off Brontes.
"You will be wise to watch your tongue when referring to my master, you human vermin," Brontes states with a hard glare.
"We will go," The platinum class adventurer says, stepping forward to follow him.
"What?" Maneva and the second class knight exclaim in retortion.
"Stop," The lead knight speaks, putting his hand out to stop any defiance. "We'll go."
"But why?"
"Look at us. We are in no place to fight like this. And it doesn't take much to know that that guy is definitely stronger that the lich half of us died facing."
The group flinches at the truth of the statement. Brontes doesn't say anything further, and leads them northwards to the castle's grand hall.
I watch the screen until the individuals I was gazing at walk through the giant doors. Brontes walks forward on the red carpet leading to the throne with the humans of the group and stops before me.
Kneeling, he says "My lord. I have brought them to you as instructed."
"Yes," I respond, gesturing for him to stand up.
I stare at the worn down and beat up group of humans who glance around in awe, fear, and astonishment at the number of powerful demons in the room.
I sigh as I rest my chin on my hand as I ask, looking at the lead knight, "Name."
"Huh?" The group flinches at my voice. Their faces are filled with surprise as they look at me.
I just remembered I look like this. My appearance is still girly and far from intimidating. Because non of my subordinates ever brought it up I ended up forgetting, but from the look on their faces, I can tell that at least my presence is still enough to stifle people.
The lead knight stares at me without answering my question.
"Answer immediately worm," Dionysius states, glaring at him coldly. The humans tremble a little at her intensity.
"Banut Vylan." I speak, reading the name that appears on his status.
+
Name: Banut Vylan
Age: 32
Level: 71
Job: Magic Knight
Titles: None
Mana: 19200
Strength: 116
Agility: 89
Vitality: 87
Sense: 71
Endurance: 75
Intelligence: 32
Magic Craft: Tier 3 Light mage
+
His stats aren't bad for a first class knight. But not enough to defeat a level 79 lich on his own huh?
He flinches at the call of his name. "H-how...?"
"And the rest of you?" I add, turning to the rest of the humans.
"Terys Lyber." The platinum class adventurer states, turning the gazes of the rest of the group to him.
+
Name: Terys Lyber
Age: 23
Level: 64
Job: Assassin
Titles: Man of Many
Mana: 17300
Strength: 82
Agility: 130
Vitality: 88
Sense: 78
Endurance: 71
Intelligence: 31
Special Skill: [Jack of all Trades](active- lv. 4)(S)
+
I figured his class wasn't actually warrior, but this is the first time I've seen someone here with a title and a special skill. Is it this 'Jack of all trades' skill that allows him to use movements of the warrior class?
After I finish scanning his status, I turn my gaze to the mage beside him.
Without me asking, she gives me her name. "M-Maneva Hadwyn."
+
Name: Maneva Hadwyn
Age: 28
Level: 73
Job: Mage
Titles: None
Mana: 33800
Strength: 23
Agility: 26
Vitality: 37
Sense: 88
Endurance: 26
Intelligence: 43
Magic Craft: Tier 5 Light mage
+
For a tower mage, her stats are a bit weaker than I expected. Turning, I glance at the others.
"Kadyn Yole."
"Omettia Mainlard"
"Andre Ranulf"
"Maxith Wesler"
Looking over each of their status's I exhale and say, "You're all... weaker than I expected."