Volpes snuggled on Maria's lap, and she petted him. The two of them and Nova were atop a hill where they got a good view of their town. Maria was impressed with the rapid progress her people were making, thanks to Klain and his siblings. Klain taught the leprechauns blacksmithing, forging equipment from metal, smithing, and smelting. Asterlig taught the people how to weave clothing from silk, and Andromeda was helping him with that. The two also taught the leprechauns how to make furniture. Sarafan explained how to create runestones(purifying special metals with magical properties and inscribing them into items to enchant said items). Lastly, Hekket taught the people architecture, roads, and construction. He showed them what materials were best for building houses. Hekket even planned on erecting an aqueduct and watermill later on. If things kept up at this rate, their little town would soon boom into a fully-fledged city.
Of course, the hobgoblin army could change all that. Klain had studied the swords Gil mass-produced with his powers and was devising a novel way to make equipment, which would come in handy. However, the hobgoblins were not Maria's biggest worry, as she was sure her side would prevail. If a jinn was with the goblins, then a demon emperor could be the mastermind, possibly more than one, which would be a huge problem. Maria knew her town was nowhere near ready to contend with even one of them.
But she could focus on that later. If a demon emperor attempted to take over Silverlake, other demon emperors would either try to stop him or take a portion of the forest for themselves to keep the balance of power. Because of that, a demon emperor would use indirect means to avoid conflicts, and raising a hobgoblin army was one way to do so. The demon emperor wouldn't intervene directly, making Maria's life easier. She would only have to deal with their servants and pawns, who were considerably weaker.
Maria also had a reliable source: Nova. According to him, he had seen a jinn when the hobgoblins had attacked his village. She wondered if Nova had seen the jinn before his village was attacked and if he saw more than one. "Nova, did you ever see that jinn you saw before your village was destroyed? Was he the only jinn you saw?"
"No, Lady Maria. There was another. I met a different jinn the day before the attack. He had come to our village and offered to give me a name, but I refused. I thought he was too sketchy. The jinn shrugged but told me that the next day would be lots of fun for me."
"Meaning he knew something or was even involved in the attack, right?" Nova nodded. "This jinn was very fat. From his voice, I could tell he was male. A clown mask covered his face, with his spiky blond hair jutting out. He wore yellow-green clothing and a pair of sandals. His aura was immense."
"Yet you rejected his offer?"
"He looked too shady. I don't want to serve someone I can't trust." Nova smiled at Maria. "I am rather particular about who I want as a master..."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Nova. But you told me the hobgoblin army numbered in the hundreds of thousands. That would be difficult even for two powerful jinns to control, let alone supply and feed it."
Nova agreed. "Yes. This is only a theory, but I speculate a ghoul might be at the helm of this army."
"A ghoul? You mean the unique demon born every ten centuries?"
"Yes. Ghouls have the power to control the minds of their followers. The army that attacked my village fought like possessed madmen. When the fighting began, my people were winning, and the goblins suffered casualties numbering in the thousands. But that did not demoralize them, nor did it stop them in their tracks. They simply fought on, indifferent to it all. They even evolved during the fight, leading me to think someone was controlling them."
"And considering the size of the whole army, only a ghoul's mind control would be powerful enough to keep it united. They're also the only ones who could make thousands of goblins evolve simultaneously, as you described. Is there anything else you know?" Before Nova could answer, Jaco materialized next to Maria. "Is this a good time?" Maria nodded. "Did you find the hobgoblin army?"
"No, not yet. I have made duplicates of myself and had them search the forest, but none of them have reported anything of the army. On the other hand, I have seen dracaenas wandering around the forest, visiting various elf villages. I have overheard them discussing hiring the elves for some purpose. The dracaenas will arrive here shortly, likely for the same reason."
"I see. This is just a hunch, but the hobgoblin army might be heading towards Glouvons Clove. Jaco, could you please investigate the swamp and its surrounding areas?"
"Yes. What shall I do about the dracaenas?" Maria hopped on top of Volpes. "If the dracaenas have come to ask for help, I think it would be beneficial for us to ally with them. I'll hear why they chose to visit."
"Then would it be alright if I accompanied you?" Nova was hoping he could get more information about the hobgoblin army if the dracaenas accepted them. He wanted to get his revenge as soon as possible.
"Yes, Nova. On that note, inform Gil, Hagas, Conall, Andromeda, Holly, and Atticus of what's going on. I don't think anything bad will happen, but better safe than sorry." Nova and Jaco both nodded. "As you command, Lady Maria."
Once the group had assembled, they waited for the dracaenas to arrive, which did not take long. Gil looked around. "Where's their envoy?"
The dracaena soldiers smacked their spears on the ground, making a rhythm of clanging sounds. The soldiers stepped aside to allow a dracaena aboard a Komodo to pass. The dracaena leaped off his Komodo and was cheered on by the soldiers. "Woohoo! You rock, Sir Gabe!"
Gil nervously pointed at the dracaenas. "A bit too dramatic, don't you think?"
"Almost comedic," Alyyiah said. "I'm guessing the guy they're all bowing to is their leader." Alyyiah had tagged along, and Maria had allowed it. Maria would have done the opposite, but after Maria became friends with Alyyiah, the former's opinion of the latter completely changed.
Alyyiah was concerned about the safety of her new home. She quickly became attached to the village she now lived in and wanted to protect it at all costs. Despite her constant bickering with Maria, the two had formed a good relationship. The reason for this was that Maria saw Alyyiah as a hard worker with a good heart. When Alyyiah begged Maria to train her, she was moved by how much Alyyiah wanted to protect the town she had created. She even sympathized with her when Alyyiah had said she wished to become strong enough to be by Gil's side, as Maria had the same desire.
Maria quickly arranged for not only the Onis but also Gil himself to train Alyyiah. Maria had also told Alyyiah she was to become her personal assistant from now on. This shocked Alyyiah, who replied that she was grateful and swore absolute loyalty, addressing Maria as "Lady Maria" for the first time. After only three months, the Onis and Gil were impressed with the rapid growth Alyyiah had displayed. Now, Alyyiah was eager to show Maria the progress she had made. Alyyiah had evolved into a star and was now as strong as Nova, the third strongest in the village, behind only Maria and Gil.
The dracaena soldiers bowed to Gabe, who stared at Gil. "Ah, you must be the barbaric sentinel who rules over this village!" Gil cocked his head. "What are you babbling about?"
"I mean to say that you have forcibly taken this village for yourself and cruelly rule over the monsters here with an iron fist! Have you no shame? Does it please you to make those poor demons suffer?" Gil faced Maria. "Do you have any idea what this weirdo is saying? I'm confused." Maria shook her head. "I think he's an idiot."
"Excuse me?" Gabe did not take kindly to that insult. "You declare me inept? How dare you!" Maria sighed. "Why don't you stop fooling around and tell us what you really came here for?"
"I said I'm here to liberate this village, did I not? Perhaps you are the idiot. Wait a minute, you're a vampire, right? Why are you not fighting that sentinel next to you?"
"He's on my side, that's why. I made him the ruler of this place, and all the demons here serve him." Gabe howled. "Do you hear this, men? They bowed to a sentinel for protection. How hilarious!" Gabe's soldiers jeered, vexing Gil, Alyyiah, and the Onis. "You dare laugh at Lady Maria?"
"Of course!" Gabe hollered. "She sacrificed her pride as a demon to serve a disgusting sentinel! How pathetic do you have to be to do that?! But have no fear! If you all swear loyalty to me, I, the illustrious Gabe, shall protect you!"
"An illustrious idiot," Alyyiah quipped, causing Maria and Gil to giggle. "Lady Maria, should I get rid of him?" Maria smirked. "I would love that, but I don't want to offend the Queen of the dracaena." She walked up to Gabe. "I propose a duel. If you can beat me one-on-one, I'll become your servant, as will Gil. Sound fair?" Gabe snorted. "Should be easy enough. I accept your challenge."
Alyyiah intervened. "Lady Maria, would you let me fight him instead?" Maria pondered on her request. Even if Alyyiah fought in her place, the outcome would be unchanged. But Alyyiah lacked actual combat experience, as well as negotiating with other demons. Maria thought this would be a suitable first test. "Very well. The dracaena is yours, Alyyiah. Smash him to bits."
Alyyiah bowed. "As you command, my Lord." Maria took Alyyiah's hands. "This is your first test. Make me proud, alright?" Alyyiah smiled, interlocking her fingers with Maria's. "I will."
"By the way, if you lose, Alyyiah, then I'm banning you from being with Gil for three days."
"That's an abuse of power!"
"I'm joking. I really doubt you'll lose anyway. Good luck, Alyyiah."
Gabe grinned. "Oh, so the vampire's running away? Well, she accepted defeat to a sentinel, so it's not surprising."
Alyyiah glared at him. "You'll be fighting me. Get ready to lose."
"That's new," Gil said to Maria. "You and Alyyiah always argued. When'd you two become such good friends?"
"I'm surprised myself, but I really like Alyyiah now. I even made her my personal assistant. So, Gil, who do you think will win?"
"I think Alyyiah needs something more difficult. Even before her training, she would still have been more than a match for Gabe."
"Well, only one way to know for sure."
Gabe whirled his spear. "You ready, little girl? I can't wait to show you my true power." Alyyiah nodded, and Gabe charged. He thrust his spear. Alyyiah dodged it and punched Gabe so hard that the force from her fist toppled down a few trees. Gabe lay on the ground, unconscious with some of his teeth knocked out.
Alyyiah turned to Gabe's soldiers, who were trembling. "As you can see, I'm the winner. Lady Maria might still decide to ally with you, but none of us will ever serve you. Take your leader and leave for today."
One of Gabe's most loyal soldiers, an orange-skinned dracaena, picked up Gabe. "This isn't the last of us! We-we'll meet again!" The dracaena soldiers raced away from the village, completely afraid of Alyyiah, who overpowered their leader in mere seconds.
Maria clapped. "Well done, Alyyiah. You handled the matter superbly."
Alyyiah bowed. "But I thought you didn't want to offend the dracaena. My behavior may have provoked them, Lady Maria."
"Not really. You won the duel fair and square. If anything, the dracaena would be offended by Gabe's failure. Then's there's his conduct, which was horrible by anyone's standards. Their ruler likely won't tolerate such a screw-up, and Gabe would want to keep it to himself. Besides, the hobgoblin army is a much bigger threat to us than Gabe could ever be."
Gil nodded. "That's true. But if the dracaena came here all the way from the swamp to get our help, then the hobgoblin army may be closing in on them. Glouvons Clove could become a warzone, and then our little town would be next. We should plan our next move."
Maria agreed. "We need to get ourselves ready for our first battle."