"Surrender?" Clover addressed the knights, "Did that line ever work on anyone?"
Without answering they began to get into attack formation. The two launched the first attack while the others followed behind. Ace was surprised to see they put up more of a fight than the challengers. Human magic was entirely different from demonic magic. It was unpredictable.
The knights began the assault with fire and ice magic. First Clover countered a fireball with a wall of earth. Turning to Ace with an excited smile Clover continued to give the lesson in the midsts of battle.
"Demonic magic can cancel out human magic," Clover explained.
One of the knights turned the corner and lunged with his sword. As it came down, the sword was enveloped in ice. However, Clover caught the sword bare-handed. To Ace's surprise, all the magic dissipated at once. The knight started to pull back. Before they could retreat, Clover hit them with such force he flew back knocking out another knight.
With a wave of Clover's hand, one of the remaining knights was encased in a hard clay. Clover strolled over. From behind, the other knight launched his attack.
"Watch out!" Ace yelled.
However, he soon realised he needn't have said anything. Before the blade hit, Clover threw their arm back, without looking. The knight was caught by the throat. Clover glanced back with a chilling stare. The knight struggled to escape but Clover simply smiled demurely.
"Don't blame me," Clover said, tilting their head back, "blame your Emperor,"
Clover broke the knight's neck so cleanly it was as though he merely went to sleep. His body slumped down. It was the sound of the thump of the body against the ground that gave in to the reality of the situation. Ace let out an unintentional gasp.
For some reason, he had been unprepared to see his master kill. Of course, Lord Clover was a Demon Lord and he knew that some of the challengers had died. But during their time together, Clover had never killed anyone. Perhaps he had convinced himself it wasn't possible.
"You have much to learn, boy," Clover remarked without looking back.
Ace composed himself feeling suddenly quite foolish.
"I'm not a boy. Why do you call me that?" he said trying to recover, "I'm a grown man. I'm even taller than you!"
Clover paused and looked back as if to confirm whether this was true. Ace's eyes widened, startled with Clover's sudden approach. Clover paused then gave him a once over with a smirk.
"I guess in your mind tall children must also be adults," Clover scoffed, "When you start acting like a man, I'll treat you like one,"
Ace frowned but couldn't give an answer. It's true he was afraid. The Empire's knights were the most famous fighters on the continent. They used offensive magic rarely seen in any other country. Facing one of them would usually be a death sentence.
"I was just surprised," Ace confessed. He tried to change the subject, "Should we bury them?"
"No, leave them be," Clover said briskly, "We're going,"
Clover marched on unceremoniously. It took some time to get through the passage now and they had to climb over the fallen rocks. They emerged from the rumble coming out in a forested area. Clover proceeded ahead without saying anything.
The sun was still shining through the canopy of trees. Birds fluttered overhead and they continued travelling in silence. Eventually Ace could take no more, he tried to break the strange atmosphere.
"Master," he began, "Why were they chasing you?"
"It's nothing for you to be concerned about," Clover dismissed impatiently, "we'll go straight to the Sword Saint now,"
"Okay," Ace replied slowly, he wanted to investigate it a little further.
"How do you know the Sword Saint?" Ace remarked, "Did you fight together during the war?"
Clover cast a displeased glance back, "Does it matter?"
Ace averted his eyes, "No, I'm just asking,"
Clover kept walking at an even quicker pace, "I guess you could say we did,"
"I mean, I heard many things about you in the East," Ace went on, "They said you helped the Empress of the human world to kill the Demon King, but she died. Is that why the Emperor is chasing you? Those were the Emperor's knights weren't they?"
"Yes,"
"But I don't see how that can be your fault though, master. The Emperor is foolish to send them after you. There's no way they can defeat you,"
Clover gave no answer.
"I just mean, why send them to their deaths?"
Clover pivoted on their heels so suddenly, Ace stumbled back and lost his footing. He fell back on a broad tree trunk with a thud. Clover slammed their hand down beside Ace's face. He flinched and went quiet. The quiet reverie of the forest seemed to overwhelm the silence most hostilely than before.
"I AM NOT..." Clover stopped themselves mid-sentence. Ace wondered what the master was about to say. It had been said with such uncharacteristic forcefulness, Ace was almost scared to hear the ending. However, lowering their voice, Clover merely said, "How much longer will you speak of things you know nothing about?"
"I'm...I'm sorry," Ace hesitated. He had never seen Clover so agitated.
"It was just that you seemed upset and I was trying to..."
"You were trying to do what?" Clover gave a mirthless smile, "comfort me?"
"I guess, I don't know," Ace answered, flustered.
"Don't pain yourself to give me a character that I don't have, "Clover smirked, "These misguided attempts to gain my favour grow wearisome. Why don't you just drop the act?"
"What?" Ace replied, stunned.
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Clover sneered, "I said, you can drop the act. You already got what you wanted. Why are you still sticking around? What else are you trying to get out of me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ace stuttered.
Clover was so close, Ace could feel their breath on his neck. Their hair tickled his cheek ad shimmered like silk in the sunlight. Ace could see how porcelain and smooth Clover's skin truly was. He felt embarrassed to look at his master's eye at such close distance. He looked away, self-conscious.
"The human world," Clover went on in a mocking voice, "That's why you're really here. You think I didn't know from the start? You got your passageway out of the Demon world. You don't have to pretend anymore. I really don't care. In fact, I'm even going to let you live. So why don't you fuck off while I'm still feeling charitable?"
Ace's jaw dropped in surprise, he shook his head, "I didn't... I wasn't trying to..."
It was true, Ace had always hoped to see the human world, but that wasn't why he had approached Lord Clover.
Clover exhaled and pulled away, "Just go,"
"I don't want to go," Ace said more adamant, "I didn't approach you to get a free ride. I don't care whether I'm here or there. I came because of you,"
Clover dismissed Ace with a shrug. Clover's eyes already looked diverted as if they were already set on the matter. Ace drew in a breath and stepped forward. He took Clover's hand. Clover's eyes widened in surprise, not used to being touched. Clover looked down at the warm hand interlinked in theirs with confusion.
"What are you..." Clover began.
"Please don't send me away," Ace said firmly. His eyes met Clover with fiery resolve.
"Why are you making that face?"Clover averted their eyes sheepishly.
"Please Master!" Ace went on, "Let me stay with you. I won't be any trouble I swear,"
"Okay, okay," Clover said in a subdued voice, "Fine if you want to stay that badly. Stay."
Ace gave a wide smile, "Thank you, Master!" He gave a low bow.
"Now let go of me, you foolish child," Clover said in a low voice.
Ace stared down, having forgotten his hand was still in Clover's. He pulled away at once.
"Oh, Sorry," Ace flushed.
Clover stared down at Ace. The Lord's eyes always made Ace feel unnerved. He could scarcely tell what they were thinking behind that placid smile.
"Just remember one thing," Clover added with a restrained voice, "You shouldn't be under any illusion that I won't kill you if you become too much trouble. I've killed for far less. If you're really so determined to stay, I think we will have to set down some ground rules,"
"I will do whatever you ask," Ace stared back with intense focus. He knew he ought to fear a Demon Lord's threats, yet when they came from the master's lips he didn't feel as afraid as he should. He didn't know whether this was a good or bad thing.
Clover cleared their throat and turned away.
"Yes, well, for starters - you can stop asking so many questions all the time," Clover huffed, "I'm the master. You're the student,"
"But I just want to learn more about you!"Ace rejoined.
"OH, are you answering back already?" Clover warned.
"I'm not," Ace fidgeted, "but didn't you say that a Demon Lord doesn't bow to anyone? Doesn't that include you?"
Clover let out a derisive laugh, "True. Still, you are not yet a Demon Lord. If you were, you would know there's still a big difference between me and you,"
"I know you are more powerful,"
"That's not the difference you should be concerned with, it's something far more important,"
Ace glanced up, his brow furrowed. He didn't know what answer Clover was expecting. He felt his master often spoke in a way he couldn't comprehend. They continued on towards the East. As they went on, Ace kept thinking about what the difference between him and Lord Clover was. To answer that he needed to know more about his master.
However, every opportunity had usually resulted in a half answer or no answer at all. He could feel a boundary going up between them. This had been the worse response so far. In truth, Ace felt no closer to knowing Lord Clover than when they first met. As far as he could tell, despite Clover's capricious nature Ace sensed some of the action did have a reason. Only he didn't know what it was.
When night fell, they set up camp for the night. The sky was brimming with stars all aglow drenching the forest in a soft light. With tents pitched, Clover and Ace sat around the campfire. Ace was still moping after his earlier reprimand. Clover made no attempt to comfort him. They ate their dinner, only exchanging a few words.
Ace was still in deep thought. He knew he was weak. Surely that was the difference? That was why he had come to Demon Lord Clover- to become strong. He had resolved not to rely on others, but hadn't he been relying on the master the whole time? Maybe that's what Clover meant.
They had just finished their meal when a low growl rattled their camp. The vibration made Ace shudder. He glanced around apprehensively.
"Perhaps it's a bear," Clover remarked indifferently.
Ace's eyes widened. He traced an approaching line of shadow with his eyes and stood up. Out of the dark, two beady eyes set on him hungrily. The great silhouette of a grey creature jaunted into Ace's line of sight. It had the face of an owl and the dull mane of a bear. It let out another harrowing snarl.
"Master!" Ace exclaimed, "It's a lower-beast," He drew his sword. He had seen its kind before in the demon world. They often prowled the plains feasting on anything coming across their path. Clover didn't move from their spot, they glanced over their shoulders disinterested to affirm the claim.
"Move out of the way then, I will take care of it," Clover yawned.
"No," Ace returned, "Let me try, master," He stood in front of the creature and pointed his sword at it. "I will have to face such creatures if I am to become a Demon Lord," he added resolutely, but his eyes betrayed his fear. It was only his need to prove himself that steadied him. The beast slowly approached.
"Suit yourself," Clover sighed, "but don't blame me if it kills you,"
Ace's hands clenched the sword tightly. It was heavier than he expecting. The beast stood up on its hind legs and descended upon him. Ace managed to barely duck out of its path before it set on him again. This time he met its sharp claws with his blade. It took all his strength to push it back. As it became unbalanced, he landed the first blow.
The beast let out a cry and fell back. However, before Ace could let out a sigh of relief, it began to charge. He turned too slowly and was sliced across the back by its claws. Ace hit the ground, but the beast was not finished.
He held up the sword in defence as the beast lunged. Its grizzly beak pecked viciously at the sword guarding his face. His muscles trembled under the immense weight, he could feel his arms were about to give. Would he die?
The thought had been in the back of Ace's mind for some time. The prospect of death was never too far away. He glanced up at Clover who was watching with an indecipherable expression, still sat by the fire. Ace looked back at the beast, he refused to call for his master. He would take responsibility for his own actions.