"So, we are in Genesias?" Secessus asks Cornelius, still slightly recovering from being thrown by that enormous creature.
"I have already confirmed that, yes." Cornelius replies in a rather "I'm a know-it-all" tone.
"Just asking, do you have any idea where exactly in Genesias?"
"Me? No, I've got no clue. What? Don't look at me like that, I'm not native to this place."
"We should probably get a layout of the land… Oh, please tell me that the people here can understand me!" the shade demon yells the last part in frustration, realizing how much can go horrifically wrong.
"Why would you even wonder about that? It hasn't been an issue before."
"Talk with that giant that threw me here, and you'll see."
"A giant threw you here? What are you on about? Have you been taking narcotics?!"
"Actually, yes, but that's not the reason for the giant."
"Of course, that's what they all say. Why don't you tell me what happened? So that I'm up-to-date." Cornelius replies, clearly not convinced. However, still intrigued about the happenings that he missed.
After a short while of discussing all the events that transpired. Surprisingly, none of them seem to really shock Cornelius.
"You could at least look slightly intrigued."
"To be honest, I don't really care about the fate of some demon city. It's not like I care about anyone there."
"What about Eli?"
"She's in good hands and more importantly a realm away. It's not like I can do anything to help her."
"I never figured you to be so coldhearted." Secessus rebukes, pretty dissatisfied with Cornelius's lackluster answer.
"What have you been up to?" The emerald-eyed demon decides to ask his companion.
"This and that." Cornelius replies, clearly not going to explain further.
"That doesn't tell me anything."
"Well, what I can say? It was mostly unproductive and boring. I will not bore you with the details." he says, making it once more clear that there will be no explanation.
"Fine, fine, let's get going. Hopefully, we can find someone who can help us." Secessus says admitting defeat in this instance.
The 2 wanderers look around for any sign of life. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a lot of civilization where they ended up. Only grassland and some deciduous forests. Since they have a clearer vision of the grassland, the 2 explorers decide to go toward the open plain.
Twenty enjoyable minutes easily pass by. Whilst they have not seen anyone yet, just being in this far more human world is already a blessing in itself.
"Wait, Cornelius! Do you see that!" Secessus yells in pure excitement, rudely pointing toward what he sees.
Cornelius follows the shade demon's finger and quickly sees what he's pointing out. In the distance stands a human male, probably in his thirties, picking some herbs.
"It's a human." Cornelius confirms, in a not-so-excited tone.
Secessus who hears his companion's lackluster reply begins to move toward the human. Trying to not look like some crazed man and scare the person off.
"Hello there." The shade demon, with luckily a natural human form, says calmly.
"My apologies, I am not interested." The man replies after some serious contemplation.
"I'm sorry, you're not interested in what, exactly?"
"You don't have to be so ashamed! We're all just trying to make ends meet!" The man yells with quite a lot of fervor.
"Don't walk around the subject. What are you implying?" Secessus says, already having to hold himself back from getting frustrated. His first encounter with a normal human in decades has made him incredibly frustrated in less than 5 minutes.
"Hey! As I said, there is no shame in selling your body to pay your taxes!" The man says, giving a thumb up.
"What?" Secessus replies, completely taken aback.
"I mean, just look at your shirt, exposing yourself to your abdomen. But I do have a question, what do you do with those chains?"
Secessus quickly turns red from embarrassment. The laughter of Cornelius in the background is also becoming louder by the second.
"I'm no… Wait, actually, you know what? Yes, you're completely right. Unfortunately, I lost my way from my last rendezvous. Would you be so kind to point me toward the closest town?" Secessus decides to ask, trying to gain some information.
"Wild night?"
"Sure." The shade demon replies dryly in an attempt to shut down further inquiries.
"Well, the closest town would probably be Chawbore toward our west. It's a few hour's walking distance. Where do you need to be, exactly?"
"Euhm… What's the largest city here?"
"In Creseytesia?"
"Yes." Secessus decides to simply confirm. Having absolutely no clue what he's talking about.
"If we're purely talking population and size, then probably Yeorough." The man replies, seemingly not quite sure.
"And how do we get there?"
"Just take the main route north when you reach Chawbore. It will probably take you another few hours from there."
"Thank you so much for your help." Secessus decides to end the conversation in a polite manner before he returns to Cornelius.
"How was it?"
"I got some information, however, I do feel rather dirty."
"He's still staring. It seems you fit the taste pallet of these lower lifeforms quite well."
"Let's just go to that small town. We can see where to go from there."
"Wait, here just a moment, little Ed." Cornelius says before taking off toward the same man from before.
It seems that he's having a friendly conversation with the man. The man has a large smile on his face as he gives Cornelius a small pouch filled with something.
"What's that?" Secessus asks as soon as Cornelius returned.
"Coins. We're going to need money after all if we want to buy something."
"He just gave you money?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"Natural charisma, boy. If you actually listened to me, you might have understood." Cornelius says with a smug smile on his face.
"To think that I actually missed these conversations."
"You did?" Cornelius asks, visibly surprised.
"Yes, I did. It just shows how bad Lucille's Light was for my mental health. I must have been batshit crazy for actually missing this."