**Kuro**
When I opened my eyes, I was in a different place.
"…"
It took me a while before everything 'loaded' in my head, but eventually, I realized I was in some sort of a room.
"Ah! You're finally awake, Sir!"
Princess Noir suddenly appeared on my side, followed by Shevaun and the other maids.
"Where…?"
"You're back in Helfan, in my palace," she said. "Shevaun and the other doctors brought you here on Rosita's back."
"Oh…" then my eyes turned to Shevaun, "Milady, how's the army?"
"We won, but there are casualties."
"Many?"
The demon chamberlain shook her head, "It's negligible. Most are just light wounds; there are some who got severe injuries, and a few deaths. But overall, even the untrained in military matters can tell that our operation is a huge success. The Lord Castrio Sargdhenerri is sending his gratitude in your swift and decisive action."
Well, at least I can rest easy with that fact. The rebellion against the new government was suppressed, and the reformed army proved its skills and worth. The demon king-president, Hurion Devras IV, could now govern properly.
"Sir," it was Princess Noir, "I believe that the greatest tragedy in that offensive is what happened to you." She then pulled out a newspaper, "Look, even the reporters are covering your condition; the populace is concerned about your well-being."
More than 'concerned', I'd say they're curious of the exploits of the only human to command an army of demons in the modern days, given the historical animosity between the two races. In any case, I took the newspaper from her hands to read. The headlines screamed, 'Mixed Success: How the Federal Army Won and Lost', and the subtitles went like, 'Newly Reformed Military Trounces Rebel Forces at the Cost of the Hero of Darkmoor Getting Severely Wounded'.
'Hero of Darkmoor'? I guess I gained another title, eh?
As I tried to sit, however, a sharp pain shot from my back. Naturally, my hands quickly went for that part, and I winced in pain. I guess what the newspapers said were true.
"Milord, a stray bullet hit you in the back," the demon chamberlain as she and Princess Noir assisted me. "Please don't stand or sit just yet."
"Eh, no worries," I chuckled, and my hands glowed white. Soon, a warm sensation flowed to my injury, and the pain disappeared. "As long as I'm alive, I can always heal myself. I possess the god-powers of the Human Saint, remember?" I flexed my non-existent muscles just to show them I'm already good as new.
The Human Saint's god-powers are really handy in situations like this.
The sighs of relief came from the other maids, except for the chamberlain and Princess Noir themselves. The demon king-president, still unconvinced, told me, "Even if you can use all the god-powers of the saints, the fact remains that you still have to be alive to cast it. What if you died on the battlefield? It's all over once that happens!"
"Your Highness, I'm alive," I reiterated. "That's what matters!"
"I don't care," she insisted. "If that bullet hit your head, your life is gone."
I could only stare at Princess Noir. She was raising her voice just now. I get it that she's concerned about me, but I mean, come on, I'm still alive, right? Why does she keeps on thinking of the other scenario?
"Sir, please don't misunderstand my intentions," the demon king-president continued. "I'm only after your safety. I allowed you to go with Shevaun during that punitive expedition because you promised that you'll stay at her side."
"Err…I think you interpreted my words the wrong way," I countered. "What I mean by 'Shevaun's side' is that, I'm there to advise and help her."
"Shevaun told me that you rushed into battle. Isn't it way too reckless? You are one of the 'souls' of my government!"
"If you say that I'm part of your authority, then isn't my actions logical? I mean, that's what commanders do to keep the sagging morale of their soldiers up! Yes, there's the danger, but think of what can happen if we're defeated back then!"
"You could've died!"
"I'm still alive, and the army won!"'
"I don't care even if I sent the whole army to their defeat just to have you alive! Why do insist on your views?" Princess Noir's voice went up once again, and slammed her fists on my bed. "You just don't get it, Sir! I'm here worrying for you, and you're just throwing away your life like you got chances to regain it!"
What's going on? Why Noir's so agitated? I mean, isn't this my life, not hers? Can't I have freedom to do what I want?
"Your Highness," my tone also rose; I guess I'm having had enough of her putting a noose around me. "I believe that what I'm doing is for your own benefit. Please think of your government, instead of just one person. You're the ruler of Cherflammen, and I, a commoner from Chersea. I'm helping you have the smoothest transition of governance. Of course, there are dangers; that's part of the changes! Your Highness, you can't let your personal feelings influence you when you're dealing with the matters of state!"
"You are my subject, Lord Greg!" she bellowed. "You are to follow my orders!"
"I'm no subject of anyone, not even the Human Saint!" I answered. "If I stay in one place, it's because I wanted to, or the unfortunate circumstances prevents me from leaving."
"Silence!" Princess Noir screamed, that even her servants were intimidated. At that moment, the expression on the demon king-president's face fit the title; she really looked like the demon lords of the old. As I never wanted to escalate the fight any longer—it was futile to reason with her, anyway—I said nothing anymore.
"Lord Greg Santos of Arles," the demon king-president began. "Let me be clear on this. For as long as you're in my land, you are subject to my laws and decrees. As such, from now on, you cannot go with anyone without my explicit permission. You are always to stay in my room, with my servants taking care of your needs. And if you need to go out, you shall be escorted by the maid I assigned for you that day."
"You might want to throw me in the dungeon as well," I couldn't help but be sarcastic with Princess Noir's pronouncements. "Or even better, put shackles on my wrists and feet."
"I…" there was a pained expression on her face for a moment, but she quickly hid it from us. "I'm only taking care of my important subjects, and you are one of them. You're more than what you think you are. I hope you understand, milord."
And with that, she turned and headed for the door, followed by Shevaun and the other servants. I could hear the clinking of the chains as they secured the door of Princess Noir's room. As for me, I could only shake my head in disbelief; I didn't expect that the Usarved Princess' insecurities was this severe…
I mean, I'm doing all of these so that she will trust me, and also so that her government will have a smooth transition. However, with the events today, I realized that all my efforts are in vain.
"…" The sad face of Lady Madelaine flashed through my eyes for a second.
I need to escape from this place soon.
----------
***Gaius' garden***
"Don't you know, my dear husband," Lady Arame greeted the former god when she arrived at his place, "your useless pawns finally became useful."
Gaius turned to her, puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"It's a good thing that those idiots who call themselves 'Knights of Cassandra David' already warped their minds from the prolonged stay in the Blighted Lands," the Seductress told him. "All that's left is to control them and wreak havoc in Cherflammen."
"And…?"
Lady Arame gave him a long stare, before speaking, "I can't believe that you fell so low, only a few failures is enough to derail your ambitions. Where is the old Gaius Julius Caesar? The man who became the scourge of the barbarians? The mortal who was so feared by his contemporaries, they ended up killing him?"
"Stop speaking in riddles, vermin!" Gaius countered. "And don't you dare tell me what I should do. I'm on my way to create conflict myself!"
"So that rebellion of some demons of the Biorno clan is your doing?"
The former deity nodded.
"Well, they're already defeated now."
"What?"
"That man, Kuro, destroyed your plans once again," the Seductress chuckled. "And you have no idea that he has already succeeded."
"Are you here just to insult me?" he defended himself, "Have you got no idea how hard it is to have no one help you?"
"Well, it's your own undoing. You underestimated that child, Seirna; she may be loyal to you, but she still has her own capacity to think. And you've been careless enough to reveal your plans early to her, that's why she betrayed you."
"Surely, you wasting your time here won't be just to mock me," Gaius was trying to keep his emotions in check. "What do you want?"
"Ah, finally you asked!"
"Do I even have to do that whenever you come here?"
"Depends on my mood."
"Speak."
"Are you sure that's the right way of requesting favor from someone much stronger than you?"
"Don't run in circles, scum!" he bellowed. "What do you want now?"
The Seductress laughed, as the annoyed Gaius pulled a gladius, ready to strike her. However, Lady Arame quickly put distance between the two of them. "You're so impatient, Gaius Julius! Alright, here's what you need to know; the Usarved Princess has just locked up that Kuro in her palace, after your Knights injured him."
"Oh?"
"Of course, that stray bullet is from me," Lady Arame proudly revealed, "Or should I say, I'm the one who aimed it for your stupid, twisted thrall."
"Nice!" a smile appeared on the former god's lips, "And with that, it'll even be harder for that Usarved girl to give up on Kuro! And because of that, it will surely piss off your equally-deranged daughter, Arame!"
"Even better, Gaius," the Seductress replied. "Madelaine is now summoning all the armies of the human kingdoms, ready to make war against the demons in case they don't give up Kuro."
"Then, I'll make it so that the Usarved girl won't surrender him!"
"Exactly!" Lady Arame clapped her hands, "Just what I want for you to do!"
"Alright then," Gaius sheathed his sword. "That man, Kuro, won't take his situation lightly. I know him; he'll surely do something to get out of his predicament. And that will be his mistake!"
"Then deal with the guy," the Seductress waved her hand. "As for me, I'll push Madelaine into deeper madness."
----------
***A few days later, the Helfan Palace throne room…***
As the results of the punitive expedition to the Blighted Lands became widespread, visitors from all over Cherflammen came to the Helfan Palace to pay the 'human special scholar'—considered friend to the demon people—a visit. At first, the servants of Princess Noir refused guests. However, with the growing number of requests wishing to see the Lord Greg, the Usarved Princess eventually relented for a bit. She allowed personal visits, but only to those who were close to him.
Not only that, she also took charge of questioning his visitors.
"…"
It's the system the Lady Srexe of the Goblins, along with Lady Tama'lee of the Orcs and Lady Nari Tambara, had to deal with when the news of their old teacher's injury caused them to rush from their cities to Helfan.
"Ugh, and what's with Her Excellency, the demon king-president, doing the responsibility of a guard to the Lord Greg's chambers instead of properly governing her realms?" the Lady Srexe asked, not hiding the fact that she didn't want the tight protocols she and her friends had to go through just to land a personal visit to their friend.
"Lady of the Red Goblins," Princess Noir began, "I believe it's also in the interest of the state to safeguard the well-being of one of our most important benefactors, won't you agree?"
"Of course it's a given," the goblin girl replied. "However, this matter can be delegated to someone else, not you!"
"Are you questioning my wisdom, Lady Srexe?"
The goblin girl balked, "Well, what can you do if I am? It's guaranteed in our laws!"
"Nothing. And I acknowledge that your freedom to question my decision is enshrined in our constitution," Princess Noir nodded. "You can be sure I won't be the first one to violate what I swore to uphold. However, I'm more concerned about the time we're spending here debating on something I won't change; are you sure you'd want to argue with me, when you and your friends can just accept my rules—since this is my palace—and see the Lord Greg?"
"Is there even a time-limit?" Nari exclaimed.
The Usarved Princess nodded, "Of course. Let me be clear; it's not because I'm restricting your hours in visiting him, but you see, there are a lot of others who wanted to see the Lord Greg. Obviously, we can't let everyone in simultaneously, or the rules will be non-sensible. I hope you understand, Tambara lady."
"Oh, that's such a bore!" Tama'lee commented.
"Well, take it or leave it," Princess Noir shrugged.
"Tch. This is why we're never going to be friends," Lady Srexe muttered, before turning to her cousin. "Come now, Tama! It's useless to argue with this Usarved, as like all members of her clan."
"You have an hour," the demon king-president told the goblin girl. "My servant, the Lady Ilkes, will go with you to remind you once the time limit ends."
With no other choice than to follow her rules, the group agreed to the Usarved Princess' terms and followed the demon chamberlain.
----------
"Sir Kuro! How are you?" was Nari's immediate greeting to her teacher the moment she saw him. She never waited for him to reply; the werewolf ran to him and threw herself at the Lord Greg, whom she preferred to call 'Sir Kuro'.
"Nari, Tama!" Kuro smiled, thrilled at the sight of his old friends. "And Lady Srexe! What's up, guys?"
"Tama learned of Sir Kuro's injuries in the newspapers," the orc told him. "So Tama went to Srex so we can visit Sir Kuro!"
"And Nari also came with us," Lady Srexe added.
"Thanks for the visit!" he showed his back, where he was shot. "As you can see, I'm all good now. The Human Saint's god-powers are useful in situations like this."
"Oh, so you're already fine, huh?" the goblin girl glanced at Shevaun. "Then, what's with this new system the Usarveds are implementing in visiting you?"
"Err…"
"Milady," the demon chamberlain entered the conversation. "I believe that it's in the Lord Greg's well-being that we're restricting his movement. Won't you agree that he's way too reckless with his life?"
"Why?" it was Nari who asked. "What did Sir Kuro do?"
Shevaun then explained how Kuro ended up being injured in the heat of battle, and nearly died because of excessive blood loss. It was through Princess Noir's intervention—being a vampire—that his wound was quickly sealed. Honestly, the human never heard that part of the story, for he and the Usarved Princess fought even before she had the chance to tell him what happened.
"Well…" Lady Srexe's eyes never left Kuro, "…given with how reckless Sir Kuro is, I can't blame Her Excellency for reacting that way."
"Sir!" Nari was pouting, "Take care of yourself more!"
Tama'lee backed her up, "Yes, Sir Kuro's not the only one who's going to get hurt if Sir Kuro did get hurt!"
"Sorry," Kuro chuckled. "But see, some reckless things had to be done at times, in order to reach some goals."
"It's all over when you die, you idiot!" the goblin girl rebuked him.
"Haha! I guess you're right…"
Though the human was laughing, the ladies inside the room were not. It was Lady Srexe who summed up their feelings towards Kuro, "Sir…no, Lord Gre—I mean, Kuro, you putting your life in danger is no laughing matter, nor our concerns and worries about you. Please stop disregarding our feelings."
"Ah, my bad…" the human could only scratch his head. "I'll be mindful next time."
----------
The visit took some time, for Nari and Tama didn't want to leave their teacher so soon. The Lady Srexe also had a good time chatting with Kuro, as she was engrossed in studying the new constitution of the federal republic, thus, she had a lot of questions to ask him. Shevaun, on her part, was forced to give them a few more minutes of extension. But in the end, she couldn't accommodate their requests for more hours, and she had to lead them out of Kuro's room.
However, just before they left, Lady Srexe called out to her old teacher, "Sir!"
"Yep?"
"Are you fine with this?"
Kuro was visibly taken aback by the question. Nevertheless, he just smiled and nodded.
Then, the goblin girl turned to Shevaun and asked, "Can I hug him?"
"I can't see the reason I should forbid you that right," the demon chamberlain replied.
"Well, your mistress is so adamant in having us see him," Lady Srexe's voice was sardonic. "I'm just making sure we're not crossing any boundaries with our actions, given that this is Usarved territory."
"You have my word; feel free," Shevaun also gestured for Nari and Tama to do the same, and they all jumped on their friend.
----------
A few minutes of farewells and well wishes, and Lady Srexe, Nari and Tama'lee were on their way out of the Helfan palace, escorted by the maids of Princess Noir. Kuro stood at the door of his room, waving his goodbye until they disappeared in one corner of the hallway. Once outside the courtyard, they were picked up by a carriage, sent to them by the Tambaras. All the time they were in Helfan, no one spoke anything. But when they were of considerable distance from the Usarved city, it was Nari who broke up the ice…
"Sir Kuro needs help."
"You don't have to state the obvious, werewolf," Lady Srexe muttered. "He even sent a message to me earlier!"
"H-Huh?" Tama'lee was surprised, "And when did that happen Srex?"
"Heh," the goblin girl puffed her chest, "it seems I'm the only he entrusted with his message! Haven't you guys feel the way he hugged us?"
"Eh?"
Lady Srexe then began tapping on the seat of the carriage. Three quick taps, followed by three longer taps, and ending in another set of three quick taps. Tama'lee and Nari were dumbfounded; they had no idea of what the goblin girl was doing.
"SOS," Lady Srexe revealed to them. "Sir Kuro taught me about it before. It is an 'emergency' code from his world, originally transmitted by a certain machine called the 'telegraph'. Three quick taps mean 'S', and the three longer taps is 'O'. So yes, Sir Kuro needs our help. We definitely have to break him out of his prison!"
----------
**Kuro**
I really hoped that Lady Srexe got my message.
"…"
Before, I taught her the emergency code 'SOS', back when there's the danger about Emile Biorno's goons in the Conclave. Still, I'm grateful that she got the meaning of my stares at her, and went back to 'hug' me—the opportunity to pass my message.
Now, all that's left is to wait for the help from the goblins. I'm sure the Lord Tenguri and Lady Baraquiel will not abandon me here…
"Psst…"
"What the fuck?" was all I could exclaim as I saw a werewolf perched on the veranda outside my room's windows. At first, I thought it would attack me; however, to my astonishment, it was waving its hand, as if telling me to come to its side.
"Psst…Sir!"
Damn…am I too excited to escape that I'm imagining a werewolf on my windows, calling me?
Still couldn't believe what I was seeing, I headed over to the veranda to confirm the 'illusion'. Much to my surprise, the werewolf changed into Nari's form, and she ran to hug me.
"Nari!" I exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"
"No time to explain, Sir," she snapped. My former student then went back to being a werewolf, ostensibly to carry me—who was considerably heavier than her in 'human' form. I was still confused on what's going on; I don't even know if the Goblin Legion was outside Helfan right this moment, though, in a hindsight, it's an impossibility given the distance of Goblinhom to Helfan.
The number of days—no, it's just hours—that elapsed since their visit is too close.
"!!!"
What's happening? Don't tell me Lady Srexe is acting alone!
With no effort, the werewolf Nari crossed the low walls of Princess Noir's residence, and ran to a nearby hiding spot among the trees and bushes that surrounded the hill where the Helfan Palace stood, where the orc Tama'lee was waiting for us. Upon seeing me, she pulled me down and covered my body with leaves.
"Sir Kuro!" the orc winked, "Srex went back to Lady Noir to confuse her!"
"Oh?" I faked my amazement; in reality, I was nervous. "Where's the Goblin Legion?"
"Eh?" Nari and Tama exchanged puzzled looks.
"You mean the Lady Srexe is acting alone?"
Before they could answer, however, a carriage stopped right before us and flung open its door. It was the goblin girl, obviously in a hurry. She bellowed, "Let's go before they realize Sir Kuro is gone!"
At once, Nari and Tama, carrying me like a sack of potatoes, sprang from our hiding spot and rushed to the carriage. As everyone was nervous, the orc just threw me down the floor; good thing Lady Srexe was there to protect my head.
"Damn it, Tama!" she snarled at her cousin, kicking her at the butt. "Careful with our teacher! You almost injured him!"
"Sorry Sir!" the orc bowed her head. Consequently, her gesture delayed us for a few seconds.
"No, it's alright!" I told her, almost pulling her arm. "Come on, let's save the apologies for later. Let's get out of here!"
Tama'lee, still in a daze, was pulled inside the carriage by the combined efforts of Nari and me. Meanwhile, Lady Srexe shouted orders at the coach driver, and we sped our way out of Helfan.
Well, it may be messy, but I guess what's important is that I escaped.
----------
Just as I feared, Lady Srexe acted alone. She reasoned that, though she hated Princess Noir, her clan wasn't exactly antagonistic with the Usarveds. Besides, as they had positions in the new government, the risk of friction and conflict in case we got caught was high. So, if she asked for help from her parents, chances were, they'd go the diplomatic route…which was, honestly, complicated and could drag on, with uncertain results too.
"Don't worry, Sir," Lady Srexe reassured me, "we're heading towards the Saint's Tower. And you know how the Biornos hated the Usarveds, so it's a haven once we reached that city. That bitch, Noir, has no power there."
Well, she had a point. However, my concern was the desert route between Helfan and the Saint's Tower, as we were still in the middle of it. I'm kind of afraid that at some hidden turn, or high hill, there were Usarved forces waiting to intercept us.
Goodness…I never thought it will come to this. I ran away from Chersea, and now, I'm running away from Cherflammen too!
"I always think that the Usarved bitch is bonkers in the head," the goblin girl revealed to me. "Heh, she really does take after her father and brother; all of them are crazy."
"Haha…well, Princess Noir has been kind to me," I defended her. "And she's just like that because she wanted me to be safe."
"Then you want to go back to her side?"
I shook my head, "I still love my freedom."
"Goodness…" Lady Srexe sighed, "from your stories and from how that Usarved bitch treats you, you seem to attract insane ladies!"
"So, Srex is also insane?" Tama'lee asked.
"S-Sh-Shut up!" the goblin girl snapped. "I'm perfectly normal!"
The orc continued to tease her cousin that soon, Lady Srexe got irritated and began hitting her. Tama'lee, however, kept on playing with the goblin. As for me? Well, I'm just enjoying my new found freedom…
I should head to the borders of Chersea-Cherflammen once I reached Goblinhom. I can't afford to even rest.
Nari, for the meantime, was sleeping on my lap. I guess the young lycanthrope was tired from all the transformation that she did yesterday to help me escape. I think it won't be bad to let her take a rest.
----------
A few more days' journey and we finally reached the city of the Saint's Tower. By then, honestly, I was tense. My heart beat was fast, as we approached the gates of the Biorno-held territory. And why not, when I realized, wasn't our escape too easy?
"…"
I mean, come on. Princess Noir, though she was often controlled by her emotions, was a formidable person. With all the vast resources of the state at her disposal, being outwitted by three Conclave students—and without outside support too—was too fantastical for me to even think about.
There's a part of me that is wishing that she gave up pursuit, and just let me escape. After all, I'm just a 'nobody' compared to her wealth, power, and influence. Heck, I'm not even handsome!
"…"
But there's also this side of me that was fearful of what's to come. See, yes, the city of the Saint's Tower was outside her reach. The Biornos hated the Usarveds. However, what about in Goblinhom? How sure am I that she didn't send her people to capture me there?
Maybe I'm just overthinking things…I don't know.
And then, our carriage was stopped at the city gates for the routine inspection. As Lady Srexe surmised, the Saint's Tower was the limit of Princess Noir's influence, so it was safe for me to come out. After all, several days of riding inside relatively tight space took a toll on my legs. Of course, I wanted to stand and stretch for a bit.
"…"
However, just as I took my first steps into the city of the Saint's Tower after a long while…
"So, how's your adventure with your old students, Sir?"
All of my hopes to return to Chersea crashed as I saw the smiling face of Princess Noir and her servants, having surrounded us to block our escape.