"Excuse me, sir?"
"You heard me, Gregory. Why have two Clerics of Gregorian Gaia appeared in my realm?"
"Forgive me sir, I do not know what it is you mean. Gregorian Gaia has no living clerics."
"It seems to me that he does, judging by their unwillingness to leave my study and blatant disregard for their situation."
"sir, they've taken your study?"
"They even boarded the windows. So Gregory, when can I expect them removed?"
"I couldn't possibly know sir, but if I had to wager a guess, I'd say you could expect them out by the end of the day."
"Well that would certainly be timely. Ah, that is right I just remembered, I need to prepare a vintage bottle of wine for Irai's visit tonight, I can't believe I nearly forgot, and the cellar is right next to my study too, but it still completely slipped my mind. Walk with me Gregory, we can discuss while I prepare for her stay."
"Of course sir. May I ask the names of the two clerics who appeared?"
Please…
"I believe she had called herself Kayla, and her pet Lils."
How? How did they survive? How did they end up here? How did they successfully board themselves up in the study of the king of all demons? So many questions, too many. I should be grateful to whatever led them here, I thought I'd lost them, just like all the others.
"So Gregory, do you have any theories as to how two blessed mortals appeared in the capitol of Demon Imperia?"
"Unfortunately I do not, sir."
"I believe there is some sort of outside influence involved. I am led to believe it isn't the doing of their benefactor, and it is certainly not mine."
"Possibly the All Mother?"
"I've already confirmed it isn't Gaia herself. Though she seemed very interested in their existence. It seems their benefactor hasn't been to visit his relatives in a very long time. She is worried, Gregory."
"I'm sure Gregorian has his reasons to avoid his blood. Perhaps he searches for someone?"
"I can't imagine who for. His entire family awaits him in the Royal God Realm, and he has no others to be missing."
"There could be someone missing that you do not know, sir. You are the king of demons, it wouldn't surprise me if the gods kept things from you."
"Of course that is possible. We approach the cellar mortal; I'd have you wait outside while I fetch my bottles."
"Understood, sir."
"Good."
I wonder if Irai really is having dinner with the king tonight, or if this is only for my benefit, so I can speak to Kayla and Lils without him here. Off goes the sire of demonkind, now it's time I settle his issue.
"Kayla? Are you there?"
"G-Greg?"
"You are here…"
"I'm scared, Greg. That guy said we were in the demon capital. He said we were your clerics… Before I knew it, I'd locked me and Lils in here… I… I thought we died…"
Hold back the tears, you have a job to do.
"You did. I don't know why you're here, but you don't have to be scared of Luther."
"Is that the name of the d-demon king?"
"Yes. I wouldn't say we are best buds, but he knows I'm here and hasn't kicked me out yet. He won't kill you; he doesn't do that unless you really get him mad."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, he wouldn't hurt a fly."
Good, the door's open. I'm happy old Luther didn't just force them out, this conversation would be a lot less happy.
"I… I never thought I'd see you again, Greg…"
"I thought I'd lost you too…"
Oh. Well. I've never done that before.
"Wha- Why?!"
"Did you not like it?"
"No! Wait, that isn't the point!"
"Well, if you liked it, why do you seem mad?"
"I'm not mad, I just wanna know why you kissed me?"
"Because I wanted to."
"That isn't an answer and you know it."
Now she's blushing (I'm glad she taught me what that was called). She just kissed me, and now she blushes.
"Is that not good enough?"
Now she's pouting too! I will never understand women.
"No. I didn't say th-"
Dog!
"Woof!"
"Whoa Lils, slow down, you just about took me off of my feet!"
"Ruff!"
"I know, I missed you too girl."
"So where is the demon king, I thought he would be with you."
"He's just downstairs. When he comes up, I'm just a normal human, and my name is Gregory. You two only know me as a member of your adventuring party."
"We were having a beautiful reunion, you were holding back tears, and I kissed you, and that's what you're thinking about?"
No, I'm thinking about a lot of things, and most of them I would rather take to my grave than say out loud, but I can't exactly say that. It defeats the point.
"It's important, ok? I can't say who I am and expect things to stay the same."
"The same? The same as what?"
"I'd also like to know."
"Sir! I take it you found your choice of wine for Irai?"
"Yes, and it seems my unexpected guests decided to abandon my study as well. It seems today is taking a turn. Maybe Irai will cancel and Osmia will visit, hopefully my luck hasn't run out yet."
"Osmia? May I ask who that is, sir?"
"Oh, just an old friend of mine, from before Demon Imperia."
"I had no idea any other demons from before the empire still lived."
"As far as I know, none do. But with that, I must leave you Gregory. Irai is due any moment now for our discussion, please do find quarters for the good clerics, would you?"
"Of course, sir."
"Good."
Off goes Luther, the last known remaining demon from before the empire and king of all demonkind, to go play politics with one of the 12 other most influential of their ilk.
"Now that we are alone-"
"You wanna pick up where we left off?"
"What? No! I want to know what possessed you to make you think it was a good idea to lock yourselves in the study of the most powerful demon currently in existence!"
"Wouldn't you rather just enjoy our sweet reunion?"
"It can wait until after I hear your reasoning."
I'm going to say this is revenge for before, Kayla!