Today we were camping outside. After having left Pranx the next town we'd be staying in would be within the confines of the Klerical Kingdom. The journey was going to be a long one. To beat the ambassador that none of us liked we were taking a direct route which involved us going straight through the bordering forest. Though with cloud technology it was a simple as we cruised just above the tree line. The Heroes however weren't as happy as me and they all kept to themselves. Apparently their previous encounter with the Demon Lord me was clouding their minds.
"Why do we even need to fight him anyway?" Alicia said out of the blue.
"Because he's evil," Carl replied.
Well I wouldn't say I was evil but my performance in Pranx had certainly made it look so.
"Also I heard it from some of the Knights but if we don't fight him and stop his power from spreading at least a little, monsters will continue to rampage."
I raised my eyebrows while facing forward, it was the first I had heard of this.
"What do you mean?" Alicia asked. And thank you Alicia, it would have been weird if I asked.
"Apparently it's part of the Demon Lord Season. When a new one is crowned monsters become agitated and grow stronger, more numerous and more aggressive. So if we don't fight him, the people will continue to suffer."
I frowned. While it wasn't exactly true, the reason did have some merit. It wasn't me that caused the growth in monsters but a creature that lived behind my castle. Becoming the Demon Lord did involve handling that thing and for quite a few years later it did have an effect on our continent. That Monster however was sealed right now. To think the humans had been blaming it entirely on my family.
"But how do we stop 'that'? From the looks of him he was way stronger than Telius and even stronger than that Knight Commander guy from Allain," Alicia complained. She did have that right.
"The Heroes have the potential to easily get to the level of the Knight Commander and exceed him," I said reassuringly, "All you have to do is train and work hard at it. Besides there are four of you and one of him."
"Doesn't he have officers or generals?" Gary asked.
"Well he does but remember you'll also be fighting with the human's best fighters as well."
The conversation came to a stop as they all went back to their own minds.
As the sun was beginning to set, we decided to find a clearing and set up camp. We worked at it wordlessly. I made a barrier to keep monsters and beasts away. Carl and Gary put up the tents. Alicia and Sayuri prepared a fire and began to cook some food. Everyone was being super quiet and any attempts at talk quickly stifled. Sayuri, I was used to being quiet most the time, as for the others especially Gary, it was unnerving.
After dinner, I sighed while cleaning the dishes. This wasn't fun at all, maybe I shouldn't have shown myself to them so soon. A hand tapped my shoulder and I jumped in surprise. Damn it Sayuri! How the heck was she so good at sneaking up on me? She may be the lynchpin of my demise.
"Yes?" I said as I looked at her.
"We wanted you to make a reality plane," she replied for all of them standing behind her.
"What for?" I asked.
Carl spoke next, "We're not strong enough yet, so until we face the Demon Lord we decided to train together every night."
"Alright!" I stood up excitedly, this was more like it. I clicked my fingers and the sky shifted colour. "Then let us train!" The return of my drill sergeant nature was apparent.
Three hours of intensive exercise later the Heroes collapsed into their beds. Ah well, they'd get used to it eventually and they had plenty of time to rest as we journeyed anyway. With a smile I put out the fire and went into my tent.
Three days later we arrived in the Klerical Kingdom. A journey that should have taken over two weeks by carriage was completed in five. Well that being said, we were currently in the middle of nowhere, with closest town being half a day away.
"Before we reach town there's a few things you should know," I said as we packed up our tents to head off. "First this place isn't like Elsbeth, the people here are very religious, especially closer to their capital, so try not to do anything to insult that. They get touchy when you do, especially when it concerns their King."
"They think he's a God right?" Gary asked as he stuffed things into the dimensional chest.
"That's only the fanatics but their faction is spreading so be careful."
"Is he actually God like?" Carl asked.
"I've never met the guy. I lived pretty far north from here in Rentolt. There wasn't much reason to come down here."
"Is that all?" Alicia began to load things onto the cloud.
"One more thing. Unlike Elsbeth slavery is legal here." It was a simple comment but the Heroes all just stopped mid motion.
"Slavery?" Sayuri looked at me shocked.
"Is something wrong?" Slavery was pretty common. Out of all the human side countries only Elsbeth and Rentolt, although just recently, forbade it. Even on the demon side, although I didn't like it, some of the more extreme tribes and races practiced it. However as a law my great-great-grandfather made it so that slavery could only be done within the same tribes and races. Taking human slaves was something that was only forbidden in my grandfather's reign.
"What do you mean what's wrong?" Carl began angrily, "Slavery isn't right."
"Well I don't particularly like it, but it's quite established here."
"How could people just let that happen?"
"Well it didn't just happen," I said trying to calm him, "When people are too poor and desperate they sell themselves as slaves. Sometimes it's all they can do to survive."
Carl scowled but Alicia held him back, "Carl this isn't our world."
"But we're meant to be its Heroes," he spat at the ground. I hadn't thought slavery would cause such a big deal to them. The demon side was one thing but the human side had a long history of slavery.
"Does slavery not exist in your world?" I asked curiously.
"Where we come from slavery was outlawed a long time ago," Sayuri replied softly.
"I see… I understand you may have strong opinions but don't cause a scene."
Carl looked away, "I'll try."
With that we finished our packing and left the forest. The Klerical Kingdom capital was quite close to Elsbeths border and we would reach it within a day or two. The border to the demon side was another three days from there by cloud. While the Klerical Kingdom wasn't wide it stretched quite far along the demon side border and was considered the first line of defence. The other Kingdoms that shared a border with the demon side was Rentolt and a much smaller Kingdom called the Country of Iron to the south along the coast.
While I drove the cloud the others sat behind me playing cards. This had started a few days ago and because of me feeling left out, I ended up teaching Gary and Sayuri how to steer as well. Carl didn't have much talent in this field of magic and Alicia was just a horrible driver. Several hours passed and it was mid-afternoon when our destination came into view. The Heroes were quite happy to see the town, thankful to finally sleep in a proper bed. It didn't make much of a difference to me as I had been sleeping on the cloud. Though because none of our cooking skills were very good I was looking forward to a nicer meal.
After dismounting not far from the town we headed for the road and entered the main gate. The guards at the entrance stopped us but with our adventurer IDs we were let in easily enough. There was a slight scene when someone had tried to get a little too close to Alicia and she clocked him in the face but it only proved the point of our capabilities. The town itself was far larger than Pranx and a key point for merchants to pass through. The streets were busy and filled with people but it wasn't too hard for us to find a suitable inn.
"Welcome to Tollot and welcome to my inn, the Gentle Rose!" The inn keeper happily greeted us.
"We'd like two rooms please. One with three beds and one with two," I said while reaching for my pouch of coins.
"You're in luck. I've just got the two left," he laughed. "That'll be six copper a night but if you pay for two I'll give it to you for a silver."
"One night will be enough."
"Here you go," he handed us the keys. "If you're looking for food our cook is currently on break so you'll have to go elsewhere."
"Thanks. You're quite busy, is something going on in town?" I asked.
"You don't know? There's a festival happening tonight."
"A festival you say?" Gary chimed in.
"Yep, to celebrate the benevolence and glory of our King."
"Can we go?" Gary looked at me with pleading eyes which wasn't too strange for him but the others also began to stare.
"Don't look at me like that. As long as you don't go overboard you can do what you want. Just be ready to leave tomorrow," I said folding my arms.
"Yay!" they cheered. I rolled my eyes but truthfully I was excited as well. I had never been to a human only festival. Well the Heroes parade was kind of like one but we didn't really get to enjoy it.
We put our stuff away and headed out as the festival began in the centre of town.
Aside: Alicia letting loose:
Sayuri:
"Come on Sayuri let's go this way!" Alicia grabbed my hand and dragged me away from Dave and the others. He simply smiled and waved goodbye. I let Alicia pull me through the crowd. With all the stalls set up along the road, it reminded me of the festival's back home. My heart lurched at the thought but I forced it down. Right now I was enjoying myself with everyone here.
"Baked potato! Who wants a baked potato?!"
"Test your aim here! Hit the target and you win a prize!"
"Selling rare clothes from the south!"
"Buy it now and I'll sell it for half price!"
The yells came from all over the place and Alicia would pull me place to place with a full grin on her face. We stuffed ourselves with food, played the games, Alicia caused a ruckus when we won too many times and got kicked out, it was fun and I laughed happily with her. It was just a shame that the others weren't with us.
"Hey, hey, Sayuri let's do that!" Alicia was pointing enthusiastically at a sign. Open Tournament, Participants welcome.
I shook my head, "No thanks but I'll watch."
"Good enough let's go!" Alicia grabbed my hand again and pulled me along.
"You girls want to place a bet?" the attendee asked us.
"Nope I'm joining!" Alicia proudly pushed out her chest.
"Are you sure? You can get hurt missy."
"I could but I'll be the one doing the hurting." Alicia smiled fearlessly and I had to wonder where her confidence came from. Whenever we trained we were about even but we'd never once won against Dave. I wonder what Dave would think of us doing this. He'd probably enjoy watching.
"If you say so. Registration is five copper. Every time you win you'll receive five. Win five matches in a row and you'll get a prize of ten silver as bonus."
"Alright sign me up, sign me up!" Alicia was getting really into it.
"Name?"
"Captain Fist Fighter!" she cheered and looked at me.
"That's a weird name…." I told her.
"It was my favourite cartoon character's name. He'd punch his way out of any trouble!" she started to punch the air.
The attendant finished the registration and I paid for it as Alicia was too busy getting pumped up, "When they call your name head to the ring. You can watch from the crowd, show this to the guard when you're up."
"Thank you," I took the token and headed to the ring with Alicia. It was a large wooden platform built up from the ground. There was a huge crowd of mostly males cheering and betting on the fighters. Currently it was two big men who were just punching each other. There was no technique and it looked sloppy compared to how Dave and our teachers in Elsbeth taught us. If it was at this level Alicia would be fine.
Someone was selling drinks and Alicia took one as she cheered along with the men. It was a strange feeling, and I felt myself getting into it a little myself. The atmosphere was electrifying and with each blow a fighter took the crowd would gasp and applaud. Finally after ten or so more rounds the announcer began to call,
"Captain Fist Fighter to the stage! Calling Captain Fist Fighter!"
"Alicia you're up," I gently nudged her.
She turned to me with pale expression, "I don't feel so good…."
"Eh?"
"I think I ate something bad…."
"But they're calling you."
"I can't-," she quickly covered her mouth and something almost came out but she managed to hold it down.
"Last call for Captain Fist Fighter!" the announcer yelled again.
"Sa-Sayuri you need to avenge me…."
"Avenge!?"
"Please…." She crouched to the ground, "Remember Dave said to not waste money." Guh, he really did say that before we split ways. The thought of disappointing him didn't sit well with me and Alicia was holding my shirt pleading for me to take over.
I raised my hand, "I'm here!" and somehow I was roped into joining the tournament instead. Slowly I made my way away from Alicia and onto the ring. I showed the guard my token and he let me through with raised eyebrows. The crowd was murmuring at my appearance. I was pretty small in stature so it was understandable. Still money was on the line.
The announcer looked at me and just shrugged, "In the red corner we have our new challenger Captain Fist Fighter!" I blushed at the name. "And in the blue corner we still have Maximus on his third round!" The crowd cheered for him. "Participants ready!" he stepped back and I entered a fighting stance, my opponent smirked. "Fight!!"
Maximus approached me filled with confidence, "Hello little girl."
"Hello…." I replied.
He laughed, "Did someone force you into this? If you jump off I won't hold it against you."
"I'm staying."
"Okay then, Captain Fist Fighter," he stepped closer and I reddened in embarrassment from Alicia's naming sense. "Here I'll give you a freebie, punch me right here." He puffed out his bare chest rippled with muscle. Honestly I think that someone like Dave was more attractive, he wasn't as muscular but his figure was softer and calming. Eh? What was I thinking about? I needed to focus.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Come on!" he flexed his muscles.
I pulled back my fist and stepped forward releasing a straight punch. It didn't have all my power and compared to Alicia it wasn't much but as my fist came into contact with his muscle there was almost no resistance.
"Guagh!" Maximus let out a strained cough and was blown out from the ring into the crowd. Oops that was too much. The crowd fell silent… and then a familiar female voice cheered in full strength.
"Alright!!!" Alicia yelled. What was she doing!? She looked perfectly fine, in fact she was even placing bets on me. The crowd erupted following her excitement.
The announcer jumped back on stage, "And the winner is Captain Fist Fighter with an unexpected one hit ring out! Calling our next fighter Aaron Paverendry" It was going so fast I didn't know what to do, could I back down or did I have to win five first?
My next opponent Aaron came up the stage, "Don't think it'll be so easy with me girl." He reminded of Carl but the aura around him was nowhere near as strong. The announcer introduced him and powerfully yelled again, "Fight!!"
He came at me immediately with a kick. He was slow. I easily blocked it and countered with a soft punch. His arm rose it in time but the impact caused him to stagger.
"You, you're better than I thought," he smirked, wounded, and rushed back at me with a flurry of punches. I dodged them all. They were nowhere near as fast as Dave's or Gary's earth lances. I pulled back my fist and punched him again harder. With a gasp he caved in on himself. "I give…."
"And the winner is Captain Fist Fighter!" the announcer yelled to the crowd. They started to chant Captain over and over again being led by a certain someone.
Like this I easily won another two rounds and was on to my fifth. The crowd was going nuts cheering for me. After this I could finally stop. The announcer came back up and called for the next fighter.
"What is this? The next fighter is Captain Fist Fighter again!"
"Huh?" I let out in surprise and even more surprisingly a girl came up on stage with blond hair and a delightful grin on her face. "Alicia!?"
"It's Captain Fist Fighter my fellow Captain Fist Fighter!" she gave me a thumbs up.
"You- You planned this didn't you!" I let out exasperated.
"Maybe," she winked. This type of prank was something I'd expect from Dave. She's been spending too much time near him.
"Fighters ready!" the announcer raised his hands and Alicia readied herself. I did as well, I came this far, I wouldn't lose now. "Fight!!"
The announcer didn't retreat fast enough as our fists collided in the centre of the ring. A powerful amount of force was released from the impact and the announcer was flung from the stage. The crowd cheered.
"Come on now Sayuri, you've got more than that don't you!" Alicia's eyes were wild. For whatever reason her words irked me. The atmosphere took over and I leaned closer,
"Bring it!"
"Alright!!!" Alicia roared and we began to trade blows. The crowd went insane as each of our impacts sent a shock through them and as we both began to put more and more of strength into it. Our eyes lit up in competition.
The end result was a draw…. Why? Because we ended up breaking the stage…. The crowd loved it but the organizers were aghast. Thus Alicia and I a little bruised and battered were both out of pocket more than we had started with to pay for a new stage. As we left Alicia threw an arm around my shoulder and laughed,
"I guess we went a little too wild."
"Yeah… we did. Let's not tell Dave."
"Agreed."
Aside end: