The next morning the Heroes and I cleaned ourselves up and headed to the King's palace. The palace was located within the central Cathedral. While the cathedral was open to the public, the centre most section that included the palace was privy to only the upper nobles, priests and their guards. The Heroes marvelled at the brilliant architecture and decorations that adorned the building. For me it was a bit too gaudy, even my castle wasn't this obnoxious.
"This is even more impressive than the ones back home," Gary said wistfully as we made our way through the crowds.
"Just remember why we're here," Carl poked him, "We can take a tour after we've met the King." He turned to face me, "Dave are you sure we can just waltz straight up to the palace?"
"Well they probably won't like it," I laughed.
"Wait what?"
"Being polite would involve a few days notice by letter or messenger and we'd need to meet up with a representative first before being allowed an audience with the King."
"Then why didn't we do that?" Carl stopped moving.
The others and I kept walking, "Because that would be a bother. We need to show the Klerical Kingdom that we're taking things into our own hands."
"And this is the best way to do that?" he sighed but followed us.
"Well the worst they could do is send us back but that would hurt their relation with us."
We reached the section that was sealed from the public. It was a building within a building even including its own wall. The guards here were on the level of well-trained knights now. If we got in a fight, with their numbers there was no guarantee that the Heroes would come out unscathed.
"Halt!" a knight in full armour stopped us. "Any further and you will enter a restricted area. If you have business within these walls present your identification."
I pushed Alicia forward, she nodded and pulled out the emblem the King gave us, "We are the Heroes of the humans and seek an audience with the King."
The knight flinched at seeing the emblem, "May I confirm its authenticity?"
"Go ahead," Alicia handed it over.
"Then I shall return soon," he bowed and ran off leaving his comrades to guard the wall. The remaining knights who saw the ordeal looked at us with mixtures of suspicion and awe.
The knight returned quickly, followed by a man wearing a decorated robe made of white and red fabric. A high priest? A noble? Perhaps both.
The man bowed lightly as he reached us, "We welcome the Heroes."
Alicia took the emblem back from the knight, "Is the King able to see us?"
"Well…," he shifted suspiciously, "Our King is currently unavailable but if the Heroes permit we can take you on a tour of the city."
"We have come a long way and he refuses to spare even a small amount of his time?" Alicia looked down on the man.
"Our King's time is precious. One cannot simply meet with him as they please," the man's tone wasn't one looking for forgiveness.
"Are you implying that your King is more important than this lands' Heroes?"
"Our King is for us the one closest to God."
"Then is your God choosing to forsake us?"
The man began to sweat, "It is just such a sudden meeting, we have not informed our King or prepared anything as of yet."
Alicia mocked outrage, "We left Elsbeth to come here specifically and you have not prepared for our arrival? Not only that but since we have come here you haven't even told your King? Just how lightly do you plan to treat us!?"
"Ah- well to send a messengers to the King takes time. Even for the Heroes-,"
"Time? How much time do you need?" Alicia interrupted, "The first thing you offer us is a tour? We have come all this way and you immediately send us away. What impudence!" Wow, I told Alicia to practice being assertive as a Hero but she was really getting into this.
"The-then shall I take the Heroes inside till the King is prepared?"
"You should have offered that in the first place and should we not hear from your King within the next hour you can expect us to leave!"
"Of course!" the man nodded with a concealed grimace and began to lead us into the palace.
Out of earshot Alicia turned back to us as we stared at her with speculative gazes,
"What?" she shrugged, "You said to act like a Hero and be all formidable like."
"…." We continued to stare at her.
"Y-yeah… I went a little overboard."
"'What impudence?'" Gary quoted her with a smirk.
"Haha I was on a roll so I went with it."
The man led us to a large comfortable room deep inside the palace. The Heroes and I sat down on the couch offered to us. There was an assortment of snacks displayed and having skipped breakfast the Heroes took them happily. The entire way here and even now as I ate a biscuit, I had been spreading out my senses and trying to locate anything suspicious. I couldn't find anything too out of the ordinary but that made it all the more strange, especially at the centre of the palace. It was like my magic just felt a blank white canvas.
After a while the same man from before came back into the room followed by racks of fine clothing.
"An audience with the King has been permitted, we ask the Heroes to change into more appropriate clothing."
I nudged Sayuri next to me, she grew a bit nervous but nodded, "We appreciate the offer but will see the King as we are."
"While your clothing suits you entirely. To wear a traveller's garbs is an insult to the King," the man shuffled uncomfortably.
"Did you not think that having us change our appearance purposefully for your King is an insult to us?"
"Ah well…."
Sayuri was doing pretty well trying to act haughty but her lip was beginning to quiver. It would be best to end this and I was also starting to feel bad for the guy.
Before I could interrupt however a fully armoured women walked into the room. Unlike the other knights her armour was lined with red and looked to be of a higher quality.
"My name is Ruby Montegra, the Knight Commander of the Klerical Kingdom. On behalf of our King I welcome you to our Kingdom," she placed her hand on her chest and bowed lightly. The man who had been talking to us jumped in surprise.
"Commander Montegra you cannot be here!"
"Silence Dusten, I have yet to finish my greeting with the Heroes. Do not show any more rudeness to our guests."
"But they-,"
She glared at him and in a hurry he left the room, "I apologise for his actions. As one of the high priests he holds the King too highly even when compared to such esteemed guests as yourself."
"No need to apologise," Carl stood up, "We are the Heroes, my name is Carlton Smith, these are my companions, Alicia Stallworth, Gary Stallworth, Sayuri Shizuka and Davios Flint."
"It is an honour to meet you all so soon. We received word from our ambassador but he has yet to reach here. Honestly we did not expect you to arrive until a few weeks if not months."
"We travel fast."
She smiled, "I am grateful that you chose the Klerical Kingdom as your first destination. The King will see you now."
"Right now?" Carl said surprised. After the whole thing with the High priest it was no wonder he reacted that way.
"I am under the direct command of our King. He told me to come get you, there is no need for you to go through the usual procedures."
"Then please lead the way."
We followed the Knight Commander out of the room, before we left Gary picked up a few of the snacks and put them in his pocket. He needed to learn better manners or at least be more inconspicuous. Well I'd steal some from him later. Focusing back on the Knight Commander I inspected her as we walked. Appearance wise she had short brown hair, blue eyes and a strong outlook. Combat wise she was formidable, the levels of her mana didn't quite reach that of Alicia who had the least among us but just from how she moved I could tell she knew how to use it to the fullest. If I were to guess, she could beat Telius but against Allain's Knight Commander she would fall short.
Gary nudged me in the side with a sly grin, "Checking her out? I didn't know that was your type. She's quite a bit older than us."
I raised my eyebrows at him, "Hardly, although she is quite attractive," by human standards at least, "I think she's too serious for my liking."
"Ugh, a straight answer," Gary shook his head, "You're no fun at all."
She led us further into the palace and just outside the area I had detected earlier. A group of important looking men appeared in front of us. They were probably in their mid-forties and wore extravagant clothing.
"Commander Montegra, what is the meaning of this?" the one in the lead spoke haughtily. "How dare you bring people here without our opinions."
"Lord Nostrom, these 'people' are the Heroes," she stood her ground.
"Heroes or not, there are proper procedures for such meetings. How do we know they do not seek to harm his highness? At least one of us should meet with them beforehand."
"Watch your mouth Nostrom," her eyes were like daggers, "The King himself has asked me to bring them or are you saying that your group has more authority than his highness?"
"Of course not," he bowed, "I was simply not informed beforehand and surprised of the new guests."
"Then stand aside."
The men parted and we went straight through. My eyes flicked past them in interest. There seemed to be a power struggle in this Kingdom. The question was where did the King stand and who were his opponents.
We were lead to a large metal and gold adorned door. It was almost as fancy as the door that lead to my throne room and the only reason we had made it was in case the Heroes got that far. No sense disappointing them with a cheap wooden one.
"It's like we're going to fight a boss," Gary mumbled and when I looked at him he just laughed and said, "Never mind."
"The King will meet you one at a time," the commander said.
"What?" I replied suspicious.
"He asked to chat with you one by one and if you still wish to talk to him that is the only way."
"Then I'll go first."
"No you will go last."
"Why?" my voice darkened.
"The King told me to send the strongest one in last. Are you not the strongest among the Heroes?"
Carl tapped me on the shoulder, "Don't worry Dave, what's the worst that could happen."
Well brain washing for one. I didn't say it out loud of course, no need to make them suspicious. In the case he did try any mind magic I'd be able to detect it and should be able to fix it.
"Fine then, Carl will you go first?"
"I don't mind."
The Knight Commander gestured him to come forward, "Then this way." He was taken through the door and it closed firmly behind him. All of us had been searched for any weapons beforehand but what was surprising was that the Knight Commander didn't stay with him but waited out here with us. Just what were they planning?
A few minutes later Carl came back out with a perplexed expression. There was no traces of magic having been used on him.
"What's wrong?" Alicia asked him.
"He's not what I expected…. You'll see," Carl sat down a little muddled. When we asked him what happened he said it was nothing important and just shrugged.
Alicia who was curious went next, she came back with the same expression as Carl. Sayuri went after her, she came back just as confused.
"He's interesting…." Is what she said. Just what was this King like?
Gary took the longest and when he returned he had crumbs on his shirt, "We ate the snacks I took earlier…. All he did was comment on the taste…."
Finally it was my turn and to be honest I was really curious on just what type of man the King could be. This should be the same man who betrayed my grandfather during his time as Demon Lord, a man who rivalled the Heroes in strength. From what the other Heroes said however all they had done was small talk. I was led past the door revealing a small corridor. What came after was a stunningly white circular room and in the centre sitting cross legged on a raised throne was an old man. He was dressed in a comfortable looking robe, had soft eyes and a long grey beard.
I bowed to him, "My name is Davios Flint, the only Hero from this world."
He smiled at me, "Welcome Davios Flint but lying is not needed, although really it isn't a lie anymore, because with time lies can become truth I guess." He laughed.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm just saying that you can use your full name here."
"Full name?" my guard was way up, there was something wrong with this old man.
"Davarious First Born Light-,"
I appeared in front of him before he could finish. A dark spear hovered dangerously at his throat. All he did was smile at me. It wasn't smug or provoking, if anything it was warm.
"How?" I asked him bluntly.
"Please when you've been alive for as long as I have you pick things up."
"I could kill you, you know that right?"
"Of course you could and I know you could escape back to your home quite easily."
"Then why did you name me?"
"Because I like talking without barriers."
I stepped back and dispersed my magic, "The Heroes were right, you are strange."
"Thank you," he nodded, "It took many years to become who I am now."
"But from how things went, I'm assuming you already knew who I was."
"Well I had my theories however it was only when I saw you that I realised them. Besides I need to thank you."
"Thank me?" Just what had I done where this man would thank me? If anything shouldn't he be calling the guards by now?
"You helped me get rid of an annoying parasite plaguing my lands. Of course you also ruined months of careful planning but it had the same result, though more destructive, I won't complain."
"The slavery trade…." I'd have to tell Sebastian to call off his investigation. It seemed the King of this country wasn't all too bad.
"Correct!" he clapped, "Well I assumed it was you. Not many people have that kind of power and in one night as well. Simply amazing."
"I did it to help my people."
"Then why did you also free the humans?"
"It was a favour as one of the Heroes."
He laughed, "Of course, of course. Nonetheless I thank you for all the effort. Though I must ask, what did you do with them all?"
"I took them to the demon side and offered them a home. Some went back but most of them stayed."
"A village of humans and demons, how intriguing. Will it work?"
"It should. Last I heard they were getting along quite well."
"Haha, then I'll entrust it to you, though I would like to visit it one day."
So this was the kind of man the King of the Klerical Kingdom was. To be honest I thought he would have been more god like as his people believed. From our interaction so far, he was even more amicable than Elsbeth's King. It looked like I wouldn't be killing him for enslaving my people but,
"About my identity-,"
"No need to worry, I don't plan to tell anyone else."
"How can I even trust you?"
"Hmm you can't but I'd say you can."
"…."
He relaxed back into his chair, "Truth be told I really wanted to meet you. The reason being, I have a question for you."
"Go on."
"How is your grandfather doing?"
"My grandfather?" I was surprised he'd ask directly.
"Of course, I've been King for over one hundred years now and during those first few years I did something terrible to him," the King's expression became melancholic.
"Terrible doesn't begin to describe it," I felt my anger rise. "He trusted you to make peace and you betrayed him."
"Yes I was one of the many humans, perhaps even the key one," his eyes drew back to the past, "You're grandfather was a brilliant man. A Demon Lord who wished for peace and to that we returned his wishes with a blade through his chest."
"He still has that scar."
His eyes came back, "So he's still alive, I'm glad. To say I was young and stupid would be an excuse for my actions but I truly regret what I did at that time."
"Then would you accept punishment?" The spear I had conjured earlier came back.
"If it is the punishment from that time I would gladly, however until I have finished my duties as King I would ask you to wait," he smiled to me warmly.
The spear vanished, "You're punishment isn't mine to give. If you have something to say, say it to my grandfather."
He laughed, "And you would give me that chance?"
"Come out from this hole and you'll have it."
He reached out his hand, "Then in time I'd like to accept that proposition."
I took his hand in a shake, "I'll make it happen."
The King let go happily and turned in his chair till he was awkwardly sitting almost upside down, "Now I'd also like to ask you for a favour, as one of the Heroes of course or if you prefer I'd sign a contract with you as the Demon Lord."
"No that's fine, from now on please refer to me as Davios Flint the Hero."
"Then Davios Flint I ask you to help liberate my country!" he pointed at me grandiosely but being half upside down it really didn't do much.
"That's an odd request coming from the King…."
"Do you really see me as a King? Surely you saw it outside, to them I'm merely a puppet."
"I did get that feeling but for a supposed God I thought you'd have more control."
He shot out another laugh, "Me a God? Yes they have been selling me as such but I am a simple man. As you can clearly see." And a strange one at that….
"As the King can't you just take back the power?"
"Hardly, it has been a long time since I was capable of fighting and the people who are still loyal to me are few in comparison. Yes I could wage a civil war but that would lead to the death of my people and surely you know that is not an option." I nodded and he continued, "The problem is with the upper nobles. They have taken my kindness for granted and now have more power than is wise, even for them. They block communication to me from the outside world and speak as if they speak for me. It is quite annoying."
"So you want us to help remove them?"
"Well, some of them actually do a great job, others are a bit more corrupt. Some of the worse ones you've already taken down when you went on your little rampage."
"I'll take that as a job well done."
"Indeed," he laughed and finally flipped back into a normal posture. "With the Heroes on my side we'll be able to root out the bad ones and return things back to a nicer state. They even tried to stop you from meeting me to get you on their side, what nerve right?"
"So that's what they were trying to do," I couldn't help but let out an empathetic smile.
"Unfortunately a few of the bad ones actually have control of majority of the military."
"Hey, just what kind of country are you leading?"
"That indeed was my fault, unfortunately my judgment of character failed me."
"And you're going to trust us?"
"Might as well, you are the Heroes."
I grinned almost evilly, "Sounds fun. To liberate a country by freeing its King. A Heroic tale as good as any other."
"I appreciate your co-operation."
"I'll tell the actual Heroes."
"I'll organise the throw down."
The two of us looked at each other with full faced smiles. If anyone else had been in the room they would have shivered from fear.