As the sun rose Sayuri and I were kneeling as Carl and the others reprimanded us for our late night adventure.
"I can't believe you two would do something like that! Dave you're the one who said not to do anything and Sayuri I never expected you to do something like this," he crossed his arms. It was like being yelled at by a parent.
"I-I just saw that Dave wasn't here so I went to look for him…," Sayuri tried to reply meekly.
"Then why didn't you just ask one of us to come with you?"
"…because I didn't want to be a bother…."
I laughed but was immediately shut up as Carl glared at me, "And you! How many times do you need to go out by yourself? Eventually you're going to get hurt even if you're stronger than us."
"Well I was just coming back from the toilet," I said.
"Still, there are three other people here who could go with you!"
"To the toilet?"
"Now is not the time for joking," grumbled.
I shrugged, "I didn't want to be a bother."
Carl sighed, "Whatever just at least tell me next time."
I stood up, "Well now that's done with, we need to find a replacement weapon and some armour for Sayuri."
"Right, sorry," Sayuri stood up but bowed her head.
"It's fine," Gary said reassuringly, "We'll get them back when we kick those Miltis Empire jerks out."
"About that," Alicia put her hand up, "What's the plan? Because we've never really fought another army before."
"Hmmm," I rubbed my chin and as I did so a number of knights came from the encampment. "I guess we'll find out soon but don't worry we'll only do what you're comfortable with."
The group of knights reached us and saluted, one in particular stood forward,
"Heroes, an honour to meet you," she lowered her hand, "We have received notice that reinforcements will arrive soon, we'd like you to be there to welcome them." We nodded in agreement and she continued, "Also there was disturbance in the city last night, I was asked to enquire if you had information regarding the event."
"Oh, that was us," I waved it off, "Just some information gathering gone awry but from it I received quite a bit."
The knight hid her surprise and nodded, "Then please follow me."
With her in the lead the Heroes and I quickly made ourselves more presentable. For now Sayuri had to put up with a normal sword but it shouldn't affect her performance too much unless the enemy had a weapon of significant power. We were lead through the encampment and drew some curious gazes as the regular guards didn't know who we were. Shortly we arrived at the south edge of the encampment and waiting for us were the other knights and Captain Banders.
"Who are we expecting?" I asked the Captain after he greeted us.
He looked off into the distance, "I'm not sure, the message said nothing about who they were but that they would be more than adequate." It was an interesting response. Assuming that the Captain had sent a proper report of the situation they would know the circumstances. Usually for this kind of battle, it could easily become a siege but with the amount of civilian hostages that wasn't an option. The other options were to overwhelm the opponent with numbers or ability, enough so that the battle ended quickly and reduced casualties. Considering the response time it was most likely the latter, which just begged the question who was sent.
We didn't have to wait long as a large number of horses being ridden came into sight. They'd be here in a few minutes. I focused my vision and inspected their banner. Sayuri looked at me as I visibly flinched. I knew that banner….
"Captain Banders, if anyone asks I have always looked like this," I put my hand to my face and changed it. The illusion caused me to look remarkably different as well as slightly older. I took out a mirror to check my now more rugged appearance. Not bad, not bad at all. The Heroes and knights looks were obviously confused at my actions. "As you know I'm a citizen of Rentolt. To keep my village unknown I'll be assuming this appearance for the time being. Please keep this a secret."
"Of course but for what reason-," the Captain began to ask but a shout from another knight overcame him.
"It's the Queen and her personal knights!" and that answered his question.
The thousand knights being led by a young women with crimson red hair and an impeccable aura. The Red Beast of Rentolt. Her personal knights were the best in the kingdom if not the human side and all of them ranked at least A in comparison to adventurers.
"The Queen!?" Alicia said shocked, "Wait! I'm not ready for this."
"Dave what type of person is she again?" Gary leaned over and asked.
The Captain responded, "Her highness is a great ruler. Out of all her siblings she is the one who was chosen to ascend to the throne. Not only does she care for her people but her might is second to none in the Kingdom. Before she became the Queen she was our Knight Commander. A true prodigy."
"What he said," I sighed. This was going to be troublesome.
The Queen and her knights arrived before us and we bowed towards her. The Heroes and I slightly while the knights on our side went down to their knees.
The Captain stood up with a gesture from the queen, "Your highness, we are honoured by your presence. For one such as yourself to come here gives us all deep gratitude."
Gary elbowed me in the side, "She's certainly a beauty, ow!" Alicia sneakily hit his back. Gary was probably right, but I couldn't see her that way. She had an almost delicate appearance but there was a strength in her gaze and an expression that overpowered it.
The Queen dismounted from her horse as did those behind her, "A foreign army has invaded my lands. I could not just sit idly by." She turned to her knights, "Set up our command here and distribute the supplies. Scouting parties inspect Sasren's outer wall, do not engage the enemy. Magicians create a border." She turned back to us, "And who are you five?" Good she didn't seem to recognise me.
Carl stepped forward, "We are the Heroes. Us being here was a coincidence but we'll offer any help we can."
The Queen accepted us with a humble nod, "We appreciate your support." It was slight but her eyes narrowed at Carl's words. "Captain, please explain the situation in more detail."
The Captain and his knights began to inform her as around us tents and equipment were quickly set up. I inputted some of my own findings from last night as well. By the time the Captain's information was dried out an impressive tent was set up in front of us. It wasn't a normal tent of course but where the Queen would reside and plan her attack. The material was made from rare monster hide and treated to be resistant against magic and physical attacks.
"Thank you, I have understood the situation. Please continue to guide the guards of Sasren. I will call upon you when I have come up with a plan of action."
"Yes your Highness," the Captain bowed and departed. As for us,
"Heroes please come with me, I'd like to speak with you," the Queen lead us into her tent. The inside was like an audience chamber as well as a war room. The Queen sat upon a raised seat as we stood in front of her. Beside her was another familiar face, the current Knight Commander of Rentolt. She was a few years older than the Queen and from experience a fighter just as capable. Around the edges of the tent were several high rank magicians and knights.
The Queen relaxed into her chair but not to a state where she wasn't on guard,
"I apologise for the lack of formality or decorum but the current situation takes precedence."
"It doesn't bother us," Carl said. "We're here to help, not to impinge on you."
She smiled, "Thank you. Now it has been delayed but allow me to introduce myself. I am the current Queen of Rentolt, Lisanna Evangel Rentolt, or as others call me, the Red Beast of Rentolt." She motioned towards her Knight Commander, "This is my Knight Commander, Gilda Heart."
"A pleasure," she bowed.
The Heroes and I introduced ourselves. When it came to my turn, I made my voice a bit deeper than normal. The Heroes glanced at me but said nothing about it.
"Your Highness what would you like us to do?" Carl asked.
"Hmm for now I have some questions," her eyes became shrewd.
"Please ask away," he smiled. There was a wisp of magic and I felt the tent become sealed in. Just what was she planning? Even excluding the Queen, the people in here were strong and had years of combat experience. If it came to a fight, me excluded, the Heroes would be overwhelmed but I doubted it would come to that.
"First, have you ever met the Demon Lord?"
We were all surprised at her question and Sayuri was the one to reply, "Yes, once. He said his name was Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind. He attacked us inside a town not long after we left Elsbeth."
"He attacked you?"
I unconsciously averted my eyes.
Sayuri and the other Heroes eyes grew determined. "Yes, he easily overwhelmed us but left soon after. In particular he said he couldn't kill us yet but Dave was an exception. However next time we meet it'll be different."
"I see…." The Queen paused, "And what do you think of his people, the demon tribes?"
Again we were surprised, just where was she going with this? A foreboding feeling was growing inside me.
"We met a few of them after some stuff happened in the Klericial Kingdom," Gary answered, "To be honest they didn't feel much different from us humans."
"Would you consider them your enemy?"
"Well if they were like the Demon Lord and tried to kill us, then yes. I consider them as much an enemy as the Miltis Empire." I had to commend Gary, it was good answer, or at least it was for me.
The Queen leaned forward on her seat, "Heroes I ask you, what is your job? Why were you summoned here?"
Alicia answered, "It was to stop the Demon Lord and protect the human lands."
"Yes, but what does that dictate?"
"To kill the Demon Lord and those he sends against us."
"And what if the Demon Lord wanted peace?"
I was shocked and so were the Heroes, probably for different reasons though.
"How could he want peace!?" Carl almost shouted, "He attacked us in the middle of an innocent town. He's also the one responsible for the increase in monster activity. If we don't stop him then people will die. Even if he asked for peace, how could we trust him?" It seems my previous actions were coming to bite me in the butt.
"I see, so your answer is to get rid of the Demon Lord," she stood and raised her hand, suddenly all the knights and even she had a sword pointed towards us. "Unfortunately that goes against my plans, I'll be having the Heroes retire here." What the damn heck was happening here!? She was taking this way too far.
"Hold on, do you plan to kill us?" Carl asked as he and the Heroes prepared to defend themselves.
"No, but until things have settled," an enormous amount of pressure poured from her, "I'll have you stay quiet."
"You! Could it be you're working with the Demon Lord?" Gary asked, although for some reason he sounded slightly excited. Well normally this type of reveal would have interested me as well.
"Are you against that?" the Queen kept her cool.
"The Demon Lord is evil!" Carl snapped, "Just from travelling we've heard how he acts."
Okay that was just unfair, humans tended to blame bad things on me, but it was really just misdirected anger. Though some of my people aren't the nicest, humans are the same.
"Evil is just a frame of reference."
This whole thing I did not see coming and if I let it continue things would go way off track. Damn it, what do I do? Now that it came to this, hiding would no longer help. I removed the illusion on my face and looked directly at the Queen,
"Even for a Queen, your jokes have gone too far," I stared at her with a firm gaze. Even though my hair was dyed and my ears covered, she should recognise me.
She froze at the sight of me but quickly regained her composure and sheathed her blade, "Of course. I apologise, I merely wanted to know the Heroes true opinions on the matter." The knights and magicians in the room lowered their weapons as well.
The Heroes breathed a sigh of relief,
"Wow, you really had us going there," Gary laughed.
"Yeah, I was about to start rampaging," Alicia laughed as well. Sayuri and Carl however were still a little more on guard.
The Queen sat back down, "Thank you for talking to me, I can breathe freely now knowing where your allegiances lie. For now, please relax. I will call upon you in due time." She gestured for us to leave and in an awkward shuffle we began to, however, "Davios Flint, I'd like you to stay."
Well I saw this one coming, "Your reason?"
"You're a citizen of my Kingdom, I'd like to talk to you on a more personal level."
"Dave?" Sayuri and the others looked back at me.
"Go on ahead," I smiled. With that they nodded and left, albeit reluctantly.
The Queen stood up, "Everyone else as well, your services at the current time are not needed. Please assist those outside."
"Yes your majesty!" they left with a bow. Ah, impressive loyalty as always. They were even about to fight the Heroes….
Only three people remained in the command tent, me, the Knight Commander and the Queen. The Queen walked towards me and in then in a sudden leap wrapped her arms around my head in a powerful hug.
"Varry it's good to see you again! What are you doing here?" her previous elegance gone.
I returned the hug then pushed her away, "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"It looks like the Demon Lord is playing Hero."
"Exactly," I smiled, "But none of the Demon Lord stuff here. My name is Davios Flint." I switched to a serious tone, "But what the heck was that all about? You were just about to make the Heroes your prisoners."
"Ah, that… well I wasn't meant to but our conversation spurred me a bit too far forward in my plans."
"Plans? You were going to do that anyway?"
"Well, I couldn't let them get to my cute little brother!" she hugged me again tighter. By the way, we were not actually related. For clarification she is human.
I pushed her away again, red from being smothered, "Okay, I get it, it's been awhile."
"Oh? Are you embarrassed by being hugged by me? When you were a kid you loved my hugs."
"There's a time and place for everything," I replied. "How's your father?"
"Tch," her expression turned to distaste, "Unfortunately still quite alive and healthy."
"Your Highness!" Gilda exclaimed.
"His policies are old and useless, he should just kick the bucket and stop trying to hold onto power."
I smirked, "I assume he's still as anti-demon as ever."
Lisanna laughed, "You bet he is. Anyway what's with the playing Hero?"
"Well I was bored and human culture interests me."
"You could have just asked me."
"Yeah, but you're you and besides as a Queen you're meant to be busy. Ah speaking of which, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your coronation last year but good job." I gave her the thumbs up.
"I didn't really expect you to show up," she laughed.
I turned to Gilda, "Gilda, have you visited the town recently? I spoke with Marker, he says he misses you."
Her face reddened at my words, "We haven't had a chance to visit lately."
Lisanna sighed, "Yeah, since I became Queen it's one thing after another. This past year I've hardly been able to act without my father peering over my shoulder. How do you have time to visit?"
"Unlike you my father is pretty cool."
"You should buy him a present."
"I really should…."
Lisanna stretched back completely relaxed being around me, "How is the town, are the Demons and Humans getting along?"
"Exceedingly so, Marker is doing as good a job as always being the mayor. In fact I actually made another one with citizens from the Klerical Kingdom."
"What?" her expression turned to a disappointed jealously, "You did that without me and why the Klerical Kingdom? You could have made another one with us."
"It was all part of an issue I had when I passed through. It's fixed now."
Lisanna sighed again, "I really want some time off… however," she stepped back and became serious. "This situation needs to be resolved first. Varry, do you have any additional information or advice?"
I returned her tone, "About that, it's suspicious. The enemy's movements and co-ordination are too good. I believe someone has betrayed the city."
"I thought so but what is done is done. Regardless we need to find a solution. Do you believe there could be a peaceful resolution?"
"No." It was a blunt reply. "I managed to read the memories of one of their leading members. The enemy, the Miltis Empire, comes from the East Continent and have conquered the entire region. Their plan is to create a foothold within our continent so they can further their military effort. Most likely they will return the civilians in trade for the city however they already have more ships on the way. Even if the civilians are cleared they will have more than enough men to defend the city. The best option is to remove them now."
"I see," Lisanna grew melancholic. "There are close to sixty thousand people living in Sasren. If we force them out the casualties could be in the tens of thousands."
Gilda responded, "If it is as First has said, allowing them to stay much longer could cause a prolonged war to break out."
"I know. Considering their strength, defeating the Miltis Empire at that point would require the co-operation of all the human Kingdoms. However I refuse to sacrifice my people. As such," she turned to me, "I ask for a favour from the Heroes and the Demon Lord."
"Heroes yes, Demon Lord no, remember I'm not meant to be here."
"Right," she smiled, "Davios Flint, with the Heroes please assist us."
"Of course," I let out a vicious grin.
"… Varry your habit is showing itself."
"Oops sorry," I toned done my smile.