"That said," Baltazar continued after a minute of silence as if he was mourning his lost soldier. "Let us get going. You know what is going to happen if we take too long here. Since he is a soldier of mine, I am sure that none of you has an objection, right? Even if you have, by the way, I don't mind. I have been pondering about this decision for a while now, and I had my resolve already.
"I know that you guys take care of a much greater part of this territory than I do, also as having formidable soldiers, but it doesn't change the fact that I need to take responsibility for what happens in my own territory and act accordingly to my own judgment."
Those four leaders didn't have anything more to say and just lowered their heads in acknowledgment. They knew what it was like to dedicate their lives to protecting a territory and raising soldiers; it needed a lot of struggle and willpower. Taking it into consideration, it was unimaginable just how much suffering and struggle Baltazar needed to go through in the last few days as he wondered which way he should choose.
It was even ironic... the soldier that he struggled to raise was the very same person who ended up causing so much trouble to the territory that he struggled even more to protect over the years.
None of the leaders had the guts to give their opinion on his decision. If they did so, they would not only be acting in a very inappropriate manner, but their actions would be unreasonable. After all, disowning Mark was a better scenario than trying to kill him or letting him do anything he wants under the name of their clan.
"What are you four standing there for? Come here. We need to go to THAT place before the paladins lash out and start to enter our territory."
Baltazar's face got grimmer as he turned his back to them and returned to walk towards the door of his room.
"We need to stop a possible conflict to happen. A conflict that we cannot win."
****
Clementine was standing at the border between the angel's territory and the demon's. Behind her was an enormous army of paladins who had their armors and weapons on.
She was feeling quite anxious, though she didn't show it on the outside. For her paladins, she was looking like usual. Clementine had a quite calm and serious countenance, a serenity in her expression that was rarely found in someone else, and a wise aura around her that showed her many years of experience.
"I didn't think that you would make a comeback after so many years retired, Clementine. Destiny is something crazy for sure, right?" One of her most familiar and intimate soldiers approached her.
"Nor did I. I really thought that I would die before needing to wield my Soul Mirror ever again, but it seems like I was utterly mistaken. How could I know that the demon I was watching for years would awaken his Demon Form out of nowhere while making out with my granddaughter?"
That man sighed hard, feeling the tiredness of her voice reach his chest and making him feel quite unmotivated as well.
"I feel you. But, well, it wasn't impossible. When reaching a peak of excitement, it is easy for one's demonic nature to awaken. It's the same thing as paladins reaching their awakening when in a situation of total peacefulness."
"Well, in theory, right? This experiment that we do with the demon race has never been done with the paladins before. This thing about peacefulness is only seen as a fact since it is the first thing that came to their minds that was opposite to excitement."
The man sighed, shaking his head and taking off his helmet. His look towards Clementine was that of a loving son.
"Since when I was just a kid, you always had this side of yours, trying to find factual things, always searching for the truth, and questioning everything. It put you in a lot of trouble. You were the most commented paladin among our society."
"Hmm? I thought that it was because I am strong."
"Haha, but that wasn't news for anybody. They preferred to talk about you when there was intrigue."
"Bastards...", she cursed, clicking her tongue, though the paladin beside her couldn't hear it at all.
"Hmm, what did you just say?"
Clementine calmly shook her head, pointing with her chin forward.
"Not the time to talk. Put your helmet on."
The man looked to where she pointed, seeing that there was a group of five people approaching that place. He hurriedly put on his helmet, praying for them not to have seen his face.
Although she ordered so to the paladin under her command, she didn't put a helmet on. After all, she was Clementine Ludvik, one of the strongest paladins among all others. She could hide her face all she wanted, but it would be useless.
Once the five figures approached them just enough not to cross the borders of their territory, which was marked by a huge avenue, they bowed.
"We are the representatives of the clan Ignus Cornu. The five leaders of the five regions of this territory. Thank you for allowing us to dialogue before anything happened with us due to the inconsequent decisions of one of our demons."
Clementine just nodded her head, not worrying too much about formalities. She could abuse a little bit of her position since the ones being threatened were the demons, not the paladins. Actually, that small territory was bound to fall if they didn't have the right thing to say there.
"I, Baltazar Kalmar, beg you for your forgiveness. We didn't know that this situation would become so bad like this. I have been hearing about the many losses you are having currently due to Mark Foster. I am well aware of his capabilities and know that much more will come may he stay in your territory," Baltazar bowed deeply while apologizing, and so did all the other leaders.
"I must say to you in advance, Baltazar, that my superiors told me to be clear with you about one thing: just taking Mark Foster empty-handed off of our territory isn't enough to pay this huge debt. He killed a bunch of paladins already and caused a ruckus, and also got in our way in one of the few chances we had to finally stop Tobey Foster, the potential S-grade demon who suddenly awakened.
"If that was what you have in mind, know that it is useless. We want his head."
Baltazar shook his head, expecting that Clementine would assume that his deal was something so predictable and shallow.
"Actually, what I have planned is a bit more complicated for both our sides Clementine," he started.
"To be honest with you, although I apologized for all of this, I need to tell you that we, the clan Ignus Cornus, don't take responsibility for any of Mark's actions."
Clementine frowned hard and narrowed her eyes. She was getting furious with that bastard barbarian with that ridicule red beard.
"Are you kidding me, Baltazar Kalmar!? Do you want to cowardly hide now, in this critical moment, right when your soldier is causing a mess that might as well trigger this dormant war!? Do you know how many lives are at stake here?" She was nearly crossing that border and punching him in the face.
"I know. I know very well. However, there is nothing we can do anymore, really. Look at this..." he put his hands in his pocket and took a pendant from there with a gem handing on it.
"That's Mark's Sorority Pendant. The symbol of attachment and commitment to our clan. You, paladins, have something similar, so you are well aware, don't you?"
Clementine went silent once seeing that pendant, she opened her mouth to say something, but closed it right after stuttering.
"Mark tossed it aside once he left our territory, meaning that he not only deserted our military forces, but also abdicated from his surname given by one of the families belonging to Ignus Cornus. Also, I myself made it official that our clan is disowning him. This way, looking from an objective perspective, we don't have anything to do with his invasion and current slaughtering. Do you know what this means, Clementine?" In his final phrase, he had a malicious and nearly sarcastic tone of voice.
Clementine clenched her fists, narrowing her eyes to that fox of a man, with his dirty political tricks.
"It means that, if we invade you, it will be seen as a war crime. Punishments will be given. Our territory may be conquered as a consequence."
Baltazar nodded, holding that pendant firmly.
'Even when gone, you found a way to help us, huh, you bastard?' he thought with a sad smile as tears accumulated in his eyes. 'Thank you, Mark. Thank you for tossing it away. Although I cannot forgive your inconsequent actions, I won't judge you. In the very end, you were thinking of all of us when you left. You chose to take all the burden on your shoulders...'
Clementine nodded her head, ceasing their talk right at that point.
"Very well. I will report this to my superiors.
"All of you, paladins! Retreat for now!"
This way, the tension happening in the borders of Ignus Cornus' territory ceased for the time being.