The Demon blinked in confusion as he awkwardly stared down at his self-proclaimed follower. Before, he had figured that these flies had merely found some cracked window, helping themselves to whatever items that still remained in his abode.
No... it looked like they had done exactly that, judging by the plethora of amulets that his new minion wore. However, that could be explained if the little human spoke the truth.
Still, the words and actions of the zealot felt just a little... off.
"Human," He grumbled in a baritone voice, one that spoke in an older dialect of the Common. "If you have truly released me from this cage, then I owe you a debt of gratitude. If it had been just a few more years... it is impeccable timing on your part."
Gary kept a straight face, unsure of what emotion he should be feeling. On one hand, the Demon had responded to his act. A far better reaction than what most would expect from his kind. Yet the line about a few more years floated in his mind, weighing its meaning.
He didn't know what the consequences of 'a few more years' entailed, but it couldn't be anything good for the Demon King. Whatever it may be, he understood that this trip would have been quite a bit easier if he had waited.
"--Tell me, whose lineage of my followers do you descend from?" The Demon King continued, either unaware or indifferent to how engrossed Gary was in his own thoughts.
"...I'm sorry?"
"Your lineage. Which family do you hail from." He repeated, this time a bit deeper. "I had but a few subjects of your kind, and all with a last name. Speak it, and I will reward you and your relatives for a millennia of loyalty"
Uhh-- y-yes, my lord." He stuttered, still unpacking what he just heard.
It didn't take a genius to gather that some humans switched sides, if what the Demon spoke of was true. There were stories-- he recalled --of such instances taking place. All of which were recorded as low-class scoundrels.
But.
A last name?
No person of common rank had a last name in Rochan. Neither did the bordering countries.
Gary's eyes stared blankly into the space in front of him before coming back, noting with a sense of distress that he had left the question unanswered for a little too long.
"Your offer... is as generous as your horns are beautiful," He stuttered. "But my family no longer exists. My father and mother were burned to death when their allegiance was discovered, and then their bodies tossed to the vultures. My sister died due to rabid beasts when we fled. And... and my second cousin— *sniffle* —was lost in an unfortunate boating accident."
The sob story was topped off with muffled cries for his cousin, 'Daniel', which was met by stunned silence from each of his audience members.
"Ah, uh— an unfortunate fate." The demon clicked. A bit pathetically, Gary observed. "But I still desire to know your name. I am rather curious to know which of my followers from back then kept their agreement."
"I am... more than honored. I just fear tha-that you won't remember their names." Gary once again could barely choke the words out, though this time it sounded a tad more authentic.
"Nonsense. I may be a demon, but I am also a born king. Any ruler should know the names of his subject, and I am no exception." The demon coldly declared, crossing his arms as he awaited a response. A response that Gary was still putting together.
Seeing Brandus out of the corner of his eye, he gave a momentary look of pleading to his old pal, who sent back a very unhelpful shrug in return.
It would seem that Gary was on his own with this.
Mind racing, sweat poured out of his body and pooled within his clenched fists, both shaking from his trembling nerves.
This question wasn't open for debate. It was one where there was a right answer. No made-up name or half-hazardly mentioned House would work.
"Are you... sure you want to know my name?" Gary stalled, desperate for every last second.
"...I am very sure."
Hearing the iron in his voice, Gary recalled every last name he could think of, searching for one that made for a decent guess.
Fidio? Astre? Stone? Canot- no, definitely not Canoth.
They were the main houses, but Gary felt like none of those were true. He had a hard time believing that such a group of traitors would remain after the war.
If it was a noble house, it was most likely already destroyed, lost in the annals of history.
With those requirements, Gary could only think of one name that would fit.
Snapping back into focus, he looked up at the towering figure, meeting the glow of violet with a stone look.
"Delane," he uttered, holding his arm to the side as he bowed. "My name is Gary Delane."
"Delane, huh?" The Demon closed his eyes with a look of recollection.
"Among my retainers, they were not the worst. But far from the best." He reminisced, "But it seems that I judged your lineage wrongly."
"No need for apologies, my lord. It's all in the past. No hurts feelings." Gary coughed as he dismissively waved his hands. "No hurt feelings whatsoever."
"Still, I find it impressive for a descendant of Delane, to not only succeed without your kin, but find allies willing to join your cause."
"They are a lot who could see reason." Gary abruptly stood up as he noticed the Demon's gaze turning to his battle-ready teammates. "They are a trustworthy team!"
"Trustworthy? That is an even greater claim." He guffawed as he devilishly grinned toward Gabriel, the room dropping a few degrees as he did so. "The House of Delane deserves to be entombed within my very own palace, to reward your great achievements. For even I have never turned a priest of light to my cause!"
A murderous glint flashed in his pupils as he met the skittish gaze of Gabriel. "You hide it well, little priest. But I can see underneath that gray thread. How fitting that a servant of the Goddess would take part in robbing a man's grave."
The change in attitude caused a spontaneous reaction from the rest of the cohort, shifting their weapons even higher with panic as they took aim.
"Instead of that, do you care to hear what I believe happened? I believe that a bunch of little maggots crawled their way into my abode, ransacked my home, and mistakenly released me by wearing stolen items that contained my aura!" A wave of pressure unlike Gary had ever felt descended upon them, forced to stay in place as the demon bellowed out in fiery anger.
"Tell me, Gary Delane, is that what happened? Are you a true member of my subjects? Or are you just some pathetic grave robber who fell victim to their own actions?!?"
'Shit.'
Gary's face immediately dropped, glancing back and forth between an enraged demon and a terrified team.
"You're wron-, I mean, you are mistaken. Dearest lord."
"Heh, to continue your charade... I'll entertain it. Enlighten me on what detail I got wrong."
"The priest isn't an ally!" He spat out, flinching as he felt the glares of each member of his team stab into his back.
'Oh, they are really gonna hate this one.'
"He is a... sacrifice. Yes, a sacrifice to your greatness." He declared, pumping his fist up in mock conviction. "To celebrate your return. Of course."