◇Houghtow City—Flio's House◇
One morning, as Flio's household was finishing their breakfast, there
came a knock on the front door, followed by a chorus of cheerful children's
voices crying, "Good morning!"
"Just a moment!" called Rys, who had been cleaning up after the
morning meal. She headed towards the stairs to the second floor. "Elinàsze,
Garyl, your friends are here!" she cried up the stairs. Then, she went back to
open the door.
There were five children waiting outside: Salina, Irystiel, Leina Raina,
Reptor, and Sadjitta—Elinàsze and Garyl's classmates, who did everything
together at school. Recently they had taken to coming to Elinàsze and
Garyl's house in the mornings to pick them up.
Rys smiled brightly at the group outside. "Thank you for coming to pick
them up again!" she said. "They'll be right out, so just wait one moment,
please."
Salina took a step forward, smiling and bowing. "Of course! We're
friends, after all! Stopping at our precious friends' house on our way to
school is only natural!" Irystiel interrupted, pushing her plush cat against
Salina's face. "Mrmph!"
"What do you mean on our way to school?" she said, speaking through
the plush using ventriloquism. "Your house is on the opposite side of town!
You've been going out of your way because you want to get on Garyl and
his mother's good sides! You're trying far too hard, you know. Irystiel
thinks so too."
"Pshaw!" Salina pushed the plush cat off her face with all her might and
brought her own face close to Irystiel's. "Listen," she said. "I'll have you
know that I am here simply as a friend. Nothing more, and nothing less. But
if Lord Garyl's mother takes a liking to me and decides that only I will do
as a wife for her son, I suppose that is just the way of it. It isn't my
objective at all! Don't try to confuse things!"
Sadjitta stepped up to the wide-eyed Salina. "H-Hold on, Salina! I'm
your fiancé, aren't I? Why do you care so much what Garyl's mom thinks?"
"Pshaw!" This time Salina brought her face up close against Sadjitta's.
"Listen, Sadjitta. That thing our parents said about us being arranged to
marry was just a verbal agreement. It isn't so inflexible that we can't marry
another partner if we find someone we prefer when we're of age! Or at
least, that's what I think."
"B-But..." Sadjitta tried to get a word in edgewise, but Salina simply cut
him off.
"Pshaw!"
"Sorry for the wait!" said Garyl, hurrying to the front entrance.
"Lord Garyl!" Salina looked at him with doe-eyed affection, propping
her cheek in her hands. "Your Salina has come once more to bring you to
school!" The irritable disposition she had taken with Irystiel and Sadjitta
had vanished completely. Reptor and Leina smirked knowingly.
"Hello, everyone. Thank you for waiting!" Elinàsze, wearing a widebrimmed hat that extended past her shoulders, stepped into the entryway
after Garyl. Behind them were Flio and Wyne, as well as Sybe in its unicorn
rabbit form.
"Hello, Salina, Irystiel, Leina Raina, Reptor, and Sadjitta," said Flio,
greeting each child individually. "Thank you all for coming to get Elinàsze
and Garyl."
Salina grinned dopily, her eyes sparkling with joy. She started mumbling
to herself, lost in her own world. "Lord Garyl's father knows my name!
Lord Garyl's father called me by my name! Lord Garyl's father wants me to
marry his son!"
"H-Hey!" said Sadjitta. "You don't have to take it that far! And besides,
I'm your fiancé!"
But Salina wasn't listening.
◇ ◇ ◇
"Papa! Mama! We're off to school!"
"We're off!"
Elinàsze and Garyl waved to Flio and the others in the doorway as they
left for school with their friends, smiles on their faces as they walked.
"Take care, all of you!" said Rys, waving back as she saw them off. Flio
stood next to her, his usual easygoing smile on his face, waving as well.
"I'm glad they were able to make such good friends at school," Flio
said.
"Yes, me too," said Rys. "I was worried because of how much faster
they're growing up compared to the other children. But it seems to have
worked out." She pressed close to her husband, smiling happily.
Flio looked between Rys and the children heading off to school. Things
have been peaceful ever since the Magical Kingdom of Klyrode and the
Dark Army signed that treaty, he thought as he waved them goodbye. I
hope it continues...
◇Houghtow City—The Fli-o'-Rys General Store◇
The magic doll Tia stood in the Fli-o'-Rys General Store. Tia was the
minion of Calsi'im, who had taken over as Dark Regent to replace the
missing Dark One Yuigarde. She had come here to discuss the goods for
sale in the Fli-o'-Rys Dark Citadel branch store, hoping to expand their
inventory of foodstuffs and necessities used by the demons living in and
nearby. The meeting was over, and now, she was engaged in a friendly
conversation with Uliminas.
"School?" she asked, echoing Uliminas.
"Yeah!" said Uliminas. "My daughter Folmina and Balirossa's son
Ghoro are growing up purretty fast. Soon enough it'll be time for them to
take classes at the Houghtow College of Magic!" Uliminas was always
level-headed when it came to business, but when she talked about the
children, there was excitement in her voice.
Tia smiled. "How lovely. I suppose they'll have a lot of fun..." She
sighed quietly. "If only I weren't a magic doll," she lamented. "I wish I
could bear Calsi'im's children..."
Magic dolls were a type of living doll created by powerful magic users.
They were known for having absolute obedience to their master's
commands, and needed a constant supply of mana in order to stay alive. Tia
had once run out of mana and been discarded, only for Calsi'im to find her
and restore her to working condition. She considered Calsi'im, who had
saved her, to be her master. Everything she did was for him.
"Mew know," said Uliminas. "Flio's able to make magic dolls. I wonder
if he could help mew with that somemeow..."
"It would be impossible, I think, even for Lord Flio," said Tia. "My
body does not have that sort of functionality. There are records of such a
thing being attempted, but I have not heard of even one example of a
success..."
"I see..." said Uliminas. "So mew've already looked into it."
"Yes. A little."
Noticing that the mood of the conversation had become a little glum, Tia
put a smile on her face. "Well, I suppose we've finished our meeting. I'm
counting on your support regarding the Dark Citadel branch store, Lady
Uliminas. Thank you very much."
"Mew got it," said Uliminas, shaking Tia's hand. "I'll let Flio know the
details."
Tia left the shop and got into a carriage waiting outside. Soon she was
riding along back to the Dark Citadel.
◇Dark Citadel—Throne Room◇
The Dark Regent Calsi'im sat as he always did, on a cloth spread out in
front of the throne. Belianna, who was standing to his side, glanced over
and furrowed her brow. "Hey, Dark Regent Calsi'im," she said. "You might
be just the damned regent, but you're still in charge, aren't you? How about
sitting on that damned throne already? You're the only one who thinks it's
an issue."
"No, no, no, no, no!" objected Calsi'im. "I'm merely a representative of
the Dark One, you know? They'd never have put me in charge if it weren't
an emergency. It would be presumptuous of me to sit on the throne!" He
laughed, rattling his skull.
"You really are damned stubborn, Dark Regent..." Belianna clicked her
tongue and adjusted the weight of the scythe she had slung over her
shoulder. "But I guess that's what makes you you!" She grinned.
Calsi'im glanced at her and nodded happily.
It had been several months since Calsi'im had been made the Dark
Regent. At first, the demons had balked at the idea of an ancient skeleton—
so old he could die at any given moment—being made Dark Regent. Many
of them had left in protest. And then, in order to quash the rebellion within
his territory, Calsi'im had signed a peace treaty with the Magical Kingdom
of Klyrode. By signing the treaty, he had secured the aid of the Wolf of
Justice, a famous warrior and ally of the Magical Kingdom. With his help,
Calsi'im's forces had defeated Zanzibar, the head of the largest rebel
faction, and brought peace to the lands controlled by the Dark Army.
Calsi'im had been working hard with his minion Tia to reestablish a
semblance of government for the Dark Citadel and crack down on smallscale conflicts between demons. He also had the help of Belianna, whom he
had appointed Provisional Infernal, and the former rebel leader Zanzibar,
who had been cooperating since his defeat.
At first, demons had hated his policy of using diplomacy and words to
resolve conflicts rather than force. They said things like "It's unbecoming
of a Dark One! The Dark One is supposed to keep the peace using force!"
or "He's bringing disgrace to the station!" or "Go to hell, Calsi'im!"
But Calsi'im and his supporters were persistent, and as peace came to
the land, the demons slowly changed their opinions.
"Doing things this way actually works pretty well."
"So you can rule like that too, huh?"
"As long as he gets results, I don't mind doing what he says."
"That geezer's actually doing pretty good. Who woulda thought!"
◇Dark Citadel—Throne Room, Several Days Later◇
The Dark Regent Calsi'im sat as he always did, on a cloth spread out in
front of the throne. Today, he was looking over a stack of paperwork.
"Excuse me, Tia," he said. "Could I bother you for some tea?" He held
out his hand, waiting for a teacup, but Tia was absent from her usual spot
by his side. "Oh, that's right! Tia still hasn't gotten back from Houghtow
City!" Embarrassed, he withdrew his arm. And then, he noticed something.
"Hm...?"
Calsi'im stared at his hand. His bones were shockingly dry. Calsi'im
poked his right hand with his left, and a bit of bone crumbled off and fell to
the floor. Hmm... he thought. Perhaps I've lived too long already... He
looked at the shards of bone on the floor and quietly sighed.
"Lord Calsi'im! I have news!" A skeleton warrior ran into the throne
room, their bones rattling loudly.
"Oh? What is it?" Calsi'im looked up.
The skeleton stopped in place and bowed deeply. "My lord! The Dark
One Yuigarde has returned!"
"Ah, at last..." Calsi'im came to his feet. But before he could take a step,
Belianna burst into the throne room.
"Dark Regent Calsi'im, have you damned heard? The damned Dark One
Yuigarde is back!" she shouted, not bothering to conceal the hostility in her
voice.
Calsi'im just smiled and shook his head. "Now, now, little Belianna. I
understand how you feel, but you need to show respect. I am merely a
representative of the Dark One, ruling in his place until his return! I was
always going to step down when the Dark One Yuigarde returned."
"Yeah...about that..." The Dark One Yuigarde, clothed in the Dark One's
ceremonial attire, stepped into the throne room, followed by Phufun, as the
dire crow flew in from behind and landed beside Calsi'im. Yuigarde came
to a stop in front of Calsi'im, staring intently at the skeleton. And then, he
knelt before him.
"L-Lord Yuigarde!" said Calsi'im, astonished to see Yuigarde acting like
his own vassal. "What are you doing?!"
Yuigarde slowly lifted his head. "Calsi'im... You did a fine job with the
Dark Army while I was away. I'm abdicating. In honor of your
achievements, I want you to take the throne." So saying, he took the Dark
One's armlet off his own arm and offered it to Calsi'im.
"Wh-Whaaaaa?!" Phufun, who had been following behind Yuigarde, did
a double take. She pushed her glasses back up on the bridge of her nose.
"M-Master! Have you taken leave of your senses?! You mustn't say such
things! Now, you need to take control of the Dark—"
"Nah," Yuigarde said, calmly cutting off his minion's frantic protests. "I
thought about what I gotta do, and I figure I should give the throne to the
best guy for the job. And that sure isn't me."
"N-No..." Phufun gasped, shocked still.
Calsi'im simply stared wordlessly as Yuigarde held out the armlet.
◇In a Forest Near the Dark Citadel◇
Before long, word that the Yuigarde had returned to the Dark Citadel
had spread all throughout the area. Eventually, it reached even Doctor
Mephisto, who folded his arms and stared out at the citadel from afar.
"Well!" he said. "I can only imagine that with the Dark One Yuigarde
returned, the Dark Citadel must be in quite a state of confusion."
"Indeed..." The Shadow King was standing behind Doctor Mephisto,
puffing on a cigar. "Then, shall we proceed with the plan to take over the
Dark Citadel?" His lips curled up into a wicked sneer.
Doctor Mephisto nodded. "Our original plan was to eliminate the Dark
Regent Calsi'im, thereby throwing the Dark Citadel into chaos and giving
us an opportunity to infiltrate. But using the chaos of Yuigarde's return
seems just as efficacious. Flexibility is of the highest importance when
plotting treason, you know!"
"Indeed. You are not mistaken." The Shadow King snapped his fingers,
signaling the fox sisters Kintsuno and Gintsuno to appear behind him,
followed by a great host of demons, who had all transformed into the
shapes of magic beasts.
"We've assembled our followers from all over the land!" Kintsuno
yipped. "We're good and ready for the violence!"
"We're ready to go at any time!" yipped Gintsuno.
The fox sisters were powerful demons who had once ruled the demons
of the west. They had risen up in rebellion against Yuigarde only to be met
with ignominious failure. Their surviving followers had scattered across the
lands, lying in wait, until they had gathered together once again for this
plan.
"I, too, am quite prepared." Doctor Mephisto raised his arm, and an
army of devils appeared from the forest behind him. He had been born to a
prestigious devil family, and the demons he had summoned were his
family's private soldiers.
"Yes," said the Shadow King. "And I have made preparations." He
snapped his fingers yet again, and a group of men appeared from the forest,
armed to the teeth and dressed in black. The Shadow King had been
engaged with the black market even back when he was the King of
Klyrode. The men gathered here belonged to the Shadow Conglomerate—
the secret organization he had created in order to dominate the underworld.
The Shadow King, Doctor Mephisto, and the demon fox sisters all
nodded to each other and then turned as one to face the Dark Citadel.
"We shall attack as one!" declared the Shadow King.
"Everyone, after us!" yipped Kintsuno.
"This time, we will reach the top!" Gintsuno yipped in agreement.
"No need to hold back, my friends," said Doctor Mephisto. "Give them
everything you've got!"
The four took off towards the Dark Citadel. Following behind them were
the various minions each of them had summoned. It was a grand force,
advancing as one through the forest.
And then, the ground beneath the ringleaders' feet suddenly gave way.
"Wh-Whaaa?!"
"Kyaaah!"
"Oh no! Oh no!"
"What is happeniiiiiing?!"
They each cried out as they fell into a large hole that had appeared from
nowhere. And then, one after another, their minions met a similar fate, each
plummeting down various fresh holes.
"What's this?" said one of the soldiers who had not yet been trapped.
"Something's happening ahead of us!"
"Everyone!" shouted another. "Scatter into the forest!" The ones who
had managed to stay aboveground ran full tilt for the trees.
"Ohhh?" came a beguiling voice, as Valentine appeared to cut off their
retreat. "Think you can escape me?" She shot dark thread out from her
fingertips, pursuing the underlings as they desperately tried to escape. The
threads stretched and stretched, catching up to Valentine's retreating
opponents to choke, stab, or bind them up so they couldn't move.
"Wh-What's with that woman?!"
"Never mind that! Just run!"
The remaining underlings, terrified, attempted to run as their allies fell
one after the other around them.
"How unfortunate. I am afraid there is no escape." Riliangiu came in
pursuit, her arms past the elbows transformed into blades. She moved
through the forest with incredible speed, dicing the opponents Valentine's
threads had missed into ribbons.
In the end, there were only two who had been lucky enough to
escape...but then, they went plummeting into yet another hole.
"Waaah! Wh-Why would there be a hole here?!"
"H-Here toooooo!"
Two figures watched the scene play out from atop a nearby hill. "I had a
bad feeling about this whole thing, but I can hardly believe all these people
got together just to meddle with Dawkson's business!"
Hero Gold-Hair looked down at the forest, the shovel he had used to dig
the pitfall traps slung over his shoulder. It was a legendary item—the
Drilldozer Shovel, an artifact with the power to dig enormous holes in the
blink of an eye. Hero Gold-Hair had originally stolen it from the sanctuary
of Castle Klyrode. He had used its power to create innumerable scores of
holes surrounding the Shadow King's forces in every direction.
Tsuya peered out at the forest from beside Hero Gold-Hair, searching the
best she could. "I don't thiiink I see any bad guys left."
"I see!" said Hero Gold-Hair. "Then let's wait for Valentine and
Riliangiu, and then we can take our leave." He couldn't help but steal a
glance at the Dark Citadel.
"Ummm..." Tsuya said, tugging on Hero Gold-Hair's arm. "Are you
suuure we can't go visit Dawkson?"
"No need," he said, nodding. "Dawkson can handle this." The pair
headed off towards the forest. "But more importantly, we should strip these
goons for valuables before we leave!"
"Oh! Okaaay! I'll do my best!"
◇The Following Morning—Dark Citadel Throne Room◇
"Yuigarde said he would abdicate the throne to Calsi'im?!" Tia, who had
only just returned from Houghtow City, clasped a hand over her mouth
when she heard the news.
Belianna shifted the weight of the scythe on her shoulder. "Damned
right," she said. "He showed up out of the damned blue, only to say that. He
even gave him the Dark One's Armlet, the proof of the station."
"Goodness! Goodness gracious! Goodness gracious me!" Tia was well
and truly at a loss for words. She looked over at the throne, where Calsi'im
was sitting as he always did, on a cloth laid out in front of the throne itself.
She walked over to him. "Calsi'im, what do you intend to do?" she asked,
peering closely at his face. Calsi'im's head was hung. He seemed to be deep
in thought. "Excuse me... Calsi'im?" Tia repeated, cocking her head
curiously at his lack of response.
Suddenly, Calsi'im returned to himself and looked up. "Oh! If it isn't
little Tia! My thanks for traveling all the way to Houghtow City!"
"It... It was nothing," Tia said. "But what about...?"
"Ah, yes." Calsi'im sighed heavily. "I do believe I know what you are
trying to say. I was certain that I could stop playing the Dark One when
Lord Yuigarde returned. But now, I don't know what to do..."
Tia smiled. "Calsi'im, I believe that at times like this the best thing to do
is drink a cup of tea and clear your mind. Overthinking things isn't going to
help you come up with any good ideas."
Tia went to the side room and poured a cup of tea from the pot she had
prepared, then returned and handed it to Calsi'im. "Tia..." he said. "Thank
you for always looking after me..." Calsi'im brought the cup of tea to his
lips, only for his arm to abruptly fall apart at the elbow; both the teacup and
his arm clattered to the floor.
"C-Calsi'im!" Tia went pale. She scrambled to pick up Calsi'im's arm.
She dabbed the joint with some of the healing potion they kept on hand for
Calsi'im at all times and reattached it to his elbow. It stuck fast. Tia
breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness for those potions from Fli-o'-
Rys..." she said. "It seems that your arm is fixed."
Calsi'im patted Tia gently on the head. "Thank you for always looking
after me, Tia," he repeated, an apologetic smile on his face.
"Seeing you well is all the thanks I need," said Tia.
This was far from the first time Calsi'im's arm had fallen off, but
something was giving Tia a sense of unease. The way his arm fell off... she
thought. Is it just me, or is it somehow different from the previous times?
◇ ◇ ◇
Calsi'im sipped from the cup of tea Tia made. Everyone who had been
in the throne room had left, leaving Calsi'im sitting alone. He stared at the
arm that had fallen off earlier.
Hmm... he thought. It looks all right for now, but it's absolutely covered
in cracks. The insides have all worn away. He raised the arm and lowered it,
tea cup still in his hand. The repaired elbow joint rattled visibly, threatening
to fall off once more.
"I believe it will soon be time for my last public appearance..." Calsi'im
muttered to himself. Then, he raised his voice. "Good Sir Caw-lins, would
you come here for a moment?" His dire crow familiar flew in through a
nearby window and landed in front of him. "My apologies, but could you
deliver a letter for me? I will have it written up at once."
Calsi'im took a pen and a piece of paper from his breast pocket...
◇ ◇ ◇
The Dark One Yuigarde had announced his abdication in favor of
Calsi'im, the Dark Regent. Before long, demons everywhere had heard the
news, but hardly anyone took it at face value. Many suspected that it was a
rehearsed ploy—the Dark One would pretend to abdicate, only for Calsi'im
to refuse, thereby enabling Yuigarde to regain some measure of popularity.
After all, the demons remaining in the Dark Citadel had stuck with Calsi'im
through thick and thin, working hard together to rebuild it into something
new. Most of them thought very little of Yuigarde, who had abandoned his
throne. They weren't about to trust anything out of his mouth.
◇The Dark Citadel—Yuigarde's Private Quarters◇
Calsi'im had told Yuigarde to "give him some time to think." Now, the
current Dark One was sitting on his bed in his old room in the Dark Citadel,
refusing visitors.
Phufun pressed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose, her face
twitching with rage. "How could you have done such a thing?!" she
demanded. Her subordinate, the mad scientist girl Coqueshtti, was with her,
standing over Yuigarde. Those two—and within the Dark Citadel those two
alone—constituted Yuigarde's supporters.
Yuigarde looked between the two. "I've already made up my mind," he
said, giving them a self-deprecating smile. "I ran away and left the throne
empty. I've got no right to be the Dark One."
Phufun brought her face up very close to Yuigarde's. "But Master!" she
said. "Only you are worthy of dominating the Dark Citadel—to lead the
Dark Army! I, your minion Phufun, know that better than anyone!"
"Yes! Yes!" Coqueshtti nodded. "I think so too!"
But Yuigarde just gave the two of them a look. "Yeah..." he said. "I
thought that too, once." He sighed, slowly standing up from the bed. "But
that Calsi'im got the Dark Army back on its feet while I was gone, even
after that whole rebellion thing left it pretty much destroyed."
"W-Well, I cannot deny that..." A troubled expression crossed Phufun's
face. "But even so..."
Yuigarde placed his hand on Phufun's shoulder. "He did something I
couldn't. Nothing wrong with admitting that, is there?" Then, he walked
over to the window. "Look," he said, waving his hand out the window. "You
see how popular I am? The great Dark One returns, and you two are the
only ones who're happy to see me back. Funny, right?" He laughed
sarcastically at himself.
Phufun just kept staring at Yuigarde. "But... But even so, I..." She was at
a loss for words, tears welling up in her eyes. Coqueshtti, too, looked like
she might cry.
Yuigarde stepped up and gave the two a great big hug. "Thanks, you
two," he said. "Don't worry. I'll make things right."
◇That Night—Dark Citadel Throne Room◇
Calsi'im was still sitting on his usual cloth when a magic circle suddenly
appeared in the throne room. A portal shaped like an ordinary door emerged
and opened to reveal Flio.
It took Calsi'im a moment to notice he had company, but then, he bowed
his head deeply. "Oh, Mister Flio! I'm so dreadfully sorry to make you
come all this way..."
"It's not a problem," Flio said. "I got your letter. But...isn't teleporting
directly into the throne room against the rules?"
The spell Teleportation allowed its caster to instantly travel to any
location they had been to previously. Flio had been to the throne room
before, so it was easy for him to teleport there any time. Flio, however,
might have been the only one in the world strong enough to break through
the manifold arcane defenses that prevented intrusion into the Dark Citadel.
"Yes, well, as I told you in my letter, this is a bit of an emergency
situation. I needed to see you immediately." Calsi'im cleared his throat and
looked up at Flio, a serious look on his bony face. "Now, in fact, I have
invited you here today to beg a favor..."
"It depends on what it is, of course," Flio said. "But you're the one who
signed the peace treaty with the Magical Kingdom of Klyrode. If there's
anything you need, I'd be happy to help."
Calsi'im nodded and took a deep breath. "The truth is, I have something
very important to discuss with the Dark One tomorrow. It's a very delicate
situation. Depending on what happens, the whole Dark Citadel might be
thrown into chaos. I was very much hoping your friend the Wolf of Justice
might be able to accompany me..."
"Ah. The Wolf of Justice, is it?"
"Yes. I would very much like the Wolf of Justice's support for my
position."
"And by your position, you mean what you wrote in your letter?" Flio
said, taking the letter out from the Bottomless Bag on his belt.
"Precisely. I believe that what I have to say might upset some people.
Things might get rather chaotic. But the Wolf of Justice saved us from
rebels. Even demons see him as a hero, you know? With the Wolf of
Justice's support, I'm sure I can make everyone understand." Calsi'im
bowed deeply. "Well? Will you kindly grant me your aid?"
Flio thought for a moment and then nodded. "All right," he said. "I'll
pass the message along to the Wolf of Justice. Although I can't promise
he'll agree with your thinking on this."
The Wolf of Justice was a hero persona in a wolf mask Flio had
constructed in order to help the Klyrode army when they had come under
attack by demons without revealing his identity.
"Oh! Truly?! Thank you!" Calsi'im said, grinning happily. He gripped
Flio's hand tightly, thanking him over and over again.
Flio just smiled his usual easygoing smile.
◇The Following Morning—Dark Citadel Grand Hall◇
The next morning, the Grand Hall of the Dark Citadel was packed full,
with not just the residents of the Dark Citadel itself but also demons who
lived nearby. The Dark One Yuigarde and his minion Phufun sat before
them on one side of the stage. On the other sat the Dark Regent Calsi'im
and his own minion Tia. They were set up facing each other with a gap
between them.
"What's going on? What's happening?" Coqueshtti looked up from the
very first row, swallowing nervously as she watched. Beside her sat
Belianna, who Calsi'im had made Provisional Infernal, as well as Zanzibar.
"Today's the day that damned Dark One Yuigarde's handing over the
throne to Lord Calsi'im," answered Belianna.
"Indeed..." drawled Zanzibar. "Well, let us just watch and see what
happens."
"Master..." said Phufun, who was sitting next to Yuigarde. She bashfully
lowered her gaze. "I know many things have happened to bring us to this
point. You should do what your heart tells you. Whatever happens, I will
serve you always."
Yuigarde placed a hand on Phufun's shoulder. "Yeah," he said. "Thank
you." Phufun squeezed his hand tight and then let it go. He surveyed the
crowd before him and then raised his arm high. "Listen up you losers!" he
bellowed. "We're doin' the abdication ceremony!"
The Grand Hall, which had been full of whispered conversations, fell
dead silent. Before their eyes, Yuigarde removed the proof of his station—
the Dark One's armlet—and slowly stepped up to Calsi'im. "In my name,
Dark One Yuigarde, I acknowledge Calsi'im to be my successor. The Dark
One's armlet is his." He knelt and held up the armlet before the ancient
skeleton.
Calsi'im, dressed in his usual robe, stared intently at Yuigarde, not
moving an inch.
"Excuse me... Calsi'im?" Tia whispered into his ear, worried about his
strange silence.
"Yes, Tia," he whispered back. "I understand." Calsi'im slowly rose to
his feet. And before everyone's eyes, he ever so slowly extended his hand.
He took the armlet. "I accept your abdication. I, Calsi'im, swear to serve as
Dark One and guide our people well."
The Grand Hall erupted into cheers. "Long live the Dark One!"
"Long live Lord Calsi'im!"
All over the room, people welcomed the new Dark One with great cheer,
celebrating and wishing him well. Calsi'im raised both arms, and the room
went silent. Tia took a deep bow before him, holding her left hand to her
chest. "Calsi'im..." she said. "No, I should say Dark One Calsi'im. I, the
magic doll Tia, swear ever deeper loyalty to you as your minion. I swear to
you that I will perform with better and better service."
Calsi'im nodded.
Yuigarde descended from the stage as the demons all cheered Calsi'im's
name. "Master Yuigarde..." Phufun said, pressing close to him, a
complicated expression on her face. "You were fantastic..."
"I'm just glad it's over, y'know?" said Yuigarde.
The two chatted on, their conversation drowned out by the noise of the
hall.
◇ ◇ ◇
The brand new Dark One Calsi'im stood before a host of demons
celebrating his inauguration. "Now..." he said. "I realize this is sudden, but
there is something I would like to confirm." He looked out to gauge the
crowd. Everyone went quiet, staring intently, not willing to miss a single
word. "Do all of you swear loyalty to the new Dark One?"
Once again, the room was full of cheers. Voices of assent came from all
over.
"Of course! Lord Calsi'im is the Dark One!"
"I will serve you even more dutifully than before!"
"Long live Dark One Calsi'im!"
"Long live Dark One Calsi'im!"
Tia, who was still kneeling before Calsi'im, smiled.
"And you too, Tia?" Calsi'im asked. "You swear your loyalty to the new
Dark One?"
"I have sworn eternal loyalty to you, Calsi'im," she said, bowing deep.
"Of course I will."
Calsi'im nodded, satisfied, and looked back out at the crowd. "In that
case, I hereby announce my abdication!"
Suddenly the Great Hall was full of chatter. "H-Hey... What did Dark
One Calsi'im just say?"
"I think he said he was abdicating..."
"What?! But we just had an abdication!"
Tia, too, looked up at Calsi'im, shocked. "C-Calsi'im?" Calsi'im put his
hand on her shoulder, only for it to crumble away, the bones clattering to
the floor. "Calsi'im!" Frantic, Tia scrambled to pick up the parts of his arm,
only for them to turn to dust in her hands and slip through her fingers.
"What... What's happening?!" she cried, doing her best to try to gather the
fragments together in one place.
Calsi'im leaned in close. "Tia... It's all right..." he whispered, patting her
on the head with his remaining hand. "Thank you for everything..."
"C-Calsi'im..." Tia looked up pleading. "What are you trying to say?"
Calsi'im held her close with his remaining arm for a moment. "Now
then," he said, letting her go and walking off the stage and over to Yuigarde.
He knelt deep, holding up the armlet. "In my name, Dark One Calsi'im, I
acknowledge Dawkson—formerly Yuigarde—as my successor. The Dark
One's armlet is his."
Dawkson. That was the name Yuigarde had adopted to conceal his
identity when he gave up on being Dark One and left to travel the world and
find himself. "Calsi'im..." he said, staring in shock. "You... You know I quit
being Dark One, right? You can't become Dark One again once you've
stepped down."
Calsi'im smiled cleverly. "Yes, one who has stepped down as Dark One
may never again enter the Dark Citadel. But I don't see why we should
apply the same restriction to Dawkson! Besides, I have authorized it
myself." He held up the armlet again.
"No, I... I can't..." Yuigarde shook his head, fending off the armlet with
his outstretched palms. "Even if that's true, I don't gotta accept it! Besides,
I'm not worthy of taking the throne from you." But then, Yuigarde noticed
something that gave him yet another shock. Before his very eyes, Calsi'im's
body had started crumbling to dust. It had already started piling up at his
feet.
Calsi'im looked down at his body. "It's the end of my life span, I'm
afraid," he said. "When we skeletons die, we turn to dust and return to the
earth." He laughed, his jawbone rattling noisily—only for it, too, to crumble
to dust.
Calsi'im turned again to the assembled demons. "Everyone, you swore
your loyalty to the new Dark One, you know? Please do your best to
support the new Dark One, Dawkson..."
The hall erupted with noise.
"H-Hang on, Lord Calsi'im! You're the one we swore our loyalty to!"
"W-Wait! Come to think of it, Lord Calsi'im only said we should swear
to the new Dark One!"
"Don't tell me... Did Lord Calsi'im do that so he could abdicate to
Yuigarde under a different name?"
Calsi'im looked back at Yuigarde, turning his attention away from the
crowd. "This is my final request, Lord Dawkson..." he said, pressing the
armlet against Dawkson's chest. "Become the new Dark One and lead
demonkind to a brighter future..."
And with that, the last of Calsi'im's body turned to dust.
Yuigarde watched in shock, holding the armlet. For a while, he didn't
move. And then, he bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the floor. "I..."
he said. "I still don't know what I'm doing... But I swear I'll do my best to
live up to your expectations, Dark One Calsi'im. I'll be your new Dark
One."
Bowing like that, he looked nothing at all like the former Dark One
Yuigarde, who rumors said was ever so violent and despotic.
◇ ◇ ◇
Tia watched, speechless, as the scene played out. She had no attention to
pay to Dawkson, only the pile of dust he was still bowing before. The pile
of dust that had once been Calsi'im.
And then, slowly, she began to move. She covered her face with her
hands. "Nooooooo!!!" she wailed. "Calsi'iiiiiim!!!" She ran towards the
pile of dust and began desperately trying to gather it together. Nobody knew
what to say.
◇ ◇ ◇
The Great Hall had fallen into chaos.
"Wh-What does this mean? Lord Calsi'im...is dead?"
"And Dark One Dawkson? There's just no way..."
"Nobody's going to acknowledge him! No way!"
Angry shouts were flying from all directions. Some demons had even
started to fight.
Belianna watched it all with an expression of disbelief on her face. "Hey,
come on..." she said. "What the damned hells are we supposed to do now?!"
Zanzibar folded his arms and cocked his head. "Indeed... I am rather at a
loss myself..."
Just then, a man appeared on the stage. He wore a blue wolf mask and a
blue cape that fluttered in the breeze.
"Th-The Wolf of Justice!" Belianna, who was closest to the stage, cried
out in delight when she saw who it was. She had fought him before, unable
to land so much as a finger on him. Enthralled by his absolute power, she
became enamored with him. Now, she was one of his biggest fans.
She wasn't the only one, though. Demons respected strength in their
enemies as well as their allies. Many of them practically worshipped the
Wolf of Justice.
The Wolf of Justice looked out at the crowd and spoke. "I came here at
the request of Mister Calsi'im to lend my total support to his position."
That seemed to work.
"If the Wolf of Justice says so, I guess we have to go along with it..."
"Yeah... Can't say no when he has the support of the savior of the Dark
Citadel."
"I suppose...if he's the one saying it..."
The crowd settled down, acknowledging Dawkson as Dark One. The
Great Hall was soon filled with applause.
The Wolf of Justice turned with a flourish of his cape and vanished.
A few demons noticed that someone else had vanished as well. "Huh?
Where did Lady Tia go?"
◇Houghtow City—Flio's House◇
A portal appeared in a room on the second story of the workshop behind
Flio's house. Flio stepped out, still dressed as the Wolf of Justice, carrying
Tia in his arms.
"My lord husband, what happened?" Rys ran up to him as soon as he got
back. She was wearing a single cloth wrapped around her body in case she
needed to turn into her lupine form at a moment's notice. She, Wyne, Hiya,
Damalynas, and Tanya had all been waiting in that room after Flio departed
for the Dark Citadel, just in case they were needed.
Tia was deliriously mumbling Calsi'im's name over and over to herself.
"Calsi'im... Calsi'im..." She was still clutching his dust in her arms.
Flio looked down at the doll in his arms, deep in thought. "I want to help
Calsi'im, but I'm not sure how..." He opened the magic window and
searched for the term "resurrection." But he didn't have much luck.
"There're spells to bring back people who died from an injury or accident,
but I can't find anything that can bring back someone who's died of old
age..." Still, he bit his lip and kept searching as he laid Tia down on the
couch.
Suddenly, he heard a voice. "Mister Flio...it's all right..."
"Calsi'im?!" Flio looked around for the source of the voice. He saw a
small light hovering around Tia's body. "Is that...Calsi'im's mind?"
"Exalted One..." said Hiya, approaching Flio from the side. "You are
correct. That is indeed Mister Calsi'im's psychic body. However, Mister
Calsi'im was originally a skeleton, a kind of demon lacking in magic
power. Him surviving in such a state at all is a miracle. No doubt his
psychic body will dissipate soon..."
Tia stared intently at the small light dancing around her. "No!" she cried.
"Please, Calsi'im...don't go!"
Flio thought as hard as he could. Psychic body... he thought. In that
case... He took something out of his Bottomless Bag—something that made
Tanya look on in puzzlement.
"Master Flio..." she said. "What do you intend to do with that?"
It was the skull ape, a creature from the Celestial Plane, that Flio and
Tanya had captured the other day in the Alips mountain range.
"If I recall correctly," Flio said, "the skull ape was designed to receive
mental magic. Do you think someone with a psychic body could possess
one?"
"I suppose so..." Tina said. "But do you truly intend to put that
skeleton's psychic body inside a skull ape?"
"I don't know how well it'll work, but it's worth a try!" Flio held up one
hand towards the skull ape and the other towards Tia. The light flying
around her had already mostly vanished. "Nhhh..." he murmured, focusing.
A magic circle appeared. It was a strange, complicated combination of
multiple spells, difficult even for Flio. It absorbed the ball of light and then
settled around the skull ape's head. But then, the magic circle violently
sprang out, Calsi'im's psychic body with it.
"It rejected him?!" Flio said. "Dang it... All right, again!" He brought
the magic circle back to the skull ape's head. For a moment, it looked like it
was going to spring away again, but Flio held it in place with force. He was
using all his power to try to force the magic circle into the skull ape.
"Nghhh..."
Finally, it went inside. The skull ape shone with light and shrank before
their eyes until it was the same size as Calsi'im.
"I don't believe it..." Hiya's eyes, usually only visible as slits, were
opened wide as they watched. "Did Calsi'im's psychic body truly manage
to possess the skull ape?"
"I don't know..." Flio said. "But I did everything I could..." He
staggered, unsteady on his feet.
"My lord husband!"
"Dada! Are you okay?! Are you?!"
Rys and Wyne hurried to Flio, catching him from either side before he
could collapse.
"I-I'm all right..." Flio said. "I just used a bit too much magic, I think..."
Tia ran up to the skull ape and immediately began calling to it.
"Calsi'im! Calsi'im!" But the skull ape remained unmoving.
◇Meanwhile—In the Sky◇
"This is where you detected the skull ape?"
"Yes. There is no mistaking it. I believe it is on the second floor of that
building behind the main house."
Two figures were flying in the sky above Flio's house. Their bodies
were half-young women and half-skeleton, and they were dressed in ragged
cloaks and carried scythes. They seemed prepared for a fight.
"Right," said the apparent leader. "Let's recapture the skull ape and
recommence our search for the Calamity Wyrm."
"By your command!" The other bowed and made to descend.
But before the angels from the Celestial Plane could move, they were
stopped by Tanya in a maid outfit, who appeared before them. "You there,"
she said. "What business do you have with Master Flio's private
residence?" Her wings were out, and she wielded a scythe of the same style
as the angels.
"Are you...an angel of the Celestial Plane?" the leader asked.
"I am not," said Tanya. "I am a maid in service to Master Flio's house."
"Wh-What? But you have the wings of an angel on your back, and you
carry the scythe used by disciples of the Celestial Plane!" The angels
seemed confused.
Tanya slowly tilted her head to the side, puzzled. "I'm sorry," she said.
"I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about." Then, she brought
her scythe up in a skillful arc. "But the skull ape is needed by Master Flio
due to various circumstances. I have to ask you to give up."
"P-Preposterous!" said one of the angels.
"Yes!" said the other. "Without the skull ape, we won't be able to
continue our search!"
"Yes, I heard your conversation earlier," said Tanya. "I understand you
are looking for the Calamity Wyrm?"
"A-Ah. Yes, that is correct. The signal was too weak for any of us to
follow it, so we were using the skull ape to search..."
Tanya sighed heavily. "That stands to reason," she said. "After all, the
Calamity Wyrm was defeated by Master Flio when it first entered this
world."
"What?!"
"Excuse me?!"
The angels couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"Impossible! The Calamity Wyrm has legendary vitality, even among
the Beasts of Disaster! It would take ten angels to defeat!"
"I see," said Tanya. "You don't believe me. Then what do you make of
this?" She removed a single bottle from her cleavage. "This is the potion
Master Flio made using the blood of the Calamity Wyrm."
"What was that?!"
"Th-The blood of the Calamity Wyrm?!"
"H-He managed to break through its impenetrable scales to extract its
blood?!"
The angels all stared at the potion Tanya had given them. Inside it was a
beautiful liquid that shone with all the colors of the rainbow.
"As hard as I find it to believe, I do detect the Calamity Wyrm's essence
in this potion..."
"I can't imagine anyone taking blood from the Calamity Wyrm if it were
still alive..."
"Yes. I believe this suffices as proof of the Calamity Wyrm's death."
"In that case," Tanya said. "I propose the trade of this potion for your
skull ape. Would that be agreeable?"
The angels huddled together.
"Wh-What do we do?"
"Skull apes are valuable. There's nothing they can't find if you set them
looking for it..."
"But that potion..."
"Yes. If we had that potion, we could prove that the Calamity Wyrm is
dead."
"And then...we could return to the Celestial Plane..."
"In that case, the answer's obvious."
They nodded and turned back to Tanya. "Very well. We accept your
conditions."
"Understood," said Tanya. "Then here is your potion."
"Yes, and in exchange, we will leave the skull ape with you." The angels
flew high into the sky, towards the fracture in the world's barrier, and
vanished.
Tanya watched as they flew away. "I believe that takes care of that
mess," she said, gliding back towards Flio's house.
◇Days Later—Flio's House◇
"Are you feeling well, my lord husband?" Rys brought something to
drink and a plate of simple food to Flio, who was lying in bed. A few days
ago, he had transferred Calsi'im's psychic body into the skull ape, a process
that had left him unsteady enough on his feet that Rys had demanded he go
to bed and do nothing else until he was rested.
"Thank you, Rys," said Flio, smiling his usual easygoing smile as he sat
up in bed. "I think I'll be back on my feet soon."
"My lord husband! You mustn't!" Rys hurried to Flio and placed her
hand on his body, pushing him back down into bed. "I understand how you
feel, but please stay in bed for a few days more..." She looked at him with
big, worried eyes.
I'm pretty sure I'm all better, Flio thought as he lay back down. But I
don't want to make Rys worry. I suppose I'll rest up for a while longer.
"By the way," he said. "How's Tia doing?"
◇ ◇ ◇
Tia was still in a room on the second story of Flio's workshop. The skull
ape Flio had put Calsi'im's psychic body in was sitting in a chair, and she
was sitting in its lap, staring out the window. "Calsi'im..." she said, smiling.
"The wind feels good today."
The skull ape was dressed in Calsi'im's robes. From a distance, it looked
like the old skeleton himself. But it made no response to Tia's words, only
continuing to stare out the window.
Tia stood up and went to the kitchen in the back of the room, where she
made a pot of tea. "Here, Calsi'im. Please drink it while it's still hot." She
held a cup out to the skeleton. But the skull ape didn't respond to that either.
It just sat motionless in the chair.
This scene had played out many, many times over the past several days.
And yet, Tia smiled happily as she rested her head on the skull ape's lap. He
may not be moving... she thought, enjoying the sensation of her cheeks
against the skull ape's bones. But I know that this is Calsi'im.
She closed her eyes. "Calsi'im... I would hate for you to be all on your
own. So that's why I will stay by your side, forever and ever..." Suddenly,
gaps began to appear around her mouth. She was losing her spirit and
turning back into a wooden doll. When magic dolls died, they returned to
their original material.
She lay on Calsi'im's lap as her body turned bit by bit to wood. A tear
fell from her eye. "Calsi'im..."
Sip...
Just then, a sound filled the room. Tia's eyes shot open.
Sip, sip...
The sound was coming from above her. She slowly looked up to see the
skull ape, who had been perfectly still a moment ago, sipping its tea. Tia
could only stare as it drained the cup dry.
"My!" the skull ape said, smiling. "Your tea really is something special,
Tia. May I have another cup?"
Tia stared and stared. Her body, nearly entirely wooden now, began to
turn back into a magic doll. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hugged
the skull ape—no, Calsi'im—tight around the shoulders. She was crying too
much to speak, only babbling incoherently as she clung tight, sobbing and
sputtering.
Calsi'im gently patted Tia on the head and smiled.
◇ ◇ ◇
Flio burst into the room when he heard Tia's tears. "Thank goodness..."
he said. "It worked..."
Tanya nodded. "Perhaps it merely took some time for Calsi'im's psychic
body to learn to control the skull ape."
"Either way," said Flio as he watched Calsi'im and Tia embrace, "I'm
glad it worked out."
◇Houghtow City—Flio's House◇
"Papa!" cried Elinàsze. "Are you all better?" It had been two weeks
since the incident, and Flio was in the living room for the first time in a
while. Elinàsze had prepared breakfast for everyone. When she saw Flio
had come downstairs, her face lit up and she ran over to hug him.
Flio smiled his usual easygoing smile as he gently hugged his daughter.
"Sorry to make you all worry," he said. "I'm all right now."
Transferring Calsi'im's psychic body had been taxing on Flio's magic,
leaving him unsteady on his feet. Rys had ordered complete bed rest for her
husband, forbidding him to get out of bed except to use the bathroom.
Although I'm pretty sure I've been perfectly fine for a while, Flio
thought to himself.
Everyone gathered around Flio, expressing their concern.
"Lord Flio, are you fully recovered?"
"Dada, you okay? You okay?"
"Lord Flio, please do not push yourself."
"Are you truly all better, my lord husband?" asked Rys, hurrying up to
him and pressing her hand against his body, assessing his condition.
Flio smiled calmly. "I'm sorry to worry you, Rys," he said. "I'm fine.
Really." He took his seat at the table.
Rys watched her husband with a delighted smile on her face. "Just a
moment," she said. "I'll prepare a pot of tea." She headed for the kitchen,
only for Tia to come out of the kitchen door, carefully carrying a kettle.
"Good morning, Lord Flio," she said. "Would you care for a cup of my
tea?" She placed a teacup in front of him.
"Good morning, Tia," said Flio, accepting the cup with his usual
easygoing smile. "Are you getting used to living here?"
Tia looked Flio straight in the eyes, a delighted grin on her face. "Used
to it? How could I? I'm so blissfully happy every single day. I hardly know
how to handle it!"
◇ ◇ ◇
Now that Calsi'im had regained consciousness, he and Tia moved into a
room on the third floor of Flio's house. Calsi'im was still getting used to his
new body, spending most of his days taking it easy in his room. Sometimes
he would visit Sleip and Byleri's ranch or help out on Blossom's farm,
trying not to push himself too hard as he got used to moving again. Tia—it
hardly needed to be said—stayed by his side wherever he went.
Today, Calsi'im was sitting in the chair by the window, looking outside.
"The wind is pleasant today, isn't it, Calsi'im?" said Tia, smiling happily
as she brought Calsi'im a cup of freshly brewed tea.
"Yes," Calsi'im agreed, bringing the cup of tea to his lips and sipping
loudly. "Warm winds like tonight's are so pleasant..."
"Would you like another cup?" offered Tia.
"Hmm... I believe I quite would! Might I trouble you for another, Tia?"
"Of course! It would be my pleasure and delight to prepare it for you."
Tia took the empty cup to the simple kitchen in the back of their room,
where she steeped some tea and prepared him another cup. "Now, Calsi'im,
drink it while it's hot!"
Calsi'im took the fresh cup and sipped it gladly. "You really do make the
best tea, Tia!" he said. He let out a breath and turned back to look out the
window, a happy look on his face.
Tia slowly brought her head to rest on Calsi'im's lap, enjoying the
sensation of his bone against her cheek and smiling happily. Calsi'im gently
patted her on the head.
"I'm sorry I left you alone, Tia," he said, lovingly stroking her hair. "I'll
be with you from now on." Then, suddenly, he jerked his hand away. "Oh,
but of course, only if it's what you want? I'm afraid I've been somewhat
forcing my own feelings onto you."
Tia pressed her finger against Calsi'im's bony mouth, silencing him.
"H-Hm?" he exclaimed.
Tia lifted up her head, bringing her face up close to Calsi'im's. Their
faces practically touching, she stared into his eyes. "I belong to you,
Calsi'im," she said. "I am merely your possession. From now until
forever..." She closed her eyes.
"H-Hwah?! W-Wait! What—" Calsi'im panicked, looking every which
way as Tia's face drew closer and close, her eyes closed and her lips
puckered.
Tia sighed softly and held his head still. "You shouldn't make girls
embarrass themselves like this..." she said, closing her eyes again. Calsi'im
watched with a bewildered look on his face. He cleared his throat, and then,
slowly, he brought his bony moth up to her lips.
It is said that when a magic doll dies, they return to their original form—
that of a wooden puppet. And when a magic doll learns the true joy of life,
it is possible for them to become a living person. But in this world, there
was yet no example of a magic doll who had done this.
Tia slowly opened her eyes. "Calsi'im... I am ever so happy." She
smiled, a pink blush on her cheeks.
Calsi'im smiled back. Tia's emotions are getting so deep, he thought.
Every day I see her make entirely new expressions. It's almost like she's
turning into a demon...or a human, even...
◇ ◇ ◇
A dire crow appeared outside the window as Calsi'im and Tia smiled at
each other. This was Calsi'im's familiar. On the day Tia had vanished from
the Dark Citadel, it had set off on a journey, flying all over the land in
search of her.
Having found not only Tia but also Calsi'im himself, the crow tried to
fly in. But then, it noticed that Calsi'im and Tia were having a bit of an
intimate moment. Good Sir Caw-lins prided itself on its ability to read the
atmosphere of a room.
It perched restlessly atop the roof and decided to wait for a better
opportunity to make its entrance.
◇Dark Citadel—Throne Room◇
"Now, if there is no further news, shall we conclude this morning's
meeting?" Dawkson's minion Phufun, standing beside her master, pressed
her glasses up the bridge of her nose and surveyed the gathered demons.
Zanzibar, who had been appointed a member of the Infernal Four just
moments earlier, raised his hand. "May I?" he ventured.
"Yes, go ahead, Zanzibar."
"Dark One Dawkson... What is your intention in appointing me a
member of the Infernal Four? I am the man who led an army of rebels
against you." In fact, he thought, when he called me to this meeting, I was
fairly certain I was about to be executed in front of the whole throne room.
Cold sweat ran down his face as he looked up at the Dark One.
"Oh yeah, that," said Dawkson. "Look, Zanzibar. You've been leading
the devils for a long time. You've got all kinds of knowledge, and you're
popular. Besides, you had top-notch leadership and tactics and plans and
stuff during the rebellion. I just thought it'd be useful to have you working
for the Dark Army, what with how good you are at stuff." Dawkson bowed
his head in respect. "The past is water under the bridge, so long as you keep
helping out with the Dark Army."
Everyone in the throne room began murmuring in surprise, whispering
to each other and stealing glances at the Dark One.
"Th-The Dark One Dawkson bowed his head!"
"When he was Yuigarde, he'd never bow his head to anyone..."
"Maybe he really has changed..."
"In that case," Zanzibar answered, "I have no reason to refuse. From
here on, I, Zanzibar, shall serve the Dark One Dawkson to my utmost, until
—"
"Oh, one thing," Dawkson interrupted, raising his hand and grinning
apologetically. "Sorry to cut you off. But you're not gonna be serving me.
You're gonna be serving the Dark Army."
"I see," said Zanzibar. "In that case, I shall serve the Dark Army to my
utmost, until my very bones break."
"Great. I appreciate it." Dawkson bowed again.
Ever since he had returned to the Dark Citadel as the Dark One,
Dawkson had begun holding daily morning meetings with the ranking
officers of the Dark Army. Blondie used to get everyone together in the
mornings to talk about the day's plans, after all... he thought, a smile
coming to his face as he recalled his travels with Hero Gold-Hair.
When the meeting finished, the officers filed out of the throne room.
Then, almost as if she had been tagged in, a shadow demon woman ran
inside. "Dark One Dawkson, do you have a moment?"
"Sure. What's up, Falmeil?"
Dawkson had had many opportunities to watch Riliangiu work as both a
scout and information specialist while he had traveled with Hero GoldHair's party. The experience had taught him the importance of
reconnaissance. So upon his return he had sent out a call for shadow
demons and appointed Falmeil, who responded to the summons, an
intelligence operative.
"The eldest son of the chief of the ice giants who live in the foothills of
the Needle Mountains north of the Dark Citadel is celebrating his wedding
today. Also, there are signs that the belligerents in the forest nearby have
ceased their activities."
Falmeil was a true shadow demon, adept at disguise and infiltration. She
had all sorts of ways of gathering intelligence. Her job was to keep
Dawkson apprised of all happenings in the lands around the Dark Citadel.
After Falmeil's report was finished, Dawkson turned to look at Phufun.
"Hey, Phufun. Send the ice giant chief's son a present or something. You
can pick out whatever seems good. And do you mind asking if there's any
news about him while you're there? Oh, and send a team to investigate
what's going on in the forest."
"Yes, Master. It will be done at once." Phufun bowed deeply and made
to leave the throne room. But before she left, she turned around. "Um...
Actually, Master... May I ask you something?"
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Oh, it's nothing important..." Phufun pushed her glasses up. "But I've
noticed that you have been standing whenever we are in here, instead of
sitting on the throne. Why is that?"
Dawkson awkwardly cleared his throat. "Well, you know..." he said.
"Even Calsi'im kept saying that it would be presumptuous for him to sit on
the throne. So I figure a half-baked Dark One like me's got no right to. Or
something." Dawkson scratched his cheek as he spoke.
Phufun smiled. "I see. I believe that is a fine sentiment." She bowed
deeply and left.
He really did change on his journey, she thought, nodding happily to
herself. But then, a look of dissatisfaction crossed her face. But I am a little
nostalgic for the days when he'd shout, "Don't ask me boring questions!"
and punch me in the face...
Phufun was a masochist of a succubus. For her, the highest pleasure in
the world was being sent flying by Yuigarde.
◇ ◇ ◇
The Dark One Dawkson continued to do his best, day after day after day.
He didn't scream in rage, but listened to everyone's opinions and only acted
after giving matters due consideration. Gradually, demons everywhere
heard about his strange transformation.
◇Meanwhile, with Hero Gold-Hair◇
Hero Gold-Hair and his companions stood in a forest near the Dark
Citadel.
"All right, that looks good," Hero Gold-Hair declared, stomping on the
newly refilled hole with his foot and letting out a sigh of satisfaction.
"It took a while to track them down," said Valentine, "but I believe
we've seen the last of the fools plotting to take over the Dark Citadel. Now,
let's go find something delicious to eat!" She cheered, raising her arms high
above her head.
Riliangiu, who had just returned from scouting, nodded. "I no longer
sense the presence of any more conspirators."
"Great," said Hero Gold-Hair. "Hopefully all this work will help take a
load off Dawkson's shoulders. He just got back, you know. The least we can
do is help him out." He returned the Drilldozer Shovel to his Bottomless
Bag and turned back to the road. "Now, with that finished, let's head to a
human town and get some food!"
"I couldn't agree more!" Valentine ran up beside him, draping her arms
around his shoulders. "Three cheers for Hero Gold-Hair!"
"Ummm..." said Tsuya. "Hero Gold-Haaair?"
"What is it, Tsuya?"
"Oh, it's just... Are you suuure we can't go see Dawkson before we
leeeave?" She looked up at the Dark Citadel through the gaps in the trees.
Hero Gold-Hair shook his head. "He's going to be busy for a while."
Then, he turned his back to the citadel and started down the road.
Tsuya furrowed her brow as she followed along behind. Peeersonally,
she thought, I'd like to get Mister Daaawkson to give Valentine just ooone
more charge of magic... She looked up at Valentine, who was walking ahead
of her.
"With Dawkson gone," Valentine said, "I'll have to eat lots and lots
tonight to charge up on magic!"
Valentine was from the Realm of Evil, a world with much higher
atmospheric magic density. In order to live in the world of Klyrode, she
required regular infusions of high volumes of magic energy. Until only
recently she had been able to siphon off Dawkson's inexhaustible supply
through the medium of their lips. But with Dawkson gone, she would have
to return to getting magic from food and magic gems, absorbing the magic
contained within physical material.
Tears came to Tsuya's eyes as she checked the contents of the group's
wallet. Waaah... she lamented. Our food budget was sooo much lighter with
Dawkson here...