The old demon and Slayer walked away to his quarters away from prying eyes. Slayer removed his mask. As the sat at his table. "So your the King Slayer? Well that was unexpected" he stated. "Is that a problem?" Slayer asked. "No. I won't stop you. I can't say the same for everyone else. My men are obliged to protect their king. Me as well. I took an oath. But doesn't mean I have to be here when you do it" he took a drink of wine. "The boy?" Slayer said. "Yes, he will be an obstacle. If you think he won't? You don't know how much he wants his father's love" Slayer shook his head at this. "He won't get it. He is incapable of it" the old demon shrugged. "Nevertheless" he downed his wine. "Master Trax! I need to know what he has up his sleeve?" Slayer was blunt.
The demon poured another cup and took a drink before answering. "Find the fencer Frick. He is a lowly demon who owns the black market and is also the personal arms dealer to the king. He facilitates trade in the city. Even brokered a deal with the War Realm. They have stashes of weapons and machines of war in five locations throughout the city. The king doesn't mind his under the table dealings as long as he gets a slice of course. Frick is loyal to the king and has become very rich. He will be protected and it will be hard to get into his mansion. Shouldn't be a problem for you" the old demon smiled, raising a glass to Slayer. "You should go. I must attend the war council" he said standing up. Slayer stared at him, still seated at the table. This did not go unnoticed, "I know you're thinking I will betray you? To be honest, I'm tired. Tired of serving those unworthy. I don't have a lot of time left. I'm basically a teacher to the baby monarchs. My life has been dull ever since. I will say teaching you was a pleasure. You are the best student I ever had" he smiled. "Flattery isn't your strong suit?" Slayer said with a plain tone. "Regardless I mean it. I don't have any desire to stop you. In fact you were never here" he then walked towards the door. "Be well. Happy hunting" he then left Slayer alone in his quarters. He put on his mask and then left through the shadows.
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Far off in the city was a warehouse filled with weapons, explosives, war machines, and an endless armory of blades. Guards were positioned everywhere outside with automatic weapons. Big demons that looked fierce and dawned matching red uniforms. Walking among the inventory was a short man with fine robes of gold and red. He was followed by two guards with swords on their backs they towered over him. But even the small man had a presence about him. He clenched a pipe between his jagged teeth. He had orange skin and curved black horns coming out of his forehead. He approached Vick who was standing waiting with Brigg. "Sir Vick and Sir Brigg" he bowed, "Welcome to my armory. Whatever can I do for you?" he asked. "Frick. The Demon King needs a mage. Preferably your best" Vick stated plainly. Frick was deep in thought puffing on his pipe. He snapped his fingers at one of his guards. One on the left approached, "Call up Grace. She could use some exercise and some gold" the guard nodded and left. "Should know something in an hour," Frick told him. Vick nodded, "Is she reliable?" Vick asked. "Quite. She specializes in necromancy, and divination. She could discover what happened to the dragon king" Frick grinned. Vick and Brigg looked angry. "You have spies within the court?" Vick asked. Frick shook his head, "You insult me?" Frick said giggling. Vick shook his head, "You're only favored for your uses. I wouldn't over step your bounds imp" Frick shrugged at Vick's comment.
"I'll send her your way when she gets back to me" Frick said walking away. "I wish nothing more than to kill that fucking imp" Vick mumbled to Brigg. "Yeah" he agreed as they left. Frick laughed at himself. As he walked further into the armory he saw a trail of blood leading to a far dark corner of the warehouse. He gestured to his guard to investigate. The demon unsheathed his sword and stalked to the corner. He followed the trail till he came upon the dead guard from before. He looked about searching for the reason for this murder. Slash across his neck was quick that he delayed to collapse. Frick scowled as he saw his guard fall to the ground dead. "I would like to have a word with you" a voice said behind him. Frick turned to see a masked individual holding crimson short swords. He stared at Frick with his red Oni mask sending fear up his spine. "Who? Who are you?" he asked. Slayer then drove a fist into the imp's face knocking him out.
Slayer then dragged him into the shadows. The two were gone from the warehouse with no one the wiser.
An hour passed and Frick awoke blinking rapidly as he looked around. He was in a room that was shabby and run down. Somewhere in the abandoned part of the city, "Am I in the shabby apartment of the Rat Hole District! I vowed never to come back to this wretched place!" he said out loud with anger. He seemed disgusted to even be in this decrepit home. Slayer sat on the floor in front of him meditating. His swords resting on his lap. Frick stared at him before seeing two glowing red eyes through the sockets of the mask.
"Glad you're awake," Slayer said as he slowly rose to his feet. "Who the fuck are you! You have any idea who I am!" Frick shouted only for Slayer to hit him in the face with a pommel of one of his swords. Frick groaned in pain. "Keep it up ass..." he was then hit in the chest making him gasp all the air erupting from his lungs. "Frick. Where are your other warehouses located?" Slayer asked. Frick coughed and spit black blood onto the floor. "Never come between a demon and meal" he was then hit in the knee that gave a pop. He groaned, "Stop hitting me!" The other knee went pop from another hit. He sizzled with anger from this. "You really think...I'd tell you that? That's my insurance policy on keeping the wolves at bay. Little guy like me rose up being a useful supplier" he spit blood again. He sat in pain staring at his broken knees.
Slayer sat silently letting the pain fester in Frick's body. His knees throbbed and his face and his breathing hoarse. Each breath seemed like agony, 'probably broke one of his ribs' Slayer thought. "Why do you want my inventory?" Frick asked weakly. "That's my business. It's in your best interest to just tell me and this torture ends" Slayer was losing patience. Keeping a calm facade was beneficial to get the imp to cooperate.
Frick leaned his back staring at the moldy ceiling. "I've been good at reading people over the years. Even getting information on someone is easy. I have spies all throughout the city. For once you were a surprise. I haven't a clue as to who you are. You must be new to the Demon City?" Frick was fishing. Slayer didn't play his game. He remained silent before repeating his question, "where are the other stashes?" He asked again more forcefully. Frick coughed and shook his head. "I can't tell you that, '' Frick stated. Slayer sighed standing up this made Frick flinch ready for pain. 'One last thing to try otherwise he's useless' Slayer thought. His blades turned to red particles and he held up a finger. It ignited with flame as he ripped a sleeve off Frick's robe. He extended it from one of feet giving distance. He looked at Frick hovering the flame over the sleeve.
"Do you know how fast silk burns? In terms of flammability, silk may be the worst with a high burning rate, which may be increased by the dyes and other additives to provide color. Contrary to belief demons are not immune to fire. They merely live alongside it. So I know once this goes up in flames you're liable to burn up. Seems like such an agonizing death to have your skin melt, smell of burning flesh in your nose, and suffocating notion you can't do anything about it. I've broken your knees. Any attempt to stomp out this flame is futile. You will be helpless as it burns from your feet to your head. One last time Frick. Where are the warehouses?" Slayer said, holding a finger over the sleeve. Frick sighed in surrender "Cardinal directions of the city. Each one is underground. They are located in the abandoned parts. They are heavily guarded" Frick confessed as his face sank. "What do you have stored? Same as your warehouse I took you from? Explosives, fire arms, machines, etc?" Slayer asked. Frick merely nodded. "Thank you for your cooperation" Slayer stood extinguishing the flame. He then got behind Frick to untie him. The ropes went slack and Frick felt a pain instantly in his back. He coughed up blood and fell to the ground. "I did you a favor" Slayer said, staring at the body.