"That may have some potential…" Names were typically used solely to refer to someone, their utility only social—or so most believed. However, in rare cases and in the right hands, names could hold additional uses.
This was the main reason why his generals, as well as himself, avoided using names among each other, instead reserving only titles and honors. With some exceptions, in the case of intimate lovers for example, they avoided this practice whenever possible.
Most people had a name given at birth, and it had been the same for most of them, but the fewer who knew of it, the better! Some demons could use names to harm someone, a major concern for a group attempting to exterminate them.
Mystical beings had their own means of using names for various magics. Though this was restricted to a select few individuals across all existence and couldn't be taught, it still had ways of harming others. More importantly, it could also significantly benefit mortals like him.
"I need a few preparations, but it shouldn't be impossible!" he muttered, his hand to his face, lost deep in thought. Alone in unfamiliar lands, he needed a strategy. Close to a king and his royal vault, he might find what he was searching for!
"It's a beautiful night, the full moon radiant and the stars shining majestically, isn't it, General?" Dante, the young man beside him, chattered on. Though continuously ignored, he didn't lose enthusiasm.
That comment, however, troubled him as he gazed at the moon and its stars above. "I'm certain I fought against the three moons…" The memory was still fresh—leading soldiers to hunt down the three celestial beings, or goddesses as they were called, who each embodied one of the moons.
Their deaths should have led to the destruction of each satellite, yet one remained, casting its silver light. Though he couldn't recall killing them, he remembered a world without moons and making plans based on it. This wasn't the only inconsistency he had noticed.
"General, let's get back to the main topic. What will we do about your mission, this matter hasn't let me sleep for days, I can't eat or drink in peace until this is resolved!"
Tired of being bothered about it, he finally decided to listen. "What's your problem?" His voice was rough, impatient, questioning the sanity of this youth who didn't understand his intent.
"My beloved, Mercedes, was taken from me by a noble close to the king, and I need your help to save her. Their marriage is supported by the king, preventing any challenge from a humble fisherman like me. If you could speak with the king on behalf of the goddess of the moon, I'm sure a peaceful agreement could be reached, so my beloved and I can live happily together." Dante pleaded, his desperation evident in his words.
"Where is she now?" Without information, the general could never form an effective plan. The noble's relationship with the king especially piqued his interest.
"Currently, she's in the King's castle with that noble. She's closely watched by servants and guarded by royal soldiers."
"Do you want some advice?" Dante quickly nodded, filled with hope.
"If you truly love her with all your heart and soul…" Dante nodded fervently. "I love her more than anything! I'd give my life for her!"
"If you're willing to do anything, absolutely anything for her!" Dante immediately confirmed, "Even if I had to sacrifice my life for just one moment with her, I would!"
"I see that you are a true man and a romantic and brave man, my dear Dante, you have all my respect!" Dante's joy swelled; few had recognized him as a man.
"In that case, break into the castle. Fight against all the king's heavily armed men who trained their whole lives, with blades thirsty, begging for flesh. Their bloodshot eyes crave release as berserker warriors." The boy grew increasingly insecure, his hands trembling with fear. He had never fought anyone, let alone a seasoned warrior; how could he do it? But he wasn't finished yet.
"Take your girl and flee to the mountains. Abandon all your friends and family, who may be hunted and killed for your transgressions, punished for your choices, not theirs as they lived peacefully." How could this boy simply be so ungrateful to those who had loved him, given him everything he had, taught him all he knew? Even the thought disgusted and saddened him. How could he be such an ungrateful son? But he wasn't finished yet.
"The king will search for you everywhere, so don't pick any fertile, mineral-rich, or populated mountain. Choose a barren one, where nothing grows, teeming with monsters and horrors that scare most away with sharp claws and teeth." Even snakes frightened him; how could he face real monsters—true horrors unafraid of death, speaking only the language of violence, who'd kill just for pleasure? But he wasn't finished yet.
"Then find a cave where the strongest and most dangerous among them lives. Fight it with your bare hands,nails and teeths, tear out its bones to make stakes, and place the creature's head at your new home's entrance. Eat its heart, kidneys, brain, and liver, wear its hide to show you are the greatest of monsters, and that none should mess with you!" The boy was nearly in tears; this was impossible for him. How many fights and battles would he face? But he wasn't finished yet…
However, as he prepared to continue his speech, Dante interrupted. "Isn't there… another way?" The man looked at him with sadistic amusement. The boy wanted something he neither had the right nor the strength to take. He knew neither the height of the heavens nor the depth of the earth.
"Of course, there's always another option." The naivety of youth always brought him joy, with dreams that knew no limits. Such unfounded claims, foolish desires, and weakness driven by cowardice.
"Forget the girl who has her destiny sealed; if you'd rather, drown your sorrows in drink and complain to some drunks, like common people. Lament the unfairness of how the system privileges trash like that noble while kind and just men like you suffer. Let the bitterness leave your heart, and find another girl—there are plenty of single women out there."
Dante listened, his soul splitting in two. His partner couldn't be recovered unless it was the will of the gods, superior even to kings. And evidently, it was not.
"But how will I live without her? She's the most beautiful, the kindest, the most honest! No woman in the world can replace her!" If Dante was smart he would have asked if the general wife was replaceable, which he would have said was complete blasphemy.And in fact he was willing to die for her.But in his case he actually had the strength to change destiny or at least he believed so and was willing to put it to the proof.
"It's always the same. Every love we have is irreplaceable until we get drunk and find even a rock beautiful and charming. Anyone can replace her, believe me. And even if not, you're just a fisherman. What could you do? You've already realized it's impossible." Unmoved as usual, he merely stated a truth they both knew.
"That's precisely why I need your help, sir. You're the envoy of the moon. Only with your power can we change this!" Dante continued to plead as he had from the start.
"Boy, I already told you what to do. You were willing to die for her a few seconds ago, so just go and try. If it works, live happily with her; and most likely, die trying, content with your choices and decisions rather than the bitterness life would bring."
"But if I die trying, she'll die too!" The man frowned for a moment; this was new information and seemed significant in some way. For the first time, he connected the dots behind Dante's desperation. Youths were truly foolish.
"You two did it, didn't you?" Dante looked away, ashamed. For most, it might not mean much, but for the king and the nobles, purity was everything. It hadn't yet been discovered, but it soon would be. Soon, she'd be at the mercy of the lords' goodwill in these lands. Whatever the royal punishment, death was an option.
For the first time, the General lost his balance, grabbing the boy by his collar. "You idiot! She's going to die because of you! Couldn't you control yourself? You've killed someone who loved you and put their faith in you!" His fury was uncontrollable.
How would he feel if his beloved Emilia died because of his bad choices? Every time he sent her into battle, his heart ached, imagining that he could have sent her to death. This was his fuel to rethink the plan as many times as necessary to achieve perfect success without victims, at least not her as a victim.
How many times had he tried to stop her and said goodbye before the battle with a shiver and the fear of her death, which was answered with a gentle smile and the promise to return alive.He never doubted her strength, but how could he continue fighting knowing that she could be tortured by their enemies?She could lose limbs, fall into a coma or worse.
Every time he said goodbye he wasn't sure if she, that person he loved so much, would come back the same way she left.Another person could return in her place, one cold and marked by the incessant war.
And this boy treated his woman like that. Without considering any of the risks involved, he condemned her to a terrible humiliation that would not end in life.What would that man do when he discovered that he no longer needed to follow any moral law, since she was an immoral woman, a dirty whore from the streets.
Dante sobbed, fearful and guilty, staring at the enraged man, who let go with a sigh. "Anyway, it's your fault, and I have nothing to do with it." He needed to control himself; he had his own struggles and couldn't involve himself in these minor issues.
With the boy on his knees, crying like the foolish child he was, he thought of saying more but wasn't sure whether to judge or comfort. Scratching his head, still tense, he opened his mouth, resolute.
"Listen well…" But his words were cut short by a collision with a dark shadow as large as himself, sending him flying several meters.The sound of the human body violently colliding with rocks woke Dante from his daze.
Dante looked up in horror, seeing a giant the height of a house with thick, dark fur and two great ivory horns. Its golden eyes gleamed, and grotesque fangs jutted from its massive mouth filled with necrotic flesh.
"GRRRRR!" The beast roared, and Dante screamed in pure terror.