"Salary?" Laharl asked in confusion.
"Wait, we get paid!? How come I haven't seen a single hell!?" I asked in anger; I've been breaking my back for almost a month without even a single hell to spend for myself.
"You want money? Fine, I'll just stop feeding you!" Damn it…he's got me cornered, "Now what's this about salary Etna?"
"The prinnies salary is due today." Etna answered.
"You guys pay the prinnies?" Flonne asked.
"Yep, every prinny has a human soul who has committed a sin."
"A sin?" Nina asked sounding intrigued.
"Yep, a sin. You know; murder, theft, suicide. Anything that amounts to a terrible deed can land you inside one of these little guys."
"But why do you pay them?" I asked and she called over a prinny and kicked it over; when it fell to the ground money spilled out of its pouch; it had more than I even got for weapon upgrades.
"The prinnies work in the Netherworld or Celestia to work off the debt of their sins. In Celestia they gain praise but in the netherworld they have to collect money in order to pay off their sins." Nina picked up one of the coins and the prinny rushed over and swiped the coin out of her hand hastily.
"So what is their salary?"
"I have the form right here." Grabbing the form from Etna I scanned it over.
"Yadda, yadda, yadda…yearly salary is 2000 hell…paid once a year…no overtime wages, no vacation days, twenty hour work days, no sick days, work seven days a week."…, "Is this a work form or a slave report!? Tech support in India get better work benefits then this!"
"What? That's normal prinny wages."
"But not normal hours." Nina added, "Based on the value of your cash this is about…that's less than one hell an hour…less than a third of a hell an hour."
"Who would work for that!?" I yelled in shock.
"It's cruel." Flonne added looking sad.
"Shut up you three!" Laharl yelled making all of us stop our conversation, "Now why should I pay your vassals?"
"Well my vassals are your vassals, right?" Etna said and Laharl grumbled.
"I can't argue with that…fine, but I'm not paying out of my own pocket."
"What? But I thought you were loaded."
"That's my allowance! No one is touching that but me!"
"Stingy."
"Shut up. Now who's the richest guy around, we'll just loot his place!" With that Laharl stomped off heading for the gate.
"…Is he always like this?" Flonne asked looking shocked.
"Unfortunately." I said with a sigh.
"All the time." Nina added on.
"Oh my." Flonne said. I looked her over and shook my head in disappointment.
"You're not going to last long."
It was still a few hours before Laharl had everything rounded up and ready to attack the town so I decided to hang out in the courtyard; it was the only place that was even a little peaceful out of the whole castle…although that was becoming less truthful with Flonne's garden in the works near the edge of the wall.
"This place needs a little more love." Flonne said patting the ground as she finished planting her tulips. I watched as the tulips quickly turned into withered husks before my eyes and I heard Flonne shriek in surprise.
"This soil is very hateful." I said as she quietly sobbed.
"My tulips." I walked away and looked at the nearby dead tree to see Nina sitting under it like always; she just stared out into the distance as she sat clutching her knees…she's always sitting in that position when I look at her…damn. I walked over and took a seat next to her and she looked over at me before staring back out; I looked to see a view of the moat around the castle as well as the mountain range in the distance, I'm sure leaving or getting here would be a challenge by foot.
"It's a pretty view." I said trying to make light conversation.
"Yeah…I like it." She replied, "If you wait long enough you'll see a fire serpent jump out of the moat lava."
"Really? That sounds pretty cool."
"I've only seen it once but it was very exciting."
"…Maybe I'll stick around for a bit then. You okay with that?"
"…Sure, I'm okay with that." I heard a hint of happiness in her voice as she said that making me chuckle…this was nice.
"So…how are you such a good mage?"
"W-Well I'm not sure…but I think I was able to do so well because I didn't want to see you get hurt."
"W-What?" I felt my face heat up as she said that.
"I mean…you saved my life…I wanted to make sure I could return the favor…and I want to keep returning the favor."…She…she was actually pretty nice.
"Well then I'll keep you out of harm in return…I probably owe you for saving me from that dragon anyway."
"…Alright then." We sat their quietly watching the view and I took occasional glances at Nina noticing she had a small look of sadness…and yet a certain…something I can't put my finger on…what is it, "Owen Richards…weren't you the quarterback for the Rangview Raiders?"
"Oh…yeah I was. The best in school history actually."
"I heard you were a big jerk and you talked down to everyone." Ah…she heard the rumors…well, kind of rumors.
"You're…not entirely wrong."
"You seem different than I expected though…less…stuck up."
"…Honestly I was the best in the school. It kind of made me feel like I could look down on others…although that came with some animosity from the other football players...so I avoided them altogether. It made making friends a bit tough when you're put on a pedestal and then given such a bad image from others…although the cheerleaders were enamored with me. I was a mix between a strong jock and a bad boy…made me appealing. It was all a fabrication though…I was just a guy who kept to himself and I was fine with that honestly."
"Really? You didn't mind not having friends?"
"Why would I? As far as I was concerned I only had to get a football scholarship, head to college and then spend the rest of my life playing football until I couldn't play anymore and then retire."
"That seems kind of lonely…what about someone to love?"…
"I don't need other people to rely on in my life. Here it's a matter of life or death but in the real world I don't need to rely on others…it makes you weaker…and causes you to become less then who you are."
"You really believe that?"
"I know it."
"…I guess as someone who isn't loved I can understand that thinking." Wait…what did she say?
"Hey!" I looked behind me to see Laharl shouting at us from the entryway, "We're moving out! Get your butts over here!" Nina stood up and walked over calmly and I just stared at her wondering what she meant by that.
When we exited the portal I was shocked to see the size of the manor in front of us; I would say it's the size of an army fortress…but honestly this was even bigger than that, almost reaching the same size as the Overlord's castle.
"This place must be loaded." Etna said sounding equally shocked.
"Are you kidding?" I said, "This guy must be so loaded that his if we were to take that load, he would have another ten loads after that. It's hell city up in there!"…That feels weird to say when talking about cash.
"Hmhmhm, it's perfect then." Laharl said stepping forward, "Prinnies, grab everything! The wallpaper, floor tiles, even the carpet! I want it all!"
"Yes sir, dood!"
"Wait!" Flonne cried stepping in front of the prinny hoard, "Stealing is wrong! You shouldn't do this!"
"…Didn't you hear me prinnies? Get moving!"
"Yes sir, dood!" With that the prinnies sprint past Flonne and started taking the palace apart from the outside as quickly as they could.
"Sorry Flonne." I said patting her back as she pouted, "If it makes you feel better, at least he didn't threaten to obliterate you."
"Is it really okay to be stealing from this place though?" Nina asked.
"We're all demons, I'm sure the owner of the castle did their fair share of robbery and stealing to get this rich." Etna pointed out, "Now I think we're going to have a bit of an issue with the security." I looked to where she pointed to see various demons pouring out of the entryway; we're gonna have to take them out before they take the prinnies out.
"Come on Nina." I said drawing my sword and pulling out my shield.
"Alright." She replied pulling out her staff. We rushed at the guards and I thrust forward stabbing the mage and swung through him catching the monk to my left; with my shield I blocked the incoming punch and skid back as he was engulfed in fire. I felt someone punch my back and fell to the ground; rolling to the side I stood up and swung at my attacker catching the monk and turned to see a line of swordsman rushing at me. Suddenly they were covered in ice stopping them and I pulled my blade back; (Blade Rush!) I dashed through all of them taking them out in one swift movement. I took a breather and looked around to see no one else was approaching us; I'm guessing that there are more guards stationed inside though…better be ready.
"Let's keep moving." Laharl said crossing the threshold into the mansion.
"What? No thank you?"
"Just keep moving!"
"Fine." With a sigh I followed the group into the palace; at least I'm on top again.
"This place is really impressive." Nina said as we walked through the hallway of the palace; the inside was lined in gold wallpaper and the carpet looked to be made of…silk worm silk…impressive and super expensive.
"Too gaudy if you ask me." I said averting my eyes, "I don't think I could do all this gold."
"It's appalling that's true." Laharl said as the prinnies suddenly swarmed in and starting tearing the place up, "But worth a lot of hell to the right buyer."
"You mean the most spineless pawn shop owner right?" Etna said and Laharl laughed.
"He's going to haggle?" Flonne asked.
"Not haggle but close." I answered.
"Extortion?" Nina asked and I gave a teeter-totter motion with my hand.
"Kind of but not."
"Shut it!" Laharl yelled, "We've got guards to take out." So I was right.
"Wait!" Flonne said stopping me before I could draw my sword, "Before you try to take them out maybe we can talk this out."
"Flonne we've already taken out a few of their men." Etna said, "I think we're past talking to them."
"Hang on, let me try something." Flonne stepped forward and held her staff up as it began to glow pink.
"What in the-"
"Maybe she can actually do something." Nina said, "We should give her a chance."
"Power of Love!" A warm light enveloped the guards stopping them in their path; they all looked at each other before resuming their rush towards us, "Huh? I thought that might make them feel better and stop attacking us." I gave a sigh as Nina stepped forward and raised her staff.
"Mega Wind!" A small tornado picked up all of them and Nina led the current of air throwing them down the hall towards the front door.
"You know how to use those really well don't you?" Etna complimented.
"Well I practice every day." She replied…
"Why?" I asked honestly curious.
"Well I don't want you to get hurt." She answered looking at the ground shyly.
"…Let's just keep moving."
"Hmm…maybe I should try gifts." Flonne contemplated.
"…I don't think that's the issue Flonne."…what was that!?
We moved farther into the palace stripping the walls and floors of everything to the point we had to send one prinny back with the sack because we couldn't move it through the doors…but all the while I had this strange feeling someone was watching us as we moved through the entire place. I wasn't positive where it was coming from but it always felt like it was coming from the shadows and darker places in each room…but never behind us. As we walked a prinny came rushing at us looking panicked.
"Prince Laharl! We've taken almost everything, dood. The only place left is the main chamber room, dood."
"Then why aren't you stripping it down!? Get moving!" Laharl yelled.
"B-B-B-But sir, the owner is in there, dood!" The owner was actually here? Laharl started to chuckle before giving his usual uproarious laughter.
"Then it looks like he's getting a personal lesson from the Overlord!"
"Wouldn't a tax collection make more sense?" Nina asked.
"Quiet!" We continued in until we came upon a pair of large, adorned double doors; whoever this guy was he loved to flaunt his wealth…he must be a powerful demon with immense power and looks to match. Laharl stepped forward and kicked the door open taking it off its hinges; this kid was just WAY too powerful for a pipsqueak. We walked in and I heard various grunts and snorts of what sounded like a pig…but there couldn't be a pig in this fancy a place.
"Um…Owen?" I looked over at Nina and she pointed forward; I looked to see a large animal wearing a regal cape and looking at us with a scared look.
"Unless the owner is a pig himself."
"Demons are weird." Flonne said with a sigh. She could say that again.
"What are you doing in my home!?" The pig-man snorted out.
"…I recognize you." Laharl said, "It's been a while, Hoggmeiser." Hoggmeiser?
"Oh yeah, he was King Krichevskoy's vassal wasn't he?" Etna said.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah but he was pretty lousy. He was loyal to the king but would always try to make off with the kings possessions."
"That's so mean." Flonne said surprised.
"Well he is a demon. He never got away with anything anyway."
"Really?" I asked sarcastically, motioning to the painting Etna grabbed earlier, "I'm guessing that's a picture of the king?"
"Well the king was always one step ahead of Hoggmeiser. Never even touched a single hell…well, until the king was dead anyway."
"Well I'm taking it all back! As well as the rest of your fortune to compensate for your theft!" Laharl yelled.
"Don't think just because you're the kings son that you can do what you want." Hoggmeiser said snickering…or snorting, I can't really tell, "It's strength that counts in the Netherworld! If you want what's now mine then you'll have to take it by force!"
"That's just what I had in mind! Let's go!" Laharl pulled out his blade and we all pulled out our respective weapons, "You were foolish to take on five of us alone." Suddenly Hoggmeiser laughed uncontrollably making my skin crawl slightly.
"Don't worry, I only hired the best bodyguard to protect me! Come out, shapeshifter!" We looked around for a moment waiting for something to happen…! I swung behind me making a figure slide backwards.
"Too bad, you saw me before I could hit you." The figure said chuckling as he waved a small blade around, "That doesn't stop me though." He stepped forward and I was shocked to find I was looking myself in the eye, "Now how about you show me what you've got. Try to keep up for at least a few minutes." They were cocky but it felt like he wasn't foolish either…it was confidence with skill to back it up…ngh! I stepped forward and stood ready to fight.
"You guys take care of Hoggmeiser. I've got this weirdo!"
"Are you sure?" Nina asked.
"Leave it to me." I replied. Taking a deep breath I charged forward and swung at him making him back up; he thrust forward and I blocked with my shield pushing his blade to the side and slicing across his chest. He retaliated quickly and spun taking a quick slice across my arm; I stepped back and pushed my shield at him bashing against his face and sending him falling to the ground. I stabbed at his chest and he rolled to the side getting back up and striking at my back; I stepped back and took a quick breath before dropping my shield and gripping my blade with both hands.
"Ooohhh…you look like your raring to hit me with something…alright, hit me with your best shot!" I stepped forward and felt the wind pick up below my feet; my feet left the ground and I dashed at him; I swirled around him creating a small tornado that picked him up and sent him soaring into the air, I shot up and when I was above the shapeshifter I swung down sending him smashing into the ground and dropped down stabbing into his chest. When it was over I stumbled backwards and took a few deep breaths collecting myself…that was more intense than I expected it to be. Suddenly the shapeshifter started laughing as he stood up looking unfazed by the attack, "Well…I didn't expect that…but ultimately you're weak." I looked at his body to see he didn't have a single scratch or wound on him…it was like my attacks did nothing to him, "Oh well, guess I should finish this up." Suddenly he dashed at me and swung his blade through me knocking me to the ground; the strike this time was agonizing and painful, beyond any of his previous strikes…I think I could feel something trying to die inside me, "Hmph…weak." !
"I'm not…weak." I retorted trying to stand back up, "I'm better than you think!"
"…No, you're not." Suddenly I felt my body scream as he kicked me in the stomach, "You're delusions of superiority don't even match your actual level of strength. You've coasted through life on your innate strength but you don't even match real strength." I fell back to the floor and I looked up to see he had raised my blade to the sky, "Weaklings like you aren't worth my time or anyone's!" I don't have the strength to get up…I can't even defend myself…damn…I can't move!
"Mega Fire!" Suddenly a wall of fire separated me from the shapeshifter and I watched as an arrow went through the fire, I heard a groan of pain followed by a chuckle.
"Now that's very interesting…so one of you actually has some strength." I looked behind me to see Nina standing there holding a bow.
"Owen, are you okay?"…She saved me again…again…AGAIN!
"Show me what you've got!" Nina leapt backwards as the shapeshifter lunged forward; now he looked like Nina but he still held the small blade in his hand. I watched as Nina shot another arrow at the shapeshifter and he swung his blade knocking the arrow away as Nina raised her hand.
"Mega Ice!" The shapeshifter's blade was covered in ice and she slumped to the ground unable to lift her blade. Nina quickly drew her bow string back and shot directly at the shapeshifters face piercing it and making it stick out of the back of her head…Nina hit through bone!
"Now THAT is strength…she pierced me…hahahahahahaha!" Moving over Nina helped me up and we watched as his body morphed and changed; the arrow fell to the ground as the shapeshifter changed into a cloaked man with bat like wings, "Let's meet again young lady. I hope you keep getting stronger…and you-" He motioned to me with a dark glare, "Never fight me again. I won't waste my time with weaklings unless they wish to die."…I'm not weak…I'm strong…
"Owen?" Suddenly my vision went black and my consciousness faded into nothing…possibly the most damning proof of my weakness.
…When I woke up I found I was back at the castle; I was lying in a clinic bed and I looked over to see the nurse sitting and reading a book with a bored expression on her face, she never really took her job seriously since I met her. Sitting up I felt my stomach clench and gripped it tightly as it stung.
"Careful, you don't want to upset your bruise." The nurse said setting her book down and walking over; she pushed me back onto the bed and lifted up my shirt revealing a deep purple bruise on my stomach, "You must have taken a lot of punches to get that."
"…No, just one kick." I answered making her give a slight look of surprise.
"Must have been a very powerful demon…or at least well trained."…, "You must need to raise your level."
"Level?"
"Yes, a demons power is determined by their level. Hang on…here." She handed me a slip of paper and I looked to see it had a picture of Laharl on it…these must be his medical records.
"This seems illegal to just give me this."
"I don't care."…Level, level, level…there it is…two hundred!? He really was powerful…I wonder…
"Can I see the other ones?" She nodded before handing me a stack of papers. Let's see…Etna is level one hundred and fifty...Flonne is level fifty…Nina is level twelve…! I…I'm only…level 3?...So it's true…I…I really am weak.