" I want some candy. "
" Rubedo-sama, you've already eaten enough candy for today. "
Growling, Rubedo pouted, while Yri was the one who refused to buy her treats. Much like Galadriel, Rubedo had a great love for all sweet foods. Nevertheless, under Albedo's orders, the pleiad watched over the diet of the young succubus.
" Sebas… " Rubedo called him, in a substitute tone.
" Albedo-san asked us to watch over you. " He just taught her the butler.
Another grunt from Rubedo. Then looking at her attire, Rubedo refrains from screaming. Now that she was in the military, she had to dress in the compulsory uniform, which she found hideous. Besides, she had been patrolling the city for over five hours and she was getting tired of having to hang around these stupid humans.
And if she wasn't pissed off enough yet, she turned to notice that Sebas and Yuri were still wearing their usual outfits.
'' Why am I the only one who has to wear this horrible uniform? "
" Because you are the only one who signed up for the army. " Yuri simply answered her. " We are just responsible for your safety. "
" In addition, be happy that the army allows us to stay with you! Apparently they think you are from a noble family and want to prevent any accidents from happening to you. "
" What does that mean ? That I am unable to fend for myself? "
" Honestly, I doubt you can control yourself enough in a city without killing someone after a few days. "
" I could if I had the right to eat candy. "
" If you're doing your job right today, maybe I could think of giving you a lollipop tonight. " Yuri told her.
" Stop treating me like a child. "
However, pouting again, she mumbled.
" But I want the lollipop. "
" Be an obedient girl and you will get it. "
Remaining stoic, Sebas suddenly stops. Having picked up a familiar voice, he saw three people in a small alley. The first person was a soldier watching the surroundings. The other two were a little old man who smiled grimly as he pulled out a bag full of money. Grabbing it the third person looked at the gold coins inside, before asserting.
" It's perfect. "
" Good. " Said the old man. " So I hope we can find a way to silence the few rumors that there are about me. "
" Rumors ? " The other man wondered, innocently, while putting the money under his clothes. " I haven't heard any rumors. "
" Perfect ! " Said the old man, finally leaving. " Thanks for your work, Captain Ogre. "
" Hahaha! " Laughs the man. " Of course ! You can count on me to keep "peace" in this city. "
Then, turning to the soldier, Ogre gave him some gold coins, before allowing him to leave. Preparing to do the same, Ogre suddenly noticed the presence of Nazarick's trio. Rubedo and Yuri still didn't seem to have seen him. However, Sebas was still staring at him with his famous stern gaze.
Seeing him, Ogre seemed surprised to have been seen. However, smiling confidently again, he approached the trio.
" Soldier Rubedo! I am happy to see you again. "
" Hum? " The succubus wondered, turning to him. " Lieutenant Ogre ? "
" It's CAPTAIN Ogre. " The man retorted immediately, curtly.
Noticing that he had turned up, Ogre coughed a little before smirking again.
" Soldier Rubedo, regarding your fight against Furrick, I noticed that you already have the skills to rank up. "
Smiling grimly at her, he declared.
'' If you want, Rubedo-chan, I can make a sergeant out of you! Did that interest you? "
Listening to him silently, Sebas had no problem understanding that Ogre was behaving like this and being able to manipulate Rubedo. He didn't know what Sebas had seen but Ogre was sure the teenager would blindly trust him if he allowed her to reach a good rank quickly.
Clearly, the butler understood how corrupt this city's legal system was. Pouting, meanwhile, Rubedo thought about the benefits of a rise in rank. Being a soldier meant that she had to take orders from several humans, and she hated it. The higher she is placed in the army hierarchy, the fewer people would dare to give her orders.
" It's tempting. " Rubedo said, pretending to be happy. " I don't know why I deserve a promotion so quickly, but I'm happy for it, Captain Ogre. "
" But come on, you deserve it! You are powerful and you do serious and rigorous work! The military is in dire need of people like you. "
Then leaving, he declared.
" I will talk to the other barracks commanders about your future promotion. "
However, before leaving, he heard.
" May I know what advantages people have who give you money ? "
Stopping immediately, Ogre caught sight of Sebas, just behind him, his hands behind his back.
" Sorry ? "
" Captain Ogre… are you a corrupt person? "
Smiling then, Ogre approached Sebas, before placing a hand on his shoulder.
" Come on, Mr. Butler! I really don't know what you are telling me about but it looks like you are starting to get a little spoiled. "
Then, bringing his face to the old man's ear, he advised her.
" Mind your own business ! It would be really sad if your little protected had a sudden accident, wouldn't it? "
Remaining stoic, Sebas then saw the man leave.
" Sebas-sama ? " Yuri asked him. " May I know the problem with this man? "
" It's not just this man. " Sebas retorted. " It is the whole army which is corrupted and which has become the evil of the city! It seems that rich people are paying him in order to hide their misdeeds. "
" No matter, it's not our problem. " Rubedo said, shrugging his shoulders. " In fact, it's even a good thing! If we keep quiet, I could quickly become an army captain. "
Grinning grimly, she declared.
" That's what I call a promotion! I might as well hire soldiers under my command, just like execute them according to my mood. "
" You are thinking like a horrible person, Rubedo-sama. " Yuri remarked.
" Hum? I am an angel compared to my sister. "
Opening her eyes, a woman looked around. Within seconds, she noticed that she was in some sort of wooden cabin.
" What … ? " She wondered, leaving the bed where she was.
Suddenly feeling a bad headache, she ended up shaking with fear, thinking back to her last memories. She could thus remember the attack on her village, the death of all the villagers, the madness of the soldiers who had attacked them… and thus the massacre she had seen. She remembered then that she was one of the two survivors of the village of Fernio.
Yes, she remembered everything perfectly. Even the strange winged man who had suddenly arrived and summoned many creatures, who had killed the soldiers. Without her being able to understand the reason, the demon had saved them, her and her ba ...
Opening her eyes wide, she looked around, trying to see her child.
" Ika? IKA ? "
Not seeing her baby anywhere, the young woman immediately left the wooden hut. Stepping outside, she stopped immediately, seeing all the wooden huts around her. Forming a small village, the dwellings were in the middle of a dark forest lying below a dark sky.
" Where ... Where am I ? "
Suddenly hearing voices and screams, the woman turned her gaze to her right and could see what looked like an amphitheater.
" What is that ? "
Curious, she walked cautiously towards the large infrastructure. Passing through the grand opening, she crept in until she could see a dozen people practicing in the arena. All armed, they fought against creatures resembling goblins or imps.
Seeing the blade of a sword move towards his abdomen, Ieyatsu managed to block it with a wooden shield, before aiming his ax at the goblin he was fighting. Blocking the weapon with its sword, the green creature had to use all of its strength to push the boy back.
" Not bad, Ieyatsu-kun! Your efforts are starting to pay off. "
" I'm the one to thank you, Buut-san! Thanks for being such a great training partner. "
Meanwhile, arrows began to fly through the air, while a vampire-like woman had her arms crossed and was content to dodge the arrows with ease.
" Hahaha! You are so pitiful! There are five of you and none of you are able to touch me. "
One of the five archers, Sayo quickly lost his temper in the face of the vampire's mockery and shot new arrows. Still, increasingly frustrated with her failures, she didn't take the time to properly aim her target, who hardly needed to dodge the projectiles anymore.
Preparing to waste another arrow, Sayo suddenly felt an ice cube hit his forehead. Groaning in pain, she then felt the figure of Cocytus near her.
" Sayo! It. Seems. To. Me. To. Have. Already. Said. It ! You. Lose. Your. calm. Too. Easily. In. The. Face. Of. Your. Opponent's. Mockery ! It. Is. A. Fault. That. You. Must. Correct. As. Soon. As. Possible !
" So… Sorry. " The young woman apologized. " Usually I know how to keep calm! But Maricana really has a knack for pissing me off with her teasing. "
" That's why I want you to keep fighting against her. "
Being able to hear him, the vampire couldn't help but stick her tongue out at him, while displaying a teasing gaze.
" What is this place ? " Wanted to know the spectator of the training, while starting to pretend to leave the amphitheater. " There are monsters everywhere! I must quickly find Ika and leave this place. "
However, hardly did she turn around when she saw a white-haired woman in front of her.
" Hello. " Greeted Galadriel. " Glad to see you standing. "
Taking a step back, the other woman stumbled and fell on her buttocks.
" What … ? That … ? Who are you ? "
" My name is Galadriel and I am the empress of these places. "
" The ... The Empress? Where… Where are we? "
Then, thinking about the real important question, she stood up, screaming.
" Where is Ika ? "
" Ika ? "
" My baby ! Where is he ? "
" Oh ? Don't you? I entrusted it to Nigredo! And seeing her face, she was delighted to be able to take care of a baby again. "
" What … ? To whom did you entrust it? And why am I here? "
" Hum? You seem to me to be a very ungrateful person towards the people who saved you. "
" What? Safe ? "
Opening her eyes wide, realizing what she was talking about.
" You ... Are you friends with the demon who killed the soldiers? "
Eventually remembering his first name, she wanted to know.
"Jaldabaoth! Where is Jaldabaoth?"
" Don't worry ! It won't hurt you! We intervened in time to save you. "
" Save me ? "
" Yes ! When Jaldabaoth was ravaging your village, one of my men was spying on him and took you out of the clutches of this demon, as soon as he took his eyes off you. "
"But… Jaldabaoth… he… he saved my life. He killed the soldiers who… "
" Don't let yourself be manipulated. " Galadriel arrested her immediately. " That the soldiers and Jaldabaoth attacked your village on the same day is just a coincidence! Know that if your village had not been attacked by soldiers, Jaldabaoth would have ravaged it! If he saved your life, it was only to get some information from you! After that, he was planning to kill you. "
" W ... Why would he do that? "
_" aldabaoth is a demon! Are there other reasons for his actions? He is not at his first massacre and intends to dominate the entire territory of the northern tribes. "
" What? But if you know, why don't you stop it? "
" I am incapable of it! Confessed Galadriel, while displaying a look of shame! I am unfortunately still not powerful enough to stop it. "
" Is Jaldabaoth so powerful ? "
" Yes ! It seems that only a being born with divine powers and fighting in the name of divine justice will be able to defeat him. "
Staring at the young woman, Galadriel asked her.
" What is your name ? "
" Euh ... I ... my name is Zaxa. "
" Zaxa… if I make you take you here, I must admit that it is for you to help me. "
" Help you ? "
" If this continues, Jaldabaoth will take over your country and other kingdoms around! So you should tell me everything you know about the energy resources of the latter as well as the weapons he has to defend himself! Tell me everything you know about your country. "
" All that I know … ? Hey, hold on. "
Taking a step back Zaxa wanted to know.
'' What tells me you're not working with Jaldabaoth or for the Empire? You're trying to get information about my country from me to help it conquer it more easily, right? And then, why would I help you? I don't know anything about you and your plans! Who doesn't tell me that you are a third threat to me and my kingdom? "
Hearing Galadriel let out a weary sigh, as if she expected that kind of reaction. Suddenly pulling away from Zaxa, she walked towards the huge arena of the amphitheater and began to watch with interest the training in train taking place there. Staring at the dozen humans there, she declared.
'' Unlike Jaldabaoth, I want the good of humans! That's why I saved all these people. "
" Who are they ? And most importantly, what are these creatures with them? Looks like the monsters that helped Jaldabaoth. "
" The humans come from the Empire and are former prisoners that I helped! They never did the least harm and yet they became the toys of nobles who did not hesitate to torture them in order to kill them! If I helped them, it was to give them a second chance! And as for the creatures, I also collected them. "
" Collected? Creatures like this exist in the world? "
" No ! Too many are demons or vampires that were created by Jaldabaoth! Originally, they were just as bad as him, only loved pain and destruction! However, thanks to my magic, I was able to make the wickedness in them disappear! Now they will obey me and help me face Jaldabaoth. "
Surprise, Zaxa stuttered.
" Magic? Who… Who are you? "
" I am … "
"Galadriel-sama?"
Surprised, the two women turned to a man who was looking in their direction. Immediately, all the other fighters stopped to imitate him. Then, the next moment, humans and creatures bowed down to the Empress.
" Our greetings, Galadriel-sama. "
Noticing that Cocytus had shown them the famous 'ritual' to greet her, the demon almost sighed wearily. Still, drawing a majestic aura out of her body, she just nodded, while smiling confidently.
" I see you all take your training seriously! It's perfect ! Don't spare your efforts! You will see that one day, this training will be useful for you to defeat the enemy. "
" Galadriel-sama, Cocytus-sensei told us that you have spotted an overpowered enemy that you plan to fight! Galadriel-sama, don't hesitate to call on us to help you. "
" Yes, Galadriel-sama! We too want to support you so that you can kill this monster. "
" We want to fight and allow to show the pride of Nazarick. "
Hearing them, and seeing them stay with the creatures, without feeling the slightest fear against them, Zaxa was surprised.
" Why do they want to fight a monster that has destroyed an army ? "
" Because they have already faced death! The Empress told him! They were so traumatized by the nobles who tortured them that they are no longer even afraid to fight a demon! Isn't that frustrating ? "
" Frustrating ? But that suits you, right? "
" I hate it. " Galadriel retorted. " Not all of these poor people feel the fear of dying from a traumatic experience! Part of their brain has totally gone haywire! Who are the people who deserve to live like this? Being afraid of facing death is by no means a shame. "
Watching the small group resume training, Galadriel continued.
" I am bringing together more people like them! One of my commanders went to town to meet the leader of a slave network! I will buy all these slaves and allow them to live here! So I could create a place where they can live happily. "
Stunned, Zaxa finally asks her.
" Are you human? "
" Not really. "
Showing a pair of horns on his head, Galadriel confessed.
" I have been sent to destroy Jaldabaoth. "
" Why help us, then ? "
" Why ? I don't see why I would let humans suffer without moving a finger! As an Empress, it's up to me to lead by example in saving all those who need help! There is no way I let Jaldabaoth or the Empire do their own thing. "
Then smiling warmly, she declared.
" That's why I saved you! I wasn't going to let the soldiers or Jaldabaoth hurt you or your precious baby. "
It was the first time that the feeling of dread disappeared from Zaxa's body and was replaced by admiration. Admiring Galadriel's beautiful face, she finally nodded before whispering.
" I understand. "
Then she cried out.
" I will help you ! You want to know all the resources that Jaldabaoth is about to take possession of, don't you? "
" Absolutely. "
" In this case, I know the right person for you! He's an old childhood friend of mine who works for the king of the northern tribes! If I ask him to help you, I'm sure he would be happy to. "
" Perfect ! In that case, he must be found before Jaldaoth decides to attack the king. "
" I doubt he will do it that quickly. " Zaxa retorted. " After all the king is protected by two powerful bodyguards, each possessing a teigu. "
Hearing this very interesting conversation, Galadriel smiled wider, before asking her.
" Can you tell me more ? "
With a little magic circle around his ear, Demiurge began to write down all the information he needed on a parchment.
" Four minutes and eleven seconds! Our lady managed to make this person talk in such a short time without using any magic or torture. "
" That is not surprising. " Albedo said, sitting across from him. " Humans are so dumb that any of us should be able to handle them! And I really doubt that any of them can cope with our lady's majestic aura. "
'' I doubt that's really it, Albedo. " Demiurge retorted. " To be honest, I think Galadriel-sama gets most of the things she wants with the help of her kindness! As you know, our lady is a sadistic person, who likes to torment and manipulate people in order to dominate them! Many thus become his toys and only realize it too late! However, our lady refuses to carry out massacres on innocent people! myself, she just allowed me to let Jaldabaoth kill only the soldiers who want to fight me, while leaving the rest of the people alone! I'm just going to have to lock them up in prison camps and forget about having such precious experiences on their bodies. "
It was almost with a sad sigh that he uttered this last sentence. Then, pulling himself together in the second, he noticed.
"By the way Albedo, from what I could hear, our lady has given you the mission to increase the ranks of" the human army of Nazarick "!
" That's it ! I paid a little visit to an underground organization that sold slaves! These stupid humans…"
Letting a vein appear on his face, Albedo clenched his fist before smashing it against a table, which she pulverized to pieces.
" They tried to reject our lady's sympathy by calling her a liar and refusing her money! They dared to insult her and Nazarick's tomb! Unforgivable. "
For her part, using her magic to repair the table, Demiurge nodded.
" Indeed, I understand your reaction! Any human who decides to reject or betray our lady has no reason to live! However, you did very well to leave their leader alive. "
" The only reason I did it was because it was at the center of many underground organizations! I will need him for later. "
'' And that's exactly why Galadriel-sama sent you to see him, isn't it? "
Putting his glasses back on his nose correctly, the demon asserted.
" Of all the guardians of Nazarick, you are surely the one who is the best organized of all! With intelligence and diplomacy, it is a major quality to be able to control a clandestine organization, like "the eight fingers"! You are the most qualified to be able to control all this charming little world. "
" I know it perfectly and I know that our lady is counting on me to know each of the characteristics of the organization to then become the leader! Anyone who then dares to try to betray Galadriel will then be killed by my hands. "
" If you could think of me and entrust them to me, I would be very grateful. " Demiurge asserted.
Sitting down on a sofa, Albedo finally notices.
" I must admit being unable to think like our lady! What is the use of buying human slaves and turning them into soldiers? We are adept at spawning demonic soldiers who will be more powerful than them. "
" That is not the question. " Demiurge retorted. " Galadriel doesn't want to use this army to win battles but to have a psychological impact! The Empire is full of beggars, poor commoners, slaves, revolutionaries…! If each of them meets the human army of Nazarick and decides to integrate it, the influence of our lady will grow more and more, while that of the enemy will only decrease. "
" I understand that. " Assured Albedo. " Far be it from me to question Galadriel-sama's plan, but I think just using our demons or whatever against the Empire will get us in control of the kingdom quickly! Even though I listen to each of his words, I don't understand why Galadriel-sama wants the good of humans so much. "
" On this point, I am unfortunately obliged to tell you that I do not know! Even if they are miserable worms having no other use than to provide us with materials for the good development of Nazarick, Galadriel-sama seems to want to make a good agreement with them. "
" I wonder why ! Sometimes I feel like I never understand what our lady is thinking and I'm always afraid to disappoint her! I really want to be able to read his thoughts and finally know the reason for each of his orders. "
" Understanding every thought of our lady is the wish of every guardian. " Demiurge asserted. " Each of us wants to act ahead of Galadriel-sama's orders, so that we can show her that we are worthy of serving her. "
" That's not why I want to read his mind. "
" Hum? "
Suddenly displaying a face filled with perversion, Albedo cried out.
" By reading our lady's mind, I might finally be able to find out what she thinks of me and if I'm her favorite concubine. "
Expecting this kind of confidence, Demiurge remained silent. Looking at the parchment where he had transcribed all of Zaxa's useful information, he finally thought.
"It's true that I, too, don't understand why our lady seems to want to protect humans. "
Level power :
Esdeath : 51
Bulat : 38
Akame : 35
Leone : 35
Tatsumi : 26
Ieyatsu: 25
Sayo : 24