Chapter 12: Grand Tour.
Vellantha seemed to be trying to stop herself from saying something while the Demon Lord regarded me with an almost happy expression. "So you've had different forms, do they all look like this" Vellantha gestures to me.
"Yes, I always look similar to this, sometimes I have a new hair colour or a different nose but over all this is what I look like."
With that the Demon Lord claps her hand together startling Vellantha and I from staring at each other. "Right, now that my questions are out of the way how about you take a tour of the castle grounds with us?"
She motions towards the door. I let Vellantha go ahead of me and waited for the Demon Lord to do the same. "Go ahead madam"
"Thank you Doctor, and please call me Lilith." With that she moved past me and into the corridor.
I moved to follow the two; Vellantha moved next to me and began describing parts of the castle in more detail with insights into their history such as.
"This tapestry was made in the Zipangu Region, it depicts the battle between the Chief God and the Demon Lord and her Husband."
I nod quickly, while the tapestry was beautiful and very intricate in its design the subject matter hit too close to home for me and I moved on rather hurriedly. I was so intent on moving beyond the tapestry I failed to notice my companions were no longer with me. Turning around I could see they were speaking quietly huddled together. Before I could approach the two women they broke from their conversation and headed towards me.
"Doctor I wish to show you something very special to me." Vellantha spoke showing off the brightest smile I think I've ever seen.
She moved with an energetic yet purposeful stride, turning down another massive hallway I follow Vellantha with Lilith bringing up the back. We eventually reach a set of large wood doors which are similar to the ones for the grand hall. The only difference in these doors was the ornate flower pattern carved into the wood. The doors swung open to reveal a beautiful roof top garden. Now when I say roof I really mean huge extravagant garden with four different levels spread over a massive stone patio with built in water features. Yeah that type of 'roof'.
"Wow" was all I could think to say, the sight was breath taking. I began walking through the gardens looking at all the strange plants. "This is why I travel, to see new lands and explore new cultures" I laughed out loud.
"I am glad you approve of my horticultural choices Doctor." Vellantha flashes me yet another grin.
Vellantha came up beside me and grabbed my hand; she pulled me along a path towards a hedge maze. I looked back at Lilith who was only smiling and shaking her head happily. We ran through the maze hand in hand; a light breeze blew by and the red light of the moon shone down on us creating an almost idyllic atmosphere. We had been walking for several minutes before Vellantha directs me to a small sitting area inside the maze. I sit down on a stone bench underneath an awning and Vellantha sat down right next to me.
"This place is lovely, it must be very peaceful."
Vellantha nods smiling "Yes it is rather peaceful, I often come here after a long day to clear my head and meditate." Suddenly Lilith appears out of nowhere interrupting our conversation.
"Now I know what that feels like" I chuckle to myself.
"What?" Vellantha asks confused
"Oh nothing it's just I'm usually the one who appears and disappears at random times."
"I apologize for interrupting, but I thought it would do the Doctor well to see the town surrounding the castle if he is going to be here for an extended period of time."
"Quite a good idea" I speak up happily "I'd love to see more of the place". I notice Vellantha nods happily and shows off a wonderful smile.
"Why don't we show him the main square first?" she suggests. With that we set off with Vellantha leading the way it takes about five minutes, to get down from the roof garden and onto a main walkway. As we move through the streets I notice cars and telephone wires. Overhead a bullet train flies past on a curved track and out of sight.
"So how is it that you have technology like computers, phones, and cars?" I ask.
"We were able to open up a portal to a world in another universe called Earth several millennia ago, what technology was found there was brought back here and integrated into our society" Vellantha explains.
I ponder this as we continue to walk "Then why is it that the Order doesn't seem to have this technology?"
"Oh they don't know about it yet we haven't actually used any Earth style weapons in battle by the order of the Demon Lord" she lets Lilith take it from there.
"While we possess the technology I want to wait until a tactical advantage presents itself and hit the Order in one decisive sweep to end the war, that and we need to train our soldiers to use the weapons, most of them are still used to swords."
