The Deed was done, every single tunnel every room had collapsed. Now I only needed to get the events of today out of my mind. I started heading further north. Following the mountain paths instead of the proper highways would cost me some time but I still had a month's amount of time and the university was close to Mount Unbesiegbar, so I started my somewhat long trek. I could see the long stretching line of fortresses and walls that made up Kasr Aeviternus. Made of steel stone and concrete, the impenetrable fortress line has stood strong since even before Father came here. The very heart of this province's culture could have fallen 40 years ago had it not been for Father intervention.

The fourth born of the Demon Lord, so called 'Druella' ,as if an abomination like that even deserved a name, assaulted one of the critical supply distribution centres of the Kasr. Mount Unbesiegbar. Unbesiegbar is a supply distribution centre connected directly into the heartlands of the Republic with an underground railway. If it had fallen it would not have been an exaggeration to say that the entire Kasr may have crumbled and the monsters would have access to the industrialised regions of Carthage.

Thankfully the fort had managed to hold back 6 different assaults until the reserve legions in Carthage could mobilise. After meeting up with the twenty four thousand men of the four reserve legions personally led by Father the fort's defenders broke the monsters and Father took one of the fourth born's eyes.

During all this my mother was 12 and worked as an artillery officer. I don't know how she managed that or how she even commanded the legionnaires, however I am told that she had a very assertive and a bit aggressive personality. Now my mother being the apparent nutcase she was had decided that the 2.86 metre demigod clad in golden armour was the ideal marriage candidate.

Now if it had merely stayed as a childhood crush I wouldn't have been born. But my mother decided that she would find Father again. So she went to the military academy in Carthage, one of the most difficult places in the Republic for a woman. Simply due to the sexism still prevalent in the legions at that time. She studied a single year there and earned scores that went beyond any reason. She skipped 2 years and finally met Father. According to him, that's when trouble began, my mother was very determined. By that I mean she would put on frequent shows of public affection, impressive displays of skill. Father, despite not being really impressed by her insistence was actually impressed by how she was willing to do this for five years every day despite still remaining the top scorer of the academy. Mother can't really be described as a normal person, but I guess Father wouldn't fall in love with someone ordinary.

So they started courting, apparently they married when mother was 28. By forcing grandfather the ceremony somehow took place. It is still a national holiday to this day, every year parades are organised just to try to replicate that day's celebrations. I was conceived when my mother was 31. The pregnancy took 3 years. And after the end of it mothers ravaged body couldn't take it. I was born at the cost of the Republic's beloved 'Queen' for what else could you call someone who's every word shook the senate and moved the folk.

Ah, even the line of thought I took to avoid troubling thoughts made me sad. Man seriously, I should be mad. Yet I can't, I understand why she abandoned humanity and she didn't even hurt others doing it. But abandoning your human soul must be the greatest sin one could commit. Did she though? She seemed perfectly normal, even if the whole getting off on life-threatening situations thing is weird.

Was Father perhaps wrong about the monsters, were they merely abhumans instead of abominations? Maybe some form of coexistence was possible? No, absolutely not many of them still preyed on humans on the outer reaches. Their so-called "husbands" were dragged from their own families to serve as thralls. Father can't be wrong. Yes… he can't be wrong. He's not wrong, I am just missing something…

Thankfully the constant struggle of travelling at night helped take my mind off the issue. And after a consistent speed of about 40 kilometres per hour for a week my first stop appeared on the horizon, The engineering collage of Johannes located within the city of Stahlstadt. A den of eccentrics, geniuses and madmen, the ideal place to visit if you were willing to risk your life to see innovation with your own eyes. Even now from beyond the city walls I could see smoke coming out of one of its four spires.

I started making my way down the mountain tops and towards the walled city. The approximately seven metre tall walls made out of a reddish rock greeted me. After going the same old song and dance of showing the ring getting a straight entry through the gates it was getting monotus at this point. I quickly cut through the crowded streets making my way through the busy markets and bustling avenues, and my destination was in sight after an hour of walking. But I would need to get some lodging for the night before I entered the university, it was still noon but I don't know for how long I'll be in there for so I'll make some preparations anyways.

I found a respectable looking motel most likely meant for those visiting the academie. After getting a place to stay and eating a hearty stew called a 'goulash' I decided that I should start taking a look around the university.

The first hurdle should have been getting through the gates, no that was quite easy, or keeping away the curious scholars, they were either too involved in their own worlds to notice me or too anxious to approach me, but noooo it had to be keeping the Chief academic of the college at bay.

I spied him from halfway across the courtyard, a man maybe in his fifties wearing brass glasses and a red vest and black shirt with black dress pants underneath. He also had an odd small but tall hat with cogs sticking out of it.

"Hey, tall missus! Could you be Eques Naotora, perhaps?" Yelled out the old man that was approaching me. Waving one of his hands along the way.

Not finding a way to avoid the …odd person I answered truthfully

"Ahh… Yes, I am. Were you informed of my arrival beforehand?"

"I had heard you were in Stahlstadt and thought you'd visit the main city as well. Although you did arrive a bit earlier than I expected. Nonetheless this humble scholar would like to show you around our glorious campus."

"I would rather not, I think I should explore on my own, mr…?"

He recoiled as if struck "Ahhh! Where are my manners? I am Robert von Kircher, the Chief academic of this college! And I must insist, no one knows this academy better than me!" He wasn't someone I could brush off, I had to seriously deal with social interaction and with an eccentric like this too. Did some kind of cosmic force hate me or something?

"Very well then Chief academic, lead the way please." And so began our 'adventure' through the university from the winding corridors to the reinforced classrooms. We eventually came across some kind of prototype engine and a set of 'propellers' for a new kind of vehicle. When I asked what this vehicle was he grinned at me and said.

"Well now that would ruin the surprise wouldn't it?" Uhh, that's insufferable. Just answer the damned question. Being the icon of virtue that I am, I decided not to voice this opinion and just followed the lunatic around. Eventually we came across something interesting that didn't blow up after 5 seconds of operation.

The so-called 'steam crank gun' or the Walther gun, one of the few actual weapons allowed within the main academy. Most other weapons are developed in the gunnery school attached to the campus, after all even if the nation and its people are mainly focused on military matters the academy produces mainly civilian use goods. Anyways the steam crank gun is a rotary gun similar to volley guns mounted on the walls of Kasr Aeviternus however this one instead of being operated by six men and firing 4 pounder shells is supposed to be operated by one person and fires .42/250 cartridges meant to shred through infantry. Belt fed and powered by a miniaturised steam engine 'cranking' the firing mechanism it is a marvel of engineering.

Unfortunately it also weighs 40 kilograms without ammunition, so currently practically unusable. Well that's what you get when you make such a large gun only out of brass and steel, the craftsmen responsible for this abomination Gustaf Walther was already working on one made of aluminium and the legion had apparently accepted a contract for a 100 of the modified version. I don't know why the classic watercooled repeater guns weren't enough for anti infantry purposes but I guess high command thought they needed something like this.

"It really is beautiful isn't it? I usually don't fancy inventions meant purely for war, but this one… oh this one is a beauty. But by the Stars is her inventor an absolute madman! Constantly raving about massive rats living under the earth, oh well at least he produces results."

Ignoring the last bit, this 'Walther' was definitely quite good at his job. Maybe I could meet him?

"Would it be possible for you to arrange a meeting with him?"

He looked at me as if he was checking whether I was sane or not. After a momentary decision he answered.

"Well yes, but you would have to wait at least a month or two. You see Herr Walther is an inventor that likes to see his inventions at work. And while he does in fact produce small arms and smaller engines his main specialty is naval technology."

Does… Does he mean that the inventor was currently on one of the ships launched for the newest raiding fleet sent to the Cities of Water. Are you fucking serious, did he seriously ride on one of those steel cans filled to the brim with guns meant to sail the sees when the very Goddess of the Oceans was trying to sink them?

Apparently seeing my face struck by disbelief, damn it I knew I should have worn my helmet, he quickly tried to placate me. "He… He has been doing this for the last four expeditions, I can assure you he'll be fine! That man has definitely been blessed by the Stars, he is lucky beyond belief!"

I had decided. I was going to meet this insane man. Wait, how old was he? A new expedition is launched every 10 to 15 years. He had to be at least 60 or so since he couldn't have been able to go on expeditions before he graduated and designed something on one of the ships! Well, I hope he lives a bit longer, I am quite curious.

Compared to that bit of excitement the rest of the tour was kinda bland, although the new gunpowder recipe made out of Nitrocellulose and Camphor they were trying was quite interesting. Burning at much higher pressures it was quite destructive though.

I had to forcibly remove myself from the chief academics company although he did force me into a dinner with a bunch of scholars from all kinds of different branches. The evening was actually quite pleasant and the head gunsmith was quite fascinated by Oracle's Torch but not because it was new. Father had apparently sent the schematics here already. The gunsmith was fascinated by the first incarnation of tube loaded lever actions. I agreed to let him place it into the Museum of Engineering in Carthage once I decided that I was going to get something else. Maybe I'd make something new once that new gunpowder was properly finished.

There was one thing that made the evening uncomfortable. I was being watched.

When I was turning towards one of the waiters between a break in discussions I spotted them. Standing on the top of one of the nearby clock towers a shadowed silhouette. It was already dark and they were careful to keep out of the light, even with my enhanced sight I couldn't see any distinguishing features other than how thick their legs below the ankles were almost as if they were wearing some kind of thick boots. In shock I blinked and they were gone.

I excused myself shortly after and made my way outside looking for any clue, but I couldn't find anything. They were definitely stalking me, were they someone Father sent? Or were they actually something sent by the monsters? On my own I didn't have much value compared to easier targets, but my death would affect Father. Absolutely unacceptable, I would deal with this thing on my own. But Since when have they been following me? I wouldn't be able to get this out of my head, I knew this. I retreated into my room and picked up Oracle's Torch, locked the door and started looking for that fucker.

Now I might be overreacting, but they were doing that creepy 100 metres away from you on a higher story shit. If they weren't a Neverborn or some other creepy shit I'd eat my sabatons. I hate scary things, I despise them and reacting with extreme violence is a good method to solve almost anything, at least Father tells me that the second best way to banish Neverborn is extreme violence. I might not be able to act calm against most fears but creepy shit is where I draw the line. They are going to die.

I may have spent the entire night in the middle of a somewhat obsessive meltdown. But come morning my head was on a little straighter and I had realised that waiting in my hotel room locked up staring out the window with a rifle wasn't going to help me get rid of my stalker. I quickly gathered up my stuff and bought some extra ammunition on the way out of the City. I was not going to take the scenic route this time, I got on the highway and started running by the other travellers. Now that I was aware of them I could feel them looking at me

from afar. I didn't even bother trying to enjoy my journey, this thing spooked me. I rushed through only camping twice during the journey when I encountered an armed trade convoy. I was making considerable headway, about five days later and I'd be at Mount Unbesiegbar, definitely, hopefully. Please Universe?

The Universe was merciful. I was almost at the mountain pass where the fort of Mount Unbesiegbar was located. I could only see the major trainyard east of the settlement, the fort was a bit further west than the other fortifications of the kasr. Connected with railways to almost all major hardpoints of Kasr Aeviternus and to Carthage the rail stations took up quite a lot of space.

I turned the corner and saw the majestic city. Walls as talls as 15 metres made out of stone and steel most likely with concrete supports. A gate made out of some kind of wood reinforced with steel greeted me. As I approached something unexpected happened.

A trumpet played, I could hear its loud screeches form a melody typically used to welcome honoured guests. The gates were opened and I could peer inside, two lines of halberdiers standing at attention dressed in traditional Stahlstadtner armour at the end of the line stood a woman around 50 years of age. Tall (relatively) with wild black hair going down to her shoulders she was dressed in full plate armour. Her familiar face had a massive smile plastered on her face. I started walking down the path laid out for me, as I walked I took off my helmet. I hadn't thought that her smile could get bigger.

When I was close enough she spoke. "You look just like your mother. Come, I have never seen my niece in all of 17 years. Well this is our first meeting so we must keep to decorum, no?"

Ah, she wanted me to introduce myself. As we walked through the street towards an automobile with a closed top prepared beforehand I prepared myself. We stepped in and the door was closed behind us by one of the halberdiers following us. It was quite cramped but the roof and the leg space were expanded, was this car prepared specifically for me?

"I hadn't thought that I would receive such a warm welcome. Duchess von Augspurg, I am Naotora, the daughter of your younger sister and the Curator. I have come to visit my mothers grave and finally meet my mothers family."

She smirked at me. "You aren't used to this are you?"

"No, not really."

"Don't worry about it then, even just seeing you makes me happy. I won't let fathers misguided actions isolate you from us. Know that anytime you wish for company you are welcome in my house."

This kind of sentiment wasn't what I was used to, I was almost always seen as the person to lean on by others. I could feel something in my heart start moving again.

I knew that she saw someone else when she looked at my face but it didn't matter. "You know, your expressions are a bit more subdued but they are almost the same as your mother. I would like you to meet your uncle as well, he isn't long for this world. He should see you at least once before he passes."

"Is he sick? What has happened?" My panic must have shone through. My aunt was holding herself back. She spoke with a strained voice "Chest cold, bronchitis. His age is catching up to him, even he can't deal with sickness at the age of 65. We all have to die someday. He always did want to meet you but by the time your grandfather died he was far too weak for long journeys"

The melancholic feeling she had wasn't something I hadn't seen before, I hadn't felt anything then the people that were dying of disease weren't related to me. This time I should have felt something, but there was nothing. I didn't care about my uncle no matter how much he may have liked me, I couldn't feel anything for his death. But I would visit him, just to try.

There wasn't a single moment of silence during the ride, aunt Nathalie wanted to learn what my education, daily life and hobbies were like. She was a bit disappointed when she realised that I didn't have any friends or people I was close to.

"You really should try to get close to other people, loneliness is not something anyone should have to deal with. Oh well, I'm sure the girls and Joseph will be able to help you with that."

The mention of my cousins and their 'help' terrified me. The way she mentioned my loneliness as if it were a disease also didn't help her case.

"Oh, I know that face! Don't you dare run away young lady, we have much to do."

Thankfully we had arrived at the Augspurg estate and I didn't have to continue that discussion any longer. Now something much harder awaited me, the patient's visit. Every single step through the mansion decorated by statues of ancestors, paintings and decorative swords was like a step towards the gallows. The mighty warriors depicted in artwork the crowd leering at me.

After one last corner we came upon my uncle's room. Aunt Nathalie opened the door and the old man lying on the bed turned towards us. He was most definitely beyond his prime, he was still tall and he still had a large build but the muscles that were once there were gone, his eyes were cloudy, his skin pale, once dark silky hair now grey and like thin ropes, the taut skin once hid his bulky frame was now loose on his ageing face and thin arms. He was no longer one of the warriors mothers family was famous for.

"Ahh, you have finally come. I have been waiting for a long time." His raspy voice rang out, wheezing and sometimes coughing. "Brother, talk slowly. Don't strain yourself."

I walked near him and sat on one of the chairs nearby. "Uncle, I am sorry I couldn't visit earlier. My co…"

"None of that now, I am the true coward. I feared to defy my own fathers decree until he was dead. And now I show you this shameful sight. I am the only one that should apologise ,young one." His voice rasping but determined he refuted my half-hearted apology.

He slowly forced himself to hold my hands. "And thank you, for letting me see something of my beloved sister once more. This is the happiest I have been in years, my health was meaningless to me. But now, I will fight with all I have, just to see you grow up just as my other nieces have. I am sure, you will achieve greater things than any of our line before." He suddenly started having a coughing fit

"Uncle! Please rest, I will call a doctor" I quickly tried to stand up only to be stopped by my aunt.

"I'll handle it, please remain with him."

"I-I want to tell you something child. I know we don't have much of a connection so you most likely won't be interested in this story, but I must tell this secret to someone. Someone that will be able to complete my mission."

Did he fake that fit just to get my aunt out of the room? A mission, what kind and why would I be able to complete it?

"I once had… had a fiance, she was never announced officially. It was far too early and our union was not one of particular prestige; we were… both soldiers. She was one of the von der Trenck family, a family who serve as bodyguards for the von Auspurgs. She was my own bodyguard meant to protect me, so…so when my… ambition got the better of me and I ventured into the demon realms in my arrogance it was she… who was lost instead of me. Her and my entire retinue…, I saw them give up their souls for my sake. That d…ay the cosmos punished me for my arrogance by taking almost all my loved ones from me. I want… you to take revenge… from the…. Vile beast who took them from me….

A greater… demon by the name of… Iza. Please… I know it is unbecoming of me, but I…I would beg you on my knees if It was… possible. You… are the only one I can trust…"

After his dramatic reveal he quietly passed out. A peaceful slumber, he had extorted himself far too much. A request like this, I didn't know what to do, how would I even find this demon? Demons are very aggressive but once they contract they usually remain isolated from the world. If she hadn't contracted yet I could kill her, but this story was at least 30 years old. I would have to try nonetheless, even if this is the only bond that was to form between us it would be something. Motivation is what this was, I was against a time limit. I had to kill her before my uncle passed, so he would be able to rest easily.

What a joke, find and kill a greater demon before a man with at most a month or two to live dies? Maybe Father could do it but me? I was transhuman, not superhuman. While I was stuck in my thoughts my aunt came in and saw uncle's sleeping form.

"Oh thank the stars, he has gone to sleep. I already called for a doctor. Come, let's let him rest, the doctor will take care of him. You should meet your cousins, at least the girls. Joseph is still with his bodyguards but well… You'll meet him eventually."

We didn't take our time getting to the dining hall, where we would be having dinner together. I could already hear two similar voices arguing in there, after we got close enough aunt Nathalie cringed. I guess this wasn't something unexpected of my cousins. We entered the dining hall just to see two almost identical women about 20 to 30 years old shouting at each other about two characters in a book? Not as tall as their mother, the two girls had a similar facial structure to their mother. The main thing that set them apart from each other was their hair and voices. One of them had a slightly brownish yellow mop of hair done up in a half braid covering the rest of her hair flowing down to her back, the other however seems to have taken after her mother and had raven black hair flowing straight until her chin. Their voices are distinct from each other or maybe it was just their tones?

A cough from my aunt shut them up real fast. "Five minutes, you couldn't not argue about some inane topic for five minutes when I told you your cousin was going to visit?" The scolding tone wasn't something I had encountered before, but the girls must have been used to it cause the blond one retorted real fast.

"Well, I had thought you'd gone insane! How am I supposed to believe someone who hasn't visited in 17 years?" Her booming voice was kind of annoying but before I could protect myself her sister acted… With a straight slap on the back of the head.

"Think before you say something for once, please… You're not doing us any favours with that kind of greeting." Well… I had to agree

"I do have to agree, but well… It's somewhat of a pleasure to meet you."

My aunts disappointed voice rang out

"Well Naotora, these are Katja" she pointed to the black haired one, who promptly gave a small wave. "...and Elise." This time pointing at the blond one, who responded with a small turn of the head. Are you serious, what are you some sort of shitty romance novel heroine? "Girls, this is Naotora, your cousin. As you already should know. Joseph won't be home for a while so we should start our meal first." With that she clapped her hands and a veritable sea of servants came pouring out.

I carefully took the reinforced chair prepared for me. And took a look at the meal placed before me. That was… a lot of meat. And all kinds of it too. Seeing my relatives eating with only the bare minimum decorum expected I decided that I was going to just eat like a normal person instead. Slowly and chewing before swallowing.

Most of the meal passed by with small talk, what my cousins were doing, why I had finally come, what I was going to do, what life was like here on the border. The twins? I think they are twins. The twins kept arguing about one thing or the other, nowhere near the ferocity from before but still some twins were placed in charge of leading the dragoons and the shock cavalry employed in raids and scouting missions into the demon realms. Katja being the Outrider commander and Elise unsurprisingly being the cavalry leader.

I don't think I have encountered a single heavy cavalry that wasn't messed up in the head. Guess that's what it took to head deep behind enemy lines and charge the monster lines whose very presence corrupted people.

The night went on and on, after the meal I was talking with my Aunt inside the dining room, the girls had already left, and finally Joseph came in. A man with a thick bushy moustache and slicked back hair with a golden tone. In his thirties he had a build expected of a soldier. Dressed in a simple white shirt and black pants he bashfully came closer.

"Ah, heh… sorry?" His flustered face indicated that he knew just how badly he had messed up. Aunt Nathalie turned towards him and her face stretched in a smile that only promised malice.

"Now, mom I know I was in the wrong but pleaaaase calm down a little."

Wrong words…

"Calm down? Calm down he says, as if he hadn't been with his men drinking and partying. I told you to be here, you have never seen your cousin before and you preferred to spend your time doing something you do every single night! What would you have done if she had decided to leave?"

"She would have waited to see me. Plese, can we just not have this discussion now?" I had to agree with him, this kind of family drama was way too awkward.

"Fine, we'll talk about your habits later." Good luck.

"Well, anyways my name's Joseph, pleased to meet you cousin." He extended his hand towards me and I took it with my own, my larger hand covered his almost entirely.

"A pleasure to meet you as well." At least it was a better meeting than Elise's.

So began our long conversation that went well into the night. I must say, he was a much better conversationalist than his younger sisters. He knew quite a lot about general logistics, tactics and many other fields pertaining to warfare. Well, that is as expected. He is supposed to be the heir of the family. I wasn't annoyed that he knew more than me. Not at all. I will still ask Father for some more lessons when I get back.

But everything that is good must end so eventually Aunt Nathalie and Joseph retired for the night and I was led to a guest room with a large bed. To spend the night in. Today was really enjoyable, even if I did get annoyed at my relatives a bit and a quest was forced on me. I felt… normal so to say, being treated like a 'younger sister' by Joseph was enjoyable, watching Elise and Katja bicker back and forth was comedic. Seeing my uncle's determined face just to live was wonderful, It made me think that maybe he would survive his sickness, even if I knew it was irrational . Being welcomed by my aunt and chatting with her for hours on end about mundane things made me feel safe. And tomorrow was my birthday. I would visit Mothers grave early in the morning just after the morning bell, right after I was born. I hope it will grant me some relief.

An: IT'S FILLER TIME.

Anyways, sorry about this. Maybe you'll enjoy the extra characterisation and general fluff, maybe not. Next chapter is going to be much more interesting, I can tell you that.