The roar of the ocean filled his ears as he leaned against the railing of the ship, his eyes closed when a salt laden breeze of Karbelnikoff Waters caressed his face. A smile tugged at his lips when he felt the small amount of magic he had come to associate with Yozak, as well as the scent of women's perfume mixed with sword oil; it was a misconception that all half-breeds were born without magic, their magic merely showed itself in more subtler ways then the flashier full blooded tribesmen; longer lives, faster healing rates, and enhanced senses being a few of the more common possibilities that could occur.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes, it's lovely." A contented sound slipped from his throat as arms came to rest on either side of him. "It's been a while since I've been to the sea," not since he was a child; before the war back on Earth had erupted; He didn't count their last trip as it had been all business with so many humans watching. Looking back, the water had called to him even then; its magic singing through his body and leaving him feeling strangely contented and energised. It had driven Shori made with how hyper he had been with all that energy surging through him. Mother and father thought the whole ordeal hilarious until they had tried to put him to bed.
"I got to say, it's been a long time myself with all the nobles I've had to keep track of lately." Mused Yozak, not actually remembering the last time he'd looked at the ocean when he wasn't on duty…maybe it was when Conrart's father had first brought him to the Great Demon Kingdom?
It was only the clearing of a throat behind them that disturbed their shared moment staring at the sea. Gunter stood by the doorway beside Conrart. "I brought the documents that you requested, Sire." Gunter lifted a number of documents before carefully setting them down on the large table that was already filled with maps and other materials that Yuri had been looking over earlier. As soon as he had arrived his highness had requested information on a number of random topics with a concerned look upon his regal face.
"Thank you." Moving to sit and examine the new information that Gunter had brought him, Conrart and Yozak standing by the back of his chair, reading over Yuri's shoulder as the King still took a longer time to read the written texts as he was still struggling a little with the grasp of the written language despite Gunter and his tutors back on earth's best attempts.
"Here." A fingertip lightly tapped at several areas on the map of Svelera with green pins, "They are the most likely areas where the women are being held from the information in the reports." Before tapping another set with red pins "and these are the area's that have been confirmed." Yuri released a breath, considering every part of the plan he had worked out with Bob and Ry, hoping that it would be enough to ensure the safety of those prisoners. "What do you think Gunter?" he had a Plan B but that plan was riskier than the one they were currently trying. This situation was something he had not dealt with before on such a large scale and so the opinions of those around him were extremely important.
"It could work." Gunter admitted softly, looking over the list Yuri had made while he was fetching more materials, nodding in silent agreement. It was only three months' worth of their own food production and clean water, "However..."
"You feel that it is a waste of resources?"
"No sire." Though Gunter denied it, his face and posture were screaming yes.
"Have you ever heard the term 'foreign aid'?" Gunter shook his head, "That is what this is; were one country provides resources to another country in exchange for a concession or resources near equal to the aid given in return. Our people are treated unfairly, as are those who would dare to care for them. I'm not turning my back on something like that." The border raids by the humans were becoming more frequent, he didn't have time to spare debating this issue with everyone who had objections to the Great Demon Kingdom getting involved in human matters when war was becoming a very real possibility; if he did he'd be stuck listening to over half the country. "I am quite willing to answer to any noble of the Demon Tribe on this matter when we return."
Gunter's lavender eyes softened in exasperation at the determination of their King and sighed dramatically. "Is it really necessary for you to go in person, Sire?"
"I feel that in this matter it is required. I trust both you or Gwendal could easily handle such a sensitive negotiation but…" His fingertips lightly tapped against the table, his head turned up towards the sea and the magic that thrummed through it and into him. The report one of Yozak's subornments had passed through on the matter mentioned the very real danger any demon tribesman faced stepping foot in Svelera "I need to see this done." At least he and Conrart could pass for human, Gwendal and Gunter were so obviously demon tribe they wouldn't live far past the border given the countries current political climate.
"Sire... there is another matter that I have been asked to mention to you on behalf of Gwendal." Nodding once, Yuri set down the document he had been examining to give Gunter his full attention.
"There have been rumours, Sire, about a man claiming to be the Demon King imprisoned in Svelera for skipping out on his restaurant bill."
Yuri blinked once at that absurd statement, "Running out on his bill?" Now that was not what he was expecting.
"We have not intervened as of yet as we knew you were safe back on Earth... However the imposter is apparently in possession of a great treasure of the Demon Kingdom, the Demon Flute. The flute was taken from the Great Demon Kingdom over a hundred years ago and hasn't been seen since. However, you successfully located Morgif, so perhaps..."
"I will keep that in mind during this trip Gunter. Thank you." Yuri gave Gunter a reassuring smile. "We'll retrieve the Demon Flute, however, the main issue is the safety of those women and men being imprisoned."
A knock sounded at the door, Raji standing there, his purple eyes flickering over the people present before resting on the King's face, bowing his head once in respect. "A return message has come from Lord Von Voltaire Sire, he is waiting for your arrival at the border outpost."
Yuri mouth wanted to twitch into a smile; Gwendal was such a mother hen. He hadn't expected this response when he had Conrart send his message.
"Thank you, Raji, please have our horses prepared and inform the men we'll be departing for a long trip once we reach land."
"At once, Sire."
0-0-0
Yuri's hand lifting to carefully draw the desert hood of the long cloak over his head, easing the slight discomfort that had already started to affect him as his senses started itching from the lack of water he could sense in the area as well as the sun drawing out his own bodies water. It was an odd sensation, one he had never actually experienced before. It was like a part of him was slowly being obstructed the further away they got from the forests and closer to Svelera's desert. Though he could still call on the other elements and could still feel them to a degree, he still naturally reached for that which came to him more naturally. Looking to the caravans travelling with them, Yuri knew Gwendal -and some of the soldiers no doubt- were less than pleased when he'd requested the services of a dozen esoteric masters on this journey. But he'd read in the books Gunter had brought about their ability to create illusions. Despite the amount of demon tribesmen on this journey they were little more than humans when not on their own land.
"Sire?" Conrart asked softly, his hand lightly touching Yuri's, his cinnamon eyes troubled by Yuri's distraction and the rabidly paling pallor of his skin.
"It's nothing." Yuri shook his head slightly, attempting to clear the sensation but not quite succeeding. It was like someone had clogged his ears with cotton to the point a light haze was sweeping over his mind.
"Something is bothering you."
"The lack of water" Yuri admitted with a shrug after a moment of hesitation. A curious glimmer flickered through Conrart's expression at that admittance.
"It feels like I've losing part of the use of one of my senses." Yuri considered his explanation before continuing. "There is normally always water around, be it in the river or a lake, or below ground in the water table. Hell even the air normally has water! But…now it's like I've lost my ability to hear, while knowing I'm meant to be able to hear it." Yuri decided to change the subject, "I was surprised by Gwendal's demanded to accompany us on this journey." His head tipped forward as the long border wall rose up from the sands, the border outpost coming into view.
"He sent out a search party for the Demon Flute twenty years ago. Gwendal's family was amongst them."
"Who was it?"
"Gegenhuber Griesela. He is Gwendal's cousin through his father's sister. He went missing sometime during the search." Though it had been suspected at the time that they had killed him themselves. Yuri recognised the name from some of the reports he had read from that time.
"It was exiled wasn't it?" His voice was soft, "Under the pretence of searching for the Flute" His fingers curled a little more around the reins of his horse as he thought through the logistics of what he knew and suspected, "Gwendal never expected him to find it... and you think it might be Geigen Huber that's imprisoned?"
"Yes."
"I see." Yuri nodded slightly, eyes closing for a long moment as he blew out a soft breath. The air was getting harder to breath in this desert "He still cares."
"I think so."
Yuri rubbed lightly at his brow, brushing away beads of sweat that clung there already, his lips pressing together before he forced himself to relax. He was the one who had ordered this mission, any complaints about the heat were pointless and Gwendal would no doubt use it against him in the future if he did, nothing would change the fact that they were in the middle of a desert. His eyes were already stinging from the contacts that he wore and the sand in the air, however some things were necessary if they were to remain discreet in human territory.
His gaze swept the horizon, both brows suddenly lifting in surprise at the sight of something he had definitely not expected to see in the middle of a desert.
"HALT!" Yuri blinked at the creature waving its arms rather amusingly as if attempting to draw attention to itself, even as he rose in his saddle. Their group stopped immediately at the Kings command before closing in together defensively, rather than keeping their loose line.
"Sire?" inquired Conrart, confused by the sudden command.
"I don't quite get it... but something rather cute is going 'yay' in the middle of the desert." Amusement laced his tone, his lips quirking as he looked at Conrart and Gwendal.
"I don't see anything cute." Wolfram grumbled from where he rode on the other side of Yuri, a scowl finding its way to his face; though if you asked Yuri the look was permanent.
"A white and black bear…It looks rather like a panda actually." The absurdity of it would have had Yuri question his sanity if he hadn't seen weirder before.
"A panda?" Conrart stiffened on the back of his mount, worry immediately filling his expression and those of the soldiers surrounding them that had heard him. "Sire, are you certain?"
"Yes." Looking where the bear had been Yuri frowned "Though I can't see it now I'm very sure on what I saw. What do you think I saw Conrart?"
"What you saw was a Sand Bear sire. A carnivorous desert creature that suffocates it's pray using sand before eating them."
Suddenly, the sand before the first two riders at the lead of their party disappeared only a few metres from them with the softest hiss of sliding sand. Luckily they had been on high alert thanks to the King and were able to make it to safety before they were swallowed by the trap. But sadly the sand had given out further under one of the men and he was soon swallowed by the trap.
They watched the moving sand that funnelled downwards towards the massive creature that had suddenly appeared and sat in the centre of it. It was almost like a black hole sucking everything into its open hungry maw. The thing was definably not an Earth Panda.
However, Yuri's eyes were on the spot where the soldier had been moments before, the man now vanished beneath the constantly shifting layers of sand. Worry flickering intensely within him as he gazed down to the wide open maw of the beast, its jaws lined with razor sharp fangs, its massive arms tipped with wickedly sharp claws. Abruptly the bear vanished from view, burrowing itself down into the earth once more. No doubt realising they wouldn't be falling into the trap themselves.
"Conrart?"
"He'll be alright if he manages to hold his breath until he finds a byway out of there." Conrart reassured Yuri, though his own brown-silver eyes were genuinely troubled as he gazed at the spot where the man had vanished. "He'll be alright" Ryan was a part of this platoon; he'd trained them all for this type of situation. He only hopped Ryan remembered that training now.
"What do you want to do Conrart?" inquired Yuri, seeing Conrart's worry.
"He's had the proper training for this kind of situation and knows to return to our own borders if he can."
Yuri nodded to this. Though he didn't like it, he knew it was unreasonable and reckless to risk the safety of the rest of his men and the mission for one soldier. He'd learned that the hard way. The trap had swallowed the solider so fast they hadn't had time to unpack a rope let alone throw one down.
The rest of the day's journey was slower, as Conrart and the more experienced soldiers kept their eyes out for the Sand Bear traps. They had to avoid three more before they finally made it to their planned camp site.
0-0
Running from fire to fire, Yuri made sure everyone was settled and accounted for before returning to his own fire and group. They'd all be splitting up in the morning to head for their assigned targets.
Sitting before the fire, Yuri stretched his sore legs out; still unused to long trips. Looking up, a thousand stars littered the sky overhead, standing out brightly against the endless blanket of Azul blue and purple; making Yuri's heart ache in longing. Even at Covenant Castle they didn't see this many stars, the lights of the town affecting the view…maybe he should change that?
"You forget just how many there really are." Yuri whispered softly to himself as he stared at them, his fingers tugging the blanket he'd been given a little more tightly around himself.
"What?"
"The stars. In the other world, you could barely even see a half-dozen in the night sky when you were outside, the lights are so bright" and wasteful. There really wasn't a need to have so many lights going when most are asleep. The cold of the night despite the fire's going was strange considering the day had been scorching hot, that now he found himself cold. He wasn't used to such drastic changes in temperature. Obsidian eyes drifted closed as he drew the cloak a little more tightly around his body, not voicing his discomfort, knowing that somewhere out there Yozak would be feeling the same.
The first Maou of Earth had left over a hundred books, detailing everything from his daily life to information on everything the world he'd left behind had contained.
Including the boxes.
Bob had informed him about their existence on his last trip to Earth, and showed him what they did even when inactive; Bob had taken him to a remote part of the Amazon where the Box was originally held, the dark presence still lingered in the earth and mutated the animals. If his theory was correct, all the boxes except the Wincott and Bielefelt boxes should be in their ancestral homes. Yozak had gone on ahead in order to infiltrate and see if he could locate the box 'Ends of the Earth' in Suberera.
"Do you think he escaped unharmed?"
"Yes. This isn't his first mission in human territory." Reassured Conrart, Ryan could actually be considered a veteran compared to some of the men with them.
"Why was I the only one to notice the Sand Bear?" queried Yuri after a moment, the humans and other half-breeds should have been able to see it as far as he was aware.
"It's quite possibly because you are apparently immune to some of the esoteric powers inherent in that Sand Bear trap." Interrupted Gwendal, It seemed to support what both Yozak and Conrart had said about the Kings abilities to control water while in human territory. "It was more than likely set to prevent travellers from approaching an esoteric stone mine or the stones being exported."
"I'm glad you're here, Gwendal." he was becoming awfully fond of the man. Though with how much time he spent with him learning his duties, it was no surprise.
"Not many would say that." Admitted Gwendal, dark blue eyes opening to regard the man beside him in the fire light. He admired the fact the man hadn't complained once during the journey, nor now when he was quite clearly cold.
"Well I do." His mouth turned upwards into a soft smile.
Gwendal felt his heart soften at that. "Come closer to keep warm." One large arm wrapped around Yuri's shoulders, tugging him sideways and against Gwendal's side. "You'll feel better." He really just wanted an excuse to hug the cute little King.
Yuri sat there for a moment before leaning his weight against Gwendal's side, "You're so warm." He whispered softly, relaxing slowly as Gwendal's heat soaked through his cloak and into his body, soothing the shivers that had wracked him, curling against Gwendal's side. He was so exhausted he was asleep before he even realised.
Seeing the pair bonding, Conrart smiled.
He knew his brother wouldn't be able to resist Yuri's cuteness for long~
0-0
Brown eyes blinked slowly, contacts feeling gritty as he roused himself from sleep, his face lifting from where it had been pressed against Gwendal's back. He was definably revaluating the use of those things. As well as the intelligence he must possess to actually fall sleep with them in; though there was no mirrors. Dyeing his hair should be sufficient in the future.
"How long?" Brushing a hand across his face, he rubbed away the sand that clung to his lashes and cheeks. He was surprised Conrart had left him to sleep with Gwendal all night.
"Not long." Gwendal responded. "Foods almost done; we'll leave in an hour."
Yuri nodded to this before setting to work helping to dismantle their camp and hide their presence.
They'd had two watches that night to insure the most uninterrupted sleep and alertness. But despite this Yuri insisted on both soldiers getting some extra sleep by hoisting their mounts to the caravan while their riders got some rest inside.
Assigning an Esoteric Master to each team, they split and set out. Most of the different teams were to rescue those being kept prisoner in the mines and prisons that had been confirmed, while the others were to scout for any they had missed and were close enough to attempt.
They were all under strict orders not to leave the guards alive or let them escape, or to visit any towns unless it was an emergency.
Yuri didn't want the rulers' of this country to have any proof the Great Demon Kingdom was responsible for their prisoners escape. He knew they'd suspect them, but with no proof they couldn't do much.
Their party became smaller and smaller as the different groups branched off through the day to complete their mission. They only stopped once on the other side of a mountain to an outpost -under illusion- in order for Yuri to draw water from the local water table in order to refill their water supply. The greenery that sprang up from between the houses had promised there was a supply of fresh water in the town near the surface.
0-0
Entering the city two-to-three at a time, they had decided to leave an hour gap between each group to avoid suspicion. They also changed into civilian clothes for this purpose.
The man who greeted them at the gate had the oddest haircut that Yuri had ever seen, half his hair was shaved and the other half at the top of his head was spiked and orange. He looked like a half shaved rocker with a bad dye job. A long spear rested in one hand barred their entry. His partner wasn't much better…it all looked rather hilarious.
"Good afternoon, Sir." Yuri greeted in fake tiredness, shifting his cloak to conceal the sword that rested at his belt before Gwendal did the same.
"No mounted riders allowed here." The guard snapped, beady eyes studying them with interest.
Gwendal slipped down easily from the back of his horse, his hands reaching out to help Yuri down from the back of his own, making it seem like Yuri was not a competent rider. Which was somewhat true; he knew how, he just didn't have the experience to back up all he knew just yet. "Keep your head covered." He murmured low for only the King to hear, before stepping back and away from him, Yuri drawing his cloak a little more firmly around his body as he did so. The Demon Tribesman turned towards the humans, his face as expressionless as ever and his voice just as neutral. "We would like to enter Suberera to seek provisions and lodgings."
"That depends entirely on the reason for this visit." The man seemed to snicker; they no doubt had 'friends' that would be 'visiting' them while they were in the city. Yuri stepped forward at this with an open expression.
"My cousin requested me I am there for his wedding."
"What kind he having?" inquired the other guard
"Pledge I think." It was the closest to earths he had learnt about.
"Your companion?" it was obvious the dark haired man was a demon tribesman. His bulk attempting to block the view of his companion was obvious.
"My father hired him to guard me through the desert." Yuri waved his hand dismissively, just as one used to money would do. He was painting a larger target on his own back, but at least it was decreasing the target size on Gwendal's. For some reason Conrart had insisted in coming in the last group, so he felt a bit bare.
"Where are you from?"
"Francia" as far as he knew they didn't have any weird greetings, and were far enough away that even if they did the guards may not know them.
The guard whistled; that was a long way from where they were.
Yuri shrugged and grimaced when he noticed the sound, "I drew the short end of the stick." He admitted sullenly.
After that little act, their entry went much smoother.
"You're a good actor" commented Gwendal as they made their way through the city looking for lodgings, it had surprised him how quick and believable the King's tale was.
"I've had practice." Yuri's gaze drifted to a number of venders they passed. He didn't recognise a large number of the food or trinkets for sale, but then again that wasn't why he was looking. He was taking stock of guard placements and any characters of interest he could spot.
It took them all day, but their party had made it into the city.
-0-
Staring at the stonewall the unconscious demon tribesmen was shackled to, Yuri sighed.
"How exactly are we going to remove these chains?" Yuri inquired absently as he contemplated the situation.
"They were forged with an esoteric stone, it will take someone with esoteric skills to remove it." commented Yozak before grinning "or an esoteric key~"
"What is an esoteric stone?" interrupted Yuri in relief; he'd been hearing and reading the stone mentioned a lot, but not actually explained.
"The glowing blue crystal impeded in the walls"
"Oh" Yuri allowed his head to bow slightly after spotting what Yozak had been pointing to, eyes closing as he let out a slow breath. He was so tired, the heat was definitely taking its toll on them all. They'd just exited the hidden passageway Yozak had discovered and were taking stock of the situation. It was obvious to him demons didn't last long surrounded by these stones.
"How many keys do you have?" inquired Yuri as he looked at the long expanse of tunnel system.
"Just the one." It had been a risk even taking the one.
"Set to work freeing the prisoners evenly along the corridor." As Yozak set to work doing that, Yuri turned to two of the soldiers that had come through with him. "I want you both to keep a look out at the bend. But keep in sight." As they both moved off Yuri turned to the rest "as Yozak frees a prisoner, I want two people to carry them quietly through the tunnel. Those on the other end will load them onto the wagons" it would have been better if they could walk themselves out, but it appeared the guards had been starving the prisoners as well.
The system was a little awkward at first, but they all soon fell into a rhythm of clearing one level before ascending the next. As extensive as the underground prison was, there was only around 500 prisoners total and surprisingly easily cleared.
The box was another story.
Four guards guarded the thing on all sides.
Retreating to the next floor down -just to be safe- Yuri, Yozak and Conrad discussed their options
"Even with all the dents in the wall, it's too smooth for me to climb." Commented Yozak as he eyed the ceiling. There was nothing for him to grasp when the stone was wavy.
"Four guards will be hard to take out quietly. The distance down the hall makes a surprise attack almost impossible." Conrart calculated the distance they would need to cover and the possible reaction time of the guards.
All was silent while they thought out different options and scenarios.
"Are there any sorts of gases that'll knock them out or distract them silently?" inquired Yuri finally, thinking of all the bombs back home that did the same and wishing he'd brought some along.
Yozak and Conrart looked at each other, having a silent conversation consisting of raise eyebrows and head shakes, before they finally reached an agreement.
"Raji normally carries what you'd call a chlorine bomb." admitted Conrart, "It takes 10 seconds but it'll do the job" it was their best course of action. They only had an hour left until the guards were scheduled to sweep the prison. So they hurried along to meet the others.
What met them was all but one wagon fully loaded with prisoners and ready to depart, under the protection of the esoteric master's illusion.
"Head out ahead of us" Yuri ordered the others; if shit hit the fan at least they'd have given the others a head start. Collecting the needed equipment from Raji, Yuri and his team returned to the prison tunnels; leaving the full-blooded demons behind to travel on ahead.
-0-
Luckily they'd thought to modify the wagon like a sleigh before they'd nicked the box. The gas released by Raji's bomb had worked perfectly, and they'd made off with it like the Grinch on Christmas.
Due to the modifications, traversing the sandy landscape of Svelera was easy, and they easily caught up with the others because of this. They kept the Esoteric Master hydrated and well fed as they travelled as he was tasked with keeping the illusion up around their group.
About halfway back to their border, they met up with another party. Everyone was glad to see them safe as well as their mine workers.
"Sire?"
Turning to face the obviously nervous soldier, Yuri tilted his head to indicate he was listening.
"This was found at the esoteric mine we liberated." The soldier handed over something wrapped in cloth "One of the women found it when she attempted to unbury her child."
Unwrapping the cloth, Yuri was surprised to find what appeared to be the other half of the Demon Flute to the half Nicola had given them. "Do you know the name of the child?" someone other than just the child's mother should know the child's name.
"Jilta sire"
Yuri looked up at that; Jilta was the name of the boy found hiding with Nicola back in Suberera. The one who'd told them where to buy the wagons they were currently using.
"Jilta?" when the soldier nodded, Yuri thanked him before falling back to ride next to Gwendal "What are the chances that a mother is looking for a child -named Jilta- and we have a child by the same name?" Yuri inquired casually. Gwendal glanced at once Yuri before looking ahead once more.
"The possibility is quite slim sire." Looking up, Gwendal spotted a dove making his way towards him; raising his arm when he noticed the ribbon around its neck. Reading Yozak's message Gwendal scowled before tucking the message away.
"What's wrong?"
"They've noticed the disappearance of the box. We'll need to make a dash for the border before they catch up." Yuri cursed at this, even as he gave the order to make a run for the border.
0-0
It had been a hard journey, but their group were finally crossing the border with their cargo back into Shin Makoku from Svelera. The torrential rain caused when he'd played the demon flute had turned the normally dry sand into quicksand in a heartbeat on their persuaders as the storm followed in their wake, hiding their tracks. Yuri felt glee at this, but kept it to himself; to beat and bury babies alive he believed they all deserved to be given to Ry or his Highness as toys; a position he normally wouldn't even wish on his worst enemy.
As they were halfway through their dash, Yuri was helping to calm the women by getting them to tell him stories of their life. One of the new mothers had informed him about the brutality the soldiers had shown towards her child that one of his own soldiers had helped rescue.
Meeting up with a pale Gunter at the outpost, Yuri grew worried, his anger leaving him as he took in the sight of his trembling aide.
"What's wrong?" Yuri inquired when he was close enough that he wouldn't need to shout. It wouldn't do to worry the others if Gunter had just gotten mixed up in one of Anissina's weird inventions.
"The sheer number and condition of those- I cannot comprehend how we missed the sheer number of disappearances that have been overlooked!" with the way Gunter spoke it was like he was in…well, something past shock.
"Have we done any research on the Esoteric stone?" the subject change would hopefully jolt Gunter from his funk he'd gotten into, he also didn't like how Gwendal had reacted to the stone's proximity or how the officials had used it against the prisoners. While he hadn't felt any effect from them himself, from Gwendal's reaction to them the stones were a very real threat to Shin Makoku.
"Not conclusively your Majesty." Replied Gunter confusedly, "As you no doubt witnessed in Svelera, the stone causes full demons to have adverse effects to it, and as those like Conrart have no Maryoku the tests needed can't be performed." Many demons had tried during the previous war, but many succumbed to exhaustion even trying to perform the experiments…
As Gunter had been lost in his own thoughts, so to had Yuri been lost in his own.
"Gunter?"
"Yes your Majesty?"
"Are there such things as demon stones? If the humans have Esoteric stones, do we have something simular?"
"Yes, but they are far rarer than the stones the humans use. The Gem of the Dragon King is once such stone. It absorbs the Maryoku of the one wearing it, which can then be used to fuel the enchantments inscribed upon the stone. The stones can also repair magical devices & restore a demon's Maryoku. It is an Ancient and powerful magical art that is now all but lost due to the stones rarity; an art the humans thankfully haven't learnt."
"What about me?" inquired Yuri after a time, "I wasn't affected and possess strong Maryoku. Would I be able to perform the tests the others were unable to?"
"Technically yes your Majesty. Why the sudden interest?" he didn't want his King anywhere near something so dangerous!
"I would like to figure out a way to neutralise the threat those stones possess to us. I don't like the way the stones -even in a crude state- were used against Gwendal." Yuri suddenly remembered something, "the sword Adelbert von Grantz was using was made out of the same stones we saw in Svelera!" Yuri exclaimed, shocking Gunter and the others within hearing range.
"What do you mean your majesty?"
"There were stones imbedded in his sword, along where his hilt and pommel met."
A/N: I'm very lucky in that I remember vaguely what I had intended for this story. Most of the new stuff is just quoted from the Anime or Wiki.