Chapter 52 – Aggressive Negotiations
"Forge Spirit!" The flaming zombie appeared right behind Derdir.
Derdir was fast. He released Maria and stood, knocking his broken chair back from the movement. The flaming fist was caught in his palm.
"Ah, hell!" Grim readied his cleaver and dashed around the group to flank Derdir.
"Second Spirit!" Reina went for a straight path. The advanced doll spirit crashed into the table, shattering part it and clearing the way for her as she leapt to her feet.
Derdir shifted the hand he had held Maria's with back into a claw and plunged it into the flaming zombie. If the fire bothered him at all, it didn't show. A second later, the zombie was torn apart, disappearing.
"Mother!" Kuromo called out as ducked under the doll spirit. He transformed once he cleared it, snapping his jaw at Derdir.
With a step back and a pull, Kuromo was maneuvered into Grim's path. That didn't stop him, as he leapt in the air, cleaver overhead. He brought it down on Derdir, only to have it blocked by a claw.
Reina directed her doll spirit to attack. She switched to her Black Dragon Fang Athame. The highest tokens and bonus she had for spirit attack were placed on it. It swung its fist at Derdir, prompting him to release Grim's blade to block the strike.
Grim drew back his cleaver again. Derdir turned, ready to block yet again, but he was pulled back when Kuromo bit into his right arm.
The doll struck him on his chest. It did little more than make him grunt, but it was a start. In the next moment, Grim's cleaver tore into Derdir's wing and cut into his back. That got a small hiss out of him.
"Hmph!" With a grunt, Derdir swung his right arm back, throwing Kuromo off of him. With his left claw, he pierced the doll spirit in its chest, breaking it apart as well.
"Piercing Shot!" With no one in the way, Reina activated her skill, letting the bolt of energy shoot from her extended athame.
Derdir narrowly dodged the attack, ducking under it. At such a close distance, his reflexes were really something else. He even had time to block Grim's next attack with his left arm, pushing the oncoming cleaver aside and striking Grim with a heavy punch to his chest. Grim was launched back and struck the decorative shields above the fireplace.
"Forge Spirit!" Reina already lost two of her spirits and was down to her last one. It was another flaming zombie, mostly the same as the first. It appeared right in front of Derdir, wrapping its arms around him and burning him on contact.
"Gau!" The roar from Kuromo startled Reina and forced her to jut to the side. A stream of acid washed over Derdir's back and spilled over, but no one else was close enough to get caught in it. Maria was behind Vyrdrun, protected by his large form, and at least 10 feet away from the breath attack.
Derdir didn't seem at all phased by Kuromo's acid. While she never tested it, black dragons probably at least had resistance to acid, if not immunity.
Though his arms were held at his sides, Derdir was more than able to thrust his claws forward and into the zombie spirit, destroying it.
They were nearly out of attacks. "Mana Flare!" Reina shot he skill at Derdir, who was unable to dodge it. He was struck in the chest, violet electricity arcing over his body for a moment.
It was one of two skills that had a specific interaction with a target's stat. Piercing Shot ignored the target's defense. Mana Flare did damage based on the magic stat of the target. Since Derdir was an archmage, his magic stat must have been large.
As Derdir shook off the attack, Kuromo launched from behind and bit into his right arm again, near his shoulder. Reina rushed forward, her weapon changing once more. Crimson Blade Ceremonial Sword. Its attack wasn't as high as the athame, but that was before she buffed it with tokens and a large bonus. The form was better suited to direct combat, and that's what she buffed it for.
Derdir was pulled back, making his footing uneven. Reina angled the point of her sword, directing it right to Derdir's heart.
"Raaah!" With a furious yell, she thrust her sword.
Everything seemed to stop all at once. Derdir stood there, blood leaking from his mouth.
"Grr!" Reina growled, trying to push her blade forward more. It wouldn't move.
"Impressive." Derdir said, the blood in his mouth not inhibiting his speech.
He took a heavy step forward, forcing Reina to step back. The tip of her sword never reached his chest. It was stopped when Derdir grabbed the blade with his free claw, inches away from him.
"Perhaps we may continue our talks?" He asked neutrally, as if he wasn't just attacked. As if he didn't just threaten Maria.
And yet…Reina had little choice. She failed. She couldn't kill him. Grim was just getting back on his feet, his breastplate caved in and slowly returning to normal. Kuromo was hardly affecting Derdir. There was almost no blood on his large mouth. All three of Reina's spirits were easily destroyed, and her strongest offensive skills couldn't do the job. She could have easily and quickly made more spirits with the Chisel's method, but what would that accomplish? She didn't even know how much SP that would cost. And Vyrdrun…
Vyrdrun just stood there. Throughout the whole fight, he simply stood there, watching, staring. His only contribution was keeping Maria behind him. Reina was thankful for that, but…no. She couldn't be angry. Maria was safe. Derdir was monstrously strong. Vyrdrun must have somehow deduced they wouldn't win from the beginning.
Reina eased her stance and stopped pushing on her sword. Derdir released it, allowing Reina to pull it back to her side before she switched it into an amulet around her neck. He looked to his side, where Kuromo was still latched to him. With a quick nod from Reina, the dragon released his hold.
Derdir rotated his shoulder, his coat shifting on his body. Reina could see the shallow wounds on his upper arm, and noted that his scales didn't reach that far. Like Lola, they seemed to only cover his forearms.
Kuromo switched back into a boy and was at Reina's side in an instant, receiving a pat on his head in return. He was going to get some treats later. Grim drifted back to her side as well, his armor back to its original shape. A bit of blood trickled down his forehead, which he wiped away.
With the table shattered on this end, there was nothing between Reina and Derdir as they retook their seats. Derdir let out a sigh when he seated himself again.
"Now, back to where we were before." Derdir began, claws resting on his legs. He looked to Maria. "As the princess of Savia, I'm sure you understand my position toward you."
"I won't let you kill her." Reina said, hands clenched into fists on her lap. Kuromo's hand was in one of hers and he returned the squeeze.
Derdir's eyes shifted to Reina for moment before they returned to Maria. "No. I won't kill you…if you remove your ring. I wish to see your true face."
Reina looked to her. Maria nodded and gripped her ring, eyes never leaving Derdir. Once it was off, her body returned to that of a 13-year-old in only a couple seconds. She had to hold her pants up, but she otherwise didn't move.
"Hrrm." Derdir looked her up and down once. "This presents a problem for me, you see."
"What?" Reina asked defensively.
"Did I not say before? My children would be upset with me if killed a child." He turned to Reina. "And killing children is something I wish to avoid, despite her bloodline." He then sighed. "My son went and said something unnecessary to you. Though, I suppose you already cherished the girl quite a bit, no?"
With a sense of calmness restored—if only just—Reina was able to connect a few more things. Maria had been with her all this time, knowing most of her family was dead. Sure, she didn't get along with her parents, but they were still her family. Reina could only imagine what she was thinking.
"Why do you care about her heritage? What did Savia do to you anyway?" Reina demanded.
"Besides interference and aspiring to be the empire? Nothing. It was not Savia, but the descendants of the first empress that I seek to destroy."
Reina gave him a questioning look.
"An empire is not built on spilt blood alone. It is made by mixing blood."
Reina shook her head. "I get that." She knew about that. She didn't think Maria was descended from Keston's royal family, but she couldn't deny the high likelihood. "Why do you want to kill the descendants of the first empress?"
"Come now. Surely you can piece it all together. After all, who would have reason to kill the descendants of the first empress?" He asked, his voice almost jovial, but his expression stern. "You've been quite clever so far."
A Demon Lord was an obvious answer, but that wasn't really a reason. It had something to do with the first empress. Or, maybe it was her descendants. Could one of them have done something so bad to wipe out an entire family line? Who could say?
"The Demon Lords in Hascain?" She guessed. His question was surely rhetorical, but maybe she could get a hint. "They were students of the first Demon Lord, right?"
"Students of students, but yes." Derdir nodded. "But you're a fool if you think those upstart children are anywhere close to my power."
"Hm. Maybe they were taught to hate the empire, or what was left of it, by their masters." While possible, it didn't help too much. It did give Reina another hint.
"But you were taught by him. This is revenge…" Reina started, but trailed off.
That didn't sound right. Sure, Derdir killed thousands, but he wasn't a mindless killing machine. Besides, it was the three heroes who killed the first Demon Lord. Two died in the process, and Derdir killed the Chisel Hero somewhat recently.
Derdir sat there, waiting for her answer. Maybe she was looking at this wrong. She shouldn't focus on who killed the first Demon Lord. Maybe she really should think on who would want to kill the first empress's descendent. Who had a problem with her descendants, who were the royal family of…Keston…
The answer was obvious, but also impossible. He was strong, powerful, able to decimate a nation with relative ease. That was something someone known as a 'Demon Lord' should be able to do. Yet, like Derdir said, the ones Reina encountered weren't that strong. Not even close.
There was something the witch siblings told her a while ago. Over the years, there were many Demon Lords, some of whom were powerful. However, there was never one that needed the Spirit Forger to be summoned.
None…except for one.
"You…" Reina's eyes widened as she realized the truth. "You're the first Demon Lord."
This time, Derdir did smile, if only barely. "I knew you were clever."
"Oh gods…" Maria whispered, huddling closer to Vyrdrun. He placed a hand on her back, though his eyes never left Derdir.
"You're supposed to be dead." Reina said, unsure what else she could say.
"I nearly did die on that day. If the Chisel Hero was conscious at the time, he would have realized I lived." Derdir said. "I may have been stopped at that time, but I did receive a wonderful parting gift."
He reached into his coat and pulled out the amulet again. The violet gem gleamed in the light from the fireplace.
"Do you know what this is?" He asked.
Reina was about to shake her head, but she realized she did know what that was. The strange feeling she got looking at it made more sense now.
"That's the gem from the last Spirit Forger's weapon." She said.
"Half of it." Derdir nodded. "You see, scrying spells need a specific person to search for, not lineage. Locator spells are likewise difficult to use in finding someone. But this? Such an artifact is perfect for finding those related to the Spirit Forger, even if the two don't share the same blood."
He placed the amulet back in his coat.
"You've been searching for them for 20 years." Reina concluded.
"Most of them. Some I already knew of, like the king of Savia." He went on. "I could destroy so much if I was so inclined. But that would bring chaos. Chaos would move people around, making all the places I've already checked in need of another visit.
Reina glanced at Maria. She looked terrified. A different subject would be good, since Reina didn't need to know any more about how many family members of hers—distant or otherwise—he killed.
"What about the other half?" She asked him.
In response, Derdir pointed a claw at his chest. "Right here."
Reina looked at the spot. It was right where his heart was…or where his heart should be. She didn't know exactly what he did, but the conclusion was easy enough to come to.
"You used it to transform yourself." She said.
"I did." Derdir let his claw fall to his leg. "And my children." He added.
That would explain why all these Demon Lords weren't as strong as him. He had something they didn't.
Derdir went on. "It is quite the potent artifact. Without it, I never would have been able to adapt a black dragon into my body. And I suspect I might already be dead."
"It did make you much stronger. You're an archmage, right?" She asked, though she already knew as much.
"Yes. Durability is one of the benefits, but I meant the rejuvenating effect it had, specifically my physical age. I'm…somewhere around 70 years old. I've honestly lost track."
His appearance was far from a 70-year-old. More like late 20s.
"I suppose using Abashi for it was a large contributor to the effects." He added.
"Who—"
"Abashi!?" Maria yelled before Reina could form her question. "You used a Cardinal Dragon to…" She seemed to realize who she was talking to and immediately hid behind Vyrdrun again.
"Just his body. His soul found a new host the moment I killed him, I'm sure." Derdir said. Reina would need to ask Maria what all that meant later.
"All that to wipe out one extended family?" Reina asked. "Why?"
Derdir held her gaze for a few seconds. She wasn't sure what he was thinking, his expression impassive.
"Maria?" He turned slightly to the girl. "You know many things, yes? Why do I hunt the former royal family of Keston?"
"I…I don't know!" Maria squeaked out, peeking from behind Vyrdrun's leg. "There aren't any records of it. Your name isn't even mentioned."
"Then I will leave you all to ponder that." He said as he stood, Reina doing the same.
A low growl escaped his lips as he straightened himself out. Vyrdrun took a step forward, then flinched back. The motion didn't escape Derdir, who looked up at him. Even though Vyrdrun was nearly two feet taller than him, Derdir felt so much more imposing.
"Something you wish to say, Vyrdrun?" Derdir asked.
"I…" Vyrdrun stuttered. "…Great Unifier…it is…"
"That's right." Reina remembered. The first Demon Lord and the Great Unifier the Gromnar revered were the same person. And Derdir was the first Demon Lord. Was that the real reason Vyrdrun didn't fight? He didn't want to fight the Great Unifier?
Derdir smiled softly as he brought his claw up to rest it on Vyrdrun's shoulder. "Continue to watch over the Ritual Implement Hero. Good friends are hard to come by, and I still need her for my plans."
Maybe wanting Vyrdrun to fight Derdir would have been asking too much. At least he didn't immediately side with Derdir.
"What do you mean?" Reina focused on the last thing he said.
He turned to look at her again. "I assume you know it was my intention to summon you myself?" Reina nodded. "That is because the amulet I crafted can only detect someone close by, less than the length of a cottage. With you in this world, I can cast a spell to locate the strongest living heir within 20 miles."
"Oh…" Reina understood. He needed the Spirit Forger alive so he could hunt them all down. If she had to guess, he was going to make himself a huge threat, making it possible for her to be summoned. Reina wondered if that would have actually worked, since she didn't think her weapon would have let her be summoned by the person she was supposed to fight.
But then the Waves happened.
"I believe this will conclude our talk." Derdir stepped back from Vyrdrun, but then looked down. "A curiosity first. Maria, what is your spirit realm rating? Half?"
Maria swallowed as she looked up at him. "Double…"
"Impressive. Better than me."
That was something Maria had explained to Reina. Everyone could craft spells in their trance—what some referred to as their 'spirit realm'—at different speeds. It could be altered somewhat, but not to a huge extent. What Maria was saying was that she could spend twice as much time in a trance as what passed in the real world. Reina didn't know that. It would explain why Maria was so good at magic at such a young age.
"All the same, when the time is right, your death belongs to me." He said sternly. "Give it to another and the hero dies. I'm sure I can persuade someone else to summon another."
"You aren't going to kill her. Ever." Reina stepped forward. She was afraid. Really afraid. But she wasn't going to sit by while Derdir threatened the girl she loved.
She didn't think he was bluffing, either. Just because he couldn't summon her before didn't mean he couldn't try again. She—or, really, the Spirit Forger—was too important to the world right now.
"At least one of my children will be with you during each Wave going forward." Derdir said to Reina, not acknowledging her words. "They will handle any otherworld interlopers."
Reina didn't forget about the last Wave and the two that came through the cracks to kill her. Or, at least, that might have been the goal before that angel woman saw Lola.
"And at this point, I'm sure I don't need to tell you not to trust the churches." Derdir added.
Reina nodded in response. That was another group of people who wanted her dead.
"Good." He looked to Grim. "I'll have someone contact your village about doing trade."
"Oh. Thank you?" Grim didn't seem to know how to respond. Reina wasn't sure how to react either.
"Good then. Until we meet again." Derdir said, walking around Reina.
This whole experience was terrifying, infuriating, death-defying…and enlightening.
Reina wouldn't let Derdir kill Maria. Never. If he was smart, he'd save Maria for last. He probably would, too.
Until then, Reina could only get stronger. She had another power up method to learn and master. There were plenty of monsters in the world to help her empower her weapons, and increase her level. There were weapon forms she hadn't yet revealed, which could give her a huge edge.
But most of all, she knew she could kill him. If it came down to it, she could throw spirit after spirit at him. She didn't miss his groans, the way he carried himself, or how he clutched his side as he made his way to the mansion's door. The blood that dripped from his mouth came from somewhere.
Derdir was hurt. He wasn't invincible. Powerful, yes, but not invincible. There was a chance she could win if she could make him trigger Death Pact again and again, though he would likely be more careful about that now. It was a start, at least.
The door opened and closed. Derdir was gone.
"Boss!" Maria yelled. Reina barely turned around in time for Maria to crash into her, holding her like a lifeline. "Boss!"
"It's okay, it's okay. You're safe. I won't let him hurt you." Reina soothed her, rubbing her back. "I'll protect you."
She meant every word. Derdir would never kill Maria. Reina would fight to the death to protect her, to protect the girl she loved.
~Forging Legends~
The queen of Savia sat on her throne, listening to a report from one of her ministers. The repairs to her city were progressing. Many of the homes were at least in working order, though the market was still quite damaged. That didn't matter as much, since the population was only a fraction of what it once was.
Merchants and craftsmen moved to the city from their old homes, eager to claim a spot. Queen Silvia would have called them vultures, but there were plenty of those. Nobles of ill repute and lacking in loyalty thought to take advantage of the situation, hiring members of the Red Brotherhood to abduct what remained of her capital's citizens.
Their heads now decorated pikes on her city walls.
Silvia turned her head to the side, noticing a presence.
"Clear the room." She told the assembled guards, ministers, templars, and nobles.
They obeyed without question. All that remained were the queen, her two personal knights, and the shimmer that appeared before her, kneeling.
"Report." She told him.
He raised his head to meet her gaze. "My queen. We have located Princess Charlotte."
Queen Silvia leaned forward on her throne slightly. "Where is my daughter?"
"She travels with the Spirit Forger in Lespax. They fought together in the Wave that happened there four days ago. According to the message, they plan to meet with the Cleaver Hero in Keston and fight in Hascain's next Wave."
"Lespax. So that's where she ended up." Silvia thought.
Charlotte was west of here in Ablos before the Waves started. She was playing as an adventurer, escorting a merchant caravan to Savia, only to be lost in Penca Forest. By the time the shimmer regained her trail, Charlotte had already made her way north of Lespax to the Adamantine Gate.
"What of the shimmer in Keston?" She asked. The one stationed in Keston was sent a message, but no follow-up had come.
"There has still been no contact, my queen." The shimmer responded. "We presume he is dead."
"Quite likely." She hadn't held out hope, but did wonder. If Keston found him, they didn't let on. Otherwise, the increased trade with them would have come with more stipulations than what they already set.
"What else?" She asked.
"The Spirit Forger's party has expanded. In addition to the Gromnar shaman, she now has a shapeshifting dragon, and a minor noble of Hascain, Grimwald of Faena Village, vassal of Duke Balta. Tentatively, a knight of the Branded Order is with them."
The dragon was intriguing, but not her focus. Queen Silvia knew of Duke Balta. He had designs for Hascain's throne. He must have sent the Cleaver Hero's apprentice to lure the Spirit Forger to his side. The girl princess of Hascain must have had the same idea.
"I see." Silvia leaned back in her throne. Already, plans were forming in her mind. "Complete a full report for me."
"Yes, my queen." The shimmer stood and walked away, his body vanishing.
Duke Balta was ambitious. If there was one thing Queen Silvia knew how to handle, it was ambitious lords.
Author's Notes:
Exposition!
I wasn't originally planning on doing the first Demon Lord reveal now, but…I kinda want to move things along a bit more.
It's been a minute since I updated this one. I've wanted to, but I just haven't been able to get the words out. I had plenty of notes for this scene, but I almost feel like that was more of a hinderance, since I wanted to fit all of them in. Same as last chapter, really.
Admittedly, I find this chapter a bit lacking. But if I don't push forward, I'll end up staying here forever.
I'll try to update this fic more often, but I feel like my other Shield Hero fic will be getting more attention. My muse is a little charged for this one, so it shouldn't be too long until another update.