[TWS] Chapter 328 - The Real Demon (Patreon)

Inside a spacious, extremely rich, and exquisite chamber, a group of very unique people was engaged in a quiet, calm discussion. At the current moment, three figures stood on the black marble floor, gathered around a sizable hexagonal table of pure gold. Right above their heads, hung a multi-layered chandelier adorned with crystal gems of whitish, slightly translucent shade. They matched the smooth white walls perfectly well, completing the obviously high-class setting.

The scantily-clad demon man of slightly pink skin was engaged in a conversation with the calm and collected elf lady who regarded him with a somewhat cold expression. Listening to them closely without interrupting, the silver-skinned dwarf sipped repeatedly on his golden mug full of clearly expensive beer. He smirked under his nose occasionally at the other two and their little chat.

A moment later, they all went silent, watching deep shadows pool and coalesce next to them. The darkness rose from the dark floor and assumed the shape of a person, soon revealing the mysterious guest. Welrond sighed in relief as the last wisps of black smoke retreated from his figure and immediately started looking around, though his gaze seemed to ignore the other people present in the chamber.

“You are late,” Grotger huffed, taking another big gulp from his mug. “Is it that hard for humans to arrive on time at least for the extremely important gatherings?”

“It’s alright.” The Human King waved him off. “She isn’t here yet.”

Pointedly ignoring the Dwarf Patriarch, he ran his fingers through his hair and hastily patted out his clothes. The reason behind his late arrival became obvious to everyone in a flash, and every last doubt was dismissed when the mature human man in front of them pulled out a small pocket mirror to check his face. Grotger rolled his eyes at that, trying to hold his groan in.

Suddenly, the elegant double doors leading into the room burst open without a single warning, making Welrond almost jump into the air while the others only startled a tiny bit. He scrambled to hide the little trinket as quickly as he could, trying to figure out which pocket to choose, before realizing that he’d pulled it out of his spatial storage and sending the item back into one of his rings.

“I’m glad everyone is already here. Hopefully, I didn’t make anyone wait too long, did I?” Ast’s mother stood at the entrance with a wide grin and her hands on her hips, accompanied by Tina’s mom at her side.

“Not in the slightest,” Welrond answered with a warm chuckle. “We haven’t even had enough time to start thinking about taking care of any possible boredom.”

The other three looked at him before exchanging pointed glances. Kindra’s smile only grew as she giggled softly and began strolling towards the raised hexagonal platform with Luna after her. It was clear to anyone save for one person that she knew. Servants closed the door just as the ladies reached their designated spots across the kings and the queen.

“Right. I’m unspeakably thankful to everyone here for finding time to make this meeting happen,” she continued while meeting each person’s eyes for a brief moment. “Since time is a commodity often highly scarce and valuable in our positions, let’s not waste any more of it and get right to the point. Right after a very brief introduction of course.”

The Dwarf Patriarch snorted amusingly while the Human King chuckled warmly, both already having some experience interacting with her. The other two didn’t show any special reactions, not yet aware of who they were really dealing with. Those who were, didn’t see it necessary to… spoil their first time.

“It’s my honor, Your Majesties.” Tina’s mother made a polite curtsy. “My name is Luna Nobelle. I assume some of you might already be acquainted with my daughter, who accompanies Asterios as his fiance and soon-to-be wife. Or as the other ladies like to call themselves, a bonded mate.”

“And I’m Kindra Hestizo. There isn’t really a need to introduce my household to anyone here, is there?” Ast’s mother asked and received four gentle head shakes, two a bit more vigorous than the other half. “Perfect. Shall we begin, then? There are two exceptionally important things on our agenda today. Though, they are connected to some extent. The further development of Glimmervale, and my son’s twentieth birthday. Anything to add?”

Once more, no one interrupted her, only shaking their heads in unison.

“Great. I can already tell we’ll be done in a blink. And we better do because every additional second we take, a certain someone has another chance to notice us. An entire room closed off by Umbra’s shadows isn’t exactly that much of a mundane occurrence.” She giggled to herself, directing an appreciative nod at the ceiling, where some shadows wiggled in response. “Where should we start? Oh, what about a quick toast for smooth negotiations and pleasant conversation?”

Everyone picked an ornate chalice, save for Grotger, who used an intricate mug, and made a silent toast, exchanging nods.

“Sweet.” Kindra finished taking a sip first and smiled excitedly. “Let’s begin with Glimmervale’s development. And there’s nothing better in ensuring the right future of that than the Declaration of Independence.”

The air stilled immediately as the people in the room froze in various stages of moving their goblets away from their lips. Except for Welrond, who was caught mid-swig and choked on his wine, sputtering some back into the cup.

“What?!” He wiped his face with a hastily summoned handkerchief, his brows high on his forehead.

“Of course, we could sit here for hours and talk about each of your nations’ laws and regulations that guide the interaction and relationship between your countries, which introduce a lot of political, mercantile, logistical, and legal issues, or we could solve everything with just one single easy decision.” She grinned at the Human King slyly.

Zegion snickered to himself and leaned closer to Civienne. “I think I’m going to like her.”

“Could you elaborate?” The Elf Queen ignored him and kept her focus on the human woman.

“Right now, you all need to dance and juggle around each other because anything more significant that you do is directed not only at Glimmervale, which is your main target, but also subsequently at the Human Kingdom, for obvious reasons. That introduces plenty of limits as you need to consider how much is too much and how little is too little when supporting another allied nation. The matter of current arrangements and relationships between all of you and that nation affects a lot of areas too. But, if we remove that single nation’s influence from the picture, you can all be equal, starting from the same point, safe from accidentally offending some old agreement or oath, isn’t that right?” Kindra gestured at them with her palms spread.

“The lass certainly talks smart.” Grotger grunted. “A fresh slate is much better and less annoying than the complete clusterfuck of our accords.”

“Something like this… has never happened before,” Welrond stated, furrowing his brows. “We would need—”

“Yet, the laws allowing that to happen are already set in place for quite a few centuries already.” She smirked at him impishly. “All we need is the royal family’s seal of approval and a completely unanimous opinion poll with votes from all current residents who settled down in the town no sooner than six months from the appointed referendum date.”

His brows shot to his hairline again. “How? That’s not exactly public information. And I’m sure the Committee hasn’t filed a request to access it. Each petition goes right through me.”

Kindra only continued to smile at him in silence, clearly not willing to reveal her secrets.

“Such a change would most likely earn a completely positive reaction in Glimmervale, but that might not go just as well everywhere else,” Civienne commented.

“And that’s where you guys come in.” Ast’s mother snapped her fingers at the frosty queen. “For this to succeed without any hiccups, we need not only the kingdom to approve but you all to also wholeheartedly support this decision. Each of you knows Asterios better than well, and he did some great favors for your nations, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see you back his election as the ruler of a new, independent nation. He is already quite known and popular in the elven lands and human territories, though the demon grounds and the Damascu clan’s province could use a small awareness campaign to raise the level of his recognition amongst the common citizens. People there heard of the big events and their hero, but the announcements weren’t that detailed.”

“Many things could go wrong there,” Zegion said. “Such a big change is a quite sensitive subject.”

“Not if you actually expend some effort to ensure that things are smoothed out right from the beginning.” She winked at the demon man with a shiny, exposed torso. “This grand change doesn’t even need to feel like change if you act quickly and secure proper relations with the Dragon Valley.”

“Dragon Valley? You already came up with a name?” The Dwarf Patriarch snickered, shaking his head. “Hits a bit too close home, doesn’t it?”

“With a huge and scary Dragon-like entity guarding the capital? I don’t think so.” Kindra shrugged. “Besides, it’s not like Asti is going to hide forever. There will be no better way to dissuade any hostility or unbecoming ideas than putting a powerhouse of a True Dragon on the nation’s throne. Plus, any other nation allied with it will additionally become much safer in turn. Who is going to cause trouble knowing that a merciless fire-breathing winged lizard might come after them at any moment?”

A brief silence fell onto the chamber as everyone considered her words. There certainly was some truth to them. It had been long since the last True Dragon was spotted alive, but people still remembered the fear and destruction of those dark ages. And a single incident just like Teira would be more than enough to remind them further. Perhaps with some well-established bandit hideout instead this time.

“So, are we in agreement on this?” She set her hands flat on the hexagonal table and met everyone’s eyes.

The four rulers exchanged glances. Grotger shrugged casually while Welrond sighed at him. Zegion fought down a thrilled smirk as Civienne lightly rolled her eyes, knowing the man’s quite aggressive tendencies rather well. With the emergence of a new nation, no treaties bound him to behave within its territory. Yet.

“Amazing. With that out of the way, we can move on to the more particular matters.” Kindra adorably clapped her hands. “We’ll need lots of reliable metal for the reinforcement of the second line of battlements around the future part of the expanding town. There’s nothing better and available in such an amazing quantity than the Damascu Ore. I think it’s time to renegotiate our little trade arrangements.”

“Impossible!” Welrond huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “We’ve barely sealed the deal over those!”

“As much as I would love to see the flame-haired brat get fucked over again, I have to agree with him,” Grotger commented, taking a big swig of his drink. “The contracts are binding. You made sure of that.”

“Exactly.” The Human King nodded. “We can’t revoke them, nor create new ones with any other nations, including what you are brewing here. I’m afraid you might have not looked far ahead enough while ensuring that we remain inclusive back then.”

A devilish grin twisted her lips as she stared right at the man, sending a light shiver down his spine.

“Luna,” she called, and Tina’s mom summoned a packet of documents, handing it to her.”Ekhm. Clause seven, section eleven, paragraph three, sub-paragraph four of the Three-Way International Damascu Ore Export Arrangement Directed By The Hestizo Household—The contracting sides solemnly swear to uphold the agreements of the contract to their best ability as the terms cannot be dismissed nor altered over its defined duration, with the exception of unforeseen emergencies of a national scale… or similarly influential world-altering events… when the terms may be revisited and reformed for the benefit of all sides.”

Grotger and Welrond stared at her unyielding smile while completely flabbergasted. Seeing their stunned expressions, Zegion burst out laughing, trying his best to regain control. It didn’t look like it was the Hestizos who hadn’t put enough thought ahead during those past negotiations.

“So, when are you free to renegotiate the deal?” She winked at them, driving the point home for good.

The two men looked at each other, once more connecting deeply in their embarrassing defeat.

“We should leave that for later.” Kindra giggled softly. “Next, Queen Civienne, we would like to extend a request for the aid of at least three or four Spellsong families in our defensive endeavors. Preferably on-site rather than long distance.”

The Elf Queen glared at her coldly, perhaps unsure if she heard it properly.

“I’m afraid I have to deny your request, Lady Hestizo. The Spellsong families can’t be lent to other nations. They are bound by oaths to serve only our people. Save for one… disgraced… exception,” she explained.

“Oh, I’m very well aware, but Your Majesty, we are your people.” Ast’s mother smiled mischievously.

That only confused Civienne even further.

“Order of the Tree, was it?” Kindra raised a brow at her. “How did it go? Ah, right. Ekhm. Therefore, as our tradition states, Asterios Hestizo, Tina Nobelle, and their trusty companions are now considered national heroes of our people. Wherever they go, their status shall be no lesser than mine and the Elders. From this day on, they can be considered our own kin and shall be treated as such.”

The queen’s eyes widened in shock as she started to realize what the highly smart and clever human woman was heading for.

“Now, since Asterios is one of your people, I would dare to assume that the kingdom he starts on his own can also be considered an equal part of your elven nation, can’t it? It might have been a different topic with him just living in or governing a city belonging to the Human Kingdom, but with an independent state ruled by one of a status no lesser than yours or the Elders, it gets pretty clear, doesn’t it?”

Civienne had no response to her statement, continuing to just blankly gape at Kindra with her mouth hanging slightly open from pure shock and maybe a tiny bit of awe, but mostly disbelief. The entire thing with independence had obviously been brought up right for this.

“Of course, we don’t need to rely on assumptions when we can consult an actual and reliable source of information,” Kindra continued with her finger tapping on the side of her chin. “May I make a polite request for Your Majesty to consult the Chronicles of the Grove at your own convenience?”

Her Majesty’s eyes could not grow wider anymore with how dumbfounded she became. “How did you…?”

“A good merchant has their ways.” Ast’s mother winked at the queen while a sweet, girlish giggle echoed in her mind. “Now, I know that it might take a day or two to convince the Elders to bring it out for the reading so let’s return our attention to the rest of our agenda. King Zegion.”

“Yes?” The Demon King replied right away, his cocky smile full of amusement.

“You don’t really have any deals with Asterios yet so I think it would be only right to offer you an opportunity to establish some good rapport with the budding Dragon Valley,” she said, smiling back at him with no less intensity. “We do have Radir Asgeir and his daughter Grea Asgeir here, but no matter how knowledgeable and talented, a single pair of demons would work themselves to death if they wanted to support our city with their magic arrays and formations.”

“Consider it done.” He laughed openly, waving her off. “We’ll gladly send as many people as you might want to aid you with whatever you need. Seal masters, formation masters, array masters, or wizards and magicians of all elements shall be at your disposal, My Lady. You know that we are second to none in terms of magical research and development.”

“Oh I do know, and that’s why you should consider setting up a College of Magical Arts next to our upcoming Knight Academy and moving Project Origin to its basement. That would give a much easier access to the data you are lacking and elements you aren’t able to collect from the other allied nations. Especially from the elves.” Kindra grinned at him, making his joyful atmosphere drop in an instant.

“Where did you hear about that?” he asked firmly.

“A woman doesn’t tell.” She put her fingers to her lips in a shushing gesture. “I wonder what Old Gryndiel would say if she learned that you were trying to pry some secrets out of one instead of quickly making use of the presented opportunity to finally take a step closer to uncovering the truth.”

The Demon King’s face drained of all its blood in an instant, turning him almost into an albino specimen. The mentioned name clearly shook him. Welrond could only chuckle at their friend’s misery while lightly slapping the demon man on the back. It seemed like no one was safe from the Merchant Queen’s schemes.

“Moving on, we have covered pretty much everything related to Glimmervale’s development. As for my Asti’s birthday ceremony, I don’t expect you to lavish him with expensive gifts while trying to one-up each other in public. Rather than that, there’s only one thing that matters. Your support. Which can easily be proven by handing him the finalized Declaration of Independence on the grand day. I’ll take care of the voting here, you conclude all the formalities on your side. Anything else is up to you. But, there’s no need to overshadow everyone with pointless treasure. A more practical approach will make him so much happier.”

No one disagreed with her, or perhaps no one really could as the majority of the people present at the gathering were still stunned with their respective shock and disbelief. But, the lack of opposition was as good as a unanimous agreement so Kindra continued to discuss some minor details with the great rulers before they were on their way back to their own nations.

Though, Civienne and Zegion were only half-responsive during that closing conversation. Welrond and Grotger often chuckled at them together, reliving the first time they had gone against Ast’s mother in the past. They were sure that the other two hadn’t ever had a chance to attend a meeting so out of their control yet. Kindra certainly did not slow down after getting into her element.

And it was still just the beginning.