Better the Devil you know

Safrim looks at me with a frown. Alright. Time to muster all the strategy game knowledge I’ve accumulated during my time. I’ve always been fascinated with war games and this table reminds me of a scenario campaign where you have to start from a very disadvantageous position. Attacking head on with a small force will always be bad, but there are other ways to strike back.

“We have two goals. Number one: Ease the pressure on the defenders. Number two: Interrupt the enemy’s supplies. From what I’ve understood, these troops are not all undead, and they need weapons and food just like anyone else. By striking far behind their frontline we can interrupt a supply route and force them to retreat to investigate.”

“There is a perimeter set up around the farmable lands, where the guard and volunteers fight back the demon army. We never know from which direction they may attack, but this section here is the most vulnerable,” Safrim says and points at a small village east of Atol. “The fields around there yield summer crops and the harvest is ongoing. Should these farmers and their produce be attacked, the winter will be dire for the refugees. If we are going to sneak behind the enemy lines, I suggest this garrison.”

He points at one even further east, which is equally as removed from Atol as my suggestion.

“Excellent,” I agree.

“You’re mad,” Poru chimes in. “But because it’s mad, they won’t expect it at all.”

“A small force can slip by undetected and reach the remote goal,” Safrim says.

“That’s why you said that a smaller party might also be good!”

The Captain smiles at me. “Well, I hadn’t taken into account that I’d have to join your suicide commando. Are you trained in warfare, Yuki?”

“Not as such… it was all just imaginary mind games during my student times.”

That makes it sound grander than it is, I admit.

“Isn’t that a bit risky for a first attempt? Go directly behind the enemy lines? Your party is still freshly made and except for my brother, none of you have experience fighting demons.”

Shilvy has a point. But I won’t listen to it.

“I’ve only been here for a day and the dire circumstances of the citizens of Atol are already clear to me. There is no time to lose. If this can ease the burden of the defenders to catch their breath and maybe even reclaim some territory, I am willing to try,” I say.

“You are a hero after all. Lady Erya never makes mistakes,” Poru says.

I think of the throne she destroyed in an outburst of rage, but don’t say anything about it.

“I never said I won’t be hiding behind Safrim the whole time.”

The captain laughs and slaps my back so hard it realigns my spine.

“Demon lands are filled with miasma which darkens the sky and increases their power. It’s also poisonous to regular humans, which is why we can’t strike back deep into their territory. But now, we have the hero. Though Lady Erya’s blessing, everyone in the hero’s vicinity is unaffected by the miasma!”

“What do you mean by vicinity?” I ask.

“We’ve never run any kind of test.”

“Great.”

“The good thing is, if someone is ending up being poisoned, they can return to your side to be cured,” Shilvy explains. “Just renew the blessing to stave off the miasma’s negative effects.”

“So I’m basically a glorified antidote.”

Karina shrugs. “Everyone has a role to play. Some of us fight heroically on the frontline. Some clear the air.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, sorry. I am happy to be of help, however small it may be.”

“It’s not a small thing,” Safrim immediately says. “So far we couldn’t risk sending people deep into enemy territory because there are so few priests who can bestow these blessings. This is our best chance in years.”

The door opens after a knock and a man sticks in his head.

“Someone to see you.”

“Me?” I ask.

“She says she owes you.”

——

It’s her. Nono Lylt. Only hours after she threatened me, she appears at the door like nothing has happened. She must not have realised I know it was her. She would not be here, smiling at me like she is. If she does know and is still here, she might be even more dangerous.

“My saviour! I’m so glad I found you!” Nono beams as she addresses me and then turns to Safrim. “Not only did he rescue me from getting crushed by a cart, he also sent people to help us fix it and reach Atol before dark. I just had to come here and thank him! My brother also sends his thanks! He had to stay behind and take care of business.”

I’m a bit too overwhelmed to answer, so I just nod. Safrim seems to recognize my reluctance and steps in.

“It’s a noble thing to express your thanks, Miss…”

“Lylt. Nono Lylt,” she says and takes a bow.

“Miss Lylt.”

She looks so different today. Of course yesterday I only saw her after she fell from the cart and was drenched, and last night her hair and face was hidden, but it still is a remarkable transformation. Her red hair falls in waves over her shoulders, and her green and white dress contrasts it perfectly. She looks like an idol, shining as she smiles at me.

“I admit I didn’t come here just to thank you. We traveled to Atol for business, but also to see the hero arriving. When I heard last night that you were actually recruiting volunteers to accompany you on your quest, I wanted to volunteer!”

The nerve of this one.

THE NERVE!

I might even be impressed. No, scratch that. I am impressed. Threatening me, then this? What is her game? Who sent her?

“Why do you want to volunteer?” I ask.

“Look around you. Why would anyone want to? We’re all doomed if we don’t do anything!”

“What can you do?”

She isn’t even taken aback by my bluntness. “I’ve always been rather good at fire magic. My parents let me train ”

What was the saying? Better an enemy you know? But is she really an enemy? I suppose she is, if she’s speaking for the demon king. But do I expose her now? What evidence do I have? I’d have to tell everyone about my power, and then even the demon king could potentially know. Ugh.

Against all my better judgement I reach out and take Nono’s hand. Immediately I bestow a blessing, indicating Erya’s goodwill. A devil you know is better than a devil you don’t. If I turn her away, she might get suspicious.

“Oh!”

Nono sounds surprised, but she doesn’t burn like a zombie or vampire when they’re sprinkled with holy water. Erya doesn’t reply in my thoughts either. I kind of wish she would, just this once. That being said, where has she been? Can’t she read my thoughts anymore? No longer speak to me either? It’s a blessing and a curse. I don’t have to listen to her, but I also have no one to complain to.

“It seems Lady Erya sends her agreement. Welcome to our small group, Miss Lylt.”

“I’m so happy I can join you, my saviour!” Nono beams.

Ah, I wish I didn’t know she was associated in some way with the demon army. I would be so happy to have her. As it stands, I can only watch her smile for any signs of dishonesty.

“And please, call me Nono, both of you. Anything else is too formal.”

And just like she appeared like a spectre in my room last night, she waltzes right into this group as if she has always belonged here. If she has anything, it’s nerves of steel. I can feel her gaze on me when I’m not looking directly at her, obviously looking for clues if I recognise her from last night. I can’t hide my surprise, but that might also be at her sudden appearance this morning, or Erya’s blessing. Shit, what did I do? Was it right to invite her? What if she murders me in my sleep??

Nono walks behind Safrim into the meeting room, where Karina, Poru and Shilvy are pouring over the map. While Karina and Poru have no reaction other than a questioning look, Shilvy immediately starts to smile.

“Miss Lylt. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Good morning, High Priestess Kal.”

“I told you to call me Shilvy.”

“And I told you to call me Nono.”

The women laugh like old friends and I am even more confused. Did I make a mistake last night? Was I so tired that I confused the person in my room? But no, the label was clear. I can’t imagine the skill getting it wrong. It’s been more than right so far. But why would a follower of the demon king be friends with the high priestess of the light?

“You know each other?” Safrim asks, taking the question out of everyone’s mouth.

“Ah, I’ve never formally introduced you, that’s right. Miss Ly… Nono and her brother have been delivering goods to the cathedral to distribute to the refugees for almost two years now. Their farm has only been marginally impacted and they charge only as much as they need to keep it running for the next harvest. I don’t know how they do it.”

“Oh, so you were on the way for another delivery yesterday?” I ask.

“That’s right,” Nono confirms.

“But if you join us, who will help your brother with your farm?”

“Join us?” Karina blurts out.

“Ah, yes. Nono Lylt volunteered and Erya’s blessing confirmed her conviction,” I explain.

“I’m not surprised,” Shilvy says. “The conviction is definitely there, I have felt that much over the years. But fighting ability? The journey won’t be easy.”

Nono puts both hands on her hips and shows everyone a cocky smile.

“I may not look like it, but I’m rather adept at fire magic. If you like, I can show you. And to answer your earlier question, my brother and I are not alone at the Lylt farm. My parents are still working there and since the lands farther out have been invaded, most of my extended family came together there to seek refuge and help out.”

“If you have so many mouths to feed of your own, it’s even more commendable that you’ve been so reliably bringing produce to Atol,” Safrim praises her.

Nono looks like a smug cat and I can’t fault her. The way things are going, fresh food is worth more than gold in this city. Any yet…

“Where is your farm, Nono?” I ask.

She steps forward and points at an area slightly to the south-east of the city wall. It lines up with the direction I came from and the road I encountered her on.

“I don’t know how long we can stay there, though. The frontline is moving closer every day. If that part of the countryside is lost, Atol will lose its means to make enough bread for everyone,” Nono says. “My parents urge me to stay in the city to be safe. They won’t be too happy about me going with the hero, but I need to follow my heart.”

Shilvy seems wholly convinced of Nono’s goodness, and since she is convinced, Poru is too. Safrim has no reason to doubt his sister and even Karina is following the general vibe of the room. She nods at Nono, who returns the acknowledgement.

Well played, Nono Lylt. Well played.

“I’m glad to have such a kindhearted person in my group. As luck would have it, we are planning to relieve some pressure off the frontlines around your farmlands to the east. We will likely travel through your parent’s lands on our way,” I say.

“Oh, then you must stay at our place! I will send a bird ahead.”

At that point, Karina joins the conversation and I take a step back. Let me get this straight. A nice woman from a farm of altruists, who is well acquainted with the high priestess of light and joins the hero’s party… is an associate of the Demon King. If I tell anyone about this, they will call me mad. Who would ever believe me? Only if I lay open my powers, but since no one else in this world has them, they might not believe that either. Worse, they might get suspicious and… ugh. This is going to be a fun ride.