Chapter 12:

An Uneasy Night (Part 2)

The Children of Eris


When he returned to the castle, Mímir found Abaddon slumped against a wall in the courtyard.

Even though he was wearing his helmet, Mímir could tell that the general was clearly upset about something.

Mímir's first instinct was to ignore him, for it would cut into his time to perform his own tasks, but he decided to speak with the demon nonetheless.

He, Abaddon and Mania were the Dark Lord’s hand-picked generals, charged with helping him forge the Demon Empire. If they were to succeed, then they’d need to work together and that meant they’d need to get to know one another. Their strengths, weaknesses, personalities, their motivations for fighting and anything else that could cause complications for their master’s plans.

This is a prime opportunity to gain some valuable information.

“What’s troubling you? Surely you aren’t still brooding over your mistakes at the goblin hive.”

Abaddon grunted. “I wish it was just that. The Machai failed to search the castle properly. I ordered them to do a thorough search per his majesty’s orders and they failed to find a prisoner in the dungeons.”

“To think they couldn’t follow such simple orders properly? Naturally, as their commander, the responsibility falls onto you.”

Abaddon nodded. “I’ve disappointed his majesty twice in a week. I feel pathetic.”

“What did his majesty say?”

“He hasn’t said anything, yet. Mania was extremely angry, but.” The demon dug his fingers into the stone wall. “She was smiling as she yelled at me. That bitch was happy I’d failed so spectacularly.”

…What an annoying woman.

“I also am slightly dissatisfied with your performance as a fellow servant of the Demon Emperor.”

“Hey, it’s not like you’ve done everything perfectly either!”

“Perhaps, but my Ravens follow their orders to the letter. That’s the difference between our subordinates.”

The demon sighed and hit his head against the wall. “I guess it is.”

“However, the important thing is that we learn from our failures so that we do not repeat these mistakes, or make even bigger blunders. I’m sure none of us wish to disappoint him, so it’s our duty to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”

“Of course.”

“Yeah.”

Abaddon violently grabbed and shook Mímir’s hand.

“Mania as well?”

“Of course.”

Though, it seems that she will be a pain to work with.

***

Rebecca leant back in her chair and let out a weary sigh.

After what happened in the courtyard, she had been escorted by two of the monsters the black knight had called Machai to her room and that was it.

They didn’t even step foot into her room.

They just let her enter, said nothing and closed the doors, before presumably taking guard outside.

Since then, Rebecca had been restless.

Within the space of a few hours, her normal life had all been but destroyed.

All the guards were dead, her parents were in the dungeons, probably being tortured, she didn’t know if the servants were being looked after properly, and she didn’t know what her own fate would be.

Even in her own bedroom, which had once served as her only sanctuary from her parents and their soldiers, she felt terrified of what came next.

Even if these people had given me their word, it doesn’t mean that they’ll keep it, Rebecca reminded herself.

She thought back to the way the tall black knight had acted, the way he commanded absolute submission and loyalty of his followers, and the way that they all seemed to tremble at his anger.

Rebecca knew that if she didn’t appease their master, she could be killed, or worse.

“Maybe my parents have just been replaced with someone exactly like them,” she wondered, lying on the table before her.

It would be quite poetic in a way if that was the case.

Just like every other room in Castle Kelsey, Rebecca’s room was filled to the brim with extravagant and beautiful items, from the chandeliers and the bed to the cupboards, wardrobes and even the windows.

Though she wasn’t the perfect daughter her parents wanted her to be, Rebecca’s parents still dotted on her if only because she was their only child.

Despite it being her sanctuary, Rebecca’s room made her uncomfortable for it reminded her of how cruelly her parents acted as nobility.

Maybe it was inevitable that this happened to us in the end, all things considered. Perhaps the Great Goddess is punishing our family for our sins? Their sins would be all their terrible atrocities and my sin would be not being able to stop them.

Someone gently knocked at her door.

Rebecca sat up straight in her chair. “…Come in.”

One of the Machai opened the door and Mania entered followed by one of the castle butlers; he was carrying a tray with a tea set on it and some cookies.

“Forgive me for being so late. I had some other duties to attend to.”

The butler hastily, and shakily, marched to the table, set the tray on it and retreated several metres behind Rebecca.

“I asked the servants what type of things you liked to eat and drink and had them prepare it. I hope you don’t mind me joining you, do you?”

Rebecca put on her bravest smile. “…Of course not.”

Mania smiled back, revealing the fangs hidden inside her mouth, and sat beside Rebecca.

“Butler, leave us.”

The butler nodded a few times, bowed and almost ran from the room, causing Mania to giggle.

“It seems that our new servants are quite scared of us.” Mania folded her wings against her back and slouched in the chair. “Not that I can blame them. After all, who in their right mind would trust people like us so quickly?”

Rebecca narrowed her eyes as Mania bit into a cookie. “…Does that mean you intend to go back on your word?”

Mania blinked twice and licked her lips. “If I said we were, I wonder what kind of face would you’d make?”

Rebecca almost shrieked as a dreadful chill rushed across her body.

Mania’s eyes were those of a predator about to strike its prey.

She must be a vampire, Rebecca thought upon seeing Mania’s fangs.

Vampires were creatures who possessed great physical and magical power, but the Church said they’d all been wiped out centuries ago. They were said to be ruthless killers that drank human blood through their dagger-like fangs.

The woman before her definitely felt like she was one of those monsters.

Even in the face of such a beast, Rebecca’s gaze and posture didn’t falter.

“Relax, little one. The Dark Lord has ordered us not to harm you lot, so we won’t.”

“…What guarantee do I have of that?”

Mania frowned. “What I just said, you stupid woman. The Dark Lord has spoken and so we obey. Don’t ask me something stupid like that again, or else I’ll really get angry.”

Rebecca dug her nails into her thighs. “…If you did that, wouldn’t that go against the Dark Lord’s orders?”

“It would. However.” Mania licked her lips again. “You’ve seen what happens to those who disrespect him, haven’t you? Never forget what you’ve seen tonight, little one, and don’t ever think of disappointing him.”

“I understand.”

“Good. Now, normally, if we were going to interrogate someone, then we wouldn’t hold back and use whatever methods necessary to get what we wanted. However, rejoice, little one.” Mania grinned. “The Dark Lord has agreed to a fair exchange of information.”

“A fair exchange?”

“Before we ask you our questions, we’ll let you ask a few first. Answer all of ours truthfully, leaving nothing out, and the Dark Lord will be pleased. Otherwise.” Mania lent forward and, in a lower voice, said, “You can figure out what will happen, right?”

“…Yes.”

“So, for tonight, you can ask me any three questions you want and I’ll answer them to the best of my ability.”

Rebecca smiled thinly. “So, I have to tell you the whole truth and you don’t, Lady Mania?”

Mania laughed playfully. “That’s how it is, little one. We can’t share everything in case you tried to betray us. Well, I don’t imagine any of you would dare after today.”

“It’s as you say, Lady Mania.”

“So, ask your three questions.”

Rebecca thought hard about what to ask and how to phrase her questions.

The most valuable information for her would be what she could do to keep herself and her servants alive, but she also didn’t want to risk upsetting Mania or the Dark Lord.

If they really weren’t going to harm them if they obeyed their orders, then determining what the Dark Lord wanted would help them survive.

Likewise, if she knew what sort of person their new master was, then Rebecca could determine how best to conduct herself before him and do whatever it was he needed her to do.

No matter what he asks, I have to do it. She winced and resolved herself. No matter what.

“…Might I ask one thing before we begin, Lady Mania?”

“Hmm, depending on what it is, this might count as one of your three.” Mania shrugged. “Ask away.”

“Will I get a chance at another occasion to ask you more questions?”

Mania smiled. “Serve well, and loyally, and you will.”

…Then, I was right; figuring out how to serve them best is essential to our survival.

“Very well. May I ask my three questions then?”

“Go ahead.”

“Who exactly are you people?”

“I guess I should’ve expected that, huh?” Mania laughed a little. “Well, the Dark Lord is just that and we’re all his summoned servants who exist only to do his bidding. There’s Abaddon, myself and Mímir, and then the skeletons and the Machai.”

“Only some of you have names?”

“Is that really how you’re going to use your second question?”

“N-No, forgive me, Lady Mania. It’s just strange to me is all.”

Mania hummed and glanced off to the side. “Is it? I guess all humans have their own names, don’t they? The Machai might, but I don’t care what they’re called as long as they do what Master wants. The skeletons definitely don’t have any names. So, if you’re looking for people to talk to, then speak with either myself, Abaddon or Mímir. The Machai can talk but they just don’t bother most days.”

Rebecca narrowed her eyes and nodded.

So, the only ones that seem to have any sort of power or freewill among the Dark Lord’s forces are his generals. Given how they were acting, it seems like everyone is truly loyal to him. Rebecca smiled bitterly, thinking of the former family guards. That must be nice.

“Little one, what’s your next question?”

“…Then, forgive me if this might be bold, Lady Mania, but who exactly is the one you all call ‘Master’?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s clear to me just how powerful and ruthless he is, but he’s not merciless. I don’t know what exactly he desires, what he looks like beneath his armour or what makes you all so loyal to him. Is it because you were summoned as part of a contract or something similar?”

Mania shook her head. “That’s not quite right, little one. It’s true that I, Abaddon and Mímir were all summoned to him, but we wouldn’t be following him if we didn’t believe in what he was doing.”

Mania took a deep inhale and smiled blissfully.

“Master’s vision is so grand in design that it gives me shivers to think about it, to see it brought to life, and the way that it will break-”

Realising how excited she had become, Mania quickly cleared her throat and closed her eyes.

“The Dark Lord summoned us, shared his dream with us and we all swore to see it realised in reality. That’s it.”

Rebecca shuddered. I can’t even begin to imagine what sort of ‘grand vision’ a man like that has.

I can’t help but fear what sort of grand design someone who is addressed as the ‘Dark Lord’ by his subordinates can envision.

“…Then, this is my final question for this evening. What will happen to me and the servants?”

“If you obey, nothing bad will befall you. If you serve, you will be rewarded. If you rebel, then you will curse yourself until your last breath.”