Chapter 3 Plan

Valkira and Verixa, along with several other high-ranking demons, had gathered in the strategy hall.

“So, how much time do we have left?” Valkira asked her subordinate.

“Commander Valkira, it seems they’ll reach us in half an hour,” the soldier replied. He paused and gathered his thoughts before answering. “But I couldn’t find any members of the hero team.”

“This is an advantage for us,” an old lizard-type demon said. “Still, with that large human force, we can barely escape — maybe ten to twenty demons at most.”

“Wait a minute… what did you say? Hero party?” I asked, frustrated at the familiar word.

“Yes. They’re the people summoned by the human princess. Because of their super abilities, we lost the last war,” Valkira explained.

“They’re damn lucky bastards,” I muttered, clenching my fist in anger.

“Do you believe something might have happened to him in the past, related to the hero party?” Verixa whispered to Valkira.

“Maybe he’s jealous,” Valkira replied.

I took a breath, trying to calm myself, then asked, “Do we have any magic-users?”

“Back to the topic — it would be best if we had magicians so we could use them effectively,” I added.

They all looked toward me, confused.

“Isn’t everyone able to use magic?” an old skeleton man said. “Don’t tell me, Sir Zacken — you?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know I can’t use magic,” I said. “But it’s not my fault this damned kid didn’t summon me anywhere else. I was living a boring yet peaceful life.”

“Hey, I’m not a kid,” Verixa protested.

“Age?” I asked.

“Ten,” she said proudly.

“Then you are,” I declared. Everyone glanced at each other and tried to stifle laughter.

Verixa turned to Valkira. “Is a ten-year-old not an adult?” she asked hopefully.

“You don’t know that, Queen?” Valkira replied. Verixa’s face fell in shock and shame.

“Back to the topic — how can we possibly win against them?” Valkira said. “Even if we recruit villagers, there are only around two hundred of us. As Zacken explained, they’re roughly double our size.”

“Well, it seems impossible. We don’t have any powerful—” the lizard soldier began, then stopped as everyone looked toward me.

“I was saying we don’t have any strong warriors,” he finished.

“Hey! Are you making fun of me?” I snapped. “First, why are you all trying to fight them in the first place? Isn’t it better to retreat, gather remaining demons, and then strike back?”

Everyone fell silent.

“What a great idea. I don’t know why we did not discuss it at all,” one of them said.

“Are you serious?” I asked, surprised.

“Yeah, this is a great idea; we didn’t think of it,” Valkira admitted.

“Are you all that stupid? It’s the simplest thing: humans always flee when they can’t handle a fight,” I said.

“I learn something new,” Verixa said.

“But I object — what’s the chance the humans will let us escape?” one council member asked.

“Ah… for that…” I thought for a moment. “Why don’t we hand this kid over to them? They’re after her anyway.” At once everyone pointed their weapons at me.

“Listen first!” I said quickly. “We’ll only pretend to hand her over. I— as a human— will be the bait and bring Verixa to them. They’ll take the bait and bring us to the kingdom. The forest is created by demons, so it works to our advantage.”

“Are you sure this will work?” Valkira asked, concerned.

“Well, I don’t know until we try. It’s dangerous — if we fail, we’re doomed, and I’ll be beheaded next to this kid.”

“Stop calling me a kid!” Verixa complained.

“I accept the plan,” she said after a pause. “It may not work, but if it gives us a little hope, then fine.”

“As discussed, we’ll follow Zacken’s plan. Collaborate and play your roles well. Long live the queen.”

“Long live the queen,” the others chorused.

“Okay. As planned, the others will gather villagers and prepare. Queen Verixa, please take care of yourself,” Valkira said. She came close and whispered into my ear, “If anything happens to her because of you — you know what will happen. I will have you beheaded myself.”

Everyone left, leaving Verixa and me alone.

“Do you think this will work?” Verixa asked.

“I think so. It’ll help if I can figure out what my skill is, but playing videogames and reading my story-based games helped me in the past,” I said.

“Video… what?” she asked.

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s go. We need to move,” I replied.

“Hey, I have a name,” Verixa said as we walked away.

In the center of the city:

“Search for them and kill every one of them in the name of God! Find the demon queen’s daughter — we want her alive. Ensure no one escapes!” a commander shouted.

I stood at a distance, watching them. “Hey, buddy — are you looking for her?” I asked, holding my knife to Verixa’s side.

“Who are you?” the soldier demanded as he realized the girl was the demon queen’s daughter. He called out to the other soldiers, and they pointed their weapons at me.

“Ahhh… calm down. I’m on your side. Believe me,” I said. Verixa played the part of the demon queen’s daughter to back me up.

“You moron human, let me go. If other demons learn you’re holding me, they’ll kill you,” she hissed.

“Shut up,” I snapped, glaring at them.

“Please help me — demons attacked my village, captured me, and tortured me. When I escaped, I found her alone and brought her to you,” I lied.

“Your story is suspicious, and your clothes are more suspicious,” one soldier said. Damn — I’d forgotten to change out of my Earth clothes.

“We can’t deny your courage. Bring her to the captain. Even though we suspect you, I’ll arrange a big reward if you bring her in,” the soldier ordered.

I handed Verixa over and followed them.