Around the Table

Compared to the raging turmoil of the battlefield, the winding trails of the countryside are peaceful. There are no demons or flying balls of fire. Nobody is fighting for their life, nor putting everything into taking someone else's.

"Huh…"

My awakening is filled with long strands of brown hair and the faint scent of wet dog. I'm not sure whether it's the horse's sweat or mine, but I'm completely soggy.

"Where…"

"Rado! Have you finally woken?"

I don't even need to look up to see who rides up beside me with his pure white horse. Hearing his voice is quite the joyous revelation, but it's difficult to be excited with the sweltering summer sun.

"Where are we?"

"This is the road back to Theinard."

"Where is that?"

Names have never been my strong suit. Somewhere in my head probably has the box with that name stored inside. All I know is that I don't have the energy to look for it.

"His concussion must be pretty bad…"

Walking to my other side is a spotted horse with a mass of purple atop its back. A youthful and feminine face peeks out from beneath an annoyingly large hat to look at my face.

"Who're you?"

"B-Bernard! Something is seriously wrong with him!"

"Hey, I'm just pulling your tail!"

Seeing the wizard panic was definitely a sight for sore eyes. She always seems like her mind is off somewhere far away, but now she's grounded to our lowly plane of existence.

"The city is within sight. We will arrive shortly."

In the distant front of our little pack is a young hero with his sword tightly fastened to its sheath. That smoldering anger from before is nowhere to be seen. I also don't see the devastation that I had witnessed before falling asleep.

"So we're all here…"

It was a miracle for sure. We all survived long enough to have the merciless sun beating down upon us from above once more. Life knows how to be unpleasant, but nothing it throws at me could make this sight any less relieving.

In the distance, large walls of stone tear through open fields. Not exactly the most pleasant thing to greet you on arrival, but it will do. It helps that a familiar face is riding out to meet us.

"You all have returned! What tales do you have for us?"

"Nothing of note, I'm afraid."

Leon greets the commander as we stop just out of earshot from the great gates. We all dismount as the young hero begins his report.

"We had little choice but to flee. We succeeded in slaying a few, but the demons realised and laid a trap. It would have been too dangerous to remain in the area."

While the others lead their horses over, I leave mine behind and join the group. The impudent animal has reached the end of its usefulness. Let's hope that I never need to see that annoying head ever again.

"It pains me to admit, but we were caught handily in their ambush."

Bernard steps forward with a solemn bow to his commander.

"Were it not for Rado, we would have all perished."

"Is that so!?"

Seeing Charles so surprised creates an interesting feeling. I don't know whether I should be upset that he had so little faith, or proud that I exceeded his expectations.

"I took a blunt end to the head, but we made it out in one piece! Not much I could do once the fighting started, though."

"No, you have done more than enough! I'm grateful that you brought our heroes home!"

A rough hand grips my shoulder and pours into me the emotions that he cannot show visibly. I really don't deserve so much praise, but I'll admit that it is quite nice.

"Let us make our way back to the fortress. You must all be tired."

With Charles at the head, we head towards the open gates and return to the massive city.

* * * * *

"I see, that is indeed a difficult position…"

The heroes finish their retelling of events and Charles leans over the table in deep thought. No detail of the battles were omitted, excluding my shameful retreat. Leon was kind enough to not include that part.

"We can assume that the demons will likely not remain in that area for much longer."

"Unfortunately, we lost our lead. I cannot apologise enough…"

"It's too early for lamentation, Leon."

Charles reaches a hand forward to stop the young hero from bowing. Leon begrudgingly raises his head as the commander continues.

"I have sent some scouts to confirm their positions. We may still be able to locate them."

"Even if we find them, we have lost our advantage!"

"Perhaps, but our mission remains the same. If wearing down the monsters will not work, then we must simply aim for the heart."

The commander turns to look at me standing off to the side. Our round table still has some open spaces, but it didn't feel quite right to stand among them. After all, I'm just a tool for detecting the Demon Lord. I can't offer any useful input.

Of course, I can't remain silent when Charles prods me for answers.

"The Demon Lord was not present."

"Are you certain?"

The one to question me wasn't who I expected. Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised that the one well-versed in magic would be curious about my methods.

"Absolutely."

I take a heavy step forward, my muscles aching from all of that running. Bernard is the closest to me and steps aside. All of a sudden, an open space has appeared around the table of heroes. I use this space to roughly place a pouch on the table.

"Rado!"

"It's fine, Commander."

Charles tries to stop me from revealing the contents. In response, I throw him a frown that shows everything that I've been through since joining this party. All of my pains and concerns are on full display as I make my declaration.

"There's no use in hiding it. Now's the time to put everything on the table."

As I untie the bag, my mind wanders to a note from my past.

"A while back, there were some real rowdy folks hanging out in our fields. One man tried to get them away by himself and barely lived to tell the tale."

I can still remember how badly he was beaten up. Cuts and bruises were all over his body. He could hardly speak with how swollen his face had become. Nobody could stand seeing what had happened to him.

"We didn't have axes or spears, but we had shovels and pitchforks. Every able man marched out as a group and showed those brutes who they were dealing with."

A dark presence enters the room. The mask shard that I keep close to my heart is now laying on the table in full view.

"It took the whole village. We had each other's backs, and that's how we won."

The young heroes are staring intently at the mask, Katherine in particular turning pale at the sight.

"The Demon Lord exists. I've seen it with my own two eyes and this thing is proof."

"T-The Demon Lord's mask…"

"Trust me kids, this monster is too much for us to handle."

Silence fills the room, nobody except for Charles and myself able to process this information. At least, that uncertainty only lasts for a few moments.

"No, we can defeat it."

Leon stares me directly in the eyes when he offers this proclamation. I see a fire when I look back.

"We're putting it all on the table, so here."

He removes his silver blade from its holder and gently lays it onto the raised wooden disk. Like always, I can see some inconsistencies in the way that the metal glows in the light.

"We have the Weapons of Authority. When the legendary hero struck the Demon Lord, his blade was shattered into many fragments."

Bernard unequips his weapon and leans it against the table. Katherine follows suit and lays her staff on the table. The average person can't see it, but the patchwork of metal is clear on close observation.

"Our weapons are forged with those fragments and they still hold domination over any demon. By invoking the hero's legacy, a demon will suffer just by being in our presence."

"So that's what all that flashing and screaming was for…"

I reach out a hand to the weapons laying on the table. My curiosity compels me to feel the cold metal, only to soon regret it.

SPARK

"AH!"

The cards are on the table, and it is now our collective duty to make use of them. For once, I'm feeling the eyes of the heroes on me. It's not as a tool, but as an ally.

"Very well…"

They have placed their trust in me, so I must now do the same.

"I'll tell you when the Calamity is near. Just…"

Seeing these kids moments away from a terrible death sends a shiver through me. I can't stop them from being in danger, but there is still something I can do for them.

"…Retreat when I give the word. I can't have any of you dying on me now."

That plea came from the depths of my heart. I've lost so much already, and I don't think I could take losing these bright kids as well. It doesn't quiet my anxiety entirely, but a strong voice responds.

"You have my word."