Walking through the labyrinth of mine shafts I asked Sil if she was annoyed we had company again, but she only said that she didn't feel the need to worry about Sinfree, who added that she would never steal another's mate. Though she hesitated after some of my displeasure at the statement leaked out. I could barely tolerate the flustered rambling, though I was trying to play the devil's advocate and kicking up a fuss would run counter to that goal, besides, it killed time until we arrived at the makeshift snake pen.
Sinfree and Sil stood ready but I told Sil to hug the demoness to scent mark her then stand back. The two of them were entirely confused by the instruction, or perhaps the inexplicable grin I wore made the statement appear to possess ulterior motives? Regardless, they did as instructed and with that, I destroyed the barricade and let the giant snake emerge, smiling more as its tongue lapped the air around me.
"I think I'll call you Askel." As I named it, a glyph appeared in the space between its eyes to mark the new contract. I then ordered it to protect anyone with a brand or smelled like me and hunt any monsters in the mines. It then slithered past me and lapped the air around Sil and Sinfree, then moved on as I climbed onto its back and gestured for the other two to follow suit.
The bandits panicked when we emerged, and I introduced them to the new guard. "Why Askel though?" The bandits bickered briefly about the importance of that question, stopping when I replied.
"Well it comes from a legendary figure of someone associated with serpents, and it sounds like "rascal" and isn't he just the cutest little rascal." I started nuzzling the silky smooth scales with the last bit, leaving everyone equally speechless and exasperated. (except for Askel who was elated.)
Though much quicker than expected, we were done and began the return journey after Sil agreed, before returning to her training.
When we finally stopped for the night, Sinfree dropped to her knees again. "I hereby relinquish myself to…" I raised a hand the moment she spoke, I had become acutely aware that from the moment we were alone I had been under some manner of influence. I was always harsh and absolute in my punishments but the fact I had let the bandits run out of some kind of compassion for Sil was not my way.
Typically, I would have done to them what I had to the merchant's guild. Simply put, mana mixed with my judgement. It's a brutal and messy method, but instant and painless all the same. Unlike the one I used outside of town, as quick as it was I sensed a lot of pain from them in their final moments.
The fact I made them suffer could only be caused by the sudden chemical imbalance caused by some manner of mental spell being broken. Manipulation should not have been possible with me however and whilst it was impressive she managed it, she couldn't have known that demon species cause an instinctive mental reinforcement in me after one proved just as talented a few dozen lifetimes ago.
"Before you continue, if you must do this, name Sil. One cannot serve two, and as I am sure you are about to confess, you know we are not what we say." I said, ensuring Sil wouldn't have to endure the suffering of loneliness as my hope at reforming her into someone I could tolerate finally died completely. I didn't want to kill her, I had allowed her too much time to root the reluctance too deeply inside my mind, so I intended to cut her loose with a being that would ensure any attempt to manipulate me further would be thwarted.
It was an inspired idea, even if I do say so myself, but that left the issue of her progress. She had developed by leaps and bounds during our journey and I needed to throw some kind of obstruction into it. To say I was threatened by her, would be an understatement, I saw her as the greatest threat to everything I wanted in that life.
Sil panicked and apologised for not acting well enough, misreading my sudden discontent, but I told her it was my fault, choosing to let the misunderstanding remain since it worked in my favor. Before explaining that she could tell because I said I was off the seraph line and she could smell I wasn't, which is why I told her before we reached town and she could reveal our lie.
Sinfree agreed and swore herself to Sil, asking who we truly were and I shook my head. I apologised for the secrecy but assured her I only wanted to spread peace. When she was satisfied, she asked Sil for her blood. Amused, I passed Sil a knife and gestured, stating that we could only accept her offer of magical binding or kill her now she knew about us. Apparently, in spite of the fact I no longer wanted her dead or suffering, I was perfectly capable of taking a modicum of joy in her discomfort. Watching Sil move the knife up and down her arm awkwardly until Sinfree told her what to do rendered me immobilised by laughter until the bonding was complete and Sinfree lunged at me for laughing at her mistress and I had to pull her off by a horn.
As we ate, Sinfree filled us in on the actions and motives of the demon invasion as she knew them, then her life story and finally I asked her why she was so willing to swear a servant oath.
"Your question, about whether they touched me, the sincerity in your response. Your punishment was brutal, but you see all as equal, and despite your lies, I can smell the guilt you feel, and I smelled none when you spoke of peace. In short I trust you like no other, and want to see your goal realised." A demon's nose was certainly nothing to scoff at, but that led me to wonder why she was happy to serve Sil of all people.
When I asked if she had broken any promises or oaths by joining us, she explained that a servant bond doesn't break oaths, it overrules them since they become property, doing so cannot be considered either desertion or betrayal.
Sil then told me to rest and asked Sinfree to teach her demon bladework and I was happy to accept the chance to sleep. Her sudden interest in practice was worrying, but in sleep I naturally set all my defenses to high alert and my mind performed self maintenance.
In a fraction of the time expected, given how long it took us to make it there originally, we arrived at the city limits. The fact we were moving quicker than average humans was one thing, but the fact that we were entirely distracted and deep in conversation as we did made me think. "We must have been taking a massive detour there, I had not looked at the mission contract myself but we made the return journey in less than two days."
Shaking the thought from my mind, I went ahead to warn the gate guards about our new addition, telling them to fetch Byurik, Halan and Leeson to meet us before we walk through town with a demon.
We had rehearsed that moment several times, they were well used to the unpredictability of my whims, but this was a different matter altogether and with the demoness' assistance I had successfully forced a pseudo-evolution into a member of the seraph line. Which I had practically admitted to being a lie, so if they sensed it, I didn't want a crowd when they inevitably reprimanded me. (Particularly Byurik, who I could see being understandably upset, due to his cultural perspective.)
When my three closest friends arrived they were disgruntled to put it mildly, I left a mess, then returned in a quarter of the time expected, with a demon in tow to make things even more infuriating. "Is it even safe to be close to you, has the falling driven you mad?" Those were the first words Halsan spoke, but I could sense a great deal of misdirection in them and without knowing his reasons I could only play along.
"I would say it was being mad that caused the falling, but I guess now is not the time for levity." They made some back handed comments about my smart-mouthed comments proving I was back to normal, then agreed to follow. Which was when I turned and held a finger to my lips before shaking my head to stop them speaking within earshot of Sil and Sinfree.
After returning to where Sil and Sinfree waited, we divulged the entire story of the trip, from their point of view at least. We embellished it a little, saying that Sinfree helped me control the falling, and by the end the only one still not convinced to allow it was Halan. Not out of prejudice, but simply because he had the weight of the entire town on his shoulders and lacked the strength needed to do what was right and keep everyone safe on his own.
"I trust you friends do not doubt me, but I cannot simply allow an enemy and member of an invading force to live among us."
"Cannot allow it?" His statement was predictable and the linchpin of my rehearsed monologue, which I was growing increasingly aware that he had already figured out and was actually helping it play out smoothly. "When we declare independence, you will have the power to do as you wish. Or is it simply that you actually wish to kill any non-humans, should Byurik and I offer our heads?" I was aware I went too far, but I was thrown off by the fact he not only foresaw it, but was helping things go to plan.
Leeson interjected and stated I overstepped, Halan asked only why I included myself since he thought of me more as a variant than separate. Putting the evolution to good use I charged the attribute cores I had formed in my body and four wings spread from my back, three covered in feathers of pale gold, whilst the fourth was withered and deformed to represent the falling I had supposedly undergone.
Byurik looked wounded by the sight of my transformation as expected and which wasn't entirely undeserved since the process of crafting this new form was far from painless and clean. The two things that the kind of being I was making a mockery of despised, unfortunately I had put a lot of work into this routine and was pleading with my eyes that they let it play out.
Reluctantly, they agreed to let me continue with subtle gestures, knowing I would sulk and insist on spending time with Fala instead of whatever they were obviously planning, if they didn't. "If you truly wish to be the kind of ruler who executes prisoners just to appease others, I would rather you never became one, that said I promised to fight for our independence and I would rather die than break a promise." I could feel the pain Leeson was hiding, born from the unimaginable exertion it was taking to not laugh hysterically.
I knelt before him, telling him to kill me and secure his human supremacist vision. To my surprise Byurik knelt next to me. Though as he put his hand on my shoulder 'in solidarity' his grip was conveying the depth of his own inner struggle at wanting to punch me for the offense I caused him so we could call it even and finding himself as tickled by my impassioned performance as Leeson.
"I don't agree with his phrasing, but there was a time when humans enslaved, tortured and massacred my kind, and vice versa. I see no reason not to skip the bloodshed with demons, he is right that when we motion for independence we will not technically be at war with them." I sensed more in his words than he was simply playing along. He was educating me, telling me in not so many words. "The one's you mock with that form, saved them from that and I remember it all. Do not disgrace them." When my muscles twitched with my new understanding he released my shoulder.
Leeson raised hands in defeat immediately, wanting to end the drama, before his inner struggle made him cough up blood. Halan only asked what would happen when the kingdom fell and the demons reached us, surprised when not I but Sinfree answered his rather valid question.
"Then I will protect the home of Mistress Sil, for what it is worth I am not holding all humans accountable for those that planned to violate me whilst I was captive."
Myself, Byurik, Leeson and Halan made silent eye contact between ourselves as we all silently realised that we had accidentally forced her to speak of something undoubtedly traumatic. Which led to a sudden curtain call as Halan finally threw his hands up. "You said in one month, I would have one timeless or two. Not one bloody timeless, a tad corrupted half-angel and a damned demon in quarter of that time." He said, forced to play the skeptical villain to a certain extent or admit our ignorant cruelty.
"Not to be an overachiever, but I also branded the bandits at the cave; who are still waiting to be given a length of punishment, and contracted the depth serpent that attacked the mine initially and I left behind to keep the prisoners in line and the mine clear of monsters." Byurik and Leeson sniggered to themselves behind forearm and hand, Halan sank to the ground, mumbling about not wanting to rule anymore, asking if we wanted the job as we shook our heads.
I did however seize the opportunity to tell them all about Askel (Or insist on it depending who tells the story), which left Leeson crying with laughter, Byurik dumbfounded and Halan concerned that the three of us buffoons were his most capable allies and with whom he was plotting high treason, revolution and grand reform.
Surprisingly as we walked through town people seemed less concerned about Sinfree herself, and more concerned the emotional and erratic Sil was her Mistress. A fact I took deep pleasure in, much to the confusion of the others, who wouldn't understand why until I was finally ready to tell them the whole truth. Sil was embarrassed, but it made her realise how transparent her ill-intent had actually been to the locals, which at the very least would force her to reconsider her approach and provide respite as she did so.
Whilst Sinfree took over Sil's combat and magic tuition the following day, I was tied up with training guardsmen alongside Leeson and helping to plan our next moves under orders from Halsan. Who had received an official and unignorable decree of conscription.
"Preposterous, they are demanding all able bodied citizens, not even men, but everyone." He ranted after summoning me to his office the morning after our return. Halan was pained, clearly the powers that be were even more far gone than he had suspected, but the new order shattered any hope he had left for peaceful reform.
Leeson and Byurik were enraged as well, leaving me the only one level headed which was a terrifying prospect in itself given the fact I was still at least partially suffering the long term effects of mental manipulation magic. So, after letting them air their wrathful thoughts for a while I intervened, playing the unwanted role of the reasonable one. "Now's the time to name our new nation, send letters to every kingdom on the frontlines, declaring our independence and offering safe haven for evacuees. Let's make friends to help deal with the enemies."
The others blinked.
"Such sense from the guy who named a Depth-Snake Askel because "He's just the cutest little rascal"." I tried to argue that that was just a prime example of common sense but Halsan interjected.
"I will meet your cute little rascal when I go to pass sentence and if I even almost soil myself, you are to rehome it immediately. If your plan is to make friends, we will also need to show value, so we must send more hands to gather the resources and I won't have them wondering if they'll awake in a serpent's stomach"
"I kind of feel like that says more about you than him. He wants to be a good boy and do his job but you want to run him out because of your comfort in a place you will hardly visit." There wasn't exactly time to waste on jokes, but they knew I was trying to temper them to think rationally and when no one could think of a plan better than mine, they decided to go with it. Halan said we should start brainstorming names, so like all good co-conspirators, we three excused ourselves wishing him luck and well.
Not that we didn't want to spend time making childish suggestions, we just knew we needed to start organising and actioning what plans we had already established.
Byurik returned to the guild and rang the crisis bells to gather all the adventurers and announce the news, whilst Leeson went to inform the Magus Librarium since I couldn't go there and I headed to the garrison in place of Leeson.
After summoning the entire militia into the courtyard, I stood on a pedestal as they chittered about how urgent it must be if I was looking for attention.
"Has he decided this is the easiest way to tell everyone about Askel?" some of the men who had attended my 'welcome home party' at the guildhall joked.
"No! He has decided this is the easiest way to tell you, you are hereby summoned to fight on the frontlines against the demons. Not just you, but every able bodied citizen. Men, women, children, everyone. If you feel honour bound to answer, feel free, but your lord, your commander, as well as Byurik and I refuse to follow the orders of tyrants and will be declaring this town's independence to the world. Anyone who would rather stay in a nameless land that they built with their own blood sweat and tears, find your resolve you will likely need to fight the nation you once served."
"Nice of you to offer us the chance to fight against you, Sil, Sinfree, Byurik and Leeson but I think it is safe to say we all pass, thank you very much."
"Gods dammit, shut up Carl, you'll give him ideas." one of the men jeered, though it was clear he was airing what everyone was thinking.
Since I didn't have time to waste getting the lot of them to the level where I wouldn't need to save them from an enemy squad, much less an army, I settled for simply saying "what if I promise to only use my right leg?" They all laughed, then I gave them the rundown of their new assignments and training programme, which Leeson had handed me and told me to adjust as I saw fit.
The next day we were summoned by Halsan again, as to review his letter draft before it was copied and dispatched.
"With the support of my military commander, Leeson, guild master, Byurik, and the timeless from across the farwater, Teacher. I Lord Halan, Hereby declare the independence of our territory, henceforth known as Newland.
Whilst we refuse to take part in senseless war, we will defend our lives and lands, we would also like to extend the following gesture of goodwill.
At the time of this letter we dedicate resources to expansion, not for any subversion, but to offer safe haven free of prejudice.
The world is better off without warmongers and tyrants, any who agree can find a home here."
The three of us sniggered to ourselves, the bulging vein in Halsan's forehead grew with every remark we made about the name of our nation.
When we had had our fun I tried to lobby for me to be stricken from record, but the others were adamant I had to be included since I was the only direct link between them and a demon.
With me defeated flawlessly and undeniably, we each took a turn, Halan, Byurik and I ganged up on Leeson to decide his new title.
Halan, Leeson and I dubbed Byurik "Most esteemed first guildmaster of the sole Newland branch of the adventures guild."
Then Halsan opposed all of us as he spitballed names for us as his chief council of advisors, until we made the vein in his forehead bulge once more by suggesting "Those who defend the people from Halsan's naming conventions."
When we were joined by Sil, Sinfree and the chief librarian however, the fun stopped as we were all chastised for acting like children by Sinfree and the chief librarian who were of a more serious persuasion.
Within days we started to receive replies from neighbouring territories, some nearby towns wished to join and some opposed our independence. Hectic scarcely does the experience justice, I had been in similar situations, but always playing the role of a grunt. Close enough that I could observe but without interfering directly and placing myself in a position to actually make decisions.
Our biggest saving grace of ours, many frontline territories were in favour of the development and eager to accept our offer of sanctuary. That was the plan of course, but it was also useful to me, prolonged war had a way of twisting people's morals and I wanted to see if those worst affected still had theirs straight.
On the other hand, that greatly angered the ruling king of the nation which once owned the land we had seized and the people we had "abducted".
In the end we suggested a parley with all nations that wished to attend, offering hospitality and all hope for peaceful resolutions.
The others were satisfied with that but I had reservations so I declared I would be leaving on a trip to ask the demon commander for a month long armistice so we could deal with internal strife.