The gate created by magic led me to a burnt village. In this place, the clouds of smoke and the smell of burning are less concentrated than in my previous place of stay. Consider that I got out into nature, leaving the industrial area of the city. Not a random comparison, since it is difficult to find so many wild animals in the city. I even managed to pet one cute puppy. Thus, a little delaying the moment of greeting a group of armed people. However, it is impolite to ignore those around you, goodwill is important.
"Damn, who are you…" the man with short blond hair chose a completely unfortunate tone to start the conversation.
- On your knees! - My companion, the Demiurge, angrily used the Mantra of Superiority, so that everyone present fell to the ground, as if the strings that held the puppets on their feet had been cut.
Now the attention of most of those present was focused on studying the soil. And I had a free minute to activate two scrolls: "obstruction of observation" and "false data". Anything can be said out loud, and transmitting information to an unknown enemy is very harmful to health and longevity.
"You, lower life forms, must bow before your Lord," the demon's amplified voice passed through all the people, causing their limbs to tremble more and more despair to appear on their faces. "He who does not show respect to his master must…"
- Take it easy, - a calming address helps to establish contact more quickly. Demiurge immediately bowed and slightly stepped aside, giving me the opportunity to sort out the situation. It's funny, he understands me almost without words, like my old comrade. - I completely forgot to introduce myself, - looking at the crowd, I took a step forward, becoming one step closer to the people. - I am Bondrewd. Lord of Dawn or Lord of the Dawn, whichever is more convenient for you, - having introduced myself in a friendly manner, it was time to get down to business. - During a walk through a wonderful town, rumors reached me - about the strongest warrior of the kingdom, as well as about evil saboteurs burning peaceful population under their own or other people's flags.
"I…" Overcoming the subjugation spell with willpower, the head of the knight in the finest armor rose, and his tense eyes fixed on the vertical slit of my helmet. "Gazef Stronoff, captain of his majesty's guard…" Gritting his teeth, he wanted to say something else, but in my opinion, it was an unnecessary action.
- I am glad to meet you in person, the rumor of your power has spread throughout the country. You have many admirers, you are an idol for most adventurers. Amazing, - making several restrained claps with my palms, I wanted to give a standing ovation to the knight who managed to snatch a significant piece of glory in his life. Most often, such personalities are able to inspire a hero to feats, so their existence is extremely undesirable.
"If you spare my life, I will give you everything," another man in a strange robe, somewhat reminiscent of a priest's robe, intervened in the conversation.
Funny, a righteous man decided to beg the devil for his life? He understands that his people were attacked by chimeras closely connected to me. Speaking of which, why did they decide to leave their post and attack strangers in the first place?
Let the Demiurge deal with this issue, investigate everything thoroughly, find out and resolve the misunderstanding. In the worst case, I will give the chimeras to the Hands of Umbra for re-education, and their place will be taken by other, more competent individuals.
- It seems we haven't met, I think you should introduce yourself, - as soon as I focused my gaze on the interesting person, a couple of angels dared to try their luck in the Olympic Games. Javelin throwing, that's what the competition is called. But instead of people, the participants are shining individuals with snow-white wings, and instead of normal spears - magical ones, with a mixture of gold and blue.
Fortunately, my companion had calculated the enemy's moves, like a grandmaster playing a chess game with a novice. Even before the copies were formed, all combat-ready units were illuminated by hellish flames, turning angels into grilled chickens. I wonder if the crumbling angel fragments can be eaten? Perhaps it will be possible to set up their production and open a fast food restaurant.
Amazing idea…
My eyes blinked for a few seconds, trying to get my mind in order. It was worth thinking for a moment, as I already wanted to repeat the feat of Colonel Sanders. And distorting this feat beyond recognition.
"Nigun Grid Luin… the captain of one of the six scriptures of our country… the Sunlight Scripture. The Slane Theocracy will reward you generously if you spare my life… and…" the prisoner glanced at the knight. His eyes were filled with hatred and contempt, how curious. "If you help me kill Captain Stronoff, then you will receive a lot of privileges, as well as any reward you want when you visit our country. I promise you this, I will personally help you!" Judging by how it became easier for him to lie, Demiurge slightly toned down his pressure.
To lie so confidently right to my face is amazing.
At that moment, an ally caught up with me and decided to warn me with a slight grin. So to speak, a friendly admonition to be careful with suspicious priests. In front of us could be one of the six main forces of an unknown country, such a tasty morsel of information, and useful data is not trusted to just anyone.
Exceptionally resourceful scoundrels.
"Master, he wants to betray you," like a parent who has seen through a lie from his child, the demon smugly told me about the trap he was preparing.
- How unexpected... - sighing theatrically, I slowly shook my head, and my legs took a few steps forward towards the desperate people. Apparently, they had previously hidden from the creatures under the barrier, but since all the mages were kneeling, maintaining the spell was impossible. - Do you really want to betray me? - the question sounded in slight disbelief, as if no one had ever betrayed me before, which made my naivety comparable to Everest.
"No, I would never..." Nigun Grid Luin shook his head, noticing the trembling breath, and also lost control of his eyes. You need to be able to lie, and do it confidently. Looking your interlocutor straight in the eyes, and not moving your pupils back and forth, like a mouse cursor on a monitor.
"He's a traitor!" the knight looked at his temporary ally with a predatory gaze. They were united by a common misfortune, but just one problem does not weave common bonds.
- Who would have thought, - we shake our heads jokingly, causing the failed liar to grimace in despair. - Nigun, are you really a sly one? - I asked in a serious tone, glancing once more at his priest's clothes. - Just a joke, - having cheerfully corrected myself, I even wanted to laugh, but it was difficult. - Of course, you want to betray me. What good does it do you to trust two heteromorphic creatures, whom your past enemies recognize as allies? You are a churchman, and for you, heresy at the stake is like Christmas cake for a child. A promise of some incomprehensible benefits on your territory. This is what they once beat my predecessors with; those who represent the not so bright side of the world.
"No, I wouldn't dare…" Denying everything, Nigun decided to crawl towards me, but he was pressed to the ground by an invisible force. Perhaps the demon used something like "gravity control."
"I have a proposal," turning to Demiurge, I began to slowly head towards him, preparing the teleportation scroll to Nazarick.
"Yes, sir," adjusting his glasses, the Demon resolutely began to await my orders.
— Interrogate every single one of them, verify the information, and then act at your own discretion. Remember the law of alchemy: everything that can be used should be used, not disposed of. In extreme cases... recycled into something else — during the gold rush, one black guy got richer than the president by washing the clothes of gold miners. So much gold dust accumulated on the dirty clothes that in a couple of months the worker saved up a couple of gold bars.
The situation with these prisoners is similar.
- You want... - satisfied with the fear of the people, the Demiurge put his hands behind his back and looked at the unfortunate people in anticipation, like a wolf at a flock of defenseless sheep. - Now I understand... - the demon said without finishing everything. - As expected from a higher being, your intellect is unmatched, - what did you understand, it's scary to even imagine.
Ideally, we need to deliver at least a couple of samples to the Umbra Hands. They were very tearful about asking for material for research, and if we restrict them for too long, they can do more harm. Next in line is the creation of chimeras, but there is an alternative. There is an option to thoroughly go through the brains of Nigun and Gazef, returning them to their previous places of work to collect new information. And, for example, become a pillar in the preparation for our invasion.
It seems like only a few days in this world, and already I have to think like the owner of the Legion of Terror. Hmm, maybe that's how it is. Perhaps all the Demon Kings in the universe are busy or retired, so the Evil Gods had to turn their attention to a seedy world with a seedy game. Convenient: there is a villain with an unusual set of abilities, the Citadel of Evil is present, a bunch of different subordinates posing a threat to the ordinary world are in abundance.
- How curious, will you share your findings? - It is better to clarify with your subordinates their plans so that they do not contradict your plan.
— Find out all the information about the new world from them, using your laboratory, with your permission. When the information is obtained, I think it would be best to create a human farm for the production of parchment for magic scrolls. Using restoration magic, the material will be practically endless — the trapped magicians and knights gulped in panic from the demon's insidious plans. They would have already run away, but everyone was chained to the ground, like sheep to a pasture. — I will use the two captains for other purposes, if their position in society is of great importance — with a predatory squint, looking at the two prisoners in the most exquisite clothes, Demiurge stopped his gaze on me, lowering his head. — What do you think, sir? If I have omitted something, please share a piece of your wisdom.
— Acceptable, — I wonder if the bar on the ninth floor of Nazarick is still operational? — Don't forget to hand over a couple of useless thin-skinned creatures to the Umbra Hands, they seemed to want to do something to the Sphinx.
"Certainly," the demon agreed contentedly, raising his head, causing the prisoners to start screaming in panic. But after the Demiurge increased the pressure, the blood vessels in front of the low-level people burst like a wave of inflated balloons from a rain of needles.
After this, the pleas for clemency ceased.
- In that case, try to manage as soon as possible. Tomorrow morning we have a strategic meeting of all intelligent guards in the throne room, - patting the demon on the shoulder in a friendly manner, I activated the scroll of safe teleportation.
Definitely need a drink, the only question is with whom.
The best choice is a moralist, but there are few of them in Nazarick, and not everyone will do.
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