Following the days between the formation of the pact between Imuru and the Lizardmen, King Murk repaid him a visit—with a proper proposal regarding trading of resources.
During this time Imuru informed his people of his decisions (through his trusted second in command Roll) in taking in the 200 Orcs, and their new found alliance between them and the Lizardmen.
Over the past days that stretched into 2 weeks, the operations of Cherishnot's development increased significantly. From the extra hands from the Shadow of the Moon, Orcs, and the Lizardmen joining the mining process… Imuru was right back to where he wanted to be, smooth sailing… but not quite.
There was still one last thing left to make it whole again, Linira. She'd been gone for a while now, and despite the fact he hated to admit it Imuru was getting worried for her safety.
"What if they killed her when she returned?"
"Is she secretly planning another attack?"
"Was she captured?"
Were all some of his thoughts, that made his days usually calm, uneasy. He didn't want to make any other (Big) moves, not until she returned. Though, of course he was prepared to send out a convoy to gather information… until then he simply decided to wait, giving her a few more days.
Today with all of this on his head, Imuru had an important guess he'll be speaking with, Lizard King Murk… again… as per the last few weeks. At this point Imuru was becoming rather casual, every day he spoke with the Lizard King, keeping up the mask gradually became harder.
A voice came from behind the door, Yosho's, requesting to enter as the Lizard King Murk had arrived. Imuru inhaled deeply, releasing a deep breath, stretching he allowed her entrance, placing a casual smile on his face.
"Ah. Imuru. Thank you for having me again," King Murk said gleefully. Murk flashed his son beside him a glance.
Kigaru stepped forward, bowing.
"It's a pleasure to be in your presence again, Great Demon Lord Sir."
He said it, like a heavily revised speech.
Imuru raised his eyebrows at this strange professional behaviour from Kigaru. But he could already make an educated guess of who probably beat it into him. Aside from this, Imuru invited them to sit, and they carried on with the meeting.
The conversation started out directed by the Lizard King in a specific direction of Cherisnot's abundance of resources. Imuru even didn't flinch, at this point in their relationship he would've found it weird if this wasn't the first topic they spoke on.
Later on following the usual topic, the conversation drifted onto the economic state of the Sacred Forest.
King Murk took out a coin, flipping in his hand. "This is the Sacredan, the official currency…" He flipped it over to Imuru.
The gold coin was twiddled in Imuru's hand, giving off a green shimmer. Engraved on the coin was a tree, and some featureless creature, Imuru had no problem deducing that the creature likely represented the guardian that once protected the forest.
Two more were dropped on the desk, silver and bronze. "Collon's town was the one responsible for maintaining the currency value and distribution. I'm sure as you know it's been difficult."
Imuru lightly rested the coin on his desk, ready to steer the conversation in his direction. "Currency valuation?... I'd like to speak to Collon before I speak my mind on this topic. Besides, having the other Forest Forces with us would cut down the complication of retelling and prevent any trust issues from clouding anyone's mind."
"What am I even supposed to do with that information? Currency valuation… exchange. Nah… but, I'm definitely sure I can throw this on Collon without him even noticing," Imuru thought in frantic dismissal. Every single meeting, he has been forced to defend himself from Murk showing him gates to new responsibilities, he just got one more of the forces and he'd already had enough.
"Hmph."
King Murk flicked his wrist, begrudgingly. Leaning back in his seat, he was ready to change the subject to Imuru's.
"Finn then. About this TP. Tell me about it."
Imuru's blank deadpan expression melted off, replaced with an eager smile.
"I'm glad you asked. TP; or Transportation Platform is a specially built device meant for instantaneous travel between locations—guided that there is also a TP in said location," Imuru excitedly informed.
King Murk gently scratched the side of his face, and Imuru could see his interest gears turning.
"Fascinating. You were able to make such advancements in so little time? Would it be able to work underground?"
"Of course!" Imuru chirped.
"I have no idea!" He thought along.
"That's indeed of great value," Murk rubbed his hands together, his eyes glimmering with unknown intent.
"We have a deal at our hands. I'll provide the logistics to the underground. So when can we get this done."
"Ooh… that's the tricky part."
Imuru's eyes darted off, his mouth tugging into a smirk.
"I had Roll keep an eye on them creating the platform, but I didn't think he was able to grasp it enough so we could steal it—"
Imuru catches himself before he says anything further, though he might as well have continued since he already incriminated himself.
And to his horror, King Murk caught onto it. "Steal?"
The Lizard King narrowed his eyes, that one word forming distrust within his thoughts.
Backpedalling, Imuru frantically tried to explain himself. "What?! No no no no no. I didn't mean 'steal' in that way. Why would you jump to such conclusions?… it's like a spatial skill, opening portals…" Imuru performed with his hands. "to—objects, you have in your… possession—" He thought carefully for a moment, "that, doesn't belong to you?"
A profound silence found its place within the small office space, the unblinking Murk remained impassive proving challenging to discern, and his son… was still as motionless as a statue.
King Murk's shoulder became laxed after thinking it over—the name was unconventional but nothing out of the ordinary.
"Forget it. My mistake."
"No. No problem."
Imuru forced a smile, crossing his arms across his chest.
"You're the oldest here, like come on, why would you drop to such conclusions?" He said in a calm teasing voice to play off the situation.
"Ugh~... Keeping this leader act up is finally getting to me. I need to keep reminding myself, I can't just say whatever's on my mind, even as a joke…" He sighed internally. "Let's get this over with."
"So, the Dark Deviders aren't the ones that will be creating this Transportation device?" King Murk inquired, still wanting to receive an answer to his question.
"Ow, well…" Imuru flashed his hands. "I have some friends that will be providing the service. I might owe them a favor in return, but that's what allies are for, is it not?"
"You don't have any issues with elves do you?"
"?..."
"Elves…"
King Murk looked at Imuru intently, he tilted his head for an explanation.
"Elves from the kingdom of Fernum… I helped them resolved a—"
Imuru readied to give him some information, only to be startled by Murk's furious call of his name.
"Imuru!" King Murk narrowed his eyes, shooting up from his chair, leaning right into Imuru's face over his desk.
"Explain yourself! Helped resolve what?" He demanded ominously.
"Eh!..."
"Alright, yeah, I deserve this," Imuru thought in deep disappointment of himself. Shrugging his shoulders, Imuru gestured Murk down to his seat.
"It's gonna get a bit complicated, but sure I'll fill you in on 'everything'. Sure you must be lost after spending all your time underneath the earth. Just take what I'm about to say as is." Imuru glanced at Yosho beside him.
"The Fernum incident… I haven't thought much about it… I'm avoiding it…"
Imuru cleared his throat, and at King Murk's firm insistence, he carefully began to retell the sequence of events that had led to his intervention in Fernum—each detail confined in context, each motive laid bare under the watchful eyes of the Lizard father and son.
"...Right after my punch, Calnary was swiftly arrested. That's about, cover it."
"Any questions you have feel free to let me know."
"Is that true? The Celestial Lake, the High Council, the Royal of Fernum…"
King Murk was left completely baffled by this information, and a little fearful as this story made Imuru out as a force to be wreckened with.
"Also, an important note," Imuru forgot to add, "Ern S' Ri wanted to reform the Sacred Forest Council. You were once a part of it before it fell apart. Why not join once again? If it makes you feel better I'm a part of it."
"I want to address something first. You have a perso—No that wouldn't be the word," Murk stopped himself, looking away as if thinking of something else, while he flashed dubious glances at Imuru.
Imuru's eyes darted left to right.
"Um… I think—the princess, her grandfather and I are friends," Imuru said, a stammer of hesitation in his voice.
"You and the princess. Did you pursue the relationship?" King Murk pushed himself forward in his chair.
"What did you ask for in return? I had a personal relationship with the King and Queen also… they supplied me with some special materials and their craftsmanship," He pointed to his trident. "They built this, and with my Perivállon infused, I managed to make it a Mystical Weapon: S Grade."
"N-N—No…" Imuru said timidly, simply gesturing apologetically with his hands. "I just asked for the Transportation Platform."
"WHAT!?" This answer made King Murk grin the armrest of his seat, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.
"Ughhh." He leaned back in his seat aggressively, much the same as a frustrated father.
"Don't worry, there's still hope. If your retelling is similar to the events that happened, then I bet they're still very grateful. With that in mind, I've finally grasped the extent of your powers and intentions. If you insist on the reformation of the Sacred Forest Council, I will join, but only if you're seated as the head."
"Wait, wait, wait. Isn't it a better idea to be seen as equals?" Imuru raised a point, trying to dismiss the idea.
King Murk raised his hand.
"Settle. You'll be equals in a sense, but there must be a figure. Listen, you're young Imuru, from experience I can tell you a figurehead would go a long way and it would be better if it was not one of us."
Folding right into his chair Imuru gave in to Murk's reasoning, or for the lack of a better word, to just continue on with the conversation.
"Since we're letting each other in on secrets," King Murk's voice lowered to a calm and careful whisper. "I have something important to say. I once made a deal with the Demon King known as Lucktan."
Those final words struck everyone like a lightning strike, sounding off mental alarms across the table. Imuru's expression hardened into grim focus, his jaw tightening as the weight of Murk's confession settled into place. Beside him, Yosho gasped softly, her composure cracking just at the revelation—a Gate to the Demon Realm, buried beneath the very land they now called home.
"Father?" Kigaru finally broke from his stiffened form and demeanor, left shell-shocked to hear such words from his own dad.
"Let's keep this between us," Murk's voice lowered, weighted with secrecy, "and listen closely. We made a deal during his time in the Sacred Forest. I was pivotal in searching for what was buried underneath this exact land you built your town on."
"A Gate to the Demon Realm."
He paused to allow what he said to settle in.
"That said... This was as far as our dealings went. After I informed him of the location... Uin battled Lucktan. And the rest... Is history."
Before anyone else in the room could have the chance to speak, Kigaru flew up from his chair, clenching his fist.
"You Worked With Evil Forces?!"
Kigaru shouted at him in disgust at his father's actions. His eyes darted to Imuru, who stood up from his chair in an attempt to beg Kigaru to calm down.
King Murk didn't bother to look his way, holding his head firmly straightened, focusing solely on Imuru. Kigaru took the chance as a clear opening, grabbing onto his father's Trident, to yank it from his grasp.
BOOMMM!!!
With a simple, dismissive tap of his trident on the wooden floor, a concentrated shockwave erupted from the point of impact. It hit Kigaru like an invisible wall, sending him crashing backward into the office wall with a thud.
The energy output; casual and limited, shook the whole foundation of Imuru's home, nearly having him think; it was about to collapse on him, prominent fractures clearly visible through the wooden structure of his office.
"My apologies…"
Murk composing, apologized to Imuru for his outburst.
Kigaru grumbled, clawing at the wall, he used it to stabilize himself as he climbed to his feet. Kigaru tried to make a move, only for Imuru to get in his way, stopping Kigaru dead in his tracks.
"Wow, wow, wow… Kigaru, calm down," Imuru said, trying to halt any other irrational behaviour from the young Lizardmen that would get him in trouble.
"You mentioned a gate…" Imuru's eyes briefly met Yosho's. "I think we might have an idea where it is, but that path is blocked by a barrier."
"I know,"
Murk was swift with a reply. Yosho and Imuru's expressions shifted with suspicion.
"Even the earth around the area has been reinforced; likely by some form of skill."
Yosho glanced toward Imuru with a displeasured look, softly signalling for Imuru to press the issue.
"Meaning you went behind my back to snoop around. Listen, I'm not gonna be upset with you if you'll simply be honest. That area is a prohibited area for anyone to approach for their safety, as we were unsure of what might be down there. Now that we know—and I thank you for sharing, I'll have to up the security."
"If you're scared of something, don't be. I am the Great Demon Lord after all, I assure you there's nothing I can't handle. But what's most important is that we have trust here."
"Young and bold," King Murk rumbled, his voice carrying neither praise nor scorn, just an observation. He took a long, slow look at his son, stirring with stubborn defiance. A heavy sigh escaped the Lizard King's nostrils. He gestured with a weathered claw for Imuru to please sit.
Imuru casted one last pleading concerned look at Kigaru behind him— 'stay down' before returning to his seat.
Kigaru crossed his arms across his chest, intending to hold off his burning sense of justice for the time being, until he heard what else his father had to say.