"They might snap and destroy reality as we know it."
"Hah, you aren't very good at making jokes, Pope," Lord Two said, laughing to himself.
"He's not joking," Dalgan immediately realized that Sylvester didn't laugh or smile. "If what the Pope says is real, then Empress Mother's actions are understandable. The true enemy would then be the Grand Prince."
The Demon father and son silently followed Sylvester after that, talking among themselves, at times wondering what this enemy might be aiming for. The fact that all of reality could be destroyed in the blink of an eye didn't leave much room for confidence.
But in any case, they knew they couldn't live in the human world, nor would the Pope allow them to live.
"We're arriving at Wailing City very soon. You two will live there for a day, and then we'll depart for the Central Continent." Sylvester ordered the two without elaborating any further and entered the city through a questionable secret pathway. Away from the eyes of any Clergyman or worshippers.
Keeping themselves fully covered and hidden, Sylvester headed straight to the Royal estate, Ebony Castle. There were guards everywhere, but through his Solarium Web, Sylvester had contacted Lord Einarr and called him to the gates.
'Don't kneel, don't act like I'm the Pope,' Sylvester warned Lord Einarr.
"Welcome back to Ebony Castle, Sire. We were waiting for your arrival," Lord Einarr spoke as if he was a long-lost friend. The old man still had his black hair that was on the verge of going white. His tall stature seemed as formidable as ever, combined with his unique Time Magic.
"Likewise, my friend." Sylvester joined his side and walked into the estate with him. The guards simply stepped aside and allowed them to enter without question, albeit staring at the two demons with a suspicious gaze as they were too tall for usual human standards.
After entering the gates, where no one else could hear them, Einarr saluted officially. "Welcome back, Your Holiness. Who are these two guests?"
"Demons."
"..."
Einarr found himself at a loss of words. 'Demons? Weren't they the bad guys? The enemies of mankind and the Holy Land?'
"Ah… Disguised as demons?"
"No, they are demons I caught in the Central Continent. Unlike the possessed humans, these are actual demons with their real, original bodies. The one on the right is General Dalgan and the one on the left is his son, Lord Two." Sylvester introduced them as if they were kids. "You two, this is the Prima of Queen Xylena, a very powerful Grand Wizard. So don't mess around near him."
'Near him? We don't even want to be in the same world as you,' Lord Two thought in his head.
"Where is Xylena?" Sylvester asked.
"She's at the terrace, painting the scenery of the city. With the monarchy abolished, she's been having the time of her life. She eats, trains, and travels as she desires. I'm looking for a suitable groom for her now… But it's utterly difficult to find one," Einarr revealed, his shoulders plummeting like a weary father. In a way, he was a father figure for her.
Sylvester patted his back. "Don't worry, she'll live a long life. There will be enough time to prolong the family line. For now, I need you to show Dalgan and his son to a room. I'll go and meet with Xylena."
"Understood, Your Holiness." Einarr stopped and allowed Sylvester to leave alone before gesturing for the two demons to follow him. "So, why did you come to this world?"
"To take over it and make it our new home," Dalgan answered.
Einarr almost choked on his saliva. "The usual things. Let me guess, the Pope easily stopped you? Ruining years of your plans?"
"And killing my fellow generals."
"Necessary sacrifices," Einarr muttered and finally showed them the room. "Well, I hope you show me your best behavior. Or else, I will tell His Holiness. The food will be brought to you very soon, so don't go out, please."
With that, Einarr shut the door and locked it.
…
Sylvester reached the top of the castle and found Xylena standing under the shade of a pavilion and painting on a canvas. Wearing a normal loose gown, tightened around her with a corset, she looked absolutely beautiful. That made Sylvester realize that many men must be hoping to win the favor of this Queen.
'They will have to pass the test of my sword first.' Sylvester made a mental note and stepped closer to her without making a noise to see what she was even making. 'Hmm… a painting of the city? She has a long way to go, I must say.'
"Booo!"
"Aaaa!" Xylena jumped and picked up her sword resting beside the canvas frame. "Who dar—Father?"
"Sylvester, that's what you should call me."
"Got it, Father." Xylena was still Xylena, and perhaps more chaotic now. "What do you think? Isn't this a masterpiece worth a fortune?"
Sylvester, like a typical father, couldn't bring himself to call her art bad. "Certainly beautiful, Xye. I like the vivid colors. Give me the brush, and I'll add a few things and teach you how to add more details. The city's details are beautiful, but the plain blue sky lacks flavor."
So, he spent a few minutes teaching her how to make clouds with the brush and make it seem realistic. The canvas was a meter wide and tall, so there was a lot of space to add a few more things.
"Now it's a priceless artifact," Xylena commented and asked him to sign at the corner. "I'll put it in the treasury as a family heirloom."
'Did I just get scammed to give an autograph?' Sylvester wondered but didn't bother with it.
"How are you these days? Is the construction of new cities and infrastructure going well?" He asked after creating chairs for themselves out of nothing. "I didn't see a report from you in the Holy Land for the past month."
"I'm waiting for the artificial river network to be completed. The rest is going well, too, since the Administration Services Exam was something you started here many years ago. Einarr did well too, and almost all of the ex-nobles were already powerless before you announced the end of nobility and monarchy powers," she explained and looked left and right. "Where is the fluffball?"
"Hiding on my shoulder."
"Come to Xye, Chonky. I'll give you ten bananas."
Bam!
The bribe worked, and Miraj slammed himself into Xylena's chest. She loved it and hugged him tightly despite the cat's dismay. "So, what brought you here?"
"I'm going to enter the Demon World today, Xye," Sylvester revealed the news. "But to this day, I don't know what Solis meant by calling you the key to my destiny. However, I won't be taking you along since the Demon World's atmosphere is inverse of here. You won't survive a single moment there."
"Then you?!" She stood up in a fight and dragged the seat closer to him.
Sylvester smiled and created a dagger in his hand before using it to slice a noticeable wide wound on his palm. No blood dropped from it. "I've elevated myself from the constraints of a human body, Xye. I'll be fine, trust me. But I may need your help at some point, so for the coming days until I return, I want you to live in the Central Continent, in the Royal Castle of the Northern Kingdom."
Worried for him, she caught Sylvester's hand. "Why must you go now?"
"There isn't enough time left, Xye. We don't know when those 'Gods' will act. We don't know what their plan is or why they're after us. Recently, I found out that the Demon side faces the same challenge from the 'Gods'. I must go and meet with the leader of that world," Sylvester clarified and got up. "Get serious with your training. There are rough days ahead, Xye."
Somewhat dejected but understanding, Xylena sighed and agreed. "I'll wait for you at the Central Continent then. But what am I even supposed to do?"
"Focus on elevating the understanding of Elder Magic that I taught you in the Divine Desert. It's akin to the language of gods and will open many pathways for you." He patted her ashen-black hair, reminding her of their harsh days in the Divine Desert. "You're a strong girl, Xye. I don't know how the so-called 'fate' connects us. But whatever it is, I know you can overcome all challenges."
"When do you leave?"
"Right away," Sylvester said, walked with her to the lower floors, and eventually arriving at the demons' room. "You can gather your luggage and travel to the Central Continent later."
"These are demons?!" she exclaimed, seeing the two tall creatures. "Ugh… four eyes."
"I'm considered handsome in my world," Lord Two scoffed and replied.
Sylvester glared at him for a split second and shut the overambitious Demon up. The man reminded him of a somewhat spoiled son of a humble King—Dalgan being the King in this case.
"We shall head to the Central Continent's Soul Tree through the air now," Sylvester announced, leading everyone to a secluded training field. "Einarr, take care of Xylena. Don't you dare choose someone for her without my permission."
"..."
"I understand, Your Holiness."
"We don't know how to fly," Dalgan informed Sylvester before they got ready to leave.
Sylvester scoffed and spread his arms while standing between the two. Chains made of solid light came out of his palm and created a metal harness around the two's chest and waist. Following that, Sylvester slightly bent his knees, smirking the whole time.
"Hah, then prepare yourself for the once-in-a-lifetime experience."
BOOM!
Everything happened so fast, but Dalgan and Lord Two saw Sylvester jump into the sky. The chain that captured them clanked and extended rapidly, prompting the two to look at each other's faces right before the sudden pull came.
"Save us, o' eternal Void!"
"Aaaaaa… Father!"
And that's how two demons learned how to fly—or fall with style.
Thank you for reading. Gifts and GT votes are highly appreciated.
