The Grand Duke’s voice was rigid and uncompromising. To put it simply, what Damon was doing was too dangerous. Even if it was strategically important, it was simply too dangerous.
"Calm down, Grand Duke, and think about this logically. The whole mission, and so much more, are resting on this," the Emperor’s voice ca through the communicator, asured and distant.
"Easy for you to say. Your grandson isn’t the one there," the Grand Duke replied, jaw tightening as his fingers dug into the edge of the table, decorum forgotten.
"For now, why don’t we hear from Seras instead," another voice spoke. This one belonged to Xander’s grandfather, calm but firm.
"Think about it. We have soone in Trace. We have never succeeded in entering that city. What happens in Trace has never been verified by us. That whole city is a mystery. The only thing we know for sure is that we cannot enter it, and any spies we send are easily caught."
A brief silence followed. Several gazes shifted toward Seras.
"Hmm. Feasible." Seras tapped a finger lightly against the communicator as she thought. "Damon should not have been able to enter as a human, yet sohow he did. Perhaps there is a flaw in their magic barrier..."
"Or they allowed him to enter," the Grand Duke cut in sharply, lifting his head.
"Perhaps it was the devil’s luck your grandson has. He does have a tendency to do things thought impossible. Perhaps this is yet another of his miracles," the Emperor said, his voice echoing calmly from the communicator.
"Be that as it may, there are Ashcroft Fragnts there, and part of your mission is to find, retrieve, or destroy those fragnts. This is rely part of the mission."
The Grand Duke’s expression darkened further as he listened to their insistence, his eyes lowering as shadows gathered beneath his brow.
"Surely you understand the significance of this. We must find and capture the Ouroboros Coil. You of all people know how much we have sacrificed over the years just knowing about it. Millions of lives lost for this ambitious plan," Kadelas, the Elf King, spoke.
They must have thought this would be enough to convince him.
Then the Grand Duke spoke again, slower this ti.
"Even if they were billions of lives, they would not compare to the singular life of my grandson. I do not care. My stance remains the sa."
Seras exhaled quietly through her nose. She understood where he was coming from. She already knew how difficult it had been to even convince him to allow Damon to co to the demon continent. There truly was no one better suited for the expedition than Damon. Part of their argunt when proposing Damon’s involvent was that he was difficult to capture and far more street-smart than the other candidates.
There was also the fact that the Temple had insisted on Damon Grey’s involvent. They needed soone bearing the title of Hero for the expedition.
"I agree with you. In that case, why not contact Damon and hear from him instead," Seras suggested, already reaching toward the communication array. From his earlier tone of voice, she could already tell he was comfortable inside the demon city of Trace.
She then added Damon to the communication line with High Command.
"Seras, Seras, you must really have on your mind, considering how often you keep calling ..."
"Damon. Damon. You are speaking to High Command," she cut him off quickly, straightening in her seat before he said anything more awkward.
There was a brief pause from Damon’s side, followed by the faint, unmistakable sound of splashing water.
"Ooooh. I see."
That was all he said. Then a slow, relaxed sound left him, like soone sinking deeper into warm water.
"So what’s up?"
Seras closed her eyes briefly.
That was not how one spoke to High Command.
These were rulers of the world. Masters of war and politics. Each of them stood at the Seventh Class of advancent. A normal person would have died a thousand deaths from a greeting that casual.
"I see you remain the sa as ever," Kadelas Moonveil’s cold voice echoed through the communicator.
"Of course, father-in-law. I feel safe when I know you’re with ," Damon replied lightly.
A sharp cracking sound rang out from Kadelas’ side, as though a stone wall had just been punched.
"Damon Grey, we have received news that you have entered the demon city of Trace," the Emperor’s voice echoed out, steady and watchful.
Damon’s expression did not change.
’They’re suspicious.’
Of course they were. All of them except his grandfather. That old man loved him enough to deny reality itself if Damon ever beca a demon. He would call it an illusion.
The others were different.
Fortunately, Damon already had a lie prepared. Seras had unknowingly helped him earlier when she spoke about how impossible it was for humans and the goddess races to enter Trace.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I did so accompanied by balrogs, a strange set of war trolls, and redcap goblins. They claim to be from a unique region of the demon continent. After exposure to Ashcroft Fragnts, they appeared to have mutated," he said slowly, carefully.
"How so?" the Emperor asked.
"I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure that out. What I do know is that the Snake Temple might be involved. They seem to have gathered Ashcroft Fragnts and are attempting to recreate it. It appears to be a secret project. If they succeed, the demon races will be far more powerful."
He made the entire thing up.
What were they going to do? Confirm it with the Snake Temple?
Impossible.
And by offering this information, by putting himself in apparent danger, he made himself look even more loyal.
The line went quiet as they began speaking among themselves.
"A new evolutionary system... This will be a disaster similar to when Ashcroft brought forth the Lesser Demons."
"Is this why they declared war on us?"
"Paimon must be planning this. It could be a trap."
"Ashcroft Fragnts do have a corrupting effect."
Damon listened idly.
He was inside a massive bath in his tower, warm water up to his chest. Steam drifted lazily around him.
"That still does not explain how you entered the city," Kadelas said, suspicion heavy in his voice.
"Are you colluding with demons?"
Damon went quiet.
When he spoke again, his voice was cold.
"Your Majesty, King of Elves, I understand you find distasteful. However, if you ever point such a finger at again and speak with such a dirty tongue, I will cut them both off. Or have you forgotten that my parents were killed by demons? I loathe them far more than you loathe ."
"Kadelas, you dare insult my household?" the Grand Duke said, his voice dropping into sothing dangerous.
A pause.
Kadelas exhaled.
"Apologies. It was a reasonable suspicion. One does not simply walk into Trace."
"Yes, he is right. How did you do it? Perhaps we can recreate it and send you reinforcents if necessary," said the Headmaster of the Magic Academy.
Damon sighed softly, letting the water ripple around him.
"I fear recreating my thod would be difficult. I used the divine energy I gained from my bath in the Holy Pool to protect myself and my allies. Even that took too much from . The other factor would be the balrogs following at the ti. They may have masked . At least, that is my theory. Other factors could be in play. I believe it was simply dumb luck."
He had already secured his alibi.
"Hmm. Divine energy is difficult to co by. Even the Temple cannot harness it easily. Perhaps if that person were awake... No. It is not worth the risk."
"In that case, we can only rely on you."
"We are giving you an option. You may continue this dangerous mission or return to Seras’ blade."
Damon went quiet. He took a slow breath.
"You all know my personality."
In other words:
’What’s the reward?’
"We will grant you tax cuts for your guild operations, free mining rights, and high autonomy for your business across all regions ruled by the goddess races."
Damon listened carefully.
’Tax cuts?’
One of the things he hated most since founding L.A.Z.A.R.A.K was the amount of money the state took from his profits.
"Deal. I an, as a mber of the goddess races, I must do the needful. If I don’t go to hell, who would?" he answered with a faint smile.
Of course, this gave his organization enormous power.
But it was a military industrial complex that served them as well.
A perfect win-win.
"Your mission for now is to maintain your current identity and rise as high as you can within demon society. Gain the trust of the demon lords."
"And the Ouroboros Coil?" Damon asked.
"That is your primary objective. We are prepared to wait decades for a chance to steal it."
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