17
POV Valeria (Valariel’s lesser daemon)
“Continue south. Through Drakwald then even further south until you reach the border princes beyond the mountain. Continue to hide and breed. I and Lak will alternate to use our magic to conceal ourselves. Rest at day and move at night. But we have to move fast. It won’t be long before the human notices that they need a mage to look for us properly.” I told the herd the command from mother through our shared connection
“Then what about mother?” Lak asked and mother already give me her answer
“She said she can take care of herself. We need to take care of ourselves now. Any more questions?”
“Um.. does anyone know where this Border Princes is?”
A silence fell on the herd
“Somewhere south.”
“And beyond some mountain”
The two answer from other beastmen does not offer much to dispel the uncertainty
“You want to go to the Border Princes Confederacy?” Robadel, our halfling cook asked. I translated his words as my beastmen kin still does not understand Riekspiel.
Many nodded in unison.
“But ain’t that quite far? It should be a month or two before we reach there.”
“You know the place?” I halted my translation but my beastmen kin perked their ears.
“Yes, it’s quite near from Moot wh-”
“He knows the way!” I interrupt his sentence and announce to the herd.
They erupt in cheer and start to pack and start moving.
—
Pov back to Valariel
Despite my reassurance to Valeria, I cannot handle this myself. My chains are further reinforced with magical locks. I can’t do anything other than shift to convey my discomfort. Teclis continues to ignore this and he doesn’t speak much. Besides, I am already in Ulthuan. Put inside a cage within a magic circle. Apparently they are in some sort of a ritual room. No doubt within the Tower of Hoeth which makes my escape practically impossible. We are already here because of Teclis' generous usage of teleportation magic. Three other high elf wizards are in this room. Two to make sure my seal is working properly and one for a scribe. After preparing for a while, Teclis finally released my gag. I guess this is where my interrogation starts.
“Which Chaos God do you align with?” Teclis started
“None.” this raised some eyebrows from the other three wizards
“What did you do that made Goddess Isha notice you? Which in turn made every elf in the world know you?” He continued without missing a beat. I don’t even know that every elf now knows me.
“Truthfully, I don’t know. But I know what might” for now I will try as cooperative as possible
“Elaborate”
“I gave birth to a high elf.” This time there is a pause as if he is waiting for more information.
“That is it?”
I contemplate whether or not I say that I turned the high elf into a lesser daemon. I don’t know what will happen if I reveal this.
But then someone barges into the ritual room. It is a female high elf. As I saw her, I immediately knew that this is the real Valariel’s mother as she also has golden blond hair and eyes. But what surprises me is that a brief expression of anger on Teclis’ face.
“What is the meaning of this intrusion? Leave this room at once!”
“I am Asahane of the Everqueen’s own handmaidens. I deserve to know the fate of my daughter.” The intruder announces herself.
Damn, I don’t remember making a clear backstory of Valariel’s noble background but this is a surprise. But then a notification appears.
As Valariel’s background is not described in detail or at all, System Administrator created one in the host’s stead. Current background have the highest chance of host survival Good luck ~ Administrator |
Then a surge of memories of Valariel’s complete background filled my mind. Everything is included, from her childhood, how she is conceived, my in-world involvement as an unaligned daemon, and more importantly, Valariel’s father identity. But damn the background is so spicy that I could not hold back a laugh. This attracts the attention of the whole room.
“Hi Asahane. Long time no see.” I said, announcing my familiarity. She noticeably flinched from my words.
“She is lost. Now leave the room before I need to expel you from the tower completely.” Teclis, sensing my familiarity with Asahane, tries to make a distance between us.
“Oh, her soul is still alive and well. I made sure of it. By the way, how’s your love life? Any progress?” This elicits quite a terrifying glare from Teclis but Asahane’s reactions are worth it.
“I will make sure if this is the case, now leave until I call you back.” Teclis said politely, but his tone made this his ultimatum to Asahane.
“Does she know who her father is? Or do y-” I am gagged again before I can finish my second sentence.
“You, escort lady Asahane to the guest quarter. Make sure she does not leave the tower.” he commanded one of the three wizards while whispering his second command.
The wizard nodded and Asahane was escorted out without much resistance. No doubt my words rattled her composure. Then I saw the scribe's lip tinged up a little bit as he did not stop and wrote everything that happened. I get the feeling that he enjoyed his scribing work just to listen to scandals like this. A handmaiden of the Everqueen has a history with a daemon? Scandalous, very scandalous.
“Now, back to the matter of interest. Anything else other than you gave birth to a high elf child?” Teclis resumed without missing a beat.
“Well, technically not me. But the norscan who I fucked.” Teclis' eyes twitched. While the other wizard leaned his head to check my loin.
“I can grow the part.” I added. The scribe’s eyebrows lifted as he continued to furiously write everything.
“Surely that wasn’t everything. What else are you hiding?” Teclis asked again. I bit my lip, thinking hard on what to say.
“Ask Asahane. She knows.” I tried to deflect the attention away. The sound of writing grows louder.
Teclis took a breath to pace himself. I am surprised he did not ask if what I said was the truth or not. Can he tell if I am lying or not? I doubt he has that kind of ability. Then he took his staff.
“You said Valariel’s soul is still present and you haven’t devoured a single part of her?”
“Yes, and why would I want to eat my creation?” Teclis starts to chant something.
“One way to find out.”
Then he cast a spell. Banishing me straight into my sanctuary within the warp. But Valariel’s soul is not present.
—
POV Teclis
The daemon is surprisingly cooperative. It did not use ambiguous words like every other daemon. While Lady Asahane’s reaction did confirm that both have made contact in the past, there is no knowing if everything she said is the truth. Asking if it is the truth is also a waste of time. Instead I need to confirm her words one by one.
I cast Arcane Banishment towards the daemon. If Valariel’s soul is unharmed then this is the fastest method to ascertain the truth. Arcane Banishment works for early possession but the victim’s soul is always damaged. But for fully mutated possession, it will kill the body and banish the daemon from this realm.
I saw the daemon recoil and pass out. Only to wake up the next second. I cast Arcane Banishment for a second time but there is no reaction.
“W-what? Where am I daemon?” I am extremely surprised that the daemon tells the truth. A soul returned after full possession? This might be the first in history. The real Valariel looked around before seeing me.
“Lord Teclis?” she said in disbelief. “Did I return?”
“Yes. Yes you did.” I tried to assure her the best I can.
But this does not bring me joy.
More dread crept up.
A constantly gripping idea.
That the daemon always tells the truth.
And I need to confirm the truth.