Chapter 37 - A Friend of the Demons

After five grueling days on the water, the ship finally docked at the port on the demon continent. Ryan walked off the ship and stopped. He looked around, expecting the scene he had grown accustomed to in Isvake and Elyndor.

This was the exact opposite. Buildings were run down. Demons walked around with their heads low, their skin tight against their bodies, bones visibly protruding beneath it. A few vendors lined the street. One vendor's sign hung by a single piece of rope, forcing Ryan to tilt his head to read it. Another vendor was passed out with his head on his table, drool running from his mouth.

Ryan looked at Thirty-Seven. "Toto, I've a feeling we aren't in Kansas anymore."

Thirty-Seven stared at Ryan with a confused look.

"Ugh, never mind. You people are so uncultured."

From a distance, Ryan could hear someone shouting his name. Ryan lifted his hand over his eyes to block the sun.

"Mr. Kade! So glad you could make it! Looks like you didn't need my token after all."

"Oh, Prince Zareth. You came to greet us yourself."

"But of course. How else would you find your way to the capital?" Zareth gestured to the demons walking around the port. "Surely you didn't think they would be of help. Or that you'd find your way on your own."

"I hadn't thought that far ahead."

"No worries. How was your trip?"

Ryan looked back at the ship. "Ummm, it was something, that's for sure."

Zareth positioned himself between Ryan and Thirty-Seven and put an arm around each of them. "Wonderful. So, let's head to the capital. Our carriage is waiting just beyond the port."

Ryan sat quietly in the carriage as they moved north on a road toward the capital. The roads were empty, with no small villages between the port and the capital.

"Where are the other cities or villages?" Ryan looked at Zareth.

Zareth hung his head. "Most citizens live in one of three cities. The port you just came from, the capital of Dharvek, or the city of Thurx, which lies on the border of Narethis. Since the time after the Great War, our kingdom has been restricted. We haven't the money or means to cultivate land. Our citizens would simply die quicker than they do already if they tried to live in a village on their own. At least in these three cities, we can ration what food and supplies we have to everyone. It is why we are excited to meet with the guild. Also, why I was so adamant about lifting restrictions and allowing us to openly trade again. As you already saw, a lot of citizens are just walking corpses. If this were to keep up, there wouldn't be a demon left walking this world."

"Holy shit, I am sorry. I wasn't aware of how bad it was for you and your people."

"Ha, no need to apologize. You didn't place the restrictions, but you did help get them removed."

"I was just looking out for a friend. I had no intentions of getting involved in politics or helping you one way or another."

"Well, regardless of your motives, it allowed this to happen. So I am thankful, and you will always be a friend of the demons."

"If you say so."

The carriage ride was quiet all the way to the capital after that. Finally, they reached Dharvek. As the carriage rode through the city, the demons looked the same. Despondent, weak, starving. Then the carriage rolled up to a black gate. Two guards stood on either side of it. Ryan scrunched his face while he stared at them.

"Seems like only some demons are starving."

"Ahh, yes. It may seem that way to outsiders."

"It seems that way no matter where you're from."

"Well, our army is small. Those who choose to join the demonic army do so at a young age. After they train, they are sent out to clear dungeons in our land. They feast on the meat from their kills, so they are well fed. We take what's left, process it, and give it to our civilians. Every demon chooses whether to become a soldier and fight, work for the crown, or stay a normal demon and work for what they have. It seems like a crude system, but we are doing the best we can with what we have, while also making sure we have a standing army should the world decide they are tired of our existence."

"So basically, if you want to be healthy, you have to hope you receive a good talent for fighting. If you don't, you're doomed to live a shitty life."

Zareth laughed.

"What's so fucking funny about that?"

"Your misconception. We do not receive talents like you do. We gain talents as we train and fight. Usually, those talents pertain to what we are good at. Sometimes it's purely based on grit and dedication. Train with the sword every day for a year and you'll gain a talent for it. Our god is fickle and, well, a battle maniac. He only provides talents for those willing to fight."

Ryan pinched the bridge of his nose. "The more I hear about gods, the more I want to punch them in the fucking face."

Zareth shrugged his shoulders. "It is better than receiving something you didn't work for or don't want. Here, if you want a talent, you must work for it. It is why demons are considerably stronger than other species."

The carriage rolled up to the palace as Zareth finished talking. The palace looked bleak. The walls were made of black stone, it had few windows in tact. Vines grew up the exterior walls. The walls themselves still carried the scars of battle. The atmosphere however, was what you would expect from a royal palace. The door opened, and a tall, slender demon dressed in a black tuxedo stood on a red carpet. Lining both sides of the carpet were demon women wearing maid outfits.

Ryan peeked his head around the door and took in the sight. This is the sight I've been waiting for, he thought as he stepped out of the carriage behind Zareth.

The maids and head butler bowed and, in unison, spoke. "Welcome back, Prince Zareth."

The butler gestured toward the palace as Zareth started walking along the red carpet toward the front door. The butler and maids filed in behind Ryan and Thirty-Seven. Zareth led Ryan to the dining hall and took a seat. Ryan and Thirty-Seven sat across from him.

"I don't know about you, but I am famished." Zareth looked at his head butler and nodded. "So, after we eat, you are free to do as you like. My father will be back in a few weeks. We can discuss the terms of the guild then."

"That's perfect, actually. I want to go on a few raids with your army. I'd also like to walk around the capital and get the opinions of the townsfolk. See what they think of an adventurers guild being here, and see what kind of businesses they could start if there were adventurers ready to spend coin."

"Seems you've given this some thought."

"A little. Honestly, though, I just want to help. To see your people suffer, and the hatred thrown your way at the summit... I have to do something. And a guild will only work if your citizens see the value in it. It's easy to see the benefits as the king and royalty. But the common folk are the ones who will be crossing paths with adventurers every day. So it makes sense to get their opinions and takes on how it could make their lives better."

As Ryan finished talking, a demon walked into the room. He wore black armor from head to toe. In his hand was a long spear made from black iron. He walked to the table and brought his right arm across his chest.

"Glory to the Demons!"

"Stop, Harken! My father isn't around. Drop the honorifics." Zareth looked at Ryan. "This is Harken, my oldest friend and the general of our army, and the best spearman on this continent, if I say so myself."

Ryan looked at Harken as he sat and removed his helmet. His pupils were bright red, his horns curling twice toward the sky. His face was covered in scars from what Ryan could only imagine were dungeon raids.

"Ryan here is from the adventurers guild. He's here to discuss opening a guild here in Dharvek. To that point, he wishes to accompany you on a few dungeon raids. The rest of the time, I want you to escort him around the city. Treat him as you'd treat me."

Harken looked at Ryan and then back to Zareth. "You wish this puny man to accompany us on dungeon raids?"

Ryan snapped his fingers.

Bubba, Meatloaf, Veyra, Thimble, and Fido appeared behind Ryan.

Ryan looked at Harken. "How about a little bet, then?"

Harken's eyes went wide as Thirty-Seven covered her face with her hand and shook her head.

"You have piqued my interest summoner. What are your terms?"

"You clear a dungeon with your team, I clear one with mine. Whoever clears it fastest wins."

"What will I receive if I win?" Harken asked as he leaned forward on the table.

"I will introduce you to the greatest blacksmith there is and have him make you a spear."

"And if you win?"

"You have to call me big brother."

Harken looked at Zareth. "You started this. I warned you beforehand and you didn't listen."

Harken stood and slammed the table. "Fine, I agree to your terms. My spear is quite worn out as it is. I've been needing a new one."

Harken put his helmet on and bowed to Zareth. "I suddenly am not hungry, Your Highness. I will take my leave."

He walked over to Ryan and placed a hand on his shoulder. "If you don't hold up your end of the bet, I will rip your good arm off."

Bubba grabbed Harken's arm. "Remove your hand from my master."

Harken stared at Bubba. Bubba stepped closer until his nose was touching Harken's helm.

"I said... let go."

"Tch." Harken released Ryan's shoulder and walked out.

"Well, that went better than I thought it would." Zareth laughed.

"I would agree! By the way, what do you mean you warned him?"

"I simply told him you aren't one to be messed with, and it would behoove him not to provoke you, as I did not see you as someone who would back down. And yet, he did exactly that."

Ryan turned and looked at the door. "Ohhh, so that was on purpose, huh? Seems I'll have to teach him a lesson he won't soon forget."

"You offered him a spear and only required him to call you big brother. Seems like an unfair exchange."

"Not to me. Your general should have the best equipment. But for me, the easiest way to humble someone and break their pride is by forcing them to face it daily. When I win, I'll make sure I go see him every time he's training with the army, or when he's comfortable." Ryan turned to Zareth. "You know, when he's eating with friends, or out in public, and he'll have to confront the fact that he lost every time by calling me big brother. And I've always wanted a little brother anyway."

"And they say demons are cruel."

Just then, the maids walked in with a large roasted boar and side dishes and placed them on the table. Zareth clapped his hands once.

"Now that the theatrics are over, let's eat, shall we?"