Prologue

AN: This is a double upload, so don't miss the vol 1 epilogue.

A man stood by a large window, looking outside. Dressed in a light three-layered tuxedo with a wine glass in his hand, his whole appearance was that of a noble. The pointed ears and face with sharp features accented his looks even more. He casually took a sip, observing the dark sky and the equally dark forest below.

A few meters behind him stood a shorter figure, dressed in simpler clothing, with a plague doctor's mask hiding his face. He nervously shifted around, waiting for his master to speak.

Demon Lord Clayman took another sip of wine and spoke, his voice calm. "The situation in Jura has grown too uncertain for the plan to proceed."

"You can't just cancel everything. I worked for years. Naming those pathetic, weak monsters, setting everything up. All that remains is to name an orc."

Clayman turned around and asked with a light smile. "Could you please repeat? I may have misheard, but did you just tell me what I can or cannot do?"

Gelmud took a step back looking down and stuttered. "N-no, of course not. I'm sorry Lord Clayman."

"Good. I would hate to make a decision spurred on by a misunderstanding. As I said, the plan is canceled."

Gelmud shuffled around, trying to not anger his master.

'How could he!? I worked so hard! Everything was ready. I just needed to do one small step and the damn orc lord would be born and under my control. That bastard just crushed all my plans!'

"What should I do now, Lord Clayman?"

"Nothing. You are dismissed."

"What, but… But I did everything as you commanded."

Clayman raised his eyebrow and put the glass down on the table.

Gelmud gulped, took another step back, and bowed. "With your permission, I will take my leave."

"You may leave. And good luck in your next line of work." Clayman said with a smirk.

The moment Gelmud left his office, Clayman waved over a crystal orb, canceling its record function.

With a casual motion, he picked up the wine glass, leaned against the heavy, intricately carved office table, and took a sip. Not even a minute passed when a clown appeared with a puff of smoke and casually sat down on the sofa, crossing his legs with his ankle on his knee.

He was dressed in a striped costume, with an asymmetrical mask on his face that seemingly mocked everyone who gazed upon it.

"Any news?" Clayman asked the clown.

"Which one yer want to hear first?"

"There is more than one topic to discuss?" Clayman asked.

"President's having a body now."

"How wonderful! Is his full strength back as well?"

"Nah. She can control only a fraction of her power."

"She?"

"Client put her in the body of a lovely elven lady. Looks the same as she originally looked."

Clayman put the glass down back on the table putting his right index finger to his lips. "That's an interesting development. What about Jura?"

"Surveillance doesn't work around the dragon's cave. The territory is patrolled by strange shadow creatures. They almost noticed me. Yer have to find another way to poke around."

"A disturbing development for sure. Could you capture one?"

"Yer crazy? What if that dragon is out of his prison?" Laplace asked.

"We would have felt if the Storm Dragon was out of his imprisonment. Something else is going on there. If you or Tear don't want to investigate, we will have to rely on Gelmud's stupidity."

"That fool can be traced back to you!" Laplace said.

For a demon lord who worked from shadows, sometimes Clayman was too daring for his own good, and this might have been one of those cases again.

"I already made sure to dismiss him. If he starts anything, I will inform other demon lords it is not my doing."

"Ye be careful. President is not ready to return just yet."

Clayman glared at him for a moment and then said "I know what I'm doing."

"I'll see if I can find a weak spot to poke around." Laplace said and disappeared with a puff of smoke.

Clayman sat down, picked up a reconnaissance orb, and tried to look at the lands around the Storm Dragon's cave. The dark zone has grown once again.

'What is that dragon doing? Has he gained some resemblance of intelligence? That's a disturbing thought for sure. Maybe I can provoke Frey, Carrion, or Millim to investigate.' Clayman put his index finger to his lips again. 'That idiot Gelmud surely will continue with the plan and provoke the new forces inside that zone. That might be enough to plan for some follow-up action.'

Edited by Edgy.