Chapter 3: A Demon Lord

Clover stood waiting impatiently in the hallway. They held their throbbing head in one hand. Ace stumbled down the hallway lumbering an assortment of rucksacks and receptacles. Clover eyed him with a groan.

"I didn't know what to bring," Ace hesitated. He dropped the pile to the floor.

"So, you brought everything?"

"I'm your student, not your servant. Next time pack yourself,"

"Student. Servant. What's the difference?"

Clover rummaged through the various items Ace had managed to convey into the hall.

"Take this," Clover pushed a sword into Ace's hand.

"Master, I don't know how to use a sword," Ace stared down at the blade in hand.

"What do you even have all those muscles for?" Clover poked Ace's arm, "You better start practising now. You can't very well appear in front of the Sword Saint without having held a sword before,"

"The SWord SAint?!" Ace's mouth dropped, "Is that who we're going to visit?"

Clover ignored this question and pulled out a few more things from the pile. Having gathered all the essentials, Clover turned back to face Ace with a placid smile.

"Shall we?"

Clover held out their arm, with a sweeping gesture, an ominous black portal appeared. Ace's eyes widened. He had never seen magic like this before. He hesitated and began to step backwards. However, Clover was too quick, with a kick from behind, Ace was propelled headfirst into the portal.

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Ace stumbled forward, tripping over on a log, he rolled forward onto the grass. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the clear blue sky above. He remained lying there for a moment staring at it.

"Is this your first time in the human world?" Clover's voice followed.

Ace quickly sat up and turned his face away, "No,"

"Right," Clover scoffed.

Ace looked around and marvelled at the serene spot with childlike wonder. They were in the middle of a shaded grove. Unlike the demonic world, the trees were lush and full of new spring leaves. Little bluebells tinkled at their feet. Ace took a moment to breathe in the fresh scent of the woods. It was so full of life and colour. Clover watched on with a smile.

"Where are we?" Ace asked at last.

"Right now, we are in the Empire of Rotan to the West of the human world. Our little sword saint, however, is to the east. My magic can only bring us this far, we'll have to go the rest of the way ourselves,"

Ace stared up at Clover in amazement, "How did you become so powerful, master? You can even cross between worlds without a demonic door. I've only heard of the Demon King being able to do such a thing,"

"And who do you think showed the Demon King?" Clover returned proudly. They decided not to mention what they had stolen from the Demon King in order to achieve this.

"And you know someone like the Sword Saint!" Ace added excitedly, "You really are different than the other Demon Lords,"

Clover nodded in agreement, they gestured with their hand for Ace to go on, "Keep giving me praise. I'll be more motivated to help you,"

Ace's expression became flat, "On second thought, I think that's enough,"

"Suit yourself," Clover sulked, "Let's go,"

Clover pulled a cloak over their head and set off into the distance. Ace paused to look around the woods once more then ran after Clover. The pair walked to the nearest town. Clover became much more subdued once they entered. As Lord Clover pulled their cloak down lower, Ace observed with surprise.

"Are you hiding from someone, master?" he asked innocently.

"Not a someone, but a few someones," Clover smirked, "Just some annoying royal knights, but you don't need to worry about it,"

"But I thought you were a hero in the human world," Ace scratched his head.

"Who told you that?" Clover scoffed.

They spent a few hours picking up supplies in the town. Ace was like a child in a toy store, running around and inspecting each stall with boundless enthusiasm. Clover picked Ace out some clothes and armour.

Ace examined Clover's purchases excitedly, "Are you sure I can have this?" he beamed.

Clover gave their usual smile without answering. Ace raced off eagerly to try the armour on. When he returned, he showed it off to Clover proudly. Clover was surprised how well it suited him. It was a fitted and sleek black armour, accentuating his athletic frame.

"How do I look?" Ace grinned.

"What does it matter how you look, as long as it gets the job done?" Clover sniffed.

Ace puffed out his cheeks sulkily. Clover cast a wary glance back feeling guilty.

"You look...fine. Just fine," Clover averted their eyes. Ace smiled satisfied.

Clover glanced over once more. The sun was catching something on Ace's neck and glinting slightly. Clover stood up curiously and was about to reach for it. However, Ace quickly stepped back tucking something back into the collar. Clover decided to leave it. Clearly, it wasn't something Ace didn't want to share.

Having purchased the remainder of their supplies, they were set to leave the town. However as they turned the corner out of the market, a Merchant stopped at one of the stalls beside them. In a loud voice, he addressed the men behind the stall.

"Be sure to bag it up carefully," he commanded with a smug smile, "I'll be delivering these goods straight to the royal palace, you know," He turned to his thin-looking apprentice and added:

"Look carefully, boy. Soon we'll be on the up and out. Once word spreads we've personally served the Emperor, our sales will go through the roof,"

The apprentice gave a weary nod. Clover stopped dead in their tracks and looked back. Ace nearly crashed straight into them. He looked up abruptly at his master. For the first time, he observed a strange look on his master's face. The usual aloof gaze was interred by a stiff expression. Clover strode over to the stall.

"The Emperor is back in the capital?" Clover interrogated.

The merchant turned with a snobbish grimace, he stroked his tawdry beard, "What's it to you?"

"Just answer," Clover snapped. Their tone was unusually fierce. Ace was shocked at the sudden change in his Master's mood. Clover's usual manner was a state of perpetual indifference. For the first time, they had become quite animated.

The merchant turned in disbelief and indignation, "Do you know who I am?" His eyes narrowed as they fell on Clover's face and stretched into a toothless grin.

"What's this?" The merchant smirked. "Such rough words from this pretty little face. Are you lost?"He leaned in close.

Clover rolled their eyes. With one finger, they gave the merchant a flick. The merchant stared down arrogantly and unrepentant. However, to everyone's one surprise, the light tap sent the merchant toppling to the ground. He let out a wail nursing his stomach.

"Help!" He cried, "I've been attacked. Someone call the royal guard!"

"Oh!" Clover exhaled in irritation, "I barely touched you,"

"Master?!" Ace grabbed Clover's arm, "The guards are coming!"

Clover stared down reluctant to leave with eyes still on the merchant as if there was more to ask. Ace was forced to pull his master away as the guards enroached. They ran out of the town. Ace let out a sigh of relief once they emerged in the open plain. He took a moment to catch his breath. Eventually, his eyes settled on his master incredulously.

"What was that all about?" Ace demanded.

"Nothing," Clover sniffed, "I just didn't like his attitude,"

"But.."

"I said it was nothing," came a brisk reply.

Clover marched forward leaving Ace staring on in disbelief. They continued walking until they arrived at the foot of an opening between two hills. The gap had a high wall rock face on both sides. It was a narrow valley pass. Clover stopped abruptly.

"Master?" Ace wondered why they had stopped.

"Are you ready for your first lesson as a Demon Lord?" Clover gave a mischievous smile.

Ace's brow furrowed, "Of course..."

They stepped into the valley. Ace's lips parted to speak, however, Clover's hand came down over them. Ace found his chest pressed against Clover's as their skin touched. His cheeks pinkened as he tried to break free but Clover's grip was unassailable. Clover looked over to their shoulder. Ace's eyes darted over to the opening beside them. There was a low rumble from above. A few pebbles ricocheted down from above.

As soon as it had passed, Clover dropped their hand and Ace let out a breath. His face was hot and flustered. Clover veered off to the side. They pressed their hand against the rock face, then pulled away. Clover's eyes remained firmly planted on the skyline. Ace looked up but saw nothing.

"If anything happens to me, I'll open a portal. Go through. Don't look back, "Clover instructed in a low voice.

"I don't understand?" Ace exclaimed, "What's going on?"

"Shhh. Don't worry, this shouldn't take long. The portal is just a precaution. My magic can bring us back to any place that I've been before. I'll be able to catch up with you," Clover explained.

"Wait?! Tell me what's happening!" Ace exclaimed.

Clover pivoted on their heels, then without answering, stepped forward.

With a circular motion of their hand, the whole valley began to shake. Clover used both hands with some force. As Lord Clover threw their hands down, the tops of the rock pass began to crumble. The whole passage was inundated with falling rocks and rubble. In amongst the wreckage, there was a person, face down. Ace's eyes widened in surprise.

Clover surveyed them apathetically. Then, four more men jumped down from both sides of the valley. They were clad in armour and dark cloaks with swords jutting out from underneath.

"Master!" Ace whispered, "Who are they?" he frowned.

Clover tilted their head to one side and smiled malevolently, "The royal guard?"

One of the knights stepped out from the rest. He pointed his sword at Clover.

"By order of the Emperor, Demon Lord Clover, you are to surrender at once!" he demanded.

Clover turned to Ace with a playful grin, "Here's your first lesson: A Demon Lord bows down to no one,"