Chapter 37 - "It's better to be feared rather than loved, right?" (1)

When I introduced myself to Conlaed he just scoffed at me and shook my hand, after that, we separated and I went back to my quarters where I left Victor and Arwan. However, when I opened the door, I was greeted by a sight I never expected to see.

They are standing on opposite ends of the room, though I had honestly expected that, however, they had scratches and bruises on their face, clothes, and limbs. And when I saw that, I must admit that I stood there for a good minute or two stunned.

"Ahem!" I faked a cough when I finally snapped out of it, the two turned their heads towards me and I continued, though not before closing the door, "What on earth is wrong with both of you?!"

"My Liege/Lord!" they both said in unison, but then flinched when they noticed my mood.

"Um…is something wrong M'Lord?" Victor stuttered, showing caution in his voice.

"Gee, I sure do wonder what ever could possibly be wrong. Oh, wait, probably that there are signs of a fight here?!" I scoffed at the two, snapping my head toward a pile of books on the floor.

The room was practically in shambles, the books from the bookshelf were on the floor, other than the ones they were putting back on them. The maple wood floor was cracked and there were scratches on the couch showing the feathers in them. The walls had signs of being lit on fire, and ice sticking to them. 

The wall candles were still there, probably due to a preservation spell on them, however, only a few were still lit, giving the room an eery feel. 

I walked across the room to the window, which was fortunately still intact, and looking out I saw that no damage had been done to the outside, which i sighed with relief when i saw.

"I expect that you two put up a barrier or two?" I said, twisting my head over, just enough for them to see the side eye I was giving them.

"Yes! I put up both a soundproof barrier and a spacial restriction one so that no attacks would affect the space outside the two barriers!" Arwan responded nervously, his eyes switching between looking at me to looking at Victor.

"Arwan…What's with the darting eyes, huh?" I said, getting close to his face and giving him an expression filled with annoyance, "You should look at someone when speaking to them, yes?"

Arwan then looked me in the eyes, he gulped and a moment passed, then i got out of his face and walked over to Victor. He had his head down and was looking at the ground, I cleared my throat and he flinched. Then i did exactly what i did to Arwan, except I knelt down in front of him and stared at him for a good minute before continuing.

"Y'know Victor, i thought you knew better than this," I said before backing my face away from his, then i tilted my head before saying this, "Would you mind explaining to me the exact details of what happened, hmmm? My precious and oh, so, loyal butler!."

I finished that sentence with a smile, i didn't expect him to look me in the eyes like i had Arwan do, after all i'm sure hes had to deal with the other "Me's" bullshit. While not being mentioned much, or showing up in only like, three scenes, Victor and Lev Griffins were quite close. 

Before Lev's death, Victor served as a sort of "Gate Keeper" before the protagonist fought him. Perhaps that was the Authors effort of showing that the Demon Lord version Lev wasn't as lonely as he presumed to be, and did have at least one person he could really count on.

"My lord, I…" He paused and kept his head down, then in a small voice i hear this, "I'm sorry, but all i can tell you is that we fought over something we deemed very important, but i can not share what it was over…"

"..." I stood up and walked over to Arwan, who also looked down and just shook his head, "Fine, have it your way, but i'm going to get dinner, when i get back i expect this place to be spotless, and everything fixed to the point of where you can't even tell a fight broke out, do i make myself clear?"

They both sat there, unresponsive, and i noticed Victor curl his hands into fists and Arwan start to tremble, "...I said, do i make myself clear?" I yelled in a stern voice.

"Yes, Your Grace," they both said at the same time.

"Good, as per your punishment for not telling me the reason for your little brawl, you'll be missing dinner…" I finished before leaving the room and slamming the door behind me.

'I don't want to have to take food away, but if i want them to start to actually listen to me and treat me with respect i'm going to have to do things like this, after all, its better to be feared rather than loved…right?' i thought, trying to reassure myself that it was somewhat okay.

I then walked down the corridor to the direction of the dining hall, traditionally in this world, Lit. Colonels, like myself, wouldn't eat with the other knights/soldiers however, we are all here for the same cause, so it would be a display of what the resistance was for, and I myself didn't mind, after all, it reminded me of my early military days.

***

Two days later, it was finally the night before D-day. I went down to an empty conference room that Conlaed was waiting for me in so that we could talk strategy. I had Victor and Arwan walking right behind me on each side, i kept my guard up, as to make sure one or the other wouldn't try something. 

However, the two had only been ignoring each other and either glaring at the other, or ignoring the others existence entirely. And they were both, currently, glaring at each other and when i turned my head and tried to catch one in the act he always smiled at me as innocently as possible.

So i just continued the walk until we arrived at said destination, i then knocked and opened the door.

"Apologies for the lateness, i got caught up in something while gathering some things, i hope you didn't wait too long!" I said in a half-joking manner.

"Your fine, i only just got here myself, oh and i layed out the map of the battle field too," Conlaed commented, pointing to the table.

"Ho? Well done, i suppose your not one of the commanders for nothing, huh?" I said walking over and tilting my head in the direction of the table where he laid out the map.

Arwan and Victor stood by the door guarding it, Conaed and i took our seats and i took out a paper from my breast pocket. I had taken notes of the kingdoms troops and other forces, as well as a few other things like their leaders and what kind of weapons they had the soldiers carry.

"Hm, whats that?" Conlaed had asked when i placed the paper on the table.

"Ah, curious?" He nodded and i continued, "I sent a little spy of mine to go and gather info on their army and what weapons they had on their disposal, as well as to which ones the might use, and since the both of us will be on the front lines i paid special attention to that and what we could use to counter it."

"I'll presume that those are notes then, am i right?" I smiled and nodded, "Good, because i also took notes on who we'll be facing, from previous fights of course, i don't have as much skill and good alleys as you do to go spy," He said pulling a paper from his pocket with a smug smile on his face.

"My, that is quite smart of you, i can see that great minds think alike, now don't they?" I teased, and we both laughed at that comment, "Haaaa, well then shall we get to strategizing?"

"Hmph, yeah, and lets see who comes up with the best!"

"You're on Ginger!"

"..." Conlaed sat there trembling for a bit with his head down, that is until be burst out laughing, "HAHAHA y'know man, your way more different than what i expected you to be! I'll think we'll work together just fine, right? Co-Commander!"

"Of course, co-commander!...But I think we should get started now, we're running out of time," I reminded him.

"Yes, your right…Alright, The general sent everyone the time that we'll start the attack, and she wants us to arrive after Captain Frederick and her, so i thought that we could go after the first volley of arrows, how does that sound?"

"I would say yes…however, from my spy, i found out that they have quite the number of mages, so i think we should in form Lieutenant Greer first and have them prepare some mana piercing arrows if they can, then once they break down that i suspect they'll put up, then we go in," I pointed out.

Using the information i got from one of the skeleton geckos i sent out earlier to spy, i helped formulate a plan using not only the battlefield we planned for it to take place on, but also the weapons and techniques the enemy planned on using.

"Hm, i never would've anticipated that…you see, the kingdoms battle techniques aren't as advanced compared to the other kingdoms' and Empires'. And considering that they are surrounded by the hotlands, eruption mountain, and other deadly environments, i had assumed that they had no contact with other kingdoms other than their old allies," Conlaed admitted.

"I can see how you would think that, however, humanity have always had a way to persevere and come up with solutions to problems they predict may happen, and in these times, sending a volley of arrows as one of the first attacks is quite a popular method, no there is no doubt they would think of using magic to put up a barrier…" I paused, not sure of whether or not i should say the last bit.

"Is something the matter, Lit. Colonel?" Conlaed asked, noticing my hesitation.

"Ahem, my apologies, i was just pondering something for a second," I took a deep breath before continuing, "I've actually been pondering this for awhile, as you and the General mentioned before, the kingdom has a significantly low number of mages, is that correct?"

"...Yes…is there perhaps a theory you have, if so, would you mind sharing it with me?" He asked, Conlaed was very aware of how secretive i was, especially after the last few days of working together.

"Heh, no worries, i am more than willing to share this. I have a bit of an idea on how they've been able to hold you all back, other than them borrowing an ancient artifact from the Alkmene Kingdom," I paused again and he nodded for me to continue, "I think they may be working with demons."

"Excuse me? Are you being serious right now?" Conlaed shot me a glare as he asked me that.

"Just hear me out, as you've said, and as i've known, they have a significantly low amount of mages not only in the kingdom but also in the army, so where did their sudden strength come from? I think the demon kings army has been providing them with information on the other side, as well as magic stones to help them pull of more advanced spells and to help make them stronger," I explained, deciding to tell them about the whole demon thing, other than the reason they helped them out.

Conlaed didn't respond for a good while, perhaps he was processing the information i had just given him, but one thing is for certain, he definitely believes it. 

I saw so many emotions on his face in just one moment, Bewilderment, excitement, irritation, and anger. I was worried for a second, seeing him grit his teeth, but that only lasted for a brief second, before i saw a smile appear on his emotion filled face.

"Alright, then with that being said, what's the plan you have in mind? I mean you can't just think that and not have a plan, right?" He jested, clearly wanting me to get on with it.

"Well aren't you excited? Okay then, it goes a little something like this…"

The plan was as such; as soon as the archers break through the barrier the enemy puts up, Conlaed, Arwan, Victor, and i go charging in using our respected abilities to create a sort of "combo attack" that stuns the enemy. If it goes as planned then the rest of the troops will continue the attack, and then the four of us will have to flee to the back, as instructed by the general, which when we do we'll be transported to the capital in front of the palace, along with Captain Frederick's unit who will start a battle there.

After that, the General intends to get the King and make him confess for all of his wrong doings, during which i'll sneak away with Victor and go look for a certain little demon who i know is going to be there, thanks to the good-for-nothing novel, and then take my revenge for what he did to me and made me go through.

***

The next day, it was finally time to roll out, everyone was lined up for a speech from Vendetta, myself and the two little shits included.