Chapter 30: Winds of War

"GREEN HARBOR'S PRIEST, GUNTHER!?!?"

Jorael screamed internally in rage, realizing who the ferocious monster was that had killed the woman and kidnapped her son.

"What the fucking hell is going on!?

He gave the boy to whom?!?!" He thought, waiting impatiently for an answer.

The group of monsters went on with their conversation:

"Ahahahah!

Some snacks for my mates ... noted.

Now seriously, when she's done eating, I have to tell her about the same fucker I met in Green Harbor, you know, the one the Inquisition is monitoring. "

"Am I being monitored?!" Jorael wondered in surprise as the three men continued to talk:

"Him!? Have you met him again?"

"Yes, this asshole and his Elven whore, they always spoil my meals...

But that's not the important part!

He is only a human and he could use White Magic and Holy Magic!

Also... it looked like he had instantly cast the spells!

You know what that means, right!? "

"H-how is that possible?!"

"I don't know... I need to talk to Priestess Angela in her room when she's done with the boy."

As soon as the priestess's name was said, it was as if Jorael had been struck by lightning. A sudden realization that dates back to months ago, when he first arrived in the Human Empire, when he first saw the slave auction.

"That garbage of a false priestess, who buys innocent slave children to feast on them, while people think of her as a saint.

WHERE THE FUCK IS HER ROOM?!" Jorael thought furiously as he immediately started looking for her, not giving a damn anymore about the rest of the priests' conversation.

The High Temple was built in the shape of a horseshoe, where the ends that stretched towards the surveilled entrance served as a portico, covered by the first roof. A little further on, the structure rose from the first level of the roof with the rooms of the priests and priestesses.

Jorael ran frantically on the roof, checking room after room, peeking through the windows stealthily, until finally, he found her by recognizing her distinctive blonde hair.

"Here she is." he thought, finding her looking through the window.

She was standing there in the middle of the room, dressed in her priestess robe and she looked like she was talking to someone:

"Come on boy, you can trust me...

You can tell me anything you want..."

"Where's mum?!

That ugly monster fought with mom.

Will she be okay?!" Rob asked as he cried.

"Sure! I'll send that monster away and I'll protect you.

Would you like to play a game with me?" asked Angela.

Suddenly, the window crashed, frightening both the child and the priestess, and a male voice was heard:

"You'll play with me, you fake bitch!"

"Who is speaking ?!" she asked, as she couldn't see anyone.

"Oh shit, I forgot to turn off the spell...

HERE I AM, YOU FAKE BITCH! "shouted Jorael, becoming visible again.

"W-what do you want?!

How did you get into the Kalipso temple!? "she asked.

"Don't fuck with me. Where's the Satyr boy you bought at auction months ago?!

ANSWER ME!" Jorael asked angrily.

"What are you talking about?!

You're scaring this poor child!

I'm calling the guards…" she replied.

"Fake bitch... I know you're a VAMPIRE!" Jorael exclaimed full of anger, suddenly making Angela fall silent.

"So, you know...

But WhO TolD yOU thAT WORD!" she screamed, changing her voice from normal to creepy as she morphed into a hideous monster tearing at her robe.

Suddenly she grew taller, and she stood naked, exposing her entire large deformed body. Her smooth skin withered, her alluring breasts shriveled and fell to her abdomen, her blonde hair turned ash grey. Thin sparse fur appeared on her ugly body as her eyes turned red. Her monstrous hands grew sharp nails and her teeth became deadly fangs. Finally, she grew a pair of grotesque semi-pierced wings, and just looking at her, the child screamed in fear, collapsing to the ground.

"So, what did you do to the Satyr..." Jorael asked again, with all hope lost.

She gnashed her fangs and answered in a monstrous, disturbing voice:

"I ATE HIM! AHAHAHAH!

NOW YOU WILL DIE AND THE BOY WILL BE MY MEAL!

BLOOD WE DRUNK, FLESH WE ATE, L..."

"Too slow. FIREWALL!" Jorael immediately interrupted her casting with an intermediate spell of Arcane Magic.

As the purple heptagram glowed in the room, a pillar of fire rose and engulfed Angela, burning her like firewood.

"ARGHHH!" she was in great pain as her skin burned, spreading an unbearable smell into the room.

As the fire continued to burn her, Jorael quickly grabbed the baby lying on the ground and walked over to the window to escape.

"ARGGGHHH! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!

KALIPSO WILL PREVAIL!" Angela screamed in pain as her rotten flesh began to melt.

"Fuck you and fuck your fallen goddess." Jorael said as he climbed up the window.

Suddenly the door swung open and the priest Gunther entered saying:

"What's all this noise?!

OH! Priestess!

What is happening?! "

"ARRGGGHHH! YOU BROUGHT HIM HERE!

THE HIGH PRIEST WILL BE INFORMED!" Angela replied painfully.

"Huff ... High Priest?!

I'm dizzy again...

Better to go away." Jorael thought as he went out the window.

What Gunther saw was only an indistinct figure leaving the room, and when he tried to go and look out the window, he found nothing as the Traveler was running away as fast as he could into the square.

The spell ended and Angela collapsed barely conscious, burned almost to her death.

"Quick! Bring her some meat so she can regenerate!" Gunther cried, panicked at what would happen to him as he unwittingly revealed the true nature of Kalipso's faith.

Meanwhile, just off Piazza Rivella.

"Huff... huff...

Damn, I'm losing consciousness...

I can't… lose… huff…" Jorael said as he fell to the ground with the little boy in his arms still unconscious.

"Ugh... come on..." he whispered before passing out.

...

The next day.

"Ugh... where am I..." Jorael whispered waking up.

"This is my room?!" he yelled as he opened his eyes, realizing he was at the Mad Filly Inn.

He sat on his bed and noticed that there was Cyn'Thia asleep with her torso stretched out on his bed, while her legs were dangling off his bed.

"Thia! What happened!?

Where is the kid?!" he screamed, shaking the Elf's arms abruptly waking her up.

"W-whaa! Mashtah!? ..." she murmured in alarm.

"The child!" Jorael cried again in concern.

"Oh… he's fine. He's with Daisy.

And you, Master?" She asked after reassuring Jorael.

"Fiuh... I'm fine but...

What happened?!

I remember that I passed out from exhaustion..." he said remembering the events of the last night.

"Promise you won't be mad at me?" Cyn'Thia asked.

"So, you didn't listen to me..." Jorael whispered.

"Master, how could I?!

You left to hunt down a kidnapping monster in the middle of the night, do you think I would have been on the sidelines worrying for the rest of the night doing nothing?! "she screamed furiously.

"Sigh... so I'm the one not listening...

Thanks, you saved us after all.

What happened after I passed out?" he asked.

"I found you both lying on the deserted night road, and both of you were unconscious.

I managed to get you both here, but it was so hard...

I can hardly feel my fatigued arms, but it doesn't matter.

Most importantly, both of you are safe now!" Cyn'Thia exclaimed smiling.

"Thanks again, Thia.

Sometimes I wonder if I deserve such a loyal companion…" Jorael said, showing his gratitude.

"C-companion!?" she asked embarrassed.

"Of adventures..." he pointed out.

"Oh..." she whispered.

"I have to ask Daisy if she knows anything about the current situation..." Jorael said.

"Master... the monster of tonight...

What was that!?" Cyn'Thia asked, moved by curiosity and fear.

"A creature who preys on the living to drink their blood...

Or that's what I think they are... " he explained.

"They!?" cried the frightened Elf.

"I want to explain it to everyone.

Let's go meet Daisy and Azumath…" Jorael said standing up.

After a few minutes, the adventurers joined the innkeeper and the Werewolf to discuss. It was still early in the morning and the others were almost all still asleep.

"Candy boy... how are you!?" Daisy asked worriedly.

"Fine, thanks.

More importantly, the boy? "Jorael asked.

"He is still asleep. I promise that I will take care of him with affection.

He… will not be the same anymore.

But now... tell us what you did this time." She asked.

"What I am about to tell you all must be kept secret, as their farce has been exposed by myself and I am sure I will be targeted. Understood?" Jorael asked and everyone nodded. Then, he continued:

"Good. Where to start now...

These creatures like the one Thia and I fought are called Vampires. It's not a known term, because... it comes from another world.

They possess superhuman strength and speed and appear to be capable of using Black Magic. This I thought was not possible, as Black Magic spells were used only by Sages, but I have heard these creatures loud and clear enchant using a revolting Magic formula.

They live by drinking and eating Human or Demon blood and flesh, but it wouldn't surprise me if they also preyed on Elves and Dwarves."

As Jorael finished explaining in detail the monsters he met, everyone's faces turned pale in horror.

"Who are they and where are they hiding?" Azumath asked.

"They are the faith... I believe all priests and priestesses are involved." Jorael revealed.

"WHAT?!" Daisy cried out in shock.

"I know it might be a hard truth to swallow, but... I guarantee it's real.

Also, the vampire who killed Rob's mother is...

Green Harbor Priest Gunther." He revealed again.

"That bastard who killed Jorna and kidnapped Camilla?!" Cyn'Thia shouted in fury.

"And countless people we don't know.

They were talking in the temple about hunting and killing people, considering them as mere food.

Even children... to offer as a meal to a high-ranking priestess..." Jorael explained in disgust.

"Who is that priestess?!" Daisy asked still shocked.

"Angela Bertulli."

"What?! She was always helping... the children..." she whispered in a faint voice.

"Now you know why." he replied brutally.

"Master, did you kill any of them?" Cyn'Thia asked.

"I don't think so. I held my offensive spell as long as possible while I was running away with the boy until I collapsed." Jorael finished explaining.

"I cannot believe...

How can Kalipso allow such a disgrace to happen in her temples?!" Daisy asked, refusing to accept the harsh reality.

"Kalipso... I'll reserve it for another time.

You have a lot to digest now.

Changing topic, do you know the movements of the Empire?" he asked.

"Sigh... Soldiers have been patrolling the streets of Rivella all night. Even here in the slum, where they barely make an official visit and only come here to get drunk or to enjoy the girls.

But the most important news is that an announcement will be made directly by the High Priest, this morning on the terrace of the Royal Palace with the Emperor.

Meanwhile, rumors of a night attack on the temple have begun to spread." Daisy explained.

"He will certainly talk about what happened." Jorael said as he was thinking.

"WE MUST PREPARE FOR WAR!

IF MY LYCAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS WERE HERE... WOOOO!" Suddenly Azumath yelled excitedly.

"Shhh! Please!" Jorael whispered, closing the werewolf's mouth with his hand. Then, he went on talking:

"I revealed all this to you because I know I can count on you, and please let Sonni not know.

You can be rough, but I know you have a pure heart, and Daisy needs you.

More than ever now that I'll be gone..."

"W-WHAT!?" everyone shouted except Jorael.

The Traveler sighed, gesturing with his hands to lower their voices, then he explained:

"I will leave the Empire for the time being.

As I said, they will soon start tracking me.

The Inquisition is upon me too, so I must leave this place to protect you all... "

"YOU PATHETIC COWARD! THIS IS NOT THE LYCAN WAY! WOOOOO!" Azumath screamed in anger again.

This time, Daisy closed his mouth by placing her hand on the werewolf's mouth. Cyn'Thia was speechless at the news that her master was leaving, and in a faintly depressing voice she whispered:

"Master... you leave me... ehm… us?"

Jorael looked the Elf straight into her beautiful eyes and said:

"Eh?!...

What are you saying, you come with me to Vas'Anellir!"

"Oh..." Cyn'Thia said in relief as her face lit up again.

"But you are leaving the rest of the gang here..." Daisy pointed out.

"Yes, and I'm sorry for that, but I promise I'll be back to take everyone home.

Besides, I trust that both of you will take care of everyone..." Jorael said apologetically.

"WOOOO! TRUST THIS WOLF, I WILL PROTECT MADAM WITH MY LIFE!" Azumath shouted again, striking a pose.

"Shhh... I know, but please protect everyone.

Daisy, did Catherine know anything? "Jorael asked.

"Not from me." Daisy replied.

"Good.

I'll go to the guild headquarters and meet her right away.

After I'm already gone, tell her to banish me from the guild.

She will understand, and she will know I was not joking.

I don't want the Inquisition to go there and wreak havoc." Jorael explained.

"Fine. What is your next plan?" Asked Daisy.

"Uhm... I'll try to send you money from outside.

For the rest of the plan... I don't know yet.

Once we reach Vas'Anellir, we will think of something." He replied.

"I know you will...

Thanks for everything, Jorael…" Daisy whispered as she began to shed tears.

"YOU MADE THE MADAM CRY! WOOOO!" Azumath shouted, picking up Jorael by his shirt.

"Enough! Wolfy…

Let's go check out little Rob.

Farewell, dear friends." Daisy said greeting Jorael and Cyn'Thia.

"I promise I'll be back!" the Traveler said confidently.

"Farewell Madam Daisy and Azumath!" Cyn'Thia said, waving her hand.

...

Jorael and his aide left the Mad Filly Inn early in the morning, having greeted only the innkeeper and the werewolf. They packed up all their things and covered themselves in cloaks with hoods. As they walked through the muddy streets, Cyn'Thia whispered:

"Master, we have not even greeted the others...

Sonni... the sisters... the chef and the staff..."

"We have to get out of the Empire quickly.

Also, we will see them again soon." Jorael replied.

After some time, they reached the central square of Rivella, where they noticed that many people were gathering in front of the Royal Palace.

"Looks like Daisy was right." Jorael said as they approached the crowd, waiting for the announcement.

A man came out from the terrace overlooking the square and announced:

"Dear Madams and Sirs,

Thank you for coming here to witness the announcement of His Highness Emperor Joseph Fasted, followed by His Grace High Priest Astilfante Seviglia!"

The man re-entered the building while a pompous blonde man with green eyes in his forties came out and shouted:

"My humble citizens of the great Human Empire forged by my heroic Ancestors.

On this disgraceful day I, Joseph Fasted, hereby announce that we are at war..."

To the crowd's bewilderment, Jorael thought:

"So, this piece of shit is Vanessa's dad.

By the way... what the fuck is he saying?! "

The Emperor continued to speak:

"... with our most ancient and ferocious enemy: THE DEMONS!"

The audience screamed in fear as Jorael whispered in Cyn'Thia's ear:

"Why is he pulling this out now?!"

The emperor continued his speech:

"I know how everyone feels...

Everyone thought we were safe, as my great-great-grandfather built our sacred Wall to defend us from the evil race of Demons, but with a sad heart, I came to the news that the despicable Demons are still conspiring inside our Wall, because last night, an evil Demon infiltrated our glorious and holy High Temple to perpetrate a heinous crime...

I'll let our wise High Priest explain this..."

The Emperor concluded his speech, to the full attention of the crowd, as Jorael thought:

"What is this propaganda?!

A demon attacked them!?

Well ... he's not that far from the truth but...

Uhm... Did they find out anything about me?"

An old man came out of the building, walking slowly, aided by two masked figures. One of them appeared to be a woman, but she was completely hidden by an orange cloak with a hood, and as for her face, it was covered in a metal mask decorated with dahlias. The other appeared to be a man, also hidden by a blue cloak and hood, while his face was covered with a metal mask adorned with daffodils.

The old man came to the edge of the terrace, and the audience began cheering him loudly. He surprisingly spoke in a loud and clear voice:

"Devout children of Kalipso, I am merely a conduit for the will of our Goddess, and she is grieving over the events of last night.

Our holy priestess Angela Bertulli, a saint who has demonstrated her integrity and devotion to the Goddess more than once by helping the weak and the children, was badly wounded during an atrocious and evil attack by a pagan Demon.

She was almost brutally burned alive and was about to meet her death, but thanks to Kalipso's will she survived and as I speak, she is under intense healing sessions.

As our blessed Emperor said, we thought we were invincible thanks to the protection of our Wall, but we were wrong.

It is rumored that the Demon Kingdom is recomposing itself after the defeat it suffered many years ago. Additionally, their four generals will soon be replaced by a new generation of Demons.

For all these reasons, we children of Kalipso shall unite to fight the darkness that surrounds our land, so let it be war.

Do not fear my dear brothers and sisters, for we under the wise guidance of our Goddess shall prevail because we have our strong and courageous Flowers, like the two who accompanied me:

Dahlia, the Eternal Grace and Narcissus, the Dazzling Beauty!"

Clamors, clapping, and shouting filled the square with admiration for the High Priest and his speech, but Jorael thought differently:

"War? Demon Attack?

All lies to deceive the masses..."

"Thia, let's go..." he whispered as he began to move through the crowd.

"Yes, Master." she answered, following him.

Suddenly the Traveler felt a strange sensation, like that of being watched. He turned back towards the terrace of the Royal Palace to find the Flowers that seemed to be staring at him.

"How can it be?!

Are they really watching me or is it just my imagination!?" Jorael thought perplexed.

"Master, what is it?" Cyn'Thia asked noticing something odd about him.

"No ... it's nothing.

Let's go..." he replied, starting to walk again.

They soon left the square undisturbed to head to the Titans Guild. As they walked, Jorael commented on the announcement made by the Emperor and the High Priest:

"Lies... all of that was a lie."

"I know, Master..." Cyn'Thia whispered.

"How can they be so presumptuous as to tell those blatant lies!?

Angela Bertulli... a saint?!

A child-eating monster praised by all citizens!?" said Jorael furiously.

"Master, I know...

Please calm down or you will let anger take over you like other times." She said concerned.

"Fiuh... you're right.

When I'm angry I don't notic…" Jorael was saying before suddenly bumping into someone.

"Well, well, would you look at this ...

Dark Prince Jorael!

Last night, the temple was attacked and then they launched a manhunt. You wouldn't believe it, but the suspect coincides too much with your characteristics.

Ahhhh what a satisfaction, and this time the Titan is not here…" said Captain Jonathan of the city guard after bumping into Jorael.

"So, you sold yourself to monsters, or are you too one of them?" asked the Traveler.

"Fuck are you saying!? You come with me!" shouted the Captain as he suddenly pulled Jorael by his hair, but then in disbelief Jonathan shouted:

"Horns!?

ARE YOU REALLY A FUCKING DEMON?!"