Witilla

"What is the meaning of this, Sir Lotte?" A commanding voice echoed through the hall, "Are you suggesting that we make use of Demonic magics to gain an upper hand!?"

"Forgive me for misunderstanding this outrage, Your Majesty, but with some research, it's quite possible that our soldiers will be able to make use of the same unconquerable forces that have opposed us for so long."

"I will not claim for a second that this war is at all in our favour, but making use of the enemy's dead to further our own needs…" King Granda lowered his head, "Have you gone mad?"

"What use is there in respecting the traditional laws of warfare against a foe that can barely think for itself?" Lotte countered, "Demons are honourless, murderous creatures. Lord Barion's report only confirmed that the corpses of our very own countrymen are most likely being transformed into Demons as we speak!"

"All the more important that we do not lose sight of ourselves in this conflict." Granda retaliated, "Humanity has relied on steel and fire since the dawn of our meagre race. Harnessing the power of Demonkind will only invite destruction into our homes."

"What difference is there from using sorcery?"

"Those blessed by the Goddess of Light are given free reign to command the forces of magic. That is precisely why it should not be entrusted with any old soldier."

"...Your Majesty-"

"Let us speak no more of this, Sir Lotte." Granda raised a hand towards the lad, "With the Three Heroes at our beck and call, you and I both can rest assured that Gria's fate is in capable hands. Now, if you will excuse me--I must return to overseeing the tournament."

The ageing king marched off without another word, departing with a handful of his personal guard back towards the castle's entrance, leaving Lotte and Yula alone in the building's grand antechamber.

"...Hah." The advisor sighed, "I don't understand…"

"His Majesty does make a point, Lotte." Yula spoke, "What do we have to fear with Heroes such as Lord Barion ensuring the safety of the city?"

"Is it suddenly a crime to discover solutions on my own terms?" He answered, "I want to contribute to this war just as much as everyone else does. The Anti-Demon Leagues are practically begging for a chance to avenge those lost to the Mu'un plague, but His Majesty is all too happy to sic his beloved Heroes on anything that so much as coughs his way."

"Come, now. Is it really so wise to meddle with the flesh of Demons?"

"Whether it's 'honourable' or not, I do hope His Majesty isn't expecting me to throw my hypothesis away. If we could somehow harness Tiamat's power over the winds, or Leviathan's power over storms… it wouldn't just be a war asset--it could very well change the way we live on a fundamental level."

"Are you really going to oppose His Majesty's orders?"

"What else am I going to accomplish just sitting around? And frankly, his objections are completely intolerable. Nothing should stand in the way of improving the lives of our citizens."

"Well, if you think it's for the best…"

"I'm glad you understand, Yula." Lotte sighed, "You should rest. I'm sorry for dragging you along on my little expedition."

"Hm. I'm glad to see your fight with Lady Shilahi hasn't demoralised you." She remarked, "Farewell, Lotte."

…

..

.

Only the finest competitors remained within the arena's subterranean gathering room. Renowned mercenaries and officers of the guard happily shared flagons of ale with one-another as the evening's festivities continued. Manyu and Shilahi awaited Dorma's return with baited breath, congratulating the sorceress on her expected victory when she finally reappeared.

"Pale put up a fine fight." Shilahi noted, "I see my younger self in her eyes."

"Yes. I do feel rather guilty about hurting her, however…" Dorma worried, "I don't suppose Witilla has appeared yet, has she?"

"Funny you should mention that, actually." Manyu interjected, casting an aside glance towards an empty corner of the room.

Following his example, Dorma quickly noticed a woman with raven hair loitering near the wall, casting a wide berth over the room with crimson eyes that seemed liable to kill if one met with their gaze. Dorma's first thought was that the woman looked nothing like Lilith, which provided her with a modicum of relief, but the sudden revelation of the Heavenly King's shapechanging powers ignited her suspicion once more.

"Is that her?" She asked.

"She's the only other woman left besides us three." Shilahi answered, glancing to the far side of their table where Fusala was burying her nose in a chemistry textbook, "Manyu doesn't feel a thing from her… assuming he's telling the truth, which may already be asking for too much."

"I imagine Barion would have already detected if she was Lilith." Dorma figured, "...Well, have any of you gone to speak with her?"

"Why would I do that?" Shilahi seemed genuinely perplexed.

"Aren't you interested in seeing if she'll ally with us?"

"What if she's Lilith?"

"We've already established that she isn't."

"Well, I'm not taking any chances in that regard." Shilahi refused, "This tournament presents too great an opportunity for infiltration. I'm not about to place any stock in Barion or Manyu's ability to sniff out Demons. Come now, Dorma--haven't you been alive long enough to account for these sorts of possibilities?"

"Frankly, I think you're overreacting."

"I'll wager ten talents that she reveals herself as Lilith either during her bout with Fusala, or at some point in the near future."

"Why not just ask her?" Manyu suggested.

"Why don't you ask her, slug?" Shilahi pushed, "I'm certain she would be ever so delighted to set eyes upon the man she so faithfully served all those years ago."

"Excuse me! Miss!" He called.

The raven-haired girl looked a tad perplexed as she reacted to Manyu's words, hesitating for a few moments before detaching herself from the wall and wandering over to their table.

"What in the name of the Goddess are you doing!?" Dorma objected, "I have a reputation to maintain! You can't accuse just anyone of being a Demon in disguise!"

"Uh… I'm sorry…" As she approached, the girl spoke with a timid voice, "Were you addressing me"?

"That's correct." Manyu replied, "You wouldn't happen to be Witilla, would you?"

She nodded, "Is there something I can do for you?"

He was certain of it already--that the woman standing in front of him couldn't possibly be Lilith. The Heavenly King had carried herself with an undeniable confidence when Manyu reigned as Demon King. Witilla's surprising meekness wasn't the sort of attitude Lilith could ever bear to impersonate. Her pride as a Demon more intelligent than any other was terribly inflated.

"My companions are utterly incensed by the fact that a warrior they have never heard of has been included in our lofty bracket of the tournament." Manyu pivoted, "You must forgive them for being so intrigued as to have me call you over."

"I-I see…" Witilla blinked. "Then, you two must be… Lady Shilahi and Lady Dorma?"

"Pay no mind to what this fool of a man is saying." Shilahi disregarded, "We were simply perplexed by your absence up to this point. You must be a fine combatant to be matched up against the likes of Dorma and I."

"Thank you…" The girl gave a clumsy bow.

"From whereabouts do you hail, Miss Witilla?" Dorma asked, "Tor is in quite the state at the moment. It must have been a treacherous journey."

"My hometown… it's a village called Cape March on the southern coast…"

"Never heard of it."

"Shilahi!" Dorma scolded, "Well, I have. It's in the vicinity of Goldford, one of the country's largest dockyards. I've heard tales of the beautiful chalk cliffs the settlement is built upon."

"Yes… that's the one." Witilla seemed pleased to hear the news, "But, I'm afraid it's abandoned now…"

"The same is true for just about every village in the country, I'm sure." Dorma replied, "Better than leaving the fine men and women of Tor wide open to attacks by Demons."

"I'm more interested in hearing how a hayseed from some tiny hamlet in the south came to be a fighter." Shilahi interjected, "-Unless that blade by your hip is simply for show?"

"Mm…" Placing a hand on the hilt of her sword, Witilla paused before answering, "I'm a monster hunter."

"Are you with the adventurer's guild, then?"

She shook her head, "Independant."

"Oh, how bold." Shilahi crossed her arms, "Then again, that's just how it was back in the day. No pillowy guilds to stow yourself away in while waiting for the contracts to roll through. If you wanted work, then it was out on the open road where you would find it. Let me tell you--a monster hunter nowadays couldn't tell a goblin burrow from a courtesan's-"

"What I'm sure Shilahi means to say is--journeying by yourself must be difficult." Dorma interrupted, "What sort of work have you done recently?"

"...I cleared out A monster infestation near the River Beck crossing…"

"River Beck…" She muttered, "Where have I heard that name before?"

"It was a Griffin nest…"

"The River Beck… yes, I remember now." Dorma reopened her eyes, "My, wasn't that an Cardinal Griffin's territory? The guild was attempting to organise a raid to dispose of the beast last month, but even experienced members refused to accept the contract."

"I'm not surprised." Shilahi commented, "Griffins are known for their equine appetites. Placing a horse as bait is the usual trick for laying an ambush, but a Cardinal's big enough to carry two of them off in its talons. Only a Garuda can compete with it in terms of size."

"Taking one on single-handedly is quite the feat, Miss Witilla." Dorma complimented, "Your skill with a blade must be exceptional."

"It's nothing, really…" The girl replied humbly, "You and Lady Shilahi… I'm sure that you've both fought battles even harder than I can imagine… and, not to mention, it's thanks to you two that Tiamat and Leviathan were slain."

"Perhaps. But without the aid of Sir Lotte and Lady Yula, as well as the Anti-Demon Leagues, I would never have been given the opportunity." Dorma replied, "-Nor would Shilahi have triumphed over Leviathan had she not enlisted the aid of the Fleecian navy."

"Well, I don't know about that…" The Hermit muttered.

"Even so, I'm honoured to be included in this tournament." Witilla declared with a tiny smile, "Is that girl at the end of the table… Fusala?"

"That would be correct." The Homunculus in question answered, setting her heavy tome down, "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Witilla. I hope our duel will be an enjoyable one."

"Y-Yes… I hope so too." She agreed, "Um… this may sound like a strange question, but-"

"I am not a human, no. Ancient alchemists coined the term Homunculus to describe my kind. We are artificial life forms created to serve as stewards." Fusala explained, "-And, yes, my appearance in the arena will no doubt be met with a number of complaints from those who understand what I am."

"Does… that not bother you?"

"No." She replied tersely, "Whether ethical or not, my existence cannot be denied."

"...If I could ask one more-"

"My hat is part of my body, yes. I 'wear' it out of aesthetic preference."

"Shouldn't you two be making your way to the arena gates?" Manyu recommended, "I certainly wouldn't want to keep a hungry crowd waiting."

"Is it really that time already?" Witilla wondered, "...Well, it- it was an honour meeting you all. I hope you'll be able to watch the match…"

"I will also depart." Fusala declared.

The stern Homunculus and shrinking swordswoman proceeded at their own pace to the room's exit, leaving the three remaining occupants of the table with plenty to think about once they had disappeared.

"Well…" Manyu muttered, "If that girl turns out to be Lilith, then I will slit my own throat."

"You didn't feel a thing?" Dorma asked.

"There doesn't appear to be a single evil bone in her body. Quite a rarity nowadays."

"That means we still have some time before Lilith truly reawakens." Shilahi summarised, "With the aid we'll be receiving from Fleecia and Khazman in the coming weeks, Gria's armies should be bolstered well beyond their original scope."

"The problem still remains of how to effectively arm common soldiers against Demons." Dorma reminded.

"What about this new metal the smithies are supposedly belting out? Steel, was it?"

"Rather than new, it would be better to say that steel is simply an improvement on current metallurgical techniques." She explained, "However, it requires the use of exceptionally powerful magical furnaces to create. It also seems that we're moving towards a trend of outfitting soldiers with larger weapons to combat the tough hides of Demons."

"All in good time." Shilahi stated, rising from her seat, "I believe I'll go and see Witilla's supposed strength for myself."

"Ah, Shilahi-" Dorma called, "...You haven't seen Barion, have you?"

"Barion? Not since the tournament began." She answered, "Why?"

"It's… nothing serious, I was just-"

"Seeking the arms of your lover after just a day apart, are we?" She smirked, "You needn't worry about him losing interest in you. I'm sure the fight at the end of tonight's festivities will ignite his desire to carry you to his bedchamber, so I wouldn't worry about it."

"That wasn't what I meant in the slightest!" Dorma retaliated, "...And, you don't have to be so vulgar. Not everyone has their mind in the gutter, you know…"