Arriving in the familiar cellar, Amin let out a sigh. For the first time he didn’t fall over on arrival, which he certainly considered an overdue improvement. Although the elves said it was nothing to be embarrassed about, it wasn’t like he couldn’t stop himself from feeling that way when everyone else managed to stay upright. 

And for once, someone other than him was the one to fall over. 

“Dammit!” Alfor grunted as he pushed himself up from the floor. 

“Welcome to Teyrin.” Vandelor said with a wry smile. “Don’t mind it. It takes a while to-”

“Don’t wanna hear it, elf.” Alfor muttered moodily.

The stairs to the ground floor creaked as a familiar face came down with a grin. “Hey guys! Welcome! Stay downstairs for a while, will you? And be quiet until I get back!”

Amin raised an eyebrow as Yannie disappeared back upstairs. What’s that all about?

Vandelor seemingly read his thoughts, as he shook his head with a smile. “They’ve had some complaints about the noise from the neighbours. Someone will likely come complaining again.”

Ah. The teleportation is quite loud.

Yannie’s and Cara’s house had essentially become a secret waypoint for the Amaran Guard. Since they weren’t aware how people would react if a large number of combatants suddenly showed up, even if they came to help with the demons, they thought it best to keep it a secret.

Ever since Campbell reported that demons had shown up outside the barrier, Vandelor, together with another elven archmage, had started transporting volunteers to help with the sudden threat. Thus far they had mostly been elves, who after arrival would be sent to one of the other safe houses or hide within the priesthood until they had greater numbers. The first elves of the Amaran Guard to arrive had been sent east to meet up with the groups of refugees that were being led by druids and priests to Levan. 

The druids had a somewhat quick way to send messages, as some could convince animals to help them. By sending birds to other druids with the message that they should evacuate and head for Levan, it only took a few days from when they had received the news to when the villages were being evacuated. 

However, Amara had discovered that some of the refugees were being followed by demons along the way, which led to the decision to send the Amaran Guard to meet and escort them. Although, the number of groups headed to Levan was small, since most were headed towards the closest walled city for safety.

Unfortunately, both archmages were limited to bringing volunteers over once or twice a day because of the large mana cost required for teleportation, and each time they could at most bring a handful of people. 

But that meant that during the month that had passed since the disappearances were reported, the two archmages had, between themselves, brought nearly two hundred combatants to Teyrin in secret. Because of the bottleneck that the cross-world teleportation was, it meant that the strongest were brought first - resulting in that the three quarters of those brought were all level one hundred or higher, with nobody but Amin below level fifty.

The dwarves had expressed great enthusiasm over the prospect of helping out as well. Alfor had experience as a captain, and would be acting as a bridge between Amin and the rest of the dwarves that had been brought to Teyrin. Nobody was yet sure what the command structure would look like, as the elves and dwarves knew little about each other’s capabilities and tactics, which resulted in that for the time being, they would be acting as independent groups during battle. But a commander had yet to be appointed.

[Bang! Bang! Bang!]

Amin glanced at the edge where the cellar’s wall met the roof - right below the door upstairs that led to the outside. The group in the cellar stood silently as they listened to the footsteps - likely Yannie’s - that were heard as she went to answer the door.

“Oh, hello there-” (Yannie)

“What’s with all that noise?! Haven’t we told you to keep it down?!” An old man’s angered voice replied.

“Of course, we’ll try!” Yannie replied brightly.

“Try? That’s not good enough! Whatever you’re doing, it stops now!” (?)

Both voices went silent, and Amin just barely made out the familiar voice that seemed to have entered the conversation - with a threatening tone.

“Yannie. Did I hear right? He’s telling us to end our honeymoon early?” (Cara)

“H-honeymoon? Hold on, weren’t you two married years ago?!” (?)

“If we’re in the phase, it’s a honeymoon.” (Cara)

“Well…you don’t need to be so…ahem, loud.” (?)

“So you’re telling us to end our honeymoon.” (Cara)

“N-no, I’m not saying- wait! Wait!! HELP!!” (?)

“Cara, calm down! Cara!” Yannie exclaimed as they heard rushing footsteps as someone left the house, followed by the old man’s panicked screaming that was gradually fading with the distance. “CARA! Come back!” 

Amin and the others in the cellar looked at each other. 

“Females.” Alfor let out a long sigh. 

Amin shook his head with a wry smile. “Those two are a bit…”

“A bit what?” Yannie asked as she came back down the stairs. 

Amin smiled stiffly and quickly changed his mind about what he was going to say when he saw her dangerous smile. “Lively.”

“Hmm.” Yannie's eyes narrowed as she stared at him, before letting out a sigh and nodding towards the floor above. “You can come up now.”

As they all went for the stairs, Alfor nudged Amin’s side as he whispered. “Good save.”

[This one confirms.] (Zenon)

 

_______________

“Amin, how…how’s Amara been lately?” Campbell asked worriedly as they sat in Andrew’s office. “I imagine that the appearance of demons and…the fact that our people are responsible can’t have been easy for her.”

Amin frowned as he thought about how to put it. Amara had been furious when she learned that someone on Teyrin had summoned the demons, and said that while she knew that people could be stupid, stupidity to such and extent was beyond what should be possible. And everyone else agreed on that. 

However, Amin, Campbell and Andrew had all held doubts about whether or not it was the people that were responsible. At first they explored the possibility that perhaps those performing the summoning had been afflicted with mental manipulation magic by demons. Though, little was known about it and nobody knew if it could be used to the extent that was considered mind control.

But Amara had quickly shot down that option by saying that the demons weren’t allowed to reach out to the people in her domain; her people had to be the ones reaching out. 

And during the month that had passed, Amin had noticed that Amara’s anger had gradually been replaced with a faint hopelessness. 

“Amara…I think a part of her has given up on Teyrin. After all, we’ve caused nothing but trouble for her.” Amin let out a sigh. “And since she’s been keeping an eye on demons I can imagine she’s seen a few things that would be demoralizing.”

Campbell nodded dejectedly. “I feared as much. Amara has a great responsibility on her shoulders, and the people of Teyrin - especially its rulers - have only made it more difficult for her.”

“But what can we do about it?” Andrew muttered from behind his desk with crossed arms.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Campbell smiled wryly as he looked at him. “We need to clear out the demons and make the rulers welcome Amara’s leadership.”

Amin raised an eyebrow. “And how were you planning to do that?”

“We’ve already gathered the best and brightest of the Amaran Guard here. Even though their numbers are few, they should already be considered a force to be reckoned with, no?” Campbell cocked his head with a smile.

Amin let out a chuckle. “Are you intending to convince the rulers one by one or something?”

Campbell’s eyes widened in surprise before he shook his head with a grin. “Heavens, no! But as tragic as this situation with the appearance of demons is, it’s an opportunity for us. To convince the greatest power on the political stage to come to our side.”

Amin raised an eyebrow. “The quee-...you mean the empress?”

Campbell nodded with a smile. “If anything, no matter how…unfaithful she is towards Amara, she despises demons even more. That she decided to march her army across the continent as soon as she heard the news is proof enough where her priorities lie.”

Amin nodded in agreement. On his way to the mansion he had seen several soldiers with a familiar red tabard. Empress Celene had left a division of her soldiers in Levan to help the city to prepare for the arrival of reinforcements - and what they suspected, to keep an eye on the church.

“All we need to do is make an effort in clearing out the demons that she never forgets, and she will be more willing to listen to Amara. We’re not gathering combatants merely as a precaution, are we?” (Campbell)

“Are you sure?” Amin looked at him skeptically. “Considering what she’s done so far, I doubt the empress will take kindly to us showing our teeth.”

Campbell smiled and put his hand inside his robe. A letter soon emerged, that the pope held out towards Amin. “A certain scarred man delivered this, insisting I deliver it to you when the empire’s army marched past Levan. He knew you were on Whildernae as well.”

Amin raised an eyebrow as he received the letter. Seeing that it was unopened, he snorted. “And how do you know she’s written to tell us she welcomes our help?”

“That she’s written you a letter is what matters.” Campbell pointed out. “It means she’s reaching out. It’s a start.”
Amin glanced at him skeptically before opening the letter. 

Amin frowned after reading the letter. The first part of the letter was more or less what he’d expect in a letter from the empress - a few polite words of concern and an order. Which would have made sense, if he hadn’t been discarded.

‘Forgive me.’ Is this her way of taking responsibility for trying to have me killed while saying she regrets it? 

Amin snorted as he folded the letter. He had to some extent expected the letter to hold an apology. However, he didn’t expect the empress to take responsibility for it. 

But on the other hand…she’d take responsibility for it even if Teacher acted on his own. Because he’s her subordinate, and she lives by the rule that the mistakes of those below her are a reflection of poor leadership. 

It’s what allowed the Alarice Kingdom to become an empire in the first place.

But the last part of the letter was what really confused Amin. 

‘Your loving mother’. Loving? Mother?

Amin rubbed his brow with his fingers. Why would she choose to end the letter with that? Why not like she normally…

Realizing that he hadn’t actually received letters from the empress for years - for over a decade - he became aware that his expectations for how she would end her letters to him was not a reflection of reality. 

Did the letters she sent me during the war all end with that? I suppose they did.

Amin let out a sigh as memories of the empress from the distant past rushed into his mind. When I think about it…

“What did it say?” Campbell asked curiously. 

Amin showed him the letter. “Not entirely sure what to make of it.”

Once Andrew had read the letter, after Campbell had given it over to him, he let out a snort. “It seems like she wants to make amends. But it could be a trap.”

Amin nodded in agreement. “Maybe she’s taken a new approach after realizing I wasn’t on Teyrin anymore?”

“But how did she know that?” Campbell spoke with a troubled frown. 

Andrew let out a sigh. “It’s not that hard to guess. If we’ve brought druids here, anyone should be able to guess that we might also have sent people there.”

“...I suppose that’s true.” (Campbell)

Amin glanced between the two. “So what should we do?”

Andrew frowned as he looked down at the letter one more time. “I believe it’s a trap.”

“Maybe it is. So Amin doesn’t need to meet with the empress, before we’ve convinced her to accept Amara’s guidance.” Campbell countered.

Amin cocked his head. “You mentioned this being an opportunity.”

Campbell nodded and gestured at Andrew. “Based on the last war with the demons, we can guess how things are going to develop. Amara said that the towns that have magicians who know how to do appraisal are already systematically clearing out demons from within their walls.”

Andrew nodded with a sigh. “And just like last time, when the demons can’t sneak in and hide among the population, they’ll gather in force and sack one town after the other.”

“Which is when Empress Celene will bring the hammer down on them.” Campbell added. “And when she does, we need to be there. Priests, druids and the Amaran Guard. The empress won’t turn a helping hand down when it comes to subjugating demons.”

Amin frowned. “She might just consider it as if we’re warning her.”

“It is indeed a warning.” Campbell replied. “But we won’t show any intent on using our forces to claim power, only to suppress the enemies of all of us. She’ll have no choice but to agree that even if we follow different gods, we’re on the same side. And if Zenon makes an appearance as well…”

Amin nodded in understanding as he fell in thought. If she hears the prophet of Alarice speak in favour of Amara, she might change her mind and be more willing to accept Amara’s help. 

“But we still don’t know why Empress Celene has rejected Amara and spread lies about her. Even if it’s because of the poor relationship between Amara and Alarice, it doesn’t make sense for her to refuse the help of someone who’s on the same side.” Andrew pointed out. 

“Maybe.” Campbell nodded thoughtfully. “Though, she hasn’t been antagonistic towards Amara since the conference. And if Zenon stands up for Amara, I believe she will have a hard time refusing to come to the table.”

Andrew let out a sigh and crossed his arms. “I guess we’ll simply have to ask her directly if we want to find out how she really views Amara.”

“True. But I’d be inclined to believe she is at least considering Amara might become an ally, since she’s now written a letter to Amin.” Campbell turned his eyes to Amin. “Would you call Amara? I believe it’s time we hear her opinion and confirm whether we have permission to mobilize the Amaran Guard.”

 

_______________

 

“What is the meaning of this, your excellency?” The captain of the empire said in a harsh tone. 

For the first time in his life, Amin felt tense seeing a large group of soldiers from his homeland. As they had suspected, the empress had told them to keep a close eye on the church. 

Campbell smiled calmly as he looked over the soldiers that were surrounding the members of the Amaran Guard. Turning his eyes to the captain, he spoke clearly. “As Amara’s representative, I took it upon myself to gather volunteers to help your empress fight the demons.”

“The church is not supposed to have any armed forces!” The captain retorted angrily. “Do you think the kingdoms will take kindly to this? That the empress will?”

“These volunteers are not part of the church.” Campbell replied calmly. “They are independent from the church, and call themselves the Amaran Guard. I do not command them, nor would I want to, as I’m not an experienced combatant.”

Aleesha, who had arrived only a few hours earlier on Teyrin, smiled as she stepped forward with a smile. “Well met. I’m Aleesha Shau Thessinda, and will be leading the Amaran Guard, as well as the gathered priests and druids you see here, during the upcoming battles with the demons.”

Appointing a commander for the combined forces had been a sensitive issue. The dwarves desperately wanted one of theirs to be the commander, while the centauri wanted Zenon to lead, and the elves insisted on appointing Aleesha. In the end, the choice was left up to Amara, who conducted interviews with anyone who wanted to lead the group. 

However, the choice had come pretty quickly as the dwarves never invaded Dular in living memory, and Zenon preferred to act as a support rather than a leader - claiming that his mind was too slow to both fight as well as lead others. As a result, Aleesha became the natural choice, since she had led people into battle with demons before. 

“I’m afraid I’m not allowed to let you leave.” The captain replied curtly. “We’ll send a messenger to the empress to inform her of your request, and-”

Amin noticed how the captain flinched as he turned a wide-eyed gaze to someone in the crowd behind Campbell and Aleesha. Several others of the soldiers that stood next to the captain, one by one mirrored his actions, as they noticed the same as their commander.

 When Aleesha turned her head with a confused expression, she too had the same reaction, and Amin couldn’t help but turn to look as curiousity got the better of him.

A short distance behind them, Zenon stood with the yellow lights glowing intensely in the sockets of his face. A shudder went through Amin, as for the first time, Zenon’s eyes seemed threatening. Threatening, and endlessly cold.

[This one understands it is being obstructed from carrying out the will of the goddess.] Zenon spoke in a rumbling voice that was so loud Amin thought that he might even go deaf.

Ah, shit. This is bad. 

“What the hell is that?!” The captain exclaimed.

One of the mages of the empire quickly cast a spell. Moments later he visibly paled as he stared into the air. “S-sir…”

“What?! Just tell me!” The captain howled. 

“It’s the Prophet of Alarice sir! It’s nearly sixteen hundred levels!” (?)

“Don’t lie to me boy!” The captain howled even louder as his face reddened. 

“It’s not a lie! Sir-” (?)

[This one will not be stopped from executing the will of the goddess.] Zenon’s determined voice returned. Immediately after he began moving through the crowd, that quickly stepped back to make way for him.

Aleesha’s voice resounded over the crowd soon after. “Amaran Guard, we’re moving out! Melee at the edges, archers and casters in the center! Zanadell, take the rear!”

“H-hold on!” The captain suddenly exclaimed, drawing Amin’s attention to him as he took his position in the formation Aleesha called out. 

Zenon had simply walked straight at the soldiers, extended his tendrils from his arms in an instant and pushed dozens of soldiers in front of him aside. The captain was left alone, and visibly paled as he placed his hand on his sword as Zenon approached him. 

Although Amin couldn’t see Zenon’s expression - though, sapling’s couldn’t exactly show their expressions - he saw that Zenon was staring down at him. He wasn’t sure if Zenon talked to the captain privately or not, but the soldier soon relaxed his stance and stepped aside. 

As the Amaran Guard and those they were escorting passed the broken ring of soldiers, Amin noticed how many were hesitating whether to try and stop them or not, and glanced at the captain. But since the captain had a resigned look on his face, they too quickly relaxed and merely watched how Amin and the others walked past them. 

On their way, Amin noticed that there were a few who merely looked on with indifferent expression, or even faintly relieved ones. Amin knew the look well, as he had seen it often while growing up in the Alarice Kingdom. The soldiers could be considered one of two categories, based on their temperament in tense situations.

Veterans from the war with the demons. They probably realized that if we resorted to fighting our way out, they wouldn’t have stood a chance…and that fighting us would be pointless with demons running rampant. 

As they had made their way halfway out of the town, the priests and druids slowly started chattering with each other. It wasn’t long before the atmosphere grew relaxed, despite the fact that the soldiers were following them at a safe distance.

Amin suddenly heard how two familiar women behind him began whispering to each other. 

“Cara…let’s not carve our names on trees anymore, yeah?” (Yannie)

“Nnh!” (Cara)

“Let’s break into places and carve our names on the armor of soldiers and knights instead!” (Yannie)

“Nnh! Or draw things on their foreheads!” (Cara)

“True! But that’s not going to be permanent…” (Yannie)

Amin felt his lips twitching with amusement, until he heard how Cara muttered.

“It could be.” (Cara)