At the peak of the highest mountain of the hazy mountain range, stood a large undulating fissure. One large enough for 50 men to enter side by side. It rose from the ground expanding and contracting little by little, radiating an ominous aura as the dark blue opening periodically expelled rolls of dense grey mist from its shadowy depths.
Across the flat terrain, grotesque beasts laid strewn across the ground, all different in shape, yet possessed the same gray color, emphasized with a pale blue hue. The numbers were near uncountable as they piled into small hills around the area, broken and bleeding. Rainbow colored blood flowed like rivers outward, continuously spilling toward the slightly shaking soldiers some distance away.
The soldiers were not shaking in fear because of their near deaths from the endless swarms of beasts that had been assaulting them for days now. No, their fear stemmed from the formally dressed demon standing nearest to the blue gate, casually observing on top of the largest pile of blackened beasts just in front of them.
He stood there, his hands clasped behind his back, his spectacles flickering with red light as he stared nonchalantly at the fissures entrance. No more beasts exited, they didn't dare. Not as long as that thing stood there, peering into the portal. Facing such a monstrous being was far from what their instincts would allow.
Hans let out a loud snort. Baku must have really lost his powers dramatically after his infection, that would be the only reason those creatures decided to be so brazen as to flood out without a leader. If a couple of walkers was all they had to shepard them, these sheep would only be greeted with slaughter.
Hans glanced at the soldiers and dream knights behind him.
'Well, that's only part of the truth...'
While he was genociding the beasts, the old butler noticed some of the less sentient dream beasts were charging out in a mindless frenzy, rather on the instinct of advantage.
Even for feral creatures, such reckless and bloodthirsty actions pointed to a certain possibility.
'A person is baiting these creatures out in some way.'
He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from his hands. He checked his clothes, spotless as usual. He nodded in satisfaction. This is how a butler should be, presentable at all time-
But his proud eyes landed on a small rainbow colored stain on the edge of his black tie.
"Kuh!"
A vein popped up on his forehead as he saw it. Graceless! Careless! Unsightly!
The air around him began to heat up once more, gaining a hiss from the corpses under his feet.
The soldiers behind him shook again. Seeing the corpses beneath the old man visibly char, as the smell of newly burnt flesh wafted past their noses, they didn't dare make a noise. They all finally figured out who this butler was long ago, and they were aware of his stories.
The most devastating demon lord ever to sweep through Neel, the personification of violence, and the bane of higher beings, the war demon, demon lord Hans.
The rumors said after he was chased out of Neel's mainland by an army of enraged Angels, he decided to retire and become a butler for the newest archdevil, 1st Gula, living life peacefully after making his mark in history as one of the few that succeeded in killing an immortal being.
But if that was the case, what was this? His story of conquest was from thousands of years ago, why did it seem like his strength was no weaker than the legends from back then?
Could a butler living leisurely in service of royalty really possess strength rivaling their leader in his prime after so much down time?
Thoughts like this swept through the army as they watched the war demon in reverence and fear.
But it seemed one unit did not feel as surreal about the display…
"Fuck, he's just as strong, if not stronger from the intel gathered from years ago." A masked dream knight cursed as he turned to his unit leader.
The leader nodded grimly, this was not good news. If that was the case, their master's plans for Sweet Oasis had to change.
"We'll worry about that later, what about that whore devil? Was she really able to heal Baku?"
Another demon stepped forward and grinned. "Our inside man says he saw her stomping out of the castle angry a few hours ago, and a maid that witnessed the operation said Baku was only healed by a small amount, enough to awake him, but the little devil seems to have only a bit of control of the mist. The display rumored earlier this week seemed to be all bark and no bite! Haha."
The leader nodded, relieved. That would have ruined all their plans, if Baku was truly healed, it would have been better if this whole place was wiped out during his coma, but they were only set back to the original plans.
"Go send a message to the clan and tell them operation overrun was thwarted by the Feast Faction's interference and the unidentified devil travelling with them. Even though her ability is negligible, her mist ability still seems to be useful. If she continues to treat him, our plan could get worse, send a request to initiate a capture for her."
The dream knight listening nodded. "What if Baku gives her protection?"
The leader scoffed. "Protection? Baku was made to sacrifice 10 of his knights to be healed just slightly, his resentment must be through the roof right now. His personality will keep him from even looking the little devil in the eye at this point."
"What of the war demon?"
The leader chuckled. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a spatial ring. He waved it in the face of his subordinate. "We got plenty more of these to keep him busy with the dream beasts. All we need is an opening."
The subordinate nodded. "And what rank should I put for the devil? Her stars weren't visible."
The leader grabbed his chin and pondered for a while. She only displayed one ability, but she was guarded by the war demon…
"Just put possible 4 - 5 star, the Feast Faction is simple with things like schemes, so the guard duty should be legitimate, they wouldn't send that monster around with a little 3 star devil."
"Yes sir." The dream knight turned and began to leave.
Just as the dream knight was walking back to the mountain path, the unit heard a hollow voice call to everyone.
"All dream knights are to report to fortress barracks immediately. Soldiers will be in charge of the cleanup for now. Since the density has dropped, our lord has commanded a brief assembly for an announcement."
The unit leader recognized this person. It was one of the captains that left for sacrifice to the whore devil. Captain Donald.
"Hehehe, it seems she had no interest in the cripple." The leader laughed. More hilarious was the fact that Donald had been the only one to return. It seems like the price was higher than before since she had to wake him up, the leader analyzed.
He turned to his subordinate and spoke. "Go send the message and meet us in the barracks later."
The knight nodded and left.
The leader grinned. "Let's see what this is all about, perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to sow a little more discord from within, after this sacrifice debacle."
He walked leisurely with his unit in tow, back down the mountain.
~~~
Hannya sat on a small cushion next to Baku on a stage set up in the barracks courtyard. Her arms were crossed and her cheeks puffed up, clearly, she was displeased.
Baku glanced at her and chuckled. He stroked his beard like a heaven peering savant. "Are you still sulking about my decisive victory, kid?" His eyes mirthful as he sat on his cushion with a sagelike posture.
*Snort* "Sulking?" She replied, turning her head away from the bastard. "Why would I? I got what I wanted, and I got it for cheap since you were too senile to change anything on our contract. So it's really my win in the end." She postured.
*Snort* "Got what you want? Kahuhu." Baku laughed, was she really trying to rewrite history? "Who are you trying to fool? Devils always get what they want, it's how they get it in the end that determines a win, kid." he stroked his beard once more, gazing into the distance. His words were quite wise.
*Snort* "Shut up! Guessing hardly counts as a win! And stop acting like you're some mysterious all seeing hermit, it just makes you look old and slow." She scowled. All he did was sleep next to the river styx, wake up, and fucking meta game. How was that a decisive victory and not pure luck? She would not accept this win. She worked hard and her planning was perfect!
"Just remember our deal, you have to make me look like a mysterious and gentle beauty to the masses when they get here." She pointed her finger in Baku's face.
*Snort* "Why do you even care about that? Besides, the upper echelon of my men already know you're a scheming gremlin, I doubt it would even work." He shot back, brushing her finger away.
*Snort* "That's none of your concern, and I'm going for quantity here, your inner circle doesn't matter, just the grunts will do to spread my superiority and benevolence."
*Snort* "Superiority and benevolence?" He snorted questioningly.
*Snort* "Yes, superiority and benevolence!" She snorted demandingly.
*Snort*
*Snort*
They both glanced at each other and snorted, facing forward once more. A deal was a deal, even if reluctant, both would do their parts in this upcoming play.
Baku shook his head. Kids these days. He looked at the small devil next to him, and he couldn't help but smile. She had not only saved him, but made him as good as new. He felt powerful once more, and for that, he was truly grateful.
The fortress lord was not like the devils in the capital, he was a simple devil, one that lived his life on this mountain, slaying beasts, living free, and gaining comrades. He would remember this debt in his heart. He had a rough idea about why Hannya wanted to make a good impression to the army so badly, sadly he knew her approach was all wrong.
But since she was now a part of the family, he would help her get what she truly wished for.
'Kahuhu! No worries kid, grandfather has your back!'
Hannya, noticing Baku's slight smile, scowled. "What are you looking at? I'll have you know, I'm already spoken for old man, try that shit on someone else." Raising her nose to the sky, looking exceptionally pompous doing so.
Baku laughed. "Kahuhu, I ain't interested in flatties." He waved his hand. "Come back when you got a body like captain Regina's, Kahuhu!" He then looked at her with pity. "To even be spoken for as a flattie, your fate mutation really is strong..."
Hannya began to seethe. "F-fla…" Her anger was blinding. How were insults like this still a thing in a reverse world!
"Kahuhuhu! Kahuhuhu! Kahuh-" *Cough Cough* "O-oi! You tryna kill me?" Baku, now choking on mountains of dense dream mist blasting all over him, shouted.
Hannya sat there with hollow eyes as her sleeve shot out an avalanche of mist at point blank range. "Let's see who saves your dog life from the lulling virus this time."
After a second of flailing around, Baku then did something Hannya found quite interesting.
SWOOOOP!
He opened his mouth and began to suck in all the mist bombarding his face. Like a black hole, The mist in front of his face, and all around him began to be devoured and consumed, leaving no trace behind.
*Cough Cough* "Alright alright, I get it, it's a touchy subject. kahuhu!" He shook his head, grinning. He felt so healthy and strong, eating the mist had felt like snapping his fingers. Such a feeling made him not even care about being blasted in the face, he was back.
Hannya, now sweating a little from the exertion, clicked her tongue at how easily he got rid of all the mist. She had used a little at first, but once Baku started consuming the mist, she felt her fissure's reserves rapidly plummet from the skill.
'Damn, that skill directly eats at the mist's source too!' It seemed that Baku was currently her absolute counter. If he had eaten more than he did, wouldn't chunks of her body get eaten as well once her reserves were gone?
A chill ran down her spine at the thought. Wasn't she completely helpless against this guy?
"W-when are we gonna start training old man?" She said in a probing tone, she had to learn some skills to defend against stuff like that. How would she trample him in the future?
"...." But Baku just faced forward, a smile hanging on his lips as he ignored her.
"Old man? Are you deaf now?" She glared at him. It's obvious he heard her.
"...." He took a quick glance and grinned, not bothering to say anything. Training? After that stunt? Fine, but he would enforce the rules here and now.
A rage inducing thought then crossed her mind as she watched the old devil's smug actions.
She gritted her teeth, how audacious! She knew what this old bastard was doing.
She hissed out through clenched teeth. "Hey…. G-grandfather, you gonna fuckin answer me?"
Baku finally turned back to Hannya, a benign smile on his face. "Oh? Granddaughter? Sorry, you know Grandpa's getting up there. Just a shout every now and then should do, Kahuhuhu!"
Hannya could feel her cheeks burning. This fucker was more annoying than she thought.
He continued "We will begin training tomorrow morning, you wish for strength right? No need to waste anymore time."
Hannya nodded with a determined look on her face. She clenched her small fists. Finally! After all that trouble, she could learn some arts. With these skills, she would walk her path to becoming an apex existence, swaggering her way down to that abyss without a single scruple to spare. Her cold handsome would be dazed and reeling by her lofty arrival!
'Good, good!'
"Alright." She grinned.
"But first." Baku added, his face now serious and cold. "We need to catch a couple of rats hiding in this humble home."
Hannya nodded, her lips curling up into a cruel smile. "No worries, gramps, I have an idea of who they are."
Baku nodded solemnly. "....How many in the higher ups?" He asked, the courtyard losing its playful air from earlier.
Hannya snorted in disdain. "Most likely just one shadow bastard, but his unit is full of them."
The old devil chuckled darkly."Shadow demons, an Acedia specialty. Such a loving family."
Hannya shook her head. "The ones you were amiable with aren't in the Acedia clan anymore Baku. The ones ruling now only want the mountain and your head."
Baku was startled by Hannya's words, there was new leadership in the clan? How had his spies not known? Such an event would even reach Gula's ears.
'What sort of mutation relays this much information!?'
But before he could ask further about the clan and her abilities' limits, Hannya held out a delicate hand to stop him.
"I'll explain that later, it's too complicated. Let's focus on this first." she said. The men should be here at any moment, explaining the whole story might take too long.
Baku nodded, she was right, he was careless. Asking about a devil's secrets was rather rude, she was quite kind with brushing it off in such a way. He really was a bumpkin. For now, he had to introduce Hannya to the men and oust the spies hidden within his ranks.
He relaxed his mind and waited for his army's arrival.
After a moment of silence, Baku spoke casually. "Kid… do you plan on being my successor?"
Hannya turned to the old devil and grinned.
"....heh."
~~~
The dream knights stood at attention in the center of the large barrack courtyard. Their faces stoic and their backs straight as they looked towards the raised platform. The 500 or so knights stood in small, orderly batches next to one another in rows. Each batch having three knights in a line, standing in front of the next, all having their captains standing at the front.
At least, for half of them. Many of the units had captains missing, a detail that didn't go unnoticed by the regular knights. It sent a wave of unease throughout the masses, making them wonder what could have happened to have so many people of leadership not attend a meeting that seemed rather important.
The shadow demon leader and his group however, were ecstatic at the sight. This was the perfect opportunity to voice doubts about Baku's leadership, given the fact that they knew the ones missing were sacrificed to the whore devil.
Such a reveal to the knights in the dark about the situation would surely sow descent among the groups. He and his group had already started vague rumors about the situation while marching down the mountain. The shadow demon's mission was simple: bring discord in the ranks of Baku's loyal followers and initiate a coup.
With Baku weakened, he could be ousted, and his master could take control of the mountain with no worries and collect dream cores at no cost. This would give them a new stream of resources for the clan and a monopolized market of cores in the capital.
The shadow demon was excited. He would surely gain a promotion after this successful mission, as well as finally leave this pathetic backwater village.
He gazed up at the stage with a malicious gleam in his eye. There, he saw the fortress lord, Baku, sitting cross legged on a cushion at center stage. Beside him, was a veiled sedan chair with its handles missing.
Standing below the stage, on the side of the luxurious, open sided palanquin stood three maids. Even for charm demons, they were quite attractive, each having their own unique look.
They stood there, their heads lowered in respect to the occupant sitting in the hidden chair. Beside them stood the war demon, his hands clasped behind his back as he swept his gaze across the lines of knights standing at attention.
The shadow demon felt a little pressure just from the offhanded glance of the war demon. He hurriedly averted his gaze, not wanting to catch the suspicion of the old demon lord. He would take no chances with individuals like him. People like the war demon could sniff out maliciousness if gazed at long enough, the shadow demon was a professional, such information was obvious to him.
He could get away with Baku for so long because of his illness and constant absence, but he was no fool. Lowering his guard around someone at their peak would be dangerous for him and his men.
As the shadow demon tore his gaze away from the new group, Baku opened his eyes.
He scanned the army in front of him for a while, observing his brothers and sisters in arms. After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"Knights of the hazy mountains, first and foremost, I must apologize for my untimely absence. I'm sure you have heard, the lulling virus in my system had indeed caused this old man a bout of setbacks. But rest assured, I won't be meeting Leviathan any time soon." Baku grinned.
The stoic knights allowed themselves a chuckle from his words. Most were relieved to hear Baku sounding in high spirits.
The dream eater continued. "Second, I'd like to thank and praise you all for your hard work in holding off the tide in my absence. Without your teamwork, determination, and loyalty, this mountain would be in dire straits right now. For that, I thank you all."
The knights in the courtyard straightened their backs a little more at the words. They felt pride in getting praised and doing their jobs well.
Though, one 'knight' was smiling menacingly within the ranks.
"All the knights and soldiers shall be rewarded extra for braving this turbulent time, and you can all now be at ease, for the time to endure is now over. Kahuhuhu, for I am healed!" Baku raised his fist into the air.
A shocked silence hung in the air at his words, followed by a deafening cheer!