*Military camp site,Sketingham. *
Alden and his troops set out for war and arrived three days later. When they arrived at sketingham, they were late. The town had been attacked by demons. They found bodies of civilians sucked dried and decaying.
"My lord it's a disaster. Those demons are really unpredictable. I thought this was a hiding spot for them" his lieutenant reported
"Any survivors?"
"Just a handful. I have sent them to the camp."
Alden looked around . His mother once told him Sketingham is the only town that demons and humans lived together without prejudice, but every thing when Holostoria captured the village . They wanted to wipe out the demons. Looking around now it was mostly humans who had been killed. He wondered why the demons suddenly turned against them and murdered the humans.
He mounted his horse and turned to the lieutenant. "Take care of the bodies and go back to camp. I am going scouting. Once I return we set out for Alvania." And without waiting for a reply he set off.
He went for a run because he could sense demons nearby. He will make them answer to him.
Castle, Holostoria
"Fifth princess of Holostoria, Princess Maltilda, daughter of late concubine Freya, is beautiful, graceful and diligent. Therefore his Majesty has decreed her marriage to Lord Alden, General of the Great army of Holostoria, a noble and heroic man. They shall be married after the war in Alvania. "
Maltilda could hear her sisters murmuring in contempt as the announcer read the king's decree. They were in the king's court. She didn't even remember when last she had been there. The news of her engagement was been made official and she was greatly troubled.
"Fifth princess, do you understand? " the king asked
"Yes , your majesty. " She answered
"Alright." He turned to the queen . "Prepare the princess for her wedding. It's a good thing Lord Alden is marrying into the imperial family. He must not be disappointed with the princess so he would treat her right."
"I understand your majesty. "
Maltilda was heading out of the court yard when Elizabeth caught up to her.
"You despicable person, you must have bewitched the General, other than your looks there's nothing good about you. You are just as shameful as your mother."
Maltilda who was also very angry with her answered her "You seem to know a lot about my mother. Even better than I do . I wonder why. So what if there's nothing good about me? You've said it yourself, I have looks. But you have none of that of anything else. You dont have looks or brains. Go suffer in silence and don't bother me again. "
"How dare you speak to me in that manner, my mother is the queen. I could get rid of you in a minute if I wish."
Princess Amelia walked up to them and said to Elizabeth "What is the matter, sister? I could hear your voices from afar."
Before Elizabeth could answer Maltilda quickly said "Maybe if I Marry the General, I could ask him to consider taking you as a mistress. After all it doesn't look like you would get a legal husband anytime soon. You are just too irrational for anyone's liking "
And saying that she started walking away . She could hear Elizabeth cursing her. But she couldn't care less . She had lot more bigger things on her mind. She knew there was absolutely no way she could marry the general who gave her cold feet and there was mo way she could refuse the marriage. She was sure the general didn't like her or anything. It was just a political marriage. Her mother got married the same way and she ended up as demon food. She didn't even have a decent burial . She can't go through that. Never. She was going to leave this castle. She would never actualize her dreams of being strong enough to take revenge on those filthy demons who murdered her mother if she married the general.
No need to alarm Vivian by telling her anything.She would pretend to look forward to the marriage. She would just find a way to escape on her own, before that wretched general return from battle.
*Seven blades palace demon realm *
"Your majesty we should probably set out for Alvania ahead of General Alden." Said Draven to the king.
They were in the demon king's study. "I hoped he liked the surprise I left him at sketingham. " Astaroth said smiling coldly.
"Do I gather our troops Your majesty?"
"Not yet . The last thing I want is a battle with Alvania. I will let Alden do the work for me. When those useless humans are exhausted from fighting each other we shall then step in and kill all of them both those from Holostoria and from Alvania. Killing two birds with one stone."
"You are very wise, Your majesty. " Said Draven.
"Any news from our spies in Holostoria's castle?"
"The princess, has been engaged to General Alden. They shall be married when he returns from war."
"That's interesting. I wonder why he suddenly interested in what I want urgently. Tell them to step up. I need that soul. "
"It's a little difficult you majesty. There's demons traps every where. It seems lord Alden has anticipated there might be another attack on the princess. "
"I don't care how it happens. Get that soul immediately. " Astaroth yelled
"Understood your majesty. " Draven bowed and started walking out when the king called him back deep in thoughts: "Get me Corvina."
Corvina came in few minutes later with Draven. She was in tattered clothes soak in blood and she had bruise all over her. She had been imprisoned and tortured by the demon king. She fell on her knees weakly seeing the king. "Your majesty "
Astaroth turned to her. And went straight to the point. "I believe you know that I don't give second chances but you have a chance to prove to me that you are not as useless as your sister. Mess it up and I will kill the entire dragon clan."
"I would not dare . You majesty " She bowed face down to the ground.
"I know you wouldn't. " agreed Astaroth. "Dragon demons are long term shape shifters and can take the appearance of any thing. You have five days. Infiltrate the castle of holostoria take the appearance of someone who is close to that human and bring her soul to me"
"Yes, your majesty I will not fail. I shall bring the immunity soul to you "
*The outskirts of sketingham*
Alden stopped to listen. He knew they were there watching him. so he let his horse trot slowly. He went like that for a moment. Then they attacked. They were at least twenty demons. They started shooting arrows at him but he dodged them swiftly countering them with his sword. When they were done, they charged towards him. With his powers he lifted his sword mid-air and it multiplied then he threw it towards the demons.
They fought for a while Alden easily killed the demons and when the rest realized they were no match for him they tried to escape. But he didn't let them . He placed his sword at the throat on one of the demon.
"Who sent you?" He asked
"Why should I tell you? Kill me quickly because you are not going to get anything out of me."
"Those humans you murdered in the village are people you interact with every day. While the rest of the world treat you demon rebels as filth they let you stay in their midst. But then you woke up one day and murdered them all. You want a quick death? Dream on."
The demon laughed. "Like you humans care about 'tiny sketingham ' weren't you going to flood the town to get rid if us ? Stop acting like you care about those dead humans. You were going to kill them anyway. "
'There's a mole in the castle. ' thought Alden. How did a rebel demon know about something like that. He must have a strong backer. That made sense. Afterall the new demon king had been too silent this days.
The demon was saying "I know you. The mighty General of Holostoria. You have a reputation for slaying demons and enemy humans. A strong mystical master. I didn't know Holostoria who are so biased towards demons would keep one as their General. "
Alden hands tightened around the sword and he pushed slightly into the demons throat.
The demon laughed even more. "What? Are you scared? Don't Me tell those gullible humans didn't know that the most Supreme mystic master had an illicit relationship with the demon princess and they birth you. I can sense your strong demon aura. How do you suppress it?"
"Shut up!" Barked Alden. "You're speaking out of turn . The only thing I dedicate my life to is killing demons like you . "
"Would you kill your own mother then? She is one of us."
Alden raised the sword and chopped the demon's head in one swift motion.