The transportation platform back at the capital started to glow in of itself, Imuru appearing only a second after.
Looking around everything seemed strangely quiet and empty. Heading to take a step, he heard the sound of a bow being drawn, enabling him to swiftly step back instead, nearly missing getting shot by an arrow.
A woman leapt down, dagger in hand, slashing at Imuru, as he got off the platform. Checking her, Imuru caught her hand mid swing, and tossed her into the walls of the building, knocking her out.
Before he could process what was going on, guards came from all around to surround him. Unfazed, his hand calmly went to reach for his weapon, only for a familiar voice to interrupt him.
"Recommend that you do not." Revealing himself was Calnary, a sinister grin on his face, his arms behind him in a casual manner. "I have the Princess and your friends. You'll be smart to hand over your weapon now."
Looking around at the guards, he was massively outnumbered fifty to one, and that was just from what he could see. Left with no other option, he threw his weapon over to Calnary.
Calnary looked down at it, and kicked it over to a guard, who promptly took it up, unsheathed it and shattered the blade with another guard, shocking Imuru.
"I knew from the moment you left that it would be smart if I had someone close enough to hold that ignorant girl hostage…" Calnary narrowed his eyes. " Especially with that walking disaster for an Ennom you somehow tamed."
"Hmph." Calnary turned around, walking off, a guard walked up to Imuru, pressing his spear against his back, forcing him to follow along.
They headed to the Central building, which was opened by guards from the inside. Imuru gritted his teeth, as he looked upon the display Calnary made of his friends, with the expectation only being Ori still on her feet held by two guards.
Down on their knees, Yosho, and Slite, has Collon huffed heavily, battered and bruised. Forcent stood a foot away from them in a translucent green barrier, surrounded by guards, glaring down upon them with utmost calmness.
"He didn't do anything reckless," Imuru thought, eyeing Forcent.
The Ennom locked eyes with Imuru for a moment, with Imuru subtly shaking his head. "If I let him run wild here, a lot of these guards would probably get killed… That's only an option if we've exhausted all our other options, so just hold off a little Forcent."
"Yes, yes, surprised," Calnary exclaimed. "I found the little birdy. I'm sure your father would be disappointed in both of you. Especially you Collon… Did you forget how times have changed."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such a shame, really," Calnary turned back to Imuru. "One thing I will not allow to grow here… Is A Demon Lord!!! We'll be foolish. We've seen what these mad, power hungry, ego driven, monsters can do. Now I ask that we cast our vote. To Kill the Demon Lord, Imuru!"
The other council members stood at one side, seemingly complying with the events that have unfolded so far
The members looked at each other, for a second, until the first stepped forward… A different opinion in mind. "I am certain you all know my stance in all of this," Ern S' Ri said calmly.
Calnary glared at him. "Yes. We've realized, and trust me, you've been heard. But that's just one irrelevant vote. I already cancelled yours with mine." He looked to the next three. "Be smart."
"Or foolish," Ern S' Ri snapped back. "Coming with such hostility. How we any different from them? We might be blinded Calnary—"
"Shush," Calnary interjected. "It's clear you're the one who is blinded. Too old for this role any longer are you Ern?"
Ern S' Ri chuckled amused. "It is you, my child, who is far too young, that will be the detriment to whatever that's left of civilizations of Sacred Forest."
"Oh. Please. You believes this?" Calnary inquired, turning to others for approval.
"Let us not be misguided. There is promise and hope that I see in this young man. His mere presence here proves it." Ern S' Ri turned to address Imuru. "Young Lord, with your presence here, you must've dealt with the threat, isn't that correct?"
Imuru looked to Ori who, despite the situation, practically had her eyes shimmering. His gaze cold, he turned to Ern S' Ri, and gave a nod.
"There as you can see. From what we have gathered of his behaviour, when has he ever shown malicious intent?" Ern S' Ri pressed.
The others were unable to come up with an answer, showing doubts creeping onto their face.
Calnary gritted his teeth, and clenched his fist, beaming at the other three High Council members.
The Third finally decided to clear his throat, to break this stalemate of opinions and ideologies. "Calnary. We assure you, we see your cause for concern… But, we may have been… Misguided."
The Second stepped forward also. "At this moment, I want you all to hear. Drop your weapons, the situation was clearly not as black and white as it seemed."
And finally the Fourth himself stepped up. "And that will be an order from the majority council. Anyone dare to defy?"
"Don't you all dare!" Calnary warned.
This unfortunately didn't stop them all from lowering their weapons, as the majority of the High Council had already made their decision, whatever he said now is redundant.
Calnary chuckled underneath his breath. "Well then… I'm enough." From around his hand, a thick layer of golden energy formed to a point, transforming his hand into a weapon.
Imuru, knowing what he could potentially be planning, ran to stop him, but Calnary was already ahead of him, heading for Ori, blade pointed right between her eyes.
Acting quicker than Calnary expected, was the Third High Council member, appearing in front of him, to stop the blade, smashing his knuckles together.
"Wha~t…" Stunned only a for a second Calnary, deactivated his energy around his arm breaking free.
Though, unbeknownst to him he was far from a free man, as the moment he turned around his face met Imuru's fist, fracturing his jaw from the collision as he was sent tumbling to the steps that led to the meeting room.
"Guards," Ern S' Ri called upon, as they swiftly apprehended Calnary. He let out an exasperated breath.
Overwhelmed with joy, Ori hurriedly rushed over to Imuru, embracing him and crushing him, swooping him right off his feet, swinging him back and forth.
Exhausted, Yosho caught her brother as he fainted, Slite wiping the tears from his eyes, sinking his face deeper into his scarf from the news.
It was admittedly in disbelief, but it was no time for celebration, still unsure of the condition of the kingdom.
He looked to unconscious Collon, but Yosho swiftly snapped him back to reality. Warmly smiling, she nudged him to join his granddaughter.
Slite gave a subtle nod, leaving to join the cheerful Ori.
It took a few minutes, before Ori dropped Imuru out of her arms, allowing him to finally catch his breath.
"My apologies," Ori said, glowing. Unable to restrain herself, she wrapped her arms around him once again despite his reluctance, rubbing her head against his.
"Now, now, Ori," Slite calmly muttered, trying to get her to release Imuru.
Ori pouted, and buried her face in the side of his neck, complying a few seconds after.
The guards guarding Forcent still had him enclosed, trembling and wary. The First saw this and calmly approached them.
"Come now, release him," Ern S' Ri commanded.
Finally breaking his calm outwards composure, Forcent smirked hauntingly. Taking a singular step, a mighty outwards force is released shattering the barrier like mere glass.
Forcent looked at the men, laid out flat on their ass, petrified and stunned. The Ennom had the whole room looking in his direction, all the guards tensing up, as he brushed past the calm Ern S' Ri.
"What a majestic beast," Ern S' Ri thought, showing fascination in the place of fear to the creature's strength.
Imuru childishly huffed, visible fawning over the Ennom, reaching over to smother his face in Forcent's side, having everyone watch on in disbelief.
"One last thing," Imuru thought, turning back to Ori and Slite. "I think it's time for you two to return home. Some very special people are waiting for the both of you."
Imuru's attention shifted to the unconscious Collon being carried away for treatment.
It was as if Ori had tunnel vision, her mind and sights filtering the chaos of what had just happened. Before she departed, she ran to Yosho, embracing her.
"It's gonna be okay. It's really all gonna be okay," Ori said, unable to contain her overwhelming joy.
Yosho smiled. "Dear, this is a much different Ori from what I remember. Go see your family."
Ori nodded, rushing back over to Imuru and her grandfather.
"Forcent, lead would you mind ensuring their safety to the transportation platform," Imuru inquired.
The Ennom nodded, heading to the door, as the guards parted like a sea to let them by.
Imuru got over to Yosho kneeling down.
"Sorry for being late," Imuru whispered apologetically.
Yosho smiled calmly. "There is no need to apologise," She said. "He's tough, he'll be up on his feet in no time."
"That's good to hear. It's thanks to him why I'm probably alive right now," Imuru said, a solemn expression on his face.
Yosho's eyes drifted to the floor. "He has a kind heart… I think he's too kind sometimes. But I wouldn't ask him to change for the world."
"Though…"
Imuru felt a cold shiver run up his spine, feeling a sinister aura around Yosho. "Despite being my dear brother, I think he needs a bit of scolding for his reckless behaviour lately," Yosho said, coldly gazing to the ground with an eerie smile.
"Uff… I do not wish to be in his shoes." Imuru shuddered.
Getting up to his feet, Imuru stepped off waving a good bye. "I'll be back, Yosho. Just one last thing to handle."
Filled with a sense of creeping fascination she watched him, until Imuru vanished from her sight. Yosho stood up, her fist tightly clenched. "Imuru… I want to be more of use to you…"
"Ahem!" Ern S' Ri cleared his throat on approach to Yosho. "You have a good eye… Fascinated as I am."
"I'm dearly surprised by the turn of events. You didn't strike as the type to be captivated so easily," Yosho remarked.
Ern S' Ri smiled, his eyes beaming with the thought of Imuru. "In truth, I even surprised myself, for choosing such a path."