Chapter Five

  Ulbert stood like a statue after his hooves touched the ground. ‘I wonder how long it will take to get used to having these?’ He pondered the question idly as the ground sank a little under his weight. His demon body weighed considerably more than his human one, but it was so much stronger that even though he knew this, he ‘felt’ lighter than ever. Most of the time this made Ulbert’s heart sing so much that he undertook needless gestures, or ran when he could have flown, or simply engaged in idle destruction, ripping out a tree from its roots just to see that it was well and truly real.

  But now he stood still.

  He picked up a few manners from the peasants he’d rescued, but those were how to treat a superior, and if it was one thing fixed in Ulbert’s mind it was this… ‘I will never grovel again.’ But at the same time, he didn’t want to embarrass himself with poor manners to people representing someone of great power and social position.

  So still, he stood while a group of knights came into view.

  “Game Changer! We come in peace!” A man with a familiar looking helmet style rode into view, his visor was down, but as he tilted his head to look up at Ulbert’s face, he raised it to expose his own face, he had a brown beard and scars across his cheek that could only have come from a trio of claws. He raised both hands from his steed’s reins and guided his mount forward with only his legs. The others, a group of half a dozen, remained back.

  Ulbert gave the smallest of nods and crossed his arms in front of his chest. It wasn’t a submissive gesture, more ‘defiant’ but it also was not a combat position. Taking it for an invitation, the knight continued forward.

  “So you are a demon, they were right…” The knight said as he looked at Ulbert’s wings and claws, but even without those, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up, the aura of the demonic was something humans could never miss, like encountering the undead, there was always a natural dread.

  Yet this one at least, was different.

  Ulbert looked the knight up and down, clearly he was waiting for a response, but what to say. He was at a loss, until his inner Chuunibyou came out. “I have been called ‘Game Changer’, yes. But I did not give myself that name.” He tilted his head up a little so as to look ‘down’ at the human in the manner of a properly arrogant demon.

  “You have saved many human lives… the beastmen, this was the last group… before I say more I must ask, are we next?”

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  Ulbert at least knew that was easy to answer. “No. They,” he pointed toward the horrified faces of the dead, “reminded me of those whom I despised. That is all.”

  “And… do you plan on remaining here, or going…?” The knight pressed his questions on, and Ulbert searched his mind for a suitably demonic answer.

  “I go where I wish, when I wish, human. But-” he spread open his hands, “I have no plans for anything now. The last of them are dead. They followed my orders and fled this land.”

  “Then, if it please you, Game Changer, the Queen of our country wishes to invite you to her castle, to join her and to be honored for your timely help with a ceremony followed by a feast.”

  Ulbert could hardly be expected to resist, letting out a deep, haughty laugh, “You are aware I will not exactly ‘fit in’ in your capital, are you not, human? Or does your Queen frequently dine with demons under the pale moonlight?”

  “I admit, master demon, that this would be a first. But then,” he chuckled himself, “you are the first example of a demon who rescues humans. If there can be one first, why not a second?”

  That appealed to Ulbert on a very fundamental level. Not to mention his curiosity was rising by the moment. ‘This was inevitable. Sooner or later somebody was going to reach out to me. And I do want to know more about this world. Nobody is better for that than a monarch. But at the same time, I’m not confident in my ability to act according to their customs.’

  He considered it for a moment, then answered, “Yes, I will go with you, human. On one condition.” Ulbert raised one sharp claw in front of himself, and the knight waited patiently.

  “That it be a ‘small’ gathering. No more than forty-one in attendance, including guards, myself, and the Queen.” Ulbert plucked the number from sheer reflex, recalling the total of his guild at its height. But the knight bowed his head.

  “I am authorized to accept a condition of that sort, master demon. But if I may say, it is canny of you to suggest such a low number, this will keep only the most important people around. If you will travel with us overland… I realize it is slower, but word must be sent to the capital, and if it please you, the people wish to see their savior for themselves, to know that you are not a myth spun by the desperation of survivors.” The knight’s request was entirely reasonable…

  And as he took in the natural beauty around him, Ulbert could not think of a more pleasant trip if he tried. Lots of nature followed by adoration followed by more nature and then more adoration. ‘How can I say no to that?’ He asked himself, and could not answer.

  “I accept your request, human. But if we are to travel, give me your proper name. Just calling you ‘human’ is so impersonal.” Ulbert said and held out his hand invitingly for a handshake.

  “Sir Torald Haroldson.” The knight said and accepted the demon’s offered hand. The claws, he noticed, were used with care to avoid injuring him, and he asked immediately, “If you are not ‘Game Changer’ what shall I call you, master demon?”

  “Game Changer is fine, if you like. But if you prefer my name, call me Lord Ulbert.” Ulbert answered as their grip broke, “Now lead the way, sir knight.”

  “At once, My Lord.” Torald said in answer, and began to turn his horse around back the way they’d come, his followers gathering well behind himself and the most unusual guest the castle had ever or would ever host.