The Prince of Demons

Miril and Hoggdin had a mental discussion while Ikol walked over to check on me; I had no clue what Hoggdin was talking about as Miril seemed to greatly dislike me. I didn't even notice when I got new halos. How could I not? The halos were odd and difficult to sense, but that was no excuse for not noticing. It bugged me a bit that I hadn't noticed until I was more desperate. Of course, Miril's definition of being helpful was to violently swat and attack me until she was satisfied by some random standard of hers. Ikol stood there looking at me a bit concerned as his mother was a bit ruthless with her assault this time around. Miril held back as to not to cause lasting damage, but she still made my bones creak. My body was thankfully mostly healed back now.

Are you okay? Ikol checked sheepishly.

Yes, just a bit sore. I informed him while doing a few test stretches to make sure everything was properly healed.

Did Mama go too far? Ikol inquired, sounding a bit guilty.

No. It's her form of trying to teach me to be stronger. I assured him. It wasn't his fault that his mother was a raging bezka who disliked me.

Do you not mind? Ikol probed. Of course I minded, not that I would say it to him as he'd feel bad for something he had no control over.

It is fine. It did help me, eventually. I stated as convincingly as I could.

"Come on Lux, let me show you how to cast <Cartographic Projection>." Orga told me.

"Okay." I quipped, taking a small bound over to her.

Orga gave me a much more concise and easier to understand explanation about how the <Spell> worked; apparently, Ipnerslei helped adapt some memory <Spell> Krahinn knew. It was a little complicated, but after several attempts I was able to cast it successfully. The <Spell> created a small map of where I had been which wasn't much; Orga gave me a quick rundown of how to cast this tracking <Spell> called <Waypoint Compass> that was more of an arrow that pointed towards your original path or destination. It was an interesting combination of <Spells> which I guess Orga made for us to properly explore Phestia for our <Journey>. I was kind of touched that she developed them for us. This odd feeling as she clearly put out the effort to make a <Magic> to make my time easier was difficult to describe. I did like the sensation though.

"Thank you Orga. Thank you as well Ipnerslei. I appreciate you two developing this <Magic> for our <Journey>." I told them with a polite bow.

"It was no problem, Lux." Ipnerslei replied kindly.

"I feel I would be slacking as a teacher if I did not do something to help your upcoming <Journey>. The <Spells> may not be able to do much, but they should be able to alleviate getting lost or losing your path as you wander through Phestia. Hopefully these will make your <Journey> just a little bit better." Orga added on.

"Thank you Orga and Ipnerslei!" Ikol chimed happily. He was doing little happy hops as we waited around.

"Now, while those two continue their heated discussion, I recommend taking your time on your <Journey>. There is no rush or prize for completing it fast. The trip is just as if not more important than the end result. It is a time to learn and explore, to learn about around the world around you. You can deviate a bit from just going straight for the Kings, to go find experiences and make memories for yourself. Do not rush yourself." Ipnerslei lectured us in about as stern of a voice as she could manage.

"Yes ma'am." Ikol and I said in unison.

"You are young, enjoy being young. It is fine to enjoy the <Journey>. Do not worry about your need to be stronger, as the experience you are gaining here is invaluable." Ipnerslei continued. We nodded in unison.

"But what about the Void King?" I inquired, wondering why she was saying it was fine to take our time.

"Do not worry about that; it is not important right now. Focus on the <Journey> and the experience it provides, on the travel and making memories. This is a once in a lifetime event, so make the most of it. Do not let the Void King and his actions ruin this for you." Ipnerslei answered. Her tone was strict in this oddly nice way.

"Okay." I acquiesced. Ipnerslei had this odd way of being both strict and kind at the same time which was honestly a bit impressive. It made it hard to argue with her sometimes.

"Now that we have settled that topic, back to you two." Hoggdin announced calmly.

"Lux, as I know your knowledge on the matter is sorely lacking, the seven Kings you will need to follow Ikol to meet in order are: Elijiah, Ilrymax, Atoz, Zzhyndsplrt, Duck, Balrum, and Roquer." Miril snapped at me. Duck? How is that a name?

"I understand. Where will I find them? In case Ikol wants to explore around?" I asked, fighting every urge to ask about Duck.

"In the same order: Aethrus Desert, Kniclad Mountains, Mystval Forest, Azulro Archipelago, Elruuz Marsh, Synbca Plains, and Mount Requiruexicolo. Here is the <Cartographic Projection> of their rough locations so you can use that other <Spell> if need be." Miril answered in a surprisingly polite tone as she conjured a more complete map with markers. When did she learn it? Did she just copy it? I cast the <Spell> and <Waypoint Compass> seemed to point to the correct place to meet Elijiah. Something else occurred to me, she was noticeably politer that time. What was the difference now that she was somewhat polite?

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

"How would we know if we have found the King?" I checked. Miril generally didn't stand out, so it wasn't like she gave any hints on how to tell.

"Because the other <Spirit Beast> better tell you where they are if you encounter them. Make sure to be clear you are on your <Journey> because if they decide to bend or break the rules of said <Journey>, they will pay dearly." Miril informed me with this malicious smile. She just enjoys violence.

"Thank you, King Miril." I replied politely.

"Now, Ikol, I hate to tell you this, but you cannot bring the syrup with you." Miril told her son. Ikol looked at his mom with big begging eyes.

"What?" Ikol whined, looking distraught by this revelation.

"You are not supposed to bring any form of food store with you as per tradition. This rule cannot be bent dear." Miril explained. Ikol looked more upset at her.

"But… but… but the tree juice." Ikol whimpered.His entire body was being used to pout as the news clearly upset him.

"It is nice and cold here, and we will store it for you so you can celebrate when you get back." Hoggdin told Ikol.

"That's a great idea! You are so wise, Boss!" Ikol cheered. Miril looked at Hoggdin who just shrugged back at her.

"So, are we supposed to leave at a certain time? Are we allowed to have a meal before we leave?" I inquired, as the rules so far were not exactly fully explained to me.

"Noon. A <Journey> is supposed to begin at noon." Miril answered like it was obvious.

"What time is it now?" Ikol asked excitedly.

"You have about half an hour. And yes, you are allowed to eat before you leave. Now, Lux, I would like to have a private conversation with you before you leave." Miril informed me. Great. Just great. I looked at the other adults who made it clear this was going to happen no matter how reluctant I was.

"Are you going to swat her again?" Ikol probed, looking at his mom again.

"No dear, I will not swat her. Why don't you go grab some fish?" Miril suggested. Ikol happily bounded away to grab fish.

"So where do yo-" I began before going weightless.

I felt Miril grab me by the scruff as she made herself larger and sprinted away at her max speed. The colors faded and dulled from the world around us as Miril moved at a speed that boggled my mind. You can move this fast? The world was nearly shades of gray like when Nil froze time. Wait, Miril was a <Sentinel Lord>. Could I move this fast? I probably should ask her before Ikol and I left. She easily maintained the speed for what felt like a few minutes as she made sure to drag me far, far away from the others. It was not comforting being so isolated with the being who loved snapping and giving me lessons through percussive maintenance as Nil would call it.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked nervously.

We were quite deep in the mountains. Wait. It was warm. There was light snow on the mountain where we left, but now they were free as the temperature clearly jumped. Just how much ground did she cover? And Miril did it while carrying me with no effort. As I was mulling that over it registered that Miril was now showing more of her full appearance, as all eleven tails of hers were on display, with an intricate network of halos floating above her shoulders. How many were there? Just trying to quickly gauge it there were over twenty. I also noticed her arms, shoulders, and part of her neck were covered in more <Runes> than before. Height wise she was maybe ten feet tall at the moment, but the presence she was exerting was more regal, and much more intimidating than usual. I could definitely see that as the presence of a King. Was she trying to scare me more for some reason? Did Miril think her more casual appearance was not sufficiently terrifying? What was her angle?

"I want you to take care of Ikol for me on the <Journey>." Miril informed me. Oh, she was being a caring mom again. That was a relief. It was odd though, as most <Spirit Beast> I had interacted with, which was limited, did not seem to care for their young.

"You seem to care a lot about him." I pointed out. Miril gave me a soul chilling glare in return.

"Because he struggles to care for himself; Ikol is not exactly sharpest fang in the mouth. Between that and of all my children he is the most like his father, I always assumed he would likely never venture that far from home until recently when an alternative appeared from nowhere. You also better not boss him around the entire time." Miril lectured me. It was odd to hear her actually admit he was an idiot.

"So, you want to make sure he doesn't starve?" I checked, not grasping what exactly she wanted me to do. Miril looked more annoyed than usual.

"I want you to make sure Ikol doesn't get lost, that he eats properly, he has adequate shelter at night when possible, and to make sure he enjoys his <Journey>. He by himself going on a <Journey> always terrified me, but luckily, someone who could take the <Journey> along side him appeared. And if he wants to lay near you, please let him. Knowing Ikol, he has not fully grasped what being on the <Journey> means yet and is going to get scared at night." Miril clarified. Ah, just make sure the musclehead was calm and didn't get taken out by his own idiocy. Part of me wanted to give Miril grief and act like I was thinking it over, but I really didn't want to get dribbled back to Hoggdin's cave.

"Okay. I can watch over Ikol." I agreed. I assumed I would be doing that to a degree anyway.

"Thank you, Lux." Miril told me sincerely. Wow, that felt weird.

"You know to do that I will have to potentially give him an order, right?" I checked. Miril looked around a bit as she mulled something over.

"I am aware you are going to boss him around quite a bit." Miril said in a complete deadpan. Ah. She put those dots together. Not that it was going to be very hard.

"Maybe not." I defended myself sheepishly. Miril was giving me the most unamused stare in response.

"Do not lie to my face so boldly. Come on, we should return now." Miril ordered with a near emotionless voice.

"Wait, how do you run so fast? I wasn't aware it was possible to run that fast." I probed. Miril tilted her head side to side for a moment.

"You augment your body with <Mana> to reinforce it when you run; that <Technique> is more about going through the flow of <Mana>. You run with your <Mana>, not through your <Mana>." Miril answered cryptically. What did that mean? Run through my <Mana>?

"Could you please clarify?" I tried, knowing it was likely in vain.

"No, that is the only hint you will be getting from me on that." Miril shot back.

"And I may not have been lying about bossing him around." I grumbled. Miril jabbed me hard with one of her tails.

"Ow! You said you wouldn't swat me!" I cried at her.

"That was a jab, not a swat. They are not the same." Miril pointed out with a shiza eating grin.

"Stupid word twisting. What has you so sure I will?" I challenged. Miril thought it over for a few moments before sighing.

"Because I did the same thing to Ikol's dad." Miril confessed. Ah, she was projecting her poor behavior onto me. As I would expect from her.