DD 302 Ch 19

“Ah, fuck indeed,” Lady Frey said, this time grabbing my chin more firmly and lifting me as though I weighed nothing at all. “Now, Ken Nagato, if that is your name, I would simply love an explanation as to why I find myself here in your presence, wondering exactly why you’re pretending to be a demon.”

“I don’t know if pretending is the right word,” I offered weakly. “I mean, I am a demon, see?” I waved vaguely at myself. Holy shit, I wasn’t sure Crimson could manhandle me like this. I’d kill to see Lady Frey’s stats.

Her eyes narrowed to slits as she looked me over once more, this time slowly and deliberately. “You might currently be a demon, because of some trick of the dungeon. But we both know this is not your natural state.”

“Wait. Can you turn me back?” I asked suddenly.

The demoness tilted her head, her expression softening just a fraction as she sighed. “So you underwent some transformation against your will?”

“Well, in fairness, the first time was on purpose. The second time, not so much.” I answered. The jig was up and honesty seemed far more likely to keep my head on my shoulders.

She rolled her hand, gesturing for me to continue.

I exhaled. “First, how did you know?”

“Easy. You aren’t in the greater hierarchy, if you were you’d be dead right now. But that’s for later.” She waved for me to get to my part.

At the very least this was a conversation and not an interrogation. I’d like to keep it that way. “One of my party members has a class connected to demons, and she used it to transplant demon blood from a dungeon monster, not a real demon, mind you, into me, to make me stronger.”

Lady Frey nodded, as if that made perfect sense. “Demons are, after all, the most powerful race in the dungeon. It is only reasonable that there exist methods using our blood to enhance others.”

“Exactly,” I said, waving vaguely at myself and hoping to play into her vanity. “So that’s how it happened. Then later, I encountered the boss that my blood sample had come from. It attacked me and tried to reclaim its blood. In the struggle, I absorbed it instead, and, well.” I gestured down at myself. “I became what I thought was a more full-fledged demon.”

She clicked her tongue softly. “I would hardly call this a full-fledged demon, though at least you have taken on a greater race. And a very auspicious one at that.”

“Incubi aren’t normal?” I ventured carefully.

“There would be nothing noteworthy about being an incubus a year ago,” she said, leaning back against her desk. “However, today it might very well be what prevents me from killing you for making a mockery of my people.”

I swallowed hard. There had to be a way out of this. “Living would be preferred.”

“I’m sure it would be.” Her tone was dry but not entirely without humor. “Right now, though, I find myself in a difficult position. Something must be done with you.”

She looked me up and down again, her tail lazily curling through the air. “But for now, I have confirmed that you do not have a threadspawn within you. However, it is clear to me that the word carries significant weight in your mind.”

Could she read my mind?

Her gaze sharpened again. “And if I am to spare you, then you will at least share what information you have about the threadspawn. I assume you were originally human.”

I nodded, perhaps a touch too quickly.

“Well, don’t stall on my account,” she said, looking back up. “What do you know of the threadspawn?” Her stare made it abundantly clear that lying was a terrible idea.

“Threadspawn,” I stalled to get my head on straight. “They invade your body and control it. They can resurrect their host as long as the worm itself isn’t dead.”

She nodded slowly, recognition in her eyes. “And you’ve fought them?”

“Yes. On multiple occasions.” I answered.

My response caused her posture to change. Her shoulders stiffened, and a low growl escaped her throat. “Multiple occasions?” she repeated, each syllable deliberate.

It sounded like I had just said something that contradicted her understanding of the world.

“I’m… unsure if I can comment on that,” I hedged carefully.

“You can,” she said, voice icy and commanding, “and you will. I was under the impression that humans were relatively unscathed in the current epidemic sweeping through the dungeon.” The way her eyes bore into me made me wonder if she was peeling back layers of my mind.

Then she leaned back, a smirk curling her lips. “I see. Humanity is not as worm-free as they would like to claim.” Her gaze sharpened further, her tone turning clinical. “How bad is it?”

She didn’t wait for me to answer, reading me like an open book. I wasn’t sure if she was just that good at reading my micro expressions or she was actually in my head.

Either way, I found it incredibly frustrating.

“That bad, eh?” She sighed, leaning back slightly. “Well, it brings me no solace to hear another race is struggling with the threat. However, it does make me somewhat satisfied to know they aren’t completely unscathed.”

I did my best to stare her down despite what I was certain was a massive difference in strength between us. “Of course we have a threadspawn issue. Everyone does. It’s only natural that we’re trying to deal with it ourselves. As I understand it, demons live in a world of hierarchy, and humanity’s at the very bottom, according to you.”

Lady Frey snorted. “Of course a grunt would not understand the privileged position they are in, to simply do as they are told and not worry about the greater situation. A demonic grunt does not need to concern themselves with an issue such as the threadspawn. They need only continue about their day while those of us with actual responsibility handle it.”

She gave me a cool smile. “Yes, demons believe in hierarchy, but there is no point in power or authority if it isn’t counterbalanced by responsibility. Sit. This will be a far longer conversation than you expected.”She lounged against the edge of her desk, somehow making that cold slab of wood look inviting. When I didn’t sit immediately, she reached out with a foot to point at the chair.

I hesitated but finally scooted the chair forward until I was directly in front of her. A small act of my own defiance.

“Alright,” I said. “Perhaps our understanding of the demon hierarchy is flawed.”

“Of course it is,” she said smoothly. “Though I am somewhat curious how you’ve managed to raise yourself above grunt-level with no other demons present.”

“As I said, there’s one other in my party. Her whole family seems to have some connection to demons. They’re able to take on demonic races.” I answered honestly.

“Ah.” Lady Frey nodded slowly. “A latent ability, then? The dungeon spawns many mysteries.” 

“They believe there’s some demon in their ancestry?” I nodded.

“Perhaps there is,” she mused. “Demonic blood is potent when it comes to offspring. Regardless, if her whole family bears such marks, then they are demons. What kind?”

“I’m not sure about the whole family,” I admitted. “But she’s a temptress.”

Lady Frey snorted softly. “A minor race,” she said dismissively. “I assume she’s beneath you in the hierarchy?”

“She is,” I confirmed, then hesitated. “But that doesn’t really matter.”

“It matters considerably,” Lady Frey said, leaning forward. “And it’s best that, when speaking to demons, you understand the importance of hierarchy and continue not only to speak it, but live it. Now, if she is a temptress beneath you, that alone is not enough to raise you as high as you’ve come.”

I took a breath. “While I included humans in my hierarchy. I branded each of them. I am the leader of a modestly sized organization.”

The Lady smiled faintly. “Ah. So, among humans, you’re important.”

“I’d say I’m one of, if not the strongest of my generation,” I answered. “Certainly among the upper echelon of humanity, though there are some older than me who are stronger.”

“Of course,” she said with a knowing nod. “That is the way of things. So you are a most promising seedling, and the leader of a former generation’s organization.”

I nodded, unsure if her statement was meant as a compliment or an insult.

Lady Frey leaned back, stroking her chin thoughtfully. She was beautiful in an effortlessly dangerous way, especially now, perched on the edge of her desk. When I’d entered, I’d been too tense to notice much beyond the crown of horns on her head, but now I noticed everything.

Her body was mature and lush, framed by a sheer, tight fabric that left little to the imagination while somehow maintaining an air of formality. Over that, she wore a loose, fluttering dress from shoulder to knee, light enough not to hinder movement. A spaded tail swayed behind her. Its rhythm was steady, almost hypnotic.

“Wonderful,” she said at last, her golden eyes fixing on me. “For you to understand anything, we must start with a relatively recent history lesson.”

Her tone turned instructive, though her gaze never softened. “In the last three months, since the most recent dungeon shuffle, all Demon Kings save for one had been outside of Hell and lost contact with the city.”

“Which Demon King remained?” I asked, realizing I was expected to participate in this discussion.

“The Incubus King,” she said, her lips curling faintly as her gaze lingered on me. “As you can imagine, when the rest of us returned, we were… upset to find that the Incubus King had taken significant liberties with Hell and virtually enslaved all who had remained behind.”

Lady Frey clicked her tongue, “While he was wonderfully entrenched, a fight of four kings against one is still a losing proposition for all. The Incubus King believed he could claim Hell and subvert the remaining Demon Kings in order for him to become something greater. This, unfortunately, has resulted in the Incubus King's death, as well as the majority of the Incubi that served within the hierarchy. He sent out a call for all of them to rebel. Few sheltered from his reach in the hierarchy didn’t go mad and try to kill all other demons. Most of those were young that had yet to formally join.”

I frowned. “Don’t races usually serve someone different than their own?”

“At the very top, yes,” Lady Frey said. “But my mistress is a succubus as well. She is a Demon Princess, serving the Imp King. She understands that one day,” Lady Frey gestured vaguely off to the side, “someone will steal me from her and potentially elevate me to the state of Princess. Of course, she will treat me right and allow me to go. This little trouble is only to engender greater support for me in the future. While pieces shuffle around like some sort of strategic board game, ensuring loyalty and engendering long-term goodwill is a necessary talent for all demons. That way, even as the shuffle continues, you can seed your own pieces throughout the board. It’s the way all of this works and has always worked.”

“It sounds a little complex for my own interests,” I admitted.

The demoness stared at me for a moment before her tail flicked in annoyance. “It’s second nature to me, and if you’re to ever pass as a real Incubus, it should be for you. There is no outward sign that you are anything but a demon; however, you certainly don’t act like one.”

“If you’re giving me all this advice, I assume you’re engendering my own loyalty to ask for something yourself.” I hazarded.

The way her lips curled up into a proud smile caught me off guard.

“We might make a demon of you yet. Yes, I do have something I want from you. You are a top seedling amongst your race, which must mean you are at least decently capable. The truth is, the Incubus King pulled his strings, and with those pulls got every demonic lord and prince of his race killed, probably all the generals too. There are a few lower down the totem pole. However, any that had settled there are quickly ruled out for their greater plans because they simply aren’t the best candidates. No, what my mistress and every king is desperately searching through our ranks for is an Incubus with potential.” Lady Frey smiled like a shark as she gazed at me.

“And one that has a pointed weakness that you can exploit,” I offered, only for her to shush me. A little relief washed over me. I was a perfect little pawn, which at the very least bought me time.

“The effect is significantly reduced if you say the quiet part out loud. But yes. You’re in a position where you are malleable, promising, and come with a lovely little catch that I would certainly always be able to use. I do hope that should you integrate with the demonic race, you would help me if I needed it later. Favors should be returned, as succubi and incubi we both know that the best part is pleasing others,” She shot me a wink.

I shook my head, stared at her for a long moment, and then realized she had me in a position where I had few other options. She was handing me water in a desert, with the catch that I’d help her down the line.

It wasn’t evil, nor even a terrible offer. It was just hard on my pride when she had me in such a perfect corner. Not having options sucked.

“Fine. You helped me navigate what I don’t know, and I will assist you in turn.” I answered.

“Perfect.” Lady Frey purred and clapped her hands together, which must have been a signal, because the succubus poked her head in warily, looking down at the floor first as if expecting a mess to clean up.

Shit, how many times had she mopped blood off the Lady’s floor?

“Myself and Ken will be having a long conversation. Please bring refreshments and ensure they are well-suited for a meeting between me and one of my direct subordinates.” She ordered.

Those words had an effect, and the succubus darted out of the room.

“There, that should solve most of your issues.” Lady Frey leaned back, eyes narrowed at me expectantly.

“Is this the part where I let you brand me?” I asked.

“You’ll never pass for being within the hierarchy if you do not have the brand of a greater demon weighing upon you.” She told me plainly.

“I hope you can understand how that might be something I wish to avoid.” I replied.

Lady Frey clicked her tongue. “I’m going to assume you have no idea what you’re talking about.” With a wave of her hand, she produced a long scroll and handed me the top. “These are the terms and conditions. Please read over them well. They will govern any and all things I can ask of you should you become one of my subordinates, instantly raising you to a demonic general. Honestly, that is far above what you should be able to achieve, but expediency has its purposes.”

I took the scroll in hand and thanked the heavens for universal language. I had an inkling that a demonic contract could very well be written in demon. “Am I going to need to learn a new language?” I asked off handedly as I began reading.

Lady Frey looked at me strangely, an almost amused curve slicing across her face. “The universal language is the language of demons,” she said with a smile. “We made sure that the rest of the races spoke our language. Just a little extra branding on it.” She smirked.

The succubus from earlier rushed back in and unfolded a small stand, placing a tray between the two of us before darting out just as quickly. They were terrified of her. I had an itch to use my CID to see what level she was.

Lady Frey chuckled. “You’ll stop looking so surprised when they dart around you as if they’re mice scurrying out from beneath the feet of giants. No self-respecting demon would give them much concern.”

“I’m not used to people expecting violence from me. I will endeavor to improve,” I said slowly, earning a smile from her.

“Good. We can have you read the specifics later.” Her tone softened briefly before turning curious again. “Given everything, I can only assume you are at least marginally involved in dealing with the Threadspawn infecting your people?”

I looked down at the contract, then back up at her. Apparently she couldn’t read my mind or she wouldn’t have to ask. “We found a Threadspawn back on my home world that appeared to be…” I made a face. “Breeding I think.”

All traces of her smile vanished. “Explain.”

I nodded and began my story.

Surprisingly, Lady Frey didn’t interrupt once, not even for clarification. She simply listened in thoughtful silence until I finished. Then she leaned back, golden eyes contemplative. “So,” she said slowly, “you have an ability that can not only identify the Threadspawn, but track them throughout your world?”

I nodded. It had already become readily apparent that lying to her was going to be almost impossible. Whether it was an ability or her perception, it was clear she could pick me apart.

“You do understand that identifying the Threadspawn is currently among the primary concerns for all races?” She asked.

“That’s what I’ve come to understand,” I said.

“Then you should also understand the value that would be placed on your ability. And that you share the information so freely with me…” She clicked her tongue thoughtfully. “Tell me, can we turn more humans into demons? I quite like them.”

I hesitated. “I’m sure more than a few would jump for an increase in strength,” I said diplomatically.

“Of course.” She waved a hand. “I suppose that will be a problem for another day. Regardless, your ability to not only identify the Threadspawn but to track them would be incredibly valuable, both for myself and for the rest of the dungeon.” Her gaze sharpened again. “I hope you understand that in revealing it to me, you’ve placed a burden upon yourself to use it in the future.”

I nodded. “Honestly, I figured as much.” At least I hadn’t told her about my ability to take or share abilities.

“Good.” Lady Frey’s voice softened, though the weight behind the words did not soften. “I will certainly call for you. But for now, please begin reading the contract and feel free to ask me any question you may have as you go.”

Her golden eyes bore into me, and I knew this wasn’t a polite request. It was an expectation. The kind that left no room for refusal. And the way I was stuck in her building meant I had little choice but to sit there and do as she asked.

“I assume I can request some changes?” I ventured.

Her eyes narrowed, not quite angry, but enough to make me question my own courage. Part of me suspected it was just another tactic to shut me up and get me to sign the contract.

The next several hours were going to be painful.