[Salvos] 761. Promised Army (Start Of Book 15)
761. Promised Army
***
It hadn’t been long since Salvos left. But Haec couldn’t help and worry— he didn’t fully trust Manos. How, in good faith, could the former Heir of the Netherworld do so?
Manos was the Executioner— the leader of the Deathsquad Hunters.
It made no sense to Haec. There was no reason for Manos to have betrayed the Demon King so suddenly, unless it was some kind of ploy. This had to be a part of some kind of scheme. It had to be a trick of sorts.
However, Salvos had been confident she could trust Manos. So Haec trusted her. Even if he had his doubts.
All he could do now was wait. Perhaps he could ease his worries by reminding himself that Manos had helped them kill Jofis when there was no reason for it— but even still, Haec was aware of how society functioned under Regnorex.
Not all Demons were happy with each other. Many of them wanted to kill at least one of their companions for whatever reason, however they only abstained from doing so for fear of incurring the Demon King’s wrath. It was entirely possible that Manos had been looking for the opportunity to kill Jofis this entire time, only seizing the opportunity at that moment, with no ulterior motives to help the rebellion.
There were so many what-ifs. So many uncertainties. So Haec knew better than to just question it. Instead, he had faith… even if it was difficult at times.
He stared out into the dark tunnel ahead, waiting patiently for Salvos and Manos to return. The rest of the rebellion was waiting further into the cavern. The reason why Haec was this far ahead was just in case it had been a trap, and something happened to his companion.
While he did not wish to think of anything terrible befalling Salvos, he was very much prepared for anything to happen. After all, this was his duty. He was the leader of this rebellion. He couldn’t let them down.
So if something happened, and Manos returned with Chordus to destroy the rest of the rebellion, at least Haec would be able to warn everyone else first— perhaps even hold the two other Primeval Demons off.
A set of footfalls echoed behind him, drawing his attention. It was Taburas. A [Succubus], and the person he trusted the most right after Salvos. She met his gaze as he nodded at her.
“How’re things with Sicar?”
“So far, he hasn’t done anything suspicious. But Bertrugil’s keeping him distracted, and Hartia’s on standby in case anything happens.”
Taburas reassured the former Heir of the Netherworld. Haec sighed in relief.
“Good.”
As a subordinate of Manos, Sicar couldn’t be trusted either. However, they had allowed Sicar to stay until Manos returned with Salvos— mostly because Haec was confident they could, at the very least, deal with a lone Deathsquad Hunter if anything happened.
“Now, all we have to do is hope that Salvos returns soon…”
Haec trailed off as he eyed the darkness. Taburas stared at him from behind. Her lips were pursed. Slowly, she placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke in a soft voice.
“Haec—”
She started, and the Traitor glanced back at her. They locked gazes for a moment. Taburas hesitated. But then she nodded at him, mustering up a smile.
“It’ll be fine, I’m sure of it. Salvos got us through much worse trouble than this before— I’m sure she can do it again.”
Haec blinked. However, he saw the sincerity plastered all over the expression on her face, and he just returned the smile.
“Thank you, Taburas.”
“Of course, Haec. And no matter what happens, I am here for you too. Just like I have always been.”
The [Succubus] said as she straightened. Haec gave her a grateful look.
“And I will forever be thankful for that.”
The two of them waited there at the tunnel for a long while. Neither said a word, staying quiet as they leaned on each other. And then, after what felt like an eternity, they both perked up, hearing voices echoing down the tunnel.
“...I’m pretty sure it was this way—”
“—don’t think you know where you’re going…”
“Shut up!”
“Is that…?”
Haec looked up, peering into the darkness of the tunnel. Taburas raised her head as well.
“I think it is.”
She agreed. The two of them rushed forward, before watching as a pair of figures— or rather, one figure carrying another— emerged from the shadows. Familiar faces. The two people they had been waiting for.
“Salvos, you’re back!”
The former Heir of the Netherworld exclaimed, drawing Salvos’s attention. She paused mid-air, still carrying Manos under her arms. When she spotted both Taburas and Haec, she immediately raised both her hands and waved at them.
“Haec, Taburas! Yes I’m back!”
But as she did that, she let go of Manos, dropping him out of the air. The Executioner cursed as he crashed straight into the ground.
“Why did you drop me?!”
He screamed as he picked himself up. Salvos landed right next to him, scratching the back of her head.
“Oops, sorry. But you’re fine, right?”
“That’s besides the point— you know I hate heights!”
Manos glared at her, however Salvos just tilted her head innocently.
“Whatever could you mean?”
And as the two of them bickered, Haec and Taburas approached them from the side. But the former paused as he caught a glimpse of Salvos’s arm.
“Salvos… what happened? I…”
He chewed his lower lip, and Salvos blinked, looking back down at her arm. It was distorted and shone with iridescent colors, all the while looking like it was made out of stone.
“Oh, this? Don’t worry about this. I’m fine.”
Salvos waved the hand off dismissively. Haec wasn’t sure whether to believe her. However, he shook his head and asked the more pressing question at the moment.
“Then did you actually do it?”
He asked, glancing between Manos and Salvos. Taburas nodded next to him.
“Yeah— did you actually defeat Chordus and the remaining leaders of the legions?”
Salvos and Manos exchanged a glance. Both of them grinned at each other, before gesturing for Haec and Taburas to follow. The group began to head out of the tunnel as the Executioner just scoffed.
“Look, I know you and the rest of the rebellion didn’t trust me, so I decided to go even beyond my promise to you all.”
“What do you mean?”
Haec furrowed his brows. Manos winked back at the former Heir of the Netherworld.
“You’ll see.”
They continued for a while longer, before they finally exited the tunnel out into the other side. There, they saw the glowing crimson sky overhead. Haec squinted, his eyes adjusting to the light. And when he acclimated to it, he saw the sea of Demons waiting right outside of the cave entrance.
There had to be nearly two million of them, all gathered here in a single spot. But that was not all, there were figures flying— hovering in the air over the giant army. Haec recognized them— dozens of them. All of them were Primeval Demons.
They were the leaders of the remaining legions. Or at least, some of them.
“Not only did we kill Chordus and free the rest of the legions, we also managed to convert quite a few Primeval Demons to our side too.”
Manos smirked as he spread his arms wide. Haec stared at this scene in awe— with this, they had to have tripled their numbers of the rebellion. And with the former leaders of the legions here too, they had to have more than quintupled their chances of winning against Regnorex.
“I can’t believe it…”
Haec whispered, his breath taken away by the sight. Even Taburas was at a loss for words. She tried to work her jaw, but nothing came out. They thought that all Salvos and Manos were going to do was bring them the head of Chordus. However, they actually brought the rest of the legions back with them.
And Salvos just beamed, speaking up from the side.
“That’s not all— look at me!”
She flexed an arm as Haec used [Identification] on her.
“I’m stronger than ever, too!”
[Lesser God - Lvl. 183]
“Amazing…”
Haec could only gape at her. He hadn’t thought it was possible, but Salvos had somehow expanded the gap between them even further. She was inching closer and closer to the power of a Primordial Demon. In fact, she might even evolve before this was all over.
Salvos just grinned, and a smile slipped onto Haec’s face as well.
“Now we actually stand a chance of winning.”
“Yep!”
Author's Notes:
Sorry for the delayed chapter. I think for Book 15, I'm going to take my time to plot it out better so I don't get rushed to publish it like Book 14.