[Salvos] 769. Asking For Advice
769. Asking For Advice
***
“Ugh, is this really all I’m useful for?”
Hartia sighed as he slowly flew his way down the tunnel, heading out of the cavern to free the rest of the legions that had been brought back by Salvos and Manos. But the former Ruler of the Border wasn’t too enthused by the task he was given once again.
Because this was all that was asked for him— to free the legions from their collars.
“I can do other things too. Seriously, I nearly beat both the Enemy and the Traitor all by myself… but they’re treating me like I’m useless…”
Hartia shook his head as he sighed under his breath. He wasn’t even sure why it mattered to him if they thought he was useful or not. But what he knew was that he felt bothered by it. Like he wanted to prove himself to them.
His eyes flickered as he thought back to his time back in the Fairy Queen’s Palace. He remembered just what it felt like to be… unseen.
And Hartia shook his head.
“Whatever, I’ll just get this over and done with—”
He started as he hurried forward. But right as he was about to reach the exit of the tunnel, he paused as he sensed a figure rapidly approaching him from behind. He narrowed his eyes and glanced back, only to hear a voice call out to him.
“Excuse me—”
And Hartia’s eyes widened as Salvos flew straight at him. He barely dove out of the way as he cursed, but she didn’t even slow down one bit, flying straight for the exit.
“Watch where you’re going!”
Hartia screamed and raised a fist at her. But she was already long gone.
***
Haec swept his gaze over the colorful figures that inundated the valley. It was the rest of the legions of the Expanse— those who still had yet to swear their loyalty to Regnorex the Demon King.
Altogether, the number of Demons the rebellion had collected so far now easily numbered in the millions. Now, more than ever, they stood a chance of winning this war. Especially with the additional Primeval Demons that came with Manos and Salvos.
Well— at the very least, if they could even be trusted.
Haec narrowed his eyes as he looked over the Primeval Demons that had each once been the leader of a legion. While not all of the leaders of the legions were the same, very many of them spent their time tormenting and torturing the armies that were under them.
Was it because they were simply evil and cruel? Or was it perhaps because they were following orders from the Demon King?
Were they even loyal to the Demon King?
Haec didn’t know for sure. That was why he could only turn skeptically back towards Manos as he raised a brow.
“So these Primeval Demons… we can trust them?”
“Well, I don’t know.”
Manos shrugged in response. He looked towards one of the Primeval Demons who was standing towards the front.
“What do you have to say, Vargon? Can we trust you?”
The Primeval Demon— Vargon— shrank back as he averted his gaze. Even though he was a rather large [Fiend] who was one of the higher-leveled ones of the group, he was evidently afraid of Manos.
But why shouldn’t he be afraid? Manos was once the leader of the Deathsquad Hunters— on the precipice of becoming a Primordial Demon. It was normal to be afraid of him.
And yet, that was exactly what Haec was worried about. It was entirely possible that Manos was the only thing stopping Vargon and the other Primeval Demons from betraying. And the moment Manos left, they would take their opportunity to strike.
Even as Vargon attempted to convince Manos that he could be trusted, Haec could only purse his lips at what he heard.
“L-look, I only did what I had to do because Chordus was there— you know I would never actually side with the Demon King!”
Vargon said as he gesticulated in an exaggerated motion. Next to him, the other Primeval Demons nodded in agreement. Haec could only squint at this dubiously. But Manos nodded along uncaringly.
“Yes, yes, Vargon. I understand.”
The former leader of the Deathsquad Hunters turned to Haec and placed his hands on his hips.
“Well, everything seems fine to me. We can trust them.”
“But—”
Haec started. However, before he could continue, he heard an echo calling down the tunnel behind him. He blinked a few times as he recognized the source of the voice.
“Soooooooooorry—”
It was Salvos.
She shot straight out of the tunnel, flying directly overhead of the Demons gathered there. The speed of which she moved sent a gust of wind to sweep over them, knocking them back. And she didn’t even slow as she approached Haec.
The former Heir of the Netherworld just backed away as Salvos zipped past him, flying straight for Manos.
She grabbed the leader of the Deathsquad Hunters as he just blinked a few times, before she continued carrying on into the sky.
“Sorry, I’m borrowing Manos for a bit— I’ll be back though!”
Salvos called back down to Haec as she waved back at him. Then she was gone, leaving behind Haec alone and surrounded by the former leaders of the legions.
The very same Primeval Demons that Haec did not trust at all.
And he just had to trust that they didn’t betray him now that Manos was gone.
***
I flew to a nearby mountain, before plopping Manos down on the ground. He was panting, taken by complete surprise by my sudden kidnapping of him. He glared up at me as I took a step back.
“What was that for?”
“I needed you for something, duh.”
I said as I rolled my eyes. He got back to his feet and dusted himself off as he caught his breath.
“You could’ve asked for me nicely, not just snatch me off the very pleasant ground.”
“Well, we’re here now, so it’s fine.”
I waved a hand dismissively, and Manos snorted. He crossed his arms at me as he raised a brow.
“So… what do you need my help with?”
“I need your help to help me figure out what a new Grand Skill of mine does.”
I said as I shook my head. Manos frowned back at me when he heard that.
“And what makes you think I’m an expert in Grand Skills?”
“I mean, you’re pretty much Level 200, aren’t you? So you should know these things! Especially since it’s a Skill that relates to Primordial Demons?”
I shrugged back at the Executioner. He sighed as he lowered his head.
“That doesn’t mean anything— but fine, I’ll help you. Tell me, what is the problem?”
“So, um, basically I got a new Grand Skill, however it doesn’t seem to do anything. In fact, I’ll show you—”
I raised my claws as I spoke, and I called forth the twin flames that I had shown Sicar and Bertrugil earlier. As I expected, Manos couldn’t see it. He didn’t even react as it conjured into existence on the palms of my hand.
“Unfortunately, it’s pretty much invisible to everyone I’ve seen. And it doesn’t really do anything? But yep, I’m not sure what it is for…”
Manos narrowed his eyes at him, before giving me a flat stare.
“Are you sure you’re not imagining it?”
He asked as he raised a brow. I rolled my eyes.
“No, I’m not imagining it.”
“Alright, so let’s assume you’re not imagining it…”
He started, and I gave him a half-glare.
“I’m not.”
“Well, tell me then, what’s it called?”
Manos asked as he gave me an expectant look. I shook my head.
“It’s called [Soul Of The Primordial Demon].”
And his eyes flickered when he heard that.
“Ah, so you finally got your first immortality Skill…”
I just blinked when I heard what he said.
“What?”
Author's Notes:
What thonk?