607 Plans and Countermeasures, The Clues About the Black Duendes and the Demons (1/2)

”Does anyone have any suggestions?”

Diwata Danaya asked everyone present in the throne room. However, none of them were able to answer.

Currently, Diwata Danaya and the representatives of the races in the Stone Fortress were conducting a meeting. They were discussing their future movements to deal with the dire situation that they were in at this moment.

The heavy rain that Mark called upon was still ongoing. Nevertheless, the forest fire that was ignited by magic would not die out that easily. The moment that the fire was put out, however, the Stone Fortress would be laid bare to the eyes of the enemies. Whether it be the infected or the demons, it would be easier for them to attack as they could see the fortress that was embedded on the face of the mountain.

The Stone Fortress, which became the shelter for the survivors of the apocalypse, would be in grave danger.

Their primary line of defense that used the forest as the medium was now rendered unusable. Without the trees, the Tikbalangs would not be able to use their illusion to stop the intruders from going forward. Now, they could only rely on the walls of the fortress for defense.

However, that was not the most pressing issue at this moment. There were also other problems. One was about the food source for the fortress. The people here relied upon the graces they could get from the mountain, whether it be fruits or games. With the forest being burnt, they would have no other choice but rely on other sources. Most likely, they would have to go to other mountains to hunt and gather food. Not only would it be dangerous, but they would have to allocate more people to do the task.

More than everything else, the most pressing issue was about the current enemies that appeared. Of course, it was not about the infected. It was the Demons.

They suddenly appeared out of nowhere and came attacking. No one here knew what the Demons had in mind for ruining their currently hard but stable lives.

The only lead that they had so far was the Fifth Prince of the Black Duendes, Tierio, that was caught by Mark and was forcefully brought back for questioning.

And of course, they would not resort to pacified questioning at this point. Back then, when Tierio came here and acted like an arrogant bastard, they still had no reason to resort to violence. However, now that they lost a lot of people because of the ambush, they would not hesitate to cut off Tierio's arms if needed.

Even Diwata Danaya agreed with resorting to violence. Most of the time, she was a peaceful being that disliked it. That was how Diwata's were created and raised. However, Tierio already crossed her boundaries. If she could, she would snap Tierio's neck herself to appease the souls of the departed.

Now, they needed to know the reason why the Demons resorted to such means to attack them.

”Diwata, it seemed like we have no other options but to resort to sending our remaining Dryads to recreate the forest.”

Hieromano, the King of the Stone Fortress, said as they had no other options.

”It seemed to be the only thing we can do at that part.” Diwata Danaya sighed. ”Even so, it will take months before we can create a forest to a state where we can use it as a medium for the Tilkbalangs' illusion. Still, it will take months even if I lend my help. It is better that we prepare other means of protection while the forest is not ready yet.”

Everyone agreed with that plan. As said, the residents of the Stone Fortress did not have that many options left.

Still, to be able to recreate a forest large enough for the Tikabalangs to use for their illusion and protect the whole mountain in just several months was a feat itself. Usually, it would take decades to hundreds of years for the same thing to happen naturally.

The only thing left to discuss, aside from the Demons, was food. For the people of the Spirit Dimension, it was a difficult topic to tackle.

Compared to the Mortal World, the Spirit Dimension was very lacking in terms of technological knowledge. Thus, unlike humans, they could not preserve food for too long.

Some tribes knew how to preserve food using a primitive way. However, it was lacking compared to the needs of the Stone Fortress. Also, unlike humans, where the whole settlement managed the majority of the food and distributed it to its people, here, food distribution was minor, and everyone had to prepare it on their own. While it was less problem with the ones in higher positions, it risked more danger.

Moreover, the current food management was only working because they could rely on the Eastern Mountain for almost everything. Now that the forest was burned, they would have no other choice but to travel far to gather food. Searching and hunting individually among the tribes would pose more danger than necessary. Thus, they decided to organize a unified hunting schedule. Those that wanted to find food could go together with everyone.

This move would have both pros and cons. However, the priority was everyone's safety at this point, considering that the Demons were also lurking about.

***

While Diwata Danaya and the representatives of the races were discussing their future plans, Mark's group was the same.

Well, it should have been that way.

However, before anyone could speak, Mark gave his orders.

”Everyone should prepare.” Mark then turned to Teremillio. ”You will lead the way. We are going to your Kingdom.”

Everyone was speechless.

”But Boss, hasn't it fallen from the infected?”

Edzel asked.

”Are you sure about that?” Mark asked Edzel before turning to Pearl that was sitting beside him. ”How about you Pearl. What do you think?”

Pearl was surprised to be posed with a sudden question.

”I-I...”

Pearl stuttered. She did not know how to reply at all.

”Take a deep breath. Don't panic.” Mark said jokingly. ”Don't worry. I'm just asking for your opinion. Just straightly say what you have in mind. It's not like you're going to get killed if you answer incorrectly.”

Pearl followed Mark and took a deep breath. She also felt Edzel's hand grasping on hers.

And there, she answered.

”I... I think it's not true. That prince should be lying.”

”And why do you think so?”

Mark asked once more.

”Um... It's because of his actions.” Pearl recalled the things she witnessed back then. ”If their Kingdom had really fallen, I don't think that he would be able to act like that. He could still act arrogant, but I don't think that he would be able to call himself the Fifth Prince conceitedly without backing.”

”Bingo.”

Mark smiled.

Hearing that, Teremillio and his wives were enlightened.

Even Teremillio, also a prince of that Kingdom, never called himself a prince needlessly because he already left that place. He was someone without the backing of that Kingdom.

Then, what of a person whose Kingdom had fallen? It was even worse. How could they act as an important person when they had nothing else left? The only thing that could resort to that was either the person was nightmarishly dumb arrogant or someone who did not know how to act their role.

However, Duendes were smart but also simple-minded. Not only the Duendes but many Spirit Races were the same due to lack of experience and knowledge. Even the dumbest royal would not dare flaunt their nonexistent position, especially if they needed help.

The best example of this was Buhawi and Banaya. They were the King and Queen of the Sylphs, whose Kingdom had fallen. Although they were still called King and Queen by the Sylphs, their position was just representatives of their race now. They did not behave arrogantly, considering that they were only seeking shelter at this point.

But Tierio, it was the exact opposite. His claims and actions were too contradicting.

”So, what is your answer?” Mark asked Teremillio. ”Do you want to save your mother or not?”

Teremillio's eyes lit up. If Tierio was really lying, then it was very likely that his beloved mother was still alive.

”Of course!”

Teremillio regained his lively self. His wives were glad for his comeback. They were also happy to come along and help.

But then, Mark dropped a bomb, making them all frozen.

”By the way, prepare as if we are going to war. You all better think that the Kingdom of Black Duendes is now a lair of Demons.”

They looked at Mark, asking for an explanation.

”Why are you all looking at me like that? Remember where Demons came from, right? I don't think that there is any passage nearby for them to use, so how can they amass an army like that and plan an ambush? They likely managed to secure a place to stay nearby. Considering the clues we had, there is only one place, right?”

And of course, with Tierio being the clue, there was only one place the Demons could gather.

”Alright, we will prepare.”

Teremillio said with a resolute expression. He did not care about Demons or anything. He just wanted to save his mother at this point.

”Good expression.” Mark complimented Teremillio. ”I just wish that someone else could show that kind of resoluteness and decide to fix his problems.”

They were confused as to what Mark was talking about. However, they did not notice that Pefile was choking behind either.

***

And there, they started to prepare. Following Mark's instructions, they would leave the moment the sun rises tomorrow.

The interrogation of Tierio also resulted in the same conclusion that Mark's group had. The Kingdom of the Black Duendes had never fallen, and it was only a set up for Tierio and his people to gain clearance to enter the Stone Fortress.

And Tierio's goal for entering the Stone Fortress was to gather information. The actual reason he tried to enter the inner walls was for the same reason. However, as he was not given access to it, he tried to use his position, and it backfired. Yes, he was both dumb and did not know how to act his role.

Aside from those, there was one thing that was confirmed right out of Tierio's mouth.

The Black Duendes formed an alliance with the nearest Demon Kingdom. Everything that unfolded was actually their plans.

As for their goal, unfortunately, even Tierio had no knowledge of it.

In fact, Tierio barely knew anything at all and was just following their father's orders. The only thing he knew was that the Demons appeared proposing an alliance.

The alliance was subjected to the current crisis, the apocalypse. Sooner or later, the Kingdom of Duendes would fall. Unlike the Stone Fortress that most races had no problem approaching, the Black Duendes were avoided like the plague.

Unfortunately, just their race alone would have limited ways of protecting their own. They had no choice but to accept the help of Demons. Besides, the disposition of the Black Duendes and these Demons were quite alike, which made the alliance form quickly.

The actual goals of the Demons were still uncertain. However, there was no doubt that they wanted something in the Stone Fortress.

Soon, night came.

Everyone was resting while the lookouts and warriors kept protecting the now vulnerable fortress.

At this moment, someone appeared in the dungeons of the Stone Fortress. Not long after, another two figures appeared.

”So, you actually noticed.”

One of the newcomers said to the first person. He was no other than the King of the Stone Fortress.

”I don't think that it's a surprise anymore.”

The other person said. The person was Diwata Danaya.

And the first one to appear replied.

”I just wanted to investigate a bit but it seems like you two noticed me.”

He was no other than Mark.

While most people were unaware of the Demon's goals, These three people had some clues.

And the clue was one thing that this place had and the others did not.

It was the legend and the reason why this fortress was built in the first place.

***

Day ▋▋▋ - ▋▋:▋▋ ▋▋ - Dungeons, Stone Fortress, Spirit Dimension

According to the legend that was the origin of this fortress, a Demon clad in flames attacked. It forced the ancestors to build this place to hold out until a Diwata came and banished the Demon.