58 Demontalk I (2/2)
\”You know what, let's get a head-start and control the narrative a little,\” continued Li. \”Triple Threat's going to come over tomorrow, and they're respected adventurers. Their word is the law, basically, so what I tell them won't get disputed.
I'll tell them that I was picking herbs when suddenly, I come across an egg that got dropped on a bush somewhere. Then I can even tell them I caught a glimpse of this so-called Morrigan fighting off the Lerneas to calm the city's nerves a little. If they have a witness confirming their guardian is back, I'm sure they'll be able to sleep a little better at night.\”
\”Will the humans not grow reliant on this supposed guardian oncemore?\” said Zagan, his ears twitching. \”They will try and contact it, lay offerings, perform communing rituals, but they will hear nothing.\”
\”I'll say the spirit looked really thin or weak – I'll brainstorm with Iona as to how a weakened forest spirit looks like. I'll frame it as something that helped them just once so that they don't get a false sense of security and don't go about making an unnecessary ruckus in the woods.\”
\”A reasonable decision.\” Zagan stiffened, the fur on his body almost bristling. \”But I am afraid we have veered from the topic at hand.\”
Li and Old Thane nodded. The egg and the health of the adventurers were important, sure, but this wasn't the main reason why this meeting was being held. The future well-being of the farm was far more important.
\”What do you think's going on with your kind?\” said Li.
Zagan sighed. \”Forgive me, Great One, but I have thought, and yet answers elude me. I did as you commanded when I first came under your service. I returned to the Swarm and spoke to the Burning One. He invests great respect within me, placing me as one of his seven heralds, and so he understood when I warned him to halt his invasions.\”
\”Mayhaps he felt a sour taste in his mouth when you turned your loyalties away from him,\” said Old Thane.
\”Preposterous. We are far unlike you fickle humans that forge so very many laws that none of you adhere to,\” said Zagan, snorting to reject the very notion of that idea. \”He of all demons understands very well the only law that we respect – the law of strength, of power over all. He did not begrudge that I wished to follow another stronger than he.\”
\”But you only gave him a warning, right?\” said Li. \”Warnings are ignored all the time.\”
\”I made it clear that to venture east to mortal plains was to face you, and that to face you would be to face annihilation.\” Zagan shook his head. \”No, there is something else. The fact that he has not dismantled the Swarm in of itself is an unprecedented act that breaks from a millennium of tradition.\”
\”Aye? How so?\” Old Thane leaned forwards, equal parts curious and questioning. \”I know we humans think mighty different from you, but in my experience, a general does not part easily with his army. He would be willing to throw them into inevitable destruction so long as he be the man to send the order. Power is not easily parted with. And an army that size that hungry, aye, it is no wonder he has sent it to feast.\”
Zagan paused. \”I will acknowledge that possibility. The Burning One spent centuries amassing his might, rising from an imp crawling in the dirt to an Archon mighty enough to invoke the Rite of the Swarm, uniting the chaos of our tribes under one banner, to try and wrest dominance over the world as our ancestors so nobly attempted a thousand years ago. It would be understandable were he to hesitate dismantling his life's work, and yet-\”
Zagan shook his head again, his crimson eyes gleaming as they focused on the fireplace. \”To assume the title of the Burning One is a burden of tremendous weight. It is to know that under his feet lie the lives of every single demon.
To wager an invasion upon the mortal plains is truly all or nothing. The Burning One must be absolutely confident in their victory, for anything less would disrespect the responsibility invested unto him. A Burning One that leads a conquest must succeed or perish in the attempt.There is no withdrawal. No retreat.
He understands that a foe exists that far surpasses him. He is a being of tradition, and tradition demands him to revoke his title as Burning One upon knowing that there is one superior to him.\”
Li raised a brow. \”I see. What it comes down to is that this Burning One is now confident he can fight me.\”