On the dark continent, reaching the Demonoid lands, Khalor was flying over the desolate lands with a frown on his face. Below him, where Demon-Bulls and a variety of other monsters native to this zone normally roamed, the lands were desolate.
He had no time to stop and investigate, but he was certain this wasn't normal. His current objective was a certain kingdom in the Demonoid lands that was about to have the first wave of invasion.
Had Astaroth been present when they re-logged into New Eden, he would have asked for his help. But he didn't want to bring too many people in on his upcoming task.
It was a massive Exp gain, and he would rather keep it all for the people worthy of becoming stronger. He had yet to determine who that was within his allies.
Phoenix would have insisted he take some of the guild players, had he told her, so he kept it to himself. Anyway, it would be good for him to retake his level lead.
The leaderboards were about to change the ranking system, and even though he was almost sure he would still be first, he preferred to not take any chances. More levels meant more strength.
That stayed a cold, hard fact.
On the horizon, Khalor could finally see the silhouette of a city poke into the sky. He just hoped the timeline hadn't changed, and he was too late.
He knew he couldn't fly all the way to the city, since they would shoot him out of the sky, so he landed a few miles out. He was fine with walking the remaining distance.
Reaching the gates, which were currently closed, he hollered to the men on the walls.
"I seek an audience with the one leading this city!"
A pudgy Demonoid man leaned over the wall, sneering at him.
"Galena is closed for the foreseeable future! Go away!"
Khalor clicked his tongue.
'So they have already been hit by the first wave of monsters.'
In his memory, Galena was the first city to take on a raid with demon forces, not just corrupted monsters. Although they won in the end, it wasn't without a cost.
"I have information on your enemy and would like to help in tiding this crisis! Tell your mayor I wish to speak to him!"
The Demonoid leaned over the wall again.
"Information? You could also be a spy! Why don't you tell me now and be on your way? We will be forever grateful!"
The sneer on his face rubbed Khalor the wrong way, but he had to be diplomatic about this. He expected resistance, but he also didn't want to be made a fool of.
"And let you take credit for my knowledge? Don't kid yourself, guardsman. Send someone to tell your mayor that Khalor of Stellar Woodlands wishes to talk to them!"
The Demonoid was getting annoyed at the Undead man pestering him. But when he heard him state, he was from Stellar Woodlands; he had to take a moment and reconsider.
His superior would chew him up if he had left a noble standing outside while they were under siege. He took out an item that scanned people and pointed it at Khalor.
Khalor knew he had already won, so an enormous grin flashed on his face. He heard a clear 'Tch!' coming from the top of the wall and snickered to himself.
'I guess the guild becoming a kingdom has more than one perk.'
The pudgy Demonoid once again leaned over the wall.
"Wait here a moment, Sir!"
The stretch of the last word almost made Khalor burst into laughter. Served him right for treating him like rabble.
It was obvious the Demonoid didn't want to get in trouble and only conceded because of that reason. But that was good enough for Khalor.
A dozen minutes later, the portcullis in front of him started creaking to life, as they opened to reveal a large portcullis, which was also opening. Behind the portcullis, a tall, muscular Demonoid with blood-red skin was waiting, a fake smile plastered on his lips.
When the portcullis had opened high enough, Khalor started walking into the city. The tall Demonoid immediately greeted him.
"Greetings, Lord Khalor. I am Lord Rakis, mayor of Galena. What can our humble city do for you?"
'A suck-up? That's rare for Demonoid Natives.'
"It isn't about what you can do for me, but what I can do for you. As I told your guardsman before, I have information concerning the looming threat on your city."
Lord Rakis eyed the guardsman in question, his eyes displaying clear hostility.
"I do hope our guardsmen have not been rude or otherwise unaccommodating towards you, your lordship."
Looking at the pudgy guard, Khalor grinned like a shark. The man instantly paled.
"Not at all, Lord Rakis. He was prompt about getting you, and I didn't have to wait more than necessary."
Lord Rakis looked unconvinced, but glossed over the matter. If the Undead noble willingly let go of the matter, then he wouldn't fuss over it either.
The guard bowed at ninety degrees, facing Khalor.
"It was my pleasure to serve you, Sir Khalor!"
Khalor walked up to the man, leaning in close to his ear.
"You owe me, fatso. Remember that."
Then he straightened up, before saying, "Don't worry about it, soldier. You were doing your job."
The guard was trembling under his armour, realising he wasn't out of the woods yet. But Khalor didn't let him take up any more of his time.
He walked over to Lord Rakis and smiled.
"Shall we go somewhere more private and comfortable, so we can discuss what I know?"
Lord Rakis smiled back, nodding.
"Of course. Follow me, we shall go to my manor."
They walked side by side, exchanging platitudes and empty compliments. Khalor despised this, but he knew it was common etiquette with nobles, and his goal required him to butter up to this lord.
'Let's just hope it doesn't take too much ass-kissing. I hate boot-lickers.'
Meanwhile, the Demonoid Lord was having drastically different thoughts.
'If I can forge an alliance between the Demonoid kingdom and Stellar Woodlands, with me as an intermediary, my station will go up again! This golden goose must be treated with the utmost respect!'
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