>>6020587>>6020588>>6020599>>6020613>>6020629>>6020775>>6020852>>6020979>>6020999>>6021020https://files.catbox.moe/9casd6.mp3You frowned, your palms pressing against the bark as you widened the gap between you and the imp; he seemed just as hesitant to come near. Miranna bent the branch under her weight, her talons gripping around the wood.
With a gentle nudged, you eased away from the tree, the faint crack of your joints echoing as you moved close to the imp. You reached out, your arms spread wide, palms open in a gesture of openness towards the lesser-ranked demon. With a shake of your head, you took a few steps closer, bending your knees slightly to appear less threatening.
The imp clutched his polearm tighter, his black eyes darting at each of your movements.
In a soothing tone, you reassured, "Stay calm, I’m not going to hurt you.”
Moving the polearm in circle, the imp brought it towards you, aiming its blade at Miranna. “She will!”
Hovering your hand above the blade, you said, “Not if you do what I say.” Your fingers brushed the polearm’s aged steel.
The imp twitched but keep his weapon raised close to your chest.
Your voice lowered to a whisper as your fingers traced the rusted blade and slid down to the wooden shaft.
“Listen, I’ll spare you here and now if you vow to me to never again harm another human.”
He blinked, watching the way your hands moved on the glaive. “I never” —he shook his head— “this forest is forbidden, territory of the Demon King, me protect and watch. No human dumb enough to enter, it is boring duty!”
Is this what the Demon King had decreed? You couldn’t had known for the forest was already a so-called kingswood preserve during the “other King’s” rule, and peasants were forbidden from entering it. No wonder no one had seen the imp.
“Alright, let me try again. If you vow not to hurt a human, I’ll spare you.”
He squeezed his eyes shut, then glanced at Miranna. “You are the hero?” he queried. “What is a hero?”
You rubbed your neck. “Do you want to be spared or not?” You lifted your hand from the polearm.
Fear widened his eyes, the helm sliding even further askew. “I do, I do! I won’t hurt humans.”
You grasped the polearm and tugged on it. “Quiet, you” —you hissed— “not so loud.” Yet, you raised your own voice, turning to glance at Miranna. “Tell me where the nearest Demon King’s General resides, imp, I have no interest in your life!” You lifted a finger to your lips. “So sshh … where’s the nearest one?”
“I not sure. They always move about,” he said, swallowing and following your gaze. “The last one I see was ‘Chimera Hound’ Rosie, that was couple days before yes, and in passing only. She was patronising the southern human villages there.”
