Entropy's Servant

Chapter 49 - Conversation

Hello everyone, Astaroth here.
Despite my nature, I'm a firm believer in the concept of 'a conversation can solve anything'.
After all, if you can come to a mutual understanding, you might just find out there's not actually a source of conflict at all.
And even if you can't, you'll still have gained intel on the opponent you can use against them.

I made it not ten steps away from the world tree before I froze in place, narrowing my eyes.

"Master? Problem?" Navillus asked, canting her head to the side.

I shook my head. "Not a... problem, per se. It appears we have a guest."

"What might you mean, Milord?" Charlotte asked, curiosity twinkling in her gaze.

"What, you don't feel it?" I chuckled, raising my hand to my mouth. "I suppose it is difficult to sense, what with the world tree's mana so close by."

Tempest nodded in comprehension. "Do you refer to the influx of light mana that just occurred, Master?"

I smirked. "As expected of a Witch Queen. You are right, of course." I gestured in the direction I estimated the mana to originate from. "More specifically, I do believe this mana belongs to Claiomh Solais."

"The god-sword has appeared?" Charlotte asked, following my gesture with her eyes. "Now that you mention it, I do feel something from that direction..."

"Master, what do?" Navillus asked, squelching. I still hadn't gained a single lead on what that squelching meant.

I cleared my throat. "Charlotte, go on ahead. Check from the shadows if my estimation was correct. The rest of you, with me. We're going over there."

"At your command, Milord." Charlotte slunk away into the shadows of the forest, soon disappearing from sight.

"As you wish, Master."
"Alright, Master!"
"Okay!"
None of my other Demon Generals opposed the 'plan', so we set off.

"Why do we have to go through this damn forest..."

"Now, now, Reynald, I'm sure Lady Luciel has a reason to send us here."

"We already know the reason, Ebstrea. A Saint went missing around here. What I'm asking is why we don't have a more convenient method of travel."

"Well, transfer magic is rare, after all, and we can't exactly fly..."

"But why not at least give us a horse?!"

I observed the pair of Heroes from a few tens of metres' distance, listening in on their conversation.

It only took me a few minutes to determine their conversation was entirely mundane, prompting me to reveal myself from my hiding spot and walk into plain sight.

"Well, if it isn't a pair of Heroes. Having casual conversation in potentially hostile territory... how carefree," I said, folding my hands behind my back.

""You-!""

Although verbally, the Heroes' reactions to my sudden appearance were identical, the body language and implications couldn't have been more different.

The eyes of Claiomh Solais's wielder shot into a glare, his relatively handsome features becoming significantly less so as he lowered his posture.

On the other hand, the mage Hero didn't move much at all other than a step backwards, her legs trembling as she clutched her hands to her chest, staring straight at me with wide-open eyes.