Velmira led Rivel into one of the largest rooms he had seen so far in the Demon Queen's castle. An enormous, chandelier lit space with polished black marble floors and carved obsidian pillars. Dusty Crimson curtains hung from windows tall enough to fit a dragon, and the entire room smelled faintly of old wine and even older pride.
Rivel blinked at the sheer size. "This is.. unnecessarily huge."
Velmira twirled once in the center, her excitement echoing across the chamber. "Isn't it wonderful? We never use this room at all! But-" She stopped with her hands on her hips, grinning at him. "Once we complete successful missions together, we can hold grand celebrations here."
Rivel pictured a lavish party held in his honor. Music, dancing, applause-
Then the imaginary crows began throwing rotten fruit at him for being weak, and he snapped himself back to reality.
His spiraling thoughts didn't get far. Several finely dressed demons approached, their expensive silks dragging on the floor and their expressions twisted into looks of pure aristocratic disgust. Rivel didn't need a manual to know who they were.
Nobles. Snobby demons. Possibly murderous. Definitely problematic.
Velmira's cheerful aura snapped instantly, switching into the "Queen Velmira" mode he was beginning to recognize, the deadly serious one. She stepped forward protectively.
"What are you all doing here?" She asked in a calm but threatening tone.
One noble tall, red-skinned, and dressed like an overdressed peacock stepped out from the group. "Queen Velmira, what you're doing is foolish. Relying on a human like him will accomplish nothing.
Rivel quietly took one subtle step behind her.
Another demon pushed forward, pointing a clawed finger at Rivel. "He's weak. Pathetic. No unique qualities. He has less magic than a rock. Bringing him here was a mistake."
Rivel internally winced.
Well... he isn't wrong.
Velmira didn't deny it. Instead, she smirked confidently. "Actually," she said brightly, "he has two skills. A leadership skill and a unique skill I've never even heard of before. Strategic Gambling."
The nobles stared at her. Then they stared at Rivel.
Then some of them burst into laughter.
Rivel wanted to crawl into a corner and die. Velmira why would you say it like that?!
One noble wiped away a tear from laughing too hard. "Leadership? That means nothing without experience or influence! Even weak humans possess that skill sometimes from just leading animals."
"And a gambling skill?" another scoffed. "Skills like that vary so much they might as well be useless!"
Velmira simply closed her eyes, crossing her arms. "I believe in him."
Dead silence hit the room.
Rivel dragged a hand down his face. "Please stop making this worse."
The nobles snapped, shouting in frustration.
"You trust a random human?"
"Peace is impossible with this weakling assisting you!"
"It would be simpler to end resistance by force!"
"Or maybe we should get rid of him so you can regain clarity!"
One demon pointed straight at Rivel. "Let us kill him here and now!"
Rivel stepped back. Okay, that escalated.
Velmira positioned herself with a cold fury that froze the air. "Touch one hair on his head," she growled. "and I'll kill all of you."
Some nobles flinched, but others stood firm.
I can see where this is going. If a fight broke out, I would be collateral damage. Or direct damage. Or smeared across a wall.
I need to do something.
So he stepped forward, slapped a hand to his forehead, and loudly scoffed, "God, you all are so annoying."
The nobles froze.
Velmira blinked.
Rivel internally screamed.
"Know your place, human-" One demon began.
"Oh shut up," Rivel snapped. "For nobles, you sure love bullying someone weaker than you. Insecurities much?"
Velmira quickly covered her mouth, giggling.
The demons growled.
Rivel lifted his chin with a bored, tired glare that said: I'm exhausted, I need a nap, please stop wasting my time.
"I already know I'm weak," he said bluntly. "Congratulations on pointing out the obvious."
A demon opened his mouth to retort-
Rivel cut him off again.
"But despite that," he said, "I fully believe I'm better than all of you when it comes to strategy and leadership."
The room went dead silent.
Then one noble smirked. "Oh? Then prove it."
Rivel's eye twitched. "Prove... how? A game of chess or-"
"No," the demon interrupted. "A real challenge. Siege."
Rivel had a feeling he wouldn't like this.
"What's that?" he asked.
The noble's grin widened. "Two sides. Each with soldiers, a captain, and a royal. Each has a castle. You must protect your royal while trying to capture or kill the enemy's royal. Victory is achieved by killing, capturing, or destroying the opposing side."
Rivel blinked. "I'm sorry, did you say kill?"
Velmira quickly stepped forward. "No. Absolutely not. Rivel will not participate."
Rivel raised a hand calmly. "Sure."
Velmira's head snapped toward him. "WHAT?!"
The nobles smirked like devils.
Rivel spoke flatly. "You said demons only respect strength. Well, let me prove I have at least some worth besides that."
"You'll die," she said.
"I'm aware," he said just as flatly.
She looked horrified. The nobles were practically salivating with excitement.
Rivel folded his arms confidently. "I need respect. I'll earn a bit before I leave."
Velmira stated at him in stunned silence.
I really managed to summon such a bold and disrespectful human didn't I.
She burst into laughter.
"You're absolutely insane," she said happily. "Fine. I said I believed in you, I might as well follow through on that belief."
The nobles nodded. "Tomorrow then. Enjoy your final night, human."
They left laughing.
Rivel sighed heavily. "You're the queen. Why can't you control them better?"
Velmira pouted. "Demons don't suffer consequences for resisting their ruler. The only thing they fear is... death. I can kill them if i want."
Rivel froze. "... That is both comforting and terrifying."
Velmira beamed. "Don't worry! if they revolt. I'll kill them all quickly."
"Yeah," Rivel muttered. "That's the part I'm worried about."
___________________________________________________
Demons of every kind filled the Northern Demon Kingdom, watching from magical projections in the sky. Excited cheers and bloodthirsty chants filled the air.
Rivel stood inside a basic stone castle built in a barren, rocky landscape. Demon soldiers in dark blue armor watched him intently, too intently.
Where is Velmira?! he screamed internally.
He needed her here. Partly because she was his "royal" for this game... Mostly because standing alone surrounded by glaring demons was horrifying.
Finally, a portal opened, and Velmira stepped out.
Rivel nearly dropped his soul.
She wore a stunning deep-violet gown, embroidered in silver with a flowing robe-like train that swayed behind her. Her long white hair was curled elegantly, and she radiated an aura worthy of a queen at a coronation.
"...Did you really take all that extra time just to change for this?" Rivel asked.
Velmira tossed her hair proudly. "If I'm playing the role of the royal, I must dress the part!"
"You're literally already a queen," Rivel said.
"But this is different," she insisted.
Rivel gave up.
Velmira clapped her hands. "Everyone! This human, Rivel, is your captain. Listen to all of his orders!"
A few demons visibly recoiled.
Velmira's eyes sharpened. She repeated the order with a sweet, deadly smile.
"Yes, Your majesty!" they shouted instantly.
Maybe Velmira is far scarier than I initially assumed- Rivel started to think.
Then she nearly tripped over her own robe.
Never mind.
Suddenly, a voice echoed across the land.
WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO SIEEEEGE!"
Rivel flinched. "I thought we were nowhere near the kingdom, so-"
Velmira explained casually, "It's voice-projection magic. The announcer's voice is broadcast through flying imps. Oh, and most demons are watching through magic screens, too."
Rivel imagined millions of demons judging him live.
His self-esteem evaporated.
Velmira awkwardly patted his back. "There, there..."
The announcer read the rules:
* Each team has a royal inside a castle.
* Royals cannot leave or issue commands.
* Captains and soldiers fight.
* Magic is prohibited.
* No outside items allowed.
* Win by killing/capturing the enemy royal, destroying the castle, or eliminating all enemies.
* No time limit.
*Cheating is punished.
"And with that... LET THE GAME BEGIN!"
Velmira clapped excitedly. "Rivel! What is our plan?"
Rivel turned to the demon soldiers. "Some of you go stand on the walls."
They obeyed reluctantly.
Velmira blinked at him. "That's it? That is your plan?!"
"No," Rivel muttered. "I'm thinking. Quiet."
She froze, fidgeting nervously.
Rivel took a slow breath, eyes narrowing.
They wanted a demonstration of strategy? Fine. I'll give them one.
I already know how to win this.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, the second team prepared under far less comforting leadership. Their "captain" was the snobbish demon noble who had spoken up first yesterday, stiff-backed and tense, while the royal seated on the throne radiated an authority sharp enough to cut air itself.
The demon playing the royal, Lord Bastien, leaned forward with a cold glare at his subordinate.
"Iratai," he said, voice low and edged like a blade. "Do not fail me. If the battlefield doesn't kill you first. I will finish the job myself."
Iratai flinched as if struck, bowing his head until it nearly touched the polished floor. Around him, every soldier knelt, trembling lightly, none daring to so much as breathe too loudly under Bastien's gaze.
"I-I would never daze disappoint you, Lord Bastien," Iratai stammered.
Bastien dismissed them with a flick of his hand.
"Then go."
Iratai straightened, his fear twisting into brittle authority. "Move! Half of you remain to guard the castle. Everyone else, with me! We will crush that pathetic human!"
The soldiers scrambled, rushing to obey.
And once the room emptied, Bastien exhaled softly, leaning back into his throne.
Once I win this foolish game... that native queen will fall. And I-
I will become the Demon King of the North. This game is merely the first step toward her inevitable downfall.
His smile was thin, hungry, and full of treason.