Reincarnated Into A Hell Hound - Chapter 136

“So, mind telling me a little about what this reunion is all about and what have you talked out with the elves already?” I ask Leonel while we follow the elf, a short talk about politics and the part that matters to me the most:

“I tried talking with the elders around here but, since I’m a halfling I’m not really taken seriously, and my connections are with mostly northern elves.” Well, with all this build-up I already know that the news won’t be good.

“Just tell me already, you know that I won’t blame you for it.” Probably.

“Well, for good or worst, elves are… neutral in terms of war affairs since the Bringers of Magic came, and they intend to keep it that way until the demons are at their doorstep. If you think humans are stubborn try talking with an ancient five hundred years old elf.” Well but that’s just stupid, neutral until we have no other choice, that’s just inviting disaster. ” So they have decided to talk first with the Demon Lord Cain and have him agree to keep them alone and get rid of his controls on the remaining elves, in a way that you don’t get in my way I won’t get in yours deal. That’s why he will be there tonight, because he was actually invited.”

So they are giving no f.u.c.ks to the humans or other races beyond their own? I am reminded of the treatment Leonel received for being a half by the humans and I can understand their hatred, but still they were no better when they act almost the same with him too, only in a more ‘polite behind the back’ way. “No shit. But why there are elves that will help save my brother?”

“Because I asked for it, and because they have hunting parties already for this kind of mistreating magical creatures thing, Aeglos is part of it too.” He hesitates a little, but continues. “And because I paid them to.”

“Well, great, they are mercenaries now.” He shrugs.

“Is easier to think that way. Private manners, private pay, no risk in bringing war to their people, though I bet Cain won’t think that way, there is so much they can let it go before looking like they are giving in too much. They can’t afford to look weak.”

“Well, doing their work well all the rest doesn’t matter to me.” Look out for yours first, that is something I can respect, but they cannot blame me for doing the same.

“I should have known that I would need to expand my connections with the elves, but they are so closed up for anything coming from outside and I haven’t had time to expand enough with the humans and my guild to have a solid relationship with them and…”

“Hey, hold on, I’m sure you did everything you could, don’t blame yourself. And I kind of understand them, I want nothing with this upcoming war either, Cain dragged me into this mess and the only thing I want is for him to pay… and my brother back of course.”

We walk a little more. “So in the party what will they be up to?”

“Stay on guard if things go south.”

“That’s it?”

“Not much to be done beyond that.” Well sure I supposed…

We follow the elf for a while after that, the idea of him being a traitor and this being a trap coming to mind, but vanishing after he, in the end, takes us where we were going to in the first place, to reunite with the mission center.

“What is it?” I was growing impatient with this suspense, and I’ve never been a fan of surprises; even more with bad surprises.

“Well…”

“No need to bark at the poor boy.” I hear a voice from the inside and, as I turn around, the doors open up to reveal Hel coming out, in his man form again, and the moment I see him I already get annoyed for what is about to come.

And that is accompanied by a wide grin on his smug face.

“Oh ho, seems like you two enjoyed my gift…”

“F.u.c.k off.”

“Oh, don’t be that mean, I’m happy for you two, we should celebrate, I have many more of those if you want to have a private party.”

“…Seriously?” He shrugs.

“Was worth the try.” He smiles, but coughs one he looks to the side were Leonel stood.

“Aaaanyway as much as I would enjoy hearing all the details I still have many elves to help out, but our welcomed for the gift.” He gives a nauseating giggle as he walks off, waving goodbye.

Not going to miss that devil, though something tells me that he won’t let me go that easily, like any other of his kin for some reason. I roll my eyes at the thought.

Focusing back at the room I can hear the chitchatted and discussing before even getting in, and once I step inside the room all the elven faces turn towards me, silence fallsing upon the room and, straightening their backs, most leave the place in a hurry, as if they were running away for what is about to come.

A good omen I supposed…

I understand why after my eyes land at the open box on the long table, and as, for a few seconds, I only stare at it blankly, other elves, this time some elders, leaving too.

But I understand their fear, because inside, in plain sight, is a shirt, my brother’s shirt, coated in blood and ragged into pieces, and at the top over the open lid of the chest there is a familiar black letter with big writing, simply saying:

‘A small reminder to make sure you will be there. C.’

These words, that irony smell of blood, and the assumption of who it belonged to… it is enough to make my blood boil inside my veins, but not in the bursting out kind of anger as the other times, but in a silent, bottle up kind of lividness.

The type of anger that makes one’s body shiver for the killing intend is far too strong to be contained.

The type of anger that makes one dead serious about killing someone.

The type that makes me crack my neck and knuckles, ready to rip him apart.

Because now I’m far more than ready to teach this Demon Lord a lesson he will never forget.