Dreu stared down at the muddy water, unsure if he made the right decision of getting so close. After talking to Ragellon, he was certain that the swamp would make the underground appear as the safest location in the demon realm. He had a taste of fighting around the underground lake but this was several magnitudes worse. The swamp had muddy water with low visibility and, unlike the lake, it was home to many dangerous creatures. According to the demonic child, many of the demonic creatures beneath the surface were far more powerful than even the greater demonic primate. If it weren’t for the fact that these creatures couldn’t travel on land, the city would have fallen to them easily. Here he was foolishly getting close enough to possibly be dragged into the watery depth.

  I will head underwater to scout ahead.

  As much as Dreu wanted to avoid it, he did promise Seiluxr that he would aid her. He told her to be careful and that she had only a single chance. If she was defeated, then he couldn’t summon her again due to his low levels. The sorceress promised she would be careful and disappeared into the muddy water. Once she left, Dreu headed further inland until he felt there was enough land between him and whatever that could surface from the swamp. After a short while, he turned towards the forest.

  Good thing that greater demonic primate had lost interest. It's nice to not hear that stupid monkey making noise day and night.

  After inflicting a lot of damage to the outer walls and some buildings, the primate simply lost interest and went back to wherever it called its home. From that experience, the young man made a note to avoid angering primates. With the situation settled in the forest, he could explore the area again. As he was about to make his way, Zog flew over to him.

  Ror needs your assistance at once!

  Hearing the urgency in Zog’s voice, Dreu dashed to where the fel spider was staying. As he burst in through the front door, he was ambushed by about a dozen creatures. He was about to reach for his weapon when his gaze was on the nine baby spiders. They were basically miniature versions of Ror but their hair made them appear far more cuddlier. The nine spiderlings were content climbing over his body as they explored. Compared to the fel spiders that wanted him dead, these spiderlings were far more innocent.

  Glad to see them born without any issues.

  About that…

  After a slight hesitation, Ror spoke about her unorthodox way of becoming pregnant. Female fel spiders usually got pregnant with the help of a male spider. Ror’s situation was different due to an ambush on her cluster of fel spiders. Following the ambush, she was captured and eventually handed to demonic warlocks. At the hands of these warlocks, she was experimented upon for two weeks before she was released. Upon being released, she learned of her pregnancy which was also the cause of her exile. In exile, she fled all the dangerous creatures and would have perished at the hands of the lesser demonic primates if Zog and Dreu didn’t come to her aid.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Do you know what they did to you?

  I…I do not know. I overheard them using a blood ritual but…but I know nothing beyond that.

  Still, what they did must have an impact on your spiderlings.

  Will you kill them?

  Dreu shook his head as he placed his hand on one of the spiderlings who didn't shy from his touch. He explained that the environment played a greater role than one’s origin. He learned from Bayard that Zhou was once a bandit but, through a second chance, the man was able to rise in the military ranks until he earned his position. The young man believed that the spiderlings too could live a brighter future as long as not everyone had given up on them. He didn't share that he had already grown attached to the cute spiderlings.

  When Brornun had a chance of turning evil, I believed in him. I will believe in these spiderlings too.

  Suddenly, all the spiderlings turned around and headed towards their mother. Ror said that she needed some rest so she and her spiderlings were heading back inside. As they left, Dreu checked the prompt but he got nothing on the spiderlings. Intending to investigate the matter at a later date, the young man summoned Marun and Ilveroz for their little exploration trip.

  Let’s explore the forest and get some training.

  Dreu wanted to start with a smaller group so they were harder to detect by the demonic creatures. Once combat was unavoidable, he would summon the others to assist the battle. Given what the greater demonic primate did up until recently, it was unlikely to have any creatures wandering in the forest. This should give them ample chance to familiarize themselves with the local terrain with the information possibly aiding them in the future.

  Something is up ahead!

  After debating for a short while, curiosity got the better of Dreu. The young man led the way as he crept forward. Ilveroz followed suit but Marun didn’t even try to be stealthy. The netherbear walked as if she owned the forest. The three of them then reached a clearing where the bodies of a dozen velos were scattered. In the center of the corpses was a white swan covered in blood. With the light glowing from its body, Dreu didn’t think the creature belonged to the demonic realm. After seeing the underworld creatures and the sorceress, he was fairly certain that there was more than one way to enter the area.

  I need to help the creature. It must be on the same side if it kills velos.

  Dreu stepped into the clearing slowly, making sure the swan was aware of his presence. However, the swan didn’t even hesitate in charging at Dreu with its beak aimed at his face. The creature’s speed far exceeded his expectation so he didn’t even have time to draw his weapon.