After coming back down to Gaia from his land of family memories and bragging. Warrick continued the recounting of his story.

  " Continuing on. While we were busy raising a Family. Dardus was busy in a separate matter. Simply put, he started attacking Human Settlements. After years of this and multiple high level Human Adventurers meeting a gruesome end. Promethia took the attacks as a declaration of intent of war and decided to invade Diablos, which caused us to get involved in the whole mess. So, in our view, because of what you could call bandits or pirates, Promethia decided to attack us. Granted the Humans were most likely looking for any reason to invade. You see, the official state religion of Promethia is known as the Teachings of the Light Gods and it looks unfavorably at anything Demonic. To the point where even Human Mages who use Shadow Magic or anything related to the Darker Elemental Magics receive rough treatment from its more enthusiastic followers."

  As I didn't have an issue understanding his words, Warrick continued speaking.

  " Now understandably, I am also to blame for this. If I had settled the matter with less mercy and instead of simply letting Dardus leave as he pleased, I could have stopped it."

  Warrick looked wistful for a moment after speaking. Then he quickly regained strength in his eyes and started to speak with more vigor.

  " But I intend to make things right! After returning from war 9 years ago, I immediately opened the Covert Operations Unit led by Sandra, who has a vested interest in taking down Dardus. Since you wouldn't know, John. Sandra and Dardus are cousins. Sandra is an honest woman at her core and she loathes the things Dardus has done. So far, we've tracked down several of Dardus's lieutenants and made them pay! But alas it was much too slow."

  Warrick took a drink from and his cup and continued.

  "With all this going on, I decided to switch my war strategy from offensive counter attacks to defensive strategies in nature. Naturally from that choice, there hasn't been much progress at all on the Human's side. Because of that, they got desperate. And for 3 years now, they have been making perpetrations for the Summoning of a Hero and their Party. I originally thought nothing of it until Sarah was Cursed."

  Warrick looks at Sarah warmly and then back to me and continues.

  " You see John, as you've heard us say, the Hero Job is a Human Exclusive Job and so is the Spell to Summon a Hero from another world. However Skilled Demonic Mages through the ages found a way to piggyback the Spell and interrupt the Summoning of the Hero. The reason for that was simply to bring them to the Demons side where historically, they were executed."

  Warrick sharpens his eyes, continuing on with his explanation.

  " But we needed a Paladin or Saint Lord in order to save Our Daughter's Life, so Aqua and I decided to gamble. After experimenting a bit with the mechanics of the Spell, we realized it was possible to search for a Paladin after piggybacking off the Summoning Spell. We just needed a Catalyst of the Highest Grade to do it. And outside of the Gods, the Highest-Grade Catalysts you can find are materials from Sovereigns of a Race."

  Aqua put her hand on top of Warrick's, who placed his other hand on top of Aqua's. Sarah stares at her parents as we both realize what he's trying to say.

  " Yes, we used my blood and Life Energy as a Catalyst to bring you to us."

  I sharpen my eyes and take a deep breath at the explanation... That was a lot to take in for me... If they screwed up.... My thinking was interrupted... Because I began to hear muffled cries from right next to me. Sarah was trying to stop her cries, but she quickly jumped to her feet and ran to hug Warrick. Warrick, seeing the distress that Sarah was obviously having, began to speak to her in a gentle voice as he tried to soothe her somewhat.

  " It's okay Sarah. Because of John, I'm good as new! His Holy Heal replenished me, Your Mother checked earlier and I'm better than I was when we used the Spell, I'm completely healed."

  Warrick wrapped his arms around Sarah and began soothing his daughter as Aqua joined in for a group hug.

  " I'm really glad I could help you guys."

  Thinking out loud, I said how I felt.

  After giving time to Sarah and Aqua to settle down, Warrick continued where he left off.

  " Now, the reason I bring this all up is because, during the Spell, we didn't need to travel far to find you. In fact, you were 5 feet away from the Hero. The young man with black hair and brown eyes."

  His name comes to me, and I say it in a low tone of voice that didn't convey the surprise I had.

  "Luke."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Warrick and Aqua look surprised at me? I guess that they didn't expect me to have such a dislike for someone. As I tried to relax myself, I felt a hand on top of my own, it was Sarah's. How did she move that fast?

  " It's ok John. You're with us now, we won't ever betray you."

  She spoke as she looked deep into my eyes, I felt the anger dissipate as I lost myself in the deep purple of her eyes. After calming down, she sits down next to me and continues to hold her hand on top of mine. I looked back at Warrick and Aqua... Why is Aqua almost restraining Warrick with her hands on his shoulders? After whispering something to Warrick, Aqua calms him down and after a deep breath he continues speaking to me.

  " Continuing on, they also Summoned the 4 young women with the Hero."

  Warrick spoke in a calm tone and after finishing his sentence, Sarah gripped my hand and Mana started pulsating out of her body.

  " I won't allow those filthy pests to intrude after what they did! It won't be allowed.

  I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it

  I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it

  I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it

  I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it I won't allow it."

  * PAIN!*

  She started to speak so fast I couldn't make out what she was saying and the pain in hand! AHHH I just felt a crack in it! Just as my hand was about to be crushed completely, Aqua came over to Sarah and told her to stop it. Sarah, hearing her mother, snapped out of her trance and let go of my hand. I owe Aqua a thank you. After apologizing to me, Aqua took Sarah out of the room, after healing my hand with Holy Heal, I turned to Warrick who seemed to be looking at me with pity in his eyes. After taking another moment, he decided to ignore what just happened and continue on where he left off.

  " Cough Cough."

  " ..."

  " Continuing on, a Spy Report has gotten back to me. And it seems that the Hero and the 4 girls have decided to take on the Job of defeating me, the Demon King. the Royal Family of Promethia are going to sponsor and train them to kill me. The best estimate is that they'll be prepared in 3 months. So, John... What do you want to do?"

  Warrick asked me that, but it wasn't like he was expecting me to just automatically say that I was going to fight them... But if I'm being honest... After reflecting on the crap I let slide with Luke for 4 years straight, I only had one answer.

  " Train me so I can fight him, the Hero!"

  Warrick looked surprised at my answer.

  " Ah? Are you sure? Weren't you guys, friends?"

  " Hell no! You teleported me right as a fight was about to break out between us! I haven't liked that guy since I've met him, I've let way too many things slide. I owe him a debt and I plan on paying it back in 3 months with interest!"

  Warrick looks at me nods his head and speaks while smiling.

  " Okay! So here's the deal then! Tomorrow we're going to announce that Sarah is ok thanks to you. Aqua has already decided on a Reward for you. That's her Reward for you helping us save Our Daughter. Also, Our Daughter would probably throw a fit if we didn't do it! So, the sooner the better and you did say we get to choose anyways."

  Warrick mumbled something into his hand at the end that I couldn't make out, but he continued after that.

  " As for me, as Demon King and a Father I owe you 3 Boons by my count. 1st and the most important, for Saving My Daughter! The 2nd being for Saving My Subordinates from unjust punishment even though I set that one up!"

  Warrick winked as he talked through a grin. I knew he planned that! I guess he thinks if he doesn't Reward me the witnesses may think bad of their King?

  " 3rd was for speeding up my recovery from the Spell we used to bring you here. It may have been an accident, but to be honest, this gives me a lot of free time now! I thought I'd be on the shelf for 2 months!"

  Warrick spoke with sincere gratitude in his voice and I replied to it in earnest.

  " I'm glad I was able to help you!"

  Warrick and I both nodded at each other, then he continued on.

  " So, I'll save the Last Reward for tomorrow, it's better if everyone hears it. As for the other 2, I already know what to give you! the 1st being that Aqua, Sarah, Crest and I are going to train you from the ground up and make you a fighting machine on par with the best of the continent! Granted this will take time. A lot more time than 3 months. But! In 3 months, with out help, taking down a half-baked, inexperienced Hero should be no big deal!"

  I smiled at him.

  " That sounds great Warrick!"

  I answered how I genuinely felt. It's only been a day, but it feels like we've been together for weeks already. I felt comfortable here, weirdly enough.

  " The 2nd boon is I'll allow you to grab a set of Armor and a Sword from Our Treasury! This is going to be kind of needed honestly. Because you can bet Promethia are going to put everything they can into the Hero and his Party! You'll be able to go to the Treasury tomorrow after the announcement!"

  Warrick finished and I decided to ask a small favor from him. To be honest, I've been thinking of it ever since he told me that " they" came here too.

  " Oh, do you think you can call me by a different name in public? I'd rather the Hero Party not know I'm here."

  "Are you sure? don't you view any of them as friends?"

  From Warrick's question... Memories flash through my head of a girl who I was close to and of people who I helped at different times during the last 4 years... And then Luke's face. Then they all come crashing down as I thought about that cabin. It made my answer that much easier... Even if I did still feel some kind of resistance to it...

  " No. None of them are my friends, I barely even know them."

  "Okay, do you know what name you want to be addressed as?"

  Warrick asked.

  " Call me Matthew."

  "Matthew?"

  Warrick said the name, obviously questioning the meaning of the name.

  " Yes, it's the name of a character from a story I liked a lot. Even better he would dress up like a Devil to stop evildoers!"

  Warrick laughed and I was giggling. After catching his breath, Warrick spoke.

  " Have it your way. "Matthew" In public, John when we're around Friends and Family. well for the time being at least. Also, I'll make sure to put a gag order out for the maids and guards that heard your name already. The Nobles that made up the crowd when you arrived will be easy to talk to as well, since they're all my Subordinates anyways. With that, I think it should all work out, John."

  We both nodded to each other, and Warrick called for a maid to take me away to a guest room for the night.