Chapter-24

  The trio started their journey towards the land to the north.

  This journey is a tedious one. They have to cross the fiery mana fields, one of the dangers of the demon realm. Fortunately, centuries ago, to help the demons of the kingdom, the old demon king built an underground channel to travel to the north.

  This is the path the trio are going to take.

  The underpass, they call it.

  After about half a day of horse journey, the trio reached the entrance of the underpass.

  The underpass was a marvel of magic, a pinnacle of ancient wisdom and a feast to the eyes.

  The entrance was made of mana crystals floating in the air, like the earth itself gave in and made a path. In the air around us, the mana resonated with the runes on the mana stone, shining brightly and illuminating the darkness of the night. The entrance had two statues on each side, each resembling demon knights. They were old, covered in moss and vines, but their eyes showed so much life, one would even believe if they were said to be real people. Such is the marvel of the ancient demon sculptures.

  Ryan spoke, "Wow, isn't this beautiful?" His eyes wide, mouth open in awe.

  Leo replied, "Indeed, yet another marvel of the ancient demons," with the same awe as Ryan.

  Reed said, "I couldn't agree more."

  Leo spoke, "Let's camp out here for the night, have dinner, rest, and enter the underpass."

  Just outside the underpass, under the light and protection of the runes, the gang set up the fire to cook their meals.

  Ryan lit the fire. Leo took out his cooking kit from his magic bag, laid it out, took out the ingredients. With his magical knife skills, he diced the veggies and meat and made a simple yet mouth-drooling meat stew.

  Adjacent to the underpass's entrance, a few meters away from where they camped out, there was a water source.

  Reed said, "Leo, let's go refill our water. Don't know when again we will reach the city. It may take more than a week."

  "Sure, let's go," said Leo, after which he kept the bowls in position, ready for eating.

  "Ryan, join us," said Reed.

  Ryan replied from his lying down position, "Do I have to? Don't you have Leo already?"

  He sighed.

  Reed said, "Get your lazy ass up."

  Ryan replied, "Whatever," as he stood up and accompanied the duo. They walked away from the camp, left to fetch water for the journey.

  At the empty campsite, a demonic hawk descended — the same one that landed on Reed's window.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  The hawk had a vial tied to its legs.

  The trained hawk took out the vial after climbing on the stew pot's edge, its demonic feet resistant to the flame's fury.

  The hawk took the vial and poured its contents into the pot. A colourless, odourless fluid flowed out, mixing with the stew.

  The demonic hawk flew away.

  At the pond, the trio arrived under the moonlight. Star-light fishes were jumping around the pond — true to their name, playing and basking under the starlight. The splash of water resonated in the air. A pair of the fishes, who love and choose only one mate for life — one dies when the other dies.

  The trio went near the pond — Leo, Ryan, and Reed — all took out their bottles and filled them.

  "Let's go back lest the food gets cold," said Ryan.

  "Sure, let's go," replied Leo.

  "Go ahead, let me enjoy this view a bit longer. Eat without me," said Reed.

  "Suit yourself, don't complain of the cold food later," said Ryan.

  "Let him enjoy. Let's go," said Leo.

  The duo left.

  As if waiting for the duo to leave, the same hawk now sat on Reed's shoulder.

  Reed checked the container on its left leg — it was empty.

  He understood the mission had started.

  On the other leg of the hawk, there was another vial. On it was written the word, "antidote."

  Reed took it out of the hawk's legs. He stared at it, thought, "Sorry Leo, you shouldn't have gotten so close to the princess."

  Then he gulped it down in one go.

  He placed the empty vial back in the hawk's legs, to get rid of all the evidence.

  As the hawk flew away,

  His eyes filled with sorrow, his voice soft, his eyes a bit moist, he whispered, "I am sorry, it's fate ,you have to die here".

  Then the Duty bound knight moved back with a heavy heart.

  The duo came to the campsite. They prepared to have dinner. They poured the meal into their cups. Just at that time, Reed joined them.

  They made him a cup too.

  Just as they were about to eat Reed averted his eyes away perhaps out of guilt.

  At that moment, the bushes near them shook, "sussh, sussh."

  A sound of footsteps was heard — it was not like that of a beast, it was more like that of a demon walking on two feet.

  The steps got closer. Leo reached out to take his sword. Ryan readied his dagger, and Reed also pulled his weapon.

  A shadow emerged. It was a demon — eyes sunken, frame tall and skinny, about 20-30 years old. His shoulders carried a bag. The trio charged at him. The tall figure collapsed in front of them.

  Leo rushed and caught him. He rested the collapsed demon's head on his lap. Ryan splashed some water. The figure woke up. Suddenly, the trio were startled. The tall demon's nose sniffed the air. He turned towards the pot, took a huge leap, grabbed one of the three bowls filled with stew ,gulped it down ,let out a huge sigh ,his eyes turned towards the other bowls.

  Then he gulped down all the food before the trio could react.

  "The food! The wonderful delight! It's gone!" cried out Ryan, biting his lips, clenching his fists, thinking of the lost delight.

  Reed didn't speak, but he couldn't hide his disappointed look.

  Leo moved towards the hungry demon. He offered him water he had.

  The demon's hand flashed and grabbed the bottle, almost gulped down 3 liters of water.

  "Thank you, brother," spoke the demon.

  "I am Leo, you are?" asked Leo warmly.

  "Leo, a wonderful name indeed. Today you satisfied the hunger of the great demon Drake. I accept you as my little brother. From today on, you are under my protection,"

  proclaimed the crazy demon, life returning to his pale face ,his sunken eyes recovered a bit .

  "Who is your little brother? Get lost, you food thief," spoke Ryan with frustration.

  "It's alright, Ryan," said Leo. For where Ryan saw a thief who stole their food, all Leo saw was only a starved demon wanting to cure his hunger.

  Ryan settled down.

  "Are you heading to the Kingdom of Mages?" asked Drake.

  "Indeed we are," said Leo.

  "Don't tell where we are going to a stranger," said Reed with frustration at his plan failing.

  At that moment, Drake started foaming from his mouth. His body started burning from fever. Leo rushed to him, examined him, took out his claudron and herbs took out a mana stone ,his hands moved the mana dance to his tune making the claudron light up ,the herbs were added a potion was made.He made use of the potion used it on Drake. He managed to save him.

  ,"Really saving a thief " spoke Ryan in frustration.

  After a while, under the shine of the runes of the underpass entrance,

  Drake woke up, "What happened to me?" he asked.

  "You were poisoned," said Leo.

  "Maybe it was the weird plant I ate a while back," said Drake.

  "Seriously? Did you just save this fool, Leo?" asked Reed,

  With a frown on his face.

  "Well, he's good now. Let's not waste time. Let's go," continued Reed.

  "Well..." as Leo was talking—

  "I decided! Let me repay you by taking you to your destination. Trust me, I have guided many lost children to their destination," spoke Drake, interrupting Leo.

  Ryan spoke, "We have nothing to lose. If he does something funny, we can deal with him easily. With a guide, our journey will be smooth."

  "Then please take care of us," spoke Leo to Drake.

  Reed couldn't help but sigh, with a frown that could burn a person just by his look, but seeing how the atmosphere shifted, he held back his words.

  Drake spoke, "Then chop chop boys, let your big brother take you to your destination!"

  The twin suns rose. The trio continued their journey after the break, into the underpass, under the guide of the strange demon Drake.

  Who is this Drake? What will Reed do next? What dangers await the young demons in the demon realm? Stay tuned to find out.

  ---

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