Chapter 13 [Peace and Fortress. The beginning]
--- About the middle between the cave and the Greenline---
Kradr: And why do we urgently need my brothers?
The calm madman: And who will guard that apple tree? And if someone finds out about her? So there will be people who want to eat the fruits. Because of this, there will be a field of corpses around the apple tree. Then, there will be experiments to find the right vessel. Simply put, it's best for us to guard this apple tree, otherwise there will be problems.
Kradr: I see. It's pretty reasonable.
"After that conversation, no one talked anymore. So they got to the Greenline in silence."
--- Greenlide territory. Near the main gate of the city---
Faceless: Did we get there?
Calm madman: Yes. Do you want to go through the main gate?
Faceless: Of course. I don't think it's going to be a big deal.
Calm madman: Then wait. I will enable the restoration of the interuniverse portal. Rabbit hole, recovery... We can all go.
"The faceless one began to open the gates, weighing a ton, as if they weigh 500 grams."
Kradr: Should I hide?
Calm madman: No, since he has decided, then no.
"The Faceless One unlocked the gate completely inside. All the residents were in shock, and the guards were already on full alert to protect the main entrance to the city."
Calm madman: Greetings to all present. Do not be afraid of this demon, he is not your enemy yet, we have not ordered him, but we do not want evil, so he is absolutely harmless!
???: It doesn't change the situation. Who are you and this masked man, your appearance does not inspire confidence!
Calm madman: Haha. Maybe. To begin with, we are not human and are not considered alive at all. Turning to the following questions from your possible thoughts, we are here for the sake of one person with whom we have a contract.
???: Are you employers or slaveholders?
Calm madman: Ha. Sometimes, I am surprised at the human incongruity... We are not slaveholders or employers, although, by contract, we are employers.
???: Then who are you?
The calm madman: I don't want to answer creatures that are not useful to us, so you need to give us the way, this is the easiest way. There are also two options. Either we pass through you, or we kill everyone who won't let us pass. What do you choose?
???: We won't let you kill people, much less get through!
Calm madman: Guys, we're going through.
"Faceless and Kradr put their hands on the Calm Madman. Then, they almost immediately teleported behind the crowd of people."
???: And? What? Where are they?
???: There they are! They're leaving!
???: Yes, that's them. Follow them quickly!
Calm Madman: Do any of you guys want to show the rest of your abilities?
Faceless: I would like to feel the reaction of ordinary people to divine mana.
Calm madman: Okay, we'll see.
"The faceless one took off half of the mask and mana began to radiate from him, which spread slower than in the cave, but this level was many times higher than the human limit. Therefore, all the guards that were nearby began to fall, and then quickly rot, as if in accelerated time."
Calm madman: I think that's enough, or else the Thief will get it. Let's go back.
"The Faceless One took a couple of steps back and put his hand on the Calm Madman."
Calm madman: And what are the conclusions?
Faceless: It's kind of boring, I was expecting a more interesting reaction. But, by itself, the way to deal with ordinary creatures is very good.
Kradr: Calm madman, I do not know what the Faceless One said, but I will say one thing. Isn't it too dangerous to take off the mask? The removed half already has such an effect, but what will happen without a mask?
Calm madman: Yes, it is. But, basically, such a quick result was due to the particles of the progenitor's mana.
Faceless: What's so special about the mana of the progenitors?
Calm madman: Kradr, it will be useful for you too, listen. The mana of the progenitors. An interesting thing, since the progenitors control space and time. Hence, their mana is used for spatial changes and actions. Time works differently. When mana is in a vessel, it slows down the vital process of the body, but when it is outside the vessel, it speeds up time in the place where it is located. Thanks to mana, they are able to restart universes, change our memories and lived time, which works as knowledge.
Faceless: How do you know that?
Calm madman: Unlike your universe, mine was not restarted, which means that all the knowledge received from the progenitor was not lost during creation.
Faceless: How is it, when creating?
The calm madman: Me and you and the other 5 brothers are not alive. We are all created artificially. He transformed the materials around him and created all the components of a viable organism. He put everything together and turned out an organism capable of using divine mana, as well as having immortality and numerous knowledge. Also, individual abilities and restrictions on their use were added, in other words, curses. In your case, your power is a curse and a power. But I would call it unlimited power without flaws in endless progress.
Faceless: Understood. It became a little clearer. By the way, an interesting fact is that the guards have not been chasing us for a long time... The question is, how long do we have to get to the translator?
Calm madman: Not that long.
--- After 17 minutes of a quiet walk---
Calm madman: We're almost there. That house.
"The calm madman pointed at Roche's house."
Kradr: Should I go with you?
"The Faceless One touched Kradr's shoulder with his shoulder."
Faceless: Absolutely.
"The faceless One rushed towards the house. That's how they ended up at the front door. The faceless one knocked on the door."
Yobo Roche: I'm coming!
"Jonah Roche came to the door."
Yobo Roche: Who's there?
Calm madman: Should I introduce myself?..
"The Faceless One nodded."
Calm madman: Hello, as I understand it, you are Jonah Roche. He is a Calm madman and a Faceless One, as well as a loyal subject of the Faceless One.
Jonah Roche: Oh, I remember. Come in.
"Jonah Roche opened the door."
Calm madman: And in 10 years you have matured well. Is chlorine at home?
Jonah Roche: No, Chlori is supposed to arrive today.
Calm Madman: Meet the Faceless One and his servant.
"The calm madman pointed with his right hand at the Faceless One standing next to him, Kradra."
Jonah Roche: Greetings. Which one of you is Faceless?
Kradr: My name is Kradr, I am a servant of the Faceless One.
Jonah Roche: Why doesn't he...
"The faceless one took a step towards Jonah Roche, put his hand on her shoulder."
Faceless: Because that's the only way I communicate.
Jonah Roche: And? The voice. Heads in the head?
Faceless: Exactly, this is telepathy through tangible contact.
Jonah Roche: Okay, let's go inside, we'll talk and wait there.
"The Faceless One took his hand off Jonah Roche."
Calm madman: Yes, let's go through.
"The three of them entered a modest house."
Kradr: Are we going to the living room or the hall?
Jonah Roche: We don't have a living room or a hall. There is only a semblance of a hall where we eat.
Kradr: Can I offer you a new place to live? Here in hell.
Jonah Roche: Aah?! We're not going to die yet!
Kradr: We will try to negotiate with the demon lord or the lady of hell about your staying with one of them.
Jonah Roche: Do you think that we will live among monsters?!
Kradr: There is an S-class demon in front of you. At the same time, I'm not going to attack you or anything like violence. All demons, from A-class, are kind.
Jonah Roche: And my husband's job? How long would he have to get to her?
Kradr: You have two options. First, work in hell. The second is to ask, for rent, a Calm madman to put a portal from hell into your house. What do you choose?
Jonah Roche: I think it's worth consulting with my husband. He should be here soon.
The calm madman: In the near future, when is it?
Jonah Roche: In about 30 minutes, and Chlorine, I think it will be about 2 hours.
Calm madman: Then I would like to visit old acquaintances.
Jonah Roche: Well, then, if you're late, I'll let my husband know.
Calm madman: Then, we're off. Will it be possible to enter without knocking?
Jonah Roche: Yes, it's good.
"All three of them left the house and the Calm madman rushed to the main entrance of the city."
--- After a 20-minute walk. The main gate of the city---
Calm madman: Guys, we're almost done with our business. I think you've realized your mistake, so I suggest an exchange. We revive all those who died at our hands, and you never stop us again. Namely, in general, you will not have to stop us, whether it is the main gate of the city, or the entrance to the chambers of the mayor of the city. If you agree, then hand over the corpses to us and inform the entire city guard about this rule.
???: Although I consider you bastards for a second, but you offer a profitable exchange. But, we refuse to let you into the chambers of any person of the mayor's relatives. Will this arrangement suit you?
Calm madman: Quite. Then, we are waiting.
"The whole army that was in the area began to search, collect, drag the corpses that they found. After 15 minutes, a group of about 100 people gathered about 232 corpses."
???: It's done, the corpses have been collected. How are you going to revive them?
Calm madman: Kradr, there is a case for you. I'll give you a portal in your hand. You need to go to the supreme Lich and resurrect them. If he asks about the payment, tell him that the payment will arrive to him when we are there.
Kradr: Good.
"The calm madman opened a portal in Kradr's hand, where there was a frosty warehouse."
Calm madman: Now, shove the corpses into the portal. As soon as you finish, do not turn your hand over, but as soon as you are at the lich, then take it out carefully so as not to destroy the corpses.
Kradr: I get it, everything's going to happen now.
Calm madman: Faceless, shall we go?
The Faceless One nodded. And they both rushed to the Roche house. All the people who were on the street at that moment were horrified and shocked. Two creatures were walking along the main road. The first one walked with an ordinary step, but his face was covered in blood, but the most important thing was a huge smile from which blood was flowing. The second one was clean, without flaws, but still awe-inspiring. He walked as if it were not a creature, but a monster. Bent legs, at the knees, leaning on the end of the metatarsal bones and phalanges of the fingers, he walked with his back bent and the center of gravity shifted not to the entire spine, but to the pelvic joints, the end of the thoracic joints of the spine. This was how it looked like it was a warrior monster, a madman who went hunting. And the first one complemented the picture and gave the impression that they were both monsters, but one was attacking, and the second was negotiating, but wanted to kill. In fact, the Faceless One walked in this position, due to lack of knowledge and the correct position of the bones."
--- After 17 minutes. The Roche family home---
Calm madman: It's us! We're coming in!
Jonah Roche: Yes, come on in, my husband is waiting.
"Both went into the dining room."
The calm madman: And again, greetings to all of you. Folk Roche, it's Faceless. Your daughter will work for him.
Folk Roche: Hello, okay, it's clear now. What did you want to discuss with me?
The calm madman: I am offering, on behalf of my servant, a job with living in hell. Or living in hell.
Folk Roche: Can I get more details? What is my job in hell? What is the cost of living? If I choose accommodation, how will I get to work?
Calm madman: Everything is arranged according to our and your interests. The work is most likely adequate. The accommodation fee is zero, I'm going to hell, there will be a portal there. If you choose only accommodation, then I will charge you for using the portal as a rental. And so, you can wait about 2 or 3 years and be able to use the portal without restrictions and fees.
Folk Roche: Then we'll have to go to hell and see the job that awaits me. Ok?
Calm madman: No questions asked. Then, we wait for Chlorine and move to hell.
---After 1 hour and 30 minutes---
"There's a knock on the door."
Chlori: Mom, Dad, has the Calm Madman come yet?!
Folk Roche: They're already here!
Calm madman: Greetings, my girl, and you have grown up decently.
Chlori: And what did you think, it's still 10 years old. Although you were 5 years late, you still came.
Calm madman: We had an urgent matter, if we hadn't done it, then you wouldn't be here anymore.
Chlori: Yes, that's understandable. Well, shall we discuss the details or go on the way?
Calm madman: Yes, we will discuss it. It's Faceless. Faceless, this is Chlori, Chlori Roche, your translator.
"The Faceless One nodded."
Calm madman: I think it's worth checking out. Put your hand on his shoulder and don't let go until he or one of the brothers orders you to.
"Chlori put her hand on the Faceless One's shoulder."
Faceless: Greetings, girl. Do you understand what I'm saying? Will you have time to voice your thoughts?
Chlori: Yes, I'll make it. I suggest we start.
Faceless: Everyone present, we are going to the demon lord, and from there we will go to hell, are you all ready for the journey?
Chlori: Everyone present, we are going to the demon lord, and from there we will go to hell, are you all ready for the journey?
Folk Roche: My wife and I are ready.
Chlorine: I'm ready.
Faceless: Calm madman, I suggest leaving the portal in this house, for example in the closet. And also, I assume that you have problems controlling insanity, did you take something to balance it?
Chlori: Calm madman, I suggest you leave the portal in this house, for example, in the closet. And also, I assume that you have problems controlling insanity, did you take something to balance it?
Calm madman: Yes, you think right.
Faceless: Then take a dose.
Chlori: Then take a dose.
"The calm madman took out one jar from the portal in his hand and drank the contents. In the same second, he passed out and fell to the floor."
Chlorine: Is this normal?
Faceless: I think so. The poison has no effect on him, etc. therefore, this is a common reaction.
"The calm madman stood up."
The calm madman: I'm ready.
Faceless: In that case, let's go.
"The calm madman left the room. He went to the closet, the only one in the house, opened and created a portal. It was easy for him to do this, as it was almost empty. Five people went outside, put their hands on the Calm Madman. A calm madman created a portal under everyone and on the mountain. So they began to shuffle towards the demon lord's kingdom."
--- Almost an hour later---
Calm madman: We're here. Lich, please let everyone in.
"The huge, black gates began to slowly open by the giant orcs. Smer was already standing and greeting the guests."
Smer: And what kind of payment are you offering me for the treatment of this mountain of corpses?
Calm Madman: A piece of the progenitor's mana and a bottle of divine mana. Will it go?
Smer: For eternity ahead, I agree. Let's go to the throne room, the ruler is already waiting.
"All five of them started following Smer."
Fedfrosl: Greetings to all newcomers and newcomers. I am Fedfrosl, ruler of the demons.
Calm madman: Hi, this is Faceless. This is the translator and her parents. We're here for the payment. As it is, we need to go to hell.
Fedfrosl: Back to her.
Calm madman: No, we need to find this guy a job.
Fedfrosl: Understood, then, I ask you to the supreme Lich.
Calm madman: You stay here, we'll be there soon. Faceless, let's go to the Smer.
"The Faceless One approached the Calm Madman and they went to the room of the supreme Lich."
The calm madman: I think you've understood your task. You'll have to take off half of the mask and that's it.
The Faceless One nodded. Just at this time, they almost reached the room of the Magician."
Calm madman: We've come.
Smer: Come on in.
"A calm madman and a faceless one came into the room."
Smer: As I understand it, I will die with my mask off, so I have prepared a small room for myself. Please, Mr. Faceless, come in. You will need to take off the mask and put it back on in a second.
"The faceless one entered a small room, the size of the usual proportions of a person, namely 2 meters high, 1 meter wide and long. Faceless took off half of the mask and stood there for 2 seconds, put it back on."
Smer: Thank you, now I will be dealing with the separation of the progenitor's mana particles. I think that's it, goodbye. Former corpses are carried back in a large grid by a thief.
Calm madman: See you soon.
"The calm Madman and the Faceless One left the room and went to the throne room."
Calm Madman: A Fedfrom where you can open a portal in an upright position. A large portal!
Fedfrosl: Behind the throne!
Calm madman: Okay, it's coming!
"After 5 minutes, the Calm Madman and the Faceless One returned to the throne room. Jonah and Folk Roche, translator Chlori, the Calm Madman and the Faceless One went for the throne. A calm madman opened a large portal to hell, where the five went."
Calm madman: Arfolia!
Arfolia: I'm running, my lord!
"Arfolia ran as fast as she could. When she arrived, she was sweating all over and breathing very deeply to regain her breath."
Arfolia: Ah... What did you want?
Calm madman: We need a safe accommodation for these two. And, a safe job for this man.
Arfolia: Everything will be fine, Ah... and... this... Faceless?
The calm madman: Yes, and the translator is next to him. By the way, it would not be bad to pick up the remaining subordinates, since we urgently need free hands.
Arfolia: It's coming. Rizl! Cobsh! Fab! Rostolia! Shobf! Come here quickly!
Rizl: On the spot!
Kobsh: I've arrived!
Fab: It's here!
Rostolia: I got where I was asked!
Shobf: As directed, I have arrived!
Arfolia: Everything is in place. You leave these two here and if anything, you'll take them away, right?
Calm madman: That's right. All demons, follow me into the portal. Arfolia, thank you very much. Maybe I'll thank you well someday.
Arfolia: It's not worth it. While.
"All eight creatures of different races have passed through the portal."
Rostolia: And why were we called?
Calm madman: First of all, you already belong to us by agreement. Secondly, we urgently need to protect and fence or build up one place. Therefore, Faceless and Chlori, go to the city, which is a 20-hour walk from the cave, where you will find Dragr and Bella. As soon as you find it, go to the cave, there we will discuss the plan of action. And all the rest, let's fly towards the cave, I'll show you where it is.
Faceless: Accepted.
Chlori: Accepted.
All the demons present: Okay...
Calm madman: Ah! No! Rostolia, you are going to Greenline and you must find Kradra, you will fly to the cave with him.
Rostolia: Well, all right.