Part 4

She took a chance to check on the rest of the camp. There was a mixture of both male and female goblins wearing the army uniforms. Some dyed red while some were only modified to fit goblin size and only distinguished by red ribbons on their arms.

The scene that she saw amazed her. The camp construction was coming along in orderly form. Supplies were being well taken care of, the army kitchen was already operational and handing out meals, even the tents were being raised up. Either the Empire or the Sorcerer Kingdom trained them well enough. Felsi really wanted to know the story behind that.

Together with her escort, Felsi soon reached a big tent. She correctly assumed that it was the command tent as the escort made a wall in front of the entrance. Not wishing to keep her host waiting, she entered immediately.

Inside, she found two people and a table with map on it. In the corner a large whitehaired goblin sat in the corner. He did seem significant to some extent as his red uniform was enhanced by a custom helmet with red plume on it.

She knew the more important person was the one standing currently. Tall, black-haired, dark-skinned man with a silver tail wearing a strange red suit and glasses. The information shared in the Adventurer's Guild made it easy to identify him. The infamous Yaldabaoth, the demon that invaded capital. He must have cooperated with either the Empire or the Kingdom to acquire the goblin army. And now, the fate of everyone was in his hands.

One major detail that she noticed was on the map. It showed the local region with every village and town crossed out. Even Claiafer Keep didn't escape from its fate. It also meant that the goblin army could confront any reinforcements coming their way.

While Felsi was considering what to do, the demon spoke up. "Well? Why did you come in the first place?"

Felsi remembered it wasn't the time for thinking about others. She was there to save her village. "You know what I am here for. I wish to negotiate surrender."

Demon adjusted his eyes. "Is that it? How disappointing. And here I thought you might have had something interesting to deal with."

Felsi retorted back. "I don't have time to deal with your disappointment, demon. All I am here for is to save my village."

Demon smirked. "And that's how you wish to treat to someone to whom your miserable lives depend upon? Rather a bold move from someone so insignificant."

Felsi slumped her shoulders. "I am afraid that's not my strong point. Besides, you have seen enough desperation after stealing all that food from the capital. Am I wrong, Yaldabaoth?"

He smiled. "Glad my name had spread around. But tell me, if you know who I am, what makes you think I would ever let you go? Considering that I am not wearing my mask right now."

Felsi remained unfazed. "Personal sacrifice. If it means they get to live, then fine, I can accept my death."

He clapped several times at Felsi's answer. "Poetic, I must say. They might have even considered you a hero for that. Shame for you that I have no use for you at all."

Felsi's voice shook as she tried to persuade the demon. "Maybe I c-could be your slave? Or even... an experiment..."

Demon grinned, showing his pearly white teeth. "Hehe, already starting to waver, aren't we? Unfortunately for you, all human positions needed had already been taken by now. Besides, you are already present in an experiment."

Felsi was stunned. "What? What do you mean?"

With happy expression on his face, he continued. "This region was designated as experimental ground for the First Legion. Their order is to cleanse the human presence here as part of the grand plan. You lot are the last humans remaining. They made sure of that."

Felsi's hand started shaking, not from fear, but from anger. "What grand plan? What could possibly justify mindless slaughter of civilians and soldiers alike? Huh?"

Now it was "Yaldabaoth's" turn to remain unfazed. "The final destruction of the thorn in our side. The complete removal of failure known as the Kingdom of Re-Estize. Your own nobles squandered every opportunity we had given them while the Royal Court watched from the sidelines. What else to do to a nest of pests than to make sure you extinguished every single of them?"

Felsi was clenching her hand, trying not to smack the demon. "And the innocents? Are they among the "pests" you despise so much?"

"Yaldabaoth's" silence and smile said it all. Trying to sour his mood, Felsi bluffed. "It doesn't matter. By now, the garrison at E-Libera should have been alerted. They should be on their way here, marching to revenge those you had slaughtered."

The bluff didn't work. In fact, it seemed to have backfired as the demon's grin only grew bigger. "Ah, yes. About that. I assume that's under the control of Count Lytton, am I correct? If so, I can let you meet him face to face."

Felsi was confused by that statement as she had no idea what he meant by that. Her first idea was that the count had betrayed the Kingdom in exchange for his life. Her assumption, however, was quickly proven wrong in a horrifying way.

When she entered the tent, she missed few chests at the end of the tent. "Yaldabaoth" had opened one of the chests and picked up a large jar. What is in it shocked Felsi to her core.

While she didn't knew him personally and the head did deteriorate a bit, there was no mistaking it once the jar reached the table. Count Lytton's head was inside. Once "Yaldabaoth" put it down, he asked: "Here he is. Now, do you wish to talk to him?" The shock on Felsi's face was enough for an answer. "You are not the first one who tried to negotiate for the lives of others. Not even the first one who tried to sacrifice themselves. But in the end they all ended the same."

Hearing that, Felsi's shock slowly transitioned into anger. "Monsters... All of you are monsters! What did we ever do to you? What possible reasoning could ever compel you to do such heinous crimes?!"

"Yaldabaoth" put his hand on the jar. "Of course, you only see us as monsters. It is easy to paint those you see as enemies in such a light. Yet, those who ruined the country in the first place and who not only refuse the mercy of the Supreme Being but spit on it, drag His good name through mud and pretend to be above everyone? No, they are heroes in your books."

"Shut up."

"I am sorry. What was that? Didn't hear you the first time."

With killer look in her eyes, she stared at the demon. "Shut up. Shut up, shut up, shut up!" She slammed her hand at the table. There was a reaction from the goblin in the corner and those outside, but decided against stopping Felsi.

Meanwhile, Felsi continued her tirade. "You absolute bastards! Cruel towards the entire population just because few bad apples? That's your reasoning? The entire genocide just because of one God? What deity thinks so little of those below him, huh?! Which one thinks that this insanity could ever be justified? You know what? I spit on your false delusion of a god. I wish someday he will renounce you for your deeds. When that day comes, I will be laughing at you from afterlife. You miserable PILE OF SHIT!"

"Yaldabaoth" wanted to react, but something drew his attention. Noticing his gaze, Felsi also looked in the direction. A strange mark appeared on her hand. "What the?"

"Yaldabaoth" seemed glad by it. "Ah the mark of Bei Niala. Now that makes my trip here worth. Congratulations, human."

As her hand became encased in beautiful white light, Felsi decided to risk it all. "You won't be thanking me when I do this!" She charged at "Yaldabaoth" with her arm extended and gave him a nasty right hook. At least, that's what she hoped for, but the demon didn't even flinch. Instead, he just grabbed her by the neck and picked her up in the air. Her struggle was pointless as she couldn't even free herself.

Meanwhile, "Yaldabaoth" continued after his interruption. "As I said, congratulations, human. Now you have earned yourself another chance. But I don't consider myself merciful. So it will cost you." With a single flick, he knocked her out cold. After he dropped her on the floor, the goblin finally stood up and came where they stood. "Shall I do as you have ordered to do so in cases such as these, Lord Demiurge?"

With smile on his face, Demiurge answered. "Yes. Bring the cage and a healing potion for her, General. She just earned himself the trip to the Tomb. As for the attack, let's time it when she wakes up. As one last gift from me to her."

The goblin nodded and left the tent.