A full month had passed since the discovery of the slave marks.
During that time, the fortress of Valekor had changed in subtle but unmistakable ways. The Beastmen who had once moved through the streets with lowered gazes and tense shoulders now walked with steadier steps. Though the scars upon their necks remained as thin, pale lines, the oppressive weight that once hung over them had lifted.
Nearly every slave mark had been removed.
The process had been long and exhausting. Mage reserves were drained daily, healers worked until their hands trembled, and Arden himself had overseen each procedure to ensure that not a single magic circle remained. Though the scars could not be erased, the chains they represented were gone.
Within Andreas's office, the overlord listened quietly as Arden delivered his report.
"So," Andreas said at last, folding his hands atop the desk, "what is your assessment of them now?"
Arden considered the question carefully before answering.
"Most of them were already grateful to us," he said. "Simply being accepted into demon territory was more than they had hoped for."
He paused, taking a slow breath.
"But after we freed them from enslavement," Arden continued, "their loyalty has deepened significantly. It is no longer born of fear or necessity. It is sincere."
Andreas nodded faintly.
"Then how fares Nok'thar?"
"He has changed," Arden replied. "He has begun interacting with the knights openly and has adapted well to demon society. His behavior is more measured, and he follows protocol without resistance."
That much was evident. Nok'thar, who had only assisted during the last purge as a temporary ally, had formally joined the knights soon after. His appointment as a senior knight had been swift and decisive.
"Do you believe," Andreas asked, "that we could establish a second knight order with him as its captain?"
"Yes," Arden answered without hesitation.
"And why?"
"Though he lacks the cultural refinement or the nobility of a great demon," Arden said calmly, "and though his intellect is not exceptional, his loyalty is absolute. That alone makes him suitable."
Andreas leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting toward the tall window behind his desk.
Traditionally, nearly every position beneath an overlord was held by a great demon. It had been that way for generations. His grandfather had already been considered unconventional for allowing normal demons and humanoid demons into positions of authority.
Appointing a Beastman to lead a knight order would invite criticism from other territories. Some overlords would see it as weakness. Others as heresy.
Yet refusing to make use of a master class warrior, especially when Valekor's forces were still limited, would be foolish.
Power unused was power wasted.
"Is Nok'thar married?" Andreas asked suddenly.
Arden blinked, surprised by the shift in topic.
"As far as I am aware, no."
"Does he have a fiancée?"
"None that I know of."
Andreas tapped his fingers against the desk.
"Are there any unmarried female great demons under my rule?"
"There are a few," Arden replied after a brief moment of thought.
"Arrange private meetings between them and Nok'thar," Andreas said. "If any show interest, persuade their families toward an engagement."
Arden inclined his head.
By the standards of other races, such arrangements might have seemed strange. Among demons, however, monogamy was strict and deliberate. In the past, multiple bloodlines within a single house had led to succession disputes, territorial claims, and even civil war. As a result, demon society valued clarity of lineage above sentiment.
"This should reduce the criticism from other families," Andreas added.
"Shall I begin immediately, my lord?"
"Yes. I want this settled before the next purge."
Arden bowed and slipped into the shadows without another word.
Left alone, Andreas turned his attention back to the reports spread across his desk.
At present, Valekor possessed three master class warriors and a single hero level mage. Beneath them stood eleven epic level mages and thirty-five elite warriors. This was the core strength of the territory.
His plan was simple. Two knight orders, each led by a master class warrior, with twenty elite warriors beneath each captain.
If executed properly, it would stabilize Valekor's defenses significantly.
"Arden," Andreas called absently.
Silence answered him.
Ah. He has already left.
Andreas reached toward the second bell upon his desk.
"Ding. Ding. Ding."
Quick footsteps echoed through the corridor, and the head maid entered moments later. She bowed deeply, her expression bright. In recent weeks, Andreas had begun issuing orders more frequently, a change she found encouraging. Most of his affairs were handled through Arden, and direct interaction with the servants had been rare.
"At your command, my lord."
"Summon Peruguis to my office."
"At once, my lord."
Peruguis was the knight captain, another master class warrior. Unlike Arden, he relied on discipline and martial prowess rather than magic or subterfuge.
Before long, the head maid returned, Peruguis following closely behind.
"I have brought Lord Peruguis, my lord."
"Well done. You may leave."
The head maid departed with a pleased expression.
Peruguis stood across from Andreas, posture straight and formal.
"I greet you, my lord. I was informed you summoned me."
"Yes," Andreas replied.
"..."
"..."
A brief silence followed.
It seems I have grown accustomed to Arden asking questions immediately, Andreas thought.
"The reason I summoned you," he continued, "is the creation of a second knight order under Nok'thar."
Peruguis's expression did not change.
"I am tasking you with personally training several expert knights into elite class warriors," Andreas said. "We are short five elites for the formation of the order."
"I will see it done," Peruguis replied without hesitation.
"That is all. You may go."
Peruguis bowed and left as swiftly as he had entered.
If all proceeds smoothly, Andreas thought, the second knight order will be formed before the next purge.
Arden made his way toward the knights' quarters in search of Nok'thar.
As he passed the training grounds, he spotted the Beastman sparring with several elite knights. Nok'thar's movements were direct and powerful, lacking finesse but compensating with overwhelming strength and endurance.
"Nok'thar," Arden called.
Nok'thar turned. "Arden. What is it?"
"There is an important matter," Arden said. "Take a break and follow me."
"Understood."
They moved to an empty chamber nearby, chosen for privacy. Once inside, Arden closed the door.
"There is an order from the overlord," he said.
Nok'thar straightened immediately, attention sharpening.
"The overlord intends to establish a second knight order under your command."
"…What?"
"You heard correctly. You are to be its captain."
Nok'thar hesitated, words failing him.
"But," Arden continued, "there is a complication. You are not a great demon."
Nok'thar had spent the past month studying demon customs. He understood the implication at once.
"…Then what is the overlord's plan?"
"He intends to marry you into a great demon family."
"…I see."
"Meetings will be arranged. You will be permitted to choose."
"…Understood."
"That is all for now," Arden said. "You will be informed when the arrangements are finalized."
"Well," Nok'thar said awkwardly, "thank you. I think."
Arden left swiftly and summoned a servant.
"Contact the family heads of Aberos, Decarab, and Belialyn," he instructed. "Request a meeting."
"At once."
Arden then returned toward his master's office.
On the way, he encountered Peruguis.
"What are you doing?" Arden asked.
"Fulfilling the overlord's order," Peruguis replied.
"Training new elite knights?"
"Yes."
"Then I will not detain you."
As Arden turned to leave, Peruguis spoke again.
"Arden."
"Yes?"
"Do you believe Beastmen can be trusted?"
"Yes," Arden replied without pause.
Peruguis seemed to consider speaking further, but ultimately turned away.
He will not act against the overlord's will, Arden thought. Peruguis is better than that.
Arden slipped into the shadows and returned to Andreas's office.
Inside, Andreas was reviewing documents while simultaneously studying a grimoire.
Arden emerged quietly behind him.
"Have you completed the orders I gave you?" Andreas asked without looking up.
It seems my lord's spatial awareness has improved, Arden thought.
"Yes," he said aloud. "Nok'thar has been informed. Meetings have been arranged with three families."
"Good. Take this document and deliver it to Barderrossa," Andreas said, handing him a parchment. "Have him investigate this magic circle."
After a moment of silence, Andreas spoke again, his voice steady.
"Prepare the carriage. We depart for the Northern Overlord's meeting at sunset."
It seems rest will not come today either.
"I will do so at once, my lord."
Arden vanished into the shadows once more.