[Salvos] 783. The Rebellion Resumes (Patreon)

783. The Rebellion Resumes

***

“There it is.”

Hartia said as he stared down at the structure far down below them. It was a fortress— built from black brickstone by the side of a hill. It was massive. But what drew Haec’s eye was not the fort itself, rather it was the vast empty space carved out next to it. 

A giant rectangle of cleared land that even ate into the side of the mountain. 

Almost like a training field.

Although it appeared too… clean to have been used to train anyone— let alone Archdemons or Primeval Demons that had been discovered in the wild.

Haec wondered what it was used for for a moment as the two of them hovered in the air, and as if he sensed the question in the former Heir of the Netherworld’s mind, Hartia spoke up.

“That’s the Esplanade.”

“That’s…”

Haec blinked for a moment, before rolling his eyes.

“I knew this place is the Esplanade, but—”

“No, this entire ‘place’ isn’t the Esplanade. That fort you see right there? That’s not a part of the Esplanade. That’s Safra’s Lair— the Fortress Of Glory.”

“What?”

Haec paused, and Hartia explained as he gestured at the vast empty plot of land.

“That’s the Esplanade.”

“...what?”

Haec repeated himself. 

He had never been to the Esplanade before— he had never seen Safra that often, nor had he even interacted with any of the Primeval Demons who had been found outside in the wild. After all, he had only mainly been allowed to interact with that of the vanguard— the most loyal and powerful members of Regnorex’s forces. 

So Haec knew very little about this place beyond its purposes.

Meanwhile, at one point, Hartia had been one of Regnorex’s aide— creating the network of collars that kept the Demons under Regnorex’s rule in check— before he had been reduced to the Ruler of the Border. As such he was far more knowledgeable about this than the former Heir of the Netherworld.

However, Haec wasn’t just going to blindly trust the Fairy.

“So why is it empty? Shouldn’t the ground be scarred and damaged from the training like at the Encampments?”

And since these were both Archdemons and Primeval Demons, they should be quite powerful— the battles they would have here should have been obvious. But Hartia just shook his head as he began his descent down to the fortress.

“That’s the thing— this is not a place to train them to get stronger. I told you, this is where loyalty is instilled under Safra’s supervision.”

“I… how does that even work?”

Haec asked as he pursed his lips. Ordinary Lesser or Greater Demons would just be sent to the Expanse where they were forced to fight for their lives until they submitted themselves to Regnorex. But since there were no wild Demons here, how exactly was this going to be achieved?

Well, the answer was a bit simpler than Haec thought it would be.

“They’re given what they never had out in the wild.”

Hartia explained as the two of them finally descended to the ground, landing right before Safra’s fort.

“Peace.”

Haec just blinked as he steadied himself on the ground beneath him. A voice resounded in his mind, notifying him that he was now officially in Safra’s Lair. But he ignored it as he listened to what Hartia had to say.

“This Esplanade is designed for recreational purposes, not training. The Primeval Demons and Archdemons here are given free rein to do as they please here, pretending that they are living in a Human city by setting up shops or going on walks. Although that is only in theory because in practice they are kept as prisoners here in Safra’s fortress who get to play pretend in the Esplanade.”

Hartia explained as he flitted forward towards the massive double doors of the fortress. It looked like it was locked— but the Fairy didn’t care. He just waved a hand, and the doors swung open.

“That doesn’t sound like a very… compelling way to convince someone to swear loyalty to you. I mean, being a prisoner sounds miserable.”

Haec pointed out as he followed after Hartia. 

“Well, being a prisoner who gets to relax every day of your life is much better than the alternative of fighting for your survival every day. And after enough time here in the Esplanade, you start to realize it. You accept that this is the better alternative. And you finally swear your allegiance to the Demon King.”

“That’s…”

Haec trailed off as he stared at Hartia, the two of them entering the fortress and walking down a dimly-lit hallway. There were many things the former Heir of the Netherworld could have called it— ridiculous, insane, ineffective.

But before he could voice his thoughts, another voice came from further down the hallway, rebuking his thoughts.

“That is what we call true mercy.”

Both Haec and Hartia tensed, recognizing the voice in an instant. They looked up to see a figure emerging from the shadows up ahead. A pale-skinned [Fiend] stepped out from the corner, her long golden hair flowing behind her. She was dressed in long white robes, and she was adorned in ornate jewelry. Looking at her was almost like looking at a Human.

The only thing that made it obvious that she was a Demon were her black scleras and crimson eyes. She just smiled as she placed her right hand on her cheek.

“To show others what it’s like to live in peace— to rid them of their savage nature. Our King truly is wonderful, is he not, Haec?”

It was Safra the Lady of Glory. And she just strode forward as she continued to speak casually.

“It is such a shame you chose to betray us, Haec. When I bring your head back to Regnorex with me, I am sure he will weep over both your death and your betrayal.”

[Asmoda Changeling - Lvl. 200]

***

“Watch out!”

Ponti shouted, and Servi blinked. The latter ducked under the fireball that was flying his way, before the former jumped at the caster and killed them in one swing.

“Are you alright, Servi?”

Ponti asked as she helped the Level 35 [Fiend] back to his feet. He had leveled up during the battle, but he was still weak— significantly weaker than both Ponti and Temin who were Greater Demons. So the latter two had made it their duty to look after him.

Well, Ponti did so. Temin just begrudgingly followed them around.

“Of course he’s fine— he’s not an Infant Demon. You don’t have to baby him.”

Temin snorted as he cut down a Level 50 [Fiend] and turned towards both Ponti and Servi. Ponti glared at him for a moment.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

As she spoke, she ducked under a flurry of ice spikes, before hurling her stone spear in the air, taking down a flying Demon.

The group of three were a few amongst many that were now battling in the Encampments. The rebellion had gotten here a while ago, and while the three of them weren’t in the vanguard by any means, there was just so much fighting that they now found themselves in the middle of one of the many camps in the valley.

“I still don’t understand why we’re doing this.”

Temin complained as he cut down another Demon. Most of this camp had been cleared— as soon as the rebellion arrived, most of the members who were placed here for their indoctrination and training immediately betrayed, joining the rebellion, which was to be expected. Their handlers were mainly the ones who remained steadfast on the Demon King’s side.

But they were so severely outnumbered they didn’t stand a chance of winning.

“This is a waste of time— even after clearing out these camps, we’ll be back where we started.”

“But we aren’t wasting our time. We’re recruiting more members to join the rebellion.”

Servi argued, before hesitating.

“I think.”

He scratched the side of his head, before Temin just scoffed.

“And that’s not going to make a difference, because we’re exactly where we left off: completely doomed.”

“If you really want to leave, Temin, then go ahead. But I won’t.”

Ponti said as she swept her gaze over the camp they were in. The last of the resistance had been quelled— the rebellion had taken full hold of this camp. There were Demons cheering. Not those who had been part of the rebellion beforehand, but those who had just been freed.

Staring at them, Ponti shook her head.

“I want to keep fighting. I’m not abandoning the rebellion.”

“Why? What’s the point in fighting?”

Temin asked, rolling his eyes at Ponti.

“Because you think Salvos will return? Is that it? She’s not coming—”

“It has nothing to do with Salvos.”

Ponti said as she just turned away from the cheering Demons in the distance. Well, technically that was a lie. It had a little bit to do with Salvos— after all, Salvos was the one who had saved her. 

Salvos had freed Ponti, Temin, and Servi from the Eighteenth Legion— right before they were punished and killed by Rakin the Illusion Lord. At that moment, when all hope seemed lost, Ponti felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

And she remembered that feeling. She cherished it. 

She wanted to spread it— do what Salvos had done for her, but for others.

“All I want to do is help people feel what I felt when I was freed, that’s all.”

Ponti finished as she started in the direction of the next nearest camp as the Demons behind her continued celebrating their freedom.

“I’ll keep fighting, because this is what I want to do.”

And Temin just watched her go, while Servi hurried after her a moment later.

***

“Attack!”

“What’s going on?”

“We’re under attack—”

“Ark!”

“Get back!”

“Drop your weapons and surrender!”

Taburas swept her gaze over the Encampments as she saw the fighting break out all around her. The rebellion had encircled the valley entirely before launching their ambush, catching the guards by surprise.

Tor and Morok had organized this attack. Taburas was actually supposed to be on the frontlines too due to her level. But she was asked to stay back by Ultis and Aliq, both of whom were planning to make their move soon.

A part of the [Succubus] felt bad about not participating in the battle. But from what she had seen thus far, her help wasn’t even needed.

The guards of the Encampments stood no chance against the overwhelming numbers of the rebellion. Even if their average levels were higher than the rebellion, they had to be outnumbered at least ten-to-one.

That was not to mention that there were plenty of high-leveled Demons amongst the rebellion’s ranks. For example, Aemula and Bertrugil were fighting too. Even if the latter very clearly didn’t want to do anything with the battle.

And it was clear that many of the Demons kept here in the Encampments were starting to realize that this was their chance at freedom, so they were betraying when given the opportunity to join the rebellion’s side.

Although they’re not the only ones betraying, Taburas thought as she glanced over at Aliq and Ultis.

They had still yet to divulge their plan to her. Was it because they didn’t trust her? Or was it for another reason entirely?

Taburas didn’t know, she just followed their instructions as they asked her to follow behind her. They made their way away from the Encampments— away from the fighting. But why?

It didn’t really make sense if they wanted to sabotage the rebellion. They would do it in the middle of the Encampments. 

It was honestly… perplexing.

But right as the thought crossed Taburas’s mind, Aliq and Ultis came to a sudden halt. They both exchanged a glance, before turning to the [Succubus].

“So… what’s the plan?”

Taburas finally asked as she tilted her head at them. Ultis opened her mouth, then hesitated. And Aliq just spoke up with a casual smile as he strode forward.

“It’s simple. Right now, morale has fallen because many of the strongest Demons in the rebellion have abandoned the cause. And yet, there remain many powerful Demons still among their ranks. So morale has not fallen to the lowest it could be. We need to reduce morale even further to make the rebellion break.”

“Right, I understand that. But how am I supposed to help…”

Taburas trailed off as she narrowed her eyes. Then her eyes widened as she realized what Aliq was planning to do. Unfortunately, it was too late.

He grabbed her before she could get away and plunged his fist through her stomach as he whispered in her ear.

“You can help me by being the first of them to die.”

Author's Notes:

I'll post another chapter by the end of the day, sorry for the late chapter. As I said in the previous announcement, my back is injured, so writing on my PC is very difficult right now.

Read next chapter here