After I retired to the luxurious rooms Fasleen had prepared for us, I called everyone over to explain the situation.
“...That’s why we’re going to Mount Kayankaka to investigate what’s happened. It might be dangerous, so I’ll bring a few people with me.”
A few people frowned, knowing they would be left behind.
“You’re not going to leave us behind, right?”
“Please let us come with you!”
“Ahaha, we’re your guards, so you can’t stop us from coming.”
“You need me, of course, right?”
Why are all my friends people who won’t listen to me?
I cleared my throat and said sternly, “Prince Shumar. I hope you haven’t forgotten that you’re the only living male from Kuwol’s royal family. If something happens to you, the nation will be thrown into chaos. Tiriya, you’ll lead Kuwol in the future as well, so we can’t risk you coming either.”
The two boys looked at me angrily, but I ignored them.
“Friede, you and your friends can’t come either. I’m not as young as I used to be, and I won’t be able to protect all of you. Since we don’t know what’s waiting for us on the other side, I can’t bring anyone more important than my own life.”
My students were shouldering the future of Meraldia. I couldn’t let them die here.
“Kumluk, I understand you’re a trained warrior, but right now, you’re here as a diplomat. I can’t ask you to come on this mission. Monza, you won’t listen to me, so you stay behind too.”
“Aww...”
That was just how it had to be.
“I need as many mages as possible, so I’m taking Parker with me. I don’t have to worry about him since he can’t die.”
“H-Hold on a second!” Monza said, panicking. “You’re the Demon Lord’s Vice-Commander, and you’re only bringing one guard with you?! If I let you go, Airia will yell at me for weeks!”
“Will she really?”
“Of course! Not just her; Fahn and Jerrick will kill me! I’m coming, and that’s final!”
I could actually see them doing that, so I reluctantly agreed. “Okay, fine. You can come too, Monza.”
“Th-Then we’ll come as well!” The other werewolves and werecats exclaimed, standing up.
I held out a hand to silence them.
“You’re all strong, but don’t forget that werewolves and werecats need to eat ten times as much as normal people. Unless we’re certain we’ll be getting into a fight, it’s not feasible to bring all of you.”
Werewolves and werecats were strong but needed so much food that they weren’t suited for long campaigns in foreign territories. Plus, with the existence of Blast Canes, the strength gap was slowly shrinking. At this point, two human soldiers with Blast Canes were stronger than a lone werewolf. It was a shame, but that was just how the march of progress went. In that sense, the smaller demons, like canines and grimalkin, would become the strongest soldiers. They needed the least sustenance and could use a Blast Cane as well as anyone else. Right now, people mostly wanted them as sailors, but when the time came for humanity to explore space, they’d be the first astronauts. Conversely, werewolves simply needed too much food, so they sadly wouldn’t be going to space until much later.
“Veight?” I heard someone call out to me.
“Hmm? Oh, it’s nothing.” I cleared my throat just in time to hear Shumar and a werecat whispering to each other.
“All right, I’m counting on you.”
“As you wish, Prince.”
Hey, I can hear you guys. Did you forget how good werewolf hearing is?
I glared at Shumar, and he gulped loudly. But a second later, he smiled and said, “Fine, Professor Veight, we’ll do as you say. You leave early for Mount Kayankaka tomorrow, so you should get some sleep. I still have some people I need to visit.”
“Sure... If you say so,” I replied. I bet I know what you’re plotting, kid.
The next morning, I discovered my fears had been well-founded.
“We have too many people!” Friede exclaimed, looking around.
I wanted to scream. Instead of shrinking, the party heading for Mount Kayankaka had swelled to a few hundred people. All of the newcomers were either palace officials or part of Kuwol’s royal guard. There was only one person who could’ve gathered this many people on such short notice...
“Prince Shumar, explain yourself,” I said, turning to him.
He grinned at me from atop his majestic white horse. “As the crown prince, it’s only fitting I pay the werecats a courtesy visit as well—irrespective of what your mission may be, Professor Veight. In which case, I’ll need a suitable retinue, won’t I?”
“Any reason why your retinue is armed to the teeth?”
Not only were his guards heavily armed, but they’d brought wagons laden with supplies—far more than necessary for a trip to the werecat village. The village wasn’t far from Lord Peshmet’s domain, and he would gladly sell us more supplies if we needed them.
Shirin sidled up to me and said, “Uncle, I believe they intend to accompany you across Mount Kayankaka.”
“Don’t pretend like you’re not trying to come too. I heard you talking with Friede earlier.”
“W-We were just discussing the weather.” Shirin was quite emotive for a dragonkin, and he was terrible at lying. He took after his father Baltze in that regard.
With a sigh, I turned to address everyone. “Fine, fine! Whatever. You can all come. But you better hurry, or I’ll leave you behind!”
Everyone broke out in cheers.
We traveled upriver, visiting various nobles on the way to Lord Peshmet’s territory. Since Kuwol’s crown prince was with us, we were welcomed with open arms everywhere we went. Whenever a noble came out to greet us, the conversation went something like this: “Prince Shumar, you’ve grown into a splendid young man! Despite your youth, I can see the wisdom in your eyes. You’re just like your father...”
If you ask me, the less he’s like his father, the better. I had to admit, though, Shumar had inherited a bit of his father’s personality. It was a little worrying.
While Shumar enjoyed the attention, Tiriya frowned.
“His Highness still needs more training,” he said. “If everyone keeps praising him like this, he’ll grow arrogant and conceited.”
“So you say, but you seem pretty happy with how much attention your master’s getting,” I replied with a smile, patting Tiriya’s shoulder.
“I know I said that,” he retorted, blushing and looking away. “But he has been working hard, so I guess he deserves some praise...”
“You really know him well, don’t you?” It was obvious Tiriya was just jealous that others were hogging his best friend. I smiled at him gently and said, “Besides, it’s your job to show everyone else how hard he’s been working. Think you can do that?”
“I’ll try my best,” Tiriya said brusquely, though I could tell he’d taken the words to heart.