บท 24: The Journey Begins

"Mom?!" Zell asked. "What are you doing here?!"

"Donovan helped me." She replied. "Right after your sister seized the throne, she tried to keep me locked in a tower. I was not allowed to leave, nor was I to talk to anyone. I think she was afraid I would say something about you."

"About me?" Zell asked.

"Yes, your sister has built her entire power around a lie." Elenore explained. "The dragon you killed on the night of the attack; she took credit for it. She framed you for her injuries and claims that you were in league with the dragon."

"I thought she wanted to help me." Zell said.

"We did too honey." Elenore replied. "That is why we let her spread those lies, we figured it was her way of gaining the faith of the people. However, it appears as if her plan all along was just to seize power, and her lust caused the deaths of your father and uncle. I am so ashamed that I did not see this coming."

"That's terrible!" Zell said. "I am so sorry to have put you through all this."

"What's worse is what your sister did after she seized power." Elenore said.

"I heard." Zell said. "She started a war, raised taxes, and treated the subjects poorly."

"That's not all." Elenore continued. "She declared all non-humans to be savages, any free non-human was cast into slavery or executed. They are treated as trash now, even the elves and dwarves."

"The plan was to improve relations with the non-humans!" Zell yelled. "Damn it Rose!"

"I am afraid she made your job that much harder." Elenore said.

"So, what do I do now?" Zell asked. "Should I just fight my way through the guards and take over the kingdom?"

"You mean kill your little sister?" Elenore said with tears in her eyes.

"That's a terrible option." Zell sighed. "But what else can I do?"

"You should start by focusing on the war." Leon said. "You need to end the war with as little death as possible. Remember if too much blood is spread in evil, the planet's soul will die."

"Win a war without killing…" Zell said softly.

Everyone sat in silence and thought.

"You should go and talk to the demon lord." Leon said. "I think that is your best path forward."

"You could also try and win the hearts of our people." Elenore said. "Our people are drawn to strength, that is why Rose fears you. You could become a top rank adventurer and after you are beloved by all, reveal the truth that Rose lied about. Show the world your power. She will be forced to flee without a fight. Not that I think she would be dumb enough to fight you."

Zell laughed to himself. "Well, this sure is a lot more exciting than my last life, that's for sure."

"Oh right!" Leon said. "You got your memories back, didn't you?"

"Yeah, it was hard." Zell said. "But I am at peace now."

"I have a question!" Kaitlyn shouted out.

"Yes?" Zell asked.

"There's more than one human kingdom, why don't you go to one of them for help?" Kaitlyn asked.

"That's actually a clever idea." Elenore said. "Becoming a hero of another kingdom would allow you an audience with Rose if you were sent as an envoy. Then you could try and talk sense into her, it's not like she can hurt you."

"So, I have three options." Zell said. "Alright. I know what I am going to do. I will meet with the demon lord, flex if I must. Then I will go to the battlefield and make the fighting stop, one way or another. Hopefully with as little blood shed as possible. Then I will decide on which kingdom to go to."

"Sounds like a plan." Leon said.

"Oh, mom, you said Donovan helped you." Zell said. "Does that mean he is here?"

"He teleported me out of the tower but was unable to escape himself." Elenore said. "I don't know if he is still alive."

"If he is, I will thank him one day for saving you." Zell said.

"I was lucky that Kaitlyn here is one of your friends." Elenore said. "She brought me to Leon, and I told them everything that had transpired. They in turn told me all about your training."

"I was wondering how they knew everything that was happening in the kingdom." Zell said. "Alright well no sense in wasting time. I have a war to stop. Leon, how do I get to the demon lord?"

"I will show you!" Kaitlyn said.

"Alright." Zell said as he stood up from his chair. "I'll be back mother. I promise to visit."

"Please keep it this time." Elenore pleaded.

"I will, no more five-year meditation sessions." Zell joked.

Kaitlyn and Zell then left the village together. Kaitlyn was happy to be going on an adventure, she knew Zell's strength and that she would be perfectly safe with him. Within a day they left the forest and found themselves on a cobblestone road.

"This road will take us to the castle." Kaitlyn said. "We need to be careful of bandits and monsters though."

"I doubt they will be a problem." Zell smiled.

"I doubt it as well." Kaitlyn laughed.

The duo laughed together as they walked until nightfall. They came across an inn along the road and decided to stop in for the night. Zell opened the door, and the pair went inside. They were greeted by the barkeep. The barkeep was a large reptilian non-human. "Welcome young traveler." He sniffed the air and leaped back. He grabbed a bottle and smashed it to create a makeshift knife. "A human! What is a human doing on this side of the forest!" He waved the broken bottle in the air at Zell.

Zell sighed and walked up to the bar; Kaitlyn followed closely behind him. He sat down unphased by the reptile's threats. "Relax." Zell said. "I am just passing through on the way to meet with the demon lord."

"Like I would believe a lying human!" The reptile screamed and he lunged forward stabbing Zell dead center of his chest with the broken bottle. The bottle shattered and was unable to pierce Zell's skin but sliced his tunic. The reptile fell backwards in shock and Zell sighed while dusting the glass off his chest.