(Ren POV)
The cargo bay was cold, loud, and smelled faintly of engine oil—not exactly luxury, but better than being chained to a seat like last time.
Across from us sat the EU Marine escort squad, nine of them in black-and-green combat gear, weapons holstered, eyes alert. Curious, not confrontational.
Younger Marine Rook broke the silence. "I thought demons would look more… demonic."
Marasuki tilted her head. "Want me to growl?"
Rook blinked at her.
"Easy, Rook," said their squad captain—Captain Isolde. "Not everyone grew up reading demon training manuals."
"Sorry," Rook muttered. "You just… look so normal."
I stretched, grinning. "Flattering. But don't worry. We do bite."
Sara gave me a cheeky thumbs-up. "She bites if you're nice, too."
The Marines chuckled. Even Marasuki smirked.
"You're really the point lead?" another Marine asked.
"Yeah," I confirmed. "Ren Diamonas—half-demon, full headache."
The older Marine snorted. "I didn't expect a royal to be riding on cargo flights."
"I didn't expect Marines as an escort," I quipped back.
Lucas nudged Hendrian. "Less stiff than I thought."
Hendrian just twitched at the response.
"How long until we land?" Julia finally asked.
"Ten minutes," Captain Isolde answered, checking her wrist display. "We're heading straight to Kriti military base."
"Kriti… not a war zone?"
"No," Isolde confirmed. "Just a coordination point."
"Got it," I nodded. "First stop, Kriti, then the four fortresses."
Isolde gave a slight, serious nod. "Message received. Don't piss off the VIPs."
The rest of the flight passed quietly, punctuated by jokes about the base's food (powdered eggs again) and cursed bunks. Julia snapped at one Marine joking about shower toilets, "One more word and I'll weaponize a toothbrush."
He went pale. They all laughed. The tension eased.
Then the intercom crackled, "Landing in two minutes."
Everyone stiffened.
Bags secured. Heads up. Hendrian fiddled with his translator belt. I glanced at the squad again and offered, "See you on the ground."
Captain Isolde gave a curt nod. "Take care, Princess... I mean, Ren."
"Please," I muttered.
The ramp dropped, and the cargo bay filled with the scent of salt and engine heat.
I watched the marine captain step onto the tarmac, then General Zelda appeared, steel in her posture. A woman in her sixties with short dark hair, a commanding presence, and medals shining sharply.
I stood and greeted her. "General Zelda, good evening."
She grasped my hand firmly. "Heard plenty about you. Tall demon."
"Just a half-breed, don't worry."
She raised a brow. "Point lead for your siblings and… sister's partner?"
I ignored Selena's frustrated mumble. "Yes, for now."
Zelda offered a slight apology. "Saintess is in medbay, emergency. I'll brief you later."
Then, with composed hospitality, "Now, introductions?"
I gestured. "That's Hendrian, Timmy, and Lucas. Marasuki, second-in-command. Julia's on support. Sara is enthusiastic, and Selena is third. I'm Ren Diamonas."
Zelda nodded, switching to Narlic: "Welcome to the human realm—and Europe. Stares are normal, please excuse them."
Polite greetings came from my group. Even Julia seemed oddly respectful.
Captain Isolde then took charge: "Follow me to quarters. Ren, you and General Zelda."
Inside the base's command post, a roundtable war room with six lieutenant generals seated and eight spots empty, I followed Zelda.
"Preliminary debrief," Zelda explained. "Kings have fallen. Four scout teams are out—one each for Mocha & Dhubab, Ismaila, Palerma, and Gibraltar."
"Any wave estimation?" I asked, scanning the maps.
"Signs point to action in the next few weeks," a lieutenant answered.
I tapped Fort Artemis's four icons. "Deployment plan?"
Zelda folded her hands. "We initially planned to spread your group across all forts, but that would hinder the cohesion of the alliance. Your group needs unity."
"Then compromise," I offered. "Marasuki and I take two forts—say Palerma and Gibraltar. My sisters handle the others. Brothers, take Mocha & Dhubab. And your group partners with my brothers' and sisters' teams."
"Confidence," she replied, impartial. "It's unusual, but I trust you."
One lieutenant scoffed, "This demon's audacity—"
"Lieutenant!" Zelda snapped. He shut up fast.
"How about the Saintess?" she asked.
"She owes me," I said, shrugging.
Zelda's eyebrow arched, but she didn't press.
She then flipped through intel. "Five U.S. Marine units, all acting as support. They usually cooperate, but with your history with humans… caution advised."
I nodded. "Understood. Marasuki and I can manage hostile behavior."
Zelda chuckled softly. "Good. Final plans in two days."
"Quick question," I said, leaning over the map. "Which bars do your Marines frequent?"
She snorted. "Trying to stay under the radar?"
"No. I want camaraderie. Perhaps we could engage in informal bonding, which I would describe as a goodwill gesture."
"That might be chaos," she warned.
"…Great chaos is my specialty."
She shook her head with the smallest smile. "This might actually work."
When the lieutenants filtered out, Zelda and I were alone.
"Impressive command presence," she said quietly. "Most of your age would have snapped."
"I've been through worse," I replied. "I save anger for when it matters."
"Your people respect you," Zelda observed, considering.
"Not fear, but trust," I said. "It took time and bruises to earn it."
She nodded approvingly. "You'll need that trust with American Marines."
"Will they follow orders?"
"They will," she stated firmly. "My command cares about results. Not heritage."
I stepped closer. "And if someone refuses?"
Zelda's gaze hardened. "They won't. But if they do, they deal with me. And they know it."
Her tone was not welcoming, but not hostile either.
"I appreciate your discipline," I said. "Too many leaders miss that line."
"I lost good men to incompetence. Won't happen again."
I nodded. "War scars don't care about species."
Her half-smile returned. "You've seen much—too soon for someone so young."
"So have you," I said softly. "That's why I respect you."
"Flattery won't buy you favors."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
We paused, comfortable silence between battle plans and looming storms.
"Your team looks solid," she said. "Tension and trust—good balance."
"They're family," I answered. "Chosen by blood or by close call. It's enough."
"Family's complicated."
"I know."
Zelda stood. "Two days. I'll prep the rest of the generals."
I met her hand again, this time with mutual respect.
"We'll hold both sides in line."
"We'll hold ours," she finished. "Maybe next time you'll call me Zelda."
I smiled. "Looking forward to it."
Our temporary quarters were modest but functional, a long converted barracks split into three sections. Bunk beds lined one wall, a large table dominated the center, and duffel bags were already tossed haphazardly into corners. Not a royal suite, but no one complained. We'd slept in worse.
I gathered everyone around the table after Zelda left.
"Alright, quick debrief before anyone disappears to explore," I said, pulling out the map copy Zelda had given me. "We've got two days before the rest of the human forces arrive and the full joint ops meeting starts. Until then, we get used to the layout here and start building rapport."
"You mean we should make friends," Sara said as she flopped onto a bench.
"Friends. Allies. Drinking buddies. Whatever works," I replied.
Marasuki stretched in the corner. "We've already broken the ice on the ride over. Some of those Marines aren't half bad."
"Except that guy who nearly got himself castrated," Julia muttered, arms crossed.
"That was just flirting," Selena said with a smirk. "Clumsy, but sincere."
Lucas raised a brow. "Are we seriously doing a social integration arc?"
Hendrian sighed. "It might help. If we're going to work with humans, we'd better get the awkwardness out now than mid-battle."
I nodded. "Exactly. Tomorrow, I want us to split into pairs. Hang around their rec zones, the training field, and the mess hall. Observe, talk. Nothing forced—but show we're not here to burn bridges."
"Are you going to give us buddy assignments?" Timmy asked warily.
"No. This isn't kindergarten," I said, rolling my eyes. "Just don't stick to only demons. Blend in."
Selena leaned back in her chair. "Are you planning to do the same?"
"I've got a couple of meetings with Zelda and base command tomorrow. After that, yeah. I'll mingle."
There was a brief silence. Then Sara raised her hand slowly.
"…Can we challenge them to a drinking contest?"
"No," I said immediately.
Marasuki grinned. "I vote yes."
Lucas: "Also, yes."
Hendrian: "Gods help us…"
I exhaled and gave up. "Fine. But don't start a fight you can't win. Or a hangover you can't hide."
That got a few chuckles. Even Julia cracked the smallest of smiles.
As everyone started moving to unpack and stake claims on bunks, I lingered behind and watched them. The tension of being in a new place was still present, but now it felt less intense. Like it might finally give way to something more stable.