Forcent could feel the intensity from this person's gaze. He had no idea what he did would be considered this bad, to warrant such a presence.
"Say. I'm curious. Why were you wreaking havoc on the Sacred Forest?" Ukuter calmly inquired, striking fear into Forcent.
The Ennom was incapable of even looking at Ukuter, whether it was due to fear or just the pressure of his gaze.
Imuru positioned himself in front of Forcent, drawing attention to himself. Sphe and Yun's gaze narrowed slightly, a bit intrigued by Imuru's actions.
"I'm Imuru," He politely introduced himself. "You seem to have an issue with Forcent's earlier actions, but I assure you I have it under control," Imuru said, expressing confidence. "May I ask who you are?"
Not only are the group in front of him taken aback, but even Forcent and Yosho, were left wide eyed from Imuru's last question.
Ukuter smirked and approached Imuru, his capelet lightly billowing due to the wind. Imuru gave the oddly large broadsword over Ukuter's shoulder a glance.
"I'm Ukuter. Demon King Ukuter." He stretched out a hand. No one around was sure what to make of this, and held their breaths in anticipation.
Imuru looked down at Ukuter's hand, and accepted it, flashing him a simple smile. "Sacred Forest… So, it's apparently guarded by a Demon King. Guess my help wasn't necessary," Imuru thought, his demeanor on the inside shifted from nonchalance, to being on edge. "I better watch what I say from here on out."
"Well, as you said… You have the situation under control," Ukuter said, his head held low, almost like he's holding in a chuckle. "If you don't mind?" He kindly beckoned Imuru with his head, to move over to the side, so he could lock eyes with Forcent.
Forcent could feel the pressure he once felt lifted off him, giving him some relief. Ukuter didn't have a chirpy smirk accompanying his face for Forcent, a stoic expression on full display. It and accompanying silence was enough for him, not a single word needed, to get the point across.
With interest Ukuter turned back to Imuru. "Say, I'll be seeing you, Imuru." Ukuter returned to his secretaries, with all that needed to be said, and in the flash of golden glow they vanished.
Imuru, gazed on ahead for a moment, the weight behind his eyes prevalent, before it exhaustedly drifted off to the sky. He's left shaken though he made sure not to show it.
Yosho swiftly attended to Imuru's side. "Great Imuru!" She said, her expression and tone one of worry.
"Worry not." Imuru turned his head and gave her a smile. "I'm fine. And thankfully all of you are." A weary sigh escaped his lips. "Forcent likely wouldn't have made it if I wasn't here. Guess he didn't know it could escalate to such heights," Imuru mused.
Gracefully, Ukuter and his secretaries hoover high above, taking a look over the craters caused by Forcent. Sphe planted a hand on her hip. "I wonder why she'd let this go unchecked," Sphe questioned, bemusement prevalent in her voice.
Yun shot Sphe a look of daggers. "Be careful. A Demon King has no right to be questioned by the likes of us." He covered his mouth. "Especially you."
Sphe crossed arms across her chest and pouted. "All right… Whatever Mr. suck up," she muttered, a wide grin spread across her face.
"Hm. Pix's being lazy…" He caressed the back of his head. "Probably, just sleeping," Ukuter remarked. "Highly likely, in fact."
"Yes, of course Lord Ukuter," Yun said, aligning his thoughts with the Demon King's. "It's a behavior she has a penchant for."
A cheeky smile crept up on Sphe's lips. She rested a hand on her cheek, and leaned on it, a curious look in her eyes. "You're really good at your job, huh?"
This warranted an eyebrow raise from Yun. He stared at her bewildered, unsure of the point she was trying to make. Having no interest in incorporating himself within her realm of 'idiocy' he remained quiet.
"I'll hold on to her role, for the time being." Ukuter murmured. "At least I'll have something to do…" He cocked his head. "Something other than paperwork… And aimlessly sitting around," He thought.
Yun nodded. "It'd provide some entertainment, Lord Ukuter. The opponents on the other hand—"
"Might make it a tinge boring," Sphe Interjected, with a chirpy smile.
"Yes. Thank you Sphe," Yun exclaimed, unappreciative, of her butting in. "For political reasons we can't be seen doing any of this."
Ukuter nonchalantly shrugged. Not really seeing the issue here for him. "Say, It only affects her, correct?"
Yun squinted. "Y-Yes," He stammered a bit. "A simple way to put it, but correct nethertheless, Lord Ukuter."
Ukuter straightened his head, and smiled. "Well, good. That doesn't bother me," he murmured.
On their methodical and contemplative walk home, the sun dipped below the horizon. Imuru's stuck in his thoughts on Ukuter's last statement. The Demon King didn't act nor sound sinister at all, but Imuru was still unsure of the situation at hand.
He slowed down and took a deep breath. He wanted something to ease his mind, and Forcent's fur did just that, capturing Imuru's gaze and calming his mind. The nighttime made it much more expressive, similar to the time when he first saw Forcent.
A gentle smile creased his lips. "Probably wouldn't go over well, if I tried to pet him?" Imuru thought, sparkles forming in his eyes.
"Oh!." Imuru rapidly shook his head. "Excuse me, Yosho." He slowed beside her. "I meant to ask, are you returning with me? To see what I'll do with Forcent?"
Yosho locked eyes with Imuru. "That's one reason. The other is that I'm quite intrigued by you, Great Imuru," She replied, her eyes shimmering with curiosity.
A flustered Imuru broke eye contact, for a slip second. "Again. Ukuter, now Yosho. Should I be flattered?" He thoughtfully asked himself.
"I love my home… I do. But I'm adventurous at heart." Yosho tilted her head. "Dare. I took a bit too much off my father, my brother's worst nightmare," She said, reminiscing.
Imuru exhaled deeply. "Worry not. You can forget I asked. I'll welcome you with open arms, Yosho." He flashed her dazzling smile, which was also returned by Yosho.
Imuru excused himself, and approached Forcent, for his personal reasons. "How are you?" Imuru gently asked.
A disinterested growl escaped from Forcent. "What will become of me? You have no need to answer, but I can tell you haven't made up your mind."
Imuru kept a poker face on being called out. "Well, aren't you good at discerning, hm?" He crossed his arms across his chest, and proudly smirked. "I'll have you know, I actually do have a plan."
Forcent gazed down at him. "I know my place. If you say you indeed have a plan, then so be it, I won't question you."
"Aah…" Imuru mused, as he took a quick stroll down memory lane. "He's quite powerful in his own right… But yet he's, just so… Obedient, and calm."
He hung around Forcent for a bit more, twiddling with his fingers, working up the courage to ask Forcent the question.
He finally cleared his throat, and spoke up. "I-I have another question… Could I maybe get on your… back?" Imuru shyly murmured.
Surprisingly Forcent halted and lowered himself. Imuru didn't even question or wait around for a second, swiftly climbing on. Forcent stood back up, much to Imuru's excitement and pleasure.
Imuru glanced around, a wide gleeful smile across his face. He managed to hold his inner child in, noting Yosho is still right behind him.
His eyes traced the flame whip, from both ends. Imuru was riveted by it, a curiosity of wanting to touch it, rising within, but the heat irradiating from it deterred him.
A dizziness came upon Imuru, as a voice called out to him. Imuru rubbed his eyes, to see Yosho In front of him, and his feet firmly planted on the ground. Forcent sat, staring at him, a pretty plain expression on his face.
"You stopped suddenly, after you finished speaking with Forcent, Great Imuru," A perplexed Yosho informed him.
"Aah, day dream? Pardon me!" Imuru exclaimed. "It was nothing, let's just go." Without another word he hastily scurried off, embarrassed.
They picked up their pace, in courtesy of Imuru's unfortunate, embarrassing situation. Imuru periodically checked his compass, distrustful of his own directional skills. Sometime later they slowed down, spotting Imuru's extended path.
As they approached the village, they spotted dim illuminating lights. The Dark Deviders were already there waiting, unsurprisingly, as Forcent made their presence very noticeable.
The Deviders all welcomed Imuru with applause. Imuru waved to them, not used to the praise or even felt it was necessary.
Forcent got some stern glances from the Dark Deviders around. it irritated him, so he stomped on to the ground once with his front leg, frightening the Deviders, and putting them right back on edge.
"Yosho. Could you do me a favor and update Unop on the situation? Just leave out our last encounter " Imuru whispered. He requested a Devider to lead her, and off she went.
Roll hurried to Imuru, and enthusiastically bowed. "Lord Imuru, It's good to see you, and I see you have the Ennom with you. Congratulations on your victory sir."
Imuru gave a nod, "Thank you. So tell me. Any troubles while I was gone?"
"Nothing to report on, Lord Imuru," Roll replied. "I'd like to escort you to your new home."
"Ow! S-Sure. Lead the way." Imuru gestured to Roll to go on ahead. "A new home huh… Awe, a gift for me, If I were to guess."
Roll led Imuru south of the Village, to a path lit by torches back into the forest. This was an intriguing decision that made Imuru raise an eyebrow. The trees thinned out, revealing the rear of a lodge, placed in a clearing.
Imuru's bemusement, instantaneously vanished, replaced by pure alacrity. Imuru rushed ahead around the front, to see a nice laid out porch,
"Whaa… You're all. So amazing," Imuru complimented, sparkles in his eyes and mouth agape. "Thank you… I do hope you're not under any pressure or anything. Just a bit too much for a kid."
Roll chuckled lightly. "I'm adjusting well. If it makes you feel any better Lord Imuru, I'm thirty-seven."
In a swift motion, Imuru swung his head around, his face contorted into disbelief. "O-Okay," He replied unsure. "That's good to know. He doesn't even look a day older than me, well," Imuru thought.
"E-Excuse me, Lord Imuru." Roll cleared his throat. "Forgive me for asking… Wha—What will become of the Ennom, sir. T-The others would appreciate knowing, if you so want us to," He stammered, avoiding eye contact.
"Yeah." Imuru took Roll one-side. "Don't worry. I got it under control. Just working out the kinks," He whispered to Roll.
Roll nodded. "Thank you, Lord Imuru. I'll relay the information to the others," He whispered back. "Goodnight, Lord Imuru." Roll bowed and took his leave.
Imuru stood there proudly, his hands resting on his hips. "Aren't I Lucky?" He thought pleased.
Gleefully Imuru walked up the porch. He looked behind him, "Come along Forcent."
The Ennom sluggishly climbed up the steps, Imuru smiled and slid the door open. He's met with warmth and an instantaneous blinding light that lit the environment up.
Imuru blinked against the sudden brightness, taking a moment to allow his eyes to adjust. "That's bright," He exclaimed.
Similar to the porch on the outside, the interior is made from light oak. Imuru glanced from left to right, before he delicately stepped in. He went right to explore the first room, which had his bedding.
They went on, and checked the other room, which held an oak polished red desk. Imuru approached the table, and sat down. It held a quill and an inkpot, roll of Parchment, scrying orb and a bookstand.
"They really did, outdid themselves, didn't they," Imuru thought, amazed by the Dark Deviders capabilities.
Forcent stood on the other side of the door, an unreadable expression on his face. Imuru, cocked his head, and gestured Forcent to come on in. The Ennom came in and sat at one side.
Imuru leaded back and let out a deep breath. "Everything's… Good, for the time being." A wide grin spread across his face, as he chuckled. "If I keep at this, I'm set... I'm set."