Fast forward a few days.

It's another day in the fortress of Raffermir. You spend most days speaking with your more informed members about the state of Varat and other such matters related to it, enjoying yourself whether that involve food or women or both, assisting members with help if it's something you can offer, and planning for the future. In a perfect world, you'd love the Church of Lasis to full entirely, but such a thing is likely a pipe dream. At the very least, you could have a nation of your own--a place for those to seek refuge, with your fortress as the castle right at the heart. Such a thing requires a lot of planning--wealth, influence, time. You don't fear anyone that comes to your door, but that doesn't mean you're invincible either. You don't seek a confrontation with an army of the kingdom's finest fighters.

An imposing man upon an imposing throne. You deal with some minor business one morning when something unexpected occurs as it usually does. Jilly the slime girl shapes herself into a voluptuous woman at the foot of your seat and salutes.

"Scouts say that another band of knights are on their way to the fortress, Lord Efrin."

"Guests are becoming more frequent," you reply--voice as powerful as always. You lean back on your seat and let out a long sigh. Perhaps we're garnering a reputation. The more people we recruit, the more it becomes known we're recruiting. I wonder what that will mean for us. "Meet them at the door and find out what they want. They'd be fools to simply attack."

"Yes, m'lord." She sinks down into a blob and wiggles back down the hallway.

You have quite a few people on your side already. Succubi, incubi, but citizens as well. Inda has joined your ranks now, and she seems to be a capable monk outside of how easy she is to fluster. Cari is an angel, which is exceptionally rare, and Thana is a vampire, which is certainly not a common thing to see either. You have some bunnyfolk, catfolk, and more throughout the fortress, though compared to a true royal castle, your numbers aren't all that impressive. Your side relies on the elite skills of fewer individuals as well as the bond you all have with one another--a mutual desire for freedom from the Church of Lasis. You've found that a lot of people in Varat actually dislike the Church's regulations, but they've been raised their entire lives to uphold them. It's like brainwashing.

Thinking about such things brings you a sour mood. You rest your arms on the sides of your throne and let out yet another sigh. You peer around, and people are starting to gather just in case. You even see Inda standing on the west side of the room, and both Cari and Thana stand beside your throne like rooks to your king.

Time passes by, but soon you hear footfalls. The cat and rabbit guarding the main chamber's doors drag them open, and three figures walk inside. Two of them are younger men clad in suits of armour, but the one in front is so radiant that it's easy to miss the boys all together. She has long, blond hair that rolls back down the back of her illustrious silver plate mail. Long, pointed ears protrude out from the sides, and her face is lovely and fair--like an angel, or maybe not. Cari certainly doesn't have the same aura about her. This woman is divine and just, and you can tell without even reading her surface thoughts. She has a shield with the emblem of Lasis in one hand and a glowing sword in her other. As she walks forward, her hair flows back like a golden sea, and her two companions remain right behind.

The elf halts halfway through the chamber, and she raises up a hand for the others to do the same. Her hazel eyes gaze up towards you.

She wishes to be the first to speak it seems. "I am Dame Janlanna Elerem, templar and knight of Varat. I have come with a platoon of two dozen of my best people and you will hear me out, Demon King."

You cross your legs, and lean over with your elbow against the throne's armrest. "Will I now?" you reply. As you speak, you eye her over closely. If you can't find some kind of weakness, whether it be her mind or on her body, you could legitimately risk an attack. You feel as if you could win, but losing even a single person is out of the question. You have to protect Raffermir. It isn't just an army. Some of the people here are innocent civilians that didn't join to fight.

"You will. Sister Rensburg already defected and joined your numbers I have heard. And where might she be?"

I best not tell her she's been in the dungeons all night and is exhausted from being fucked by incubi. "Resting."

"No matter. She is nothing to the Church now. Such a woman is foolish--"

"Do not say such things about one from our family," Thana speaks up. The vampiress crosses her arms, and stares daggers down at the templar.

You raise your hand. "Please remain silent," you say.

Thana nods.

They act so uncouth. And their outfits are ridiculous. Have they no shame? thinks the elf. Is that a vampire? She's so... that dress... no matter. I must focus.

You scratch your chin. "Do you really believe in what you fight for?" you ask.

"That question is an insult."

"It's simple. People shouldn't explore their desires. And why? If it hurts nobody, then what do it matter? More importantly, say you were born with a forbidden taste. Perhaps it shouldn't be forbidden. It's a sad thing, hiding who you truly are for years of your life."

I need to try something before things get out of hand. You turn to Cari beside you, and she looks back with a bright smile.

"What is it, Lord Efrin?" she asks.

You beckon her closer and whisper into her ear as you gesture your eyes towards Inda. "Open the curtains for me."

She salutes and floats up off the ground and towards the western end of the room.

"What is that woman?" asks Dame Elerem. "And what is she doing? You best not be performing a sneak attack. Fight me or do not."