Situational awareness

The next afternoon you gather everyone to figure out what the next steps should be. You laugh to see Lynn excitedly chatting with Anna and Maya. Elys gives you a knowing look and a wink as you all sit around a big table.

Everyone settles down and looks to you expectantly. You smile and speak, “So, despite some problems, that went better than could be expected. Obviously we didn’t expect meddling from the demon lord himself, but thankfully there’s no permanent damage.”

Rachel responds. “Aside from your arm and some scars on poor Sadie, physical and mental.”

Sadie shakes her head. “It was horrible, but I’m better now...Joshie made me a promise!”

Everyone looks at you questioningly, and you chuckle. “We’ll get to that. And my arm...it’s fine. Honestly, it’s a weapon! I just need practice.”

Yura nods. “You can not use it against demons though. It will not harm its own when wielded by a human.”

You smile. “I assumed as much. However, our first problem is that while we defeated the majority of the traitors skilled army, the HPP has unified the two kingdoms under their own leadership. They are fanatics, radicalized to the point where they are dangerous. The prisoners we took told me what’s been happening there, and it’s...horrible. It makes Halid look like a reasonable person. We get monster girls and other creatures as refugees every day now. It’s not safe there if you’re not human.”

Ruka, who had been interviewing refugees since you found out about them, nods. “They aren’t even giving most of them time to flee. They’re somehow worse than the demons, ambushing families as they leave the cities. It’s like the whole nation has gone mad.”

Kali nods. “Based on what I know of the HPP from before I purged them in the new world, they tended to attract violent, but charismatic leaders. You saw how fast public opinion changed once I removed them.”

You sigh. “Unfortunately, we’re pressed for time. If we didn’t have to worry about the demon lord’s armies returning, I’d take a group myself and see if we could solve this quietly. The problem is that they have whipped people up into a frenzy, blaming non-humans for all the problems. Such a frenzy, in fact, that their new army is bigger than the last, outnumbering us even with our allies.”

Uzume chuckles. “A bunch of idiots with spears aren’t a threat though!”

Clarissa shakes her head. “Even idiots can get lucky, especially when there’s a lot of them. And if they’re as fanatical as they sound, it could get dicey. All they would need is a good ambush or a mistake on our side.”

You nod. “And despite my good luck so far, I’m not a real general. Nor are any of you. So this time, I’m going to do what I should have done before. I’m going to let my military handle it. After all, most rulers don’t lead from the front. Once we face some heavy hitters I’ll get back out there.”

You smile. “That’s not to say we’ll be idle. There’s plenty to do around here. Trust me, we’re going to be plenty busy.”

Kali nods. “Not to mention there’s things to do to us!”

Everyone laughs, and you grin. “Of course. That too.”

Sadie giggles. “We have an orgy to plan! You promised!”

“Yes, yes I did. Is everyone in on this? If you’re uncomfortable just say so. Especially those of you who haven’t been in the family long.”

You see nothing but grins and blushes.

Ruka smiles and interjects. “Can we wait for tomorrow for the...you know. Maya and I have plans tonight.”

You smile. “Tomorrow it is.”