Get ready to leave.

"I'm afraid this is all we'll be able to discuss unless it comes to blows," William says. He flashes a glance to you. "Good to see you didn't lose control, but you better keep watching your back."

One by one, everybody begins standing back up--all but the hosts. They remain at the table with the ALICE behind them, and you see more of the strange robotic critters scurrying around through the snow. The girls follows you to the side, and then you start to ponder how exactly you're going to get home.

"Yes. I see the meeting is finished already," says Elok. "So be it."

The rope from above is slowly lowered back down. William snags it in his grip. "Don't fret. It wasn't a complete waste of time. You were right about something. This proved to be a valuable source of information for future enemies."

"Just kiss already!" Vex shouts. "Damn. This is so boring. Let's go, ladies. At least the treats were tasty."

"Hey, uh... Lady Vex?" you speak up.

She turns an eye. "What do you want?"

"Would you be willing to open a portal for us to get back home?"

"Why would I do that?" She turns and crosses her arms over her flat chest. "I don't owe you anything."

"Well, you did forget until last minute to--"

"Wait!" she cuts you off.

Masumi turns her eyes down to her mistress and smiles. "Are you worried that the other Demon Kings will think you're irresponsible? The story of how you forgot is so adorable though. You had so much to drink that night. Remember when you woke up naked--Mm!"

The devil's hand snaps up to cover her mouth. "Stop!" she lets out a long annoyed sigh. "Look. I don't owe you anything, but just this one time, I'll open up a portal. But Kashura doesn't have your castle as a coordinate, so you'll have to do a little bit of walking. Don't cry to me about it."

"Thank you. I appreciate it," you reply.

William's crew ascends back to the sky. Meanwhile, Kashura does as she's done before. Her bracelet shines and she opens up a window leading straight to a lake. It looks familiar, though you haven't stood in this exact place before. It's at least not on the top of a mountain. You look to see Elok still sitting. He's watching you closely, and so are the two beside him.

You clench your teeth. "Breiah? Elok? I'll never forgive you for what you did. I don't know what you're planning, but remember this. My castle is strong, but my people are stronger. Come on. Let's go."

"Well said!" Kashura smiles. "But try to throw your hip to the side a little next time, and put your hands up like this."

Vex grabs her by the arm. "Come on. I'm sleepy. Oh, and Kyle. I like your castle. It does look strong. Maybe I'll take it for myself one day."

You approach the portal and take a step inside. "You better not."

"Hurry up, or it'll close on you."

With that, you and your party pass through. It takes a moment to get your bearings, but you come to the realization that you're near Crystal Lake. That's not all that far from home at all. You should sleep for now, so it'll take a couple days to get to the castle, but you're here. The irony is that it's actually cooler here now than it was on the top of the mountain.

Before bed, you pull out your map and ponder.

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As frustrating as things are, I did get far more answers than questions for once. It was Vivi's sister Breiah working along side the elven inventor Elok Daven that kidnapped both me and William. She experimented on Delphi too, and he made Alice. She's not the only one like her either. That maid was even called the same thing. I was able to learn the identity of a new Demon King too, and I didn't even know William was one until tonight. I feel like I'm having my own political battle of kingdoms completely underground from the actual nations you'd see on a map.

I don't feel immediately threatened. The main focus has to be on improving our castle, both with defenses but also quality of life. If Elok ruled over the amount of people Sa'dis did, surely someone would have known, but nobody had a clue. Would William attack? Maybe one day, but probably not anytime soon. What about Vex? She said it, but I doubt it. She lives far away, and she acts like a bratty child.

I could play the rest in a lot of ways. With these magic mirrors, I could trade with the other Demon Kings, make plans with them, or maybe I should limit my communication. There's a lot to think about.

Night comes. The rest can be figured out when you're back with the rest of your allies.