We finally made it to the town with the big town in it. It was much further that we expected so we are really tired and it was morning when we landed and right now it is evening and we are exhausted. Well, Marie and Miriam are, I am not, perks of being a undead is good stamina and strength. I decided to change my uniform one more, I mean the one before was ok but it was for a pilot and I wanted something more, serious looking. So I changed mine to

and got myself a MG 42 at the same time because why not. I wont use it too much, if anything I can use it as a club and hit people with it. Both of them were distraught by the way my magic works and Marie asked me if there is some kind of repercussion of using it so much to, like do I run out of mana, or does it take a toll on my body. To which I replied, "Apart from that one time, no, not really, I don't feel anything". Marie especially told me not to overuse it just in case if there is some kind of side effect. I don't want to worry them too much so I will not use it to much, well not in front of them at least. 

We enter the city, I have to stay. It is really gloomy and depressing.

Not the cleanest and most well lit place. Different type of demons and monster folk walk the streets, going about their day. You could say that it just like any other human city but replaced with non human races. They all stare at us, more so at them cause they are humans, some look with curiosity while some with a hint of aggression. They walk behind me, strangely they seem to be avoiding to look at me. Those that do seem a little scared. Why? I look similar to them. I look straight ahead at the large tower in the distance, as tall as the Empire State building, but just way uglier. We continue walking, trying to ignore the stares as much as we can. If anyone asks we agreed that they will identify as my slaves. Not the pretties thought but not much of a choice.

Miriam: It is so gloomy and dark, how can anyone live here?

Marie: You have to remember, they aren't humans and among them there are those that enjoy the dark.

Miriam: Still, you can make a town dark and still look pretty.

Marie: You have to put it into context, this is quite a young country and even a younger city, their goal is just to have homes, they don't have time nor the experience to make it pretty.

What Marie is saying has to be true. I mean, for such a young country, your first thing would be homes, and then you would worry for looks. Well, that would be any sane leaders thought. I wonder who is their leader, who is the person in charge. And especially what drove them to seek an alliance with others, or at least neutral standing. I have to respect the gamble, that is a high risk thing to do. Not only do you hope to make a sort of treaty with all the other kingdoms but also you just made yourself a enemy of the demon world. To them this sort of thinking would be heresy. You see a goblin child standing next to his mother and pointing at you but his mother is trying to hide him.

Goblin child: Look mom, humans!

Goblin female: Shush child. Don't point at them.

She looks at Miriam and Marie shortly then at me. She seems scared of me, she stares into my yellow eyes. They changed color when I turned into what I am now. I don't know why she is scared. I can't be the most terrifying creature, there has to be a reason. I decide to approach them, I do need directions for a place where we can stay.

Mason: Greeting there.

Goblin female: Y-yes?

I can tell that she is nervous so I try to look as friendly as I can.

Mason: Do you know a place where we could stay at?

Goblin female: I d-don't know really.

Mason: Oh. Well thank you anyway. 

She doesn't say anything and just nods. I don't want to pester her too much, she is clearly scared of me. I walk back to the ladies and we keep walking down the street, attracting even more looks and a lot seem to have the same reaction when they look at me.

Mason: Hey Marie.

Marie: Yes?

Mason: Why are they scared of me? Do I look that scary?

Marie: Honestly I don't know. Trust me there are far worse things out there. I don't see a reason why they would have this kind of reaction. 

We hear some music in the distance so we follow it. We come up to a tavern of some sort, there is singing inside. On a banner at the top of the doorway a name is written, presumably the name of this place. "The Scattered Hag Pub", a interesting name indeed. We walk inside, the people seem to be having really great fun, dancing and singing. We sit at the counter on some high stools. The Satyr man behind the counter freezes when he sees me. Again, the same darn reaction. I smile at him which doesn't go well, he goes pale.

Mason: Greetings, may we get something to drink.

Barman: C-certainly, w-what would you like Sir?

Mason: Well, we don't exactly have a lot of money, so what do you recommend?

Barman: D-don't worry. It will be on the h-house!

Mason: Are you sure? Thanks I guess. Then three glasses of your finest ale. 

Barman: Certainly.

He start to shakily pour three cups of some ale. I look at Marie and Miriam, and they just shrug their shoulders. They seem to be as confused as you. The guy hands us the drinks and quickly backs away.

Barman: A-anything else?

Mason: That would be all. Thanks. 

He nods and goes rushes through some doors. I turn around on my stool and look at the party these guys are having. Such an interesting picture, so many races in one place, so different from each other. On the second floor I spot a hooded figure staring at me, wide eyes. Again, what the hell is going on? I turn back around and drink my ale. It isn't too bad, I don't feel thirsty but doesn't mean I don't want to drink.

Mason: So, ladies. What are we going to do about our accommodation?

Miriam: I don't know really. We don't exactly have the money they use here. I don't know if they will accept it. 

Marie: Well we must find somewhere to stay because I sure as hell am not sleeping on the street.

I start to rub my forehead, trying to think of anything. I hear a rough voice behind me say "What are you two pretty things doing here?" I turn around and see it is a orc. He is large and imposing but clearly drunk.

Orc: How about I take you somewhere where we can have fun?

I can see that they are disgusted so I clear my throat to try and get his attention and his attention I get.

Orc: What do you want ass...

He freezes when he sees my eyes and backs away and stumbles and falls on his ass.

Orc: I-I am s-sorry. P-please don't k-kill me.

I stand there confused. I didn't say anything, why such a reaction. 

Mason: I didn't say anyth...

Orc: Stay away from me!

With that the room goes quiet and he runs out the pub. There is silence in the room, the same old look they share. Why? That is all is going through my head. There are whispers amongst crowd then the hooded figure step in front of me. They came out of nowhere. 

Hooded figure: We need to talk in private.

I nod and we get up, I grab my MG and we leave and head into a alleyway.

Mason: Hey mysterious person, do you know why they all share the same reaction?

The figure turns around, their face still hidden.

Hooded figure: Do you seriously not know?

I just shake my head. There is no reason for them to fear me, they don't even know me.

Hooded figure: Because you have the eye color and aura of a Duke.

What? A Duke? I guess she is talking about the ranks of demons. Do demons have different eye colors depending on the rank? And she said about an aura.

Mason: What do you mean by that? And why aren't you scared then?

Hooded figure: I am scared, it is just that I hide it better than others. You must be the least smart Duke out there. To come to the surface, and walk in like that and not even know why everyone is scared.

Mason: But I am not a Duke. I have never been down there.

The hooded figure just stands there. Clearly shook by what came out of my mouth, they stare right at me, trying to see if I am playing dumb or telling the truth. I look at their hands and I can see that they are in face scared. 

Hooded figure: Y-you aren't lying? B-but how?

Mason: You explain that to me. What is your name anyway?

Yrelvia: A pardon my rudeness. My name is Yrelvia Drenneth. 

Marie: You have a surname? You must come from nobility.

Yrelvia: I-do, or did, my father was a Baron.

Marie: What do you mean by did?

Yrelvia: He still is, it is just that I was disowned and thrown away. I am no longer wanted by him.

Marie: Interesting.

Mason: Hey. Could you help us out a little?

Yrelvia: What do you need?

Mason: Do you know a place where we can stay? You know, we don't really want to sleep on the streets. 

Yrelvia: I can't believe what you are asking me but I do know a place. Follow me, there we can continue our conversation. Try to keep your eyes hidden please, not for me or you, but for the poor folk here.

Mason: I'll try. I don't know how really. 

Miriam: I know. 

She grabs a scarf and ties it around my around my head and basically blindfolds me. I can't contain myself and make a slight joke about it to which I get a punch to the gut. It didn't hurt me as much as it hurt Miriam. Marie just sighs. They grab my hands and guide my blind self for quite a distance and time it seems. We walk into some kind of building, judging by the change of surface. They remove my blindfold and I see that we are in some sort of mansion. 

Mason: Nice place.

Yrelvia: Thanks I guess. 

We walk into a room with a couple of couches and a fire place and some other decor. Probably a living room, I set my MG next to one of the couches and sit down. They all follow suite.

Mason: So?

Yrelvia: Just a moment.

She proceeds to take of her clothes and I am finally able to see her fully.

She is beautiful undoubtably. Could she be a succubus? But I don't feel any sort of special lust or attraction towards her. She pours herself a drink and sits down. 

Yrelvia: Are you serious when you say that you aren't a Duke?

Mason: As serious as I can be. I was a human but not a long ago. These two fine ladies can testify. 

Yrelvia: What do you mean you were a human? How did you turn into your current form, did you do some sort of ritual?

Mason: Nope. I guess a price I had to pay for the power I posses. I just have to ask you. Are you a succubus by any chance.

Yrelvia: And what if I was? Do we have a problem with it?

Mason: Ah..no, no. Just curious that is all.

Yrelvia: Well, I am. We were maybe the only noble succubus line in the whole underworld.

Marie: Succubae are seen as lowly class demons, how did you get your title?

Yrelvia: Honestly I still don't know. Something once of my ancestors did and we got it.

Marie nods, seemingly happy with the answer.

Yrelvia: Anyway, since you aren't a Duke that makes things more fine I guess.

Marie: I am guessing since this country did stray from the usual demon lifestyle you made yourselves primary targets of the higher class demons.

Yrelvia: Good observation. That is basically why we are trying to find allies as soon as possible but no luck so far. People don't trust us, but all of us want a change in life.

Mason: Why did the folk here separate from the usual demon doctrine of destruction?

Yrelvia: Well you see, not all demons share the same thought, some of want a simple life, like people on the surface live. We know that nothing come form killing and destroying so a couple of brave demons decided to start a movement and soon got a sizable following but they had to leave the Demon world if they wanted to live.

Mason: May I ask one thing though? You said that my eyes belong to the Duke rank. Do demon rank have different eye colors or something?

Yrelvia: Not necessarily the eye color, but the there are some eye color that are exclusive to upper class, but more the clarity and intensity. Couple that with the powerful aura some are able to see, we suspected that you were a Duke. I hope we didn't offend you.

Mason: No, no. I understand where the reactions were coming from. 

Yrelvia: Now that that is settled I presume you must be tired. 

Miriam: We sure are. 

Yrelvia: I will get a maid to escort you to your rooms. Tomorrow we can figure out what to do.

Miriam: Thank you for your hospitality.

Yreliva calls for a maid named Elonshe. A Dark Elf, dark skin, pointy eyes and a pair of murky yellow eyes really stand out from her normal appearance. She wears you classical maid dress, she looks quite serious, the tone, the stature, everything.

Elonshe: Greetings.

She bows down gracefully. Have to say, it feels weird, having someone bow down to you.

Yrelvia: Please escort these three to their respected rooms.

Elonshe nods at Yreliva and gestures to follow after her. We walk through the halls of this mansion. Each one of us gets a room, next to each other which is a good thing. She shows me a room where I will be staying, I have to say, it is decent size, and quite nice looking. There is a large bed and a window looking out into the city. Again, I can see the nervousness in her, every time she looks into my eyes she twitches a little.

Mason: Elonshe, is that your name?

Elonshe: Yes Sir it is.

Mason: To clear one thing up. I am not a Duke, so no need to be so afraid. I am not going to do anything.

Elonshe: Please forgive me. I didn't mean to offend you in any way.

Mason: I don't feel offended, it is just. I don't want you to be so nervous around me. Relax.

Elonshe nods, she is still not fully relaxed but I hope she will relax soon. 

Elonshe: Anything else that you desire?

Mason: No, everything is perfect. Thank you.

WIth that she bows down and leaves the room. I take off my clothes and lay down on the bed, I am not tired per say, but I do want to sleep. I close my eye and lo and behold, I fall asleep. That took some worry out of my life, I didn't think I would be able to sleep.