Lord Timment says "What are you going to need to pull this off?"

"First off, is there a way you could maneuver your troops so that Lord Dra would be alerted and respond but not Lord Shendaw?"

Lord Bibiq says "Yes, I can do that. Why?"

"For Lord Shendaw to believe Lord Dra is plotting against him he would need to see Lord Dra's troops moving for no reason."

Lord Timment says "I see, if he can't explain it his paranoia will increase."

"Right, and that will make it easier for him to believe me when he tortures the information out of me."

Lady Xinun says "There is a problem there, Lord Shendaw doesn't use torture. He prefers to watch people die in his arena."

"Arena? Would I be fighting demons, humans, or beasts?"

Lady Xinun says "Most likely, beasts at first."

"Would these manacles be removed?"

Lady Xinun says "No, it isn't meant to be a fair fight."

"Can the suppression of the manacles be lessened?"

Lady Xinun says "No, attempting to alter the manacles will have the same result you saw in the soulscape."

Lord Bibiq says "Ah, this isn't going to work is it? Those manacles will suppress any demon lower than rank eight."

Lord Timment says "True, and if the manacles are removed then Lord Shendaw will be suspicious and just kill him outright."

Lord Sakra says "Then it might be best if we either go with his combat plan or come up with a plan of our own."

"Lady Xinun, how long could you delay sending me to Lord Shendaw without it becoming suspicious?"

Lady Xinun says "A week, two at most."

"That might be enough time."

Lord Timment says "To do what? Overcoming the suppression is impossible at your rank and we are not about to sacrifice dozens of demons to get you to a higher rank so you can overcome it."

The other demon lords agree with Timment and start discussing other possible plans. Instead of arguing I gather my strength and slowly stand up. Then with slow careful steps I walk in a circle around my chair before sitting back down.

By the time I sit back down the hall is completely silent and all five demon lords are just staring at me. The looks on their faces make me want to laugh but I hold it in, I don't want to offend them. While it is true that later we will be enemies, for right now I am completely at their mercy.

Lord Bibiq says "You overcame the suppression with pure strength? Now I really want to fight you!"

Lady Xinun says "How is that possible? He is only rank five!"

Lord Timment says "True, but he is not only a demon, he would have had strength of his own before becoming a demon. We need to remember he was summoned into this world, that should mean he has a hero's ability to gain levels as well as having a demon's rank."

Lord Sakra says "While being able to get up and take a few steps under suppression is amazing, will it be enough to survive in the arena?"

"No, as I am now I wouldn't survive long. But with a bit of time and help I should be able to raise my strength enough."

Lady Xinun says "What would you need?"

"A place to train, and to borrow your swordmaster."

Lady Xinun says "How do you know about Vacker?"

"I talked to him when I pulled a brick out of the wall in my cell."

Lady Xinun says "When did you have time for that? You know what nevermind! I can provide both of those, what else do you need?"

"A sacrifice. One demon of rank four or higher should be enough to get me to rank six."

Lady Xinun says "You already ate my torturer, I can't spare another demon."

The other four demon lords look at each other as if waiting for someone else to volunteer. Maybe I am asking too much, after all it takes a long time for a demon to rank up. With Vacker's help I might be able to get strong enough without getting to rank six.

Lord Zzenth sighs and says "I have one, I was planning to eat him myself for his failures. I guess you can have him if it will help us defeat Lord Shendaw."

"What rank is he?"

Lord Zzenth says "He is rank five."

"That should be more than enough for me to rank up to six."

Lord Timment says "It seems like this is a workable plan. Everyone is in agreement that we proceed? Any objections?"

Lord Sakra says "I have a concern. Ash is going to earn his freedom through this, correct?"

Lord Timment says "Correct. What is your concern?"

Lord Sakra says "After we defeat Lords Shendaw and Dra it will take a few years for us to be ready to invade the peninsula. My concern is at that point Ash will be our enemy, how much will he grow in those few years?"

'I was really hoping no one would think of that!'

Lady Xinun says "Lord Sakra does have a point. Ash is already an impressive being at his current rank."

Lord Timment says "Wait! This is a matter we should discuss amongst ourselves."

Lady Xinun says "Guards! Take Ash to a guest room and see that he is fed well. Also bring Vacker to him."

The guards pick me up fairly gently and carry me out of the hall. Outside the main doors we go up a flight of stairs and down a corridor to a much nicer room than I was expecting. As much as I appreciate being treated better I would have much rather stayed and heard the rest of the discussion.

Before I can decide to try doing something stupid a stream of servants come in carrying platters. The smells of the food quickly distract me and I start pigging out before the servants are even done laying out the platters. Vacker is brought in while I am stuffing my face and looks completely shocked when he sees me.

Vacker says "What is going on? What did you do?!"