Vacker says "It's really good to see you in one piece!"

"You sound like you doubted I would be back."

Lady Xinun says "I think all of us had some doubts. It was a fairly crazy plan you came up with."

Vacker says "Doubts or not, it is really good to see you."

"It's good to see you too, and now you are free!"

Lady Xinun says "Yes, Vacker is now free. So, would you like to leave immediately or would you rather celebrate a little and leave in the morning?"

"Personally I have had a long day and would prefer a bit of rest before setting out."

Vacker says "Fine by me, I am just happy to be free."

Lady Xinun says "Very well. Then let's have dinner!"

The meal is absolutely amazing, and there is a constant stream of ale and wine. Lady Xinun is in a very good mood and for once there are no veiled threats or hidden dangers to worry about. This is a side of her I never expected to see, throughout the dinner I even forget that she is a demon lord.

All three of us drink too much, but luckily Lady Xinun doesn't take advantage of the situation. Because with as much ale as I have had I might forget just how dangerous she is. Vacker and I end up stumbling back to the guest room and that is the last thing I remember.

When I wake up in the morning I regret drinking, my head feels like a stampede went through it. The only thing that convinces me to get up is the smell of breakfast. After stuffing myself I feel more alive and almost ready to face the day.

After cleaning up the breakfast plates the servants return with two chests that are apparently gifts from Lady Xinun. Each chest has a name on it, one has my name the other has Vacker's. Wondering what she is up to I open the chest with my name on it, inside I find a set of leather armor.

As I lift it out of the chest I can see that it is well made and that the leather came from the hellboar I killed. That means that Lady Xinun ordered this made before I left for Lord Shendaw's castle. She said she had her doubts but would she really waste this material if she thought I wouldn't come back?

The more I learn about Lady Xinun the more confused I become, which isn't that strange I guess since she is female. But I thought for sure that a demon lord would be much more simple to understand. I expected to be stabbed in the back and lied to repeatedly, but they have been nothing but honest.

The demon lords, at least those other than Lord Shendaw, have been nothing like I was expecting. I need to get out of here before I start to lose perspective and start thinking of them less like demons and more like humans. I need to see them as enemies without question or I might hesitate and get someone I care about killed.

It is a good thing we are leaving today, I can't afford to get any more confused by Lady Xinun. Shaking myself out of such thoughts I try on the armor and find it is a nearly perfect fit. Looking over I see that Vacker also got a set of armor and a new sword, Lady Xinun is being very generous.

When I look in the chest I find that there was a backpack under the armor, when I open it I find it full of supplies. Lady Xinun said she wouldn't provide us mounts, yet she is doing everything she can to help us make it. It is almost as if she wants us to survive the trip so that we can be her enemies when she invades.

Without a word Vacker and I shoulder the packs and head down to the castle entry. I am hoping to get out quietly but that is soon dashed as I see Lady Xinun standing outside the castle waiting for us. She doesn't look hungover at all, in fact she looks perfect in a short sundress.

Her skin is even a normal color in the sunlight, she must be doing that on purpose. She is a succubus so she would have the ability to alter her looks, but the question is why is she bothering. Is she trying to look more human because she thinks that will make me forget what she really is?

Vacker says "Good morning, Lady Xinun."

Lady Xinun says "Good morning, Vacker, Lord Ash. Were you planning to leave without saying goodbye?"

"Well, I didn't want to disturb you, you consumed a lot of wine last night."

Lady Xinun says "I can handle my liquor, besides it is a host's duty to see guests off."

"While I appreciate the sentiment, it is a little misplaced. After all, from this point on we are enemies."

Lady Xinun says "Don't get too hung up on that. Have a safe trip, if you survive we will meet again!"

She acts like she is going to walk past me into the castle, but before I know it she has stopped, grabbed my head, and pulled me down into a passionate kiss. Before I can regain my wits enough to push her away she has ended the kiss and vanished into the castle. I turn to look at Vacker in confusion but he is just standing there smirking.

'I am glad Drog isn't here! If he had seen that I would never live it down!'

"Not a word!"

Vacker says "Wouldn't dream of it sonny!"

"Let's just get out of here!"

Vacker says "Lead the way bossman!"

Ignoring Vacker's sarcasm I lead the way out of the castle grounds and down the mountain. I set the fastest pace that I think Vacker can maintain, I don't want to exhaust him. At this pace I figure maybe three days to get us out of the mountains and to the start of the jungle.