“So this is the rumored Kodria that I have heard about? … it looks smaller than I expected,” said Balue as he looked at the southern fort and barracks where the cavalrymen and Garg's lived.

“Ahem... that's just the southern fort... the inner city of Kodria is over there and the outer city is there,” said Akira pointing towards the island and then the large towering walls of the outer city which had a large tree growing out from the center.

“Right. I knew that, I was just testing you. Interesting tree you got there. I can feel an energy flowing out of it. Such a warm feeling.”

“That was a recent addition to the outer city. It is something that we take great pride in as there are very few like it,” said Klyn.

As they were talking a fort guard rushed forward and saluted Akira.

“Duke Akira the duchess has left word to inform you of an attack that happened while you were gone and wishes you to head to the castle as soon as you return so that she can talk with you,” said the guard while still holding his salute.

Akira's face hardened upon hearing this, “...and the attackers?”

“Were taken care of by sir Zundar and the other guards!”

“I'm sorry Mr. Balue, but my offer to give you a tour has to be put on hold while I go take care of a personal problem.”

“Not to worry this is more interesting, mind if I come to offer my help?”

“...I'm not sure what you can do since the situation seems to have already been cleared up. You are more than welcome to come with me and chat with the elders about the local news and other things if you like.”

“That is perfect!”

Akira and the rest of his entourage made their way back to the castle as quickly as they could. On their way, they found that there was a heavy presence of patrolling city guards on the walls and the streets while the citizens were all skittish as they scampered from place to place.

“Interesting place...” said Balue.

“It's not normally like this. It is far more lively usually... but with the recent attacks and the guilds in the north all looking to gobble up more land, we are a prime choice of meat for them to try and bite into.”

“Ah... I did not know that these demigods posed such a problem. I only thought they were bandits trying to stir up trouble, but from all that I have seen so far... if we don't do something about them they will cause everyone on this continent problems.”

“We've been trying to figure out how to deal with them but they are like weeds, they just keep coming back. So we had to go get some of our own weeds to help fight against them,” said Klyn.

Mileena and Azura had already been informed of Akira's return and they were already waiting for him inside the castle's courtyard when he passed through the castle gates with everyone.

“Were you or the children hurt?” asked Akira as he rushed over to Mileena and looked her over trying to see if there were any visible fresh wounds.

“The children were not targeted, and the wounds I received were only minor scratches. The real problem was the three who attacked us died too quickly,” said Mileena.

Zundar, who had just arrived, snorted and then said, “Luckily we managed to capture two of their accomplices, cowards who hid when their other companions launched the attack on us. They were sent to the castle's dungeon so that you could talk with them when you return. Unfortunately when we left them alone for a short time one of the prisoners killed the other. I made sure to tie the reaming prisoner so that he could not kill himself.”

“Oh someone to interrogate! It was the right decision to let me come here with you!” said Balue.

“...and who are you?” asked Mileena.

“He is a friendly guest I met while on my way to the south to help the Yuki-onna. He has quite the talent for interrogation,” said Akira introducing Balue.

“I would not say it is a talent. Just hard work and a LOT of practice.”

“Any friend of my husband is welcome here,” said Mileena giving a half bow towards Balue.

“Ah, so you are the wife of the duke... how odd. Well, why don't we go check on this demigod that you have captured.”

Akira led the way through the maze of hallways and checkpoints to reach the dungeon where the demigod was staying. While walking Mileena filled Akira in on what had happened while he was gone.

Rondie and sister Teresa were standing guard outside the door keeping a close eye on the prisoner to make sure they did not break free of their shackles and try to kill themselves.

“Sister Teresa, I hear that you are one of the reasons that my wife was saved from major harm,” said Akira.

“It was nothing much as they also seemed to be targeting me as well,” said sister Teresa.

“I don't like this one bit. The northern demigod guilds are getting more and more bold,” said Zundar.

“We have one of the culprits still alive. I am sure they can shed some light on their current and future plans if you can just crack them...” said Rondie as she slammed her fists together. “...but this one is a hard nut.”

Akira nodded at this in agreement and then pushed open the unlocked dungeon door.

A female demigod was chained to the far wall and also had a thick wooden stick horizontally shoved into her mouth and tied tightly to the back of her head so that she could not bite her tongue and bleed out a slow death.

“Mhhmmmf!” said the female in a muffled voice when she saw Akira enter the dungeon room.

“You need to pee? Well, I am sorry but I can't help you with that,” said Akira, an expert at understanding such muffled speech.

“Mmmf,” said the female, shaking her head.

“I'm glad you understand,” said Akira. “I was told that you were one of the attackers who was captured. This whole thing will be remembered as the worst decision you ever made in your life. Not only did you attack my wife but you also attacked my sister! Right now you are not just talking with the Duke of Kodria, but also the husband and big brother of those you attacked. What do you have to say for your actions?”

“Mhmmf! Mmmfh!”

“You want fresh fruit? Why would you ask for such a thing right now? You know it's winter and all the fruit has been preserved so there is little to no fruit that is in season right now.”

The female shook her head but Akira continued to speak.

“You can deny it all you want but there is no fresh fruit! This is your last chance to speak to me before I let my friend Balue talk with you instead,” said Akira as he pointed to the smiling Balue.

“MMMMHF! MMHF! MFFF!”

“Alright, I have heard enough. Any last words before I leave? How about explaining why you killed the other demigod with you?” asked Akira, pulling the slobbery wooden stick out of the female demigod's mouth.

“You got it all wrong! I was trying to protect you by killing him! Honestly!”

“Right... you sure know how to protect someone by trying to kill their loved ones,” said Akira putting the wooden stick back in her mouth.

“Balue, you can take care of the rest of the interrogation.”

When Akira exited the dungeon room he said “Can you guys keep an eye on the prisoner for a while longer while I check up with the grand elders?”

“Not a problem,” said Rondie.

As Akira headed towards the meeting room a messenger runner came to him with a smile on his face.

“A large-ish human settlement in the north has bucked the reins of the demigods and has joined our alliance in the fight against the demigods!”

“Which settlement?”

Ding!

The requirements for the second stage of the Main event quest has been met!

Second stage: [The Culling] will start Soon™ in the near future.

The weak will perish and the strong will survive!

Prepare now or perish!

Akira raised his hand stopping the messenger from answering.

“Just send the report to my office. I'll read it later...” said Arron.

Akira sat in the meeting room while the grand elders droned on about importation matters, but the words just did not enter his ears as he was occupied with worrying about the new development in the main event quest.

Things were moving too fast now. He barely had any time to breathe with all that was going on around him and Kodria.

The door to the room opened and Balue was escorted in by Zundar.

“So this is where the big shots meet?” asked Balue.

“...and who are you?” asked grand-elder Àaron.

“A guest interrogator,” said Balue, before turning to Akira. “I have the information you wanted. The attackers were part of a larger plot to target key figures of Kodria's dukedom. They launched attacks at the same time to try and take everyone out all in one go. That attack back in the nomadic village that hit me was meant for you. The other targets were: Your wife, sister Teresa, Bent-gii's Varbu and Prince Gobgob, and the Merchant dwarf named Burkin.”

“How trustworthy is this information?” asked grand-elder Hegir.

“Very,” said Akira, even more worried with this news being added on top of his previous troubles.

Even so, he had to push it all aside for now. He could worry all he wanted after it was over. Right now he needed to prepare for the coming storm once again.

“Hurry and contact the shaman in Bent-gii. We need to know what their situation is. Send out a scouting team along the river to search for the merchant's caravan. It would not do any good if either of them have suffered heavy damage or been whipped out. It could set back Kodria's plans for the future.”