Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Chapter 182

Razzith has already unraveled a napkin and thrown it over his lap, ready to dig into the meal he had had the kitchens meticulously prepare according to what little information he could dig up about Hellhounds.

He looked up after he did, finding his guests staring at him. Razzith cleared his throat and crumpled the napkin in a fist.

"Word from Ibaeron has begun to slowly spread amongst the five cities of Flaeris," The Fiend began heavily, quickly realizing that his guests were completely uninterested in the fare at the table.

Caedos listened quietly, keeping to himself that there were ten cities. He couldn’t care less about the war dividing them, Fiends were all the same to him.

"I’ve felt the impact more than most," The Grand Duke went on, "Even now, Velmorn still receives survivors from the fallen city. It is simply common sense to approach the victor of the battle that burnt down Ibaeron."

The captains were not as adept at restraining their expressions, so at that moment, they had strange looks on their faces as they listened to the Grand Duke laud them for actions they didn’t commit.

"Morkoth’s army is a terrible thing, it’s the reason why Ibaeron had no walls. There were rumors that the sheer number of his army was enough to build a wall of flesh around the city..."

"Does this have to do with the peace treaty?" Caedos interrupted then, his voice even drier, his gaze chilly.

Razzith cleared his throat self-consciously. "In a manner of speaking," He muttered, "The Hellhounds held captive in Velmorn have already been rounded up, they’ll be returned to their rightful homes in exchange for peace between our races."

A tense silence fell over the table after his declaration and for a moment, Razzith was filled with fear. "N-Naturally, they will all receive compensation for their labor as well as generous gifts to Avalan to show our goodwill." He hastily added.

The silence only thickened further as he carried out a one-sided bargain, haggling with himself. "And of course, Velmorn would not dare attack unprovoked."

"Where are the Hellhounds?" Caedos asked directly, the rest of the Fiend’s words held little weight until he confirmed for himself the release and the safety of his people.

At this show of interest, Razzith shot to his feet, his eyes looking tired even as he adjusted the cloak around his neck. "They had been gathered in the castle for the sake of this very meeting," He explained, black markings etched into his skin, running up his left arm.

"I could have had them sent to the Deep Woods but this discussion was far too important." Razzith stepped away from the table, black cloak swirling. "Do come with me."

The Grand Duke had not been lying, in one of the large halls of the, Hellhounds were seated, the silence jarring from the sheer number of the crowd, even their breathing could barely be held.

When the large doors opened, every single gaze in the hall turned towards it so they all saw Caedos at the same time, surprised rolling through the hall like a wave.

"There’s more in other halls," Razzith added self-consciously, taking a step back. "I’ll leave you to it. Do consider my offer, I’ll be waiting at the banquet hall."

With that, the Grand Duke made himself scarce. They had had a meeting just like this with Morkoth, so it was difficult not to notice the tell-tale lack of guards. Razzith had deliberately made his royal castle vulnerable to gain their trust.

"Remind me to apologize at Elaith’s grave," Ayred muttered in the Grand Duke’s absence.

To think that there was a Fiend who would fulfill the dead captain’s hope of a peaceful truce.

"Hold that apology for a while," Ardan said coldly as he walked after Caedos, Fiends were beneath trust.

This would have been the perfect time for a speech from the Crown Prince to the rescued Demons but without so much as a word, Caedos carved out a portal at one end of the large hall.

The captains did the same and soon there was a patient line of pleasantly surprised Hellhounds returning to Avalan.

They had been provided with clothes but most chose to remain in the strange green outfits, now speaking freely. They had been released a few days now, their limiters taken off their necks and the harnesses from their shoulders but they remained cold, waiting for a worse fate.

Who knew what new ways of torture Fiends had cooked up this time, resolutely and unreceptive to their captors, they knew next to nothing about the fall of Ibaeron and the events that constituted their peaceful release.

In a short while, all the Hellhounds present in the castle had returned to the Deep Woods, leaving behind the Prince and the captains.

"Search the city for any that we missed." Caedos directed as the last of the portals fizzled out. "I’ll speak with Razzith."

With a salute, all three captains warped out of the castle. Razzith had been the one to make claims, they were free to scour the city.

Caedos walked back to the banquet hall, deep in thought. The battle between Avalan and Ibaeron had been the lit match but Morkoth’s greed and his inability to rule had soaked the city in oil.

Getting the entirety of the city’s destruction blamed on him was expected, what was unexpected was the reaction he received. Having Wrath faction cities ally to enact revenge on the fallen city was more in line with what was supposed to happen.

Razzith shot to his feet when he stepped into the banquet hall, still as eager. After getting a clearer picture, Caedos could better see that beneath his eagerness, the Fiend was antsy.

He remained composed, not even a wisp of disgust seeping out. He agreed to the Fiend’s offer of peace, simply because it was beneficial to him.

If Avalan wasn’t completely trampled to the ground, Velmorn would have crumbled just like its neighboring city.

Razzith was beyond pleased with his agreeability, the Grand Duke immediately attempting to suggest a treaty between the two cities.

Caedos had barely been paying attention to the conversation, so when his captains returned, he stepped away from the table.

After confirming that Razzith had truly freed every single Hound in his city, he took his leave.

Peace was laughable, a treaty even more so.