Deadmeat Saga

Intermission – Trickery, Damnation, and Contracts

Outside the tent-

"Ah! Ah! Ah! By the spirits!"

"Give me a strong baby!"

"I can't go on anymore!"

Havre and Tivnirx remained on guard outside the tent, listening to the sounds.

"How can you remain so calm while listening to these sounds? Are you not jealous?" Tivnirx couldn't help but ask, a blush on her cheeks.

In goblin society, a powerful male could have over a dozen concubines. Similarly, a powerful female could have a dozen male consorts. It is just that powerful females usually look down on weak males, so such situations only happen when several males are equally powerful. However, an overly powerful female might also be possessive of a male, driving away all other females and sometimes killing them.

"My lord is proving his dominance and magnificence in and out of bed, and every additional woman he beds proves his potency as a male. And I don't mean to boast, but with my looks and abilities, do you think I need to be jealous of some side women?" Havre calmly smiled, beautiful like a painting.

"... I guess not," Tivnirx admitted.

Havre was, by far, the most beautiful person she ever saw. Coupled with her awe-inspiring prowess, she certainly had little to be jealous about since she couldn't imagine Gerhart discarding her.

"But I do find something a tad disturbing. Are you not all only a bit over a year old? Is this fine in your race?" Havre asked a morally ambiguous question.

"Human laws and rules apply to humans, not goblins. We goblins age far quicker than humans, physically and mentally, grown adults months after birth. Regular goblins reach full adulthood at a month old, and Hobgoblins at six months old. Usually, born Goblin Commanders take three years to mature, but we are adults if we have evolved from adult Goblins or Hobgoblins. We all evolved into Goblin Commanders at over half a year old. On the other hand, Goblin Lords age as slowly as humans and have human lifespans. I know it sounds strange, but that is how it is." Tivnirx explained.

"How do you know all that?" Havre curiously asked.

"The information pops into our heads. The more highly evolved, the more wisdom we gain, and wild goblins are born fully adult and with complete knowledge. We believe it is the spirits and the ancestors guiding us. In a sense, goblins are more mature than most adult humans." Tivnirx said.

"I see..." Havre muttered and looked at the surroundings.

The outside was now quiet, with some Hobgoblins sleeping under the blanket of the night sky and tree canopies and others sleeping in tents. The other Goblin Commanders also went to sleep, including Qold.

"Our lord said Qold was a demon-blooded, right? Will she launch an attack tonight?" Havre asked.

"Unknown. Qold is a demonic shaman who speaks with demons, using leftover monster materials as a sacrifice for her rituals, and Goblin Lord Crird allowed it when he was alive. Her decision on whether to take action or not would likely depend on her demonic contacts." Tivnirx said.

"That is quite specific. How do you know?" Havre asked.

"When everyone is in a tribe, everything is known. And Qold had no reason to hide it. We respect strength, be it from ourselves or higher powers. So while we are wary of her, we respect her strength." Tivnirx answered and smiled, "Not that you seem too bothered about it."

"Whatever plot she has, as long as it would harm us, it would inevitably fail. That is a truth." Havre said with certainty. 

.

.

.

In a large tent at the edge of the Moonhowl tribe-

Qold knelt to a cloud of red smoke, an unnaturally beautiful but demonic face formed from it.

"A human slew an entire army, including Crird? And her master stole Crird's talents and healed someone who was supposed to die? And he claims he is the chosen of a god?" The enchanting demoness spoke with surprise.

"As you say, mistress Xenova. That is what I believe happened." Qold replied to her demonic superior.

Although she didn't sell her soul, she showed utmost respect to Xenova, a demon aristocrat from the succubus lineage. Her ascension to demonhood depended on her.

"Interesting. Very interesting. But I don't sense a divine presence in your camp, but he might be the apostle or inheritor of an unknown outer god. Such gods are known to defy logic and reason, and I dare not meddle with them. I can't get a proper reading without being present or allowing me to probe them. However, I do smell two familiar scents. One is a seed of the Sword God, a so-called Sword Saint. The other is a member of the ancient human lineage Tyrant Tribe. How did he end up here? Shouldn't he be in the Kerus Dynasty?" Xenova spoke with a hint of confusion.

"I fail to understand what you mean, mistress," Qold said, confused at the new terms.

"Ah, nothing. I was merely speaking to myself." Xenova dismissively replied. "In any case, cast aside all your schemes against them since they will be your downfall. A Sword Saint is out of your league no matter how immature, and although that Tyrant Tribe pup is still green, you should not underestimate his bloodline, especially since he already awakened. There is a reason why the Tyrant Tribe ruled for hundreds of thousands of years over this mega continent. Even us demons learned to fear it. And if he is also an apostle or outer god inheritor, he might have weird or even eldritch powers." Xenova said with a shiver.

"Then what should I do, mistress?" Qold asked.

"You have two options. One, RUN! Run as far as your sexy green legs can take you before this Tyrant tribe pup finishes converting your tribe to believe in his strange god and sealing your fate. You might still escape if you run now! You can then try earning a living through being an adventurer, prostitute, or even a concubine, acquiring your required materials and money to fuel your demonic ascension. However, this road is not as smooth sailing as the support of your tribe, and humans are not as understanding toward demon-blooded. And if you attract the attention of an inquisitor, they will hound you to death! It is a bumpy road fraught with danger, and you will unlikely survive it. You might run into this Tyrant pup and his forces someday, leading to an unknown fate." Xenova said with a solemn tone.

Qold couldn't help but clench her fists, deep unwillingness in her eyes. She, the respected high shaman of her tribe, being reduced to a runaway and fugitive? With her future unknown and progress impeded? No one sane would want that!

"And what is the other option, mistress?" Qold asked.

"Simple! Take a gamble and damn yourself like a proper demon!" Xenova lightly said.

"I... what?" Qold blinked her eyes.

"I meant, sell yourself to him! Take some initiative, girl! Show some backbone and offer him a deal! You should know how to form soul-binding contracts, right? Then offer one! Let him hire you on your terms! Offer yourself for the highest price you can squeeze!" Xenova enthusiastically spoke.

"But... why?" Qold blinked in incomprehension.

"Hah. Oh, Qold. So intelligent yet so innocent. What do you think will happen after you ascend into demonhood?" Xenova rhetorically asked.

"I... would gain power and eternal life?" Qold blankly replied.

"True. But your demonic ascension will drag you to the demon realm due to planar rejection, where you must attach yourself to a higher power or perish. And I mean you will be DEAD DEAD. No afterlife for you, dear. That is the price of immortality. Hence, to thrive in the treacherous demon realm, you must attach yourself to a summoner or a higher power, such as myself." Xenova cunningly smiled.

"You... You tricked me!" Qold widened her eyes in anger.

"Hahaha! That is why I say you are innocent, Qold. You are still naive about the ways of the world. I need not lie or make you sell your soul to lead you to damnation. But I do like you! If you did become a demon and descended to the demon realm, I would have groomed you as my handmaiden." Xenova happily revealed.

Qold closed her eyes to recompose herself, and moments later, she returned to her stoic and respectful attitude. "Then what do you suggest I do, mistress?"

"Haha! Keeping a cool head even in this situation. That is why I like you." Xenova appreciatively said. "As I told you, form a contract with him. And I don't mean a regular contract, but a familiar contract! You won't get banished from your mortal world with him as your anchor. And also, there are plenty of benefits to such a contract."

"Benefits?" Qold perked her ears.

"Yes, benefits. For one, assured protection. With the contract, your spirit gets bound to him. Hence, even if your physical body dies, you will slowly reconstruct from his excess energy unless your soul gets destroyed via some extraordinary means. This protection will give you precious time to grow stronger until you can fend for yourself. But you will descend to the demon realm when he dies, or the terms end.

Another benefit is the ones received from the contract itself. You don't need to be greedy. Just let that man give you your fill in exchange for serving him. I sense powerful sexual energy and vitality from him, so he is a convenient tonic for even higher succubi, let alone a novice like you. His lust will also significantly accelerate your ascension, saving you months and even years. With such abundance, he can likely keep several succubi well-fed without harming his health.

And the final and most meaningful benefit is his identity! Forget about his divine backing. His background as a Tyrant tribe is more than you can ask for! Even if the Kerus Dynasty is on the decline and close to collapsing, it is still one of the major powers of this continent! You will have access to so much knowledge, resources, and protection along with a stud of a master! Even I envy you!" Xenova said with a hint of jealousy.

"I... Really?" Qold blinked her eyes, astonished.

"Yes, you lucky bitch! I am! Do you know how many hardships I faced to reach my current power? Too many! You are getting everything I could have ever hoped for on a silver platter! Be thankful!" Xenova complained.

"This is the first time I heard her complaining like this..." Qold blankly thought.

"Hah... it has been decades since I was this emotional. Oh well. Do keep in touch with me, Qold, and remember little old me if you somehow become a big shot. Toodles!" Xenova bade farewell.

Poof*

The red smoke dispersed without a trace, leaving Qold dumbfounded.