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Azure relieved the other generals of their duty when darkness fell. She wants to be alone in order to process all that has occurred today. Entering her room, she grits her teeth and punches the stone wall connecting to the throne room. Despite her best efforts, the wall collapses to the floor as she howls in rage.

“Curse that hero!” She shouts. “Walking into my castle pretending as if he owns the place! Threatening me?! So what if you destroy these worlds? Fine by me! At least I wouldn’t have to waste my breath on all these idiots!!” Her voice is loud enough to cause her room to tremble, but she takes a moment to calm down before her gaze shifts to a nearby mirror. She can’t stand this damned form. It’s too stuffy to be wrapped in a humanoid shell. “I just need out of this prison.”

Teleporting away, Azure enters a large blackened field in the demon land. A place that has long since been forgotten and was once her homeland. In an instant, the humanoid form sheds away as her true feral dragon form takes its place. She stretches her wings some before looking up at the red moon. Things were a lot simpler when she was younger. All the adults worried about the world, but she only cared about the sky. She lies down and rests her head on her forelegs, losing herself in her thoughts.

“I don’t understand that hero.”

She recalls all of their encounters since they met thirty years ago. He never once deviated from his role, but suddenly that changed when he came to her with this scheme. What’s the point? There will never come a day when peace is had between their races. Her thoughts turn to Shadow. Is it possible that they have shared histories? The hero certainly did appear concerned for a demon she was certain would meet the end by his sword. It just doesn't add up.

This morning truly felt like the first time she talked to him. Not his heroic persona but his true self. How different are the humans of his world and the ones she’s fighting? Despite killing many demons, why did he never show any disgust in his eyes? It was as if he was given a job and carried it out without remorse. She snarls. If only she could go back to her former life when everything was simpler. She hates all these mind games. Always doubting and wondering.

In reality, she couldn't care less about all of this. She wasn't given this position for any other reason than her strength. If the other demons could kill her, they would have long ago. If anything, they put her on that throne hoping the Hero would do them the favor. The dragon clan's only survivor. Feeling her jaw set, she decides to brush this all away. She’s tired and tomorrow will surely bring her more problems.

“I hope that bastard is uncomfortable right now,” Azure mutters before letting her eyes fall heavy.

---

This must be the first moment I've ever felt at ease in this world. Shadow seemed willing, and now that’s all the more apparent as he held me close while we lay in bed. Negotiating this with him wasn't tough; all that mattered was whether I wanted to be the big or small spoon. As it’s rare, I chose the small spoon. My mind is having a field day too.

One part is being assaulted by the feel and scent of a dog, while the other is confused by how I’m being held. Like there’s a disconnect that a dog is holding me close. I know logically it’s Shadow, but still, it’s a side of me I wasn’t aware of. Shadow has already fallen asleep as I’ve just been taking in this moment and this entire day. There are too many unknowns about the demon world that I’m unaware of. What are the odds that all of these creatures were from my world and just split from the timeline?

It’s certainly not impossible. I’ve read a bestiary from the other world, and none of the demons I’ve seen so far were in there, not even a primitive form. However, they were animals from my world. Lilith, Lacey, Bane... All creatures I knew. It’s been difficult, but if that is the case, I have more of a connection with the demons than I do with the humans. I shake that away. None of that matters in the end.

I’m looking to create peace for everyone. All the other fluff doesn’t mean anything. I just need to start getting close to Azure and the generals to ensure my plan will work. I look at Shadow from the corner of my eye as he rests his muzzle on the nape of my neck. That’s one general, but the other three won’t be as easy, with Azure being the hardest.

I’ll give Azure some more time before making my move, but for the time being, I’ll start with Lilith tomorrow. She may be a strong idiot, but she’s at least predictable. Not to mention, yeens are just dogs, right? Well, they at least look like them. Either way, I need to play my cards right moving forward because it can all come crumbling down in seconds.

Deciding just to enjoy this moment, I close my eyes and go to sleep.

---

I jolt up in terror as I pull free of whatever is holding me captive. After tumbling to the ground, I swiftly get to my feet and summon my blade to confront whatever demon has dared to attempt to take my life tonight. The sight of Shadow's shocked expression as he stares at me slows my pounding heart. I instantly sheathe my sword and take a few deep breaths to calm myself. Right, I forgot I was here.

“Is everything alright?” Shadow asks.

“Sorry. I uh... tend to forget things.” I set my sword aside, taking a seat at the edge of the bed. “My default is being ambushed in my sleep. So when I noticed something other than me in bed, I thought, well... I guess it doesn’t matter.”

Shadow sits beside me. “No need to worry here. I’d protect you.”

I grit my teeth at that. “Listen, Shadow. I know you think of me as this mythical figure, but honestly, you know nothing about me. I can protect myself. So I’d rather you not say things that could get you hurt.”

“Perhaps you’re right. However, my gut has never steered me wrong. Before, my judgment was clouded by duty. But now I can tell you’re not the enemy, never have been. You give me the same feeling I get from the demon queen. Someone put into a position of power and just trying to make the best of it. We know nothing about you, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.” He looks over at me as I meet his gaze. “My name is Shadow Shepard Gray, the political offspring of the Shepard and Gray clans. My dog age is four, but I tell others I’m thirty. What is your name?”

I gulp heavily as I continue to look into his eyes. So he is a German Shepard mix.

“Alexander Fellwind. Human from another world. I’m technically fifty years old but haven’t aged a day past twenty.”

Shadow offers his hand to shake, and I take it.

“Nice to meet you, Alex. This is just the start, but I want to know everything about you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too.” Is all I can reply as he smiles at me.

“Are you hungry?” The growl of my stomach made itself known before I could even answer. “How about we get some breakfast?”

“Sure.”

He motions for me to follow him as he rises from the bed. It's all quite bizarre, but I suppose that's what I signed up for when I started this plan. Nothing to do except wing it at this point.

---

Well, this isn't what I was anticipating. I'm seated at a round table with Azure across, glaring me down with cold, piercing eyes; Shadow to my left, Lilith to my right, Bane to the left of Shadow, and Lacey to the right of Lilith.

“Well, you certainly must be feeling cocky to invite yourself to our private dining chamber.” Azure spits.

“I apologize, Demon Queen.” Shadow bows his head. “It would’ve caused more trouble to have him with the soldiers, so I brought him here.”

She glances over at Shadow for a moment before letting out a small growl.

“I suppose not enough time has passed for the news to spread.” She relents before returning to face me. “Rejoice, Hero. You will be given the privilege to dine with us.”

I can’t hold back my scoff at her attitude. “Lucky me.”

Another growl leaves her, but my attention is taken by Lilith as she looks down at me before sniffing the air. She gives me a puzzled look for a while before shaking her head as if to get something out of her mind.

“Is something the matter?” I ask.

“Your scent is strange,” she remarks. “I can’t tell the difference between you and Shadow.”

I suppress my reaction. Well, I can see why. Considering we spooned all night. The rest of them arch a brow, then bring their muzzles to the air and take a deep breath.

“Trying to hide your presence from us?” Bane accuses. “Such a simple trick won’t work.”

“If he wished to hide from us, he could do so easily with magic.” Lacey muses with a smirk. “I believe this was a more physical kind of magic.”

Lilith cocks her head. “Physical magic? What do you mean?”

With a motion, Lacey invites Lilith to lean in, and in doing so, whispers into her ear. Lilith sits up straight, her fur deepening in color, yet she chooses to avoid my gaze.

“He doesn’t smell like that,” Lilith states.

Lacey can't help but giggle when Lilith says that.

“What better way to watch over him than have him in my bed!” Shadows says without hesitation.

Clever as he is, it appears simple things can fly over his head. After holding my head in my palms for a few seconds, I gaze up at Azure, whose scaley snout is twisted into a smug smile. Clearly enjoying the amount of pain I'm going through as a result of this mistake.

“In your bed?!” Bane shouts. “You idiot! What if he tried to kill you!”

“What would be the point?” Shadow asks. “I’m sure he would’ve done it years before if that were his objective.”

Bane snarls. “He’s the hero! This could all be a trick! So don’t get comfy around him!”

Shadow’s cheerful attitude shifts as he leers at Bane. “I wasn’t aware you were my bitch, Bane. I’ll do what I please, and I don’t need some rat telling me otherwise.”

“RAT?!” Bane jumps onto the table with his dagger drawn. “Take that back!”

“Enough.” Azure calls out, her grin now gone. “It’s too early for this.”

“Agreed.” Taking a moment to collect my thoughts, I look up to see a menu set out before me.

My head snaps sharply to the side where a maid is standing. How could I have missed her? Cautiously, I take in her appearance, but no matter how I look at her, I can't really tell what she is. Her short, coarse-looking fur is an unnaturally pale baby blue. Her muzzle is all that peeks through her veil, which leads me to believe she's some kind of cervine.

When I look at her for too long, her long ears drop, and she shrinks away from me.

“W-What would you like this morning?” she asks in almost a whisper.

I take a peek at the menu she left behind, keeping a close eye on her while I do so. While it's doubtful she could have killed me, the fact that she was that near to me without my knowledge is unsettling. Paying attention to what is presented, I feel my thoughts gradually becoming muddled by the second. This menu is almost exactly what I'd expect to see on Earth. The one notable difference is that a lot of the meat names are different.

Instead of ham and eggs, it’s thrash and eggs. Bacon is now Lenct... I can only guess these are the creatures they’ve domesticated for food. Steak is still present, but I’m going to go out on a limb and assume it’s not beef. As far as I’m concerned, this is more evidence that the animals from my world have become the Apex predators, and whatever other creatures existed when they transitioned became livestock. Though I’ll know more as time goes on if that’s the case.

“Steak and potatoes,” I answer. “Medium rare.”

“Medium rare?” The maid tilts her head.

“Cook the steak so it’s a little pink inside.” Shadow answers without batting an eye. “I’ll have my usual and a round for the table.”

Many of the generals look interested in this as well but only add how they, too, want their usual.

“Very well.” The maid takes the menus away and fades into a thin mist.

That answers that. I didn’t notice her because she’s an astral projection. It's undeniably impressive; she even managed to remove the mystical shimmer that is characteristic of projections. It's clear that she is proficient in spirit magic, despite being relegated to the role of maid. Maybe she was the intel the demons used to ambush me in the past?

“Something on your mind?” Azure leers at me. “Perhaps making a hitlist?”

“That maid would certainly be on it,” I admit openly. “Why is she a maid despite being so talented?”

“He’s trying to extract information from us,” Bane mutters.

“On the contrary.” I face him directly. “I’m curious. She’s a high-level user of spirit magic. Perhaps even the very demon who’s been giving you information on my whereabouts.” I return my gaze to Azure. “Am I on the money?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She crosses her arms and leans back in her chair. “As for why she’s a maid? Because I don’t hire those who have no means of defending themselves.”

“I suppose that’s logical.” I relent, knowing going any further will only piss Azure off more.

“How was it that you knew she could use spirit magic?” Lacey leans forward to face me. “Previous experience?”

“Something like that.” I decided to be vague, as I didn’t want to admit that Jessy was also a gifted spirit mage.

“Come now. We’re friends, aren’t we?” Lacey pouts a lip. “There’s nothing to fear with a little honesty.”

I stare her deep into her eyes. “Honesty, huh?”

“It’s the start of any friendship,” She states.

“How about we be honest then? A healthy amount of fear is why you’re still alive.” I glance at her staff. “Why else would you be casting a mastery illusion to conceal the precast glow of that disintegrate spell?” I return my gaze to hers, her expression never changing but the grip on her staff tightening. “It’s why Bane has his crossbow drawn under the table.” from the corner of my eye I can see his fur standing up. “With Lilith on standby, ready to grab me should anything happen.”

We stare at one another for a moment longer before she sighs.

“It was worth a try.” She sets her staff aside.

“If we’re all done talking, I’d like to eat.” Shadow states.

The scent reaches me, and the maid who set the plate in front of me has once again caught me off guard. Even as she recoils, she rushes to serve the other generals before vanishing again. It occurs to me when I take a look at the generals' breakfast that none of the meat seems to be cooked. I suppose that must be normal for demons. So how did Shadow figure out that I preferred it cooked? Perhaps some folklore involving humans?

Either way, I decided to enjoy my steak. It’s definitely not beef if the color is anything to go by, which looks toxic green. But after casting a spell I know it’s safe to eat. Taking a bite, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it tasted. Seasoning would make it better, but perhaps that was one of the things that ran out during the war. That is, assuming they use any spices at all.

“So, Hero. Too weak to handle your meat raw?” Azure taunts. “To think I could’ve ended this entire war just by feeding you uncooked meat.”

“I’d get sick, but it wouldn’t kill me,” I admit. “But this meal does give me some ideas moving forward.”

“Like?”

“Pretend I didn’t say anything.”

I go back to eating, taking pleasure in her frustration and the generals' paranoia. Shadow doesn't seem concerned, just looking over every now and again. I savor my breakfast and, this time, manage to catch the maid as she apparates, taking our empty plates. Perfect. Now is the moment for me to carry out my plan. As she stands up, my gaze turns to Lilith.

“What do you have planned today?” I ask.

“Training.”

“Mind if I join you?”

She glances over at Azure for a second before directing her eyes back to me.

“I guess not.” Nothing else needed to be said as she walked to the door.

I’m up from my seat and about to ask Shadow to join me, but Azure interrupts.

“Shadow, I have an important job for you. Seeing as Lilith will look after the Hero, that'll give you the time to do so.”

Shadow looks to protest but merely nods. “As you wish.”

I keep moving towards Lilith, never hesitating, for I know Azure's attention is fixed on me, a grin likely on her muzzle. She's trying to derail my progress by plotting things like this. Too bad for her because I’m in this for the long haul. While I can’t expect Shadow to always be with me, it would’ve been nice. Cracking my neck, I follow Lilith, ready for whatever is thrown my way.