“Hello, Solra,” Pyre said and waved his hand. “Long time no see.”

Solra glanced at the top of the boulder. His eyes widened when he saw Palan. “Hello, Pyre,” Solra said and frowned. “Do you need something?” Pyre had ran away before Solra could have him killed. Could he be back for revenge?

“My archdemon boss would like a word with you,” Pyre said and smirked while gesturing towards Palan. Solra’s lips pressed together. Some archdemons were easy to deal with once their powers were gone. Judging by Palan’s appearance, Solra didn’t think that was the case for him. Solra tapped one of the dwarves and told him to get more reinforcements.

“Where’s Raea?” Palan asked as he stood up straight and puffed out his chest. His eyes narrowed at Solra. The old archangel looked so frail. Palan’s hand slipped into his bag, wrapping his fingers around a pointed rock.

“Who?” Solra asked with a frown.

“Did she really not come?” Palan muttered. The red harpy let out a groan as the snake holding her began to constrict. “A fallen angel of wrath. She has four wings.”

“Did we capture someone like that?” Solra asked, turning his head to ask the four-armed centaur. The centaur shook his head. Solra said to Palan, “There you go. You must be mistaken. Did Pyre tell you she was here? It’s possible he’s using you to exact revenge on me.”

Palan fell silent. He knew that wasn’t the case because of the contract they had signed. Pyre cleared his throat and asked, “Why would I want revenge? Did you wrong me?”

A sigh escaped from Solra’s lips. He could feel a headache building. “Is there anything else you two need?” he asked. It wouldn’t be smart to make an enemy out of an archdemon, especially since his army started the siege on the first sector.

“I don’t believe you,” Palan said. “I’ll give you another chance. Where’s Raea?”

“Would you like me to bring a kindness angel or halfling to prove my words?” Solra asked and snorted. “If I say she isn’t here, then she isn’t here.” He turned towards a dwarf. “Bring Dinah here.”

Palan’s hand tightened around the rock. He tried using his powers, but nothing happened. Solra must’ve activated his zone of charity on arrival.

“While we’re waiting,” Solra said. “Do you think you can return Cory to me?”

“Cory?” Palan asked.

“The harpy you have in your tail,” Solra said.

“We can wait some more first,” Palan said as he sat down. Although he looked relaxed on the outside, his body was tense and ready to move at a moment’s notice. Solra knit his brow together but nodded.

“So what’s a demon like you doing in Div’Nya?” Solra asked. If possible, he’d like to recruit Palan to his side. The more forces he had, the better. The only issue was Pyre. If Pyre continued to stick around, then the army would strengthen to the point where Solra couldn’t control them anymore.

“Does that concern you?” Palan asked and raised an eyebrow.

Solra chuckled. “I suppose it doesn’t,” he said. “But maybe I can help you accomplish what you want as long as you help me in return.”

“That’s actually not a bad idea,” Pyre whispered to Palan. “Solra’s and your goal are pretty similar. He can help you get into the capital.”

“What kind of help do you want?” Palan asked Solra after considering Pyre’s words. If Solra really could get him into the capital, then there was no reason to refuse—unless Solra demanded too much.

“Since you’re an archdemon, I assume you’re able to kill archangels?” Solra asked. “There’s a few who need to be dealt with. With your help, my losses will be minimized. I don’t really need help for anything else. What do you think?”

“I have a few conditions,” Palan said.

“Speak.”

“I get to eat all the archangels after they die,” Palan said and wet his lips with his tongue. “You don’t get to order me around. If I decide I don’t want to something, I won’t do it. And you have to help me get into the capital.”

Solra rubbed his chin before nodding. “Alright,” he said. “As long as you don’t hurt my forces, we can work together.” Even if he couldn’t order Palan around, it was better than having him as an enemy. And if he occasionally helped out, then that was a plus.

“So we’re agreed?” Palan asked and tilted his head. Wasn’t Solra going to ask for a contract?

“We’re agreed,” Solra said. “I look forward to our future partnership.”

Footsteps echoed up the mineshaft. A group of hobgoblins carrying Dinah appeared. Her eyes were unfocused, and her body was listless. The hobgoblin who was carrying her dropped her onto the ground. She didn’t react. Solra glanced at Palan. “This is my archangel of kindness. She can’t lie,” he said as he crouched in front of the unresponsive angel. He snapped his fingers over her face a few times. “If you don’t want your friends to die, you will cooperate.”

Dinah’s body shuddered as she clenched her hands. She bit her lower lip as she sat up and glared at Solra. “What do you want?” she asked, her voice weary. Dried bloodstains decorated her shirt.

“Amongst the prisoners, have you seen a four-winged angel?” Solra asked. He took a step back and met Palan’s eyes.

Dinah shook her head. “I haven’t,” she said.

“Did you hear anyone discussing anything about the angel?”

“No.”

“Does Solra keep all his prisoners in one place?” Palan asked before Solra could speak.

Dinah’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know,” she said.

“He does,” Pyre said. “I organized the prison after all.”

“There you have it,” Solra said. “I have nothing to do with your fallen angel. Can you release Cory now?”

Palan ground his teeth together. What the hell was Raea doing? First she told him to come find her, then she runs away. He found a lead, and it turned out to be incorrect. Palan snorted as he released the red harpy. She blinked and looked around before staring at Palan. She hesitated before biting her lip and waddling off the boulder.

The four-armed centaur laughed at the harpy’s actions, pleased that she was injured. He was about to say something, but paused. His eyes narrowed as he looked off into the distance. He saw the faint outlines of black needles hovering in the sky. Solra noticed the centaur’s abnormal expression and followed his gaze. “What is that?” he asked and furrowed his brow. A needle fell to the ground, causing a cloud of ash and smoke to rise up. “Is Ivan attacking the first sector?”

“Ivan?” Pyre asked. “So that tiny lizardman finally became an archling?”

Solra frowned. “Yes, he has. But he’s a bit unstable,” he said and stared at Pyre with an accusing gaze. Pyre smiled in response.

“Ivan is still sleeping,” the four-armed centaur said. “It must be some other being of wrath.”

Palan stood up and faced the direction of the first sector. The black needles seemed to be getting closer.