As much as you want to strangle the little bird, you understand it would not be the smartest thing to do at the moment. What does she want? Pat me on the head for a job well done? Finish us off like she did the bandits now that the biggest threat is gone?

You turn to the others and say, “Stay on your guard!”

The obviously hears that, but what does it matter? The fact that you don’t trust the troglodytes should be safe evident. In fact, you much rather everyone think that you’re distrustful, rather than foolishly naïve. You're pretty sure that at least two hours have passed since you used up your energy, but, just in case, you take a glance at your status bar to check how much energy you have restored.

[Energy 250/250]

“Sure, lead the way,” you say to Twinkle and then turn your head to Alpha. “You’re coming with me.”

“What nonsense!” Twinkle protests. “Lady Pythia requested to speak with you alone!”

I’ll shove you down lady Pythia’s throat, you little runt! You think that but don’t say it out loud.

“This one is coming with me,” you say calmly, but strongly. “End of discussion.”

“Such disrespect! Lady Pythia will hear of this!” The bird complains.

I’m sure she will, you comment in your head but say nothing and just look at Twinkle. Your brain is having issues sticking together the bird’s attitude with its used up, damaged voice, that don’t mesh at all with each other.

Seeing this go nowhere, the bird ascends five feet into the air and, after a cough, says, “Follow me!”

You follow Twinkle as he slowly flies forward, out of the wooden enclosure through the open wooden gates. The field, covered with tree stumps, is illuminated brightly by the stars and the full moon. You can see all the way to the other side of the field, to the darkness of the forest, where you were standing this morning.

And in the middle of that field, you see Pythia, bathing in the moonlight. She sits on a corpse that is mutilated beyond recognition and takes another violent bite out of a human arm she holds in her feathered wing.

“My Lady, the young man you’ve called for is here,” twinkle says, lands on the bloodied grass before her and bows. Then the bird turns to you and says, “Well? What are you waiting for? Bow!”

You must be joking! The little bird keeps pushing your buttons, so you force out the slightest of smiles just to somehow hide your anger.

“That won’t be necessary,” Pythia speaks up and smiles at you.

“But My Lady, you even went out of your way to stop the bandits, that this one foolishly let escape! For such an attitude—”

“Oh, hush, you!” Pythia waves her other wing at Twinkle as she says that, and takes another bite out of the arm. Blood trickles down her chin and neck.

Depending on how you plan to play this, you have just as much to gain from not letting anyone escape as I do, you think but for now stay quiet and wait for her to speak, so that you can figure out what her intentions are.

“Oh, forgive me how rude of me!” She says and wipes her mouth with her wing and then extends the chewed arm to you. “Want a bite? You must be hungry?”

“Oh, no, thank you, I already ate,” you say. Keeping that smile on your face is getting more difficult.

“Really? But you hardly have a drop of blood on you!” Pythia says bewildered.

“I… Don’t eat that kind of meat.”

“Pfft! I know! I’m just messing with ya!” The bird monster laughs.

You have a really hard time getting a read on the creature and force out a barely audible chuckle.

“Good job in there! I’m impressed!” She says loudly with a grin. “These chumps wanted nothing to do with you apparently and spoke of fire and demons! Ah, you brought one of the bunny girls! But what happened to Graf Wilhelm’s daughter?”

“… I’m not sure I understand,” you say after a pause.

“Oh, come on! It was only for a moment, but I saw her father’s light in her eyes! I have keen sight and memory for these sorts of things, you know?”

Spoiler: Spoiler

Demon Lord - level 6.

Energy 250/250

Warlock spells:

[Shadow Bolt - lvl 2

Energy cost: 15

Deals 1,6*X magic damage to a single target by firing a single bolt of dark energy at the speed of an arrow.]

[Drain Life – lvl 2

Energy cost: 15

Deals 0,8*X magic damage to a single target, healing you for the same amount by firing three dark-green spiked claws at the speed of an arrow that tears life essence out of the target.]

[Summon Imps - lvl 2

Energy cost: 80

Summons 5 Imps under your direct command. The imps carry daggers for melee attacks and can each unleash several fireballs.]

[Summon Spider – lvl 1

Energy cost: 25

Summons a Spider with crowd control and assassination capabilities.]

[Summon Lesser Shadow Demons – lvl 1

Cost: 30

Summons 2 Lesser Shadow Demons. Melee fighters. If slain, continue fighting as a shadow for as long as the other is still alive and within range.]

[Hellfruit – lvl 1

Energy cost: 5

Summons a small, red, otherworldy edible fruit, that satiates hunger and heals the body.]

Sexomancer Spells:

[Dick Enlargement - lvl 1

Energy cost: 5

Increases the dick of a single target. Target has to have a dick.]

[Aphrodisiac Mist - lvl 2

Energy cost: 40

Unleashes an aphrodisiac mist in a small area, causing all who breathe in the mist to become aroused.]

[Submission - lvl 3

Energy cost: 30

Attacks the mind of a single target, making it more willing to follow your commands.]

Passive traits:

[Summon Duration Trait – lvl 2

The Summon duration time is now increased to a total of 20 minutes.]