Chapter 726: A Crumb of Truth
Incinderus led us from the massive cavern to the biggest tunnel in the gate. I clung close to Fyren, peering over my shoulder at the demons gathered around us. They remained at a distance, parting as we approached, but came together after we passed. Even though I’d withdrawn my aura, every one of their eyes was locked onto me, filled with lust and hunger. It was suffocating and constricting. I wished Fable were here, so that I could pet him.
"Has it truly been so long since you’ve entered this realm?" Incinderus asked.
Fyren shrugged. "I was on the first demon gate to break through the dimensional walls. Barely a few years by Enusia’s time."
The demon lord’s claws tapped together. "I still can’t believe you had the temerity to attempt that. What would you have done if the gods caught on to your plan? We would have lost the pendant for good."
Fyren pulled on the golden chain around his neck, bringing the arbiter’s amulet from beneath his shirt. It glittered in the flickering firelight of the gate, spinning slowly as it dangled from his fingers. I stared, biting my lip to keep from making any noise, trying not to breathe. I even grabbed my tail, doing everything I could to keep from reminding them I was here. With a little luck, they might forget about me and keep talking, and I could finally get some answers.
"I believe my reports understated how well things went. The Sun Hero was aggressively, perhaps even proactively, ignorant of my nature, and Xiviyah here..." I shivered as he glanced at me. "Well, she understood secrets better than anyone."
I nodded meekly. I still remembered how terrified I was of exposing Adaptive Resistance. I hardly had time to worry about Fyren or where he had come from. But now that it was over...
Gathering my courage, I tugged on Fyren’s sleeve, drawing his gaze again.
"Um, Fyren? How are you in Enusia? Where did you come from?" I asked.
He blinked. "I assumed you figured it out already. I was the original gate commander of the first fire gate. This pendant allows the user to fool the realm into thinking it’s a native. I slipped out of the gate when it first appeared, leaving my second in command to assume control. It was a simple matter of pretending to be an adventurer and reporting, gaining the Sun Hero’s trust."
"But you were so weak," I said. Then flushing. "Ah, I mean, you were only fourth level."