The Demon Lord Is An Angel
Chapter 265: Interlude: Ferro

Chapter 265: Interlude: Ferro

Alone in a corner of the compound that Lanoch had been given, Ferro trained.

The whole place was a yard surrounded by walls, with one main building, and so he’d resorted to hiding in the weapons shed either early in the morning or late at night to train.

He’d tried asking Lanoch indirectly if he would be allowed, but the lionkin who owned him laughed and said he already had enough magic to be useful. Then, if a mockery of romance, Lanoch said "The only thing you need to worry about is keeping your protector happy," before grabbing Ferro’s butt and playing harshly with his tail.

Ignoring the soreness in his back, Ferro focused.

He was getting good at consistently producing shards of ice, his preferred medium, but with such a small mana capacity, he could only make a few bullets before deprivation symptoms kicked in. His particular ability to regenerate swiftly helped, turning those symptoms into passing sensations, but as he’d discovered it could only go so far.

I need a way to better match my capacity with my ability to refill...

"There you are, little fullborn," a familiar voice said. Ferro looked at the door, before realizing the voice had come from above. A small glass window in the roof was the only lighting in the shed, and staring through was someone Ferro never expected to see again.

A demonkin slipped into the shed from above. He was a demonkin man about Ferro’s age, with white hair that featured a slightly purple glow to it. Pastel-purple skin spotted with dark beauty marks was mostly laid bare by a skimpy, form-fitting outfit.

His eyes were an alluring green-blue and cat-slitted, and they dilated in the gloom as he came to rest.

Ferro himself was a rust-catkin, one of the most diminutive races of beastkin, born fully to their beast form. unlike most races that started with mostly human characteristics and gained bestial traits over time, and consequently one of the weakest. He had short reddish-grey fur over most of the body with rusty spots on the back and flanks. Four blackish lines ran over his eyes, and two down his neck, where they broke into six lines that ran along his back and flanks. The inner front of his body up to his chin was covered in white fur.

He focused on the incubus’ ear, which was completely healed and even had a new earring in place. The last time they’d met, his master had twisted a golden earing from it until the flesh broke...

"Santina," Ferro greeted.

"Oh, I thought we were closer than that. Please call me Star." The allure of the incubus was so strong, Ferro needed to think hard to keep it at bay.

"Santina... last time we met, you threatened me."

"Threatened?" the demonkin faked offense. "I made you an offer!"

"One you thought I had to take."

"I could make that true if you make me. There are all sorts of ways..." The mischief in his eyes grew colder. "We got interrupted last time, but today is my free day. So why don’t we have a little fun, and then talk?"

Santina reached out, caressing Ferro’s chest, his hand brushing Ferro’s piercings, only to have that hand gently pushed away. "I’m not in the mood for fun. But I’ll hear you out." Ferro shivered.

"That thing under your skirt says otherwise," the feminine incubus purred. "But alright... I can keep things strictly business if you want."

With a snap of his fingers, more clothes suddenly appeared on Santina’s body, drawn out of dimensional storage. A casual sarong to cover his pink nipples and a fuller skirt that fit under his silks. But it was the dimensional storage that drew Ferro’s attention. Slaves weren’t allowed to have such things...

Ferro’s arousal calmed as whatever allure Santina was using faded.

"We’re both slaves here, so I’ll stop wasting your time. Your master has a key I’ve wanted for... quite a while. My master has decided to accompany him, which means I’ll be there too. Unfortunately, as a demon, my capacities will get... somewhat strained in the deeper dungeon. But my goal isn’t anywhere close to the bottom, so there’s no need to worry too much."

In other words, ’You can’t take me on.’ Ferro thought uncharitably.

"There’s a tower, at the very center floor, between the fifth and sixth strata. I think the keycard your master has can access it. When I say so, I’d like you to steal it for me. And together we can visit the tower."

"What’s in there?"

"Something very special. Obviously, I won’t tell you unless you swear to do what I ask, but I know for a fact that there will be people... native to that floor who can spare you the journey back. You won’t have to lose a lifetime trying to get past the sixth strata. The only thing worth noting past there is some door no one can open."

Ferro contemplated what was said. He needed time to get stronger... but not so much he’d wind up frail. "Do you know how long it takes to get to the tower?" he asked.

"Maybe six or seven lived years if you’re traveling fast. One local; to this floor at least. Time gets fuzzier the further down you go."

"Why can’t you just take the key, if you’re coming with us?" Ferro asked.

"Silly boy, I can... But it won’t do me any good." He pointed a finger into Ferro’s furry chest. "Someone. Like. You. Has to use it."

"How do you know all this?"

"You hear a few things, here and there. Sometimes my master would take me to outposts deeper in the dungeon... pass me around," he giggled shamelessly. "So... do we have a deal?"

Ferro contemplated. "I’ll... need some time to think."

"No worries. But until you agree, would you mind giving me the exact terms you would like as part of our bargain?"

It finally clicked. "You’re not a demonkin... you’re a demon."

Santina laughed. "Finally figured it out? Well, that makes you smarter than my master at any rate. But I’ve never offered him a deal before so..." He shrugged.

"I could tell someone about this. Lanoch would-"

The smile remained on Santina’s face as he said "Try it and I will end you. We may both be slaves, but we are not equals down here. But I am willing to entertain equality in an oath to get what I want. So speak your terms, or refuse, and see what happens."

Ferro bit back both fear and the urge to strike back, his claws flexing out of their sheaths. He wouldn’t stand a chance against a true demon...

"I-I just... don’t want to come to harm as a result of this. There’s someone I need to find, once I’m free..."

"So you want freedom and safety. That’s all?" Santina’s smile softened. "Such boring terms... But alright. Honor your bargain with me and I’ll give you that." He stood, looking up as if about to jump back through the window.

"W-wait! And power! I need my magic to get stronger if I’m going to survive on my own."

Santina looked down and licked his lips. "Now there’s something that’s never boring... How much power do you want?"

"Enough to... to change someone else’s fate."

Santina tilted his head. "You’ve spoken to her... haven’t you? The Oracle above."

"You know her?"

"We’ve never met, but one does hear things..." Santina smiled. "I don’t know how much power that would take, but it would be quite interesting to find out... after we both get what we want." The way he licked his lips again became even more predatory. "Such a selfless desire... Oh, I can feel my boredom draining away... Before I thought you’d be a useful tool, but now you have my true interest, Ferro." He tilted down to take Ferro’s chin in one hand.

This guy is crazy... Was all Ferro managed to think before Santina bent into a kiss, a gentle, teasing one so unlike Lanoch’s that Ferro caught himself returning it. As soon as he did, a hazy wave of lust returned, and it took all his willpower to finally pull away. He felt the familiar feeling of his mana restoring itself... Did Star just drain him? Ferro tried to recall everything he knew about succubi and incubi, but aside from their reputation and ability to drain people and shapeshift, there was little in his memory to go on except for generalities about demons.

Oh no, I called him Star in my head... Ferro thought.

"You’re not a bad kisser; and such willpower!" Santina giggled. "Your talents are wasted on that brute..." He let out a brief sigh. "Next time we meet, I’ll have our Oath ready. Don’t cause trouble until then."

"When will that be?" Ferro asked as Santina jumped, climbing to the roof as he kept himself flat.

"Tomorrow morning. Don’t you know? There’s an orgy tonight and I’m not invited. You can thank your master for that." Before he left, he added, "Thanks for the nibble."

That left Ferro alone, in the shed, unusually aroused and with less precious time to practice his magic.

He wanted to take care of that but he knew he needed to be fresh for the night, thanks to Santina.

"Ferro. Focus," he told himself.

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