Chapter 114 - Just An Ant

"You two can go without me." Kilgon said. "Isabel told me she is now with child. I am going to be a father."

"Congratulations." Zell said. "Being a father was the single best part of my life, it will bring you more joy than you could ever even imagine. What about you Kaitlyn are you going to come with me?"

"I will." Kaitlyn said. "Thank you for asking me."

"Kilgon, if you want, after all this is over, I would like to give you a position of power within Neuval." Zell said. "I know that having a strong soul such as yourself will be a boon to my kingdom and help it grow and help heal the old wounds caused by my sister."

"What about the rampant racism?" Kilgon asked. "I doubt a dwarf such as me would be welcome in Neuval, much less accepted in a position of power."

"Change is hard." Zell said. "I need someone strong enough to fight against the forces that will attempt to resist the change. I can think of no one better than you. I will give you, Isabel, and your child everything you need to live a happy and prosperous life in the kingdom."

"I will think on it." Kilgon said. "I will give you my answer when you and the lass return from meeting the demon lord."

Zell opened a portal to the inn at the crossroads, as that was the closest point he had been to near the demon lord's domain. "Come Kaitlyn, let us begin our travels." Zell said while he gestured to Kaitlyn to go through the portal. He followed after her and it closed behind him.

On the other side of the portal the two of them were greeted by an encampment of demons. White tents lined the area as far as the eye could see. The demon army had made camp there outside of the forest. As Zell appeared in his shiny armor the demons closest to him ran. Some of them tripped over their own feet and fell face first onto the ground. They had no idea who he was, but every fiber of their being was telling them that they needed to run.

"You there!" An angry authoritative voice yelled out. "Who are you and what are you doing in my encampment?!" He then saw Kaitlyn standing by Zell's side. "Oh, have you come from the beast kin slave camp? Are you here to offer me this fine morsel? Tell Maximus that he is too kind, I shall enjoy this one for hours, I do hope it does not break too easily like the others had."

"Others?" Zell asked, in a calm yet threatening voice.

"Wait, are you not working for my fellow general Maximus?!" The demon man questioned. "Soldiers attack this man! But don't hurt the girl, I wish to use her in my tent later."

None of the demonic soldiers moved an inch towards Zell, instead they all began to drop their weapons and ran.

"What are you doing?!" The general yelled.

"They have more sense than you do, it seems." Zell said while trying to hold back the laughter. "You dare insult my friend in my presence and you have the gall to tell me of your past misdeeds towards her people? You are nothing more than a sad sick pervert who thinks he is better than he is. What, you think your power grants you dominion over those who are weaker than you? You think that gives you the right?" Zell asked while walking towards the general.

The general's body began to shake uncontrollably. He did not understand why his body was behaving in such a manner. "What are you doing to me?!" He cried out.

"Nothing, yet." Zell said. "It seems your body is smarter than you are and knows when a superior being is near. Tell me why did the demon lord move his army here? Is he planning to attack Neuval?"

"I don't have to answer you!" The general yelled.

"Is that right?" Zell asked. Zell made it to the general and placed his hand upon his shoulder. The general found themself transported to a large dark void with massive countless galaxies littering the background. He was experiencing Zell's almighty power. He was feeling the power of the multiverse itself. His eyes began to tear up and his bowels relieved themselves from fear as he fell down to his knees.

"He wanted me to investigate a strange magic he had picked up." The general said while falling down further, holding himself up with his hands. "When we got to the forest there was so much rot and some of our men became walking dead and turned on us. So, we camped here and made our report. We are waiting for the lord to give us his orders."

Zell squatted down next to the weeping general. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" Zell said as he stood up. "Now onto the matter of how you addressed my friend there."

"I am so sorry my lady!" He cried and begged. "Please find it in your heart to forgive a worthless worm such as myself!"

"Well Kaitlyn, do you forgive his worm?" Zell asked with a smile, clearly enjoying the situation.

"No." Kaitlyn said. "He wanted to defile me. I will not forgive him!"

"Whelp you heard the lady." Zell said.

The general leaped forward and laid flat on his belly. "Please oh goddess of the beast kin allow me your almighty forgiveness."

"Well, do you forgive him now?" Zell asked.

"Still no." Kaitlyn said. "Plus, he said there were others who he broke! I can't even imagine what they went through."

"You have a point." Zell said. "I think a punishment is in order. What would you suggest?"

"A pervert like him is a waste of space." Kaitlyn said. "I say we just rid the world of him."

"No please!" He cried out.

"I have an idea." Zell said. "Let's let the beast tribe decide his fate."

"I just did." Kaitlyn said.

"You think all of the beast kin will share in your decision?" Zell asked.

"Yes." Kaitlyn replied.

"Allow me to serve you instead!" He cried out. "Please do not end my life!"

"What is your level little general?" Zell asked.

"Forty thousand." He replied. "I know I can be of some use to you if you only give me a chance."

"You are so quick to turn on your master." Zell said. "Do you really wish to serve your master's enemies so badly that you would abandon him without hesitation?"

"Normally I would never." The general said. "But I just witnessed your power, it is greater than anything I could ever imagine."

"I allowed you to see but one percent of my power." Zell said. "Anymore and you would have died where you stood."

"Please masters, let me serve you!" He begged again.

"I say we let him serve the beast kin." Zell said. "Having someone of his level will allow them to rebuild their homes faster and give them extra protection against any and all threats."

"Fine." Kaitlyn sighed. "He can serve my people."

"Excellent." Zell said. "What is your name, little general of the demon army?"

"My name is Tridon." He said. "It is an honor to serve you both, really it is."

"Yes, I am sure that it is." Zell said. "Be warned Tridon, should you betray the beast kin or me you will wish that I had given you the mercy of death on this day. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, my master!" Tridon said.

"Excellent." Zell said as he opened a portal to Tarm. "Go through this portal and serve the beast kin well. If I find you were of no use to them then well…"

"Yes master!" Tridon yelled as he ran through the portal, worried Zell would change his mind.

"Ha, so eager to serve." Zell laughed.

"Should have just killed him." Kaitlyn complained. "No need to keep a person like that alive."

"When did you become so heartless?" Zell asked.

"It's a kill or be kill world." Kaitlyn replied. "No need to beat around the bush about it. He was our enemy and a complete pervert. He thought he could have his way with me and admitted that he had done that sort of thing to others. He didn't deserve to have mercy granted to him."

"Death would have been a mercy." Zell explained. "With the power I showed him he will always cower in fear at my existence. He once thought he was strong and powerful, full of foolish pride. Now he knows that I exist, and to me he is less than an ant. His life has been changed and his pride has been taken from him. He will live the rest of his life serving the very people he thought less of. Had I killed him that would have been that. Now he has to live the long life of a demon completely in shame."

Kaitlyn smiled at Zell's explanation. "I suppose that is a better solution. Thank you for taking care of that for me."

"I always have your back." Zell said.. "Now let's make our way to the demon lord."