The War of the Demon Controllers
Pre - Arc Gem Pomegranate II

Chapter 21's

Whether it was arrogance or bravery, Lupan really stupefied everyone.

"Give me the jewel" said Lupan.

Skard stared deeply at Lupan's face, looking for a clue as to whether his words were just a joke or not. He didn't find anything.

"Why should I give you the jewel?!" skard hatch. He pointed at Daedalus. "The only one who deserves this jewel is him, not Tael, let alone you. Don't act so great when you're just sending the last slash to Anglar."

Lupan was not happy. "So you're gonna give it to Daedalus?"

"I'll give it to whoever I want and it's none of your business, you little rascal!" Skard's lips blared furiously making his saliva splash into his white beard.

Lupan was about to reply, but Hella's small pull on his shirt made him undo the intention. Hella's tiny face looked at her as if telling her to stop. He decided to stop.

"Please give it to Daedalus or Tael, but at the end of the day, each of you will realize as if the Jewel is in my hands, the situation will change."

"Like you're useful!" tael is upset.

Lupan did not respond and he chose to sit down.

"So that stone is for me?" ask Tael.

Skard pointed at Daedalus. "Ask your brother."

Tael threw a glance and Daedalus there nodded.

Tael was so happy, but he acted cold and nodded slowly.

Skard hands Anglar's Jewel to Tael. Tael clasped tightly onto the red jewel, he felt a connection, gentle and calm, but close like never before. Tael looked at the coachman's bench. And in the end he will make himself seen as worthy. He's gonna be great.

Tael grasped the Jewel in his left hand and took the knife in his right hand. He put the knife on his pulse. He looked at Daedalus, he was so excited! "Tell me the spell you used, bang!"

Skard slapped the knife in Tael's hand, the knife bounced off the horse carriage.

"You're going to kill yourself?" ask Skard furiously.

"W-what? I want to use the power of the Gem, let alone?"

"Demon Borrowers don't wear Gems like that! What you're doing is that the rituals of the Demon Controllers and Demon Controllers only come from the Devil's Guild."

Tael's confused. "But Mr. Toras and my brother always used it that way."

Skard turned to Daedalus then to Toras who was sitting lethargic with the children. "You mean they sliced the hand and the devil came out?"

"Yes, after saying a spell," said Tael innocently.

Daedalus answered their confusion by biting his hand, blood out—sick. He read the incantation then the figure of the Slimonoid Devil appeared.

"Like this."

Skard pulled Isolde and Lagertha behind him, protecting the two of them in the narrow horse carriage. Then one of his hands leaned against the handle of the sword, preparing to be unsheathed.

"Crazy" said Lupan softly, "if we have evil intentions we will let the barbarians finish you off."

"That's right, Mr. Skard," Daedalus added. "My ability to summon that Demon Slimonoid has nothing to do with the Devil's Union at all. I don't know anything about the union."

"Omong empty!" snapped Skard. "There is no world where one learns to be a Controller for Free. Science is dark, rotten and evil! Only the tongue that had eaten the brain of a young girl could speak that ancient language!"

Daedalus never ate an animal's brain, let alone a girl's. "It's a misunderstanding, I can use this language all of a sudden. Even Toras was shocked."

Toras nodded. "Stop this shit, put down your gun. The only one who has ever eaten a young girl's brain is me and the only person from the Union is me."

The situation was silent, Daedalus looked at Toras slightly in disbelief. Riel and Abel crawl away from Toras.

"Then what's your purpose for infiltrating here?" ask Skard.

"I'm a Perseratuan, but that was it. Before I became a deserter and my head was hunted by them. The important point is that you and I are both unhappy with the Union."

"Trust me sir, all of us except Toras are just former lowly slaves," said Yogot. "Don't listen to the Devil's Union, hear the Pomegranate Jewel change as the colors of the elements and the levels we never have."

The three children agreed. But mere words alone did not make Skard believe. There are many liars in this world. Isolde patted his shoulder and said. "We're dead without them. I'm dead without Mr. Daedalus saving."

Lagertha Valaan pulled Skard's shoulder back. He stared at the entire horse carriage deeply. "I know slaves with just one look, Skard. And even if I'm wrong, fighting back also we won't win against the two Demon Controllers. It's too late to regret your decision to take them with us. I said, let them stay in the Horse-drawn carriage."

Skard nodded. Others were unhappy when they were again called slaves, but they simply chose silence.

Lagertha Valaan continued. "But the horse-drawn carriage is mine and mine is my rule. I will not tolerate blunt and sharp weapons, including Gems. Give it all up and we will continue our journey in peace and serenity. If you refuse, please take your foot out of here or just go straight to the coup and cut my head off."

Lupan handed over his sword. "We have no bad intentions, all we want is a ride and a connection to the Valaan Guard" he said. Then the others followed. A small dagger and sword were handed over to Skard. Even Yvonne who became a coachman also seized his weapon. Daedalus summoned back the Demon Slimonoid and handed over the Jewel of Delima. Tael who had just received the Jewel was also forced to surrender.

Skard came and asked for Toras' Jewel, but Toras only replied with a sharp eye.

"Rules are rules, there are no gems in the chariot."

Toras was initially hesitant, but in the end he gave his red-green Pomegranate Gem to Skard.

"That's all?" ask Skard.

"It's just that."

Skard went and stored the entire gem into a small crate, then locked it. Daedalus had once seen Toras borrow the power of the Night Man Devil to destroy the city gates. The jewel of Skard was not only one, but Daedalus chose to be silent.

Skard handed the keys to Lagertha. "Good, thanks for the cooperative action."

"Until when are our gems confiscated?" ask Daedalus.

"Until you gain our full trust" Lagertha replied.

"Without weapons, we are only a burden in case of another attack" Tael added.

"You'll get a gun in case of an attack, take it easy." Lagertha again sat quietly, crate under her feet and lock in her clothing pocket. He holds full power over everything. "For now, let's relax and enjoy the ride."