The bar fell into a dead silence once again as everyone stared at the newcomer. Mark, Hoshikang, Yuna, and even Yukolk repeatedly darted their eyes back and forth between Azid and Drimus, taking in the uncanny resemblance.
"Looks like I stunned these friends of yours," Drimus remarked, his crimson eyes sweeping over the room.
His words seemed to snap the group out of their stupor.
"There's two of you!?" Mark exclaimed, his voice cracking slightly with shock.
Beside him, Yuna looked like she was on the verge of fainting, already struggling to adjust to being around a single demon, let alone two.
"Yes, there are two of them. And yes, this one will be joining you as well," a stern voice announced from the doorway.
Stepping in right behind Drimus was a tall man clad in the full, polished plate armor and iconic colors of the Imperial Knights.
"Sir Knight," Hoshikang said, immediately rising to his feet out of respect.
The Imperial Knight gave the monk a brief nod of acknowledgment before addressing the entire room. "I will let him explain how we found him and why he came with us. But yes, by order of the Emperor himself, he is to be placed directly into your retinue."
Azid leaned back against the bar counter, eyeing the armored man curiously. "Does that mean he went through a similar thing as me? Going to the Emperor and the... woman?"
"Yes, he went through the exact same process as you," the knight replied crisply. He turned back toward the entrance, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword. "You will be given new orders soon. For now, focus on integrating him properly."
With that, the knight turned on his heel and exited the tavern, letting the heavy doors swing shut behind him.
Yukolk let out a long, agonizing sigh, resting both palms on the polished wood of his counter. "I already have to deal with the pure alcohol consumption of one demon. Please do not tell me I'm going to have to supply two of you now."
Yuna gripped the edge of her stool, her voice trembling as she looked around at the group. "I-I think we have m-more important things to d-discuss than your alcohol s-supply!"
Azid, meanwhile, turned fully toward his brother, throwing his arms out in confusion. "Why are you here? How are you even here? I know the invasion happened, but you weren't with the Demon Lord that came here!"
Drimus held up both hands in a placating gesture. "Calm down with the barrage of questions. First, why don't you introduce me to your friends?" He gestured toward the rest of the room with a seemingly polite tilt of his head.
Azid scowled, looking deeply annoyed. With a theatrical huff, he rapidly pointed at each person in turn like a petulant child. "Mark, Yuna, Hoshikang, Yukolk. There. Done introducing them. Now tell me."
Drimus rolled his crimson eyes at his brother's attitude. Turning directly to the group, he gave a faint, apologetic smile. "Okay, since my brother clearly lacks basic hospitality, would you mind properly introducing yourselves?"
The trio exchanged hesitant glances.
"I mean... he already gave you our names, and you probably already know what we do," Mark said, leaning against the bar. "The knights filled you in on the way here, right? So we basically are introduced. How about you introduce yourself first and answer Azid?"
Hoshikang offered a polite nod from his booth. "I apologize if this feels like a hostile reception. However, this is quite a shock to us. We simply desire some clear answers first. You understand, do you mot?"
Beside him, Yuna gave a series of rapid, anxious nods, while Yukolk merely shrugged from behind the counter.
Drimus let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "I can definitely see why you fit in so well with them, Azid." He glanced toward the bartender. "Can I at least sit down before I explain everything?"
Yukolk motioned toward an open stool at the bar. "Go ahead."
Drimus stepped over and pulled out the seat, settling into it with an exhausted posture. Azid immediately shifted his own stool closer, staring at his brother intently.
"Alright then. Start from the very beginning," Azid demanded. "Why're you here?"
Drimus cleared his throat, resting his elbows on the wooden counter. "This'll take a while, so get comfortable."