V1 C6 - An Uneasy Night

“Come on, David. It’s hard for me to rehearse if the person I’m acting against is a stiff as a wall.”

“Sorry, but you knew I couldn’t act when you asked me.”

“I didn’t expect you to be this bad though.”

“…Yeah. Don’t you have any tips or hints you could give me?”

“Sure. But I wanted to see a ‘bright and amazing student’ like yourself figure it out without anyone else’s help.”

“You cannot still be holding a grudge about that.”

“I can, I am, and I will continue to do so.”

“Don’t let her copy your homework one time and she never lets it go.”

“Well, serves you right for being a prat.”

“Hailey, can you help me please?”

“More polite.”

“Beautiful, wonderful and astute lady Hailey, could you please help this lowly peasant learn to act.”

“That wasn’t actually that bad, just then.”

“Hailey.”

“Okay, okay, I could tell you, but they’re tricks of the trade, you see. The sort of thing that the Elders of the Acting Guild wouldn’t want me sharing so easily and for such a low price.”

“The chocolate cake from the bakers down the road.”

“Sold! So, to be honest, I only really use one technique and it’s a bit tricky to use at first. But, with enough practice, it becomes second nature to you.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Basically, you must live like the character in their entirety to be able to act as them.”

“…Okay?”

“…You don’t get it, do you?”

“I understand the theory at least.”

“Okay, try to think of it like this. You’re you because of the way you think, talk, how you act and all that, right?”

“Right.”

“So, it’s all about trying to apply those principals to acting to become a fictional character. Think how they think, talk how they talk, act like they do. It’s excessive, but it’s what works best for me when I’m acting.”

“Tonnes of effort for a minor role like this, don’t you think?”

“It’s still necessary to me. After all, we’re breathing life into these characters and it’s our job to make them feel real to the audience.”

“That sounds a bit scary.”

“Maybe, but, as long as you can separate yourself from the character, you’ll be fine. It’s simple when you think of it like that, right?”

***

With the castle now his, David retired to what had once been a luxurious guest bedroom in the castle.

Had the master bedroom not been damaged during the assault, David would’ve gladly taken it as his own. The room that he was in however had been largely untouched during the attack.

“Leave me,” David said to the two Machai escorting him.

The Machai bowed and promptly closed the doors behind them.

Once David could sense that they were far away, and that no one else was near him, he dispelled his armour and fell onto his knees, panting heavily.

He clutched his chest tightly as he almost vomited onto the clean carpet, but he swallowed it back down.

He couldn’t calm down, no matter what he did.

He couldn’t execute the calming breathing exercises he knew as his mind was all over the place.

By his order, hundreds of people had died tonight.

He acted like a monster to the best of his ability, suppressing every human emotion inside of him so he could play the role Eris wanted.

But what bothered David the most were the last words he’d uttered in the dungeon.

He’d tried using Hailey’s technique to keep himself and the Demon Emperor separate, but David was scared that he hadn’t been able to keep the two separate.

When he said he wanted the parents to suffer, it hadn’t been an act.

David wanted to hurt them, to make them suffer for what they’d done to that woman.

Worse, for a brief moment, he’d imagined what he’d do and looked forward to it.

That wasn’t me! That was the Demon Emperor! Even if they’d deserve it, I wouldn’t do such things.

Anyone would’ve wanted them to suffer if they’d seen and heard what they’d done to that girl.

Anyone would!

David hit his head hard against the ground, weeping quietly, but it didn’t hurt.

So, he did it again and again, but felt no pain nor did it leave a bruise.

Then, an idea came into his mind.

What if this was Eris’s doing?

He slowly sat back up onto his knees and thought back to when Eris drenched him in that black mud.

She said she remade my entire body so I’d be able to handle the power she’d given me, but what if that wasn’t all she did? What if she not only gave me power, but also changed the way my body functions, maybe even the way I think?

David hadn’t felt any different after arriving in this new world with his new body, but what if that wasn’t the case?

What if Eris had fundamentally changed his mentality and his own perceptions of what felt normal to him?

That sounds like something she’d do. If she had, it’d explain why I felt that rush when I killed those goblins and why I thought of torturing Rebecca’s parents.

That has to be it.

“Even if it is, all I can do is fight it?”

Slowly, David stopped up and made his way over to a tall mirror in the room.

He stripped out of his clothes and, for the first time since he’d arrived in this world, he inspected his rebuilt body.

His hair was as black as night; his eyes were a blood red colour and their shape reminded him of Eris’s.

The strangest change, however, that he hadn’t even realised himself until now was what had happened to his body.

He had become taller and more muscular.

David had only realised it when he stood before this mirror as his family owned one that was about the same height.

There’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed this unless she’d messed with my head. I can’t feel pain like I used to either, so there’s evidence to support this theory.

However, even with those changes, David could still recognise his face and body as his own.

The faint scars on his arms and legs from when he’d hurt himself when he was a kid, the painful looking white tissue above his heart where the burglar had stabbed him, and his face, even with his new eyes, still looked like him.

There’s still a bit of me left in here.

David put his clothes back on and slipped under the bed sheets, before staring blankly at the ceiling; his body was still shaking even now.

Maybe I’ll feel better after some sleep.

Just as David closed his eyes, he felt a familiar, icy chill envelope the room.

He opened his eyes and, floating above his bed, looking down at him, were the blackened sadistic eyes of the person he hated the most.

“How are you enjoying yourself, Mr. Demon Emperor?” Eris asked gently with her usual cruel smile.

All of the anger, disgust and hatred that had been building inside of David exploded.

He roared at her, summoned his armour and weapon swung at her, but his blade never even came close to her face.

In a fraction of a second after David had started his attack, Eris had effortlessly thrown him across the room without lifting a finger. David crumpled onto the ground as his armour vanished.

He glared at her, but Eris didn’t care.

“You know, you should really find a better way of venting your anger. I’ve heard that talking to someone helps, so I graciously came here to help you calm down.”

She giggled and rested her chin in her hands, kicking her feet, almost like she was lying down on a bed.

“I’m such a nice Goddess, aren’t I? Oh, but I’ve also heard that a good way to relieve stress is to take it out on others as well.” She giggled. “If only there was someone nearby that you could take your anger out on.”

Don’t rise to the bait!

David calmed himself down and slowly stood back up, never breaking eye-contact with the Goddess.

“Oh?” She purred. “Do you have something that you want to say to me?”

“…Why are you here?”

“Hmm. I could’ve sworn that I told you the reason.”

“You didn’t tell me the real reason.”

“I did.”

David had to resist lashing out at her again, reminding himself of how it went the last time.

Don’t piss her off, or else she could hurt your family.

He forced himself to calm down.

“It seems like you’re finally starting to believe me.”

“If I believed everything you said, then I’d be the biggest fool in the universe.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“You didn’t think that I’d believe everything the self-proclaimed Goddess of Chaos and Strife says, did you?”

“No, but you do believe some of the things I tell you. Like your family’s fate.” She stretched out one of her hands towards him. “And yours.”

“…Yeah. But you never mentioned anything about fixing things this world!”

“Fixing?”

“Like the cave close to where I arrived filled with goblins so I could get used to spilling blood, or how a castle ruled by scum was within miles of that? It’s not hard to imagine that you arranged things like this so I could start down the dark path to becoming the Demon Emperor? How much of this did you arrange?”

“I didn’t ‘fix’ or ‘arrange’ anything in this world. The only things I did was choose where you were summoned to and drafted a list of potential generals for you. Everything else was just how this world already was before I sent you here.”

“You expect me to believe that with how things have gone so far?”

Eris lost her smile and David reflexively stepped backwards till he was pressed up against the wall.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Eris asked in a low voice.

“…N-No,” David whispered. He took a deep breath and then said, “But you can see why I’d think you set some of this up, right?”

Eris hummed softly. “Perhaps. However, I didn’t do anything to interfere with this world nor shall I do so directly. All I will do is summon the generals you choose and the heroes when the time is right. That, and I am constantly watching this world to see whether or not you are acting in a manner befitting that of a Demon Emperor.”

“So…that means that I have been doing what you wanted so far, right?”

Eris smiled slyly. “For now. If you hadn’t, I would’ve shown myself before you long before now. Though, I must admit, I was a little surprised that you decided to let the young girl and her servants live. I let it go at the time because they are truly terrified of you and your minions, but I do wonder why you kept them alive.

“They aren’t strong, nor can they perform their tasks as well as the Machai or the undead. So, why let them live?”

I didn’t want to kill anyone else, especially not victims like them.

He kept those thoughts in his mind, not daring to say them aloud to Eris.

“Because their knowledge of this world could prove useful to me. Right now, the thing I’m lacking most is knowledge. I can gather a large army using Mania’s necromancy and Abaddon’s portals, but I don’t know enough about this world to start making plans to establish an empire. As it is, there’s already plenty of risks in taking this castle as my own, but I have to in order to start forging my domain.”

Eris hummed and leant back, resting her hands behind her head. “That does make sense. However, that’s not the real reason, is it? Or, at the very least, the only one?”

David flinched and she giggled.

“Well, it doesn’t matter.” She spun forwards in the air. “For now, I shall leave. Though, I will be visiting you again, David Athelward. Do your best to entertain me, won’t you?”

“Wait! Before you go, let me ask you one question.”

“What?”

“…Why did you pick this world? Why make me the Demon Emperor of here and not some other world? Why this world specifically?”

Eris gaze him a quizzical look. “Do I really need a reason?”

“…No, no you don’t.”

“Oh? Does that upset you? Would it make you feel better if I said I had a good reason for it, like maybe this world is so corrupt and evil that it deserves to be destroyed? Or that I hated this world?”

Eris giggled and slowly floated towards David.

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I chose this world for the same reason as you,” Eris purred. “Because I think it’ll be fun to see it break.”

David glared back and she laughed.

“That’s a scary face you’re making. It might work on your servants, but, to me, it looks like a small child throwing a tantrum.” She straightened up as her body slowly turned into black feathers. “Never forget your role in this world, Demon Emperor.”

Eris then vanished, leaving only black feathers behind.

***

“What’s troubling you? Surely you aren’t still brooding over your mistakes at the goblin hive.”

Abaddon grunted at Mímir’s question. “I wish it was just that. The Machai failed to search the castle properly. I ordered them to do a thorough search per his majesty’s orders and they failed to find a prisoner in the dungeons.”

“To think they couldn’t follow such simple orders properly? Naturally, as their commander, the responsibility falls onto you.”

“I’ve disappointed his majesty twice in a week. I feel pathetic.”

“What did his majesty say?”

“He hasn’t said anything, yet. Mania was extremely angry, but she was smiling as she yelled at me. That bitch was happy I’d failed so spectacularly.”

…What an annoying woman.

“I also am slightly dissatisfied with your performance as a fellow servant of the Demon Emperor.”

“Hey, it’s not like you’ve done everything perfectly either!”

“Perhaps, but my Ravens follow their orders to the letter. That’s the difference between our subordinates.”

The demon sighed and hit his head against the wall. “I guess it is.”

“However, the important thing is that we learn from our failures so that we do not repeat these mistakes, or make even bigger blunders. I’m sure none of us wish to disappoint him, so it’s our duty to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”

“Of course.”

“Yeah.”

Abaddon violently grabbed and shook Mímir’s hand.

“Mania as well?”

“Of course.”

Though, it seems that she will be a pain to work with.

***

Rebecca leant back in her chair and let out a weary sigh.

After what happened in the courtyard, she had been escorted by two of the monsters the black knight had called Machai to her room and that was it.

They didn’t even step foot into her room.

They just let her enter, said nothing and closed the doors, before presumably taking guard outside.

Since then, Rebecca had been restless.

Within the space of a few hours, her normal life had all been but destroyed.

All the guards were dead, her parents were in the dungeons, probably being tortured, she didn’t know if the servants were being looked after properly, and she didn’t know what her own fate would be.

Even in her own bedroom, which had once served as her only sanctuary from her parents and their soldiers, she felt terrified of what came next.

Even if these people had given me their word, it doesn’t mean that they’ll keep it, Rebecca reminded herself.

She thought back to the way the tall black knight had acted, the way he commanded absolute submission and loyalty of his followers, and the way that they all seemed to tremble at his anger.

Rebecca knew that if she didn’t appease their master, she could be killed, or worse.

“Maybe my parents have just been replaced with someone exactly like them,” she wondered, lying on the table before her.

It would be quite poetic in a way if that was the case.

Maybe it was inevitable that this happened to us in the end, all things considered. Perhaps the Great Goddess is punishing our family for our sins? Their sins would be all their terrible atrocities and my sin would be not being able to stop them.

Someone gently knocked at her door.

Rebecca sat up straight in her chair. “…Come in.”

One of the Machai opened the door and Mania entered followed by one of the castle butlers; he was carrying a tray with a tea set on it and some cookies.

“Forgive me for being so late. I had some other duties to attend to.”

The butler hastily, and shakily, marched to the table, set the tray on it and retreated several metres behind Rebecca.

“I asked the servants what type of things you liked to eat and drink and had them prepare it. I hope you don’t mind me joining you, do you?”

Rebecca put on her bravest smile. “…Of course not.”

Mania smiled back, revealing the fangs hidden inside her mouth, and sat beside Rebecca.

“Butler, leave us.”

The butler nodded a few times, bowed and almost ran from the room, causing Mania to giggle.

“It seems that our new servants are quite scared of us.” Mania folded her wings against her back and slouched in the chair. “Not that I can blame them. After all, who in their right mind would trust people like us so quickly?”

Rebecca narrowed her eyes as Mania bit into a cookie. “…Does that mean you intend to go back on your word?”

Mania blinked twice and licked her lips. “If I said we were, I wonder what kind of face would you’d make?”

Rebecca almost shrieked as a dreadful chill rushed across her body.

Mania’s eyes were those of a predator about to strike its prey.

She must be a vampire, Rebecca thought upon seeing Mania’s fangs.

Vampires were creatures who possessed great physical and magical power said to be ruthless killers that drank human blood through their dagger-like fangs, but the Church said they’d all been wiped out centuries ago.

The woman before her definitely felt like she was one of those monsters.

Even in the face of such a beast, Rebecca’s gaze and posture didn’t falter.

“Relax, little one. The Dark Lord has ordered us not to harm you lot, so we won’t.”

“…What guarantee do I have of that?”

Mania frowned. “What I just said, you stupid woman. The Dark Lord has spoken and so we obey. Don’t ask me something stupid like that again, or else I’ll really get angry.”

Rebecca dug her nails into her thighs. “…If you did that, wouldn’t that go against the Dark Lord’s orders?”

“It would. However.” Mania licked her lips again. “You’ve seen what happens to those who disrespect him, haven’t you? Never forget what you’ve seen tonight, little one, and don’t ever think of disappointing him.”

“I understand.”

“Good. Now, normally, if we were going to interrogate someone, then we wouldn’t hold back and use whatever methods necessary to get what we wanted. However, rejoice, little one. The Dark Lord has agreed to a fair exchange of information.”

“A fair exchange?”

“Before we ask you our questions, we’ll let you ask a few first. Answer all of ours truthfully, leaving nothing out, and the Dark Lord will be pleased. Otherwise.” Mania lent forward and, in a lower voice, said, “You can figure out what will happen, right?”

“…Yes.”

“So, for tonight, you can ask me any three questions you want and I’ll answer them to the best of my ability.”

Rebecca smiled thinly. “So, I have to tell you the whole truth and you don’t, Lady Mania?”

Mania laughed playfully. “That’s how it is, little one. We can’t share everything in case you tried to betray us. Well, I don’t imagine any of you would dare after today.”

“It’s as you say, Lady Mania.”

“So, ask your three questions.”

Rebecca thought hard about what to ask and how to phrase her questions.

The most valuable information for her would be what she could do to keep herself and her servants alive, but she also didn’t want to risk upsetting Mania or the Dark Lord.

If they really weren’t going to harm them if they obeyed their orders, then determining what the Dark Lord wanted would help them survive.

Likewise, if she knew what sort of person their new master was, then Rebecca could determine how best to conduct herself before him and do whatever it was he needed her to do.

No matter what he asks, I have to do it. No matter what.

“…Might I ask one thing before we begin, Lady Mania?”

“Hmm, depending on what it is, this might count as one of your three.” Mania shrugged. “Ask away.”

“Will I get a chance at another occasion to ask you more questions?”

Mania smiled. “Serve well, and loyally, and you will.”

…Then, I was right; figuring out how to serve them best is essential to our survival.

“Very well. May I ask my three questions then?”

“Go ahead.”

“Who exactly are you people?”

“I guess I should’ve expected that, huh?” Mania laughed a little. “Well, the Dark Lord is just that and we’re all his summoned servants who exist only to do his bidding. There’s Abaddon, myself and Mímir, and then the skeletons and the Machai.”

“Only some of you have names?”

“Is that really how you’re going to use your second question?”

“N-No, forgive me, Lady Mania. It’s just strange to me is all.”

Mania hummed and glanced off to the side. “Is it? I guess all humans have their own names, don’t they? The Machai might, but I don’t care what they’re called as long as they do what Master wants. The skeletons definitely don’t have any names. So, if you’re looking for people to talk to, then speak with either myself, Abaddon or Mímir. The Machai can talk but they just don’t bother most days.”

Rebecca narrowed her eyes and nodded.

So, the only ones that seem to have any sort of power or freewill among the Dark Lord’s forces are his generals. Given how they were acting, it seems like everyone is truly loyal to him. Rebecca smiled bitterly, thinking of the former family guards. That must be nice.

“Little one, what’s your next question?”

“…Then, forgive me if this might be bold, Lady Mania, but who exactly is the one you all call ‘Master’?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s clear to me just how powerful and ruthless he is, but he’s not merciless. I don’t know what exactly he desires, what he looks like beneath his armour or what makes you all so loyal to him. Is it because you were summoned as part of a contract or something similar?”

Mania shook her head. “That’s not quite right, little one. It’s true that I, Abaddon and Mímir were all summoned to him, but we wouldn’t be following him if we didn’t believe in what he was doing.”

Mania took a deep inhale and smiled blissfully.

“Master’s vision is so grand in design that it gives me shivers to think about it, to see it brought to life, and the way that it will break-”

Realising how excited she had become, Mania quickly cleared her throat and closed her eyes.

“The Dark Lord summoned us, shared his dream with us and we all swore to see it realised in reality. That’s it.”

Rebecca shuddered. I can’t even begin to imagine what sort of ‘grand vision’ a man like that has.

I can’t help but fear what sort of grand design someone who is addressed as the ‘Dark Lord’ by his subordinates can envision.

“…Then, this is my final question for this evening. What will happen to me and the servants?”

“If you obey, nothing bad will befall you. If you serve, you will be rewarded. If you rebel, then you will curse yourself until your last breath.”

***

The young woman flinched at the bright light coming in through the bedroom window.

How long had it been since she last saw daylight?

She didn’t know where she was, nor whom rescued her, but she knew that her bed was soft, so soft it made her uncomfortable.

The woman opened her eyes a little bit, gazing down at her injuries which were now wrapped in white bandages, but they had started to become dyed red and yellow.

They didn’t ache as much as usual and she was wearing a thin silk dress.

Then, the blonde maid who always brought her food came into the room with three others.

“You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

She tried to look the maid in the eyes, but her body was stiff and it wouldn’t move like she wanted it to.

Even though she was no longer chained down, she felt just as paralysed.

“I hope you were able to get a good night’s sleep.” The blonde maid took the covers off the bed. “I imagine you must still be in shock after everything that’s happened, but I promise you that you won’t have to suffer anything like that again. I’ll explain everything in a while, but first.” The maids began to gently hold the woman. “We need to properly bathe you and treat your wounds.”

Carefully, the maids picked up the woman, undressed her and sat her in a warm bubble bath that smelt of roses; it soothed the pains across her body and the smell helped relax her mind.

The maids scrubbed her body from head to toe, washed and treated her hair, and took off her old bandages. After soaking her injuries in the water and cleaning them with soap, they applied medicines and herbs and then finally re-wrapped all her wounds with new bandages.

The blonde maid introduced herself as Eva and told the woman from the dungeons everything that had happened.

“The new master ordered us to look after you and see to your every need. He said he’d make sure you lived a happy life from now on.”

Overwhelmed, the woman curled into a ball, and wept.

How many years had it been since she had last felt anything but pain?

The day she had long since lost hope in ever coming had finally come.

Her nightmare was over.

Eva smiled, gently stroked her back and said, “Everything’s going to be okay now, I promise.”

“How’s she doing?”

Rebecca, with Mania beside her, entered.

The maids, panicked, stood and bowed to them.

“Good morning, Lady Mania, Lady Rebecca. She’s understandably emotional and overwhelmed after everything’s that happened, so I believe our best course of action is to treat her very gently for the time being.”

“I understand. I can’t even begin to imagine what those monsters did to her. However, Eva, I hope that you and the others can support her so that she can one day be happy.”

Eva smiled brightly. “Of course, Lady Rebecca!”

Mania, however, seemed somewhat dissatisfied. “Is that actually what she wants?”

“Lady Mania?”

“Has anyone actually asked her what she wants to do next, or did you all just assume that?”

“I-”

“So, you didn’t then?”

Eva lowered her head. “Forgive me, my lady. I had just assumed-”

“Quiet.”

They all promptly shut their mouths.

“…Lady Mania, it isn’t too much of a stretch to imagine, is it?” Rebecca asked. “Please tell me you aren’t thinking of forcing her to work in the castle?”

“You don’t get it, do you, little one?” Mania crouched beside the bathtub, placing herself right beside the woman’s head. Then, she whispered into her ear, “What is it that you desire? Whatever it is, I shall grant it.”

The woman lifted her head from her knees and slowly turned to face Mania.

The woman opened her mouth and leant towards Mania, steadying herself as she did. She took several long breaths, licked her dry lips, but her gaze broke and she turned her eyes down to the bottom of the tub.

After a few moments of silence, the woman, in the loudest voice she could muster, asked, “…Can…I…ask for…a…favour?”

***

A week passed by at Castle Kelsey without any issues as David and his forces made the castle their own.

Despite David’s concerns, the servants resumed their normal work around the castle though some were happier than others about their new masters.

Some smiled and greeted David and his generals politely; others held their heads low and stuttered their greetings.

“Even if they act like that Lord Allaric, you are still much kinder to them than the Kelseys ever were,” Eva said off-handily.

Though, that’s not much of a compliment.

David’s military power had also expended ever so slightly.

His army consisted mainly of skeletons, now armed with the Kelsey’s equipment, but most of them were raised without corpses, making them quite weak. Abaddon had summoned a few more Machai and Mímir had added another Raven to their ranks.

At its current size, it would take almost all of his forces to defend the castle.

The only ones away from the castle were Mímir's Ravens; they were exploring and patrolling everywhere within five miles of the castle.

They were looking for patrols, travellers, caravans, peasants or anyone else that could possibly pass by Castle Kelsey and expose their operations.

As for his generals, Mímir was gathering intelligence on the country from Rebecca, Eva and the castle’s library. Mania was looking after the servants and educating them on how to properly conduct themselves as servants of the Demon Emperor. Abaddon was put in charge of training the Machai and organising David’s small army.

David had finally had the chance to fully test out his current strength and abilities.

Eris had given him the knowledge to use Dark Magic, Necromancy, Conjuration Magic and a teleportation spell; it opened portals that were five metres wide and across that could take him to places he’d visited before, an ability he was thankful his generals also possessed.

Further, David had organised a public demonstration of his and his generals abilities for the castle residents to see. First, he had each general show off their greatest combat abilities; then, David organised a small tournament between the four of them to see who was the strongest.

Unsurprisingly, even without a full comprehension of his abilities, David handily defeated all of his generals in single combat.

I wonder if, with enough training, I could one day take down all three of the generals at once.

“Your majesty, the council has assembled,” a maid informed him.

“Excellent. Lead on.”

As the maid led David from his bedroom to the war room, all the servants, Machai and skeletons they passed bowed.

David didn’t like being treated this way, but it did make him happy to know everyone was subservient to him.

If they fear me, they’ll serve me to the best of their abilities and, as long as they don’t mess up, I won’t have to punish them. Eris’s ideal Demon Emperor has to be someone that is cruel to those who stand against them, so I have to make sure no one messes up my plans.

They just have to fear me and follow my orders without question.

He arrived at the war room, formerly Lord Anthony’s private study, which was being guarded by two Machai. The demons saluted him, then opened the doors; the maid then politely bowed and took her leave.

When he entered into the newly created war room, he was delighted to see he’d been the last to arrive.

There was a gigantic oak table covered in maps and documents in the centre, with sixteen chairs around the table; however, not one person was seated.

On one side of the table were Rebecca and Eva; David’s generals were on the other.

All bowed to him as he entered.

David sat down first, then beckoned the others to be seated.

The generals did; Rebecca and Eva remained frozen, still bowing with their heads down.

“Rebecca, Eva; Sit.”

“…As your majesty desires,” Rebecca said, curtsying, before taking a seat across from Mania.

Eva, anxiously, took one beside Rebecca.

It’s good that they’re obedient, but it still hurts me to see people so openly terrified of me.

It can’t be helped, but I can’t let it show on my face.

David sighed quietly beneath his helmet; he didn't dare take off his armour before them.

“Mímir, your report.”

“Yes, your majesty” He stood up and leant over the map. “After studying Lady Rebecca’s maps, as well as my Ravens’ reports, I have concluded that we are in a very fortunate position here at Castle Kelsey.

“The Northern Hills is a fairly remote part of the Empire, and it is a few weeks travel from here to the nearest cities and towns by foot or carriage. Thus, we shall be out of sight and mind for most of the Empire’s citizens, aside from those living within our territory.

“Further, with the Dragon’s Spine mountains thirty miles to our north and forty miles to our west, we have a natural barrier preventing attacks from any nations that lie beyond those mountains. I found some books in the castle library that indicate that the valleys between the peaks are occupied by giants and other monsters, meaning that any attempt to send a sizable army through them would be an extremely dangerous, borderline suicidal, venture.”

“Giants, huh?” Abaddon cracked his knuckles. “I bet they’d make for good practice.”

“That’s not what you should be focusing in on, muscle-brain.”

“Huh? The hell’d you just call me?”

“Oh?” Mania smirked. “How else would you like me to describe you, General of Failure?”

Abaddon leapt up out of his seat. “You-!”

“Abaddon.”

Without uttering another sound, Abaddon sat back down.

“Mímir, continue your report.”

“Yes, your majesty. There are also many caves in the mountains that are home to goblin dens, making them prime targets for soldiers, living or otherwise, and the caves could be used as mines if we take them. Currently, as we have next to no production for resources, we are only relying on the items that we have taken thus far to sustain us.”

“…Food shouldn’t be an issue,” Rebecca said softly. “My parents were quite paranoid and often hoarded food for us to last the castle years.”

“Indeed, Lady Rebecca. However, we cannot send soldiers from the castle to gather taxes or harvests from the surrounding villages. We would have to pillage or conquer them, neither of which bodes well for us.”

“How come?” Abaddon asked.

“Because it would draw attention,” David cut in. “We four alone could bring this country to its knees, but that would thrust us onto the centre stage and draw the whole world’s attention. If that happens, they will throw countless armies at us from all sides again and again until we lose.”

“Are our current forces really that weak?” Mania pondered, leaning back in her chair and planting her boots on the table. “The skeletons should be strong enough to hold their own against human soldiers, and the Machai slaughtered the guards here without issue.”

“However, even with our current forces, we barely have the men to hold this castle and the goblin den we took control of,” Mímir stated plainly. “We are currently in no position to launch massive attacks against Themis yet. We require more soldiers and better equipment.”

“Agreed,” David said. “The skeletons are using the castle guards’ equipment and the Machai have their own. That’s not good enough. If we cannot produce it ourselves, then we must find a way of acquiring it by other means.”

“We could ambush empire patrols and take what we need, couldn’t we, Lord Emperor? Make it look like bandits did it and take the gear for ourselves.”

“…Lord Abaddon, if I may interject. That wouldn’t eliminate the problem of drawing attention to his majesty, would it? As more and more travellers went missing, the Empire would eventually investigate it and they could trace it back to his majesty.”

David smiled beneath his helmet. “It’s as you say, Rebecca. Abaddon, your plan wasn’t a terrible one, but it risks drawing too much attention to us. Rebecca has told us that her father visits the slave markets fairly often. Now that he’s in our care, he won’t be making that trip anymore. Your father was well connected with the underworld, wasn’t he?”

Rebecca meekly nodded.

“Do you know the specifics at all, my lady?” Mímir asked.

“I’m afraid not. He never told me anything about it.”

“Then, I shall ask him directly for further details at a later date.”

“Make it a priority,” David ordered.

“What if we were to attack a nearby country and blame it on-?”

“That still poses the same issues,” Mímir reminded Abaddon.

“So then,” Mania said, slamming her heel on the table. “We can’t steal it or make it, meaning we’d have to buy it, right?”

“That is an idea I had considered, but then I wondered how we would do so.”

“…My family’s wealth is at your disposal, your majesty.”

“Whilst we appreciate the offer, Lady Rebecca, it still runs the risk of being traced back to this castle, does it not? Your father might have marked money in some way and, if so, it can be traced to us.”

David clicked his tongue.

It’s a never-ending loop! We come up with an idea to improve our situation, but then we find things wrong with it a moment later. How the hell am I meant to do this, Eris?!

“Your majesty, I do have a potential solution to this issue.”

“Let’s hear it, Mímir.”

“If we were to open or purchase a business in the city of Stonefall under Lady Rebecca’s name, we can use it as a front to make money and gather information more directly from the people of Themis, thus providing us with two of the things we are currently lacking.

“Publicly, we announce it as a business venture set up by Lady Rebecca that, privately, would be run and managed by myself and Mania. We could use it to gather information, materials, items, weapons or anything else that could help you with your conquest, your majesty.”

“That is a good idea. Eva, as I said the other day, you are now the Head Maid of the castle. Perform those duties to the best of your abilities.”

“As you wish, Lord Al-I mean, your majesty.”

“Eva. Everyone knows that you and Rebecca are allowed to address me as such.”

“…Yes, Lord Allaric.”

“As for you, Rebecca, I’m giving you the responsibility of managing the castle, from the chores the servants do to how the remodelling will progress. You know this castle better than any of us and you know how this castle used to run on a day-to-day basis, so I want you to oversee the day-to-day operations, as well as a few other tasks here and there.

“Nothing quite as serious as the tasks I will be giving my generals, of course, but they are vital tasks that need to be done.”

“I trust you remember what I told you before, little one?” Maina asked; Rebecca nodded. “Now, repeat it for everyone here to hear. Eva.” The maid jumped again, letting out a small shriek that caused Mania to grin. “Listen to what the little one has to say very carefully.”

“If you obey, nothing bad will befall you. If you serve, you will be rewarded. If you rebel, then you will curse yourself until your last breath.”

Everyone in the room were taken aback by what they had just heard, especially David.

What the hell is that?! That’s a really fucked up message to spread and it makes it harder for me to relax this act around other people at the castle now! But, it’s a good philosophy for a Demon Emperor to have, and it could encourage more people to side with me once my empire is forged.

You did a good job, Mania, but you also did a bad job at the same time!

“Well said, little one!” Mania leapt up to pat the top of Rebecca’s head. “As long as you don’t disobey Master, nothing but great things will happen to you and your servants.” She giggled. “I can’t say the same about those who defy him.”

“You speak rather casually in his majesty’s presence, Mania,” Mímir scolded her.

“It’s disrespectful!” Abaddon growled.

“It’s fine, you two. I will permit Mania to act this way for now in smaller meetings like this. However, if there are others besides those in this room, treat me with more respect, Mania.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“However.”

The room went silent.

“That is only because you haven’t disappointed me yet, unlike others in this room.”

Mania gulped and bowed, whereas Abaddon and Mímir looked down at the table, hanging their heads in shame.

Consider that payback for making it harder for me to relax.

“Work hard and well for me and my goal, my generals! Mímir, Mania: start preparing to set up a business in Stonefall. Mímir, I’ll leave all the finer details to your discretion, but make sure that you can maintain it with supplies found inside the city and using Rebecca’s coin.

“Rebecca and Eva; I have drafted a list of the duties I expect you to perform not only daily or weekly, but also what I expect from you and what I desire you to achieve. Abaddon, you and I will have a different assignment to undertake which we will discuss tonight in my private chambers.

“Then, if there are no questions or other points of discussion, then this meeting is adjourned!”

“There is one more thing, Master. It’s about the girl who was in the dungeon.”

Eva and Rebecca both flinched at that statement.

If they reacted that strongly, then this could be a problem.

“…What about her?”

“Last week, when I went to visit her with the little one, she said she wished to speak to you about her future here.”

“Did she not give any specifics?” Mímir quizzed.

“Nope. She just said she wanted to see the person who saved her, so I told her it was the Dark Lord, but she still wanted to speak with you. What do you think, Master?”

David folded his arms. “It’s fine. However, this is not the place for such things. I’ll speak with her in the throne room. Rebecca, Eva, Mania; you will all be present for this. Mímir, continue with the preparations on your own for now.”

Mímir bowed. “Of course, your majesty.”

“Eva, escort the woman to the throne room. Mania and Rebecca will walk with me there and await you.”

***

There, on a silver throne in pitch black armour, was the one Mania called ‘The Dark Lord’.

She could see Rebecca and Eva shaking by his side, how terrified they were just to be stood beside him.

But, in her eyes, he was anything but terrifying.

The one who was frightening was Mania who was staring daggers at her.

“Mania tells me that you wish to speak to me about something.”

The woman nodded, causing Mania to click her tongue.

“Very well. Speak whenever you are ready.”

“Y-your majesty, her vocal cords are almost destroyed and-” Eva started to say.

“I’m aware. She may take her time.”

The woman opened her lips a few times, but no words came out of them; only faint whistling and breathing sounds. Then, with all of her courage gathered, she looked into the black knight’s eyes and spoke.

“…May I…be…your personal…knight…?”

The whole room went silent.

Mania, Rebecca and Eva’s mouths were all agape.

Not even the Machai that had escorted her in could contain their surprise.

Even though she couldn’t see his face, the woman knew even the black knight had been taken aback by her request.

“W-w-w-w-what are you saying?!” Mania burst out first. “You? A knight? In the service of our Emperor? Are you insane?!”

“She’s right!” Eva chimed in. “While I think Lady Mania’s words were quite harsh, I have to agree with her. Why would you-?”

“Enough.”

The women stopped yelling at the man’s command.

Then, for what felt like a small eternity, the knight went into silent thought.

When he did speak, all listened to his every word.

“I have many things that I would like to ask you, but first, I have to ask the biggest question on my mind; why?”

“…Because…you…saved me…from…them…A debt…I can…can never…repay However.” She took a deep breath. “I…would like to…try.”

“So, you wish to be my knight rather than a maid or servant?”

She nodded.

“While I can understand your reasons, your physical body is severely malnourished and weak. To be my knight, you cannot be either of those things. If you did go down this path, it will be a long, hard road, one which you might not survive.”

Eva’s face became pale. “…What do you mean, your majesty?”

“To be my knight, you would have to be at least as strong as my generals. You would exist to protect me and do whatever I say, no matter what it is.” The knight glared at the woman. “Can you do that?”

The woman didn’t hesitate to nod.

The knight leant back into his throne and once again returned to his thoughts.

A minute passed before he spoke again.

“…Mania, you will be in charge of training her.”

The winged woman seemed too shocked for words.

“Eva, did anyone find out her name?”

Eva slowly shook her head from side to side.

“…Please…give me…one…Majesty…”

The knight sighed.

“Very well.” He took two seconds to pluck one from his head. “Hilda. From this day onwards, you will be trained to become my knight. You will endure whatever I say you will and you will perform whatever acts I order you to do. You will be in for a world of pain, but you will never complain about it. You will become something inhuman, but you will embrace it.

“If this is what you desire, then I shall grant you it and you will become my knight. Hilda, do you object?”

The newly named Hilda shook her head. “…I’m…ready.”

“Very well. Mania, you’ll have to work with Mímir and Eva closely to make sure you train her well. Try not to kill her and make her a strong knight.”

Mania, while dissatisfied, bowed and said, “As Master wishes.”