Chapter 14:

Next Steps (Part 2)

The Children of Eris


They arrived at the war room 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; it had once been Lord Anthony’s private study.

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 can take ten soldiers on alone.”

“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?” Abaddon suggested. “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,” Mímir said.

“Speak.”

“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,” the maid mumbled.

“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 cried, leaping 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,” David said with a quiet sigh. “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.”