Lazarus

The Admin-mobile, its armor plating gleaming under the afternoon sun, finally rolled into Lazarus Village proper. The initial impression of peace and tranquility held true; the streets bustled with merchants hawking their wares, children chased pigeons in the town square, and the aroma of freshly baked bread hung in the air.

"Finally, some civilization," Tundra sighed, her TV screen displaying a smiley face. "I'm starving!"

Admin parked the Admin-mobile near the town's central market and the group disembarked, stretching their limbs after the bumpy ride.

"Food first," Admin declared. "Then, lodging. And finally, information."

The party quickly navigated the crowded streets, sampling local delicacies and stocking up on supplies. Mirai haggled ruthlessly with the merchants, securing discounts on everything from dried meat to bandages. Eyrie, wide-eyed with wonder, sampled every sweet she could get her hands on, much to Tundra's amusement.

After filling their bellies, Admin located a modest but respectable-looking inn on the outskirts of the market. "The Golden Slumber," its sign read. It offered clean rooms and a relatively quiet atmosphere – a welcome respite after their recent battles.

They secured two rooms – one for Admin and one for the rest of the group – and settled in to rest and recuperate. However, their peace was short-lived.

A commotion erupted outside the inn. A loud, boisterous voice, laced with arrogance, echoed through the streets.

"Hear ye, hear ye!" the voice boomed. "Prince Dukren of Lazarus has arrived! Behold, the glory and splendor of the royal family! Observe the wealth and prosperity we bring to this humble village!"

Admin, who was attempting to analyze a map of the surrounding region on his phone, frowned in annoyance. He peered out the window and saw a young man, clad in ostentatious finery, standing atop a gilded carriage, surrounded by a retinue of guards. He was clearly Prince Dukren, and he was putting on a show for the local villagers, bragging about his family's wealth and power.

"Ugh, what a showoff," Tundra groaned, her TV screen displaying a rolling eye.

"Insufferable," Mirai agreed, sharpening her axe with a renewed sense of purpose.

Even Eyrie, who usually enjoyed a good spectacle, seemed unimpressed.

Admin, however, had reached his limit. He had endured enough noise and nonsense for one day. He accessed his phone and summoned a high-voltage taser, the weapon materializing with a silent hum in his hand.

Without a word, he strode out of the inn and approached the carriage.

"Greetings, your highness," Admin said, his voice devoid of any warmth or respect.

Prince Dukren, startled by the interruption, turned to face him, his expression a mix of arrogance and irritation. "And who might you be, peasant?"

"Someone who values peace and quiet," Admin replied, raising the taser.

ZAP!

A jolt of electricity coursed through Prince Dukren's body, causing him to convulse and scream. He tumbled off the carriage, landing in a heap on the cobblestone street.

The crowd gasped in shock. The guards, momentarily stunned, reached for their weapons.

Admin, however, remained unfazed. He stepped over to the writhing prince and leveled the taser at his head.

"Shut the hell up," Admin said, his voice low and menacing.

The crowd erupted in cheers. The local villagers, tired of the prince's arrogant displays, were thrilled to see him get his comeuppance.

Prince Dukren, still reeling from the shock, tried to scramble to his feet. "You'll pay for this!" he shrieked, attempting to throw a punch.

Admin simply side-stepped the clumsy blow and delivered a swift, precise kick to the prince's groin.

Prince Dukren howled in agony, clutching his now-tender nether regions. Admin, showing no mercy, pressed the taser against the prince's leg and unleashed another jolt of electricity.

ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!

Prince Dukren screamed and thrashed, his body spasming uncontrollably.

"Perhaps next time, you'll consider being a little less… disruptive," Admin said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Finally, Prince Dukren, utterly defeated and humiliated, scrambled to his feet and fled, his guards scrambling to catch up. He ran back towards the castle, tears streaming down his face.

The crowd cheered even louder, showering Admin with praise and gratitude.

Admin simply nodded, holstering the taser. He turned and walked back into the inn, leaving the stunned villagers to celebrate their newfound hero.

"Well," Tundra said, her TV screen displaying a mischievous grin. "That was… unexpected."

"Satisfying," Mirai added, cleaning her axe with a newfound vigor.

Eyrie, however, looked slightly concerned. "Are we going to get in trouble, Admin?"

"Perhaps," Admin replied, his expression unreadable. "But sometimes, the ends justify the means. Besides, I doubt the prince will be back anytime soon."

He returned to his map, ignoring the celebrations outside. He knew that their actions would have consequences. They had made an enemy of the royal family of Lazarus, and that could complicate their mission significantly. But for now, at least, they had brought a little joy to the lives of the local villagers. And that, in its own small way, was a victory.

Back within the opulent walls of Lazarus Castle, Prince Dukren stormed into the royal throne room, tears streaming down his face, his fine clothes rumpled and covered in dust. He was a pathetic sight, a far cry from the pompous figure he had presented to the villagers just moments before.

"Father! Mother!" he wailed, his voice cracking with emotion. "That… that brute attacked me! In the middle of town! With… with elite electric magic!"

King Lazarus, a portly man with a receding hairline and a perpetually bored expression, sighed heavily. Queen Lazarus, a tall, imposing woman with a sharp gaze and a crown perched atop her head, raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

"Dukren, please," the Queen said, her voice laced with exasperation. "Must you always bring your petty squabbles to our attention? We have more important matters to attend to."

"But Mother, he… he shocked me!" Dukren sobbed, pointing dramatically to his singed and slightly smoking tunic. "And he kicked me! Right there!" He gestured vaguely towards his groin.

King Lazarus chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that shook his belly. "Elite electric magic, you say? And a well-placed kick? It seems you were bested by a rather resourceful individual, my son."

"It's not funny, Father!" Dukren shrieked, his face turning red with anger. "He humiliated me! In front of the entire village! He said… he said I should shut the hell up!"

The Queen's eyes narrowed. "He dared to speak to a member of the royal family in such a manner? What was this… brute's name?"

"He said his name was… Admin," Dukren stammered, his voice filled with resentment. "Admin! Can you believe it? What kind of name is Admin?"

King Lazarus burst into laughter, clutching his sides. "Admin! Oh, Dukren, you truly have a knack for attracting the most absurd individuals. Admin! What a preposterous name!"

Dukren's frustration reached a boiling point. "Stop laughing, Father! This is serious! That… Admin… he's dangerous! He has powerful magic, and he clearly has no respect for authority! You have to arrest him! You have to throw him in the dungeons!"

The King wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Dukren, my boy, I appreciate your… enthusiasm. But are you certain this warrants an arrest? Perhaps this Admin simply felt you were being a tad… overbearing."

"No, Father! He's a threat! I can feel it! He's here to cause trouble! You have to do something!" Dukren pleaded, his voice growing increasingly hysterical.

Queen Lazarus, seeing her son's distress, placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "Enough, Dukren," she said, her voice firm. "We understand your concerns. While we find this… Admin… to be rather amusing, we cannot allow him to disrespect the crown with impunity."

She turned to the King, her gaze unwavering. "Lazarus, we must appease our son. Issue the order. Have Admin apprehended."

The King sighed dramatically, his laughter subsiding. "Very well, my dear. If it will bring you peace of mind, Dukren, I shall issue the order. But don't expect me to be overly enthusiastic about it. This Admin sounds like a far more entertaining individual than anyone we've had in the dungeons for years."

He addressed a nearby guard, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Summon General Sylo. Instruct him to find this… Admin… and bring him to me. Preferably alive. And try not to damage the merchandise. I'd like to have a word with this Admin myself."

The guard bowed and hurried away, leaving Dukren beaming with satisfaction.

"Thank you, Father! Thank you, Mother! You won't regret this! Admin will pay for what he's done!" Dukren exclaimed, his face filled with vindictive glee.

As Dukren continued to rant and rave about his impending revenge, King Lazarus rolled his eyes, and the Queen shot him a warning glance. They knew that arresting Admin was likely to be more trouble than it was worth, but they also knew that appeasing their spoiled son was sometimes the lesser of two evils.

The stage was set. General Sylo, a seasoned warrior and a loyal servant of the crown, would soon be tasked with apprehending Admin. And Admin, blissfully unaware of the royal decree hanging over his head, was about to find himself in a whole new world of trouble.