Year 2: The Heroes Descend - Chapter 13

Lilith and Rebecca shuddered as the terrifying presence of the Demon Emperor washed over them.

Anger - not directed at them, but those whom he commanded.

It was a feeling Rebecca thought she was used to, having attended many meetings in the past where the generals had disappointed Lord Allaric or failed him, but apparently it still greatly disturbed her to her core.

Lilith had seen her husband angry before, but this was much more vicious than any other she had seen.

“Until just one’s left alive?”

“…Yes, Lord Allaric. I thought it would be a fitting end for the vermin and that it might satisfy the dead and satisfy the living.”

“It’s a good idea, Lilith, but it’s far too kind an end for the Stone-biters. When the last one is left standing, tear it limb from limb, and cover it up; make it seem as if the last two goblins fought until they both died.”

“By your command.”

The emperor grunted a little, clearly still displeased with the goblins, then directed his attention to Eva. “What was the state of the survivors?”

“Of the one-hundred and ninety survivors, only three are without permanent injuries to their bodies,” she replied sadly. “Further, there are a handful of others who might struggle to move parts of their bodies correctly even after they’ve been healed up.”

“Were they really injured that badly?”

“Unfortunately, Lady Rebecca. I saw two people that struggled to stand up straight, three with arms that had become severely infected or gangrenous, and there were more than a few that had eyes like Willa.”

“Willa?”

“The girl that Lady Lilith found about to be executed by the goblins, your majesty. Her eyes were very vacant and…they reminded me of how Hilda used to look before you found her and gave her purpose.”

“…I see.”

“Fortunately, most of them should be fine after some rest and further treatment. I’ll continue to monitor them closely and ensure that they’re brought back to full health.”

“See to it that you do, though don’t let it stop you from performing the rest of your duties correctly. If needs be, assign some of the other experienced maids below you to look after them, Eva.”

“As you command, Lord Allaric. Then, with your blessing, may I be excused to resume my work?”

“You may.”

The maid smiled and bowed politely to the emperor. “Thank you very much, Lord Allaric. Lady Lilith, Lady Rebecca.”

Eva curtsied to the ladies and then, with an escort of a Dread Knight, left the Demon Emperor’s study.

“Lilith.”

“Yes?”

“Keep me up to date about the rest of the ongoing investigations into the goblin mines. Make sure that they’re obeying my orders to the letter, or else they’ll end up like the Stone-biters.”

“Of course, husband.”

***

The Scarlet Skulls were a name well-known to adventurers, nobles, and commoners alike, though few had ever seen them and lived to tell the tale.

They, in their hundred strong fleet, mostly stayed permanently anchored away from the mainland, only ever leaving to conduct raids or exchange their loot for the supplies they needed.

Led by the infamous Charledd Kraken’s-bane, they were considered highly dangerous and most merchants looking to trade along the water would venture far to the southern coast instead, just to avoid the risk of being harassed by them.

Had Scylla and Charybdis not been terrorising both the northern and southern seas themselves, then there was a very real chance that the Scarlet Skulls could’ve posed a risk to David’s operations.

Thankfully, they seemed too scared to get in the way of my conquest, especially after word would’ve reached them about the two sea beasts sinking every ship they saw, David thought. If they’re as formidable as they claim to be, then I’ll finally have a decent navy and then I can really guarantee the security of my borders without having to overtax the twins.

“As long as, at least.”

“…Your majesty?”

“Hilda.”

“Yes?”

“Should the need arise, dispatch Charledd without mercy.”

She nodded and turned her attention towards the Themis Bay where the hundred pirate ships had just arrived.

Only three had docked, but the rest weren’t too far behind them. If the Scarlett Skulls decided to try and raid the capital, then the full might of their fleet would be able to deal some serious damage to the city, something that David had considered when Mímir suggested inviting them to Themis.

“If we were to treat them like we would a visiting noble, then I truly believe they’d be more than willing to throw themselves at your feet and pledge their loyalty to you,” Mímir rationalised to him. “However, I understand the risks of inviting a potentially hostile navy into our waters, and so would advise having Scylla and Charybdis be present just in case.”

A contingency plan that I’d already thought of, David mused bitterly in his head. I also imagined that the Free People’s Alliance might’ve already tried contacting them to enlist their aid, but…from what the Ravens have told me, they haven’t heard anything like that.

Unless they’re capable of deceiving my eyes and ears, then this should be fine.

***

Charledd was a child sold into slavery by his parents to pay off their debt; he was not someone who ever envisioned himself being treated like a prince when he arrived somewhere.

From the moment he descended from the flagship of his fleet, the Bloody Kraken, he was greeted by maids, butlers, knights in shining armour and a very smartly dressed nobleman who addressed him as ‘My lord’.

At first, he had been bemused and even fancied pushing his luck, attempting to grab at one of the prettier maids he spotted, but Charledd held his lust back. He had been invited to the capital of the Demon Empire by the emperor himself, and it wouldn’t be wise to spit in the face of his host.

Still, if his majesty does intend to treat me right, he could’ve at least laid on a pretty girl or two, ya know? Some of the more ‘agreeable’ nobles in the north used to whenever they requested my services, so I’d expect the same treatment here.

However, despite their warm welcome and the nobles laying on wine and women for him and his officers, Charledd had never been treated kindly by them. They often spoken down to him in rude, condescending tones that made him want to rip out their throats.

In a few cases, he had done just that, then helped himself to the noble’s wealth.

What worried Charledd however was the fact that he wasn’t allowed any escorts at all.

“His majesty is more than happy for you yourself to remain armed, but he must insist that only you are present for the meeting.”

Charledd thinly grinned at that and accepted their terms.

Now then, Mr Demon Emperor, what sort of offer will you make me?

***

“Your majesty, I have the honour of presenting to you Charledd Kraken’s-bane, commander of the Scarlett Skulls and their grand fleet of warships. To Lord Charledd Kraken’s-bane, I present to you his imperial majesty, the Demon Emperor of the greatest and most powerful country in Aangapea, Lord Allaric.”

Charledd arrogantly strolled into the room, hands on his hips, grinning.

He had short red hair, a vicious glint in his eyes, and a very muscular, and toned, body, one that matched the physical strength and physic of the former Divine Paladin, Lawrence.

The pirate had battered and bruised leather and chainmail for armour, two short swords at his hips for weapons, and multiple scars across the exposed parts of his body.

He’s a combat veteran, but is he as strong as Mímir believes?

At the very least, his demeanour befits someone who has great confidence in their own strength, or perhaps it’s arrogance?

“Captain Charledd, a pleasure to meet you,” David said, holding out his armoured hand to the pirate. “Thank you for coming all this way to meet with me.”

Seemingly amused by David’s response, the man eagerly grasped David’s hand and shook it firmly. “Likewise, ya majesty. Not every day a royal man like yaself calls upon someone like me for work. Have to say, warmest welcome I’ve ever received in my life.”

David laughed and directed Charledd to a grand seat at a table. “It’s only natural to give my guests the best receptions when they so eagerly accept my invitations. Would you care for some wine or-?”

“Rum, if ya ‘ave it, ya majesty.” Charledd swung himself onto the chair and slouched into it, adjusting his back to make himself as comfortable as possible. “Don’t suppose you ‘ave any of that ol’ style rum they used to make in Teriscant, do ya?”

“…I will have to see.” David snapped his fingers and two maids entered, pushing in dining carts with exotic foods and jugs of water on them. As they lay the table for the two men, David asked, “Do you know if we have any rum from Teriscant in the cellars at all?”

“I would have to check, your majesty. It may take a while.”

“That’s fine. Ask one of the Machai to come with you to help you search.”

“I thank your majesty for your kindness.”

“Good. Leave us and return once you’ve found it.”

Both maids curtsied towards David before departing, all while Charledd stared fixatedly at their behinds.

Once they’d departed, he wolf-whistled. “You ‘ave a fine taste in women, ya majesty.”

“…Thank you. I’m glad that they’re to your liking. My friend, shall we wait until my servants have returned with the beverage you desire, or shall we get down to business?”

Charledd, who had already begun stuffing his face with the fruits and meats before him, swallowed and wiped the crumbs from his lips using the back of his sleeve. Then, he smiled and said, “Sure. No time like the present, as they say, ya majesty.”

“…Excellent. Now, I imagine it’s no mystery to you why I sent envoys to you requesting to meet with you.”

“‘course not. Right now, my fleet’s the second largest navy in the god-damned world.”

“…Yes, quite right. I imagine that the Free People’s Alliance would have made some effort to reach out to you as well, requesting that your great armada of warships assists their cause. Perhaps they would’ve simply asked you to continue to pillage and plunder as you always have, or perhaps they’ve requested that you officially join their navy in exchange for pardons and riches.

“I, however, don’t believe that their offer has any merit to it whatsoever, as I’m sure you’d agree.”

“Hmm, hard to say, ya majesty.” Charledd lent forward over the table and grinned. “Pardons for all the horrible shit I’ve ever done is mighty temptin’, and they’re offering a lot, and I do mean a lot, of cash.”

“And yet, no envoys from the Alliance have reached your fleet as of today.” Slowly, the joyful expression on Charledd’s face vanished as David grinned beneath his helm, dismissing it so that Charledd could see his elation. “It’s almost as if what I’ve been talking about is nothing more than a hypothetical scenario of what could come to pass, not what has.”

“…Go on.”

“The Free People’s Alliance aren’t idiots. They know, just as well as I do, how large your navy is, how many skilled sailors and combat veterans man those ships, and that they could be an effective fighting force for whomever they swore to serve. Even if the Alliance wanted to contact you, they’d have had to manage to evade one of my dear pets that roams the sea and I know for a fact that wouldn’t be possible.”

“How come, ya majesty?”

“Because they are very good at their jobs. What also helped me confirm this fact is that my agents found no signs of papers, scrolls or messages of any kind from the west asking for your services.”

“When did-?!”

“Surprised?” David chuckled. “Had I the inclination, I could’ve cut your throat in your sleep long before this meeting ever came to be.”

Charledd’s previous relaxed and rude demeanour was nowhere to be seen. He was quiet, guarded and his right hand was twitching a little, ready to reach one of the blades on his belt at a moment’s notice.

“But I did ask you here to make you a proper offer, not force you into servitude. What I am offer is this: the riches of the west when you raid their ships, coastal villages and towns, and once my empire stretches from the ruins of Teriscant to the cliffs of Whiterock where the bastard Dante calls home. Not only that.” David rose from his seat and slowly walked around the edge of the table. “I would be more than happy to not just give pardons to you and your men; I would go one step further.

“I would give you a city to call your own, for you to rule as you see fit.”

“As I see fit?”

“Well, within the laws of my empire, of course. But you would be its governor, its ruler, with a fine palace to call your home filled with servants and soldiers, all willing to do your bidding. You would be draped in fineries, eat the most luxurious food from all four corners of Aangapea, and you would be known as my Lord Admiral, in charge of the Demon Emperor’s fleet - the Demon Fleet.”

David moved beside Charledd and firmly placed his hand on the pirate’s shoulder. “Don’t you think that’s a much better life than the one you have? Do you really think that the Free People’s Alliance would offer even half of what I do?”

“…They’d offer a pardon, I reckon, and loot from your empire, ya majesty.”

“True, true, but they would only offer it; they wouldn’t honour it. It would stain their name if they allowed murders, rapists, and thieves to run free after all they’d done, even if you did help them bring about an end to my reign.” David removed his hand and walked back towards his seat. “I would suggest that you consider all of this when deciding to accept my offer or not.”

***

After the two enjoyed a long, quiet, delicious meal and drink together, Charledd Kraken’s-bane thanked David for being such a gracious host and asked for some time to consider the emperor’s generous offer.

“You have until the sun rises,” David said.

His confidence once again plastered over his face, Charledd was escorted safely back to his flagship.

“Hilda. Mímir.”

Emerging from the shadows, Mímir bowed to David before standing at attention by his side. Hilda, who had been standing silently by David’s side throughout the meeting, turned her head slightly to face him.

“What did you think of him?”

“He’s…arrogant, to put it lightly, your majesty. And incredibly rude. Had you not ordered us to hold ourselves in check, I would’ve slit his throat long before he had sat down.”

“…Me…too.”

David laughed a little as he rested his head on his hand. “Yes, he was a disgusting man, wasn’t he? Do you think he has the strength to back up his arrogance?”

“It is hard to-”

“No.”

“Hilda?”

“He’s…not as…strong…as he thinks.”

“…What makes you say that?” David asked.

“Dante…he was strong when…I’ve…fought him. He’s…a living legend…but the…pirate doesn’t…seem remotely strong.”

“…I see. Then, do you think that his claim of defeating a group of S-ranked adventurers is baseless?”

Hilda firmly nodded.

“Isn’t it possible that you yourself, Hilda, are just much stronger than him to properly gauge his strength?” Mímir suggested. “After all, you yourself talked about the strength of Dante and perhaps he has become your standard for our foes strength when, in reality, he is one of their strongest assets?”

Hilda firmly shook her head. “Dante…is far stronger…than an…S-ranked…adventurer. When…I fought one…in a rebel…cell, she was…strong, but…nowhere near…Dante’s level.”

“Scylla also battled one not too long ago and struggled,” David reminded them. “It’s not unusual for people like that to exaggerate their talents to make themselves sound more terrifying than they truly are. It helps build up their reputation and serves as a deterrent from glory-seekers for coming after them. Though, there’s one thing that does concern me.

“Mímir.”

“…Yes, your majesty?”

“If that man even tries to lay a hand on anyone I love, cut off his hands and make him eat them.”

“…With great pleasure, your majesty.”