Year 2: The Gathering Fires - Chapter 12

“The purge of the south has been complete, your majesty,” Mímir said, handing David and Rebecca the documents his subordinates had drafted. “As such, criers and papers have begun reporting that the Themis Resurrection Rebellion has completely failed and all of the conspirators involved have been dealt with.”

“Good.”

“What has the response from the people been?” 

“Mixed, my lady, though more people seem to side heavily with us this time. The truth, in their eyes, is that there’s no threat to your life or day-to-day activities within the Demon Empire as long as you obey the laws, much like it was when the Holy Empire of Themis ruled them. As such, many now think that pointless acts of rebellion are criminal acts and should not ever be attempted.

“However, there are still many sympathetic to the rebels or that seek the old ways. A few nobles here and there, most of whom have learnt to keep their mouths shut, as well as deserters from the Holy Legion and those who lost people when the Demon Empire rose.”

David chuckled lightly as he placed the documents on his desk. “They’ll learn to keep in line soon enough, just like all the rest. Rebecca, any more developments on the goblin mines?”

“Not since the Stone-biters incident, Lord Allaric. I’m pleased to say the other tribes had not resorted to such barbaric practices and have increased their guard following the successful raids in the north.”

“Princess Raeanne’s Remnants?” David sighed slightly. “A small thorn in my side, but one I would like dealt with soon.”

“I have sent Fenrir with the Second Demon Army into the north to try and chase them down, though the princess is much better at hiding her tracks than the Banners of Themis were,” Mímir reported. “Shall I send reinforcements to join them?”

“Have the werewolves join Fenrir’s hunt, but don’t draw too many soldiers away from the borders.”

“Has Lord Mímir's traitor confirmed the location of the Great Invasion?” Rebecca asked.

“They believe it’ll come from the south, Lady Rebecca. No doubt they aim to take the Dread Keep and topple his majesty’s empire with its capture.”

“How foolish of them.”

David grinned and rose from his throne. “Indeed. While our war with the west has had some minor setbacks, that will not happen again.” He marched to his window and gazed outside. “Our forces are smaller than theirs, there is no denying that, but defending is much easier than attacking. The Free People’s Alliance will struggle to take even a mile before they start having setbacks. I had hoped the ruse with the Bloody Knight of the Beast Woods would have lured them into attacking us early, but their leaders read my intentions.”

“Dante councils them, as do survivors of Themis.”

“…Yes, yes they do.” David glanced over his shoulder. “How is Penny?”

“Tres reports that she’s taken to her training well and that Hilda has shown great interest in her,” Rebecca said.

“The murder of her little brother has turned more of the public against the rebels, at least in the south, your majesty. This incident makes them seem like blind fools, brandishing weapons at anyone and everyone that disagrees with your rule.”

“…That poor boy.”

“He was buried as if he was my own son, that was the most we could do for him,” David recalled. “Had Tres been faster, Henry would have safely been transferred to The Grand Academy. Speaking of.” David picked up a thick stack of papers that had been tied together with string. “Mania reports that it’s going extremely well.”

“The reduced, more subtle Awakening process has seen some good results, Lord Allaric. The children are young and impressionable, and many do not realise they’re being manipulated - as I understand it, Lady Mania has not used any of her magic upon them.”

“Truly?”

Rebecca nodded. “The instructors and their sermons have proven enough to make them believe that you are Aangapea’s rightful ruler and that they exist to serve at your pleasure. The Dread Knights say the children also enjoy their combat practices too.”

“Children that age always enjoy play fighting, especially if it’s part of a school activity,” David said with a small laugh. “Slowly start increasing the Grand Academy’s funding and application rate; provide them with all of the staff and materials they need.”

“As you wish, Lord Allaric.”

A gentle knock came at the door.

“Lord Allaric, it is Eva.”

“Enter.”

“Please excuse me.”

Eva’s Dread Knight escort opened the door for her, revealing her to be mid curtsey, before she finally stepped in, greeting and bowing to each person in the room before returning her attention to David.

“Forgive the interruption, but I have learnt of some disturbing news regarding the rebels we captured the other day.”

“Go on.”

Eva took a quick, shallow breath and continued. “Some of my staff have come to me petitioning for the prisoners to be spared and released from their bondage in the dungeons. They fear that Lady Jorōgumo or the Twins, Lady Scylla and Charybdis, might be torturing them, or that Lady Mania might be trying to make them Awoken.”

“Spare them? Lord Allaric guaranteed their lives just the other day. Why would they-?”

“They haven’t repented, have they?” David’s words made Eva flinch, though she did recover and nod. “Continue.”

“…They say that many of them have planned a jail break of sorts.”

“Then, allow me to end that fantasy for them.”

“Control yourself, Mímir.”

“Forgive me, your majesty.”

“…Eva, bring some of these staff to the throne room, though.” David chuckled as he began to walk out of the room. “I imagine most will be too scared to come.”

***

“Then, please follow me,” Eva said to the three maids who had been brave enough to accept the Demon Emperor’s invite.

Lisa and Monika, both of whom had their husbands locked in the dungeons, and Ivy, their friend who only came to provide some form of moral support.

Truthfully, I don’t care either way, Ivy thought, looking somewhat coldly at her friends as they walked, quivering behind Eva. They knew the risks, they got caught - they deserve what’s coming to them.

Honestly, what idiots.

The Dread Knights opened the grand doors to the throne room and ushered them inside. They all curtsied respectfully to the Demon Emperor, though Monika and Lisa’s were quite awkward.

No matter how many times I see him, I still feel oppressed by this aura. Ivy slowly raised her gaze to the armoured man sat on the ashen throne, his inferno-like eyes staring down at them. Lady Rebecca and Xi Shi by his side. Yet, sometimes, when I see him, I feel at ease.

It’s like I know that pressure, that wrath, that anger won’t ever be directed at me. To his enemies, it’s a thing to fear - to us, here at the Dread Keep, it’s a sign of the power our master and protector has.

“Kneel before your emperor,” Xi Shi commanded. The three maids moved forward and did so. Eva stood off to one side with Una by her side, her eyes shut and her head hung slightly. “Ivy, you do not need to.”

“…I’m honoured that Lady Xi Shi remembers my name.”

Xi Shi giggled. “But of course. All that Lady Rebecca and the Demon Emperor values I remember. Everything.”

“Then, with your blessing.” Ivy bowed to the Demon Emperor. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, your majesty.”

“Yes.” The deep, booming voice was more relaxed than the strawberry-blonde maid expected. “These two are you friends?”

“Yes, your majesty. Monika and Lisa are kind, gentle souls with a good work ethic and families that love them. Sadly, the love that their partners have for them has driven them to commit treason against the empire.”

Without looking away, Ivy knew her friends were shocked by her curt words and attitude. Perhaps they think I’ve betrayed them? All I’m doing is giving them the best chance at getting out of this with their heads, and with their partner’s lives.

“I see. You were there the other evening when Aeila and Chelsea were brought before me, yes?” Ivy nodded. “I said I’d spare them, so the reason you are here must be because they’re part of this conspiracy to escape that I’ve heard so much about.”

“…Sadly, that is the case, your majesty.” Ivy looked remorsefully up at him. “I swear to you, had they known, they would have dissuaded their lovers to not pursue this course of action. I had shown them that life at the Dread Keep was good and that it wasn’t an unescapable prison, but a place of comfort, joy and friendship. Their lovers have not only ruined that for them, but also potentially countless other lives. With that said, they were not the leaders of this conspiracy against you; they were merely indoctrinated, sold lies by their leader, Bartholomew, and made drunk on tragic tall tales.”

“I had imagined as much,” the Demon Emperor said. “While I trust your word, Ivy, I have yet to hear a peep from your friends.” His eyes slowly wandered over to Monika. “Speak - tell me what you came here to say.”

Monika struggled, again and again, to say even a single word, not to the surprise of anyone present.

In a room filled with demons, Dread Knights, some of the most powerful people in the Demon Emperor and the ruler of the east himself, it was impossible not to feel trapped. Even a single sound couldn’t escape from Monika’s lips for fear of her offending the Demon Emperor, a man who wouldn’t hesitate to end their life for speaking out of line.

I went first to show you that the Demon Emperor is not all that you fear he is, that you can talk to him if you try, Ivy thought. Come on, Monika. I know you can do this. Remember, if you don’t Bill’s as good as dead!

“Y-your…your majesty, my-my husband…he’s a wonderful man.” Monika’s shaky, quiet words did not resonate with anyone present. “He is kind, and…and a good, lawful citizen…but, but…he loves me an-and that’s driven him to the Banners. Please.” Monika put her forehead against the ground. “Spare him. G-g-give him a chance, to-to prove himself…to you.”

“To prove what? That he’s a traitor? That he’s a fool?” Xi Shi mocked.

Monika shrieked silently and slid backwards slightly on the ground, repeatedly begging for mercy.

“…Curtis and I are not yet wed, your majesty.” Unlike Monika, Lisa spoke clearly and slowly, deliberately enunciating her every syllable. “That and his love for me have driven him to this point.”

The Demon Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You believe such simple things drove him to sneak into my home and attempt to murder my wife?”

Lisa didn’t reply, directly at least.

“Had we wed, I believe…” She paused for a few moments. “I believe that he would not have ever listened to Bill or Bartholomew’s words and taken up arms against you. He would have stayed at home, at Monk’s Wood, to make us a home and to look after our family. I would have sent him money that I earnt here to do so.” Lisa almost raised her head to plead directly with the Demon Emperor, but stopped herself and kept her head low. “I believe that once he sees the advantages of submitting to your rule, he will not rebel again.”

“A bold claim.” The Demon Emperor crossed his legs. “One that I do not think you truly believe. Ivy.”

“Yes, your majesty?”

“Have you met their lovers?” She shook her head. “Do you trust their words?”

“…On certain occasions, yes.”

“And? In this occasion?”

“…While I want to believe them, I do not.”

Forgive me, Lisa, Monika. She didn’t need to look at them to know they were horrified by her, no doubt disgusted by her actions. But I will never lie to the Demon Emperor, not even for you.

“I agree. Perhaps it’d be best to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. All three of you, step behind those curtains and remain silent - should even a whisper escape your mouths, I shall execute all of the rebels in the dungeons.”

Once they had done as instructed, David turned to Xi Shi. “Bring their lovers here.”

A minute later, Xi Shi returned, dragging the two men roughly into the room with bloodied chains. Bill’s face was covered in bruises and lacerations, whilst Curtis’s expression was vacant and without much light in his eyes.

The Neikea must have frightened them, Ivy thought, peeking out of a small gap of the velvet curtains. She glanced over to her left and saw her friend’s anxious, teary faces and sighed softly to herself. Don’t mess this up, for all of your sakes.

“Bastard!”

…So much for that.

Bill’s hatred fuelled eyes tried to pierce into the Demon Emperor’s soul, but the abyss inside stared right back at him, shaking Bill to his core.

“Where’s my wife?! What have you done-?!”

Xi Shi gently planted her heel into his back, forcing Bill into the ground, cracking the stones beneath him slightly. “Say one more disrespectful word and I’ll take your arm.”

Bill tried to fight back, but Xi Shi’s strength was far too great.

Lord Abaddon and the others are powerful, but she’s far greater than them, Ivy noted. No wonder the Demon Emperor doesn’t want her too far from his side.

“When the Decree of Loyalty was first issued, you were all instructed on what would happen and the consequences for refusing to obey,” Rebecca said, speaking up for the first time in this meeting. “The citizens of Monk’s Wood have repeatedly resisted and openly defied this law time and time again, and now you have-”

“I will not hear the vile words of a traitorous bitch!” Bill, with his bloodied nose, was permitted to lift his head off the ground. “Scum like you who sold out their country don’t deserve to speak a damn word to me! May Saint Themis curse you!”

Rebecca, unfazed, continued. “Open rebellion would normally result in the destruction of a random village of hamlet inside the Demon Empire, to remind Aangapea not to defy his majesty’s words. His majesty was kind enough to let that go this time, yet you still try to plot against him?” Rebecca stared daggers of contempt at Bill. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“I won’t take that shit from a fucking Kelsey!”

“Lady Rebecca, might I remove his tongue?” Una asked, brandishing her weapons.

“Not at this time.”

Bill cackled madly. “Do it, go on! Both of you, no, all of you! Traitors! Traitors! Trai-!”

Xi Shi wrapped his chains around his neck and started to choke Bill. “Forgive me, but I cannot stand listening to this unpleasant noise for much longer.”

After fifteen, brutal seconds passed, the Demon Emperor said, “Release him,” and Bill dropped onto the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.

“What about you, Curtis, is it?” The second man looked exhaustedly at the Demon Emperor. “What say you?”

“…I just…I just…wanted, Lisa…” He couldn’t finish his sentences properly and groaned. “I thought…she was dead or…hurt and…I just wanted her to be safe.”

“She was, until you came here.” The Demon Emperor stood from his throne. “For your transcreations, I should put Monk’s Wood to the sword.”

Lisa almost ran out from behind the curtains, but Ivy firmly held her back.

“Don’t,” she whispered as quietly as possible.

“Tell me, why I shouldn’t. If not there, then where? Anywhere I fancy, or perhaps I should gut you and your friends in the centre of the old capital for the world to see?”

“I’d rather that than live under your thumb, bastard!” Bill spluttered, spitting at the Demon Emperor’s boot; however, Xi Shi was there to block the saliva with her halberd.

“You dare-!”

“Enough.” The Demon Emperor’s hand on her shoulder was enough to dispel Xi Shi’s intense bloodlust. “Curtis, what say you?”

“…I’m…sorry, for everything, your majesty. Please.” He collapsed onto the floor, trying to prostrate himself but failing. “Spare Lisa, at least…and her family.”

“So they say, Lisa, Monika.”

“What?!” Bill reacted first as the women, tears pouring down their faces, stepped out from behind the curtains. “Mon! Mon! Thank the Goddess, you’re-!”

Xi Shi planted her halberd, blade down, between them with a sadistic smile.

“Bill, you…you idiot!” Monika couldn’t contain herself, collapsing onto her knees. Ivy ran to hold her and tried to dry her eyes with her handkerchief.

“Mon? Mon, what do you-?” The reality of the situation only just started to dawn on Bill, and his face quickly lost all of its colour.

“…Hey, Curtis.” Lisa forced herself to smile and waved slightly.

“…Li…sa?” Curtis looked groggily up at her and began to bawl, smiling sweetly at his fiancé. “Thank Themis, you’re-”

“A kind man.” The Demon Emperor’s icy words silenced the room. “A lawful man. A good man.” He began to laugh, loudly and cruelly. “Those were Monika’s words, right, Ivy?”

“…Yes, your majesty.”

“Well, if nothing else, Lisa’s words held some truth. Monika’s, however, seem to have held none. Lisa, come here.”

The maid froze up completely and anxiously turned her eyes to the Demon Emperor. He beckoned her over and said, “Now.” She broke out of her trance and meekly stepped towards him. “What happens next is entirely up to you.” He beckoned over a Dread Knight and took their dagger before sending them away. “Choose one and kill them.”

“…Huh?”

The Demon Emperor put his hands on her shoulders and repeated himself, “Choose one and kill them. Should you not kill Bill or Curtis in the next thirty seconds, then I shall burn Monk’s Wood to the ground and make you watch.”

The paleness on her face was comparable to that of a ghost’s. Her body was shaking so much she nearly dropped the blade, so she clutched it with both hands awkwardly.

“Actions have consequences; a basic lesson, perhaps, but one that people need to be reminded off every so often,” the Demon Emperor said softly. “Had Bill been as Monika described, then this would not have happened. So, I present you a choice; your fiancé or your best friend’s husband. Choose before thirty seconds pass.”

Ah, there it is, Ivy thought. The cruelty that I saw that day, the day our oppressors were put to the sword, the day this all began. At that time, I imagine I looked much like Lisa does, but now. Ivy’s expression hardened. I feel nothing, other than a slight sadness for Lisa.

This is why so many of you fear him, but this is also why so many of us follow him. You can see the only sensible choice before you, to serve and remain a loyal subject; he is only cruel if you break his rules, not just because he can. He is not like the Kelseys, the Sons of Tartarus or any other villain this world has ever seen; he truly cares for those who serve him, like me, and despises any who resist him.

Honestly, at this point, Curtis and Bill have no one but themselves to blame. Ivy shut her eyes and, strangely, smirked a little. I wonder if I was always like this or was I twisted by his rule?

Lisa didn’t know what to do.

She was looking back and forth between the two men, frantic and distraught, ignoring Monika’s cries behind her.

“Do it, Lisa!” Bill barked at her. “Kill me, not him! I did this, I dragged him into it, no one else! Mon, I love you, but I’m sorry - this is on me and me alone. Just me, Lisa, just me!” He grit his teeth and moved closer to the maid. “Just hold it at eye level and I’ll do the rest, I promise. Lisa! Come on! Now! Now!”

“Five, four,” Xi Shi began to count down. “Three, two, on-”

Lisa let out a bloodcurdling scream and thrust the dagger at Bill’s neck, but the blade never pierced his flesh.

Instead, the Demon Emperor caught the blade and slowly released it from her grasp. “Well done, Lisa. I have seen your loyalty.”

He threw the dagger back to the Dread Knight and lightly patted the maid’s shoulder, causing her to finally collapse onto her hands and knees, physically and mentally drained.

“Mercy is a wonderful thing, but not without its price,” he continued. “Bill and Curtis, you shall both bare witness to the deaths of half of your comrades later today, including your leader, Bartholomew. Rebecca, make sure that Aeila is in attendance too.”

“Of course, Lord Allaric. I shall start making the arrangements.”

“Ivy, take Monika and Lisa back to their room; see to their needs and, once the executions are done, they may spend the night with their lovers in private in the Dread Town. Of course, they must return to work tomorrow morning as normal.”

“At once, your majesty.”

“I believe we’re done here. Xi Shi, bring someone in to clean up the mess you made.”