Year 2: The Aftermath - Chapter 2

No one had slept during the night.

The Dread Keep was busier than it had ever been with no one, not even the emperor, being allowed a moments rest.

Casualties had to be determined.

So did the success of their objectives.

The wounded needing treating, reports needed writing and everyone had to do their part, whether they were soldiers or servants.

Gathered in great haste was the Demon Emperor’s council, minus Lord Ruthven who had some urgent business he needed to attend to, but not in their chambers; they were all in the throne room.

As always, Hilda, Rebecca and Lilith stood beside the emperor on his throne. Eva, Jessica, Cain and Lucy were off to the side, their heads held respectfully low.

His generals, including the badly wounded Mímir, were standing at attention at the bottom of the throne’s stairs alongside Jorōgumo who was using her spider legs to keep herself standing; she was exhausted from creating and managing her brood throughout the night and in the lead up to the operation.

In front of them, kneeling to the emperor in her new regal, black and gold robes, was Elysa, smiling politely with her head down.

“Elysa Tedra,” the Demon Emperor began. “Thanks to your efforts over these last few months, the Battle of the King’s Palace was successfully conducted. The layout of the palace you provided allowed my forces to gain a great number of advantages in the early stages of the battle, and I firmly believe you were a key factor in bringing the successes we enjoyed last night. You have done well, Elysa.”

“I am deeply honoured by your words, Lord Emperor.”

“Mímir told me you requested only to be welcomed into the empire, yet.” He narrowed his eyes. “I believe that there is more that you desire than that.”

Elysa raised her head; her smile grew ever so subtly. “While that is not entirely wrong, I truly do wish to serve the winning side in this war.”

“Winning side?”

She nodded firmly. “After fighting alongside my fellow Summoned Heroes as part of the Alliance, I realised a simple, empirical truth - the Alliance cannot win. Its leaders remain too diplomatic during times of crisis, it refuses to compromise its values and systems if it means victory, and the heroes are too weak to match your might. Mostly.”

She shot a discreet glance over at Mímir, but even those who didn’t see it knew who she was talking about and found it amusing.

“Though, if I may be so bold to ask, may I have the late Amen’s property and territory as my own?”

David grunted. “Interesting.”

“Is that why you led him to believe that he could beat Hajime?” Mímir asked.

Elysa chuckled. “Forgive me, Lord Mímir, but I did nothing of the sort. If anything, it was his own arrogance that led him to such a disgraceful end.” She giggled. “Something I am sure you yourself are quite familiar with.”

“You-!”

Mania snickered. “She’s new here, but she gets it. Imagine being the only wounded general after a battle. What a disgrace.”

Abaddon nodded. “Mímir, I thought you had learnt your lesson after the incident with Herakles.”

“…Someone did not inform me of the power of Akane’s Oni-mode.”

“Because she never used it around me,” Elysa said. “Had I been able to bring spies into the palace, one or more of them would have been able to observe it. Instead, I had to find excuses to go into the town and contact agents discretely with whatever information I had time to transmit.”

“So, someone did notice when the barrier was dropped?”

“Yes, Lady Scylla. I had tried a few tests before and observed that any fluctuations would be noticed by those more attune to magic, like Queen Dorothy.” Elysa laughed. “It was a good thing she invited me to that tea party in the end to confirm that final hypothesis before the battle began.”

“You hadn’t checked it before then?”

“Only whenever I had the chance, but I had to be sure. As it turns out, it seems Queen Dorothy’s spirits noticed immediately. They were floating around the King’s Palace and visibly reacted, no doubt informing her immediately.”

“If nothing else, Mímir’s conclusion regarding that was sound,” Charybdis added.

“Indeed,” the Demon Emperor said. “We should be grateful that Mímir himself was able to infiltrate both the city and the palace, otherwise Elysa would never have been recruited in the first place. Jorōgumo, what does your brood see in the west?”

“Information is limited,” the spider replied. “They are more aware of the brood and actively seek them, but they appear to be planning on abandoning Rhodes as the headquarters for the Alliance.”

“That’s hardly a surprise,” Rebecca said. “If I were them, I’d head to-”

“The ancient city of kings at the three-way border.”

“You know of it, Lady Jorōgumo?”

The spider shook her head. “Humans mentioned it.”

“What is this place you speak off?”

“It’s a city that borders Rhodes, Yun and the outskirts of the elf’s territory, Lord Allaric,” Rebecca explained. “It is one of the largest cities in Aangapea, but it has often been contested as to whom actually owns it and has the right to rule it, leaving it in a largely unstable state, despite its value as a key mercantile city. It sits along four major rivers, one of which leads to the northern sea, and is ruled by a semi-independent democracy made up of representatives from all three countries.

“At least until the Alliance was formed. From what the Ravens have documented, it appears that the city has been ruled by Queen Dorothy’s eldest daughter, Karalee, and has become a safe-haven for refugees and is a key city for the Alliance’s military and civilian population.”

“Since Princess Karalee took control, the city has become more valuable than ever for the west,” Mímir answered. “Strategically, it serves as the gateway to the west from the north-east and it’s connected to some of the most vital trade routes in the whole of Aangapea. Its defences have become second only to the frontlines and the Alliance’s capital cities.”

“If our enemy moves there, then they’ll no doubt be preparing to invade the empire from the north,” Abaddon said.

“Or it is just convenient for them to have such a well-connected and guarded headquarters.”

“Whatever the case, we just need to continue monitoring the situation as it develops,” the Demon Emperor said. “While the Battle of Rhodes was successful in parts, there were several large…shortcomings.”

“Heh.” Fenrir gestured her head at Mímir. “He had the audacity to show his face after all that.”

“I was asked here, Fenrir, and I have been a more valuable asset to this empire than you have been.”

“Mímir’s failings aside, Amen is dead,” Hermes said bluntly. “After all the effort we exerted to bring him to the east and reward him, his contribution was negligible after his defection from the Alliance.”

“Hopefully not to be repeated,” Scylla jabbed.

“I shall not disappoint, Lady Scylla.”

“Amen’s death is one thing, but the loss of the former Divine Paladin Lawrence and Dame Chelsea is a small blow that could grow into a larger wound,” Rebecca said.

“Agreed. The Holy Empire knew of his strength; his death might, in the eyes of idiotic peasants, be the opportunity they were waiting for,” Mania commented. “Chelsea’s death is a great shame, but she did her primary duty.” The succubus smiled. “The Gaius line is broken. Aeila, Theodora and Hector are ours. Lawrence won’t break in their captivity, but it’s annoying that someone I spent so long Awakening won’t be coming back.”

“Speaking off.” Hermes glared at her. “Why did you fail to bring back a hero for testing?”

Mania shot daggers back. “Talon was a rather vicious cat, but I would have succeeded if the time limit hadn’t been hit. Isn’t that why you left that Stephanie girl behind?”

“She must live until you can perfect the Awakening process for the Summoned Heroes. What happened-?”

“Adventurers and lots of them,” Mania hissed.

“Regardless.” The Demon Emperor’s booming voice cut their argument short. “The Alliance’s soldiers, knights and adventurers are not weak. Hersi lost his life instantly in battle against Queen Dorothy; the undead horde made from the corpses of rebels didn’t even get half a mile from the King’s Palace before being intercepted and destroyed. The Demonic Legion are as weak as initially feared, so I want you to improve their training, Abaddon.”

“By your command, Lord Emperor!”

“The demons do their jobs well enough, but the Dread Knights are exceptional, even with their few losses. The Alliance still have not seen the vampires, werewolves or gargoyles in action, nor should they until the time is just right.”

“The Court’s army is ready and waiting for that day with great anticipation,” Lilith said. “My father tells me that they’ve been expanding and improving dramatically as of late, Spike in particular.”

“Send word to Lord Ruthven that I wish to inspect them soon.”

“I shall at my earliest convenience.”

“Now, Abaddon - I ordered you to stay behind in case of any rebellions within the Demon Empire while I and our strongest warriors were away in the west. Was there anything that happened while we were away?”

Leaving Abaddon behind was a risk, but I didn’t want to go to war and then come home to find rebels had taken over. Knowing Eris, I wouldn’t have been surprised if that happened or that the Dread Keep had mysteriously burnt down, or worse.

“Nothing, Lord Emperor.”

“…Then, good.” I should have brought him with me. “If there is nothing else, then we’ll conclude this meeting here,” the Demon Emperor announced. “Continue on with your duties as normal and prepare for the enemy to come to us. If you need me, I’ll be spending some well-deserved time with my wife and daughter.”

***

“The Alliance has to go on the offensive, and soon,” Raeanne told her council. “When they do, we must be ready to help wherever and whenever they need it.” She turned to her most trusted advisor. “Spread the word - get everyone ready.”

***

From the wooden podium, Hilda watched the Dread Knights train in pairs.

Some groups wore armour and used real weapons, while others battled with wooden swords and shields in padded leather.

Beside her were six other Dread Knights, members of the Left and Right-hands of the Demon Emperor, the strongest and fiercest fighters among the Dread Knights.

“How…many?”

“After the few lost at Rhodes, just over a thousand.”

“We need…more…far…far more.” Hilda turned her head slightly to the side. “Make them…strong…enough…to kill…monarchs and…heroes.”

***

Xi Shi polished her halberd and smiled a little, amused by the memory of Akechi’s death, something he’d grown fond of quickly.

The tragic look of realisation in his eyes.

His lover’s despair.

The crushing reality they both knew was about to come to pass.

Had it not been for Queen Dorothy’s intervention, Xi Shi would have brought Princess Hiiragi east as a gift for the emperor.

“If only Lady Eris hadn’t imposed such harsh restrictions on my Master.”

“Xi.” The room froze as colour drained from the world. “You can’t invoke her name.”

Xi Shi giggled. “I know, Lady Loki. I merely feel that placing limits on the number of troops and limiting our time so harshly is most unfair. Is she still upset by your intervention? Or was this a tactic to keep the game going a little longer?”

Loki shrugged, then fell through the world before emerging from Xi Shi’s halberd’s shadow. “A little bit of both, though.” Loki stifled a laugh. “She still hasn’t figured out what I’ve actually done.”

“That is definitely cause for celebration.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

***

The Battle of Rhodes - David had sincerely hoped it would be the last day in the war, but he also knew that Eris would never let it end so abruptly and so anticlimactically.

His first priority had been to kill the heroes.

Then, the officials and other VIPs that had been in attendance, though the focus had been more directed at the Alliance’s ruling monarchs and generals.

If things had been more successful during the night, either the King’s Palace or the city of Rhodes itself would have been reduced to rubble, its inhabitants turned into a new undead horde that would reign death and destruction across the west.

No heroes died, nor did anyone of real significance - Takahiro Akechi was a good commander and ruler, but his death will be remembered as heroic and noble, not despair inducing or soul crushing.

Still, it wasn’t all for nothing.

I learnt the true strength of the heroes, but they will no doubt have improved again the next time we meet.

“…Allaric? What’s wrong?”

He smiled at his wife, then kissed her and hugged his daughter warmly in his arms. “Nothing, Lily.”

Later that night, he walked out onto his balcony and, just as he expected, Eris descended.

“You’re in a good mood.”

“Why would I not be?” She asked back playfully. “To think it’s been two years since we first met, yet I can recall every single moment with you like it was yesterday.” She giggled and stood before him. “As delightful as your current self is, I do miss the times where you would cry in a corner after we spoke, or tried to exert some sort of dominance. Or, of course.” She purred and leant in close as if to kiss him. “The way you tried to fight back.”

David smiled and moved to meet her lips, but she held him in place with her fingertips. “How bold, David Athelward. If you weren’t such a cheating womanizer, perhaps I would have let you.”

“…What a shame.” She smirked and spun away from him. “Is it that time of year already for you to set new terms of our deal?”

“Not this time.”

“…And you think I’d believe you?”

“Well, this time, just one very teeny, tiny one.” Eris leant to the side and stared into his eyes. “Until the Alliance’s attack in the east ends, you can’t attack the west, although I don’t think you would’ve wanted to try that anyway.”

“…I would have considered it, but it’s probably as you say,” David confessed. “If it’s just that, then I don’t mind.”

“Perfect. Oh.” She lost her smile as a malicious, haunting aura dripped off her being. “If you ever dare to accept Loki or any other Goddess’s help, the game will end.”

“By that logic, the game is already over.”

“From this point onwards then.” She giggled. “Though, I do like how you too find this all to be a game.”

“…Is that all for tonight, Eris?”

“Hmm…I don’t know.” He was suddenly lying on his back and she was on top of him, sat upright with a devious smile across her lips. “Tell me, David Athelward, do you regret what you’ve done?”

“No.”

She hummed and leant down close to his face, their noses touching. “Not even after being reunited with Hailey?”

When David didn’t answer, Eris laughed, then removed something from David’s jacket pocket - a sealed letter with a little bit of dirt and grass on it.

“Do keep entertaining me, David Athelward, my dear Demon Emperor.”

She turned into feathers and left.

Once she was gone, David stood up clutching the letter and burnt it.

She’s made her choice and so have I.