Chapter 597: Empire’s Invasion [15]

Should take care of the protection business. I have a bad feeling, something today’s going to be full of surprises. Julius’s going to experience a whole range of despair, I told him not to get close... very unfortunate.’

A ploy taking countless weeks to be set in motion, events timed perfectly to lead here, at the manor. Brains over brawn or so they say, the ability to adapt to any situation didn’t require either two, the greatest asset of them all, luck. Mauling over possible encounters and situations, the ride to town took a little over four hours. Mana and stamina were low, using mana in the atmosphere wouldn’t help. The eyes of truth were yet to be fully accustomed to the new body, and so, disrupted the natural flow of the mind.

Grey clouds rolled to cover the able sun. The weather had been rather lackluster for a few days. Unbothered, ‘-the mossy-covered walls are a sight to wonder. How can it be so repulsive and attractive at the same time. From far away, tis as if an elaborate decoration, up close, egh, better not think.’

“All hail the new lord!”

“Hail Lord Igna!” cried the guards in steel armor.

‘What’s the matter with them?’ swords were raised to honor the arrival. Further along, were the oblivious townsfolk.

“My lord,” said a formally dressed slender demi-human, “-my name’s Undre, I’ve been appointed as your steward and spokesman.”

.....

“Undre.” Top to bottom, a normal once over of the average looking person, orange and white-colored ears, a smaller tail, rounded nose, and sharp lashes, if not for speaking out, one could easily confuse him for a lady, if they squinted one eye and were drunk that is. ” Steward Undre.”

“No my lord,” he bowed, “-please address me as Undre, no need for titles.”

“As you wish, Undre. As a steward, what are your responsibilities?”

“It’s customary for the steward to aid the lord in advancing the town and its villages. I’ll handle public affairs, trades, and overall supervision. Think of it a regency in a very mild proportion.”

“Understood,” hands-on his weak shoulder, “-I’ll leave Glenda to you. It’s going to take time before the title of Baron of Glenda comes in handy. My order is to help restore the town, make the people at ease. Send messengers to the nearby villagers and ask for stray adventurers to make their way here. I’ll put up a quest later on this week.”

“As you wish my lord, anything else?”

“Is there perhaps a chance the administration here is accustomed to the ways of technology?”

“Yes, a matter of fact, we are,” smiled he.

“Excellent,” the grip tightened, “-have all the necessary papers forwarded to my butler. Here is the contact information.”

Across the town and vaguely to the secondary manor, “-Igna, I ought to ask,” he leaped over a small ditch, “-why am I the one who has to handle all the grunt work?” complained éclair.

“Huh?” he landed on a small patch of flowers, “-isn’t it obvious, you’re the best fit to dig up information. Glenda isn’t out of trouble yet, we might have bought time, the war still rages. The only best thing to do is fortify defenses, the town shall become our headquarters in the coming expeditions.”

“Very well, am I to pump money into the town’s prosperity?”

“No,” pushing aside a few branches, “-no need to be so generous. They’re prosperous as is, my intentions are for a few upgrades. Give them the technological advantage the outer world already possesses.”

“Forgive my saying, those items would be best served at Hect or Ect, not a recluse town.”

“Wrong,” the pertinent onslaught of foliage, veins, and weeds halted at the start of a stone path, “-Glenda is a trader’s town. The de-facto place for people all around. Didn’t the abundance of adventurers seem wrong, they’re concentrated there, if we can form good relations, the strain on the excessive military would dwindle. No public safety, vigilante interventions, and good Samaritans are the only means of protection. No incentive means no work, should work out just fine. As long as there’s no risk of revolt, we’re clear.” A heart-touching melody of flowing water coyly leaped into hearing range. The path forked into a slightly idyllic bank of plants whilst the other led towards a very-well kept building.

‘The one who built the manors sure was a lover of nature.’

Murmurs amplified; two sleep-deprived watchers practically leaned onto their spears. “Wake up,” he clapped, “-the shift is over, go rest.”

“Who are you?” asked one in a lousy state of mind.

“The new lord.”

“I see,” newfound sense security buckled the knees, “-Glea clocking out,” head to the mud, any feasible discomfort was refuted by the blissful expression.”

“Everyone,” hailed a maid, “-our new lord has returned,” her voice echoed around the lobby. Most of the refugees were stumped, a perpetual limbo between safety and despair. Countless efforts to encourage the destitute returned in naught.

A single glance told the story, ‘-their morale is low. Most of them must have endured torture or worst. Their ‘inhumane’ features have been cut... quite a shameful display. Hard to think this was the same a few decades ago. Demi-humans were always subject to abuse and slavery. A docile sense of self and humility always brings about the worst in those of lesser wit. They think confused peace with weakness.’

“My apologizes,” bowed the maid, “-even after you saved me earlier, I can’t do anything to help, please forgive this worthless servant. Do as you any disobedient dog, punish me,” her thumb melancholically slipped to disrobe her basic attire. The strap slid without much effort, the rags fell, she turned to expose the scarred back. “-Please, do as you wish, young master.”

“Give me a break,” he coldly threw a piece of cloth, “-cover yourself, do I look like to type of men who enjoys torture?”

‘Yes, you do,’ interjected éclair.

“What do you mean, sire?”

“As I said, I don’t care for such trivial ways of repentance. Apologize and do better next time. Leave the others to me, go have a shower or whatnot, the stench of sweat is repulsive.”

“Yes, my lord,” her tiny stride scurried out the front.

‘The refugees,’ *clop, clop, clop,* at the center, mindless glances scratched off his person, “-RISE!” he thundered across. “-Will wallowing in self-pity bring about salvation, or art thee waiting for death. Speak now, as the Baron of Glenda, I shall grant death upon any who wishes so. Tell me, was the abuse of the prior lord so pleasurable that thee’d give into despair. Say, what of the villagers, what of the children who was abducted, what of the unfortunate captured as fodder, what of their pain, does thine compare or is it but an excuse. The door is wide open for any wanting to leave. A lord is only strong by the people who he keeps in the entourage. I, sadly, don’t care for weaklings,” he turned and left.

‘Wash, wash, wash,’ whispered a discordant melody.

“You!” he shouted.

“W-what,” a basket of bathing supplies fell, “-what’s your problem?” she fired.

“Return to the manor after a day or so. Leave behind anyone who seems lost.”

“M-my l-lord,” her mouth froze open, ‘-I’ve done it now,’ a scowl broke the amiable expression, ‘-No way he’s going to ignore my rude tone. I try so hard to be courteous... what a drag.’

“Don’t stand there looking dumb.”

“W-what a-a-about my l-lack of coutes-”

“Shut it,” he sighed, “-I don’t care, just get going.”

“A-are y-you sure?”

He glossed past her attempts at being cute, “-drop the innocent act,” at the opening of the forest, “-be yourself, none’s going to judge. See you at the manor,” off he disappeared amidst the trees.

‘What a strange man... a strong presence, and open-mind. Is he a good or bad person, I can’t figure. Whatever, anyone who says a maiden stink should be sent to hell.’

As quick as the sun rose, afternoon past and dusk loomed over the horizon. The day was spent moving about the town doing administrative work. The guilds were happy to help and assist.

The warm glow of lanterns mourned the death of comrades. ‘Tonight’s the night the curse fully manifests. Julius, I hope you’re ready.’

Twilight dawned, “-Malley, I never thought you’d enjoy partaking in the hectic way of relief,” bare-chested on a bed, a simple vacant home at the village’s northern border overlooked the forest, “-it’s been little than a week and I feel like we’re so much closer to one another.”

“I mean,” head on his chest, “-I didn’t expect a prince to fall for me.”

“Oh come on,” sat to hold her reluctant face, “-the curse is gone, isn’t it?”

“I sure hope so,” she smiled, “-Julius, I’m happy I met you,” closed into a tender embrace, “-I have a favor.”

historical

“Whatever you wish for, I’ll do anything I can.”

“Promise me you’ll forget about me,” she stood with a blank expression, “-I had fun, my wish of finding true love came true. I can’t believe it, after so much oppression, talking with you every day felt relieving. My stained body was purified, I feel so happy right now.”

“What are you saying?” he stood, “-why so sad, what about us, I want to know more about you, why talk as if you’re leaving.”

“That’s because,” she caressed her stomach, “-I’m going to die.”

“NO,” his body wrapped around her, “-you’re not going to die, it’s fine, I don’t care what happens, I’ll protect you.”

“Let go,” she escaped his hold, “-I don’t want to leave the one I love with so much sadness. Let me go, promise you’ll find someone else. A deflowered priestess of a foolish empire doesn’t have the right to be anyone’s partner. I love you... our story must end,” a pulse blasted across the room, the eye sockets lit in a redden flame, air twirled, the body levitated.

“MALLEY!”

“Julius, I had fun-” another pulse emptied her lung, her fingers trembled, horror of death painted the expression black. ‘It’s over.’

*BANG,* “-did the curse activate?” hands in pocket, “-hey there Julius,” said Igna nonchalantly barging inside, “-sorry about the door,” stood shoulder to shoulder, “-as much as I don’t want to say it, I told you getting attached would be the end.”

“Cousin,” said in a murderous tone, “-why did y-you do this?”

“Don’t lose your calm,” returned he with a stronger presence, “-don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“I know,” dropped to his knees, “-I can’t win even if I go all out. Cousin, please, do something to save her.”

“Why should I?” a look of disgust stung the prince’s pride and heart.

In a time of desperation, swallowing pride and all, “-I FUCKING LOVE HER DAMN IT!” the head lowered to touch Igna’s foot.

“For fuck sakes,” facepalmed he, “-don’t grovel, you imbecile,” he knelt, “-Julius, you’re more of a pain than I’d imagined. She must really mean a lot.”

“More than I say,” the eyes watered, “-I don’t care what needs to be done, save her... she’s the best thing to happen to me. I’ve always wondered what love felt like...”

“Say no more,” hands around Julius’s back, “-if she really means a lot, then, consider it done. Create a barrier around the house.”

‘I might have bitten more than I can chew. I apologize for what’s about to happen, my other-self. We might need to activate nevermore.’ The sleeves rolled, ‘-the curse of Akina... it had to be the strongest one, lady luck never smiles on me, does she.’

The body rose higher, the ground cracked, the walls slit and broke, her presence skyrocketed.

“Thee who resides in said mortal vessel, Akina, princess of Balone, heed my voice!”

“Akina,” mumbled the possessed priestess, “-I’ve longed to be referred as a princess... who is the one who called upon my name?”

“I did Igna Haggard, wielder of the Death Element. Akina, goddess of Balone, ruler of fallen demons, and defiled princess of war, I’d like to make an offer.”

“HA-HA-HA-HA,” she cackled, “-how dare a mere human make an offer to the ruler of demons, you must be insane,” a single glance tore off his arms.

‘Damn,’ blood gushed, “-would you reconsider if I said I could liberate thine soul from Balone.”

“Why would I believe such empty words,” stern and composed, “-try again.”

.....