Steel and iron towers had covered the once-alive-and-green planet, now sunken into concrete roads, oil fountains, and poisonous miasma. In the streets where any living being would've already died long ago, green reptile-humanoid creatures with sharp tails moved freely as if it was their natural habitat.

In the highest tower risen to the smoky skies as if some devilish castle, on the highest floor there was a council room with a steel round table. Multiple robots served hot drinks to some Reptiloid generals (for those hideous creatures were indeed the infamous race of Reptiloids) and a tall man sitting on a black throne, who, differently from the darkened, ugly reptiles, wore a pure white coat as if an innocent being. He was not of their kind – he looked human. Yet, his blazing light blue eyes full of mysterious wisdom hinted at the higher ranks – much higher than even the Daluma. His long dark golden hair tied in a single braid resembled a noble fashion of the godly race none other than Captain Sinbad belonged to. It was truly confusing since that mysterious Captain Sinbad was rumoured to be the last of his species. That didn't change the fact, however, that this man, although somewhat hideous, still looked noble and comely, both by the demeanour and the overall appearance.

"Report, General Salamander," he ordered one of the oldest Reptiloids. He swung his hand and formed a golden pipe out of nowhere – most likely teleported from a remote place. He drew on it and exhaled some blue smoke much in Captain Sinbad's manner.

"If you allow, Lord Koriel." the general bowed with respect. "We've recently conquered Planet Eborah in the Uma Universe. Further on, we've deployed troops in the three universes close to us, namely Raden where our base planet Retti is located, Uma mentioned above, and Fube."

"Which major planets are you attacking?"

"We've begun assaults on Planet Esnan in Fube, which is one of the most main planets there, as Your Excellency is aware. In Uma, we've already attacked Planet Nhuhm. Currently, that gentle pegacorn race resists against us, but we'll break down their defences pretty soon. As for Raden, most of the base planets are already in our hands here."

"What of Earth?"

"Excuse me?"

"What of Planet Earth? Those Gaian Worms – is there any use of them?"

"Well, certainly they're a good source of income in terms of slave trade, and they serve as some fine specimen for our experiments... Why would Your Excellency be interested in those low-level creatures, though?"

"Gentlemen, have you heard recent news about the pirates' movements?" Koriel returned a question, idly drawing on his pipe. "Captain Sinbad has attacked Planet Irahor, one of your enemy race Radenoids' finest treasures, and has destroyed a mere lowly pub, which is so unbefitting his noble nature. Such an unusual behaviour of his caught my attention. I've discovered that, according to some data, one slave's presence was completely missing. He abducted her, to be precise. That mere slave belongs to the lowly race of the Gaian Worms. I know the Galaxy Pirate Emperor has nasty plans in his mind which come in conflict with my ambitions. So, I often ponder over why in Great Hermin's bliss Captain Sinbad would need a Gaian Worm by his side when, much like me, he hardly ever considers those insignificant creatures actually exist in this world."

"So, Your Excellency, you think Captain Sinbad has some new plan?"

"I believe the Galaxy Pirate Emperor is deeply involved in the matter and it should be his plan, to begin with. I do not really wish to lose Planet Earth to that brat after we've observed and cultivated it for so many millennia just to bring it to this current stage. I kindly ask you to trace the Shark Tooth Pirates' movements and, meanwhile, solidify our position on Earth. If not, I'll get upset. You don't want to make me upset, now, do you?"

"Understood, Your Excellency!"

The council ended. Lord Koriel stood from his throne, made his pipe vanish, and exited the room, retiring to his royal chamber deep within the tower. Once he found himself in solitary peace, he reclined to a pile of velvety pillows on his bed and retook the pipe he had teleported onto his bedside table. He took a golden hardback book lying there and began staring at blank pages as if things were actually written there and he was reading... Indeed he was, though, for that book could be read with telepathic powers, and his ones were quite strong.

He rang a tiny bell. Barely a minute had elapsed when a stout female Reptiloid servant appeared in the room. He didn't even bother glancing at her, so engulfed he was in his book. He drew on the pipe, exhaled some blue smoke, and pronounced much in an ordering tone of a superior species:

"I'd like my breakfast to be brought in my chamber. I'm tired."

The Reptiloid woman hastily bowed and left. She descended into the kitchen where a lot of servants fussed around. Some chained, scarred slaves washed dishes and mopped the floor, getting beaten by the reptile ladies from time to time if these latter ones weren't satisfied with their work. Among these slaves, there was a little human girl who wouldn't be older than eleven years. Her blonde twin-tails hung messily over her back and shoulders. She was covered in chains and had scars and bruises in multiple places. It seemed she had been a slave for a long time.

She sensed some delicious fragrance like no other come from one of the kitchen tables. It was a rich-flavoured donut-shaped pastry placed on a golden tray, along with some unfamiliar hot drink. As she beheld these delicacies, her stomach heavily grumbled. She looked around and, noticing all the servant ladies were sunk into their labour and had no time for her, sneaked up to the tray. With a trembling hand, she touched the giant donut, tore a tiny piece off of it, and hastily put it into her mouth. Her eyes widened with delight from the sweet sensation she had never undergone before. She glanced around again and tore off another tiny piece...

"Hey, you! Halt!"

The stout scary reptiles were approaching her. She screamed and darted off as fast as she could.

"Guards, apprehend that rat! She stole His Majesty's breakfast!"

There wasn't long before the whole palace was after her. In a short while, they succeeded in catching her, rather easily since she was weakened from the start and the chains had impeded her escape plan.

"What should we do with this insolent brat?"

"She has ruined His Majesty's breakfast. His Excellency will be mad at all of us if we don't provide a decent explanation!"

"Then let's bring this brat to him and let him decide."

The frightened child was brought before Lord Koriel in his bedroom. The guards and the servants reported what she had done. The lord glanced at all of them, sending shivers down their spines:

"You say this insignificant worm dared touch my breakfast which cannot be so easily procured, and you allowed this to happen?"

"W... We're sincerely sorry, Your Excellency! It won't happen again!"

"Oh, it sure won't..." he eyed two of the four guards: "Execute these snakes."

The screaming ladies were taken out of the chamber.

"Now then," Koriel glanced down at the slave, "Child, who do you think I am?"

"T... The divine emp-peror?"

"Correct. I assume you don't know my condition?"

"They say you're sick..."

"Oh? Then may I ask why in Hermin's bliss you dared touch my breakfast?"

"I... I didn't know. It w-was a mistake."

"A mistake that shall cost you life."

The girl screamed as she was grabbed by the slimy hands of the robust reptile guards. She desperately fought against their grip and grabbed Lord Koriel's thin white coat:

"I beg you, mercy me! I... I shall do anything!"

"Oh? What is it a simple Gaian Worm like you can possibly do?" Koriel raised his hand and stopped the guards for a little time.

"It is true I cannot offer much, but... Your Holiness said I should pay with my life to amend for my mistake. There's more I can offer than simply giving up on my life. Please, allow me to serve you for the rest of my days. I'll make amends that way."

"Very well. I accept."

Her eyes brightened both in stupor and relief. She deeply bowed to the emperor while this latter swung his hand at the guards and dismissed them. Once they had left, he heaved a faint sigh:

"Good thinking, child, to offer your life in another sense... Your solution indeed surprised me. You're different from other Gaian Worms. For amusing me that much, I won't be too cruel with you. When those reptiles aren't around, I feel more or less free to put my mask off... You know, if I don't sow fear in them as I do, the next day they might turn on me. Those snakes love tyrants, so a tyrant I shall be. For a smart child like you, however, it can be different."

Seeing the child stare at him in confusion and stupor, Koriel let out an awe-striking chuckle:

"Why so stunned? Come."

He pointed her to the edge of his bed. Reassured that he was serious, the girl obeyed his command.

"Your name?"

"Ellie."

"Well then, Ellie," Koriel broke the donut in two and handed her the piece where she had already bitten from, "here you go."

"H... Huh?"

"Finish what you've already started."

Ellie grabbed the donut piece with a trembling hand and greedily bit it. Lord Koriel watched her with a smile:

I bet he's found an interesting human such as this one. Well then, I'll gladly play his little game...