Chapter 24 - The Emperor's Dilemma
(Unedited)
<Unknown>
~Capital of Human Empire: Terra Novine. Day of Earth, Second Season, 3045th Year since The Fall~
The Emperor looked at the stacks, and stacks, and stacks, of papers before him it seemed that things were getting worse: the tensions between Forge and Sickle were getting worse and Forge was likely to go to war against Sickle within the decade if things haven't gotten worse between the two already, then there was the problem of Cross and The Templar calling for the destruction of Scythe because of the ruthlessness that's shown there day by day. For the past few years he's been ignoring the problem with Scythe because not only did he not want to deal with having a city-kingdom gone wild, but The Emperor also didn't particularly feel like sending a small Platoon of Exterminators with an Advocate to wipe the city clean and let it start anew with a new, although temporary, ruler.
It was just too much work, he'd rather lay back in bed with his Empress and enjoy a few nights alone--
The throne room doors slammed open suddenly as a figure came blasting their way through them; Two of the Four Guards at the Emperor's side vanished and appeared before the potential threat with swords before their neck. The figure froze and the Emperor sighed seeing who it was, "What are you thinking coming in here like that (Hero) Jason? You realize that while I do have a need for you and your unique class and title, I can just as easily replace you with another that has the potential requirements..."
The Emperor waved a hand and the swords were lowered, one of them sheathed, but the other kept at the ready pointed at the (Hero)'s chest. His face went pale for a moment at how close to death he'd just came, but that soon passed as he aimed to take a step forward. The sword did not move, and instead almost stabbed him in the chest, easily cutting through the Epic-grade (Heroic Chest-plate) like it wasn't even there.
"Remember your place," the Emperor turned back to his multitudes of papers while the foolish child took a few moments to truly take in how intensely he was toeing the line of life and death just by moving in his presence. "You may speak." At least the kid knew not to talk until he, as the Emperor, told him he could...
"Emperor Novine--"
"You will address the Emperor as 'Your Greatness' or 'His Imperial Majesty!' Or you shall find yourself suddenly unable to." The guard with their sword out roared. Almost making the Emperor groan in exasperation because of her strict policy towards honorifics and titles. He hated being called as such, but after a few Centuries of it--he'd learned not to challenge their training...too much. It was still fun to give his guard a challenge and disappear every now and then.
His thoughts about that were brought to his daughter, Princess Thria Aldactus Novine, and how she most likely go the same habit from him, and it made him sort of wish he kept her a little farther away at times he started acting out of character to mess with his guard. Something of which he still didn't understand why they were necessary. He's proven plenty of times in the past that he is able to handle himself, unfortunately one of those times required the desecration of their former sixth Kingdom, never to be spoken of again due to a failed scheme they planned in order to usurp him from the throne...
"Your Greatness I have come regarding news about the others." The Emperor could feel his guards' glare towards the hero, sporting such a condescending and disrespectful tone in-front of them was something that they were heavily punishing of...without mercy.
"You speak like that again and it does not matter your Title," Rodin, a Young Elvish Guard assigned to him around a hundred years prior spoke up, "I will see to it you are Sectionified and thrown into The Depths myself."
...Strike Two young (Hero). The kid was lucky his guard usually gave something three strikes before striking them down or serving punishment. And they did not forget about how any strikes any sort of individual had, not matter how long it had been or how much they changed Physically.
Tread carefully from here on Young (Hero), The Emperor thought turning to another stack of papers and burning the finished ones...not that the action actually helped relieve him of having to actually do the others...just a measure he could use to deliver them all to the specified party without having to actually go there.
...Gotta appreciate the little things...
The next few moments were filled with just the sharp breaths of the kid and the turning of papers that The Emperor was working on. Despite this the sword at his chest did not waver, did not move, or lessen an inch in the slightest. He was unfortunate that this was the week the two women got to confront throne-room threats and outrage; apparently dealing with such events was a thrill to them, with the occasional fun of actually having a fight. As pitiful as it was to watch those challenging them being crushed underfoot like nothing, quite literally in her case too. The Canine-kin girl was not someone to be messed with, even the others knew this and rarely ever challenged her physically about something...
The kid took that moment of silence to take many deep breaths, thankfully quietly, before speaking again, "I apologize." He stepped back, getting to a knee and putting his head flush with the top of it, despite the sword threatening his face. "I am currently angry with the current situation of my group and took it out on you unnecessarily. I deeply apologize for this and humbly ask for your forgiveness."
The Emperor waved a hand dismissively, "You are forgiven, but do be wary. You will not be getting another warning in the presence of my Guard. No matter the circumstances." He noticed the ear of Gloria flick slightly and her canine frown deepened...if that was possible.
"Thank you, Your Greatness." He stood up and at attention like that of an actual soldier, stating, "I am worried of the current status of our growth: We are not allowed outside and barely get any time in The Depths to show any decent growth. You yourself said that we are here due to our potential, and yet we haven't been able to actually show it openly to most of the outside world." The Emperor's eyes narrowed as he stopped filling out his papers, putting down his 'pen' he leaned back, arms crossed, and looked at the (Hero) thoughtfully.
"Yes you are correct that I do not want you growing in power so soon as of yet, but there is good reason for that. You have been told about the strain leveling multiple times so soon puts on the body correct." A nod, "So I can assume that you understand the dangers of doing as such, and want to continue despite the warnings?"
The boy hesitated for a moment before nodding determined, "Yes, I believe that the majority of us will be able to do much better out in the world getting stronger at our own pace and exploring the world than we would here...and working as temporary guards. I know that at least one of us has taken a job at the gates, and is abusing his power despite the many warnings I and others have given him. He may not have actually left the area yet but at least he's able to see most of the outside world daily, unlike a lot of us."
"Ah, you're talking about Larry, the other candidate (Hero) aren't you?" A nod.
"Yes. There have been several complaints against him, and in turn us as a whole--maybe even you, since we are under your direct control." He bowed as Gloria twitched, "I do not mean that with any disrespect, and I realize I am very close to crossing a line here, but if we're not seen as a group that's supposed to be doing good in this world--a world that we've just came to and don't know much about still--shouldn't we be trying to keep a good image in the eyes of the pubic?"
"Yes, you are very close to losing your head young (Hero). I admit I may be lax in leadership, but I am not foolish enough to see that actions need consequences...unfortunately I must wait for the opportune moment to dish out those consequences of things could go awry." The Emperor sat up in his chair and regarded the young (Hero) in a newer light. He may seen brash, and rather ignorant to royal customs, but the others are too and that one child--Larry-- is the worst of them. Unfortunately he coincidentally saved a (War Orc), a subject of great study among those in Sand, and he'd been asked to keep a close eye on the creature and it's charge. That meant--unfortunately--that he couldn't punish the foolish mockery of a (Hero) for swelling his pride and acting out against instruction.
"I will be dealing that that issue soon, do not pay any mind to Larry and whatever damage he is causing any longer." The Emperor looked through a side-stack of documents and signed a set of them quickly, "These are your 'permission slips to leave', as you called them. They will let you into any city, without charge and give you access to any dungeon nearby without penalty, consequence, or fee. I suggest you use this chance wisely..." He decided to be a little flashy and with a burst of flame the documents disappeared and re-appeared as a series of rolled up parchments in the strange bag the kid decided to ring everywhere.
He was still fascinated by the prospect of a select group of people being taken from the clutches of Death on another world and transported here for whatever reason, usually with the thought that they had some purpose here other than just what their Class of Title labeled them as. His guards were perfectly capable of taking care of any threats to Terra without his intervention, despite their disparity in level.
His guards were nearing level 600 and he was only in his mid-500's, a difference that should be heavily skewed towards the guards in question, but after practically begging them for a dual each--something they declined hundreds of times for 'safety reasons'--he found that he was much stronger than someone of his level should be.
The kid looked at the bag with a mixture of awe, confusion, and worry. The Emperor knew he was thinking about how easy it was to get such an item there with such ("an unnecessary display of power") ease. The kid waited till The Emperor turned back to his documents to grab it and put it on his back.
"You may leave now." It was implied that it wasn't as much an option as it was a subtle threat, and the kid dipped his head in thanks before quickly scurrying from the room. Gloria turned to him as the doors closed and scowled--with that adorably furred face of hers it was hard to take her seriously sometimes, but he managed...somehow.
"Your Greatness why do you tolerate such disrespect to casually?" She tilted her head at him. Her weapon was sheathed and her arms at her sides with the claws visibly digging into the short fur of her legs.
"He comes from a place where it is uncommon to see nobility as often as he has from what I understand, so I'm able to give him and a few of the others a pass due to this, and the fact they are quick to realize the wrong of their actions and try to do their best to make up for it." He looked at her pointedly, "You would've killed all of them the day they arrived here if not for my intervention otherwise..."
She continued to stand there, but he could see the claws digging further into her legs, drawing the smallest amounts of blood. She suddenly dipped into a perfect ninety degree bow with her ears pinned back submissively, "I must apologize and ask for relief of my station for the evening."
The Emperor chuckled at her and nodded. Despite not seeing him move she knew she was excused and disappeared from sight, the smallest droplets of blood on the ground where she stood being the only indication of her mood. He turned back to his documents as the other three shook their heads at her actions, slightly amused, slightly worried for her.
"Atticus, please go and check on her." The Emperor whispered and the male guard, human, next to him disappeared from sight as well. He was joined by the other female of his guard as she replaced Atticus' station.
"Don't worry too much about her Emperor Novine, while young she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself--"
"I know," The Emperor sighed interrupting her, "I asked him more for the insurance in case she tries to destroy a good portion of the West forest again..." She didn't respond to that, it was true and had happened plenty of times before, but he could still feel that she was worried about Gloria. "Don't you worry too much about her, Yuske, it'll turn out fine..." He turned to one of the side documents and grabbed one randomly from the middle: most of them were requests from the four kingdom's surrounding him, and Forge was his favorite--not publicly of course--so he liked starting with theirs first.
Turns out today's wasn't a request but rather an announcement from King Aluerta Del Curisna:
(Young) Royal Dragon of unknown lineage found by Poppa Incinerator's adoptive child, Redline, inside abandoned mine of Enchanting Crystals. Requesting Escort Party to Border of Dragon Empire with Dragon Notice Scouts sent in advance if possible.
"...Fuck."
This chapter took way too long to write--I really don't like making lore chapters it seems, too thought intensive...But they're important too...
I hate lose-lose situations.
Anyways I hope that you enjoyed this chapter! I'll try to get another out tomorrow, but I'll likely be cleaning all day, readying for moving, so it likely won't happen unfortunately.
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