Those disgusting lizards; probably cowering in their caves! Their last and strongest line of defense destroyed.
I get up from my chair.
I look at the dead thing on my floor.
Useless garbage. Everyone who comes in here ignores it. I suppose it's good they're paying attention to ME rather than—
My mind halts its errant tirade.
Yes, they're paying attention to me. It seems my people know me better than I know myself. Hrm, let's get rid of this trash. It's quite dirty.
"Guard, get someone to remove the trash."
"Shall I myself, my hyrajiian?"
Of course not.
"That is beneath you. Remember, we have a strict hierarchy, and you are above such trifles. You may protect me from trash, but filthy trash shall not sully your hands."
He stands taller with pride.
"Yes! My hyrajiian!"
He turns and projects his voice.
"{Go in there and remove the trash. NOW!}"
Very good.
I sit back down. Hrm, where is my military report. The mage troop should be sendi—
*zeet*
The inscription blazes to life. It should take a moment.
...
*shuf*
*shuf*
I notice the stupid attendant is dragging the trash instead of carrying it properly.
*shuf*
*shuf*
Well, she'll be punished later. I always enjoy overseeing those... Ah, 'punishments.' Shame I can no longer do them myself, for it is far too beneath me.
The inscription finally produces sound.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
"My hyrajiian, my hyrajiian!"
"SHUT UP. Now issue your report properly. And who the hell ARE you, where's the grand magus or his apprentices?"
"{Huh—} they're dead."
No title this time. Another punishment, I see.
Wait, they're dead? What.
"Dead? What is this nonsense?"
"Almost the entire mage unit is dead."
"Pf, I don't believe you. Put your superior on."
"He's dead."
"What rank are you?"
"Second Lieutenant."
"WHAT?! Put someone with a higher rank on! There's at least SIX ranks above a mere PEON like YOU."
"TEN ranks. ALL DEAD!"
Is he getting prissy with me?!
"You'll be punished for this insubordination!"
"Really? Then I guess I'd better defect. Consider this your notice. We, the shattered remains of the unified army have been offered shelter from your insane rule. As of this moment; MY army officially accepts asylum."
"What is this nonsense, who—"
"The Halcyon tribe opened its wings to us and saved us from MASS SLAUGHTER under our own weapons. I was still loyal—. No. I thought I was, until I heard you speak. Don't let the dragon hit you on the way out, hyrajiian. You'll die."
The sigil goes dark.
...
...
"Attendant!"
The thing dragging trash turns.
"My h—"
I wave my hand dismissively.
"Not YOU. Finish your task."
It turns around and continues.
Pah, just you wait.
"My hyrajiian."
I turn to find my attendant waiting and ready. Good.
"Ah, there you are. Get me the head inscriptionist, and inform the city generals that we have a defection."
"My hyrajiian, are there any details I must relay?"
"It's the unified army."
"Bu— what?!"
Oh, more punishments?
"You heard me! GO!"
"Yes, my hyrajiian!"
What an obnoxious day this has been. I had to stab trash, take out trash, yell at trash. At least that guard isn't trash. He's done quite well.
"You, guard. What is your name?"
"Ah, my hyrajiian. My name is—"
##THOOOOOMM##
The entire room shakes.
"What the—urk"
‡‡‡‡‡‡ROOOOOOOOOAAAAARRRRRRR‡‡‡‡‡‡
*kshrrrt*
*ksshtt-tink*
*sksssht*
All the glass in my room is completely annihilated. My ears are ringing, but I can still barely hear.
What WAS that?
I turn around, facing the now empty windows. What I'm greeted by, terrifies me.
image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/165.png]
##Hyrajiian! Your unjust war has empowered me and my Halcyon tribe. Exactly as our god, Chronovoid, had promised! You no longer reign over this city— I hereby claim it as Halcyon territory! Should you continue to dally without surrendering yourself, I'll continue our battle until ALL HAVE FALLEN. Come out, little hyrajiian. Do not make me wait.##
That's a dragon?
It's outside the city walls. It is, but.
I walk to the window, lean out, and... Look up.
image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/165b.png]
Just how powerful is this Chronovoid?
Just how powerful is he to do THIS?
I feel an immense, crushing hatred. You. You want me to SURRENDER? Because, what? You think being big and powerful makes you unstoppable? I'm not a foo—
I pause.
I'm not ignorant! Your god wants you to be righteous and glorious, hm? At that size, you can't so much as touch me without killing thousands of innocents.
Instead, your size makes our Mana implosive bombs most easily delivered. And you're too big to do a damn thing about it.
I walk swiftly out the door, tapping my guard on his shoulder as I exit. He eyes the dragon's legs and tail through the window, squints in anger, then follows.
Very good.