V3: Chapter 5:

…

My eye twitched.

"Is something wrong, your majesty?" Saintess Sirena stepped forward at the lightest sign of displeasure on my face, as I walked with her through the Citadel. The Dark Elf Champion had tone and curves and height that women would kill for and men would go to war over. Her outfit was straight off of a heavy metal album cover when they were in their fantasy phase. Armored legs and arms, but everything on the torso was covered by metal plates and chains that were borderline jewelry instead of skimpy bikini. Tanned skin, lightly adorned with slightly aglow with magical symbols that led the eyes towards certain area, was barely covered by the 'armor bikini.' "You seem displeased."

If any god out there is listening, I want the pervert who designed this Champion to stub his pinky toe, then I want him to get a bonus and a raise.

"Ah, I'm simply tired. It was a long evening, especially after a hunt."

"I see. If there is anything I can do to help, please inform me." Saintess Sirena bowed. A perfect, formal one that bent her back from the waist, which also let her long, straight golden hair part around hips. With how tiny the metal strings were around the front… yeah, all the guards pat her were now looking at the roof or the floor. I couldn't blame them. I was struggling to stare straight past her. Hell, even looking at her straight in the eyes while seated at the table was difficult, since I had no choice but to look past twin peaks and past a narrow, strained zipline between them. Yes, I've been clenching my leg muscles continuously for the last twenty minutes and thinking of dead, cute animals. "You need only ask as an honored guest and ally of my people."

"If anything, you should be the one resting. I can only imagine returning from the dead would at least warrant a day or so of rest." I evaded the question as best as I was able. Not only that, but I was debating on doing air-sits and counted prime numbers. Nothing like math and muscle fatigue to absolutely drain your desires. Oh, goodness, she's crossing her arms and propping them up and pouting at the same time. People actually do that here. "Or, perhaps, you would like to explore the new city of your people outside? All I'll be doing today is going over reports and giving orders via courier from my room."

At least take a fifteen-minute break, so that me and my guards can take a break and solve our current issues, before you come back.

"Nay, that is not necessary. I have been ordered by the High Justiciar to watch over you, especially as many foes have begun rearing their heads at our borders and threats abound. It is in your service and yours alone that I will aid my people." Man, she's really playing up the honorable knight archetype. Stop giving me those puppy-dog eyes. It's confusing how you're so pure and seductive at the same time! "Please, consider me as one of your own guards and assistants. Whatever you need, I shall provide."

God bless the developers of this game.

I mean, uhhh, damn them to heck for forcing me to resist the conniving temptations of their lewd creations!

Man, that doesn't even sound true in my head.

"Then, I would like for you to go out and about and relay to me the circumstances of your people. I would very much like to learn more of the Wardens, but I have myriad duties to attend." I wracked my brain and came up with my most persuasive argument. It sounded like a parent trying to manipulate their kid into doing something by wording it differently. However, unlike a parent, I had a reputation to back my words. I am the 'King of Wisdom' who asks strange things of people, but whose inquiries always results in good outcomes. So, it should work. Right? "What do you say—

"Then, it shall be done. I will go now. Please, excuse me and forgive my earlier impertinence." Sirena took a knee and bowed her head. Thankfully, the position covered more of her than when she was standing. I was able to look straight at her without issue. "I will relay to you the state of my people, so that we might become better allies in the future."

And, with that said, she stood, turned, and left.

Every step was a sashay that made her thigh-length hair reveal the tiniest of strings that composed the backside of her 'armor' around her waist area.

Toned, tanned back, interested me more though.

Why yes, I am very interested in women who can kill me with their bare hands.

It's very hot.

Anyway, once the doors closed behind Sirena, I felt all my guards' stares go my way.

Their desire for permission to woo the lady was immense, so I had to drop some lore on them.

"Saintesses such as Sirena live solely for the sake of her people. That is to say, she has been instructed to seduce me, therefore any measure that could possibly stop her from doing so shall be met with lethal force." I wished that I was making this up, but this was the lore. The Warden's special frontline Champions were a bunch of hentai rpgmaker protagonists, but ones that never lose, because of a pervert in control of their destiny, and always get their happy ending. I didn't know whether to applaud the devs for sticking the middle finger up to NTR and all the other trash tags, or applaud them for being so cultured. Hm? No, I'd never boo them. They're amazing. "I suggest that you all find fine… friends… amongst the common populace or visit their temple to clear your minds, if she entrances you so. Only pain and suffering awaits you in pursuit of her."

Many of my knights/guards looked to one another and nodded, but there was one that raised his hand.

I perceived his question instantly.

"No, you will not find pleasure in the act. No, your final moments will not be looking straight up while she crushes your face with her foot."

The man lowered his hand, his fellows stared at him, but he shrugged off their stares.

A few looked my way in worry, so I had to explain.

"If you all need to be reminded, I was born and raised in a wagon train following a warband. Nothing any of you all wish for is unknown to me. I abstain from any such thing, because I know its dangers as a commander and leader."

That got another round of nods from my guards, and they started leaving in pairs to get what they needed to do done in the privacy of their own rooms.

Or, maybe, with one of the willing servants and individuals in the Citadel.

"Be careful around the Wardens, lads. Protect your virtue and lineage with great care."

With that final phrase, I washed my hands of the situation and turned back to my reports.

Ah.

Back to reading about how my numbers are going up.

Always a great way to pass the time.

And, ignoring the fact that I'll need to have her killed without a trace.

Yeah.

That kills anything even vaguely arousing about this situation.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

…

Interlude: Khanrow

…

"So, the Undead Elf is too loyal."

"Indeed. Almost blinded by it." I sat in a small shop on the corner of a street. In my hands were sheets of paper detailing the events of the day. I'd thought it a waste of valuable time to have the Citadel fabricate a means to mass produce paper and ink presses, but in every direction I saw many people engrossed in reading and learning and learning how to read. It was a satisfying sight. "Have you tried these?"

"Ah, the King of Wisdom's star confections. A luxury undone and made for the masses." Gilbert gave a low chuckle as I pressed the plate his way. Like many others, he wore a buttoned shirt, a jacket, and a pair of trousers. Clothes once reserved for the nobility and merchants who could afford to emulate the fineries of the ancients. Now, such were the garments of common folk, and the markets were hungry for them in other nations. "I can barely believe that he does not rule alone."

Gilbert had messy and oily hair, a gaunt complexion, and sunken eyes. He sat hunched in his chair with his hair parted to one side. His nose was sharp and so was his chin. It was all an act. He made himself smaller, hid his frame in baggy clothes, and none would think that he could kill and move with startling speed and precision with his hands alone. He wore gloves to hide the size and calluses on his fingers, as well as the burns that would leave his mark for mages to find.

Thomas trained his son very well.

"In truth, we were fortunate. We found everything we needed moments after shattering a single warband. He was first a figurehead, but most of his renown he earned by his own merit." Gilbert keenly observed the simple delicacy. Cakes were reserved for nobility. Most children were lucky to afford a small bit of sugar for butter and bread for most of their lives. Yet, now, the masses could eat it as they pleased within reason. Sugar was the best spice we could produce from our Citadels, and soon we wouldn't have to. "All that he took while being dragged across the continent, all that he stole and read and learned, led us here."

"Careful, teacher, you sound optimistic." Gilbert leered, and a passing woman walked a bit faster. His smile didn't so much as twitch. He was accomplishing his mission and acting the part of a freak in public. An undesirable who many would cast a blind eye too and ignore. Not dangerous enough to report, but one that couldn't be observed for long. And, if he was observed for long, he could unmake his current disguise with a bottle or barrel of water. The paleness, the dark hair, and even the purplish bags beneath the eyes can all disappear in an instant. A change in stature and clothes would make him another person entirely… to the point where even the eyes of a Citadel would be fooled. "You wouldn't wish to cloud your judgement, no?"

"And, you wouldn't wish to think yourself too clever. Be more aware that many thieves have been caught thinking they're beyond being caught." I huffed and Gilbert gave a sickly smile. However, his right eye twitched ever so slightly. I gestured at it with a finger, and it was corrected. Such little facial expressions could be the end of one of us. "You're training Rita well enough, though. Does she suspect anything?"

"She's no spy, but an assassin and an investigator most certainly. She'll never think to betray her king, even if it means a greater victory. Her loyalty isn't to the nation, but to Jack."

"As I told you it was."

"That doesn't lessen the challenge in the slightest."

"Rise to it."

"Feh." Gilbert turned away from me, and I tested him. His magical disguise did not waver, and the water I spilled onto the table was intercepted by a handkerchief he placed there by slight of hand. It didn't seem as though he paused from sipping his tea. "That was low."

"As is everything in our profession."

Gilbert glared my way, when he would usually roll his eyes and sigh, which I chalked up to another success on Thomas' part. This young lad mastered his body to the expectations required of him. I had confidence in his physical abilities, though I wouldn't hesitate to test him.

He caught me nine times out of ten while observing him training Rita.

The last portion will come from experience.

"Then, I'll be going on my way back to Warden lands." Jack's method of quickly moving key assets via winged courier was exceptional for our line of work. Weeks of travel time cut down to mere days. Hours, even, if one was willing to ride through the night. I would be across the continent in three days, rested in one, and working on discerning the truth of the Wardens on the fifth. "You will need to learn how to fight using the new weapons. It's quickly becoming critical in our line of work. The shortened ones, especially."

"They are frightening tools. A bit loud, though."

"Name another weapon that can allow you to escape an altercation with a Conqueror, which you can hide in a jacket."

"None come to mind." Gilbert rose and offered me his arm. I took it and gingerly feigned being an elder being aided by his grandson. The few that stared at Gilbert because of suspicion looked away, admonishing themselves for judging a good grandson for his looks alone. A well-executed act. "Though, if one cannot aim it right, or have not maintained it properly, they're in for a nasty surprise."

"Such things are a matter of the user and the tool, so I trust that you will be capable of it."

"My life is on the line."

"Good answer."

I nodded and we reached an alley. A press against one of the bricks and a combination of knocks gave us entry through a false wall. Gilbert straightened and dispelled his magic. Broad of shoulders and of great height when not slouched, Gilbert the son of Thomas the Strong stood before me unmatched. My choice of freeing that man and instructing him to train his son in my methods rewarded me. Here before me was a son with Thomas' sense of duty, his build, and a mind that was trained from birth and not allowed to go to waste.

He can hide amongst commoners, servants, and play the part of an academic assistant, while also crush a man's throat with one hand or fight off a beast with both.

Very useful skills in our profession.

"Lord Khanrow, I won't fail you. Have a safe trip." He bowed with his words, while I straightened and gave him a nod. "Be sure to tell the King of Wisdom that I'm a friend, before you decide to vanish. I'd rather live."

I gave the grown man a chuckle before knocking on the floor with another combination and nodding at my waiting assistant below the streets.

"Make sure to practice your disguise of me. You may fool Rita, and Riegert may already know, but Jack will most certainly see through you."

Before he could get another word in, I descended into the tunnels below.

All the young ones needed a little adversity to keep them ready for the trials to come.