V8: Chapter 1

…

The Deathlord was an administrative Champion with some support powers, so once Rita, Morgan, Sirena, and Celia got to him, he was finished. Four combat Champions against a guy that's basically hyper-specialized to produce Undead?

Yeah.

Moot point.

Guy could've wiped the floor with me, though.

The Death Lord's throne room was covered in battle damage. There was a carpet of bone and body parts of many shapes and sizes all around us. The tower was filled with them, as the four stormed the whole thing in just under three hours. Celia's honor guard of half-Vampire knights handled most of the chaff, while the four of them engaged any elites. According to them, though, their only true opponent was the Death Lord in its place of power.

The air was filled with the lingering aftereffects of strong magic, which was similar to static electricity and a strong humidity. Though the eyes saw nothing, to the sixth sense, there was something close to an electrified fog in every direction. That alone signaled some serious firepower and spells were used during the battle, though the fact that the whole roof of the tower was gone made that apparent already.

Massive gouges lined the remaining walls and floors. Made of Ancient Materials, since the tower was of Ancient construction, that made it clear to me that if I walked into the battle I'd have been pulped by some flying shrapnel or just popped by pressure waves or something along those lines. Squishy, non-Champion bodies around a Champion battle typically made those bodies turn into chunky salsa.

There were whole meme threads about random soldiers trying to help their allied champion and just turning into red mist from the shock wave of a sword swing.

Anyway, as I expected, Morgan and Rita were staring at Sirena and Rita as they stared each other down over the Legendary Artifact dropped by the Death Lord.

"You cannot be serious. This created Death Lords. Enslavers and destroyers of all mortals. It must be destroyed." Sirena and the Wardens had the faction option to destroy it for a massive boost in influence and a permanent perk for their whole nation in the form of an anti-Undead bonus. By destroying this, they gain 25% damage increase to all Undead and 25% damage decrease to all attacks rendered upon them by Undead. A pretty sweet upgrade, since there's plenty of Undead in the late game. Chaff is chaff. "You fought against the creature, Lady Celia, so I hold you in high esteem. However, if you continue to insist on taking it and studying it, I must question your innocence!"

"It is an artifact that created Death Lords. It must be studied. We must know how it functions, how it controls so many Undead, if only to protect ourselves against it in the future." The Guardians got a pretty sweet buff for their production if they got it and a decreased cost to all their units. A flat decrease of a hundred, if I recalled correctly. It used to be a percentage, but it got nerfed. Ten percent off to a couple of skeletons isn't the same as ten percent off to a few dozen Liches. I'd fight pretty hard just for the increased production rate, though. "Artifacts such have this one have been cared for by my people and kept safe for centuries upon centuries."

This conversation was going to keep going on, so I clapped my hands and got everyone's attention.

"Congratulations on defeating a legendary monster. Let's celebrate before fighting over who'll have what, shall we?" Ayah and Conquest were at my back, and Khalai was following with his entourage. He was thankfully sporting some robes that covered him up and offered him some protection. From the neck down, it was all pure white threads held together by a red sash. He was even wearing sandals. I'm so proud of him for being eighty-percent clothed. "Morgan, report."

Morgan gave me a nod.

"Death Lord's dead, your majesty. Smashed it apart, sanctified its bone dust, and have the dust portioned out in multiple pouches. No movement at all." The Death Lord's corpse had an event tied to it. Any option that didn't involve pounding it into shards and separating the remains led to an event chain for a mediocre Champion that had ridiculously low loyalty and was practically just a way to restart the tutorial and curb stomp it for fun. Yeah, no. That's a waste of time. "Will we still be handing it off?"

"Yes. Best to be sure about this sort of thing." Morgan gestured for the transporters who followed my retinue up the tower to get to her. She started handing out the sealed containers. Scattered into the sea, thrown into a furnace, included in the foundation of a few buildings… we were going to be creative with getting rid of the body. "Now, what's this about an artifact?"

Rita piped up.

"Instead of a heart, the Death Lord had this artifact on the table." I feigned lack of knowledge. I already knew what it was. The glowing red orb that would've been in the skeletal ribcage was an homage to a certain MMORPG player with obscene stats and obscene luck. Smaller though. This one was the size of my fist, not a basketball. "We believe that placing it within the body of an individual with enough power and strength will create a Death Lord."

I gave a nod.

"Under whose control? The ones who place it in the newest body, or the ones who placed it in its last?" That information earned me a lot of looks from every direction. Morgan looked my way with wide eyes, probably putting it together. Rita seemed a bit confused, so I elucidated. "There was only one thing the Academy intended to do with their hold over the transportation system. They held it so that the armies of their Death Lord would be able to strike at us from underground."

"The Academy lives?" Celia questioned with a furrowed brow. "Where?"

I gave Morgan the green light to explain by nodding her way.

I made my way behind the throne of the Death Lord and looked upon the rest of the world. The tower was about fifteen stories high. Pretty short in my opinion, but there was nothing taller than it until the mountain ranges that surrounded the Academy lands. Those were so far away that I couldn't see them, too. Just lots of… upturned land from all the battles and conflict going on. The tower's base was a ruined pseudo-city, while beyond it was just an expanse of upturned mud, corpses, and entrenched positions.

I looked up and the sky was cloudy.

Damn, I can't even take a break and enjoy a view.

"It began when the Conquerors were laid low by a corrupting blade. We investigated the matter and found tales of a flying craft of Ancient make. Upon review of numerous watchtower records between the Citadel of the Conquerors and the last location of Crusher, we found evidence of the craft again and again." Morgan omitted a lot of details, but Conquest nodding along at her words was concrete evidence. "We determined that the corruption of the Conquerors was due to interference of an unknown group with access to Ancient artifacts of immense power who tried to take their Citadel as their own. While our armies marched towards this tower, we searched for the same signs, and found the transport along with the missing Academy forces and Champions shepherding the monsters to the Death Lord's location."

Celia broke the silence that formed after everyone slowed down to process the information.

"The Academy was behind all of this?"

"If I was in their shoes, I would've down the same. Distract the enemy with a massive crisis, then use a remaining professional force to seize a Citadel and entrench thereafter." I spoke up and gestured idly to our surrounding land. "It took four nations to get this far. Most of the continent's military force. Imagine if the last remaining troops of the Academy struck at one of your Citadels while we were all here? None of you can mass produce Guardians and have them patrol your borders and territories."

"They would've slaughtered their way into a Citadel and taken it… so why have they not?" Celia's stare bore a hole into me. "Where are they now, King of Wisdom?"

I looked over at Morgan and she spoke again.

"The Ancient Transportation network had a control node in a fortified structure, which was surrounded by their remaining force. Until that node was taken, their transport and command structure was out of reach due to a form of magic, so we assaulted it using the same weapons we used to curtail the population of monsters migrating towards the Death Lord." Great job downplaying the fact that we used powerful chemical weapons in order to gas thousands of people, Morgan. You'd make a really great politician. In fact, if I wasn't so frightened of you, I'd be tempted to tell you everything and just dump the whole mess on your lap. Too bad you're literally an end-game crisis, so I can't trust you. "Once we killed the enemy and took control of the transportation system, we attacked the Ancient Transport. More than half of their command structure are dead, but former Headmaster survived due to the efforts of an Ancient weapon at its command, which is called the Wraith."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Surprisingly, Celia recognized the name.

"Wraith. In our oldest records, there were studies and efforts to create an individual that can change between tangible and intangible. An individual who is both alive and a phantom." Nice. My ruse of hiding my knowledge from the past in books is being reinforced. I mean, oh no. The Guardians have some in-lore knowledge that I didn't expect them to have. "It survived you because you had no knowledge of its weaknesses."

"No. Unfortunately, I knew not of its weakness to fire, lighting, and holy magic at the time, though once I reported it our king provided the truth of the matter." Right, Morgan. Thanks for putting a target on my back. The Guardians now know that I know something that they thought was an ancient secret of theirs. How do I use that fact to my advantage? "I managed to strike the former Headmaster with a rock, though. It should've shattered the right side of his pelvis. Enough to kill him, if they don't have medical attention."

Celia was glaring at me again, but before I could make some bullshit up, Khalai spoke.

"Then, the Academy created a Death Lord. This is enough to warrant us seeking their permanent destruction." He rarely acted as the High Justiciar of the Wardens, but when he did it usually revolved around situations like this one. I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised. The guy was a hardcore zealot when he wasn't playing around. "We will lend efforts towards their destruction. However, I believe that the matter of the artifact is a more pressing concern? Lady Celia, you cannot guarantee that using it or studying it will leave whatever is made shall be under your control. Not only that, but the last artifact the Academy gave brought ruin to the Conquerors. Do you wish to play with fate?"

I half-thought that Celia would back down, but she shook her head and showed a surprising amount of spine.

"I believe in my words still. No, in fact, I believe in them more now. What if the Academy's remnants have more of these devices? We must find a way to counter all Death Lords that come forth and what greater means do we have to do that than their very hearts?" Celia stated, and Sirena frowned, but gave a nod of assent. The middling pressure between the Wardens and Guardians faded with their respective elite guards backing down. I decided against weighing in on the matter. If Celia did everything right, her people will be stronger. If she fucked up, she'll lose people and open up a chance for me to take their lands. Either happened to be a good result for my country. "However, with the threat it poses, I wish to request a joint cooperative effort between your people and mine. A facility controlled by us both in these lands, which will be watched over by both our peoples."

Khalai smiled at the words.

"Perfect! We shall find the great weaknesses of our enemy and see any that arise in the future be destroyed by what we find from this artifact." Khalai approached the throne where the Death Lord controlled the tower and paused. Like most of the Undead flesh and magical material that clung to the tower, it was inert after the destruction of its master. "Now, then, Jackie… is there anything else you want to tell us? Perhaps why you struck so hard and fast when you could've let us all wallow and contend with this threat while you grew strong?"

Khalai smoldered in my general direction, and I studiously ignored him.

I did know what he was talking about, though.

"The latest of my expeditions into the rest of the world has returned. Besides the Demons and the undersea creatures, there is now a third faction… one that will fight us in the skies." I looked at Ayah, and she bowed before handing out papers and scrolls to Celia and Khalai. Erlan was down below, and I wasn't going to give it to him. The Merchants weren't going to be able to do jack shit with it, so I didn't bother. "Celia, your anti-air defenses are highly effective, but need to be supplemented. I want them, and you have need of anti-armor weapons. I propose an exchange. Khalai, the monsters we found are cannibals. Your people have need of armor and cannot fight as they normally do. We will exchange armor and weapons for specialists in those who can cure poison."

"So long as you give them back, it should be fine." Khalai smiled. Why wouldn't he accept the offer without one? Curing all forms of poison is a high-level miracle. That meant he'll be sending capable priests and paladins my way, while also getting military equipment. He comes out of this smelling like roses. "I'm sure the soldiers will be quite happy with armor that doesn't break after they perish."

One down, but Celia was already shaking her head.

"No. I refuse. Your immense sky fortress has little counter besides my own weapons. I will not hand them off to you for you to study and find weaknesses upon with such a threat hanging above us." Fighting a couple of wars and winning seems to have upped her confidence a fair bit. "You will never have them, so long as the Guardians are mine to rule."

Just as I expected.

A few more years and she'll have the confidence to challenge us and we'll take their Citadel peacefully.

"Okay, then. That's all I had to say for now. See you at the victory party."

I gave them all a smile and walked out to get some rest before the big event.

Death Lord is dead, the loot's been handed out without the clan breaking up, and I've armored the Wardens so they don't get eaten up.

Good start to the next couple years of build up.

…

Khalai and Sirena approached me, after Celia and Erlan left.

The High Justiciar of the Wardens spoke bluntly.

"Lady Celia has convinced the King of the Forgers to ally with her, as well as the Merchants. We plan to do the same."

I turned over to Morgan and raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't you tell me that she planned on challenging us to a duel for her Citadel against all of ours?"

Morgan shook her head and sighed.

"Aye, she did, but it seems her people's actions here emboldened her more than we believe. And, of course, you shamed the Merchants so thoroughly and took so much from them that they'd naturally look for a protector." Morgan considered the situation carefully, placing her chin between her forefinger and thumb. She looked like some sort of fantasy librarian or archivist, especially while next to Sirena, who was clad in some jewels and chains of precious metals and hardly anything else. "The Forgers know what they've sent forth to aid us and the fact you've kept them all alive. You'd have needed to use General Erlan and his troops like chaff, if you wished to stop them from allying with the Guardians. They see your acceptance of their detritus as intent to change them."

All good evaluations of the current situation.

"The Merchants will most likely betray this alliance after getting their Citadels upgraded and turtled up. The Forgers and Celia will probably use that as justification to put them down." Morgan blinked as I added onto her evaluation. Idly, I tapped the arm of the throne that the Death Lord had used. It was well-cushioned, surprisingly. Maybe, I should keep it? I tilted my head from side to side, considering possibilities. "It'll be brief and bloody conflict. The Merchants can't hope to hold on. They're also too far for us to receive refugees from, sadly. That means we'll need someone on the inside to shepherd them to safety. Do you wish to do so, Khalai?"

I focused on Khalai… who had a soft smile and smoldering eyes aimed my way.

Somehow, I felt more in danger from that subtle set of glances than when he strides up to me in nothing but a see-through crop top and booty shorts.

However, I refocused.

"I was ready to tell you that I would refuse, and would rather join your people, but I see that you've thought much farther ahead than I. We would indeed save more lives by stepping into the brewing conflict." Khalai nodded, and Sirena did the same. Thankfully, some of the guards noticed that their leader was standing while I was sitting and provided him with a chair… by getting on all fours. Their entire race exudes lewdness as naturally as they breathe. "But are you sure, Jackie? We might come out on top after everything, and we may have to fight in the future… I wouldn't want that to happen."

Tanned Twink Translator Activate!

Translation: can you tell me that you wouldn't try to swoop in yourself, if we win everything after expending all that we have?

Given the fact Khalai hasn't fucked us over before, I gave him the truth.

"My desire is to conquer the entire continent. Every Citadel shall be within my control in the next decade or less." I declared my intentions to the entire room. A silence swept through it. Everyone knew that was my plan, but saying it aloud made it concrete. What was at stake, what my intentions were, was now for others to peruse and evaluate against their own. "If you wish to retain the Citadels, if you manage to take them from the Merchants, Forgers, and Guardians, I will move against you and take everything. This whole continent must be united under a single ruler, to fight against the entire world."

Khalai's smile grew a little sad and he nodded before sighing.

"It's unfortunate, then. I hoped that we could coexist, but I knew from the moment you allowed cults to flourish in your lands that such was not to be." Yep, there it was. The moment I invested in the Followers of the Smiling Tyrant, my relations with the Wardens was set in stone. Freedom of religion wasn't allowed. There was only one faith to them, and all others were abominations or parasites. Khalai stood and smiled prettily, and gave me a wink before looking at Sirena. "Don't worry, I'll keep her by my side so you can steal her away properly. Until then, King of Wisdom, may fortune continue to favor you until we cross swords."

Of course, his last words sent my way were an innuendo.

With that said, the Wardens departed to try and seize their own future… leaving me with alone atop the tower.

Morgan's stare at the back of my head drew my attention, but I decided on starting things off.

"Ayah, activate the operatives we've been cultivating in the Warden's lands. It's time to restart our projects there. For the Merchants, let's start extracting notable people who notice things are going downhill." I got up from the throne and disregarded it. Horrible back support. I had to lean back the entire time. "Let's have the Forgers and the Guardians duke it out, while sabotaging everyone else. We'll take out whoever wins and take everything."

Ayah bowed in the corner of my vision, and I expected some questions aimed my way as we walked, but none came.

I suppose that was enough to answer their concerns.