Bahamut walks to a large Warehouse inside the Vampire Kingdoms capital. There, a Mother Wyvern with babies has been rescued and near the Port was Dragon Stable, being made right at the moment with hired Vampire Construction workers to hasten the speed.
“How are you Garrana? The Knights didn’t treat you badly? I saw them parade you through town.”
“My Goddess. Thank you for being here, your mere presence blesses me and my children. I am feeling very well. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve resorted to sieging the Elves or Wolfkin.”
“Hm. That is good to hear. Grow and continue living, it is for the sake of Dragons, and of our kin itself. What happened to your Mate? This isn’t how it's supposed to be. The Countess told me you put up a fight, but wasn’t able to kill one vampire.”
“I apologize, but I’ve not been able to train myself in the art of dragon fighting as I’ve been taking care of the little ones.”
“Is it normal for all Dragons to speak Dragonian? I thought your type would be speaking the Common of this place which is Dakian.”
“Of course, we hold great pride in our heritage. I’m sure my Mate would’ve had a smile on his face if he found out I am now under a good roof and our children are being fed.”
Behind the Bahamut was eight baby Wyverns. Brutally mauling a cow apart while some would burn their food lightly before fully gobbling it up. The ones with developed sharp teeth were devastating on the meat, completely decimating it with one or two bites.
“Indeed, where is your Mate? Though I’m a foreign Dragon God, I’m well aware that a Mother Wyvern should have a Father Wyvern around.”
“He has long since perished… he is a good fighter, a rare volcanic wyvern out of his element as most of the volcanoes around have been used by the vampires and traders to get concrete. He fell when a mighty Rogue, a tall Werewolf wearing shiny black knight armor traded blows with him for hours. I couldn’t do anything for I was tending to our young.”
“Unfortunate, but honor his life well. Normal wyverns and dragons don’t live long, it is best that we remind ourselves of the power and divinity we hold are miracles and must be respected.”
“Thank you Goddess. I’m surprised you haven’t found a Mate yet.”
The aquatic blue Great Wyvern’s head towers over Bahamut, as it slowly lays itself down on a bunch of hay.
“Find me a Patriarch Dragon God and we have a deal.”
“Why not a vampire or a human, Goddess? Humans most of all are considered kindred spirits of the Dragons.”
“Is that how it works here? Oh please, in Tur. We would never allow such inferior creatures to mate with us. It’s not like there’s compatibility anyways, birthing with a human mate alone can cause a lot of complexities between the culture and morals.”
Garrana edges her nose right above Bahamut and sniffs her.
“One.”
“OY! DON’T GO SMELLING ME!”
The Great Wyvern sniffs even more and its eyes widen.
“Goddess, you smell more human than Dragon. How long have you been close to this human?”
“F-Five years. BUT THAT’S ALL I’M GOING TO SAY! SHUSH!”
Garrana laughs at the girly reaction of Bahamut as she plays with her veil. Hiding her blush inside it. While the two connect, one of the baby wyverns drools looking at her shiny dark crown. It flies to it and bites the top of her skull, casually munching her head.
“Oh my! I apologize Goddess! Xartr! Get off our Goddess’ head! You should know better, being a red wyvern of all things! Goodness me!”
The baby Wyvern just keeps crunching at her skull, ignoring its mother. Bahamut just looks emptily as the little one eats her head, not having developed teeth, the baby wyvern is unable to do damage to the Crown and its mouth would slip at her silky black hair.
“I can see even here, we still have a thing for shiny objects… I can see now why Master keeps hiding his Rubies and Emeralds. This is truly annoying.”
“Ahahahaha, oh Goddess. That is only special to Dragons birthed inside volcanoes.”
“Ah, good to know. In Tur, Water, Fire, Forest, or Earth dragons and wyverns all love shiny things. Even I, a Dragon God must admit that shiny things also caught my attention from time to time.”
Alana on the other hand was outside talking to a man wearing bulky gold and chrome colored armor, he bows down, showing respect to the Lady.
“I’ve heard alot from my grunts of your exploits Sir Abbottè. Even my men were extremely impressed by your performance.”
“Thank you Lady Minuit. I’ve long been wishing to have the opportunity to fight a wyvern. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve never had the opportunity to perform an Ewig’Triomphe through the streets of our Capital. To think only a handful of our Kings and a singular Queen was able to do it. The glory was amazing, no words may compare to the pride of showing one's achievement to the people.”
“With that, I hope we’ll be able to reach the completion of our deal.”
“Consider it done. The Abbottè family, and the House of Charlemagnes shall not ask anything else, including the profits. We already got what we wanted.”
“Thank you again, Sir Abbottè. May you have a safe trip.” Alana bows back and like the busy body she is, heads to the doors of the warehouse where Head Knight Malakur was waiting for her.
“Lady Minuit, the Charlemagnes haven't asked for anything else I presume? You have that devilish grin on your face again.”
“Heavens Malakur, I have called you by your first name since we were at the University. No need to call me with such respect when it's just the two of us.”
“Ohhh I can’t, you know me. I like my job as a Knight working for a beautiful lady.”
“We really went overboard in the library. Those stories were good, but to think it’d influence you this much even after a hundred or so years.”
The Knight removes his helmet, letting his long flowy waist length hair show. The pale man smiles at the Countess who only reached the height of his neck and the two go inside, the two see Bahamut with a green and red baby wyverns just munching on her head and the both try not to laugh but fail. Stopping midway through their walk to take a breather as laughter spills out. The Dragon God hears this and conjures a gigantic violet fireball. It was so hot the Mother Wyvern had to look away, but the little ones just kept munching on her skull relentlessly.
The two Vampires dive into the snow outside. Seeing that she’s made her point, Bahamut grabs the baby wyverns by the scruff and gently places them down as her veil and crown is wet from its saliva.
“I-i apologize.”
“It's fine… Just… take good care of them.”
Going outside of the Warehouse, the snowy landscape looked harsh and brutal but the beautiful and scenic gothic architecture of the capital made it seem bearable. She helps Alana up, gently pulling her out from the pile of snow. Meanwhile, the small baby red wyvern peeks from the warehouse doors and looks at Bahamut. Completely in love with her beauty, though her dark dress covered most of her body, it showed her amazing curves and her perfect height. Being taller than Alana and about the same height as the armored vampire man.
“Do you have any qualms with how we’re proceeding so far? Are the cows good enough?”
“All is good, luckily that golden armored man didn’t do any fatal damage to Garrana. Her wings should be able to heal up in a month or two. Though I do see your economy rising to the top with this. It might even rival that of the other nations or the Empire.”
“We vampires pride ourselves in our quality goods, honed for hundreds and thousands of years of skill. We’re also the capital of Gems and Jewelry. It is said that the Continent of Schon was made from Meteorites full of rare materials.”
“Then… may I visit this Capital once again and check out some Rubies hehehehe…”
Seeing Bahamut drool a bit at the idea of getting her hands in an unlimited amount of shiny objects. Alana in turn sighs with her Knight just shrugging at the strange woman. The baby red wyvern on the other hand gets confidence and burrows itself into the snow, sneaking and tunneling its way to the back of the Dragon God, entering underneath her skirt with her shiny black heels and starts rubbing its body at it.
Seeing their about to leave, Bahamut lifts up her skirt a bit, showing her dark stockings and picks up the baby red wyvern and hugs it like a cat that she’ll be taking to work. Seeing that its mother is fast asleep, she just looks down over her breasts where the baby wyvern's head was perfectly placed in between and is visibly enjoying the softness of its new pillows.
“I guess I’ll be taking you with me to work. Behave droh. Wyvern and Dragons are of the same, mighty divine creatures that take to the skies, both must conduct themselves properly. Be not like my trov who is asleep, but when awake. Attracts problems like any other annoying trov.”
The red wyvern just nodded as they boarded the Stagecoach. Alana smiles at the sight, Bahamut hugging a baby wyvern and taking it with her. She also pets the little red thing and Bahamut’s surprised that it wasn’t reacting badly to humanoids touching it.
The coach takes them out of the warehouses and into the main street heading to the busy castle. Near the main entrance of the mighty fortification at the main road that leads to it were lines and lines of UN M35A2 Army trucks and Kamaz 5350 Mobile Command Centers were deployed on the surrounding streets. With the final proposal for the Dragon Courier Service in her hands, the Countess is on edge but the Dragon God is curious about the large amount of military vehicles in the capital.
Vampires look in awe of the machines, even though they were just 6X6 and 8X4 army trucks servicing the Commanders and bringing in equipment to make long range communications possible. Inside the stagecoach, Alana drags the bored Bahamut to the Court at the third floor where it is currently in session with King Harold himself present. Opening the ornate heavy door to it, the large space in the middle had flat screen TVs with President Hans Grahame and other Modern Guild leaders being live streamed and the Generals they sent as mediators in the Court.
“We are willing to help you out, King Harold. As long as it does not interfere with the sovereignty of the Outworlder Nations in Geraldia, Meridia, and Dragovh.”
Hans Grahame was at his best. Looking extremely neat with a pin of the flag of the Men of the Woods on his jacket's collar while King Harold was in full ornamental robes, proudly showing off his large crown. Openly touting his vast status, power, and wealth. Overpowering the aura of the blandly suited Guild Leaders.
“Then how about this… I’ve heard that you and your men have run into the Rogues and are doing a fairly good job at cleaning up their mess.”
“Yes. Yes we had. Eight foot tall Werewolves in permanent form and allied with Horsheads and even Pigmen.”
The King spoke at their level, but kept his powerful tone and stared directly at the screen, with the Guild Leaders feeling like the man is staring at each and every one of them,
“There has also been a long foreseen problem with my kind. Though a Vampire would have no problem fighting a Werewolf, one that can stay in that form forever and in full power can be draining. That is why many have been left to stay within our borders. Scared of the potential ambushes and death that may come with it. But, as you can see, with our current state of affairs, I may not be able to send my men out to deal with the problem.”
“Because you're afraid that the humans South of this continent would see that as an act of aggression?”
“Yes, for creatures that live such short lives. Humans tend to carry the burdens of the past to this very day. At Least the High Elves had learned to forgive and forget already.”
“Let's get down to brass tacks. What do you want us to do?”
“I’d like to request a simple order. To total eradication of the Rogues and the species that they mostly hail from.”
The Guild leaders on the flatscreen TV tried to hide their reaction but some couldn’t and their eyes widened and their heads started looking around. Avoiding the eye catching and tense producing stare of the vampire king.
“King Harold, are you asking us to commit genocide against a species that is known to have mingled with the locals?!”
“Yes, yes I am. We also believe that since they share the same heritage as the Tribal Werewolves of Meridia. There’s a big chance that they might use them as insurrectionists or spies.”
“And if we don’t agree to this insanely Evil plan?”
“Oh please. It is not Evil. You are doing everyone a favor. They are barbarians, rapists and looters. No one will remember them or miss them. Even the Demon population of Schon wishes for their total eradication.”
“King Harold if I may be rude, many of them have shown to have recovered their sanity and been freed from the first Demon King's control. They’re merely doing this out of history and fealty.”
“Then that makes it worse! That they’re doing this not because of their brainwashing but because of their inherent barbarism! Many still plague trade routes, killing entire towns and destroying communities to fight for a long dead King.”
“King Harold, we are NOT gonna be performing such acts. Yes, we have been piling their corpses for three months now. But that is only because they’ve shown us hostility. I have reports here of my men finding friendlier kinds in towns and fortified cities.”
“That cannot do President Grahame. I hope you may understand that this is for the sake of us Vampires and the local Hybrid population. Do this, not only will I assure my neutrality but also we’d actively aid you in your efforts within Threa. This should also benefit you, preventing more resistance to your plans against the Demon Continent. I shall give you my full support, when that Diplomat, Sir Jackson of Earth awakens. I’ll give the human my approval even in front of others if need be.”
He lowers his head and starts looking at the other screens. The Guild Leaders were all trying to wait for one another. “Ahhh you fuckwits… waiting for someone to take the cake and have a sacrificial lamb to throw into the fire if this goes bad within the public’s eyes.” After a deep sigh and a minute of waiting. One of the Asian Guilds voted yes, soon the others followed with some few European guilds voting No. Hans Grahame ultimately doesn’t vote knowing it doesn’t matter as the majority has spoken.
“King Harold, we’ll be doing this then. What is it that you want us to target specifically?”
“Those with furs and scales, humanoid in their form they may be. But they are mutants, unholy creatures made by the first Demon King. It is only rightful for them to be brought back to the soil that they’ve been birthed from. This should prevent the spread of the Rogues power and influence, as the local population has a severe problem between those with more animalistic skin and human skin thanks to them.”
“But isn’t this obviously just created because of the lack of understanding?”
“Goodness me President. We’ve lived longer here than your entire modern history. We know far more about the dangers of these creatures. I hope you do not lecture me like the other humans on how we’re going to deal with a problem that’s long been plaguing this continent since the beginning. May I remind you that they also attacked and cornered your diplomat general… or is this the fact that you are unable to carry out such things even after your little show in Dragovh. Where the united army of Elves and Humans was repelled. Was this a one off thing?”
Some of the guild leaders on the screen stand up and leave the livestream, the vampire King with all his wisdom cornered them deadon, a singular show of refusal would mean a sign of weakness, soon a vote started and the majority voted yes started. The Guild Leaders then proceeded to speak to each other, and after thirty long minutes of chatting and talking. Hans Grahame nods and ends a hard and grueling conversation.
“By tomorrow, we’ll be ordering all Skeleton Battalions to also target non combatant Rogues and all Hybrids that look more animalistic than human, including those with furs on their skin to all be shot and killed. BUT, we will not order players to do these acts. To all of the Generals present in this court, when you return. Make sure to keep this as a top priority in secrecy.”
The Vampires on the court all smile devilishly. With the King openly smiling and spreading his arms, sealing the first Human-Vampire agreement to ever exist officially in the world. The screens then indicate that the Guild leaders have pressed their mute buttons. On another line, Hans Grahame transmitted to those who were still in their seats. His hands tied in prayer.
“Put them in fear, O Lord; Let the nations know that they are but creatures with souls of men. Let us carry on knowing that we made this choice for us and our loved ones. To those who wish to return to their families, Wives, and Husbands. I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. A more dangerous endeavor is upon us all.”
The screens then started losing connection with the Guild Leader of the Men of the Woods being the last one. After this, the Outworlder generals in the court ran to their officers and started instructing orders and scheming plans. Seeing that the main meeting has ended, the Countess walks to the main Court to speak to the King. Passing the busy Generals who didn’t even notice Bahamut in her Global Boss Event human form.
“Sí, tenemos que construir campamentos. Disparar a la gente al aire libre no nos ayudará a nosotros ni a nuestra causa.”
She could see men wearing uniforms similar to her Lord chatting to their NCOs about their next steps.
“如果可以的话，挖洞，尽可能多地堆放尸体。给工程公司打电话，以获得任何翻斗车和重型机器.”
“Мы сделаем это в стиле КГБ. Соберем их на грузовиках, соберем в кучу и начнем расстреливать в лесу, а потом закопаем. Нам нужно беспокоиться не о "Бродягах" или "Воинах". Это невинные люди в деревнях и городах.”
“If you can, have them be put in a town and we’ll drop napalm. Or find me entire settlements just full of them. We’ll talk about the morals later, just tell the men to do their jobs and ask questions when they’ve returned to their loved ones. We can’t do this without involving players, the skeletons are still too brainless for more complex orders.”
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Ich glaube, wir sind nicht mehr so unschuldig wie unsere Großeltern. Auch wenn es nicht so viele sind, vielleicht nur ein paar Millionen. Das wird immer noch ein riesiges Unterfangen sein. Finden Sie die Hauptstreitmacht und beauftragen Sie sie, die eroberten Dörfer zu räumen.”
A few miles away from the Capital of Woodstock, the green screen behind the President goes down and reveals a darb and colorless war room with a large screen on the walls that shows a map of Threa, pinpoint to all of the hundreds of Kingdoms and even the Tribes with the player ones circled and underlined.
In Front of him was a large glass round table with an active war map in the middle. Surrounded by men in suits and uniforms, well groomed with the same hairstyles and differing pins on their collars. Even present was the General Secretary of the United Nations.
“I can’t believe the day came when we actually had to use the War Room… I thought this was just a petty project to conceive an underground bunker to test soil penetrating magic on… but now, it's actually being used.”
“Guild Leader-”
“It's the President.”
“Ohhhkkkaayyy, Mister President. My Guild vehemently goes against this entire thing. Do you know how much escalation this will produce?!”
“It von’t mein freund.”
An Elven player wearing dark shades leans into the table with a thick German accent and a devilish smile. A well groomed black suit and black leather gloves on his hands as he touts circular shades with his messy white hair.
“Vone must remember, Ze Natives… as much as zey are… smart and intuitive with ze use of magic and medieval technology, only ze Kingdoms vith Dragons used as couriers can be a problem… but Schon… funnily enough which means Yet, I guess zis is a spin on the… uhm… yet coming Reset that will happen from them. Is barred and forbidden, many have not even seen its beaches.”
“But even still, this is an extremely tall order that we cannot just let it pass.”
Next to him was a cigar smoking slime man wearing a highly decorated uniform. Nonchalantly leaning into the table.
“Look, these people are worse than our Politicians. At Least the Politicians in our world are self serving and corrupt, these ones are self serving, corrupt and actually think it will help their country. This is enough for me to say that we must level the Kingdom of Vitas and end it now, end it here.”
Hans Grahame is visibly appalled by the suggestion, and points his finger at the cigar smoking general.
“General, can you please shut the fuck up? Do you know what you're suggesting?”
“Well yes Mister President. I’m suggesting we put to use the hundreds of Mana Cores that we’ve been farming for years and turn them into Mana Nukes. Give ourselves the first strike capability to strike the Kingdom of Vitas. We only have three major modern cities. One mana core powered nuclear plant is more than enough, our supply of adamantium should keep the power up on those overpopulated shitholes full of scaredy cats for years!”
“No. I’m not gonna allow us to have such powerful weapons! Do you even see the consequences of this action?! The massive imbalance that will happen and the political upheaval this can cause between the unity we have now!?”
“THEN WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST MISTER PRESIDENT!? Right now, you just got played. Your hand used by that disgusting King. Now, we’re puppets of the Kingdom of Rose, to use the precious military power we have to carry out a genocide!”
“What I’m suggesting-”
“Is to use the Vampire Queen. That ancient broad has long passed her use. She’s a floating plank from a long gone world. Sunken and forgotten, and don’t tell me your planning on using Bahamut when she fails. Or the other Dragon Lords and Vampires we have. Because there’s a literal Hero amongst our population and within the Natives.”
“And you think playing Warmonger and creating a literal Cold War between us all will somehow alleviate the situation!? I will not agree to this! Threa is already in such a bad state, it doesn’t need our hand in its systems. I trust that the General from Eldwood will carry out his Diplomatic mission and accomplish his objective.”
“Sure… and we’ll all be trapped here. Hassan, is this Jackson guy really worth it?”
Appearing from the shadows from the corner of the War Room, the skeleton man sits down on an empty chair with a ragged military uniform. His hat crooked to the left a bit as it proudly shows the roundel of the Knights of Eldwood.
“He’s a soldier, back in our world. I trust his ability, he’ll survive and awaken.”
Hassan had his usually deep and old voice, even with the uniform. He still had an intense aura of threat and death looming around him. The players next to him had to move their seat from how unnerving they felt being too close to the man.
“And the Sword Saint Elizabeth? Have you taken care of her? So far, next to WorstNightareEver and NoCloth. You're the only player who has managed to one shot her.”
“About that… I fear that her role in this world is far bigger than I expected. I’ve talked to Scientists and Historians. Both from the player Guilds and natives. We cannot get rid of her, she is destined to join the Hero Party and to kill the last Demon King… or so they call it.”
“The last Demon King… so, it’s true.”
The General, seeing how he is ignored like that, stands up. Pointing his finger at Hans.
“Enough with this bullshit! That woman is doing irreversible damage to not only us but to the Natives!”
“General Ripper, I may fear that your unhinge bloodthirst might be more worthless than the words you spew. She has no side, the Heroes have no side. They’re merely doing what the Gods of this world have instructed them to do or so I am told. No amount of firepower or miracles will stop them, we could open our vaults and use the most overpowered magical items we got and it won’t be enough.”
Defeated, he turns his finger to the lone skeleton man on the table.
“Mister Hassan, are you suggesting we leave the Sword Saint to her devices?”
“I think it's for the better. To disturb her, is to disturb this world's survival. We merely want to go home, let her be.”
“Then to hell with it! Why are we even performing a military operation then?!”
The doctor then coughs to gain the attention of everyone at the table.
“Now, now, let us not get petty. Herr Ripper, may I remind you that if it weren’t for Herr Hassan’s actions. The kingdoms would’ve long enslaved ze outworlders. Ve are more than outnumbered in a planet that’s two and a zalf larger zan Earth. Herr Hassan’s genocide- I mean defense showed ze kingdoms that we cannot be played around and gave us ze opportunity to regroup and form zis alliance.”
“To hell! So you're telling me we're wasting this shit ton amount of military power to save face?! Do you even know the effects of this war on our haphazardly put together economic policies?!”
“Herr Ripper, ve are in a medieval vord vith magic and many superior species zan us humans. Power translates to all, regardless if one is a vampire or ant. Power is the concept that transcends all beings!”
The German scientist looked insane as he spoke with truth and hard logic.
“Mister Commonlove, I suppose this is also your first time meeting Mister Hassan.”
“Of course, I have been awaiting zis confrontation for a long time. The alleged Arabic man to play as zeath itself!”
Hassan just puts his chin on top of his skeletal hands. Letting the man speak his dribble.
“Hallo Herr Hassan! I suppoze this shall be the start of a great friendship! You zee my weapons create such effectivity in death, saving your guild from destruction! Amazing!”
Suddenly, his right hand starts to move on its own. The man knows what his hand was about to do and starts punching it.
“Oh! Ze truth spell is used on me! Ja! I am a scientist of a… not so accepted German man!”
Punching his right arm hard enough, his body leans to it as he loses power over it.
“Doc, are you fine?”
The General Secretary of the United Nations was genuinely concerned as he peered over to see what his hand was doing.
“Do not worry! Zis is just Herr Hassan playing games!”
Hans Grahame then opens a folder in front of them as the others follow.
“Well, now that’s over with. Let’s start this session, okay. Who the fuck put this file? A bomber wing dedicated to nuclear annihilation?! Looking at this, it would take half of our Stratofortress fleet!”
“Mein Fuhrer! - I mean, Mister President.” his hand suddenly awakens, making a Heil. In his struggle, he pulls his hand down underneath the table as it visibly is trying to make another salute. “I zink ve should take that into consideration. I’ve read the books about ze reset. I feel that his iz ze best situation vhere ve may be able to put ze deterrance of mutually assured destruction for gutt!”
“You people are insane, reading through this. This entire thing suspends on the fact that the people holding the codes are all rational and non insane thinkers. To have the heart of humanity within them.”
Hassan then stands up, walking back to the shadows and completely disappearing as Commonlove’s right arm finally surrenders and gives him control of it once again.
“Oh! Zat vas interesting! As one of ze last German scientists from the second vorld var, I must say! Ze Arabs are never a dull moment!”
“Alright that’s enough, let’s go through this first ordeal. I can’t believe you guys want to use nukes this badly.”
“Do not worry Mein Fuhrer! I mean Mister President! Nuclear annihilation is the best way to quell ze destruction of zis foreign vorld!”
“Jesus, okay. I’ll throw that in the bin later. Next one.”
Going over to the next topic, he puts his hand up on his forehead. Leaning down on the amount of stress he had accumulated from reading the first sentence.
“I’ll… say this one last time. NO We aren’t going to change the logistics of the existing portals. Current stockpiles from over a thousand guilds are all limited to what we have. And NO, we aren’t going to be building massive plateau’s where we can instantly transport military equipment and gear.”
One of the generals raises his hand up.
“But Mister President, we could cut down almost all of our transportation needs if we do this. We’re already doing it but to a smaller degree. All we have to do is close down the portals to some major player hubs.”
“Again, NO. We aren’t going to be doing that. Do you know how the players will react when we start taking away their best method of safe and efficient transport? We’re already having a hard time maintaining the existing portals due to the lack of Mines that we used to have in Tur. Doing this will break the back and would accelerate the consumption of Irt Stones and we wouldn’t have enough for next year, and most of it had already been diverted!”
“But Mister President, the current war effort is still far too slow. Counting on large and bulky cold war transport planes and supply ships isn’t gonna hasten our results.”
“We do not need results, what we need is the projection of our power so that the Natives won’t come after us. What Hassan did was the spark of our existence in this foreign world. Again, I don't need you to go and capitulate Vitas. No, I want you to keep winning every now and then so that I can tell the other Guilds and the Natives that we’re doing good. CAPICHE?!”
“Yes, Mister President sir.”
The man continues stroking his forehead, visibly stressed out even more with his men.
Reaching the King who was drinking wine with the Nobles, they all bow in the presence of the Purebred Countess.
“Oh! Madame Minuit! Please, join us!”
“What was that your Majesty? Did you just use humans to lessen the resistance?”
“Of course, these inferior creatures do not even have a fraction of our wisdom and they’ll be gone soon. We merely just accelerated what is supposed to be. No one also cares for what happens in this blasted continent nor the Rogues. This is a sure win for us as it’ll pave the way for the first Vampire Empire!”
After sighing, Alana hands over to him a collection of papers. “Here is my main and final proposal of integrating Dragons into our society. From Freight, Parcels and even Passenger transport and housing to treatment.”
“Finally! I knew you had in you Lady Minuit. This is magnificent! I’ll put in the good word about you and your family. I’ll immediately get into work implementing all of these. See these Voltaires? The Minuit’s one up you again. Lotte! Where is my stamp?”
Behind them, the players are in absolute disarray having to carry out such heavy orders. Bahamut while carrying the Red Wyvern is silent. Just patting the head of the lizard as Generals cry out their orders in their native tongues. With a smile, the Countess returns to Bahamut, holding the paper with the stamp of King Harold.
“Well, now that part is over. To the more complicated one.”
“Complicated? Alana, we have to return now and check up on our Master. I’m getting worried.”
“King Harold did the Outworlders a big help, he will approve of the Kingdoms Neutrality, but now, we must convince the people of this Kingdom and hope the other Diplomats can convince the Houses this decision to be neutral with the Outworlders is mutually beneficial and not a one sided treaty.”
“Argh. I just wanna eat pasta for breakfast and take care of our Master.”
“Oh now it's Pasta? Didn’t I just bake you pancakes this morning?”
“Hnnrrggg… your cooking is getting very good. But to be a cook that Master would respect means to cook his favorite dishes, one of which is carbonara with bacon and mozzarella!”
“You really are a glutton. I’ll see what I can do.”
On the inside of Venison's Suburban road, riding in an Explorer, is Elizabeth in a black strapless 1930s dress with matching elbow length gloves and shoes. Henry who was driving is smoking his brains out with the driver side window down. Obviously in a heightened posture, checking every window and the endless treeline.
“I still can’t believe you did that. In Front of teenagers nonetheless.”
“What? I brought her to the forest so that they wouldn’t see the rougher part of it. Heavens, humans in Threa would send thirteen year olds to war and labor. They're old enough.”
“Just next time tell me if you're gonna threaten people like that. I had my badge on my belt that entire time too.”
He takes a look at her, with the skirt only reaching her knees. She wore some black thigh high stockings and a garter belt and would occasionally move her legs, enough that at times it would reach the top of the stocking. Henry tries to keep his eyes on the road but couldn’t help but think that she’s either doing this purposely or is just naturally seductive and sexy.
“I wonder, how many people does the Men of the Woods employ? The labor needed to maintain the roads we just passed. It cannot be done by a few.”
“It's mostly done by skeletons or those robots. The Men of the Woods have very small guilds, one trend you’ll see with all of these guilds with modern stuff. They’re usually only a handful thousand. Not enough to defeat something like Libertus or Breznick with hundreds of thousands of members and running cities.”
“Huh, and I’m guessing this is the same with you?”
“Yea, I wanted to join a Samurai clan. The guild I’m with, the Greater Japan Guild is a spin on the propaganda that was used in World War Three when Japan joined in. The joke was, it was for a greater Japan. We had to modernize as a local guild far larger than us, a hundred and five times larger wanted to take over and use us as some Elite troops.”
“That’s… pretty standard actually. Kingdoms get their strongest forces from small families that have made a name for themselves. Uniting them into a singular military force.”
“But we had other plans. Rather than surrendering, we went the so called forbidden way and thought of using more technologically advanced means to defend ourselves. Of course, it's not enough against the far larger guilds that have an abundance of rare magical items, but it works on a tactical level. Or so they say.”
“Humans and your ways, if you're gonna do that. You must first know your limits like the Dark Elves. The Vampires and Demons long respected them even though they create machinations and magic that is far more than forbidden, heretical, against life itself one could say. But they always contained it and if it's far too dangerous, they’d bury it and forever forget it.”
“It's human nature to push the limit. We live short lives, respecting the boundaries will get us nowhere. Look, just keep an eye out. The snow canceled all baseball games today, so we’ll keep patrolling around the neighborhood.”
“If we find nothing, I suggest we still visit it.”
“Yea sure. It's not that far anyways.”
The detective lowers his window to peek his head outside and look for any more important clues or find people that they could potentially talk to. Bored again, he slips back to his seat, with a tired expression. Knowing how hard it is to keep up with a being that can be active for years and years on end.
“So far, I see nothing. Just people living a normal country life. See or smell anything Elizabeth? My heads on the line here.”
“You lot seem to have a thing for this vehicle. Though I can see why. It's very spacey and comfortable. The air conditioning is also very good.”
“I actually own one myself. An ex Austin PD Explorer. Gotta have it since the Wife and kids always buy so much from the groceries but its mileage is just, yeah.”
“Treasure your children. They carry the burden of the future and of the nation and your traditions and genes.”
“I will if I can get back home. But right now, all I can do is hope that they’re doing fine. Though just remember what I told you about men in my world.”
“I will.”
Driving around even more, and passing a black suburban parked on the side of the road. The two are even more bored at the lack of action. Seeing that the town had nothing special to it, and was just that. A normal American countryside town. The detective sighs, thinking of a new topic to talk about seeing that it was going to be a long day.
“You move on fast. Didn’t you get whacked and put on a box immediately? So what about mourning for your former husband?”
“What is there for me to mourn? The nation has mourned him more than I can ever will and I know that he died a proud Knight. Protecting his lady till the end. I know in my heart that he ended his life the way he would’ve wanted it when we were still humans.”
“But are you fine with such a simple closure? Didn’t you two live for thousands of years together?”
“A thousand or two and yes, I am. What is the use of dwelling in the past when the present is here? I loved him and he loved me. We were meant for each other as we traveled through the world, I was blind and he was deaf. It was one of a kind. A kind of relationship that will last for eternity… till I lost myself. You humans should really know not to burden yourselves with the past.”
“Would a mortal man like Paul even satisfy you? Looking from the info we have about him, he has a long combat history but nothing more. He looks mundane like me with no visible attractive features.”
“Is that even a question? He and my Husband are two very different people. He might not seem much, but he is worthy of his sword and title as a Knight… and don’t be so harsh on yourself. Both of you look very fine, compared to other men. My Lord is one I could say fits my taste. Manly and handsome to a degree with a pint of some innocence.”
The Explorer stops at an intersection. Snow starts falling and the town had nothing more to show other than the men were wearing plaid shirts, cowboy hats and maong pants while the women were in full dress while the occasional rebel player with a more revealing outfit would pass by.
“By the Gods, what is that cloth?”
“It's super short pants. Why?”
“How can she go around practically naked?”
“This is pretty ironic coming from someone with a track record like you.”
“Don’t get snarky with me detective. Compared to the women on the beach and those walking around with such little fabrics, you’ll never see me in anything like that.”
“Uh huh. I guess… yea. You don’t need to. Your presence alone is already enough, but I guess that’s what your immense confidence is for. You hold beauty but at the same time, know when to use it.”
“Wha- Tsk. Have I become that easy to read?”
“Hah, I just have a pretty wife. Or so she says! Bwahahaha!”
The Vampire Queen pouts, knowing she just got defeated at her own game. Seeing the beautiful woman angry and afraid of what she might do. The Detective immediately switches the conversation.
“So vampires do have the power to track others, like that thing you did with the smell.”
“There is. But if I use it, then they’ll see me too. It's not that easy, it's a two way process. Smelling means concentration, hence my guard would be down by a lot.”
“So I guess it's driving around huh?”
“Yes and I said, I seem to be in need of blood as whenever I try, I instead smell the blood of those I deem tasty enough.”
“Ah man, let’s hope this snow doesn’t get worse. Would be bad to get stuck here. The way to this town is very hilly and I didn’t bring chains.”
The Queen was still pouting and she even crossed her arms while Henry took another cigarette.
“Can you at least smoke your tobacco through some sort of device? It smells really bad inside this vehicle.”
“Nah, don’t worry.”
He flicks it out through the window and into the road as the signal light turns green. The people in the town stopped doing their thing as they experienced their first snow in the foreign world.
“Hey. Hey, Henry. Look at me.”
Turning his head, he sees the Queen who has lifted up her skirt to reveal her stockings, stopping short before her panties. The Detective immediately turns red but keeps his face stoic and serious.
“BAHAHAHAHAH!”
“Tsk. What a low blow, to tease me like that?”
“Why shouldn’t I? Teasing men like you brings me great joy. The more innocent they are, the higher the entertainment.”
“Tease women instead. Do you know what will happen if you tease the wrong guy? Regardless of your status, you might get jumped.”
“Women are boring. I even bore myself, there’s nothing entertaining about them. You know why? Because we women never truly reveal ourselves. We’re meant to look good, and one cannot look good with a bad attitude. Men on the other hand, though big, burly, smelly and usually annoying, are quite entertaining. You're all easy to read, and a beautiful woman is more than enough for you to show your weakness. Your stupidity is also a gander to watch at work.”
“No wonder General Paul is in a coma. Jesus, I might have to start smoking twice if I lived with a woman like you.”
“What? My Lord respects me and loves me fully. If he was ever to turn into a vampire, I would immediately ask him to bear my children and become the King of my Kingdom.”
“Why are you so into him? I get it that the man is pretty skillful and a known tactician in the community but to like him to this degree?”
“It was right after being defeated the second time.” Elizabeth’s face turned serious. “At first, I couldn’t believe it. I was once again bested and by not even a chosen human but a normal one.” she then starts playing with her bangs. “He saved me… from a damned eternal slumber and gave me redemption. I thought only Gods could do that, but he proved to me all I needed was someone who saw me as myself.”
“And?”
“There’s a saying in the Demon Kingdom… that power makes one reveal their true self. But this human, even with me. A creature of the night that can destroy Empires, he treated me as just another. Like my friends and husband who were all but dead and to the greatest virtue of that man is his mundane attitude. Not once did he look at me the wrong way and always strived to make me happy with Alana and Bahamut. He took care of us three, three broken creatures that needed help.”
“It seems that you're attracted to the normalcy of life. From his reports, you four were adventuring all over the continent. From Necromancers to Goblins and Ogres.”
“Fufufufu… yes. It has been fun.”
“I don’t know, as a married man. It just seems strange to me. He just gave you a rehab in all senses.”
“Maybe right now you think like that. But when you meet him, you’ll see. He is beyond normal, he might be the most unique man I’ve met. From the way he talks and dresses, how he’d say strange words when scared or how I could smell his fear from miles away but yet he continues to charge forward with an apathetic face… I believe that everyone has a certain style to them. An aura that attracts, it just so happens that he met it all.”
“Ain’t he a Hero. But then again, he did survive the Third World War. Should be expected as most people who returned from that are absolute nutcases or unkillable men.”
Driving through the lonely shops and diners, the blue Explorer enters another suburban area full of worn out wooden two story buildings with front yards. The snow was falling but it was relatively light, not enough to pile and become a nuisance to their patrol. Passing through them is a kid riding a bike down to the diners. He and the Queen looked at each other's eyes.
“I feel something… Keep driving and don’t panic if something attacks us.”
“You detect something? What is it? Is it a Vampire? I think we’re near the baseball field. But the guy said there shouldn’t be anyone there due to the snow.”
“He was wrong,I sense multiple ones. Their smell is ridiculously strong. Straight ahead, about three hundred meters.”
“Woah, good thing you learned English this much. I’ll keep going the speed limit and be ready to alert me.”
As they approach the place, the detective gets his Glock 17 and checks if it's loaded and switches its safety off. He could feel his adrenaline but his heart was calm and was prepared to react accordingly if they got ambushed. With the road swinging left as a Baseball field was in the way, Elizabeth’s head continues to track and she instantly notices the deathly pale players in the field.
“MORTAL! GET DOWN!”
A baseball flies through the glass, but Elizabeth is fast and pushes Henry down before his head would be destroyed. The Queen immediately opens the door and her head is severed.
“FUCK!”
Was all Henry could say as her pretty face fell to the ground but her hands picked it up before it could hit the road.
“It would be kind of you to not touch me freely. Only my Lord is allowed to do that.”
She punches the female vampire with bobbed short hair in baseball clothing. Though she managed to put her arms up, the force was so strong she flew a hundred meters back with the bones inside her arms completely powdered. The shockwave from it rattled the glass of the SUV. With the enemy gone, Elizabeth reattaches her head as if it was a Lego brick.
“Now, let’s dance.”
The eight Vampires still in the field stared at her, ready to attack. Their red eyes tracing her every step as she reached the home plate.
“Oh my. It seems that I am outnumbered…” She puts her hands up like a predator with sharpened claws ready to strike, a Monster that has found its plaything for the day. Henry on the other hand pops out of the driver seat and pulls out his pistol. “Carmilla! There’s too many of them!” The Queen puts her right hand on her hip and turns her head to look at the Detective.
“And?”
A tall blonde Vampire man was already in front of her as she turned her head. His punch severs her head once again and he also goes for the arm. Pulling it out as blood and guts spills everywhere. “Oy, oy, oy. Don’t get too hasty now.” The Queen catches her head and performs an Axe kick. Her pointy shoes send the flamboyant man flying as it hits below his chin.
“Carmilla! Calm down with the blood! There’s children here!”
“The children will learn to look away or see violence!”
She threw her head like a basketball in the middle of the field and her body moved so fast it was already there and positioned itself where her neck would meet with her body. The two she fought also returned to the field, already regenerated their bruises and broken bones.
“Now, can we all be civil? I’d like to ask you all a question.”
“What do you want?!” The pretty tomboyish vampire was still on her attack stance, trying to track her movements. “Good, someone whom I can converse with.” Though she kept looking at the Queen, the tall blonde woman just disappeared and reappeared in front of her.
“You look cute, but I think long hair would suit you more.”
She was so shocked by her speed that she dropped on her butt and the rest of her friends were ready to protect her. Surrounding the Queen, ready to pounce the moment they see an opening.
“Now, now. Put your hands down. I came looking for a vampire that turned a little girl and left her for dead.” She puts her hand on her forehead and sighs. “You know, you have the responsibility of proliferating our species but you should respect the Code of the Night and take in those you’ve turned as Servants. Give them blood and teach them of our ways so that they may survive.”
“And who are you to talk so big?” Behind her, another pale man with clean cut hair starts walking to her with his hands down.
“I am one of the Nobles of the Vampire Kingdom. Now tell me, what information do you have about the one who turned that child?”
Meanwhile, Henry is calling for backup. “This is Detective Henry Tatsuya from the Special Investigations Bureau of Greater Japan. I am requesting back up and if possible, Anti Vampire SWAT teams and helicopters. We’ve encountered Nine Vampires at Venison’s Baseball Field, Six Five Four!”
“Copy that Detective, We’re sending units right away. The Special Division just returned today, the Elves there should be able to reach you in no time.”
Back at the field, none of the vampires want to say anything. But their eyes would occasionally wander at each other, making the Queen suspicious of their silence.
“Look, I can make this very easy amongst you all. Give me what I want and I’ll let you all leave without having to be gutted and your spines pulled out by my bare hands.”
They stayed silent. Elizabeth cracks her fists and her neck. “Believe me guys and gals. This isn’t the way you want for this to start and end. Henry, stay there unless you want your suit tainted. I shall… get serious for a bit.” the Detective nods and takes cover.
“I smell fear… and IT SMELLS MAGNIFICENTLY! I MISSETH’TIS SO MUCH! COWER BEFORE THY O’LESSER ONES! THE QUEEN OF THE NIGHT HATH THOU RETUR’NETH!”