Part 4

Can I trust her? Can I trust Lady Tricia, a person I had basically just met and known for like, what, not even an hour?

However, well, it's not really a matter of trust anymore, as we've both confirmed that somehow, against both our wills, we had seen each other's thoughts, or at least taken a tiny peek into our inner realms. The problem right now was laying it all out directly.

What does she really want, what is she aiming for? She's not merely content with a high-ranking position in a demon nation, there's more to it. And as for me, my motives are clear and unambiguous to me, but she requires some illumination into them for the purpose of expedient collaboration.

Eehh, nothing to it, have to just up and say it.

"My aim is the whole world. I want it, I need it. Just two weeks ago I was released from my prison and awakened in this world. It's an interesting world, really, swords and magic and stuff, you know. ...Or maybe you don't. But anyway, as I went along I came upon a village and met Lessa'El. She described to me some rather fascinating things about this world – the different races and nations and their relationships, that is. An idea emerged – I was a demon, so isn't it appropriate to seek strength and power, and to rule over the world -every proper demon's dream, I imagine-. And so I did, declared my intentions, and we set forth towards the demons' realm. Finally, here I am, having acquired my first territory. ... Well, also, given the shoddy conditions the people live in, as I saw outside, I think the way I plan to rearrange things would be really welcome. They don't deserve to live in such sordidness."

There wasn't much more to say right now, only when Tricia asked direct questions. Since we were revealing our intentions and motives in rotation, it was Lessa'El's turn, though she didn't have much to say.

"Well, as for me, Hax saved my life when he arrived at my village, and I'm very grateful for that, no, even more than grateful. When he asked me follow him and teach him about the world in return for protection, just then because I had lost my home I was very blessed that moment. So now I'm following him whereever he goes. There's not much more to it..." Lessa'El glanced at me with an oddly compelling expression, hinting against her words, that perhaps in truth there was something more to it. Namely, I thought, what does she think of us as a duo... of travellers, of course?

Then, thirdly, it was Tricia's turn. So far, sitting opposite to us at the other side of the long table, she had been keenly listening to our explanations. So, will we now hear her point of view and what her objective is? Though seemingly there'd be no reason to reveal that, there is a cogent notion to do just that in the interest of future collaboration.

"Well," she began, "The demon nations are dilapidated. The ruling caste is depraved, they're disgusting. Everyone only thinks of themselves, looking ways to splurge in riches and indulge in worldly pleasures. The people have been left to their own devices, and at the same time they're unreasonably taxed and flattened, living mostly in squalor. . . . But, it's not that I'm purposefully looking to change that, I don't even care anymore. However, if the opportunity were to arise, I'd certainly take the chance transform the world even if just a tiny bit."

And that opportunity was me – was what she was implying, and I understood it well myself, too. This was the mysterious sense that was transferred, that our objectives to some degree coincide – I was to aim and seize positions and territories, grabbing them under my control, and she were to, so to say, hitch a ride with me. She was certainly a beneficial ally to procure, given the following statement.

"While I myself don't aim for high positions, to be the lord and directly govern a region, I'm not exaggerating when I say that I'm fairly knowledgeable about ruling in general and proficient in regulating order. ... And, if that's not enough, I'm quite strong, too, stronger than the lord you killed at least."

She was almost appealing to become my companion, but I knew better not to misunderstand... Well, astonishingly, I was immediately convinced of the opposite.

"Having revealed my thoughts about the current state of the demon realm and listened to your current goals, it's quite apparent that partnership is very beneficial, it's a win-win situation. Here's my proposal – allow me also to accompany you in your travels, and in return I'll help to manage the regions that you conquer."

Straightforward, eh? Not that I mind, rather, it's just like me... There wasn't much to consider.

"Sure, it'd be delightful."

But then, as she returned a gratifying smile, quite suitable for her dainty face, an abrupt urge overcame me. My eyes focused on her gaze as time slowed down. A pinching hunger, thirst for some thus far presumed unnecessary nourishment. An almost irresistable hanker, impelling me to reach out and grab her tightly into my arms. My hands started shaking as I attempted to oppose the uncanny desire to embrace her. My heartbeat increased, almost rattling, and blood pounded onto my eardrums. The world turned around, I was losing balance, but nevertheless managed to stay upright, still affixed to Tricia's stare. That beautiful nape, how juicy it would be. Something inside me screamed. It was incoherent and I couldn't make it out, but they were certainly words. I didn't like the thought, but I fathomed they were telling me to grasp what's in front. If I were to succumb to the impulse, the consequences would without doubt be dreadful. But I succeeded in enduring what felt like hours of utmost deprivation. I was in control.

What was that? What was that ravenous hunger? Why did I want to reach out and grab Tricia? And those voices... Hunger and desire for contact, huh? It's as if...

However, as it had simply passed for the moment, and because Tricia brought attention to another matter, I let it go, for now.

- - -

By Tricia's order to one of the many servants that attended the castle, the town's small and continually declining population had been gathered into the courtyard of the keep. I was standing on the balcony, Tricia by my side and Lessa'El just behind me, but more out of view of the people.

Daring not to lean on the crumbling stone handrail, lest it completely falls apart, dragging me with it down 10 meters, I prepared to give my speech standing, but just slightly slanted so that the citizens could have a good view of their new lord.

As hours had passed, the sun started to shine somewhat low, so I had to squint my eyes in the face of the sun's red rays to have any look over the scene below. The throng in the courtyard contained perhaps an amount of 500 odd, about a tenth of the whole population. I could now get a clear look over the kind of people, or beings, that resided in a demon governed town. The variety was... riveting, to say the least. All the denizens were demi-humans – human-looking beings with one or two peculiar characteristics from their demon half. While the guards, who also comprised the military, which, according to Tricia, amounted to about 100 soldiers, were one of the lesser demons, all copper-skinned imp brutes, that is.

Tricia began first,

"Listen up, citizens! Today is a good day, a new era begins. Just hours ago, the shameful and vile Lord Arone was defeated, and by law the victor has now usurped the throne. Lord Hax!"

Her voice blared over the courtyard -it was probably loudened with magic- as I stepped forward. There was no applause, even as I, an intimidating and towering demon of over 2.5 meters stood beside the comparably short, no more than teen bodied Tricia. She continued,

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"Listen up," she repeated, "This is an important announcement! From now on, under the rule of Lord Hax, the laws and principles of behaviour will be changed. What was allowed and normal yesterday, will not be prohibited any longer."

Some murmurs arised from the crowd, but they still stayed unenthusiastic. What does it matter if one or two laws are changed? Their daily lives wouldn't be affected by a few changes in regulation, surely. People still need food and shelter to stay alive, that much remains unchanged. However, that's when it was my turn clarify some of those points. So I began,

"I am Lord Hax," compared to the womanly high-pitched voice of Tricia, mine boomed over the audience, "Having seen the state of living conditions in this town, it is indeed of utmost importance to have a number of things changed."

The people looked at me with dead fish eyes, uninterested. I inhaled deeply, unaffected by the populace's lack of interest, not that any was expected straight away, and continued. I laid it all out.

First of all, the main culprit behind the fallen state was no doubt the ludicrously and pointlessly high taxes, following that were no doubt the neglect by government officials and corruption of the so-called police force.

The people may have been able to get by to some degree, to work the land, make produce, sell it and earn a living, but if all of it were to be taken away and no money would be left for personal spending, then consequently national development by the means of personal blooming was impossible. Therefore, by lowering taxes -I personally had no use for money anyway-, people could start advancing private businesses, which in effect would impact national welfare.

Then came the problem of corruption. Thus far, any profit that had been managed to be put aside would easily be discovered and then extorted by patrol guards and such for their own selfish purposes. Constraint and control over such actions was necessary. Actually, the idea of even dispanding the current security force came up during our discussion, but was judged unwarranted, as losing law enforcement for even a short while is detrimental. So, the deterrent that was decided upon was thus – anyone caught or judged performing prohibited actions, and the victims and witnesses are advocated to report such actions, would simply be executed. There, that should erase some inclination towards oppression. Little did we comprehend that such a punishment would give rise to a whole another issue – paranoia –, but that's a story for another time.

Now, about the town's economy. For one, with the wealth accumulated from the high taxes, an assortment of servants was concentrated in the castle. But it was just that – they served the lord and fulfilled his demands, however, just as the lord didn't care about the welfare of the people, nothing was done that would aid them. Meaning, a workforce was readily available at the castle, one that comes into play in the next subject.

Agricultural and industrial development. Initially, the farmlands bordering the town would be started to be rigorously worked on. With the protection of guards and wards that I intend to establish, bandits, vandals and wild animals will be driven away, thus farming can be performed in safety. Next, the produce from crops would be invested in local manufacturing sectors, thus leading to industrial progress.

Such was the general outline of my plans – my ambitions and Tricia's direct detailed proposals, actually. The people listened closely. By the end, silence extended over the public. They were flabbergasted.

Huh? What?... Was it not to your fancy? But we spent so much effort to make it as beneficial as possible for the citizens. Surely, you can't be displeased by the future prospects in case the plans succeed. So, why no approval?

My reflection over the people's reaction was interrupted as they burst into boisterous cheers. So they couldn't just believe at first that I was sincere and meant to follow through with what I just presented, huh?

The reactions were encouraging, the civilians', that is. The guards', however, were of the opposite – their shouts evidenced condemnation. Understandable, of course, both the reactions, that is. Fortune bestowed upon the civilians and free, inconsiderate selfish actions prohibited to the security force.

"Well, that's how it is, that's how things are going to run from now on. If you are dissatisfied with the leadership, then you're welcome to contend for the throne – that's how world works."

Finishing with that, Tricia started marching away while beckoning me to follow, thus we left the applause and merriment behind us.

Surprisingly it was rather tiring, mentally, that is. While the fight with the previous lord was actually refreshing, some physical exertion got the blood flowing and cleared the mind, the discussion and consideration about future plans, and the following presentation in front of a crowd the largest I've yet seen in this world, were fairly cumbersome.

Man, I really need a cold be-, no, a nice cup of tea.

"So, what was it now? We were supposed to..." I wondered out loud, as I simply couldn't remember what was next on the list to do.

"Gathering the castle servants and confronting them, right?" Tricia expounded. "Though, it's not much of a problem, or a confrontation. More like, we'll explain their further orders, what they're going to be doing mostly from now on. ...Well, not much will change for them, I think."

All who served the lord directly, had any duties in the castle, that is, were assembled in front of us three. The other side amounted to exactly 25. Not many, but the castle wasn't very huge regardless, so they probably managed it well.

We were in the main gallery leading to the throne room. Since the latter was comparably smaller, we had gathered in the former, which fit everyone quite nicely, with even room to spare. Somewhat interesting how the throne room itself wasn't as sumptuous as the grandiose gallery. Well, the previous lord must have enjoyed taking walks in here, seeing all the paintings in their ornamental frames.

Wait, those are portraits, aren't they? Of... himself. ...Quite the narcissist, eh? Anyway...

I listened to the introductions and Tricia's explanations without really focusing on the words. In from one ear, out of the other.

Stay open, eyes!

Still, I made mental notes about the appearance and names... What were their names again? Well, I remembered the outward aspects and demeanour of the head main and chief butler at least, I'll surely hear their names again some time.

Everyone took the news and orders with respect. They were appreciative, more so than I expected, since, you know, I replaced their previous master. Apparently nothing much changed for them, so they'll mostly go on with their duties as is.

With that, finally I had officially assumed control over the town and the bordering territory. From now on, hands-on action and management will follow.

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Thank you for reading!

With this, chapter 2 is finished. Next chapter will come in a week or so, maybe a bit later because I'll be a bit busy. Still, it'll be more about the characters themselves (a few interesting scenes that I'd like to write), rather than action or plot develoment, so look forward to it.

Any feedback is appreciated. Please rate the fiction.

Best wishes to all!