Chapter 44: Rewards

DM won the duel, although this changed absolutely nothing for the strange love triangle that probably wasn’t even a triangle.

>Absorbed spear (T3).

>Gained 5 LUCK.

>Gained 7 STR.

>Bonus Damage to Monsters has increased to T2.

At least DM got something out of it. Finally, he’d have some LUCK on his side. DM could understand why the guy was so protective of his spear after all. He almost felt bad for absorbing it. Almost.

“Well, that was certainly interesting,” said Noah. “Lord Burger, shall we get on with it?”

“Of course, Sire.”

“Since Andrei Vosk has already paid a steep price for all that has happened, the only matters left to resolve are what to do with the remaining co-conspirators and how to manage your domains moving forward. Ardreth, was it? Would you like to share any thoughts on the matter?”

“Gladly. First, I must apologize for speaking to your subjects under false pretenses. Although our efforts were focused on preventing war and ensuring continuity of leadership within the Empire, I implied on multiple occasions to Lord Vosk and others that I was acting in an official capacity on behalf of the elves from my forest. That was false; I was merely acting at my own discretion and in concert with other third parties.

Ardreth lowered his head slightly. “I beg your forgiveness for my impropriety.”

“Please raise your head, Ardreth. You owe the Zarakhelese Empire no apology. I do still wish to hear your thoughts on the aforementioned matter.”

“Since Lord Vosk so successfully misled everyone, I believe the majority of the responsibility for these offenses against your Imperial Majesty and the Empire rests with him. However, for those who played the most critical roles in assisting him, some disciplinary action is warranted.”

“I agree,” said Chuck.

Ardreth continued, “The primary party is Lord Burger who should receive harsh punishment. He should lose all of his previous privileges, at a minimum. His son Jonathan, who was instrumental in averting this crisis, should be permitted to carry on in his father’s place.”

“What about his daughter?” asked Noah. “Wasn’t she the one causing all the chaos with monsters?”

Ardreth glanced at DM.

“…There’s no need to punish her.”

“Are you sure… DM, was it?”

“…I’ve already administered the majority of her punishment. Any additional sentencing from the palace would be overkill.”

“You’ve… already punished her? If I understand correctly, she forced you and your kin to fight on her behalf, or at least attempted to. I can see why you would be the most injured party here, especially since the monsters were not used to cause any serious harm. Still, I’m concerned that you are exacting revenge prior to the presiding authority issuing judgment. Just what did you do to her?”

“…I just scared her a little.”

“Scared? Like a threat?” The Emperor turned to face the assembled group. “Did anyone else overhear these threats?”

Nobody responded, so the Emperor turned back to DM.

“Just what did you threaten her with?”

DM waited longer than usual to respond. “…May I write it down for your eyes only, Emperor Noah?”

“Hm? I suppose that’s acceptable.” Noah made arrangement to gather something to write with. “Will, uh, normal implements be acceptable?”

“…I’ll make it work.”

An attendant handed materials over to DM to record a note. DM very carefully used the tip of his appendage to write. While he was doing that, Noah addressed Chuck.

“Lord Burger, do you have any knowledge of how DM scared your daughter?”

“Sire I… have a vague idea, but I’m not sure if I could explain it. I suggest waiting for the detailed account.”

“Very well.”

For five minutes, everyone gazed at DM as he wrote out a surprisingly long and detailed account of the events which led to Karen fainting. Finally, his morphling picked it up and handed it to a member of the imperial guard who brought the note straight to Noah.

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“Finally. Let me see.”

While Noah read silently, everyone scrutinized his facial expressions, curious about what the heck DM could have said to Chuck’s daughter to cause her to faint.

First Noah lowered his eyebrows, then a few seconds later he raised his eyebrows. After another moment, his eyes went wide entirely. He read the remainder of the message in that pose, unblinking.

After reaching the end, he immediately rolled up the document as though to protect its contents. “DM, you do not intend to actually carry any of this out, correct?”

“…Correct.”

“But you said her punishment is incomplete? Just what do you intend to do to her?”

“…Nothing that will harm her. Perhaps I will cool off her tea with magic before she has a chance to drink it or swap the contents of the bottles in her family’s wine cellar.”

“V–Very well… If it’s only that I will, uh, leave it to your discretion.” He handed the rolled up document back to the imperial guard. “Have this burned immediately. As far as I’m concerned, it never existed.”

“Yes, Sire.”

"As for Lord Burger…”

“I await your judgment, Sire.”

“I accept Ardreth’s proposal. Lord Burger will be stripped of all titles, privileges, and decorations. His son will succeed him.”

Chuck lowered his head in recognition of the judgment.

“Further… well… I’m not sure if more is warranted. What do you think, Ardreth, DM?”

Ardreth deferred to DM again.

“…I think a little more is warranted. If you like, I can take care of it myself.”

Noah took a deep breath. “Just for reference, if you were to administer punishment to Lord, no, Chuck Burger, what would it be?”

“…Once per day, at a random time, I would spawn a tentacle near him and smack him in the balls.”

There were several seconds of utter silence.

“I–I see. Although we are in your debt, I’m not sure if I can condone such an unconventional form of discipline. For now, I will have him put in chains while we think more on the issue. Make it so.”

While Chuck was led out of the throne room by guards, Noah addressed Sasha. “Sasha of the Holy State, correct?”

“Y–Yes!”

“I owe both you and Ardreth an apology. Due to my ineffectual leadership, some of your comrades were injured and forced to retire. If there is anything the Zarakhelese Empire can do to make it up to you, please say so.”

“Umm…” Sasha wasn’t prepared for such an offer. “I’ll think about it?”

“Very well. Ardreth, I heard from Luna that trustworthy adventurers were dispatched to join up with the Guild and ensure the hidden armies to the north were delayed. Are those armies taken care of?”

“Yes. Before coming here, Chuck Burger arranged for those armies to disperse, as well as the fleet at Zaranar.”

“Wait, that! Zaranar. I heard a secret plan to sabotage the fleet at Zaranar was used to delay their arrival. Clearly, it was successful, but I have no idea how it occurred. Word has not arrived yet, but do you know?”

“Emperor Noah, I do not know precisely what transpired.” Ardreth turned to DM. “Sir DM, do you?”

“…Something something all their rudders turned to stone.”

“Just how did you do that?” asked Noah.

“…I called in a favor.”

“A favor? You have people indebted to you capable of delaying an entire fleet on short notice?”

“…Doesn’t everyone?”

“No. Even I don’t and I’m the Emperor!”

“…I’m not sharing.”

Noah laughed. “Fine. It’s my fault for relying on my advisors to manage agents. We’ll say all’s well that ends well. If your operatives ever feel like receiving recognition, please have them come before me.”

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

“That just leaves you.”

“…Me?”

“I won’t pretend to understand why it is that the Holy State is home to a monster capable of such grand feats as yourself, but I’ll consider myself fortunate that you were involved in our affairs, even if it was under such terrible circumstances.”

DM didn’t respond this time.

“Based on what Luna told me the other day and Ardreth explained today, you were the key to uncovering Andrei Vosk’s lies and preventing this rebellion from degrading into a bloody quagmire. As such, I am duty-bound to reward you for your contributions. Since I have never rewarded a monster before, I may need a little help here. Is there anything the Empire can do for you?”

“…I have a few ideas.”

“Oh, you do? Please, speak them, then!”

“…My first request is more of a complaint.”

“A… complaint? You were mistreated, so I see no reason to deny you the right to vent.”

“…Not that. For a long time now, even from before I was invited into the Empire, I’ve been wondering what the heck is up with all the names in this place.”

“The names?”

“…Zaranar, Zunzinb, Zirahahazi, Zirar, Zarukthuzun, Zilabaddibu? With Zinar right across the border? …Then you have Nargh, Nargunar, Nazizad, Naralaragz, Nazibarar, and Kinzirgundi, Khundun, Kharag, Khathunal, Kibiragz, Kindushund… Just what is up with the names here?”

“W–Well…”

“…Emperor Noah, can you change the names to be more comprehensible and less similar to one another?”

“The Empire is proud of its unique naming sense.”

“…Change them.”

“I—I will seriously consider it. Anything else?”

“…Can I obtain your agreement to set up the dungeons of your Empire as training facilities for new adventurers as I have already done in the Holy State?”

“I don’t see why not; you have earned enough of my trust. Work out the details with the Guild.”

“…Thank you. Finally, could you put into writing the fact that my dungeon operations here in the Empire will be untaxed and free from political influence?”

Noah brought his hand to his chin. “Untaxed? Even monsters complain about such things?”

“…I’m just striking while the iron is hot. When the time comes, I want to be able to say to the Holy State, ‘But the Empire granted my request.’”

Noah laughed. “Very well, I will see to it immediately.”

“…That is all.”

“I understand. I feel like I’m going to sleep well for the first time in quite a few days…”

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As Noah dismissed everyone, DM secretly celebrated. Noah hadn’t just agreed to DM’s request regarding the two dungeons he already controlled in the Empire; the request was for all dungeons in the Empire. DM wasn’t sure how many dungeons the Empire was currently home to, but he knew it was more than two.

For now, DM would get things up and running with his current dungeons. Only once things were stable would he figure out a way to engage the Empire’s Guild and work out the details for seizing any other dungeons.

If DM was too aggressive in acquiring dungeons, it could be perceived as a threat by the surrounding nations. He thought it better to take his time and proceed quietly and in cooperation with the local Guild.

What DM really wanted was more dragons. Even one dragon was a tremendous ally, but several would provide him defense from meddling by Dracokonovich or other dragons that might happen choose to visit DM’s dungeons or allies. If DM did unlock another dragon, he’d need to decide whether to place it in charge of a spare dungeon or attune it to one of the girls, as Gummanonth had already confirmed was possible.