I stood in the re-rebuilt iceberg where a mighty fleet once stood. In front of me, a [King] that's lost his crown and his soldiers. They were bound with solid steel bands that I just shoved up their legs and waist until it caught halfway up their arms. Given enough time they could probably shimmy out of them but not with me watching. And by the sliver of HP their lives hung by, I doubted they would try to escape.

For a [King] to come this far, it meant the problem was personal. It made me wonder who was on the other fleet.

"Well, Your Majesty. Seems you've lost. Now, since you invaded my territory, I can do to you whatever I want."

"Do your worst, fish scum," he snarled and grumbled.

I was sure he didn't mean the laundry services. "Now, now. Please be polite, barbarian," I replied, putting pressure on him. "Or you'll discover that my worst is beyond anything you ever imagined. I do hope you've spared the time to see my titles."

"That's not how you talk to your betters, mermaid!" One of the [Knights] shouted in defiance.

They were probably in denial of their defeat or in shock. Or both. After a lifetime of superiority and unbridled hubris, it was impossible to cast away their values and self-impression. And by the way, they were looking around, waiting for someone to pounce on me and rescue them, I believed they had some hope supporting their boastful and rude demeanor. I had to try.

"I hope you are not waiting for that [Dark Juggernaut] half-elf to come and rescue you. He's not even in this world anymore."

Nailed it. The guys were so shocked they stopped trying to wiggle out of the bands. But they were stupid enough to think I didn't know they were doing that.

"Impossible!" The King roared. "You are bluffing. I know Cloy is still alive. I can still feel him through our bond."

Was this some sort of slavery? Was that the reason the [Juggernaut] kid was so stuck up in his duty to do this or that? I didn't sense anything of the sort and he was too strong-willed to be a slave. I could be mistaken but I doubted it.

I snapped my finger, "Yes, Cloy. That's the name he gave me. A terrible one, by the way. I doubt his parents really gave him such a terrible name."

I should just kill these guys and go see what the other party had to say. It's not like I couldn't just bring them back if they weren't as bad as I thought. I didn't do it, though. That was a slippery slope that I wasn't considering even peeking at from the edge.

It would be too easy to become an unstoppable scourge and just remodel this world. Sometimes I felt an urge to do so. Become its immortal - or at least eternally reviving - empress. It felt as bad as using Sumsar's research to make more slave collars and trapping everyone.

At the end of the day, I was as bound to the values and impressions I picked up growing up like these guys. I believed in freedom, democracy, and a regulated free market. I'd already given up on the latter two so I clung to the former. Maybe democracy when people here become more civilized. But in terms of enlightenment, this world was stuck in the early dark ages.

Some elements were out of place, like full plate armor and jackets, but that was due to the influence of the Gods. To a small amount, mine too. The fact that smiths could bend metal with their hands and literally have their anvils inside the forge also helped. Crafting with System aid and magic was just more advanced.

The Arts, however, were constrained by the same System. People didn't learn to dance as much as developed a Skill that infused their bodies with the muscle memory necessary to make a Bolshoy prima ballerina blush. But unless they had another Skill to create a new set of dance moves, they were stuck dancing the same freaking thing for their whole lives.

Then the fact nobody questioned the effects of social or mind-affecting Skills and Perks. Like when I dropped a Charisma bomb on Callisto to stop her from freaking out. Using a spell to control one's mind is vilified, but not with Skills and Perks. It is just natural.

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That huge pause for thought gone, I stared at my defiant prisoners. I knew they wouldn't change. The fire in their eyes could not be smothered so long they lived.

With a heavy sigh, I said. "I, Arista, [Princess] of Atlantis, for the crimes of invading our territory and using siege magic against me, hereby sentence you to death. The sentence will be executed immediately. May Galbarar have mercy on your souls."

I gave them a quick death by beheading and ushered their souls ahead into the afterlife Marlowe so dearly eschewed.

Time to cross a glacier and see what I got on my Mystery Egg Fleet number two.

----------------------------------------

Different from the first fleet, the people in this ship were quiet. No mages were desperate to melt the ice and break free, no stupid juggernaut...

Oh, I should pick that guy up before that, right? I used {Pierce the Veil} and searched for him. He was standing up and glaring at me through the slits of his helmet. I couldn't see his eyes but I knew he was. At least he wasn't ready to strike. His shield was strapped across his back, sticking up way above his head like a badly designed Transformers toy and his sword, sheathed.

"[Juggernaut]. I have returned, as promised."

He sighed. "I know. You killed my master."

I sighed, "Was you his slave?"

He took a step back and shook his head. "No. A sworn servant, bound by a pact of servitude I entered on my own free will. At the time, he was worthy."

"What are you going to do now?"

"Wait for you to get me out of here, I guess."

"I mean after I do that. Are you still going to carry out your last order?"

"Should I?"

I shrugged, "You could. I mean, I probably would have to fight and brutally murder you, but you could."

"While being killed by the Old Soul would be an honor, I would rather live to reach my twilight. That's one of the reasons I wear so much defensive gear, after all."

I nodded, "Maybe be a bit more careful choosing your next liege."

"Probably."

"Definitely."

"I think I just did."

Oblivious, I nodded again. "Good for you."

Then he knelt. "My shield is nothing without a Lord to command it. I live to serve and to be someone's bulwark. Would you take me as your shield, my lady?"

I was taken aback. "Can I come back to you later?"

he didn't speak or move. I flashed my detection perk and it confirmed he was still alive.

"I am inclined to accept your vows, but I must know more before I do. Who were you chasing?"

"The fleeing pregnant Queen. His Majesty was suspicious the children weren't his. When she ran away with some nobles and the high priest of Galbarar, he was certain of it. In a fit of rage, he abandoned his Kingdom to chase her across the land and water."

Galbarar. A pregnant Queen. Her fleet coming straight to my island.

"I accept your vow. You will defend yourself, me and mine, but will not take a sentient life unless I order you to do so. Understood?"

He stood up and removed his helmet after undoing the latches, "Your orders are my lifeblood, sire." He wore a maille coif and a cloth skull cap underneath. Just a strand of hair clung to the edge of his forehead, damp with sweat.

"One more thing. Is 'Cloy' your real name?"

"No. I abandoned the name my parents gave me."

"Why?"

"Each master gave me a new name. It is part of our pact."

> You are offered the Perk: Juggernaut Defender (unique): The Juggernaut pledged his life and soul to you. As long as both are in the same plane, half the damage dealt with you is transferred to the Juggernaut. You can sense the direction and distance to the juggernaut at all times. The Juggernaut cannot disobey your orders. This Perk is erased should the Juggernaut die.

He seemed eager. I accepted it. "Do you have any problems with the name your parents gave you?"

"No, milady," he answered with a smile, already sensing what I wanted.

"Then I'll issue your first order. This order takes precedence over any other order if there's any conflict. This order is absolute."

"I hear and obey, Old Soul."

"If any order I give you goes against your personal values, you are to first, voice an objection clearly. If the objection is overruled by a counterargument, you are to ignore the order if you still feel it goes against your values." He blinked, confused. "I'm telling you to use your freaking head to something more than just headbutt people."

"But then I can just... Ah!" Realization dawned upon him and he laughed.

"Here's my second order. Assume the name your parents gave you and discard the appellations your old masters gave you. State your name, my [Juggernaut]."

"Objection. May I ignore this order and continue using the name 'Cloy'?" He said just to test me.

I glared at him. "Yes, you may. However, I think 'Cloy' is a stupid name. Your parents should've given you a much better name."

"I think that too," he said and removed his gauntlet, extending his hand to me.

Like a [Princess] should, I moved my hand forward with the palm facing down. He picked the tip of my fingers and brushed his lips against my skin. I was glad he couldn't see my face. Eww.

"I'm called Kendel, my lady," he said softly.

"Great. I'm Arista, you already know my titles. Now, Kendel, don your armor, and please hold your breath."

Making sure we were out of the glacier's bottom, I held his hand once he was ready and ripped open a passage back to the material world.