Around the time the class were being told the story of the first Greyback pride by the performer, Alex was briskly walking into the Tower of Pride. Walking right up to the ticket dispenser, taking a number and settling into a seat in the waiting area. He was here to meet with Lord Pride. Technically he could jump the queue with a few words, but he saw this as a bit of fun mischief.
“Number eighty-three!” a voice called; looking at his ticket, Alex was disappointed it was actually his number being called; usually, it took a long while before he could get called up.
“Ah, Lord Alexander, we were told to expect you and call your number before you could settle in,” the receptionist said as she glanced up from her notebook at Alex.
“Expected me?”
“Yes, we were warned about your tendency to put staff in stressful situations and were prepared with your image so the moment you arrived, we would not be put upon.”
“Ah, guess I’ve become predictable…” Alex lamented.
“I have also been asked by his Grace Lord Greyback that you should not use this event as a reason to find ways to cause more problems.”
“How does he?”
“I understand his Grace is a frequent writing acquaintance of Lord Sloth.”
“Ah, that explains it… Damn old geezer spoiling the fun. Very well, I guess he is waiting on me then?” The receptionist nodded as a pair of guards arrived to escort Alex. They guided him through the hall towards a large spiralling flight of stairs. Reaching the bottom step, Alex turned to the guards.
“Any chance he’s on the first floor?” the guards shook their heads.
“Second?” Alex asked hopefully again; they shook their heads with one holding a single finger upwards.
“Top floor?” they both nodded.
“Can I use flying magic?” Alex asked pleadingly. He was physically weak already, and climbing thousands of steps would ruin him. Both guards shared a smirk and shook their heads once more.
“Well, if I collapse, you have to carry me.”
“That is why we are here, my lord. His Grace knows you very well and has prepared for your arrival.” Grimacing as he looked up the massive spiral staircase, Alex took a deep breath and began his climb.
It took the better part of half an hour for Alex to reach the top. By which it is meant it took three minutes for Alex to collapse and twenty-seven for the guards to climb the rest of the way carrying him.
“Gods damn, why don’t you install a lift,” Alex groaned as the guards shared an exasperated look.
“We do, young Alexander,” a voice so icy it’d make the arctic feel insecure said.
Turning to the source of the voice, Alex could see a heavily built man wearing a well-tailored suit standing in front of him. The man had pale grey hair and eyes and a smile that sent a shiver down Alex’s spine.
The man before him radiated a cold and imposing aura. Where Alex’s aura, when unrestrained, was like madness, this man’s aura was that of total control. He was the current holder of the Seat of pride, one of the seven Sinful Lords, Lord Silvers Greyback.
“You have a lift?”
“Yes,” Silvers replied, nodding as his smile grew wider.
“Then why did I have to climb the stairs?” Alex asked as the guards once again shared a look.
“To teach you that only good boys use the lift; boys that cause trouble use the stairs.”
“Wow… what did you two do then?” Alex asked, turning to the guards, who only scoffed at his joke.
“Enough of the pleasantries. Alexander, we have a meeting to get to, so follow me.”
Not giving Alex another chance to make a remark Silvers turned on his heel and began striding off. Without even needing to say a word, the few people bustling around on this floor moved out of his way as if his very presence could part them.
Entering a large meeting room, the pair found a large round table with a black-as-obsidian throne at one point. Around the table, positioned in neat positions, were eleven additional seats; upon seven of the seats were the symbols which represented each sinful lord.
This room was the Grand Council chamber, a place where when called, the lords could meet and discuss relevant matters and was identical to six others placed in the capital cities of each region.
The four seats that were bereft of symbols were for the four defenders that oversaw the defence of two regions, each with the fifth one being for the defender responsible for Wrath’s domain which was added to the Dark Continent after the initial founding of the Shadow Empire.
Both Alex and Silvers settled into their relevant seats. Silvers sitting in the one marked with the symbol of Pride while Alex settled into the Defender of the Western arm’s seat, which was between Sloth and Greed’s seats.
“So when will the meeting fully begin?” Alex asked. He had only been in the city a short while and had just been told to get to the tower early.
“Soon,” Silvers bluntly said as he focused on keeping perfect posture.
“You curious how Maxy is doing?” Alex asked conversationally as he settled into a relaxed position in his seat.
“No… I have received reports on the boy that were sufficient,” Silvers said as he scowled at his pocket watch, uncomfortable with Alex’s attempts to start a conversation. At the chime of a bell from a nearby wall-mounted clock, a blue crystal began to descend from the ceiling.
“Oh, thank the gods,” Silvers muttered as the crystal shone light onto all the unoccupied seats.
Slowly but surely, the light began to take vague humanoid shapes before fully solidifying into the forms of people. On the throne sat the image of Crozonia, who was idly picking at her nails. Looking around the table, each seat was now occupied.
The Wrath seat had a burly and scarred Dwarven man that Alex knew to be Yuu’s father, Bjorn ‘Boulder’ Ironforge. Master overseeing all manufactured goods on the dark continent and said to be one of if not the greatest artificers of all time. However, Alex knew Yuu, so he had a less-than-stellar opinion of the man.
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To his left sat a lanky-looking elf who was Hurioin, the defender of the Stolen Hills, Wrath’s domain. His piercing gaze would’ve cut people if it was any sharper. He couldn’t help but remember a joke Yuu once told him. That if the man rolled his eyes back, he’d lobotomise himself.
Next was Lady Plutarchie of the House of Eternal Night. A woman who had held the seat of Lust since Aphophis’ time. She was a vampire of such considerable influence even Alex resisted his usual mischievous urges around her.
To her left was the defender of the joint domains of Gluttony and Lust. A man by the name of Little Man Ivory. He was a gnome, but his size belied his combat ability. It was said that only a truly mighty combatant could face him and survive.
Next to Ivory sat a woman with a wig taller than Ivory was. Her name was Lady D’Pompador, and she ruled as the current Gluttony. With his hazy memories, Alex was aware he had taught her that adding salt to fields killed crops and did not, in fact, make them produce pre-salted foodstuffs. A lot of the damage she had done had thankfully been limited, and after a comprehensive education, she had been put back into the job on a probationary period.
From what Alex had heard, the crop yields were set to be a bumper crop, and plenty would be a great benefit for everyone in the foreseeable future.
Next up was the Lord of Envy. He was an old man who was known simply as Old Man Envy. Alex had gotten to know him well when he was temporarily imprisoned in the Octogram after his heist. Though the memories of what he would learn were gone, his memories of his time drunk off his tits were still somewhat cohesive. Regardless the man had Mimi’s seal of approval, and that was enough for him.
To Envy’s left was the Defender of Pride and Envy’s domain. However, this title was only ornamental due to the nature of Envy being responsible for the military. He was someone who looked at home more behind a desk, and indeed his greatest strength was logistics. Phillip of the Warehouses was a man who knew what an army marched on.
Next was Silvers Greyback, the Lord of Pride and the man who rarely let emotions show on his face. He was stricter than even some drill sergeants and held no room for mischief. At least, that is the face he showed to the world.
To his left was Sloth, who looked very much annoyed at being called to a meeting, muttering about a bowl to keep fruit fresh longer. Regardless the fact he was even present told the rest of the Sinful Lords this was a very serious matter. Usually, council meetings would be manned by either Alex or Yuu in the seat of Sloth.
The final seat, which was to Alex’s left, was the Seat of Greed. The man sitting there was named Lucas ‘The Lender’. A man who had risen to the spot of richest member of the merchants guild by being in charge of loans.
“Goodie, we are all here,” Crozonia said as she slapped her hands together to get everyone's attention.
“First off, we have received word that Cardinal of Benevolence has died in suspicious circumstances.” The entire table focused their gazes on Alex, who had already admitted he had set the man to die.
“Good to know conditional spells work,” Alex said unapologetically.
“Have they made a formal declaration of war?” Envy asked.
“Not yet… they are sending a diplomat to ascertain whether this was the act of an individual or for our nation,” Crozonia said as she looked at Alex.
“Well, Alex? Was it for the nation or yourself?”
“It was for myself, your most august majesty,” Alex replied, holding a hand to his chest and lowering his head in a bow.
“So we throw the idiot to the wolves and be done with it,” Greed suggested.
“It won’t be that easy,” Pride said. “They will likely want anyone even tangentially involved killed as well.”
“Ah yes, your little puppy was the one who punched him,” Lust said teasingly.
“Now Lust enough… I have decided that Alexander acted on behalf of our nation. Benevolence using mind-altering spells, even unknowingly, was a massive breach of trust. We have already spread word of his power to the other nations.”
“So we are going to let that… Human… get away with it?” Lust asked, speaking the word human with sheer disgust.
“No, he will be a frontline fighter. This is the war he has brought; he won’t escape it,” Crozonia explained. “It is part of why I am having him inspect all the territories as he visits them. Now Alexander tell us what is your assessment of Port Staine?”
“Your most august majesty, to put it bluntly, the defences are shit. The guards check stuff randomly and wave through people of rank without even checking them.”
“They would nev-” Pride began before stopping and looking at the vial Alex had put on the table.
“Is that…” Envy began as the images all retreated in their seats instinctively, with only the trio of Pride, Crozonia and Sloth not moving.
“Yes, a vial of Weeping Sickness. I walked into the Tower of Pride with this in a normal pocket. Imagine if someone with less than wholesome intentions did this?”
“YOU BROUGHT THAT PLAGUE INTO MY CITY!!!” Pride roared as his fist struck the table, causing a crack to appear.
“It is a faux vial. No real plague, but it is to illustrate a point. We are on the brink of war, and we are barely prepared.”
“I see… very well, I shall have my guard make the gates stricter,” Pride said as he returned to his seat.
“Next up, Pride dear…. Could you restrain Alexander for me?” Pride nodded, rose from his seat and held Alex in his grip.
“The diplomat they are sending is the previous Cardinal of Piety.”
A current of pure bloodlust filled the chamber. While the people shown in the seats couldn’t feel it, the upper half of the Tower of pride could. A large majority of the people in the tower began fainting. Even Pride himself, with his cool nature, felt a cold sweat begin to form.
“Your most august majesty… that man is coming here?” Alex asked.
“Yes, I understand you have a history. I assure you you will never be in the same region as he is. Nor will your sister. I can’t have a former cardinal die when we might be able to avoid war.”
“WHY NOT?!!!! LET ME KILL HIM, AND WE CAN MAKE IT OFFICIAL!!!”
“Alexander…” Crozonia only said his name, but the entire continent felt the impact of her tone. Crozonia’s aura had spread across the entire continent just to give Alex a little rap on the head and calm him down.
“You won’t do any such thing. Regardless of the benefit his death would bring us,” Crozonia said, cutting off Alex’s suggestion before he could even voice it.
“People, we are going to be moving to a war economy. So make the preparations and stockpile supplies.”
“All because of this human?” Greed asked.
“We all know the Theocracy would’ve found one reason or another. All he did was scare them so much they are making a last-ditch effort to delay.”
“How did he kill Benevolence?” Gluttony asked.
“Alexander, please enlighten the class?” Crozonia asked in a tone that made it clear it wasn’t a request.
“I set a conditional curse that would trigger if he was in a room with only the other Cardinals.”
“So he died in front of the other six?” Sloth asked to which Alex nodded.
“I used the Hyung Die,” Alex explained.
“YOU FOOLISH BOY!!!” Sloth snarled as his image tried to hit Alex on the head.
“Sloth, what is a Hyung Die?” Pride asked, still restraining Alex.
“It is a failed gigantification spell,” Sloth answered.
“I don’t follow,” Envy muttered.
“It doesn’t enlarge at the same rate. It goes from the smallest to the largest,” Alex explained.
“I don’t get it,” Gluttony said.
“It starts with blood cells and works its way up. Essentially he inflated from the inside and went pop all while living till the very second he went pop,” Sloth explained.
“So he went pop like a balloon?” Envy asked to which Alex and Sloth nodded.
“Do we know who has taken his seat?” Lust asked.
“His apprentice a girl named Lucy,” Sloth answered.
“Very well, defenders, I want you to organise regular meetings to organise our defence while Envy prepares the army properly. We will reconvene in a month for an update,” with Crozonia’s orders given, all at the table bowed their heads to the Dark Lady.
Soon the crystal rose back up into the ceiling, and the images all faded.
“Well, I’ll get back to the Elementals compound… I need a drink… be sure to keep your schedule clear two days from now,” Alex said as he left the room.