Walking with Bruce through the halls of Redleaf Palace, I was surprised that the silence had managed to last this long. It had been at least five minutes since we left the throne room, and both of us had yet to utter a single sound.

Turning a corner, I saw the open doors of the palace entrance, and started walking in that direction before Bruce grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

I said nothing, being too childish to be the first one to speak, and he sighed. “What is it you want to know, lad?” 

What I want to know is how you think you still have my trust after lying to me for days on end. I want to know how you can still pretend to act friendly around me when I know you’re just focused on your princess’s political acumen. With all those thoughts swirling in my head, I said nothing, and instead, just turned away from the man before walking in the direction of the palace exit once more. 

This time, I got to the double doors before Bruce grabbed my arm again. “Listen lad, you’re making a mistake. You’re going to want my help if you’re going to get through this mess. We need to work together for the greater good!” 

This time I was just dumbfounded. I shook my arm out of his grasp and cocked my head. “Why would I ask you for anything? I can just have Judgment teach me. In fact, why would I give a shit about your world’s greater good? I’m just a spectator, please don’t think I have any obligation towards the people that jailed me.” Bruce’s jaw dropped and I used that chance to turn away, still very much aware of the contract and my obligations to the woman inside the palace. 

As I passed the guards on either side of the door, I could have sworn I’d heard Bruce mutter, “What the seven hells is going on?”

—-

I walked out of the palace, just like that. I don’t know whether it was because the guards assumed I knew what I was doing, and let me go, or they saw me speaking with Bruce and figured that dealing with me was above their pay grade. 

Regardless of the reason, I was very quickly in the streets of the Metron Kingdom’s capital city, Rong. The bustling streets were a nice change from the cell I had been held in only days prior, so I took in all the sights and sounds of the marketplace as I made my way to the waypoint on a map in the upper left hand corner of my vision. Looking at the expected arrival time, I muttered, “God damn that’s a long walk.” 

Figuring I had little better to do, I minimized the map and started looking around me. There were many people in the dimly-lit alleyway, with many neon-colored devices lining tarps on the ground. Several bright signs with suggestive names came into view, and I made a mental note to make a marker at this location so I could come back in the future. 

“Got the latest Shizo blaster here! 355 Swains! Cheapest on the market!”

“Get your Asahi hoverbikes here! 875 Swains, and not a coin more!”

“Aishi sex toys! Purchase one and get a trial run at any of our affiliated pleasure quarters!”

"Reich stealth tech here! Fresh from the Kingdom of Leonis! Biggest competitor to the Luong Empire’s brands! Buy one get one half off!”

The sounds of the market were deafening, and you could definitely get a feel for who controlled the economy. Wait, has society been subsumed by Judgment? Probably. Has the Luong Empire's market dominated the economy? Most likely.

Getting the thoughts of society crumbling beneath Judgment out of my head, I continued to follow the waypoint until the streets cleared into a highway. If one could call it that, anyway.

The ‘highway’, was a large, translucent, semicircular tube that was about as wide as 12 car lanes back home. I stared in awe for a moment before descending onto the pedestrian walkway, which was automatic, like one of those moving floors you see at the airport.

Realizing I had misjudged my priorities, I mentally opened a little gear widget in the bottom right corner of my vision, and activated the help button. 

You are now connected to Judgement. What can I assist you with today? I winced, causing several people to look my way. In the end though, they judged that I wasn’t worth their time and went back into their own little societal bubbles. Fuck that hurt. Maybe I was too distressed on the day I had Fallen to notice, but Judgment was loud as a motherfucker. Collecting myself, I asked the AI what was on my mind.

So Judgment, what exactly are Paladins, Knights, Bounty Hunters, Duskblades, and Dawnblades? There was a brief silence, followed by a whirring in my ears.

Prompt accepted. Dusk-

Ah, about that. Judgment, can you keep your command prompts and monologuing out of our chat space? Oh, and when I want a regular conversation, can you keep your voice down? I don’t need you booming in my brain every time I need information.

“Very well, I shall do so from now on.” The voice was androgynous, and sounded as if it were layered many times over, but I had to say that it wasn’t wholly unpleasant. Surprisingly, it sounded happy that I had chided it. I sighed and started rubbing my eyes. I just gave orders to a sentient super AI and it listened to me. What the fuck was I doing with my life?

I was lost in the moment of it all, but Judgment’s serene voice brought me back. “To begin with, we should cover Paladins. Paladins are of the highest order and rank a human can attain next to royalty. Their rights are pretty much the same as said royalty, save for the fact that they must adhere to the international treaty guidelines and the king’s direct orders, or be stripped of his powers and cast out as a traitor.”

“Then, Knights. They are a step down from Paladins in terms of power, but are still equivalent to that of princes and princesses. They can lead their own platoon, and go on missions with permission from the King, or someone of similar stature.”

“After that is Bounty Hunters. Like the name suggests, Bounty Hunters ride for the throne of their kingdom, and seek out those who would do harm to their lord’s domain. They are even below knights, being able to be commanded by princes and princesses, as well as by Dukes. They are guided and assisted by Judgment technology, and are allowed access through all borders.”

“Next is Dawnblades. Dawnblades are people that act as personal bodyguards to royalty, and generally undertake any military mission that said royalty would be conscripted for. In your world’s terms, they are like knights.”

I nodded my head, then, upon realizing I wasn’t actually speaking to another physical being, promptly stopped and tried to avoid even more stares that had come my way. Alright, aside from dodging conscription, is there any real need to have a Dawnblade?

The sound of whirring wasn’t present any longer, but I could tell that Judgment was processing information. “Yes, there is. My sensors have indicated that Dawnblades are usually betrothed to their masters. To have one is a human symbol of status.”

I see. What about Duskblades? Without skipping a beat, Judgment answered, “A Duskblade is the antithesis of a Dawnblade. Whereas Dawnblades fight in plain sight, racking up achievements for themselves and their lords, Duskblades do so from the shadows, and handle all the-”

I was pulled out of Judgment’s explanation as the arm of a man the size of a grizzly bear rammed into me and sent me sprawling. “Watch where you’re going, asshole!” I shouted at his retreating figure. A moment later, several people, who I could only guess was law enforcement, ran after him.

“Fuck that guy.” I muttered under my breath. I wish he’d just become paralyzed from the waist down. I heard a scream in the distance and smirked. Maybe the police had granted my wish after all.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

—-

As I walked up to the elaborate gate that blocked my way to Hideki labs, a familiar face came out to greet me. “Joshua, why did you come so late!?” Reya started to shout, but instantly her face twisted into one of pain as a lightning jolt came out of her temple, or rather, the Judgment Panel sitting there, and she fell to her knees.

She staggered back up to her feet, and I greeted her with a smile on my face. “So this is how Judgment enacts it’s contracts…” She gave me a scowl and that erased my smirk.

“Starlords, damn it. Which clause did I break?” Fully regaining herself, she stood up straight, and I realized for the first time that she was shorter than me. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise since the various times we had interacted before were when she had a height advantage, or in subspace, where nothing is real. 

“I believe it was the 8th. Failing to call me ‘Master’ when initiating a conversation when we are alone. Judgment even knows when other users are around so it can go the extra mile in keeping our promises. Isn’t that great!” She scowled again and said nothing.

“Oh, by the way, I know what you were trying to do. Judgment told me about Duskblades, and their purpose. Did you really want a boy toy that badly?” Her face lit up scarlet before becoming deathly pale.

“D-” a spark came out of her panel, cutting her off instantly. “M-Master, did you just say you spoke with Judgment?” 

She obviously struggled to call me that, but whether it was pride or something else I didn’t particularly care. I gave her a curious look, but simply nodded my head. “I did, what of it?”

She took in a sharp breath and started giggling uncontrollably, eventually turning into a full-blown laugh. After a moment she sighed. “So you’re a Neuromancer. Starlords above, I’m so stupid. I just thought you were psionically inclined.”

“Two things.” I said, walking up to her. “First, what on God’s green earth is a Neuromancer?” 

The princess took a deep breath before speaking. “Neuromancers are those with the ability to communicate with AI’s. Yes, they exist in our society, but they generally have a weaker Mobius field, and not enough influence to properly abuse their powers.”

I sighed. “Why is it that when I ask you a question, I only have more afterwards? Whatever, I get the general idea. I’ll just ask Judgment for more information later.”

Clearing my throat, I held up two fingers to the woman. “Ok, secondly, you’re not stupid, not by any means. You just misread your opponent. You thought I only cared about sex, and drowning myself in  pleasure to forget my pain, and that turned out to be your downfall.”

She fidgeted and said, “Could you really blame me? All you did was stare at my boobs each day in the jail cell, and you had an erection most of those times.”

This time it was my turn to sigh. “Yes, I am sexually frustrated, but that doesn’t mean that I think with that head. In fact, the sooner we get done here, the sooner I can relieve myself. I saw some interesting buildings downtown, some of which I’d like to check out.”

She looked indignant as she said, “Hello? Am I not good enough for you?” 

I clicked my tongue at her accusation. “The problem is that you’re too good, idiot. What kind of pedigree would I need to even have a conversation with you, let alone fuck you? Whe have a saying where I’m from.” Well, maybe more meme than saying. “Don’t stick your dick in crazy. And you, my lady, are definitely that.”

Her face lit up again as she weakly muttered, “I’m not crazy! And don’t call me an idiot…” She’s simple. Intelligent and cunning, but simple.

“Besides,” I continued, “I don’t think you’d be a fan of the stuff I’m into. Made more than a couple people shocked by it.” 

Reya’s hungry eyes scanned my body. “What kind of stuff?” 

I pointedly ignored her and started walking in the direction of the lab’s entrance. “You’re the one who called me here, Reya. Why don’t you come and explain what you were planning to do?”

“Ass-” I heard her get out a syllable before letting out a small shriek, and turning around. “Yes, Master.”

I let her lead me inside and slowed my walk to a leisurely stride as I observed the interior of the scientific compound. The walls were pitch-black, with red wires running along them. A dim white light shone from incandescent bulbs overhead , but it was actually a foil for the iridescent light that I saw farther into the building.

“What are you doing?” Reya was looking at me, dumbfounded. “Hurry up, will you? The scientists inside have been waiting for you for hours already!” No use of the word, ‘Master’… so the scientists are probably listening in somehow. 

I increased my pace to reach her, and we headed into the iridescent light. Which, as it turned out, was not truly light. Instead, it was a bubble-like barrier that coated us in a thin film as we passed through. The smooth substance then dissolved into our skin, leaving it shiny and soft.

I turned to look at Reya, who shrugged her shoulders. “It’s a form of decontamination. Instead of hosing us down in noxious fumes, we coat ourselves in a form of bacteria that eats dirt, and when none of that is left, it’s programmed to eat itself.”

She continued forward, and I followed suit until we were in a room with many computers. I looked around, but couldn’t see any of the stereotypical white rooms, places where mutant species were being held captive, or any experimental tech.

“Fuck this looks boring.” I mused.

“How dare you!” A wiry man with long, gravity defying hair walked up behind us. His almond-shaped eyes had a fierce gaze, and his voice had a hint of an asian accent. Which one though, I had no clue.

“Head Researcher Teramoto! It’s always a pleasure.” The man pushed his horn-rimmed glasses up on his face and bowed.

“The pleasure is all mine, Princess. It is always lucrative doing business with people of your ilk.” He then turned a scornful gaze towards me. “I assume this is the one then. To what do I owe the displeasure of meeting this rude animal.” Was he bothered I called him boring? What a kid. This is going to be easier than I thought.

I took the most relaxed pose I could, and then scoffed at him. “You’re the rude one. You claim to be one of the forerunners of technology, yet all I see are computers? Pathetic.”

I could see Teramoto fuming out of the corner of my eyes, and he stormed over to the largest computer, where he pressed a button. Without any warning, the floor beneath Reya and I started to open up, so we quickly got out of the way. A large glass case came out of the floor, with several sharp objects and gun-like machines inside.

“Save your criticisms for after you see our tech, asshole.” The researcher had a delighted smile on his face as he watched me look over the weapons he had produced.

Judgment, tell me what each of those weapons do. 

“As you wish, Master.” The added title caught me off guard, but I didn’t have enough time for a rebuttal before the AI began speaking. “The long, sheathed weapon is a sonic blade. It vibrates at high frequencies to increase cutting power. If you rub two together while they are vibrating, there is the possibility of creating a sonic wave.”

Duly noted. Next?

“Next-”

—-

“What is he doing?” Reya looked up at the eccentric scientist and sighed. How had her life done a complete 180 in only the span of one week? It was entirely and utterly improbable, but here she was, possessing no clear will of her own, lest she feels the setbacks of Judgment’s contract. Such utter bullshit. she was the perfect out. What was he unsatisfied with?

“He’s speaking with Judgment.” She muttered. “Probably inquiring what each of your weapons does and how best to use them.”

The scientist’s face paled, before becoming a heated crimson. “A-a Neuromancer that can actually contact Judgment!” Teramoto practically ran over to Reya before kneeling and holding her hands in his own. “Princess, please let me study your toy! I promise not to break it!” 

Reya shook her head, a pang of bitterness in her heart. ‘Exactly who was whose toy now?’ She wondered. “Sorry, but you can’t.”

He looked her right in the eyes. “If we can find out the difference between him and other Neuromancers, we can strengthen that role for others in their field! It could revolutionize the industry!”

Reya shook her head again, and wrenched her hands free from Teramoto’s. “I don’t think you understand me. As much as I would like to lend him to you, and have you owe me one, some extenuating circumstances have come into play, and I can’t really order him to do anything.”

The scientist looked her in the eyes as his own widened. “You lost control over the Fallen!? How-”

“Reya, let’s go.” The princess turned her head to see Joshua decked out in a black S.M.A.R.T. suit, and two sonic blades on his hips. Two shortguns, the popular Hideki Labs original weapon, rested in a holster on his back, and a neon green vizor rested over his eyes. 

Reya took in a sharp breath. Starlords, why was he so handsome? She found it hard to continually loathe a man who drew her eyes unintentionally.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a screech from Teramoto. “You fiend! How did you get into the case!” Joshua simply cocked his head. 

“What do you mean, ‘how?’ It honestly wasn’t hard. I just asked a friend to cut a hole in it.” Joshua pointed to a perfect circle cut into the reinforced elephant-glass.

Teramoto mouthed the word, ‘friend,’ before his jaw dropped. “He can manifest the AI’s power in physical space!? Princess, you have to-”

Teramoto’s words faded as Joshua took a hold of Reya’s hand, and together they started to run out of the lab. Reya’s heart clenched in agony as she looked upon the back of her newly contracted Duskblade and struggled between the hatred that had started to sprout, and her own poorly controlled lust. Starlords, why did she find him so attractive.

… Was she going insane?