Daniel wipes his hands on a towel as he exits the prison cell behind Hekate. General Jothraligus kos Ekstragar didn’t last long under pressure, and he confessed things Daniel had no idea to even ask about.
Hekate, however, isn’t taking it well.
“We have to tell her immediately! Daniel! She’s still in danger!”
“Calm down, Hekate.”
“Calm down!? My friend is in danger! I can’t-...”
Daniel snatches Hekate into a hug before she can storm off to do something that is unnecessary.
“Hekate, listen to me, please. I care about Erimaya as well, alright?”
She huffs and squirms in his arms for a moment before relaxing. “Hurry and tell me, then.”
“I was banished because of what I did because she’s considered no longer marriageable to higher nobles. That’s where I remembered Ekstragar’s family name from.”
“But, they tried…”
“I know. But, that was what I had saved her from, and my actions still served their needs; they were able to dissolve Zorenwein’s son’s betrothal to her.”
“We should kill him. No! We should ask Aramellianna to find him. I’ll…”
“Relax. Erimaya’s fine now. And, she’s an adorable little cinnamon roll. She’ll find a partner in due time.”
Hekate scowls at him. “‘Adorable little cinnamon roll’? Daniel…”
“It just means she’s a kind and gentle person with a fun personality. When I was summoned, she was the one who defended me when they learned I had no magic.”
Hekate relents from her envy, since she also offered for Erimaya to join them, and she made Daniel promise to take responsibility if she never finds a marriage partner. Daniel is banking on that not coming to pass, but he has given up thinking about it too hard.
“Anyways, General Ekstragar is just that Zorenwein’s uncle, and he likely only learned of it later. Plus, he seems to be a Count in the Empire specifically, so he’s technically outside of the ‘kingdom’s’ loop. I’m surprised he knew that much.”
Hekate crosses her arms. “Or, he was a conspirator.”
“Regardless, that’s not our problem. Erimaya is still being protected by our golems. If there is any threat to her, we’ll know, and Xyreko has permission to stop at nothing to protect the little princess. Even if that means we have to use the last remaining revival potation.”
Hekate nods. “I agree. I’m fine with that. We’ll get more of the ingredients as soon as we can.”
Daniel finally sets her down now that she’s calmed down. “Yep. Now, then, Xyreko, is the contract chamber prepared?”
Xyreko, having teleported away to catalog what they learned, reappears. “Yes, your Grace.”
“I’d like to update the contract terms for General Jothraligus.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“First, I want him to be unable to benefit from healing magic of any kind. Make it feel like he’s burning alive.”
“Can do.”
“Next, if he tries to wear false teeth to repair his teeth line, have him automatically bite his tongue continuously until he takes them out.”
“Interesting. I shall add it.”
“If he’s ever in Fievegal territory for any reason, including us conquering where he’s at, or if he tries to speak or write or communicate about waterboarding in any way, have him bite his own tongue off and become paralyzed until he bleeds out.”
“Oh? You don’t wish to wipe his memory, your Grace?”
“No. I want him to remember. He insulted Hekate one too many times.”
Xyreko nods, and Daniel adds, “Also, from now on, I want him to only refer to Hekate as ‘Her Imperial Greatness, the Wise and Beautiful Empress Hekate fell Lawson, most beautiful and benevolent Empress in the world,’ every time he’s speaking about her in any context.”
Hekate and Xyreko both chuckle. “That’s mean, Daniel,” jokes Hekate. “That’s a mouthful he has to spew out in front of anyone.”
Daniel nods. “And, it won’t be our problem. Any issues with any part of it, Xyreko?”
“No, sir. We could make him end his entire family line in the process as well, if you’d like.”
“No. I don’t know his whole family, and it could extend to people we care about in some obscure way, so not worth it. Living as a wretch is more suitable than death as contrition for someone like him.”
“Then, you should also make it impossible for him to take his own life,” adds Hekate. “Just in case.”
Daniel nods, and Xyreko nods in agreement. “I will leave a contingency that he can only ask Hekate to end his suffering if it becomes unbearable for him. How he handles that is his problem.”
“Agreed.”
Hekate chuckles. “Doesn’t that make it impossible for him to enter our territory or speak about waterboarding?”
Daniel and Xyreko glance at each other as they make the same connection. “I guess it does. Xyreko, please prepare, and we’ll meet you there shortly. We’ll send him out to parlay with his people tomorrow morning.”
“He is still sobbing. Are you sure he will be coherent enough to give orders?”
“If he’s not, we’ll convince the others. I think we learned all we will from Jothraligus.”
“Very well, Daniel. Though, with your permission, I could quickly question the other officers using your method and soldier golems.”
“No. Part of why I did that was because of how he acted, both during the duel and as a prisoner. I can tolerate indignance. But, I’ll give disrespect in payment for disrespect. I disrespected his human rights. And, this isn’t even Earth.”
Hekate chuckles softly. “Thanks for standing up for me, Daniel. Sorry my ears and tail are such a pain…”
“Don’t ever say that, Hekate. They’re adorable, and at this point, I wouldn’t recognize you without.” He pats her head gently, and she smiles up at him.
Daniel and Hekate join everyone for dinner, accompanied by Xyreko once she has her preparations completed. After greeting everyone, Ryuogriar asks what they got out of the general, and Hekate answers.
“... and, apparently, his nephew tried to kill Eri! I wanted to light him on fire, but Daniel stopped me.”
Daniel sighs, “Hekate, we talked about this. We need General Ekstragar to order the retreat.”
Wenlianna’s plate clangs when her dropped fork draws everyone’s attention.
Ryuogriar asks, “Is the enemy general someone important to you, Miss Wenlianna?”
Wenlianna looks pale and shocked, but she snaps out of it. “E-Ekstragar? You said his name is Ekstragar?”
“Yes?” replies Hekate with an unsure tone. “Well, not me. Daniel said his name.”
“A-And… Eri is…?”
“Princess Erimaya,” replies Daniel. “Apparently, his nephew in Mornistae is the father of the young man betrothed to Princess Erimaya until her fall.”
“I… I’m sorry, I didn’t realize how close you were to Princess Erimaya, Hekate. I… Mother marched the Stalvaltan Guard into the palace shortly after you were banished, and she arrested Duke Zorenwein and his son under suspicion of treason. Th-They did try to assassinate her. They worked with someone else to plant a maid in the royal service who tried to push Erimaya from the ramparts that day. I-I only learned this long after, though. I… don’t know the methods Mother had the guardsmen use to… extract that information.”
“Why would they do that!?” snaps Hekate, starting to stand up. Daniel gently tugs on the back of her shirt to sit her down and try to calm her. She resists a little, but is still passionately demanding that answer.
“I… My understanding is that King Greydald upset the Ducal families when they betrothed Heralesse to Rikuto to legitimize his rule once they were married, since he was proving himself a valuable asset to the kingdom. Ekstragar‘s family, specifically. They then betrothed Erimaya to his son, but… well, the easy answer is that they wanted the throne.”
“Geez. Eastern marriages are stupid,” grumbles Hekate. “If you love someone, you should just be with them. Anything else is dumb.”
Daniel explains gently, “There are evolutionary reasons as well as social-constructionist reasons behind it, you know.”
Everyone else stares at him, and he realizes they may not have the concept of evolution, specifically, let alone the social constructionism. “Sorry. In simple terms, if people’s instinctive nature isn’t kept in check, a small handful of powerful males would narrow down the gene-pool real quick. That’s where social constructionism comes in, to a degree.”
Ryuogriar teases, “But, Mukori, we all chose to be here.”
“That’s not the point. The point is, males of most species are typically hardwired to… ahem… sow their oats, so to speak, and females of most species are hardwired to gravitate to the strongest male around. Social constructionism gives the less-powerful males a chance by making it strongly encouraged to have only one wife, or, that being the law, as is the case in many of the cultures of Earth. Taken a step further, ambitious and shrewd politicians saw profit in treating their children like bargaining chips. Depending on which gender is more valuable in the given circumstance, either the daughter’s family pays the prospective groom, or the male suitor pays the daughter’s family for the daughter’s hand in marriage. And, in nobility, it is to bind two families together.”
Geirahoel asks, “Why should any of that matter, though? The strongest male should have the right to whatever women he wants.”
“That’s a point of view,” replies Daniel. “And, it fits with instincts, typically, as I mentioned. But, then, how do some of these powerful families make themselves more powerful?” He gestures at Wenlianna, saying gently, “Pardon me, Wenlianna. Please don’t take this any kind of way. But, for instance, a Grand Duchy improving their station by marrying one of their daughters to an Emperor. In an ideal pairing, the Grand Duchy family is as good as Imperial Royals themselves, thanks to such a match. Same for a baron’s daughter, if for some reason, she would marry an Emperor.” Daniel gestures at Gwenesphia following this statement. She blushes, remarking, “I’m surprised you remember that…”
“Of course I do. Though, in this case, it’s risky to openly advertise that in both cases, since we’re apparently enemies to the Eastern Alliance. Speaking of, my intent was to send the general and his officers to their troops and order a retreat. Does anyone have any objections or last minute suggestions?”
No one objects, but Geirahoel asks, “Are you sure it’s wise letting anyone retreat? I know the plan, I’m just worried about letting them continue to plot against us.”
“You’re right to be concerned. In the case of the general specifically, he’ll find it exceedingly difficult to discuss Hekate without embarrassing himself and frustrating anyone around him.”
Hekate chuckles as she blushes, reminiscing fondly of the whole thing, and how Daniel stood up for her aggressively. He’s not usually particularly quick to any emotion, but he does become fiercely protective of people he cares about.
Ryuogriar remarks, “Your Greatness, Mukori would have done the same for anyone here.”
“Shut up, Ryuo! He did it for me!”
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“Now, Hekate, be nice.”
“A true victory does not come from your opponent’s rules, Hekate. Remember that.” Daniel suddenly perks up. “Actually…” He stands up suddenly, and everyone starts to rise as well. “Sorry! No, please finish breakfast. I just had an idea.”
“And?” asks Ryuogriar. “What is it?”
Daniel chuckles. “I just figured out what to do about Empress Sundenelle. I’m going to accept her proposal for marriage.”
There are several gasps, and Daniel quickly adds as it looks like he’s about to have to fight his way out, “Hold on there! She obviously didn’t. But, how happy do you think she’ll be when I make a fool out of her thanks to her attempts to do whatever?”
There’s an awkward pause, and the entire gathered group of individuals, including Choul standing nearby, glance around at each other.
Hekate grins, but she quickly turns serious, pointing up at Daniel. “You can’t marry her! I absolutely forbid it. Not at all. This isn’t like anyone else. She’s a butt, and I won’t allow it!”
“I’m not planning to marry her. I’m just going to make a fool out of her. If she tries to reverse it on me, we’ll string it out, and then make up a reason to drop it. But, I sincerely doubt she’s going to want to be… uh… one of many.”
Treia retorts, “That’s a bit cruel, isn’t it, to toy with a woman’s heart?”
A few others nod, but Daniel sighs. “Listen. She’s not interested in marrying me. Certainly not out of love or anything. I’ve never met her. I wouldn’t do it to someone who is actually interested in me. That is cruel. But, for this old hag sitting on her high horse…”
Wenlianna points out, “She’s younger than me, Daniel.”
“What?”
“Empress Sundenelle is younger than me. I think she’s around twenty.”
“The Empress? Of the entire Grand Zenkon Empire?” asks Daniel skeptically. Those not from the east are surprised as well.
Hekate takes mild offense, though, saying, “Hey! I’m only fifteen, and I’m an Empress.”
Daniel smiles, petting her head. “Yes, but our Empire is much smaller.”
“And, Daniel makes most of the decisions,” points out Vaergraes.
“Not to mention my boundless wisdom,” adds Ryuogriar. This causes Hekate to glare at her.
But, Gwenesphia returns to the point with a nod. “Yes. Her Grace’s father passed away when she was a teenager, and she was the only legitimate and thus rightful heir. It was a whole dramatic thing when it was happening. That’s probably why General Jothraligus even participated directly in the battle. Many noblemen are interested in impressing her and winning her hand in marriage, by whatever means necessary.”
“She can have those losers,” replies Hekate haughtily. “She can have all of them.” Ryuogriar, Reignleif, and Geirahoel, specifically, nod in agreement with the young feldrok Empress.
Daniel sighs. “Alright, then if not an old hag, snotty brat it is.”
Wenlianna adds, “She’s crafty, Daniel. I don’t know if mind games will work on her. It’s how she was able to secure her position as Empress and avoid political marriages. She outmaneuvered everyone in her court.”
“As I said. This will just be a social parry. If she makes another move, we’ll work around it. It’s not like I’m going to the Imperial Capital myself.”
Choul takes the opportunity to step forward. “Allow me, your Grace. I shall deliver your message with minimal risk.”
Xyreko adds, “We could also use illusion magic to make Sir Choul look like him.”
“And, how are you supposed to guard Daniel and the rest of us if you’re in the capital?” asks Geirahoel sourly.
“F-Forgive me, your Grace. I… expected that my absence would be more than welcome…”
She huffs as she looks away. “You proved you aren’t completely useless. Let a golem deliver the message. But, don’t think I’ve forgiven you. You owe your existence to Daniel.”
“Of course, your Grace.” Choul looks at Daniel, who thinks. “Golems are probably perfectly acceptable, though it has to be as expendable as possible. Is there any risk to you if they’re captured, Xyreko? No offense, Choul. I know the risks if we send you.”
Choul nods. “Spare me no thought, your Grace. I am pleased to serve your wisdom at your leisure.”
Xyreko replies to Daniel’s question, “I have learned things since you came to me, Daniel, so I will never again rule anything out. I can come up with no risks, save potentially reverse engineering the spell to make remote-controlled golems, if they have mages of such skill and power. I suspect one of them is within our midst.” She looks to Wenlianna, whose specialty specifically is magic devices.
Wenlianna blushes and chuckles nervously. “I-I’m not a traitor.”
“Just what a traitor would say,” teases Reignleif softly, which earns a chuckle from the others. Meanwhile, Shek and Skloe approach Daniel and Hekate, offering them desserts they made as they continue to practice their culinary skills. They then walk around the table, giving one to everyone else as the conversation continues. Daniel kneels and thanks both of the goblins, trying one of each of theirs for a happy grin when he enjoys them.
Wenlianna, teased by her distant relative, stammers, “I-... I’m, I would never! You have to believe me.” Everyone chuckles again, and Xyreko adds warmly, “I was not making accusations. Just speculating that you would have the capacity to deconstruct how my golems work.”
“Oh! Um… It would probably take me some time, but it wouldn’t be out of the question. Especially if I knew what I know now; that I would have to isolate the golem so that you can’t control it and have it destroy itself or teleport out.”
Xyreko nods. “Beyond that, Daniel, I do not believe they could bring direct harm to me. My connection to the golems being controlled remotely is little more than commands I send via a connection similar to telepathy. In simplified terms, it’d be like sending a letter. The golem can send letters back, but I can see their contents before they can take effect on me.”
“Makes sense. Don’t relax any of your precautions then. Do you mind sending a golem?”
“Certainly not. Would you like me to disguise it as you? I could send golems of the whole harem.”
Daniel sighs, but he notices he has several expectant stares locked on him.
He thinks seriously for a moment. He doesn’t care whether or not people know, it’s just still awkward for him hearing it out loud. Especially when all of them are together as they are now.
Reignleif suggests, “Would it be possible for the golems to act as proxies, where we are the ones speaking and acting, and the golems mirror us?”
Daniel didn’t think of that, but it’s an excellent idea. Xyreko replies, “It would be complicated for me alone. If I am permitted to bring all of the Mana Guides, Spellmasters, and Service Chiefs into the fold, each of us could control a golem representing each of you, which would be easy enough and lower the burden on me. However, if you should order it…”
“No, that’s an acceptable plan, Xyreko. It compartmentalizes us as well. Very well, then. We’ll send the General back with a letter to be sent to the Empress. We’ll tell him it’s a formal request for parlay. Then, if and when she agrees to meet, we’ll send the golems and drop the bomb-shell.”
“You’re going to use that!? I thought we were just going to embarrass her!” exclaims Hekate, shocked. The others are surprised as well.
Daniel chuckles, “Figure of speech. I mean the ‘bomb-shell’ will be the ‘I accept your marriage proposal’ bit. It’ll hit everyone like a bomb.”
They relax, and Hekate murmurs, “Oh… I get it.” She nods confidently, though Daniel can tell she’s still trying to figure out the connection.
Daniel then adds, “Anyways, that was a good idea, Reignleif. Thank you. Seems I really need to learn more about magic’s capabilities, since it can serve me so well.”
“Especially now that you have magic,” points out Thymeria warmly.
“Shek learn magic!” says Shek proudly as she painstakingly climbs back into her seat. “Shek help.”
“I’m counting on it, Shek. And, all of you. But, for now, we have a plan. I’m going to go draft the letter real quick. You guys finish, and we’ll march the officers in for a formal audience before sending them on their way.”
The women and Choul nod in agreement, and those who are finished go to get dressed for the audience. As usual, they’re putting on a ridiculous show, since it’s fun, and it proves to be intimidating to anyone meeting them. Even Vaergraes participates, though she’s not officially one of Daniel’s romantic partners.
Hekate shovels the last bites of her breakfast into her mouth, taking her plate to the bus tray as she talks through a mouth full of food, “I’gh goigh wiff Gyaniel.” She jogs out after him.
***
General Jothraligus kos Ekstragar III walks at the head of the line of allied officers as they enter a regal-looking -and humongous- audience chamber. He can tell it is so based on the areas for seating, though sparsely populated with a handful of demonkin, including oni, higher demons, kirins, goblins, ogres, and dattakoriens. It truly has become a mess, and they seem to be making a mockery of eastern customs.
And, at the head of the room on the raised dais where several seats are a crowd of women and two men. While Jothraligus only recognizes Hekate and the horned woman that was with her, other than Daniel of course, it’s apparent that he is looking at a large group of people that seem to fancy themselves all part of the ruling body. Maybe he can work with that. He has to be careful of course, but if he can turn them on each other…
General Joth… Jothilag…” Hekate looks to Daniel, who is standing next to her throne in the center. He whispers, “Jothraligus…”
“General Jothraligus kos… whatever your name is. It is unfortunate that we couldn’t come to terms under more equal conditions.” The golems force the general and the other officers to their knees before Hekate. She continues, “That’s better. Now, I’m a merciful Empress. I thought about making you crawl in here and grovel before me, but I decided that would make me a savage like you. So, instead, I’ll allow you to kneel like knights. Listen and listen well. You have no chance of defeating me. We have driven your invasion back every day for the past five days. And, that’s playing by your rules. You know, not attacking at night, fending off waves, not burning the east to the ground while you’re all here trying to get past our first line of defense. And, all without killing anyone. I mean, if I start killing anyone, I might as well annihilate all of you in one fell swoop. I imagine it’s pretty difficult to muster an army of one hundred thousand troops. Not to mention all of the support infrastructure that’s needed to supply such an army.”
Jothraligus trembles at the sight of her, but he says nothing. She is a pretentious child, and the others seem to not be impressed by her speech either. But, he knows what she’s willing to do to him. Or rather, what the person really in charge is willing to do to him. He looks at Daniel, who watches him with a cold expression.
The horned woman from before with platinum blond hair and a shimmering dress that follows her voluptuous and well-endowed curves speaks up next, “Minister Xyreko is right. It is repulsive that these pathetic cowards have longer lifespans than Mukori. We should correct that ourselves. It’s only proper.”
The auburn-haired horned woman seated next to Daniel replies with a snort, “How do they even decide who should lead their armies? These fools barely put up a fight.”
Hekate asks, “Well? Do you have anything to say for yourself, Joth-... Jothy?”
Daniel sighs a little, and Jothraligus glances briefly at the officer to his right. Everyone that was captured with him are either fellow generals from the vassal or allied kingdoms with the Empire, or a handful of colonels serving as liaisons from some of the militaries. He replies as courteously as he can to a bunch of demon-kin, “I am loyal to the gods, her Grace, the one and only Empress Sundenelle kos Lindenmorg, and the people of the Empire. I will face any trials with dignity and pride.” It is difficult to speak with the same grace he normally holds, now that his teeth are broken and chipped from the brutal mistreatment he faced by Daniel.
“Mm. Pride, maybe. Not with dignity. But, I didn’t invite you here to insult you. That’s low hanging fruit. I’m going to give you an option to save one hundred thousand of your people of the Empire. Now that the magic contracts are applied to you, once we send you back to your troops, you will have one day to order a full retreat and three days for you and your fellow officers and captured soldiers to reach the border of the Fievegal and never return. After that, you may deliver these two messages.” She gestures with her hand, and one of the golem guards steps forward, marching ceremoniously to the center, pivoting in a crisp 90 degree turn, and then walking to the General. Hekate explains, “They are not for your eyes, since you’re a pathetic and weak man. The first should go to the commanding officer of Fort Twilight, and to make it easy for you, it is the one with the blue ribbon and the blue stamp. It’s magically sealed, so if you tamper with it, we’ll know. The second is a message for Sundenelle. Why my darling Daniel wanted to send her a message is beyond me, but make sure she gets it. We’ll be sure to use your name if it somehow doesn’t reach her.” Hekate gestures again, and Xyreko waves her hand casually, causing an image to appear. It depicts the scene playing out again.
“We’ll know whether or not she gets the message based on how she responds. Now, as you can see, I have to share Daniel with something like a million other women, and you’ve wasted my precious time by trying to attack our castle.”
“Don’t they punish such behaviors with death in the Empire?” asks Ryuogriar facetiously.
“I think so,” replies Hekate. “But after a long, obnoxious speech about how great and civilized they are to ensure you want to die more than they want to kill you.”
The other women chuckle, and one of the very pregnant goblins with them asks, “They no teach in east? That why invaders so easy to defeat?”
Jothraligus can feel rage boiling inside him, but he glances at Daniel, whose cold and piercing stare sends shivers down his spine. He never, ever wants to go near water again thanks to that man who fancies himself a make-believe emperor.
One of the other officers, General Yontav of the Kingdom of Henbarr, asks urgently, “Y-You said we can go home, right? I-If we do as you say, we’ll be able to return home?”
“Of course,” replies Hekate, as if the answer should be obvious. “I’m not a monster. You keep your promises, and I’ll keep mine. But, only if you keep them. After all, I just want the army to retreat. I don’t care how you lot decide to make that happen.”
Jothraligus suddenly feels many more icy glares, and when he glances around, he’s horrified to find that the other captured officers are glaring at him.
What is the meaning of this? Who do they think I am? I was appointed by the Empress herself!
Jothraligus clears his throat, deciding on a course of action. “Please excuse my saying so, Her Imperial Greatness, the Wise and Beautiful Empress Hekate fell Lawson, most beautiful and benevolent Empress in the world…” He pauses as he helplessly blurts out that part. But, he keeps going. “The Empress will be curious to know which of you is officially Daniel’s wife. I sincerely doubt she’ll entertain peace talks with anyone other than the leader and his wife.”
Daniel holds up his hand just as Hekate is about to respond, and he replies with a smirk. “You’re going to get an answer you’ll regret hearing, General. As Hekate told you, we’re not suing for peace. We’re giving Sundenelle a chance to save face. If her or her allies continue to threaten our borders, we will be forced to conquer alleged Imperial territory. And, we’ll be starting with Fort Twilight as retaliation.”
The officers all tense, and one of them cries out, “You can’t do that! That’s madness!”
“Can’t?” asks the auburn-haired horned woman. “Pathetic cowards do not define what we can or cannot do. Certainly not servants of a rogue polity proclaiming itself an Empire. When children act out of line, you take away their toys and lecture them.”
“You all started this,” replies the blue-haired horned woman softly from behind her high collar on her blue mantle. “We provided no threat to you after joining Emperor Daniel. And, still you attack us.”
“That we have not burned every inch of your alleged Empire is by the grace of our beloved Daniel. And, to answer your question, we are all his wives and will give him a legacy that will rule the Fievegal for the rest of time.”
Hekate nods in agreement. Daniel adds, “And, your pathetic attempt to get them to fight each other is useless, General. We wouldn’t have gotten this far if they couldn’t stand each other. So, go to your precious self-proclaimed Empress and deliver the message. And, if I were you, I wouldn’t attempt to defend Twilight. You won’t win. Consider this fair warning.”
“Wh-What happens after Twilight, y-your Grace?” asks Commander Mossvaldier.
“That will depend on Sundenelle, now, won’t it?” retorts Hekate forebodingly. “Now begone! If your soldiers haven’t left by midday tomorrow, we will exterminate you to the last man, and we won’t be stopping at Twilight.”
The golems march the officers back out, and Jothraligus glances nervously at the other generals and commanders. Are they blaming me for all of this? These traitors!
***