I sit alone for the ride back home. I find an isolated hold and sit against a wall. My mother's urn is in front of me. I stare at it for the multiple-hour ride, but I do not dwell on the contents. I think about the future... what I'm going to do and when. I plan to bury my mother alongside where I laid my father's remains. That will be the proper thing to do, but aside from that everything seems unsure. It's all so confusing, I have a plan, but I don't have it fully matured yet, and the consequences unplanned. Everything feels overwhelming at the moment, but I know it's just because I am currently upset, I doubt I'll stop being upset for a long time...if ever.

I don't feel any better after doing what I did, nor do I think moving forward I'll feel any better. No matter how many others I save or prevent from facing the same fate. Even if I liberate every single slave in existence, even through perfect diplomacy where no one gets hurt, I don't think I'll feel better. It feels like I've been gutted, a hollow pain as if all my insides were pulled out of me. It's the most pain I've ever felt in my life, even when I was tortured for months it doesn't even come close in comparison. I stare at the urn in front of me and ask in a low voice,

"What should I do? I know what must be done... I made my vow...but what should I do? Should I keep moving forward with this? Should I avenge you? Do you need avenging anymore? "

I receive no answer. The ashes and bones cannot speak. I sit in silence once more with my thoughts spinning at hurricane intensity, growing, changing, and becoming more morbid. I try to shake away the more self-destructive thoughts but they remain. I feel my empty gut sink as the thoughts cross my mind more than once, and then the heat from earlier returns as I ask myself,

"Why do I have to die? Because I am sad? Because I am too weak to keep moving forward? Is that what Mom or Dad would have wanted? The ones of this life and those before? When did I become so weak?"

With each question, my anger grows more intense until I practically shout to myself,

"When did I become such a fucking little bitch? Get your shit together Isa. It wasn't my fault, why would I ever be forced to suffer death for this tragedy? The Viscount wasn't the only one responsible, there is an entire system in place, an entire religion that not only allows these tragedies but encourages them.

There is an entire kingdom, maybe more than one that encourages this behavior. They are the ones who should face punishment. Get your head out of your own ass. "

I glare at the door across from me. No one is standing there but I feel a presence, someone...no something is there, and it can see and feel me. My glare of rage is returned, but the response is more disdainful rather than vengeful. I know who it is, I have proof her kind is real, and by my hand, I proved they are not immortal, much less deserving the title of god. I growl to the door,

"I'm coming for you, Serena, and for everything you represent."

In a moment the presence is gone and I feel something deep within my stir. Something I don't understand, but in a moment a whisper enters my ears. A disembodied calm female voice hisses quietly,

"You may try, but you've already been my greatest pawn."

I spit on the floor and don't bother giving a response. She is undeserving of words, but my actions will be my response in due time...

The ironclad docks at the capitol at the airship dockyard near the royal palace. I leave my Mom inside the ship as I disembark. I try to keep a neutral expression as I walk towards the palace. Princess Godiva walks beside me a look of worry on her face. I take a quick look around the royal dockyard and make a mental note of how many ironclads the royals have in stock. All nine royal ironclads sit in their docking slots. If I remember correctly three more Blake-class ships are nearing the end of production for the royals. Then there will be the ones Duke Hasslerouge ordered, but that is something I can deal with later.

I enter the palace to a respectful reception, but some of the staff and guards seem a little weary of me. Rumors travel at the speed of sound I guess. Godiva and I enter the throne room and find Blake waiting for us. He is quietly conversing with the King, I catch only a few words but it's clear they are discussing the happenings at the Viscount's estate. When they notice my and Godiva's presence they stop and the King greets his daughter warmly. I give him a short bow and he gives me a respectful nod. He then says directly to me with restrained anger in his voice,

"The Viscount was like an uncle to me... I do not know how to feel now understanding his crimes... both against the kingdom and goddess. Despite this... were your actions necessary."

I feel my throat tighten as the fire from before threatens to return. I bit my tongue before I responded with indignation. I then give my response,

"Would you do the same if it were Princess Godiva?"

The King raises his eyebrows in thinly veiled shock at my response. I'll admit I answered a little more... pointedly than I should've considering I am speaking with the King, who I currently have zero leverage over. After a moment of staring me down, he nods at me giving me a non-verbal confirmation. He then turns to his daughter and speaks to all three of us,

"The Viscount is being treated for his wounds. Upon recovery, his trial will begin. We will see just how far gone he is."

Godiva gives me a determined look, probably hoping to reassure me that justice will be served. I give her a thin smile back, hoping to convey that I understand, but it won't be enough. She doesn't know it, but the Viscount won't see the next sunrise. The King speaks for a few more minutes before dismissing us. As all three of us leave the throne room Godiva asks me,

"Isa... are you going to be alright?"

Blake stands nearby, his expression is hard to read, but he appears to be weary of me. I respond to Godiva,

"I'll manage. I'm just gonna drown myself in work until I am so busy I can't think about it. "

I give her a smile that doesn't reach my eyes. It's the honest truth, just not the whole truth. She shifts her weight for a second, the situation growing awkward, I get it, there really isn't anything she can do, and if the roles were switched I wouldn't know what to do either. I give her a better smile and tell her,

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"I'll be fine. I just have lots of work to do."

She surprises me by asking out of nowhere,

"I'm sorry but I have to ask... what was it you said to your men? I just don't know much about your culture. Is that normal for funerals? "

I can't help but laugh in surprise and I respond,

"No, that is not a normal funeral speech. I was solving a problem I'm having in my earldom. I was accepting a role and making a big gamble for the future."

She nods and responds relief clear across her face,

"That's good... It had been bothering me, it almost sounded like a declaration of war, but I now understand it was a declaration.

You know where to find us if you need help. I will support you."

That is not good. I don't know why, maybe my demeanor, but something has put a seed of doubt in Godiva's mind. It probably was my reaction to everything. It might've seemed like I was turning against the kingdom due to the closeness of the Viscount to the royal family. I need to watch myself. To be honest, I don't want to fight the Alrius kingdom itself, especially in a way that may harm Godiva, but if I am to go to war with the church, the kingdom may try to protect its faith. She's a friend, I hope it doesn't come to that.

I give her a thankful look, acting oblivious to her suspicion. I respond,

"I may need the help... but I'll leave you to... well take care of the Viscount for me. I shouldn't be near him anymore... "

She and Blake both nod and Godiva leaves. Blake stays behind before putting his hand on my shoulder and stating,

"I want you to know... I have your back... especially now... we have to support one another."

I gently grab his wrist and lower his arm off my shoulder before converting my grip into a handshake. I say to him,

"That means a lot buddy. Thank you."

He smiles apparently satisfied before heading off in the same direction as Godiva. My face drops as he leaves my sight. He knows the Viscount is not in league with the Demon King. His vision granted by the goddess probably told him such, he doesn't know the reason why the Viscount was marked to die, but it's also clear he understands why I did what I did to the man, his distrust comes from my initial reasoning for quickly and easily taking the job to arrest him. If it comes to it, I'll simply tell the truth. It was a political move, but not for me.

I briskly walk through the palace halls. I move with a purpose until I find myself near the dungeon area. This dungeon is for political prisoners meaning its cells are closer to apartments. A part of medieval politics, looking for ransom in war for captured nobility. They are keeping the Viscount here, treating his injuries, and keeping him alive. I don't enter the dungeon complex. I simply wait for a while until a servant girl goes to enter the dungeon while pushing a cart of mushed food. I had removed all the Viscounts' teeth, so I know this meal is for him. I stop the girl with a winning smile and she is surprised to see me. I chat with her for a while, just small-talking as I get confirmation the food is headed for the Viscount. She apologizes to me for listening to rumors but she does give her sympathies for my loss. She then asks me,

"Did you... umm do that to the Viscount... hurt him in that way?"

I let out a long and regretful breath and then start lying and my heart breaks as I do so,

"No... well... sorta. I did not purposefully cause him such harm. I believe it was part of his plan. He had been using my mother... "

I choke up, which is not pretend as I use my mother to make gains in a lie,

"... He had used my mother in his rituals to the Demon King...I did attack him. I will admit but his injuries are more self-inflicted in a way.

Demon magic needs sacrifices to work, much like ritual magic. It grants power... evil power...I did remove two of his limbs in the fight we had, but his other injuries came as a form of... self-sacrifice to fight me, but he drew more power than he was allowed and the Demon King... well you've heard what he is like..."

I feel my eyes tear up in guilt for my lie, but the servant girl is crying at my tale. Her sympathy makes me feel more like a sack of shit, but the Viscount cannot testify. I mentally apologize to my mother for using her in my lie. I also mentally apologize to this girl. What's about to happen to her is not her fault, and she doesn't deserve it.

As we keep chatting and she keeps giving me sympathy I slowly direct us into the dungeon and we walk right to the Viscounts "cell". He is lying in the bed just like the potato he is. There is a woman in here as well. She is changing his bandages. She looks up at us as we enter and she seems surprised to see us enter. She says something and the Viscount moves his neck to look at the door. I meet eyes with him and he doesn't even scream. I watch as all light leaves them. He knows why I am here. He looks at the two women some hope in his eyes. I frown and feel some tears welling up as I shake my head. He mumbles something and the woman changing his bandages leans in to hear him. She looks up at us confused and she says,

"He says he is sorry? Why would he apologize to you? For your mother? That doesn't make sense..."

I respond coldly as I draw the sword on my hip I can't stop myself from tearing up,

"He isn't apologizing to me..."

I finish my task by using the steel spoon on the cart to stab myself after I break off the rounded spoon part. I get myself in the arm right where my armor doesn't cover. I groan at the sharp pain as I fight back my sobs. The room is now painted red. Words praising the Demon King are written in blood everywhere. Demonic symbolism that I barely remember from a book back at the academy drawn all over the walls. The two women are dead, I put them down clean, but that doesn't matter, I murdered them. I killed the Viscount with the same sharpened spoon I got myself with. I dipped the fingers of the women in their and the Viscounts' blood so it looks like they did the morbid artwork. In a final act of deniability, I take a part of the cart and hit myself in the face. It leaves a nasty red mark and with my sword, I cleanly open my brow so it looks like the strike busted me. I place the part I hit myself with into the servant girl's hands. I then slam the door open and stumble down the dungeon halls. I leave a trail of dripping blood behind me hoping no one contaminates themselves with it.

The dungeon has no guards as the Viscount was the only prisoner at the moment. A nugget of a man doesn't need guards. I slam the door from the dungeon open and in perfect timing it is right when Godiva, along with some royal guards, is passing at that time. Godiva's eyes go wide and I shout in faked panic,

"The Demon King! He-He... he has insiders in the palace!"

Godiva rushes over to me and looks over my self-inflicted injuries and She asks,

"What happened Isa?"

Once more for the day I lie, and this one hurts just as much,

"I was leaving as expected but I noticed a servant girl acting odd. I followed her all the way to the dungeon... I recognized her... she...she was working with the man in the black armor... I remember when I was attacked... before I fell off the floating island, when that demon woman attacked me she had some helpers. That girl... she...she was one of them."

I fake my pained groans and heavy breathing, I only barely register the pain from my injuries. I feel so shitty... so cold and hollow the pain is nothing. Godiva then asks,

"What happened?"

I shake my head and state,

"I was too late... there was already someone in there... an agent of the Demon King. She already had already begun killing the Viscount by the time I got there. The second servant girl was drawing profane symbols everywhere. I tried to stop them... but it was too late. They got some licks in on me though...

I'm sorry Godiva..."

I choke up on the last part as I am sorry. I remove the spoon from my arm with a grunt of exertion as one of the guards runs off to get a healer. Two of the guards enter the dungeon and return quickly covering their mouths. Godiva asks them,

"Is it true?"

The older of the two replies,

"Yes... it's clear the two women killed the Viscount and used his... fluids to draw all kinds of demonic symbols. It's terrible my princess... you should not go."

Around this time the guard returns with a healer who starts working on me as the captain of the guard goes to inspect the scene. I wait around as my wounds are healed and as expected...

I am let free, and the captain vouches for my innocence...