"I want to recall all military activity back to Us, to bring all of Our armies back to Deagoth. I want all the Warmarshals to report to here in Saigunrai." Jack's opening sentence dropped a bombshell on the people present. Each reaction was worth its weight in gold.

[What about the heretic tribes?] Was Lucius first thought...

[So, it begins.] Was Leslie's first thought.

[Are our armies outside of the kingdom?] Was Jade's first thought.

[Why are We turtling?] Was Verruca's ONLY thought.

[Why am I being told this?!?!] Was the thought held by Emily. Perched on the Mad King's knee... A chill that even an undead could feel ran down her spine... The prophecy...

Lucius spoke up first, "Alright, but... What exactly was this disturbance you spoke of...? And why did you need all of us here right this second, but furthermore how does this relate to bringing everyone home???"

Verruca spoke next, "Disturbance!?" While she looked back from Lucius to Jack. This word bothered her. The last time Jack got a bad feeling he annihilated two armies and was entombed for a thousand years...

"Let's start from the top," Jack said as he rubbed Leslie on her back. She felt slightly awkward from the display of affection in front of everyone, but she didn't refuse the touch.

"A few minutes ago... I felt something. I don't exactly know how to describe it other than a disturbance in the Light. A mix of emotions of pain, sorrow, and pure rage. Not a fiery rage... But a cold dead rage. This feeling made me feel like... Like I have lost someone important to me. So I gathered everyone that I care about. Everyone in this room is someone that I care about."

This again caused another sensation within the room. Lucius was filled with warmth, Jade was filled with hope, Verruca was filled with conflicting feelings, Leslie was filled with love, and Emily... Emily was filled with uncertainty.

She even looked up to Jack and stared at those flaming eyes. She spoke up interrupting, "Even me?"

Jack looked down at the small princess, as he rubbed her head, "Lolis are justice."

No one in the room knew what a Loli was, except Leslie... And Leslie wondered what being a small woman had to do with justice...

"I don't understand." Emily shook her head and looked back up to Jack.

"Can you make me a promise?" Jack asked, in front of everyone.

"What promise?" Emily mentally stepped back... Just want did this mad king want?

"I need you to cut ties with Neolith, and become one of mine," Jack said rather solemnly.

Shock filled the room! Did The Holy Witch King just propose in front of his own Consort?!

"This is so sudden!" Emily covered her face. She wished she could go back to her room, and hide in a corner. However, there was a tiny corner of her heart that quietly whispered, "Finally."

"What are all of you thinking! I mean become a citizen of the Kingdom!" Jack snapped.

""""Oh!""""

A collective 'Oh' was issued from the room. Did he just purposely mislead us? They all wondered as the face of Verruca eased up, while Leslie's remained placid.

"No. I need to know you are a part of Deagoth. Sink or swim." Jack continued.

"I... This... I mean, I just can't turn my back on my kingdom. I am a princess of Neolith after all." Emily said as she looked down to the floor.

"I feel that I can save you from your situation. If a situation, it can be called." Jack replied.

Slightly startled, Emily again looked deeply at Jack... [What does he know?]

"Alright... Is it that you want a Title in Deagoth? Is that it?" Jack asked. He decided to try the carrot method.

After a moment of thought, Emily actually nodded her head.

[Leslie... What if I make Emily my second Consort? Will you oppose it?] Jack mentally asked.

[You're bent on doing this anyway, am I right? Find then... Do what you want.] Leslie replied rather dryly.

It was Jack's turn to be startled... [When a woman says do whatever you want... DON'T DO WHAT YOU WANT!] Jack alarmed in his mind. Again, he asked, [While I could do whatever I wanted, I wouldn't ask you. I literally want your opinion. I think it would do us good to rope her into Deagoth. One I get to save the princess, and two We can use her as a means to protect Us and even Ally with Neolith. If my feelings are correct... I think We are heading to a world war.] Jack finished.

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

[World war?! Alright... Then I'll be honest. I don't like this little girl, but I understand what you're saying. Later I need to tell you about something about this little thing... But go ahead. If this nets Us Neolith's support... Then this might do Us well.]

[Alright, and thank you.] Jack replied.

[What are you thanking me for...] Leslie was displeased about the whole thing but decided to support her husband... Even if it meant that she had to share him. She had already agreed to it after all... Just she expected Verruca, not this little brat.

This exchange of conversation was quick between the two. Quick enough that everyone only thought that the Witch King was thinking, and the silence hadn't become awkward yet.

"Then let's go back to the room's assumption, and I will give you the Title of my second Consort," Jack spoke, while looking at Emily. Another bombshell! Today was a good day to be shocked.

Emily was the most shocked person here! She didn't believe it was going to be this easy, after her first meeting with this mad king, but here she was...

[Wait? Second Consort??? Well... A second consort can become first wife, if I play my cards right!] As Emily was thinking, a voice next to her sounded.

"I think your kingdom wishes for this to happen. It's not like you will never help Neolith again." Leslie said while looking at the tiny girl that resided next to her.

"Huh?" Emily looked up to Leslie, this was the first time sitting here that she looked over at her. She felt slightly strange sharing the lap of the King with his Consort, and she was about to be made his second Consort.

"Don't think I don't know about your little reason to marry my King," Leslie said, as she decided back up Jack, even if she didn't completely agree with it, at least she held Jack's heart!

"What!?" Emily shuddered. The reason she came was related to the most guarded secret of Neolith, and the faith of the Spider.

Considering Emily was singing the prophecy while coloring in his room, she didn't make it seem all that secretive, but Emily would never admit to it...

"I don't see the problem. I mean if you really don't wish to become a part of Deagoth, then how would you become his Consort or even marry my King?"

Emily realized she was right...

[Why does it seem like she isn't against me become the mad king's Consort???] Emily was slightly puzzled by this but decided that she would for now forsake her old kingdom, but this was only for now. If she was to become Queen of Deagoth, then she could help them in ways she could never before.

"Then... Then I will cut ties with my kingdom. I will only be for Deagoth and become your second Consort, till true death do us part." Emily said slowly.

Jack glanced at Leslie, only for Leslie to smile back at him. He shook his head, and then looked back to Emily. He rubbed her head again, "Then it's settled. Now that you are a part of Us, I can continue. Just know that We will be watching you, to make sure these words you have just spoken aren't hollow."

"I... Understand." Emily spoke sheepishly, she felt she had boarded the mad king's pirate ship... What else was she going to do?

Verruca face contained a sense of sadness. Lucius looked up to see her face, and could only helplessly shake his head.

[She missed her chance...] Lucius could only feel this way, but then again... Not taking the chance was also a decision. Knowing Verruca's personality, it was highly unlikely that she was ever going to become a three Consort, as second was likely her limit. If Jack didn't feel the way he did, he wouldn't have made Emily his second consort.

Jade finally spoke up, "If you're just handing out Titles, I don't mind being a Consort!" Jade laughed.

"MOTHER!" Leslie snapped, she couldn't believe what her mother said, as the room focused on Jade.

[Her mother? Interesting.] Emily looked to this lady, named Jade.

"Well... Let's talk about that later then. You can't blame me for trying." Jade spread her hands out.

Jack recovered from his shock. He felt she was acting odd earlier today.

"Let's continue. Second of all, because I feel this... This doomsday feeling. I want all of Our troops home side. A bulwark to the coming world war. I don't wish to lose any of you." Jack said as he was being in a rare mood. He was showing he cared when usually he would just toss it to the side. That feeling he got... It was the same feeling he had just after he died... He would later call this feeling 'the endless dark.'

Verruca's face returned to her stern expression as she voiced her concern, "Why do we need to hold up in our shell like a turtle?" She didn't like being on the defensive.

"Because I don't know who the enemy is at the moment. What would happen if We attacked one, but the real enemy attacks after Our attention was divided?" Jack said as he looked over Verruca.

"Of course. I was too hasty." Verruca said. She did know in her mind, but she hoped that Jack knew who it was this time. It didn't help that her emotions were slightly muddled over Emily.

"I also need to get even stronger for the coming times. I plan to go into a retreat to increase my strength. As I am currently, I feel too useless."

A short gasp filled the room... An Emperor Ranked Cultivator felt useless??? Who would believe that!

Only Jack knew that his current cultivate was Knight Rank Mid-level.

"I have to try and see." Jack shook his head, as he looked at the shocked expressions and body language of the group.

"Can I suggest something then?" Leslie spoke this time.

"MMMmmm?" Jack acknowledged

"You should do something about showing off... Every time you cultivate, a pillar of light forms and shines in the sky. Everyone knows it's you. This will include our enemies. It would be a good idea that they didn't know you were away, else they might get ideas."

Lucius wasn't to refute this, as it was so helpful with church on the seventh day... but he had to admit that there was plenty of logic in these words.

"I will figure something out."

Jade finally broke her silence, "How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know," Jack replied. He really had no idea. Cultivation was something he had just started learning, and only knew what was written in books.

"While I am gone, I want you, you, you in charge. This time I want decisions to be made if they have to be made." Jack pointed to Lucius, Leslie, and Verruca.

The three nodded slowly.

Lucius hesitated for a moment before he spoke, "What about Warmarshal Michael, and the Heretic Tribes we are trying to recruit."

Jack thought for a moment... Something about that didn't feel exactly right.

"It doesn't sound like a problem. Just make sure that no issues will come up about this. I want him back as soon as possible."

Jack looked over the Verruca, "I want you to be my War Master while I am in retreat. This means that besides Lucius, you can activate our armies for defense. Do you accept being War Master until I return?"

"Yes." Verruca nodded with stern confidence.

"Good. Tomorrow I will go into retreat." Jack finished.

After a few more pieces of conversation and planning, that included the appointment of the North and South Boneyard speakers, and the handling of the Grimnight Clan.

Jack bid everyone a good night, as the Skull dimmed outside, sending them to their respective rooms.

He returned to his chamber with Leslie. That night, again, Jack and Leslie confirmed their love. For tomorrow, he wouldn't see her for a while.