*crackle* *crackle*
"Hmm..."
Fire, fire and flames it breaks all form. No amount snow nature can give can thaw this ceaseless rampage. Its rage deeper than the darkest abyss...
*Snap*
"Aaarg-"
*Smash*
Unbreakable yet so... Weak.
It was a small hail when this all happened. Here I rest my legs to receive the news only to be ambushed by one of them.
"I hope you don't attempt something similar King of Sanjo. Do I look so weak?"
(Especially with my new look).
I warn the remaining survivor amidst the unconscious guards that surround us.
(I don't wish to burn their bodies so I just knock them unconscious which might be best).
The King of Sanjo, a man in his late fourties with long smooth black hair and wearing expensive robes with the theme of rings, so much so the crown he wears looks like if someone asks a kid to make a hat out of rings they just slap it all together with glue and stick it to his head.
*Shiver*
Sadly, he is now completely paralyzed to answer me when I slaughtered... Well, Incapacitated Gwang's forces along with caving Gwang's king face and forcing him to sit back down. Though maybe it's also because the urgent tent they set up has been ripped open leaving us exposed as we sit in this large fancy round table of solid fancy wood.
Seeing the dusk has almost come to an end, I grab a fallen lantern from the ruined camp and use a ripped cloth and the burning base to lit the lantern and place it at the centre of the table for light and warmth saying:
"This should warm us for a while. So... I assume it's true you accept our ultimatum?"
I ask but the King of Sanjo who hasn't even introduce him yet is simply grasping his shaking hands refusing to answer. And all I can wonder is what lead to this...
It was just before we could do the tour, Abe told me she received message that the Kings of the remaining 2 kingdom accepts Kokkan's ultimatum. And we instead set out to meet them on their designated location per Kokkan's demands and the messenger which would be Kokkan would come alone but since he's injured I will be his proxy which is supposedly even better.
But the moment Abe drops me off and I arrived to a temporary base, they lead me inside this tent which and when I greet myself they come in blasting alongside the King of Gwang. Then I beat the schnitzel our of them which leads to this...
"You... That accent, are you from our kingdom?"
"Huh?"
The King of Sanjo finally speaks but he from the trembling tone he is absolutely afraid and baffled as he then continue asking:
"Why... Why would you, do this? Forsaking your humanity, destroying your own birthplace, your own home, and possibly killing your own family... What do you do this for? What make you turn like this?"
He glares gripping his hands tightly as I shake my head in confusion replying:
"Please don't misunderstand and jump to conclusions, King of Sanjo. I wasn't born here. And I have no connection to this place until recently. As for why, I do this... I suppose it's for family. I'm sure you would understand for someone with a bloodline ability."
"..."
He hangs his head as I answer but I continue saying:
"And I think you misunderstand another thing, I'm the one asking questions here. Now will you surrender or not?"
(Sweet, I delivered that perfectly I think. Abe's notes useful indeed).
Compared to the other King, he surprisingly came alone. In this land of sand and snow, he doesn't seem bothered by it either the cold nor coarse breeze.
"I do not wish to prolong my people's suffering. We surrender."
"Good, as per agreement you'll be spared as long as we cooperate..."
I look at my notes and panic a bit as I forgot to say,
"And of course we'll pretend to not not notice those refugees sailing away to the Western Peninsula."
"!?!?"
"I suppose..."
I followed the protocol Abe teached me and pull out a bottle of purple juice that look like wine and say:
"Let's have a toast for a brighter future."
I pop the cap off with a flick and pour one for the King of Sanjo. When I finish pouring mine, I ask,
"It may be a bit late but... May I know your name? You didn't even reply to my greetings."
The King loosen his shoulders and let out a tired laugh replying:
"Hah, yes... You're right. I am Jo Chael-Hyo, the King of Sanjo. May we have a toast."
He picks his glass meekly and raise it for a toast which I oblige...
*Sip*
"Is this... Really wine?"
I nod replying:
"It is an extract of fruits from my homeland. Do you not like it?"
"Oh no, no, I suppose different Sectors of Heaven must have different taste..."
(Haha, Abe I'm so grateful for this trick. Who knew you can just trick people like this).
"Rrrgh...!"
Before I could take a sip, The King of Gwang finally wakes up in his seat and wipes his weary eyes...
"Aaah!"
*Slam*
Falling to his back, the King of Gwang shouts hysterically as he tries to crawl away when. He notice the bodies of his soldier and try to shake then shouting:
"Hey! Captain Duri, wake up dammit!"
I bring the glass along and walk over to him saying:
"The King of Sanjo has accepted our terms."
I hand him the glass and continue saying:
"I hope you can do the same."
*Smack* *Splash*
He smacks the glass off my hand and splatter it all over me shouting:
"Begone you cursed monster! You think we're just going to accept such a suspicious offer!? There's no way you'll let us live normally, you'll definitely forcefully take our kids away for their bloodline ability!"
I check the notes Abe give me from inside my head and then conclude with,
"If that's what you're worried about... You're overestimating your worth. You're not even blessed by Heaven, let alone have a unique bloodline skill to be worth one. We're doing you a favour by at least giving you a second chance to govern with a clean slate. Free of your ancestor's mistakes, free of your country's debt, and free of any illegal activities plaguing your nation. We've also studied and research your actions since your first debut to high society and deem you worthy to govern your own land."
I pick up the glass and pour it again before handing it over asking:
"Now, King of Gwang, let me ask you again. Will you surrender or will you continue this pointless battle?"
The King of Gwang lowers his unconscious bodyguard replying:
"Under one more condition..."
"State it and we'll determine."
"I heard the Phoenix Sector has a lot of food. As long as you keep sending us that, we'll fully cooperate."
(Wow, is food really such a huge problem here?)
"That doesn't even need to be said."
A bit hesitant but he slowly takes the glass and drink as if he's on his last cup but I nod happily as I pull another cup and pour myself one...
(A huge success! Though this is mostly thanks to Kokkan and Abe).
*Swoosh"
"Hmm?"
"Father wait!"
Before I could take a sip, someone comes from above. A familiar lady in silver armour riding upon a majestic white beast while her long black hair flutters and her crimson eyes glows.
(Oh, its her from back at Iseon's house).
*Crash*
And right behind her is none other than San-Min with the lizard and he seems to snap when he saw me as he then jumps crashing down close to us.
(I should've hold my thoughts back. I knew things aren't going to be so easy).
The huge wave of snow wash over us as I brush it off easily when San-Min draws a sword of light from thin air... He looks much different than before. Wearing a much lighter half plate armour, and with chainmail inside, approach us with a shining sword saying:
"You may look different but I wouldn't mistake you for anyone. I suppose you must've gotten stronger."
(Different is kinda an understatement).
"Yea, but I guess not as fast as you nor Yoo-Gisa."
Seeing the King of Gwang burst out pulling his unconscious guard, I turn around to face San-Min saying:
"I'm surprised you know where we are."
San-Min takes a stance when golden patterns slowly makes patterns from his neck to hid face. The girl in white lands near the King of Sanjo saying:
"Dad! Please don't accept it! We could still leave to the south and regroup-"
"Please stop, Hyo-Hana. Don't make me regret it anymore."
"Then-"
Sanjo's king holds her hand saying:
"I'm done and our people are too. If you wish to run and regroup at the south with your new friends, I won't stop you but please... When thinks get too awry, drop any sense of pride or dignity, and just fly home."
"You know I can't accept that! Look at him! Is that someone you can trust to keep his words! He'll devour our people en mass!"
(Rude...)
The girl in white points at me and I can't help but feel hurt as I wonder if I really do have strange taste. Sanjo's king sighs as if all his energy been spent replying:
"Even if I did, what do you expect us to do? Are you going to be so selfish and to only take me away and escape while leaving all our people to fend for themselves?"
"Well..."
"I know I'm but a person born with a silver spoon who had never experienced much of the world but at least, let me do something right as a king. Just like how you'll do it right as a Servant to the Goddess. If my fate is to be devoured by that thing, then so be it. At least I'll die standing infront the people who depended on me."
The girl fell to her knees grasping his hand back replying:
"Father, you're wrong about one thing... I don't serve the Goddess no more. I've seen how corrupt the Gods in this peninsula has become. And I can at least understand the Phoenix' intention but..."
Her body trembles before she lets him go to glare at me. She summon forth a silver spear and point it at me saying:
"Don't think we'll ally with you! You may have gotten us by surprise with Jana, but don't think you've won just yet! The worst for you has yet to come. We'll drive back not only you but the corrupted Gods of this land as well!"
She rides her beast and continue saying:
"Know this, you may have conquered our lands. But you'll never conquer our spirits! San-Min let's go! And don't worry father, I'll return to make this peninsula a land where everyone can live in peace!"
San-Min disperse his golden blade saying:
"I wish I could fight you right now but... Bring Jana next time, I'll defeat both of you fair and square, that is if Yoo-Gisa doesn't defeat you first."
He runs towards her with the lizard as I see they fly to the darkness... I pour out the cup filled with snow and help out any guards buried within the snow with my echolocation. Trying out the message function I never knew I had to contact Abe I watch over the two Kings who seems defeated and pour myself for the 3rd time and wonder what's going to happen next-
*Swoosh*
Hearing a projectile coming behind my head, I easily dodge-
*Shatter*
A knife pierce the cup I was pouring for myself and I am completely livid that I can't enjoy something so simple as I turn around to see a familiar group of 3 girls in unique-looking white robes with long tail coats and detailed motives. Seeing one familiar guard that looks like mummy carrying a giant wrapped weapon and a the girl who has no sleeves and wears her coat like a cape.
(Wait aren't they Sis Hua's bodyguards?)
"It seems this is what they meant by looking for copper and finding gold."
The leader supposedly who seems to be the weakest of the group walks forward holding a feather fan. Unlike the others, she wears a short feather cloak on her shoulders, a feather accessory to her twin tails and a veil to hide her face.
"To think we would find another Silencer finally. The Segmentum Lord of the Phoenix may deem you as nothing but a diplomat but I beg to differ with all your actions thus far."
She approach me closer and sit at the King of Gwang's chair as the other white robed ladies follow behind her, disregarding the King of Gwang who just seem so pathetic now.
"You look quite monstrous, and similar to a Monster King Vassal. But not only that, I'm also quite curious of your face since they haven't yet to put any picture in the new records. Or perhaps that monstrosity is your face?"
(Oh boy... Abe gave no notes for this).