After their visit to the lizardmen village, the antiheroes set off along with the mercenary group and the 200 lizardmen who would be relocating to the slime village.
The journey back had no issues at all. It was late afternoon by the time the group returned to the village, and Trevor didn't bother to use any form of fast travel, as he wanted to take the time in the carriage to continue simulating their next moves from here.
"I wonder how Coran is doing right now.... he should have already arrived in the human realm.... perhaps I should give him a message and check up on his progress later, but first we should take care of the minor details that remain.... we still have Kota and Caspus to deal with, and of course the 10,000 soldiers which we've captured.... however I know exactly what to do with them. Then there is Oraguth.... he should be making some progress at this point in the resistance faction, but I should contact him as well to check up on the progress.... and of course, there is the Determined.... perhaps I should send her off on another mission to explore a new territory.... perhaps somewhere to the south this time. Maybe I should include our new followers in a mission as well, but first I should allow them some time to settle in. We need to gather all the information we can from our new subjects as well so that we can best rule the fishmen and the lizardmen, and coordinate maneuvers with them."
Trevor was quietly whispering to himself as the others sitting around him seemed to be ignoring his ranting.
The four mercenaries sat on a metal bench, which had imprints of eyes covering every square inch of the metal. It was a merely artistic feature, and the eyes didn't move nor act as cameras such as the ones on the wall to the slime village.
Garett then spoke up.
"Hey, do you all think it would be fine to tell these four who we really are?"
Ashley seemed to be sticking her tongue in her cheek while she thought, and nodded in the affirmative.
"It shouldn't cause any issues."
Trevor stopped his thinking for a second and replied "Yes, that's fine. As a matter of fact, it would be better that they know."
Samantha nodded as well while keeping her hands folded and legs crossed properly.
"Why not?"
Garett then looked over at the four.
"You already seem to have found out this much- that we are the antiheroes, and that we are the rulers of a nation of monsters. However, what does that even mean? We are the antiheroes? Who are the antiheroes? What is our purpose? According to the legends of the humans, we are the evil beings who the heroes are destined to fight. According to the legends of the monsters, we are the ones who will turn the order in the monster realm upside down, uniting all under us and crushing our enemies while spreading chaos, defeating the current monster kings, and then fighting the heroes to take over the world. But do we have a choice in this matter? Couldn't we technically just give up and do what we want, without trying to take over the world? Are we bound by these legends as some sort of fate, or do our decisions effect the way things play out? The real question here: Are things Determined, or are they Indeterminant?"
The mercenaries seemed to be trying to wrap their minds around what Garett was discussing, but he continued.
"Whether this is some sort of fate, or whether our actions will change the consequences, I don't know myself, however I do want to admit something to you all."
Garett held out his demonic arm.
"We are monsters in this world. That much is obvious. I am a demon, and because of this demonic body and mind, I have done things that are demonic.... you know, the first time I tortured someone, I felt pleasure and satisfaction in ripping off their fingers. I felt an insatiable urge to continue cutting and harming the subject.... and it wasn't because the subject in front of me was an evil monster who tortured others..... no, it was merely that my demonic mind enjoyed it."
Garett held up his necklace of fingers, and looked at it with a bitter smile.
"But, I was once human."
The four mercenaries eyes went wide with surprise on hearing Garett say this, however it was a pleasant and happy surprise.
"I knew it! There was this sense of humanity that I sensed in you all.... that I simply couldn't shake!", Lance exclaimed.
"Is this true? You were truly human at one point? Just how did you become a demon?", Charlotte asked, her eyes glistening with interest.
"Well, it's a long story but I will make it short. The four of us came from a different world- a world without monsters. We all lived our lives as humans, before we were transported to this world. Me and Theo here were killed at the same time in the same place, and we were some way or another given the opportunity to restart in a new world. Ally and Sarah were then summoned in order to join us, and we were all transported into this world, with these new bodies and minds, yet with the same human memories and emotions. It was a chance to restart our lives. To right our wrongs, and not make the same mistakes that we made in the last world."
Melody smiled creepily.
"And you all have done exactly that."
Garett too smiled sinisterly, showing the face of a true demon.
"Indeed we have. We aren't here to perform justice, or to become some sort of heroes.... we are here because we were broken, because we were flawed, because we were hurt, because we were deceived. We are here to ensure that never again will we allow others to harm us."
Pierre smiled at hearing these words.
"So that's how it is..."
Fixing his beret, he looked at Garett.
"Even if you all claim to be monsters, I don't think that is the case. I think that you all are more human than many others. You may not be warriors of justice, but you are true leaders, and you have the power to back up that leadership."
"We'll see about that."
The rest of the carriage ride went in silence, and the four mercenaries were now completely convinced in every way, that there was a good reason behind each and every action the antiheroes took.
Even the disturbing necklaces and bracelets they wore, the torture that they performed in order to obtain them, was something which the enemy deserved.
Even the torment the soldiers of the legion went through as they were slaughtered by the mercenaries, was nothing more than a merciful move done by Ashley, to punish those who had wronged others, and allow those who were wronged to get their revenge.
It was ugly.
It was not something one would normally want to embrace.
It was something which a hero of justice would call horrendous.
It was something which would be condemned as a sin, to encourage the revenge and infliction of pain on others.
Yet, there was a certain righteousness to it.
If was clearly wrong, but it felt so right.
Just like the antiheroes themselves.
The hearts and minds of the four mercenaries became more and more twisted, as they spent more time with the antiheroes, becoming more infatuated with them and their methods.
Soon enough, the carriages arrived back at the slime village.
The 200 lizardmen, who were marching ahead of the carriage, stopped in their tracks on seeing the massive and terrible fortress in the distance.
It looked like a haunted castle, one filled with despair and ruin, reeking of death.
Poison fumes surrounded the air, creating a thick mist around the castle.
Looking out the window to see the village in the distance, Ashley chuckled to herself.
'Hehehe... home sweet home....'
----
The drawbridge was lowered by Hiru and Arlo as they stood proudly atop the wall, witnessing the grand return of their masters in their carriage, along with an army of 200 lizardmen and an entire legion of humans hovering behind them in a condensed ball.
"As expected of our great leaders!!", Arlo shouted while lowering the drawbridge. "They leave the country, and as soon as they arrive back, they have gained many followers, and defeated many enemies!! Look at the painful positions of those who likely went against their rule, and the submissive expressions of the lizardmen ahead of them!!!"
"Haha, of course, Arlo!!!", Hiru replied happily. "If their excellencies are a part of any project, no matter how small, it will turn into a groundbreaking endeavor!"
The two laughed from atop the wall while waving to their great masters, who had returned in such grand fashion. Samantha waved back with a condescending smile, like a mother smiling at her child who was bragging about something that their parents had done. It was of no achievement of their own, yet they were still bragging.
'However, I suppose in this case it shows that they made the right decision to come under us, as opposed to the other lizardmen who waited. So I'll let it slide.'
The carriages passed through the gates, and the lizardmen seemed to be struck with fear, looking around at the disturbing state of the castle. The eyes on the walls and ghoulish faces on the roadway tiles followed their every move, and on seeing the city within, they were even more disturbed.
'Those buildings are made of living flesh....'
'Of course it would be like this... this is the realm of the antiheroes and the Determined....'
'This is the lair of demon lords... just what have we gotten ourselves into...'
'I'm so scared I can barely move, but I have to keep putting one foot in front of the other, or I'll be deemed a useless slave and thrown out!'
The lizardmen marched into the city, taking everything they had just to march forward.
However, inside the city were many goblins, slimes, and others who were hard at work and walking around.
Everyone stopped their work however, and gathered on the sides of the street in which the entourage made its way through.
"Your excellencies!!", one goblin screamed out. "Forgive us greatly for ceasing our work operations for this, but you have returned after such a long endeavor! Please allow us to celebrate your return!!"
Many of the goblins and slimes on the streets began shouting the praises of the antiheroes, and Trevor rolled down the window to the carriage before speaking out loudly.
"If relaxing once in a while like this increases your overall production, then I will permit it!"
With a businesslike smile, he waved to his people, and the other antiheroes too gathered at their respective windows, waving to all the people around them.
"I can't believe it! His excellency just waved to me!"
"No, he was clearly waving at me!!"
"Ah, look how wonderful her excellency looks today...."
"Every day that their excellencies are present in this town is another day of bliss..."
"Your excellencies!!! We love you all!!!"
"Please continue to rule over us as our slavemasters!!!"
"We wish to continue giving our all for you!!"
Ashley seemed to be crackling up to herself and taking in all the compliments, while Trevor sat with an arrogant smirk.
Samantha merely smiled delighted, and waved to the people, and Garett had a face which could only be described as sinister and demonic.
"Heh heh heh.... I love this...", Ashley crackled.
The mercenaries were not surprised at this point, as they had recognized just how important the antiheroes really were even outside their own domain.
To be this loved to such an extent within their own domain could only mean one thing.
They were outstanding rulers.
"Even if they are monsters, they are just like people....", Pierre whispered. "No, they aren't monsters.... these are people. But not just any people. They are perhaps even greater leaders than Percius. Far greater."
When the carriage reached the heart of the village, the antiheroes stepped out of their carriage, with confidence and elegance.
First, Trevor ordered for the 200 lizardmen to disperse within the town, and assist the goblins in their work, listening to whoever was the manager of the respective area. They all bowed and frantically got to work as soon as Trevor dismissed them.
The antiheroes and the mercenaries walked underneath the ribcage which opened up to the courtyard, and on the amber pathway into the giant heart which made up the core of the village.
"Ah... this is what I like to see...", Garett whispered. "Follow us, mercenaries. We want you to see this."
Ashley then sucked the ball of humans up into her inventory so that they would fit through the doorway, and the mercenaries followed the group into the central building.
After walking up from the first floor, which was pumping with life after Garett had made improvements on the power systems and hydraulics, they made it to the throne room, where Claire sat on her throne with a number of papers in front of her, and Berith behind her assisting in the work.
"Ah, Determined. We have returned.", Garett said. Claire looked up from the paperwork with a smile. Currently, she was in a form that was almost 100% angelic, with only her hand being in the demonic form.
"Ah, you all are finally back! How did everything go?"
Berith too looked up to see her masters, and she was delighted beyond comprehension.
She looked at her masters from across the room in complete awe and wonder, noticing how elegant and dominating each and every one of them were.
She also noticed the four humans behind them.
'Are they new slaves?', she wondered.
Trevor and the antiheroes walked forward and plopped down into their thrones.
"Ah.... what a long trip this has been. It's good to feel this seat once more.", Samantha sighed.
"You four can take seats as well.", Trevor said while pointing to a table on the side.
The four nodded and sat down at the table, finally able to relax.
Berith felt somewhat irritated at the fact that these four were being allowed to sit in her master's presence, however it was their decision and she would not question it.
"You too, Berith. Please have a seat next to the Determined. You must be tired from all that standing.", Samantha ordered kindly.
"Ah, thank you your excellency! Your kindness knows no bounds!"
Truly, her masters were caring for all.
"Ah.... there is so much to do...", Trevor said while sitting in his seat. "But I am so tired right now.... perhaps we should just rest for a bit? No, that would be a waste of time. Let us finish up these tasks and we can rest later."
Trevor stood up, and the other three stood up with him. Ashley in particular looked annoyed at having to get up so quickly, but then she recalled what to take care of next.
Berith immediately also stood up. She could not allow herself to be sitting when her masters were not.
"We should assign these four to their positions, and then take care of the rest.", Garett suggested.
"I agree.", Trevor said.
Garett stepped forward and put his hand on Lance's shoulder. The four mercenaries stood up on realizing that the antiheroes as well were standing as well.
"Lance, your assignment will be to the alchemy sector. I want you to become our head alchemist, We have a few capable members stationed there already, but I want you to spearhead the effort. As for your goal...."
Garett held up the necklace made of fingers.
"Well, for now I want you to create something that will prevent the aging of this flesh. Of course, I will assist you. I'll give you some more tasks later on, but let me know whenever you make any progress."
Lance smiled and bowed to Garett.
"I will do my best, your excellency!"
Garett then called Berith with the wave of his demonic finger, and ordered her to show Lance to the alchemy sector and introduce him to Iotar and Gotek.
"I will do so, your excellency."
"Next... as for you, Melody, Charlotte, and Pierre.... well, I think you all would best serve as warriors, so I want for you all to begin training underneath Arlo. Berith, take the four with you, and after dropping Lance off at the alchemy sector, take these three to Arlo and order him to train them in combat."
Trevor then chipped in.
"When their training is complete, I will unlock their expanded abilities, if I deem them to be completely trustworthy. From there, I will likely send them on a mission either in the Empire, or perhaps somewhere within the monster realm, depending on the situation."
Berith nodded, and the four all bowed, accepting their orders and they left quickly.
"That's that... now for some fun... hehehe....", Ashley mumbled. "Ah, but first, we should inform the Determined about the endeavor."
The group turned to Claire, who seemed to be continuing to do paperwork.
"Determined."
"Hm? What is it?"
"I think it is about time you hear our report."
"Oh, yes! What happened with the Legion and the Fishmen? Were you able to get them to get along, or was it impossible after all?"
"It was impossible.", Trevor stated bluntly. "We removed the current leader, and allowed a new leader to take over- the former chief. The fishmen, under this former chief, have submitted themselves to us, and become part of our domain as our new slaves. Not only this, but we also annexed the lizardmen while we were on the way home. Our domain now consists of not one, but three cities."
"Oh no.... you weren't able to get Kota to agree.... well, I suppose that's fine, as long as the fishmen are still alive... were you able to get the legion commander to cooperate?"
"No, actually..."
Claire then looked back and forth between the four antiheroes.
"Um... what are those things you're wearing?", she asked, referring to the necklaces and bracelets.
"Oh, these? Do you really want to know?", Ashley asked with a sinister laugh.
Claire seemed somewhat disturbed.
"Um.... you know what... I think it's better not to ask."
"Needless to say, the leader of the legion was not very cooperative, and not really worth cooperating with. We have another responsibility for someone of his.... demeanor to take care of."
"I.... I see...."
Claire seemed to be trying to ignore the malicious faces of the antiheroes as she looked down to the side of her.
"Now then.... as for the results, we are going to have a lot more work to take care of. There are many more people under our rule now, and as such we have a greater economic and military scale to be concerned with, however we also have gained a number of subordinates to deal with such matters. For the time being, I think it is best that we stay in place and ensure the proper development of our nation, as we link our cities to each other. Coran is off on his own mission, and the same goes for Oraguth, so for now we will focus mainly on our own domain while they do their missions. Soon we will also send those four mercenaries elsewhere, after they are trained."
The other antiheroes agreed, and Claire nodded.
"Yeah, I think that would be best."
"However, there is one thing I am concerned about...."
"What is that?"
"The awakening of one of the heroes."
"Ah, yes I remember...", Samantha said.
"So you mean that HE is making moves?", Claire asked, a vein popping across her face, and her demonic form slowly creeping to engulf more of her arm as she recalled Oscar.
"Exactly. We must prepare ourselves for the worst, while strengthening our nation.", Trevor stated. "Who knows what tricks he has up his sleeves that he is preparing... but it is for exactly that purpose which I have set a number of things into motion. The Indeterminant is not the only one who is plotting."
Samantha then took over the conversation to lighten the mood.
"Anyways, I think we should head out and take care of those insects."
"Yes, you're right. We'll be back in a bit, Determined. Please remain here and continue working.", Trevor ordered.
"Alright...", Claire said while turning back to her paperwork.
The antiheroes then headed down the stairway, and into the basement.
"It's time to check on the skeleton in our closet."