[N/A: Chapter really, reallyyy longer than usual. Sorry to those who are bothered by it, I couldn't do otherwise (the system takes a lot of space at the end too). Enjoy it]
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-- POV Freya --
-- PING --
[ You have earned 20,100 EXP for killing 20 humans ]
[ You now have +200 attribute points ]
After my fight against Kirk and his companions by killing all 20 of them I had managed to increase my EXP but the harvest was not enough to get to level 33.
*It's a shame, but at least I have attribute points.*
[Don't worry, Onee-san, with the construction of your Kingdom coming up, I think you'll be able to level up easily.]
The little war was over but I still had a lot to do before I could join my daughter and my wife.
*I miss them..*
They had been waiting patiently at the camp since this morning, probably worried about me even if my chances of losing were almost 0. The strategy I had put in place the day before was a success and everything had gone as planned. My 10 and only female fighters had to kill at least 4 mercenaries each to increase their EXP since they were also managed by my system indirectly and capture some of them, including the leader.
"You can come out."
In the middle of the fight I had noticed that they had come to observe so I made sure to give them a nice show to reward them. As the half-humans came out from under the trees, I could see that there were only 9 of them because the last one had to be in the cave that Gaya had spotted before joining me in the camp last night. All of them without exception walked towards me before kneeling down once more while Nixia spoke.
"Your Highness, your fight was wonderful and worthy of you. Please accept once again our complete allegiance and our lives that we offer you today."
The snake woman spoke in a serious and determined voice as she closed her eyes. The other women beside her did the same before raising their voices.
"Please."
"Your Highness."
"Yes Empress"
"We also speak for Ynir, please forgive her absence."
Each in turn, they offered their devotions to me flawlessly and forcefully as they awaited my response. I didn't show it, but I was glad to have met them and to be able to lean on them in times like this.
"You did a great job and without you nothing would have been possible. I have sworn to protect you and the people of my Kingdom and I will not go back on my word so stand up and look at me with pride !"
The kneeling women then stood up looking me straight in the eye never wavering as I smiled at them. They were slightly confused by my beauty as I looked at those they had dragged here. Ralph saw that I was waiting for information and spoke up.
"Your Highness, we have captured 10 mercenaries, the sub-chief and the chief."
She was wounded in the stomach but I knew that proved that she had given her all to defeat the chief.
"Ralph...Are you okay ? Is anyone else hurt too ?"
"Oh..uh...yes but it's nothing and no one else is hurt. Thank you for asking your highness."
The hybrid she-wolf scratched her head embarrassed and unsure of what to say. While I laughed inwardly at her behavior, I spoke again.
"In that case congratulations. When the construction of the Kingdom will be a little more advanced I will reward you all without exception ! Now it's time to interrogate them before joining Ynir and the freed prisoners ! Let's have fun kufufu~!"
They were all passed out and lined up in front of us as I signaled the girls to wake them up. The 9 then began to slap the prisoners one by one until they woke up dazed and disoriented. The first one to come to was the leader of the mercenaries, he didn't look good and looked like he could throw up at any moment. The woman at his side was grimacing because of the pain in her arm, which Emilia had obviously cut. The other 10 mercenaries were still gagged and would remain so because I didn't need to hear them. Only Sam, Grim and Jessica interested me.
"Who...who are you ?"
Grim had spoken first as they all looked at me in fear as they saw the ones that had tormented them behind me.
"You are...the Empress ?"
Jessica had obviously heard of me and asked me this question as she began to tremble.
*I haven't done anything yet, my power is still hidden so why is she shaking ?*
[Instinct]
Wanting to start with her, I leaned towards her face to get a closer look as I answered her question at the same time.
"Yes I am the Empress, my name is Freya and you currently are my prisoners. I have a few questions to ask you, can I count on your cooperation ?"
As she opened her mouth to answer, Grim's voice was already shouting in my ears.
"No !!! Don't tell her anything...cough!!! Jessica I forbid you to...cough cough...tell her anything....aaaaaarg !!!"
Without me having to say anything, Ralph had already taken care of sending her foot in his face.
"Sh*t up human, no one asked you to speak !"
Ralph was pretty wild with a strong temper but I didn't mind. She reminded me a bit of a tomboy and reminded me a lot of the female yakuza leaders of their sections.
[She's hot-blooded !]
*Yes kufufu~ but I know that with her one will never be bored*
Regaining my concentration I waited patiently for Jessica's answer, whom I was still staring at. She was still shaking but still managed to formulate a sentence.
"I...if I talk, will you let us live ?"
Giving Nixia a slight nod, I could see her grabbing one of the mercenaries with her tail. With a smile, she wrapped herself around him while squeezing him tighter and tighter. The man screamed as he disappeared under the scales. You could hear the sounds of bones cracking as Nixia squeezed with her tail. And then after a thud the snake woman loosened her grip to leave only a mush of blood, organs and bones in pieces. Wonderful.
Nixia was also very sadistic like most of the ones around me, but her snake race also made her cold and mysteriously dangerous. Her tail alone was a weapon and possessed great power.
Turning back to Jessica, I continued.
"Every useless sentence you say means death for one of your friend. So yes or no are you going to answer my questions ?"
Jessica had no choice but to nod her head almost paralyzed with fear.
"Fine. So for starters, why does the Church want to sacrifice Naia and her family ?"
As I spoke this sentence, I pointed to the young fox behind me who looked at Jessica with a slight growl.
"Fo..for us humans, a creature capable of turning into a half-human from birth is far too dangerous and inhumane. The Church does not support this idea and...and we share this view. Her sacrifice is necessary for..."
This time it was Naia receiving my signal. No sooner had I finished nodding than the fox was already pouncing on one of the mercenaries to break his rib cage with a sharp blow to the stomach. He was coughing up blood and coughing as she continued to break his bones in the same place while unleashing her anger on him. The man was on the verge of dying from the blows as Naia sank her fangs into his throat almost ripping out his entire neck.
Jessica didn't understand why I had ordered this attack and tried to demand an explanation.
"But ! But you said that..."
My third nod was to Thorunn who hurried forward in turn before biting the neck of the human in front of her to drain him of his blood. The scene was horrible to see as the body of the unfortunate man withered very quickly with an expression of immense pain. It was quick and not very bloody, but it was still worth seeing. I could easily understand that Thorunn did not like to get dirty and as a vampire she preferred to drink the blood of her victims rather than waste it.
Jessica didn't speak anymore as a smile appeared on my face before I answered her question.
"Why are they dead ? Well, you said something very unpleasant so one of your men had to die and then the other one is entirely your fault because you spoke unnecessarily without my permission."
My subordinates seemed to be having fun as they giggled with a wild gleam in their eyes. Grim was silent and looked at Ralph out of the corner of his eye with fear, she had obviously traumatized him.
The remaining 7 mercenaries were crying their eyes out and begging. Jessica didn't speak anymore and closed her eyes as if waking up from her nightmare.
"..."
I had all their lives in the palm of my hand, it was my game and we played by my rules. There were no more filthy humans beating poor innocents laughing, only poor insects ready to crawl for survival.
"Well let's continue ! What is this famous sacrifice ?"
"It..it is an important sacrifice led by the Supreme himself. In the Kingdom of Zal it is a very important tradition, meant to purify our lands to ensure the hegemony of humanity. Now that the Church knows that there are fire foxes hiding here, they will stop at nothing. The Supreme will hunt them down himself if necessary to drag them to the altar of sacrifice."
[I think for now he won't come, but that could be a big problem in time].
*In fact, I must hurry to fortify my Kingdom, time is running out ! Construction and development will be the priority !*
Her story of sacrifice made no sense, but it was impossible to understand the logic of the humans of this world. It was all just excuses to justify their actions and get rid of troublesome races and creatures.
"What can you tell me about the Church of humanity ? Who is its Supreme ?"
"I...I don't know. For this mission only Grim has met him."
Turning to the main man I approached him as Ralph grabbed him by the collar to face me. His leg was broken and hanging over the side and you could see bones sticking out in some places so that getting on his knees was torture for him. Ralph didn't care at all and pushed him to his knees in front of me as she screamed at him.
"Answer the question !"
Grim looked up with tears in his eyes, he looked at me defiantly through clenched teeth and sniffling like a little girl. He didn't want to answer ? Fine.
Glancing this time at Luna who understood, I could see her thrusting one of her daggers into the belly of a mercenary, slowly working her way up to the neck. Blood spurted out as she grabbed his intestine and kicked it out of his body. The entrails in her hands and using her speed Luna strangled the mercenary with it letting him fall to the ground, motionless.
*They're all pretty imaginative, I like that !"
The half human looked at me as if she was waiting for something so I nodded again to show my approval which made her smile. Grim didn't know what to do as I turned to him again.
"So ? What do you know about the Church ? And who is the Supreme ?"
Not wanting to see more of his comrades die and not wanting to suffer anymore, the former leader finally began to speak though with difficulty as Ralph growled behind me in warning.
"The Supreme has no name because he represents the highest position in the Church, he knows everything and decides everything, he is the Supreme Leader. His identity is unknown, even the King does not really know who he is. Some say that he is sent by the Gods to help the human race in the Kingdom of Zal to rise. He appears only with a veil over his face and has sworn that he will destroy all dangerous races or enslave them."
"Where is he ? Is he a mage and of what level ?"
"He..he is still in the capital of the Kingdom in Zalhythe in the Church near the palace and as for rest I have no idea. But what is for sure is that if one day he decides to move here, your little Kingdom will be nothing but ruins hahahaha~ cough cough cough !"
Without me even having to move, this time it was Emilia's turn to choose one of the 6 remaining mercenaries before using her strength and her sword. The half-human was cutting it like one would cut tuna for sushi. Quick, precise and efficient.
"Your threats don't scare me at all, but you should avoid saying such things because you'll regret your words."
Seeing that he didn't know any better, I gave Ralph a nod this time, she who had been waiting for this for a long time now. The hybrid she-wolf approached him as Grim backed away frightened with pleading eyes and regretting his words. It was the half-human's turn to grin wildly as she thrust her hand deep into the former chief's throat. His teeth exploded on impact as Ralph enjoyed making him suffer. Then withdrawing her hand, a piece of bloody flesh could be seen dangling between her fingers, it was his tongue.
"Arrgghhgguuunh gghuuunh"
Grim was choking on his own blood as he held his throat despite his torn tongue. He tried to breathe as his eyes turned red and his face blue. After watching him calmly with a smile, the mercenary collapsed in his own blood...dead.
*I'll think about doing that next time !*
Ralph threw his tongue on the ground in disgust as she returned to stand behind me with a satisfied look in her eyes.
"Do you have anything else to tell me Jessica ?"
She was trembling on her knees on the floor as she begged for her life having nothing to offer me but her services. I didn't want to keep a human like her around at all so I turned to Persea and asked her to take care of her.
"P...please !*
Jessica was being lifted into the air by brambles that seemed almost alive as they penetrated through the woman's severed arm. She screamed in pain, her mouth spitting blood as she struggled with the force of desperation. The plants sank into her and finally came out through her mouth and eyes, killing her instantly. Jessica's body was still hanging in the air in a totally delicious sight.
"Hahaha~ excellent !!"
I couldn't hold back a laugh as for the first time a scene excited me so much. It was beautiful, the screams divine and the result beyond my expectations. I had chills and a huge, creepy smile formed on my face despite myself.
"A true work of art Persea bravo !"
[10/10 without hesitation !]
The dryad turned to smile at me and leaned forward slightly before speaking.
"I thank you your highness."
The others said nothing but were happy to have also been able to witness this most original kill.
There were five mercenaries left and one dying Sam, unable to speak. I had already had EXP and I wanted to allow the girls to level up so I didn't want to kill them. It was Caipy and Trioa's turn to kill two. This was our exceptional little moment of relaxation after the battle so we planned to enjoy it.
The elf chose a human and simply poured a liquid from an unknown plant down his throat, but that was enough to give us another nice moment. He was convulsing on the ground with his eyes rolling back as mushrooms grew all over his body from the inside. They fed on the blood and devoured the living host. Finally the mercenary was nothing but a pile of flesh filled with plants, dying slowly.
As for Trioa, she didn't really have any ideas so she decided to simply shoot two arrows into the eyes of the man she had chosen.
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It was already almost noon as my subordinates finished killing the rest of the prisoners. My mind was calm and I was in a good mood. Despite what people might think of me when they saw me with Shiro and Gaya, they should not forget that I was cruel, sadistic and a heartless b*tch to my enemies.And these filthy humans didn't deserve my pity and painless death.
I had learned a little more about the Church which ordered the mission but I still had time to investigate once I was settled. My priority was the construction and management of this Kingdom that still had no name.
But one thing at a time, it was now finally time to meet those we had saved in the clearing and who were in Ynir's care.
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[N/A: If you're not a fan of "gore" don't hesitate to tell me, this is my first book so I can't quite find the limit to satisfy everyone. On the other hand it will not always happen like that, I specify that the context was particular (prisoners of war, interrogation etc ). Thank you !]
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FULL STATUS
Name : Freya
Age : 0 years / Mentally : 25 years
Sex : Female
Course : Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Adult
Race : Major Demon
Titles : Blessed by Titania, Goddess of endless Chaos and eternal frozen Hell.
Dragon tamer
Ruthless slayer
Level : 32/70
Exp needed for next level: 22 100 / 33 000
HP : 90 000 / 90 000 MP : 45 000 / 45 000
Strength : 340
Defense : 336
Agility : 350
Stamina : 353
Speed : 342
Intelligence : 340
Charisma : 410 (imperial she-wolf)
Attribute points to allocate : 300
Married to: Gaya
Daughter : Shiro
Kingdom (menu)
Subordinates : 133
Humans killed : 148
Elements: Ice / Chaos
Skills (all):
Attack - Demon Claws (Lvl 5)
- Bite of hell (Lvl 5)
- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 5)
- Fighting techniques (lvl max)
- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)
- Demonic aura of the empress (lvl 3)
Defense - Ice demon wall (lvl 4)
- Demonic cloak (lvl 5)
Pain Resistance (lvl 3)
Attack/Defense - Domain of the Ice Empress "frozen wrath" (lvl 1) - (under condition)
Others - Humanoid form
- Ice creation (Lvl 4)
- Storage of chaos (Lvl 3)
- Devouring chaos (Lvl 4)
- Analysis
- Second soul (Lvl max) - unique
- Telepathy
Passives - Commander (lvl max)
- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]