We walked slowly and quietly towards the two gigantic thrones.
One of them sat empty while the other had a young elven child in it.
He had dark green eyes and short purple hair with pointed ears.
He wore a golden crown on his head adorned with rubies and silver ornaments. Additionally, his clothing wasn't so different from ours, except it was far more intricate and beautiful.
This kid was definitely not old enough to rule an Empire.
Beside his throne, was a very large and imposing man.
He was...grossly overweight. Not obese, but I could tell this man lived very luxuriously.
He had on a similar robe to us.
Vakra had mentioned that these robes were decreed as the appropriate attire for being in the Emperor's presence. For everyone except Vakra, of course. He was an exception to the rule due to being a skeleton half of the time.
Vakra also mentioned that it was a rather...childish order...
Regardless, the large man had a scruffy beard and a devious look on his face.
I couldn't see the rest of his head because he had a hood on.
The throne room was filled with elite guards and once we approached the throne, Vakra held up his hand to stop us.
"Your Majesty, Emperor Alwen... I regret to inform you that my condition is acting up again. Would you prefer for me to leave the mask on?" Vakra asked.
"No. Please remove it. I'm not bothered by your curse, Admiral. I prefer to see your face, skeletal or not. It's kind of cool!" Emperor Alwen said.
Vakra's mask retracted into his hat and I saw Advisor Jarbold look at Vakra in disgust.
"Am I bothering you, Jarbold? His Majesty has requested that I remove my mask. Are you offended?" Vakra said tauntingly.
"His Majesty keeps a monster as a pet. As to why, I cannot understand. But you should know your place Admiral," Jarbold said.
"I take my orders directly from his Majesty. I am not below you, Jarbold. Now be quiet. I don't have all day," Vakra said menacingly.
Jarbold shut his mouth and Vakra waved at us to kneel.
The seven of us, including Vakra, all dropped to our knees.
"There's no need to kneel, Vakra. I won't be offended if you choose to stand," Emperor Alwen said.
"Your Majesty... Your words do me a great kindness. I choose to kneel because I wish to show my gratitude. Now, I have brought six otherworlders to join our ranks. Please introduce yourselves like we practiced," Vakra said as he turned to us.
Leiso stood up and bowed her head.
"I am Enforcer seat 1, Leiso Akali. The Iron Tsunami from the world of Ignitus."
Next, Jallah did the same.
"I am Enforcer seat 2, Jallah O'Brien. The Thunderfist from the world of Ignitus."
"I am Enforcer seat 3, Carlos Ortega. The Bloody Inferno from the world of Ignitus."
"I am Attendant Rune O'Brien. Wife of Jallah and servant of the Enforcers from Ignitus."
"I am Enforcer seat 4, Isabella Iratus. The Divine Crusader of Ignitus, wielder of Bravery, and First Princess of Albatross from the world of Avernia."
"I am Enforcer seat 5, Mizik Itatus. The Warmage of Ignitus, wielder of Vegeance, Prince of Albatross from the world of Avernia, and...Chosen Hero to fight the Corruption."
I hesitantly used my official title given by that bastard Oracle.
After I spoke, Cassandra remained quiet as to not complicate things.
Also...
It seemed like the Emperor had been ignoring me as I spoke. He hadn't taken his eyes off Isabella since she finished speaking.
The Emperor stared at Isabella and smiled.
"A Princess? Really?" He asked.
"Yes, your Majesty. I am originally First Princess Isabella Victoria Albatross of the kingdom of Albatross in a destroyed world called Avernia," she said politely.
"You're so pretty! Want to be my wife? You can be the Empress!" Emperor Alwen said.
At that moment I saw Advisor Jarbold smile sinisterly as he looked hungrily at Isabella.
Great...not even five minutes and I already want them both dead... I've never killed a child before, but I suppose there's a first time for everything... Unless there were children in Port Davis... But I don't want to admit to being a child murderer, yet...
"What a splendid proposal! Empress Isabella... I like the sound of it! And might I say...a fine Empress she would make, indeed! Why, she already has the royal demeanor of a great leader!" Jarbold said as he licked his lips and stared at Isabella.
"Actually your Majesty, I-"
"Then it's settled! When should we have the wedding, Jarbold?" Emperor Alwen said happily.
I almost reached into my inventory and instinctively grabbed Vengeance, when Vakra spoke up.
"Emperor Alwen, I must inform you that Isabella is already pledged to someone else. She is Mizik's wife, sire. Hence why he stated that he is a Prince."
"Oh. That's fine. She can just divorce him. I don't mind! I'm sure she'll be happier with someone like me instead of a nobody otherworlder," Emperor Alwen said.
I HATE THIS SHITTY BRAT!!! VAKRA!!! FIX ME SO I CAN SHOOT HIM!!!
"Y-your Majesty, Mizik is actually a wonderful-"
"Indeed. A filthy nobody like him shouldn't hold the hand of such a pure and divine lady. Surely, she is a goddess in the flesh! A perfect fit for our divine Emperor! Isabella, why not divorce that poor wretch and marry into true royalty...?" Jarbold said with an even wider smile.
"Please, listen to me when I say that Mizik and I are already-"
"You'd be treated really well! Much better than with that Marvin guy. You'll have everything you could ever want! Elysium is a really rich country, you know? A really big Empire! It's so awesome!" Emperor Alwen said.
"Wait...I think I've seen her before. Isn't she the goddess of that strange religion on the isle of Gahu? My word! She truly exists! And such a goddess would be a wonderful wife for his divine Majesty, Emperor Alwen!" Jarbold said.
"Wow! A real goddess, too!? Isabella! I can't wait for us to be married!" Emperor Alwen said.
At this point, I could see Isabella shaking with rage as she tried her best to maintain a proper expression and demeanor.
Everyone else...even Vakra could also feel a suffocating pressure in the room.
Suddenly, I could tell, despite his bony face, that Vakra was also getting nervous.
Then, Isabella's eyes changed.
The very moment that they did, a haze fell over the room.
No one seemed to notice that Cassandra had switched over except me...
"YOUR MAJESTY!" Cassandra shouted to get their attention.
They both looked at her outburst and she smiled sweetly.
"My my, such a generous offer! But I must decline. You're a little too young for me and definitely not my type. My darling Mizik is such a wonderful man. He is a simple man of noble descent. Uncorrupted by the high life of luxury. He is well-mannered and handsome. Besides...I am unable to bear children due to my status as an Enforcer. I have no right to take the place of an Empress with a mortal King. I must decline your offer," Cassandra said.
They paused for a moment as they tried to comprehend what she had said and then her expression turned to one of complete disgust and hatred.
As if she were looking at something truly revolting and abominable.
"Even if you can't hear me, I must say... You are both vile and filthy for saying such things about my darling Mizik! If you were dead and rotting on the side of the road you would still be more appealing to me than what you are now. Disgusting filth. Die," she said.
Then she turned and winked at me.
All of a sudden, her eyes changed and the haze was lifted.
No one noticed anything except me...
And I wanted to laugh so badly at what she had just said.
I could only manage a slight smile. I sent a thought towards Cassandra using telepathy. Although at the moment, it was hard to maintain a stable connection. There was a lot of static...if that makes sense...
"I think I could come to truly respect you, Cassandra. Keep up the good work and I'll continue to reward you."
"Ehehe...hehehehehe... You need not worry about trivial things like respecting me, darling! I am your slave! Your possession! I belong to you and only you! My sweet...wonderful darling Mizik... Eehehehe..."
"Bastard child...FILTHY ADVISOR!!! I HATE THEM BOTH! HOW DARE THEY INSULT MY MIZIK!!!"
"Right...please just try to bear with it, Isabella. Also, calm down, Cassandra."
"Yes...I am calm, darling! Anything for you!"
I cut off the telepathy and shook my head.
Difar wasn't joking when he called her a weirdo... Damn that bastard to hell...
The Emperor simply shrugged.
"That's...umm... Hey Jarbold, I'm too young to have kids, right? And I should probably marry a girl who can produce an heir... Is that also true?" Emperor Alwen asked.
Jarbold looked quizzically at Isabella.
"Unable to...bear children...?" He mumbled.
Suddenly he looked quite happy to hear it.
If you lay a finger on her, I'll feed you to the Corruption, you pile of shit.
"Jarbold?" Emperor Alwen said.
"Ah! Yes! His Majesty should probably wait until he has ruled for a long time before considering it. Producing an heir to the throne is also very important! This girl...is definitely no good for you, my Emperor! More suited to...other tasks..." Jarbold said.
His breathing became somewhat heavier and I could see a realization hit Isabella.
She looked absolutely disgusted.
"Now then, should we get to business, Jarbold?" Emperor Alwen asked.
"Indeed, your Majesty. Let us find out what these otherworlders can offer us... Well, Vakra? Speak up!" Jarbold said.
Vakra remained silent.
"I order you to speak, Vakra!" Jarbold said again.
Vakra remained silent.
"Vakra? Is everything alright?" Emperor Alwen asked.
"Hm...? Oh, sorry. I thought a dog was barking at me for a moment... I was thinking about other things. Please, your Majesty, allow me to tell you about these wonderful soldiers I've brought you," Vakra said plainly.
Jarbold's face went red with rage, but he held his tongue.
Vakra might be a bit strange, but he's growing on me.
"Oh, excellent! Please go on!" Emperor Alwen said.
"Carlos is a researcher. A man of science like myself. His abilities using blood may be of use to our medical experts. Additionally, he is quite intelligent...a word I do not use lightly to describe others."
"Carlos, are you interested in working with Vakra in his lab?" Emperor Alwen asked.
"I cannot deny that it crossed my mind. If I can contribute, it would be my pleasure, your Majesty," Carlos said.
"Okay, that's awesome! You can work with Vakra," Emperor Alwen said.
Carlos nodded in silent agreement.
"Thank you, Emperor Alwen. Leiso is capable of utilizing water in an extremely efficient manner. She can also conjure various types of metal from nothing. Lastly, she is a highly decorated military commander and a skilled combatant," Vakra said.
"Wow! That sounds amazing! Which one is Leiso again?"
"That...would be me, your Majesty," Leiso said.
I could tell she was almost as fed up with this situation as we were.
"You're pretty amazing, aren't you? But...we already have a good military. None of the other countries are a threat with Vakra on our side. Hmm...Vakra, what do you think?" Emperor Alwen said.
"I already have plans in mind, Emperor Alwen," Vakra said.
"Perhaps she could come with me...as my personal bodyguard...?" Jarbold said with a perverse smile.
"I already have plans for her. They do not concern you or your grotesque fetishes, Jarbold," Vakra said.
Jarbold once again glared at Vakra.
Leiso breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
"Next, Jallah and Rune. Jallah is, like the previous two, an Enforcer. He is capable of utilizing lightning and kinetic energy to fight enemies. He was primarily involved in detective work. His wife is something of an assistant as well as a lethal combatant. She mainly fights using telekinesis and firearms," Vakra said.
"Ah...she doesn't seem all that appealing. Well, if she's useless, we can always put her on the front lines... We already have plenty of guards and soldiers patrolling... What do you think, Jarbold?" Emperor Alwen said.
"This Rune girl could-"
"I OBJECT!!!" Jallah shouted angrily.
"Jallah! Please!" Rune said.
I didn't think I had ever seen Jallah so angry.
"You dare shout in his Majesty's presence!? Have you gone mad!?" Jarbold said.
"If you want me to comply with your demands, I'll only help if I can be with Rune. If not, I'll go back to The Leviathan. Captain Rastair is actually pretty hospitable to us," Jallah said.
"Jallah, shut up and kneel. I will handle this," Vakra said.
Jallah kneeled back down reluctantly.
"I have plans to utilize his lightning and kinetic Aspects for my experiments. I am also interested in Rune's telekinesis. If you'll forgive his outburst, I would take possession of them," Vakra said.
"Okay. I'll forgive him, then. I think I can understand if he was only worried about Rue...umm...his wife," Emperor Alwen said.
"Your Majesty! Shouldn't such a thing be punished harshly!?" Jarbold said.
"Emperor Alwen has spoken. Stop trying to change his mind, Jarbold. His Majesty should be more confident in his own decisions," Vakra said.
Jarbold clutched his hands and gritted his teeth in rage.
"Lastly, Mizik and Isabella. They are, by far, the most interesting subjects. Mizik is an offensive fighter able to use any weapon with exceptional skill. He is able to use any type of magic as well. Although he is currently cursed. Light magic is locked to him at the moment. He worked as a special forces soldier in the military on his previous world and is capable of cleansing the Corruption. A deadly, world-devouring plague that has arrived in our world," Vakra explained.
"I want him on the front lines. If he can help us, that's where he should be," Emperor Alwen said.
"Yes, your Majesty. But there are certain things to go over first. He is weakened considerably at the moment due to integrating with the Heart of the World. A legendary heart stone. He is currently suffering from degradation. He will not be of any use in battle until it is fixed, but I am working on it," Vakra said.
"Okay then, please keep doing that."
"I shall. Now there is the matter of Isabella. She suffers from the same degrading condition as Mizik, unfortunately, but is just as powerful. She is also cursed with an...alternate personality... I won't go into it. She possesses powerful healing and support magic as well as defensive abilities. She can cleanse the Corruption, but like Mizik, she has integrated with the Heart of the-"
"Your Majesty! I humbly request that you assign her to my personal guard. I have been lacking a proper defensive fighter for a while, and-"
"JARBOLD! DO NOT INTERRUPT ME!" Vakra shouted angrily.
Jarbold quieted down as the air around Vakra began to grow much heavier.
Literally...it felt like the gravity in the room had become more dense.
"As I was saying, Isabella is also capable of destroying the Corruption, but is also degrading due to the Heart of the Sky. She and Mizik are stronger when they fight side by side. I am currently fixing her as well, but I would highly recommend placing then both together on the front lines, Emperor Alwen," Vakra said calmly.
"Emperor Alwen, my humble and loving Lord! I would be most at ease if you placed her in my personal guard. I wouldn't want this...Corruption to come after me, now. And what about you!? If she is nearby, she can protect us both. Is that not a wonderful idea?" Jarbold said.
"Hmm...she's also really pretty. I like looking at her. It puts me at ease... Very well. I will move Isabella to Jarbold's personal guard while Mizik fights the Corruption on the front lines."
I'm so tired of this shit...
"Thank you, your Majesty!" Jarbold said gleefully.
He looked at Isabella and licked his lips.
Before I could get up and say something, Vakra stood up and calmly walked over to Jarbold.
He held up his hand calmly and Jarbold dropped to the floor from some unseen force.
"You will not interrupt my plans, Advisor. Isabella is needed on the front lines to fight by Mizik's side!" Vakra said.
"Vakra! I order you to stop hurting Jarbold! He has done nothing wrong and only seeks to protect myself and his own life!" Emperor Alwen said.
"You cannot seriously be this naive..." Vakra whispered.
The Emperor didn't hear him and tilted his head.
"Uhh...what...?" He said.
"Very well. I'll release Jarbold. But be warned...if he does anything to harm her, I cannot vouch for his safety. Right now, she is to remain in my custody. But once we have finished...she will be comparable to a god. Perhaps greater. Nothing in this world will be capable of stopping her. Not even me. She will be a weapon of mass destruction on a global scale and a walking death sentence to anyone foolish enough to cross her," Vakra said bluntly.
"That sounds great! She'll be amazing at protecting everyone! Don't worry, Vakra, you can trust Jarbold! He was my parents trusted Advisor!" The Emperor said.
Vakra turned and walked away...again whispering quietly.
"I know...and he is the reason you're an orphan Emperor...you poor child..."
"Vakra?" The Emperor said.
"I'm glad to serve such an honest and caring Emperor... Please watch yourself, your Majesty. I will endeavor to protect you just as your father asked me to," Vakra said.
"You're always so considerate, Vakra! I hope you serve me just as well as you did my parents!" Emperor Alwen said happily.
After The Emperor spoke, I heard Vengeance speak.
[These fools have invoked my wrath. I lay claim to their lives for this insult.]
I'll find a way to deal with them. At the very least, I can promise that the Advisor will die.
[Good. Make sure that the child is at least punished as well.]
Immediately, I decided to contact Isabella. Once again, I heard static and strained myself to maintain connection.
"If he hurts you, don't hesitate to end him. Vengeance already has claim on his blood. So...I guess that means Bravery and Intelligence should be fine carrying out his will? Or something..."
"This is so wrong! That disgusting bastard is eying me like a vulture waiting for something to fall over and die! Why do I keep attracting such disgusting people? Why!?"
"I understand. But right now, Vakra still has our backs. When he's done, you'll be this asshole's personal...guard... And when he tries something, you can kill him."
"I don't want to be near that disgusting filth! I want to be near my darling Mizik! Can I kill him, darling? Please? I hate this so much, already... Every moment not spent near Mizik is a moment wasted... It's torture!!!"
"It...it doesn't matter who kills him, Cassandra. When he makes his move, do as you please. But it has to be self defense. Otherwise, Vakra might not help us. Until then, follow your orders. And do not, under any circumstances, allow him to touch you or Isabella!"
"I will obey! An order from Mizik is the law of my mind, body, and soul!"
"Eh...yes... I suppose I agree... I love you, Mizik."
"I...love you, Isabella."
"Ehhhh...that screeching sound means you hurt Mizik!"
"I'm sorry! I really do love him, though!"
"It's okay... Just be cautious around Jarbold, alright?"
"Yes!"
"Understood."
After our talks had finished, I could see Jarbold shaking with excitement.
You filthy pig... You better not lay a finger on Isabella...
"Well, I guess you should get to work, right, Vakra? Please hurry! I'm excited for big sister Isabella to spend time with me!" Emperor Alwen said happily.
Vakra simply nodded and led us out of the room.