After being saved by the Emperor and the Grand General, the people of Krome set up a base to rest before going to the city of Magri. As for the captured Huldians, Edwin entertained them and lightened their moods.
But while this was happening, Artefus, carrying Rapl via wind magic, was walking away from the main group. They both carried serious faces as Rapl had many questions he wanted to ask Artefus, the primary one was that of killing people who wanted to free the Zanians from Artefus' illusionary iron fist.
As the two came across a river, Artefus thought it good to have their conversation there, so as he approached the banks, he laid Rapl down as he took off his cape and brought his hair down, "Did you oversee the battle?" Rapl immediately asked, even before Artefus sat down.
"Yes I did," he replied quickly, as he made a place to lay on with his cape, "I wanted to see your guy's skills on the battlefield, but also I wanted to make sure none of you would die." Artefus lay on the bank of the river, his hands behind his head as he closed his eyes.
Rapl saw Artefus made it clear that he wasn't being threatening at all, he was simply in a mood to answer every question his apprentice would ask him, "Then… you heard everything?" Rapl yet again asked.
"Yes."
"That meant you heard what Dyrin said." At Rapl's statement, Artefus didn't immediately reply, instead, he collected his thoughts, as he wanted Rapl to know what he really meant.
"...I trained your physical and magical might, yet I didn't tell you your future purpose," Artefus finally responded, "I'll take the fault on that, so to make up for it, I will inform you until you get fixed up." Artefus cleared his throat as he sat up, staring at Rapl he started, "Being a Lich is more of a symbol than a position, of course I am an Emperor, the Symbol of Order, that is the position I hold in the Empire, but to the world, I am the Lich, a Symbol of Fear."
Rapl nodded as he listened intently, Artefus spoke in a tone of a man very informed of himself and who he represents in the world.
"See, the Symbol of Fear is something I did not include when I talked about the four symbols, for it wasn't for the people of Zan, the same way Order, Joy, Might, and Knowledge are. That Symbol of Fear, is for the people that dare to attack Zan; as a Lich, we are the voice behind every ambitious conqueror's mind to not invade Zan, or they will meet death and desolation." Artefus reached his hand to grab Rapl's shoulder as he stared at him with a sympathetic stare, "And that goes for anyone, any blade that points at Zan, be it for evil or good for our people, needs to be made an example."
"So that no other blades will be pointed at Zan," Rapl finished what Artefus was going to say, leading the Great Lich to nod in affirmation. But even though Rapl understood it, it wasn't something he necessarily supported, "B-but that's not right… people like Dyrin are good people."
"That they are, but if we spare people like Dyrin you know what will happen? Deceivers will enter our Empire, and we will be seen as a normal nation, being invaded and pillaged by rogue groups; the Queendom of Gershugah has a massive pirate problem, and they invest a lot of money on securing their waters, money that could've been spent on improving the lives of their people," Artefus explained in a soft, understanding tone.
The Lich could see the conflict inside Rapl's mind through his eyes, something he understood too well. So as the Lich stood up, he walked to the river, picking up a stone as he skipped it.
"I see your troubles, Rapl. They are troubles I once had, no, they are troubles I still have. I have personally killed millions of lives, lives I knew wanted to save the Empire of Zan from my clutches. But I knew full well their good deeds would only result in horrific consequences for my people," Artefus spoke, his voice less of his understanding and lecturing one from earlier, instead bearing a more vulnerable side of the Demon Lord.
Rapl responded quickly, "Then what is the difference between us? Or even the captured soldiers? Why spare them but not Dyrin?"
"Because Dyrin is different," Artefus instantly responded, as if he already knew what Rapl was going to say, "He isn't like any of us, he's a man I have seen only a few times in my life, a true hero, one whose heart is too big for a world this cruel." Artefus turned to Rapl, but his eyes pointed away, his face baring a melancholy look, "I've heard and seen what he has been doing after the invasion of Krome, if I take him in, he will never stand with how I conduct things in terms of defense, he'll never understand: and that is alright for me, my people can disagree with me in certain topics… but Dyrin is a dreamer, a hero, a usurper if given a chance, he will never stand with Zan, he stands with Zeroth, not like you all."
Rapl's eyes widened at Artefus' last line, "Could you explain what you mean by that? Afterall I'm a Kendrian, Sevi, and Alex are as well, we are your natural foes yet we changed."
As Rapl said this, Artefus took a deep breath as he looked into Rapl's eyes, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you, Sevi, and Alex aren't Kendrian," the Lich flat-out remarked, "You have no pride like that of the Kendrians I tried to take in, they'd rather die than be part of Zan, yet you all willingly became Zanian, why? Because all of you aren't heroes, like how Dyrin is a hero."
Rapl's brows curled as he bit his tongue, he finally understood what Artefus meant, but it didn't mean he supported it, "This is… not right."
"I know," Artefus responded as he sat beside Rapl, "I know… but let me tell you this Rapl, it is in the difficult decisions we make, that the person who we truly are is revealed. I've had a similar experience to yours before, if you want to, would you want me to tell you?" Asked the Great Lich, as the Lesser thought about it.
Although there were still a lot of thoughts flowing in Rapl's mind, he decided to hold them back for a minute, and open his ears so that he might be able to learn a thing or two from the experiences of one of the oldest people in Zeroth, "Alright."
Artefus smiled as he heard Rapl's response, "Before I begin, let me give you some context and be completely honest with you here…" A silence came over the two, as Rapl turned to Artefus. That was when the Lesser Lich saw the Greater one's face, it was one full of conflict and regret, "I was a cruel person in the first few years of becoming a conqueror, I was young, naive, but most of all, furious at the world. And that fury caused me to disregard the people I was supposed to be taking care of."
"The Zanians?" Rapl asked, resulting in Artefus nodding.
"Yes… but after a decade of war, there was a great Zanian uprising against me, led by one of my own people, although I hated him and wanted to punish everyone who rose up against me… when I had finally defeated him, he taught me so many things, and forced me to reflect on my actions… I wouldn't be the same man without him." Rapl heard the amount of respect Artefus had for the man, but also the guilt he carried for his past.
Artefus lifted his sleeve, and with some magic, revealed a tattoo on his wrists, one resembling chains.
"For us humans, to identify one's family, it is the last name. For orcs, it is their first name, or clan name. But for elves, it is via tattoo on the body. This is a reminder for me, and a commemoration for him, the last King of Zania, Nero."