V12: Chapter 4

…

Honestly, I didn't think I'd need to get Khalai out so soon, but with what was coming… I couldn't afford to lose Riegert.

Using the Shroud on him would remove all his buffs for infantry, which I was betting a lot on.

If Khanrow died, I'd use the Shroud instead, but Riegert, Morgan, Ilych, and Morgan's students were worth the risk.

Being Undead, Rita was easy enough to revive without any complications.

Sarala and Archibald dying and not giving their economy and defensive bonuses?

Yeah, we'd lose any chance at winning, and I'd honestly risk using Scarlet Mist strategically if they were out for more than one turn. The bonuses they were giving towards preparing my land for invasion and pushing my economy forward were the only things that let me sleep at night with the impossible odds that lay ahead.

But back to Riegert's situation.

He died taking down an Ascendant Champion that went by the name 'Raven,' if the Guardian's report was to be believed. It was a great trade, in all honesty. Starting Champion taking out a late-game crisis Champion one vs. one? That was worth putting on the forums with screenshots and maybe a short-form video with some meme music. The fact that the Guardians got the third Divine Engine was the icing on top of the cake.

They were lacking in military strength, and now they had the Divine Engine designed to give whoever got her the most military strength.

One champion in exchange for one enemy faction elite and a new asset for a weak ally?

After already spreading disease and conflict between two crisis nations?

Riegert achieved more than I could've ever hoped for, and I honestly considered letting him rest and recover in Paradise.

But circumstances demanded that needs supersede wants.

So, I made the order to uncork Khalai myself and fetch Riegert's body, while leaving the initial attack against the Forgers to Celia.

Maybe I'll get lucky and Khalai will give me the first resurrection for free?

…

Interlude: Sirena

…

News of Riegert's death against the Ascendant arrived by courier, and news swiftly spread of his demise… and the plan to bring him back.

Many of the soldiers simply accepted the news, while a few wondered how it was possible.

My people were scattered and destroyed. All but our ancestral rites were struck from history. Those who partially understood the truth would also know that resurrection is only possible for those involved in the faith. They would wonder how it was possible that Riegert, not even an adherent of the Warden faith, could possibly be resurrected.

I wondered why not keep his death a secret, or why not fabricate another means of resurrection, or perhaps even not resurrect him at all. If the curtain were ripped away from the truth, if it were known to all that paradise was open to all, then madness would surely take hold of what remained of the Wardens.

Then, it would only be a matter of time before my people became monsters to be destroyed.

Such were my fears, until a day passed, more news arrived, and the troops… simply moved on.

"You're far too obvious for your own good, you know?" Morgan's voice startled me. She stood on a branch on a neighboring tree. I hadn't noticed her presence, and from the shimmer of fading magic on her person, it was on purpose. We were at the forward base behind the Gate Fortress that separated Forger and Academy lands. Soldiers milled about in prefabricated structures and palisades. Moving through their day. "You were thinking that the secret would spill, since we have so many bright minds amongst us, weren't you?"

"That is what I thought. Why is such not the case? Some should wonder. If not here, then back home."

Morgan gave a hum. She leaned against the tree opposite of me. I had tried to hide and observe the base from afar.

At the very least, the prospect of being resurrected should have galvanized the troops to ask questions.

Why not those who have been lost?

Why should the specter of death loom over them all?

Why should only Riegert of the Holy Axe be resurrected?

All mortals feared death.

That is why paradise is so enticing and why knowledge that it was open to all this continent would ravage the mortal world.

That is why I betrayed my lord and now lead the remnants of our civilization, whilst those I once called friend call me both traitor and heretic.

"I don't know." Morgan's answer shocked me away from my thoughts. I turned to her with wide eyes, and she laughed lightly and elected to sit on the branch rather than stand. Her legs dangled from the tree limb, and she swung them in a childlike manner. It reminded me that she was less than three decades old. Practically a child. "Could Iterants be controlling information down to each grouping of men? Is there some magic in the air that stifles all thought of rebellion or thought against our king? Perhaps the mortals who look to our liege are simply too happy with their lot in life that they don't consider it?"

Morgan gave a hum while I considered those possibilities.

"Or, perhaps, the soldiers fighting there now wouldn't wish to be brought back to fight again. Your people are sure of it. Your culture was built to create fanatics unafraid of dying again for your church." Morgan shook her head from side to side as she reminded me of a difference I simply did not consider. How many of the soldiers I looked upon were willing to be resurrected only to die again? One in every five? In ten? "Our king also operates with the knowledge that you fear, Sirena. Do you think he would resurrect people into this land with so much conflict and turmoil? Forcing another life upon them when they have reached paradise?"

I froze at Morgan's words.

Would Jack pull people away from Paradise to fight for him?

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

I had few answers to any of Morgan's questions, but to that… I knew the answer.

"No. Not unless his hand was forced." I answered. After all that I've seen, all the King of Wisdom's actions towards his people, I was sure of that answer. He cared for them. He wished for them all to prosper. He searched for volunteers for his armies first, before levying his population. Even then, all were paid, supplied, and provided for out of his own coffers. None who marched to war at his command did so without training, equipment, and power all their own. If they perished, their kin would be provided for, and they were guaranteed the finest care if they were ever harmed. "He would do no such thing, unless needed. Riegert is being called upon, and a bargain is being struck with Khalai because Riegert is needed."

"True. A general like Riegert who can lead armies and kill Champions are few and far between." Morgan nodded and got up. She looked upon the forward base and gestured to it. "If I were in his place, I would have seized all your temples and priests. I would force all to fight, to live and die again, even if it meant twisting their minds to my will."

My hand almost went to my true body at her words, and she turned her head my way while a faint smile crossed her lips.

Her eyes, usually bright and cheery, were instead dull and empty.

No.

Not empty.

Filled with so many thoughts and designs that all light was occluded.

Then, she shook her head, and the Morgan that I knew abruptly returned.

"But that doesn't need to be done. Endless resurrections aren't needed. We move with industrial might unseen by the world since the Ancients fell. We are securing the whole of the continent, building at great speeds, and the number of Iterants is increasing at an astounding pace, and we have horrors to fall upon if we falter." Morgan's smile widened and became warm. She waved her hand listlessly towards the base filled with troops before us. "This mighty army you see now? It's obsolete. Eight times their number will be unleashed soon. Armed with better weapons and finer tactics, they will ride in castles filled with mages, bristling with sorcerers and artillery. In another six months? Another eighty thousand will be trained. There are plans to double and quadruple that output! Imagine it! The sheer scale of it all! Armies in the millions armed with weapons from myth, one and all!"

Morgan's words sent a shiver down my spine as she let loose a laugh, stood straight on a tree branch, and extended her hands outward as if to embrace the entire world.

"No compromises in morality. No fears of unleashing something that should not be unleashed. Sheer industrial might augmenting a population in the millions!" Morgan espoused with glee as if declaring her thoughts for all the world to hear. "With the humility to produce horrors if needed, and the willingness to compromise if called to do so!"

Morgan shook her head and lowered her arms, while a smile of satisfaction played on her face.

Then, with a final whisper, she spoke whilst looking at the sun setting in the distance with a hand over her heart.

"I cannot do better, so I shall simply follow and do as he wills."

With those words lingering between us, an idle thought arose in my mind.

The Wardens had once hoped to spread our ways to this nation, espousing paradise after death.

Many wondered why so few chose to join our faith in Jack's lands.

Now, I knew why.

Their faith and zeal were already promised to him.

…

Khalai lounged in a fluffy bathrobe out of his sensory deprivation cell like he was just fresh from the bath.

Not only that, but by instruction, I had the Iterants treat him like a guest.

So, he was getting his hair, nails, and toes done as I entered the Citadel's guest room.

He barely paid any heed to the fact that I had multiple Citadel Guardians ready to tear him apart.

"Oh, Jackie, you've grown wonderfully!" Khalai gave a grin and raised a hand to waggle fingers my way. The sensory deprivation tank was also a medical pod that prevented any health issues from arising, except for mental ones. We turned that part off. Him being perfectly fine after almost a year and a half without being able to feel, see, smell, and more? That was all him. "And, I've just heard that you trounced the first Demonic incursion into our lands. You've done wonderfully!"

"Thank you. How's your meal?" An Iterant was cutting up food and spoon-feeding him. Rosalie. I met her gaze; she blinked thrice in swift succession. I raised my right hand's index finger before returning it to rest. No, don't slit his throat, please. We kind of need him. I got a blink in affirmation. "Everything within expectations?"

"Everything is exceptional." Khalai confirmed with a smile and a nod. He examined his nails after the attendants were done. They were a light pink, but they were almost aglow thanks to his dark skin. "I heard that you have convinced Celia to seize the other half of the continent?"

"I have. The Merchants are defeated. The Forgers will be defeated next." I was given a seat, a small table, and offered a meal. I abstained since I had no urge to eat while someone had their feet out right in front of me. Some people would kill for this view, though. A dark elf twink in only a bathrobe getting pampered as mealtime entertainment? Some degenerates would call that foreplay. "The vast majority of the wardens are safe and secure. We estimate only a hundred thousand or so remain at your Citadel."

"You best focus them down, lest you find your soldiers having to fight resurrecting children, Jackie." Khalai told me, and I grimaced before nodding. Should've expected that to be on the cards, honestly. I looked over at Ayah and gave the order to have everyone focus on the wardens. The first round of drafted troops should be ready to march in two months. Eighty thousand light infantry with submachine guns, rifles, heavy machine guns, and artillery support both mundane and magical. Should only expect ten to fifteen percent casualties. Twenty at worst. The veterancy gains would be worth it, too. "I see that you have an answer to it. Celia may complain about not earning the territory, but she will be thankful to not have to kill children repeatedly."

"I'll prevent that from happening." I confirmed with a nod before looking Khalai in the eyes. Oi, stop crossing and uncrossing your legs while wearing only a bathrobe. Memories long repressed were coming back to me. Slinky dresses, maid outfits, and more worn by Khalai came to the forefront of my mind. He's always been like this. "Keep still, Khalai."

"Of course, my lord." Khalai smoothly answered and stopped in the middle of crossing his legs. I gave him a dour look, and he giggled. If I weren't straight, I'd have folded like a house of cards long, long ago. But if I called his flirting just that, then he'd just win. As a point of pride in my poker face, with so many hours invested in it, I didn't tell him to stop. You're not getting so much as a blush out of me, twink. "Now, I believe that it is Riegert of the Holy Axe who has fallen in battle against the Ancient's enemies?"

"He has. He was sent on an expedition to spark a conflict between the Stymphalians and the Ascendant, while spreading disease to their chattel and slave population."

"Ah, with their deaths, they will enter paradise and be freed from torment. A wonderful decision, Jackie." Khalai beamed at me. Anyone else with a normal moral compass would be aghast but understand why I did it. The former High Justiciar of the Wardens? He earnestly smiled, knowing that I ordered the deaths of hundreds of thousands through biological warfare. "I can only wish that their deaths are swift."

I met his gaze.

Not Khalai's, but the High Justiciar's that would've unleashed a crusade of undying zealots upon the continent and rushed us all to paradise at the end of a knife.

"I tolerate your existence because of its use. I would rather your death cult be erased from existence, but I have no means of recalling souls back." I told him bluntly before giving my offer. "In exchange for your services, after victory, I will permit your cult to reform as a euthanasia program. Those who wish to perish and move on, despite all that we can offer, may ask for your assistance in the matter."

Khalai's eyes were bright and filled with joy at my statement, and he was ready to accept, but I raised my hand.

"You and whomever joins your cult will have their names stricken. The children you have will not be raised in accordance with your practice." I could just leave it at my earlier offer and just let things be dealt with by someone else, but I didn't get this far by leaving things to chance. So, I went ahead and nipped in the bud the chance of a death cult killing the world in the future by hitting their recruitment line. "They will never know you. You may only recruit and offer membership to physicians who wish to offer such a service and accept those rules."

Thankfully, I held all the cards, and even as Khalai pouted, he nodded his head.

"Very well, oh King of Wisdom, you shall have me and those who would follow me under your command. All that I ask… is that we may begin to ply our new trade now rather than after your victory." Khalai took the chance to bargain, and I got multiple offers to kill, torture, maim, and cripple him from the Iterants, but I raised my hand to stop them all. "There will be much suffering in the near future. I cannot stand idly by knowing that some would wish for Paradise rather than struggle."

I considered his request, then decided.

"No. You will have no such thing. Provide me with the means to resurrect my Champions and get what I offer, or wallow in darkness forevermore. That is all I offer you, Khalai."

What's the point of having all the cards if you didn't use those cards?

I'm not compromising with the founder of a literal death cult!

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