Apocalypse Reborn: Demon Lord 17

Apocalypse Reborn: Demon Lord 17

…

I’ll be perfectly honest.

I thought that I’d need to destroy the Wardens, but after seeing what I was able to do with the Guardians, I decided to take a gamble.

I intended to tell their leader the truth about the afterlife, that it was ultimately at risk if we just went there, and bring them into the fold to win.

Every single body that we could get fighting for us was essential.

So, I met with their representatives under the guise of giving them a favor after they helped Morgan raise another Citadel for me.

With my current forces, with all the people under my control, everyone on the continent knew that taking a citadel for themselves was foolish at best and suicidal at the very worst.

I didn’t expect them to get on their knees and bow their heads in supplication the moment they laid eyes on me.

“Ah, it is true! He is of the Ancients! His very being is blessed with the holy light that we hold sacred!” High Justiciar Khalia was a slight young Dark Elf male wearing a slip of white cloth, leather sandals, and some gold jewelry. He shivered in my mere presence and fell to his knees when our gazes met. I knew these guys were the fanservice faction, but instant loss is going a bit too far. “We offer you our bodies, minds, and spirits, oh venerated Ancestor! Tell us your will!”

Most of the court took to the pronouncement with little issue, though some exchanged glances.

I was surprised that money didn’t change hands.

But I had to play my part rather than remark on how ludicrous the situation was.

Another faction was just falling into my lap.

IMBA didn’t even begin to describe this start.

It hasn’t even been 20 turns!

“Rise, High Justiciar. The power that you see vested in me is meant to be used against the foes of all peoples that remain on this world. I see that your people have made good use of it.” I sat on my throne. There were Guardians watching, so I wasn’t in simple robes with a sword at the ready. For some reason, from how the High Justiciar was sneaking glances at me, I was glad that I had armor on. “Your people have fought on behalf of my Hand and given unto me another missing piece of the continent. State your desire, and I will reward your people.”

“We desire to be part of this covenant! To have our place amongst all those who once obeyed the Ancients!” High Justiciar Khalai’s face was flushed with what was hopefully fervor as he pronounced those words. He had a hand over his heart as he spoke… and one hand tugging down his robes. The fanservice is really going wild here. Then again, they were hedonists in-game lore, and devs didn’t have to limit them to sneak below any ratings boards. “Oh, great Ancient, let our reward be given the chance to earn your trust as your subjects!”

I considered accepting and just offering him more, but in the grand scheme of things, that wouldn’t fly.

As much as they’ve done, they were still going to be fast-tracked as citizens for a budding nation. Unlike the Guardians, they didn’t have cities or fiefdoms to support them. Just taking them on as our people was enough, especially with the disparity in our power and influence.

“Then, so shall it be. This day the Wardens of the Caverns are under my protection as my loyal subjects.” I declared, and it was so. I did my best to ignore how Khalia was biting his lip and how his legs were shaking at the proclamation. Nor did I let my eyes wander anywhere close to his crotch. From a completely theoretical standpoint, I kind of understood. They worshipped the Ancients as gods; one was right in front of him, and pleasure and decadence were entwined with their religion. His episode was their version of religious spasms. That didn’t make it any less distasteful. “Your people are welcome to my lands, and High Justiciar, you are to represent them in my court. Let this be known to all!”

My declaration was followed by affirmations from the rest of the court.

I idly considered dismissing them and speaking to the Wardens about the afterlife right away.
Then, I remembered their leader’s state and decided against it.

…

“Would it be possible for the technology in this magnificent facility to turn me into a woman capable of bearing your children?”

Who the fuck starts a conversation like that? We just met two hours ago!

“Greetings, High Justiciar.” I was still in full armor when we met again. Khalai pouted when I ignored his words and leaned on the table across from me. I requested a meeting with him in the usual conference room. He took the seat closest to my right and leaned on it and gave me goo-goo eyes. He was cleaned up from his mess in the courtroom, but that cleanup involved getting a bow in his head, getting some purple eyeshadow and lipstick on, and somehow finding skintight robes. Honestly, it was kind of impressive. “I admire your desire to ingratiate yourself to me shamelessly, but there is a vital matter that needs to be discussed.”

“More vital than having your essence spread and your bloodline ensured? My entire retinue is willing to carry the future of the world. I cannot think of a single warden who wouldn’t.” I ignored Khalai’s proposal to turn all the Dark Elves into my personal harem. It would be pretty neat, but I didn’t have time for it. “For the sake of the future, we are all willing to bear the burden.”

If I didn’t have superhuman discipline and determination, Khalai’s blatant flirting and cajoling probably would’ve gotten to me.

Thankfully, I was able to bulldoze past it.

“I speak to you in regard to the future. Your people celebrate the afterlife. That is why you practice hedonism and entice all mortals to join your church. Those who follow your religion reach paradise.” Khalai’s eyes widened as I shared the deepest secrets of the Wardens, then a sort of weariness came upon his eyes as his lips quivered into a smile. I wondered why for a moment before my brain supplied the answer. I just validated thousands of years of religious doctrine. Why wouldn’t he be happy? “In truth, all that does is place them in reach of your spells of resurrection after they reach paradise. The truth is that paradise was opened to all souls not of the enemy when the war began. We moved to save all.”

That got the response that I expected.

Khalai shot out of his seat, and all my instincts told me that a dangerous thought was about to take hold of his mind.

The dangerous thought that would turn the Wardens into a death cult.

Thankfully, I could nip it in the bud.

“I see your thoughts. Why not take the sin of murder upon yourselves and send all to paradise? The unfortunate truth is that paradise can be assailed. With time, with effort, the enemies that remain here can work towards breaking the defenses and glut themselves upon all those who have been saved.” Khalai stilled at my words. If I were anyone else, I was sure that he would’ve called me a liar. Something along the lines of Paradise being assailable being blasphemy. But I banked on the fact that I was an Ancient in his eyes. “It would take thousands of years, but with none here to fight, those thousands of years will be spent waiting for the enemies of all peoples to assail it.”

Khalai trembled before clasping his hands in prayer and bowing his head.

“Oh, honored Ancient, forgive me for my trespass. I doubted you out of selfishness and wicked desire. Temptation clouded my mind. I offer the entirety of myself for forgiveness.” The last sentence was not necessary, especially with the little wiggle that he did in his chair with the phrase. I ignored him again until he cleared his throat and sat up straight. “I understand. It will take time to convince my people, unless you elect to speak to them yourself. We have long believed that paradise is unassailable and have devoted our lives to entry.”

“I will speak to them myself. The path the Wardens have chosen with the knowledge of Paradise was correct with what you knew and what you could see. Only I could have told you the entirety of the truth.” Thanks to being a freaking nerd that binges wikis until he notices it's 2AM. Not because I’m some reincarnated messiah. Well, I’ve got the chassis, but the knowledge and soul are all me. “The works of the Wardens are to be lauded. We now work with one another to see it protected and safe from the predations of our foes. High Justiciar Khalai, rest assured that your people have saved all the souls they strove to save. Now, I ask you to do so again. One. Last. Time.”

Khalai bowed his head at my words.

“As High Justiciar of the Wardens of the Caverns, I swear to save salvation itself from the enemies of the Ancients. Let it be known that we will not stand for paradise to be ever assailed.” Khalai spoke. Doubt was cleared from his mind. Determination replaced it. Telling him that his people did the right thing with the knowledge that they had was the right call. Basically, I gave him an out in that he just received new knowledge to work from and provided more context to the Warden faith. Not contradictory. Just new information for the faith to follow. I’ll need to keep him protected, because the chances of a religious schism were now ridiculously high. Whatever speech I give to the wardens needs to be really, really good. “We will do everything within our ability on this planet to see all souls saved from the predations of the ancient foes.”

I gave a nod in reply to his words, and I was ready to start talking about how to start integrating his people into my lands with limits on how they practice their religion.

Until I noticed Khalai shifting in his seat and giving me sidelong looks.

I sighed.

Let’s get this out of the way.

“The machines of the Citadel are capable of providing what you desire, but know that I will not simply have children for the sake of procreation alone. You must sway my heart to gain my favor.”

I hoped those words would make him hesitate to transform his entire body, but he didn’t hesitate.

“Okay, I’ll see you later and knock your socks off, honey!”

Alright, superhuman physique, mentality, and instincts.

Let’s see how much you can resist being beset by an entire nation of Dark Elves in skimpy clothes that want your babies.

…

Interlude: Harper

…

Rare metal lumps the size of my fist and gems larger than my thumbs were on sale on street stalls.

I rubbed my eyes to try and see if I was seeing things right, but such was truly the case.

“Greetings, anything on the cart of interest to you, lady?” The tender of the stall was sitting down and doing her nails. She was a warden of the caverns. With skin of a deep, dark brown, white hair, and purple eyes, she wore little besides jewelry and a few strips of cloth. “Prices are negotiable, but their base is up on the sign.”

I looked at the sign, somehow expecting real prices, and my eyes nearly popped out of my skull.

They were all about fifty percent of what they should be!

“W-what are you doing!? This is a fortune. Why are you—

“Don’t care for it. I’ll be joining the clergy proper. Everything I sell will be my tithe.” The warden stated, and I blinked. All of this wealth was going to be liquidated and given to the Warden church. My incredulousness must’ve been obvious. She kept talking and addressed it directly. “Can’t take any of this to paradise. Don’t know why I keptt, in all honesty.”

With two sentences, it all fell into place.

“I’ll buy it. All of it.” I told her simply, and she was pleased. With a nod, she held out her hand, and I gave her a bag of currency in exchange. She weighed it in her hand and started to check the coinage by stacking them on her small table. I looked over my shoulder, and my retinue was quick to start storing all the precious gems and metals. “If you know anyone else who needs it liquidated, please tell them to ask for Merchant Harper.”

As soon as I stated my name, the warden’s gaze turned sharply my way.

“Harper! You are part of the ancient king’s retinue!” I was suddenly aware of the fact that I was walking about with my head covered. Gingerly, I took off my hood. The number of gazes on me was terrifyingly familiar. The warden was quick to bow her head. “Please, take your money back! All my former treasures are yours. Please permit me the chance to serve you!”

Despite fearing the sudden change in the calm woman, I decided to nod, and my hand took back my coins.

Damn my instincts to save money!

“Very well, then. Follow me. I will determine your worth.” I spoke, and then my heart stilled as the warden gave a wide smile and reached for the roof of her stall. Two long and wicked blades settled into her hands with incredible ease. Suddenly, I was aware of the fact that many of the Wardens were warriors as well as miners. They spent their long lives fighting and honing their bodies for conflict. I could not afford to disappoint this woman. “I see. I believe you’ve already earned your place. I plan to venture into far lands to spread the reach of our nation. I have need of capable sword-hands such as you.”

I aimed to flatter her, but I miscalculated.

“Then, I shall call upon my blade-sisters. We are all trying to tithe our work to join the clergy, but this is a worthy service to the Ancient King as well.” I cursed myself, as I found myself unable to refuse the opportunity. The gems and gold that they had, which I could gain by just accepting them as guards, were too tempting. “Let us all work hand-in-hand to see the great work of the ancient king completed. Let us work together to ensure paradise cannot be touched by the heretic, the infidel, and the abominable!”

I felt a cold sweat break upon my brow.

I think I’ve gravely miscalculated once more.