Apocalypse Reborn: Demon Lord 8

Apocalypse Reborn: Demon Lord 8

…

The Scholars, of course, had a ring and they were happy to cede it in exchange for help in their victory condition of getting off the planet.

Honestly, I was tempted to join them.

In their ending text, they get off the planet, scavenge resources for a few decades, and innovate until they activate several space stations across the solar system. Then, they go ahead and reignite orbital industry and habitation, before spreading across the stars and rejoining the greater galactic community… as a minor faction in the galactic scheme of things. The problem with their ending was that getting the time to do that meant ensuring the destruction of the biosphere to make sure no one comes after them and that the Ancient’s enemies are dead.

The other mortal races are ultimately considered necessary casualties, even though they take along genetic stock to utilize for cloning chambers to produce servants.

I mean, I’m sure that somewhere out there, some dude is willing to be a man-servant/boytoy to a society led by shortstack goblin ladies.

Not my cup of tea.

With my abilities and influence, though, they’ll never let me join them and if they did, I’ll probably see myself poisoned or having to take control of the ship.

So, yeah.

Can’t just go off with the Scholars of the Skies, even if I saw some merit to their plans. Sending them off with genetic material stored away and everyone’s history stored, though? Yeah. That was a fine backup plan, if I lost against everything.

Not that I was planning to, especially now that I had four Citadels at my disposal before another faction Citadel popped up.

And, wouldn’t you know it, my actions had consequences and it was by the Academy.

Meaning it was time to disabuse them of the notion that they were the big kid on the block.

…

The Academy, on paper, could outmatch a starting faction with one Citadel. That didn’t sound like much… and it wasn’t.  With all their territorial advantages, with all the dungeons they had under their lands, and with their obscene head start, they squandered the most important advantage that they had: time. If the Academy’s people focused less on propping up slavery, destabilizing the outer regions with warlords printed out from their schools, and assassinating possible rivals, they’d… probably be still be a bunch of fuck ups. I mean, that’s the only way to explain how they’ve got so fucking little after multiple centuries of being top dog.

They spent all their wealth, time, and influence on making themselves wealthy, glorious, and amazing, while keeping everyone else down.

It wasn’t enough that they were strong.

Everyone else had to get fucked/be worse.

“Tell your masters to muster their armies and prepare for battle. That is all the words I have for you and your people that have preyed upon mine for generations.” They arrived at my city in a pseudo-parade. Dozens of ornate wagons pulled by four horses each. Hundreds of soldiers armored from head to toe. Mages with winding staffs with massive crystals at the end. Lesser nobility of their people came to witness the moment, pretty much declaring on their end that they were superior as only their eyes and ears on the situation mattered. “You and your people will enjoy guest’s right for one day and one night. No more and no less.”

The messenger that came to my court was covered in colorful clothes, had jeweled rings on his fingers, and was bursting out the seams.

He had a smug grin the whole time as he walked through the place.

It was gone, though, in my court.

He realized quickly that he didn’t know anyone who could match me.

And, of course, the fact that I had the assassin sent after me by the Academy at my feet.

Dying.

Slowly.

“I-I understand. Y-your mercy in this matter is much appreciated.” They snuck the assassin in by trying to get all our attention to the display of wealth and power that they made. You don’t get to the level of power that the Academy has without knowing a trick or two. While a normal barbarian king in my position would be incensed and angry at the display, I saw the play for what it was: a distraction. The only reason the assassin in question managed to get past my guards was because it was the Wraith Champion. “W-what price will you ask for in return for… him…”

“There will be no price. His death is being prolonged for his impudence. That is all.” He’d come for me by traveling through the darkness. Slithering from shadow to shadow of servants towards my hall. He didn’t kill anyone on his way here, but that was only because he’d have been found. Unfortunately for him, I’m an old hat when it comes to assassination attempts. I confronted him the moment he pounced and captured him. Since other assassins could be swayed, it was a good chance to get a double agent. When he tried to phase through the electrified bindings that I wrapped about him, though, I knew that killing him was the only option. “There is no ransom. This creature is lost to your people.”

The rotund man nodded at my words, not standing up for the creature in the slightest, but there was fear in his eyes.

Like he almost did try to stand up for the creature.

Someone at the Academy commanded a pretty high amount of reputation.

Only one person came to mind.

“Your Headmaster Alistair will not have his pet back. Nor will his secret weapons be of any effect.” I told the portly man simply. Sweat was practically running down his face and he was struggling to stay standing. However, he managed to stay standing and nod at my words. Through all that corpulent flesh and egregious wealth, the guy had some merit. “Messenger, return to your domicile. No harm will fall upon you or your people this evening until the sun sets tomorrow. Prepare for your exodus.”

The guy gave a deep bow at his dismissal, and I refocused on the Wraith Champion on the floor.

The message was sent already, so I didn’t feel the need to keep him alive.

Unless, of course, he had something for me.

The coursing electricity in his bindings lowered to the point where he could do more than spasm in pain and silent agony.

“Your death approaches. Tell me all that you know and it will be swift.”  This creature was something that I knew shouldn’t be trifled with. Memories of my past life reminded me that this creature was disloyal to the extreme. Even after passing all the requirements to become its new master, the chances of it staying loyal were below fifty percent, and investments needed to be made to make sure that it remained loyal through Artifacts and events that involved sacrificing lower-levelled Champions or Veteran Units. That upkeep cost in exchange for what it offered wasn’t even close to cost effective. “Or, stay silent, and die in agony over the course of days. The choice is yours, assassin.”

His choice was to try and break free from his bindings.

“Perhaps, we should consider offering him his life?” Riegert spoke up while stroking his beard. A lot of gazes in the court settled on him and he raised his hands in surrender. “Simply a suggestion. The Academy has many secrets. Knowing them can be a substantial advantage.”

“I am aware, but this creature attempted to take my life. And, it failed to even scratch me, while I was without arms or armor.” Riegert made a fair point, so I gave him a nod. That should get people off his back. I made sure to make the point clear, since I wanted him strong and he had decent brain between his shoulders. “The Academy is capable, as well. Do you think that they had complete faith in this creature? To the point of sharing all that they know with it, as they believed that it could not lose or be tortured?”

Riegert shook his head at my words.

“You’re right, your majesty. I retract my words completely. Such an assassin would not be granted the knowledge that we seek.” Riegert nodded after concluding his statement and returned to sitting and simply observing. “Let the matter be done as you will, your majesty.”

I gave a grunt, and walked towards the creature, and its eyes widened a fair bit as I raised my sword… and aimed at the absolute extremities of its limbs and cut them with all the precision I could muster.

Maybe, death via a thousand cuts will get it to talk.

Not in good company, of course.

“You are all dismissed. I will attend to this matter. Ayah, call for healers. I will make good on my promise.”

…

Interlude: Khanrow

…

“The Academy’s dead. They just don’t know it yet.”

“Aye.” Riegert agreed with a single nod. “Best we start telling friends and contacts we have there to head our way.”

“Already in progress. He gave me permission and the funds to do just that.”

“Oh? When?”

“He suspected that our visitors had ill intentions from the start. If they did not, then I would’ve had nothing to do.” He spoke to me weeks ago and predicted the very event that was now occurring. He foresaw the attempted attack on his person, the duplicity of the Academy, and bid me to start preparing to extract talent from the Academy. “He says he is not prescient, but his ability to analyze and plan is nearly as such.”

“Honestly, it’s more terrifying that I expect it now.” Riegert shrugged and blinked. Then, he grinned oafishly as he rotated his arm around. “It never gets old how good it feels to be young.”

I couldn’t help but match the same grin.

“Aye, it never does.” I looked at my hands. My strength and power gained from training across the decades remained. However, the aches and pains of age were gone. Rather than restore me to youth, as I had feared, I was instead revitalized by the Citadels. Everything from breathing to sleeping and even eating was better now. Focus was easier to achieve, as well.  “But that’s beside the point. I have some assets ready to contact mercenary bands. Who do you think will heed our call?”

“Anyone with sense over pride and a thirst for glory, which means just a handful, but we can make it work.” Riegert pondered the matter carefully, as we walked down the halls of the Citadel away from where court was held. Passing groups of clerks and servants bowed swiftly before passing us by. The windows overlooking the city down below showcased a vast civilization filled with innumerable peoples. “If he’s willing to give some noble titles, it’ll be a lot easier to convince a few.”

“You’ll need to ask. I have the right to ennoble a house or two, if they come with as much of their existing assets as possible.” That would be an immense boon to our nation. The Academy had strong lineages with secrets and assets beyond imagining. If we could convince one or two to take our side, then we would find ourselves with able rulers and future Champions aplenty. However, that was unlikely. “I doubt that I’ll be able to get noble house on my end. Perhaps, a mercenary company with a few thousand troops is a worthy exchange.”

“We have need of heavy cavalry, so that might be an option for some more specialized mercenary bands. I’ll see what I can do.” Riegert nodded to himself, eager to get out there and recruit more to our cause, and the sight was striking to me. When was the last time he had such an eager grin when confronted with a challenge? Over the last decade, when we faced such grand challenges, he only had a grim smile on his lips. Now, it was like he was relishing the chance to get out there. “Something on your mind, old friend?”

“…We need to win as fast as possible, and prepare for the coming threats.” That same vigor and youth was mine. It was offered to all who fought for and swore loyalty to him. Those who would shed blood, those who passed his unwritten tests, all benefited from these boons. And, of course, so did their families. My daughter was young, but in a few decades, she would also grow old. If this was lost, if what we had now fallen away, then I would see her dead before I reached old age once again. I came to a sudden realization at that thought. “Ah, so that’s how he’ll ensure loyalty. Riegert, we’ll never consider rebelling against him, because if he falls then everything we now cherish is lost. Everything returns to the madness that once was.”

If the Academy was victorious, then the Citadels will be little more than factories used by the Academy to their own ends. Nothing will change, besides the faces of the warlords fighting each other for territory on the outskirts of ‘civilization.’ They fashioned themselves as the center of the entire world, and I had no doubt that they would do little more than study and make use of the Citadels, rather than enact change.

“Yeah, you’re right. The Academy would never give this to any Champion, let alone any soldier. They’ll make themselves immortal, but no one else.” Riegert understood, and a frown formed on his face. His gaze looked upon the vast city below and the streaming wagons and crowds of people filling the roads to live in our new home. If we failed, then they will all be scattered to the winds, returned to their place, below the Academy’s boot. “It’s a hell of a thing, really. If you told me you planned on fighting the Academy, I’d try to get your head checked. Or, run with Ilych and anyone loyal to me. When he said it… I couldn’t help but feel irritated that the Academy decided to get themselves killed.”

That earned a chuckle out of me.

“I would have run as well, if you suggested such a thing.” The Academy is the height of power on the continent. Their lands are fertile, rich, and surrounded on all sides by near-impassable mountains. They call upon a massive population, have harvested talent for decades on end from the entire continent, and have dozens of Champions at their beck and call. If I was a subordinate to someone who wished to defy and destroy them, I would leave or try to kill my superior myself. But that was years ago. Now? “All I could think of is that there are better places to spend our funds, if they didn’t choose to be our foes.”

Now, I simply wondered if there was anyone in those lands worth saving.