Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero: 112: Interlude: Roseanne

Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero: 112: Interlude: Roseanne

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Commissioned by Shaderic

Wordcount: 2500

…

I held a pack of ice against my head as I looked upon what became of my study.

Various desks had been shuffled into the room and much of the regular furnishings were moved for the sake of more utilitarian tables and desks. My clerks worked with students from the academy, teaching them how to pore over documents and create summaries to send their way, whilst their own work was ferried towards them. Harpies waited outside the door, ready to receive and relay messages, whilst my maids relayed information about the state of the Wyvern Transports and how soon they could be arranged to send clerks off to fiefs.

In the back of my mind, as I looked upon the sprawling activity that spilled out into the hallways, I wondered if I should appear more grandiose… then my head pulsed with pain and I set that thought aside in favor of pressing the cool bundle of ice within clothe against my head.

My eyes felt as though they were about to pop out of my head from reading so much miniscule text for so long.

However, for the first time after weeks of suffering, I was not alone in my pain.

Hikigaya Hachiman lay flat on the floor to the right of my desk utterly defeated as well.

“How… how the hell did you think you could do all this work alone?” Hikigaya accused me with a voice muffled from the pillow he lay face down on. His Amazon, Ur, was beside him and patting him on the back. He’d thought that the pile that he first witnessed me working upon was all my work for the day when it was, in fact, only the first set of three. “I thought you were supposed to be smart, Roseanne.”

Typically, I would reprimand him for speaking to me in such a way in a setting with so many others present.

But he halved my workload for the day and was now cutting it into a quarter in the near future.

I allowed it without a second thought.

“I erred in what I asked in terms of advice. I truly underestimated the amount of information your system would when implemented for all my territories.” Hachiman’s methods had been simple and effective at the start. I’d enjoyed all the information I had my disposal. Much of it was actionable and I felt that the funds that I was sending was being used appropriately. I also made quick work of much of it, because I was Kindred and not a mere human, and thought nothing of it all until I found myself confronted with stacks and stacks and stacks of paper. “I aimed for the most pertinent technologies without asking about what allowed it to be used without breaking the user.”

“Ergo: you were being stupid.” Hachiman groaned, grabbed the sides of the pillow he was laying upon, and brought the sides up to his ears to try and get rid of the constant din and chatter of the office. When his attempt failed, he floundered against the floor and went limp with defeat. “Ur, I want to die. Please kill me.”

“I refuse.” Ur stated simply with a shake of her head, before picking Hachiman up by the back of his shirt. She stood up and picked him up with ease as she did. She brushed off the wrinkles on his clothes after standing him upright, before tilting his chin up and squaring his shoulders. His slouch returned a moment later, which earned him a sigh. She spoke once again after taking a look at the clock on my desk. “It’s time for lunch. I will fetch it for you. Do not lie back down again. Rest properly.”

“Kaaayyyy.” Hachiman grunted and leaned against the wall that framed the windows of my study. He yawned as Ur waited. “Just get me sandwich, I’m not that hungry. Get the chefs to start making something light with as much sugar as they can put in for everyone else, though. Tea and cake, maybe.”

Hachiman was bidding his most trusted commander to order my servants. It was something that I would not normally permit, but the thought of warm tea and delicious cake made my stomach rumble piteously, so I could muster the will to override his command. In fact, I relaxed further upon hearing that such food was set to arrive, and I slumped further into my chair. After Ur didn’t move for a few moments, stalling the arrival of refreshments, I realized that the Amazon was waiting for me to save face, so I nodded in her direction.

I sighed in relief as she moved to do as she was bid.

As she left, I cast my idle gaze upon Hikigaya Hachiman.

He looked nothing like the man I first met.

“What’re you looking at?” Hachiman snapped at me. He was no longer a gaunt individual composed of bone and taut muscle. There was some semblance of fat to him now, nothing like any of the studs after being fed by the loving public, but enough so that he didn’t look as though he’d fall over with a breeze. His shoulders were sturdier and he even seemed to be taller, though his constant slouch might’ve simply just improved. “Is there something on my face, huh?”

I considered being silent, but I was rested enough to rise to the challenge instead of simply just letting it flow over me now.

“No. The opposite. There is less loathing and absolute hatred on your face now, Hachiman.” I spoke and Hachiman was surprised. His eyes widened and he almost lowered his arms from being crossed over his chest. His guard momentarily fell and I took the imitative without a shred of remorse. “You look less like a suicidal warrior out to vanquish all in his path and more the vaunted general who could create miracles that I searched for.”

Hachiman sputtered, but after speaking my mind, I saw him more clearly.

When I had first heard of him, my expectations had been high. I’d envisioned a warrior-king from a faraway world who was using knowledge and strategy to empower kidnapped slaves into becoming a bulwark for the Empire. His achievements on the front, stalling numerous assaults and killing so many warbands and their leaders, made me worry for the future of the Kindred as the Empire used him a shield to gather their strength.

If not for the Doppelgängers receiving information of his hatred of the Empire, and how his minders knew that he was filled with hate for the Empire, I would’ve had him killed. But with that information in mind, I went forth of on my own volition, risking myself and my royal guard, in hopes of gaining an asset that could turn the tide of the conflict that has lasted for too many generations. With the help of such an individual of talent and skill, I’d though that I would rally my Kindred to my banner and fight against the Empire until they were forced to accept peace.

I found a broken man filled with hate so mighty that he wished to annihilate the Empire from existence. A man that gave me pause, that I wished to be nowhere near, and who I sent away to observe from afar and glean as much as I could before he killed himself. A man who then nearly enacted an apocalypse upon the Empire’s entire front, who nearly plunged the continent into a state of absolute war overnight, and turned all I knew upside down for the sake of vengeance alone.

Vestiges of that man remained as a permanent piece of hatred within Hachiman’s heart

But now I was sure that the general and advisor I wished to have was beside me now.

I straightened after those thoughts, just as Hachiman ceased sputtering denials, and spoke to him again.

“When you are done resting teach me more. I need to know more.” I straightened and allowed my gaze to adjust to the light of the room. The aches and pains behind my eyes were slow to fade, but I knew that I had no choice beside to overcome it. The days flowed like water now and I could scarcely grasp all I needed to grasp. Thus, I needed to better myself and that path could only be trod with Hachiman’s assistance. “Teach me all that you think I require and entrust in me your knowledge. I will use it all to protect you and your lands as is my duty.”

Had I said those words to him mere months ago, Hachiman’s gaze would’ve narrowed and devilish cunning would’ve been unleashed upon me, as he would seek to take power from me to fuel his own ends. However, now with the promise of protection of him and his people, that errant thought was vanquished in but a moment and he nodded at me.

“Fine, but I’m not going to be repeating myself, and I’m not going to be writing this for you.” He grunted and took a seat with a seat. His brow furrowed as he engrossed himself in thoughts that returned memories of a gentler word that he could never return to. It was painful for him to think back on his past, but he endured it for the sake of his people. “That’s a hint about the fact that I don’t like repeating myself by the way.”

My teeth grit a little at his flippancy, but it was well within my ability to withstand. His suicidal thoughts and demeanor had rankled me before, offsetting my usual taciturn demeanor as his scathing words combined with off-putting dedication to demise. Now, I could simply cast my irritation aside, nod, and soldier on to get what I wished. He was fast becoming one of my nobles, who tested my limits as they searched for more power, so I could deal with him.

However, I must admit that the whole affair was made easier by the fact that he cared for his people and wished them well, instead of solely seeking power for power’s sake.  The belligerent, suicidal conqueror that would see me inherit a war that spilled an ocean of blood upon the continent was no more. Now, I dealt with a belligerent ruler who cared for his people and little for himself.

I would go as far as to say that it was almost refreshing to dealing with him, rather than the rest of my constituents.

…

Lisette entered my room after knocking thrice upon my door.

“My lady.” The captain of my Royal Guard bowed from the waist before raising her head and closing the door behind her. I looked from above my reading table at my bedside. After dinner and rest, I devoted myself to reviewing what I learned for the day. Hachiman’s lectures were surprisingly well-formulated and easy to follow. There was a certain structure to everything that he sought to teach, which he didn’t notice himself, but I could dissect and utilize to my own gain. “It is done.”

I closed the notebook and nodded at my friend.

“Good.” Hachiman’s actions earlier in the day allowed me to spy those who were spies sent into my court. Clerks who could not fulfill their assigned duties, students who floundered completely, and one of the dozen new maids I’d hired. It was good that there was only one who was within the inner palace, but the fact that the periphery was so studded with agents made me frown. “The names of their mistresses?”

“They all spoke after being reminded that your new Hand has a very skilled and powerful Lich at his disposal. Lady Henri’s Necropolis has been completed by the way. It is as terrifying as legends say it is.” Lisette spoke casually to me, as I pulled up the hem of my skirt and moved towards my bed. I sat on the side with a sigh of relief, once again appreciating its softness and lushness after a long day of work. “But back to the agents of our Ladies. They come from all sides now. Without a doubt, things are proceeding as you predicted and the Kindred have reached a precipice.”

I nodded at my Royal Guard’s words.

“It’s time. They know that they must act now as one age ends and another begins. The days when I must rely on nobility is quickly fading… and the information gathered today has hastened it still.” The burdensome requirements of Hachiman’s system was now much alleviated and now I could move with more freedom as I gave more power and autonomy to my agents in the lands of my nobility. I was sure that he was aware of this, but he didn’t have as many eyes on the land as I did. With his extended absence, and his espionage focusing on stopping others from entering his lands, I was sure he didn’t know what was to come. “How goes the plan to isolate and disrupt the upcoming fractioning of our society?”

“Those who follow your path are largely rural nobles who have seen great wealth come to their lands because of the innovations. Those who oppose you are those who already have power and wish to keep it from the hands of those they’ve oppressed.” A wan smile formed on Lisette’s face. “We’re very lucky that they were so greedy and filled with pride. The latter has few friends and their neighbors wish to see them suffer. The masses are behind us Roseanne, we can win this with their aid… but it will be bloody.”

“Then, in the end, it would be better to garner more support from beyond our borders. The riches Hachiman has secured from the Pharaohs and the Atlanteans have given us great influence and leverage, but more than anything we need more professional soldiery to minimize losses.” An idle thought occurred to me, which was to use Hachiman himself to bring low those who would oppose my consolidation of power across the lands. An ill feeling crept in my gut at the thought, warning me against it, and I discarded it according to my instinct as I searched for another plan. “What we need more than anything is time, but we do not have it.”

I expected Lisette to be silent, but she spoke up instead.

“The methods Lord Hikigaya used today can be used to train soldiers. One skilled instructor to train ten others, then those ten to train another ten, until we have enough.” I sat up and listened to my friend’s words. Though she tried to speak calmly a ferocious smile was forming on her face… one that I began to mimic as she continued to speak. “We have the funds, the knowledge of how to induce evolution through nutrition, and many myriad facilities all over our lands to hide their rapid training.”

I nodded at my captain’s words, while my mind became awhirl with thoughts and processes.

“Most of the established Nobility are Vampires. We can train and empower Dhamphirs.”

“Those with Dragon’s blood will best be countered by hardier Kindred. Trolls and Orcs will be a powerful force when induced into their stronger forms.”

“We can gather them locally from our outposts on the fringes. The logistics network we have now will easily provide for them. We can conceal the necessary rations within transports.”

“Many architects and builders have studied the construction techniques of Ylstu. They will be of great help establishing facilities.”

I spoke with my Captain at length to solve the coming problem and a great weight was lifted from my heart.

Should the plan fail, I would call upon Hachiman to assist me with the revolt that would come, but if all went well, I would only need my own strength and that of the professional army I planned to train piecemeal and bring together through the logistical network constructed with Hachiman’s knowledge.

Only time will tell if I succeed, but I will do my utmost to do so.