Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero 91: Interlude: Kurama

Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero 91: Interlude: Kurama

…

Commissioned by Shaderic

Wordcount: 2500

…

Sayuri sighed and shook her head the moment my Kunoichi signaled that our expansive accommodations were devoid of both eavesdroppers and magical means of surveillance.

“It is a wonder as to how they have so much power. All they do is talk incessantly!” My Onimusha groused. Her deathly-blue skin was well suited to her simple, white dress and bands of gold. She moved easily in the clothes and swiftly began to attend to me. My clothes drew attention and many questions, but I could not wear them for long in the desert heat. “I don’t know how they could have achieved all the wonders they have, if their traditions take entire days to pass!”

“Now, now, Sayuri time flows differently for the Pharaohs and their subjects. The passing of months is most likely ephemeral to them.” I sighed once divested of my layers of clothing and accepted my bodyguard’s offer a silk robe. It was tailored to accommodate my many tails, but I considered keeping them hidden away. The desert heat was unkind to them. “We are most likely experiencing their equivalent of a simple, brisk lunch before attending a meeting. This past week has most likely been a mere portion of the time they allotted for us to recuperate.”

“So… this decadence is all for our sake?’ Sayuri raised an eyebrow at my words as she led me to the baths allotted for my room. Water flowed from vases held by exquisite sculptures and baskets filled with herbal remedies and oils were situated neatly against the wall. Attendants could be called up for a more luxurious bath, but I decided against it. Sayuri divested herself of her dress while I gathered the baskets for our cleansing. “We can only grateful for the absurd luxury being heaped up us?”

I smiled at my Onimusha’s words, which caused her cheeks to flush a darker shade of blue.

“A year ago and you’d claim this all this to be proper treatment for me, Sayuri. I believe that you said that Hachiman wasn’t treating me according to my station.” My glib words made my dear friend flush deeply, especially as her own words resounded in her mind. She prided herself in her beliefs, never straying from them, but here she was… decrying decadence she would’ve once approved of for me. I couldn’t help but tease her. “My goodness, my dear friend truly wishes to bed my dear husband before me! She doing everything she can to attract him!”

Sayuri spluttered and blushed for a few seconds, until she finally took note of my entertained smirk. Her slender shoulders slumped a moment later and she shook her head with a sigh.

“I suppose that I have grown too used with life in Ylstu. Over there… one luxuriates by earning their luxuries. Here it feels far too easy. It’s too difficult to enjoy.” Sayuri spoke and took the basket I offered her. She hesitated before entering the large pools of water, before recalling that the bath cleaned itself and its waters, thus making it unnecessary for one to bathe before entering. She sank into the cool waters and her basket floated beside her… and she glowered cutely at it all. “I cannot get used to it, Kurama-sama. I question all of it with all my being. It feels much like a trap.”

I joined my bodyguard with a smile.

“That is because it is. All of this is meant to convey the absolute superiority of the Pharaohs. It is a testament to not only their wealth, but their triumph over death itself.” The water was cool instead of hot in the baths. It was a luxury in the desert country, yet I couldn’t help but miss the heat of the baths back home. There were few things better than washing oneself with cool water and soap, before settling into a warm, herbal bath. “This entire palace is a declaration of their utter supremacy, because they can provide all of this to all their guests from abroad… not merely Demon Lords.”

I wondered how the first Demon Lord who visited the Pharaohs felt upon witnessing all of this? After creating her mighty expedition, after pushing back the Empire, and after being acknowledged by all the powerful Kindred in the continent… she strode into a land that gave her a palace better than her own for simply arriving. In that palace she was waited upon for her want in need, without any care for cost, while the Pharaohs gave her all the time she wished before meeting with them.

All the time she needed to look upon all their works and despair.

I felt pity for her… and immense, abounding respect for Hachiman.

The moment he looked upon it all… he saw only inefficiencies and lacking methods. He did not hesitate to partake in what they offered him, but neither was he shaken by what they did. My husband understood their power… and found them wanting.

Oh, how I wished we shared suites now that he did not have his own private bath.

But matters of the state were of higher priority, at least until we returned home.

Sayuri’s words took returned me to reality from my meandering thoughts.

“Should we do something in return?

The gifts in our ships hold are still untouched… though I cannot say that they will be of any use.” Sayuri fretted and worried, until I offered her a smile and placed a hand on her shoulder. She relaxed slightly at me action, but only just. Her concern for me, Hachiman, and Ysltu was immense. “Kurama-sama?”

Hachiman had informed me of the truth.

For now, I intended to feign being in the dark and merely act as a figurehead.

But when Hachiman made his choice about our path here, I will support him with all my knowledge and preparation on the bargaining table.

However, until then, I would have to keep my friends in the dark.

“Do not worry, Sayuri. Hachiman and I have a plan. We are working on it at this very moment.”

If not for Hachiman’s reputation and achievements, Sayuri would’ve worried, fretted, and perhaps even demanded to be told what was happening.

But the moment I mentioned my husband’s name… she relaxed in full and barely managed to stop herself from smiling.

Ah, what a beautiful, content visage before he even touched her and made her his.

I couldn’t wait to see how she would look when she was truly his.

…

Bekat’s brow furrowed as she saw no sign of Hachiman in my entourage.

I gave her an apologetic smile and a courteous bow before lying of the purpose of his absence.

“Hachiman requested another day of rest. I believe that my husband wishes to spend to recuperate not only from the voyage, but from many, many weeks of hard work.”

Every lie was best uttered with a truth. In this case, Hachiman truly worked far too much when without supervision and hardly allowed himself to rest. My concern for his work ethic was genuine, therefore I was able to easily fool the Anubis.

“I see. I heard of his skill and prowess from across the seas. The tales made him out to be someone beyond human, but I now understand that he merely pushes himself past his limits.” Bekat’s eyes softened at my words, while Hachiman’s status in her mind was elevated. Her tail wagged ever-so-slightly as she voiced her approval. She was quite cute creature with soft features, hazel skin, and almond-shaped eyes. Hachiman could make her fall with ease… if she were not wed, of course. “Then, I will make sure to have my servants allow him to rest. You there, inform those at the guest palace that they are to make as little noise as possible.”

“You have my gratitude, Lady Bekat.” I considered calling her by her title amongst the Pharaohs, but the Anubis preened at the sound of the foreign title. As I’d believed, though they clung to tradition, the younger immortals of the desert were curious and wished to experience the world beyond. If her heart were not yet bound, I could see her easily falling for Hachiman, as he was not only a lord of a mighty city, but also from another world. “I am sure that Hachiman will appreciate it very much.”

“It is my duty to care for the Pharaoh’s guests with all my ability, especially ones who offer such wonderful gifts.” Bekat spoke courteously and with grace that I would’ve been incapable of seeing through without Hachiman’s decision to tell me the truth. There was no sign whatsoever of the looming civil war the Pharaoh’s lands. The Anubis comported herself with enviable skill and talent in any court in the world. “I wished to see Lord Hikigaya today in order to show him our own offerings for trade.”

When the Anubis spoke Hachiman’s name the faintest whisper of interest entered the Anubis’s lips. A being born and molded to serve the Pharaohs perfectly… was becoming astray solely after a single meeting with my husband. Past the demure mask, past the power, and past the grace was a young woman who couldn’t help but be entranced.

Thus, my mind was set to wonder.

How would my husband take this talented, aspiring Anubis?

Would he overwhelm her?

Would he allow himself to be her throne?

Would he make her foreign queen in his retinue to be spoiled rotten and never allowed to work?

My thoughts almost overcame me, but I managed to smile and respond to the Anubis’s words.

“Worry not. Lady Tanis is our specialist in all matters relating to trade and exchange.” Tanis moved forward at my words. The Anubis nearly, instinctively bowed in her presence. The Lamia vaguely resembled the Pharaohs with stronger connections to their Kindred blood and her pale skin, white hair, and amethyst eyes made her even more exotic and mystical. That she was the head of Hachiman’s internal bureaucracy gave her even greater influence. More so than she would’ve had, if she were a mere wife or concubine. The Kindred of the Desert thought her a long-lost cousin of their divine Pharaohs. “She will excel in such matters, as she always does.”

Tanis gave me a half-hearted glare for my embellishments, but her vision softened at the hesitation showed by Bekat. My friend clad in royal colors, amethysts, and gold naturally acted as kindly towards the pup… exactly as I wished.

“Lead the way, Priestess Bekat.” Tanis addressed Bekat by her title and bowed to her whilst lifting her skirt in a perfect courtesy. Her movements invalidated her authority, but earned the amazement of the Anubis. “The gifts of your land will be fairly measured and evaluated by my eyes. The Pharaohs deserve nothing less than the fairest exchange as ancient friends of Demon Lord Roseanne.”

The Anubis scrambled for words for a moment, before regaining her composure. No one besides myself noticed the mere heartbeat of hesitation shown by the Priestess.

“Very well, it shall be done!” Bekat raised her staff and struck the limestone floor of her estate. A burst of her power rolled off her and surged towards the doors, but with immaculate control she opened the immense, burnished bronze doors into her halls without allowing it to make a single sound. The light of the morning sun streamed into the hall that lay beyond… and it shone with treasures once beyond my imagining. “The Pharaohs offer this fleet as a gift to the Demon Lord! Take its measure and burn any vessel which contains a single thing which is worthless in the Demon Lord’s eyes!”

Wooden skiff after skiff issued forth through the entrance. A dozen pairs came forth and each one was laden with treasures only a fool would refuse. Open boxed covered their decks, filled with every jewel I knew and more that I did not.

Weapons bristling with power lay in cushioned boxes waiting for powerful wielders, while amulets and bracelets composed of gold lay in neat rows of ten, each one promising a different magic to the one who wears it. Half of the amulets whispered of powerful flames to slay one’s foes, but the other half promised pure, cleansing water. The swords, spears, and axes composed of mere bronze radiated a ferocity that almost drew Sayuri’s attention. Their ancient, traditional facades barely hid their supreme power.

Most of the house-sized boats came with merely wealth and power, but the last pair were truly rare, exotic, and coveted by the lands beyond the Pharaohs’ reach.

One ship contained an obelisk composed of limestone and engraved with gold and magic, while the other ship carried an azure crystal of pure divine power.

The power of the Pharaohs capable of turning desert into fertile soil, allowed for even the dead to bear living children, and which could also protect entire cities from all but the most ferocious arcane assaults.

“This shall be the first of many offered in trade by the Pharaohs. A single obelisk every year shall be offered to the Demon Lord for what the Pharaohs deem worthy of it.” Ah, that was the game that the Pharaohs intended to play. They would secure Roseanne’s willingness to aid them by offering her the ability to truly protect and care for her people as all the Pharaohs did.  To their knowledge, the Demon Lord Roseanne would abandon everything for these obelisks…because they took no stock in the mundane methods and means that Hachiman espoused. “This first one shall be a gift… and this fleet shall take to the skies without recompense!”

The Anubis stood tall and proud at her declaration the twenty-four ships took to the skies protected and moved by magic. They sailed through the winds and the azure sky with great speed.

The perfect declaration of power and wealth by the Pharaohs… a perfect message to completely subjugate the Demon Lord.

If not, of course, for Hachiman’s innovations rendering it all into mere conveniences.

I felt pity for the Pharaohs, the Apophis, and their people.

They achieved so much that they lost their path forward.

Even without Hachiman, the Kindred under the Demon Lords moved, adapted, and struggled to better themselves. With him as a willing advisor and supported, the Kindred of the Demon Lord were set to conquer their continent… and be the beginning of an immense revolution throughout the entire world.

Not even my faraway, powerful cousins will be able to hold back the tide.

Let alone a nation about to fall into a civil war and contented itself for millennia.

All their wealth and magic could offer to Roseanne and Hachiman were assets that aided them in their goals.

Nothing more and nothing less.

At the cute Anubis’s cheerful, genuine grin at a job well-done… I barely managed to stop myself from sighing as I feigned wonder at her actions.

What a poor girl.

Her entire world will be changed by Hachiman just like all the tribal, feral Kindred he brought to heel.