章 71: First dominion, MoonElf Dukedom
The atmosphere inside the throne room was tense. Both Mays and Sikacak was facing each other, none planning to back down. They stared dagger at each other, still trying to figure out what the others was thinking.
"What says you?"
Once again, Mays urged for answers from Sikacak. He knew that this was a huge decision to make but he was not planning on wasting his time waiting either. In fact, he was ready for a fight if this elf king decided to turn down his offer. Who was he? He was the renown Red Wargod. Killing those who bar his path was something normal for him.
"I accept."
"Pardon?"
As if afraid of hearing things wrongly, Mays asked again just to receive the same reply.
"I accept your term. I'm willing to be your vassal as long as you treated my kin fairly."
With a resigned face, King Sikacak replied to Mays loud and clear. He was a proud and strong elves but that never clouded his decision making. From how confident and carefree Mays had acted thus far, he knew that Mays had something behind him. Something which could easily make him the elf king and his forces acknowledge their defeat once they started fighting. Rather than fighting a losing battle, King Sikacak decided to gamble on this godkin before him who managed to make someone like Drasca his retainer.
"Wow. This action of yours kind of irrational. Mind telling me why you come to this decision?"
Mays was indeed taken aback by King Sikacak's decision. Based on his knowledge on elves, he was ninety percent sure that they would never surrender. They preferred dying with dignity rather than serving as dogs for someone else. In fact, he asked them to submit as his vassal just to prove that fact.
"Simple. Because I can't beat you."
"Just because of our current force?"
"Nope. Because of what you have in store."
"Wow. You're without doubt the strongest and brightest elf in HeavensTale. How did you know?"
This reply from Sikacak really made Mays delighted. Normal people wouldn't be able to deduce that. In fact, apart from him who was always observing others meticulously, only Stan would be able to come to that same conclusion.
"Your companions. If was normal for the leader to always be composed all the time but it was different for them. They would without doubt let out something, a change of expression at the very least."
The elf king paused for a bit as he observed Mays's companion yet again. He then continued his explanation while staring directly at Mays.
"But your companions, none of them had any distress. No trace of fear or anxiety at all. It was as if your win against us was predetermined. I presume that your reinforcement can even come here in a blink of an eye. Am I right?"
He was smiling as he asked Mays for the confirmation of his hypothesis. He was sure that the real case would be more or less the same as his assumption.
"Splendid. Totally splendid."
Mays clapped merrily as he praised the elf king. He was totally sincere with his praise. This elf king was indeed worthy of his description as one of the most brilliant king in HeavensTale.
"But too bad you're not going to witness my forces for now. I wouldn't bother calling them here just for display."
"That is to be expected. Back to the main point, what do you want me do to show our sincerity? Is it written agreement or an oath?"
Mays was taken aback when he heard the word oath. There was nothing such as oath in HeavensTale. There were no info about them on bosses information either. This was yet again another knowledge difference he needed to experiment on later.
"Nah, I don't do those. Here."
Putting down one slave collar, Mays gestured the elf king to pick it up.
"I'll tell you this in advance. This is a slave collar. To show your sincerity, I want either one of you three to wear this thing. If not, you can forget about working for us."
There were clear trace of reluctance on Sikacak's tone. He never saw that collar nor he knew its function. But since the godkin was adamant on using it, it should be worse than an oath nor a contract.
"I will..."
"I'll do it."
Before Sikacak braved himself for that role, Princess Manissa volunteered herself as she took the collar from Mays. Both Sikacak and Comel hesitated for a bit because of their pride but apparently the young Manissa had no such thing in mind. She even thought that it was her sole responsibility to be the bridge connecting the two group together.
After wearing the collar, Princess Manissa stared at Mays for a while before her gaze shifted toward King Sikacak and Comel. She was quite confused at the moment because she felt that nothing actually happened even after she wore the collar. Her gaze then shifted back to Mays where she saw Mays giggled softly, probably tickled by her current action.
"What's wrong Manissa?"
"Manissa?"
Both Sikacak and Comel were anxious after Manissa behaved that way. They thought that something might have happened.
"Hahaha, worry not. Nothing happened to her. In fact, I would never harm cuties."
"That collar's effect was actually simple. It reversed the wearer's hostility toward the master and obviously prevents any malicious intention against the master."
Mays chuckled as he explained. He had not expected that kind of reaction from the princess. That clueless act equipped with her beautiful face was just priceless. If that slave collar was equipped by someone who hated him, that certain someone would call him master with unwavering loyalty after a series of horrendous torture inside their mind but if the wearer had no hostility then nothing would happened.
"That means?"
The one who asked was Comel. She was still worried about the princess.
"It meant that nothing happened to Manissa. Such a magical item indeed. Worthy to be an item from godkins."
"Haha yep."
Rather than Mays, it was actually Sikacak who explained to Comel. He understood right away from Mays explanation. In fact, he was even relieved inside when he heard it. From just this kindness shown, he decided that this godkin was someone worthy enough for him to serve.
---------------------------------------------
Human continent was quite small. Its size was at most one fourth of demon continent. Back at human continent, Mays had no intention of occupying it at all. But that changed when he arrived at demon continent. He felt that every fight was worth it here. Every dukedom had individuals which could give him the shivers if he was not careful.
Such thrills was rare for him back on earth. It was still nonexistence back at the human continent. But ever since the moment he stepped into the demon continent, his very first fight was dire enough which almost cost him his life. How could his ambition not be sparked by this dangerous and challenging environment?
Now that this unexpected situation presented itself, Mays immediately grabbed it without wasting any time. He could even imagine how adventurous and exciting his days would be when he started conquering the dukedom one after another. This could also be a good way to kill time as he was still searching for his way home.
Mays and the rest of his companions was now back to their guest room. Since both parties needed some rest, they decided to held a proper discussion session sometime later. Everyone was tired after participating in the war after all.
"Are you always this nice, master?"
Within his consciousness, Drasca who flew all over as if she owned the space asked. She was really intrigued about Mays.
"Which part of me is nice?"
"Many."
"Such as?"
"Rejecting an oath. Oath was the strongest type of binding in the continent. The oath I take was something similar."
"Eeh. I don't know that the oath was something so severe. I thought it was just conviction of some sort without any real effect whatsoever."
Mays was totally surprised by that info. He even let out a small shocked voice which alerted the rest inside the room.
"What?"
"Something wrong?"
"Haha, its nothing. Just keep doing whatever you guys are doing."
After assuring both Ria and Hallel that nothing was wrong, Mays once again focused on his conversation with Drasca. He was still sceptical about the oath but since it was Drasca who said so, he decided to believe her word.
"Leave it at that. I just didn't know about it, not that I'm being overly nice."
"Oya? And I thought master had a soft spot for that beautiful princess."
"Is it wrong for a man to appreciate something beautiful? I believe my reaction toward you is the same no?"
As if Mays was planning to dodge that statement, Mays tried to change the topic. It never mattered though considering how Drasca could easily read his mind if she wanted to.
"Hehe, no need to be flustered. I know everything about master already."
Drasca giggled as she licked her plump lips. It was extremely alluring.
"Also, do you know the reason why that elf king easily agreed to my proposal? I can't help but feel that there is something more to it."
"Master indeed is sharp."
"They are at their last straw already eh? What cornered them?"
Without wasting time, Drasca then told Mays what she gathered from the guards and other low level elves they met in the palace. With her power fully recovered, it was easy enough for her to read their minds without the other party noticing.
She told Mays everything she learnt which mostly focused on the current war engaged by the elves. The current war was actually a coordinated attack not just aimed at this dukedom but several other dukedom of Nature Alliance. While she was at it, she also explained the political power existing in the demon continent which further enlighten Mays on the current situation at hand.
After hearing all of these information, Mays cursed at Stan for concealing that important information from him. But he then remembered the fact that the two of them were enemies hence what he did was reasonable. He took almost an hour to digest all the information he got from Drasca before he let out a deep sigh.
"It seemed like the water here is way more muddied that what I presume."
Mays looked at the faces of his companions who was staring at him one after another. None of them had worried expression on their faces. Some had a relaxed expression while several were expressionless as always.
"Something in your mind, Mays?"
"Well... come here."
Upon hearing Ria's caring tone, Mays gestured her to come over with his hand. He then hugged Ria from behind before he started his explanation. The eyes of everyone present inside the guest room were fixed on the two of them the whole time.
"The elves was at war with a superpower of demon continent so they might hit us with everything they got. The fight would be extremely intense. I'm really sorry to drag you all once again into something like this."
"That's it?"
Holding Mays's hand tightly, Ria smiled to Mays as she replied. Those things which was the cause of headache for Mays meant nothing to her at all. True her life might be in danger because of it but so what? She had resolved herself long ago that she would always stand by Mays no matter what happened. Just this bit of hardship was far from enough to make her falter.
"Well, I promised last time not to drag you into another dangerous fight."
With a dejected voice, Mays continued. It was quite rare for him to use that tone.
"Worry not. I'll always be with you. I won't stand it either if you do dangerous things without me."
She already know what Mays would say hence she already come to term with it. She knew that someone great like Mays wouldn't be able to stay low at some unknown corner. He would without doubt rose to prominence.
"Us too, master. This time you need to bring us along all the time."
"Mira too. Mira loves fight."
"Mmm... master said so last time."
"Yep, yep."
"Yes."
One after another, Mays's spirits showed their support. They were always loyal to him as his summoned spirits. Minerva was also about to open her mouth but she decided not to. It was not her place since she was not even his spirits. She could still join normal conversation but she felt that this type of conversation was still too much for her.
"Dont forget me master, I'm here too."
Even Drasca butted in. She felt warm when she joined in this kind of conversation. This warm, familial sensation was the first time for someone like her who was treated as the gems of her dukedom. She never had anyone she could be open to prior to this.
"Ugh, this harem troop makes me wanna puke."
"I smell jealousy hehe."
"Am not!"
Hallel shouted in annoyance when Ria teased her. Deep inside she knew that it was the truth hence she couldn't say anything about it. She walked out of the guest room as every pair of eyes inside the room followed her out.
"Why can't she just be honest?"
"Hallel? I bet its gonna take years hahaa."
Laughing it off as if it was not important at all, Mays actually felt quite puzzled about Hallel and her feeling. Truth be told, he didn't have any romantic feeling toward her, only pure friendship. It couldn't be helped considering how short it had been since the time they first met.
But it was different for Hallel. She actually had feelings for him. At first, it was just a simple love at first sight but it grew stronger as they spent more time together. And unbeknown even to him, her feeling for him had strengthen considerably after their trip at the Heavenly Wish Trial last time.
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There were only two people left inside the throne room. Sikacak and Comel. Princess Manissa had long ago left the room after Mays and his companions. Both the injured guards from earlier had also been taken to the infirmary by other guards stationed at the door of the throne room.
"You sure that this is the best choice?"
"Better than our clan extermination, that's for sure."
"Why are you so sure? Wait could it be..."
"Yes it is as bad as you think. We are the only one left who still have their metal cube pieces. The other three dukedom's capital had been razed to ruins."
Comel knew if what Sikacak said was real, their Nature Alliance was over. It was indeed a good choice to stick on with the godkins rather than waiting to be butchered like pigs.
"Then... Who is the opponents?"
"It was the Black Dragon King's faction."
Sikacak tone was solemn. He already came to term with the end of Nature Alliance. Ever since he received the distress call of reinforcement from the other three dukedom, he knew that the long awaited day was finally here. The day where the Nature Alliance would cease to exist.
Nobody inside the palace noticed that a few black dragon and a huge red dragon was actually on top of them. They were too far high up in the sky that even Mays couldn't detect them. They had been there all the time yet they never did anything other than observing the whole area.
Those people were none other than King Hitam Cair together with the eight gold ranker representative of their allied dukedom. The weak gold ranked ogre was left to lead the rest of the army as the elite unit led by King Hitam Cair was tasked to take Sikacak's head. Only when the army led by Oggy arrived in front of Capital City would they finally started attacking.
It didn't take long before explosion sounds echoed all over the area. The huge red dragon spurted fire breath all over the area, leaving a sea of fire under its rage. The surrounding area of Capital City instantly turned into ruins as the rain of fire continued. The black dragon unit also helped in ravaging the city with their breath attack.
"Enemy attack!!"
"DRAGONS!! DRAGONS ARE ATTACKING!!"
"Ogres!! Ogres at the west front!!"
Cries and shouts echoed alternately with the sound of explosions. Maybe because the number of ogre was less than one thousand coupled with the dark dragon's concealing skills, none of the elves noticed them approaching until it was too late.
"Ready the ballista! Fight back!"
"Guards! Kill them!"
"Defend our city!"
Unexpectedly, none of the elves planned on running away from the fight. The elven guards tried their hardest to return fire with their bow when the dragons approached. Several brave elven blade dancers even leapt toward the dragons when they were close enough.
"In the name of the Moon Goddess, attack!"
The commander of third battalion's MoonElf Royal Army shouted as hard as he could before he rushed toward the nearest dragon he saw.
"ATTACK!"
All the soldiers who was planning to take a rest immediately took up arms as they shouted in unison. There were no cowards in elves army, only brave soldiers.
Apart from the palace which was untouched thanks to a defensive barrier, the whole capital city was now in a state of chaos. Burning houses, rain of fires and countless rampaging ogres filled the outer area of the city. Thanks to the previous battle, the city wall itself was already no more hence the ogres easily entered the city without problem.
Both King Sikacak and Empress Comel knew this was coming. They didn't rush out to battle but they immediately seek Mays and his companion. They knew that the one who could reverse the outcome of this battle was without doubt this godkin called Mays.
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