章 821: Royal Negotiations

It'd been a couple weeks since the threat of Gaunter O'Dimm had been eliminated... Almost immediately after this had occurred the continent had unknowingly seen a large decrease in the amount of Goetia used by people, or indeed, that was possible.

It was apparent that Gaunter O'Dimm was linked with the demons in one way or another, perhaps he was a demon himself? Regardless of his race or origin, his death had led to the walls between the dimension that demons originated from to be almost sealed shut, only letting in the weakest of demons. This could also be attributed to Reima's closing of the White Frost, but the effect was too dramatic and sudden to just be that.

Due to these Goetia users who'd spent their lives studying and practising the art became enraged, using all the demons they'd previously summoned to try and take control of the regions they lived in... Unfortunately for them, Reima hadn't been idle after the battle between him, the vampires, Nilfgaard, and Gaunter.

The places the Goetia users attempted to capture had been Kovir and the locations around it... Places that Reima had already partially taken control of when he'd cleansed the Vampires from them.

A simple visit from him to see how rebuilding was going had revealed the problem... Reima wouldn't even have to act if he didn't want to, his army was equipped with divinely enchanted weaponry, the bane of all demons alike.

Reima didn't wish to put resources into destroying opponents that he himself could easily deal with... The Goetia users made the mistake of users smaller demons as scouts, and all he had to do was follow them back to their headquarters and destroy them.

Even if there were some survivors, the Goetia users were not able to summon any big demons to fill their ranks anymore, meaning they'd either have to give up or start studying other forms of magic, something that most of them were not very adept at, this being the reason most delved into Goetia in the first place.

With that group eliminated, Reima turned his attention to the expansion of his territory... Nilfgaard was in dire straights after their defeat, they weren't able to lose that army without huge losses, and even with the remaining Vampires trying to assist them and fight against Ichor, they stood no chance.

After Reima had taken control of most of the north, Kaedwen, Redania, Kovir, Aedirn, etc, he started to look in the direction of the south... The war machine ready to move.

As always, however, there were problems... The main ones being that the surviving royalty of those territories wished to rule them once again, even though any right they had ended when they failed to defend against the Vampires.

Tankred Thyssen was one of the loudest voices for this, him being the former king of Kovir and Poviss, Reima had tried to show himself as a kind and just ruler, as such most things of this nature were brought to the courts for a public hearing.

That brings us to now, with Reima sitting atop the throne in the court house, looking down at Tankred Thyssen, Vernon Roche, and a woman with fine features marred by a huge scar across her face...

Asgore stands with some papers in his hands and addresses the hall filled with civilians, officials, and royalty. "Ahem... Greetings everyone, the government of Ichor has covered today to discuss the topic of territory, and whether or not individuals should be allowed to rule over them, and if so, under what restrictions. I present you all with our King, Reima Ludvig who will be listening to all peoples who have something to say, before making a final decision on the matter... No matter the outcome, it should be followed to the letter, if the trust we point onto you is breached, we in Ichor will have full legal and moral authority to do what we must to maintain peace... Do you all understand?"

Tankred Thyssen slowly nods, despite the frown marring his expression. Vernon Roach and the woman do the same, the latter looking pitifully around the room.

Asgore smiles at them all in satisfaction, "I'd also like to present those speaking for today, Tankred Thyssen, King or Former King of Kovir and Poviss-"

Tankred Thyssen "-I am and will always be King, no matter what you all say. It is my right!" he exclaims, interrupted Asgore.

Reima "I understand that you're upset about the current state of affairs Lord Thyssen, but this is the exact topic we are here to discuss today. If you don't like it, then you are free to leave, though, that would automatically void any right to rule you had." he states, causing the man to scowl but remain silent.

Asgore nods, "Next, we have Vernon Roche, Former King of the now destroyed country of Kaedwen... And last but not least..." he continues reading but has a confused look cross his face, "Former Duchess of Toussaint... Anna Henrietta..." he says, causing many people in the room to start whispering.

Almost everyone was aware of her and her countries previous actions, them trying to capture and possibly kill the Kings woman and father under the orders of Nilfgaard.

Reima raises a brow, "Hmm, before we start, I'd like to know how Anna Henrietta found her way into my land, and even my very court without my notice?" he says in a dour tone, clearly still holding a grudge against the woman.

Asgore reads through the paper to see on who's authority she'd been let onto this hearing... Tankred Thyssen and Vernon Roche didn't require this as they were well-known rulers who hadn't committed any wrongdoings, but the Duchess would require a guarantor. "The Guarantor for the Duchess is... Julian Alfred Pankratz, commonly known as Dandelion."

...

Reima sighs, why would Dandelion vouch for someone who'd manipulated him, and almost killed Geralt and Ciri... Usually, he'd just put it on the fact that the Duchess was beautiful and that Dandelion was soft on her, but this wasn't the case anymore due to the huge scar on her face.