Emperor Iffir takes advantage of the break to show Alcia around Blackhold, more as an excuse to get away from the demon king than anything else. Mara follows after them, leaving the three bigger golems behind. With that, it's just me and Xyll.

I am staring ahead with a blank expression, enjoying the view outside.

After standing in the awkward silence for around half a minute, Xyll addresses me, "So, come here often?"

"No. It is my first time visiting Blackhold."

"...That was a joke."

"Oh." I chuckle politely. "Very amusing, Your Majesty." Xyll loses interest in me immediately, choosing to get engulfed in the awkward silence once again.

After around fifteen minutes of pure enjoyment, watching him squirm in his chair, the rest of the players return. Iffir has mellowed out a bit. I contribute that to Alcia's current neutral demeanor being a welcome alternative to Xyll's naturally abrasive complexion. The three continue on, going over things we have covered again and again. Occasionally, there's an outburst and a quip. I make sure to scribble something vaguely related to the discussion from time to time. How very corporate.

I can give it to those two, though. It is a pretty good scheme they've cooked up. Who would ever believe that the Dwarven Emperor and the Demon King himself would ever work together. I am sure there would be at least someone, but most would call them crazy if they even dared to voice that idea.

The perfect focal point, an important strategic location, but not too important. Something that has influence over the empire but not enough that it might become a real issue. Precariously balanced on a sharp edge. Just enough to appear real.

Let's say you are an emperor, and you find out you are coming down with a case of rebellion. Not very healthy for a growing monarch. The good thing is, you caught it early, you can take preventative measures. What better way to unite your people than to give them someone else to unite against. The price for that? Let the biggest and baddest demon show his people why he's the biggest and baddest. Let him attack. Take the dungeon for a bit. Show off. Then take it back. Repeat. Small skirmish after small skirmish, just enough to keep everyone that doesn't like you on edge. They wouldn't want to destabilize the empire and then get rolled over by the other guy. Lesser of two evils and all that.

The demon king provokes the emperor again. The poor table can't take any more of this abuse. These two are really enjoying the whole charade.

Their plan would have probably worked. Call in an elven mediator, muddy the conflict, present both sides as having valid concerns, keep the engagements small. No need to involve anyone else. Just petty squabbles between nations that have perfected the art of petty squabbling thousands of years prior. Show that there isn't any chance of global fallout. Who cares about the people that die? A lot less than those that would die in a rebellion, that's for sure. They are only numbers...

How am I any different from them? I am playing with people's lives too, aren't I. Hypocrite. How many have died, or will die, due to my actions? Even if it's indirectly. Am I different? I have to believe that I am. I have to believe that others believe that too. They placed their trust in me. Enough moral dilemmas for now. It's time.

After a particularly heated exchange, Alcia gets up from her chair and starts pacing around the room. I stand firmly in place, taking my vitally important meeting notes.

Blinding light. A thunderous shattering. Xyll is enveloped by a cocoon of twisting shadows. Mara projects a faceted, white shield around Iffir, accompanied by another golden bubble. The windows and the wall, a part of the table, Alcia's empty chair, and my upper body are evaporated away by a beam of pure destructive energy.

The beam hits the other wall, burning through, and splashes against the outer shield again, dispersing. The two pieces of table hit the floor with a thud.

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Iffir commands, "Alcia." Mara blurs next to the elf, enveloping her in their shield.

At the same time, shadow tendrils twist around the two, reinforcing the golem's defenses. But the demon king is gone, already appearing at the origin point of the attack. Finding absolutely nothing, he appears back in the room.

Before I take my leave and warp my core away, I regard them all. An utterly venomous look briefly flashes on Emperor Iffir's face. In return, Xyll gives him one of confusion and then vitriol. Their already shaky alliance crumbles into dust. Alcia is shocked. A touch too real for my tastes. I should apologize again later... And finally, Mara. They are looking at my cauterized and still smoldering remains. They appear disturbed, almost angry. Another apology for later...

Alright. Thank you for attending, everyone. Overall, I think we accomplished a lot today. Five-hour meeting tomorrow at nine? I warp away before I get any answers.

***

[<ELISA>: Mom's home.]

[<LUCIUS>: Extend my sincerest apologies to Alcia, please.]

[<ELISA>: Don't worry too much. She's currently gushing about you.]

[<LUCIUS>: Well, everything went as close to the plan as was feasible. As we discussed, I will be commencing the second stage right away. And I am sure you'd appreciate some time with your parents without me present.]

[<ELISA>: Don't act all lonely. May I remind you of the constant barrage of messages during the, in your words, 'super-duper boring meeting'.]

[<LUCIUS>: Barrage is an exaggeration.]

[<ELISA>: Uh-huh. *eye roll*]

[<ELISA>: Be careful.]

[<LUCIUS>: Always am.]

[<ELISA>: *eye roll*]

***

I am hidden in some bushes. No movement detected in a wide enough radius. Perfect. I make my daring escape out of the prickly plants, heading for a very special rock. I move it aside and focus my control on some of the dirt. A clump moves away, revealing an opaque bubble. I touch the magic barrier with a finger, popping it easily. I grab a bag containing my identification tag, a coin purse, and some spare clothes. With a small wave of my hand, the scenery is restored to its previous configuration. With that done, I go on my way. After a few hours of trekking through rocky terrain with sparse vegetation, I join a remote road made out of compacted dirt. After a few more hours, I join a main road, made out of stone and much more in use, enchanted vehicles rushing past, trees visible from time to time.

Another hour, and I start feeling a familiar vibration under my feet. One more, and I am near my destination. I am almost at the foot of a mountain range. The highest mountain's surface is carved partway up, fashioned into enormous steps. Each level is covered with buildings. The city sprawls down and a little out, touching the flatter ground.

I follow the road, soon reaching a tall wall made out of dark stone. The queuing traffic slowly filters through a large gate. Each traveler and vehicle is checked over meticulously.

When my turn comes, one of the dwarves dressed in gold and red armor, accompanied by a group of intimidating golems, addresses me, "Identification." I pull out my tag and hand it to him. "Belhir Dorenson." He examines the enchantments on it, hands it back to me, and starts writing down something on his clipboard. "Purpose of visit?"

"What's it fockin' look like to you, sonny? Can't I see the old mountain that spit me out one last time?"

The dwarf blinks a few times at me. "You look like you still have many years left, {Best approximation: 'Grandfather' (Nonfamilial term of respect)}."

"Too many. We done here?"

He politely clears his throat. "Right. Yes. Welcome to..." I start walking away, leaving him to trail off, somewhat disappointed.

Forrengard, the biggest city in the Hirrim clan's territory. Known in the past as Hirriman, the capital city of the Kingdom of Hirrim. Taken under the Dwarven Empire's fold long ago, but not long enough for people to forget.

The weather is not too cold and not too hot, nearly perfect. I am walking down a sidewalk. Light vehicle traffic is dominating the center of the road. The people are rushing about with purpose, most of them on the older side. I don't see anyone else but dwarves. Excluding the intermittent golem. They are ever-present in the city, and always with imperial soldiers next to them. Glistening gold and red armor.

The bleak and dreary atmosphere is broken up by the occasional eatery. I select one that looks to be the most popular in my general area. I enter the building and make my way to the bar.

I address the barkeep, "Gimme a beer and something to eat." Then I slam a few coins on the polished wood.

She nods, storing the coins and pouring me a mug of some pale ale. Before the barkeep informs the kitchen of my food order, she deliberately wipes the place where I slammed the coins. Sorry.

I take a sip. Meh. ...Meh? Oh, no. This is worse than I expected. Soon, my food arrives. A plate of various fried meat products and a small pile of fried mushrooms. I take a nibble. ...It's alright...

You will pay for what you are putting these people through. Mark my words, you will pay.

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