Steel and Mana

Chapter 384 – Winter in Avalon (4)

The wind howled across the snow-covered Pass just outside of the castle, but finally, it was devoid of the groans, whines, and roars of the beasts attacking its defenders. What remained was a sea of corpses that the Avalonian army began systematically collecting and transporting away, leaving nothing behind. It showed that they were indeed experienced in such procedure, working with incredible haste. The visiting leaders were directly observing it from aboard the Camelot, standing transfixed at the observation deck, watching the dead, crack-shelled gigantic beast lie ruined below them.

What was Avalon doing with the corpses? That was their question, but they got no answer when asking it, only that it was now Avalonian property. But it wasn't hard to guess—not after seeing the weapons and armor of their soldiers. It made sense—it made perfect sense, even without a straight answer.

For now, the tentacle-sprouting body was left there, still oozing greenish slime from its innards. Its smell was akin to a rotting fish, not exactly something the kingdoms' rulers were keen to keep smelling. Not that they could order Leon to bring them away, not after what they witnessed.

"It will stay there for a while," Merlin suddenly answered them as if reading their minds, "Corpses like these can be used to deter a second wave from approaching. It is like a massive scarecrow. If the smaller, weaker ones know we had felled such a strong variant, they tend to stay away."

"That is convenient," Queen Roblesia muttered, but then Merlin smiled, crossing his hands behind his back.

"Or summon an even bigger one."

"And why would you want that?!" Huren exclaimed, his face white as the snow that slowly began falling from the sky.

"To kill it. What else?" Merlin answered, turning around, his face portraying honest surprise. "None of you are stupid... You will figure it out." He chuckled, turning away again, walking forward, leaving them alone for a moment, and exchanging words with the Camelot's captain, who they knew bore the name Kustov.

"They are for sure harvesting them..." King Durin of Moria was the first to speak, his voice low and heavy, glancing at Mirian, who, with Elliot, stood a bit further away, probably knowingly. "I bet that their machines are built from the corpses of monsters. No wonder Leon the Sovereign has red hair." He added, glancing back at the rest, "I always wondered if the legends were true and the Vasas were exterminated by Ishillia."

"My ancestors were convinced of it," Mirian answered with a chuckle, suddenly stepping closer, catching Durin's previous glance at her, now standing with them calmly. "I never really asked him about it because it just doesn't matter. He became my ally, and now we are all allies. Aren't we?"

"Yes." Some answered almost immediately, some, with a bit of delay but nonetheless, agreeing.

“The Empress is right…" King Vizsla sighed, nodding at Mirian, "We’ve feared these tides since time immemorial. Every one of our countries has similar stories, don't they? And yet here we are… witnessing it.” He gestured at the ravaged battlefield below the Camelot. “They killed that thing in a single day.”

"Without spilling much of their own blood," Lord Iscariot of Lacri exhaled sharply, his eyes gazing downwards at the black swarm that was Avalon's soldiers, stripping the corpses naked like piranhas. “So this is their actual strength? That’s what amazes me more... I didn't believe the rumors.”

"I have to agree, I didn't either." Queen Nuen turned to him, her fingers tightening around the railing of the Camelot. “My Kingdom will be in full support of the Avalonian war effort.”

"Mine too," Emperor Attila I added immediately, surprising everybody else. “If Avalon is breached, we would be seeing our cities burning, our people becoming food of abominations. Although my Geth's strength is in shambles, I still have the Medallion of Life. We have mages trained for healing... Those who didn't accompany my predecessor to war because they follow the tenets of Goddess Orsi.”

“If you are serious, that would be appreciated.” Echoed a voice, and as they turned their heads towards its source, it continued. “I am not going to say no if any of you wishes to offer a helping hand when winter comes.”

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I didn't expect Geth to offer a helping hand, but it was logical. Thanks to Kadosa's antics, they were the ones who may need to work the most to catch up to the others. And I meant what I said. I appreciate the help.

“We will head back to Avalon now, and we can work out the details in peace. Please, relax your nerves. For now, the danger has been averted, and I can return to be a good host and entertain you in the coming days.”

While speaking, the Camelot shifted in the air, turning with ease as we left the Pass, heading straight back towards the city. They had seen enough. Any more, and they would feel I was just showing off... which I was.

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The mood in the city was unaffected by what was happening in the Pass. There were no cheering crowds, no fanfare. The people went on about their daily lives as usual, something that was now in a completely different light for most of the visiting guests. They thought it had to be because they didn't know, but then they heard Merlin inform them that the victory would be announced in tomorrow's newspapers, as always.

When arriving back to their lodgings, Emperor Attila I stood before a map in his temporary quarters, explaining everything to Albert, down to the most minute details.

"Your answer to the Sovereign was perfect," he said to his Emperor while his fingers began tracing the continent's borders. "I do wish we were also brought along, but it couldn't be helped. They asked for only the true decision makers."

"Am I one?" Attila asked, unable to hold it back, making Albert sigh.

"You are growing to be, and you just demonstrated it." He nodded, "I am a warrior... I grow tired of politics, so I am happy if you are maturing into your position this quickly."

“It wasn't a hard thing to say... I meant it. I realized that they didn’t just protect themselves,” Attila murmured. “They protected the order of the world. I now fully see the reason behind this Union and why Avalon was pushing for it so aggressively.”

"Yes..." Albert agreed, "I just hope the people back home will see it the same way. A faraway danger is no danger to simple minds."

...

High Cardinal Damar was back in his own chambers, getting ready to undress, rest, and sort out everything that he had witnessed today when he received a sudden summon. The one who came for him was Lucca, someone who he knew was previously an Ishillian general and mage but now belonged to Leon. Maybe even his slave. Looking around, no guards flanked him, and he was alone, speaking in a hushed voice, asking Damar to follow him as his Sovereign wanted to speak with him. Alone. What was this about...? He had a bad feeling, but then he pushed it down. No. That was outrageous. If anything happened to him, the others would never trust Leon again. No matter what.

So, after calming himself down, the Cardinal said nothing, merely nodding once and adjusting the heavy sleeves of his luxurious robe as he began following Lucca. He suddenly thought that maybe his agents had reached out to the man before him. Could be... He was a prisoner of war, after all. He probably was still shunned and unhappy with his position, not to mention his friend, that... He didn't remember the other man's name. But he wasn't present at all... He was probably executed for his sins.

While thinking, he was led straight into the palace, still lit up, even in the dead of night. The snow outside made the court of the Sovereign glow silver, and every step of his boots crunched loudly on the freshly falling snow until they entered through the main entrance. In there, he was led through multiple rooms and corridors, but at last, their tour ended when they stopped at a set of double doors.

“My Sovereign is expecting you,” Lucca said, opening the door and ushering him in but then closing it behind Damar without following him inside.

The High Cardinal suddenly felt... that something was happening... something not good.

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The room inside was perfectly lit by a single chandelier above, shining with freshly installed bulbs, basking the room in its bright light. I wanted to make sure the High Cardinal felt safe inside; after all, who would be hiding in a room for assassination that was as bright as midday on the summer solstice? Plus, the main event was in the middle of the room, where a grand desk stood tall and sturdy, covered with a white sheet and something hidden under it.

I watched him enter, noticing the apparent misgivings visible in his body posture, but then again, he was still confident that nothing would happen to him. Maybe he believed the Gods would save him... maybe. I'd like to see them try, though, because then I could ask them some important questions. Anyway, they won't appear; I was sure of that.

"High Cardinal," I said without preamble, smiling. “Thank you for coming.”

"Of course," he inclined his head slightly. “You asked for me. I came.”

"I appreciate it," I gestured to the single seat before the desk. “Please. Have a seat.”

I simply stood and watched while Damar sat down slowly, hands folded, his expression calm, but my eyes weren't deceived. Now, I stood while he sat. I was looking down at him, and my eyes were slowly turning accusing—exactly how I wanted it to be.

"I will speak plainly, Damar, High Cardinal of the Tentian Theocracy." I walked around the desk, standing beside it. “You sent spies to my city,” I said calmly. “Worst of all, you found two accomplices who were happy to help. Who you thought would be untouchable because of their connection to my second wife. You see... this was your first mistake.”

"..." Damar’s face did not change, but then again... he found it impossible to simply decline it, not at that moment. “I’m sure you have evidence.”

“This is the second mistake. Thinking like I need one... but, yes, I do,” I replied. “But that’s not why I called you here.”

Speaking, I reached down, took hold of the white sheet draped over the desk—and pulled it off. When the cloth fell away, it revealed a row of severed heads neatly arranged, eyes open, all their faces in varying levels of shock, staring at Damar.

To his credit, the High Cardinal did not flinch. His gaze moved slowly across them before returning to me, his left eye twitching a little.

“I don't know these people if that is what you want to ask,” he said.

“As I said, I am not here to talk about the spy game we all love to engage in. These? They were fools,” I replied coldly. “And I know that you sent them. Don't you realize? Two old people's heads are not on the table. Who do you think told us everything? So I will speak plainly now, Your Eminence.”

I continued while I walked back to the other side of the desk and leaned forward, gazing over the severed heads, my voice becoming a blade, just as sharp as the ones who severed the heads from their necks.

“This is your only warning. You are not in your Theocracy. You do not hold dominion here. And you never will. Not directly nor indirectly. The Gods you invoke do not shield you from the consequences of your actions. I allowed you into my city. You repaid it with treachery. This is how Avalon answers.”

"I won't stand for petty threats, Sovereign Leon," he answered as he slowly stood, wanting to level out our height differences from his sitting position. “You would dare threaten the divine?”

“I would threaten the Gods themselves if they make my wife and child cry,” I answered unblinkingly. “And you are not even divine. You’re a man. And men bleed.”

“You are going too far, Sovereign,” Damar said. “You are treading dangerous waters...”

"I wonder what gives you this confidence," I mused, surprised by his responses. “I protect my people. If your actions threaten them, I will act. I don’t care if you wear a crown or a cardinal’s sash. You test my mercy, High Cardinal Damar. You saw today what my armies are capable of. And you are forgetting one thing... I made Geth switch out their Emperor.”

To that... the Cardinal’s lips tightened slightly. But he wasn't backing down.

"I still have what you need." He said after a momentary pause.

"Do you, now?" I laughed, "Listen here," I growled, my smile disappearing, "I will send the Camelot to your holy city, and by the time you get back home, you will walk into its ashes. You will be kneeling amongst the ruins of your kingdom as its remains turn your white robes grey. And none of the others will stand up to help you because I will permit them to gobble your Theocracy up, once and for all, further strengthening the Union and its members."

"You are mad..." He gawked, his confident facade finally breaking.

"I showed you today what is at stake, Cardinal." I shrugged in answer. "I have no willingness to entertain a snake. If I can't convince you by showing you the facts, I will simply eradicate you and let something new grow from the ashes." While speaking, I stepped aside, gesturing toward the door. “Return to your quarters. Speak of what you’ve seen or keep it for yourself; I don't care. Let your Boy Scout attachés debate it for the days to come. I won't pursue this matter further unless you refuse to give up on your ambitions. But remember this: if you ever send another spy into Avalon, I won’t send you their heads. I’ll simply end you.”

With that, he knew it was the end of the discussion, and Damar turned to go. When he was out of the chamber, I heard a soft click, and a spell disappeared as Mikan, Yuri, and Lucca appeared from behind an invisibility formation.

"Should we end him?" Yuri asked, glancing at the heads, chuckling while Mikan tried not to look. "He is an old, boy-fondling bastard. He deserves it, in my opinion."

"It would be too direct..." Lucca mused, "But it can be done. We could poison him."

"Leon..." Mikan muttered, stepping next to me and gently holding my shoulders.

"No," I smiled at her, "No need to get rid of him. With our successful planting of the rubber trees under our greenhouses, we can start producing our own source of rubber. Plus, I know that Geth had begun planting them, too, so we are going to have a secondary source. We will simply drop a hint." I continued, looking at Lucca, "We will gradually pull out from the Tentian Theocracy. We will support them as minimally as we must, being part of the Union. Let the others figure out the reason for themselves. If Damar keeps to himself from now on, that will be enough. If not..." I looked at Lucca, who was also holding a small box, "We have everything recorded?"

"Yes." He nodded, cracking a smile, "I have everything right here."

"Good. Let it be his final surprise if he thinks he can do better next time!"