Looking at his aid, Lord Sindir sighs loudly and leans back as he thought about the latest reports of his spies... then he looks at him "Anything else to report except that rumours about Steadfast use of the kingdoms riches and the sudden rise of disappearing people?"
"Only that the people become uneasy. Word of Steadfast being involved with the death of King George and lady Istar are spreading for a while already. People feel they are only facing that soon the wrath of an Overlord already because the Paladin that swore to protect them angered a force that wanted to be left alone." explained the Aid and then looks at his master "Given how accurate the rumours are, I take Princess Arlene is spreading these to crumble the support of Lord Steadfast within the common folk."
"You assume well." chuckles Sindir and leans on his cane "That Steadfast isn't even showing any doubt that the princess is pulling through the marriage despite his actions towards her father, shows how ill-prepared he was to take the mantle as Lord."
"Pardon me. But ill prepared?" asks his aid.
Sindir looks at him "Right, that was before you became my aid... the old Lord Steadfast, Sebastian, had three sons. While Frederick showed early his loyalty to the crown and dedication to the knight's code, it was clear very early on that he would never be fit to carry on the title Lord Steadfast. Despite him the eldest."
The old man paused for a moment to collect his thoughts "Originally one of the two younger brothers should take the mantle. Tobias, the older of the two had the cunning to carry it, while the younger one, Martin was a talent for managing the task included in the burden. Both were viable options."
"Then what happened? Did they die in one time of the fifth Overlord?" wondered the aid, as he noticed the pause of his master.
The old man shook his head "Not that I am aware off... they left the Kingdom to seek aid against him. Tobias went to the northern kingdoms but any trace of him vanished shortly after. Martin, on the other hand, wanted to try his luck in winning the favour of a kingdom that seeks out suitors for the throne as, so far I recall, the ruler had only a daughter but a beautiful one."
A chuckle escapes from Sindir "However his last sign of life was brought by pidgeon stating that a storm caused him to end in a land unknown to him. He wanted to try and find a way home but I guess he either failed or is still seeking. Nobody knows for sure."
"And in that time of absence, Lord Sebastian Steadfast died?" concluded the aid.
Only nodding to that Sindir replied, "Yes... and around that time, the order that has trained Steadfast has shown him the "Powdered Truth" for punishing them all who broke the rule of Light Goddess Tapil. He brought it with him as the king, having to fill the position of Sebastian in both as Lord and as leader of the army, appointed him as the new Lord Steadfast."
"If I understand it right, a row of bad circumstances forced Steadfast into a position he wasn't cut and that drove him that path?"
"Coupled with the loss of his beloved father without anybody he could lean on as he was the last of his family in this kingdom." nodded Sindir then shook his head "Steadfast saw in me a role person, that is why I was able to dictate the course of him after the fall of the old and the rise of the new Overlord. Or so I thought."
"Lord Steadfast were only willing to follow you as long he saw no clash with his believes?" assumed the aid.
Again, Sindir nods "Yes. I have told him to wait before we act against the king. Of course, I never planned such and instead hoped to find something that shows that the King was not at fault. But the moment I was gone for a while, unable to talk with Steadfast, he acted. He acted upon him believes with no regard for long time thinking."
They walked up to the window and looked over the town that lies at the feet of the castle... the puffer between the outer wall and the wall that separates the castle from the town. It requires little thinking to see why the town was built like that.
To slow down the enemy as much as possible if the outer wall should fall. So the inhabitants could either adept to set up a final resistance or to flee through the secret tunnels.
"Military wise Steadfast is smart. He lacks simply the proper education in those. Or else he wouldn't rely on the Godness Fist so much. Or would have seen in the beginning how to prepare that war. But long-term thinking of consequences was never a good point of him. Executing Isota was foolish. Sure it gave a morale boost."
Thought he waved his arm out in a random direction "What else? We lack any leverage to get the Overlord at least on a table. He will have no qualms to crush his entire force against us. And his usage of Skeith shows a glaring problem. We lack anything to defend from the air."
"What about our archers and ballistics?" wondered the Aid.
"The ballistics are not accurate enough for flying individuals but easy targets. The archer might not able to hit them from sheer high, while they could drop anything at us." countered Sindir and looks at the direction where the Overlord will most likely come "Not to mention... he might have a bone to pick with me as well."
"How do you figure that Lord Sindir?" wondered the Aid "The assassins?"
"Indeed! You know they use the green Minions as a base. But for me to have green minions, I need the green hive. And the Overlord is able to make that connection as well. After all. The little number of spies we still have left in his tower confirmed that the ones I send were now listening to the Overlords order."
Sindir gave a weak chuckle "I admit... I underestimated the instinctual drive to obey the one bearing the title of Overlord. I thought human intelligence... or well... the difference between humans and minions could cause the hybrids to resist the call."
"You had no chance to find out if your theories were true or not" assured the aid. "No fault was at your shoulders."
"I am getting old... some years ago I would have considered that risk and would have sought out for a way to test my theory without revealing my secrets." scoffed the old Lord "On the other hand the mess we were in back then, was much clearer and the faults of our side wasn't the cause of the war."
"How long do you think Princess Arlene can continue her actions before Steadfast discovers it?" wondered the Aid, changing the topic to avoid his Lord getting into a deeper end.
Sindir looks at his aid "Honestly? I would not be surprised if he never learns. He is the only soldier in the core, not a politician. He doesn't know the fine art of information gathering outside from battlefields. He had to rely on my spies to learn anything outside anything his scouts could tell. And none of his men is subtle enough to take over that role. He also despised spies and only tolerates mine because of a common goal that I am not a threat for him."
The Aid smiles "A misconclusion. I take the "escape" from the Overlord, was his plan?"
"indeed my boy. Indeed. I am pretty sure that he played Steadfast. I bet his plans would have to build a base to remove Steadfast without that scale of bloodshed." then shakes the head and tipped on his cane with a finger "I think... it is time we are making our own new plans. For the damage control. Steadfast has pushed that kingdom too far. I think anybody who could lift the kingdom out of misery is better than Steadfast visions." "His vision?"
"Don't take that as bare coin... but I believe if he gains the victory against the sixth Overlord, the aspects that some sort of blessing comes from his goddess and all damage that our land suffered from the fifth Overlord and afterwards from the heroes are gone miraculously. But that isn't a Fairytale where things like that happen Without a second thought. The gods are fiddle beings. If they wanted to help us against the Overlord, they would have done so already. And even if we win... we are facing a land that cannot support itself because, in his rush of victory, he destroys all that the Overlord build. And let's be honest here. How much of it is evil?"
The Aid thought for a moment "Aside from the Bug Farms, which are used to boost the enemies troops with more minions, and perhaps the Coliseum, as we don't know its full purpose nothing. Everything that was build, while still serving to his benefit, benefits everybody. Removing them would only cause the people to suffer."
Then the aid nods "Steadfast plans to remove everything the Overlord build or made are counterproductive. But Sir... why are we talking about that? I think we had that topic already."
"Indeed we had. But I wanted to have it fresh in both of our minds for what is coming next." Sindir explained while leaning against his cane and narrows the eyes "We're going to do our part of Steadfast's defeat. And for that, we need to spread the word of the consequences of his victory. Of course subtle. He may not have spies but he isn't a full idiot. Also, Humilia is not blind, deaf or dumb either. If either of them connects the dots, either us, Princess Arlene or all of us are facing unknown and very dangerous territory... which we might already be in."
"Why Master?"
"Simple... the marriage. I know Frederick well enough that he would have already married the princess by now. Especially how he lost his last fiancée." and chuckles at the face of the knight as the letter of Lady Miona arrived him, telling that she is breaking the bond their parents made. That and her allegiance to the Overlord means, of course, the kingdom lost it's access to the valued raw ores and gemstones. Then he turns serious again "He is planning something... something that involves that the princess might be no longer able to marry him. And while I have a clue... I pray to Atan, the god of wisdom and Shegara, goddess of fools that I am wrong."
That aid paled a little as he heard these words. Praying to a god of wisdom and a goddess of fools to be wrong about anything is very serious... what is his master suspecting? Then Sindir looked up in the dark sky and gave a chuckle "It seems... that some deity or demon is amusing itself by sending gifts.
And now the aid was simply lost.
Overlord: Rise of Darkness
Arlene was sitting in front of her mirror, her maid brushing the long, blond hair of hers. While dusk had already settled, the entire castle was enlightened by fires, candles and torches. Thought while she can tolerate torches and fire pits, she was fuming about the candles. Given how expensive they are, the money used on them could be much better used for helping the kingdom. In fact, her father already didn't buy any of them anymore due to the cost and now Steadfast throws the little money they had out of the window like he would be rich soon enough to pay all.
"Once I am queen I have him pay for all." she muttered, "if he is so unlucky to be alive by then of course."
"Princess, I recommend that you don't fume that much. It isn't good for your skin."
"easy to say." she countered with her arms crossed. "I want to see you in my position. Then again you see a lot in quite an indifference except my well being. How do you do that?"
"Born and raised as your maid from birth, if I kindly remind you princess." spoke the maid.
"Another form of slavery... one of the legal kind" she whispered to herself with conflicted feelings. While she shares the Overlords opinion regarding slaves... she cannot deny that she really is glad to have her loyal maid even if she is more or less raised to be that. Once the Overlord gets the city, she has to talk with him about that.
Before she could indulge deeper into her thoughts, she heard a knock on the window and the two turned to look, finding to their surprise three skeiths flying in front of the glass, one of them holding up a piece of clothing that bear the Overlords flag.
Arlene understood instantly "Quite bold of him sending three of them." and she nods to her maid "open them."
Bowing slightly to the princess, the maid moves to the window and opened it, letting the feather-bearing individuals in. Once all three were in, the maid closed them again and Arlene stood up.
Falling down on one knee, the three bowed down and Arlene spoke "Welcome to the castle... even if I wish it were under better circumstances. What wind brought three Skeith, under the service of the Overlord, to my window?"
The red one of the Skeith stood up "Princess Arlene. I am Cross, the blue one is Rivali while the green one is named Erson. We are sent to bring a letter with instructions for the four of us from the Overlord." and with that she opened her ouch and pulled out a letter, handing it to Arlene.
The princess took it with a nod and opens it, reading the contents. After that, she nods "Well, the Overlord send me a list of things Steadfast has done as well some of Sindir's sins..." she trailed off and the eyes widened "Sindir had the green Minion Hive all the time? And he used it to make hybrids?"
"It appears so" confirmed Cross "I have seen these myself. And according to the Overlord, they were dangerous."
Tapping slightly at the letter the princess let her thoughts run a bit before turning back and grinned "Well, the info about the Green Hive might help us in the long run but we shouldn't spread that info until I have... a talk with Sindir. It might help us." then she dropped the grin "The other missions we have are to gather information about the Iron Knights... I am not surprised he knows about them. Namely how they are made and where their weaknesses are. Also preparing a special plan once the Overlord starts to siege the town." then she paused and read over again to be sure "once we gathered the information, one of you is sent back to report, the other two are to have further instructions only revealed to a certain date. To ensure that you don't spill anything in case of your discovery and capture."
"Funny. As it would be THAT easy to keep us hidden." said Rivali as he stood up "Due to our superior good looks and abilities we stand out like a candle in the darkness. Here is no way our presence goes unnoticed."
"Actually there is." countered the princess "While in Steadfast eyes you are demons, most of the people in town don't care. If you arrive as normal travellers the main gate, getting it might be not that difficult as long you are coming from a direction that makes it very hard to connect you to the Overlord."
"Which shouldn't be hard. Two of us are Mercenaries after all. Cross here just needs to wear one of our reserve bandages to make her pass as a third member and we could claim to rest for a few nights before continuing our way home to our forests." explained Erson
"Then I guess that is settled." nodded the Princess "And due me hearing of Skeith in town, I go and hire you to protect me in the event the Overlord attacks, as I know that he hired quite a number and to combat a Skeith, a Skeith is quite effective."
"That would properly sound well in Lord Steadfast ears to fight fire with fire." agreed the Maid.
Rivali looked at the Maid "And you can trust her? She looks like the type who would blow us the moment she is alone."
"She's my maid since I was a child. I trust her with my life." countered Arlene.
"Enough fighting." then said Cross "Let's follow her judgement and try to see if her idea works. If it does, good. If not we retreat and return in the night to think of an alternate plan."
The others in the room agreed and with that the Skeith flew out of the window, gone after some the distance in the safety of the night.
Overlord: Rise of Darkness
The Overlord stood over the map of their upcoming battlefield with the planned positions of his own troops… and the estimated position of the enemy. But for one part he needs Silver… and for some reason, nobody has seen him since a Succubus visited him. What is Wyslith doing with him?
As he pondered about that, he heard somebody coming in… two of them he recognized as Wyslith and Silver. A hooded third person was behind them. Guessing the third was a new aid or so for Silver her grunts "Where did you two disappear to? You missed three war council meetings and I had to search your home three times with not a clue!"
Blushing deeply, the young succubus scratched her head "It… wasn't entirely our fault."
"The two of us were forced… To do thing by her." Silver points to the hooded person.
Tilting his head "And who is her?"
Lifting the hood, the woman underneath smirks "Just a loving mother who cares for her daughter?"
"You're Wysliths mother?" asks the Overlord and the older succubus, dropping her mantle to reveal her curves moves around the table.
Leaning on him she smirks "Yes… I am her mother. My name is Sunkren… and what is your name, handsome overlord." and felt down his side "Handsome, strong and full of potential Overlord."
The Overlord looks visibly disturbed on how bold that woman was and turns to the other succubus and Silver for an explanation.
"We don't want to talk about it." The two said simultaneously, blushing deeply. While Wyslith did an act he only saw a few times… and he groans
Shaking his head he turns to Sunkren "You made the two have sex?"
"My daughter was too old for being a virgin… but judging from the screams they had after drinking my cocktail, I say they enjoyed it to the fullest… perhaps I already know my next son in law?" Sunkren smirked, eyeing to the young pair. While stroking the overlord's side.
"I am not sure I am your type! And I am in the middle of a war!" told the Overlord to Sunkren but either she doesn't understand or ignores his implication and shakes his head and ignores her gestures. "So Silver… time to talk with your little role regarding the last strike at the war."
Silver nods to that and Sunkren smirks to him "Say… why didn't you or Wyslith tell me that the Overlord is such a handsome stud?"
"Could you perhaps talk with him about THAT in my absence? Or not at all?" and looks at Wyslith "What is up with your mother?"
"She wants to work for you." The young demon told.
"Oh please Wyslith… don't undersell me." and smirks "I want you as my next husband!"
The Overlord stared speechless at this bold declaration and it was clear his brain just got a total crash and needs to reboot.
"Mom, the overlord kinda isn't of the type who wants to marry to a strange he met a few minutes ago," Wyslich told.
"I bet in half a year he sees my qualities" she must and strokes the frozen lords check before kissing his lips. Then she began to leave the room "I look for Gnarl… I haven't seen him for three centuries as his master of the time got my services for his lust. Your sister Amira is from that time."
The room is in complete silence, until the young demon sighs. "And this is why I never go to the family reunion."
The Overlords' brain was working again and he asked the succubus "How many sisters do you have… and is your mother always THAT bold to anybody that catches her interest?"
"Enough to please all of the Browns here," Wyslich answered. "And yes, she can be super bold. But what you saw of her is her tame state. Mom can get much bolder."
"Like dragging me straight to the bedroom bold?" asks the Overlord with slight worry.
"Much worse." She adds. "I try to avoid her at all cost and want to have a romantic moment, but she forced us to lose our virginity, because i didn't have real sex with anyone!" Wyslich floats, curling up by hugging her legs. "I really hate her personality."
"I take being her youngest you don't know if she ever let go of somebody unwilling?" asks the overlord with a groan, his migraine coming back once more, rubbing his hurt head.
"You have to ask one of my older sisters. They know more than I."
"let's concentrate on the plan… and then I plan to keep her as far away from me as possible." stated the Overlord with a sigh.
Overlord: Rise of Darkness
A couple of hours later, the Overlord was laying in his bed, holding an ice bag on his head. After giving Silver the details of his part of the attack plan, he had several times run into Sunkren and… her bold nature made it hard for him.
And as he laid in the bed, he heard somebody sitting down on one of the chairs "if it is you Sunkren… leave! I am not interested! No matter how attractive you are!"
"Don't compare me with a succubus! That's not my style! And vampires and Succubi are different races!" Said a booming voice, causing him to jump in surprise in the bed.
He stares at the visitor "What are you doing here? I haven't beaten Steadfast yet." Soon noted Count Orlox's face, and he wasn't happy for a start.
"Look, I wouldn't come here sooner, but!" He said and threw three minions tied up, and filled with bumps on their heads, their eyes dizzying.
"The Chaos? How did you get your hands on them? I thought they were rampaging somewhere in the mountains right now, where search teams try to catch them!"
"I bet these idiots got into the rift done from a demon and got in MY territory! You have something to say in your defence?!"
The Overlord groans "As these three escaping their solitary confinement wasn't bad enough…" and rubs his head in pain and frustration "What have they done to piss you off?"
While the brown minion groans "Where are wolfies?"
"These wolves? I figured that they were important for somebody here, and just placed them alongside the wives of certain idiot that can't keep a minion in place." Orlox crossed his arms while staring at the Overlord.
"Keeping the Chaos in place? Have you seen them in action? You must have. They are the most unpredictable of the minion bunch! And sometimes the most stupid if Orez is any indication"
"I know that. Say that they made a mess in my dominions, is a colossal understatement." The Abyss Lord replied. "And I have to assume really that you didn't really send them to rescue your wives, right?"
"These three? They are my last resort option if I have nothing to lose. Sending them to a rescue is like asking a dragon to grill a steak."
He just huffed at him. "Then you know why there three walking apocalypses were doing in my realm?"
"My last info was they were heading to the mountains in search for the green hive. They want a green companion." and then gestures that he already knows where the green is… but don't want to mention it with the Chaos in the room.
"As if I could have some use for a hive, even when minions are worse than useless in any type of deal!"
"At least for the Abyss." sighs the Overlord "I take you to want some reparations now due them being my minions?"
"I just only want to give you a fair warning. If I see ONE MEMBER of your army, be a minion, a human or a taumin, you can kiss goodbye to your mistresses, your wife, your friends, your allies, your kingdom and your life!"
"Don't be that mean Orlox" said a voice and Sunkren walks in "I am sure we can handle it with friendly terms!" and grinned "Has been a while… 4000 years?"
"And what the hell you lost here old hag?"
"Now that hurts… I am way younger than you." she said "I were just looking at how my new husband is doing. And seeing you're here and threatening him I wonder what caused it." said Sunkren and then smirks "Could it be he tricked one of your underlings? Hopefully Mephil. He owns me still a five-hundred-year-old South Abyss Brandy."
"I never agreed to be your husband! We don't even know each other for a day!" protested the only human in the room. While the Chaos leered at the sexy succubus… those perverts.
"One, the Brandy is mine if you ask, so you can forget about it! And two, these three nincompoops had messed with my territory! And for that, his mistresses and wife are now in jeopardy!"
"I have a contract signed by him that for 5 000 souls I get a bottle. And I have paid him upfront. And I triple checked the contract. He was bound to deliver." she stated "Also these three? Really? I have your defences way better in memory regarding invaders. Three minions shouldn't have been enough to cause a mess. Or did my hubby send an army and those are the only survivors?" wondered the succubus
She followed up to stroke the Overlords' head, who only groaned in frustration. And while she was doing the stroking she added "But quite bolt of him trying to get his harem back. I like him even more now. DOn't worry… I ensure your survival."
The overlord just stood up "I let you two finish talking. Orez, if you want to kill me, let me know long enough that I can get drunk while wondering when I became director of a madhouse." and storms out "Else come back once I got rid of her."
"What is wrong?" wondered Sunkren.
"Just ask him if you dare." Orlox crossed his arms.
To that, the succubus stood up "I get back to you to talk about that Brandy" and left… dragging the minions behind her.
The Abyss Lord sighed loudly. "From where he keeps getting that type of nincompoops? From a Mall? Or there is an agency that hires them and I had no idea?"