Before them a large bullhead stood. It was not painted in many bright colors, the color scheme consisting of only grey and black. It was, as Yang found out soon after her new position on the world stage, a bullhead Theodore personally used for his diplomatic travels. She hadn't the time to repaint it in colors she would enjoy more, but she did give an order yesterday to give the bullhead the mark of her flag, the image of the helmet she wore on her journey as the Overlord.
She entered the bullhead that she renamed the 'Royal Palanquin' and looked around. It didn't look like much, at least the cockpit and the main area. Towards the back of the aircraft was a small room that Theodore had portioned to himself containing a small couch to rest on, a table to work on, and a dresser for personal belongings.
Her apprentice dutifully followed behind, as did five Brown Minions she brought along for backup. She didn't foresee any conflict, but Gnarl had convinced her of importance to always have some Minions on hand that she didn't need to waste precious time summoning.
"Few seconds, Sire, can be the difference between life and death", Gnarl had told her.
She motioned for the pilot to set out, and sat down in her room, her apprentice taking a seat on the couch nearby. Yang could see that he was clearly unnerved by the appearance of her Minions. He'll have to get used to that, she supposed.
"Master?", he questioned her, "Where exactly are we going?"
"Oh, that's right, I didn't tell you, did I?", she replied thoughtfully. "Atlas", she answered him simply.
"Atlas? Don't we have somewhat-", he hesitates for a bit searching for the most appropriate word to use, "heated?", he finishes.
Yang laughs a bit.
"Don't I know it?".
Her voice then turns a bit more serious.
"We're not visiting the military or Ironwood. I don't want to meet them anyway."
"Then who are we visiting?", Finster asked with confusion in his voice.
"I received a letter, an invitation more like, yesterday."
"From?"
"I was getting to that", Yang said with a bit of annoyance.
"Sorry, Master."
"Anyway, as I was saying, I got an invitation. From the Schnees."
"Like the Schnee Family that controls pretty much all the Dust production?"
"The very same."
Finster took a few minutes to think this over.
"I think they are trying to take advantage of the big shift in the political situation and a…", he stopped as he hesitated about the words he was to use next.
Yang gave him a pointed look.
"You don't have to censor yourself around me, apprentice. Nothing will get done that way, and our lessons will lose all value if you are afraid to speak around me"
"-and an inexperienced negotiator and leader"
Yang nods.
"Yes, that's what Gnarl and I thought as well."
"Gnarl, Master?"
"My advisor. Luckily for us, he is far from inexperienced, and very much able to give aid without being seen"
"How?"
Yang connects his mind with his own and speaks "Like this. Telepathy".
Her apprentice shuddered.
"Creepy..."
"Anyway if Jacques Schnee thinks I'll be an easy ally to win over, or a puppet of his, he will be sorely mistaken."
"What's the plan then, Master?"
Yang smirked at him.
"Like always, the plan is victory."
"Master...", he started with hesitation, "please don't tell me you're gonna assassinate him?"
From Yang's expression it was clear that she was offended by the accusation. She frowned and poked his chest with her finger.
"Time for another lesson, I see. We don't do assassinations! Face your opponent like a true warrior face to face, or a servant to servant. It must be an epic fight, something to be proud of! Did I poison Theodore? No! I faced him head on and came out victorious! We might be evil, but we aren't without honor and pride! No apprentice of mine will be a lousy assassin!"
Her apprentice grew a teasing smirk as he replied to her "Oh, so being a good assassin would be fine?"
Yang gave him a light punch to the shoulder.
"Smart guy, huh?"
Despite her words, Yang seems amused by his humor.
"Anyway, as you probably guessed from this rant I just had, but we aren't assassinating the Schnees. We are however going to make it very very clear who's the top dog around here. I plan to come out of that with them impressed and threatened by my power, and without a single overt threat being made"
"Well, that'd be impressive if we manage it."
"You should learn to trust me, apprentice".
"Of course, Master", her apprentice conceded before changing the topic somewhat, "You mentioned a letter, right? Could I see it?"
She lowered her hand towards a small pouch attached to her left hip with magic, and from it she withdrew the folded letter and handed it to her apprentice.
"Figured I should bring it along. Just in case the guards give us any trouble or something"
The letter read:
Greetings, Miss de Ultimus,
It is my pleasure to extend an invitation for a formal dinner at the Schnee estate on the sixth of August at 2 pm.
Truthfully, I must apologize but the invitation is not purely for entertainment, and indeed I would like to discuss the future of Schnee Dust Company's trade with the newly formed Unholy Ultimus Empire.
I will, as will my family, await you with much anticipation.
Sincerely,
Jacques Schnee (head of the Schnee Dust Company)
P.S. Apologies for any potential issues with the spelling of your name as there is much confusion internationally whether or not the "de" is part of your last name. I would recommend swift clarification on that issue.
As Finster finishes reading the rather short letter, his face makes a small frown
"I don't see here anything about bringing a plus one, or those Minions of yours"
"I hope he won't make the mistake of trying to dictate what company I travel with.", Yang responded simply, "That would be unpleasant, I think. I'd hate to...inherit such a big company from him. Imagine the paperwork"
Finster heard the threat loud and clear. If nothing else, his Master could sure bring lots of new excitement in his life.
"Anyway, relax. It's quite a trip from here to Atlas.", Yang informed him.
While her apprentice spent the trip relaxing, she spent it practicing magic, trying to learn some of the new spells she didn't have the time to learn yet.
Nearly eight hours later, they neared Atlas, the capital. Her apprentice spent most of that time asleep, as she did wake him up very early in the morning, as they were to set out at around 6 am to be there on time. To her, however, this time was not a waste as she managed to learn the slightly upgraded version of her shield spell. A modification called the Shock Shield. Day after she liberated the then Nativitas village she had remarked to herself that she knew five spells, of which four were combat usable. Soon after in Mistral she gained her sixth spell and the seventh too. All together she knew seven spells, those being the Fireball spell, Telekinesis, the Shield Spell, the Slow Spell, the Evil Missile spell, spell for cooling down that she learned after the volcano trip as she did not want to feel like she was boiling ever again, and, of course the Lightning Whip spell that she hardly ever used. It wasn't really a Lightning spell per se, more like it was a byproduct of the Domination branch of the magical arts. The Lightning Whip spell is an accidental byproduct of the Evil Presence spell, an inherent ability in an Overlord to use their superior will to dominate lesser beings. As it is an inherent ability of an Overlord it is not something that ever had to be taught to her, but it was something she couldn't use even if she wanted to for the longest time, as while she was little her will simply was not strong enough for domination. The reason she hardly ever used it as she grew older was very simple. She wasn't really fond of torture, and every usage of the Evil Presence spell created the torture element via the Lightning Whip spell, which while useful to make someone resist a Domination-branch spell less, wasn't something she really enjoyed, nor was the Lightning element of that spell particularly powerful. But now she finally managed to merge the Lightning part of the Evil Presence spell and the Shield part of the Shield spell to create the spell Gnarl had once described to her as a Shock Shield spell. Not only would it protect her as the Shield spell did, it would also deal some Lightning damage to whomever dared to attack her. If she counted the Evil Presence spell separately from the Lightning Whip one then combined with her new Shock Shield spell she had nine spells. She realized that she didn't count telepathy and her two illusion spells, one for appearance and one for her voice both of which she used just before her fight with the then Vacuo huntsmen Moccasin and Dodger, although she had used the appearance one a couple of more times when talking with Miss Malachite, so she quickly updated her spell count to technically twelve spells.
A sudden message sounding from the cockpit interrupted her thoughts.
"This is Atlas Air Control. Unidentified aircraft, you are not clear for landing. Please identify yourself and await further instructions."
Yang, and her apprentice, made their way to the cockpit. She turned to the pilot.
"You flew Theodore personally, didn't you? I believe I selected you for this exact reason"
The pilot nodded.
"Yes, your majesty. What are your orders?"
"Transmit whatever identification you would if I was Theodore himself"
The Pilot looked slightly nervous.
"I don't mean to question your brilliance", he started with clear intent to actually question her decision, "but they are most aware that Theodore is dead. This would, at best, be seen as an insult of some sort, and I can't even imagine what political consequences this would have. I'm not big on politics."
"Neither am I. As you probably noticed, the most prominent politicians in my Empire had died on the same day I took over."
"The Council, Master?", questioned her apprentice.
"Exactly."
She turned her attention back to the pilot.
"Do it. They'll recognize it as a aircraft of a leader, and that much is enough"
The pilot followed the order given.
"I don't suppose you informed Atlas of this trip, Master?"
"Of course not. I don't need the General's permission to travel"
"Pretty sure you do, Master. He'll certainly see it as a provocation."
Yang shakes her head lightly.
"It doesn't matter what he sees it as, I just need to get to Atlas, not just entirely for this meeting. Once I'm there, I guarantee you, apprentice, the fleets of the Kingdom of Atlas will seize being a concern for our Empire."
"Sabotage?"
Yang laughed.
"Nothing so complicated. I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to keep this as a surprise."
Once again they are interrupted by a broadcast from Atlas.
"Affirmative, the aircraft is identified as Diplomatic Vessel of the Headmaster of Shade Academy. You are clear for landing"
"See? Told you it'd work", Yang exclaimed happily as the communication was cut and the aircraft landed.
She told the pilot to enjoy himself in Atlas until she calls him, as she, her Minions, and her apprentice all made their way to the Schnee Manor. As expected, the Schnees were not content with building their home on the same land as everyone else, and so their Manor was on top of a rocky hill, towering over most other buildings. Still, a climb is no true trouble for an Overlord and his companions, and they make it on top to see the Manor.
It was a beautiful sight. They had a long driveway in the middle of which were three pillars holding the Schnee Family crest. The main building, which looked like there were two other buildings attached to each side of it. Before this connection, there were two massive pillars almost double the size of the side buildings, which were themselves massive. In the back of the building two more pillars were seen, the perspective making them look smaller. The building had nice silver colored walls, and light black roof. The front of this structure had around hundred windows each of them having around 9 glass panels.
They neared the big bocote wood doors, clearly very expensive, and well looked after. There they saw two guards dressed in black suits with white ties guarding the entrance.
"Halt!", the rightmost guard commanded.
Yang considered throwing him against the wall for his insolence, but reconsidered, and instead presented her invitation to him.
"I am Yang de Ultimus, the Emperor of the Unholy Ultimus Empire. I have been invited here for a meeting, and I demand an entrance", she spoke in a commanding tone.
"Now see here, ma'am, I can't let you all pass.", he protested, "I see an invitation to you, but not to that other man, nor to those devilish creatures behind you!"
She snapped her fingers, and the shadows rushed to obscure her face, her eyes switched color frightful and glowing brown, and many spikes grew from the armor she wore.
"You dare-", she started, and her voice came out strong and cold carrying a tiny echo in it, "dictate who I can and cannot bring?"
Both of the guards took a step back, surprised and frightened by her sudden change in tone and appearance. Her apprentice too, she could sense, was surprised by this, but luckily hid it far better than the guards before them.
"I am invited, and I brought some guards to ensure my well being, as all important people do. I will be allowed forward!", Yang demanded before she turned her head to look at her apprentice and then with a slight curiosity in her voice she asked him "Can you remind me? What happened to the last people who defied me?"
Finster pretended to think about it for a bit even though he knew exactly what answer his Master wanted "Oh, the Council of Vacuo and Theodore, Master? They contracted a sudden case of death, I'm afraid"
Finster could feel from his bond with his Master that his humorous choice of words amused her. Yang turned back to the guards.
"Oh, that's right. And as just mere guards to a rich company, I dare say you are very expendable"
She could see that the left one wanted nothing more than to comply, and was already moving to let them in, while the right one grabbed the left one by the shoulder. It was clear to her that her words affected both strongly, but it seems that a sense of loyalty stopped the right one from giving in.
Yang canceled the Evil Illusion magic that changed her appearance and tone and added simply
"Besides, do you two want to be the ones explaining to your boss why you turned away his very important guest? It is not easy to get a meeting with a head of a Kingdom on such short notice after all"
That seemed to be the final straw, and both of them were convinced to let her through. They both opened the door and let her through with apologies about the delay.
Yang motioned for her associates to follow her inside, as she turned her head to the leftmost guard.
"Lead us to the dining room, please", Yang asked politely, a sharp contrast to her earlier hostile demands, "I'm afraid I might get lost in such big manor"
The guard nodded.
"Of course, ma'am. Now, if you lady and gentlemen would follow me", the guard says, and begins leading them to the dining room.
They follow the guard who leads them through the massive manor towards the dining room. When they arrive, he knocks and waits for permission to enter, before announcing Yang's arrival.
"Your guest, Sir, The Emperor of the Unholy Ultimus Empire, and her guards, I believe she called them."
"Dismissed", Jacques said as an acknowledgment, "and go back to your post."
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Mr. Schnee", Yang said politely. She looks around the dining room noticing the lack of other Schnee members.. "I believe you mentioned your family would join us."
"The pleasure's all mine, I assure you. May we disperse with the pleasantries? I'm afraid calling you de Ultimus will soon grow tiresome, and referring to you as an Emperor is not very fitting to a friendly conversation"
"You may call me Yang if I can call you Jacques in return. It's only fair"
"Then, please, Yang do take a seat.", he motioned to one of the empty seats, "Oh, but do take care to not take the ones next to me, and the second one on the left. I'm afraid those are already reserved for my wife, and my children"
Yang takes the second seat on the right.
"Allow me to introduce my companions", she motions towards them.
"I was wondering about them actually. I don't recall inviting your male friend, nor those devilish creatures."
Yang nodded.
"Sorry about that, but a girl can never be too careful, can she? The devilish creatures as you call them are called Minions, my servants and body guards. And while I'm sure this place has great protections, I did have to make my way here, and people of my importance do keep guards on their persons."
She waves them away, and they leave.
"I've sent them to help your guards protect the entrance. Not very easy to eat with them around"
"Yes, they do seem to do a spectacular job at killing the appetite", Jacques agreed. He then pointed to Finster who did not yet leave, "And you are?"
"My apprentice. I got him from Shade Academy. I'm certain he won't interrupt our talks, but I do want to show him the ropes. And sometimes an outside perspective can be very enlightening.", Yang said.
She hoped that seemed smart enough, because she was mostly just bluffing. She brought him here because she wanted him to be here. No one's gonna tell her who she can and can't bring.
"Very well then, I suppose he can stay", Jacques conceded, and Finster took a seat next to Yang.
"It is an interesting attire you picked for this meeting", Jacques commented, the comment obviously being a slightly hidden critique.
"You didn't invite me as a person. You invited me as a representative from my Empire, partially at the very least. As such I must do my best to present the exact image I present to anyone else. An image of strength and power. I'm not a political leader, nor one who came into power with careful investments and with monetary incentives to the right people. I'm not Miss Malachite, and I am not you, and I will not insult you by pretending to be your type. I hope you won't take offense to that."
This part is something she had rehearsed before leaving. The part about image of strength and power was her own. The part about insults was a carefully constructed choice of words by Gnarl.
"I can certainly understand the importance of ones image.", Jacques agreed, "Although I do wish you dressed more appropriate for a formal dinner."
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind for the next time I visit."
"A bit presumptuous, isn't it?"
"Maybe just a bit", Yang agreed, "but I'm sure we'll become fast friends"
She gave him a confident smile.
Before their talks can move any further, the rest of the Schnee family arrives, and takes their seat. Willow Schnee takes her seat to the right of her husband, while Whitley takes the left seat. Weiss takes the second one on the left.
"Let me introduce you to my family.", Jacques said as he gestured to his right, "This is my lovely wife Willow"
"Pleasure to meet you", said Willow with a polite nod.
Yang gave her a polite nod back.
Jacques gestures to his left, "My only son Whitley."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, ma'am."
Next he gestures to Weiss.
"And finally, my daughter Weiss. the Heir to the company after that unpleasantness with my eldest daughter Winter. I have yet to see anyone match her singing ability."
For a moment Weiss face turns into a frown at the mention of Winter, but it disappears as quickly as it appears.
"Pleasure to meet you all", Yang said, "I am Yang de Ultimus, the Emperor of the recently birthed Unholy Ultimus Empire".
"Rather unpleasant name, wouldn't you say?", Weiss pointed out, "Lack of holiness is not something one wants advertised"
"Weiss!-", Jacques rushed to rebuke her, before Yang interrupted him, "It's quite alright, Jacques".
She turns to look at Weiss.
"The name was carefully chosen, and it serves its purpose well. I consider myself quite the Evil woman, and besides, I enjoy the sharp contrast it brings between My Empire and the Kingless Kingdoms of Remnant", Yang explained.
"Not many would so eagerly admit themselves as evil", Whitley carefully, but politely pointed out.
"I don't like lying to myself, and I see no need to hide it from others.", Yang explained, "But enough with this grim talk about my morals. The guest shouldn't take all the attention away from the hosts after all."
She thought they agreed to dispense with the pleasantries, but as Gnarl informed her, apparently that didn't mean all pleasantries, merely some of them. "I hate this.", she thought to herself, "They just started and all the rules Gnarl's been whispering in her ears are already making this boring".
"Indeed, you are right", Jacques agreed, "Perhaps I should have dinner served now, so we have something to enjoy while we talk business"
"That would be great.", Yang agreed, "The long trip worked up an appetite"
The staff bring in quite a feast as Yang finishes speaking. She could only guess it was pre-planned, but "damn, it sure was impressive.", she thought.
There were five boiled lobsters, the same amount of steaks, five large cooked chickens, plenty of salad and vegetables to choose from, and a few bottles of old wine.
"It's a bit much for five people", Yang thought, but she wasn't going to call them out on it. Even she understood that this was a show of force, or more accurately show of wealth. She did note, pleased, that her bringing her apprentice messed up their plans a bit. She guessed that it was supposed to be one dish of each kind per person, but her bringing her apprentice made it six people, not five.
The staff were still there, waiting to put any chosen food in the plates, and to serve drinks.
Yang asked for the steak with the salad. She cut a piece and tasted it. The taste was amazing.
"If this deal turns out in my favor, I should probably bully the Schnee's in lending me their chefs", she decided.
They ate in silence for a bit, and then Jacques began to talk.
"I believe I mentioned in my invitation that I wished to discuss the future of our trade with your Empire".
Yang took a small sip of the delicious wine.
"You did.", she confirmed, "I do think we can continue our trade. I have all the money and finances that Kingdom of Vacuo once had"
Jacques nodded
"Indeed you do.", he agreed, "And yet still, there are matters to discuss"
Yang gave a small nod to him and waited for him to continue.
"We, the Schnee Dust Company have had quite a lot of trust in Kingdom of Vacuo due to our long and continued operations there, operations that were problemless until your", Jacques paused for a moment thinking of an appropriate word, "promotion. That however brings us to somewhat of a problem. We have no trust in this new formed Empire. No offense to you in particular, it is just business."
"I am sure you have some sort of solution to this", Yang replied.
"Oh, indeed, I do.", Jacques confirmed with a nod, "I'll need to raise prices as a security net for us in case something were to happen to your Empire, or if there was something that would impact your trade, or other venues of revenue"
"I can't have that.", Yang said, "I plan to increase the amount of dust we purchase, mostly because of our new fast-paced remilitarization. I don't believe we can afford the amount needed without excessive debt something that I would rather not have."
Jacques appeared thoughful.
"Well, by all means, then, convince me if you have an alternative. I'm a man open to suggestions"
Yang could have sworn she heard Weiss snort that that, but when she and Jacques turned to look at her she looked as impeccable as ever.
"I believe there are three solutions to this, Master, some of which you may have realized yourself", Gnarl said telepathically.
"Murder?", Yang guessed.
"One method, certainly.", Gnarl agreed with humor, "You could try to murder him and take his business over"
"That could cause the branch companies to rebel", Yang pointed out, "and anyway, I wouldn't have access to their finances to fund their operations."
"Exactly!", Gnarl agreed pleased, "As fun as murder always is, I'm glad, Lord, that you are smart enough to realize that it is not always the best option. Indeed, we would face the problems you mentioned, and in all likelihood far many more. Atlas may even decide to declare a war. Assassination by a foreign leader always make the country it happened in look weak."
"I suppose I could try the Evil Presence spell", Yang continued looking through her options.
"That would be the best option.", Gnarl advised her, "He looks like he would collapse fast under your mighty will, My Lord"
"That would be best, yeah.", Yang agreed, "But I hate that spell. and I'm not sure how I feel about the whole Domination aspect. That seems more Evil than I am used to"
"It is the way of an Overlord to dominate lesser creatures, Sire", Gnarl tried to convince her, "It is perfectly natural for you to do so."
Gnarl could sense that Yang was hesitant about the decision.
"At least keep this option in mind, Lord, in case all others fail."
"Or in case we decide to not go through with the murder?", Yang replied
"Yes, Master, that too", he agreed.
"So, you mentioned three options. What's the last one?", she inquired.
"Simple really, Sire.", Gnarl explained, "Just offer to pay for all the potential dust you wanted up front. Whatever happens to your Empire, he doesn't really suffer much, and he gains much more in your increased demand."
"Aren't we already paying upfront, though?", she asked confused.
She knows she still isn't super clear on everything in how Kingdoms conducted business, but she was pretty sure she was spot on with that.
"Only for the amount we need for our Huntsmen academies and reserves. Everything else is done privately, with individual contracts between businesses and the Dust Company. What we could do, is increase our contract from, for example, 12 month contract to be renewed every year, wherein we pay to receive goods on a monthly basis, to a, say, 24 or 36 month contract to be renewed every 24 or 36 months wherein we also pay for a much larger sum of dust to fuel your rising military and navy to be received on a monthly basis. This would give him the assurances that he would receive money upfront for a longer time period, give him an increase profit from the increased amount of dust we purchase, and ultimately gives him the security net he requires"
"That would make it harder for us to be flexible, right?", Yang inquired.
"Precisely. We couldn't adjust the required amounts for a longer periods of time, making us calculate the amount needed and buy even more than that to stay on the safe side. This, while a downside for us, is less of a downside than the increased cost of dust, something I am sure he won't increase only a small amount."
"Perfect, I guess we can try that", Yang agreed
"I am curious, Master", Gnarl started, "Did you not have a plan going in? I could have sworn you had something planned"
"Less for the trade deal and more for for-", Yang stops for a moment, and Gnarl can sense her amusement, "-a continued sense of friendship."
"You are gonna bully him, Master?", Gnarl asked, his experience letting him see where this is going.
"Subtle shows of impossible power", Yang said, confirming what Gnarl said, "to make him understand who exactly he is dealing with. And with that, I think we'll get an ally of sorts"
"An unwilling one", Gnarl added urging caution.
"I'm sure he's that kind of man that knows the benefits of picking the strong side"
"Until he finds someone stronger"
"Someone's being overly cautious today", Yang pointed out with humor.
"Nonsense, Master.", Gnarl denied, "Just making sure you know what you're getting into. I more than approve of this plan, although I do wish you went with the Domination spell instead"
"Then you better hope this plan doesn't work, huh?"
The mental conversation took no longer than a few minutes, making Jacques think she was considering the alternatives.
Yang relayed Gnarl's suggestion to Jacques.
"This does seem worthy of consideration...", he replied thoughtful, "what amount of Dust are we talking about?"
"Gnarl, little help here?", she asked mentally.
"Hmm...Well, you haven't yet finished the designs for the Anti Air Battleships you wanted built. If I recall correctly, you planned to have Shade Academy's teachers finalize the design, and the Great War veteran officers to give you the estimates for the time it would take to make it, and the needed equipment. If my memory serves, the most impressive battleship of the Great War carried around 107 tons of anti air ammunition per mission for its 80 anti air autocannons and took around 2 years and two months to build"
"That's a lot of time and ammo. And we'll need a hell of a lot more than just one.", Yang thought to herself, "Wait! How do you know about that? There wasn't an Overlord to serve in the Great War!"
"Do you think we just laze about when we have no Master to serve, Sire?", Gnarl asked in a disappointed tone, "I took great effort to be as up to date with developments in weaponry as I could, to better serve my new Master in their conquest of Remnant"
"So, we need what, hundred ships as a start, and overshoot with enough ammo for hundred missions per ship?", Yang suggested
"Expensive", Gnarl commented, "That would be...about one million seventy two thousand tons?"
"Probably", Yang said mentally trusting Gnarl's math calculations.
She returned to her talks with Jacques.
"One million seventy two thousand tons of fire dust, delivered monthly in the span of 24 months, paid up front on top of our existent trade deals with you that I inherited from Kingdom of Vacuo"
"That's quite a sum. No other Kingdom than Atlas buys that much from us. Can you afford it?"
"Let me worry about that. Next meeting, I pay in cash the entire amount. Is that acceptable? That's my final offer for now, I'm afraid"
"That's more than enough.", Jacques agreed, "If by next we meet you fulfill your end of the deal, we'll be more than happy to supply your rearmament. I trust you will have no issue entering Atlas again? The bad relations will not stop you?"
Yang had the audacity to laugh.
"Trust me...All the military in the world couldn't bar my entrance"
Yang's face grew into a smug smile, and her eyes began burning in the evil looking brown color. Jacques stood up and took a step back.
"Atlas", Yang said with laughter, "has no idea what they are dealing with"
The marble floors cracked as a Tower Gate opened up, from which a few Minions jumped out, each carrying notable items from Yang's office including the framed pictures that had been hanged there.
"I recognize these", Jacques said with shock, "I had visited Shade's headmaster's office once...these are straight from it..."
Yang waved the Minions away, and they returned the items to the gate, and they themselves with the Gate disappeared, the Gate seemingly sinking into the ground, and even the damage it created as it appeared seemingly vanishing as if by magic.
"From my office", Yang confirmed his suspicions, "as you can see, with this at my hand, there's hardly a place I can't go to."
While others seemed impressed, Jacques seemed unnerved by her Semblance (or what he assumed it to be) allowing her to go anywhere. He was a man who wanted his secrets hidden, and from the smug smile on Yang's face, he knew she understood it as well.
"Hardly subtle, Master", Gnarl rebuked her.
"Can't help it", Yang responded to him, "I like showing off".
"I find it difficult to believe that nothing can stop it", Weiss commented, not believing the supposed extent of Yang's teleportation powers.
"Nothing has, Weiss. And like you see, certainly the Air Fleet didn't."
"I find myself curious about something.", Whitley said, "If you are as powerful as you claim, why the navy? Why the escalation?"
"I'm curious about that too, Master", her apprentice added.
"I can't let my people stay asleep to the dangers, unprepared for the many enemies they might face. And besides, alongside fallback strategies, something I am told is wise to have, it also provides a nice target for everyone to focus on. 'The Emperor is playing defensive', our enemies think, 'Their Empire lack the means to press an attack', they say behind closed doors", Yang answered.
"If that is all true, why wait?", Weiss inquired, "If you can, as you put it 'press an attack', why do you not?"
"Without any information of what I face?", Yang asked incredulously, "I am brave and bold, not stupid. Besides, I could kill Ironwood, the council and the like, but I don't want to be unprepared if instead of surrendering the Air Fleet decides to fly over to my Empire and bomb it all to Infernal Abyss."
"So, then, you aren't as all-powerful as you claim then?", Whitley said with a biting tone.
He reaches for his glass of wine, and Yang uses her telekinesis to make it seem like he tipped it over. As the liquid fell from the glass, Yang snapped her fingers loudly, and the liquid's fall slowed down immensely for she had applied the Slow Spell to it, and then used her telekinesis to put the glass in it's place, and the liquid back into the glass.
"I don't know, Whitley, reality seems to obey my will well enough, wouldn't you say?", Yang retorted smugly.
Whitley did not respond, staring at his glass in shock.
"Wait!", Weiss interjected, "We already saw your Semblance! It was the teleportation ability! This must be the work of your associate!"
Yang snapped her fingers and a small flame appeared in her own hand, and with a push of Evil Energy into it, it turned jet black.
"If so...who's doing this then, I wonder?", Yang said feigning surprise.
"I think you will find that my Master is not very limited by common restrictions normal humans face", Finster interjected.
"I think you will find, my dear friends, that to those that can bend reality itself to their will, little things like Semblances start to matter very little indeed"
"There must be some other, more logical explanation for this", Weiss insisted.
Yang commanded the sword to unleash it's aura of light, and eagerly it obeyed. While the Schnees had not the benefit of being able to sense the beauty of the Light energy radiating of the sword, they still felt reinvigorated, all aches of the body gone, the fears and and trouble momentarily gone. Yang did her best to not make it visible on her face how unpleasant this felt to her. The Light energy reversed her eye color to her normal lilac one.
Finster understanding the stress his Master was now under, used this opportunity to counter Weiss' claim.
"And is there a logical explanation for this, Miss? My Master willed all your troubles away, and reality rushed to obey.
Finster was very well aware that they were pretty much bullshitting at this point to make themselves seem more powerful. It was kinda fun.
Weiss tried to speak but it was clear that she could not find the words to explain this phenomena.
Yang willed the sword to stop, and thankfully it obeyed.
"Friends.", Yang started, "We stand on a brink of a New World. Great Evil has risen in the Far West, me. The Instability of the East threatens all order, with Kingdom of Mistral controlled not by Order, but bandits who proved themselves more worthy than the failed forces of Mistral, and even now forces work to unravel the last stronghold of Order. Forces of Grimm threaten the center like no place other, and in the Far North, Kingdom of Atlas stands alone, reading to impose its Military Might on all it sees a problem. Friends, I need not lie to you, for you know my words to be true"
"You sound like you are asking us to sell our souls", Weiss remarked, "I want to be a Huntress. I want to destroy evil"
Jacques looked panicked between Weiss and Yang almost ready to stop Weiss from speaking.
"All I am asking is not to underestimate me. I will get your family the money. But, Weiss, if you want to be a Huntress it is not Evil of Grimm you should hunt. Ask any Huntsmen, I have no doubts they will agree, Kuchinashi is where Evil rests, one that would sell all of humanity for even a penny. I aim to rule humanity, unite it, strengthen it, rid it of it's terrible poison, but not like Kingdom of Atlas had tried before, and make us stand on top of this New World, where even Grimm cannot threaten even the weakest of our people, far away from the gates and protection of the so called Great Kingdoms"
"You seem to have a flair for dramatic speeches, Master", Gnarl remarked, "And truly, I believe you have found yourself new allies, willing they are or not and in fear"