Co-written with MSDeus. Enjoy your brain meat, you undead piranhas. Also, I prepared something of a Baldur's Gate 3 crossover with Overlord. I planned for the author of In These Strange Planes, but he isn't answering. I am unsure whether I should post it as my own fic because I do not want to plagiarize. It was supposed to be an edited chapter 1 of his work. You can find it on p/at/re/on. Anyways, bleh.
Lungmen was a place of towering skyscrapers and bustling public transit, known for its openness, inclusivity, and liberty, one of the most important economic centers of Yan as a nomadic city located between Kazdel and Ursus, governed by the Yan imperial family as a "special economic zone."
Its prosperity established an independent government and economy, which led to it being more progressive and open to foreign influences than the nation of Yan. It even had its own form of currency, the Lungmen dollar (LMD), which was widely used in international transactions across Terra.
But even the Infected weren't free of abuse in that city. Lungmen's treatment towards the Infected was harsh, but less severe than the abuse of Ursus, many infected Lungmenites confined in the slums under lower living standards than the rest of the Lungmenites.
Majority of the Lungmen's populace were the Lung and other various races. They have the traits of Chinese dragons, the Long, in East Asian mythology such as deer horns, tails, and dragon whiskers. Some Lung also possess fins and scales of a fish.
The Lung were mostly found in Yan and its surroundings such as Higashi, and many of them were either imperial members of the Yanese dynasty or upper-class bourgeoisie - tycoons, aristocrats, civil servants. Anthropologists believed they were some of the surviving oldest races on Terra whose civilizations first emerged in eastern Terra. The dynasty of Yan, including the ruling Yanese Emperor, were often self-referred as the "True Lung" or Zhenlong, an honorific title that refers to their respectful veneration over their ancestors and Yan the Chieftain; the "True (Zhen)" in this case was hence not the antonym of "false" but rather an honor as the true and genuine successors of ancestral respect.
Wei Yenwu was the chief executive and political leader of Lungmen.
His extremely shrewd business and political mind transformed the city into a prominent fief, transforming Lungmen into a prosperous and wealthy city under his administration.
He was, in essence, one of the wealthiest on the face of Terra.
Beside him was his beloved wife, Fumizuki, a Lung princess from Higashi, hailing from the northern Kougon clan, whose family was purged by the Mitsumoto clan of the south.
Despite her delicate appearance, her political acumen far surpassed that of Wei's with adept skill in the use of Originium arts.
As they were immersed in their daily work, arranging the last stacks of paper when a phone rang on Wei's office table.
He pressed answer and turned on the loudspeaker mode to hear the caller's voice.
"Chief Wei speaking."
[Chief Wei, there are some visitors who want to talk to you… in person.]
"Visitors? I don't recall any appointments in my schedule today."
[This person bluntly addresses you by name which is quite disrespectful to you, sir.]
"...If they are here to cause trouble, call security and remove them from the building."
[I did plan for that, sir. But she claimed to be a relative to you, Chief Wei.]
"...Relative? I don't remember anyone from the Yan imperial family visiting Lungmen. Who are they?"
Wei tensed up after hearing from the receptionist about this unknown visitor claiming herself to be his relative.
Did his younger brother send someone to check on him? But he doesn't know anyone from the Yan imperial family besides his late sister and his brother. Who could it be?
[Well she's called herself by the name… Talulah? Her name doesn't sound Yanese to me, sir.]
The mention of Talulah led to Wei resurfacing the bad memories of his greatest regret.
Wei was deeply guilt-ridden by his failure to protect his best friend, Edward Artorius and in turn, his sister's well-being as a result of an incident orchestrated by Kashchey through his younger brother's jealousy that forced him to make a cruel choice between their lives. Either he killed Edward or Wei's beloved sister.
Edward made the decision for him. He forced Wei to choose to kill him rather than his wife and his unborn child.
He remembered the look at his friend's face. Edward wasn't slightly afraid when he was about to be executed.
Running will only make things worse for Wei and his loved ones, so he faced the alternatives... Edward chooses to face death with dignity. He didn't put up a fight when he was executed. To this day, his death still haunts him.
"I leave my child in our hands, Wei."
Those were his last words to Wei. And regretfully he didn't keep his promise to Edward.
After his friend's death, Wei then swiftly arranged a marriage for his sister with a Yanese nobleman to hide Talulah's Draco ancestry, resulting in the birth of Chen Hui-chieh. These incidents caused his sister to resent him for the rest of her life. After Wei's sister passed away from deep depression, he became Talulah's guardian, but her political circumstance and his complicated feelings towards her caused him to show greater care to her half-sister Chen instead.
His lack of love for Talulah, led her to develop disdain and hatred towards him and Lungmen in general, which left her vulnerable to Kashchey's grasp and forced Wei to abandon her completely during her kidnapping incident fourteen years ago.
The only question now was, why was Talulah here?
The last time he heard of her was three years ago when she killed Kashchey with her own hands, a sword nailing his chest to the throne he seated on according to the news from Ursus. Hearing about the black snake's death, Wei felt completely relieved that his archnemesis was no more.
"What does she look like?" Wei asked just to be sure if it was her.
[A young woman with four black horns wearing a military uniform. She is accompanied by a tall, broad man wearing a… regal black robes. I think he is a Caster… And I think he is royalty based on his clothing and the way he talks. He is holding a staff made of gold, but I'm not sure if it is.]
Royalty? Someone from Victoria? Wei furrowed his brows at the thought. Did Talulah form connections from her father's side in that nation? In that hostile political battlefield for the throne?
Wei wondered if Talulah fled to Victoria after killing that damnable black snake.
Did she meet a surviving Dracos in Victoria? Considered that Dracos were completely forgotten, presuming them to be fully extinct. If there were survivors, there would be a political ramification on Lungmen and Yan.
His late friend doesn't mention any surviving Dracos. Edward was quite elusive when he brought it up to him.
For now, he needed to deal with his unexpected guests first and what were their intentions on meeting him.
"Bring them in."
He glanced at his wife. She nodded in response.
The Shadow Guards would be ready when the guests arrive in this room.
OxO
Talulah was beginning to regret her decision to be here. She was just being foolish in returning here.
Seeing the first sight of Lungmen made her remember the bad memories of her childhood.
She had no strong attachment to the city since she was neglected and felt isolated by her so-called guardian and its citizens who called her a bad omen that led to her desire to leave the city for good.
She wondered why she suggested Lungmen of all places as the safe location for Reunion rather than any other cities back at the tundra.
What was she thinking in suggesting that? Was she out of her mind back there? Was she just that desperate?
Could it be that she missed the city? She utterly shrugged that thought. That was absurd of her. Her mind was very clear that she had nothing to do with the city anymore and didn't want to be here in the first place.
Their initial choice was to leave the tundra and head south east of Urus for warmer places.
For example, like Chernobog which was not under the influence of Kashchey and its allies. This was one of her initial options after they left the tundra before Momonga's arrival that changed everything.
Speaking of Momonga, she glanced behind her.
Momonga stood with her, unmoving like a statue in the elevator. However, this time he was wearing a mask to cover his skeletal face in order not to scare the Lungmen office workers or worse, calling the LGD officers to attack him. Honestly, if it weren't for this man's suggestions, she wouldn't have considered the option to call in favors from the place she chose to abandon.
There was an uncomfortable silence between them.
"Are you nervous?" Momonga asked.
Talulah inhaled and exhaled, her breaths audible.
"Hmmmm. I see," Momonga nodded, knowing the answer from that.
"...I have no love for him. I have no love for Lungmen….." Talulah sighed. "...What if he refuses?"
"From your story, he owes you a massive debt. He should at least call in favors. I can tell that this will be uncomfortable, but a trusted friend of mine would advise you to bear with it. A strong leader must always be ready to make this kind of sacrifice at least. We will at least lose nothing from trying."
Talulah couldn't argue against that, especially since they traveled here with magical flight.
It was her first time experiencing flight. She never heard about an Arts that could make people fly.
Before their departure, she asked Patriot and Frostnova to take care of Reunion for the time being while they were away. It was quite a long journey that took them a few days to reach Lungmen
His 'magics' were foreign, something like this would require a large casting tool with an Originium shard too large to be carried or his life force would burn from crossing the vast distance between two nations.
It was much more convenient, as if this extraordinary skeleton was sent here by the Gods themselves to aid her cause specifically with his transcendental abilities.
The elevator door opened.
The receptionist guided them and finally reached the office of the Chief Executive of Lungmen.
Talulah braced herself as she was finally gonna meet her uncle since her kidnapping incident fourteen years ago.
This uncomfortable reunion with her uncle will be quite unpleasant to her.
For the sake of the Infected and Reunion, she needed to gain something in these talks. Whatever the outcome was, they needed to go forward. She composed herself and stepped forward.
As they entered the office, she finally saw her uncle, sitting on a couch and holding his usual smoking pipe in his right hand. Seeing his face again, made her feel repulsed at his presence. She would have liked to spite his face to make her feel good about it… No, she needed to focus on the objective at hand.
"Talulah, this is your chance to take revenge for your father. Kill him."
What was that? That voice sounds familiar. Did she just hear Kashchey's voice?
No, he was already dead. It was very clear that she killed him with her own hands.
Being told that Wei Yenwu was the mastermind of the murder of her father was not the only one. She discovered that Kashchey was also involved in her father's death. That damn black snake deceived her. He was part of it as well. At least he was gone for good. He deserved it.
She stopped for a second, making sure that she wasn't hearing things.
"Talulah, something the matter?" Momonga asked.
Talulah delayed her response and stayed silent for a moment if she did hear something, but none came.
She sighed, realizing that she was very tired and stressed of their arrival in Lungmen.
The thoughts about killing her uncle in this dire situation of her movement will spell doom to her people if she doesn't focus on the talks with Wei Yenmu and getting something in this meeting. Better to be prepared.
"Nothing, let's go."
They continue to move forward while unaware of the cursing within Talulah.
After they entered the lounge, she furrowed her brows, realizing that her uncle was not alone in the room.
Sitting right beside him was Aunt Fumizuki. She was one of the few people who treated her like family. At least her aunt cared about her well-being, unlike her uncaring uncle, who neglected her and treated her like a complete stranger.
Between them was a group of people wearing strange black straw coats and bamboo hats. Their clothing was dominantly black, like clothes made of shadows.
Talulah vaguely remembered them during her kidnapping incident. One even charged at Kashchey himself, only for one of the Scales to intercept them. Seeing them up close, they were pretty intimidating. According to Kashchey, it's no wonder these black raincoats were Uncle Wei's personal elite bodyguards.
Their presence made Talulah uneasy and wanted to unsheathe her sword if she had brought it along with her in the first place since her sword was at the reception as of now. Since no weapons were allowed before meeting the chief executive of Lungmen.
As for Momonga, he managed to 'persuade' the receptionist that his staff was just for walking. She didn't know what he did, but his casting staff was allowed in the meeting. At least she had Momonga with her if the talks broke down. He also prepared for their escape just in case her uncle decided to detain them by force or worse try to kill them at the spot.
Among the black raincoat people was Anaty Kunoichi, who was always with Aunt Fumizuki's side when Talulah was little. She didn't know her name, but she did know that the kunoichi was Aunt's personal bodyguard. After they entered the office, she noticed that the Anaty ninja girl was sweating a little on her forehand for some reason. She heard a whisper from her Aunt, checking her bodyguard's condition to see if she was alright.
For now, they needed to sit down and start their negotiation.
The two of them sat opposite the Lung couple and their bodyguards.
She noticed that her uncle was looking at her for a few seconds, then turned to look at Momonga, observing him under intense scrutiny. He also looked at his jeweled golden staff, which furrowed his brows, realizing that Momonga's casting staff was allowed entry into his office. The presence of his staff in front of the host had made them wary.
Uncle Wei motioned his right hand, signaling to the people between them.
The black raincoats moved their hands on their waists, preparing to unsheathed their weapons.
This move made Talulah completely anxious. She tried to stay calm and composed during the show of force, preparing to strike them down at any moment.
This forced Talulah to initiate the talks before it got out of hand. So, she started with a simple greeting first.
"Long time no see, Aunt and… Uncle." Talulah greeted them.
She wanted to call him Mr. Wei so that he could understand their distant relationship, but since she was here for his favors, she needed to show some courtesy during a negotiation. However, that didn't mean that she would be nice to him.
The first person to respond to Talulah's greeting was Aunt Fumizuki.
"It's been a while, Tal. We have been worried sick for you since your kidnapping incident fourteen years ago. We want to apologize to you for our inaction to rescue you sooner… but saying this will make you feel unhappy, so we will not ask you to forgive us."
After saying that, she deeply bowed her head in apology, surprising everyone in the room.
"Fumizuki?!" Wei exclaimed, almost dropping his smoking pipe from his hand.
"Princess Fumizuki?" Anaty Kunoichi was baffled at her mistress' action.
Seeing her Aunt bow at her had made Talulah feel like a bad person. She doesn't hate her aunt or anything, and she wouldn't go that far hurting her despite not having an attachment to Lungmen as a whole, but at least there are a few people who care about her.
"...Please raise your head, Aunt. You don't need to go this far."
"Regardless, I should apologize to you if given the chance. If only I had been there with you and some bodyguards, that incident wouldn't happen in the first place."
Aunt Fumizuki glanced at Uncle Wei as if she were waiting for something. He shrugged in her direction, which made her aunt sigh at his uncompromising attitude.
Talulah slightly sighed at her Aunt's insistence on apologizing to her.
"Very well. I'll let you apologize, and please don't do that ever again."
Fumizuki raised her head and nodded at Talulah, accepting her Aunt's apology.
As Talulah was about to start their talks, Uncle Wei interrupted her.
"Before we start. Could you introduce your mysterious friend to us?"
Oh, right. She almost forgot to introduce Momonga to them. She was too focused on her uncle and his bodyguards, and their strong presence distracted her and made her anxious.
Talulah was about to open her mouth when Momonga spoke and gave a brief self-introduction.
"It's a pleasure to meet the rulers of this fine city, Chief Wei and Lady Fumizuki. I am Momonga, a caster who met your niece by chance in Ursus. I heard a lot about you from her."
For some reason, Momonga removed the magic part of the caster. Likely to avoid being a unique caster among the caster of Terra. His magic may have been seen as Arts, but it wasn't. So, she kept it to herself.
"Momonga? Are you a Higashinese by chance? Are you from the North or South?" Aunt Fumizuki curiously asked.
"Oh, I'm not from Higashi, but it is quite similar to your country, from where I came. However, I would love to visit Higashi to see its shared similarities if I have time, Lady Fumizuki."
Similar to Higashi? That was the first time she heard about it besides his name being Higashinese. Momonga's background was a complete mystery, but after being told that the world he came from no longer exists, it meant foreign countries or natural disasters likely destroyed it, so she didn't pry any further after that.
"Fascinating. I hope you visit the Northern part of the country first before the South. Also, I noticed the way you speak feels different from the Higashinese I heard. Your accent is unique, Mr. Momonga."
"Really? Now that you mentioned it. I also heard it quite differently when you speak to me in Japan- I mean Higashinese. How peculiar."
Now that Momonga mentioned it, when Talulah first met him in the Tundra, he was speaking Ursine, but a different language. Also, here in Lungmen, he was speaking ancient Yanese to the receptionist, who was quite surprised to hear it. They explained to Talulah that the language that Momonga spoke was reserved to the higher class of Yan society, especially in the capital of Yan, Baizao.
Her thought was interrupted by her uncle clearing his throat to gain their attention.
"We're getting off-topic. Since the introduction is over. Let's begin."
Uncle Wei seemed annoyed at Momonga's friendly conversation with Aunt Fumizuki. No, he was more envious of Momonga's interaction with her aunt, speaking in Higashiense. It was quite an amusing sight, seeing him like that. It made her day.
"So, what is your purpose in meeting me in person, Talulah? If you came here returning to Lungmen for a family reunion with us… or you came here for another reason that I want to hear from you."
Finally, the moment that she was waiting for. It was now or never.
"Unfortunately, I am not here to have a family reunion or anything. I'm here for business, Uncle."
"Oh? Do tell me. What do you seek in coming here?" Uncle Wei asked while he smoked.
"I'm here to ask a favor from you," Talulah asked firmly.
"Favor? What kind of favor?"
"I request a safe refuge for me and my movement in Lungmen."
"Safe refuge? Your movement? Explain."
"After I killed Kashchey, I escaped to the Northern Tundra and took refuge there for three years."
Talulah explained her story in full detail. She recounted her journey in the Tundra, how she infected herself with Originium, to how she founded the Reunion.
"...Hmmmmm." Wei breathed in his smoke pipe and exhaled the fumes.
There was a long pause of silence in the lounge. Talulah expected the deer-dragon man to consider Lungmen's priorities first before considering her request.
"...There is something I need to know. You haven't returned ever since you slew Kashchey. You have no love for Lungmen that I am completely aware of, and I am to blame for that… What made you consider coming back here?" He asked.
"It was my suggestion, Chief Wei," Momonga answered, earning their attention.
"I see. No wonder she came here despite having no attachment to the city."
"A friend od mine would say that a leader's duty is to sacrifice. A sacrifice for the greater good… Although this meeting would cost us nothing."
"I wouldn't say 'nothing' but…" Talulah sighed.
It cost her courage to come here despite her sordid history with Lungmen.
"Your friend is a wise person. Please, I would like you to introduce your friend to me if you decide to return to Lungmen," Wei complimented.
"I'm afraid that is not possible. He… is no longer here."
Wei and Fumizuki understood his meaning.
"I offer my condolences," Wei nodded.
"Yes. Back to the matter, is it within your ability to shelter the migrants? If not…" Momonga did not continue.
"I am afraid there are complications in your request." Wei shook his head. "...I admit I am to blame for not educating Talulah properly in such matters. Allow me to explain. I admit that I have wronged her."
Wei straightened his back as he inhaled his smoke pipe again, exhaling pale fumes with a breath.
"If I have the opportunity to repay my sins against her and her parents, I would take it. But I will not sacrifice the welfare of Lungmen for my selfish need for redemption. The problem stems from the background of her parents."
Wei pointed his smoke pipe at Talulah.
"Talulah, I will get straight to the point. Your father is a member of the Draco, a bloodline exiled from Victoria who shared rule with the Aslan. Your mother is related to the Emperor of Yan. Your bloodlines alone can cause a casus belli to trigger an invasion from Yan and the warring houses of Victoria. Not to mention, you killed a Duke of Ursus, drawing the ire of Ursus. If anyone receives news of your presence in Lungmen…"
"That...… is new information I would like to know beforehand," Momonga said, sounding confused and baffled by the confidential information.
"She didn't know. I understand it was an intelligent decision, but reality likes erecting obstacles against the most ideal solutions," Wei sighed.
Talulah grimaced at these appalling revelations about her and her parents' background.
So, her mere existence alone was the wall to prevent shelter for her people.
This was even worse than being called a bad omen in Lungmen.
"I have questions. Why would her royal bloodline draw hostility from the Emperor of Yan?" Momonga asked.
"Because he is my younger brother," Wei answered. "And we have… history. The dynasty will not tolerate outsider blood tainting our lineage. And if killing Talulah will indirectly cause me harm, he will do everything in his power to make it happen. He will forcibly order me to kill Talulah if he finds out... Just like back then when I was forced to choose to kill her father or her mother because of the damned black snake's evil scheme."
This was something that Talulah didn't know. It would explain how he treated her since childhood.
Her father wasn't murdered by his uncle willingly but was forced to execute him by the order of the Emperor of Yan through Kachchey's manipulations. Talulah's mind was now clear: it was that venomous black name's fault that caused her and her parents misery. She did the right thing by killing him herself.
"I didn't think an emperor would be this petty… Is there another way?" Momonga asked. "At least provide her support in secret if possible. We are not afraid to wage war and fight for a home for Reunion. Believe me, her people are more than capable."
Did Momonga just say war? That would be beyond Reunion's capabilities. Something that Talulah doesn't want to happen. She dreaded the thought of a war between Infected and non-Infected. She must avoid it at all costs.
Wei hummed in thought.
"...Are you her second in command?" Wei asked.
"A humble advisor. I am the most recent member," Momonga humbly confessed.
"Hmmmmmm…" Wei closed his eyes in thought.
"…There is one option," Fumizuki spoke. "Your father's homeland, Victoria. The land is in turmoil but is fertile and rich with resources. Tal, there is a chance you can use your father's bloodline to join in the fight for the throne of Victoria."
"Fumizuki… what you suggest is a dangerous thought," Wei said in disbelief at what he heard.
"I know, but we could at least give some advice to Tal without endangering Lungmen. Am I right?"
"Even if Talulah does want the throne, the nobles of Victoria wouldn't let her. They'll do everything in their power to not let that happen. Just to retain their power. Of course, would she even be interested in the throne?"
Momonga perked, "Oh?"
Talulah turned to Momonga. He sounded… interested.
"Talulah. There is an opportunity."
Momonga leaned into Talulah's ear and whispered.
"Your people have survived the cold and teeth of Ursus. They are no stranger to conflict; I've seen it. You do not need to fight for the throne; being a duke over a large land area is enough… I believe we can take over your father's land, or former land in this case, by using your heritage as a weapon for a claim of ownership and as a home base for Reunion. I suggest we send a scout to Victoria and gather information on the opposition to see if there is anyone we can ally with. We can recruit the infected there as well. There might be opposition, but trust me, it is better than Ursus. Victoria has no unity. We can pit the nobles against each other. And we can sustain ourselves longer there."
His words sounded more and more like those from the devil. His logic was… almost like alluring venom, tempting like sweet honey but poisonous and dangerous.
It was no different than dragging more problems and enemies from another country. Alina would likely speak out against the decision to wage war, but… if she could offset the detriments by finding allies, that would be different.
Also, she never thought about reclaiming her father's domain in Victoria since she was too immersed in Ursus, helping the persecuted Infected and trying to establish a principal base of operation in one of their cities, but seeing the dire situation in that country made her realize that staying there was no longer an option.
Even if she established their power base there, Ursus would come for them since they'd be united in war if foreign and domestic forces threatened Ursus since they wanted war to begin with. They believe that only war will strengthen the empire. Something that Talulah strongly disagreed with their militaristic belief.
"...I need time to think about this." Talulah inhaled, breathing in deeply.
"I see. Oh, by the way, is Lungmen at least open to supplying the Reunion? And is it capable of… long-distance shipping by any chance?" Momonga asked.
"Hmmm. That is a difficult question to answer." Wei rubbed his orange, bushy beard under his long deer-like snout. "What you are suggesting would put Lungmen at a great loss…"
"How much is the value of gold in Lungmen? Because we have much of it in stock for trade," Momonga asked.
Wei quirked a brow.
The two rulers watched Momonga dip his hand into something as his wrist disappeared. When Momonga pulled out, gold coins clattered on the floor, and he placed them on the table between them.
Wei and Fumizaki stared at the gold coins, processing the items momentarily before they looked back at the masked Caster.
"...We are listening."
Two Ursine nobles arrived inside the VIP section of the Infected mining site of Klad and started discussing various topics despite the bad weather and unrest in the surrounding areas.
The room was pristine as the nobles sat on a lavish gray couch, looking through the window and overseeing the latest 'roulette' game to determine which Infected slave would die. This time, a lottery to decide which Infected would be thrown into a fighting ring to the death.
"His Majesty is making a fool of himself; he should have realized that his outrageous reforms are only making Ursus weak in the eyes of our enemies! Why can't he see reason after I tried to reason with him? Only to be dismissed. How humiliating."
"I have to agree with you, Milord. His so-called reforms are undermining Ursus's military strength. I'm afraid if this keeps up… Ursus will…"
On the opposite side of Grand Duke Baikal was Viscount Kerque, one of his close associates and aide-de-camp to the Third Army's Deputy Marshal.
Viscount Kerque was a sly opportunist who didn't care about the suffering of others, especially the Infected. The moderate nobles did not receive him well if it meant he could expand his power.
"Don't think about it, Kerque; as long as we continue opposing his reforms. Everything will be fine."
"It would have been easy if we just overthrew His Majesty and installed our puppet on the throne."
"...You are suggesting a rebellion. Don't be ridiculous." Grand Duke Baikal dismissed his words.
"It was just a mere suggestion, Milord. So, you don't have to take my foolish words seriously."
"Regardless, the last time a massive rebellion happened in Ursus was seventeen years ago. Of course, the rebellion failed because of the defection of the Fourth Army, which resulted in a victory for the royalists. If they didn't defect, they would have won."
During Emperor Fyodor Vladimirovich's early reign, the Great Rebellion broke out in Ursus. It was a full-scale civil war between the royalist forces led by the Emperor of Ursus and the Old Guard forces led by the Marshal of the Sixth Army.
It began when the failed invasion of Higashi led the newly ascended Emperor of Ursus to permanently end the eastern military expansion in the far east of Terra.
This news caused the Marshal of the Sixth Army and other military officers to resent the Emperor's decision.
Instead of continuing the military campaigns against Higashi, the Emperor ordered the full withdrawal from the eastern frontlines. This order sparked rebellious thoughts within the Sixth Army, which led to the Great Rebellion.
It all started in the oblast of Grigori near Deity Grypherburg when a drunk soldier of the Sixth Army injured a nobleman in a tavern. The army not only did not compensate the noblemen but also presumptuously ordered the oblast council to punish them, bringing civil protests against the military. But the Sixth Army crossed the red line when they sent troops to occupy the oblast in the name of quenching civil unrest and even executed everyone in the oblast council.
Hearing the treacherous action of the Sixth Army, Emperor Fyodor furiously ordered the Marshal of the Sixth Army to meet him at the palace and explain their action personally. The Marshal disobeyed the emperor in the name of "preserving the military" and "bringing the emperor out of the palace." The Marshal of the Sixth Army even ordered his fellow Marshals from the Third, Eighth, and Fourth Army to occupy the surrounding districts and lay siege to the capital of the Empire.
The rebel forces' bloody siege of Deity Grypherburg caused the Second and Seventh Armies to withdraw from the western frontlines against Kazimierz to aid the Emperor and the royalist forces. The reinforcement resulted in an all-out war across Ursine soil for almost a year.
Amid the war, the Fourth Army led by Grand Duke Vanya betrayed the old guards and allied with the royalists, turning the tide of the war. By the winter of 1076, the Great Rebellion ended with the destruction of the Sixth and its allies by the royalist forces.
The Great Rebellion brought long-term consequences to the Ursus Empire. Many high-ranking officers were purged from the Ursine military, weakening the overall military strength. The aftermath of the rebellion also gave rise to the New Aristocracy, a new generation of intellectuals who were seen as more moderate and progressive than their ultraconservative counterparts.
Despite being part of the rebellious Third Army, Grand Duke Baikal was one of the lucky ones who avoided the purge. He was reluctant to join the rebellion and decided to observe until the royalist forces gained the upper hand with the defection of the Fourth Army.
Years passed, and Baikal became disillusioned with Emperor Fyodor after he enacted some reforms, like limiting its military's expansionism and expanding the civilian infrastructure rather than rebuilding the military to continue its conquests.
The final straw was when the emperor suggested closing the Infected mines, which led to a fierce argument between him and the Emperor. As a result, the Emperor dismissed him from the Ursus State Council because of his continuing opposition to the emperor's policy.
"Anyway, how is your dispute with Count Boris doing? I heard it is not going well."
Count Boris, as Viscount Kerque mentioned, was one of the 'New Aristocrats' who rose in prominence after the rebellion. He was also the CEO of the Boris Group, an Ursine mining conglomerate that relied on military-controlled mining operations. He was a recognizable figure in the Chernobog upper class despite being claimed to have "bought" his family's noble status. He is currently the mayor of Chernobog.
Boris' influence also made him an enemy of Grand Duke Baikal, Deputy Marshal of the Third Army and the biggest benefactor of the Farscope Refinery. Due to disputes on the price of raw materials destined for manufacturing, Baikal commanded several clandestine attacks on Chernobog, yet none of them could bring Boris down.
This frustrated Baikal to the core. These so-called new nobles were a rotten cancer in the Empire and needed to be purged. Didn't the Emperor realize that the new aristocracy wasn't loyal to him, and their only loyalty was money?
"It isn't. That fucking bastard is smarter than he looks... However, his time will come. Mark my words, Kerque. He will pay for his insolence for defying me, who has a higher noble rank than him!"
"Still, I can't comprehend His Majesty's reasoning behind needing these so-called new nobles. They're a great embarrassment to the Ursine nobility. Thinking about it makes me feel sick to be in the same room with them. This is utter nonsense that we're living in."
"It must be Witte's doing since His Majesty's cabinet are all aristocrats with non-military backgrounds before my dismissal."
Thinking about it, none of them supported his objection regarding the suggestion to close the Infected mines and realized too late that most of the Emperor's cabinet were nobles of the moderate faction. The one leading them was Viscount Witte, the Minister of Finance, the Speaker of the Ursus State Council, and an advisor to the current Emperor.
"...That reminds me. I noticed that Governor General Rosin is not with you today."
"He's busy with military matters regarding guerrilla forces causing trouble in the area. He told me that he would have to deal with them first and regretfully that he would not go to the lottery."
"Such a pity. I was hoping to bet against him on how long the infected miners would last against each other."
"Ah yes, the infected. I hope this 'lottery' today will be more entertaining than the last I visited Klad."
Baikal maliciously smiles as he can't wait to see the suffering of the Infected miners since the last time he visited the mines. He also couldn't wait to see how their miserable state delighted him.
"If only Duke Kashchey could see this, he would be pleased by our works."
"Indeed, Milord. It was unfortunate that he got murdered by his… so-called heir."
The mention of Duke Kashchey's heir ultimately caused Baikal to boil his head.
"That cursed Draco had just ruined everything. I hope she gets caught and faces the wrath of Ursus upon her!"
Baikal once met Duke Kashchey's heir at a party in his dukedom. When he first met her, Baikal mistakenly thought she was a Vouivre or Lung, but Duke Kashchey corrected him and said his heir was a Draco. He also explained to Baikal that he intended to turn her into his deadly agent to carry out Ursus's will. Baikal was intrigued by this and thought she would be a beneficial asset to them.
Since she was a Draco and may have a royal bloodline within her, they could use her as a justification for war against Victoria and 'rightfully' put her on the throne as Ursus' puppet ruler. But he couldn't care less about a foreign throne as long as the empire would have its war to strengthen the glory of the empire once again, just like the old days when the Empire's might was at its highest peak.
However, the news about Duke Kashchey's death quickly spread across the empire.
Baikal was greatly shocked at this news. With Duke Kashchey's demise, their plans for war against Yan or Victoria were thrown into complete disarray and almost fell apart. Not only that, his death also weakened their power against the Emperor and the state council.
"...I heard rumors that several Royal Guards are being dispatched to hunt down the traitorous Draco. What's your thought on this, Milord?"
"While I'm glad that the Royal Guards are being deployed to hunt down Duke Kashchey's killer…"
Baikal paused for a moment and answered Kerque's question.
"However, the royal guards are not someone we shouldn't mess with since… They're not human to begin with."
The Royal Guards were quite infamous for the horrendous legends surrounding them, such as the sinking of Simonch City, the massacre of an Elafian village, and their severe casualties in the Valley of the Setting Sun, earning them titles like the "Facerending Liches". These feats and their inhuman appearances have earned them both respect and fear from the Ursus people.
Baikal dreaded meeting the horrifying Royal Guards, which was terrifying to imagine. He would rather kill himself than be killed by them horribly. He just hoped that the blasted Draco would be caught and die horribly by them. He liked to see that, seeing her scared face while facing the monstrous Royal guards' cursed blade to execute her and avenge Duke Kashchey.
"Alright, enough with these political talks. When will the lottery begin?"
There was a knock on the door behind them.
It was not standard, as they were ordered not to interrupt them. The lines of infected slaves were already prepared to draw the lottery.
"This is an outrage. Who dares to waste our precious time?!" Baikal loudly grumbled as the door opened.
The two nobles looked at him, an Ursine high military officer.
The Originium in the mines was more than enough to disrupt all radio communication, so they used live messengers.
"S-Sir! There's a… There is a situation!" The gas-masked military man in kevlar shouted.
Before he could continue, a sudden earthquake and the loud sound of an explosion rumbled the room, shaking the furniture and vibrating the nobles' bodies.
"...What was that?" Kerque asked anxiously.
"What the hell is going on? Explain yourself!" Baikal furiously demanded an answer.
He hoped it was not another foolish uprising from the Infected slave miners.
The last major Infected uprising in Klad was eight years ago, in 1083. It was the first major revolt within the Infected mining system in Ursus. However, the military mining administration violently suppressed it, and its leaders were executed immediately.
Klad was one of the largest mining camps in the northern tundra. At its peak in 1076 after the Great Rebellion, the camp housed thousands of prisoners, both Infected and foreign, including prisoners of war, dissidents, political prisoners, and common criminals, who were used as forced labor in the exploitation of Originium mines.
"I-I-my apologies, my lieges! B-But we're under attack! Klad is under siege!"
The nobles did not react to the word 'siege' in a delayed response.
"...Siege? Siege?! What do you mean by Siege!?" Baikal roared at the man.
"That should not be possible! There is an Originium Catastrophe near this place!" Kerque followed.
Another officer ran into the VIP room.
"Sir! T-The entrance! The entrance has collapsed!"
The news was horrendous.
There was only one entrance to the mineshaft of Klad.
It was dangerous to dig their way out of an Originium mine; the minerals would detonate with one wrong move and collapse the entire mine, burying them all alive!
The entrance of the mine might be almost clear of Originium, but excessive force might destabilize the entire structure.
They were now trapped in the volatile mine.
With [Distant Vision], Momonga watched Talulah's side blow up the entrance with C4 charges to trap the soldiers inside the mineshaft.
Talulah was against collapsing the entrance, but Momonga persuaded her by saying there was more than enough air for those in the mines. If she felt like it, she could melt a breathing hole for self-assurance, as this plan would send the enemy into a panic.
The plan was that while Momonga drew attention, Talulah would lead her forces to collapse the mine entrance and hit the enemy from behind in a two-pronged assault.
The charmed Ursine chain of command, from soldiers to higher officials they captured in the past weeks, provided excellent information on Klad's layout and possible military forces, especially information on the arrival of the nobility that visit Klad to entertain themselves by playing with the lives of the Infected.
The conditions were perfect - Klad was isolated, and they could not call for help.
Momonga had already booby-trapped the roads with [Drifting Master Mines] in case a Messenger managed to escape the net.
There will be no one to come save them from his Undead army.
His undead had already crossed over the walls while tearing the poor military forces limb from limb.
He could cast [Meteor Fall], but he wanted to experience the behavior patterns and tactics of an advanced nation's military firsthand against an undead horde.
He wanted to hide his cards until they were needed, as a wise man would hide his fangs until the time was ripe.
Momonga descended from the air, invisible via a low-tier spell, as he watched his horde, summoned via [Undeath Army] with Widen, Triplet, and Boosted.
Strengthened by his classes by twenty more levels, the undead, zombies, skeletons, wights, and ghouls swarmed the terrified soldiers. The Ursus military threw grenades, shot arrows, and cast fireballs at the horde, their military discipline breaking down as their organization cracked more and more every second.
He watched the grenades explode, sending his undead flying and those at the edge of the blast zone staggering. He saw some lucky soldiers manage to fend off a few skeletons with their swords.
Unfortunately for the Ursine, the grenades did not do the job as the undead rose back up, damaged but persistent. His minions already flooded the metallic ramparts and the artillery mounted on them, dragging and tearing apart the poor bastards, whose screams of terror barely reached his ears.
The Ursine soldiers in the rear noticed Talulah's terrorism.
"Hey! Identify yourself!"
A group of five Ursine archers saw Talulah standing before a collapsed mine shaft entrance. Frostnova and the Snow Yetis were securing the garage while Patriot and the Shield Guard were defending the ammunition depot.
Talulah finished trapping their main targets without escape.
They had their objectives—to secure the armory for weapons to arm the Reunion and the food storage to feed her people. Normally, she was also tasked with destroying the communication tower to disorganize the enemy ranks… but the undead horde was already rushing towards the communication tower.
She grimaced, already imagining the horrific reactions and dreadful fate of those inside as she saw the horde rushing up the stairs, overcrowding the steps, some falling off the ballisters in their chasing the fleeing, screaming soldiers scrambling for safety in height.
Talulah drew her longsword as she rushed towards the group.
"Enemy contact!"
They drew their swords and ran towards Talulah when she got too close.
With years of training under the accursed Black Snake, Talulah parried and redirected the first blade and slashed his throat, pirouetted around her first kill, and cut down the three behind, decapitating them faster than they could react.
The last stepped back, drew his repeater compound crossbow, and fired.
Talulah ducked the first, dashed forth right and left from the second and third arrow, and plunged her sword through his chest, through the black kevlar.
The last soldier coughed blood, staining his glass visor with his crimson blood.
"You… Reunion…" He recognized Talulah in his final breaths.
"Splending execution, Talulah. You inspire me to learn the ways of the sword."
Talulah looked upon as Momonga descended from the air, his black robes fluttering, revealing the bones and the mysterious red orb under his ribs underneath the shroud.
"How are Frostnova and Patriot?" Talulah asked.
"She locked the entrances in ice after freezing the wheels of their vehicles. Patriot and the Shieldguards are dealing with the stragglers from resupplying." Momonga answered as he looked back.
"Run!"
"We can't win this!"
"Stay away!"
The majority of the soldiers were fleeing in their direction away from the Undead horde. They abandoned all hope in the face of Undeath, some already throwing away their crossbows and swords.
"Now then…"
[Create Middle Tier Undead]
Talulah grimaced when Momonga was about to summon another undead creature.
In the Northern Tundra, Momonga experimented and had the Infected forces train using his undead as practice dummies to sharpen their skills and instincts.
However, something strange happened.
Black ooze flew from Momonga and entered the corpse of the soldier she slew.
She stared at the corpse being consumed… the ooze reshaping into a creature of violence.
A two-metered crooked undead equipped with a rippled sword called a Flamberge and a colossal shield known as a Tower Shield. Death Knights were looked at as giant creatures equipped with armor made of black metal with red bloodlines engraved.
Its armor was riddled with sharp spikes, an incarnation of violence. Two demonic horns protrude from the helmet, with the skeletal face visible underneath. Empty eye sockets filled with hate and murderous intent glow with a flashing red light.
"Well…" Momonga hummed.
This was new; Momonga sounded as if this never happened before.
"Death Knight."
Instantly, the undead horde stopped their mass sprint.
The soldiers were confused at the sight of the undead standing still suddenly, motionless like statues.
"Talulah. Tell me. Are you willing to take extra prisoners from this flock? I require more fresh material for my experiments."
Talulah grimaced at the mention of 'fresh materials.' If there was one thing she did not like about Momonga, it was his cruel disregard for the living, even if it was directed at the enemies of the Reunion.
Many of the infected patrols they captured were tortured and experimented upon by the skeleton, even after Momonga extracted all of the information from them with his spells. The purpose was to practice the art of torture for the willing Reunion members to master the art of information extraction.
He didn't stop even after cutting off all of their limbs, despite them confessing and begging for their lives. The screams were affecting morale.
Although there were mixed receptions, many within Reunion believed the soldiers deserved this fate. Their experience under the cruelties of the Ursus military emptied all empathy for them.
Alina chastised Momonga, she was the only person who could sway him to not go too far.
"Momonga…." Talulah frowned at him.
"I see. Then I will dispose of them."
She was also thankful that he was willing to consult with her on the matter of prisoners.
"Have the rest of the undead support Frostnova and Patriot. We will commence the rescue operation once we secure the entrance."
Momonga nodded.
The Death Knight roared as it charged towards the confused soldiers.
Talulah could only wince when the Death Knight smacked the first one with the shield so hard he flew like a thrown ball over the rest of the soldiers.
As the rest of the Undead horde ran towards Patriot and Frostnova's positions, the soldiers screamed as the Death Knight bisected them with each swing of its flamberge.
"Please! Sir, I swear to Yurodstvo what I said is the truth!"
The decorated military officer pleaded, on his knees with hands clasped in a begging prayer, the barrel of a revolver staring down at his head.
"How dare you say his name in vain, you heretic!" Grand Duke Baikal roared at the bear-eared man, his finger pulling the safety off his revolver, the barrel clicking into place.
"Zombies! You said Zombies are invading Klad?! You dare jest in this debacle?!" Kerque followed.
What the military officer said to them was utterly nonsense.
A mere horde of zombies invading Klad was absurd to hear unless it was the demons of the Endless Icefield, where the Ursine Fronts fiercely defended the far northern borders of Ursus.
They concluded that it was likely an Infected uprising or wild beasts wreaking havoc on the mining site, and the military officers were incompetent in dealing with these little troubling issues.
They were all at the collapsed entrance.
The Ursine soldiers dug against the rubble with pickaxes, doing work reserved for the Infected.
When it came to their lives, the two nobles would force their men to do the work of slaves if it would get them out of this hellish mine. That, and the Infected slaves refused to dig. They resigned themselves to death, most likely hoping to drag the Ursine occupants to Hell with them, the sly nihilistic bastards.
After they get out of the mine, they will punish the incompetent officers who caused this trouble and crash their lottery games after they dealt with these so-called zombie uprisings in the mining site.
"When we get out of here, you better pray to Yurodstvo that there are Zombies out there, or the corpse cart will taste untainted Ursine blood. No, you will join Death before we throw the Infected with you. And hurry it up! Faster! We don't know how long we have until we run out of air!"
"We're digging as fast as we can, my liege!" An Imperial Striker shouted.
The tall hulk, who wore a gas mask apparatus and full body armor, double-layered with a heavy trench coat, swung with two pickaxes since there were no pickaxes for those of his size.
"Damn it! I swear if we die here…" Baikal stopped grumbling when he saw the rubble started to glow orange from the center.
The diggers stopped mining as they stepped back upon feeling a sudden temperature rise. The temperature was starting to swelter.
The orange circle spread wider and wider, reaching both walls as the temperature rose even higher. Baikal and Kerque could feel the heat making them sweat.
"What is happening?" Baikal asked.
The Shield Guards standing beside the nobles noticed.
"Get down!" The Shield Guard immediately grabbed Kerque and Baikal and threw them down, then jumped atop them when it happened.
The rubble exploded with a stream of melted rock.
The diggers screamed as the hot liquid stone covered them, the Shield Guard taking the brunt of the molten explosion.
The rest of the Ursine soldiers were rattled as they aimed their crossbow and spear guns at the molten entrance.
As if it were a lie, the temperature suddenly dropped, and the melted hole in the rubble suddenly cooled as steam flooded in their direction.
Most of the diggers caught in the molten explosion managed to brush the hot liquid stone off their attire while the rest were on the floor, trying to get the hot lava off them.
The Shield Guard grunted as he rose, helping the two nobles to their feet as steam and fog obscured everything in pale white.
"...What is this? What in the world is going on?" Kerque demanded, his composure slowly breaking down.
"We're under attack," the Imperial Shield Guard answered.
The two nobles stiffened by the answer. If Klad were under attack, that would mean that the most likely targets… were them.
There was a shadow stomping out of the mist. It was a large, broad shadow, larger than even one of the Emperor's Blades.
When it emerged from the mist, every Ursine paled at the sight of the black skeletal hulk covered in black armor. In one hand, it held a massive tower shield, and in the other, a flamberge.
"...What… in all that is good is that abomination?" Kerque asked the question that was on everyone's minds.
When it appeared, the temperature of the room seemed to drop. Cold sweat already trickled down their brows, and indescribable fear wormed its way into their hearts.
And it was not alone.
Walking out of the mist, another identical black skeletal knight emerged from the fog, standing side by side.
"M-M-My liege! What are your orders?!" One of the soldiers aiming a compound crossbow almost choked in his scream, his fingers trembling at the sight of the knight of death.
"Open fire! Open fire, you morons!" Baikal squalled.
The two skeletal monsters roared as they… vanished into dark mist the moment the men pulled the triggers, bullets, and arrows flying towards where they used to be.
The shield guard stood before Baikal when the towering black mass of bones appeared.
All Baikal saw was a spray of blood when he looked up.
Then, something fell before Baikal, causing him to catch the object reflexively.
He wished he didn't. He stared at the masked face of the Shield Guard's head in his hands, warm blood still trickling down the cross-section.
Kerque could only shake his jaw at the height of terror he had never experienced in his high-class life as the headless corpse of the Shield Guard fell like a toppled tree, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.
Just as another appeared amongst the archers.
Screams filled the entrance hall, followed by the sound of bodies falling to the floor as blood stained the walls and floors.
Kerque squealed like a pig when a bisected Ursine soldier fell before his feet.
"Help… me…" He said as he reached out to Kerque.
The soldiers screamed a war cry as they fired again at the knight of death, but their arrows either caromed off the tower shield or bounced off its armor or bones.
It reaped the Ursine soldiers like wheat, its sword cleaving through their armor like paper, separating torsos from their legs with each sweep.
An Imperial Striker lunged towards the Death Knight standing before Baikal from behind.
Baikal couldn't run. Sheer terror paralyzed him as the giant death knight stared into his eyes.
He hoped the elite guard would take down this nightmare of metal and bones. His hopes died when the creature smacked the Imperial Striker with its massive shield. The elite guard's head crashed first into the wall.
Baikal heard a sickening snap, broken bone… the Imperial Striker was no longer moving, still as a corpse.
Baikal raised his revolver, two hands holding his gun, yet his aim was shaking from his trembling grip, trying to get a clear shot at the monster's skull.
The skull demon just stood there, staring at Baikal as if daring him to pull the trigger.
Baikal snapped at the inaction.
"D-DIIIIIIIIIIIIE!" Baikal shrieked as he pulled the trigger and fired the Originium bullet, the recoil flinging his hands up.
However, the bullet pinged off the skeleton's skull like a rubber ball.
The monster growled as the screams of his men echoed from the fog.
Baikal's grip on his hand shook more erratically. This was like facing death… worse than facing the Emperor's Blades.
If he was going to die, there was only one thing to do. Kerque must be thinking of the same thing.
He slowly pulled his gun up… to his chin.
He closed his eyes as he mustered the courage to pull the trigger.
"Glory… to… Urs-?!"
Suddenly, he stopped. All muscles in his body suddenly froze as if bound by some rope. He couldn't move a single muscle even as he struggled. The only thing he could move was his eyes as his eyes darted around.
"How disappointing. To think that one of the rulers of this decrepit Empire is a coward who is willing to commit seppuku when faced with death. Such cowardice…"
An unfamiliar voice spoke.
The Death Knight stepped aside with a heavy step.
A shadow in the mist loomed, slowly emerging. Baikal heard light footsteps and something clanging on the metal floor of the mineshaft.
Baikal's pupils dilated, trembling when he saw it.
He knew at first sight.
Death.
Death itself was walking towards him. He was much more… majestic… regal. His robes were not ragged; they were regal, golden filigree woven with a cloak of pure night draping his body like a wide curtain.
Instead of a scythe, he wielded a golden staff, the top being seven serpents entwined, each serpent head holding a different gem in its mouth.
He walked towards him, using his caduceus as a walking stick, the sharp spear end hitting the floor with each step.
"I could say the same for your friend. You two are more pathetic than the photos your soldiers showed me in the North. Unlike the two of you, some are willing to die for their country. You're exploiting death as a way out."
Death reached out with his bony hand.
Baikal couldn't resist when he wrenched his revolver from his fingers. His fingers snapped, broken, yet he could not scream despite the mind-shattering pain. Tears were already welling in his eyes.
"Talulah. We have one of our primary objectives. Is there anything you want to say to our dear Grand Duke before we continue?"
Baikal wanted to blink at the name Death uttered, death marveling at the Originium revolver.
The gun was made by the best artisans. It had a long sleek barrel, shining lustrous steel-gray, and a hilt crafted from the finest polymer and wood, strong and beautiful.
"Yes."
He heard a female voice. The steam fog dissipated enough for him to see it.
He wanted to move his lips, but he couldn't, or he would curse at her.
Four black horns, that ashen hair, those eyes… It's her! Duke Kashchey's murderer.
And her companions, that snow rabbit girl in winter clothes.
And him… He couldn't believe his eyes.
"Apologize. Wasted your efforts preparing me for a hunt that ended as it began."
This was Buldrokkas'tee, the Patriot of Ursus.
He couldn't fail to recognize that Sarkaz Wendigo, that iconic wendigo helmet, that gun spear, that riot shield.
The Sarkaz Wendigo had been fighting for the empire's interest and earned a good reputation. He participated in wars against Kazimierz, Laterano, and Victoria. He also joined his kin to fend off the demons of the frigid Northland.
The Ursus High Command planned to promote Buldrokkas'tee as the Grand Marshal of the Ursus Army because of his patriotism and fierce loyalty to the Empire. However, after they learned of his desertion from the army, the plan was scrapped because he abandoned his military duty.
Now, he was in front of him in the hellish mine of the frozen far north of Ursus.
Baikal can't believe the cursed Draco and the Sarkaz Wendigo were working together.
If the Ursine imperial government found out about this uprising, they would send the army to crush them.
Talulah stood before him, and Baikal tried to burn this woman with his gaze and ire.
Baikal flinched when he felt a cold hardness wrapped around his neck. He looked down, barely seeing the skeletal fingers of death holding him.
"...Grand Duke Baikal." Talulah addressed him.
She looked at him as if he was lower than a peasant… He had never been more furious in his life by a woman.
"Today, we are putting an end to this prison. This mine, which is fueled by the lives of the innocent, we will liberate them. Every man, woman, or child, I will show them the hope of a brighter future. I will collapse this mine so no one will die mining the things that infect our lives against their will. And I will do the same again until Ursus has no excuse to round up the innocent."
Baikal heard everything crisply.
"...If you have any regrets for your sins, speak."
Suddenly, Baikal felt the constricting force holding him still lifted.
He could move. He could talk.
"...You foolish Draco, do you realize what you are saying? Why would you save them who are lower than a peasant? Have you forgotten the teachings of Duke Kashchey? You're supposed to be his heir!"
He saw Draco's face becoming agitated and prepared to slice him, only to be stopped by Death.
"Talulah. Please, calm yourself."
Talulah's blade half-left its sheath. She exhaled and sheathed it.
"...We must continue the operation."
"Good."
Suddenly, Baikal lost all feeling of his muscles.
Death released his neck, and he fell on the floor like a corpse.
He could not move even his eyes this time. Drool was trickling to the metal floor.
"Patriot. Have your shield guard break their arms and legs and gag them. I don't want them to kill themselves before I get to work."
