Kahn proved to be the greatest challenge for Shinji and his followers yet. Even such a mighty foe still proved to be an obstacle in the end even with the casualties they endured. With the exception of the dwarves that fell in battle, the lost soldiers would be respawned at the pool in the castle. It was clear by now that none of the heroes that had fallen in battle would be so fortunate.
By Shinji's count, there were three heroes remaining. One that still threatened to take him by surprise in his offensive and another that he still could not determine the whereabouts of. He had an opportunity to make that number decrease as soon as he had his way with Jewel.
Making his way up the steps of the temple, Shinji saw what kept Jewel from participating in the earlier fight. Orange and Akane had hold of her legs while Vixen and Ai had her pinned by her shoulders. Pollyanne and Tôkibi were free to run their hands along her toned figure while resisting the urge to participate in more erotic activities.
Deciding he was in the best spot to give judgement, Shinji observed, "It seems like you all had things covered. I really thought she would have given us more trouble."
Vixen smiled correcting, "You would be surprised what using greed against others can achieve."
While the others continued to talk about her, Jewel writhed on the ground out of desperation protesting, "Let me go! Don't you know who I am?!"
Tôkibi ran her hand under Jewel's right breast pointing out, "We all know. You're not in much of a position to negotiate."
Akane brought her right hand up the hem of Jewel's shirt as she told her, "Not that we would mind you doing that. We don't have to kill her until he tells us to, don't we?"
Several dozen thoughts ran through Jewel's mind as soon as she heard that. Having her body felt by the succubi was humiliating enough but she immediately came to conclude what they all wanted with her. Every hand gesture she was asked to endure suggested she would be subject to all kinds of sexual deviance from these creatures but would finally make sure she was asked to ensure the same fate as the other heroes.
Desperation to have her life spared made Jewel shake her head pleading, "No! Please! I don't do pain! It was the Wizard! He wanted me to pinch the statue! He even paid me!"
"The Wizard?" Jewel's confession caught Shinji's attention as he made his way over to her. He had a feeling about who she was referring to but needed to know for sure it was the one he was thinking of. Hearing it from one of the heroes seemed like the best place to start.
For just a moment, Jewel found herself forgetting the fear she felt being under the hold of the succubi. Shinji was not at all what she expected the new overlord to be like. She did not expect to immediately feel a familiar sense she had about the Mother Goddess statue.
Every remnant of loyalty she had to the causes that her friends fought for long ago struggled to keep her from proclaiming her loyalty to him right then and there. It might have been a new desire, but it was also exchanging one form of humiliation for another. Where instead of losing her life, she would proclaim her willingness to enter servitude.
Even knowing this made it difficult for her to fight against the sin that corrupts her long ago. Just a brief observation of how he treated the others around him made it clear that Shinji was the center of a massive harem that fought for him. In a way there were many women who could say they had him while she was left out of the circle.
All of the temptations she was forced to stave off were brought to a pause as she heard Tôkibi ask, "Is that someone we should know?"
Vixen reminded her of the greater goal they had, "One of the heroes. The one that eludes us."
Hoping this would be an opportunity for them all, Shinji suggested, "Well that's good for us right? It has to mean we can find him this way."
Vixen agreed with the possibility before turning her attention to Jewel suggesting, "It sounds like we have a use for you after all. As long as you cooperate at least."
She could not say if it was her pride or her dedication that made her respond the way she did but Jewel denied, "That's amusing to imagine. Thinking you can break me that easily. I was not made one of the companions to defeat the last overlord for nothing."
All of the succubi grinned at such a challenge before Ai taunted, "You're the one who thinks you have a reason to resist."
Orange nudged the side of Jewel's body reminding, "Yeah. I don't know if you noticed but... the grounds have already been established."
This reminder made the gathered succubi giggle at the position. Jewel was forced to remember that many women who surrounded her had a chance to end her life whenever their overlord wanted. An overlord that she was more interested in warning the favor of than anything else.
Shinji reintroduced this possibility by setting down the conditions, "I'll make you understand this much. If you want to live, you'll answer everything we ask."
Misato took the chance to remind her, "You saw how we handled that lumping husband of yours or whatever he was. Don't think we don't have an advantage over you."
There were things Jewel could correct but this threat was not one of them. The death of Kahn was a firm reminder of what kind of threat she was dealing with. No matter how much she might want Shinji to be hers, she would not have the opportunity if she was torn to pieces at the first act of negligence on his part.
Jewel desperately tried to place herself back into good graces by requesting, "Okay! Okay! Just please don't kill me! I do not want pain!"
Sitting on one of the nearby steps to the main altar, Shinji gave his first question on the matter, "Were you sent out here by the dwarven king to steal the statue?"
The answer was simple enough for Jewel to answer as she confirmed, "He sent me out here to do that."
"So why did the Wizard have to send you out here for it?"
"I... I don't know... Everyone wants it."
"So, you're just a loyal lackey and you don't care what you have to do to steal stuff."
Jewel feared the judgement she would receive as she admitted, "I would have done it for free... Especially since everyone wants it.
Aoi crossed her arms annoyed at what answers they were receiving as she observed, "She sure doesn't seem to want much else other than stealing stuff. Does she even know anything we can use?"
"Goldo! You want to deal with him don't you?!"
Shinji found himself at attention as soon as he heard Jewel ask this. It should have been established by now but there was a clear sense of desperation that she would not be placed any closer to execution. So much that she was willing to threaten the life of someone she should have been standing up for.
Phanton acknowledged this was the greater goal for them "He is our enemy. I don't see what you're suggesting."
"He's your enemy, I can deal with him. We can work together for each other's benefit."
Shinji found himself uncertain at the appeal. There were many things he knew he had to anticipate when it came to battle but he did not think this would be a possibility. Every hero he faced before seemed to be irredeemable one way or another. He also knew none of them willingly wanted to surrender their lives if they had the chance.
Prepared for whatever the judgement of the others would be, Shinji asked, "You want to betray your own? Even after killing Kahn right in front of you?"
Jewel confirmed this was her intention, "I do. I would probably be in better hands with you even. Seriously if anything you did me a huge favor cutting him down back there."
It seemed to be too convenient of an opportunity that made Shinji turn to the others to see their own thoughts. He knew he should have been willing to make the final decision when it came to determining what Jewel's fate would ultimately be. The expectation was also revolved around a decision that would affect everyone.
He hoped he could find out if there was a discrepancy to the possibility by asking Mayumi, "You think having her with us wouldn't upend what we're trying to do?"
Mayumi recalled the story of what brought everyone to this world in the first place as she reasoned, "I mean the castle orb never said we absolutely had to kill all of the heroes. If she really does want to switch sides, then it should work out for us right?"
This scenario left Shinji conflicted. On one hand he had a chance to not kill someone and even potentially gain a new ally. On the other he was being asked to spare someone who under different circumstances would want him dead.
Yersia added to this quandary asking, "How many of my kind did you slay in your journey here?"
The question sent a chill through Jewel as she realized she had to answer this. She was already walking a thin razor when it came to having her life spared if only because Shinji proved to show a merciful side in such a demanding world. Answering with a lie or the truth seemed to threaten bringing her away from what sense of mercy she was presented with.
Desperation for her life made her determine she had to answer, "I... Before Oberon fell... There... I think there were uh... I had to kill them on my way here. I was here when it was happening... I... killed... I think... It couldn't have been six after he fell."
This question was enough to give Shinji an idea of what sort of conflict had just been established between the two. It was one thing for Jewel to defend herself, but the greed that made her want the Mother Goddess statue still weighed against her. Especially if they were going to have conflicting ideas about what should be done with it when they take it back from Goldo.
Yersia turned to Shinji remaining level and with an air of dissatisfaction, "I know I have to accept whatever your judgement will be. But she is willing to kill those of my kind. That is just not something I will easily forgive."
Shinji agreed as he turned his attention back to Jewel and told her, "You might be ruler of the Ruborians but that does not free you from judgement. Even if I do spare you, it means there are going to be conditions you will have to follow."
After overhearing the conversation, Jewel remained committed to her original proposal as well as her desperation for her life as she proclaimed, "You are the overlord! I will do whatever you want!"
Tôkibi realized what was going on behind such a plea as she suggested, "Oh! Like we get to have all her riches and make her fight for us?"
Akane added, "Maybe make her relinquish her rulership and make her soldiers fight for us?"
Ai voiced her own hope for the situation, "Whatever we do my master, I would really like it if it means we at least get to have our way with her. I have a feeling you might really enjoy her if you have a chance."
It was not true freedom to present such a choice to her. Shinji also knew this was not someone who would have considered the same courtesy under similar circumstances. With only minimal protest to consider from the others however, he was presented with a choice that he would have to answer for whatever the consequences would be.
Prepared to lay out the possibilities for her survival, Shinji began, "Well Jewel, you heard my conditions-"
"Agreed! I'll do everything! What's mine is yours! I'll even plunder my own men if it's what you want!"
If it was not for previous pleas for mercy, Shinji would have been more taken aback by such an agreement. Looking around he saw most of the women at his side smiled in anticipation that one of the heroes was now under his thumb. It was a convenient situation considering what he was able to achieve in previous encounters while potentially tipping the scales against Goldo even further against him.
The only indication of dissent he would be faced with was Yersia's. Other than the fact that Jewel was potentially given an opportunity to betray them all at any moment she seemed opportune, her attempt to steal the Mother Goddess statue was just another thing that made it difficult for her to begin trusting her. He had to accept the mantle of leadership in a decision like this one, but he also had to make sure he would not lose the dedication of those who would be worthwhile fighters for his cause.
He was still unhappy with forcing Yersia to accept what was in front of them, but Shinji gave her his ultimate answer, "We are able to finish her off if she ever does betray us. I'll even let you decide if she deserves mercy or not."
Yersia forced herself to acknowledge the benefits from having Jewel under his thumb before accepting, "I think we could take everything she has without her cooperation. But this will probably save us the trouble of doing everything ourselves." She turned her attention to Jewel, "You're fortunate you did not have a chance to defile this place. I might not have been so merciful."
In any other situation Jewel would have made a snappy comeback to such a threat but forced herself to accept, "I... understand."
Before there could be any further discussion, the gathering heard one of their own rushing towards them. Shinji turned to find Ayanami with several runners and konouchi making their way behind her. Their arrival made it clear that only one thing could have been coming.
Ayanami still took the responsibility to report, "Shinji, It's Goldo's army. They're on their way here."
Mayumi realized the situation they were in as she confirmed, "He probably thinks we'll be easy to handle now."
Orange added, "I saw some of the fight. That Kahn guy wasn't a pushover. Think we can still take him and his whole army?"
Misato agreed with the concern pointing out, "Some of the others were crushed by him out there. I can't think it's going to be that easy."
Shinji knew that on some level Goldo's plan worked. He did not manage to kill anyone who was a major threat to him, but he still had some of his soldiers slain by the attack. While it very well could have made a difference, he still remembered seeing every attack against Kahn and how it seemed to be a firm reminder of the power he and the others were able to wield.
Remaining hopeful with the soldiers he still had, he determined, "We'll be able to hold. We even have one of the heroes on our side now."
This assumption earned a few confused glances before Mayumi asked, "You already want to see if Jewel is going to stick with us?"
Shinji stayed committed to his announcement as he told her, "Misato had a chance to prove herself today. She should to."
This suggestion caught Jewel's attention while she was still held to the ground. She made it clear to everyone that she wanted to be spared but only now understood what doing so would cost. The best chance to survive was in front of her but it would come with a new set of demands she would have to live by.
Without an army and only her captors as allies, she was talked with proving herself. It was a position that filled her with both a sense of dread and humiliation. From a former ruler to that of a soldier to stand by her master.
Recognizing these were the stairs at hand, Jewel finally accepted, "If you want me... Then I will prove my worthiness to you... Overlord Shinji."
The succubi who held her to the ground let her go while Akane held up the twin swords that Jewel dropped. There were few times in her life she was reluctant to take anything but Jewel knew what was at stake now. The task of casting away the life she had and preparing to give way to a new one. One of servitude but with the most valuable possession she could have asked for: her life.
Shinji made his way to Phanton ordering, "You and the others keep watch over her. Make sure that she actually is fighting for us now."
Phanton agreed, "That will be easy."
Keeping hold of her swords, Jewel prepared to prove herself announcing, "Taking on little guys might be pretty easy actually. Especially if these ladies are all here to shield me."
Ai warned against the way of thinking, "Don't get cozy thinking you're safe out there."
Pollyanne added to the conditions that were laid out, "If anything, we're keeping you from getting the chance to show how strong you are. So you better be ready to put out a lot of your strength out there if you don't want to be seen as a nuisance."
It was not a pleasant situation now that the air of battle was about to blanket the field. Despite everything going against her, she was able to negotiate with the overlord to spare her life if only for a while. Now she had a new expectation upon her in making sure she would not be just some dead weight who would not weigh down the budding ruler of this world.
Not since her first call to adventure so long ago did Jewel find herself so uncertain about what she was going to achieve. Even all of the strength she accumulated so long ago would never be able to stand up against the accumulated strength of the empire or the force that Shinji was able to muster. Seeing where she was now made her realize she was right in the middle of a massive change in the world and left wondering what she would be able to take for herself when it was all over.
Phanton seemed to recognize this as she asked her, "Do you already regret your decision? I know your new master is certainly smaller than your slain beloved but I cannot imagine you would miss him that much."
There were few times Jewel felt she could boast with her honesty but saw this moment as one example scoffing, "On the contrary. Shinji actually lifted a huge dead weight off my shoulders. Kahn has always been so bothersome as far as his obsession with me."
Such a dismissal interested Phanton before she suggested, "Even better then. Perhaps before long you will find yourself in his bedchambers after all."
The idea already enticed Jewel. There was no time for her to say it outright, but she could not say Shinji was a bad new choice for her at all. She could even already imagine herself being pinned down by him in bed and being totally ravished by him.
She could not imagine how she wanted this to be the case already. She told the truth about losing Kahn, but she did not think she would want to move on to another man already. Then again, the circumstances that were supposed to be around Shinji did not seem far off either.
A chance to be at a seat of power and she would not even have to raise her swords in an ongoing war against anything was an enticing proposal. She might be under the servitude of the thing she was supposed to stand against but it was not an opportunity her past self would have denied eirher. The previous overlord certainly did not have any interest in having a woman at his side, let alone the harem Shinji had made for himself.
There was much that Jewel would have to discover about Shinji in her future service to him but for now could determine, "Well... Worse things could happen to me."
Most of his soldiers were already set to prepare themselves for the defensive position around the elven temple once the dwarven army arrives. Out of everyone, there was one member he realized was not so enthusiastic to meet the advance. Not out of fear but for a mission that she did not have a chance to fulfill.
He hoped this was as complicated as the matter got as he assured Yersia, "If we hold them off here, we will protect more of your people this way."
Yersia herself was uncertain how she should approach Shinji when it came to his personal approach. Mana gave her the idea that she would have to earn his respect before he ever even looked at her. The most she had to do right now was make sure that she could prove herself loyal to his cause. A task that was already more in her favor than it was with Jewel.
Forced to accept this was what she would have to work with made Yersia reason, "I understand my lord. I am only concerned about what other motives Jewel might have."
He could try all he wanted but Shinji was forced to remember that he was still in command of an army. It took more than just comprehending what made everyone find their will to fight. It took making sure they felt they fully believed in their cause as well. A reason he refused to use to his absolute advantage unlike his father.
Determined to prove that he was not like his predecessor, Shinji placed a hand on Yersia's shoulders apologizing, "I know this has to be hard for you to be okay with. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."
She could argue the assurance was misplaced and without reason. Yersia also knew the one she was serving could easily guess that she was not telling the truth about how she felt. In what little time she was fighting alongside him in battle, she could not decide if that was a benefit or not.
What she could take away from this moment was that Shinji still had the intention to make her feel as though she was a legitimate part of this gathering he had formed. She had to regain a newfound sense of motivation if she was going to repay him and everyone who wanted her to have a place at their side. More importantly make sure that she would be able to solve the greatest concern that was eating away at her right now.
Finally confident in the newfound conviction she had for the cause, Yersia changed her focus to another part of the upcoming battle ahead of her, "I am trying all I can to keep myself from not being drawn away from this. She is hardly even the worst individual I could be fighting alongside. I have a greater concern that I have to deal with now."
This idea caught Shinji's attention before he asked, "You think they're coming to take more from this forest?"
Yersia confirmed this was her greatest concern, "If they have already taken the statue, there must be more of them nearby having made their stand against the enemy."
Shinji recognized what was both a chance to allow Yersia to fulfill a new purpose on the field as well as take her mind off worrying about Jewel as he ordered, "Your people are supposed to be around here. See if you can gather them. Make them understand they might have to fight for their lives."
Yersia was taken aback by the offer as she asked, "You are sure that is a good idea? Don't you need everyone at your side?"
Determined to make sure she was prepared for the possible alarm ahead of her, Shinji assured, "We can handle ourselves. We'll just trust you to show up and assist when we really need you."
Yersia prepeared to make her way for the inner depths of the forest as she accepted, "I will."
Before she could leave, Shinji gave another order, "Ayanami, send some of the runners to escort Yersia. Make sure they all have a distance between each other to send her news of we desperately need her assistance."
Ayanami understood the plan before turning to her sisters to instruct, "You heard him. Make sure Yersia returns to us unharmed."
Pleased to hear she would have support, Yersia thanked, "I will not disappoint any of you."
Golding stood before his father announcing, "My lord, we have it."
Goldo looked at the statue in reverence at what his men had taken. Before him was the most sacred piece of elven icons. The stout Mother Goddess that birthed the world itself. All of it in bright shining gold.
Grinning at the prize he had taken, Goldo leveled his hands above it while coveting the prize he managed to steal from the creatures he was at war with. A creation made entirely out of gold was on its own enough to excite him. The other corners of his mind that were forced to consider the strategic advantage he had gained was another matter altogether.
Stepping away from the statue, Goldo praised, "You have done well my son. Now the elves will have no choice but to face us."
This possibility created a brief silence between the two before Golding recalled the plan, "We eradicate the last of the resistance and then we enslave the rest."
Turning to see his son kneeling before him, Goldo agreed, "I hoped you would have greater bloodlust... but perhaps your idea is more practical for our people."
One of the soldiers made his way to the two reporting, "Forgive my intrusion my lords. We have received reports of the movement of the enemy. They have held back out assault, but they appear to be retreating back to their stronghold."
This guess about the recent movement made Goldo shake his head correcting, "Retreating is it? You give them too little credit soldier. They want to lure us out. They believe we are so desperate to face them now that we will send out our forces this instant and give them the advantage."
It was clear to Golding what his father was considering as he evaluated this recent action. He could not say that he was pleased with the decision though. The possibility of defeating the enemy in a final swoop without Oberon to worry about was too enticing for him to deny. His father was willing to look at this opportunity and for now seemed more content with allowing two people he was supposed to consider his allies as recent casualties.
Realizing this was what his father was planning made Golding ask, "Is not responding supposed to be our way to answer their attack?"
Goldo smiled before reasoning, "It is a greater opportunity for us. The remaining elves all know what is waiting for them now. And we have the object of their worship. This new overlord is granting us the greatest favor we could have asked for."
It took only a few seconds before Golding realized the intent behind his father's greater scheme, "He rallies them to form a new resistance and we are saved the trouble of drawing them out of hiding."
Goldo confirmed this was his plan, "Once they have all been gathered, then we crush them with ourselves."
The soldier that gave the report asked, "Shall I really the others to gather under the banners then my lord?"
Goldo dismissed him, "I wanted it done sooner. Do it now and send all of my generals here so that I can command them."
The king and prince were left to themselves as they prepared for the final moment that would determine their stand against Shinji and his servants. Just the implication that they were able to stand against Kahn and Jewel was enough to give them an idea of how close they were to accomplishing their conquest. Comprehending the very idea that someone was capable of challenging those who saved this world left an impression on both father and son as they continued to imagine what was waiting for them.
Golding turned to see his father waiting for an observation from him before admitting, "We have been giving this overlord more time to breathe then I sure would have liked. Perhaps it is just the anticipation of facing him that is getting to me."
He was thankful Goldo did not have anything spiteful to say in response but was not any more assured as he was told, "This man and his servants are more powerful than we might have imagined. The fact there is not a greater uprising against his rule leaves me to wonder what he has achieved."
Trying to comprehend how there was so little resistance made Golding conclude, "This either means he is slaughtering so many that there are none who can oppose him or the people might actually prefer his reign."
It was easy for Goldo to hear the fear his son had in either possibility but maintained the hold of command he had over him by reminding, "Do not let such thoughts distract you. That is only the beginning of your defeat. You held me up as the greatest hero this land would ever have once. I only ask you hold on to that aspiration."
The darkest hour was always alluded to on days like these. When a hero was given a great challenge that made them wonder if all they fought for would be in vain or not. Golding found himself in what seemed to be that moment and his father wanted his conviction to be proven meaningful.
Prepared to make his way to the field, Golding agreed, "I shall be out there to lead our people myself if I have to. The enemy is strong. It is only my hope they are a challenge."
Goldo allowed his son to leave his tent assured that he now had his absolute confidence. It was the best state he could have asked for in any of his men in such a crucial hour. It was also the perfect moment that allowed him to savor the victory he believed was all but assured.
Turning to see the statue of the Mother Goddess he earned as his prize, he told himself, "Better men? Better odds? What more could I have asked for? Oh I will be the unquestioned ruler of this land. I will be the greatest ruler there ever was. More importantly... I will have a hand over all the gold I can ever want. As the great champion standing against a mighty empire and the liberator of free people... With a rightful claim to all the gold this world may have... And not even you, my old wizard friend, are going to stand in my way."