78 Be a king under an Emperor (1/2)

After all the chaos and battle today, Warren wanted nothing but to get a good sleep but he was invited to the castle by Joel's employer, the mysterious black-clothed man.

”Brother what's he going to ask of us?” Loren was accompanying him to the castle with Joel leading the way.

”Whatever he asks don't deny it Warren I'm saying this as a friend” before Warren says anything to Loren Joel answered instead.

”Besides it's better to have someone powerful behind you Warren”

Joel said.

Warren could see Loren's worried face as he himself wasn't so sure about what Joel's employer is going to ask of him. After hearing about the injuries inflicted on General Hozai by the half-elf girl and the healing potions used to heal Warren's men as well as the injured soldiers, Warren had some idea about how powerful Joel's employer compared to him and his men.

Finally, the three of them reached the doors to the throne hall as Joel slowly opened the doors. Warren had no mood to enjoy the beauty of the throne hall as his eyes were locked onto the two people standing before the throne.

The moment Loren saw the half elf girl her eyes went wide in surprise and shock.

The half-elf girl wasn't beautiful in a classical way, no flowing golden curls or ivory skin but had raven black hair and bluish color eyes. She was taller than average and certainly prettier than any woman Loren ever met, she didn't wear any fancy clothes or armors but something radiated from within that rendered her irresistible to both genders. Men desired her and women courted her friendship.

Unlike Loren, Warren was amazed by the powerful aura radiating from the man before the throne. He had black shoulder-length hair, which was thick and lustrous. His eyes were a mesmerizing dark sky black. His face was expressionless, strong, and defined, his features were like molded from granite.

He wore a set of black shiny armor as the shoulder plates were fairly rounded, very wide. They were decorated with a dragon's head on each side.

The upper arms were protected by rounded, half covering rerebraces which sit nicely under the shoulder plates. The lower arms were covered by vambraces that have a row of long, curved spikes on the outer sides.

The breastplate looked like it was made from a couple of layers of carefully crafted leather, mimicking dragon scales as the upper legs were covered by pointed, layered leather cuisses and the lower legs were protected by leather shin guards which have layers of crafted leather, mimicking dragon scales as the breastplate. Thick leather pants were worn beneath this all.

”My lord” Joel said as he went to kneel but stopped by Don in a midway.

While Warren and Loren stood awkwardly without knowing whether to bow or kneel.

”So Warren how's everything outside?” Don asked.

”Its uh many building were destroyed by the fire and fortunately we didn't suffer many casualties just a few thanks to your people”

”Good we will provide all the help you need but you have to do something for me” Don said and retrieved a scroll from his space ring.

”I want you to pledge your loyalty to me and rule this kingdom in my stead”

The words struck Warren and Loren like a thunderbolt. Even though Warren knew that he was the one who helped him feed all his people and helped their kingdom avert a disaster, Warren couldn't get himself to pledge his loyalty to a mysterious youth and the biggest shock was to him that he was asked to rule this kingdom.

Warren was a soldier so he realized that Emir has now become powerless and leaderless as anyone had the power could conquer them without much effort.

”Don't think too much Warren if you don't do it someone else would and I have many people who will happily accept such offer”

Don calmly said.

”But why us? You just said you have many of your own people who would accept this” Don was a little surprised to hear Warren's sister speaking before Warren.

”Its because you born and raised here in Emir, your people won't accept me as their king for them we are outsiders but if their king is someone who they trust and that someone bends their knee to me they will follow their king without any doubts” Don paused for a moment to let the information sink into Warren and Loren.

”Read this” as Don said he sent the scroll flying towards the both of them.

Seeing the scroll floating before them Warren slowly grabbed the scroll and opened it to read the contents on it.