Chapter 728: True Demonlord [59] (1/2)
A shared room of various holographical displays read, no reception. A dimmer hue escaped into the brighter shine of the rare Rosespire sun, ”-Queen Galienne.”
”We're off the air,” returned a softer gaze, ”-drop the formalities, Courtney.”
”Is it over?” her pure white hair rose above the somewhat tall desk.
”Yeah, and no thanks to you.”
”Come on, there's no need for animosity. I very much despise worthless talks, and this meeting is the embodiment of petty.”
”Calm it,” returned the queen, ”-the Federation's finally on way to the top, we must keep in regular contact.”
”Sure, if babysitting Easel Run Gard and running my men thin in war efforts at Elendor appeases the members, I suppose the Haggard needs to take the brunt of the backlash whilst they reap the profits.”
”Hidros and Arda are the leaders, we must show our power to inspire the lower masses.”
”We're martyrs in the conflict of global supremacy. The Cobalt Unit's joined sides with king Juvey. Phantom's forces have managed to slow their assault, same can't be said for Elendor's army, they've taken huge casualties. Who would have imagined they'd go underwater, developments on submarines far outreach ours. Phantom alone cannot carry the war effort; lady Elendor doesn't wish to acknowledge our situation.”
”The frustration's well-grounded and I totally agree. We can't do much in the wake of it all – war's the surest way to advance technology, and well, a lot of money can be made. Phantom's reaping the profits, don't pretend it doesn't benefit the company.”
”Don't misunderstand, Gallienne – the money made is sucked into the black hole of aid to the fighters. We've granted Easel Run Gard a lot of capital to restart their economy, I don't want to admit, the situation has left us exposed to uncertainty.”
”The nature of war is so; Rotherham and Arda seem to be making good progress. Condition of living has improved.”
”Rosespire's shines brighter. I'm afraid the empire and Federation are at a deadlock. Phantom back the federation, Cobalt Unit backs the Empire, our biggest buyer has switched to purchasing weapons from the Cobalt Unit instead. There goes a big chunk of the income. I'm afraid the Haggard's will have to bow out the fight sooner or later, when the day comes, Elendor will fall. The collapse can't be avoided,” a conniving air went about the room, ”-if we can't win, let's stage the downfall of her kingdom.”
”Did you really just say what I thought?” Gallienne's coldness shot at the maliciously enticing idea, ”-will it not be obvious?”
”No it wouldn't,” she smiled, ”-when the tide is against us, a gust needs be summoned the change the flow. Just so it happens, my son's returned to Hidros.”
”About him,” paused with a thoughtful expression, ”-what did he exactly accomplish in Alphia?”
”Oh, worry not,” her face kept still, ”-more information will be made available when I meet the boy.” A thud halted at the entrance and swiftly gave a tap.
”Enter,” returned they.
”I apologize for the intrusion,” bright blond hair entered, ”-my lady aunt, I have to escort thee to Rotherham, I was informed the meeting concluded?”
”You heard correctly,” kisses exchanged between the queens, ”-what we discussed is a tall order, it will require intellect, and most of all, a strong heart and nonchalantness in the face of death,” the entrance soon after closed, not after setting on the Queen's joyous expression. The walk to the car was short and uninteresting.
”-You seem rather pleased,” commented lady Courtney.
”Why would I not be?” he chuckled, ”-my lady, my cousin's returned home. Granted he's yet to show his face in Rotherham, I don't doubt there are things he must attend. In the meantime, about Malley and I's marriage, I trust we have thy blessing?”
”Yes, you do,” she smiled, ”-without a shadow of a doubt my dear nephew. Malley's a great girl, good in spirit and body, I only wish the best for the union.”
20th of December, the day Igna landed, would also be one to forever warp the foreseeable future. The time read 16:43, Julius held light-hearted chats in the company of lady Courtney. The drive outside Rosespire towards Rotherham was very often scenic on accounts of forestry, expansive landscape, and the seamless union of the railway into the wild. Midway through the drive, an explosion rattled the land, a crater remained in place of where the car used to be.
Alarms cried, the ears rang, '-what happened?' wondered Julius hung upside down, '-where's aunt Courtney?' it took effort to claw out the jumbled mess. There, upon pulling himself up from the toppled car that the situation grew apparent. High pitch buzzing eased, the vision cleared albeit hampered by the wreckage.
”We've found you!” explained mysterious robed figures, ”-wife of Hades. Our master has searched the dimensions to find thy location; is it not a fortune to have such a caring husband?” said one at the forefront, black robes and a staff made of feathers atop which rested a pair of wings.
”What are you doing here?” returned loudly, blood flowed from the temples, ”-I don't belong to the man anymore, I was killed by lord Death, isn't it apparent?”
”Not killed,” returned the black-robed one, ”-simply kidnapped. We stumbled onto the land on pure luck, such a decrepit world doesn't fancy the demon god. Tell me, will thee follow on peace or must we take, let's say violent actions?”
”Aunt?” said heavy pants, ”-I've called help, who are these people?”
”Julius, listen to me closely,” a fragment of the Death Reaper's sword manifested, ”-I'm sorry. Take this message to Igna, live a great life for both of us, mother has to take care of old matters. She'll figure a way out of the situation, enjoy the life which is to come, I consider my days spent here to be worth every bit. Remember, I'll always love you,” the sword slid, an unseen palm shoved Julius aside, he but stared, a hemisphere manifested and imploded, land and lady. A perfectly symmetrical remnant laid in the middle of the forest, '-what happened?' the distant sound of a helicopter sent the mind awry.
”See, there was no reason to fight, was there?” said a snickering tone, ”-mother, how are you?” the realm swapped.