Somewhere in a dark room, ten chairs sat around a round table with ten candles in front of each. However only six were lit, as well as only six persons were sitting behind them.

“Taking account on what happened to Avant-Heim and there has been no answer from him, I believe our celestial member is dead, along with thousands on that island.” A shadowy person said.

“That’s not the issue! What we need to do now is to deal with that bitch Morrigan! She took my city right in front of me!” one of the six shouted in anger. A man with a tall hat, the pope Gauwyn, was a member of Sanctus. In fact, he was the leader and founder of this illusory organization.

“Holy Father, please calm down! We will find a way but now there are more pressing issues than the Empress….”

“You tell me to calm down? How dare you? If only you did your job and killed her before she could begin this foolish conquest of hers, I wouldn’t be in this state! And now you have the guts to tell me to calm down?” Gauwyn raged.

“But we already lost four of our main members. Terrick is dead and we don’t even know who did it. Chancellor Finor is murdered by that elven princess in such a suspicious manner. We lost contact with the one sent to Oros along with the hundred adventurers who came with him. And now even the celestial is presumed to be dead. I can’t help but think someone is intentionally interfering with our plan.” Another shadow said.

“Do you think that the rumors are true? That there is a new demon lord? If it is the case then it would make sense that the demons would target us members of Sanctus since we are the only ones who can stop him or her.” Such naïve thinking. These persons here, if not driven by greed, thought themselves as the guardians of the world against the demons. In most case, those types were the craziest ones as they truly believed that they were doing the right thing. And sometimes the right thing could have a whole different meaning, depending on how nuts they were.

“…..” the sixth shadow stayed silent.

“Yes that must be it. That bitch Morrigan must be in cahoots with the demon lord. Her conquest would make perfect sense considering the timing. Taking over the holy capital, the only force to defend the world from evil, she must have aimed for me the whole time. We must get rid of her right away!” the pope spoke madly.

“From what I heard, she is currently on her way back to Eisenheim. This is due to the pressure from the nobles and the rebellion, which I have planned ahead of course. She is unable to have an heir and even if she chooses someone from outside, we can always make pretense to get rid of that person. Either way she has no choice but to forfeit the throne. And if she resists, that will give us a legitimate reason to kill her.”

“This is your last chance, Svelt! You know what will happen if you fail me a second time.” Gauwyn threatened before vanishing from the room.

“He just keeps getting worse ever since that Empress took over his palace. Now I am starting to regret getting him out of there. What about you? You have been silent since the beginning.” A shadow man turned to the sixth one who has been quiet since the beginning of their conversation.

“…Nothing. We will just have to wait and see!”

* * *

The Iron City of Eisenheim was the capital of Zagon, the youngest country compared to all others and there was a reason for that. A long time ago when Ceadric was the only human country, a revolution took place gathering all the slaves under Ceadric to rebel. After a hundred years civil war, Ceadric had no choice but to abandon the southern territory which later became Zagon. Therefore to the old nobles families of Ceadric, Zagon was often referred as the countries of slaves as it was created from the hands of the rebel slaves. For this very same reason, the first emperor of Zagon declared that no slavery would ever be allowed his country ever again. However just because it was a free country didn’t mean there were no problems. Like its neighbors, Zagon had a fair share of issues, especially now.

“So….” Alastor uttered in awe.

“Yes?”

“Why am I with you again?” asked the boy.

“You want me to guide you to Zagon, no? That’s exactly what I am doing.” The Zagon Empress said.

“I get that but why are we in the same horse again? Why can’t I get one for myself?”

“If you are to be my son then you should start to act like one. Coming in the city together with you on a horse would make things more believable when I announce you as my heir.” Morrigan explained.

“Now that is still under discussion. I would like to see things there for myself before I take my decision.”

“Well it doesn’t hurt if we start practice right now doesn’t it? Just indulge me!” Morrigan smiled.

“You are starting to remind me of Ikarus and Stella. Women….”

“Ikarus and Stella? Who are they?”

“They are both part of my family. Stella is a doll who has helped me and assisted me in everything since the demons took me in. Ikarus is a celestial. We used to be enemies but now….”

“But now what? Things go further?”

“I don’t know…yeah…perhaps…maybe…”

“Sounds like I should meet this Ikarus. Just for a small check.”

“What are you? My mom?”

“Maybe soon enough. By the way we have arrived at our destination!” Morrigan pointed forward.

A black wall made of steel stood on their path. Two triangular blue flags with the emblem of a white flower drifted on the high wall.

“Welcome to the Iron City of Eisenheim!”

Passing through the wall, the road went down to a valley. From there, Alastor could see the infamous black city. Made out of pure black steel found in the mines unique to Zagon and renowned for being one of the most resistant steel in the world, Eisenheim was like an invincible fortress. Thanks to this steel that was mixed in the construction of the city, there has been no severe damage from the recent catastrophes.

Yet something seemed to be going on.

“There seems to be some commotion ahead.” Alastor noticed some shouting and a crowd gathering at the entrance of the city.

“…I expected something like this…” The Empress sighed.

“We demand food to be given to the people” a farmer shouted at the guards who were stopping them to enter through the gate.

“I am telling that’s not going to happen. Rations are low and by orders of the Empress there will be no distribution for now.” The guard answered.

“But we are starving. Does the Empress not care for her people?”

“That’s not true. I knew the Empress since she was a kid. She is not the kind of person who would abandon her people like this.”

“As I have said before, this is the orders from the Empress herself. Now move out or you will have a piece of this spear!” the guard insisted.

Suddenly an arrow passed right by his head, making him almost piss himself in bewilderment. Turning back to see the one responsible, the crowd saw the army of blue knights and in the lead of them was their Empress.

“Your Majesty has returned!” the people quickly fell on their knees to greet Morrigan.

“Yes I am back! What’s this about the orders of keeping the people out?” Morrigan turned to the guard earlier. The poor guy was now trembling in fear. With the smell of piss coming from his crotch, Alastor could only feel pity for the guy. There could not be anyone more pathetic than this person right here.

“I….I….” and now he could not even speak properly.

“Open the gate! Take out the rations from our stocks and distribute to everyone who need it! NOW!” Morrigan gave her order. But before the other guard could sneak away, she put a sword on his neck. “Not you!”

With the gate opened, the people rushed in and followed the guards to receive their portion of foods. But not without kneeling and thanking their Empress. It seemed that not everyone belonged to the rebellion after all.

With everyone out of the way, Morrigan could now finally turn her attention to the guard who has been frozen since earlier.

“Now who gave you that order?”

“Please forgive Your Highness! I….I….”

“You what?”

“I can’t say it…Please ….”

“…Very well! You won’t have to say anything! Let’s do this the quick way!”

All of the sudden, Morrigan grabbed the guard’s head. His eyes started become white and he fell on his knees as his body was convulsing.

“The flesh may lie but the soul doesn’t. ”

Morrigan’s hand took on a blue light. Her eyes reflected a series of images, the memories of the guard: his life, his parents, how he ended up in this job, his family and most importantly who told him to spread the rumors about Morrigan abandoning her people. It was because of these peoples like him that started the insurrection. But Morrigan already had an idea about who was behind this. The nobles of course and she just needed to confirm this.

After a few seconds, she released her hand; the guard fell like a rag to the ground, dead.

“Wow what did you do to him?” asked Alastor in amazement.

“Memories reside in the soul of everyone and unlike its host, soul doesn’t lie. I just need to scan through his memories to find out the one giving the order…..Minister Svelt…Just as I thought” Morrigan spoke with an infuriated tone. It seemed she had some history with this Svelt in the past.

“You have to teach me that spell!” Alastor was curious about . It was a very useful sorcery, specialized in interrogation and intelligence gathering. Unfortunately, you could only use it against people weaker than yourself.

“In time. I will need to take care of a few things first! Catrina can you bring Alastor to the inner palace? I will go to the court right away.”

“Yes, your Majesty!”

“Wait I want to take a tour first!”

“Fine. Go with him Catrina!”

With that said Morrigan left her knight and Alastor by themselves and went toward the palace with her phalanx.

“And there she goes.” Alastor said.

“Can’t you be kinder with her? Her Highness has been through a lot.” the knight Catrina said.

“So did anyone around here including me and you.”

“But she is not just anyone!!! She is the only one left in your family.”

“My family is who I choose to be with. Blood relationship is of no importance….”

“YOU….”

“…but I will try to be nice. She did treat me well after all. I am selfish but not an ungrateful bastard.” Alastor confessed. Actually the boy has started to open up to Morrigan, especially after their journey back to Zagon. Even being with the demons, Alastor had the feeling of being used just because they wanted him to become their demon lord. Compared to that, being here felt much more relaxed. He has even considered seriously becoming her adopted son, just so he could have more time here.

Alastor has also learnt of Morrigan’s incident from Catrina that caused her to be infertile. While he could not fully understand the sadness and grief of a woman who could never experience the joy of being a mother, he sympathized with her. Perhaps what he was doing, what he wanted was to provide comfort to the last member of his family.

“Can you guide me back to the palace? Where Morrigan is going.” Alastor asked.

“Why? I thought you wanted to have a tour around the city.”

“I changed my mind. Maybe later. Right now I have a mother to adopt.”

* * *

Back at the castle, Morrigan was walking to the court hall. The moment she entered the palace, she was notified that all the nobles have been assembled and waiting for her, as if they all knew she was coming back, anticipating her arrival and perhaps her downfall. Just before entering the room, she was greeted by her confidant in this den of lies.

“Your Majesty, you have returned!” minister Sinclair bowed to Morrigan. Having a big heart just like his plumb body, Sinclair was one of the last people still faithful to Morrigan.

“Are they already here?” she said.

“Svelt has eyes everywhere in the city. The moment you pass through the gate he is already informed about it. Plus, he has the ears of the council and I am afraid that this time he won’t let you get away with the same excuse as last time….” Sinclair reluctantly said. “I can’t have any word to excuse my failure, my Queen! If only I….”

“It’s alright, Sinclair! None of this is your fault. If there is anyone to blame, it’s me for let you down.”

“Please don’t say that your Majesty!”

“I am glad to have such a loyal retainer”

Morrigan opened the door of the court hall. Inside more than thirty nobles representing their regions have all gathered here, standing on two sides of the hall, giving a clear way on a blue carpet toward the iron throne. The throne was a relic made from an old Emperor of Zagon who has taken the armors and weapons of his fallen enemies and melt them in order to forge this throne.

As Morrigan was just a few steps away from the throne, a handsome man in his forties walked from the lines of nobles and bowed his head to Morrigan. Yet you could not feel the same sincerity he had compared to Catrina or Sinclair.

“Your faithful servant, Minister Svelt, greets your Majesty!”

“Long time no see, Minister Svelt! I see that you have been taking care of the palace while I am gone.” Morrigan spoke with a fake smile on her face.

“Your words are too kind, your Highness! We have all heard your achievement at Caelum. How you catch a group of harmless priests and a city without anyone capable of even defending themselves. Very….diplomatic!” Svelt grinned.

“I can also ask you all the same. Even when the people outside are starving to death as we speak, you can still keep that pretty face of yours without losing a gram. Sometimes I feel like I lose as a woman compared to such…womanliness you have.” Morrigan retorted.

For a moment, Svelt just wanted to kill the woman right in front of him. For years he had to bow before her. At first he thought he could seduce her thanks to his charm but just like right now, Morrigan always found a way to embarrass him in front of everyone.

“….As much as I want to continue our pleasant chat, I believe that you know why we are all here, your Highness!”

“You tell me. You are the one who came here first.”

“I hope you didn’t forget the promise you made in the court a few months ago: either you will marry someone here and name that person as king or you have to find an heir. The council has been very patient with you, giving you three months to think about it but so far we have seen neither of those options becoming reality.

So I ask that your Majesty, while you still have your dignity, forfeit your throne. Me and the council will take over temporarily until a rightful heir is chosen.” Svelt showed his true color.

“And I suppose that ‘rightful heir’ is you?”

“If that’s the will of the council. Please don’t change the subject your Highness! Either you give up your throne now or we will make you do it!”

The royal guards brought out their weapons. Though even with their numbers, they were no match for one like Morrigan. However if Morrigan resisted, that would mean they now had a valid reason to kill her and things might even end up with a civil war. With all the people suffering outside, a civil war would only contribute to the doom of this country. What choice did she have?

“I….”

BAM

Suddenly something pushed the door with so much force its slammed against the wall. A small figure walked inside.

“HELLO EVERYONE! I am looking for my mother. Did any of you gentlemen see her?”