Chapter 252: Omake#22

The mirror shimmers in the light, the guards heaving its weight into the room, careful not to let it fall. I've invited Juri, the Marshall, because if anyone else deserves to be here to hear Asher's words then it'd be him.

And of course, I don't like arguing with him on orders, Asher has a firmer grip on the man and the rest of the city's officials, the Nobles and aristocrats whisper his name in dark corners and dread his appearance. It irks me that even with such fear of the man, I can't seem to channel it into my rule of the city.

If I did then things like this wouldn't happen. Protesting the worship of the God of Undead and Unrighteous Souls? That's asking to be turned into a fucking zombie. But the man to do the turning is far away doing Vuius knows what and I'm stuck dealing with the gutsy bastards who think it's a better idea to test me.

This isn't the first I've been filled with unbridled rage, tempted to step out there and show how ruthless of a Mage I can be, have the soldiers round them up or scatter them across the city and see how I strike each and everyone of the fools down. 

Biting my lip I shake my head and banish the rising feelings once again, it won't do me much good to rule with an iron fist, the entire point of sticking to Asher is that not only does he make a space for the Elves to live as free people, unchained and unbound, but he also brings authority and lets me bring about prosperity and love to the land.

Rubbing my temple I sigh, looking up at the giant mirror in my office. I thought I'd have an easier time transforming Aste into the city I've always dreamt it could be, the city the elves wanted it to be, I thought it'd be easier than adventuring at Asher's side like he wanted, easier than him giving me an even bigger piece of land to rule over as he once promised and easier because I've lived in the city and believed I understood its people.

But no. It's anything but easy. I barely even understand the elves. Daria, Gerin, Yelenia and all the others I laughed with of the Elven North are now slowly dispersing, lost in the city, testing their limits with my laws. Daria especially. 

And the Humans, I can't even begin with them. Even now they're the reason for this pounding headache. The only soothing part of my rule over this city, the only constituents that don't make me any trouble are the minute few Dwarves and Half-orcs lingering about the city, making quiet lives for themselves with their skills.

A hand squeezes my shoulder and I smile, lifting my head to see the Mirror is in position, "It's ready." Hastra says.

Large as my office is, the Mirror nearly scrapes the wall and is as wide as my desk. This is the magical artifact Serue, the previous Mayor stored in his vault. An excessively large communicator, long distance even with visuals. 

As it is the front, the glass is pitch black, the edges curled with silver and jewels, all of which are embedded into the brown brass frame of the thing. It looks nothing like a Mirror as is. But Asher, Anselm and Maylin saw and tested it. From their words alone I know it has to work.

Blowing up my comm ring with mana I step out from behind my desk, and move to the Mirror. On one of the edges there's an insertion for the ring, slipping it in and pouring even more mana. The Mirror trembles and hums, coming to life as the black on the front melts away and reveals a shimmering silver behind it, but still no Asher.

Letting it be, I fall back into my chair and sigh, folding my fingers. The Diviner stands with Hastra on my left with a wide grin, anticipating Asher's answer. To my left Juri stands in full garbed armour, still unsure of magic but at the mention of Asher, he gathered the best of what remained working in Aste and readied them for whatever actionable orders Asher may relay.

Squeezing my shoulder again, Hastra smiles and nods at me, reassuring me of nothing if not that this won't blow up in my face, that Asher won't give an order that undoes everything I'm working towards. Tentative as the city's balance between Humans and Elves is, I know I can make it work.

Might take a century but I've got time to uproot all the prejudices.

The shimmering silver displayed on the Mirror clears up and finally, there he is or rather, there's his bearded chin. He's talking to someone else, his eyes glowing and wisping with green mana, the image elicits a gasp from the Diviner and he prostrates himself on the floor, presumably muttering a prayer.

'Ugh, fucking disgusting.' 

I'd understand if Asher had become all powerful and undefeated, or at least undefeated to us Mages and Hunters, but he's far from it. He still shirks at the thought of facing off with Maylin. Until he can take Maylin out I don't think I'll be bowing my head any time soon.

"Asher!" I call out, he turns, looking down at us for a moment before straightening the image. 

His glowing eyes narrow at me, "This is taking quite a bit of mana, Kaylin and I'm in the middle of a rather tasking...ritual."

"Right, sorry, we have everyone gathered here. You can see us right?"

His attention is drawn away again and the image falls, privvying us to a view of his boots and the ground over where he is. 

"Asher?"

"I'll be with you in a moment, Kaylin." 

Hastra and I share a look and I shrug. The scattered movements of the image on the Mirror continues, but from the patches of rapid movements and short still ones I'm curious what he's doing over there. There are more flying people, a lot more by the looks of it, and none of them are Anselm.

'Where is Anselm?'

I'm not the only one to notice the increase, the creature he calls Panda is there with him along with the Mayor of Demme, roaring and low growling easy to hear over the loud chatter of the numerous flying people.

The image straightens again and he sighs, with his back to the people and his eyes no longer glowing he demands, "What is it?"

Clearing my throat I start, "Uh, well, to not waste your time I'll jump right into it." he nods, staring intently at me, "In pursuit of spreading your worship in Aste, the Diviner has stepped on a few toes and now I've got a large mob of people demanding it stop, screaming that Anera is-"

"Kill them all."

Blinking, my mouth hung open, I stutter,  "W-what?"

"I said kill them all, toss their bodies into the pit. They're disobedient, yeah? Well then what are you waiting for? Juri, get to it."

Juri snaps to attention and salutes, "Sir!" 

"Wa-wait! Wait just a moment Juri!" To my luck the man stops and looks, Asher fixes me with a raised eyebrow and I explain. Or try to, "You can't just kill them all, they're your citizens! A new, safe Kingdom right? They're needed for production, for the army, for...for...for the image of prosperity!"

He nods, absorbing all I've said only to say, "I'm a Necromancer Kaylin, are these people elves? I doubt they are. No elf would worship the Goddess that enslaved them in their own land. I'm not sure why you're hesitating to end this either."

"Because I don't want blood streaming in the streets of the city I rule!" I snap.

He sighs, "This is why I wanted Aren in that chair...but fine, what do you want to do? You must be calling to run an idea past me right?"

My throat is full of lumps at this, my mouth turning dry, "Uh..I thought-"

"If I may interject, Milord." The Diviner speaks, rising from the floor.

Asher turns to the man and an amused smile crawls on his lips, "Ah, Diviner, sounds like you're taking the job seriously even though it seems to be biting back."

He nods, "Yes, I am. Which is why I've thought of a solution...at least one that could work to both the Mayor's favour and yours."

"Go on."

"It's simple, we cut the head and the structure of these fools collapses, they must have sponsors to move the way they do, camped right outside for days, supplied with food even with no work. If the Mayor would show her...faith, she and I can speak to the people, tell them that all who fail to see Anera has forsaken them and all that remains is your grace will be met with punishment from your power...then I belief we can arrange something...convincing of your power."

Asher nods, humming at the Diviner's words, "You mean...something to sprouse their faith, dispel their doubts and instill fear all at the same time. Heh." He chuckles, "If I were present it would have been easy to pull off. You'll have to get creative...you know what to do, do you?"

The Diviner bows, "Yes, Milord, I do. Leave it to me and the next call will be a report of success."

"Very well, pull this off and...well, I have other plans in the works for us. Kaylin, goodluck."

With that he shuts the call and the Diviner meets me with a grin. 

'Oh dear Vuius…'