267 Crossroads

"Your Grace! You must punish them! They are enemies to the kingdom, and you have a duty to Her Majesty, your lord and sovereign." Leslie, who couldn't care less about the dhans, not knowing them. Was quick to voice his opinion. From his point of view, if Asai simply allowed them to walk away freely, the kingdom might just see him as an accomplice for doing nothing. Thus, he felt his voice and statement was mandatory.

Robin observed Asai's expression. One that was suffering from confliction.

Discord struck his mind, as he questioned whether he cared more about following his duty, his oath to the kingdom. Or more about Kozumi, someone who had been working within the shadows, like a guardian angel, helping him since his days as a kid.

However much he wanted to let bygones be bygones. As he no longer desired anymore pointless death of the people he thought of as friends or companions. His mind wandered back towards the people of his territory. The people under his protection. Mary, Annie, Clam and Gary. If he made a decision that was treasonous, not only would he be punished, but possibly even all the people under his umbrella would follow his fate.

Thus, he made his decision not in accordance to his personal desires and emotions, but for the sake of his people.

Duke Trichia stood. Towering over the kneeling party.

"Kozumi, Mizumi.

As the human Asai, I would like to have you join me in my quest to obtain peace and prosperity, but sadly even I, with all the powers and authority afforded upon me. Can not make this decision.

As Duke Trichia of the kingdom of Del Lagos. In loyal service to Her Majesty, I will sentence you two, to be punished according to the kingdom of humanity's laws. As for the ten children under your care, I will take them into my fold. I will ensure their safety, care for them, feed them and provide them education. You have my word."

The duke turned to Leslie, the sole third party. An agent of the crown, a man loyal to none other than Queen Victoria. 

"Knight Leslie.

Here are my orders to you. You will personally take the dhans back to my duchy. Pass the message to my vassal Mary, the 10 are to be treated as if they were my own. After securing their safety, according to royal law, do what you must with Kozumi and Mizumi. Take them to Her Majesty, and in respect to her authority. Queen Victoria shall have the last word on their fate."

Leslie the elf saluted as he had heard exactly what he wanted. Rather than give the credits to capturing the kingdom's enemies to some random captain at some random castle. Asai had basically given Leslie merits within the kingdom's eyes. To personally be able to present the Queen with two of their enemy nation's princesses as prisoners would no doubt mark his name in the passages of history.

With enough merit, perhaps his rewards would increase.

"Kozumi. As thanks for saving my life more than I would know. I will allow you to personally assist Leslie, in guarding and protecting the children until you reach Trichia Duchy. There, Clam, Gary and their knights will join Leslie in escorting you to Einhoren to ensure that you do not run. And if you do make any attempts of escape, then you may consider my kindness forfeit. 

I desire nothing more than to sheathe my blade. So, do not force my hand."

After handing over numerous rations, and smaller variants of the uniform to kit up all 12 dhans in Asai's military designs. Leslie promptly left with the girls. The elf was overeager to already be heading home. He couldn't believe his luck, to be dismissed by the duke so early on. He was afraid the duke would charge headfirst into enemy kingdoms, forcing him along.

Thus, now having disguised everyone in a single uniform that was recognised by the kingdom as the Duke's. And also with his royal insignia as an agent who directly serves Her Majesty. Leslie would easily bypass all security, and even if anyone did bother to check their appearances. The dhans appeared more human than the elf did to begin with.

As happy as Leslie was, to be able to gift his Queen and Master, with two enemy princesses. He did feel somewhat apologetic towards the younger 10.

kophzi

Numerous events, trials and challenges I had in mind. A lot of arks I had written up, I'm extremely tempted to skip them now.

It seems I've made the novel too serious, and readers would like it to return to its former happy go lucky style. A world where everything is easily identifiable between black and white, good and evil, friend from foe.

In university, it was literally forced down my throat, not to write characters who are 100% white. (Robin being a character who is clearly and undoubtedly white.) Also, writing villains who were 100% antagonist or 100% evil because they are so, is wrong.

A villain or antagonist who has his own motives, desires and beliefs is ideal, whilst an evil entity who is evil because people say they are, make for shit villains. Think of a demon lord/king. 

To appease both sides of the coin, I have multiple antagonists. Dacate/Dekan king is clearly 100% evil. Xian/Dhan king, is mostly evil, as he is willing to sacrifice all others, for the sake of his own people.

Queen Rima, appears evil, appearing racist and antagonistc towards the humans as a whole. However, that's not exactly it. She simply sees her race to be above all others. She doesn't particularly hate any single race, species, monster or beast.

Walter, is truly racist, as he only hates the elves. Dhans and Dekans? He wouldn't care. He only cares for the genocide of Via Marea.

Victor Del Lagos, is doing exactly what Arthur did. Following his own beliefs, doing what he believes is necessary and good for the kingdom.

Anyone watched Avatar the last airbender? Having me kill off Kozumi and Mizumi, is the same as killing off Prince Zuko. For his intentional actions of chasing Aang throughout the world, killing, slaughtering and waging war upon all civilizations that helped the avatar. 

The man was afforded redemption, and ended up being loved by all. Becoming fire lord of his nation (King)

Which is confusing for me to be honest. Throughout this website I've seen so many reviews bashing novels for being happy go lucky, how the MC gets everything on a golden platter, starting the novel at chapter 1 as a perfect god who knows everything and can see the future events, making the entire story bland, easy to predict and not worth reading etc etc.

After chapter 100+ I'm sure I made the declaration to change the novel path, because the story was dubbed childish, because pre-100 I only cared for writing smut tbh.

I don't regret changing the story path though. Rather than write a story like Overlord, or In another world with my smarthphone. Where the MC literally gets everything handed to them, as they casually stroll through the world and fuck all their opponents up with a flick of a finger. I personally find it more enjoyable to have the MC go through challenges, trials, and moral-dilemmas to build up his own self-image and beliefs.

Like one reader commented, this isn't a story where the MC travels the world collecting women like pokemon. The female characters have their own desires, needs, motives and goals.

(Anyone here played Dragon Age? You literally couldn't please all your team mates with your decisions in the game  https://youtu.be/_0CPRM7vT1A?t=108 )

Perhaps in the pursuit of pleasing the voices, I had ended up pleasing none.