Chapter 16

Silence seems to follow, partially because the gloating of the priest can’t be heard. He seems completely unshaken by the fact he murdered the princess. He is waving his bloody dagger at me as if to suggest that I’ll be next. The Queen breaks into tears while the King puts on a somewhat angry yet complicated expression. 

I raise my hand. I originally came here planning to not kill anyone, but this priest is seriously pushing my limits. I imagine him spontaneously combusting, and his face suddenly turns to horror as flames explode from his body. Other than the weeping of the Queen, the only other sound heard is the priest running around as flames shoot out of him.

Without the ability to scream, that turns out to be splendidly quiet. Of course, why would I let him die? He's my special friend now. He's going to remain alive for a long time. 

I craft a spell to bring Ariel back to perfect health because her sexy ass is not something I am willing to give up. Ariel is my bitch after all. She suddenly gasps, and her body sits right up. There isn't even blood and the clothing repairs, just like the movies. Magic is nice. The two  parents let out cries of relief.

“A life, for a life.” I say when I'm done bringing her back. 

She was a lot easier to bring back than a red dragon. Well, she had only been dead for seconds, and she's not even a high-level mob. This was a rather simple manner. Why didn't I stop her from being stabbed? Ah, well, there are various reasons. It feels like it would be a good bonding opportunity. Knowing she'd give her life to for me, Ariel will be more attached to me and her mother will see me differently. This also helps part two of my plan. That is, naturally, to extort her parents. 

“What is that?” The King demands.

“I have brought your daughter back to life, but in exchange, I need a life. I'm sorry, but it's to keep the balance of nature, or something...”

“Why you…”

“How about the King’s life?” I offer, a slanted smile on my face, “If you give me your soul, then the exchange will be fair.”

“No!” The King shouts. “I never agreed to anything like that! Take her life back away.”

“So, you won’t give your life for your daughter's.” I responded sadly. 

“I’m the King! I’m the most important man in this kingdom. Of course, I wouldn’t give my life!”

As Ariel recovers, her face falters, and she wears a sad expression as she hears her father’s conviction. I'm sorry, Ariel. Can't help that your dad is a douchebag. Well, it makes stealing his woman instead way easier. After all, he isn’t the only person in the room.

“Take me then.” The Queen steps forward.

“Wife, you don’t have to listen to this man!” The King shouts. “We can just sacrifice some criminal.”

“The sacrifice has to come from someone of the same blood, and it must come within the next fifteen minutes!” I make it up on the spot, feeling quite proud of myself.

The Queen nods and takes a step forward, but the King grabs at her, “Let the girl go. She’s already broken, we can just make more!”

The Queen expression turns ugly, and she gives him a hateful stare. Ah, he is practically choosing this fate for himself. It's easy when I'm on the side of morality. He looks down at her, his hand tightening. 

"You will stay by my side! That's an order!" 

"Let go of me!" She knees the King in the balls, causing him to let go. 

"Argh!" He cries out as he falls to his knees, holding his family jewels. 

Without a thought, she turns away from him and walks over to Ariel, giving me a slight, noble curtsy. “My life is yours, as long as my daughter remains safe.”

Ariel’s eyes tear up and she gives her mom a hug. Her mom breaks into tears too, the pair hugging each other. It was quite emotional. Plus their boobs are boing boinging together, and that is easy on the eyes. 

“Very well, the trade is made,” I give a nod.

“Alright then, give me back my daughter.” The King demands as he manages to get back on his feet. 

“Ariel, you are free to go wherever you want.”

“I want to stay with the hero!” she practically shouts, shooting her father a scornful look.

“What?” The king steps back. 

“Well, you heard the lady...”

"You... bastard!" The king curses. 

I wave my hand and the flames on the priest disappear like they were never there. "Hey, I gave you a vagina now." 

He still flails his hands for a few moments until he realizes he isn't on fire. He looks at his body, realizing there isn't a mark on it. 

"Wh-what?" The priest grabs his throat as he realizes he can talk again. 

"You can call it a gift. The orc cave I'm about to drop you into can get pretty rowdy, but as long as you're good breeding stock and make many babies for them, they'll probably feed you and not kill you." 

"You heath-ahhhhhh!" He fell into a portal and disappeared. 

"So, I'll be off to taste your wife. Thanks for the meal. Douche-bag." 

“Why, you son of a b-” I had already crafted a spell and teleported the four of us away.