Chapter 542: What Is a Man?

What did it take for a mortal to sit on an even level with the gods themselves? Rook thought that was plainly on display here, today. Argrave had proven his worth long ago. There was not some divine characteristic separating man from god—at least not in his experience, during his ascension to this so-called exalted position. Gods were as vulnerable to mortal failings as they were before. Indeed, with their sphere of influence deciding their desires, it might be said that mortal failings were more present. Oftentimes, Rook lied without reason for terrible consequence. Not even ten thousand years of introspection had cured him of that affliction.

What made a god was all merely a matter of character and power displayed during the cycle of judgment. Argrave wielded both in abundance here at this trial.

After the terms of equity for the trial were established, Argrave did not hesitate in accepting the shackles of law that bound him to the trial. The terms weren’t overly punishing—this trial was about delivering the truth, and nothing but.

“I’m going to get right out with it—rip the bandage away, so to speak.” Argrave looked at each god in turn, and Rook found himself eagerly awaiting what would be said. “I’ve been working with Sataistador, and now, we’re going to invade the Great Chu to destroy both Erlebnis and the Qircassian Coalition.”

Law’s Court was no stranger to theatrics, but the silent drama after that declaration put most of them to shame. Rook had heard many tall tales—and been a part of some, himself—but he’d seldom heard an opening to a trial more ridiculous than that one. Many of the Blackgard Union looked at the golden shackles around Argrave’s wrist binding him to the dictates they’d established. They were looking to see if they were broken, somehow. That made Rook’s day. He was certain that this conversation was going to be quite the entertaining one.

Almazora and Stout Heart Swan, who’d had dealings with Sataistador, almost made to leave immediately. The dictates of the trial made sure that they could not interrupt Argrave during his initial telling of the tale, but that didn’t stop them from leaving. It was only Argrave’s insistent voice that made them stop their trot.

“It was Sataistador that leaked out to me that the Imperial Navy of the Great Chu was coming. We met in the White Planes. I’d intended for him to be a part of the Blackgard Union, but one of my own refused and humiliated him. From there, we brokered another deal. It was to meet up in the mortal realm, to have a personal conversation.”

Everyone looked to have the same questions—had Argrave made this deal in the White Planes? Was that why he was so confident about this going according to plan? But as they were all without the right to speak, Rook watched, chuckling as all others fumed in silence. The boyish Yinther looked liable to explode from curiosity. Only Veid looked like she had the same grasp on things as Argrave did.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

“First, I will speak to practicality. All of you fear Sataistador—rightly so. I do too.” Argrave shifted in his throne, patting his chest to emphasize his heart with a sympathetic look donned on his face. He gave quite the performance—even Rook had his heart of stone moved slightly. “He’s a maniac who seems able to appear anywhere and everywhere, and the idea of him wreaking havoc through my territory gives me no small amount of stress. However, what I can be sure of is that he will most certainly try something if I cannot muster something to represent me in this war.

“As I’m sure that you all know, Emperor Ji Meng, ruler of the Great Chu, still lives. He’s in my custody, well at hand. The Great Chu has long resisted the machinations of all manner of gods. Their forces cannot be underestimated. The vast constructions they’ve built, the great magics that they’ve harnessed, are beyond any other mortal nation on this world. But the Qircassian Coalition, with the aid of Erlebnis, had managed to put their lock over the nation. Emperor Ji Meng is the key.” Argrave clenched his fist together boldly.

Rook tilted his head curiously. When, exactly, had all the gods put their eyes on this king? Sometimes it was hard to attract the attention of the gods, but from the beginning, they felt his resounding echoes. To loosen Fellhorn’s grasp over the Burnt Desert, to steal from him and give to the feeble elven gods of the Bloodwoods, to defeat the burgeoning alliance between Erlebnis and Qircassia in infancy... it was not the work of someone amateurish at this divine game of power. Was there merit to this plan? He listened closely as Argrave proceeded.

“If we, together, can get Ji Meng in place at the head of the Great Chu, we can defend against all comers—Sataistador, Qircassia, Erlebnis, it doesn’t matter. The Great Chu has done it before, as I’m sure you know. And with us at its back, your reach can extend beyond Vasquer. You can tap into the most fertile lands in all the world. And best yet, if we succeed, we may go further yet to grasp the whole world of divinity in our hands, if only for this one cycle. That is the practical.”

Argrave fixed him with a steady-eyed gaze, and Rook knew that the king already had an answer. “The Smiling Raven was once a man known as Raven. Erlebnis warped him and twisted him into something dark and inhuman, and as a result, Raven broke, becoming what some of you here remember. There’s another key detail—Erlebnis might be capable of making the Smiling Raven emerge again.”

Rook grinned. The king was deftly keeping the subject on the Smiling Raven, and away from his weak point—Sataistador.

Law almost looked dissatisfied in his emotionless shell of metal, but his question was asked. Next came Almazora.

“How could Erlebnis create the Smiling Raven again?”

“Raven’s still alive, that’s how, and he still has all of his powers. Erlebnis kept the body of the Smiling Raven in his vault.”

Argrave fiddled with the black stone hanging from his neck. It seemed a nervous tick—but the answer seemed fairly ironclad. Rook leaned in curiously.

Yinther was called upon next, and he asked, “Where is Raven now?”

“I don’t know,” Argrave said simply. Rook thought he noticed a well-concealed smile, but wouldn’t bet on it. “We lacked the time to do something to the Smiling Raven’s body. We had to leave with what few spoils we had. Instead, I got this.” He held up the Ravenstone. “This came about from further research into the orb the Smiling Raven was holding. It can trap Raven. So, in essence... I nullified the problem, but not the Smiling Raven entirely.”

Rook’s turn was next. He respected Argrave’s game, but he had to get back to the issue at hand. “What arrangements have you made with Sataistador?”

“We made no agreement in the White Planes. We have a verbal agreement to destroy Erlebnis and Qircassia, but nothing more. Initially, the idea was to defeat the Qircassian Coalition when they tried to invade, then pursue and destroy them separately.” Argrave held his hands out. “Circumstances changed. Now, they siege our continent. That’s untenable. I’m well aware promises from Sataistador are worth little. Hopefully, what I’ve disclosed here today stresses why this is all-important.”

Rook was a little satisfied by that answer. At least the king had agreed to nothing. Around and around the questions went, diving at things again and again. Rook listened carefully to every word spoken, every argument had, and slowly came to a conclusion. Not about this issue, no— about Argrave.

The king was really quite good at this.

Whether the issue of Sataistador, the issue of their opponents, the issue of the reward from participating, the issue of why Gerechtigkeit would be stronger... he had an answer at hand in seconds. After hours of this rigorous dance, they made it to the last part of the trial. Sentencing. Who would stay, and who would go? Even Rook didn’t know how he’d choose.