CHAPTER 809: CHAPTER 809 - COMFORTABLE?

A little surprised at their minimal hesitation, Erik cocked an eyebrow curiously. Suppressing a smirk, he lifted his head and looked around the area. Due to the city’s ancient, higher-ranking origins, the fighting had barely left a few scratches on its surface.

Some spots were a little blackened with soot, especially the spot they at now, but the buildings still stood tall. At some point since the battle ended, large groups of the city’s defenders had started to gather in, around, and on top of these buildings. Now, these men and women looked at the scene in the centre of the city with parts gratitude, discomfort, and uncertainty.

On the one hand, news of Erik’s intervention with both Gabriel and the explosion that followed his defeat had spread throughout the city, so these people felt undeniable gratitude. On the other hand, the powerful, independent leaders who’d kept them alive and prosperous since the awakening were now kneeling in front of a foreign stranger.

The Erik didn’t exactly look like an emperor while only dressed in a pair of pants did not take away from the scene. No one even noticed his clothing.

Erik recognised their gazes, but knew there was no way to lessen their worries right now. Yet, he believed they’d all come around by the time the improvements he’d brought to Enkare Nkai hit these new lands.

Having made them wait for several seconds in silence, Erik finally looked down at the trio again, calmly. "There’s no shame in submission to save the life of yourself, your people, and your way of life, so long as your bottom line remains intact. I’m glad you three realise this."

Imperiously, he lifted a hand and, using aetherium, pushed the trio back to their feet. "Anyway, I appreciate the gesture, but I don’t need you to remain down there. You remain third-rankers, and this is still your territory—even if you now rule it in my name."

Using basic aetherium manipulation like this was far from enough to forcefully move third-rankers like them, but they got the message and didn’t resist. Back on their feet, they all looked at Erik a little sheepishly, even the usually-cold Nasir was no exception.

"So... what now?" Zahra finally asked, a little wryly, and fidgety with her fingers.

Smiling, Erik glanced at Elora. "First, I think my beloved here has something to remove, since there’s not really a need for it anymore. As promised before, now that you’ve become my subjects, all past crimes are forgiven."

The vindictive fairy next to him snorted reluctantly. "Hmpf, you can consider yourself lucky for his honour. Were it up to me, I’d take the opportunity to punish all three of you."

That was only partially true. She truly was vindictive, and a part of of her wanted to do just that, but she recognised the need to forgo such things. The reason she still said it was purely because of their usual good-cop, bad-cop routine.

Before the trio could respond, Elora waved her hand and dissolved the sigil inscribed on Zahra’s back, which previously allowed them to cut her power whenever they liked.

The moment was a bit of a shock for Zahra. The sigil’s existence was always in the back of her mind, but she never actively thought about it anymore, and the events of today had actually made her completely forget about it.

Whether the constant, subconscious knowledge that Erik could pull her power if she misbehaved—which she’d been living under for the past five to six weeks—had any long-term effect on her psyche, only time would tell.

Though, perhaps she already knew.

"Ugh..." she groaned, staggering back a little as she grabbed her head. Nasir and Zohran quickly supported her shoulder, looking wearily at Erik and Elora. Zahra quickly explained what happened, however.

"Thank you..." she muttered in a strange tone, rubbing the back of her neck as she looked at her new rulers. Her clear irises were of a light red colour, a distinct difference from a vampire’s deep crimson or the bright red of corruption. Her colour was likely more a consequence of her affinity, or something else yet unknown.

Regardless, it was a colour that fit well with her long, braided black hair, smooth brown skin, and soft features. Erik noticed some hints of barely concealed, shy reverence in her eyes when she looked at him.

’Is that because I saved her?’ he wondered curiously in his mind, yet also quickly moved on. His interest in Zahra currently was no more than basic lust for a beautiful woman, and he usually needed more before deciding to pursue someone either as a wife or servant.

So, he simply nodded in response to her gratitude, then waved at their surroundings. "Next, you three should go take care of whatever you need to take care off regarding the aftermath of this battle."

He casually pointed over at the palace that he’d visited not long ago. "Meanwhile, the four of us will be over there, waiting for you. Come join us when you’re done, and we can talk then."

Before they could respond, Erik already turned around. Next to him, Elora quickly shrunk herself and put herself onto his shoulder. Next, Erik stepped onto Emma’s golden disk, together with her and Astrid, before zooming off towards the palace.

Unaccustomed to being ordered around and unceremoniously left alone like this, the trio was a little taken aback at first. Still, it wasn’t long before they sighed wryly and got to work on doing exactly as he ordered. What else were they going to do, after all? Not deal with the battle’s aftermath?

***

A little over an hour later, the trio walked into the palace to find Erik and his wives in the throne room. Erik had found the throne to be extremely comfortable, and so had no hesitation in sitting down on it. On his lap sat a content Emma, leaning in his chest with her eyes closed, enjoying his presence and warmth.

Meanwhile, Astrid was eating some good food she’d found, and Elora was flying around the room inspecting whatever engravings or statues she found interesting, as this entire palace was far less austere, and thus more interesting for historical purposes, than the palace in Enkare Nkai was.

As soon as they noticed Erik, Zohran smirked and cocked an eyebrow. "Comfortable?"