- Tribute to Quipax
Agamemnon must pay regular tributes to Quipax in every Festival of First Flower. Those offerings must be A) Mana Stones and relics equal to a total of at least 10% of his accumulated wealth or spoils, B) Be brought by Agamemnon himself.
- Support Against Demonic Forces
Agamemnon must provide warriors, weapons, or resources to assist in the campaign against Moloch whenever called upon. Agamemnon is obligated to disclose any knowledge of Moloch’s movements, weaknesses, or plans to Poyraz or the allies of Quipax. If Agamemnon and Gargareans were attacked by demonic forces or unable to defend themselves from outer forces, Poyraz must lend his aid to them.
- Restrictions on Hostility
Agamemnon is forbidden from taking any action that directly or indirectly harms or undermines Poyraz, his allies, or his cause unless he is first attacked, preserving the alliance’s integrity.
- Equal Recognition in Victory
In the victory achieved against Moloch, Agamemnon and the Gargareans shall be granted equal recognition for their contributions. Poyraz will publicly acknowledge their valor and strength, ensuring their deeds are celebrated across the lands.
- Recognition of Sovereignty
Poyraz and Quipax formally acknowledge Agamemnon as the rightful King of the Gargareans and respect their sovereignty and traditions.
- Abolishment of Slavery
Agamemnon will free all slaves within the borders of the Gargarean lands within one year of this agreement. Furthermore, he shall outlaw the practice of slavery in any form, upholding the principles of freedom as a shared value.
- Recognicion of Whifur
Agamemnon and the Gargareans shall formally recognize the city of Whifur as a legitimate government. The Gargareans shall treat the beastkin as equals to humans in all matters, fostering peace and cooperation between their peoples.
- Duration of Geass
The Geass remains in effect until one or more parties die or until both parties mutually agree to dissolve it out of their own volition.
“I have been thinking this since we conquered Wolf King’s Tomb but Poyraz, you are really a monster.”
Blanche's words, unprovoked and coming out of nowhere surprised me so much that I nearly fell off my horse. I managed to both catch myself and not drop the geass. Nyxara who was hugging me from behind made a noise implying she was not happy with my sudden movement.
“Is that supposed to be a compliment or…?”
I asked, glancing back at her with a raised eyebrow. She looked at me with her cold blue eyes.
“It is supposed to both. I can’t tell what kind of person you are or how powerful you are. I have seen how merciful and calm you could be or how wrathful and cruel you could be. I can’t understand your past or where you came from.”
It was weird that she was this open, especially with others around. The others looked at her except Artemeni who was steering the horse both of them were riding. Yet, they didn't object or react to Blanche's words, not even ever protective Thalia. I didn’t know if this was because they knew me better and had a better idea of what or why I was doing things or if they agreed with Blanche.
“I suppose I never told you what exactly I am.”
Not that I was hiding it really. I just never directly told her.
“I am originally from another world. A world that has been destroyed. I am probably thrice your age.”
Blanche's gaze lingered on me, her sharp eyes narrowing as she absorbed my words. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and I could almost see the calculations running behind those cold blue irises.
“It sounds ridiculous but I can’t help to believe in you.”
Blanche finally said, her voice carrying a skeptical edge.
“Is that why you are…”
“Weird?”
I completed her sentence.
Blanche didn’t reply immediately but gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, her gaze piercing as ever.
“Weird, yes,” she finally said, her tone clipped yet thoughtful. “I’ve seen leaders lie, boast, and manipulate to rally their people. But you… you carry this strange duality—like a beast chained by its own will. I can never tell if you will restrain yourself or let it go. You are unpredictable.”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
I glanced at the horizon.
“I am a human too, Blanche. Isn’t it normal I would do things that contradict with each other?”
Blanche’s words reminded me how Lily and others looked at me during our fight against Nidhogg or even before that how people looked and talked about us super soldiers. Was this how things would be? Climbing so high to protect everyone, only to be alien to them? Or was the problem me? Did all that trauma and guilt finally transform me into something out of humanity’s understanding?
“You remind me of my grandfather.”
Blanche finally broke the silence.
“Except you are somewhat more unpredictable. That’s why after we reach Quipax, I wish to go on our separate ways.”
The silence that followed Blanche's words felt like a blade drawn across a whetstone. It cut through the ambient noise of hooves against the road, leaving a weight in its wake.
“We could have used someone with your skills in battle against Moloch. You will be paid handsomely, of course.”
Blanche shook her head, her eyes cold but resolute. "You are a force, Poyraz. Unpredictable and dangerous. Nobles like us don’t like things we can’t control and predict. Our entire lives depend on predicting others and moving accordingly. I already gained a respectable position in my family and I will go even higher thanks to our deal. I will not risk it by staying close to you.”
Her words were honest, even brutal, but there was no malice in them.
“I understand. Heh. This reminds me of a conversation I had with the first Champion of Aliera, Bolverk.”
The gaze of everyone turned to me curiously.
“I told him that only people who are hurt, who are discontent with how things are would adventure. I guess you are finally content with how things are, Blanche?”
Blanche’s eyes flickered with something—a hint of nostalgia, perhaps—before her features returned to their usual cold, impassive mask. “Content? Perhaps. Or maybe I’ve simply learned where I belong.”
I smiled a little.
“I see. You’ve made your decision,” I said, my tone even. “And I respect it. When we reach Quipax, you’ll go your way, and I’ll go mine. But you should know this, one day I will come to the Silverfox family. It is inevitable.”
Blanche’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, her cold demeanor softening just slightly. “I won’t stop you if you come, Poyraz. But know this—when that day comes, you may find more than you bargained for.”
Her words carried the same conviction she always spoke with, a steel resolve that reminded me why she had survived everything so far.
“Fair enough.”
The rest of the journey continued in silence, the weight of Blanche’s decision hanging over the group.
…
When we reached the gates of Quipax, the towering spires of the city loomed overhead, their intricate designs glimmering with mana-infused runes. The guards at the entrance recognized us immediately, their rigid stances softening as they saluted. Word of our deeds had traveled faster than us, it seemed.
The gates creaked open, revealing the bustling streets of a city preparing for war. Blacksmiths hammered out weapons, mages inscribed protective wards on armor, and merchants hawked supplies to soldiers and adventurers alike. It was a city on edge, bracing for the storm that was Moloch’s forces.
As we dismounted, Blanche turned to me one last time.
“I fulfilled my end of the bargain. Now, it is your turn.”
“Won’t you join the celebration? People will want to see you, one of the conquers of the dungeon.”
She shook her head.
“The sooner I go, the sooner I can help my family’s condition.”
I nodded and pulled the blood-filled bottles from my Shadow Storage. I prepared them earlier in case of something going wrong.
Blanche’s eyes flicked down to the blood-filled bottles in my hand. For a brief moment, the cold calculation in her gaze softened, replaced by a glint of gratitude—or perhaps relief. She reached out, her gloved hand brushing mine as she took them.
“Every drop of this is priceless,” she said, her voice quieter than usual. “With this, I can fulfill my promise to my family. Thank you, Poyraz.”
“No need for thanks,” I replied, my tone measured. “We both upheld our sides of the bargain. Besides, we couldn’t have conquered the dungeon without your expertise.”
Blanche’s lips twitched upward, a ghost of a smile appearing before vanishing just as quickly. Without another word, she turned and began walking toward the city’s eastern gate, her figure soon swallowed by the throng of people. She didn’t look back, and neither did I.
“Wow. You must be the first hero who got dumped by one of his concubines.”
Nyxara who surprised me by staying silent most of the road jumped on my back and clung to me like a leech as Amazon guards who came to greet us watched with confusion. I sighed.
“What were you doing during the road? I am surprised this is the first comment you made.”
I muttered, pushing her off me as she giggled mischievously.
“I was trying to sense where Moloch would pop out of. His prison is between dimensions so in theory he could tear a hole through reality wherever. Also, you smelled that mutt, right?”
I felt Nyxara’s warmth against my back as she clung to me. Despite the seemingly playful atmosphere, I couldn’t ignore the serious edge in her words.
“Moloch... between dimensions,” I repeated, rubbing my temples. “That's not reassuring at all. Every time you speak about him, it feels like the threat's more dangerous than I realized.”
“Dangerous?” Nyxara said with a smirk. “That’s an understatement. But, what you’re really not realizing is how damn hard it will be to track him down. He’s a demon king trapped in a fractured prison, which means the laws of reality twist when he breaches the edges of it. If we’re unlucky, he could appear on the other side of the continent and we wouldn’t know until it’s too late.”
Shit. If something like that happened we were boned. Moloch was weakened due to his imprisonment and that was the only edge we had over him. If he popped out in a faraway place and absorbed the souls of people…
Goddamn it.
“The mutt. Yeah, G?kb?rü noticed him. He is Interus, brother of G?kb?rü. Bastard. He hasn’t shown himself since Wolf King’s Tomb and now he is stalking us? Whatever, it was better he hadn’t shown himself when Blanche was here. They have a complicated relationship.”
I wasn’t sure why he was here out of a sudden. Did he have something to do with Moloch?
“Oh, a love triangle?”
Nyxara's voice oozed mischief as she dangled from my back, clearly entertained by the drama she could sense. The teasing tone was at odds with the subject matter, but I understood her well enough by now to know she wasn't entirely joking.
“Not quite. But it doesn’t matter now. We will go and meet the Queen. For fuck’s sake Nyxara, please behave around here.”
Nyxara seemed more excited with my frustration.
“Or what? You will spank me?”
I sighed once again.