This Insane Demon Lord wants a normal life-Chapter 31: Declaration of a State (2)

Craig’s POV

~~

I didn’t mean to do this....

But this is my only option, I was ordered by Fate to antagonize the western continent during this Summit.

I don’t know what they’re planning but if I must stay alive. I needed to be the bad guy....

I needed to do something so intense that I would make the entirety of the western continent despise me to the very core.

This was the only option for me.

But it was the right thing to do. After all, even if I chose to spare the lives of the Neztra King and his general.

He would still come for me after this Summit.

The greed of humans knows no bounds. I was once a human so I truly understand what and how it means for a human to become so greedy.

Now, whatever happens after will determine my survival.

I’ve slained a ruler of the west in front of his fellow rulers.

I’ve spilled a blood where neutrality was exist in its perfection.

I’ve broken a lot of laws within just a few minutes.

What would they do?

Will they kill me today?

That’s the question I keep asking myself but it doesn’t require matter if they truly tried to kill him.

My wives will protect me.

****

The air in the grand conference hall was heavy with tension, the weight of unspoken words and unresolved conflicts hanging like a palpable mist.

The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft creaking of wooden chairs and the faint rustle of parchment.

As the assembly waited with bated breath for the next move.

The blood of King Carrion dripped slowly, a steady rhythmic beat that seemed to match the pounding hearts.

As if the very lifeblood of the negotiations was being drained away.

A single drop of blood fell from the edge of the table, landing with a tiny splash on the stone floor.

It’s crimson hue stark against the cold, grey stone.

The mood was one of strained anticipation, the assembly holding its collective breath, as if the slightest misstep could trigger a catastrophic chain reaction.

Ramposa’s movements was swift and brief.

She returned back to her master the instant she had slained the expert level general and King Carrion.

King Ezra was triggered by such disrespect.

He slammed the table with intense pressure, tension soared through the roof.

King Ezra rose up from his seat. Glaring directly into the unfazed eyes of Craig.

"How dare you insult me child"

"Do you understand what you have done?" King Ezra questioned. His loud baritone echoed from all corners of the hall.

Everyone drifted their attention back to Craig.

Craig exhaled a soft sigh. He cleared his throat afterwards.

"My apologies King Ezra. I’m sorry if you found this insultive but I only gave him the necessary punishment as I deemed fit"

Craig answered.

King Ezra’s brows curled up.

"The necessity punishment?" He asked.

"Yes. This was the necessary punishment fit for a man who once tried to assasinate me, even if I’m to leave after maintaining peace"

"He would still come again. I prefer not giving my enemies a chance to strike me again" Craig explained.

"Tch"

King Ezra growled.

"So what you’re saying is that you’ll kill us if we did to become your enemies?" King Ezra asked.

"Well that would be the best thing to do but I prefer giving people a chance. The Neztra King was given that chance"

"He had the chance to assasinate me but I survived. I don’t give second chances, this is why he fell"

Craig stated.

"But I’m not here for violent or wars. I came here to introduce the latest Kingdom I created to the west"

Craig added.

He sighed softly.

"I’ll be taking my leave soon but before I do. I’ll be explaining a few things to everyone’s understanding"

"My Kingdom borders the east and the west. And it will be opened to the two continents, creatures of the east can come"

"Elves, fairies and dwarves will be welcomed to my kingdom and so will be humans from the west"

"Since my nation maintains the path which leads to the Valley of Esorok and the Great Evil Forest of Nahumbai"

"We’ll also take a share in the dungeon clearing and portions of Starlight Stones as well"

Craig explained.

He knew his words made them uncomfortable and unstable and yet he could barely care about that.

His wives were on high alert.

Especially Ramposa whose hatred for humans grew rampant.

Craig continued....

"Since the path has been claimed by my nation and it’s owned by us. Crossing will demand fees and taxes"

"We’ll also be selling artifacts which will be gotten from the dungeons. I plan on creating the biggest market to ever exist"

"A market capable of selling anything and everything. While also maintaining and keeping the buyer’s informations a secret"

"And both the west, the south and the northern continents will be free to trade"

"Isn’t it perfect?" Craig asked.

King Ezra’s eyes twitched, he clenched his fist. Boiling intensely with rage but he calmed himself down.

"Why would you tax us for a path we have always made use of since the very beginning?" King Ezra asked.

Craig’s lip curled up into a knowing grin.

He giggled softly, still maintaining his fake smiles.

"Well it’s not my fault is it? Since the land is officially mine now, I guess I’ll have to charge you guys for it"

"Since we’ve discussed all we needed to discuss in this place. I should take my leave now"

Craig declared.

"You fucking....."

King Ezra was about to crash out when Arthur held him back. Gently grabbing his dad by the left shoulder.

"Calm down dad. There’s no need to act all out"

Arthur whispered.

Craig noticed Arthur’s glance.

"What is that bastard planning?" Craig thought.

King Ezra’s brows furrowed, his head tilt backwards, facing his son.

"What’re you talking about son? This bastard is making a mockery of the western alliance. He must pay for it"

King Ezra spat out.

But Arthur remained unfazed.

"I understand your anger but like I said. There’s no need to act out, he has declared himself as a king"

"He has held the western alliance in contempt and his kingdom will have to pay the price for such actions"

"Let him go home and ponder over the destruction he’s about to bring to his people"

Arthur advised.

His words calmed the King. Craig couldn’t help but giggle softly as both figures locked eyes for the last time.

The door was opened for them and without anyone restricting their movement. They exited the conference hall.

Leaving the western rulers boiling in rage..

~~~~~~~~

[Location: Unknown]

Transcending above the realms of the game exists an otherworldly dimension. A landscape clouded with grey mists.

The sky was ablaze, a deep fiery red that seemed to pulse with an inner intensity, as if the very heavens themselves were on fire.

The crimsoned hue stretched across the horizon, a breathtaking canvas of color that seemed to glow with an otherworldly light.

And beneath the vast sky, the realm was a desolate expanse of nothingness. A vast and barren landscape void of life or feature.

Except for one towering monolith that pierced the sky like a shard of stone.

The world seemed to have been reduced to a single, singular entity.

The giant tower which stood alone, unyielding and unshakeable. A testament to the power of the unknown.

And within the tower existed a vast throne room. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The throne room was a realm of ethereal beauty, it’s wall’s shimmering with an otherworldly light that seemed to emanate from the very fabric of the stone itself.

The throne itself was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, it’s intricate carvings and filigree seeming to dance with a life of their own.

As if infused with a subtle magic.

The throne seemed to glow with a soft, pulsing light. As if it were alive and the woman seated upon it was it’s beating heart.

The woman sat regally, her form draped in flowing silks and velvets that seemed to shimmer and shine like the stars on a clear night.

Her face was hidden behind a delicate veil, it’s gossamer threads woven with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and dance in the light.

Leaving her features to the imagination.

The metallic door which leads into the throne room creaked open. Granting him access as he walked in.

Clad in sleek jet-black suit.

Recognized to be the servant of Fate who guided Craig twice during his visit to the realms of Fate.

His movements came a halt, he slowly bent to the knee.

With his head bowed before the throne and it’s ruler.

"Mother Fate....."

"Your son has come with news regarding her dearest champion" his voice echoed through the walls of the throne room.

He could never dream of lifting his head. A mere servant could never dare to look upon the beauty of his mother.

But no words were uttered from the woman sitted on the throne and he continued...

"Mother....the champion has come in contact with the Main Character of the game"

"The Adminstrators operating the Pandora system are patiently awaiting your command"

"They want to know if it’s time proceed with the storyline" the servant uttered.

For a few minutes, silence reigned absolute....

Just then a soft sigh echoed from the throne.

"Has any of the invaders been found yet?"

Her soft yet beautiful voice echoed, the servant shivered by just hearing such beautiful voice.

But he couldn’t allow himself to be distracted.

"Only a single invader has been found and he’s hidden in the western continent" the servant answered.

From the veil, one could see her eyebrows furrowing as she silently observed.

"And I believe the Main Character exist in the western continent right?" She questioned.

"Yes my lady. That includes your champion as well"

The servant answered.

"Is that so. Then I’ll make good use of my hunting dog....."

"Give the Adminstrators my permission to begin the storyline and commence the game" She gave her command.

Her lips slightly curled. For a second, there was cold silence in the air.

"Before Hades gets to find out. I must erase the invaders from his game"

"And my hunting dog will be the sword that brings them down. I’m curious to know what he’s capable of"

"After all. He was chosen by the Eternal Tree"