亚洲综合中美

Whein and the frustrated Kirth were separated. They felt the raw strength of the guards, who, without so much a semblance of pity, rushed with curled fists. It was no pleasant sight to see – someone’s eye could have been taken out. A feeling of edginess remained.

“Has your side settled?”

“Yes,” Whein cleared his throat, “-Kirth’s actions were unforgivable.”

So, the conversation continued. Igna took a reserved attitude after the outburst, the opposition grew more conversational; sometimes dropping into meaningless rants. Whein’s nervous chuckle and ‘all-over-the-place,’ stares were quite amusing as commented by Frederick.

“My liege,” said the pope, Igna’s waning interest sparked. A glance to the side showed Kirth gagged and bound at a guard’s feet. ‘-Poor puppy,’ he shook his head mildly, “-Whein, we’re past the point of no return. The last incident,” he brought what they didn’t want to confront.

“The king’s going there?”

.....

“Hush it, Frederick, I want to listen.”

“-as was proven to my council and I, has placed a label of insubordination. We afforded politeness and courtesy, we granted ardent warriors their due in respect. Like us, your soldiers are heroes to their own merit. I think highly of them,” he begrudgingly eyed Whein, “-the leaders, not so much.”

“Please, king, do not be brash in your decision,” he intervened hastily, “-we don’t want further escalation. Our side has suffered enough, please, I beg of you, reconsider!” came a sincere plead for mercy. Igna made no gestures for relaxation, the tension stacked and stacked – standing on a foundation of incertitude, the house of cards would crash at any time. Whein’s gestures equaled that of a child who knew he had done wrong, Igna’s presence of authority added a sense of deep despair. Sweat, the usual tells of nervousness – Whein exhibited the traits openly to the frustrated dismay of a helpless Kirth.

“No more,” Igna rose his voice, “-Kirth has surrendered his right to a fair trial. I order for his action to be paid, the punishment,” he horned onto Whein, “-will be decided by you. We will take into account the severity of thy decision and how we will proceed. Tis obvious what we must do. Still, I offer an opportunity to gain our belief,” he shifted onto Carrigan. The pope followed on Whein, “-a fifteen-minute recess.” The meeting paused, leaving Whein in a predicament beyond his ability.

‘Come on Whein,’ Kirth gritted, trying his best to signal his partner, ‘-don’t take the bait, it’s part of Igna’s plot. WHEIN, COME ON!’ no luck, the man waited deep in thought feeling the weight of an entire empire’s fate on his shoulder. Yian-Dho and Konak’s representative wasn’t much help either, for they whispered passive-aggressive comments and left the room.

“Classic,” Elixia approached Igna, “-master, tis a masterclass in getting your way.”

He rose his index, “-I’ve only started. Don’t think I didn’t notice the mumbles between you and Frederick. Keep the whispers quieter next time – having a step-by-step comment on my thought and actions is weird, even for me,” he ambled into the quiet conference room. Kirth was yet defeated. Still, the solitude of not being heard rendered the process more difficult.

Igna untied the gag to a deep exhale, “-must be fun to see me suffer.”

“You were suffering?” he stared emotionlessly. Only then, as the Devil gazed upon Kirth’s defiance, did he understand the meaning of terror. The coldness on his visage, the way he looked, ‘-he doesn’t see me like a human... anything of that matter. Suffering and woe are nothing, he shrugs off matters we place on pedestals. I’m scared... I’m scared?’

“Krith, how’s the reincarnation.”

The face widened blankly, “...”

“I’m right. You’re not of this world. You chose to retain your memories and carry overpowers that might be useful in this world. Sadly, the place the gods sent your soul is not the same as is told in your world’s literature. Welcome to Dimension Orin. The place of your demise,” he crouched, “-your fate is being decided by your comrades as we speak. I hope you had fun, there won’t be retries. For there is only despair and ultimately, death. Here’s my prediction, they’ll beg for lif- no, never. Your life will be the token that saves them. I wish I could feel bad... you’re nothing but a pawn – like all of us, we’re pawns to our destiny,” he inched and settled at Kirth’s side, “-care for a cigarette?”

“Didn’t you openly threaten me?”

“Oh, someone thinks highly of himself,” he puffed, “-a smoke at last,” and extended the box, “-you will take one.”

Kirth agreed and puffed, “-I want to go home...”

“Why are you in Orin anyway?”

“I died,” the fa?ade dropped, “-my life home was pretty nice. I had a good career ahead of me, my parents were rich and I was courting the best woman I had ever seen. My generation didn’t live to see war, our forefathers loved butchering. I awoke one day in space. A soft-spoken goddess said I was chosen to deliver your world from its oppressors. Man, I was mad, I wanted to know how I died, but no, it never happened. She sealed her lips and forced a chance for success in this world. I had nothing to lose, you know? I was already dead. What’s the point anyway? So, I swallowed my pride and embraced it. Success in Orin, are you kidding me? I came to life in a small hobbit, my parents were poor and druggies. I was sold to the church and was forced to bow to Lucifer’s teachings. I hated every moment of it, I hated it so much I wanted destruction. The opportunity presented itself and I went for it, I became a member of the Revolutionist faction, and the rest is history. I was appointed leader after having served the faction my entire life. Then today,” he puffed, “-I was invited... I know deep down my head is going to be claimed,” he exhaled, “-might I ask for a favor?”

“Depends.”

“If I’m to die, I want you to kill me. I rather die by your hand than the bullshit of this god-forsaken world.”

A cacophony of footsteps rushed the entrance. The participants settled, and the pope took his post. “Where have you been?” whispered Essin.

“Quite an impatient tone,” he said over his shoulder, “-did Whein offer to settle?”

“This is no courthouse.”

“It is, fundamentally, the negotiations are a trial for damages. What did Whein offer?”

“He said he’ll give us Kirth and any demands we might make. He asks for the safety of the Desok alliance, they don’t want to lose more lands.”

“Is that so?” observation revealed, ‘-Yian-Dho and Konak are colluding. I can’t guess what they wish to gain, well, there’s no point guessing what they can’t have,’ he motioned at Essin, the emperor inched, “-can you quote him?”

“On what part?”

“his demands.”

“The Desok Alliance wishes for the safety of her and her people.”

“Interesting. Sound like there’s more to uncover.”

“All in attendance,” Carrigan thundered, “-we shall resume the conference.” Attention narrowed on Whein.

“Care to reveal the decision?”

“We have decided Kirth’s fate is best handed to you, majesty. We are ill-equipped to decide the fate of a man who stood as our ally. Our perception is warped, we request for Emperor Essin to decide the man’s punishment for it is his imperial majesty’s whose land was sullied by the Revolution.”

‘Seems Whein is back on his feet,’ Igna rose his hand, “-fair assessment. I’m disappointed. Emperor Essin.”

“It is true the Revolution’s action have defiled the Wracian Empire beyond repair. A tough road stretch before us. According to Imperial law, Treason or conspiracy for Treason is dealt with the Death Penalty.”

Krith’s head dropped, the opposition abandoned one of their own, “-Emperor Essin has spoken,” Igna stood, “-Kirth is hereby sentenced to death,” and vaulted over the desk. Death’s shadow prominently ambled, his shadow cast a dark veil over Kirth’s helpless sight. “To honor Kirth’s request, I will be the executor,” Orenmir materialized in his left hand, “-may thy death carry thy soul to salvation,” he swung and sheathed, blood splattered against the wall diagonally upward. Kirth’s lifeless body fell. Igna turned at the crowd, “-take him away,” he clapped, “-Pope Carrigan, we may need a few minutes to clean.” Thus, another recess was called.

“What now?”

“Watch.”

The conference resumed. The scent of blood lingered as did its imprint. Fear grabbed their hearts, it was no coincidence he killed Kirth before them, “-why did he have to do it here?”

“I don’t know,” returned Elixia, “-for once, I don’t get the merit in showing the opposition that side of him. Master began a good rapport, what’s the motive here?”

“Lady Elixia is interested,” winked Frederick, she tightened her jaw.

“Whein,” echoed the king, “-tis about time we bring the negotiations to an end. My demands are as follows; we keep the lands we hold. Estral is annexed by the Wracian Empire. Elendor is split and shared between King Juvey and Ezel. Hidros will take compensation equal to the damage we incurred. Is that acceptable?”

Yian-Dho’s representative stood, “-majesty, paying for damages will leave our factions ruined. Estral also had a part in killing your forces, why are they not condemned?”

“They have proved their worth. Following my previous demand, Konak will sign a contract banning military development.”

Konak’s representative echoed, “-unacceptable! I can’t think of anything worse for our province. Majesty, surely thee knows of how brutal our nati-”

“I won’t take no for an answer. Whein, I am only asking to keep what our nation won in conquest. Besides, Hidros’ not taking land, we don’t care to increase our influence. The damage has been done.”

‘Taking money from Yian-Dho and suppressing Konak’s military. I was right to trust in the king. My intent, he read it.’ Bickeringly followed – Igna and Whein made clear their motives, “-as representative of the Desok Alliance, seeing to the granted authority, accept Hidros’ terms.”

“Good,” he smiled, “-what about you?”

“The Desok alliance wishes to found an international organization focused on war prevention. To said end, we’re willing to conform to any practice...”

“Yian-Dho will not join such an organization.”

“Neither will Konak,” firmed the representatives.

Whein looked unphased, “-Yian-Dho and Konak are duty bound to obey my orders. Shall I take the matter to the senate?” they silenced at the mention, “-king Igna.”

“The foundation of an international organization for peace,” he scanned, “-such an endeavor takes time. It will have to be discussed by our allies. Expect an answer in the coming months.”

“So be it,” they shook hands and signed formal contracts and treaties. Hunched shoulders left the castle grounds into state-owned vehicles. A banquette served much entertainment inside – war had officially ended. King Igna made himself scared and chose to sip tea overlooking the terrace. ‘Kirth, a strange fellow.’

“Master.”

“Elixia and Frederick.”

“My apologies, king Igna, I need to know why the negotiations ended so anticlimactically.”

“It looked easy,” commented Elixia.

“Looked easy,” he sipped, “-honestly.”

“Don’t insult the king,” interjected Essin, “-what we saw was a masterclass of taking control. It looked easy from the sidelines; such is the mastery of any skill, for when a true master comes, the hardest of tricks will look simple to the layman. I must ask, Igna, I was under the impression that you’d leave on a bang.”

“I did,” he gulped and rested the glass, “-I took Yian-Dho’s financial ability and Konak’s military. They were the ones standing in our way. Peace can be officialized. Emperor Essin, I hope Iqeavea and Hidros will forge a new path to the world ahead. Hidros has many allies who trust in us and not in Iqeavea. You have a difficult road ahead. Look to Juvey and Ezel for aid; warlords as they are, they understand the importance of peace.”

“What about Hidros, what do we get from the trade?”

“We get a powerful ally,” he smiled, “-a united front in Iqeavea,” he spotted éclair and waved, the prime ministers hastily answered the call.

“Majesty?”

“Word of warning. Beware of the Church. Markus’s attempts to reclaim Alphia will end in tragedy,” speaking of him, the man overheard and approached.

“Majesty, are you?”

“Markus, you need to be careful. Make use of the connections made today – I promised I would help... taking Alphia with my aid won’t mean much. You must do it on your own. The people here are most competent. Good luck,” he walked straight through the crowd, the king’s last act as head-of-state secured the world’s unforeseeable future. ‘-Engratse, here I come.’