Amelioration, p.17
Amelioration, page 17
“I must say that I would have been happy if you didn’t remember that things have changed since last you visited,” commented Bīng as she stood over the crouching Xeal.
“Sorry, but I know better than to enter any but Levina’s prison, especially as your connection with Aalin has likely thawed your heart considerably,” replied Xeal, leaving a comment about undergarments left unsaid.
“Yes, even now I can feel his influence from you. That said, what has brought you here to see me?”
“Not here to see you. Just passing through as I visit my brother-in-law and figured that it would be easier to enter this way without being noticed.”
“Oh, has he done something that has you ready to kill him?” asked Bīng maliciously.
“No, though his empire is likely to only last another decade at best, a few years at worst.”
“Good. Perhaps the next rulers of these lands will take better care to not become so high and mighty.”
“Only time will tell. Now if you will excuse me.”
“If I must, though I would like to ask you one question first.”
“Oh and that would be?”
“Why is it that you refuse to consider taking myself, or any of my sisters as a wife?”
“Bīng, could we ever be equals?”
“Equals? No, you would either find yourself dominated by us, or dominating us like you have Levina. I see, though perhaps if you can rise above even what your current quest offers it could be possible one day.”
“No, because all of you crave to either dominate, or be dominated in regard to everything. If I were to try and have such a relationship with any of you, it would become a contest for dominance every time we were intimate with each other.”
“I see. Thank you for your honesty. It has given me something to ponder in my isolation.”
With a sigh, Xeal left as he navigated the tunnels until he arrived at the door beneath the capital of the Huáng empire. Though knowing the maze that lay before him, Xeal sighed as he did his best to retrace the steps he had taken with Lingxin before. To aid in this, Xeal marked the bottom of the wall at any turn he took with chalk, such that it was on both sides. Whenever Xeal found that the path he had taken was a wrong one, he back tracked and removed half of the chalk mark from the part of the side of the wall that led down the wrong path. Thankfully, Xeal only made a few such turns and quickly found his way back to the correct path after realizing that he was going in circles. Though Xeal was just grateful that this area wasn’t a dungeon based around being a maze as he would have expected the marks he made to fade if it were.
Once Xeal had found his way to a portion of the imperial palace that he knew he would be more or less safe in, he used one of the invisibility potions that he had gained from his time in the quest world. While expensive to obtain, these potions were an item that Xeal was happy to almost monopolize as payment for the work Taya was doing. That and all the skill books that were being used by the players who were focused solely on that world were the only resources that Xeal was actively after at this stage of things. Eventually he would happily syphon off large quantities of food and natural resources to support Nium during the war, but that would be a temporary measure that Xeal would make up for. His intent was to do this by securing large amounts of consumable items that would bring benefit to those in the quest world when Xeal used them. This was mainly things like restorative potions, seeds, raw materials that he could process, or refine, into something valuable like ingots that would then be considered native to the world over there. The possibilities were endless and the only major restraint was time as Xeal doubted that he would ever have enough of it.
While Xeal was considering all of this, he was also navigating through the imperial palace as he listened to every conversation that he could. As he was doing this, Xeal also made sure to steer clear of any guards that were tier-7 as their senses would likely be sharp enough to notice him if he came too close to them. This was also why Xeal wasn’t attempting to go straight to Emperor Huáng Jin and instead was using one expensive invisibility potion after another to listen into as many conversations between the ministers as possible. Through this Xeal only learned that most of them were enjoying the harvest that they were reaping from utilizing Jingong’s players. None of them seemed to want to talk about the war that was coming and Xeal found himself feeling as if they were all part of a shared delusion that was starting to show cracks. Though Xeal couldn’t blame them as they were powerless to do anything to fix the situation and would likely focus on their own survival when the illusion finally shattered. Having decided that he had gained enough information, Xeal decided that it was time to meet with his brother-in-law after having spent the better part of the Huáng empire’s morning invisible.
To do this, Xeal simply made his way close to the throne room that Xeal had first met Emperor Huáng Jin as the effects of his invisibility potion were about to wear off. As Xeal looked at the four imperial guards that were on duty, he smiled as two of their faces were somewhat familiar. The scene that followed as they took note of his presence was as to be expected as two of them charged him while the other two stood at the ready to block him from entering the throne room. Xeal simply stood still as two spears were crossed such that they were mere millimeters from his neck as one of the guards spoke.
“You are lucky that you’re the emperor’s brother-in-law, or your head would be separated from your neck at this time. Now, how did you come this far without us detecting you and why have you come?”
“The how is something that I would be betraying Emperor Huáng by revealing to any as it is knowledge that he entrusted me with. As for why, I simply wish to visit my brother-in-law.”
“Why now and why such secrecy?”
“Simple, his sister is undertaking her tier-6 ordeal and I didn’t wish for her to know that I was visiting as she worries too much about her home and would try to accompany me.”
Xeal could see the guards thinking for a long moment before they removed their spears, though they still didn’t lower their guard as one of the two who had charged left. Meanwhile, the other two returned to a more natural position as the remaining guard next to Xeal directed him to move to the side and stand at a designated point. There Xeal stood as more than two hours passed, long after the guard had returned to his position and many ministers had passed by, giving Xeal looks ranging from curiosity to contempt. Until finally another pair of imperial guards arrived to escort Xeal to a private meeting with the emperor, as they put it. Xeal had almost wanted to make a witty retort but held back as he wasn’t in Nium where he could act with relative impunity if he desired. So he simply followed them while being cautious of the route they were taking in case a minister had decided to interfere. Though when he entered the room he was led to, Xeal was happy to find that Emperor Huáng Jin and Minister Fù were all that was awaiting him. As the door closed behind Xeal, Minister Fù was the first to speak.
“Do you have a death wish!? You have no idea how many ministers would have taken great pleasure in killing you and treating it as an accident if given the chance.”
“If you are here, I take it that you actually see the reality of things and know that I needed to come eventually. Furthermore, had I made my visit known beforehand, others would have taken action,” replied Xeal calmly.
“Be that as it may-”
“Minister Fù, it is fine. I am actually happy that Xeal acted as he did,” interjected Emperor Huáng Jin. “So tell me, what did you learn before revealing yourself?”
“Your whole court refuses to acknowledge reality, though they seem to be aware that they are lying to themselves. If I had to guess, most will flee the moment things turn for the worse and will likely already have created an escape route in a year’s time.”
“Is that really all you learned?” Minister Fù scoffed. “Anyone with half a brain would know as much if they spent a week sitting in court.”
“No, what I learned is that Jingong won’t even be enough to act as a speed bump when the other nations attack. At most you will have a year before the Huáng empire falls completely. Many of those whose lands are on the border will flip instantly to the other nations’ sides simply to survive and like dominoes, everything between here and the borders will fall. The only thing that will take any real time is the reorganization that will need to occur as the cities change allegiances, and the few governors who dare not hope for mercy and flee are captured and executed.”
“I thought you said we could last a year,” retorted Minister Fù. “The picture you paint is at best four months.”
“It will depend on if you can keep the city from betraying you as the capital can withstand a siege for at least eight months if we are talking about supplies. Though, that assumes that they decide to not attack, at which point the outer walls will fall in under a month and the palace a month later, if no further betrayals occur.”
“I know you have told me that nothing could be done before. Has that changed?” asked Emperor Huáng Jin, sounding resolved.
“Escape,” replied Xeal. “If truly none know your face, flee to Bīng’s prison and beg her to contact Aalin.”
“How will that save the city?” asked Minister Fù.
“You will claim it in your son’s name,” stated Emperor Huáng Jin. “That would be your intent at that point, correct?”
“No, I would claim it in Lingxin’s name,” corrected Xeal. “The Huáng empire would end and only this city, that would receive a new name of Lingxin’s liking, would remain intact.”
“If you could do that, then you could save the whole of our empire!” exclaimed Minister Fù.
“No, he couldn’t. Xeal can only be in one place at a time and while he could likely buy us a few weeks, or even a month, the betrayals that will come are sure to ruin us,” assessed Emperor Huáng Jin. “Though it is possible for him to hold the city if the people stood with him, or more precisely if they stood with my sister.”
“The dowry,” mumbled Minister Fù. “Just how long has she been planning this?”
“She hasn’t,” Emperor Huáng Jin almost laughed. “She actually cares about them. It is why her departure has caused issues in public order over the last few years.”
“Still, would her return really do any good?” asked Minister Fù.
“Xeal, what must we do to facilitate your plan?” asked Emperor Huáng Jin.
“For now, simple rumors that Lingxin still worries for those who live in the empire and ensuring that the rumors spread unhindered.”
“So make sure that the most hated ministers are the ones cracking down on those spreading them,” commented Minister Fù. “Hmm, if we…”
The next hour turned into an in-depth conversation, that included Minister Fù asking who Bīng was, only for Emperor Huáng Jin to answer that she was a friend of Xeal’s that had a way to get in touch with him securely. Xeal could tell that Minister Fù hadn’t bought into the story, though he dropped the subject as he instead tried to find a way that the empire could survive as a whole. Xeal simply shook his head at every idea and bribe that the man tried, until Emperor Huáng Jin called an end to the meeting and asked Minister Fù to leave him and Xeal alone. At this, Minister Fù had consented only extremely reluctantly and took his leave.
“I must say that it is a surprise to see you and to hear that Lingxin is already attempting her tier-6 ordeal,” stated Emperor Huáng Jin.
“Yes, well, you are one to talk. I see that you were successful in reaching tier-7 yourself.”
“I doubt I could have done it so easily without the mirror shards you lent me. Which I will now return as they are of little use to me now.”
At that Emperor Huáng Jin handed Xeal back the mirror shards that had been lent out.
“You know, I intend to have you go into exile in Cielo city, right?”
“No, my head will need to be given to whichever nation reaches here first, else they will not be content.”
“Your head will do nothing to stop their assault of the city. Jin, the moment you remove your veil, will anyone be able to identify you?”
“Only my harem and a few of my children.”
“Ever going to let me know just how many women that is?”
“Ha, I would need to count them first. Though, like my father’s concubines, they will never be able to leave their private quarters once they are taken by me a single time.”
“Alright, so who were you going to send to tutor Xin? I was sure it would be someone you care enough for that you would try and save them.”
“Ah, no, they are simply the son of the current historian of the empire. They are an obscure position that none of the ministers place importance on. However, they keep two histories and are not normally allowed out of the country as they know the true history and not just the one that we have written as we conquered others.”
“I see, you truly just wish for your nation to not be forgotten from history.”
“Empires rise and fall, but those who presided over them can live forever if they are not forgotten. My wish is to be remembered for trying to do what was right in the face of impossible odds. Betrayed and isolated, I continued to do what was best for my people and asked you for aid-”
“You have already written your whole story like you get to pick. Let me warn you, no man gets to decide how they will be remembered and if you let yourself be killed, I’ll ensure that you are known as a coward who lets others do the hard work.”
“Is that so. Xeal, what do you think of me and my empire?”
“Your empire needs to be relegated to history. As for you, the jury is out. All I know is my wife loves her brother and wants you to live.”
“Xeal, I murdered my own father. I sold any chance I, or my heir had to bring changes to the empire that might have saved it and made you believe that it had some good left in it. Yet worse of all, I have become the man that I despise the most and I am not even going to have the pleasure of seeing if one of my sons will kill me for it. You are right to say that I am a coward for if I wasn’t, I would have ignored your words and fought the inevitable, even if it brought upon me my own demise sooner. Once my empire ends, Lingxin and Xin will be all that remains of the recognized imperial family in this world. I apologize for the burden that will place upon you and them. It is why she must never visit me and only the faction that I have had Minister Fù create may interact with you and them.”
“Oh, and is that the Lingxin should be empress faction?” quipped Xeal.
“Close. No, it is the Bluefire faction. Put simply, it is a faction that on its surface has the goal of drawing you into our war, but in reality sees Xin as a potential heir to my throne should no other exist.”
“Great, so I am going to need to deal with fanatics from both sides even if I don’t get involved. Is there anything else you want from me before I return to Nium and mind my own business?”
“Since you asked, there is one thing. Meet with Jingong and see if you can’t help them get to where they think they should be.”
“Great, and here I thought I could just leave all of that to Kate. You are aware that I have no interest in their continued survival, right?”
“Yes, but they seemed convinced that if I ask you directly that you would give in.”
“Fine, but I will only meet with the same two that I have before. Can that be done in a timely manner?”
“We will find out,” replied Emperor Huáng Jin as he pulled a rope that summoned a pair of guards.
Once they had greeted Emperor Huáng Jin, he instructed them to relay the message to Jingong as he and Xeal continued to chat. This lasted for around an hour until Shen and Lina Chun arrived and sat across from Xeal, after greeting Emperor Huáng Jin according to etiquette. Like Kate and many other representatives of major guilds, they both had kept their names from reality in ED for simplicity’s sake.
“It is good to see you once more, Alex, or should I say Xeal,” greeted Mr. Chun. “I must thank Emperor Huáng for relaying our request and for you agreeing to meet with us.”
“Shen, make no mistake, I just happened to be visiting my brother-in-law when he mentioned your request and I figured that I could at least hear you out before I left.”
“Yes, well, as I am sure you know, Jingong has managed to survive the last year and we are currently stable, but even we can see what will happen if the Huáng empire falls.”
“Oh, you mean how you will be in an even worse situation compared to when you first came to me,” commented Xeal, sounding bored.
“Yes, we would dissolve without a doubt. Furthermore, you would lose a valuable opportunity-”
“Lina, would you like to explain what your grandfather is failing to see?” interrupted Xeal.
“Grandfather, Xeal is assuming that the opportunity would involve FAE and Jingong becoming linked in a manner that if Jingong failed, it would harm FAE.”
“Is that not the way all deals work?” asked Mr. Chun, looking confused. “Xeal, if you are gaining a benefit from an entity and they cease to exist, does that not harm you?”
“Yes, but if I were to liken it to a disease, there is a difference between needing some medicine and having to amputate a limb,” retorted Xeal. “Shen, I still believe Jingong is a zombie that can do nothing but infect other guilds that are willing to make deals with them for the most part. That said, as I am sure Kate has communicated to you, FAE is open to a materials for finished goods deal.”
“Yes, and while we agree that the offer that has been made would benefit us in the short to medium term, it would cost us in the long run,” answered Mr. Chun. “Though, if things continue as they are, we will not have a long term to worry about. So, let’s talk about getting you what you want and us what we want.”
“Good. No BS. Just getting straight to the meat of the issue at hand,” replied Xeal. “FAE wants resources and Jingong wants to survive. As things currently stand, your guild is saddled with a massive debt, and the obligation to pay off said debt that is getting in the way of your leveling speed. So if I were to guess, you want FAE to power level your members again, or are you looking for something else?”
