3.32 In Which the Dark Lord Yields
The air next to him shifted, and suddenly there was a devil standing among us.
Actually the visual effect was pretty interesting, if underwhelming. It was like a person-shaped slice of empty space suddenly rotated fully around, as if it were a cardboard cutout, and when fully revealedthere she was. Disorienting, but I quickly forgot about that, taking in the sight of the devil.
Ozyraph wasnot what I expected. Well, in part; most of her features were classic devil shit, straight out of European mythology. Her skin was a dusky reddish-pink in hue, and she had a pair of backswept horns sprouting from her hairline and curving back over her skull to bracket the severe bun into which her crimson hair was pulled. No, the unexpected part was her attire: the devil wore a sleek, obviously tailored Western-style business suit. Black with gold pinstripes, a black shirt and a slim necktie of solid gold fabric.
And she was carrying a tablet. Not a flat piece of material on which text was engraved, a tablet computer. It was wafer-thin, about the dinsions of an iPad, and while I couldnt see the screen from my current angle I could see its glow.
The devil took a quick glance around, taking in the sight of all Fallencourt spread around her, including no end of mostly terrified shouting by all the attendant goblins. Her eyes t and held mine for a secondthey were unnerving, with vertically slitted pupils an two-toned irises that faded from blood red at the center to gold around the edges, giving them a fiery appearance. Then her gaze slid past , flicking rapidly over my various allies and lingering for another second on Yoshi. Only then did she turn her full attention to the Goblin King.
I see we have entirely given up on basic discretion.
Ozyraphs voice was a smooth alto, her delivery strikingly reminiscent of quite a few teachers I rembered with no fondness. She had that knack, the ability to convey utterly withering sarcasm without seeming to depart from the normal tones of polite conversation.
This wasnt my preferred outco, Jadrak replied, shooting an unpleasantly confident look. Unfortunately, thanks to the ddling of this fool and his friends, things have spiraled. As per our contract, Ozyraph, I call upon your aid.
Oh? The devil raised an eyebrow. Are you certain that is wise, King Jadrak?
Wise? Perhaps not, but necessary. He turned back to face directly, holding my stare while speaking to his demonic ally. I am invoking the extraordinary circumstances clause of our contract, Ozyraph. Per your agreed obligations, I require you to rid of These two humans in particular. He pointed at and Yoshi in turn. The rest, I can handle myself.
I ford the ntal weight of Immolate, ready to deploy; at my side, Yoshi raised his shield, sword at the ready.
Absolutely not.
Ozyraphs brusque reply made us all hesitate. Especially Jadrak; he did an actual double take. The sudden diminishnt of his smugness was satisfying as hell, despite my continuing unease about what was happening.
Ibut we have a contract, the Goblin King protested. You are obligated to
This contract? Ozyraph tapped one fingertip against the screen of her tablet twice, flicked it to scroll through sothing, tapped again, and then held the device down so he could see it. Id like to call your attention to paragraph twelve, concerning unacceptable conflicts of interest and hazards to the Devil Kings concerns and those of his servants, to which I am not under any circumstances to be subjected by any other signatory to this agreent. These are not limited to, but specifically enurate, direct conflict with major faiths or agents of Sanora or Virya, particularly any Hero or Dark Lord. You just attempted to invoke the extraordinary circumstances clause to bring into physical conflict with both.
Jadrak suddenly looked like hed swallowed sothing a bit too big for his neck. Oh, but Surely you didnt interpret that to
As such, I am invoking the terms of paragraph nineteen, clause five: premature termination of the agreent due to malfeasance by any signatory to said agreent. She flicked her thumb over the screen, scrolling down to the clause in question. As you have broken the terms of the contract, all outstanding debts by the offending party will be imdiately called in, as detailed in clause nine.
Wait! Jadrak was visibly alard now, probably mostly by the prospect of Ozyraph calling in his debtsi.e. his soulbut I suspected all the growling and hissing from many of the onlookers wasnt helping his poise. I had to figure that to a goblin audience, getting caught breaking the terms of a contract was a bad look, even more so than to most people. You cant invoke that! I was rely raising a point of discussion
Ozyraph had already been flicking and tapping on her screen, and suddenly the tablet produced Jadraks own voice, at a significantly magnified volu.
I require you to rid of These two humans in particular.
These were, I believe, your exact words, she said tonelessly. A proper villain might have hamd this upI certainly would havebut Ozyraph delivered her lines with the dry evenness of a bureaucrat filling out their fiftieth form of the day.
Yes, but I an, that is clearly contextual and open to interpretation
Not only is that a specific instruction to open hostilities with the Hero and Dark Lord, these are the words you spoke after I gave you the opportunity to retreat from your demand that I intervene. This is not a case of your words being taken out of context, Jadrak. This occurred seconds ago. We are still in the context. You are in breach of contract. I will now, as per my contractual privileges, collect all debts owed, which are specified by the agreent in question as any soul in your possession.
The wording made widen my eyes in alarm, and I wasnt the only one who caught it. Rizz hissed fiercely as she drew in air through her teeth, and Sneppit let out a low groan.
Ozyraph raised the tablet back out of his reach, and finally so expression intruded on her face: just the faintest, disdainful curl of her upper lip.
Honestly, arent you supposed to be so sort of goblin? You really should read the things you sign.
Jadraks poise was finally failing him. The outright jeering that had been withheld when his headquarters abruptly kicked him out had started to rise all around. He was now isolated with his enemies, his supporters had all turned on him, and his omnipotent trump card was not only not helping him but had just delivered what was probably the worst public humiliation a goblin could suffer. Open fear had leaked onto his features now; he cast about rapidly for options, finding no good prospects.
So he latched onto a bad one: .
Lord Seiji! The Goblin King stepped forward and held out one hand toward . If anyone can throw back a devil, its you. Join
Okay, so it wasnt entirely authentic, but Im enough of a perforr to be able to burst into loud, derisive laughter on command. I am also enough of a perforr not to react to distinctly hearing Adelly mutter behind , Hes doing it again.
You need , Jadrak pressed on stubbornly, because it was that or lie down and accept death. No one else can
His voice cut off in a strangled croak; my eyes shifted up to find Ozyraph, her tablet balanced in one hand, the other outstretched with fingers clenched in a grasping motion.
Excuse , she stated crisply. The Dark Lord is not party to this discussion. As I gather you plan to be disagreeable about this, I may as well comnce soul collection with the easiest target.
It was like the process of her arrival: Jadrak seed to freeze in place, the last clear sight I had of him his terrified expression, and then he sort ofrotated. Like he had been reduced to two dinsions and then flipped, the Jadrak-shaped piece of scenery behind him revolving into view. And that was it. No hellfire, no flashy effects aside from that one disorienting transition into what I assu mustve been the Void.
No more Goblin King.
Diddid we justwin? Yoshi asked warily.
By default, but I suppose so, Ozyraph answered him, already occupied with her tablet again. Well, its results that matter. Now, dont mind . I have a bunch of busywork to do, thanks to you lot, but itll just take a few minutes and then Ill be out of your hair.
What kind of busywork? Rizz demanded, stepping forward with her polearm leveled aggressively. Rhoka joined her in the sa position, silent as usual.
The only kind I have, Ozyraph droned, still monotone and poking at her tablet. My deal with Jadrak was for all souls it was within his power to bestow. Which, in these unusual circumstances, ant quite a few more than just his own.
I dont think the issue of Jadrak and his ability to sacrifice his followers souls was widely known among them, but the devils aning was obvious enough that everybody caught on. The tenor of the onlookers change; dozens of goblin voices rose in exclamations of anger and sudden fear.
Just a minute! Yoshi exclaid, stepping forward. He still had his shield upraised, as if that was going to help. Jadraks ability to grant his followers souls to your contract was a function of their fanatical loyalty. After what everyone just saw, theres no way you can still collect them.
Ozyraph spared him a sardonic look before resuming her work. She seed to be scrolling rapidly through a list of sothing on her screen, periodically stopping it to pin one item at a ti and swipe it to the left.
Yes, because no one ever regrets the deal they made when it cos ti for to collect. I am entitled to every soul Jadrak could have sacrificed at the mont he broke our contract. Thanks primarily to the Dark Lord, here, that is far fewer than I was hoping; youve done an admirable job of sabotaging Jadraks interests, Omura Seiji. Looks like Ill be collecting at most a few dozen rather than several hundred.
Soone shot her with a spiked ball from a slingshot, followed imdiately by another. Both balls froze in midair less than a ter from Ozyraph, then plunked harmlessly to the ground. She gave no outward sign of even noticing.
You cant do this! Yoshi exclaid, raising his sword.
Yoshi, no! Flaethwyn lunged forward and grabbed his arm, physically pulling him backward. That is a devil! A powerful one! You are not ready for this. She gave a grudging look. Either of you.
Why do you even care? Ozyraph asked, a tone of vague annoyance drifting through her customarily deadpan delivery. These are people who were so fanatically devoted to a shifty conman with impressive hair they were willing to perish at his whim. They would, by definition, have slaughtered the lot of you minutes ago if they thought they could. It clearly benefits you to have them removed from Kzidnak.
Oh, Im sure its real easy for you to stand there in your fancy suit and pass judgnt on people, when youve never had to struggle for anything yourself, I snorted, swaggering forward.
Ozyraphs finger ceased moving; her posture did not otherwise change, but her eyes shifted to lock onto mine, and I almost hesitated under the sheer intensity of her stare. Almost. Showti is showti, after all.
People fell for Jadraks song and dance because they were desperate, you vicious little parasite. It was bad enough he preyed on their poor circumstances without you coming along and making it worse. Now, Im willing to be civilized about this. Why dont we discuss this matter like adults and co to an understanding? Youve already collected two souls todayone thanks to , I might add.
Oh? She raised one eyebrow. You wish to make a deal?
Everyones eyes shifted to stare at . Shit. No, I did not want to do that.
Im just saying, I replied smoothly, theres ample cause for you to be content with a good days work, Ozyraph. Ti to pack it in.
You have no standing to negotiate here, Omura, she said in a disinterested tone, returning her eyes to the tablet screen and resuming her scrolling and swiping. I will take what Im owed, and I have no need to compromise. Subject closed.
Well, thats a sha, I said quietly. I did hope we could settle this goblin style, by coming to an agreent. But, if youre not interested I got so really good advice from a really smart guy a while back about what I should do if a devil ever interfered in my affairs.
Is that a fact.
Id been told devils were conflict-averse, that theyd flee from confrontations they could easily win. Well, ti to put that to the test.
This ones for you, Sakin.
I raised one arm and pointed at her.
Immolate.
Fire burst across heron the surface, not from within. In fact, it looked for all the world as if Id just ignited a covering of invisible oil all over her. The flas whooshed across her bodyslowed And then, as I watched in increasing dismay, reversed.
Ozyraph paused in manipulating her tablet for a mont to fully extend her free arm back toward ; the flas of my Immolate spell surged down it till they coated her hand, then condensed further until she was holding a ball of seething orange fire on her palm.
She bounced it once, idly, finally looking up at with a wry expression, and it took all my self-control not to frantically retreat. Any second she was gonna hurl that right back at , the only question was how ugly the results would be. Had she modified it into a more conventional fireball, or was I about to finally find out what that horrible spell felt like?
But no, what she did was far worse.
Ozyraph flicked her fingers contemptuously, and the fire disappeared in a tiny puff of smoke. She resud poking at her tablet, entirely ignoring save to speak once, in a tone of utter disinterest.
Go away, little Dark Lord.
I could only stand there, my mind a screaming white blank. Wellwhat the fuck now?
A streak shot past at waist height, and in the next second Zui had launched herself at the devil, fist-first, brass knuckles in place.
She froze in the air mid-leap, just short of impact. Ozyraph looked up again, frowning in annoyance.
Zui, right? Dont worry, you were never on the list. Not the original expanded one and definitely not the much abridged final version I am trying to collate right now.
You cant do this! Zui roared, kicking and thrashing in midair. Youmurdering monster! Havent we been through enough? Just leave people alone! They were just trying to survive!
Well, they failed, Ozyraph said with a sigh. Honestly, all you people are doing is prolonging this. Just let sort through my list of nas, and then youll never have to see again. , or the three dozen or so idiots who wouldve gladly murdered you all for trying to help them. You are being ridiculous.
She took her hand off her tablet again to make a lifting and tossing motion, and Zui ca flying back toward us. I barely managed to get into position to catch her, mostly; at most I spared her an undignified impact against the wall, but she slipped out of my attempted grip and landed hard on my foot.
All around us, goblins were shouting fearfully, so trying to flee as if that would help, many just dithering in place, becausehow could you run from this? I was hearing an uncomfortable amount of sobbing from multiple directions.
Zui turned to look up at , naked pleading written across her face. It was the most unmistakable expression of Do sothing! Id ever seen.
I tore my gaze away from her to look back at Ozyraph, once again efficiently scrolling through her list of nas, pulling aside those about to be harvested.
What could I do? What could I do? This creature had just manhandled us all with contemptuous ease; Id hit her with my nastiest attack and shed batted it aside with barely a thought. What else was there? I could try running her over with a truck But no, Id already seen the ease with which she shrugged off physical attacks. The increased mass of Truck-kun probably wasnt going to make a difference. Nor would attempting to stab her.
Id been in so rough situations since coming to Ephera, but Id never felt this physically powerless. Even in my first panicked monts on this hell world, running around an old fortress with bandits on my heels and no weapons or spells to call upon, Id been able to do sothing. This was just Absolute helplessness. This devil was going to do what she ca for and all I could do was watch.
Maybe she was right, anyway. Why did I have to fight to save people whod declared themselves my enemies?
Maybe I should
Maybe?
There was a gentle touch on my upper back. I turned to see Aster right behind , her golden eyes compassionate, but firm. She leaned forward and murmured right by my ear.
A limn is five hundred and twenty-four dhils. A dhil is ninety-six strides. A stride is thirteen ridds, and is defined as the distance of an average male elfs step.
Ahhthere it was. Cleansing, purifying rage, a white-hot fla to remind who I was. I was Lord Seiji, dammit, and I wasnt taking any more of this stupid planets bullshit.
Oh, Aster, I whispered. What would I do without you?
Youd die. Quickly. Probably on fire.
Yep. I raised my voice. Rizz, Gazmo, Sneppit. I need help weaseling out of a contract.
I had to look away from Zui; the sudden gratitude and hope on her face was just too painful to face directly. The two Judges Id nad exchanged one look, then turned in unison to point at Sneppit.
Wait, ? she protested. Youre the
Our strong suit is making contracts iron-clad and imperable, said Rizz. Whats needed here is the opposite of that.
Any job worth doing is worth leaving to an expert, Gazmo added.
Sneppit goggled at them, then turned to , visibly aghast.
I broke my usual policy toward goblins and went to one knee, bringing my face down closer to hers to I could speak quietly.
Look, I know its a devil and weve all seen how powerful she is. But she also doesnt want to fight. Fighting wont help here, anyway. We need brains and words and a mastery of the contract. We need you, Snep. That may be an agent of the Devil King, but youre Miss motherfucking Sneppit. This is your turf, not hers. Now show this bitch what happens when you fuck around in goblin town.
Sneppit stared helplessly at for another second, but then swallowed heavily and nodded once; I could see the steel slowly flowing back into her spine as she took in my encouragent.
I rose and stepped back, clearing the way, and Sneppit strode forward, exhaling heavily once. Ozyraph was still standing there, flicking at her tablet screen and ignoring us. I knew she had to have heard this entire exchange, but the devil seed suprely unconcerned about our machinations.
Sneppit cleared her throat, her voice cracking only slightly when she addressed the devil. Excuse ! By established precedent, any contract agreed to by a goblin of Kzidnak is subject to review and approval by a Judge, even if the other party is not native. I would like to invoke
Knock yourself out.
Ozyraph paused in her work to gesture once, and a glowing panel of blue light materialized in the air in front of Sneppit, causing her to reflexively jerk back. Lines of text were printed neatly across it.
Touch it with a finger and move up it or down to scroll, the devil added helpfully. If youre planning to challenge on knowledge of goblin precedent, you are about to learn the taste of disappointnt. But please, feel free to waste as much of everyones ti as you wish. Only one of us is immortal.
Rizz and Gazmo imdiately crowded in behind her, intently studying the contract, which Rizz carefully began to scroll with a fingertip. Sneppit kept one eye on this while already launching into her next attempt.
All right, then So, obviously, if this contract is to be considered valid, clearly a Judge signed off on it? I dont see a signature
That is not and has never been required by precedent, Ozyraph stated, her thin lips tugging to one side in the tiniest smirk; she still didnt raise her eyes from the tablet. A contract is considered binding to all signatories, regardless of a Judges approval. A Judge may invalidate it for any of several reasons, but contracts need not be witnessed by one. Try again. If you were serious, youd start by looking for terms that violate established precedent or imply the contract was coercive or unclear, none of which you will find there.
Ium. I managed not to wince; my trump card so far was about as successful as Jadraks had been. I could see Sneppit floundering, see the way fear and uncertaintytwo things she was clearly not accustod to experiencingwere taking their toll on her normal effectiveness. But she was all we had, since no amount of physical or magical force was going to prevail against this devil. Youall right, apparently you do know your Kzidnak precedents, I see a lot of the standard clauses here In fact, this borders on too long
To the extent that length and lack of clarity are to be considered grounds for invalidating a contract, Ozyraph recited without pausing in her swiping, the inclusion of standard clauses themselves required by precedent are not to be considered in any such calculation. Either of your Judge friends there could have told you that. By all ans, though, continue. I will not have it said that the Devil Kings bargains are unfair.
Sneppit swallowed heavily, again, her eyes darting rapidly across the text as Rizz slowly moved it. Iso Th-the stipulation against That is, the standard section governingum
Um? The fact that Ozyraphs tone remained dry and flat only made her taunting worse, sohow. When the Dark Lord tagged you in for this, I expectedmore. Even Jadrak ntioned your supposed specialty in contract work, Miss Sneppit. Is this the limit of your intelligence?
Sneppits eyes widened and her head snapped up, staring fixedly at Ozyraph.
Intelligence? Her voice was a bare whisper. The devil did not respond.
In that mont, though, everything changed. Sneppits posture straightened, she put her shoulders back, and all the uncertainty drained from her face in a heartbeat. Her eyes fixed on the devil over the gold rims of her shades, and suddenly her look was that of a shark slling blood.
Even knowing this was premature, and having no idea what she was about to do, I had the sudden unshakable feeling wed just won.
As you seem familiar with goblin precedent, I assu you are acquainted with the truism that you cant un-ring a bell, Sneppit said crisply.
Ozyraph shrugged with one shoulder, eyes still on her screen. That applies in a tiny rarity of situations, given that goblins are not inclined toward jury trials. But sure, it is true that a non-professional adjudicator may be dismissed from their duties and negotiations re-comnced from the beginning if they are exposed to information previously ruled by a Judge to be inadmissible and prejudicial. What of it?
Just making sure were on the sa page. Now then, in the clause governing the rewards to be granted you as the Devil Kings proxy by the signatories Jadrak and Hoy, it is specified that you are authorized to collect only souls and no other reward of any kind from the domain of Kzidnak.
And so I am, Ozyraph agreed.
Really, are you certain you want to go on record stating that?
The devil finally glanced up, her eyes narrowing in the first hint of overt suspicion. Its a simple fact.
Very good, then, Sneppit said briskly. As you previously pointed out to Jadrak, it also states in this contract that if either party breaks the terms, the other party is entitled to imdiately collect all promises made to them by said contract. Nice touch, making that clause apply in both directions. Really sells the impression youre not planning to screw over the other party.
Thanks, I try. Ozyraph continued scrolling and flicking, though her flat expression was now marred by a slight frown.
As such, Sneppit said, baring her teeth in a vicious grin, this contract is invalidated due to your unauthorized acquisition of valuable property from Kzidnak, a domain considered by said contract to fall under the authority of its signatory Jadrak a.k.a. the Goblin King. You will therefore imdiately cease any collection activities and remove yourself from the domain in question.
Ozyraph finally stopped manipulating the tablet, raising her eyes to fix Sneppit with a flat stare. Ive taken nothing from Kzidnaknothing of Jadraks, and nothing of anyones. False accusations have consequences.
I will call your attention to clause four, concerning the duties of yourself as designated representative of the Devil King. Sneppit shouldered Rizz aside, deftly flicking the magical display till the clause in question was centered on the panel of light Ozyraph had conjured. You went out of your way to specify, in writing, that in this matter you are functioning only as the Devil Kings agent. Anything collected as a result of this contract or your activities in pursuit of its execution are to be delivered directly to him, with nothing withheld by you personally.
Ozyraphs crimson-gold eyes narrowed to slits. What of it?
Sneppit half-turned to point dramatically behind her at . Here stand the Dark Lord and the Hero. As a result of your collection activities, you have co into possession of intelligence. You now know their location, the composition of their respective parties, and most importantly, the fact that they are working together. The value of this knowledge cannot be overstated; empires would go to war to learn this! As per your sworn duties to the Devil King and your obligations as stated by this contract, you will be required to convey this important information to your master at the earliest opportunity. This contract specifically denies you the right to collect anything of value from Kzidnak other than souls. You, Ozyraph, have stolen crucial military intelligence on behalf of the Devil King, breaking the terms of your agreent and voiding it in its entirety.
The roar that went up from all sides reminded of the crowd at a stadium. To goblins, I guess this mustve been the equivalent of scoring a goal.
Ridiculous! Ozyraph spat, now fully lowering the tablet to her side and fixing her full attention on Sneppit. Ive taken no affirmative action to acquire any such informationits not my fault they were standing here when Jadrak summoned .
But you have agreed to be bound by the terms of goblin precedent in both the creation and the enforcent of said contract! Sneppit shouted back. I invite any Judge present to correct if I am wrong, but according to precedent, one: intellectual property is no less real or subject to precedent and the right of possession than physical property. Two: chance, malfeasance, and acts of the Goddesses may negate culpability for possession of property of any kind if it resulted from them, but not the fact of possession. And three: the value of intellectual property is determined by factors including its use and the parties to whom it is transmitted. In this case, you possess materially valuable knowledge, which you will transmit to the Devil King, both due to your established allegiance and the obligations specified in this contract. Tell , Ozyraph, what affirmative action can you take that will un-ring that bell?
The devil clenched both fists, one clutching the tablet against her side. You insufferable little
You have two options! Sneppit crowed. Either you steal valuable political and military secrets from Kzidnak, in clear violation of the terms of this contractor you refuse to disclose them to the Devil King, in defiance of your loyalties and also in violation of the terms! In short, Ozyraph, you
Dont say it, the devil hissed.
and by extension, the Devil king, are in
AAAUGH! Ozyraph howled, clapping her free hand over her eyes.
Sneppit took one giant stride forward, planting her foot as if claiming land, threw one hand forward to point accusingly at the devil, and roared in a voice which bood from every wall of Fallencourt.
BREACH OF CONTRACT!
The entire city dissolved into deafening cheering. Goblins on all sides capered about, laughing, hugging each other and pumping fists in the air, not to ntion jeering (perhaps unwisely) at the lone devil who stood like a disgruntled scarecrow in the midst of it all. Ozyraphs face had settled back into its previous cold neutrality, and she was now just standing in silence, waiting for the noise to subside enough for her to speak.
It took a few minutesand it certainly wasnt absolute, the level of chaos in the surrounding bridges and balconies remained impressive, but eventually enough settled down that she could at least make herself be heard.
Well, then, the devil stated curtly, it appears we do not, after all, have a contract. She held up her tablet, tapped two spots on it with her thumb, and the screen went dark. That being the case, the other party is entitled to collect any outstanding debts. Unfortunately, speaking of bells that cannot be un-rung, there appears to be no longer a Goblin King. In the absence of any formal authority
Oh, I dont know about that. I strolled forward, head up and voice thundering straight from the diaphragm. Ozyraph grimaced as she t my eyes, but didnt flinch away. As per precedent and custom, there is one person who can speak on behalf of the goblinsbut only with their consent. So it seems the pertinent question for us all is this: does Kzidnak grant its allegiance to the Dark Lord?
This ti, the roar was even louder, and quickly resolved from general noise into comprehensible chanting. It started with a few voices and swelled rapidly as more caught on, until it spread to every corner of the cavern and thousands of goblins were thundering my na at the tops of their collective lungs.
SEI-JI!
SEI-JI!
SEI-JI!
SEI-JI!
SEI-JI!
And for a long span of repetitions, I let them. Now this was what I was in it for. Just for a mont, I let the sight before my eyes fade, imagining a stadium or concert venue. Myself with guitar in hand, lauded by the crowd for my skill. Thiswasnt quite that, but you know what? It would do.
Ozyraph was staring at with a wry expression which said she knew exactly what I was thinking, but fuck her. I wasnt going to let anything ruin this for .
Finallybut with perfect timing, the only kind I haveI raised both hands in the air, gesturing for quiet. It took a bit, but the crowd complied, silence spreading at my wordless order.
The power. I could see exactly why this went to peoples heads. It was a drug, nothing more or less.
In fact, I said into the ensuing (relative) quiet, I have reconsidered. On behalf of the people of Kzidnak and the Dark Crusade, I have a deal to offer the Devil King. These are the terms I want you to convey to him, precisely.
Amid the tension of a thousand held breaths, I strode forward, straight into Ozyraphs personal space, until I stood nose-to-nose with her. Close enough to kiss her, to taste the incongruous spearmint on her breath. She didnt flinch or retreat by a milliter, just holding my gaze with all the confidence of soone who could smash like a mosquito on a whim.
It didnt matter. We both knew who had won here.
I curled my lip up in a sneer and delivered my terms.
Fuck off.
This ti, the cheering was so overwhelmingly powerful I had to wonder if a bunch more goblins had suddenly turned up. While Fallencourt dissolved into ecstatic madness all around us, Ozyraph and I stared at one anothers eyes, the mutual hatred sizzling in the air like static after a lightning strike.
Until finally, she took one slow, deliberate step backward, and inclined her head once. She had to raise her voice to be heard, but we were still close enough that I had no trouble making out her words over the noise.
I will convey your ssage. Congratulations, little Dark Lord, on scoring one point in a ga no one can win.
Then she flattened, rotated, and a second later I was staring at empty space. No devil, no Goblin King, only the Dark Lord and the city I now ruled.
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