Youre really an empress? Lindyss stared at the woman sitting across from her. No, it was inappropriate to call her a woman. She was still just a girl. A simple, stupid girl. The cursed elf shook her head and leaned back against the caves wall. Well, an empire cant always flourish. They rise and they fall.
Mary bit her lower lip. Are you insulting ?
No, Lindyss said. Im rely pointing out a fact. If you feel personally attacked by a statent of fact, then perhaps there are so insecurities youre internalizing.
Youre totally attacking her, Emile said. He was perched on Marys head, using her hair as a cushion for his butt. He patted the side of Marys head with his wing. Dont let yourself be insulted like that. Tell her about the good things youve done for your empire to prevent it from falling.
A wrinkle appeared on Marys forehead. I raised taxes? My empires a happy one now.
See, kiddo, Grimmy said from his position to the side of the two people, thats where you went wrong. A happy empire is always on the verge of decline. Think about it. He waited while staring at Mary, who was staring back at him. Have you thought about it?
Mary shook her head. I dont understand. Please, teach .
Grimmy sighed. It cant be helped. Ill enlighten you this one ti. He cleared his throat and propped his chin up with his claw. A happy empire is always on the verge of decline. Why is that? Well, simple. People always want more. Theyre happy now, sure, but will they still be happy in a day? Two days? Three? Think of how much harder it is to make a really happy person even happier compared to making them sad. You have to go through a massive effort to make soone happy, but to make them sad, all you have to do is sneeze on their ho.
Marys head bobbed up and down, her eyes shining.
No, thats not quite right, Susan muttered. If a dragon sneezes on a persons ho, that ho is destroyed.
Grimmy swept Susan away with his tail. He chuckled. Now, continuing that train of thought, the simplest way to make your empire rise instead of fall is to make them miserable. When youre at the top, you can only go downhill from there. But when youre at rock bottom, you can only go up! All you have to do is make your empire as miserable as possible, then slowly improve their living conditions to make them feel grateful. See? Giving a loaf of bread to a noble wont make him happy. But what if that noble is holess and hasnt eaten in a week? Hell be ecstatic for even a single slice.
A shadowy blob landed on Grimmys face. Lindyss glared at the black dragon, her hand outstretched. Dont give her such terrible advice. Shes almost as nave as Vur. Shell take you seriously.
Mary blinked twice and turned her head towards the cursed elf as Grimmy wiped away the shadows on his face. Whats wrong with his advice? Mary asked with large eyes. It makes sense to . Maybe the nobles would feel more grateful about having their hos if I burned them down.
And there lies your problem, Lindyss said. You dont see anything wrong with burning down your own citizens property? How do you think an empire rises from rock bottom? Through a revolution. Theyll hate you and want to overthrow you.
Mary stared at Lindyss and turned towards Grimmy. She blinked at him.
Grimmy snorted. Yeah, sure, they can revolt all they want, but youre strong, right? If they send an army after your head, just swat it down. If they send two armies, swat both of them down. Its really not that hard. Once you defeat enough people, theyll give up. Thats when you can start becoming more lenient.
Mary nodded twice before turning to face Lindyss. A dark expression appeared on the cursed elfs face. Right now, your empire is probably in an okay place, seeing as youre free to wander as you please and no ones revolting. If you follow this dragons advice, then your empire will definitely collapse on the spot, but hes not wrong in saying itll rise back up. Itll just be a headed by puppet emperor with him as the true owner.
Marys eyes widened. Hes tricking ? She whipped her head around to face Grimmy. He smiled at her, and Mary bit her lower lip as she turned back towards Lindyss. Is he really? What he says makes a lot of sense. How can he persuade to do the wrong thing but have believe its in my best interest?
Hes a cursed dragon who has thousands of years of experience on you, Lindyss said and shook her head. To him, taking away your empire is as easy as stealing wings off a sheep.
Mary furrowed her brow. But sheep dont have wings.
Thats because he took them, Lindyss said, pointing at Grimmy. And much like that poor, now-wingless sheep, your empire will be gone before you even realize its no longer there.
Mary pouted at Grimmy. Youre a bad person.
Grimmy poked Lindyss side. Why are you slandering ? Dont tell youve taken a liking to her. Its clear shes incapable of ruling an empire. Wouldnt it be better for everyone to let have it instead? Besides, Im technically her ancestors creator if Im not wrong. Whats hers is mine.
What? Mary asked. My ancestors creator?
Right, Grimmy said. You know all these blood runes and techniques youre using? I invented them.
Mary glanced at the armor on her torso. Grimmy still hadnt returned her gauntlets and sabatons. Her brow wrinkled. Really? She raised her head and squinted at Grimmys scales. Then how co you dont have any runes like these?
Grimmy raised an eyebrow. Why would I use sothing so crude and barbaric?
Marys face blanked. Then why did you invent the runes if theyre crude and barbaric?
Grimmy shrugged. I thought itd be interesting. And if youre the product of thousands of years of fernting this technique, then I say its a success. Youre a bit slow, but you have your rits. And its not like being slow is even a bad thing; it ans I can manipulate you more easily.
Marys expression dimd as she bit her lower lip and inched away from Grimmy, scooting along the rocky bench. She looked up at Lindyss with her eyes, her head lowered. I dont like him.
Thats normal, Lindyss said with a shrug.
Hey now, whats there to not like about ? Grimmy asked and grinned at Mary. At most, Ill only manipulate you, but that other fellow, hell take over your body and destroy your soul completely, you know?
Huh? Mary furrowed her brow. The who will what?
Hmm. Did I ruin a surprise? Grimmy asked and retreated back into the shadows. Forget I said anything.
How am I supposed to forget sothing like that!?
Grimmy shrugged. Easy. Just pretend like I didnt say anything.
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