“So, tonight then. Alright. That leaves us one day before he’ll figure out the plan failed. Anything I can do? Bait? Analysis?” Runner shrugged his shoulders, feeling a bit left out. His people were trekking the lands on his orders and he was feeling pretty inactive. “Cook? Sew buttons? I dunno.”
Hannah laughed a little at that and peered at him sideways.
“Huh. Feeling a little out of the loop there, shit for brains?”
“Maybe I want to be in your company. Stare at your ass and hope you drop something so you have to pick it up. Or you could do that anyways. For me. Like as a favor. Drop things all day long.”
Hannah laughed harder at that and shook her head. “Asshole. No, do what you’ve been doing. We’ll handle this. Before Satomi this was… infinitely harder. And messier.”
“Right, then. Any idea why they want to see me?” Runner stopped at the door to the chamber they were convening in for the meeting.
“Nope. I heard Helen and Vasilios nearly killed each other the other night. Apparently they were laughing the entire time.”
“They’re both strong warriors. Expecting them to have a candlelit dinner on their first date is silly. Putting it there to incite their thoughts in that direction, though, while providing them with an outlet, like say a weapons rack. Now that works.” Runner gave her a grin and shouldered the door open, stepping inside.
“I—wait, what?” Hannah got out before the door closed.
“Asshole! Fucking stupid bastard!” Hannah’s shout came through the door.
“Runner! We’re glad to have you here.” Vasilios stood from the table he, Helen, and Basile sat at.
“Glad to be of use. What can this poor excuse for a man do for your majesties?” Runner asked smoothly, coming to stand at the edge of the table.
Vasilios took his seat next to Helen. Runner noted the distinct lack of hostility between the two monarchs. If anything, they looked rather friendly.
Helen gave him a toothy grin and tilted her head to one side. Watching him.
She knows I set her up.
“Before we get into that, I’ll simply say thank you,” Helen said, her fingers lightly drumming on the table.
“It seemed the right thing to do. One can’t leave a beautiful work of art to the side. I only made sure it was put into the light for someone else to enjoy.”
Helen guffawed at that. Vasilios quirked a brow and looked askance between Helen and Runner. Instead of responding, Helen gave Vasilios a small gesture of her hand below the level of the table. Then she cleared her throat.
“Basile has submitted a proposal. I’m in agreement with it, as is Vasilios.”
“I’m glad to hear that. May I inquire as to the results?”
“First, we would discuss other matters,” Vasilios said. “We have agreed on a council. It will consist of two members from each country and the champions of the Triumvirate. While the church has no place in politics, we respect our primes and would value their opinion.”
“A very wise decision. I feel that if given the appropriate scope it could respond to any crisis any kingdom has.” Runner was impressed. It was a solid solution to start with.
“Yes. Yes. A good idea,” Basile chimed in, nodding his head.
Runner didn’t miss the slight disgust both Helen and Vasilios had for the man. He couldn’t blame them. He didn’t match their own ruling style.
“I’ve been told the Triumvirate has combined their churches, religious leaders, and places of worship,” Helen said.
“That is my understanding as well. We have a temple here dedicated to all three.”
“Would you have anything to do with that, Runner?” Helen asked him, her eyes ready to analyze any response he gave.
Rather than lie to his potential mother-in-law, he shrugged his shoulders.
“Yes. During my campaign I made sure that our victories were dedicated to the Triumvirate. I erected churches and temples during my travels to that end.”
Helen blinked a few times at the straightforward answer.
“Is that all? Did the divines involved give you this directive?” Helen’s voice had gone up an octave.
“No. They did not.”
“Who did?” Vasilios asked, leaning forward in his chair.
“I did.” Runner felt like he was being cornered. They wanted something out of this, what he wasn’t sure.
“You simply told them your plan and they agreed?” Basile asked, squirming in his chair.
Runner contemplated that, not wanting to lie to them but not wanting to demean his goddesses.
“He approached us individually, offered us an alliance, and proposed a plan we readily agreed to on his conditions. We have been in accord with him since.”
Brunhild’s voice cut through the air above them like a stone dropping onto the table.
Brunhild stepped into being from the far side of the table, flanked by Ernsta and Amelia.
Helen, Vasilios, and Basile all stared at the divine.
“My apologies,” Runner said earnestly to the goddesses. He started to speak again, but Ernsta held up her hand.
“We choose to be here; this will be a momentous occasion. Be still, little lamb.”
“It’s true, lovey. Relax, all will be well.”
Runner sighed and touched his fingertips to his brow before getting himself under control.
All three monarchs were looking to him.
Rather than respond, Runner chose to wait them out. He’d managed to already put himself in a strange position, and Ernsta’s words weighed on him.
Momentous how…
“We would make a proposition to you, Norwood. We feel that as individual countries we are less than the sum of our parts if we were connected.”
“This is all because of how successful you were using multiple forces in the war, Runner. We know this can work.” Helen’s voice had a weird quality to it.
“I’ll assist how I can. Though I am unsure what it is you’re saying.”
“We’re going to form an empire. We would like Norwood to join as a member nation.”
Ha, is that all?
“We’ve already worked out all the appropriate taxation numbers,” Helen continued. “Expected levy assignments and requirements. We’ve also agreed upon a charter. It’ll hold all nations responsible equally. All nations will abide by the laws of the empire and subscribe to them as if they were their own, as well as giving it ultimate authority.
“Though the level of involvement would be dependent upon the severity of the problem. I mean, we wouldn’t send a Thief to the head of the empire, now would we?”
Runner smiled and bowed his head to the gathered leaders. He had hoped they would eventually form an empire, and he was glad that it was far ahead even of his wildest hopes.
“I would be happy for Norwood to participate. Have you decided on which of you will be heading this as the emperor or empress as it were?” Runner asked. Maybe his matchmaking between the two would provide an unintended result. An emperor or empress of four nations, who was born of two.
“We’ve voted. The emperor of our unnamed empire will be you. Runner Norwood.”
Runner held his breath and held up a hand. After a few seconds he managed to gather his thoughts.
“I’m immortal. If you continue with this plan of action, it’s very likely that your great grandchildren will call me emperor. Do you understand?” Runner asked, slightly incredulous. He didn’t really want this. Being the ruler of a small island was bad enough, but an empire?
“I assume this has to do with the fact that you’re not from here. This world. In truth, though, that is all the more reason, Runner. We’ve already formed the empire, though we haven’t agreed on a name. I formally invite the nation of Norwood to join,” Helen declared.
Norwood has received an invitation to join
As its ruler, you must accept or reject the proposal.
Do you Accept?
Yes/No
Runner mentally accepted the invitation, dreading what was to come next yet knowing he had little choice in the matter.
Other than decline the entire thing and put himself at odds with Tirtius.
Proposal accepted.
“Good. Now, I vote to have Runner made emperor.” Helen looked to Vasilios and Basile as she said it.
“Aye.”
“Aye.”
“Motion carried. Runner Norwood is our emperor.”
Runner felt like they’d sentenced him to death. He couldn’t see it as anything other than more work.
You’ve earned the title Emperor
You’ve earned 25,000 fame
You’ve earned 10,000 reputation
You’ve earned the title God-Emperor
You’ve earned 50,000 fame
You’ve earned 20,000 reputation
Experience Reward: 18,050% of current level
Level up!
You’ve reached level 39
Level up!
You’ve reached level 40
Level up!
You’ve reached level 41
Level up!
You’ve reached level 42
Level up!
You’ve reached level 43
Level up!
You’ve reached level 44
Level up!
You’ve reached level 45
Level up!
You’ve reached level 46
Level up!
You’ve reached level 47
Level up!
You’ve reached level 48
Level up!
You’ve reached level 49
Experience forfeited.
Level cap reached for class.
Please proceed to class trainer.
Your familiar has reached level 60 due to the experience share.
A Quest has been updated
Quest no longer relevant
“A Homeland”
Experience Reward: 0% of current level
Reputation: 0
Fame: 0
Title:
Money: 0
“Hail, God-emperor Runner!” Amelia crowed, leaping at him and latching on to his back. Runner bounced off the table and grabbed at Amelia’s hands. Managing to right himself, he looked to his guests.
All three looked shocked. Either at Amelia’s actions or her proclamation.
“God-Emperor?” Basile hissed.
“Yeah, about that. As your emperor, my first order is to not discuss the fact that I’m divine with anyone or anything.”
Helen and Vasilios nodded their heads immediately, Basile following after a heartbeat.
“Second order of the day,” Runner grunted, reaching down to put his hands under Amelia’s rear end to support her weight. “Minxy, seriously?”
“Yep! Seriously,” she responded, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“Second order, empire is now named Bastion. Named for the tree that saved my life when I first entered this world. May we be a Bastion to the rest of the world.”
You have named your empire Bastion.
Please confirm
Yes/No
Runner flipped the yes button mentally and called up his message screen. The number of level up messages had to be taken care of first.
Does it matter? Do I care about the memories? What if I faint?
Fuck it.
He dropped the points into the respective levels and hit the level accept button.
Name:
Runner
Level:
49
Class:
Φ♫↓¬»¢
Race:
▼▓œ■
Experience:
99%
Alignment:
Good
Reputation:
35,020
Fame:
93,455
Bounty:
0
Attributes-
Strength:
1
Constitution:
1(61)
Dexterity:
19
Intelligence:
19(105)
Agility:
12
Wisdom:
1
Stamina:
1
Charisma:
64(124)
Waiting for whatever might happen, even if it knocked him flat, Runner felt the memories begin to slide into place. He felt a slight sense of vertigo, but nothing near the severity of the first time.
Memories of his parents and his childhood. The few friends he had. Cousins. Girlfriends.
None of it matters. They’re all dead. Memories of a dead man who died in transit.
Ernsta and Brunhild came up on either side of him and each placed a hand on each of his shoulders.
“Hail, God-Emperor, little lamb.”
“God-Emperor, I greet you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Celebrations abound, I suppose. I’m sure this’ll be a calendar reminder for next year. I vote ice cream cake.”
“We’ll see you later, Runner. We must discuss Milicent.” Brunhild nodded and then vanished.
Ernsta gave him a slow but warm smile before disappearing.
Amelia, instead of leaving, bit his ear hard enough that he’d swear she took a chunk out. Then she whispered into his ear.
“Not going anywhere. Reasons. Can’t say. Rules.”
Turning his head, he addressed her quietly.
“I formally request you stay and order you to remain at my side then.”
Runner shifted Amelia around a little before he got her in a comfortable spot on his back and hands.
“I assume this’ll be interesting at least. I’ll be looking for something out of the ordinary because of your warning. I expect you to let me know if I miss it or something that I should be aware of,” Runner whispered.
“I would like to hear more of this divine nature, but I’m afraid I have my duties to perform. I must get ready to depart. I will be leaving tomorrow morning to head back. I expect my emperor, my god-emperor, is going to call up my soldiers to defend the empire.” Helen stood up, resting her hands on the table.
“Of course. I promise you a full conversation about the entire thing. Suffice it to say, I’m a divine. I’m partnered to the Triumvirate.”
Vasilios stood up quickly once Runner had finished speaking.
“We shall be doing the same. If you do not mind,” Vasilios started, turning his head to Helen. “We would travel with you, if you allow it.”
The queen of the Barbarians looked to Vasilios and let the moment hang, before giving him a smile. “That would be preferable.”
Basile had stood and moved over to Runner, standing before him.
“This is a great thing to celebrate. I think maybe I’ll go out and see if I can find some company.”
“Oh? I can see how many would view this as noteworthy.”
“What about you, Emperor? Any women to celebrate with? Partial to redheads myself,” Basile said and gave him a grin, leaning in as if what he said was conspiratorial.
Amelia pressed her knees into his sides even as Runner felt the oddness to the man’s statement. Runner wasn’t quite sure if she was feeling frisky or fighting against the rules that bound her.
Or maybe I’m being paranoid. Maybe I’m not.
“Oh. I see. I met an interesting pair of women last night. A brunette and the other was a redhead. I could set something up if you’d like to join me?”
“Certainly! Send over the details to one of my people and I’ll be there. I’d prefer something private, so please keep that in mind. I’ll see you later hopefully.” Basile bowed his head to Runner and then slunk away.
“That was strange. And poorly done. Like… really badly written villain kind of thing. Where’s Hanners?” Runner opened his map to find Satomi and Hannah atop one another. He pinged them each, and then pinged his bedroom.
Since everyone was leaving he felt no need to wait. Instead he began making his way to his
bedroom carrying Amelia the entire way.
Thankfully his guards were up to the task and opened and closed the doors for him.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Hannah and Satomi both stood up from a nearby table.
“Hanners, Vixen. Something very strange happened a moment ago.”
Hannah pointed at the goddess clinging to his back.
“More so than that?”
“Eh, she’s part of it. She knows something but can’t tell me due to divine rules. We’re uh… exploring options. Anyways. Weird thing happened. Need your thoughts. I might be overly paranoid in this matter.”
“You’re always fucking paranoid. If someone starts talking about the color blue you secretly wonder if they’re talking about the shirt you wore the week previous. More paranoid than even me, the gutter Thief who grew up with murder and blood as bedtime companions.”
Amelia laughed at that, resting her chin on Runner’s shoulder. He didn’t need to look to know she was staring at Hannah.
“I like you, Hanners. A lot. Nearly love you. I wish you’d say yes so I could watch—”
“Minxy. Do you want me to send you back regardless?”
“No.” Amelia pouted. “I’ll be good.”
Runner grunted and continued.
“Basile said something to me along the lines that I should celebrate tonight. With female companionship. And that he preferred redheads. I can’t tell if I’m overly paranoid or if he’s an idiot and literally pointed to himself as the culprit.”
Amelia used her knees and thighs to press on him again.
Hannah lifted her hands and rubbed at her temples.
Otherlife Awakening: The Selfless Hero Trilogy Page 25