How To Use Console Commands

Chapter 10

"This... will need some explaining," Payton began, trying to maintain his composure.

The Emerald Mage stood off to the right and regarded Payton with a half-lidded stare, his eyelids dusted with thick, emerald green eye shadow speckled with glitter. His eyelashes had been styled so that they appeared as deep green spikes with little golden orbs at the tips. Deep yellow eyes regarded them with a bit of boredom. His long, black hair was slicked back to reveal his sharp hairline. Little emerald bells were stuck to the ends of the waterfall of darkness that reached down to the base of his spine. His gaunt features were caked with makeup that oddly matched his broad, flowing robes. The dark green gown he wore had a large, plunging neckline that was far too wide to actually comfortably fit around his shoulders so it seemed to perpetually hang from just the edge of his shoulders where his thing, upper arm met the muscle. He wore a flowing tunic decorated with floral embroidery held up by a big, broad cravat studded with emeralds. The rest of his garment was hidden beneath the robes but it was clear that he was a stick-thin man beneath it all.

On the opposite side of the spectrum was the Head Chef who was tall, healthy and would have had more welcoming features were it not for the frown he was wearing. His broad lips and curly brown hair gave him the features of the 'boy-next-door'. Handsome, cute and with glimmering brown eyes, he gave off the impression of a casual guy that one could easily go have a beer with. His build was athletic. Nothing as broad or honed towards war like the Goblin Knight but still strong beneath the clean white, buttoned shirt he wore complete with emeralds as buttons and on the cuffs of the sleeves. He wore dark green and white striped pants capped off with polished, dress shoes. A chef's toque sat atop his head. He did not seem at all like the warrior type yet he stood there with a ready stance and hands balled into fists.

"Really now?" began the Emerald Mage, pulling out a - predictably - emerald green fan and cooling himself with it. "Is this really the supposed 'Dark Lord' that we've heard so much about?" He snapped the fan shut and used it to point at Payton. "You've had, what? Weeks since you first assaulted Avergreen? All you have to show for it is two other party members? Low leveled as well. You must be confident in your own abilities to come charging up to the Wastes with such a middling party composition."

"Do not underestimate him, Aldurin," warned the Head Chef. "Remember what he did to Avergreen."

Only then did Kalastraad speak. "Gentlemen," croaked the emaciated body sticking out of the goblin corpse. "No fighting under my house. I forbid it." He beckoned for Payton to approach. "Please. You are a guest. Approach. I will not harm you nor will any of my other guests."

"Bold of you to speak for us," the Emerald Mage said, once again fanning himself.

Kalastraad ignored him and bowed - at least as far as his current situation would allow. "I am Kalastraad Du'Miren. King of these Wastes."

Payton did not bow in return. "Payne Red. The Dark Lord. These are my associates. Durandal Fourfist and Axter Bluemane."

The Emerald Mage hid his lips behind his fan as he whispered, "At least they are named."

"My appearance must come as a shock," chuckled the King of the Wastes. "Allow me to explain..."

"Let me tell you what was fed us first," Payton said, eager to gain the advantage. He needed to be the one doing the most speaking. If there was anything he learned about modern politics, it was that the person that spoke the most – no matter the content of what they said – had the advantage. "The story goes that you were formerly a Speaker of Gobhood but, in your arrogance, you sought to kill the Goblin King that had amasses a vast horde in these lands. You did not have Faoster's backing so when you attacked, you did so of your own accord. You were overwhelmed. No reinforcements came. By rights, you should have died and the common populace believe that your death inflicted a curse upon these lands to the point that every goblin here is cursed. Supposedly an undead. We were told you were actually alive and the goblins were all intelligent. How much of that was actually true?"

Kalastraad smiled gently, his wrinkled features cracking under the strain of the gesture. "Most of that is true. I was arrogant and I did indeed seek to kill the Goblin King here myself. I actually succeeded." He gestured at the corpse behind him. "But by some unfathomable magic I cannot understand, when I fell against the goblin hordes, a great burst of energy erupted from my body. When I next woke, I was merged with the very corpse that I had slain. Now, I sustain myself using the digestive system of the dead King while I control the rest."

"And the pipes?" asked Durandal.

Kalastraad lifted his arms, regarding the tubes pumping out the green fluids from him. "My... unique situation means that I am a man with the power of the Speaker but also benefiting from the goblin's inherent Horde Strength ability. Unfortunately, the part of me that gains strength from Horde Strength is... well..." He waved absently at the Goblin King lying comatose behind him. "... indisposed. Were it not for these devices constantly siphoning the energy generated from Horde Strength, I would be dead right now. It was thanks to the Aldurin and Daronllier here that I am able to survive this long."

Kind of a cruel prison... I wonder why they would be willing to help someone who betrayed them.

"No one deserves the fate you've been given, Kalastraad," the Head Chef said, stepping up next to Payton. The young wolf sidestepped way from the Speaker just in case. "To be magically fused with a goblin corpse... even if it was a Goblin King. Of all of us, you were the most enthusiastic about ridding the Province of the large goblin menace that had gathered here."

"I know," sighed Kalastraad. "But now I serve a very important purpose." His eyes went back to Payton. "I keep the goblins here in check. I rule them. I prevent them from rampaging across Lexcia due to their sheer numbers. At the same time, they keep me alive and I give them culture, civility and purpose."

"And the two Speakers from Gobhood are here because they were concerned for you?" Durandal asked sharply.

"Considering your sudden arrival it was only right," the Emerald Mage huffed. "Why don't you take your hedgemage trickery away from here and slink off to whatever dark corner of the world you belong to before I decide to execute you myself and serve your head to Orphan."

Durandal growled but Payton lifted a paw and refused to rise to the Mage's taunts. He quickly examined the Mage's character sheet. As expected, his statistics were well above the 999 limit for all named characters but nothing as extreme as Inferiorix's which was completely maxed out. Naturally, his Intelligence was his highest statistic. A wide variety of skills were available to him as he had achieved Grandmaster Class a long time ago and, as a mage, he focused mostly on his Skills and Spells.

His biography, however, revealed much more about the situation than he was sure the Emerald Mage ever wanted Kalastraad to know.

"It's such a mystery how a Speaker could be fused with a Goblin King," Payton said, turning his attention back to the King of the Wastes. "I'm sure you've devoted some of your time to figuring out exactly what had caused it?"

The bizarre hybrid creature sighed heavily. "Of course. Long have I searched for the reasoning behind it." He laughed bitterly. "On some level, I think it could be some divine punishment for my arrogance. Perhaps the Godmage himself had sought to inflict this curse upon me. But there is no point dwelling on the past. My friend Aldurin here is, in fact, trying to find a cure for me."

"You mean by grabbing goblins from this land and experimenting on them."

Both Durandal and Axter regarded Payton in horror and then glanced between the cold-eyed Emerald Mage and the shocked Kalastraad.

"Interesting..." mumbled the Emerald Mage.

"Let me guess," continued Payton without turning to the skinny, flamboyant sorcerer. "All these years, your experiments have evolved. You've been 'trying' to replicate the results of how Kalastraad came to be merged with a Goblin King in a variety of creative ways. A decade ago, you where physically grafting goblin parts onto human subjects. Some decades before that, you were trying to infuse goblin blood into humans and vice versa. Now, you're getting goblin women and getting human males to try and impregnate them to create some form of sick hybrid. All in the hopes of finding a cure for Kalastraad."

Only then did Payton turn his gaze towards the Emerald Mage, eyes narrowed. "I wonder. Is it love for Kalastraad that drives you forward?" The Mage's eyes widened at the accusation. "Was it love that drove you to such extremes as committing these atrocious acts against humans and goblins alike?"

"Stop," pleaded Kalastraad. "I know Aldurin's motivations -"

"Was it love that made you generate that haphazard spell to curb Kalastraad's hatred for goblins that ended up with his body fused with the very Goblin King he sought to kill?"

A deafening silence fell upon the court.

"Aldurin..." the Head Chef whispered softly. "It was you?"

The Emerald Mage regarded Payton with cold, dark eyes, the lower half of his face hidden by the fan. They stared one another off for a long moment. Only when he snapped the fan shut did he speak. "I underestimated you, Payne Red." He turned towards Kalastraad, lifting his chin in pride. "Yes. It was I. Faoster would have seen you killed for your actions. I had only wanted to dampen the fire of hatred towards goblins you possessed. Your passion was what made you such a shining beacon of light, the muse of inspiration that drove the rest of us Speakers forward. But this obsessive hatred for goblins was turning you to self-destruction. You were trapped in a situation where you had to rely on goblins and it was killing you. All I wanted was for you to understand them and accept their role in our world."

Kind of like Hagden but the Greensmith knows how to curb his fanatical hatred for goblins. Sounds like Kalastraad couldn't.

"The spell was only meant to develop an empathy towards goblins," the Emerald Mage said, no hint of remorse in his voice. "Yet, I miscalculated. The sheer strength of your passion overwhelmed my spell, empowered it and twisted it into the horrible curse that saw you fused with the very Goblin King you had sought to kill. Yet I regret nothing."

The Head Chef let out a short, bitter laugh. "From bitter consequences we draw a great bounty." He looked down on Payton with a tight-lipped smile. "Instead of all the goblins here scattering to the winds and causing widespread havoc, Kalastraad now serves as a Speaker to them all. He maintains order and keeps them all in check. They even prosper."

That's why the Wastes have been allowed to exist for so long even though it's considered a 'black mark' against Faoster.

"So as tribute to allowing Kalastraad to continue living as he does, he sacrifices a hundred goblins every month to both of you?" Payton asked.

This time, it was the Head Chef's turn to show surprise. "How did you...?"

In truth, he had read Daronllier Enphou’s - the Head Chef of the Greenworks - character sheet but he quickly spun a story that would make it somewhat plausible that he had used his powers of deduction instead of his actual powers.

"While we were making our way here, the streets were abandoned. Our guide mentioned that no goblin wants to be seen on the streets. It wasn't just because of us either. I know for a fact that the Goblin Knight keeps a close tab on all goblins in Gobhood and hates it when a goblin is killed for no reason. That was his contribution to Gobhood; to curb the unending death that came from those dark days when goblins were considered disposable. I also know that you employ goblins into your restaurant. Goblins that are intelligent enough to follow recipes and work the kitchen. Goblins that, if they make a mistake, you slaughter and use their meat for yours famous Gobhood Stew."

His eyes locked with the Head Chef. "So, the only question is... if the Goblin Knight forbids the needless killing of goblins generated from Gobhood, where do you get the goblins you need to feed the masses."

Daronllier's hands curled into fists and his shook with his lips twisting upwards into a snarl. "You have no idea what it's like. The demand of the public. The constant need to be of service to the hungry masses! That pressure -"

"Daronllier!" snapped the Emerald Mage, immediately easing the Chef's mounting rage. In calm, even tones, Aldurin said, "Perhaps it was not your powers that had seen through the thin veil into the truth. Your deductive reasoning is impressive. Which makes you even more dangerous. The question, then, is what will you do with this information?"

Throughout the conversation, Axter had been diligently relaying the information to the other in the Guild. This was a goldmine of information that could be used against the Speakers. Ravenus and his team were likely already spreading the rumors while they spoke.

Right now it's up to me... What am I going to do with this info...?

Pivoting in place, he turned back towards Kalastraad. "Either you already knew of the Emerald Mage's involvement in all this or suspected. Either way, you willingly went with this broken system of sacrifice for reasons that are your own. I can only guess and your reasons but I'm offering you an out." He held out a paw towards the cursed man. "I have the power to free you of your curse. I can either turn you back into a human or a goblin and will maintain your full personality and memories."

Ghorrend, who was listening in on the Guild Chat as Axter transcribed the words, immediately protested.

'Won't that create a Shade!? He's a Speaker and rules an entire region of intelligent goblins! The resulting Shade will be disastrous!'

'I know,' Payton replied solemnly. 'But they don't know that.'

"The condition is that you have to relinquish your position as the very core of this region," he continued. "Stop being what is effectively a big, green cow being milked of his very life to fuel the entire city! Be free and regain control of your destiny! Fight beside me to free Gobhood of the same crippling system that has everyone bound to a Speaker or Listener!" He swept his arm in a broad direction at the two Speakers. "The Speakers and Listeners may seem like they are free with all their power and influence but they are just as trapped at you. The only difference is that you show it outwardly while they can do nothing but to delude themselves into believing they are free by cruelly exerting what little control they have over others."

"That's a lie!" bellowed the Head Chef. "We aren't trapped!"

"Oh no?" Axter challenged, turning towards the handsome man. There was a strange fire in Axter's eyes, a defiant rage that seethed past the normally cool, calm exterior. "You mean you're not trapped in a state of constant expectation? The entire Province loves your Gobhood Stew. You're expected to keep producing it. Keep producing fresh, new variants. You were placed in your position because you sought to be charitable and feed the people for free. Now it's expected of you. You're so scared of what'd happen not only to you but all of Gobhood if you stopped providing this free service that you have no choice but to push yourself into continuing with these atrocities."

At least I hope that's the case. He is Lawful Good...

Daronllier looked dumbstruck by the assessment and was rendered speechless.

Woo, go Axter. Where did all this come from?

"As for you..." began the chimera, turning towards the Emerald Mage.

"Don't bother," sighed Aldurin, covering half of his face with the fan. "I know who I am. I know my situation. I know that I am trapped in a cycle of constant trial and error for the man that I admire. You mistake, however, my motivations. I do not perform these experiments with some heavy weight of guilt hanging over my head." Payton could feel the cruel smile behind that fan. "Only weaker men would pursue a dream if they did not draw pleasure from the process."

Fuck, he's twisted...

"So you mean to tell me you're not scared about what'd happen if you succeeded?"

The Mage's eyes widened slightly.

"You've had centuries to come up with a solution and yet after all this time, you haven't found anything. A genius like you? I find that hard to believe." Payton crossed his arms. "You enjoy your work. You enjoy torturing souls for some miracle cure to Kalastraad's malady. Yet that is all your life has become. That is your own passion. The only objective in your life. Not quite an obsession but after you have spent so much time pursuing this one quest, it's hard to think what else you could fill eternity as a Speaker with. So you purposefully pursue fruitless experiments, drawing enjoyment for the pain and torment you inflict, while throwing platitudes and false results at Kalastraad in the hopes you can keep experimenting for all eternity."

Aldurin snapped his fan closed, his dark, green lips twisted into an ugly frown. "Lies and slander. You know nothing of my scientific process or the great strides I've made."

"Is that so?" Axter, while still facing the Mage, lifted a finger towards Kalastraad. "Take it from one who, himself was trapped for years while deluding himself things could get better. I know where you stand. So much so, I know you would not allow my lord to cure Kalastraad here and now. But if I am wrong, then you won't mind if he did your job for you, would you? If the ultimate goal is to cure him and you are, indeed, not trapped by your own purpose then completing your century-long quest will ease your burden, would it not?" He lifted his chin lightly. "What say you?"

Damn... I never knew. Axter... I'm sorry. I know you were trapped in that circus for the longest time but I never delved deeper.

The Emerald Mage's eyes widened even more. His hesitation was all the confirmation Payton needed.

"Enough!" bellowed Kalastraad, his voice carrying well through the hall despite his emaciated frame. Axter lowered his paw and turned towards the King. "Your offer is... tempting, I must admit, Lord Red. However, I have much more to think of apart from just my selfish desires. Stepping down as the lone source of power for the region will send my people into the dark ages. Goblins will be hunted down like they were in old or worse, enslaved by the Goblin Knight. Even were I go to war alongside you and win, we would be making ourselves a target for Orphan. It is simply not possible."

Damnit! So close!

"Please," Kalastraad said gently. "Feel free to stay within my palace. You have had a long journey. I simply ask that you depart on the morrow. I do not want any further tensions between my neighbors under my roof."

"That's treason, Kalastraad!" bellowed the Head Chef, his fury surging up to the surface. "You should kill this Grigori and offer his head up to Orphan!"

Durandal stepped towards the Chef, his blade leveled at the man's perfect nose. "You are more than welcome to try. I may not be able to kill you but I'll be sure to mar that pretty face of yours."

Payton stepped forward, gently pressing his bodyguard's hand down. "We'd be happy to take your offer of hospitality, Your Majesty." He bowed towards Kalastraad, shocking all those in the court. This was the Dark Lord basically prostrating himself towards someone who was theoretically inferior to him. "As a token of thanks, please have these."

With a wave of his paw, a large pile of gold sprang up at the base of Kalastraad's feet more than enough to make a hundred or so platinum pieces. Even the Emerald Mage blanched at the sight of so much wealth. If he couldn't secure an alliance with Kalastraad, the very least he could do was demonstrate his abilities so that the Speakers would think twice about opposing him.

******

There were grand celebrations all over the streets of Gobhood. Lights and lanterns were draped across streets and the citizenry were out in full force. Naturally, there were other tournaments and even a parade that drew in the crowds. Ravenus, equipped with the Ring of Disguise, strode amongst them carrying a roasted pineapple on a stick in one hand and a fruity, sweet beverage on the other.

When he finished the pineapple, he moved towards a stall that was selling what appeared to be candied walnuts. Knowing where Gobhood Stew came from, he purposefully avoided any sort of meat products even though they all looked delicious.

"Thank you!" exclaimed the woman at the stall. "Enjoy the rest of the festival!"

"Thanks!" Ravenus replied, taking the warm, brown paper bag. "Hope you have a good time too! Stay safe!"

The woman gave him a puzzled look. "Stay safe? From what?"

With an innocent smile, he merely said, "Oh, you know. I just heard this silly rumor that the town of Avergreen was attacked and the Goblin Knight isn't doing anything about it. But that's for tomorrow!" He hoisted his drink in his other hand. "Enjoy!"

Then he was off bounding into the crowd, draining the cup.

"You are a very dangerous gossip."

He partially choked on his drink as Gustav glided silently past him. "W - What!?"

The doctor gave him a steely stare. "The way you manipulated that woman. Making your gossip seem like an off-handed comment. Flashing her a pleasant grin. Sandwiching the bad news between a purchase and celebratory platitudes. It is dangerous."

Ravenus gave the man a faint smile. "Ichika gave me some good advice. There are more ways to win a war than killing people."

"A fair assessment." Gustav gestured to the right. "Come. There is a commotion near main plaza. Ichika asked me to find you so we can go there together."

Together, the weaved their way through the colorful crowd and approached one of the larger plazas in the Flourishing Walls. As they drew closer, the chants of 'Orphan' grew louder and louder. A chilling sensation instant kicked in and his more basic instincts told him to run. Gustav's hand around his wrist steeled him however and pulled him closer to the plaza itself. They didn't go to the very front of the crowd but they were close enough to see what had attracted the crowd's attention.

"Oh no..." he whispered softly.

"It's him," Gustav growled and instantly began pulling the disguised bat back. Ravenus, however, remained rooted in position. Not out of fear but horror.

Standing at the center of the plaza was the Reader of Summoning, Orphan. This was the first time he had ever seen the Reader and he was both fascinated and terrified. Tall - perhaps taller than even the Goblin Knight - Orphan towered over most of the crowd. His lean, athletic figure was partially concealed by a figure-hugging green and gold robe with long, flowing sleeves and a mantle wrapped around his shoulders. A golden clasp displaying the emblem of Gobhood held the mantle together. His chiseled features were not exactly handsome but more on the striking side. A small nose almost seemed to disappear into his face when he was observed from head on. His head was mostly shaved down save for a single, long braid that started from the tip of his hairline, tightly wound across the top of his head and then allowed to grow all the way down the back of his head where it ended just at the base of his neck. Sharp, chilling, purple eyes burned with immense power.

'We must leave, Ravenus!' Gustav insisted. 'The Reader is here sooner than expected!'

'The Reader!? You mean Orphan!?' exclaimed Ghorrend. 'Rav! Get the fuck out of there!'

But Ravenus couldn't move. He watched on in horror as Orphan glided around four Grigori who were forced to kneel in front of him. His movements were so smooth that it almost seemed like his feet weren't touching the ground.

"People of Godhood!" declared the Reader. "We are once again beset by the Black Halo. The portends of the Dark Lord are upon us once again but again, we stand firm. Through the sacrifice of these Grigori, we will persevere and beat back the great evil!"

Orphan suddenly produced a long blade from beneath his sleeves much like how Ichika drew her blades. He lifted the massive greatsword over his head as easily as one would a kitchen knife.

"Know that your sacrifice is made for all the good of Lexcia. May your selflessness be a testament to your valor and bless you in your next life."

Then he brought the sword down.

The crowd cheered as the head of the Grigori rolled off easily and blood spilled from the now severed neck. The poor Grigori's form slumped forward while Gobhood soldiers immediately went to clean up the mess, respectfully grabbing the severed head and placing it into a large, jeweled box.

Another hand seized Ravenus' other hand.

It was Ichika. "Come," she hissed softly. "We must go."

Ravenus just shook his head, staring on in horror as Orphan moved to the next Grigori and lifted the bloodied sword.

"Know that your sacrifice is made for all the good of Lexcia," he repeated. "May your selflessness be a testament to your valour and bless you in your next life."

"No!" pleaded the Grigori. "No please!"

No amount of begging could save the poor girl as her head was cleaved right off her shoulders. She didn't sound any older than her teenage years. The crowd only cheered louder.

"You monster!" roared one of the two remaining Grigori. "She was just fifteen! She just woke up in this world! How could you take someone innocent like that and just kill her! She just died in her world and now she died again in this one not two weeks in!"

Orphan was unperturbed.

"Know that your sacrifice is made for all the good of Lexcia. May your selflessness be a testament to your valour and bless you in your next life."

And another Grigori died.

The last one had his head pressed upon the floor, eyes shut and tears streaming down his face.

"Our father, who art in heaven," whimpered the man. "Hallow be thy name. Thy kingdom come... thy will be done."

"Know that your sacrifice is made for all the good of Lexcia. May your selflessness be a testament to your valour and bless you in your next life."

"On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and least us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Am -"

The sword came down.

Ravenus finally allowed himself to be taken away by his Guildmates, horrified and with the terrifying image burned forever into his soul.

******

There was some degree of comfort that the quarters given to Payton's party was quite lavished. The level of comfort dropped, however, when it became apparent that there wasn't room for three people in the broad chamber with a single bed, big as it was. Naturally, Durandal and Axter insisted Payton take the bed but the wolf Grigori still felt somewhat... awkward about it.

His mind kept going back to what had transpired in the audience chamber. Apart from failing to recruit Kalastraad, there was Axter's words which made him realize that while he had grown closer to Ghorrend, the original four members of his party were still mostly an enigma.

I can't neglect any of them... even if I am sleeping with Ghorrend.

Axter had packed a bag with some tea and had prepared some. He offered the cup to Payton who took it with thanks. It was still terribly bitter so he had to cut it with some sugar and milk but the chimera was certainly getting better.

"Thanks," he said. "Hey Axter..."

"Yes, Lord Red?" answered the lion curtly.

"What you said in the throne room..." Payton trailed off, pondering what he'd say next. "You felt trapped as well in the circus, right? What was it like?"

Axter's features softened a little and his blue eye grew distance. "The ringmaster was... abusive to say the least. But he was the sort of person who would constantly tell me that he was doing me a favor. That he was keeping me safe from the rest of the world and that I owed it to him to behave and perform. I know it isn't exactly the same as what the Speakers are going through but I too have felt trapped by circumstance, unable to do anything about my fate because that same fate prevented me from developing anything that could see me evolve past my role."

Damn... Now I feel terrible.

Back on Earth, I had every opportunity to grow past my lot in life... but I was just too lazy to take it.

"I never stopped hoping for something better, though," Axter continued with a bright smile. "Even though certain tasks were expected of me, I never stopped trying to take on other tasks and learning. It was... somewhat ironic then that my initiative was never rewarded and became expected of me."

Is he saying I don't appreciate him enough? I mean, no one ever asked him to be my butler or anything... and yet I don't tell him enough that I really appreciate him doing it.

"In much the same way the Head Chef feels, he took the initiative to feed the populace of Gobhood with free food but now, the entire city and perhaps the entire region is entirely dependent on him providing that service. Were he ever to stop, no one would care how he felt. Even if he felt..."

"Burnt out?"

Axter gave Payton a faint smile. "Yes. Even if he felt burnt out, no one would care. All they would see is that the Head Chef had just quit and suddenly they were without the food that they had taken advantage of."

Payton set down the cup of tea on the small bedside table and got to his feet. He immediately pulled Axter into a hug, burying his muzzle in the lion's mane. Axter was surprised by the motion, tensing to the point that his serpent tail hissed with discomfort. Payton didn't let go however.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me, Axter. Thank you."

The chimera immediately tensed even more. "Ah! No, milord! That was no comment on how you've treated me! I -"

Before he could finish his flustered response, there was a knock on the door. Axter, blue cheeks tinted slightly red, pulled away from Payton. Stiff-backed and rigid, he excused himself and marched towards the door. The moment he opened it, however, his features immediately fell.

"And what can I do for you?' he asked with barely concealed hostility.

"Who is it?' Payton asked, arching is neck.

Daronllier Enphou stepped into the room, pushing past Axter. "It is I," answered the Head Chef. Durandal was rising out of his seat, reaching for his sword. The Chef lifted a hand, indicating he was not here to fight. "I am not here seeking any sort of conflict. I merely wished to talk."

"Then say your piece and be gone," Durandal growled. "I've personally had enough of the machinations of the Speakers."

"That is fair," answered the handsome speaker. "We Speakers may not like one another very much and constantly attempt to sabotage one another but we do work in concert for the stability of Gobhood and the entire Province. Our conflicting personalities and perspectives challenge one another and patch up gaps one would otherwise not see."

That would be a good system if you all hadn’t grown complacent over the last few hundred years.

"And yet here you are seeking the Dark Lord's counsel without your fellow Speaker," snarled the boar. "Either you're speaking for both of you or he doesn't know you're here."

The Chef remained silent for a moment before offering a solemn nod. "Yes. I am here of my own accord without his knowledge." He paused again, pressing his tongue on the inside of his left cheek. "I have spent hundreds of years in the service of Lord Faoster and above all else, I am dedicated to the continued stability of the region. However, I am not without conscience."

Axter quietly shut the door behind them, positioning himself behind the Head Chef should he decide to attack.

"I won't bother trying to justify our actions to you," continued Daronllier. "I cannot expect someone who is barely rising as a Dark Lord to know what it means to rule in peace for hundreds of years let alone the sacrifices that must be made to maintain that peace. Yet I must know... Could you truly free Kalastraad of his suffering?"

Payton crossed his arms, appraising the Head Chef closely.

He seems sincere. His alignment is Lawful Good... but I guess it's always debatable what 'Good' is and what the 'Law' means.

"Answer something for me first," he countered. "Did you know that the Emerald Mage was the one that caused Kalastraad's current situation?"

"It was an accident!"

"That answers my question." Payton glanced away with a sigh. "And yes. I can indeed end Kalastraad's suffering. I can turn him into a human or a goblin but only if he relinquishes his role as the sole provider for this entire region."

The Head Chef scratched his head just at the rim of his toque. "Such a specific restriction."

"It has to do with the suddenness of the change," Payton explained. "Similar to Gobhood. The entire province is dependent on goblins for all the menial labor. If I were to suddenly make it so that all goblins are now extinct, your economy would collapse. Your citizens would not know how to take care of themselves. There would be rioting in the streets. I don't want that."

A soft smile touched the Head Chef's lips. "So the Dark Lord does not seek to destroy but to conquer. There is nothing to conquer if everything is dust. Admirable."

"If you wish to interpret it that way, that is your prerogative."

Not to mention if I do change someone that drastically we'll probably summon a massive Shade that'll wreck the whole place.

Daronllier nodded in acceptance. "I can respect that. For your honesty, allow me to impart some... history to you." He wandered over to one of the empty seats. "May I?" Payton indicated that he had permission and the Head Chef sat down. "Now... where to begin... Faoster became a fully-fledged Listener three... maybe four hundred years ago. Back then, goblins were rampant all over Lexcia. I believe Orphan gave Faoster the ability to summon goblins and the task of subduing the goblin population as they were an enormous threat to Lexcia as a whole.

"Faoster traveled the lands that would one day be his during his training alongside his greatest ally, Aldurin Xandel who would one day become the Emerald Mage. You must understand, back then goblins were everywhere. Not just in this province but all over Lexcia. Villages were attacked, innocent men and women killed, children deprived of their parents. It left such an impact on Faoster that he wanted nothing more than to bring an end to the goblin menace. But he wasn't so naive as to think that killing the goblins was the only solution especially when the power he was granted was built solely around summoning goblins."

As the Head Chef continued his narrative, he painted a picture of a noble knight who traveled around with his best friend and closest adviser, a mage with a keen intuition on the very creatures that they were supposed to rule. It was Aldurin who suggested the construction of Gobhood where it sat now and it was the Emerald Mage who crafted a powerful spell that lured all goblins across Lexcia to the city. For years, Faoster trained men and women in Gobhood. What was now a bustling city began as a fort to stand against the increasingly powerful goblin hordes called by Aldurin's spell. It was at first only Faoster and Aldurin but Kalastraad soon joined their ranks and the three of them stood against the waves of goblins year after year for what seemed like an eternity.

Through these trials, all three grew strong enough to truly be called a Listener and his Speakers. When they achieved this, Faoster began using his powers as a Listener to summon his own goblin hordes to combat the goblins attacking him. Another lifetime passed before the tide eventually ended save for a sole Goblin King.

"That same King is that one that Kalastraad is now merged with," explained Daronllier. "Kalastraad constantly insisted that we needed to destroy him once and for all but Faoster had turned his attention away from the constant war against the goblins to more civil matters. He wanted to turn Gobhood into a city. He always had more foresight than the rest of us."

So Faoster began the difficult task of turning the war-borne men and women of Gobhood into a society. Sadly, returning soldiers who knew only constant battle for decades into functioning citizens was no easy task. That became evident when it came to rebuilding Gobhood into a city. Constant altercations arose from the battle-hungry warriors especially when Faoster began supplementing their workforce with goblins.

"One of the prime examples of these warriors who could not be tempered was Kalastraad," the Speaker explained miserably. "His lust for battle and goblin blood could never be sated. Even more so when the Greensmith joined the ranks of the Speakers and began using his expertise to use goblins themselves into our defenses and weapons. He couldn't stand where Gobhood was going."

I'm willing to wager that Hagden had something to do with Kalastraad's eventual fall.

"You know the rest of the story. Kalastraad charged the Goblin King with his own personal army. I suppose Aldurin tried to convince him and when words did not work, magic was his only option. The spell backfired and now we have the Wastes. The loss of a Speaker crippled Gobhood greatly and the hatred of goblins only grew more and more. People were tearing goblins in the streets and both Faoster and the Emerald Mage were having difficulty keeping up with the demand. It became even more problematic when the rotting bodies of the goblins outnumbered the citizens."

Oh damn... I hadn't thought about that.

There must have been more goblins than humans. If everyone just kept killing them and Faoster kept replacing them, there must have been so many bodies...

"That is where I came in," Daronllier said, his voice lowering into a whisper. "I... found a solution."

"But turning the corpses into food?" Axter snarled. "I consider myself an avid student of the culinary arts but even I would not have resorted to such barbarity."

"You don't understand!" pleaded the Head Chef, lifting his gaze and making claws in the air with his hands. "The corpses were literally piling up on the streets. No one would properly bury a goblin! They were barely trained as well so any perceived slight was enough to execute any goblin! It had devolved to the point that if a goblin so much as breathed too loudly, it was killed and thrown out on the street! Even getting goblins to bury their dead wasn’t enough! The idea that one's wealth is based entirely on how many goblins one possessed came from this behavior! Any goblins that somehow managed to escape would band together, live in the sewers and rise up when they were strong enough to cause chaos! Gobhood hadn't become the bastion against goblin-kind. It became the very disease that it was standing against!"

Daronllier clutched the sides of his head, eyes wide. "There was so much... death and disease. I had to do something. So I and Nevaught did the only thing we could. We offered our services to Faoster. I found a way to make goblin meat appetizing and served it to him. He gave me the job and Nevaught became the Goblin Knight, instilling discipline not only in the goblins but the citizenry by punishing those that would carelessly kill any goblin pointlessly. Over the years, I improved my recipe. The number of corpses went down, people had free food and Gobhood became the shining example of order it is now."

He lifted his gaze towards Payton. "We did what we could given the circumstances. Can you honestly say that you would not have done the same? Can you truly claim that between the chaos of goblins running rampant as they were before Faoster and the order we have now you would still want us dead and see the world returned to what it once was?"

Tough question.

On the one hand we have a level of safety and security against the goblin threat. On the same hand but the other side, the people are treating goblins cruelly when this very land proves they can be intelligent if given the chance.

Then on the other hand, everyone would be free but the likelihood of death would be greater as a goblin horde could amass and rise up to kill so many people.

"Is that all you have come to say?" Payton asked coldly.

Daronllier looked crestfallen. "Has nothing I have said made any impact to you? We have our reasons for how things are right now. We have peace and stability! Is that not something worth preserving?"

Payton slowly rose from his seat. "I am not so naive to believe that peace cannot be achieved without sacrifice."

Those men and women with Faoster originally sacrificed their lives to beat back the goblins.

Kalastraad is basically sacrificing his very freedom to keep any goblin outside of Gobhood in check.

Even poor Daronllier was sacrificing his sanity to maintain a system he fundamentally didn't believe in.

"Your sacrifice is equally noble," he continued. "You continue to make Gobhood Stew and provide it to Gobhood because the Province is dependent on it. You would rather be doing something else, right?"

Daronllier's lips turned upwards slightly in relief. "I have spent centuries cooking the same thing over and over again albeit with some variations. What I wouldn't give to go even just a single province over and sample the meals they have there. To expand my culinary repertoire so to speak."

So simple... and yet so unobtainable.

"Any system we put in place is going to require people to maintain it," Payton continued. "But it should be from people who want to be there not those that feel trapped because of some perceived responsibility." He glared down at Daronllier. "The only person imprisoning you in this world is yourself. Nothing is stopping you from simply quitting apart from your own cowardice."

"I am no coward!" barked the Head Chef, immediately rising and reminding Payton that Speakers in this world were unnaturally tall. "Would a coward set aside his hopes and dreams in service for the greater good! If anything, you are being selfish!"

"From where I stand, you are being a coward. You're too scared to live with yourself if things fall apart without you. You have no faith in the people you're protecting. You're basically a mother that's coddled her child into becoming an incompetent, useless parasite. Most people can barely live for themselves let alone another or a family. You are trying to live for an entire nation and it's killing you."

"Then what do you suggest!?" barked Daronllier, throwing his hands up into the air. "I just resign!? March up to Faoster and declare that I've had enough and leave all the people to starve!?"

Uhm... yes...?

"Why not teach other people your recipe?" offered Axter. The simple answer stunned everyone in the room. "Almost everyone has a kitchen in their homes in Gobhood. Why not simply teach people to cook the same meals you are preparing? Why does it have to be you that maintains this?"

Daronllier's face scrunched up into an ugly scowl and he turned away with a grimace, tears welling in his eyes. "It's not that simple..."

"Of course not. It will take time but over the years..."

"It's just not that simple!"

What else could it be?

Payton opened Daronllier’s character sheet, scouring the biography for any sort of motivation why anyone would stick with a job that was mentally killing them for centuries if simply teaching others what they could do was an option. Nothing popped out to him in the quick scan of the biography.

But there was something in the ‘Class Features’ tab.

‘Goblin Meat Connoisseur?’

Wait... No way…

It was something that Hagden had said. Killing the Goblin Knight would mean that the control Nevaught had over all the goblins would be released. When he had examined the goblins of Gobhood, a unique status ailment was hovering over them. The Greensmith wasn't just speaking of some grand spell that the Goblin Knight had crafted to maintain his control.

No... The Speakers aren't just powerful people who have made an impact on the world... They've become part of the actual system!

It's all because of what Inferiorix did! The Godmage broke the system when, as a Dark Lord, he came in and won by making everyone an ally. The system tried to adjust and the gaps were filled in by the Readers, Listeners and Speakers!

Killing any of them would break a part of the system!

It's probably why they can have stats greater than normal characters!

"It's the Stew, isn't it?" Payton asked. "No... Not just the Stew. Goblin meat in general." His eyes narrowed as he pondered the implications. "Your mere existence makes goblin meat edible, don't you?"

Daronllier took a deep breath and held it for a good long few seconds. Without letting it go, he nodded.

Holy shit... If we kill them... it's like we're killing a part of the world.

Slaying the Goblin Knight would break that unique status ailment on the goblins that kept them suppressed. Killing Hagden would likely reduce every weapon he had ever made from goblin blood into worthless chunks of metal. The Emerald Mage probably maintained those summoning scrolls and his death would make them all worthless. If Daronllier were to die…

"Goblin meat is normally inedible," breathed Daronllier softly. "When I was first starting out, I had to cook it extensively and drown it with other spices before it could be served properly. But ever since I became promoted to a Speaker, it became easier and easier for me. My goblin sous chefs are able to replicate the effect but I believe it is only because I am a Speaker that this effect takes hold."

Axter lowered his gaze solemnly. "So if you resign as Speaker, even were you teach your recipes to others, there would be a very good chance that goblin meat will once again become inedible."

Durandal grunted and folded all four of his arms. "You shouldn't be beholden to others. If all you are doing is serving others, you are not living for yourself. But that this your choice. I hope you are prepared to die for those ideals."

The Head Chef turned to Payton pleadingly. "Please. Even you must understand the situation. Killing me, killing any of the Speakers, would result in the complete and utter destruction of Gobhood and the entire Province. You wouldn't just be killing us. You'll be killing everyone within these borders! Is that truly what you want?"

Everyone within these borders...?

That's right... Every Province is walled off, isn't it?

"No but it's clear your Readers are prepared for that eventuality," Payton answered, seating himself back down.

He got a puzzled look from the Speaker. "What do you mean?"

"Funny how every province in Lexcia seems to be self-contained and locked away from others. You don't hear anything from other provinces or Listeners except for what your Readers tell you. Seems to me that they're more than prepared for the event that society breaks down in one Province and chaos ensues. You'll all be trapped here." He glared at the Speaker. "Trapped with me."

Daronllier went rigid and his jaw dropped open in horror.

“If we kill the five people leading this nation, it's people will have little choice but to either get in line and pledge their fealty to me or die in the ensuing chaos. As far as I'm concerned, that's me getting rid of any potential dissenters and gaining the allegiance of the people."

"You would toy with people like that!? Condemn them to death for a war you started!?"

"And what of you and the goblins or the Grigori?" barked Payton. "Would you condemn them all to servitude or immediate execution for merely being born? Who is the greater evil here, Daronllier Enphou?" That caused the Speaker to take a step back, visibly shocked by the statement. "I will remake this broken system even if that means that I need to purge vast swathes of land of your corruption. I will give everyone ample opportunity to surrender and swear fealty to me. I will attempt to do my best to save those innocent and caught in the crossfire. I will even treat those we capture and still remain loyal to you and the other Speakers humanely. That is more than you ever did for the goblins or Grigori."

He leaned forward, pointing an accusing finger at the Head Chef. "But I will not take responsibility for how you've coddled these people and driven them to stagnation. You know how badly Gobhood depends on you and that you are the linchpin in its stability yet you have done nothing after all this time to alleviate that risk. That is on you. Be glad that I'm letting you leave so you have some time to mitigate the upcoming battle."

Daronllier stared at him in surprise. "You still mean to attack Gobhood even without Kalastraad's army?"

"Even if I alone must stand at the gates of Gobhood and bring down hell."

******

Daronllier Enphou returned to his quarters, shaken but at the same time... feeling strangely at peace. Something about Payne Red struck him as... inspiration. Perhaps he was a warlord seeking to conquer Gobhood but he still considered his subjects and wanted to minimize casualties as much as possible. War was inevitable. Even if he didn't bring the battle to Gobhood, he would be hunted down for being a Grigori and that alone could cause an immense loss of life.

"Perhaps this is for the best," he sighed.

"How was your meeting?"

He jumped and turned in surprise to find Aldurin seating nearby, once again fanning himself.

"Aldurin..."

"You went to see this supposed 'Dark Lord', didn't you?" accused the Emerald Mage. "What did you talk about?"

The Head Chef swallowed loudly and glanced away. "I tried to deter him from attacking Gobhood at all. Tried to make him understand our history and why we are how we are now. I had hoped that by understanding us, he would turn his gaze away and not bring war to our doorstep."

"As naive as always," sighed sorcerer with a snap of his fan. "I take it he refused to see reason?"

"He is set in his ways. He means to bring war to Gobhood even without Kalastraad's assistance. 'Even if I alone must stand at the gates of Gobhood and bring down hell', he said."

"He's certainly confident in his abilities. I admit, the generation of so much gold was... disturbing. I had spoken to some of the goblins that had escorted him and they claimed that the four-armed boar had struck him with a sword straight to the neck and it hadn't so much as scratched him as a demonstration"

That surprised the Head Chef. "He must have incredibly high defenses. Though the boar did not seem that strong."

"He isn't and something tells me it was just another trick. Perhaps the sword was a trick weapon or he didn't actually strike the wolf. Regardless, the most dangerous skill he displayed was that he destroyed a large amount of gold he generated in an instant. I shudder to think if that is simply something he can do to gold he makes or to anything. Regardless, we best prepare."

The Emerald Mage rose from his seat and turned to leave. "If it hasn't been made clear, I do not intend to inform Faoster or any of the other Speakers of our encounter. Let alone Orphan. I'm sure they would make quite a commotion were they to discover that I am responsible for Kalastraad's current ailment." His eyes turned back to Daronllier. "What of you?"

The Head Chef considered those words. It was incredibly selfish of Aldurin and just another of his machinations. But this could actually work to his favour.

"I will follow your lead. My lips are sealed."

"Good. And good evening, Daronllier. We leave immediately. Best not to keep Orphan waiting and leave little chance for the so called 'Dark Lord' to assassinate us in our sleep."

******

Payton was tempted to just teleport out of the Wastes and returned to Avergreen without another word but something told him that he needed to stay in the palace at least for the night.

He was right.

Well into the evening when everyone had mostly gone to sleep, he remained awake pondering his next move. Hagden would be very displeased that they weren't bringing Kalastraad's army and it would make assaulting Gobhood so much harder but not impossible if Ravenus and the others were able to destabilize the city.

A knock came to the door and without waiting for a response, it slowly opened.

Payton was already rising to his feet and Durandal, who had moved his seat right next to the door where he slumbered, was already reaching for his sword.

"Lord Red?" came a soft whisper. It was a goblin. That same goblin that had escorted them; Kartuur. "Please excuse the late intrusion. His Majesty wishes to see you."

"So late?" Payton asked, rising from his sheets. "Why?"

"He would not say, Your Darkness."

With a nod to both Axter and Durandal, they quickly got dressed and followed the goblin back through the dark halls of the palace to the throne room. When they entered, only the light from Kalastraad's throne illuminated the area. The former Speaker didn't look like he could actually sleep as he was jutting out perpendicularly from the comatose Goblin King's stomach.

"Good, you came," said the emaciated half-man. "Forgive the late call. I had to make sure both Daronllier and Aldurin were gone before I could make my move."

Gone... did they already leave?

"What is this about?" Durandal demanded, hands on his swords.

"Put simply, I wish to ally with you," replied Kalastraad. He fixed his gaze on Payton. "You were right, of course. I had long suspected that Aldurin was behind my predicament. That he was so willingly to help me afterward speaks of his guilt and... perhaps his love for me yet. I bear no grudge against him."

"And yet you still want to ally with us and potentially kill them?" Payton asked. "Why? So I can end your suffering?"

He got a broken smile for the comment. "Partially. Constant suffering can either drive a man insane or give them immeasurably clarity. I am fortunate to have benefited from the latter. My blind hatred for goblins drove me into this situation. I accept that. But after seeing how goblins can be just as industrious and perhaps even more capable than the humans of Gobhood, my rage has been tempered. I wish to see my people freed from under Faoster."

"The goblins?"

"No. Humans and goblins. All of them. Their heavy reliance on men who pursue their own selfish objectives such as Aldurin makes them little more than disposable pawns. They are just being showered with wealth and prosperity that they either willingly turn a blind eye or are just ignorant of it."

Kalastraad reached for one of the tubes embedded into his arm. With a grimace, he yanked it forcefully out of his pale, grey flesh. "I have heard the silent cries of my people. The injustices that befall isolated pockets of civilization that fall on deaf ears." He grabbed another tube on his other arm and snarled as he removed it from his body. That bright, green blood pooled around him. "Up until now, I have not had the power to defeat Faoster. I would not have ensured that every goblin was Level 100 if I did not expect war at one point or another."

The former-Speaker grabbed the tubes sticking out of his neck, bunching them in one hand and then yanked it painfully out.

"Now, with your combined might, we will be able to take Gobhood. We will be able to free the entire province of the festering disease that is Faoster's influence. Even if Orphan or the Godmage himself brings down fire and ice from the heavens to wipe me off the surface of Lexcia, I will at least die knowing that I have done what I can to give my people some modicum of freedom."

Kalastraad seized the tubes emerging from his chest and with a cry, removed the last of the machine sapping the strength from him.

"Will you let me stand by you, Lord Red? Will we fight together against Faoster?"

Payton smile even as the entire room was plunged into darkness from the lack of energy that Kalastraad provided.

"Before we do," he said holding up a paw. "I promised I would change you, alleviate your pain. I can still do that but I have just learned that as a Speaker, you are tied to the very fundamental laws of this world. I don't exactly know what service you provide and I have a sneaking suspicion it is the very Wastes itself but I cannot make this change in good conscience if changing you will inadvertently corrupt the very land itself."

“Oh! I can help with that!” came a light, cheerful and oddly menacing voice. All eyes turned to Payton’s left.

The Dark Lord jumped in surprise at the sight of the Godmage standing just a few feet away from him. Inferiorix seemed giddy at seeing his surprise and gave a child-like wave at all those present.

“Hi. I’m the Godmage Inferiorix.”