System Change

“So,” Derek said. “If I go out and look, you’re telling me that I’m not going to encounter a single person who has a slave? In the entire kingdom?”

“I didn’t say that,” Osian replied. “I said that we make slavery illegal and punishable. By that, I mean that if any elf is caught doing business with slavers or using a non-standard servant contract on a new servant, then they are punished. And, because our population is small, and our monitoring is quite good, most elves would never even think to try it.

“With the servant contracts so readily accessible at any Kingdom Supplier Store, it doesn’t even make sense for an elf to try it. Those contracts are much less expensive than hiring a contract maker to create a personalized one. Plus, the contract maker would be taking a great risk as well.”

“But there are slaves?” Derek asked.

“Of course there are,” the king replied. “We cannot do anything about oaths, and what is a system oath of loyalty and servitude with no restrictions if not a slave oath, but with a prettier name? But with that example, the oath is given freely and usually to a person who has done the other a great service. There are elves who take this oath. Do you know no one who has taken such an oath?”

Derek thought about Bones and Ogre. “I have a couple of them, actually,” he said. “But I put restrictions in place on them. They are treated more as well-paid employees than slaves. And they have their own conditions, too.”

“But that isn’t common,” Osian said. “Most oaths like that are made one-sidedly by the oath takers, and do not usually involve restrictions. As for straight slave contracts… it had been a long while since we have seen one. I’m sure if you turn the entire kingdom over with a fine-tooth comb, you will find a couple, but you will find more in Cydaria and vastly more in Astrus where it is not controlled. Though, I doubt you will find any in Vallum. So, I ask again, is my answer acceptable?”

Derek furrowed his brows. I don’t know why I’m so invested in this. It’s not my problem to deal with. Honestly, it wasn’t something he thought much about until Brandi and Malorie were captured—then it became personal. After that, he followed that thread all the way to Gerald Torith until that problem was taken care of. But, since he was invested, he’s see it through.

“Sabrina,” Derek said, getting the girl’s attention. “Give me that servant contract that you showed Edgar earlier.” He trusted Edgar’s words, but he wanted to see the contract for himself.

Derek took the contract and began reading it over. It was a simple but atrocious contract. He couldn’t believe that anyone would sign it on their own free will. But Edgar was correct. It really wasn’t a slave contract—even if that was only so via technicality.

Obviously, Indria knew of the technical misconception about slavery in their kingdom, but didn’t bother to reject it. In fact, they seemed to prefer others to think of them that way. Like they said, it meant fewer immigrants and much easier control.

Derek tossed the contract back to Sabrina. “That’s definitely going to have to change. A lot,” he told her. One thing he did see was that there was a limit on punishment that could be given. That’s something… I guess. “That’s basically a slave contract all but in name” I also want to go to this Cordonia and see what’s going on there, and I want to speak privately with one of these ‘servants.’ But for now…It wasn’t his problem, but he at least wanted to see it through.

Derek sat across from Osian and stared deeply at him. He had made his decision, but decided it was best to let the king and his family sweat for a bit. Finally, after some minutes had passed, Derek sighed. “I guess that will work for now. No sense killing a bunch of people who are already bound to another and will have no choice but to change their ways. I’d hate to see all that hard work that Callum did go to waste. But if you find some loopholes and step out of line, just remember that you’ll have me to deal with. And this is your only warning.”

All at once, the members of the Indrian Royal Family let out a collective sigh of relief. It was like his words were like a weight lifting from their chests. It was exactly what he wanted to see. With them still in his sight, Derek let a half smile play over his face before turning to Edgar, who had made his way back over to their side of the table, taking a seat in Derek’s former place at the table, during his and the king’s stare down.

“So, what are we doing now?” he asked the prince. Technically, he should have been asking Edward, but he much preferred to talk with Edgar, and he didn’t care who knew it.

“This was really as far as I had planned,” Edgar answered with a shrug. “I guess it’s time to talk about how we’re going to deal with Astrus.”

“Father should be involved in these talks,” Edward said from his standing position.

“I don’t think so,” Derek said, then grinned. “You’re basically the King of Cydaria now, Edward. This would be a good opportunity for you. Besides, I doubt that the old man would want to risk coming through the void with me—he’s much too worried about clinging to life—and it would be a pain in the ass to take everybody there only to have to bring every back again. I’m not a taxi.”

Edgar’s brows furrowed, but he shook it off. “He’s right, brother,” he said, backing Derek’s opinion. “Father has made the decision to give you this role. He probably expects it from you.”

Edward closed his eyes, then took in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. When his eyes opened, he looked over at Edgar and Derek with resolve. “Okay,” he said. “We will do it that way.” Edward then walked around the table and took a seat beside Edgar. He didn’t even bother asking Derek to give up his seat at the head of the table.

“If I may,” King Osian spoke up, causing everyone to look in his direction.

“Go ahead, Osian.” Edward motioned for him to continue.

“Thank you,” Osian said with a nod. “Before we worry about Astrus, I believe that we need to find a way for my kingdom to accept their new circumstances. I know my citizens, and they will not accept such a drastic change so suddenly, even if I take the blame and you show your strength. While you may be able to rule by strength and fear alone, it is better to have the trust and respect of your citizens, and after this folly, I will have lost much of that.”

“That’s true,” Edward said. “Especially with those at the top of the hierarchy. I know that our nobles wouldn’t be mollified by words.”

“Which is why most of the nobility is eradicated at the end of such a war,” Osian explained.

“I’m open for options and opinions,” Edward said. “As it stands now, strength and fear, along with whatever amount of loyalty you can muster, are the best we have without taking drastic measures. And we’ve already agreed not to do such things.”

“This is an unprecedented situation,” Osian said. “One that I can not recall from any of the history books from our continent.”

“What about just announcing it as a peace treaty and an alliance?” Derek asked. “Only the few of us in here know exactly what went on. As for the terms of the contract, you can just add that they were conditions for the alliance. They don’t need to know about the soul contracts and things. Let the loss of the army shock everyone and believe that the worst-case scenario is happening, then, a peace treaty and alliance will seem like a good thing. It will look like it’s mutual, and that you weren’t forced into it.”

“That…” Osian started as he ran his thumb and forefinger over his perfectly unblemished chin in thought. “That could work. Though, the conditions may be a bit too one sided to convince everyone.”

“If your contracts for servants are how you say they are,” Derek said. “Then everyone shouldn’t have much of a problem with that change. And as far as I know, for now at least, that is the only direct change that will affect everyone immediately. Plus, the strength and fear will already be there to nudge everyone along. Especially once they learn about the royals from Astrus… or rather, lack thereof.”

“Besides,” Edgar said, entering the conversation for the first time. “While it may be a peace treaty and alliance, they will know that we negotiated from the side of power, and thus, should have the better end of the deal.”

“Exactly,” Derek said with a smile. “You are the ‘servants’ in this contract, after all.”

“Possibly…” Osian said.

“It could work,” Osian’s wife chimed in for the first time, causing everyone’s eyes to shift to the usually quiet woman. “But the people, especially the nobility, will still be looking for something for us to gain from the deal. It wouldn’t have to be much, just a consolation prize, if you will. Just something to say that we didn’t walk away empty-handed. A token of goodwill from Cydaria to show that you value the alliance as much as we do.”

The elven queen spoke the truth. Even if it went down as a peace treaty instead of a surrender, if the terms were too lopsided, it would arouse suspicion and dissent. It really didn’t have to be much, but it had to be something.

“I believe Cynthia is right,” Osian agreed with his wife. “This way, it will go down much smoother than defeat, even if everyone knows what it really is.” The king turned his head and looked at the woman who had yet to speak or make a move. “General Nira, Jerum.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Both elves spoke at the same time.

“Leave at once and begin spreading the news of our joint army’s defeat. Make it known that the King of Astrus has died and his brother has been captured. Duke Ryven made it back but is grievously injured. Embellish the story. Speak of dragons and…”

“Exploding black holes that can devastate an army.” Ryven stared at Derek as he spoke up and everyone looked at him. Derek smiled when he heard what he said. “And a rain of fire that can eat through any earthen shield.”

“It’s dragon flame, actually,” Derek said with the grin on his face. “She uses it for cooking.”

Ryven’s jaw fell open, and he looked up at Silvi, who had taken her place back on Derek’s shoulder. She was firmly nodding along with Derek since she didn’t have her communication crystals to agree for herself. She even opened her little mouth and breathed out a very small stream of flame that only shot out about a foot or two. With that small pulse of dragon flame, the room’s temperature drastically rose.

“Uh… yes,” Osian nodded and continued speaking to his general. “Speak of the powerful attacks that devastated the army.”

“It was just two,” Derek reiterated.

“Speak of the two attacks that devastated the army,” Osian said with a sigh. “Spread the news of the defeat—of Mr. Hunt, Edgar, and Alanah Swan’s strength. And get in communication with the remainder of our army and have them withdraw back to the capital. Keep the teleporters open to them. By the time they get back, they will unknowingly help with the spread of the news.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” With that, General Nira and Jerum both bowed and exited the Throne Room, leaving everyone else to their discussion.

“That should help,” Derek said, then looked over at Edgar. “What if you allowed them access to your power leveling dungeon in Cydaria?” he asked.

Everyone on Indria’s side of the table looked up, hopeful.

“No, we can’t do that,” Edward answered instead.

“Why not?” Derek asked. “It doesn’t do anything but strip those who use it of their future power. Edgar can attest to that. You don’t have to open it up to everyone. It could be a reward for people.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Edgar agreed.

“It’s not that. It’s the location. We wouldn’t want foreigners wondering around in the depths of our palace,” Edward said.

“Then have them sign a contract. Make a direct path to it and make sure that nobody wanders.” Derek rolled his eyes. “It’s not hard, and if they want to use it bad enough, I’m sure they’d jump at the chance.”

“I’ll… think about it,” Edward said. “If we cannot think of anything else. The dungeon was something they wanted badly and wasn’t an insignificant part of this war. I wouldn’t want to concede something like that.”

Derek shrugged. He gave them his two cents. Other than the dungeon, he didn’t really know what else Indria would want that Cydaria had. He wasn’t very worldly when it came to his current world, but dungeons and their rewards seemed to be the biggest commodity controlled by a kingdom. Equipment and items were crafted by individuals, so that wasn’t something Cydaria would or could give.

As long as Indria had things to trade, they could try to make deals with any crafter they met. But as a whole… “What about increasing trade between the countries? I know that you already have some trade, and you even sent Sabrina there as an ‘envoy,’ so starting that back up and maybe even increasing it could help with the ‘alliance.’”

“True,” Osian said. “But I imagine that was already a given. It would look bad if we didn’t continue trade after forming an alliance.”

Edward nodded his head like it was obvious. Derek half chuckled. Okay… tell me I’m dumb without telling me I’m dumb, Derek thought. It seemed that the king, and probably Edward, had already wordlessly agreed to trade between kingdoms. It was obvious that it would be one of the first things considered in a peace treaty and alliance.

“Well,” Derek said. “I really don’t have any other ideas. I’m not one for all this political stuff. Give me a target and tell me to smash, and I’m good. Making peace between nations? Forget about it.” Derek sat back and crossed his arms.

Derek listened to everyone float different ideas back and forth, but Edward was pretty strict on the terms. This was technically his first act as ‘king’ even if it wasn’t really, and he didn’t want to lose out or give them too many concessions after what they’d done.

That was understandable. If Derek was in his situation, he would probably do the same. Sure, the soul contracts were a massive hit to the royal family already, but that was more of a private punishment—the kingdom needed to know their place a little, too. It may have seemed counterproductive, seeing how they were looking for a way to appease nobles, but it wouldn’t require a lot, and all the suggestions seemed to be over a mental limit that Edward had set.

Alanah looked to be in the same boat as Derek. Neither one of them had anything to do with the peace treaty or running the kingdom. They were just there to stop the war and maybe enact a little ‘justice’ during the process. Either way, it seemed that the royals in the room, including the Cydarian ones, weren’t making any progress.

After what seemed like half an hour, Derek heard somebody mumble something, but wasn’t quite sure what was said over all the arguing back and forth. Did she say what I think she said? If so… A lopsided grin fell on Derek’s face and loudly cleared his throat. “Ahem!”

The room went quiet and everyone looked over at him.

“What is it?” Edward asked.

“I think Sabrina had something to say. Isn’t that right?”

Everyone looked from Derek to Sabrina, and the young elven lady’s face went crimson as she looked down and fidgeted with her hands. “W-what about… marriage?”

Standing behind Osian, a mentally exhausted Ryven facepalmed. “Not this again.”

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