2 The Word of the King

Lenora, the last surviving vampire of the northern lands, walked towards Mephiles as he sat down to make himself ready. She was a short, slender, and beautiful young-looking woman with pale skin and rosy cheeks. Her red eyes glowed with malice whenever she exhibited her vampiric nature and, as a vampire, she had abnormally pointed ears and sharp fangs. Her long ginger-red hair was partially tied into a thin yet long braid that traveled down the back of her head. The remaining hair was wavy and left loose.

It was obvious that to rule the world, he needs serious backup from those whom he can trust. He took a whole year to summon such generals to stay by his side and defend the earth from his opponents. But they would have to earn his trust and respect if they want to walk away alive. Lenora stands beside him and becomes curious at what Mephiles is thinking about as the afternoon sun shines above the castle.

"Your generals await your word, Mephiles. Best not to keep them waiting," Lenora said.

"They should not worry. I'll go to them as soon as I relieve myself. Then again, you could entertain them as you do with other strangers," Mephiles said.

"Entertain the guests, again? I know only one thing to keep them entertained and that's just to stare at all of your paintings. You can tell a story through a painting, right?" She asked.

"Of course you can. If anyone knows anything about me, they know I'll not be taken as a joke. God himself and other gods will be pleased with what I do and what I will do for the common good. It's what Harald's mother would always tell me and what my wife used to do if I ever get exhausted. If they can't handle that, then I don't know what else to tell them. They might as well have the brain of a tick and the mind of a little girl."

Lenora took his words into such an understanding that she will be able to keep it in her mind along with other things. Since she was the second leader of the castle, she could tell what Mephiles likes to think about. Above all things, the king loved thinking about his first wife and his daughter before everything went astray. Lenora walked next to him and held out her hand to help him up from the chair, and she looked at him with a bright eye. Mephiles held onto her hand and got up from the chair as he knew he was done wasting his time by himself.

"Tell them... I'll be there. No need to worry and no need to fear," he said. The vampire understood everything he said, and she bowed to him before leaving the library to be with the generals.

Mephiles realized this will be his first time to address a whole line of generals to carry out his every command. Being obedient and respectful towards a king is something these generals will have to get used to when they are before Mephiles. Lenora walked down the stairs to go into the throne room and greet all of the generals to thank them for coming to the castle. As she did that, Mephiles gathered his armor, cloak, and greatsword while thinking about the kind of words he should say. He could feel the shadows lurking around his body and giving him ideas about what the generals should know.

Mephiles simply got ready and walked out of his library to be beside his throne; he felt warm inside as he was about to meet new people who were summoned to his castle. He then opened the door of the throne room and saw ten generals who lived in darkness and ruthlessly fought against all of their foes. Lenora stood next to his throne like she always does when he gets ready to make demands to other people. Despite being a vampire, she can wield a large scythe and slice down anyone who defies the one true king. And so, Mephiles stood in front of his throne and gazed upon every general who would live in Midland's castle and do whatever the king orders them to do.

He stood there and said, "My generals. We prosecute a good war. By the death of King Harald, the treachery he unleashed upon the land is now gone. The family of King Lancelot and all of his offspring are now wiped away from the earth. Midland is our seat now. This kingdom will thrive forever and by our hand, our enemies will tremble before us. But as your king, we are in the business of protecting the earth and making this kingdom greater than any other kingdom of this world. Humanity will learn that we are far superior and we are the only ones who can save them. The humans are not our enemies even though they are the weaker links. We will not make them our slaves. They will thrive and live their normal lives.

"But if they ever insist on coming here and threatening to take this castle, they will meet their fate. This castle is mine by right and deed. Your service and your concerns will always be under my protection. When King Harald took the throne, he promised mercy and peace. I make no such offer. We will lash out at anyone who threatens these walls and are known for committing many crimes against their people and our people. Mercy is wasted on all who would dare bring death to mankind because they will lash out and do it again. But we will continue using my legion and allowing them to carry the death sentence if necessary. Afterward, I'll give the rest of the world to them. Perhaps that will be better."

The generals stood there and became confused about what their king said, and they became suspicious. They existed to bring an end to the human race because it was humanity's fate to fall into the hands of the demons. The dark leaders who led these night creatures were a bit anxious because they might not get as much blood in their hands like they used to. Then, Mephiles looked at Lenora and saw the other generals, and he knew they lacked the skill and strength to get most things prepared. Underneath most of that madness, Mephiles could see a woman who was pure and able to get things done if anyone wills it.

"Lenora, present me with plans for our next steps today," he said. Lenora knew what he wanted and understood that she should not stray from the orders that are given to her.

But some of the generals had issues with the vampire being able to plan their next moves, yet they could not do anything about it. One of the generals, whose name is Naberius, became offended, and he moved up an inch and pointed a long finger at Lenora.

"The only one who is not like any of us. She is the one who will plan our next attack?" He asked. Lenora stared back at him, but she did not fear him nor have the time to punch him to seclusion.

Then Mephiles answered and said, "The only one... who stood by my side until the very end. The one who showed me that I will do whatever it takes to win this castle and the rest of the world. Indeed, she is not like you or your friends, Naberius. Lenora is bound by loyalty and intellect. She is your leader and my second-in-command. I've summoned most of you here and she summoned the rest of you. I can only imagine that we may have requested for one more powerful being to join us, but it seems like he is delayed. It's further proof that we are in the business of ruling this world and defending it from all of our opponents. Lenora is simply a mortal who said that she will go out her way and do some things that even I have not taught myself in doing. And that is why she stands with me."

After that, Mephiles walked away from all of the generals and went back to his library so that he could have his rest. All of the generals, including Naberius, stood with each other with feeble minds and had all kinds of confusion being spread. They thought this powerful king would unite them as one, not divide them and leave matters into their own hands. Naberius understood what it was like to be mighty and powerful against all of his enemies, but pride was his downfall. His pride was what kept others from fully trusting him and being convinced by his words when it came to being a ruler of nations.

Then he spoke aloud, saying, "What the hell was that? He summons us from all over the world and tells us it's war. We're finally gathering together and taking over the human world. And now this? Turning the whole thing over to a little vampire? What is this nonsense?"

As Naberius had his reasons to disagree with pretty much everything Mephiles said to them, Lenora walked slowly back to wherever the king went. But the prideful demon leader was not so hesitant in letting her go to where she pleased, and he needed answers from her.