Chapter 164 - Bloody Celebration

"So, everyone gets that? That's the basics for my plan anyways"

(Petra) "..."

"It's a little brutal Ikarus-sama but if it'll work, then I'm onboard"

"Needs of the many outweigh the few and all that, something we all learnt in knight's training anyways"

"Ignoring the boring thing the empire's lackey just said, hell yeah orangey! This is going to be great!"

Having just explained my plan in heavy detail to everyone, I've gotten nearly everybody onboard, even Zeki but that wasn't difficult considering there is bloodshed even in the attempt to bring peace into this world. The only person who still is unsure is the only person I need to glue this entire operation together.

"Uh huh, I'm not sure about this Ikarus. I'll do it if I must but it seems really bad though"

"This is the most peaceful option I can come up with and you are the only person who can make it work effectively Ariza. It's either this or I start nuking everything, no one else has any other ideas yet"

"I'll still do it Ikarus, I'm just sad about it really"

You see, I could go about wiping every single person from this continent of the lands and turn it into a nuclear hellscape but even for me, that might be overdoing it. The main problem is that I don't want Petra to hate me and Charlotte to determine me a heaven or something, feel like nuking an entire world would be pushing it despite options being limited right now.

"I've got to admit Ikarus, this is a really well thought out plan though"

"It's as if you sound surprised Petra. What, am I not intelligent enough to come up with something like this?"

"Heh, don't be putting words in my mouth Ikarus, or I'll play the same game with you. Remember when you nearly called me fat?"

"Erm... okay then"

Putting whatever playfulness that was aside real quick, it seems we're good to go? Ariza isn't happy but at the end of the day, this plan will save more lives than it will take so she's kinda onboard.

"Now, the prep work starts. If my memories recall, there is a perfectly placed venue right in the centre of this world..."

__________

(Temporary Perspective Change)

"Hurry up slave, those horses won't park themselves!"

"Yes sir!"

Having just got outside my carriage and now at the place in question, I'm currently getting my slave to park and move everything to where all the other carriages are. Boy, there clearly must be quite the few invitees here since the outside to this huge ballroom looks like a carriage parking lot! Of course, mine is the fanciest of them all.

'Ah, the joys of free labour. It was either this or the frontlines for the boy'

The laws regarding forced conscription have always been kind to us nobles and will keep allowing us to keep our roles regardless of how many poor boys go off to war. This kid in particular would've been dead if it wasn't for my outstretched arms, all it took was signing a few forms and that was it, he apparently no longer exists! Easiest piece of business I've ever done and I get to feel like I've saved a life as well. I really am too kind at times.

Enough about him though, might as well recap on why I'm here at this strange place in the middle of nowhere. Roughly about a week ago, most of the higher ups in the demonic faction were sent suspicious invitations to attend a party from the queens themselves! Of course, we all thought it was bullshit at first especially considering where this enclosed location is at but the stamped seal does not lie. Ah, attendance is compulsory as well which definitely means this must be important if we're being forced to show up.

As I'm just about to enter the grand hall, I notice a few other higher ranked demon nobles and generals around the place... and humans!?

'Is this what I think it is? The queens are going to broker peace with the puny humans? Huh, what a strange plan indeed'

I'm strongly against this but this clearly must be why someone like me has been sent, to advise over the whole situation. If the humans are planning to surrender, then I'll be a lot more open minded to the idea but that 'noble' human doesn't exactly look like he'd be willing to grovel down by my boots though. At the end of the day, all races should be grovelling if not from demon descent.

I'm honestly surprised fighting hasn't already broken out but the invite did say fighting of any kind isn't allowed and will be treated like treason. If the majesties really feel like this is something that must happen, then so be it.

Anyways, we all eventually walk into the hall and immediately, my face drops upon seeing what other disgusting race is residing within these halls.

"What the hell kind of sick joke is this? What self-respecting demon would be seen on a room filled with fucking orcs!?"

This is outrageous! The two demon queens send a compulsory invitation out to all the higher ups and they want me to stay inside a place filled with dirty beasts!? It doesn't matter if I'm getting the odd look or two for openly voice my opinion like this, I don't care!

As for the actual layout of the hall, it clearly was a high-class ballroom that's now been turned more into a party layout with a buffet and things like that, doesn't help there's easily over a hundred souls inside this place as well. As a demon, it was only logical I arrive fashionably late but to think my brethren have been sharing a room with this scum for this long already?

Standing at the top of the hall is both the queens, a golden armoured looking human and a dirty blue skinned creature! It's bad enough there's humans all around the place but to think orcs litter these clean halls, there's even a huge green orc sitting on a chair with a grin upon its face! The audacity of this! Have the leaders gone mad!? Peace with any orc is unacceptable!

"My queens, whatever is going down in this hall is akin to madness! Please, stop whatever it is you're doing and return to the castle"

Both Queen Ikarus and Petra don't even acknowledge my existence and just keep whispering something to each other, what disrespect! After everything I've done for them, this is how they dare treat me!

'How dare they treat their most trusted adviser like this! Loyalty is something I pride myself on but not to madness'

It's obvious we need a new change in leadership if this is how the queens are now doing things, we'll have to start up secret meetings and plot to rid of them somehow. Of course, that'll be a difficult task but if we can get them in their sleep, then maybe there's a chance for things to return to the norm.

Unlike how I'm visibly able to show my dissatisfaction over such a situation, most of the others in the hall look disgusted as well, obviously just trying to hide it in an attempt to not anger the queens. Screw angering them, we need a different leadership if we're planning to befriend the other species! The only use an orc has, is to be skinned and made into a rug.

Just as I'm about to turn around and leave, one of the humans closes up a doorway and causally addresses our Queen Ikarus like it's nothing!

"That's everyone Ikarus-sama, not a single soul unaccounted for"

"Good then Charlotte, looks like I can finally get the show moving along..."

While speaking, Queen Ikarus grabs a bell and grabs full attention of the room. That couldn't have been more unnecessary if she tried, everyone has been giving the queens glares ever since we entered from all factions.

"...Say, out of curiosity, how many of you inside this room despise the other species? I don't just mean a teeny bit. I mean, who would go to great lengths to kill a child or baby from a different race? Don't worry, I promise I won't judge!"

...

'Queen Ikarus has lost all sense of reasoning and logic; the other queen needs to strike her down if her brain has lost it's reasoning'

As if anyone would answer such a disgusting question, who would honestly admit to killing children?

If I'm being honest and being unfiltered, yes, I probably would. Killing that child would stop a potential soldier fighting years later and killing one of our demons, it's a logical answer despite no one would ever personally admit to killing children. I'd be a little more sceptical on humans but orcs, they are nothing better than animals anyways.

"No one really wishes to answer then!? Ariza? Who's the lucky winners of the game then?"

"Uh huh... numbers... two, seventeen, nineteen, thirty-one, thirty-six, forty-five and one-hundred and four. I'm taking care of three and forty-one personally"

Both the filthy orc and Queen Ikarus are reading off a sheet of paper and now seem to be directing the armoured male human and Queen Petra, what sort of lottery even is this? A small grin seems to be growing on the mad queen's face as well.

(Petra) "Confirmed, left side is mine"

(Nathan) "Despicable... let's get this done Petra"

All of a sudden, a couple of the humans within the crowd pull out blades and slit their own throats! Then, the two humans being directed jump off the stage, unsheathe their blades and start slashing at people all around regardless of their species.

"Arg-"

"Hel-"

It doesn't matter on the species, Queen Petra is sending heads flying on all sides and is now coming over to my direction, what the actual fuck is going down right now!?!

"No-..."

__________

Screams fill the ballroom as nobles flock trying to escape only to find the doors locked and nowhere to go from the celebration. I'm still just standing on the stage directing everyone and trying to turn this bloody occasion into something a little less deranged. It hasn't worked completely how I intended but everything is going down without any real problems, this purge is surprisingly enjoyable but then again, can you blame me for ordering the deaths of potential child killers?

"Hahaha... You really are a master at entertainment orangey, this is the best party I've ever been to!"

[<Even Aesa is proud of Ikarus for coming up with this plan. If God Area watching over, will either send him mad or he'll be impressed>]

Zeki stands as bulky as ever blocking one of the open doorways not allowing a single panicked soul to enter past, Charlotte also does the same to the other side of the room. Her summoned sword is more than enough to scare people away from that exit as well, it's not like there's any way out of here right now.

Anyways, the initial blood slaughter is now over and both the knight and my waifu's blade drips with the sweet blood from child murderers. It actually feels good not having to worry about killing for a change especially considering those lot had no issues over doing such a thing.

"So, those few were the most racist out of the lot then? At least that's a good start, you two can join me back up here now"

"Heh, of course Ikarus"

"To think that those fuckers would kill kids, we should've made them suffer for longer"

"Relax Nat, the heathens are dead now"

To go into a little more detail on this place, there was a big reason why Ariza's is needed. You see, there's a reason why she hates her mind controlling abilities and purposely refuses to use them. If you're able to control minds, then reading them wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility, correct?

She literally has the power to read ALL minds regardless or strength or anything like that, it's pretty understandable why she wouldn't use it considering Ariza despises exploiting people. My lie detector is good enough but imagine being able to know everything inside someone's brain? Our healer is pretty damn OP.

The thing is, I'm personally not too worried if she reads or has read me before, all she'd find is a Petra shaped plushie running on a hamster wheel and porn, lots and lots of porn. At least I'm honest about it I suppose, the Ikarus hard drive definitely needs a factory reset someday.

Going back on topic, Ariza by herself still isn't strong enough to force all the bigots in the room to kill themselves so this is why Petra's and Nathan are acting as the swords except for the two who killed themselves, I'm obviously the orchestrator for everything. Sure, I could just go through every person and do a lie detector test myself but that would be massively time consuming and if they refuse to speak, then I'd be clueless. This is better for everyone.

"Let us out!"

"We don't want to die... get your arms off me human scum!"

Even when faced with imminent death and they're trying to force a way out, they still can't help but show their true colours. They can keep banging on the doors for as long as they want, there's only two ways in and out, each of which have either a bulking orc or a heavenly priestess.

Anyways, us four are back on the stage ready for next part of this play, I'm definitely embracing my inner psychopath right now but can't exactly say it's being used unfairly. Ariza can see into the depths of their souls after all.

"Everyone listen up and gather back around if you wish to live! All six of us have decided to join arms and put an end to this pointless war that has been killing all our children. Tonight, things will change whether you want to embrace it or not!"

Eventually, the panicking crowd settles down but it doesn't take a genius to figure out the opposing sides really don't like the sound of this. Demons and orcs in particular have such a huge rivalry, peace would never be an option with all the nobles and advisers around the place.

If we had gone down the sacrificing route and disposed of a single side, it's nearly guaranteed that the humans would've been one of the groups surviving. They may seem the least racist side but I'm pretty sure they're just better at hiding it compared to everyone else. Anyways, it's time to continue on with the show...

"Now, it's time to be honest with yourselves and you may just live through this beautiful night! The next important question is just as a simple as the last, all you need to do is answer if you'd be willing to stop fighting with each other? Permanently!"

...

Once again, silence completely fills the hall as none wish to answer the question. It doesn't matter if lot try to hide your true feelings, Ariza can see through everything.

"Ariza?"

"Twenty-two, thirty-two, thirty-eight..."

Ariza ends up listing off a good twenty numbers or so and once done, both Nathan and Petra start to read through the list and confirm who they need to hunt.

"... and one-hundred and one... I really hate using this Ikarus"

"Only one more round left, then I shouldn't need to ask you again Ariza"

While I'm trying to console Ariza on why this is the right thing to do, Petra and Nathan start going headhunting again looking for more and more blood to spill.

Oh, I never explained this whole number thing as well, we stamped the hands of the majority of guests while they were first entering. For the few who arrived an hour late, it wasn't worth the hassle so just added on a few more numbers.

Screams start to fill the hall again while I just take a seat right on the corner of the stage witnessing the glory that is Petra's finisher. This place is going to have a gigantic pile of heads by the end of this, a few have tried to fight back but we are the strongest individuals in this world after all.

Nathan himself is pretty good with a sword as well but it's hard to pay attention when fangirling the hell out of that sexy piece of arse over there. Ah, looks like those two are getting involved as well now.

This time around, people are trying to forcibly push past Charlotte and Zeki, this will only lead disastrously.

Charlotte reluctantly has a face of guilt slicing down a few with her summoned sword while Zeki just smiles that nasty grin of his torching a bunch of people who all tried to get past. At least the terrified nobles now know escape is hopeless.

Once the second round of racists are dead, the smell of death lingers in this place like the aftermath of a plague, but we're not done just yet. One more question left to go to rid this world of racist nobles, let's just hope this fear they have of us can force a change in mindset.

"Now, onto the last question. How many of you would be willing to live in the same city with a different species? Don't worry, I'm not asking you to get married with another race or anything like that but, would you be okay with an orc or human neighbour for example? That neighbor can be several houses away as well"

People are afraid of things they don't understand so a tiny bit of racism can be ignored, people can change their beliefs depending on the circumstances and I'm hoping pure fear may be able to break them.

"*Sighhh*... there's no point me listing this off Ikarus, all of them say no"

"Seriously Ariza!? There's not a single person in this room willing to live in the same city as someone different!?"

"Yeah Ikarus, none of them are willing to change. The people really aren't nice inside this world, feel less guilty using this now"

I'm not the only person with a face of slight shock, most of the party excluding Petra and Zeki share the same expression. Maybe I haven't witnessed the worst of humanity yet hence why I thought there was a chance these bastard nobles could change, guess my naivety has returned a little. As if people in power could change their ways even just a little.

"Eh, oh well then. It's time to put on a closing act for this play..."

Just as I'm about to kick off the final round, the ground starts to shake and all the doors within this grand hall suddenly burst open. It looks like we've stirred the hornets' nest, at least by who is standing in one of the open doorways now.

"What the actual fuck are you doing inside my realm!? How dare you try to end this war!"

'Ah, so this is what Ares looks like in the flesh...'