You will die

[James's Pov]

'It hurts... it hurts so much... why are we doing this...'

"You know why we are doing this. You should know better than anyone."

Once again I had fallen to the ground, the mud defiling the gray suit on my body. Yet again I had to silence the foolish voice inside my head, the voice that still couldn't quite accept what we were doing.

After all, it was just as much for his sake as my own that I was forcing us to keep going, to keep enduring the hellish pain that made us feel like our body was being burnt alive, while simultaneously trying to rip itself to pieces.

'I understand that you're hurting after what happened to our father, but this isn't...'

"Shut up. I swear to Loki right now that if you don't shut up, I will make sure you regret ever voicing your pathetic opinions..."

Thankfully, the meek voice inside of me finally bit his tongue, unwilling to test the small amount of patience I had left. Forcing myself to my feet, while cleaning up my suit with a swirling surge of mist, I felt like I could finally breathe again.

'-Hohoho! You seem to be struggling, my dear apostle. Are you still sure about going about it this way? At this point, aren't you just hastening your path toward death?'

It was annoying, it truly was. How I never seemed to get a moment to myself anymore with these two voices constantly pestering me.

'-If that's the case, I can at least comfort myself knowing I will have someone to depart with.'

'-Ho? Touché! Anyway, your gift seems to have arrived safe and sound to Aldon.'

Hearing Loki confirm the arrival of the elves that I had made Frederick release, there was no reason for me to idle in the swamp-like dungeon anymore. Luckily, I wouldn't have to waste time flying there anymore as I had acquired an ally that happened to be the inventor of the portal technology.

He was truly a great tool. A tool so great that it could be said that he was the sole reason why modern technology from earth existed on Tella, but it was also a fact that he was quite naïve. Because he somehow fooled himself into thinking that just because we signed a non-aggression treaty, I would for some reason leave him alone.

No, for someone like him that had everything to lose, and for me that had nothing, a non-aggression treaty was more like an all-you-could-eat buffet for me. And if there was anything I had learned about myself during my stay here on Tella, it was that I was a glutton.

****

[Frederick's Pov]

Walking through the corridors of my empire, I couldn't say I was all too happy when noticing that something had occupied my office. And as I opened the door, my headache only grew.

"Welcome back, Principal! You weren't here when I arrived, so I made myself a bit comfortable."

Sitting behind my desk, his legs crossed as they so often were, James was holding a cup of coffee, the warm liquid letting out a gentle stream of steam.

'This man... No, this thing...'

Walking forward without giving him a response yet, at least wanting to make sure I was sitting comfortably while dealing with the obnoxious being, he kept on talking.

"It's quite unusual for you to be out and about. What's the occasion?'

Though I didn't know why he would even know such a thing about me, I sat down in front of him. If I had been more prideful, I might have cared about the fact that he was occupying my seat and I had to place myself in the chair meant for visitors. But I didn't.

Something like that would never matter to me. Because pride was useless. The only thing that mattered was the outcome of actions, and I knew that as long as I didn't act out too much, the outcome of our relationship would at least not hurt me.

The contract as well was something I had signed with the same line of thought. Despite the fact that I would have to wag my tail for this man, it didn't matter much if it would make it possible for me to continue my research in the future.

In fact, with the king's resolve now seemingly wavering, I knew it was unlikely for him to procure me more subjects to experiment on. In other words, I would no longer have a reason to serve him.

And although I had lost the elves that I was planning on using, I had already concluded after opening up two of them that they wouldn't allow me to further my research either.

So my research would no doubt stall for a bit now, just like it had done so many times in the past. Or at least until I found another lead. A lead that I now suspected was right in front of me, as there was somehow a man who appeared to defy the rules of life and death, that rejected the unwritten laws of the world.

With that in mind, I happily wagged my tail.

"I was just taking a moment to spectate the combat assessments of the sophomores. Or should I say, your old classmates?"

It was interesting. No matter what kind of path he now walked on, there should still have been some kind of affection for his past. No matter how cold-hearted a man became, memories weren't something that could be changed. And as a result, the emotions that came with them should still be lingering to some extent.

Yet, the boy didn't seem to have that.

Taking a sip of his coffee, it did seem to spark some interest in him, but there was no sign of it being a result of past affection.

"I see. So, are they doing well? I hope that Arthur hasn't been slacking off, or I would be severely disappointed."

"He carries a lot of potential and, as you probably already know, he will likely become the hero of this generation. That being said, I do think Ms. Red is a lot more interesting. That Manual of hers is..."

"You will die."

*BOM!*

A wave of terrifying pressure suddenly emerged from the boy, and in an instant, I was reminded of a feeling that I hadn't felt in a very, very long time. This was the feeling of impending doom.

No longer was there the aloof and uncaring man in front of me. Instead, he had been replaced with something I could only call an absolute monstrosity, the black sockets of his mask glowing in a heavenly blue. As if to remind me that he was not something that should exist in this world.

"If you so much as think about touching that girl for your disgusting research, I will make sure to erase any and all traces of your existence. And the thing that is hiding behind me will be erased as well."

Reacting to the deathly pressure, my loyal subordinate hadn't been able to stay still, having taken a step forward behind him with her white knife readied.

Putting up my wrinkly hands, I had a feeling that his words weren't merely just empty threats. If he decided to do so, I somehow knew that he would make his words come to be true. No matter what he had to do to achieve it.

"I understand. Lilie, stand by."

Listening to my words, the exposed Lilie now knew there was no reason to hide anymore, as the monster had already known from the start that she was there, instead opting to stand by my side, just in case something happened.

In sync with my acceptance of his threats, the pressure quickly faded, and I could sense a smile behind the mask.

"Good! Now, I need you to authorize the opening of a portal. There's a king waiting for me in the land of the trees."

"You're going to meet Trelis? Would you answer me if I asked what kind of plans you have related to him?"

Rubbing his chin, James took a second to think about his answer. In the end, he appeared to have decided it wouldn't matter if I knew or not, and so he gave me an absolutely absurd response.

"Wouldn't it be a good idea to establish a good relationship with the only nation that will exist in the future?"

"What do you mean? What are you planning on doing?"

Standing up while quickly fixing the cuffs of his suit, he opened his mouth again, but this time he didn't allow me to know what he was thinking of.

"What I'm planning on doing? That's something that you will know in time. I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise, after all. Now, please open that portal for me and make sure to empty the portal room. It would be a shame for you to lose subordinates just because they saw something they shouldn't have."