Rohan and V finally arrived at the dwarven empire. It had towering grey walls adorned with mounted guns and patrolling robots. The gates, thick and gold-colored, were guarded by robotic sentinels and watchtowers.
Following Balor's lead, they conversed with the guards and were soon granted entry. Rohan surveyed the surroundings, finding them far from the traditional image of a dwarven realm. Everything seemed... Cyberpunk styled? Neon signs adorned the shops, LED lights illuminated the streets, and large vents served as the empire's air conditioning. The inhabitants shared features with Balor, boasting glowing veins and prosthetic limbs. Most striking were the holograms of prominent figures scattered throughout the underground area.
V leaned in and whispered, “There’s no way the dwarves achieved this level of advancement on their own.” Rohan nodded in agreement, whispering back, “It must be Leth’s doing. But why?”
“If we can find the power source for all this technology, we might be able to dismantle this cyberpunk shitshow,” V suggested.
“Let me negotiate with them first; they might consider returning to the surface,” Rohan proposed.
“Don't force modernization on a medieval society! Remember, we're here for architects and technicians, not to impose our ways,” V cautioned.
Balor shot them a glance, remarking, “You two sure like to chatter. Got something on your minds?”
V shot back, “Take us to your leaders and save the commentary, Bitch!”
Balor grunted and quickened his pace, leading them to the imperial supreme court, where the dwarven elite convened to govern the empire.
The court featured immense grey pillars and a grand entrance adorned with holographic flags. Passing through the ornate stone door engraved with a moon motif, they found the emperor seated on a magnificent throne of gold and ghoul leather.
Taller and more imposing than his kin, the emperor sported a shiny bald head and a braided beard. Clad in golden power armor with the moon emblem emblazoned on his chest, he was surrounded by the empire's dignitaries – ministers, advisors, generals, and wealthy merchants.
Approaching the throne, Rohan stood before the emperor, who regarded him with a scrutinizing gaze. “So, you claim to be a servant?” the emperor inquired.
Rohan, standing tall, replied, “Indeed. What proof do the dwarves seek this time?”
Scratching his beard, the emperor asked, “Servants share memories, correct?”
Rohan affirmed, “To some extent, yes.”
Leaning forward, the emperor revealed, “Leth entrusted the dwarves with certain knowledge, believing the next servant would possess it.”
"Tell me," Rohan said.
The emperor clasped his hands and asked, “What do you call a person who consumes Isekai anime?”
“Depressed,” Rohan answered swiftly.
The emperor’s eyes widened, and his court began whispering loudly.
“What do you call a man who does female cosplays?” The emperor asked.
“A degenerate,” Rohan answered swiftly.
The court was almost in an uproar, and the emperor was inches away from losing his mind.
“What do you call an anime main character that looks like a child and has a bowl cut?” The emperor asked.
“The soulless offspring of a dying entertainment industry,” Rohan answered swiftly.
The emperor stood quickly, pointed at Rohan, and announced, “Our savior has emerged!! Thank the moon!!”
The court stood while chanting praises to the moon and complimenting Rohan.
The emperor approached Rohan and asked, “What is your name, blessed servant?”
Rohan smirked at him and said, “My name is Rohan. What’s your name, emperor?”
The emperor grinned and said, “My name is Liam.”
Rohan extended his hand and said, “Let’s shake hands, Liam. It’s only courteous.”
Liam giggled, pointed at Rohan, and said, “You sly fox! I know what a servant’s touch can do.”
Rohan frowned at him and said sternly, “To put the nonsense aside, Emperor Liam. I found your soldier with a weapon capable of damaging a servant. You attained technologies far beyond your brethren, which would usually take millennia to achieve. Your empire is also powered by a source foreign to these lands.” He approached Liam, stared him down, and said threateningly, “This all smells like a rebellion against the goddess and her servants; if that’s true, many people will die.”
Emperor Liam glared at Rohan and said, “I’m under an oath to the previous servant, servant Rohan. You cannot expect me to reveal that information.”
Rohan became furious and growled, “Is your successor under that same oath?”
Emperor Liam took a fighting stance and said, “No.”
Rohan looked at the court’s attendants and shouted, “If one of you shares this heretic’s oath or ideals, join him now, or I’ll hunt you down after him!”
Ten dwarves stepped out and joined the side of Emperor Liam.
V smirked, crossed his arms, and said, “Will you practice constraint, Servant Rohan?”
Rohan rolled up his sleeves and said, “Enough to keep this building standing.”
Emperor Liam activated the mechanisms of his suit and lunged at Rohan with his fist primed to strike. Rohan swiftly advanced and kneed Liam’s face, sending him crashing onto his throne.
The remaining dwarves swarmed Rohan to gang up on him, but it was a significant blunder.
Within moments, Rohan punched one so hard his neck broke, tore off another’s throat by clawing his hand, axe kicked another, which led to his skull splitting open, grabbed two and smashed their heads against each other, and the rest were killed from severe injuries in their spines and necks.
Rohan glared at Liam, approached angrily, and grabbed his leg.
Liam pleaded for a quick death, but Rohan held no mercy for traitors. He lifted Liam with his leg and smashed him against his throne repeatedly as his agonized screams were heard all over the empire.
He smashed him repeatedly until his body was crushed, leaving only his leg intact in Rohan’s hand. Rohan threw the leg away, looked at the court, and snarled, “You demanded the goddess's protection and guidance, and she delivered. But you rebel and apostatize when it does not suit you anymore!!”
He stood in the middle of the court and shouted, “Who protects you all from the sun worshippers? Who strives to unite you all under one banner? Who upholds what was promised to your forefathers so you wretched, dispirited people can have what they never had?” He glared and said, “You all know the answer, but shame and dishonor won’t allow you to say it.”
Rohan walked out and said, “Tell the successor to meet me the moment he hears my name.”
V smacked Balor’s head and said, “You heard what the servant said, bitch.” Then followed Rohan.
Balor was still frozen in shock at what he saw. His mind went blank with fear.
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The End
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