Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Master, that's—"

"I don't want to hear it, Adrian." I coldly snapped, cutting him short. " Your feelings are irrelevant. And before we leave, you two will have a death battle. I'm sick of these annoying back and forth. Tene, do you have any objections?"

"No." She said, staring at Kuro with a neutral expression that had the hairs on my neck on end.

Tene was definitely not happy. She had been a parent before. And I knew she knew how to handle this perfectly. Her not saying a thing just spoke volumes to me. While I was sure having them fight to the death was rather excessive. Sometimes violence is the answer. Talking takes time and effort from both parties.

"Real death battle?" Kuro responded.

"Real till I stop one of you or not. Embarrassed me with your performance, and I'll let one of you die. Now get the hell out of my office."

Watching these children leave, I busted into laughter. " My god. Is that what it looks like with Lili and me?"

"As long as you get it. But it's a little different with you two. There is no hate. Maybe frustration or irritation, but definitely, not hate." She answered, releasing a long sigh.

"You think this was the right decision?"

'Short term, yes. Kuro is rather masculine up front. A battle is sure to help gain some of her respect. That being said, she is still a woman. What works for men will not necessarily work for her. Although, that is just a generalization. I'd have sent them on a hard mission that required excessive communication. That would require them to talk beyond just the mission or death. But I'm sure you know this. You have Baels Legacy."

My eyes slid down to the Ring of Bael, and I nodded. " Indeed. I've read a few Psychology books. That doesn't mean I would have thought of that solution."

"We got a week here." I mused. "I'm going to give them a week to prepare. If they can't show me something… I'll send them to the hells."

"That might be a little too harsh," Tene responded in a disagreeable tone. "No crime was committed. You are only acting out."

I chuckled a that. " Acting out? What am I a child to? We are at war, and I can't afford for mistakes. And while it might be excessive, it feels right. What is the saying? Hard times breed, hard men?"

Tene went quiet. " There are no right options, but I don't agree with sending them to the Hells. They are only four hundred."

"Fine. But a price needs to be had. Guess we'll figure it out later. Let's head back." I said, mourning that I didn't get at least a nap or something to eat.

…

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"I can't decide that. We need a delegate from Elysium!" Melinoe said once again, raising her voice.

"I know… but I want your back if he decides against it." I countered, equally annoyed. " Elysium is without a doubt the weakest."

'At eye level. Do you really think they'd agree with what you just said? Shit, you're better off going after the Overworld!"

"No one wants Abyssal Fiends in their land, much less shadow fell. Even if it takes only one Chaos Cycle for them to come into existence naturally."

Going back and forth with Melinoe merely to get her word of my backing. I groaned these last few days before agreeing to pay an exorbitant amount to help push my agenda. Sending my people out into the world is like an advertisement. God or Evil, I know any of these races would be a show of force.

Noctem would garner fear and respect to the degree that can't be achieved by saying in one place.

…

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…

"This is killing me! How are there more bills and policies to get through? Set up a time formation!"

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…

"You made it, Sene.' Tenebrae said to me as I dropped head-first onto my pillow.

"This is more difficult than fighting Bael. What the hell!"

"Don't be mad." Tene started. " but… you did it the dumbest way. Where was Freya? Where was Mimir? Where are your knights? And dukes? Let me guess. They're fighting in wars preparing for something?"

My jaw opened. And Tene giggled away. " I allowed them to watch in secret, but this is a lesson to you. You need a team. Ezra is in the Hells. She was Asmodeus's daughter. Ezra knows about this. She knows about bureaucracy. You're punishing her by leaving her in the Hells for your mistake. The Hells isn't a lost cause unless you make it one."

"You were the one who sanctioned the attack on the Hells. Whatever happened was your fault. You underestimated your foe. You didn't ask any of your generals or strategy team their thoughts and acted. Do you know why people in power tend to stay in power? It's not because they are monsters because they are monsters, but so is everyone around them. Do you know why kings of other realms don't kill their subjects and tend to allow them free reign even when annoyed? They respect them. They respect what they bring to the table."

"Terroney is only good short term. It falls short once you take a leave of absence, or your people simply get tired of being in fear. And you're always gone, Arsene. Always. My god, you are leaving tomorrow."

'Tene sighed and lay near me. " From what I saw this week. You are an amazing king. You really are. So is Melinoe. She is like Hades, who I consider with all my heart one of the best kings of all time."

"Hades? How?"

"Not in terms of power, silly. But Hades had this level of focus and love for his people that matched my own. He has done a lot. Overworking himself as a god is no easy task. But he committed it in a way that made him suffer. If there ever were a king, I'd never want to compete against him at the same level as me. It would be Hades. He was smart, so smart and aware he saw through everyone. Even me at times."

"Hades? The old man." I muttered, recalling his brooding scarlet eyes. "I missed an opportunity back then. I saw him many times upon his throne but never bothered to learn from it."

"... I'm going to create a clone to live here. It will cost me nothing to do so. I've many souls under my possession." I said, looking dead into Tenebrae's eyes. "It's time I actually govern my kingdom. Four hundred years isn't nearly enough."