Chapter 147: Roads to Lordship
In the middle of the secluded garden Ogras was grinning as he deftly dodged an enraged Emma MacHale, who was currently trying to clobber him with a champagne bottle.
A coffin? A COFFIN? What kind of asshole moves someone in something so ominous as a coffin? That wasnt what we agreed upon! Ill shove this bottle up your ass, she screamed as she threw the bottle with full force at a laughing Ogras.
I didnt want you to feel uncomfortable, and the casket was nicely padded inside. I am a gentleman, after all, Ogras said with a smile as he snatched the bottle out of the air, careful to not let it break.
Zac was quite surprised at Emmas personality. It seemed the person hed seen in interviews and on the stage of the auction was another role she played, just like in the movies. Her real personality was far more coarse.
He was also quite relieved that it seemed that what Ogras did was not an abduction, though the exact details hadnt been quite agreed upon. Zac didnt want to have a falling out with the demon, but if Ogras truly had started kidnapping women he would have no choice but to do something drastic, as he couldnt accept such behavior. It would be on a completely different scale compared to just messing around at the auction.
Emily giggled as she heard the exchange, which made the movie star look their way, immediately focusing on Zac.
You! You let this horned mongrel just knock me out and carry me around in that god damn casket? What? Why are you just standing there gaping, you pervert? Are you the kind of guy who just finishes by himself in the corner?
Urh, Zac only managed to get out, not ready to become the target of Emmas vitriol. I only found out Ogras had, uh, brought you here, after Julia Lombard told me.
Jules told you? Where is she? the starlet said, quickly calming down.
Do you two know each other? She was quite angry. Angry enough to jump through the teleporter to come here, Zac couldnt help asking.
She did? she asked, her mouth slightly curving upward before refocusing at the demon. You cant hurt her, or I wont cooperate anymore. And you never told me you lived in the god damn jungle.
Hi! Im Emily, Im a huuge fan! Youre in Port Atwood. Its an island in the middle of nowhere! Emily chimed in, clearly excited to meet a movie star.
Hi pretty, Emma said, clearly more amenable to the excited teenager. You should stay away from those two, something is wrong with their heads.
Emily only giggled in response.
Emily, tell Emma a bit about Port Atwood. Ogras, come with me, Zac said with a sigh.
He needed to understand what the hell was going on. Soon the two stood some distance away while Emily peppered the movie star about questions about her old life, and Emma had turned back into the gentle personality you saw on TV back in the day.
So you created a huge mess. You were seen with that casket before you came back here. And now we got a government official on the island, Zac said with an angry glare. I dont even want to imagine the kind of riot youve caused in New Washington. You better have a god damn good reason for all this.
Well, the casket was sort of a spur-of-the-moment thing, Ogras shrugged drawing another baleful glare from Zac.
I was only planning on visiting Ms. MacHale for the dinner I promised, but things turned out this way.
Shes not a prisoner. And no forcing her to do anything, Zac said with an even stare.
Bah, why would I do something like that? The chase is half the fun, Ogras spat back. Besides, thats not why I brought her here.
Explain, Zac said, still annoyed.
Didnt you say you couldnt understand how those useless bureaucrats are creating a Lord while you, the top spot on your Ladder, is fighting tooth and nail for the same privilege? Well, Emma MacHale solved that puzzle for me yesterday, Ogras began.
The first clue came from Ricky, the poor sap you left with me. I asked him about the governments plans after he spilled everything about their group. We missed one of them by the way, so watch your back. The Red Mercenaries had done some nasty work for the government before it seemed, even killed a Ranker who actively spoke against The New World Government.
Zac didnt much care about the last man who was still alive, but he was more concerned about the fact the Red Mercenaries did Government wetwork.
So the government was behind the attack? Zac asked with a frown.
No, it seems they truly only did it to stuff their pockets a bit. Birds die for food, men die for money, the demon answered with a shrug.
I was more interested about what he told me about the governments quests. He swore that there were no quests like defending New Washington from beasts to become a Lord. He did, however, mention that he had heard about a contribution Crystal, and that Emma MacHale was quite high on it.
Zac was quite intrigued by now, completely having forgotten about the fact that a storm might be brewing in New Washington by now. He only nodded for the demon to continue the narration.
While I was walking through the Bazaar I was listening for any gossip, and it turned out that MacHale wasnt the only star the Government employed. There were actually many of them visiting various towns, shaking hands and kissing babies so to speak. All while promoting the Government.
At first I thought it was just promotion to gain legitimacy before the Auction and get more to sign up for their little alliance. But I was proven wrong. I found out where MacHale was staying later on and went to visit her. Partly to find out more and partly, uh, for personal interests, Ogras said, drawing an eye-roll from Zac.
I invited myself into her domicile, and after she had calmed down a bit we had a nice talk. I found out a lot of interesting things. Such as why they held their Auction, and why there were stars travelling town to town with government escorts. The Government needs the fame, Ogras said with a grin.
What? Zac couldnt help but blurt out.
Its their Lord quest. They need to generate enough renown, and someone among them will be promoted to a Lord. They are using the stars as mouthpieces to spread the plans of the Government and improve their renown. The Auction was partly held to gather a lot of forces, and gain a lot of renown in one fell swoop. Those who improve the fame of the Government would get contribution points, and Emma was one of those, Ogras said.
That still doesnt explain why you kidnapped her, Zac said.
She asked me to, Ogras said with a shrug. When I told her who you were she immediately requested sanctuary. In the beginning, she was doing the work willingly, but after she learned some things she wanted out. However, they didnt allow her to leave. The government was essentially keeping her a captive to generate fame since she was one of their top earners.
Does it even matter if you snatched her? They still have the same amount of fame as before, even though she isnt there anymore?
Well, according to Emma the fame was attached to those who contributed somehow. I dont truly understand it since Ive never heard of a quest like this before, Ogras said with some hesitation. But if those people defected or died, then the Government would lose progress on their quest.
Zac suddenly remembered the demon's words outside the teleportation building in New Washington and got a bad feeling.
You didnt? Zac said with a sinking feeling.
Well, a few people in New Washington had untimely deaths during the night. But that was also a request from Ms. MacHale. She is quite ruthless. Though we only killed a few degenerates who used their status for disgusting things, Ogras said with a sinister glint in his eyes.
You know this might set me at a straight collision course with the government? Zac said angrily.
Zac wondered if he would ever be able to return to New Washington or their alliance towns without a cover. If the government made Zac an accomplice for what seemed to be a murder-spree and a kidnapping there was no knowing what they might do. Perhaps his good name was being dragged through the mud as they spoke.
You already were. Someone like you cant coexist with a group like that. Better prepare yourself mentally and clear this wave quickly. They might be gunning for your sister as we speak, Ogras retorted.
Zac could only frown in response, knowing that the demon might be right on the nose with that remark. The government wanted to create a unified power, and people like himself might be considered a thorn in their side, even though Zac had no designs on their alliance. Perhaps they would have found some other excuse to create trouble for him even if Ogras didnt go berserk in the town.
You still havent properly explained why you went through all this trouble?
For my, uh our, interests of course, Ogras said. The Auction brought far more fame than the government expected, and they were extremely close to finishing their quest. It was to the point that they would probably achieve it before you. We couldnt allow that to happen. Becoming the first Lord of a world should bring great benefits to that Lords town and the Lord himself.
So you did that all for me, you say? Zac asked skeptically.
Remember, our fates are tied together on this little island, Ogras said. Your prosperity is my prosperity.
Zac went over the information over for some time. He wasnt really comfortable with the fact that the demon had gone off on a murder-spree in a human town without saying anything. What he said was true; their fates were tied together, and Ogras actions would impact Zac.
At the same time he had to admit he felt it was for the best. The governments actions sounded quite shady, and more importantly he didnt want to cede the advantage of being the first Lord. He got the Creators shipyard from being the first to close an Incursion, so he felt that becoming the first Lord might give a huge advantage as well.
In the future, consult me first about stuff like this. If were going to have a working cooperation you cant go rogue at every turn. That doesnt only go for your nightly activities, but also your actions in the Auction, Zac said with an even stare.
Yes, mother, Ogras said while rolling his eyes. Well, you did show passable ruthlessness with the poison, so I guess I wont need to take all matters into my own hands in the future. But dont go squeamish on me. Remember, your actions doesnt only impact yourself, but all your subjects and your family. A moment of softness can lead to a lifetime of suffering.
Ok ok. Also, the government official is your responsibility. She came here because of your actions, so you solve the aftermath. Find out if she is part of this all, but dont kill her, Zac said.
Overall he had a pretty decent impression of Julia, but if she jumped through the portal to control the Governments asset then she would likely become a problem.
All these rules, Ogras said with a roll of his eyes, though Zac knew he acknowledged the request.
I told you, you cant hurt Jules, Emma suddenly said, having snuck up on them. If you do Ill start preaching again here, giving the government a large boost in reputation.
I told you, as long as she doesnt start breaking the rules shell be fine, Zac said.
Good. Now tell me, where will I stay? The demon promised me a Mansion.
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