Long Live the Emperor?

Before Haalfrin had come to Fisco to share their plan, he had talked it over with some of the more influential leaders among his Arkin allies.

What exactly WAS their plan? Obviously, it's to build another fortress, except this time, the fortress would be designed solely with the Queen in mind.

This means that their new fortress needs to be high up in the air – so high that the Queen and her Ants can never climb up here.

Of course, Time Locking is a strictly kept secret found only in key Threshold officers and the imperial family. Many of the officers with this knowledge had perished in the Threshold, meaning that many of Haalfrin's Arkin know how to make another Time Locked Fortress.

Think about it. If they Time lock some mana cannons and munition, they can pummel the swarm endlessly into oblivion from an unreachable position.

Obviously, designing a floating fortress outside the mountain and high in the sky (at least a mile or two up there) wouldn't have worked for the original Threshold, since Hawks and dragons exist. However, the Ants don't have wings. This is perfect!

"This is most definitely NOT perfect!" Fisco growls at Haalfrin. "Time locking is extremely hard on material, and the only thing that can withstand its magic is Mana Conductive Ore. You realized how long the Brancotte Empire had to save up enough of this stuff – how many mines had to be emptied out – in order to make the Threshold? And you want to make another one? What makes you think the empire can even afford to make your flying fortress on such short notice?"

Haalfrin already knew about this from some of the deceased Threshold soldiers. When they told him about how hard it would be to procure mana conductive ore, Haalfrin had asked if they could bring the ore from the Death Realm, since they're obviously able to bring objects back and forth between the Realms.

To this, the Arkin gave reactions ranging from sarcastic laughter to regretful sighs. They then reminded him that other kingdoms and empires already control all the land and resources. These Arkin are considered normal civilians in the Death Realm, which means they obviously could never get these things. It's like asking a peasant to get the rights to a diamond mine. Good luck.

Thus, Haalfrin and the Arkin had to turn their sights to the Brancotte Empire anyway.

"The imperial palace has a lot of mana conductive ore in it," Haalfrin suggests. Many of his Arkin allies were important people in the empire, back when they were alive. They all know a thing or two about the imperial family and their palace.

Fisco shakes his head at this. "No. The palace is Time Locked, just like the Threshold. I can't just move it over to you, nor can I disassemble it for its base parts. You'll have to think of another source."

"No, no," Haalfrin shakes his head, "I think you're misunderstanding something. You see, since Time is how things change in space, then we should be able to move the imperial palace by teleporting it."

"…" Fisco is so shocked at this silly idea that he's speechless.

"Fisco?" Haalfrin asks. "You there?"

"Yeah…," comes the man's reply. "Anyway, what made you think my soul is big enough to shove an entire palace in? You know I can't bring the palace through piece by piece, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, since it's Time Locked. Anyway," Haalfrin goes on to say, "You forget that I have my marriage Contract with Freyya-"

"YOU GOT MARRIED!!??" Fisco's voice is so loud that Haalfrin even feels his scream in his Soul Realm.

"…Never mind that," Haalfrin coughs. "What I'm trying to say is that since I'm Contracted to Freyya – a goddess, then my Soul Realm is nearly as large as hers now. I can certainly fit a palace or two in my Soul Realm."

"But I can't," Fisco points out. After all, if their soul realms are like doors on either end of a hallway, then an object can only reach its destination if it can fit through both doors.

"I've already talked with Freyya," Haalfrin grins. "She agreed to Contract you, so long as it's a Master/Servant Contract."

"…I don't know how to do that one," Fisco says hesitantly. Making a Contract with a stranger must be uncomfortable for him. Besides, would he be giving his freedom away to this stranger? Besides… a Soul-Bound Servant… Isn't that kind of scary?

"Mhmm… I'd be surprised if you knew," Haalfrin says. "Freyya taught me about it a long time ago. Have you heard of 'asymmetric Contracts'?"

"No."

"Symmetric Contracts are like my Marriage Contract and our Ally Contract. Both parties share the same 3 Names with each other."

"Ah," Fisco realizes, "so that means we share a different set of 3 Names with each other in an asymmetric Contract?"

"Yes," Haalfrin explains, "You'll share your Dra, Reh, and Fel Names with her, while she'll give her Dra, Syl, and Yiir."

In other words, the servant gives all of his body and power to the master (Dra), he gives his heart and devotion to her (Reh), and he'll change and fit whatever role his Master needs (Fel).

In return, the master offers her protection (Dra), she gives him her rules and laws (Syl), and she impose her fate upon him – allowing him share in her fortunes and misfortunes (Yiir).

"But what are the benefits and draw backs?" Fisco asks. He certainly doesn't want to become someone else's mindless slave.

Understanding his concerns, Haalfrin answers, "You'll offer her your service, and she'll have to protect you. Plus, because she's one sidedly giving her Yiir to you, helping her becomes the same thing as helping yourself."

Indeed, whatever good things happen to Freyya will also happen to Fisco. Whatever bad things happen to her also happens to Ficso.

"In other words," Haalfrin finishes, "You won't be forced to obey her every command, but you'll have every reason to keep her best interests at heart. Remember, if she prospers, you prosper."

"…All right, Haalfrin," Fisco sighs thoughtfully, "I'll think about it… Considering your urgent circumstances, I'll contact you tomorrow."

"It's fine, it's fine," Haalfrin waves him off. "I'm in a pretty good hiding place. Anyway, I know this is an important decision for you, so take your time. I'd also find some battlefield and have a nice, healthy chat with Freyya."

"…Fine… How were you planning on making me emperor anyway?"

Haalfrin rolls his eyes. "I'll tell you after you agree to Contract Freyya."

---------------------

About a week later, Fisco finally decides to contact Haalfrin again. Instead of giving a straight answer, he just asks, "Haalfrin? Why don't you just give up on this war?"

"…After all this time, why?" Haalfrin is actually shocked hearing such a question from Fisco.

Fisco answers, "The World Gate is sealed, and the dragons are still in the land. Lord Fheldin is still alive, and he's still more powerful than both you and the Queen. If you drop your Syl barrier and let both you and the Queen go free, she WILL die. She WILL be cornered, just like how she was before. If that's the case, then what's the point of still fighting?"

"How many more clans and civilians would her swarm eat before the dragons can put her down?" Haalfrin asks.

"What about these Arkin you've told me about? What kind of motive do they have to help you out? Well, besides my old soldiers; obviously, they'll still continue fulfilling their duty."

"Yeah…," Haalfrin answers, "I actually talked with the Arkin about that. They all want to help out – even the ones who weren't your soldiers."

This happened because after Kaalhyme's and Fisco's men had worked for Haalfrin long enough, they had all grown stronger, and some of them had opened up new Gates.

You see, just like how Haalfrin could help his Wills grow stronger as mages, the Arkin grow too.

The reason this is big deal to the Arkin is the fact that the dead slowly lose their Fel – their ability to change. This means they stagnate in every way – including their ability to grow.

Hence, working for Haalfrin became the only way for them to grow stronger as mages. Perhaps, if they are summoned by him long enough, they'll be able to grow enough and become 7th Gate Mages? They'll become Ascendents!

Before, the only way to be a 7th Gate Ascendent in the Death Realm is to already be one when you die. Thus, even if it's for the benefits, most of the Arkin want to join him, even if they didn't like him before (like the bandits he's killed in the past).

The only group of dead people who refuse to be summoned by him are some the Rehkin soldier's Haalfrin had seen killed during his 100 year long tenure as a Threshold soldier. All of them are adamant enemies of the humans, and they've made it abundantly clear that they want to stay far away from Haalfrin.

Of course, Fisco understands all of this, so he doesn't ask about it anymore. Instead, he says with determination in his voice, "Fine. I'll do it. I'll Contract Freyya and become the emperor of Brancotte… assuming you have a solid plan in mind?"