Chapter 851 Talking to the Sovereigns
As Daneel saw all of his sovereigns look at him as if he was mad, he sighed and turned around.
His window was such that he could look out over the entirety of Lanthanor, and in its charming landscape, he lost himself.
"Daneel, we can't possibly do that! At least explain just what is making you ask that?"
As he heard Kellor ask this, he took in a breath, but he did not respond for a few moments.
That was because he was going over it all in his mind, again, but he came to the same conclusion: there was definitely something that was going to happen to him, and before that, he had to make sure that he had put everything in place so that things could proceed in the correct manner even in his absence.
It had all started ever since he had come out of the meeting with the Overseer. Since then, that slight tingling in his spine had not left him, even for a second.
Day and night, it had continued to hound him, until he had had no choice but to sit down and analyze everything before coming to the only possible conclusion: he had put things in motion that he could not see, but which he could feel because of his instincts which had been honed throughout all these years.
He didn't yet know what form they would take, but whatever it was, he was not confident in handling it outright.
He was still a Goddamn Amateur Champion, for Heaven's sake! And there was no way that he would be able to go up against those Heroes who had broken through naturally, whose means he couldn't even imagine in his present state.
What use was there in standing in front of a boulder that was barrelling down towards him at a speed which made it impossible for him to evade? Even if he knew what he was supposed to do, he would not be able to do it with enough time to spare, and only a very grisly fate would await him.
That was exactly how Daneel felt. Even with his godly power that allowed him to figure out the counter for the Path of those he was going up against, he was powerless in front of those people who could simply kill him outright before he did a single thing.
That was not to say that he was convinced that he would die - no, he was still pretty damn confident in saving his own life, but he could not ensure that he would not have to cut off all communication and hide.
It had taken a lot of effort to come to terms with this, and that was the reason behind him calling that meeting.
It had all been fun and games before, when the only thing at stake had been his own life. Now, though, if his suspicion was right, the force that he was up against would not hesitate to kill each and everyone associated with him. In fact, they would not even stop at that, and might go ahead to decimate the kingdom that he loved, in the hope that they would be able to force him out.
Daneel had never been one to ignore the worst-case act scenario the hope that it would not come to be. Only naïve individuals who were too scared to face the truth would choose to do something like that, and Daneel even despised such people.
Hence, he had been spending each and every second establishing more countermeasures and backup plans that he had done so far, in all these years combined.
In a way, he was inspired by the Emperor, who had also started to place all of his plans even though there had been a slim possibility that he may be able to win the war without resorting to the Grand Inheritance.
His caution was the reason behind the continent even having a chance of going up against the Church in this age, and there was a lot to learn from that man.
For a moment, Daneel had even tried to stop and think about how he had come into this situation. Yet, he did not regret any of the decisions he had taken so far.
In fact, the other alternative was scarier: if he didn't go after the Overseer now, he was pretty confident that they would have found out about him when it was too late, and then, only regret would have been left.
In this continent, he was the only one who could go on this path. And hence…there was nothing more to consider.
Taking another deep breath, Daneel turned around to give an answer to his waiting sovereigns.
"Have you ever experienced the feeling where you're walking a very narrow path on the side of a mountain, with the very real possibility that a boulder will crush you from above? You know that there is the chance that it will happen, and in such cases, you can do one of two things. First, you can trust in the Heavens and keep praying as you walk along. Second, you can trust in yourself, and try to do everything you can to ensure that even if it happens, you live. What would you choose to do, my dear sovereigns?"
"The second, of course!"
Elanev spat out the answer instantly, which led to Daneel spreading out his arms on saying, "Exactly! And that is what I'm doing. You've seen my message, so you know that I am now on a path against someone whose power is unfathomable, and who has control of reserves which we cannot even begin to imagine. I simply cannot ignore the worst-case scenario. If it was only my life at stake, I would not worry so. But in this case… the fate of Angaria hangs in the balance. Swear it. Please."
That last word did it. When the king, himself, said 'please', then there was really no room to argue.
Elanev walked forward first. For some reason, he had an angry expression on his face.
Strangely, he spoke using an obscure Fighter technique which made it so that only Daneel heard his words.
"If that happens, I need you to swear to me that you will take me along. Don't argue, Daneel. Both of us know that I and Faxul are the strongest people under you, whom you can trust explicitly. I've talked to him too. Even if it means that we will die, we want you to take us along. Promise that, and we will swear what you ask. If not, it is off the table. The others are currently too weak. If they grow strong enough before what you're saying will happen comes to be, then they can be included, too. But for now, it's just us. Hasn't that always been so, younger brother? Do it."
It was often said that it was only in times of peril that the value of true bonds would show.
For the first time since this feeling of danger had engulfed Daneel, he smiled.
He simply nodded, and Elanev proceeded to say, "I swear it."
No oaths need to be given. It was only these words that were necessary, and Faxul walked forward to say them, too.
After they walked to the side, Eloise looked like she wanted to say something, but she still walked forward and repeated those three words.
However, she did add something.
"If you die without even taking me out on a proper date, I swear I'll kill you. Please, Daneel. We all need you."
She broke into tears as she said the last word, and Daneel couldn't help but sweep her into a hug.
She hugged him back tightly, and in her embrace, the King of Lanthanor felt so peaceful that the worry that had been on his face cleared.
Stepping back after a minute which felt too short, he looked straight into her eyes and said, "I promise. I'll do my best."
With a nod, she walked to his side, too.
His three commanders were next. As those who had been through countless wars, they knew that such things were common in battle, and that too, in one of such epic proportions. Still, from their expressions, it was clear that they still had the confidence that their king would succeed, just like he had done in everything so far.
His father was next. Walking up to him, he said, "I'm not surprised, son. Your mother spotted a change in you yesterday, itself, and she told me. Well, it is to be expected, because you spend time with her every day. No matter what happens, we will always be proud of you."
Daneel smiled as he heard this, as he knew that his mother had always been very perceptive.
Next up was Kellor, who did not need to say anything. His eyes expressed all of his emotions, and in them, Daneel saw the same staunch faith that he had once seen when the man had identified him as the one who had come to save Lanthanor, all those years ago.
With all of his sovereigns beside him, Daneel felt stronger than ever.
Turning to them, he smiled and said, "Oh, don't be so glum. I knew what I was getting into since my Master told me about the Overseer's death. Well…I had an inkling, at least. Anyway, wanna do something fun?"
…
In an underground room in a place far away from the Kingdom of Lanthanor, three Heroes were chained to chairs while looking as if they had fallen asleep.
Daneel and the rest of his sovereigns teleported into that room. Looking around, the rest were puzzled, but they all stared in a particular direction when they saw a man walk out from there.
"Oh? Have you decided to step it up?", he asked, to which Daneel replied with a nod.
It was the Head, and seeing him, they understood what was going on.
Conjuring comfortable chairs for all of them, Daneel said, "Meet Wilfred, Douglas, and Henry. Three of the most guiltless, self-righteous, twisted folk that I have seen in a long, long time."
As Daneel said this, the three seemed to respond in some small fashion when their name was called. Yet, they went back to normal after that.
Noticing this, the Head said, "I couldn't believe it, but they have been learning and adapting. In a few days, they might even be able to break up! I guess its not for nothing that they were named the most talented Champions in their sects..."
Hearing him, the others were surprised.
"Yes, it is talent mixed with such a character that is a truly deadly combination. These three have been friends for a long time, by the way. Our dear friend Percy has been digging through the rumors surrounding them. Between them, they are said to have caused the deaths of 23 regular members of the Big Four, 800 citizens from the Central Continent and one seed. Yes, indeed. A pretty terrific record. And no matter how many times they are shown their crimes, they simply marvel at their own actions, rather than questioning them. How would you propose we go about breaking them, to make them swear the oath? The rest are ready, and I'll go collect their oaths now. Think before I return."
Daneel left after that, and returned in ten minutes.
Yet, the faces of all of his sovereigns were just as stymied as when they had been when he had left them.
He didn't blame them. Mental torture relied on finding things people might feel bad for, or might make them uncomfortable. These three were seasoned to not care about anything but their own lifespans, so it was pretty impossible to affect them.
Chuckling, Daneel expressed the idea he had gotten, and from his tone, itself, it became clear that he was quite proud of it.
"I don't know if it'll work, but I do have an idea. These three, like many on Angaria, have become drunk on power. Now…what if they have to live their lives in a world with no magic, and no power to call their own? To find out, I've invented a place called…let's say, 'Earth'. There, they will be placed in the most monotonous life, where they will fail in each and every attempt they make to help themselves. It will seem like bad luck, but it will be us pulling the strings. They will have to live out several thousand lifetimes there, with each one more boring than the one before. Let's see what happens, shall we?"