As I step through the portal created by the massive gate back at my palace I arrive just outside the castle of this Kingdoms King. We were immediately spotted by the "guards" of this place, low level mages not really worth my time even looking at them, so I swept my eyes over the castle. It was a classic medieval stone castle with large and tall spires in terms of size, however, it was quite small, well for me it was.
As I was doing all this and taking in the castle, which took me no longer than a split second, I murmured to Diablo beside me. "Announce us." A simple command, which Diablo was more than happy to oblige with. He grinned and responded "At once Your Excellency"
I watched in interest as Diablo move forward making the weak guards in front of us flinch, then with an almost amused smile declared loudly enough for the whole castle and maybe even the small city below to hear, as he injected mana into his voice "HIS EXCELLENCY, THE ONE BLESSED BY THE LIGHT, KYROS LIGHTBORN IS HERE. SHOW RESPECT FOR HIS EXCELLENCY AND COME AT ONCE, KING!" He turned to me with an expectant look, I knew what he wanted, but I simply turn away and ignored him. Diablo thought to himself ' ah master you are so mean sometimes' then smirked and awaited the so called King of this place to show himself as he fell a step behind me again. And show himself he did, he sped out of the castle like someone lit a fire under his ass, it seems he barely made himself presentable as he appeared in front of our party.
I looked over the king and assessed him within a split second, a little over weight, short, balding slightly, King realm and looked middle aged. King realm was the only thing that set him apart, he looked very underwhelming for a King and a King realm at that. Before I even spoke or the King could, Diablo interjected, growling slightly as he said "why are you not kneeling!?" as he stepped forward and let out his Emperor mage aura making not just the King but the "guards" watching this once in a lifetime spectacle recoil in fear and trepidation. Suddenly the King fell onto his knee and stuttered "Your... Excellency... forrrr....givvvvve..... myyyy..... transgressionsssss...." As I looked at him with my piercing golden twin orbs, I then nodded slowly, and waved my hand. When I did Diablo stepped back and also released his pressure.
When the pressure receded the King nearly collapsed outright, but somehow held himself up, then without daring to look me in my eyes as I stared down at him, asked with some apprehension "Your Excellency, Kyros, what brings your esteemed self to my humble abode." Though he tried to hide it, the slight shake in his voice betrayed his nervousness about the situation.
However, I simply could not hold back my disgust, I could smell it on him, the palpable aura of corruption and sleaze, typical noble I thought, just got to King realm through resources that his family acquired for him. He did not climb through blood and death, he did not have to claw his way through the slums, nor did he have to acquire the resources himself that were needed for cultivation. While after afforded such a privileged life, he then allowed pride and scorn for people he deemed 'lesser' than him to brew and corrupt him further. Tch, what a wastrel.
Although I couldn't stand him and if I'm being honest most of those Nobles even if they now respect me for my strength, as the one thing that trumps the 'bloodline of the nobles' in this world would be strength. I have to still be cordial, I am here to take his Dungeon after all, and I would rather not raze his Kingdom to the ground to get it.
I then finally, after what seemed like hours to the King before me, but was merely a split second for me, spoke evenly to him "What is your name?" As my voice comes out it seems to carry across the courtyard. At this point the staff of the castle are already out and lined up, eyeing me with reverence and awe. I am used to such looks now, so I simply dismiss it and look back to the King as he finally decides to look up, however, he never meets my eyes, and then speaks yet again "My name is Erik, Your Excellency, Erik Telfordia." He says with still some difficulty. "Very well, Erik, rise. I am here for a discussion about something interesting I heard from my trusted aide about something interesting within your 'humble abode.' Now, lead the way." As I finish speaking, the King, Erik, stands up and quickly adjusts his clothes before leading me to the castle. However, I can see the apprehension in his body language, he obviously knows now why we are here. Good, the game is just starting, little Erik.