Manifest Fantasy

Chapter 17: Ultimatum

Author's Note:

At long last, the Season 1 finale for Manifest Fantasy is now here!

For a FREE look at WIP Manifest Fantasy art commissions and designs for the upcoming comic/manga, please visit my Patreon page. Right now I've got a design for Ron Owens posted there. If you're a paid member, you'll be able to see more of the assets and WIP content that you've contributed to!

# Want a double upload?
If I receive 500 upvotes and at least 100 comments on this chapter's post on reddit (r/HFY) by 11:59 PM Tuesday, Pacific Time (specifically for Chapter 17 PART 1), I will cook up an extra Manifest Fantasy chapter for free (I will add it to the schedule in my discord server)

READ 2 WEEKS AHEAD
Chapter 18: Seraphine ad Sindis is now available for Tier 2 Manifest Fantasy Patrons and higher!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/drdoritosmd

Discord: https://discord.gg/wr2xexGJaD

– –

"Commander unto commander, I offer a choice: cede your Holding Bags, that secure passage may be granted unto you. Refuse, and you shall be declared as spies and enemies of the Nobian Empire, your lives forfeit to swift execution."

Swift execution? Henry fought the urge to scoff. Pride or not, these Nobians were really pushing it. The Vicearch's terms were audacious to the point of being a cliché in a second-rate drama – laughable under different circumstances, but with their current disadvantage, dangerously real.

He adjusted his grip on the flashbangs. His inner voice wanted to just toss it and watch the chaos unfold, but he checked that impulse. It must be the adrenaline and cynicism talking. Whatever went down now could dictate the course of all American-Nobian relations moving forward. On top of that, he was already tired from fighting the Sentinel Lindwyrm and Spiranids. For Ambassador Perry's – and their own – sakes, he had to give negotiation a shot.

"Vicearch," Henry began, "Grenden Forest is neutral territory. Any aggression here could be seen as a violation of that neutrality and a potential act of war."

It was hard to see Carvus' face through his helmet, but the tightened grip on his sword told Henry all he needed to know. He continued, "My team is here on official Adventurer's business. We have no intention of interfering with Nobian affairs. As a leader, surely you understand the importance of fulfilling one's duties and maintaining the Guild's integrity."

"Your 'duties'?" Carvus scoffed, his voice heavy with scorn. "You claim neutrality, invoking your Guild's banner as though it were a shield. Yet, here, deep in our territory, your pretense of neutrality carries no weight. You are naught but intruders, cloaking your trespasses in 'duty', violating lands that you falsely deem neutral. The Guild's name will not shield you from the consequences of trespassing on sovereign territory."

Henry took in his surroundings while the Vicearch talked, taking note of enemy positions. They were split into two groups – one currently encircling them and forming the leader's entourage, and the other spread out across the hallway. The Nobian positions in the hallway seemed to have gaps – large, empty spaces between their men. However, given what they knew of the Nobians, those spaces likely weren't as empty as they looked.

Sera stepped up beside Henry. Her voice shifted from the gentler tones she used with him to something much sharper. "Don't try to twist the truth, Vicearch. The Grenden Accords permit Adventurers on official quests. Your presence here – a Nobian military unit – is a direct insult to the sacrifices made to achieve peace. Is the Nobian Empire so eager to plunge us back into the chaos of war?"

Carvus sneered. "You dare cast aspersions of warmongering upon the Empire? We are a simple research unit, investigating ruins within our borders. It is you who have invaded our rightful lands, coveting secrets that are ours by divine right. Your Guild's 'integrity' is nothing more than a façade for your own greed and ambition."

Carvus' sword began to shimmer – the same way that Sera's sword shimmered whenever she enchanted it. "I will not stand idle whilst foreign interlopers and their pet nobles seek to subvert Nobian sovereignty. Those who oppose the Emperor's decree will be ground beneath our heel as naught but trifling vermin. I will not repeat myself. Yield forthwith, or steel yourself for your demise."

Divine right? There was no way invoking a treaty would deter the Nobians at this point. That only left one other method of persuasion: force. The only issue was that it wouldn't matter if the Nobians couldn't understand – or didn't want to understand – the advantage modern technology granted them.

If the Vicearch had any doubts about winning, though, he did an extremely good job of hiding it. There was nothing but confidence and determination in the man's eyes. Negotiation, it seemed, was off the table.

Henry kept his eyes trained on the Nobian Vicearch. With all alternatives exhausted, the path was clear. He kept his gaze forward, giving no impression that he whispered, "Kel, you're up."

Kelmithus acknowledged and stepped forward, his staff lowered and his Holding Bag hanging off his arm. "Very well. I do not wish to cause war, so I shall lay down my Volcanic Annihilation."