Hollow Knight Fanfic - Honor and Blood

Chap. 23 - In the Jaws of ¨The Beast¨

Now, the tables of political confrontation had turned. This time, they were in the very heart of Deep Nest. The Komonosu City War Room. The lair... of the beast.

Herrah's gaze fell on each of those present, one by one, before any words could be said. As if with a simple impression he was able to analyze the subject in question and discover all his fears... His shortcomings... His worst nightmares.

Herrah's six eyes rested on Sun Ce. Brave, reckless. Afraid of failure. Terrified of letting down his people. A gaze that did not tremble when looking into the beast's eyes, but whose vision was exchanged with that of its red daughter repeatedly. Interesting.

Sun Quang had a stony look, but very controlled. Something was holding him back. Something prevented him from drawing his weapon at that moment and attacking with all his rage. He did not fear death. But he was terrified of losing his loved ones.

Bretta almost fainted as she felt the weight of Deep Nest's six most powerful pairs of eyes on her. His body could barely contemplate the shaking, but inside that glass shell there seemed to be a heart harder than the shell that covered it.

Kaede was a mystery at the beginning. Herrah remembered those eyes from somewhere, but he couldn't say where. The look of a natural predator, hidden behind the facade of a girl who outlined a slight smile. The perfect assassin, who hides her intentions from everyone's eyes. One he knew he couldn't ignore.

However, nothing caused the regent of Deep Nest more doubt than Ghost's exhausted eyes and dead look. A soul consumed to the foundation. A look that did not let any iota of weakness escape... or strength. A mystery wrapped in a black cloak.

"It is a great honor, Matriarch of Deepnest, Herrah." My name is Sun Ce, and we are here as representatives of the court of Concordia City.

Sun Ce's voice rose from the silence, now that he had realized that Herrah had concluded his analysis. Now, a battle was about to begin. A political battle in which Sendero Verde had the advantage. But one wrong step and their heads would roll to the bottom of the deepest city of Hallownest. It was then that the matriarch's voice rose from her silence.

—And for us it is a pleasure to be able to receive you. But leave out the formalities... Here we consider those professions quite boring.

The Sun brothers and Bretta's eyes widened. The three of them had prepared for this moment, especially the beetle, who spent hours memorizing behavioral etiquette so as not to fail. Hours and hours wasted. IN whose depressed face you could see his disappointment. Kaede and Ghost were not impressed at all. One, because I had a hunch. The other, because nothing really mattered to him.

—Well... In that case... I think we could talk about the trade agreement then. The rates, the payments, the... —Sun Quang did not delay in trying to do the task which was assigned to him, but Herrah's hand raised in front stopped his monologue.

—Yes, yes, yes. You discuss these matters later with Hachi and Uoling.

—This... I... uh... Who? —Son Son asked confused.

—He is our economy minister. Don't worry, general. Afterwards we can reach an agreement while enjoying a good tea.

Hachi's voice was like a relief of hope. None of those present would ever imagine that these events would happen with such... banality. They expected Herrah to be someone who demanded respect. And although it was intimidating, the fact that he rejected the protocols in such a way left them quite confused. Apparently, the nickname "the beast" also had a meaning at other points. Perhaps some imperial noble who called her a beast, when she burst into the imperial palace with her brusqueness. Who knows?