Infinitum Crystals - Conquest of Virtue [4]

Chapter 5.19 - Yumiko - Pledge

"The adventurer White, Blanc and Shiro have returned from FF Base after their successful defense against the enemy from Nova Crystalist." News of their victory has been spread all over town.

The town paraded the new heroes for saving them from a tremendous foe. Blanc and Shiro was enjoying every moment of it. White on the other hand had it differently. He only smiled as people greeted him as he tried to quickly make his way to my castle. But the crowd was too many so he ended up swept into the waves of adoring fans.

It was not until dinner time when White and his friends were finally inside the castle. They were immediately summoned to the throne room. They were already told previously that they will be rewarded handsomely for helping Violet.

The throne room door opens as the three adventurer walks into the room. All of them then kneel down and paid respect to their excellency, me.

"Rise." I told them as I walked toward them. "On behalf of The Empire of Violet, I would formally thank you for helping us in our time of need."

"But, Yumiko..." White interrupted me.

Then I quickly corrected him, "Your excellency!"

White sighed and said, "Your excellency...The battle is not over yet. We merely defeated the enemy's vanguard."

"That is fine. I already know that beforehand. That's why I asked you to handle it."

"So...it was a test?" wondered Shiro.

I nodded, "Absolutely. A test to see whether or not you people are worthy enough to be part of my chess piece."

"Are you saying we're pawns now?" White continues to disrespect me.

"You are speaking to the empress, White. Are you not afraid of the repercussion that you may bring upon yourself?"

"Stop fooling around, Yumiko. I wanna know about the chaos champion." He whispered.

Then I whispered to him back, "Now is not the time to talk about this. Play around until I have news for you."

White gave up and told me, "I am very sorry, your excellency. I did not meant to disrespect you. I am only worried of FF Base."

"It's okay, White. I understand."

Then I walked toward Shiro.

"Now then. I summoned all of you here because I would officially ask you three something."

"And what exactly do you want from us now?" White was still being blunt.

To which I said, "How about a pledge of allegiance under The Empire of Violet? You will be immediately granted a special position if you choose to pledge."

Without any hesitation, Blanc proudly said, "I pledge my allegiance under The Empire of Violet and Empress Yumiko Ileana Pavlova!" She proceed to kneel in respect.

"Looks like we already have a loyalist here..." I happily approached Blanc. "From this day forward. You are now Lord Blanc. You are The Lord of The Walls. You are the defender and the vanguard of the country as your main domain is the walls that separates our territory from outsiders."

Blanc bowed down, "Yes, your excellency. Lord Blanc accepts her reward."

"Good." I smiled. "How about you, Shiro? Don't you want to join me?"

"I don't know, your excellency..." Shiro scratches his head, "I'm not really the type to take things seriously most of the time. But I do know a few things about commerce."

"Commerce, huh? Well now you're talking my language. Especially in this profitable country." I think for a moment and suggested to him, "I originally wanted to give you a different title but you're driving a hard bargain and I can't help but bite it."

Shiro kneel down and said, "Then let me have it, your excellency."

"Wonderful, you are now Lord Shiro. Lord of Development. You will be helping me develop more new things as well as opening up more business opportunities for Violet."

"Thank you, your excellency. I will wear that title with honor."

And just like that, I already acquired two ex-Pantheon. Speaking of Pantheon, there was one more left for the taking as I looked at him.

"How about it? Lord White...Isn't that good title to have?" I walked towards him.

"I don't know what you're playing." White softly spoke to me. "But I'm not gonna get swept and become some sort of clown for you."

"What are you talking about, White? Even I know talent when I see one. Can't we all forget about reality for once?"

White harshly sighed and told me, "Sure...I'll help. But I'm not good at leading mind you."

"Of course I know that, White. You can't handle hundreds of AIs. You only lead people you know. Like a brotherhood, perhaps. And you are the master of the brotherhood."

"What are you implying here...your excellency?"

I told him, "Lord White...You will have two jobs considering our past. You will be my personal adviser in military. It's not that hard, all you need to do is just give a thought on what is going on in any future battle. You're good at that, I know."

"What about the other job?"

"I've heard from my maid about your...assassination. Funnily enough, I don't have any assassin yet."

"So you're asking for me?" questioned White.

"Definitely. And you will have benefits of your own. Most of your jobs are one to one. You don't need to look at the crowd if you don't want to. But...I can provide you a building, if you ever consider of making an assassin guild or something. How about it?"

White stumbled for a moment until he finally said, "You really know how to make people interested in something. Fine, I'll continue the chess game with you. We still have a common goal in the end."

"Indeed. You help me and I help you."

And that was how, Cyclone White was granted the title Lord. Although he is a Lord he doesn't really own any big chunks of my country. His current job was to basically be my personal adviser at the time. But he would later develop an interest to one of my suggestions...

TO BE CONTINUED