Bastard's Son

Chapter 6

It has been a while since I've taken over the fire kingdom, and everyone seems to be doing great. I went back to the village and Theo seems to be getting married soon! He invited me and I wouldn't miss it for the world. But eventually, I knew I was going to need to take down the air master soon, he was next on my list. I won't endanger the lives of those special to me, or that of my own army. But, if fighting him is like fighting my father, I have nothing to fear. I took my leave from my castle, weird. I have a castle, I shouldn't enjoy this but, strangely I feel like this is where I was meant to be all along. I made my way back home, my first home here, Rimuru village, to see the matrimony between Theo and his lover. Theo will forever be in my heart as the person who gave me a home when I first entered here. If anything were to happen to him, I think I'd go berserk, and the same goes for anyone in that village, especially Baba and the children. They're good people, the best people. Though I don't feel guilty for the death of my father. I feel as if that could have ended differently, almost as if we could've reached an understanding of each other. But the way that people are treated here is wrong, and it needs to change, if the death of my father is what it takes for that to happen, then so be it. After arriving back home, we had the ceremony and I surprised Theo by paying for it. Of course he tried to deny it but I insisted, as he was my first ever friend here in the kingdom. Should he ever ask, I'd put him as an advisor in my court in a heartbeat. After the festivities, I got down to business. I asked Baba where I could find the air master and he told me that he almost never shows his face. He seems to leave all politics to his court. I should mention that the court of an elemental master is made of advisors, personal guard, and lieutenants. They're all pretty self explanatory but for the lieutenants, they're more of an ambassador, residing in an opposite elements territory to provide sanctuary and assistance to its respective element in that region. But don't get it twisted, it is a desk job, but those lieutenants are all massive forces that aren't to be fucked with, unless you're me, of course.

"The air master is said to live in a mountain to the far east in an abandoned temple that once housed the original air elementals. If you want to find him, you won't. He makes it his mission to not be found unless absolutely necessary." Baba said to me. He knows of my mission to unite the elements and while he doesn't exactly agree with my methods, he knows it is for the better of the continent.

"To the east you say? You wouldn't have the slightest idea of any landmarks near him would you?"

"The records of where the temple was has been destroyed by the air master, he was thorough in making sure he was unable to be found."

"Well then, he hasn't met me yet." We shared a laugh and a drink and I set out first thing in the morning. I sent out Rimuru during the night time to the east to try and see if he could find any trace of where the air master has gone. And it seems that he has found something.

"I saw what looks like a temple on the side of a mountain, overlooking an ocean. It seems only those with the ability to manipulate air have the means of reaching up there."

"Good thing you have wings, right?"

"Indeed my friend."

I got on Rimuru's head and begun to meditate. I was eager for my bout with the air master. Rimuru taught me how to sense mana, the natural energy flowing within elementals that allow them to manipulate the elements. Now I can detect when someone is going to attack before they do it, that way I won't have another accident like that with my father. It didn't take long for us to reach the temple, as Rimuru's massive size and wingspan basically launch us through the air whenever he flies, it makes traveling way easier, but I try not to take advantage of him too much, using him only when absolutely needed. After landing on a platform, Rimuru went back into the spirit world and I began my search for the air master. As I was walking, I saw skeletons of what I believe are the first ever air elementals. If the air master truly is here, why in the fuck does he just leave the skeletons here and not give them a proper send off or burial?

I walk into the main chamber, ready to unsheathe my scythe as I see what I believe is the air master meditating in the center of the room.

"I figured it was a matter of time before you came looking for me, monster."

"How did you know I was here."

"The loud flaps from what I presume is your elemental spirit animal."

I forgot about Rimuru's wings and the noise the make, it sounds too loud, so if I was to ever sneakily enter somewhere, I could never if it was with Rimuru.

"If you know that I was coming after you, then you know why I'm here."

"You came to end my life, just like you did with the fire king. Good riddance too."

"Doesn't seem like you weren't too fond of my father either."

"No one was."

I approach the air master and he stands up. He has his hands in his sleeves and turns to face me as I know have my scythe drawn ready to strike. It doesn't seem like I have to use aura release.

"Of course you can kill me right now, and presumably take over the air nation correct?"

I got choked up at the fact that he knew exactly what I was going to do.

"It seems I am correct."

He passes me a sealed envelope with the white seal that appeared on the same letter my mother left me.

"Take this to the court building in the air nation capital."

"What is it?"

I say as I take the envelope in my hands, sheathing my scythe.

"A letter, of surrender."

I'm shocked as those words left his mouth.

"I have no reason top fight you. The fire king was arguably the strongest of the masters, and you took him down rather easily. I'd rather not lose my life over that and surrender. Living out my days here."

"What guarantee do I have that your people will follow suit?"

"That letter contains my personal seal, there's no way to replicate it. They'll listen. However, you will be met with some sort of retaliation. Although, that's a given."

It was like that, that simple. No fight, not even an argument. Just a letter and a simple conversation, and that's all it took to take over the air nation.