Emperor Amn says “Well, since we still don’t know why they called the summit, I would avoid destroying the city or wiping out the ruling council. Also, his father is the leader of the council, so torturing him would be a bad idea.”

  “You mean leaving marks on him would be a bad idea. There are other ways to torture someone.”

  Before Amn can think of an answer, I grab Chase, open a soulscape, and drag him inside. He has absolutely no idea what’s going on, but that doesn’t stop me from torturing him. To my disappointment, he cracks really easily and answers every question I have for him.

  When I run out of questions to ask him, I end the soulscape and return him to his body. He immediately starts bawling like a baby, but I ignore him and turn to the rulers, but then I change my mind. I turn back to Chase, run a quick scan over him, and then send a pulse of mana to shatter his mana pool.

  That sets him to screaming like someone set him on fire, but there are no physical signs. However, it means that he will never be a mage again, or cast any spells. That is enough to make sure that he is never a threat to me or mine ever again.

  Emperor Amn says “What did you do to him?!”

  “I shattered his mana pool, he is no longer a mage. It is enough to make sure he can’t be a threat in the future.”

  King Vex says “It will do more than that, he can’t join the council if he is no longer a mage. This is going to infuriate his father!”

  Emperor Amn says “That isn’t as important. Ash was most likely going to end up pissing them all off anyway.”

  King Vex says “Why do you think that?”

  Emperor Amn says “Because they are used to everyone being scared of them, or at least nervous. Ash isn’t going to be, that alone will piss them off. Not to mention, Ash isn’t great at politics.”

  “Hey! I left him alive, that’s a good start!”

  Emperor Amn says “Yes, it is, but I know you.”

  “Now you are starting to sound like one of my wives!”

  Emperor Amn says “Maybe, but you also didn’t deny it!”

  “That’s because it is true, I am horrible at politics. I will be surprised if when I leave here I am not at war with them.”

  Emperor Amn says “How do you want to proceed?”

  “Send the troops and the rest of the carriages back to camp. We will take mine and use the golems as our guards. We are going to parade through the city with one of the golems carrying Chase like a flag.”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Emperor Amn says “Not subtle, but about what I would expect. Let’s do it.”

  King Vex says “Wait, you are okay with this?! This is basically insulting the entire Magic Kingdom council!”

  Emperor Amn says “It is bound to happen either way, so why not flaunt it? Besides, it isn’t like any of us can stop Ash, right?”

  King Vex says “I suppose so. Aren’t you worried about him dragging the rest of us into this? Thanks to you, we are his allies and will have to side with him if he does start a war. With everything else that’s going on, we can’t afford a war right now.”

  Emperor Amn says “I am not worried because if he does start a war, he will handle it without dragging any of us into it. He wasn’t joking about being able to level the city on his own.”

  King Vex says “If he actually does that, you do realize we will lose our source for magical weapons and armor, right?”

  Emperor Amn says “I will just have my people produce more. Besides, the best weapons have been coming out of Demon Hunter City lately.”

  “Actually, those weapons were enchanted by me.”

  Emperor Amn says “That explains it. I should have known. Anyway, we can always find other sources, but it shouldn’t come to that.”

  “Yeah, I am not actually going to flatten the city. At least, not without giving the innocents time to evacuate. If it does end up happening, I will see about exporting weapons and armor.”

  Emperor Amn says “I would much rather have weapons and armor made by you, so I retract my objection to you destroying the city!”

  King Vex says “Don’t encourage him!”

  “Enough of this. Let’s just go and see what this council has to say.”

  No one argues with me, so we all load into my carriage and I order the golems to surround it. Nine of them form a loose circle around the carriage, but the last walks beside Lizzy. That golem is holding up a tied up Chase for everyone to see as we move through the city.

  However, the streets are a lot emptier than I was expecting, but that is probably my fault. Smart people would see the soldiers and mages fleeing and take that as a sign to hide somewhere. Still, despite there being hardly anyone on the street, there are still plenty of eyes on us.

  People are watching us through windows or from around corners, but they are watching. News about us will spread and may even reach the council before we arrive. Not that it really matters, I just find it amusing to imagine what people might be saying.

  We make it all the way to the main administration building, the tallest in the city, without anyone trying to stop us. I leave six of the golems outside to guard the carriage, not that Lizzy really needs the help. The other four are going inside with us, one of them still carrying Chase.

  When we enter the lobby we are directed to the top floor by some nervous attendants. Luckily, the building has a magical elevator and it is big enough for us all to ride at once. As we are riding it up, I have a spell ready to go in case the elevator suddenly fails.

  The drop wouldn’t kill me, but the other rulers wouldn’t stand a chance and I like some of them. However, it is a wasted worry, the elevator carries us up to the top floor without incident. The entire floor is one big room with four sets of tables, one at each cardinal direction.

  Three of the sets of tables are already occupied, leaving the south set of tables for us. At least, that would be what would normally happen, but our entrance causes quite the fuss. Especially once people notice Chase being carried by one of the golems like a sack of potatoes.

  ??? yells “What do you think you are doing?! How do you have our golems and what have you done to my son?!”

  “Oh, you must be the father he was claiming is the king of the Magic Kingdom, but I don’t see a crown. Right now, your son is a prisoner, my prisoner. He attacked me at the gate of the city and committed an act of war against my empire. How you respond will determine if we actually go to war or not.”