Refusing My God’s Advances

Garland watched with a frown as the world he ruled over started to move again. For the last couple of hours, Garland had watched Garlandia sit frozen with no way for him to interact with anything. He knew it had something to do with Leon, but he had no clue where the hero had gone, and he didn’t really care. Leon was stuck to play his part in the war, and Garland just had to make sure that everything was ready.

“Lyle Griselbrand,” Garland called out, and his body was projected to the capital of Halcon, Meridian City, to appear before the country's ruler.

The moment Garland appeared, King Griselbrand bowed his head, and everyone in the room but the king left without saying a word. Garland refrained from clicking his tongue on the back of his teeth. The god was no stranger to using magic to control people, but he always allowed the ones he controlled to still be able to think and make some choices. In Garland's opinion, King Griselbrand took things too far, but Garland didn’t really care what the king did with his people, as long as he did what Garland asked.

“My great god. What do I owe the pleasure of basking in your greatness?” The king asked after everyone had left the room.

“I'm Coming to see how preparations for war are going and how things are going with the special project you have been working on,” Garland explained, and the king nodded.

“I am sure you can see, but the ground troops will reach the border tomorrow, but we won’t be able to attack till the next day. The Reshan forces, while small, have many magic casters that they are using defensively. We are working on a way to deal with the enemy warships, but even with our current air force that outnumbers the enemy 500 to 1, we will lose far more than we will gain. There is also a massive barrier blocking our ground troops' advances. Still, we are sending the 5 Abyssal demons to the frontlines,” King Griselbrand explained, but this made Garland narrow his eyes.

“How can your army be three times the size of theirs and not hold an overwhelming advantage?!” Garland demanded, but the king shrugged.

“They do not hold any advantage other than their warships currently, but once the battle starts, we will be able to start bringing them down. While it may seem like they currently hold some kind of advantage, they do not. They are only delaying the inevitable, and once the barrier is destroyed, my Subject Black demons will annihilate the rest of the Reshan Army,” King Griselbrand said confidently. Still, Garland crossed his arms across his white robe.

The Subject Black demons could barely be called demons anymore. Professor Velish Ramheart, Halcon’s leading scientist in arcane nanotech and cyber amalgamation technology, had created these monstrosities by fusing demonic essence with advanced machinery. These beings were not only formidable due to their sheer physical strength but also because of their ability to adapt to magic, rendering most spells ineffective against them. This creation, while abhorrent to some, was a testament to King Griselbrand's dedication to winning at any cost.

Garland considered this momentarily, his gaze unfocused as he weighed the implications. "The Subject Black demons are your ace, then. But tell me, Griselbrand, have you considered the aftermath of deploying such forces? The lands you conquer will be nothing but scorched earth, haunted by the specters of those slain by your ambition."

King Griselbrand met Garland's gaze, his expression unyielding. "The aftermath is of no concern to me. The Reshan territories are rich in resources that Halcon needs. If not for it being your suggestion, I would have already pulled my people from Reshan. The king is weak, and the people are nothing more than future experiments to increase my country's success. Unlike Queen Roshalla of Mortallin, I have no use for a puppet nation."

King Griselbrand's cold pragmatism did not surprise Garland; it was precisely this ruthlessness that made the king a valuable pawn in the god's broader scheme. Yet, Garland felt a twinge of unease. The balance of power in the mortal realm was delicate, and the god knew well that too much disruption could have unforeseen consequences, even for divinities.

"Your ambitions are clear, Griselbrand, and your methods... effective," Garland said, his tone neutral. "However, remember that victory in war is not solely about conquering land or annihilating your foes. As your god, I would like to have more than just your mindless subjects to watch over. There is hardly any entertainment in watching a world full of zombies, so I would appreciate a bit more tact when it comes to taking over Reshan."

King Griselbrand's face flickered with annoyance at Garland's remark, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by an obsequious smile. "Of course, my lord. Your wisdom is unparalleled. We shall endeavor to keep the destruction to a minimum, ensuring that the conquered lands and their people can recover for your amusement and governance."

Garland nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Good. Remember, the art of ruling is not just about expanding territories but nurturing them. A god revels not in the destruction of worlds, but in their growth, stories, and the complexities of their inhabitants' lives."

The god then shifted the subject, his gaze piercing. "Now, tell me more about the special project. How are things coming along with it, and will it be ready for the war?" Garland asked, then added. "While I have great faith in your Subject Black demons, Leon, my estranged hero, is joining Reshan's side in this war. I have put in place plans that prevent him from entering Halcon during the war, but I fear he might be too much even with these restrictions."

King Griselbrand's expression darkened at the mention of Leon, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Ah, Leon. Yes, the hero's involvement complicates matters, but rest assured, my great god, the special project is near completion. It's designed to counteract even the most formidable foes, including those like Leon."

He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "The project, codenamed 'Mage Eater,' is a culmination of Halcon's advancements in arcane technology and biological warfare. It's not merely a weapon but a tailored and designed demon created specifically to nullify magic and absorb it, thereby weakening any mage or magic user it encounters, including someone of Leon's caliber. The Mage Eater is designed to adapt and evolve in combat, making it increasingly difficult for magic users to defeat it as the battle progresses."

King Griselbrand's voice carried a note of pride as he described the project. "Its core is powered by a rare crystal we've harvested from the depths of the Eldritch Sea, known for its magic-nullifying properties. The body is a blend of the strongest demonic essences we've managed to bind and the most advanced cybernetics that Velish Ramheart and his team have developed. This being can disrupt magical fields, making it nearly impossible for spells to affect it or the area around it."

Garland's interest was piqued. The god understood the implications of such a creature on the battlefield. It wasn't just a weapon against Reshan; it was a statement of power, a deterrent against any who would consider standing against Halcon or, by extension, against him.

"Very well, Griselbrand," Garland said after a moment of contemplation. "Ensure the Mage Eater is deployed strategically. It is a valuable asset; I would not see it wasted in petty skirmishes. Its true purpose is to serve as a key player in the major battles, especially against Reshan's magic users and Leon. However, remember that power without control is chaos. Do not let this creation become a threat to your own forces."

King Griselbrand bowed deeply. "Your guidance is always illuminating, my god. I assure you, the Mage Eater will be the linchpin in our victory, and its deployment will be handled with the utmost care."

"As for Leon," Garland continued, his gaze drifting as if seeing beyond the throne room walls, "he may be strong, but he is not invincible. Your forces, combined with the strategic use of the Mage Eater, should be able to neutralize his impact. The best-case scenario is that this Mage Eater kills Leon, and I get my power back. Show me that you are deserving, and I might consider bestowing his blessing on you. That would not only make you king of half the world but the hero of all of it."

King Griselbrand's eyes gleamed with ambition at Garland's proposition, the prospect of wielding such power fueling his already fervent desire for victory. "It shall be as you command, my great god. We will prepare accordingly, ensuring that the Mage Eater is ready for deployment. Leon and the Reshan forces will not stand a chance against Halcon's might, especially with such a formidable weapon at our disposal."

Garland nodded, satisfied with the king's response. "Keep me informed of your progress, Griselbrand. I expect to hear of your triumphs and the successful deployment of the Mage Eater. Remember, the eyes of a god are upon you, and your actions will determine the extent of my favor."

With a final nod, Garland's form began to fade, his presence dissolving into the air as he returned to his divine realm, leaving King Griselbrand alone in the throne room. The king remained standing for a moment, lost in thought, before turning to his advisors, who had quietly re-entered the room.

"Summon Velish Ramheart and his team," King Griselbrand commanded. "I want an update on the Mage Eater project within the hour. We have much to prepare, and time is of the essence."

As the king's advisors scurried to carry out his orders, King Griselbrand sat back on his throne, his mind racing with plans and strategies. The prospect of not only conquering Reshan but also gaining the favor of a god and potentially Leon's hero's blessing was too enticing. It was an opportunity to elevate Halcon and himself to unprecedented heights of power.