And with this Jay and Fay Lor had been dragged off by Phoenix to their destination.
The were headed to the principality of Lorraine. One of the kingdoms affiliated with the capital. And thus it offers the capital various resources such as grains and ores in exchange for security against the abyss beasts and
Access to advanced technology.
When the emperor was assassinated by an Assasin sent by the Duke . The prince survived and wiped the Duke's family away. And took up his role as the new ruler of Lorraine.
But they still maintained the facade of being old fashioned and maintaining their architecture the same way as they used to instead of adopting a new system.
Phoenix :
This is the principality of Lorraine which is ruled by the prince Darx. He is affiliated with our side. But we'll be meeting someone else here.
The Vehicle stopped at the gate and the guard asked everyone to step outside for identification. And they complied with the identification.
The guards were respectful of Mr Phoenix.
Guards :
Sir, the prince has summoned you. If you'll allow us we'll bring you there.
Phoenix :
I already know the way. Just open the gates.
And thus the gates to the principality opened revealing a kingdom instead of being inspired it was more like a poor meld between a scifi and medical European architecture
Where post Modern architecture randomly appears and they are surrounded by medieval cultures.
Phoenix :
Remember to behave yourself. Follow me when I bow then you bow when I don't react then you don't. And don't speak unless you're told to.
Jay :
Yes
Fay Lor :
Yes Sir Phoenix.
All of them entered the prince's palace. Same excessive decorations. The same window scheming the same hallways lined with glass portraits. And the red carpet lined up before the main throne room.
And as the door of the throne room opened. There was a prince sitting on the throne of the emperor with black hair and brown eyes and very extravagant clothes.
And before Phoenix he had another visitor. A cardinal of the church of Darkness. Trying to convince the prince to convert and make his religion the main religion.
Cardinal :
Prince Killeom. It's time to adopt the religion of the Dark God. As you know almost half of your kingdom has been following our religion so I believe if you want to remain in power it's time to open your arms and accept the God.
Killeon :
I believe a greater honorary person such as yourself had come before twice and I had to regretfully send them away for we have joined our hands with someone else.
Cardinal :
Oh prince please reconsider. It's just a matter of time before the band of troublemakers get divine retribution.
At that moment Phoenix who had entered the Throne room retorted to the Cardinal.
Phoenix :
If divine retribution was going to come upon us. It would have centuries ago. Well your Holiness. How holy it is of you to silently encroach an ally of ours.
Cardinal :
Who are you?
Phoenix :
I am someone who your Highness and yours knows me very well. I present myself in front of his Highness and the Cardinal of the Church of Darkness.
I am nothing but an humble ambassador of the Immortal Foundation.
Prince :
Lord Phoenix as soon as I heard you were in the vicinity. It was our duty to treat you with the highest honor as an ally of ours.
Lord Phoenix this is the Cardinal of the Church of Darkness.
False!, the reason the prince called Lord Phoenix over wae to make both of them meet. As both the church of darkness and the Immortal Foundation are against each other. They would bear fangs at each other without the prince having to lift a single finger.
Phoenix :
Oh Cardinal, you have come far, you should have taken a rest in our Immortal Foundation assisted lodges. We would have been very glad to receive an important guest such as you.
Cardinal :
I've heard about your lodges bedding so soft that when someone sleeps he never wakes up. We'll we can't have that can we.
Phoenix :
Your Holiness might I remind you, that his highness has been allies with us for quite a while. Yet you have come to tempt the prince.
Cardinal :
You have misunderstood Lord Phoenix, I have merely come here to ask his Highness to adopt our religion as a preacher.
We don't want our lovely prince to go to hell do we.
Besides half of his kingdom have already adopted our faith.
And received the salvation of our God.
Phoenix :
I didn't see any preaching more like you were threatening and questioning his Highness's authority.
Cardinal :
You must be mistaken, Lord Phoenix I wasn't questioning his Highness's authority. I was offering him blessing for everlasting health.
Phoenix :
No I clearly heard you say' if you want to remain in power it's time to open your arms and accept the God. ' if that is not a threat what is then.
Phoenix then lightly tapped the Cardinal' a shoulder and whispered 'if you still want to live then you should leave right now'
The Cardinal was intimidated by Phoenix's threat and decided to silently get out.
Cardinal :
Your Highness if I have your permission I would like to leave this palace.
Prince Killeon :
Permission granted.
The Cardinal high tailed himself out of there. While Phoenix just started daggers at him with rage as he left.
Prince Killeon felt very relieved that Phoenix came before things got awry. Prince Killeon decided to greet Lord Phoenix.
Prince :
It's been a long time since you've been to the Principality but we've been receiving lots of help from your Foundation ever since. I'm very thankful for it.
Phoenix :
It's just Phoenix, Your Highness, I'm glad I could be of some help to your principality.
Prince :
So what the reason you came here without informing to my principality.
Phoenix :
We were here to meet Count Stein for some business related issues.
Prince :
Count stein, so which issue you want to be sorted. After all the principality does need to return the favor your Foundation showed upon us.
Phoenix :
We wanted them to increase the rates of their produced diamond by 10 percent as well as issue an order for an polished
Killeon :
Is that so. Then for now you can take your leave.
Killeon :
Phoenix as you've saw today. My rule is becoming fragile day by day. Because those people are taking over. And I can't do anything.
Phoenix :
Don't worry as long as we are here your rule will be safe from the hands of God. I assure you the Foundation will do whatever they can. You just need to approve of whatever actions we take.
Phoenix :
I'll take my leave, your Highness.
And everyone left the palace. As soon as they entered the vehicle Phoenix immediately contacted the Foundation and relayed instructions. To be taken as soon as possible.
That night in the Pricipality the Cardinal mysteriously disappeared. With the churches were found in shambles beyond repair. Without any witnesses.
The morning after that an investigation was launched but it bore no fruit. Because it was launched by the royal enforcers.
The Prince launched several campaigns to once again push the public opinions to his side. He established orphanages and distributed food to the poor.
Overall improving his image.
With just one order from Phoenix an entire religious organization vanished overnight into thin air. No traces of murder or blood nothing. Just the presence of their absence.
Jay :
You're like an alpha of a pack of wolves.
Phoenix :
Before true power these symbols alpha and sigma are just meaningless drivel.
Phoenix knew that the rule which runs through respect because of his reputation. The day he loses his reputation he would have to use fear instead. Which would not be a glorious outcome that the organization expects.
Phoenix :
Fay, stop in the car. That Count Stein is not a person woman should get even a centimeter closer to. He's a womanizer and the worst person I've ever met.
Jay :
Then why are we meeting him.
Phoenix :
Because he can get us where we want to. The island.
The county's mansion were plated with gold and was polished so lustrously that it shone in sungliht. Everything reeked of extravagant. So much that it ruined its own beauty.
Greek statues showing off body and various external body parts. Portraits of men and women in the same ways as the statues doing illicit things.
Women working for the Count were looking like they were just there for providing fan-service. The mansion was filled with scent of different perfumes used by women to grab the attention of the Count. And as they were escorted deeper in the mansion there were either sounds of women either laughing or screaming from pain. Women being tied up by other women, and sometimes there were entire rooms filled with blood.
Just what kind of nightmare was this. They were escorted until they came to a waiting room where they were told to wait for the count.
The servant knocked the Count's doors and relayed the matter to him.
Servant :
My master has allowed you to enter please enter the door.
As they entered the door they eneterf the office which was filled with smell of smoke causing passive smoking, heavy unbearing scent of psychedelic drugs. And the count chain smoking. All of them.
With women fawning over him.
The count was nothing but just looked like a lump of mass.
Even his office from the bookshelf to his chair from he was overflowing from was covered with gold. And on that lump of mass were women with collars on their necks drooling over the count and the count was enjoying every moment.
Count :
What's your purpose to visit this time. Wants more women like last time. You're quite a beast Phoenix. All the women I've given you still unsatisfied.
Phoenix :
Actually Count I have a different favor this time around.
Count :
Oh the burning Phoenix of the Conquerer asking me for favor himself. Interesting. I'll indulge you ti's time.
Phoenix :
You see I have a special taste in women. And there's a special woman I want from the island. But I have a reputation to hold. So this time when you will leave for the island. I want you to send one of my special men.
Count :
Why don't I the count select a few for you. Take the ones you want I'll take the ones you don't want. I am very proud of my decision you see. That's how I became the wealthiest person in the principality that even the wee Prince can't touch.
Well then I'll send him with my men tomorrow to get your shipment. Happy. You better be. Because I don't just let anyone be close to me.
Hahaha hahaha.
Phoenix :
Than you Count I knew I could turn towards you.
Count :
Why not stay here for the night and enjoy the women here. I'm sure they'll be glad to have new experiences.
Phoenix :
Maybe sometime else.
And hastily both of them left the mansion. And entered the vehicle drove to an inn where they rented two rooms one for Jay and Phoenix a seperate for Fay Lor.
Phoenix who is an upright character and thinks the Foundation as the absolute right. Was as always seething with rage upon seeing such things. Jay knew that once he reaches the island. The count will disappear. And he did.
Just as Jay reached the shores of the island and got inside the Count seemingly vanished and all of his slaves were set free. From forced mind control.
Phoenix :
We have developed a plan. We'll be responsible for your Infiltration.