Chapter 676: True Demonlord [7]


    *Headline – Mass shooting,* went across the television screen. Media were sure fast on their intel. The trio of Eira, Igna, and Lofta retired from the lovely meal and into the entertainment room. Here, where Vanesa quietly slept with a written note of, ‘-the Aedric Mistress of Sleep,’ her passive-aggressive actions but made him happier. Time spent under Origin’s side brought a multitude of emotions. That aside, they sat and listened, dusk painted the sky purple and specks of pink. A rare change of hue, often associated with a storm, went unbothered by the manor.


    *Police say the murder was the result of a gang deal turned wrong. They’ve yet to apprehend or put a name to the culprits. Eye witness reports say they saw a suited figure exit the premises,* yellow tape and ambnces crowded the prior scene. Residents of the house, namely an old man, gave a brief interview and left without much information. He came across as a friendly man who joyfully awaited death. The scene of the attack changed to a clean and sharp set, “-thank you for the coverage,” said a nearly dressed news anchor. “-Today’s segment will be on gang activities, many of us know of their presence. Themon people fear their presence, and today proves their reach, they’ve overstepped their boundaries. In my presence are the leaders of a humanitarian organization name Green Light, their leader, Count Gustav Oathtall and Countess Sabrina Oathtall.” The camera panned towards two smart and menacing-looking nobles. The man, a guess would presume in this early forties, wore traditional wear for Alphians, the cheeks were clean-shaven until the chin, where he kept a roguishbo of mustache and beard. To his left, thedy, of which had her hair pinned in a majestic bun, heavy golden jewelry enchanted her neck and cleavage, her choice of outfit was one traditional with a sprinkle of avantgarde coyness. Her rounded nose, medium-sized lips of which kept a charismatic smile was a breath of fresh air opposite the strong and stern husband.


    “Lord Oathtall, would you please kindly exin the reason for the visit?”


    “Very well,” he faced the camera straightly, “-simply put, the underworld has outstayed their wee. The Green Light organization wishes to help Alphians any way we can, we’ve built orphanages, houses, and donate massively to the injured and homeless. Our efforts led us to rehabilitation centers for those who prey on narcotics. A team of well-trained doctors wholesomely wees anyone, no matter the age, and we provide anonymity. We truly wish to shine a bright ray of hope onto the poor and destitute. However, reports like these, a gang fight in a quiet suburb, is the reason why rumors of Odgawoan’s turned away many prospective residents. The attack has made one thing tantly clear;w enforcement has done nothing to aid inbatting the problem. This is why, my organization and I, have decided to take this issue to the emperor.”


    “Lady Oathtall, care to chime in?”


    “Listen,” her lips contoured joyfully, “-I’ve fought earnestly to help the woman of Alphia. There are issues we can’t speak about loudly, and I wish not to harm their reputation further. The reason the Greenlight organization was founded is to help the people, no matter their race or belief, we believe in a united world.”


    “Thank you,” said the host, “-we’ve recently been informed the Greenlight organization wishes to answer a few questions from our viewers. A number should be on the screen, please, call if thee wishes to impart any questions.”


    .....


    “éir,” voiced Igna, “-block the channel and allow for only I to talk.”


    “Consider it done,” he threw a phone, “-you’re connected.”


    “We have our first caller. Good evening, thank you for calling the impromptu show.”


    “Good evening,” he smugly said, “-my name’s Igna Haggard, Viscount of Glenda. I was directly involved in the shootings at one of our concerts, the situation hits home for me.” Not that it showed on camera, the couple exchanged smirks. In their mind, one so directly involved would ept their ideals without question, the name holds weight for those in Odgawoan, the people would be more willing to listen to him, than a pair of unknown nobles.


    “Then, my lord, it should be clear who must be held ountable,” returned the count.


    “Au contraire, monsieur. You speak grandly on holding people ountable. I implore the people to sit back and think, who truly is to me,w enforcement or some other party. If I, one directly affected, have but praise to say about public safety, then, why should people unaffected by the ordeal be angered on my behalf. Listen to me well, Odgawoan isn’t a safe ce anymore, and I don’t refer to gang activities. Our problems are far greater, the northern part of town, as most of thee know, was invaded and turned to a battlefield. The Chief of police has truly aided in suppressing the relentless attacks. Monster gue is an illness for which no cure has been found. Tell me, count Oathtall, has thine organization aplish anything to help in the north? No. You sit here and argue about gang affairs which, I strongly say, hasn’t affected the daily life of the good citizens. Their involvement and way of battle are gruesome and morally wrong. Who is to say what is wrong and what is right, by Tharis’s name, none knows the answer. Humanitarian organization? I haven’t heard of any aplishment. Law enforcement, thee who’ve chastised them for no good reason, fight day and night to protect the town. Take a trip and view the world for some perspective, I for once, regardless of my name and birthce stand firm behind the chief, she’s worked hard and has helped the town more than the people would ever know.”


    “Lord Oathtall, Lady Oathtall, care to refute his ideas?”


    “Lord Igna,” said thedy, “-you spoke of us as if we haven’t seen the world. What about you, what have thee done? Aren’t you simply a noble from another country taking a vacation in Alphia?”


    “What have I done?” heughed; “-you have naught but heavy makeup to show thy intellect. Actions speak louder than words, and my actions have proven what type of man I am. I don’t need acknowledgment from the humanitarian organization, if thee wishes to help, try reaching out to the AHA, reach out to the local hospice, and reach out to thew enforcement. Funds and supplies are needed tobat the real threat.”


    “Answer mydy’s question,” interjected the count.


    “My lord, without video proof, my words are not but words. They who know, knows, and tis all that matters.”


    “Thank you, viscount Haggard. We truly appreciate your input,” said the host, “-tis all for today, people of Odgawoan. Next up, sport news,” the voices faded.


    “And done,” he listlessly dropped the phone, ‘-even the reporter seems happy.’


    “-Igna?” the duo turned and watched, “-what happened?”


    “I forgot I hadpany,” he said out loud, “-well, my words speak for themselves.”


    “No, no,” cried Eira, “-exin right away, what was the underlying tone.”


    “To chastise the nobles and hailw enforcement as the better party. We can’t afford anarchy thiste in the game. I ought to help an acquaintance of mine, her name mustn’t be sullied at any cost.”


    “Igna,” interjected Loftha, “-I don’t like you one bit. I don’t feel anything, can’t read anything, who are you?”


    “Don’t bother,” said Eira, “-my cousin’s a mystery. We’ve had our back and forth, hear me when I say he beat me alongside an army. Not only that, any plot I had was turned and flipped onto my head. Turn him against you, and tis hell, I say from experience.”


    “Isn’t it just influence from the Haggard Dynasty?”


    “No, not at all. He’s worked hard to gain the title of Viscount. From what aunt said, he rarely uses the money they send, even if he uses it, the amount is instantly repaid with interest.”


    “No need to embarrass me, big sister. You’re the strongest enemy I had to fight, wit and strength-wise. I doubt I could best thee in singlebat at my state, you’ve achieved what mortals only dream about.”


    “I don’t get it,”ined Loftha, “-friend or foe?”


    “Family,” they replied, “-we’re family.”


    “Sister Eira, it’s ratherte. We should head for Melmark.”


    “Stay the night,” interjected Igna, “-with the state of things, tis unsure if the helicopter wouldnd safely.”


    “He’s right,” she stood, “-I’ll go freshen up.” Before she spun, Aceline arrived with a stern expression.


    “Aceline?” Loftha’s face flushed.


    “Yes, and who might you be?”


    “I CAN’T BELIEVE ITS YOU,” she vaulted over the couch, “-can I have an autograph!”


    “A fan,” chuckled Igna, “-how very innocent, for ady who bears such a standoffish personality.”


    “Whatever,” she rolled her eyes, “dy Aceline, why are you in thepany of this man?”


    “Cause we’re friends, I don’t understand the question. Igna’s a nice person, I think, I hope.”


    “Oh,e on,” he swiftly stepped to Vanesa’s makeshift bed, “-think what you may, at the end of the day, I’m my own person.”


    “Aw,” she mushed her lips in aforting manner, “-did I make you angry.”


    No words said, he picked the mistress of sleep, who opened her eyes, recognized him, then slept. They crossed paths to the corridor, “-check the arcanum,” she whispered. The crowd diffused across the manor. The future empress would take to the showers than make for the bar. The star-stricken Loftha would glue to Aceline and head for the studio. éir took to the kitchen, as for Igna and Vanesa, the study felt the better choice.


    ‘Why did she say check the Arcanum?’ theputer toggled, the book-filled interior brought a sense of calmness and inspiration.


    ‘Let’s check Hwan,’ the follower count of 50 thousand, increased to 70 thousand. Not that it mattered, the photos of the scenery, the true upheaval came from Thwan. After a few people discovered it, éir updated the profile and posted a few messages as means to test the site. To his surprise, a few famous people from Odgawoan, most specifically, the official ount of the town’sw enforcement, quoted a video from the interview, and wrote, “-us, from the department, are very grateful for the support.” Under which, other celebrities requoted said video and statement, “-we know the underworld’s involved in the town, it’s not news. I firmly stand behind the Viscount, he truly knows what’s important. On behalf of my team and I, thank you,” quoted Misty from the radio show.


    The statement gained traction; they went on to ask countless hard-hitting questions on the official Greenlight page. The follower count went from a few hundred to three thousand, many of whom were celebrities. Even the news anchor quoted, “-d to say Viscount Haggard answered the proposition and gave prospective. The department has exhaled a sigh of relief. As the people, we should be wary and call out those who don’t stand by their words.”


    ‘This is what she meant,’ a constant feed of messages bombarded the feed, ‘-I guess my words were heard, why, there’s no proof to say to back the sudden chance of fate.’ Therein, Julius linked a video from Lokka titled, “-our response to Count Oathtall.” There, countless vigntes who’ve fought in the battle, covered in bandages, gave short clips of their experiences. Theplication of the injured sufficed to built public favor. The medics credited the unwavering will to help, the nonchnt attitude towards a potentially deadly illness for the sake of human decency.


    “Good work,” said a message, “-everyone from Apexi wishes thee well, cousin.”


    ‘Turned out better than expected. The massacre was our doing, our tracks have been covered. We need insurance, those who know too much must perish. 02 from Unit Zero’s worked for years in Cimier, might be about time to call him back.’


    Headlights flickered at the vampiric gates, “-Master,” said éir, “-they’re here.”


    ‘About time,’ he left the study, ‘-Raven’s have sessfully taken control of Luon, or so I hope. If not, we might need to use force.’ Off the lift and towards the lobby, an injured Kul hung on a bloodied Asmodeus at the entrance, “-we’re home...” they said and fell.