Son of the Hero King

The next day, Shuten Doji could be seen entering the Celestial palace, guarded by a few soldiers of Lustburg.

The fact that Lustburg’s soldiers were slowly entering the frontiers and taking up key posts under their control could be seen by all those at a certain level but they also understood that it was inevitable.

“How wasteful,” Doji muttered as she observed the wall made of smooth jade and glittering gold. The mural on the wall depicted a lightning wolf howling toward the moon— a king’s war cry before he charged towards the battle.

A royal family undoubtedly had to show their might through murals, sculptures, depictions, and other forms of art. However, Lupus had been on a whole other level.

Taking care of all of this will be hard.

She sighed and continued to walk in the relatively deserted palace.

Before the war’s conclusion, nearly all the servants and retainers living in the palace had fled. Even though a few had returned Doji surmised that many others were just waiting for things to cool down a bit more, maybe some even felt guilt and would never return.

Most likely they made use of the chaos to steal some expensive trinkets or expensive artworks, setting themselves up for life.

Their actions were perfectly normal. Rats would always scurry when a boat was about to capsize. She had already anticipated this and even banking on this fact, as it would allow her to subtly introduce people under her influence into the palace, injecting her spies in the right places.

“Quite the flashy palace, don't you think?” Doji froze for a heartbeat as a young masculine voice echoed in her ears, far too close for her comfort. Years of training and experience allowed her to hide the shock and grimace from appearing on her face. She even made sure to keep her muscles relaxed.

Turning on her heels, she showed a smile before curtsying, making sure to show appropriate Lustburgian manners, as she bowed before the man who had tried to play a nasty prank on her.

“Your Majesty.”

“At ease.” Sol waved his hand dismissively, “You are one of the four great leaders of Wratharis. You do not need to bow to Lustburg.”

His tone was flat, but an amused glint danced in his eyes as he eyed the Oni woman. Shuten had to quite literally force herself to not roll her eyes in exasperation.

They both knew it was nothing but lip service. The moment Setsuna officially sat on the throne, would be the moment the entirety of Wratharis would bow to Lustburg.

“You are quite playful,” Shuten said, raising her bent back with practiced elegance. Shuten was not born yesterday, it would take much more than a glorified prank to fluster her.

If Sol Luxuria wished to play with her then she would gladly comply.

“Ohhh… I am starting to like you.” The smile stretching his lips widened, and he presented his arm to her in a gentlemanly gesture. She gladly accepted his invitation. “Let's walk together, shall we? Queen Setsuna is waiting for us.”

“Lead the way, Your Majesty.” Shuten smiled sweetly and thus the two sauntered down the deserted place while exchanging some amicable, if pretentious, chatter.

Seeing them, no one could imagine they were about to negotiate the future of an entire kingdom and millions of citizens.

***

The walk, albeit short, allowed Shuten to garner a deeper insight into the man she considered to be her greatest opponent.

Sol Luxuria was young. Be it from the perspective of your average human or even magical beings with lengthier lifespans, he was only a young adult at best. Yet, he possessed a mind that was well beyond the age he showed.

No one could ever claim that he was just a lucky guy who went through life without any struggles.

His experience, albeit short, was enough for many centuries-old monsters to have cold sweat.

Yet she felt confused in his presence. He seemed arrogant yet not. Old yet young. Mature but still retaining a semblance of youthful childishness.

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The duality of this man confused her and in a way, frightened her.

“You seem confused.” Sol, as if ignoring her probing, spoke quietly, prompting Shuten to direct him an odd look.

“Your Majesty is a true enigma.” Shuten was direct in her words.

“Well, they say mysterious men are attractive. Don't you think so?” He laughed but she only shook her head.

“With my line of works, I can only feel at ease with a man I can read like a book.” Shuten was not one for relationships or love. She had no need for a man she could not control.

“How sad. Seems like I got indirectly rejected.”

Shuten chortled at the words Sol just spewed. “For someone who has been rejected, you do not seem particularly affected.”

“What can I say, I have a mind of steel.” He flashed her a big-hearted smile and they stopped at the door of the office.

“Well, as enjoyable as this discussion has been, it seems like this is as far as I can accompany you.” Sol slipped his hand out of her and stepped back.

“Oh? I thought you would be participating in the negotiations.”

A shake of his head was his reply. With a smile, Sol added, “This is Setsuna’s job. Not mine.”

Hearing him, Doji was able to perceive a new dimension to the relationship between Sol and Setsuna.

She had always wondered if Setsuna being Queen was just a front— a sham to basically allow Sol to annex Wratharis with little resistance.

But be it in the war or even now, Setsuna was showing a surprising degree of independence.

That could only mean that Setsuna was not just a glorified puppet for Sol, at the very least.

I guess there is still some good news amid all this chaos.

“Very well, Your Majesty. I wish you a good night.”

She bowed, in the same Lustburgian style she had curtsied before, before lightly knocking on the door.

“I, Shuten Doji, leader of the Oni clan beseech Her Majesty the Queen to grace me with her presence.”

Shuten could hear Sol snicker from a mile away but she was not embarrassed. She had enough practice, from all the embarrassing titles and jibberish she had to spout to Lupus just so she could receive an audience.

Still, it seemed that her words were quite shocking to Wratharis’ latest ruler. Choking noises echoed out from the inner chamber, obviously belonging to Setsuna.

I guess the new queen isn't a fan of such appellation.

“You can… Ahem. You may enter.” Setsuna’s voice came from the other side.

Shuten hid the knowing smirk that tried to curl her lips. Her new queen was cute, that’s for sure. Opening the door to enter, Shuten was not surprised to see the White Tiger lord standing behind Setsuna like a secretary.

She knew she was about to enjoy this meeting that was shaping up to be quite interesting, to say the least.

***

When Shuten closed the door behind her, Sol’s shadow started wriggling until Milia manifested out of the abyssal darkness.

“Was it wise, Your Highness? I apologize but Lady Setsuna is still not ready.”

Sol shook his head, “Setsuna will never be ready if she doesn’t get the necessary experience to complement her knowledge. Don't worry. She will become better with time. This is the perfect moment for her to gain all the experience she requires.”

With Shuten taking things easy and the Tiger lord at her side, it would not take long for Sol’s beloved wolf to become a respectable Queen.

“Well, let’s drop this matter. How are things at home?”

A large smile threatened to split Milia’s face at the question. “The preparations for both your marriage and your coronation are well underway. But are you sure a triple marriage is sound?”

Sol nodded before explaining, “Setsuna, Medea, and Isis. Marrying the first three at the same time and announcing my engagement with Pandora will make my influence skyrocket.”

As the daughter of Anubis— once the Son of the Demon King and a True Demon, Isis was in a way royalty for the demons. On the other hand, Pandora was the Queen of Invidia. Once she ensured the safety of her daughters, they could announce the engagement.

There was no need to explain Medea's influence and how officializing their relationship would help his standing with the witches. And Setsuna would link him with Wratharis.

Thinking about it, a bitter smile tugged Sol’s lips. “I am quite the horrible man.”

This was supposed to be a joyous occasion but all he could think about were the underlying machinations.

Sol soon clapped his cheeks, hard enough to leave the downward spiral of negativity that his decisions invoked in him.

He needed to remind himself. To make sure to never forget.

He did not chase power for power's sake.

All he wanted was to ensure the happiness of his beloved women. The power, influence, and all the additions he obtained were just collateral, mere tools to ensure he reached his objectives.

“Very well, let's go. Setsuna will be able to start her closed meditation soon. Same for you. As for me… It's time to spend time with Camelia. I did promise her that after all.”

A genuine smile soon crept up his lips at the thought. While they may have spent a steamy night before the war, he had not spent true quality time with his beloved nun for quite some time, he admitted.

Though she technically wasn't a nun anymore.