The Emperor Class

Dreu was initially groggy when he was woken up. When Zhao repeated what he said, the young man sat up suddenly. He then noticed the silver knight standing next to the footman staring down at him.

“I don’t recommend keeping the Duchess waiting for too long,” said the silver knight in a firm voice.

Following a quick apology, Dreu got up and followed the silver knight to the main tent. Zhao followed closely and didn’t say anything during the entire walk. Night had fallen and the crescent moon was high in the sky. Dreu estimated that he had a couple hours of sleep which, while shorter than what he wanted, was still adequate for the time being. He also agreed with the silver knight that keeping the Duchess waiting was a terrible idea. Yet, he couldn’t fathom what the Duchess would want with a lowly laborer like him. Before he could think of a reason, they arrived at the tent and the silver knight gestured for him and Zhao to enter. Dreu took a deep breath and stepped inside after letting the breath out.

“Welcome, Dreu” The Duchess stood in the center of the tent with a smile on her face. “I apologize for waking you this late but it’s an urgent matter. I heard from Aleit about your abilities and I know we can come to an agreement.”

Dreu didn’t like where the conversation was going. His experiences as a laborer brought him in contact with customers who wished to renegotiate the terms with his squad. In those situations, the customers always wanted to rip them off by negotiating terms that were heavily in their favor. Dreu’s gut told him that the Duchess wished to do the same. As if to confirm his suspicion, the Duchess brought forward a contract.

“By signing this, you will serve under my retinue. In return, you get power and wealth beyond your imagination. I don’t offer this to anybody, especially not someone of the lower class with no connections.”

The first thing that stood out to Dreu was the foreign language on the contract. He didn’t recognize any of the symbols. He asked his footmen if either of them know the language. Bayard responded with what he knew.

The language belonged to the wood elves of the Emerald Forest. The language was used specifically for contracts due the terrible consequences it could inflict on the breacher of the contract. I heard the contract was only used for slaves as the terms were extremely one-sided. Note that I’ve only heard this from secondhand accounts. I highly recommend you against accepting it.

I won’t sign something I cannot read so rest assured I won’t do something so stupid. I also don't particularly like her condescending tone either.

“Thank you for the offer, Duchess. However, I fear that I don’t desire those things. I have always wanted to become an adventurer and travel to see the continent. Becoming your retinue doesn’t align with my dreams.”

“Adventurer? Have you seen what the demons have done? There won’t be any adventurers for decades to come. The kingdom has to be rebuilt after we survive this invasion! By then, you either serve the ruling class and enjoy all the luxuries or become one of the countless laborers expected to do backbreaking work in the kingdom’s long road to recovery. By joining me, you’ll be standing at the top in the kingdom.”

Dreu could hear the venom in the words as the Duchess was struggling to maintain her composure. Dreu shook his head and was about to explain when he was interrupted.

“You have no idea, do you? Your lowly kind should rot with all those slain by the demons. You think your ability is so special but you are nobody. Get out of my sight, worm!”

Dreu quickly withdrew from the tent following the Duchess’ screams. As he was exiting, he felt Zhao reaching for his weapons.

What is happening, Zhao?

Stay calm. I’m just reaching for it as a precaution.

Remembering that the silver knight was still outside, Dreu cursed internally for not bringing anything for combat. As soon as the two of them stepped outside, the silver knight took a step towards them.

“I see you have rejected the Duchess’ offer.”

The silver knight brought his left hand over his right one. Dreu was expecting the man to summon a weapon but the silver knight simply removed his gauntlet. He then turned the back of his hand towards Dreu revealing a symbol similar to the symbols on the contract.

“I was foolish enough to sign the contract binding me to the Duchess’ services for the rest of my life. In return, I became a slave who wouldn’t hesitate to kill in her name. I am relieved that you are spared from a similar fate.”

“How is she part of the ruling class?” asked Dreu. “Why are these people in charge?”

“Xemir likes those who are ruthless. He says those people are needed for the total victory of humans against the evils of the world.” The silver knight put his gauntlet back on. “When you have the approval of a god, it’s not hard rising up to the top.”

The silver knight pointed towards the tent where Dreu was sleeping in.

“Go back and never associate yourself with the Duchess. It’s far better being dead than serving as her servant. I have....taken too many innocent lives.”

Dreu waited for the silver knight to walk out of his view before making his way back to his tent. He quietly entered the tent and returned to his little corner. This time, sleep didn’t come easily. Dreu turned to Zhao.

Is this why you and Bayard were fighting against Xemir? To create a world where monsters like the Duchess don’t make it to the top?

Partially. If you saw what the continent was like three hundred years ago, that was the world we were fighting for. Now, you see the suffering that’s encouraged by Xemir. It’s not hard to fight against that. We don't claim to fight for justice because we are merely humans. However, we will fight for what we believe is right and Xemir stands between us and the world we want to see.