Overlord: Raise of Darkness Chapter 9 Slaves
Story by XSDStitch on SoFurry
Those who don't think far enough, have to fave a rulers anger
Sitting on his throne, the Dark Overlord sighs loudly. He just got the permission to leave the bed, but is far from healthy enough to go out and fight again… not to mention he has to train to get back in shape.
During his stay in bed he took care of ruling questions as far the doctor allowed it. However the rest were handled by Gnarl and his mistress Isota… something he isn't sure if he should regret it now, happy about the results or a mixture of them.
Gnarl had struck a deal that brought different kinds of creatures into the kingdom, thus keeping his enemies busy. On paper nice, but in reality here is nothing that keeps the monsters and other type of creatures in the territory of his opponents. Meaning he has to move forces and resources to get these in check.
Isota on the other hand managed to make an alliance with several lords. They follow his rule in exchange of his protection and help with their economy. What Isota failed to keep in mind is: HIs forces are spread thin and the minority of what he can offer are relative untrained trainees or newborn minions. Also his treasure vault isn't very full. Meaning he had to find a quick source of riches right now.
In short both managed to bring in great accomplishments in favor for his empire, at the cost of great troubles. Not to mention the big bill that Gnarl brought in during his little stunt… and that he has to deal with a view VERY large monsters as well.
Looking at the two in front of him, The Dark Overlord asks them “Tell me… why shouldn't I punish you for the… great idiocy you two did in favor of helping our empire?"
Isoda told “I manage to enlarge your territory to almost a third of the kingdoms size."
“Master, I was acting in your interest. As I wasn't aware that your mistress would act like that, I thought weakening your enemies on a long run, would make it easier to conquer them when our forces have the necessary strength."
“All I wanted is to keep things running, keeping our enemies if necessary at bay AND make sure our forces are at least up to the task of defending the territory!" told the Dark Overlord to them “Instead I have to try and work out a way to cover the lack of money and forces!"
He raises from his throne “You two are dismissed! And don't dare to do something stupid until I call you!"
“O-Of course Master" stated Gnarl
Bowing down the mistress replied “I… understand my Lord…"
The two retreat from the throne room, while the Overlord sighs and goes to his chambers. He needs fresh air. And no bothering with his Overlord status. So he wrote a short letter of detailed instructions for Gnarl and Isota during his absence… while he didn't want to let them having responsible again, he has nobody else to turn to. Something he has to fix in the near future.
However he made very clear instructions: Anything that is above solving the fighting between two parties that doesn't affect the fate of the empire will be brought to him once he returns, else they can decide what to do, with a full report what they have done.
Once he had put down his armor, he got some normal clothes and used the nethergate to leave the tower, at a location he knows only forest would greet him. He doesn't want to see a single soul for now. All he had was some simple gear to defend himself if he has to, thought he hopes he doesn't have to… due his current condition.
Once he was in the forest, he took a deep breath, and looks at the sky. “Wonder how long it has been that I was simply walking in a forest… with no minions or other people following me…"
After taking some time to take breathers, he began moving through the forest at random directions. He isn't worried about getting lost, since he knows where to look to find his way back to the portal.
Continuing his walk, the Overlord enjoyed the sounds of the birds and the warmth of the place… while being sure Gnarl would try to convince him to burn and destroy everything. Thought the Overlord thought some beauty would even be… well… well for evil. Even it is to keep something that brings inspiration.
As he walked he heard the sounds of a whip, some horses and… groans? Also the sounds of people being in pain were heard. That is something he doesn't like so he moves to investigate.
And indeed he saw a group of man, who had a set of carriages which were transporting cages. Cages filled with people. These people were dark blue in skin color with silver hair. And they had iron collars around the necks chained at the cage walls.
For the Dark Overlord it was clear he is viewing slave traders… and he was certain he declared slavery and slave trading as illegal.
Drawing his sword, he mused how he should proceed to free the slaves. He couldn't simply storm in and fight… perhaps sneaking in and kill one after another? It would give a nice load of life force, bringing these slave traders to a good cause. On the other hand… here are other options that could bring him advantages as well. Decisions, decisions… and he made his one now after taking a moment to consider.
Thought before he could think about it, he heard a shout and upon looking, he saw that one of the slaves were running. It seems the slave, a woman in red and white clothes, had managed to free herself from the captors and run. As he saw some of the slavers arming some bows and arrows, he got ready to rush in and fight, but somebody shouted some orders and the weapons were lowered. A man of small stature was shouting something to a few man and they draw blades and runs after the woman.
Seeing that this woman seems to be of quite an importance for this slave trader, the Overlord decides to follow them.
He grunts as he felt his shortcomings of not completely healed yet and been forced to stay in bed for quite a while. However the chase stopped after a short time as the slavers were now busy to try and find the woman. As they weren't expecting somebody from behind, the Overlord draws a dagger, sneaks up to the closest one. Then he covered the slavers mouth before slamming the dagger into the back, twisting the weapon for more damage and pulled the dying man into the bushes where he finished the job with a quick slice through the neck. After absorbing the life force, he went back to the bushes and went for the next one.
Once he had finished off three of the four hunting man, he heard a scream and upon turning he saw that the final one, who was unaware of the death of his comrades, had found the running girl. Upon seeing her ears and skin color, the Overlord was confirmed that the slaves are dark elves. He had dealt with them before as he was moving against the fifth Overlord.
As it was a hunter group way back, he doubt that she would know him or recognize him. Anyway he moves in as the man was pulling the slave's hair and shouts at her. From what he heard he was promising her that if she tries again, he will break her legs and kill one of her people before her eyes. As the man raised his hand to hit her, he stopped.
The dark elf looked up in wonder with her bright green eyes and they widened as she saw that a man was holding a dagger at the throat of the slaver, stating “Hit her, and I will cut you, piece by piece! And don't hope for your friends! I killed them."
“Y-Yes" stated the slaver, letting off the hair go.
“Good! Now kneel down!" told the Overlord and the slaver did like that. Then he draws his sword and hits with the pommel, knocking him out. Turning to the dark elf, he asks “Are you alright?"
“Y-Yes… but… my people…"
“Don't worry! I will help you to save them! But for a slave you wear way to fine clothes. Who are you?"
“I… I am Isadel." she answered then gasped as he took hold of her head and lifts her up, looking at the neck that bore an iron collar.
“I would take this off right now, but we still need it to free your people."
“W-W-What do you mean?"
“Let's head first to a certain spot… then I am going to explain my plan to you." stated the Overlord with a grin “Then you will also learn who you are facing…"
Hours later the leader of the slavers, a little man who is in fact a dwarf, with no hair and being surprisingly thing but with a very large war hammer on his back walks around and asks “How long does these idiots take to bring back one escaped slave? Especially one that should be the gem of our selling's?"
The Dwarf was getting nervous. The longer they remain here, the higher the risk of being found by somebody. And right now they are within the territory that sixth Overlord claimed for himself. As he heard a new Overlord was here, he thought the slave trade would flourish again, but no, that damn bastard outlawed it outright and many of his colleague were arrested, kicked out or left on the streets with no coin in the purse.
He was lucky that he had been outside the territory as this happened but now he heard of an alliance. While due of the procedures it takes a while until everybody is aware of the new laws, once they are out, he would lose a lot of lucrative customers and trading routes… not to mention the loss of his “hunting" grounds.
Then he heard footsteps and he saw his four men and the lost slave. Giving her a kick, she went on the knees, thought the Dwarf had thought for a moment that the kick were way to light to cause her to fall down. Moving over he grabbed her face and he told “So, you thought you could flee from us? I told you if you do that, here will be consequences!" and he snapped his fingers and two other dark elves were brought over. And blades were held ready to kill them.
“I won't let them have a quick dead… their stomach will be pierced and left here to bleed out or killed by the wild animals." he declared and raised his hand to snap his fingers. But the four who brought her back, suddenly hold their blades against the head of the dwarf. He looks odd and asks “What you idiots are doing?"
“In the name of the Dark Overlord, you are under arrest?" Told one of the four.
Stepping back in surprised the dwarf asks “You are joking, right?"
“HE isn't!" called a new voice and the Overlord in his armor stepped forward from the forest, and from all sides minions and soldiers were appearing, surrounding and outnumber the slavers.
The slavers look at their leader for instructions but the Overlord beat them “Everybody who fights or kills one of the slaves will be subjected to a fate worse than death! But if you drop your weapons, you all have chances to survive until the day you are free again!"
Seeing no choice in winning the slavers, one by one, dropped their weapons, except for the dwarf. He pulled his war hammer and called “By my name, Brukhaem Bloodbelt! I won't surrender! I will kill as many of you bastards as possible until I fell! And I am starting with this whore of a dark elf!" and went to attack Isadel. However what he didn't expect was that the minions jumped on him and piled up, as the Overlord knew about his temper beforehand thanks to the information the dark elf gave him. Giving a signal his minions and soldiers began to take the chains off the dark elves to put them on the slavers. The Dark Elves were glad to be freed, but they don't know what to expect from the dark Overlord… after all the fifth wasn't somebody they were unable trust except they get killed out of fun. So, the Sixth a mystery for them.
“Dark Elves! You are free now! I offer you to come to my tower for recover and then I help you hunting down everybody who is enslaving your kind." declared the Overlord. That causes some relief to the dark elves and the Overlord gave orders for the transport for everybody. The Dark Elves to the guest quarters of his tower, the slavers into the prison and torture chambers of his place. Following the orders, the minions and guards did the same. Taking place in the carriage of the dwarf, he grinned to himself while Isadel took place in the Carriage as well.
Looking at her, the Overlord asked “You want to talk?"
“Yes…" stated the dark elf “About your title. Overlord. Why do you insist of being called that, instead of your name? I know who you was before you became the sixth Overlord."
“How?" he asks he wondered.
“The hunter group… I was with them. I was the true leader."
“So you misguided us?"
“People tend to get a bit off if they knew who I was." she told “Also the actions of the fifth Overlord didn't put a lot trust in us into your kind. However… I knew how you was way back, I have seen your actions today. What happened to you?"
“That's a story only those I can trust will know" Told the Overlord “I trust you enough that you won't try to kill me while being my guests. But no further than that as the current situation stands" explains the dark Overlord.
“I understand" she stated “When would I have the trust? When I become your mistress?"
“While I can tell why you are asking, I have no intentions of claiming you as mistress. You have your beauty and charm… however only a few women managed to make my heart warm. Only those women which warm my heart have the right. I won't force them. And I assure you: I won't accept you if you only want me for my position."
Isadel nodded “Very well. Perhaps I can tell you one of my secrets sooner than before."
“If it is that you are a high ranking member of the dark elves?" asks the Dark Overlord
“I am the daughter of the leader of my tribe of Dark Elves… and my tribe is one of the most influential ones." she admits “I am Isadel Balris, Granddaughter of Queen Fay, third Mistress of the late fourth Overlord."