I’d considered infecting the pope with a Parasite Swarm, but I realized he never gave us a chance. Still, if he was willing to turn over control of his country to us, then there was no need for it anyway.
“What are your conditions?” he asked.
“You will be subservient to the Arachnea. You will obey us without objection. So long as you do that, you are welcome to worship the God of Light, or whatever god you want. We want obedient vassals who won’t put up resistance. If you don’t revolt, and you provide us with what we need, we will allow you to govern yourselves.”
“You’re not going to demand we give you humans as food or slaves, are you?” He glared at me suspiciously from beneath his wrinkled brow.
“As long as you remain obedient, I can guarantee no harm will befall your people. We may ask you for livestock, however.”
Truth be told, human flesh was insufficient. Meat from farm-raised livestock was better in every conceivable way, including for making meatballs. Besides, when it came to breeding, humans weren’t as easily managed as farm animals.
“If that’s all you want, we accept your proposal. Let us make peace, Miss Grevillea.”
“Good. Just don’t forget that we’ll be keeping a constant eye on you.”
If the Popedom of Frantz were to break this peace treaty, the cardinals infected by Parasite Swarms would inform me immediately. I wasn’t particularly worried about that.
“And since you’ll be our vassals, we promise to protect you from the Nyrnal Empire,” I added.
“For that, we are grateful. That tyrannical country attacked us out of nowhere... No, they likely waited for the war to sufficiently weaken us. Such a sly and despicable nation...”
Right now, the Empire of Nyrnal was our common enemy. Just when they invaded our territory, they also declared war against the Popedom.
“Then we will enter a ceasefire,” I said. “Let us take a day or two to draft a peace treaty both sides find satisfactory. We don’t want to fight you any longer.”
War might’ve been the Swarm’s objective, but it wasn’t what I wanted. At the very least, I intended to put an end to all this fighting after I destroyed the Empire of Nyrnal.
I’ve fought enough wars already, right?
Thus, the Arachnea entered peace talks with the Popedom of Frantz. The Popedom agreed to bury the hatchet and swore to indefinitely uphold amicable relations with the Arachnea. In addition, it was decided that the Popedom would grant the insect faction any supplies it needed in exchange for the military assistance the Arachnea would provide.
Lastly, the Arachnea would not interfere with the Popedom’s religious observance. Frantz maintained its right to elect its own pope and was restricted only from holding any more inquisitions.
Pope Benedictus III and I signed the document detailing these conditions, therefore concluding the Arachnea’s war with the Popedom of Frantz. All that remained was our upcoming battle with the Nyrnal Empire, but that was shaping up to be a difficult one.
Nyrnal had already seized control of most of our territory in Maluk. We’d sent Genocide and Toxic Swarms from our forward operating bases in Schtraut, but they had done little to hinder the enemy’s advance.
I would have to start dealing with this war in earnest sooner rather than later. I needed to unlock any remaining units and send them to face the enemy.
Don’t get used to having everything go your way, Nyrnal.
Even as this defiant thought crossed my mind, trouble was brewing elsewhere.
♱
“Oooh. That girl’s not half bad,” Samael cooed as she gazed at a map detailing the balance of power on the continent.
While the Arachnea no longer had control over Maluk’s territories, the Popedom of Frantz was now dyed in its color. The map at Samael’s feet was functionally the same as the game’s minimap.
“The great emperor’s army snatched away the lands of Maluk and a wee bit of Frantz... How disappointing. I expected a bit more from Gregoria’s heir, inheritors of the legacy of dragons. Those guys should really shake things up some more. The fires of war should spread throughout the continent as everything descends into chaos. That’s why they have those wyverns, no? Why do the beasts take flight if not to set the world ablaze? Are they simply there to please the masses with their acrobatics? Ridiculous...”
Samael snapped her fingers, and a chair appeared out of thin air.
“Well, there’s nothing to worry about,” she said. She sat down and crossed her legs, the black tights she wore making a soft sound as she did. “Lady Samael’s got this all figured out. I know how to cause pandemonium. I’ll just light a fire under the Empire of Nyrnal so that it unifies the continent with renewed vigor. Yes, yes, yes. Lady Samael has this alllll figured out.”
She licked her lips, which were smeared with pale lipstick.
“I’ll see to it that the Empire learns true, honest-to-goodness panic. And in its frantic struggle, it will point its blades toward the Arachnea.” Samael cackled loudly, pleased with herself. “The Nyrnals will run across the continent, sowing death and disorder wherever they go. That is war. That is human behavior. That is the essence of monstrosity. What need is there to hesitate when it comes to laying bare the true nature of this world?”
Her expression changed. All traces of her delight disappeared, making way for a cold, cruel gaze.
“But I must admit, Sandalphon’s actions have been worrisome. She is an irritating one. She truly is trying to save _________, the Arachnea’s queen. Pulling her out of my wonderful game is one thing I can’t allow. That girl is my toy, no matter what. I’m not letting Sandalphon have her now.
“Let us continue this game. This fun, fun game. I wonder what face our little queen will make when the world is covered in corpses and the grotesque come to rule over this world. Will she be pleased? Disappointed? Terrified, perhaps? Whichever it is, I look forward to it. She’s a person worth toying with.”
Samael then turned in her chair.
“Now then, my precious spectators—it’s time for the main event. The Arachnea and the Nyrnal Empire, inheritors of the Gregoria’s heritage, will soon clash. Watch the affair with bated breath. Who will come out on top, the Arachnea or the Empire?”
Samael then hopped off her chair, landing nimbly atop a certain point on the map.
“The decisive battle will take place in the Eastern Trade Union, a corrupt country hedonists call home. This brave and foolish nation dared to live without bending a knee to Nyrnal or Frantz. Which faction shall emerge victorious?”
Despite the ongoing hostilities, the Eastern Trade Union had retained its neutrality.