∼ Day 253 ∼ |
In a large hall, lit by torches and rustic chandeliers, we all sat by a massive table in the center. It was overflowing with food and merriment, my closest followers and family joining me for this feast with our guests. Ruela and Frenn were more than simply enjoying the festivities as loud laughter and conversations were thrown across the table, the subtle music in the background creating an atmosphere of joviality.
They were all savoring the festivities, as was I.
Frenn especially - as she had tracked down Bob, the big brute looking positively sheepish as he was flanked by both the wild orc chieftess and his ogre wife. From what I could see, they both had seemingly come to an agreement as they somehow simultaneously pampered and strong-armed the big guy. The ogre woman, who I now know as Una, was definitely the one with the pants on in Bob's harem, a confident and fierce individual who carried about an unwavering motherly air.
And from initial impressions, it appeared that Frenn wanted to share that position and had already been let into the fold.
Despite Bob being much stronger than any of his women, he let them take complete charge - looking to actually enjoy the odd dynamic. I could only shake my head in amusement at my friend. He was happy, that was all that mattered, so I wasn't going to say anything.
It had been a while since I've truly experienced anything like this. In my old life, there was only one memory that shared the same happiness. A singular point in my life where my family hadn't been at odds with each other or been reduced to only my parents and sisters. It was nice to remember what exactly I was fighting for besides my desire for power alone. Why I was here in the first place and still drew breath.
From directly across the head of the table, where I sat with my wives, friends, and trusted subordinates, was the only dull point of the party. The warlord and her followers. They had barely touched the food, nor had they attempted to share in the conversation or fun. Mordrenn, composed and unflinching, was taking it all in with a calm gaze, whereas her followers looked about on the verge of popping a vein or two from anger.
Once the party finally died down, food eaten and the late of night drawing on, I called out all. "Thank you, everyone. For a good night well spent. But forgive me, for I now have matters to take care of. You can leave."
Not hesitating at my words, all but those who had been told to stay, left the hall. Now the only ones left were Mia, Lily, Bob, Darkan, The Warlord, and her followers.
"I hope the festivities were to your satisfaction,"
"I did not come here for festivities," Mordrenn responded calmly.
"Oh, I know," I said simply, taking a swig of the goblet before me.
The orc who had spoken up from our first introductions looked furious at my blatant disregard, his anger barely tempered. Setting down the goblet, I sighed with a satisfied; ah∼.
"So, I trust you followed the instructions of my aide, Darkan? Who among these followers of yours did you trust to take with you on your little tour to visit the... sights of our humble settlement?"
"You're questioning our loyalty to the Warlord?!" The orc erupted, finally incapable of keeping himself contained.
"Yes - yes I am," I turned my gaze from the orc to the warlord, ignoring the inconsequential monster. "So, of whom did you choose to trust between your people, on the repercussions that divulging such information means life and death?"
Mordrenn turned to the orc practically frothing from the mouth in anger and laid a hand on his forearm, calming the raging beast before it did something stupid.
"Life and death?" She asked with a raised brow.
"For you, and your people," Lily said suddenly from my side.
The orc jumped to his feet, rattling the table, spilling food and drink everywhere. "Human wench! How dare y-"
"Sit!" I shouted, sending the orc crashing to the ground as my aura bore down on his much weaker mental defenses, crushing his mind's ability to control his body and making him do a life-like imitation of a puppet with its strings cut.
"Now... Mordrenn, I do have limits to my patience. And this follower of yours, if he can't heed a simple command, I will have to take matters into my own hands to make our conversations go smoothly,"
"I understand," She said, ever calm, though I suspected that she wasn't truly so underneath it all.
Waving to some of the other stunned followers by the table, they left the hall with the paralyzed orc in tow. Now only two of her followers were left, the only other two second and third to the ill-tempered orc's strength.
I also turned to the lithe woman at my side, giving her a knowing look. "Lily, please,"
"Well, of course - my beloved. My apologies∼" She giggled.
Going back to the matter at hand, I scratched my chin absentmindedly. "From what I've heard and seen, I honestly thought you'd have a better grip on those working for you. Was I wrong about my assessment of you?"
"Unfortunately, they're more fanatical than subservient," Mordrenn replied.
"I see... fanaticism is good, useful even. But oftentimes it is unpredictable and unreliable," I took in a deep sigh. "Troublesome indeed,"
"So about that right-hand of yours, I believe he saw the same things as you did? Will he be a problem?"
"No, he won't."
"Good, then we can continue," I said. "So, what do you think?"
"Adamantine mines and forges able to create weapons and armor out of it..." She said, eyes narrowed. "Why did you show them to us?"
"You have tens of millions at your every beck and call, hundreds more simply living under your reign. I can use that."
"You wish to sell them?"
"No, I have something else in mind..." I said cryptically.
"Are you not afraid that word will get out?"
"Oh trust me, no one from my clan will leak this information. That I have made sure of."
She clearly looked dubious at that, but her face straightened out as she realized the seriousness of my statement.
"Then what is it that you want to do with the adamantine?" She asked after a brief silence.
"That matters not now, you will find out soon enough."
"I have not agreed to your proposal yet, what makes you so confident that I will?"
"Proposal?" I smirked.
Intertwining my finger, I steadied her with my gaze. "Alright, let me make this clear. You will conquer the remaining lands of the Tyrant's territory as is your sacred right as the victorious warlord. But you will do so under my rule,"
Finally, her mask broke as a deep-set frown plastered itself across her face.
"I came here with peaceful intentions, I have done you no wrong. Besides, no greenskin will follow my rule if that was the case. Only a greenskin can rule the lowlands."
"But frankly, that's not quite true, is it now? After all, you're not innocent to the harm done to my people," Her calm finally cracked a bit as the corner of her lips twitched. "You accepted that sacred challenge, and therefore accepted the repercussions of what the war might bring. It so happens that it brought me ire, as well as your victory."
She stood up with her two followers, glaring at me as they drew their weapons.
"Regardless, as I said before; the lowlands will never heed my rule if it's under an outsider's. And I will never bow to anyone but Wrathian,"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Was I giving you the impression you had a choice?" I raised my brows.
Suddenly, both of her followers fell to their knees with a yelp, their hamstrings severed. By my side, Mia was relaxed twirling her hand, almost invisible tendrils of crimson whipping about the hall, two pointed at her followers and three more pointed at the Warlord herself, ready to execute each of them at a moment's notice.
"If you had already decided, then why tell me all this?" Mordrenn asked, with a clenched jaw.
"It's simple, really."
"I'm in need of a puppet, but not a mindless one."
Author pls fix this ending
It's a little too open ended and feels more like a cliffhanger
Maybe if you ever come back to this novel
Atleast give it a time skip or maybe shown what happens 1000 years after
And maybe talk about the rise of sanguine clan to wolr dominance
Author is this the ending? If it is then this really is an open ended ending. It is like an end of a chapter. If there are more chapters coming out then I would gladly read it. But I started reading the story in the mindset that this is a completed story.
I really liked the story so please at least give it a proper ending.
And what's with the gods and with that entity that we met when MC was choosing what path to go on? So much things still unanswered.
( I know the author said it is getting dropped but damn bruhh) :)
Dropped like hot potato.....
Now I'm here eager to know what's next, boom: story finish 😭😭
Damnnnn
You have done a huge disservice to your work and fans by leaving it like this. No excuses are needed as I know you have made your decision. I really enjoyed this part of the story... I will not be following any other of your stories though. Best of luck to you
This can't even be considered a rush ending.
This is just like any other chapter with a cliffhanger at the end. You had us enchanted with this fantastic story and manage to build up great expectations about its future developments just to drop it like a glass of milk.
I don't know if you are deliberately disappointing your readers, but I'll just say that I hope that those goals that made you abandon this story in such an indifferent way don't get to be more that complete and hopeless failures.
This is the crappiest ending ever.
When I read that the author wanted to drop this but wrote a few chapters as an ending I thought that there would be an actual ending.
This is just a spit in the face of those who supported and dedicated their time to reading it. The novel itself was very good, but this cliffhanger ending with so many story points left unsolved is just too much. I hope the author can get his bearings and write a proper ending, instead of this crap. I'm utterly disappointed.
Damn
Oof
I keep checking if the author added anything. I know this is the end but I can hope for the hopeless😔
With this being the end, I am really torn between leaving this at 3 stars, "I like it but needs much work", and 1 star, "I don't like it and needs much work."
The ending is most unsatisfying in the extreme. It was handled very very poorly. If the announcement 20 odd chapters back hadn't forewarned me, I'd probably be even more upset.
I will say this much, Konge, this isn't worth money. For a first effort, it was pretty good. Especially coming from someone who self confessed to not being a reader nor writer. But, you have work to do, a *lot* of work to do.
A few editing passes will do much. However, the best improvement would come from having a few individuals to consult with and aid you in tweaking the story both for improved flow and in establishing a better, more cohesive story. In the future, noting you have a discord, have a group of select friends and/or fans you can post chapters to in advance. Then they can read them and offer you feedback before you post them to the public. Would do much to help you catch things that might otherwise be sitting in your own mental blindspots.