Chapter 6: Extermination
The chair that was supposed to represent my seat of power, now laid in splintered peices on the floor behind me. I looked over the crowd from the highest step on the platform, still gripping my sword... This alone would be enough to make some of the people in this room question my sanity. I gave the scene some time to sink in before I addressed the servants and guards. "I'm sure most of you know by now that I was poisoned recently... Then experienced a miraculous recovery. This event has given me new insight and perspective." A low rumble of murmurs and whispers swept through the room as I continued to speak. "It has come to my attention that I have a rodent problem here in my Palace... This meeting here, today is to address that problem." Scanning the room I can tell there are at least a couple of people who are actually completely calm. To my surprise, I can also see a hint of a smile... The majority or the room though, had a very different reaction. Annoyance, Skepticism, Anger and fear... I knew there was a problem here but I was hoping it wasn't as bad as I feared... Well, this IS the home of the weakest princess in the Imperial city... Greed is bound to take deep root in the presence of weakness.
If I were the sweet and innocent female lead, I would probably go to the Empress for help. I would say that the people in my Palace are terrible to me and I was afraid for my life. If it was that easy to poison me once, who's to say it won't happen again... But I'm not the female lead.. So I don't have to bite my tongue... After all, the Villaness doesn't care about anyone's thoughts or feelings but her own. Since I'm the bad guy, I don't have to pull any punches.
" I called everyone here today to inform you all that, starting today, things are going to change." I wave my hand to call Lynn over to me and then hand him a small stack of papers... I then ask him to stand by for now until they are needed. "The papers I have just handed to my personal attendant are resignation papers." The murmurs in the room started to become a bit louder but no one has stepped out of line just yet which is a bit surprising... "Anyone here today who would like to resigne is welcome to get a form from Lynn." I don't have to use my spiritual sense to know what they are saying. Some probably think it's an empty threat in an attempt to establish order. Others will think I have lost my mind and some will be offended because they believe I should be grateful to have them here.
"Starting from today, I will no longer be relying on the Phoenix guard to uphold justice in my Palace. I will take on that task personally." The room practically erupted with anger and confusion. "Your highness, you can't do that!" "It's the Phoenix guard's responsibility to protect the Imperial family!" "Thats ludicrous!" "The Empress wouldn't allow such a thing!" (Wow... its a good thing I'm the bad guy... I don't have to put up with this shit...) My expression remains blank as I stare out into the croud, working themselves up into a frenzy and slowly start to unsheathe my sword, drawing the attention of the room. I then place the blunt end on my shoulder and hold the sword there behind my head. There are still several people voicing their opinions but I start talking again any way. "Starting from today, those who defame me or speak to me with disrespect will lose their toung." The silence was so sudden it was as if I pushed the mute button and the tension is so thick I can feel it... So I continue with the full attention of the room. "Those who dare to touch something of mine without my consent will lose a finger... Those who steal from me will lose a hand." I slide my sword off my shoulders and point it out into the crowd like a true Villaness. "And those who dare to attack me... Will lose their life.... If there is anyone here who thinks I'm bluffing, you are welcome to come up here and test my resolve." I finish strong and sheath my sword. Even Lynn looks to be in shock. I do feel a little bad for startling him but this was necessary. These people need to know that I'm not someone they can easily look down on or use. I gestures to Lynn while still looking out at the crowd. "If these conditions are too much for you, there are enough resignation forms there for everyone. I have no use for servants who don't wish to clean or guards who are too busy flirting to pay attention to their surroundings. Please bare this in mind." After finishing my bad guy monolog, I walk over to where the chair would have been and lean against a pillar... Slowly but surely, people started coming forward to get resignation forms and then left. Others simply gave a respectful bow and ran out. I'm sure at least one of those guards will go running straight to my sister to complain but I couldn't care less.
As the last few people were disbursing, a messenger came into the audience hall. She looked around and seemed shocked by the state of its condition. The messenger walked up and stopped at the bottom of the steps, bowing respectfully. "Your highness, I bring word from the Empress. Her majesty says that the high priest of the temple will be visiting tomorrow. Her majesty wishes for you to be present as her holiness wishes to examine you personally." (Oh? Maybe I'll be sent to the temple after all. ) "I see, thank you. Please assure her majesty that I will head to the main Palace first thing in the morning." The messenger stared at me, confused for a moment. Apparently this Princess was a real piece of work. All I did was speak using proper etiquette yet she is in shock. "Oh, y, yes your highness. I will inform her majesty immediately." She then bowed again and left to return to the Empress. Now that some of the trash has taken itself out, I'll have a bit less to worry about when I leave. I don't know if I will be able to take Lynn with me to the temple or if he would even want to go so the least I could do is get rid of some of the people causing him trouble... "Lynn? Are we done here? If so, I'm quite hungry. " Lynn looked up from the list he was making of people who chose to resigne. "Yes your highness. I will go put this list away and inform the kitchen that you are ready for your meal" Lynn smiled brightly. He seemed either satisfied or proud. It's hard to say which but as long as he's happy, it doesn't matter. I nodded to Lynn and walked back to my room on my own. So I get to meet the High priest tomorrow... According to what Lynn told me, The word priest here is no different from the word doctor. it's a gender neutral title. The word priestess doesn't exist here which I found interesting.
I arrive back at my room and sit at my desk. I can see my reflection in the brass pot sitting on top. (She really is pretty... I wonder why she hated having her father's hair color so much...)
Soon Lynn came along with our food and we sat at the table and ate together. I had been insisting that he eat with me... He is still a bit awkward... Considering what kind of person she was before, I'm not surprised. At least he seems to be eating better this time... Once we were done eating, Lynn prepared me for bed and then took the dishes back to the kitchen. Once I'm sure there is no one around I start my nightly routine of focusing my spiritual energy to strengthen my body. The body refinement stage is very important and with as thick as the spiritual energy is here, I would be stupid to let it go to waste.
At my current stage of refinement I am confident that I can protect myself against any average attacker but I still have a long way to go. As I focus my spiritual energy, I reflect on my day and what I have learned. While reflecting, I noticed something strange... I am supposed to meet the High priest tomorrow which in itself, isn't that strange. What's strange was the reason for the visit. That messenger said the high priest wants to examine me personally... I have already been examined by a priest and given a clean bill of health. It's possible that priest went back to the temple and reported to the high priest that I had trace remnants of Devine power. That is, assuming that was a real priest... But even so, why would the high priest need to come in person to confirm that? Checking in on me could just be an excuse to enter the palace for some other reason... I feel like I'm missing something but I don't know enough about this world to say what... If the Empress is directly involved, I don't think it should be anything dangerous... I'm over thinking it. I'll just concentrate on my refinement for now and cross that bridge when I come to it.