Zerinia opened the door to the meeting room, many different creatures sat around the long rectangular table, of different species, appearances, creators and so on. Zerinia merely took a few steps when a voice yelled out, it was young and playful, belonged to maybe a 21 to 25-year-old woman, “Lady Zerinia, I’m so glad to see you again! It feels like it’s been forever!”
Zerinia had just about enough time to see the voice came from the second NPC she had created, Lenore Nightfang, before she jumped on top of the Lady, holding on tightly, “Lenore, I’m also most pleased to see you again.” Zerinia answered respectfully, even before coming to this world, Zerinia felt a deep connection with Lenore, he even had a small crush back then.
The short white hair, red eyes, young features and her thin and corset like body armour and glove like gauntlets, short tight black shirt, long black feathered cape with red trim with high black stockings and boots that reached her upper thigh. Zerinia paused, sharing a friendly smile with her creation, she didn’t feel the romantic, flustered passionate fire when someone saw their crush, but rather a friendly tingling warmth, like someone would feel with a close friend they trusted deeply. “Has my character lore affected me now too? It would make sense…maybe I should-“ Before Zerinia could finish, her thoughts, the young woman let go, stepping back to her place, behind the chair at the head of the table, Zerinia’s seat.
The vampire queen followed, reaching the head seat she sat down and leaned back, it was a lot more comfortable what she expected when thought it would feel before coming to this world in person. “Thank you all for coming, as you are aware now, we have recently been attacked by the ‘Withered Abyss’ guild, and although we have been able to repel the invading forces, which I am most pleased about, it has come to my attention that we need to…further fortify, build and expand as to prevent the possibility of an attack like this happening again, and if it does, won’t be remotely as detrimental to the estate…so, with the minds of all of you, I ask we all come up with a solution for this issue.” Her words held meaning and tone inviting, she wanted ideas and possible assistance.
“I need this, and if I can, I want to protect this place for my friends if they are ever to come here too, the idea of them returning to a broken castle, stolen goods…no, I refuse the idea of it, this meeting should also help me see how they interact with one another.” Zerinia thought to herself, watching them all with a hidden intensity to see how they will interact with one another.
“Perhaps it would be wise to send spies out into the greater nations.” A man in black robes and a plague doctor mask spoke, looking towards Zerinia, “Graveheart, Deputy Head of Magical and Scientific Research, he’s probably going to be one of the more intelligent ones here.” Zerinia thought while contemplating the idea.
Lenore raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. “Oh? I could do that.” She said with a small smirk.
“No, it would take up time and risk discovery.” Velkira said, she more likely denied the idea out of boredom than any practicality.
“And what do you suggest then?” The masked man asked pointedly, only to earn a subtle shrug from Velkira.
“I wonder why Edilia isn’t here.” Zerinia thought to herself, looking at the last empty seat.
“If we cannot gain the information by stealth, then I shall take it by force.” A robed figure said, his body hidden under the darkness and his voice distorted somehow.
“Right, because open combat was always the most effective method.” Graveheart responded, the alchemical golem crossing his arms.
“Actually, that’s an idea I can get behind.” Velkira said with a subtle yet sinister grin,
“Of course it is, you sadistic demon goblin.” Igior muttered, the irony was palpable and it’s not like Velkira was remotely offended by the truthful words spoken.
“Perhaps expansion in territory is to be of sufficiency?” The Lich suggested, gaining everyone’s attention immediately. “Nanilk, Head of Magical and Scientific Research…I hope he’s as smart as his lore says he is.” Zerinia thought before speaking out loud, “Go on?”
“Gain land for Ravenscroft, past the estate while presenting ourselves as a new rising nation, just like any other. With Lady Zerinia as the monarch, we can create relationships with other nations while also gain footing on knowledge we do not already possess. This will effectively put us as a standpoint in which, other nations will be forced into becoming allies or make war with a country far more powerful than themselves and many other kingdoms aligned with you.” His explanation lacked any emotion one would expect from a natural politician; it was still unsurprising from a Lich.
“So…we start a kingdom? Pfft, I always wondered what life would be as a princess.” Velkira commented like it was already decided while leaning back, “I apologize for the interruption but even I must say, the idea is truly marvellous. I can only aim to achieve such outstanding intellect you possess, Lord Nanilk.” Octavian said with a bow while placing his right hand on his heart.
“If I had a heart to feel with, I would be very happy about your sentiment, Octavian.” Nanilk responded coldly, which was to be expected. All the others murmured and nodded, all of which agreeing with Nanilk’s rule of thought and even excited at the prospect of partaking in an activity like that.
Zerinia could only watch with a small smile plastered on her face, having an absolute melt down inside; “KINGDOM?! You want me to build a kingdom?! How am I even supposed to be a queen?! You all are actually insane if you think I could even begin to be a monarch, this is the worst idea.” “It’s a splendid idea.” Zerinia said calmly, inside her mind, she was kicking herself for even saying anything.
“I will think on how to begin to make this idea into a reality, in the meantime, I will have the rest of you working as usual, so do behave while I make preparations…thank you for coming, you may leave.” Her tone was calm, completely betraying her inner thoughts. Each of them filed out the room one by one until only Zerinia was left.
“Damn it! What am I going to do now?! I don’t know how to do any of this shit! Think…think, I can’t believe I’ve given into peer pressure this easily and all, I didn’t even say anything to stop it! ‘Splendid idea’?! I’ll give you ‘Splendid idea’…calm down Zerinia, deep breaths and think…okay, they want me to build a kingdom? Fine…I can do this, I can build a kingdom…yeah, yeah, how hard can it be, anyway? I’ll be an amazing queen and all that. So, first thing about having a kingdom is…subjects? Yeah, people for me to rule over…and expanding, have to have land for people to live in this kingdom. Okay, first things first, citizens and land, and I know just how to get both of them at once. Yes…I will make this world…mine.