"Now!... What is this I hear that you wanted her to Fight in the War, Momonga-dono!"
Momonga nodded with a serious expression. "Your Majesty. She is ready. But most of all, she still must be trained."
Ramposa made to speak but Momonga raised a hand that silenced him. Surprising both the Princess and the King.
"You already know what she could become. And while I heard your desire to let her join the coven at the church. Pursuing a path to Saint. It would also be her her undoing. Because the purer she is... the darker she becomes when she falls."
Momonga brought out the same book as before and showed him the records regarding the Karma System of Yggdrasil.
Making sure to paint a Fantastical and Mythic tale while showing how difficult and precarious the system was to maneuver despite it's simplicity.
'The First Circle of Heaven sits at 300 to 500 Positive Karma. Likewise, the Nineth Circle of Hell sat at 300 to 500 Negative Karma.
But the seed she has isn't just bound to both sides but to all forms in between.
And the Karma System was brutal to those at the Top.'
A Saint of 300 Karma, should they be corrupted, will not have their Karma reduced, nor will it be reversed. It will be rewritten. From positive 300 to instantly Negative 300, placing her at the same level as the Lords of Sin.
"...as you can see your Grace, 'the higher they are, the harder they fall' is no mere Proverb where the Divine is involved. And the eternal conflict between Heaven and Hell is just as unforgiving as it is in the world."
Ramposa looked on with horror as he re-read the records on the page. With a defeated tone, he pleads. "What would you have me do... I cannot just risk her after–"
Ramposa clenched his fists in anger. Powerless and afraid. Seeing this, Momonga pressed on with his solution.
"Your Grace. Angels and Demons are very emphatic beings. They can feel the emotions of all creatures. Sure their ilk could be dismissive. But your daughter, will always be Half Human. Unlike them, she will understand it."
Ramposa looked up with slight hope as he continued.
"What I feared for your daughter is her capture. What if she is bound, chained, and made to witness and feel horrors? She would fall and with it would come resentment. Her 'Karma' will heighten that. But through War... she could stand within the Grey line.
"War is horrible. We all know that. But as much as there is evil in it, there is also good. To send ten men to die to save an innocent family, can you truly call that Evil your Grace."
"No." Ramposa immediately answers. "Never."
"Exactly. People will die. She will see the horrors and pain that people will inflict on each other. But among the fear, the pain, death and suffering. There would also be the brave, the triumph, the survivors and hope."
"And through this experience, she will find her own path. Not by forced hatred or false good. But through real, genuine experience. With her own, eyes, ears, and heart. She will carve her new self with her won heart."
Momonga let his words linger while both Ramposa and Sylvia digest the situation. But to someone who had fought and seen the defeat of the Kingdom, the blood and flesh that cost men.
Nothing in war is ever truly balance. And Ramposa needed to know how to tip the scales in his daughter's favor so he asked.
And Momonga answered. "Give your people reason to fight, reason to live and reason to die. What better way to do that, than to tell them that whether they come home or not, their families would endure. And those who survived will have all the strength they will ever need to prosper and more."
Ramposa thought deeply on his word. His eyes shining with conviction. And with a longing look to his daughter, who inturn held his hand with reassurance. The King nodded, knowing at least where to start.
"Very well... In three days we meet with the Emperor's representative for the rules of engagement. And then, we march in a week. I want her trained by then."
"I shall personally see to it, your Grace."
—.—.—.—.—
He says that, but Momonga could only watch as Albedo trains the Princess in the courtyard.
"[I still think you should take the credit. It would balance things in between us.]" messages Momonga.
"[There would be no point in that My love.]" answers Albedo. "[If nothing else, it would harm your reputation. Let them know that I do what I so, because you want me to... it's not as if it's a lie after all.]"
Momonga smiled a her words, and he can't really deny it. If there is anything to be considered in Re-Estize, is that it is a patriarchal society. And men who are subservient to their women are considered weak by society.
Momonga doesn't even care where it came from. Only that he has to play by the rules if he is to rise. Already, his mind is taking shape on what he plans to do.
He already made a choice of land and territory. One with great potential and possibilities. But as Albedo has adviced, to inform no one but the King, and keep it quiet to ensure no political encroachment from the Nobility.
But first, he needs security.
As if to answers to his thoughts, the sound of clinking chains reached his ears, and Momonga turned to Gazef and the person he was escorting, Brain Unglaus.
"Momonga-dono."
"Just Momonga, Gazef. How many times must I say that?"
The man laughed, before responding. "Apologies. But you are a Knight now. Not just a foreign adventurer from an unknown land. And as Sword to the King, I must respect that."
*sigh~ "In public settings then. Non-negotiable."
"Hahaha! Very well, Momonga-dono."
The two smiled at their blooming camaraderie before turning to the new arrival.
Momonga motioned for the man to step beside him. "I hear you're an exceptional swordsman."
"Yeah, well, if I'm exceptional then you're definitely a God. Whatever works for you I guess?"
There was defeat in his voice. An obvious surrender veiled by self deprecating humor.
"Maybe, but that doesn't change who and what you're capable of."
"It doesn't matter... " Brain whispers. "When faced with those born with absolute talent like yours. What exactly is a human to do?"
Momonga shot him a questioning look and Brain explained. "I know what you are. I've heard of your kind from across the World."
His statement caught the attention of the lingering people, and then Brain adds,
"...Demi-Gods, by the Holy Kingdom standards or would you prefer what the Theocracy called your kind, God-Kin?"
Momonga looked surprised, an expression that was caught by everyone.
And while most would take it to heart as truth, based on his reaction. Momonga was instead silently screaming at what he had just heard.
'There's a Demi-God in the Holy Kingdom!?'
"Based on your reaction, I guess I hit the nail on the head, huh."
Brain's words knocked him back into the present. "You sound so certain. I can't convince you otherwise then?"
"No. So! Why bring me here?"
Seemingly satisfied, Brain cut to the chase to which Momonga jumped in.
"I heard of your desire to be strong. I just wanted to know that if another path opens up to you, a better one, will you take it?"
"I think so? No offense, Ser, but I saw how you fight. I doubt you could teach me."
"And why is that?"
"Because you move like you don't need to breath." Brain said smugly with slight disbelief. "Your actions had excessive movements. But for a man that doesn't seem to need air, tire nor strain physically? You can't even say that it was wasted! You don't fight like a man, you fight like a God where the world doesn't even cling to you. Why else is your woman training the Princess instead of you?"
Brain pointed out, not losing his smile. To him, it made sense and his words does indeed makes sense, even to everyone else.
Brain just stood there, as if he has said everything he needed said. Like a weight off of his shoulders. Because for him, acceptance has finally been voiced out. Like a piece that needed to be said and done, and now comes relief.
And that was something even Momonga was stumped to address.
"You are a well learned man?" Momonga commented. Unknowingly cementing the rumors about him.
"I am. So long as is it involved getting stronger?"
"You already are than most." Brain just shook his head at the man's compliment. "And since you yourself is uncertain of your own answer, tell me. What drives you to be strong then?"
"Freedom." he answers firmly but what followed was hollow words. "I've lived as a street rat, as a beggar, a thief... it wasn't until I murdered and took a sword in my hand and his coin for my pockets did I realize, that this world is merciless towards the weak. And if I'm ever going to be free... I have to be the strongest there is."
"Now that I am here... What are you going to do? Just lay down and die?" asked Momonga.
But Brain didn't answer. Not that he needed to when his eyes had lost all color.
"Pathetic." said Momonga.
Brain's teeth clenched at the insult, but Momonga continued.
"I've seen street rats that chase momentary pleasure, with more strength of will than you. So I ask you again, now that I am here... Will you lay down and die?"
"What is the point of freedom if I'm subservient to you!?" Brain spat out.
"You misunderstood service with slavery."
"No! I know perfectly well what you intend! I know chains when I see them! I've seen it from the Trump Card of the Theocracy! Or The Paladin of The Holy Kingdom!"
"They're that strong?" Momonga off handedly comments.
"Well- yeah! They are basically their kingdom's trump cards! Their Heroes!"
"Then answer me this Brain, were they chained, or did they simply let be wrapped around them?"
"...huh?"
*sigh~ "Simple question really. If they are as strong as you say... why not break the chain?"
Brain was a loss for words. Confused at the question he never sought an answer towards before.
"You speak of freedom as if it's a rank. As if it's something to be achieved. It's not. I am not offering you strength, power, weapons or tools for growth. I am offering a choice.
"You freely chose to work with an underground organization, tasked to remove the Princess' head, and turned a blind eye to suffering for your personal gain. And now, that choice has reared its consequence. Or, you could freely choose to serve me and hopefully, live long enough to delay judgement."
" In the end. You are free to die, or free to live. Freedom all around."
Brain gritted his teeth at his mockery. And that was what it was.
Because while Brain sought freedom as Power,
Momonga sees power for freedom. The former he wants, the latter he believed he always had.
The view of a man who lived free to do what he can.
A broken man who lived in a broken world to do what he needs.
And now... someone who wished to do what he wants.
To Momonga. Freedom is like air. Breath it in if you wish, or suffocate should you want to.
"So... what will it be Brain Unglaus?"