“How did I not notice these before?” Looking in the mirror, I rub the two sets of short horns protruding from my head. Two horns, about two inches long, stick out from my forehead while two thicker and slightly longer ones poke out from my temples. My ears had also grown to be pointed but that seemed like the least interesting change. My skin was more grey now too.
“Did you not have horns before?” Zhaohui sat at the edge of my bed kicking the air. I shake my head and continue to examine myself in the mirror. She’d helped me into my new attire and showed me how to properly put on my cloak. The clothes themselves were simple and black, the shirt was closer to an undershirt than anything you’d wear by itself. The cloak was a regal purple pinned by a pentagram brooch.
“Is this really it?” I turn towards Zhaohui and hold my arms out to lift the cloak from my sides.
“Well, this is from your more casual attire. You certainly have more formal options but I assumed you’d want to save those for more special occasions.”
I pull my hand from under the cloak and stroke my chin. “I suppose so. Oh, and Z, I have a question about our treasury.” She perks up, ready to listen carefully. “I was told we’d have a near limitless supply of gold, yes?” She nods emphatically. “Then, I have another idea to help pull in new residents. The endless Spring is great for the farmers but businesses can run year round. We’ll need a way to encourage them to uproot their lives and come here. What if we could guarantee the first two months they live here, they’re not taxed on any of the money they make? It’s not like we need the money. Even after they are taxed, we can ensure all money taken from the citizens is going to go right back into the community since we won’t need to keep any of it for ourselves.”
Zhaohui tilts her head back in thought. “Hmm… I suppose that could work. Let the new citizens build a small cushion of savings before we ever take anything from them.”
“Exactly! We’d only tax them on a percentage of what they earn as well. That way, those who make more are giving back more to their country than those who can’t afford to.” I was basically stealing the taxing system of America but at least now I can guarantee the money goes where it’s supposed to.
“We can make that work! I’ll get some of my best folks on it!” She gives a huge smile and salute. “Now… I’d say it’s time for dinner. We’re all gonna have a huge feast for your arrival!” She hops off of the bed and reaches her arm up to my shoulders. “Let’s go!”
Making our way to the East wing of the castle, we enter the long dining hall. The table stretches to an excessive twenty feet with candlesticks spaced five feet apart. On each side of the table is a pair of women in maid outfits. All four have stitches littering their body with slight discoloration to each piece that had clearly been pieced together. “Hello, I’m Kristoph. I suppose I’m your new Lord, but please feel free to call me Kris or whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.” I’m stopped by a suppressed giggling behind me. Turning around, Zhaohui has her eyes squeezed shut and is covering her mouth, desperate to not crack up at me.
“They’re zombies, Lord Kristoph.” Maree’s elegant voice floats into the room as she appears behind Zhaohui. “They don’t have a mind of their own, just like our skeletons, and will only respond to demands or requests. Feel free to have them do whatever you’d like, I promise they don’t mind.” She smiles and tilts her head causing her long hair to sway back and forth almost hypnotically.
“Huh, isn’t that a bit like… slavery?” I understand they’re not alive but the uncomfortable feeling won’t leave me.
“Hmm…” She taps her chin with her index finger, “I’d say no. They don’t have any emotion or feeling and because they’re technically dead they never tire or require food.”
I turn and look at the motionless women. “How should I address them, then?”
Maree steps up beside me and announces to the room: “How shall our Lord address you all?”
All four turn towards us and bow their heads. Speaking in unison, they all address us at once. “All one needs to do is look to anyone of us and make a demand. We shall carry out your wishes to the best of our abilities.” They all shift back to their original positions and return to staring at each other from across the room.
“Well, I suppose that answers that.” I shrug and look over at Maree and her satisfied smile. “Did you create them?”
“Yes, I did, Lord Kris.” She steps out in front of me and begins to walk down the table. “Shall we have our dinner? I believe my servants have prepared us quite an exquisite meal.”
I nod and speak to one of the zombie maids. “Can you inform Sowande and Anlon that we’ll be eating soon and that I’d love for them to join us?” She bows and walks out of the room.
Zhaohui appears from behind me with a tilted head. “Anlon can’t really eat. Why’d you ask for him to come?”
“Well, he is one of my four generals. If we’re to have a feast to celebrate my arrival, I believe we should all be present, no?” She throws her arms up in acceptance and makes her way to her seat. I join them at the head of the table and find a glass of wine already poured for us.
The other two generals arrive shortly after and take their seats at either side of the table. Suddenly, a barrage of zombie maids and butlers appear from the hallway with platters and plates of food. They unveil a delicious looking meal of perfectly cooked meats, fresh fruit, steamed vegetables, and much more. It’s more food than the four of us could ever eat. “Wow. I know you said feast but this is… A lot. What will we do with the leftover food?”
Sowande, Zhaohui, and Maree all begin to laugh with one another. Maree reaches a hand towards me and rests it on the table to ease me. “Our food supplies are magic. Whatever we don’t finish here will dissipate and return to our stores. You needn’t worry about waste, Lord Kristoph.”
I look at the food with a surprised nod. Grabbing my glass of wine, I stand to address my new companions. “I cannot overstate my joy at how welcoming you all have been since my arrival. I understand it may have been hard to accept a foreigner to this land as your leader, especially one as clueless as me, but I promise to be the best leader I can be for you all. I believe that, together, we will do incredible things. Please, eat and be merry. For this meal shall mark the beginning of an incredible partnership.”
Holding my glass up, they all do the same before tapping them all together and taking sips… Except Anlon for obvious reasons. We all eat and share each other’s company through the night, telling stories and laughing for hours. We discuss the logistics of our plans and how the town will be constructed.
Eventually, I’m finally able to slip away and return to my new bedroom. Stripping down, I climb into the bed to find that it is the most lavishly comfortable surface I’ve ever been on. It’s only minutes before I drift towards sleep. “I think I can live with being a Demon Lord.”
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