I was still writing when the rays of the early morning sun came on my codex. I didn't even know it was morning already. It's been 3 days since the civil war. Mittelreich has not reached out yet about the new soap, neither has any other kingdom, but it's fine. The first soap is still selling and I've been too busy to be bothered. So many pns to make, so many pns to execute. Yesterday I sent out 100 of my strongest knights to our former territories to cim them as Drakorian, under my own banner, and also to execute the warning I gave before the war. They are allowed to carry out a massacre if necessary.

  As I dipped my metal pen into the inkwell, a knock came to the door. I continued writing, and 20 seconds in, the door creaked open. Nadia stepped in. She had on a linen light ash dress and her hair in a tight updo. She approached, confident yet docile, a practiced demeanor finely tuned over time.

  "I greet your majesty," she said, executing a graceful bow, pausing a few feet before my table.

  "Come closer," I instructed, and she came so close she was nearly touching the table.

  "Have the twelve I had selected relocate to Draqia forest by midnight today," I commanded. "For the next couple of months, that will be your home."

  "I will be going with them, your majesty?"

  "Of course," I said, "You will be their trainer and supervisor"

  I picked up a codex I had worked on. It's filled with all military drills and trainings I could think of, or imagined. Many of them could be deemed impossible or even torturous, but this is a fantasy world, is it not?

  "This will be your guide," I said handing the codex to her. "I need them trained, and trained even beyond the limits of this guide. No one is permitted to use mana during training, nor take any potions. They should undergo training as ordinary people would. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, your majesty" she said.

  "This purpose is the only reason I accepted your people into my kingdom," I continued. "It is the reason why I even accepted the animals back, so if I can't have it, not just you , but everybody from your world that will ever step foot in my kingdom will pay. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, your majesty" she replied, clearly not intimidated. "But I may not be the best one to carry out your orders"

  I stared at her for a moment.

  "That's unfortunate," I said, "This is a secret operation, the refugees have been made to move to that effect. Involve people who can, much preferably people adept to the ways of assassins. I'm sure you know people like that?"

  "Not with us," she said "But I know where I can find them."

  "That's good, I will leave it to you then." I said, "Whatever you need would be made avaible."

  "Yes, Your Majesty" she bowed.

  "You can go now" I said, and she turned to go.

  Creating an elite assassin group to deal with high profile names is on top of my pns. People who I would need dead but whose death would cause too much headache if I do it directly. There will be lots of them going forward so it's only right I have a group for that. They will be known, yet unknown. Ruthless and fearless enough to strike fear into the hearts of the elites of the continent, and no one will be able to trace them back to me.

  "Wait," I called Nadia as the doors opened for her to leave. "Call in two of the cow sisters"

  "Yes, Your majesty" she said, and left.

  She might be an expert in trained expressions but somethings can't be hidden. I have no problem with soiled products, if they are fine, they are fine, but I can't let her know that. She's a survivalist and I need her to think she's worthless. It will make her desperately want to prove her worth, and if she's as dangerous as I think she is, I will gain so much from it. Then I will fuck her.

  ┌─────── ? ───────┐

  As the sun's gentle rays began to pierce the horizon, they painted the scene in a soft, golden hue. More than a hundred people gathered, with children infront as Vojnka was positioned to open the massive gate to the castle. The children had their tiny hands pced on the oaken gate, putting all effort to push the gate open. Vojnka happily pying along was not putting much effort, making the gate to be creaking slowly.

  "Come on! More!" she bellowed and the children responded with a chorus of excited screams and determined grunts, putting every ounce of their strength into opening the gate.

  The gate continued its slow ascent, and when it finally yielded, a chorus of jubint victory cries erupted from the children. They rushed into the sprawling compound with unrestrained joy. Vojnka stepped aside, her ughter joining in with the infectious merriment as the kids streamed into the grand castle's vast expanse.

  "You are still such a child," her pregnant sister admonished, accompanied by her husband. It only made Vojnka ugh.

  "Are you sure it is safe for the kids to be pying around the castle like that?" the sister asked, taking position beside her as the rest of their vilgers were moving in with their belongings.

  "It's fine," Vojnka replied, attempting to help an aged dy, Ma Helga, but the old dy pyfully swatted her wrist, and Vojnka raised her hands in surrender as the elderly woman passed. She smiled at those who were greeting her or thanking her, then she turned and faced her sister, "The king had the witch check if it was safe before we came in."

  "First he makes you the first female knight in history of the continent, even though you are a barbarian, then he gives you the castle of the grand mage? As spoils of war?" her sister's husband said, in his usual analytical tone. "I would be scared if I were you. Is he thanking you for something, or preparing you for someth--ouch! What?"

  His wife had smmed an elbow into his side. "Stop been so negative," she said, then turned to her sister. "I'm sure the king knows how special you are, and knows you will be great in bed too"

  The couple burst out ughing, and Vojnka was ughing softly as she watched them. It's not the first time but it always feels like it. It's good that their happy lives still cont---

  "Sorry," a young woman she didn't recognize apologized for bumping into her.

  "What?" her sister asked, getting her ughter under control as she followed her sister's gaze to the back of the girl.

  "Nothing," Vojnka said, rubbing the part of her arm she thought she was pricked.

  "Well,call in Alpa, let's go share the rooms."

  She gave her sister a forced smile and a nod, and then walked out to look for her bear. She paused and gnced back again to the girl but she was no where to be found. Her eyes darted around but no sign of her. Must have already gone inside, she thought as she turned back to go look for Alpa. Something was off but she couldn't tell what. She scratched at the pce again as she bellowed for Alpa.