Interstellar Age

Erich stared at the other galactic leaders for a long while. There was a subtle smirk on his face. As if he knew very well they would back down from these aggressive threats towards him and his people. How did Erich already know this, despite it not even happening yet?

Because the threat the Naraku posed was a far greater concern than military bases established in their regions under the guise of “protection.” There was no proof that the Empire planned to turn on the galaxy after the Naraku had been repelled.

In fact, the only three sentient beings who knew of this were Erich, Tia, and Daelia. Both Tia and Daelia being on Erich’s side, they would never reveal this secret. And since there was no evidence to be found which one could use to properly accuse Erich of misdeeds, the other Galactic leaders, including Lunaria, were forced to back down from their previous threats of war.

Brahma was the first to bend the knee, apologizing for his inflammatory remarks as he practically got down on his knees, begging Erich for forgiveness.

“I believe my temper may have gotten the better of me. You are right, war between us now would only further aid the Naraku when they finally descend upon the galaxy with their ravenous swarm. But I do believe establishing military bases within our jurisdictions was out of line!”

Erich, however, had an excuse to defend these actions, as he was quick to stick to the line that he used when coercing the lesser nations which owed allegiance to the other Great Powers to allow him to build these military bases in their territory.

“With all due respect, though these military bases may be built within your spheres of influence, they have been negotiated with the sovereign nations whose territories they are built in. These civilizations owed the Empire a great deal of debt, and I gave them an out, writing off large chunks of the debt in exchange for the creation of military bases for a temporary occupation of a thousand years.

Was this not an act of benevolence on my part? After all, these civilizations could not pay back the debts which I owed them. A more malevolent ruler would demand payment, or invade and annex their territory outright for defaulting on their debts.

And yet here you accuse me, and my generosity of provoking you all? Have you no shame? Have you no empathy for the civilizations which you are bound by treaty to protect? Instead, you dare to use their consensual negotiations with me, and their names as means to justify war against me?

How can we all work together to defeat the Naraku when you are all accusing me of malicious actions against you? And without any evidence, I might add!”

By now Erich had mastered the art of gaslighting, so much so that Brahma and Amun felt deep shame for their previous remarks and calls for war. Lunaria, on the other hand, was quick to defend her attendance in this secret meeting to Erich, while giving Daelia the stink eye for bringing this meeting to the man’s attention in the first place.

“Erich, you know I would never betray you! I was simply here because my presence was requested. They had not informed me of their hostile intentions prior to my attendance! You trust me, right?”

Erich, however, gave Lunaria a cold gaze. The simple act of leading her to believe she had lost his trust would compel the woman to work hard to regain it. Which was a necessary thing for Erich’s future plans regarding the Alfheim Dominion to come to fruition, and thus, he put on a masterful façade while condemning the woman for her lack of loyalty.

“To think that my own wife would conspire against me with my peers. It is truly unthinkable, and without Daelia here informing me of this clandestine meeting taking place, I would not dare believe it. You have truly disappointed me Lunaria….”

After saying this, Erich shut off his holocommunicator, leaving the other three galactic rulers to stare angrily at Daelia, who she herself had a smug smirk on her pretty face.

Lunaria could no longer hold back her wrath, and immediately began to chew Daelia out for going to Erich behind her back.

“You scheming fucking bitch! How dare you set this up so that I appear to be disloyal! What games are you playing at!?!”

Daelia, however, was quick to remind Lunaria that she had not said anything in Erich’s defense while the other two galactic leaders were conspiring against him behind his back. Something which only infuriated the ancient Elven beauty.

“You had your chance to stick up for our husband, and you failed to do so. While these two little rats were conspiring against our man, you sat there and listened to their inflammatory remarks. I merely informed our husband of what was happening. It’s not my fault you did not do the same, nor did you defend him against such baseless accusations….”

Daelia was perfectly calm, despite the three hateful gazes being cast upon her by men and women whose power was equal to her own. Of course Lunaria had every tent of speaking up to defend Erich, but Daelia had pulled her move before she had a chance to do so, and she was quick to point this out.

“Of course I planned to defend Erich. I was quite literally just about to do so when you pulled this stunt of yours! And you knew it too! That’s why you brought Erich into this call before I could get a word out! You fucking bitch! I will never forgive your for this!”

Daelia, however, continued to appear smug as she stared Lunaria straight into her eyes before making it obvious that she was not the slightest bit afraid of the woman or her threats.

“Just like you have never forgiven me for what happened all those years ago? I have seen the full extent of your fury big sister, and in the past I may have feared that fiery retribution of yours, but now it no longer concerns me. Because unlike you, I am in Erich’s favor, and you and I both know how powerful that man has become….”

After saying this, Daelia did not let Lunaria retort. Instead, she stood up and walked out of the room, silently waving goodbye to her peers who were seething in silence from her actions.