Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Absolute Power and Corruption Incarnate ❯ {Part II} ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

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Disclaimer: Same as in previous...

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{Part II}

Crawford cared nothing for those who walked with him. He was on his way to the main audience chamber of King Takatori and his business was his own. They, fortunately, said nothing, though it was obvious that they were curious as to why the prophet was so insistent about seeing the king at such a late hour.

The pampered mortal sat on his throne, watching the cloaked man enter with weary eyes. "What is so damned important, Crawford, that I have to be pulled from my bed so late in the night?"

"I've had another vision… You have to obtain the trust of your rival." Crawford smiled at the shocked reaction that this earned him. There was only one man he could be speaking of and, right now, Reiji and he were debating kingdom boundaries concerning a very prolific gold mine.

"I have to obtain the trust of *that* dolt?" Reiji almost sounded outraged. His fingers thrummed a rapid beat on this throne's armrest as he waited for the explanation.

This, of course, made Crawford sigh. What happened to the days when rulers listened to their advisors without having to question everything they told them? He closed his eyes and tried to calm his surge of dislike for the man. "If you hold the ruse long enough, you'll be able to get access to those mines and then, eventually, eliminate him." Crawford smiled, something similar to a serpent's grin. "Annoying flies are best drawn out with honey…"

Reiji sat back, thinking. What could be better than to get rid of that pain in the ass Hidaka? He could pretend to be the young man's friend, maybe even work himself closer… then, he could strike at him when he wasn't expecting it. "The idea has… merit."

'Of course it does, you self-granduerizing, bloated moron,' the prophet thought to himself. He opened his mouth to speak. "Patience is the key here, your majesty. If you can play the waiting game, Hidaka's kingdom will be yours."

The ruler snorted. "I'll have a hard time of it, what with his lands serving the Child-God. What strength is there in serving a God who doesn't offer ways of building one's kingdom?"

Crawford cleared his throat. "You'd be amazed as to what worship of the Bringer of Joy and Guardian of Innocence can do, your majesty. Don't underestimate Hidaka because of his land's patron deity."

"Tsukiyono is a joke among the Gods… I've nothing to fear from him." Takatori waved his hand in dismissal, signaling that their discussion was at an end. "Now, I'm off to bed. You do the same. I want no more disturbances tonight."

Leaving the audience chamber, Crawford shook his head. "He will not follow through."

'Then,' came Schuldig's amused drawl, 'he will die. Hidaka may be young, but he's a worthy enough ruler… for a mortal. Besides, unlike Takatori, he has the favor of his deity.'

"I take it then, that this is according to your plan, my master?"

'Oh, indeed… I know just what Reiji Takatori is capable of, and subterfuge is something that he dabbles in, but can't master fully.' The deity came out from a side hallway and fell into step beside the cloaked prophet. "Reiji will learn that he does not meet my standards soon enough."

Crawford looked at his God with narrowed eyes. "You give him too much as it is. He is taking all of your benefits for granted." They rounded a corner and started to ascend the stairs to the floor where the cloaked man resided. "I don't claim to understand, but I will do as you command."

"You'd better, Crawford… You don't want to lose position as my favorite, now do you?" Schuldig gave the man a lazy smile. The gesture died on his lips when they came to the mortal's door and found a guard standing beside it.

"You can go now," Crawford said to the man. He was surprised when the soldier didn't move. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Takatori has given orders that you are not to leave your chambers for the rest of the night." The guard looked Schuldig up and down disdainfully. "And he specifically stated no visitors."

A wave of the God of Lies' hand silenced the prophet as Schuldig turned to face the soldier. "Did you know that your wife, that lovely woman, sleeps with the captain of the guard while you're at the castle? And that she forces your children to paint themselves up like whores, sell their bodies, and give her the money from their labors?" He smiled jovially as the man bolted like the dogs of Hell itself were on his heels.

"You humans… so damn gullible it always amazes me."

Crawford gave a wry grin. "It has nothing to do with your gift for falsehoods, I take it?"

"Oh, no… never," came the deity's response as he opened the door and let his conduit enter the room ahead of him.

{End Part II}

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