The OP Lich is a Returnee, Chapter 186

This one took a bit longer than usual to get out, but I think the result was worth it.

Chapter 186 – The Speech

Of course, even if I wasn’t going to completely overwhelm people with my presence, that didn’t mean I would refrain from putting on a show. After all, even when ruling a country of the dead, where everyone was bound to my will, a ruler had to engage in a bit of pageantry now and then. Morale and pride in the country may not matter to mindless undead, but they were important factors to those who could think for themselves, even if they were under my control. Now that my kingdom included the living, that was even more important.

It started at the elevator in the hotel. The elevator, thankfully, was designed with entourages in mind, since it catered to diplomats and their security details. While it was not exactly spacious, there was room enough for the nine of us. Me, Ambassador Malo, and seven death knights with full arms and armor, one of whom was a standard-bearer.

The door opened, and first off was the standard-bearer. The silver upon black gleamed in the light of the hotel lobby. Of course, it was not just the color contrast that made the symbol stand out. The crossed sword and scepter, beneath the skull with a crown upon it and a rose in its teeth, was a striking image all on its own, of course, but magic was woven into the standard, giving it cleaning and self-repair functions, but also causing the symbol to glow with spectral light.

Then, the six other knights stepped off, with precise footfalls and matching tempo, taking up positions on either side of the elevator, forming two lines behind the standard-bearer. I walked out after, with Malo a step behind. As I took my place in the center of the formation, the whole procession began moving as one.

The standard-bearer led the way through the lobby, and out to the street beyond. The press and other spectators cleared a path for us, instinctively shying away from the undead, and the aura I gave off. Even traffic stopped for us, as we marched across the street, to the UN building.

Rhythmic footfalls echoed through the halls as my minions marched in perfect step through the UN building, until we got to a holding area. It was still a few minutes until 09:00, when the ceremony would start, but I knew that people throughout the building now knew I was here. Even though I was suppressing my aura somewhat, it was still enough to be felt even through the walls.

Naturally, armed guards were not allowed inside the assembly chamber, so my knights remained outside when the time came. A functionary who was doing a commendable job in trying to hide his panic came to lead Ambassador Malo and I to the room. That is where we separated, just as planned. Malo moved with grace through the rows of desks in the sloped hall, until she reached one desk, where a new sign had been placed just this morning, for Risen Athelia.

Meanwhile, I strode to the central podium, that I had seen so many times before on TV, as world leaders made important speeches that may or may not affect the shape of the world. Polite applause drowned out the sound of my armor clinking, since I had not activated the enchantments to make it soundless. My staff in one hand, I turned my undead gaze upon the diplomats, and silence spread without my needing to command it.

“Hear now the words of Queen Akagawa Kaori, First of Her Name, World Traveler, the Deathless, the Dragon Ascended, the Heroine of the Elements Undivided, Conquerer of Haerth and its Minions, Mistress of the Dead and Ruler of the Damned, Archlich and High Contractor of Murena, Agent of the Goddess of Death, Chainbreaker, Archmage of the Elements Undivided, Destroyer of Athelia-That-Was, Demon’s Bane, Legend-crafter, Weaponmistress, She Who Wields Both Spell and Blade, the Lost Sleeper Returned, and Lich Queen of Risen Athelia!”

When I spoke, I needed no microphone. All heard my words, both with their ears, and in their very minds, as I wove Dragonspeech into my normal speech, and infused it with a fraction of my power. Likewise, I invoked my name and titles, not to brag, but to cement a fragment of that power within this space. Now, none could ignore me, and, for some time, the air of this chamber would feel the weight of my words. It was a subtle magic, but a useful one, which would make Malo’s job a bit easier, perhaps.

“Forty-five years ago, the King of Athelia-That-Was had the Magelords of the Athelian Spire conduct a grand ritual, sacrificing the lives of five hundred citizens of their kingdom in order to summon twenty beings from another world. Their intent was to forge these unwilling pawns into weapons. Weapons to wield first against the Demon King, and then against their neighbors. To do this, they used profane magics to try and bind the ‘Heroes’ they themselves had summoned, and it was only through the intervention of the Demon King’s assassins that they were released from servitude, all but one being claimed by Death that day. The last stands here now, having become a Lich in order to escape death and ensure that those who had wronged me and my classmates paid the price.

“For twenty years, I gathered strength, and prepared. Then, for twenty more I fought a war, marching armies across a continent. Through twenty years of fighting and attrition, with the dead rising to reinforce my legions on every battlefield, I dismantled every bit of the Demon King’s domain, leaving all the lands he had touched with no industry more advanced than the plow, and no weapon more capable than a kitchen knife. Their nobles were cast down, their merchants were slain, and their peoples reduced either to an agrarian state, or inducted into my kingdom of the dead.

“Five years ago, I returned, and saw that the world I had gained a glimmer of magic whilst I was away. I had hoped that, perhaps, magic would have changed things, made people realize that the old ways were flawed, and should be put aside. And some wise rulers did heed the changes in the world. In particular, Japan, China, England, and Germany all welcomed me, in their own ways, and sought fair dealings with me, and those under my banner.

“However, not all leaders were so enlightened. The New Soviet Union and the United States of America, blinded by the fact that they had been superpowers since the end of the Second World War, assumed that they need not treat with a lone woman, no matter her power. They attempted to steal what was not theirs, and the Lich Queen showed them the folly of their ways.

“For the New Soviet Union, I sent a single legion at one of their military bases, razed it to the ground, and then cursed the land so that it shall be one hundred years before even grass may grow there, and even longer before humans could safely dwell in that place. Their reformed KGB headquarters was laid low, as well, as Death aged the building and all within a thousand years in an instant, and then raised the corpses that remained as undead. And then, I sent a messenger to their President, so that my restrained response did not lead to future misunderstandings.

“In the United States, as they had merely tried to steal from me, and not kidnap those under my aegis, I teleported myself and my faithful mount to a suitably open space in the capital. I had to deal with a few minor annoyances, as there were some fools who thought such pitifully weak attacks could trouble me, but they did not slow me as I traveled to the headquarters of the CIA to state my grievances. After I cleared away some refuse and selected a suitable landing space, I informed the Director of the CIA that they would cease their actions against my interests, or I would return, and not show such restraint a second time.”

I looked out at the chamber, and saw that most individuals were suitably cowed, or at least unwilling to start shouting challenges at me. The Russian ambassador paled slightly as I held his gaze, while the American ambassador flinched hard enough that even a normal person would notice it. A good start.

“I speak of these things not as a threat or warning, but as a statement of fact. Risen Athelia is not going anywhere. We are here, and we shall remain, even when all those in this chamber have passed on, their souls gathered by the gods of their own faiths. The acts I spoke of occurred when I had only a fraction of the power I now possess. The time of global superpowers running roughshod over countries they deem weaker and taking from them without consequence has come to an end. Risen Athelia will treat fairly with all countries, big or small, and treat all as equals, until they prove themselves unworthy or ungrateful of this treatment.

“In addition, as the Lich Queen of Risen Athelia, I declare before you all, here and now, that any country who uses nuclear weapons against civilian populations shall suffer the full and unbridled wrath of the Lich Queen and her legions! Let any who would think of bringing the power of the sun against cities know that even such an attack would not slay the legions under my command, and such death and destruction would only make them stronger, while the radiation served to make them toxic for the living to be around. Should any nation, state, or group use nuclear weapons on a civilian population, then the legions of Risen Athelia shall descend upon them, with the Lich Queen at their fore, and they shall be destroyed down to the last, and only the risen dead shall remain to mark where they once stood!”

I made certain to keep my gaze locked upon the American delegation as I spoke. There would be no question about who I was really speaking to. Without naming names, even the dullest observer would know that this entire speech was a message to the United States in particular.

“Again, this is neither threat nor warning. It is a statement of fact. Risen Athelia supports the use of nuclear energy for peaceful means, such as powering cities and ships, whether on the sea or in space, but we shall forever oppose its use as a weapon against civilian populations. And, unlike the times of old, before Magic came to this world, we have the ability to make good upon this declaration, without the madness of Mutually Assured Destruction. For such a concept is only applicable when the destruction is mutual, and it most certainly would not be mutual when Risen Athelia’s armies would rise from the radioactive ashes, stronger than ever, and set upon the extermination of those who struck us. And, once I hold the souls of the leaders in my hand, I will deny them any chance at an afterlife, grinding away at their souls until they cease to be, and not even their names are remembered.”

I let my gaze shift from the American ambassador, and begin looking over the rest of the delegations once more. There were looks of calculation in some of their faces, interest in others. More than a few showed traces of fear, since I had just all but directly threatened the United States. Not quite the ‘happy to join the neighborhood’ speech people had been expecting.

“But Risen Athelia does not seek conquest, or domination. If war comes to us, then we shall answer it with spells and steel. We shall not strike the first blow, save for those who use nuclear weapons upon civilian targets, and those who engage in foul and profane practices such as Hero Summonings or Slave Magics. We will not begin a war, but we shall end it, and in such a way that we will never need fear another war with that country.

“Risen Athelia welcomes trade and peaceful relations with all peoples and all faiths. Whether you are from the inner reaches of Africa, or the frozen north of Canada, or the jungles of South America, or the historied countries of Europe, or all the islands and countries of the Pacific, Risen Athelia welcomes those who act with honor and respect, and will return that honor and respect in turn. Whether you are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, a keeper of the old faiths, or one serves Murena or other deities from beyond the stars, or even no god at all, Risen Athelia respects your faith, and your creed, and asks only the same respect in return. For all those who reside in Risen Athelia exist side-by-side with those of other races, religions, creeds, or even worlds, and we do not see each other as rivals, but as partners, building a greater whole from our different views and values.

“And, while Risen Athelia will not seek to conquer lands beyond our borders, save for those who first strike at us, we are not without pity, or mercy. Should the leaders of any state or province, decide, with the support of their people, that their old allegiances have been strained by ill use and neglect from those who would rule them, then they may declare their independence, and petition the Crown for annexation, as the people of Hawai’i, Athelian Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Marianas Islands did. For while the Lich Queen would not see people languish under the rule of the unfit and unworthy, she must see that the people have the fire and spirit to take the first uncertain step on their own, rather than simply begging a new mistress to take over from their old ruler.

“To all the member nations of the United Nations that have not already formed a relationship with us, for good or ill, Risen Athelia extends its hand in friendship. Even if there is currently no trade between our countries, we would welcome free exchanges of culture and history, so that your people can learn from ours, and ours may do the same from yours. The world I was summoned to languished in stagnation due to every kingdom trying to cut themselves off from the others, restricting the flow of ideas and the spreading of knowledge. I would not see this world suffer the same fate, and the only vaccine against it is to ensure that people are able to learn and grow and share the knowledge they gain.

“Finally, I come before you to announce the next great challenge that Risen Athelia will be setting itself. We have established the Athelian Spire on Guam to teach the ways of magic. The Marianas Islands sport some of the finest shipyards in the Pacific. Athelian Samoa is the proud home to the Athelian Magitech Research Center. And Hawai’i is the proud home of both the Athelian Navy, and the Royal Athelian Military Academy, for teaching the soldiers of our land the Warrior’s Way. But a nation that is not growing and challenging itself is sliding into stagnation and irrelevance, as those former superpowers have done.

“Therefore, I announce to you all that Risen Athelia shall begin work on the first permanent undersea colony on Earth! This colony, which shall be called New Athelas, will be the template from which all future undersea colonies will be built, allowing humanity to fully utilize the seventy-one percent of the globe that is currently denied to them by the unfortunate reality of their not being able to breathe underwater.

“Thus says the Lich Queen.”