The OP Lich is a Returnee, Chapter 175

By the time this goes out, I'll be on my way to Rising Phoenix Games Convention in Boston. If you're in the area, come say hello. I have prepped chapters for while I'm gone, so don't worry about that.

Chapter 175 – Opportunity

I was waiting in my throne room when the delegation arrived. I had gone back and forth on how to present myself for this meeting. My formal armor as the Lich Queen was a given, but what form would I take? And would I go with my power hidden, or uncloaked? In the end, I decided on my human guise, with my power uncloaked.

The delegation consisted of the governors of Hawai’i, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. One state and the only three US territories in the Pacific that sported more than a handful of permanent residents. All four of which had been thrown into disarray as the full return of magic began disrupting trade routes, since they relied on air and sea trade to get most of the supplies that they could not furnish themselves, and most people simply didn’t have the ability to teleport with a pocket dimension full of supplies like I did.

My Seneschal, Galeren bowed formally as he entered the throne room. Just as he always did. He had been an official in Athelia-that-was, but his administrative prowess had been squandered by the simple fact that he was lowborn, and so was forced to work under a third son of a noble family who did little but take credit for his work. He was, unsurprisingly, quite pleased when I recognized him, and made him my Seneschal.

“My Queen, I present to you Governor Pineki Palakiko of Hawai’i, Governor Iakopo Lotomau of American Samoa, Governor Lewis Baxter of Guam, and Governor Fili Pule of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.”

“Let them approach, as welcome guests.”

“Her Royal Majesty, 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 bids you approach, as guests of the realm, so that you may deliver the message you have come to convey.”

As the four approached, I took a moment to appraise them. Palakiko was clearly a woman of native Hawai’ian stock, and looked to be in her early thirties. Lotomau had the name of a native islander, but his darker skin and the way his hair behaved suggested that there was some mixed heritage, there, though I didn’t know enough about such things to narrow it down beyond that. Baxter stood out as the only white person in the group, though he had a tan that said he spent plenty of time under the sun. A transplant, perhaps? And then, there was Pule. She was clearly a native islander, and there was a proud look in her eyes, bordering on defiant.

The four bowed, as they had no doubt been instructed to by Galeran. Perfect to protocol, but clearly not something they were practiced at. I did not hold it against them. After all, the point was not that they did it perfectly, but that they showed the proper respect by making the attempt in good faith.

“Rise, and be welcome. I must say that I was surprised to hear from the Japanese government that you wished to speak with me. I believe that I can guess some of what you have come to say, but I would like to hear it in your own words.”

Palakiko was evidently the chosen representative of the group, as she took a step forward to speak. Probably had something to do with the fact that the population of Hawai’i was more than five times that of the three territories combined. Plus, as an actual state, they were probably sticking their neck out the most for this venture.

She took a breath, and said, “Your Majesty, as of ten minutes ago, signed declarations were sent by the elected representatives of our governments, declaring our secession and independence from the United States of America. However, we understand that our lands do not have the industry or resources to stand alone, and we have no military to resist, if the United States attempts to force compliance. Therefore, we have come to you, asking for annexation into Risen Athelia.”

I raised an eyebrow at that. “Annexation, hmm? I must admit, I am surprised. Your wishing to break away from the US, given the current climate in Washington, DC, and how magic is changing things, was obvious, but why go for annexation, rather than forming your own state, or states, and asking for admission to the East Asian Alliance? Not that I am opposed, but I would like to hear your reasoning.”

Palakiko chuckled softly at that. “Partly for expediency, since negotiating introduction to the Alliance would take time. Time that the President might use to try and regain control. But also because we believe it would be mutually beneficial to both our territories, and Risen Athelia as a whole.”

“Interesting. I know full well how your coming under my banner aids you, but you would say that it will aid me, as well? Explain.”

“Well, your Majesty, it is widely known that Risen Athelia was granted status as a full country in the EAA solely due to your power, and that of your legions. As a military power, your forces are without peer when it comes to ground forces or magical ability. However, you do not have the same kind of economic might, nor do you have a population or territory commensurate with that status. Eventually, human militaries are going to catch up to your forces, if not you personally, either as new weapons and tactics are developed, or by training their own forces to match the training you give your people. Even if they might not measure up one to one against your troops, they would have a numbers advantage.

“However, our territories have a combined population of almost 1.7 million people, and a physical territory far outstripping that which Risen Athelia currently possesses. And because of the geography, we occupy several strategic points in the Pacific Ocean. Put that together, and I believe that there is much that we bring to the table.”

“And why speak of this after declaring your independence? Why not get things in place before making such a precipitous move?”

Palakiko smiled, and said, “Primarily for the PR reasons, to be frank. The imagery of territories declaring independence and then seeking allies is different from that of enticing someone to come in and steal the territories away from their rulers. The first makes it far easier to avoid war than the second.”

I nodded slowly. I could see the advantages to this, both to my realm, and the people of the territories. The fact that it would poke the American government in the eye was a nice bonus, since I was still rather annoyed with them. I was less concerned with it possibly turning into a war, since I could, quite literally, deal with things myself, without even bringing in the members of the Alliance.

“You are aware that Risen Athelia is a magocratic dictatorship, yes? This is not a democracy, even one as dysfunctional as the United States has become. I may allow local governors leeway to govern as they see fit, within the constraints of Athelian law, but the Crown will always be the highest power in the land, and my word is law.”

Baxter stepped forward at that point, and said, “With respect, your Majesty, I believe you underestimate the weight having an effective leader, one that can be assured to be there for the long term, has when measured against the volatility of the last couple decades in Washington, where we were ignored at best, or treated as pawns at worst. And people generally are of the opinion that you at least won’t deal in the kind of bullshit that American politics is neck deep in. Especially given how you treated the US intelligence agencies.”

“Which leads to another reason why we agreed on this,” Lotomau said, stepping forward to stand next to them. “It is obvious, given the current administration, and your repeated demonstrations that you will not allow yourself to be bullied about by anyone, even so-called superpowers, that conflict is coming, sooner or later. To be perfectly frank, the current administration is a bully with too much pride, who believes they are as big and bad as they claim they are. And you are someone who will slam them back down in their place, without hesitation. Which means that conflict is inevitable. We’d rather be on the winning side, if it is all the same to you.”

“And the big reason,” Pule said, joining the rest, “is because we’re entering an age of magic, unlike even what we’ve known the last forty years. Anyone with a brain knows that the East Asian Alliance is set to become one of the magical powerhouses in the coming years, and that is almost entirely due to Risen Athelia, Phantomline, and the Heroes of Shadow and Death, all of which lead back to you, in a rather direct fashion, the Heroine of Elements Undivided. That’s power in a real, tangible fashion that cannot be denied. Risen Athelia is going to be a major factor in charting the future of Earth. We see this as an opportunity to get in on the ground floor.”

Palakiko nodded. “And, if the UnNamed, as you call them, return, then Risen Athelia will be the place with the best chance of withstanding them.”

“Very well. The Lich Queen hears your petition, and agrees to it. Your territories shall come under my domain, and I shall send garrison troops to aid in their defense. And each of your lands shall improve my realm in some way. In Hawai’i, I shall begin building a navy to watch over the seas, and set up a place to train those who follow the Warrior’s Way. In Saipan, production will begin on transport ships capable of safely crossing the seas without drawing the ire of so many monsters. Guam shall see the Athelian Spire reborn, as a tower is built to see to the training of those who take the Mage’s Path. And Athelian Samoa shall be home to a research facility, seeking to discover new magics and develop magical weaponry for the realm, and the Alliance.”

I turned to look at my disciples, who were staring, wide-eyed, in full understanding of how this was going to change things. “Dai Ya, Aeko Naya, I charge you, my disciples, to inform the governments of the Alliance of this, so that they may have some advance warning before I make the public announcement. Also send word to Lilah and Holly, as I am certain that they will wish to get a head start on what is certain to be an unparalleled legal and PR event.”

“As you wish, Mistress.”

Turning my attention back to the Governors, I said, “For now, your rule over your lands may continue unimpeded, save for where your laws conflict with Athelian law. I shall send auditors through your governments, looking for waste and corruption. While I have yet to know a single mortal institution that is bereft of some degree of corruption or wasteful spending, there are limits to what kind of largess I will accept in my realm. You would be advised to send word through your governments that anyone engaged in such things has until my auditors discover them to retire, and find a new line of work, outside of government. Those who heed this warning will face no judgement from me, though they will never again be allowed to work for the government, and will never be eligible for government contracts. Those who think that they can hide their dealings should know that my auditors have been at their task longer than any of your people have been alive, and when, not if, they uncover those who are hiding their deeds, I will find a new way for them to serve Risen Athelia. A way in which I can be absolutely assured of their loyalty, as only a necromancer can be.”

Baxter chuckled. “So, the smart ones take the money and run, and the rest get to spend their unlife regretting their choices. Either way, the government doesn’t have to deal with their antics. If this is how you deal with ethics issues, I can’t wait to see how you simplify the tax code.”