Save the world? Fuck that, I want to make money! (RWBY SI) ch 50

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I returned to a mansion that was silent. Everyone who served us stood in neat lines, waiting for me. My lips curled into a smile. "I know I'm important but you don't have to do this, you know?" I joked. My confusion was apparent when they all looked at me gravelly.

"Your father waits for you in his office, Mister Wayland," Adeline said solemnly.

I blinked. A sense of anxiety and fear gripped me. I did not like the way things were going with all this surprise and waiting. "Why? What's going on?" I demanded.

"It is best if you'll find out for yourself, sir," Adeline replied, stepping aside. That was all I needed as I rushed forward, my feet near flying. I rushed through the halls, gunning it for his study. I found the door and opened it in a flash, breathing harshly. "Dad?" I cried out.

I blinked, finding him laughing to a hologram image of Willow. He was busy chatting with her, it seemed. He turned to me, a smile on his face that set me at ease. "Ah, there you are," he greeted me. He then turned to Willow's hologram. "Excuse us, Willow. There's something we need to do."

Willow nodded. "Of course, Gerard." She then turned to face me, smiling. "Good luck, young man." She said before she cut off the connection.

"Talking with the enemy, father?" I said, closing the door behind me and striding over towards him. He scoffed.

"Guilty as charged," he said without evident regret. He then bid for me to sit across him. I did so, planting my ass on antique wood.

"So why'd you have the maids line up? Are we expecting a visit from the Emperor?" I asked jokingly. I paused my jokes, seeing the serious look on his face. My mouth suddenly felt dry.

"I...I am not in trouble, am I?" I asked nervously. No one can stand to their own father looking at them seriously. Come on dad, you are looking at me like I fucked up.

"You understand the reforms that are undergoing in government, correct?" He spoke up, his hands clasped on his table.

I nodded. "What about them?"

He took in a breath as he leaned in. "Theo Rider has approached me with an offer of sitting as Councillor of Finances," he revealed blankly and bluntly.

"Oh?" I peaked up. I smiled as I clapped. "Bravo!"

With him in charge of Finances, he'd surely be sought after by the business sector and he could also set direction to Atlas's economy. Though having a man who was in charge with arms industry be the top dog in the economy might have people accuse Atlas of solidifying the military industrial complex though. A new Jacques Schnee albeit he sold guns than dust.

"How are you going to balance being the CEO of Royal and Imperial when you'll be busy with your government job?" I asked, cocking my head. "I don't imagine it pays more than what you earn as President of Royal and Imperial, dad. There's also people who'll criticize you for being a businessman in politics. A new Jacques Schnee, they'll say."

"Good thing then that I know that will happen and my son will be handling the business," He said bluntly.

I blinked. He stood up from his chair. By instinct, I followed in his example. He walked around his desk, planting his hands on both my shoulders. He looked into my eye, pride burning in them. "You have proved to me time and time again of your competence and worth. You were with me in our worst times and helped the company rise once again. I am confident in you, Alex, that you will take Royal and Imperial to greater heights."

My lips quivered, the warmth and pride in his voice was a warm balm to my heart. I knew that this day was coming when he'd hand over control of the company to me. "I..." I took in a breath. "I did not expect this to happen so quickly."

"I wouldn't have accepted the offer if I did not think you were capable," Father rumbled. "I have every faith and trust in you, son. You cannot make me any more proud than what you have done now."

"Dad..." I croaked.

He then walked forward, pulling me into a warm embrace. I settled into his embrace, holding my father close. There was silence as he walked back and held out his hand. On it, a single iron ring. The ring bore a crowned Solitan Eagle with the coat of arms of old Mantle on its chest. He took it off his finger gingerly. "This was the ring granted to us by the Emperor of Mantle as recognition of Lord of the Forges. This ring, I grant to you now. Do you, Alexander Wayland, accept the responsibilities of Forge-Lord of Mantle and as President of the Royal and Imperial Foundry?"

The doors suddenly opened and in marched Land, armour-clad in Doppelsoldner hear, a fine cloak wrapped around his shoulders. Our maids followed and the other servants; the cooks, the cleaners, the drivers. Everyone. All watching with bated breaths.

I took in a breath. Then answered. This was a sacred rite, something I had practiced with him before for when I would succeed him. "I vow forevermore until the day I die that those sworn to the Kingdom shall never fear want. In great armour, I shall clad them and with the mightiest weapons they will be armed."

Land Sknecht stood at attention, his zweihander resting against his shoulder. "I vow all that which is made in the fires of my forge shall ensure that no foe will best the Kingdom's armies in battle."

Smiles and pride glowed in the eyes of every man and woman in the army. "I vow that the Kingdom's armies shall be the bulwark against terror."

I gently took the ring from my father's hand and adorned it on my ring finger. It felt...heavy. But still, I continued on to finish the last of my vow. "With my blood and sweat, I vow that the armies of the Kingdom shall know no fear."

There was a flash of light as Land saluted, shouting. "Long live the Lord of the Forge! Long live Solitas!"

The cheers that followed were booming. 

"And what is your first official act, Mister Wayland?" Father asked me as the cheering died down.

I glanced at the ring in my hand. Then to my father. "Bringing us to the stars." 

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The forest sang with birdsong, green as the eye could see. There was a lake, one of many in Mistral. It was a blessed country; teeming with the forests that could provide lumber and game. The waterways that led into and out of Lake Matsu, the largest in all of Remnant. On a hill, overlooking the smaller lake sat Sienna Khan, her weapon resting by her leg. The air was cool, calming. But inside of her, she felt turmoil.

​Ghira had long since awoken and returned to Menagerie. Not with empty promises but with ships bearing Atlesian goods and expertise. A Cross Continental Tower was to be built there on Menagerie, allowing the island to be reconnected into the world. It would not take long for the island to rise as its economy would be boosted. He had not been idle in his politics and neither was Kali. First, it was her that called on the Mistralian White Fang to return home and surrender their weapons. A few did do it, the less motivated ones. Then, Ghira arose from his coma and again repeated the call. 

Everyday, more and more of her fellow faunus left. They only really were here in Mistral to fight the bandits that harried and raided their fellow faunus and with the bandits gone, there really wasn't a reason for them to stay anymore. The actions of Brown assassinating Jacques Schnee on the way to his trial was a mixed result. Many feared the reprisal from Atlas and left. Others did stay however. The ones who felt that act was justice. 

​There were some sins that required retribution to come quickly. 

​Her ears heard him come even before he was close. Faunus had heightened senses like that. 

​Sienna turned to see a mop of red-hair walk up, a mask covering his face. It was a necessity as underneath that mask, the boy had been branded like an animal. 

Adam Taurus was a late comer to their branch of rebels. But he had proved his skills with his fighting prowess. "Miss Khan. Fairwind's reported that the city has sent men to get taxes." 

Fairwind was a village closest to Mistral. A mere twenty kilometers from the city. Despite that...Mistral had done nothing when Fairwind kept asking for help when the bandits were at their highest. When Brown and her began their league of frontier towns, Fairwind was one of the first to enter the fray, giving its resources and bodies to help in the fight. 

"What did they do?" Sienna asked, her hair flowing as the wind hit. 

"They shot at the tax collectors. They're coming back with Mistrali Police to arrest the leaders," Adam reported dutifully. Sienna nodded, taking in the information. She turned to the lake and its bubbling waters. 

"When Brown and I began this movement, all we wanted to do was rid Mistral of the bandits that hunted our people," Sienna began, her normally strict face softening in that memory. "The local branches here needed assistance and we went out to help them." 

Adam stayed silent, listening as Sienna began to tell a story. That was the reason why he went here in the first place, to rid Mistral of the filth that hunted his people. 

"We did not expect to find ourselves leaders of townsfolk both human and faunus," Sienna laughed, shaking her head. "In my mind, I only ever did it for our people. Brown made me realize that not all humans were monsters. He...he wasn't a faunus yet fought so hard for us." 

"He's a hero," Adam said simply. Despite his neutral tone, Adam truly did believe it. He had went out of his way to bring that bastard Schnee down. With the patriarch down, there was the rest to follow. Sure, they had lent out a helping hand now but it only showed that it took a public scandal to make them do what they did now. They didn't care for his people. They were rotten to the core and just because they got new gloves didn't mean it wiped the blood from the old one.

"And now, he's going to be killed for it," Sienna said simply. Brown had been revived by an Atlesian medic and was being treated now in a Atlesian-no, Solitan hospital. Continuing that, he was being tried quietly but the verdict was clear for him and his conspirators, death. Because of that, his and her name was tainted. She had tried to return to Menagerie and gain control after the Belladonnas were attacked. It was successful at first, for a few weeks. Then, news came back that they were alive. Then, she was forced out of Menagerie with a cadre of extreme followers. 

"Why haven't we tried to mount a rescue?" Adam asked, tilting his head. 

"Because Brown did not want us to," Sienna shook her head. "It would be for nothing. His prison is the most well protected one in Solitas. No, we cannot rescue him." 

"What now, Miss Khan?" Adam asked, tilting his head. 

She glanced up, watching as an eagle suddenly screeched from above. It flew down by the lake, precise in its flight, then in a split second, gripped a struggling Salmon in its talons. Sienna leaned back on her seat and glanced down at her weapon hanging by her feet. She had nowhere else left to go. Menagerie was closed off to her...for now. She could go to Vale but the new government there didn't look kindly to faunus. That was something she could take advantage of. Here in Mistral, it was to be her powerbase now. She now practically led a nation stretching from sea to sea. She had a responsibility now not just to the faunus here but to the human villagers too. They had helped her and Brown out in their moment of need. She was going to assist them now in theirs. 

"Tell Fairwind to expect reinforcements. We will be ambushing the Mistrali Police on the road," Sienna declared. 

Adam nodded. "It's going to be war then?" 

"Mistral did not help the frontier out when the bandits ruled it. And now, they walk in like they gave their blood and tears for them," Sienna shook her head. "We do not fight now for the freedom of our people but for them too." 

She still would have to form a new coherent ideology for the Mistrali White Fang. Perhaps form a new group too. They would never go back to the Belladonnas now. Who went out to fight with them? It wasn't the Belladonnas but her. 

And Brown. 

"And Mister Brown?" Adam asked quietly. 

"...His soul will be marching on," Sienna whispered. Then, her voice became louder. "And so shall we."

"I'll relay your orders, Great Leader," Adam said as he turned on his heels. As he vanished from sight, Sienna reached into her pocket and pulled out something made of metal. It was a simple ring, made of gold. But the value to it did not come from its material but for what it meant. There was going to be no forgiveness for Solitas after its sentencing of Brown. But she knew what it meant when he left to bring justice to Jacques Schnee. 

She took in a breath and pocketed the ring. 

And thus, the Mistrali Civil War began.

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A/N: A bit short to what I usually like but I am getting reamed by college atm so, pardon the short length :c.