Ruler Of Iron And Flesh

Alaric felt his heart drop after hearing that Predo had gotten involved.

"How many from Predo are we looking at from Predo?" He asked.

Sarah looked up, "at least half the size of Irigia's force again. They have powerful airsh.i.p.s and may strong warriors in exosuits."

Alaric shook his head, "I've heard stories about them. They come in from a large island located away from the continent. My mother told me about how they helped in the war against the Empire years ago. It would've been impossible to have won the war if it weren't for the alliance between Irigia and Predo. Now, it seems they have allied once again, but this time, to kill us."

"What do you think we should do?"

Alaric pondered for a moment, "we need to startup negotiations. We can't fight an extended war against them. We need to either show that we aren't a threat to them, or that fighting us won't be worth the loss."

Sarah scoffed, "there's no way they wouldn't consider us a threat. We took over the land of Ranid and Trostan and turned it into the Reark Kingdom. We also are the ones who defeated Inian, regardless of how we beat him. Anyone would consider that a major threat."

"That leaves us with the only other option, which is to make war so costly that they wouldn't want to fight us."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, "how are you going to do that?"

Alaric smirked, "I'm going to negotiate with them, and if not, then I'm going to put on a show of force. I can make a few thousand automatons within a day, maybe that fact will scare them."

"Or maybe, it will make you an even bigger target, aside from the fact that you are the king."

Alaric shrugged, "we'll never know unless we try. I want a fire-team of model three automatons. They're going to be my escort over to their camp."

"Roger that, I'll get that assembled right away."

Sarah walked away to get the automatons together, while Alaric ordered another soldier to grab a white flag. Soon, the automatons stood in a line, waiting to be ordered by Alaric.

Alaric handed the white flag over to one of the automatons and ordered, "guard me at all costs! Let's go!"

He unfurled his large, leathery wings, and leaped into the air. The automatons rocketed into the sky after him.

Alaric and his fire-team sped towards the massive enemy army of Irigia and Predo. Luckily, one of the automatons had the white flag unfurled, and no enemy troops opened fire on them.

Alaric looked around until he spotted a large tent towards the back that looked like a commander's tent. He dropped to the ground, followed by his automatons.

The enemy troops around him gasped in awe as these lifelike machines eyed each of them up. Alaric's appearance shook them the most, as his body could change form before their eyes.

Soon, a figure appeared from the tent; it was an ancient man, who was walking around with a cane. He had a few strands of hair left on his head, and his wrinkles covered most of what was once a powerful and handsome face.

Behind him came a face that Alaric was familiar with, "hello Queen Irigia."

The Queen glared at him and scoffed, "you are a fool for walking directly into our camp Alaric. You are still such a boy at heart."

Master Predo held up a hand, and in a soft yet firm voice said, "he has waved the white flag. We are bound by honor to hear his terms, and not attack him."

The Queen faced Master Predo, "you don't know what he's capable of! It's only been a few years, but he's gone from being a soldier in my army to commanding a kingdom twice the size of ours combined!"

"Only in land size. His people are fresh and new, and this young king has much to learn. I am also well aware of how dangerous he is, which is why I came here with my army. Now then, let's head inside."

Alaric followed both of them inside, while his model three automatons stayed outside the tent. The inside of the tent had a large table with several maps all around, and many pieces and papers were scattered about on several smaller tables.

Master Predo began by saying, "you look much like your father. I see much of that same fire in him that I see in you."

Alaric replied, "there is a glaring difference, however, and that is that the heart of the king does not poison me. All my abilities are entirely my own, as I was born with them. Now, I command every monster on the continent. I am the king of humans, as well as monsters."

The Queen slammed on the table, "arrogant is what you are!! You are still that same boy who left years ago, thinking he could save the world by conquering it. Those are foolish thoughts! My people have been happy with me, and you've betrayed them!"

Alaric raised his voice, "the only way to assure a permanent peace is by bringing the whole world under one banner! Then the people will know true freedom and peace! You are the foolish one! You've only retreated to your nation after every single war, and then there is another, then another. There's no end."

Master Predo raised his hands, "let's quiet down for a moment, as this is a negotiation. Have you come to offer up terms for your surrender Alaric?"

Alaric raised an eyebrow, "not at all. I've come to tell you to disburse, or else."

Master Predo chuckled, "or else what Alaric? Your forces are far outnumbered. Do you think you have the means to defeat us? What if we told you that the Empire would consider joining us if you attack us?"

Alaric nodded, "then I will fight them too. I don't think you understand what you're up against. I have ten thousand automatons in reserve, and I can create a couple thousand a day. Do you want to go up against that?"

Queen Irigia's eyes widened, no one understood automatons like her, "what do you mean? There's no way you have that many monster cores!"

"I don't, they lose a little bit of destructive power, but my automatons are all solar-powered. A single charging session could last them for a week. My abilities allow me to pull them out of the ground."

Alaric stepped back and demonstrated. The ground around Alaric rose into the air and floated around his body. They transmuted into the pieces he needed; then, he used his abilities to put the machines together.

Just like that, five model one automatons stood before the Queen and Master Predo. They tried to hide their shock but to no avail.

Alaric smirked, "it doesn't matter how many machines and soldiers you have, because I will always have more."

Master Predo stomped his cane down, "those cheap machines will never stand in the place of brave soldiers! Our attack will be swift, and we will wipe you all out before you can slip away and make more. Your kingship will quickly come to an end."

Alaric clicked his tongue, "don't forget that I am now allied with Weton and Rudor. They will come to my side if fighting breaks out."

The Queen responded, "Rudor is inconsequential, and Weton can be dealt with by the Empire. You are the only one in a bad spot Alaric."

Alaric shook his head, "I don't think so. Think of the costs to your men, your families. If I send thousands of machines at you, I lose nothing. I can re-create them again in a couple of days. But when you lose your soldiers, they stay dead. I don't want to fight or kill anybody, but I will if I have to. I'm willing to fight for what I believe in. So what's it going to be? Are you going to fight me? Or do the smart thing and stand down?"

Master Predo and Queen Irigia looked at each other, then the Queen said, "you've given us no choice Alaric, but it shall be war. As much as I want to, we won't attack you until you are safely behind your lines."

"So be it."

Alaric walked out of the tent and jumped into the air with his nine automatons.

He could feel his palms sweating, 'well, I knew it would come to this eventually. Time for war.'