The former Heroes stood where they had once faced Kain in an effort to rescue their former ‘Team Leader’. The stench of death still hung in the air and even though some time had passed since their last visit here they could still see patches of dried blood and the occasional bone or bone fragment. Almost everything else besides had been taken either by the flora and fauna of the Gallows Woods or by the necromancers working for Darksol.

Stepping further towards the western gates, the earthlings readied themselves for a potential fight. Despite Kain’s words they still did not fully believe that he had anything other than hostile intentions for them. They were not in the mind to be caught unawares and killed like chumps, and therefore they moved ahead cautiously while checking the ground and sky for any signs of a potential attack.

As soon as they got within 50 meters of the first gatehouse, the portcullis lifted, and the massive steel-plated gates opened with a creaking sound. Beyond that, the next gate opened, followed by the third and final one. Still, the former Heroes were moving forward at a slow but steady pace. They did not wish to be trapped inside the walls of Necrograd and turned into either human pincushions or human swiss cheese.

Slowly, ever so slowly, they made their way through the three gates on the western side of Necrograd and into the city proper. What they saw sent shivers down their spines as they realized the vast distance that Darksol had leapt forward in comparison to the Luminas Confederacy.

Most of the structures were made out of a mixture of petrified wood and concrete while still looking like they were made of either brick or high-quality wood due to the internals of the structures having been covered up with a façade. There were streetlamps galore, traffic lights at regular intervals and what appeared to be public transit among other things, all of it showing just how far Darksol had pushed itself forwards. Water fountains and public restrooms made it clear that this was a city built for mass amounts of people, and the occasional Fel Bat carrying packages through the air made Alice wonder exactly when the person who became Kain was taken.

“It’s like they’re using the Fel Bats as delivery drones…” Alice mumbled in astonishment. In her time, drones were large and cumbersome and therefore completely unsuited for use as package delivery systems. The idea wasn’t anything new, but it had been the realm of science fiction for a while and not really in public consciousness.

All of the 6 former invaders stood in awe of the massive city, their eyes filled with wonder as they gazed at modern conveniences made manifest in a medieval world. They were lost in the moment, and the stunned looks on their faces made them prime targets for ne’er do wells.

Thankfully, they were still very close to the gate and were quickly noticed by the city guard. A living one at that.

“Hello there. I take it that this is your first time in Necrograd?”

“Ah, yes. We were invited here despite our previous actions.” Nagato responded.

“Previous actions?” the guard asked.

“Nice going, Nagato.” quipped Jesus as he fidgeted in place.

“We were here recently, and we acted against your nation’s interests. However, your leader was quite understanding and invited us to stay here after he found out that we were relived of our duties and branded as rebels.” Alice said, pulling out her ‘Charm’ and using it to its fullest.

“I see. Well, do you have the invitation with you? If not, we can issue you a temporary identification and have you report back in seven days for so we can issue a full ID.”

“That would be lovely. Thank you so much.” Alice said with a flirty tone and a wink.

“He he… no problem, ma’am. Anything for you.” the guard stammered as he fell madly in love with Alice.

“I would prefer that you not mess with the minds of my people.”

The voice of the Abominable King fell from above, causing everyone in the area to look up and see Kain float down.

“I-I-I’m sorry! I want… I wanted to avoid trouble and…!” Alice stammered, overcome with fear.

“It’s fine.” Kain grumbled. “You aren’t the first to use that type of ability and you won’t be the last.” Kain then landed and looked over the guard before huffing in annoyance. “This is why we insist that guards wear these things while on duty…” he said while taking a necklace out of the guard’s pocket and placing it around the guard’s neck.

“Huh… what?” the guard mumbled as he regained control of his mind.

“Fool.” Kain muttered in an audible voice. “Never leave this off while on the job. I don’t care that you think it looks weird; It keeps you from being mind-controlled.”

Kain then dismissed the terrified guard and turned to face the former Heroes.

“Now then, I already had your identification made ahead of time.”

Kain handed the ID cards to each of the 6 earthlings and turned away.

“Please feel free to explore this place and take in everything. The cards are linked to you and you alone, so don’t worry about someone stealing it as they would only be able to show their own info and card balance. I placed a decent amount of money on each ID, so take your time and enjoy my city. Come to the citadel when you are ready to talk with me, and thank you for taking up my offer, even if only temporarily.”

Kain then pointed towards citadel in the center of the city.

“Roughly every fifteen miles or so in this city you will find an inn, a few places to eat out, a store to purchase things from, a Dungeon entrance and a Loot Exchanger/ bank. As long as you are not wanted criminals, you won’t have to worry too much about the Dungeon trying to kill you and are guaranteed at least two minimal meals a day, free water and free use of the public toilets. I highly recommend that you dive into the dungeon at least once every few weeks as the content inside changes on a regular basis and provides new challenges and opportunities. Plus, it is one of the best ways for combat-oriented people to make a quick buck.”

With that said, Kain lifted off and flew towards the center of the city, leaving the six new potential citizens of the Greater Darksol Empire to deal with everything that just occurred. Just as when they entered the city for the first time, they stood in shock and silence, but this time their gazes switched from looking around to being at the cards in their hands and then to each other.

“Well… that was something…” Vladimir said.

“Yeah.” Jesus replied, “Who would have guessed that an evil emperor from a capitalist nation would have national policies that were so… against the core tenants of capitalism?”

“All the easier to keep people from rising up if they don’t starve, dehydrate or soil themselves. And I’m guessing that there is free yet incredibly shabby housing for those who don’t have enough money to own or rent a house.” Alice added.

“Maybe he is just misunderstood?” Nagato wondered aloud. “Perhaps it is because he is reviled that he has no other option but to play the villain. Maybe his path of destruction was his only way to secure his nation’s survival…”

At Nagato the justice Otaku’s words, the former Heroes looked at each other and then laughed.

“Yeah, right, if Kain is simply misunderstood and lashing out due to that, then this world may as well be some deluded teen’s cringy fantasy!”

If only Kain was around to tell them that they were exactly right and that this world had indeed been born from his edge-lord fantasies when he was a young teen on Earth….