Reign of the Diamond Emperor

My heart rate was almost imperceptible, my breathing at a minimum. I stared at my scout's ears, knowing he had better hearing than me in moments like these. I scrutinized my scout's expression with my piercing eyes, hoping to read something in it. I heard some stones shifting, a presence getting closer. My rage urged me to charge headfirst.

Then, the noises began to fade, and my scout seemed to relax slightly. I didn't know how long we stayed there, on high alert on the ground. Finally, I decided to get up and dust off my armor.

I signaled to my man to be silent, and we moved away from the entrance before I spoke. "What did you hear?" I asked him.

"He's looking for what could have destroyed the hamlet, Boss. They're thinking it might be a dragon, even though the absence of tracks is making them nervous," he informed me. My gaze darkened.

"The absence of tracks?" I repeated, intrigued.

"Yes, Boss. Bandit told us to erase them... you weren't aware?" he asked, a bit surprised.

"No, I wasn't. There's a reason he's my right-hand man," I replied, displaying a smile that was both cold and satisfied. My team was efficient, that was undeniable.

I found my men, all struggling against fatigue, a bit further away. "Corporals, change of orders: a guard at the door, to be replaced every two hours, with 8 hours of rest after each shift," I commanded. Then, I turned to Sergeant Rock. "You, I want to see you tomorrow. It's time for you and my men to learn how to read and write." He looked at me in astonishment.

"Bandit is in charge of making sure the False Chord slave teaches civilians, but I will personally oversee your instruction. Any objections?" My voice was categorical, leaving little room for dissent.

"No, boss," he quickly replied, understanding it was a non-negotiable directive.

Perfect, see you tomorrow, Sergeant Rock," I said firmly. I walked away at a measured pace, making a brief public appearance and grabbing two takeout meals before heading to the throne room."

The door was still slightly warped from my anger, and I could see a mare pacing in circles, restrained by her chains.

"At least you're not pulling on them anymore, my Fallen," I said calmly. She jumped at my voice; her level of attention must have been particularly low. "I brought something to eat."

"Uh... I... Thank you, master," she stammered. I settled into my throne, handing the package to Fallen before placing my helmet in its usual spot and starting to eat the meal I had taken, mostly mushrooms and various wild vegetables.

Fallen looked at me suspiciously as I continued to eat. "You know, Fallen, there's something that puzzles me," I told her. "With all the magic that Equestria possesses, why haven't they conquered the world?"

She seemed to think for a moment before responding. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are benevolent leaders. They don't aspire to domination. They prefer to maintain harmony and peace in their own realm, master."

"I suppose Princess Twilight has the same mentality?" It was the kind of conversation that could yield a lot of information without her realizing it.

"Yes, she created the School of Friendship and has saved Equestria from many threats, master," she replied. She seemed eager to defend Twilight Sparkle's reputation.

"Hmm, I see. Where I come from, it's not like that at all," I said curtly. "We thrive on war, conflict, luxury, and some get lost in their selfish desires. It's a cruel world where the strongest get what they want through violence or alliances."

I observed Fallen's reaction, trying to gauge whether this perspective shocked or surprised her. It was another facet of our conversation, a way to show her the fundamental differences between our worlds and perhaps draw her into mine.

"In my world, I was very good at this game. Between us, Fallen, there were many times when death should have had me, but I'm still here," I let a slight pause hang in the air. "Because I wasn't afraid to get my hands dirty and I knew how to force the hand of fate." I finished my meal quietly while Fallen was lost in her thoughts. My words must have created a deep discomfort in her; she was clearly pondering.

I gave her a quick stroke on the mane "Think about what I told you my Fallen" before picking up one of the magic books and leaving.

I headed towards Menial Horned's cell, hoping he was still capable of understanding what I would say. Sensory isolation beyond twenty-four hours could disorient a normal man, let alone a foal...

Upon arriving at his cell, I observed Menial Horned, attentive to his reaction as I opened the door. "Menial, it's me. You remember me, don't you?" My voice was calm but firm, seeking to establish a connection with him. I entered, removing his blindfold and untying his front legs before taking one of his hooves in my hand.

"Who... You're not real," his voice was distant.

I held Menial's hoof firmly, my piercing gaze fixed on his. "Of course I'm real, Menial. You have nothing to fear from me. I'm here to get you out of this dark place and bring you back into the light."

I slightly released my grip to give him a semblance of comfort, while maintaining physical contact to keep his attention. "We have a great mission to accomplish together, Menial. You will be one of my closest advisors, someone I can rely on."

I spoke to him with confidence, using words to weave a web of trust. "You can count on me, and I know I can count on you. Together, we will be an unbeatable team, Menial."

I let a moment of silence hang, giving him the opportunity to reflect on my words. My smile seemed benevolent, but beneath my façade was calculated manipulation.

"We have a lot of work to do, Menial," I continued, while maintaining an encouraging tone. "I will teach you everything you need to know to be an effective advisor. Together, we will change the fate of our empire."

I explained our plan, emphasizing his crucial role in its execution. "You have immense potential, Menial. We will harness it and ensure your name is engraved in history."

I promised to get him out of his cell when the time came, while insisting he must be patient. "Patience is a virtue, Menial. Soon, everything will be in place, and we can act."

I stood up slowly, patting his shoulder with assurance. "I believe in you, Menial. Together, we are invincible." Then, I left his cell, leaving him with the light, along with the magic book and a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

This process would need to be repeated many times in order to reshape his memory, and I need to write a backstory for him...

I paused for a moment in my personal alcohol reserve, pouring myself a drink. "To the future of the empire," I murmured, raising my glass. I took a sip while pondering how I could integrate auxiliaries into my army. It would require a delicate approach, but it was a crucial step; magic users would eventually become indispensable.

I returned to the throne room, two glass in hand. Fallen still seemed lost in thought but had finished her meal, I kindly left her a glass of alcohol. "It will do you good, my Fallen." I sat on my throne, keeping an eye on her to see if she would drink it. She drank slowly, seeming surprised by the taste. I smiled, shifting my attention away from her.

I took advantage of the evening to deepen my knowledge of the different species in Equestria. If only I could get my hands on some changelings, I could have eyes and ears everywhere...