Reign of the Diamond Emperor

Five days since Argos' departure, the persistent presence of these ponies grated on my nerves. I had the ability to eliminate them, but I knew it would be a grave mistake. Wisdom prevailed over impulse.

Conversations with my Fallen had revealed valuable information. Learning that Equestria possessed a version of gunpowder and did not employ it for military purposes was a crucial discovery, though I kept it secret. This opened up new strategic possibilities.

The prospect of acquiring cannons and explosive charges presented fresh opportunities for my burgeoning empire. Even though the production of modern firearms remained out of reach, the potential technological advancements were promising.

I needed to personally go to Filly Delphia, accompanied by some of my guards. This went against my preference for discretion and might potentially expose my existence, but I had no choice. I needed this tactical advantage!

Moreover, according to Fallen and the descriptions in the various books I possessed, the castle of Canterlot was partially suspended in the void…

As I quickly pondered what else I could do during my stay in the city, my Fallen remained silent on my lap. I considered buying her something, a small gesture to thank her for the information. This thought made me smile; she had become more than just a pet.

"Metal Heart, the mercenary," I murmured to myself. Yes, that would be a good alias.

"Excuse me, master?" Fallen looked up at me.

"Nothing important, my Fallen," I said, gently scratching her neck. "Have you thought about what I told you yesterday?"

She seemed hesitant but finally nodded. "Yes, master..." She seemed to have something to ask, and it was evident in her eyes.

"Ask your question. There's no need to be afraid of me all the time," I sighed.

"You mentioned that you 'got your hands dirty,' master," she finally said, her gaze filled with curiosity. I gently stroked her mane.

"It's probably hard to believe, but I come from a wealthy family. I had access to everything I wanted as a child." I waited for her reaction.

"But then why?" she asked, clearly intrigued. It was time to soften the tone a bit.

"Let's just say my lifestyle choices didn't sit well with them, and I was given an ultimatum," I stated, slightly twisting the truth.

"Your lifestyle choices, master?" Her face expressed genuine curiosity.

"Yes, the adventure, the thrill of finding treasures no one had ever seen, fighting to claim them, and tracking them down," I added, letting a nostalgic smile light up my face.

"But why, master, you say you had everything?" Fallen asked.

"I was missing this, the freedom to do as I please, the rush of ending up in a shootout, and the terror in the eyes of those who wanted to thwart me," I sighed. "But it seems to me that your kind is incapable of feeling that call."... "And yet you, Fallen, have the soul of an explorer, and yet I hadn't seen that fire in you."

Fallen seemed lost in her thoughts, thinking quickly. I looked at her tenderly, trying to capture her gaze. "I can let you taste that freedom, let you feel the adrenaline that makes your head spin, let you sense the possibility of life or death over anyone. And like me, force fate's hand." I sought her lips, kissing her with all the tenderness I had left. "You just have to say you want it."

Fallen returned my kiss, her eyes still hesitant. She took a deep breath, and my victory seemed complete. She was finally going to give in! But then, she whispered, "I... I can't..."

Something broke inside me at that moment. I didn't have the strength to be angry or sad. Just a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time, a form of loneliness.

I withdrew gently, trying to mask my disappointment behind a faint smile. "I understand, my Fallen," I said in a gentle voice. "Everyone has their limits and choices to make."

I set her down on the ground before rising from my throne, taking a moment to adjust my armor. Then, I approached her and gently stroked her mane. "You are free to make your own decisions, slave or not."

She lowered her eyes, visibly disturbed. I gave her one final smile, then headed towards the exit. The weight of my loneliness felt heavier than ever before, even in my former life, I had partners in crime, and this was the first time it had been denied to me.

I made my way to the training hall of my soldiers, a vast room with rough stone walls, lit by strategically placed torches. The air was heavy with the scent of wood, sweat, and metal. The floor was covered with straw and wood chips to cushion impacts.

In the center of the room, there was a large open space, surrounded by wooden training dummies bearing the marks of the numerous assaults they had endured. Some were equipped with armor to simulate heavier opponents.

With a single punch, I tore through the armored dummy, sending it crashing against the back wall in a mix of wood and metal shards. As I caught my breath, I couldn't understand why she had refused my offer, nor the origin of this growing loneliness within me. However, I knew one thing: she would eventually accept my offer when she saw my empire grow, and I would offer her absolute freedom.

"She will be like me," I murmured, calming myself as best I could while creating a couple of cracks in the wall.

I left the room a few minutes later, my gauntlets in tatters, while my hands remained unscathed. The rage had found its outlet, but the loneliness still lingered.

I didn't return to the throne room, choosing instead to stroll along the corridors and galleries that comprised the beginning of my budding empire. I left my shredded gauntlets with the blacksmith, joking that I had pushed too hard in my training.

The activity of my kingdom continued to buzz around me, the sounds of the forge and the conversations of the soldiers filling the air.

I spotted Bandit running towards the throne room. Without any difficulty, I caught up to him. "Are you looking for me, Bandit?"

"Boss, The ponies have captured Argos." I restrained myself from screaming in rage, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

"... I'll go get him, alone," I announced with a firm voice. I headed quickly and heavily towards the entrance of my cave, Bandit following me, trying to reason with me. In a tone that was far too calm, I cut him off: "Bandit, I am currently furious. I advise against questioning my orders." It was enough to almost petrify him on the spot.

I emerged from the cave, determined to retrieve Argos. My mind was a storm of focused rage. I thought of nothing else but rescuing my men. The wind whipped against my face, and I ran as fast as my legs would carry me.

Climbing a tree, I spotted a campfire in the distance and a silhouette that seemed to be hovering in the air, likely a Pegasus.

I might have wanted to be kind, but when one of my men is harmed, consequences must be faced.

I descended from the tree with agility, approaching the campfire. The silhouette drew nearer, revealing a Pegasus with sparkling wings in a brilliant suit of golden armor, a lance pointed towards me.

"Halt in the name of Princess Twilight, state your identity!" I saw silhouettes moving in the distance, undoubtedly his comrades.

"The Hand of Death," I grabbed his lance, pulling him towards me, before seizing his helmet with my other hand and squeezing slowly while his colleagues panicked, rushing over. His screams of pain and terror began to echo through the forest.

The Pegasus's colleagues emerged from the darkness, two earth ponies and another Pegasus, panicked by the scene unfolding before them. They saw their comrade struggling with me, unable to do much to help him.

"Who is the highest-ranking among you?" I restrained my anger as best I could, feeling the insect in my hand struggle as best it could. The Pegasus, who stood slightly back, timidly raised his hoof.

"It's me, I'm the sergeant."

"Stay put, sergeant," I roared imperiously. "You have just committed the gravest mistake of your existence." Seizing the Pegasus's lance with a swift motion, I hurled it with devastating fury, burying it deep into the ground through the sergeant's wing.

The two earth ponies charged towards me, amidst the screams of pain from their sergeant, whose wing was impaled. With a sinister crack, I released the Pegasus, his helmet finally compressing his skull.

I was not a master of hand-to-hand combat, but with my current power, it was like crushing insects... Unfortunately, I had no desire to have fun, preferring to grant them the mercy of a quick death with a sharp kick to the first pony, I shattered and drove the front of his armor into his chest.

As for the second one, he was less fortunate. His lance shattered against my armor. Seizing him by the tail before he could retreat, then delivered a fatal blow to his neck.

Turning to the sergeant still alive, his face contorted in terror, I declared in a frigid voice, "We will have a very long conversation, you and I. But that will be for later." I dragged him behind me by his mane.

Argos was on his knees, hands tied. I quickly freed him. "Where are my two men?" I asked, tension in my voice.

"He's organizing the departure of the other pack, my emperor." A faint smile lit up my face.

"Perfect, Argos."

I returned, effortlessly carrying the three corpses as well as the injured sergeant. It wouldn't be long before their absence was noticed. But the sergeant would be a vital source of information...