Her work had been foiled because of one man. But at least she would go down with the knowledge that their entire race would be going down with her.
If her suspicions were true, demons depended on humans for nutrients. Without access to Earth they would eventually fight over the remaining few stored human resource they had left.
Her only regret was that she would not be there to see them burn.
"I am, an... Earthwoman." Valyha answered with all seriousness. "I hope that answers your question."
Najeer narrowed his eyes at her.
Heler raised his hand ready to strike the woman's face from behind, but he was quickly met with the disapproving gaze of Najeer
"Isn't that what you wanted to know?" Valyha smirked.
Najeer wasn't very patient with games. But he didn't feel like being harsh tonight. "Earthwoman, tell us what Earthkind you are, and who you were in your lands."
Valyha's eyes lit up discreetly, almost as if she had been waiting for him to ask that. If they wanted to know who she was. Why not entertain them.
"I," Valhya started with a hand on her chest. "I am the one who they call the Rising-Star-Phoenix-jewel-Alpha—"
Najeer's crimson eyes darkened, irritation on his face. Even he could not hold back. He was running out of patience.
"Enough joking!" Commander Heler interrupted impatiently.
"Patience lowly Demon. I was getting there." Valyha raised her head basking in her own glory. "I am," she took a a dramatic pause. "The Queen of Earth! I know, I know. You're overwhelmed. Take a deep breath." She winked with a smirkish grin.
The soldiers stared at each other in silence.
Najeer tried to remember all the documents he had received about Earth. But that title was unfamiliar. That could mean, the title had little, or it had no importance. Not enough to be filed and presented to him. There were many queens in Earths and they all ruled kingdoms.
"So you are some kind of King's consort. Now It makes sense," Heler said as that answered for the amount of gold and rare stones on her body. "What kingdom are from, Esteree?"
"King's consort? what are you saying. I rule Earth alone. And, I am not a fae. Eww. Do not insult the elderly." Valyha scowled in disgust.
The men nearly scoffed. The woman had referred to herself as an old woman but she looked no older than twenty one, if you calculated in mereman age. Even the longest living faes did not live half as long as the longest living Qira.
There was a high chance she could be younger than some of them.
"A regent queen then. Tell us your kingdom." Heler asked, matching the calmness of his Emperor.
"That would be every single kingdom on Earth," Valhya answered gazing sideways in a braggish manner. "Nothing much."
"The entirety of Earth." Heler scoffed. "Really ?"
"Yes."
"Wouldn't that make you the..." Heler chuckled from even the idea of his next words."...Earth King." Currently Qira's most despised enemy."
"Yes, it is, I." She smiled stretching her arms out with a grin.
There was a brief silence.
Then it came rolling. Deep masculine laughters.
Valhya froze for a second. What was happening?
She had a feeling they were laughing at her?
But it couldn't be.
Valyha blinked looking at them as her eyebrows furrowed. "What is funny?" This was not the reaction she was expecting
They all looked at the woman adorned in jewelry, kneeling with her hair being held by Commander Heler. Dark lipstick red lips spread into a cruel grin.
The Regent of Earth was a calculative battle genius who managed to hold back the universe's strongest army for five years, long enough to secure a victory. If he was captured, it could mean an end to the food scarcity before it became uncontrollable. That alone was worthy of celebration for months.
But this woman here. Could not be the Earth King. "Are you sure you are not talking about being queen of a brothel."
"Thank you." Valyha smiled feeling flattered, pleased by the compliment. "But, I am talking about Earth. I lead the war."
It came rolling again. More Deep laughters.
All laughed except one.
Something about armed men laughing down at you as you kneel, on the wet floor felt very dehumanizing.
What was happening? Mocking... This was new to her. She had felt it before but not in this way.
The woman who defeats the army of the Demons just revealed herself and this is how they were reacting?
"Do not be too offended princess. You are not the first one we've caught claiming the Earth throne. You're just the least convincing. Next time come up with a better lie." A soldier said with his arms crossed. His name was Yesel.
The Earth king was the title given to the Ruler of all three Earth Worlds. Earth was divided into three worlds, the world of the Fae, world of the Meremen, and World of the Beast men. Each world did not have its own unitary leader but different regents scattered across kingdoms and Empires. That was until a Mysterious figure appeared and seized control of the lands of all three worlds one by one, until he had all control of the Earth world, becoming the Earth king. As the highest authority figure on Earth, he lead the war against the first invasion and defeated Naqil's soldiers.
"But I claim the Earth throne because it is mine. And why am I the least convincing?" Valyha demanded with authority. She was usually supposed to be getting ready to be tortured by now. Or some public display of look-i've-caught-the-enemy. Usually done by a very very gruesome, execution.
Painful, but worthy of her name. Honoring for a great queen.
"Firstly, Earth has a King, not a Queen." Heler added tone. "Did you really think lying to us would give you any less of a dignify death?"
Valyha gasped till her lungs burned. "What sort of misinformation do you people have!" She had never been more offended in her entire life. "I am a Queen, not a King!" Her eyes widened like they had called her the biggest insult. "Fine I'll let that slide and inform you again. This is the Earth Queen, better yet known as the Rising—"
"She's seems to be a mad woman, In'er," Heler Interrupted Valhya, turning to Najeer.
Who had been silent the entire time.
Najeer lifted his eyes away from Valyha and parted his lips to speak. But just as his mouth opened a voice interrupted.
"Look my crown is on the floor right there. Do you still not believe me?" She motioned to the golden crown that had slipped from her head as result of Heler's assault.
Najeer's eyes dropped to crown at the side. It seemed loosing her powers did not upset her half as much as not getting acknowledged. It was quite entertaining.
"Just look and you will see."
"Of course," some of the soldiers answered sarcasticaly. Anyone rich enough could get a golden crown.
"No, truly!"
"Someone like you could never be the King," a soldier said in the background.
"Why?" It felt like an arrow to Valyha's chest. Her feelings was starting to get hurt. First they c
all her a man, now this."Why do you think I can't be the 'Queen'?" Valyha corrected in an authoritative tone.