Otherlife Nightmares: The Selfless Hero Trilogy by William D. Arand

aware of some uncomfortable truths. In doing so, I fear I may change the very fabric of your country. Would you hear me? I would not force this on you unwillingly.”
    King Vasilios Moris propped his chin in the back of his hand, watching Runner. Once more, Runner had the distinct feeling the AI behind the scenes could only be checking quest triggers, flags, and nodes.
    “This would be in regard to the young knight here at my side, your daughter, the chancellor, the steward of your house, your tax administrator, a number of your royal guardsmen, and a goodly amount of your servants. Treason would be the charge, of course.”
    In that instant the room shifted, becoming as quiet as a mausoleum. Collectively the AIs of everyone in the room began running up to full speed at the unexpected triggering of countless flags.
     
    Go.
     
    “Majesty?” Runner inquired. He wouldn’t push this on the king unless he truly had to. It wouldn’t sit right with him to bring people screaming into the reality that their world had little truth to it.
    King Vasilios eventually extended a few fingers towards Runner, accepting the responsibility. Pulling out the notes he’d made this morning, he started at the top.
    “Your daughter sleeps with any nobleman who is willing to turn their hand towards putting her on the throne and disposing of your infant son. Half of your council has already been turned. I will provide you with the names at the end of this little fiasco. She now seeks to bring her power into blossom by recruiting an assassin. She approached me directly for said job. Once you’ve been taken care of she’ll then end your son’s life to assure her ascendancy.”
    Squawking indignantly, the princess in question started to rise from her seat. Runner continued before her appeal could get off the ground. He had a lot more shit to shovel out.
    Lotta shit. Shit for everyone. Drown you all in your own shit.
    “Your chancellor, who has slept with your daughter as well, is beginning to broker a deal for power using the economy. It would be through a few interesting laws that he’d take the financial backing out of your military and power base. Then he’d have you ousted for tanking the economy, put your son on the throne, and act as regent until an appropriate age.”
    Now Virgil started to make noise. Runner moved to the next tick point in his notes, speaking loudly to drive home that he would not be interrupted.
    “Your tax administrator, who also has slept with your daughter, is robbing you blind at a rate of two to one right now. Nearly all of the wealth is recoverable in the national bank under his mother’s name. He has been hiding much of it through an improper accounting of your military assets and what is currently being fielded in the war comparatively to what actually is. In other words, ghost equipment.”
    Runner glanced around the room to gauge the situation. What noise there had been no longer existed. All hung onto the edges of their seats, watching him.
     
    Many of their AIs are jumping from node to node. A handful are already awakening.
     
    “Next, roughly thirty percent of your royal guard has not only slept with your daughter, but they now back her directly. The guards still in service to you are at your back, those in service to your daughter are behind me. The trigger for this event is her direct approval of the attack. A Barbarian messenger will be arriving, requesting your aid in defense of their capital. The humans have attacked them rather than counterattack Crivel.”
    Picking the next section, he nearly laughed out loud.
    “Many of the cooking staff have also enjoyed a royal ride with your daughter. They’re in position to poison you should an assassin fail to appear. Perhaps when this is over, her highness could be sold to a brothel since she spends so much time on her back. She could single-handedly fund the campaign. Next, next, next.”
    Taking a moment to brush the hair back from his eyes, he