The Kingmaker claps with a true and genuine smile on his face this time. He seems proud of me for some reason. It startled me out of the dark headspace I had fallen into. I could not figure out what he meant or understand his reaction.
"What?" I ask.
"I knew you would eventually figure out the answer to your own question," He replied with joy in his eyes, magnified by his glasses.
"I did?" I ask.
"Indeed. You asked why I am willing to do what I do, even though you and others consider it reprehensible. The answer is as you have said. I am a soldier in his army. I am his crusader. I am willing to do what it takes to return the world to its original design," The Kingmaker said.
At that moment, I could sense genuine pride in his voice. He really meant what he was saying. He was willing to do what it took to accomplish his mission. It was both impressive and frightening.
"I am a little disappointed in myself. I should have figured it out a little sooner. It was all right there, but I got a little too caught up in the intricate details of what you do and forgot the big picture," I still could not help saying with an awkward laugh.
The Kingmaker's eyes softened. "It is understandable. A lot of people who claim to be soldiers in the army are only willing to give lip service. I am willing to amass wealth and power for the sole purpose of making his will come to pass."
The words spiralled within my head as if echoing over and over.
It was not because I did not understand him. It was because I realised that this man could not be defeated in his cause. He was going to do what he set out to do, to reshape the world, and he could not be stopped.
As a reader, I have always rejected the idea of clean-cut heroes as well as pure evil villains. Yet, even these tropes of extremes allow their characters to have the choice between good and evil according to their situation and morality.
Unfortunately, this was not the case with soldiers.
Soldiers are recognised as such because they do not have to make a choice between good and evil.
Soldiers will do what they are told, regardless of their personal feelings.
And this is a soldier who had real power, not just thoughts and prayers, on his side.
"What exactly do you plan to do in order to restore the design of the creator? It is not like you can return the state of the world to the Garden of Eden. Not to mention, I know you do not believe in climate change or environmental degradation," I said with the fear still in my veins.
However, there was a hint of sarcasm in my voice. I had studied the Kingmaker as much as I could. It was not easy because he was a secretive man who hid is moves and struck when you least expected.
Still, I knew of his campaigns against efforts to protect the environment. He believed that such efforts were standing in the way of progress.
The Kingmaker stood up from his impressive chair. He was not a tall man, but he was quite imposing. His presence seemed to become bigger in the spacious office. I belatedly realised that he had not offered me a seat since I came.
If it was a power move, it was lost on me.
"Those who claim to be protecting the environment are standing in the way of our main role as humans as co-creators," He said firmly. "Human beings were bestowed the world, but they have departed from his original plan to continue his work despite being his proudest creation."
"You have read what is written. Go forth and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over every living creature. Therefore, what people call protecting the planet is actually just standing in the way of divine instructions."
My arms felt chilly even though they were fully covered by the white dress.
"You mean, you want us to go back to the life of Adam and Eve, man and woman, bound together for the sake of co-creation and procreation," I said with a slight tremble in my voice. "Your mission is for everyone to embrace traditions without caring about the scientific progress made."
"Don't say it like it's a bad thing. The planet is not delicate. It does not need to be coddled. We have been given full authority over the earth. It would not have been bestowed unto us if we could not handle it." He said with assurance.
I almost scoffed. "It is true. The planet is not delicate. The earth always recovers if humans are not present. The only way your plan of uncontrolled development without environmental regulations could work was if you prevented population growth and development in certain areas of the world."
The Kingmaker's eyes shone with a strange light like a cartoon villain.
"You know, you are quite brilliant. With your ability to understand things from every perspective, even when you disagree, it can be moulded into an asset in the right hands. We need someone like you on our side." The Kingmaker said, shrugging on a coat.
I was not flattered. Ok, maybe a little.
But I should have been more horrified because I knew why he was complimenting me. While he wanted the world to return to the so-called natural design, he was an elitist. He meant to enslave and even eliminate populations he thought were undesirable.
And people like him who believed that the creator had favoured them looked at everyone else as mere servants or even demons.
It was appalling and disgusting.
"I might understand what you mean, but I disagree with what you are doing," I said, feeling defeated. "I do not know how you plan to accomplish your goals, but the outcome will be unfavourable for almost everyone else."
The Kingmaker stepped away from the desk.
"Come, I will show you exactly what I plan to do. Perhaps, you will understand I am not the enemy, and I am seeking to bring peace and unity to the world as the creator intended from the beginning," He said, still calm but with a heroic spirit around him.
"I am sure the devil said the same thing to the saviour just before the three temptations," I said with an awkward grimace.
A strange glint passed through the Kingmaker's eyes. I knew he understood what I was saying, testing him once again. But this time, he did not respond to my obvious attempts at digging for information.
He walked to the tall wall of books and pulled a lever masquerading as a weathered book, and the wall turned like in a movie. I almost rolled my eyes, but I did not want to die yet by making fun of it.
"Forgive the eccentricity. The old masters of the guild were secretive due to persecution on the island," The Kingmaker explained.
"It has its own charm, I suppose," I replied lightly. "It makes walking into my possible death a little more whimsical."
"Follow me," The Kingmaker said, not commenting on my statement.
I looked at the sun one last time before I followed him down the dark stairs and into the proverbial rabbit hole.
All I could chant in my heart was one small phrase.
For the plot…