Captured by a (Not So) Evil Overlord (Who Also Happens to Be Your Secret Admirer) (Patreon)

While busy documenting new information for your encyclopedias, you were captured by a number of soldiers. These soldiers worked for the evil overlord, Cadenza. You could not find an opportunity to escape on your journey to Cadenza’s castle, and thus, found yourself face-to-face with the ‘dreadful’ overlord in her throne room.

If something was apparent, however, it was the fact that the people on this continent weren’t very bright, often taking things at face value. Cadenza, you quickly realised, was merely putting on an act, which she believed to be convincing.

Using some wit and a bit of cold reading, you were able to convince Cadenza that threatening you wasn’t going to work, and that you could see right through her. Eventually, she revealed herself to be someone who wanted the best for her people, but the evil façade was necessary or she would quickly be dethroned, and someone truly terrible could take her place.

The ‘evil’ Cadenza had been an admirer of yours for a long time, often obsessing over the volumes you published. You realised that with your knowledge, you could easily aid this young woman in ruling over her kingdom.

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📜 Terminology (by Arexus):

Choir: In-story term for a province, used in the Empire of Harmony. Though by the time of the story’s setting, the Empire of Harmony has been fractured after the sudden disappearance of Empress Aria more than a hundred years ago. Now, each Choir acts as an independent polity, though there are many who claim to be the rightful successor of the Empire.

Conductor: Ruler of a Choir. During the days of the Empire of Harmony, conductors are appointed by the Empress herself, usually from her own offspring.

Spell Singer: A person who is able to use magic, primarily by the medium of song.

High Tongue: The language spoken by the legendary Empress Aria and her people (Italian).

Chorus: In-story term for a Ministry

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Thank you to Arexus, who provided the male character voices for the Cadenza chant in Italian, and congrats on both his ideas winning the polls this month!! 😮😮👏🥳