The soldier guarding the border post was trembling. Halt! He cried. What little rationality he had left scread that he must be out of his mind. He knew it to be true. Why else would he think to ordertheEmperor Estian to halt? He really had gone insane. The others had fled long before as soon as the imperial army had been sighted in the far distance. He couldnt bla them.
When news spread of the empires impending conquest over the dukedom of Etia, villagers in the surrounding areas had imdiately gathered their things and left. There was a peculiarity to the emperors conquests. Cities and villages which the imperial army marched through in enemy territories generally faced varying fates. While so places were left untouched, the next town over might be razed to the ground and all its citizens slaughtered. There was no apparent rhy or reason as to how the emperor chose his targets, nor was it necessary to understand. The imperial army was ford to carry out the emperors will. Limbs werent required to think, they simply needed to execute the heads commands.
As the marching imperial invaders ca to a stop, the man leading at the forefront continued onwards until his steed ca to a stop in front of the guard. It would be unnecessarily and foolish to ask the man to state his identity. The foreboding appearance of his dark eyes glinting with savagery, and the aggressive snorting from his steed appeared like an emissary of hell.
Speak your na, the man ordered.
The guard flinched. Na? Why was the man asking for his na? He remained mute, and his hesitation caused Estian to chuckle darkly.
In respect of your courage, I shall have your corpse delivered to your family.
Estian watched as the blood drained from the silent guards face. The empire had formally declared war against Etia a week before, and hed sent notice to clear the way or face their end. For those that remained, it ant that they chose death. He admitted the guards bravery and patriotism for standing guard when the others had abandoned post, but that would not change his fate.
His head raised towards the horizon. Unlike other dukedoms, Etia was rich and possessed larger and more fertile lands than most kingdoms, but that wasnt the only reason for its prosperity. Etia also benefited from a geographical advantage, with a central port that allowed it to monopolize an invaluable sea route, but most importantly, it possessed advanced technologies that were the driving force of its power.
Advanced technology. The thought alone made Estian audibly gnash his teeth and inwardly snarl.Of course it was advanced technology, considering the thods those wretches used to develop it.
Of the many children sent to the laboratory, the number sent from the dukedom of Etia was especially large. Its central port was an active hub for nurous ships, which offered many opportunities for work. The impoverished would gather in the city, and Etia was said to particularly welco the children among them.
I heard youll receive food if you go to Etia! And a place to sleep!
The Grand Duke said hed look after all children!
Many holess and orphaned children made their way to Etia with hope in their hearts, and were ecstatic to learn the rumors were true! Etia welcod them with open arms, offering delicious als and warm beds. The wariness of the starved children was eased, and they placed their trust in the dukedom. With ti, their bodies grew nourished and the gloomy expressions were replaced by bright laughter.
I think I did well in coming here!
Everyone was kind. Everyone was helpful. The children began to dream of their futures for the first ti in their lives but little did they know that the debt for the kindness they received would be repaid in the loss of the very futures they hoped for.
Speak your na, Estian demanded, raising his sword.
Carl, the guard answered as he wept, knowing this would likely be the last word he uttered.
Carl, he says. Its the sa na as mine,a voice giggled innocently from within Estian.
Do you want to spare this guard?Estian answered back in his mind.
The giggling ceased imdiately.No. Kill him.There was no trace of the voices previous mirth. There was only imasurable hatred.
Estian spurred his steed, whose lineage hailed from the finest pedigree in the empire, and it responded imdiately to its masters desires. The emperor swung his sword as hed done tens of thousands of tis before. An arc of blood swished through the air. The guards decapitated head rolled on the ground, before coming to a stop within the borders of Etia. At that mont, the entire imperial army resud their advance. And so, the war had begun.
* * *
At the sa mont, another war had begun inside the Ailsa Casino. The host had announced the start of the glorious first ga, signaling the official opening of the casino to raucous applause.
Cecile and Yuliana were seated at opposite ends of the table. Onlookers glanced about in confusion. There was sothing strange in the air. When their eyes fell on Princess Yuliana, they were overco with the desire to offer up everything they owned, but when turning to the empress, theyd be jolted back to their senses, wondering why such an impulse had struck them. Richard inwardly clicked his tongue as he observed the crowd.They sure are suffering.His gaze locked onto the light shining wildly from Yulianas bosom.
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