Chapter 443: Village of Earn [Conclusion]
Smoke rose from the silent port. Those allied with ‘the fake Dark-Guild’ burnt to ashes. The man responsible all but sat with feet dangling off one of the concrete docks. Cigar in hand, the sea breeze, differing from the land breeze, carried with it the salty aroma of the ocean. The life beyond human observation – the aquatic realm. For so reason, the mind wanted to take a break. A peaceful mont of rest, watching and sensing, feeling the world.
“Master,” intervened éclair oblivious by the current mindset.
“Yes?” replied Staxius crushing the cigar onto the slightly damp berth.
“Preparations for ending the Cult are in place.”
“How so?” he asked now stood and retracing the steps.
“The video and information gathered for the last week are ideal to bring their secret to light. The disappearance of people has local public safety in peril.”
“And where might we find the nearest station?”
.....
“At the central district, the station in charge of Earn have sent announcents of the missing people.”
“Oh,” paused to check for survivors, “-Jeen’s Shipping has been taken-over. I’ll go visit the station, anwhile, contact Cake. Phantom needs to acquire the warehouse as well as the private docks.”
“On it, sire,” the line cut.
The capital province of Elendor was divided into 5 districts. The latter was ruled by the district council who were in charge of the villages. Similar to how Hidros ruled by having differing provinces over massive lands – the districts here were of the sa thod though on a smaller scale. The line of command was as so: populous, village leaders, district advisors, district leader, minister(noble of rank Viscount and higher) to the court of Elendor then finally, the Queen. A well-established chain of command unique to how Elendor was managed. Any trouble would be sent in the sa order. If the law was broken, the respective tier would intervene. For example, murder would be managed by the ministers while thieving would be handled by the district leaders. In the case of treason, the court would give primary sentencing to then have the Queen decide whether the punishnt be too lenient or vice-versa.
The village of Earn was located at the edge of the Central District. Thus, upon sprouting wings, Staxius made due Northeast to the city of Asol. The journey took long for a mountain range stood between the village and the City.
Upon the crack of dawn, he arrived rather hastily at the city. Most of the buildings were erect with sun-dried bricks coated with cent. The warm beige color with strong contrasting dark-wood squares. The city itself was built over a canal – the water City of Asol. The towpaths, neat and cleaned around the edges of the waterway gave onto arching bridges to the bigger city. Boats with people inciting others to enter for a nice trip. Contrary to what one might have thought, the city remained odorless. Trading caravans were often spotted alongside the ‘dried’ part of the city. Built over the massive lake of Egoulo, Asol was in every sense of the word, a city. The point of access for the traders remained at the outpost of Conden, at the shallower ends towards the west. Build and made to lock the city in case of an ergency, the gate was the only defense.
‘Beautiful,’ thought he pronading along the elevated paths. Restaurants were obvious in placing their tables and chairs into the open. Visitors would most definitely walk and be slapped by the aroma of the opened style cooking. A lovely view behind, and succulent taste in front, what more could one want.
Hours prior, éclair sent an anonymous tip of the cult’s involvent in Earn. Public safety didn’t respond nor take heed of the information. Crossing multiple bridges, getting lost into dark-alleys, Staxius arrived at the station. A three-story building imdiate to a bridge. People strolling past didn’t bother to stare at the building. The gaze would most often be on the ground. Opposite the station laid an open yard hidden by walls and two rough-looking guardsn.
‘The air feels tight,’ thought he looking to the left. *District Council,* was engraved into a wooden post. Not wasting ti, the door opened with countless n and won halting their activities. Signs above the halls showed where what was. Thus, following the trusty help, he arrived at the helping desk.
“Good morning,” scuffled he who stood listlessly to browse papers littered around.
“Good morning,” returned Staxius sharply.
“How can I help?” the voice felt even more so tireso.
“I have information on the many disappearances in Earn.”
“Information?” he yawned, “-sure, please fill this form. We will contact you later.”
“Surely you jest,” he fired back, “-does thee not realize how valuable my intel is?”
“Sure is,” glossing over what was said, “-fill the form, we’ll contact you.”
“No thanks,” the papers flew across the desk, “-thank you for the worthless help.” Sharp and direct, the man thundered across the building. ‘There’s no way they’ll take seriously.’
“Hey you!” shouted one of the n across the street,”-why did you slam the door behind?” they approached with broad shoulders.
“Because public safety is worthless.”
“Mind your tongue, commoner,” voiced the man loudly, “-there’s no way the words of a pawn is going to be taken seriously. Tis the law of the town of Asol. We have daily reports of more serious happenings. Go apologize to the station.”
“Commoner?” he chuckled.
“Hey!” the man’s eyes spread as if he would eat the man alive, “-such insolence. We’ll have you locked up.”
“Let guess,” ending the enraging laughter, “-Asol works on a class system, the nobles are given priority and such?”
“Yes, you catch on quickly,” they smirked, “-now then, scurry along the path.”
“Oh, that I will,” a step followed by, *smack,* the two guards flew across the street to crash inside the station.
“Hello everyone,” said he ominously stood in the broken-doorway, “-I demand to be compensated for the disrespect I’ve endured.”
“Who the fuck are you?” ca another officer.
“Soone who thee mustn’t address with such familiarity,” *smack,* another punch had the lady land at the sa spot. The stomach-turning sound of bone breaking had heightened their senses.
” ARREST HIM!” scread a superiorly dressed officer. One after the other, people went flying until the supervisors stood as of last. Walls were broken, so thrown into the canal, others hung headfirst into the ceiling.
“Asol is a fun place,” he laughed to grab onto the remaining lady-officer, “-thee live in the age of hierarchy. Thus, my actions are justified,” slowly choking the life out the officer. “-PLEASE, MY LORD, THERE’S NO NEED FOR SLAUGHTER,” rushed another to kneel at his feet.
*BANG,* a sudden push had the officer’s head crack opened, “-INSOLENCE,” yelled the king.
“Enough playti,” voiced a man with a gun, “-you’ve recklessly killed and assaulted people serving for the safety of the populous. It’s ti to give it up, you’ll be killed right here and now.”
“Killed?” a blink later, “-kids should not be playing with guns,” said Staxius now aiming the weapon at the other officers.
“Who are you?” asked the superior officer unbothered by the gun.
“King of Arda, Leader of the Argashield Federation, Staxius Haggard.”
“A-Argas-shield f-federation,” the bravado cut short, “-m-majesty.”
“Yes, I’m he who is known as the Hero King.”
“W-why a-assault us so badly, majesty?” the few remaining prostrated themselves.
“For the simple reason of being ignored. I ca with information of the happenings in Earn, regardless of my station, thee should have taken ti to hear the voice of one of thine people,” emotionless and cold, “-your head will be a most fitting apology.” The king placed his foot atop the head of the supervisor, “-you, and you, co lick my shoe!” pointing to two others, they could but obey.
Just as they were to touch the shoe, he kicked sending them across.
*Present and never changing, present and never yielding. All who wait break and all made are subjected to thine will. I, God of Death, the humble inheritor of thy power; call upon thee to have mine will answered: Ti Control – Reversal.* A green-hemisphere engulfed the building, the cracks and break rebuilt themselves. The people on the verge of death returned to normal, their injuries heal – the few who died were given life anew.
“What happened?” scread one of the officers,”-I’m sure I died!”
“Nothing much,” smiled Staxius, “-does thee understand mine station?” Utterly shaken by the events, so were scared whilst others hurled right where they stood. The man to first raise his gun apologized thoroughly.
Broken to be fixed, the king sat in the company of the supervisor nad Ecual. A man in his late forties with a buff body and grey hair. Other officials were called from the district council.
“Majesty, they have arrived,” said Ecual.
“Thank you,” courteous and diligent, a slideshow displayed the events of Earn. “I’ve co to give my observation of the village. The Krestonian Holy Invasion took a lot from us which is why I’ve endeavored to track the remnants of war. Intel suggested that Kreto otherwise known as Kreton, to have made their way in to Elendor. Therefore, I’ve co to public safety. I want them arrested and put to trial. A quick and painless death isn’t the punishnt for them, especially since the Village leader is involved. The matter goes far deeper than wanting to kill the evil-doers. Thus, advisor of the district council, what does thee propose?”
“It was wise of you,” said a man with glasses and curled blond hair, “-killing the village leader isn’t going to stop the Cult. It would only aggravate their lust at killing,” frequent to touch his glasses, “-Majesty, there’s only one way I think this issue can be resolved.”
“Leaking the ssage to the dia?” asked he rhetorically.
“Yes,” grinned the advisor, “-we can’t take action. Tis the people who elected their leader, and tis their right to fight for the correct cause.”
“Understood, can I count on the support of the public safety and district council?”
“Surely you jest, majesty,” intervened the advisor, “-you have close relations with our monarch. A simple request and the whole cult could be killed without one being the wiser.”
“I suppose so,” he stood, “-the demonstration earlier must have enlightened the officers, isn’t that right, Ecual?” a glance had the officer cough.
“Y-yes majesty.”
Although the killing and destruction were real, Staxius voiced that it was but an illusion spell. Arguing against the word of nobility, let alone the king, would be disrespectful. On that, the ever-flowing city of Asol witnessed the fear of the Hero King.
“Majesty, I’ve noticed sothing,” voiced éclair.
“What is it?” asked he whilst eating along the bank under the nicest restaurant around.
“You’ve grown lesser tactful when it cos to human lives. Thee seem to not care about who dies and who lives. Is everything ok?”
“I suppose so,” elegantly wiping his mouth, “-tis the appearance of Snow. I felt sothing break inside. Who knows really. We’ve successfully destroyed those who imported the narcotics. Lord Elon ntioned a war between the rivaling gangs, a war that concluded so many weeks ago. Snow sent guards to assassinate the other factions. They’re adamant about staining our na in Elendor. There must be other similar plans around the continent.”
“About the Cult,” interjected éclair, “-I have a suspicion of them being tied with Cimier. Else, why would they only go after the ‘tainted’? ”
“Probably to have soone else link the events. The drug being ‘tainted’ thus so are killed. It’s a good plan, associating the DG with the thought of Kreton burning one to the stakes. Too bad, we intervened first.” On that, what was ant to be complete in Earn ca to an end. Staxius would soon return to Lazuli for the confirmation of the contract between Phantom and Elon’s Empire.
anwhile, inside Rotherham, Cake worked tirelessly to acquire Jess’s shipping. Her efforts were trampled by the intervention of another force, another company quicker to jump into the fray. A subsidiary of Kura’s Trading Cooperation stole the property from under her nose.
‘It’s bad. We’re being watched by Patek. The allied company between us and Elon’s Empire might fail before it starts. What a pain...’
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