CH 132

The soldier guarding the border post was trembling. “Halt!” He cried. What little rationality he had left screamed that he must be out of his mind. He knew it to be true. Why else would he think to order the Emperor 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 couldn’t blame them.

When news spread of the empire’s impending conquest over the dukedom of Etia, villagers in the surrounding areas had immediately gathered their things and left. There was a peculiarity to the emperor’s conquests. Cities and villages which the imperial army marched through in enemy territories generally faced varying fates. While some places were left untouched, the next town over might be razed to the ground and all its citizens slaughtered. There was no apparent rhyme or reason as to how the emperor chose his targets, nor was it necessary to understand. The imperial army was formed to carry out the emperor’s will. Limbs weren’t required to think, they simply needed to execute the head’s commands.

As the marching imperial invaders came to a stop, the man leading at the forefront continued onwards until his steed came 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 name,” the man ordered.

The guard flinched. Name? Why was the man asking for his name? 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 guard’s face. The empire had formally declared war against Etia a week before, and he’d sent notice to clear the way or face their end. For those that remained, it meant that they chose death. He admitted the guard’s 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 wasn’t 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 methods 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 numerous ships, which offered many opportunities for work. The impoverished would gather in the city, and Etia was said to particularly welcome the children among them.

“I heard you’ll receive food if you go to Etia! And a place to sleep!”

“The Grand Duke said he’d look after all children!”

Many homeless and orphaned children made their way to Etia with hope in their hearts, and were ecstatic to learn the rumors were true! Etia welcomed them with open arms, offering delicious meals and warm beds. The wariness of the starved children was eased, and they placed their trust in the dukedom. With time, 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 time 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 name,” 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. It’s the same name 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 immediately. ‘No. Kill him.’ There was no trace of the voice’s previous mirth. There was only immeasurable hatred.

Estian spurred his steed, whose lineage hailed from the finest pedigree in the empire, and it responded immediately to its master’s desires. The emperor swung his sword as he’d done tens of thousands of times before. An arc of blood swished through the air. The guard’s decapitated head rolled on the ground, before coming to a stop within the borders of Etia. At that moment, the entire imperial army resumed their advance. And so, the war had begun.

* * *

At the same moment, another war had begun inside the Ailsa Casino. The host had announced the start of the “glorious first game,” 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 something strange in the air. When their eyes fell on Princess Yuliana, they were overcome with the desire to offer up everything they owned, but when turning to the empress, they’d 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 Yuliana’s bosom.