While Luna reported back to her father, Douglas and even Leo who was taking part in such major decisions General Anya discreetly made her way into a quiet yet well preserved mansion within the nobles district.
After crossing the threshold however two blades quickly found their way before her neck, threatening to sever her head from her shoulders.
"It's me." Anya pulled off her cloak and revealed her appearance as well as her badge of identity. The two blades immediately halted in place upon hearing her voice, leaving a narrow trickle of blood leaking from the General's neck. A moment later she truly would have been left without a head.
"Damn the shadow guards really live up to their reputation." Anya rubbed her wounded neck, feeling the hairs on the back of her head standing upright.
"Must you test their skills every time you return, at this rate there's going to be an accident." The voice of a middle-aged man appeared from the surroundings, but no figure revealed themselves.
"Of course I do, can't have your men and women growing lax when it comes to her highness' safety." General Anya provocatively smiled as her eyes fiercely scanned the area in an attempt to find the person who spoke.
The initial two shadow guards however sheathed their blades and immediately returned to their hidden state, taking no offence to Anya's testing.
"Though you're not bad and still have room for improvement you should give up. Unless I want you to find me you'll never see my form General." The middle-aged man's voice spoke out once more with a playful tone, finding Anya's fire rather entertaining.
"...Haaaaa I'm still too weak."
"Yes, you are."
Anya's expression turned despondent as she walked into the mansion seeking to meet with the princess. Though her journey inside was without incident every hallway, room and roof held a shadow guard who watched her every movement like a hawk. The pressure was rather unbearable for her but after enduring for a while she'd gotten used to it and even thankful for it.
With such impenetrable defences even a group of A-rank assassins would fail to cross into the mansion's core regions, dying practically at the door.
Eventually Anya arrived before the mansion's master bedroom. She took a moment to compose herself and don a more cheerful expression.
"Princess, Anya has returned from her mission." She spoke through the door before gently opening it but even with her careful movements the young woman inside still flinched, her body shivering from pure fear.
At this sight Anya couldn't help but feel heartbroken, she rushed to the woman's side and took hold of her hands, attempting to alleviate her fear.
"I'm fine Anya, it's just a physical reaction." The woman who was trembling quickly pulled away her hands, hiding them behind her dress as she donned an awkward smile.
"Your highness." General Anya only felt worse upon seeing her act brave. "You've been through a severe trauma, there's nothing wrong with being afraid."
"When there's no real danger present there is Anya, being a woman of war you should know the difference between effective fear and debilitating fear."
"Haaaaa you always expect too much of yourself."
"I'm a Princess, I should always lead by example." General Anya could only sigh and shake her head upon hearing Princess Avira's stubborn attitude.
"Monster." He wouldn't even spare his mother claiming that it would cruel to have her live without her husband.
"Kill this old fool for me, then we'll handle my mother and that treasonous bitch of a sister!"
"Randolph!!!!" Franz roared and grabbed his weapon, fighting against the pain rampaging throughout his body. He'd deal with this calamity before it could harm anyone else. Alas he and what remained of his shadow guards were truly outmatched.
As the melee began and blood splattered across the room Franz noticed movement from a nearby shadow. Seeing this he grit his teeth and shook his head causing the shadow to flicker but a moment later as though understanding something it became still once again. Experience more tales on mvl
"Puahhh!!"
"Finally the old goat is dead." Randolph felt a wave of pure triumph as he saw his once powerful father slide down the edge of his subordinate's sword.
"You know what to do."
"Yes my liege." One of the A-rank dark soldiers replied with a respectful bow before ordering a couple subordinates to help set the scene. Sedrick would be taking the blame for this 'atrocity.'
"The rest of you follow me to continue the purge."
"By your will Emperor Randolph."
As this was going on a man dressed in a black tunic dashed through the shadows with tears streaming from his face.
"Don't worry your majesty I will ensure princess Avira's safety then I will join on the long road to the underworld." This man was the head of the shadow guards, the Emperor's strongest and most loyal bodyguard.
It was him who was within the shadow earlier and it was him who the Emperor ordered to not interfere rather having him follow the original plan. Despite the pain it caused him to not fight by his liege's side he obeyed his last orders, to protect the Princess and ensure her safety.
The Royal palace was in violent turmoil, fires ran rampant, comrades fought against comrades, blood drenched the once hallowed halls and a stench of death lingered in the air. This was coup and a particularly violent one at that.
"For Emperor Randolph!!!"
"Kill the betrayers!!!"
Those loyal to Franz were few in number but each of them were willing to throw down their lives and throw them down they did.
Randolph's forces bulldozed through the Emperor's retainers with blazing determination leave a field of bodies in their wake.
It had gotten so loud and violent that even those dwelling within the back palace were alerted and their worst fears were brought to light the moment the head of the shadow guards, Dartanan arrived with his face in tears.
"My lady Empress, my Princess I'm sorry the worst has happened, I need to see you to safety immediately." It was like a bomb went off in Amelia's and Avira's hearts, tears streamed down their faces as great despair and sorrow overwhelmed them.