Chapter 16 The Chaos In The City

As soon as Alfred was appointed the Crown Prince, he began familiarizing himself with the duties that he would have to undertake before he became the kingdom's ruler.

He knew that there was a lot to learn before taking the throne.

He started by reading all the books and documents he could get his hands on about the history of his nation.

He spent hours with the advisors, discussing policies, and understanding the nuances of governance.

Alfred knew that he couldn't do it all alone. He needed people he could trust to help him govern his nation.

So, he started looking at the information about various nobles in the kingdom.

He wanted to identify those who shared his vision for the nation and bring them into his inner circle.

He spent hours studying their backgrounds and talking to his advisors seeking their advice.

He knew that some of the nobles would be reluctant to join him, so he decided to meet them in person.

He traveled to different parts of his nation, meeting with nobles, and talking to them about his vision for the future.

He wanted to assure them that he was committed to the betterment of the nation.

Alfred also knew that he had to be patient. He couldn't rush things, and he had to let things take their natural course.

Alfred's dedication to his duty and his commitment to his nation did not go unnoticed.

The people began to see him as a responsible leader who was committed to their well-being.

The nobles too started to take notice of him, and many of them began to support him.

...

Prince Edward had always harbored ambitious aspirations.

Moreover, his longing for power and influence intensified after his father's health began to decline and his younger brother, Felix, who was supposed to be in line for the throne, passed away.

Despite being the eldest son, Edward was convinced by Felix's appointment as the Crown Prince, as he was a truly talented and charismatic individual.

However, with Felix's untimely death, Edward was left feeling unsatisfied, especially as the unknown younger brother, Alfred, was named the new Crown Prince instead of him.

One day, Prince Edward received a message from a group of cultists who worshiped an unorthodox god known as the God of Shadows.

They offered to help him secure the throne if he would agree to certain conditions.

At first, Edward was hesitant, but his ambition got the better of him, and he agreed to meet with the cultists.

Prince Edward walked through the dimly lit alleyways, his mind racing with thoughts of power and dominance.

He had always been envious of his younger brother, Alfred, and the attention he received from their father.

It was time for Edward to make his move and take what he believed was rightfully his.

The meeting took place in a secluded part of the city, As he walked, a shadowy figure appeared from the darkness.

Edward recognized him immediately as the leader of the cult that worshipped the God of Shadow.

They had been rumored to possess dark powers that could aid them in battle and assassination.

The cult leader bowed to Edward and began speaking in hushed tones. "Your Highness, we have been waiting for you. Our lord, the God of Shadow, has shown us a vision to support you on the throne. We are willing to help you achieve your destiny."

Edward listened intently, his eyes widening as the cult leader outlined his plan.

In return for their help, Edward promised to give the cultists his support for their religious practices and the establishment of their temple in the imperial capital.

He knew that the cultists can have a considerable influence in the kingdom, and their support could help him solidify his position as the crown prince.

He agreed to their conditions, and the deal was struck.

Little did he know that his actions would have dire consequences for the people of the kingdom and his own family.

...

Days went by, and the people of the Imperial City began to notice a sudden increase in criminal activities, from petty theft to violent attacks.

The streets were no longer safe, and the citizens lived in constant fear.

The Imperial Guard tried to keep order, but they were overwhelmed by the surge in crime.

Alfred, the Crown Prince, took notice of the situation and decided to investigate the matter.

He summoned the head of the Imperial Guard, General Fernando, to his chambers in the Imperial Palace.

"General Fernando, I have received reports of a surge in criminal activities in the city. What is the situation like?" Alfred asked, with a tone of concern.

"It's bad, Your Highness. The number of incidents has increased tenfold in the last few weeks. We are doing our best to keep the streets safe, but we are stretched thin," General Fernando replied, looking weary.

"Do you have any leads on the source of the problem?" Alfred asked.

"We have been investigating, but we haven't found any concrete evidence yet. It's as if the criminals have become bolder and more organized," General Fernando said.

"I see. Keep me updated on the situation. I want to know as soon as you have any leads," Alfred said, dismissing the General.

Alfred knew that something was amiss, and he suspected that Prince Edward might be involved.

He had always been wary of his elder brother and knew that he would stop at nothing to gain what he wanted.

...

Meanwhile, the crime rate continued to rise, and the citizens grew increasingly restless.

They demanded action from the Imperial Palace, and some even began to blame Alfred for not doing enough to keep the city safe. T

he situation was getting out of hand, and Alfred knew that he had to act fast before it spiraled out of control.

The once-peaceful streets of the Imperial City were now filled with the loud voices of angry citizens.

They were shouting, demanding that something be done about the recent state of unrest that had taken hold of the city.

Prince Edward stood on his balcony, overlooking the chaos below.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the sight.

With the help of the cultists, he succeeded in making the people believe that Alfred was to blame for all the problems that plagued the city.

The prince smiled to himself, thinking about how easy it had been to manipulate the people.

He knew that his brother was a capable ruler, but he had always been envious of his position.

Edward had always believed that he was the rightful heir to the throne, and he was willing to do anything to make that a reality.

Alfred knew that he had to do something to quell the unrest.

He held meetings with his advisors, trying to come up with a solution.

But no matter what he did, it seemed that things were still getting worse.

Edward looking at this scene smiled to himself, thinking about the power that would soon be his.

He had always been ambitious, but now, more than ever, he was determined to do whatever it took to become the kingdom's ruler.

...

Maximus sat at his desk, reading a report detailing the recent chaos that had taken over the Imperial Capital.

He frowned deeply as he read about the abnormal increase in crime rates and the unrest that had taken hold of the city.

Summoning Phantom, he instructed him to investigate the situation.

Days passed as the Phantom Group worked tirelessly to uncover the truth.

And finally, their report arrived on Maximus' desk.

His eyes scanned the words quickly, as he read the details of Prince Edward's collusion with the cultists.

Rage filled him as he remembered the pain and loss he had suffered at the hands of cultists.

He knew that he could not allow them to go unpunished.

But he also knew that he could not intervene directly. He was not yet strong enough to take on the cultists alone.

Instead, he composed a unanimous letter to the current ruler, Magnus, detailing the situation.

He knew that it was the best course of action.

As he sealed the letter and handed it off to his messenger.

He knew that there was more that he could do, but he was too lazy to bother.

All he could do was wait and hope that the king would take swift and decisive action.