Chapter 64: Can Not Leave Archenshien Any Quicker

During their week's stay in Archenshien Victor and Marshal Bessières were pushed to their breaking point. During the day they explored the city and indulged the Grand Duke's son in some lessons about warfare. By night the acts of brutality did not cease, each night having a more depraved act than the last. 

On the second night, there was a bare-handed fight to the death between a married couple who were caught stealing, the winner was promised food. It was a one-sided thrashing by the husband as he mercilessly beat his wife to a bloody pulp. Victor and Bessières could only grind their teeth and grimace at such savagery.

The third night was similar to the night before, 2 male prisoners were handed kitchen knives and had their left hands tied to each other. Like the previous rewards, the winner was promised food. At the sound of food, the 2 men entered a frenzy of erratic slashes. Silver kitchen knives began to stain red with fresh blood, it flowed and sprayed everywhere until one of the prisoners was able to plunge his knife into the jugular of his opponent.

As each dinner progressed the entertainment became worse and more sickening. The last dinner at the Maldenberg palace had Victor almost use his cutlery to attack the Grand Duke for his madness. Victor lamented not being able to speak up, but as an ambassador for his territory, he could not jeopardise his mission.

The final night's entertainment was beyond foul that it was unimaginable to think of the Maldenberg family as sane people. 4 male prisoners who looked to be about 13 years old were brought before the table. They had been caught vandalising the city walls with anti-Maldenberg propaganda.

A servant brought out a tray with 4 pistols. The rules were simple, 3 of them were loaded and 1 was not. Each prisoner would select a pistol and hold it to their head. The prisoner that survived was granted money and food if they survived as well as a small home in a village nearby. If they failed to comply they would be shot dead by the guards.

Each prisoner walked up to the tray and selected a pistol, they were on the verge of tears, their hands violently shaking. There was a high probability of death and they all feared it. From another perspective, the winner would have to live with the fact that his 3 friends had all died in a game orchestrated by a maniacal ruler.

The Grand Duke arose from his seat and addressed the 4 boys. "Alright little boys, the way this works is simple. When I point at you, you will pull the trigger, take too long to do so and you will be shot dead. As informed earlier the person that lives shall be granted money, food as well as a small home in a village nearby. Any questions?"

All the boys shook their heads in fear of Arthur. With a sinister grin, Arthur began to sway his arm side to side, building anticipation for who would be first in his twisted game. Finally choosing his first victim the boy at the left end was selected.

The small boy with sandy and scruffy hair was as pale as a ghost, his hand could not keep the pistol steady against the side of his skull. Tears began to roll down his eyes while he took fast short breaths. Realising that delaying any longer would result in a guaranteed death the boy slowly pulled down on the trigger. Bang! The boy's pistol fired and he dropped to the floor in an instant. Fragments of his skull and brains splattered on the floor.

His fellow prisoners could not hold back their tears and horror, even Victor and Marshal Bessières were mortified. A literal child just blew his brains out, to the cheers of a sadistic family.

Continuing his showmanship, Arthur once again swayed his arm from side to side. The next boy selected was the one in between the other two. He had a shaved head and grey eyes. Trembling in fear the boy put his pistol. He was hyperventilating, fear took over his body and made him petrified. 

Not complying with the rules, the boy had taken too long. With a nod from Arthur, a guard stepped forward and executed the boy without any hesitation. His heart was pierced by the guard's bayonet. Did the guard feel no guilt or shame in killing the child? Evidently not, as his expression did not change throughout the murder.

It now came down to the final 2 boys. Each of them held their pistols to the side of their heads. They would both fire at the same time, one of them would live while the other would die. The Duke was relishing this moment, truly embracing the showmanship aspect of it, performing for his family and guests, it was psychotic. 

Together the boys accepted their fate and both pulled the triggers. Sadly for the boys, both of their pistols were loaded. Simultaneously the boy's lifeless bodies dropped to the floor. Blood, brains and bodies littered the floor of the dining room.

Victor could not believe it. Did the Grand Duke lie about there being an empty pistol? The Grand Duke walked up to the body of the prisoner who was executed and grabbed his pistol. In a bizarre act, the Grand Duke pointed the pistol to his head and pulled the trigger with no hesitation.

There was no loud bang nor did the Grand Duke collapse. It turned out that the boy who was too scared to pull the trigger had the only pistol which was not loaded. If the poor boy had followed through with the game he would have lived.

Victor was sick to his stomach, 4 boys died tonight and yet the people at the table excluding himself and Bessières were loving the scene that unfolded before them. Arthur turned to the table and took an exaggerated bow before addressing the people at the table.

"What a great form of entertainment. A grand finale for our guests who shall be leaving us. I hope you gentlemen have enjoyed this as much as we have. You must surely visit again so we can continue the fun alongside you." 

Victor and Marshal Bessières continued what they had been doing for every dinner, forcefully smiling and nodding. Victor had to bite his tongue before he said something that could anger the Maldenberg family, but Marshal Bessières began to speak.

"I thank you Grand Duke Maldenberg for such wonderful hospitality, I know my lord would agree that we have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Archenshien. It is truly regrettable we have to leave so soon right my lord?"

With Marshal Bessières's words managed to snap Victor out of his murderous thoughts. Not wanting to seem rude Victor replied, "You are quite right. It is a shame that we have to leave you and your family so soon Grand Duke Maldenberg but we shall definitely plan to visit again."

The Grand Duke brandished a cheery smile and the Maldenberg family seemed to believe fake sincerity in their words. The dinner could not have finished any quicker after that otherwise Victor would have done something regrettable. 

Finally, morning came and the Luxenberg party set out to continue their tour.