chapter 34

Chapter 34

The sun could hardly pierce the cloudy veil over Velka, projecting a pale light onto the black stone walls of the palace. The city, once vibrant to the rhythm of Velka's nobles, had turned into a military fortress. Sky's banners were now floating on the towers, the black phoenix embroidered with silver spreading its majestic wings.

In the great courtroom, Elion stood on a ebony throne adorned with silver runes. The room, once decorated with tapestries and gilding, had been emptied of its useless ornaments. Only the flickering flames of the torches lit up the place, casting dancing shadows on the rough stone walls.

Veyla stood by his side, a tapered dagger in her hand. His silvery eyes watched the room with calculated coldness. In front of them, three men on their knees, their hands tied behind their backs, trembled under the weight of oppressive silence.

Elion bowed his head slightly, his golden gaze piercing the oldest of the three prisoners.

"Your name."

The man raised his head with difficulty. He wore a worn-out linen tunic, his face marked by age and fear.

"Baron Hedric of Velka, Lord of the Western Lands."

Elion watched him for a moment in silence.

"You raised an army against me."

"I..." Hedric ravala saliva. "I had no choice..."

"No choice?" Elion slowly stood up, his black cape slipping behind him as he walked down the steps of the throne. "You mobilized your troops after pledging allegiance to Sky. You betrayed your oath."

"It was a mistake!" cried Hedric. "I was influenced by..."

Elion raised his hand. Silence immediately fell back into the room.

"An apology will not change reality."

He stopped right in front of Hedric, dominating him from all his height.

"The law of Sky is clear: betrayal is punishable by death."

The other two men agitated, their breathing accelerating.

"Please, Lord Elion!" cried the second man, a young black-haired nobleman. "We can still serve Sky!" We can redeem ourselves!"

Elion stared at him coldly.

"Can you still serve Sky?"

A cold smile appeared on his lips.

"Show me."

He snapped his fingers. Two Knights of Sky came forward, dragging a large black blade between them.

"You have a chance to prove your loyalty," said Elion. "Kill Hedric, here and now."

The young nobleman's eyes widened.

"What...?"

Elion crossed his arms.

"If you want to live, show me your loyalty." Kill the traitor."

The young man trembled. His eyes passed from Hedric to Elion, then to the sword laid before him.

"I... I can't..."

Elion smiled.

- "In this case..."

With a quick gesture, Elion unsheathed his black sword. A wave of black Ki sprang from the blade, enveloping the room with suffocating pressure.

In a split second, he slit the young nobleman's throat. The body collapsed heavily on the stone floor, with blood flowing slowly between the slabs.

The third prisoner, a middle-aged man, screamed in terror. Hedric himself fell backwards, his hands trembling.

"I don't accept weakness." said Elion coldly.

He turned to Hedric.

"You still have a chance."

Hedric looked terrified at him.

"Me...?"

Elion bowed his head slightly.

"Show me your loyalty."

A knight of Sky handed Hedric a dagger.

Hedric grabbed her with trembling hands.

"I... I can't..."

Elion sighed.

"Then die."

With a simple gesture, Elion projected a wave of black Ki. Hedric screamed as energy seeped into his body, reducing it to a puddle of ashes.

The last man fell to his knees in tears.

"Pity... I'll do whatever you want!"

Elion approached him, squatting at his height.

"Everything?"

"Yes... I swear loyalty to Sky! I will serve you!"

Elion put a hand on the man's head.

"Good. Then prove it."

The Knight of Sky handed the man a dagger.

"Kill him." Elion pointed to Hedric's still-hot body.

The man hesitated, his breath ran out. Then, slowly, he picked up the dagger. He approached the corpse and planted the blade in the heart without a word.

Elion stood up.

"You live. For now."

He turned away, slowly climbing the steps of the throne.

- "Integrate him into the Black Legion. If he fails his first test..."

Veyla smiled.

"He will die."

A few hours later, Elion was in the strategic room, surrounded by his captains. A large map of the kingdom was unfurled in front of him, marked by symbols representing the various neighboring baronies and duchies.

Eridan stood to his right, his face grave.

The neighboring barons are beginning to mobilize their forces. The capture of Velka caused a political imbalance."

Elion studied the card in silence.

"Who is the weakest?"

"The Barony of Halstad," replied Veyla. "But it is under the protection of the Duke of Lorcan."

Elion slowly tapped the edge of the map.

" The Duke of Lorcan "

He turned to Eridan.

"Prepare the Black Legion. Within three weeks, we are marching on Halstad."

Eridan smiled.

"Should I send a diplomatic message?"

Elion had a cold smile.

"No. I'd rather they didn't expect it."

Veyla approached, her silvery eyes shining in the darkness.

"What shall we do with the Duke of Lorcan?"

"We will force him to choose," Elion replied. "Submission... or annihilation."

Eridan bowed deeply.

"Glory to the King of Sky."

Elion smiled back.

"Yes... glory to the king."

In the silent room, only the glow of the flames lit up Elion's dark face, while the fate of the kingdom continued to weave under his hands.