Chapter 27 We Are Power

After dinner, Dimitri went to the war room. He quickly sent for the soldiers. He stood, backing the door. His dark red long cape brushed against the floor. His eyes sparkled with anticipation; the mere thought that he was going to break out of the chains that had bound him to his father's shadow made him laugh in exhilaration.

"Demon child, thank you for giving me this chance to redeem myself. You will be killed by me." A throaty laugh reverberated from his mouth.

He stretched his hands wide open. His gaze lingered on the mighty black Iron Throne, with a dragon carved on it. The texture of the throne was rough, but its majestic look would leave its beholder in awe.

Dimitri walked towards it with his hands wide apart. "Now I'll rightfully call you mine. You belong to me!" he laughed, tilting his head back, his eyes closed.

The dragon-carved eyes glowed for a moment before they went lifeless again.

A knock thundered against the door. Dimitri brought his hands down. He slowly opened his eyes before straightening his back. He turned around with a powerful flap of his cape. "Come in."

The door flung open, and a group of soldiers in black entered the hall. They went on their knees, bowing their heads down. Their armour clanked against the ground, sending a shock wave through the floor. "Long live the Emperor!" They clasped their fists against their hardware-clad chests.

A small smirk formed on Dimitri's lips. He tilted his head up as he walked towards them. "Rise, my loyal warriors."

The soldiers rose, their expressions stern and brave.

His eyes scanned every single one of their faces. His lips twitched when they landed on Gabriel.

"You all must have heard about the Doom of Star," he spoke slowly, pushing his chest slightly out. "We have located where he is." He walked slowly around them. "We need to eliminate this threat now before it becomes a thorn in our flesh."

The soldiers' expressions didn't change. They looked forward, avoiding eye contact with him. "We are the great Eldenria Empire! We have hunted dragons, we have slain monsters! We have killed demons! And we are the head of all Empires!" Dimitri yelled.

"We are power!"

At his last word, the soldiers hit their swords against their chests. Seeing this reaction, Dimitri's eyes sparkled. That was exactly what he wanted, to boost their morale.

"Tell me, should we be afraid of a demon child?"

"NO!"

"Tell me, should we be afraid of the Land of Skulls?"

"NO!"

"Should we watch our families be destroyed by the demon child because we are scared?"

"NO!"

"We are the head of Empires, the Dragon Slayers! ELDENRIA!" Dimitri's voice deepened, his eyes glowed light blue.

The soldiers hit their swords aggressively against their chests. "ELDENRIA!"

"WHAT SHOULD WE DO?"

"WE FIGHT!"

"ARE WE SCARED?!"

"NO!"

"WHO ARE WE?"

"ELDENRIA!"

"WHAT IS ELDENRIA?"

"POWER!!!"

The clanking of metal against metal caused a shockwave through the air.

"You will depart now." Dimitri stopped in front of Gabriel. "And you, my brother, Gabriel Flamehouse, will have the honour to lead the execution of the Doom of Star."

Gabriel's jaw tightened. He was displeased by the Emperor's decision, but he dared not go against him, especially not when the soldiers' morale was high. He wanted to ask if the high mages knew about this decision, but he kept quiet.

Dimitri grasped his arm, interlocking it into a tight brotherhood handshake. "Eliminate the Doom of Star and bring honour to Eldenria." His eyes locked with Gabriel's.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Gabriel calmly answered.

"You may all return to your homes now. Spend the night with your families. You will depart before the first light," Dimitri said, retracting his hand from Gabriel's.

At his word, a knowing glint flickered through the soldiers' eyes. This mission would cost most of their lives. But they put on a brave look. They gave a last bow before they turned and left.

However, Gabriel remained. "Your Majesty," he began. "Do the high mages know about this decision?" His voice was calm.

"Do I answer to you now?!" Dimitri snapped at him.

"But Your Majesty, the high mages have to be on the same side with you to go on with this plan. They are there to watch and guard your decisions. This can cause you to fall out with them. You are the Emperor of this great empire, but they are your pillars…"

"ENOUGH!"

Dimitri stood just a few inches from him, his eyes glinted with madness as he locked eyes with Gabriel. Gabriel's gaze remained calm, however his fists clenched tightly at his side. "You will not tell me what to do."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for speaking out of turn." Gabriel lowered his head.

"Leave now!" Dimitri flipped his cape aggressively as he turned around, walking towards his throne.

"Yes, Your Majesty." He gave a last bow before he turned around and left.

After the door had shut, Dimitri angrily hit his fist on the armrest. "Gabriel," he drawled. "You are becoming a thorn in my flesh." He sat on his throne with legs apart. He raised his head up. "Guess it's time to pull it out." A cold smirk formed on his lips.

...…..

After Gabriel left the palace, he climbed his brown horse.

"Yahh."

The hooves of the horse thudded against the floor. He stopped in front of a small mansion with a plaque on the entrance. "FLAMEHOUSE."

The servants quickly led the horse away after he unmounted. Without wasting any time, he made his way into the mansion.

"Welcome back, my lord," the servants greeted. One of them stepped forward to remove his cloak.

"Papa!"

A boy ran through the open space towards him. Gabriel squatted down with his arms wide open, his eyes lit up with happiness.

The little boy jumped into his arms. Gabriel lifted him up, swinging him in the air. The little boy squealed in laughter.

Then, he carried him in his arms, planting a kiss on his forehead. "How are you, Olden? Hope you took care of the house before I came back?"

The little boy nodded his head. "I took care of Mama and Lucilian." He pressed a kiss on Gabriel's cheek.

"How was work today?" His cute voice filled the air as Gabriel carried him inside.

"Good," Gabriel replied with a smile. 'Not good. The Emperor must be looking for ways to eliminate me.'