Chapter 21: Between The King And The Saint.
Rasputin created a mark on his hand and said,
"Princess, I have some questions to ask you. Would you mind accepting this mark to ensure a fair interrogation?"
He approached the princess. Minerva looked at his eyes and subconsciously took a step back. This man was not good.
"Stop."
Melida appeared between him and Minerva. She was well aware of his intentions.
"I will mark her."
She looked at his hand and copied the mark. Minerva was relieved.
The mark extinguished. He looked at Melida and said,
"Very well."
Melida placed her hand on Minerva's forearm. It stung for a bit, but the pain subsided.
"Shall we begin?"
"Go ahead."
Rasputin looked at the princess and asked,
"Princess, did you find this seal from someone belonging to the church of Malen?"
"Yes."
Nothing happened.
"Where did you find it?"
"In a small, destroyed village named Sinclaire."
Nothing happened. She wasn't lying.
"At first, were you suspicious of someone?"
"Yes."
Rasputin smiled.
"Who was the person you suspected?"
Rasputin came closer to her and asked,
"Answer me, princess."
Rasputin stared straight into her eyes.
Minerva didn't look away. Her previous suspicions meant little.
"My father."
She had to speak the truth.
The ministers looked in the king's direction. This was the Princess, not some outsider.
"But he cleared those accusations with swift action. He found the real culprit behind this mess, the pope."
Minerva didn't know that the pope had been tested before her.
"You are wrong, princess. The pope has already been proven innocent."
She looked towards Benedict, who showed her his mark.
Rasputin looked towards Gaius and said,
"I will have to test you, Gaius."
Everyone stood up. Marking a King was heresy.
"Rasputin, do you know what you are asking?"
Trajan was done with this saint. How dare he even think about branding his majesty?
"In the eyes of the Gods, every man is equal. And when a sin is committed, Gods Demand Justice!"
He stomped the ground with nothing but raw strength. A crack formed on the floor, and it stopped after reaching the feet of the King.
"If you are innocent, then you have nothing to fear."
Nero looked at his father. Gaius looked back at his son.
Nero was about to come forward and plead guilty, but Gaius raised his hand.
"It was my greed that brought me here."
His choice to weaken the church had brought his ruin. Without his actions, Rasputin wouldn't have been here.
He stood up from his throne and said,
"I plead guilty."
If he didn't do it, his progeny would have to suffer. He loved his son dearly and was ready to sacrifice himself to save him. His son had made a mistake, but he was the one that tried to exploit that to his advantage. He had failed his kingdom. He could have never expected the church of the four gods to be involved. They had remained away from Malen for centuries.
Melida looked at Gaius. She had been working with him for decades. This revelation was not a surprise. On many occasions, he had been rash. She was disappointed, but this had been coming.
He took his crown off and placed it on the throne.
Rasputin approached him and said,
"Gaius Augustus, You are a King that has used his power to sin. You are a person that colluded with a heretic and blamed an innocent messenger of god for it. Do you accept your punishment?"
If he accepted this, he could be sent into exile. But if he didn't, Rasputin would use the church to annex Malen. He didn't want his subjects to die for his mistakes.
"I accept my punishment."
"Then I, Saint Rasputin, representing the Church of 4 gods, Sentence you to..."
Everyone took a deep breath in.
"Death."
Everyone gasped, except for Gaius. He raised his head and looked at Rasputin, who was smiling in his vanity.
Trajan jumped in front of the King. His eyes were red, and his sword drawn.
"If you want to get to the king, you would have to pass through me."
"Trajan, walk away."
Gaius whispered. No one else had to die.
"I am not going to let this happen!"
It was his loyalty that compelled him to stand for his king and the guilt that made him defy orders. He was the one that had suggested Gaius take action against the church after all.
Rasputin chuckled.
Trajan was agitated by this. He used his sword to strike. toward's his neck.
Rasputin saw this futile attempt and said,
"Fine."
He dodged Trajan's sword strike and placed a single finger on his chest.
<<Disintegrate>>
A dark element spell. Trajan had tried to intervene and throw off his mana, but he was too late.
He collapsed on the ground. His heart turned into dust.
Gaius twitched. His most trusted minister, now dead. He couldn't do anything about it.
"Anyone else that wants to join him?"
No one was going to intervene.
He took a step forward. Minerva was about to get on her knees and ask him to spare her father's life. Gaius raised his head, and his heart sank.
Nero and Minerva were the closest to him. It was apparent what effect the news of his imminent death had done on them.
He took a deep breath in and roared,
"Minerva!"
She looked towards her father. The veins in his eyes were visible.
"Do you dare to look so helpless? Raise your head, You are the princess of Malen!"
He might not be the King now, but his children were still nobility.
Minerva was stunned. Her father expected her to know better and remain strong. She picked herself back up and stood tall.
Nero walked in between the King and the Saint.
"Do you intend to fight me as well?"
Rasputin readied his finger.
"I will do it."
Nero said calmly. He wasn't asking. The calmness of his voice did not mask his heartache.
"You will kill your father?"
Nero looked back at Gaius and said,
"I will do it."
Rasputin was amused.
"Be my guest."
Nero approached the throne. It was within his reach now. It was finally his to claim. Before he could take over, he had to finish one task. He took his father's space bag and open it. Inside, a large ax which had been passed down by the generations as the royal weapon of Malen.
Nero picked up the ax. It was extremely heavy.
He stood in front of his father. The portrait that he had painted was close to becoming the reality.
"Father."
A single tear dripped down his face. Many considered that drop to be out of sadness, but no one understood that this was the happiest Nero had ever been.
He slowly whispered.
"I hope your soul would find peace."
He raised the ax.
His face was barely expressing anything.
"I will take care of the kingdom."
The ministers watched. Melida averted her eyes. Minerva fainted. Trajan lay dead just a few steps far. And the Saint looked on as he watched a king be executed.
The Axe came down. The King was slain.
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