Kapitel 15: Chapter 15: The Hero

Perseus POV

It wasn't long before the truth came to light, the king who had arrived with his entourage was nothing more than a body double. As the accusations flew, the false king grew increasingly agitated, his protests falling on deaf ears as the slaves demanded answers.

"I am the king!" he insisted, his voice tinged with desperation as he struggled to maintain his facade in front of the stubborn unrelenting chants of the slaves.

But the rebels were not convinced, their anger and frustration boiling over as they confronted the impostor before them. With the duchess held hostage as leverage, they threatened to harm her unless the false king relented and revealed the truth.

He was indeed a false king and would try to get the actual king to come or at least send a representative from royalty.

In the chambers of the royal palace, King Aldric Maximilian Aurelius Hawk III of the Southern Empire met with his closest advisors, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation and they were faced with a critical decision, how to quash the uprising and maintain his iron grip on the throne without looking weak.

With a steely resolve, King Aldric turned to his trusted advisors.

"I want the full force of our magical arsenal unleashed upon these insolent slaves," he declared, his voice laced with a hint of hostility, "Crush their rebellion and leave no stone unturned until order is restored."

As his advisors nodded in agreement, the king's gaze hardened with determination. He knew that the stakes were high, any hint of weakness would only embolden the rebels and threaten his hold on power.

If the rebels dared to raise a hand against his appointed body double, it could be construed as an act of treason against the crown, a crime punishable by the most severe of penalties.

And if harm were to befall his beloved sister, the duchess, during the chaos of battle, King Aldric knew exactly where the blame would fall. The rebels would be held accountable for her suffering, their actions painted as nothing less than a direct assault on the royal family itself.

As King Aldric pondered the uprising and the threat it posed to his reign, a cold calculation settled over his thoughts. The descendants of Wyatt, though possessing unique abilities and talents, had long been little more than tools to be exploited for the kingdom's gain.

Their contributions, while significant, were ultimately replaceable. Gathering precious materials from the depths of the earth and sea was indeed a vital task, but it was one that could be delegated to prisoners and other laborers without the need for special abilities or considerations.

In the eyes of the king, the slaves had outlived their usefulness. Their rebellion served as a convenient pretext to rid the kingdom of their troublesome presence once and for all. With a callous disregard for their humanity, King Aldric saw fit to sacrifice their lives in service of his own ambitions.

In his mind, the end always justified the means. And if eliminating the slaves meant securing his grip on power and maintaining the status quo, then so be it. For in the ruthless game of politics and power, sentimentality had no place.

To demonstrate his authority and strike fear into the hearts of his opposition, King Aldric planned a display of ruthless power that would leave no doubt as to who held sway in the Southern Empire.

Firstly, he would unleash the full might of his military forces, deploying them with brutal efficiency to crush the rebellion and quell any dissent with overwhelming force. The streets would run red with the blood of those who dared to defy him, serving as a chilling warning to any who dared to challenge his rule.

Additionally, King Aldric would order the execution of captured rebels in a public spectacle, broadcasting their demise as a stark reminder of the consequences of rebellion. Their bodies would be displayed as grim trophies, serving as a grim deterrent to any who might consider following in their footsteps.

*****

As King Aldric retreated from the heated discussions of the court, he sought solace in the tranquility of the palace gardens. The scent of blooming flowers and the gentle rustle of leaves offered a brief respite from the weight of his responsibilities.

Yet, his moment of solitude was short-lived, for he soon found himself joined by his youngest son, Prince Cedric. The disappointment was visibly etched upon the king's face.

"Father," Cedric began, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "will you not consider sparing the slaves? Surely there must be another way to resolve this conflict. After all, they have been suffering too long for one person's mistake."

The king's disappointment deepened at his son's words, in his eyes, there was no room for mercy or compromise, only the ruthless pursuit of power and the preservation of the kingdom's stability.

"Please, Father," he insisted, his voice trembling with emotion, "I cannot stand by and watch as countless lives are needlessly sacrificed. Surely there must be another way, a path that does not lead to further bloodshed and suffering."

"Cedric," the king replied, "I understand your desire for peace, but we cannot afford to show weakness in the face of rebellion. The stability of the kingdom hangs in the balance, and sacrifices must be made to ensure its survival. The seer said that the hero has been born, and we must prepare a great place to welcome them in."

"We cannot continue down this path of violence and oppression. There must be a way to find common ground and forge a new future for our people."

"Then, you are a fool, Cedric."

*****

Cedric POV

On one hand, I understood the weight of his responsibilities as king and the necessity of maintaining order in the face of rebellion. But on the other hand, I couldn't shake the feeling that there must be another way, a path that didn't require the sacrifice of innocent lives.

I was the hero that everyone had been waiting for, destined to bring about great change and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. But the gods had decreed that I could only reveal my true identity when I contributed majorly to an important event.

I can declare myself now and have the holy son verify it, but...I've got no choice, I'll have to. I can't let them die in vain.