Kapitel 38: Chapter 38: Nemesis
The banquet hall was alive with chatter and the clinking of goblets as Avalon's finest gathered to celebrate the long-awaited return of Princess Asake. Laughter echoed through the grand chamber, but Commander Boyka sat at the far end of the hall, detached from the revelry. He stared at the golden goblet before him, filled to the brim with wine, yet untouched.
His thoughts weighed heavy on him, even amidst the grandeur of the occasion.
"I've been drifting from my reality," Boyka muttered to himself, careful not to let the words escape his lips. "To everyone here, it may seem like I have it all. I am a commander, a conqueror, a protector of this land. But in truth..." He sighed deeply, letting the weight of his loneliness sink further into his heart.
The banquet, no matter how lively, felt distant to him. The grandeur of the occasion only served to amplify the emptiness he carried. "The loneliness," he thought, "it lingers like an unwelcome guest, quaking further inside me."
He clenched his jaw and glanced around the room. "At times, I have no one to share these thoughts with," he continued silently. "No one who could truly understand the darkness within me." A flicker of doubt crept into his mind. "And if I were to open this canopy of secrets, would they not judge me? Would they not recoil at the truths I carry?"
His gaze shifted briefly to Princess Asake, seated beside the emperor, her radiant presence a beacon in the room. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to wonder, "Would she ever truly understand me? Would she see the man behind the title of conqueror?"
The title weighed heavily on him. It wasn't just a name; it was a legacy, a symbol of power and fear. "To be named the conqueror," he thought bitterly, "is to be forever bound by expectations I can never escape."
His grim musings were interrupted as the emperor rose from his seat, silencing the room with a commanding presence. Boyka shook himself free of his thoughts, sitting straighter as the emperor prepared to speak.
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"Citizens of Avalon," Emperor Morris began, his voice resonating through the hall. "It fills my heart with great joy to see so many of you gathered here tonight. This banquet is a testament to the resilience and unity of our people. It is a day of celebration, for we have triumphed over the forces that sought to divide us."
The room erupted into applause, but the emperor raised his hand, calling for silence.
"As you all know, we are here to celebrate the safe return of my beloved daughter, Princess Asake," he continued, his voice softening as he glanced at her. "Her abduction brought dark days upon this kingdom. But today, we celebrate her freedom and her return to us."
The crowd cheered again, their voices filling the hall with thunderous approval.
"We are also here," the emperor added, his tone growing solemn, "to honor the soldiers who gave their lives to bring her back. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Tonight, we remember their courage and their devotion to Avalon."
The emperor paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, before settling on Boyka. "Most importantly, I must give thanks to my loyal commander, Boyka. Without his leadership, his bravery, and his sacrifice, none of this would have been possible."
Boyka stiffened as the room erupted into cheers once more. He gave a small nod of acknowledgment but kept his expression neutral.
The emperor continued, his voice laced with emotion. "I remember vividly the events that brought us to this moment. Today could have been a day of mourning, had it not been for our strength as a people. We faced betrayal from within—betrayal that cut deep. Abbadon, a man I once trusted with the safety of our kingdom, chose treachery over loyalty. He conspired with traitors to overthrow me, and in doing so, he brought harm to my family and to Avalon."
The mention of Abbadon's name sent a ripple of unease through the crowd. Whispers spread like wildfire, and the air grew heavy with tension.
The emperor's expression darkened. "He had my daughter abducted, seeking to weaken me and divide this kingdom. But we stood strong. Together, we overcame his schemes, and today, we emerge victorious."
The hall erupted into applause once more, but this time, it was tempered with an underlying tension.
The emperor raised his hand again, signaling for quiet. "But the work is not yet done," he said. "Abbadon may have been defeated, but his treachery runs deep. Among us still are those who conspired with him, traitors who sought to undermine the crown."
A hush fell over the room. The officials seated near the emperor exchanged uneasy glances, each wondering if their name would be among those called out.
"I will now name those who remain loyal to Abbadon," the emperor declared, his voice cold and unyielding.
The tension in the hall was palpable. The air seemed to grow heavier, and the flickering light of the chandeliers cast ominous shadows across the faces of the gathered officials.
Suddenly, a small group of officials rose from their seats and attempted to leave the hall. Their movements were quick and furtive, but they drew the attention of Boyka, who had been watching the room closely.
"Where are you going?" Boyka called out, his voice sharp and commanding.
The officials hesitated, visibly startled. "We… we need to retrieve something from outside the palace," one of them stammered. "A package the emperor requested."
Boyka's eyes narrowed. "You lie," he said simply. He gestured to his guards, who quickly surrounded the group, blocking their exit.
Before anyone could react further, a loud bang echoed through the hall. Chaos erupted as a group of rogue soldiers loyal to Abbadon burst into the room, their weapons drawn. They fired toward Boyka, but his quick reflexes and the swift action of his guards neutralized the threat almost instantly.
The room descended into chaos as guests screamed and scrambled for cover. Boyka barked orders to his men, who quickly secured the hall and subdued the remaining attackers.
The emperor rose from his seat, his face a mask of fury. "This treachery ends tonight!" he declared, his voice booming over the chaos.
As calm slowly returned to the room, Boyka turned to the emperor. "The traitors have revealed themselves," he said. "We will deal with them swiftly and decisively."
The emperor nodded. "Ensure that justice is served, Commander. Avalon must never again suffer such betrayal."
Boyka gave a firm nod, his mind already racing with plans to root out the remaining conspirators.
As the hall settled once more, the banquet continued, though the mood had shifted. The people of Avalon had witnessed both the strength of their leaders and the fragility of their peace.
Lights out.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein