Kapitel 2: Chapter 2
The morning arrived with a sense of unease hanging in the air, and the city buzzed with whispers. The officials of Zurith had been summoned by the young Lord, and rumors of his intentions spread like wildfire. Word had it that he might choose a right-hand man to handle all the city-state's affairs—a position that would grant enormous power.
The thought of wielding such authority, a chance to become an overlord of the island, was tempting. However, there were doubts. Was this just a trap?
Despite their suspicions, none of the officials dared to ignore the summons. They knew that the opportunity to gain the Lord's favor could change their fortunes forever.
Quickly, they donned their finest attire and made their way to the plaza, where the summons was to take place. Every official, whether civil or military, arrived by noon, none daring to arrive late.
Upon seeing the location—an open plaza in the heart of the city—the officials exchanged confused glances. Why here? The plaza was public, and there was no sign of the usual formality associated with the Lord's chambers. Still, they had already made the journey. With a sense of unease settling over them, they took their assigned seats.
A crowd had gathered around the plaza, curious to witness the Lord's summons. Whispers filled the air as the officials fidgeted, trying to make sense of the situation.
Minutes passed, and then it happened. The crowd parted, creating a wide path. At the front of the procession was the young Lord himself, Yin Zhi. Flanked by fifty armored soldiers, two of whom carried the city-state's banners, he strode toward the officials.
The officials, accustomed to the usual retinue of guards, were taken aback by the sight of these soldiers. They recognized the faces beneath the helmets—the Lord's staff, the butlers and maids who served at the Lord's estate. But here they were, clad in gleaming armor, holding spears straight to their faces, their expressions grim and unyielding. A collective gasp rippled through the officials, their faces paling. "The Lord's staff?" one whispered, his voice trembling. "In armor? What is this?"
Several of the officials stood, ready to leave, their instincts telling them that this might be a trap. But before they could move, the soldiers swiftly intervened. A soldier's hand tightened on the hilt of his spear, the glint of steel reflecting the sunlight, and a hush fell over the gathering.
"Sit down," one of them ordered. "The Lord has not spoken. Remain in your seats unless told otherwise."
The officials hesitated but obeyed, their minds racing. They knew now that this wasn't going to be an ordinary meeting. The power in the air was palpable, and it was clear that Yin Zhi was not to be underestimated. A cold realization dawned on them: the previous Lord had been secretly building his forces, and now, his son was ready to unleash them.
Yin Zhi reached the raised platform at the center of the plaza and climbed the steps with deliberate calm. As he ascended, the noise of the crowd dwindled to a hush. The soldiers positioned themselves around the perimeter, silent and unyielding. The people in the plaza, sensing a change in the atmosphere, fell into an expectant silence. Even the wind seemed to still, as though holding its breath in anticipation.
Yin Zhi raised a hand, signaling for quiet. The murmurs ceased. A heavy silence settled over the gathering, and all eyes were drawn to the young Lord. He stood stiffly, his hands clasped behind his back, as if trying to contain his emotions. His voice was a bit shaky, betraying a hint of nervousness. "I am Yin Zhi, Lord of Zurith. I have been chosen to lead this city, to guide it through these troubled times. But I stand before you not as a puppet, not as a figurehead, but as a ruler who will not be swayed by greed or corruption."
His gaze swept over the officials, his eyes hardening as he continued, "For too long, you have thrived on the misery of the people. You have exploited their vulnerabilities, their desperation. You have lined your pockets with their blood and sweat. But your reign of terror ends today."
A ripple of unease went through the officials. They had never seen this side of the young Lord before. They had always seen him as meek, easily manipulated young heir. But the steel in his eyes and the tremor in his voice told them that he was no longer the boy they had known.
Yin Zhi continued, his voice growing stronger, "I have seen the despair in their eyes, the fear in their hearts. I have seen the city's soul slowly fading, its light dimming with each passing day. But I will not stand by and watch as this city crumbles. This city will be reborn, and it will be reborn under my rule."
He paused, letting his words sink in. The officials, frozen in fear, could only watch as the young Lord unleashed his wrath. "I will rule with strength, and with justice. From now on, no one will dare to exploit this land or its people. Not even the highest in the land is safe."
His voice boomed, echoing off the stone buildings. "The time of weakness is over. The time for change has come. And the change begins now. Begin with the trial!"
His words hung in the air, a chilling testament to the new order that was about to be established. The officials, their faces ashen, knew that their days of unchecked power were over. They had underestimated the young Lord, and now, they were about to pay the price for their greed and corruption.
A spokesperson stepped forward, his face pale and his voice trembling. He slowly announced the names of the corrupt officials, listing their crimes for all to hear. The weight of the accusations echoed through the plaza. The officials, their faces ashen, watched in horror as their past lives—lives of greed and unchecked power—crumbled before their eyes.
The first name called was that of Lord Avar, the city's wealthiest merchant. He had amassed his fortune through ruthless exploitation, charging exorbitant prices for basic necessities and manipulating the market to his advantage. His crimes were numerous, his greed insatiable. The crowd, who had suffered under his tyranny, erupted in a roar of anger.
Avar, his face pale and his eyes wide with terror, tried to plead for mercy. "I have served the city well," he stammered. "I have brought prosperity to Zurith." But his words were drowned out by the cries of the crowd.
The soldiers, their movements swift and efficient, marched forward. They seized Avar, dragged him to the center of the plaza, and knelt him before the platform. The crowd surged forward, their faces contorted with rage. They had waited years for this moment.
Yin Zhi, his gaze fixed on Avar, raised his hand, signaling for silence. The crowd, sensing his authority, obeyed. A hush fell over the gathering.
"Justice will be served," Yin Zhi declared, his voice echoing across the plaza. "Your crimes against the people of Zurith will not go unpunished."
A soldier stepped forward, a gleaming axe in his hand. The blade, honed to a razor's edge, glinted in the sunlight. Avar, his eyes wide with terror, looked up at the executioner, his lips moving silently in a desperate plea for mercy.
The crowd held their breath, their faces a mixture of anticipation and revulsion. The executioner raised his axe high above his head, the blade catching the light, and brought it down with a swift, decisive motion. The sound of the axe cleaving through bone and flesh echoed across the plaza, followed by a sickening thud as Avar's head rolled away.
A wave of cheers and shouts erupted from the crowd. Some clapped, their faces contorted with a mixture of glee and relief. Others, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe, watched as the executioner wiped the blade of his axe on Avar's bloodstained tunic.
The executions continued, each name called met with a mixture of fear and exhilaration from the crowd. The officials, their faces ashen and their eyes filled with terror, watched as their lives crumbled before their eyes. They had built their fortunes on the backs of the people, and now, they were paying the price.
The plaza was a scene of chaos and carnage. The air was thick with the smell of blood and fear. But amidst the violence, there was a sense of hope. The people of Zurith, for the first time in years, felt a glimmer of hope. They had a leader who was willing to stand up for them, a leader who was willing to fight for justice.
The executions were a stark reminder of the power of the new Lord and the consequences of corruption. The people of Zurith, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe, watched as their new Lord reshaped their city. They knew that the journey ahead would be long and difficult, but they also knew that they were no longer alone. They had a leader, a leader who cared, a leader who was determined to make Zurith a better place.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein