Chapitre 40: Noble Families of Volantis

Walking through the conquered city, Maximus saw the surviving Tiger soldiers being escorted while in chains while those that died during the battle were going to have their bodies buried outside the walls if they are part of the Imperial Union Army, while the Tiger soldiers' bodies would be returned to their families if they had one. If they had no family, then their bodies would be burned to prevent a disease or plague from developing within the city.

The scene around him was filled with destroyed buildings from the cannon fire, frightened civilians who were peering out from their hiding places, and soldiers who were tending to the injured. The price of victory was always steep no matter the circumstances.

Arriving at his destination, Maximus looked at the massive residence that was in front of him. It was the residence of one of the Triarchs and was the place where the four noble families of Volantis were gathered. Walking into the residence followed by 10 Imperial Guards, Maximus proceeded to the meeting room where the families of the Nobles were gathered.

Walking into the room, the noble families were already on their hands and knees before Maximus as the Warmongers walked up to him, "Your Excellency, these are the four noble families of Volantis, House Saphira, House Ilyrion, House Sothoryos, and House Valerion." announced the Warmonger.

The once-mighty noble families of Volantis now humbled before him in the ruins of their grand city. The four families, once the most influential in Volantis, now knelt in silence, their opulent clothing a stark contrast to the devastation outside.

House Saphira was represented by Lady Elyssa Saphira, a tall woman with silver-white hair and piercing blue eyes.

Beside her, Lord Ilyrion, a man with a sharp, calculating gaze, was already attempting to conceal the panic in his eyes. His family had long been known for their wealth and control over the trade routes, but their influence was now slipping through their fingers.

House Sothoryos was represented by the young Lord Asim Sothoryos, his dark skin and proud demeanor an echo of his family's ancient ties to the land beyond Volantis.

Finally, the Valerion representative, Lord Theon Valerion, was a stern man with a hard jaw and weathered skin, his family's Valyrian bloodline making them powerful in sorcery and warfare, but even they were no match for the might of Maximus's army.

Maximus stepped forward, behind him, the presence of his Imperial Guards stood like silent statues, waiting for their leader's command. His eyes flicked from one noble to the next, noting their expressions of fear, anger, and disbelief.

"From here on out, Volantis will be placed under the Imperial Union's authority," announced Maximus. However, he recognized that outright killing the four families who held the ancient blood of Valyria would brand him as a tyrant and alienate the citizens. He needed these families for their influence, for their knowledge of the city, and above all, to keep his rule over Volantis stable.

Keeping them alive wouldn't affect his plans of getting rid of slavery and would bring more benefits to stabilizing the region he just conquered. "I will allow your families to continue existing, under a few conditions. First, the practice of slavery shall be abolished immediately, and the necessary steps will be taken to ensure slaves can be incorporated into society. Second, each family will follow the laws of the Imperial Union, and breaking any of these laws will result in your family being exiled or worse. Third, as long as you abide by the laws of the Imperial Union and prove your loyalty, I promise you more wealth than you can possibly imagine."

The silence in the room grew thick as Maximus's words hung in the air. The noble families of Volantis, who had once known nothing but power and privilege, now found themselves at the mercy of an empire that had just shattered their city and toppled their way of life.

Lady Elyssa Saphira, though still on her knees, raised her head slightly to meet Maximus's gaze, her piercing blue eyes scanning his face. Her lips were pressed tight, as if weighing her options. Behind her, the other nobles, Lord Ilyrion, Lord Asim Sothoryos, and Lord Theon Valerion, remained silent, awaiting the response that would determine their fates.

Maximus gaze remained on them as he continued, "You must understand, Volantis no longer stands as it once did. Your power, your wealth, your lands, none of that matters anymore. The Imperial Union does not tolerate rebellion, nor does it suffer insolence." he added, his tone softening just slightly, "But if you align yourselves with us, there are rewards. You will be able to keep your lives and wealth, but you will do so as loyal vassals."

It was Lord Ilyrion who first spoke, his voice low and controlled, though it still displayed a hint of fear. "And if we refuse, Your Excellency? What then?" His hands clasped tightly before him, showing the tension running through him.

"Then I will burn Volantis to the ground," he replied simply. His words, though blunt, were not spoken with malice. They were simply the truth, a cold inevitability.

Lord Asim Sothoryos clenched his fists. "You would destroy Volantis? A city older than your Empire?" he spat, his voice rising with indignation. "You would burn the cradle of civilization itself for the sake of your so-called peace?"

Maximus's gaze shifted to the young lord. "Your people already destroyed your own city," he said. "It was your arrogance, your refusal to recognize the strength of the Imperial Union, that led to this. I did not choose this war, Lord Sothoryos. But I will see it through to its conclusion." He let the words settle between them, a quiet finality in the air.

After a long pause, Lady Elyssa finally spoke, her voice steady with the weight of surrender. "We… we accept your terms, Lord Maximus," she said, the words slow, reluctant. "We have no choice."

Maximus nodded, "Good. I will send a delegation to finalize the terms and oversee the implementation of the new laws. I expect your cooperation in eradicating the slave markets and ensuring the former slaves are integrated into society. They will have rights, equal rights. Under the Empire, there is no place for such barbarism."

Maximus tilted his head slightly, a small smirk crossing his lips. "History is written by the victors. And you, my lords and ladies, are lucky enough to still be here to write it."

Outside the Triarchs' residence, the city of Volantis was still in turmoil. Imperial soldiers patrolled the streets enforcing the laws of the Imperial Union. At the Red Temple, Lilith and her witches were negotiating with the Priest and Priestess for a peaceful resolution. Dozens of red priest and priestess participated in the battle and lost their lives.

But they were doing so in order to protect their home and power which they had established within the city. Maximus recognized this and sent Lilith to deal with the situation as she saw fit, but the end-goal was to establish control over the red temple.