บท 92: Duke family
Centre of neither continent; Human kingdom.
In the heart of the continent, within the Human Kingdom, lies the city of West Scott. Its impressive castle draws the eye and invites fascination, yet locals know that stepping within its walls can bring swift death.
Inside the castle, chaos reigns. Maids, officials, and knights scramble in frantic disarray, attending to the wounded and trying to alleviate their pain.
A knight's agonized cry pierces the air, his body wracked by pain. Severed limbs, blood-soaked, tremble on the brink of death. Despite healers' and maids' desperate attempts, their efforts prove in vain. Similar scenes play out across the castle entrance, where injured knights suffer.
"Can't bear this... death's a relief!" cries one knight in despair.
"End it... can't stand it anymore!" pleads another, pushed to the edge.
"No... save me... family needs me!" The plea is cut short, as the man succumbs.
Knights meet their end, some slipping into eternal slumber, others choosing to escape through self-inflicted means. Amid this turmoil, a healer in ornate attire watches in horror and confusion. A maid, voice tinged with urgency, seeks guidance. "Senior Mage! What now? Healing spells fail, some strange foreign magic is revolving around in their body." The maid trembles, awaiting an answer.
The senior mage's face darkens as he comprehends. "Unbelievable... dark magic, in this place?" His words hang heavy, sending shivers through those present.
"Senior... Is that true?" The maid's voice trembled as she sought confirmation. The senior mage responded with a somber nod, his face etched with the weight of the dire situation. A gasp escaped the maid's lips, her hand flying to cover her mouth in shock.
"This isn't your run-of-the-mill dark magic," the senior mage explained, his tone heavy with concern. His gaze swept over the fallen knights strewn around, their pain and suffering palpable. "This is something far more ominous, something beyond ordinary comprehension."
The maid's voice dropped to a hushed whisper, laden with apprehension. "Could it be... the Dark Order?" Her words hung in the air, a quiet admission of the unspeakable.
The senior mage's nod was a grave confirmation. "There's little doubt. Such potent dark magic can only be attributed to the Dark Order. And if I were to speculate, they might have enlisted the aid of a leader or even their supreme commander..."
His explanation was cut short by a sudden intrusion, a commotion that stole the attention of everyone present. Descending the staircase with an air of authority was a young man of striking appearance – golden hair, green eyes, and adorned in opulent attire. Maids and knights trailed behind him, drawn to his regal presence like moths to a flame. The very air seemed to bend to his will, compelling all to halt their tasks and kneel in reverence. His features were twisted in a mask of frustration, his presence exuding a palpable aura of anger that could be felt even at a distance.
"Enough with the excuses! I want that elf, and I want her now!" The command cut through the air like a knife, the voice belonging to a striking young man. With his blond hair cascading and his eyes sharp green, he descended the stairs in a whirlwind of authority. Dressed to the nines in opulent attire, he practically oozed importance. A posse of maids and knights trailed behind him, moving as if under his spell. The entire castle seemed to freeze in his presence, everyone dropping to their knees as a sign of deference.
His face was handsome, but anger twisted his features into something altogether more fearsome. You could practically taste the frustration rolling off him, a palpable aura that demanded instant obedience. The knights following him were on high alert, their expressions a mix of dread and respect. No one dared to speak; the atmosphere was thick with the understanding that crossing him was not an option.
The maid next to the senior mage glanced in the direction of the authoritative voice. "Why's Prince Alaric so furious?" she whispered to the senior mage, who turned to her with a mix of frustration and anger. "Are you trying to get us killed? Don't you dare address the prince so casually!" he hissed at her, his face contorted with anxiety. The maid, suitably chastened, fell silent, fear evident in her eyes. She was relieved that her slip hadn't caught the prince's attention; that could have had dire consequences.
"Your Highness, we couldn't apprehend the elf child. They were attacked by an unknown person dressed in white. That's all we know, and the intruder managed to escape with the elf girl," reported a knight, clad in gleaming white armor that set him apart from the rest. His voice quivered slightly, a reflection of the fear that seemed to have taken hold in the castle.
"What! Who's this stranger and how dare they take the elf girl away? We went to great lengths, even dealing with the treacherous Swarathem tribe, all to capture an elf child. What was the point of this entire military operation if she's not even here!" Prince Alaric's voice boomed with frustration, his eyes blazing with anger.
The knight lifted his gaze to meet the prince's furious glare. "But, Your Highness, that entire operation was your idea" the knight retorted, frustration lacing his tone, though the realization of his audacity hit him almost immediately. The maid and other knights looked at him with a mixture of shock and trepidation.
"Your Highness, please forgive me, I didn't mean to-" Before the knight could finish his plea, Prince Alaric's swift and decisive action ended his life in an instant.
The knights and maids dropped to their knees in a mixture of shock, fear, and submission.
"How dare he speak to his future king like that. He deserves nothing less than a painful death," Prince Alaric thundered, his anger unabated. "Clean these stairs, and dispose of this... filth. Let the hungry dogs deal with it."
As his words hung in the air, a palpable shiver ran down the spines of all present. The knights and maids exchanged nervous glances, their fear of the prince's wrath painfully evident. Swiftly, the maids carefully lifted the fallen knight's lifeless body and carried it away, leaving behind an air of tension.
Prince Alaric walked away with a heavy air about him, his anger still simmering beneath the surface. But then, a tender yet commanding voice, like a soothing balm, broke through the atmosphere that reeked of fear and unease.
"Alaric, my son, why this fierce anger? And why did you take the life of that captain? He held a significant position among us," a woman with blonde hair and striking green eyes entered the scene, her undeniable beauty capturing the attention of everyone present. As she descended with grace, heading towards Prince Alaric, whispers of admiration rippled through the crowd.
"Her Highness Sara Duke! She's truly enchanting."
"I feel as though time stops when I look at her."
"I'd give anything to serve her and earn her favor."
The knights respectfully saluted the alluring Queen of Scott City, their admiration evident in their eyes. Despite being in her 40s, her radiant beauty defied her age, and it was hard to believe that she was a mother.
Aleric turned, his gaze meeting the woman with whom her beauty was often compared to – his mother, Queen Sara Duke. Her gentle eyes fixed on him, radiating a sense of understanding and maternal concern. "Mother, that man dared to show disrespect towards me. He deserved the consequences for his actions."
"Mom, that knight dare to disrespect me, you always know how to handle things," Aleric said with a small grin, though there was a hint of admiration in his eyes. He was used to his mother's strength and authority, and he respected her immensely.
Sara's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Well, my dear son, when you're in a position of power, you must use it wisely and decisively."
Aleric nodded, acknowledging her words. He had learned a lot from his mother over the years – her determination, her ability to command respect, and her unwavering dedication to their kingdom.
As they stood there, the atmosphere shifted from tense to more relaxed. Their bond was evident in their interactions – a mix of motherly love and mutual understanding. The guards and maids wisely kept their distance, recognizing the intimate moment between the queen and her son.
"Come, Aleric. We have much to discuss about the upcoming operation," Sara said, leading the way towards a more private chamber where they could plan their strategy.
Aleric followed his mother, his mind already racing with thoughts of the challenges that lay ahead. The fate of their kingdom rested on their shoulders, and he was determined to fulfill his role with honor and strength, just as his mother had taught him.
"Son, we received a letter from the royal family," Sara said with a pale face. Prince Aleric, on the other hand, showed surprise and a hint of fear. "What... What was in the letter, Mom? What did they say to our Duke family?" Aleric's voice carried concern, well aware of the royal family's capacity to dismantle his kingdom should he disobey their orders.
Sara nodded, explaining the contents of the letter. "The King's message is clear. We are to launch a large attack on the Haman kingdom and provide support to the summoned hero and the strongest weapon holder. Their alliance is crucial in countering the demon lord's invasion."
The news hit Prince Aleric like a sudden storm, rendering him momentarily speechless. He stared at his mother, his expression a mix of shock and apprehension. Breaking the silence, he voiced his thoughts, his voice laced with concern. "Mom... I understand the strategic importance of this mission, especially with the hero and the weapon holder involved. However, I can't join the attack. I'm going to search for that elf."
Sara's features shifted into a mix of irritation and exasperation. "You're still obsessed with that elf, Aleric? There are plenty of suitable options for you..."
Her words were abruptly cut off by Aleric's surge of anger. "Better options? Mom, that elf possesses mana far surpassing any ordinary elf her age. She's a descendant of the Swarathem tribe, and we razed their forest just to capture her. Some stranger took her from me, and I almost had her back. I will find that person and make them pay for their mistake I will make them suffer the worst death possible. and I want that elf as my wife, regardless of her age. I want her," Aleric's voice seethed with raw emotion, his anger barely contained but for his mother's presence.
Sara met his fury with a cold, calculating gaze, and then nodded slowly. "You're right. Whoever dared to provoke my son in such a way must face the consequences."
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