Soul Interaction: Chain! (ENG)

13 • Scream of Salvation

As I said, the city was quite small, beeing, however, one of the economic centers of the country, the important structures were massed in that narrow space, so it took a short time for me to arrive, alone, before the crowd, at the king's palace. It was to be considered that at that moment I was far away from the other citizens that were still standing in that huge battle.
I climbed over the grates that surrounded the garden and, with my shoulder, broke through the door at the back of the castle. As I expected, the room was empty. Every loyal soldier and guard was engaged in battle, and in all probability the monarch had fled. I walked by the large load-bearing staircase on the upper floor, from which a large balcony looked out onto a popular square, just like that of Tenebria. After the sound of my steps, I heard an echo a little too loud and vivid... I realized that, in fact, there was another person there with me. I turned around, ready to receive an attack. As soon as I turned, the only thing I saw was a person. A proud, arrogant person like me, who was scared of war, of death, of other people. The king, like everyone else, was a person, and me too.
«Those who reason by arguing do not need to wage war. Am I right, Your Majesty?»
I held the blade where the king could not see its tip.
«Young man, you came here with a challenging look, and you just wish to speak? How daring?» He replied.
«Don't get me wrong, old man. If you just try to attack me, your head would be exposed to the sight of your "subordinates". Tell me, what do you want to do? I mean, what are your plans for this war that is involving the entire continent of Aostra?» I asked in an arrogant tone.
Without hesitation he answered:
«The truth is that the people think that a monarch is omnipotent for the power to command alone, but this does not imply that he can grant wishes. Poor me! If only I could do it for real. Triosa is in ruins! And I can't do anything, everything I tried led to this. The only moment I wait is that of my death.»
How could such a miserable lead an entire nation? He decided to bow down before a complete stranger who had intimidated him. Yet I was not so different from him. Yet my goal was to take the reins of the throne. Yet... I was sure there was something we differ from, but I wasn't mature enough to understand it. So, I would have just done what I thought was right.
Pulling the blade from the sheath, I cut the neck of the wretched one, letting the sound of his head falling to my ears.
If this was the right choice, I do not know but, to carry out this war, it was a fundamental move.
Eventually, all the defenders of Triosa fell. The citizens, starting from almost 30,000, were a little more than 1000. Finally they reached the castle square. On the balcony there was just me, with the king's head pierced by my sword.
«Greet your new king, Triosans. You will no longer fear war. Finally you can give a worthy name to your people!» I screamed. A moment of hesitation, nobody said anything... Until I heard a young man with black hair screaming:
«Glory to the Liberator!»
He was followed by another man, older, with gray hair:
«Glory to the Liberator!»
They started to shout in chorus, then a third was added, a fourth, a fifth... The whole crowd shouted:
«Glory to the Liberator!»
If it hadn't been for Lunim and Hausara, who started the chorus, I probably wouldn't have been cheered with all that conviction. I was still on the balcony. A guard, the most trusted from the king, who had betrayed him right at the end, leaned down before me, saying:
«My king, we would be ready to serve you if you could get us out of this war. The army is at your service. The people are looking forward to stop surviving, and start living.»
«I understand. The only way to stop this war is to defeat the Avalorian army. I expect your full cooperation. Otherwise, you will be forced to survive.» I replied. He walked away and, as requested, took my companions up into the castle.
«Goldora, this is a big step. But our goal is still far away.» said Lunim.
Your Majesty, may you be glad to come again to my house. Tomorrow, with the guards and the army, Lunim, Lord Bryce, your sister and myself will understand every detail of the current situation.» Hausara proposed.
I accepted, asking the guard to take care of the king's palace while I was away. So we returned to the home of the Triosan soldier in a few hours. We waited for Lord Bryce and Eimin to arrive.

♦️

Date: 46/5/331

We allowed ourselves to sleep in that big villa that day. I had explained the situation to my sister and the Lord the day before. I avoid their reactions. What was important at the time was to reorganize the army and administration. All together, including the men donated to me by Hausara, before becoming king, we reached the castle and began to argue.
Claude, my chief guard, began the speech.
«Your Majesty, after the revolt, the army lost about 20,000 men. If we take those who have not fought, there are 30,000 left.»
«I understand. Then follow carefully what I am going to tell you:
All the soldiers who did not participate in the suppression of the revolt, so those 30,000 men, will be part of the army of Triosa, and will be commanded by General Hausara. The specialized men, provided by him, and Claude, will constitute the "League of Triosa", and will be headed by Lunim. His aim is to track down and kill Meta, a man capable of practice "sorcery". Lord Bryce will inform us about potential attacks by Avaloria or Meta himself. This castle will be the operational base of the League of Triosa. That's all. In the meantime, I will take note of Triosa's actions, and make sure to do everything possible in order to end the war.» I said.
We stayed a couple more hours to discuss, then each took his own way. Hausara and Lord Bryce have returned to their home, Lunim has remained with the League in its new base of operations. Eimin and I headed to the chancellery, which would be our new home. In the ruins of the city, I saw my sister's sad look:
«Brother, how much did you had to sacrifice to get to this point? How many lives did you end?»
«Many. But it was a necessary move.» I replied.
«You know, in the first battle, when I helped you by surprise, I was convinced that war was only a means for the strongest. To prove our strength. But the truth is the exact opposite. Did you try to talk to the king before killing him?» She asked me with a sad, almost melancholy tone.
«He asked explicitly to want to die. I only granted his wish... Eimin, I remembered the words of a man who compared war to chess. Although I have won, I don't know how to play it, and I will keep eating checkers until I can check the king. Unfortunately, I can't do anything else, otherwise others will eat me.» I finished. I hoped she understood what I meant, because that was what I really thought.

♦️

From what was told to me, Triosa was allied with Shiitia, but after the death of the king I feared that it would have to be restored. Through Claude, I decided to send a letter to the ruler of Shiitia to sign a new alliance.