Suikoden VII

Chapter Six: Part One

Note: Welcome to Chapter Six!

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Chapter Six: Part One

One week later...

Blutkrieger

"You're next, Brendan."

Standing in front of the dais of the Onyx Chamber, with a full court in attendance, Brendan kept an emotionless mask. But hearing King Franz address him in such a way felt both humiliating and...degrading. The phrasing made it sound like he had been in a "queue" and his number had been called. Him—Prince Brendan Reiser. A thirty-two year old man. The eldest of the Royal heirs. Not only the eldest heir, but the eldest of ALL King Franz's children, including his bastards!

I am his son. A true born Prince. But yet he—Father—to him...I feel as though I am nothing.

"The Royal Army has experienced many failures as of late," King Franz continued, his expression hard. "Vahan and Philomena faced down the traitor Astraea, and they lost. The Magic Guild brought their full force against that traitor and they too lost. Furthermore, Vahan became a turncoat. Over 100 mages from the Magic Guild became turncoats. And if that all wasn't bad—the Bianca Alliance has given allegiance to her!" He thundered out. "We are being made to look like fools, Brendan! That stops now!

"I don't what you have to do," King Franz rasped. "But that child is not going to make a fool of me—of us! Of you!—ever again! You are to mobilize the Royal Army and crush her! Destroy the traitors who seek to destroy us!"

Silence followed his words. After a moment Brendan saluted the King. "I understand, Your Majesty. I will not fail you."

"You had better not," King Franz said. "Your younger siblings have grown to be rebellious and selfish, Brendan. It reflects poorly upon you as their eldest brother. Consider this campaign your redemption."

Brendan's nostrils flared and heat flooded his face. The heat rose, as did his pulse when murmurs broke out across the Onyx Chamber. "...I understand, Your Majesty."

"Good," King Franz said. "You are dismissed. Whichever Royal Army forces that have not been diverted to taking on the Bianca Alliance will be at your disposal for you to utilize."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Brendan saluted and turned to leave. Yasmine moved to follow behind him.

"May I, Your Majesty?" Albert spoke up suddenly from his usual spot at King Franz's right. Both Brendan and Yasmine stopped in their tracks.

"Of course," King Franz said.

Albert stepped forward and stepped down one step from the dais. "Yasmine," he called out.

Brendan's blood ran cold. His assist calmly turned and saluted the Strategist. "Yes, Sir Albert?"

"Prince Brendan will be undertaking an enormous campaign to crush our enemies," Albert said. "It is your responsibility as his assist to ensure that he succeeds."

"I will, Sir Albert," Yasmine respond. "I will not let His Highness fail."

"Good," Albert said. "Because if Prince Brendan delivers anything less than a complete victory in this campaign, the Crown will officially hold you responsible for its failure."

The rage came quickly. Brendan couldn't suppress. He stalked forward, standing in front of Yasmine and he shouted, "You will not!"

The silence that followed his shout was deafening. Albert's brow rose, but Brendan didn't back down. "Do I look like I need someone to cover for my mistakes, Sir Albert?!" he snapped, clenching his fists at his sides. "Because I do not! I am man enough to admit when I am at fault! If I were to make a mistake in the upcoming campaign, the fault would be mine!" He thumped a fist against his own chest. "No one will take the fall for me ever!"