Castor's Armies Pt.5

Niel Month 11, Day 24, Year A.F 652. Avern, Kingdom of Rosalia.

"I'll be taking control of this city from here on out."

I give him an uneasy smile as I replied, "Lord Michael, as grateful as I am, I cannot allow you to do that." He looks at me. His eyes boring a hole in me, as if grasping my soul. Cold sweat trickles down my spine as I swallow something bitter.

His eyes filled with mirth then turned annoyed. He looked at the officers behind me, each one more dishevelled than the last.

"Are you sure?" He spoke with a sadistic smile, malice almost dripping from his expression. One that reminded of what this man just did, on what he and his men are capable of.

"The city is your, Milord." I said to him as I lower my head in shame, fully accepting of the consequences such an act would result into.

With my head still lowered, I give a shout to my men, "Send Lord Michael to the Lord's Mansion!"

The officers salute as they make way for the Mansions, directing the man before me. He hold my shoulder as he whispers, "Good choice."

I lower my head further, knowing that my life would be on the line. If this man ever loses and Lord Ivid ever returns, he'll be more than happy to execute the man they left the city to another.

"Thank you, Milord." I spoke back as I lowered my head further, waiting for him to pass by as he followed my officers, presenting him to the city.

The moment I knew I was safe, I breathe a sigh of relief, only looking down as the events consumed my thoughts once more.

What do I do next? Should I use this opportunity to run? I dont think he'll waster resources just to find me. It's quite easy for me as well, with no family here, I could just easily move to one of the Principalities. No, with the way things are going, as long as I do my job there's little chance of me dying.

"Sir, is this really alright?" An officer beside me asked with hesitation.

I look up from my thoughts and gave him an uneasy smile, showing my own unease in my decision, "Hopefully, but we cannot hope to defend against such enemies. It would be best to give to their demands before they decide to take the city by force."

"But what would happen if Lord Ivid retakes the city in his name." He spoke to me in fear and anxiety.

One which I could understand as I reply, "Then, I'll take the full responsibility. The city must come first. We've already seen what they could do against a numerically superior force. Let's not try and find out what would happen to us instead."

"Then should I inform the men of the new situation?" The officer asks as he looked at the army passing through the gate, the force that moments ago turned the green fields into red rivers.

"Tell them to avoid confrontation and run to the city center and the city hall about our new Lord. Make sure to give them the details of their victory. We could at least quell the unrest from the loyalists by showing what they are capable of." I spoke in rumination.

The officers that heard my orders then salute before doing what it is they were told. Leaving me in rumination for my future and that of the city's.

"This has been quite a day." I mutter to myself as I walk back to the tent, intending on getting a bit of rest from the hard day of work.

Michael Magna

"Ah, here we are, Milord. The Lord's Mansion." The officer bows to me as he presents the Lord's Mansion, one which I presume to be the Lord's Residence.

The soldiers then immediately opened the door for us, showing the servants scrambling throughout the mansion. The moment the door opened, the servants stiffened in fear before lining up and immediately bowing with a shout, "Welcome, Milord."

I give them a nod as they disperse, returning to theri duties afraid to even look in my direction. Rumors sure travel fast.

"Are you sure you should've done that?" Mary asked to my side as she looked around the mansion's luxurious look. I guess even a city such as this has the money for the Lord to live lavishly.

"What perhaps do you mean? Mary." I ask her, feigning innocence against her remarks.

"You know what I mean, threatening the head garrison of this city would only lessen their opinion of us." She spoke with clear irritation.

"This isnt a place where we can talk about this." I reply to her as I look around.

The servants try to look away from my view before I spoke, "Is there anyone here that could point me as to where the office is in this mansion."

The servants stiffen before looking around, their eyes shifting to one another before a maid steps up and spoke, "Sir, I could bring you there," She bows, "Please follow me."

The brown-haired human girl looked back up as she walked forward, gesturing us to follow. I give a shrug as the four others follow right behind me. That is quite different, most nobles tend to take demons as their maids, perhaps they do this to save money.

We strolled through the luxurious halls. The paintings of blue demons present through the hallway made it more than apparent to whom this mansion belongs. House Ivid does have a bit of a history, though one that pales in comparison against other houses of the Kingdom.

We arrived at the office, the well made wooden door presents itself to us. The maid opens it for us revealing a table, one where a sofa stands on both sides, in front of what I could only assume be the Lord's table.

I walk forward, taking the seat in the middle. With my elbows rested on the table I gesture for the rest to take their seat.

"Thank you, miss?" I spoke to her, asking for her name.

"Diane, Milord." She bows her head as she replied, closing the door as she exits.

The door closes, and the silence ensues. Deciding to speak first, I ask, "So? ask out your questions."

Mary then decides to speak up first, "Was it wise to threaten the head garrison? I mean, for all intents and purposes, he remains the most powerful man in this city. Beside us, of course."

I chuckle at her words, remembering the man's terrified expression and his more than obvious submission, "I do not know whether he was faking his expression, all Im sure of is that, he knows what'll happen if he said no. And the moment he allowed us in, he already risked his life."

"That doesn't mean he'll just let it go though." She replied.

"Oh he will, we're now his biggest supporters. His decision born from fear of what we could do would mean that he is now considered a traitor by the former Lord. In terms of giving up his city to outside forces."

I tap my fingers as I look down at the table. "For all we know, he could already be preparing for the soft transition of governance from Lord Ivid to ours."

Daniel then spoke up, "Speaking of which, sir. How do you suppose we go to the city center? I think most of the city's inner institutions are held within the city center and city hall."

"It's quite easy. We make a show." I spoke up with a smile.

The three people before me look at me in confusion before Orvin spoke up from his book. Clear disinterest evident from his voice, "He means to march the troops to the city hall and city center. To scare any dissenter and formalize the city halls change of power."

I gesture to Orvin, "As he says. We'll march two thousand of our best troops. Perhaps those from Anders and Daniel's division. We show them our power and they'll be more than happy to agree to any decision I make."

Anders looks up from his thoughts as he asked, "Then should we leave a garrison here? To at least keep the peace and keep our control over the city."

I wave my hand in dismissal of his words, "There's no need for that. As it stands, the people still dont know what to think of us," I take out my document, "With this document we still hold legitimate right to do this. Along with our actions in defending their home, they most possibly hold a positive view of us."

"But will that be enough?" Anders asks, his voice dripping in curiosity.

"Perhaps not, that's why we'll take care of the opportunists by showing them what would happen if they ever decide to go against our rule."

I give a contented smile as the people around me nod, accepting of my words.