Chapter 22: The Emperor’s Wrath and the Ride Back

The eastern lands were won. Leonis, his father, uncle, and the army of over 50,000 men had fought valiantly, cutting through the ranks of orcs and goblins with precision and power. The screams of dying creatures echoed in the distance as the last of the fleeing enemy was captured, shackled, and brought to their knees before the victors. Their forces had successfully reclaimed the east, driving out the invaders that had plagued the land.

In the aftermath, the battlefield was littered with bodies, but there was no time for rest. The empire had people to save, prisoners who had been taken by the orcs during their rampage. The stench of blood hung thick in the air as Emperor Valerian marched forward, his eyes cold and unyielding as they landed on the orc general—the last of the enemy still alive.

The general, a hulking figure with greenish-gray skin, glared up at Valerian from his knees, beaten but not broken. Valerian towered over him, his sword held loosely at his side, but the lethal intent in his gaze made it clear that the general's life was hanging by a thread.

"Where are the prisoners who lived in the east?" Valerian's voice was low, filled with the weight of authority and menace. "Tell me, and I might let you die swiftly."

The orc general snarled, his lips curling back to reveal jagged, yellow teeth. But there was fear in his eyes—fear of the man standing before him. He knew who Valerian was, knew the power that radiated from him like a storm on the horizon. He hesitated for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh, glancing up at the Emperor with defiance.

"Prisoners... prisoners," the orc muttered, his voice dripping with mockery. "They are long gone. Scattered... or worse."

Valerian's sword lifted slightly, the light gleaming off the crystalline blade. "If you want to die, keep toying with me."

The general's laugh grew louder, harsher. "Oh... but there's one thing you should know, human. One thing... before you kill me."

Valerian's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Speak."

The orc's grin stretched wider, his eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. "Your precious human wife... that pathetic bitch... you should've protected her better." His laughter erupted, harsh and twisted, echoing through the air. "Ah, but wait... it's already too late."

Time seemed to stop. Valerian's grip on his sword tightened as the orc's words sank in. His breath hitched, the name of his wife. A name he had not heard in this cursed place, now dripping from the lips of his enemy. The orc laughed louder, reveling in the pain he had caused. "You humans... so weak. So easy to hurt."

For a split second, everything was silent. The men, the battlefield, the orc's taunts, everything vanished from Valerian's mind as rage erupted inside him.

Without warning, his mana exploded outward, a torrential wave of energy that surged from his body like a roaring inferno. His aura, vast and unstoppable, pulsed across the battlefield, sweeping over the east like a violent storm to the point that the entire empire including the north, west & south can feel it. The pressure was immense, beyond anything they had ever felt before. The very air grew thick, suffocating with the Emperor's power.

All around him, men fell to the ground, struggling to breathe under the crushing weight of Valerian's fury. Even Lord Alistair, a seasoned warrior, was forced to brace himself, barely managing to stay on his feet as the pressure bore down on him. His legs trembled, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He knew his brother's strength was incredible, but this… this was something else entirely.

Leonis, standing nearby, gasped as the force hit him like a sledgehammer. His knees buckled, and he struggled to stay upright, the sheer power of his father's mana threatening to force him to the ground. His breath came in short, ragged gasps, but he gritted his teeth and refused to fall. He knew his father's anger was not aimed at him, but the intensity of it... he had never felt anything like this.

The orc general's laugh died in his throat as Valerian's burning gaze locked onto him. He had no time to react before the Emperor's sword swung down in a flash of emerald light, cutting the orc into pieces. Blood sprayed through the air, but Valerian didn't care. His anger, his bloodlust—it was all-consuming.

"Hurry!" Valerian's voice boomed across the battlefield. "We ride back to the empire at once!"

Leonis, still struggling to stand, looked up at his father in shock. There was only one thing that could cause this much rage in his father... his mother.

"Mother..." Leonis whispered, his heart sinking as dread clawed its way into his chest. He couldn't breathe, couldn't think. His legs felt like lead, but he forced himself to move, to follow. The fear gripped him tighter with every step.

"Please..." he muttered under his breath, his voice barely a whisper. "Please... be safe"

They rode like the wind, their horses thundering across the landscape at a relentless pace. The soldiers followed behind, but none could match the speed and urgency of Emperor Valerian. Leonis kept his eyes on his father the entire way back to the empire, the tension in the air palpable. He had never seen his father like this before—so worried, so full of fear. The image of the proud, unshakable emperor was gone, replaced by a man desperate to protect the one he loved.

The sun was setting as they approached the capital, casting long shadows over the city walls. The gates opened, and Valerian didn't wait for anyone. He galloped through, his horse barely slowing as he rushed toward the palace, his eyes scanning everything in sight, searching for any sign of an attack.

Leonis and the others followed closely behind, their hearts pounding as they entered the palace grounds. To their shock, there was no damage. No beasts, no creatures, no signs of an invasion.

Valerian jumped off his horse, his cloak billowing behind him as he stormed through the courtyard, shouting at the top of his lungs. "Where is she? Where is my wife?!"

Maids, guards, and servants scrambled to get out of his way, all of them bewildered by the Emperor's frantic demeanor. He was never like this. Always calm, always composed—except now, as panic gripped him.

Leonis dismounted and ran after his father, his heart still heavy with fear. His siblings soon joined, rushing toward Valerian in an attempt to calm him down. Even the usually composed and arrogant second prince, Caius, was visibly shaken by the sight of their father's distress.

"Father!" Caius called out, his voice laced with anger but a slight hint of worry "Father, calm down!!!

But Valerian wasn't listening. His eyes were wild, darting back and forth as if expecting to see orcs around every corner. He grabbed the nearest guard, shaking him violently. "Where is she? Where is the Empress?!"

"Y-Your Majesty!" the guard stammered, terrified, "I don't—"

Before the guard could finish, a cry rang out from across the courtyard.

"Valerian!"

Valerian turned sharply, his breath catching in his throat. There she was, Empress Isolde, running toward him with tears streaming down her face, flanked by two elite guards. The moment their eyes met, everything else disappeared.

Isolde flung herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably as she buried her face in his chest. Valerian caught her, holding her tightly, his body trembling as he pulled her closer. For a moment, he couldn't speak. His entire world had nearly been shattered, and now, holding her in his arms, it was all he could do to keep himself together.

"Isolde," he whispered, his voice breaking. "You're safe… thank the gods."

She nodded against him, clutching his cloak as if afraid to let go. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

Valerian pulled back slightly, cupping her face in his hands as he looked into her tear-streaked eyes. "What happened?" he asked, his voice still tight with worry. "What happened while we were gone?"

One of the elite guards stepped forward, bowing his head respectfully before speaking. "Your Majesty, while you were away, a small group of orcs managed to infiltrate the city using shadow magic. They attempted to kidnap the Empress."

Valerian's body tensed again, his grip on Isolde tightening. "They what?!"

The guard continued quickly, sensing the Emperor's rising fury. "We were able to intercept them before they got far. we tracked them down and eliminated the threat before they could escape. The Empress was unharmed."

Valerian closed his eyes, letting out a long, shaky breath as the weight of the guard's words sank in. They had come so close, too close. He had been out there, fighting to reclaim the east, while his wife had nearly been taken from him right under his nose. The thought made his blood boil, but more than anything, it filled him with overwhelming relief.

He looked down at Isolde, brushing a tear from her cheek. "I'm sorry I wasn't here," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

She shook her head, her voice trembling. "It's not your fault, Valerian. You did what you had to. But… I was so scared…"

Valerian hugged her tightly again, closing his eyes as he held her. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the Emperor, the man who was feared by all felt a tear slip down his own cheek. He didn't care who saw. Right now, all that mattered was that she was safe.

Leonis watched from a short distance, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as well. His mother was safe. His family was still whole.

But something inside him stirred as he looked at his father, a man who had fought and ruled with unshakable power, brought to his knees by fear for the woman he loved. Leonis clenched his fists. He had seen the lengths his father would go to for those he cared about, the overwhelming force of his rage and power. Leonis had a long way to go to reach his father's level.

But he would get there. He had to. For the sake of his family, for the empire... and for himself.

Valerian finally pulled away from Isolde, looking down at her with a soft smile. "I'll never let this happen again," he promised, his voice strong. "No one will ever threaten you again."

Isolde nodded, though the fear still lingered in her eyes. "I know."

Valerian turned to the guard. "Double the security. I want every entrance to the palace watched day and night. And increase patrols across the empire. No more mistakes."

The guard saluted. "At once, Your Majesty."

As the soldiers and guards moved to carry out the Emperor's orders, Valerian wrapped his arm around Isolde and began leading her back into the palace, his children following close behind. Though the threat had passed for now, the tension in the air remained. There were still enemies lurking in the shadows, and they would stop at nothing to tear apart the empire Valerian had built.

But as long as he lived, he would never let them succeed.

Leonis glanced at his mother as they walked. She seemed shaken but unharmed. He swallowed the lump in his throat, whispering to himself, "Thank the gods..."