Chapter 22: Early March (Marak)

Three weeks, three weeks we have been occupying the town of Mindas. The dirty animals that once ruled this town now serves us, making our clothes and harvesting the crops to feed my people. Their so-called Empire couldn't stop us. They are not capable of fighting against our march for freedom. It's ironic really, we served and provided them the material to build their Empire. Now they serve us to build ours.

Funny that we never fought for our freedom earlier. Perhaps being afraid of the consequences made us obedient. Maybe the Cinari were never strong to begin with, using fear to make us their pawns to harvest the ores from the earth, to stay in the dark, labyrinthine caverns of what was once our home.

But why? Why make us their slaves? Why would they force us to work in the mines when they have people of their own?

Perhaps they are too weak to serve their own Empire and their false Gods. Perhaps they need a stronger species for their fragile Empire to survive for so long.

How long it lasted doesn't matter anymore, only that their Empire will soon collapse under my might.

Which goes back to the Cinari, I have some that are slaves. They have their uses for now, but they can't serve us forever. If I want to build a nation of freemen, I have to phase out slavery in its entirety. I won't have a nation built on weak foundations like the foolish Cinari.

The problem is, what will I do with them when I do eventually win? I can't give them land, for they are undeserving of it. I can't make them citizens, for their race would only corrupt our own. So the solution is simple: the eradication of their species.

They are monsters, beasts that must be slaughtered for the benefit of my new Empire. It won't happen immediately, it must be gradual. Replace their labour with our own to strengthen my new nation, and we won't have to worry about them rebelling against us. It is the final solution, a solution that is necessary for a better world.

'Can I speak to you?' Alex walks into the room, wearing his armour made from Cinari chest plates, taken apart and wrought into shape to fit him. It looks lighter than the black iron chest plates, but I won't call it any better.

'What do you have to report?' I reply.

'The scouts I've sent out figured where their capital is. Past the river a few kilometres east is a place they call the Crystal Kingdom. A city with towering walls of violet crystal. We don't know what's behind those walls, but by looking at the reports, I can say for certain it is their capital.'

Their capital. Perfect. If that falls the war in the south will be over and we can invade the north soon after.

'How well defended is the city?' I ask him.

'We couldn't tell, but it seems pretty well fortified. The place is swarming with Cinaris soldiers.'

'Good enough. We will leave tomorrow. Get the troops ready to head out to their capital.'

'What? We can't attack them without help from Midrax and Max. We should wait until they finish their objectives,' Alex protests.

'That won't be necessary. The Cinari are weak. They will easily fall apart once we get there.'

Alex frowns, staying silent at my response.

'I would like you to come along, Alex. I won't win this one myself. You have to win this with me.

'Really?'

'Yes, you are a brilliant strategist. You've trained my army to be far more organised than ever before. I am proud of you.' I hug him. 'Now get the army ready to march to the capital. We got a war to win.'

Alex nods as he leaves the room with a smile on his face.

I pull out a piece of paper out of the drawers. When Midrax and Max return, I want to meet them at Bunker Hill. Just close to the city, which can also be a perfect regrouping spot in case I can't take the city. But I doubt I will fail against the Cinari. If they couldn't beat me here, how can I expect them to beat me there?