Chapter 26: Obey

*6 months later*

3rd Person POV

As the months passed, the repercussions of the prince's decision to protect the former slaves reverberated throughout the kingdom.

The glimmerite reserves, once thought to be inexhaustible, now faced the looming threat of depletion within a century. With the slaves gone, the empire's ability to procure the precious material was severely compromised.

Amidst the growing concern over the future of glimmerite production, Cedric found himself under intense scrutiny. Many saw his act of mercy as a failure of leadership, a sign of weakness in the face of adversity.

Even his own father, the king, viewed his son's actions with disappointment, believing that his decision to protect the slaves would only bring further hardship to the kingdom.

But despite the mounting criticism, the prince remained steadfast in his resolve. He refused to abandon those who had once served under him, standing firm in his belief that every life had value, regardless of their station or status.

His unwavering commitment to compassion and justice set him apart from his detractors, earning him both admiration and scorn in equal measure.

Cedric's decision to protect the former laborers sparked outrage among the nobility and foreign merchants, threatening to undermine the king's authority and tarnish the kingdom's reputation.

In a desperate bid to assert his dominance and maintain control, King Aldric devised a plan to send a chilling message to his son.

He would eliminate the sole remaining slave, Perseus, from the town of forgotten, a remote and desolate place far removed from the prying eyes of the kingdom's citizens. With this ruthless act, the king hoped to remind his son of the consequences of defying what was better for his future.

Summoning his most trusted advisors, King Aldric outlined his plan far away from any of his children. Assassins would be dispatched to the town of the forgotten under the cover of darkness, their orders clear, eliminate the sole slave residing there, and leave no witnesses behind.

It was a task that required utmost secrecy and efficiency because if Cedric heard about this, his status as the hero would be a problem. He knows that the hero is fated for great things, he knows that his son has potential, but his compassion is placed on the wrong people.

*****

As Perseus was coming home from delivery the ale was like usual. once again, he sensed it. The smell of when death is near. As he made his way through the deserted streets...he knew that it was wrong, there were no people, not even drug addicts...it was too clean.

A sense of foreboding then started to grip his heart, a silent warning of the danger that lurked in the darkness.

Suddenly, the stillness was shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps, their rhythm ominous and foreboding. With a quickening pulse, Perseus tensed, his senses sharpened as he prepared for the inevitable confrontation.

And then the assassins came, emerging from the shadows like phantoms of death, their faces hidden beneath the hoods of their dark cloaks, with a swift motion, the assassins descended upon their prey, their blades gleaming in the moonlight as they moved with lethal intent.

With lightning speed, Perseus met their assault head-on, his movements fluid and precise as he parried their blows with skillful grace. Each strike was met with a counterattack, his fists and feet turning to metal as he fought to defend himself against overwhelming odds.

Despite their numbers, the assassins found themselves outmatched by the Perseus' sheer determination and skill. One by one, they fell before his onslaught, their bodies littering the streets like fallen leaves.

The king underestimated Perseus, who's a child, but Perseus has been secretly training all this time. The assassins also found it hard to aim at vital spots as the target is much smaller and more nimble than they thought.

But still, they pressed on, their resolve unyielding as they redoubled their efforts to bring Perseus to his knees. Because if they returned empty-handed, death would be a safer option. Yet with each passing moment, their desperation grew more palpable, their attacks growing more reckless and frenzied as they sought to overwhelm their elusive prey.

And then, in a final, desperate gambit, the assassins unleashed a barrage of blows, their weapons flashing in the moonlight as they sought to strike the killing blow. But Perseus was ready.

With a swift motion, he disarmed his final assailant, his fist connecting with a resounding crack as the assassin crumpled to the ground in a heap. The battle was over, the streets silent once more save for the ragged breaths of the sole survivor as he surveyed the carnage that lay before him.

*****

The next day dawned with an air of unease in the royal court, as the king, seated upon his awaited news of the success, his brow furrowed with impatience. But as the hours passed and no word reached his ears, a gnawing sense of unease began to take hold. 

At last, a messenger arrived, his face pale and drawn as he delivered the news. The king listened in grim silence as the messenger reported the news of the corpses. Meaning that Perseus must have somehow defeated them.

The king's face darkened with rage, his fists clenched in impotent fury as he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of his failure. How could a mere slave have bested his assassins? They were not the best, but they were still his men!

As the implications of the failed mission became clear, a chill descended upon the throne room, the king's anger palpable as he contemplated the repercussions of his defeat. His authority had been challenged, his power called into question by a lowly slave who dared to defy him.

But even as his rage threatened to consume him, a cold resolve settled over the king's features. If the slave thought that he could escape his fate so easily, he was sorely mistaken. There would be no mercy for those who dared to defy the crown, no quarter given to those who stood in the way of his ambitions.

If he's ordered to die, he should obey.