Chapter 34: The Purge

(Chapter 34 The Purge)

"Your Grace, another outpost has fallen in the hands of the rebels..."

Pierre entered Mengsk's office to inform him, who was smoking at his window.

"Casualties?"

Mengsk asked Pierre.

"Only a few, Your Grace, most have been reported MIA or have been captured, or most likely joined the side of the rebels."

Pierre replied, and Mengsk responded by crushing his cigarette after hearing the news.

"These damn rebels... This is the third time this month. Whenever we try to reclaim these outposts, we only find them abandoned."

Mengsk turned around, his eyes piercing Pierre's eyes.

"Why the hell is this happening?! Why aren't our forces fighting back? Why are they joining the rebels instead? Who is leading these insurgents? My soldiers are useless!"

Mengsk shouted in anger, hurling a half-empty bottle against the wall. The glass shattered, echoing his frustration throughout the room.

"The past two months have been unusual... Insurgents appeared out of nowhere, and their numbers are growing every day! Merlyn requested to visit her family in House Vance, but I didn't tell her to take Penance with her! That wench! And now she's refusing to come back!"

Mengsk exclaimed, his frustration mounting as he paced back and forth, the tension in the room palpable.

"We've tried to retrieve her, Your Grace, but Earl Vance threatened us, he simply told us he wanted to spend more time with his sister and niece. He warned that if we set foot inside their gates, we will be met with bloodshed."

Pierre's voice was steady, but there was an edge of frustration as he recounted the failed attempt to Mengsk, who continued to pace the room.

"The Fatui have demanded that we put an end to this rebellion charade before we proceed with the coup. Pierre, you must ensure that not everyone in my forces deserts to the rebellion. Do whatever it takes to maintain their loyalty. We can't afford any more betrayals at this critical stage."

 Mengsk said, his voice heavy with frustration.

"Yes, Your Grace. I assure you, I have threatened the Knights of the Golden Hand with immediate execution if they dare to desert."

Pierre replied.

"Good. We cannot afford to show any weakness now. Ensure that every knight understands the severe consequences of desertion. We need absolute loyalty if we're going to crush these insurgents and move forward with our plans. How many of my knights have gone missing?"

Mengsk asked Pierre, his voice laced with impatience and concern, after a brief hesitation, Pierre replied.

"Over... fifty-seven, Your Grace."

"Fifty-seven?! What the hell have you been doing? How could so many of my knights disappear under your watch? This is unacceptable!"

Mengsk exclaimed, his voice seething with anger. 

"Captain Falric, my right-hand man, vanished along with a platoon of knights and Mekas when I sent them to locate the insurgent's hideout, three weeks ago. I'm not certain if he betrayed us, or if they were killed or captured. We're still investigating their fate."

Pierre replied, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Damn it!"

Mengsk shouted, slamming his fist onto the table with such force that it rattled. 

"Rest assured, Your Grace. We don't need the knights or soldiers. The first Ghost platoon will be arriving in Stormwind in the coming days. Once they arrive, we can assassinate the insurgent leader, and this pathetic rebellion will crumble. This will be our chance to restore order and proceed with our plans."

Pierre said with a determined edge to his voice.

"Yes... You're right..."

Mengsk finally calmed down after hearing the news from Pierre. He took a deep breath, collecting himself.

"We need to act swiftly and decisively. Ensure the Ghost platoon is prepared for their mission as soon as they arrive. We can't afford any more setbacks." 

He leaned back in his chair, the tension in the room easing slightly.

"Yes, Your Grace. Also..."

"What now?"

Mengsk looked at Pierre, as he crossed his arms, not in the mood for more bad news.

Mengsk looked at Pierre, crossing his arms, clearly not in the mood for any more bad news. His eyes narrowed, and the room fell silent.

"Constantine, Tempest's teacher, has not been seen in the mansion for two weeks now... I suspect he has joined the insurgents." 

Pierre said cautiously, watching Mengsk's reaction closely.

"There have been whispers among the staff, and some of the knights have mentioned seeing him in Stormwind Harbor."

Mengsk's expression darkened further, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

"Where is Tempest?"

"He's most likely in his room, Your Grace."

Pierre replied.

"Bring him to me."

"Yes, Your Grace."

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At the court inside the Palais Mermonia...

*Ding!*

"Did you call me for me? My dear Neuvillette?"

Furina entered Neuvillette's office, where he was engrossed in the papers scattered across his desk. Beside him stood Sedene, balancing a stack of documents in her arms.

"Lady Furina, please sit down."

Neuvillette said.

'Mmm... He looks like he's in quite a foul mood. Oh well, his face always has that stoic expression anyway. I've never seen him smile even once.'

Furina thought to herself as she moved closer to his desk and sat in a vacant seat.

"I apologize for calling you here abruptly Lady Furina, but this is an urgent matter."

Neuvillette spoke.

"Hm? An urgent matter, you say? Well... what seems to be the issue?"

Furina asked him, tilting her head slightly while she crossed her legs.

"Do you know anything about this?"

Neuvillette said while he passed a newspaper to Furina's side of the desk, Furina's eyes widened in response.

"Breaking news from the Steambird!: An alarming uprising is currently unfolding in Stormwind, with insurgent numbers swelling by the day. Reports indicate that these rebels are not only well-armed but are also utilizing Mekas in their offensive operations. Our correspondents have conducted extensive inquiries across various villages in Stormwind, revealing a surprising level of support for the insurgents among local populations. The motives behind this rebellion remain unclear, but it is evident that their recent assaults have been exclusively targeting the forces of House Proudmoore. The situation continues to develop, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available."

Furina scanned the newspaper with growing concern, her brow furrowing as she absorbed the gravity of the situation.

'Tempest... What's going on?'

Furina thought to herself as she put back the newspaper back on the desk.

"Well? Lady Furina?"

Neuvillette spoke, especting Furina to have an answer.

"What is happening? Since when did these rebels even form? How did such a serious situation arise?"

"From what I heard, these rebels started forming two months ago, but we only found out about them a week ago. Because the Stormwind Duchy is secluded and the Duke there prefers the rest of Fontaine not to disturb them."

Neuvillette replied to Furina.

"Two months now?! Who is leading these rebels?!"

Furina said as she stood up from her seat, her face etched with worry and concern.

"As of now, we don't know, but it is clear someone is supplying these rebels, and if left unchecked these rebels could not only affect Stormwind but the rest of Fontaine as well."

Neuvillette said.

"I swear, I didn't know any of this! And what do you expect me to do? Side with the rebels? Or side with the Proudmoores? And let me remind you, House Proudmoore has never cared for me. They don't even bother hiding their disdain for me!"

Furina said as she sat back in her seat, letting out a sigh of frustration.

"What do you suggest we do?"

Neuvillette asked her.

"For the time being, we'll wait and see... Once things take a turn for the worse, deploy everything we have."

Furina spoke with a firm and resolute tone, her voice exuding a sense of authority, Neuvillette nodded in response.

'I hope you're not part of this Tempest...'

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"Caravan is approaching, Constantine."

Rohan said as they stood in a forest clearing, waiting for the caravan to pass through. The rebels, led by Constantine, were concealed among the trees and bushes, their presence carefully hidden as they prepared for the ambush.

"Mhm, Falric, accompany Rohan and halt the caravan. Question them about their cargo and find out what they're transporting. Meanwhile, I'll notify the others to get ready."

Constantine instructed, and in response, both Rohan and Falric nodded.

"Let's do this Captain, glad to have you with us."

Rohan said to Falric.

"I only do what's right, Rohan, let's move."

Falric replied, and the two walked to the caravan to stop it.

"Halt!"

Falric raised his hand in a stop gesture, to the coachman who was leading the caravan.

"I am Captain Falric of the Knights of the Golden Hand. We request that you disembark from your carriages so we can inspect what you're transporting. Rebels are active in this area, and we need to conduct a thorough search to ensure your cargo is secure. This should only take a moment." 

Falric said to the coachman.

"W-We cannot comply with that request, Captain. I assure you that what we're transporting is for the Duke's name day celebrations. We kindly request that you allow us to pass without delay."

The coachman replied.

"I won't repeat twice."

Falric warned the coachman, and in response, he gave in and got off his carriage. Falric got closer to the carriage to check what they were transporting and suddenly...

"Take them out!"

The coachman shouted urgently, and as he did, the people inside the carriages began to disembark, brandishing their swords in a menacing display. They confronted Falric and Rohan, their weapons drawn and ready, as tensions flared in the forest clearing.

"We're not the ones cornered here."

Falric spoke with a calm and unfazed tone, even as the tension mounted. Constantine, witnessing the unfolding scene, emerged from his hiding spot with the rebels. They moved swiftly, their muskets leveled at the caravan's escorts as they encircled them, effectively surrounding the caravan and tightening their grip on the situation.

"Damn rebels!"

The coachman gritted his teeth in frustration. With a resigned sigh, he dropped his sword and raised his hands in defeat. Seeing their leader's surrender, the other escorts followed suit, dropping their weapons and raising their hands as well. 

"Haha! A surprise for a surprise! I can't help but wonder what you're transporting that you're so keen on keeping hidden from us, hm?"

Constantine smirked as he stepped closer to the main caravan. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his rapier and tore through the tent covering the carriage.

"Oh my... This isn't for a birthday party! Ha! The Young Master will love to see this!"

Constantine said as he found two Gatling Guns hidden in the carriage.

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*Knock Knock*

A knock on Tempest's door came, as he was sitting on his desk, busy reading the book Clervie gave to Constantine.

"Who is it?"

"Young Master, your Father, wants to see you."

Pierre spoke from the other side of the door.

"Perfect timing, I actually want to see him as well..."