Chapter 13: Final battle

Alantuile personally knew Altressia as his senior in the military Academy before he dropped out and chose general studies. It surprised him when he saw how ragged she had become. She was the queen, he didn’t think the capital would lose. Was he wrong? If the capital lost, the cultists would explode in numbers and they might become unstoppable.

“Greetings, Queen Altressia I have—”

“Just Altressia. Please, don’t call me a queen. I am not worthy.” Altressia couldn’t look Alantuile in the eye. She had abandoned everything. She did not deserve to be called a queen. Lilianne’s face kept haunting her on this three day journey to Aelaranthae town. Her sadness and disappointment tormented her as she raced her horse to Aelaranthae Town.

Then, as Alantuile corrected himself, Ae Nae’Ire went inside the room and offered her sweets. She then sat down. Her bright yellow dress, fit for summer, coupled with a straw hat gave her a cute look, like an innocent child. Her smile soothed Altressia. She wondered whether she was Alantuile’s child. They were so different.

Aelaranthae are beautiful.

“Was she your child?” Altressia asked.

“No. She is Ae Nae. The queen of Aelaranthae Empire.”

“I am Nae’Ire. Nae is my mother.” Ae Nae’Ire corrected Alantuile. A shudder ran through Altressia at what he meant. Was he plotting a rebellion. She thought Alantuile had made a massive blunder but both of them paid it no heed.

“My apologies.” Alantuile bowed. Aelaranthae were created as goddess’s ideals. They all look the same. Except for the hairstyle, they just happened to change their hairstyle. And both Aelaranthae and the people don’t care. Even when they addressed different Aelaranthae, no problem occurred, such is the benefit the goddess gave the Aelaranthae. Thanks to their psychic bonding, they can share information faster than the speed of light.

People often addressed Aelaranthae as ‘Aelaranthae’ if both are present or Aelaranth if there are only one of them present regardless of which Aelaranth they spoke to. None call them by their names. Alantuile tried to change this. He tried to get closer to them. but as expected, he failed miserably.

“It’s fine Alantuile!” Ae Nae’Ire hugged him and sat down. She then smiled at Altressia and said her hello. Her voice pandered to Altressia’s ears. Her voice seemed to soothe the mind. Like a bell in the spring breeze.

“Hi.” Altressia replied, feeling uncomfortable. Ae Nae’Ire tilted her head. She was confused. Usually, if she acted like this, people would like it. Yes. It’s all an act. They wanted to spread happiness in the populace and become friendly with them. The usual stoic appearance often unnerved the populace. So, they tried hard to smile and become amiable to them.

“Now, are you asking for reinforcements? However, I am afraid to say that our forces are currently tied down at the moment. However, once they came back from Petraea, we could support the capital and break its siege. Do you think the capital could hold that long?” Alantuile said. He didn’t want to help Antheria because the former king had killed his father, so he tried to delay the reinforcement as long as possible. But he didn’t personally hate Altressia, so he still offered help.

“No… I want to join Aelaranthae Empire. Do you think you have a place for me here… We have known each other since the Academy…”

“I am sorry. But Here in the Aelaranthae Empire, we are evaluated by merit. You have to start at the bottom. Somewhere between foot soldiers or Military Logistics.” Alantuile frowned. His evaluation to Altresia dropped sharply. He sighed inwardly, Thinking that Altressia had become like other nobles. Greedy and selfish.

“That’s fine. I am fine being a military logistics. And you no longer need to call me queen anymore… I have cast away that title.”

“... I see. Nobles looked down on you as Aelaranthae’s puppet because you have drunk their blood. But it appears you are actually their puppets instead. How ironic.”

“Such a small amount of our blood would not affect her mind at all. She drank our chalice of life in good faith. I couldn’t even detect my blood in her anymore.”

“Is that so?” Alantuile turned to Ae Nae’Ire and she nodded. Altressia felt relief that she was not actually under Aelaranthae ’s control. All her fears that her will might someday be stripped away from her was unfounded. He then asked, “Shall we recruit her?”

“Sure, why not?” Aelaranthae nodded. Altressia was relieved that she found a job in Aelaranthae town. However, what came to her next was surprising.

“We plan to corner the cultist champion. Ae Zir said she was going to stalk them to Antheria’s capital. They are currently chasing them after getting some critical supplies such as food and water in our border town. Your task is to deliver supplies and then do a pincer attack on the cultist. Right at Antheria’s capital. Ae Zir must be the one who took the champion's head.” Alantuile said.

Altressia nodded in understanding.

She then proceeded to work, casting her dress and donning her newly sewn military uniforms. The Aelaranthae Empire’s military uniform was more simplistic, But it included the seamless dress that people talked about. Then, a standard steel sword. She didn’t get a more sophisticated armor since she was an officer, not a soldier. She was supposed to command from the back lines.

A week passed by. Alantuile was pleasantly surprised that Altressia was working hard and communicating well with soldiers of low standings.Unlike other nobles, Altressia didn’t look down on them. In fact, it was the other way around. She seemed to have a low self esteem and that made the soldiers cared and helped her instead.

The army, led by Numillion, was formed. Its task was to deliver supplies to Ae Zir’s army. Altressia was his adjutant. An army was formed for this supply delivery because Alantuile feared what happened in Petraea might happen again. She then marched toward a small town at the border of Petraea and Antheria as indicated. However, no one was there.

“I thought Ae Zir was supposed to rendezvous with us here.” Altressia said. A soldier came to them bearing a message, he told her where Ae Zir’s army had gone. She looked at the map where Ae Zir’s mercenary army was reported to be and frowned. “What were they doing in the village of Aluinne?”

“They spotted the cultist champion. This is a chance. But they were not willing to attack them without supplies.” Numillion answered

“I see. They wanted to keep track of the champions, huh?”

“Yes. That’s why they didn’t come here.” Numillion answered.

Altressia and Aelaranthae didn’t care about fame, but apparently, Alantuile wanted The Aelaranthae to have it so they could establish their empire. Altressia was kinda jealous. She wondered if she would ever have a subordinate as loyal as Alantuile. Altressia didn’t know that there was no such thing as undying loyalty. Their loyalty comes at a cost.

Most people, Alantuile included, choose to serve the Aelaranthae because they have common enemies. There was no such thing as undying loyalty or loyalty without cause. However, unlike nobles that are prone to betrayal for their own gain, they wanted to be loyal. That’s the difference. They wanted to believe that as long as they are loyal, they will be rewarded. Of all candidates, they chose to serve the Aelaranthae because they thought The Aelaranthae were their ideal lords.

Aelaranthae are selfless, humble, and benevolent. That’s what drew the crowd into them. Altressia kept blaming her surroundings, if only nobles were more loyal to her, if only nobles and soldiers listened to her. Nevertheless such was her fate. One person couldn’t change a nation that had rotten to the core. However, despite that, she was still true to herself. She worked as best as she could. Thus, she had earned respect from her peers in the Aelaranthae empire.

Altressia and Numillion moved their army and rendezvoused to the aforementioned village with Velryne. Velryne had managed to track the cultists' champion which were currently besieging Antheria’s capital. Altressia felt somewhat happy. If the reinforcement came in time, Lilianne would be saved.

“We should let the capital be destroyed. Then, we can pick off the wounded cultists’ army.” Numillion and Velryne discussed their strategy. They feared Antheria would backstab them later. So, they wanted a time where there were only two armies on the field so they knew who is friend and who is foe.

“No. We should pincer them right now. It’s the best chance. We don’t need to wait until the capital is destroyed. If the enemy recruited more cultists, we would be in trouble.” Ae Zir answered. Despite what Antheria had done to her, Ae Zir didn’t feel malice towards them. Altressia saw how benevolent these Aelaranthae are.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Aelaranthae have seen the rule of this world. All animals need to eat. And so do humans. They wanted something and sometimes, they used every method to get it. It was not something to be hated upon. It was simply the way of life. Aelaranthae have no needs, and thus, they have no reason to do evil. Hatred does not exist within them. Their purpose right now is self preservation. They did all of this simply as an act to defend themselves.

The groups started their pincer attack. It was a success and the cultists were surrounded by both the Aelaranthae’s army and Royal knights of Antheria.

Gunshots resounded and the cultist, armed with chaos god’s mark fell one by one. The royal knights expended all of their magic as they dueled the cultist who climbed their walls with their hands. Rashandur, who was now the champion of chaos no longer resembled the man he was once.

His body had grown to the size of an elephant, his bulging body was filled with muscle as hard as steel. Massive bat-like wings grew from his back and fangs grew from his mouth. He holds a sword on his right and a scale on his left. Like a creature from hell, he spread destruction upon his wake. His mouth breathes fires of death. Even when Velryne fired his guns towards him, the bullet merely bounced off his body.

Rashandur brushed such attacks with ease. He was about to proceed with destroying the gate but stopped when he sensed a Aelaranthae was behind him. Ever since that meeting, Ae Zir was on his mind. She was an antithesis of him. She stepped on everything he believed in. The law of this world is take or be taken. There is no creature that was supposed to exist by only giving things like Aelaranthae did. No creatures exist solely to make other people happy. Creatures should be selfish. They should prioritize themselves among others.

Ae Zir soon found herself meeting with Rashandur. Aelaranthae were powerful. But Rashandur, who was blessed by the chaos god was even more so. The small stature of Ae Zir couldn’t match the hulking body of Rashandur, who towered her like elephant to a mouse. However, Ae Zir has trained the way of the sword with Velryne. Thanks to the secret method she had gained from Ae Nae and Ae Nae’Ire, she had power, now with the skills and experience of men, she was stronger than ever before. Both of them cross swords and sparks of metal flew everywhere. Ae Zir stood her ground but she was sent flying in the next moment by another strike.

She was not wounded and Rashandur knew that. The battle continued. The cultist and Aelaranthae’s army fell upon each other with vigor. One seeks independence while the other seeks enslavement. One was made to give while the other was made to rob.

Each one was vying for victory. However, Antheria, who was led by royal guards, were in disarray. Even when reinforcements had already arrived, the nobles commanding them didn’t believe that the Aelaranthae were on their side. Instead of sending their personal troops to the wall, they chose to hole up in the castle and commanded all of their personal troops to defend the castle. And so, the resistance on the gate was weakened. Only Lilianne and her team royal guards stayed put and defended the walls.

The cultist eventually broke the gate. Many poured in only to be held by the town’s militia. Even when the champion was busy fighting Ae Zir, chaos ensued as the cultist’s words enticed the citizens. Feeling betrayed by the nobles, many soldiers and militia took it upon themselves to join the cult of Falfarus, seeking vengeance.

However, Lilianne stood firm. Together, she braved upon the gate and fought with all of her strength.

“Stand firm! We are Royal Knights! We live to defend our kingdom!” Lilianne rallied her fellow royal guards. Even though their numbers were few, they kept fighting. Even when their fellow countrymen turned into beastly monsters, they stood firm and denied the chaos god’s seduction.

“ARGHH!! All Hail Falfarus! God of blood! We shall Steal, we shall kill, we shall destroy!!” Rashandur roared.

“Kill! Steal! Destroy!” the army chanted.

“Kill the robber! Kill the chaos cult! Defend our homes!” Bellarion roared. Velryne followed suit.

Despite the hail of bullets, the cultists managed to keep pouring in, forcing the vanguard of Ae mercenary to draw their sword and battle them. The cultist knew no fear. Yet their tide broke like waves upon rock. Ae Mercenary had high morale. They fought for something. They all feel it in their heart. When a recruit lost in a melee fight against a cultist, other recruits ran and after they took some distance, they fired their bullets again, killing the cultist.

Velryne had drilled these recruits on what to do. Unlike new recruits, he could match one or even five of the cultists since he was taught by Lotharine and Aelaranthae themselves.

Hail of bullets poured out and swords dug into cultist tough skin, soldiers and cultists fell one by one. In the end, Ae mercenary reigns supreme. Leaving Ae Zir and Rashandur left. Velryne sends Numillion’s army to the Antheria capital, helping the royal guard inside. Altressia picked a gun and joined the attack eagerly, trying to save Lilianne.

Rashandur was bleeding all over. Ae Zir took advantage of her petite stature and zip past his swords, delivering a sharp counterattack. However, no matter what she did, she couldn’t inflict more than a shallow wound which healed in no time. The battle was in a stalemate. Ae Zir knew this would happen. She counted upon her troops to deliver the decisive victory they craved.

“We shall kill! We shall rob! We shall ravage the land!” Rashandur roared. Even when many of his minions fell, he stood firm, uncaring. Meanwhile Ae Zir glanced at her surroundings. Bitter and spicy feelings from pain and fear were mixed with sweet scent of passion and cool taste of hope. She fought Rashandur, baiting him to prevent him from harming her soldiers.

Caring and callous. Both ideologies clashed. The winner was then made clear when Velryne took his pistol and shot Rashandur in the eye. He gasped as blood poured from his eye, Ae Zir gathered her strength. This was a chance of a lifetime. Whirlpool of mana concentrated on her sword. The blue jewel glowed a radiant blue light.

Rashandur swung his sword haphazardly, waiting for his eye to regenerate. However, such futile attacks were meaningless in the face of nimble Ae Zir who had learned some basic swordsmanship. Coupled with her new strength, she dodged it. Ae Zir then landed on a protruded rock then, with a powerful stomp, she lunged toward Rashandur.

The blue light of hope from her blue jewel painted her like a blue comet. The strike pierced Rashandur's head through his eye. Even in the heat of battle, all soldiers and cultists spared a moment to witness the clash of the two. Demon and angels. Good and evil. It could only be described as such.

“ARGHH!!!!” The roar shook the very earth beneath him. Whirlpools of dark mana were evident even to the naked eye. Everyone except Ae Zir ran for cover like rats. Beneath the dark mana, scream of despair, the anger that Rashandur had felt permeated the battlefield. Sending even Ae mercenary running for cover. Ae Zir has delivered a deathblow. As the chaos mana left him, Rashandur finally fell. The dark mana left him and the cultist like smoke rising to the sky. The scream of anger abruptly stopped as The demon was slain.

All hope was lost for the cultist when they saw their champion lost. Their ideal, their desire, their lust was now bereaved of power.

The cultist, who was battling Lilianne and her troops suddenly felt their power weakening. Their power, now returned to normal, feeble commoners were no match with the fully trained royal knight and soon, they were cut down one by one. No mercy was asked nor given. Even to their last breath, the cultists cursed the nobles, the knights, whoever was towering above them for their negligence, their arrogance, and their tyranny. Yet, with no power from the chaos god, they have now returned to be the oppressed.

The slaughter of the remnants of cultists inside the capital continued until dusk. Swords were drawn and heads of the cultists would roll. Hundreds of thousands of cultists died. The cultists lived like fire. Burned strong and then dissipated like ash. As the sun sets, so is the cult of Falfarus.

Altressia rode her horse into the capital, seeking Lilianne and found her near the gate, dirtied with blood and soil, but alive. Seeing Lilianne at the gate filled her with joy. She leaped out from her horse and ran towards her, hugging her.

“You are alive!”

“Altressia….” Lilianne was shocked to see her but accepted her hug nevertheless.

Lilianne thought Altressia had abandoned her and the empire. And yet here she was. She had asked The Aelaranthae for her rescue. She had saved the empire. She regretted all of her words back then. Loyalty and respect were born anew for her queen.

“Queen Altressia.” Lilianne knelt in respect. However, the answer that came after disappointed her.

“I am not your queen.” Altressia said. Her voice was firm.

“I see. You really are leaving this empire, huh.”

“Yes. This is not my place. My allegiance is no longer with the empire. I am sorry.” Altressia said.Knowing her friend was safe, she turned her horse back.

“I will safekeep this empire for you.” Lilianne and Altressia said their farewell and both returned to their respective country.

Lilianne then rallied her scattered soldiers and returned to the castle. The work for the capital restoration will be tough, but the capital is safe, the Aelaranthae had triumphed. Lilianne had initially thought they would make Antheria a puppet state via Altressia, but they only wanted the champion’s corpse. Lilianne was grateful for the benevolent Aelaranthae. She hoped the Aelaranthae would become great rulers like Altressia’s grandfather once without the madness.

However, no good deed goes unpunished in Antheria. When Lilianne returned to the castle, she was ambushed by soldiers. Private soldiers owned by the nobles. She was captured and sentenced for execution by the nobles who feared her contribution to the empire.

“She is a traitor! She has colluded with Queen Altressia who had sold our empire to the Aelaranthae!” one of the nobles accused her. His words were as vile as his hearts. Nevertheless, birds of the same feather often flocked together for he is supported by many. The personal soldier of the nobles soon surrounded Lilianne.

Lilianne was then captured without any resistance. She and the other royal guards were few and exhausted while personal soldiers from these nobles were many and fit. These soldiers, like their master, feared retaliation from the throne for their betrayal, and so, they colluded, less they be hanged for desertion.

“Cowards! You have no dignity! You feared The Aelaranthae even though they had saved this kingdom. How dare you bite the hands that had saved you all!” Lilianne roared. Nevertheless, her words fell on deaf ears. For they cared not for the truth nor dignity. All they care for is power.

“Lilianne had failed her duty to protect the capital. She had failed to defend the gate and thus, many of our citizen’s lives were lost. And thus, we should punish her.” another commented. Perfect is the enemy of good. These nobles, flawed in their hearts, always found fault in others. They need to. for if they don’t, they will expose themselves of their corrupted heart. They have to bring down others, otherwise they will show themselves how inferior they are. They had to punish brave and virtuous people, otherwise people would find fault in their corrupted and cowardly way.

“I curse you! You are no master of mine! The rightful heir will come back to claim the throne from all of you! They will punish all your evil deeds!” Lilianne said as a sword was brought down to her neck. Nevertheless, her wish shall not be granted by men nor the goddess. For who wanted subjects as evil as they? Altressia had chosen her masters wisely, while Lilianne stuck to her blind faith and loyalty.

And so, Lilianne passed away. Along with the royal guards who supported her. Executed by those whom she protected. The nobles swore not to discuss her merit, trying to paint her as traitors. Each day, they blamed the fleeing queen and the failure of royal guards. They fear retaliation, they fear being called out for their cowardice. And so, the only way left for them is betrayal.

The goddess merely sighed at such behavior. She didn't spare more than a glance at such corruption. This was but a common occurrence between men. Each shall betray and each shall steal. The goddess knew what fate lies after such betrayal. It has happened as often as waves crashing on the shore to her. Even when there were no witnesses, the executor, the nobles themselves were witnesses. Deep down, they knew they had denied the truth and do evil. For that, a curse will be cast upon them. None shall be loyal to them and they shall be loyal to no one.

On the other hand, Ae Mercenary went home with fanfare. Every member of the mercenary rejoiced as they brought home their trophy. They had slew a champion of the chaos god. The mercenary will be known as the demon slayer. Ae Zir felt the joy and their exhilaration outweigh their pain. She liked the rich taste of the passion and jubilant mood her countrymen experienced.

Even though both Antheria and the Aelaranthae empire fought the cultists and won together, one was filled with joy while the other was filled with misery. One with happiness and the other with gloom. The nobles did not kill the cultist nor the champion. They would not know the feeling of pride for all their eyes were on gold and power. Moreover, they were drunk in their fear that they had killed the one who actually fought. The pride and honor died with the slain hero, betrayed by their own people. They were granted their wish. They kept their power as the lord. However, that power was hollow.

Power that was entrusted to them but did not use. People believed in them but they betrayed them. And so, their fate was clear. They will be cast aside. As they wished, they shall become king. King without subjects. None will follow them. None will hear them. None will serve them. For they serve none.