Chapter 36 - Adelaide's Fury

Third Person POV

The former imperial knights who had joined forces with the North were all contemplating if they should set their capital on fire as per order. They couldn't help but to reminisce about the past with their family and loved ones.

"Can't we just let the capital as it was? Is there a reason why Lady Hawthorne wants us to burn the capital down? Are we sure that there are no citizens trapped in any of these buildings?" Asked one of the knights. His hands have been shaking while holding a magic tool that produces fire.

"We had sworn our loyalty to the lady. This is what we must do! For our fallen brethren who were sent to war without proper preparation- we must—-" the knight by the name Luke choked on his words as he felt overwhelmed by the feeling.

"What are you guys doing?! Has reality finally crashed into your soul? Have you forgotten what the lady had told us? This war is for the future! The current monarch has no decency! They only think about themselves! It is time for us to act! The lady had given you all a second chance! Use it wisely! Now burn the capital down!" Arthur shouted at the knights.

Astoria finally joined with Arthur and the rest after burning the south side of the capital. As she arrived, she noticed the former imperial knights seemed to have second thoughts.

"Let me ask you all a question- to whom you swore your oath to?" The knights look at each other.

"To Lady Adelaide Hawthorne." Luke replied.

"And the lady had given you all her orders- which is?" Astoria faces Luke. Luke couldn't help but to feel small in front of the empire's strongest knight.

"To burn the capital city down and make sure the current monarch is captured alive." Astoria smiled.

"Exactly- your mission is to wipe the Tempest Empire off the map! You're not here to contemplate if you should question the lady's state of mind! On my count-" Astoria raised her sword.

The knights raise their magical tool and were about to burn the whole capital down when they all heard a voice crying for help.

"Hold your fire!" Astoria shouted while looking around the vicinity.

"Help- help us! Please help us!" Astoria unmount her horse and approach the two dark magicians that suddenly appeared from nowhere.

"Please help us-" the other knights flinched when they saw one of the magicians' faces are all skull and bones. Even in such a state, he tried to help the person next to him.

Astoria approached the magicians and asked what happened to them.

"My friend- she is with child. Our leader- once he found out, he tried to kill her. We have no choice but to flee. Please help us- I will do anything- please help my friend. I will tell you where the empress dowager is. Please just help her!" Astoria remained nonchalant as the magician knelt in front of her.

"Moloch."

Moloch appeared from the shadows.

"What an immense mana. Are they my new toys?" Moloch asked as he looked down on the kneeling man and woman.

"Don't hurt them just yet. Get some information from them about the empress dowager's whereabouts." Moloch nodded before he brought the magicians with him.

"Now, complete your mission! Anyone who dares to ignore the Lady's orders, they shall face my blade!"

A few days later,

Adelaide used the binoculars to see how Tempest is faring from afar. She couldn't hide her excitement as she saw how the palace, which had stood there for centuries, fell to ruin.

"Adelaide, you've done it well. I didn't expect that your plan would work. How did you get the Holy Church to side with you?" Duke Hawthrone asked his daughter.

"I just told them I know the archbishop has been stashing funds through illegal channels. They were so willing to be on my side. The pope said that if I manage to solve their trouble discreetly, they will at my beckon call. It wasn't that hard to fool the archbishop. It's always the same pattern when it comes to greedy individuals. Offer them more money." The duke sighed before he took a binoculars and look at the direction where his daughter is pointing.

"The imperial palace has fallen. The only proof of power for the imperial family is gone. Tempest is no more." The duke put the binocular down and watch how his daughter react to all of this. He was taken aback when Adelaide doesn't seems too happy about it.

"What's wrong, Adel?" Adelaide hummed.

"Would a palace made from black marble be better for the new empire?" The duke was confused.

"You're worrying about that now?! Honey, we haven't dealt with the former imperial family yet. Alya is making sure they are taken care of as we speak." Adelaide chuckled.

"Alya may do whatever she wants. I told her she could even kill them if she wishes to but knowing her, she would wait." Adelaide hummed before she made her way inside the Hawthorne mansion.

"Tell the mages to clean the rubbles immediately. A new capital will be built as soon as possible. A new era has begun. Tell the dwarves to be prepared!" Bolton nodded before he left the room.

"Any news from Astoria?" Adelaide took a seat on a chair before crossing her legs.

"The countess is on her way back here with a few injured knights. The rest will be helping the mages in the clean up." Adelaide hummed.

"Where is Alya?" My head maid, Sarah, seems contemplating if she should tell her superior the truth.

"Follow me, milady." Adelaide tilted her head before following Sarah towards the dungeon. Adelaide covered her nose as she entered the room. The things she saw there made her realize the true nature of her childhood friend.

"Alya- you'll kill him if this continues." Alya turned around to see Adelaide and Sarah standing not far from where she was.

"But this family has done nothing but bad things to the people. They need to be punished accordingly." Adelaide approached Alya and pulled her back.

"Forcing down silver liquid is not the right way to punish these abominations." Adelaide ordered the mages to heal the former emperor, empress dowager and Victor." Adelaide gave Alya a look.

"What you did to Victor, it seems personal. What happened between the two of you?" Adelaide asked. Alya clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"I always thought he was a great man. But in truth, he is an adult who likes sleeping with young women. How could you endure such treatment from a man who is similar to garbage?" Adelaide thought for a moment.

"I don't know. I always made sure he chose willing women rather than forcing them to be with him." Alya suddenly screams in frustration.

"I can't believe I used to have feelings for him! Ugh! What a waste of my time!" Alya took the chance to kick Victor between his crotch before taking a few deep breaths.

"God I wish I could cut that phallus off of him! He doesn't need it! Look! He even has the audacity to get hard! How is this man capable of leading an empire in such a state?!" Adelaide waved for Sarah to bring Alya out from the dungeon.

"You— you will regret this, Adelaide." Adelaide faces Ramona, the empress dowager.

"And why would I regret anything, Ramona." The empress dowager was shocked to hear Adelaide called her by her name instead of her title.

"How dare you show such disrespect! I am the empress dowager of Tempest! Show some respect!" Adelaide laughed at Ramona.

"It's finally happening- you are finally losing your sanity! Tempest? What is that? I never heard of tempest before." Ramona was speechless.

"What do you know about that?!" The former emperor roared. Adelaide gave the former emperor such an intense glare and said,

"Tempest has fallen to nothing but dust. Your reign and history is over. Tempest is no longer on the map!" The former emperor can't seem to find any words to say.

"Surprise? Would you like to see what is left of Tempest? Follow me," the knights grabbed the former emperor and Ramona by their hair and dragged them out from the dungeon.

"Ta da- here is what is left of Tempest. But don't worry- I will make use of all this land for sure. I'm thinking of building a new empire which has nothing to do with you and your bloodline." The former emperor's eyes widen.

"What have you done! My ancestors built this empire with their sweat and blood! You- what possessed you to do this! You monster! MONSTER!" Adelaide laughed at their faces while holding her stomach.

"Ah, what a sight! If I'm a monster- then what are you? What possessed you to kill my daughter? All she was trying to do is to make Tempest a better place to be. And yet you killed her in the cruelest way. If you have to blame anyone for this destruction, blame your goddamn self!" Ramona got up from the floor, searching for something.

"The palace- where is the palace?!" Ramona grabbed a hold of Adelaide's hands.

"What have you done to my palace!" Adelaide kept a calm expression.

"Palace? Oh- I had them removed. Well, I'll give you two some time to process your loss. Tomorrow you two will begin your journey to the North. I will make sure you feel what my Alexandra felt when she was killed. You two will face Hell sooner than expected. But don't worry, I am merciful. I'll make sure to be the best healer by your side all the time. I don't want the two of you to die before I'm satisfied."