Disclaimer: This is a completely fictional story and does not reflect real history or any actual culture. All events are purely for entertainment purposes and do not endorse any actions in real life.
Summer of XXX, Kingdom of Helmara – Ironheart Palace
The conference hall in Ironheart Palace was vast and majestic. The walls were adorned with luxurious tapestries, and the dim glow of oil lamps reflected off war maps and secret letters from the borderlands. The air in the room was heavy with tension as the king's advisors awaited King Maximilian's decree. Low whispers of concern echoed from the corners—everyone knew that a decision of great consequence was about to be made.
King Maximilian Valorian stood before the strategic map, his voice deep and commanding yet cold.
"We can no longer hesitate. Xilaya is nothing more than a small kingdom, yet they dare challenge us. What do you make of this, Prime Minister Alexandro?"
Prime Minister Alexandro bowed respectfully, his voice calm, though a hint of unease lingered in his heart.
"Your Majesty, though Xilaya is a minor kingdom, their army is well-trained, and their generals are formidable. If we are not careful, they could slow our advance."
King Maximilian's brows furrowed, his sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered officials.
"I will not allow a feeble kingdom to stand in our way. What course of action do you propose?"
Prime Minister Alexandro nodded slightly, pointing at the map.
"Your Majesty, to secure victory with minimal losses, we must lay siege to Xilaya. Cut off their food supplies and sever their reinforcement routes. If we strangle them slowly, they will be forced to surrender."
King Maximilian fell into thought before the corners of his lips curled slightly—not in amusement, but in cold calculation.
"A siege, you say? Logical. But what if they resist fiercely?"
"We may still win, but at a cost. If the war drags on, our own forces will suffer exhaustion. We must prepare carefully."
At that moment, the grand doors of the hall burst open, and a cold voice rang out:
"Your Majesty, allow me to lead the battle this time. I will end this war swiftly."
Prince Julian Valorian stepped inside, his posture confident, his gaze sharp with arrogance yet laced with ruthless intent.
King Maximilian frowned.
"Julian, you have not fully recovered from the last battle. Do you truly believe you can take on Xilaya?"
Julian smirked, his eyes glinting like steel.
"A weak kingdom like Xilaya is not worth your concern. We should simply annihilate them. Grant me the command, and victory will be ours."
Leaving the palace, Prince Julian, alongside Prime Minister Alexandro, led the Helmara forces into battle. However, the battlefield was far more brutal than anticipated. The enemy fought with relentless determination, and Helmara's leading generals suffered heavy losses. Julian observed the unfolding chaos, his expression darkening as he turned to Alexandro.
"We cannot continue clashing head-on like this. I will withdraw and infiltrate their last line of defense. You must launch a feint attack to divert their attention."
Prime Minister Alexandro's voice was firm.
"No, Your Highness! That is too dangerous! The final line of defense is guarded by Xilaya's most elite assassins!"
But Julian did not listen. He vanished into the darkness, slipping behind enemy lines alone. Amidst the battle, an enemy soldier managed to slash his side, but despite the pain, Julian continued his onslaught. He mercilessly slaughtered every guard stationed outside.
His brutal strategy worked. Julian infiltrated the royal palace and assassinated Queen Maya and Princess Tarya—the most precious jewel of Xilaya.
"Please, spare us!" Queen Maya collapsed to her knees, her eyes filled with terror as she clung to her daughter. Princess Tarya, though trembling, stepped in front of her mother, her voice breaking.
"Please, Your Highness… Spare my mother. If a life must be taken, take mine instead… I beg you."
Julian stared at them, his expression devoid of emotion. Slowly, he unsheathed his sword, its cold steel glinting in the dim light.
"The weak do not deserve mercy."
Slash
A single stroke severed their heads, leaving their lifeless bodies frozen in their final pleas.
As their heads tumbled to the ground, Julian gazed at them—not with remorse, but with a twisted satisfaction and contempt. He picked up the severed heads and ordered his soldiers to deliver them to the King of Xilaya.
When the Xilayan King saw the heads of his wife and daughter, he collapsed in utter despair. He no longer had the will to resist. In that very moment, a cold blade pierced through his back.
Julian withdrew his sword from the dying king's body, his voice like a death sentence:
"Did you truly think a pathetic kingdom like Xilaya could stand against Helmara? Hmph. You are too weak. The weak do not deserve to exist."
The King of Xilaya fell, defeated. His once-mighty kingdom, known for its elite soldiers and impenetrable defenses, had crumbled under the might of Helmara.
But the victory was not without cost. Julian himself was gravely wounded, and Helmara's army suffered heavy losses. Nonetheless, they had won.
As Helmara's soldiers cleared the battlefield and rounded up the last remnants of Xilaya's forces, Julian stood amidst the ruins, gazing at the blood-red sky of the setting sun.
A faint smirk crossed his lips.
Victory was all that mattered.