Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World

42  Guilt

The Codicia Family was one of the first supporters of Garret Von Stahl in establishing the Stahl Kingdom in the region, bringing a significant number of settlers with them, who helped to build the foundations of the nation. They were a low-class family in the central region who swore their loyalty to Garret, promising the same treatment to his heirs.

This promise was maintained for hundreds of years after the death of Garret, with those from Codicia being responsible for defending and guaranteeing peace in Mirante and on the White Merchant Road. As a way to show their respect for the Royal Family, all those who were entitled to inherit the throne of Mirante were sent to the capital for training and to maintain their link with the Royal Family.

However, in recent decades, the Codicia Family has been trying to expand their influence and overshadow the Royal Family, eating away the kingdom. Fortunately, the previous King was an intelligent man who managed to maintain the opposition force at bay for a period, forcing the Codicia Family to be restricted in Mirante and using their heir as some sort of political hostage.

In the end, Duchess Codicia was taken to the castle when she was twelve years old, living inside Eisenburg's walls and being under the tutelage of Luther for almost fifteen years. The old General was responsible for instilling in her mind the importance of loyalty to the Royal Family and to the people.

-x-

The wind was blowing fiercely on top of Mirante's walls, making Duchess Codicia's black hair resemble the stormy waves in open sea as her piercing blue eyes were fixed on the old figure before her, who had his hands clasped behind his back, trying to hide a sudden tremor.

"It's been a while, my apprentice!" – Luther voice was accompanied by a melancholic smile as his once unblemished face displayed some wrinkles – "Those emotions don't fit your eyes. You were such a lovely and innocent child, filled with respect and love for the people."

Luther shook his head calmly as his eyes carefully scanned the scene atop the walls. The first thing he noted was the lifeless body beneath Codicia's feet, whose blood cascaded onto the ground and carved a thin trail on the snow gifted by the harsh winter.

"It wasn't just your eyes that changed"- Luther said, with guilt flickering across his eyes – "You're not the same brave and innocent little girl I once knew, the one who would scream and fight against the injustices of this world. You became someone who killed your own husband…"

"SHUT UP!" – Duchess Codicia's voice echoed through the walls of Mirante as she screamed in madness, her sword slicing through the air, sending a freezing gust towards Luther, who easily dodged with a sidestep.

"Your dog attitude is to blame for all of this!" - Codicia's voice boomed as she raged on, her once icy blue eyes now turning red from fury- "Had you supported me in changing this kingdom, had you followed me two years ago…none of this would have happened…the people would have long found peace!"

Luther looked at her with a mix of sadness and disappointment - "Because of me? Changing the kingdom? Peace for the people?.... Is that what you call it?"

The old man stretched his arms wide, as if trying to shake Duchess Codicia from her delusion and reveal the reality happening down the walls. Henry was relentlessly cutting down any defenders who dared to stand in his way.

The Third and Fourth Stage Warriors on the defending side were no match for the soldiers imprinted with the Tribal Tattoos and the swift cavalry, who utilized their overwhelming strength and speed to suppress these powerhouses and overcome their lack of Fourth Stage Warriors.

Luckily for Henry, there were only three Fourth Stage Warriors on Codicia's side, otherwise, the number of cavalry and infantry at his disposal would not have been sufficient to take the city down. In the end, the result of the battle was nothing short of a brutal massacre.

"Is that peace?" – Luther scolded her in fury, showing new wrinkles on his once spotless skin.

Duchess Codicia's grip on her sword faltered as her fingers slightly trembled, but she remained convinced of her decisions – "I've fought countless battles within the Frozen Forest and hunted down bandits across the whole kingdom for years. And through it all, I've come to understand that to bring permanent stability to the North, it is necessary for the people to fear their ruler more than they fear the dangers of their surroundings. The Royal Family has long lost the will to achieve it."

"Ruthlessness is not strength." – Luther replied firmly, his expression hardening.- "True strength comes from compassion and empathy, from understanding the needs of your people and working to meet them. That is what makes a great ruler, not only fear and violence."

The two stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills. Duchess Codicia raised her sword, the ice element crackling around the blade – "Sorry, but in order to establish a future for the people…YOU HAVE TO DIE!"

With a scream of fury, Codicia launched herself at Luther, her sword slashing through the air. Luther dodged and weaved, his movements graceful and fluid despite his age. He was in the Sixth Stage, meaning that he had a great control over his body and could expand his field of observation wider, predicting Codicia's attack with precision.

The Duchess's sword was covered in the ice element as she utilized the air around the sword as an extension of herself, throwing the freezing air towards Luther, who already had his face filled with scratches. He was able to dodge the sword, but the swift and invisible cold air was a much difficult task, even more so within close range of the sword.

It was a difficult matter subduing a peak Fifth Stage Warrior while lacking the intention to kill, even for a Sixth Stage. The memories of the young Codicia following behind him while screaming justice's words held him back, leaving him with the only option of dodging her attacks while suffering superficial injuries from each attack attempt.

"DIE! DIE! DIE!" – The Duchess screamed madly as she swung her sword, causing new injures to appear on Luther's old skin.

However, the old general remained agile and swift, effortlessly dodging, and redirecting Codicia's relentless assaults. With each attack, he sidestepped and used his hands to guide the trajectory away from his body.

It was like a cat and rat game as they ran along the walls, with Luther being crazily chased. The soldiers on the way became collateral damages, as Codicia's freezing attacks grazed them and froze their blood.

"If this continues, the innocent citizens will get caught in this battle." – Luther realized that he was approaching a crucial juncture where outcome of the fight was about to reach the houses below the wall and he wouldn't allow that.

As he dodged yet another attack, Luther stared at Codicia with a mix of guilt and unwillingness. He blamed himself for letting things escalate to this degree, turning the innocent child back then into a monstrous entity, who only cared about her own ambitions.

He had to take care of it, for the people and his king.

"Sorry!" – Luther murmured and closed his eyes, unsheathing his sword in a swift motion. – "Second Form – Moon Redemption"

Codicia's eyes bulged in disbelief and horror as Luther's sword plunged through her chest. She could see the guilt and sadness etched on the old man's face, feeling the strength leave her body as she collapse to the ground, while still holding onto her sword.

She desperately tried to find the strength to stand back up, but blood was pouring out of her mouth, staining her beautiful black hair and the pristine snow around her. The Duchess's eyes darted around frantically, and her hands reached out as if searching for something to hold onto.

She didn't want to die, not like this.

"I still have things to do. I can't die and leave the people." - She thought to herself, her mind racing as she tried to stay conscious.

Suddenly, two large hands held her tightly as a soothing voice whispered in her ear -"Don't worry kid, I am here…You can rest. It's fine."

She remembered that voice.

It was a voice that had comforted her since she was a child, a reassuring presence that always appeared when she was in trouble. She also remembered those hands that used to pat her head when she did a great job on a hunt or during training. The Duchess tried to look around, but she had already lost her sight as her brain tried to preserve energy and protect itself.

"I missed this feeling." – She thought with herself as she submerged in darkness.

She wasn't scared as those hands gave her enough strength to face everything. It was comforting.

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