A Royal Obligation
Chapter 260: You’re no Fun

Chapter 260: You’re no Fun

The air grew thick with anticipation as the combined forces of Zephyros and Valeidio gathered at the gates of the Mbuzuoria palace. The scent of blood and sweat clung to them, their armor glinting in the dim light of the overcast sky. Behind Kaelix and his companions, soldiers lined up in perfect formation, ready to follow their leaders into the final stage of this battle.

Kaelix’s sharp gaze swept over the palace gates, assessing their strength. He turned to one of his captains. "Bring the battering ram forward. Those gates won’t hold for long."

The captain saluted, barking orders to the men. Within moments, a group of soldiers emerged, hauling a massive battering ram toward the gates. The sound of the heavy wood scraping against the ground echoed across the battlefield.

Lucian, standing beside his twin, cast a glance toward the palace walls. "Do you think they’re cowering inside, praying we’ll show mercy?"

Julian scoffed, his lips curling into a mischievous grin. "If they are, they’ll be sorely disappointed." He stretched his arms, his bloodstained sword resting casually against his shoulder. "Honestly, I almost feel sorry for them."

"Almost?" Lysander quipped, raising an eyebrow.

"Almost," Julian repeated with a smirk, stepping back as the soldiers positioned the battering ram.

Kaelix, however, remained focused. "Enough chatter," he said, his voice commanding. "We’re not done yet." He gestured toward the battering ram. "Let’s break it down."

"Aww, brother-in-law, you’re no fun," Julian teased, a lopsided grin plastered on his face.

Kaelix ignored him, but the others chuckled as the soldiers hefted the battering ram into position. With a coordinated heave, they swung it forward, the heavy wood slamming into the iron gates with a deafening clang. The sound reverberated through the air as the gates shuddered under the impact but held firm. Undeterred, the soldiers pulled back and struck again, their grunts of effort mingling with the rhythmic pounding of the ram.

Inside the Palace, the thunderous crashes of the battering ram reverberated through the grand halls of the Mbuzuoria palace. The surviving soldiers, scattered and bloodied, huddled near the throne room. Their faces were pale, their eyes wide with fear.

"How long can these gates hold?" one soldier whispered, clutching his spear tightly.

"Not long," another muttered, his voice trembling. "They’ve already breached the outer defenses. There’s no stopping them now."

"What about the king?" a third soldier asked, darting his eyes nervously around the room. "Where is he? Shouldn’t he be here, fighting with us?"

As if conjured by their desperate thoughts, King Thaddeus strode into the throne room, his armor gleaming under the flickering light of the chandeliers. His crown, a symbol of his rule, sat atop his helmet, and his cape billowed behind him. His face was a mask of fury as he approached General Rathorne.

"What is going on here, Rathorne?" the king demanded, his voice sharp and accusatory.

The general stiffened, bowing. "Your Majesty, we’ve lost general Walsen, the forces of Valeidio and Zephyros have taken the kingdom. They’ve breached our defenses and are now at the palace gates. We’re doing everything we can to hold them back..."

"Cowards," the king sneered, cutting him off. His piercing eyes swept over the soldiers in the room, his lips curling in disdain. "You let them take my kingdom. You let them bring us to our knees!"

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, their fear palpable. Some clenched their fists in frustration, while others lowered their gazes, unwilling to meet the king’s accusatory stare. A few dared to think the unspoken question: If we are cowards, then what are you? But none had the courage to voice it aloud.

Outside the Palace the battering ram struck again, its relentless assault causing a faint groan to echo from the gates. Kaelix’s calculating gaze didn’t waver as he watched the iron structure begin to buckle. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.

"Almost there," Theron muttered, his eyes fixed on the gates as he stood ready to charge.

"Let’s hope they put up a better fight inside," Julian said with a grin, his confidence brimming. He glanced at Draven, who smirked in response.

Ella, standing nearby with her arms crossed, wasn’t amused. Her eyes were cold, her tone sharper than usual. "This isn’t a game, Julian. Don’t forget what they did to Eirik."

Julian’s grin faltered for a moment, his expression turning serious. He nodded, his voice quieter but still laced with defiance. "I haven’t forgotten, Ella. That’s why I’m enjoying this, taking them down, one by one."

With a final, thunderous crash, the gates gave way, the iron bending and splintering under the relentless force of the battering ram. Cheers erupted from the soldiers as the path to the palace lay open before them.

Kaelix stepped forward, his sword gleaming under the pale sunlight. He pointed it toward the entrance, his voice cutting through the cheers like a blade. "Move in! Take down the palace!"

The soldiers surged forward, their boots pounding against the ground as they poured into the palace grounds. Inside, the Mbuzuoria soldiers scrambled to form a defense, but their efforts were futile. The combined forces of Zephyros and Valeidio swept through them like a hurricane, cutting down anyone who dared to stand in their way.

Kaelix moved with deadly precision, his strikes calculated and unrelenting. Each swing of his blade found its mark, leaving fallen enemies in his wake. Beside him, Theron fought with equal ferocity, his heavy strikes crushing through shields and armor. Lucian and Julian flanked them, their movements a seamless blend of skill and coordination.

Julian, as always, seemed to revel in the chaos. He drove his sword into the chest of a soldier, yanking it free with a flourish. "Is that all you’ve got?" he taunted, spinning to face another opponent.

Lucian shook his head, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "You’re insufferable, Julian."

"I prefer the term ’unstoppable,’" Julian shot back, laughing as he parried an incoming strike.

Nearby, Ella and Theo moved with ruthless efficiency, their swords flashing as they cut through the remaining defenders. Lysander and Draven joined them, their bloodied armor and grim expressions a testament to the battles they had already endured.

As they pushed deeper into the palace, Kaelix’s sharp eyes caught sight of General Rathorne standing at the top of the grand staircase, his sword drawn. Beside him, King Thaddeus loomed, his face twisted with rage.

"Kaelix," Rathorne called out, his voice echoing through the hall. "You may have breached our gates, but you’ll find no victory here."

Kaelix’s response was a smirk, his blade glinting ominously as he stepped forward. "We’ll see about that."