A Royal Obligation
Chapter 261: It’s Over

Chapter 261: It’s Over

Kaelix’s sharp gaze never left King Thaddeus as he continued to address the general. "Your kingdom has already fallen," he said, his voice carrying through the hall like a death knell. "Make it easier on yourselves, surrender."

Rathorne’s grip on his sword tightened, his knuckles turning white. "Never," he spat. Behind him, King Thaddeus sneered, his eyes blazing with defiance.

"Then you’ve chosen your fate," Kaelix said coldly. He raised his sword and pointed it at Rathorne. "Soldiers, with me!"

The combined forces of Zephyros and Valeidio surged forward, storming into the palace like an unrelenting tide. The clash of steel echoed through the grand hall as the Mbuzuoria soldiers made a last stand, their fear and desperation fueling their attacks.

Kaelix moved with deadly precision, his strikes calculated and merciless. He blocked a strike aimed at his head, twisting his blade to disarm his opponent before driving his sword into the soldier’s chest. Blood sprayed, but Kaelix didn’t pause. His focus was on the king, who stood his ground at the top of the staircase.

Theron fought beside Kaelix, his heavy strikes breaking through shields and cleaving into armor. "Kaelix," he called out, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "Do you want Rathorne or Thaddeus?"

Kaelix didn’t look back. "The king is mine," he replied, cutting down another soldier who dared to stand in his way.

"Then the general is mine," Theron said to Kaelix, his voice steady. Kaelix gave a sharp nod, his focus unwavering as he advanced toward Thaddeus.

Meanwhile, Julian and Lucian were carving their own paths through the Mbuzuoria soldiers. Julian’s laughter echoed through the hall as he parried a strike, spun, and slashed his opponent’s throat. "They’re barely putting up a fight," he called out, flashing a grin at Lucian.

"Don’t get cocky," Lucian warned, though his lips twitched with amusement. "We’re not done yet."

Julian shrugged, driving his sword into another soldier. "If this is the best they’ve got, I might actually be disappointed."

"Focus," Ella snapped from nearby, her sword slicing through an enemy’s neck. She glanced over her shoulder at Julian, her expression hard. "This isn’t a time for games."

Julian’s grin faltered for a moment, but he recovered quickly. "I know, Ella. Trust me, I’m taking this seriously." He gestured around him with his bloodied sword. "This is my version of focus."

Ella rolled her eyes but didn’t reply, turning her attention back to the fight. Theo and Draven fought beside her, their strikes precise and devastating. Lysander, bloodied but unbowed, stood nearby, his axe cutting down any who approached.

As the Mbuzuoria soldiers fell one by one, General Rathorne’s resolve began to crack. He stepped back, glancing at King Thaddeus. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice low. "We need to retreat to a stronger position."

"Retreat?" Thaddeus snapped, his eyes blazing. "You would have me run like a coward?"

"If we don’t, we’ll be slaughtered," Rathorne replied, his voice tight. "We’ve already lost too many men."

Thaddeus hesitated, his pride warring with the reality of their situation. Before he could respond, the sound of Kaelix’s voice cut through the chaos. "Thaddeus!" he called, his sword raised as he ascended the staircase. "Face me!"

Thaddeus’s grip on his sword tightened. He squared his shoulders, trying to summon the authority that once commanded fear and respect. "I don’t understand why Zephyros and Valeidio have come to destroy my kingdom," he said, his voice trembling slightly but growing stronger. "All for the mistakes of my son, Carl? Why should Mbuzuoria be punished for his actions?"

Kaelix’s lips curled into a sneer. "Don’t insult me with your feigned ignorance," he said, his tone dripping with venom. "You think we don’t know about the spies you sent to our lands? You orchestrated the assassination attempts on my consort, Eirik, knowing full well the chaos it would cause between Valeidio and Zephyros. You thought you could manipulate us into destroying each other, all while you sat here in the shadows, profiting from the ruin."

Thaddeus’s eyes widened, genuine shock flashing across his face. "Spies?" he repeated, his voice cracking. "Assassinations? I had no..."

"Don’t lie to me!" Kaelix’s voice thundered, cutting off the king’s protest. "You knew, Thaddeus. You knew everything. Your hands are as bloodied as your son’s. This war is on your head."

The accusation seemed to drain the color from Thaddeus’s face, but his shock quickly turned to rage. He bared his teeth, his voice rising. "You have no proof of such claims! You dare bring war to my gates based on speculation?"

Kaelix stepped closer, his sword now raised and pointed at Thaddeus. "We don’t need proof when the bodies of your pawns speak for themselves," he said coldly. "You underestimated us, Thaddeus, and now you’ll pay the price."

For a moment, silence stretched between them, the weight of Kaelix’s words hanging in the air. Then, without warning, Thaddeus lunged forward, his sword arcing toward Kaelix in a desperate strike.

Kaelix sidestepped just in time, the blade slicing through the air where he’d been standing. His lips curving into a humorless smirk. "If you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige."

The clash of steel rang out as their swords met, the force of the impact reverberating through the throne room. Thaddeus attacked with wild ferocity, his strikes heavy but unrefined. Kaelix, in contrast, moved with calculated precision, parrying each blow and countering with deadly accuracy.

Meanwhile, Theron engaged General Rathorne on the other side of the room. Their blades clashed with equal ferocity, Rathorne’s strength meeting Theron’s skill. "You’re loyal to a lost cause, Rathorne," Theron said, his voice calm despite the exertion. "You know how this ends."

Rathorne growled, his strikes growing more aggressive. "I’ll die before I betray my king," he snarled.

"Then die you will," Theron replied, his tone devoid of pity as he pressed his attack.

Back with Kaelix and Thaddeus, the battle was escalating. Thaddeus’s desperation drove him to take risks, but Kaelix’s superior skill and composure gave him the upper hand. Kaelix ducked under a wild swing and retaliated with a sharp thrust that grazed Thaddeus’s side. The king stumbled, clutching the wound, but he refused to yield.

"You think you can destroy me?" Thaddeus spat, his voice dripping with venom. "I’ve ruled longer than you’ve drawn breath, boy!"

"And yet here you are," Kaelix shot back, his tone mocking. "Desperate. Bleeding. Watching your kingdom fall around you."

Thaddeus roared, launching himself at Kaelix in a reckless charge. Kaelix sidestepped again, this time slamming the hilt of his sword into the back of Thaddeus’s head, sending the king sprawling to the ground.

"You were never fit to rule," Kaelix said, his voice low and cold as he stood over the fallen king. "And now your reign ends."

Thaddeus, dazed but still defiant, tried to push himself to his feet. Before he could rise, Kaelix’s boot came down on his chest, pinning him to the ground. The tip of Kaelix’s sword hovered just above Thaddeus’s throat.

"Do it," Thaddeus hissed, his eyes blazing with defiance. "Kill me and prove you’re no better than I am."

Kaelix stared down at him, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he didn’t move, the tension in the room so thick it was suffocating. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he withdrew his sword and stepped back.

"I don’t need to kill you to prove my worth," Kaelix said, his tone colder than ice. "You’ve already proven yourself unworthy of life." He turned to his soldiers, who had entered the throne room and surrounded the scene. "Take him," Kaelix commanded, his voice sharp. "I’ll make sure he lives to see the full weight of his failure."

As Thaddeus was dragged to his feet, his expression a mixture of rage and humiliation, Kaelix turned to see Theron standing over the lifeless body of General Rathorne. Theron nodded, his breathing heavy but steady.

"It’s over," Theron said simply.

Kaelix’s lips twitched into a grim smile. "Not yet," he said, his gaze shifting to the soldiers who had secured the room. "This palace belongs to Zephyros and Valeidio now. Spread out, secure the remaining areas. And prepare the dungeons. We’ll deal with Thaddeus properly."