Tyrant? No, I am the Villain
Chapter 23: An Easy Takeover

Chapter 23: An Easy Takeover

Estefan stood up and leaned down, bending at the knees as he smirked at the old councillor.

"You did a wonderful job, giving me such valuable information." He said as he looked at the Old Man.

Vetrigar had no idea how to respond. The words sounded kind, too kind especially from someone who ruthlessly murdered so many. As all he could feel was that a single reply could mean his death.

"Well, you must be paid." Estefan continued. "Of course, information is valuable... but you’re still a traitor. That said I should also consider the fact that you did survive for this long. I should at least reward you with a proper retirement."

Vetrigar, for a fleeting moment, felt comfort. He opened his mouth to respond, "Thank—" But before he could finish, his head was cleanly severed from his body and it was a perfect slice.

The attacker remained invisible to the naked eye, but it was clear: Estefan’s unseen bloodhounds had completed the final purge of the corrupt council.

"Retirement granted." Estefan said casually, stretching his arms. "Now, let’s tell this city it has a new master considering many of these councillors had no clue regarding my identity or position."

He walked toward the balcony. Below lay a massive assembly ground, large enough to host thousands. At the balcony’s barricade stood a glowing blue spherical stone. Estefan placed his hand on it, activating a magical circle in front of his mouth.

"Hello, everyone." His voice echoed across the city. "Most of you may not know me yet, but I am your new ruler. My father, the Duke, has granted me the title of Baron and dominion over this city. My first act? The execution of the Council. They were butchered, beheaded, and left to rot in agony. Let this serve as a lesson to those who seek to ruin my city and break its laws. I will rule with an iron fist. And if I must drown this city in blood to rebuild it, so be it."

The circle vanished. Estefan turned and walked out. "Galliard." He called as he exited the building. "Let’s return to the palace. From now on, all official business will be conducted there."

Galliard, pale and sweating, bowed his head. "As you wish, my lord."

A new era was dawning, one painted in blood as after the announcement the common citizens rejoiced, having suffered long under the mismanagement of the Council. But those who had thrived in corruption now saw Estefan as a threat that had to be eliminated.

Back at the palace, Estefan entered the main hall and sank onto a couch.

"Bring me coffee." He ordered a maid. "And some sweets, maybe a cookie."

Then he turned to Galliard. "I’m disappointed. I expected at least one decent councillor, but all of them were rotten. Hard to believe my father failed to see them for what they were."

Galliard stayed silent while keeping his head bowed in front of Estefan along with many other servants who were all prepared for any orders given by their Baron.

Suddenly, a loud commotion echoed from outside.

"What’s going on now?" Estefan asked, waiting for his coffee.

Galliard turned toward the palace entrance, only to see the City Guard Commander barging in with his elite guards.

A servant whispered, "We tried to stop them. They attacked one of ours..."

"My lord." Galliard said grimly, "The City Guard Commander is here."

Estefan remained seated. He wasn’t impressed. "Uninvited?" he scoffed. "Let me guess, another bloated corrupt fool thinking he’s above me because of age."

The Commander entered, his large belly barely contained in armor. "How dare you execute the council?!" He shouted.

Estefan yawned. "I dared because I can. You, on the other hand, should be licking my boots like a good dog instead of barking like a stray one."

The Commander’s face turned crimson which made Estefan feel concerned for a moment since it appeared as if it could blow up like a balloon. "The audacity!" he bellowed. "Guards, arrest him for murder!"

"Under whose authority?" Estefan asked, lounging back.

"Mine." The man barked. "As the city’s guardian, it’s my duty to maintain order and remove threats like you."

"Is this a joke?" Estefan chuckled. "You think you can waltz into House Angeras’s palace in the land owned by House Angeras and threaten me, the Baron who is the de facto absolute ruler of the City without consequence?"

"Arrest him!" the commander yelled again.

"Wow." He was amazed, "Imagine a security guard ordering to attack the owner of the house which is supposed to guard... doesn’t make any sense but then again I don’t expect much from someone who fattens himself up with all that juicy money from the criminals."

Clearly, he believed Estefan to be a weak spoiled noble who is the Duke’s puppet as he killed the council for the Duke and since no knights were present in the Palace, he thought this was his chance to seize control and maybe get more money from his owners.

Two guards stepped forward with blades drawn to arrest Estefan.

"I suppose Rammstein doesn’t receive news out here about what happens with the Ducal House and its internal drama." Estefan said calmly. "Or maybe you’re just too fat from all those bribes to see reality."

As he finished speaking, the heads of both guards rolled to the floor. The Commander’s eyes widened in horror.

"HOW DARE YOU?!" he shouted, unsheathing a jewel-encrusted sword which was a symbol of his rotten corruption. "You dare attack the City Guard?!"

Estefan lifted his right hand and pointed. "You don’t need a right hand, since you’re always so wrong."

A compressed sphere of wind formed in front of his index finger before it got shot forward, obliterating the commander’s right shoulder. The arm flew off, the jeweled sword still clutched in its lifeless grip.

The bits of his right side lungs can be seen on the ground with some remaining inside as the man fell down causing more blood and bits to scatter from inside that giant cavity formed in the now empty shoulder.

Estefan stood. "With this, I formally take command of this city’s entire governing structure. Next... the underworld."

[To be Continued]