As Victor looked through the 4 optional quests his brow furrowed.
'Quest 1: Execute Josephine Luxenberg!'
'Rewards: ???'
'Quest 2: Execute Klaus Luxenberg!'
'Rewards: ???'
Quest 3: Execute Katrina Luxenberg!'
'Rewards: ???'
Quest 4: Execute Vipon Luxenberg!'
'Rewards: ???'
All the optional quests were murder and just like the main quest the rewards were unspecified. Victor had still never taken a life. Not during the bandit skirmishes and not during the military outpost defence. So to take a life would be taxing, let alone being a family member. Victor disliked them all but was that enough to stoke a murderous fury, probably not.
Victor sighed, the thought about what would happen to them after taking the dukedom had crossed his mind. Having hostages was always a good thing but leaving them alive presented its own setbacks. Allowing rival heirs such as the twins to live was dangerous, leaving room for another coup and installing them as legitimate successors was always a risk.
"We shall cross that bridge when we get there," Victor muttered trying to steel his emotions and not let them cloud his judgement, especially at such a crucial time. To clear his head Victor began to train again by himself.
That night Victor was haunted by the idea of him killing someone. In his life as Conrad, he was bullied and a loner similar to how Victor was. Yet he never did anything about it. No matter how many times he would get assaulted in high school he did nothing. When his former employer would treat him like a slave, he did nothing.
Sure once he became Victor he slowly was able to come out of his shell, but to unleash such malice and end a person's life made him question himself. He was sure of himself that he could never commit such an act, but a lingering feeling of malice lurked deep within him and that truly terrified him.
It nagged at him, it whispered honey words to tempt him. The memories of all his torment replayed over and over in his mind. Feelings that had laid dormant were now seeping through the cracks trying to influence Victor. When these optional quests were revealed as murder quests, the hate Victor suppressed was now becoming prevalent.
For the next week, Victor grew sleepless. In his dreams, graphic depictions of him murdering his family plagued his imagination. Although he managed to go about his days fine, the nights were rough. With only a week til the coup Victor's resolve wavered.
'Can I go through with this? If I don't succeed our territory will get caught in the middle of a war. My mother's family could get destroyed if I fail.' Victor thought anxiously.
The pressure was slowly mounting for Victor. A lot was at stake for this coup. If he failed he condemned the lives of all his followers. If the Cassell Dukedom was found supporting us both the Cruyff and Luxenberg Dukedoms would go to war against them.
When Victor's resolve was at its weakest a defining moment reignited a spark for which he would ensure that this coup was successful.
It was 2 days until the coup and Victor was roaming the corridors of the palace heading towards the training grounds as he had routinely been doing when he came across Florence. Her face was half-beaten black and blue. Tears streamed from her eyes. Her uniform was torn and some of her hair was pulled out.
Out of concern, Victor stopped her. "Florence what happened who did this to you?" He questioned wearing a look of shock and sadness. Trying to speak coherently Florence was able to pause her crying for a moment.
"It was the young master and young mistress, Lord. They called me over, berated me and beat me all whilst the duchess watched." She replied, all while trying to keep some dignity. Seeing how badly she had been abused Victor's blood ran hot.
"Find Sebastian and gather your things, we will be leaving tonight," Victor ordered. Florence performed a small bow and ran along. Unquenchable rage brewed inside of Victor. Ever since Florence became his follower she performed her duties outstandingly, she was always polite and kind towards everyone. For her to be attacked in such a way that she can't even complain, made Victor see red.
Sadly, Florence was an easy target, being small and youthful the likes of Klaus and Katrina would have an easier time abusing her compared to Sebastian. Thankfully Sebastian was not messed with by the twins, but Victor would see that they resided at the military outpost until after the coup.
With the cover of darkness, the 3 of them left for the military camp. Once arriving at the camp Victor organised for some medical treatment for Florence. A few of the soldiers from the French Imperial Guard who had known Florence for a while were vehemently angry. She was always kind to them when their paths crossed. The Royal Scots Grey who accompanied Victor and his servants to Leblanc were equally as pissed.
Florence helped prepare meals for them on the road and her kindness was always greatly appreciated. During the month they spent on the road to and from Leblanc they considered her a lovely travelling companion. Even Larys Cassell was disgusted to hear of the indignities she suffered.
There were only 2 more sleeps to go until the big day and Victor could not wait to deal with the devils who he calls family. The only one he felt some regret for was his father. Sure he treated Victor like shit, but as of late, there was no sense of disdain. In his few and brief interactions with his father, he had been his usual cold self, but, he did look at Victor like a pathetic insect.
Such regret was wasted. 'Father will not allow me to imprison his precious twins, nor his wife. Although I do not hate him, I can not allow him to continue being allied with the Cruyff Dukedom. I must become our territory's new ruler.' Victor thought to himself.
Soon enough the day of the coup arrived. The outpost was jam-packed with soldiers preparing for the night. Victor's military outpost was about a 2-hour march away from Hannover. The aim was to leave as the night began. All who would remain at the camp were Larys Cassell, the 100 soldiers of Cassell Dukedom, the 60 Royal Scots Grey cavalrymen and all the porters and servants.
As sunlight began to fade all 430 soldiers who would be participating in the coup stood at attention facing General Rapp and Victor who were on horseback. Looking at his amassed soldiers Victor could only stare at the proud and loyal soldiers in front of him.
Taking a deep breath Victor addressed his soldiers, "My Loyal Soldiers! Tonight we undertake a task that will shake the foundation of the Luxenberg Dukedom! My father, Duke Vipon has been poisoned by a witch from the Cruyff Dukedom! Their devilish offspring regard the people of our territory as their playthings! Every breath they take is an insult to the mighty Luxenberg bloodline! Join me my loyal soldiers in purging the Cruyff mongrels from this earth!"
Impassioned by such an inspiring speech, the soldier began to cheer, "Hail Victor! Hail Luxenberg!" The chants sent a surge of confidence through Victor. His men were ready to fight and die for him. General Rapp wanting to jump on the high morale shouted,
"Forward march! To Hannover, we go!"