The Bloody Night
The capital slept under a thick blanket of darkness, the moon obscured by heavy clouds. The air was cold and still, carrying an almost oppressive silence that seemed unnatural. It was the perfect night for what Roman had set into motion—a night that would be remembered as The Bloody Night.
Beneath the palace, in the hidden chamber of shadows, Roman stood before a group of cloaked figures. These were his most trusted Black Scourge assassins, soldiers molded by his system and sharpened into instruments of silent death. "Tonight," Roman said, his voice calm but firm, "we rid this kingdom of the parasites that threaten its future. These nobles and councilmen think themselves untouchable, but they will learn the truth before their last breath. No witnesses, no mistakes. Go."
The assassins dispersed, moving like wraiths into the night, their targets already marked.
---
The first strike of the night was against Lord Edrick, a powerful nobleman who had covertly funded rebellious groups to undermine Roman's authority. Edrick's manor, situated on a hill overlooking the city, was a heavily fortified estate with a personal retinue of trained guards.
The Black Scourge team assigned to Edrick consisted of five assassins, including a two-star Aura Swordsman as their leader. They approached the estate through a secret tunnel beneath the hill, uncovered by Roman's informants. Emerging silently into the manor's gardens, they began their work.
The guards patrolling the grounds were the first to fall. One by one, they were taken down with poisoned darts and silent blades. The assassins moved with surgical precision, their black cloaks blending seamlessly with the night. Inside the manor, the team encountered more resistance—Edrick's personal guards were more alert, but they were no match for the assassins' superior skill.
Lord Edrick himself was found in his study, scribbling letters by candlelight. He didn't even notice the assassins until a blade pressed against his throat. "Who—" he managed to croak before the blade silenced him forever. His body was left slumped over his desk, his blood soaking the unfinished letters of treason.
---
Meanwhile, on the western side of the capital, another team targeted Countess Marith, a cunning noblewoman known for her manipulative schemes against the crown. Her lavish estate was filled with traps and hidden passageways, designed to protect her from exactly this kind of attack.
The assassins began by creating a diversion—a small fire set in the outer stables. As the guards scrambled to contain the flames, the Black Scourge infiltrated the manor through a concealed window.
Inside, Countess Marith was hosting a private gathering with a few of her closest allies. The assassins moved swiftly, striking down the guards stationed outside the room. Bursting into the gathering, they dispatched the nobles before they could even draw their weapons.
Countess Marith tried to flee through one of her secret passages, but the assassins were prepared. They cornered her in a hidden chamber, where she begged for her life. "Please, I'll pledge my loyalty to the king! Spare me!"
One of the assassins stepped forward, his dagger gleaming in the dim light. "Loyalty bought with fear is worth nothing." The blade plunged into her chest, ending her life.
---
On the other side of the capital, the most daring operation of the night was underway. Lord Harrin, one of Prime Minister Veranthor's most influential allies, was hosting a grand banquet at his estate. The Black Scourge had been given explicit orders to make an example of him.
Dressed as servants, the assassins infiltrated the banquet, blending seamlessly with the staff. As the guests feasted and drank, the assassins bided their time, waiting for the perfect moment.
When the clock struck midnight, they struck. One assassin locked the doors to the banquet hall while the others drew their weapons. The room erupted into chaos as the guests realized what was happening, but there was no escape.
Lord Harrin stood at the head of the table, his face pale as he shouted, "Do you know who I am? You'll pay for this!"
One of the assassins approached him, her voice calm and chilling. "We know exactly who you are. And that is why you die tonight." With a swift slash of her blade, she ended his life. The rest of the guests met similar fates, their screams echoing through the hall before falling silent.
---
Across the capital, more nobles and councilmen fell. Lord Varen, who had plotted to smuggle arms to rebellious factions, was ambushed in his carriage as he returned from a meeting. His guards fought valiantly, but they were outmatched by the Black Scourge. Varen's body was found slumped in his carriage the next morning, his signet ring missing—a clear message to any who dared to follow his path.
Baroness Luthien, who had openly defied Roman in council meetings, met her end in her private chambers. The Black Scourge slipped past her guards and into her room, where they waited for her to retire for the night. As she entered, she barely had time to gasp before a dagger pierced her heart.
---
By the time dawn began to break, the Black Scourge had completed their mission. Twenty nobles and councilmen had been eliminated, each death meticulously planned and executed. The assassins returned to their hidden chamber beneath the palace, their black cloaks stained with the blood of the kingdom's enemies.
Roman awaited them, his expression unreadable. "Report," he commanded.
The leader of the assassins stepped forward. "All targets have been eliminated, Your Majesty. The opposition is broken."
Roman nodded, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Good. The capital is ours now, both in the light and the shadows. Rest for now, but be prepared. There will always be more enemies."
As the assassins dispersed, Roman sat alone in the chamber, his mind already working on his next move. The Bloody Night had been a resounding success, but it was only the beginning. The kingdom was his to command, and he would stop at nothing to secure his power.