Chapter 9: The Battle for the Throne
The empire of Virenna stood at a crossroads. Four candidates remained in the Imperial Election, each vying for the title of Emperor. The war was not fought with swords but with words, promises, and alliances.
Kennith's Strategy: Securing Noble Votes
Inside the grand halls of Austin Manor, Kennith entertained a gathering of the most powerful nobles in Virenna. The air was thick with perfume, wine, and greed.
Kennith raised his glass. "My lords, we stand at the precipice of history. The empire has thrived under our guidance for centuries. But there are those who believe that the common rabble deserve a say in matters of state."
A noble scoffed. "Preposterous! Give a farmer power, and he'll trample on his own crops!"
Kennith smirked. "Indeed. That is why I offer you stability. The military remains under our control, taxes will remain in favor of the aristocracy, and all trade laws will benefit noble families. I assure you, my rule will protect our interests."
An older noble, Duke Reinhardt, frowned. "And what of the merchant class? They are growing in influence."
Kennith's eyes gleamed. "Lady Seraphina has their favor, but she is merely a woman playing a man's game. I will ensure trade remains under noble control."
The nobles murmured in agreement. Kennith had secured their votes.
Veronica Eldred Strategy: Merchant Power
Meanwhile, Lady Veronica Eldred met with influential merchants in the Grand Market District. Unlike the nobles, these were practical men, concerned with profit and trade expansion.
Veronica spoke with her usual elegance. "The future of Virenna lies not in old bloodlines but in commerce. Kennith would shackle trade under noble control, but I offer you free markets. Lower tariffs, new trade routes, and foreign investment."
A merchant frowned. "Kennith has noble backing. What if he wins?"
Veronica smiled, sharp as a dagger. "Then I will ensure he wins with my policies. But if I become Empress, merchants will hold more power than nobles."
The merchants exchanged looks.
"You have our support."
Veronica had secured the merchant votes.
Duke Orlan: The Military's Champion
At the Imperial Barracks, Duke Orlan Ferin addressed rows of armored soldiers. A war hero, his words carried weight.
"I fought beside you. I bled for this empire. And I tell you this—Kennith and Seraphina care only for gold and power. Sebastian? A dreamer who has never held a sword in war!"
The soldiers roared in approval.
"Under my rule, we will expand our borders, increase military pay, and ensure Virenna remains the strongest empire in the land!"
Orlan had secured the military vote.
Undercover in Chains – Griffin's Infiltration of the Slave Trade
The stench of sweat, rot, and despair clung to the air inside the underground auction hall. The dimly lit chamber stretched into the distance, lined with iron-barred cages packed with trembling captives—men, women, even children. Some huddled together, whispering prayers to gods that had long since abandoned this place.
Griffin stood among them, disguised as a common slave, his silver hair hidden beneath layers of dirt. Heavy iron shackles bound his wrists and ankles, their weight mere decoration against his true strength. His breath was steady, but his heart burned.
He scanned the hall, noting the richly dressed nobles seated on balconies, sipping wine as they bid on human lives.
"How many have they stolen? How many have they broken?"
A gruff auctioneer, a hulking man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped onto the stage. His voice boomed over the terrified murmurs of the slaves.
"Welcome, esteemed guests! Tonight, we have a special selection of fine merchandise—strong men for labor, exotic women for pleasure, and even elf children, perfect for long-term service."
Laughter rippled through the noble crowd.
Griffin's fingers twitched. His fury swelled, but he forced himself to remain still. Not yet.
Beside him, a frail-looking man whispered, "They say if you get sold to the east, you'll never see the sun again."
A shiver ran through the captives.
The auctioneer continued, gesturing toward the cages. "Let's begin! Bring out the first batch!"
The Auction Begins
One by one, terrified slaves were dragged onto the stage. The bidding was ruthless.
• A young woman with striking green eyes was sold for 200 gold to a noble who leered at her hungrily.
• A blacksmith, his hands rough from years of labor, was purchased for 150 gold.
• A small elf boy, barely ten years old, fetched a whopping 500 gold—the audience cheered at the rare find.
Griffin's blood boiled, his hands tightening into fists.
Then, the auctioneer gestured toward Griffin's cage.
"Next, we have a rare one. Strong build, decent features—he'll make an excellent worker." He smirked. "Or perhaps something more… entertaining for the ladies?"
Laughter erupted.
Griffin was yanked forward, forced onto the stage. The slaver beside him jabbed a blade against his ribs.
"Bow, slave."
For the first time, Griffin hesitated.
The moment stretched. The nobles grew impatient.
Then, slowly… Griffin lowered his head.
It was the first and last time he would bow to filth like them.
The First Bid
"100 gold."
"120."
"150."
"200."
Griffin barely listened. His eyes flicked toward a noble seated in the front row—a fat, greasy man draped in silk robes, his fingers glittering with rings stolen from past victims. He raised his meaty hand lazily.
"500 gold."
The room fell silent. The slaver's eyes gleamed at the number.
"Sold!"
Griffin lifted his head, his golden eyes piercing through the filth.
The noble blinked. He had made a mistake.
The Fall of the Trade
Griffin moved first. With a sharp twist, he snapped the chains binding his wrists, the sound of metal shattering echoing through the hall.
The audience gasped.
"What the—?!"
Before the guards could react, Griffin lunged at the auctioneer, his fist collapsing the man's ribcage with a sickening crunch. The slaver screamed, blood spewing from his lips as he crumpled.
Panic erupted.
Nobles scrambled from their seats. Guards rushed forward, but Griffin moved like a shadow, weaving between them, his fists and feet breaking bones with every strike.
From the darkness, Luna emerged, slicing through the guards with deadly precision.
The fat noble who had bid on him fell to his knees, trembling. "P-Please! I—"
Griffin grabbed him by the throat, lifting him effortlessly. "How many have you bought?"
The man choked, eyes bulging.
"How many did you kill?" Griffin's voice was ice.
The noble whimpered. "I-I can pay you! I have—"
Griffin squeezed. With a final, pathetic gurgle, the noble's neck snapped.
The room reeked of blood and fear.
The Aftermath
The slaves watched in stunned silence.
Griffin turned to them, his voice calm but firm. "You're free."
Tears welled in their eyes. Some collapsed, unable to process their salvation.
The guards were dead. The nobles who remained were captured.
Luna sheathed her blade. "What now?"
Griffin looked over the ruins of the slave trade, the chains broken, the auction house in flames.
"Now?" He stepped forward, his golden eyes burning.
"Now, we end this corruption once and for all."
Two Weeks Later
Clash of Ideals – The Path to the Throne
The Gathering of Candidates
The grand coliseum of Virenna, typically reserved for gladiatorial combat, had been repurposed into a political battlefield. Thousands of citizens gathered, eager to witness the final clash of ideals that would decide the future emperor.
Four candidates remained.
• Sebastian Greyat: The enigma. Despite being a half-elf, he had earned the people's favor through his recent exploits and decisive actions.
• Kennith Austin: The noble's champion. His campaign was fueled by aristocratic support, promising to uphold tradition and ensure noble supremacy.
• Veronica Eldred: A scholar, advocating for economic reforms and education for all classes.
• Darius Lockhart: A seasoned general, beloved by the military, who sought to expand Virenna's influence through conquest.
The Moderator, an elder statesman, raised his hands. "Candidates, today is the final debate. The people and the nobles are watching. Convince them why you deserve the throne."
The Debate Begins
Kennith stepped forward first, flashing his well-rehearsed smile. "Fellow citizens, Virenna is a land of order, built by those with power. The nobility has maintained our great empire for centuries, ensuring stability and prosperity. Our system works! Why should we change it?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The nobles in attendance nodded in agreement.
Veronica, the scholar, countered. "And yet, while the nobility feast in their manors, the common folk struggle for a single loaf of bread. The empire cannot stand strong when its foundation—the people—is crumbling."
The commoners cheered, but Kennith sneered. "Ah, the cries of the weak. You believe a starving farmer should hold the same power as a seasoned noble? Ridiculous!"
Darius, the military leader, cut in. "Enough with your petty squabbles. Strength rules all. If Virenna is to survive, we must crush our enemies and expand. Diplomacy and politics are for the weak—only war can ensure our survival."
His words earned roars of approval from soldiers in attendance, but many civilians paled at the thought of endless war.
Then, Sebastian(Griffin) stepped forward. His crimson hair glowed under the sun, his golden eyes filled with conviction. "You all speak of power, stability, and war. But I ask you—who does Virenna belong to? The nobles? The military? Or the people?"
Silence.
Griffin continued, his voice carrying across the coliseum. "A farmer works from dawn to dusk, yet he has no say in the future of his own country. A blacksmith forges the weapons of our soldiers but is treated as expendable. A merchant travels across dangerous lands to bring prosperity, yet the nobles hoard their gold. This is not stability. This is stagnation."
Kennith scoffed. "And what would you do? Tear down the noble system?"
Griffin smirked. "No. But I will tear down corruption."
The crowd erupted in whispers. Griffin turned to them and raised a hand. "And I have proof that corruption is rotting our empire from within."
The Proof – The Slave Trade Scandal
With a nod, Luna stepped forward, dragging a large bloodstained sack. When she overturned it, severed noble heads tumbled onto the floor. Gasps and screams echoed across the coliseum.
Kennith's face drained of color. "W-What is the meaning of this?!"
Griffin's voice was cold. "These are the heads of nobles who illegally kidnapped and enslaved commoners—even children. They bid on innocent lives like cattle."
The audience was stunned.
Griffin gestured behind him, and a group of rescued slaves stepped forward, their wrists still bearing the scars of their chains. "These people were taken against their will, forced into slavery by the very nobles who claim to be our 'protectors.'"
A young woman, trembling, pointed at a noble in the stands. "That man! He bought my sister! He forced her into servitude!"
The noble in question paled and tried to leave, but guards swiftly blocked his exit.
Darius crossed his arms. "Slavery is legal in Virenna. Your argument is pointless."
Griffin's eyes darkened. "Legal slavery, yes. But forced slavery is a crime. And those nobles broke that law." He looked at the crowd. "And do you know the most interesting part?"
He threw a sealed document onto the floor. Luna unraveled it for all to see.
"These nobles weren't just corrupt," Griffin announced. "They were supporters of Kennith Austin."
Kennith staggered back, his face twisted in fury. "Lies! Fabricated nonsense! You—"
Griffin cut him off. "Oh? Then, by all means, swear on your family's honor that you had no dealings with them."
Kennith's jaw clenched. He couldn't.
The crowd erupted in chaos.
"This is madness!"
"They were his supporters?!"
"He allowed nobles to steal and sell our people?"
The Tide Turns
Kennith desperately tried to recover. "You're being manipulated! This is all a ploy—"
Griffin threw a mountain of gold onto the ground, taken from the nobles.
"This is what they stole from the people. And I return it to you."
Cheers erupted. Some commoners fell to their knees, overwhelmed.
Kennith's face contorted in rage. "You… you demon! You're turning the people against their rightful rulers!"
Griffin stepped forward, his golden eyes burning. "No, Kennith. I am reminding them that they are Virenna. Not you. Not the nobles. The people."
Kennith had lost.
The Election Results
The Moderator finally spoke, his voice solemn. "By the laws of Virenna, the emperor is chosen by majority vote. Today, the decision will be made."
A moment of silence. Then the votes were cast.
• Sebastian Greyat - 38%
• Kennith Austin - 36%
• Veronica Eldred - 21%
• Darius Lockhart - 5%
Griffin had won by a landslide.
Kennith staggered back, shaking his head in denial. "No… no, this can't be…"
The crowd erupted into cheers. People wept. Soldiers roared. Merchants and farmers embraced.
Griffin raised a hand. "I swear, from this day forth, I will protect the people. I will end corruption. I will be the emperor Virenna deserves."
The chant began as a whisper, then grew into a deafening roar.
"All hail Emperor Greyat!"
"All hail Emperor Greyat!"
"For Virenna!"
At that moment, Griffin's destiny was set in stone.
(TO BE CONTINUED…..)