Volume II: Unforgiving Kingdom

Chapter IV: Hail, Von Bismarck

Location: 16th Floor, Goldenia

"Citizens of Goldenia. . ."

On the sixteenth floor of the kingdom of Goldenia, the streets had been flooded with commoners, soldiers, and nobles alike. Standing on a tall podium was the three Prime Ministers of the kingdom, with Alexiel and Aglovale standing behind, while Vira stood up in the front as she was the one who was speaking and addressing the entire kingdom.

"We, the Prime Ministers, come to you all today with a heavy heart to announce a tragedy within our kingdom. A little over one week ago, our beloved king... was assassinated. By an unknown murderer."

Soon a look of surprise and fear could be seen among the crowd as Vira made this announcement.

"The Imperial Court has been working relentlessly for the past several days to locate and apprehend the person responsible for this hellish crime, " Vira continued. "However, all of our results have come to the same thing; We do not know who did this. Nor do we know what their motives were. All we know is that the crime has been committed..." Vira looks down as she continued to speak. "And with His Highness' death, this as well marks the end of the Goldenian royal family's lineage. With the royal family now deceased..."

As Vira continued her speech, the look of concern and fear continued to grow and spread throughout the crowd below them. With the other Prime Ministers, Aglovale and Alexiel stood by as Vira continues to give her speech.

"The people's reactions are about as expected." Aglovale stated.

"It just goes to show you how much love and care that they all had for His Highness." Alexiel responded. "Yet to think that somebody would dare to assassinate him and nearly the Foxblood as well."

"How's the search come along anyway?"

"Nothing, unfortunately. I haven't found any more clues whatsoever."

"Perhaps the murderer is still within the walls of the kingdom.'

"Most likely. But to search every person would take forever. Do you think it could be someone not from Goldenia?"

"There is a chance. However if that were true, then who would it be? We have alliances and truces with many other kingdoms of Man. They wouldn't go back on a treaty like that, especially not against us."

The two remained behind as they continued to think about all of the possibilities for the murderer. While that happened, Vira continued to go on with her speech.

"...However, this does not mean that the kingdom of Goldenia will be left without any proper ruler. In order to make up for the current holes we have in our leadership, the Prime Ministers from here on out, will be electing one of us to become the next king or queen of Goldenia. As of now, one of our Prime Ministers has agreed to step up and fulfill this position. Citizens of Goldenia... It is of high honor for me to present to you your new ruler."

The audience all watched as Vira moved over to the side. Soon, the audience was able to see who she was referring to, as Freesia, wearing white, regal robe that stretched all the way down to her feet, and was decorated with many golden designs and accessories, slowly waked up to greet the audience below her, hands behind her back and a serious look on her face.

"Queen Freesia Von Bismarck I. As of now, your new ruler stands before you."

As the crowd began to cheer, Vira bowed slightly before stepping down and moving to stand behind Freesia, while Alexiel and Aglovale moved up to stand on the sides of the new Queen. After several seconds of hearing the crowd cheer, Freesia moved upward closer to the audience and slightly held out her hand. The crowd then went silent and bowed down before her. The Prime Ministers standing behind her also did the same as well.

"Arise."

The crowd and the Prime Ministers arose as Freesia commanded them.

"Great citizens of the kingdom of Goldenia..." She began to say. "I am aware that these are hard times. That this is going to be a new experience for each and every one of us. I must admit that I am nervous myself as well. A promotion to become the ruling Queen of Goldenia only tells me that there are going to be new challenges and problems for me, and all of you, to overcome. However, I promise that I will not allow this to conquer us. For hundreds... even thousands of decades, the kingdom of Goldenia has gone through many struggles, and many hardships, be they from the kingdoms of Man, the realm of Gods, or the realm of Demons. And under the rule of the Goldenian Royal Family, we've overcome them all. Now, even though they may be no more, then I, along with the Prime Ministers, shall overcome any obstacle that comes our way!" Freesia holds out her hand towards the crowd of people. "And I, Freesia Von Bismark, shall be the one that shall lead us through this struggle, and together the kingdom of Goldenia shall become stronger than it has ever been before!"

Freesia raises a fist in the air.

"For Goldenia!"

"For Goldenia!"

The crowd all cheered and raised their fists into the air as well, all chanting "For Goldenia!" repeatedly. After finishing her statement, Freesia turned back around with a swing of her cape, and began walking back. The Prime Ministers all stand there, all taking a knee and bowing down before her as she walked past them. As she walked past Alexiel she stopped for a moment.

"Alexiel." She said.

Alexiel blinked and looked up. "Yes, Your Highness?" She asked.

"I want to speak to you in private. Once this is all over."

". . . I understand, Your Highness."

Freesia doesn't say anything else and simply walks off, heading off of the platform and making her way back towards the lift to head to the eighteenth floor. Soon Vira gets back up to conclude the announcement. While she did so Aglovale and Alexiel both stand up once again.

"I'll keep an eye over Her Highness." Alexiel said. "You stay here and watch her back."

"Right." Aglovale agreed.

Aglovale watched as Alexiel walked off. Once she was out of sight, he turned around and looked towards Vira and the audience below. He then sighed as he simply stared off into the distance.

"The rule of Von Bismark begins today." He said to himself.

-x-

On the ground with the rest of the civilians, many soldiers of the Imperial Army were within the crowd, doing their best to keep people calm during the event, and to make sure that things proceed in an orderly manner.

"Alright, everyone, the Imperial Court's speech is over." One of the soldiers said towards the crowd. "Will you please begin moving out in an orderly fashion?"

"People, no pushing." Another soldier said. "You'll all get out of here. There's no need to rush."

"Please try to keep your hands to yourself everyone." A female soldier said as well. "We do not wants any accounts of theft or pickpocketing today!"

As the soldiers all continued to direct the large crowd of people, several of the supervising officers -which also included officers with rank such as Katalina, Feena, Juri, and others- all stood by having a conversation with one another.

"-And you didn't see anyone else around that seemed suspicious?" Katalina had asked.

"No. Nobody at all." Juri responded. "We searched the castle grounds for any type of clue. But we couldn't find any. And Her Highness didn't managed to get a good look at the attacker before she was assaulted."

"Nobody caught anyone leaving the lifts? They wouldn't be able to leave the eighteenth floor unless they used a lift."

"Not necessarily." Feena butted in.

"What do you mean?" Juri asked.

"There's secret passageways all throughout Goldenia. From the first floor all the way up to the eighteenth floor. You can use those and move between the floors without going through the lift. Anybody that snuck into the castle must've used one of those."

"How do you know all of this?" Katalina asked cautiously.

"I've had previous mercenary missions in the past that involved being here at Goldenia. I'd use those when I need to get around without being seen. You forget I was a mercenary before I joined the Imperial Army. I've learned a lot in that time."

"How come you never mentioned anything like this before?"

"I assumed that you people would know about this, considering the shit ton of soldiers you guys have in this place, it's amazing that you know nothing about it."

"I suppose that is fair." Juri admitted.

The three soon looked around to see that the crowd was starting to clear out of the streets at a much faster pace than earlier.

"Oh, well would you look at that." Feena said. "Looks like everyone's finally getting a move on." She then started stretching and began to walk off. "Well, if that's the casem, I guess this means we can head on home too then."

"I'm afraid not." Katalina responded. "Castle Vallera's going to require more soldiers on guard for the next few months. All of the soldiers that were present today are to report to the eighteenth floor."

"Ah, what?!"

"Prime Minister's orders." Juri added on.

"You mean I gotta spend the rest of the night at the castle?!"

"That would be correct."

Feena groaned, letting her arms hang down to her side.

"There's no need for us to stay here and continue wasting time." Katalina spoke up. "Everyone else seems to have the remaining people under control. Come on. We may as well head up there together."

"You two can go on ahead." Juri said. I'll stay here and assist the remaining soldiers in escorting out the civilians."

"Very well then. Come on Feena. Once you get it over with you can probably head straight home in the morning."

"Oh yeah. That's reassuring." Feena said sarcastically.

Katalina simply rolled her eyes and began walking off to the nearest lift that would take them to the eighteenth floor. Feena sighed and started following after her. Juri watched the two for a moment as they left, then went back to aiding the remaining officers still escorting out the now smaller crowd.

"Alright, people" He said to the other soldiers. "Let's finish up here and report back to Castle Vallera immediately."

Location; 18th Floor; Castle Vallera, Goldenia

"Alright. We're here."

With Feena and Katalina, the two, along with several other soldiers done in the area, had all arrived on the eighteenth floor, right in front of Castle Vallera. As the soldiers all quickly ran off to their positions around the castle, the two girls simply walked off at their own pace.

"Seriously..." Feena complained with a sigh. "Is all of this really necessary? I'm pretty sure that this place has enough guards already. Why do we have to be here?"

"They aren't going to take any chances with losing Her Highness." Katalina answered. "As long as I've been in service, this is the second time that someone has assassinated one of Goldenia's rulers. I figured that since Her Highness has just been elected as the new Queen, that everyone is going to take plenty of precautions."

"Well yeah, I guess that makes sense. But still. Shouldn't they have like another group of soldiers set aside for doing just that? You know, like it's one of main objectives for like all the time."

"There used to be."

"What happened?"

"One of their members betrayed the kingdom and murdered His late Highness' father, another one was killed in the insurrection. From there the Prime Ministers decided to have that group disbanded."

"Then why not install another group in their stead?"

"That's where the royal guard comes into play. But even so, if His late Highness was assassinated then that can only mean that the royal guard isn't enough either. Therefore, us excess soldiers will also have to play guard duty tonight as well."

"Aren't they concerned that there might be a chance that one of the soldiers is the killer? Or that the killer won't try and go after Her Highness' head this time?"

"Feena, please. Use some common sense. With the amount of soldiers patrolling around the eighteenth floor, and the amount of soldiers inside the castle, no killer would be dumb enough to show themselves in an assassination attempt."

"That's fair. I guess."

Soon the two found themselves in front of the castle gates. They stood there for a moment as the gates opened.

"Well then." Katalina said. "Looks like here we split ways."

"Split ways?" Feena asked. "Wait a minute, then where do I go?!"

"You're supposed to take position and patrol around the outer areas of Castle Vallera. Higher ranking officers and captains are ordered to guard the inner areas."

"You mean I gotta stay outside too?" Feena groaned. "Great. As if this wasn't tough enough..."

"Have fun, Lieutenant."

Katalina turned around and walked inside of Castle Vallera, the castle gates shutting behind her. Feena let out a deep sigh and started walking around the outside of the castle.

"Man, being a lieutenant sucks."

-x-

Location: Throne Room, 18th Floor; Castle Vallera

"You said you wanted to see me, Your Highness?"

Meanwhile inside the throne room, upon the new Queen's request, Alexiel had arrived, bowing down at her feet. As Freesia sat there on the throne quiet for a moment, She then crossed her legs and leaned on one of her arms as she began to speak.

"Yes. I did." Freesia answered. "About your... well 'our' little skirmish about a week ago on the eleventh floor."

". . . What about it?" Alexiel asked with a worried tone. "Is there a problem?"

"Yes there is. From this moment onward, I am hereby relieving you of those duties."

"W-What?!"

"I do not need you to worry about those two. I want you to leave them in my hands."

"But why, Your Highness? I am perfectly capable of handling the two of them on my own! I've already planned out what I was going to do with them. There's no need for you to do this."

Freesia sighs.

"Alexiel..." She said softly as she unfolded her legs and stood up from the throne, slowly walking downward towards the Prime Minister, who was still bowing down. "It's not just about them anymore. I'm looking at a bigger picture."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Right now, we have even bigger problems to worry about then just two prisoners." Freesia walked around the room, circling Alexiel. "As the head of the Prime Ministers it should be your duty to handle these other issues, not just the fates of prisoners." Eventually Freesia stops circling around Alexiel and stops in front of her, walking up straight in front of the Prime Minister. "Are you not equipped to handle much bigger threats?"

"No, Your Highness. I am capable of handling any task you assign to me."

"Then perhaps you believe that I am not capable of handling such a small task such as a prisoner's fate?"

"No, Your Highness. I do not doubt any of your abilities whatsoever..." Alexiel looked down for a moment before looking back up at Freesia. "Just... why?"

"Excuse me?"

"Am I not able to handle this task as well as the prisoners?"

"You are."

"Do you doubt any of my abilities?"

"I do not." Freesia turned away from Alexiel. "Though I used to."

"Then this shouldn't be any issue for me then! As the head of the Prime Ministers, and formerly a Commander General, I shouldn't have any problems with handling all of these task. From the two prisoners to our unknown assassin. When I was a general I had no problems taking to the front lines single handedly and dealing with any foe in my path. As a Prime Minister, with the Gods as my witness I swear that I will have no problems in dealing with prisoners and an assassin."

"I understand that Alexiel. Over the decades you've proven time and time again why you're one of the best warriors in Goldenia, if not solely the best. However, even so, you... overwork yourself. While strong you're more brawn than you are brains unfortunately. Even after everything that's happened, you can't look to see that there's possibly a much larger picture than just the two things that we've been discussing. And with such trivial matters as these occupying our time there's no telling what could possibly happen next. But whatever that may be, I will require the head Prime Minister to be ready."

"Then if that is the case, are you also relieving me of the search for the assassin as well?"

"Though it would be beneficial to have someone of your caliber available at the ready, I shall not. I need as many as I can spare to keep on the lookout for our little assassin. Do you see why I'm relieving you of the prisoner's fates? Therefore. while you focus on finding the assassin, I can go on ahead and prepare everything for their execution." Alexiel's eyes widened after Freesia said that. "It'll kill two birds with one stone easily."

"You're planning to have them both executed?"

"They were nothing but a nuisance back on the eleventh floor. If we leave them be now, even though they're locked up in Goldenia's Imperial Dungeon, that's still a thorn shoved up our asses. Besides who knows? What if this assassin goes to them for aid? With a chance like that, How can I afford not to execute the two of them?"

"With a chance like that, that is why I need to be the one that takes command over their fates. If these two are tied in any way to this assassin then I must see what I can do to gain information from the two of them. Any information I can squeeze out of those two could possibly aid me in this current task that you wish to assign me. However, if you execute them right away that may very well play out against us. What if this assassin is tied to them? What if the assassin comes after you for having the two of them executed? There is just too much at stake for me to allow this to just happen so suddenly!"

Freesia merely folded her arms after hearing Alexiel's last statements.

"Dammit..." She thought to herself. "I doubt I can argue with her there. 'Brawn over brains' my ass. When it comes to the safety and concern of those above her, she can get smart when she wants to. But I can't let up over this. If I don't take control of this and place the fate of Ragna the Bloodedge into my hands then... Then there's no telling how much of her plans will be ruined. If I start asserting authority as Queen of Goldenia, then she may or may not start to have doubts in me. And if she starts to have any doubts or suspicions of me, then things will only be made that much worse."

Freesia sighed out loudly as she stared down Alexiel.

"Till tomorrow at dawn."

Alexiel blinked. "...I'm afraid I do not understand what you mean, Your Highness." She responded.

"You're right about several different points Alexiel, that I can't deny. There may be a possibility that this assassin could very well be tied to the two individuals that we have imprisoned as of now. For all we know, Lieutenant Feena could also be an associate of this assassin, being a former mercenary and all. With that risk, I suppose it is worth seeing what they truly know. Is that the point that you have been trying to make with me?"

"Yes, it is Your Highness."

"Excellent. Then it seems we're finally on the same page... For the most part at least. While I do agree with your aforementioned statement, I, however, cannot allow this to be so simple. Either way we do this, I intend for the end result to be the same; Execution. I will agree with your current plans Alexiel, but you will have only until tomorrow at the break of dawn to complete this investigation. Afterwards, I intend for the execution to begin."

"At least allow me to have control of that as well, Your Highness."

"And why should I?"

"There's no need for you to get your hands dirty with a task such as executing prisoners. Besides if this assassin attempts to take your life, you'll be out in the open if you proceed to handle this execution yourself. Allow me to take that risk for you in your stead."

Freesia sighs and props up her glasses. 'Very well." She answered. "I suppose I can allow this if it is for my own safety. Then it's settled. I give you the rest of this day and night to interrogate the prisoners. And by tomorrow at dawn, the execution begins."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Oh, and Alexiel." Alexiel looked up as Freesia spake again. "Try not to make it too messy. Start with hanging the girl from the gallows."

"And the Demon?" Alexiel asked.

"Don't make it messy."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Dismissed."

Alexiel nodded her head in response and bowed once more as Freesia went back and sat down on the throne. Soon, Alexiel stood back up, turned around and walked out of the throne room, the guards in the room opening the doors for her as she left, and the closing them back from the outside. Once out of the throne room and down the halls, Alexiel sighed.

"Hate to go waste a good soldier, Weisswind." She said to herself. "But it's Her Highness' orders."

With the guardsmen outside of the throne room, the talk of the upcoming execution spread around from the two that were inside of the throne room to the rest of the guards.

"Her Highness is really stepping up, isn't she?" One of the guards said.

"Not even a full week into her rule and she always making big plans such as this." Another one commented.

"Perhaps it would be beneficial for us to prepare the gallows and save the Prime Minister some time." A female guard added on.

"I'd rather not." A third guard said. "We'd better not do anything else yet until Her Highness says so."

"One thing's for certain. Her Highness does seem like a reliable new Queen." A second female guard replied.

With Freesia, the woman went back to sitting down on the throne, her legs crossed and her hands resting on her knees. The woman then chuckled as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Everything is going according to your plan, Your Excellency." she said to herself. "Now that the reign of Freesia Von Bismarck has begun, there shall be nothing that will stop you from achieving you goal, and soon I shall deliver Ragna the Bloodedge into your hands. Just like you asked of me."

. . .

. . .

. . .

"I know that you won't disappoint me. . . Von Bismarck."