Chapter 16: The Emperor Granted It — Is That My Crime?
"Yes," Alyra replied blankly. "We have nothing else here besides those eggs."
"Fool!"
Renn's face twisted with fury. "The mine is only two kilometers away! If the wyvern catches their scent, it will come here!"
"No way—"
Smack!
The sharp sound echoed through the cabin as Renn struck Alyra across the face.
"No way?!" he roared. "What if it comes?! You're gambling with everyone's lives!"
Alyra stood frozen, stunned by the blow. Marcus, who had just stepped out behind them, was equally shaken.
He opened his mouth to intervene—
But a shout erupted from outside.
"Enemies!"
Renn's heart dropped.
All thoughts of anger vanished. He spun and rushed out of the hut, his mind flashing with the image of the wyvern descending from the sky.
He looked upward instinctively—
Nothing.
"Where are they?!" Renn shouted.
Then he saw it.
Through the open gate, figures were advancing from the valley below.
Not a wyvern.
Soldiers.
Renn's blood ran cold.
Who else could have found this place?
"Close the gate!" he barked. "Man the watchtower! Prepare to fight!"
Two villagers rushed toward the gate—but before they could secure it, armored guards surged forward and knocked them aside.
"Marcus! What are your guards doing?!" Renn roared.
Marcus stared in horror. "I—I don't know!"
More soldiers scaled the watchtower with alarming speed, dragging the sentry down before he could loose an arrow.
"Marcus Silverdove!" Renn shouted furiously. "You betrayed us!"
He drew his short sword and hurled it toward Marcus—
Clang!
Durant intercepted it mid-flight, striking it aside with a swift slash.
"Not me!" Marcus cried, trembling. "I knew nothing of this!"
Only now did he fully understand.
This had been Rhodes' plan from the beginning.
"It has nothing to do with him," Durant said coldly. "He does not command me."
He stepped forward.
"I act under the authority of Baron Rhodes, Lord of Blackpine Ridge. Lay down your weapons and submit. Resistance will only bring harm."
"You serve that tyrant?!" Renn snarled. "This is our land! We will never surrender!"
"Then you court death."
Durant moved first.
In a heartbeat, he crossed the distance and brought his blade down.
Renn barely twisted aside, turning his back to avoid a fatal strike—
Slash!
Leather split open. Blood sprayed.
The force drove Renn forward, nearly dropping him to his knees.
Before he could regain balance, Durant's second strike was already descending—
Whoosh!
An arrow streaked toward Durant.
He stepped back smoothly.
Renn seized the moment to retreat.
The arrow's source was Alyra, bow raised, eyes blazing.
Durant regarded them both calmly.
"You cannot escape."
Behind him, Rhodes' soldiers flooded into the village.
Then a commanding voice echoed through the stronghold.
"I am Rhodes Tulip, Lord of Blackpine Ridge!"
His voice carried authority and iron certainty.
"You occupy my land and hunt my game in defiance of Imperial law! Lay down your weapons and surrender now. I will spare your lives."
He paused.
"Resist, and this village will be razed."
The presence of forty armed soldiers shattered what little resolve remained.
"Don't kill me! I surrender!"
"I submit!"
Within moments, over a dozen villagers dropped to their knees.
Rhodes gestured.
Soldiers moved efficiently, binding captives and securing the perimeter.
A few stubborn hunters loosed arrows toward him.
"Shields!"
The arrows struck round shields with dull thuds.
No damage.
"You remain defiant," Rhodes said calmly.
"Advance."
Under shield cover, the soldiers pressed forward. Durant led the charge, subduing resistance swiftly.
Most of the villagers were ordinary people—no formal training, no armor. They were no match for seasoned fighters like Gunther and his men.
When steel flashed before their eyes, many surrendered immediately.
A handful of skilled hunters slipped away into the deeper parts of the village—likely through a hidden passage.
Rhodes did not pursue.
A cornered hunter in the forest at night was more dangerous than ten peasants in daylight.
He raised a hand, halting his men.
"You may flee," he called toward the rear cabins. "Do not worry about those you leave behind. I will take good care of them."
He meant it.
Blackpine Ridge desperately needed labor.
Massacre would gain him nothing.
The harshest punishment he envisioned was simple:
One meal a day. Fourteen hours of labor. No rest days.
Execution? Wasteful.
Yet to those hiding in the shadows, his words sounded like a threat.
Silence lingered.
Then Renn's voice emerged from within the innermost cabin.
"Why come here to harm us? We only wish to live in peace!"
Gunther moved forward, but Rhodes stopped him.
"You occupy my land and speak of peace?"
"This is not your land!" Renn shouted back. "We have lived here for thirty years! This is our home!"
"Thirty years?" Rhodes replied evenly. "The Shattered Rock Empire has stood for centuries."
His gaze hardened.
"His Majesty granted Blackpine Ridge to me. By Imperial decree, you are trespassers."
He understood Renn's sentiment.
But he could not accept it.
If land belonged merely to those who occupied it longest, there would be no need for lords, nor emperors, nor law.
"If you object," Rhodes continued, "I can escort you to the capital. Present your claim before His Majesty."
"If the Emperor rules this land is yours, I will relinquish it."
His voice rose, firm and unwavering.
"But until then, this is my territory—Rhodes Tulip's domain."
He exhaled sharply.
"The Emperor granted it. Is that my crime?"
If this place were not barren of iron, food, and manpower—if it were not a wasteland demanding blood and effort—would he be here personally reclaiming it?
He had inherited hardship, not luxury.
Silence fell across the village.
After a long moment, Renn's voice emerged again.
"…Forgive our transgressions. We submit."
The night wind stirred the smoke above the bound village.
And Blackrock Village became part of Blackpine Ridge.
(End of Chapter)