18 Chapter 18: 3 Years

Cedric POV

As I stood on the outskirts of the grisly scene, my stomach churned with a sickening mixture of horror and disbelief. Never in my wildest nightmares could I have imagined such carnage...the twisted bodies, the pools of blood staining the earth a deep crimson hue. It was a sight that would haunt me for the rest of my days.

The ground was littered with bodies, all broken and lifeless, their eyes staring blankly into the abyss. Blood stained the earth, pooling in dark puddles that reflected the fading light of day. It was a one-sided massacre, a brutal display of power that left me shaken to my core.

For the first time in my sheltered existence, I was confronted with the harsh reality of death not the sanitized version they showed us in the palace, but the raw, unfiltered brutality of loss and suffering.

And as I looked upon the faces of the fallen, I felt a wave of sorrow wash over me.

But amidst the sea of death and despair, there was one emotion that towered above all others, fear. Fear of what would have happened if I had arrived any later if I had been unable to stop the massacre before it was too late. 

In less than two hours, he had orchestrated a one-sided massacre, leaving nothing but death and destruction in his wake. And I couldn't help but wonder what other horrors was he capable of unleashing upon the world.

As I made my way through the chaotic aftermath of the massacre, my eyes fell upon the figure of the white-robed mage, Montague Noblesse Ashford, the Archmage of the kingdom.

Despite the gravity of the situation, a flicker of admiration stirred within me at the sight of such a powerful and esteemed figure.

But as I drew closer and observed his interactions with the other mages and guards, my admiration quickly turned to disgust. For it was clear that the Archmage held no regard for the lives of those he deemed beneath him, he was smoking and searing its end on one of the person's skin.

"Hey, stop that!" I ordered

"As you wish." he replied sarcastically in a bow

But now, faced with the harsh realities of the world outside, I could no longer turn a blind eye to the injustices that ran rampant in our kingdom. And as I watched the Archmage strut about with an air of superiority, I couldn't help but feel a sense of shame.

With a firm resolve, I made a silent vow to myself, it's that from this moment onward, I would no longer refer to them as slaves. No, they were fellow human beings, deserving of dignity, respect, and freedom.

It was time to acknowledge their humanity and work towards a future where equality stands true.

But I knew that actions spoke louder than any words or promises. It was up to me as the hero to lead by example, to advocate for their rights, to challenge the systems of oppression that kept them shackled.

It wouldn't be easy, and I knew that change wouldn't happen overnight. But I was determined to do whatever it took to make a difference, to ensure that every individual, regardless of their station in life, had the opportunity to thrive and flourish.

*****

3rd Person POV

As the slaves were guided into the throne room of the royal palace, the atmosphere was thick with tension as the king delivered his judgment. His voice, commanding and authoritative, silenced the room like a sudden clap of thunder, leaving only the sound of his words hanging in the air.

With a regal gesture, the king motioned for the prisoners to be brought forward, bound in chains and shackles, and stood before him with heads bowed, so the archmage use magic to pull them down to their knees.

Cedric tried to intervene but was stopped.

"I don't care what you are, but right now, your father is the king." the archmage sneered, "And I'm loyal to him."

"By the authority vested in me," the king's voice boomed, "you are hereby sentenced for your crimes against the crown and the kingdom."

A hushed murmur rippled through the assembled nobles, each member holding their breath in anticipation of the king's decree. All eyes were fixed upon the prisoners, awaiting the judgment that would seal their fate.

"In light of your actions," the king continued, "You are given three choices, which will grant you freedom after completion. One, three more years of imprisonment in the royal dungeons, where you will endure harder labor.

"Two, being sold into servitude as a slave for a term of three years or...facing capital punishment for your crimes."

The death sentence, that's what the last option implied. The room fell deathly silent, the tension thickening with each passing moment as the gravity of the king's words sank in. It was a choice between three hells.

"Father, this isn'-" Cedric was then cut off

"Silence!" the king ordered, "These slaves should have been civil in their approach instead of killing those who serve under me."

"I'll get-"

"I said silence, Cedric, your identity hasn't been fully confirmed yet, so I advise you to not speak out of turn, boy, even if I meet him, I won't overturn my decision, they committed murder and acted against the crown, crimes that are punishable by death."

The room was so silent that you could hear a pin drop as the king then turned to the chained prisoners.

"You should have sought recourse through civil means if you desired freedom, not resorted to violence and bloodshed against those who serve under my banner." he boomed in disgust.

The room felt cold. The prisoners stood in stunned silence as the king made his proclamation.

"Make your choice wisely," the king said, "It can be in a group or individually. I am a merciful ruler. Despite the severity of your crimes, I offer you a chance at redemption. Serve your time with humility and obedience, and after three years, you shall be granted total freedom."