Chapter 269: The Greedy Mouse Lord (End) The New Lord
The sun was setting over Grafen, casting long shadows through the castle’s opulent halls. The echoes of battle were fading, replaced by a heavy silence. The walls that had once echoed with the Count’s hedonistic laughter and cries of despair now stood witness to his demise. The room where Count Havton lay dead was a stark contrast to the rest of the city, filled with luxury and excess.
Lyan, Arnold the Commander, Borton, and Crown Prince Erich stood over the Count’s lifeless body, a mixture of disgust and contempt on their faces. The opulence surrounding them—the rich tapestries, the gold ornaments, and the overflowing wine goblets—only served to deepen their revulsion. The Count’s bloated form lay sprawled on the floor, a dagger still clutched in his pudgy hand.
"Look at this," Arnold said, his voice heavy with disdain. He gestured to a side chamber where a group of women huddled together, their faces pale and eyes wide with fear. Some were mere girls, their youthful innocence stolen by the Count’s depravity. Lyan’s eyes hardened as he took in the scene. He clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anger.
"These women," Lyan said, his voice tight with controlled rage. "Some are barely older than children." He turned away, unable to look any longer. His hands trembled as he tried to suppress the fury boiling inside him.
One of the women, a middle-aged woman with a gaunt face, stepped forward, her voice trembling. "My lord," she began, addressing Erich, "we have been imprisoned here for months. Our husbands, our children... he had them killed."
Erich’s face darkened. He turned to his companions, his expression resolute. "We will ensure justice for these women and their families. Havton’s reign of terror ends here, and we will rebuild Grafen as a place of safety and honor."
The women were led out of the chamber, their faces showing a mixture of relief and uncertainty. Erich watched them go, his mind already turning to the task ahead. "Vilgira, Julius," he said, his tone commanding, "We’re going to have some rest in this city anyway. In the meanwhile, we need to begin immediate efforts to restore order and rebuild this city. Gather our soldiers and set up aid stations for the citizens."
Erich stares at the interior of the castle that is an aboslute evident of how the Count center his treasures and wealth not for the prosperity of his land but for his personal life.
Julius added, "We should also secure the city’s defenses. The breach in the outer walls needs to be repaired, and we must establish a strong presence to deter any further attacks."