Chapter 40: Night of slaughter
Frejlurd stood motionless after hearing the Baron’s final command. A storm brewed within him as it was a mixture of conviction, fear and a strange relief. The difference between the old leadership of Rammstein and the new had never been clearer.
The former rulers were complacent since they feasted on bribes, fattened their pockets while lowly soldiers like himself to become dogs of the underworld.
Back then, the City Guard were nothing more than lap dogs snarling on their command, tail tucked between legs when criminals gave orders. Frejlurd had once dreamt of being a soldier of justice, a protector of the city. But instead, he had suffered, degraded and used.
Now, things have changed. The new leadership under Baron Estefan Angeras was unlike anything the city had ever seen. The Baron was ruthless, willing to kill thousands, not out of personal pleasure but for a vision. His cause was absolute, defined by blood and order. And in this madness, Frejlurd found purpose again.
He could finally walk the path he had long been denied. No more compromises and no more lies. Yet still the path forward was steeped in blood. Frejlurd was afraid, not of the Baron, but of the truth that to reach peace, he would become a butcher.
Still, he reminded himself that this city was infected. It was full of criminals who had long crossed the line of redemption. Second chances were a luxury for the innocent, not for monsters.
He clenched his fists. He was Commander of the City Guard and it was his duty to uphold law, no matter the cost.
"Is everything alright?" Estefan asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Frejlurd, still grinning unconsciously while staring at the floor, jolted upright. "Apologies, my lord." He said. "I was simply... envisioning the great future this city will have under your rule."
Estefan let out a quiet chuckle. "Then I hope you survive long enough to see that future. The road ahead is soaked in blood. You exist now for one reason, that is to guard this city both inside and out."
Frejlurd stood back up as he saluted before excusing himself towards the door but paused as if remembering something trivial. "Oh, I thought this won’t be important but that corpse we found, the one we suspected to be an assassin. I had someone identify it."