Chapter 152: Time of Turmoil: Marquis Raven 2

I follow the city’s wall, on my way to the farm fields at the back of the city.
I can’t see myself being spotted by the guards, as long as I’m careful.
Three hours after I left the Eighth Army, I found a back gate next to a bunch of fields ready for harvest.

The gate is closed at the moment, but I’m sure it will open at some point, so long as they don’t see anyone nearby.
The city should have provisions, but they’ll send farmers out to pick fresh vegetables eventually.
That’s when I’ll be able to get in.

After two days of waiting, the gate opens.
A peasant peeks out, then exits, followed by more peasants and members of the territory militia.
The gate is quickly closed, but I always planned to infiltrate when the farmers return.
It should be easy to blend in at that time.

Three hours later, the peasants have finished their harvest and are moving back into the city.
I mix with them as the re-enter the city.
I walk confidently throughout the city, checking out the militia’s armories and the Marquis’s mansion.

Could I end this myself? Wait, I’m supposed to arrest a bunch of people, scratch that.
Maybe if I was allowed to kill them all, but I was ordered to capture as many as possible…

On the east side of the city, there’s a small gate for easy access to firewood.
In the nearby forest, the Eighth Army and Viper militia are hiding.

The Eighth Army has proper camouflage uniforms, so they’re quite difficult to spot.
The Viper militia only have green uniforms, but that is still pretty difficult to spot.
The supply wagons are a further distance back.

Eventually, a lookout spots black smoke rising from the city.

“All right, the Lieutenant Colonel has been busy.
It’s almost our turn, get ready!” Van Pelt orders

“That was pretty quick, shouldn’t the city have a stockpile of food?” Elvis

“None of them expected a siege and they didn’t get much warning.” Wiley

Soon, they can hear a commotion behind the wall as well as a larger volume of smoke.

“Is there a fire?” Van Pelt

“It must be, our Lieutenant Colonel started it.” Wiley

“It’s about our time.” Van Pelt

With a squeak, the nearby gate opened.

“Everyone! It’s our turn to enter!” Wiley cries out

After I secured my entry into the city, I let the waiting Eighth Army troops into the city through a side gate.

“Alright, we’re heading to Marquis Raven’s mansion! Knock out any territory militia in your way! We’re going to capture Marquis Raven’s family! Let’s move!” Patrick

When the Eighth Army appeared in the city wearing the unfamiliar camouflage uniforms, the residents chose to flee.
At the same time, the territory militia raised their spears, but there were only a few stationed in the area.
They were quickly subdued by the Eighth Army.

By the evening, we had surrounded the Marquis’s mansion.

“Surrender immediately, or we will capture you by force! I repeat, surrender now or you will be by force!” Dave shouts in his loud voice

“Nonsense! We number 500 men, that’s more than I see on your side! If you have a sense of self-preservation, leave this town! We won’t chase if you move quickly!” Raven Militia Commander

While there are plenty of soldiers in and around the mansion, five hundred is suspiciously high.

“Negotiations have broken down.
What should I say in this situation? How about… Wiley, Van Pelt, Elvis, you ready? Let’s go!” Patrick

“Yes, sir!” Wiley, Van Pelt, Elvis

“Charge!” Patrick orders

The gate is quickly smashed off its hinges and the troops flood in.
Battles appear here and there as the defenders choose to fight.

Then…

♪ At the sunset, a Red Dragonfly ♪

It’s a bad song, and it doesn’t exist in this world.
I’m singing it as countless corpses fall in my wake.
The corpses of Marquis Raven’s militia.

My figure is turning red, and it isn’t the sunset, well, maybe a little from the sunset.

Is this a crushing massacre?

I’m only throwing off a moderate level killing intent and only killing those who approach me.
Those that don’t recognize my murderous intent at least.
I don’t deal with the soldiers who drop their weapons, my men will take them into custody soon.

On my sides I have Wiley and Van Pelt with Elvis guarding my back.
The area around the gate looks like a red carpet has been rolled out, while the corpses lend the space a flavor more reminiscent of a horror movie.This is reality, though.

After kicking down the front door and entering the mansion, I continue singing.
Soon the yellow carpet has been dyed red.
The servants faint at the sight.

“Are you home?” Patrick asks as he kicks down the fanciest door

“Damn it!” Marquis Raven cries in despair

“Father, I think it’s time to give up.” Son of Marquis Raven states as he raises his hands in surrender

“We can’t give up! We’re already under a death sentence!” Marquis Raven

“I can’t do anything anymore, I’m through!” Son of Marquis Raven

“Guards, kill them!” Marquis Raven

“Does he really think that’s going to work, seriously? He’s mad…” Wiley

“Hmm, your son has understood the situation, why can’t you? If you surrender peacefully, I’m not allowed to hurt you.
All you need to do is shut up and sit down.

You, old geezer, starting a rebellion without proper preparations, what the fuck? You can die now, or die later! I’d like the now if possible!” Patrick

“You’re so noisy! This shitty upstart comes in talking so big! My grandson came so close to the throne, why can’t I support him? A house that is directly related to the King becomes a Duke, all nobles dream of that prestige! My actions are obvious!” Marquis Raven

“Well, I would never dream of that.” Patrick

“Since you’re a know-nothing upstart! True aristocrats know better!” Marquis Raven

“Father, I heard he was born of the Baron Riggsby family…” Son of Marquis Raven

“Whose side are you on?” Marquis Raven

“Umm, well, I’d like to defect to the Royal Family, if possible.
Count Snake, I’ll tell you anything you want! All the dirty secrets! Just don’t kill me!” Son of Marquis Raven

“And now you betray me?” Marquis Raven

“I remember telling you I thought this was a bad idea at the beginning, I didn’t want to be involved.” Son of Marquis Raven

“Well, the Riggsby’s, they were just old blood.
Plus, they don’t even exist anymore, haha.
It’s great they were purged, since my nightmares of living in fear of those assholes won’t return.

I’m glad my accomplishments determine my place in society… not some long-dead ancestors!” Patrick

At that point, I really let loose with my bloodlust.

“We were so close…” Marquis Raven croaks out with a face drained of blood

Beside him, his son is pissing himself in fear.

Editor Note: I spent some time cleaning up the website on Saturday.
A bunch of chapters didn’t have their next chapter links set correctly.
I also added volume 1 links, so catch-up readers can see it quicker.