Page 18 of A Simple Truth

“Can he even hold his dick to aim where to piss or does that not matter to you as long as you get to fuc—” I didn’t bother moving my hand as Andrias’s face turned bright red from my eyes landing on his. His lungs collapsed as he slowly suffocated, the fire within him dying alongside his brain cells. Andrias’s second rushed to help him, but Orest already held his sword to his neck. Andrias convulsed, clawing at the table, his face turning a dark shade of purple. I took an exasperated breath, gradually letting go of my hold on the general and letting him hungrily inhale just enough air to stay conscious. A sinister smile crept up my face as I watched panic dancing in his eyes.

“Andrias, Andrias,Andrias…” I tapped my fingers against the stained, oak tree table, considering. “Could you repeat what you said about my second? I was distracted for a minute.Childish as I am.” The oldest general’s silver hair was now bright against his reddened face as his eyes puttered out while he still struggled. “That’s what I thought,” I said nonchalantly when nothing but the desperate rasps came out of his gaping mouth. Lastly, I released my hold on him. His face laced with such fuming rage that I was sure his hair was going to turn into flames.

“You—” his rasp, strained voice sounded. Andrias angrily got up from his seat, his hand going directly for his sword.

“What? No respect for my father?” My eyes provoked him as I leaned back in the chair, letting silver flames dance on my fingertips, observing, as both Lachlan and Andrias cautiously stared at the flames.

“No, your father was a dick and he got what he deserved,” Andrias heatedly argued, his hand tight around the hilt of his large sword.

“You are indeed lucky I agree with that statement.” I casually smiled as our eyes silently exchanged dares. Andrias’s second unsheathed his sword just a bit, failing to do it quietly as the little noise echoed off the stone walls.

Pathetic idiot.

“Don’t embarrass yourself, old man.” Lachlan deviously grinned, enjoying this little quarrel. But I stared deep in the hazel eyes of Andrias, baiting him.

He begrudgingly sat back down, taking another deep breath.

How disappointing.

“Maybe next time?” I taunted him, letting the little fires disappear, secretly contemplating just how much of an inconvenience it would be for me to burn the prick now.

“Generals, welcome! I am glad all of you could make it on such short notice. I hope the journey was not too harsh for those of you traveling from afar.” The Commanding general, Hosam’s voice sounded through the room, his figure appearing a second later, promptly followed by the last general, Servos. Both taking a seat at the table.

“As I mentioned in my letter, there are a few things we must address. But first, let’s hear the reports. General Byrningham.” Hosam gestured for him to begin.

Lachlan cleared his throat, straightening in his seat.

“The South territory has been quite calm, sir. We have identified a few new Magic Wielders hideouts that have escaped the initial sweep, the non-cooperative executed immediately, and the other ones passed off per instructions. The tithes have also been gathered from the all the lords and delivered to the treasury. There was an issue with the trade routes at one point, but we have killed off those attempting to profit off the Queen.”

“Thank you.” The commanding general nodded. “General Ikory.” He motioned to Andrias to go next.

“The East has been slammed with winter storms, so we’ve been cooped up for the past couple months. However, I’ve met with all the ruling lords, and they have paid the tributes to the Queen. We have also completed some of the work for the strongholds in preparation for the coming events,” Andrias reported.

“Thank you,” Hosam continued, “General Bellator.”

I took a quick glance at the four armored generals sitting at the table, their eyes locked on me.

“The North has been tranquil as usual, so I’ve spent most of my time creating strongholds in the West. With the completion of the bridge over the Dniar River, we established a much shorter route from the Western Fork and the Rock Quarries. However, I am sure many of you are facing similar issues—there have been increased rumors of the Rebels across the whole territory. We’ve eradicated any sympathizers, however, it has been a rising concern, given the circumstances.”

“Thank you, General Bellator, the Queen appreciates your efforts in accommodating her requests in a timely manner.” Hosam’s wise eyes softly wrinkled as he gave me another look, this time of the trusted advisor and mentor that he once was for me, and I returned the gesture. “At last, General Servos. Please tell us of the Capital.”

“Well, what’s happening in Svitar is not a secret to anyone. The pesky Rebels have made a direct attack on the Capital. They’ve blown up a building, they’ve killed off plenty of the Royalty, including the Baroness and her entire family in the attack. They went as far as killing quite a few Destroyers in the process.” At those words, Servos’s nostrils flared. “We did capture three of the Rebels, though two of them managed to escape. It was a rogue Royal Captain of the Guard that stayed back. It seems that he led the attack. And while that might have explained how he had access to the castle, we’ve yet to understand how they managed to blow up the entire damn roof of the ballroomandgo unnoticed.” Servos’s aged mouth frowned as his face was imbued with bitterness.

“The Destroyers are being killed by Rebels now?! Hosam, this is getting out of control!” Andrias loudly protested.

“Perhaps, you need to train your soldiers better. Or have they gotten used to lavish city living?” Lachlan’s mocking voice rumbled through the tense air. “Please tell me you at least found magic traces in the air? Though, still embarrassing, nonetheless.” Lachlan rubbed the side of his head, giving me a look.

“For your information,General Byrningham, my soldiers were all well trained and each one of them was a great fighter, and now, a great loss for my armies,” Servos hissed. “Whoever killed them was very skilled and very well trained, especially against Destroyers. And considering the state of their bodies, they took quite a lot of pleasure in killing them too.”

I remained silent, listening carefully to the words that weren’t being said, though I couldn’t deny a bit of contentment that slithered inside the dark corners of my soul at their words.

It was indeed satisfying to slice their throats, watching them choke on their blood, only to then lower my hood and enjoy the terrifying look in their eyes as I let the silver flames flicker in myown eyes. Letting them see that the Lord of Death had come to collect their poor souls himself. Truly, it was more of an honor for a Destroyer to die from my hand than anything.

“There were no marks of magic, at least, nothing more than the usual level for Svitar, though the amount of carnation flowers we burned mid-winter didn’t go unnoticed by anyone,” Servos added, failing to keep the very adamant frustration out of his tone.

“So, humans are joining the Creators now. Is this really what you are saying, Servos?” Andrias barked.

“I have no explanation. We’ve burned every whisper of rumors but have come up empty handed. The little rats are hiding deep in their holes.”

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