In stark contrast to the egoist marionette that Leo encountered before, the real Marcus D. Evanus knelt before him without shame, his trembling and his tongue stuttering as he begged for his life.
The blood-stained remnants of his royal attire clung to him like a mockery of his former power. Tears and snot streaked his pale face as he clasped his hands in desperation.
"Please… please don't kill me!" Marcus sobbed, his voice cracking under the weight of fear. "I-I'll do anything! Money, power, land—whatever you want, it's yours! Just spare me!" His words stumbled over one another, desperation rendering him incoherent.
Leo stood over him, the weight of the moment reflected in his cold, calculating gaze. His body, battered and bloodied, exuded an air of menace that Marcus couldn't comprehend. His daggers gleamed faintly in the dim light, their edges wet with the blood of those who had fallen before him.
"Pathetic," Leo muttered, his voice low and sharp, cutting through Marcus's frantic pleas. "You call yourself an Emperor? A ruler? You're not even a man. You're a sniveling boy playing dress-up."
Marcus flinched at the words, his lips quivering. He tried to stammer a reply, but the sound of his own breath hitching drowned him out.
"Look at you," Leo continued, his tone laced with disgust. "Kneeling, groveling. Do you even understand what it means to lead? You don't deserve the throne. You don't even deserve your name."
The words crushed Marcus further. His hands fell limp at his sides, his body sagging as though the fight had left him entirely. "Please…" he whispered, the word barely audible.
Leo stared at him for a long moment, his face impassive. Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward and drove his dagger across Marcus's throat in one swift, merciless motion.
Marcus's eyes widened in shock as blood gushed from the wound, soaking the collar of his tattered robes. He gurgled, his hands feebly reaching for his neck as though he could stop the inevitable. His body slumped forward, lifeless, collapsing onto the crimson-stained floor.
The throne room fell silent, the oppressive weight of the act settling over everything.
*Ding*
A glowing system panel materialized before Leo, casting an eerie light across his expressionless face.
[System Notification:- You have slain Marcus D. Evanus, the reigning Emperor of the Unity Empire.
Main Quest "The Downfall of the Unity Empire" has been completed. Specific rewards will be distributed upon consolidation of power.]
Before Leo could even absorb the implications of the notification, another one appeared before his eyes.
[System Notification:-
New Main Quest Unlocked: "Consolidation of Power."
Objective: Solidify control over the Unity Empire by eliminating rival factions, securing loyal alliances, and establishing yourself as the undisputed ruler.
Rewards: ??????
Penalty for Failure: The war against rebels will continue. ]
Leo exhaled sharply, swiping the panels away as his lips curled into a grim smile. "Figures," he muttered. "The work's never done."
Before he could turn, a thunderous crash echoed through the hallway as the throne room doors burst open yet again.
The Virex Corps Chief stood in the doorway, flanked by a squad of heavily armored soldiers. His eyes scanned the room, locking onto Marcus's lifeless body sprawled at Leo's feet.
"No…" Jao whispered, his voice breaking.
His body trembled as he stepped forward, his hands clutching his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"NO!"
The grief in his cry reverberated through the room, raw and unrestrained. Tears streamed down his face as he staggered forward, his gaze never leaving Marcus.
"I failed you," the Chief choked out, his voice cracking under the weight of his anguish. Then his sorrow twisted into rage. His tear-filled eyes burned with hatred as he turned to face Leo and Ben.
"You'll pay for this!" He said, as before either Ben or Leo could react, the chief of Virex Corps raised his blade and charged towards them, his movements fueled by unbridled fury.
However, Ben's response to his threat was instantaneous as well, as with the precision of a seasoned tactician, he grabbed the unconscious Evanus child from the corner of the room, pressing his dagger firmly against the boy's throat.
"Stop!" Ben commanded, his voice cold and unyielding. "One more step, and the Evanus line ends here."
The Chief skidded to a halt, his blade inches from Ben's throat. The soldiers behind him froze, their weapons raised but hesitant as the tension within the room reached a fever pitch.
"You're bluffing," the Chief spat, though his voice wavered.
Ben's dagger pressed harder, drawing a thin line of blood from the boy's neck. "Try me," he said, his tone icy. "You think I care? Push me, and I'll make sure your Emperor's bloodline ends tonight."
The soldiers exchanged uncertain glances, their resolve faltering as they weighed their loyalty against their survival.
"You've already lost," Ben continued, his lips curling into a smirk. "Let us walk out of here, or I'll make sure you lose more than just your pride."
The Chief's grip on his sword faltered, his shoulders sagging as the reality of the situation dawned on him.
For a second his eyes flickered to the dead bodies of Nathan D Evanus, Marcus and their mother, and then between the last living Evanus child and the Willow's who were being rounded up by Ben Faulkner's disciple.
In his heart, he did not wish to let the criminals who caused so much death and destruction to the royal palace walk away free, however, he was sworn to protect the royal bloodline and hence he could not punish them here even if he wanted.
With the last Evanus child in Ben's grasp, he had no other choice but to reluctantly lower his head, as he dropped his sword.
"Everybody stand-down!" Jao commanded, as Leo, Ben and Dumpy scrambled away, right through the eyes of vengeful soldiers who could do nothing but stare as they escaped.
"Hahahaha…." Leo chuckled, finding this situation hilarious, as this undoubtedly had to be one of his life's best adventures.