Chapter 250: The Second Purge Approaches

Horace looked at the forest ahead of him. Deeply sighing, he bitterly chuckled, unable to believe he was going back to the Commonwealth so soon. He had hoped he would never have to go back, but his work didn’t let him have a rest.

Looking at his operatives in the carriage, he could see they all had the same worried look on their faces. The Commonwealth had cracked down hard on their people, and ordering more to enter the land felt like a death sentence. The only saving grace was Horace’s presence.

"We are in and out this time. Contact Piast and, if possible, get access to the Dabrowski manor." Everyone nodded to Horace’s order, feeling satisfied; he carried on the journey, crossing the border.

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"Alfred, they have arrived," Isar said softly to her husband, who had buried himself in work. Looking up at her, he nodded and forced himself up. Going to a mirror, he fixed his appearance and slightly adjusted the look on his face, wearing a fake small smile.

It was fine for him to act how he wanted in front of his friends and loyalists, but he couldn’t take risks in front of those outside the palace. He had to show he was perfect; anything else wasn’t good enough. Looking at Isra, she fixed a small part of his cloak.

"Are you sure it’s time?" She quietly whispered, placing her hand on his chest. Grabbing it, he leaned over and lightly kissed her forehead.

"The church won’t wait. We are on a countdown now, and the Empire needs to have all its issues sorted before it can make a move. So I need you to speed up the people courts." Taking a deep breath, she nodded and moved out of the way, letting Alfred walk past.

Walking through the halls, his guards quickly surrounded him. As he approached the throne room, Alfred couldn’t help but feel nervous. After learning of his place in the world as a Blessed One, he assumed this was what it would come to, but to go against one of the oldest institutions the world knew, he couldn’t help but feel doubt.

’I must do this. My promises are all that matters. Nothing else.’He tried to convince himself, but even that wasn’t enough to eliminate the pit he felt in his stomach. A guard went ahead and pushed open the door for Alfred, his throne coming into sight. Walking in, he looked at Sister Alice and Gregor.

The woman’s eyes lit up brightly, laying eyes on him whilst Gregor could only muster a small smile. Walking up the step, he sat on the throne, with Alice quickly rushing forward and falling to her knees. "Your Majesty." Her voice was full of worship as she looked up at him. The intensity of her devotion scared Alfred, but he brushed it aside.

Gregor was calmer and walked forward next to Alice, respectfully bowing. "Your Majesty." Alfred gave a small nod to the man and took a deep breath.

"Thank you for coming. As you both know, the Empire is about to radically change. One that will ensure peace and unity. It will not be peaceful, but nothing ever is. Now it is your turn. Your chance to make it so more blood than necessary isn’t spilt."

"Yoru Majesty." Gregor opened his mouth but was quickly stopped by Alice’s fanatical cry. "You are the one chosen by Sol. Just give us your order." Looking down at her, Gregor couldn’t help but be stunned. He had seen many faithful in his life, but hers was intense, almost suffocating.

"Sister." Alfred also felt overwhelmed and raised his hand to slow her down. "First, can you please stand? You should only kneel like this before the gods." Alfred regretted saying that, instantly seeing the light in her eyes burn brighter as she pushed herself up.

"Gregor, I know you have your work cut out with the people councils, but right now, the church wishes to destroy everything we hold dear, including the legacy that woman, Mother, wished to create. I know you may not fully support me, but you can believe me when I wish for my Empire to be a land of peace where anyone can live."

Gregor bitterly smiled but nodded. "I know. I have many contacts within the common people who will be listened to. I need some time to spread the word, but I should be able to get them on board with the schisms. But this is only if they can worship the Gods how they wish."

"Of course. The Pantheon was created so all the Gods could be equally worshipped. I will not punish a man for choosing their focus of worship to be directed toward a single God so long as they do not try to enforce that will on others." Gregor fell silent but nodded, happy with the agreement. He already knew the rough plan Alfred wanted and agreed with parts of it.

He had time to think. After his Mother’s death, he realised the faults of her ideals. Creating a state for Khors would only bring more violence and death. He had seen it with the Safrids. Making a world where all the Gods were respected would be the only way to achieve peace among the faiths. Only then would people stop fighting using the Gods as an excuse.

Alfred’s eyes landed on Alice, and she smiled beautifully. "Your Majesty," Once more, her voice was worshipful. "The Sisters of Gaia will follow. They have preached the doctrine of unity amongst the Gods since its dawn. We have never had the power to enforce this before, but you do. It is our long-cherished wish."

"So you will be able to convince the Sisters then?"

"Of course." Alice cried out happily. Clasping her hands together, she looked to the roof. "You are the Blessed One. Your will is the creator’s."

"Even with what we have to do. I know the Sisters preach peace. Many won’t be able to accept what comes before." It was the one thing Alfred worried about. He didn’t mind attacking the Followers and the Church. They were institutions that attacked and killed their own believers. But attacking the SIsters was different. It was impossible not to get backlash from every nation on the continent. They were protected. To attack them was to break the unspoken treaty amongst everyone.

"I will carry that burden for them." It was the first time, but he could see the light in Alice’s eyes dim a little. "No peace has ever been achieved without sacrifice, and I will do it, even if I never see Sol’s light after death. Gaia has been stained for too long. Her family has been torn apart by humanity, and now we have a chance to correct these wrongs."

"Are you fine with that, Sister?" Hearing Alfred’s concern, Alice smiled gently at him.

"It’s the only way. It’s better for me to be dammed than all of humanity." Hearing her words, which carried a strong conviction, Alfred stopped talking and smiled.

"Get in touch with who you need to and prepare. The purge on the Church and Followers will begin in the coming days." The two bowed hearing the order, and Alfred got up and left, leaving them alone.

Looking at Alice, Gregor squinted. "You truly have faith in His Majesty." It was the first time he had seen such devotion. Even the Record Keeper or Mother didn’t hold such devotion for the Gods that Alice held for Alfred.

Turning to face him, Alice looked Greogr up and down. "He is a Holy child of Sol. He understood the truth of the world. Understood how to bring about the best future. Not having faith in such a man would be spitting in Sol’s face."

Turning back on Gregor, he could hear her clap her hands together. "To live at such a time and help drive change. We are blessed, my Brother."

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Konrad stood before Snowid with dark eyes, his usual smile gone. Despite the change in the man, Snowid didn’t blame him for dropping his act. Looking at the paper, the Empire had spread across the Commonwealth, and it was easy to understand what had been done.#

"Are you sure they orchestrated the attack on us?" seeing Konrad nod, he frowned and slammed his fist into the table. "The Blood Child." Scoffing after saying that, it turned into a wry chuckle. "It’s obvious why they did it, Konrad. I’m surprised you didn’t see it."

Konrad’s brow scuffed in confusion. "How? Surely, there could be many reasons."

"There definitely are." Snowid paused and looked at the paper again." Tell me. What do you think the end goal of the Empire is for us?"

"Conquest. Ever since Alfred took the throne, both nations have been at each other’s throats. it’s just a matter of when."

"Exactly. So he can’t just invade us without having many problems. But if he wins over the people he intends to conquer before they even have set foot in our land, it would give him an advantage. Sure, the pirate attacks may have been used to weaken us, but what was the point of spreading this if it was just for that."

Konrad’s eyes opened wide, unable to believe he missed it. It was so obvious. "How far is he planning?" Awe, and fear. It was all Konrad could feel thinking about Alfred’s plan.

Snowid didn’t fault him for feeling that; he was feeling both. "He is playing a very long game and isn’t done. Wherever you’ve got your men, if it’s low priority, move them and have everything focused on dealing with the Empire. We are on the backfoot and I give it a few years before they make a move."

"Would he risk war when the fight with the Church is so close?"

"The boy is insane, Konrad. But even so, our lands would become the battlefield. He may aswell get us out the way before the Church can reinforce us. Create a natural barrier for the core of his Empire."

Clicking his tongue, Konrad sighed. "It will be done. But just know we will be blind in a few areas if I do this. The noble faction may become more powerful."

"Do it. I’d rather they have power than be conquered." Konrad bowed, hearing the order, and quickly left.