The Imperial Valekar Guard marched through the city streets in full formation.
People stopped where they stood, shopkeepers stepped out of their stores and windows opened above the roads.
Whispers spread like wildfire as armoured soldiers passed by with banners of the Imperial Family raised above their heads and weapons at their sides.
It had been years since the Imperial Guard had moved through the city like this.
By the time they reached the Reus Family Castle and headquarters, the sun was still climbing so most of the household were still inside with only a few stewards and servants that have left early for the day.
The guards surrounded the castle in silence.
Vice-Captain Hannibal rode to the front, then jumped down from his horse.
He stepped forward alone and from within his cloak, he pulled out a sealed scroll bearing the imperial crest.
He broke the seal and unrolled it and his voice carried clearly through the nearby vicinities.
"By decree of His Imperial Majesty, Alexander Maximus Valekar, Emperor of Valekar Empire."
Every sound faded as everyone wanted to hear the imperial degree.
"Paul Reus and the Reus Family are hereby accused of aiding and sponsoring a criminal organization known as the Six-Seven Gang."
Murmurs passed through the gathered crowd as shock spread to everyone.
"Furthermore, Paul Reus has raised his sword against the Emperor during the council session this very day, an act of open treason witnessed by the assembled Council."
Gasps echoed from everywhere with shock passing through everyone's face.
"For these crimes against the Empire, His Imperial Majesty has ordered the complete execution of the Reus Family."
Hannibal's eyes hardened.
"All lands, wealth, and property under the Reus name are to be seized in full and claimed by the Empire."
He rolled the decree closed.
"Let judgment be carried out."
The moment his hand fell, the Imperial Valekar Guards moved.
Steel rang as weapons were drawn. The castle gates were struck down in a second, and soldiers surged forward without hesitation.
Around the perimeter of the mansion, guards that patrolled as usual were the first to be killed.
The Reus family had taken great measures to secure their castle. His guards were numerous and well trained but that didn't seem to matter when it came to the Imperial guards.
The residents of the castle were next… from the servants to attendants to family… everyone was slaughtered.
Under the main building, in a secure training room, Scott's father was in retreat meditating and he just broke through a minor realm.
'Finally, Expert level two mage. I should go and meet father and tell him the good…'
Scott's father thought as he slowly came out of the training room.
However before he could close the door behind him, Alfred suddenly appeared beside him and swung his blade.
Paul's head fell off in an instant.
At the same time some of the Imperial Guards moved to the Reus family warehouse and locked down the entire area.
The only ones spared from this massacre were hired workers and skilled talents without deep connection to the family.
***
{Imperial Crown Palace Garden}
While this was going on, Alexander sat alone in the imperial garden, surrounded by quiet and the soft sound of flowing water.
He had taken a flat wooden board from a fallen crate and several straight branches from a nearby tree. With a knife in hand, he worked slowly and with care.
First, he marked the board, one line at a time. he carved shallow grooves across the surface.
Then he turned the board and did the same again, dividing it into eight rows and eight columns, creating an even grid of sixty-four squares.
He paused only to lift his golden goblet, ignoring the notifications he was receiving, he took a small sip of wine before setting it down beside him.
Next, he cut the branches into short lengths, trimming and shaping them with simple movements.
He failed a couple of times, but he simply threw the failed carvings to the side and restarted.
Finally the pieces began to come together.
Some were tall, others short. He rounded the tops of a few and carved narrow necks into others, shaping each one with care.
When he began working on the last pieces, a soft voice reached him from his left.
"Your Majesty."
Alexander did not look up. De simply pointed to the space across from him.
"Take your seat."
Marquess Grace Cadden lifted her head and moved forward, settling down opposite him.
Victor stepped back at the same time, far enough to give them privacy, yet close enough to act if needed.
Grace said nothing. She quietly watched as Alexander finished carving the final pieces, the knife moving with calm, steady strokes.
When he was done, he placed the pieces onto the board and arranged them in neat rows. Only then did he look up.
"Let's play."
Grace studied the board, her eyes moving from the grid to the wooden figures. After a moment, she looked back at him.
"Your Majesty, I have never seen a game like this before."
Alexander nodded.
"It is a turn-based game," he said calmly. "We move one at a time."
He pointed to the small pieces lined along the second row.
"These are soldiers. They move one step forward only. They can never move back."
His finger shifted to the taller corner pieces.
"These are warriors. They move in straight lines. Forward, backward, or to the side. They cannot jump over others."
Then he indicated the oddly shaped pieces beside them.
"These are generals. They move in an L-shape. They can jump over other pieces, as long as where they land is empty or holds an enemy."
As he spoke, Rose entered the garden carrying a tray. She placed tea, light refreshments, and a fresh jug of wine beside them.
"Your Majesty," she said with a bow.
"My Lady," she added, bowing to Grace as well before she withdrew quietly.
Alexander continued, pointing to the next pair.
"These are mages. They move only along the diagonals, as far as the path is clear."
His hand then rested on the largest figure beside the king.
"This is the Queen. She moves however she wishes. Straight, sideways, or diagonal."
Finally, he touched the smallest and simplest piece at the centre.
"And this is the King. He may only move one step at a time, in any direction." He leaned back slightly and met Grace's gaze.
"The goal is simple," he said. "Protect your King. And trap mine."
He gestured to the board between them.
"Your move."