The razing of Ferlain continued, even with Rhyne captured, Elberich needed to send a message.
Letting Ferlain in good condition signalled weakness to other rulers beyond the kingdom, and Elberich wanted to make sure that Justinian wasn't seen as weak.
Or else more disasters would come in the future.
"Kill all of his men! Raze the city! Spare the citizens!"
Elberich shouted, raising his sword as he sent out the next group of mercenaries to climb the ladders, which was now an easy entrance to the city itself.
"I'll gut you for this, Elberich!"
Rhyne shouted as he kneeled on the snowy floor, being held by Elberich's generals.
His eyes were sunken, his face pale; it was clear that he was no longer sane.
"You're welcome to try, Rhyne."
FWOOSH!
FWOOSH!
CRACKLE!
More fire rained down on Ferlain, with smoke filling the sky like it came from hell itself. Ferlain was now uninhabitable.
The entire city inside the walls is now ashes and ruin, covered with blood.
'Where the hell is Fenrix!?'
Rhyne barked inside his mind, his spymaster should be skilled enough to rescue him from this captivity, and what's stranger is... he was supposed to warn him if any strangers had entered his cabin's range.
So why didn't he?
'Don't tell me that bastard also betrayed me?'
***
An hour passed after the siege, with most citizens inside the city captured and placed in a camp established by Elberich. Ferlain had now fallen, and its count captured.
Now all that awaited was Justinian's decree.
"Speak of the devil..."
Elberich muttered, seeing in the distance the banners of Vesuvian and Thirell covering the hills beyond Ferlain, an army strong enough that it could annihilate Elberich's if it wanted.
"Messenger! Intercept them!"
He commanded, his heart beating quickly now, afraid of how Justinian would react.
***
"What in the gods' name...?"
Bjorn said in confusion, seeing the city they were supposed to besiege now in complete ruins, the gates were burned to crisp, the walls crumbled and filled with holes.
It was less of a bustling capital and more like a ruin from ages past.
"Did Elberich do this...?"
Justinian muttered, seeing the odd sight as well, taking off his helmet to get a better look.
"Look, Lord Justinian, a rider!"
Bjorn pointed in the distance to where Elberich's messenger was, quickly galloping across the snowy fields, holding up a white flag.
"My lords!"
The messenger exclaimed.
"Lord Elberich told me to give you this."
The messenger dismounted his horse, kneeling on the ground as he revealed a rolled-up parchment with Matthias' seal on it.
'This was his doing?'
Justinian grabbed the parchment and unrolled it, reading its contents.
"...I-interesting."
He couldn't help but let out a disbelieving laugh, impressed at the foresight and preparations that Matthias had prepared for this destined meeting.
But despite the impressive display of skill, Justinian was worried; Matthias was his biggest asset and biggest threat now.
'I'll be careful and not piss him off...'
Justinian sighed, rolling the parchment back and handing it back to the messenger.
"Tell Elberich to come here himself, I want to speak to him."
The messenger nodded, riding back on his horse as he returned to Elberich's camp.
"What did it say, my lord?"
Bjorn asked, still oblivious of the current situation.
"Apparently, my steward had beaten us to it..."
***
"I came as soon as I received the message, my duke!"
Elberich arrived at Justinian's location, a company of cavalry beside him for protection, and he was still unsure of Justinian's orders.
"You pig!"
Bjorn shouted, only disdain in his voice to the traitor who conspired with Rhyne.
"Do you think this act will pardon you for your crimes!?"
He unsheathed his sword, ready to plunge it deep into Elberich's neck as punishment for his crimes.
"That is not needed, Sir Bjorn."
Justinian placed a hand on Bjorn's sword, forcefully pointing it down as he looked at Elberich with an imperceptible gaze, one where you can't even tell what emotions he's feeling.
A poker face refined from years of gambling and lying.
"You've done well..."
Justinian grinned while stroking the mane of Kalos.
"I trust you have Rhyne with you?"
"Yes, my lord, I have him right here."
Elberich signalled to one of his riders, suddenly throwing a huge, squirming sack to the ground.
'Talk about elegant...'