A Story of Evil

Chapter 101: The Aftermath

Crimson Harvest. That is the term used by the people on the events that happened that very day. A day full of blood and death, with no explanations whatsoever. 

Things were once again back to square one. 

Because of Kingsley's meddling, a lot of people were afraid and doubtful of the king. The news of the massacre spread like wildfire. With all Voids learning of the event before the day even ended. How the king ordered bystanders to get killed and burned. How he ordered the same all over the slums. How he went to prison and massacred every soldier within it and, how he even killed Bishop Baron.

His reputation reverted back to when he was still the drunkard king. In fact, it even worsened. As he was being called: "The Mad King" and "The Crazed Jester". All because of the a seemingly sheer madness that accompanied his act.

On the other hand, the ones within the inner walls were finally convinced that, Sol and Alice were truly spawns of the devil. They said that, the two have spread their disease in the prison. Saying it was the reason why the soldiers turned into monsters. On every building and every home, within the streets or at work. The king and the champions of the culling were all that the people talked about.

"I'm not much of a believer myself but, Bishop Baron makes a lot of sense." A drunk man said, merrily indulging in liquor with four friends of his.

"Yeah, they really make use of the devil's powers! That's the only reason which could explain all of this!" Another drunkard replied, his stomach proving to be an inferior wine skin as, his red was all red. 

"But what about king Jubilee then?" One of them asked.

"Huh? Isn't it obvious you numbskull? He's also the spawn of the devil! He killed a bunch of us like we aren't worth shit!" The fourth one declared.

"Yeah! I hope they get executed real soon." The last of the group mentioned.

With all the public chaos going on, a lot of influential people saw a window of opportunity to even overthrow the king. Since a lot of people have reverted to distrusting the king, to the point of even seeing him as a threat, it would be easy for them to manipulate the weak minded slum dwellers. Starting a revolt that would force Jubilee out of his office.

There was enough catalysts to use after all. Although the aristocrats didn't care about the slum dwellers, the queen and bishop Baron were different cases altogether. 

These were people of high esteem and respectable stature. Felicity is also included in this list and, with all of them dying, it was only natural for the nobility to make their plans. Thinking how to finally overthrow the king.

One of this is none other than prince Jules. One who not only mourned the loss of his mother but despised his father even more.

Of course Jubilee knew this. He knew of the plans and all of the attempts being set up against him. That is why he needed to act quickly, using the safest route and method there was in order to ensure that the domain would once again regain its trust in him.

And one important aspect of this plan were the champions of the Culling. Ones which he visited at that moment. Two days after they have been imprisoned.

"So how's it like down here?" Jubilee began. 

Although the living conditions weren't great in the basement of the castle, it wasn't that terrible. Not in the very least. Sol and Alice have been trained to withstand such conditions after all. Living below the minimum standard when they were still in the slums.

"Terrible my liege,. They've sent poison multiple times already." Sol said, using his analysis on every dish handed to them.

"Yeah I figured as much." King Jubilee said in reply. Clapping his hands and making two servants come down, bringing food along with them.

"Eat all of that, I can't have the two of you dying on me." The Void king said, with Alice and Sol reaching out for the food and digging in right away.

"My liege, I don't understand. Can't you jut bail us out of this place?" 

"I would Alice; if that is an option. But the system doesn't permit something like that." There was a puzzled expression on Alice's face so, King Jubilee took the liberty of explaining things to the girl.

"We are in more advanced times and, my monarchy is not absolute. There is a legal council that has almost the same amount of authority as I. Al the laws I make pass through them first and, other than that I have full authority over the domain."

"Uhm" Alice was no expert in the field of law and the governing system. It wasn't something that she was fond of. Hence making it difficult for her to piece together the information.

"It means we need to stand before court Alice. We need to prove ourselves innocent for our crimes." Sol explained, with king Jubilee nodding in agreement.

"I figured as much. And here I was thinking I already escaped from  those haunting prison days. Turns out I just made a quick detour." Alice said in a gloomy tone.

"Well it cannot be helped. You did kill my wife. Plus, there were so many bystanders there who witnessed it happening. That's aside from the fact that you even burned her."

"But that was only because"

"Yes. Yes. I know. You met Onyx along the way and asked him what was happening. Then Sol got the general idea of the plague that could have been and, how to prevent it." The Void king said, getting this information directly from his knight.

"I believe the two of you of course. You aren't the type to kill without proper motivation or aim. But, without any evidence, nobody is gonna believe us."

"You're not very convincing of our victory in court my liege." Sol commented.

"Hahaha. Sorry about that, just stating facts. Anyway, it's not like I don't have anything planned." The king said, forming a grin which was all too familiar to Alice. Giving her chills as she asked.

"Why do you sound like Sol my liege?"

"Sound like Sol?"

"She means that is the same voice I use whenever I tell her a crazy plan." The king laughed at the idea of it. Not because he thought Alice was crazy but, because he knew that her intuition was on point.

"Okay you got me. It is gonna get a bit crazy." The king said, throwing the keys at the kids. Shocking both Sol and Alice.

"Waitmy liege."

"Leave the prison cell and follow me. I want to wrap this up as quickly as I can." The king said, moving up the stairs and, not waiting for the kids to get out.

"What do you think he's up to?"

"Beats me. But hey, it's a free prison break so why not?" Sol said, making a clinking sound with the keys which made Alice smile. 

"You sure this won't get us killed?" The girl asked, already beginning to unlock her chains.

"I think so." Sol simply said as they continued taking off all the locks. Proceeding to the door of their cell and, finally out of the door. Just as they did, they saw the king still in the hallways of the castle. Catching up to him, Sol continued asking.

"My liege what's the plan?"

"Well the plan is, we need to prevent the coup d'tat that the aristocrats are plotting against me. For that, we need to take them by surprise and catch them off guard."

"How do we do that exactly?" Alice asked, standing on the right side of the king.

"That's simple" The three were finally at the front door of the castle. Opening it, the two had their eyes widen ins hock. There were people all around both from the inner and outer walls. With weapons on hand and placards all raised.

In front of these were the soldiers and the knights of the king. Creating a barricade which prevented the people from coming any closer from where they were. 

The Void king patted the head of the two children he was taking care of. Both of them looked at king Jubilee as he finally disclosed his plan. With a confident smile still worn on his face he said:

"The three of us will go through public trial."