207 Nocturnal Retaliation Part 1 (1/2)
While his country underwent drastic changes, Ernst von Gradl awoke within the great elder's quarters.
Beside him, the six secluded elders stood with their inquisitive eyes locked onto him. Seeing them, Ernst immediately dropped on his knees.
”Elders, the house has fallen, the country is overtaken, our rule overthrown and our future in jeopardy! I beseech you to return to activity, cleanse the house and save us from destruction!”
He exclaimed and kowtowed.
Instantaneously, the six elders' eyes widened in a glaring stupor.
”What did you just say? The house, fallen? Our rule, overthrown? What the hell happened in our absence?!”
The great elder roared while seizing Ernst by the collar.
”This…this is how it went…”
Ernst then retold the events, starting with the great war and following with the arrival of the Holy Flame Empire's delegates. With the situation having reached this point, he didn't dare conceal his involvement in the matter, faithfully retelling all that occurred.
Of course, he didn't mention Augusta's fall in details, only stating that upon witnessing his might, she chose to surrender her body to the delegation protector.
The six were startled.
”See? I called it. Ernst, Ernst, back in the days, didn't I tell you that she was more woman than you could handle and would ultimately make your head green? Now, look at this situation. Your head is not just green, but glossy!”
The third elder lamented with a profound sigh, causing Ernst to suppress a blood spurt.
”This is not the time for your nonsense, the situation is serious!”
The second elder cut in a roar of fury before pointing his index at the still kneeling Ernst.
”Ernst von Gradl, back in those days I told your father that you were not suited to be a monarch. Not because you're petty. Not because you're narrow-minded, but because YOU…ARE…A…COWARD!”
*PAH*
The second elder's right palm struck Ernst's cheek in a resounding slap. He spiraled and smashed into the adjacent wall with blood trickling from his lips. Still, he didn't dare argue.
”As the king, as the patriarch, as the leader and culprit. You only had one thing to do, take responsibility! Commit suicide in apology, leaving blame-shifting words such as -I failed to manage my country and provoked this misunderstanding, but I hope our two countries' relationship will not collapse because of this.-
Then, kill yourself!
And we could have effortlessly taken care of the rest.
But you don't have the gals. You dare commit such a blunder and fall into the enemy's trap, but you don't dare shoulder the consequences! Worse, you brought your house to ruin!”
Under the verbal abuse, Ernst trembled, and his cheeks reddened from shame.
”I…I…I…”
*PAH*
But clearly, the second elder wasn't satisfied and sent him reeling with another smack.
”Before house prosperity, before house glory, what is one individual's life worth?! If your father saw you today, how much shame and sorrow would he feel? And how could he possibly call you son?!”
*PAH* *PAH* *PAH*
The second elder gave Ernst the face-slapping of a lifetime. And though usually, the great elder would prevent such things from occurring to preserve the monarch's dignity, today, he didn't stop it.