Building A Carnal Empire In The Fantasy World-Chapter 21: Unexpected Twist II

The younger knight saluted and jogged back into the building. They waited in uncomfortable silence.

Jace could feel sweat forming under his arms despite the cold air. A pang of regret bloomed in his chest, almost bringing him to tears.

’I shouldn’t have come here.’ he thought, looking grim as he prayed he gets out of this safely.

When the knight returned, he brought someone with him that made Jace’s blood turn to ice water. Now he knew there was no chance of him getting out of this building alive—it was a Flame Knight

Commander Aldric was huge. Not just tall, but broad as a barn door, with muscles that stretched his uniform tight. His head was shaved bald, and a long scar ran from his left ear to the corner of his mouth.

But it was his eyes that scared Jace the most—pale blue, like winter sky, and completely without mercy.

"You’re the one making accusations against Count Varnell?" Aldric’s voice rumbled like distant thunder.

"Yes, sir. Commander, sir." Jace’s voice came out as a squeak, trembling.

Aldric stepped closer. He smelled like metal and leather and something else, something that might have been dried blood.

"Look at me, boy."

Jace forced himself to meet those terrible pale eyes.

"I can smell lies like a hound smells fear," Aldric said softly. "If you’re wasting my time with jealousy or petty revenge, I’ll hang you from the cathedral spire and let the crows pick your bones clean."

Jace’s knees almost gave out. But he thought of Kael again, of the way everyone looked at him like he was special. And how they’d cast him aside like trash.

"It’s true," he whispered. "Every word."

Aldric stared at him for what felt like forever. Then he stepped back and nodded once.

"Very well." He turned to the other knights. "Ready two squads of acquisitors and one squad of flame knights. Full battle gear."

"Sir?" the older knight asked. "For a celebration?"

"If this worm is telling the truth, we’re dealing with slave traders and flesh peddlers. That means resistance. That means blood." Aldric’s scarred mouth twisted into something that might have been a smile. "If anyone resists our righteous justice, kill them instantly. Cut off their heads to be hung on stakes outside the cathedral. Let everyone see what happens to those who traffic in sin."

The knights saluted and hurried away to gather their forces. Soon, Jace could hear the sound of armor being buckled on, weapons being sharpened, horses being saddled.

"What about the informant?" the older knight asked before leaving.

Aldric looked back at Jace like he’d forgotten he was there. "Take him to the gallows once we return. A sinner should be cleansed from this world, regardless of the service he provides."

The words hit Jace like a punch to the stomach. "But... but I helped you. I gave you information."

"You consorted with whores and flesh traders," Aldric said calmly. "You participated in their sins before you came to us. The sacred flame doesn’t distinguish between degrees of corruption."

Jace opened his mouth to protest, but Aldric had already turned away. The commander strode into the building, barking orders that echoed off the stone walls.

Two guards moved to flank Jace. They didn’t grab him, but their message was clear. He wasn’t going anywhere.

"I helped you," he said to no one in particular. "I gave info. I-I.. I gave you what you needed."

One of the guards, a young man not much older than Jace himself, shook his head. "The Church doesn’t make deals with sinners, friend. They use them, then they burn them."

In the distance, Jace could hear the sound of thirty armed men preparing for battle. Soon they would ride to the Blackwood Estate with swords drawn and fire in their hearts.

And when they returned, he would hang.

For the first time since leaving the Leisure Wand, Jace wondered if his jealousy had been worth it. By tomorrow morning, Kael might be dead. Madam Vex might be dead. Sara and Lila might be dead.

And so would he.

The flame torches burned bright in the chapel windows above, casting dancing shadows across the courtyard. Soon, it would burn brighter still, fed by the blood of sinners.

All because he couldn’t stand to see someone else get attention.

Jace closed his eyes and tried not to think about what he’d done.