A throne of blood, impossible to topple while keeping your hands clean.

“Please, I have a daughter. I’ll do anything you say… So please, please let me go.”

The man begged on his knees, amongst the corpses of all his companions.

“Well then, send that report like I’ve already told you, that there's nothing out of the ordinary at your post—as always,” Swizze replied coldly.

The man’s face was troubled as the possibilities of his betrayal dawned on him, yet it looked as if he had decided in an instant after that. His own miserable life and his duty as a father outweighed all else.

He quickly fetched a parchment and quill and put ink to paper.

Smart choice.

As soon as he was done he turned to Swizze, showing him the contents of the letter and awaited a nod of approval before placing the seal. It wasn't long before a knock came on the door and the man slipped the letter from out under.

The look of remorse on his face that twisted with his own guilt was something that some could have savored, but it was never to Swizze’s taste. Unlike many of his colleagues, he had always found the torment of the innocent to be rather distasteful.

Though how innocent was this man really?

Given his association, the odds of his innocence were not high. Still, probable innocence was good enough for Swizze.

“They won't be expecting another message in three days. If you let me go, I swear I won't tell a soul,” the man begged.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“Hahahaha.”

Swizze couldn't help but laugh, which only made the man tense up even more.

“As much as I’d like to take you for your word, unfortunately that would be impossible. The possibility of exposure will exist as long as you live.”

The man’s face lit up in terror as he tried to stand, only to be betrayed by his own legs, like that of a new born horse that couldn't carry any weight despite his best efforts.

“Wait! Wait! You can just tie me up and leave me here. You wouldn’t have to worry about me telling another soul.”

It's certainly true that it could work, however, even if there was the slightest chance of exposure it was not a risk worth taking.

Swizze drew his sword and approached the man.

“Wait! Please wait! You don't have to do this! Ple—”

His sentence was cut short rather literally as Swizze slit the man’s throat. The man held his throat with both hands in a fruitless effort to stop the blood flow. His eyes that focused on Swizze went from absolute terror to that of a hatred as he accepted his fate.

Swizze sighed and placed the table and two chairs back to where they all had been before he had stirred the pot.

Out of the shadows in the night a small dark creature flew in from the cracks of the door, taking its place on the chair next to Swizze.

No matter how many times he saw it he still couldn't get used to how ugly the creature was, it had a squarish body, the wings of bats, and a face that could only be described as a ball of mud.

“The stage is set,” Swizze said coldy.

“The players have been gathered,” the bat replied with the voice of a man. Though the voice came not from its head but somewhere deep within its body.

“Now then, have you procured the last piece yet?” the creature continued.

“Soon. I’ll be making contact in a day's time.”

“Excellent! Now then, all obstacles have been cleared.”

“Correct. Now then we shall begin the final phase of the plan. Are you all ready on your end?”

“Of course, and if everything goes as planned, I shall slay lord Ioe for all of our sakes.”

“Very well, then I shall contact you once it's all in place.”

The small spec of darkness disappeared as quickly as it had come and merged into the night.

To topple that blood throne nothing was off the table, even if it meant working with those whose aim is none other than to take the throne for themselves.

The world to be inherited after the fall out could most certainly be worse than the nightmare they are forced to live in now. But that was the price he was all willing to pay.

He sighed and looked towards the man that was slumped on his knees.

Swizze felt no pity towards the man, he was simply unfortunate. Unfortunate that this was his post. Unfortunate that he was an underling of that man. Unfortunate that he had lived in this city. Unfortunate that he was given life in this cruel world.

The most unfortunate of all was the fate that awaited him.