The screaming was spreading through the burning city. Fleeing people were under fire from rifles of hooded figures.
Only a handful of men dared to resist them and set out against them with all they found.
"For freedom!" One of them shouted, he ran in front of one of the hooded men and stabbed him with a sword.
The hooded men turned to the assailant uncomprehendingly. As if they didn't believe someone dared to resist them. The attacker's blood froze in their veins. The hooded man took out the sword of his stomach and laughed, "Is that all?"
"Another round?" The man at the pub table shouted at the other.
"I think you've already got enough, Tern."
"It is never enough for the Imperium's glory! Am I right?!" He shouted.
Everyone in the pub raised the tankards and called out, "The Imperium forever!"
"Forever friends. What is wrong with you? You don't celebrate our victory?" Tern asked.
"When the other side has no chance against you, I wouldn't celebrate it as a glorious victory."
"The weak will never have a chance against the strong. This way we would never celebrate anything." Tern replied.
"Hmm... So to the execution of innocent and defenseless, right?"
"By all the Saints, stop it Eric." Tern said defiantly.
"So what are we drinking a toast to? The fame of the murderers."
Tern got up and hit the table.
"How dare you talk about our elite troops like that? Do you think they are heartless beasts? This is the hardest part of their work, and they do it just so we don't have to!"
"Calm down, Tern, Erik is just uneasy about being not accepted. He is eager for their work..." The man who has been quietly listening proclaimed.
"I don't want their work." Eric cut off.
"I'm sorry your father didn't accept you. Certainly... "
"Would he be proud? Hah... You know he's never, Carn. No, he's not proud of me, of anything I accomplished. "Father, I'm a guard. Father, I'm a lieutenant." Always his "Hmm...", always just that." Eric was angry.
"But that's not the reason why you should insult everyone right away. There were not just them, but also our legions. And they fought the army." Tern explained.
"But the ninth legion won the final victory!" Carn called.
"For the ninth!" The pub called.
"You're probably right. Sorry..."
"It's okay, Eric. The Imperator would forgive you." Carn smiled.
"By the way, have you heard of the supposedly planned expedition to the Old Empire?" Carn asked.
"But none of us will get there. Only the best of the best will go." Tern said stubbornly.
"Why do you think we're not the best?" Carn asked with a slight disappointment.
"This one would never kill anyone, you're just a soldier, and I..." Tern said.
"And you...?" Carn laughed.
"I am seasick..."
Eric couldn't hold his laughter.
"Forgive me, Tern, but seriously? We are practically an island nation, we have to get you rid of this."
"Hah... Very funny, you laugh, because you have the highest chance of getting there."
"I?" Eric asked.
"He's right, why Eric? Do you think the city guard's lieutenant is higher than the legion's soldier?" Carn asked.
"He's not just a city guard's lieutenant, but a city guard's lieutenant in the capital. This is a category for itself." Tern said.
"Um... I guess you're right." Carn nodded.
"So we're going to push him in."
"Thanks for your willingness, but I won't get there anyway." Eric said.
"Not with this approach. Believe a little, you're close to a promotion, quite a good credit, and you're a son of..." Tern said.
"I've never used my father's position for my benefit, and I'm not going to start with it." Eric said sharply.
"All right." Tern nodded.
"Well, gentlemen, I have to go. You know, the service is calling." Tern stood up and saluted.
"Are you still capable of service, even in this condition?" Carn asked.
"He will be able to serve even after death." Eric laughed.
"That's right. Imperium forever, friends!" Tern called out and walked out of the pub.
"By all the Saints, is it so many hours already?" Eric was standing and looking at the clock on the pub's wall.
"I'm afraid I'll also leave, Carn. Don't drink too much." Eric put a hand on Carn's shoulder and then left.
When Eric walked down the street it was misty. He'd already seen himself in his armor when the "Guards! Get her!" was heard.
Eric turned and skilfully grabbed the escaping girl's left hand and pulled her closer. She was obviously in shock, not expecting action of someone in civilian clothing.
Eric was frozen by her gaze. It was as if her eyes dug into his soul. He couldn't see anything else but the eyes.
The girl shook her hand, trying to break free from his grip. Eric felt the pain, he looked at his chest, the girl stabbed him with a dagger in her right hand. Second try to break free, Eric let the girl go.
Two people in hoods passed him, one of them fired a rifle with extended barrel. The net came out of the rifle and wrapped the girl, she fell on the ground. Two more men ran to help Eric. "Go for the doctor!" One of them shouted at the other.
"Just relax, my friend. You have done a great service to the Imperium today. We won't let you just die." The hooded man whispered to Eric, and Eric fell unconscious.
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