It was well past midnight. The civilians were asleep, but there was no rest for the Lord of the City and his officials. They couldn't understand what was going on in Lorian's mind, but they felt they had lost the right to question him. Everyone was troubled by Jax's delay; the black-panther beastman had left to scout four hours ago, and there was still no sign of him.
Rena was worried. She looked at Zara, who stood with her atop the wall, watching the enemy camp. To Rena's surprise, Zara didn't seem worried.
"Jax wouldn't even die without asking his master's permission," the leopard beastgirl said, "He's alright- alive and well."
It was unclear if she truly believed it or if she was just trying to stay positive.
Then, Jax appeared. He climbed the wall and stood directly before Lorian, "All the buildings from the Western Shore to the Gold Wall are occupied. That vast area is now under the direct control of the pirates."
"How many are there?" Lorian asked.
"At least two thousand," Jax replied in grim tone.
Lorian nodded, his face was turning pale. Everyone near him sensed a strange command was coming. Rylan and Lucien were the only two who guessed what was truly in the Lord's mind.
"No, my Lord," Rylan pleaded, "Please, don't do it."
Lucien joined him, "If we are guessing correctly… then I beg you, my Lord, think again!"
Lorian kept his head tilted back, his eyes closed, "You know, Uncle, my father once told me that everyone wants to sit on the throne. They crave the power, but they don't see the responsibility that comes with it. The Lord Commander thinks of the land. The Admiral thinks of the sea. The Chancellor worries about the treasury. The Grand Syndic cares for the people and the guilds. The High Seneschal focuses on the law. But the Lord? The Lord thinks about all of them. He must balance everything because his responsibility is to the realm."
He opened his eyes, "A King is someone who can see what no one else sees, take steps no one else wants to take, and make decisions no one else dares to make- for the sake of the realm. Everyone else has the luxury of worrying about today. Only a true King has the burden of worrying about tomorrow."
Lucien and Rylan realized the young man right now was crumbling under the crushing weight of the decision he was about to take. They could only sympathize and show him their respect.
Lorian turned to the archers. "Prepare fire!" he ordered, "Tonight, you are going to rain fire on the Pirates sleeping on the western side of Veridia!"
The archers were stunned. They had pledged to protect this city. Now, they were being ordered to burn it down.
Theron Valerius, the Master of Coin, rushed to Lorian's side, "My Lord, I beg you, do not take this drastic measure! You will plunge Veridia into an unforeseen economic crisis!"
"If the pirates aren't dealt with now, Veridia will get plunged to existential crisis," Lorian replied coldly.
"My Lord, trust your gallant soldiers," Theron said in desperate voice, "As long as one soldier lives, Veridia will not fall!"
"You think the pirates are our only enemies?" There was a hint of mockery in Lorian's voice, "They are the least of our concerns. Others are watching our war closely. If Veridia's strength is depleted now, we will be gobbled up soon when we have no army left to resist."
"But my Lord," Theron said, sounding defeated, "even if you succeed, you won't be retaking a city; you will be retaking a graveyard. The Western Quarter will be erased, leaving a scar that will take years to rebuild."
"I have calculated the cost," Lorian said, placing a firm hand on Theron's shoulder, "It will cost ten to twenty million Solars if I am not wrong. Let us go with twenty. Our income last year was a quarter of that, so this will cost us at least five years of earnings. I am ready to take that burden. The treasury exists for the people. I have a plan. I only need you to have faith in me."
The Master of Coin had no more excuses. He shook his head and stepped back.
Lorian looked at the others, "Anyone else?"
Anya sighed, "It is effective, my Lord, but it is a brutal tactic. The image of the Veridian army burning its own city, I am afraid, will have lasting psychological effects on the citizens."
"I know," Lorian said, "And I am ready for it."
"Then we are with you, my Lord," Anya said, "And my Lord. You do not need to carry the burden alone. We, your loyal servants are with you. Even if the very people you want to protect start hating you tomorrow, we won't let you bear the burnt alone. Their rage would not be yours alone to withstand. We will stay by your side, now and forever!". She knelt infront of Lorian with grace and utmost respect. Everyone else followed her suit.
A surge of emotion overwhelmed Lorian. He just nodded and turned to the archers. At his command, they loosed their fire arrows. A rain of fire descended upon the pirate- occupied city. Most of the enemies were deep in sleep. The fires spread fast and wide.
The Western Quarter was a tinderbox of cramped buildings, narrow lanes, and timber- framed structures. The fire jumped across the streets instantly, just as Lorian had predicted. It was catastrophic for the pirates. Many were trapped by falling debris and thick smoke long before they could organize a defense. As fires broke out simultaneously, a large portion of the pirate force was killed in their sleep or while trying to escape.
The narrow streets quickly became death traps. Panicked men trampled one another, creating massive bottlenecks that made them perfect targets for the archers. Volley after volley rained down on the fleeing pirates.
Veridia's sky was lit with a red- hot glow. The air was filled with the stench of burning wood and the cries of those trapped in the flames.