Complete Liquidation

Reiss is the current head of the Stark Family.

For generations, the Stark Family has sworn loyalty to the royal family, earning illustrious merits for the Yalan Empire.

Even Wolund was reluctant to casually involve himself with them, given their ties to the monarchy.

The royal family holds a lofty status among the common folk. Though many mages look down on the royal descendants, believing that admission into the Truth Magus Academy is the highest honor, in this world, the majority are still ordinary people who have never learned magic.

Naturally, the royal family also needed a force of their own to guard against unconventional threats—thus, the Magic Knights were born.

Magic Knights… Most mages scoff at them, dismissing them as nothing more than opportunistic lackeys of the monarchy, willing to trade their dignity for status and wealth.

Yet, through royal knighthood and noble titles, the Magic Knight families have indeed amassed vast fortunes and secured prestigious positions.

Within the Magic Knight families, they, in turn, mock the self-righteous mages, believing those fools are merely jealous of their opulent lifestyles.

Among them, the Olifant and Stark Families stand as the two most prominent representatives of mages and Magic Knights, respectively.

Reiss’s mind raced with thoughts.

He had dealt with Wolund before, and every encounter ended in discord.

Kahn’s death within Olifant… This time, he could seize the opportunity to make that insufferable man pay dearly.

After all, Kahn was his son—his death had to be exploited to the fullest.

Reiss led his wife into the courtyard.

"Master, the carriage is ready," the coachman said, tipping his hat.

"Mm… Take us to the teleportation array. I need to visit Olifant."

"As you command, Master."

Reiss and the beautiful woman boarded the open carriage.

The coachman looked unfamiliar—not that Reiss ever bothered to memorize the faces or names of servants.

The carriage sped through the empty streets.

"The streets are unusually quiet today," Reiss murmured.

"Indeed, not a soul in sight," the coachman replied from the front. "The horses are running swift today."

The horses galloped faster and faster, the scenery blurring past them. The woman’s face paled with fear, and Reiss sensed something amiss.

"What’s going on? Stop at once!" Reiss barked.

But the coachman ignored him.

Reiss felt the surrounding mana grow erratic. The temperature suddenly spiked, and tiny sparks flickered before his eyes.

The coachman had vanished without a trace.

Acting swiftly, Reiss leaped from his seat.

BOOM—

The carriage erupted in a violent explosion, the woman instantly consumed by flames.

Reiss landed firmly, his expression dark.

Ahead, a squad of heavily armored knights stood blocking his path, their lances poised.

The former coachman removed his cowboy hat, revealing a face that made Reiss gnash his teeth.

"Halo! You damned bastard, what have you done?!" Reiss roared.

Halo Kurez, captain of the Yalan Empire’s Royal Knights, was once a formidable adventurer before being recruited by the monarchy. He and Reiss had always been at odds.

Halo grinned, clearing his throat before declaring loudly:

"By decree of His Majesty the King, the Stark Family stands accused of openly violating their sacred oath to the Yalan Empire, conspiring to overthrow the monarchy, and committing the grievous crime of treason. After trial by the Imperial Council, their actions constitute an unforgivable betrayal. In accordance with The Yalan Empire Law, all titles, lands, and assets are hereby revoked, and every member of the family is sentenced to death!"

"No… What nonsense is this? The Stark Family has never betrayed the crown!" Reiss exclaimed in disbelief.

"Eh… Who can say for sure? The King’s orders are absolute—and His Majesty is never wrong."

Halo’s smile widened as he felt the gathering mana around Reiss. A sword materialized in his hand.

"So, you intend to resist arrest?"

The battle was imminent.

---

The Stark Family’s territory.

Trembling peasants watched as squads of armored knights stormed the manor and villas, unleashing a bloody massacre.

"Are those the royal army?"

"Why are they suddenly attacking the Starks?"

"Serves them right! The Starks were never kind. My neighbor’s daughter was dragged into their manor and never returned."

"True. Those leeches were never satisfied—raising taxes every year, and now they planned to hike them again next season."

"Good riddance…"

From elderly matrons to children as young as eight, every soul bearing the Stark name was marked for execution.

"Son, run! We must survive—escape through the secret passage!"

The boy was Reiss’s youngest child, barely ten years old.

Hearing the commotion, his mother wasted no time, dragging him toward the hidden tunnel.

"Mother… What’s happening?" The boy was dazed, the screams above piercing even the thick earth beneath them.

The suffocating stench of blood seemed to seep through the walls of the passage.

"It’s alright, my son. I’ve brought plenty of valuable gems… We’ll live well, even outside." The woman clutched his hand tightly. "Your father’s filthy deeds have brought this upon us. Forget the others—only our survival matters… There! Just ahead! We’re almost out!"

When she pushed open the hatch, they emerged inside a derelict barn—only to freeze in horror.

Before them stood a line of expressionless armored soldiers.

At their forefront, one soldier gripped a woman by her hair.

She was another of Reiss’s wives—the boy’s mother recognized her.

"Hahaha! I told you! Someone would flee this way! My information was useful, wasn’t it? Please, spare me! I—"

The woman’s plea ended abruptly as a blade slit her throat, blood gushing forth.

The boy’s mother trembled violently, then shoved her son forward.

"This one is the true Stark bloodline! I have nothing to do with that family! Take him—just let me go!"

The boy turned, bewildered, staring at his mother.

"Take these gems too! Please, I’m not one of them—!"

The soldier raised his sword, his face devoid of emotion.

...