As soon as the army of Eith crumbled, the remaining soldiers retreated behind the kingdom's walls, sealing the gates and preparing for a final defense. But it was only a matter of time. The relentless force of the ogres shattered the main gate, and their troops poured into the city like a tidal wave.
However, something was unusual.
The ogres weren't looting homes, killing civilians, or defiling women. Instead, they moved house to house, clearing the streets with precision and discipline. Their mission was clear: ensure no ambushes were waiting, but leave the civilians unharmed. This was not an accident—it was a command from their king.
King Draganov had given a strict order before the siege:
"No innocent shall be harmed. No home shall be plundered. Let the humans witness what true honor looks like—let them see that we, the ogres, possess more dignity than they ever gave us credit for."
Two ogres approached a small house with its doors tightly shut. Suspicious, they knocked. No response. They banged louder—still silence. The door was locked from the inside. Now alert, one of them began striking the door with powerful kicks. It took several blows, but the wood finally gave way.
Inside, the house was quiet. They moved cautiously, checking room after room.
The first room was empty. So was the second.
As one ogre opened the door to the third, a blade suddenly pierced his chest. The attacker—a man in his forties—pulled the knife free and lunged at the second ogre. But this one was quicker; he stepped back, dodging the attack. Meanwhile, his companion collapsed to the ground, blood seeping from the wound, mouth opening and closing as if trying to speak.
The man leapt again, knife raised high. There was a sickening splash of blood as he slashed the second ogre's arm. But before he could strike again, a sword thrust clean through his abdomen. His body tensed. He looked down in shock. Clutching the ogre's shoulder, he staggered—then fell to the floor, lifeless.
The scuffle was loud enough to draw attention.
King Draganov, who was approaching the castle gates with his riders, halted. He dismounted immediately and entered the house. Inside, he found one of his soldiers standing over the corpse of a human, while another ogre lay injured near the doorway.
Upon seeing the king, the surviving ogre knelt.
"My king," he said, "we were inspecting the house when this man ambushed us. He killed my brother-in-arms and tried to take my life as well. I had no choice but to end him."
Draganov nodded, then walked to the wounded ogre. Kneeling beside him, he checked for a pulse.
"He's alive," the king said. "Take him to the medics. Immediately."
He then turned and entered the room where the fight had taken place. At first glance, it appeared empty. But just as he was about to leave, a muffled sound caught his attention—a whimper, faint but unmistakable.
He moved toward the closet and opened it.
Inside, a woman trembled in fear, clutching a child no older than one year. She held the baby close, eyes wide with terror. Draganov stood silently, observing them. His expression remained unreadable.
Then he turned and left the room.
At the door stood his advisor, Bhaid.
"My lord," Bhaid asked, "what should we do with them?"
Draganov didn't speak for a moment. Then he said, "We can't leave them here. They won't survive a day after we're gone."
"Should we bring them with us?" Bhaid asked. "At least then they'll stay alive."
Draganov stared ahead for a long moment. Then he gave a silent nod and mounted his horse once more.
A group of soldiers gently escorted the woman and child out of the house and placed them into one of the supply buggies following Draganov's column.
By the time they reached the castle gates, the air was thick with tension. But no guards were stationed there. The entire palace was abandoned.
Draganov led his troops inside, inspecting every corridor and chamber—empty. Not a single soul remained.
"They've fled," said Bhaid. "Shall we pursue them, my lord?"
Draganov shook his head. "No. Let them go. Their king is already dead. Our war was with him."
"Then what now, sire?" Bhaid asked.
The King looked up at the towering castle before him.
"Raise our flags over the Kingdom of Eith," he ordered. "This land now belongs to us. Then we return home."