Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 19 - Revision history

Aorii at 13:07, 15 May 2022

2022-05-15T13:07:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:07, 15 May 2022
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	His sapphire-crossed eyes glanced down upon the report once again, reflecting upon the name of a young captain -- soon to be promoted to colonel -- who helped bring this entire charade to its dramatic end.		His sapphire-crossed eyes glanced down upon the report once again, reflecting upon the name of a young captain -- soon to be promoted to colonel -- who helped bring this entire charade to its dramatic end.

	Pascal had been lucky~~, as the~~ final words of Neithard von Manteuffel had made it clear that the young man had been taken advantage of by Cardinal Lisbeth. Nobody could blame him for being emotional over his father's death, especially not after the heartfelt eulogy Pascal gave during the funeral. This meant that while Manteuffel's supporters might begrudge him for partaking in this incident, their anger and hatred would not be directed towards him.		Pascal had been lucky. The final words of Neithard von Manteuffel had made it clear that the young man had been taken advantage of by Cardinal Lisbeth. Nobody could blame him for being emotional over his father's death, especially not after the heartfelt eulogy Pascal gave during the funeral. This meant that while Manteuffel's supporters might begrudge him for partaking in this incident, their anger and hatred would not be directed towards him.

	Instead, the blame would lie solely upon the Cardinal-Chancellor, which was exactly what Hannes had hoped for.		Instead, the blame would lie solely upon the Cardinal-Chancellor, which was exactly what Hannes had hoped for.

Aorii at 12:36, 15 May 2022

2022-05-15T12:36:17Z

Aorii at 02:39, 13 July 2021

2021-07-13T02:39:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:39, 13 July 2021
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	In a single night, Hannes had destroyed the greatest internal threat to the Crown of Weichsel. At the same time, he sent the only other menace, Cardinal Lisbeth, into cowering submission towards the King.		In a single night, Hannes had destroyed the greatest internal threat to the Crown of Weichsel. At the same time, he sent the only other menace, Cardinal Lisbeth, into cowering submission towards the King.

	The former general's power base wouldn't just disappear overnight. With blood already spilled, the hatred of the Manteuffel loyalists would keep the Cardinal-Chancellor's faction under control for years ~~at least~~. After all, nobody held grudges like old veterans with battlefield bonds.		The former general's power base wouldn't just disappear overnight. With blood already spilled, the hatred of the Manteuffel loyalists would keep the Cardinal-Chancellor's faction under control for years if not decades. After all, nobody held grudges like old veterans with battlefield bonds.

	It was unfortunate that the army had to lose its foremost commander, again. However the war against Skagen was already won. Weichsel was ready to annex three duchies' worth of new lands. Between the need to digest these new gains and the necessity to replenish losses taken during this short, winter campaign, it would be best if Weichsel stayed out of any other major wars for a few years.		It was unfortunate that the army had to lose its foremost commander, again. However the war against Skagen was already won. Weichsel was ready to annex three duchies' worth of new lands. Between the need to digest these new gains and the necessity to replenish losses taken during this short, winter campaign, it would be best if Weichsel stayed out of any other major wars for a few years.
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	Putting down the report, Colonel Hannes looked to the far side wall at the life-sized portrait of Weichsel's founder, King Ferdinand I von Drachenlanzen. Centuries ago, his ancestors swore a blood oath to that very expression.		Putting down the report, Colonel Hannes looked to the far side wall at the life-sized portrait of Weichsel's founder, King Ferdinand I von Drachenlanzen. Centuries ago, his ancestors swore a blood oath to that very expression.

	Today, he would uphold it once more.		Today, he would uphold it once more, to protect the only realm in Western Hyperion that gave the dhampir clans a true home.

	"Hail the Black Dragon."		"Hail the Black Dragon."

Aorii at 20:42, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T20:42:50Z

Aorii: Created page with "===Chapter 19 - Hail the Black Dragon=== Fire. It was everywhere, scattered across the surreal, snowy landscape like pyres of the underworld. Kaede watched as the flames bu..."

2021-04-03T17:41:26Z

Created page with "===Chapter 19 - Hail the Black Dragon=== Fire. It was everywhere, scattered across the surreal, snowy landscape like pyres of the underworld. Kaede watched as the flames bu..."

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← Older revision		Revision as of 12:36, 15 May 2022
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	This outpouring of hatred was more intense than anything she had ever felt, anything she could imagine.		This outpouring of hatred was more intense than anything she had ever felt, anything she could imagine.

	--And it absolutely terrified her.		-- And it absolutely terrified her.

	"<P-Pascal?>" She muttered both aloud and in telepathy, as her world faded to black and her eyes opened inside a dark cabin.		"<P-Pascal?>" She muttered both aloud and in telepathy, as her world faded to black and her eyes opened inside a dark cabin.
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	The familiar wasn't sure what was going on. She knew only that the murderous rage which overflowed her master was downright frightening. It felt like he was ready to burn down the world, kill anyone whom he encountered, anything to satisfy his thirst for retribution.		The familiar wasn't sure what was going on. She knew only that the murderous rage which overflowed her master was downright frightening. It felt like he was ready to burn down the world, kill anyone whom he encountered, anything to satisfy his thirst for retribution.

	--And by extension, Kaede couldn't help but feel the urge to kill in her own emotional state.		-- And by extension, Kaede couldn't help but feel the urge to kill in her own emotional state.

	She wasn't even sure whom this anger was directed at. All she knew was that she couldn't stop this raw desire, and it terrified her.		She wasn't even sure whom this anger was directed at. All she knew was that she couldn't stop this raw desire, and it terrified her.
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	''Father knew you were too ambitious to be politically reliable. But he had always respected, RESPECTED you! Because you were a brave and brilliant leader, one whom he had thought shared the belief of a strong Weichsel independent from Imperial influences. Yet you...''		''Father knew you were too ambitious to be politically reliable. But he had always respected, RESPECTED you! Because you were a brave and brilliant leader, one whom he had thought shared the belief of a strong Weichsel independent from Imperial influences. Yet you...''

	"--You ''fucking'' traitorous PIECE OF SHIT!" Pascal finally spat out, before turning to the Black Eagles Major with murderous hatred in his tone: "I take it that you are here to arrest that treacherous bastard?"		"-- You ''fucking'' traitorous PIECE OF SHIT!" Pascal finally spat out, before turning to the Black Eagles Major with murderous hatred in his tone: "I take it that you are here to arrest that treacherous bastard?"

	"<P-Pascal?>" Kaede chimed in. However he completely ignored her concerned, wispy voice.		"<P-Pascal?>" Kaede chimed in. However he completely ignored her concerned, wispy voice.
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	Although General Neithard sat amidst an atmosphere of celebration, he was anything but jubilant.		Although General Neithard sat amidst an atmosphere of celebration, he was anything but jubilant.

	The men of the ''Phantom Gale'' --the Knights Phantom company that he personally led as its first commander-- drank and sang in good cheer all around. However the General had plastered a trace smile across his expression while nursing his beer stein in silent contemplation.		The men of the ''Phantom Gale'' -- the Knights Phantom company that he personally led as its first commander -- drank and sang in good cheer all around. However the General had plastered a trace smile across his expression while nursing his beer stein in silent contemplation.

	Earlier tonight, mere hours after the Battle of Nordkreuz concluded in Weichsel's victory, Neithard had received a ''Farspeak'' message from a close friend back in Königsfeld.		Earlier tonight, mere hours after the Battle of Nordkreuz concluded in Weichsel's victory, Neithard had received a ''Farspeak'' message from a close friend back in Königsfeld.
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	"Hail the Black Dragon."		"Hail the Black Dragon."

	His sapphire-crossed eyes glanced down upon the report once again, reflecting upon the name of a young captain --soon to be promoted to colonel-- who helped bring this entire charade to its dramatic end.		His sapphire-crossed eyes glanced down upon the report once again, reflecting upon the name of a young captain -- soon to be promoted to colonel -- who helped bring this entire charade to its dramatic end.

	Pascal had been lucky, as the final words of Neithard von Manteuffel had made it clear that the young man had been taken advantage of by Cardinal Lisbeth. Nobody could blame him for being emotional over his father's death, especially not after the heartfelt eulogy Pascal gave during the funeral. This meant that while Manteuffel's supporters might begrudge him for partaking in this incident, their anger and hatred would not be directed towards him.		Pascal had been lucky, as the final words of Neithard von Manteuffel had made it clear that the young man had been taken advantage of by Cardinal Lisbeth. Nobody could blame him for being emotional over his father's death, especially not after the heartfelt eulogy Pascal gave during the funeral. This meant that while Manteuffel's supporters might begrudge him for partaking in this incident, their anger and hatred would not be directed towards him.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:42, 10 April 2021
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	She wasn't even sure whom this anger was directed at. All she knew was that she couldn't stop this raw desire, and it terrified her.		She wasn't even sure whom this anger was directed at. All she knew was that she couldn't stop this raw desire, and it terrified her.

	"<P-Pascal? W-what's going on?>" Her wispy voice was ~~breaking~~ as she tried to reach out to him.		"<P-Pascal? W-what's going on?>" Her wispy voice was shaking as she tried to reach out to him.


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	The lean, middle-aged man who spoke earlier wore a fierce scowl and had blond hair tied back in a short ponytail. He immediately began to introduce himself:		The lean, middle-aged man who spoke earlier wore a fierce scowl and had blond hair tied back in a short ponytail. He immediately began to introduce himself:

	"I am Major Kempinski, leader of field operations in the west for the Black Eagles' ~~State Security~~ branch." The man revealed his Black Eagle crest-badge, offering it for Pascal to examine its authenticity.		"I am Major Kempinski, leader of field operations in the west for the Black Eagles' state security branch." The man revealed his Black Eagle crest-badge, offering it for Pascal to examine its authenticity.

	However Pascal simply nodded. Cecylia's presence was good enough for him. If he couldn't trust a Falkenhausen, who had been faultlessly loyal to the Crown of Weichsel for generations, then there would be no man in the kingdom whom he could rely on.		However Pascal simply nodded. Cecylia's presence was good enough for him. If he couldn't trust a Falkenhausen, who had been faultlessly loyal to the Crown of Weichsel for generations, then there would be no man in the kingdom whom he could rely on.
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	His thoughts were clearly one of denial, and Pascal knew exactly why. In the wake of his father's death, Neithard von Manteuffel had already become the main contender for the next Marshal of Weichsel, and it was questionable if his ambitions ended there.		His thoughts were clearly one of denial, and Pascal knew exactly why. In the wake of his father's death, Neithard von Manteuffel had already become the main contender for the next Marshal of Weichsel, and it was questionable if his ambitions ended there.

	To pass such sensitive information on the Marshal's security to the Imperials... Neithard could have done no worse if he had personally handed the Mantis Blades a sword to kill ~~the elder Moltewitz~~.		To pass such sensitive information on the Marshal's security to the Imperials... Neithard could have done no worse if he had personally handed the Mantis Blades a sword to kill Pascal's father.

	Pascal hadn't even noticed as his breathing grew heavy, or his shoulders quaking under barely-contained explosive rage.		Pascal hadn't even noticed as his breathing grew heavy, or his shoulders quaking under barely-contained explosive rage.
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	''...It is my heartfelt desire that you be given an opportunity to personally avenge this betrayal by assisting in Neithard's immediate arrest, before his own agents may hear of his unveiled treason and prompt him into launching a military coup d'etat. The Black Eagles charged with delivering this message are hereby assigned to your command. Please exercise initiative with caution, my young friend, as Neithard's long career of service has earned him countless loyal supporters within every military camp. Should he resist arrest by any means, you have my permission for his immediate execution. The Weichsel army cannot risk a major disturbance given the present state of conflict in Hyperion.''		''...It is my heartfelt desire that you be given an opportunity to personally avenge this betrayal by assisting in Neithard's immediate arrest, before his own agents may hear of his unveiled treason and prompt him into launching a military coup d'etat. The Black Eagles charged with delivering this message are hereby assigned to your command. Please exercise initiative with caution, my young friend, as Neithard's long career of service has earned him countless loyal supporters within every military camp. Should he resist arrest by any means, you have my permission for his immediate execution. The Weichsel army cannot risk a major disturbance given the present state of conflict in Hyperion.''

	~~Other than the words 'my young friend',~~ Pascal found himself in complete agreement with the King's every sentiment. If the old traitor found out about his impending arrest, he could launch a military coup in desperation which would inflict immeasurable harm to Weichsel's military strength.		Pascal found himself in complete agreement with the King's every sentiment. If the old traitor found out about his impending arrest, he could launch a military coup in desperation which would inflict immeasurable harm to Weichsel's military strength.

	All of this pointed towards one fact: the sooner General Neithard was removed from command, the better.		All of this pointed towards one fact: the sooner General Neithard was removed from command, the better.
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	"<P-Pascal? W-what's going on?>" Kaede's frightened voice came over their familiar bond again.		"<P-Pascal? W-what's going on?>" Kaede's frightened voice came over their familiar bond again.

	And once again Pascal ignored her. More precisely, his mind never even bothered to process her words.		And once again Pascal ignored her. More precisely, his mind never even bothered to process her words. With eyes intent on his mission, he stood straight to face Major Kempinski at last.

	With eyes intent on his mission, he stood straight to face Major Kempinski at last.

	"I accept His Majesty's mission with obedience and gratitude," his voice resounded as hard as steel. "However, Neithard von Manteuffel is one of Weichsel's highest ranking commanders. Should his ''immediate death'' be necessary, may I ask if you bear His Majesty's sword to represent his royal authority?"		"I accept His Majesty's mission with obedience and gratitude," his voice resounded as hard as steel. "However, Neithard von Manteuffel is one of Weichsel's highest ranking commanders. Should his ''immediate death'' be necessary, may I ask if you bear His Majesty's sword to represent his royal authority?"
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	''When did she...?''		''When did she...?''

	Pascal realized it wasn't her first attempt, but he couldn't recall when her calls began, or how many times ~~she~~ had already ~~been~~ ignored.		Pascal realized it wasn't her first attempt, but he couldn't recall when her calls began, or how many times he had already ignored her.

	"<Kaede you should be resting.>" His reply rang terse and imperious as he strode through the door. "<Your injuries...>"		"<Kaede you should be resting.>" His reply rang terse and imperious as he strode through the door. "<Your injuries...>"
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	The men of the ''Phantom Gale'' --the Knights Phantom company that he personally led as its first commander-- drank and sang in good cheer all around. However the General had plastered a trace smile across his expression while nursing his beer stein in silent contemplation.		The men of the ''Phantom Gale'' --the Knights Phantom company that he personally led as its first commander-- drank and sang in good cheer all around. However the General had plastered a trace smile across his expression while nursing his beer stein in silent contemplation.

	Earlier tonight, mere hours after the Battle of Nordkreuz concluded in Weichsel's victory, Neithard had received a ''Farspeak'' message from a close friend back in Königsfeld. The General knew that he had been under investigation by the Ministry of the Interior for weeks now. His entire household had been placed under surveillance, and his immediate family had been tailed on more than one occasion. However today he heard that a member of the King's Black Eagles had been seen colluding with these people -- a sign that Neithard's enemies had reached the ears of the King.		Earlier tonight, mere hours after the Battle of Nordkreuz concluded in Weichsel's victory, Neithard had received a ''Farspeak'' message from a close friend back in Königsfeld.

			The General knew that he had been under investigation by the Ministry of the Interior for weeks now. His entire household had been placed under surveillance, and his immediate family had been tailed on more than one occasion. However today he heard that a member of the King's Black Eagles had been seen colluding with these people -- a sign that Neithard's enemies had reached the ears of the King.

	It was ill tidings that cast a shadow upon the afterglow of victory.		It was ill tidings that cast a shadow upon the afterglow of victory.
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	Neithard was still pondering when the dining hall's thick wooden door slammed open. The first one to step in was the young Captain Pascal, whose burning eyes soon met his with a clear murderous intent.		Neithard was still pondering when the dining hall's thick wooden door slammed open. The first one to step in was the young Captain Pascal, whose burning eyes soon met his with a clear murderous intent.

	The General hardly had time to consider why before six Black Eagles and one Samaran girl strode in behind Pascal. They fanned out to both sides as Colonel Walther von Mackensen rushed in. Behind him entered one Knight Phantom after another, fully kitted in half-plate armor over their black-on-burning-red uniforms and their swordstaves in hand.		The General hardly had time to consider why before six Black Eagles and one Samaran girl strode in behind Pascal. They fanned out to both sides as Colonel Walther von Mackensen rushed in. Behind him entered one Knight Phantom after another, fully kitted in half-plate armor over their black-on-burning-red uniforms and wielding their swordstaves in hand.

	All ruckus within the cabin died down in seconds. Even the drunk could sense the rapid shift in room temperature to below freezing.		All ruckus within the cabin died down in seconds. Even the drunk could sense the rapid shift in room temperature to below freezing.
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	"Hail the Black Dragon."		"Hail the Black Dragon."

	His sapphire-crossed eyes glanced down upon the report once again, reflecting upon the name of a young ~~Captain~~-~~turned~~-~~Colonel~~ who helped bring this entire charade to its dramatic end.		His sapphire-crossed eyes glanced down upon the report once again, reflecting upon the name of a young captain --soon to be promoted to colonel-- who helped bring this entire charade to its dramatic end.

	Pascal had been lucky, as the final words of Neithard von Manteuffel had made it clear that the young man had been taken advantage of by Cardinal Lisbeth. Nobody could blame him for being emotional over his father's death, especially not after the heartfelt eulogy Pascal gave during the funeral. This meant that while Manteuffel's supporters might begrudge him for partaking in this incident, their anger and hatred would not be directed towards him.		Pascal had been lucky, as the final words of Neithard von Manteuffel had made it clear that the young man had been taken advantage of by Cardinal Lisbeth. Nobody could blame him for being emotional over his father's death, especially not after the heartfelt eulogy Pascal gave during the funeral. This meant that while Manteuffel's supporters might begrudge him for partaking in this incident, their anger and hatred would not be directed towards him.