Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 125: Delivering the bodies

When Alpheo had been a slave, he passed through many cities, he mostly remembered the weight of the shackles in his hand and the look of disgusts of passerby. His journey had always been one of forced marches down major roads, through narrow back alleys, and across silent courtyards. @@novelbin@@

Whether he was paraded through bustling markets or led along deserted paths, people scarcely offered him more than a glance. To most, he was invisible, a part of the scenery, like a stray dog or a beggar. It was only the children who stared, their wide, curious eyes following the chain-bound figure trudging barefoot behind his captors. They looked at him the way one might look at a cockroach—occasionally disgusted, but more often simply unable to tear their gaze away from the wretched spectacle of the unfortunate creature.

Now, marching down the wide, sunlit streets of the capital, it was a world apart. The same people who would have once ignored him now cheered his name. The air buzzed with the sound of thousands of voices, shouting and applauding, their cries mixing with the clatter of hooves and the rhythmic beat of marching soldiers. It was surreal. The crowds were filled with life, their cheers echoing off the stone walls of the city

And yet, Alpheo couldn't help but feel he had misjudged Jasmine. When he had sent a rider back to the capital to inform her of the victory over Ormund's forces, he had not expected her to do this. He thought she would be more disgusted by the idea of marrying him. But to his surprise, she had acted swiftly like a true politician, to make his name known in his capital.

The moment the news of the battle had reached her, Jasmine had moved with startling efficiency. Rather than waiting for Alpheo's return, she had immediately informed the city criers of the rebellion, framing the conflict in a way that painted Ormund and his supporters as traitors to the princedom. By the time two days had passed, she had already made public the news of their crushing defeat, ensuring that the citizens knew exactly who was responsible for saving the city—and, more importantly, who had commanded the forces that brought the rebels to their knees. She apparently wanted to consolidate her power through the victories of his commander and future husband.

On the day the criers announced the victory, she arranged for large donations of grain to be distributed to the people. The timing was perfect. The capital was buzzing with celebration, the streets filled with joyous crowds, and the grain handouts ensured that the people would not only see her as the rightful princess but as a generous ruler . Alpheo couldn't help but admire her skills, though he also found himself wondering just where she had found the resources for such an extravagant gesture, last he remembered the coffers were empty. 

My savings, no doubt, he thought with a bitter smile.On one hand, it was a nice move which helped him cement her and at the same time his power , a smart one even. On the other hand, it was his money.