The rebellion was spreading like wildfire, but Solis had no intention of allowing it to fester. His forces had already crushed several insurgent noble houses, yet the ringleaders—Duke Alistair and his allies—remained entrenched in their fortified estates. The time had come to end this conflict decisively.
Strategizing the Final Strike
In the war room, Solis studied the reports from his scouts. The rebels had retreated to three major strongholds:
1. Duke Alistair's fortress in the eastern province – heavily fortified with mercenaries and rogue knights.
2. Marquis Eldrin's estate near the western trade routes – controlling key supply chains.
3. Count Vermon's hidden camp in the south – rallying discontented nobles and foreign agents.
Fuegoleon, his arms crossed, surveyed the battle plans. "A simultaneous attack is risky, but if we allow them time to regroup, the war will drag on."
Nozel, ever tactical, added, "A direct assault on Alistair would be costly. We should cut off his support first—Eldrin and Vermon must fall before we strike his fortress."
Solis listened carefully. Then, after a moment of silence, he placed his hand on the map.
"We will divide our forces into three units. Fuegoleon, you will lead the attack on Eldrin's estate. Nozel, you will purge Vermon's camp. I will personally lead the assault against Alistair."
The room fell silent. No one questioned Solis's resolve, but some harbored concerns. Even Julius Novachrono, who had arrived to observe, raised an eyebrow.
"You may be king, but you are not yet at your peak, Solis," Julius warned. "Are you certain you are ready to face Alistair yourself?"
Solis smirked slightly. "This rebellion started because they doubted my rule. I will end it with my own hands."
Battle at the Western Trade Routes – Fuegoleon's Wrath
At dawn, Fuegoleon's forces stormed the western trade routes. Marquis Eldrin had converted his estate into a war camp, filled with fire mages and siege weaponry. The battle was fierce, but Fuegoleon, wielding his immense flame magic, burned through the defenses.
"Your betrayal ends today, Eldrin!" Fuegoleon roared, his flames engulfing the battlefield.
Within hours, Eldrin's forces were overwhelmed. The marquis himself attempted to flee but was captured and executed on the spot.
The Southern Purge – Nozel's Calculated Strike
Meanwhile, Nozel's unit struck at Count Vermon's hidden camp. The rebels had hired assassins and spies to fortify their defenses, but Nozel's magic made quick work of them. His mastery over Mercury Magic allowed him to flood the camp, suffocating their forces.
"Clover Kingdom does not bow to traitors," Nozel declared coldly as he personally cut down Count Vermon.
The camp was reduced to ruins, and the remaining rebel nobles scattered in fear.
The Final Battle – Solis vs. Duke Alistair
With his allies eliminated, Duke Alistair found himself cornered. But instead of surrendering, he prepared for a final stand. His fortress, once impenetrable, was now under siege by Solis's forces.
As Solis stood at the battlefield's edge, his Four-Leaf Grimoire glowed beside him. He could feel his magic stirring—Sunshine's power was at its peak under the daylight.
"This is the end, Alistair," Solis called out, his golden aura radiating heat across the field.
Alistair sneered. "You're still just a boy. A king who rules by fear alone will never last."
With that, the duke unleashed his magic—Void Dominion, a powerful dark magic capable of erasing matter itself. The battlefield trembled as shadows engulfed the air, threatening to consume everything.
But Solis stood firm.
"Your darkness means nothing before the sun," he declared.
He raised his hand, and an intense sphere of solar energy materialized—Cruel Sun. With a single motion, he hurled it forward, burning through Alistair's magic as if it were nothing.
The impact obliterated the fortress walls. Alistair barely had time to react before Solis appeared before him, his sword gleaming with solar energy.
"Your tyranny ends here."
With one decisive strike, Solis cleaved through Alistair's defenses, cutting him down. The rebel leader collapsed, his ambitions reduced to ash.
The Aftermath – A Kingdom Restored
With Alistair dead and the rebellion crushed, the remaining noble families surrendered. Solis issued a decree:
• Any noble house that supported the rebellion would forfeit their lands and titles.
• Surviving rebels would be imprisoned or executed, depending on their crimes.
• The Clover Kingdom would move forward under his rule—undisputed and absolute.
As word of his swift and brutal victory spread, fear and admiration for the young king grew.
For the first time, the people began to understand the true weight of his rule.
End of Chapter 43