A murmur rippled through the ranks, spreading from Lyssian to the pirates and the Throne Guards alike. Lorian was stunned, but he quickly processed the revelation. He realized this wasn't the time to reflect; it was time to seize the advantage.
"They say you should keep your enemies guessing; that's the cornerstone of a good strategy," Lorian chuckled, his voice booming over the necklace, "But keeping your own people in the dark? I don't know what you call that. It only means you don't trust them, or you don't value them enough to tell them the truth. These poor fellows aren't dying for gold and riches- they are dying to serve the personal agenda of a mother and her son. The Pirate Empress risked the lives of her men, all for a 'good life,' just to put a boy on a throne that even her own soldiers didn't know existed!"
Lorian began to laugh, his voice was dripping with dramatic mockery. On his cue, the Veridians on the wall joined in, their forced, hearty overdramatic laughter echoed down to rattle the pirates below. It worked. A wave of discontent and confusion swept through the pirate ranks.
Lyssian realized he was losing control. He had to regain his footing. "This changes nothing!" he roared, "When I take the throne and rule this city, they will all be rich! Veridia's coffers will be open to them. They will be wealthier than they ever dreamed- more than they could earn in a lifetime of piracy!"
"You really think your men are gullible fools, don't you?" Lorian mocked in his sharp snarky tone, "Veridia's power is its wealth. If you empty the coffers to pay them off, they'll become more powerful than you, and Veridia will be left defenseless. You aren't foolish enough to actually do that. This is just another con. At most, you'll toss them a few crates of coin and tell them to split it. I know your tricks, Lyssian. You're just like your father- always ready to swindle your own people to serve your selfish needs."
"YOU…!" Lyssian shouted, but Lorian cut him off instantly.
"And my dear pirates, let me tell you something interesting. By now, you must realize you aren't leaving this city after a quick plunder. You're expected to stay here as the new lords and guards. But remember this- it isn't just you who wants Veridia. Other nations, even the Empire itself, are watching. The moment you take this city, they will descend on you, claiming they are 'liberating' it from pirates. You will be thoroughly massacred."
Lorian paused, letting the threat hang in the air. "You'll be rich, sure- for a few days. Then, you'll be butchered by our neighbors. I just hope it's Valoria that comes for you, and not Aethelgard. You know how the Aethelgard armies treat their enemies. They are far, far too cruel… aren't they?"
Lyssian looked at his people, they were looking nervous. They no longer seemed motivated or excited to attack. If the Veridians, who were reputed to be "money-minded pacifists" were giving them such a hard time, what would happen if the ruthless Aethelgard army descended upon them?
However, the confusion broke when a warhorn blew from the Pirate Empress's ship. The lady did not utter a word or even make an appearance. With just a horn, she commanded her men to attack, and they obeyed- such was the extent of the Pirate Empress's iron grip. But she had failed to account for one thing- fear is often not enough motivation, and fear can be negated by an even greater terror-the one Lorian was about to unleash.
What followed was a textbook siege. The pirates rushed the wall, carrying thick planks overhead to shield themselves from arrows. To their surprise, not a single arrow was fired. They planted ladders- each a makeshift construction of three tied together- to scale the high wall. They were scared at first, accustomed to coastal raids where they would be met with volleys of arrows, rocks, or molten metal. But there was no response. Many of the siege party had even drenched themselves in water, wearing wet clothes to stay safe from fire attacks, yet they were met with silence.
While the pirates on the ground cheered at how smoothly the operation was going, the seasoned climbers at the front felt a foreboding, ominous dread. Still, seeing the operation proceed without resistance, more pirates rushed to line up their ladders. The entire Gold Wall on the western side was soon lined with ladders and pirates crawling like ants.
Then, the ones reaching the top were exposed to something they had not expected.
A group of Throne Guards appeared atop the wall, holding large pitchers. The pirates on the ladders grew terrified- were they about to pour poison or something deadly? Before they could react, the guards emptied the pots on them. Many pirates plummeted from the ladders, some crashing to the ground to their deaths, others dragging those below them into the fall. But those who remained realized it was just plain innocent harmless water.
As their initial shock evaporated, they burst into mocking laughter. So, the Lord of Veridia was indeed an "idiot prince." The pirate leader overseeing the whole siege operation taunted, "Please, Wise King, do not attack us with water! We pirates are so scared of it. We shall surely die!"
They all gathered at the foot of the wall, jeering. The Veridians did not disappoint them, pouring pitcher after pitcher of water down on the pirates until everyone was drenched.
Suddenly, a new group of Veridian troops arrived on the wall. Their faces were covered with thick cloth masks, and in their hands were bellows. They pointed the nozzles downward, and a fine white dust spread like a mist, enveloping the climbers. The wind was stagnant at that time, allowing the cloud to settle heavily over the pirates. Before anyone could process what had happened, agonizing cries erupted. Bodies began to fall like ants dropping from a fumigated nest. The same carnage unfolded at the foot of the wall. Their screams deafened the sky, turning the mockery into a chorus of pure, chemical horror.