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    Valkyrie ? Chapter XIX ? Ambush


    It took only a few months for the Empire to regain complete control over all provinces again. But the fight was far from over. Perhaps it had only just begun. The Emperor wanted to prevent new flames from ever arising again, new wounds to be opened. So, even though the fighting came to a closure on the surface, with the Emperor emerging victorious, his men in the shadows continued the hunt. And so did the remnants of the rebels.


    The Emperor himself now focused on the realm''s restoration. He traversed the war-torn regions plagued by uncertainty, inspecting the land and rallying the spirits of his people. He listened to their problems, guaranteeing help and improvement. Most importantly, his presence served as a reminder that he was an ally to the people, not their oppressor.


    But not everyone believed this. The embers of rebellion still flickered dangerously close, waiting for the opportune moment to erupt anew. Tensions simmered just beneath the surface. It came to no one''s surprise that the Emperor was subject to countless attacks, both within cities but also during his travels on the road.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    The Emperor is just a single man. Made of flesh and blood. Protected by the Valkyries—an seemingly unpassable wall of armor and savage dedication, but still a simple human being nonetheless. It would only take one moment. One arrow. One dagger. A single crucial thing to make it through the wall of defense; to pierce the Emperor fatally, and he would fall down, hopefully never to recover.


    What does it take? How can this be so hard?! A single man! The rebels tried again and again. Ambushes. Suicide missions. No matter. The Valkyries witheld everything. But it wasn''t without casualties. A fellow Valkyrie, Anja III, took a fatal arrow in one such ambushes. She didn''t hesitate for a second to throw herself in the line for her Emperor, even though she knew it would be a fatal blow for herself. Bleeding down on the ground, she begged everyone farewell, dying the honorable death of a warrior. One more gone. One more Valkyrie grounded to the dust. Seven remain.


    All these recent months did their toll, but the Valkyries remained steadfast, not showing any sign of weakness, no matter how many ambushes and stabs there have been. Ever vigilant. Ever fighting. They knew no rest. They were a great inspiration for everyone at the court, and beyond. This was definitely something that was needed in these exhausting times.


    Fight. Inspire. Terrify. They did it all. The last thing one wanted to be in these trying times was to be an opponent to the Valkyries. Everyone who was, was a poor sod.