"Do you happen to know Count David Whitepalace?"Anastasia's eyes widened, her countenance turning grave."Husband, that man is a perilous force to be reckoned with.""Oh, I am well aware of his true identity; he is none other than my dear uncle," I remarked with a sly grin.Count David Whitepalace, a man whose bloodline intertwined with my mother's, held a prominent position in our family tree.In this treacherous game of power, I found myself constantly dodging the lethal arrows of assassins, each one dispatched by conniving nobles seeking to eliminate me. While David himself hadn't directly orchestrated these attempts on my life, a man as astute as Wise surely couldn't remain oblivious to the unfolding chaos.Curiously enough, all the nobles who had conspired against me had some connection to Count David. It became increasingly apparent that he was the puppeteer pulling the strings, orchestrating this deadly symphony.But why? What could drive my uncle to such extreme measures?In
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and I hesitantly invited the source of the disturbance inside. As the door swung open, my eyes widened in awe. Eliza stood before me, a vision in a crimson dress adorned with shimmering feathers that seemed plucked from the wings of a mythical creature.But her presence held more than just beauty. She carried a letter, a missive from none other than Duke Kraus himself."Duke Kraus?" I stammered, my mind racing to comprehend the significance of this unexpected correspondence.What could he possibly want from me? The answer eluded me, shrouded in a cloud of uncertainty.“Yes.”Eliza's face lit up with an angelic grin as she delicately retrieved a letter from the dep
Three sunsets had come and gone, marking the passage of time in Ice Demon City. Milan, the master of idleness, had effortlessly squandered those precious days, his absence from the city rendering him oblivious to the unfolding events in the empire.To Milan's dismay, Anastasia had yet to make a move on Riel, the target of her deadly intentions. It seemed that since the night she shamelessly flirted with him at dinner, she had lost all motivation to seduce him further.What was even more perplexing was Anastasia's blatant disregard for studying Riel, as if she had abandoned her mission altogether. Instead, she wasted her time engaging in pointless arguments and indulging in frivolous games with a certain Eliza, a woman whose presence seemed to distract her from her true purpose.Milan, the loyal servant, remained obl
"How dare you lay your hands on me without my consent? Do you think you have the right?""And just who do you think you are?"Anastasia wasn't playing games to torment Milan; she was genuinely seething with anger.This wasn't like the times when she would deliberately crush her playthings to shatter their self-esteem.The mere touch made her skin crawl, as if she had developed an allergic reaction to any man's touch except Riel's.But Anastasia knew she couldn't abandon the charade just yet.Another slap landed on Milan's cheek, but instead of cowering, it only brought a twisted smile of relief to his face.This was the enchantress he
My departure to the enchanting Virisdescent Valley caused quite a stir in the bustling Ice Demon City.As soon as the notice appeared on the grandiose notice board, the townsfolk flocked to bid me farewell, their hearts brimming with well wishes.They showered me with gifts, eager to ensure my journey would be nothing short of luxurious.The atmosphere was electric, with a palpable excitement that tingled in the air.The night before my departure, I bestowed upon Anastasia a love so intense that it would sustain her for weeks to come. It was a passionate affair, a wild escapade that would render her bedridden for at least a week.As for Eliza, I entrusted her to the watchful eye of Wise, allowing her to oversee the city from a vantage point. Though I doubted she would harbor any mischievous intentions towards my beloved city, it never hurts to take precautions and ensure nothing untoward occurs.Anastasia, a master of manipulation, may have had the power to sow discord among the men
"Fascinating."David observed Roland closely and was surprised by what he saw.The presence exuding from this person was strong and substantial.It was as if one of his revered military leaders had suddenly appeared before him.His expression turned serious.For a mere baron to have a knight of such calibre and strength was unheard of and unwarranted."So, this is why Riel was able to overthrow a Count?" David pondered.While the common people might not know about Riel's victory over a noble count, the influential nobles in the empire had been aware of it for quite some time.But their indi
"I'm thrilled that you're not taking offense to my Lord," the butler said, motioning for me to enter the city gate with a welcoming hand. "Please come with me, Baron Riel. Count David will return shortly, and he's prepared a magnificent feast for you. I'm certain he has much to discuss with you.""Lead on," I agreed with a nod. The butler's smile grew even warmer and more deferential, clearly pleased with our easy conversation.He took the lead, guiding us with open arms into the lush and vibrant Virisdescent Valley.Roland took the reins at the forefront, while I trailed behind in my carriage.His eyes roamed with intrigue over the city and its formidable defense towers.We attracted many inquisitive stares from the locals, including the valiant knights who formed the backbone of Count David's formidable army.Among the crowd were the everyday people—farmers, laborers, and their families—in worn-out attire outside their modest homes in the distance.Their eyes were drawn to Roland, m
Evidently, these were citizens who held some significance in Count David's estimation.Besides that, the fortress immediately grabbed my attention with its impressive and imposing presence.This was the abode of Count David.The townsfolk gazed at the visitor with inquisitive eyes.These were individuals leading stable and intentional lives, free from the worry of going hungry.They dutifully paid their taxes and answered the call to arms in times of conflict.Now, their interest in the visitor was palpable, a stark contrast to the fearful and hesitant reactions of those in the slums.The citizens observed Roland, his majestic warhorse, and the imposing carriage with great curiosity.Yet, it was the enigmatic figure of the black-haired man, adorned in a resplendent noble attire atop his steed, that truly captured their attention.The people on this side of the city were no fools. They were keen observers.As Roland galloped through the streets, his elegant linen garments billowed in t
"Ryle Green, step forward!" the Royal advisor said, seeing Ryle was in a daze.Ryle coughed and stepped forward, his heart pounding with excitement as he knelt before the Princess."Ryle Green, you are hereby granted authority over fifty thousand soldiers," the Princess said, her voice like a melody that soothed the soul. "You shall be the commander of the Vanguard Army!"With a snap of her fingers, the Princess bestowed an insignia upon Ryle's shoulder, its glow of light like a beacon of hope in the face of the looming threat of the Beast Kingdom."I will crush those beastmen for you, Your Highness!" Ryle said, his voice filled with determination and resolve.The Princess smiled, her eyes filled with pride and hope. "We have faith in you, Ryle," she said. "Together, we will defeat the Beast Kingdom and restore peace to our lands."Princess Ladia nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I expect a lot from the younger generation, Ryle," she said, her voice laced with both encou
The Dwarven Kingdom, a land renowned for its glittering wealth, held its breath. The Brightwing Empire’s meager offer, a desperate plea for aid, was all they had to entice the notoriously hard-drinking mercenaries. Even if their weapons were outdated, their reputation for unmatched effectiveness in battle preceded them. Surely, that would be enough.“Your Majesty,” a guard murmured, his voice barely a tremor in the air. “They have arrived.”Princess Ladia, lost in a labyrinth of thought, startled slightly. She had wrestled with the decision for what felt like an eternity, but finally, a solution had emerged. All that remained was to face them, to meet their gaze and offer her hand in this desperate alliance.Viscount Lamiel, a man whose arrogance was only surpassed by his thirst for gold, strode into the royal garden, flanked by a legion of equally boisterous mercenaries. Princess Ladia recognized most of them – the nobles summoned by the crown, their faces etched with a mixture of g
The scene unfolded with brutal efficiency. Several soldiers, their faces grim and resolute, descended upon Drew and the other soldier, their movements swift and decisive. There was no struggle, no desperate pleas for mercy. They walked away with heads bowed, accepting their fate with a stoic silence that spoke volumes of their resignation.Ryle, his expression a mixture of weariness and amusement, ran a hand through his hair, a sigh escaping his lips. "What a waste of a perfectly good sleep," he muttered, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. "Young men like myself need our rest, yet everyone seems determined to disrupt my slumber over such trivial matters."His gaze shifted to me, and a playful smile curved his lips. "Allow me to introduce myself," he said, extending a hand towards me. "Ryle Green, third son of Count Green, and as you might be able to tell, the future commander of this very army." He spoke with an air of unwavering confidence, his words carrying the weight of
Two soldiers from a rival camp, their boots crunching on the gravel path, happened upon the conversation. One soldier, his face contorting with barely suppressed mirth, clamped a hand over his mouth, desperately trying to stifle a chuckle. His companion, sensing the impending eruption, jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow, a silent plea for decorum. But the laughter, like a trapped spring, was too powerful to contain. Tears welled in the soldier's eyes, threatening to spill over as his shoulders shook with silent mirth. Finally, with a strangled cry, he burst into a full-blown guffaw. "Hahahaha! If it's the Young Master leading us! Hahaha! We'll be able to… Pft! Hahaha!"The sound of his uncontrolled laughter echoed through the camp, drawing curious glances from nearby soldiers. Gaston, his face a mask of confusion and irritation, turned to the source of the amusement. "Excuse me, but what's so funny?" he demanded, his voice laced with displeasure.The soldier, still gasping for br
The unyielding army of the Ice Demon City had been journeying for a considerable number of weeks, traversing a multitude of cities and towns along the way. During our sojourns, we would occasionally restock our supplies, find respite in taverns, and often in the great outdoors, before resuming our arduous trek.Given the unfortunate circumstances, we were informed that the Ice Demon City was the most distant of all cities from the capital. This reality meant that we were among the last to receive the urgent message, compelling us to join the ranks of the other nobles and their armies in the capital.It was in the fourth week of our relentless march that we finally arrived in the grand and magnificent Capital city. The journey had been long and arduous, but our determination never wavered, as we knew our presence was required in these critical times. I had already surmised that the majority of the other nobles and their forces would have already amassed in the capital, readying themse
As the first light of dawn broke through the windows of the guest house, Miron found himself indulging in a breakfast that was nothing short of exquisite. The flavours were so delightful that he couldn't help but admit to himself that it had been a long time since he had enjoyed a meal as delicious as this one.Before long, Miron was summoned by the lord of the Ice Demon City. With a gracious wave of his hand, the lord invited Miron to take a seat on the soft and ornate sofa in the grand hall. Miron, still feeling a bit tense and on edge, quickly obliged and sat down.Despite the gravity of the situation and the impending battle that lay ahead, the lord of the Ice Demon City seemed completely at ease. He sat on his throne, casually eating his food and even humming a tune that was both strange and captivating. Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Miron finally mustered up the courage to ask, "My lord, how can you remain so calm and untroubled? Surely you must feel some fear or
"You won't find Baron Ethan in the mansion," Zikk stated, his hand resting lightly on Miron's shoulder. "He should be in the Endless Forest, training his soldiers."The gesture, though seemingly warm and reassuring, sent a chill down Miron's spine. He sensed a veiled warning in Zikk's words, a subtle reminder of the stakes involved. This was no ordinary mission; it was a delicate dance, a test of Miron's competence and discretion."I am busy," Zikk continued, his tone shifting to one of finality. "I'll get going."Miron, still reeling from the weight of Zikk's revelation, blurted out, "Sir, you're working in this city?" The thought that the Grand Knight, a legendary warrior, would be toiling away in the mundane tasks of everyday life seemed utterly incongruous.Zikk chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Of course, I need to feed myself, right?" He winked, a playful glint in his gaze. "See you around."With that, Zikk turned and strode away, disappearing into the labyrinthine all
The whispers and hearsay suggesting that Ethan Slayer was the individual responsible for instigating a full-scale conflict between the formidable Beast Kingdom and the vast Empire were, in the opinion of Miron, nothing more than baseless conjecture. He was firmly convinced that these rumors were merely the result of devious political machinations being orchestrated by a select group of nobles within the Empire, who were cunningly manipulating the situation to their own advantage.Such tales of intrigue and deception were likely to be believed only by the most gullible of commoners and the lowest-ranking of nobles, who were easily swayed by sensationalist stories and exaggerated claims.Furthermore, there was another outlandish rumor circulating, which held that Ethan Slayer had single-handedly defeated an entire legion of the Beast Kingdom's most formidable warriors, and had compelled a daunting elite force of ten thousand beastmen to retreat in disgrace, with their tails tucked meek
Miron approached the city with a sense of trepidation, expecting the usual lax security measures that were common in many of the smaller territories. However, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the checkpoint at the gate was both rigid and strict, a testament to the city's strong defenses.As he entered the city, he was immediately struck by the vibrant atmosphere that pervaded the streets. The residents of Ice Demon City went about their daily lives with genuine smiles on their faces, as though the war that was raging in the north was of little concern to them. Children played and laughed on the streets, while adults busied themselves with their work.Miron's eyes widened in astonishment as he realized that the roads within the city were all paved, a luxury that was rarely found in such remote territories. He shook his head in disbelief, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him."I must be seeing things," he muttered to himself, unable to comprehend the level of develop