The assassins loyal to Duke Riel's Noble Shadow set out, ready to enact their carefully laid plans.Meanwhile, elsewhere in Viridiscent Valley, a separate group of individuals was devising their own scheme.In the impoverished slums of Viridiscent Valley, stagnant water flowed through the streets, and the residents had acclimated to the foul stench that permeated this part of the city.Unperturbed by the filthy environment, the common folk trudged on, clad in tattered clothes, their bodies frail and feeble.Surviving but just barely, these individuals eked out an existence in the squalor, their lives overshadowed by hardship and deprivation.Deep within the slum's confines, an unusual sight unfolded—a gathering of over
"Even though there's plenty left to do, life in Ice Demon City feels like a dream," the coachman expressed.I responded with a simple nod, acknowledging his sentiment without further comment.The allure of Ice Demon City had captivated me entirely. What started as a passing curiosity about leading a city had evolved into an all-consuming preoccupation in my thoughts and daily life.The robust, imposing southern gate, constructed from interlocked logs, swung open.Guard scrutiny followed as they inspected our carriage, while under the watchful eyes of seasoned knights, newly recruited members strained with all their might to raise the weighty wooden gate. They bid us farewell respectfully as we departed.The revelation struck them that I wasn't just an ordinary noble visiting their lord; I had gained recognition as a distinguished guest of Count David. Additionally, Count David's transparency about my identity led to its widespread knowledge among the populace. As my carriage traverse
"Why should we step in?" I asked, perplexed by the whole situation unravelling before us."Agreed." Roland nodded, visibly calming down.It seemed highly unusual for a group of heavily armed knights to be chasing after a lone woman in such a desolate setting.Despite Roland's rural upbringing, his astuteness in deciphering people's motives and actions was far from naive.Roland had a knack for reading individuals and their conduct, just as he had previously expressed doubts about Count David's true character.Despite being aware of Riel's connection to David, Roland boldly voiced his suspicions."I sense something awry, my lord," Roland remarked, his concern etched on his face.Eager for direction, he turned to me, awaiting a decision.Drawing back the carriage curtains, I spotted a group of actors approaching on horseback."Let's prioritize our journey home. Best to avoid getting involved; those knights seem unlikely to catch up with the woman anytime soon," I chuckled, suggesting we
With a devastating sweep of his iron pole, Roland's attack tore through the knights, obliterating armour, bones, and flesh in a gruesome display.The scenery transformed swiftly into a macabre scene of crimson and gore.The aftermath left the woman stunned, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to process the rapid sequence of events. Her elegant facade shattered, revealing a vulnerability she had never shown before. The scene before her was surreal—the powerful, revered knights who had seemed invincible moments ago now lay defeated, their armour no match for Roland's swift and precise strikes.Roland stood amidst the fallen, his figure both daunting and awe-inspiring. His movements had been a blur, and his skill was unmatched as he dismantled his opponents with calculated ease. Despite the chaos around her, the woman couldn't tear her gaze away from Roland, whose demeanour remained composed, almost indifferent to the chaos he had unleashed.Fear gripped her as she realiz
The leader of the vassal knights, appearing somewhat relieved, quickly responded, "Oh! Those must be the ones! These bandits are well-known criminals with a long record of offenses. It's truly wonderful news that Lord Riel has dealt with them."He continued with forced cheerfulness, "You see, we've been tasked with hunting down these knights, and we've been in pursuit for quite some time.""Yes, indeed! We've been on their trail for at least two hours!" echoed the other vassal knights in agreement, supporting their leader's narrative.However, amidst their seemingly cooperative words, I couldn't help but notice the subtle signals they exchanged among themselves, hinting at a different story.Even though they assumed their actions went unnoticed, their coordination was apparent to me. The six vassal knights, having a long-standing rapport, displayed seamless synchronization in their speech and actions.Their plan was straightforward.Knowing Roland's formidable power as Baron Riel's kn
Within the walls of David's castle at Virisdescent Valley, an air of apparent normalcy belied the tension simmering beneath the surface. The guards stood to watch with a palpable sense of unease, while the patrolling knights exhibited a wary demeanour, fearing the wrath of Count David.The memory of Count David's past outburst, where he led a formidable army into the royal capital, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake, lingered heavily in the minds of those present. His show of immense strength and power during that event left an indelible mark on all who bore witness.The fear of another potential eruption of his rage loomed large, prompting an atmosphere where keeping calm and preventing any potential conflict became paramount. Navigating the volatile temperament of Count David would demand a nuanced approach, perhaps involving skilled mediators or advisors capable of understanding his grievances and diffusing his anger before it spirals into chaos. Safeguarding the well-be
The leader rose from his seat and approached the coffin with a dissatisfied click of his tongue. "It appears she failed to deceive Baron Riel. It's a considerable waste of resources when one can't outwit a young man."The assassins remained frozen in place, apprehensive and silent, anticipating their next directives."You all instigated the vassal nobles and even provided them with the entire plan, yet they were thwarted so effortlessly," the leader remarked, his tone filled with displeasure."It's prudent to maintain a low profile for now. Count David doesn't take kindly to traitors," he added sternly."Understood, leader!"The assassins swiftly exited the basement, leaving the room in silence.
"Tell me your name," I asked."Speak, you wretch!" Solan's command thundered as her palm collided against the unyielding iron bars, jolting the entire prison with an unexpected tremor.Above, the eerie symphony of splintering glass shattered the silence, filtering down from the mansion. My gaze locked onto Solan, a silent inquiry into the enigma of her existence etched in my expression.Her elevated rank endowed her with acute senses, allowing her to perceive the chaos unfolding above—the cacophony of shattered glass and the shrill cries of terror.The seemingly inconsequential slap she delivered wielded an unfathomable force, enough to mimic the aftermath of a seismic magnitude 7 earthquake rippling through the mansion's structure."Er, it wasn't deliberate," she muttered, averting from me, unwilling to offer an apology at any expense.Disregarding her, I addressed the beastman sternly: "Your silence will lead you to share the fate of this iron rail very soon."The iron rail Solan ha
"Hey! Why should we listen to a brat like you?" The interjection came from the back of the crowd, a young soldier, his face flushed with anger, his eyes blazing with defiance. The rest of the soldiers turned to stare, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.A genuine smile spread across my face. Finally, someone had the audacity to speak up. A flicker of satisfaction ignited within me. This was exactly what I had been hoping for, wasn't it? Didn't this feel like the natural order of things?I had anticipated this moment from the very beginning. There was no way these esteemed scions of nobility and battle-hardened knights would meekly submit to the commands of a mere child. The moment I was elected commander of one of the three mighty armies, I knew this tension would inevitably arise. After all, who among these talented warriors would willingly follow a teenager with little to boast of in terms of accomplishments? And let's not forget the shadow of my less-than-st
Ladia couldn't help but castigate herself for her lapse in judgment. How had she not seen it before? If the involvement of the magic towers would significantly aid the Empire, then the impact of the very person who had defeated the magicians of the tower participating would be monumental.The princess's heart thrummed with the realization, chiding herself for taking so long to come to this epiphany. Was Ethan's proposal the correct course of action or not? She no longer dwelled on the question.With a steely gaze, Ladia announced, "I have reached a verdict."The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the princess. The final decision lay in her hands, and she was ready to reveal it. The anticipation hung heavy in the air, and Ladia took a deep breath before continuing. "I have decided to accept Ethan's proposal."A murmur of surprise rippled through the room, but Ladia held up her hand for silence. "I believe that Ethan's plan, with a few modifications, is the best course of action for
My suggestion ignited a firestorm of debate among the upper echelons of the capital. The princess convened her officials in the grand throne room, where the air was thick with tension and uncertainty as they deliberated their next course of action. Ultimately, the march toward the City of Aran was postponed by a full day, a delay that weighed heavily on everyone present. The officials found themselves divided, caught between two stark choices: should they attempt to reclaim the nearby City of Aran from the Beast Kingdom, or should they focus their efforts on retaking the more strategically significant City of Northfall?"But, Your Majesty," one of the officials interjected, his voice rising above the murmurs of the assembly, "as we stand now, we cannot afford to risk an attack on the Northfall Fortress! I have heard reports that the beastmen have fortified their walls and laid even more traps to ensnare us! If we allow this farce to continue, we will be nothing more than lambs led to
A chill snaked down Ryle's spine. Ethan's suggestion hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, like a shroud woven from despair. To attack City of Aran, a fortress city now bristling with tens of thousands of Beast Kingdom soldiers, felt like a declaration of utter annihilation. Even Lance, their most valiant commander, had fallen captive within its walls.Ryle's brow creased into a deep furrow. He, too, was a commander of the Initiation Army, a man who had tasted the bitterness of defeat and the sting of loss. He couldn't fathom how Ethan, this newly appointed leader, could so blithely propose a course of action that reeked of self-destruction."I cannot, in good conscience, agree with your plan," Ryle stated, his voice laced with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "As we stand now, attacking Northfall City is a fool's errand, a suicide mission. We are scattered, depleted, and outmatched. We must first rally our remaining forces, regroup along the borders, and then, and only then,
"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