My foresight was a tad askew.
I anticipated the Swarm's arrival in Ice Demon City to take a few days, considering they had experienced the might of my white flames.
It appears I may have overestimated my abilities.
To my surprise, the very next day, the horde of hornets returned.
The entire population of Ice Demon City held their breath as a portion of the sky transformed into darkness, courtesy of the buzzing insects.
Perched atop the wall, just above the gate, I had a bird's-eye view of the frantic preparations that had been accomplished in less than twenty-four hours.
Numerous groups of individuals were scattered across the farmlands, diligently safeguarding the crops. Thankful
It's a peculiar twist of fate that these hornets, once fermented, would yield a venom so potent that it could work wonders for our crops.Imagine, after just fifteen days of fermentation, the lifeless bodies of these hornets would transform into a precious venom sac, brimming with potential.All we had to do was extract the venom from these sacs and blend it with a paste made from the finest Royal Daisies.According to the ancient tome of Necrosmith, a book that Wise had studied with unwavering dedication, this concoction would bestow upon our crops the ability to grow at an astonishing rate, doubling their yield and ensuring a bountiful harvest.As I observed the multitude of residents emerging from their homes to gather the lifeless bodies of insects, a mischievous gri
Amongst the sea of noble faces, Ladia couldn't help but notice a few who seemed more interested in exchanging pleasantries and forging alliances than in finding a solution. They had even brought along their entire brood, as if this were a social gathering rather than a dire council.A simmering rage began to bubble within Ladia's core."Look at us, a room full of supposedly brilliant minds, and yet we're all stumped...," Ladia grumbled under her breath.The nobles, gathered around the grand round table, hung their heads in shame, unable to offer a single solution.The devastating grip of the Black Death on the farms threatened to bring the entire empire's economy crashing down.If the farms failed, the empire would be forced
“Guards!”Ladia didn’t hesitate to act.Princess Ladia's weariness melted away in an instant as if a refreshing wave had washed over her delicate frame.With a sense of urgency, the guards burst into the room, their eyes widening in astonishment as Ladia wasted no time in issuing her authoritative commands.As Zikk, the esteemed Baron of Ice Demon City, relayed the information, Ladia's mind raced with intrigue. Ethan Slayer, the name that echoed through the report, had employed a method so powerful that it resulted in the complete annihilation of the menacing swarm.The report's choice of words was deliberate, for it did not merely state that Ethan had driven away the hornets, but rather, he had utterly obliterated them from existence.Indeed, there existed a vast chasm between merely dispersing the swarm and obliterating it entirely.If this ingenious technique truly proved effective, then there shimmered a glimmer of hope for Elisora City, and indeed, for the entire Empire....Elis
Like ominous hornets, the disease spread its dark wings, casting a foreboding shadow over the once-vibrant streets. In this desperate hour, the people clung to the slender thread of hope, whispered to them by the princess herselfThe destiny of the entire empire hung precariously in the balance as if the very fabric of their existence would be woven or unravelled on this fateful day.In the enchanting realm of Elisora city, the afternoon cast a sombre shadow, as if the sun itself had lost its radiant glow. The air was laced with an icy chill, sending shivers down the spines of its inhabitants.Whispers of dread echoed through the streets, for the people of Elisora were well aware of the relentless swarms that had descended upon the Empire. These insidious insects threatened to devour everything in their path, leaving behind a barren wasteland where once lush fields of promise had flourished.Earl Greenfield, a stalwart guardian of the land, gazed intently at the ominous cloud loomin
"Take it, my friend. I can only imagine the hardships of providing for your siblings," the man interjected, his empathy shining through.Emmanuel's eyes shimmered with appreciation as he offered a deep bow."Thank you, kind sir!"Unbeknownst to him, lurking across the street, a gang of thugs had already set their sights on him.Emmanuel's expression of gratitude evoked images of a chivalrous knight's salute, causing a mischievous smirk to dance across the middle-aged man's face.A surge of exhilaration coursed through Emmanuel's veins as he tightly clutched the pouch brimming with coins.In the depths of the slums, Emmanuel tirelessly toiled, taking on various odd jobs to make end
"May these humble eighty copper coins be able to fill the hungry bellies of my family," he fervently prayed.Emmanuel's heart raced like a wild stallion, its thunderous beats echoing in his chest, as he tightly clutched the jingling pouch of coins. With trepidation, he ventured towards the humble stall, a hidden gem amidst the bustling market, where bargains awaited."Emmanuel, my friend! Where have you been hiding all this time?" The shopkeeper's warm voice greeted him, a familiar melody that danced in the air. This merchant had witnessed Emmanuel's presence countless times, their connection forged through a year of shared transactions and whispered conversations.The shopkeeper, a sage of sorts, possessed an uncanny ability to discern Emmanuel's struggles, his hardships etched upon his face like ancient hieroglyphs.“Bread?”Emmanuel's head wobbled with caution, his weary eyes scanning the humble market stall."Give me wheat, if you please," he murmured, his weathered hand reaching
From the cozy confines of the carriage, the passengers gazed upon the towering walls of Ice Demon City, a sight that had been eagerly anticipated for the past five hours of their journey.Within the opulent carriage, two figures occupied the space - a distinguished middle-aged man and the enigmatic Anastasia.Viscount Milan, usually a man of words, found himself rendered speechless throughout the entire trip. Each time he attempted to engage Anastasia in conversation, he was met with a piercing glare and the sting of her whip.Confused by his own submissive behavior, the viscount couldn't help but be consumed by thoughts of this captivating woman, his mind fixated on her every moment of the day.It was as if a wicked enchantress had cast her spell upon him, twisting his
"Is there truly anything more crucial than the inaugural encounter with his intended?" Lisa added, her tone laced with a mixture of sarcasm and disdain.Ah, yes, there it was, the haughty, holier-than-thou demeanour that Jacob and the others had already anticipated.If Lisa had even the slightest inkling of what was truly transpiring with Anastasia, she would vehemently oppose the union.However, in order to spare her from distress, I took great care to shield my mother from any tidings concerning Anastasia.Viscount Milan loomed silently behind Anastasia, leaving Jacob and Lisa perplexed as to his identity, for his attire did not resemble that of a mere servant."I regret to inform you that I am unaware of my son's whereabouts," Lisa began to explain, her voice tinged with concern. "He is constantly occupied these days and seldom returns home—"But before she could complete her sentence, Anastasia raised her hand, a commanding gesture for Lisa to cease speaking.Anastasia was resolut
"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