"You're welcome here anytime," I assured her, gently cupping her face with my hands.Despite the warmth of the moment, a lingering thought persisted within me. I couldn't help but ponder how Eliza would react when she eventually discovered the truth about my real identity.Eliza's demeanor noticeably shifted, reflecting a somber mood, possibly due to her contemplation about a certain witch's upcoming stay in Ice Demon City.After a period of silence, she unexpectedly broke it by asking, "Would you like to hear something?" This request struck me as unusual since it was the first time she sought my opinion before discussing something important.Eliza's change in behavior hinted at her concerns or worries about the witch's presence. Her decision to involve me in the conversation might indicate that she values my perspective or seeks support in discussing her thoughts.By expressing a willingness to listen and share my thoughts, I could potentially offer Eliza the comfort of support or pr
"Son, are the monsters still on the loose?" Lisa inquired calmly."Yes, I'll head out in the morning to hunt them down once more," I responded, noting Milan's excited expression upon hearing my answer.Milan appeared pleased; it seemed that the baron was walking straight into the trap he had set. He couldn't remain idle, especially considering Anastasia's repeated failures in seducing this baron.Milan had already assumed that Baron Riel was impotent."Why not entrust the hunting to your men? A noble needn't delve into every toilsome task," Lisa remarked thoughtfully. She wasn't keen on her son's engaging in such activities. In her view, it wasn't fitting for someone of noble stature to partake in menial tasks. If a noble were to involve themselves in such matters, what purpose would their retinue serve?Lisa's demeanour held a noble quality, though it didn't diminish her care for the residents; her paramount concern remained her son. As Lisa spoke, Milan's sunny expression swiftly d
"Bully," Anastasia pouted, her indignation evident as she punched my chest in response to the surprise."Activate 'Stealth'," I whispered as my hand made contact with Anastasia, and in an instant, we vanished from the sight of all those around us. I stole a moment to study her serene face, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. While the others reveled in the guise of a typical hunting party, oblivious to the hidden truths, Anastasia alone understood the weight of this day for me.Amidst the festivities, she knew that today held a far graver significance. It wasn't just a casual celebration; it marked the ominous occasion of an impending assassination for Riel."Take care," she murmured softly.My fingers tenderly brushed away the tears clinging to her lashes before I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead."It'll be okay," I reassured her, my voice a hushed whisper in her ear.Life had taken an unexpected turn. In such a brief span, our destinies had become entwined in ways I never co
With a sharp, searing pain, an arrow lodged itself in his throat. Gurgling on his own blood, the man stared at me in disbelief.He had observed my quiver's emptiness, so the sudden appearance of the arrow perplexed him—where had it come from?I yanked the arrow out of the man's throat and shook off the remaining blood.In the night's darkness, the arrow emitted a soft, ethereal blue glow—a manifestation known to the locals as the aura arrow.This wasn't a magical projectile summoned by spells; rather, it was a physically crafted arrow, painstakingly forged using the essence of aura, requiring immense effort and skill.Crafting an arrow infused with aura took me a mere moment, a feat that astounded even the most skilled warriors. Legends spoke of the arduous process, with tales claiming it would demand two to three hours of intense focus and preparation from seasoned fighters to create just one.Traditionally, the creation of such arrows required meticulous preparation and unwavering
This occasion didn't seem significant in any way.Perhaps I was foolish to anticipate any excitement from a gathering of seemingly unremarkable individuals.I rose at dawn, already occupied testing my bowstring by the time Zikk and Jack awoke, catching only that aspect of my morning routine.Zikk's gaze fixed on the baron, his awakening accompanied by an unsettling sensation, a nagging feeling that he had overlooked something of great importance.Zikk couldn't shake the feeling that nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, chalking it up to the lingering effects of alcohol. The perplexing part was how this alcohol seemed to affect him, a Grand Knight, in such a peculiar manner."Your dedication and diligence in rising early for your tasks are commendable, young lord," Zikk remarked, offering an unexpected compliment to the young baron."It's merely a necessity if I'm to navigate through this daunting world," I replied, the words carrying a tone that only someone with a certain edge w
Wise's response of shaking his head indicated that these hundred or so Merlocks differed from the previous captives we had apprehended. It seemed there was no valuable new information to extract from them."Keep a watch on them and ensure they remain in good health," I instructed Gaston.Turning to him, I added, "You'll be responsible for overseeing these beastmen. I suspect Richard and his merchant caravan will arrive soon. When the time comes, sell all of them at whatever price Richard proposes."Gaston acknowledged my instructions with a nod, understanding the directives given. In his perspective, having one of their barons be resolute and unapologetic toward adversaries was a necessary quality.He held the belief that for a city to thrive, its ruler must possess not only benevolence but also a degree of severity. In the case of Ice Demon City, Baron Ethan exemplified kindness, while Baron Riel embodied decisiveness and displayed no mercy. To Gaston, this combination was ideal for
"Come inside; let's discuss the seeds you've brought this time," I invited."Yes, Lord," Evon acknowledged respectfully, following me inside for our discussion.Evon watched the proceedings with a keen eye, recognizing the signs of impatience in Baron Riel's demeanor. The baron's abrupt decision-making and lack of consultation indicated a potential impatience that could jeopardize the success of their deal.Understanding the gravity of the situation, Evon subtly signaled his men to expedite the loading process without compromising the careful handling of the goods. He knew that time was of the essence and that any delay might further test the baron's patience.While maintaining a composed façade, Evon mentally calculated his approach, anticipating the need to address the situation delicately. With Baron Riel's impatience potentially affecting the negotiations, Evon prepared himself to adapt and navigate the deal with astuteness and finesse.Luck was on his side, as he had assembled a
"Yes, Lord Riel," Evon responded politely, ready to engage in serious discussion."Regarding the meal we just had, what did you find most enjoyable?" I queried about the food, aiming to steer the conversation."Ah, the chicken was the standout, followed by the eggs and then the grilled meat," Evon replied, initially puzzled by the baron's food-related inquiry before realizing the underlying motive.As the conversation shifted, I presented a proposition: "I intend to sell either the meat or the eggs. You can choose only one. Which would you prefer?""The meat," Evon promptly answered, aligning with expectations."Given the limited supply of the eggs and their exceptional taste, the meat seems the wiser choice," Evon contemplated, recognizing the uniqueness of the eggs and their restricted availability."How much meat are you willing to purchase?" I inquired."As long as the price is fair, I'll procure as much as my carriages can accommodate," Evon replied decisively, aware of the high
"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