Chereads / The Path of a Ruler / Chapter 4 - chapter 4

Chapter 4 - chapter 4

In the year when he turned ten, a child prodigy had already attained the status of an expert swordsmaster, a feat deemed impossible by ordinary standards. Most individuals begin to sense the presence of mana, a mystical energy source, at the age of twelve; however, this exceptional individual had harnessed this power two years ahead of schedule, thereby reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship at an incredibly young age.

On one fateful day, the tranquility of the borderlands was shattered as they came under attack. While skirmishes were not uncommon in these territories, the assault launched by the noble races far exceeded any previous encounters in scale and intensity. The revered priestess, who was regarded as a maternal figure to the young prodigy, was compelled to lead her troops into battle to defend against the onslaught.

As the soldiers clashed on the battlefield, the conflict escalated into a brutal and devastating confrontation. After two hours of relentless combat, only two figures remained standing amidst the chaos. On one side stood the valiant priestess, and on the other loomed the imposing figure of the vampire king, a formidable adversary possessing supernatural abilities. With lightning speed, the vampire king lunged towards the priestess, unaware of the celestial power she wielded.

Being a skilled mage empowered by holy forces, the priestess proved to be a formidable opponent to the vampire king. In a swift and decisive move, she repelled his attack and unleashed a blinding spell known as "holy shield," enveloping the vampire king in a radiant glow. Undeterred, the vampire king retaliated with a ferocious strike imbued with sinister mana, manifesting as a crimson crescent of deadly energy. Displaying remarkable agility and resourcefulness, the priestess countered with the spell "wings of Michael," summoning divine protection to shield herself from harm.

Having meticulously assessed her adversary's strengths and weaknesses, the priestess transitioned from defense to offense, initiating a calculated assault. Uttering the incantation for "archangel summon," she beckoned forth a celestial being of immense power. Descending with six majestic wings adorning his back, a luminous halo above his head, and clad in resplendent white attire, the archangel unleashed a relentless barrage of blows upon the vampire king. Each strike landed with precision and force, inflicting devastating damage upon the vampire king, leaving him battered and broken.

Just as victory seemed within reach, a sinister turn of events unfolded. As dusk descended and darkness shrouded the once-bright sky, the vampire king exhibited a malevolent resilience. His wounds inexplicably began to heal, and a newfound surge of power coursed through his veins. With an air of arrogance and defiance, he levitated above the ground, proclaiming himself to be akin to a god. In a swift and merciless motion, he swiftly decapitated the celestial being who had dared to challenge him, demonstrating his newfound might and cruelty.

Before the priestess could fully comprehend the perilous situation, she found herself ensnared by a crushing force around her neck, a grim prelude to her demise. Despite the imminent threat to her life, she defiantly declared that her son would exact vengeance upon the vampire king. With a cruel finality, the vampire king ended her life, cutting short her words of retribution.

Returning to his fortress, the vampire king reflected on the night's events, grateful for emerging as the sole survivor of the harrowing conflict. His heart filled with triumph and a thirst for conquest, he vowed to eradicate the beast races that had dared to challenge his reign, setting the stage for a relentless and bloody campaign of vengeance and supremacy.

As word of the tragic events spread, a sense of foreboding and dread gripped the elders of the beast race. Hastening to the battlefield, they discovered the lifeless body of their beloved priestess among the fallen. Grieving the loss of their revered leader, they reverently draped her remains in a white shroud, a poignant tribute to her grace and valor.

Witnessing the profound grief of his people and the sorrow that befell his mother upon learning of the priestess's demise, the prodigy-turned-warrior was consumed by a potent mix of sorrow and wrath. Swearing an oath to avenge the fallen priestess and eradicate the noble races responsible for her death, he embraced his destiny as a champion of justice and retribution, embarking on a perilous quest for vengeance that would forever alter the course of his life and the fate of his world.