From the howling wind, one can hear the legends of the wilderness; from the silence of time, one can trace the fleeting memories.
I am the warrior known as the Dark Knight. Three years ago, after the suppression of the Dark Knight Rebellion that swept across the Bourbon Empire, my comrades and I scattered across the Apennine Continent.
After a long and aimless drift, I arrived in the forest located in the northwest of the Sica Mountains—a legendary forest known as the Misty Forest.
My name is Li Vicadora Tenzang. Since participating in the rebellion, I have kept my ancient family name shrouded in mystery. For years, I have used the name Tenzang, which I adopted among the rebels.
Back then, every time I grew furious, leopard-like spots would appear on my face and body, earning me the moniker "Blood Leopard Tenzang." I became one of the most wanted fugitives in the empire, with the highest bounty on my head.
The Misty Forest is said to be one of the homelands of the Yinchellti Dragon. On this legendary continent, traces of mythical beasts and their ruins can be found everywhere. However, ever since we fought the imperial army's Breller Demon Dragon three years ago, we've come to understand the immense gap between mortal knights and divine beasts.
The Misty Forest spans dozens of kilometers, with undulating mountains veiled by a perpetual, smoke-like mist. At dawn, the forest comes alive with crisp birdsong, and its primal and fresh atmosphere made me fall in love with it at first sight.
In the depths of the Misty Forest, I built a small thatched hut and settled down. Years of wandering had made me forget the need for a place to call home. It was only after having a roof to shelter me from the wind and rain that I felt the weariness and exhaustion in my body and soul.
Deeper into the Misty Forest lie swamps and a mysterious aura. I've grown attached to the peace and tranquility I've just found, living joyfully and carefree near my little hut.
I began to enjoy a life free from worries, fear, and being hunted. Yet, when I started to love this life, I began to worry that one day I might lose it. Haven't you noticed? Whenever you cherish something deeply, there's always someone or something that comes to destroy it and take it away from you.
One morning, I was awakened by an earth-shattering roar. The terrifying sound came from the deeper parts of the Misty Forest, seemingly originating from a mountain called Mancharei.
Mancharei Mountain is an enormous colossus that reaches into the clouds. Its massive silhouette against the night sky often filled me with awe and dread. The mountain is covered with colossal ancient trees, and mist clings to its midsection throughout the year, never dissipating.
But today, the enormous mountain seemed unable to withstand the immense roar, sending out rumbling echoes throughout its entirety.
Unable to suppress my curiosity, I donned my armor, picked up my Snow Dragon Spear, strapped on the Tianzang Blood Demon Blade, and mounted my steed, heading toward the mountain.
As I approached the mountainside, I saw clouds of dust rising into the air accompanied by the sound of roaring. Towering trees toppled one after another not far ahead, leaving me utterly stunned and frozen in place.
While I hesitated, the trees in front of me were suddenly uprooted and hurled into the air. In the blink of an eye, a colossal beast appeared before me.
In a large clearing less than a hundred meters away from me, a towering beast over a hundred meters tall appeared. It had the head of a lion and the body of a lizard, with enormous wings spread out behind it. Its cavernous, glowing red eyes and blood-red maw, split all the way to its ears, were terrifying. Saber-like fangs protruded from its mouth, and thick, foul-smelling blood dripped from its black lips.
My mount let out a long, terrified whinny, throwing me off with one kick before collapsing on the ground, foaming at the mouth. I was filled with terror, staring blankly at the mountain-like beast before me, an overwhelming fear resurfacing in my heart—one I thought I had long forgotten.
This monster was at least dozens of times larger than the Breyl Demon Dragon of the Imperial Legion we had once fought. That dragon had, in the blink of an eye, torn dozens of our Dark Knights into unrecognizable corpses.
The beast noticed me standing in front of it, its massive eyes widening in a deadly glare. At that moment, something even more shocking happened. The entire sky suddenly darkened, and a black dragon appeared behind the beast. Its outstretched wings blocked out the sun, casting a shadow over everything. The dragon, as enormous as the beast itself, pounced on it with a single claw, pinning it to the ground with a deafening crash.
The beast's massive body collapsed right before me, shaking the earth. The impact sent me flying into the air, completely at the mercy of the overwhelming forces before me.
Ifell from the air and Ilanded deeper into the
forest. Another deafening roar echoed as the
massive black dragon and the beast rolled
through the sky above me.The gigantic trees
around me were uprooted like wild grass
swept by a hurricane. A massive branch
struck me, sending me flying like a speck of
dust once again. This time,llost
consciousness.
A long time passed...When l finally came to, I
had no idea how much time had gone by. My
mouth was filled with blood, and the difficulty
breathing triggered a series of violent
coughs. With each cough, fresh blood
spewed out, and my chest throbbed with
sharp pain. I knelt on the gjround for a long
while, trembling with fearr. After taking a few
deep breaths, I realized things weren't as bad
as I had imagined.
I removed my armor and found a bloody gash
below my left ribs. The wound wasn't deep,
but it seemed like my face or forehead had
been injured, as half of my face was soaked
in blood.
The surroundings were now silent. I had no
idea whether the black dragon had defeated
"Chthe beast orif thehad triumphed over
the black dragon.
I noticed that my Snow Dragon Spear was
nowhere to be found. However, I still had the
Blood Demon Blade strapped to my waist.
With great difficulty, I began my descent
down the mountain.
The area was littered with massive trees that#
had been uprooted and strewn haphazardly. I
climbed over the fallen trees and made my
way toward the clearing where I had first
encountered the beast. Just as | was about to
reach it, I suddenly felt a shadow loom over
me. The light around medimmed, and a
massive figure appeared behind me.
I rolled to my left, drew my blade, and swung it backward. As expected, a roar erupted from behind me. I turned to look and saw a beast similar to the towering one from before, though this one was much smaller, closer to my own size. It had tried to ambush me but ended up with one of its front claws slashed by my counterattack.
This beast seemed to be younger, lacking the massive wings of the larger one. Its blood-red eyes locked onto me with an unrelenting gaze.
I began to retreat slowly. The beast let out a low growl, "huff... growl," from its mouth. At that moment, a roar echoed from the forest not far behind me, a deep "huff... roar." The beast in front of me responded with the same sound, "huff... roar."
Now caught between enemies in front and behind, the situation was extremely dire.
With no other choice, I decided to seize the initiative. Summoning all the strength in my arms, I let out a fierce shout and lunged to the right of the beast in front of me. Rolling to the ground, I swung the Blood Demon Blade. Filled with a murderous aura, the blade immediately turned blood-red.
The beast leaped but missed its mark, leaving its neck fully exposed to my strike. The blade, infused with killing intent, struck true, landing squarely on the beast's neck.
The blade cut into the beast's scales, but before I could press my advantage, the beast bit down on the blade, its blood dripping onto the weapon from the corners of its mouth.
I quickly pulled the blade back, but the beast didn't retreat. Instead, it braced itself, its rugged, scaly body tensing like a mountain of muscle, surging toward me with unstoppable force.
I found myself completely exposed before its
gaping, blood-soaked jaws.
"Desperate fool," I cursed bitterly. Pointing the
tip of my blade directly at its chest, I gripped
the hilt tightly with both haands and twisted
the blade as l drove it in. At the same time, I
ducked my head to avoid its sharp teeth,
using the shoulder of my aarmor to brace
against its massive jaws#
With a sharp crack, I heard my right shoulder
go numb instantly. The beast let out a
deafening roar, swiping me aside with a
single claw.
Out of the corner of my eeye, I saw that the
Blood Demon Blade had completely shreddeed
the beast's chest cavity into a bloody mess.
The massive creature swayed twice before its
eyes glazed over,ollapsed heavily to
the ground.
It was only then that Inoticed what was
happening behind me. Another beast of the
same size was growling softly. Strangely, it
wasn't advancing toward me. Looking closer,
I saw a scene that utterly astonished me.
It turned out that the beast behind me wasn't
attacking me but was instead focused on a
small pup in front of it, no bigger than the
size of my hand.
The pup had black-and-white fur, its entire
coat bristling. Its tiny upper lip curled back,
revealing the smallest, most delicate
tiger-like fangs as it growleed defiantly,
holding its head h+ radiating
unrelenting fury.
The sight left me utterly shocked. Just then,
the beast let out anotheer roar, rising up on its
hind legs. It seemed as though the pup would
be torn to shreds in an instant. With my
strength spent and no ability to fight,the
shadow of death began to loom over me once
again.
We, the Dark Knights, calll ourselves warriors,
but in truth, we are knighits wielding hidden
magic. The magic we use requires an
equivalent exchange of our own body, blood,
and soul, thus it is labeled as evil magic. As a
result, we Dark Knights are never accepted by
so-called righteous knights, who regard us as
part of the forces of darkness
I, of course, am also proficient in this dark
magic. However,eachtime l use it, my natur
changes-I become bloodthirsty, filled with
hatred. For this reason, I rarely summon the
power of darkness. But now, I begin to call
upon it, casting the spell of Dark Frenzy.
"Oh, power of darkness, oh, spirits of shadow,
make me your vessel. Release the fear in my
heart and turn it into hatred for the world.Let
the flames of rage burn and let my
suppressed soul erupt once more in fury...
As the incantation softly escaped my lips, my
body began to transform. My shattered right
shoulder, which had been mangled by the
monster, started to regenerate. My eyes
turned blood-red, and an eerie, chilling aura
surrounded me. With a guttural roar, "Urgh..
ha!" I charged at the monster confronting the
young pup, wielding the Blood Demon Blade.
After a harrowing and inteense close combat, I
brutally dismembered the monster, leaving it
a gory mess. My entire body was soaked in
its foul, reeking blood.
However, having used the dark magic, I also
paid the price demanded by the dark spirits.
My vision turned completely black, and the
forest before me vanished in an instant. My
sight was gone, leaving nothing but darkness
before me.
In the darkness, I tightly gripped the Blood Demon Blade, waiting for the nightmare to end. The last time I used dark magic, the aftermath left me deranged for three days and nights. It happened while I was fleeing and was blocked by the Pananra Demon Serpent. At that moment, when dozens of us Dark Knights were on the brink of annihilation, I was forced to use the Beast Possession spell from the dark magic. When I woke up, the surroundings were filled with nothing but corpses.
Dark Knights are divided into dozens of ranks, and I am one of the rare Scorpius-ranked knights, specializing in berserk magic. I was also the leader of the Tianzang Knights, one of the thirteen rebellious knight orders.
The thirteen orders include the Wuchu Knights, the Greed Wolf Knights, the Hua Ji Knights, the Earth Void Knights, the Mars Knights, the Tai Fu Knights, the Seven Kill Knights, the Sky Cry Knights, the Sky Punishment Knights, the Sky Tiger Knights, the Tianzang Knights, the Earth Dragon Knights, and the Flame Tiger Knights.
Among them, the Wuchu, Greed Wolf, and Flame Tiger orders perished in a fierce battle against the Empire's Braelle Demon Dragon. The Greed Wolf Knight, a warrior of the Silver Wolf lineage and renowned as the most skilled fighter among the Dark Knights, lost his life in that battle. The mighty Flame Tiger, in order to protect his knights from being pursued by the Empire's Braelle Demon Dragon, stayed behind alone. With unparalleled strength, he single-handedly held off the dragon, creating rivers of blood yet standing firm. The Wuchu Knight, driven by a resolve to face death, singlehandedly halted the Empire's iron cavalry at dawn the next day, driving them back dozens of miles. His sacrifice struck fear into thousands of soldiers. Tragically, he was fatally injured by a sneak attack from the dragon.
The Empire, with its overwhelming strength and endurance, crushed our rebellion. The once-mighty Dark Knights, who sought to shake the Empire, were exterminated. The remaining remnants, consumed by grief and rage, scattered to the winds.
Knights like me, solitary and on the run, have nothing left to lose—or so I believed. The serene misty forest provided me with some solace, an illusion of peace that I yearned to embrace.
But this world has a way of stripping the most desperate of even the little they have, and often, what they need most. Now, I can only hope that my blindness is temporary.
The air around me grew colder, and I felt a small, trembling creature rubbing against my right foot. Slowly, I reached down, and a warm little tongue began licking my palm incessantly. It was the surviving pup from before.
Oh, in such a lonely world, there was still a life willing to share the cold night with me. I sat on the ground and gently cradled it in my arms.
When the chirping of birds woke me the next morning, I was ecstatic to discover that my vision had returned. I could see the entire forest—the leaves, the sunlight, and the little dog. From then on, I named him Alik.
Alik was incredibly beautiful, especially his
eyes, which could only be described as
handsome and captivating. Although he was
just a recently weaned puppy, I couldn't help
but adore him.
As I carried him across the ravine in the
Manchare Mountains, I was stunned by the
scene before me. Lying within the ravine were
the corpses of two colossal beasts. A
massive black dragon anid a giant monster I
had seen before were entangled together,
sprawled across the broad, deep chasm.
Their claws had torn opeen each other's
abdomen and chest, and the entire stream
flowing through the ravine had turned into a
river of blood, winding its way downward.
Alik raised his head, took one look at the
scene, and began to howI mournfully. Tears
streamed continuously from his eyes.
It has been more thansix months since we
returned from the Manchare Mountains. AliK#
has grown to be over half the height of a man,
majestic and imposing. However, his
temperament has become unusually irritable
and exceptionally ferocious.
On the outskirts of the misty forest,where
human presence is rare, there is a trade
route. From time to time, caravans pass
through here. Occasionally, I visit these
routes to exchange goodIs and necessities
with the merchants.
One day, shortly after ear-ly spring had ended,
I anticipated that a largeer caravan might pass
by around noon. So, I patiently waited on a
hillside by the road. Alik lay quietly beside
me, now as strong and robust as a lion.
Around noon, as expected, a caravan appeared, winding its way along the road. Hundreds of mules and horses were laden with heavy goods, flanked by merchants and their escorts.
Just as I was about to approach, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from behind the caravan. Alik stood up alertly.
"Corpse-faced raiders! The corpse-faced raiders are here!" someone in the caravan shouted in alarm.
The corpse-faced raiders were a small tribal group on the Apennine Continent, known for raiding caravans. They were notorious for their appetite for carrion, and their skeletal, corpse-like faces likely earned them the name.
The caravan of hundreds of mules and horses immediately fell into chaos. From the hillside, I could see that the raiding tribe behind them numbered at least several hundred.
After a brief period of panic, the caravan quickly reorganized itself into a formation. The mules and horses were carefully directed to move forward, while some of the escorts formed a line to try to block the pursuing raiders.
I couldn't help but smirk at the naivety of these merchants. The corpse-faced raiders were far beyond their ability to handle. I intended to help them, but not yet. If I acted too soon and scared off the raiders immediately, these merchants would think the raiders were nothing more than pushovers, and they wouldn't appreciate my intervention.
This is how the world works, and so are the people in it. If you try reasoning with them, they won't understand. If you show them the solution, they won't appreciate it. Only when they suffer deeply, with wounds that cut to the bone, will they finally learn to respect you when you solve their problems.
As expected, the caravan's guards were defeated and fled in disarray within minutes. Alik and I slowly stepped forward, blocking the trade route.
I was dressed in simple, dirt-gray clothes without armor, holding the Blood Demon Blade in one hand. One man, one dog, and one blade stood in the way of hundreds of mounted raiders.
The first twenty or so riders at the front of the raiding party showed no signs of slowing, charging straight at us. I swung my blade horizontally at the lead rider, toppling his mount. With a reverse slash, I struck again, and a fierce warrior of the corpse-faced tribe fell.
Behind me, Alik let out a sudden roar. Several galloping horses neighed in terror and threw their riders forward. Alik leaped into the air, his jaws wide open, striking down the unfortunate raiders.
By the time the raiders stopped their charge, nearly a hundred corpses lay around me. Behind me, Alik continued growling, a low and menacing sound.
The raiding party hesitated, and then Alik let out a long, thunderous howl, like the roar of a dragon or a tiger. A fierce wind swept through the area, and the raiders, hearing the terrifying sound, turned tail and fled, vanishing in an instant.
Even the mules and horses in the caravan behind me were thrown into chaos by Alik's roar, their cries blending into a cacophony of panic.
Slowly, a few well-dressed elders emerged from the caravan.
"I am Mi Dochikayan, a representative of the merchants' guild from Damascus, the imperial capital. These are my brothers," one of them said.
I introduced myself reluctantly. "I live in the Misty Forest. My name is Tianzang."
"The master of the Misty Forest, Tianzang. We don't know how to thank you enough," the elder said before turning to confer with his companions.
At that moment, a frail old woman shuffled out from the escort group. She gazed at Alik from a distance, her eyes filled with curiosity. This wasn't unusual—Alik's majestic appearance often drew awe and amazement from passing caravans.
Eventually, she approached me and asked, "Young man, how long has he been with you?"
Her question puzzled me. "More than six months."
"Oh, and how did you find him? Can you tell me?"
"I picked him up in the wilderness. But, ma'am, why are you asking?"
The old woman let out an "oh" and said, "Have you heard of the legend of the four sacred beasts that is passed down across the Apennine Continent?"
"Is it about the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise?" I replied.
"Yes, but the legend also mentions a dragon beast that accompanies the Azure Dragon. It is said that the dragon beast's roar can drive even the fiercest of wild animals insane," the old woman continued.
"A dragon beast?" I recalled the events of the day I found Alik. "Could Alik be a dragon beast?"
"Young man, you should know that my mount, Tamuka, was once the finest steed in Tertia. No animal dared approach it, and it could even fight wild beasts, having killed several wolves that had invaded our camp. But just now, because of that roar, it collapsed to the ground foaming at the mouth, and it's still trembling in fear," the old woman said, pointing at a tall and majestic black horse in the distance that was neighing nervously.
"Oh," I said, surprised, as I glanced around at the horses that were still panicking.
"Take good care of him," the old woman said. She gave Alik another careful look before turning and walking away.
The elders of the caravan decided to repay me. They helped construct a few bright, spacious houses not far from the trade route, just inside the Misty Forest. They also provided me with all the necessary supplies.
The name of the "Master of the Misty Forest" began to spread. From then on, every passing merchant would stop by for a rest, and some even stayed overnight before continuing their journey the next morning.
Dochikayan's caravan passed through the trade route from time to time, and each time, they brought a generous gift for me.
Over time, many people from other places heard about the beauty of the Misty Forest and began to visit my small, unconfirmed but widely accepted territory. I eventually hired two young helpers: a boy named Yanwu and a girl named Junning. Together, we converted the largest house into a roadside tavern and named it "The Misty Forest."
At first, visitors came with the caravans, but soon, people began arriving in groups of their own.
One day, a heartbroken knight from Blairman Castle arrived alone at the Misty Forest. He spent half a month drinking hard liquor in the tavern. Then, one evening, he took several bags of starflower seeds from his belongings and carefully scattered them around the house. At dusk, he departed, dragging the sunset and his solitary shadow behind him.
In early summer, the slopes surrounding the Misty Forest Tavern were covered with blue and white starflowers in full bloom. More people chose to spend their time resting at the tavern, enjoying the stunning beauty of the scene. Yet, this breathtaking sight was left behind by a sorrowful and lonely man. Whenever I thought of that quiet and reserved knight, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness.
Thus, Alik and I spent a joyful summer in the Misty Forest.
Autumn arrived in the Misty Forest, painting the landscape in golden, red, and orange hues. The fallen leaves formed a thick carpet across the ground. In this season, as the setting sun cast its light upon the treetops, the air was filled with serenity, peace, and calm.
On one such beautiful autumn afternoon, a friend of mine visited the Misty Forest. She was a mage of the Helderic Order, someone I had met during an adventure long ago. She knew nothing of my past, but her powerful support magic during that adventure had left a deep impression on me.
At that time, I was surrounded by several towering Tata orcs over three meters tall in the forest, and she was being attacked by a mage guarding a gemstone mine. Amidst her fierce exchanges of fireballs and lightning with the enemy mage, she frequently cast spells like "Earth Shield" to strengthen my defenses, aiding me greatly.
Her name was Ninias Aina, a mage with silver hair.
When I saw her again, I was surprised to notice a faint blush on her face. After her long journey, she wore a simple red outfit with a black cloak draped over her shoulders. Despite her modest attire, it couldn't conceal the brilliance of her bright, expressive eyes.
After a brief rest, she changed into the attire of a mage. A silver circlet adorned her smooth forehead, inlaid with a crescent moonstone, and her entire outfit shifted to a mysterious black theme. The elegance and grace of her figure were almost disarmingly captivating.
When Aina saw me, she smiled, but I could sense the lively spirit of a mischievous girl in her heart, playfully calling out my name. Although it was just an afternoon, I could distinctly hear the morning songs of birds and feel the freshness of the forest at dawn. Could this, too, be a form of magic?
"Tenzang, this kind of life suits you. Back when we went to search for the Tata orcs' gemstone mine, I already knew you were someone who enjoyed a free and unrestrained lifestyle," Aina said.
"Aina, it's not just freedom that I seek. It's simply that I'm powerless for now. I'm waiting for the right opportunity," I replied.
"Tenzang, tell me more of your story," she asked.
"Aina, I don't have much of a story to tell. But tomorrow, I'll take you to the place where I found Alik. That mysterious forest might intrigue you even more."
The two of us sat on the steps under the eaves, gazing at the countless twinkling stars in the sky. What a peaceful night it was. In the tranquility of the Misty Forest, it felt as though a brilliant river of stars was flowing before us.
From the nearby tavern came the hoarse singing voice of a performer.
Hearing the song, I couldn't help but smile. When I turned my head, I noticed that Aina was also intently listening to the music, a smile gracing her face. She looked at me and smiled, then turned her gaze back to the vast starry sky.
It was at that moment that I realized just how beautiful and magnificent the starry sky appeared when viewed from the Misty Forest.
Chapter 1 Tian Xing's Visit
Aina left for a long time. I sat in the woods in late autumn, feeling lost. I was surprised to find that my life was so incomplete. A magician in black clothes appeared and then disappeared, taking away most of my soul in vain. I always seemed to see her silver hair shining in the moonlight, but now, the song has ended and the people have dispersed, and even every dusk is filled with a vague sadness.
At the end of the autumn in the misty mountains, I met the brown-haired Egasha Yi with a little loneliness and restlessness.
On an evening that was no different from usual, I walked into the bar with Alec as usual.
"Hi, Tianzang, the weather is good today, and the sunset in the misty mountains is so beautiful." Yang, a businessman sitting at the bar, raised his glass to me. I smiled and nodded.
"Tianzang, Alec is getting more and more impressive." The two wandering knights near the door said with a smile.
As usual, as the owner of this small territory, the guests and travelers were very respectful to me.
"Who is he? Why do people greet him?"
"Oh, him, he is the owner of this forest, Tianzang."
I accidentally overheard these words, and when I turned to look, I saw a girl dressed as a traveler sitting at a table in the bar, accompanied by a knight in luxurious attire. What caught my attention was the knight's exceptionally intricate armor. The silver armor bore finely crafted holy emblems and a unique lion-shaped family crest, clearly indicating a prestigious knightly lineage. The armor was adorned with decorative gold tassels, and underneath, the close-fitting blue underlayer turned out to be a rare purple dragon scale mail, glowing softly under the bar's light.
The golden-tasseled knight noticed my gaze and nodded at me in a friendly manner. Years ago, during my secret life of rebellion with my companions, our primary target had always been such scions of noble families. Naturally, I didn't like this privileged offspring, but out of politeness, I returned a small smile.
As I walked past their table, the girl openly and unabashedly looked me up and down. I noticed her dark eyes beneath auburn hair, her lips like fresh shells, and her honey-like smooth skin. For several weeks, whenever I returned in the evening, I would see this girl with her golden-tasseled knight. My extreme lack of affection for the knight extended to her as well, so I avoided them both.
Until one day, as Alec and I entered the bar, the auburn-haired girl stood before us.
"Are you Tianzang, the owner here?"
"Yes," I replied, glancing over her shoulder to see that the bar was almost empty, and her golden-tasseled knight was nowhere to be seen.
"It's quiet here today. Do you have some free time? Can I buy you a drink?"
"Sure, of course."
"I'm Agatha E. from the South. I really like this place; it's so beautiful."
"Heh, I know who you are. There aren't many women here, and even fewer beautiful ones."
"Then why have you been ignoring me all this time?"
I nearly spat out my tea at her question.
"Oh... I thought you always seemed busy."
...
That evening, we started with tea, then moved on to Milo wine, and eventually to spirits.
Two weeks later, as winter began to adorn the surrounding mountains of the Misty Forest, the auburn-haired Agatha E. and her golden-tasseled knight departed.
My world turned pure white.
Winter in the Misty Forest saw no more travelers, and even passing merchants became scarce. Heavy snow fell continuously for half a month, piling several feet deep on all the roads. With so few guests, I had already sent Yanwu and Junning, who helped me, to the Aegean County in the southeast, with its azure-blue coast, to procure various spirits and supplies for the spring season. They likely wouldn't return for another month.
So, Alec and I sat by the warm fireplace, waiting for winter to pass. My weary eyes stared blankly at the crackling flames when I suddenly heard a clear knock at the door.
Barking excitedly, Alec bolted down from upstairs. I could tell he was thrilled—who could be visiting me at a time like this?
When I opened the door, I saw Agatha E. standing in the snow. Her face was flushed red from the cold, and her hands were clenched against her chest. Her once-flowing auburn hair was dusted with snowflakes, and her deep green deerskin boots were coated in thick ice. She was trembling so much that she couldn't speak a word.
My heart ached instantly. Almost without thinking, I practically carried her inside.
By the fireplace, I carefully massaged the frostbitten feet of this auburn-haired Agatha E. She sat wrapped in a thick deerskin blanket, silently gulping down my spirits.
Her auburn hair partially covered her delicate face. When the color of warmth returned to her cheeks, the blanket draped over her shoulders slipped down, revealing the black slip she wore underneath. With all her outer garments soaked, she had nothing on but the black slip. She said nothing, and the firelight reflected in her jewel-like eyes, combined with her snow-white skin, struck my heart like a mighty hammer. My blood surged, my breath caught—if she hadn't spoken at that moment, I might have suffocated in her beauty.
But she did speak, and her words were like a melody from the heavens:
"Poor Agatha seeks the comfort of your embrace."
At that moment, the desire stirring in my heart spread like bats in the night, unfurling vast, shadowy wings.
In the weeks that followed, I wavered between heaven and hell, struggling futilely to distinguish between waking and dreaming. I wandered through dreams as smooth and supple as pearls, dreamed of shells and the spaces between them, and swayed between joy and fear until I was consumed by madness.
I could not tear my hands away from fleeting warmth. My eyes became enamored with smiles, shyness, and sunlight. My breath clung desperately to the fragrance I had only just come to know. And all of it—this rapture that threatened to dissolve me—came from the sweet, auburn-haired Agatha.
As the snow in the Misty Forest began to melt, auburn-haired Agatha told me she was going home. She said she lived in the southern Fulinglan Castle, then cautiously asked if I would come to visit her.
This elf-like Agatha, with her auburn hair, had filled my empty life in an instant, only to ask again: would I come to see her? How should I answer her? Should I embrace her until she melted away like the snow of the Misty Forest?
When Yanwu and Junning returned from the azure Aegean County in the southeast, I saw Agatha off as she left the Misty Forest.
The entire forest seemed to lose its allure for me in an instant. I suddenly felt like a mere traveler, as if all the time and the people before me were just a temporary transition. Even the water I drank felt as though it came from another world.
I think I'm going insane. I feel like I'm on the brink of madness. I can no longer live a calm, solitary life as I did before. I can't even sleep. Every minute, my mind feels like it's filled with hundreds of fully armed bandits tearing each other apart. One moment, the Taval people are killing the Builan; the next, the Builan are killing the Taval. Then, the Dudas are dancing around a bonfire. My mind is in utter chaos.
What's worse, there was even a moment when all the Tavals, Builans, Dudas, and other tribes stood in unison, raising their curved blades and shouting over and over: "We want an embrace! We demand an embrace!"
I'm really going insane!
After just a week of torment living alone, I completely surrendered to the embrace party within my mind. I sent a letter with a passing courier to the southern Fulinglan Castle. In it, I told auburn-haired Agatha that I was coming to see her and that I also wanted to meet her family.
Two days after sending the letter, I left Alec behind in the Misty Forest and set out alone, heading south in search of Fulinglan Castle.
Dressed simply in earth-colored travel clothes, armed only with my Blood Demon Blade, I rode out on my mount. After over four days of traveling day and night, I arrived at a town. When I asked passing travelers where Fulinglan Castle was, they told me they didn't know which Fulinglan Castle I meant, as there were over a dozen of them in Fulinglan County. The closest one, however, was two days away and served as the checkpoint to enter the county. Anyone entering Fulinglan County would inevitably pass through it.
After getting directions to the castle, I set off without delay.
When I saw Fulinglan Castle from a distance, I was covered in dust and sweat from the journey. By the time I reached the castle, it was still early morning. The drawbridge was already lowered, but there were few people around. I hesitated for a moment at the castle gates, just about to ride in, when suddenly, a loud horn sounded from the castle walls.
Moments later, the chaotic sound of galloping hooves approached rapidly. Two rows of knights in gleaming armor—at least twenty of them—charged out from the castle and surrounded me on both sides. Startled, I gripped my Blood Demon Blade tightly in my right hand.
"Announcing the arrival of Her Highness, Princess Gulazi Agatha E.!"
Five magnificent steeds then galloped out of the castle, led by none other than the auburn-haired Agatha who had haunted my dreams. Four knights followed closely behind her.
Agatha looked even more beautiful and radiant than before. Her hair, like a blazing fire, seemed to burn brilliantly in the morning light. She was dressed in a dark green dragon-patterned battle robe, and her mount, a pure white Lion's Roar steed, exuded an extraordinary presence. Her delicate face and crystal-bright eyes were dazzling enough to make one feel faint.
"Hey, Tianzang," Agatha called out excitedly, urging her steed to circle me once before riding closer with a warm smile. "You really came! I've been waiting so long for you…"
My heart sank. Her father was a lord of this county. Good heavens, how did I end up falling for a lord's daughter?
The following days felt incredibly long to me. In the entire castle, there were always guards and knights around, and I had no chance to be alone with Agatha. I was extremely uncomfortable in this noble castle, almost seeing it as a stone prison.
At the same time, my aversion to etiquette made me feel like an uncivilized savage, and the local dialect of Fulinglan County made me feel as though I were in a foreign land. The only relief was that I didn't have to meet the lord of Fulinglan County for now, as he and his wife were not in the castle. They lived in the county's capital, Springhall, five days' journey away, where the largest castle in Fulinglan County, Silver Dragon Castle, stood.
Agatha had already sent knights to inform the lord and lady of Silver Dragon Castle about my arrival. I didn't know how she had described me to her parents, and I felt extremely uneasy, with worries mounting in my mind.
But everything changed because of an unexpected event. On the third morning of my stay in the castle, there was a commotion. It turned out that several thousand corpse-faced people had appeared near the castle, while the castle's knights numbered only a few hundred.
Naturally, I volunteered to take action. I requested twenty knights and set up a formation in front of the castle. By the end of the morning, there were hundreds of corpse-faced bodies scattered around. The next day, the corpse-faced people retreated.
This battle was exaggerated by Agatha and reported to the lady of Fulinglan County, Agatha's mother.
The day after meeting the Lady of Fulinglan County, I was sent to the western stronghold of Fulinglan County, Trankford, to assist the lord of Fulinglan in suppressing the nearby rebellious forces.
The lord of Fulinglan County didn't say much when he saw me. He was a burly man with a dark complexion. If one didn't carefully notice the marks of time on his face and the sharpness in his eyes, they might be misled by his slightly halting steps. I knew he was probably one of the strongest warriors I had ever encountered. Although he was silent, I believed he could perceive every detail, and when faced with danger, he would crush his enemies with overwhelming force.
The twenty knights who had fought alongside me against the corpse-faced people in the last battle were Agatha's personal guards, so they had stayed with me. When I arrived at the stronghold of Trankford, the lord of Fulinglan didn't assign me any official role but simply asked me to participate in the upcoming suppression campaign. Therefore, the twenty knights following me were my entire team.
Before the campaign, I ordered my subordinates to gather maps of the rebel forces' nearby camps and also learned through indirect means the general direction and route the lord of Fulinglan intended to take in his attack.
The number of rebels was small, and the lord of Fulinglan had more than ten times the strength of the enemy. The rebels held no advantageous terrain. It could be concluded that this battle would be a crushing victory. I believed the primary objective of this campaign was to make an example of the rebels, but capturing their leader should be the key focus in planning the attack.
Before the Lord of Fulinglan County launched the campaign to suppress the rebels, although I had many ideas and a detailed plan, I didn't see any need to volunteer. Perhaps the Lord of Fulinglan County had many capable individuals under his command, so I decided to position myself along the route the rebels would likely take when fleeing. If the Lord of Fulinglan made any mistake, I could take care of things afterward. I was determined to assist in suppressing the rebels.
Looking back, it's almost laughable. I used to be a rebel myself, and now… I'm helping the enemy. I even wondered why my transformation had happened so quickly. Could it really be that my desires, which I was unwilling to acknowledge, had clouded my judgment?
After gazing at her graceful silhouette and hearing her soft voice, what could I not forget or let go of? All I wanted was to hold her hand and see her bloom like the flowers of spring.
Once the suppression campaign began, my twenty subordinates and I left the main force of the Lord of Fulinglan and directly ambushed a valley called Green Valley.
The rebels' base was located in the center of a mountainous area, and to the east of this area was the stronghold of Trankford. If the rebels were to flee, they would not choose this direction, as it would be like hitting a rock with an egg.
To the west and north of the mountainous area were the directions of the main force's attack in this suppression campaign, so these two directions were generally as solid as iron fortresses.
To the south of the mountains was a desolate swamp, shrouded in poisonous mists year-round, where no one had ever survived.
Thus, if the rebels were to flee, they would only have the northwest or northeast directions to choose from. The northeast would lead deeper into the territory of the Lord of Fulinglan, so it was unlikely they would go that way. Therefore, it was deduced that, despite the heavy military presence in the northwest, the rebels would probably make a desperate last stand and attempt to break through in the northwest direction.
In the northwest, there was a village called Lingshui. Beyond the village, there were two roads: one led through Green Valley to the Bilika Plains, and the other passed through Bianka and led to a neighboring country.
I decided to set up an ambush in Green Valley. If any rebels managed to break through the heavy encirclement and reach this place, they would be at their last breath.
Due to the rebels' fierce resistance, the battle lasted longer than expected. After a full moon cycle, a scout I had sent reported that the rebel base had been captured, but the rebel leader and a few of his trusted followers had managed to escape the Lord of Fulinglan's blockade, and their whereabouts were unknown.
The next day, before the mist in Green Valley had lifted, flocks of birds suddenly flew up from near the entrance of the valley close to Lingshui village. The sentries quickly reported that they had spotted dozens of riders approaching Green Valley, suspected to be fleeing rebels.
I immediately ordered the deputy commander to lead six cavalrymen to ambush on either side of a narrow stretch of land, preparing to cut off the rebels' retreat. I also positioned six archers on higher ground, instructing them to fire a volley of arrows on my command.
Finally, I led eight cavalrymen to take up positions on the main path of Green Valley, ready to block the rebels' advance head-on.
Soon, the sound of horses splashing through water grew louder, and a group of fleeing cavalry appeared in my line of sight. The leader had a dark complexion, riding a shiny black steed. His armor was so covered in blood that its original color could no longer be discerned. His wild hair was tied back with a dark-colored band, and most notably, he wielded a massive iron hammer in his right hand. The others behind him appeared equally exhausted, their clothes tattered.
Suddenly, a shrill scream came from behind this group of desperate riders, followed by one of the rebels falling off his horse, two arrows embedded in his body. Almost immediately, a group of armored knights charged out from the bushes behind them.
This was the prearranged signal for attack. As soon as the deputy commander saw that all the rebels had walked into the trap, he was to launch the assault.
"Surround them! Don't let a single one escape!" I shouted, leading my cavalry from our concealed positions to block the rebels' path.
"Charge! They're outnumbered, fight to the
death!" The rebel cavalry, after a brief
moment of panic, quickly regrouped and
charged at us with full force.
I hung my lance from the saddle, drew my
Blood Demon Sword, and with a swift swing,
several arrows flew from the high ground on
both sides of Green Valleey, hitting the
oncoming cavalry. A few riders immediately
fell from their horses. One particularly fierce
cavalryman nearly reached the front of my
formation when a feathered arrow whistled
through the air and pierced his chest. I
tugged the reins of my mount, dodging his
oncoming charge, and with a single stroke of
my sword, I cleaved into his back. Both he
and his horse crashed into the creek.
"Kill them!" I shouted as | saw the surrounded
rebels, now reduced to five riders, struggling
under the barrage of arrows from the archers
and the cavalry's blockaide. I swung my sword
and, leading my eight cavalrymen, began
tightening the encirclement.
Two more rebel cavalrymen fell in the chaos,
leaving only the leader wvith the large iron
hammer and struggling to
the death.
Two of my cavalrymen weere engaged in a
fierce battle with the large iron hammer, when
the deputy commander, who was tasked with
cutting off their retreat, joiined the fight. Upon
seeing the deputy commander's armor
insignia, the large iron hammer immediately
abandoned his two opponents and charged
directly at him. He narrowly dodged the
deputy commander's chairge, then swung his
hammer, striking the attacking cavalryman's
mount, causing the injured horse to throw its
rider aside. The large iron hammer reached
the fallen deputy commander, bellowing,
"Stop! Or I'l smash his head in!"
The surrounding cavalrymein pulled their
reins, halting the fight, and surrounded the
remaining three rebels. The two sides quickly
came to a standstill.
The deputy commander in front of the large
iron hammer was pale, staring directly at me.
The large iron hammer looked around at the
surrounding cavalrymen, then focused his
gaze on me. "Let us go, or 'Il kill him."
I gestured for my men to close in and then
urged my horse forward, stopping in front of
the large iron hamrnd his two men.
"Not possible. If we let you go, we'll all be
punished," I replied, staring into the large iron
hammer's eyes.
"You're the one who wants to become the
favored son-in-law of the Duke of Fulinglan,
huh? You little pretty boy," the large iron
hammer spat at me.
The insult made my blood boil, and I felt a
rage so intense that it could set me on fire.
"Ah... One of the large iroon hammer's
subordinates, looking at my face, seemed
shocked.
"Leopard-spotted.." The large iron hammer
also gazed at my face, his surprise evident.
"Blood Leopard Tian Cang, how are you
here?" the surprised subordinate asked.
wno is ne? ine iron Hammer askea in
astonishment.
"Blood Leopard Tian Cang, one of the leaders
of the Dark Knight Rebellion that swept
through the entire Bopon Kingdom four years
ago," his subordinate replied.
"Who are you?" My shock was like a
thunderclap on a clear day; I couldn't believe
someone had recognized me.
"I was a member of the Flaming Tiger Knight
Regiment back then. During the battle against
the demon dragon Brell,I had the honor of
fighting alongside you. Your leopard-like
markings when you were enraged left a deep
impression on me," the Iron Hammer's
subordinate explained.
"Ah, I see," I replied, glancing at the deputy
commander on the grouind. He had clearly
overheard every word of our conversation.
"Later, I returned to my hometown in
Fulinglan and enlisted in the Duke's army," the
subordinate continued.
"Then why are you here?"I asked, glancing
around at the surrg cavalry. They were
far enough away I.ear our
conversation, but the deputy commander on
the ground? He couldn't be allowed to live. As
I contemplated, I directed the question to the
Iron Hammer's subordinate.
"Damn it, why are we here? We were originallly
part of the Duke of Fulinglan's army. For eight
years, we've been forging armor and weapons
in the mountains for him as he secretly
expanded his forces. But when his schemes
were exposed, and Prince Sadi of the Bopon
Kingdom sent people to investigate, the Duke
panicked and framed us as rebels to cover
his tracks, killing our men to silence them,
the Iron Hammer spat angrily.
"Fine. Put the man on the ground on a horse,
and follow me," I ordered, my mind made up.
The Iron Hammer grabbed the deputy
commander and hoisted him onto a horse. I
immediately turned my horse around, drew
the Blood Demon Sword, and tugged the
reins
"Make way," I commanded tthe cavalry
blocking the road.
The riders parted to create a path. I led the
Iron Hammer and his three men forward at aa
slow pace.
As we reached the center of the formation
surrounded by the eight cavalrymen,I
suddenly raised my Blood Demon Sword and
shouted,"Kill!"
Immediately, feathered arrows flew from all
directions. One arrow struck the lron
Hammer's left eye. He roared like an enraged
lion. I spun around and slashed at him with
my blade. The Blood Demon Sword fell, and
the Iron Hammer's headseparated from his
body.
In the same instant, I turned and slit the
throat of the deputy commander strapped to
the Iron Hammer's saddle.
Spears from the surrounding cavalry pierced
the remaining two rebels almost
simultaneously. The subordinate who had
recognized me glared at me with venom in his
eyes, forcing the words through gritted teeth,
"You bastard...
I galloped forward in the stream that had already been dyed red, and raised the bloody sword in my hand again. The head of the rebel who cursed me before his death brought a burst of bright red water drops, slowly falling from midair to the noisy horses' hooves, and a thin layer of red mist rose from the stream.
The battle was over. We lost two knights, five were injured, and all seventeen rebels were wiped out.
After the heads of the big hammer and its followers were presented, the Princess of Flinland did not make any statement about my victory until a few days later, when the red-haired Egatha sent a messenger from the castle.
"My brave Tianzang,
Although you didn't tell me what happened in the Emerald Valley, many people in the castle where I live have been talking about every detail of the battle in the Emerald Valley. I am so proud of you. They are all talking about my Tianzang, yes, my Tianzang. When they talk about it, they marvel at your bravery, wisdom and decisiveness, but I am not surprised at all, because here, I know you best. I told this wonderful story to my mother. My mother was very happy and even prepared to suggest that my father give you an army. My mother asked me to tell you that the Silver Dragon Castle will hold a family thanksgiving banquet for Fulinglan in a few days. My mother hopes that you can sit at our family table.
I know you may not care about these, but I want you to know that because of you, I have been immersed in happiness these days. You have brought your little Ega the pride and honor she never expected. "
At the end of the letter, the little angel's name was signed, Ega, waiting for you. When I arrived at the castle from the military camp, I saw the red-haired Egatha who was waiting for me. The evening glow passed through the towering stone windows of the castle and the narrow bluestone corridor, and sprinkled on Egatha's body. She was very beautiful, wearing a golden tight long skirt, the hem of the long skirt was split in the middle, and the snow-white trousers were hidden from time to time. A circle of auspicious blessing festivals was exquisitely hung around the trouser legs. When she walked lightly, she was just like a graceful dancer at a dinner party showing irresistible dancing skills. Her upper body was displayed by the golden long skirt embroidered with dark flowers, like a golden bud, blooming in front of me, and like a fresh strawberry, tempting my eyes and my hands. The most fatal thing is of course her eyes and her smile. She only smiled at me in the setting sun that burned like a flame, and completely irrigated all the grasslands I missed, just like a group of white doves flapping their wings in the clear sky of spring.
She came over, as lightly as a little deer, smiling under the red clouds of the sunset, and gently held my hand with two fingers. I followed her obediently like a captured lamb.
Silly girl, what are you daydreaming about? Change your clothes and come to eat with my parents." She walked in front, looked back at me, and burst out laughing.
"Haha..." I couldn't help laughing at my appearance, grabbed her hand, and pulled her into my arms, "I'm so happy to see you, I'm so happy here. "
When the lights came on, I was already sitting at the dining table with Egatha's parents, Egatha was sitting next to me, and opposite me sat the distinguished Princess Fulinglan and her wife.
I kept silent because I thought there was nothing to say. If I spoke at this time, I would just say some stupid things to please Princess Fulinglan. First, I am not good at saying such stupid things. Second, I think a powerful figure like Princess Fulinglan would not be happy because of my stupid words. He would marry his daughter to me one day.
I buried my head and started a war with all the food on the plate. My eyes did not stray away from the three inches around the plate in front of me, and the maid next to me changed three plates of food for me.
When the meal was finished, I said three sentences to Princess Fulinglan in total. He said, "You're welcome", and I replied, "Okay." He said "You're welcome" again, and I replied, "Okay." He finally said, "You're welcome", and I still replied, "Okay." "
During the banquet, seeing that I didn't say anything, the red-haired Egasha was like a lark. Almost every time I swallowed the food and paused to breathe, I could hear her and Princess Fulinglan discussing various issues... Her lips were so beautiful...
I was not prepared for the grandeur and scale of Fulinglan's family thanksgiving banquet. When more than a dozen princesses around Fulinglan County and their wives, princes, princesses and entourage arrived, I realized that this banquet might be a nightmare for me. Not to mention the dizzying etiquette, just the thought of introducing me to so many people, if they asked me questions, how should I answer.
"Tianzang, mother said..." The red-haired Egasha hesitated in front of me, "When introducing you, just say that you are my newly appointed captain of the personal guards. Mother doesn't want others to gossip about you. "
"Oh, okay. "Although I subconsciously feel that I am a little insulted by this introduction, at least no one would be curious about a captain of the personal guards. Besides, what else can I do except accept it?
A very important person appeared at the Thanksgiving Banquet. He was Egatha's younger brother, the legal heir of the Princess of Flingland, and one of the hosts of the banquet, Haiduk I. He had just returned from the Danielda Noble Academy in the capital.
At that moment, I was leaning against the castle's moss-covered stone parapet, gazing out at the northern mountains from a high vantage point. The wilderness wind brushed against me, carrying with it the faint, delicate fragrance of Agatha standing nearby.
Suddenly, the entire castle seemed to awaken from a deep slumber, bursting into a festive commotion. I saw servants and maids running through every visible corridor, and all sixteen of the castle's towers simultaneously began sounding their horns. On the small square within the castle, a formation of sixty-four handsome dragon cavalry quickly assembled. From the northern battery, a series of cannon salutes roared, "Boom… Boom… Boom…" The ceremonial battery was not far from where I stood, and the deafening blasts caused Agatha to fling herself into my arms, covering her ears while exclaiming joyfully, "Heidi is back! My brother has returned!"
I followed Agatha down the castle's narrow spiral staircase from the top floor, crossing the aerial walkway and passing through the spacious council hall. There, we ran straight into Duchess Furlenlan, her face brimming with smiles. The usually dignified duchess now seemed to set the entire castle alight with her jubilant energy. She wasn't just radiating joy herself but was spreading it to everyone around her.
"Wendinana, have fresh fruits been prepared for Master Heidi's room?"
"Yes, Madam."
"Tess, don't forget to sprinkle extra agave petals in Master Heidi's bathwater. Do not use rose petals—he has never liked roses."
"Yes, Madam."
"Donnie, where is Donnie? Quickly, go tell the kitchen that Master Heidi has returned. Have them immediately prepare bird's nest porridge. Wait, come back—tell the kitchen not to reduce the staff after dinner either. Master Heidi might want another meal later tonight."
"Yes, Madam."
"Vigilita, come with me. Help me change into another dress quickly. I must go greet my Heidi."
"Yes, Madam."
Duchess Furlenlan held up her heavy, ornate gown as she hurried forward, followed by the quick footsteps of her maid, Vigilita. They came straight toward us.
"Agatha, come with me to greet your brother!" Like a gust of wind, Duchess Furlenlan whisked Agatha away, leaving no time to speak with me. I bowed to the Duchess, and she gave me a smiling nod before disappearing with Agatha behind a bronze door.
I fetched my steed, mounted the warhorse, and quietly followed behind Duchess Furlenlan and Agatha. After a short wait, I saw two magnificent horses racing toward us from the far end of the wide official road. Leading the charge was a tall, jet-black steed, its hooves pounding the ground like thunder. In the blink of an eye, it was just a few dozen meters away.
The rider on the black steed pulled the reins, causing the horse to rear up majestically. With a resonant whinny, the horse's massive front hooves rose into the air like a lion's claws, while the rider leaned forward, nearly pressing against the upright horse's back. In his left hand, he held a violet-black wyrm lance pointed skyward, exuding a presence that seemed capable of piercing the heavens. His right hand gripped the reins tightly, while a massive wyrm shield of the same violet-black hue covered his right arm and chest. The shield, gleaming coldly, was a testament to the rider's immense strength.
"Hah… yes… I'm back!" The rider's deep voice echoed in rolling waves around us. Behind me, the formation of dragon cavalry erupted into cheers, their shouts surging forward like crashing waves, engulfing me in their boundless energy.
It truly surprised me. I had never expected to encounter such a heroic figure in a sheltered aristocratic family. The noble sons I had seen before were typically arrogant and flamboyant, clad in dazzling armor that inadvertently revealed soft pink or sea-blue undergarments beneath—a show of vanity more than valor. Even the occasional eccentric rebels among them were pale and drained, resembling gloomy and lifeless sorcerers lacking any semblance of masculinity.
Then there were those whose ignorance and arrogance were born of a lifetime spent ordering others around. They carried themselves with a hollow air of superiority, their pretentious dignity resembling that of poorly dressed clowns. The more they postured, the more their performance revealed their absurdity.
But today was different. I was astonished to meet this knight clad in the menacing violet-black wyrm armor. He exuded an aura of dominance, a kingly presence, and a charisma that commanded instant loyalty. Such a magnetic influence usually belonged to exceptional commanders who had fought shoulder to shoulder with their warriors. And, to top it off, he was so strikingly handsome that one couldn't help but admire him—a true standout among all the knights I had ever seen.
Later, I learned more about this wyrm knight, Agatha's brother, Haduk, from her proud and boastful recounting. Two years ago, at the prestigious Danielda Noble Academy in the capital, Haduk outperformed thousands of competitors to win the academy's highest honor—the title of Danielda Dragon Knight. This achievement elevated him to the academy's noble knight corps and earned him a place among the esteemed knights of the Bourbon Royal Guard.
The violet-black wyrm armor he wore was a rare gift personally bestowed by the royal family. He was also the first in their family to achieve such glory. His unparalleled bravery and the illustrious future awaiting him made him a dazzling star, admired by all.
At the subsequent dinner, I remained as silent as ever, engaging in a battle with my food. When the Duchess of Fulingland once again introduced me to the Dragon Knight Hayduk, he was busy narrating a story about a wind mage and a knight dueling over a personal grudge. He listened briefly to his mother's introduction, gave me a hasty nod, and then continued his enthusiastic storytelling.
I was already used to living unnoticed and didn't care about how others perceived me, especially when interacting with noble offspring. If I weren't ignored, it would actually feel unusual. So, Hayduk's casual glance left no impression on me. When someone believes they are at the center of the world, they won't notice anything or anyone around them—not even the slightest detail.
No one at the table seemed to mind this unintentional slight. Perhaps everyone was accustomed to their humble presence before a dazzling star. Even my red-haired companion, Agatha, was busy trying to join their conversation, too preoccupied to pay attention to my silence. As always, I waited in the interplay of existence and non-existence, light and shadow. Yet, something unexpected happened. Someone actually noticed me and, as if to compensate or apologize, started talking to me, trying to ease the faint neglect from earlier.
"Tianzang, are you feeling comfortable here?"
I was almost begging them not to talk to me because I didn't want to speak or engage in conversation. Deep down, I stubbornly clung to a simple belief: apart from my red-haired Agatha, no one here had anything to do with me. Even if a great bear from the cold North Sea were sitting here, it wouldn't matter to me. The honors of these people, their illustrious families, and their extravagant wealth were all irrelevant to me. I wasn't here enduring this ordeal for any of that. The only reason for my presence was that my red-haired Agatha was here. Ignore me. Pretend I don't exist.
So, even though I clearly heard someone across the table calling my name, I deliberately acted as if I hadn't. After all, it didn't matter to me. I had no honor or image of a polite boy to maintain, nor did I need to please anyone. If they thought me rude, so be it. From my experience, most people would give up and stop paying attention to me. I kept my head down, battling the food on my plate as if it were my sworn enemy, finally hunted down after great effort.
However, the person across from me didn't give up.
"Tianzang, is the food here to your taste? I suppose seafood isn't common in your hometown?"
I couldn't help but sigh inwardly. If I didn't respond to this persistent person's greeting, I was convinced he would come right up to my ear to continue greeting me. Reluctantly, I lifted my neck, which felt as stiff as a statue, and looked at the one addressing me. It turned out to be none other than the Duchess of Fulingland's elder brother, Count Fernando, commander of the Tiger Guard Cavalry Regiment in the provincial capital.
His wife and two children sat lower down at the table, and throughout the meal, he had hardly spoken. His wife and children seemed to have inherited this trait of his, speaking softly and doing their best to remain inconspicuous.
"Count, I really like it here. The food suits me quite well," I replied with a smile.
"Tianzang, if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to let us know," the count said warmly.
"Thank you for your concern," I replied.
From his eyes, I could sense his goodwill. While it eased my wariness, it didn't dispel my confusion. Someone of his distinguished status noticing someone as insignificant as me—and even tolerating my earlier rudeness—was truly puzzling.
The conversation between the Count and me ended just like that. He didn't pry too much into my background, such as where I came from or what I used to do. This made me develop a good impression of him. I truly dislike it when people ask me such questions because answering them means I have to rely on my imagination and make up stories. Could I really tell them that I'm a descendant of the Vicadora family, that I left my family at sixteen, spent the past few years fighting against the knights of the Bourbon dynasty, and am now heavily wanted by them with a high bounty? Unless I'd gone mad and wanted to create a stir, stimulated by the dazzling brilliance of Hajduk, I wouldn't dare reveal such things.
Not long after, the Fulingland family's thanksgiving banquet was held in a grand manner. I remained as silent as ever throughout the event. At the banquet, Count Fernando once again exchanged a few simple words with me, further deepening my doubts. Thankfully, his kind demeanor didn't make me feel uneasy.
About ten days after the thanksgiving banquet, I was preparing to bid farewell and return to my Cloudy Forest. Agatha, with her auburn hair, held my hand and asked me to come back to visit her next month. I exclaimed, "You want me to leave for just ten days and then come back?"
"Yes. Do you have something else to do?" Agatha looked at me with her beautiful, expressive eyes.
In the end, I gave in and promised her I'd return next month to spend the annual Spring Festival with her and join her in blessing the coming year.
On the third night after I returned to the Cloudy Forest, someone pushed open the walnut door of the bar. He removed the thick cloak that completely concealed his face. As I was leaning by the window, gazing at the starry sky outside, he said, "It's been a while, Tiancang."
I pulled my thoughts and gaze back from the distant darkness and turned to the new visitor. My heart skipped a beat, and I exclaimed, "Tianxing?"
By the still-open walnut door, accompanied by the neighing of horses and the howling wind of the dark night, stood one of my fellow rebellion leaders from what felt like an eternity ago—the leader of the Heavenly Punishment Knights, the most powerful wind magic wielder among the twelve knight leaders. Dressed in a dark cloak, he stood there in the frame of my astonished gaze.
Chapter Two: Burning Embers
On the attic floor of the bar, Alec lay lazily at my feet. A low wooden table was placed in front of us, holding a wine jug and two cups.
Heavenly Punishment sat on a soft deerskin cushion across from the table. He remained silent for a long time before he finally spoke.
"We've all changed a lot," he said.
"People always change," I replied, my heart uneasy as I tried to guess his intentions.
"We've been looking for you all these years." He poured himself a cup of wine and slowly raised it to his lips.
"What for? I'm no longer the person I was back then," I said coldly.
He sighed deeply. "Sigh… Seeing this place and seeing you again, I already understand."
I remained silent. I didn't know how he had found me, and what worried me most was the possibility that he knew what I had done in Fulingland—working as a lackey for a duchess of the Bourbon dynasty. If he knew, he would surely turn against me on the spot, perhaps even draw his blade against me.
"We've continued resisting the Bourbon dynasty over the past few years," Heavenly Punishment continued. "Although our scale and influence are nothing like what they were back then, we've never given up."
"We?" I asked.
"Yes. Now there are only a few dozen brothers left—those who have been through life and death with us. They're nearby. To avoid drawing attention, they're resting in the forest about ten miles from here."
His words reopened memories I had long buried. The past I had deliberately tried to forget and escape from unfolded in my mind like a book, its pages turning one by one.
I can now only superficially imagine their plight, much like what we experienced together a few years ago. A group of young, passionate men, full of ideals and a knight's sense of honor, refused to wage war on defenseless villagers. Instead, we rose in rebellion, eventually gathering tens of thousands of brave and fervent knights to confront the mighty Bourbon dynasty head-on. But the result was devastating—the bravest were the first to fall, and our honor and ideals were instantly crushed by the overwhelming might of blood and steel.
Especially during our retreat, the very villagers we sought to protect and fight for betrayed us. They reported us, blocked our escape, and treated us like stray dogs. We became exiles, tormented by hunger, cold, and ceaseless ambushes, with open assaults and hidden arrows alike eroding both our bodies and spirits.
Though it was during that rebellion against the Bourbon dynasty that I first recognized my existence, my responsibility, and the honor a knight seeks to uphold, I also lost countless other things. I became a solitary figure, losing cherished friends in an instant, unable to possess what I desired, and finding the life I longed for nearly unattainable.
From that point on, the world seemed to turn upside down. What I despised truly existed, while what I wished for became utterly unreachable. I struggled to survive in this unjust world I hated, enduring its overwhelming power and the supreme authority of monarchy. To preserve my humble life, I could only plead and endure. The stronger I tried to be, the greater the pain; the clearer I became, the deeper the wounds inflicted by its merciless blade.
Most painfully, I faced two of the strongest enemies: one was the reality of a society I was profoundly dissatisfied with, and the other was the selfishness that constantly corroded my noble ideals. After every wound, selfishness caused me to doubt myself, to weigh my gains and losses, to question my actions, and to evaluate my worth with the most worldly of perspectives.
I was utterly destroyed by the selfishness within me. I even began to hate the very people I had once fought for and sought to protect. I gave them every ounce of my pitiful strength, yet in the end, they trampled me into nothingness, reducing me to a pauper who could barely survive on their charity. Meanwhile, they bowed and scraped before their merciless rulers—the Bourbon dynasty, the absolute monarchs of the Apennine continent—flattering and serving them with all their might.
A few years ago, in an effort to resist the Bourbon dynasty's oppressive head tax and land tax, we formed an alliance with the peasants of Knickes County, signing an agreement to stand together against the Bourbon dynasty. However, just as we were locked in fierce battle with the knights of the Bourbon dynasty, the peasants of Knickes County abruptly broke off the alliance. They claimed to have received amnesty and a five-year tax exemption from the Bourbon dynasty, and they refused to provide us with food, horses, or shelter. They even declared that they had never intended to resist the powerful Bourbon dynasty.
Caught between internal betrayal and external enemies, we were nearly annihilated. In the end, we were forced into a desperate retreat. Yet, not long after, the peasants of Knickes County were also subjected to brutal purges. Nearly a hundred thousand people from Knickes County were hanged in the central squares of their towns, and the heads of our knights, along with those of the purged peasants, were displayed along all the major roads of the county. At night, the wilderness echoed with the chilling and resentful wails of the dead.
After the purges, Knickes County was transformed into one of the Bourbon dynasty's most stable and tax-compliant territories for years to come.
I once harbored deep hatred for such ignorant and ungrateful people, for those who so easily and unconditionally surrendered, for those too deceived to resist, for those who cowered before power yet preyed on the weak, and for those who were so selfish and shortsighted.
Of course, what further nurtured my selfishness and weariness was the most famous historical event: the December Puritan Incident. The Puritans were a religious sect on the Apennine continent founded by a nun of extraordinary compassion. Her name was peculiar, consisting of just one word: Dust. She advocated for people to cherish themselves, believing that if everyone could truly cherish themselves, the world would be freed from suffering and disaster. Every member of the faith was required to practice self-reflection and to love the church as they loved themselves.
In Yehnanna County, where Puritanism was most prevalent, it was said that people no longer locked their doors at night, and thieves and prostitutes had almost disappeared. This remarkable feat occurred during the chaotic era known as the Great Turmoil of the Bourbon dynasty. It was a time when most peasants had lost their land, the nobility waged relentless wars, and rebellions like ours—the Dark Knights—raged on. Yet, the Puritans of Yehnanna County became a legendary beacon, their reputation spreading far and wide.
Like a clear stream flowing into a polluted pond, the Puritans inspired countless people within just a few short years, offering a glimmer of hope to those suffering amidst calamity. In this atmosphere of peace, Dust's influence seemed to surpass even the majesty of royal authority in the hearts of the people.
However, the darkest period of the Great Turmoil arrived when several powerful princes of the Bourbon dynasty orchestrated the infamous September Incident. They first secretly staged a scene in the sinister and ominous Poison Dragon Valley, designed to mimic the sacred site of the Puritans. Within this fabricated sanctuary, they cruelly left the corpses of several infants. Then, they secretly kidnapped Dust, the spiritual leader of the Puritans, and, under the guise of an evil organization, blackmailed the senior leaders of the Puritans. They demanded an astonishing sum of money and proposed exchanging the ransom for their spiritual leader in Poison Dragon Valley.
With the Bourbon dynasty mobilizing the entire nation's resources to meticulously plan this trap, it was nothing short of perfection. Moreover, the empire's dozen powerful national magi, wielding immense natural magic, and the invincible imperial cavalry corps were deployed in full force. The outcome was predictable.
The Apennine continent was immediately shrouded in a carefully fabricated lie: that the Puritans were an evil cult worshipping the demon Ogrema, seeking immortality through the slaughter of infants, and amassing immense wealth. It was claimed that vast sums of gold were found at the Puritans' sanctuary in Poison Dragon Valley.
The trap in Poison Dragon Valley successfully ensnared nearly all of the Puritan leaders. In the bloody and protracted months that followed—October and November—countless Puritans across the Apennine continent were massacred in isolation and under the veil of suppressed information. One by one, the flames of these kindhearted lives were extinguished, quietly and without a trace.
By December of that year, believing that the Puritans had been completely eradicated, the rulers of the Bourbon dynasty, led by the seventh-generation royal descendant of the artistic and theatrical Morin family, Cha Liordo Morin, boldly declared that the head of the so-called heretic leader, Sister Dust, would be publicly severed in Cromwell Grand Square. This execution was intended to serve as a warning to her followers: on the vast Apennine continent, there was only one supreme ruler—the Morin dynasty, endowed with absolute sovereignty. Anyone attempting to challenge this authority, whether in form or spirit, would meet the same fate.
At the time, the Dark Knights were struggling to evade capture and engage in skirmishes in the southern regions. Upon hearing this news, the twelve knight leaders held a council and decided to send Tian Xing and me on a solo mission to the north, hoping to establish contact with the remaining Puritans.
After enduring countless hardships, we finally arrived at the imperial capital, only to find it in complete chaos. The decision to execute Sister Dust had completely destroyed the last shred of reason among the Puritans across the Apennine continent. Countless Puritans, from every corner of the land, traveled to the empire's capital by foot, on horseback, or in ox-drawn carts. On the day of the execution, Cromwell Grand Square was flooded with hundreds of thousands of Puritans. The rulers of the Bourbon dynasty mobilized every cavalry unit in the capital to achieve parity with the masses, leading to a tense standoff in the square.
When we arrived at the capital, we faced almost no resistance. As we charged into Cromwell Grand Square, however, a horrifying order was executed. Fifteen cavalry regiments, urgently summoned from neighboring counties, arrived just in time. In a state of utter panic, the ruler Morin, completely overwhelmed by the situation, accepted a suggestion from Prince Saadi. Six field artillery units were deployed to the eastern side of Cromwell Grand Square, where they indiscriminately fired upon both the Puritans and the imperial cavalry.