Chapter 128: The Lord of Nightmares’ Second Wave
Shodo Town was a hive of activity. The Restoration Army’s main force was preparing to march on the Ossi Kingdom, to reclaim their homeland from the surrenderist nobles.
The local recruits were allowed to visit their families and bid them farewell. Other Ossi soldiers could write letters home. The town was bustling with activity, fathers sharing drinks with their sons, mothers gifting their children hand-sewn pouches—an Ossi tradition. These pouches, worn beneath their shirts, close to their hearts, contained a single coin, a “lucky coin” to protect them from fatal wounds.
Supplies poured in from the townspeople, their contributions carefully recorded. Princess Givia had promised to repay them with interest from the national treasury after the war.
Fear was absent, even among the soldiers preparing for battle. They were filled with hope, their faith in their princess unwavering. They knew that once they entered the Ossi Kingdom, victory would be theirs—the surrenderist nobles, lacking popular support, wouldn’t last long. And Abyss, their powerful ally, had recently visited the kingdom, expelling several influential nobles from their estates, further bolstering their chances of success.
This war was inevitable. Oakning was a vital trade route and a source of valuable resources. If it fell into the Western Empire’s hands, the Ossi Kingdom’s economy and military would be crippled, their independence lost forever. But if Givia reclaimed the throne and nullified the treaty, they could escape this fate.
As for Emperor Beos of the Western Empire, his opinion was irrelevant. He was a weak ruler, unable to act decisively without his mother’s guidance. And the Eastern Empire, their longtime rival, wouldn’t allow them another opportunity to expand their territory.
Since war was unavoidable, they would face it head-on, fighting for a brighter future.
Unlike the bustling streets, the headquarters was quiet. Givia had left Shodo Town. There were no secrets left to protect, only a few hidden military documents. Two guards stood watch at the entrance, preventing any unauthorized entry.
The two guards stood at attention, their expressions serious, proud of their duty.
An elderly man, his back hunched, dressed in a rough, brown robe and a large cloak, approached them, his steps slow and labored, his hand gripping a walking stick.
“Is this my daughter’s house?” he asked.
The guards exchanged glances. “I’m sorry, sir, but this isn’t your daughter’s house. This is Her Highness’s residence, donated by Mr. Bastion of Shodo Town.”
“This is my daughter’s house. I need to go inside,” the old man insisted, his voice confused, as if he were senile.
This was the headquarters. The guards couldn’t allow him to enter. They tried to reason with him, blocking his path.
As they approached, the old man suddenly pulled out a pair of gardening shears from beneath his robe and swung them towards the guards.
“What the…” The guards couldn’t even scream before their bodies were torn apart, their flesh and blood splattering on the ground.
The old man raised his head, his face, hidden beneath the cloak, revealed. It was Apos, the eunuch Abyss had been searching for, the one who had seemingly vanished.
“Master has finally entrusted us, his followers, with this important task, instead of those Shadowlings… Behold, Princess Givia, you will witness our true power…”
…
Princess Givia should have been gone, but an elegant figure sat in her private quarters, the curtains drawn.
She had a graceful figure, her long, chestnut-brown hair framing her face, her every movement exuding an air of authority. It was Princess Givia, who should have been at the guerrilla camp. She held a magic crystal in one hand, a book in the other, reading silently, careful not to make any noise.
Thump, thump…
Slow, deliberate footsteps echoed from the headquarters’ entrance. She heard someone entering.
She had instructed everyone not to enter the headquarters during her absence. The guards wouldn’t allow anyone inside. Who was this?
Givia frowned, her gaze fixed on the door.
“Princess Givia, it’s been a while. Do you remember me?”
A high-pitched, effeminate voice came from behind the door.
Givia didn’t reply, her eyes narrowed as she watched the door.
“Don’t pretend you’re not here, Your Highness. I know you’re inside…” the voice said, then the door opened, revealing a figure in a rough, brown robe, a pair of gardening shears in one hand. It was Apos, a cruel smile on his face, his gaze fixed on Givia. “Ah… There you are, Your Highness. How have you been?”
“Apos…?” Givia asked, standing up, her voice hesitant, as if she didn’t recognize him.
“Heehee, you’ve forgotten me so quickly? How… disappointing,” Apos said, his smile twisting into a sneer. “But things are different now, Givia. Your life is in my hands. You’re no longer a princess! You’re my plaything! You should regret your cowardice, your decision to avoid that speech! Look out the window, and you’ll understand your current predicament!”
Givia turned towards the window. Even through the thick curtains, she could see that it was pitch black outside.
“This is the power of the artifact! This is a dream, and yet it’s not. Nothing that happens here will be witnessed, but its consequences will be real! For Master, you will suffer and die!”
Apos, his excitement growing, his grip tightening on the shears in his left hand, a warhammer in his right, his body enveloped in a blazing aura of Dou Qi, charged towards her. He was a high-ranking Dou Warrior!
He swung the warhammer at her legs, intending to cripple her!
Clang!
A sharp, metallic clang echoed through the room. Apos, startled, jumped back.
Had Givia just blocked his attack with a single finger?
“Excellent. Now we can fight on equal terms, Mr. Apos,” Givia said, her voice suddenly calm and casual, unlike her usual tone, as she tossed the crystal aside and stretched her neck, preparing for battle.
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