novelraw Chapter 46 : Glory
Chapter 46 : Glory
Glory
At this moment, the eldest prince, Yi-er, felt the tremors in the hall, his brows tightly knit. He knew that this time, the enemy was far from ordinary—and had come prepared, choosing the exact moment when both Shui Cangxuan and Shen Baixue were absent from the hall.
"You, take all the palace guards and any personnel able to fight and guard this place. I will go and report to Father."
"Yes!" a captain of the guard responded.
Yi-er patted this old soldier on the shoulder, then turned and left.
"Captain... are we... are we going to die here?" a new recruit asked with a trembling body. Anyone could sense how formidable these enemies were.
"If you're afraid, run. No one will mock you for it; the desire to live is human nature," the old soldier said in a heavy tone.
"But you must know why you are standing here. I've been a soldier for over twenty years, from a general on the battlefield to now the captain of the guard. Someone once asked me why I don't just enjoy my years in peace—ha! How could I? I can still wield a sword, still put on armor, still ride a swift horse. On the battlefield, I protect my nation, and in the nation, I protect my family. This—that is my glory."
This old soldier, his hair now completely white, exuded a spirit that made it clear to all present—his life had been one of dazzling brilliance.
Everyone was infected by his aura, regaining much of their courage and one by one raised their weapons.
"滴答"
"滴答"
The sound of liquid dripping echoed from afar, and everyone tensed up.
A young girl, dragging a near-dead man, came into view.
The old soldier recognized him—it was another captain of the guard, a man he'd just shared drinks with a few days prior.
"Is it here?" the girl asked softly.
"Y...yes," the man's body was nearly covered in blood. Anyone could tell how much he must have suffered.
"Then I really must thank you. How about a reward?" the girl asked.
"Ki...kill me..."
There was a trace of gratitude in the man's voice.
"No problem."
The girl casually tossed the man to the ground and with a "crack," stepped on his neck.
The man finally stopped breathing. The smile on his face as he died was both horrifying and chilling.
Only then did she look directly at the crowd before her.
The guards, having witnessed this, felt all the courage they had just mustered dissolve into nothingness.
No one wanted to believe that such brutality could come from the hand of a young girl.
"Ca... Captain..."
Except for the old soldier, none of the others could even hold their swords steady.
"Run..." the old soldier's voice carried a tremor.
"Huh?"
The others seemed not to have heard him clearly, stunned.
"Run!!!"
He then leaped forward, coming to face the girl.
"I! I am Tetzas Morid, the empire's knight of glory. Here and now, I challenge you to a duel! Tell me your name, murderer!"
"I am Aili, a maid," the girl said.
"Are you mocking me?!"
"Nope, just take a look and you'll know."
Aili tugged at the maid dress she wore.
Suddenly, the thick, metallic scent of blood washed over everyone, as if countless vengeful spirits were howling.
Even a battle-hardened warrior had never seen such a stifling aura of bloodshed. Fighting to hold down the urge to vomit, tetzas roared in fury, "You demon—just how many people have you killed?!"
"Hmm..."
Aili pretended to think for a moment, then replied, "Maybe more than you've ever seen."
Rage flooded Tetzas's heart, impossible to contain anymore. He knew there was no point in further words; he gripped his greatsword and charged at her.
"Stone-like Body!"
"Heart of the Wild!"
"Windborne Speed!"
"Arrrrrgh!"
Tetzas slashed down with all his might.
With a 'bang',
Tetzas saw a scene that was utterly terrifying: the demon before him had caught his weapon with a single hand.
"What's this? Is this sword pure or something?"
Aili mocked.
"Thunk," a pure white blade appeared from behind Tetzas, blood soaking the insignia on his general's uniform.
Tetzas collapsed to the ground, blood pouring endlessly from his body.
"How boring,"
Aili didn't spare him a glance, stepping onto the stairs.
"Is it left or right?"
......
Tetzas looked at the picture of his wife and daughter lying on the ground, dropped in the chaos, and with the one arm he could still move, he crawled toward it. Blood marked a trail along the floor. Tetzas placed the photo against his heart, knowing this would be his last moment with his family.
His fingers grasped his sword, now snapped in two, and he used it to support himself, forcing his body to stand again.
"Hm? What's a dying man still trying to do?"
Aili turned to look back.
"Ahhhhh!"
Flames burst from the old soldier's body as he began to burn his own blood. Then, weapon in hand, he began to destroy his surroundings in a frenzy.
"What are you doing?"
"Heh..."
After smashing all the nearby pillars, he smiled and finally fell to the ground. The collapse came as expected, burying his figure in a sea of rubble.
With his life, he delayed the demon, and until the very end, he did not disgrace his glory.
......
"Hah, haha..."
In the corridor, the remaining members of the guards ran. Hearing the rumble of collapse behind them, they knew the captain's fate was sealed. Tears slid from the corners of their eyes, uncontrollable.
"The desire to live is human nature."
They could not do what he had—defend their glory with their own lives.
......
In a silent hallway, Yi-er looked at the jade pendant already split in two. He knew his old friend was gone. Biting his lip, he tossed the pendant aside and pressed on.