If we go back a few minutes...Ernst got bored when he saw that everyone in the hall was getting drunk. He was sufficiently resistant to wine because he had been drinking the best wines since his youth. That's why, although everyone fell asleep involuntarily, only his cheeks were red. He got up and went to the balcony of the hall. There was no one there. It was as if they were organizing entertainment in the castle of an empty city. After a while, Ernst got bored of the view and noticed that two people were missing. 'Where are William and Erwin?' he thought. Though he had some unnecessary suspicions at first, he soon dispelled them. 'They must be discussing the war plan.'When Ernst entered the hall again, he saw that the bards were still playing tiredly. Of course, the bards were excited because it was their first time playing for a nobleman, especially the crown prince of the empire. That's why they played until their hands were bleeding.Ernst felt sorry for them. He used the last o
One thousand three hundred and fifty years ago, an enduring legend emerged that still roams in our present day. Many people are unaware of this, especially the lower strata who do not frequent places like schools and churches. Those who are aware of this often share the legend in casual conversations, adding flavor to otherwise mundane chats, and making the time more enjoyable.The most beautiful aspect of this legend is that it hasn't emerged from a single source. It is the child of the eight legends that came before it. Describing those eight legends could take years, but I'll still give you a brief summary of a few of them.Before delving into those eight legends, there's an even older tale from times unknown, a legend of a very ancient event whose occurrence remains shrouded in mystery. It's referred to as the Legend of Extinction, but I believe it could also be called the Legend of Genesis.While people were living happily and peace reigned on Earth, hundreds of meteorites fell t
Dugut Calendar, 738.Today, the sun was scorching the capital of the empire as if there were a colossal cauldron right within the heart of the city. Imperial officials, meticulously tending to the cobblestone roads, were nearly present on every corner. Dozens of barrels filled with water had been placed at every corner, each attended by an official who poured the water onto the roads.People seemed to have no desire to do anything today as if they wished to avoid the scorching heat at all costs. They sought out the shadiest spots they could find, often beneath the canopies of densely-leaved trees, and had taken refuge under makeshift leather shelters, resembling small tents.The interiors of houses and most buildings were still chill because they had been quickly constructed using a newly discovered mud-like substance. They weren't like wooden houses and instead, they absorbed the heat, turning the interiors into chilly lands.Normally, there should have been thousands of people out o
"So, you're offering a bribe and denying it at the same time?" He decided to crank up the amusement, elevating the tension of this dull and stifling day even further. He couldn't help it; he was thoroughly exasperated, and this action definitely aligned with his character.The other imperial guard across the table attempted to apologize and defuse the situation, aiming to talk and then send the young couple away with just a few silver coins lost. However, right at that moment, the voice of the young man echoed throughout the tea house."Enough, I'm tired of this!" As he turned his head, he witnessed the young man's dagger being drawn from his waist at an incredible speed, and in an instant, as if slicing through a straw puppet, the young man easily severed his friend's throat(Imperial Guards friend).In an instant, he saw the splatter of blood from the deep gash on his friend's throat hit his face, and simultaneously, he lunged for his sword. A seasoned soldier with battle experience
Dugut Calendar, 713.Today, the palace was different from its usual state. Servants rushed through the palace's grand corridors, which could easily accommodate a few elephants, carrying trays of food, pitchers of drinks, and various decorations. They were all mostly running to the same place. The throne room.Inside the corridor leading to the throne room, aside from the servants, there was a mother and her son. The mother had brown hair that was braided back. She wore a dress with a wide skirt and a tightly laced bodice. The dress, in a shade of turquoise, had white silk tulle at the bottom that constantly brushed against the red carpet on the floor.The woman's hand was being held by a young boy. Although referring to him as a "young boy" might seem rude, it would be more accurate to call him a beautiful young man. His long hair, much like his mother's, was braided and draped down his back. The only difference in their beauty was that his hair was as white as clouds, unlike his moth
The sudden movement startled the little child in his lap so much that for a moment, the fear competed with the shame of wetting himself, and ultimately, embarrassment won. Just in time, he managed to restrain himself and looked at his father with fear.The elderly man comforted him by gently stroking his head and began to speak."Enough! Did I gather you all here to fight?" After everyone fell silent, he gestured with his head towards a man dressed in flowing yellow robes, seated in the middle of the table with a bald head and a gentle face.With one hand, he picked up one of the large drumsticks from the table and began to devour it savagely while listening to the bald man.The bald man stood up and started speaking in a voice as delicate as his face, raising his tone a bit. "Today, our purpose of gathering here is to determine the Crown Prince!"When this sentence cut straight to the point, leaving almost no room for debate, everyone in the room pursed their lips. Everyone in the ro
A week later, the emperor's seal appeared at the Palace of the Tranquil River. A eunuch announced that he had brought the emperor's edict and summoned the third concubine and her servants to the garden to accept the edict.The third concubine arrived with a small white-haired child in her arms. Her hurried demeanor and the unfinished makeup on her face showed her anxiety and haste to receive the edict.The concubine bowed, letting her beautiful face face the floor. The small child standing beside her did not understand anything.The eunuch was bald and thin, and his age was definitely over forty, but his skin still retained the smoothness of a much younger person. In his delicate-looking hand, he was holding a parchment with a golden-yellow sheen. As soon as the third concubine arrived, he opened it as if he were in a hurry and read it quickly."From today, the Ninth Prince will be the ruler of Highrock City! The Third Concubine will remain by his side until he is sixteen years old to
"Mother, will we live here from now on?" The white-haired little boy looked out of the carriage window at the gloomy town that seemed to be perched on a mountaintop. He smiled, seemingly oblivious to almost everything.It could be said that he had very little understanding of what was going on around him. With excitement, he watched the elderly farmers and shepherds along the roadside, waving at them constantly, even if he didn't always get a response.The mountain they were traveling to was known as Highrock Mountain, and the town nestled between its peak and base was called Highrock City.The mountain itself, from which it took its name, was almost barren, consisting mostly of barren rocks, except for a few trees that had been planted in recent years. The city had been built for defense purposes during a war about a century and a half ago, and no one could have predicted that it would grow into a proper city.After the war, the area was abandoned and turned into a makeshift settleme