The throne room was quiet when Stephens approached. His boots echoed on the stone floor as he bowed and leaned close to whisper in Gu Yuan's ear.
> "Your Majesty, there is great news. Lot IX is dead."
Gu Yuan's sharp eyes widened slightly.
> "Lot IX… dead?"
The name carried weight. Lot IX, the king of the neighboring Lot Kingdom, had once joined forces with the Nord army and stood across from Gu Yuan on the blood-soaked plains of Wali. Their clash had shaken the continent, and though Lot IX retreated alive, the scars of that battle lingered in Gu Yuan's memory.
Stephens continued, his tone steady but heavy.
> "After his defeat against us, Lot IX returned home. But soon after, the Orc Empire struck. The Qisi Kingdom was occupied, and their vanguard swept into Lot territory. We've just received word: Lot IX's forces were shattered, and the king himself fell in battle."
Gu Yuan leaned back in his chair, expression hardening.
The fall of Lot was not just a tragedy for one kingdom. It was a ripple threatening to engulf them all.
> "The Lot Kingdom borders our lands," Gu Yuan murmured. "If they are gone, then we stand directly against the vanguard of the Orc Empire."
His gaze narrowed.
> "How large is their vanguard?"
"One hundred thousand," Stephens replied grimly. "But what is most concerning—among them march one thousand Orc Griffin Knights. They are not as mighty as dragon riders, but even so… against an ordinary human army, their dominance in the skies will bring only massacre."
The words sank like stones in the hall.
Gu Yuan remained still, then allowed a thin, confident smile to spread across his face.
> "So be it. Then we shall act. We will aid the Lot Kingdom. For all their flaws, they were human. And if the orcs have dared to bring their vanguard this far, then we will wipe them out to the last."
He rose from his throne, the sunlight from the high windows casting long shadows across his broad shoulders.
> "Besides," he added with a gleam in his eye, "the Orc Empire hides rich oil fields in their lands. Destroy their vanguard, and we'll take much more than vengeance—we'll take opportunity."
Stephens bowed deeply, a flicker of awe in his eyes.
> "Yes, Your Majesty. I understand."
He turned to leave, but Gu Yuan's voice stopped him once more.
> "One more thing. I recall… the princess of Qisi, Carlo Lin, has sought refuge here in Los City?"
Stephens hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."
A faint memory surfaced in Gu Yuan's mind: a small girl with fiery red hair who used to follow him around, tugging at his sleeves, calling him "big brother."
His lips curved.
> "Summon her. The Beast Empire destroyed her homeland. I will give her vengeance."
---
Elsewhere in Los City, the female soldiers' camp was alive with quiet bustle.
Though women served in Gu Yuan's army, most were nurses, medics, or musicians. Among them, however, one figure commanded respect.
Angelina, once a soldier herself, now served as Gu Yuan's personal secretary.
At this moment, she stood tall in her crisp black military uniform, the cut hugging her petite frame. Polished short boots gleamed in the light, and her large-brimmed officer's cap shaded much of her delicate face. Two blonde ponytails trailed neatly down her back, though her golden eyes betrayed a spark of impatience.
Before her stood Carlo Lin, the princess of the fallen Qisi Kingdom.
Angelina's gaze swept the red-haired girl up and down, lingering a moment too long. Her voice was calm but edged with ice.
> "So… you are the one who wishes to meet His Majesty Gu Yuan?"
The hostility in her golden eyes was plain.
Nearby, the elf girl Ya'er leaned in with a mischievous whisper, her tone mocking:
> "Hmph. To come here so boldly… No wonder they call Gu Yuan a rogue king. To summon such a beautiful woman, his intentions must be less than noble."
Carlo Lin blinked, puzzled at first. But as her eyes flicked between Angelina and Ya'er, realization dawned. She could see it clearly—the way Angelina stood, the sharpness in her eyes, the defensiveness in her posture.
The elf girl was not interrogating her as a soldier. She was sizing her up as a rival.
A slow, confident smile spread across Carlo Lin's lips.
She placed one hand on her hip, brushing her long crimson hair back with the other. It shimmered in the sunlight like a banner of fire. Her figure—already far more mature than most her age—was undeniable, her every movement radiating confidence.
Her words cut straight to the heart.
> "You like Gu Yuan, don't you?"
Angelina froze, her cheeks exploding into scarlet.
> "I… I… you—what nonsense are you saying?!" she stammered, her usual discipline crumbling under the weight of Carlo Lin's bluntness.
Carlo Lin chuckled softly, her voice dripping with pride.
> "Gu Yuan and I… we've known each other since childhood. He summoned me. So, step aside."
She walked past, her long legs carrying her forward with graceful arrogance. The two women brushed shoulders, and for the first time Angelina realized—Carlo Lin was more than a head taller.
And not only that.
So close, she couldn't help but notice Carlo Lin's… undeniable "advantages."
Angelina's eyes widened, her body trembling. Compared to her own petite, flat figure, the fiery princess seemed like an overwhelming force of nature.
She swayed, nearly collapsing, until Ya'er caught her gently. Angelina's slender hands dangled weakly as she muttered in despair:
> "So… a childhood sweetheart… and so much bigger than me…"
Her voice was a faint whisper, as though all her strength had fled.
Ya'er supported her, sticking out her tongue playfully at Carlo Lin's retreating back.
> "Slightly, slightly!"
But Carlo Lin did not turn. Her steps carried her further from the camp and closer to the temporary castle where Gu Yuan resided.
---
As she walked, Carlo Lin's confident smile slowly faded. Her heart, beneath the bravado, grew heavier.
It had been so long since she had last seen Gu Yuan. He had grown into a king, a commander, a man who commanded armies. Would he still see her as the little girl who once clung to his sleeve?
Would he… still care?
Her father's last command echoed in her ears: "Escape with Gu Yuan's aid. Do not fight the Orc Empire. Flee to the Central Region if you can."
It was supposed to be simple. A princess seeking shelter, nothing more.
But after stepping into Los City, seeing its towering walls, its disciplined soldiers, and the sheer power that Gu Yuan now wielded, another thought crept into her heart.
What if… instead of running… she could reclaim her country?
Her father's wishes clashed with her own. But as the wind tugged at her crimson hair, Carlo Lin clenched her fists.
If anyone could help her rebuild, it was him—Gu Yuan, her childhood big brother, now a king.
-------------------------------
Visit our Patreon for more:
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-----------------------------------------------------