Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
“I understand what you mean.”
Marquis nodded. He had seen the old Duke’s determination. Bowne Territory could not be ceded under any circumstances. This wasn’t just everything the old Duke had built, but also the culmination of the hard work of all the ancestors of the Bowne family.
But the Winter King, a Champion Knight, remained an insurmountable obstacle. The entire Kingdom of Medon didn’t have a single Champion Knight. The strongest, King Maidon, had died of illness. Who could stop Howard, who was now abusing his power?
“My Lord, we have to consider the threat of the Winter King, even if he didn’t bring an army, but…”
“I understand what you’re saying.” Grand Duke Bristol took a deep breath. “The Winter King will be handled by Duke Corvet and me. Your mission is to kill Howard as much as possible. As long as he’s dead, there’s a chance for Bowne Territory to survive.”
“But…” Marquis wanted to ask the old Duke how he planned to deal with the Winter King, but looking at those determined eyes, he ultimately couldn’t voice his question. The old Duke was only a Sky Knight. Even with Duke Corvet, that made only two Sky Knights. This was hardly enough to even warm up the Winter King.
“My Lord, when do we deploy the troops?” Marquis asked. He decided not to dwell on so many issues. The Duke treated him like a son and had even taken him as a son-in-law, entrusting his most beloved youngest daughter to him. All he had to do now was to complete all the tasks assigned by the Duke.
“The sooner the better,” Duke Bristol said. “If the army from Winter City gathers at King Maidon’s Royal City, we’ll have no chance of winning.”
“Then I’ll go now.” Marquis clenched his fist with one hand and bowed. “Please rest assured, the main army of Bowne Territory was mobilized by me half a month ago and is already nearby. Before noon today, I will have a fully assembled army gathered at the foot of Bowne Castle for you to see.”
Marquis left. Duke Bristol turned around and continued to gaze at the bustling city below the mountain. He had looked at this scenery countless times, and he was familiar with the characteristics of every city: the one with gray city walls was Xuanmu Town, the square one was Grey Bear City, and the one with abundant greenery was Tree Heart City… These were gifts bestowed upon him by his ancestors. They were things the Bowne family had to protect for generations.
“Even the gentlest dog will bite…” Duke Bristol muttered to himself. Then, he turned back to his room and went to his desk. The butler handed him paper and pen as instructed. After a moment of thought, he began to write. The signatories were Duke Corvet, who stood with him on the same front, two other Dukes who wanted to sit back and watch, and a letter sent to a general who was about to return from the Emerald Fortress. He had to unite all the strength he could. Bowne Territory was the closest to King Maidon’s Royal City. If he didn’t strike first, he would be the first to bear the brunt.
…
…
Marquis originally intended to leave the castle immediately. But while passing through the castle garden, he encountered Sannih. The girl was wearing an elegant beige dress, her long blonde hair tied back in a braid, and bathed in the morning sun, she was as beautiful as an elf dancing among flowers.
“Hey, Marquis!”
Before the knight could speak, the girl spotted him. She waved her arm at him, her face beaming with a joyful smile. “When did you get back? Why didn’t you come to see me? What, are you leaving again?”
The girl, catching the knight’s oversight, relentlessly pulled his arm and began questioning him, not giving Marquis a chance to speak.
“Sannih… you, don’t you know yet?” Marquis asked tentatively, supporting the girl who was clinging to his arm like a sloth.
“Know what?” Sannih looked up at her beloved. “That you came back to the castle and didn’t come to find me? I know, Marquis, you must have found another woman outside. You heartless scoundrel!”
The girl turned away, broke free from the knight’s embrace, her delicate lips pouting high. This barrage of accusations stunned Marquis. He quickly dismounted and pulled the girl into his arms, explaining softly:
“How could that be? You know, Sannih, my heart is only for you… It’s just that I’ve been busy with affairs, and you’ll know soon too… because war is coming!”
“War?” The girl turned her head to look at the knight, her bright eyes full of innocence and curiosity. She asked, “What kind of war? Who would declare war on the Bowne family? Or is it Father he…”
“No…” Marquis sighed. The old Duke was wise and mighty, but he protected his two children too fiercely. They were like flowers in a greenhouse, having never experienced any wind or rain. This was especially evident in the case of the pleasure-seeking young master. Although Brion was already a half-step Great Knight, his combat experience was as naive as an infant’s. Any Great Knight who had experienced life-and-death battles could toy with this young master.
“This war should be initiated by the old Duke. Our enemy is the current King of Medon, Medon IV, Howard Keitai. Time is running out, and I must go to assemble the army now,” Marquis explained to the girl.
He looked at Sannih’s pretty face, couldn’t help but reach out and gently caress it. Looking into those innocent and pure eyes, he suddenly understood the meaning behind the old Duke’s protection of Sannih and Brion. The Bowne family had been tested in hellish trials of blood and battle for generations. Even the old Duke’s father had had friction with surrounding lords. Even the Duke himself had participated in several wars at the Emerald Fortress. They had already endured too much hardship. The old Duke did not want to pass this hardship on to his children. This was also one of the reasons he was determined to protect Bowne Territory, not for power, but out of responsibility and protection for his offspring.
“Will Father be in danger? Will you be in danger?” Sannih anxiously hugged Marquis’s cold arm guard. Although she had never experienced war, she had read many books and knew that wars always resulted in death.
“There will be no danger. Howard is just a clown. His army is not even half the size of yours. And those troops left in the Royal Capital never see bloodshed. How can they be a match for our elite forces?”
Marquis gently stroked Sannih’s small head, a relaxed smile on his face. Since the Duke wanted to keep Sannih in the dark, he would help the Duke do so. Regardless of the outcome, he would do his best to carve out a future for Sannih. All cruelty and danger would be faced first by him, the old Duke, and the soldiers under their command.
Hearing that there was no danger, Sannih also breathed a sigh of relief. She believed every word of her father and lover unconditionally.
“Please teach that Howard a good lesson on my behalf. Last year he proposed to have me married to him. When Father refused, he flew into a rage and threatened Father, saying he would make the Bowne family pay sooner or later!”
“Don’t worry.” A cold glint flashed in Marquis’s gray eyes. “I will let him know how invincible the Bowne family’s heavy cavalry charge is, and let him understand that a family that has received the legacy of the previous king cannot be easily shaken by a rebellious king who ascended the throne by killing his brothers.”
“Mmm~ I believe you,” Sannih said with a smile as radiant as a flower. She embraced her knight again. “When you and Father return victorious, I will ask Father to marry me to you.” The girl made the most beautiful promise.
