Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Early in the morning.
Howard, skipping breakfast, ran to the door of the Winter King’s residence to wait.
Although scouts had reported the situation to him last night, seeing is believing, and hearing is not necessarily true. He still felt somewhat uneasy.
The sun had risen high, but there was no movement from the room. Howard’s patience was gradually depleted. He stared at the iron door, as if trying to see through the metal into the room.
“Why isn’t he awake yet? Did he play himself to death…” he muttered, pacing back and forth at the door out of boredom.
Patrolling guards and servants preparing morning tea passed by the corridor from time to time. They bowed and paid their respects to Howard, their expressions filled with awe. Howard tilted his chin, his dark nostrils pointing at everyone. He enjoyed this feeling of superiority, but the Winter King’s presence had undoubtedly affected his vanity. Compared to the Winter King, he felt more like a runner-errand minister. This feeling made Howard very displeased; he was, after all, the King of Medon.
He really wanted to knock on the door. But thinking of the Winter King’s terrifying might, he finally suppressed the urge. Waiting can be a torment at times. However, Howard didn’t have to endure this torment for long.
“Click—”
The door to the room opened. His sister, Jessica, walked out. Her face was pale and lacked color, looking exceptionally haggard, and she walked with a limp. Her dress was torn and ragged, but she was already wearing a new nightgown underneath, which seemed to have been bestowed by the Winter King. Seeing her like this, Howard’s heart was filled with joy. Jessica had indeed been taken in by the Winter King, and as he expected, she wasn’t given much importance. In the Winter King’s eyes, she was probably just a maid for him to vent his lust. This status was perfect.
“Good sister, I told you so,” he said triumphantly. “It’s your honor to serve a hero like the Winter King. How was it? Did you have fun last night?”
Jessica looked up at Howard. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she said nothing. Her gaze simply cooled down, as if she were looking at a humble wretch. She avoided Howard and continued to walk forward. The Winter King’s breakfast still needed her to prepare it; any further delay would mean it would be noon.
“Hey! What’s with that look?” Howard blocked Jessica’s path. He glared at his sister and reached out to grab her hair, but Jessica stepped back and dodged him. This action completely enraged Howard. He panted like an angry bull, his neck and face turning red, and the veins on his forehead bulging and throbbing. Jessica thought that if someone were to slice those veins, a lot of blood would flow out.
“You think you’re amazing just because you got into the Winter King’s bed? Don’t forget who you are!” Howard roared like a beast, pointing at his sister. He had lost control over Jessica. This feeling made him very stifled, and he couldn’t wait to regain that sense of dominance.
“Without me sending you there, you’re nothing! You’re just an object!” As he spoke, he gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes filled with extreme anger. But Jessica still looked at him expressionlessly.
“You’ve really rebelled!”
“Ching—” Howard’s long sword unsheathed. He reversed his grip on the sword and swung the flat of the blade towards Jessica. He didn’t think Jessica would become the Queen; judging by the Winter King’s attitude this morning, it was merely a physical transaction. He wouldn’t kill Jessica, but a lesson was necessary.
“I’ll make you understand one thing,” he sneered. “An elder brother is like a father!”
As the brightly shining long sword approached Jessica, the girl finally showed a look of terror. But a tender little hand reached out from the side and gripped Howard’s sword blade. The long sword stopped less than three centimeters from Jessica, unable to advance any further.
“You’ve crossed the line, King of Medon.”
Connie stood between Howard and Jessica. Jessica’s performance had earned Xi Wei’s approval, so she had come out to resolve Connie’s trouble.
“What little brat is this? Scram!”
Howard gazed at Connie, who hadn’t even reached his waist, with disdain. This girl had some skill; she could actually block the flat of his sword, but she was merely a servant of the Winter King. He yelled arrogantly, “This is my Medon royal family’s private affair!” After he finished speaking, he was about to twist the sword handle when he found that the sword was already clenched tightly in the little girl’s hand.
“What did you call me? Brat?” Connie slowly raised her head. Under her molten-silver-like messy hair, her azure vertical pupils shone with a dazzling light. A surging dragon’s might emanated from her small body. Her snow-white dress fluttered without wind, and her silver hair, which cascaded behind her, also whipped wildly.
“Watch your identity, human!”
A thunderous roar suddenly echoed in Howard’s mind. In a daze, he seemed to see a pink giant dragon roaring its head back behind the girl. Wasn’t that dragon the Winter King’s mount? He had heard before that the Winter King’s dragon mount could transform into the appearance of a little girl. He had initially thought it was just a rumor from the servants. Now, it seemed to be true.
The hand that Connie used to grip his sword blade had turned into a ferocious dragon claw. Shallow purple scales were densely arranged on it. The sharp dragon claws gradually crushed the sword body, and shattering patterns spread across the blade. An immense force came from the long sword. Howard, whose legs were already weak from the dragon’s might, could only kneel down with this force, enduring humiliation. He knelt before Connie and Jessica.
Connie’s dragon claws continued to press down. The light in her eyes grew brighter, and fine, light purple scales began to grow from her neck. As her dragonization deepened, her strength would become greater and greater, until she crushed the human king before her to death.
“Connie, where’s my breakfast?”
The Winter King’s voice came from inside the room. Howard felt the oppressive aura on him recede like a tide. The girl withdrew her hand, returning to her harmless appearance, as if everything before had been his illusion.
“Master, please wait a moment. Jessica and I will get it for you right away~” Connie stuck out her tongue sheepishly towards the room. She had been quite agitated recently and almost couldn’t control herself and crush this human king to death. This foolish king couldn’t die yet. According to Xi Wei’s plan, they had to wait until all the armies wishing to overthrow Howard’s rule appeared near the Royal City. That would be Howard’s time of death. And Xi Wei would use this opportunity to thoroughly suppress all armed forces capable of resistance in the entire Medon Empire.
