Chapter 1

01

Krieg returned to the capital just before the Festival of Flora.

Looking into the distance, the summit of the sacred mountain is already crowned with a small white snow.

The newly built city walls, constructed of asphalt and bricks, stand tall like sheer cliffs.

"Cheep—, Cheep—, Cheep—"

The mechanism clicked, and the solid bronze gate opened slowly and heavily.

The black-armored cavalrymen lined up in formation, their polished lances standing like a dense forest.

The earth-shaking sound of horseshoes rolled forward like muffled thunder, layer upon layer, like a dragon returning to its lair.

And the dragon's head was none other than the renowned Kligo.

"Ghost" Krieg.

—The people of the various principalities on the continent of Tyria preferred to call him by this name.

The name comes from his lineage.

He has half Northern Wilderness Demon blood from his father, which gives him a pair of turquoise eyes like a dragon lizard, which turn into vertical pupils when his blood is boiling.

It is said that those barbarians worship evil gods of slaughter, even eating people and drinking fresh blood regularly.

Therefore, Kliger's face was covered by a chilling iron muzzle, which completely obscured half of his high nose bridge.

Unlike the armored warriors behind him, he wore only a breastplate and greaves, without a helmet. His jet-black hair was cut short and messy, looking somewhat frizzy.

Beneath the brownish-red cloak, Yi Zhan's short robe was fastened with brass buttons, revealing dark skin with a precious metallic sheen. The jagged scars only added to his imposing presence.

He was tall and imposing, a head taller than the people around him, and his unassuming presence commanded respect.

Ravens perched on branches, overlooking the army and banners lining the main road. Priests carried fire altars, musicians and hymns played hymns, and countless onlookers crowded the area.

The women watching couldn't help but follow his retreating figure with their eyes.

This is an almost primal attraction.

From the moment life was born from chaos, male animals have used savagery and violence to distinguish themselves and to gain the right to mate first.

"I really hope General Krieg comes to the Temple of Flora." The girls will be courted there.

"I think he should dress himself up. It wouldn't look bad. His handsome features are captivating. I think he glanced at me just now, oh my, my heart has been pounding ever since."

"I heard that he was so busy fighting that he delayed his marriage and has not married yet. He doesn't even have a concubine in his harem."

"You're kidding, right? He looks like the kind of guy with extremely high needs, probably not even able to handle one bed partner. Oh, he's a demon half-blood, demon sex is for you."

"Perhaps, the king does not allow him to get married."

"Why?"

“His achievements overshadow the king’s. The king is wary of him.” He glanced around cautiously, then whispered in the king’s ear, “King Solan seems to be dying.”

This news is not unfounded.

The people were as perceptive as wild rabbits digging burrows on the grassland.

The king has not appeared in public for nearly three months. The royal physicians have been summoned to the palace several times and have not returned home overnight.

Many people wished for his death.

After all, he unified three-quarters of the principalities on the continent within ten years, and his ruthless methods also created countless blood feuds.

It's hard to say.

Wang was a solitary, eccentric, treacherous, and cunning man.

He had no wife or children and lived a secluded life. Very few people had even seen his true face.

Ten years ago, when he was still serving as regent in a small country, some people said he was a sickly person who coughed up blood every day and was on his deathbed.

But look—

Now, not only is he not dead, but he has also become an unprecedented emperor, about to unify the continent.

Who knows if this is yet another carefully planned scheme by him?

In recent years, assassins have appeared every few days, and fresh corpses are carried out of the palace every month.

The foreign nobles who surrendered in the previous battle discussed among themselves:

"This usurper is a tyrant; he can behead people without hesitation. We'd better be sensible."

02

Afternoon.

The palace eunuchs hurried through the palace.

This palace, built with the wealth of gold and silver from across the continent, is as luxurious as a dream.

Along the way, there were gilded marble columns everywhere, and every wall was painted with exquisite glazed reliefs depicting various scenes of imperial prosperity.

Walk through the spacious and airy garden courtyard.

The fragrance of roses is soft and delicate, golden finches hang from the lush branches, and birds chirp and sing.

The fountain at Baishi flows with clear spring water day and night, and lotus leaves float on the surface of the water, with a few buds or blooming purple lotus flowers floating among them.

"Little Star".

"The man called out."

An unusual ripple suddenly appeared beneath the lotus flower, and then a young albino crocodile broke out of the water, half-clinging to the shore, its mouth open, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.

The man sat on the edge of the pool.

They were only a step away from the crocodile, yet remained completely calm.

He was surrounded by beautiful women, all dressed like noble ladies, adorned with jewels and jade.

Some held up sunshade curtains, some held peacock feathers, some carried golden trays, some carried wine pots, and so on, serving him in a riot of colors.

Men, on the other hand, dressed simply.

He wore a Byzantine-style white robe with purple trim, barefoot in wooden clogs, his skin thin, pale, and cool, devoid of color, appearing almost translucent in the light, like porcelain. His birth injury had made him smaller than the average man, with a slender and delicate frame. Even nearing thirty, he possessed the physique of a young man. His long, light platinum-blonde hair was loosely tied back with a ribbon, shimmering like satin.

The man fiddled with the sun-drenched fountain.

The liquid, like gold, flowed from his slender, white fingers.

He was Solan.

A powerful emperor who held absolute power.

At this moment, he bent down.

He used gold tongs to feed a piece of bloody beef to the crocodile, watching it with a smile playing on his lips, finding it quite amusing.

The eunuch reported, "Your Majesty, General Cligor is waiting outside the palace and requests an audience with you."

"knew."

He said he had no interest.

Two hours later, he received Krieg in the main hall.

Everything was routine.

Solanja rewarded the soldiers who had rendered meritorious service.

As the leader, Kliger knelt before the throne.

Solan handed over the back of his hand.

Krieg held his fingers very lightly.

He bowed his head and kissed the signet ring.

Solan's fingertips brushed against his palm, the texture rougher than rock.

He said, "My sword will forever be His Majesty's edge, and my shield will forever be His Majesty's shield. Glory to the King."

Solan turned his head to allow him to kiss his cheek.

This was rare. Krigo paused for a second before obeying the command, touching and pulling away immediately, catching a faint fragrance in his nostrils.

The ceremony has ended.

Solan had his crown and robe removed by a maid.

After Krieg announced his arrival, he entered.

Upon seeing this scene, he suddenly stood up and stared at the maid with obvious displeasure.

The maid was nervous, and the fact that Solan was wearing expensive royal robes today made her palms sweat and her movements clumsy than usual.

Solan smiled gently: "Don't be afraid, take your time."

As she spoke, she glanced up at Krieg, "Is there anything else?"

"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"

"No."

"Your Majesty, I am worried about you. I wish to stay by Your Majesty's side as I have always done..."

Solan turned his head. "Did you believe the rumors and think I was about to die?"

Before he could finish speaking...

The room was filled with people kneeling and prostrating themselves.

Klig was the last to kneel, his tone respectful: "Your Majesty, I dare not. Honest advice is hard to hear, but Your Majesty, you are surrounded by dangers, and I am so worried that I cannot sleep at night. Please allow me to protect you."

Solan still said, "No need." The heavy robe was finally removed, and he felt much lighter as he walked over.

Krieg saw his shoes, made of soft lambskin, decorated with gold leaf and pearls.

Solan helped him up: "Get up, Kligor. You are now the backbone of the empire, a general revered by all. Go home and see if you like the mansion I have bestowed upon you."

Krieg stubbornly knelt on the ground, as if begging for punishment.

"Master, do you not trust me? Is there something I haven't done well enough?"

Solan slowly suppressed his smile.

He said to those around him, "Everyone, step back."

The palace was emptied, leaving only the two of them.

As the door closed.

The palace maid heard a clear slap, followed by low shouts and curses.

They knew that before going to the battlefield, Kriego had been the king's personal attendant. After being taken in by the king at the age of thirteen, he was raised by the king himself. During the day, he studied and trained, and at night he would sleep on the floor under the king's bed with some pillows.

Like a dog, like a slave.

The old servants around His Majesty often said that they were not as good as Krieg, who only needed a gesture, a look, or a few cryptic words to understand His Majesty's intentions and serve him obediently and to his satisfaction.

"So you insist on being a slave, is that it? What have I taught you!... Being a slave won't make you any better. I told you to get out, but you still dare to come near me. How can you be such a rebellious creature? If it weren't for the fact that you can still win battles, I would have killed you long ago!"

Solan cursed, then sat down, touching the velvet-covered chair back.

Krieg remained silent.

With a rustling sound, she crawled on her knees to his side. "Master, have you seen the spoils I brought back this time? I let them divide half of it, and I didn't keep a single piece of the other half; I sent it all to the royal treasury—did I do a good job? Could you, like last time, give me a special 'reward'?"

As she spoke, her gaze lingered on his ankle with a warm, caressing touch.

Solan stared at him with his water-blue eyes.

Her long, thick eyelashes drooped, and suddenly, they fluttered softly like golden threads.

Question: "...What kind of 'reward' do you want?"

"Please touch me."

Kliger blushed, his mouth already dry, and boldly said, "I washed myself three times before entering the palace, and I'm very clean. Not dirty at all."

That bastard—

Solan thought, his anger flaring.

Admittedly, he could trust that Krieg had no intention of killing his master... but this bastard wanted to sleep with him!

"come over."

He remained expressionless and continued speaking.