“You have no choice but to overthrow Valentino’s regime. Otherwise, this cycle will continue indefinitely.”
"What..." Alphonse had never thought of this before; it was a blasphemous idea.
"So... Alphonse, you should come with me. Valentino is not a country worth sacrificing your life for!"
At this point, Zeraya's tone was almost pleading.
Alphonse looked up at Desfield above, but could only see the lower jaw of the dragon's head.
"Alphonse, your path is one that only you can choose," Desfield answered his silent question.
A complex mix of emotions churned within me.
What should we do next?
for what?
For whom?
At that moment, a vibrant figure appeared in his mind—the beautiful silhouette of that young girl. This inner scene gave him the courage to make a decision.
"I'm sorry, Master. I can't leave with you like this."
Alphonse firmly refused.
Zeraya heard the answer she least wanted to hear. Why couldn't she listen even after all this explanation?
It seems this guy was prepared to fly into the fire like a moth. She lost all hope and could only accept the outcome in despair.
"As expected, you're still as stubborn as ever..."
“If the fate of our motherland is predetermined, that is why I must change it, even if it costs me my life! Master Zelaya, take care.”
Without explaining much, he prepared to turn and leave.
-
Having finished reading the last document, Van Rexor stretched at his desk. As he did so, a letter slipped from an open book.
To my beloved son, Van Rexor:
Since that game of chess, I have known your ambition. You are the epitome of a wise man who appears foolish.
Previously, I had privately decided on Valentino's successor.
One is his beloved son, and the other is Alphonse, the current Grand Master of the Silver Knights.
Making a choice between you and him is truly difficult for me. After much deliberation, I have finally reached a conclusion.
Under my tutelage, you have learned from a young age the law of the jungle and how to carry out grand ambitions. Such a king is a rare talent.
I have a great fondness for you and trust you completely. I will make sure that the kingdom will live on forever, no matter what means I use.
Furthermore, to prevent the two of you from arguing over the throne, I have already given a secret order to others to dispatch the Silver Knights to guard the northern border.
Once this letter is published, no one will be able to stop you from ascending the throne. Lucarius I, in his own handwriting…
No matter how many times he read this last letter left by his father, Van Rexor's heart would still surge with emotion. Yes, with this letter, the greatest obstacle standing in his path to kingship could be removed.
"It's about time to let Silver leave the capital and get some rest."
In the Kingdom of Valentino, in the year 132 of the Alchemy Calendar, the Silver Knights were dispatched to the Northern Wall by order of the late king to guard the frontier for a period of ten years.
-
"After the Southern War, Elfons returned to the capital and received rewards, including gold and silver titles. Not long after, the late king died suddenly, the country mourned, and the women wept."
Later, Elphons seized the opportunity to secretly plot, continuously expanding the Silver Kingdom's power, amassing an army, becoming increasingly arrogant, and even declaring himself king, which aroused discontent among the other armies, who suspected him of rebellion. The late king, with foresight, left instructions to exile the Silver Kingdom to the northern frontier.
This excerpt is from Sir Alex's work, "The Complete History of the Kings".
-
In the year 256 of the Alchemy Era of the Duchy of Valentino, during the Dark Month.
Van Tytalen, the former Grand Master of the Royal Knights, has finally awakened from his long dream of memories.
He remembered the royal knight conferment ceremony a century ago, and the surge of magic within the "blood oath".
At this moment, he noticed bloodstains on his left palm, indicating that he had accidentally touched the wound in his abdomen while asleep.
He pressed his blood-stained palm against the arm bearing the emblem, allowing it to absorb the blood, just as it had done during the "Blood Oath." The emblem's color changed from dark red to crimson.
“Valentino is my sacred place. It is where my honor lies. But you destroyed it, your betrayal… led to the destruction of my homeland. Alphonse… next time… I will never let you get away with this!”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
