Chapter 806

Chapter 50: Old Illness Unresolved, New Fire Arises – Prologue

On April 27th, 1189 AD, in the northern territory of the Kingdom of Isenbell, thirty miles south of the city of Lagorms.

This was almost an uninhabited mountainous region. In the early morning, lazy sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell upon the rugged path at the foot of the mountains, dispelling the heavy shadows cast by the mountain range. The undulating peaks were covered with dense forests and bamboo groves, and the leaves rustled softly in the breeze. From afar, it looked like a sea of emerald waves.

If one followed the ridge to its end, they could faintly see a basin surrounded by peaks. Although the basin wasn’t very large, it could easily accommodate a small town.

At the foot of the north-facing ridge, two windmill towers stood with their blades rotating gently in the wind. Nearby, the rice fields swayed like waves, with dewdrops still clinging to the wheat stalks. Several sturdy Angmar beasts had been released from their stables and were leisurely walking around the rice fields. Occasionally, small creatures resembling foxes would dart out from the lush green fields and vanish into the grass.

There wouldn’t really be any small town here, but between the rice fields and the two windmill towers stood a three-story wooden house nestled among the verdant grass. Around the house, colorful flower clusters bloomed, and white birds chirped as they perched on the chimney at the roof’s peak. The morning light shone through half-open round windows, casting golden glimmers into the redwood walls.

The tranquil and comfortable atmosphere made this unassuming wooden house seem like a paradise beyond the world.

Even though it was still early morning, the sun had already risen for about an hour. In front of the simple wooden shed beside the Angmar carriage, a young maid dressed as a servant was feeding the Angmar beast that pulled the carriage.

The carriage itself wasn’t particularly eye-catching: a white body, silver wheels, and delicate floral patterns on the curtains, without any conspicuous family crest or beautiful gemstones. Such a carriage would go unnoticed in the bustling streets of the royal city, but here, in the midst of the rural surroundings, it stood out starkly.

Clearly, this remote “paradise” now had visitors.

Amidst the crisp bird songs outside the window, a cup of steaming hot tea was placed on the redwood table on the second floor of the wooden house. A stern-looking maid removed the dishes from the table, crossed her hands over her lower abdomen, and stood gracefully next to the table, slightly lowering her head and avoiding direct eye contact with the person sitting at the table—a golden-haired beauty as lazy as the sunlight.

She was a woman who was both charming and cold, like a peach blossom in winter.

She picked up the teacup, her lips slowly approaching it, took a sip, and seemed to find the tea too hot. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she put down the teacup and turned to look out the half-open window.

Sitting upright in a chair, she wore loose silk sleeping clothes that outlined her nearly perfect figure. Her face, without any makeup, looked like a fairy from a painting, with a slight flush under the sunlight. Her eyes, like those of a cat, narrowed slightly, and a strand of disheveled hair fell across her cheek. This sight made one want to embrace her tightly.

But if there were any man here, no matter how daring he might usually be, the intense desire and impulse he felt at this moment would make him dare not do anything to this woman, perhaps even lacking the courage to meet her gaze.

The aura that naturally emanated from her seemed to make anyone who approached her feel intimidated, except perhaps for the girl far away in Silgaya.

Two years had passed, and she was now twenty-five years old. This aura seemed to have grown stronger and colder than before. When she didn’t wish to speak, it felt as if the entire room was filled with silence.

The air froze.

“… Her Majesty the Queen.”

After a moment, the maid standing beside her, who had a similar aura and an equally expressionless face, broke the eerie silence. “It’s been three days. Young Reckmont may have already arrived at the empire’s border, but without your travel permit, the royal guards cannot cross the border on their own. Shall I arrange your next itinerary for you?”

The maid’s tone was neither servile nor overbearing, almost inhumanly detached. If one were to consider who could completely ignore the queen’s aura, she and Mr. Reckert of Canny Sword might be considered half-qualified.

However, the queen did not pay attention to her words and continued to look out the window.

Due to the wind, the window was not fully open, but one could still clearly see the scene in the nearby rice fields. Early risers had already started working in the fields. Ethenbel’s rice was harvested three times a year. At this time, the seedlings in the fields were growing well. Two or three rough-clothed figures with mud-stained legs were bent over, working hard to remove pests and weeds.

These people were not brought by the queen; of course, this place was not her vacation home. The maid named Sharman knew that the queen’s gaze was fixed on an old man who looked thin and aged but still full of spirit, the most diligent worker there.

He was the person the queen had come out of her way to meet, even delaying her journey to the empire.

Saint George…

Former Cardinal of the Holy Church, leader of the Williams family, founder of Saint George Bank and various trade guilds, sponsor of numerous welfare institutions including orphanages and monasteries in cities across the Western Continent. He was once a revered figure, the most loyal believer in the hearts of the people, but in his twilight years, he watched as all his life’s achievements vanished before his eyes.

If not for亲眼目睹, Sharman would not have believed that the old man had actually escaped from the underground prison in the holy city and hidden here.

Most importantly…

He had not been utterly defeated by such a heavy blow. He still had the mental strength to continue what he needed to do. While all the young members of the Williams family had long since fallen into despair, only this old man had not truly fallen.

“Hmph, quite leisurely.”

After a moment, the queen sneered, withdrawing her gaze from the distance. Maid Sharman quickly lowered her head and waited for her command.

But after a while, no command came.

“If not invited, I wouldn’t have known that there was such a suitable place for seclusion near Lagoms City…”

The queen seemed to be looking at her. Sharman could feel those sharp eyes that seemed to penetrate everything. She was used to such a gaze, yet involuntarily tightened her body and lowered her head even lower when those golden eyes swept over her.

“Surrounded by mountains, accessible only by a narrow and secret mountain path. Much of the path is blocked by a canyon, making it impossible for troops to enter. Even if they do enter, it would be difficult to leave. The surrounding mountains are filled with venomous insects and fierce beasts, and within thirty miles, there is no trade route… If not for someone leaking the information, one could hide here for a lifetime.”

The queen said as she lightly tapped the table with her pale, jade-like fingers.

“Sharman… do you think he will stay here for long?”

“I… don’t know, Your Majesty,” the maid replied softly.

“I don’t know either.”

The queen picked up the teacup again, placed it to her lips, and slightly raised her right pinky finger, forming an arc. Her graceful demeanor was evident in every gesture.

“Let’s wait and see. We’ll find out soon enough.”