Teacher by day, Farmer by passion - Chapter 238

Chapter 238: Ace [1]
Falmuth Kingdom, the kingdom that borders Tharz kingdom to the west.

Tap… tap…

The sound of footsteps echoed through the grand marble corridor as an old man made his way towards the throne room.

Inside, the throne stood solemn and high.

Upon it sat an aged king with a crown tilted slightly upon his weary head. Beside him stood a mature and elegant young woman, the queen. They were alone, no guards, no nobles, just the two.

“Ah, Duke Carlos,” the king said with a tired smile. “What brings you here?”

The old duke gave a deep and respectful bow.

“Your Majesty, the nobles have come to a decision. They wish to invade the Tharz Kingdom.”

The king’s eyes narrowed. “Even knowing it’s a trap? They are still going to attack even if I said no, right?”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” Carlos replied, head still bowed. “This is the will of the nobility.”

The queen stepped closer, her expression calm, a gentle smile on her lips as she rested her hand upon the king’s arm.

“Tell me, Duke,” she said, “will you be leading this invasion?”

“No, Your Majesty,” he replied solemnly. “I have sworn to protect, not to wage war. My dukedom will remain loyal. We stand with the crown.”

The old king slowly rose from the throne, leaning heavily on the arm his queen offered.

“Old friend,” he said, voice soft, “the world is changing.”

Still kneeling, Duke Carlos raised his head. “Your Majesty, give the word and I will lead the royal army myself to strike down those treasonous fools.”

The queen chuckled lightly as she helped the king circle the dais.

“There’s no need to be so worked up, Duke Carlos,” she said. “They’ll meet their end in Tharz. That, I promise.”

She carefully guided the king back to his throne.

“But,” she continued, “I have a task for you.”

“What is it, Your Majesty?”

“I want names,” the queen said, her voice quite gentle. “Names of every noble who dares defy the king.”

“That is easily done, Your Majesty,” Carlos said with a slight bow.

“Good,” she nodded. “And one more thing, I want you to fortify our defenses in the border. Once those nobles are defeated, the Tharz Kingdom will surely retaliate. It just so happens that your lands border theirs, you must be prepared for retailiations.”

“Your will is mine,” Duke Carlos answered.

The queen turned to her husband. “My king, do you have anything to ask of Duke Carlos?”

The king shook his head slowly. “No, my dear.” He looked to Carlos with weary eyes. “You may rise, old friend. The fate of the current kingdom lies in your hands.”

With a respectful nod, Duke Carlos stood and quietly left the chamber.

Long after he had gone, the king released a long, weary sigh.

“At long last… even he has turned his back on me,” he murmured.

There was no anger in his voice, only sorrow.

The queen tightened her grip on his arm, her voice a whisper.

“My love… be strong. You are still the king.”

The old king laughed, soft and broken.

“Khu khu khu khu… I’m dying. Can you do one thing for me?”

The queen’s hand trembled slightly. “I’ve already sent our daughter away. But I… I’ll die here with you. Please don’t tell me to leave you.”

“Khu khu khu khu… you really are my soulmate. You always know what I’m thinking.”

He paused, his voice softer. “But I want you to live. You’re still young… I regret making you my queen at such a tender age.”

“Please, don’t say that,” she whispered. “Do you… regret loving me?”

“No,” he said, smiling. “I just wish I’d given you the childhood you deserved.”

“It’s too late for regrets,” she replied. “And I’m still here, by your side.”

She leaned in and kissed him, just a light peck on the lips.

The old king smiled.

“I love you, my dear.”

“I love you too.”

* * *

Aetheria city, Tharz Kingdom:

“Surrender now!”

A voice barked from the ranks of armored men.

“This is a royal decree! Milson, your father has already been captured. If you persist, you will only bring ruin upon your family!”

The two stood in a narrow, cornered hallway, boxed in with nowhere to run.

Ace remained calm, his breathing steady, eyes scanning the circle of royal guards surrounding them.

Beside him, Milson was hunched over, struggling to catch his breath, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

They had come alone, choosing to send their soldiers away to help evacuate the citizens instead.

Milson let out a dry, bitter laugh as he wiped blood from his lips.

“So it’s the Sigma Squad, huh?” he muttered, wincing.

“That old man’s kick really did a number on me…”

Despite the pain, his eyes still burned with defiance.

“It’s still not too late to run, you know,” Ace said calmly.

Milson shook his head, his voice firm despite the pain.

“I’m willing to die for Her Highness,” he said, heart resolved and eyes steeled with conviction.

Ace let out a soft sigh.

“Well then… if that’s how it is, so be it.”

He raised his voice slightly.

“Liu Mei. Shan Yifeng.”

The two kids appeared on cue. This time, Liu Mei wasn’t greasy or holding snacks.

“Good,” Ace said with a nod.

Liu Mei tilted her head in confusion.

“What’s good, Master?”

Shan Yifeng was already poised for combat, his hand hovering near his spatial ring.

“Master… is this some sort of trial?”

Meanwhile Liu Mei held out a slender dagger, the blade catching the light with a soft gleam.

“Pretty, isn’t it?” Liu Mei smiled, admiring the dagger’s glint.

“I thought it’d look good… soaked in human blood,” she said with a cheerful smile, completely unfazed by the battlefield around her.

She barely spared a glance at the Royal Guards encircling them because she didn’t need to. She was a Legend Rank, a tier so far above the rest that the battle almost felt beneath her notice.

The strongest among the enemies was barely a Major Dark Gold, a full realm below her.

The soldiers surrounding them shifted uncomfortably, beads of sweat forming on their brows.

The commander, once confident, now stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. His lips trembled as he whispered under his breath:

“…Are we really the ones doing the cornering?” he whispered, as the weight of his armor suddenly felt like chains.