Luke found himself being escorted back from the reception room to the guest room where he would be staying. His heart was still racing from the tension. He had fully expected his disguise to fail, bracing himself to fight for his life. Yet, agains...
2025-01-26 12:15:30 +0000 UTC View Post"What? I thought you said we still have time?" Luke’s voice betrayed his panic. There was still so much he didn’t know about Victoria, and no guarantee he’d ever see her again. If he couldn’t get answers now, he might never have another ch...
2025-01-25 12:19:20 +0000 UTC View PostThe trio arrived in a spacious yet simple room a few minutes later. The butler mentioned that supper would be served shortly and that they only needed to ask if they required anything.
Luke noticed a flicker of unease in the old butler's exp...
2025-01-24 02:48:48 +0000 UTC View Post“Aye, you have a silver tongue, I’ll give you that,” William stated, a malicious grin spreading beneath his thick black beard. “I can see why the General would send you here as his proxy.”
The big man’s eyes bore into Luke, makin...
2025-01-23 07:27:14 +0000 UTC View PostLuke felt rather humiliated as he rode through the gates of Valand City. He had wrapped a makeshift hood atop his head to cover the fake disfigurement that Kayson had placed upon his face as a disguise. Yet even this could not stop the townsfolk f...
2025-01-22 04:35:05 +0000 UTC View PostKayson’s face morphed, switching between surprise and suspicion. He moved forward, grabbing Luke by the arm and pulling him close, as if to keep the conversation away from prying ears.
After looking around briefly and seeing that the coast...
2025-01-21 04:11:20 +0000 UTC View PostLuke watched as the citizens were herded into the large square. They were mostly the old, women, and children—likely because the men had been conscripted to man the walls in the absence of soldiers.
A child screamed for her father, one of ...
2025-01-20 11:14:58 +0000 UTC View PostLuke swallowed as he began the march toward the western gate. The first unit carrying the heavy battering ram was closing in on the gate, now under assault by the enemy archers atop the wall, who sought to prevent their advance.
The sound of...
2025-01-19 05:22:51 +0000 UTC View Post“We must launch a full assault on the fortress. If what you are saying is true, the sooner we reclaim the fortress, the better,” Hayden said, snapping his fan shut. “Should we fail and be forced to retreat, the King will have our heads.” 2025-01-18 12:04:54 +0000 UTC View Post
Luke couldn’t quite pinpoint why he felt such an urgent need to breach the gate now. With their current plan of alternating attacks, and more than a day remaining on the system mission, there should have been no reason to deviate from the status...
2025-01-17 05:16:58 +0000 UTC View PostAfter leaving the strategy meeting, the orders were passed down to the Lieutenants to organize the shifts within the ranks. Luke was thankful for the well-structured chain of command; otherwise, trying to give orders to twenty-five thousand soldie...
2025-01-16 12:32:06 +0000 UTC View PostIt took Luke some time to walk on foot to the northern side of the fortress, where the mercenaries had set up camp. Even if he hadn’t been told they were there, the stark difference in tents and equipment would have made it obvious.
While ...
2025-01-15 12:40:59 +0000 UTC View Post[Kayson Diego has declared his loyalty. Do you accept?]
[Y/N]
Luke stared at the translucent window in shock, his usually sharp mind lagging behind. His thoughts spiraled as he tried to comprehend what was happening.
‘Isn’t t...
2025-01-14 12:45:14 +0000 UTC View PostThe fleeing enemies were relentlessly pursued by the remnants of the five hundred cavalry units, who continued to cut them down like wheat in the fields. The sounds of screaming and fighting gradually faded as Luke remained still, watching from a ...
2025-01-13 11:39:46 +0000 UTC View PostAfter choking down some unappetizing dry rations, Luke managed a few hours of desperately needed rest. As the sun peeked over the horizon, the camp began to stir to life.
Luke rubbed his bleary eyes and slowly rose, letting out a long yawn. ...
2025-01-12 06:14:16 +0000 UTC View PostThe carriages made their way out of the city, heading back toward the port to collect the next load of supplies. Luke’s heart pounded the entire time, afraid they might be stopped. Even after they passed through the gates without incident, he co...
2025-01-11 10:05:08 +0000 UTC View PostLuke cantered atop his mare, using the stars scattered across the night sky to guide his course. The cold wind brushed against his face, easing the tension that gripped his heart. He replayed the plan in his mind, over and over, searching for flaw...
2025-01-11 03:58:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe next two days were not kind to Luke. Despite getting the hang of riding, his legs felt like they were about to fall off, and the constant strain on his lower back from the uneven trotting only made matters worse.
By the third day, the gr...
2025-01-10 13:08:43 +0000 UTC View PostSleep came swiftly for Luke, who was drained from the strategy meeting. His dreams were pleasant for the first time this week, allowing his body to get some much-needed rest and recovery.
Luke felt his body being nudged softly, rousing him s...
2025-01-10 02:08:22 +0000 UTC View PostHayden took his seat at the head of the table, still wearing a small smile. Despite this, his piercing blue eyes seemed to evaluate those present, as if staring into their souls.
“The King wishes to reclaim Xiu Fortress, returning it to it...
2025-01-09 12:22:56 +0000 UTC View PostA full week passed before Clayton City emerged from lockdown. For Kayson, those seven days had been grueling, but he was finally allowed to visit his father at the City Lord’s estate after the restrictions were lifted.
The Academy had cont...
2025-01-09 09:18:20 +0000 UTC View PostThe night was one of the longest Luke had ever experienced. The entire Military Academy was like a hornet's nest that had been stirred—soldiers were crawling everywhere, searching for any clues that might have been left behind.
By the time...
2025-01-08 23:31:01 +0000 UTC View PostUpon returning to the Academy, Zack was escorted out of the estate by armed soldiers. It didn’t matter which minor noble family he belonged to—with Master Gale’s status, no one would dare go against his orders.
Even the City Lord treat...
2025-01-07 11:29:28 +0000 UTC View PostZack arrived at the blue army’s starting point and was immediately greeted by a scene of disarray. His troops lounged about, chatting idly, while the flags they were supposed to wield lay discarded on the ground like forgotten scraps.
At a...
2025-01-06 08:53:05 +0000 UTC View Post“Mr. Drakon against Zack.”
The moment Luke heard his name, he let out a sigh of relief.
After waiting nervously for what felt like an eternity, finally being called brought a strange sense of release. His opponent, Zack, was someon...
2025-01-04 12:58:04 +0000 UTC View PostThe first-year students were led by Master Gale out of the north gates of the Academy Estate. They traveled on foot through the streets of Clayton City, drawing the attention of the bustling populace.
At a glance, it was obvious that these s...
2025-01-04 11:29:42 +0000 UTC View PostLuke awoke from a deep slumber, stretching his stiff limbs and savoring the sensation. The room was quiet, save for the rhythmic snores of Kayson and the faint birdsong drifting through the window.
He wasted no time, kicking off the sheets a...
2025-01-04 11:27:04 +0000 UTC View PostLuke walked out of the library after about half an hour, a wry expression on his face. He had managed to read close to 500 books, but the content had been underwhelming.
‘Well, at least I’m now an expert at animal husbandry…’ he muse...
2025-01-04 11:25:24 +0000 UTC View Post
New book now on Royal Road for free. Advance chapters will be released soon on Patreon for paid members. This book is signed by Aethon publishing, so read it on RR before it gets taken down!