In a dungeon sowhere in Ulmunsan.
How many days has it been since they took here?
Inside a dark prison, Park Sagwa leaned against the cold earthen wall. The light from the torches in the corridor barely illuminated the dark hellhole she was in.
She wasn't alone in this prison. Other important officials and generals of Ulmunsan were also imprisoned here, but they were all in terrible condition.
"Food is ready!" A mocking voice echoed through the corridor.
The clanking sounds of the chains could be heard as the prisoners scrambled over to the iron bars.
The heretic cult didn't give them any food for days so they were all starving.
Three people ca into their view. Two were pushing a cart that carried a large pot of soup, while the other was holding a ladle.
The guy holding the ladle watched the prisoners with amusent.
"Wait in line, you damn bastards!" He shouted while hitting the iron bars with the ladle.
With a snort, he spat a mouthful of phlegm on the soup pot. He then grabbed a bowl and half-filled it with the soup.
"Here's your food. Who's eating first?" He laughed as he put the bowl on the food port.
The prisoners were disgusted. They were hungry, but they would never eat sothing that had been spat on by soone.
"You disgusting vermin! How dare you humiliate the officials of Veronica like this?! We may be your prisoners, but you should provide us with clean water and food!" Shouted an old official of Ulmunsan.
The other prisoners also voiced out their anger, but this didn't prove to be effective.
"So you don't want to eat, huh? Alright. That's your choice." The man holding the ladle shrugged with an unconcerned smile.
"You're lucky that I'm a kind man. I will place your bowls here so just grab them if you feel like eating." He filled several more bowls with the soup and added his spit to each bowl.
The prisoners saw this, making them even more agitated.
"Damn bastard! If I ever get out of this shithole, I will find you first and skin you alive!" Roared a Transcendent Knight from House Park, his eyes brimming with killing intent.
The man holding the ladle put on a scared look as he responded in a teasing voice. "So scary! Hahaha!"
"You want to escape from here? In your dreams, dumbass! Hahaha! This lord is called Fu Teisan. If you want revenge, co and find . Hahaha!"
Fu Teisan and the other mocked the prisoners.
Park Sagwa glared at the trio, her aura suddenly gushed out, but it quickly died down.
Fu Teisan was montarily scared, but he chuckled when he rembered that Park Sagwa was tied in mithril chains.
"Who would have thought that the renowned Bloody Iris would have such a day? Park Sagwa, you were an unattainable figure to us, but look at you now, suffering in this gloomy dungeon with all these slly officials. Hahaha!"
Park Sagwa stared deeply at them and muttered in a cold voice. "You'd better watch yourselves. I will co for you even if it kills !"
Fu Teisan nervously chuckled.
"Let's go." He snorted as he left with his subordinates.
After they left, the prisoners hurled insults at them.
"Those fucking bastards! I will kill them!"
"Fucking cult mbers! I will crush them if I escape this place!"
Park Sagwa grabbed onto the wound on her abdon, grimacing.
If it weren't for that guy, this wouldn't have happened. I thought only the cult leader would be a threat to us, but there is another monster in the heretic cult other than him.
"Your Grace, are you alright?" A survivor from House Park rushed to her side with a look of concern.
Park Sagwa raised her hand. "I'm fine. This is no big deal."
"But your wounds…"
…
Inside the main mansion of House Park, a man who looked to be in his late forties stood on the balcony, overlooking the picturesque landscape with an indifferent expression.
"At long last, we finally took the first step of our grand plan." He muttered.
"Lord Rin, I have taken the Demonic Sword!" A warrior ca, holding a blood-red sword in his hands with great caution.
Rin Aspen turned around and looked at the sword. He was fascinated by the sword's evil aura.
"Good work!"
He grabbed the sword and unsheathed it.
Looking at its blood-red blade, he marveled.
"How gorgeous! I have been searching for you all this ti…" He smiled.
Suddenly, he swung the sword, cutting off the head of the warrior who ca to deliver it.
Whoosh!
The warrior didn't even know how he died. He only saw his own headless corpse before his vision darkened.
In the next mont, sothing horrifying happened. The blood from the warrior's corpse was sucked in by the blood-red sword!
"So this is the power of the Demonic Sword! How beautiful!" Rin Aspen cackled as he watched the grueso scene with excitent.
Soon, the warrior's body dried up and beca a mummified corpse.
Rin Aspen could feel the sword trembling, as if it were shaking in excitent after finally devouring blood from years of starvation.
"Are you exhilarated?" He mumbled.
"Follow . I will allow you to devour the blood of our enemies!"
The sword produced a keening sound as if it were responding to his request.
"Is that a sign of agreent?" Rin Aspen narrowed his eyes with a smirk on his face.
…
A few days later, the army led by the empress finally arrived at the borders of Ulmunsan.
The soldiers were exhausted because they had been marching without rest, but no one complained. They knew that if they were to delay, more horrible things would be done to the residents of Ulmunsan.
At this mont, Alaric jumped off Zephyr's back with his eyebrows furrowed.
The soldiers are exhausted. If we fight the heretic cult, they wouldn't have the energy for a prolonged battle. The empress should have realized this too. "Listen up, warriors of Veronica!" The empress's voice suddenly echoed like thunder.
The tired warriors adjusted their postures, squeezing out their energies to stand firmly.
"I know you are tired, but our people have suffered for days at the hands of the heretic cult. As the blade of Veronica, it is our duty to kill the enemies and ensure the safety of our people!"
"We cannot allow them to suffer for another day! We must strike now! We will end this quickly so we can rest tonight!"
Her words invigorated the soldiers.
Alaric frowned upon seeing this.
She is impatient. She should have allowed her troops to rest for a few hours. Thinking about this, he walked towards the empress, intending to confront her about the situation.
Galanar and the others quietly followed him.
The Crimson Phoenix Knights Order sensed them approaching.
Kangjeon Geum-hwa, the Deputy Commander, stepped forward to block their path. "Stop right there! You are not permitted to co close to Her Majesty without her approval!"
Alaric stared at her with a deep frown. "I need to speak with Her Majesty. This is important."
Kangjeon Geum-hwa didn't budge, but the empress suddenly spoke.
"Let him co."
Hearing this, the stubborn deputy commander reluctantly stepped aside, but she only permitted Alaric.
"Only His Highness can approach Her Majesty. The rest of you will have to stay here."
Alaric signaled to his subordinates. He also sent Nivis a warning look.
When he passed by Kangjeon Geum-hwa, he heard her snorting with displeasure, but Alaric ignored her.
He walked towards the empress and stopped in front of her. "Your Majesty, I apologize for this, but may I speak freely?"
The Commander of the Crimson Phoenix Knights Order stood next to the empress.
Alaric took a glance at her before he looked away. There were more important matters at hand. He could admire her beauty next ti.
The empress nodded indifferently. "Alright. You may speak freely."
Alaric took a deep breath and spoke. "Your Majesty, we should allow the troops to get so rest before charging towards Ulmunsan."
"With their condition, they wouldn't last long." He shook his head with a grave look.
Alaric had experienced nurous battles. A single mistake could lead to their defeat. He didn't want the empress to sacrifice her troops.
The empress turned around and looked at the tall walls of Ulmunsan as she replied. "I understand your concern, but I cannot allow my people to suffer any further."
"But your soldiers are also your people, Your Majesty. Please reconsider." Alaric reminded her.
The empress hesitated.
She was so engulfed in her rage that she had almost made a terrible decision.
"Fine." She mumbled.
She turned her head to Bai Seol-hwa and commanded her. "Deliver the ssage to the troops. They are to rest for four hours."
Bai Seol-hwa acknowledged the command with a bow. "Your servant obeys."
Before she left, she took a curious look at Alaric.
When she passed by him, her fragrant scent lingered in the air.
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