Her slender, oval face, a delicate, upturned nose, bright, light brown eyes, tender lips, and flaxen hair woven into braids…
The young woman before him undoubtedly possessed a strikingly beautiful and captivating countenance.
Her name was Marlene Crow, one of only two cherished friends You’er had in Angus Village.
Usually, she was incredibly affectionate towards You’er, always ruffling his cheeks and hair, always embracing him and holding him close.
To outsiders, they appeared like a pair of loving sisters, a perception aided by You’er’s remarkably feminine appearance.
“You’er…”
Yet now, she maintained a rational distance from him, her brown eyes betraying a flicker of unease as she gazed at him, hesitant to speak.
“If it’s about that matter, Grager has already told me, Sister Marlene.
I offer my sincere blessings to you both.”
A relaxed smile graced You’er’s lips as he addressed Marlene as he always did.
Because Marlene was two years his senior and always looked after him like an older sister, he had always called her ‘Sister Marlene’.
“I’m sorry, You’er…
I also like Grager, so I accepted his confession.”
As she spoke these words, Marlene’s eyes seemed to hold a deeper meaning, though he couldn’t discern why.
She clutched the collar of her clothing tightly.
“Not at all!
To me, Sister Marlene will always be Sister Marlene, even after you become Grager’s wife.”
Paying little heed to Marlene’s expression, You’er said with a smile.
“…”
The air suddenly grew still, and a strange, unspoken silence settled between them.
“Um…
You’er…”
“Sister Marlene, I’m very sorry, but I plan to leave the village with Lilinai in two days.”
Marlene’s words were cut short, interrupted by You’er’s louder voice.
You’er directly stated his intentions: he would leave the village to find a way to cure Lilinai’s condition.
Lilinai’s illness was congenital, but it had worsened year by year recently, and he truly feared that one day, Lilinai might never wake up from her sleep.
His feelings for Marlene had always prevented him from making a firm decision, but now, finally, he could act without reservations.
“You must be joking, You’er, about leaving…
The outside world is fraught with danger!”
Marlene covered her mouth in astonishment, her beautiful face etched with shock, bordering on panic.
“I know it’s dangerous outside, but even so, I must go!”
You’er clenched his fists, his heterochromatic eyes gleaming with longing.
The legends of the Anora Continent, tales of swords and magic…
He had yearned for them since childhood.
He wanted to witness this continent with his own eyes, to touch the arts of swordsmanship and magic with his own hands.
After speaking, You’er met Marlene’s gaze, prepared to stand firm, even if she objected.
Yet, Marlene did not voice the opposition he had anticipated.
Instead, she gently cupped You’er’s cheek with her palm, gazing into his eyes.
Her earnest words brought a glistening sheen to the corners of You’er’s eyes.
“I understand.
Since this is your wish, as your older sister, I will say no more.
Just remember, You’er, Angus Village will always be your home.
If you ever feel weary, come home…
Just as You’er said, Sister Marlene will always be your Sister Marlene, that will never change!”
Indeed, Sister Marlene was always that same Sister Marlene, always silently encouraging him by his side, always so.
Marlene departed, and in the now desolate courtyard, her warmth seemed to linger still.
Sister Marlene was like a gentle spring breeze in his heart.
The breeze swept through, carrying away the last trace of resentment in You’er’s heart.
He, too, liked Sister Marlene, but he didn’t necessarily have to be with her.
Sister Marlene, married to Grager, would be happy, and knowing that much was enough.
You’er’s resolve solidified further; it was no longer about escaping.
The preparations for their departure were not as simple as he had imagined.
You’er wanted to bid a proper farewell to the villagers who had looked after him, and with various odds and ends, it took a full five days to finally complete everything.
Only one day remained until the village’s annual grand celebration, the Harvest Festival.
This meant tomorrow night would be Harvest Night, the evening when Grager and Marlene would hold their wedding ceremony and become lifelong partners.
You’er had no intention of attending the wedding, and thus, he delayed no further.
Carrying Lilinai on his back, armed with a map of the Imperial region, several days’ worth of provisions, and simple necessities, he left Angus Village early on the morning of the Harvest Festival.
However, the siblings hadn’t walked for two hours after leaving the village when they encountered a continuous spring rain.
You’er felt helpless.
Lilinai’s delicate constitution couldn’t withstand the rain; even light rain, if prolonged, would worsen her condition.
Without a word, he cradled Lilinai, who had been on his back, into his arms, ensuring she wouldn’t get drenched.
Fortunately, You’er knew of a natural cave nearby that offered shelter from the rain.
It was extremely secluded, and they had stumbled upon it years ago, by sheer accident, while ‘exploring’ with Grager and Marlene.
“Brother, are you tired?”
Once settled in the cave, Lilinai raised her small, milky-white hand and used her sleeve to wipe You’er’s forehead, which was streaked with rain and sweat.
“Not at all!
But Lilinai, if you feel unwell in any way, you *must* tell your brother, alright!”
You’er clasped Lilinai’s slightly chilled hand in his, his expression etched with worry.
Since their father left them six years ago, this was Lilinai’s first journey far from home, and he greatly feared her body wouldn’t be able to endure it.
‘If Lilinai’s condition takes a turn for the worse, I’ll have to postpone our plan to leave the village for now,’ You’er thought.
“Brother, where are we going?”
Fortunately, Lilinai showed no signs of distress yet.
She lifted her small face and asked You’er.
“We’re going to enroll in a public academy in the Eastern Azure Empire.
There are many, many powerful individuals there.
If your brother passes the assessment, he’ll surely be able to enlist their help to cure Lilinai.
Look, it’s right here.”
You’er unfolded the map, pointed to a spot circled in red at the top, and recounted with an excited expression to Lilinai.
You’er was not merely a man of words.
He had planned for this day for a very long time, including how to seek medical treatment for Lilinai, how to find news of their father, and how to realize his own dreams.
All these aspirations converged at one point: to participate in this year’s Gatania Academy entrance examination and become a student there.
You’er possessed abundant confidence in himself that he would surely pass the assessment.
“You’er, an immense potential lies dormant within you.
I believe that even if I am gone, you will grow strong enough to protect yourself and your sister.”
These were the words their father had spoken to You’er six years ago when he left, and You’er believed them without a shadow of a doubt.
Of course, he couldn’t tell Lilinai these things; she couldn’t handle any information about their father.
“An academy…
Lilinai really wants to go to school too!”
Her beautiful eyes fixated unblinkingly on the red circle on the map, her small face brimming with longing.
“Don’t worry.
Once Lilinai’s illness is cured, you can go to school with your brother!”
You’er stroked Lilinai’s hair and comforted her with a smile.
Soon, Lilinai fell asleep on his chest.
Sleep came swiftly, and her fragile constitution was no match for it.
“Good night, Lilinai.”
You’er took off his upper garment and covered Lilinai’s body, holding her tightly, preventing the cold wind from outside the cave from reaching her.
Cradling Lilinai’s soft body, You’er, too, drifted off to sleep unknowingly.
When he awoke, the sky outside the cave had completely darkened.
You’er was quite surprised that he had slept for so long.
He gazed at the sweetly sleeping Lilinai in his arms and couldn’t help but inwardly chuckle, wondering if sleepiness was contagious.
You’er peered out of the cave, and seeing that the rain was still falling, a deep sense of helplessness washed over him.
“It’s already night, isn’t it?
Marlene and Grager’s wedding must have begun, right?”
Murmuring to himself, You’er gently set down Lilinai, who was nestled in his arms, rose, and stepped out of the cave, looking towards the direction of the village.
What met his eyes was a sea of fiery crimson.
Thick plumes of smoke billowed skyward, only to be quickly dispersed by the falling rain.
You’er froze, utterly bewildered as to why he was witnessing such a sight.
Even for Harvest Night, such widespread fires seemed excessive.
And besides, how could fires burn so fiercely on a rainy night?
Flames that could burn in the rain…
You’er’s mind could only conjure one possibility.
Magical fire…
Something had happened to Angus Village, You’er suddenly realized.
What on earth happened?
How could this be…
For the first time in his life, You’er felt his mind was insufficient, utterly unable to think calmly as he usually would.
He divested himself of all his belongings, glanced back at the sleeping Lilinai in the cave, grit his teeth firmly, and sprinted with all his might towards the village.
He had to find out what exactly had transpired in the village.
“Sister Marlene…
Grager…
Please, both of you, be safe!”
You’er’s heart incessantly prayed.
When they left, You’er had been carrying Lilinai, walking very slowly; even after two hours, they hadn’t covered much distance.
Hence, his return sprint to the village took just over half an hour.
You’er cautiously and carefully suppressed his movements, avoiding any significant noise.
Yet, the moment he saw the village up close, You’er’s mind instantly went blank, rendering him incapable of thought, as if struck by a lightning bolt from the heavens.
The entire Angus Village had been engulfed in a sea of flames.
Within the inferno, Black Knights, clad in dark armor, rode warhorses whose hooves seemed to tread on fire, galloping, rampaging, reveling.
It was a large troop of black knights, mounted on warhorses adorned with dark armor, who haughtily surveyed the array of corpses strewn beneath their horses: Chief Angus and his wife, the Crow family, Aunt Mais’s family, Grandpa Lamb’s family…
The blood flowing from their bodies almost merged into a single pool.
Several Black Knights, acting as scavengers, expressionlessly tossed corpse after corpse into the raging inferno, as if performing a task of utter insignificance.
What plunged You’er into utter despair was that he saw Marlene’s almost naked corpse.
Her pristine white wedding dress was tattered beyond recognition, with only a few blood-stained white strips of cloth remaining, unable to conceal her beautiful body, which lay exposed to the air, now devoid of even a flicker of life.
Marlene’s lower half was brutally exposed; her slender legs were drenched in blood, with one particular area utterly ravaged.
Marlene’s face still bore the indelible marks of fear and agony.
What a heart-wrenching expression it was.
Several Black Knights nearby observed Marlene’s corpse, a lingering, satisfied smirk playing on their lips.
What…
What on earth…
“Huuu…
Huuu…
Huuu…”
You’er clutched his chest tightly, gasping for breath, his beautiful heterochromatic eyes almost shrinking to pinpricks, appearing savage and terrifying.
Marlene…
Was dead…
And by this group of Black Knights, in the most vicious, most cruel manner imaginable!
Unforgivable!
Unforgivable!
You’er glared at the Black Knights with eyes burning with immense hatred and loathing, a raging inferno of fury consuming his chest.
“Hmm?
Still alive?”
Overwhelmed by sorrow and rage, You’er could no longer conceal himself, drawing the attention of the Black Knights, who turned their gazes towards him.
“Come out!”
The Black Knight on the most magnificent warhorse raised his hand and gestured.
This single action made You’er, hidden a hundred meters away, feel a crushing weight, as if Mount Tai itself pressed down upon him.
Before You’er even realized it, he found himself seized in the Black Knight’s grasp, the hawk-like fingers clamped tightly around his throat.
No matter how You’er struggled or resisted, he could not budge the Black Knight in the slightest.
The Black Knight’s palm seemed to possess a magical quality; even held aloft by the throat, You’er felt no sensation of choking, not even a squeeze.
“Silver-haired girl?
Heterochromatic eyes?”
The Black Knight completely disregarded You’er’s reaction, only pausing for a moment after discerning You’er’s appearance.
“Who is she?”
The Black Knight directed this question to the trembling blond youth in a handsome white wedding suit, who lay prostrate beneath his horse.
Grager Angus, apart from You’er and Lilinai who had coincidentally left the village, was likely the only survivor at this stage.
“Rep-replying, my lord,”
Grager stammered, “Though it’s hard to believe, he is actually a male.
He is an outsider to the village, who came to live here with his sister six years ago.
A day ago…”
Grager’s answer made You’er’s heart tremble instantly.
“Shut up, Grager!
Are you such a despicable person?!”
You’er roared at Grager like a frantic young beast.
Looking at his cherished friend, who was now ceaselessly begging for mercy, You’er suddenly felt utterly estranged.
“Oh?
You say she…
no, *he*…
is male?
And has a sister?
Continue.”
The Black Knight paused, then a slight smirk seemed to curl on his lips.
His fingers tightened, crushing You’er’s words back into his throat.
His low murmur sounded incredibly hoarse, like that of a demon.
You’er still couldn’t stop Grager from informing the Black Knight.
Ultimately, the Black Knight Commander dispatched a large troop of Black Knights to search the vicinity for Lilinai’s whereabouts.
You’er’s icy gaze swept towards Grager, seeing his once cherished friend now fawning, bowing, and groveling.
He suddenly felt utterly estranged.
“The Creator truly has a sense of humor.”
Having verified You’er’s identity through some method, the Black Knight Commander clicked his tongue with a chuckle and casually tossed him at the feet of another Black Knight, instructing, “Take him back with you.
Such a ‘treasure’ will surely satisfy the Duke.”
“Go, capture the other fish that slipped through the net.
They are yours to deal with.”
“Hehe, thank you for your generous gift, General!”
The Black Knights scattered.
Having secretly infiltrated the Eastern Azure Empire from the Eternal Night Empire, these Black Knights hadn’t tasted a woman in a long time.
Each of them was as ravenous as a beast in heat, and the dead girl from moments ago clearly hadn’t satisfied them.
Witnessing this, You’er struggled fiercely, but he couldn’t break free from the Black Knight’s suppression.
He could only fix his furious gaze on the Black Knight’s face, searing his image deep into his memory.
Lilinai had become the target of these Black Knights, and You’er’s heart was filled with intense anxiety, so much so that he couldn’t even care about his own predicament.
But before he could make a move, the Black Knight Commander stomped him to the ground.
“Boy, you have courage, but you are also foolish.
Do you know, you and your sister had a chance to escape, but because of your folly, you will ultimately fall into my hands.”
The Black Knight Commander pressed his boot onto half of You’er’s face, grinding it into the mud, uttering words of utmost mockery.
“You will lose everything you once had, and live as a s*ave, a dog.
Tsk tsk, this fellow is your friend, isn’t he?
Then this commander will be merciful and arrange you two together.
Praise the Dark Overlord for my benevolence.”
With that, the Black Knight Commander kicked You’er towards Grager.
“Even as a s*ave, a dog, you must be careful not to let *this* s*ave, *this* dog, catch an opportunity.
One day, I will tear you into a thousand, ten thousand pieces!”
You’er met the Black Knight Commander’s eyes, replying fiercely.
“Heh heh, I shall look forward to it.”
The Black Knight Commander offered a relaxed smile, completely unconcerned.
He had heard such words countless times before, yet he was still alive and well.
For he was the one who wielded power, and the power in his hands was the ultimate bargaining chip.