บท 4: A Crude Crown
Time moved slow,
As Prince Neebo's sword was about to strike the lower body of Prince Archilles, Prince Neebo was pushed aside by an immense force that blasted him ten meters away.
Elder Bai whose attention and focus was occupied with the two Prince's who was under his grasps, noticed the outburst of power coming from Prince Neebo. Worried about Prince Archilles, Elder Bai released his captives and made a punching motion towards Prince Neebo's direction, sending a powerful force that crashed into Prince Neebo just in time.
After being released by the invisible force that was holding them afloat, both Prince Astraeus and Prince Notos grabbed hold of Elder Bai and grappled the elder with whatever energy they have left.
Elder Bai who was depleting his energy all day, was in distress. He felt that both Prince's are highly capable martial artists and given the depletion of his internal energy, he might engage them with physical battle, which Elder Bai is greatly lacking. Elder Bai sent a powerful force that blew away both Prince Astraeus and Notos, leaving Elder Bai with a depleted internal energy.
Noticing the worn out Elder Bai, the royal guards came rushing, in the defense of Elder Bai. Both Prince's engaged in battle and was clearly showing mastery at it.
Prince Archilles who witnessed everything from the start, felt infuriated. How can Ironfort, a puny subsidiary kingdom have this kind of unruly Prince's. This must've been his worst engagement against a kingdom in all his conquest. This made him determined to make an example, "Ironfort, you have truly astounded me! Thus, you shall be the true awakening of my ascension towards my conquest!"
"Elder Bai, get yourself together and hold those two and make sure to bring that brat along!" Prince Archilles ordered.
Elder Bai composed himself and gathered whatever energy he could and grab hold of Prince Astraeus and Prince Notos. Elder Bai then ordered the royal guards to bring Prince Neebo along.
Prince Neebo was unconsciously brought in front of Prince Archilles, was bounded by bigger chains. Prince Archilles felt like tormenting this kid, "Wake him up!" he ordered.
After waking up, kneeling and his hands was bound behind his back with chains. He felt defeated at what had just transpired. Prince Neebo thought that he could finally deal a huge blow, but he was still unsuccessful at it.
Beside him was his mother, Queen Naja who was still weeping from the death of the King that was lying in front of them. Both his older brothers were also bounded by chains and was kneeling badly beaten. His oldest sister Princess Astrid, her face was severely bleeding, to the point of turning purple.
"Neebo, stay calm. where did that strength came from?" whispered by Princess Astrid who was beside him as well.
Prince Neebo glanced at her older sister who had become a stranger to him, "I... I had a fortunate encounter" he answered vaguely.
Princess Astrid nodded, his answer meant that Prince Neebo didn't want to disclose anything about it.
Prince Archilles surveyed this group of people kneeling in front of him, "This is how things should be, you kneeling and pleading for my mercy. Instead, like an unruly monkeys, you've spent my patience time and time again! And for that, I shall make an example out of you!" Prince Archilles declared.
Prince Archilles gaze fell on to Prince Neebo, the one who have humiliated him the most. "Brilliant Prince of Ironfort, This shall be my present for you haha my precious slave"
Shaaaa!
Prince Archilles sword, slashed into Prince Astraeus. It sliced through the Prince's upper body and turning it into two. Prince Neebo and his family were stunned.
Both Prince Notos and Neebo struggled furiously.
"Nooooooo!" Princess Astrid staggered in defeat, she highly respected and was greatly biased towards Prince Astraeus. Her eldest brother falling in the hands of her enemy.
Prince Archilles was emotionless as he made his way towards Princess Astrid.
"Stop! You cowardly Hazel Grove murderers!" Prince Neebo screamed.
"hehe oh no my precious slave, the Brilliant Prince of Ironfort. I was just starting to unravel my present to you hahaha" Prince Archilles mockingly answered.
"Ironfort has never offended any neighboring kingdoms! This will not go unpunished! Aren't you afraid of the Great Kingdom of Ethos?" Prince Notos begged.
"The Great Kingdom of Ethos shall be the final stage of my conquest! My Hazel Grove shall stand above the ashes of bones of the Great Kingdom of Ethos! Hahahahaha" Prince Archilles fervently guffawed. Right there and then, Prince Archilles lunges his sword towards Princess Astrid's chest.
He drew closer to the Princess and softly whispered, "Your ugly face infuriates me. Thus, you deserve to die" He then pulled away his sword. The lifeless body of Princess Astrid dropped.
"Nooooo! You cowards!" Prince Neebo's piercing cry resounded.
After which, Prince Archilles slashed his sword beheading Queen Naja who was beside Prince Neebo. But then he stopped in front of Prince Notos. He crouched in front of the stunned Prince Notos.
Prince Notos was a quiet person, he would spend his time training to the way of the sword. All he did was to train. At the age of 18, he was given responsibility to command his own squadron. At the Age of 20, he was promoted as one of Ironfort's esteemed General's.
Before the arrival of Prince Neebo, Prince Archilles had a chance to have a duel against Prince Notos, and they were clearly on par with each other. And Prince Archilles was threatened, yet he did not want to kill a very rare rival.
"I will spare you, but I still have to punish your younger brother. And so, I have made a decision to take away your sword arm, and let you train again with your other arm." Prince Archilles told the dazed Prince and sliced Prince Notos right arm.
"Aaaaaaargh!" Prince Notos howled.
Prince Archilles strode, stabbed and took the crown worn by the dead King and wore it himself, "I like the elegance and crudeness of this crown, truly fitting for a conqueror like me! Hahahaha"
The silver crude crown with a red ruby was a striking and regal symbol of authority. Crafted with a rough elegance, the crown possessed a raw beauty that set it apart from more refined pieces of royalty.
The base of the crown was made of dull silver, displaying a rugged texture that hinted at its handcrafted origins. The metal had not been meticulously shaped and polished, but rather formed with deliberate imperfections, adding character to its design. These rough edges and irregularities gave the crown a unique and slightly rustic charm.
At the front of the crown, rising majestically above the wearer's forehead, was a singular red ruby. The gemstone, rich in color and radiance, commanded attention amidst the silver backdrop. It glimmered with a deep and vibrant red hue, captivating all who beheld it.
"Stop! You..... don't deserve.. that crown!" Prince Neebo's rage was at all time high, seeing what Prince Archilles did, he couldn't bear to witness it any longer. "I... beg of you... let go of the crown! Kill me instead!"
Prince Neebo could only plead in defeat, They were clearly outnumbered and overpowered. What else can he do but to surrender. He couldn't fight for his life, he couldn't even move.
"haha oh no my Brilliant Prince! You and your brother here is one of a kind, and so I have decided to keep you both alive haha Prince Notos the avenger and Prince Neebo the slave! How romantic your story would turn out in the end. I'm truly excited!" Prince Archilles declared.
"Darius! Take Prince Notos away and tend to his wounds, make sure he doesn't die. Send him to the Great Kingdom of Ethos, let him be the message that I shall send to them of how serious I am at this conquest!" Prince Archilles ordered with a hint of rage.
"As you command, Young Lord." His loyal servant Darius bowed and received his orders, taking Prince Notos away.
"Brother, I will come to your rescue!" Prince Notos affirmed.
Prince Neebo could only watch as they take away his one last remaining family. His gaze locked with his estranged brother. At that moment, they both shared a silent understanding, a shared recognition between brothers that one day, they will see each other again.
As Prince Notos departed the scene, Prince Archilles mocked the look of determination clearly expressed by both brothers, "Would you look at that, how romantic! Both brothers agreeing to see each other again in the future haha! Come, Brilliant Prince! I will show you how I will forge my own Great Kingdom above the ruins of all you puny and weak ones! Only the one who holds power shall hold the greatest authority!"
Prince Archilles mounted his horse and rode outside Ironfort ruins, followed by his royal guards and their army.
As Prince Neebo was taken away, weak and badly beaten, he took a glance at his home. It might be his last time being here, as he was placed in a carriage that was moving out from Ironfort. He clearly saw the destruction of his home, the dead mangled bodies around what remains of the ruins of Ironfort, "One day, I shall deliver an even greater destruction against your cowardly kingdom, Hazel Grove!" Prince Neebo declared softly.
"Hahaha I hear you, my Brilliant Slave! hahaha" Prince Archilles replied as he rode beside Prince Neebo's carriage.
Prince Neebo shut his eyes in his fury, he was defeated in the most miserable way possible. He promised to himself to take back the crown of Ironfort away from the hands of this cowardly Prince Archilles. He would secretly find a way to cultivate his internal energy to face the Foundation Establishment esteemed elder, Elder Bai.
He thought that Elder Bai's cultivation level was not that great, witnessing how he felt pressured against his mortal brothers assault. Elder Bai must have not yet stepped into the Foundation Establishment stage yet, or that he is at the first level of the stage still.
Thus, Prince Neebo felt great determination in breaking through his cultivation and catch up to Elder Bai's cultivation.
The carriage moved along as Prince Archilles who was wearing a silver crude crown of Ironfort led his army back to Hazel Grove leaving behind the the ruins of Ironfort.
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