章節 13: Chapter 13: Whispers of the Unknown
Three days had passed since the council meeting, and the palace had become a hive of activity. The air was thick with tension as the empire's forces prepared for war, but amidst the chaos, Leonis had been left to his own devices, exactly how he preferred it. He needed time, not just to prepare physically but to gather his thoughts, to plan his next move.
It was late in the evening when Leonis found himself standing on the balcony of his chambers, overlooking the training grounds. His royal armor glinted in the fading sunlight, the emerald and silver radiating an ethereal glow. The sword—the masterpiece crafted by the dwarves—rested by his side, its presence a constant reminder of the responsibility he now carried.
The demons were on the move, their forces growing stronger with each passing day. But something else was bothering Leonis. In the novel, Zar'Ghul, the Demon King, had not moved so soon. There had been a lull, a time of preparation. Yet now, the timeline was accelerating. The alliances forming between the orcs, goblins, and demons were happening too fast. It was as if someone—or something—was driving events forward.
"Is it the prophecy?" he muttered to himself, clenching his fists. "Is it because of me?"
A sudden knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. "Enter," Leonis called, turning to face the intruder.
The door creaked open, revealing his youngest brother, Caelum, dressed in light training clothes. His boyish features were shadowed by concern, and he carried a hesitant smile. "Leonis, I wanted to check on you. You haven't been around much since the council."
Leonis smiled softly. "I've been busy, preparing for what's to come."
Caelum stepped forward, his gaze flickering to the sword at Leonis's side. "That's the new blade from the dwarves, isn't it? It looks incredible."
"It is," Leonis nodded, picking up the sword and holding it out for Caelum to inspect. "Light, but deadly. Crafted with mana stones that respond to the user's own energy."
Caelum's eyes widened in awe. "Can I… try it?"
Leonis chuckled and shook his head. "Not this time. This sword is… unique. But soon, I'll help you train with something similar."
Caelum's face brightened. "Really? You've never offered to train with me before."
Leonis paused for a moment. The old Leonis would never have entertained such a request. He had been cruel and indifferent to his siblings, even the younger ones who looked up to him. But now, with his new perspective and the knowledge he held, Leonis saw his siblings not just as rivals or nuisances but as potential allies—pieces in the grand game he was now playing.
"Times are changing," Leonis said softly. "And I've changed as well."
Caelum looked at him with surprise. "You really have. I… I've always admired you, Leonis. Even when you were distant. But now… I can feel it. You're different."
Leonis smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I hope that's for the better."
Before Caelum could respond, there was a sudden noise from the training grounds below. Both brothers turned toward the balcony, watching as a group of royal guards rushed across the courtyard, heading toward the eastern gates.
Leonis's heart skipped a beat. Something was happening.
Without a word, Leonis grabbed his sword and bolted toward the door, Caelum hot on his heels. They sprinted through the halls, the sounds of armored footsteps echoing around them as more soldiers joined the commotion.
By the time they reached the eastern gates, the situation had become clear: a scouting party had returned with dire news. The orcs and goblins had launched a surprise attack on one of the empire's forward outposts—one that was supposed to be heavily fortified.
"Impossible," Leonis muttered under his breath. He had anticipated the enemy's movements, but even this was faster than expected. How could they have breached the defenses so easily?
As he approached the scout who was delivering the report, Leonis caught sight of the man's injuries. Deep gashes covered his arms and legs, and his face was pale with shock.
"The orcs... they have a new weapon," the scout stammered, his voice trembling. "Something we've never seen before. It tore through our walls like paper. We had no chance."
Leonis's stomach tightened. In the novel, there had been no mention of a new weapon. The orcs and goblins had been formidable, yes, but nothing they possessed could have caused such destruction. This was new.
"What kind of weapon?" Leonis demanded, stepping forward. His voice was calm, but inside, his mind was racing.
"I... I don't know," the scout whispered, shaking his head. "It was like... a black flame. It consumed everything it touched."
Leonis's blood ran cold. Black flame. That could only mean one thing: demonic magic. But not just any magic. This was advanced, far beyond what the orcs or goblins should have had access to.
And it meant that Zar'Ghul was already making his move.
Leonis glanced at Caelum, who was staring wide-eyed at the scene. "Caelum, go back to the palace. Tell father and the council what's happened."
Caelum hesitated. "But-"
"Now," Leonis ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument. He couldn't afford to have his younger brother involved in this. Not yet.
Caelum gave a reluctant nod before sprinting back toward the palace, leaving Leonis alone with the grim reality of the situation. The enemy was growing stronger, faster than he could have imagined. And the prophecy, his destiny, was rapidly approaching.
But there was another twist in the story, one that he hadn't expected at all. This wasn't just about the prophecy or the demon king's advance.
Someone or something was manipulating events from behind the scenes. And Leonis had a feeling that whatever it was, it wasn't part of the story he had once read.
For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a sliver of doubt creep into his mind. He knew the future, or at least he thought he did. But now, as the black flame of demonic magic burned on the horizon, Leonis realized that his knowledge of the novel might not be enough.
He was playing a game where the rules were changing.
And the stakes had just been raised.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票