Chapter 411 The Last Kingdom (2)
Gudbrand watched as razor-sharp appendages sliced through armor and flesh with gruesome efficiency, and their malevolent eyes gleamed with a sinister hunger.
The battle was a nightmare, a relentless onslaught that left the soldiers with no respite. As the beasts advanced, the soldiers fell, their valiant efforts proving futile.
The snow was painted with blood, and the air was thick with the sounds of agony and death.
When the dust settled, only ten soldiers remained, standing amidst the carnage, their faces etched with shock and grief.
Gudbrand, the commander of the Aesirheim Castle, was among the survivors, expressing relief and sorrow.
The survivors braced themselves, expecting a grim fate, but to their surprise, a sinister chuckle pierced the air.
Their eyes turned upward, and they watched as the malevolent boy descended towards them with a flap of his massive white wings.
As the boy's feet touched the ground, the monstrous beasts that had previously attacked them bowed in submission, a shocking sight that disbelieved everyone.
However, before they could react, the boy fixed his gaze on Gudbrand, and in an instant, he vanished into thin air.
Fear gripped them, but their terror held them in place, surrounded by the ominous beasts.
Then, a chilling voice whispered behind Gudbrand, "I will consume your soul and inherit your knowledge."
With those words, a sensation of something being forcibly torn from him overcame Gudbrand, and suddenly, everything plunged into darkness.
When the soldiers saw their commander's body drop to the ground with a thud. They noticed the boy was looking at them.
He smiled even more before commanding them. ''Go tell the other castles not to attack me, or what happened here will happen again.''
The survivors nodded and rushed off as they saw some horses in the distance by the road that led to the now-destroyed castle.
[Rurik - Further up the northern coast - Frostfang Castle]
Rurik, a young and dedicated Fjordhelm soldier, diligently patrolled the towering castle walls as the weather worsened, causing him to shiver involuntarily.
He rubbed his hands together for warmth, his thoughts drifting back to his family, why he'd enlisted in the army.
As he made his rounds along the fortifications, he noticed fellow soldiers gazing out toward the stormy sea, their faces etched with concern.
Some kept a watchful eye on the unforgiving, snow-covered terrain beyond.
Yesterday, they received orders from the royal capital: if a lone boy attacked their fortress, they were to surrender and protect as many lives as possible.
This responsibility bore heavily on their minds as they braced themselves for an uncertain future.
As he patrolled the walls he saw a lone rider rushing up to the castle gate in a panic before screaming. ''Open the gate!''
Rurik watched as the soldiers stationed at the gate opened it as the panicking rider rushed into the courtyard.
When the rider came to a stop everyone made their way over to him. The castle commander is known as Ivor Thorstensen.
Every nearby soldier got closer including Rurik. As they listened the rider jumped off and ran up to the commander and spoke.
''The dragon boy said not to attack him or he will destroy every castle and fort as he did with the Aesirheim Castle and Gudbrand Ivarsen.''
Ivor looked at the scared rider and asked. ''Is Gudbrand dead?''
The rider nodded his head but before anyone could speak pressure descended on them, causing the weaker soldier to feint and fall over.
The stronger ones couldn't move a muscle as a white-haired boy appeared with a grin before talking. ''It's good that you didn't attack. Otherwise, there would be no castles left in Fjordhelm.''
Rurik was far enough away not to be affected by the weird pressure and just watched the boy as he sat down on a barrel and commanded Ivor. ''Bring me all your wealth or I'll level the castle.''
Ivor looked at the boy who gestured toward the approaching rider. The man dismounted and promptly shared what had happened at Aesirheim.
With a hint of irritation, the commander reluctantly ordered the untouched soldiers to retrieve the castle's treasure for the uninvited guest.
Rurik observed the scene unfold, but his attention was abruptly redirected as the boy leaped into the air and vanished, only to reappear behind the commander.
In a shocking turn of events, Ivor's body suddenly crumpled to the ground. The boy, with an eerie smile, turned to the onlookers and commented, "Get back to work. Don't mind me."
The soldiers witnessed this astonishing turn of events, and shock gripped them momentarily before they hurriedly departed.
Not long after, the chests were presented to the uninvited guest. Rurik, stationed on the wall, observed the boy with curiosity.
Soon, Rurik watched the boy take off and fly in the direction of Stormhold City. This caused him to pray to the Sea Goddess that the royal family would be fine.
[Fjordhelm Royal Palace - Stonehold City]
Seated in his study, King Harald Eriksson received his advisor with a nod. After the advisor offered a bow, he delivered his report.
"Your Majesty, the young man has razed Aesirheim Castle to the ground in the north and made a brief stop at Frostfang Castle to claim their riches before heading our way," the advisor conveyed.
Harald sighed but accepted it before giving the advisor his orders. ''Tell the soldiers on the wall not to fire upon the boy and when he arrives guide him here.''
The man respectfully exited the room, leaving King Harald to turn his attention to a young woman who appeared to be in her early twenties.
She possessed striking features: short blue hair reminiscent of his wife's and piercing red eyes that matched his own.
Her physique was that of a warrior, a fact that both impressed and irked Harald. Nevertheless, he welcomed her with a warm smile.
"Hello, my dear Thyra. How may I be of assistance?" Harald inquired.
Thyra returned her father's smile and spoke with a tone of curiosity, "Father, have the rumors from the mainland proven true? Is it correct that a white dragon is on our island?"
Harald gazed at his daughter and let out a sigh before responding, "Yes, my dear, they are indeed true. He approaches our city as we speak."
Thyra's smile widened as she settled down, engaging in a pleasant chat with her father. These moments spent with his children were truly cherished by King Harald.
However, there was a special place in his heart for Thyra. Her spirited nature and feistiness reminded him of his late sister, to whom he had been exceptionally close.
The bond he shared with Thyra, was much like the one he once had with his sister and was a source of deep affection for the king.
The two of them passed the time discussing ordinary matters, savoring their father-daughter conversation.
As their talk flowed, the advisor reentered the study, ready to share more information with King Harald.
The advisor bowed down before speaking. ''Your Majesty. The boy has arrived and is being guided to the palace.''
Harald gave a nod and rose from his seat, addressing Ketil. "Tell me more about this boy."
Ketil swiftly responded, "The messenger's description is quite amusing. He mentioned that the boy appeared friendly, standing at the gate, munching on bread, and giving off a country bumpkin impression as he saw the city walls."
Harald listened intently as Ketil provided more information. "Tell me more," he urged.
He continued, "The merchant's tales depict him as a hooligan and opportunist. They claim he only lends his aid if there's something in it for him. Additionally, they suggest that the Avalonian Emperor favors him and won't interfere in his actions, possibly because the boy is quite unconventional. He's described as a free spirit who isn't interested in power or titles, instead prioritizing his desires and wealth, it is said that he is surrounded by all different princesses. What's more, they say he's unlike any other white dragon that our world has ever seen."
After Ketil finished his report, Thyra couldn't contain her laughter, and her amusement caught her father's attention.
Harald looked at her before shaking his head as he spoke. ''Let's go to the entrance and meet this young man.''
As they proceeded towards the entrance, Thyra couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and turned to her father. "Father, I've heard tales of the white dragon king, but what are they?"
The king began to explain everything he knew about the rare dragons. However, as they reached the reception room, they were all taken aback.
Harald and Ketil were struck by astonishment, while Thyra's gaze locked onto a handsome young man with hair as white as snow.
Who was lounging on the sofa, looking as if he owned the place? She couldn't help but notice the four beautiful white horns and his exquisite white scales.
When the young man looked up and met her eyes with his mesmerizing violet ones, Thyra's world seemed to momentarily stand still.
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