Chapter 837: Ran Chi's Hellish Battle (Part 1)

Chapter 837: Ran Chi's Hellish Battle (Part 1)



Twenty years ago.

Fireworks blazed, a blinding red spectacle.

Brillada City was engulfed in flames on Blood Bath Day.

The festive atmosphere of the National Day celebration had long been replaced by anger and riots.

On the usually bustling streets, cries, screams, and roars filled the air.

Mobs surged like a tidal wave towards the noble mansions, armed with knives, sticks, and clubs, their eyes burning with hatred.

Most of the city's main buildings were under attack, thick smoke obscuring the sky, and flames licking at the ancient wooden beams. Occasionally, panicked nobles fled in carriages, only to be blocked by angry civilians wielding heavy weapons. The noblewomen, adorned with gold and silver, were dragged from their carriages, their jewelry and accessories looted, and soon lay on the ground, lifeless and covered in blood.

The twelve Divine Generals of the time had all diverged. They, who were supposed to receive the blessings of the God of War and the Sword on this day, joined the battlefield together, attacking each other, protecting the royalty, aiding civilians, or assisting the nobles in suppressing the riots.

The fire from the Imperial Mechanized Corps' weapons and the magitek particle cannons crisscrossed above the city's defensive barrier, and the screams of the Imperial soldiers were incessant. Civilians were inevitably affected, and even with the city's defensive barrier, it was overburdened and couldn't function effectively.

Noble mansions, if unlucky, would be set ablaze once breached, and their red roofs would collapse.

The entire Brillada City had descended into a frenzy of self-destruction.

The vast heart of the Kreth Empire turned into a desolate ruin in just one day, and the once-thriving empire became a mere illusion, leaving only a hellish landscape of blood and fire.

The endless conflict, the unending turmoil, no one could provide an answer.

Not far from the City Hall, in a mansion befitting of its lineage and power.

Deep red tapestries hung on the walls, intricate embroideries showcasing the family's history and glory alongside the Kreth Empire's.

"..."

Just turned nine, he propped himself up with his elbows and crawled out from the bedroom floor.

His pants were sticky with urine, but it wasn't unbearable.

Compared to this, his stiff joints were hard and painful, and it was even more agonizing to move without making a sound.

Fortunately, those guys had searched through everything here and hadn't found him, so being extra careful wouldn't hurt.

He recalled from his childhood knowledge that all creatures would get hungry if they didn't eat, but strangely, he hadn't eaten for almost a day and wasn't hungry at all.

Perhaps this was a protective mechanism to prevent him from vomiting upon smelling his relatives being cooked.

It was late November, winter, yet his throat was as dry as if he had just finished a summer afternoon tantrum. His head ached terribly, and the ringing in his ears wouldn't stop.

After checking the room's condition, he crawled on the floor, took off his noble outerwear, and tried to look as disheveled and dirty as possible, making himself appear more like a commoner, no, a refugee.

He cautiously avoided any noise in the house, trying to escape through the backyard from a spot unseen. Then, he fled the mansion, which was almost completely empty.

Wherever he passed, the once-familiar mansion that had brought him happiness and security was now unrecognizable.

Anything of value had been looted.

Even vases and the flowers within weren't spared.

The cage was opened, leaving only the goldfinch's broken feathers and bloodstained, severed wings.

He found a shattered vase and, like a dog, stuck his head into the vase's base, desperately gulping down water to soothe his throat, unconcerned if the water mixed with dirt was clean or not.

Finally, he was alive.

Immediately, without even wiping his mouth, he scanned the room.

The cabinets were shattered, everything ransacked, even the maids' clothes were torn out and scattered on the floor, imprinted with footprints.

Perhaps they were too dirty, so no one bothered to take them.

He braced himself on the broken floor with his hands and slowly rose from his crawling position, further listening to the noises outside.

From the corner of his eye, he could glimpse the corridor, which was in disarray, covered in mud, bloodstains, and sticky substances.

"..."

After confirming safety, he took cautious steps.

However, as he prepared to go outside, he stepped on something soft.

He lowered his head and, in a daze, bent down to pick it up, unconcerned if it was a dangerous and unnecessary action at this moment.

It was his sister's satin ribbon.

He recognized it.

It was his sister's favorite hair accessory.

Although not particularly extravagant, his sister cherished it because it was a birthday gift from him.

Holding the ribbon, the pungent smell made his hand tremble.

After a brief struggle, he threw the ribbon away like a jolt of electricity and looked forward again.

Sneaking a glance through the window of the corridor, he confirmed that those guys had temporarily left the vicinity. He held his breath, skillfully climbed over the one-meter-high window, and looked outside.

The sky was a murky red.

It was unclear if it was morning or dusk.

Shadows stretched long, and he used the body positioning taught by his family's knights to stick close to the wall, hiding his shadow.

At five or six, he was considered a prodigy, and even the knights training him were quickly defeated by him.

If not for this, he probably wouldn't have had the chance to hide and escape at this moment.

He slowly moved along the wall, aiming for the neighboring courtyard.

As expected.

The neighboring mansion was also on fire, billowing black smoke.

Unconsciously, he dared not look up.

Because looking up would reveal the unrecognizable figure atop his family's mansion—

"He won't get far, just a kid of a few years old. He won't escape today."

"Once we catch him, we'll gut him like his parents! Hang him on the mansion's roof for all to see!"

"Their family has royal blood. Aren't we going too far?"

"It's come to this, precisely because of that, we must see it through."

"Never let the Marquis' descendants escape!"

The sound of searching footsteps echoed, and he held his breath again.

"..."

His eyes stung with tears, and at this moment, he felt that giving up and ending his life was the best choice.

This way, he wouldn't be afraid or in pain anymore.

The raging, unquenchable flames burned his cheeks.

The rising tide, the resounding catastrophe.

Just listening to these sounds, he seemed to see his father's beheading, his mother being torn apart, and hear his sister's cries turning into feeble gasps, slowly losing her vitality and breath.

He was just a nine-year-old boy, and his shoulders could no longer bear the burden.

Losing everything would bring relief.

It should have been like this.

Just one wrong step, and he would fall into a human hell.

Why was he still clinging to life?

The young man's eyes reflected the raging flames across the sky, observing the actions of these marauders who pillaged and burned.

The corners of his bloodied lips, once tightly pressed, now curved into a liberating smile.

His voice, a mix of sorrow and joy, made it seem as though he was both crying and laughing.

...

Twenty years passed in the blink of an eye.

The morning sun gently revealed itself, and the streets of Brillada had already awakened.

Golden rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, shimmering on the rippling waters of the Grand River.

This reborn heart of the empire boasted prosperity and beauty, rivaling any city along the empire's coastal mountain ranges.

The heroic statues stood solemnly, awaiting the grand annual celebration.

Grand architecture and a rich artistic atmosphere permeated every corner of Brillada.

At the center of the city-state, Kreth Memorial Square was surrounded by white monuments and uniquely designed dark gray statues of the first generation of the Twelve Military Deities.

Towards the end of November, consecutive festivals would bring liveliness to Brillada.

On the spacious streets, occasional glimpses of morning light, the fragrance of roses, or the gentle melodies played by street performers filled the air, making the city-state resemble a pure heaven even at sunrise, like birds chirping in a warm house.

The sun rose higher and higher.

Until the ancient sundial in the southern Grand Convent pointed to nine in the morning.

"What a beautiful day it is."

Many students from Saint Kreth Convent were hurrying out of the convent area, heading towards Kreth Memorial Square in the city center.

"I've been waiting for this day for a whole year, and I'm going to celebrate to my heart's content."

"Indeed!"

His companion chimed in,

"Today, His Majesty the Emperor will personally inspect the cavalry regiment. It's been twenty years since that sorrowful day, and the scene will undoubtedly be spectacular."

At the Grand Station of Saint Kreth Convent, a group of young people who looked like students were deep in discussion.

"It's a pity that Ursula and Elsa couldn't be persuaded to come out today. They said they'd rather watch the Brillada Broadcasting Corporation's live broadcast from the convent, but it would be so much better to see it in person."

"Perhaps Ursula, being the eldest daughter of the Roland Marquis family, still feels the impact of that tragic day..."

"Let's talk about Professor Landry and his new rumors with the cat lady instead!"

Realizing they had touched upon a sensitive topic, they coughed lightly and stopped discussing their friends' backgrounds, turning back to lighter topics.

"What? There's a new version already?"

Laughter and chatter filled the air once more.

The place they were heading to was the square in front of Saint Asteri Palace, located in the city center of Brillada, six hundred meters north of the Imperial Special Operations Division's Holvos Cross Claw.

Due to this, the Imperial Special Operations Division was once jokingly referred to as the "Royal Lapdog Guard," and compared to the Imperial Guard, which was dedicated to maintaining internal palace security, the Imperial Special Operations Division was even more relentless in dealing with any threat to the empire's security.

The Royal Saint Asteri Palace was initially ordered to be built by Emperor Hoffman I of the Kreth Empire. From the 15th to the 17th century of the Solar Calendar, Saint Asteri Palace served as the primary residence of the Kreth Empire's monarchs.

Constructed from red bricks, Saint Asteri Palace showcased the typical architectural style of the Seros Dynasty.

The palace had four sub-palaces: the Envoy Court, the Divine Cultivation Court, the Color Court, and the Bright Court. The main building housed the Throne Hall, used for significant ceremonies like coronations.

The famous Twelve Military Deities' Blessing Ceremony took place in Kreth Memorial Square in front of Saint Asteri Palace, where prayers were offered to the Twelve Military Deities for their annual blessings of war and the sword.

The most renowned interior of Saint Asteri Palace was the Inner Court, once the venue for the Kreth Empire's emperors to meet with ministers and receive foreign envoys.

The Inner Court was adorned with luxurious tapestries and paintings from the Seros Dynasty era. Another essential room was the Throne Hall designed by the ancient Kreth Empire artist, Prangis Jonville. The niches at both ends displayed half-length statues of past Kreth Empire monarchs, and the murals along the corridors depicted divine townscapes from the Creation Record. There was also a maid's resting room and a permanent arsenal.

Many significant ceremonies, such as welcoming ceremonies for state visits and wedding banquets for royal family members, were held here. The coronation of the current Kreth Empire's king, Emperor Saint Baldus, also took place in this palace.

"Do you know? The official 'Military Parade' ceremony for the Kreth Empire's National Festival has a traditional two-part process and protocol."

Some passing students from Saint Kreth Convent were like history teachers, sharing their knowledge with their friends.

"The morning is dedicated to the regular celebration and parade."

"After the regular morning celebration, there's a lunch break, and at exactly three in the afternoon, the Twelve Military Deities' Blessing Ceremony begins on Grand Avenue in front of Saint Asteri Palace."

"The entire ceremony lasts approximately two hours."

Following the usual procedure from previous years, the Royal Cavalry Guard assembled. Fourteen hundred guards, two hundred cavalry, and four hundred band members from the Royal Cavalry Guard gathered in front of Saint Asteri Palace.

During the Royal Cavalry Guard's inspection, they were reviewed by the Royal Colonel, who was a member of the royal family.

Then, the Emperor and other royal family members arrived in carriages. The King rode in the Royal Carriage, departing from Saint Asteri Palace, passing through the parade ground, and taking his seat on the royal viewing platform.

Other royal family members followed in their carriages.

As the band played the "Royal Flame" march, the Emperor, protected by the guards, rode to inspect the Royal Cavalry Guard.

The flag-bearer entered the field, riding from Saint Asteri Palace, carrying the fluttering cavalry regiment flag, and reaching the parade ground. The band played the "Ancient Seros March."

The units marched in a flag-bearing procession, moving along the parade ground to the sound of the band. Each formation was led by an officer and a band, and finally, they formed a line on Grand Avenue, concluding the morning parade.

In the afternoon, the Royal Cavalry Guard's parade reached its climax as the Royal Cavalry Guard marched in formation, passing in front of Saint Asteri Palace to pay tribute to the Emperor.

Then, the Twelve Military Deities arrived to begin the blessing ceremony.

The national anthem played, and the Royal Mechanical Engineering Squad flew overhead.

During the closing stages, the royal family members returned to Saint Asteri Palace in carriages or on horseback, while the Twelve Military Deities protected the Emperor.

Finally, as the sun set, His Majesty the Emperor appeared on the open balcony of Saint Asteri Palace to acknowledge the people.

The celebration reached its pinnacle with the Royal Mechanical Engineering Squad's aerial acrobatics performance.

The historical tradition of the military parade aimed to showcase the might of the Kreth Empire's royalty and military, inspiring patriotism among the people. The cavalry flag was carried by different legions each year, attracting large crowds to watch the parade at Saint Asteri Palace and along the route. The event was broadcast nationwide and even garnered attention from the northern kingdoms, becoming a significant cultural tradition in the Kreth Empire.

And those who could attend the event in Brillada were even luckier.

"It would be great if we could meet the professor."

The students chatted among themselves, but deep down, they genuinely admired the professor who had come to the Saint Kreth Convent this year.

"Someone invited the professor, but he said he had an important matter to attend to today, and no one knows what it is that keeps him working overtime even on the National Festival."

"He's such a workaholic; he didn't even take a break during the Moon Goddess Festival. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen him take a day off."

"There's always a feeling that he's so busy he's willing to die."

A student sighed.

"Don't say that!"

"But sometimes, Professor Landry's demeanor really makes you feel like he would calmly face death for a cause, the kind that no amount of persuasion could stop. Don't you think so?"

"No way..."

At the platform, the students' voices were gradually drowned out by the sound of the city's magno-rail train as it sped into the station.

"Attention passengers, the Holvos train has arrived at Saint Kreth Convent Station. The next stop is Wilton Station, and the final stop, Holvos North, will be reached in thirty minutes."

With the announcement, people boarded and disembarked the train.

The train's iron doors closed, and it slowly accelerated towards the center of Brillada.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city.

At Saint Asterion Palace, the palace officials had been busy since the morning.

They polished every silverware to ensure they gleamed in the sunlight, meticulously ironed each tablecloth to perfection, and picked the most vibrant roses from the gardens to adorn the necessary corners.

The entire Saint Asterion Palace was revitalized.

The Royal Cavalry Guards assembled in front of the palace.

Dressed in bright red uniforms and wearing black high bearskin hats, their horses neighed beneath them, hooves scraping the ground, seemingly sensing the uniqueness of the day.

Four hundred members of the military band held their instruments, ready to play the celebratory tunes at any moment.

The streets of the Manholt District in Brillada's city center were already packed with spectators.

Even the area around the Brillada Opera House, two kilometers away from the palace, was congested with people.

As the clock struck ten, the festivities officially began.

A royal colonel in splendid attire walked before the cavalry guards and commenced the inspection.

His gaze swept over each soldier, ensuring their appearance was impeccable.

The soldiers stood at attention, saluting without a glance to the side.

Then, with the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels, the royal carriage carrying Emperor Saint Baldus slowly emerged from Saint Asterion Palace.

The carriage, painted entirely in gold, bore the Seros Empire's emblem, and the four white horses were spotless, as if they had trodden upon clouds.

The emperor wore a crimson military uniform today, and the medals on his chest glistened in the blazing sun.

He waved to the cheering crowd, his face beaming with a warm smile.

Behind him, the empress and other royal family members rode in carriages, gracefully waving to the people.

The crowd responded to Emperor Saint Baldus with a thunderous cheer, like a flood of joy.

As the emperor stepped down from the carriage, he strode towards the Royal Cavalry Guards, his military boots echoing crisply on the square.

The cavalry stood motionless, like statues.

Following tradition, Emperor Saint Baldus inspected the troops, his gaze sweeping over each cavalryman.

The fifty-year-old Kreth emperor held the legendary Seros Spirit Sword, and its aura made him seem no less intimidating than an eighth-rank powerhouse. The legendary royal spirits of the empire's history seemed to manifest as phantoms, guarding him from behind.

The cavalrymen remained steadfast, their eyes fixed ahead, their hearts filled with surging passion and spirited determination.

The royal military band played the "Royal Flame" on time, and the majestic tune reverberated across the square.

The trumpets' sound was clear and lingering, as if piercing the clouds, while the drums beat vigorously, striking the hearts of the people. The gongs, flutes, and pipes played a cheerful and lively melody, conveying the joy of the National Festival to the crowd.

The music rose and fell, sometimes low and somber, sometimes high and uplifting, sometimes slow and soothing, and sometimes fast and stirring.

The music abruptly stopped, and a cavalryman in a bright red uniform rode forward, holding the reins with one hand and raising a fluttering military flag high with the other.

Embroidered on the flag was the cavalry regiment's emblem—a roaring lion, symbolizing the Kreth Empire cavalry's bravery and indomitable spirit.

The cavalryman rode with his head held high and his chest out, slowly passing through the square, paying his salute a gesture of utmost respect to Emperor Saint Baldus.

Immediately after, one formation after another, the cavalry regiment began their parade.

Their ranks were impeccable, and the horses' strides were perfectly synchronized.

The sound of hooves striking the ground echoed, and the earth trembled with each step.

The cavalrymen stood tall, their formation impeccable, and their demeanor was awe-inspiring.

As the winter sun approached noon, their swords and badges gleamed, dazzling the onlookers.

The crowd erupted in a series of cheers, mixed with shouts of "Long live Emperor Saint Baldus!"

The national flag and the royal banners waved among the people, creating a sea of gold and red.

Emperor Saint Baldus gazed at his soldiers, his eyes filled with paternal love.

These loyal guardians were his strongest support, the foundation of the Kreth Empire's unyielding strength, and the pillars upholding his reign.

Even as the morning parade drew to a close, the crowd showed no signs of dispersing.

If they gave up their prime viewing spots now, they might not get another chance to secure them in the afternoon.

The cavalrymen regrouped in the center of the square.

At the command, all the cavalrymen saluted Emperor Saint Baldus simultaneously.

The emperor returned the salute, surveying the square, and waved to the cheering crowd.

His expression was solemn and dignified, but the fine lines at the corners of his eyes hinted at a hidden smile.

The Blood Bath Day of twenty years ago was long past.

When people see the light of success, they forget the darkness of the means.

Under his rule, the Kreth Empire was marching forward, step by step, with unwavering order.

...

Under the clear sky, looking up, one could see a vast expanse of bright blue.

The scorching sun hung high, its rays piercingly red.

In the winter, the afternoon sun rarely warmed the skin, and the sound of the canal connecting the southern part of the city rang out clear and crisp.

When the clock struck three in the afternoon, the entire city of Brillada erupted in celebration.

From Brighton Tower on the south bank of the Grand River to the Imperial Parliament Building on the north bank, from Greenwich Park in the east to Heidelberg Gardens in the west, the festive atmosphere permeated every corner.

The square in front of Brighton Tower was packed with people, a sea of humanity.

The citizens were dressed in their holiday best, singing and laughing, their voices echoing through the clouds.

"Dear people of Kreth."

Emperor Saint Baldus Hoffman stood on the balcony of the Royal Saint Asterion Palace, addressing the cheering crowd below.

He was dressed in his morning attire, raising one hand to signal for the crowd to quiet down.

Gradually, the cheers subsided, and everyone held their breath, eagerly awaiting his speech.

"Today, we celebrate the National Day of our great Kreth Empire. At this special moment, I, on behalf of the royal family, extend our sincerest holiday greetings to you all."

Emperor Saint Baldus began his powerful speech, "The past year has been an extraordinary one. The Kreth Empire has achieved remarkable accomplishments in various fields. Our economy is thriving, our technology is advancing, and our culture is flourishing. All of this is a testament to the wisdom and hard work of all the people of Kreth. As your sovereign, I am immensely proud to have such industrious, brave, and talented subjects."

The crowd erupted into applause.

Emperor Saint Baldus smiled, waiting for the applause to subside before continuing.

"However, we must not become complacent because of our current achievements. Looking back at the history of the Kreth Empire, we have faced countless challenges and hardships. It is precisely because of the unity and selfless dedication of generation after generation of Kreth people that our nation stands tall among the nations of the world, and we can enjoy the happy life we have today."

"Looking to the future, we still have many tasks to accomplish and many difficulties to overcome. But I firmly believe that with your support and dedication, with the courage and wisdom of the Kreth people, we will surely overcome all obstacles and build a more prosperous and powerful Kreth Empire.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end