Chapter 417: Luinngard Empire [Part 1]

Chapter 417: Luinngard Empire [Part 1]

Northern got some more sleep after eating and giving Raven a piece of his mind.

The morning was bright; the illuminations of the day star were barricaded by white clouds, and yet they still managed to bathe every single place in an ethereal wash of radiance.

When Northern woke up, a lot of people were still asleep. Jeci was standing vigilant in front of his shelter, which he had warned her before going to bed not to do.

She greeted him with one knee down, showing nothing but sincere and utmost respect the moment he stepped out.

If Northern was ever second-guessing his identity to begin with, he'd probably have had to believe by now.

But of course, Northern did not second-guess at all. He just wished he could run away from the reality. Not because it wasn't an interesting upgrade to his person.

But because of the complications that were bound to come with it. Shin and Eisha indeed knew that he was adopted.

But it's not like they expect him to know; that was not the hardest part, however. What about the changes that would come with confronting that truth?

So much had happened and so much was yet to happen still. The thought of it all was slightly overwhelming.

'But I am ready for all that would come...'

Northern stood in front of his shelter and stared into the sky. Jeci was behind him.

"My lord."

"It's Northern."

"No, I would never address you with such a mediocre title."

Northern raised a brow. "You do realize that mediocre title is my name."

"It's unbefitting to be called a name. Whoever gave it to you deserves death."

Northern's eyes drew upwards lazily. "That would be my father, I guess."

Jeci hurriedly stared with wide eyes. "Your father? Your father is the Emperor of Reimgard."

Northern scrunched up his eyes as he asked, "The Emperor of Luinngard, what is he like?"

Jeci looked at Northern in confusion. "The Emperor of Luinngard is not your father, I'm pretty sure..."

"Stop it, Jeci." Northern's voice rang with a stern rigidity. He continued, "You and I know we have not visited a lot of things that have to do with the Luinngard Empire and the strange relationship they have with Sloria. Why you guys didn't extend a helping hand thirty years ago and why you still wouldn't but would send out troops to destroy us."

His voice rang out with almost the thickness of a vicious growl.

"If you want to be faithful to me or serve me in any possible way, then you should be willing to tell me all."

Jeci lowered her head like a defeated puppy. "I will tell you all, everything. But I am merely a cannon fodder; I don't know anything to make a difference."

Her breath was shaky as she tried inhaling and exhaling. She glanced quickly at Northern's eyes and spoke with her eyes down.

"The Emperor of Luinngard has three sons; his sons, however... are monsters. They are power-hungry freaks who are not just in competition with one another but even with their own father.

"To make it worse, all three of them are Ascendants, while their father was a Paragon. Of course, the distance between Paragons and Ascendants is worlds apart. So they didn't even dare.

"But a particular one of them, Prince Andre, began to get out of hand. In order to stop Prince Andre from gaining more allies than needed, the Emperor shut the walls of the city.

"The decision of the Empire to not interfere in other nations' business also had something to do with the three Princes. The Emperor believed if they were given any slight chance, they would overthrow him."

Northern frowned at her. "You're telling me all of this happened thirty years ago? Thirty years ago, shouldn't the Princes be barely born or at least young?"

"The Princes are not young..."

Northern narrowed his eyes, puzzled. "Sorry, and the Emperor is how old exactly?"

Jeci lingered before responding, "Quite old but looks nothing like it."

Northern chuckled. "And my mother?"

"Your mother is in her late forties, if I count well."

"The Princes are older than my mother, who should be the emperor's younger sister?"

Jeci sighed. "It's a bit difficult to explain. But I will try my best to explain to you the family tree and how it affects their age."