Chapter 197: Kingdom Come

Chapter 197: Kingdom Come

Chapter 197

Kingdom Come

Their march slowed down considerably, Valen noted as he silently observed the open stretch of land currently being occupied by tents and campfires roaring smoke into the sky. It was in part because their army grew bulkier, tripling in size effectively, meaning that they could no longer maneuver as quickly as they used to.

Most of it, though, was entirely because of General Staun and his insistence on three-day-marching and four-day-training program. Theyd usually stay still for two days at minimum while he tried to get everyone in relatively the same shape. At first, it was just physical--having them run and swing weapons for hours to build up stamina and strength, but now he also began training them in a variety of formations, both small and large-scale.

That was precisely what the large groups of nearly six hundred people were doing at the moment, spread out across the vast plains like a swarm of locust feasting on the land. Shouts and roars repeatedly rang out like thunder, the song of hard work playing out into infinity.

Deep in his heart, Valen envied it all--he, too, wanted to leap over and join them, swinging his sword and roaring alongside them. It felt at odds with who he was to be sitting back and simply observing, even if he always hid that part of himself away, fearful of what others might say. But there was romance, he knew, in war--as much as there was bloodshed and tragedy.

Sitting by his side, and seemingly unbothered by any of the thoughts Valen was having, was Sylas. The man had finally put on a shirt after many such requests, though still remained barefoot, his feet hung over the wooden fence surrounding them, a hat of bale and straw covering his eyes and shielding them from the sun. Every so often, hed bring the cup of wine close to his lips and sip for a moment before going back to appearing comatose.

What do you think of them? Valen tried striking up a conversation, wanting to distract himself from the burning desires.

Of who? Sylas asked, pointing up with his index finger and lifting the hat, glancing over at the Prince.

The army, Valen said. Theyre getting better, arent they?

Its the legs that youre missing, not eyes, Sylas replied. Yet there are days where I have my doubts.

... Im not missing the legs. Theyre here, arent they? Valen said with a smile. What do you mean? Are they not improving?

Let me ask you something, Sylas said. If a fiddling army made up of novices and armed with weapons and armors on the verge of giving out could take over this Kingdom, why is it that no other Kingdoms ever conquered it?

Oh.

Sometimes I wonder whether youve ever been in the capital, Sylas said. The Kingdoms true army would never just walk out to meet the rebels. If they stretched their main force out this far north, it would leave them open to attack from everywhere else.

So, youre... youre saying that we cant win?

Huh? No? When did I say that?This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Just now! Valen exclaimed as Ryne joined the two, carrying a tray of fruits and gently putting them down before sitting between the two of them.

I know men like him, Sylas replied simply. Devout, dogmatic, yet almost evilly pragmatic.

And what if youre wrong?

Well, all this would have been pointless, eh? Sylas cracked a grin, glancing at him. Are you having doubts, lil Prince?

No, no doubts, Valen shook his head, facing forward. Since the day I met you and when you promised me the throne... my doubts were equal to yours. Im just curious, is all.

Its no good to trust anyone that blindly, Sylas said. Should I beat it out of you?

You can try, Valen chuckled playfully. It will take an awful lot of beatings for me to have anything short of absolute trut in you.

You hearin this, kiddo? Sylas glanced back where he saw Ryne smiling lightly.

Im hearin it, old man, she replied. What? Pressure getting to ya?

Could you stop picking up my jargon? Sylas grumbled. If everyone starts talkin like this, I wont be special no more.

You have plenty other things to feel special about, Ryne said. You can afford to share a few with us mortals.

Yes, indeed. You are a spiting image of a mortal, Sylas said. Too bad you cant see it in the mirror.

Ouch. That was a good one, Valen exclaimed softly. Even I felt a faint sting.

You... you would tease a blind girl so? Ryne mustered a fake whimper, though it was hardly a convincing one.

Ill have to introduce you to the Queen at least once, Sylas said. So that you can pick up on a few tricks for the future. Youre godawful at it.

... strange silence befell the three as Sylas looked to the side where he saw two young people tossed in the fires of embarrassment. He missed the sensation--at least, he thought he did. The truth was that he couldnt quite even recall what embarrassment felt like. Or shame. Time, as it turned out, has ways of simply grinding down a soul to its singularities. And shame and embarrassment werent there.

Shes a fascinating woman, the Queen, Sylas said, changing the subject somewhat. Your father and she fit eerily well together.

How come? Valen asked. Though he had seen his Father and the Queen together many times, they never gave the impression of a particularly well-fitted couple.

He dreams, she executes, Sylas said. Were it up to your Father alone, he would have raised you into a weapon and protected you while you became the King. A fine way, indeed, but would simply perpetuate the same systems in place that led to this mess. This way, though, the whispers get flushed out, and the faces grow unmasked. It will be quite beautiful, I imagine, when that day comes. Anyway, Ill take a nap now. Watch them be men or whatever, or you two can go and chat in private where you wont be embarrassed so easily by an old man. Good day to you children! Sleep beckons!