On an early autumn morning, a thin layer of frost covered the rooftops.
Bathed in the faint glow of dawn, the Training Ground was already bustling with activity.
This was the empire’s most elite training ground for soldiers, every inch of its soil soaked with blood and sweat, even fresh blood.
A crisp, sharp sound pierced the air like a sword slicing through the sky — the heavy, metallic clang of armor striking armor.
In the center of the training ground stood a Bloodkin Knight clad in silver armor, wielding a longsword.
His eyes were sharp and cold, lips curling into a faint, unyielding sneer.
“Clumsy! You can’t even master the basic stances, what use are you?” The knight’s voice was harsh as his wooden sword moved fluidly like a spirit blade, striking the weary soldiers relentlessly.
The soldiers clenched their teeth, enduring the pain without complaint.
They all knew this Bloodkin Knight’s strength was unfathomable, he was among the empire’s top warriors.
In a corner of the Training Ground, a young human soldier quietly observed the scene.
He gripped his wooden sword tightly in his hands.
“Hey, what are you staring at?” a voice interrupted his thoughts — it was his close friend, an equally young soldier.
“I’m watching the knight,” he answered quietly, his tone filled with determination, “One day, I want to challenge him.”
His friend paused in surprise, then smiled and patted his shoulder. “Yong Ha, you really are ambitious. But I believe in hard work. After all, you’re the most diligent soldier I’ve ever met.”
However, just as they were about to resume training casually, the knight’s sharp gaze suddenly swept over them.
It was a look filled with disdain and challenge.
The soldier’s heartbeat quickened, feeling an unprecedented pressure bearing down on him. Yet, he didn’t back down; instead, he met the knight’s eyes and stood tall with unwavering resolve.
“Oh? Ambitious, aren’t you?” the knight laughed lightly, then pointed his longsword at the soldier. “You, come here. Let me see if you have what it takes to be my opponent.”
Without hesitation, the soldier strode forward.
The atmosphere on the Training Ground instantly tensed.
All the soldiers ceased their movements, their eyes fixed on the knight and the young soldier.
They knew a spectacle was about to unfold.
“Ready?” The knight’s voice was cold and sharp like steel, his long whip already poised as if it could transform into a deadly serpent to swallow his opponent whole.
The soldier took a deep breath, gripping his wooden sword firmly. “I’m ready.”
“Foolish,” the knight sneered coldly, swinging his wooden sword in a flash of silver lightning, aiming straight for the soldier’s head.
The soldier’s body blurred as he narrowly dodged the strike.
He felt the knight’s overwhelming power—far beyond anything he had imagined.
Soon, his wooden sword weaved into a deadly web.
So fast! This is the agility of the Blood Clan!
His eyes couldn’t keep up with the movements; the force was so great it could shatter even armor.
Not only that, every time he tried to counter with skill, the knight anticipated it perfectly and struck back hard.
His arms were already numb and aching. Under the knight’s relentless assault, wounds began to appear all over his body.
Yet, just as this fierce duel reached its peak, a clear and resolute voice suddenly rang out.
“Enough, Knight.”
With the voice came a woman in splendid robes, her noble and graceful aura filling the Training Ground.
It was none other than Princess Zeer, one of the empire’s most revered royals.
The knight glanced at her, bowing his head slightly.
“Your Highness, why do you stop me?”
His tone carried a hint of reluctance. He understood that even someone as strong as him could not afford to be reckless before a princess.
Princess Zeer approached the soldier gently, her delicate eyes full of concern and care.
She lightly patted the soldier’s shoulder, signaling him to stand.
Then she turned to the knight, her voice firm. “Knight, you are one of the empire’s finest warriors. You should understand that your duty is to protect the nation, not to bully the weak here.”
The knight hurriedly defended himself, “Your Highness, you have misunderstood me. I am training these soldiers to make them aware of their shortcomings.”
“I don’t recall this kind of ‘training,’” Princess Zeer’s voice rose slightly. “Look at the wounds on this soldier—they were caused by your own blows. How can such behavior earn the soldiers’ respect?”
The knight’s eyes flickered uncertainly as if weighing his options.
After a moment, he slowly lowered his wooden sword, his tone softening. “Your Highness, you are right. I may have gone too far.”
Princess Zeer nodded slightly, then turned back to the injured soldier.
“I have heard that you are one of the bravest human warriors. Today I have seen that for myself.” Her lips curved into a gentle smile.
The young soldier stood upright once more.
“The peace of the Empire depends on the loyalty and bravery of its soldiers. I hope you will train harder and serve the nation well.”
A warm current surged through the soldier.
He looked up at the princess with eyes full of gratitude and admiration.
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
The sun had risen fully now, and a subtle change swept over the Training Ground’s atmosphere.
The knight resumed loudly reprimanding the soldiers, but their glances kept drifting toward the golden-haired woman’s graceful retreating figure and her captivating smile.
After leaving the Training Ground, Princess Zeer made her way directly to where a black-haired girl waited at the fork in the road.
They walked side by side.
“Quite a commotion again,” Zeer remarked, glancing at Yong Ha.
That impatient, hot-headed knight had been reported by his own subordinates and sent here. It was time to reprimand him properly.
Yong Ha’s expression remained calm but her mind was elsewhere as she responded quietly.
She knew well Moria’s nature. That woman’s eloquence and cunning had long captivated the humans, using simple tactics to maintain her influence within the Royal Capital.
Zeer was deeply aware of the balance of power.
On one hand, Moria ruled over the humans with rigid control; on the other, she leveraged the Reporting Mechanism to suppress the rebellious factions among the humans, all under the guise of justice.
Such a shrewd government official was adept at maintaining appearances.
“My beloved sister, what are you thinking? Want to go for a walk? You always like to wander about.”
A teasing voice interrupted Zeer’s train of thought. She turned to see Yong Ha smiling faintly, her gaze fixed on Zeer’s face.
“Nothing at all,” Zeer frowned, withdrawing her hand to keep a certain distance between them.
“Is that really so?” Yong Ha laughed softly. “What about explaining to me yesterday’s incident at the Grand Ritual? Why did you get angry in front of the King about expanding the scale of Living Sacrifices?”
Zeer was taken aback but did not show much reaction on her face.
“I heard everything,” Yong Ha said with a cold smile. “You said increasing Living Sacrifices would only breed hatred and resentment. Then look around, who in the kingdom really opposes me?”
Her voice dropped close to Zeer’s ear like a chilling breeze, meant to cut into her bones.
“Did you see the soldiers at the training ground? Those human soldiers? You claim to care for them, yet you tolerate them being exploited by me. Zeer, lift your chin.”
“You know — they prefer to report than rebel.”
Zeer had heard such sharp remarks countless times and was already tired of them.
Every time she faced her sister, Moria became like a petty politician, endlessly trying to assert her status and reputation while secretly enjoying watching Zeer’s frustrated expressions.
But this time, Zeer did not give her the satisfaction of submission.
“Moria, humans are not as simple as you think. I don’t intend to interfere with your affairs, but I would like to have a serious discussion about the issue of the sacrifices.”