Commander Kisa is an old and seasoned cultivator, who has lived through countless battles and hardships. Despite having lost one of his hands, he has proficiency in using both hands interchangeably. This adaptability allowed him to quickly materialize a new sword in his remaining hand as he prepared to counter an incoming strike from Commander Silaini. Unfortunately, the power and skill of Commander Silaini far surpassed Kisa's current ability to defend with his left hand, especially given his existing injuries.
As their swords clashed, the sheer force of Silaini's attack knocked Kisa's sword aside. Silaini didn't waste a moment; he expertly maneuvered through the air and aimed a precise strike at the left side of Kisa's chest. The blade pierced directly into Kisa's body, causing a grievous wound.
Gasping in pain, Commander Kisa quickly pulled the sword from his chest, but this action did little to staunch the flow of blood that now poured from his mouth. Panic and desperation began to set in. "What is happening? Am I going to die here? This is not how it's supposed to end," he thought frantically. The gravity of his situation became all too clear.
Summoning what little strength he had left, Kisa opened his mouth and cried out, "Prince, where are you?" The urgency in his voice was palpable. At that moment, all thoughts of secrecy and strategic planning vanished from his mind. His sole focus was now on survival.
"Prince! Prince Abalu, where are you?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room.
Kisa channeled his cultivation energy into his voice, amplifying its volume in the hope that it would reach the prince. A part of him clung to the possibility that the prince might have simply fallen asleep or become distracted, forgetting their carefully laid plans. Even the slightest chance of maintaining their secrecy seemed meaningless now.
However, as the seconds ticked by with no response, Kisa's hope began to wane. The realization that the prince was not coming to his aid hit him hard. Abandoning all pretense of strategy, he continued to call out for the prince, each cry more desperate than the last.
"Prince Abalu, where are you? I need you!"
His voice, filled with a mix of fear and determination, reverberated through the room. The once proud and stoic commander was now a man fighting for his life, his thoughts consumed by the need for immediate rescue. The battle around him seemed to fade into the background as he focused solely on the hope that the prince would appear and save him from his dire predicament.
The significance of uttering the name of the prince can be seen from two contrasting perspectives: one argues that it holds paramount importance, while the other suggests it may not be as crucial. However, in a particular instance, the mere mention of the prince’s name proved to be a pivotal moment. When Commander Silaini was on the brink of attacking Commander Kisa, the simple act of calling out the name of the prince caused Silaini to halt his aggressive stance.
The interruption in Silaini’s actions was twofold: firstly, upon hearing Kisa refer to the prince, Silaini’s expression shifted to a frown, signaling a moment of hesitation. Secondly, the specific prince identified by Kisa played a crucial role in this unfolding drama. In the usual course of events, hearing the title “Prince” would typically imply a report to the emperor’s progeny by the king’s legion. However, this routine was disrupted when Kisa mentioned the name “Prince Abalu.”
The name of Prince Abalu carried significant weight, resonating not only in the capital city but also in the other major cities of the prominent tribes. Abalu’s name was as familiar as that of Prince Ikenga, if not more so, and his reputation preceded him. The mention of Prince Abalu sparked a series of questions in Commander Silaini’s mind: Was Abalu truly present alongside Commander Kisa? What was the nature of the relationship between Prince Abalu and the commander Kisa?
Instantly, a new thought came to Commander Silaini's mind: there was a strong possibility that from the very beginning, Prince Ikenga was the one who had sent them to attack Prince Armad. This shouldn't be surprising because, even in the capital city, Prince Abalu and Prince Ikenga had always gotten along well. After all, they shared the same mother and were raised together in the palace of the Wilburforce Empire.
Prince Ikenga was born first, followed by Prince Armad two years later, and then Prince Abalu a year and a half after that. Given their close bond, it wouldn't be surprising if Prince Abalu had come to help his full brother eliminate their half-brother, Prince Armad. Many people had speculated that this might happen. However, even the slightest possibility of seeing Prince Abalu here was something Commander Silaini hadn't anticipated.
On the other hand, calling the name of Prince Abalu was futile, as the prince had not shown up himself. Commander Silaini, understanding the urgency of the situation, resolved that he must kill Commander Kisa as soon as possible before Prince Abalu could make an appearance. Silaini knew Prince Abalu’s movements and presence as intimately as he knew his hunger.
Without hesitation, Commander Silaini harnessed all the cultivation energy within him, letting it cycle through his body. With swift and deadly precision, he sent a powerful strike straight to the middle of Commander Kisa’s stomach.
Commander Kisa, fully aware that attempting to parry Silaini’s attack with his sword was an exercise in futility, tried to evade the strike. However, even his efforts to escape were inadequate; the tip of Silaini’s sword managed to pierce his side, causing a torrent of blood to gush from the wound.
Yet, Commander Silaini did not relent. Without missing a beat, he leaped once more and aimed another lethal strike at Kisa’s neck.
As Commander Kisa fell from the bed, blood staining his clothes and the floor beneath him, the arrogance that had once been etched on his face—when he led the armies against Armad—had completely vanished. In those days, one might have thought him invincible, but now, the signs of his humiliation were starkly evident.
On the other hand, Commander Silaini appeared like a berserk warrior, moving with the fury and unpredictability of a mad dog. He teleported from one spot to another, each time delivering direct and merciless attacks against Commander Kisa.
In a matter of moments, Commander Kisa’s attire was in tatters, large portions of it slashed away by Silaini’s relentless onslaught. His body was a canvas of deadly injuries, some so deep that his bones were visible through the gashes. Left to his own devices, Kisa would likely succumb to his wounds without the intervention of powerful medicines or a healer skilled in the art of restoration.
However, Commander Silaini had no intention of affording Commander Kisa any reprieve. He continued his relentless assault, each jump delivering a new, deadly attack. Each strike from Silaini’s sword carved fresh wounds into Kisa’s already battered body, ensuring that his enemy would find no escape from the pain and the inevitable approach of death.
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
The fighting continued relentlessly for the next 30 seconds. By now, Kisa had already lost a significant amount of blood, so much so that he was unable to evade Silaini’s relentless attacks. The realization dawned on him that Prince Abalu had deceived and trapped him. Kisa started to think that the prince and King’s Legion simply wanted to witness his demise, but they didn’t want to kill him with their own hands. Instead, they left him to be cut into pieces by the enemies while they watched from a distance. A new wave of hatred for the prince surged through Kisa’s mind.
When Kisa left the capital city of Wilberforce, he did so to support Prince Armad. Although he did not perform any extraordinary deeds to assist the prince, he never intended to betray him. However, enticed by the lavish gifts promised to him and driven by the inherent greed of human nature, Kisa turned his back on Armad. He betrayed the prince and failed to fulfill the mission assigned to him. Now, he was consumed by regret. If given the chance to rewind time, he was certain he would never repeat the same betrayal against Armad, even if offered all the riches in the world. But regret is a harsh teacher, offering no solace except the inevitable punishment for one’s actions.
Barely able to lift his eyes, Kisa saw Commander Silaini leap into the air, aiming a deadly strike at his right eye. It was clear that the commander intended to stab through his eye and into his brain, a fatal blow that would send him to the afterlife with no hope of return. Kisa had already exhausted nearly all his strength in his battle against Armad. Was this how his life would end, without achieving anything meaningful? The thought of his children, for whom he had betrayed Armad, weighed heavily on his mind. They would never know the true cause of his demise.
While Kisa was lost in his regret and despair, Commander Silaini’s mind was singularly focused on one thing: how to kill him. To Silaini, Kisa was nothing more than an obstacle to be eliminated. There was no room for hesitation or mercy in his thoughts. The commander was entirely absorbed in the act of delivering the final, fatal blow.
In those fleeting moments, Kisa’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions—regret, guilt, and an overwhelming sense of futility. He had sacrificed his honor and loyalty for promises that now seemed hollow. His life, filled with betrayals and broken promises, was about to end in a manner as ignoble as the choices he had made.
At that pivotal moment, a young man materialized in the far corner of the room. His sudden appearance went unnoticed at first; instead, the room was filled with the sound of his laughter, echoing ominously. Commander Silaini, though quite certain of the young man’s identity, did not allow the unexpected presence to distract him. His entire focus remained on his sword, with a singular objective in mind: to drive the tip of his blade into the eye of the commander and send him to the afterlife.
The young man’s reaction to Commander Silaini’s aggressive stance was one of visible irritation. Perhaps he was accustomed to a certain level of reverence—people kneeling and greeting him deferentially upon his arrival. In stark contrast, Commander Silaini showed no such submission. In response, the young man merely waved his hand, a gesture that belied the power he wielded. At precisely that moment, as the sword threatened to pierce Commander Kisa’s right eye, the young man’s casual motion conjured a powerful gust of wind that deflected the blade.
Commander Silaini, agile and alert, quickly jumped aside, his eyes now fixed on the enigmatic figure before him. The young man was a striking sight, clad in a long white shirt under black attire. His hair, long and meticulously tied, added to his formidable appearance. Although his height did not surpass that of Armad, his muscular build was imposing, his physique reminiscent of a giant’s strength. The attire he wore, though covering much of his body, could not conceal his robust form.
His eyes were a deep, unbroken brown, so dark that discerning the black pupils required a prolonged stare. Standing there, he wore a smile, but it was not one of warmth or friendliness. Instead, it resembled the predatory grin of a young lion—devoid of any comfort or mercy. This was not a smile that invited trust; it was a chilling display of dominance and confidence.
The young man’s gaze shifted from Commander Kisa to Commander Silaini, regarding them with a disturbing lack of respect or fear. It was as if he saw them not as men, but as mere playthings, insignificant and powerless before him. His demeanor was one of supreme confidence, and his eyes reflected a cold, calculating intelligence.
After spending a few moments locked in a tense stare, Commander Silaini sheathed his sword, took several steps back, and bowed slightly in deference. “Greetings, Prince Abalu. I am Commander Silaini, one of the leaders serving under your brother, Prince Armad. The man before you is a leader of the king’s legion, a group originally assigned to protect your brother. However, instead of fulfilling their sworn duties, they conspired to assassinate him. Their attempt was a complete failure, and their efforts only served to increase your brother’s renown and solidify his status. My Lord Prince Abalu, you should understand that anyone who dares to harm your kin meets a swift and certain end. This is why I left my home to carry out this task. So why, my prince, do you prevent me from fulfilling my duty?”
Commander Silaini was acutely aware of the delicate situation. If he hadn’t realized by now that Prince Abalu and Commander Kisa were in collusion, he might as well have been blind to the world. However, he understood the nuances of their predicament. According to the ethics of the Wilberforce tribe, it was imperative to show respect to the prince and provide a comprehensive explanation. This was to ensure that the prince could not accuse him of any form of disrespect. These were the reasons behind his extensive explanation, despite knowing full well that Prince Abalu was already aware of the circumstances.
As Prince Abalu listened to the lengthy explanation, he briefly closed his eyes, as if contemplating the gravity of the situation. He then raised his head and scratched his forehead, a gesture indicating his inner turmoil. After a moment of silence, he turned away from Commander Silaini and directed his gaze towards Commander Kisa. “You there, is what he says true?” he asked pointedly.
Upon hearing the prince’s question, Commander Kisa clenched his teeth, his face contorting with barely contained rage. A profound anger welled up inside him, threatening to spill over. He felt an overwhelming urge to cry out in frustration, but no tears came to his eyes. The very prince who had conspired with the king’s legion to incite this betrayal was now questioning the truth of Silaini’s words. The irony was almost unbearable.
Upon hearing that the commander remained silent, Prince Abalu merely shook his head and said, “In all likelihood, what he says is true. I will give you a chance to kill him since he tried to assassinate my brother. Indeed, as you say, the retribution forever touching the blood of Wilberforce is death. However, before you kill him, there are some questions that I want to ask him. Can you wait for me to finish my questions?”
Hearing that the Prince sought his permission, the commander nodded in approval. He knew there might be something suspicious in what the Prince said. However, he just wanted to see what the Prince would do next.
Prince Abalu smiled upon hearing that Commander Silaini approved, and then he turned to look at where Commander Kisa was lying in a pool of blood.
“Commander Kisa, you are a virtuous person, and I am not pleased to see you in this miserable situation. Maybe you understand me, or maybe you don’t. Nevertheless, I want you to tell me everything you discovered during that mission of yours. How many secrets have you seen my brother use? How did he achieve victory over you, and how did he achieve victory over my brother, Prince Sufa? I want you to recount the real events that transpired, not the fabricated stories you told me before. If you tell me the truth, your life might even be spared. How do you consider my offer?”
Upon hearing what the Prince said, Commander Silaini felt a surge of confirmation. His suspicions were verified: these two individuals were in collusion. Prince Abalu showed no shame in revealing the truth to Commander Silaini. This indicated that all the Prince had said to him previously was merely a manipulation of his senses, or perhaps the Prince did not even regard him as human. However, this revelation was not entirely surprising. Everyone who resided in the Palace of the Wilberforce Empire was well aware of the Prince’s character. Prince Abalu was notorious for holding the belief that anyone not from the tribe of Wilberforce was not even human. This prince was known to despise even the lower members of his tribe. Since Commander Silaini did not possess the aristocratic blood of the tribe, Prince Abalu did not consider him a worthy part of the Wilberforce lineage. To him, they were merely individuals who tarnished the image of their tribe.
The number of people this prince had killed was significant, though the exact figures were never officially confirmed.