Chapter 89:…………………………..
A Vow of Blood
Even amidst the torrential downpour, Miklok and his knights did not slow their pace toward Pritan Castle.
The recently cannibalistic monsters had all been exterminated or driven northward into the administration zones.
With the immediate threat dealt with, they needed to urgently bring Lea and Millie, who had gone to the Harun Empire, and uncover the Harun royal family’s involvement in the current crisis.
Yet, strangely, at this very moment, communication with Freddy, the knight assigned to escort them, had been cut off. This realization gnawed at Miklok’s heart.
At that moment, an urgent message arrived from Prime Minister Duke Zenon.
“Your Highness Miklok, Duke Zenon has sent a white eagle.”
A white eagle, not a pigeon, meant that this was an extreme emergency.
<Urgent return of Your Highness Miklok requested!>
Though the message was brief, Miklok decided to return without hesitation.
The suspicious movements of the Harun royal family, the lost contact with Freddy, the white eagle sent by Duke Zenon—all of it gave him a foreboding sense that Lea’s safety was at stake.
Lightning split the sky above Miklok and his knights as they raced through the storm. Thunder, like it could cleave heaven and earth, rolled across the skies, causing even the brave horses of Pritan to falter momentarily.
But Miklok showed no mercy to his steed, Bloodwind. When his spurs drove mercilessly into its flanks, the horse seemed to understand its master’s urgency and charged forward.
“Your Highness Miklok!!!!”
Upon reaching Pritan Castle, Duke Zenon, who had been anxiously awaiting, rushed to greet him.
Removing his helmet, Miklok, clad in rain-soaked armor, walked into the audience chamber.
“Report. What’s happening?”
“Documents and people sent by the Harun royal family have arrived.”
“What documents? And what people?”
“…It’s best that you see for yourself.”
Miklok, keeping his mouth firmly shut, hurried toward the audience chamber.
Inside, unexpectedly, sat two young and beautiful noblewomen. Though they were trying to maintain composure, their eyes betrayed their fear.
They were so surprised by Miklok’s sudden arrival that they forgot even the proper etiquette. Seeing this, Chamberlain Colin discreetly whispered to them:
“This is His Excellency Miklok of Great Pritan. Show your respect.”
“Is… is that really Miklok Highness??”
One of the young ladies, forgetting her manners, asked Colin.
“Yes.”
“Enough with the introductions,” Miklok interrupted the chamberlain.
“A messenger from the Harun royal family being young ladies is unexpected. State your business.”
“We come to see His Excellency Miklok of Great Pritan,” said the blonde lady, summoning courage despite her timidness.
“We were sent by the Emperor of the Harun Empire. We have come to escort Your Highness.”
“…Escort?”
“We heard there are documents sent by His Majesty. Once you see them, you will understand the reason for our coming.”
The shyness in them seemed to vanish, and the two young ladies continued, each subtly trying to draw Miklok’s attention to their charms.
Once the Harun Crown Prince’s former lovers, they had cried for days when assigned to the harem of the barbaric Pritan.
But seeing Miklok’s face, they realized it might be a blessing in disguise. Even while speaking, they did not neglect to flutter their long lashes or subtly emphasize their figures.
“Prime Minister, bring the documents.”
Miklok ignored them and accepted the papers directly from the minister.
Upon reviewing the first document, his expression twisted into anger.
“An official divorce decree?”
Duke Zenon watched Miklok nervously, aware that no one could restrain him if he lost control.
“Two young ladies, return to the rear annex and wait. Colin, escort our guests to the guest chamber,” Zenon ordered hastily.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The ladies rose slowly, clearly displeased. The blonde added one last remark:
“We’ve also heard that a letter personally written by Queen Lea is enclosed. Your Highness will recognize her handwriting.”
Miklok set aside the divorce papers and opened the letter. His cold gaze revealed nothing of his thoughts.
“Ahem. Colin,” Duke Zenon signaled, and the chamberlain swiftly escorted the young ladies out.
Left alone with Miklok in the audience chamber, Zenon spoke cautiously:
“I confirmed the contents before Your Highness arrived. Did the Queen really write this herself?”
“…Yes. It’s definitely Lea’s handwriting.”
Miklok’s voice was twisted in anguish, and his hand trembled as he held the letter.
“Call the Commander of the Special Knights immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Calling William to his post meant only one thing: they were going to mobilize.
While waiting for William, Zenon spoke carefully:
“I cannot believe it. That the Queen personally wrote a divorce request… Her handwriting is steady. She was not coerced or threatened.”
“… ”
“Check again. Perhaps someone is impersonating the Queen.”
Miklok slowly turned to Zenon.
“How do you interpret this letter?”
“What interpretation is needed?”
Zenon read the letter aloud:
“Mik, I realized upon arriving in Harun that this is where I truly belong. I have enclosed the official divorce papers, please sign them. I want to leave your side completely. If you remember what I said the day we departed for Harun, please respect my wishes. – Lea”
After finishing, Zenon placed the letter back before Miklok.
“No matter how many times I read it, it’s a cold farewell. That the Queen, once so kind, would write this… I cannot believe it.”
Zenon’s voice trembled with unhidden sorrow.
“Does this letter look like a farewell notice to you?” Miklok asked.
“Huh?”
“To me, it looks like Lea’s desperate cry for help.”
Miklok remembered the words Lea had said at the border:
“If I ever say I’m leaving you, it will be because I’m being threatened or my life is in danger. Then you must come to save me.”
What seemed like a cold letter was actually a desperate SOS.
“I want to leave your side completely. If you remember what I said the day we departed for Harun, please respect my wishes.”—a secret code only he and Lea would understand.
Miklok kissed her signature on the letter and carefully folded it.
At that moment, with loud knocking, William, Ralph, and Joseph rushed into the chamber.
Ralph spoke first:
“Your Highness Miklok, we’ve finally contacted Freddy. It reached home via unofficial channels, so confirmation was delayed.”
“Report.”
“Two hearts taken by treachery to the dogs. Will reclaim them with my life.”
Silence fell instantly.
Miklok and William exchanged a glance. Two hearts—Lea and Millie.
“Malau Kingdom also sent word,” Joseph broke the silence:
“It seems something has happened to Queen Lea. Shine and Julmon are tracing her at the Harun palace. Malau stands ready to assist if needed.”
Duke Zenon looked at Miklok.
“It seems Your Highness was correct.”
Miklok, long silent with a steely face, finally moved.
“Ralph, contact Freddy. Do not act rashly—collect intel until the Pritan army arrives.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Joseph, the entire knight squadron mobilizes. Prepare reserve troops if necessary.”
“Yes, Your Highness!!”
“Zenon, send an official request to Malau Kingdom to gather all available troops at the Harun border.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Finally, Miklok turned to William. They shared the same burning pain in their hearts.
“William, also contact the Wind Gorge garrison, home to the Dark Dragons. It’s time to test their training.”
“Your Highness??”
William’s eyes widened, and Zenon, Ralph, and Joseph were equally shocked.
“You intend to deploy Dark Dragons as well?”
“This mission is not just to rescue Lea and Millie.”
Miklok’s gaze turned blood-red.
“For daring to touch the heart of Pritan, the Harun palace shall burn beneath the flames of Dark Dragons and the tip of Pritan’s spears.”
Everyone in the chamber trembled at Miklok’s merciless declaration. Nothing could quell his wrath.
“Who leads the dragon hunt?”
“Ralph has most trained for this task.”
“Good. Execute immediately, and reconvene in the conference room in half an hour.”
“Yes!!”
As the four departed, Miklok went alone to the eastern palace bedroom, removing his cumbersome armor piece by piece.
Steam rose from his bare body.
“Just survive, Lea. Until I reach you, until I hold you again, just survive. That’s enough.”
Repeating this like a mantra, he ordered his attendants to fetch the spear and shield kept in the royal treasury, relics passed down from Pritan’s ancestors.
Miklok stared at the spear for a long while. The last time he held it was when he took the life of his grandfather, who had caused his mother’s death.
Slowly, he grasped the sharpened tip of the spear. Dark red blood soaked the blade.
Though fury raged in his chest, his gaze remained ice-cold.
“By blood, I swear. Lea, I will save you.”
