Chapter 34 : Chapter 34
Chapter 34. Arrangements, Preparing to Depart for the Northern Frontier
William looked at Tos and added, “Leave everyone with magical aptitude in the manors. Gather them in the First Manor and assign instructors to teach them.”
“As for those in the Slave Manor with magical talent, leave them there as well. The teachers will continue their lessons as usual.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Tos carefully recorded every instruction.
After making the arrangements, William returned to the royal palace with several Palace Knights.
He knew that this journey to the Northern Frontier was not only to temper his subordinates, but also an opportunity for him to step beyond the Royal Capital. In the cities along the way, there might be many more talents waiting to be discovered.
However, the moment he stepped into his palace, he saw Vivian sitting on a cushioned couch beside the window, her expression solemn.
Clearly, she had been waiting for a long time.
“William,”
Vivian spoke, her voice carrying firm determination.
“I will not agree to you going to the Northern Frontier.”
“There is no room for discussion.”
William shook his head and was about to explain when he suddenly saw tears roll down his mother’s eyes, sliding along her cheeks.
“You are my only son,”
Her voice trembled.
“If something happens to you, how am I supposed to go on living?”
William’s heart clenched. The words that had reached his lips were suddenly stuck in his throat.
Looking at his mother’s reddened eyes, all his arguments about opportunity and experience suddenly felt weak and meaningless.
“Mother, please do not worry.”
He softened his tone.
“I am only going to see the world and follow the main army. I will not act recklessly.”
“The situation in the Northern Frontier has already stabilized. Nothing will happen.”
But Vivian simply shook her head and wiped away her tears.
Seeing the determination in her son’s eyes, she knew that no matter what she said, it would be useless.
She stood up, did not look at him again, and did not say another word. She simply walked out of the palace.
William watched his mother’s departing back, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He knew her worries were not unreasonable. The dangers of the Northern Frontier were far greater than the peace of the Royal Capital.
But he also knew that he needed to build power of his own.
William sighed softly, adjusted his mood, and walked toward the Western Side Hall.
From the training ground within the hall came synchronized shouts. The nine were in the middle of an intense training session.
The dull impacts of fists and kicks colliding, mixed with the sharp tearing sounds of Dou Qi splitting the air, carried a ruthless determination.
William did not interrupt. He stood quietly beneath the corridor and watched until they finished their sequence of techniques before walking forward.
The nine immediately noticed the movement. They stopped at once, turned, and knelt on one knee.
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
“Rise.”
William waved his hand, his gaze sweeping across their sweat-covered faces.
“I will be going to the Northern Frontier the day after tomorrow. You will remain here in the Western Side Hall and continue your cultivation. I estimate it will take several months before I return.”
He paused, his tone growing more serious.
“My requirement is simple. Before I return, all nine of you must break through to Silver Rank.”
“Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
All nine answered in unison, their voices filled with unwavering determination.
Standing at the front, A'gu suddenly raised his head, urgency flashing in his eyes.
“Your Highness, why not take me with you?”
“I can serve you closely and will never hold you back!”
The others also spoke up.
“Please allow us to accompany you!”
William shook his head firmly.
“Your talents far surpass ordinary people. If any of you were to suffer losses in the Northern Frontier, I would not be able to sleep peacefully.”
He looked at A'gu and added,
“When you reach Gold-level combat strength, even if you do not ask, I will take you with me. But right now, it is still too early.”
His gaze then fell upon three among them.
They were the only three Professionals in the group, specializing in Runes, Blacksmithing, and Beast Taming.
“And the three of you as well. Resources will continue to be delivered to you. Focus on improving your strength and do not disappoint me.”
The three quickly lowered their heads.
“We understand, Your Highness!”
William clapped his hands lightly, his voice filled with expectation.
“While I am away, none of you are allowed to slack off.”
“Cultivate diligently. When I return, I will personally inspect your progress. Do not disappoint this trust—or your own talent.”
The nine knelt once again on one knee.
“We will not fail Your Highness’s trust!”
Their voices echoed throughout the Western Side Hall with a fierce determination.
William looked at their young yet resolute faces and felt somewhat reassured.
When William arrived at the Knight Palace, Zoe had just returned, her armor still dusted with the traces of travel.
After hearing about the recruitment of the new legions, she quickly asked, “Your Highness, will both you and my father be going?”
William shook his head.
“I will go. Your father will stay and continue overseeing the training in the manors.”
Zoe bit her lip. After hesitating for a moment, she looked up.
“Your Highness… could I go as well? I could be of help.”
Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, William could not help but laugh.
“I appreciate your intentions, but I really cannot take you this time.”
He paused, then deliberately put on a stern expression.
“How about this? When you break through to Sky Knight, I will transfer you to my side as my personal guard. What do you think?”
Zoe’s eyes immediately lit up like stars.
“Your Highness really means it? You cannot go back on your word!”
“I will never go back on my word,” William said with a smile.
After chatting briefly about training matters, a voice from Aganzo suddenly came from deeper within the Knight Palace, summoning them.
As soon as they stepped into the hall, Aganzo looked at William.
“Fourth Prince, have you made up your mind?”
“I have,” William replied firmly. “I am going to the Northern Frontier to see the world.”
Aganzo burst into hearty laughter.
“That temperament of yours truly resembles your father’s. Born restless.”
He removed an ancient-looking sword from his waist. A dull gem was embedded in its hilt.
“This old man does not have much to give you. Take this sword.”
He lightly tapped the blade.
“I sealed one strike of mine inside it. At a critical moment, it may save your life. Remember—come back safely.”
William quickly accepted it with both hands. The hilt felt warm, and he could vaguely sense a heavy power sleeping within.
“Thank you, Grandfather Aganzo.”
“Go. Leave early and return early.”
Aganzo waved his hand, his eyes filled with the expectations of an elder.
William gripped the sword tightly and bowed deeply to the old man.
After bidding farewell to Zoe, William walked through the palace corridors.
When he reached the fork leading toward Vivian’s palace, his steps paused briefly before he finally turned and walked that way.
Mother and son spoke for a long time—from stories of his childhood to trivial matters in the Royal Capital.
Only when the evening light crept through the window lattice did William rise to take his leave.
This time, Vivian seemed to have come to terms with it. She personally escorted William out of the palace.
But after he left, Vivian silently shed tears once again.
William walked along the long palace road toward the study of Kroll II. One by one, the palace lanterns beneath the corridor lit up, illuminating his steady figure.
Arriving at the study door, he gently knocked.
“Enter,” came Kroll II’s voice from inside.
William pushed the door open and saw his father buried in a mountain of memorials. The tip of his pen scratched softly across parchment.
William did not speak. He simply stood quietly to the side and waited.
After a long time, Kroll II set down his pen and pushed the last memorial aside before finally looking up.
“Do you need something?”
“Father,” William stepped forward, his voice firm, “I wish to accompany you to the Northern Frontier.”
Kroll II raised an eyebrow and then laughed.
“Little William, you are the first to come looking for me.”
He stood up, walked to his son, and patted his shoulder.
“Very well. You may come along.”
“The winds of the Northern Frontier should blow on you as well.”
Joy surged through William’s heart. He bowed.
“Thank you, Father.”
“But remember,”
Kroll II’s eyes suddenly turned sharp.
“When you reach the Northern Frontier, you must obey orders in everything. You are not allowed to act on your own.”
“That place is not the Royal Capital. It tolerates no recklessness.”
“I understand,” William answered solemnly.
Kroll II nodded in satisfaction. He returned to his desk and picked up a report regarding military preparations in the Northern Frontier.
“Go prepare. We depart early the day after tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
William bowed again and left the study.
The wind in the corridor carried a chill, but it could not disperse the excitement in his heart.