Chapter 36 : Chapter 36
Chapter 36. Heading to the Northern Frontier
After William and Prince Kande exchanged a few more words about the terrain of the Northern Frontier, William rose and took his leave.
He swung onto his horse and rode straight toward the palace—there were still a few trivial matters that needed to be handled before departure.
When he found the Chief Steward of logistics, the man was currently counting supplies that were being transported to the Northern Frontier.
William directly allocated ten million gold coins and purchased all the useful supplies from the warehouse: body-tempering potions, healing potions, low-tier magical beast blood essence, and even a batch of spare knight armor.
“Deliver all of this to the Vanguard Battalion of the Royal Ninth Legion. Record it under my name.”
The Chief Steward hurriedly agreed. Looking at the figures on the list, he could not help but click his tongue in astonishment—this Fourth Prince was truly generous toward his subordinates.
When William returned to the palace, the setting sun was slanting across the colonnades. Meanwhile, inside the First Prince’s palace, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
The First Prince sat in a chair covered with sable fur, holding a secret letter in his hand as his brows knitted tightly.
Naturally, he was aware of the rumors circulating outside—while the Second Prince used the excuse of “guarding the Royal Capital” to avoid going, he himself had simply claimed illness. Only their Fourth Brother and Third Sister had volunteered to head to the Northern Frontier. It was inevitable that some people would say the two of them were cowardly.
“Hmph, a bunch of short-sighted fools.”
He snorted coldly and placed the letter on the table.
The letter had been written by his maternal grandfather, Duke Carden. Between the lines, it repeatedly emphasized the dangers of the Secret Realm in the Northern Frontier—especially the strange combat tactics of the Cave Race tribes. Even the royal legions had already suffered considerable losses.
“I am the First Prince, the future Crown Prince. How could I risk my life for a bit of empty reputation?”
He muttered to himself, tapping his fingers on the table.
“The Northern Frontier may be rich in opportunities, but it is also full of danger.”
“The Third Sister and Fourth Brother are young and hot-blooded. If they want to go, let them go. If something truly happens to them…”
He did not finish the sentence, but a complicated glint flashed through his eyes.
Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened. Palace lanterns lit up one after another, yet their light could not dispel the shadow in his eyes.
Meanwhile, William had already handed the list of purchased supplies to Tos and instructed him to deliver them to the Royal Ninth Legion.
“Tell them these are additional supplies. Whoever trains the hardest will receive an extra share.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
William stood by the window, gazing at the countless lights of the Royal Capital.
He knew that the decisions made by the First Prince and Second Prince might be more “prudent,” but what he wanted had never been stability.
He was greatly looking forward to this journey to the Northern Frontier.
That night, William did not cultivate as usual. Instead, he went to bed early.
He knew the road ahead would require plenty of energy.
Before dawn the next day, the voice of a Palace Knight sounded outside the door.
“Your Highness, it is time to rise. After breakfast, you will depart.”
William pushed the door open and stepped out, dressed in a neat set of training clothes. His eyes were clear and bright.
“Where is Tos?”
“Knight Tos is currently checking the supplies,” the knight replied with a bow.
“His Majesty has issued an order. The Royal Guard will accompany you to the Northern Frontier.”
William nodded and turned toward the dining hall.
After finishing a simple breakfast, the bells of the Clock Tower rang. Seeing the knight glance at him, William understood that time was running short.
He changed into his custom-made Royal Armor. The silver-white armor was adorned with dark-gold emblems, maintaining the dignity of royalty while remaining light and well-fitted.
When he mounted his horse, the armor plates clinked together with a crisp sound.
“Depart.”
The Royal Guard had long been prepared. As soon as they saw him mount his horse, they immediately formed neat ranks and followed him out of the city.
What William did not know was that his mother, Vivian, had come outside the palace at some point. She quietly watched him ride away with the guard.
Only after his figure disappeared did she withdraw her gaze, sigh softly, and return to her Residence.
After leaving the palace gates, William noticed that quite a few noble youths were also heading toward the city gates with their attendants.
Halfway along the road, a lavishly decorated carriage approached from the side. The curtain lifted, revealing the smiling face of the Third Princess, Jessy.
Seeing William riding on horseback, his armor and posture still somewhat youthful yet carrying a steady sharpness, she could not help covering her mouth and laughing softly.
“William, you actually look a bit like a little adult now—although it is somewhat amusing.”
“Why not come into my carriage and rest for a while?”
William reined in his horse and glanced back at her with a smile.
“Third Sister, I may be young, but my ambition is not small. Unlike certain people who are big in body but small in spirit.”
Jessy choked on his words and glared at him with mock annoyance.
“Such a sharp tongue!”
William chuckled, lightly pressing his heels against the horse’s flank.
“I’m off!”
The sound of hoofbeats quickened as the Royal Guard rapidly followed him, soon leaving the carriage behind.
Once outside the city gate, the cold wind suddenly grew sharp.
A knight wearing the standard armor of a legion was already waiting by the roadside. When William and his group arrived, the knight immediately rode forward.
“Your Highness, this way please.”
Following the knight, they arrived at a wide open field already filled with noise and activity.
Dozens of noble youths stood there with their personal guards. Most of them were of the same generation as William. Each wore bright armor, with exquisite weapons hanging beside their saddles. Yet excitement and nervousness could not be concealed on their faces.
Seeing William approach on horseback, they quickly dismounted and bowed.
“Greetings, Fourth Prince.”
“No need for such formalities.”
William nodded in response, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. There were several familiar faces among them—children of well-known families in the Royal Capital.
He guided his horse to a relatively quiet spot while the Royal Guard formed a protective formation behind him.
Not long afterward, the sound of wheels rolling across the ground came from afar as Jessy’s carriage slowly approached.
Through the slightly lifted curtain, she could be seen sitting inside, the golden threads on her skirt glimmering in the morning light.
The nobles bowed once again.
“Greetings, Third Princess.”
Jessy responded from within the carriage, her voice clear and crisp.
“You may rise.”
The carriage stopped not far from William. The coachman quickly lowered the step.
When Jessy stepped out of the carriage, everyone’s eyes lit up.
She was wearing a lake-blue riding outfit, a silver belt around her waist. Her long hair was tied high, giving her less of the softness of the palace and more of a heroic aura.
“It seems everyone has almost arrived.”
She looked toward William with a smile.
“I did not expect so many juniors to dare go to the Northern Frontier. They have more courage than those two at home. Do you not think so, little William?”
William simply smiled and did not respond.
He knew she was referring to the First Prince and Second Prince, but with so many people around, it was not appropriate to speak further.
Suddenly, a thunderous horn sounded in the distance—three long blasts followed by two short ones, the signal for assembly.
Everyone mounted their horses and looked toward the direction of the horn.
There, streams of black steel were slowly approaching. Armor clanged, banners fluttered fiercely—it was the main force of the newly mobilized legions preparing to depart.
The air at the assembly point gradually grew heavy.
On the distant horizon, clouds of dust rose as legion after legion gathered like a torrent of steel.
The clashing of armor, the neighing of warhorses, and the snapping of banners intertwined into a powerful momentum that almost made it difficult to breathe.
When Kroll II arrived riding a magical black horse, surrounded by seven or eight members of the royal family, the entire field instantly fell silent.
He wore a dark battle armor engraved with dragon patterns. His gaze swept across the assembled troops with unquestionable authority.
A knight respectfully handed him a scroll of parchment. He opened it, glanced at it briefly, tapped several names with his finger, and then closed it.
“Transmit the order. The army will depart.”
Kroll II closed the scroll, his voice amplified by Dou Qi and spreading across the entire field.
More than a dozen Messenger Knights immediately dismounted, knelt on one knee to receive the command, and then galloped away to deliver the order to each legion.
Before long, the ten legions began to move like awakened beasts.
Their heavy footsteps struck the earth with rhythmic thunder, making the ground tremble faintly.
The group of noble youths that included William also began to move. They were positioned between the Fifth Legion and the Sixth Legion.
Holding the reins, William looked at the forest of spears and shining armor on both sides. An indescribable excitement surged within him.
Most of these soldiers had resolute expressions, and their eyes carried eagerness. They were completely different from the palace guards in the Royal Capital who had experienced war.
Jessy’s carriage followed slightly behind. With the curtain lifted at one corner, she gazed at the back of Kroll II thoughtfully.
The massive army moved forward slowly like a winding giant dragon toward the Northern Frontier.
The banners unfurled in the wind, the kingdom’s emblem snapping loudly upon them.