Release That Witch

The tent was large and made from leather, with its bottom rim running flush to the ground. There should be no air leakage. Nevertheless, he still felt cold, especially his toes, which were frozen almost to the point of being numb.     

"Even your piss will freeze in this damned place." He spat and stood up, placing his hands on either side of the table, with the veins on his hands bulging as he lifted upwards and the six-square-foot, solid wooden table was lifted off the ground.     

Releasing the table near the edge of the fire, Gerald felt a wave of comfort. He took off his shoes and put his feet over the fire to warm himself. Then he unrolled some parchment, and continued to write the unfinished letter.     

"Dear Olivia,     

I've been in Hermes for more than a month, even though the men in the church like to call it the 'New Holy City'. Were it not for the Agreement on the Months of the Demons, I still wouldn't wish to stay here. All I want is to return to your home and share a warm bed with you.     

Thanks to the agreement, the corps monitoring the church became their allies. Very ironic, isn't it? Speaking of the church, I have to admit that what they have done is truly amazing. 20 years ago, Hermes was nothing but mountains and stones, and the church's towns lay at the bottom of the mountain. But now they have paved the way for carriages to go up the mountain, and have also built a large fortress city at the top of the hill.     

If it were summer, you should have come with me to see this place. The so-called New Holy City is even more magnificent than Graycastle. And do you remember the theatre in Graycastle? We went together and saw Hamlet. Then you sighed with emotion about how clever the theater was, and the interior was so spacious.     

But if you see the Hall of Military Affairs in New Holy City, you'll find that the theater in Graycastle isn't even comparable. I would consider it to be an exquisite work of art instead of a building. Even though the theater is so large, it doesn't have even one pillar to support it. Rather, eight things like demon's bones stretch out to the outer walls. Then, many branches and hemp rope are attached to these curved bones, and the roof is suspended in the air. How did they figure it out?     

And as for those bones, if they were in fact taken from demonic beasts, then the demonic beasts must have been more than 33 meters tall. Only in Hermes would one encounter such a creature. But my dear, please don't fear. Even if the demonic beasts are huge, they are no more than minions of demons. And no evil can escape the sanctions of God, neither demonic beasts, witches or demons themselves. Rather, they'll turn to ashes."     

At this point, Gerald Wimbledon put down his pen, and shook his tingling hands. It was weird that he felt relaxed swinging around a 15-pound, two-handed sword all day, while he felt tired when he wrote for a short time. He laughed at himself, "I'm really suitable for some rough work."     

Speaking of demons, I suddenly remember that my brother was assigned to some sort of poor places like Border Town. I'm afraid that he's already fled to Longsong Stronghold, even though the demons there cannot be compared to those in Hermes. I cannot blame him. If I had gone to such a place, I would have also sought refuge. Therefore, you can see how unfair my father is. Did he intend that my second brother inherit the throne just due to his intelligence? Father has forgotten that he himself didn't win the throne of Graycastle by intelligence. Since the death of my mother, I've had more and more difficulty figuring out his thoughts."     

Gerald did not know how to continue, for he did not know whether or not he should tell Olivia the truth. He paused for a moment, and decided to keep writing. If the plan went well, he should have already arrived at Graycastle Palace when the letter was received.     

"My dear, Astrologer Ansger is right. If I don't do anything, the throne will definitely not belong to me. He's read this in the star image, 'The Apocalypse Star is moving away from the sun. It'll completely deviate from its orbit in at most four months." As the astrologer has told me this, there must not be much time left. I cannot remain idle.     

After today's battle, I'll secretly return to the king's city with my loyal knights. Coldwind Ridge is far behind Valencia in terms of wealth. But they aren't lacking in courageous warriors. As long as gold is promised, they'll seek the given goal like hungry wolves. Of course, that isn't my ideal method. All I want is to ask father in person the reason he issued the Royal Decree on the Selection of the Crown Prince. In the end, what makes him forget that I should have the right to inherit the throne?     

Astrologer Ansger has already arranged everything. Olivia, my love, you won't wait much longer. The day I become King, I intend to marry you and make you my Queen. If I should fail... you have no need to return to the king's city, and you should live a good life in Coldwind Ridge.     

Gerald loves you."     

He carefully placed the folded letter into an envelope, and sealed it with wax oil. After checking it a number of times, he knocked on the table, and a bodyguard quickly entered the tent.     

"This letter shall be sent to Rose in Coldwind. You needn't travel all day and night, and don't have to ride a horse. You'll be dressed as an ordinary traveler, and should travel between the two places on a business trip. Most importantly, this letter must be sent personally."     

"Yes, Your Royal Highness!"     

"Good, you may leave." Gerald waved away the guards and simply sat down on the table, his feet hanging over the fiery pit.     

There was no way back.     

He closed his eyes and recalled his childhood. At that time, he played hide and seek in the garden of the king's city with Timothy and Garcia. When Garcia fell down, he and Timothy went to accompany her. When did the three of them become so distant?     

Gerald shook his head and put away the confusing thought. Such sentimental things did not suit him. After all, he knew when the confusion would end—when he was on the throne.     

Just then, the dull sound of a horn came through the tent.     

"Waaawaaawaaa—!"     

"They're here!" He jumped up from the table and put on his shoes. Outside the tent, the battalion was already on the move. Running soldiers and flags came together to create a torrent, heading for the battlefield. The sound echoed over the distant mountains, never-ending.     

Demonic beasts were coming.     

"Come with me!" He rode his warhorse and came to the top of the city wall.     

Only when you stood on the walls of New Holy City could you feel its magnificence. It was like an insurmountable natural moat, standing in the foothills of the Impassable Mountains. The top was flat and wide, so that dozens of people could stand side by side. In front of it lay natural glaciers, and its rear was a plateau.     

This was the reason that the church so desperately wanted to build New Holy City on top of the mountain.     

With this harsh terrain, it was almost impossible to break the lines of defense.     

Gerald Wimbledon had a long-term vision. The strength demonstrated by the church in the creation of Hermes was staggering. They established it in just 20 years, taking timber and stones from the foot of the mountain to its peak.     

But even though he was no longer disgusted by the church scoundrels, there was something Gerald had to admit. If they did not support the holding of Hermes, all the countries on the continent would face a catastrophe, which was the basis for signing the Agreement on the Months of the Demons.     

When the Months of the Demons came, the four kingdoms bordering Hermes had to send troops to aid the church and fight with the church's Judgement Army.     

The four banner flags flew in the wind, the Kingdom of Dawn's serpent scepter, the Kingdom of Wolfheart's knife shield crossing, the iceberg rose of the Kingdom of Everwinter...     

and the tower and spear of the Kingdom of Graycastle.     

Looking at the black spots in the distant sky, Gerald Wimbledon clenched his sword.