Chapter 417: Luinngard Empire [Part 1]
Northern got some more sleep after eating and giving Raven a piece of his mind.
The morning was bright; the illuminations of the day star were barricaded by white clouds, and yet they still managed to bathe every single place in an ethereal wash of radiance.
When Northern woke up, a lot of people were still asleep. Jeci was standing vigilant in front of his shelter, which he had warned her before going to bed not to do.
She greeted him with one knee down, showing nothing but sincere and utmost respect the moment he stepped out.
If Northern was ever second-guessing his identity to begin with, he'd probably have had to believe by now.
But of course, Northern did not second-guess at all. He just wished he could run away from the reality. Not because it wasn't an interesting upgrade to his person.
But because of the complications that were bound to come with it. Shin and Eisha indeed knew that he was adopted.
But it's not like they expect him to know; that was not the hardest part, however. What about the changes that would come with confronting that truth?
So much had happened and so much was yet to happen still. The thought of it all was slightly overwhelming.
'But I am ready for all that would come…'
Northern stood in front of his shelter and stared into the sky. Jeci was behind him.
"My lord."
"It's Northern."
"No, I would never address you with such a mediocre title."
Northern raised a brow. "You do realize that mediocre title is my name."
"It's unbefitting to be called a name. Whoever gave it to you deserves death."
Northern's eyes drew upwards lazily. "That would be my father, I guess."
Jeci hurriedly stared with wide eyes. "Your father? Your father is the Emperor of Reimgard."
Northern looked at her with a soft and sweet smile giving life to his entire face.
"I don't even know who the hell that is; why would I call him my father? Jeci, there's a lot of complications that came with my birth. Now that I remember, I think people died trying to protect me. Do you have any idea why that could be?"
Jeci's eyes went low for a moment.
Northern couldn't help but notice the hesitation in her eyes.
'She knows something.'
Northern exhaled and looked around, taking watch of the people that just slept here and there, uncaring of the dangers they exposed themselves to.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I will find out anyway."
Jeci clenched her hands and spoke, "It's not that I don't want to…" Her voice trembled. "I don't know much about it. What I know are fragments of gossip; I don't want to say something wrong and confuse you."
Northern looked at her, frowned a little bit, released the frown, and asked,
"My mother, what is she like?"
Jeci allowed a delighted smile and started, "She is the most beautiful human I believe exists. Not just her physical beauty but her heart.
"It's so pure and flawless. She's gentle, kind, loving, caring; even to the lowest of soldiers, she is the same. She knows all our names; she lets us try her cake. Sometimes many mistake her for a commoner. Because that's where you find her a lot of times. On the farm, in the smithy."
Jeci smiled. "Did I even mention that she's multitalented? She's not a drifter, of course, but she's talented in many other mundane works. She makes her own kitchen knives. She makes clothes; she even mends the soldiers' armors in the smithy."
Northern chuckled, feeling a heavy weight drop on his chest. "She sounds like she's going to be a lot to handle."
Jeci's voice reverberated with elation as she spoke on, "She's very stubborn and doesn't listen to anyone. Even her own brother, who is the Emperor, cannot handle her."
"Yeah, a lot indeed." Northern chuckled again, his face slowly drying out. "But I would love to know her."
"You should…" Jeci corroborated.
Northern frowned slightly and asked, "I have a question, Jeci."
"My lord, do ask away."
Northern scrunched up his eyes as he asked, "The Emperor of Luinngard, what is he like?"
Jeci looked at Northern in confusion. "The Emperor of Luinngard is not your father, I'm pretty sure…"
"Stop it, Jeci." Northern's voice rang with a stern rigidity. He continued, "You and I know we have not visited a lot of things that have to do with the Luinngard Empire and the strange relationship they have with Sloria. Why you guys didn't extend a helping hand thirty years ago and why you still wouldn't but would send out troops to destroy us."
His voice rang out with almost the thickness of a vicious growl.
"If you want to be faithful to me or serve me in any possible way, then you should be willing to tell me all."
Jeci lowered her head like a defeated puppy. "I will tell you all, everything. But I am merely a cannon fodder; I don't know anything to make a difference."
Her breath was shaky as she tried inhaling and exhaling. She glanced quickly at Northern's eyes and spoke with her eyes down.
"The Emperor of Luinngard has three sons; his sons, however… are monsters. They are power-hungry freaks who are not just in competition with one another but even with their own father.
"To make it worse, all three of them are Ascendants, while their father was a Paragon. Of course, the distance between Paragons and Ascendants is worlds apart. So they didn't even dare.
"But a particular one of them, Prince Andre, began to get out of hand. In order to stop Prince Andre from gaining more allies than needed, the Emperor shut the walls of the city.
"The decision of the Empire to not interfere in other nations' business also had something to do with the three Princes. The Emperor believed if they were given any slight chance, they would overthrow him."
Northern frowned at her. "You're telling me all of this happened thirty years ago? Thirty years ago, shouldn't the Princes be barely born or at least young?"
"The Princes are not young…"
Northern narrowed his eyes, puzzled. "Sorry, and the Emperor is how old exactly?"
Jeci lingered before responding, "Quite old but looks nothing like it."
Northern chuckled. "And my mother?"
"Your mother is in her late forties, if I count well."
"The Princes are older than my mother, who should be the emperor's younger sister?"
Jeci sighed. "It's a bit difficult to explain. But I will try my best to explain to you the family tree and how it affects their age."