The Golden Capital, Ondesores
Despite the late hour, the city blazed with light, as bright as day. The Rhine River, flowing towards the Eastern Rift Valley Sea, bisected Ondesores, cleaving it into two halves. Immense effort and resources had been poured into constructing three massive concentric walls, dividing the city into outer, middle, and inner districts. In its heyday, the capital boasted a population exceeding eight million, making it the most prosperous city on the entire continent of Kirland. However, all of that had long since faded with the kingdom's decline.
The inner district, also known as the Papal District, was home to the kingdom's nobles, ministers, and church bishops. Magnificent residences stood shoulder to shoulder, surrounding the Moen Royal Palace at their center. Interestingly, this opulent royal castle wasn't the most striking building in the inner district. When people thought of Ondesores, they didn't immediately picture the capital of the Moen Kingdom, but rather the Sun God Temple's headquarters—the holy city where the Sun Temple stood.
Behind the palace, a towering seventy-meter white tower stood tall: the resplendent Sun Temple. In height and grandeur, it completely dwarfed the Moen Royal Palace in front of it. The church used this display to proclaim to the world the supremacy of the divine and the divine right of kings.
A massive golden orb, resembling a sun, burned atop the temple. This orb illuminated the entire city day and night, making the seasons indistinguishable. The golden light reached every corner of Ondesores, giving rise to its nickname, "The Golden Capital."
Roderick, with his golden hair and blue eyes, stood in his office, gazing at the golden sun. The light fell upon his handsome, almost inhuman face, adding a touch of sanctity. We often use the fairy tale image of a prince on a white steed to describe a handsome man, but if that "prince" truly existed, he would undoubtedly be Roderick.
The second prince had stood motionless for an hour. Since the coup six months ago, he had spent every night gazing in the direction of the temple. If it weren't for the occasional flicker of hatred in his bright green eyes, anyone would have thought he was a devout follower paying homage to the Sun God.
No one would disturb him at this hour. Reports from the front lines and the kingdom's affairs demanded his attention, but Roderick had this small window of freedom in the dead of night.
Suddenly, Roderick felt something furry brush against his right leg. He looked down, his stern expression softening into a gentle smile.
A snow-white puppy was rubbing against his leg. It was a very rare small magical beast called a Snow Hound. Intelligent, quick-witted, easily tamed, and incredibly cute, they were highly sought after by noble girls. Their ability to manipulate ice magic made them ideal for regulating indoor temperatures during summer, a boon for the richly dressed ladies who often found themselves sweltering in their elaborate clothes.
Roderick had found the puppy five years ago during a magical beast hunt. The poor creature had been trembling in a giant's lair, clearly about to become a post-dinner treat.
Roderick picked up the little dog, scratching its snowy white fur on its chest. The puppy let out a comfortable sigh.
"Little Snow, how did you get here?"
As if understanding Roderick's words, Snow licked his finger and then peered towards the door, as if indicating someone was outside.
At that precise moment, a knock echoed at the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Your Highness, I have urgent matters to report."
"Come in."
The door opened, and an elderly man entered, dressed in an elegant suit, wearing thick spectacles, his hair silvered with age.
Snow, upon seeing the newcomer, excitedly wriggled free from Roderick's embrace and bounded towards the old man's chest.
Roderick chuckled wryly:
"I'm the owner, yet it's more affectionate towards you, Alvis."
The seventy-year-old man was the current Grand Duke of the North—Victor Alvis.
Duke Alvis walked towards Roderick, holding Snow, shaking his head:
"Your Highness has been studying in the Empire for years. I've been caring for Snow, so it's natural that there's some distance."
He handed Snow back to Roderick. His demeanor was humble, more like an old servant than a duke.
"Alright, no need to comfort me. Tell me what's up; it's getting late."
"Yes, the pursuit force has sent new information."
"Oh? What did they say?"
The old man hesitated before cautiously speaking:
"They say Princess Krinhild's whereabouts have been confirmed, and the arrest operation will commence the day after tomorrow."
Despite the importance of the news, Roderick showed no surprise. He glanced at the thick stack of documents on his desk—evidence of the princess's noble associates' oppression of the commoners and embezzlement over the years. Some were true, others fabricated.
"Your Highness, should we instruct the pursuit force to postpone the operation?"
But Roderick didn't answer the Duke's question. He gazed through the glass window at the city bathed in golden light.
After a long silence, he countered:
"Alvis, what do you think of Moen now?"
The Duke didn't understand Roderick's intention, but he answered respectfully:
"Your Highness, under your wise rule, the kingdom is flourishing."
"Flourishing?" Roderick sneered. "Eight thousand people starved to death in the outer district today alone. This is in the prosperous capital. Tell me, is this flourishing?"
"Alas, the civil war has caused food shortages. We can only prioritize supplying the inner and middle districts. After the civil war ends, everything will return to normal."
"Normal?"
Roderick let out a scoff.
Just two hours ago, a noble ball had taken place in the castle. The maids still hadn't finished cleaning up the leftover expensive wines and unfinished luxurious dishes.
Food shortages? Yes, there were shortages, but only for the commoners. The noble lords would never go hungry.
Nearly two million commoners lived in the outer district of Ondesores. These two million toiled day and night, providing the less than ten thousand nobles in the inner district with their nightly revelry.
Do you know what that giant sun that illuminates the capital does? A miracle? A divine gift?
Nonsense! It's to make the commoners sleep less and get up earlier to work.
The Sun Temple's priests and the nobles colluded, creating this advanced eighteen-hour work system.
They used fervent religious ideology to brainwash the commoners, making them believe that working hard would earn them entry into the Sun God's kingdom in the afterlife.
Yes, this five-hundred-year-old kingdom had rotted to the core.
Roderick never expected an answer from the Duke; he was concerned about something else.
"Speaking of the civil war, one thing is truly strange. Six months ago, how did my sister escape? I clearly ordered the closure of all city gates. Alvis, do you know what happened?"
The Duke's white beard trembled, his head instinctively bowing.
"This… I also find it inconceivable."
"Inconceivable? True, the East Gate, where my sister escaped, is under your jurisdiction. If even you don't know, there's no way to investigate."
"I am ashamed, my lord."
The Duke cautiously raised his head, trying to gauge Roderick's expression.
But when he looked up, he saw a pair of emerald green eyes, like jade.
Their faces were less than two centimeters apart. The Duke could feel Roderick's breath on his face and the killing intent in those eyes.
The Duke stumbled back, almost falling.
"Hahahaha, don't be so flustered. I was just joking."
"Ha, haha, Your Highness, this is… is this also a custom from the Empire?"
Cold sweat dripped down the Duke's forehead, but he forced a smile, however,
"Alvis, do you know what I like most?"
"Your High…"
"I love dogs. They are intelligent, well-behaved, and most importantly, they are always so loyal."
Roderick stroked Snow in his arms, his expression gentle as if he were treating his own child.
"However…"
In an instant, Roderick's gentle demeanor turned ferocious.
Without warning, he grabbed Snow by the neck, squeezing tightly.
Snow's pink tongue lolled out, its large, bright eyes bulging. It whimpered, its cute form now distorted in agony.
It struggled desperately, trying to escape Roderick's grasp, but its strength was no match for his.
With a snap, the white puppy stiffened, its bulging eyes filled with confusion, fear, and disbelief.
Alvis trembled, collapsing onto the floor, his lips quivering, unable to utter a coherent word.
He saw Roderick toss Snow's body aside like trash, then turn his gaze to him. The killing intent in those eyes was so thick it felt tangible.
"However," he stepped forward, lifting the fallen Duke, "I hate dogs that wag their tails for others."
"Victor Alvis, do you understand?"
"Your Highness… I, I…"
Roderick brushed the dust off the Duke's clothes, his expression instantly returning to gentle calm.
"You're getting old, you can't even stand steadily. Little Fran will come of age next month. He's been training well here; let him inherit the family business next month."
The Duke swallowed, his late-in-life son, Fran, being the only heir.
"Yes, I will follow your will."
"Hmm, you don't need to worry about the pursuit force. Take this creature's body with you and leave."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Bang!
The door closed, leaving Roderick alone in the vast office.
He sat back down at his desk, his expression gloomy. The kingdom had too many problems to solve.
"Xing Mei," he suddenly called out a name into the empty room.
If Siegfried were here, he would be surprised to discover that the pronunciation of this name was in Mandarin Chinese.
From the corner of the shadows, a figure emerged.
The person's attire was quite peculiar: a black bodysuit covered by chainmail resembling stockings, with brass armor covering their hands and feet, and a folding fan with only the bone frame at their waist. Judging by their prominent chest and lithe physique, they were undoubtedly a woman.
Although the woman's attire was striking, the most eye-catching was the bright red plum blossom embroidered on her right shoulder.
"I'm here." The woman's face was hidden in the shadows; only a cold voice could be heard.
Roderick glanced at the flower on the woman's shoulder. He had never seen such a plant in Kirland. The flower, like the woman's origin, was shrouded in mystery.
Six months ago, this woman, calling herself Xing Mei, had suddenly appeared before him, claiming she could help him achieve his goals, reciting his life story in detail.
The woman's abilities were outstanding. While her identity and purpose remained a mystery, Roderick didn't mind his subordinates having secrets, as long as they were useful.
"Go to the Conston Territory. It's time to close the net."
"Arrest or kill?" The woman's words were concise, without a single unnecessary word.
"Kill."
"Including the Princess?"
Roderick fell silent, closing his eyes, his face showing pain and struggle.
After a long time, he opened his eyes, his face now resolute.
"Including her."
"Understood."
As soon as the words fell, the woman vanished into the shadows.
"Use the church's teleportation array in my name. You can reach there in a day."
"Yes." A distant response echoed from somewhere.
This time, Roderick was truly alone in his office.
He leaned back in his chair, wearily gazing at a painting on the wall. It depicted Moen's founding emperor and his four companions bravely facing a boundless army of demons.
As if inspired by his ancestors in the painting, a flame ignited in Roderick's emerald green eyes.
He spoke in a low voice, as if confiding in his ancestors, or perhaps to himself:
"This nation must be reborn. Those who stand in my way… will die."