Finch extended his hand to Prince Shuichang: “Your Excellency the Captain of the Guards, I am Finch. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Shuichang raised his hand in return, the light golden patterns on his body shimmering like a little horse with a horn on its forehead.
Finch recognized him; this was Beastman Ming Xiu.
The next moment, his body stiffened as he hesitated: “Your Highness?”
Shuichang nodded slightly, an air of nobility radiating towards him: “What brings you here?”
Finch quickly bowed and performed a military salute: “It is our honor to have His Highness the Prince and the Princess Consort grace us with their presence.”
The other four, completely oblivious, looked confused, with Yarlind directly asking, “Brother-in-law, what Prince and Princess Consort? They are obviously my older brother and sister-in-law.”
Finch gritted his teeth, his expression stiff; this poor kid had such good fortune to be calling the Prince his brother…
He made an effort to soften his face, saying, “Yarlind, you really don’t know? The older brother and sister-in-law you speak of are the Prince and Princess Consort appointed by Emperor Caesar.”
Yarlind shivered: “Brother-in-law, your sudden kindness is a bit unsettling.”
Xia Zuola pulled Yarlind’s hand: “Dear, you seem to have missed the point.”
“Right!” Yarlind slapped his forehead: “Older brother, how did you suddenly become a Prince?” Did Duke Adonis kill Emperor Caesar’s sons and force Caesar to appoint him as the Prince?
Shuichang said, “Yarlind, don’t think too much.”
Yarlind, feeling a bit slow, responded, “Ah?” cautiously asking, “Older brother, are you really a Prince?” In fact, he wanted to know how Adonis became the Prince. Fortunately, he had a strong instinct for self-preservation and didn’t ask aloud; otherwise, he would end up getting an earful.
After discovering Shuichang’s identity, Finch’s attitude towards Yarlind changed a hundred eighty degrees, even personally persuading his parents to accept Yarlind. After having lunch at Xia Zuola’s house, Yarlind and Xia Zuola’s marriage was finalized.
Finch felt quite displeased but still maintained a smile. After all, Yarlind had an older brother who was a Prince; the Prince personally came to propose on his behalf. If their family didn’t agree, it would be disrespectful to the Prince, and God forbid it affected his business with the military…
The day before Shuichang returned to the palace, Yarlind went to the municipal office to obtain their marriage certificate, expressing his gratitude: “Older brother, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had such an easy time marrying Xia Zuola. Once I enter the military, I will definitely work hard to take down the Fallen Beastmen to repay you!”
Shuichang patted Yarlind’s shoulder: “I’ll be waiting.”
“So, brother, how did you become a Prince?” Yarlind couldn’t help but ask.
—
Chapter 101: The Great Devil Who Lured the Holy Son
This is a story about a noble Holy Son who was deceived in both body and heart.
The story takes place on the continent of Hughes.
On the Hughes continent, there are five great empires: the Ilan Empire, the Saint Luo Empire, the Hill Empire, the Kajin Empire, and the Dark Empire ruled by the Great Devil Douglas Gale.
The Holy See, protected by the God of Light, is located in the center of the Hughes continent, separated from the Dark Empire by the Sunset Mountains and the Ganges River.
On this continent, magic and martial energy exist, giving rise to two professions: mages and knights. The magical elements are divided into seven types: metal, wood, water, fire, earth, light, and darkness, with the dark element being the most feared as it corrupts hearts and controls minds.
The Great Devil Douglas Gale is the first dark holy mage on the Hughes continent. In the Holy See’s propaganda, he is undoubtedly a villain, tearing out hearts and skinning people, doing all sorts of cruel deeds.
Recently, there have been rumors that the evil mages from the Dark Empire infiltrated the other four empires, employing dark arts on innocent people. Many had their skin start to blacken and rot, and anyone who touched them would become infected. Upon hearing this, the Holy Father immediately commanded the Holy Son of the God of Light, Ashburn, to travel around, using healing magic to dispel the witch’s disease.
Leading eight shield knights, Ashburn arrived in the town of Kane in the Hill Empire, which borders the Holy See and suffers the most from the witch’s disease. Unfortunately, they were ambushed by dark mages at the foot of the Sunset Mountains, resulting in seven shield knights dying grotesquely. The only survivor, shield knight Austin, risked his life to rescue the Holy Son Ashburn.
Shuichang opened his eyes, finding the Holy Son wearing a pure white satin robe, still deeply asleep. He leaned against the mottled wall, golden hair disheveled around his remarkably delicate and fair face.
After saving Ashburn, Austin, having lost too much blood, was on the verge of death. The Great Devil Douglas Gale seized the opportunity to invade Austin’s spirit, driving out Austin’s shattered spiritual body to take control of this host.
“Your Highness,” Shuichang called softly.
Ashburn slowly opened his eyes, golden lashes fluttering, revealing a pair of light green pupils, like a calm lake. They seemed shallow but were filled with mystery.
“Austin, I’m so glad you woke up.” Ashburn placed his equally delicate hand on Shuichang’s forehead. “Strange, why can’t I see your spirit?”
Austin, pale as a ghost (due to being dead), hoarsely replied, “My spirit has been severely injured and requires martial energy to nourish it.”
Ashburn fell silent for a moment, lifting his head, his beautiful eyes filled with regret: “It’s all because of my incompetence; otherwise, Albert and the others would not have died, and you wouldn’t have been so badly hurt.”
“Your Highness, protecting you is our mission.” Shuichang knelt on one knee, kissing the back of Ashburn’s left hand. “Please allow me to be your guardian knight, and let me dedicate my unwavering loyalty to you.”
The essence of a guardian knight is similar to that of a suitor; a person can have up to five guardian knights, from whom they will eventually choose their husband.
Each knight can only choose one person to give their full loyalty.
A look of surprise flashed in Ashburn’s eyes; he hadn’t expected Austin to make such a request. If he were still at the Holy See, he would have certainly refused, but Austin just saved him… Ashburn furrowed his brows awkwardly, his fingers unconsciously curling.
Austin smiled bitterly: “I understand, Your Highness. I won’t make it difficult for you.” Saying this, he released Ashburn’s hand and prepared to stand.
“Austin!” Ashburn grabbed his hand that he had retrieved: “You are my first guardian knight. I, Ashburn, don’t know how others interact with their guardian knights, but I hope we can be honest with each other.”