Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 73: Not Just for Venting

Ah! How splendid! The expressions on these fellows' faces are truly remarkable, akin to the enchanting spells of a mysterious sorcerer! Following my brother's instructions, Darn has been keenly observing everything from the balcony.

In Darn's mind, Karl, whose martial prowess far surpasses his own, should have acted without hesitation, just as he once did, stripping those arrogant bullies down to their bare skin, and then revealing his identity to humiliate Baron Obia, who stands behind the knights, as well as the Maryland governor, who flatters the Shadras family and Marshal Bakasi!

However, this situation is not without merit. Although it lacks the satisfaction he had envisioned, witnessing these knights' dramatic transformations is still quite rewarding. Yet...

"Did you see clearly, esteemed knights?" Karl's voice rang out, and Darn observed that the faces of several knights had turned as pale as Baron Obia's-no, even more so, devoid of any color.

"Very well, then please surrender your weapons! In the name of the great King of Bylins, you are under arrest for dereliction of duty, abuse of power, and slandering the nobility!"

Uh, no way! My brother is playing this game far better than I am! With wide eyes, Darn watched as the knights were disarmed by the advancing royal guards, while the soldiers accompanying the knights exchanged bewildered glances, reluctantly retreating outside the inn under the shouts of their superiors.

The rest was simple. After hastily dressing, washing up, and having breakfast, Darn was urged by his brother to mount his horse, and they set off towards the heart of Bylins, heading for the royal capital, with several disarmed knights now part of their entourage.

To Darn's surprise, in the following days, Karl, who had previously maintained a calm demeanor, began to hasten everyone's pace, as if a horde of orcs were pursuing them from behind.

Is it really necessary to rush like this? We're not in the orc-infested plains of Nagrand; we shouldn't have to run day and night! After just two days of relative comfort, Darn wore a pained expression, furrowing his brow, feeling as though he had returned to the perilous grasslands. Meanwhile, as Darn grumbled internally, the royal guards had already lit a bonfire, and the group was preparing to camp outdoors once more.

"Brother, why are we exerting ourselves so much?" As Darn held a sizzling piece of meat dripping with grease, he couldn't help but voice his confusion after bidding farewell to the soft, warm bed.

"Because we must deliver the evidence we've gathered to His Majesty the King before Governor Maryland has a chance to react. Hehe, Darn, you are doing a great service for the Kingdom of Bylins!"

Really? What have I done? Uh, does my brother have a grudge against Governor Maryland? Darn was puzzled, but when he saw the Maryland knights being held captive, witnessing their loss of freedom and their need for the guards' assistance even to eat, a flicker of understanding dawned upon him.

However, Darn's understanding was misguided. As an officer of the royal guards, Karl had no personal acquaintance with Governor Maryland, and although Antonio knew the governor, there was no animosity between them. Everything Karl was doing was not driven by personal vendetta, but rather...

"Darn, you are now a grown man. There are some matters I believe you should comprehend. My arrest of these Maryland knights and the acquisition of Governor Maryland's official documents is not solely for your sake; there is another reason-it's for the long-term stability of the kingdom!" Sensing his brother's confusion, Karl suddenly spoke in a low voice.

What? How does this relate to the kingdom? How could capturing a few minor knights have such significant implications? Moreover, even if Governor Maryland faced repercussions for this incident, His Majesty the King would not impose severe punishment on a noble, especially a governor whose actions seemingly do not threaten the kingdom's safety!

"No, it's not as you think. If it were merely about abuse of power, I wouldn't be in such a hurry. In any kingdom, abuse of power is inevitable, and I too would use my authority to pursue my interests, as long as it does not infringe upon the kingdom's interests. Such matters would not trouble His Majesty the King!"

Karl spoke softly, sitting beside Darn, and at the young officer's gesture, the royal guards stepped away.

What is my brother trying to tell me? Is he about to reveal a secret? Watching the guards distance themselves, Darn suddenly felt a surge of tension, accompanied by curiosity and excitement bubbling within him.

"Darn, King Frederick of Bylins is a wise monarch. Under His Majesty's leadership, our kingdom is growing stronger and more prosperous, and all of this is thanks to our sagacious ruler, our astute king."

Why is my brother suddenly talking about this? We're not in the palace; His Majesty can't hear you! Darn thought, somewhat bewildered, rolling his eyes.

"In the foreseeable future, as long as Bylins remains under the rule of His Majesty Frederick, the kingdom will continue to thrive. If this prosperity can be inherited by a successor as wise as His Majesty, I believe our kingdom will secure a place in the history of the Isilia continent, and we will have the opportunity to leave our mark in history."

Ah! My brother is thinking too far ahead! Tsk, tsk, tsk, his ambitions are truly grand... Darn couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for Karl.

"But how can we ensure that the next ruler of the kingdom is equally wise and continues this prosperity? Clearly, the heir to the throne is key, and in our Bylins Kingdom, there is more than one prince eligible to inherit the throne..."

At this point, Karl paused, his words trailing off. By the flickering light of the bonfire, the young officer's face appeared solemn and mysterious.

Darn suddenly lifted his head, gazing at his brother in astonishment. However, on Karl's illuminated face, Darn still saw a gentle smile and warmth directed towards him.

Could it be... that my brother supports a particular candidate? What about Governor Maryland? Which prince does he favor? Do our parents know about this?

Staring blankly at Karl, Darn realized the implications of his brother's words, and his mind became a whirlwind. What had initially been a simple desire to vent had inadvertently entangled him in a political struggle, and even now, Darn remained unaware of which prince he had unwittingly offered his support.

Yet Karl did not disclose to Darn who he envisioned as the future wise ruler. Even when Darn inquired, Karl merely smiled and declined to answer, for to the young officer, it was not yet the time to share such family secrets, and he was not the right person to divulge them.

Everything would wait until they met their parents! Once they reached the royal capital of Beneto, Darn would learn everything! After all, he would be living in Beneto for a long time, attending the Royal Academy of Magic and Martial Arts, interacting with the kingdom's future elites!

In the following days, Karl continued to lead his brother, their subordinates, and the captured knights, tirelessly advancing towards the royal capital. With each swift stride, the Maryland province was left far behind, and the heart of the Bylins Kingdom drew ever closer.

"One more night of rest, and by this time tomorrow, we should be entering Beneto!" Karl announced to his brother as they camped near a small grove, beside a crackling bonfire.

"Really? That's wonderful!" Darn replied.

After several days of camping outdoors, the young man felt utterly weary. Although he had endured such hardships before, as they drew nearer to the royal capital, with the increasing signs of human prosperity, Darn felt a twinge of frustration at being unable to enjoy the benefits of peace and prosperity.

If it weren't for my brother's insistence on avoiding any ambushes and ensuring our efforts weren't in vain, I wouldn't have to circumvent so many villages and castles, and could have stayed in comfort instead of roughing it like an orc! Gazing longingly at the distant flickering lights, imagining the human villages behind them, Darn's mood soured further.

However, no matter how much Darn yearned for a clean, tidy bed or hot meals, on the final night before reaching the royal capital of Beneto, he still had to lie on a lavish yet filthy blanket, spending the night beneath a sky full of stars.

Yet just as Darn thought this night would pass like the previous ones, and he began to drift into slumber, a sudden sense of danger jolted him awake.