Chapter 034: The End

To the south lay the Kingdom of Xinar, which shared common origins with Ravenwell. Both had once formed part of the ancient Kingdom of Jing. Toward the end of Jing's reign, the emperor grew deluded and cruel, slaughtering loyal subjects. Natural disasters followed, leaving people in misery.

Two great clans rebelled, dividing the old Jing territory with the Fenriver as the boundary: the Lucille Clan held the northern lands that would become Ravenwell, while the Song Clan took the south, founding Xinar. Ever since, the two kingdoms harbored ongoing ambitions of swallowing each other up.

Now, with the snows barely melted, Xinar's army had reached the Fenriver's edge. On Ravenwell's side, soldiers sighed at the sight of the enemy's imposing presence across the water.

In the town of Redwater, a female officer stood atop the city walls, gazing at the dark mass of enemy forces on the opposite shore and the countless Song Clan banners flapping in the wind. Her expression unchanged, she descended the walls to find every household draped in white mourning cloth. All around her, people wept in sorrow.

The harsh snowstorms had buried many lives; the number of those frozen or fallen to their deaths was incalculable. The officer closed her eyes, refusing to look or listen too closely.

A townsfolk spotted her and called, "Lieutenant Lee!"

Lee Min opened her eyes and responded kindly, "Madam Zhang."

Madam Zhang wore white cloth in mourning. Her daughter had perished in the snow, and her body was only recovered after the thaw. Wiping tears from her eyes with a sleeve, the woman dropped to her knees in a bow. Alarmed, Lee Min hastily helped her up. "Madam, please, you mustn't!"

Forced upright by Lee Min's strong arms, Madam Zhang saw a face as young as her late daughter's and wept again. Choking on her sobs, she said, "You deserve my gratitude, Lieutenant. Without you, I wouldn't have even recovered my daughter's body."

Before the enemy arrived, Lee Min had focused on disaster relief. Madam Zhang's daughter had been found at the bottom of a gorge, likely having slipped on icy ground. It was steep and dangerous, but Lee Min, unable to bear the mother's despair, had personally hauled the corpse up.

Lee Min considered it merely her duty as a Ravenwell officer. Gently dusting the mud from Madam Zhang's knees, her heavy armor did not impede her gentle touch. "Madam, you praise me too highly. I only did what any Ravenwell officer should."

Madam Zhang, moved even more deeply, cursed bitterly through her tears: "Damn that Emperor of Xinar! Invading at such a time—utterly heartless! Heaven will punish them!"

Lee Min only smiled wryly. Her own situation was dire: the heavy snow had blocked the roads, making it impossible to transport supplies. Though the thaw had begun, resources couldn't arrive quickly. The soldiers had endured a bitterly long winter, morale was low, and there were countless frostbitten injuries.

If heaven truly paid attention, Lee Min would be a devout believer indeed.

Looking back at the banner on the city walls, emblazoned with the character "Lucille," Lee Min thought of the Crown Princess. Remembering Lucille Everard gave her renewed courage.

She had received secret intelligence that the Crown Princess herself would come to the front lines. All Lee Min needed to do was hold out until Her Highness arrived.

After chatting briefly with Madam Zhang, Lee Min returned to the local government office. Inside, beneath a plaque symbolizing fairness, stood a woman in official robes, her delicate features clouded with worry as she reviewed a document on the table.

Removing her helmet and holding it in her hands, Lee Min approached to look. The official, He Yuxian—magistrate of Redwater—was studying a list of those who died in the snow disaster, as well as the missing and the households needing aid.

Lee Min's heart ached at the sight. She sighed, "You're always so thorough."

Only then did He Yuxian look up. The tension in her brow eased at the sight of Lee Min, her severity softening into a hint of warmth. "You're back. Any movement on the opposite bank?"

"Nothing unusual, as before," Lee Min replied, taking a seat. She couldn't understand the enemy's plan. They could have attacked, yet they waited.

He Yuxian carefully rolled up the papers and tied them with a string, setting them aside. When she smiled, a dimple appeared on her right cheek, a scene gentler than spring itself.

Seeing her smile only made Lee Min more worried. She sighed, "Yuxian, I'm not afraid for myself—but what about you?"

If the city fell, their corpses might be hung from the walls. He Yuxian's face cooled, "We've known each other too long. Why think I'd be afraid?"

Lee Min felt ashamed. She wanted to explain but ended up only saying, "I want you safe."

He Yuxian dismissed her concern, "We'll both be fine, as long as Her Highness is with us. Then we need not fear."

Lee Min knew she had annoyed He Yuxian. Feeling awkward, she changed the subject. "I heard the Crown Princess is bringing someone new—a young lady from a noble family."

Hearing news of Lucille Everard, He Yuxian perked up. "Which young lady?"

This remote location received news slowly. If not for Lee Min's direct service to the Crown Princess, she wouldn't have such information.

Lee Min placed her helmet on the desk, feeling a bit smug at having news to share. She spoke as calmly as possible, "It's Miss Lina Riley. I saw her once. She always kept her head down, looked frail and unremarkable. Who'd have guessed she'd been hiding her true strength all along?"

Lee Min smiled proudly. "No matter how well she hid, she couldn't escape Her Highness's discerning eye. I wonder how the Crown Princess discovered her abilities."

He Yuxian pondered this. She was stationed far from the capital and barely remembered the noble families. Still, anyone chosen by Her Highness must be exceptional. Thinking of meeting the Crown Princess soon, He Yuxian grew excited—something she never would have dared imagine before. If she performed well, perhaps she could earn the Crown Princess's favor.

A messenger approached from the doorway: "My lady, the refugees have been settled."

He Yuxian stood immediately, then paused and turned back, inviting Lee Min, "Come along."

Redwater had suffered less than other counties. Some refugees had relatives here, so they came seeking shelter. At least these could be identified. But what about those from farther away? How to confirm their identities? This was a tumultuous time, and He Yuxian must remain vigilant. Enemy agents might slip in, and driving people away might spark riots.

She and Lee Min went to the refugee area where a few minor officials ladled out porridge. Everything was orderly, no chaos. Satisfied, He Yuxian nodded and moved on to where other clerks verified identities.

Lee Min glanced roughly over the refugees and noticed one particularly filthy individual—covered in grime, face indistinguishable. He was tall, taller than most, but hunched over submissively.

Lee Min's gaze lingered briefly before she followed He Yuxian elsewhere.

The tall, grimy stranger got his porridge and slipped into an inconspicuous corner. He held the bowl, listening to the surrounding snores and grunts of exhausted refugees, his eyes filled with disdain.

Someone beside him noticed he wasn't drinking and offered reassurance, "Don't worry, Magistrate He is kind. There'll be more porridge in days to come."

Xavier Harrington, under disguise, felt disgusted. Raised in luxury, this watery porridge revolted him. Still, he pretended to be touched, drinking the bland mush and feigning gratitude.

Afterward, he nearly retched. But he held it down, forced a smile, "So good. I haven't had something this nice in a long time."

His neighbor beamed with hope for the future, "Yes, life will get better. I hear the Crown Princess has returned."

Harrington's eyebrow twitched at the familiar name. Hearing these refugees praise Lucille Everard's kindness, he inwardly sneered. Ignorant fools, adoring such a cold-hearted woman.

Unwilling to listen to their praises, he discreetly slipped away. His plan was simple: hide until nightfall, then find a chance to open the city gates from within.

It grated him to think that once he'd been a Crown Prince, and now he must take on a false identity and risk his life for a covert mission, hoping to gain military merit and rebuild his power. He'd waited days for an opening to sneak in, nearly falling to his death from the city wall. But fortune favored him, granting this opportunity.

He couldn't help but grin, imagining his triumphant return to the title of Crown Prince and vengeance on the sister who had usurped him. Then he would raise an army to conquer Ravenwell. The famed Crown Princess would become nothing more than a corpse if he willed it.

At this moment, he hid in an abandoned cellar, darkness pressing in on all sides. Suddenly, a creak shattered the gloom as the darkness vanished.

All his visions of grandeur vanished. Harrington looked up, meeting a pair of cold eyes.

Lucille Everard lifted the cellar's wooden cover. Seeing the stunned Harrington, she smiled, eyes gleaming with murderous intent. Mockingly, she greeted, "Hello there, little rat."

Harrington instantly knew he was exposed. Without a word, he hurled a handful of dirt upward.

Lucille leapt back lightly, avoiding a face full of mud.

Harrington seized his chance and bolted southward. Glancing back nervously, he saw Lucille standing still, her gaze drifting past him. Something was off. He turned forward and spotted a woman in red blocking his path.

Panic gripped him. Changing direction, he fled at top speed, his lightfoot technique commendable but still too slow.

Lina Riley lowered her sword, blood dripping from its blade. With a flick, she shook off the droplets. Harrington's head rolled at her feet. She suddenly felt the urge to cry.

But just then, someone patted her head. A voice, warm and teasing, said, "Silly girl, don't shed tears."