Chapter 3: The Eternal Slumber of the King
The Eternal Slumber of the King
Author: The Holy Dragon Marshal
With a wave of excruciating pain in his chest, Brendel awoke from a dream.
What greeted his eyes were the luxurious patterns embroidered on the curtains. He lay in a grand bed, staring straight at the ceiling adorned with frescoes, silent.
“Finally, I saw that dream again.”
“I thought I had forgotten it, but how wonderful to dream of it now.”
“At this time when my life is drawing to a close.”
“Leysen,” he slowly opened his mouth, emitting a tired and hoarse voice: “Help me sit up.”
“Yes, my king.” The ever-loyal knight, who had been standing by his side all along, stepped forward to help this king on his last journey, adjust his attire, then retreated silently behind him.
Brendel looked at his reflection in the mirror; his figure still stood tall, but there was a faint sign of decay showing through. His skin revealed a tinge of ashen grayness.
“Ah, it seems the cold poison has already seeped deep into my bones. I don’t have much time left.” Though Brendel had reached this conclusion within himself, he felt no fear, as expected. He had long ceased to fear death and might as well say, he had long hoped to sink into the embrace of death.
“Leysen,” Brendel stood for a long time, then spoke to the loyal knight behind him: “Take a walk with me.” Without looking back, he walked out of the room. Leysen trembled for a moment but quickly took a deep breath and stayed close behind him.
Upon stepping outside, they found themselves in the palace yard. As winter was approaching, the ground was covered with only a layer of withered yellow grass and a few drooping shrubs, looking particularly desolate in the twilight. However, the two walking on the path paid no attention to the scenery but engaged in a quiet conversation.
“Leysen, I just had a dream, a sweet dream, so beautiful that it could make one indulge, beautiful to the point that it seemed real.”
“Indulging in illusions is not what a wise king should do, Your Majesty.” Leysen, as usual, played the strict advisor.
“Haha, you’re absolutely right, Leysen. I wouldn’t be able to walk on the path of kings without your help!” This was a light tease from Brendel.
“It’s my honor to follow you, Your Majesty.” Leysen’s tone was calm, but there was a faint sob in his voice. The wise one had already guessed what would transpire.
“You are always wise and humble, my most loyal knight,” Brendel’s voice gradually softened, “but, I am tired. Even I will have a day when I fall.”
The knight who had always maintained his composure could no longer withstand the weight. Leysen suddenly fell to one knee, trembling as he said: “Your Majesty, please do not say such words. The people of Erluin cannot lose you! Please be strong, forget the pain of the past, and you will surely…!” By the end, the knight was choked with emotion and could not continue.
“Stand up, Leysen,” after a long silence, Brendel’s voice rang again, “from now on, I am not your king anymore. In front of you stands but a soulless and pitiful man!”
Though reluctant to rise, Leysen felt a hand grip his shoulder. Despite his grievous condition, the king’s strength was still overwhelming, forcing Leysen to rise gradually under the single-handed push.
At this point, they had stopped in front of a room deep in the yard, all sides were thick walls, only the front had an enormous iron gate. Even through the thick walls, the cold seeped out, making them shiver involuntarily.
Brendel pushed open the iron gate, and a mighty cold wind roared out, flapping the edges of their clothes. Gradually, the cold wind subsided, revealing a pitch-black entrance. The two stared into the pitch-black depths. Finally, Brendel took a deep breath and said: “Erluin’s future is in your hands, Leysen. You are different from me, and you will surely become a wise king.”
The loyal knight tried several times to speak but could not utter a word, only gritting his teeth. His body trembled as he repressed the sorrow welling inside him.
“Leysen, will you obey, right?” The king’s voice turned firm and difficult to refuse.
“… Yes, my liege, I will follow all your commands. It is my honor!” Leysen knelt, eventually making the promise. A king’s command cannot be defied.
“Very well, then I am at ease.” Brendel stepped inside and disappeared into the darkness. From afar came the last words to his ever-loyal knight: “I’ve always believed in you, Leysen.” As the heavy iron gate slowly closed, the knight’s heart-wrenching wail echoed outside the wall, but that person could no longer hear it.
“Chamber of the Ice Coffin,” was the name of this icy chamber. As the room came into view, ice crystals covered the walls all around, including the ceiling. The azure light reflected by the ice illuminated the steps deep within the chamber. Atop the steps rested two ice coffins, within which beautiful figures could faintly be seen through the thick ice. A narrow path led forward from the steps, and a figure steadily advanced along it.
That figure was Brendel.
However, his condition now was far from good. Since entering the room, his body had continuously emitted gusts of cold air. Now, much of his body was encased in ice particles, his face ashen, but his eyes were ablaze with fiery light.
“Once, I had a dream. I thought I could change history.”
“Once, I had a dream. I believed it was a gift of fate.”
“But I was wrong. It was just a trap that plunged one into deeper despair!”
As the cold grew stronger, the temperature around them dropped noticeably. The path was beginning to be covered in ice, but Brendel paid no heed. His fervent gaze remained fixed on something atop the steps. Though his steps were slow and uneven, and his breathing heavy, he never stopped moving forward.
The living, life turns to ice-rivers. Life lacks the four seasons, only the cold wilderness remains, freezing the seeping blood and tears into ice.
Finally, Brendel ascended the steps, one by one, his pace slowing but filled with power. However, when he reached the last step, his figure paused. He leaned against the ice coffin, sitting down, allowing the ice to cover him continuously, but he remained motionless.
“Hey,”
“I had that dream again last night.”
“Everyone in your dreams was still by my side.”
“Truly captivating dreams, aren’t they?”
“Hey,”
“I’m sorry for not living well enough.”
“I’m sorry for not protecting the country well.”
“I’m sorry for not keeping my promises.”
“But.”
“Without you, I am truly so lonely.”
Exhaling his last breath, the king of Erluin, carrying all his pain and injuries, finally entered the sweet realm of dreams.
In the same year, Marada breached the Erluin capital, marking the beginning of the dark era.
Bad End
