Chapter 34: Guardian of Arendelle
Arendelle.
Soren sat quietly in a corner of the Copper Furnace Tavern, waiting. About half an hour later, the cold man he had met before appeared here. Compared to their last meeting, his expression was much more respectful, even showing a hint of panic and fear, as if he dared not look directly into Soren’s eyes.
“Your Excellency.”
He slightly bowed and handed Soren a sealed document, speaking in a low voice, “This is what you requested.”
Soren nodded and reached out to take it, swiftly opened it, glanced through it, and slowly said, “Has the attack already begun? It seems Prince Hans will retreat soon.”
“Please relay another order for me.”
“The fleet from the Southern Islands has been severely damaged; I need them to gather the enemy in the Dark Tide Strait and further damage the fleet from the Southern Islands.”
The cold man immediately nodded in agreement, then looked at Soren. Seeing that he had no further instructions, he hurriedly left.
In any case.
The orders from above were to make good relations with this Pirate King; his power was also valued by the Thieves’ Guild.
………………
The next day.
Dragon Bone Island lay in ruins; the port had been half destroyed, and many warships needed repairs.
Prince Hans stood near the port observing everything, his face reflecting a deep sense of frustration. Just a ghost ship had left him in such a predicament, making him feel a sense of weak helplessness.
Sudden footsteps approached.
A high-level sorcerer’s figure appeared behind him, and before getting close, he urgently spoke up, “Your Highness! This is bad!”
“This is a message from the kingdom sent via communication magic.”
Upon hearing the high-level sorcerer’s words, Prince Hans’ heart jolted. The sorcerer had communication magic at the fifth ring, so he had maintained close contact with the Southern Kingdom. He anxiously extended his hand to take the document, glancing at it briefly before his face turned pale. It seemed he had received a huge shock, murmuring, “The Executioner—Soren!?”
“So, he is the one attacking us! … Why is he attacking us!? … Why is he helping Arendelle?”
The high-level sorcerer looked at Prince Hans’s pale face, touched him lightly, and urged, “Your Highness! The key issue right now is not why the Executioner Soren is attacking us! But the situation in the kingdom is already dire! Our coastline is completely lost, and the enemy is rampaging within our waters; every coastal area might be attacked!”
“His Majesty commands us to retreat immediately! …”
Without the capability to engage in sea battles, the pirates’ warships could directly bombard the coastal cities. The entire Southern Islands was in a state of panic, especially as many deities began to fall silent. The priests received no response, and even seeking help from the temple became impossible. The pirates from the Southern Coast were as devastating as the Viking invasions in Europe, plundering any place that could be attacked like locusts.
“Retreat… retreat! …”
Prince Hans’s face was pale as he murmured, “Order the entire army to retreat.”
The attack on Arendelle ended in failure. All schemes turned into a beautiful dream, and the original goal of blocking the northern routes to open the west coast was also completely unsuccessful. Prince Hans could imagine how much blame he would receive upon returning home; the nobles would criticize him, and the kingdom would blame him, while those brothers he had worked so hard to defeat might already be plotting a comeback, potentially endangering even the throne he was to inherit.
“Go back!”
Prince Hans’s expression gradually returned to seriousness, and he said gravely, “We must return first! As long as I inherit the throne, I can make a comeback!”
“The army is still under my control. There is still a chance.”
At this point, his expression twisted slightly, as if planning something.
He gazed at the high-level sorcerer behind him, his face somewhat menacing, saying: “I want to see that sea witch! I have fulfilled my part of the agreement; she must help me ascend to the throne according to our deal!”
Upon hearing Prince Hans’s words, the high-level sorcerer’s expression shifted subtly. He then lowered his voice, saying, “Your Highness.”
“We’ll talk about this when we return.”
………………
Arendelle, Royal Palace.
Princess Anna gazed at the bearded general before her with a delighted expression, incredulous, “What? Are you saying the enemy has retreated?”
“Yes.”
The Ice Witch standing beside her nodded, saying: “We have been monitoring the nearby seas and can confirm they are indeed retreating.”
“That’s wonderful!” Princess Anna joyfully stood up.
Then, a trace of worry and sadness appeared on her face, murmuring, “Is it him? Why doesn’t he come to see me?”
“Does he truly dislike me so much?”
“After coming here, he won’t even meet me?”
Hearing Princess Anna’s somewhat sorrowful words, the others exchanged glances, and it was the Ice Witch who finally spoke: “Your Highness, there is news that the pirates from the Southern Coast have attacked the Southern Islands; it seems that the one secretly helping us is indeed Lord Soren! The enemy retreated hurriedly because they were attacked from behind! …”
Princess Anna nodded dazedly upon hearing this, murmuring, “Is that so?”
“Then why doesn’t he come to see me?”
Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard.
At that moment, a guard rushed in, shouting: “Not good! A… a ghost ship! … A ghost ship has appeared in the port! …”
Everyone looked up in surprise.
Princess Anna dashed out directly, running towards the port.
“Go!”
The Maid Captain glanced at the others and quickly followed, soon catching up with the princess.
The port of Arendelle was shrouded in mist.
Through the fog, a black warship could be seen docked in the distance, its black hull, black sails, and black mast creating a sense of deep pressure at just a glance.
A massive black shadow loomed around the ghost ship.
Nearby, no other vessels dared to approach, as everyone looked on in awe mixed with fear.
“Soren!!! …”
Princess Anna gazed at the distant black warship, and for some reason, tears fell from her eyes. She placed her small hand over her mouth and shouted forward, “Is it you?!!! …”
There was no response.
The pitch-black ghost ship seemed to be empty; it lingered near the port of Arendelle for a moment before gradually disappearing into the mist.
The storm clouds dispersed.
Bright sunshine poured down on the rich and beautiful city within this Frozen Kingdom, and everything seemed to return to normal.
The clouds of war were receding.
The mysterious disappearance of the Long Princess did not lead this prosperous kingdom to decline, for they knew there was another person, another figure protecting this place.
The mistress who guards here!
Perhaps he did not show himself, but she believed that when she needed him, he would appear again.
Because this was his promise!
……………… (To be continued ~^~)
