Chapter Fourteen: Arrival at the Capital

The next day, after making temporary arrangements for Marti and Charlemagne to oversee the affairs of Luoshui City, Li Bing and his group departed in a carriage. This time, Li Bing brought along Roland, the Holy Light Knight of the Thirteen Guardians, and three hundred knightly guards. To be honest, Li Bing didn't trust the combat ability of the Crown Prince's eight hundred "Dragon Riders."

The knights of the Bloodied Legion were all clad in vibrant green armor that shimmered like fresh leaves. Their long swords, lances, and shields were uniform, gleaming with a light that made them look like works of art. The intricate patterns of the undead, unique to each knight, decorated their armor, giving it a mystical quality. The horses beneath them were magnificent, each stronger and more robust than the last. They didn't resemble ordinary horses; their eyes glinted like those of lions. These horses had grown accustomed to drinking the blood of their enemies, and after being reborn, they absorbed considerable amounts of undead energy, making them fiercer. Such a force, full of spirit and power, would have been a perfect ceremonial guard.

In stark contrast, the "Dragon Riders" wore heavy, cumbersome armor that weighed down their horses, causing them great discomfort. Occasionally, a horse would collapse under the strain, and even those that managed to carry their riders couldn't move quickly. The pace of the entire army could only be described as slow as a snail's. Li Bing couldn't help but wonder how this army had managed to arrive near Luoshui Territory so swiftly. Later, he learned that it was because Crown Prince Roan had heard rumors and asked the mages of the Holy Dragon Kingdom to perform a large-scale teleportation spell, transporting the troops directly to the area near Luoshui.

What truly tortured Li Bing during this journey wasn't the bumpy ride, but the constant chatter of Crown Prince Roan, who, much like the monk Tang Seng, seemed unable to stop talking. Originally, Li Bing and his two lovers, Yilian and Icarlu, had been enjoying a pleasant conversation in the carriage. Li Bing even planned to teach the two ladies how to "blow xiao" (a type of traditional wind instrument). However, the Crown Prince, bored and seeking company, shamelessly squeezed into the carriage and began talking about everything under the sun, causing Li Bing's already fragile spirit to suffer once again.

This continued for seven or eight days. Along the way, all Li Bing could see was the endless grasslands. It was dreadfully boring, and he couldn't even find a way to strike up a conversation with the Crown Prince, who was far too talkative. What was worse, after recently enjoying a taste of pleasure and being a strapping man, Li Bing hadn't had the chance to be intimate with his lovers. He couldn't even find time to relieve himself, and when he finally caught sight of the outline of the royal capital's gates, he was so moved he nearly cried.

Entering the city went smoothly, as Crown Prince Roan still had some influence, but Li Bing's personal army of three hundred knights couldn't enter the city and had to remain outside, stationed at the city gates. After parting ways with the Crown Prince, the carriage continued toward the eastern noble district, where there were residences specifically for hosting noble visitors.

Along the way, Li Bing found the scenery disappointing. Even the eastern noble district wasn't particularly bustling. The pedestrians here, though somewhat neatly dressed, were nothing special. The shops lining the streets weren't elaborately decorated, and their goods didn't seem abundant, let alone fashionable or artistic. For someone like Li Bing, who was used to the hustle and bustle of big cities, it was hard to suppress his disdain.

Sensing Li Bing's dissatisfaction and confusion, Yilian explained, "This capital city was originally called Pingbei City. Decades ago, it served as a military base along with Luoshui City, to protect the northern border of the empire from the barbarian tribes. The second prince, now His Majesty the King, relied on the support of the northern nobles' military strength to fight against the southern rebels. While this city might not be prosperous, its military industry is highly developed. The weapons for the entire northern territories are supplied by the western military district of the capital."

Li Bing nodded thoughtfully. Just then, he spotted a group of tall, powerful men wearing wolf pelts. They were dressed in simple leather armor, carrying weapons that looked basic, but their eyes radiated a deep pride.

"They are from the Cangwolf tribe," Icarlu explained. "When the king first ascended the throne, he saw the southern forces growing too strong. In order to expand his territory, he waged a large war against the various barbarian tribes on the northern plains. Afterward, he subdued them through alliances, including marriage. Now, about thirty thousand wolf riders and over a hundred thousand light cavalry from various tribes are loyal to the king. Actually, if not for the rare collaboration between the Church of the Light and the Church of the Stars to resist the barbarians, the northern territories could have raised at least a hundred thousand wolf riders. Over the years, the king has been working hard to raise a large army, and the northern nobles likely command around a hundred thousand men. The southern territories' most powerful force, the Blazing Flames, can only field around a hundred thousand troops, and they even left thirty thousand corpses beneath Luoshui City… The upcoming southern campaign is sure to succeed!"

Li Bing admired the king's military achievements, but he couldn't shake a sense of unease. Expanding the military so aggressively might work if they won quickly, but if they suffered setbacks, the economy of the northern territories would collapse in time!

Just as Li Bing was lost in thought, the carriage suddenly stopped, and he was thrown forward. He found himself buried in the soft, fragrant chest of Icarlu.

"Big... so big..." Li Bing couldn't help but sigh again.

"Sir, sir, do you need a 'pillow'?" a voice suddenly called from outside the carriage window. "I've recently acquired a few from a fallen noble family. Would you be interested?"

"Pillow? Do people actually sell pillows?" Li Bing replied, puzzled.

"Sir, you really...?" The person's face darkened before he lowered his voice and continued, "Pillows are magic slaves. Our country allows the sale of slaves, especially slaves of foreign races... I happen to have a few beautiful female magic slaves for sale. Although they've been used by noble families, that saves you the trouble of training them. These slaves are smart and know how to serve, especially at night..." 

Despite his usual lustful nature, Li Bing felt a twinge of sadness.

Pillows! How fitting a term!

He suddenly remembered the "live experiments" that Japan's 731 Unit referred to as "Maruro," meaning "logs."

At that moment, a soft sobbing sound broke out beside him. Yilian was crying, and the magic collar around her neck flickered.

"Sir, your magic slave seems lonely. Why not buy a few more?" The man continued, spewing nonsense. Li Bing frowned and shouted, "Drive the carriage!"

The carriage started moving again, but the man's voice echoed from behind, "Sir, the price is negotiable~"

The atmosphere in the carriage became tense, with only Yilian's sobs occasionally breaking the silence.

After a while, Li Bing asked, "Is the fate of magic slaves always so tragic?"

Icarlu glanced at Yilian and shook her head, responding, "In order to atone for their ancestors, the fate of magic slaves is indeed tragic. At least in the northern territories, most women become playthings or dancers for the nobles... the more handsome men often become male lovers. Those with better luck become musicians or attendants. Stronger ones are sent to quarries. Some..."

Icarlu pointed to a large building in the distance. "The smartest and strongest become gladiators, trained from childhood to fight monsters or fellow slaves day and night... But magic slaves are expensive, often costing over a hundred gold coins, sometimes even more than a thousand. Luoshui Territory isn't wealthy enough to afford them."

Finally, the carriage arrived at the residence. Despite the smiling servants waiting to greet them, Li Bing couldn't bring himself to smile. Among them was a handsome magic slave, dressed in a neat servant's outfit, holding a beautifully prepared dish. He stood there like a majestic, beautiful tree.

"Sir, we've received word from the Crown Prince. We'll be attending to your needs during your stay here. Please feel free to treat this place as your home. Would you like to eat first or bathe? As for your men outside the city, provisions and supplies will be sent to them."

After dinner, Li Bing lay on a comfortable, soft bed, but his mood remained overshadowed. As someone from the modern world, he slowly began to feel the urge to do something.

A knock came at the door. The steward entered and, seeing Li Bing pondering whether to visit Yilian that night, asked respectfully, "Sir, would you like someone to attend to you tonight? A singer or a male lover?"

Li Bing was about to curse, but just then another servant entered and whispered something to the steward. The steward then bowed and said, "Sir, you have a guest. We shall not disturb you." They both exited the room.

Then, a hunched figure slowly entered. It was an elderly man with graying hair and a beard, dressed in a white robe similar to the one Yilian often wore. On his chest was a brooch—the white-winged brooch of the Church of Light.

Meanwhile, in the royal palace, King Riche Best, already over fifty, sat on a tall throne surrounded by dim light. In this mysterious atmosphere, he addressed the black figure kneeling before him, asking, "Is this Lister's private army really that formidable?"

The shadowy figure replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Bloodied Legion currently only has less than ten thousand men, but based on the three hundred knights outside, their quality and equipment are extraordinary... they're likely comparable to your personal Imperial Guard."

"What else has your 'Dark Flame' discovered? You've been with me for years; surely you can do more than this?" King Riche Best spoke slowly, his eyes gleaming with sharpness and intent to kill.

"The man known as Lister seems to be... a devotee of the Blood Flame Prince. From the officers to the soldiers' equipment, it's essentially a miniature version of the Blood Flame Legion!"

"Is that all?"

"Also... His Excellency the Archbishop seems to have already tried to win him over..."

"Now that's more like it! You may leave!"

King Riche Best smiled as he looked at the dimly lit surroundings. "Does he want to be another Blood Flame Prince? But the Blood Flame Prince didn't meet a good end, did he?"