Chapter 167
Chapter 167: History
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Losing honour as a leader, losing people as a king, losing virtue as a man”. I, Roland Mist, as the last descendant of Mist, hereby impeaches Fismer Caso!
The former King’s lion gestured with his hand, and with the help of the sonic wave ability, of which the Frigid Nightmares were all gifted with, my angry roar was spread to every corner of the entire city.
The mangled king laid on the floor, but, enraged as I am, stood on the dais of the palace, and announced my decision to the world.
The prepared sheep-skin paper was spread out, the crimes that were little known were being read out, one by one for all to hear. The magical prestidigitation allowed these blood-like words to float in the air, catching even more attention!
“Crime number one, in a cruel manner that lacked all compassion, the slaying of blood relatives…of kin.”
…
“Crime number fourteen, uncontrollably extravagant; wastage of resources; watching the people die of hunger and yet wearing clothes of silk and feasting to his heart’s content!”
“Crime number fifteen, collaborating with foreigners, bringing danger and enemies into the country…”
As one after another shocking crime was read out, the windows of every house opened, to listen to the announcement that came from the palace.
The more I read, the more furious I became, looking at the long list of remaining crimes, I did not feel like continuing any more. I just tore it apart and started berating with the rage that bubbled from the bottom of my heart.
“We will take care of all these crimes, but most importantly, I can not stand the sight of you weaklings anymore! Therefore, I demand that you get your ass off the throne as King of Mist!”
“One thousand and seven hundred or so years ago, Northland was a wasteland, with perpetual coldness. Wild beasts were everywhere, and all the bad conditions we see now, have remained unchanged since then. But at that time, this land was famous for being the land of exiles. Every country exiled their criminals here, and they usually died within three to five years. If any survived, then there were more trouble, without any survival skills, a majority of them turned into bandits.”
“Natural disasters, crimes, wild beasts all at once, even if at that time Northland was not hell on earth, it was very close!”
Following Roland’s description, and comparing it to the current scenario, the Mist people were starting to guess where this is heading.
“At that time, former King Raven Date, who had suffered under the hand of the bitter North, unexpectedly received the Frigid Nightmare Contract and gained strength, he was determined to build a country of his own in this barren land. He never planned to be the great man who aspired to build a safe haven for humans, he just had had enough of those precarious days, and he hoped to build a land to call home for himself and his own kind, a home that protected them from the oppression and bullying from foreign races.”
As the sun rose slowly, the roars rang through the whole city. After the citizens were temporarily stunned into silence, Prince Roland’s name and deep voice stopped the people in their tracks to listen attentively.
“During the beginning, everyone sneered at him for trying to bite off more than he could chew, they thought he was an idiot sleep talking. And building a country here is equivalent to building a fortress at the frontlines of the war between men and beastmen, the beastmen were certain to oppose its construction. And he, this penniless lad, who couldn’t even take care of his meals, where would he find the resources and food for self-sustainability?”
“However, there is no impossibility in this world, Raven Date, no matter how many hardships he had to experience, forced the impossible to become possible, and built his home on this frozen land.”
“No valuable local products or riches? He believed that where there is a will, there is a way. He found himself a group of Dwarves friends, and formed an engineering team of natives. Measuring inch by inch, digging spade by spade, they stubbornly found their own special local products in this barren land — Magic Minerals.”
“No sturdy defence against the threats of the outer world? At the border, his followers and himself dug the gully and sentry by their bare hands, and replaced guarding troops on horses with their legs, and used their flesh and blood to build the other walls to protect their own people!”
The young people preparing to go to work, the woman preparing food for the family, the old man walking, when they heard these stories about their former King that were not recorded in the history books, they stopped in their tracks.
“Praise the former King! It is you, who pioneered our homeland, and allowed us to live with dignity.”
“”We admit that our lives were very hard, we had nothing in our pockets. I could not guarantee that after fighting so hard with me, that there will be any change, but what I know for sure, is that if we do not do anything just because there is no guarantee, then we will never do anything. If we must die in this cold and hunger, I hope that at least, I gave all I could give until the very last moment.” That was what our former King said. In the harshness of nature, there were no miracles from heaven, no mysterious hope. All there was to rely on was yourself and your companions, and this was what that was known as the Spirit of Mist. And the Northlanders that were chosen by our former King to follow him became the earliest Mist people.”
“We are different from the other ancient races, a majority of us have mixed ancestry. But what identifies us as Mist race, is never our bloodline or skin colour, all Northlanders with the Spirit of Mist, are considered Mist people! These are the true words from the mouth of our former King, and the truth that we, the descendants of Mist, always believed in!”
“One thousand four hundred and twenty-three years ago, that was the first time Mist Kingdom almost faced annihilation. The Demon army, as if appearing from our very own nightmares, broke open the gates that led to the underground. Uncountable demons and devils swarmed towards the gates. Overnight, seventeen cities in Mist kingdom were taken over. In Diffindor, the capital city, a state of emergency was announced, but the Mist people did not give up their homes. To protect their homes, they sacrificed countless lives, determined to send the demons back to where they came from.”
“The marks of what had happened remained to this day, and that is the Aweimar, the abyss of demons. No, the most important mark and heritage left from that time is the war flag that is still dancing in the ravaging wind. That day, the Spirit of Mist and the War flags of Mist were stained with the red colour of blood for the first time. We went on to the development path that was completely different from the Central Northland. Grit and perseverance became the most significant aspect of our culture. Unbending will and an unyielding temperament became the insignia we wore proudly.”
The citizens silently watched the War flags of Mist that could be seen everywhere, a new feeling of appreciation slowly grew from within. Perhaps, what was passed down was not only blood, but a secret buried deep within, waiting to be revealed.
“One thousand one hundred and twenty-nine years ago, there was a battle that involved many races. The Beastmen who could no longer remain silent invaded the Northland. In that cruel winter, it was a war that no one expected, but it lasted for twelve long years. The Mist people lost one million three hundred and seventy thousand men in battle, and countless wounded. Most of the royal family members were lost, and as for lords who were responsible for protecting their homeland, the Mist Palace lost four kings and seven royal members. The youngest lost was only five years of age. From the day he took the throne to the day he died in battle, it had been only twelve days. From then on, princes would always be the front line generals of the army. Every young child must receive training of the sword and horse because we never know when he might need it someday. And once he goes on the battlefield, no matter his age, he had only two choices – to return to glory, or to die with dignity!”
“Another new tradition that was formed was that when the King falls, his prince will assume the throne. If the prince has fallen, the princess will take his place, and when the princess has fallen, the queen shall lead. As long as the royal family survives, the defence will not stop. Since our beginning, we of the Mist bloodline will never be taken as prisoners. Because our enemies know that taking us is pointless. After all, our ancestors have led us by examples. Surrender? Be taken as prisoners? How can we, their descendants, disappoint our founders? We would rather kill ourselves.”
“Seven hundred years ago, the war that started out of a sudden, came like a dagger from behind. The sudden rise in foreign slave trade represented an endless blood stain, but it also represented endless wealth. And our Mist Kingdom stood on the path to treasure, therefore many superior weaponry fell into the hands of the Beastmen. After that war with the Beastmen, despite our torn homeland, we declared war with the many countries that were behind the war.”
“Finally? Hmph, what are those weak Southerners against our Cavalry that had gone through countless battles and wars. When our riders dragged their foolish bodies, with their crowns still on their heads, to parade them through our cities, no country ever dared to look down on us Mist people again. Of course, from then on, our relationships with the human countries never recovered. And we have never regretted!”
“Time and time again, our calamitous country suffered countless ransackings and wars. Without us noticing, we became a historical “ancient kingdom”, this is undoubtedly and unsurprisingly the perfect insult. The unattended wild flowers endured the bitterly cold of the Northlands and survived, yet those Southern saplings who were so well taken care of, withered one after the other.”
“Three hundred years ago, in a war that I experienced myself, ferocious and bloodthirsty Beastmen, cunning and powerful demons, and those human comrades who always went back on their words, everything our ancestors faced, came all at once. That time, I failed, our defence failed, and our country was destroyed.”
The low voice tinged with a sob, that soundless suffering and remorse pierced the hearts of the citizens, in the city, the Mist people would always repeat the same answer, despite their different opinions.
“No, our prince, you have done excellently, we are proud of you, please do not condemn yourself. And look, here we stand. As long as the Mist people still live, how can the Mist Kingdom not be revived?”
“Yes, we have not perished! The Spirit of Mist never perish! Even if the Mist Country has perished, our Mist race has not! Did you know, when there was news that there are Mist people forming Mist countries in the Northlands, I was so happy that I couldn’t sleep. Even if it is no longer the kingdom I once knew, even if it were split to several lands, but as long as it stands tall in the Northland, I am satisfied.”
“Countless of times, I couldn’t sleep for days and nights when I thought of our homeland. But when the hatred for our destroyed homeland appeared in my thoughts, I made an oath. If I do not get revenge and make those murderers hiding behind the scenes pay tenfold for what we had lost, then I will not allow myself to live a peaceful life. All the people I know have died, and those who live in that homeland are no longer recognizable to me.”
“Beloved prince, please do not hesitate and wonder, this will always be your homeland, we are your family, and we welcome your return!”
I smiled, surrounded by such faithful and lovely people, how can I not smile happily? But when I look at the lump of lard in front of me, my joy turned to anger, and my wrath resurfaced.
But…you, Fismer Caso, in your veins flows the Spirit of Mist, yet you did such despicable things.”
I used to hope that this is an imposter, one who is unrelated to the Mist Royalty. But after seeing him in person, and cast the spell that was passed down through the generations, I was shocked to find out that he is indeed of the Mist Royal bloodline. The descendants of Mist have degenerated to such an extent?
“You, ostentatious, lustful and shameless! It is a good thing that Sleuweir knew how to be flexible, it was our inflexibility all those years ago that caused us so much pain. But being flexible does not equate to self-degradation, or getting involved with the extremely evil slave trade, or sending our people to be trampled on by Beastmen, you call yourself a protector of the people? You, are not worthy to be king!”
“You, ingrate, greedy, traitor! You allowed our homeland to suffer so much humiliation, yet you hide in your palace and surround yourself with luxury and pleasure. The warnings I sent you were treated as trash, so many who should have lived are dead because of you! And yet you happily enjoy the offerings and gifts from the people! You have the audacity to claim that you are the leader of the people, the king who has the great responsibility to protect the land and its people? You are not worthy to be king!”
“You are cowardly, despicable and dishonourable! The spirit of our ancestors have never faded, the ghosts of our ancestors are always watching us. If ghosts could materialize into our world, they would have murdered you already! How dare you surrender? The Mist Royalty has one thousand and seven hundred years of history, the ones who have perished in the battlefield are uncountable, and there was not one coward who dared to surrender! You…”
“…You, are not worthy to be King!”
“I, Ancient Frigid Nightmare Hellcoming, Aroyi, companion of Former King, the first of the royal members, hereby witness the abdication of the king, and elect Roland Mist as the temporary holder of the throne! I will personally be responsible for being the warden.”
The citizens and royal guards were stunned for a moment, and then, a voice out of nowhere shouted: “Long live his Majesty Roland!”. Suddenly the crowd exploded.
“Your highness Roland, no, your Majesty Roland, welcome back!”
“Your Majesty Roland, please do not hesitate, our gates are always opened for you.”
Very soon, with the driving force of some faithful subjects, the cheers rang out to all corners of the land and sky. I obtained the support of the citizens so easily, in a sense, it was thanks to Fismer.
Amongst the crowd, there was a couple of people grumbling and bickering.
“…why must you force me to shout, Roland knows my voice well, he will definitely hear it, then he will laugh at it.”
“You have teased him so many times, let him laugh. Oh yes, how is the wound on your right arm?”
“It’s fine, that Beastman Shaman was injured worse than me. The others were just making up stories, this is no injury.”
When everything of everything had been announced to the public, and the general situation has settled down, I mercilessly threw out the dying Fismer out.
“Aaaaaargh!”
Fismer’s high pitched squeal shook the air, if he hit the ground, he would not survive. Some of the women and children had closed their eyes, unwilling to witness the horrific scene of smashed flesh. Yet I fixed my gaze at Fismer, still not able to relax.
“Splash!”
As expected, just as Fismer was going to crash to his death, two fleshy bat wings extended out of his back. With a strong flap of the wings, he glided from the ground and flew out of the city walls.
“Damn it! He’s a cambion!”
The prediction has been proven, but it was not a good news at all. The descendant of Mist mixed with the blood of demons, no matter how I thought about it, there could only be one possibility.
“Karwenz…is this all your doing? Did you set this all up?”