Chapter Twenty-Three: The Prophecy

In the New World, the main continent was ruled by three nations: the Kingdom of Flame, the Kingdom of Earth, and the Kingdom of Azure Waters. The Kingdom of Flame had produced a succession of formidable rulers, its strength swelling until it claimed three-fifths of the continent’s territory, including the fertile central regions. The Kingdoms of Earth and Azure Waters could only cling together in distant corners, barely surviving.

At this time, within the capital of the Kingdom of Flame, in a towering structure adjacent to the royal palace, the king and the prince stared intently at the elder lying asleep on the bed. The old man’s face was tranquil, yet his body was drenched in cold sweat, his complexion visibly paling, and his once jet-black hair gradually losing its vigor.

The king’s expression soured at the sight, his demeanor growing agitated. Suddenly, a loud crash shattered the silence. The king’s eyes flared as he turned to see a young maid frozen in place, a water basin fallen at her feet.

The girl seemed stunned, unmoving, and the king’s patience snapped, his tone icy: “Take her away and behead her!”

The nearby guards moved to seize the maid, but the prince interjected, “Enough. You may withdraw.”

At the prince’s command, the guards promptly departed. The king’s gaze flickered at this, but he said nothing further.

Seeing the maid still rooted to the spot, the prince smiled softly, approached, and gently tapped her head. “You should go. Leave this to me.”

The maid, face