Imperial Throne

Chapter 25: Bad News

Someone was attacking White Forest Castle?!

That was the first thought that came to both Yam and Giggs when they heard the explosion from the main gate.

The two exchanged a glance. Yam gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, “I’ll go check it out! Young Master Giggs, head to the strategy room first.”

The strategy room was actually the study in the backyard of White Forest Castle, furnished with a large sand table.

It was the favorite place of the Lord of White Mountain Territory. After Giggs became the acting lord, he also preferred to hold meetings and manage affairs there.

“Be careful,” Giggs said solemnly.

Yam nodded, then quickly headed toward the main gate of White Forest Castle.

At that moment, due to the explosion's force, the flowerbeds near the main gate were set ablaze, forming roaring flames.

The bright firelight illuminated the surroundings as if it were daylight.

But as Yam walked along, his heart grew increasingly heavy.

Although White Forest Castle was currently lacking in defenses, there were still thirty militiamen serving as guards.

Yet, Yam hadn't seen a single guard along the way and could even faintly smell blood. This made him realize that White Forest Castle had likely already fallen.

Soon.

With a sense of solemn resolve, Yam arrived at the main gate of White Forest Castle.

Though called a castle, this fortress was actually a manor-style ancient castle built on a mountain.

Unlike fortress strongholds, it lacked a moat and heavy gates. Its primary value lay in symbolizing the power of White Mountain Territory.

At this moment, the castle's iron gate stood wide open.

But it didn't appear to have been breached; rather, it seemed to have been opened from the inside.

Seeing this, Yam felt an overwhelming heaviness in his heart.

Then, sweeping his gaze around, he saw several charred corpses lying on the ground.

Yam's eyes widened slightly.

“Yo, Second Brother.” Akar, looking travel-worn, stood at the gate, waving to Yam. “Long time no see.”

Under the bright flames illuminating the area like daylight, Akar stood at the center of White Forest Castle's main gate.

Though his face showed signs of exhaustion, his smile was filled with genuine joy, and his eyes shone brightly as he looked at Yam.

“Akar!” Yam exclaimed in surprise. “Why are you here? Where's Father?”

Akar quickly approached Yam, speaking as he walked, “Father and I returned to Fisher Village a week ago. We heard you became a knight of the lord's family and that you brought Mother back. So, after resting in Fisher Village for a few days, we set out immediately.”

As he spoke, Akar gestured toward the charred corpses on the ground. “We entered the city just yesterday and overheard these people plotting to attack White Forest Castle. At first, Father and I thought they were just some commoners dissatisfied with the lord's family. I wanted to act immediately, but Father, being cautious, told me to wait another day. Unexpectedly, we caught some big fish.”

“Some?” Yam was shocked.

He knew that Akar was now a Bloodline User; otherwise, the fire and explosion at the main gate couldn't be explained.

So, those he referred to as big fish must also be Bloodline Users.

“Four,” Akar said, his expression slightly serious. “All are Second-Tier Bloodline Users.”

Yam was startled: “Damn!”

He had only killed one; another had intended to assassinate Lily but fled upon seeing him and Giggs arrive. Now, with Akar having killed one, that meant there was still one assassin inside White Forest Castle!

“We must return immediately!”

Yam turned with Akar and rushed back, having no time to worry about the main gate's situation.

Because, unless someone was a Bloodline User, any sane person seeing the corpses and flames at the main gate would only wish they had more legs to run faster.

“By the way, where's Father?”

“After Father and I killed the gatekeepers, he entered the castle while I guarded the gate to prevent anyone from escaping,” Akar quickly explained. “We don't know who sent these assassins, but they might have been targeting the lord's family for some time. Father and I discussed framing the city's wealthy merchants for this, saying it was due to recent conflicts between the lord's family and the merchants. It's a good opportunity to exploit.”

“It's good that you and Father are back.” Yam nodded, feeling emotional. “Mother and I missed you both dearly during the past year.”

“Some unexpected things happened; it's a long story. I'll tell you once things settle down,” Akar sighed, a strange look in his eyes. “How is Mother?”

“Young Master Giggs hired a physician for Mother, and her condition improved significantly. Later, due to the war, I moved her into the castle. With the castle's physicians caring for her, her health has gotten much better,” Yam replied. “I'm going to see Young Master Giggs now. You go protect Mother. There's still an assassin in the castle, and I'm worried about her safety.”

As he spoke, Yam pointed out their mother's residence to Akar and also mentioned the location of the strategy room. Then, they parted ways at the staircase.

Akar moved swiftly, hurrying to find their mother.

Yam continued to stride quickly down the corridor toward the strategy room in the backyard.

Along the way, he saw no one else, which made him increasingly uneasy.

Soon, Yam saw Giggs outside the strategy room, flustered.

Scattered around Giggs were various medical supplies, but no physician was in sight.

“Young Master Giggs!” Yam hurried over. “What happened...?”

“They're all dead!” Giggs's face was grim. “Physicians, guards, even the servants, those bastards spared no one!”

Seeing Giggs in such disarray, Yam placed a hand on his and said in a low voice, “Let me handle this.”

Perhaps Yam's calm voice reassured Giggs, who slumped to the ground but made room.

“Save Lily...” Giggs's voice carried a hint of pleading.

Yam wanted to say he didn't know medical techniques, but the words changed as they left his mouth: “I only know some basic first aid. I'll do my best... But Miss Lily is a Bloodline User; as long as it's not a fatal wound, she shouldn't die easily.”

Bloodline Users were different from ordinary people; their bodies had undergone enhancements, so unless the injury was fatal, their lives weren't usually in danger.

Yam tore open Lily's dress at her abdomen, revealing smooth, delicate skin.

The wound was near her navel, about five centimeters long.

Judging by the wound's shape, it was clearly caused by an assassin's short blade.

The Bole family's Second-Tier Bloodline was the [Ice Monkey], with the manifested bloodline ability being [Frost Impact]—a close-range frost attack that created extremely low temperatures.

Though not highly lethal, it had a certain control effect. However, its drawback was apparent: it wasn't suitable for wide areas and had a slightly slow activation.

Therefore, if one could quickly approach in an instant, there was a high chance of eliminating a Bole family member before they could react and counterattack.

The two assassins who attempted to kill Giggs and Lily clearly knew the Bole family's bloodline weakness.

Undoubtedly, this was a highly targeted assassination!

Yam instantly realized this.

“How is she?” Giggs asked anxiously.

“I checked; no internal organs were damaged,” Yam said, his actions swift despite his many realizations. “And Miss Lily's bleeding was stopped promptly, preventing the enemy from causing fatal harm. She's just unconscious for now and will recover after some rest.”

Yam felt slightly relieved.

Thanks to Nika's protection and the timely arrival of Giggs and Yam, Lily managed to escape.

Unfortunately, Nika died protecting Lily.

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded.

This made Giggs instantly alert, emitting a frosty aura.

“Young Master! Wait,” Yam called out upon seeing the newcomer. “It's my younger brother.”

“Your brother?” Giggs was taken aback.

Yam quickly explained what had happened at the castle's main gate, emphasizing that the assassins were clearly well-prepared. This made Giggs's expression darken.

“Akar, you...” After a brief explanation, Yam looked at Akar and saw his eyes were red, causing a sense of foreboding.

“Mother is dead.”

Sure enough, Akar's words confirmed Yam's worst fears, leaving him utterly stunned.

He had suspected something upon seeing the eerily quiet White Forest Castle but had held onto a sliver of hope. Now, hearing his brother's words, Yam couldn't help but cry.

“It was my fault Mother died!”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Yam blurted out something quite inappropriate, causing Akar's expression to change slightly.

He knew his second brother was blaming himself, thinking that if he hadn't brought Mother to White Forest Castle, she might not have died tonight.

But such thoughts should remain internal; saying them aloud in front of the acting lord was tantamount to accusing him, which could lead to trouble.

Akar's heart hardened, and a hint of killing intent appeared in his eyes.

But seeing Giggs also filled with sorrow, even reaching out to pat Yam's shoulder and apologize, Akar hesitated.

Then, another set of footsteps approached.

Unlike Akar's earlier hurried steps, these were steady and unhurried, even carrying a sense of composure.

Yam and Akar, familiar with the sound, immediately knew who it was.

Ion.

Their father.

“Father,” Yam and Akar looked at the newcomer, their voices filled with sorrow.

“I already know,” Ion's face also bore a trace of grief, indicating he had learned of his wife's death.

However, as Ion dragged a man and threw him before Giggs, his expression turned solemn. “Lord, there's something you must decide quickly... Red River City was breached a week ago. Now, the entire Red River Territory has completely fallen. Your father managed to break out but is now blocked near Redstone Peak, unable to cross the border back to White Mountain Territory. Should we go to rescue your father, or...?”

Hearing this sudden bad news, Giggs was utterly stunned.

“How could this be?... It's already winter; the war... shouldn't the war be over?”