The grand throne room of Heaven Kingdom was filled with an uncomfortable silence.
Seated upon his magnificent golden throne was King Arthur Heaven, the ruler of one of the most powerful human kingdoms on the continent of Dawn.
Standing beside him were three elderly figures whose very presence seemed to distort the surrounding air.
They were the three transcendent ancestors of Heaven Kingdom.
Aldric Silver, ancestor of the House of Silver.
Edmund Dust, ancestor of the House of Dust.
And Ragnar Nord, ancestor of the House of Nord.
Each of these three individuals had lived for more than a thousand years, and each possessed enough strength to destroy entire cities should they ever unleash their full power.
Yet, at this very moment, all four of these powerful figures were staring at the same young man.
He appeared no older than eighteen, with handsome features, long silver-white hair, and a pair of brilliant golden eyes.
His white robes were embroidered with intricate golden patterns, and a magnificent longsword hung from his waist.
A faint holy radiance surrounded his body, giving him an almost divine appearance.
This young man was none other than Jeremy Silver.
The White Saint.
The youngest eighth-stage Saint in the recorded history of the continent of Dawn.
And, unknown to everyone present, a thirty-year-old virgin who was currently fighting the greatest battle of his life.
"Jeremy, are you certain about your decision?" King Arthur asked once more.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Jeremy answered without hesitation.
King Arthur frowned. "Let me make sure you understand your choices. You may remain in the capital for the next three years, during which you will attend gatherings arranged by the royal family and meet the finest young ladies from the noble houses."
Jeremy's expression remained calm.
However, inside his mind, a storm was raging.
Three years?!
Three whole years of meeting women?!
Your Majesty, do you have some kind of personal grudge against me?!
King Arthur continued.
"Or you may travel to the northern border and assist our armies in defending the kingdom against the demon and beastmen races."
"The northern border!" Jeremy immediately declared.
His answer came so quickly that the king nearly choked on his own breath.
"Jeremy, I haven't finished speaking!"
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
Jeremy bowed respectfully.
"Please continue."
King Arthur cleared his throat.
"As I was saying, the northern border has become increasingly dangerous. Reports indicate that several powerful demon commanders have appeared beyond the frontier. There is even a possibility that a ninth-stage Transcendent may become involved."
The king paused, expecting Jeremy to reconsider.
Instead, Jeremy's eyes shone with determination.
"Then all the more reason for me to go, Your Majesty!"
Aldric Silver stroked his long white beard.
"Jeremy, my child, you must understand that the northern border is no place for someone of your importance."
"Great Ancestor, I understand your concern." Jeremy placed his right hand over his chest.
"However, how can I call myself a Saint if I remain safely within the capital while our soldiers sacrifice their lives protecting our homeland?"
His voice was calm, yet carried an unwavering conviction.
"The strong exist to protect the weak. If I refuse to fulfill that duty simply because I fear danger, then I am unworthy of the power I possess." The throne room fell silent. Even the three ancestors were momentarily stunned.
Aldric's eyes gradually filled with pride." Good..."He nodded." Very good!" Suddenly, he burst into laughter." Hahahaha! As expected of the greatest genius my House of Silver has ever produced!"
Edmund Dust smiled." Such noble character at such a young age. Truly remarkable. "Ragnar Nord nodded approvingly." Most young men of his age are obsessed with beautiful women, wealth, and status. Yet this child thinks only of duty." King Arthur slowly rose from his throne." Well spoken, Jeremy!"
He extended his hand." Very well! This king grants your request!" Jeremy lowered his head." Thank you, Your Majesty!" Inside, however, he was practically dancing.
YES!
FREEDOM!
THREE YEARS OF FREEDOM!
NO MORE ARRANGED MARRIAGES!
NO MORE NOBLE LADIES CHASING ME THROUGH THE GARDENS!
NO MORE PRINCESSES TRYING TO CLIMB INTO MY BEDROOM!
HAHAHAHA!
For the first time in many years, Jeremy felt as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Unfortunately, his happiness lasted only a few seconds.
"However," King Arthur suddenly continued, "there is one condition."
Jeremy's smile stiffened.
"Condition, Your Majesty?"
"Indeed."
The king looked toward Ragnar Nord. Ancestor Ragnar, would you please summon her? "Ragnar smiled." Of course, Your Majesty."
He clapped his hands. The enormous doors of the throne room slowly opened. A young woman entered. She was exceptionally beautiful, with long silver hair that flowed down to her waist and a pair of clear blue eyes.
She wore elegant silver armor that emphasized her graceful yet powerful figure. At her waist hung a longsword decorated with the emblem of the House of Nord. Despite her youthful appearance, the aura radiating from her body revealed that she had already reached the seventh stage, Grandmaster rank.
She walked forward with confident steps before kneeling on one knee. Elena Nord greets Your Majesty and the three ancestors. Jeremy's heart nearly stopped. Elena Nord?!Why is she here?!
Of all the women in Heaven Kingdom, Elena Nord was one of the last people Jeremy wanted to encounter. Not because he disliked her. Quite the opposite, Elena was intelligent, talented, beautiful, and possessed a strong sense of justice. She was also one of the few women who had personally proposed marriage to him Twice. And Jeremy had rejected her both times. King Arthur smiled.
"Jeremy, since you insist on traveling to the northern border, I have decided that Lady Elena Nord shall accompany you." Jeremy stared blankly. "Accompany... me?"
"Correct!"
The king nodded.
"She will serve as your second-in-command and assist you in military affairs." Elena stood and turned toward Jeremy. A faint smile appeared on her face. "It has been a long time, Lord Jeremy. "Jeremy forced a smile.
"Indeed, Lady Elena."
"I look forward to serving alongside you."
"The pleasure is mine." No, it isn't! Why?!Why must the heavens torment me like this?!Elena stepped closer.
"I hope we can become better acquainted during our journey." Jeremy instinctively stepped backward. Elena stopped, her smile became slightly strained.
"Lord Jeremy, is something wrong?"
"N-not at all!"
"Then why are you moving away?"
"Ah..." Jeremy glanced around desperately. "The weather! "Elena blinked. "The weather?"
"Yes! The weather has been quite unpredictable lately! "Everyone stared at him. They were standing inside the royal palace. There wasn't a cloud in sight.
After several seconds of silence, Aldric suddenly laughed. "Hahahaha! Jeremy, you truly are hopeless when it comes to women!" Ragnar joined him.
"Perhaps three years together will finally help these two young people understand one another." King Arthur nodded thoughtfully.
"Indeed. Who knows? Perhaps when they return, we shall have two celebrations instead of one! "Elena's cheeks turned slightly pink.
Jeremy felt his soul leave his body. Three years, Three years with Elena Nord... This is worse than fighting a Transcendent! But before he could protest, the king raised his voice.
"Jeremy Silver!"
Jeremy immediately straightened.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"By royal decree, you are hereby appointed Commander of the Seventh Holy Legion, stationed at the northern fortress of Ironwall!" The king's expression turned serious.
"You shall defend the northern border for a period of three years."
"Your Majesty, I accept!"
"May the Goddess of Light guide your sword." Jeremy knelt on one knee.
"May her light forever shine upon Heaven Kingdom. "As those words left his mouth, the holy radiance surrounding his body brightened. A warm golden light filled the throne room. Everyone watched in admiration.
Yet Jeremy suddenly felt a strange sensation. For a brief instant, it seemed as though someone was watching him. Someone far beyond the mortal world. A faint feminine voice echoed within his mind. Remember your promise, Jeremy.
His entire body stiffened, the Goddess? But the voice vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Jeremy swallowed, of course I remember! How could I possibly forget?!
Thirty years! I've protected my virginity for thirty years! I won't lose it now! He slowly rose to his feet, his golden eyes shone with renewed determination. No matter what dangers awaited him at the northern border, he would overcome them.
Demons? Would he slay them, Beastmen? He would defeat them, Transcendent beings? He would fight them if necessary. But women? Jeremy shuddered; those are the real monsters.
And so, under the watchful eyes of the king and the three ancestors, the White Saint prepared to depart for the northern border.
Little did he know that this journey would change his destiny forever.
For somewhere beyond the northern mountains, beneath a blood-red moon, a beautiful woman with crimson hair was fleeing for her life.
Behind her, several terrifying figures pursued relentlessly.
Each possessed the power of a ninth-stage Transcendent.
And within her body flowed an ancient bloodline that countless powerful races desired.
She was the Blood Princess.
A woman destined to become the greatest turning point in Jeremy's life.
The woman who would cause the White Saint to fall.
And one day...
The woman who would stand beside the King of Darkness.