Free Web NovelChapter 788: Kingdom of Valthor?
"You are asking about the southern kingdom, aren’t you... the one that was devastated during the Great Campaign. Kingdom Valthor."
Julian’s eyes widened. At last he had found a lead.
Excitement surged within him—but before he could utter a single word, her hand moved swiftly, covering his mouth with surprising firmness.
"Do not speak," she hissed, her eyes wide with unmistakable fear. "I cannot talk about that here."
She kept her hand in place for several tense seconds, her entire body rigid as she listened intently for any sound beyond the door. Only after confirming that the corridor remained silent did she slowly withdraw her hand... though she did not move far. She remained close, far closer than before, her face only inches from his.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
The air between them grew thick, charged with the dangerous intimacy that only shared secrets could create within the confines of a closed room.
"We will find time away from the castle," Louisa whispered, her voice so soft it nearly vanished into the silence. "I will tell you everything I know... but not here. Not where even the walls might be listening."
She then straightened, stepping back just enough to reestablish a necessary distance between them.
"Will that be enough to prove my loyalty to you?" she asked, her tone careful yet earnest.
Julian smiled and this time, it was genuine. It reached his eyes, softening them in a way that Louisa had rare seen rarely seen.
Louisa, he realized, was far more valuable than he had initially assumed. She was not merely offering herself—she was offering knowledge, access, and a willingness to take risks for the sake of her family’s survival. In a world as dangerous as theirs, that kind of allegiance was priceless.
"Yes," he said quietly. "That is more than enough."
Then, with that same sincere smile lingering on his lips, he added, "Aunty... I am beginning to like you more and more."
Louisa’s eyes widened at his words. Before she could stop herself, warmth rushed to her cheeks, tinting them a soft shade of red. For a fleeting moment, her usual composure faltered completely, as though his words had caught her utterly unprepared.
"What are you saying?" she murmured quickly.
She turned her gaze away, her fingers tightening slightly around the fabric of her gown as she struggled to regain her poise. The unexpected compliment had struck deeper than she cared to admit.
Taking a small step back, she cleared her throat gently.
"I... I should take my leave," she said, her voice recovering its usual elegance, though the faint flush still lingered on her face. "Before anyone notices how long I have been here. The envoy’s presence has already put everyone on edge. We cannot afford to invite unnecessary rumors."
Julian nodded and his smile faded into something more neutral.
"Of course. Be careful, Aunty."
Louisa gave him one last lingering look before turning toward the door. Her hand rested on the handle for a brief second, as if she wanted to say more, but she ultimately chose silence. She opened the door just enough to slip through and closed it softly behind her with a quiet click.
The room fell silent once more. fгeewebnovёl.com
Julian remained seated for a long moment, staring at the closed door with a thoughtful expression. Louisa’s visit had been more productive than he had anticipated. Not only had she reaffirmed her commitment to their deal, but she had also provided valuable confirmation about the erased history of Valthor and the dangers of speaking about it openly.
But that was not the important part now. The dusk was slowly falling over the castle of the Duke, and his arrangement with Olivia was far more important than any other thing at this moment.
**
The Duchy of Astran was a massive estate that covered nearly ten percent of the entire Hermes Kingdom.
Its natural defenses alone made it formidable. To the north, a wide and roaring river carved a powerful boundary, its relentless currents serving as both shield and warning. To the east lay something far more ominous—a dense, ancient forest that stretched endlessly beyond sight.
This forest was unlike any other within the kingdom. It bore a name that inspired dread even among seasoned adventurers: the Forbidden Realm.
The reason it was considered so dangerous was the presence of thick, impossibly tall trees that blocked out nearly all sunlight, plunging the entire forest into perpetual darkness.
And as if that were not enough, even more dangerous creatures roamed that place.
It was a few years ago when one of the Arch Mages of the kingdom proudly boasted that he could explore the forest on his own, claiming that the tales of its dangers were exaggerated. He entered with complete confidence, but to this day, there has not been even a single trace of him. It was as if he had simply vanished altogether, swallowed whole by the darkness without a scream or a struggle.
Because of this, a huge border wall was created, reinforced with powerful runes and guarded day and night. No one was given permission to enter the forest. Those who tried were either turned away or never seen again.
Right now, deep within one of the darkest regions of the Forbidden Realm, a strange and horrifying scene was unfolding.
A figure that resembled a tree was moving.
Its body was a grotesque fusion of wood and flesh. Its "skin" was rough and uneven, covered in moss and dripping sap that smelled of rot and iron. Long, branch-like arms dragged along the ground, ending in sharp, thorn-covered claws. Its eyes were glowing faintly with an eerie green light and they wandered around as if searching for prey.
Its legs were the most disturbing part. Dozens of writhing, centipede-like limbs twisted and crawled in a nauseating rhythm, carrying its massive form forward.
But then suddenly, it stopped dead in its tracks.
Its glowing eyes locked onto something a few feet away.
A rat.
Well, something close to a rat.
