CHAPTER - 23

• POV Edward Celestia •

Two days before Prince Edward’s assault on the castle, he sat atop his horse, surveying the battlefield in the distance. His cold eyes watched the brutal clash between Celestia’s knights and the Gray Serpent forces.

Agonized screams filled the air, weaving a symphony of despair that shrouded the battlefield. Yet, Edward remained unmoved. He watched as Celestia’s knights fell one by one under the ruthless onslaught of the Gray Serpent, showing not a shred of sympathy.

His gaze remained icy and indifferent, as if their lives were nothing more than coins tossed into the wind. To him, their existence held no significance in the grand game of power.

As time passed, the battlefield grew eerily silent, save for the whisper of the wind weaving through the ruins and the lifeless bodies strewn across the ground. The swirling dust finally began to settle, revealing the grim figure of the Gray Serpent.

The once-black cloak he wore was now stained with the fresh blood of the fallen knights. The stark contrast of crimson against the dark fabric was a haunting testament to the brutality that had unfolded.

Edward observed the scene with detached composure, his lips remaining sealed. But deep within, the embers of hatred and ambition burned brighter than ever, driving him forward toward his ultimate goal—seizing power and exacting his vengeance upon the Celestia Kingdom and the Valentine family.

As he turned his horse away from the battlefield, his decision was set in stone.

One day before Prince Edward’s assault on the castle, heavy rain poured over the Celestia Kingdom. The relentless downpour cast a mournful atmosphere across the land.

From a distance, Prince Edward watched the funeral procession of the knights who had perished in battle. His heart seethed with hatred as his gaze locked onto two of his greatest enemies—Duke Maximilian De Valentine and King Aldric Celestia.

His piercing eyes burned with intensity as he observed them. He could feel the fire of his fury raging within, screaming for vengeance for all the suffering he had endured. Yet, he restrained himself from taking reckless action. For now, he would simply watch from afar.

The rain fell harder, but the funeral continued in solemn silence. Edward’s gaze shifted to his father, King Aldric, standing motionless in the downpour, eyes fixed upon the wooden coffins carrying the fallen knights.

“Tsk! What a hypocrite!” Edward muttered venomously, blaming his father for everything that had transpired. Though bound by blood, his resentment and disappointment toward the king knew no bounds.

Under the stormy sky, Edward’s hatred festered, fueling his ambition to crush his enemies and reclaim what he believed was rightfully his. Yet, amidst the cold rain drenching the earth, he knew the time had not yet come. He had to wait for the perfect moment to strike.

With his heart steeped in rage and anticipation, Prince Edward turned away, leaving the funeral behind. He knew the day he longed for would soon arrive, and when it did, he would stop at nothing to exact his revenge and reclaim his stolen throne.

A few hours before Prince Edward prepared to attack the castle, a secret meeting took place within the Gray Serpent’s stronghold. Shrouded in darkness, the most loyal followers of the Gray Serpent gathered to refine their battle strategy.

“The plan is simple. We’ll enter through the emergency passage designated for the royal family, with Prince Edward leading us to the entrance,” Gray Serpent explained, his voice firm and resolute.

His followers listened intently, their expressions etched with determination and sinister resolve. They knew this was their best chance to seize power from King Aldric Celestia’s grasp.

“The knights are off guard. We’ll use this opportunity to take Celestia for ourselves!” Gray Serpent continued, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction at the impending downfall of the kingdom. “All we need to do is eliminate the King, and our mission will be complete.”

As their leader laid out the finer details of the strategy, the followers exchanged glances, their anticipation growing. They were ready to carry out their mission without hesitation.

Prince Edward, an integral part of the meeting, issued a crucial warning about General Red—one of the King’s most trusted warriors and a formidable obstacle to their plan.

“Listen up. We need to be wary of General Red,” Edward spoke gravely, his eyes flashing with concern. “With his swordsmanship, he has slaughtered thousands on the battlefield. He’s a walking nightmare.”

Edward’s words sent a ripple of unease through the room. His allies recognized the gravity of facing a warrior of such caliber.

However, Gray Serpent, ever the cunning strategist, quickly incorporated Edward’s warning into their battle plans. He meticulously devised countermeasures to ensure their success—even against a foe as fearsome as General Red.

Within the dimly lit chamber, their strategy was honed to perfection. Every detail was scrutinized, every step calculated to secure victory.

Despite his hunger for power, Edward did not overlook the well-being of his comrades. He needed them prepared for every possible turn of events.

With unwavering coordination between Prince Edward, Gray Serpent, and their followers, they steeled themselves for the assault on Celestia Castle, their hearts set on victory.

As the meeting concluded, Edward sought out Mary—his devoted lover—who awaited him in a safe place.

Mary’s face was clouded with worry, tension evident in her expression. “Are we really going to succeed?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Edward took her hand gently, offering reassurance. “Trust me, love. We just have to be patient and stick to the plan,” he said with unwavering confidence. “We will succeed. And when we do, you will be the Queen of this land.”

A soft smile graced Mary’s lips, her eyes shining with a mix of pride and devotion. “Then I’ll wait for you, Prince Edward,” she whispered, her faith in him unshaken.

With preparations complete, they stormed the castle, cutting down any knights who dared to stand in their way. Brimming with courage and resolve, they overcame every obstacle, advancing toward the grand doors of the Throne Room—their ultimate destination.

One of Gray Serpent’s men raised his sword high, striking the sturdy doors with force. A thunderous crash echoed through the chamber as the doors fell, heralding their arrival—one that promised ruin and devastation.

Beyond the threshold, darkness awaited, ready to consume Celestia Castle in a shroud of fear and tyranny.

• POV Gray Serpent •

Moments before the assault, after meticulously finalizing their strategy, a tense silence settled over the war room. Yet, a single exchange of glances between Gray Serpent and one of his “followers” did not go unnoticed.

Without a word, the “follower” locked eyes with him, conveying an unspoken message. It was a prearranged signal—an order to proceed with the next phase.

Without hesitation, the “follower” left the gathering, their steps purposeful.

Gray Serpent instantly understood the meaning behind the silent cue and discreetly followed, vanishing into the shadows.

Once they had distanced themselves from the meeting chamber, the “follower” carefully removed their mask and cloak.

In an instant, a strikingly beautiful face was revealed, framed by flowing black hair as smooth as silk. With the cloak discarded, a poised yet powerful figure stood before him—exuding both grace and dominance.

Dark, abyss-like eyes locked onto Gray Serpent.

“So, what is it, boss?” Gray Serpent asked, his sharp gaze fixed upon Selene Obsidia—the true mastermind behind the attack on Celestia Kingdom.

Selene’s expression remained unreadable as she spoke. “If this plan fails, I will abandon that foolish prince. I never agreed to this alliance in the first place.”

Gray Serpent let out a low, mocking chuckle. “Ahahaha, but I find the prince quite entertaining, Selene-sama,” he sneered. “It’s rare to see someone this foolish. Ahahaha!”

His amusement faded when Selene’s voice dropped to a chilling tone. “I’ve warned you—never use that name again.”

Gray Serpent smirked, unfazed. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. I don’t care about the outcome anyway.”

Selene’s ambitions burned fierce—she sought to build a stronghold before launching her true conquest.

“My plan remains unchanged. The real attack will come once everything is in place. I want you to join me,” she declared.

Gray Serpent grinned, eyes glinting with mischief. “Fine. Leave it to me.”