--- CHAPTER 2: Pious on the Outside, Pervert on the Inside ---
The explosion of golden light had silenced the grand hall. For a full minute, the only sounds were the crackling of pure, holy energy and the sharp, indrawn breaths of a thousand nobles. Everyone, from the most jaded duke to the greenest servant boy, was stunned. Almost no one present didn't know Arthas. But this... this was not the diligent, polite prince they knew.
Didn't you know His Royal Highness the Prince in Lordaeron? Do you still want to mix with him? The power of the nobles is great, but don't forget that the biggest one is the king! As the only prince, with only one older, unmarried sister, Arthas was the sole heir. It couldn't be said that he was the most favored one, but it could be said that he had basically everything he wanted.
And now, they saw this. The dazzling light sprinkled on the body was so warm. People couldn't help but want to worship; the impetuousness and desires in their hearts, the political plots and petty grievances, all dissipated, leaving only peace and tranquility.
Bathing in the holy light like the sun, Arthas floated in the air, accepting the power of the holy light. Internally, I was just trying not to freak out. The System UI was flashing [Guardian Specialization Unlocked], and my entire body felt like it was being dipped in a sun.
It lasted for more than a minute before the light finally subsided, coalescing back into my body as I slowly fell from the air, landing softly on the marble floor.
My tightly closed eyes opened. I let a ray of holy light flash through them for effect before it faded, and the whole person looked more handsome. I stood tall, my 19-year-old frame already imposing. I felt... solid. Rooted. And for the first time, powerful.
"Arthas, are you okay?"
A beautiful and elegant woman rushed over, her face a mask of concern and anxiety. A ring on her white and smooth forehead symbolized her identity as a queen. She had a delicate face with a faint smile, though it was currently strained with worry. Time did not seem to leave any traces on her jade face. Her long golden hair was draped over her shoulders like a waterfall.
And holy hell.
This is my... my mother? We have officially won the genetic lottery. She's absolutely stunning. I mean, objectively. As her son. A very, very... filial son. Right.
My eyes, in a purely analytical, "I-am-a-shameless-reincarnator" way, took in the view. Her eyes were as soft as water, her nose was high, her mouth was tender, and her oval face was as gentle as jade. It formed a perfect and charming face. The beautiful woman's chest was propped up by her huge breasts, straining the silk of her court dress as if it was about to burst. It revealed her flawless jade neck, and her exposed forearms were also crystal clear like jade, without any flaws. The court dress was tightened at the waist, outlining the graceful lines of her slender waist, but below the waist, her assets were swollen sharply, round and curvy. Two straight and slender legs with moderate fat contraction peeked from the slit of her dress, which made people want to play with them thousands of times. And under her jade feet, high heels of almost ten centimeters supported this crazy body.
This is Arthas's mother, Queen Lianne. She was born in the island kingdom of Kul Tiras and is a member of the Ashvane family, one of the four major families. Her sister Priscilla is the lady of Kul Tiras and the trade manager of the Ashvane family, with great power. Nobles only marry nobles; commoners are just lovers, and not even be qualified to be true lovers.
Next to Queen Lianne was a woman 1.65 meters tall, with a curvy figure. At twenty-one, my older sister, Calia Menethil, was a sight in her own right. Her oval face had a pair of phoenix eyes that always exuded countless charms, and her delicate mouth was filled with bright eyes and white teeth. Although her breasts were not as imposing as Mom's, they were rare to be round and firm, like two full grapefruits on either side.
Definitely less... imposing... than Mom, but damn. This family's got good genes. Must be awkward at court when the Queen and Princess are both tens.
I shook my head, clearing the very, very un-filial thoughts, and put on my "Pious Prince" mask.
"I'm fine, mother, don't worry, I'm fine," I said, my voice filled with a new, resonant calm. "The gods guided me, I met the ancestors, and they told me to be diligent and strive to become a great king like my father."
I am getting SO good at this royal bullshit. "The ancestors!" Classic.
"Haha! Really, my son?" a hearty laugh came, and an old man wearing a crown came over. "My achievements are not even one ten-thousandth of those of the ancestors. Are you sure you're okay?"
Although his hair and beard were white, he was still energetic. This is the king of Lordaeron, and also the most ambitious and ambitious king, Terenas!
Arthas didn't have much genuine affection for this cheap father. Nineteen years of being a "puppet" had worn away any real warmth. But after more than ten years of getting along, there was still a kind of kinship. At least he was very good to me. He was not a saint, but he was not ruthless.
This was my chance. The [Liberated Scion] quest was burning in my vision. I dropped to one knee, the very picture of a devoted son.
"Yes, father. The Holy Light guides me," I declared, my voice ringing with conviction. "The ancestral kings are very dissatisfied with the green-skinned orcs from the south. They have defiled our land and slaughtered human people. Their crimes are unforgivable. I request to participate in the war of the alliance. Father is doing his best for the alliance. I want to help father share the burden and also follow the teachings of the ancestral kings!"
...And, you know, complete my system quest. But mostly the burden thing.
The laughter in the hall died. The clinking of goblets stopped. Terenas's smile had vanished. The atmosphere didn't just become tense; it froze. This wasn't a game. The battle between the two armies has always been extremely dangerous. Even the king of Stormwind in the south was buried with him in the capital. It can be seen that in the face of war, identity is useless!
Queen Lianne looked at her son with pure worry. She was reluctant to let her baby son go to the battlefield, reluctant to let him make any mistakes. But no matter how worried she was, she couldn't stop it. At nineteen, I wasn't a child. This was the necessary tempering for the prince to become king!
Terenas was silent for a long, heavy moment. He stroked his white beard, his eyes unreadable. The seven human nations had always had frictions and even wars with each other. Now they have only been united for a short time after hearing the news from the south. As the leader of the alliance, he is indeed under great pressure. He did not want his only son to go to the battlefield, but after thinking about it, he decided to agree.
"You will go," he said, his voice quiet but echoing in the silence. My heart leaped. "But you will not lead."
My face must have fallen, because he raised a hand.
"I promise you, you will learn the way of ruling by Uther's side. Almost, you are assisting Uther. Do you understand?"
I blinked. Oh, you sly old fox.
I immediately understood the political genius of the move. Terenas was not just letting his son go for training. There were other kings present. He was taking Arthas's responsibility away. By making me an adjutant, I was there to assist rather than lead. Even if I made a mistake, it was not my fault. If I made contributions, it was my share. It was a win-win.
Besides, he had even sent his only son out. How could the other kings have an easy life? Wouldn't they have to bleed?
The kings of the other five countries, all shrewd people, got it instantly. Hearing this, they couldn't help but secretly curse him as an old fox. On the surface, they had to praise Arthas for his promising future and Terenas for his courage. They were so frustrated.
A tall, broad-shouldered man in polished plate armor stepped forward and knelt. "Yes, Your Majesty, your order is my will."
Uther. One of the legendary paladins. Stubborn, pedantic, yet upright and brave, it was hard to say what he was like, but his loyalty was absolutely beyond doubt.
"Yes, father. I will do it well!" I said, bowing my head in perfect filial piety.
Inside, I was ecstatic. This is a rare opportunity and a rare freedom. The quest was the first step. Only by controlling the army can you have the right to speak, and only by having people under you can you realize your plans, develop economic trade, and... and have money to buy a few elves to play with.
Priorities, right? Thinking of the slender, aristocratic, long-eared female elves panting and enjoying themselves under his crotch, he was a little excited!
Pious on the outside, pervert on the inside. That was the new me.
--- END OF CHAPTER 2 ---