Chapter 6: The Secret of Bloodhill Forest
The banquet hall of Crown Prince Manor glowed beneath rows of golden lanterns. Their warm light reflected off polished jade tables and wine cups, while soft music filled the room. Nobles sat together in small groups, exchanging polite smiles and discussing matters of business as though they had gathered for nothing more than an ordinary celebration.
Yet beneath their pleasant expressions, ambition stirred.
At the center of the hall sat Crown Prince Darius Phoenix. He wore a calm smile and listened patiently to the conversations around him, but his eyes revealed little of what he was thinking.
The Emperor's health had been declining for more than a year. Although the royal family had made no official announcement, the news had already spread among the most powerful nobles in the capital. Everyone understood what it meant. If the Emperor's condition worsened, the question of succession would no longer remain a distant concern.
The struggle for the throne had already begun.
Tonight's banquet was not really about celebration. It was about alliances, influence, and deciding who would stand beside the next ruler of the Phoenix Empire.
Among the guests sat Theron Mist, the head of House Mist and the Minister of Revenue. His family controlled taxation and the imperial treasury, giving him considerable influence over the empire's finances.
House Silver, on the other hand, controlled the Ministry of Public Works, overseeing roads, waterways, granaries, and major construction projects. At first glance, House Mist appeared to hold the stronger position. After all, money was the lifeblood of an empire, and the family responsible for collecting it could influence almost every government department.
However, House Silver possessed an advantage that money alone could not overcome.
Wester Silver's maternal cousin commanded the Imperial Army.
In the imperial court, wealth could open doors, but soldiers could determine who remained standing when those doors closed. With military influence behind them, House Silver had gradually gained the upper hand over House Mist, turning their long-standing rivalry into a constant struggle for power.
Now, a new problem threatened to make matters worse for House Mist.
Francis Vale, the Minister of Law and Justice, had arranged the engagement of his eldest daughter, Sienna Vale, to Arceus Silver. If House Vale joined forces with House Silver, their combined influence over law, public works, and military affairs would create a formidable alliance.
More troubling was the fact that neither house supported Crown Prince Darius.
If their alliance strengthened, Darius's position in the succession struggle would become increasingly difficult.
A servant approached the Crown Prince and quietly knelt beside his seat, offering him a folded note.
Darius accepted it without interrupting the conversation beside him. He opened the note, read its contents, and allowed a faint smile to appear on his face.
"Your Highness?" Theron asked, noticing the change in his expression. "Has something happened?"
Darius folded the note and placed it beside his wine cup.
"Nothing worth troubling our guests tonight." He lifted his cup and took a small sip. "Lord Theron, I would like you to remain after the others have left. There is something we should discuss."
Theron studied him carefully.
The Crown Prince's smile was still pleasant, but there was something different about it now. It was the expression of someone who had just discovered an opportunity.
"Of course, Your Highness."
The banquet continued for a little longer. One by one, the nobles offered their farewells and departed, leaving behind half-empty wine cups and the fading scent of expensive incense.
Eventually, only Darius and Theron remained in the hall.
Darius leaned back in his chair.
"My third brother intends to leave the Imperial City next week. He plans to visit Bloodhill Forest."
Theron's expression changed slightly.
Bloodhill Forest was an enormous wilderness filled with dangerous magical beasts. Although hunters and cultivators entered it in search of valuable resources, the forest was hardly a place for a leisurely journey.
Darius continued as though he were discussing an ordinary outing.
"He won't be traveling alone. Three others will accompany him. Arceus Silver, Sienna Vale, and Lucian Storm."
At the final name, Theron's eyes sharpened.
House Storm controlled appointments within the Ministry of Personnel. Its influence extended throughout the empire's government, allowing it to affect the careers of countless officials. Anyone who secured the family's support would gain an important advantage in the struggle for power.
If the Third Prince could win Lucian Storm's friendship, it might open the door to a much stronger alliance.
Unfortunately for him, friendship was not the same as loyalty.
"My foolish brother believes a shared adventure will win Lucian's favor," Darius said with a faint smile. "He may gain a friend, but that doesn't mean House Storm will support him."
Theron lowered his head slightly.
"What does Your Highness intend to do?"
Darius swirled the wine in his cup, watching the liquid move beneath the lantern light.
"The Nyx Guild has already accepted a commission."
He raised his eyes toward Theron.
"What happens afterward will depend on fate."
The hall fell silent.
Theron understood the meaning behind those words. The Crown Prince had no need to explain himself further. For more than a year, House Mist had searched for a way to weaken the growing alliance between House Silver and House Vale. Now, an opportunity had appeared to strike at the problem before it became too powerful to handle.
Theron bowed deeply.
"House Mist will provide whatever assistance Your Highness requires."
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Darius's face.
"Excellent."
One Week Later
Bloodhill Forest stretched across more than fifteen million square kilometers along the northern frontier of the Phoenix Empire, forming a natural barrier between the empire and the powerful Leon Empire beyond.
Its vast wilderness was filled with dangers. Eight-star magical beasts roamed the deeper regions, while werewolves hunted beneath the thick canopy. Enormous herds of wild boars charged through the undergrowth without warning, and giant bears attacked anyone who ventured too close to their territory. Even the plants and trees could prove deadly to careless travelers.
Only the skies offered relative safety, and even there, no one could guarantee complete security.
Despite these dangers, adventurers entered Bloodhill Forest every day.
Ether crystals buried beneath its soil could accelerate cultivation, while the bodies of magical beasts provided valuable materials for weapons, armor, and pills. A successful hunt could earn someone a fortune, but a careless mistake could cost them their life.
In Bloodhill Forest, danger and profit were never far apart.
A party of ten traveled through the wilderness that morning, following a narrow path beneath the towering trees.
Officially, they had come to hunt magical beasts.
In reality, each person had a different reason for joining the expedition.
Prince Kaelan Phoenix, the Third Prince of the empire, hoped to strengthen his relationship with Lucian Storm. Lucian, however, intended to observe the prince rather than trust him. Sienna Vale had accompanied her fiancé, Arceus Silver, while Arceus himself was looking forward to an enjoyable hunt.
Hidden beneath Arceus's cloak was a familiar wooden case containing the pistol he had purchased from Nexus.
He did not expect to need it during the expedition. The four soldiers leading the party wore Gold Grade armor and possessed at least four-star cultivation. With such protection, an ordinary hunt should have posed little danger to the group.
Even so, Arceus felt more comfortable knowing the pistol was within reach.
Four armored soldiers led the way, checking the surroundings as they moved. Prince Kaelan walked behind them, while Arceus remained near the center with his two maids and Sienna beside him. Lucian Storm walked a few paces away, his expression calm but watchful.
Hours passed beneath the thick canopy.
Eventually, the party entered Sector Eight. The trees grew closer together, their branches blocking much of the sunlight, while distant monster roars occasionally broke the quiet.
Later that afternoon, Prince Kaelan raised his hand.
"We'll rest here."
The soldiers immediately began securing the area. One checked the surrounding trees, while another examined the ground for signs of approaching beasts. The remaining two prepared a temporary campsite.
Once everyone had gathered, Kaelan spread a map across a flat stone.
"If my calculations are correct, we'll reach this location before sunset."
He traced a point on the map with his finger.
Lucian leaned forward, examining the marked location. His brows drew together.
"Festhorn? I thought we were heading toward Nurwhir."
The campsite grew quiet.
Even the soldiers paused to listen.
Lucian looked directly at the Third Prince. He had never fully trusted Kaelan's intentions, and the unexplained change in their route only strengthened his suspicions. If not for the five-star assassin secretly following the party on his father's orders, Lucian might never have agreed to the journey in the first place.
"Why are we going to Festhorn?" he asked. "Our original destination was Nurwhir."
Kaelan chuckled softly and folded the map.
"We will still visit Nurwhir. I simply need to take care of a small matter first."
"Business?" Sienna asked, glancing at Arceus.
Even the two maids looked curious.
Festhorn was not known for its valuable Ether crystals or rich hunting grounds. Most adventurers avoided the area unless they were specifically searching for wild boars and warthogs. There were far more profitable places to hunt in the surrounding forest.
Kaelan noticed the questioning looks but offered only a mysterious smile.
"You'll understand when we arrive, Lucian. Just trust me and follow."
Lucian studied him for a moment before shrugging.
"Very well, Your Highness. I hope this little detour is worth our time."
After a short rest, the party resumed its journey, moving deeper into Sector Eight. Sunlight filtered through the layered canopy in scattered golden beams, and the air carried the damp scent of soil and decaying leaves.
Suddenly, the undergrowth ahead began to shake.
Two warthogs burst from the bushes, their coarse bristles standing on end and their sharp tusks gleaming as they charged toward the group.
The soldiers immediately raised their weapons, preparing to intercept the beasts.
"Stand aside," Kaelan ordered.
The soldiers obeyed, allowing the prince to step forward.
"Fireball!"
Ether gathered in his palm, forming a blazing sphere roughly the size of a cannonball. Heat spread through the surrounding air as the spell grew brighter, and Kaelan hurled it toward the first warthog.
The fireball struck with tremendous force.
BOOM!
Flames burst across the beast's body, throwing it backward into a tree. The impact cracked the bark, while smoke rose from the burning vegetation.
The second warthog did not stop.
It lowered its head and continued charging, its hooves tearing through the soil.
"Hmph. Livestock," Kaelan muttered.
He began gathering Ether for another fireball, this one larger than the first. However, before the spell could fully form, a figure rushed past him.
Lucian Storm moved like a blade leaving its sheath.
His sword flashed once, cutting through the charging warthog in a single clean arc. The beast fell before it could reach him, its body split from the skull down its spine.
Lucian did not even pause to admire his work.
The first warthog, still alive but badly injured, struggled to its feet. As the smell of blood spread through the clearing, it turned and attempted to flee.
Lucian was already moving.
He crossed the distance in a few swift steps and delivered another precise strike, ending the beast's life before it could escape.
Then he sheathed his sword and returned to the group as though nothing unusual had happened.
Arceus stared at him with genuine admiration.
"That was incredible, Luce!"
"Indeed," Sienna agreed, giving a graceful nod. "The title of genius swordsman is well deserved."
Although her voice remained composed, her fingers tightened around her fan. Both she and Lucian were three-star cultivators, yet watching him fight had made the difference in their combat instincts painfully clear.
Prince Kaelan allowed the remaining flames in his palm to disappear.
"You are very swift, Lucian."
"You were too slow, Your Highness," Lucian replied flatly.
He walked past the prince and returned to Arceus's side.
Kaelan's smile stiffened for a moment, but he quickly recovered.
"I follow the mage's path, Lucian. Precision takes time."
His destructive power was greater than that of most warriors in the party, but mages faced a different set of limitations. The more powerful a spell became, the longer it usually took to cast and the more Ether it consumed. A warrior could close the distance and attack before a mage finished preparing a powerful technique.
The two paths had different strengths, and their weaknesses were equally important.
The party continued through the forest.
More beasts appeared during the afternoon, most of them two-star wild boars attracted by the scent of blood. Each encounter ended quickly, with Lucian cutting down the charging animals before the others had time to intervene.
Strangely, Kaelan showed no frustration at being repeatedly outshone. If anything, his admiration for Lucian appeared to grow with every encounter.
By dusk, the trees began to thin.
The party emerged into a clearing where crumbling stone structures stood half-buried beneath vines and moss. Broken statues lay scattered across the ground, their faces worn away by centuries of rain and wind. The remains of old buildings surrounded the clearing, silent reminders of a settlement that had long since disappeared.
Sienna opened her fan and looked around thoughtfully.
"I've heard that during the Arcana Dynasty, criminals and political opponents were exiled to these forests. That was when the southern lands still answered to Emperor Aerondor Arcana."
Lucian examined the ruined buildings.
"The last emperor of the Arcana Dynasty was infamous for his cruelty," he said. "Aerondor Arcana indulged in every excess while treating the common people as disposable tools. Anyone who disobeyed him could be executed, while nobles who displeased him faced imprisonment or exile."
He stepped over a broken stone fragment.
"Even vassal kings who challenged his authority were crushed without mercy."
"We all know the history," Sienna added. "It took Andre Phoenix twenty years to gather enough support to overthrow him. With the help of six great houses, he brought down the Arcana Dynasty and founded the Phoenix Empire."
Lucian nodded.
"The settlements established by the exiles survived for some time. When Emperor Andre abolished the practice, the surviving exiles and their descendants were eventually allowed to return south."
Arceus listened quietly, taking in the ruined settlement around them. It was difficult to imagine people living here, far from the comforts of the capital, surrounded by magical beasts and dangerous wilderness.
Prince Kaelan smiled faintly.
"History only records what people are allowed to know, my friends. The truth is not always as simple as the stories written in official records."
He reached inside his robes and withdrew a piece of parchment made from an unfamiliar hide. Despite its apparent age, the material remained strangely well preserved, with no obvious signs of decay.
"My servant discovered this in a nearby cave," Kaelan explained. "It was held in the skeletal hands of the person who left it behind."
The others immediately turned their attention to the parchment.
Arceus leaned forward slightly.
"Is it a relic from before the Era of Ether?"
"According to its contents, it dates back eighteen centuries before the Era of Ether," Kaelan replied.
Before anyone could ask to examine it, he slipped the parchment back into his sleeve.
"According to this document, scarlet crystals were discovered in this region long before Ether crystals became known to the world. Those who touched the scarlet crystals absorbed their energy."
He paused, allowing the others to consider his words.
"Then they died."
The clearing fell silent.
Even the soldiers exchanged uneasy glances. A discovery that old could change what they knew about the origins of cultivation, especially if the crystals described in the document were connected to the Ether energy that powered their abilities.
Lucian frowned.
"Are you suggesting those scarlet crystals were Ether crystals?"
Kaelan nodded slowly.
"That is my suspicion."
Sienna's expression grew serious.
"That contradicts everything in the historical records. The first Spirit Warrior appeared only 1,786 years ago, marking the beginning of the Era of Ether. If people had discovered Ether crystals long before that, why did cultivation begin so much later?"
Kaelan shrugged.
"Perhaps discovery came before understanding. Finding something does not mean knowing how to use it."
Arceus glanced at the ruined buildings.
"Then what does this place have to do with the crystals, Your Highness?"
Kaelan's smile deepened.
He slowly turned toward the remains of the settlement, his gaze settling on a large structure whose broken walls still stood above the surrounding ruins.
"This clearing," he said quietly, "was Emperor Aerondor Arcana's final refuge."
He allowed a moment to pass before delivering the final revelation.
"He died here of old age."
Shock spread through the group.
"What?"
"The hideout of Emperor Aerondor Arcana?"