Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points! - Chapter 168

Chapter 168: • The Birth of Vael Bloodbane Part Two
The afternoon sun bathed the imperial palace in a golden glow, casting long shadows across the stone-paved roads. The banners of the Bloodbane dynasty fluttered lazily in the warm breeze, their crimson fabric almost shimmering like molten fire. The clinking of armor and the rhythmic trot of hooves accompanied the two riders making their way toward the grand castle gates.

At the front, Imperial Marshal Seraphine Vaelbright sat tall in her saddle, with a clam refined expression on her face.

Her white and gold armor gleamed under the sun, her sapphire cape—embroidered with the sigil of her house—a blue rose flowed behind her, and her piercing gaze was locked on the path ahead.

By contrast, her younger brother, Ralph, with his blond hair and blue eyes, slouched ever so slightly on his own horse, his posture hovering somewhere between relaxed and outright disrespectful.

“You could at least try to look like a proper knight,” Seraphine said, not even glancing at him, because she knew he most likely had that annoying disinterested look on his face as always.

Ralph let out an exaggerated sigh. “And you could at least try to admit that this whole thing is ridiculous.”

Seraphine arched a brow as she turned to glance at him. “Ridiculous?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Ralph said, gesturing vaguely.

“Swearing eternal servitude to a baby? A creature that, as we speak, is likely either drooling on some poor nursemaid or screaming because it doesn’t like the taste of mashed carrots? A true honor, truly.”

Seraphine’s lips twitched—whether in amusement or exasperation, even she wasn’t sure. “It’s tradition, Ralph.”

“Yes, and so is drinking boiled deer blood during winter feasts, but you don’t see me lining up for that either,” he quipped.

She sighed. “You do realize what this means for our family, don’t you? The Vaelbright name has stood as the shield of the Empire for centuries. With the birth of the Prince, one of us must be bound to him, as is our duty.”

“I know, I know,” Ralph waved her off, a dramatic sigh escaping his lips. “One member of the Vaelbright line always swears loyalty to the new imperial heir. We are their blade in the dark, their shield in battle, their ever-watchful hound, and their glorified babysitter until they grow into someone who hopefully doesn’t get themselves assassinated before their coronation.”

Seraphine couldn’t help but let out a short laugh at that. “If our ancestors could hear you now, they’d rise from their graves just to disown you.”

“Let them,” Ralph grinned. “Would save me from having to polish boots and bow to a toddler.”

Seraphine simply shook her head. “You joke now, but the oath is binding, Ralph. Once we swear it, there is no turning back. You will be the prince’s sword, and if need be, his shield. Until death. Your fate is inevitable.”

For a split second, Ralph’s smirk faltered. But then, just as quickly, it returned. “Well, if I must be stuck following a royal brat around, I suppose there are worse fates. At least I’ll get a front-row seat when he eventually sets some poor fool on fire.”

Seraphine shook her head, but she said nothing. By then, they had reached the palace gates. Duty awaited, whether Ralph was ready or not.

….

….

Inside the Imperial Grand Hall, sunlight streamed through the towering stained-glass windows, casting brilliant patterns of red, gold, and violet across the polished marble floors.

The air was thick with quiet murmurs as armored knights and noble lords slowly took formation.

The moment they stepped into the Imperial Grand Hall, Ralph felt his breath hitch.

It was one thing to hear stories about the Emperor’s court.

It was another thing entirely to stand within it.

The hall was vast, almost impossibly so, with towering pillars that stretched toward a domed ceiling. Chandeliers bathed the chamber in a warm, golden glow. The nobles, the knights.

But none of that compared to the figure at the end of the hall.

The Emperor.

Seated upon the Throne of the Bloodbane empire, Emperor Arkanos Bloodbane. His silver hair was neatly combed back, revealing sharp, calculating eyes that seemed to pierce through anyone who dared to look at him directly. Even seated, his presence filled the room—an unshakable pillar of power… He had this aura around him, like no matter what was thrown his way he woie emerge on top, at least this was hie it seemed.

For the first time since entering, Ralph felt… small.

He had trained for this moment. He had always known what was expected of him. But standing before the living embodiment of imperial might, he finally understood why his battle-hardened sister spoke about Emperor’s name with reverence.

Then his gaze drifted just a little to the right in the emperor’s arms.

And his heart nearly stopped.

Because seated cradled in the emperor’s right arm was the little prince himself.

The child was barely a few weeks old, wrapped in regal cloths embroidered with silver dragons.

Big, curious crimson eyes—the unmistakable mark of the Bloodbane lineage before they would go through there first awakening and discover an elemental afinity that would cause their eye colour to change—blinked up at the grand hall, utterly unaware of the weight of expectation resting upon his tiny shoulders.

His little hands flailed in the air as if trying to grab something only he could see, his tiny lips pursed in what could only be described as a pout, but in a way he had that cat like smile his mother wore on her face when she felt smug.

Ralph felt an odd sensation creep up his spine.

‘Wait a minute.’

‘This is the child I’m supposed to protect? This little… squishy thing?’

For all the terrifying stories about Bloodbane rulers being born with fire in their veins and the endless drive to violence and conquest, the boy looked… well. Ridiculously adorable.

He wasn’t sure what reaction he had been expecting, but a sudden urge to pat the prince’s tiny head had not been one of them.

Seraphine must have noticed the look on his face because she let out a low chuckle. “Unexpected, isn’t it?”

Ralph blinked. “I… uh…” He cleared his throat, trying to regain some dignity. “I just thought he’d look… fiercer.”

Seraphine smirked. “Give him time. He’ll be setting things on fire soon enough.”

Before Ralph could recover, a deep, amused chuckle broke through the heavy silence.

“Well, well,” a gruff voice rumbled, drawing their attention. “And here I thought today was just about the little prince, but look at what we have here.”

Ralph turned just in time to see Garik approaching.

The veteran knight’s broad frame was clad in worn but well-maintained armor, towards over the little man. His gray beard barely hid the smirk tugging at his lips as he gave Ralph a look over.

“This the lad?” Garik asked, glancing at Seraphine.

She nodded. “My forth and youngest brother, Ralph. He will take the oath today and serve the prince as his sworn protector.”

Garik let out a low hum, rubbing his chin. “Ah, so the boy’s about to learn what it really means to be a knight.” His sharp gaze swept over Ralph, appraising. “Hope you’re ready, little man.”

Ralph, still recovering from the whiplash of seeing the Emperor and nearly drooling at the prince, straightened his posture. “I’ve been training since I could walk, sir, I’m ready.”

Garik raised a brow. “Oh? That so? And how old are you exactly?”

“Fifteen,” Ralph answered with a smug grin.

Garik let out a short whistle. “Fifteen, huh? Not bad. You might actually last longer than a month before you get yourself killed.”

“That’s the plan,” Ralph said back without hesitation.

Garik chuckled, stepping closer. In one swift motion, he reached out and nudged Ralph’s shoulder with two fingers—just enough force to make the boy shift slightly. “Still, you’ve got a ways to go. Your stance—shoulders back, feet planted like you mean to stand your ground. Not like you’re bracing to be blown over by a strong wind.”

Ralph blinked, then quickly adjusted his posture, the confident smirk never leaving his face.

Seraphine, watching the exchange, let out a quiet chuckle. “He’s been insufferable all week, thinking he was already prepared. I appreciate you humbling him a little.”

Garik smirked. “Oh, don’t worry. The boy’s got spirit—I like that. But let’s see if that spirit lasts when he swears his oath before the Emperor himself.”

The murmurs and quiet conversations that filled the Imperial Grand Hall came to an sudden halt when Arkanos raised a single hand.

“Silence.”

The nobles, knights, and high-ranking officials who had gathered immediately ceased their whispers, standing in silence.

Even the more talkative lords, those who prided themselves on never missing a chance to gossip, lowered their heads and clasped their hands behind their backs.

The Emperor slowly swept his gaze across the hall, his sharp eyes taking in every face present.

“To all who have gathered here today,” he began, his voice calm yet heavy with authority, “I give my gratitude.”

“Many of you have traveled far, leaving your holdings, your duties, and your homes, to be here for this moment. Today, we stand witness not only to an oath of fealty but to the birthright of a child who will one day shape the future of our empire. This is not a mere formality—this is a bond, a vow that will last a lifetime. And it is only right that the gods themselves are called to witness it as well.”