《I Got Isekai’d, Well Cryp!》 Vol.1 Ch.01 Just a Normal Morning? This story was a new one for Ryan. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would be in such a situation. He had always been the kind of guy who knew what he was doing and didn''t need to ask for directions in life. That was until today. Ryan was going through his usual early morning routine like any other day during the week, but this time it was different. He was going down his usual morning path, which usually consisted of running through the Hudson Forest Preserve. It''s a heavily forested area in the Midwest of the United States and it helped him clear his thoughts before heading into work. While he was running, he heard a sound. It was something unusual, a sound that wasn''t supposed to be there, something electrical. That cant be right? Ryan thought to himself. Then the sound quieted down, almost as if it was trying to hide from him, making almost no noise at all, but there was enough noise to get his attention. Ryan stopped in his tracks and listened carefully while trying to calm his breathing after running about 5 miles so far. "What is that?" Ryan said, just barely whispering to himself. ''Whatever it is... It''s coming closer.'' He thought to himself. He could hear a faint rustling in the bushes next to him. The rustle got louder as the dead leaves and brush were getting disturbed. Whatever it was, was closing in on him quickly. Even though the logical part of his brain was telling him to turn back and run from the possible danger. But instead, it was his damn sense of adventure and curiosity that won over in the end. As it usually does when there was a possible mystery around the corner. He kept on listening closely to the noises around him. Whatever this animal or thing may be, kept getting closer and closer. At first, he thought it was a small animal like a squirrel, but it started sounding bigger maybe it was a deer or something of similar size, which wouldn''t be anything new in this part of the world. Ryan usually would at least see a deer once a day when running in the morning. Then out of the brush came a thing. It was some orb, almost like a crystal ball. And it was emitting this strange glow that was coming from a rune at the center of this mysterious object. It seemed to be very transparent, and it emitted a soft blue light with a hint of purple and green. The sphere was still floating in the air a foot above the ground but slowly started moving towards him. "What the hell is that!?" He asked himself while not sure if he should be shocked or surprised by the strange object. Ryan was trying to keep himself from losing his sanity while trying to come up with a logical reason for whatever this orb was. Having no clue if this orb is alien, mythical, or some type of phenomenon that''s either natural or supernatural? "Well, it doesn''t seem hostile?" He said to himself. Then the orb started making a low bass sound. It was like a sound you would hear when your neighbor blasts a subwoofer and it could barely be muffled by the walls. ''Crap! That doesn''t sound good!'' Ryan thought, as he finally started to sense a bad omen coming from the mysterious glowing orb. "Why is it getting louder?!" He asked himself once again, while the orb''s strange sounds were starting to get more intense which Ryan could feel his chest cavity vibrate. The orb seemed to be coming closer and closer, as it zeroed in on Ryan. It was moving at an alarming rate. With that Ryan promptly turned tail and tried to book it out of there. As fast as his legs could take him. Even though he couldn''t see the orb he could feel the vibrations from that bass noise getting stronger behind him. "God Dammit Ryan! You had to see what the fuck that mysterious sound was!" Ryan yelled and chastised himself for not being more cautious in life for the first time in a while. ''I should have known better!'' Ryan thought to himself. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Like most people, he has always been a skeptic when it comes to such things that he has never seen before. After all, there are plenty of people out there claiming to be abducted by aliens, or whatever else paranormal demonic crap that truthers like to spew out of their mouths. But Ryan is going to become one of those mythical conspiracy stories now and if he finds a way out of this predicament, he will never say a bad thing about them again. He quickly ran around the bend of the trail until he got to a place where he could see the road ahead. ''Almost there! I hope someone''s on the road, God dammit!'' Ryan thought to himself as he was running out of stamina after running over 6 miles now. As the orb was gaining on Ryan, he tripped on a root from a tree and fell flat on his face onto the gravel path. "Shit!" He yelled out loud. He was sweating, bruised, and exhausted at the moment and Ryan wished he never ran into this orb. Ryan needed to get up and use whatever energy he could muster to get on his feet while gritting through the pain. But just as he was about to get up the orb finally caught its target. As it crashed right in the middle of Ryans back, pinning him to the ground. Ryan felt like he got hit by a boulder. Soon, a weight pressed down on him, and he couldn''t move his arms. ''Was this some kind of trap?'' Ryan thought to himself, as he looked up and saw the orb glowing brightly. This orb was like a force field that wouldn''t let him escape. ''Why do I feel like I''m being pumped with energy!'' Ryan thought as he began to feel charged particles almost like massive static electricity flowing through him. "This isn''t good," Ryan said to himself, as he tried his best to break free. There was nothing he could do. His body was locked in place. He was powerless against the orb and its ever-increasing glow and sound. The orb was glowing brighter now, and it seemed to be charging him up. Like a giant battery that was feeding him with energy. All of a sudden, the orb emitted a deep pulsing sound that shook Ryan''s core, leaving him in awe of this new experience. The orb seemed to be opening a warp portal or a tear in time and space. It was tough to tell because the light was so damn blinding! "What the hell is happening?" Ryan thought to himself. He couldn''t move a muscle, or speak, and he was starting to freak out in panic. Then the orb opened a wide portal that could easily have a car drive through it, or maybe it was a tear in the fabric of reality. Whatever it was, was staring him in the face. With that Ryan was suddenly pulled in. It''s hard to explain the sensations of going through a warp portal. With every molecule in Ryan''s body screaming out as if it went from solid to liquid to vapor to solid again. And repeat that process for who knows how long! The weird thing is somehow Ryan was able to visualize it happening to him. It kind of looks like that scene from the last Harry Potter film, when Harry grabs onto Lord Voldemort before he flies away with everything looking like smoke as they merged with each other, doing their wizard magic crap. It''s a cool scene, but he never wished to experience it again if he had the choice. As Ryan went through the rip in the fabric of reality, he realized that the orb was gone, and he was falling down into an endless pit or hole. The sensation was like he was flying through the air with no control of his own. This must be what it feels like to be pulled into a black hole!? Or being sucked into a wormhole? I don''t know how long I was in this distorted reality, but I just wanted it to stop. Ryan thought to himself while he was begging for this to end. And out of nowhere it finally ended as he became whole again after coming out of the other end of the portal. "Ugh!?"Ryan tried to hold back the bile in his stomach as he started feeling really dizzy from that insane experience. When Ryan finally came back to his senses while hunched over on his knees, he noticed a few figures in front of him. His vision was still blurry, but they looked like they were robed figures standing in a semicircle. Ryan also heard footsteps from behind him. He quickly looked back just to see four more robed figures. There was a total of seven robed figures in all. "This better not be what I think this is?" said Ryan while he tried to figure out what the hell just happened. All Ryan could do was shake his head a little at the realization of what had happened to him. I got fucking isekai''d or maybe this is a bad dream? Ryan told himself. But Ryan usually likes dreaming about fantasy or sci-fi. Hell, he usually likes to read a chapter or two of whatever light novel he was reading at the time, just before going to bed. It''s his tradition, his habit. Also, he loves video games. He has a backlog of RPGs that hes rotating through. So, one would think Ryan would be in heaven, right? Let me ask you a question. Am I experiencing this whimsical fantasy from the comfort of my home? No? I''m not! I prefer to not experience my fantasies in real life because they''re "FANTASIES'''' an escape from my normal day-to-day life... Where I need to worry about paying the bills, getting groceries, going to the climbing gym, hanging out with friends, meeting up with family, and my girlfriend... My girlfriend! I need to get back! Ryan said to himself. As Ryan was lost in thought the robed figures were moving closer to him. Vol.1 Ch.02 So I’m Isekai’d with “That Guy” ''Who the hell are these guys? What did they do to me?'' Ryan thought to himself while he tried to stand up but couldn''t for some reason. The robed figures started chanting and making strange hand gestures that made Ryan feel a wave of energy flowing through his veins. That''s when one of the robed figures pulled down their hood to reveal silky platinum hair, a black circlet with a jade green gem in the middle, vibrant violet eyes, brown tan skin, a beautiful attractive face, and long pointy ears. ''Is that a Dark Elf? Great! And this confirms it, I''ve been isekai''d!... Wait? Aren''t Dark Elves usually evil? Did I get summoned by evil creatures? What does that say about me?!'' Ryan thought as he tried to keep his calm. ''I need to assess the situation and figure a way out. Otherwise, I''m in it deep.'' Ryan thought as he felt another bad omen coming upon him. The Main Dark Elf held up her finger in front of Ryan''s neck then the rest followed like they were pointing him out of a crowd. When the elf started chanting some words in a language that he didn''t understand, Ryan noticed what they were pointing at. It was the orb that was chasing him earlier had shrunk down to the size of a golf ball and attached itself to his neck while forming a choker collar necklace. The collar had some dark metal with elegant swooping designs running around it. ''Wait! What the hell? Where did that come from?'' Ryan panicked as he looked around in the cave trying to see if he could find a way to stop this but he came up empty. Ryan started feeling that same electricity sensation again when he was pulled through the portal. ''Dammit, this is getting annoying!'' Ryan thought to himself. He was starting to get pissed off that someone was messing with his body. He was starting to feel drained from whatever the Dark Elves were doing to him. "Hey! Stop!" Ryan yelled out loud as he tried to fight back against the Dark Elf that was manipulating the energy within him. "What the fuck are you doing to me?!" As his voice echoed throughout the cave and it sounded like thunder rolling across the mountains. He was hoping that they would stop once he yelled at them. But that wasn''t the case, as the main Dark Elf continued chanting and making hand gestures for their ritual while other robed figures moved in closer and started chanting as well. Ryan noticed the main Dark Elf, who he thinks is a Priestess, was staring at him with a disappointed look in her eyes. As in she was hoping for some other result other than Ryan. ''She''s pissed? That makes no sense why she was disappointed in me. I have no clue why that would be?'' Then the other Dark elves started chanting and making hand gestures with the Priestess, making Ryan feel like he was getting closer and closer to passing out from exhaustion. After what seemed like hours, but in actuality, it was minutes, the ritual finally came to its conclusion and Ryan passed out from the stress and exhaustion. As he was just about to succumb to slumber, he heard the Dark Priestess say, "Put him wC Ce other and no if any changesC." *** Ryan woke up, he was all cleaned up from all the filth that he had accumulated from the day prior and stripped with only some type of boxer underwear. Next, he looked around his new surroundings and he was in a strange room with glowing runes on the floor. In front of him was a table with writing on the side of it. The writing looked like Chinese or Japanese, but he couldn''t make out what it was saying. Next to him was a door, but something was blocking it from opening. That''s when Ryan heard someone behind him say, "Hey! So, you''re finally awake!" Ryan turns to look to see an Asian guy across the other side of the room on the far wall. Ryan noticed this guy who looked like he was in his early 20s maybe and was dressed similarly to him with the same style of underwear and the elegant orb necklace but with a red glow, as Ryan''s had a yellow or goldish glow to it for some reason. Ryan asked him, "And, who are you?" "GAH! I thought I was the only one!" Yelled the other guy while he ignored Ryans question. He turned to look at Ryan and questioned him, "You''re from Earth, aren''t you!?" Ryan raised one of his eyebrows as he stared dumbfounded at this guy''s attitude. Ryan was trying to keep his poker face. "Okay? Thanks for not answering my question," Ryan said sarcastically as he slowly walked towards the other guy who was also from Earth. He started mumbling to himself like he was having a conversation but with no one else. As Ryan got closer he realized that this guy was a little younger than he first thought. I might be 5 to 8 years older than him? I''m 27, God I hope hes not a teenager.'' Ryan thought to himself. As Ryan observed this guy he noticed his mannerisms. Troubling mannerisms that were popping up left and right. Ryan wished he could ignore the red flags the more he observed this guy, but sadly there was no way he could. He had an over-the-top brooding vibe while staring off to the side mumbling to himself lost in his own world. You know, like one of those guys at a tabletop RPG who created characters that they think are deep, foreboding, and full of mystery, but they have a personality as deep as a puddle of piss. The "That Guy" syndrome or the bad stereotypes of an otaku. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. All I can say is I pray that I''m wrong. But the red flags are flagrantly sticking out on this guy like a pincushion. Ryan couldnt shake the bad feelings he was getting from this guy. "So, what do I call you then? I''m not going to call you ''Earthling'' while we''re stuck in this place?" Ryan asked as he continued to probe this guy for answers. The other guy slowly turned to look at Ryan with his almond eyes. Ryan could tell that he was trying to hide his emotions or lack thereof. But he was able to see it and it was obvious. He was pissed at Ryan for some reason. "You can call me Chosen One Hiro," Hiro said as he turned back to start mumbling again. Ryan cocked his eyebrow as he was thinking about what he just told him. "Chosen One Hiro?" Ryan said out loud without looking at him. "Yeah. I''m not going to call you that... Are you from the States?" Hiro looked at Ryan like he was the biggest moron on the planet or both planets? ''God dammit! What''s this guy''s problem now?'' "Why are you asking if I''m from the States when you''re speaking to me in Japanese, you dumb shit," Hiro said condescendingly to Ryan. ''Wait, What!? I''m not bilingual? And my "monolingual" skills are fine at best. There''s the occasional word that usually screws me over, but that happens to everyone in some way. Wait, I''m getting off track.'' Ryan thought to himself as he finally comprehended what Hiro said. Maybe it had to do something with that weird ritual, but Hiro can understand me? And I understand him. Hmm... I hope its the same for the other beings on this planet. Ryan can only hope that was the case. Ryan stares at Hiro, annoyed with his attitude, and says to him, "Nah, man your English is perfect." while giving him a smartass smirk. Hiro scoffed at him. "You''re a liar! And you''re not the Chosen One, I AM! GOT IT!?" Hiro yelled back as he gave Ryan a look that was filled with contempt and disgust. ''Oh, this is going to get old real fast.'' Ryan thought to himself while he grits his teeth trying to control his anger slowly boiling from his core. "Well Hiro, if you know how to get back to Earth? By all means, I would appreciate that information and let you go back to being the ''Chosen One'' or whatever you want to be called." Ryan told Hiro with a glare. "And by the way the name''s Ryan." Hiro looked at Ryan with a smirk. "S-So you''re not here to take my glory? Then you have made yourself a powerful ally, Ryan," he said while pointing at Ryan with excitement. ''Is this guy bipolar or something? Oh yeah! I forgot he''s the worst type of otaku!... Why couldn''t I be stuck with a cool, normal-ish otaku?'' Ryan thought as he cried on the inside as it dawned on him that he was stuck with this jackass for God knows how long!? Or is it a goddess? Who the hell knows anymore! Ryan sighed, "Yeah well, I''m here to help you. So how about you give me that information instead of making fun of me, okay?" Hiro took a deep breath as he calmed down and said to Ryan, "Ha ha! My friend, I''m sure you don''t need my help! I believe you can find it out yourself." "So, you don''t know how to open the portal that brought us here? Got it, thanks." Ryan says sarcastically. "N-No no, I-I can tell you, but there is a catch." Hiro stuttered as he smiled like a Cheshire cat, with a devilish gleam in his eyes. "You have to give up something of yours in exchange for the information." "Dude! Look at me! I''m practically stripped naked like you!" Ryan says forcefully while being annoyed by Hiro''s incompetence. "Now I can understand why the Dark Elf Priestess had that disappointed look on her face. She had the displeasure of summoning you and must think I''m the same." Ryan says under his breath, so Hiro doesn''t hear him. Hiro ignores Ryan as he continues to smile and says, "I am serious, and this is no joke. If you refuse to give up something of yours then you will remain stuck on this planet forever." Now Ryan was really getting annoyed. "Hiro, do you know how you came to this world? Was it by chance you came in contact with that red glowing orb on your neck?" Hiro looked at Ryan with caution, "Th-That''s none of your business." "Yeah, the same thing happened to me, genius," Ryan said while putting his hand on his forehead. "I think we were both transported here by some kind of magic device, right?" Hiro was taken aback by Ryan''s comment and he thought carefully before opening his mouth. "Well, I was unjustly punished by my friends and family! Those cowards had the gall to kick me out of my room, saying that I wouldn''t amount to anything if I didn''t start looking for a job! But they never understood! All the anime I watched! All the mangas I read were so I could become Earth''s greatest hero when the time came. But they lacked vision and said I was a leech on society! And after no one would support me I knew I needed to show them the error of their ways! That was when I went to the old shrine by my parent''s place. I prayed to it to give me the power of the chosen one. So I could get my justice on all of them! And make them grovel at my feet for all eternity! That''s when the orb of power showed up in front of me and I gladly accepted it... My only regret was not realizing I was needed on another world first before I could right the wrongs that had been done to me back on Earth! But I''m a patient man... So, the orb can''t be a magical device!" Hiro said as he looked straight into Ryans eyes with an over-inflated ego. ''Sounded more like Vengeance than Justice. But I doubt Hiro knows the difference at this point,'' Ryan thought. "So I just want to be clear with you, you don''t know how to get back home," Ryan asked Hiro again. "And I''m guessing you never received any training on how to use that orb thingy?" Hiro just stared at Ryan for a moment and finally said. "Yes, I know how to use the orb of Justice, but you just have to figure it out yourself." ''So translation, Hiro doesn''t know how to use the orb. And he didnt panic when the orb came out of nowhere, because of his deepest desire for power. And it came in the form of a similar orb that chased me. Hiro hoped to use it against people who he thought wronged him. God, damn idiot.'' Ryan thought while he closed his eyes. He was beginning to realize that he was all alone for solving this problem. Ryan sighs while he opens his eyes, "Well, that doesn''t change the fact that you still don''t know how to open the portal that brought us here." With nothing more to talk about Ryan decided to go back to the table with the writing on the side of it. He couldn''t make heads or tails out of it. ''I wonder what the meaning of the runes are? I''m sure we will find out the hard way sooner or later. Preferably through Hiro, but, sadly, I shouldn''t pin my hopes on him.'' Ryan shook his head in frustration as he couldn''t come up with a better plan. All of a sudden Ryans stomach began to growl from lack of food. He was hoping that the Dark Elves would give them something edible for humans. We can only hope that they are going to feed us and whatever the Dark Elves give us is edible for humans. If they summoned us, they would want to give us decent-tasting food, right? Haah... But with how my luck has been going lately, it most likely will taste like crap. Ryan thought as he slumped down in defeat. Anyway, Ryan decided to head back to his side of the room where the bed was and take a seat on it. Vol.1 Ch.03 Ryan’s first encounter with Ellianna The bed to Ryan''s surprise was way more comfortable than how it looked. At a glance, the unusual bed looks super stiff, mostly because of what it was constructed with. The whole thing looked like it was made of a black polished stone, even the mattress! The only thing that looked soft was the blanket which the materials was made up of some type of red silk and satin, mix. Despite the look of the bed, it was actually very soft, but firm enough to not feel like you''re sinking into a marshmallow. Whatever, I''ll take what little wins I can get. Ryan thought as he got comfortable on the bed. While he was examining the bed, he couldn''t help but notice someone practicing their nonsensical poses on the other side of the room, like he was fighting an imaginary figure and Hiro was going about it with a half-assed effort. He swung his fist at a speed that wouldn''t hurt a fly. I know everyone''s weird in some way but he''s on a whole nother level and I just need to ignore him as much as possible for the time being. Ryan shifts his focus onto his orb necklace to see if there''s anything useful about it or stumble upon something about this item. But unfortunately, he was having a hell of a time examining the necklace because it was a freaking choker-style necklace and it hugged onto his neck so tightly, that it was not budging at all. So his best option is having his fingers trace over this thing in a desperate attempt to see if it can come off. I will say though, whatever this thing is, it feels like it has a pulse of some sort. Which is just all kinds of creepy. Ryan shuttered. After a while of inspecting the orb necklace, Ryan started to hear footsteps from beyond the door to their room. He got up from the bed not sure if he should try to hide or just be obedient and not do anything to provoke the Dark Elves, because at this point trying to pick a fight with them is pointless. So he just holds his breath hoping whoever it is just keeps walking past the door and doesnt come to their room. As Ryan waits, he hears the door open as the Dark Elves walk into the room. There were five of them, one Priestess and four guards in light armor. That armor looked so thin that I feel like I could dent it just by breathing on it, but I''m sure logic doesn''t work the same as it does on Earth. Ryan thought to himself. He also noticed that two of the guards were carrying trays. It looks like it was feeding time for the inmates. While Ryan was observing his captors, Hiro in his immense wisdom decided this was his moment to shine. As he yelled "Your biggest mistake was when you dare try to imprison me you SCUM! Now feel the might of my Justice! HI-YAH!" So there goes Hiro running straight into a 5 vs. 1 match right in front of Ryan''s eyes. Am I surprised by this, no. Am I disappointed in him still, yes. Ryan sighed internally while shaking his head. It''s almost impossible to reason with someone who has Main Character syndrome and Im probably going to get pulled into Hiros bullshit, too. Ryan just let out a sigh as he prepared himself for what was about to come. The first guard casually walks in front of the group and moves towards the charging human and as Hiro was about to jump the elf catches him by the neck like it was nothing. It was like Hiro crashed into a wall when he was running full speed at them. At that point, the Priestess raised her hands and began to chant. Suddenly the two runes, located on the opposite sides of the room, started to glow and then the orbs on Hiro''s and Ryan''s necks started to glow in unison. Then Ryan started feeling that same power coming from his orb like the first time he was brought to this world. So Im going to get immobilized, great. Ryan knew how this was going to go. When the Priestess finished chanting, that''s when Ryan started to float a little off the ground and got pulled like a magnet towards the rune with the same color as his orb, luckily it wasn''t as painful as last time. So there Ryan was, trapped over his spot in the room looking over at the five Elves with the one guard still holding Hiro by the neck looking to torment him for his disobedience. The guard had a smirk on his face as he watched Hiro''s body starting to stretch from the pull of the red rune which was on the other side of the room, about ten feet away. It looked really painful as Hiros body looked like a stretched rubber band. Hiro screamed at the guard, "Aaarrrgghhh! YoU''lL ..... N-NevEr ...... G-Get aWAy witH-h ....... THIS!!!!" If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Ryan shook his head after hearing Hiro''s weak threat. "Well, this is the second time. Youll have to learn sooner or later, human." The guard said with a grin on his face. He seemed to enjoy inflicting pain on Hiro. After a moment he finally let go of Hiro''s neck as his body shot over to the other side of the room like a bullet, flying towards his rune, and when he came in contact with the red light above the rune he came crashing to a halt as he was floating in the air. Hiro grimaced in pain from the force full stop. The guard then turns around and walks back towards his group of Elves laughing as he passes them. "Seriously this is his second time attacking them? Christ, Hiro! How the hell did he manage to survive living in society back on Earth?" Ryan says to himself. "At some point, Darwinism is going to catch up to you." "SHUT UP!" Hiro yelled back. "ENOUGH!" said the Priestess. Ryan became silent not wanting to test their wrath. All he could do was stare at her waiting to see what was going to come next. Luckily for Ryan, it seemed like the priestess was waiting for them to calm down. When things finally quiet down, the priestess finally speaks again. "My name is Elianna, the left hand of the Dark Elf tribe here in Sorellia. We have come to give you your daily meal. Savor and nourish it, for you will be doing trials to see if you are the Chosen Ones. Steel yourself if you wish to complete the task given to you, so you may live to be fed another day. Hopefully, you won''t disappoint our Lord. Understood?" She asked while looking over to her four comrades. She nodded to the two guards holding the trays as they walked to the table at the center of the room. They placed the trays on the table and started to distribute the food. "We will leave you to eat now," Elianna said walking out of the room, leaving with the guards in tow. Just before she walked through the doorway she stopped and turned towards Hiro and Ryan as if she remembered something. Once the last guard left and closed the door, the magical bindings released them without warning. This caused Ryan''s legs to feel a jolting sensation running from his heels to his hips when landing on the ground with straight knees. He and Hiro were floating about 6 inches in the air, so it wasn''t too bad of a drop, but jarring nonetheless. As Ryan gathered his balance back he hurried to the table, not knowing what type of stunt Hiro might do to their food. Plus he was starving. So once Ryan got to the table he saw a bowl of water filled with a black liquid and a bunch of leaves that looked like cabbage. The Dark Elves also left them with a bag of dried meat that was covered in ash. Well, I guess beggars can''t be choosers. I hope it tastes better than it looks. It took Ryan a while to work up the courage to take the first bite but surprisingly it wasn''t half as bad as it looked. Again I''ll take any small victory when I can. Ryan thought to himself. After they started eating, Ryan looked over at Hiro, who was staring at him with that same angry expression on his face when he tried to attack the Dark Elves. Like he was trying to figure out how to kill him without getting caught. Ryan just sighed and shook his head. "I''m sorry, Hiro. I didn''t know how else to deal with that situation. You go running around like a chicken with its head cut off." "You should have aided me," he said with a grunt. "Really!? But what would have happened, if I helped you?" Ryan said while taking a sip of black liquid. "I would have been stopped just the same way. You were like a fucking rag doll to them, Hiro." Then Ryan took a bite out of the dried meat that was covered in ash. "There''s a time and place to take action and right now I don''t know enough about these Dark Elves. Plus their creed is kind of creepy... May the Dark surround Us." Hiro sighed in frustration. "I hate worthless people, like you." "Worthless?! Fucking look in a mirror.. Ryan tries to calm himself as he continues, Haah Listen, Hiro, we need to be smart about this, we dont know what theyre after?" "I know," Whispered Hero as he looked off to his side. "No, you don''t! That was your second attempt and it probably went just as well as the first." Ryan took a bite of the leaf that looked like cabbage. ''Aach, bitter!'' Ryan cringed after his tongue was saturated by the bitter vegetable. He continued, "Listen, if you go for a third attempt I will break both of your goddamn kneecaps. Got it?!" Ryan said as he pointed at him in a threatening manner. Hiro grunts in frustration. "Fine! Just be warned Ryan, you are making a powerful enemy. Once I pass these trials and become the One, Ill break you." Ryan took a few seconds pondering what the elves'' end game was. Did they need a champion or do they need a sacrifice? Ryan was hoping it was the former. Who knows what they will do to us? Most likely they want to sacrifice you and me to the Dark entity or something similar. Ryan felt a bad omen in his future that he didnt want any part of. ''But it wouldn''t make sense to summon us just to kill us. What the hell do they want from us?'' The room was silent as Ryan and Hiro stood there speechless. Both were lost in thought. Yeah, Hiro, the title of Chosen One is all yours my friend. Ryan thought while finishing his meal. At that point, Ryan decides to turn in for the night. This has been the longest day of his life. And he thought it was only going to continue. "Got to bide my time, and escape from here. You got this Ryan." He says this to himself before Ryan finally drifts off to sleep. Vol.1 Ch.04 Waking up from a Nightmare. While sleeping Ryan had one of the worst nightmares he has ever had in his life. It was chaotic seeing all his loved ones back from Earth, sucked into a war with demons, angels, humans, demi-humans, and monsters. With all this going on it seemed like he was being chased by a shadowy being that was cornering him no matter how hard he tried to escape it was on him like flies to shit. The shadow being had a humanoid look but it was hard to comprehend it fully while he was being chased. Ryan could swear he heard a womans voice taunting, teasing, and flirting with him as he kept running. Or it might have been toying instead of flirting. It''s hard to tell sometimes because he feels they are similar in nature. The only thing he can remember her saying to him was, "Mmm!!! Uhh!!! Mmmm!!! You might be... fated to be the one? F-Finally... we can have our... fun...." She said it in such a seductive whispery voice as she closed in on him. When hearing that Ryan was filled with dread. He desperately wanted to fight this fated outcome. He didnt want to go to a fantasy world. With that Ryan came to a dead end with nowhere to run, trapped by this shadow entity as it waited to close in on him. Just before it pounced, Ryan tried to shield himself from the incoming danger. "No! Stay away!" Ryan yelled at the shadow but it didn''t listen as it got closer to him. Ryan begins to panic more and more not knowing what to do. ''This can''t be happening! I need to do something, but what!'' Ryan thought to himself. Looking upon this shadow entity one last time Ryan noticed the shadow forming two long pointed ears, glowing golden eyes, a devious smile, and platinum silver hair. And before he knew it, it reached out to grab him with surreal speed and then it was all over. As everything went black. *** "AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" Ryan screamed as he rolled off the bed and hit the floor. Ryan was shaking and panting like crazy. It felt like he just ran a marathon through hell. All Ryan could think of was, ''What the fuck just happened?'' He never had night terrors before in his life until now. The stress is getting to me. He concluded while wiping some sweat away from his brow. Why did this happen to me? Ryan thinks to himself wishing he could be back home. He looked up to see Hiro. He looks at Ryan with a curious expression on his haggard face. I guess he heard me scream in terror? Ryan assumed still trying to calm himself. "Shit man! Why do you have to freak out like that?" Hiro questioned him. Ryan rubs his eyes and starts to catch his breath. "I don''t really know," Ryan said as he sat up, "I was sleeping and I started having this nightmare. I don''t know what it means but it was terrifying! I thought a demon or something was chasing me." "Well, your annoying screeching woke me up and there was a weird glow coming from your orb," Hiro said with a shit-eating grin. As if to mock Ryan for some reason. ''This cursed orb! First, it attacks me, and now it''s giving me nightmares!'' Ryan thinks to himself as he gets up from the cold stone floor. He checked himself out to make sure he didn''t have any cuts or bruises. "What time is it?" "How would I know?" Hiro says with a yawn as he lays back in his bed, "I''ll be lucky if I can get back to sleep." With that, Hiro goes back to bed and Ryan begins to stretch and look around. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Ryan doesn''t really like this place, it feels like hes stuck in a fantasy medieval dungeon. With the uneven stone walls and the creepy runes on the floor. The room was the size of a studio apartment, 20 feet by 30 feet and there were no windows, and the only way out was this one door in the middle of the 30-foot wall, which leads to who knows where. Ryan just hopes those trials they were talking about have nothing to do with torture chamber crap. While Ryan was lost in his thoughts he started to hear footsteps in the distance again. "Looks like we are going to get a visit from our ''lovely'' elven friends," Ryan said sarcastically to himself. As the footsteps got louder, Hiro finally noticed visitors would be coming soon and he got out of his bed, positioning himself in a tackling position to do something stupid again. "Hiro!" Ryan yelled at him getting his attention, "I told you I''ll break your knees, so stand down!" he warned him as Ryan started walking over to Hiro as quickly as possible, clenching his fists in the process and mentally preparing himself to do what he needs to do if Hiro goes against him. Shit! He''s not looking at me. I''m going to have to show him what happens when you mess with the wrong guy. Ryan thought as he closed in on Hiro. Finally, Ryan reached Hiro, and he put his hand on his shoulder, so Hiro had to turn around towards Ryan. Hiro was looking at Ryan with that arrogant smirk like he wasn''t doing anything wrong as his arms crossed showing his defiance towards him. "Don''t! And you wonder why your friends and family abandon you," Ryan says to him with a frown. Hiro loses his smirk after the insult and was about to argue back when suddenly they hear a loud click from the door unlocking. As the door opens, there standing in front of them are two Elven women dressed in their traditional warrior outfits which consisted of wearing black leather armor that covered them head to toe. On top of their heads, they wore a circlet with an orb on it. One woman was tall and lean with pale skin, light blue eyes, and silver hair. Her circlet had a thorny vine style. The other was shorter and rounder, with a darker complexion, dark green eyes, and her brown curly hair pulled back into a bun. She also wore a circlet on her head except hers had a flower petal aesthetic. The taller one spoke first, "Summoned ones, you are here to face your first trial. Please follow me, or stay here and face punishment. The choice is yours." She said with a straight face. Without waiting for a response she turns around and walks down the hallway. Ryan and Hiro hesitate for a second before following them. As they walked behind her through the dark hallway Ryan noticed that her backside was rather cute. Get your mind out of the gutter, Ryan. Ryan shakes his head trying to refocus. "Who did you say summoned us?" Ryan asked, trying to play dumb. Both of the elves stop and turn around to face Ryan. The taller one moved her face so close to him that he could smell her sweet perfume which made his heart race a little. "You were summoned by the High Priestess Yoona of the Nils Moon." She says with a straight face to me. Showing very little emotion. "Yoona?" Ryan questioned. "Yes, Lady Yoona. You''ve met her before." She said with a hint of annoyance. And that instant it clicked for Ryan. "So, she was the one in the summoning room?" He asked her. "Yes, she is the High Priestess of the Nils Moon. She''s been studying you two and trying to decide if you should be allowed into our tribe as the Chosen Ones." She said as she backed away from him. Ryan looked back at the taller Elf, whose face was not showing any emotion. "Deciding? Does this have to do with us being human?" Ryan asks her. "Not exactly." She answers. "Then what does it have to do with us?" Ryan asked her. "Well, why don''t you ask our High Priestess yourself? Come now." She said and started walking again. ''Well, I guess I''ll hear this High Priestess out.'' Ryan thought to himself. "By the way, I didn''t catch your name," He asked the taller Elf. "I''m Sehranya," She said with a straight face. "Sehranya? That''s a striking name... I''m Ryan by the way." He says with a slight grin. Hoping to get on Sehranya''s good side. But the only response Ryan gets back from her is a slight raising of her eyebrow for a second. "Are you done talking?" She asks. "I was also hoping to get the name of your comrade, too. If you don''t mind?" Ryan said to Sehranya, while just pointing with his thumb at the smaller dark elf who was behind them. While gesturing towards the other Dark Elf, Ryan finally became aware that Hiro was in a headlock. ''God dammit Hiro! I don''t pay attention to you for a few seconds and you go and try to get us both killed!'' Ryan thought as his panic started to sink in. He didn''t want to get punished like the last time when Hiro tried to attack them. "Her name is Sigrid, best stay out of her way," Sehranya said in a threatening tone towards Hiro. "F-Fine, I''m sorry! Aw! I won''t go after your dagger. I-I promise! ARG! Why are you trying to tear my head off!" He says with a pain-stricken look on his face, Sigrid finally lets go of Hiro''s neck after satisfyingly delivering a bit of punishment for his incompetence. Hiro was rubbing his neck and seemed to be more relaxed now. "You''re lucky you''re a summoned, otherwise Sigrid would have ripped your head clean off. Without a second thought." Sehranya said. Hiro stares at her with a bit of an angry glare but shrinks down quickly when the elf looks at him again. While all Ryan could do was shake his head in disbelief. Vol.1 Ch.05 High Priestess Yoona "We are almost to the great hall." The tall dark elf said. Ryan looks back at her with a slightly confused expression. "Is the High Priestess of the Nils Moon going to be there?" "Yes, yes she will," Sehranya said. While looking at Sehranya, Ryan couldn''t help but think how beautiful her face was. They both walk into the Great Hall of the Nils Moon. When they enter the room, it feels warm and welcoming. With stone walls, and a ceiling made from stained glass that glows a bright shade of purple and glowing runes in all the pillars. There were so many elves in the room that it was hard for Ryan to see just how many there might be. It took him some time to notice that the end of the great hall was oddly open with fewer elves standing around. Only three female figures were standing at the altar, and they all seem to have their own distinct charms. ''I guess they''re the rulers of the Dark Elves?'' Ryan thought to himself as they approached the three ladies. The first figure must be Yoona the High Priestess of the Nils, she seemed to be around 5 ''10", has silky platinum hair, a black circlet with a jade green gem in the middle of it, vibrant violet eyes, brown tan skin, and a beautiful attractive face. Ryan remembers her well. She was the first person he saw when he first came to this world. ''SHIT! It''s her!'' As Ryan begins the sweat, recalling the events of that day. The second one to the left of the High Priestess was Elianna, also known as the Left Hand of Yoona, whose looks could only be described as beautiful, with her short blonde hair that was styled in a bob cut and her eyes a gorgeous blood red. Her circlet was based on a lightning bolt design. And then the last one to Yoona''s right. Ryan hasn''t seen her before unless she was wearing a hood over her face in the summoning room. The one thing that stands out about her, is she is shorter than the rest. She''s also got a bit of a plumpness to her but not much. Yoona is staring straight at Ryan, "You remember me, don''t you? Our first meeting was quite exciting wasn''t it?" Ryan nods his head while taking a deep breath, "Yeah, I guess you could say that?" "You are one of the most intriguing summoned we''ve had in a while," Yoona says to Ryan. Hiro scoffs at that remark. "What do you mean by interesting?" He asks Yoona. Ryan was taken aback by her statement because he swore Yoona had a disappointed look on her face when he first saw her. ''What''s her angle?'' Ryan thought while trying to keep calm and not show his confusion. She sighs. "I suppose it''s rather obvious. You are both very different from any other summons that''s come before you." You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "So what? What makes us so special?" Hiro asked. Yoona places a hand on the altar. "Let me ask you this, Do you know what you are?" Ryan and Hiro exchange glances. "Well... yes? We''re both human." Ryan said. Yoona chuckles. "That''s correct. You''re the first humans to ever be summoned to our realm." "Wait, seriously?" Hiro questions. Yoona nods. "Yes, that''s right. And you were summoned because you two have a special bond with the elven people of this land. The other High Priestesses and I believe you are destined for greatness." Ryan was sure that Yoona was lying but he and Hiro nodded their heads. "We''ll explain more about that later. For now, I would like for you both to start your trial as the chosen ones. Are you ready to begin?" Yoona asks. Hiro laughs out triumphantly while doing a power pose and says to Yoona, "Hell yeah! I was born to be the Chosen One!" ''We don''t know what these trials are you moron!'' Ryan stands there stunned and confused, while Hiro continues to laugh at the idea that he and Ryan are to be the Chosen Ones. "I see our prayers haven''t been abandoned by the goddess. May the Dark Guide You, Chosen One," Yoona tells Hiro with an elegant smile. Hiro is looking at Yoona with pure adoration and excitement in his eyes as he looks to prove himself as the next great hero. "Good! Now let''s start your first trial, shall we," Yoona states while waving her hand to the side, signaling to someone to come over and lead them to the trials. *** Ryan''s eyes widened in shock. "I''m starting my trial as the Chosen One without even knowing why?" He whispers to himself not wanting to draw attention to him as they are walking through different core doors to some unknown place. "What''s with that face?" Hiro asks Ryan. Ryan shakes his head. "Nah, it''s just... forget it." He says while scratching the back of his neck. They then go down a set of stairs until they reach a set of huge doors. The doors have a large dark elf symbol carved into the metal plate, the carving looks similar to Yoona''s face or some other high priestess. "Through those doors is your first trial," Yoona states. "What is the first trial?" Ryan asked. "You shall be slaying the monsters beyond the dungeon''s gates. This test is to see if you are truly worthy of becoming Chosen Ones for the Goddess." Yoona responds. Ryan had no idea what she meant by that but he didn''t want to question it too much since Yoona seemed to know something that he does not. Hiro is beyond excited to begin their trial and Ryan is simply going along with it for now. "I''m finally going to be the one to get power and I''ll never let anyone push me around ever again! Let''s do this!" He says with a sinister grin. "I''ll be going back to the Great Hall. I will leave you two with our Master in Arms, Joris. He shall aid you in your first trial," Yoona says while pointing to the door that leads to the dungeon. Joris walks up to Ryan and Hiro with a stern look on his face. "Let''s go." He says. When looking at Joris the first thing about him is, hes a hulking beast of a man, who stood over 6 feet tall and looks like he weighed over 250 pounds of pure muscle. He had long wild white hair that was tied up into a ponytail. His circlet looked like a crown made out of a bone with a red gemstone in the middle. He wore silver chain mail armor with a matching cape and black boots. This guy looks like he can shatter one-ton boulders just by staring at them! ''I wonder what Hiro will do to get himself killed by Joris?'' Ryan thought as the door to the dungeon opened up for them. "What monster are we slaying?" Ryan asked Joris. "Kobolds," Joris answered with a deep voice. Vol.1 Ch.06 The First Trial The Dungeon is dark and gloomy with small glowing orbs that slightly illuminated the floor. There were many rooms with various kinds of monsters that could be heard from the hallway. When Joris unlocked the door to one of these rooms, Ryan could easily tell there were about five monsters in the dark chamber. When they enter the room the ceiling opens up and a bright light comes from above. It helps illuminate the room including the chained-up monsters that struggled against their restraints. "The Kobolds are chained together in the center of this room. Your goal is to slay them," Joris says while looking at them to see their reaction. "Well, that''s great," Ryan grumbled with a sigh before he continued, "This is gonna be fun." He says sarcastically while looking at the group of Kobolds. Ryan starts feeling uneasy and has a sense of dread right now because he''s going to be forced to kill something for the first time in his life. ''I''ve never killed anything bigger than an insect in my life!'' Ryan thought as anxiety started to take hold. Upon observing the room or cell, Ryan looked at the Kobolds chained up in an X formation in the middle of the room. Each Kobold is over four feet tall and weighs over 120 pounds. They have yellow-green skin with a slimy texture and large green eyes that glow in the dark. Their faces were covered with a dark purple membrane that was reminiscent of a frog''s mouth. "Here. Take these blades and aim for the center of their chest or between their eyes, it''s your choice," Joris says in a commanding voice. Ryan looks at the two blades in Joris''s hand before he reaches for one. The blades were the size of a Bowie knife. But instead of polished steel, the blade looked black with a dark blue edge on the weapon that looked sharp as hell. Hiro takes one of the knives without question, while Ryan takes the other with a slight delay. "Okay. First chance goes to Hiro!" Joris yells at him. As Hiro readies himself for the first time, he hears Joris speak in a bored tone, "Don''t get yourself killed." "Ha!" Hiro shouts with a big smile. "Do you really think I''ll let that happen? Don''t underestimate me! Once I''m in this fight, nobody will stop me!" Ryan wanted to face-palm after hearing that unaware idiot speaking so confidently. Joris was fucking joking, you moron! But if there was a way to get killed by a chained-up monster. I''m sure Hiro could find a way, Ryan wanted to retort but held his comments to himself, because of Hiros obliviousness. Our trial is practically shooting fish in a barrel. Ryan continued to think about how odd their situation was. When you think of a trial, one would believe there is a challenge of some sort. But this was not really a challenge at all. Ryan watched as Hiro made his way toward the Kobolds. When he was about five feet away Hiro rushed in and swung his blade down on the first Kobold''s skull. He failed to put it out of its misery as Hiro unskillfully hacked away at its head. Causing it to scream loudly as its blood splattered everywhere. ''This guy is just an idiot, plain and simple.'' Ryan thought while he observed the idiot in front of him struggling to kill the Kobold. By the eleventh strike, Hiro finally killed the monster. It only took another minute or two before the first Kobold went silent, and Hiro immediately looked at Ryan and smiled triumphantly, showing off his perfect white teeth. Then Ryan noticed Hiro''s orb necklace adsorbing glowing particles of energy into it as the orb began to glow a brighter red. "What were those particles?" Ryan asked. "Those are the particles that come from killing monsters. We call it mana." Joris answers with a serious tone. "It''s part of becoming a chosen one and it will help change your body into a stronger form." "So if we kill more monsters, we get more mana?" Ryan asks. Joris nods. "Yes. That''s what we''re trying to do here." Ryan is confused about how the science of mana worked. Like how does the mana know to go to the one that slayed it and what does it do to a person''s body to make it stronger? I guess the Dark Elves need to be sure that our necklaces work. Is that why they are giving us such an easy task?'' Ryan wondered as he watched the last of the mana enter Hiro''s body. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "You need to understand that the magic that runs this world is different from yours," Joris explains. "It''s all based on the elements of nature. When you kill something, you release its mana into the air. Then it goes to the one who slays them. But enough talking, Ryan you''re up." ''Magic? But, we come from a world of science, Joris. And I''m just supposed to accept all of this?... Uh-oh! Joris is staring at me... It looks like I can''t delay this any longer. Fuck... I really don''t want to do this,'' thought Ryan while he readied his blade and began to walk toward the other Kobolds that Hiro hadn''t killed. As Ryan gets closer to the Kobolds, he notices that the chains on the Kobolds are made of a strange material. It''s hard and seems to be indestructible. And the Kobolds are struggling against the chains. "Sorry man, I really don''t want to do this," Ryan says to the Kobold as the monster struggles to break free from its bindings. The Kobold looks at Ryan with its eye sockets, which have no pupils and its mouth open as if in pain. ''They must not have eaten recently.'' Ryan thought to himself. Ryan comes in close to the Kobold and swings his blade down at one of them. The blade cuts right through the creature''s chest, causing it to stop moving instantly as the blood starts pouring out of its wound. Ryan felt the guilt of ending the creature as he saw the life leave the Kobold''s eyes. "That was too easy," Ryan said with a whisper. Then those similar particles from before started to enter Ryan''s body causing the orb necklace to glow its golden light. He can feel the energy moving around and it starts spreading from the necklace into his body. ''Oh? D-Damn... This feels way more pleasant than I thought. If I''m not careful, I might get addicted to this feeling.'' Ryan thought as this sensation began to send a shiver down his spine. *** It took about fifteen minutes before Hiro and Ryan killed the rest of the Kobolds. Ryan could feel the mana running through his body after slaying the second monster. He was struggling to hold back his moans. "Man, I''m getting a little addicted to this sensation," Ryan muttered to himself. "Yeah, I love this power," Hiro said with excitement as his orb necklace glowed brighter than Ryan''s orb after slaying three monsters. Ryan then looks at Joris, who is still watching over the two humans. "Is there anything else we need to do?" Ryan asks Joris. "We are waiting until your orbs reach a high enough level so you can fight properly." "Aww, man! Can''t I kill some more monsters to get stronger!" Hiro said with some annoyance. "Youve done enough for your first trial." Said Joris, who is still watching over the two of them. Then he continues, "Well meet up with Lady Yoona and then retire for today." Joris motions to them to follow as he takes the two human males back to the Great Hall where the Dark Elves are gathered. *** When they enter the Great Hall again, Ryan and Hiro hear a lot of whispering going around about the two humans. "The Twins of Mournhold. They are glowing again," Whispered a tall elf with black hair and red eyes wearing plate armor. He and his friend were staring back and forth at their necklaces. "It is true, we were told these humans are the ones." Another male elf with a similar outfit says to the other elves. "But I do not believe it yet. We should wait-." Ryan couldn''t hear the last of what he was whispering as they walked passed them to the alter. "Silence! Do not speak against our new chosen one or face the consequences!" A female Dark Elf yells across the room. Everyone in the hall goes silent as Lady Yoona comes down from the altar where she motions for them to come to her. As they walk towards Yoona, she looks at Hiro and Ryan. Her violet eyes stare at Hiro''s glowing orb first, then at Ryan''s as she smirks before she turns her attention to her people in the main hall. "So, the Twins of Mournhold truly have chosen these two humans as our Chosen Ones!" said Yoona while she could barely contain her excitement. "Twins of Mournhold?" Ryan asks. Yoona looked at Ryan so she could answer him. "Yes, the goddess created these artifacts for the chosen ones to protect our lands from the coming calamity," Yoona says as she continues explaining to Hiro and Ryan. Joris walked closer to them while Yoona was talking. "My Priestess, I believe the Chosen Ones are ready to slay stronger monsters to absorb a greater amount of mana. Starting tomorrow." "You are sure?" Yoona looked at Joris with a pleased look. "I am certain my Priestess." "Then let us rest my Chosen Ones. For you are going to have a busy week ahead of you." Hiro had his arms crossed as his over-inflated ego began to rise to unhealthy levels when he continued to listen to Yoona''s praise. While Ryan still had his doubts. "What exactly does being a Chosen One mean exactly?" Ryan asked Yoona. "That is for you to become our protectors." "Protectors?" Yoona nodded. "Yes, the Twin of Mournhold will be our greatest protector." "Come on man! What don''t you get? She just wants us to work for her. So, stop being so stupid," Hiro added with a "know it all" smirk. Ryan glared at Hiro. "..." Ryan wanted to play dumb to try to extract more info about being the Chosen One for the Sorellians. And Hiro is running interference unwittingly! "W-What?!." Hiro stuttered. "You two are so close. I can tell... But, I''m sure both of you are famished after having such a long day... Come! Let''s eat," Yoona said to both Ryan and Hiro. Ryan shook his head and sighed, ''I don''t have the energy for this crap... I just want food for now. I''ll try again later,'' Ryan thought as he followed the elves to the banquet hall. Both men followed her to a dining hall. There was a large crescent-shaped table where Yoona sat down with them. Vol.1 Ch.07 About the World "There''s no need to act so anxiously, Ryan," Yoona said with a smirk. "You think I''m anxious?" Ryan realized his poker face was slipping in front of the High Priestess under all this pressure. Yoona chuckled, then summoned the servants to place some bread and meat onto the plates. "You are clearly anxious, how could you not be." "Haah... It''s that obvious, aye?... All of this is hard for me to accept. I mean, so much stuff has happened to me in such a short time," Ryan said as he looked Yoona in the eyes. "You will be fine," Yoona said as she took a bite of her bread. "The Goddess of Nils seems unorthodox in her choices, but it''s only because we can''t fully comprehend her visions. And is never wrong." "Who is the Goddess of Nils?" Ryan asked. "Our Goddess, Nils, is the Dark Goddess. Her true form is kept hidden away in Darkness." Yoona explained as she took a sip of her wine. "But she''s our goddess of rebirth, of life, and death." ''Huh? Hidden in shadows? Did she come to me in my dreams last night? I don''t like this.'' Ryan shivered at the thought of the goddess messing with his dreams. "You said she''s the goddess of life and death?" "In this world, we have two kinds of people. Those who live, and those who die. As they say ''Only the strong survive.'' Plus there''s the nonliving of course." She says with a smirk. ''This sounds way too familiar. It''s starting to feel too similar to fiction. I don''t need to be caught up in a war of the races.'' Ryan thought. "Very good, Ryan. You''re a smarter one, aren''t you," Yoona looked him straight in the eyes with an amused look. ''Shit!'' Ryan accidentally let his facade of acting dumb slip in front of Yoona. ''Now it''s going to be harder to play dumb in front of her in the future. Maybe it has something to do with the food they gave us or this mana that''s absorbed into my body? I''m having a tougher time trying to play coy with the Sorellians.'' "Yes, we share this world with many other races." "Which races?" Ryan asked. Yoona smiled. "There are other Dark Elves, also humans, dwarves, and demi~" *SLAM!* Hiro slapped both of his hands on the table and yelled. "And d-d-d-demi-humans!?" Hiro screeched with excitement, interrupting Yoona. His outburst caused everyone to jump in their seats as they all turned to look at the human. The dark elves at the table had a look of shock or annoyance written all over their faces. ''Damnit Hiro! I almost had a heart attack because of you!'' Ryan thought as he tried to calm himself and noticed some Dark Elves glaring at Hiro. Yoona shook her head. "Yes, there are demi-humans. I don''t know why that''s such a big deal. They are a migratory race. Quite a boring species if you ask me." ''I''ve never seen Hiro so starry-eyed before. Haah... He has a one-track mind. I need to ignore him and find something edible to eat. I''m going to need my strength if I''m going to get out of here...'' Ryan looked around at the food on the table, ''God, this meal looks disgusting... J-Just don''t look at it and try it, Ryan. You ate their crap earlier and it was fine... I think,'' Ryan thought as he summoned the strength to try eating his unusual elven dinner. He picked up some dark blue meat. Or maybe it was a vegetable, it was tough to tell as he brought it closer to his lips. He didn''t want to eat such disgusting-looking food again, but he was so damn hungry that he had to try. To his surprise, it tasted fine but he needed to keep his eyes closed when he put some of the dark blue-colored meat in his mouth. It kind of looked like a lamb shoulder blade, and there were some vegetables that Ryan couldn''t make heads or tails what they were. ''Anyway, it seems like Hiro is contemplating how to get his fantasy waifu he''s always wanted. I pity the demi-human that comes across Hiro.'' Ryan shook his head before getting his thoughts back on track. ''Well let''s find out who the Dark Elves are warring with?'' "So, what race is your enemy?" Ryan asked as he finally finished his elven cuisine. "Our main obstacle is the Alliance of the Divine Three. They''re a combination of human kingdoms." As Elianna jumps into our conversation. "They''re ruled by the Kingdom of Nordland and the Holy Kingdom of Chalced. When the Alliance of the Divine Three was formed, the Dark Elves were forced to make peace with them." "More like a non-aggression pact than a peace between Sorellia and the Divine Three," Yoona adds as she sips her tea. Ryan nodded. "Why is there friction between Sorellia and the Divine Three? It seems like there''s more to this story?" "That is because of the current king of the Divine Three... His name is Rolmund and he has the backing of their Prophet," Elianna said with a sigh. "He''s got a penchant for purifying anything that is unholy in the eyes of the Divine Three." "Purify?" Ryan asked with worry. He assumed that the war was over land, but if this is about a holy war then this is a bigger issue than he had first anticipated. Elianna nodded. "When the Divine Three found out about us, they sent an envoy to tell us to leave the area or be destroyed, and by leave, they meant purged. It didn''t take them too long before the Divine Three brought their paladins to purge us. It was like they wanted to murder my people for fun." The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "Our Goddess sent us the Twins of Mournhold in our time of need. So we could summon the Chosen Ones. So, we are able to destroy all of those whom the Goddess has deemed Unholy," Yoona explained as she sat back in her chair. ''Is this how I''m going to die? Being a hero for these crazy elf women?... I-I need to keep cool and get stronger. Then I need to find a way back home to my family.'' Ryan''s mind started to wander as he sat there. "So, you mean to say that there are other races out there that want to purify all those who aren''t worshiping similar gods?" "Correct. It''s not only the Divine Three that want to end us, but the Angels and the High Elves wish for our demise as well." ''So, I''m on the side that has Angels coming after them. Great!'' Ryan was realizing how much more complicated things were becoming. It was like the whole world wanted the dark elves dead. "Don''t you guys have allies or something with some of the other races?" Ryan asked in desperation. "There''s the coalition of the Dark Races," Elianna says as she looks down at her plate. "They are made up of Demons, Orcs, and Vampires. The Demon Empire of Valmar is led by a powerful sorcerer named Garuda. His army consists of thousands of demons and has conquered countless lands. He now seeks to conquer the world." "Vampires rule over the Eastern Continent. It is said that the Vampires created the Holy Church of Malacath. As for the Orcs, they''re more nomadic. They live in tribes. The two major tribes are the Blood Horde and the Cinder Ash Clan, but many others exist as well." "Wait, I thought Vampires would have been more unholy creatures than holy? Why make a Holy Church then?" Ryan asked getting sidetracked. "Heh heh heh. That''s your human bias coming through," Yoona laughed with a bunch of other Dark Elves in the room. She continued, "What is holy to Vampires is unholy to Humans, and vice versa. We don''t think like you humans do. You''re far too rigid in your ways. Always worrying about everything that isn''t like you." ''H-Hey! I-I feel like she''s talking to me specifically. I''ve got nothing to do with that shit, right?... Who am I kidding!? I still think they''re up to something, but I have no proof of that... Fine! You got me there, Yoona.'' Ryan thought as he had to concede to Yoona''s logic. "Touche" was all Ryan said in return. ''Well, I guess the elves Dark Goddess Ryan never cared for religion back on Earth, because it was more of a way to control the citizens who found comfort in ignorance of faith. This faith was Religion was supposed to be a set of morals or standards used by people to live by. However, some religions took it too far. People in power would use religion as an excuse to oppress others who were different from themselves or the scientific community. It didn''t help that religion and politics went hand in hand because in most cases, people with wealth and political influence were the ones to create religion, not the gods themselves. But here in this new world, gods and magic existed together, while science seems to be nonexistent. And the gods seemed to be more hands-on in this world than what he was used to. He had to accept that higher powers were in play in this world. And he had to assume that most of the gods here are not benevolent either after hearing about the creeds of other races. This was the first time he had felt so lost in his entire life. He wasn''t prepared to be thrown into a situation like this. He could barely comprehend the events that had taken place so far, and it seemed like things were going to get even more complicated. But Ryan couldn''t give in to his despair. He needed to be strong and fight his way through this. No matter how scared and confused he was, he had to push forward. "Hmm..." Yoona smiled back at Ryan and Elianna was nodding as well. After a moment of reflection, Ryan asked. "Is the entire human race against you?" Elianna shook her head, "No, there are some human kingdoms to the north of the Divine Three that have no hostility towards us. They''re neutral kingdoms but they will unite under the threat of extinction. So we can''t rely on them to stop their brethren." Ryan nodded back at her after he thought for a minute to digest what he just learned. Then he turned towards Yoona, "So, you''re okay with us because we got summoned? You don''t mind the goddess summoning humans?" Yoona looked back at him with a surprised look on her face. She tilted her head to the side and then she laughed out loud. "You are so funny, Ryan." She teased him playfully before she could answer his question. All Ryan could do was wait for her to stop laughing at him. It wasn''t malicious laughter but it was still annoying because he wasn''t trying to be funny. He was curious how she really felt about summoning humans instead of some other dark elves. He relaxed a bit after seeing Yoona and the other elves acting so indifferent now. ''If she wanted to kill us and eat our souls or something, then it probably would have happened by now. Or at least that''s what I hoped. But I can''t shake this feeling that Yoona was disappointed when she saw me the first time I came to this world... Whatever, at least I don''t have to worry about them killing us for no reason.'' After she calmed herself, she smiled warmly at him and started to answer his question. "Of course, we don''t mind! Why wouldn''t I want you here? You are our Chosen Ones." Ryan still couldn''t tell if she really meant what she was saying, because it was hard to shake the feeling that she was extremely disappointed when a second human, with no mana, was summoned into their world. He knew what he saw when she first laid her eyes upon him and it was so weird that her attitude towards them did a 180-degree turn in a day. He couldn''t shake the suspicion that she might be hiding something from him. But he has no concrete evidence to back up his gut feelings right now and he wished his gut feelings were wrong about Yoona and the rest of the Dark Elves. ''Maybe I''m being too paranoid?'' Ryan told himself. He then looked around at everyone else in the dining hall. Everyone seemed like they were enjoying themselves and Ryan started thinking that things might be better than he first thought. But that''s when Hiro suddenly decided to stand up and slammed his hands on the table to get everyone''s attention again. ''Oh, fuck me... Why now Hiro?'' Ryan was so invested in everything Yoona and Elianna were telling him that he completely forgot about Hiro until he made another outburst. Hiro on the other hand was happy to have all eyes on him as he began to announce, with enthusiasm, "I know what my next goal, as your Chosen One, shall be!" "..." "..." "..." All of the dark elves in the dining hall went silent and stopped what they were doing so they could give Hiro their undivided attention. Even the servants stopped what they were doing as they too listened to the human male that stood before them. Vol.1 Ch.08 Hiro the Death Fang! "..." "..." Either everyone was silently waiting for Hiros answer, or some were not trying to interact with him at all. Ryan was on the latter side. He was so engrossed in the conversation with Yoona and Ellianna that Ryan completely forgot about Hiro and his antics. Ryan can only imagine what cringy trope Hiro is pulling off now. that the other dark elves would lump him in with Hiro. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion and Ryan couldn''t do anything to stop it, besides All he could do was close his eyes while rubbing his temples with his fingers to hold back his headache that was starting to form thanks to Hiro drawing out the suspense. "I will become a Vampire, so I can smite all those who dare oppose me! Mountains shall crumble, and rivers will flow with the blood of my enemies! This world shall tremble once it knows my name, Hiro Death Fang!" He yelled out loud like a third-rate villain in an anime. He was brooding in a way that made him look more juvenile than menacing. "............" The silence was so deafening in the dining hall that you could hear a pin drop from a mile away. e ou ''God! How can someone be so stupid as Hiro, can come from my world?'' He groaned internally. ''Does he want to be a fucking vampire warlord? What cliche bullshit is this?! GAH! I think Im going to die from 2nd-hand embarrassment. Ryan slowly cracked open his eyes, in dread, to see how the Dark Elves'' were reacting to Hiro''s idiocy. And to Ryan''s surprise, it looked like most of the elves had a confused look on their faces than that of disdain. After a while of not getting a response, Hiro''s confident demeanor faded when he didn''t get the reaction he was hoping for. "W-What? You don''t believe me?" Hiro stuttered as he broke the silence. "B-But I thought I c-could be turned into one if I d-drank their blood or something?" Hiro said with his confident facade crumbling before our eyes. "Hmm. You seem to be confusing ghouls with vampires, Hiro." Yoona stated as she seemed to regain her composure and she continued, "It''s a fate worse than death. You would be an undead serf to a vampire, with no free will of your own. You would barely be one step above a zombie. And I wouldn''t wish it upon my worst enemy." The whole table was silent as they all looked at Hiro like he was an idiot, which in fairness, he was. But for the first time, Ryan was starting to feel bad for Hiro''s idiocy, but only a little. Ryan could remember a time when he declared something that he believed was a fact, only to be completely wrong in front of a large crowd of his classmates. Like when he thought a kid stole his comb from him only to find out that he had the same one as his. Ryan felt like an idiot that day, but he was ten years old when he did that, instead of being nineteen like Hiro was. At the end of the day, Hiro needs to learn from his mistakes. And thats something I cant help him with. Ryan thought as he decided to help clear up the confusion about Vampire lore from Earth. "Ahem... Yoona? I can help explain why Hiro is confused about the Vampire thing. Where we are from, there''s folklore about vampires and it seems they are a lot different than the ones here. For starters, to become one from our world, a human has to be bitten by them, and it turns a human into a vampire, over time, like a sickness. They''re immortal and drink human blood to survive. So, Hiro thought it would be a simple thing to do. But like all things, he assumed too much," Ryan said as he tried his best to not make himself look like an idiot as well. He hoped to clarify Hiros strange statement for the elves. All the dark elves started whispering to themselves and nodded at each other after hearing Ryan''s words. They all seemed to understand why Hiro was confused. "Hmm... I didn''t know that, so I apologize. We were all just surprised by your declaration and didn''t know how to react. So, we can''t blame him for his idiocy, he knows nothing of Vampires in our world. What''s important is we get the Chosen One some lessons, so he doesnt accidentally become someone''s slave. He''s got to be taught how to survive on Tertius." Ellianna says as she stands up with her hand on her hip. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Hiro looked annoyed at the fact that the Dark Elf was referring to him as an idiot, and the other elves seemed to agree with Ellianna''s suggestion. Ryan couldn''t help but feel like he was already a slave to the Dark Elves, no matter how many times they referred to them as the "Sommoned Ones" or the "Chosen Ones" it didn''t change the fact that Ryan was forced to live in a world where he didn''t want to be. Well, it kind of feels like we are already serfs to the Dark Elves. They aren''t telling us the truth about why they brought us here and I don''t know if their motives are just. I can''t trust them fully yet, at least until I learn more about this world.'' Ryan thought as he felt unsure of what the dark elves truly wanted. "Orcs are Unholy, Vampires are Holy, and Dark Elves are Holy, so that means humans are Unholy too!?" Hiro said in his weird mumbling voice. "This world makes no sense." He just shook his head in disbelief. "You''re confused, Chosen One. We will teach him more about this world as soon as possible," Ellianna says as she walks over to Hiro''s side. "Whatever, I''ll learn as I go," Hiro said as he waved his hands dismissively. Yoona sighs and stands up. "You''re such an idiot, Hiro. It''s unbefitting of a Chosen One to dismiss our teachings so lightly." She then walks away towards the door. "I''ll be retiring for the night. And you two better do the same. So, you can be well rested for your next trial." Ryan then turns his attention to Hiro as he continues to mumble to himself with a grim look written on his face. "Let''s go, Hiro," Ryan said with a smile trying to help lighten the mood, for some reason. Hiro was still staring at the ground. It looked like he was daydreaming about something. Occasionally, Hiro would move his body like he was beating up imaginary creatures or people. ''Goddammit... I hope he can ease up on his antics. Things are already difficult as is.'' Ryan thought as a guard came up next to him. Ellianna and a couple of guards escorted them back to their room. They walked down the hallway, then down a set of stairs until they finally arrived in front of the familiar door that led to their room. They walk inside and Ellianna stops then turns to look at Ryan. "You and Hiro better rest for now. It''s going to be a long... day for you two," She said in a coy tone. Then she nodded to the guards, and they left them alone. Then Ellianna closes the door behind them and walks up to Ryan. "Get ready. We need to make sure you are prepared for tomorrow." "W-What are you doing?" Ryan asked with confusion and fear. "Don''t worry, I''m here to make sure that you have a good night''s rest. We can''t have our Chosen Ones tired for tomorrow. It would displease, Lady Yoona if you''re not prepared for the next trial," Ellianna says with a reassuring smile. ed to Hehe... You''re so, nervous? Its like you''ve never been around a woman before. Ellianna was playfully teasing Ryan. He didnt know why she was coming onto him so strongly. Sure he was okay in the looks department. But she was on a whole different level than him. He couldn''t see why someone like her would find him interesting.
she wasing it hard for him not to be tempted. Ryan could feel sweat dripping down his brow as his mind raced. He knew he needed to calm down. Im flattered to get the attention of a beautiful woman, but whats the catch? Ryan tried to put a little distance between him and Ellianna, but she wasnt giving him the opportunity. Hey, why are you hanging with that loser baby, Hiro said with a shit-eating grin. You should get with your true hero. Ryan grimaced at Hiros cringy pickup line, while Ellianna paused for a moment. She showed a hint of disgust before she recovered. Oh boy! Is she pissed? Ryan thought while trying to get a read on the elf. She then turns to look at Hiro with sharp predator eyes and says, Oh? Theres more than enough of me to go around, little boy. L-Little BOY? Hiro retorted with dissatisfaction. Im three times the man that Ryan could ever be!" Hmm, well see about that, Ellianna said while she turned her attention back to Ryan when her red eyes began to glow as she whispered some incantation for a second. It was hard to describe but Ellianna multiplied right in front of their eyes. It took only a few seconds before there were six of her in their room. Im not sure what shes planning to do to us. But Im sure its not going to be good, Ryan swallowed once he noticed how dry his throat became upon witnessing the strange situation unfolding in front of him. Vol.1 Ch.09 Now We’re All Alone. 🦴 Preview:
Three of the Elliannas'' went over to Hiro and ushered him to his side of the room with an excited look on his face. As for Ryan the other three were slowly pushing him towards his bed. "W-what are you doing Ellianna." "We are here to help cleanse you, Ryan." Ellianna on the left said while holding his arm. "Your body is covered in sweat and dirt after such a long day." the one on the right said while pushing his shoulder. "I-I can wash myself, I wouldn''t want to inconvenience you Ellianna." Ryan tried to put up some last bit of resistance to Ellianna''s charm. A resistance that was crumbling fast as Ryan''s arousal was starting to take hold of his body. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "Oh, you could never inconvenience us, our Chosen One." Ellianna in the middle said with a seductive voice and a mischievous smile. As she pushed Ryan to sit on the bed while the other two were holding my arms so I couldn''t move. "Yeah you''re right, let''s make sure we don''t mess anything up while we help cleanse him." the one on the right said while pouring water from a jug onto a cloth and wiping off Ryan''s body. The only clothes that were on Ryan were the elven boxer briefs they gave him this morning. "Once a person has been cleansed it''s easier to teach them about the ways of the Chosen One." *** Ellinna Vol.1 Ch.10 Awkward Morning After another night of restless sleep filled with nightmares. Mostly about him facing his own demise at the hands of a shadowy Dark Elf. Ryan wakes up to the sound of someone yelling at him. His eyes opened wide with surprise when he heard his name. "Ryan!" Hiro shouts from inside the room. Ryan sat up in a hurry, startled by hearing Hiro calling out his name. "What is it?" Ryan asks while looking at himself. In his nightmare, the shadowy elf scratched his body with her sharp nails multiple times. Ryan noticed his skin was smoother than normal, ''Where is my body hair? It''s all gone!? Then Ryan noticed his hair felt shaggier than normal. What in the hell is happening to me? Ryan questioned to himself quietly. "Dude, you were yelling in your sleep again. Im fucking tired." Hiro said in a huff and laid back in his bed. "My bad," Ryan mumbled in a low voice and lay back down too. So, I guess we dont want to talk about last night, huh? I dont blame ya. As Ryan reflected on last night''s events *** They both lay there in silence, not knowing what to say, neither one saying anything for a minute or two. Then Ryan realized how awkward it became. "So, what do you think we''ll have to kill for today''s trial?" Ryan asked Hiro. "I don''t know. What do you think?" Hiro answered as he looked around. "I have no clue either. Yesterday was the first time I''ve killed something bigger than a mouse and I haven''t done anything like this before." Ryan said as he sat up. ... ... "Well, if we''re going to do this then let''s get started," Hiro said as he stood up and walked towards the door naked. ''Christ Hiro, cover up man!'' Ryan grimaced when he saw Hiro''s shame out in the open. "........Gotcha," Ryan said as he stood up from his bed with a sheet around his waist. Soon they could hear footsteps again coming their way so Ryan stood there covering his nakedness with the bed sheet just in case. Hiro stopped himself from opening the door and backs away. Stolen novel; please report. When the door opened, Ryan could see a group of three Dark Elf Guards wearing masks and Ellianna was leading them. They all wore purple robes and had golden masks covering their faces. Ellianna walks over to them and gives each of them a smile. She looks at Ryan and says "You look rested today." Images of last night flashed in Ryans mind and he felt a warm heat wash over his body. "Thank you?" Ryan said with a blush. Why am I feeling shy all of a sudden? "And you''re looking good as well," Ellianna said and gave Hiro a wink. Hiro got a smug look after Ellianna''s complement. "Well, we can''t have you two continue your trials naked, now can we," Ellianna said sarcastically. "So here''s a new set of clothes for you both." She handed each of us a set of clothes to wear. "Thanks," Ryan said with a smile. Ellianna smiled back and turned to go to the door. "Get dressed so we can go to the dining hall for breakfast." Both Ryan and Hiro looked at each other as they changed into their new clothes and went to the door. They followed Ellianna to the dining room where they prepared an Elven breakfast for them. The clothes that they gave them are outfits you would see at a ren fair back on Earth. So we got a pair of black leather cavalier boots, dark Philipp canvas trousers, and a black poets shirt. I feel like a damn goth kid right now... All I''m missing is dark makeup and dying my hair black. Ryan was uncomfortable with his new outfit and wished he could find something else. *** After breakfast, Ellianna tells them about the trials they''ll have to do today. "First thing you have to do is kill some more Kobolds in the dungeon as a warmup. Then we have something special for you both to speed up your growth." Ellianna said with an amused look. Ryan and Hiro look at each other before Hiro gives that devious grin of his to Ryan. I don''t know what he''s thinking, but I dont like it. Ryan thought. "What''s the special monster?" Hiro asked with a curious expression. Ellianna smirked and said, "You''ll see soon enough." Ryan and Hior followed Ellianna down to the dungeons again, where she led them to a door where they met up with Joris again. He looked like he was waiting awhile for them. "You two can go in to start your trial, when ready," Ellianna said to them with a smile. Joris looked at Hiro and Ryan and gave a nod. "Alright, here we go," Ryan said not liking the idea of killing more creatures again. I feel bad for the Kobolds and wish I could help them somehow. But I need the mana if I want to be able to get out of here if things go south. Ryan concluded. Ryan and Hiro stepped inside the dungeon with Joris while Ellianna went to stand guard by the door to the dungeon. The dungeon was fairly large with many different types of rooms. There were cells, a torture chamber, a library, an arena, a gymnasium, a nursery, and a cafeteria. Guess theyll force us to get a one-year membership at this rate? Ryan thought sarcastically to himself. As we walk deeper into the dungeon the first room we come across is the torture chamber. It looks like it''s been used recently because there are several fresh blood stains on the floor and walls. "This is a place where we train our warriors with various forms of torture," Joris said with a smirk. "There''s no better way to test the strength than putting someone to the ultimate pain." ''That''s creepy, Joris!'' Ryan thought to himself with a shudder. "Anyway, let''s get you two to the Kobolds'' chambers," Joris said with a wave of his hand. We follow Joris through the dungeon and into the next room. Once inside we see there is a group of Kobolds chained up in the middle of the room. Ten of them were in this room. Ryan heard more screeching in the next room through a side door. It sounds like there were ten more. Joris came over and handed Ryan and Hiro the same daggers they used last time. Hiro went to the other room while Ryan stayed there looking at the ten chained-up Kobolds waiting to be slaughtered. Vol.1 Ch.11 Mana Rush 🦴 Preview:
"Ryan you''re up," Joris said with a smile and nodded his head towards the Kobolds. Ryan takes his dagger in hand and looks at the Kobolds with a frown. "Okay, let''s do this!" He said with a determined look. He charged at the Kobolds and sliced one in half with a single swipe of his blade like it was butter. ''I have gotten stronger!?'' Ryan thought. It felt surreal being that fast and strong. Then he proceeded to cut off the heads of all ten Kobolds with ease. ''Damn! It''s getting easier.'' Ryan thought to himself while being impressed by his new strength. A moment later he started feeling the mana of the Kobolds beginning to enter his body, the strange warm tingling feeling spreading all over him. His eyes glowed a bright azure blue as his skin darkened to a tanner tone and his brown hair lightened to platinum silver that grew just above his shoulders. But Ryan didn''t notice any of those changes happening to him because he was trying to control his amped-up sexual lust. He was disgusted with himself for how turned on he was. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "Just breathe Ryan, just breathe." He whispered to himself while still trying to calm down his raging libido. Joris came over and made a big show of inspecting Ryan. Which startled him once he realized Joris was next to him. "Well boy, you''re looking pretty good," Joris said with a wink. "But you''ve got some work to do. Come with me to your true challenge. It''s in the next chamber." Ryan steeled his resolve and reeled in his libido for whatever this next creature was. ''The mana that I''m absorbing must be fucking with my body?'' While Ryan was disoriented from all the mana he absorbed. He would have wanted to examine what happened to his body but Joris wasn''t giving him time to organize his thoughts and priorities as he brought Ryan to his true objective. Vol.1 Ch.12 We’ve Come to a Head It was one of the other Elven Knights who helped Ryan back to his feet. "Chosen One, Joris said you are done with your trial?" He asked while gazing over Ryan''s transforming body with hungry eyes. Ryan was still embarrassed and turned away from the knight''s gaze. "Yes," Ryan replied nervously. The knight helped Ryan to stand up straight. "Your new body will need time to grow accustomed to your new form. You can stand by the exit door and wait for the other Chosen One to finish his trial." He commented with a smile. "What happened to me?" Ryan asked nervously as he stepped outside the cage. "Lady Yoona is the one who can explain in detail what the Goddess of Nils is doing to you." The Knight said. "This is my first time meeting a Chosen One, so your guess is as good as mine." He added with a chuckle. Just as Ryan was finishing his conversation with the Knight, Ryan felt someone standing behind him in close proximity to him. And as Ryan turned to see who it was, a cute tomboyish redhead with red eyes, stared holes into him only inches away from his face. ''WHOA! Back off!'' Ryan instinctively jerked back. "You''re not a bad-looking chick. Hmmm? Too bad you don''t have tits though, but I''ll make an exception for you baby. Do you want to come to my room after I finish my super epic trial?... I mean, it''s the least you can do for your Chosen One, Right?" The feminine figure then gave Ryan the creepiest smile. ''Oh god!.... I''ve changed so much that Hiro doesn''t know it''s me!'' As Ryan tried to hold back the bile in his stomach from the disgust he felt from the overly perverted and sexist comment. "Oh, you think I''m some kind of pervert or something? Well, you may be right but I just wanted to check if you were a virgin." "Wha... What are you talking about?! Hiro, it''s me you IDIOT!" Ryan yelled out. "Pfft! What? I''m just being friendly! I mean... uhm, you look kinda familiar, but I can''t place where I''ve seen ya." Hiro said nervously as the spineless coward he was. "It''s me RYAN! From EARTH! YOU DUMB FUCK!" Ryan raged. Hiro had a look of doubt at first but as he stared at Ryan you could see the gears turning ever so slowly as he put two plus two together as the realization came to him. Hiro then hyperbolically jumped back and pointed at Ryan. "DUDE! WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE A GIRL!? ARE YOU GAY!?" Hiro shrieked upon realizing it was Ryan. "NOOOOOOOOOOO! DON''T TELL ME YOU''RE NOT, DUDE?!" Hiro continued freaking out as he ran around like a chicken with its head cut off. The shock of Hiro''s reaction almost made Ryan boil over in rage. ''I really don''t care if you''re gay, straight or trans. It''s none of my business what one does in their own private life, as long as it is consenting adults. But this idiot doesn''t realize we are unknowingly being transformed into only, God knows what? And all he cares about is if I''m gay!?'' Ryan concluded as he tried to keep rage at bay. ''The Dark Elves knew this was going to happen to us and they withheld that from us. We are their tools, their objects, to achieve whatever their goals may be. And they hide that from us. That pisses me off and Hiro is as much of the problem as the Dark Elves were.'' Ryan''s anger starts to take hold. ''Hell, maybe even more of the problem! By being the biggest oblivious narcissist I have had the misfortune of running into in my entire life! And my patience was gone, my anger was taking hold. I was tired of Hiro''s bullshit!'' Hiro flinched when Ryan charged at him with a speed he never knew he had. His eyes widened in terror, his mouth open as Ryan grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him into the side of the stone wall of the dungeon which created a booming sound and made a Hiro-sized crater upon impact. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. He let out a gasp as blood was coming from his mouth as Hiro was pinned into the wall by Ryan. ''I have no idea that I have this much strength now. But I didn''t care, I was going to beat some sense into him one punch at a time!'' All this happened within a second as Ryan pulled his right arm back making a fist ready to strike Hiro. Then all of a sudden someone grabs Ryan in some sort of body lock tackle move and yanks him off of Hiro. "Stand down Ryan!" It was Joris. Ryan struggles to break free from his grip. Then another Knight helps Joris to restrain him. "Argh! Get off of me!" yelled Ryan as he failed to break free. "I''m going to beat some sense into that prick!" "Ryan, eerrr, your punch would have killed him!" Joris kept a firm grip on Ryan. "You don''t realize how much stronger you are compared to Hiro!" Joris yelled. "You have basilisk mana in you! He doesn''t!" Joris tried to reason with him. Until Ryan finally got control of his rage a bit when the realization of almost murdering Hiro sank in. Ryan finally stopped struggling in Joris'' grip. "Are you going to stand down?" He asked Ryan. Ryan signed and calmed himself before answering. "I''ll stand down if you keep that piece of shit away from me." He said in a firm voice, looking at Hiro coughing up blood trying to recover from being smashed into a stone wall. With a couple of knights guarding him to make sure Ryan doesn''t try to do anything. " You swear?" Asked Joris. ".... I swear not to harm him," Ryan answered, still frustrated. Joris nodded. "Good, now I''m going to release you slowly. So don''t try anything." He said as he and the other knight released Ryan. Then Ryan slowly walks away from Hiro and the guards stand between them. "..." "..." "I wish to leave if my trial is done?" Ryan asks. "Yes, you may. Asher, escort The Chosen One to Lady Elianna." He told one of the knights who led Ryan out of the dungeon. As Ryan, Asher, and one other Knight were leaving the dungeon. *** As Ryan was walking through the dungeon with the Knight and Asher. He had some time to reflect on what had transpired a moment ago with a clear head. ''I almost murdered Hiro.'' Ryan came to the conclusion and started feeling sick to his stomach from almost doing something so terrible. And it wasn''t Ryan''s intention, but with all the events leading up to that point, his anger got the better of him. ''I''m going to have to apologize at some point.'' Ryan told himself with a grimace on his face. ''But my priority is to escape from this place. Then, I need to reverse whatever is happening to me. After that, I have to find a way back home.'' Ryan figured he would start with the most important issue first. As he walked he tried to think of what he could do to reverse whatever was happening to him and Hiro. He was lost in thought until he felt a tug on his shirt sleeve. It was Ellianna. ''I didn''t realize we came out of the dungeon already?'' "Ryan, you seem to be coming along nicely," Ellianna said as her eyes scanned my body. Analyzing the changes that were happening to me. "Why is my body transforming, Ellianna," Ryan said in a demanding voice. Ellianna looked at him with pity in her eyes. "You were brought here to be our champion." "Ellianna! You already told me that crap already! Why am I turning into a girl!" Ryan was clearly frustrated by Ellianna''s non-answer. She sighed and said, "Only Female Dark Elves are able to use magic, gifted by the Dark Goddess'' chosen ones." "..." Ryan was silent, his stern look faded into confusion upon hearing the new revelation. "What''s done is done. The sooner you accept the better Ryan." "Is that why Yoona was disappointed when she saw I was a male not because I was human?" "Yes, we were concerned at first the summoning ritual failed. Luckily the Goddess connected with Lady Yoona and told us, ''All would be fine'' if we let you absorb mana when slaying the beast from our forest." Ellianna explained. "But we needed to be sure that your bodies could handle absorbing the mana of our world since you two were manaless beings." "Why did the Goddess choose me? What makes me so special?" Ryan asked. Ellianna shrugged her shoulders and said, "It''s a mystery. She just does." "Can the Goddess change me back to normal and send me back home?" Ryan asked. Ellianna shook her head and said, "I do not know. Only the Goddess can answer that." Ryan sighed and sat down on the ground. He was tired of asking questions and getting no answers. All he wanted to do was go home. To see his girlfriend and family again. "Listen, Ryan, all will...." Ellianna gets interrupted when Sehranya, Yoona''s loyal retainer, comes rushing in with a concerned look as she comes over to Ellianna. She then whispers into her ear. Whatever Sehranya said to her seemed crucial because Ellianna''s face shifted to stern upon hearing whatever she said. "How long ago?" Ellianna asked with concern. Sehranya sighed and said, "We think a few hours." "Ryan, I have some important business to deal with. I''m going to have Asher escort you to your room. May the Dark surround us." Ellianna said as she turned on her heel and started to walk towards the door and up the stairs. "..." Ryan was feeling something was off. Vol.1 Ch.13 The Divine Three Have Chosen Death "Asher, please show Ryan to his room," Ellianna ordered as she walked up the stairs and left. "Yes, my Lady," Asher said with an elven salute. He then led Ryan to the main room on the second floor where Hiro and him first met. "Here you are Chosen One," Asher said with a bow and opened the door for him. "Just call me Ryan," he said. As Ryan walked through the door, so did Asher and the other knight. "Why are you coming into my room?" "Because Joris told us to watch over you... After what happened with Hiro he is worried about you, Ryan." The other Dark Elf Knight said. "So I get babysitters now," Ryan said with a scowl. "Joris said it would make you more comfortable," Asher said with a smirk. "..." Ryan didn''t know what to say. So he walked over to his bed to sit down for a bit. As the three of them were waiting there for about half an hour. They started to hear footsteps coming towards the door. The door unlatched its lock and opened as Joris and two other Dark Elven Knights came in carrying Hiro. Some guilt washed over Ryan''s mind at the sight of Hiro''s injured body, thinking it was Ryan''s fault when he almost killed Hiro. But upon closer inspection, Hiro had many more cuts and bruises that weren''t caused by Ryan. "What happened to him?" Ryan asked Joris. "He decided to take the Basilisk lightly and got himself in trouble. I had to slay it before it could kill Hiro," Joris answered with exasperation. "Which means he didn''t get the Basilisk''s mana." "That doesn''t matter!" Hiro yelled out with rage. "It''s all your fault! You should have never given me such a difficult enemy!" "Calm down Hiro," Joris said with a calming voice. "No! This is all your fault! Are you intentionally trying to make me fail!? I''m the Chosen One! Now look at what happened because of your carelessness!" Hiro roared with anger, clenching his fist, and looked like he was ready to fight. "You''re right, we''ll make sure it doesn''t happen, again," Joris said as he put his hand on Hiro''s head like he was trying to comfort his little sister. ''What the fuck?'' Ryan doesn''t know why Joris and the others are pampering Hiro like a delicate flower even though he''s acting like a snot-nosed brat like always. "You better not, or there will be hell to pay!" as Hiro continued his verbal assault on Joris and the others. "Ow! My whole body is in pain. Get someone to heal my wounds, NOW!" Hiro demanded. "You''ve consumed an elixir, just give it a few hours and you should be almost back to 100%," Joris said as he seemed not to be fazed at all by Hiro''s tirade. As if this was nothing new to him. "A few hours!? I want to be healed, NOW! What type of bullshit fantasy world is this!?" Hiro was still shouting like a sweet 16 girl who didn''t get the gift she wanted. "We could if we had fairies, but we don''t. So bear with it, Hiro." Joris said calmly. "But it was not how it was supposed to go! I''m the main character and I''m not supposed to lose! If anything, it was supposed to be the other way around!" Hiro shouted. Joris and the other Knights have a confused look on their faces as they have no clue what he meant by being "The Main Character" This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. "..." ''Oh, God. Hiro has lost his shit.'' Ryan said to himself. "I''m the main character! I am the Chosen One and I will become the weapon of the Dark Goddess! I.. I.." Hiro shouted as he slammed his fist into his bed with tears forming in his eyes. ''Is he mentally turning into a girl as well as his body?'' thought Ryan as he started to worry if his mind was changing as well. Joris sighed and shook his head. "I need to speak with Lady Ellianna... Asher! Take command of the group while I''m gone." "Yes Sir," Asher said as Joris left the room. "You''re making me sound like an idiot," Hiro mumbled out loud. Ryan didn''t know what to do. They were going to be turned into Dark Elven females and would be forced to do the Sorellian''s bidding. "This is all your fault!" Hiro continued yelling at everyone with tears in his eyes. *** Ryan is stuck inside his shared room with Hiro, Asher, and three other Dark Elven Knights for what seemed like a couple of hours. Most of Hiro''s injuries were gone but he was still sulking in bed. Ryan at first kept to himself while pondering on what his next move should be. But no matter how much he thought he couldn''t come up with any good ideas that would help him escape from the Dark Elves. It was too late for that now. His body was already changing. And to top it off he''s stuck in this world for now with Hiro. He''s got to figure out why the Goddess chose them in the first place. While Ryan was lost in thought he felt the entire room shake. It sounded like an explosion happened about a mile away. Asher and the Knight soon are on high alert which puts Ryan on alert as well. Hiro doesn''t seem to care as he''s still moping on the bed. "What was that?" Ryan asked with tension in his voice. "It could have been an earthquake," Asher replied. The shaking and vibrations faded after a minute or so. Before Ryan noticed the Dark Elf Knights looked at each other curiously and continued their discussion in hush tones in order to keep Ryan out of the loop or maybe it was to keep him from panicking. "Was it a magical or natural earthquake?" Ryan asked. "Most likely magical. But it is far off. Could be one of the priestesses training but we shouldn''t take any chances," Asher said. "So we are being attacked?" Ryan continued to question. "It''s nothing to be concerned about Chosen One" Just as Asher finished his reply another booming sound came in much louder as the room was shaking again. "Well, it seems like I should be concerned," Ryan responded back as his mind was working overtime thinking of a plan. Then there was another boom and another. Asher and the Knights unsheathed their swords. "Seir! Jorj! Take the hallway! We''ll stay here to protect the Chosen Ones!" Asher ordered. "Yes Sir..." The two Dark Elf Knights said with haste as they ran down the hall. "Asher! Don''t leave me in the dark. What''s going on?" Ryan demanded to know. "It seems someone found out that we summoned new champions." Asher chuckled bitterly. "And they want to prevent our Chosen Ones from reaching their true potential." ''God Damnit, of course, there''s someone who wants me dead! Everything''s coming up Milhouse.'' Ryan screams internally about his crap luck of late. Ryan stood there not knowing what to say as Asher walked closer to him with a wicked grin on his face. "Relax, it''s nothing we can''t handle." Asher smiled as if to assure Ryan. Just then there was another explosion followed by the sound of screaming and clanging of metal, most likely a sword fight had started. Ryan looked over at Hiro still in his bad mood, pouting in his bed like a child. "Hiro, can''t you hear that? We might be in trouble. Get over here!" Ryan demanded as he glared at Hiro''s stubbornness. "No! I''m done with this game. And I want to go home!" Hiro retorted angrily now with a more feminine voice. ''Great not only does Hiro sound and look like a girl but now he''s acting like one!? NO! No... I''m being unfair to girls... He is just as bad as when he was a guy before all this crap happened... I feel like I will have a better chance of moving a donkey than him,'' Ryan thought. ''On that point, my voice has gone up an octave. God, I probably would be mistaken as a girl too! Ryan started to die a little bit on the inside. *BOOM!!!* That one really made the place shake. "Eep!" Said Hiro as he got knocked out of his bed with that one. And when things settled he came over to Ryan in a hurry. ''Shit things sound like they are getting worse!?'' Ryan thought to himself. He tried to stand up but Asher put a hand on his shoulder and motioned for him to stay where he was. "Let us do our job," Asher said. ''I can''t just sit around waiting for someone to try and kill me!'' Ryan said to himself. Then there was another loud noise and Ryan looked back as the dark elf with green eyes was standing next to Asher with a look of concern on her face. "Asher, do you hear what came over the speaker stones?" "I missed it, did you pick up on who they said?" Asher looked her in the eyes. "It sounded like a Paladin of the Three?" She said with a little fear in her eyes. Asher turned his head back to the entrance door to the room. While regripping his sword, readying himself into a battle stance. "So, the Divine Three have chosen death. So be it." Asher said to himself. The sound of fighting is getting closer, but there''s no sign of anyone entering the room yet. "They''re here!" Yelled the two Knights out in the hallway. Ryan took a glance at the doorway. "A Paladin?... This is going to suck..." Ryan mumbled to himself. Vol.1 Ch.14 Sir Claudius, The Paladin Asher stepped back and let the other two knights come in while he remained behind the door. "It looks like we have company," Jorj said. Ryan and Hiro were at the back of the group. "How many?" Asher asked. "Three Paladins, but they have twelve White Knights with them," Jorj said. "How can that many make it to the heart of the citadel!?" Said Eliza, the female knight. "We''ll worry about that later. They need to be dealt with before they get to the Chosen Ones. Let''s go." Asher said as he looked over to Ryan and Hiro. "Where are you going?" Ryan asked. "To head off the Paladins. We''ve got to stop those zealots before they reach you two." Asher said as he walked towards the door. "Stay here and protect each other. This is the only safe spot for you right now."With that Asher and the other three dark knights left to confront the knights of the Divine Three. Ryan looked at Hiro. "Are you okay?" Hiro for the first time was visibly frightened while nodding back. "Y-Yes, but I''m really worried, man... I don''t want to die here." This was the first time Ryan had seen Hiro not put up a facade for the entire time he''d been with him. Something has shaken him to the core. "Don''t worry, we''ll make it out of here," Ryan said. Even though he felt he couldn''t back that claim up. But Ryan said it to try to calm himself down as well. "How? How can you be so sure?" Hiro asked. Ryan smiled, "Because I''m not going to die here. And neither will you. We''re here now, and nothing''s going to change that. So its time to man up, I guess." Ryan was lying to himself and Hiro. He knew he could die right here on the spot if he didn''t do something soon. And time was running out. "Ryan, I''m sorry about everything I put you through. When I first met you, I was jealous of you. You had everything going for you. I felt I was an imposter and acted out. I''m sorry if I ever made you uncomfortable." Hiro said as tears fell from his eyes. Ryan felt guiltier than he thought possible. "No, Hiro... Y-You... Let''s just focus right now, man. Once we get out of this mess we can make it up to each other, deal?" Ryan said as he reached out his hand toward Hiro. Hiro grasped Ryan''s hand in his own before he regained his composure. "Deal." After they shook hands and started to move toward the door in order to hear what might be going on down the hallway from their room. Once they got to the doorway Ryan and Hiro could hear the sounds of battle echoing through the citadel as the clanging of sword fighting and the screams of pain were getting closer to them. ''God! That sounded like Asher screaming... Shit''s getting real.'' Just as Ryan was about to say something to Hiro, one of their walls blew up as an elven knight came crashing through it. Causing debris to fly everywhere. The poor elf crashed on the other side of their room. "Ah!" Screamed Hiro as he jumped. "Shit!" Yelled Ryan as he quickly moved to the knight. "Hey talk to me? Are you al-" Ryan couldn''t finish his sentence once he saw a bloody hole in the center of the chest of the deceased elf. ''Fuck me!'' Ryan was in shock upon witnessing the freshly murdered body. "R-Ryan look!?" Hiro pointed at the hole in the wall as he could see the White Knights staring at them. "My lord! We found the summoned heretics!" Yelled one of the White Knights. "Bring salvation to them both! Don''t let them escape!" Yelled the other one. "Shit!" Ryan quickly turned his attention to the dead elf and started to search for anything he could use for a weapon. "Come on, come on!" Ryan yelled to himself to steady his nerves as his hand reached for the only weapon he could find on the body of the knight. Which was a black dagger that was sheathed on the belt of the fallen. Ryan took the knife and began to ready himself for a fight as two white knights came into their room. "Hiro! Behind me, now!" Ryan ordered while Hiro hurried over behind him. Ryan squared off against the two knights. "After all those years this is the best the elves can do?" One knight said mockingly. "Does it matter? The Three, wills for their salvation, and we shall deliver it," The other knight replied. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Oh FUCK OFF!" Ryan said as he raised his blade up to strike down on the knights. Ryan''s blade hit the knight''s shield and it bounced off. "You''re going to have to do better than that, heretic! YYYAAHHH!" The knight said as he swung his sword from overhead. Ryan thought he was dead as the blade came at his head, but out of nowhere Ryan dodged the attack on instinct and slashed the small black blade at his attacker but the white knight parried him with ease. Then the knight quickly counterattacks with his pauldron, bashing it into Ryan''s chest and almost breaking some of his ribs. "OH SHIT!" Ryan grunted ''These guys are no joke!'' Ryan kicked the knight in the stomach and made him back away from Ryan as he stumbled backward. "I thought you guys were supposed to be tough!" Ryan said as he charged forward. "Are you taking me lightly!?" The knight asked as he brought his sword down on Ryan. While Ryan quickly brought his knife up to meet the knight''s arm striking him before he could hit his target. Ryan was moving quicker than normal as stared down the white knight before him. "I''ve never been in a life-or-death battle before in my life and if this is the best the Divine Three has to offer, then you''re screwed!" Ryan shouted as he charged the knight with his knife in hand. "NOOO!" screamed Hiro as the other knight was attacking him while Ryan was engaged with the other one. Hiro got nearly hit in the chest as the tip of the sword slashed into him, only skin deep, and fell to the ground in pain as he failed to dodge the attack. Ryan looked back as he noticed Hiro lying on the ground with a bloody arm and chest. "HIRO!" Ryan yelled as he was distracted by Hiro and wanted to help but the knight he was fighting had a different idea and tried to strike Ryan while his focus was off him. *Swing!* GUH! Ryan let out a grunt as the knight''s blade just missed hitting him deep in his right arm. The wound was bleeding slightly from being grazed by the blade which caused Ryan to drop his dagger. And without missing a beat the White Knight continued to press the attack. Ryan swung his left arm towards the knight as he blocked his sword arm from striking Ryan and punched him in the face with his right hand. The knight stumbled back but Ryan quickly followed up with an elbow strike to the side of his head. With his attacker stunned Ryan ran over to his dagger and scooped it up in a second. And as fast as Ryan could, he summoned enough mana to use Dark Earthly Blade on the blade of his dagger and aimed for the unaware White Knight that was attacking Hiro. The knight saw the blade coming his way and turned to try to parry the attack. But the attack was not what he expected as Ryans blade warped around his shield and went straight for his face. As he felt the dagger stabbing through his right eye socket. The White Knight was in shock. "H-How?" Was all he could say before his vision faded to black as he fell to the ground. "NO, Markus! I swear Ill send you to the Three, you heretic!" The Divine Knight screamed as he aimed for Ryan with his sword. Ryan moved with ease as the knight''s blade looked like it nearly hit Ryan''s throat but missed thanks to him getting a new surge in speed. Ryan was faster now because of the new mana absorbing in his body from killing the knight. "Y-You piece of shit!" Ryan said as he kicked the knight in the stomach and sent him flying across the room. "Ill be the one to deliver you to the Three! You fucking tool!" Ryan said with all the fury in his body as he prepared to use Dark Earthly Blade against this knight that wounded him while Ryans body began to emit the Dark Aura of the Goddess. "You''ve become a monster," The knight replied as he jumped back and used his sword to block Ryan''s attack. "Sir Claudius, we underestimated their champion! I need your aid!" The knight yelled out as if he was speaking to God. Ryan took a deep breath before he charged at the knight with his dagger in hand. And just when Ryan was about to strike the knight with his dagger. A blinding light came out of nowhere and knocked Ryan back 20 feet into the stone wall. "Urgh! What the fuck!" Ryan groaned as he reached down to touch the spot where the Lighting struck him. He felt a tingle and his entire body went numb then felt heat run through his veins from the first White Knight''s mana being absorbed. As Ryan''s body was being healed by it. "Ryan, are you okay!?" Hiro came running up to Ryan with worry in his eyes. Ryan noticed a small cut on the side of his own cheek that was already starting to heal as his skin started repairing itself. He also felt refreshed and energized as well. Well, I guess taking in mana isnt all bad. Ryan thought. "I think I''m good?" Ryan answered as he looked to see what was the cause of that blinding light. And it didn''t take too long to find out what it was or who it was. Standing there next to the white knight was a monster of a man standing around 7 feet tall, wearing a full suit of silver plate mail, having a broadsword as big as Cloud''s Buster sword, and radiating a white aura. This guy is the spitting image of a virtuous paladin. His armor was so bright it almost hurt Ryan''s retinas, like staring into the sun. "So this heretic refuses to be saved?" Sir Claudius asked with a stoic voice. "Correct my lord, they are corrupted and refuse to be saved." Said the White Knight, whose name was Captain Sharleth. "Well they have earned the Divine Three''s full wrath now," Sir Claudius said as he turned to face Ryan and Hiro. "Then I''ll purge them both," Sir Claudius said as he looked at Ryan and Hiro with a stern look. Ryan tried using his Dark Earthly Blade but the dagger disintegrated when it came in contact with the white aura of the paladin. "Huh!? What the fuck!?" Ryan yelled with anger. while he cursed himself for not realizing that the paladin''s aura would cause his weapon to break. Sir Claudius readied his broadsword preparing to strike at Ryan and Hiro. "I''m sorry Hiro..... I don''t think we''re getting out of this one," Ryan whispered, looking down to the ground. "Hey, Ryan! You can still save me! Cant you?" Hiro yelled as if he could change the outcome by willing it, but with the last bit of strength he had he grabbed Ryan''s arm and pulled him close as he realized that they were going to die. And in that moment Hiro knew what he had to do. "No!... I''ll save you!" Hiro said as his eyes and orb on his necklace began to glow. "You will not escape the Three''s justice!" Sir Claudius said as he brought his sword down on them. Ryan watched helplessly as the sword came closer to them but the strange thing was that time seemed to slow down right before the blade struck them. That''s when Ryan felt his body getting pulled in a similar gravity warp. It was the same feeling Ryan had when he first came to this world. Ryan closed his eyes as felt his body flying in the wrap tunnel and into the dark smokey he felt his hand get grabbed by Hiro''s glowing red hand as he pulled him towards a bright light. And then everything went black. Vol.1 Ch.15 Mana Exhaustion The warp only lasted for a second, unlike the first time when it felt like forever when being summoned to Tertius. And as soon as Ryan came out of the warp he felt the familiar dizziness. He took a deep breath as he felt sweat dripping down his forehead. "I feel like I''ve been hit by a truck," Ryan said with a groan. "Me too," Hiro agreed as he coughed up blood. "What happened? Where are we?" Ryan asked. "I used my teleport magic that the Goddess gave me," Hiro said with a weak smile. "But I don''t know where we are." "You had teleportation magic? Why in the hell didn''t you use... it earlier... Hiro?" Ryan said with a confused look when he noticed Hiro looking extremely ill. He looked at Ryan with a sad smile as he collapsed to the ground like a marionette string getting cut. "HIRO!?" Ryan screamed as he reached out to Hiro and grabbed him before he could hit the ground. "Looks like it''s time for me to go back to Japan, *Cough*," Hiro said in a low voice as his eyes, skin, and hair turned pure white in a matter of seconds. "NO! You''re just fucking with me! Like you always do! Right!?" Ryan yells as he tries desperately to keep Hiro''s body warm and was desperately trying to figure out what was happening to his body. "I''m.... sorry... about... Ah!... I''m so, c-cold... I''m..... so....." Hiro stopped breathing and his face was already becoming deathly pale. "HIRO!? DON''T YOU FUCKING DO THIS TO ME!!!" Ryan screams as he lays a shivering Hiro down to the ground and hugs the side of Hiro''s head to Ryan''s chest as tears start rolling down his cheeks. "No! It''s alright, Hiro!! Y-You''ll be fine! I-I''ll find a way to save you! J-Just rest... Okay? Just-" Ryan tries to comfort Hiro as best as he can while feeling the warmth leave Hiro as he turned stone-cold. "..." "Hck!" "..." If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Ryan cries as he holds Hiro''s lifeless body in his hands. After a while, he stares at his fallen comrade with a look of confusion and mourning. Before Ryan knew what to do, Hiro''s body slowly starts to turn into dust. "No, no, no no no!" Ryan says while he desperately tries to hold together the now crumbling body as best as he can. But no matter how hard Ryan tried to prevent it the dust fell in between his fingers as the last remnants of Hiro''s body disintegrated away into nothing but dust on the ground. ''For all of his annoying faults... For all his bullshit... Hiro sacrificed himself to save me?.... And I failed him... No one deserves to die like this...'' His vision blurred with tears. "..." "Why?... Why did this happen?" Ryan whimpers as he struggles to hold Hiro''s body as there was nothing left but the red crystal orb from his necklace. "Hck." "Hck hck hck!" Ryan can no longer hold back the sorrow that was overwhelming him as he cries for his fallen comrade. After a moment of grieving, he wiped away his tears as best as he could and stood up. He knows he can''t stay around too long otherwise he''ll be joining Hiro in the afterlife if he''s not careful. *sniff* "Goodbye Hiro." Ryan sighed as he regathered himself. "..." "That''s what happens from mana exhaustion." Said an airy voice inside Ryan''s mind which snapped him out of his state of mourning as he focused on his surroundings for the first time. That''s when he realized he was in a dense forest in the middle of nowhere. "That voice!? Nils!?" Ryan yelled as he looked around until he saw the shadow figure of a woman standing next to him. "Good, you remember me." Said the goddess as she smiled at him. "Wipe that smile off your face. You did that to Hiro, didn''t you?" Ryan said as he glared at her. "I did nothing of the sort." She says as she tuts. "He might have survived if he was capable of absorbing that Basilisk''s mana. But he was just another summoned failure." "That''s bullshit!" Ryan yelled in anger. "You''re a failure! You summoned us! And for what!? Just to die!?" "Don''t get ahead of yourself." "What do you mean?" "We''re still going to need you," Nils said in a calm voice. "What? If you needed us, then why did put us in this situation!? Screw that! Why did you choose us out of everyone on my planet?" Ryan demanded as he glared at her. "Well, after everything you''ve gone through. You''ve earned the right to know, but I''ll bring my sister into our conversation now that her chosen one has perished. You''ll be her replacement." Nils said. "Huh?" Just as Ryan was going to ask her what she was talking about the red orb, which used to be Hiro''s necklace, glowed brighter as it came to life and flew towards Ryan''s orb and merged into it making the orb slightly bigger. This happened so fast that Ryan couldn''t react and if he could see his orb now it looked like a yin-yang with red and gold instead of black and white. "What did you do!?" Ryan panicked. "Giving me a chance to introduce myself." All of a sudden another shadowy figure materializes out of nowhere. She looked almost identical to Nils except for her being red and had shorter hair. Ryan gulped hard knowing he had to deal with another goddess. "I''m The Goddess of Time and Space, Nebulus." Said the red goddess with a smile. Vol.1 Ch.16 Rebuild the Dark Elven Empire "I''m The Goddess of Time and Space, Nebulus." Said the red goddess with a smile. "So that''s your name, huh?" "Yes. And to answer why we chose you and Hiro was just plain luck." Nebulus said. "So I was just chosen off the street randomly?" Ryan asked. "Well, Ryan, I know you''re not pleased with us, and we''ll tell you everything, but it''s a bit of a long story, so bear with us," Nils said, trying to be straight with Ryan. "Okay... I''m listening." "Good the first thing you need to know about our planet, Tertius, is the never-ending battle with the other Gods." Said Nils. "And the only way for a God to be expelled from a planet is if their people or creations are eliminated. Our creations are what tether us to this plane and if a God fails to create a new creation they will cease to be." "And as you can tell my dark elves can''t reproduce as fast as the other races. And over the millennia the other races have whittled away my people faster than they can reproduce." "Why did you create your Dark Elves that way then? If you''re having this problem." Ryan asked with a confused look. "Well, our race gets a benefit naturally of living longer and has a better chance of absorbing mana better than the other races with the lower reproduction rates. Quality over quantity, you might say." Nebulus said while wagging her pointer finger in the air. "And at the beginning of Tertius, all the Gods were neutral towards each other so my Dark Elven grew with little issues. It was only a few millennia after we had a few new gods forced their way onto our planet and created their creations. The two worst being the humans and the demons." Nils said. "Well, not all the human Gods are bad. It''s just these newer ones want all the other Gods killed." Nebulus added. "Back to the point, you know that you can get stronger by killing anything on Tertius?" Nils asked. "Yeah. What I don''t understand is how this can help us." Ryan said, shaking his head. "Well, not every being on Tertius can absorb mana at the same rate as you can." Nils said as she dropped that bomb on Ryan. "So you''re saying that I can absorb mana more efficiently than the natives of Tertius?" Ryan asked in a state of shock. "Correct. About 90 percent of the world can only absorb 1 percent of the mana that they get from slaying their foes. The other 5 percenters can get 2 percent absorbing mana. Then the luckier ones are the 3 percent that can absorb 5 percent mana." Nils said. "Then there''s the cream of the crop. The Masters are 1 percent of the world''s population and can absorb 10 percent mana of everything they slay, next are the Grand Masters which are .5 percent of the world''s population and they can absorb 13 percent, then there is the Elite that are .03 percent of a population that can absorb 15 percent mana and lastly, the Demi-gods, which are 0.001 percent of the population. They can absorb 20 percent of anything they can slay." Nebulus added. Ryan gulped again, "So you''re saying I can absorb mana like a Demi-god?" "No Ryan, you absorb it at a higher rate than anyone else on Tertius," Nils said. "How come?" Ryan asked. "That is because you''re a summoned. A God or Goddess can only summon one being at a time from another planet when there''s a planetary equinox. So if our champion is lost, we have to wait until the next equinox before we are able to summon a new champion." Nebulus said with a smile. "And when we saw your planet we couldn''t believe our eyes. You lived on a godless planet! We''ve heard of them but never seen one before. So we believed if we summoned someone on a planet that had no entity. They would be able to absorb mana at a much higher rate than anyone that has ever been summoned before from planets with entities." Nebulus was excited as she explained. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. "I don''t know what makes that so special... Back on Earth, I was just a normal guy." Ryan said. "The reason why you can absorb mana at a much faster rate is because your race has been evolving over thousands of years without mana due to the lack of Gods on your planet, or should we say Godless planet?... And we lost our last Chosen Ones 50 years back and we couldn''t let this opportunity slip by. So we had two choices to summon someone to Tertius." Nebulus said. "First, the most common way we Gods like to bring summons over is with Spirit Transfer into a newborn while they are still in the womb," Nils said. ''The fucking classic truck-kun Isekai! I''m glad I didn''t have to die just to get summoned here,'' Ryan thought to himself with relief. "The positive of the method is that we get your spirit here in an intent. But the negative is you have to be born and mature into adulthood which would take around 50 years for a dark elf and your mana absorption wouldn''t be as efficient. As most Chosen can absorb 30 to 50 percent when born into our world using the Spirit Transfer method... Also, the other Gods can sense when someone is summoned to Tertius. They would have killed you before you could get out of the womb," Nils said with a grim face. "We''ve lost many possible Chosen because of this... We also sensed a few of the other Gods summoned their new heroes with the Spirit Transfer method during the last equinox," Nebulus said. "The second method is a full-body teleport... This is what we used. It''s a method that most Gods rarely use. Since it''s more dangerous than the first method, only Gods with mastery in Time and Space can achieve it with higher success... And it takes more time to bring your Chosen One over. During this process of finding a summon it takes about 10 years to get to your planet then another 10 years to get back to ours and we have to do this before the equinox has ended otherwise we would have been stranded in the void if we had failed." Nils said. "Wait! 20 years have passed by when you brought me here!?" Ryan asks, dumbfounded by that fact. "Yes, we never used this method before and we hoped that this would be untrackable since no other Gods dare to use this method, but the Divine Three found out and nearly killed most of the Sorellians. I''m glad Yoona and her people got away for she is one of our few Demi-gods." Nebulus said. Ryan was speechless by the news. "So is it possible to send me back?" Ryan asked, looking for any hope at the possibility of returning home. "Unfortunately not, the equinox that might open the wormhole won''t happen again until many millennia into the future. So it''s possible, but it''s not highly unlikely. Plus how the galaxy orbits it will be a miracle if we come by your planet again. So Tertius is your new home now," Nebulus said. "But you''re a Goddess! You''re not bound by laws of science!?" Ryan pleaded to them. "I don''t know what science is, but we are bound by the laws of the cosmos. We can do a lot of things that mortals can only dream of, but our powers are limited. We can only interfere a little with other planets when an equinox happens and we can change the fate of our world if no other God challenges us. The universe itself is controlled by the laws of the primordials and they don''t talk to us," Nebulus said, looking down with regret. "So I''m stuck here alone?" Ryan asked dejectedly. "Well if you survive and become our champion we can bring Hiro back since he died in his old body. I can use the first method and have him be reborn," Nils said with her hand out holding a white orb. Ryan was a bit conflicted because Hiro was annoying as all hell when they first met but at the end of the day he changed and saved Ryan''s life. He felt he had to at least owe him that much. "F-Fine, I''ll be your champion!" Ryan said with a bit of hesitation. "Great! So you just need to be strong enough to beat back the other Gods'' champions before we try to bring back Hiro. You have a year before his soul starts to degrade." Nils said with a smile. "How good is my body at absorbing mana anyway?" Ryan asked. "Well, like we said, most summons can absorb 30 to 50 percent. You on the other hand can absorb 80 to 90 percent of what you slay. That''s why you get so horny. Your body gets overloaded with mana causing Mana lust and you need to relieve the pent-up pleasure before you lose your sanity." Nils said. "T-That much! That''s insane!" Ryan said, shocked "But why are you turning me into a woman?" "It''s so you can use our magic. When we created the Dark Elves, men were given superior strength and agility while women were given mastery in magic. So for you to meet your full potential we needed to turn you into a female... Plus there''s a bonus since you were born a man, It seems you''ve kept your superior agility as if you were a Dark Elf male... Too bad you only kept a quarter of your strength... Well at least that''s way above normal compared to normal females," Nils said, with a smile. "So, all you need to do is just explore Tertius while slaying monsters or humaniods so you can increase your strength, and once you''re strong enough. We like you to rebuild the Dark Elven Empire. And also you should prepare yourself mentally because you''ll be going through a lot of hardships..." Nebulus said then paused. "Great, that''s all I need. More Hardships!" Ryan said sarcastically. *sigh* "Well can''t you give me more of your magic?" "We will, once you become a full-fledged Dark Elf. Your body isn''t quite ready yet. We don''t want you to experience mana exhaustion." Nebulus said with a smirk. Ryan cringed thinking about how Hiro turned to dust. "Oh! I like this one. We finally have a Chosen One that might survive. He''s a good find, Nils." Nebulus said with a chuckle along with her sister. And with that, both of the Goddesses vanished. "Hey! Where do I go!?!" Ryan yelled out to no one. "Tch, whatever... I guess I should start wandering around this place to see what''s in this forest. I mean I''m pretty sure there will be monsters in this area. I just hope there''s a city or something... I''m getting tired of watching my back," Ryan muttered to himself as he started walking through the dense forest. Vol.1 Ch.17 Some Time to Reflect "If only I had a map to help me figure out where I am... And the stupid Goddesses refuse to talk to me... I''m just aimlessly walking around in a random direction hoping I find something. Hell! I might be walking in circles for all I know," Ryan said to himself as he aimlessly walked through this dense forest of trees that were huge and towered over him as they stood over 500 feet tall. "This kind of feels like I''m in Yosemite National Park. I wonder if it would be possible to climb these trees?" Ryan wondered to himself. After a few minutes, Ryan decided to climb a tree to get his bearings and hoped he could see if there were any landmarks to take of note, but after climbing a few dozen feet his foot slipped off a branch while his hand slipped off some moss. Whoa! Damn!... Did I stick the landing? Whatever... These boots suck to climb in and that mossy-looking stuff isn''t making it any easier. Haa... That plan failed," Ryan mumbled to himself as he fell to the ground and felt like he was a cat when he stuck the landing like it was nothing. ''Well, Ive never moved like that before... Is it because I''m more like a Dark Elf now?... I can stand over forever. Maybe I should look for some branches to use as weapons or maybe make a bow?'' Ryan thought as he scratched the back of his head. Ryan looked around the forest for any type of weapon he could use. He saw a stick lying on the ground and he picked it up but tossed it away when swung it into the tree and broke it in half. He took a couple of steps forward and found a bigger branch that could be used as a club. "Well, it might not be much. But it''s better than nothing. But I was hoping for something longer," Ryan said to himself. After looking around the forest, Ryan found a stick as long as his body and seemed to be almost straight. It would be perfect for a spear. As he continued his hike through the dense woods he heard a rustling sound coming from the bushes. Ryan stopped and held the makeshift spear in front of him as he moved forward slowly. He reached the edge of the bushes and was surprised to see a deer standing there with its head down eating grass about 15 feet away. *Groan* Ryan''s stomach was growling in hunger and his mouth watered at the sight of the deer. Ryan made his plan and slowly walked toward the deer. He knew the branch wouldn''t pierce its body, but he needed to try something. And he was hoping to sneak up on the deer''s blind side before he pounced. As Ryan walked towards the deer, he kept the spear low to the ground as he walked in the tall grass. The deer lifted its head and sniffed the air then turned to face Ryan who tried to stay still. "Come on, just a bit closer," Ryan whispered to himself as he crept towards the deer. Ryan threw the spear and the deer jumped away before it ran off through the forest. Ryan chased after the deer but kept slipping on the fallen leaves. Which was slowing him down but he continued after it. As Ryan chased after the deer for what seemed like a minute. He realized he lost track of where he was in the woods. He started to walk as he listened for any sounds of the deer. He couldn''t hear it but he did hear moving water. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "Is there a stream? Or am I just hearing things?" Ryan asked himself as he followed the sound of the rushing water. As he walked closer the sound of the rushing water grew louder until a creek came into view. "Oh thank God!.. Or Goddess? Whatever! This is the first good thing to happen. Hopefully, there''s a tower by this creek. I just hope it''s safe to drink." Ryan said as he came closer to the moving water. Ryan walked along a creek and came across a small waterfall, which led to a small pond that had a few fish swimming around. "Oh thank God there''s fish and I''m so thirsty. I think I have to risk it," Ryan said as he sat down on a rock next to the creek. Ryan dipped his hands in the water, scooped them up to his mouth, and drank the water. He drank until his hands were empty and was ready for more. He couldn''t help himself as he started drinking more until he finally stopped after his fourth scoop. Ryan stood up and walked closer to the waterfall. "Aah, that tastes good," Ryan said to himself as he looked around "Well, I guess I should wash myself off. Who knows when I will have another chance to relax like this," Ryan said to himself as he walked towards the edge of the pond and took a seat at the edge of a rock. Ryan quickly takes his clothes off so he can wash himself off. And jumped straight into the water. *Splash!* "Ah! Cold!" Ryan yelped as he shivered from being naked in the cold water. Then Ryan comes out of the water and sits on the rock with his legs hanging over the edge. He lets the water soak his legs as he stares into the rippling water. It''s hypnotic staring into the waves. It helps to relax him as his mind wanders back to the past, to the moment when Hiro died for him. As he felt some guilt come over him for failing to defeat those assholes. For not being stronger. "I hope Nils wasn''t lying to me, about reincarnating Hiro. I guess I have no choice but to believe her for now." Ryan says as he continues to wash his hair in the water. Ryan finally noticed how long and beautiful his hair has become. It was soft and silky, almost like silk. "Well, now I don''t blame Hiro for hitting on me. Now that I can look at myself, my hair is long and beautiful... I wonder what my face looks like now?" Ryan said to himself as he turned around to see if he could find some still water. So he could see his reflection. Luckily there was one spot away from the waterfall that had a pocket of still water that would work as a mirror. "What the fuck? Is that me?" Ryan asks himself as he stares at his own naked body in the water''s reflection. He turns to his side while looking at his reflection. His eyes couldn''t look away as his silhouette in the water didn''t look like him anymore and was in awe as he watched his naked form. Everything about his former self had changed from masculine to feminine. His body was smooth and toned, his breasts were small handfuls and had a nice round shape to them with large pointy nipples as he saw the dark circles around them. He also had a nice ass and wide hips. Ryan noticed his face looked like one of those anime girls with big eyes and long eyelashes. His face was one of the most attractive faces he has ever seen and his ears had a slight point on the ends of them. *Sigh...* "I think I might actually look pretty hot now." Ryan says to himself with unease. The only remnants of Ryan''s masculinity was located in his crotch region where there was a sad 1-inch cock and a tiny sack. *Sigh!* "There has to be a way to reverse this? There has to! Please let there be a way! I''m not ready to become a woman!" Ryan pleaded to himself as he looked down at his new body and sighed again. Ryan finishes getting dressed and walks away from the river. It isn''t long before he hears something in the trees. Ryan stops and stares at where the sounds are coming from in the woods. "Shit, what is that?" Ryan asked himself as he slowly walked forward. As he''s scanning the vegetation with his eyes. He was hoping to see any type of movement. Within seconds he sees a figure in the shadows of a bush. "Is that... a person?" Ryan asks himself as he approaches the figure in the bush by a giant tree. Vol.1 Ch.18 The Goblin Slayer "Who''s there?" Ryan asked as he stepped out of the brush. There was no answer. "I know you''re out here. I can hear your heart beating," Ryan said as he kept walking towards the noises coming from a bush in front of him. Suddenly Ryan feels a sharp pain in his chest and falls to the ground clutching his left breast. He felt something blunt bash into his chest from the bush, knocking him backward. "Oh shit! No!" Ryan screams as he quickly rolls onto his hands and feet. He then looked over his shoulder to see what attacked him. That''s when he saw a little green child-like creature staring at him with its spear pointed at Ryan''s head. "Shit! Of fucking course! J-Just go easy on me and we''ll get along fine," Ryan says trying to keep his cool as the goblin smirks showing off his yellow rotting teeth. "Raw! Raw, wwwaaarrrr!" The Goblin grunts out. Ryan had no clue what the creature said but it didn''t take him long to know what this thing was after. The look in its eyes was of lust. "Oh, Fuuuck OFF!" Ryan curses as it takes a step closer to him. "Hey, hey! Hey! Stop! I''m a dude!" Ryan yells as he tries to push the goblin away but this makes it more excited. "Raw!" The goblin yells out again as it grabs hold of Ryan and tries to rip off his pants. That''s when Ryan went on the offensive and grabbed ahold of its wrist knocking the crude spear out of its hand before getting grabbing the goblin''s head. "Don''t you dare touch me you fucking pervert!" Ryan yelled as he picked up the goblin and smashed it into the ground with such force that it caved in its skull. Spraying purple blood and brown brains all over the Killing it on the spot. It didn''t take long for Ryan to feel the cool sensation of the mana entering his body. It wasn''t as powerful as the Kobold''s mana, but it was pleasant. "Hmph! That''s what you get, you piece of crap!" Ryan said with disgust. He stood up to leave but heard more of the familiar heartbeats all around him. ''Huh? D-Don''t tell me-'' He turned around to see more goblins standing around him. Some were in the trees while others were coming out of holes in the ground. They all had lust in their eyes and started coming for him. "Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck!" Ryan cursed as he ran away from the goblins chasing after him. As Ryan tried to flee more and more goblins started coming out of the woodwork. What was a small number at first became a horde of 20 in a blink of an eye. Ryan realizes that he can''t run forever once he noticed he was surrounded. There was no other choice but to fight the goblins so he could make his escape. "Okay, Okay! So these things are just like the fantasy novels back at home. But I fucking hate killing things! Maybe just one or two should be more than enough to make a hole. HEYA!" Ryan said as he picked up a goblin that tried to jump him and hurled it at a big stone rock about five feet away. While Ryan was fighting his way out of this first wave of goblins. He spots a bunch of new goblins holding crude swords and spears. They form up and charge Ryan in waves as he dodges the attacks while countering them swiftly taking down some of the goblins with ease as he was stronger than he knew. Finally one of the goblins catches Ryan off guard before he can make a break for it. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. *Swing!* *Thud!* He was amazed by how quickly he moved and caught the goblin''s sword with no problem. ''How did I move so fast? It''s like everything goes into bullet time when I''m being attacked. But why didn''t it work when I was attacked by that first goblin? Fuck it! I don''t have time to think!'' "Raw! Raw, wwwaaarwwwww!" The goblin yells before Ryan bashes it with its own sword. "Piece of shit!" Ryan says as he kicks the goblin and sends it flying. He could hear its bones breaking when the goblin hit the tree. But Ryan''s victory was short-lived when he heard the running of many little feet coming towards him. ''Fuck it''s like I kicked a hornet''s nest! They''re everywhere!'' Ryan thought to himself as he wiped his sweat off his forehead while picking up the crude sword from the goblin he just kicked. Three more little green men came charging in at Ryan all at the same time. So he decided to use his ''Dark Earthly Blade'' with the crappy goblin sword and strikes a goblin in the face with the extending blade as he charges forward. He''s able to take out two more goblins and was aiming for a fourth one. But that goblin was able to dodge the extending blade before the sword in Ryans hand shattered due to the stress of ''Dark Earthly Blade'' magic. "Five down! fifteen more to go! I may be tired! But I''ll fucking end you bastards!" Ryan said as he continued his fight with hand-to-hand combat as the goblins tried to surround him. ''Shit! I have to kill them so my body can absorb more mana! I''m hoping that will help with my fatigue!'' Ryan charges at a goblin picking it up by the shoulder. "Die Motherfucker!" Ryan shouts as he smashes the goblin against a tree. His next target is a goblin with a shield and spear. And it was about to thrust the jagged tip towards Ryan. He dodges the tip of the spear and smashes the goblin with his own shield. The shield falls apart on impact with the goblin''s face. Caving it in instantly as the goblin falls over dead. Ryan took a deep breath as he moved towards the next goblin, he kicked it and sent it flying. *Pow!* "Ow! What the hell!" Ryan moaned when he felt a stone slammed off his back, thrown by a goblin in the branches of a tree. "Oh! You want to throw stones, ah?" Ryan picked up a stone that was as big as an egg and threw it at the goblin in the tree. The stone smashed into its rib cage making it cough out blood before falling to the ground. Another goblin jumped on Ryan''s back. "You bastard!" Ryan yells as he grabs the goblin that was trying to choke him and holds the annoying creature in front of him. The goblin was still putting up a fight as it pulled out a rock from its loincloth and tried to attack Ryan with it. "Bastard! Bastard! BASTAAAAAARD!" The goblin screams as he tries to hit Ryan with the rock until Ryan catches his hand and breaks his arm. "Fucking shithead!" Ryan cussed as he slammed the goblin against the tree which broke its neck. The Goblin struggles to breathe before it falls over dead. Ryan shakes his head trying to shake off the pain from all the fighting and after a brief moment, he notices another goblin''s sword on the ground and runs over to grab it. "Oh shit!" Ryan said as he sees more goblins coming his way. "I''m ready! Let''s do this!" Ryan said as he charged at the goblins. He doesn''t take long to finish the first goblin with his sword before kicking another one as he swiftly moves over to the next goblin to kill that one too. The screams of goblins could be heard echoing throughout the forest as Ryan went after one after the other. Ryan is slowly becoming the goblin slayer as he takes down two more goblins in quick succession. ''HAAH! Not that many left. Only four of them! This will be easy!'' Ryan thought as he took out the last four goblins with speed and grace. The ground near Ryan was covered in purple blood as he stood there breathing heavily from all the fighting. With all the dead goblins lying around him and no more coming his way. Ryan decided to sit there for a moment. He was trying to catch his breath and was thinking about what had just transpired. ''It''s weird how fast I''ve been able to get used to using magic... And killing living things... It''s like second nature to me... Huh!'' As he sat there in the aftermath of the battle. Ryan finally noticed his body was feeling strange. "Mmmmmhhhh! He moaned as his body started to tingle. This goddamn mana lust is going to be the end of me someday! Fuck!" Ryan said as he shook his head while trying to control his libido. If he didn''t calm down soon he would be lost to his urges again. And this place wasn''t safe to deal with the building lust that was growing inside him. Ryan stood up and walked away from the goblin carnage he left behind. "Damn! I gotta figure something out. If not, my urges will just keep getting worse till it consumes me." Ryan said as he wiped off the sweat from his brow and sighed before he looked up at the blue sky. "I better get moving. I don''t know if the dead goblins will attract other monsters?" Ryan said as he walked back towards the river. Vol.1 Ch.19 Going out with a Whimper 🦴 Preview:
A few hours have passed since Ryans first encounter with the Goblins as he was traveling upstream hoping to come upon civilization of any type. Sadly, all he encountered was Goblin after Goblin as he continued to push through those bastards while hiking upstream. What seemed like minutes of nonstop fighting came to a head at a cave near the river. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "Yeah, fuck you! You fucking prick! God! It''s like I''m in a fucking video game!" Ryan yelled as he smashed a goblin and kicked it across the cave. Ryan was struggling to control the increasing lust building in his body as he was killing another goblin horde that wouldn''t stop attacking him. The result was Ryan being oversaturated with mana from the continuous supply of Goblins. "Ahhh! Ahhhh! FUCK!" Ryan screamed as he felt himself transforming further into a female Dark Elf with his ears getting longer as well as his silky platinum hair growing down to his cute perky ass. Vol.1 Ch.20 The Escape Ryan didn''t know how to feel at the moment. She felt horrible about crushing the Hobgoblin King''s junk in order to escape. But she could recall in the past when she felt the pain from getting an accidental nut shot herself when she played a game of ultimate frisbee. It was embarrassing that she went down so easily. But the pain made it hard to breathe. And what she did was a hundred times worse than slightly getting flicked in the nuts. But she knew she couldn''t let those other Goblins touch her. She always thought it was overkill to read fantasy light novels that made the Goblins so rapey. But it sucked that the authors were so on the ball about these little fuckers. And now she was a female. She didn''t want to find out if getting fucked by these creatures will result in her death. So she needed to get out of there as fast as she could. But hobgoblins were still hot on her trail sprinting through the forest towards her as Ryan was running towards the mountains that she could barely see through the trees. While Ryan was swiftly moving through the forest more gracefully than she ever had before. Her mind was racing to find a way to lose these creeps. She couldn''t trust herself to defeat those bigger Golbins with fists only. She needs to get away from here but how? If only Nebulus could have taught her one of her spells that used teleport then she would have used it ages ago, but she doesn''t know any other magical spells besides ''Dark Earth Blade'' which is only usable with a bladed weapon and those crappy Goblin swords broke almost instantly when she cast her spell. So Ryan had to improvise if she was going to make it out of there alive. While she continued to move through the forest like the wind. Her thoughts were cut short when an arrow flew by and grazed her leg causing her to stumble and fall to the ground. "What the fuck!" Ryan yelled as she tried to get up. She looked to her left and saw a Goblin with a crossbow aiming his sights at her. Ryan knows if she turns around there''s going to be a lot more Goblins coming after her. ''This is not my goddamn day!'' She rolls out of the way as the goblin shoots a bolt at her. The bolt hits the ground next to her as dirt and some small stones kick up from the impact of the arrow. Ryan keeps rolling as a few more arrows almost hit her. She notices a bush that might give her cover as she is still rolling. So she continues to roll towards it until she finally lands in the bush. The Goblins with their crossbows lose sight of her but continue to shoot into the bush making some leaves fall out of it. She raises her head once the volley of arrows stops and sees the bigger Goblins running towards her location. They wanted to capture her so badly that Ryan could see their cocks getting erect. "God dammit! I never knew how bad some women had it Ryan complained as she looked around trying to find somewhere to run and noticed that there were old stone ruins mixed in the forest. ''Fuck it! I''m going to make a b-line to the ruins!'' Ryan thought before taking a deep breath and ran towards the ruins where some Goblin archers were finding. Come on! Please let there be a way for me to lose them there!'' Ryan runs at full speed towards the ruins and hears the Hobgoblins closing in on her like flies to shit. "God! Take a FUCKING HINT!" Ryan yelled at her pursuers as she ran with all her might. The Hobgoblins along with more of the normal Goblins were closing in on her location and were ready to surround her. Ryan picked up her pace as she was only 15 yards away from the ruins. She had to keep dodging the incoming attacks of the Goblins, as she passed by an old obelisk. That was when one of the Hobgoblins finally caught up to her from the other side of the obelisk and tackled her from behind. "Oof!" Ryan grunts as she hits the ground hard after feeling the weight of the Hobgoblin She looks up to see another Goblin looking down at her with a shit-eating grin. "HAHAHHAAHA!" The Goblin cackled as he brought his axe down towards her with the Hobgoblin still on her back. Ryan''s instincts kicked in as she rolled towards the axe. Moving the Hobgoblin directly into its path. "YYYYAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!" screamed the Hobgoblin as he felt the crude axe imbed itself into his back. The Goblin panicked when he saw his ax struck his ally and saw blood flowing out of his back. The Hobgoblin turned towards him with fury in his eyes. "STUPID WORM!!!" The Hobgoblin yelled as he pulled the axe out of his back and used it on his attacker. "I''M GOING TO KILL YOU!!" Ryan hit the deck before the Hobgoblin swung the axe horizontally with such ferocious force that the blunt end of the axe hit the Goblin. It sent him flying into the old obelisk with such force that it damaged the stones in the base of the ruin. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. "GORUUGGGHHHH! FUCK!" The goblin cried out as he was covered in blood from his face getting smashed in against the rock and having his ribcage crashed when he got clubbed by his own axe also made him puke blood. Ryan was dumbfounded for a moment as she watched the Goblin die there in a few seconds, as the Hobgoblin turned his attention back towards her. ''Shit! He''s still alive!? He took a fucking axe into his back!'' Huh? What''s that sound?'' *Crack! Crack! Crack!* That was when Ryan noticed the base of the obelisk was cracking from the dead Goblin that smashed into it. It didn''t take long for the old stone structure started to fall towards them like a tree that was chopped down. The Hobgoblin was unaware of the danger that was coming towards them until a shadow was cast from the ever-approaching stone structure. "HUH!?" He muttered as he looked confused by the darkening shadow. Ryan needed to get out of the path of the falling obelisk but the Hobgoblin still had her leg and without a moment too soon. Ryan kicked him in the gut and rolled out of the way as the large stone smashed into the Hobgoblin. Crushing him like a bug. *BOOM!* "Fuck that was too close! Huh!?" Ryan didn''t have time to respond once she felt the ground moving under the impact zone obelisk as the ground started to collapse in on itself. "SHIT!" Ryan yelled as she couldn''t get a good foothold as the dirt fell into the newly formed sinkhole. She reached out just as she fell in and managed to grab ahold of the newly created ledge. Her body smacked into the side of the wall as she held onto the ledge for dear life. Once the obelisk collapsed into the earth it revealed a hidden ravine and Ryan could barely hear the slashing of water below from all the falling dirt and stones. "AH! Fuck!" Ryan yelled out as she held onto the edge of dirt that was crumbling in her hands, she could feel the ground begin to shake and crack open more before she plunged into the darkness down below. Luckily there was an underground lake at the bottom of the ravine. Ryan plunged into the deep dark water. *SPLASH!* JESUS! Ryan thought as she felt herself slowing down in the dark depths of the water. She was a little worried about drowning when she felt her feet hit the bottom of the lake. When she got her bearings she quickly pushed off the floor and tried to swim to the surface. She was about 25 feet below the water and feeling the pressure of the water on her body was impressive. ''Come on swim Ryan!'' She thought to herself as she kicked her legs and moved her arms as fast as she could. ''I know I haven''t swam in a while but you can do it!'' Her lungs were burning for air since her heart rate was up and she was still 10 feet away. ''Just hold on Ryan just hang on!'' She thought to herself as she was coming to the surface. *Splash!* "HHHHAAAAA!" Ryan gasps for fresh air as she breaks the surface. Her hair was soaked and heavy as she was relieved to s thankful that she didn''t fall on solid ro Once she calmed down she noticed that she could float on the surface way easier than when she was a man. "God, I need a vacation," Ryan said as she swam towards a rock. She looked around the place that she fell into. opening in the ceiling which looked like it was over 100 feet high. She stayed still for a while to see if any Goblins were planning on pursuing her but they didn''t jump down into the ravine to get to this cavern. ''I guess they think I''m dead. I hope?'' Ryan thought to herself as she sighed in relief. Once she believes the coast is clear she finally starts to relax. "WOOO!" She cried out as she climbed onto the rock and sat down. She took off her boots and socks then she jumped back into the water. She started to wade through the surprisingly clear water. "Damn, this feels good." She said as she felt the warm waters caress her exhausted body. She dunked her head under the warm crystal-clear water to get rid of any dirt and sweat that may still be on her. Then she swam back to the rock that had her boots and sat on the edge. She reached over her back and started massaging the sore muscles in her neck. "Ah, Ahhh!" Ryan sighed as she felt some relief in her shoulders from the simple massage. She smiled and let the water flow over her feet. "Well, you seem to be enjoying yourself?" A familiar voice said from behind her. Ryan quickly turned around and gasped when she saw Nils floating there in the cavern. "Enjoying myself!?... All that''s ever happened to me since you brought me to Tertius was getting a near-death experience, to near-death experience, to near rape experience, and now another near-death experience... HA! Like you have any clue what an enjoyable life is." She said sarcastically as Ryan pulled her feet out of the water and stood up looking at the Goddess. Nils chuckled at her sarcasm. "Well, I guess you are an expert in enjoyment and hardship after getting dragged across two worlds." Ryan rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Why did you decide to show up now? Why didn''t you come sooner?" Ryan asked while she sat her wet silver hair on her right shoulder. "We were just watching how you perform under pressure and you have done well," Nils replied with a smile. "Tch... Well at this rate, the stress is going to kill me before a blade will." Ryan said as she glared up at Goddess. "You give yourself too little credit Ryan." Ryan rolled her eyes again. "Please, I''ve been chased by goblins, orcs, elves, dwarves, ogres, hobos, rapists, assholes, you name it! Haah!... So is that all you wanted to say to me? That I''ve done good?" Ryan asked sarcastically. "Well, now that youve almost completed your transformation into a Dark Elf. I''ve come to give you another gift." Nils said with a smile. "Oh yeah?! You know I could have used something earlier against those big ass goblins." Ryan said to Nils as she walked over to the floating goddess. "Hobgoblins." "What?" "Hobgoblins. Those bigger creatures that you couldn''t defeat with your fists were Hobgoblins," Nils said. Ryan shakes her head. "Does it really matter?... You know what, never mind... You said you were going to give me a gift." Ryan asked Nils. "Yes. I did." "Well then, you''re going to do your touch my head thing or what." Just as Ryan finished her sentence Nils quickly moved her right hand and her pointer finger came into contact with Ryan''s forehead making her eyes dilate as the knowledge flowed into her mind. "What!" Ryan shouted. "It is time for you to learn, a couple of the ways, of Dark Elven Magic." Nils said as she removed her finger from Ryan''s forehead. Vol.1 Ch.21 I fell into What? "There we go. Finally, you''re all set... I showed you the wonders of dark earth magic." Nils said as she stepped back from Ryan. "So you''re telling me I''m a Dark Elf now?" "Technically? You have not fully turned into a Dark Elf yet. But you''re not too far off. I believe you will become a full-fledged Dark Elf in a few hours or if you slay a few more hobgoblins." "So you can only give me these two incantations?" Ryan asked. Nils smiled at Ryan''s question. "Of course, I could give you more spells, but the other Dark and Life incantations are more demanding on the user''s body. We don''t want to expose you to Mana Exhaustion, now do we?" Nils said. Ryan nods in agreement. "Just be careful when using Void Healing in front of others. Healing is a very rare magic in this world. So don''t be surprised if people start looking to enslave you. Many healers are property of powerful people, here on Tertius." Nils said with a chuckle. Ryan shivered at the thought of becoming someone''s property. "Yeah, I''ll keep that in mind," Ryan said with a nod. "Anyway, I guess I can use Dark Earth magic to get myself out of this cavern?" "Well, it would be easier if you were strong enough to use geomancy, but in this place? No, you can''t get out." Nils said with a shrug. Ryan thought she was lying at first, but the Goddess''s "Huh? How come?" Ryan asks with a confused look on his face. "Here... I''ll teach you why so it will make more sense to you. Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Block out all other distractions." Nils said. "O-Okay?" Ryan replied with a bit of skepticism, but she did what she was told and closed her eyes. "Now steady your breathing," Nils said. "..." Ryan stands there with her eyes closed for a minute or two waiting for something... Anything to happen. And just as she was about to open her eyes. ''I don''t know what the hell is supposed to happen but... Wait a second?'' Ryan started to sense something. It''s faint but it is there and whatever it was was barely visible. Ryan started to see a few little eerie green particles when her eyes were closed and the other thing was the smell. It started to smell like ozone, like from an electrical fire. It wasn''t suffocating but she couldn''t "What is that?" Ryan asks nervously as she opens her eyes. "That''s Ether particles from a dungeon core," Nils says with a grin. "What do you mean?" Ryan asks with concern. "It''s like a living building that''s underground. Some races call them labyrinths. But it can feel almost everything that moves around in it. And it will take notice if an earth mage starts tearing through its walls and will prevent them from leaving. The only exception is if the mage can overpower the core, which is very rare." Nils explained. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "So why would a dungeon core prevent me from leaving?" Ryan asked. "Because like all living things the core needs food to survive and grow. That consists of mana from living beings. So as a defense mechanism, it will repair its walls to try and prevent those from entering or exiting by one''s own means." Nils explained. "So it will try to eat me then?" Ryan asks. "Well, that''s if you died in the dungeon. But you''ll have to leave by the labyrinth''s exit or destroy the core. It''s your choice." Nils tells Ryan. "So why would anyone come into a labyrinth in the first place? It sounds stupid to willingly come to one? Why wouldn''t people just run away?" Ryan asked. "Well, the Dungeon Cores will lure monsters and humanoids with the rare magical materials it creates like gems and metals. Or even a specific monster that can only exist in the Labyrinth." Nils said. "Really? Material wealth, come on? What can''t you get outside a Labyrinth that you can get inside one?" Ryan asked with doubt in her voice. "Well Like, Violet iron ore, mithril, ether crystals, white obsidian, and a few others are magical materials. And there are the typical gold, platinum, silver, rubies, sapphires, and jade to name a few... And of course, they spawn monsters, so you can harvest their parts." Nils "Okay point taken, I guess? I thought you said Dungeon Cores just wanted all people dead?" Ryan said with a bit of sarcasm. "Well, you know how you absorb about 90 percent of mana?" Nils asked. "YYYeess?" Ryan said to humor her. "Well a Dungeon Core will absorb everything that dies in its domain and I mean everything. It is the most efficient thing at absorbing mana, so it can easily live off a few dead adventurers for years if a core needs to. And that''s including the monsters, so it will be able to grow or reproduce at some point." Nils explained. "So I just need to escape this labyrinth from its own entrance?... Hey!? Why doesn''t it close off the entrance? Like a Venus flytrap?" Ryan asks. "I don''t know what a Venus flytrap is, but the better way of looking at a Dungeon Core is that it is similar to a tree. You can''t see them grow in hours or days but in months to years. So if you enter the Labyrinth it would take months for it to close its entrance. So it can''t trap you in that way." Nils said. "Or if you like, you could destroy the Dungeon Core? Ryan starts to shudder at the thought of taking down a Dungeon Core. "God, I can''t imagine how I would be able to control the Mana Lust if I took one down." "You don''t have to worry about Mana Lust with Dungeon Cores. And that''s Goddess! Not God. Stop saying, god!" Nils scolded Ryan. "Huh? Oh sorry... Umm, so they aren''t full of mana?" Ryan asked. "Correct, the Dungeon Cores are beings of ether. They consume mana and turn it into ether. That''s why monsters like to eat Ether Crystals since they make them stronger. It''s a weird cycle of life type of thing," Nils said. "So, what is the advantage of destroying a core then?" Ryan asked. "To get the most precious material on Tertius, Liquid Ether," Nils replies. "Liquid Ether?" Ryan asks. "It''s what makes all the magical artifacts possible. All the artificers and alchemists use it to craft their potions and items. Without it, the people of Tertius wouldn''t be able to create some of the most powerful weapons known to the universe." Nils says. "Haah... Okay then. I think that''s all I need to know for now. As long as I don''t hit any traps... I should be good." Ryan says out loud, trying to mentally prepare herself for the obstacles ahead. "Well, you shouldn''t have to worry about traps with this labyrinth," Nils said with a smirk. "Why not?" Ryan asks. "Because this labyrinth is a Spawner Core. You can tell by the green color of the ether particles. Anyway, best of luck Ryan!" Nils says with a smile as she vanishes into thin air. "Don''t tell me this Dungeon spawns goblins!? Nils!? Nils!?" Ryan calls out into the darkness of the cave. "..." Ryan doesn''t know if she should laugh or cry at the moment. "Nils!?" She yelled out again but got no response. "GUH! Why does it have to be goblins!? I knew this was a bad idea! Wandering around the forest only to fall into a labyrinth! I''ve only been here for three days! And I''ve lost everything! My peaceful life, my family, my.... my manhood! Everything!!!" Ryan said to herself, venting out her frustrations to the world as she looked for a way out of the cavern. Vol.1 Ch.22 Hiding in the Shadows It took Ryan about a half hour of wandering around the cavern before she found a passage out. "Well, here goes nothing?" Ryan said to herself while carefully walking through the passageway of a tunnel. Her hair and clothes were still damp from falling into the underground lake. So she was a bit cold at first but with her adrenaline flowing, it didn''t bother her too much. "So Nils said this Dungeon Core is a spawner, huh? Well, hopefully, it''s not a goblin spawner." Ryan said quietly to herself. Who am I kidding! IT''S NOTHING BUT A GOBLIN SPAWNER!... Fuck me, dude. As Ryan was walking with caution she kept looking around the cavernous tunnel to make sure there weren''t any traps or monsters waiting to ambush her. She had no idea what to expect from this labyrinth but if Nils said it was a spawner then she figured it wouldnt have traps in it that were created by the labyrinth, but that didn''t mean the goblins didn''t have traps. As she continued down the dark tunnel. Ryan started to notice something, she could see in the dark, way better than she ever used to when she was a human. ''Maybe I can see better in the dark because I''m becoming a Dark Elf? I''ll ask Nils about it next time.'' Ryan thought to herself. While proceeding down the narrow stone tunnel, Ryan was contemplating about what she''d do if she came across a horde of goblins. I wonder how powerful my Dark Earth magic will be? From the images Nils put in my mind, it looks like I can manipulate a football-sized field worth of earth if need be... Man! Im becoming a fucking juggernaut! Whoa!... Calm down, Ryan. If you start thinking like that. Ill let my guard down and that''s when I get killed by something stupid." She muttered to herself. After a moment of introspection, Ryan noticed a lit room ahead of her about 50 feet away. ''Huh? I wonder if there is a goblin camp.'' She thought to herself. Ryan made an effort to stay hidden in the shadows of the tunnel. There was a slight shimmering in the air and Ryan felt a tingly phenomenon run down her spine. ''Is that ether or something else floating in the air? Gah! Get your head in the game, Ryan! You don''t know if there are goblins in the room with the light she was greeted with a large opening that allowed her to see a huge cavern with natural stone pillars throughout the large arena that was three stories tall. In front of her, about 50 feet away, was a group of goblins out on patrol. While a couple were standing in the middle of the room encircled by torches. They were all wearing crude chain mail armor and wielding various weapons such as swords, maces, axes, hammers, and crossbows. ''Looks like they are preparing for something?'' Ryan thought to herself. Ryan looked back at the tunnel she came from just to make sure that nothing was going to ambush her. Luckily there was nothing there that she knew of. ''Well, they haven''t noticed me. I''ll have to use those stalagmites for cover. If I hide behind them I should be able to sneak up on the goblins without them seeing me. Then I could get the high ground on them if I can climb that wall over there. That''s if I play my cards right.'' Ryan thought to herself while waiting for an opportunity to move. After a minute, Ryan started to sneak forward until she made it behind a ginormous rock. Once it seemed like the coast was clear, she began climbing up the rocks towards the stalagmite. As Ryan was climbing up the rock face she came to notice that there were a lot of cave-ins and missing stones and boulders that came off the rock wall. ''Please let this be sturdier than it looks.'' Ryan thought to herself as she continued to climb. ''If something breaks off I need to book it back to the underground lake.'' Luckily the rock wall was sturdy and when Ryan made it to the top. She took a look over the edge of the cliff to see her surroundings and saw that there were a bunch of goblins below that just missed spotting her. She could see others moving through various corridors while a few were hanging around doing nothing as they looked bored. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ''Jesus! They''re everywhere! How the fuck am I going to get passed all of them?!'' Ryan thought to herself as she desperately tried to figure out a plan, but she was coming up empty. Just as Ryan was contemplating what to do, a goblin came from a different corridor on the far end and started squawking at the other goblins, getting their attention. "Hyaaaah!" the goblin shouted out to the other goblins in the area. "Come, intruders!" he said to his cronies. The goblins started to gather their weapons before they ran to the far corridor and followed the leader in an unorganized fashion. What used to be crawling with green little men was "Well that''s the first bit of good luck I have had in days," Ryan whispered to herself. r As Ryan was walking towards the corridor she noticed different chambers were in this goblin makeshift camp and saw a smaller doorway that might be a storage room and thought that might be a good place to hide so she could have a bit of rest as she was really feeling her body ache. "What the hell would a goblin store in the first place? If they don''t use it for anything disgusting. Then maybe I can hide in there for a couple of hours..." Ryan muttered to herself before another thought occurred to her. "Hold on... If I''m in a dungeon, then there should be adventurers, right? I wonder if that''s what caught the attention of the goblins? Jeez! I can''t believe I''m in this fantasy set-" *Growl!* Goes her stomach. "Oof... I know stomach, I''ll try and get you food as soon as possible. But I doubt there''s anything in there," Ryan said to her stomach. Ryan started to walk to that smaller door to see if the room was safe for her to rest for a bit. She opens the door slowly, trying to make as little sound as possible. Once inside there were a lot of empty crates, wooden barrels, and small boulders lying in the small room. "Well, it''s better than nothing, I guess," Ryan said as he lay down on the ground hiding behind a rock in the shadows. This will have to do for now, Ryan said as she tried to get as comfortable as possible as she drifted off to sleep. *** After some time has passed. Ryan awoke to the sound of clanging metal in the distance. ''Huh? Is that a adventure party? Goddess, I wish I could have slept on a bed instead of this stone floor.'' Ryan thought to herself. Ryan tried to get up off the ground but failed miserably due to losing the feeling in her legs. ''Fuck. I guess sleeping on a rock floor didn''t help my legs that much.'' Ryan said while she was shaking out her legs. She tried her best to get the feeling back in her legs as quickly as possible. was getting up she heard the sound of footsteps coming from the corridor to the left of the room. She stayed behind the rock in the storage room and got ready if they decided to enter the room. A group of goblins came into the area and stopped just outside the door of the storage room. No need to look in here guys... Nothing but useless rocks and empty boxes in here. Ryan said to herself trying to will the goblins away from her, in hopes they wouldnt notice her hiding in the shadows of their storage room. "Yaaah!" The goblin leader shouted out. "Come, intruders! This way!" ''It must be the adventurers?'' Ryan thought to herself. She peeked her head out from behind the rock and saw a group of goblins through the cracks of the crapy door. They gathered their weapons and followed after the goblin leader towards the corridor that the other goblins ran through before Ryan hid in the room. That''s when Ryan heard something new. The sounds of metal "Prince Quinus, there''s another horde coming our way!" Yelled a man''s voice in the distance. The sounds of metal were getting louder as the seconds went by. ''Yep! It is a group of adventurers. Maybe I could use them as a distraction. So I can get out of this shithole of a dungeon.'' Vol.1 Ch.23 MEATS BACK ON THE MENU! Ryan watched as the goblins went in the direction of the shouting. "Yeah, the adventure party is here," Ryan said to herself as she got up from the ground and snook up to the entranceway of the small room she was resting in. Ryan took a peek out the tattered door and saw a group of goblins gathered outside. They were engaging in a battle with seven other figures that looked like humans. They were a good distance away and she was having trouble making out who was in the party, even with Ryans ability to see in the dark. "Um, well I might be able to sneak out thanks to my new decoys. Who are playing with the goblins," Ryan whispered to herself. She decided to tiptoe out behind the goblins that were glaring at the invaders. She made sure not to make a noise as she moved behind a rock on the opposite side of the room. Luckily they didn''t notice her. The battle had become far more fierce by the second as the goblins spawned the heavily armored warriors. The green-skinned freaks outnumbered the adventure party three to one. The goblins seemed to be holding their own, they even managed to land a few hits on a couple of the knights, here and there. "So, they''re only humans? I thought they would have a dwarf or something," Ryan joked to herself as she finally could see the group more clearly now as she hid behind one of the rocks near the far side wall of the cavern. She saw a party of seven adventurers who seemed to finally be making a dent into the goblin horde that was swarming them. After a while, some of them started to relax. But then the hobgoblins came into the picture and entered the battle with the remaining goblins. "Percy! Guard my flank!" yelled out a young man with golden eyes and dark red hair. He was wearing badass-looking armor that was mostly black, or more of a charcoal color but it had gold trim with all these intricate details. ''Damn! Mr. Golden Eyes, looks like he''s royalty or something?'' Ryan thought to herself. "Yes, Your Highness." Said the other young man named Percy. He was firing off arrows to give support for his party. He looked like your everyday fantasy ranger. With his red cape, leather armor, and short sword. He was playing crowd control with his bow and arrows. He had hazel brown eyes and short brown hair. And upon second viewing Ryan noticed that he looked a little younger than Mister Golden Eyes. ''He must have a huge ego if he has a retainer named Percy!'' Ryan thought to herself. *Swish!* *Clang!* *Scrape!* "Guh!" Grunted an older man wearing light armor. He resembled more of a knight, with the usual chainmail, the tunic with his country''s banner colors on it and he was using a shield and a long sword. But four goblins came at him and one got him in the arm. ''Ew! He just got a piece taken out from him!'' Ryan thought while she continued with her internal commentary. She witnessed the knight getting hacked by a goblin axe. "RAH! Sir George! Get back and mend your wounds! HAH! I''ll take on the front!" Mr. Golden Eyes ordered as he fought back three goblins and a Hobgoblin. "I''ve had worse, my Lord!" Said Sir George as his face was filled with pain while the blood continued to flow out of the wound from his shield arm. *Sling!* *Splat!* "George! You''re better to me alive than dead! Mend yourself now! That''s an order! Hah!" Mr. Golden Eyes yelled out again as he killed the Hobgoblin in front of him. "Guh... As you command, Your Highness." Said Sir George as he tried to wrap his wound as quickly as possible. ''Huh? Looks like a few of them are not fully engaged in the fight. Why are they letting Mr. Golden Eyes do all the work?'' Ryan pondered but she got a bad feeling about their predicament but she was interested to witness how it was going to play out. "Marcus! What are you doing!? I need you in the front line!" Mr. Golden Eyes roared with anger in his voice. *Clang!* "I''m sorry cousin but this is where we must part ways. I hope you have a wonderful afterlife and I''ll make sure to give your parents my regards," Marcus said with a shit-eating grin. He was a wiry guy and looked like a mage with his robe and silly-looking hat. He seemed to have three bodyguards or mercenaries that looked similar to Sir George''s get-up. But they had a black rose on the front of their tunics. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ''Tsk! So cliche... It looks like Mr. Golden Eyes has a traitorous cousin. Anyway, not my problem.'' Ryan reacted to the scene in front of her like it was a poorly written movie or TV show. Even though it was a real battle of life and death. It was at this moment that Ryan decided to make her getaway. This was her opportunity to leave but after she turned away for a couple of seconds she could hear the fighting beginning again and for some reason, something within her compelled her to turn back. She needed to watch that man with the golden eyes as he struggled to keep himself and his comrades from dying, at the hands of the horde. Fine! Ill watch them for a few more minutes. Its not like I cant leave whenever I want... I just prefer to watch them for a little longer... Yeah, that''s it, Ryan lied to herself as she returned to her discreet spot and continued observing the battle. She couldnt help but stare at Prince Quinus''s (Mr. Golden Eyes) masterful fighting skills. He sliced and diced the foes in front of him with mesmerizing movements. He was so skilled with the blade that his enemies barely stood a chance. Ryan could tell that he had trained for a long time. But even the best warrior could only hold out so long against such odds. ''Damn, hes good! Like, really good... And the way his body moves is so hypnotic. And his muscles are sooo. so?'' Ryan then shakes her head vigorously as she tries to shake those strange thoughts from her head. What the fuck is wrong with me? *** "Tsk! Marcus! You traitorous dog!" Sir George yelled as he slashed a goblin with his sword and knocked the little monster into a big rock. "You''re going to pay for this! HYAH!!" Marcus just smirked as he ran down a different corridor with his three knights leaving them behind to their deaths. "George, focus! We can''t get my cousin if we die here right now? " Said Quinus as he continued to fight with the remaining goblins and a goblin shaman. All of a sudden everyone can feel the cavern vibrate as the sound of a stampede seems to be coming their way. "Prince Quinus! It''s a monster stampede!" yelled Percy from behind the group. First Marcus and now this, Quinus said with frustration. The vibrations and the sound of stomping feet seemed to get stronger by the second until it became a deafening roar. Everyone''s attention went to the entrance of the cave where they could see a green wall of goblins coming towards Quinus and his retainers. ''OH FUCK!'' Ryan thought as she saw the tidal wave of goblins coming straight for them. ''Why didnt I get out of here earlier?'' She chastised herself for not leaving when she could have. All she can do now is watch the goblins come closer and closer to Quinus and his troops. As the goblins come within striking range of Quinus. He takes one last look at Percy and remembers how he said "to never leave someone behind" as they lost many good knights to get here at this point. He draws his elegant longsword up in the air. It began to glow red like a fire. "LET THE SUN SMITE THEE!" Quinus yells as the flame, which is as bright as the sun, flares out of his sword and he swings it in the direction of the goblin horde. The flames engulf the goblins before they can do anything about it. They scream, screech, and roll around on the ground, desperate to stop the pain as the army of goblins and hobgoblins fall to the magical flames. It takes only a few seconds before they burn to ash. "WOW!" Ryan yelled out in awe of the raw power that Quinus just displayed. Prince Quinus looks over to his comrades before he falls to one knee from exhaustion. "Well, done, my Lord. We would have been in trouble if it wasn''t for you... Are you fine," Sir George said as he hurried over to help him up. "Im fine, I just need time for my mana to come back into my body. Haah... I''m not sure how many more of those I can do that though," Quinus said to his retainers as he felt the stress on his body. "Lord Quin, should we retreat and bring in more knights?" Percy asked with worry in his voice. "No Percy! Marcus will use this against me for the Throne. Hell say, I''m not fit to be king because we couldnt stop the monster stampede, where he will. We have to finish this or our people will suffer," Quinus said with determination in his voice. "You''re right! Let''s keep fighting!" said Sir George as he took a stand next to Quinus and looked at the horde of dead burnt corpses of the goblins'' bodies or what was left of them. "I wish I was able to do something with magic, my Lord, I feel like I''m nothing but a burden," said Percy looking down at his bow. Sir George kneels down and puts his hand on Percy''s shoulder. "You did well today. And there''s no point in beating yourself up... Haah... I don''t know about you, but I''ve been feeling sluggish after that one. I think we could all use a break. What do you say, my Lord? I think we have about four more floors to go through before we reach the core. And I think it would be best to rest for a moment." Quinus looked around before speaking his mind. "Yeah... It would be best to take a breather. I doubt Marcus will make it that far with so many goblins running around." Percy laughs and nods "Yeah. You''re right. But how are we going to find the core without Marcus?" Quinus looks over to Percy and shakes his head, "It''s okay, Percy. Well figure it out when we get to that point." Ryan started to relax once she knew that Mr. Golden Eyes was okay. It was bugging her that she was so invested in Quinus'' wellbeing. But in the end, she just shrugged her shoulders and paid it no mind. ''Well, it seems they are safe for now. I really should leave. Huh? What is that?'' While Ryan was looking around the cavern she heard some noises, coming from above. That''s when she spotted a few hobgoblins climbing around the ceiling. They were holding onto the stalactites that were right above Quinus and his men. "Shit, they''re going to get jumped!" Ryan yelled out loud. The Hobgoblin leader chuckled as he and his minions positioned themselves up in the ceiling and began to attack Quinus and his comrades. "My Lord! Above us!" Sir George tried to alert everyone but it was too late as the hobgoblins jumped down onto the three of them, knocking their weapons away. "ARH!?" Quinus yelled out as he was knocked onto his back. "OOOAAAFFF!?" Percy grunted after getting punched in the face. "GET OFF ME!" George screamed as he was tackled to the ground. "MEATS ON THE MENU, BOYS!" yells one of the hobgoblins as they raise their weapons ready to attack them without mercy. Vol.1 Ch.24 I’m a virgin. Again! After sitting on the sidelines for all this time. Ryan finally decides to intervene as she comes out from behind the rock and slams both hands on the floor. She quickly channels her mana into the ground which causes a black aura to spread out through the whole cavern, due to her "Dark Earth" magic. The hobgoblins were too focused on attacking the humans to notice the rock floor changing underneath their feet. "HUH!? WHAT~ GLA!" "RAGH!" "ARGH!" That was all the hobgoblins could say before they were pierced by multiple earth spikes in that instant. Ryan''s Dark Magic had earth spikes sticking in them from every angle, turning them into Swiss cheese. And she managed to not hit Quinus and his comrades. the earth floor returning to its original form. Leaving behind the broken hobgoblin corpses that fell to the ground. "Holy Shit! I did that?" said Ryan as she looked around the dead hobgoblins. Quinus and his comrades were stunned at first but then they looked back at each other before nodding. "What was that? Is there an Earth Mage?" Percy asked while he picked up his sword as quickly as he could. "I don''t know exactly, but that magic was something Ive never seen before," Quinus replied as he massaged his shoulders before grabbing his long sword. "My Lord, look!" Sir George exclaimed while he pointed at Ryan. "A-A Dark Elf!?" Percy panicked as he readied his weapon. "Crap! I should have run earlier," Ryan said to herself as she thought she should run. But before she could act, Quinus yelled out. "George! Percy!... Stand down!" The prince ordered. Percy and George looked at Quinus in surprise. They didn''t know why their lord told them to stand down with a dangerous Dark Elf nearby but after a brief pause. They both lowered their weapons slowly while still keeping their guard up, just in case she tried something. "But my lord, she might be a brood maiden? And she''s a Dark Elf. We can''t trust her!" Sir George complained while keeping his eyes on the elf. "Who was it that saved us when we got ambushed?" Quinus asked in a commanding voice. "S-She did, my lord," George reluctantly answered. "Correct... And we''ll test if she''s a brood maiden, George. Now, stand down the both of you," Quinus said again in a calmer voice. Sir George grimaced after his Lord pointed out those facts. He felt shameful. He was ready to give a hug to whoever just saved them but he forgot that when he saw the Dark Elf. "She did come to our aid, Sir George," Percy said as he stared at Ryan and noticed that she wasn''t showing any malice towards them. "I''ll give her the test." "Fine, but if she tries anything, I''ll off her," Sir George said with a nod. "HEY! You know I can hear you!" Ryan yelled out to Sir George with a glare. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "Tsk! How could she not with those cursed elven ears of~" "GEORGE!" Quinus said in a stern voice. Sir George jumped when he heard Quinus chastising him. Once he recomposed himself, he looked at the prince and he let out a sigh of defeat. "S-Sorry, my lord." "It''s not me whom you should be apologizing to," Quinus said as he motioned his head toward Ryan. Sir George hesitates for a moment before apologizing to Ryan. "I-I''m sorry my lady for offending you with my harsh language," he said with a slight bow. "And I''m sorry for my men''s hasteful actions towards you, my lady. Can I please have the name of the one who aided us in our time of need?" Prince Quinus asked Ryan. ''Hmm. I''ll have to keep an eye on those two morons but this prince guy doesn''t seem too bad. And he''s easy on the eyes,'' Ryan thought to herself as she felt safe around this man. "My name is..." Ryan paused for a moment because she felt the mana from the dead hobgoblins starting to absorb into her. "M-My name i-is Rya-augh!?" She could feel her cheeks blush in embarrassment after moaning. She didn''t know if she was moaning because of staring into Quinus'' golden eyes or if it was the mana lust. But one thing she didn''t expect to happen to her was how it made her admit that she wanted to know more about him. "It''s nice to meet you, Lady Rya. You can call me, Quinus," The prince said while giving a bow. Stupid mana! Quinus thinks my name is Rya. Haah!... Whatever, it''s not like Ill be sticking around for too much longer. Why correct it, if I''m just going to leave, Rya thought to herself while giving a mental shrug. She blushes again upon hearing Quinus saying her incorrect name. W-Wait thats n-not my-anh!? Rya was trying to correct him but she was flustered and the mana was making it difficult to think straight. "N-Never mind." She gave up after failing to hold back her moans. "Why is she fidgeting?" Percy asked George. ''Crap! I can''t hide it. T-This stupid mana is making me horny! I got to make something up? Gah! No! Just tell them the truth!'' Rya conceded. "I-I''m just feeling the mana from the hobgoblins absorbing into my body. T-That''s all. I-I''m sure it will p-pass," Rya said with a smile trying to compose herself. Quinus looked at Rya with a knowing smirk. "I see. She must be a demi-god. Shes getting a mana rush," Quinus said with a chuckle. Percy and Sir George looked at Rya before they nodded in agreement. "W-What makes you think so?" Rya asks as she blushes. "The same thing happened to me when I was younger... Well, it happened a few times. Anyway, I still feel the effects of mana rush when I slay enough monsters in one go but it''s not as bad as it used to be once my mana vein grew bigger," Quinus explained, I know what you are going through because I too have a demi-god mana vein. You need to take care of your Mana Rush," The prince said as he nodded. Rya''s heart raced. ''He thinks I have a Demi-god mana vein? Ha ha! If only he knew I was a summoned. OH, Goddess! Dammit! This fucking mana!'' "W-What do you mean?" Rya asked timidly, trying to control herself. "You don''t have to play coy with me Lady Rya. I know the urge is strong but it''s something that will lessen over time. Anyway, can we check you first to see if you''ve been infected by the goblins?" Quinus asked as he nodded at Percy. "W-What does it all entail?" Rya asked with confusion. "Percy has an artifact that can tell if you''re a brood maiden. We''ll know if it glows red," Quinus said as he motioned for Percy to check her. "O-Okay. I''ll take your test! B-But can you be q-quick?" Rya replied nervously as she walked up to Percy. Quinus and George have their hands on their swords. Rya didn''t notice it because she was fighting her urges and once she stopped in front of Percy. He took out the artifact and had it in his hand. He then moved it by her stomach. Within seconds it lights up and glows bright blue. Rya sighed in relief because it didnt turn red. But then she noticed the surprised look on all three of their faces. "What?" Rya asked. "So you''re a virgin?" George asked bluntly. "George!" Quinus yelled while looking at him in a panic. His retainer was embarrassing him. "Wait? I''m not a... Huh? W-Well, I guess I am a virgin?" Rya replied in a confused tone. She wanted to say she wasn''t a virgin because of her past but that was when she was a man. But now that she is a woman. It seems shes back to being a virgin, again. ''Shit... I''m a virgin... Again! Great!!!'' Rya thought to herself in frustration. Vol.1 Ch.25 Can’t Scratch that Itch! 🦴 Preview:
''Shit. I''m a virgin. Again! Great!!'' Rya thought to herself in frustration. "So, is there a problem with me being a virgin?" Rya asks, feeling embarrassed. "A problem?... No, my Lady. It''s just the rumors about Dark Elves are... well?..." Percy was having trouble finishing his sentence and had a slightly embarrassed look written on his face when he realized what he was about to say to a woman. "Promiscuous as a Succubi... At least your kind can''t suck the life from us! So, you keep yourself at a distance!" Sir George said sternly as he glared at Rya. ''What the hell is Sir George''s problem? Like I would ever touch his nasty ass cock!... Wait, I''m not touching ANYONE''S COCK! AH!'' Rya thought to herself as her body was still fidgeting from the afterglow of mana lust. Quinus glared madly at George for his rudeness. "B-But, my Lord!?" Sir George tried to argue his point that Dark Elves can''t be trusted but the Prince wasn''t having any of it. The old knight continued, "The Dark Elves have magic that can seduce us with ease!... We can''t afford to keep her around us!... All she will do is bring us trouble!" Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Rya had enough of his crap. "Seduce YOU!? A disgusting old man like you!?... HA! You couldn''t pay me! NO! I wouldn''t touch you if you were the last male on Tertius!!!" Rya snapped back at the disrespectful 46-year-old man. Sir George looked taken aback by Rya''s outburst and had to take a step back. "P-Please do excuse my rudeness, Lady Rya!" Sir George said with a quick bow and hurried back down the tunnel from where they first entered the cavern. "So you''re saying that I''m a Succubus!" Rya angrily spat at George while he was walking away. He was making sure to avoid eye contact with the Dark Elf as he made a B-line for the exit. The old knight didn''t respond and continued walking. But that only made Rya angrier. She never felt so judged in her entire life, and it triggered something deep inside her that she never felt before as a man. "You say I''m promiscuous? But I''ve never had sex with anyone! T-That''s why I''m a virgin!... You JERK!" Rya yelled in defense of herself even though it was a half-truth. ''I know I''m lying about being a virgin! But I''m not going to be looked down on just because I''m a woman!... Goddess! Why do I feel so agitated!? Usually, I don''t get this pissed this easily?'' Sir George acted like he didn''t hear her and was out of sight when he went around the corner. Quinus and Percy had never seen Sir George get cowed like that, especially in front of the prince. ... Everyone was silent for a moment. Quinus cleared his throat first. Vol.1 Ch.26 Wise Words From the Love Sage? When Rya came out of the storage room, she noticed Percy and Sir George were back with their backpacks and had set up a campfire. ''Hmm? It looks like they are cooking something. Wonder what they''re making?'' Rya thought to herself as she walked over to them. As she was walking, she couldn''t help but noticed her hips were swaying more than normal. All because of her transformation into a full-fledged female Dark Elf which gave her wider hips, and her larger breasts and butt which all jiggled with every step she took. ''Goddess! You have to be kidding me! This is insane! My body is changing because of this stupid mana.'' Rya thought to herself as she stood next to the fire. When Rya came into view, the two men turned their attention to her. Quinus was in shock and awe for a split second when seeing Rya''s new figure before him. He quickly regained his cool demeanor in hopes of not scaring her away from him. Percy''s eyes looked like they were trying to fall out of his head while he struggled to keep his jaw from hitting the ground. Sir George was too busy ignoring her to notice her changes as he focused on cooking up, some type of stew. "Um... I see you''ve grown stronger from your mana rush, Lady Rya. That''s good too, see!" Quinus spoke nervously as he tried to get his mind back in order. "Ha ha, yeah, I''m still not used to these growth spurts. Ha ha?" Rya replied nervously, not knowing the best way to respond to Quinus. Upon hearing the Dark Elf speak to his lord, Sir George turned his attention towards Rya and did a double take as panic was written all over his face. "As I told you, Percy! She means to seduce us ALL!" Sir George barked in disbelief at the sight of Rya''s new figure. ''Are you fucking serious?'' Rya thought as she stared at Sir George in disbelief. ''It''s like he hates women for some reason?'' "Erm... Erm..." Percy stammered out. Prince Quinus quickly turned to Sir George with a face filled with irritation and embarrassment and spoke sternly to him. "Sir George, You are turning into an embarrassment in all of the Fiafyr Kingdom!" Quinus spoke pointedly. Sir George''s eyes became wide with a realization, and he looked down to hide his embarrassment. "You''ve been acting like a fool ever since Lady Rya has been here! And I''ll not tolerate it any longer!" Prince Quinus said. "My apologies, my Lord... You will not hear another insult coming from this mouth of mine towards Lady Rya." Sir George said in defeat. "I hope you''re being truthful with me, Sir George," Quinus said sternly. "I promise with the honor of my Knighthood on the line, my Lord!" Sir George spoke with a bowed head. Rya just shook her head and sighed while finding a rock to take a seat on. "I''m really, truly sorry for Sir George''s unwanted and unfounded accusations towards you, my Lady... I guarantee that this won''t happen again. With my honor as Crown Prince Quinus Meredydd, future ruler of Fiafyr Kingdom," he said, bowing his head towards Rya. Rya''s heart fluttered a bit when Quinus bowed towards her, but she didn''t trust Sir George, yet. She felt like he would try to accuse her of something else, sooner or later. "I trust you, Quinus, but he needs to be more respectful." Rya huffs out while crossing her arms over her chest, which accentuates her cleavage. "Sorry, Lady Rya, Sir George has never been good around women," Percy added as he recalled how he had taken some of Sir George''s advice on how to pick up women in the past. "Percy! I cannot believe you would betray me like that! You''ve asked for my advice on attracting a fine lady, and I gave it to you. Only to have you not take my teachings to heart!" Sir George said this in shock. ''Oh! This is going to be good.'' Rya thought as she leaned forward in her seat and watched the two men argue. There''s nothing more entertaining than someone who thinks they''re an expert in a field that they are not. Especially when they think they are a player that has women swooning after them. ''I can''t wait to see this car wreck. Ha ha ha.'' Rya thought, as she hoped, that this conversation was going to go downhill fast. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "Sir George! Your advice ruined my chances with Bell!" Percy cries out in frustration. "How could that be? I told you that if you followed my advice, you''d get the girl. You must have done it wrong." Sir George said as he placed the blame on Percy. "Well, your advice was wrong, and I''m never going to find a lady as good as Bell again," cried out Percy. ''Oh, I need to know what Sir George''s bad advice is,'' Rya thought to herself, as she could barely contain her excitement. "What was his advice?" Rya asked with a hint of curiosity. "Lady Rya, I don''t think you-" Quinus was interrupted as Sir George started to monologue on the ways of picking up ladies for the group. "Well, Lady Rya, I fear you might fall in love with me if I were to tell my secrets to you," Sir George said in his defense. "Oh, we''ll see about that. Now please do tell, Sir George; let me hear your wise advice." Rya said in excitement as she leaned forward on her rock. She couldn''t wait to see how Sir George traps himself in a corner with his way of wooing the ladies. "Oh no, here we go again," Quinus whispered under his breath but he didn''t know Rya''s hearing had improved to the point that she could hear him. ''Huh? I can hear him from here? I-I guess I truly am a Dark Elf now... That can wait. Now, Sir George, lay it on me. You casanova, you!'' Rya thought as she couldn''t wait to hear his advice. "Alright. I will give you my wisdom on how to pick up any woman that your heart desires!" Sir George spoke in his typical pompous tone. "..." "One must know what a lady wantswhat all ladies want. And that is being the man of their dreams. And that is only possible if you know what they desire." Sir George said in his deep voice, "And since you''re a lady, albeit a Dark Elf, you have a predisposition to the female condition, Lady Rya." "And what is my female condition, Sir George?" Rya asked as she looked at the older knight with an amused smile. "Oh, just like any other woman would want, they need the perfect man, and there are the three pillars of being that perfect man that make it impossible for her to resist you." Sir George said this to her in his usual self-important manner. "Ooh, so there are the pillars of being a perfect man," Rya spoke with interest as she leaned forward. Rya didn''t realize she was showing off her cleavage to the group as three sets of eyes started to drift to the alluring site in front of them. Sir George shook his head to regain his composure. "Ahem, yes, the three pillars to become the perfect man that no fine lady can deny. First, he has to appear mysterious to catch his target''s attention. No woman can resist a mystery." Sir George spoke with a serious tone. "Second, you have to be disinterested. Show no affection for your target. A woman wants what she can''t get... And lastly, you have to have riches. A woman wants to be financially secure so she doesn''t have to lift a finger for the rest of her life. And if a man can achieve these three pillars, he will find true happiness! Oh yes indeed!" Sir George said it with a chuckle. "So how long have you been in a relationship, Sir George?" Rya asked curiously. "Oh! Um, I-I have never had the time. Y-Yes! I-I''ve been too busy protecting the realm." Sir George said it with a blush. "..." "..." Rya couldn''t help herself as she burst out laughing. "That''s some of the lamest advice I''ve ever heard, Sir George!" Rya said as she let out a full belly laugh. "You''re just a Dark Elf! What would you know, Lady Rya?" Sir George said with a glare. "Hahaha! Ah.. Hoo. That gave me a good laugh. Well, let me take a wild guess on how your love life has gone with your advice," Rya said as she held back tears of laughter. "Tch, like you could know," Sir George said in a huff. "So you used your Three pillars, and it worked; you got yourself a lady. But after about, let''s say, three months or so, Your relationship started to fall apart?" Rya asked as she leaned back on the rock. "H-How did you!... I-I mean? Go on," Sir George said with a flustered face. "And the reason why she left you is because of that fake persona you constructed for her. It''s impossible to maintain over so much time, and then she learned about the REAL you. That''s not a person who would make her happy in the first place." "T-That''s impossible? H-How did you know all this?" "I can just tell... How many relationships have you gone through?" Rya says it with a smile. "Um... Two?" Sir George stammers. "Just, Two?" Rya asks with a raised eyebrow. She didn''t believe him and he knew she was on to him. Percy was also interested in what Sir George''s real answer was as well. After a minute of awkward silence, Sir George caved. "FINE! I''ve gone through Five of them. They all dumped me after they found out that I''m a Knight and not some lord or wealthy noble!" Sir George said it with a huff. "FIVE!? YOU''VE GONE THROUGH FIVE FAILED RELATIONSHIPS!? You gave me failed advice, for my Bell! And you call yourself a love sage? I BELIEVED YOU!" Percy shouted in anger. "Well, it''s not my fault you came to me for romance advice!" Sir George said with a glare. "Hey! I was only looking for some good tips on how to get Bell to like me!" Percy said it with a pout. "She said I was rude before I even had the chance to date her! Now she''s going around telling everyone that I''m just some jerk who tried to take advantage of her!" "Oh, I see, so she didn''t like you after all? She must have been using you for the money and to gain the attention of other nobles," Sir George said with a shrug. "I''m going to kill you, George!" Percy said as he jumped at the knight, trying to tackle him to the ground. But Percy''s approach was halted when George placed the palm of his hand on Percy''s forehead, and all he could do was flail his arms around, just barely missing George''s body, like a little brother bickering with his older brother. "Calm down, Percy. I''m sorry my advice didn''t help you with Bell. Here is some stew. It''s ready," Sir George said as he handed over a bowl filled with steaming hot beef stew to Percy. "You know, if this is supposed to make me feel better, it really isn''t," Percy muttered as he took a sip from his bowl. ''Jeez. I feel bad for the kid. I''ll help him out if I can. He deserves it,'' Rya thought as she was seated across from Percy and George. Vol.1 Ch.27 Rya Likes Head Pats.. "Hey Percy, how old are you?" Rya asked as she looked at Percy with a curious gaze. "Huh? I''m eighteen, why are you asking, my lady?" Percy answered while blushing at Rya''s question. "Listen, you have plenty of time to find your next someone. My advice is to be yourself and go out on a limb. It might take some time, but you''ll run into your next Bell. As long as you try." Rya smiled. "Really, but I don''t think..." Percy was interrupted by Quinus before he could continue. "You''ll find another, Percy. Don''t worry about it. But I''m not going to lie, it''s going to be weird not seeing you try to pursue Bell''s hand in marriage," Quinus smirked. "Hey, Prince Quinus? May I ask how old you are?" Rya asked with a raised brow. "Hahaha, you are a curious one. I''m twenty years old," Quinus chuckled. "Twenty?! I thought you were older, with how mature and strong your appearance is," Rya smiled in surprise. "Thanks. I guess... You look pretty young as well. So I''m guessing you''re around forty years old?" Quinus said, making eye contact with Rya. "I-I''m... Twenty-seven," Rya answered back. ''Do I look like an old hag? Forty!? Really!?'' she thought to herself in a panic. "T-T-Twenty Seven!? She''s not a fully aged elven adult!" Sir George exclaimed ''They think I''m a child!?'' The thought irritated her so much that she had to respond. "I''m a full-grown woman! Now shut up," Rya responded. "I''m sorry, Lady Rya... I didn''t realize how young you were... I must say, I''m really bad at guessing elves'' ages. You look like a 16-year-old human, so I thought your age was around forty to seventy years old... My apologies," Quinus said sincerely. ''Oh!..... Geez, come on, Ryan. I keep forgetting that I''m not human anymore... Of course, Quinus would think I''m older than I look. Dah!'' Rya thought while she shook her head. She couldn''t believe she jumped to a conclusion without any context. ''But he thinks I look like a teenager? Ha ha. That''s cute,'' Rya laughed to herself. "Thank you, Prince Quinus... That means a lot coming from such a handsome man. It was an honest mistake, and I accept your apology." Rya said, smiling. "Of course, my lady. I apologize again. I should have known better after all these years." Quinus said as he patted Rya''s head. ''D-Did he just pat my head?... This is a little strange to get the attention of a man. B-But I feel like I''m being treated like a kid... But... Oh my god, this feels so nice. It''s just a simple head pat, and I''m feeling like this. I-It''s not his fault. I''m in a woman''s body and it would be weird if I tried to correct him. M-Maybe it won''t hurt if I let him keep apologizing to me like this.'' Rya thought with a smirk as another shiver ran down her spine from Quinus''s gentle touch. She was enjoying her head pats when Quinus asked her. "May I ask how a brave young Dark Elf such as yourself came to be stuck on the 10th floor of the ''Tomb of the Horde'' with nothing but the clothes on her back?" "I-It''s a long story," Rya answered while averting her gaze away from Quinus''s eyes. "I''d love to hear it," Quinus asked in a sweet voice. Rya looked at Quinus, then sighed. "Well, I was attacked by the paladins of the Divine Three. My... friend sacrificed himself by teleporting us to a forest that I had no familiarity with. That led to me being chased by a horde of goblins. At some point, an old obelisk fell over from the goblins chasing me and opened up a hole in the ground which I fell into.... I luckily landed in an underground lake. And that''s pretty much it." Quinus'' eyes widened. "Youve had that many near-death experiences?" He said it in disbelief. "Yeah, I did," Rya replied, not really feeling the weight of the danger she had faced. Due to Quinus'' hand still running through her hair, she couldn''t really focus on the severity of her situation when she was feeling so safe and secure sitting next to him. "I see. How lucky for you," Quinus remarked in a sarcastic tone as he noticed Rya leaning her head into his palm. Rya realized what she was doing and quickly snapped out of her trance. She felt ashamed that she was letting her guard down when she should be on high alert. "By the Goddess... The Divine Three have started their purging again," Percy said with a grim look. "Tsk! The Divine Three!... They would come after us once they wipe out all the other races on Tertius! And were a human kingdom!" Sir George added with disgust in his voice. "Well, Lady Rya. Whatever hardships you had to endure to escape those paladins and goblins to make it to this point. Might be worth it for us to cross paths," Quinus said, trying to lift Rya''s spirits. Rya felt her heart flutter for a moment as her face turned pink. "Wait? Why didn''t you use your Earth Magic on all of those goblins who were chasing you, like when you used those earth spikes to save us?" Sir George asked. "That''s another long story," Rya said with a sigh. "Tell us, Lady Rya." Sir George insisted. "Fine," Rya said. "The Goddess of the Dark Elves thought it was entertaining when I was almost killed and raped. She''s kind of an ass like that. So after I survived and escaped from the goblins, she gave me my new Dark Earthly Magic as a reward? Anyway, the time you were referring to when I saved your lives, was the first time using my earth magic. I''m glad it worked without a problem." The three men had a stunned look on their faces as the blood drained from their skin. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ''She tested her spell on us and we were lucky that she didn''t accidentally kill us!?'' Sir George thought before regaining his composure. "Haah. Yeah, the Gods and Goddesses can be cruel to us mortals. I''m sorry to hear that, my lady." Sir George said. Percy still had a look of shock on his face. "Are you serious?" "Yeah, I am. So I was hoping to get out of here but I don''t know where I''m going," Rya said, looking at Percy. "You''ve done well to survive, Lady Rya," Quinus said as he started patting Rya''s head once more, sending shivers down her spine. ''H-He''s touching me again,'' Rya thought, feeling her face warm up again. ''W-Why do I feel so relaxed when he touches me? W-What''s happening to me?'' "T-Thank you, Prince Quinus," Rya said with a smile as she snuggled against him. She could feel the warmth coming off his body as he continued his gentle pats. Rya couldn''t help but think about how weird it was to be comforted by a man. ''W-Wait! What am I doing? I''m a man, and I''m leading Quinus on.'' Rya thought as her eyes went wide. She pulled away from Quinus and then shook her head as if she was trying to get rid of something. Quinus smiles at Rya, thinking that she''s being cute. "S-Sorry about that. W-Why are you guys down here, anyway?" Rya stuttered as she wanted to change the subject. "Well, there have been a lot of monster attacks happening in the towns of Kishin and Ironside. We''re afraid that the adventurers guild failed at culling the horde of goblins, and it was getting worse. We fear that the ''Tomb of the Horde'' is preparing for a monster stampede, and we need to destroy the dungeon core before that happens." Quinus explained. "Oh, so that''s why you''re here... What''s the deal with your cousin?... Marcus, I believe that was the name you called him," Rya asked. "Ah yes, my cousin," Quinus said as he drummed his knee with his fingers. "You mean that traitorous dog of a noble?" Sir George shouted. "Haah... He was hoping to be crowned the next King of Fiafyr. Everyone thought he was going to be the next King because Queen Rianna had seven miscarriages. That was until Prince Quinus was born." Sir George explained. "Seven miscarriages?" Rya asked. "Yes, I''m the only child of House Meredydd." "And one hell of a child, I might add, my lord! No one expected the Queen to give birth after all those times she miscarried. Let alone give birth to a human with a demi-god-level mana vein. King Cyndre and Queen Rianna were ecstatic as you can imagine." Sir George said this with a smile. "I didn''t know that," Rya said as she looked at the ground shyly. "It''s okay, my lady. I''m used to it and I was expecting this to happen. My cousin''s betrayal that is," Quinus said as he put his hand on Rya''s head again. ''Geez! Why is he patting me again? This is really strange.'' Rya thought as a shiver went down her spine. Rya thought she would have felt uncomfortable after a third time being comforted by Quinus, but she couldn''t deny that the warmth radiating off of him was making her relaxed. "Why do you keep petting my head?" Rya asked Quinus as she lifted her head to look into Quinus'' eyes. "The heat coming off of you feels like a warm summer''s day. And secondly, your face looks so adorable when I give you a head massage," Quinus said with a smirk. ''I-I was making faces? Dammit! I should stop him, but his hands are really nice and warm. Maybe a few more minutes of this wouldn''t hurt.'' Rya thought as she blushed and leaned back into his hand. "I-I didn''t think I was being that obvious," Rya said with a sarcastic tone. "Okay, well, I''ll stop if you want me to. Just say the word." Quinus said, pulling his hand away. "W-Wait," Rya blurted out, surprising herself. "Do you want me to continue?" Quinus said with a mischievous smile. "S-Sure! You can continue if you like. Ugh." Rya blushed. Quinus nodded as he let his hand message her for a couple more minutes before he stopped. "Well, let''s continue this once we finish taking down the dungeon core," Quinus said as he pulled his hand away. Rya felt a little disappointed that her head pats were over. Once she had some time to herself she started to wonder about something. "Hey? Why did you even bring Marcus on this quest in the first place? He''s not exactly the most reliable person." "Because he and his family, House Revealia, have an artifact that can pinpoint where the core is hiding. And he''s a capable Wind Mage. My Uncle, Duke Alaric Revelia, claims his son is a human with an Elite level vein. But we are not sure that he''s that lucky to have the third strongest vein for humans," Quinus answered. "That would make sense that the dungeon core wouldn''t be out in the open to be destroyed. So what does Marcus'' artifact do exactly? Do you know how it works to find a core?" "They kept that a secret from everyone in the kingdom. We think it can track something that the dungeon core emits. But we''re still unsure of what it is," Quinus said while scratching the back of his head. Rya smirked, "Sounds like their artifact can pick up on ether particles. If you can track that, then you could find the dungeon core." "Ether particles? That makes sense. So his artifact must be able to detect the flow of ether," Quinus said as he scratched his chin. Sir George smiled while he shook his head. "Yeah, that may be the case. But we don''t know for sure. All we know is Marcus'' family owns this artifact, and says it only works for them." "Well, I can sense ether particles. I just need to relax my mind and focus. Then I can see the flow of ether." Rya said as she closed her eyes and began to concentrate. "Lady Rya? You can locate where the core is?" Sir George asked as he watched Rya close her eyes. Rya nodded, "Yes. I''m not sure how far away it is. But I definitely can see the particles. I''m sure I can find it with enough time." "Lady Rya," Quinus said in a calm tone while he walked in front of her before going down on one knee. ''W-What is he doing? Oh wait, is he going to propose to me? No. That can''t be right.'' Rya thought as she looked at Quinus in confusion. Quinus gently took Rya''s hand. "I know we already owe you a life debt for saving our lives. But will you please lend us your aid this one last time, in our hour of need?" Percy and George followed their prince''s lead and were kneeling behind him. Rya had a grin on her face as she watched the scene unfold in front of her. "Okay? Let''s say, I do aid you one more time, what would I get out of it?" Rya sighed while looking at Quinus, who kneeled in front of her. He looked up into her eyes. And with a stoic temper, he said, "If it''s within my power, I''ll grant anything you wish for... My lady." Rya''s heart skipped a beat when she stared deep into his golden eyes. "A-Anything? Anything at all?" Rya stuttered as she stared at Quinus, who was still kneeling before her. Quinus gave a big smile as he stood up. "If it''s within my power. Yes, anything." Rya felt a shiver run down her spine as she stared up at the handsome man with reddish-brown hair. She quickly took a couple of breaths to calm her racing heart. ''Don''t screw this up, Ryan! You can get a place to stay out of this. Hopefully, rent free... Y-Yeah! This is just a simple transaction, that''s all!'' Rya thought as she felt her anxiety rising. "Then I''ll help you. If I can have a place of my own in the Kingdom of Fiafyr?" Rya asked as she glanced at Quinus, who smiled at her as he bowed his head. "Would it be satisfactory for my lady if she was given a place in the Maldura Royal Palace, where me and my family reside? We can offer food and clothing while staying with us, too." "Well, if the space is adequate, then we have a deal," Rya said as she nodded her head. "Then from this day forth, you shall be a citizen of Fiafyr, Lady Rya. It is my pleasure," Quinus stated as he smiled at Rya. She was happy to be getting her own room to stay in. But that''s when she realized something that she overlooked. She had given them the wrong name and would most likely have to live with it for the rest of her life until she turned back into a man. ''Crap! So much for not hanging around them... No, that''s not right either! Not only I''m going to be hanging around them. I''m going to be living with them!... Why didn''t I correct Quinus about my name?... If I do that now, I''ll just look like a moron! UGH!'' Rya shook her head at her own mistakes. ''No! It''s not worth it! I''ll just look pathetic if I do! I''ve made my bed and I''ll have to live with it for now.'' "O-Okay, my lord," Rya said as she blushed at Quinus. "You can call me Quin, my Lady." "Oh, okay, well, you can call me... Rya," She smiled as she watched Quinus bow his head again. Quinus looked up at Rya. "Well, now that we have a deal, why don''t we finish the meal that Sir George has made for us? We''ll need our strength for the road ahead. I know you have a lot of questions, so let''s eat and talk." Vol.1 Ch.28 Going down the Labyrinth. After the group finished eating, they packed up the campsite and prepared to move out in hopes of catching up with Marcus. Rya and Quinus walk around the area to stretch their legs. Quinus kept secretly glancing over at Rya to admire her figure as she walked along, oblivious to his gaze. After he soaked in the view enough, Quinus decided that they needed to get going. Even if all he wanted to do was stare at her ass all day. "We should probably get going. We can''t let my cousin get too far ahead of us," Quinus suggested. "Yes, I suppose we should," Rya answered but then a thought popped into her head, "Hey, do you guys have any enchanted weapons I could use?" Rya asked as she gestured, swinging an imaginary sword. "You know, just to help me defend myself." "I''m afraid not. The only weapon that has any enchantments on it is my sword, the Sun''s Fury. Otherwise, we have a normal steel short sword...But I must say, I didn''t know you knew the way of the sword, Rya?" Quinus said with a smile. "Yeah, I know a little, I guess. But really it''s more for one of my magical spells that can warp a bladed weapon into a whip that I can move around at will. The annoying thing is, I don''t think standard weapons can take the stress of the spell and the blade will break after casting it once, or twice if I''m lucky. So it would be something I would use as a last resort until I can get a weapon that can withstand my Dark Earthly Blade spell," Rya answered as she rubbed her chin. "Hmm? That sounds more like a Maja technique than a magic spell... Anyway, I know someone who could create an enchanted weapon if we can get him the materials, but it would cost you a lot of gold. But he''s one of the best blacksmiths in all of Fiafyr and was the former Baron of Ironside. Once we make it out of this mess, hopefully, he will see us," Quinus said as he looked at Rya. "Well, that''s good to know for later. In the meantime, I''ll grab one of your spare swords if you don''t mind." "Sure... Percy!" Quinus yelled out to Percy who was busy gathering all their equipment. "Yes, my Lord?" Percy answered as he turned around. "Do you have that spare short sword by chance?" Quinus asked as he gestured with his hand. "Ah yes, My lord... May I ask why you want this short sword?" Percy asked as he pulled it out of a backpack. "Can you give it to Lady Rya, please?" Quinus asked as he gestured towards Rya. "Sure thing, my Lord. And I''ll put a second one in her bag," Percy said as he handed the short sword to Rya, and they gave her a spare backpack to use. "Thank you, Percy. Now come on, let''s get moving. We need to catch up with Marcus," Quinus said as he grabbed Rya by the hand and helped her stand up. "As you wish, my lord," Percy answered as he quickly went to grab their remaining gear with Sir George. They all gathered their gear and set off through the cavernous cave to try and catch up to Marcus. Rya struggled to get used to her new body proportions as she kept up with Quinus. She could feel her breasts bouncing around inside her tunic and rubbing her sensitive nipples against the rough fabric, which she had no choice but to ignore. And her hips and ass were wobbling every step. It felt like it was throwing off her balance, but she tried her best to keep her focus while holding the short sword in her other hand. ''F-Focus Ryan! You''re out of the pan and into the fire. So deal with it! Guh! I-I can''t believe I saying this, but I wish I had a fucking bra... Fuck, it feels like my tits are gonna explode out of my tunic!'' She thought to herself as she started walking behind the others. They were going through the corridor Marcus went through when Quinus and the others were fighting the goblins. After they had walked along the winding corridors of the dungeon, for a solid five minutes, Rya couldn''t deny it anymore as the strange sensations ran through with each and every step she took as she continued to walk along the rocky path. These foreign sensations coming from her female body were making her realize something. She wanted to shake these thoughts away, but her thoughts began to run wild about "what ifs". Like, what if she couldn''t reverse what had happened to her? It was a truth she no longer could avoid as she was a full-fledged woman now. A few hours ago, she was able to ignore it, as long as she didnt look at her reflection when she still had her man bits and smaller chest. But now, she was reminded of what she''s become with each step she took in her new body. Goddess. Its going to be difficult to get used to this womans body. H-How do women with curves like mine even function like this!? It feels like everything is in the wrong spot! My boobs are huge! And I can''t stop them from bouncing around. It feels so... weird and uncomfortable. But not unpleasant. GAH!? Bad thoughts!... I just hope theres a way to reverse this... B-But, maybe I should look at this from a different angle. I should be able to get some interesting data out of this. To feel what it''s like to be a woman... Y-Yeah, I just need to look at this as a glass half full and not half empty... I-I should try and make the best of the situation while I can and find a way to reverse this as fast as possible. And I should probably get some clothes that can support these damn tits of mine.'' Rya thought to herself as she tried to reevaluate her new goals for the future. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Quinus could see the expression of discomfort on Rya''s face, and he felt concerned, "Is something the matter, Lady Rya?" He asked. "No, nothing is the matter. Just trying to adjust to my new surroundings is all," Rya answered. "I see. Well, we will reach the end of the dungeon soon. Hopefully, we can find the core and be done with it," Quinus said as they continued onward. "Right," Rya said as she continued following the group. At a certain point, Rya''s elven hearing helped her eavesdrop on Sir George whispering to Percy by accident. "I can''t believe our Lord just made Lady Rya a citizen of Fiafyr... And a Dark Elf at that," Sir George whispered as he shook his head. "The nobles will have a field day with this when word gets out. Plus, the Alliance of the Divine Three will be coming for our throats for sure. As well as the Kingdom of Marn using this as an excuse to wage war on us... It will bring nothing but trouble to the kingdom." "Yeah, But Ive never seen our Lord this happy in such a long time... Ever since the Prime Minister came up with that peace proposal with the Divine Three by using an arranged marriage, he hasnt been himself," Percy responded as he smirked at Sir George. Sir George scowled as he looked away. "They haven''t even let the prince meet her yet. But I guess it doesn''t matter in the end, if all she is is an opportunity for the Alliance to sink their claws into Fiafyr... Heh. Using her as a peace treaty between nations... Our lord would be better off with a succubus than any princess thrown at him from the Divine Three. They''re just looking to steal his seed, then our kingdom. It''s clear as day and the Prime Minister is too much of a fool to see it." "You know his Majesty had little choice when the major nobles stepped in and backed the Prime Minister... Haah... But I do have to agree with you. I do not like the idea of using the prince as a bargaining tool for the ministers. Sometimes, I''m glad that I''m not a royal," Percy said. Quin is engaged!?... I-I mean, that makes sense with him being a royal and all... B-But why is it bugging me so much? It''s not like I care who he''s marrying!... Even if it is a political marriage. Rya thought to herself as she tried to get a hold of her confused emotions. She started to become frustrated when she didn''t understand what her feelings were telling her. ''Gah! Get a grip, Ryan! It doesn''t matter. I need to focus on the important things. Like finding a way to reverse what has happened and getting my own life back... I don''t need to get wrapped up in this. Besides, it''s not like I''m into guys... W-WHICH I''M NOT! Because I''m straight!'' Rya thought to herself as she kept on walking down the winding path, hoping they would run into Marcus at some point. M-Maybe I feel like hes a brother to me?... I mean, he does give out good head pats. So, after he gets married, he wont be able to give them to me anymore. Especially if I''m stuck in a woman''s body... ARH! T-That sucks!'' Rya screamed in her head as she became sad for a second before refocusing on the task at hand. "That reminds me, Percy. We''ll have to deal with that traitor''s dogs at some point too. So, keep an eye out for them," Sir George said as he motioned towards the hallway in front of them. "Yeah, the infamous mercenary group ''Black Roses''. I heard some rumors about them, though. Not good ones," Percy replied as he looked over his shoulder. "Like how they destroyed the Wood Elves Kingdom in the northwest and enslaved them for the Kingdom of Marn... Of all the things they''ll do to make money. It makes me sick." "Some people say theres a price for everything," said Sir Geroge with a grim voice. ''Hmm, "The Black Roses," aye? I''m sure they''ll be pushing up roses.'' Rya half-joked to herself. But what she really wanted to do was blow off some pent-up frustration that came out of nowhere. *** As they continued into another cavern, they saw a fresh pile of dead goblins with strange holes in them. "This is Marcus'' doing. See those wounds? They were caused by an incantation called Wind Arrows. It''s a magical spell that''s almost invisible to see. And it''s his favorite spell to use," Quinus spoke while examining the cavern full of goblin corpses. "Yeah, this ''dungeon core'' sure loves to pump out a lot of these goblins, sheesh! How many are in here? Like a hundred?" Rya asked as she rolled her eyes. "A dungeon core doesn''t care how many of its creatures it loses. All it cares about is keeping itself alive," Sir George explained. "It''s weird that this place is ''alive''," Rya said, as she was amazed by the concept of a self-aware dungeon. Quinus and Percy nodded at each other as they finished their sweep of the area. "All clear," said Percy, as he gathered his equipment. "Let''s hope Marcus didn''t get himself killed out there," Quinus said while he walked past the goblin corpses. "Hmm? Whys that?" Rya asked with curiosity. "Because he deserves to go to trial for his treasonous ways. Plus, Im sure my uncle will claim Ive murdered him out of spite. You know, Rya, being born a Royal is not what it''s cracked up to be," Quin chuckled a little bit about how ridiculous the situation was as he looked at Rya. *** Rya and the group made their way further into the dungeon''s 10th floor. And they finally found the stairs down to the 11th floor. "So you guys mentioned that there are a few more floors to go down?" Rya asked as she watched Quinus. "Well, we don''t know if the dungeon core has added a floor or two since the last time someone was able to get down there again," Sir George answered Rya. "When was the last time someone reached the bottom of the labyrinth?" Rya asked. Sir George paused for a moment. "A little over a hundred years ago, I think." He finally answered. Rya took a look at Sir George. "Yeah, with that amount of time, it could have added a floor or two. Which would be annoying," Rya said as she looked at the hallway ahead of them. "Well, I hope it''s only a few floors that it added," Sir George said as he looked at Rya. "What are you worried about, Sir George?" Rya asked as she started walking forward taking the lead. "It''s been a century since the monsters were cleared out. So by now, this dungeon is supposed to be infested with new mobs of goblins and traps, but the corridors on this floor are emptier than I hoped. I just hope that the core didn''t create a dungeon lord," Sir George said as he looked around. "Dungeon Lord?" Rya asked with a puzzled look on her face. "What''s a Dungeon Lord?" "It''s when a dungeon creates a monster that''s even stronger than its normal monsters," Quinus explained, glancing at Rya. "Yeah, that would suck. Let''s hope you''re right about the core, only adding floors then," Rya said as she looked at Quinus. "We should probably keep moving," Percy said while watching their backs. Vol.1 Ch.29 Descending into a Goblin Nest. They reach a dead end after a half hour of traversing through the 11th floor. "Great... Does anyone have any ideas?" Sir George sighed as he looked at the bland stone wall. "What do we do now?" Percy asked as he looked around the wall, seeing if there was a secret passage, but he was coming up empty. "I didn''t notice any other pathways that would have led to another way down. Unless one of you noticed?" Quinus asked as he looked at Rya. "Rya, can you see the flow of ether?" "Give me a sec... I''ll see where the ether particles are flowing from," Rya said as she looked at Quin. "Okay, we''ll stand guard and make sure nothing comes sneaking up on us," Quin said as he gave her a nod. ''Okay Rya, time to work your magic? Just remember what Nils taught you.'' Rya thought to herself as she closed her eyes and began to focus. It took a minute before she could sense the eerie green ether particles again. ''I did it! Now let''s see where they''re flowing from now?'' Rya asked herself as she opened her eyes and saw the green particles flowing throughout the cavern, bumping against the cave walls of the hallway. It didn''t take long for her to spot the ether flowing out of this five-foot section from the large dead-end wall in front of them. "Huh? That''s weird," Rya said as she looked at the wall with a perplexed expression. "What''s wrong?" Sir George asked as he and the rest of the party gathered behind her. "The ether is flowing out from the middle of this wall," Rya said as she pointed at the spot in the stone wall. Quinus and Percy moved closer to the wall to get a better look. "I think I can feel airflow coming from here. But this wall is solid," Quinus said as he touched the wall and pushed against it a couple of times to see if it would budge, but it didn''t move. "So, how do we open it?" Sir George asked as he walked over. "Pff! Of course, there''s a hidden passage in a labyrinth. So cliche," Rya said while shaking her head. Percy and Sir George gave her confused looks, while Quinus'' interest in Rya grew. "What is she talking about? What does cliche mean? She is so strange," Percy whispered into Sir George''s ear. "She''s a dark elf. And it might be best not to ask her questions about things we don''t know about, and we probably don''t want to," Sir George replied with a concerned look. "Oh, good point. It''s probably something best left alone," Percy nodded. Quinus cracked a smile and Rya just realized she used an "Earth" saying to people who have no clue what it means. "Well, that doesn''t help us get past this wall, though," Sir George sighed as he tapped the stone wall. That''s when Percy had an idea. "Do you think it''s an illusion?" Percy asked as he looked at Quinus. "Well, I''ve never seen an illusionary wall before. I guess we''ll find out if it is," Quinus said as he took his sword into his hands and swung it into the wall. *SWISH!* "Wow!" Quinus lost his balance when his sword passed through the wall with no resistance. The illusion disappeared and a passageway was revealed. ''Wow!? That''s creepy that illusion can feel real,'' Rya thought to herself while Quinus regained his composure and sheathed his sword. "Yeah, it''s an illusion alright," Quinus said as he examined the passage before the illusion reappeared. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. "I''ll be damned!? Well done Percy," Sir George said as he tried to touch the wall again but this time his hand passed through the stones as if they weren''t there. Rya just stood there staring at the wall. "So we just go through it?" She asked Quinus. "Well, you said the ether was flowing from here right? It looks like the only way to continue, so let''s go," Quinus said as he stepped forward and moved through the fake stone wall. "Haah... Here we go." Rya said as she followed Quin. Sir George nodded to Percy as they followed after Rya. Once they passed through the illusion they found themself in front of a spiral stone staircase leading down to the lower level. The staircase was wide enough for two people to walk side by side but there wasn''t that much natural illumination. It was too dark to see all the way down to the 11th floor. "Hey, do you smell that?" Rya asked the group. "Smell what?" Percy asked as he sniffed the air but couldn''t tell what she was referring to. "Something smells like rotten eggs," Rya said while she sniffed the air, raising her head a little. "It''s strong, it must be coming from the lower floor." "I-It could be a goblin nest? I hope it''s not," Sir George said as his face turned grim for a moment. "Let''s just hope it isn''t the stench of death and it''s something else," Quinus added while he looked at Sir George. "Do not hope with goblins, my lord," Sir George said as he shook his head. "So if it''s a nest, that means there are captive women?" Rya asked and looked at Sir George. "Aye... Yes, my lady. Brood Maidens, most likely," Sir George said as he glanced down the stairwell but he couldn''t see past five feet in the darkness. "It''s not a pretty sight, Rya. You might want to steel yourself." Quin said as he pulled his long sword. "No time like the present," Rya said as she drew her short sword. "Let''s go." As they descended down the stairwell Quinus, Percy, and George started to smell the foul stench that Rya had a whiff of earlier. "Uh! I don''t know how you''re able to stand this foul odor with your elven nose, Lady Rya," Percy said as he looked around the open landing as they walked halfway down the staircase. "Well, it''s not easy Percy. But I have little choice," Rya said with a grimace look plastered on her face. "That smell is horrible," Quinus groaned as he held his nose. "Let''s focus on our mission, gentlemen and my lady." Sir George said trying to act stoic but he couldn''t hide his revulsion from the smell either. "Alright, let''s move and be quiet. There might be goblins waiting for us," Quinus said as they hurried down the rest of the stairs and entered the 11th floor of the Labyrinth The three continued down the stairs in silence until they came across a small crude wooden door that led to a large hallway. There was only one light source that lit the hall and it was coming from a single torch hanging from the ceiling. Rya stopped in front of the door and gave a quick glance over her shoulder. "I''ll take the lead, Rya," Quin said with a concerned look. "You think something''s gonna jump out on us?" Rya asked with a raised eyebrow. "I don''t believe we are going to be attacked... Since we haven''t been jumped by any goblins earlier," Quinus said as he reached for the latch. "But you might want to avert your eyes," He opened the door and stepped inside. As they walked into the next room they found the source of the foul odor. It was a group of a hundred people chained to posts lined up in uneven rows with their hands and feet tied behind them as their lower halves were ripped open from the insides out. "By the Goddess. What in the seven hells is going on here?" Quin said as he blinked back tears at the sight of all those poor souls. At the same time, Percy''s face became a few shades paler when he was confronted by the horrors of a goblin nest of this size. Sir George looked like he had seen the same thing countless times before. Rya covered her mouth and nose as she saw the horror scene in the room. She had seen the aftermath of a battle before on television, but she had never seen anything this gruesome in real life. "I prayed to the goddess, in hopes that I would never see a sight like this again... But, It seems they went unanswered," Sir George said as he looked down at the blood-covered ground. "H-How did the goblins capture so many women? I don''t understand," Rya said as she took a deep breath. Realizing she was almost one of the many females that were trapped in here. "Goblins captured people who were unfortunate enough to travel through their realm, thats why we need to end this dungeon core at all cost," Quin stated with a stoic look. "So, killing the dungeon core will stop them from spawning more of these goblins? If that''s the case... Then you have my magic, Quin," Rya said with a determined face as she looked at Quinus. The prince took a deep breath and nodded at her before turning his attention toward Sir George. "We should check and see if there are any females alive. And if they are Brood Maidens. Then we can put them to rest," Quin said with a sympathetic look toward the rows of women. Sir George nodded and looked to Percy, "Yes, it''s the least we can do for them, my lord." Vol.1 Ch.30 Found Alive One! Quinus, Rya, and the other two all started to make their way through the nest, hoping to find any survivors, even if it was a fool''s hope. While Rya and Quin were walking down the last row, Rya noticed some female demi-humans tied up. "Demi-humans? It''s sad to see them captured," Quinus said, with a look of pity. "Is there a demi-human tribe in Fiafyr?" Rya asked as she kneeled next to the woman. "No, there aren''t. These ones might have been battle slaves from one of the neighboring kingdoms... If I could, I would like to rid myself of such a sport," Quin said as he looked over the row of deceased women. "T-That''s horrible," Rya said with a look of disgust. So theres slavery in this world. I shouldnt be surprised. Im sure there would be slavers who would definitely come and try to enslave me! Haah... So Im going to need eyes on the back of my head if I cant reverse whats happened to me... I''m sure they would love to have a Dark Elf to sell, Rya thought to herself. The images of these poor women will be etched in her mind, forever. As it is a reminder of how cruel this world could be. "I know... They''re still people and they deserve to be treated with respect. I''m sure their master used them as decoys when they were ambushed by the goblins... Tsk! They''re nothing but cowards," Quin said as he looked at all the dead. "What a terrible life they must have had," Rya said as she knelt down beside the dead. She noticed that all of them were wolfkin females. *Cough! Cough!* Quinus and Rya''s attention was drawn towards a wolfkin female who was still "alive" a few feet away from them. "Huh!? George! Percy! There''s an alive one here!" Quinus exclaimed as he hurried over to the woman. Rya''s eyes widened when she saw what the condition of the wolfkin female was, "She looks like she''s ready to give birth!?" Quinus got down on his knees and examined the wolfkin female, who looked like she was well past her third trimester, as she had pain written all over her face. But instead of looking like a healthy mother ready to give birth. She looked more like she had a parasite sucking the life force out of her. She looked ravaged and her body was withering away from it. "This doesn''t look good," Quin said as he looked at the wolfkin. "Cough! Hehe, so I still have to die in front of you, miserable humans... Cough!" the wolfkin said with half-glazed eyes. "Don''t tell me she''s about to give birth," Rya asked with a look of concern. "The goblin fetus is already growing inside her. But we''ll make sure first." Quin said as he stood up. At that moment, Percy and Sir George finally made their way over to Rya and Quinus. "Should we put her down, my lord?" Sir George asked as he readied his sword. "If she''s a Brood Maiden, then yes... Percy, do you have the magical instrument?" Quin said as he walked over to the wolfkin female. Yes, my lord." Percy said as he pulled out a crystal artifact that was used on Rya when they first met and handed it to Prince Quinus. Well, I know it''s a fool''s hope, but I do hope you''re not a Brood Maiden, my lady." Quinus said as he placed the object by the wolfkin female''s belly. "Cough! Oh, p-please... you just want to kill me. Cough! Like I know you humans want to," the wolfkin female said as she glared at Quin. Quinus didn''t know how to respond to her, so all he could do was confirm what they already knew. He got down on his knees and checked the wolfkin female''s stomach. He could see the artifact starting to glow red. As it was a sign that she was infected by the goblins. "Haah... I''m sorry, my lady. You are infected by the goblins'' spawn. I really wish there was something else we could do," Quinus said sadly. "I''ll be gone soon anyway... So, have your fun, humans..." The wolfkin female said with glazed eyes. Quinus stood up and nodded to Sir George as he unsheathed his sword. Rya was just stuck there, not knowing what to do. But she wanted to stop this somehow. ''This is bullshit. Is there really nothing we can do to save her? This could have been me if I hadn''t escaped those goddamn hobgoblins. Isn''t there anything that we can do?'' Rya thought as she watched the wolfkin female close her eyes while Sir George stepped forward. He prepared himself before he had to end this poor womans life. ''Think Ryan! There has to be something we can do!'' Rya''s mind was racing as she felt herself starting to tear up. But that was when she had a eureka moment and she knew what she could try to do. She snapped into action and kneeled next to the wolfkin. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Wait, Sir George!" Rya yelled as she hurried towards the wolfkin. Sir George stopped in his tracks as he watched Rya kneeling next to the wolfkin female, and Prince Quinus rushed over to stop her and picked her up. "Rya... I''m sorry, but this is the only way," Quinus said as he held onto Rya''s arm to keep her from going to the wolfkin. "No! There is another way. But you all have to promise me. Promise me you all will keep this a secret!" Rya said as she stared into Quinus''s golden eyes. Quinus didn''t know why but he trusted her and he wanted to help in any way possible. "We''ll keep whatever you want to do a secret, Rya... But if it fails... We''ll have to put her down. Okay?" Quinus said as he looked at the wolfkin, who was still coughing and didn''t look like she had that much time left before she gave birth to the goblins. "If our Lord says to keep it a secret, we''ll keep it a secret, Lady Rya," Percy said with a nod as he stepped aside. And with that, Quinus released Rya''s arm gently as she proceeded to kneel next to the wolfkin. "Thank you," Rya said with a bow. When Rya got closer the the wolfkin she was able to witness how much worse her state was compared to hers. She knew she didn''t have that much time left. "Haah, I can''t believe I''m doing this," Rya whispered to herself while she placed her hand on the wolfkin''s stomach and focused her mana towards the young, withered lady in hopes that whatever she was doing would work. "What... What are you-" the wolfkin started to ask but Rya placed a finger on her lips and shook her head. "Shhhh... I need silence," Rya said as she closed her eyes and focused her mana towards the wolfkin. A light aura started to spread throughout her body, and within seconds, Rya felt a warmth coming over her fingers. Quinus, Percy, and George couldn''t believe their eyes as the ravaged body of the wolfkin started to revert to its original form. Her body grew back her lean muscles, and her forearms grew back their fur, as did her lower legs. Her cut-off tail began to grow back, along with her ears. Then her beautiful, long, silky black hair grew back. Lastly, her breasts regained their firmness and grew larger, while her hips widened slightly. Within a few minutes, the wolfkin changed back into a beautiful young woman who had a few scars on her body. The only thing was the bulge in her abdomen. "SHE! SHE A HEAL~!?" Percy''s mouth was covered by Sir George as he whispered a stern warning to him. "Quiet you FOOL!... Marcus and his men might be close!" Sir George told Percy while he was waiting for the young ranger to regain his wit before releasing him. ''F-Focus Ryan! J-Just a bit more!'' Rya thought to herself as she channeled her healing magic into the wolfkin. Just as Rya focused her mana into the bulge, the wolfkin''s belly seemed to shrink a bit as her breathing became labored and her skin started to sweat. "Wh-What are you!?" the wolfkin said in surprise at Rya as she felt the pressure in her lower abdomen begins to build up. "AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!" Rya screamed out as she began to break out in a sweat. The goblin spawn was putting up a fight against her, but the healing magic was overpowering it as the goblin spawn was forcibly expelled. "Naugh!?" Moaned the wolfkin while she spread her legs as this disgusting, foul green sludge shot out of her vagina, causing her abdomen to shrink back to normal. After a moment, the wolfkin''s breathing went back to normal as she tried to register what just happened to her. While Rya was trying to regain her strength. "I-Is that the goblin sp-spawn?" Percy asked as he looked at the sludge on the ground. "Rya!? Are you okay!?... What''s wrong!?" Quinus said as he knelt by her and helped her from falling over. "Haah... haah, I''m fine. Just give me a moment," Rya said, while she shook her head and then double-checked to see if the wolfkin was cured. ''Thank the Goddess that she taught me, Void Healing... But CRAP, I''m exhausted!...'' Rya thought to herself as she wiped some sweat off her forehead. "H-How!? How did this happen? Wait!? There''s a darky?" the wolfkin asked herself with a perplexed look written all over her face before turning her attention to the dark elf, who started to stand up before her. Only to stumble over herself from over-exerting herself. "Huh!?" Rya was surprised by her legs failing her. "Whoa, there!... I got you, Rya," Quinus responded quickly and moved in to catch Rya before she could fall to the dirty ground. "Oh! T-Thanks Quin. Hehe, I guess that took more out of me than I thought," Rya said as she looked down at herself. Only for her to notice another slight change to her body. Her breasts were fuller than ever and they helped with messing with her balance. N-NOT Again!? She screamed in her head after seeing her large breasts sway and bounce around, struggling to be contained by her black shirt. "Percy. Sir George... Help free our wolf friend from her chains. I''ll see to Rya''s needs." "As you wish, my Lord," Percy said as he unsheathed his sword and went to work freeing the wolfkin from her restraints. While Percy and Sir George worked on getting the wolfkin out of her chains, Quinus helped Rya sit down on a comfortable-looking stone. "Well, aren''t you full of surprises? I didn''t expect you to be a heal~ well, you know," Quinus said as he handed her his water skin. "Hehe, thanks. It wasn''t easy, but I couldn''t let her die like that. Especially, since I could have shared the same fate as them. If I was only able to save one... Then it was worth it. Even if I should have kept it to myself," Rya spoke as she drank some water. She noticed Quinus'' big, handsome smile at that moment and it made her curious. "Umm? Did I say something?" She asked as she put down the water skin. "It''s nothing," Quinus said as he sat down next to Rya, then he placed his hand on top of her head, and started massaging her scalp. "You''re nothing short of amazing... I wanted you to know that." Rya felt a shiver run down her spine and her ears perked up in shock as her face turned crimson red from blushing. "T-Thanks B-But still, what did I say to make you smile like that?" Rya asked as she closed her eyes and tried to relax from the massage. "Hehe, you just confirmed something I''ve been curious about," Quinus said while he admired her cute expression. "H-Huh? Y-You are just using this as an excuse to make fun of me, aren''t you?" "I''m not, really. I just felt like telling you how much I appreciate you saving not only me but everyone who has come across you." Quinus said in a sweet, soft voice that was very soothing. Rya''s face blushed even harder as she heard his words. She knew he meant every word. And hearing him say it made her feel all giddy and fuzzy inside, like never before. "Thanks, Quin... But y-you''re just saying that just to... mmmmh," Rya moaned as Quinus scratched her scalp right behind her ears. It took awhile for Rya to recompose herself, once she had her wits about her, she stood up. She was able to balance herself, even with her larger breasts. She then looked at Quinus who was still sitting on the rock next to her. "You must like making things difficult for me, don''t you?" Rya said with a small pout. "Hmm, why do you say that?" Quinus asked as he stood up, towering over her. Making her feel the tiniest bit intimidated, but at the same time, she felt safe being next to him. Quinus was about to tease her again when all of a sudden. A black-haired wolfkin came over to Rya. Vol.1 Ch.31 Dalia Nightshade "Hey, darky!... I would like to thank you for saving my life. If it weren''t for your spell I would have died," The wolfkin said as she bowed her head. Rya looked at the wolfkin and saw that she had a bracelet on her left arm that glowed red. "You''re welcome. I guess I couldnt bear to see you die when I could do something about it... Even if it puts a bigger target on me," Rya said as she looked over at Quinus and gave him a wink. "Ha! They would have to go through me, darky! I won''t let any bastard touch her! You got that human," The wolfkin growled as she looked at Quinus. "Oh!? Um... Prince Quinus is a good human, you don''t need to worry about him," Rya said with a laugh as she took a sip of water from her water skin. "B-But you have a slaver collar just like me! We have to run, darky!" The wolfkin said as she glared at Quinus. "Our Lord Would Never Force Lady Rya or Anyone Else Into Slavery!!!" Sir George yelled out while he slammed his foot to the ground. The wolfkin scowled at Sir George and turned to look at the other human standing next to him, which was Percy who looked uncomfortable for some reason while moving both his hands in front of his crotch. He seemed to be blushing when he locked eyes with the wolfkin. "Oh! You''re talking about my necklace? Yeah, this is an artifact given to me by the Dark Elven Goddess, Nils... By the way, my name is Rya. And the human you were glaring at is Prince Quinus of the Kingdom of Fiafyr. The other two are his retainers, Sir George and Percy," Rya said as she pointed to Quinus and Sir George. "Kingdom of Fiafyr? I guess they''re better than most but you should be more wary of these humans, darky. They have their cunning tongues to trick us," The wolf-kin growled as she glared at Quinus. "It''s Rya, not darky. And can you tell me your name?" Rya said as she folded her arms over her chest with a glare. The wolfkin became panicked when her alpha was displeased with her and her ears drooped down. "I-I''m sorry darky~ I mean Alpha. The name I give from my pack leader is Dalia Nightshade. I''m a stalker-brawler for my pack," She said as she lowered her head with a frown. ''Huh? Did she call me Alpha?... Haah... I guess it''s a beastkin thing so I''ll let it slide. Plus, she''s been through enough as is. There''s no point in chastising her over something so simple," Rya thought. "Well then, Dalia. I''m glad to have rescued you. I can''t imagine what you''re going through... How were you captured in the first place, if you don''t mind me asking?" Rya wondered with a sad smile. "For my Alpha, I''ll tell her anything!" Dalia said as her tail started to wag in excitement and her ears perked up upon getting some positive attention from her new alpha. "My bastard of a human slave master ran away like a coward when his bodyguards started dying from the horde. So he decided to leave his ''property'' to distract the horde." "And you weren''t able to fight back? Did he leave you chained up or something?" Rya asked as she frowned. "No, it''s more complicated than that, Rya. I''m assuming you haven''t dealt with slavers before, right?... Dalia wasn''t chained up. She has a Slaver Bracelet, also known as being collared, that encumbers a slave," Quinus answered Rya while Dalia tried to cover the glowing red bracelet with her other hand. "See that bracelet is enchanted with a magic that grants a slave master control over his or her body. The cheaper collars, which are very common, usually just weaken a slave until they need to be unburdened for fighting or physical labor. The master can remove the burden placed on a slave with a controller. The most expensive and rarest collars are called the Eldritch Bond Collars. These collars allow the slave master to have complete control over a slave''s will. Luckily they are extremely rare and I think there are one or two demons in the world that know how to create them... Anyway, Lady Dalia''s collar looks more like a common version, called the Laborer''s Latch. It''s the worst type of collar that has little control over a slave... Were you a part of the battle arena, Lady Dalia?" Quinus asked as he glanced at Dalia''s wrist. Dalia squirmed as she listened to Quinus. She shook her head and furrowed her brow. "N-no, sir. My owner had me hide away, for I was weak and useless in fighting. U-Um... H-He used me as a servant slave? YEAH! A servant slave," Dalia tried to lie as she wasn''t good at coming up with a story off the top of her head. "Dalia, you don''t need to be afraid of Quinus. Plus you said you were a stalker-brawler, and I don''t think that''s a servant''s job description. Just be honest and tell us what happened, okay?" Rya said with a reassuring smile. Dalia lowered her head in defeat. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes as her ears dropped. "F-Fine! Y-yes I am a battle slave... I''ve won all my battles for my stupid master," Dalia said as she glanced at Quinus with a worried look. She thought that this human would become her new master and make her fight in the arena again. It was a life that she hated. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. "She''s a funny one isn''t she." Quinus chuckled, "Lady Dalia, can you come over to me for a moment, please." Rya looked at Quinus with a confused look but she trusted him, and the others didn''t seem concerned so she nodded at Dalia to get up. Dalia hesitantly walked over to Quinus and stopped a few feet away from him. She felt uncomfortable around him as he was of the same species as her owner. "You can trust him, Dalia," Rya said as she gave Dalia a reassuring smile. "I-If Alpha says so," Dalia said as she hesitated for a moment to approach the prince. He leaned forward and outstretched his hand, "May I see the collar, Lady Dalia?" Dalia looks over to Rya before looking back to Quinus. After a few seconds, she reluctantly shows him her slave collar on her wrist. Quinus took a deep breath as he grabbed ahold of her bracelet. Then he closed his eyes as he was mumbling something under his breath. After a couple of seconds, the bracelet began to show cracks forming all over it as they grew longer and longer until finally, the bracelet shattered into pieces. Quinus placed the remains of the broken collar on the ground while he looked at Rya with a smirk. "You''re not the only one who has rare abilities," Quinus said as he winked at Rya, making her heart skip a beat. ''W-What else is Quin hiding from us? I wonder if he will tell me if I''m alone with him?'' Rya thought to herself as she looked at Quinus in awe. "So how do you feel now, Lady Dalia?" He said with a small smile as he looked at Dalia. Dalia rubbed her wrist where her collar once was. She was in a state of shock and awe. When she looked back to Quinus, she only responded by wagging her tail. "Good. I''m glad you''re satisfied, Lady Dalia," Quinus said with a smile on his face. "Huh?" Dalia had a confused look on her face before she looked behind herself to see her tail wagging. "Eep!" Dalia moves both hands behind her back grabbing her tail to stop it from wagging as her cheeks blush from embarrassment. This caused her perky breasts to stick out more. Percy''s eyes almost became bloodshot and looked visibly uncomfortable when Dalia''s breasts jiggled out in the open. He was starting to cross his legs and looked like he was trying to hold in his urethra from releasing his urine. "Th-Thanks for removing the collar huma I-I mean, Beta," Dalia said as she blushed even harder. Quinus smiled and nodded to Dalia, "It''s fine, to be honest, I just wish we had something for you to wear so you didn''t have to be naked. I''m sure it''s uncomfortable." "Huh? Oh! Clothes get in the way of brawling... B-Beta!... I''m fine without them, to be honest," Dalia said as she stepped a few feet from Quinus. "W-Well, we have some cloth bandages if you would like to have a minimal amount of clothing, L-Lady Dalia?" Percy chimed in as he awkwardly positioned himself like he didn''t want to stand up straight, for some reason. Dalia then sniffs the air and becomes alerted by a scent in the air. She jumps in front of Rya as quickly as possible. So she could shield Rya from Percy with her claws out ready to attack him, if need be. "You! Young one! I will not let you mate with my Alpha!... BACK OFF, or you must DIE!" Dalia growled at Percy. The young ranger was taken aback by Dalia''s sudden reaction and became frozen in place. It took him a moment to respond, "I-I-It''s not Lady Rya that has me in this state, Lady Dalia!.. Even though Lady Rya is one of the most stunning women I have ever seen," Percy said while trying to hide his many forms of embarrassment in front of the wolfkin. "Huh?" Dalia loosened her fighting stance just a bit as she was confused by Percy''s comment. That was until it hit her that he was interested in her instead of Rya. "Eeck!" Dalia squeaked in a panic as she ran behind Rya for cover. "That one young one is a deviant, Alpha! If we don''t stop him or punish him, he will! He w-will!... Try and claim me!" Dalia exclaimed as she hid behind Rya. "M-My sorry my ladies. I''m sure I''ll become desensitized to Lady Dalia''s beauty over time, I''m just going to go somewhere to take care of... something private... E-Excuse me, everyone," Percy said as he slowly shuffled away until he was out of sight. "What? Why does the young one say I''m beauty? I don''t understand?" Dalia asked Rya with a worried expression as she kept a close eye on Percy until he was out of sight. "Sir George, you should be in close-ish proximity to Percy. Just in case of an ambush," Quinus asked George. "Aye, I''ll do that, my Lord," George said as he walked after Percy. Dalia was able to relax after a moment. At this point, Rya decided to help Dalia with her confusion about Percy''s statement. That''s when Rya told her. "Well, Dalia, all I can tell you is humans are creatures that like things that are visually pleasing to them, for the most part. And Percy seems to like you and might want to... mate with you in the future if you''re interested... that is if you are interested," Rya said with a big grin. "What? Don''t human males take their mates by force? Like all males do?" Dalia asked with a very concerned face. "Oh, he would never do that. He is the type that would like to court you with his words rather than force you. A true gentleman is always thinking about their mate''s feelings and trying to make them happy. Plus, he should be there for his mate when need be," Rya said with a smile. "S-So what does that mean? Does he want to... court me? I think I heard a human female ask that once?" Dalia asked Rya, still concerned. "Maybe? He would most likely want to take you somewhere that serves food or take you somewhere to dance and have fun. Umm, we call it dating... It''s like a... mating ritual," Rya explained with a curious look. "...Fascinating! Humans are strange creatures." Dalia says with curiosity in her eyes. "That we are, Lady Dalia," Quinus added with a smirk as he listened to the entire conversation. "Mhm. But I think you should put on the cloth bandages Percy offered earlier, Dalia... Or at least cover up your chest and hips with something. For Percy''s sake," Rya asked. *Whine!* "I guess Ill put them on... But I''m not going to like it," Dalia complained as Quinus handed her the cloth bandages to cover herself up. Come on, Dalia. Ill help you, Rya said as she stood up from the rock. Ill give you two some space while I pack up our equipment, Quinus said as he checked on their gear. Vol.1 Ch.32 Match Maker "Come on, let''s wrap these bandages on you, Dalia," Rya said as she grabbed Dalia''s hand tightly and walked over to a corner. Once they had their privacy, Rya instructed Dalia to hold one end of the bandage to her chest. "E-Eh? Why do I need to wear these things? All they do is get in the way," Dalia asked with confusion as she held the end of the bandage in place. "I could scare that young one off if he comes by me. Isn''t that a better plan?" ''Jeez, this girl just doesn''t get it. Haah... Hey? Is it just me, or does something feel... off? What the hell is it?'' Rya thought to herself while she continued to wrap up Dalia''s big perky boobs. "Really!? Can you really scare Percy away every time he comes near you?" Rya asked with an amused grin as she finished wrapping her top. "Yes, Alpha. He''s no problem for me," Dalia said with a proud smile that showed off her sharp canines. "Uh ha," Rya started to wrap Dalia''s hips up, "Then why did my brave brawler hide behind me when you realized he wanted you, hmmm!?" Dalia blushes red and looks at the ground. "W-Well...I couldn''t help myself. I just don''t understand humans, Alpha. If it was a fight, then I would pound him." ''This poor girl. How can I explain it better to her?... Oh! I know!'' Rya thought excitedly. ''Percy needs a girl like Dalia to get over Bell and Dalia will love a mate like Percy to help her understand humans. Plus, I''ve always wanted to be a matchmaker or a wingman, hehe... Or am I a wingwoman? Gah! That doesn''t matter. Let''s just see if I can get these two to like each other first.'' "Well, I think Percy would like you to be his alpha," Rya said to Dalia which made the wolfkin go into deep thought. "He-He wants me to be his alpha? But wouldn''t he just exert his dominance over me? He is a male after all," Dalia asked as she tilted her head in confusion. Rya finished wrapping Dalia''s hips in the cloth bandage. "Well, I''m sure he would like to exert some dominance at times, but he would most likely love to be dominated by you. Just tell him if he should take the lead or when you want to be in charge. He''ll love that and he''ll obey." "So, I could be an alpha over a male?... Fascinating!" Dalia''s face showed no emotion but her ears were twitching in excitement while her tail began to wag back and forth. ''Bingo! Great job, Ryan! You possibly started a new couple. Hehe... I really like helping people, sometimes... If they deserve it of course,'' Rya thought as she went around straightening up Dalia''s new outfit, if you can call it that. And after staring and touching Dalia''s body for all this time. That''s when Rya finally noticed what felt off about herself. ''A-Am I no longer attracted to women!? No, no, that can''t be right... Can it? I mean I had a clear view of Dalia''s gorgeous naked body and I wasn''t turned on by it!? Have I mentally changed into a female without noticing!? Shit!... SHIT! I HAVE BEEN ACTING LIKE A GIRL THIS ENTIRE TIME!?!'' Rya began to panic upon the revelation. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself. ''No, not yet. I''m still a guy on the inside... I know it... I''ll prove it by testing myself... Once we deal with the dungeon core I''ll prove that I am still a guy! There''s nothing to panic about. I''m still me. I''m still Ryan.'' Rya thought to herself as she calmed down a little. She decided it wasn''t worth worrying about it right now. Since there were other dangers around them. So with Dalia''s shame now covered up, Rya and Dalia walked around the corner to find the others. *** When Rya and Dalia came walking back into the main party of the Goblin''s Nest, Rya asked the wolfkin, "Hey Dalia... Do you want to pay any last respects to any of your fallen kin? Or is there something else you''d like to do before we start heading through the labyrinth?" Dalia looked confused and tilted her head, "They are not of my pack, but a fire burial will do as they are warriors. They deserve to rest in peace." Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. "Got it, I''ll see if Quin can do that. You can come watch if you like, though." Dalia nodded as she followed Rya toward Quinus and the party. "Hey Rya, we are just about ready to move out. Are you two set?" Quin asks Rya as he turns around towards her. "Yes, we are good, but we have one request if you don''t mind?" Rya replies as she walks towards the exit door. "Name it," Quin responded while walking next to her. "Can you please cremate the dead?" Quin nodded, "Sure no problem. Everyone, get behind me, please. I don''t want any of you to get caught in the flames," Quinus unsheathes his sword as he channels his mana through it. Making the blade glow white before he readies himself to swing. The rest of the party moves to the side to get out of the way, leaving the dead bodies in the center. *Swing!* *Boom!* As soon as Quinus swings his sword, a blast of fire shoots out, engulfing the bodies, and making the flames reach high enough to touch the ceiling. Flames consume the poor victims of the goblin horde. The smell of burning flesh and hair fills the air until the bodies turn into nothing but ash. "May you all find peace in your new life," Quinus said as he watched the charred remains of the dead. The rest of the group nodded their heads in agreement as they all paid their respects to the dead. "Let''s go. We have a long trip ahead of us." Quinus says as they make their way to the door and leave the goblin nest. "So your pack is going after the core?" Dalia asked. "Yes, we are. I''m not sure if you had the chance to see a different group of humans go by you earlier before we found you, Lady Dalia. But we are chasing after them before they reach the core floor," Sir George said. "I did hear a pack come by me but I paid them no mind. I was in too much pain to care who the pack were," Dalia answered as she rubbed her nose because of the smoke. "Well we have no time to lose," Rya said as she went through the door and the rest followed. *** The group started down the hallway again, for about fifteen minutes until they were stopped by a fork in the road. "Which way should we go, my Lord?" asked Sir George. "I think we need to let the ladies find the path. They have stronger senses than us," replied Quinus. "Okay give me a second," Rya said as she closed her eyes. So she could find the ether particles in the air. "Hmm? Alpha can see the ether?" Dalia asked in surprise. "Yeah, I can see the ether and the ether is coming from the left pathway," Rya explained while opening her eyes. "Funny? The humans we are chasing went to the right. I can smell their filth coming from there," Dalia said as she sniffed the air again just to make sure. "Why would Marcus take the right pathway if the ether is coming from the left?" Percy asked "Oh, he probably doesn''t know how to use his precious family heirloom, since he''s a pathetic excuse of a noble," Sir George joked as he wanted to pound that traitor. "Well, I hope it was a mistake on their part. Unless they know something that we don''t," Rya said as she looked at the tunnel. "So which way do we choose?" asked Sir George. "Well I would go the left path, Quin," Rya said as she pointed to where the ether particles were coming from. "Okay, we''ll take the left... Lady Dalia, are you good at detecting traps?" Quinus asked the wolfkin. "Of course, Beta! I''m a stalker-brawler after all!" Dania said while she gave a small smile. "Okay. Percy... Aid Lady Dalia with finding traps as well, please. I don''t want any of us to be hurt. We''ll continue onward and keep an eye out for enemies and ambushes," Quinus said as he looked at the left tunnel. "What!? A-Alpha! Beta doesn''t trust me!" Dalia whined as she pouted and complained to Rya. "I-It has nothing to do with not trusting you, Lady Dalia... My Lord just likes having two sets of eyes over one. And I was the only one left who can spot traps with you... T-That''s all," Percy said as he looked at Dalia''s green eyes. He didn''t want to say anything more that would make the wolfkin upset at him. So he kept his mouth shut and hoped Dalia would be fine with him by her side. "You know, I can tell you still want to mate with me, right?" Dalia asked while she wagged her tail a little as she kept a straight face. "I-I''m sorry about that, Lady Dalia. I promise you on my honor as a Ranger of Fiafyr to respect your boundaries." Percy said while blushing as he looked at Dalia. The wolfkin''s tail stopped wagging. "Do you not find me beauty anymore?" she said with a sad voice. Percy panicked, "No! I find that you''re beautiful and deadly as hell! And... Oh..." The ranger became aware of his own actions and started to blush a deep red as he looked away. "Sorry. I didn''t mean to offend you." "Hmm..." Dalia hummed before her tail began to wag, showing off her amusement. ''Way to go, Percy! Hehe.'' Rya thought to herself with amusement. Quinus cracked a smile and Sir George shook his head in disapproval as the love sage thought he was failing at getting Dalia to like him. "..." "..." "..." "Well, I guess I''ll have you in the lead pack with me. Just so I can see if your skills are good enough for the future," Dalia said as her tail wagged again. "You''ll... I mean. Thank you, Lady Dalia, I won''t disappoint you!" Percy said as he bowed to her. "Is this normal for a human to do?... Well... Come on, let''s go!" Dalia said as she started off down the tunnels. Percy followed behind Dalia as he readied his bow and arrow. Vol.1 Ch.33 You’re Still Alive! As the group traversed the 12th floor of the dungeon, they found themselves in front of a large door that seemed to be made of white obsidian. *Whistling!* "That''s a lot of white obsidian. I kinda wish we brought a bag of holding," Percy said as he readied his bow and arrow. "Be serious," Sir George barked as he readied his sword and shield. The group entered the room with the doors made of white obsidian and was shocked to find an enormous and ornate throne at the other end of the room. It was also built of obsidian, and its top was set with intricate carvings of a black goblin with a crown. Or was it a hobgoblin? "Sir George, look at this place! It''s amazing!" Percy exclaimed as he looked around the abnormal throne room in awe. "You can do your sightseeing later, boy! Only after we dealt with the threats first. So, keep your guard up," Sir George replied while moving carefully ahead of everyone. "Why is this place abandoned?" Rya asked curiously as she entered the throne room following Sir George and Quinus. "That''s a good question. Maybe the horde is out on the surface right now?" Quinus said as he looked at the room. "With our luck, I''m sure they are running around the dungeon for some reason," Sir George spat out bitterly. Rya looked down at the floor and noticed a crude circle drawn on the ground. The circle was drawn in a dark red substance. "Oh? Hey, I think I know wha~" Rya stopped talking when she heard footsteps coming from the hall behind them. Dalia heard the footsteps as well. She turned around and readied her claws. "Huh? Rya?" Quinus asked as he saw Rya looking behind them, back in the dark hallway. "Someone''s coming... Sounds like the feet of humans running towards us," Dalia answered as she glanced at Quinus. "So, the traitorous dog has come to see us... I''ll make sure to take his head this time, my Lord!" Sir George said as he took the lead position next to Dalia. "Crap, there''s no good place to hide in here!" Rya yelled out as she took a defensive stance behind Quinus. "We have no reason to hide from them, My Lady," Sir George shouted as he held his sword up. So he could go on the offensive at a moment''s notice. "Stay close together! Sir George, take a position at the front line with me! Percy, ready your bow and back up Rya. Dalia, I''ll need you to flank them! Do a hit-and-run strategy," Quinus ordered as he readied his sword, Sun''s Fury. "Can do, Beta!" Dalia said as she ran and hid in the corner as best as she could. "It''s time to finish this fool," Sir George muttered as the sound of footsteps came closer from the dark hallway. This made everyone get into a defensive position. *Step! Step! Step! Step! Step!* All of a sudden, Marcus and a single Black Rose Merc bust through the open door to the throne room. They didn''t notice Quinus or his party standing there as they slammed the big doors shut and tried to bar them as fast as possible. ''Fuck! What the hell is chasing them?'' Rya thought to herself as she readied her sword. "So, the traitor has come! You''re going to pay for what you have done, Marcus!" Sir George said as he charged at Marcus. "Y-You bastards are alive!?" Marcus yelled as he charged at the old Knight. But despite Marcus'' best effort, he wasn''t ready for a close encounter combat as he was having trouble using his air magic when the Knight closed in on him, in a hurry. *Swing! Clang!* *Thud!* Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Marcus'' Merc came in to save him as he swung his massive war hammer at Sir George who parried it with his shield and then slashed at Marcus, just barely missing him. "Ack! Youre going to pay for that, George! Im not the one who''s going to die here!!!" Marcus screamed as he was forced to retreat. He quickly shot a wind bullet at Sir George only for it to be blocked by the knight''s shield. George knew he couldn''t let Marcus get any distance from them or else the situation would become much more dire. So, the knight maneuvered around the Merc to maintain his pursuit of Marcus. Regardless of what happened to him. "Get him, George!" Quinus said as he moved up behind Sir George. So, he could assist the Knight in his pursuit of Marcus. Rya couldn''t believe how fast the battle progressed but she had to admit how impressive Sir George''s skill was. For how old he was, George was able to dodge or block everything that was thrown at him. She also noticed Marcus was in worse shape now than the first time she saw him. His clothes seemed to be in disrepair from battling something before coming here. Quinus started fighting the Black Rose Merc and was pushing him back. So, Sir George could pursue Marcus without worry. *Swing!* *Cling!* *Dong!* "Arh!" Screamed the Merc as Quinus struck his left arm with his blade. Fortunately, his armor protected him from losing his arm. Quinus then performed an overhead strike on his hammer. "Fuck!" The Merc screamed as he fell to the ground and his weapon was knocked away. Quinus aimed the tip of his sword at the Merc''s neck. "So, was it worth the money, Merc?" Quinus asked as he waved his sword over the Merc. "Tch! He offered us the liquid ether. But if I die here I guess not," The Merc cursed as he tried to get up. So he could keep fighting, but Quinus stopped him by placing his blade on the skin of his neck. Quinus then looked down at the Merc''s chest and saw some blood pouring out. It was a wound that wasn''t caused by the prince''s attack. *** Marcus was trying to do anything in his power to get some distance between himself and Sir George as he was getting closer to the edge of the throne room. "Growl!" *Swing! Swing!* *Splat!* "AH! My legs!?" Marcus screamed as he lost his balance. While George was chasing Marcus, Dalia came out of hiding and clawed his achilles in both legs which caused him to fall to his knees. "AAAhhh! SO, YOU NEED A MUTT TO DO YOUR DIRTY WORK!" Marcus yelled as he tried to shake off the pain and fire off another wind spell towards Dalia that she dodged. *Swing!* *Splat!* Sir George came into severe Marcus left hand which was aimed at Dalia. "Theres nowhere to run now, Marcus!" George said as he pointed his sword at Marcus. Marcus was holding his severed arm with his other hand. He was in a panic as his adrenaline was pumping, and he was bleeding out fast. "I-I swear I didn''t mean to abandon you, Quinus! I''m SORRY! PLEASE CALL OFF YOUR KNIGHT!" Marcus cried as tears began streaming down his face. Sir George glanced at Quinus to await his orders. ''Just do it, Quin. He''s going to backstab you again if you let him live.'' Rya thought while witnessing the fight that unfolded in front of her. Quinus has an uneasy look to him but with a stern face, he nodded to Sir George to do the deed. "NO! Quinus! PLEAS-" *Swing!* *Thump!* Marcus'' head was no longer attached to his body as he fell over dead. ''Ew! I''m not sure how long it will take for me to get used to so much death.'' Rya thought as she followed the path of the severed head as it rolled across the ground. After witnessing the fight that unfolded in front of her, Rya couldn''t help but feel like a spectator in a play, watching two actors performing their roles. ''Well, I felt useless in this fight. But I''m glad I didn''t have to do anything. That was... a little too much.'' Rya thought to herself as she looked at the sword in her hand. *Boom. Boom! BOOM!* The sounds of a drum started to roll loudly in the distance. Echoing off of the walls and shaking the doors of the throne room. ''Gah! Of course, the goblins are coming back! I had to jinx myself!'' Rya thought with frustration. "So, Merc! What did you and my cousin run into in the dungeon?" Quinus asked while pushing the tip of his blade against his neck. "I''ll tell you if you let me live," The Merc replied with a pained expression on his face. "I''ll give you this one chance. NOW SPEAK!" Quinus demanded as he was getting irritated. "We ran into the Hobgoblin King," The Merc said. "So, The Black Roses couldn''t handle some Hobgoblins? It seems that your reputation is overrated, Merc!" Sir George sniped. "It seems" The Merc was interrupted by a loud boom from behind the doors. "What was that?" Percy asked. I can hear its footsteps? It sounds big... and heavy! Dalia exclaimed as the hairs on the back of her neck went on end. While she was on edge, her ears were pinned back and her tail was still. They all noticed something approaching the barred doors to the Throne Room. "We ran into a cave troll," The Merc said with a grim look. "A-A CAVE TROLL!?" Percy exclaimed. "EVERYONE FORM UP!" Quinus ordered as he stepped back from the Merc. Everyone hurried away from the door. "Well Merc, if you survive this and help us, then I''ll pardon you for your transgressions," Quinus said. Rya looked at Quinus and gave him a nod. "Your Highness, if we fail here today. I''ll have to make an example of you in the afterlife. So you better live," Sir George said, trying to lighten the mood. Quinus nods back to Sir George while the Merc grabs his War Hammer from the ground by the door. Then, there was a loud crashing noise coming from the other side of the door. "Rya! You and I are going to focus on the troll! Everyone else! Take on the Hobgoblins! Got it!" Quinus yelled out as everyone looked at the doors. Vol.1 Ch.34 The Cave Troll *Boom!* The door to the throne room begins to shake from something smashing into it from the other side. "Are they serious?!" Sir George asked with annoyance while he readied himself. Quinus along with everyone else prepared for the worst as they faced the large door. All they could do was wait for the Hobgoblins to smash through the door. *BOOOM!* The doors swayed and cracked under the impact of the large Hobgoblins smashing against the doors, but they still held strong. ''Fuck me! Why didn''t I leave this goddamn labyrinth when I had the chance, RYAN!'' Rya thought as she cursed and chastised herself in hindsight. *BOOM!* *BOOM!* The Hobgoblins started to bash the door again and again with no signs of stopping. Each time causing more of the door to crack and whine under the stress of being hit. Everyone was on edge and tense as they waited for the monsters to burst into the throne room. *BAM! BAM! BAM!* ''Damn, they''re really going at it.'' Rya thought as her heart rate was beginning to race. "Ready yourselves!" Quinus ordered while he readied his sword. *BOOOOOM!* *CRUSH!* The door to the Throne room was smashed open as the Hobgoblins charged in. The horde rushed forward with their swords and axes. They were ready to strike anyone or anything at a moment''s notice when they came into the room. "Hold the front line! Don''t let any of them through!" Quinus yelled. Sir George took the lead as he readied his shield on the front lines. Quinus rushes towards George''s right side while the Merc takes the left position just before the hobgoblins came into striking range. The rest of the party followed behind the three. "KILL THE HUMANS!!!" screamed a hobgoblin as it raised its crude axe into the air. *Swing! Clang! Crunch* "AAARRRRR!!!" The Hobgoblin screamed as it was sliced in half across its chest by Quin''s quick diagonal slash. *Swing! Clang!* Rya watched in horror as the massive amount of Hobgoblins attacked her fellow comrades. ''Shit! SHIT! SHIT!!! They are coming after me!'' Rya panicked seeing some of the hobgoblins coming around the front line and heading straight towards her. She readies her sword and tries to hit one of them. *CLANK!* When she tried to swing, she was blocked by one of the Hobgoblins who came at her. *CLINK!* "FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!!!" Rya desperately tried to swing and dodge the attacks of the two Hobgoblins who were trying to kill her. At one point, her sword crossed blades with the Hobgoblin''s sword as it tried to push his weight into her, hoping to knock her off balance. The Hobgoblins smiled maniacally at her, showing their crooked teeth and wild eyes. Even though Rya''s sense of smell has gotten stronger since she''s turned into a Dark Elf, if she was still a human, the Hobgoblin''s breath was enough to make her gag. Rya used all of her strength to push the Hobgoblin away and then took the opportunity to stab him. *Swing! Clash!* But this Hobgoblin was good as it blocked her attack and tried to strike back. Causing Rya to jump to the side, dodging his blow and slashing at his defenseless back. *Swing! Slash!* *SCHTINK* "GAH! AAAAARRRRRR!" Hobgoblin screamed as he turned around to strike back at her. *Clang!* Rya barely blocked his blade with her own while gritting her teeth as she was holding her ground. Then out of the corner of her eye, she saw the other Hobgoblin, who tried to attack her earlier, running past her, trying to flank Sir George with its axe. Before Rya could think, her instincts took over and channeled her mana to her hands and feet. She stomps her foot on the ground and brings up a 6-foot wall of obsidian to form about one inch in front of her foot. It came up from underneath the Hobgoblin with the sword, sending it straight up into the rock ceiling, caving in its skull before its body came crashing down to the floor. Rya didn''t notice this as she focused her attention on the other Hobgoblin attacking George. She moved to the left of her wall and quickly hit it with the palm of her hand, sending the 6-foot wall of obsidian flying at breakneck speed toward the Hobgoblin attacking Sir George''s blind spot. "GEORGE, TO YOUR LEFT!" George turned his head slightly toward Rya''s direction. "HUH!? AARRRR~" yelled the surprised Hobgoblin as it was caught by Rya''s flying wall, moving as fast as a speeding car until it smashed into the far wall of the throne room. Squishing the Hobgoblin like a bug. George watched in amazement as the obsidian wall flew past him with a panicked Hobgoblin stuck on the wall''s surface before it crashed into the other wall, 20 feet away from him, leaving a large dent in its wake. "Wow!" he gasped with amazement before another Hobgoblin came at him from the doorway. "HOLY SHIT! I''M A FUCKING EARTH BENDER!!" Rya exclaimed in shock and awe at the destruction she just caused. She didn''t know how she knew that move but was happy that she did. She felt as if the power of earth had called out to her and helped her create that obsidian wall. She also was excited that she found a new way to use her mana, which might help her get out of this labyrinth alive. It was like she''d always been a warrior her entire life. "Lady Rya! Behind you!" Percy yelled as he shot an arrow at the attacking Hobgoblin, stunning it before it struck her. "DAMMIT!!!" Rya screamed at herself. She was so distracted by her magic that she forgot to watch her surroundings. She was oblivious to the Hobgoblin coming up from her blind spot. And thanks to Percy she was able to avoid its attack. But even in pain, the Hobgoblin tried to swing its stone mallet at her again. Rya was able to sidestep its attack once more as his stone mallet was coming at her with ferocious force. *Boom!* The stone mallet makes a small crater into the ground. ''Fuck! How strong is the guy!?'' "ARH!" Roared the Hobgoblin as it was annoyed with missing her. It looked like it was going to press the attack as it regripped the handle of its weapon. As soon as the Hobgoblin was about to attack her again, it was surprised when another wall of obsidian formed from beneath its feet. Making the Hobgoblin go flying toward the ceiling. Until it smashed into the rock with such force, that its head exploded in a bloody mess, covering the ceiling with a splatter of its brains and blood. The lifeless corpse came falling back down onto the obsidian floor below. Rya was panting hard and sweating from the stress of fighting. "Wow..." Percy said in awe. He didn''t know that Earth Mages could use the Earth Element like that. He was used to them shaping and forming the dirt and rocks into good-sized boulders and walls but not creating it as quickly and effortlessly as Rya had. He had a newfound respect for her. *Clang! Swish!* *Swing! Tears!* "Alpha, are you well!?" Dalia asked as she tore through the throat of a Hobgoblin. "Y-Yeah! I''m just not used to fighting for my life! For every Goddamn MINUTE! WHOA!" Rya flinched as a spear flew past her face, just missing her by an inch. *Clank! Tears!* Dalia took down another Hobgoblin with a single stab to the neck with her claws. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "Hmm? Well, you seem like a natural to me, Alpha," Dalia stated to Rya, who was having trouble holding back the massive battle axe that came from another attacking Hobgoblin to her right. She was able to halt its attack with another rock wall she created. "I CAN''T TALK AND FIGHT AT THE SAME TIME, DALIA!" Rya replied in frustration as she sent another wall flying with a screaming Hobgoblin attached to it. *** Back to the front lines of the party. Quinus, Sir George, and The Black Rose Merc were taking on the main wave of the Hobgoblins, cutting them down as quickly as they could. The rest of the party was helping hold the back line of the party. "There''s no end to them!" Sir George yelled out, looking around at the swarm of Hobgoblins that surrounded them. "Don''t worry, George! We''ll crush them all! We have to!" Quinus demanded as he cut off the head of his unfortunate enemy in front of him. *Smash!* The Black Rose Merc used his war hammer to crush the body of a Hobgoblin. "Why aren''t you using your fire from your enchanted sword!?" asked the Merc. Who was sweating profusely and was starting to get tired from the nonstop fighting. "I will use ''flame smite'' when I see the cave troll! Until then, we hold our ground!" Quinus replied as the two of them continued to take down the horde of Hobgoblins, one after another. "Tsk! Where is that, troll? It slaughtered my men like they were nothing but insects!" The Merc grunted in annoyance as he knocked a couple of Hobgoblins away from him when he swung his hammer horizontally. All of a sudden, the room vibrated with the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the party from the hallway. The Hobgoblins all seemed to look in the same direction at once, almost in sync with each other. "You had to open your damn mouth!" Sir George yelled in annoyance. *Boom! Boom!* It almost felt like an elephant was stampeding towards them as the footsteps grew louder. The vibrations shook the very ground they stood on and the rumbling sound grew to a deafening roar. *Boom!* Then it arrived. Down the hallway past the broken doors was a big hulking beast that was about eleven feet tall with gray skin. It smashed through the corner of a wall causing the ceiling to collapse on itself a bit, but it didn''t slow down the humanoid-looking monster. It has the torso of a man with a head the shape of a large boulder, a pair of beady black eyes, and a snout. It was naked except for a loincloth covering its "private bits" and wielded a massive iron club. And riding on top of its shoulders was a Hobgoblin who wore a crude crown sitting atop its head. If Rya saw this Hobgoblin, she would recognize it as the "Hobgoblin King" that got its junk crushed by her when it tried to rape her, one day ago, before she fell into the labyrinth. *Grumble! Grumble!* The Cave troll lumbered towards the party and the remaining Hobgoblins. "Everyone! Stay in formation!" Quinus ordered. "USE YOUR ENCHANTED SWORD NOW! DAMMIT!" Ordered the Merc. "WATCH YOUR TONGUE, MERC!" Sir George yelled at the Merc. The Cave Troll''s eyes had a rage within them as the beast started to charge toward Quinus. Quinus prepared to use the Sun''s Fury against the Cave Troll. He started channeling his mana into the sword which began to glow red like a fire. "LET THE SUN SMITE THEE WHO HARM US!" Quinus commanded. A bright light shot out of the sword and he swung it in their direction. Engulfing the horde of Hobgoblins and the Cave Troll in flames. The Hobgoblins were turning into ash, but the Cave Troll kept running towards them with the Hobgoblin King still on its back as it used its shield to block the flames. Luckily it dropped its iron club as it was too hot to hold. "YOU ARE TOO LATE, HUMANS!" the Hobgoblin King roared as its Cave Troll approached the Prince. The troll''s gray skin was covered in flames as the beast continued running through the hall of flames. "MY LORD!" Sir George pushed Quinus out of the way of the charging troll to protect him. At the same time, the Black Rose Merc was knocked away when the troll bumped into him. He was sent sliding across the floor and stopped when he hit the wall about fifteen feet away. Now that the troll was no longer in the hallway of flames its skin started to heal itself as it turned to look at Quinus and Sir George who were both getting back onto their feet. "AH! YOU TWO ARE DEAD! NOW!" The Hob King said with a smile full of malice. The Troll came over to smash both, Quinus and George. Quinus was still exhausted and recovering from using his mana. But he recovered enough stamina before he stood his ground against the approaching troll. The troll then raised its right fist in the air and swung it down at Quinus with a massive amount of force, that it would''ve made a three-foot crater upon impacting the floor. Quinus wasn''t strong enough to stop the force behind the punch. Things were looking grim for the Prince. *** "QUIN!" Percy yelled out as he saw his friend was going to get crushed by the hulking monster. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Sir George roared as he swung his sword at the troll, but it quickly used its arm to block Sir George''s attack. Then the troll swiped its arm at the knight and bashed him in his shield, which forced George''s arm into his torso, launching him across the throne room until he impacted the wall. Causing Sir George to cough out blood before he collapsed onto the floor. "NOOO!" Yelled Quinus, as he witnessed the destruction of his friend. ''CRAP! That thing took down George! I need to help Quin!'' Rya thought as she ran towards Quinus who was twenty-five feet away from her location in the room. Quinus saw the troll coming in for another attack and it was too fast to run away. So, all he could do was raise his sword and try to block or parry the attack, as best as he could. The hulking beast roared as it launched its fist with all its might at its target. Just as the troll''s fist was about to come in contact with Quinus'' sword, the beast felt a pain shooting right through its forearm while the momentum from its moving fist came to a crashing halt. To the troll''s surprise, it saw an obsidian spike piercing through its forearm. It formed out of nowhere from the floor. This earth spike appeared in front of Quin as the beast''s fist was about to smash him, but its wrist was stabbed by halting its attack. *Thud!* "HHHHHAAAAAAARRRRRRHHH!!!!!" Yelled the cave troll as its forearm was impaled by the earth spike created by Rya. "Huh!? RYA!?" Quinus exclaimed looking past the troll and saw the beautiful Dark Elf running towards him with her azure eyes glowing brightly from her mana. It didn''t take long for the troll to shake off its surprise. The beast used its other hand to grab its other wrist and pulled on it as the beast tried to free itself from the obsidian spike. Quinus knew he needed to act quickly before the troll freed itself. So, he charged his sword with his mana and used a different Maja skill. The blade began to look like electricity was arcing off its edge. Once he had enough mana channeled into the sword, he swung it at the troll''s wrist. "THUNDER SMITE!" Quinus yelled out. A powerful bolt of lightning shot out from his sword and struck the troll''s wrist. *ZRRAAPP!* *THUMP!* The troll unexpectedly stumbled backward when its left hand was cut off by Quinus and was no longer being felt by the earth spike, which was pinning it. The beast falls onto its butt, causing the whole room to shake and tremble. At the same time, the Hobgoblin King almost was knocked off his mount. The Hobgoblin King was not amused by his ride losing its hand, thanks to the dark elf. "HUMANS!? NO! YOU FEMALE ELF WILL DIE!" the Hobgoblin King yelled as he swung his staff in the direction of Rya who was just standing about 15 feet away. The troll took the hint and turned its anger toward her while its left arm healed into a stump. "Alpha!" Dalia yelled in response when she saw Rya getting charged at by the hulking beast, but she and Percy were still engaged with the last remnants of the horde to aid her. ''YOU''RE FUCKING KIDDING ME!?... It''s the bastard who tried to RAPE ME! I''m ready for you, you piece of shit!'' Rya thought while watching the Hobgoblin King commanding his troll to charge her. "I won''t let you hurt my friends!" Rya yelled as she spun her arms around, like a martial artist. A gust of wind surrounded her as she summoned her mana. Then she stopped, with her arms crossed, pointing her hands in the direction of the troll, creating a new wall in front of her. She was trying to block the charging troll with the obsidian wall. "Rya! Watch out!" Quinus yelled out while chasing after the troll. He was desperately trying to catch up to the Hobgoblin King. He needed to stop them from attacking Rya. While Quinus was hot on their trail, the troll smashed itself through Rya''s wall before punching down with its right fist. The shockwave of Rya''s wall getting destroyed knocked her on her back. Luckily, she avoided the troll''s fist by chance just as its attack made a crater in the ground where Rya used to be standing. Sending rocks and dirt flying in the air. But she was stunned for a moment by the blow. "WHOA!" Rya exclaimed as she fell on her back. "No!" Quinus shouted out as he closed in on the troll. As he came to her aid, Rya was lying on her back staring at the ceiling of the throne room. She was in shock not knowing what to do. The troll quickly brought its right fist back up to slam down again on Rya, who was vulnerable. It wanted to kill her and get revenge on what she had done to it earlier. ''I''m going to die, ain''t I!?'' Rya thought as she was looking at the ceiling. She could sense the shadow of the hulking beast standing above her. The troll was about to strike her when she suddenly felt her right hand getting grabbed and pulled quickly. "Hey! Let me go!" Rya was yelling as she thought it was the Hobgoblin but she was being held by Quinus who was holding her tight as he moved them out of the way as quickly as possible. "QUIN!?" Rya said in surprise. *Smash!* Dust flew everywhere as Rya and Quin dodged the attack from the cave troll. Quin made it just in the nick of time but cracks started to form on the floor after taking another impact from the beast''s fist. ''Quin saved me! I''ve never been so happy to be this close to a man,'' Rya thought when she looked at the man who saved her. She didn''t realize that her heart was racing because she was hugging him. If she had time to process it, she would have felt a rush of heat coming over her face. Quinus held her protectively in his arms. "You okay?" he asked her. "Yeah," Rya responded, but they were interrupted by the roaring Hobgoblin King. "AHHH, COME OUT, FIGHT!" The Hobgoblin King roared as he was having trouble finding them in the dust cloud. That''s when the Black Rose Merc made his move. He channeled his mana into his glowing war hammer and held it high above his head, before yelling, "DEEP IMPACT!" He swung his hammer, smashing it, into the ground. He was about fifteen feet away from Rya, Quinus, and the Hobgoblin King, who was riding his cave troll. *SMASH!* The impact from his hammer caused the cracks in the floor to break apart and crumble under the pressure, and it was headed straight for the cave troll. *Crack! Crack!* The floor started to give out and fall apart. The troll and the Hobgoblin King were caught off guard and couldn''t react in time. The cracks formed a small circle and it started to spread toward the beast''s feet. The beast was not ready for the floor beneath it to collapse. *CRASH!* The cave troll fell into the hole. Rya and Quinus weren''t lucky either as the cracks reached their feet. Rya and Quin were falling in with the troll, down to the floor below. ''God, fucking dammit!'' Rya thought as they fell through the floor with Quinus holding her. Vol.1 Ch.35 A Rumble and A Tumble "Quin!!" Percy screamed out when he saw his friend falling into the hole that opened up thanks to the Mercenary''s actions. "NO! ALPHA!" Dalia screeched as she ran over to the hole that was beginning to close itself up, due to the Dungeon Core''s influence. It didn''t like it when its floors were being damaged and started fixing itself, and the rock floor began to reform over the hole before the wolfkin could get to it. The Core was able to fix this floor quicker thanks to it being so close to the throne room, as it was one floor below the core''s original location. "RAH! Damnit!" Dalia growled out when she saw her Alpha falling into the hole with her companion. "DALIA!" Percy yelled out as he ran over to where the hole used to be. After seeing that there was nothing they could do he quickly turned to the Black Rose Mercenary who had a smirk on his face. "Why did you do that Merc!" Percy questioned sternly as he aimed his bow at the Black Rose Merc. *Growl!* "You''re dead, human!" Dalia growled in rage at the Merc''s betrayal of her Alpha. "I did what I needed to do, kid. It''s nothing personal... But if you''re sour about it then you could fight me. I just wonder how long your prince and that dark elf can last at the hands of the troll? That''s if they survived the fall that is... Maybe it''s better for you to find them before it''s too late. It wouldn''t look good if a retainer came back to the king without his son. Would it?" the Merc said while creeping his way towards the exit of the throne room. He was keeping his guard up just in case. "I don''t need you telling me my business, human!" Dalia snarled back. "Oh? Trust me... You don''t want to test me, mutt!" The Merc chuckled back as he was almost at the doorway with his war hammer at the ready. "Tch! Fine, but when we get the Lord and the Lady back... I''ll personally come for you!" Percy threatened the Merc as he still had his arrow trained on him. "Really!? I''ll believe it when I see it, kid! I''ll give my condolences to the fallen prince," The Merc laughed as he turned around and ran down the hallway until they couldn''t see him or hear his footsteps. ''That cowardly bastard is lucky I can''t leave my pack behind, or else I would chase him down myself. That was a dirty trick he pulled on the Alpha. But I''ll remember his cowardly scent.'' Dalia thought as she watched the Merc disappear from the throne room. Without a moment too soon Percy ran to Sir George who was still unconscious after getting thrown into the wall from the Cave Troll''s attack. "George?!" Percy yelled as he tried to shake the knight awake. "Sir George, wake up!" The knight started to stir and groaned, "Nghh... Damn, my arm feels like it''s broken." "Sir George, we have to go after the Lord. I need your help!" Percy informed the Knight. "W-What happened!?" George asked as he finally opened his eyes. "A hole opened up underneath the Prince and Lady Rya. They fell down to the lower floor with the Cave Troll. Can you move?" Percy asked as he helped the knight sit up. "Yes... B-But my shield arm hurts a lot... Gah! I''m not sure how useful I will be..." Sir George grunted in pain as he tried to move his arm. Then he got to his feet. "Half of you is better than none of you, Human." Dalia chimed in as she started sniffing the air, trying to pick up her Alpha''s scent. "I couldn''t agree more, Dalia. I will try and help in whatever way I can," Sir George replied as he held his arm in pain. "Then let us go help them! Lady Dalia. Can you find them?" Percy said as he looked around the throne room in hopes of finding a way to the lower level. "Of course!" Dalia said with a nod. "Right then, I''ll follow your lead, Lady Dalia!" Percy said as he walked up to Dalia. She was surprised by the young one''s forwardness. If she wasn''t in a hurry to find her Alpha she would''ve taken more offense to a human being this close to her. But something about his attitude made her feel safe and giddy. It confused her a bit, but she had no time to think about it right now. "Don''t call me that, Youngling. I''m a wolf, not some noble lady." Dalia growled as she moved her nose around the throne room. "Heh, I wouldn''t dream of it, Ma''am," Percy replied as he stayed close by her side. "Hmph! Whatever, but don''t hold me back, pup!" Dalia responded as she found the scent trail of the Prince and her friend. "Follow me, I''ve found their scent," She said as she began following her Alpha''s scent towards the big throne at the end of the room. Dalia pushed her nose right up against a specific point in the throne and began sniffing around the throne. "It''s here... The entrance to the next level is right here." "Okay, Let me check and see," Percy asked as he looked around the throne to see if there was some sort of switch or lever. He moved his fingers along the stone throne until he felt something catch his finger. He moved his hand closer to see what it was. It was a small, nearly unnoticeable, switch. "Found it!" He exclaimed as he pressed the button on the throne. The throne moved forward to reveal a hidden passage. "Good work, Pup!" Dalia exclaimed as she started moving through the passageway. "R-Right behind you, Ma''am!" Percy said as he followed Dalia with his bow at the ready. He had a good view of Dalia''s behind as they moved forward. "And stop calling me that!" Dalia growled at Percy. "No can do... Ma''am!" Percy teased which resulted in him getting slapped by her tail on his cheek. ''Tch, he''s going to pay for that!'' Dalia thought with a frown. Once the two were gone Sir George was looking around the room with a look of confusion. "Where''s the Merc!?" Since Sir George couldn''t find the answers he followed after his comrades. *** ''SHIT! WE''RE FALLING!'' Rya thought to herself while in Quinus''s arms until they abruptly crashed into the stone floor below. It was jarring and painful, but not life-threatening. They fell into an unusual cavern that looked like an underground amphitheater. It looked alien compared to the rest of the Labyrinth like they stumbled into a HR Giger painting. "Are you alright?" Quinus asked as he looked over at her with concern. "Yeah, just a little shocked is all," Rya said when she stood up and brushed the dust off her clothes. "Huh?" Out of instinct, Rya pushed Quinus back just as a giant fist came out of nowhere and almost smashed Quinus. "Whoa!!?" Quinus yelped while watching the fist go by his face. "Get out of here, Quin! I''ll take this guy!" Rya exclaimed as she evaded another attack from the Troll''s stump arm. When Rya was able to get some distance from the Cave Troll she channeled her mana into her hands and was ready to perform a counterattack. "I hope you''re ready to eat dirt, you jackass!" Rya said while summoning her earth magic with an elegant dance move. But instead of creating her usual six-foot tall rock wall that would shoot up from the ground like when she was in the throne room. Instead, she was only able to summon a couple of small rocks that floated up from the mana-infused ground in front of her and those two rocks seemed like they were fighting to even float up by three feet. Something was fighting her mana from summoning her rock walls and this was a first for her. ''What the fuck!?'' Rya thought to herself as she used her earth magic again but it still didn''t work. "Quinus! I can''t create a rock wall!" Rya yelled out while Quinus tried to close in on the Troll, who was bullrushing Rya. "I''m coming, Rya!" Quinus yelled out as he ran as fast as he could. The Cave Troll was almost on top of Rya when it was to strike. Rya didn''t have a choice as she used the summoned small rocks and shot them straight at the beast''s foot causing it to stumble just enough for her to run away. This gave Quinus an opening to use his special Maja technique that severed the Troll''s left hand. *ZZ-SWING-ZZ!* Quinus aimed for the Troll''s left ankle and thought he would get a clean cut through it. But his blade got caught in its tibia bone, stopping his momentum and halting his strike. Quinus gritted his teeth when he saw the blade of his "Shit!" Quinus yelled out in frustration, and then the Troll used its stump of an arm and swatted Quinus with all its might. Luckily for Quinus, the stump arm wasn''t as powerful without its hand. But it still had enough force to send him flying through the air. "Quinus!" Rya screamed when she saw him fly away. Quinus landed hard on the ground and rolled a bit before he came to a complete stop. ''Dammit, this foul troll will be the end of us if I don''t figure out something... Wait! Where''s my sword?'' Quinus got back on his feet and was in a panic as he tried to find his sword. Rya was relieved to see Quinus was alright but they had a huge problem. They were stuck down here with no way out and they had no weapons. "Quinus! Your sword is stuck in the Troll''s leg!" Rya yelled out, she tried to use her magic but something was fighting her mana when it went into the ground. ''COME ON! WHY WON''T YOU FUCKING WOR~'' Rya''s thoughts were interrupted when she smelled something in the air. It smelled like ozone. ''I can smell the fucking ETHER!? That has to be it! The Goddamn Dungeon Core is stopping me from using my earth magic!'' Rya concluded. "Quin!... It''s the damn Core! It''s blocking my magic!" Rya yelled out as she started to feel the effects of being dazed from overusing her mana. "Rya! Find the Core! I''ll distract this giant piece of filth!" Quinus said with urgency as the troll zeroed in on him. Rya nodded and tried to sense the ether particles. And just as she was about to close her eyes she felt another presence sneaking up from behind her. "KILL YOU! KILL YOU NOW! I WILL!" yelled the Hobgoblin King. He went in for the attack with his staff held high. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. *Swing!* *Boom!* Rya couldn''t dodge the blow as he hit her from her side. The force from the strike sent her flying toward a wall beside her. "GAHHH!" Rya screamed in agony as her ribs cracked upon impact and she rolled onto the floor. ''I have to get up! I can''t... let this thing beat me!'' Rya quickly used her healing magic on herself and was able to heal her broken ribs. "RYA!" Quinus yelled out to her, but he had no choice but to evade the troll''s attacks. ''I need my sword back!'' Quinus thought while the Troll continued to come after him. "YOU HURT, MY BOYS! NOW I HURT, ELF!" The Hobgoblin King growled out as it was about to charge at Rya. Quinus had to make a move and had to make it fast. He noticed some loose gravel beneath his feet and he had an idea. He grabbed a fist full of dirt before he charged the incoming Troll. The hulking beast was ready to finish this annoying human once and for all as it ran at full speed toward Quinus. It was struggling to walk due to Quin''s sword that was still embedded in its ankle. But that didn''t stop the creature from using its strength to get where it needed to go. ''You only have one shot at this, Quin! Don''t fuck it up.'' He thought while seeing the monster getting closer. The Troll was prepared to smash the human into a paste as it was tired of the little bug always getting away from its attacks. Just as the Cave Troll was within arms reach, Quinus threw the dirt from his hands into the monster''s eyes, causing the creature to flinch and grab at its face. *Hurk!* "RRRRAAAHHHHH!!!" The Troll roared out as its whole face was covered in black dirt. ''IT WORKED!'' Quinus Thought as he focused all his energy on freeing his sword from the troll''s leg. He was able to get his hands on his sword as the Troll was stunned by the dirt thrown into its eyes. The Troll was busy trying to rub the dirt from its face and that allowed Quinus to pull his blade free from the beast''s ankle. "RRRRAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!!!" Quinus howled out as he gripped the handle of his sword with all his might and ripped the blade out from the troll''s leg causing it to bleed again before it healed up. Quinus quickly turned towards Rya and saw the Hobgoblin King was about to kill Rya. She was struggling to get back on her feet from its surprise attack. "RYA! CATCH!" Quinus yelled out as he tossed Rya his sword. *Fwoosh!* "WHAT?" She said with surprise as she saw Quinus throwing his sword right at her. ''Shit!'' Rya thought while watching the sword spinning toward her. ''Catch it. Catch it! CATCH IT!'' Rya was panicking. But she somehow reached her hand out and was able to snatch the sword by the hilt before it could fly past her. "I CAUGHT IT!?" Rya exclaimed with joy as she felt the weight of the blade in her hand. *Thud!* She landed on her back again with the sword in her hand. Rya had never held an enchanted sword like Quinus'', but something about holding it in her hands felt right. That''s when the Hobgoblin came into her view as he went in for the kill. From her back, she was able to swing the Sun''s Fury with ease and cut the Hobgoblin''s staff in half with the sword. "AGGRRRRRNNNN!!" The Hobgoblin King roared out as it noticed the shining blade coming at him. She managed to stab him in the chest and glared at him. "You didn''t take the hint, now you''re dead!" Rya yelled out while pushing the blade deeper into the Hobgoblin''s chest. This allowed her to stand up finally as she glared at the monster. "GURKKKK!!! HYAAAAAHHH!!" The Hobgoblin King roared out as it swung his fist at Rya in one last-ditch effort to kill the elf. Rya dodged it while pulling out the sword from its chest and swung it around into a diagonal strike. She sliced through the Hobgoblin''s neck, cutting its head clean off this body. The Hobgoblin King''s body toppled over dead. While at the same time, the Troll came after Quinus and attacked him when his back turned to the beast. "QUIN!" Rya screamed out as she readied the sword and used the only magic she thought she could use on this dungeon floor. She channeled her mana quickly before yelling out, "Dark Earthly Blade!" The sword turned black as it extended out almost like a whip and the tip of the blade zoomed towards the Troll. In less than a second the blade stabbed straight into the beast''s right arm, then it curled around and stabbed through the troll''s chest before the blade continued towards its left leg, and finally, the blade extended down until it crashed into the ground halting the Cave Troll''s attack. The hulking beast couldn''t move with its legs and arms trapped by the shadow-like whip-blade. "''GHH!" The Troll howled out as it felt pain it never felt before. It tried to free itself, but the more it struggled the deeper the blade stabbed into its flesh. "Rya... What?" Quinus was astonished by what he was seeing. "Wow! How many more abilities do you have up your sleeves?" he said excitedly. "I might have a few more... I''ll show you if we can kill this thing..." Rya responded with a smile on her face. Quinus looked relieved to see the Troll stopped in its place at the moment, But he noticed that it still had a lot of fight left in it. They need to find the damn Dungeon Core and get out of here if they want to survive. "I-I don''t know how long I can hold this, Quin," Rya said with a little worry in her voice. Quinus runs over to Rya, "If only we could get this bastard to the surface and let the sun kill it for us... Hey, what happened to your earth magic?" Rya shook her head, "T-The Dungeon Core is preventing me from using it. I think I can overpower the Core''s influence but I don''t think I can create any walls and spikes until we destroy it... I don''t see it on the surface so I think it''s underneath the floor... I just need a second to sense where it is. Once I find it I''ll have to use all my strength to open its hiding spot." Quinus grimaced, "So you''ll have to release our friend there, huh." "Yeah, and I''ll need you to stab the Core... Quin. Thank you for everything you''ve done-" "Hey! Don''t say that! Find the Core and we''ll get out of this mess! Plus I need to give you your reward, you hear me?" Rya turns to look at the Troll, who was being held in place by her Dark Earthly Blade magic. She was trying to estimate how much time they would have before the Troll would be on top of them after she released it from her spell. ''I think we have thirty seconds at most, so we have to hurry!'' She thought before looking back at Quinus and his handsome face. "Haah... Alright, give me a second," Rya closed her eyes as she started to sense the ether particles emitting from a spot like a green-flamed fire about eight feet from them. "Found it! It''s over there, about one foot under the stone floor," Rya said excitedly as she nodded her head in the direction of the Dungeon Core. "Okay... I''m ready when you are, Rya," Quinus said while placing his hands next to Rya''s hands on the handle of the Sun''s Fury. Rya took a breath before she gave him a nod. She let go of the sword and it returned to its normal form once her mana was no longer flowing through it. When the dark shadowy blade returned to the sword, the Cave Troll was able to move freely. "Let''s go, Quin!" Rya yelled out when she ran towards the location of the Dungeon Core. She places her hands on the ground and channeled all her mana into the rock floor. She was determined to open the floor up and reveal the Dungeon Core. "AARRRRHHHH!!" roared the Troll. Now that it was free, it charged after the two of them. "COME ON, YOU FUCKING, FLOOR!" Rya yelled out as she concentrated on opening the floor with the Core fighting her every step of the way. "You got this Rya! You''re better than this piece of shit!" Quinus shouted out while he watched the floor. He was waiting to strike the Core at a moment''s notice. He was channeling his mana into the Sun''s Fury which made the blade start to shine even brighter. "GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!" the Troll was getting closer. ''You''re not going to fucking die here, Ryan, SO FUCKING DO IT!'' Rya thought to herself as a crack formed on the ground and spread quickly until a big section of the floor caved in. *Crack-Boom-CRASH!* "AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" Rya was finally overpowering the Core''s rock floor as it opened up, showing itself for the first time in millennia. The Core looked like a crystal ball and was the size of a fully-grown cantaloupe. The Core had an eerie green glow to it like it could corrupt and manipulate things to its will. "HYAH!!!" Quinus yelled out as he struck the Core as fast as he could. "CLINK!" The Sun''s Fury hit the Core''s outer shell. It bounced off at first. "Son of a!" Quinus spat out as he pushed his weight behind his blade. "Clink-Crack-Crunch!" With the added force, the sword tip initially made a small indent as the Core''s outer shell slowly started to show cracks. "Quin!" Rya yelled out. "I GOT THIS, JUST HANG ON!" Quinus yelled out as the Troll was only twenty feet away from them. Rya knew that the Troll was going to be on top of them before they could break the Dungeon Core. So, she acted fast by standing up as quickly as possible and grabbing Quinus'' sword''s handle. "Together, Quin!" Rya shouted with urgency. "Right!" Quinus grunted out as they both placed all their weight and force onto the sword''s tip. *Crack!* With Rya''s help, the cracks on the Core begin to grow along with their combined strength. "RRRAAAAHHHH!!!!" roared the Cave Troll. The Troll was only ten feet away and was ready to crush them both. "Hang on! I-I got this!" Quinus said in a panic as the Core''s outer shell continued to crack as the sword started to sink deeper into the Core''s body. *Crack!* *Crunch!* "Almost..." Rya whispered out. The Core starts to break apart as the sword penetrates deeper and deeper. When the tip of the blade finally reaches the center of the Dungeon Core, it begins to vibrate intensely and releases a bright green flash. Before Rya and Quinus could respond the Core exploded, sending shards flying everywhere. *KRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNGGG!!!* The Dungeon Core was broken into two pieces as the vibrations shook the entire dungeon and the sound was louder than thunder. "RRROOOAAARRRR!!!!" The Troll roared once it was right on top of them, ready to deliver its fatal blow. And with that, Rya quickly channeled her mana throughout her body before she stomped the ground, creating an earth spike right underneath the Cave Troll, shooting it up and stabbing the tip of the spike, right through its ass. "AGGGGGGGHHHHRRRRRNNN!!" the Troll howled out as blood poured out from its mouth and butt. The Cave Troll struggled to free itself as he began to be lifted up to the ceiling at breakneck speed and smashed into it. *Thud-Thud-Thud* The Cave Troll was forced right through the ceiling as Rya continued to control the spike, forcing the Troll to keep going through the stone above. "RRRRAAAARRRGGGGHHH!" The Cave Troll screamed out as it kept being forced upwards and smashed through the ceiling of the next floor. Rya wasn''t going to stop until she knew she pushed that bastard up to the surface or if her mana ran out. And she had a lot of mana to use. Hell, she wished she could send that hulking bastard to the sun if she could. So, this went on for a few minutes as Quinus and Rya heard the pained cries from the Cave Troll echoing from the floors above. Quinus looked up at the hole and was waiting to see the sun. *BOOM!* The ceiling of the last floor broke open and the Cave Troll was launched towards the sky. It started to turn into stone before turning into ash. The sun was the Cave Troll''s natural enemy as the light killed it instantly. *BOOM!* Quinus could hear the sound of the monster''s body as it broke through the clouds above and exploded, covering the area in a small cloud of black dust. But Rya was still channeling her mana as the spike continued to ascend, pushing through the last cloud layer. "Rya! Rya! You got him! He''s dead. Calm down... You can relax..." Quinus said as he pulled Rya into a hug. He could see that she was shaking a little. "We-We''re alive? WE''RE ALIVE!" Rya cried out as tears fell from her eyes. ''How the hell did we even survive that!? Fuck IT! We''re just lucky and I don''t care!'' Rya thought to herself as she hugged Quinus. She hugged him so tight that her breasts were pressed firmly against him. For Quinus, all the hardships and pain he endured were worth it. He got to meet the woman of his dreams and now she was holding onto him as tightly as she could. He looked into her tear-filled eyes and smiled at her. "Haha... I don''t know about you, but I could use a vacation," Quinus smiled at Rya when she looked up at him with a tired smile and hugged Quinus tighter. If Rya wasn''t so exhausted she would have realized that her boobs were pressing against him, causing him to get aroused. This would have grossed her out by having a man attracted to her. But, instead, she just stared at his golden eyes like she was lost in them. She would have stared at them forever if a strange stench didn''t fill the air, all of a sudden. "Ugh, what is that smell?" Rya said as she released Quinus and covered her nose. "Huh!? Is it me? I''m sorry about tha~," Quinus was trying to apologize when Rya smacked him lightly on the head. "Nooo! It''s not coming from you, dummy!" Rya growled in his face, but it was a playful growl. She was still happy that they were both alive. "Well, I can''t smell anything... And if it''s not coming from me, then where''s it coming from?" Rya looked around the cave and saw something strange in the hole, where the destroyed Core was. "I think the smell is coming from the Dungeon Core?" Rya was guessing as she pointed to the remains of the Core. "Hmm?" Quinus muttered to himself as he took a closer look at the hole in the ground. Where his sword was still stuck in the ground after destroying the Core. As he stepped closer to the hole, was when he saw it. "Liquid Ether!" Quinus exclaimed. "GODDESS! Well, whatever that stuff is, smells terrible!" Rya said with disgust as she backed away. "Hold on, I''ll extract it," Quinus said as he rummaged through his pouch that was strapped around his waist. After searching for a moment he found the bottle he was looking for. It was a glass that looked like a magical glass vial with a red-colored cork on the top. It had a special ability to suck in anything when it was uncorked and it was used to contain magical or poisonous liquid without it leaking out. "There we go. We should be able to collect the ether with these..." Quinus said and put the vial in the hole where the Blue Glowing Liquid Ether was. "Man, I never knew how much this stuff glowed. I wonder why it doesn''t smell bad to me?" "I have no idea... It''s probably because you''re a human, and I''m an elf... Or something..." Rya replied with a shrug while covering her nose. "I feel like there''s more to it than that, but I guess it''s not that important right now," Quinus said and started to extract the blue liquid. It took only a moment before all the liquid was sucked inside of the bottle. "That''s a lot of Liquid Ether! This should work nicely!" Quinus said with a grin. "Well, at least that vile stench is gone now. So, let''s get out of here... Ah! OH!" Rya cried out as her body started to feel funny in a sexual kind of way. "Rya? What''s wrong!?" Quinus was worried about her and wanted to know what was happening. "I-It''s nothing, I''m fine, uhm... Huh? M-My?" Rya was stunned to see her growing breasts and tried to cover them up with her arms. Then her crotch started to heat up so she crossed her legs. She was having trouble balancing herself as she tried to hide her embarrassment. When Quinus saw how she was reacting, he knew what Rya''s problem was. "So, it looks like you''re getting affected with Mana Rush. It seems you killed the Cave Troll," Quinus said as he stood up and walked over to Rya. "MMmmm! W-What are you doing?" Rya asked nervously as she felt her pants riding up thanks to her expanding thighs. At the same time, her loins started to form camel-toe as her trousers stretched due to her hips. ''Not Mana Lust! Damn! I don''t want him to see me like this...'' Rya thought as she was starting to sweat a bit. Quinus saw the signs and could tell she was experiencing a high dose of Mana Rush and he knew what he could do to help her. Vol.1 Ch.36 Getting a Reward 🦴 Preview:
''W-Why is Quin coming over here?'' Rya thought. "Don''t worry, I can fix you, just let me get close," Quinus said in a calming voice. Rya was about to ask what he was doing when she suddenly felt a finger gently touch her ear. "Your body''s absorbing all that Troll''s mana. You must be feeling the rush. I know you''re scared and don''t want me to see you like this. But please believe me when I say I can help you," Quinus whispered as his fingers traced the curves of her ear, which made her shudder. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ''N-No! I have to be stronger than this... I need to-'' Rya thought but stopped when Quinus started to rub her ears. "Ahhh~" Rya moaned and couldn''t help herself. "Shh, shh, shh, shh, relax and let me do all the work. I promise you will feel better," Quinus said with a reassuring tone. He gently rubbed her ears, which sent pleasant jolts down her body, making her shudder. Her arms were no longer covering her chest, and her legs relaxed. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to be lost in pleasure. ''Mmmmm, it feels so good... His touch is making my body tingle...'' Rya was starting to melt under Quin''s touch. Vol.1 Ch.37 I Want to Tease Him! Rya and Quin readied themselves for whoever was coming out of the tunnel. Rya''s mind was racing and her heart was pounding against her chest. She didn''t know if it had to do with the fear or the fact that she was still incredibly turned on. ''No! It''s not the time to think about that! I have to be ready for whatever comes through that door.'' Rya shook her head, trying to clear her mind. "Well done, Percy! I don''t know how you opened this door but I''m glad you did," said the familiar voice of Sir George. Quinus sighed in relief while Rya quickly tried to straighten up her clothes. She didn''t want to explain what had just happened between her and Quinus to the rest of the party. And once she looked presentable, then she began to relax and ran ahead of Quinus. "Sir George!? Percy!? Dalia!?" Rya shouted out joyfully while running toward the doorway. "Aha! Alpha! You''re Okay!" Dalia cheered out with a grin as she pounced on Rya. "Yooou~!" Rya happily returned Dalia''s embrace. "Sorry, it took us a while to get here, my Lord. We encountered some goblins, but we defeated them easily," Percy answered. "Where is the troll? Did you kill it?" Sir George asked with a concerned tone. "Yes, somehow we survived. Frankly, it felt like Rya did all the work. Since she was the one to take it out," Quinus said with a defeated tone. Sir George raises his eyebrow at this statement. He had no idea that Rya was capable of such a feat. "You were the one who killed the troll? How?" Sir George questioned while looking at Rya curiously. "I-I didn''t do all the work. If Quin didn''t throw me his sword when he did then we would have died," Rya pointed out. "But you were strong enough to send the troll to the surface to kill it. That''s a great feat and you should be proud," Quinus replied proudly. "Lady Rya, we are blessed to have you. I don''t know how we can ever repay you for saving our Lord," Percy answered with pride in his voice. "Aye, milady. I was too hasty in judging you because of your race... I see I was a fool in doing so... Just so you know, there is nothing in the world more beautiful than a woman who can use magic. Even though you might not think yourself worthy of such praise. You have my sword, Lady Rya." Sir George stated. "I-I really appreciate that, Sir George," Rya responded with an awkward smile. ''I''m not used to getting so much praise. How are you supposed to act?'' Rya thought to herself, not sure if she was supposed to bow or curtsy. "Blessed, is an understatement, Percy Alright, let''s get going. I''m tired of this damned labyrinth," Quinus said as he sheathed his sword. "Hmm! Agreed!... Come this way, my Lord," Sir George said with a bow before he took the lead. "Hey, where''s the Black Rose Merc?" Rya asks with a confused look. "The coward fled to the surface... Haah, I wish I could have taken him out. But you were our priority, Lady Rya," Percy replied with a disappointed look. "We will hunt him down, young one... As long as I get to come along... Or are you a lone wolf?" Dalia asked with a sly smirk. "O-Of course I can hunt down someone by myself... But, I don''t know how I could deny having you... erm, I mean, a warrior, such as you, by my side. I am at your command, Lady Dalia." Percy answered her with a bow. Dalia smiles and wags her tail at Percy''s reactions. She didn''t know why but her instincts were telling her to poke and prod him for some reason. Of all the humans she''d been around, Percy was the only one to make her heart flutter. She never felt this way before and she needed answers on why she was feeling so weird. She tried to ignore the feeling as the group made their way to the first staircase. But as time went on, Dalia became more and more frustrated with herself. ''What is this feeling?!'' Dalia screamed in her head. So, while the group started to ascend up the dungeon floors, Dalia came up close to Rya. In hopes of keeping her conversation private "Alpha? I have a question?" She whispered to Rya. "Hmm? What''s the question?" Rya replies with a confused tone. "When talking with the young one, I get an urge? Like, I want to poke him, but with my words?" Dalia whispers with a hopeful expression. "Hmm? I think you want to tease him?" Rya answers back with confusion in her voice. "Tease him?... That''s it, yes! You''re so smart, Alpha! But I don''t know why I want to?" Dalia questions herself again. "Well, Percy is a timid and obedient guy... So maybe you want to see a different reaction from him? One that you caused, instead of something else?" Rya tries to reason with her. "I guess?... I''m not sure... he''s only timid around me, and it makes me want to tease him. Ahh! This is so confusing! But, it''s a good feeling and I think I want to feel more," Dalia answers with a giggle as her tail wags all over the place. Rya was finally understanding what was happening to Dalia. She has a crush on Percy and she doesn''t know what to do with it. This was going to be a fun thing to watch and she wanted to help Percy get a good girlfriend. Dalia seemed like a good girl that he would get along with. So, she was going to help push them together if she could. "Alright, how about we talk about what kind of things you can tease him about? There are all sorts of things you can do to get a good reaction out of him," Rya offers with a mischievous smile. "Okay! Please, teach me, Alpha!" Dalia pleaded, eager to learn more. This made Rya smile at first but then she realized that she never teased a man before. She needed to recall what other women had done to her when she was a man growing up in college. It took some time before she came up with some good ideas for Dalia and whispered them into her ear. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. The group continues to make their way through the dungeon, taking a break to eat lunch on the sixth floor. "B-But what if he doesn''t like that?" Dalia asked with a worried tone. "Don''t worry, Dalia. Just tease him a little at first, to see if he likes it," Rya states with a wink. "Hmm... I will try when the time is right, Alpha... Thank you," Dalia says with a nod. She continues. "I have another question, though?" "Yes?" Rya asks with curiosity. "How were you able to mark Beta, without him marking you?" Dalia says with a shy smile. "Huh? I don''t follow. What do you mean I ''marked'' him?" Rya asks with confusion in her voice. "Hmm? But your mark is all over his hands and face? It''s hard not to notice your scent all over him. And yet, he hasn''t marked you? I''ve never seen a female own a male like that! I wish to mark the young one like you did," Dalia says with a dreamy look. ''What the hell is Dalia talking abou-'' Rya stopped herself once it occurred to Rya what Dalia meant by marking Quinus. ''Oh God, she can smell my cum! She wants to mark Percy as I did to Quin!'' Rya thinks to herself. But that''s when a sense of dread washed over Rya. Upon realizing what she had done. What she has become. ''No, I can''t be mentally changing into a woman! That''s impossible! Oh God, oh God, oh Goddess! Why did I let Quin do that to me? I thought it was the mana''s fault at first. But I''ve been making fucking excuses! I must fight this! I don''t know how I''ll stop it, but I must! If things keep going the way they have been, then I will be making a huge mistake. I have to resist!'' Rya tells herself as she fights the growing urges to change into a woman. Rya had to focus her thoughts and not think about the events that transpired between her and Quin. If she were to recall the memory, then she wouldn''t be able to control herself. "Hmm? Alpha are you alright? You seem distracted?" Dalia asks with concern while looking at Rya''s face. "Ah! No, I''m fine! I... I just need to think for a second," Rya replies with a weak smile. "S-So you want to mark Percy, right?" Rya asks while she tries to regain her composure. "Hm? Yes, I like to claim him as my own, Alpha. I like the idea of my mark all over him." Dalia answers with a happy smile. "W-Well I think your best option is when we make camp for the night. You can do your teasing and hopefully, he will respond in a good way. Then you can take it to the next level," Rya suggests. "But how do you get a male to go, down there?" Dalia asks with a questioning look. "Uh... uh... well... You can just ask him, or you can gently take hold of his head and move it..." Rya stammered out with embarrassment as memories of Quin''s smiling face came back to her. "Is that what you did? Are you sure, Alpha?" Dalia asked with a worried tone. "Yeah! And if he doesn''t respect your wish then he''s not good enough for you," Quinus chimes in with a smirk on his face while holding out two bowls of stew for them. "Quin!?" Rya exclaims with shock. She didn''t realize that Quinus was listening in on their conversation. "Just adding a male point of view," Quinus assures her with a chuckle. "Then I''ll wait! Thank you, Alpha! And you too, Beta," Dalia replied with a smile as she stood up. Armed with this new knowledge, Dalia had a hop to her step as she walked over to Percy. Percy noticed her approach and greeted her. "Good afternoon, Lady Dalia. Is there anything you require?" Percy asked her with a smile. "Hmm, a kiss from you would be nice," Dalia teased Percy. Percy did a double take and his face flushed a bright red. His mouth opens and closes, trying to find words. Dalia just wagged her tail at his reaction. "You get excited easily, young one," Dalia points out as she giggles at him. "I-I apologize, Lady Dalia. I must have misheard you," Percy answers while trying to regain his composure. Rya and Quinus looked on, enjoying the scene. "So, how long do you think it will take, before those two shack up together?" Quinus asked with a smirk on his face. "I-I think in about five days. As they spend more time together, their bond will grow stronger. It''s already grown strong enough for Dalia to take the initiative," Rya answered with some blush on her cheeks. ''Goddess! My heart won''t stop racing when I''m around Quin! I feel so embarrassed when I''m near him! What should I do?'' Rya thinks to herself as she tries to keep calm. Quinus couldn''t help but notice how uncomfortable Rya looked. "Are you alright, Rya? You seem upset," Quinus asked with concern. "Hey, do you mind if we take things slower right now? I''m having conflicted... feelings at the moment... And I could use some space to sort them out," Rya answered with a shaky voice. "Oh!... Okay! W-Was it my fault?" Quinus asked with a concerned expression. "NO! No! This isn''t your fault Quin. It''s... It''s me. And everything has changed so fast that I need to get my thoughts straight. But please don''t leave me alone, okay?" Rya tells him with a sad smile on her face. "I... Alright, but if it was me that pushed you into doing something. Then, I''m sorry, okay? And I''ll be waiting for you, my queen," Quinus tells her with a loving smile. "Thanks, Quin. That''s all I ask for. I''ll let you know when I''m ready," Rya replies with a soft smile. ''I... I need to find out if I''m a straight man or a straight woman. Or am I Bi? GAH!... I don''t know anymore!... Plus!'' Rya thought to herself as a question popped into her head. "Hey Quin, aren''t you engaged already?" Rya asks with a confused expression. "Eh, you heard about that... Haah. Well, I never met her, but she''s a princess from the Alliance of the Divine Three... Sadly, it''s a political marriage. Since I have a Demi-god level vein, they wish for me to become a part of the Alliance. They say that I''m one of the only four humans on this continent who has a Demi-god Mana Vein," Quinus explained to her. "What!? That''s horrible!" Rya exclaimed with a frown. She didn''t like the idea of marrying someone that you''ve never met. "Haah... Yeah... I don''t trust them. But they cornered my parents and kingdom into that marriage, through the Prime Minister, who has the majority of the Major Noble Houses, backing him. I just want someone I can trust to be my wife and I guess I fell for you too quickly. I keep forgetting you''re not an adult yet, even though you''re older than me. So, I understand why you''re uncomfortable," Quinus said with a sigh. ''Oh, Goddess. A political marriage. That sucks.'' Rya thought while she felt annoyed for some reason. She was hoping the fact that Quinus being engaged would have cleared up her feelings. But it didn''t. It just made her more confused about her emotions. "I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to freak you out. And that''s understandable, I wish the Divine Three would stop coming after me. But I doubt that is going to happen," Rya said with a frown. "Rya. If they dare come after you on my watch. I''ll make sure they regret it, alright. I''ll throw my fiance in prison and go to war with them!" Quinus smiled with a determined look. "You''re just saying that to sound tough, but I appreciate the sentiment, Quin," Rya said with a smile as a warm feeling crept through her. "Ahaha. I don''t say things I don''t mean... Anyway, you should finish your food. I''ll check on everyone else before we leave," Quinus said with a confident smile. It hit her again that her emotions were being clouded by Quin''s natural charm. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts of these foreign feelings that keep coming back. No matter how many times she tried, the feeling would always come back stronger than before. ''This is the last time. After we get out of here, I''ll stop and figure things out. But for now, let''s get through this dungeon!'' With her mind settled, she quickly ate her lunch, while Quinus went to check on Sir George. Rya looked over at Dalia who was laughing and teasing Percy. Rya was happy for the two of them. At least she knows that one couple might have a chance. Quinus returned and announced, "Alright everyone, we have a few more floors until we reach the surface. The Dungeon Core is dead, but that doesn''t mean that there aren''t any more goblins around. So, be on your guard." The group packed up their things and got back to work. Rya was glad that they were close to the end. Or that''s what she hoped, as they continued their journey. It took the group to reach the exit of the labyrinth in about five hours as they traversed all the floors to reach the surface. Once they got outside, they saw a squad of knights from Fiafyr. They were fighting against a small group of goblins. Vol.1 Ch.38 Made it to the Surface "Look, it''s the prince!" Yelled one of the Knights. "His Highness Prince Quinus! We have been looking for you everywhere!" The other knights gathered around the prince and they bowed their heads after dealing with the last of the goblins. "Prince Quinus! We feared the worst, my Lord!" The captain of the knights said to the prince while bowing his head. "When were you all dispatched here?" Quinus asked. "We left about a week ago, my Lord. When word got out about the goblin ambush outside of the village of Kishin." The captain replied. Quinus closed his eyes and sighed while recalling the battle that took place. He remembered being surrounded by a group of goblins at the time, and how they swarmed their positions. If he had known that it would turn out like this, he would have used his enchanted sword''s ability to burn them all. "Yes, Your Highness," The captain replied with a bow and just as he was about to leave was when he noticed not only a Wolfkin but a Dark Elf was coming out of the Labyrinth as well. H ''Your girl? H-He must be tired or something.'' Rya "Alright, let''s head to the site and take care of our fallen brothers," Quinus said with a deep sigh. With everything squared away, the group headed over to the site where Quinus and his fallen knights got attacked by the goblins earlier in their quest to destroy the Dungeon Core in the ''Tomb of the Horde''. It took them about an hour to get there. "It feels way more peaceful in the forest than it did a couple of days ago. I can''t believe this place used to be filled with goblins," Percy said out loud. "Aye, I bet you''re right, Percy. This place feels like it has a calming effect now... I''m glad our comrades didn''t die in vain," Sir George said with a bright smile, but his eyes had a hint of sadness in them. "Well, we wouldn''t have gotten the chance to enjoy this peace without, Lady Rya. I don''t know how I''m going to repay her," Quinus said as he looked at Rya, who was hanging back with Dalia. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. "Well, the Goddess must be smiling upon us. How else would we have run into someone as special as her," Percy said with a grin. Quinus shakes his head. "Well, I''m not sure about that, Percy. We were the only ones to survive," Quinus says with a grim look on his face. "Aye, the seventeen others would be proud to know their Lord has come up victorious. Their sacrifice will be remembered," Sir George said with a solemn tone while putting his hand on Quinus''s shoulder. "Well, I hope they can find happiness in their next life," Quinus said with a touch of melancholy. "Hmm... I don''t know if we will be reborn, my Lord. But if they do, I''m sure they will." George said with a nod. Quinus stared at George like he wanted to respond but he held his tongue. "My Lord, we''re coming up to the clearing where the ambush happened," One of the knights announced to the party. "Thank you, Sir Menns," Quinus said with a nod. They had reached the area where they had fought and slain the goblins. *** Once they came into the wide clearing. They were able to see bodies scattered about from the ambush. Most of them were the bodies of the goblins but seventeen knights lay next to each other in the middle. "This is tragic. It feels like yesterday when we left Kishin with all of them by our side," Quinus said with a heavy sigh. "That it does, my Prince," Sir George said with a saddened voice. "Let''s bury them before they can get turned into the undead. It would be a great disrespect to their memory," Quinus said as he walked forward towards his fallen comrades. "Right away, my Lord. You lot, let''s dig up a proper grave for these good men." Sir George said to the group of knights, and they began digging. "Yes, my Lord," They all said in unison. I shouldnt let them do all the work. Rya thought as she watched. "If you like I can bury them, Quin," Rya said with a kind smile. "I appreciate the offer, Rya. They were my men, my responsibility. We would rather do this ourselves. This is our duty after all," Quinus said with a nod. "Very well then," Rya gave a nod to Quin while she stepped aside and watched them bury the dead. *** the after, Everyone else repeated what the two said as they were also in prayer. The town looked like something out of the Medieval ages. There were cobblestone streets with little houses and shops alongside them. The buildings were built from wood and stone while others were made of brick. The village has a 10-foot wall that surrounds the perimeter with guards patrolling around. Many green bodies were lying around the wall from all the goblins that died trying to invade the village. Even with all the dead monsters lying about, everything was calm and quiet, except for the sounds of nature. "Well, I don''t know why I was expecting anything else?" Rya said to herself. "Hmm? What were you expecting, Alpha?" Dalia asked, looking over at Rya. "Oh, nothing. I''m just trying to get used to living in a... Ah? a human settlement." Rya said with a chuckle. ''Almost let it slip that I wasn''t from the planet Tertius.'' Rya thought to herself. ''Good! Dalia doesn''t suspect anything. Hehehe.'' Rya thought to herself with a giggle. "Well, humans like stability. So, they tend to stay in one place, mostly," Rya says to Dalia. "Oh really? That makes sense, I suppose. But I''m not sure I like it," Dalia said with a nod. "Well let''s give it a try?" Rya nodded back as they followed the group towards the gate. Vol.1 Ch.39 Returned to Kishin. Rya, Quinus, and the rest of the group made their way to the main gate of the village. It was closed at this time at night. Everything seemed fine until they were stopped by the town''s guards. "Oi! Who the hell are you lot?!" A guard shouts atop the wall to the city. He was having trouble seeing whoever was approaching the gate. "You are not wanted here!" Another guard shouted out next to the first guard. ''Wow... Talk about a warm welcome.'' Rya thought as she looked up at the wall. The captain of the knights walked next to Prince Quinus and held his magical torch up in the air. So, he could show the Town''s Guards who they were speaking to. "You, MORONS! You''re speaking to the Crown Prince of Fiafyr! Open the gates this instant!" yelled Sir Menns, captain of the Knights who was staring at the two guards with anger in his eyes. The captain of the guards, a large man, with a full brown beard, looked down at the knight and then at the twenty-year-old boy with his fancy armor that looked like it had seen better days, "Tch! He doesn''t look like a prince to me," He muttered to his comrade. "Yeah, they might be pulling a fast one on us. And look... There''s a Dark Elf with them. They are probably up to something bad. I''ve heard about the dark elves, they are nothing but trouble. I bet this one is planning on taking over our town." The Captain of the Guard took a step forward and leaned over the wall. "If that boy is the Prince, then why does he have a Dark Elf and a Mutt with him!? No respected Royalty would ever be seen with a dog or a dirty elf." The guard said, spitting on the ground as he looked down at the group. Rya was dumbstruck. ''What the hell?! Is this how every new person I meet is going to treat me? Is this how it''s going to be for the rest of my life? GAH! This sucks!!!'' She wanted to slouch in defeat, but her pride wouldn''t let her. *Growl!* "Looks like we''re not welcome here, Alpha!" Dalia says with a glare. "You better sheath your tongues!!!" Sir George snapped back at the city guards. Quinus looked cool and calm at a glance but if you could see through his fa?ade, you would notice his clenched jaw and fists as a fury was building inside him. He could shrug off insults being thrown his way but when they started insulting Rya and the rest of the group... Well, he was starting to get mad. "I''ll deal with this, Sir George," Quinus said to his retainer while he pulled out an amulet that glows when he pours his mana into it. "Ahhh, what is this?! A Royal Sigil!?" One of the guards asks as he leans over the wall trying to get a better look at the Royal Sigil. "My patience is wearing thin!" Quinus replies angrily while staring up at the guards. The Captain of the Guard felt a pit form in his stomach. He knew the Prince and his Party had come through their village about a week ago to deal with the goblin menace. Everyone thought it was a suicide mission and the Prince was only coming by for lip service. But here he was, alive and well and the guard couldn''t deny that the goblin numbers have dropped dramatically. He would be an idiot to continue his insubordination. "OPEN THE GATE! NOW!" Shouted the Captain of the Guard. He was yelling down to his guards on the ground level. "Yes sir!!" They all yelled as they moved towards the rope that raised the portcullis. Four of them grabbed the rope and started to pull with all their might. It didn''t take long for the four guards to raise the portcullis before Quinus and his comrades could come into the village. "Hmph... Should we discipline them, my Lord?" Sir George asked Quinus. before continuing, "For now, I want to rest in a proper bed and I''m sure everyone else feels the same." "As you wish, my Lord." Sir George said with a bow. Rya was listening in when she heard Quinus mentioning a proper bed. And it made her feel giddy. . "I would rather you live, Rya," Quinus teased her with a smirk. "Yeah, Beta is right, Alpha! I don''t want you to die over a bed," Dalia says with a concerned look. "Hehe. Dalia, it''s a figure of speech," Rya laughed. "Figure of speech? I don''t understand, Alpha?" Dalia said with confusion. "She meant it as a joke, Lady Dalia," Percy said with a smile. "Aww. A joke... I still don''t get it," Dalia said with a bashful face. "Well, I believe in you, Lady Dalia... Anyway, what''s our next move?" Percy asked the group as they waited for the large doors into the village to open. "Rya... Dalia... Stay close to us. The people of Kishin are not hostile towards non-humans but they aren''t friendly either," Quinus said. m ur " Dalia wagged her tail a little after getting praise from her Alpha, "Okay, I''m ready." It was at that moment when the doors to the village were unlocked. Walking "I''m sorry, my Lord! We were ordered by the mayor, to not let anyone enter the town without his permission!" said the captain of the guard as he and the rest of the guards bowed their heads when Quinus, Rya, and the rest of his party entered the village. Quinus only shook his head in disapproval in response to the guards. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. "You''re lucky that the Prince is merciful, Captain," Sir George said through clenched teeth. "You''re free to go about your duties, Captain. Make sure your men don''t get out of line either, or the next punishment will be much worse," Quinus warned the Captain. *** bo Upon hearing of their plight, Baron Arathar Coldforge took the initiative before he could get the King involved. Kishin wasn''t too far from "The Tomb of the Horde" and it would be a good frontier outpost in the future for farming materials from the Labyrinth and the lands around the Dungeon. After the dwarven-human army was victorious in defending the last survivors of the fallen kingdom. Baron Coldforge, along with a delegation from Ironside, returned to the capital to gain the King''s blessing and they accepted forty thousand new citizens into the Kingdom of Fiafyr and the surrounding land became Fiafyr territory. This took place almost one hundred years ago. est. Everything seemed to be going well until about twenty-five years ago when Duke Alaric saw the town as an asset. He needed to gather as many Minor Nobles to his side as possible since the Prime Minister had the majority of the support of the Major Nobles. He had been gathering support and money for his goal to get his son the throne. And Kishin was his most recent conquest. The corruption and greed of the major noble family started making life harder for the townspeople, and the few minor nobles, who didn''t agree with the way the Dukedom was handling their town, were slowly being replaced by nobles loyal to the Duke. heroics from the Adventurer''s Guild, all would have been lost. By the time Quinus and his party were walking around the streets of the village, a few of the townspeople were out late at night. There was the main square, an open-air bar, and a restaurant that was closed at this time. There also was the usual Adventure Guild building and a couple of stalls where people sold things like fruits, vegetables, and fish. The main street had several houses on both sides but they all looked empty. The village Kishin''s major attractions were logging and monster harvesting. Thanks to its location being so close to the giant forest to its west called the Great Greenwood Forest. The only downside was the many monsters that roamed the forest which was where the adventurers came in handy. They would keep the monster numbers in check. But after the stampede, the town had been undermanned, and the monsters had become a real problem for the small town, which was in a bad state. Percy grimaced and was about to speak when Quinus interrupted him. "The Mayor is loyal to my uncle. He is a coward and wasn''t willing to put forth any effort to stop the stampede. Let''s just say he is more concerned with his own needs than the needs of his people," Quinus said, clenching his fists. They continued to walk to the other side of the square and the few people around were looking at the group strangely. Rya could hear some of them as they started murmuring to each other. But Ryas Dark Elven ears could hear them clear as day. "Is that the Crown Prince?... Does that mean they stopped the stampede? I thought it was a fool''s errand?" A man said to his friends as he walked past them. "Dont know? Maybe they did? Wait a moment, isn''t that a Wolfkin and a Dark Elf? What the hell are their kind doing here?" Another townsfolk questioned as they saw Dalia and Rya trying to hide in the middle of the group. Rya pulled her hood down when she heard them talking about Dalia and herself. ''What''s their problem? Why do they have such an attitude against a Wolfkin and a Dark Elf?'' "Don''t worry. They''re probably just the Prince''s slaves or something," One of the men reassured his fellow townsman. "Huh? But the King outlawed slavery in the realm... Well, we can''t take any chances. Let''s get some more guards so we can protect our homes from them," the townsfolk said as they left the town square. ''The fuck? Is this what it feels like to be discriminated against?... This SUCKS!... I have to remember that I''m no longer a white man anymore! Ugh, I hate this... This is an experience I didn''t need or want.'' Rya thought to herself as she balls up her fists in frustration. saying. *** Quinus led the group toward a big-sized house, which was probably a mansion, with a wall around it. It was hard to tell, with how dark it was. While Rya was taking in her surroundings, she noticed a man running toward them at breakneck speeds from the large house. He was an older man wearing an official uniform of some sort. "My PRINCE! My apologies!" The man cried. "Aye, the Mayor''s minister. I guess Tomas is too busy to greet His Highness in person. Or maybe he''s too scared to show his face," Sir George said with a chuckle as he glanced at Quinus for a quick moment. The man who was dashing towards them finally made it to where Quinus and his party were. Once he was within range of the party, he dropped to his knees and bowed his head before the prince. "Which one were you again?... Tomas was the one who did all the talking with my cousin the last time we were here," Quinus asked with an irritated tone. He spoke without looking into Quinus'' eyes. "And how is the situation here?" Quinus asked. "Our people are doing well. Since we haven''t had a monster attack for almost three days, my Lord. It is all thanks to your bravery," Marko said with his head still down on the ground. "I''m sure your people are pleased with that, but I''m not pleased with the welcome we''ve received, once we returned from the Labyrinth, Mr. Aitken. I''m sure that was Tomas'' doing," Quinus stated. "You will do no such thing, Marko. I am going to speak with Tomas myself," Quinus said with anger. Marko bowed his head in defeat. "O-Of course my Lord. I''ll see if the Mayor can receive His Highness this instant!" Marko said as he quickly turned around and ran back towards the mansion, in the distance. The building was about three hundred yards away from their location. *Poke* "L-Lady Dalia?! Why are you poking me?" "Hmm? No reason, in particular, young one," Dalia said with a straight face but her tail was wagging. . "ed, Quin. W, The captain took off to patrol the village with his Knights. Leaving the Prince behind with his retainers and the two girls. "..." "Well, let''s pay the mayor a visit shall we," Quinus said in a serious tone. They all followed the prince as they walked towards the mayor''s estate. Vol.1 Ch.40 Sign the Blood Contract As Rya and the group came closer to the estate. Rya finally saw how big the place was. The estate was about three stories tall and almost as big as a football field. It had many windows and balconies on both sides of the building as well as a large courtyard in the front where there were trimmed hedges. To say this was the only nice-looking place in Kishin would be an understatement. "Well, this place is something else? I can''t believe this is the mayor''s house." Rya said quietly. "Yeah, it''s pretty impressive compared to the rest of the town. Makes you wonder where he got all this money?" Percy said with a raised eyebrow. "I haven''t come here that often, but this place has never sat right with me. I probably have to thank my uncle for this." Quinus said with a stern expression. When they walked up to the gate to the estate the ten city guards came out of the front door and took a defensive stance. Which made Rya, Quinus and the group stop in their tracks as they were in a standoff. ''Well, another warm welcome? Goddess, why did this idiot just advertise that he''s not to be trusted? Dammit, why can''t things be simpler?'' Rya thought as she looked around the area to see if there was any movement. "What do you want!?" A guard yelled as he pointed a short sword at Rya, which caused Quinus to step in front of the guard. "You better watch where you point that thing! She is part of His Highness''s Entourage! Now where''s Tomas?" Sir George asked with a stern look. He had his hand on his sword ready to strike if need be. The guard looked at Quinus with disgust. "Oi! So, you came back after failing to deal with the Dungeon Core? What a shame, your Highness." ''Crap! We are getting in a fight with these guys, aren''t we?'' Rya sighed knowing this was going downhill fast. Quinus responded to the guard by reaching into his leather satchel and pulling out the glass container which contained Liquid Ether. They could see the ether''s glow light up the area. The city guards were shocked and looked at each other as if they were not expecting to see that. The guard who slung insults at Quinus started sweating after realizing he might have picked a fight with the wrong person, especially if he was able to survive the labyrinth. He was told by Marcus that the prince wasn''t a threat and would be dealt with by the dungeon. But the liquid ether in his hands was enough to prove otherwise. "Your Highness... I apologi~" The guard took an arrow in the eye. *Thud!* The body of the guard fell to the ground when Percy swiftly executed him, which caused the other Guards to step back and look at Percy with fear in their eyes. "Thank you, Percy... So, who else is a traitor to the future crown of Fiafyr?" Sir George asked the guards with a stern look. "We... We were told to take you all into custody and bring you before Mayor Tomas." One of the guards said with a shakey voice. "So you wish to arrest the Prince?" Sir George asked as he stepped closer to the group of guards. The guards took a step back, even if they outnumbered them, these men were strong. Especially the one with a bow, he was extremely skilled. Plus they didn''t know what the Wolfkin or the Dark Elf were capable of. After a moment, the Guards'' wills broke and they all lowered their weapons. They didn''t see the Viscount, Marcus Revelia anywhere and the one called Sir George was known as a strong warrior in Fiafyr. If Marcus was there then maybe they had a chance. "That''s what I thought, now tell me where the mayor is." Sir George ordered. One of the guards replied, "He''s on the top floor of the manor." "We''ll get the mayor!" Another guard answered as he ran back into the mansion. ''Shit, Percy!? I didn''t know you could be so ruthless. He didn''t bat an eye at what he did.'' Rya thought when she saw Percy shoot the guard in the face with an arrow. After a moment a guy wearing black robes with red lines across his chest appeared out of nowhere. "Y-Your Highness!? I-I''m glad to see you in good health. P-Please come in. Men, step aside." Tomas said with a trembling voice. "Tomas! His Highness doesn''t trust you. We know your allegiance is to Duke Alaric Revelia." Sir George said with a stern look. Tomas was about to protest but stopped himself before he did. "Y-Yes, you''re right. My loyalty lies with the duke. But that doesn''t mean I don''t care about the people of Kishin. I just wish there was some way to avoid bloodshed, my Lord." Tomas said as he bowed his head. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Rya thought he was full of shit about caring for the people of Kishin. They literally walked through the village square and saw the condition of the poor people who lived there. She knew that he only cared about himself and his wealth. ''Yeah, this dude is lying out of his ass... I don''t know what he would do to us if we turned our backs on him.'' Rya thought as she watched on. "This whole situation was created by the duke and his son... What will you do if my uncle decides to fight me for the throne Tomas?" Quinus asked with a stern look. "Y-You would have my support, of course, my Lord," Tomas answered nervously. "You will have to give me a good reason not to end your life right here and right now, Tomas!" Quinus said with a stern look. "Y-Yes my Lord. I''ll be your double agent!" Tomas said in a hurry. "You''ll have to sign a Blood Contract. That will end your life if you breach it. You will also have to swear your allegiance to me from this day forward. If you do that then I will consider giving you the chance to live. Do not make me regret this decision, Tomas." Quinus said with a stern look. "We can do that right away, My Lord... Aitken! Could you please, grab an enchanted parchment," Tomas said with a smile as he looked at the man behind him. "We have our, own Blood Contracts, Tomas," Quinus said with a cold tone to match his face. "O-Of course his Highness has his own, contracts! H-How silly of me," Tomas said with a panic-stricken look. Tomas'' smile turned into a frown. "So, they know!" He whispered to himself. Quinus and his mother knew about how the Mayor gained control of the village. Tomas would try to sneak in blood contracts to the citizens or guards of Kishin. These contracts were magically enforced and would cause the victims to be bound to the person who signed the contract. If the victims were found out, then Tomas could dispose of them easily. Rya''s ears twitched when she heard Tomas, ''FUCK! I really didn''t want to do this! But this douche is going to screw us over.'' Rya walked up to Quin and tapped his back. "Hmm?" Quinus said with a confused look as he tilted his head back to glance at Rya. "Tomas said something about you guys knowing his plan, I think he''s going to betray us," Rya whispered into Quinus'' ear. If Quinus wasn''t in such a high-stress situation, he would''ve gotten an instant boner from having Rya whisper into his ear. He held back from teasing her and focused on the issue at hand. "Are you sure, Rya?" Quinus whispered back. "Yes, I''m positive." Rya nodded. "Then, I guess he''s sealed his fate," Quinus said as he regripped his sword. Tomas watched as Rya whispered into Quinus''s ear which put him into a panic, when he noticed her ears underneath her hood. He realized the woman beside the Prince was a Dark Elf. He couldn''t help but tremble, if this Dark Elf was here then she''d heard every word he said. Tomas'' heart rate increased and his palms started to sweat, as Quinus'' golden eyes pierced his soul. "Y-You have an Elf?" Tomas said with a nervous look on his face. Quinus nodded and continued to stare down Tomas. "She heard what you said," Quinus asked with a serious tone. "OH, GODDESS! ALL OF YOU, DEFEND ME!" Tomas shouted as he looked around at his guards. Four of the city guards tried to engage Quinus as he tightened up the grip on his sword while his body started to glow with mana. And like a flash Quinus moved 25 feet to where Tomas was standing. *Swing! Swing! Swing! Swing! Swing!* Tomas and four of the Guards'' heads were no longer attached to their bodies. Quinus moved fast enough to kill Tomas and the guards before anyone could react. It was skillfully done, and a complete surprise for the remaining city guards. "Wow!" Rya said under her breath, her jaw dropping as she watched the events unfold. ''Wow! I-I didn''t know he could do that. H-He so strong and... I-I need to focus! I can''t let my guard down.'' Rya thought as she tried to shake the odd sensation coming from her nether region. It wasn''t strong, but it tingled, and she could feel a dampness in her underwear. *Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!* The bodies fell to the ground, while the headless corpses spurted blood. This caused the remaining five city guards to panic and try to run. "Percy! Lady Dalia! Lady Rya! Don''t let the others get away!" Sir George yelled as he attacked the closest guard. *Swing!* *Clang!* Sir George took the Guard''s arm off at the shoulder and threw him over the side of the bridge. "ARGH!!" Yelled the one guard that was thrown. Percy shot the one running towards the door. *Thud!* Dalia moves swiftly as she claws out the throat of the next closest guard. "NOOOOOO!" The last guard screamed as he tried to defend himself. ''Crap! Well, here I go!'' Rya thought as she used her Dark Earth magic to make two earth spikes shoot up from the ground underneath the Guard''s feet. "GRRAAAAHHHH~" The guard screamed in pain while he fell down into a third earth spike which impaled his chest. The last guard fell on his butt as he begged for mercy and Mr. Aitken just stood there shaking not knowing what to do. Quinus cleans his blade with the sleeve of his left arm while staring down at Marko. "Gentlemen... You two can either sign the Blood Contract or you can choose death. Tell me, what would you choose?" Quinus said with a commanding tone while his face started to look paler for some reason. "W-We''ll sign it, My Lord!" Marko said with a shaky voice. Quinus nods as he pulls out a blood contract and signs it with his blood. "Now... Sign it," Quinus demanded as he handed it to the city guard first then Marko. Once they signed the blood contract, it started to glow a blood red before it disappeared. "It''s done... So, if either of you tries to betray me, then you will die. Do you, both, understand?" Quinus asked with a stern look. "Yes, we understand, my Lord!" Mr. Aitken said with a nod. "Good," Quinus said as he turned to the rest of his party. "Well, it looks like we''re going to rest now." After the dust had settled, so to speak, Rya couldn''t help but replay what had just happened in her mind. She saw how graceful and strong the Prince was as he cut down Tomas and the other guards. The way he moved and the speed at which he struck was unlike anything she had ever seen before. She knew he was strong, but she didn''t realize he was that strong and it made her heart race. Soon, her eyes wandered to his chest where his armor covered most of his muscular body. She licked her lips before she willed herself to look away from him. ''Goddess! He can be so fucking sexy... Gah! I need to control these emotions! This can''t be me!'' Rya thought as she watched Percy and Sir George move around the room checking to make sure everything was clear. After they checked the rooms, Percy and Sir George gave the all-clear sign. That''s when Rya glanced over at Dalia who had a confused look on her face. "What are you thinking about?" Vol.1 Ch.41 Getting a Room. "N-Nothing!? Why would you ask such a question!?" Rya said as she blushed slightly. Dalia giggled at Rya as she walked up to her. "I can smell your mating scent. You wish to mark Beta again, dont you Alpha." Dalia said while wagging her tail back and forth. "Oh, Goddess! I''m not going to mark, Quin!" Rya said with embarrassment. Dalia nodded while patting Rya''s head quickly. "I see... So you like to play ''hard to get'' with Beta," Dalia said as she nuzzled her nose against Rya''s head. pushed Dalia away from her head. ''Well... I need a bath and Dalia could use one too. I''m not going to do anything sexual with her. She''s interested in Percy. But since I''m in a woman''s body I''m sure we can bathe together without anyone being the wiser. Then I could see if I get turned on. Wait! Of course, I''ll get turned on. It''s foolproof... I know, I''m a genius!'' Rya thought to herself with a satisfied smile and nodded to her idea. Dalia was watching Rya getting lost in her own world, as the dark elf nodded to herself like a lunatic. She tilted her head and began to scratch her ears. door that led into the estate. "Erm... Come on, Ryan! Get ahold of yourself... Stop acting like an idiot! I''m not doing anything wrong. But I might scare Dalia off if I keep this up," Rya muttered to herself as she witnessed Dalia going through the door. Rya followed Dalia and they walked through the hallways of the estate. There were paintings of what seemed to be Quinus'' family line and his father, the King. The butlers and maids seemed to be in a panic since the prince killed the mayor, as they scrambled around the place. Not knowing if they should run or stay. Once they reached the foyer, Rya and Dalia saw Quinus standing by Marko. "Mr. Aitken, we require lodging for the night. We need three rooms. One for the ladies, another for my men, and one for me," Quinus said with a calm tone. "Of course, Your Highness. The head butler will show you to your rooms. And if there''s anything else, don''t hesitate to ask," Marko said with a bow. "Thank you," Quinus said as he turned to his group. "Lets go guys." Quinus started walking towards the stairs while Sir George followed behind the prince, then Rya, Dalia, and Percy followed after the knight. *** Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. It didn''t take long before they arrived in a hallway with all their rooms. "Your Highness, this room will be for, erm... The ladies of your party. I''m sure they will find everything up to their satisfaction?" The Head Butler said with professionalism as he glanced at the dark elf and wolfkin. "I would like to double-check to see if this room will be up to the standards of my guests. If you don''t mind?" Quinus said with a smile. ''It seems Quin wants to make sure we are not getting screwed over. Well, I''m glad he''s doing this because I don''t have a clue if they are trying to fuck us over or not.'' Rya thought to herself as she looked at the door to her and Dalia''s room. "O-Of course, Your Highness. Do as you wish," The Head Butler bowed. The Head Butler opened the door for the prince. Quinus looked at the butler for a moment before he walked in. Rya and Dalia followed shortly after him. Once inside, Rya was in awe of what she saw. ''Huh? So is it burning mana or something?'' Rya asked herself. "Good! I see this room has a Fae-Bath. Rya and Lady Dalia. Is this bath good enough for the two of you?" Quinus asks with a grin. "Um, What''s a Fae-Bath? I''m not familiar with them," Rya said as she looked at Dalia. "A group of fae designed this bath for people who aren''t water mages. All you have to do is channel your mana into this crystal here and it will create hot water. I think you will enjoy it... I know I will with mine, Quinus said as he pointed to a crystal that was attached to the tub. Just make sure you don''t use too much mana, or you could flood the room," Quinus says as he shows them how to use the Fae-Bath. ''How nice. He''s making sure we''re taken care of. Quin is going to be a good friend. "If you have any questions just ask me. I''ll be down the hall." Quinus said with a grin. "Very well. Thank you. Do you think it will be alright for us to stay here tonight? I mean this place was Tomas'' place?" Rya said with a worried tone. "Don''t worry about it. I will make sure no one bothers you. This is my home now and Sir George will be taking the first shift until the other Knights show up after their patrol," Quinus said to reassure her. "Okay, I guess I''m good. How about you Dalia?" Rya asked with a grin. "Yes, thank you. I''m tired and just want to sleep," Dalia said with a yawn. "My Lord. We will deliver some food for you and your guests in 15 minutes if you like?" The head butler said with a bow. "That would be perfect. Please do." Quinus said with a nod. Rya nods her head, then looks at Dalia. "I''m going to take a bath. Do you want to join me?" "Huh? D-Do I have to, Alpha? I can clean myself with my tongue?" Dalia said with a whimper. ''What the!? That''s gross! I need to get her in the bath now!'' Rya shuttered at the thought of Dalia licking herself clean. "No, this will be more efficient," Rya says as she starts to walk towards the bathroom. ''Plus, I can see if your body can turn me on. I hope?'' She thought to herself. "Ugh. Fine." Dalia said with a defeated sigh as she slowly walked toward the bathroom. "O-Okay! I need a bath! Come on, Dalia," Rya stuttered while grabbing Dalia''s wrist then she pulled her into the bathroom before slamming the door. Quinus smirked at her while she dragged Dalia into the bathroom. He was a little confused about why Rya was acting so weird, but he didn''t question her about it. Vol.1 Ch.42 Bath Time Dalia stubbled into the bathroom as Rya slammed the door shut and leaned her back against it. "N-Nothing. It''s nothing. Now let''s ," Rya said as she made her way towards the Fae-Bath. ''Okay... This will do... Gah! My back feels so tight." Rya thought as she stretched her arms up high above her head until she heard a loud popping noise. She was starting to feel more relaxed after cracking her back. It''s been days since she last took a shower and she was looking forward to the experience. She looked over at Dalia who had a worried look written on her face. "So, I just channel my mana into this thing, right? Let''s just fill this tub up and relax," Rya said with a smirk. Rya turns to the Fae-Bath trying to remember what Quin told her. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and holds out her hand over the crystal. ''Okay... Channel your mana into this thing. Just imagine your mana flowing into the crystal. Then, when it''s full, stop.'' Rya thought to herself as she tried to channel her mana. Even though she was told how to use it it still feels foreign to her. She sees the crystal that she needs to use her mana on. "I think I got the hang of it...ACK!" Rya was surprised when she channeled too much of her mana into the crystal which caused water to spray out from it everywhere. "HEY! ALPHA!" Dalia yelped when she got hit with the water. She quickly used her arms to shield herself from the spray. Rya tries to hold back her laughter when she sees how wet Dalia has become. "Yeah, yeah... I said I was sorry, Dalia. Now, I''m going to try again," Rya said as she focused her attention on the crystal. Dalia made sure to hide behind Rya. Just in case she screws up again. Rya takes a deep breath and focuses. She grips the crystal with both hands in order to focus better. She was going to make sure that she didn''t overdo it like the first time. After a couple of seconds, the crystal begins to glow brightly with a blue hue. Rya concentrates until she can feel a little of her mana flowing through it. "This thing is a bit sensitive to my mana. Hmmm. Ha! I got it!" Rya said with excitement as the water started to fill up the bathtub in no time. She couldn''t believe how perfect the water temperature was, not too hot or cold. Then she takes off her dirty poet''s shirt, black pants, and boots before she takes a seat on the edge of the tub. She dips her toe in the water to test the temperature. "It''s perfect," Rya said with a chuckle. Dalia walks over to the tub, seeing that Rya has already gotten herself comfortable. She reluctantly pulls off her dirty bandages and slowly enters the water. "Tch! Why do I have to do this? I can just use my-EEP!" *Splash!* Dalia was pulled into the tub by Rya. d "Geez... I''m sorry, Dalia. It was supposed to be a joke... Here let me help you out," Rya said while she gently helped Dalia sit up in the bathtub. Dalia gasps and shivers as she feels the warm water soaking her body. "Here let''s add some soap to the water," Rya says as she stands up and goes over to the cabinet where she saw a few bottles of scented soap. She opens the cabinet and grabs a bar of soap. She returns to the bath, but before she gets back in, Dalia splashes her with water. "HEY! Why did you splash me?" Rya said with an annoyed tone. "Because I can," Dalia says with a smirk. "Alright, I guess I deserve that," Rya says with a smile as she hops back into the water. She then begins rubbing the bar of soap in between her hands, creating suds. Dalia watches in amazement as Rya rubs the soap all over her body scrubbing away the dirt. ''Goddess! It feels like ages since I''ve taken a bath!'' Rya thought as she continued to wash herself. Dalia''s eyes were glued to the sight before her as she watched Rya clean herself with the soap. She never knew that Dark Elves like to use soap like humans do. Rya got her hair washed and rinsed and then went about washing her body. She then stopped and moved to Dalia who was sitting in the bathtub. She was holding her nose trying not to breathe in the clean ''stench'' of the soap. "Doesn''t that stuff hurt your nose, Alpha?" Dalia asked as Rya kneeled down in front of her. "I see..." Dalia mumbles while sniffing the air. and beg rubbing the bar of soap a "Alright, close your eyes," Rya says as she puts her hand under the water and begins rubbing the bar of soap all over Dalia''s body. "Is something wrong?" Dalia asked worriedly. "Huh? Oh! No, everything is fine. It''s just this damn blood. It''s caked on in some spots This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it "Heh... I''m glad you like it. Now that my work is done, it''s time to." It''s so nice, not thinking about how I''m going to survive. Wait... I feel like I''m forgetting something? Dalia giggles at Rya and tilts her head. "Well, you know how to relax. But you seem to have something on your mind, Alpha?" Rya was studying her body but she couldn''t wrap her head around her feelings. ''Come on! Dalia''s tits are fucking killers! And she has a nice ass! Plus, her tail is adorable. Why doesn''t this excite me?!'' Rya said sternly before pulling Dalia into a hug. "Ow! Alpha!" Dalia yelped as she was hugged tightly. . ''Goddess! Fuck! Why aren''t I getting excited?! Is it because I have a vagina? No... I should still feel something!'' Rya thought in a panic. Rya felt the wolfkin''s firm skin under her fingertips. She could feel Dalia''s abs tighten every time she moved her hand across them. Rya bit her lip in frustation. ''Come on! This is hot, right?! Why aren''t my emotions going wild?!'' "Yuck! I hate wine!... Alpha! Why do you drink that garbage? Dalia asked as her face twisted in disgust. "What, you dont like wine? Well, maybe they have beer? But, I don''t know if the beer they brew is any good. I''m guessing that the wine is better," Rya replied, slightly confused. "Hey, hey! What do you mean by that? Beer is, WAY BETTER THAN SOME ROTTEN GRAPES! That''s disgusting!" Dalia declared with a furrowed brow. "Well to each their own," Rya replied with a shrug. Dalia scoffs, "I think you are trying to change the subject. You''ve been acting strange ever since we arrived in this village. I think I deserve an answer." than I gave her credit Rya sighed softly, "So you want an answer, huh?" "Yes! So, tell me already! Please!" Dalia whines as she sits on Rya''s lap. "Alright, alright! I''m sorry," Rya says sheepishly while she rubs Dalia''s back. ''I guess I''ll tell her mostly everything. As long as she can keep it a secret.'' Rya thought while she looked at Dalia. "Alright... But you have to promise not to talk to anyone without my permission. Got it?" "Yes. I promise, Alpha!" Dalia said with an eager nod. Rya gives Dalia a big smile and sighs. "Fine, so the first thing I need to ask you is; do you know anything about the God''s or Goddess''s Summoneds?" Dalia raises an eyebrow, "I know that my grandfather was one of them. Something about our God bringing us a champion to fight back against our enemies?" "Wait!? Your Grandfather was a summoned!?" Rya gasped excitedly. "Yeah? That''s why I was targeted as a battle slave. Because I''m the best brawler because of my bloodline. But why are you talking about the Gods champions?" Dalia asked curiously. "Oh, um... Well, I''m a Summoned of the Dark Elven Goddess, known as Nils," Rya answered nervously. "W-WHAT?! ALPHA YOU''R~" Dalia''s mouth was covered by Rya''s hands as she desperately shook her head. "SSSHHH! SSsshhhh! Don''t yell it out loud! I''m worried about the others finding out. I was hunted by a paladin before I ran into Quinus and I am not sure what his position is on Summoneds. I believe he would be fine if he knew. But I don''t trust the servants," Rya whispered to Dalia. Dalia calmed down and nodded her head so Rya would let go of her mouth. Dalia then whispered, "S-So, Alpha''s a champion!? You came from another planet!?" Dalia was so excited that her tail wagged happily, splashing water everywhere. "Well, I guess technically I am, but I''m not a champion! I was just a normal human three days ago." Rya said sheepishly while blushing. Dalia giggles, "You were a human? Now, Alpha''s teasing me!" After a few seconds of laughing, Dalia noticed Rya was still sheepishly blushing with embarrassment and that was when it hit her that Rya wasn''t teasing her. "S-So you were a human!?" Dalia asks in a panic. Rya could only nod. "H-How did you become a Dark Elf?" Dalia asked with a trembling voice. "Nils sent an orb to my planet that caught me when I was running in a forest and warped me to Tertius. She placed this orb choker necklace on me to quickly change me into a female Dark Elf once I absorbed mana." Rya explained as she looked to the side. Dalia shuddered. "A-Alpha!? W-Why did you say, female?" Rya panicked ''Crap! I let that slip!!!'' "NO! I didn''t mean it like that! I was a human girl! Y-Yeah I''m just exhausted!" Rya cries. "Okay, okay calm down, Alpha," Dalia says as she hugs Rya tightly. Rya gasps for air before she calms down. "I-I..." "It''s fine, Alpha... Hehe. But now I know why youve been strange around Beta. You like him and it frightens, Alpha?" Dalia asked as she hugged Rya. Rya blushes redder than a tomato, "N-No! T-That''s not true! I lied, Dalia... I''m a man! I mean I was a man... A straight MAN! Okay!" Rya pushed Dalia away from her in a panic. Dalia giggled, "I''m sorry Alpha... So, if you''re a male, do you find me attractive?" Rya went silent, ''I tried everything and I never felt myself getting excited! Not even when I was touching her or seeing her naked body?... Not one damn time! No, no, NO!'' Dalia could see the panic in Rya''s eyes. "I see? You are not attracted to me, in that way?" Dalia said while she smiled at Rya. "B-But I''m a man! Don''t mistake me for a woman!" Rya protests. "If you are a man, what does it matter to me if you''re a straight male or woman? As long as Alpha wants me around is all that matters." Dalia responded while she giggled. "Erm... I''m sorry about freaking out, just now... I don''t know how to react to this situation since I''ve always thought of myself as a straight man," Rya mumbled awkwardly. *Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!* "Hmm?" Rya looks up at the door to their room. Dalia sniffed the air. "OH! I SMELL COOKED MEATS!" Dalia said with her tail wagging. Then she jumped out of the tub and ran to the door. "D-DALIA WAIT! YOU NEED TO COVER YOURSELF UP!" Rya called out to Dalia. "Coming!" Dalia said happily as she ran through the room towards the door and opened it while she was still naked. Quinus, Percy, and Sir George got quite a view as the Wolfkin stood there with a smile. Poor Percy didn''t stand a chance as he stared laser beams through Dalia''s body. "Please don''t stare, Percy," Rya said sternly as she ran over as quickly as she could to cover Dalia in a towel. "P-Please forgive us, Lady Dalia," Quinus said as he bowed his head in embarrassment. He closed the door for them to give the girls their privacy. "Hehe... Well, the young one is attracted to me. That makes things easier. If I can get him to fall in love with me then I won''t have to worry about any trouble from him. Hehe." Dalia giggles. "D-Don''t be so sure about that!" Rya said in frustration. "Hey! I''m not a child anymore! I''m 19! I''m an adult! And I will mark him, Alpha. You just wait and see. Hehe." Dalia pouted before she giggled at the thought of marking Percy. "Haah.... What am I going to do with you, Dalia? We need to get dressed so we can get some food before bed," Rya said calmly as she walked past Dalia. "But I don''t like clothes! Alpha!" Dalia whines. "You want me to have you go around naked all the time?... No! It''s not happening! You need to get dressed. Now get over here, Dalia. I don''t care if you like it or not. You''re wearing these clothes because I say so!" Rya said sternly. "But I feel comfortable being naked in front of others! Especially humans!" Dalia said as she did a power pose with her hands on her hips staring down Rya. She was flaunting her naked body without a care in the world. ''Ugh! Dalia!'' Rya thought. "That''s it! You leave me no choice. You''re my friend now! Hell, maybe even my pet! So, get over here!" Rya says as she grabs Dalia''s hand and pulls her to the wardrobe to dress her. "WWAAAHH! ALPHA! You can''t make me!" Dalia whined as Rya put some clothes on her. Vol.1 Ch.43 Clothes that aren’t “too” Revealing *** It took about five minutes for Rya to get Dalia in clothes that weren''t too revealing. Or so she thought. The wolfkin tried to put up a fight but in the end, Rya won as she pulled down the dress she found in the wardrobe. ''Haah... Finally! She is decent... And the dress really fits her. Hm... I wonder if this was meant for someone else. Oh well.'' Rya thought while wiping her brow before she looked at her own handy work. Rya had chosen a dark, elegant, off-the-shoulder mini dress that had lace rose trimmings, a dark fur "collar", small bloomers, and lace edging around the hem. The skirt barely covered Dalia''s ass so her tail could be free, and the sleeves were tight. The dress also came with a pair of white knee-length pantyhose. The whole outfit looked great on Dalia even though she had a displeased look on her face. "Come on Dalia, it''s not that bad." "Hmph! Why do you people care about these stupid things? I mean why bother with something so silly?" Dalia complained as she crossed her arms. ''Jeez! How am I going to explain to her that every guy, and some women, who stare at her naked body would probably want to jump her right then and there? She doesn''t understand how gorgeous she is. Hm... Or maybe she''s an exhibitionist?'' Rya wonders to herself. "Haah. Dalia, what do wolfkins do when winter comes? Do you guys migrate or something?" Rya asked. "Hmm? Why would winter come? Winter only happens in the north?" Dalia asked, confused. ''Wait? They don''t have seasons here on Tertius? Well, there goes my plan to convince her.'' Rya thought as she looked at Dalia. Rya was silent as she was trying to come up with another idea to convince Dalia that wearing clothes is not as bad as she thinks. "Alpha, why would winter come down here?" Dalia asked with a frown. "Well, I guess it''s my fault for assuming that Tertius had seasons like all planets... But this is the only other planet I''ve ever been on... And to be fair, I''m not sure if the other planets back in my old solar system have seasons as well. But it can''t only be an Earth thing... Can it?" Rya wondered out loud. "Whoa? You''re making that up! Winter doesn''t just come and go like that. C-Can it?" Dalia said nervously. "Well, I can''t prove it to you but back on Earth, we had four seasons. Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Winter. I think I will miss the changing of seasons. Anyway, I thought you would need clothes if winter was to come," Rya admitted to Dalia. "Hmm, fascinating. So, what is winter like? Ive only heard of it," Dalia asks curiously. "Winter is cold, there''s snow and ice everywhere. It rains a lot too. But the winters are short. It usually only lasts for two months depending on where you live," Rya explains. "Wow, that sounds pretty terrible. I''m glad I don''t have to experience it. I prefer warm weather myself," Dalia said happily. "Well, there hasn''t been that much of a difference between the temperature since Ive been here... It''s been warm during the day and a little cool at night. It''s almost like I''m living in San Diego... Hey, can you wear clothes around the humans, for my sake? Please?" Rya said to Dalia. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ke th wo While Rya was busy going through the wardrobe, Dalia had a devious smile creeping across her lips. She spotted a dress that was hanging in the front that would be perfect for her revenge. If Alpha forcefully dressed her in something she didn''t want, then it was only right for her to dress Rya. "Here we go~AH!?" to "AH! D-DALIA!?" Rya screamed out as Dalia put the dress on her. "Hey! Wait! I don''t want to wear a dress! And especially not THIS one! I have something better. Look!" Rya whined, but it was too late. Rya''s dress was a purple off-shoulder gown, made out of chiffon with a silk lining. The dress came with a pair of satin-laced panties, with the same material, to match. Rya could tell the dress was custom-made for someone. "Ah Ha! You''ll wear this!" Dalia said as she grabbed a pair of black pantyhose. "What the fuck are you doing!? Let go!" Rya cried out in protest as she failed to break free. Dalia then took a pair of stockings and put them around Rya''s ankles. "Im just returning the favor, Alpha. You should be grateful," Dalia said smugly. Rya tried pulling away, but Dalia had her tied down and wasn''t letting go as she added a corset and garter belt. "AHHHHH! NO! Get your damn hands off of me! I don''t want to wear a dress or a corset!" Rya yelled out. "I''m not done yet!" Dalia declared as she finished putting on the corset. Rya didn''t know why she was so resistant to the idea of being dressed by Dalia. Frankly, she was starting to enjoy the feeling. But she didn''t want to admit it, so she continued to struggle against her restraints. Dalia grabbed Rya by the shoulders and made sure she wouldn''t move as she tightened the corset on Rya''s dress which caused her breasts to be pushed up. "Well Alpha, can''t you wear this dress around the humans, for my sake?" Dalia teased Rya with a smirk. ''Not fair! She''s using my words against me! But I never said I wanted to wear a dress! Aunh?'' Rya''s thoughts were interrupted as she felt her corset being pulled tight, causing her breasts to jiggle. For some reason, her nipples had gotten hard. "W-Wait! Hold on, please! Why a dress of all things!? Why not something else? Something less girly, like a tuxedo or a suit!" Rya pleaded as her mind was becoming cloudy. Dalia ignored Rya and kept tightening the corset until it was snug against her. "No way, Alpha, you started this!" Dalia giggled before she put on a pair of high-heeled shoes. "H-Hey! Hold on a minute, please!" Rya said, a bit louder than she intended. "Sorry, no can do," Dalia said as she grabbed a few items of jewelry. "What? What are you planning to do? Wait! Dalia, wait!" Rya shouted as her mind wondered what she looked like. "Just sit still and enjoy this, Alpha," Dalia winked at Rya. Rya let out a shuddering breath. She had never felt this way before. Rya couldn''t tell if it was fear or excitement that was bubbling inside of her, but she had a strange feeling about this. Dalia was enjoying herself as she looked at her handy work. Her Alpha had been turned into a cute, helpless, doll. ''Goddess! My breasts are getting so tight in this thing! And these panties feel really good too! I didn''t think wearing a corset would turn me on this much! B-But should I let Quin see me in such a state?... N-No! I can''t think like this! I''m a man!'' Rya was conflicted by her feelings, she didn''t know what to do. She shook her head as she was starting to get frustrated at the wolfkin. "H" Dalia said as she held Rya Tch! Whatever, Rya said with annoyance. Vol.1 Ch.44 What’s Next? "Whoa! Dark Elves are more dangerous than I thought. Especially in a dress!" Quinus said in a flirty tone. ''It''s because my body is practically spilling out of this stupid thing! I''ve already given up on trying to hide it,'' Rya thought. Percy immediately went to check Dalia''s appearance. "Y-you look beautiful in that dress, Lady Dalia," Percy said sheepishly. "Ah... yes well, I guess so," Percy said awkwardly while he scratched the back of his head. "You mean, Sir George? He took the food to the dining room after we saw you naked... I mean, you weren''t wearing clothes... Well, what I''m trying to say is... Oh, forget it," Percy stuttered. Rya and Quinus agreed with them, and Percy led the group to the dining room, where the servants had snacks out for them on a large table. Sir George was waiting for them in the large room. Dalia practically bolted towards the table with all the meat. The s had a disgruntled look on their faces watch the Wolfkin running around the table. "I don''t know what his highness sees in these beasts. Either way, she has no manners," the butler muttered to the other servants. "We''ll have to bear with it." whispered the servant. "Here you go, sir," the servant said as he handed Quinus a plate of food. "Hmm," Quinus d as he grabbed a piece of and s, while Sir George stood guard "I mentioned it to the butler. Don''t worry, I''m sure they''ll improve the food quality next time," Quinus told them. Once Rya''s hunger pains started to fade, she had a few things on her mind. So she turned to Quinus and asked, "May I please ask a question?" "So now that the Dungeon Core has been taken care of. What''s next?" Rya asked. "Well, I would like us to return to the capital, as soon as possible. So, I can tell my father the news about my cousin''s betrayal. Sadly, my uncle isn''t going to take this lying down. Marcus is his only son... And I believe his aim was to get Marcus on the throne. So he could be the next King of Fiafyr, by ridding me... Alaric is a smart man but he''s also a bitter man who thinks he deserved the throne over my father. I just hope that we can avoid any more conflict with him. But that''s a fool''s hope," Quinus explained. ''Oh-boy... The evil cousin and uncle trope... Haah... And here I thought I could relax in Quin''s castle and find a way home... I might be getting into political crap... Yay,'' Rya thought sarcastically. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "Yeah, we leave here as soon as possible, your Highness," Sir George agreed. "What about the Black Rose Merc?" Percy asked. "Hopefully we can deal with them later. For now, let''s focus on getting the kingdom back to normal." Quinus said. "Hmph! If I pick up his scent, I''ll hunt him down for what he did to my Alpha... and for Beta as well!" Dalia said proudly while pointing at her nose. "If you find his scent then count me in, Lady Dalia. He made me look like a fool. I won''t forgive him for that," Percy added with a sinister grin. "Oh? When did you become an assassin, Percy?" Quinus said and rolled his eyes. But then he remembered who his mother was and decided to keep his mouth shut. "It''s part of my job as a ranger to deal with your enemies, my Lord," Percy explained. "n he "Just don''t get yourself in trouble Percy." "Ah! No worries my Lord. I never take any unnecessary risks." Percy smiled. "Erm... So, Quin, what about your engagement with that princess?" Rya asked Quinus with an eyebrow raised. ''Was it a bad sign that he cheated on his fiancee with me? Goddess, what was I thinking!?'' Rya thought with a frown. Quinus sighed. "Well, I never met her before. It''s an arranged marriage set up by the Alliance through our Prime Minister. The Princess is from the third highest-ranking member of the Divine Three, Prince Dreyand Stoneworthh. All I know about her is her name, Hilda Stoneworthh... My parents weren''t happy with the idea. Especially since I have a Demi-god vein. But politics never goes as one hopes. I don''t know if I can love someone from the Divine Three," Quinus said with a pained expression on his face. "Oh... Then will aiding me cause a war with the Alliance?" Rya said awkwardly. "No... They should worry about me starting a war with them. Especially if they keep up their Crusade of purging all the other races." Quinus answered flatly. ''Holy shit, Quin! He would go to war for me? I''m not sure how I should respond?'' Rya thought while she blushed. Quinus turned to her "My apologies for being so blunt with you, but I really don''t like the idea of dealing with politicians. I would rather be a simple engineer. Maybe then I won''t have to deal with politics and everything else." Quinus said sadly. ''Huh? An engineer? That''s unexpected. What kind of engineer?'' Rya thought. "I never knew you wished to be an engineer my Lord?" Percy said surprised. "Yeah, I liked building things back in--I meant when I was alone. But that''s not in the cards, for this life," Quinus replied with a sigh. "Uhh... So, what kind of engineering projects were you working on?" Rya asked. "Nothing of importance... Come now. I think we should call it for tonight." Quinus looks to the servants to take away the plates. ''I never knew all the troubles on Quin''s mind.'' Rya thought. "Alright then, Rya... Would you like an escort to your room?" Quinus said as he got up from the table. Quinus walks over to Rya, who''s sitting across from him. When he is next to her, he kneels down, so he can look into her eyes and takes her hand. Quinus kisses her hand gently. "Thank you for saving me," he said with a smile. could muster. "It was nothing, really... I just...." Rya said quietly. "You''re a hero to me, Rya," Quinus whispered. ''GODDESS! If I stay by him any longer, I''m going to fall for his charms.'' Rya thought. Rya wanted to run out of the room as fast as she could, but she walked calmly to hide the blush on her face. ''Damn him! Damn, his handsome face! Why am I falling for him?! I''m a guy, Dammit!'' Rya thought angrily as her body heated up. She walked over to Dalia and grabbed her by the shoulder. The wolfkin had a satisfied smile from eating all this food and was completely unaware of Rya''s internal struggles. "Whoa! Alpha, can''t I stay?" Dalia whined as Rya grabbed her by the arm. "You need to clean up again. Your hands and face are covered in grease. The servants will have trouble cleaning up your mess. Besides that, I want to go to bed." Rya said with a fake smile. "Fine!" Dalia grumbles. "Good night, young one." "Goodnight, Lady Dalia," Percy said with a bit of blush on his cheeks. The five of them finished up before they left the dining hall and headed towards their bedrooms. Vol.1 Ch.45 A Wolf Goes Out at Night. Upon finishing dinner Rya pulled Dalia through the hallways of the estate until they made it back to their bedroom. Rya quickly entered the room without a second thought and was surprised to run into a maid, who was organizing and cleaning up the mess that they made earlier. "T-The elf?... I-I mean, how should I address my Lady?" The maid asked. ''Good one Ryan. Now they think we''re slobs. I''ll have to be more careful from now on. I don''t want the staff to look down on us.'' Rya thought before answering her. "Um... You can address me as Rya and my friend here is Dalia. And I''m sorry about the mess. Dalia and I had a... disagreement on what to wear for dinner," Rya replied. The maid bowed. "Apologies, Miss Rya. It''s alright. I''ll get back to work." The maid said as she began to clean up the mess. "Thanks," Rya said. "No problem. I should be finished in a moment, Miss Rya." The maid said as she exited the room with a bow. ''I feel like I should help her... But I have no clue if I would be getting in her way... It''s probably for the best that I give her space. She probably would freak out if a guest started cleaning up in front of her.'' Rya thought to herself while taking Dalia to the bathroom. So she could clean off all the food and grease that was smeared all over her hands and face. *** "Here you go, Miss Rya. Please try it on." The maid said. Rya looked at the clothes and pulled out a white negligee. "A-Are these really okay to wear?" Rya asked. "Yes, I''m sure it''ll look good on you. I have a good eye for this type of thing, Miss Rya," The maid replied with a proud smile. Rya didn''t know if this maid was telling the truth or trying to flatter her. She didn''t want to say no because she felt it would be impolite. She turned to the maid and said, "It''s beautiful... But don''t you think it''s a bit too revealing?" This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. "Miss Rya, I promise you, you''re going to love sleeping in this outfit," The maid replied. ''But it''s so... flimsy.'' Rya thought while looking at the thin fabric. "How about yours, Miss Dalia?" The maid asked the wolfkin who had a black lace negligee that was practically transparent on her. "Hmm, these clothes are more acceptable than the ones you gave me, Alpha. Thank you." Dalia said with a smile as she did a spin in her new outfit. "I will take my leave, young Misses. If you need anything just pull the string by the nightstand." the maid said. "Thank you!" Rya and Dalia replied with a nod. "You''re welcome. Good night," The maid replied with a bow before leaving the room. ''FINALLY, A BED!!!'' Rya exclaimed to herself as she jumped on the bed and turned over to face the other side of the bed. "Sooo soft. This bed feels like heaven!" Rya yelled out loud. "Hmm? I guess it''s, okay? I''d prefer to sleep up in a tree, instead of the ground. Even if it is soft," Dalia said while lying down on her stomach. "What''s wrong with sleeping on a mattress?" Rya asked in confusion. "Nothing really... It''s comfortable, but I feel safer, high up, in a tree." Dalia explained. ''Oh! That makes sense... Yeah, I guess she''s so used to being in the wild that trees feel like the safest spot for her. Especially if she were attacked by monsters.'' Rya thought to herself. *Yawn* "Well, it should be safe here, thanks to Quin. Anyway, I''m going to sleep. Good night, Dalia," Rya said while covering herself with the blanket. "Goodnight Alpha," Dalia replied with a small yawn. Rya quickly fell asleep, and Dalia just laid there on the bed wondering about everything that led her here. *** After a half hour of lying on the bed, Dalia opened one eye to see if Rya was asleep. She saw Rya was sprawled out while snoring lightly. Dalia smiled as she quietly got out of bed, making sure she didn''t wake Rya. th do When the coast was clear Dalia slowly made her way down the hallway towards the other bedrooms. *Sniff* *Sniff* *Sniff* ''Ah! Found the young one''s scent. Time to mark you, little cub.'' The wolfkin grinned. ''You''re mine now...'' Dalia cracked open the door to Percy''s room. Sir George was nowhere to be seen as she scanned the room until she spotted the bed in the back of the room with a lump underneath the covers. Dalia proceeded to walk through the door while taking note of her surroundings. She noticed a bookshelf full of books and a desk with papers scattered everywhere. Next to the desk was a large bed that looked like it could fit three adults comfortably. And there, lying in the middle of the bed was Percy. and he started to mumble in his sleep. "Mmmm. Oh, Lady Dalia. I wou........... you-" Percy muttered in his sleep. Dalia was surprised to find that Percy was dreaming about her. She watched as he continued to mumble. ''So the little cub dreams about me? Human males are so weird.'' Dalia thought while her tail was wagging. "Mmmmmmm, oh, Lady Dalia. I wouwwwww..." Dalia felt her heart flutter hearing him say her name in his sleep. It made her feel warm and special, something she hadn''t felt ever in her life. Demi-humans don''t usually court each other in this way. Beastkin males would usually force the females to mate with the strongest male of the pack. So they could create a stronger pack. This was so foreign to her, that instead of pouncing on Percy right then and there. She decided to take a different approach. ''I don''t know why I want to do this. But it''s an interesting and weird idea... I just hope he doesnt wake up... Don''t disappoint me, little cub.'' Dalia thought to herself. Vol.1 Ch.46 Taboo Crimes 🦴 Preview:
Dalia positioned herself directly by the boy''s ear. Her sense of smell was superb and was able to identify all kinds of scents. Her keen nose picked up his scent easily and was able to distinguish his from the many other people''s odors that lingered around the room. But being this close to Percy made her body heat up in ways she''s never experienced. ''My heart feels so weird. Is it because I''m worried about waking him up? Or is it something else? No, that can''t be possible... I''ll have to talk to Alpha about this later. Now let''s see if the little cub will cooperate. Come on Percy, don''t disappoint me, cub...'' Dalia thought to herself as she tried calming herself down. "Tha-that''s right little cub, ohhhh. Mmmm," Dalia moaned seductively in Percy''s ear to see how he would react. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "MMMM, yes, that''s right, ohhh, ohhhhhh," Percy mumbled back in response to Dalia''s voice. "Oh? What''s that? Is there anything else I can do for you little cub?" Dalia said in a sultry tone of voice. "Mmmm, yes, oh, yes, please, ohhhhh, please..." Percy begged. "What is it that you need, my sweet cub? Tell me what you want." Dalia purred while rubbing Percy''s chest which was surprisingly buff from all his training. "Ohhhh, please, I would love..... to take you..... on a date..... my lady..." Percy breathed out. Dalia had to hold back her laughter. She couldn''t believe that the little cub would actually dream about taking her on a date. She thought all males wanted to dominate and fuck their mates. Not take them on a date and treat them like an equal. This was all new territory to her, and she was not sure what to make of it. But one thing was for sure, she found it hilarious and a little bit adorable that this male''s actions were so tame and gentle. Vol.1 Ch.47 Breaking Tradition 🦴 Preview:
Of all the things to happen to Percy. In his wildest dreams, he never thought he would fall in love with a wolfkin female. But here he was, falling head over heels for the beautiful and charming wolfkin, Dalia, who was sitting in his lap. "Alright. But are you sure you''re okay?" Percy asked in concern. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. "There you go again, asking if I''m alright. Stop worrying about me, and let''s continue where we left off." Dalia said with a mischievous tone. ''I guess I should mark my little wolf one more time.'' Dalia thought with a blush. The wolfkin got up from Percy''s lap and went on all fours with her tail up. Dalia aimed her butt in his direction as she was presenting herself in the beastkin tradition that all consenting partners used. Vol.1 Ch.48 Back on Earth. While Dalia went off to mark her man, Rya was sound asleep dreaming of being back on Earth. In her dream, she was back in her human male form and was back in their rental home with his girlfriend Zoey. *** Ryan abruptly woke up when he felt someone shaking him. "Hey? Wake up, sleepy head." Ryan heard someone say. "Ugh... What time is it?" Ryan moaned. "It''s morning. Hehe. You slept in late again... You''re going to be late for breakfast," A familiar voice asked with a smile. "I was... uhm... d-dreaming about being teleported to a different planet-" Ryan''s eyes snapped open upon hearing his own voice. A man''s voice. "I-It was all a dream? Thank fucking Goddes-I mean, Thank God," Ryan said as he rubbed his face. "Wow? Was it that bad of a dream?" The woman asked. Upon hearing that voice Ryan looked at his girlfriend whom he thought he would never see again. This caused him to hug her with all his might. "Whoa! What caused this?" Zoey asked with surprise. "I-I missed you... A lot," Ryan said with tears in his eyes. Zoey returned the hug with a huge smile on her face. "Man, it must have been one rough dream, huh." "You have no idea, babe... Haah. I havent had nightmares like this since I was a kid," Ryan said with a sigh. "Well, I have some breakfast ready for you," Zoey replied. "Sounds good. Let me get dressed. I''ll meet you downstairs," Ryan said with a smile. "Alright. See ya then." Zoey said before heading downstairs. just shook it off as a stress-dream while looking for something to wear. "God damn. Maybe I need to lay off the fantasy novels for a while. That dream was too real for my comfort." Ryan muttered to himself as he put on his sweatpants and a t-shirt that was on the ground in his bedroom. Once he was dressed, he went downstairs to eat breakfast. *** "Hey, here''s some bacon and eggs. Do you want any coffee?" Zoey asked with a sweet smile. "Shit yeah! I need coffee. I rather not go to sleep for the rest of my life if I could help it," Ryan said with a tired smile. "Ryan! Your nightmare couldn''t be THAT bad. I swear you take things too seriously. Haah," Zoey said with a smile before leaving the room to make him some coffee. "Well, at least it''s Sunday... Do we have any plans today?" Ryan thought aloud as he continued scrolling through his phone. He noticed his girlfriend was on her laptop typing away. "Are you working on the weekend babe?" Ryan asked. "Yeah. Wade hasn''t been pulling his weight on a client''s deck that needs to be in by Monday afternoon. And my morning is slammed with multiple calls," Zoey said with a sigh. "Shit, I''m sorry babe. If there''s anything I can do to help just ask. I mean, you know how much I love you right?" Ryan said with a smile. "Laying on the charm hard, are we? Hehe. I really appreciate that. So, what are you doing?" Zoey asked curiously. "I''m doing nothing and I''m going to enjoy it. I''m going to enjoy the fact that I am finally back home with you," Ryan said with a warm smile. "Oh!? So, you''re doing nothing all day? While I''m busy working through the weekend?" Zoey said with a coy frown. "I-I mean I''ll clean up the house, take out the trash, and maybe go get groceries? Whatever you need?" Ryan replied nervously. "That sounds lovely, babe... Hey? What happened in your dreams to put you in such a weird state? You''re acting like you haven''t seen me in weeks... Did something happen?" Zoey asked with a curious expression. "Oh, man. I don''t know where to begin?" Ryan said with a nervous laugh. "Well, you can start at the beginning. Come on, I can use a distraction from my work. Besides, I wanna hear about it!" Zoey said with a smile and took a sip of her coffee. "Ahem. Well, first off I was doing my usual morning run," Ryan began. "Sounds boring so far," Zoey remarked with a smile. "I''m getting to it! Jeez, you can be so impatient sometimes. Anyway, when I was running, I ran into this floating orb that chased me and when it caught me, I was pulled into a portal to a fantasy world. With Dark Elves and shit," Ryan said with an annoyed expression. "Okay, now you have my attention. Did you save the world or something?" Zoey asked with a raised brow. "Pff! Hell no! I was forced to kill monsters so mana would enter my body. Which causes me to start turning into a Dark Elf!" Ryan said with a nervous laugh. "Oh? So, you were a manly Dark Elf? Hehe, I wish I could have seen that," Zoey said with a chuckle. ''Umm... I don''t think I''ll tell her that I was turning into a chick. I wouldn''t hear the end of it.'' Ryan thought with a shocked expression. "Hmm? You have that look, again. You''re worried about telling me something. Come on and tell me, Ryan... I''ll only make fun of you for a few days... Or a week. It depends," Zoey teased him with a coy smile. "L-Look? I have no idea what you''re talking about babe." Ryan said while trying not to look into his girlfriend''s eyes. "Oh, come on Ry. You know exactly what I''m talking about. Look, I won''t judge you or anything like that, but I think you should talk to someone about it. Just get it off your chest and I''m sure you''ll feel better," Zoey said with a loving smile. ''Shit! My poker face sucks in front of her. Ugh! I''m screwed here. I can''t lie to her. How am I supposed to explain myself?'' Ryan thought with a nervous laugh. "Babe, I''ll let you get back to your work. I''m going to go shower and change for the day. I want to head over to the gym around noon... We can hang out after dinner if you''re free?" Ryan asked Zoey. "Running away, are you?" Zoey asked with a playful smile. "Haah.... You''re not going to let this go, aren''t you... Fine," Ryan said with a resigned tone. "I wouldn''t be me if I didn''t," Zoey said with a seductive smile. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "Okay! Okay. Here you go. I turned into a female Dark Elf. And yes, it was weird as hell!" Ryan said with a sigh. "Ha ha ha! I can''t imagine you being a girl. But, I guess I shouldn''t say that with such beautiful long ears..." Zoey remarked with a serious look. "What!?" Ryan yelped in shock and quickly brought up his hands to the sides of his head only to find that his ears were normal. "Ha ha ha! Just kidding babe!" Zoey said with a laugh. She couldn''t believe how easy it was to trick her boyfriend right now. "You better be," Ryan said with a small frown. "Well, what did you look like?" Zoey asked with a curious expression. "Man! You really don''t want to do your work," Ryan remarked with a raised eyebrow. "Of course, I don''t want to do my work. Hold on... Mwah!... There, now will you tell me?" Zoey asked with a smile while she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Fine! I had dark tan skin." Ryan''s skin started turning darker in front of Zoey. "I also had long white hair with really bright blue eyes" His hair and eyes followed along with his skin tone as his hair grew down his back while his eyes turned into a bright azure blue. "Huh!? R-Ryan?" Zoey stuttered with a shocked expression. She didn''t know what was going on as Ryan was too focused on recalling what he looked like in his dreams to notice the changes happening to him. "God! I also had these ridiculously big breasts and wide hips. Wider than yours, babe." Ryan''s chest started growing and his hips followed suit. bodyAll she could do was watch helplessly as Ryan''s changes continued. "And I think I shrunk in height and my voice sounded more feminine. Jeez, those boobs. Man! They were huge. Like, really freaking big!" Ryan''s voice became high-pitched by the latter part of his sentence. His dick got smaller and shriveled up. In its place was a pussy. "A-Are you okay Ry?" Zoey asked with a worried expression. "W-Wait! Why does my voice sound so, girlish?" Ryan asked with a shaky voice. "Ry? Y-You look like an... Elf. Is this really you? Are you okay?" Zoey asked with worry. "No! No, no no no! Why am I back to being a woman?... Huh? Z-Zoey... Are you... getting older?" Ryan asked with a puzzled expression as he looked at his girlfriend who looked like she was ten years older now and looked like she just recalled something important. "Ryan! I remember. You disappeared 10 years ago! Oh God! This is what happened to you?" Zoey asked with a concerned expression. "H-How can this be a dream? I-I just wanted to be home with you Zoey. Why....." Ryan asked with a shaky voice as tears started to form in his eyes. Zoey then hugged him tightly. "I don''t know why this is happening, but I''ll ask my husband. We might be-" Zoey stopped herself when she remembered that she married someone else. She had a sad expression written on her face as she hugged Ryan. ''I''ve been gone for ten years? No! This has to be a cruel joke, this has to~'' Ryan''s thought stopped when she realized who was behind this. ''NILS!!!! SHE DID THIS TO US!'' Ryan screamed in her mind. Zoey continued to hug her dark elf of a boyfriend while trying to think of what they could do. At the same time, Rya tried to calm herself because she didn''t know how much longer she had with her girlfriend. She didn''t know if this was her real girlfriend, but something inside her told her that this was really her Zoey. "Z-Zoey. I don''t know how much time we have left. Tell my parents that I''m sorry. I never meant for any of this." Rya said with a tearful expression. "Ryan?... What''s going on?" Zoey asked with a confused expression. "Please! Tell them that I love them very much. And you are the best girlfriend a loser like me could ever have in this universe." Rya said with a trembling voice as she held onto Zoey. "Ryan! I''ll do that! I''ll tell your parents! I''ll never forget you! Please come back, okay!" Zoey said with a sad expression as she gently placed her hand on Rya''s head. "Thank you..." Rya said with a weak smile before she noticed everything around them started to turn into white particles. Everything was slowly vanishing, first was the chair, wall, table, and room, and last was the sky. Rya and Zoey hugged each other in a bright white void until Zoey started to fade away as well. "Ryan! Please live! Whatever you do, live!" Zoey shouted with a tearful expression as she vanished from Rya''s sight. Rya just stood there powerless to do anything as she broke down into tears. ''She''s gone....'' Rya thought to herself as she collapsed to her knees. "Well, that worked out better than we thought." Said the voice of the Goddess. Rya snapped out of her sorrow which turned into rage in an instant. She quickly looked behind her to see Nils and Nebulus standing there with proud smiles on their stupid faces. "What? You''re not happy about saying goodbye to your old, loved ones? Nebulus used a lot of her power to accomplish such an impossible feat and you turn to us in anger?" Nils said with a smirk. "YYYEEEHHHHAAAAHHHH!!!!" Rya yelled while mustering the biggest magic attack she could. "YOU DUMB FUCKING CUNTS!!" She yelled again as a giant white mountain shot out everywhere. Rya focused all of her hate, sadness, and regret on the spell and she was going to crush these two Goddesses in front of her and nothing was going to stop her. "Hmph. I told you. Now look at her Nebulus. She has become an emotional mess even after doing something so nice for her," Nils said with a bored expression. *BBBOOOMMM!!!!* Was the sound caused by multiple mountains as big as Everest smashing into the Goddesses, Nils, and Nebulus. *BBBOOOMMM!!!!* *CCCRRRUUUNNNNCCCCHHH!* The sounds of crashing mountains echoed throughout the void and it wasn''t stopping. "AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!" Rya screamed as she released a spell so powerful that it tore up the entire void. The destruction was so immense that it was more powerful than a nuclear bomb. "You fucking took EVERYTHING FROM ME!!!" Rya yelled as she tried to summon a rock that was as big as a mountain and smashed it into the spot where the two Goddesses were. "I''ll fucking kill you!!" Rya shouted with tears streaming down her cheeks as she hurled the massive rock causing an explosion that engulfed the void. "NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Rya yelled. She kept summoning and hurling mountain-sized rocks at the void in a desperate attempt to kill the two Goddesses. Rya did this again and again until she could no longer stand up. She fell to the ground sweating profusely. "Huff!... Huff!... Huff!" Rya was gasping for air as she looked around and saw nothing but a white void. "So, did you get that out of your system?" Nils said from behind Rya. "You!" Rya growled through gritted teeth as she glared at the Goddess. "Ahahah!... You''re lucky that we''re in your subconscious... Otherwise, your mana would have been completely exhausted and you would have been nothing but dust," Nils said with a smirk. "Why did you do this to me? You might have changed my body, but you will NOT change me mentally! NEVER! YOU HEAR ME! I''M STRAIGHT!" Rya yelled as she snapped out of her rage. "Haha. We didn''t change your sexual orientation, Ryan. You have a strong will to be straight. And so you are... straight... I don''t see where the problem is. Do you Nebulus?" Nils said with a giggle. "Nope. Ryan''s just confused," Nebulus added with a giggle of her own. "You don''t see any problem!? How did you keep me straight when you~" Rya stopped herself when the realization hit her. ''They changed me into a woman but kept me straight!? A STRAIGHT WOMAN! Ooohh! You cunning little cunts! I''ll prove to you that I''m still a guy! I refuse to back down on this!'' Rya thought to herself as she glared at the two Goddesses with new anger. "Well, we just wanted to give you a reward for surviving the Cave Troll and defeating a Dungeon Core. So we were lucky enough to have a mental link to your ex-girlfriend. She is doing fine. She got married to someone else and has two kids now. Anyway, keep up the good work... Ryan." Nils said with a smirk. Rya started to feel herself fade until she woke up in her room in the mansion. "RAH! RAH! RAH!" Rya screamed while she thrashed around her bed. "M-Miss Rya!?" There was a maid in her room. She was trying to wake her when she heard the dark elf screaming. ''God dammit! I look like an asshole! Calm down, Ryan. Don''t let those Goddesses get the better of you.'' Rya thought to herself. " Megara asked with a little fear in her eyes. "Umm. N-Nothing really... I get night terrors sometimes. I''m sorry about this." Rya said quietly. Well If the Miss needs anything, Ill be right outside this door. The maid relaxed a bit as she walked out of the room. Rya slowly sat up in bed and the sheets fell off of her. ''You did not change all of me you cunts!'' Rya yelled internally while looking at the ceiling. Vol.1 Ch.49 A Battle With A Bra. It took some time for Rya to get her emotions in check before getting ready to clean herself up. She came out of her bedroom wearing a towel after taking a morning bath. She was so caught up in what had happened to her that she didn''t realize Dalia wasn''t in their room. Rya''s anger at the goddesses caused her to completely forget about the wolfkin and her whereabouts until now. "Where did that little wolf run off to? I hope she''s okay..." Rya mumbled to herself as she went to the wardrobe to see what clothes she could wear. When she opened the doors to the wardrobe all she could find was dresses. Her feminine side was delighted at seeing all the lovely clothes while her rational old self was irritated at the thought of putting on a dress. "God there''s nothing but dresses in here?" Rya moaned in frustration as she dug through the wardrobe trying to find something other than a dress. Luckily for her, she found some men''s clothing, way back in the cupboard. It was a little dusty, but she decided to take a gamble and try it on. "These are a bit big... but they should do for now," Rya muttered as she pulled out a men''s black shirt and brown pants then she put them on. She thought everything was fine at first but a part of her didn''t like how baggy the shirt was on her. It didn''t hug her form the way she liked it. And lastly, her instincts were screaming for her to wear underwear. She tried her best to ignore these thoughts, but it was becoming more difficult to disregard them as she felt her breasts bouncing freely underneath the shirt. As well as, feeling her clitoris rub against the fabric of the boxer-briefs. ''God damn it, why did I have to be turned into a woman!? Ugh, I guess I need to find some suitable underwear. B-But it''s only temporary! Y-Yes, that''s right! Just until I get a new set of armor! That''s it. Yes, that''s why I have to get underwe- NO! NO, I''M STILL A MAN! AUNGH!?'' Rya''s breasts brushed up against the shirt making her shudder at the sensation. "F-Fine! I''ll wear some stupid bra and panties! I just won''t get used to them!" Rya growled to herself as she looked for feminine underwear. She was frustrated when she conceded to her feminine instincts. Rya sighed after searching the entire wardrobe and found the drawer with the female undergarments. She was drawn to these purple pairs of underwear that had black lace at the top. They weren''t like the frilly bras and panties that she had seen in the shops back on Earth. No, these were the sexy ones that hugged the body in all the right places and emphasized the breasts. The fabric was silky soft, and they were the kind that could make anyone''s skin look great. "Oh... Well, this will be a one-time thing. I-I''m just trying to see if they fit, that''s all. Yeah, I''ll put them on and see if they''ll work," Rya said as she took the pair of purple lace underwear in her hands. ''It''s just underwear, Ryan. It''s not like I''m conceding to what makes me a man... I-I just need to support these stupid breasts and I don''t want any chafing with men''s underwear. I''m being practical! Y-Yeah! That''s it. I''m not conceding...'' Rya thought as she held up one pair of panties to examine them closer before putting them on.
Rya then removed her clothes and put on the purple panties. While she was putting them on, Rya felt a bit shy about wearing such a feminine garment but continued anyway as she slowly pulled up the purple panties until they were snug up against her groin. When the fabric touched her skin, Rya couldn''t help but blush a little at the feeling. She didn''t know what it was but her lower region felt a little excited from the sensation of having her vulva covered in such a silky garment. She couldn''t believe how comfortable the underwear was. It wasn''t too tight or too loose. And she could tell they were made to perfectly fit her hips. ''They must be special or something. They feel so soft... M-Maybe they are enchanted or something.'' Rya thought to herself as she was trying to figure out if they were magical. Instead of disliking them, they felt just right as they hugged her private parts. "O-Okay... I guess I should put on the bra. Oh, come on, Ryan! It''s just a stupid piece of clothing. Besides, my breasts will bounce and jiggle without it," Rya said to herself while blushing. She was still a bit reluctant, but she picked up the matching bra and examined it. "Whatever... Let''s hope I can latch the hooks on this thing..." Rya said as she tried to put on the bra. After a few attempts, Rya was struggling to get the bra on properly. "Augh... Come on. Women have put these stupid things on all by themselves all the time. I should be able to do it!" Rya groaned as she struggled to hook the bra behind her back. Rya was contorting her body in different directions to reach the hook behind her. She was frustrated, and her breasts were bouncing about wildly. She didn''t know how women could deal with the awkwardness and difficulty of putting on bras. She tried and tried again, but her boobs wouldn''t stop bouncing and swinging everywhere. "Nnngh! This is impossible! How do women do this by themselves!" Rya shouted in frustration as her hands were behind her back pulling the straps closer which caused her breasts to be pushed together even more. Her boobs looked bigger now as she continued her struggle to latch the hooks. "Come on! Come on! Almost there... almost got it..." Rya whispered. The Dark Elf was about to give up until she heard a knock on the door. "Pfff... Fuck me..." Rya mumbled as she gave up on latching the bra, " Um... C-Come in," Rya yelled out as she covered herself with the towel. The door opened violently as a wolfkin with a smug look on her face, came marching in proudly with her head held high. "Morning, Alpha!" Dalia said loudly. Rya turned her head and looked at the wolfkin who was acting a bit odd. "Dalia!? Where were you? I was beginning to worry about you since I didn''t see you in our room!" Rya stated with concern. "Oh, I took your advice and got marked by my mate," Dalia said happily. "Hmm? You got marked?...." Rya asked before she started to sniff the air and could smell the sex permeating off of Dalia. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ''Gah!? Damn! She must have gotten fucked all night,'' Rya thought as she scrunched up her nose. "Yup! My Alpha told me to mark my mate! And I DID! He was so amazing that I let him mark me as well! You''re right about human males, Alpha. They are so much more open compared to beastkins. Oh, and his stamina is AMAZING! He was fucking me all night! Ahaha! And he marked the inside of me, a LOT!" Dalia laughed loudly with pride. "W-What!? Aren''t you moving a little fast?" Rya shouted in bewilderment. Rya would have been happy for the wolfkin but she didn''t expect Dalia to fuck a guy the day they met. It seemed too fast for a person to jump right into a sexual relationship. But she guessed the difference between human and beastkin was quite significant. "No! There aren''t that many males that are timid and aggressive at the same time. So, I don''t see a reason to wait." Dalia said confidently. ''Well... She''s honest and straightforward. I guess that''s her way of life.'' Rya thought as she nodded her head in agreement. "O-Okay, if you and Percy are fine with it, who am I to get in the way? I''m happy for you Dalia. Just don''t go overboard, alright?" Rya said trying to sound happy for her but she was still fighting her anger towards the goddesses. Rya wished she knew how to get back at them and became lost in thought. While the dark elf was thinking about the Goddesses, Dalia walked over to her and tapped Rya on the shoulder. ''H-Hey? What the hell?'' Rya thought to herself as she snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Dalia who was looking at her. The wolfkin smiled and stretched her arms out looking like she wanted a hug. "You''re the best Alpha!" Dalia said with a huge grin as she jumped at Rya. "W-Wait! Dalia! TAKE A BATH FIRST!" Rya panicked while trying to keep her distance from the pursuing wolfkin who nearly got her. "Awww!? Alpha, doesn''t want a hug? Just because she doesn''t want to get dirt all over her clothes?" Dalia teased as she prepared to hug Rya again. Rya had to think quickly before she made another attempt, "NO! No, I''m not afraid of getting dirty. I just don''t want to be mistaken as Percy''s mate. Or are you trying to force me as his mate?" Dalia halted and her ears started twitching while panic was written on her face. "AH! I can''t believe I almost did that! My little wolf is mine and mine only! I''m sorry Alpha!" Dalia said as she ran away from Rya and went to the bath. Making sure her mate''s scent didnt rub on anything else that could somehow rub onto another human by accident. ''Well, at least she''s loyal to her mate...'' Rya thought as she breathed a sigh of relief and was glad that nothing bad happened between the two. She didn''t want Dalia''s stink to linger on her, now that her elven nose could smell things way more clearly. "Now I need to get this stupid bra on," Rya said to herself as she looked at the bra sitting on the dresser. ''I can''t believe I''m actually doing this... But I''m a man in spirit! And no stupid piece of fabric is going to make a fool out of me!'' Rya thought as she grabbed the bra and looked at it as if it was a Rubik''s Cube. She flipped it upside down to get a better look at the hooks, "How the hell do women put this thing on!?" ''The hooks and latch are so small, why the hell are they so small? It looks impossible to attach! Who thought this was a good idea!?'' Rya thought to herself as she tried to figure out how to attach the hooks. Rya then remembered that the Maid, Miss Megara, told Rya that she would be waiting outside the door to their room. ''Maybe she can help.'' Rya thought to herself as she walked to the door. The maid was surprised when she saw Rya poking her head out of the door. "Umm... C-Can I ask for your assistance? I need a little help?" Rya asked the Maid with a nervous tone to her voice. "Y-Yes Miss Rya!" Miss Megara replied nervously. She was still not comfortable being around Rya after her night terror episode, which happened a couple of hours ago. But she was a professional and would do whatever was asked of her. Rya then backed away from the door so the maid could come in. "Sorry, I didn''t mean to scare you. I just wanted to know if you could lend a hand and help me with my bra?" Rya asked as she pointed her right hand towards the bra. "O-Oh! You''re having trouble, Miss Rya? Do Dark Elves prefer not to wear undergarments?" the maid asked with a hint of curiosity. "No, we do! B-But the problem is I-I had a growth spurt in m-my chest and I''m not used to bras yet?" Rya said as she blushed and turned away embarrassed. "Ah! I see. Well, I''ll show you my Miss. Here let me take that from you first," the maid said as she held Rya''s bra in front of her. "Thank you," Rya said as she took the bra from her. She then began to put the straps through her arms and moved around to Rya''s back so she could hook them in the right place. Rya was very grateful for the help as she still wasn''t used to wearing bras. "That''s pretty easy, now all you have to do is to just tighten the strap a bit more so it will be comfortable for you." And as if it was like magic, the bra supported her big breasts with ease when the cups were tightened. Rya was amazed and looked at her new boobs in the mirror. She was speechless at how much her new assets had grown. They were so round, bouncy, and jiggly, and they felt just as good or better than her panties. ''I think I can get used to this?'' Rya thought to herself as she looked at the maid. "So... How is it?" Miss Megara asked. "It''s... surprisingly comfortable," Rya admitted as she felt the weight of her breasts being lifted by the bra. Miss Megara smiled, "Is there anything else you need, Miss?" "N-No, that should be all. Thank you," Rya answered with a smile. "It was no problem at all, Miss Rya." the maid replied with a blush. "I must say I''ve never seen a woman so blessed in the chest department before. Your bosoms are perfect!" "Really? T-Thank you. I think?" Rya said nervously as she tried to hide her embarrassment. ''Yeah, these were created by my foul Goddesses!... However, I have to admit, they do know how to create a gorgeous body... But I hate that I cant get turned on by I look at myself! It''s frustrating!'' "You''re welcome! Now if you excuse me, Miss... I''ll be back at my post if you need anything else," Megara said as she left the room. Rya then closed the door and sighed in relief. "Well, time to get the rest of my stuff on." Rya quickly went to her dresser and grabbed the men''s clothing she selected earlier. She put on the dark shirt first and then the pants. They didn''t fit well and felt a bit off but she paid it no mind. Then she grabbed her old dark elven boots and slid them on. Lastly, she put on her belt and grabbed her sword and shield. Rya then walked over to her bed and looked down at the other bras. ''Maybe I should bring some with me, for the road? Just in case...'' Rya thought to herself while stretching out her hand. She grabbed a few of the bras and stuffed them into her bag before Dalia came out of the bathroom. She cleaned off the smell of sex, that she enjoyed last night. Rya was surprised that Dalia cleaned herself, despite her strong preference to be covered in the stench of sex. "Hey, I''m almost done. How long will it take for you to get ready for the trip?" Rya replied as she grabbed her backpack. Dalia smiled and threw her towel to the ground. "Okay, I''m ready, Alpha!" Rya looked at the naked wolfkin and then back into her eyes, "Dalia! You''re not going to walk around naked!" "Why not? I''ve been marked by my little wolf? So I should be good?" Dalia replied with a confused expression. "Jeez! Firstly, humans can''t smell like we can. Hell, I can''t smell half of what you can, and no one can tell that you''re marked. So, put on clothes... Now!... I don''t care how small they are but you''re going to put something on. Got it?" Dalia nodded with a sad look and slipped on her underwear, a mini dress, and skimpy shorts. "Alright I''ll get the rest of my things together and meet you outside," Rya said while heading to the door. Dalia pouted as she left the room, "This is bullshit! I can''t go anywhere without my mate''s smell on me! And I have to wear this silly thing. Stupid clothes." Dalia complained angrily and stomped down the hall like a child. Vol.1 Ch.50 A Heart to Heart. Rya shook her head as she heard the pouting Wolfkin from behind her. Once she reached the corner of the hallway, Rya could hear Dalia rushing to catch up to her. "Hey! Wait up Alpha!" The dark elf then turned to see the wolfkin running out of the room to catch up to her. "I''m not leaving you behind, Dalia. I just want to meet up with Quin and see when we''re departing?" Dalia smiled and nodded when she walked alongside Rya. "I understand, Alpha. Don''t worry about me. But I couldn''t help but notice that you seemed... Angry? Mad? Was there something that happened?" "Haah! Yeah, I had a visit from the Goddesses that brought me to Tertius. And let''s just say that they''re on my shit list right now." Rya said with a frown. Dalia tilted her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "What did they do?" "I don''t want to talk about it. Let''s just say that I''m not a fan of their methods." Rya said with a grimace. Dalia furrowed her brow. "Fine but I''m curious. So, tell me if you need to talk." "Thanks, Dalia. I''m glad I saved you. You''re turning into someone I can rely on," Rya said with a smile. Dalia smiled back and nodded. "Me too. So, do you know where Beta is?" Rya stopped walking down the hall because she realized she had no clue where she was going. As she looked around, Rya noticed a few of the servants staring at them with a concerned look in their eyes. Or was it fear? It seems most of the humans wanted to keep their distance from the Dark Elf and Wolfkin. Dalia look at the servants aadt "Uhh... No, it''s not the same. There''s a huge difference between respect and fear. But I have no clue where I am going... I guess I''ll ask one of them for directions," Rya replied while pointing toward the servant who flinched when the dark elf zeroed in on her. The rest of the servants in the hallway quickly got out of there before the dark elf decided to ask any of them for directions. That only left the servant woman in a pink dress and an apron whom Rya pointed at. but do you know where Prince Quinus is?" If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "I think we scared her?... Should I go after her and bring her back?" Dalia asks Rya. Rya shakes her head. "No, it''s not worth it... Hey Dalia, can you find Quin''s scent?" Dalia nodded then closed her eyes. The wolfkin started sniffing the air as she tried to pick up the faint traces of the prince. After a few minutes, Dalia opened her eyes and then turned to Rya. "Picked up his scent. He''s this way, follow me," Dalia says with a smile. Rya smiled. "Thanks, Dalia. I owe you one." Dalia nodded and then closed her eyes again while sniffing the air. The wolfkin started walking down the hallway with Rya following behind her. *** It took several minutes for the two women to reach the living room where Quinus was with Sir George. "Well, you''re up early? How was your sleep?" Quinus asked. Rya grunted and then rubbed her temples. "It could have been better." "Did someone bother you? Is that why you''re here so early?" Sir George asked. Rya shook her head. "No, I just had some bad dreams. I feel like I''ve been having nightmares every single night. It''s getting really annoying." Quinus as s he s ''Why did I look into his eyes!? He''s like a sad puppy! I can''t act like an ungrateful bitch to him.'' Rya thought to herself. "Quin, I need to tell you something in private... If you''re free that is?" Rya asked while looking down and to the side. She was not trying to make eye contact. "Huh? Ah! Yes! We can chat over here. Sir George, Lady Dalia, would you two mind waiting outside for a moment?" Quinus asked. Sir George nodded and left the room with Dalia. ''God! Okay, you can''t tell him everything. Just tell him enough to know that this is not his fault and I still want him around. BUT NOT IN THAT WAY! He''s just a very good friend. One of the few I can trust... A friend who''s amazing at using his tongue on my~'' Rya shakes her head fiercely to try and stop these strange thoughts of Quinus going down on her from entering her head. "R-Rya? Are you okay?" Quinus asked worriedly. Rya put her hands over her face. "I don''t know anymore!?" "Hey, hey. Come over here and sit down." Quinus said and then pulled her over to a couch. "I''m sorry Quin. If I tell you something, will you keep it a secret?" Rya asked while sitting next to him. Quinus looks at her with a questioning look but nods his head. "No matter how much it hurts, I''ll keep it a secret... I promise," Quinus tells her while placing his hand atop her head. Rya could feel her whole body relax when she felt his warm touch on her scalp. ''NO! MY KRYPTONITE!'' Rya screams in her mind but knows there''s no stopping the inevitable but she must resist even though she doesn''t want to. "Q-Quin. T-These bad dreams? These nightmares I''ve been having, are caused by my Goddesses," Rya struggles to speak with the mighty hand that soothes her soul. Quinus frowns as he takes his hand off her head. "What do you mean?" "Ugh! They''re teasing and tormenting me. And I don''t know if what I''m becoming is something of my choosing or theirs," Rya says to him nervously. Quinus looks at her with an understanding look. "So, you need to find yourself?" The prince looks at her with a sad gaze before asking, "So, you need to depart from us? That''s why you''re dressed in your adventure clothing instead of a fine dress?" "NO! No no! I''m not leaving you guys. No." Rya quickly says and shakes her head. Quinus smiles at her and then places his hand on hers. "So, you''re not leaving us? Then take all the time you need, Rya." Whatever fear or worry Rya had started melting away with those words. She was beginning to feel at peace with Quin by her side. She thought it was true friendship and nothing more, but deep down inside she had a small flame growing for him, that she was unaware of. "Thank you, Quin. This means a lot to me." Rya says and blushes. befthey leave the room. Vol.1 Ch.51 Heading East. ed ?" Quinus asked. I don''t recall himingfight last night and I told him to rest up, but he kept insisting that he was fine. Maybe he just needs to stretch a little more?" Rya looked at Dalia, knowing that the wolfkin was knocking boots with him during the night. She wagged her tail happily, and said, "The little wolf is fine. I''ll make sure he''ll be in shape for the trip." "Why don''t you two come with me and Rya to the dining room? We can discuss the details of our journey while eating breakfast." Quinus said to Sir George and Dalia. y "Aye, I could use a bit of food, my lord." Sir George said. Dalia walked alongide R Let''s go get something to eat, and then we can head out," the Dark Elf said and the group continued walking towards the dining room. *** They made their way to the dining room where they found Mr. Aitken and Percy were already sitting at the long dining room table. "Ah! Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! Breakfast is served!" Mr. Aitken said with a nervous smile. Quinus looked at Marko with an unamused gaze and sat down at the head of the table. "Mr. Aitken... I hope no one has been thinking about betraying me over last night. It would be a shame to have Kishin lose a second Mayor in two days," Quinus threatened with a cold voice. Marko''s smile disappeared and he gulped audibly, "I-I would never, Your Highness... I''ve given all the information about the traitors to the Captain of the Rangers. He and his men worked overnight to rid the town of them. As we speak, they''re being interrogated at the dungeon... I''m glad you and your party are unharmed after last night''s events." While that was going on Dalia was giving Percy a staredown. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Dalia noticed Percy had two plates of food in front of him. One filled with all types of meat, that caused her to drool. She thought he was saving it for himself and she felt jealous. "ittle wolfoud Dalia asks, glaring at him. Percy is surprised by Dalia''s statement and responds, "What? No. This plate is for you Lady Dalia. And this one is for me. I didn''t know what you liked so I grabbed a bit of everything." Dalia quickly did a 180 from glaring at him and smiled as she grabbed the plate with all the meat and sat on Percy''s Lap. "Hehe! My little wolf is the best! I knew you''d take care of me. And you knew what meats I like best!" *Nom, nom, nom, nom!* "L-Lady Dalia!? Please, chew your food! You might choke yourself. Here let me cut those for you." Percy says with a serious face while he starts cutting the food for Dalia. "Hmm. My little wolf is worried about me. If you keep pampering me, I''ll never leave you. Hehe~" Dalia giggled and kissed Percy on the cheek. pracaly It took a wfor to finally ask a question, "Percy? Why is Lady Dalia sitting on your lap?" Percy gets a little embarrassed and says, "She uh... I mean, she''s my~" "He''s my mate! I marked him," Dalia proudly announced before taking another bite of her food. "M-Mate? Her!?" Sir George exclaimed in disbelief. "Yep!... I love him so much that I let him mark me," Dalia said with a big smile and wagged her tail. "But... But did he use any of my techniques?... He had to! Right Percy!? " Sir George asked in desperation. "Lady Dalia came to me. And I''m never using your techniques again, love sage!" Percy looked at Sir George with a stern look on his face. "You dare question my metho~" Quinus cut off Sir George. "George! Cool it. You need to stop getting jealous when every one of your friends gets a woman. Now let''s eat and get back to business," Quinus said with a sigh. "S-Sorry my lord, I lost myself in the moment." Sir George said to Quinus while taking a bite of his bacon. After breakfast, Quinus looked to Mr. Aitken and asked, "Would it be possible to impersonate Tomas, so my uncle isn''t on to us Mr. Aitken?" "O-Of course, My Lord! It will be done!" Mr. Aitken replied with a smile. influenceI need you to find the other sympathizers who are currently in the village and round them up. We can''t have any spies leaking the news about his son''s death. I''m tired of Uncle''s games and it''s only fair to weaken his influence inside the Galfrei Domain, with Sir Beck''s help. Sir Menns told me that the Western Knights would be gathered in the village barracks by noon. You must bring anyone you find to him. He''ll keep them imprisoned there until we''ve dealt with my uncle." , ''Damn! The shit is getting real! Well, I guess that''s just how cutthroat it is during a feudal era?'' Rya thinks to herself while eating her food. ''W-We''re just friends!... What the fuck did I get myself into?'' Rya thought while shaking her head. *** After a few hours, the group goes to the foyer of the mayor''s mansion where there are horses and a carriage that looks like it could hold six people, waiting for them. "Well, that''s an extravagant-looking carriage," Rya says while walking towards it. "Yeah, I was hoping for something a little less conspicuous. But This is the only one we can find that isn''t a farm cart." Quinus replies while trying to hide his disappointment. "Will it be a problem to use the mayor''s carriage? We don''t want anyone to know we''re here, right?" Rya asks. "Yeah, I just hope the Black Rose Mercenaries aren''t here. The last thing we need is them going crazy over us showing up to Ironside." Quinus says while thinking of what to do if they were to run into an ambush. "That traitorous dog will be too afraid to show his face in front of our lord." Sir George adds. "I doubt he would have had time to send out a warning to the mercenaries already. Besides, we''re going to take care of them." Percy said with confidence. "Well, it''s better to be safe than sorry Percy," Rya says with a small smirk. "Yeah, I would agree with Rya. Anyway, are we all packed up?" Quinus asks. "Aye. All of our stuff is loaded on the coach." Sir George says while opening the door for Rya, Quinus, Dalia, and Percy. "Who''s the driver?" Rya asks, confused. "One of the Knights we met up with after exiting the labyrinth. His name is Sir John." Quinus answers. "He''s someone we can trust?" Rya asks. "Yes. He''s a veteran of the Fiafyr Kingdom and has a good reputation." Quinus says. "Then let''s go," Rya tells everyone as she finds a seat inside the carriage followed by Dalia, then Quinus, and Percy. Sir George closes the door and rides up front with the driver. "Are we all set, Sir George?" John asked while George got seated next to him. "Yes, we are ready to go, John," George answered. "Alright let''s head east. We should reach the city of Ironside sometime within a week. You keep an eye out for the Black Rose." Sir John instructs. "Don''t have to tell me twice," George responds. "Hyah!" Sir John takes the reins and pulls the coach forward. The carriage starts down the road with Sir George and John riding up in front while the others rest inside the coach as they begin their long journey to Ironside. Vol.1 Ch.52 Being Watched by the Goddesses. While the carriage continued carrying the group eastward towards the city of Ironside. Two entities were observing them from high up in the clouds. They were the two goddesses, Nils and Nebulus, also known as the Twins of Mournhold, who were second-generation Dark Elven Gods of Tertius. And they were having fun watching their "Chosen One" struggling through her journey to survive while at the same time, fighting to keep her old identity. "Did you see that? Her eyes can''t stop looking at the prince." Nils giggles. "I do say sister, you found yourself a good ''Chosen One''. She has lasted the longest out of all of our others." Nebulus says with a chuckle. "Yeah, usually the others would have given up and lost their life in some way or another," Nils says with an amused smile. "How long do you think shell make it?" Nebulus asked. "I don''t know. But I''m enjoying the ride, while it lasts." Nils says with a grin. They both watched Ryan as she sat in the carriage trying to avoid eye contact with Quinus and blushing like crazy when he would lock eyes with hers. It took all of Ryan''s willpower just to break away from Quin''s golden eyes and it was making her look ridiculous in front of the prince. The twins burst into laughter again at Ryan''s futile actions. Indeed, she is an entertaining one. I''m looking forward to seeing how this little game will play out." Nebulus agreed. The Twins of Mournhold continued to laugh for quite some time until they felt the presence of another God, or should we say another goddess of the kingdom of Fiafyr. She was known as the Goddess of Natural Balance and goes by the name, Iyomelka. She has many followers who worship her in a variety of ways but she prefers to stay out of her mortals'' lives so they can make decisions on their own. This is one of the main reasons why the Kingdom of Fiafyr is one of the strongest human Kingdoms in all of Tertius. Some say she is a goddess of life and death, while others believe she is a god of knowledge, wisdom, or magic. The holy clerics have a hard time deciphering her intentions as she doesnt speak to them. But she lets her presence be known in little ways. Like the birth of Quinus from the infertile Queen Rianna or when Rianna first came to the Kingdom''s Church and kneeled before her idol which glowed for the first time in a hundred years. Nils had an unamused look on her face while watching her "Chosen One" and said, "I thought you hated being involved with mortals." "You always mistake guidance for entertainment, Nils. I let my people live their lives as they see fit, for the most part, but do you think I hate them? No, Nils... I don''t hate my creations, I want them to flourish as most Gods would. But you two always loved teasing yours! I don''t know how you haven''t been exiled off of Tertius. Someday, the fates won''t be so forgiving," The human goddess replied with annoyance. Nebulus chuckled at the remark and said, "If we wanted to be chastised, Iyomelka. We would go to our mother." "Oh? You two have cut yourselves off from the other gods for so long that you haven''t realized what''s happened to her." Iyomelka replied. This caught the curiosity of the twins as they looked at the first-generation goddess in the distance. "What happened to her?" Nebulus asked with a raised brow. "Her people have been eradicated and have been exiled by Baphomet the Demon God and Lynnic the High Elf God. You two are the last of the Dark Elven Gods," Iyomelka replied with a straight face. Nils and Nebulus kept their cool. "S-So we are the only ones left now?" Nils asked. "Yes, the Dark Elves will go the way of the Halflings soon, and you have five Gods that are telling their people to hunt down the last of the Dark Elves so they can find you two and exile you out to the void of chaos with the other dead gods," Iyomelka answered. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. "I have to ask... Are you one of the five, Iyomelka?" Nebulus asked with clenched fists. "Of course not. I''m only telling you this as a courtesy to your late mother. She was one of the few friends I made when we all created our people on Tertius." Iyomelka explained. "So you came here to gloat? Is that it?" Nils questioned. The Twins of Mournhold started to feel dread for the first time in their existence, upon realizing that they didn''t have the protection of their mother or other Dark Elven Gods as they had before. Iyomelka continued, "I probably wouldn''t have said anything if it wasn''t for your Summoned saving my Summoneds life in the Labyrinth. And he also has taken a liking to her. So I''ll give you two a chance. Stop fucking around with your Summoned''s mind. She''s a straight woman and she was going to accept it sooner until you two pulled that stupid stunt with mind linking to his old lover that he can''t go back to. Youre putting her in peril for the future because of it and I pray she survives it so my Summoned can bond with her. In all my years I have never seen the offspring of two Summoneds. But I have a feeling that won''t happen now... She will die because of your interference, Yoona will forsake you for all your failed Chosen Ones and then you two will be banished off of Tertius... I am done entertaining you two." With that Iyomelka disappeared leaving Nils and Nebulus to digest everything she just said. "Nils, should I make Rya my Chosen One so I can give her my gift of space-time magic?" Nebulus asked. "W-We can''t risk it. She might die if we overload her... We might have fucked up this time, Nebulus... What if she dies on us?" Nils asked nervously. "I-If that happens, we''ll be in big trouble. But we still need to tell her about this! Can you reach her or show up in her dreams?" Nebulus asked. "I used up too much of my primordial essence to contact her. I think I''ll need a month to get enough to do it again." Nils says in a worried tone. "A month!? I could have sent a message to her if I didn''t use up most of my essence! DAMN IT NILS! Why did you make me do the mind link with that Earthling!" Nebulus yelled while shaking her sister by the shoulders. "N-Nebulus!? It was both our ideas! Dont use me as your scapegoat! We''re both to blame!" Nils cried out while being shaken around. Nebulus stopped shaking her sister and looked at her with sad eyes, "Do something!? Give her all your gifts, Dammit!" "I''m doing it! But Ryan won''t know that she can use all the elements except time and space magic until I can talk to her! We can only hope Iyomelka is wrong about Ryan''s peril." Nils says. "Dammit!! Maybe we can tell Yoona!? And maybe she could reach Ryan to teach her enough magic to save herself!?" Nebulus yells out in frustration. "Yes! We should see Yoona and tell her to teach Ryan how to use other magic before I can. But those bastards from the Divine Three are keeping her busy with their wars, so we can''t just pop in whenever we feel like it. They''re probably watching her right now." Nils says with annoyance. The Twins of Mournhold then fly toward the other side of the continent looking for Yoona. Meanwhile, Percy, Dalia, and Quinus were enjoying the view of the plains and chatting amongst themselves while the summoned girl was trying not to stare at the handsome prince. Volume 1: Afterword Hey all, thank you for reading the first volume of I Got Isekaid, Well Shyt! Its been a crazy ride from writing the first chapter to now having people read it and even talking about it online. It feels like just yesterday that I was in the middle of writing this thing. I just wanting to write a story about smutty gender bender story not knowing where it was going to take me, but here we are with 275 pages in and continuing. And after all this time, I like to thank all of you who tolerated my grammatical woes through out my posts, because there were quite a few. I tell you dyslexia is a never-ending battle. And in despite all of that we got here and it''s been a pleasant surprise having all you here with me making new friends along the way. As for the second volume, I plan on working on that right now. What will happen to our MC Rya? Will she continue to fight her new nature? Will Dalia call Percy by his actual name? Will Percy care if Dalia calls him by his name? What happened to the one Black Rose Mercenary that escaped the dungeon. Will Sir George retire the nickname "Love Sage"? What has happened the Yoona and the other Dark Elves? What in the hell was Nils and Nebulus thinking? Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. And most will Quinus [As my man rdzg2620 would say] BBBBOOOOONNNNEEEEE!!!!! And my answers to all these questions and more are absolutely, definitely, maybe? All joking aside we will follow our group to the city of Ironside and find out more about the world of Tertius as the Divine Three start there mayhem again and The Black Rose Mercenaries will be getting involved a bit more this time around as they might be putting the City of Ironside in peril and much more! Thank you again for following along on my journey and I hope you enjoy reading the second volume. See you guys next time. Cheers. *** Oh yeah, I almost forgot. If you all appreciate my work you can give me a tip on Patreon! Where I have exclusive stories that are most focused on the smut side of things. Just push that tip button on my profile and you''re good. Thanks again everyone! *** Vol.2 Ch.53 A Bit of History. It has been six days since Rya and crew left Kishin and the journey was quite uneventful besides the occasional goblin attack. Which were much easier to handle after Rya and Quinus destroyed the Dungeon Core ten days ago. The group was making its way towards the Former Dwarven city of Ironside. The Dwarves left the city hundreds of years ago after they mined out all of the purple iron from Mount Skellige. The Dwarves mined out Skellige so much that the mountain collapsed in on itself, killing thousands of Dwarves about 500 years ago and creating the massive crater that sits there to this day. *** Back then the dwarven King named Balgruuf, ordered the Lord of Ironside to transport all the purple iron into the Central part of the dwarven kingdom of Hjorleif. He wanted to abandon Ironside because it no longer served a purpose, and it was no longer strategically valuable with the mine destroyed. Plus, it was one of the few cities that bordered a different race. That race being the humans from the Kingdom of Fiafyr. Half of the civilian population didn''t want to abandon their city and pleaded with the Lord of Ironside. But his hands were tied and he ordered every dwarf to leave. This angered the surviving citizens of the Mount Skellige Catastrophe and half of them refused to leave. The Lord told them they would no longer be under the protection of the Hjorleif Kingdom once he and the kingdom''s soldiers left. marched his armies to the City of Ironside in hopes of occupying it. Of the 10,000 dwarves left in the city most of them were trade workers or miners, and none of them were warriors. They thought that fate was being cruel to them as they saw the approaching army of Fiafyr. *** A dwarven watchman yells down to Hodur, a dwarven blacksmith who took over as the leader of Ironside. Hodur saw the human army beginning to surround the city as the Fiafyrians approached from the east. "Hodur! What do you think will happen when we try to fight this human army? Do you have any idea how many of them are out there?" Asked the dwarf on top of the wall. "Pfft! More than enough to complete the calamities! Haah!... Be on guard! Humans can be cunning, so keep your wits about you boys!" Hodur ordered from atop the wall as he assessed the situation. "I don''t know Hodur... I''ve never seen an army like this before..." The dwarf beside him said as he looked around nervously. "Calm yourself Daedric! I''m sure we''ll make it through this mess. After all... We''re dwarves! It''s in our blood to survive!" Hodur yelled back with confidence. "That may be true, but they have soldiers! We''re not warriors, and they have a lot more than us." "We don''t have a choice, Daedric! That bastard of a King abandoned our people leaving our dead buried in Mount Skellige! Our city will stand against these intruders! By the Forge, we will hold it for the sake of our families!" Hodur yelled back as he continued to look out over the city walls. "I will fight, but I hope you''re okay with having the blood of our people on your hands, Hodur. Because if we lose, it will be your fault," Daedric said looking out over the 40,000 soldiers of the human army. *** The King of Fiafyr is riding alongside one of his generals as the army approaches the city of Ironside. "Your Majesty, you didn''t need to come all this way to watch a slaughter. It''s not worth Your Majesty''s time." General Yngvar says as he rides alongside the king. "Are you questioning your King, Yngvar? I thought you knew better than that?" King Burell said with a grin as he looked at his friend and general. Yngvar shakes his head no and continues to follow the King. "No, I wasn''t questioning my King. I was simply stating that I am concerned because the city of Ironside is known to be fortified and is heavily manned." "Is the Dwarven Lord Gurdon still in the city?" King Burell asked Yngvar. "No, Your Majesty. Our scouts observed the Dwarven Lord leaving the city three weeks back with all of his armies and most of the civilians. We believe there are over 10,000 Dwarves still in the city. And they seem to be mostly civilians. If we attack now, it will only result in a massacre." Don''t you think?" The King said with a hint of amusement as he used the reins to guide his horse towards the city wall. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! "YOUR MAJESTY!? Wait! Please wait! We don''t know if it''s safe?" General Yngvar yelled as he tried to stop the king from getting closer. "You said that they''re civilians, Yngvar. They shouldn''t be a problem." The King said with a raised voice. "Your Majesty! You must listen to me! Please! It''s not... Haah... Goddess be damned!... He''s not listening... Colonel Sotur! Ready the men! And if the Dwarves try anything, you''re free to engage them!" Yngvar orders as he turns his horse towards the king and chases after him with Knights in tow. *** Hodur and Daedric were ordering the dwarves in Ironside to prepare a defensive position in the city. No one noticed King Burell and his men coming towards the gate until Daedric spotted them. "HODUR! Look! The humans are sending a messenger!" Daedric said as he pointed to the King. "Hmm? He''s dressed up nicely for a messenger. Heh heh! Well, I guess we can have our fun with him before the battle. Right, Daedric," Hodur said as he laughed. "What!? What do you mean!?" Daedric shouts as he turns to face Hodur. "Oh, nothing. It''s just a joke... Now watch, they''ll be here soon enough." Hodur said as he smiled and turned back to finish his preparations for the battle before King Burell reached the gates to the city. After a few minutes of waiting, the ten humans came into view and headed toward the gates of Ironside. The one with the black armor with golden trim was King Burell and he stared up at the dwarves with his golden eyes with an air of confidence. One of the dwarves on top of the wall had a bit of fear in his eyes while the other was smiling ear to ear. But the remaining dwarves were looking around nervously and seemed unsure of what the humans would do. Hodur whistled upon seeing Burell''s armor as he approached the gates and waited for one of the dwarves to speak to him. "Ah, you humans sure do dress extravagantly, for messengers!?" Hodur yelled down to Burell from atop the wall. Burell looked up at Hodur and smiled. "I''m afraid I''m much more than a messenger. Who am I speaking to?" The dwarves seemed surprised at the tone of Burell''s voice. *** "Hodur. This guy seems like some human noble. What should we do?" Daedric asked his friend. He looked at Daedric and smiled. "Well, it''s not every day you get a chance to insult a noble to his face. This should be fun!" "Are you insane!? Hodur, don''t insult the man until you talk to him!" Daedric pleaded while he slapped his hand against his forehead in frustration. "Ha! Don''t worry! It''s not like he can do anything to me!" Hodur said as he laughed and turned away. "He can break down the damn gate! Or he could- Hodur! Don''t!" Daedric tried to stop Hodur but it was too late. *** "Well, human, you''re speaking to Hodur, the Coldforged, new Lord of Ironside! I hope you''ll remember my name when we meet again!" Hodur shouted and bowed to the Burell. "You''re a loud one? Well, I''m King Burell Meredydd of Fiafyr. And I like to make a deal with you, Hodur the Coldforged." Hodur and Daedric never thought they would ever speak to a King in their lives. And now they were talking to one for the first time. Plus this King wished to make a deal which intrigues Hodur while Daedric was stunned with fear. "So, we''re talking to a King? What''s your thoughts Daedric?" Hodur asked while studying the King. Daedric came to his senses before he looked at Hodur. "We have a King talking to us about a deal... We should hear him out! I mean it could be a trap. But he seems genuine though." Hodur looked at Daedric and gave him a smirk. "You don''t seem to be worried about being killed... Maybe I should send you down to negotiate in my place, hmm?" Daedric sighed and rolled his eyes. "Hodur! Stop joking around. We have little choice. If we refuse this king, then he''ll probably kill us anyway. So we might as well hear these humans out?" Hodur looked back to the King. "Alright! What''s this deal youre speaking of King Burell?" King Burell grinned, "We would like to make Ironside a part of the Fiafyr Kingdom." "Oh, so you wish to make us your slaves then?" Hodur scoffed. "No! I mean to make you citizens of the Fiafyr Kingdom! I think your King Balgruuf was too hasty in abandoning your city. And I prefer that this city not come under control from brigands." Hodur was shocked to hear that. He was under the impression that "And what does being a citizen of the Fiafyr Kingdom entail?" Hodur asked with skepticism. "Just the normal taxes and tribute. And follow the rules of law. No murder, no stealing, no slavery, and no rape... Simple really." Burell answered with a smile. "Ha! I bet you wish for us to start mining Mount Skellige, again! There is no purple iron left! And the mountain has collapsed! So, do you still wish to make us your citizens, oh Great Burell?" Hodur said in a condescending tone. "We don''t force our citizens into a field of work that they dont wish to be a part of! But there will be some jobs available around here. I believe a kingdom''s greatest resource is its people and I see an opportunity for Ironside to become an important city in my kingdom. And I''d like to help." Burell said with conviction. The dwarf was trying to read Burell''s body language. He was hoping to find the truth behind his words. And his body language was telling him that Burell was indeed genuine. But he still wasn''t sure. Daedric looked at Hodur and asked, "What do you think?" "This King is quick-witted alright. I''ll give him that... But all he is is words right now. And words are cheap in my book!... I think we need to test his metal. To see if he''s worthy of those words." Hodur said while examining this human. "Are you sure Hodur?" Daedric asked. "I''m sure! Grab a barrel of ale and two mugs... Even if his words don''t ring true. I can at least put him on his ass after a few mugs," Hodur ordered. All the dwarves around Hodur started feeling more confident after hearing their new lord''s words. They had never seen a human that could handle a mug of dwarven ale before and they thought it would put this King in his place. "Yes, Hodur!" Daedric said and followed his orders. Hodur turned to the King. "So, King Burell, your words are sweet to the ears. But that''s all they are, just words!" King Burell looked up at the cocky dwarf with a smirk. This was what he was hoping for. Vol.2 Ch.54 Purple Slag. Burell looked over to his friend Yngvar. "Looks like we''re getting somewhere!" Yngvar nodded. "He''s smart enough to know when to talk. But how are we going to gain their trust?" "Well if what I read about dwarven culture is true? Then I''m going to have a terrible hangover tomorrow." King Burell looked back up to Hodur. "What can I do to gain your trust Hodur the Coldforged?" "Well, we dwarves only trust those that can hold the liquor! And if you''re half as good with drinking as you are with your words we''ll accept your deal, King Burell!" The king smiled and clapped his hands together. "Then I accept your challenge!" Hodur grinned upon hearing those words and quickly prepared for the challenge. He ordered barrels of ale to be brought down from the brewery. It wasn''t much but it was enough for the challenge with the King. The Dwarves opened the gate as Hodur and his men brought a table, chairs, and two mugs for their battle arena. Two dwarves were carefully carrying a barrel full of dwarven ale and put it down on the northern side of the table. "Now Hodur the Coldforged, what are the rules to this challenge?" "If you can out-drink me, we will accept your offer as we can see that you''re a man of honor." "Well... I have my work cut out for me," Burell said with a smile as he stared down the cocky dwarf sitting across from him with his golden eyes. "Hmph!... You are either the bravest human I know or the dumbest!... Well, I have nothing against brave men. Life''s boring otherwise! So let''s start the challenge!" Hodur laughed as he pulled a large knife from his belt. He stabbed the blade into the cask and began filling both mugs. Yngvar had a concerned look on his face as he watched his king start the challenge. "Now remember! You must finish the whole mug!" Hodur shouted out. Burell picked up the first cup and drank all of it. "Hmm? So this is Dwarven Ale?" Burell asked. Hodur finished his first mug and then slammed it down on the table with a loud thud. He looked at the King, "We don''t serve any other kind here!... Worried that you can''t handle it?" He said while filling up the two mugs with more ale. "No, I find it tastes like water. I just thought you dwarves like stronger stuff?" Burell said with a smirk while waiting for Hodur to finish his mug. Hodur shouted as he drank the second mug, and filled both mugs back up with more ale. "Hmm? You really think this stuff will put me down? You need some honor, dwarf!" Burell poked Hodur''s pride. "Hmph, you wouldnt know what honor is! Even if it hits you in the face, Burell! And since you think you can go toe to toe with us, why dont we up the stakes!? le a humans as the Dwarf stood up and grabbed the sides of the table. "Cocky are we!? Time to put you in your place! Daedric! Get the Cognac!" After a moment, Daedric returned to the table and pulled out a bottle of the finest cognac. He then poured two shot glasses full of the golden liquid. "Time to finish what you started! Oh, mighty King! Or should I call you a coward?" said the cocky dwarf as he grabbed the first shot glass and drank it in one go before slamming the empty glass on the table. "Well... here''s to the Kingdom," Burell cheers to the dwarf before gulping down his shot glass full of liquor and placing the empty glass softly on the table. . were getting a show they would never forget "You know I''m going to beat you, right?... Oh, and i Hodur looked up at him with a dazed look on his face. "I-I''m g-oing to teach yo-u a lesson in humility, you b-bastard!" He slammed the last of his shot glass down and poured himself another. do ththird Burell took his third shot with ease. But now the King had three shots of liquor in him, which is an equal amount of alcohol to eight regular-sized mugs of dwarven ale. The King looked unfazed by all the alcohol but it was finally catching up to him as his cheeks were getting rosy. He made sure that his golden eyes remained focused on Hodur, who was struggling to keep himself standing. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The two men were now both drunk, but Hodur was clearly much worse off. "Blah! A-Are yooou p-part ee-elf-f? H-Howw aree you not-tt drunk?" Hodur slurred his speech as the liquor was taking its toll. "H-He''s out cold..." Daedric muttered to himself. He''d never seen anyone drink this much in one sitting and it made him gain a new respect for his friend. Daedric was surprised that the King was worried about Hodur. He thought it was strange for a human to show concern for a dwarf. It made him start to have faith that this man could be trusted. King Burell had to do only one more shot to win the contest and they would become citizens of Fiafyr. "Don''t worry about him! Just hurry up and finish your last one!" Daedric said. Burell finished the shot and slammed it on the table. "Well, Hodur. I welcome you and your people as part of the Fiafyr Kingdom!" He finished the glass and poured himself another. "Well, Hodur... if you''re done resting I think we''ve got a job to do-Whoa!" Burell tried to stand up from the chair only to fall back into it. "Yngvar... I think I''m too drunk to... stand. Can you lend me your aid? "Sure, I''ll help you up." Yngvar grabbed Burell''s hand and helped him. "Thank you," Burell said. "But what about our friend? How''s he doing?" Yngvar turned around and saw that Hodur was passed out on the ground. "I think he''s had enough. Hey you, what''s your name?" Yngvar was staring at Daedric who was trying to wake up Hodur. "Me? I-I''m Daedric," the dwarf answered. He was not sure what the proper etiquette was when addressing a Human King. "Daedric, we will need a place for half our troops to stay. We''ll have the other half set up camp outside the city walls. And I would like a place for the King to stay also." Yngvar said while helping the King to his feet. "Yes. I will find you a place to rest your men here in the city. But first, there is a room in the palace where you can let your king rest." Yngvar nods and starts walking with the dwarves through the entrance of the city. "You know he''s now your King, Daedric. Don''t forget that... And please lead the way," Yngvar said as he and another knight helped carry their king inside the walls of Ironside. Two of the other Knights went back to the Colonel to tell him the news about the Dwarves becoming citizens of the Kingdom. *** The next day Burell and Hodur were in the dining hall of the dwarven palace recovering from their hangovers. "So Hodur. I need to admit I lied about something yesterday." Burell spoke to Hodur as he had his head on the table. "Uh. What did you lie about King Burell?" "Well, I told you that Dwarven Ale tasted like water? That was a lie. That ale is the strongest stuff I have ever drank in my life," Burell admitted. This got Hodur to act triumphantly as he moved his head up off the table to say, "HA! I told you that our ale is... OW! By the forge!" The Dwarf got a little too excited as the quick movement caused his head to start pounding in pain. "Please Hodur. No loud or sudden movements. I don''t think my head can take it. It doesn''t feel good at all right now," Burell muttered while holding his head. "Sorry, sorry... So what did you want to tell me then?" "I''m planning on making you the Baron of Ironside." Hodur sat up straight in shock. "What?! You can''t do that." "Why not? I''m the King? And you know this land better than we do." Burell said with a smile. While they sat there the door to the dining room opened up as Yngvar, Daedric, and a few other people came up to the King. "Your Majesty. Our alchemist has something to report." Yngvar said. Burell looked over at Yngvar. "Well tell us what you found out." "Alchemist Tormin has discovered a pile of slag lying around the city by the forges." "Slag? What kind of slag?" Burell asked. "Purple slag. Your Majesty." Yngvar answered. Hodur didn''t know why these humans were so excited about trash that they couldn''t get rid of it, even if they tried and paid someone. "Why in the Forge do you humans care about that useless trash?" Hodur asked with a confused look on his face. Burell smiled at Hodur and said, "Well, it seems that the Dwarves don''t know how useful purple slag is. Tormin, can you explain to our friend here what makes the slag so special?" The Alchemist nodded and said, "Well, we found that we can make the slag into a fertilizer that can quadruple the yield of plants that are grown in it. That means more food for the people of the kingdom. And it helps crops grow in less-than-ideal weather as well. This slag is very valuable. Maybe more valuable than gold?" Hodur looks shocked and says, "But how does that make it worth gold? It''s just dirt." "It''s because the Purple Slag is rare. Usually, we can only get Purple Iron in a Labyrinth so not too many people know about it. But since Purple Iron is scarce and the slag that comes from the smelting is so precious that we barely have enough for a half acre. That small pile outside the forges is more than I''ve ever seen before!" The Alchemist explained. "Huh? That small pile of slag is the most you''ve ever seen?" Hodur asked with one eyebrow lifted. "W-Wait! Are you saying that you have more, Lord Hodur?" Tormin asked with a confused look on his face. Hodur got up from his chair and started walking over to the window of the dining hall. Everyone followed him to the window that was pointing north. "You see the hills past the city walls?" Hodur pointed out the window. Tormin followed where the dwarf was pointing and saw a field of green grass that went down to a small river running through the ground and past them were some huge hills with a slight purplish hue to them. "That''s where we dumped all the slag after all the smelting. We couldn''t get rid of the stuff fast enough. All we could do was throw it out of the city, making hills of the stuff." "Hmm? What''s wrong with him?" Hodur asked the group. "Oh, Tormin? He''s just overwhelmed with joy at the moment. Just give him some time and he''ll be alright. Anyway, it looks like we have some fertilizer we need to go and collect. Let''s get going." King Burell said with a big grin. *** Ironside became one of the most important cities in the whole kingdom. It was the first city to have Humans and Dwarves living in harmony as the population exploded across the Kingdom, thanks to the purple slag. Ironside also helped improve the weapons and armor of the Kingdom thanks to the mixing of dwarven and human engineering. This period of time was what helped the Kingdom of Fiafyr become the strongest kingdom in the entire continent of Agon. *** Quinus was telling Rya the history of Ironside as they could see the city in the distance. "So, your Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather got the Dwarves to accept him as their King without any bloodshed? I guess being accepting runs in the family. Ha ha!" Rya chuckled. "Yeah during that time King Burell used his skilled tongue to win over many other cities to join the Fiafyr Kingdom... A-And I think he also used his tongue to win the hearts of many ladies? He was a formidable man," Quinus said jokingly. When Rya heard this joke she had a flashback to when Quin used his tongue on her womanhood, after they survived the Cave Troll in the labyrinth. She couldn''t help but blush and looked away with embarrassment. ''C-Control yourself, Ryan! I mean it felt nice. But you can''t do that, you''re a man!'' Rya told herself as she felt a tingling sensation in her loins. The group was enjoying themselves as the carriage kept moving towards the city of Ironside, which was miles in the distance. Vol.2 Ch.55 A Mile Out. The day turned into the afternoon as Rya, Quinus, and the rest of the group rode in the carriage heading for the city of Ironside. Rya noticed a lot of dead green bodies lying around the outer walls of the city which made her question if this was normal for this world. "What''s going on here?" Rya asked Quinus. "Yeah, that''s why we were dispatched to the Labyrinth. A monster stampede was about to happen, Rya. You saved thousands of people''s lives. Not to mention, you killed the leader of the goblin horde. Now the remaining goblins will be directionless and the human-dwarven alliance should be strengthened now," Quinus said with pride. Rya looked to Quinus, "It wasn''t all me though? You helped too, Quin." Rya smiled. "Well, I did do a little... But I wouldn''t be standing here if it wasn''t for you," Quinus replied trying to downplay his importance in destroying the Dungeon Core. Both Rya and Quinus look to the ground embarrassed by each other''s praises. "My Lord. We are about a mile out from the city wall. Do you wish to disembark from here? Like you asked earlier?" Sir John asked as he took the reins and guided the horses to the edge of the road. "Yes, let''s get off here. We''ll walk the rest of the way in." Quinus said. They disembarked from the carriage and put cloaks on in hopes of concealing their identities from his uncle''s spies if they were in the area. Duke Alaric, Quinus'' uncle, has his influence running throughout the kingdom. He always seemed to know what was going on before the Major Nobles did. "B-Beta do I really have to put this cloak on? Can''t we just use the shadows or something?" Dalia was complaining about putting on more garments that she thought was pointless as the wolfkin hated most forms of clothing. She would use any excuse to get out of the small dress that she was already in and now she had to add on this cloak. It didn''t sit right with her especially if she was going to take it off later in the day. Like at night, when she would slip out of her dress so she could mount her mate, Percy. Which happened almost every night since they started their journey from the village of Kishin to the city of Ironside. "Relax Dalia. It''s just a disguise. If anyone asks us what our business is here we tell them we''re traveling merchants. That way we won''t attract much attention." Rya said as she held up her hood to hide her face. "Alpha! I''m not good at hiding outside of a combat situation! And I''m not sure I can keep my tail from wagging. It has a mind of its own!" Dalia complained. "You''re overthinking again, Dalia. Just relax. If we get caught we''ll deal with it. Right, Quin?" Rya said, looking at Quinus. Quin smiled and nodded his head, "Right." "Lady Dalia. I''ll be there by your side. I believe in you," Percy said as he started to pat Dalia''s head, which she happily accepted. "Aw! My little wolf will protect me? So cute!" Dalia said happily while she wrapped herself around Percy as her tail went into overdrive under the cloak. ''Jeez. I think Dalia''s right about her tail having a mind of its own.'' Rya shook her head when she saw the wolfkin''s tail wagging all over the place. "Yeah, I got you covered, love," Percy said as he hugged Dalia back. Rya and Quinus both chuckle at the couple while Sir George was looking lonely watching his former pupil surpass him in the ways of courting. Sir George whispered to himself, "I thought I had at least 5 more years before Percy found someone... Maybe Rya is right?... No. I can''t waver in my resolve... I know my methods work! It must be that demi-humans are easier to court. That''s all." "What did you say, Sir George?" Rya asked with a coy smile on her face. "Nothin'' Lady Rya. It''s nothing," Sir George replied nervously as he walked away. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. ''Haha! Some people are too stubborn for their own good. You''ll learn sooner or later Sir George. I''ll see if I can help you out with your problem.'' Rya chuckled to herself while putting on her cloak. ge-proof if you had a big enough armytowers walls. sh, coward. "I wonder if that''s King Balgruuf? Quin said he ordered his people to abandon the city. Hmm... Well, I guess these Dwarves aren''t too fond of the Kingdom of Hjorleif?" Rya mumbled to herself. After looking at the city she noticed the terrain around them wasn''t the best. It was hilly and rocky. The grass was short and brownish with a bit of green here and there. There was also a forest miles away from the city, with a huge snow-capped mountain range in the distance. The sky was a bright blue with no clouds. It felt like she was back on Earth by Denver, Colorado. "Look at this place. Now that the goblins have been dealt with. The city looks so peaceful now... There was so much death and destruction the last time we came through." Quinus said with a sigh. "I can only imagine... So, what''s the next move, Quin?" Rya asked while observing the city. Quinus thought about how to answer but then looked up at the sky and sighed. "We need to go see the Baron first. He should be in the palace in the center of the city. We might not make it there until tomorrow morning since it might take us four hours just to get past security on the outer walls." "So, we''re going to have to deal with the guards and soldiers of the city first? That sounds annoying... Do we have to hide our identities from them?" Rya asked with concern. y uncle''s Quinus shook his head, "I rather err on the side of caution than negligence. Better to expect the worst and hope for the best..." . "It is that time of the day Percy, when the people are finishing their daily tasks, from farming, hunting, mining, smithing, and more... . "Wait! Will they worry about me being a Dark Elf? I don''t want to give them any reason to question us," Rya asked while looking at the long line of people and carts full of supplies. Most of them were dwarves waiting to get into the city. "Relax, I''ll make sure you get inside safely. Just keep your hood up and try to blend in. That''s all we really need to do. I''m sure the Baron will be happy to see us." Quinus grabbed his bag and so did the rest of the group. Quin looked up to Sir John sitting in the driver seat of the carriage. "Sir John, watch yourself out there. That''s an order." "Aye, My Lord. I''ll be careful. The 5th Rangers should be patrolling the Fiafyr border right now. If I see them, I''ll group up with them and head back to Kishin." Sir John said. "Drive safe, my friend!" Sir George added as John mushed the horse forward. The carriage turned around and continued down the road that led to Kishen. They didn''t wait for Sir John to be out of sight before heading towards the line of people a mile away. "Alright. Let''s get moving. We don''t want to camp outside the city walls," Quinus said while glancing at the city gate in the distance. Vol.2 Ch. 56 The Lost Monk Inn Sir George led the group down the side streets in the city as they tried to avoid any possible spies that might be watching the main roads through Ironside. Rya was surprised by how many people were moving about and she could tell that some of them were heading home after a long day''s work. But there was a good amount of people still roaming the streets and they seemed to be moving towards the market district where most of the pubs and restaurants were located. . "Looks like everyone is heading in for the night, my Lord. We should probably find a tavern so we don''t stand out in this crowd," Sir George said to Quinus. "Yeah... It looks like most of the humans have gone home while the dwarves are still out..." Percy said as he surveyed the narrow streets. "Good idea. We should find a place that''s a bit away from the Adventures Guild. I don''t want to deal with the noise and commotion." Quinus replied. "Yes, my Lord! I know just the place!" Sir George said happily. "If my memory is correct, I believe there is an Inn called the Lost Monk just off the main road. The locals said it was a good inn with a solid tavern... They''re known for their strong beer and cheap rooms. Plus, I heard the food is pretty good there as well. I was going to check it out with Sir Brad. But that''s when the goblin horde came out of the woods. I think it''s a little over a mile walk from here." After about 30 minutes of walking, they arrive at their destination. It''s a small inn called The Lost Monk. "Hopefully they have some vacancies. I''ll check, my Lord," Sir George says while walking into the tavern. ''Hmm? This place looks quaint?'' Rya thought to herself. ''I wonder what kind of clientele they get here.'' She scans the tavern looking for any threats to herself and her companions. She doesn''t see anything out of the ordinary so far. But there seemed to be a few adventurers standing around talking. "Quin. Why do you want to stay away from adventurers? Aren''t they your allies?" Rya asked. "Well, adventurers are like drifters. They come from all different kingdoms across the continent. So if word gets out we''re staying in Ironside, they might have a quest to report me. Or worse, they could be working for my uncle." Quinus replied. "Got it. You''d rather just stay under the radar... Makes sense," Rya agreed. Quinus nods and smiles. "Plus it''s not every day a beautiful Dark Elf walks around the city of Ironside." ''Q-Quin just can''t stop flirting with me! So, this is what it feels like to be a woman... Getting hit on every ten minutes or so... I-I think I like it-NO! Stop it, Ryan! You''re just going to lead him on and I''m a man dammit!'' Rya thinks to herself as she tries to keep herself calm. Dalia comes up beside Rya and whispers into her ear, "I can smell Alpha''s mating scent. Do you need time alone with Beta?" Rya gave Dalia a questioning look but then sighed in frustration. ''Dalia!?... Just relax, Ryan. She''s just teasing you... And I can''t let her.'' "You need to get your nose checked Dalia. You must be smelling something else," Rya replies to the wolfkin. Dalia smirks at Rya''s response as if she knows that she is lying to her and without saying anything the wolfkin turns back towards Percy and pokes him to get his attention. ''When did Dalia get so bold? I''m going to have to watch my back more closely,'' Rya thought to herself. After a moment Sir George comes back from The Lost Monk. He had an uncertain look on his face as he got back to the group. "My Lord. It seems most of the rooms have been reserved. Mostly by adventurers? It seems a lot of them came to Ironside because of the goblin hordes. Some of them are here to hunt and others are waiting it out until the goblins'' numbers are lessened... Looks like they don''t know that the horde has been dealt with." Sir George explains to the group. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "Really? Damn it... If this inn has this many adventurers then I''m sure it''s going to be just as bad if we try to find another inn. Haah... I guess we don''t have too many choices. What do you all think? Should we try and reach the palace or get a room here?" Quinus asks. "Whats the negative of heading to the palace?" Rya asked as she looked at everyone. "Well, we would have a higher chance of being spotted by any possible spies. Then they would most likely try to ambush us or they could hire assassins to come after our Lord the days following, once we leave the palace grounds... I say we stay here," Sir George answered. "I would have to agree with Sir George. We can''t risk the Prince''s life after making it out of the Labyrinth. Especially with the death of Marcus." Percy added. Dalia just looks at everyone not really having a strong opinion on whether to stay or go. Rya glanced at the others and then shrugged. "Alright, if staying here tonight will lessen the chances of being attacked then I''ll go along with it. But I want a room on the first floor... Just in case I have to make a quick exit." Quinus and the rest of the group nodded their heads. "Okay, it''s settled then. Let''s check-in and get some food." Quinus said as he turned towards the inn. *** "Welcome back sir, did you make a decision?" the clerk asked Sir George walked up to the counter. "Yes, we would like a room on the first floor. Are there any open ones available?" Sir George asks. "Yes, there are. There is one available room... It''s on the first floor and closest to the common area," the clerk said. "How many beds are in this room?" Quinus asked as he approached the counter. The clerk looked down at his notebook and turned a few pas before stopping "This particular room has three beds... One is a queen size and the other two are singles. Meals are not included. But it''s only 10 silver a night." "That''s fine. What are you serving for dinner tonight?" "Roast pork and roasted potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and green beans. And we just got some Dwarven Red Ale in from the Dales Brewery. 5 copper pieces a head." The clerk said. "We''ll take the room... And you said it was ten silver pieces a night?" Sir George asked. "Yes sir. That will cover you and your guests," the clerk said while handing him a key to the room. The group walked down the hall to their room so they could unload their gear. It wasn''t too far from the main lobby and it didn''t take them long to find it. Once they got into the room they saw a queen-size bed and two smaller single beds. The room itself was simple enough, but the furnishings were a little more luxurious than Rya first thought. She was expecting more dark wood but it was brighter thanks to the choice of paint colors. There was a fireplace, a dresser, a vanity, and a small table with four chairs. "It''s very nice... Now I think the ladies should get the queen-size bed to themselves, while I will grab one of the single beds for me... So that will leave the last bed for you two gentlemen to decide," Quinus said as he put his bag down. "That sounds good to me. I think it''s best if I''m the last to sleep so I can keep the first watch. Does that work for you Sir George," Percy asked. "Sounds good to me. I''m going to take the second watch. So wake me up in four hours after we''re done with dinner," Sir George said. "All right... Let''s eat something. I know I could go for some," Rya said while looking at everyone. "Sure why not? We can get some food and drinks at the common area," Percy agreed as he walked over to Dalia, who was wagging her tail. "Alright... But Lady Dalia... Rya... You two should keep your cloaks on for the night," Quinus said, trying to warn them about the possibility of being seen. "Wha!? Do I have to?" Dalia whined. Dalia''s tail immediately goes limp as her ears droop with disappointment. ''I know what she means. I don''t feel comfortable with this either. But we can''t risk getting discovered by any spies or adventurers. This is the price we have to pay to stay safe.'' Rya thought to herself as she followed Quin. While Rya and Dalia follow behind Quinus and Percy, Sir George takes up the rear. They walk down the hallway and enter the common area. That''s when Rya noticed something that might be a problem when she observed how everyone in the common area wasn''t wearing any cloaks. "Haah... I feel like we are still going to draw attention while wearing these cloaks. But I guess there''s no better option," Rya said. Vol.2 Ch.57 Aren’t Dark Elves Supposed to be Evil? It didn''t take them long before they made it to the common area where the group could relax and enjoy some food and drink. Five adventurers were sitting in the middle of the room. Three humans and two dwarves. "Hello! Grab any seat you want, and I''ll be there in a moment," The barkeep said to Quinus and the group. The adventurers started to whisper among themselves, before they turned to Quinus and one of the dwarves asked, "Haven''t seen you guys before? Are you a new adventurer''s party that''s come into town?" but we were hired to deal with the Goblins..I''m Quin Valen... And the rest of my group is George, Dalia, Rya, and Percy," Quinus answered with a half-truth. "Oh? You come in to help cull the goblins?" Another dwarf asked. "Yes, but we are in need of another recruit... Sadly, it seems like a bunch of adventurers have gone through the ringer. They don''t seem to enthusiastic to go back to hunting the Goblins prechgood luck with finding a sixth member. We always seem to fail to keep members in our party," The human warrior said. Quinus looks at the five adventurers and notices how worn they look. "Looks like you have gone through a lot yourselves," Quinus mentioned. The human warrior "ne t "Yeah, it seems their numbers have dropped about five days ago. I wonder if Prince Quinus pulled it off and stopped the Labyrinth," The dwarf wondered out loud. "Yeah, I thought the kingdom was throwing away the future ruler. Who would have thought he could stop the Goblin hordes and find the Dungeon Core... Maybe he is worthy of the throne? That''s if he''s alive," The human archer said. "Aye! And you thought it was going to be easy to find the dungeon core! Hah! How many times did we go into the labyrinth hoping to find fame and fortune only to get some of our party slaughtered because the army of goblins came at us like a wave of water... We didn''t stand a chance," The Dwarf swordsman muttered. "It''s not fair to blame him, Grim... The goblins used to be weaker before the Dungeon Core awoke. I would have never imagined being driven back every time we tried to go deeper into the labyrinth... No matter how many times we tried, they never lessened in number," The Human Warrior mentioned. "Well, I''m sure things should go back to normal soon. My condolences to your fallen comrades," Quinus said while bowing his head to the adventurers. . The human Archer said. roast The adventurer''s party returns to talking with themselves leaving Quinus'' party alone as the barkeep comes back with a tray of roast pork and vegetables. "Here''s dinner for five. Now can I get you all something to drink with that?" The dwarf bartender asked. ''God the food looks so good right now!? I hope it tastes even better than it looks.'' Rya thought as she wanted to drool. "Can I get a beer, please? Thanks," Dalia says. "Sure thing. What would you like to drink, sir?" The bartender asked the ranger. "I''ll have water, please," Percy replied. "Got it... And what will the rest of you be drinking?" The dwarf asked as he looked at Rya. "I can go for an ale, as well?" Rya asked, causing Quinus to look at her with surprise. "I didn''t know you liked ale. I thought dark el- I mean I thought you were a wine fan," Quinus asked with a hint of amusement. "Hmm? Well, I do enjoy wine from time to time... But I prefer a quality beer... Is there a problem with that?" Rya asked while tilting her head. "No... But be careful with dwarven ale... It''s usually stronger than other races beers," Quinus warned her. "Hahaha, she''s a keeper if you ask me? Got to love a woman who''s not afraid of a proper ale! And you got two of them! Now do you two want water or ale?" The barkeep asked. "Ale, please. Thank you," Sir George said. "Yeah, I''ll grab one as well," Quinus said with a smirk. ''Really Quin? Does he think I can''t handle a bit of beer? Come on man! It''s just an ale... He''s acting like this is my first time or something... But I do wish it was an IPA... God... I miss IPAs!... Whatever! It''s a beer and that''s all that matters,'' Rya thought to herself. They all started digging into their meals except for Sir George, who was savoring his food. "Mmmm! This is amazing!" Rya said. "You got that right! I never had meat this good before," Dalia said as her cheeks were full of roasted pork. "It''s been a while since I''ve eaten anything besides rations for most of the week. I can''t remember the last time I had a real meal," Sir George said. "You know we had a good meal at the mansion in Kishin, right?" Quinus said with an amused look. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. "Aww come on. We''re not barbarians, you know?" Rya said with a chuckle. "Yeah! I''m keeping my mouth closed while I''m chewing," said the wolfkin as she stuffed her mouth. With that, the barkeep came by with the drinks. "Well, here you go. I hope you like it!" The barkeep said as he placed the mugs in the middle of the table. st She lifted the mug to her lips and took a quick sip. Rya never was the biggest ale fan back on Earth but she did enjoy it from time to time. And with not having any beer in over a few weeks. She found herself enjoying the taste more than she usually did. Quinus glanced over at Rya and saw her smiling from ear to ear. "What''s gotten into you? You seem pretty happy about something?" Quinus asked as he took a swig of his beer. "Ugh! Mmmmmmm! This is some damn good beer!" Rya said with a grin as she took another gulp of her ale. "Just pace yourself, Okay? I don''t need you puking all over the tavern." Quinus warned. "Don''t worry, Quin. I''m full of food now so I shouldn''t feel buzzed anytime soon... And this stuff is making my belly feel nice and warm!" Rya told him as she started taking a bigger gulp of her beer. ar s think?... Agh The alcohol was starting to hit her hard and he ''Hehe!... This ale is amazing!... I feel like I''m floating... Everything is spinning. Hehe! *Hic* Aw!... I don''t have any more beer!... Did someone drink from my glass?'' Rya thought as her face started turning red. "Well looks like you might be a lightweight," Quinus told her as he laughed a little. "Ha! Ha! *Hic* You have no idea how long it''s been since I''ve had a drink! *Hic* And I would like another one, p-please?" Rya said as she pointed at the bar. "I think one is good enough for now Rya. That''s quite a lot of ale to drink in just a matter of minutes," Quinus told her. Rya looked at Quinus with a confused look. "I-I didn''t d-down that ale-e that f-fast *hic*," Rya said as she struggled to talk. Quinus could tell by looking at her face she was drunk. "Rya, I think you''re done. Here let me help you back to the room?" Quinus said as he offered his hand to help her out of her chair. "N-No. I-I want t-to hang-out w-with you guy-s! *hic*" Rya said as she stumbled a little. "Well? How about this... I''ll let you stay... if you can stand up on your own... Does that sound good to you, Rya?" Quinus asked with a smile. "Y-Yeah! I-I can... li-ke total-l-l-y stand up... n-no problem! *Hic*" Rya said as she started to stand up. Rya thought this challenge would be a piece of cake. But once she stood up, she realized that she couldn''t even hold her own weight. She fell right back down onto the chair with a thud. ''Come on Ryan. You can do this~'' Rya thought to herself as she tried again and almost fell out of her seat. "Eck! Ugh! That was a close c-call! I almost tum-bled out of the seat!" Rya said in a high-pitched voice. ''Mmmm, Quin always looked handsome, but when did he start looking better? Was he always this sexy? Hehe! He''s a very good friend... I think I could l-love him... WHOA!? I-I can''t fall in love with... Gah!... Quin''s right, I''m drunk... After one beer, too... Ugh! I guess I really am a lightweight. Stupid female body!'' Rya thought to herself as she pouted in Quin''s arms. "Hehe. L-Lead the wa-y, my prince! *hic*" Rya said as she kissed Quin on the cheek. "Oh, you''re playing with fire Rya. Haah... I wish you weren''t drunk when you said that." Quinus said as he chuckled. "Just g-go ahead and p-pick me up! *hic*" Rya giggled as she wrapped her arms around Quin''s waist. All he could do was smile and shake his head. "I''ll see you three later. Don''t stay out too late." Quinus said to Percy, Dalia, and Sir George. "We shouldn''t be too long," Sir George said as he was still eating his meal. Rya then turned and gave Dalia a wink, and she followed behind Quinus. The wolfkin gave Rya a thumbs up. Quinus and Rya left the tavern and were in the lobby and just as they were about to head into the hallway to where their room was Quinus realized he had forgotten something. "Dammit... Rya wait here for a second... I''ll be back," Quinus said to her before he turned back to the tavern looking for Sir George. "Hey. George, I forgot the key. Do you, have it?" Quinus asked Sir George. "Oh yeah. Sorry, Quin. Here you go." Sir George said as he opened his bag and pulled out the key. "Thanks," Quinus said as he took the key. While Quin and the group got distracted trying to find the key, Rya was walking around the lobby in her drunken state. Rya wasn''t paying attention to her surroundings when she bumped into another person in a cloak as she rounded the corner. "OOPH!" Rya said as her hood fell, displaying her Dark Elven ears and white hair to the world. She somehow didn''t fall over but the cloaked figure she ran into took a tumble to the ground as she landed on her butt, causing her hood to drop down as well. Revealing her golden blonde hair, green eyes, and a pair of elven ears. "OW!... Bloody drunk! Watch where yo~" The Elf was in panic or shock when she looked up and realized she bumped into a Dark Elf. She was told at a young age that Dark Elves were creatures to be feared in all the lands. They were evil and dangerous beings who showed no mercy to anyone, especially the Wood Elves. "N-N-No please d-don''t-" The Wood Elf was struggling to find her dagger as she saw Rya coming closer to her. She closed her eyes thinking this was the end. ''Mother was right! I should have never become an adventurer! How were you cursed with such rotten luck Nieren!'' But instead of death, Nieren felt her hood getting pulled up and over her head again. "S-Sorry about t-that. I-I have to say you have c-cute ears like mine? *hic*" Rya said as she smiled at the Elf. Nieren didn''t know what to do or how to react in such a situation. "Y-You''re a Dark Elf? R-Right?" Nieren asked as her eyes widened in fear. "Yo-You''re an evil creature... Aren''t you?" "Pfft! E-Evil? Maybe th-ose stupi-d goddesses are e-vil. *hic* But not me," Rya said triumphantly as she tried to get up. The Wood Elf carefully watched Rya get up and struggle to keep her balance. Nieren wasn''t sure if this Dark Elf would change her mind and kill her on the spot. She heard the stories from the elder about how barbaric the attacks by a Dark Elf were and she knew what was in store for her if things went south. "W-Wait! Please don''t hurt me!" Nieren begged. "Hmm? W-Why wou-ld I hurt you?" The confused drunken Rya asked. This only dumbfounded the Wood Elf more. This Dark Elf didn''t show any hostility towards Nieren and all she did was sit there on the floor stunned by Rya''s comment. "Whoops!" Rya loses her balance and braces herself on the nearby wall. "God! Hehehe. Oh, I''m definitely tipsy... I must look like a fool... Hehe... Hey, watch ou-t for the dw-arven ale. It''s a bit str-onger than I g-ave it credit..." Rya said as she smiled at the young lady sitting on the floor but then Rya''s face morphed into a sad look when she had another thought go through her mind. "Or-r I''m a lightweight? *hic* N-No! That would suck! I li-ke beer." "Wel-l... You have a good-nigh-t," Rya said as she tried to find her room. "D-Dark Elves aren''t like that. They are evil... Were the Elders wrong? She doesn''t seem evil to me..." Nieren whispered to herself as she finally stood up from the floor. She feels bad for thinking the Dark Elves are evil creatures, but she can''t help it. It was all she ever heard about them, and this was her first time encountering one. She watches Rya until she hears the sound of footsteps coming from the tavern and quickly finds cover to hide behind the counter wondering what will happen when the Dark Elf gets spotted by somebody else. The footsteps were getting louder and a handsome young man with golden eyes and dark red hair came walking into the lobby and saw Rya struggling to find her way to the hallway. "Rya? What are you doing over there?" Quinus asked with a smile on his face. "Quin-n! I-I''m a lightwei-ght? Because I like be-er and I''ll be s-ad if this is how I am aft-er one pint? I''m sorry I tripped. I''m so f-fatigued. I''ve been running th-this whole d-day." Rya stuttered out. The young prince kneels down beside her and holds her hands. "Well, Dwarves like their beer stronger than most races. I think you''ll do better with human breweries." Quinus said as he walked over to her. "A-Aw! You''re the best Q-Quin! I want-ed to t-tell you that earlier but I f-forgot." Rya said with a blush as she looked away in embarrassment. "Well, you better watch out, Rya. If you keep sweet-talking me like that. I may start to get ideas," Quinus said with a chuckle. "C-Can you carry me? I-I feel useless right now." Rya said nervously. Quinus smiles and picks her up with ease. He carries her princess-style as he walks down the hallway to find their room. *** Nieren saw it but she still couldn''t believe it. The Dark Elf wasn''t evil. She was cute and innocent. She was weak. She needed protection, but she didn''t know it yet. She always thought the Dark Elves were evil. They were supposed to be evil. That was why she hated and feared them. But now she was questioning what was real. "M-Maybe she''s not a Dark Elf? But her skin was so tan? Maybe she was a half-breed? N-No she was a full breed! I don''t understand?" Nieren said to herself. The Wood Elf was still having trouble believing that the Dark Elf she once hated and feared was nothing like what she thought they would be. Now she saw the Dark Elf, she wanted to know if Rya was playing a trick on everyone. So, she was going to observe this Dark Elf and see if she was truly evil or was a normal kind being. "If you''re evil, Rya? I''ll have to stop you!" Nieren said to herself. Ch.58 Morning Wood 🦴 Quinus was carrying Rya in his arms as he found their room. It was a large living space with several bedrooms for the group to sleep in. "Here we are." Quinus said as he laid Rya down on the Queen size bed. "Hmm... Tha-nks Quin-n! You''re the best Q-Quin!" Rya said with a smile as she patted him on the back. "I told you to pace yourself." Quinus said with a grin as he walked over to the other side of the bed to sit down. "But I ne-ver been dest-oryed by one beer before in my life! How could I?! I''m not a wimp!" Rya said with a giggle. "You should take some time to rest and recover. You''re still a young elf and haven''t had the experience of drinking that much." Quinus tried to reason with her. "Y-Yeah yeah! I need to s-sober up. But I''ll te-ll you I can dr-ink two IPAs with no pro-blem!" Rya said nervously. Quinus pauses when he hears Rya talk about drinking IPAs. ''That''s a American style beer!? I-Is Rya from Earth!?'' Quinus says to himself as he tries to find a way to ask Rya if she was reborn onto Tertius. "Well we''ll try to find some down the road. What did you do with your sword?" Quinus asked as he started patting Rya''s head, making her relax. "Mmmm. Oh, I put it in w-ith my pack." Rya said as she started to get more comfortable. ''Man Quin is spoiling me again. I... think... I''m going to.... crash soon.'' "Hmm. What about your cell phone?" Quinus asked, hoping Rya would let it slip if she had one as he tried to help her relax. "Oh, mmmmm. I-I left it b-ack.... at my....... apar-tment......" Rya said with her eyes closed Quinus couldn''t believe it. After all these years. He thought that he was the only one from Earth the was reincarnated into this world. "I guess I''ve found another friend from Earth." Quinus said to himself. "Sssnnnnnnoooorrrrrrgggghhhh..." Rya started to snore loudly as she fell asleep. Quin kept patting her head as she slept on the bed. ''You''ve become more important to me Rya. I hope you''ll tell me more of your past when you wake up.'' Quinus said to himself. As he focuses on her Quin starts to fade himself as he passes out next to her. *** That night Rya slept the best she''s ever done in her life. She was so tired, she didn''t even notice that she snuggled up to Quin who was sleeping well himself. Rya started hating going to sleep because she didn''t trust that the Goddesses wouldn''t leave her alone. But it seems ever since the night when she mind linked with her ex. The Goddesses have stopped trying to control her dreams. She woke up to the light shining through the window. She looked around to see Quin lying next as her arms and legs were wrapped around him. ''O-Oh no! We didn''t do it!? Did we? I-I don''t remember!'' Rya panicked as she came back to her senses. That''s when she noticed that both her and Quin slept with their clothes on. ''Oh thank god! I thought for a second that I went too far!'' Rya panicked as she moved her hands away from Quin and noticed that her crotch was itchy from being pressed against Quin and their clothes. ''We must be very sensitive right now!'' Rya thought to herself. ''Wait, what is this?'' Rya wondered as she reached down and rubbed her chest. "Ahh!" Rya gasped when she felt her nipple harden and her body heat up. ''AUNGH! No! This isn''t happening!'' Rya panicked when she heard a noise coming from one of the other beds. Rya noticed Quin''s eyes were still shut. ''I-It not Quin? Oh god! It''s Dalia!? Is she awake?!'' Rya thought as she quietly pecked her head up and looked at the other two beds. One was empty as the other had a naked wolf-kin riding a 18 year old man with a surprisingly huge cock? ''I knew it! She has no shame! And Jesus, Percy!? His dick is huge!'' Rya thought to herself as she saw the size of Percy''s cock and how it was positioned deep inside Dalia. "Huff... Ahhh!" Rya started to gasp as she touched her own breasts and felt her nipples grow hard. Rya did like to watch porn and other erotic material back on Earth, but she never had anyone have sex in the same room as her before. And she was having trouble tearing her eyes away from them. Usually Rya loved watching a woman''s pussy but her focus has changed as she looked at Percy''s cock. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ''What am I doing!? Aungh! This is so wrong! Why are my nipples hard!'' Rya thought to herself as she continued to stare at the two of them. "MMmmmm! Little wolf! I''m at the edge! Nagh!" Dalia tried to whisper but couldn''t contain herself. ''Please stop it!'' Rya thought to herself as she closed her eyes and pretended to sleep but her hands idle hands and kept rubbing her breasts. ''No please! Stop! Please!'' Rya begged herself even though her body was begging for more. "Dalia! I''m almost there! Mmm!" Percy groaned out as he slowly pushed his cock inside Dalia. Rya could hear Dalia''s legs wrap around Percy''s waist. And the tightness of his ass cheeks as she grinds her hips into him. ''I-I''M GONNA CUM TOO!?'' Rya bit her lower lip as she thought about her own orgasm. ''GOD! MY PUSSY IS SO FUCKING HOT!'' Rya thought to herself as she felt her nipples get hard and her clit rub against the sheets underneath her. "YYYYYeeeeesssss! Right there!" Dalia moaned out as she gripped on to Percy''s shoulders. ''Oh my god! What am I doing!? This is so wrong!'' Rya thought to herself as she felt her pussy getting wetter and wetter. "D-Dalia? AAAAHHHHH!" Percy groaned as he held himself back from cumming. ''OH GOD! QUIN! UUGGGHHH! I CAN''T HOLD ON ANYMORE! AUNGH!!!'' Rya screamed in her head as she felt her pussy getting squeezed by her thighs with pleasure and cum squirted out between her legs. "Hehehe! That''s my little wolf! Mmmmmaw! Aaah! Y-Your cum feels so good! Yeah! Ohhh! Yes! You''re going to make me cum too!" Dalia moaned out as she laid her head on Percy''s chest. "L-Lady Dalia, we should stop now. We shouldn''t waken Lady Rya or the Prince." Percy said as he rubbed her back. "N-No! Let me cum! Please?" Dalia begged out as she wrapped her arms around Percy''s neck and kissed him deeply. "P-Please make it quick my Alpha." Percival said as he massaged Dalia''s ass cheek. ''Does having a cock in you feels that good? I don''t understand why I''m feeling this way.'' Rya thought to herself as she tried to ignore the two of them. "Dalia! E-Eyes up here! I need you to watch!" Percy whispered into Dalia''s ear. "Yes my Wolf!" Dalia moaned out as she lifted her head up to look at Percy''s face. One of Rya''s hands started to creep down to her crotch and undone her pants. "Ah! My Wolf''s cock is so big and strong! Ahhh! Don''t stop! Uunghhhh!" Dalia moaned out as she felt Percy''s cock sliding in and out of her pussy. "As you wish my Alpha! Cum for me!" Percy groaned as he pushed his hips forward and buried himself inside Dalia. "Uuuuhhhhh! Y-You''re so thick! I''ll cum again soon! Uuughhhhhh!" Rya''s hand was now rubbing the little bead size clit between her legs as she kept her eyes tightly shut. But images started to appear in her mind of Percy fucking Dalia from behind. Images of him thrusting into her body as she laid on her back. Pictures of Dalia riding Percy''s cock as he sat on the couch. ''Aungh! Why do I get these images?'' Rya thought to herself as her fingers worked their way into her own pussy. "Don''t stop! Keep going!" Dalia cried out as she dug her nails into Percy''s back. The images started to change as Percy became Quin as he was fucking Dalia in her mind. ''Dalia? WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH QUIN!?!?'' Rya yelled in her mind. She knew Dalia wasn''t having sex with Quin but her emotions were going haywire. "O-Ohhhh! Yes! Fuck me! Fuck my tight little cunt! Fill me up with your cum! Make me moan!" Dalia whispered out as she pushed back harder against Percy. At some point Rya''s finger started entering her own pussy. Her body was starting to become weak as her orgasm started to build inside her as her imagination started going wild while the images in her head changed again as Dalia change into Rya as she was being fucked by Quin. ''This is wrong! I shouldn''t be thinking about this! This isn''t hap-AUGNH!'' Rya thought to herself as she continued fingering her own pussy. "I''m gonna cum again! Faster! More! Fill me up with your hot seed!" Dalia hissed out as her words were mixed with moans and screams. The images stayed as she could help but notice how hot Quin was in the moment. ''Hmmm... I want this! Ohhh... You''re so hot! Mmmphh! Let me have your cock!'' Rya thought to herself as she rubbed her clit faster and faster as she lost herself to her fantasy. ''Yes! Take it! Fill me up! Yes! Uuuuhhhh! Oooohhhhh!'' Dalia moaned out as she started to shake uncontrollably from an intense orgasm. ''AAAUUUUUGGGNNNNHHHHH!!!" Rya''s eyes rolled up into her head as she too lost control and orgasmed. Her hands still worked their way into her pussy while her hips bucked wildly into the air from the pleasure that she was feeling. The pleasure was lingering and kept washing over her for a minute before she came down from her high. Rya looked around the room and noticed no one was looking at her and she quickly put her pants back on. "Hehe. You''re such a good boy, little wolf," Dalia said to Percy as she stroked his cheek and gave him a smile. ''Rah! And you''re a BAD GIRL DALIA! You made me horny! I was good for the whole trip to Ironside but you made me think about having sex with Quin! Which I''m not going to do! Now I need to go to the bathroom to clean myself off,'' Rya thought to herself as she waited for them to get up and leave. "Ha ha. Well you are a beautiful woman, Lady Dalia." "Aww! Thank you handsome my Wolf. You are also very pretty yourself hehehe," She replied with a giggle while teasing Percy. "Y-Yeah... Thanks. I mean... We probably should get cleaned up, my Lady." Percy answered as he blushed. "Haah... Yeah Alpha would be disappointed in me if we didn''t look presentable," Dalia added. Dalia gave Percy a little kiss before getting up from the bed and walked towards the door. "Come on little wolf. I''ll need your help washing my back. And I can wash yours? I hope?" Dalia teased as she winked at him then she looked over at Rya who was pretending to be asleep but she could smell Rya''s mark which made her smirk. She then walked out of the room and Percy quickly put something on and chased after her leaving Rya and the sleeping Quin in the room. ''Thank God they left! I really need to run to the bathroom. I feel like I have to pee.'' Rya thought to herself as she grabbed her new pair of clothes and ran to the bathroom. After Rya left Quin opened his eyes. "Hmmm... I was going to reprimand Percy but maybe I''ll hold for now?" Quinus thought he heard Rya say his name when she was playing with herself. ''I hope you want me like that Rya!'' Quin asked himself as he got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Vol.2 Ch.59 We’ve been Spotted she removed her shirt, she began to examine the Fae-Bath. ''Okay, just use a bit of mana to the crystal and some warm water should come out... This should be easy... Then I''ll just clean myself up and I''ll be able to get dressed and meet everyone for breakfast.'' Rya told herself as she looked at her well-endowed, voluptuous, tanned, naked, elven body in the mirror. ''Why am I embarrassed? I know it''s weird that I''ve been turned into a woman now, for like, two weeks. But why am I starting to think different thoughts?... This isn''t normal, right?... I know I''m still me! But something feels different... No, Ryan!... This is nothing but a trick that is being played on you by that foul Nils. She probably laughing at me as I speak... That goddess can change as long as I know a man... king at myself?... Y-Yeah... That''s the reason... It''s going to be a shame to While the Dark Elf was busy looking at her reflection, she heard the water spilling out over the side of the bathtub. ''Shit! Come on Ryan! What are you thinking about right now? Focus! You''re wasting time. Quickly, hurry up and get cleaned.'' Rya thought to herself as she stopped the water flowing into the tub. "Haah... Way to make a mess Ryan," Rya said to herself as she tried to clean up the water but didn''t know what she could use to soak it up with and she didn''t want to use her only towel. "Damn it!" Rya said out loud, "If only I was a water mage... I bet I could get this mess cleaned up without breaking a sweat," Rya told herself. er an "Huh? I-I can feel a connection! Oh wow! This is amazing! It''s like controlling earth, but not? Okay, you got this Ryan." Rya said as she started to move the water around by using her mana. rig sink "Hmm... Not bad for a first go... But I need to practice some more before I am comfortable using it in a battle situation... I wonder if I had a spell book, could I learn how to cast some awesome water magic?... That would be sweet... But for now, I guess I''ll keep practicing by manipulating water for now" Rya said to herself as she continued to practice her newfound ability for another 5 to 10 minutes while cleaning herself. "Okay. I should get dressed and meet up with the others." Rya said to herself as she started to put her new clothes on. ''U-Uh, y-yeah. Th-This is good!... Hehe. I-I mean. It''s fine... But I hope Quin doesn''t stare at me too much. I-I don''t want him to get the wrong idea, that''s all!... It''s just a bit better this way so I can breathe... It''s not good if I can''t breathe. Plus, I''m a man after all! And I totally don''t swing that way!... Yeah! That''s it! There''s no other reason why I''m doing this!... Okay!... And I just gotta stay calm, I don''t want him to notice anything suspicious about me, like how I look or how good I smell, or how my nipples are poking through the fabric of my blouse and bra, or how my breasts look like they want to escape the confines of my blouse... Agh?... Y-Yeah! Everything will be okay... I hope...'' Rya thought to herself as she started to fidget with her outfit. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. pack Sir George by the doorway to the common room. She walked up to him. "Sir George. How is it going?" "Hmhm, I could be better if Percy could get some restraint on his... woman. Haah! She was immediately on him after he woke me up for my watch." Sir George said while shaking his head. "Yeah, She''s been a lot more forward than I thought she would be. She''s really good at getting what she wants though. And they are cute together," Rya replied with a smile. "Well, we should try to get them their own room next time. I don''t think I can take it, hearing those two going at it all night every night," Sir George half-joked to Rya as he laughed. "Yeah, that would be for the best. Hey, has anyone come for breakfast yet?" Rya asked. "No. you''re the first to come. That''s why I''m standing here," Sir George said with a chuckle. ''Hmm? Quin''s taking his time. I wonder what''s taking him so long to get ready? I hope he isn''t going to make us wait... I kinda wanna eat right now.'' Rya thought to herself. traould without issue "Hmm?" Rya frowned as she focused on the shadow. Sir George noticed Rya''s serious but curious expression. "What''s wrong, Rya?" Sir George asked. "I think I saw an invisible figure staring at us... Or maybe it''s my imagination?" Rya answered with a confused look. Sir George looked into the common room and saw just the bartender and a couple of adventurers sitting in the middle of the room. His eyes couldn''t find the invisible figure like Rya''s elven eyes could. But he felt that something was off. "I can''t tell but there might be an illusion spell cast. I''m not as strong with magic to tell you the truth." Sir George said. ''An illusion spell? Great! Someone''s on to us.'' Rya thought to herself. Rya glanced at Sir George, while Sir George glanced at her. They both have the same expression on their faces that read. ''Let''s get the hell out of here.'' "Lady Rya, go get the Lord. I''ll wait here," Sir George said as he gestured to her to take the hallway. He was going to stay at attention and hoped to keep whoever was there under surveillance. "Understood," Rya nodded as she rushed back up the stairs and down the hall to their room. ''Damn it! Looks like we got to skip breakfast... I really wanted breakfast... Gah! Focus Ryan!... We might be in danger so pull your head out of your ass... I need to get Quin, Dalia, and Percy before getting out of here. Hopefully, they haven''t taken too long.'' Rya thought to herself. *** Rya makes her way back to their room as she opens the door quickly. "Quin, quickly get the things we... need?..." Rya was interrupted by a naked Quin, who was in the middle of putting on some new underwear. This was the first time Rya had a good look at Quin''s body and she couldn''t help but notice how perfectly sculpted he was and her eyes couldn''t help but drift towards his well-endowed manhood that put her old self to shame. "Whoa! Rya!?... Could you knock?" Quin said as he quickly pulled his underwear up to hide his manhood. , "S-Sorry! I didn''t... I mean... I think someone is on to us, Quin. Sir George is keeping an eye out for them. It might be one of your uncle''s spies." Quin sighed and shook his head. He looked around for a moment and found his pants. He pulled them on quickly and looked at Rya again. "Grab Percy and Dalia. I''ll get our gear ready. We''re going to head to the Baron''s palace, now. It should be safe there," Quin said as he started packing the backpacks with all their stuff. "Got it! I''ll be back," Rya replied before running off to get them. Rya got to one of the bathrooms and found Dalia and Percy relaxing in the tub. They were surprised that Rya barged in out of nowhere. "Guys come on, we gotta go... We''ve been spotted!" Rya said as Percy and Dalia nodded at her with serious looks on their faces. "Don''t wait for us Lady Rya," Percy said as he and Dalia got out of the tub and grabbed their towels. With that Rya returned to the room to put her things away with Quin. Quin got most of the gear packed away before Rya, Dalia, and Percy made it back into the room. They each grabbed their own packs before heading outside where Sir George was waiting for them. "Good, you made it. Lady Rya has a sharp eye, we''ve been spotted, alright. Whoever it is, is still waiting in the common room," Sir George said as he grabbed his pack from Percy. "We must make haste to the Baron''s Palace, where we will be safe for a while. Let''s just hope that whoever it is, is working alone," Quin said as he started walking down the street, heading towards a busier road to blend in with the crowd. The group made their way towards the center of the city where the palace is located. It will take them about an hour to get to the gate leading to the palace. They tried to keep calm and quiet as they walked the bustling streets of Ironside. *** field hiding her presence. ''H-How did she spot me!? No one has ever detected me when I use my stealth cloak!'' Nieren thought to herself as she hid in the corner of the room waiting for the group of adventurers to leave. In time she''ll locate Rya again and see if she truly is evil. But for now, she needed to wait and come up with a different plan of attack for how she would approach this Dark Elf. After an hour of hiding, Nieren kept thinking about the situation as she sat in the corner of the room. She felt like she was missing something important here. Something that would tell her how to spot if Rya was a treacherous creature. Vol.2 Ch.60 Walking the Streets of Ironside The group was weaving their way through the busy morning streets of Ironside, passing by shops, stores, and inns. "It''s good to see Ironside so lively this time of day. People bustling around all over the place." Sir George said as he looked up at the sky. "With the goblin horde ended, the people of Ironside are starting to come out of hiding. This is the first time I''ve seen this much activity since we''ve come back." Percy said as he nodded in agreement. "I''m not used to being around this many humans and dwarves. I feel like I need to be more vigilant." Dalia said as she crossed her arms and tapped her foot nervously. "They''re not going to attack us with Quin by our side, Dalia. So please relax." Rya said as she patted Dalia''s shoulder. "If you say so. But I still don''t trust these people." Dalia said as she sighed. "Yeah, I''m sure it isn''t easy to forget being a battle slave for most of your life," Percy said as he looked at her with sympathy. "You could say that," Dalia said as she scratched her cheek embarrassed. "But if things didn''t go the way they did I wouldn''t be here with you. So I suppose I should thank Alpha for that." "Well if you want to thank me, you can stop having sex with Percy when we are sharing the same room, Dalia," Rya said as she rolled her eyes. "Oh, so Alpha was awake? Hehe. Did you enjoy the show? I know I did!" Dalia said with a grin. The Dark Elf prepared herself mentally so she could discipline the Wolfkin. "I can hear and see your thoughts, you know. Alpha is very excited right now," Dalia said in a quiet voice. Rya gulped loudly as the thoughts of having Quinus touching her in all her sensitive places ran through her mind. It took everything she had to fight these thoughts from controlling her actions. The logical part of her mind was screaming at her to deny the Wolfkin and keep her male dignity. ''Damn! It''s all the Goddesses'' fault that I''m not on my A-game anymore!'' Rya thought as she felt a headache coming on. She took a moment to regather herself and let out a big sigh to calm her racing mind. "Well, there''s been a lot on my mind, Dalia. I''m sorry that I''ve been acting off," Rya said as she rubbed the back of her head. "I-It''s alright Alpha. I know you''re tired so we''ll just keep moving for now," Dalia said as she held onto Rya''s arm and started tugging her forward to catch up to the boys. As Rya was being dragged by Dalia, she spotted something that caught her interest. Down a street, Rya noticed a building that had women in scantily clad clothing standing in front of the door. As they walk past, she notices the group of men that are waiting outside. ''Is that a brothel? Yes! That''s it! I will go there to prove to myself that I''m still a guy on the inside.'' Rya thought to herself as she tried to remember the name of the brothel which was called Bella''s Place. While Rya continues to be dragged by Dalia, she studies the place as best as she can before it is out of sight. So she can find her way back here without anyone noticing. "We''re almost a mile away from the palace gates," Quinus said as he put his hand on Rya''s shoulder. Rya refocused her attention on the group and noticed that Dalia was looking around the city with a nervous expression on her face. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Hm? What''s wrong?" Rya asked as she turned to look at Dalia. The Wolfkin doesn''t answer and looks away. "What happened, Dalia?" Rya asks again. I think my senses are going to overload soon!" "God, that''s annoying... going through a roller coaster of emotions!" Rya exclaims as she pushes Dalia forward. "W-What''s a roller coaster? I don''t think I''ve heard that word before. Is that bad, Alpha!?" Dalia asked as she stopped walking and looked at Rya. ''Crap! I opened my damn mouth again! How the hell am I going to explain this one?'' Rya thought to herself as she felt embarrassed. "A roller coaster of emotions is when you feel a range of feelings like joy, sadness, anger, and other emotions all at once. I guess it''s pretty similar to what you''re feeling right now, Lady Dalia." Quin said as he smirked at Rya. "Oh. I see. I didn''t know there was a word for this. Thanks, Beta!" Dalia said as she sighed in relief. ''Huh? Are there roller coasters on Tertius?... Maybe they do, right? I mean, there''s magic in this world, so maybe I shouldn''t be surprised... I guess?'' Rya thought as she tried to imagine a theme park in a fantasy world setting. But it was hard for her to do at that moment, so she just shook her head to clear her mind to focus on the task at hand. ''Whatever. I need to focus on getting into the palace safely.'' *** They were on the final stretch of their journey to the palace, which started looking bigger the closer they got. Rya''s thoughts kept drifting back to the brothel. She needed to test her hypothesis that she was still a male deep down and she was plotting about how she would try to get there without anyone noticing until her thoughts were interrupted by Sir George, who started talking about the culture of Ironside. "So you see, all the buildings are made of stone because the climate is dry. They get enough rain to keep their crops alive with the purple slag, but not enough water for drinking or bathing purposes. So the city hires water mages to fill the underground reservoirs with water," Sir George explained. "Hmm? How many Mages are in the Kingdom of Fiafyr? I don''t recall seeing any during our travels," Rya asked as she looked at Sir George. "They''re uncommon at best, Lady Rya. Most of the population isn''t born with a talent for magic, so most of the citizens of Fiafyr are farmers who rely on their families for help. And since the cities are so far apart, I''m sure there aren''t that many mages in total. That makes you special," Sir George said as he looked at Rya. ''Awe... Sir George can be nice to me every once in a while. There might be hope for him yet,'' Rya thought to herself as she smiled at the knight. "So you can''t use magic then? You can''t cast spells?" Rya asked as she walked next to Sir George. "No. But I can use mana to strengthen my body. I''m a stronger fighter than most men thanks to that," Sir George replies with a nod. Rya nodded in understanding. "I see. So most people use mana to strengthen their bodies with physical training and workouts?" "Yes. That''s what most of us do here. We''re a warrior nation by nature. The kingdom makes it mandatory for all citizens to see if they''re capable of using magic. If not, they must do daily training and workouts to become strong enough to defend themselves. However, most people end up choosing another path in life. Either becoming a farmer, a merchant, or a craftsman." "Wow! I had no idea. So you have to train your whole life to be able to use magic?" Dalia asks as she looks at Sir George. "Yeah, that''s if a mage notices your potential early on in life. But most children just learn how to fight with their fists and the other physical abilities their parents teach them." Sir George explains as he looks around the city. "So how can Quin use magic when he''s not a mage?" Rya asked while glancing at Quin. The Crown Prince smirks before responding to Rya. "Well yeah, Im a half step away from being a Mage, but people like me and Sir George are called Maja. Our weapons and armor are the key that unlocks the power of mana... I can''t cast magic without my weapon as a catalyst. I''ve been practicing daily so I can get better at controlling it. And it takes time and patience to be good at controlling your mana flow. Once I master the art of my mana flow. Then Im able to use my sword with a different type of magic. It''s more common to come across Maja than Mages Percy''s an early-stage Maja, and I think Lady Dalia might be one as well. Especially after seeing how easily she cut through metal and rock during our fights with the goblin hordes," Quinus says as he looks at the confused Wolfkin. "Huh? I''m a Maja? I just thought I was good at using my mana to sharpen my claws. But you said Maja needs a catalyst? And I don''t use any weapons? So how can that be? Dalia asks as she frowns. "Luckily your claws act like a catalyst like my sword. It seems you were born with a natural Maja ability to use mana. When you start learning to control it, you''ll notice a difference in your body. I can give you a few pointers when we have free time," Quinus explains as he tilts his head. "Awe!... Beta is the best!" Dalia exclaims as she smiles at him. Percy looked a little worried when his friend, Quinus, offered to help his girlfriend with a few pointers. "L-Lady Dalia! I can give you a few pointers if you like!" the young ranger said in a shaky voice. "Hehe. My little wolf is worried? Come here you big baby," Dalia giggles as she grabs the back of Percy''s neck and pulls him into a hug. "Ha! Ha! Ha! You''re too much! B-But Dalia? You''re only a year older than me... So I can''t be a big baby," Percy laughed nervously as he hugged her back. His worries started to fade when she began to nuzzle her cheek against his. Percy said happily as he grinned ear to ear. "Hey! We finally arrived at the palace gate. Everyone ready?" Sir George asked while looking at the group. He tried not to glare at Percy as he waited for everyone to respond. Quinus, Rya, and the rest of the group nodded. "Okay then, follow me to the castle," Sir George says as he walks towards the castle entrance. Vol.2 Ch.61 A Warm Welcome The group made their way through the streets of Ironside. Most buildings are made of wood and stone with wooden doors that open onto a small courtyard. But the palace of the Baron is built of gold and stone. A large golden dome sits on top of the building. The castle has many smaller domes and towers that are connected to the main building by long hallways and bridges. There were also a couple of smoke stacks coming from the far side of the castle grounds that were billowing white smoke. Atop the main dome sits a white marble statue of King Burell holding a Mug in his hands. Rya with her elven eyesight notices the statue atop the dome. "Well, the Dwarves sure love to honor their Ale?" Rya mutters out loud while looking at the statue. "Yeah, that''s a statue of my ancestor King Burell Meredydd the Cunning," Quinus explains. Rya began to notice that Quin was right. She thought it was odd at first to have a dwarven statue in the shape of a human with a beard, but once it was pointed out that it was a human king, she could see the resemblance. The statue even had the same facial features as Quinus, although he was taller and had a wider frame. "That explains a lot... And here I thought I was seeing things... Thanks, Quin," Rya said with a raised eyebrow. She then noticed the palace walls that served as a last line of defense against enemy invaders if they somehow managed to get past the outer city walls. "Look! Look at those walls. They''re made out of solid steel. What kind of magic does this place have to create a wall out of nothing but steel?" Rya asked as she looked around at the wall. "The Dwarves are amazing when it comes to engineering. The Dwarven Kingdom of Hjorleif built this city before becoming a part of Fiafyr," Quinus replied while he looked around for the palace gate. "There it is!... Alright everyone, act casual." The group heads to the gates of the palace. And now they can see why the town is called Ironside. The gate is made of steel and lined with sharpened purple iron spikes that stick out from the sides of the gates. It reminds Rya of the gate to the Labyrinth. "Wow! I wonder how long it took the Dwarves to craft all of this," Rya said as she looked at the spiked gates. "If I remember from what I''ve read... It took them almost a month to construct these gates and it took a year to build the walls," Quinus replied as he took a step back to get a better look at the gate. That''s when he noticed that there was no line to get into the palace. "Looks like it''s our lucky day... There''s no one trying to enter the palace gates right now. I can''t wait to finally relax..." "I second that, Quin. This journey has been very taxing. Especially after traveling all this way," Rya said as she stretched her arms. When Quinus and the group were about ten feet away from the gate, of the palace, the guards noticed the group. "Who goes there?" one guard asked. Quinus answers. "We are here to see the Baron." The Dwarven Guard noticed the Prince''s golden eyes. "The prince! You''ve returned!" The guard said in shock. "We''ve thought you''ve killed the bucket of piss. Welcome home, milord!" the second guard said as he saluted the prince. "Huh?... Well, I''m still alive... And we''ve completed our mission," Quinus replied as he nodded at the guards. The two Dwarven Guards looked at each other with a concerned look before looking back at the Prince. "Please wait here," the guard said to them with a bow, while the other Guard stood there at attention. He kept glancing at Rya from time to time as he waited for his superior to come. *** The group waits for nearly 45 minutes as the guard talks to the captain of the guard. Finally, the guard returns with an older dwarf wearing a red hat and brown robes carrying a staff. He had a wrinkly face and a gray beard. The man takes a deep breath as he looks at the group. "Ha ha ha! I knew you would do it! Well done, Your Highness! Let them through the gates!" The old dwarf laughs. "Thank you," Quinus said as he bowed to the old dwarf and walked in. Sir George, Percy, and Dalia followed Quinus through the gate with Rya coming up the rear. The old dwarf watched Rya carefully as he followed behind her and when they entered the palace grounds, the old dwarf smiled at Rya and asked, "And who might you be?" "I''m Rya, a friend of Prince Quinus," Rya replies. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. "Interesting? You weren''t a part of the party sent out to deal with the Labyrinth? Where did you come from?" The old dwarf questioned her. ''Um?... Am I missing something? What the?'' Rya looks around and notices several different dwarves all wearing different colored robes. "What''s going on here?" Rya asked as she noticed that all the dwarves were looking at her. "Well, when a Dark Elf walks into our palace with the prince we don''t just let anyone through the gates. So, we naturally want to ask a few questions about who they are and where they''re coming from... Isn''t that right, Miss Dark Elf," the old dwarf explained while he took a defensive position. Quinus and the group noticed the "Warm Welcome" and turned around to see all the Mages from the Guild surrounding Rya. "Hajdah! She is an ally! The prince and the rest of us would have perished if it wasn''t for Lady Rya!" Sir George exclaimed. Quin moved in front of Rya as the rest of her comrades took defensive positions around her. ''Aw, come on! Do they think I''m evil or something?'' Rya thought as she looked around. She wasn''t sure what she should do in this situation. "Hajdah, I always appreciated your counsel. But if you harm a hair on Rya''s head I will destroy you myself," Quinus warned Headmaster Hajdah of the Mage''s Guild. Hajdah was shocked by the group''s immediate defense of the Dark Elf named Rya. "Your Highness? Has she charmed you?" The old mage Dwarf asked as he raised his hands. "Not with magic, Hajdah... She charmed us with friendship, and more importantly, loyalty," Quinus replied with a glare. Hajdah looked at Quinus with a little confusion on his face. "So a Dark Elf won you over without using a charm spell?" He looks at her standing behind Quinus then looks back to the Prince. He didn''t see anything to indicate that Quinus was charmed by a dark elf. But the fact that the young prince would threaten his life, just to protect the Dark Elf was very concerning. "Yes. That''s correct," Quinus replied in a serious tone. Hajdah closed his eyes and started mumbling before opening his eyes again. "Haah... Well, you''re right about her not charming you with magic at least. But she is dangerous and can''t be trusted." "What can I do to prove that I''m not an enemy?" Rya asked Hajdah. The old mage dwarf was surprised the dark elf would ask such a question. "Huh? Usually, your kind doesn''t ask for proof of anything. You just kill everyone that disagrees with you. But I guess this one is different from the rest." ''No dah shit, Sherlock!'' Rya thought with a frown. "So, what do you propose we do then?" Quinus asked. Hajdah paused to think of a way to test her and finally came up with something after a second of thought. "Well, Lady Rya. We''ll consider you a friend if you can beat me in a drinking contest... That''s if you''re up to it?" ''A fucking drinking contest!? Are all dwarves alcoholics or something!?... And there is no way I can drink more than two ales without getting shitfaced! I''m so screwed!'' Rya thought as she grimaced. The Dark Elf was frustrated with Hajdah''s sudden request but knew she had no choice in the matter. She could either try to win and become his friend or lose and be considered an enemy. "I accept your challenge Hajdah!" Rya said proudly trying to put up a front as Quin was a little worried about Rya''s inability to hold her liquor. Hajdah smiled and nodded, "I see! So this Dark Elf has the courage to drink something other than rotten grapes! Good, I might start respecting Dark Elves after today!" Rya could feel the eyes of everyone on her. They were judging her as she tried not to show how nervous she was. "Huh? Rotten grapes?... I mean, I don''t mind wine but I can''t deny that beer is better," Rya said with a bit of confusion as to why the dwarf tried insulting her. In her response to Hajdah''s insults, all the dwarves were surprised that a Dark Elf preferred beer over wine. Elves of all races usually hated beer, especially dwarven ale. So they all looked at Rya with shock and curiosity. "So you prefer beer? What do you think of our ale, Lady Rya?" Hajdah asked with one brow raised. ''Huh? Why have all the dwarves'' demeanors changed?... Is it because I complimented Dwarven Ale?... Or does it have something to do with the Dark Elves not liking beer... Well, it''s the elves'' loss, cause Dwarven Ale is fucking delicious!'' Rya thought to herself as she took a deep breath and sighed before replying, "I''ve never tasted a better ale in my life. I''m not sure if I can enjoy another type of beer after having dwarven ale?" Rya saw Hajdah''s dumbfounded look and realized how much the dwarves respected their ales. She also heard the other dwarves murmuring to each other about Rya''s response. "She likes beer? This is the first time I ever heard a Dark Elf enjoy something other than wine." Whispered a female dwarf. "Maybe she''s just saying that so we let our guard down then she can attack us... Or maybe she''s telling the truth? It''s hard to tell," Muttered the male dwarf. "You know what I think? Maybe it was the High Elves lying to us about Dark Elves hating our Ale. I mean it isn''t the first time they have lied to us... And this is the first time I''ve seen a Dark Elf in my 80 years of life," Whispered a third dwarf. "I agree with you both. But I don''t know if I would trust her yet. Not until she proves herself in the drinking contest," Replied a fourth dwarf. Rya overheard their conversation and realized they were discussing that she needed to prove her worth to them. This made her feel a bit uncomfortable with all the attention she was getting but she quickly recovered to put up a brave front. "Well, Lady Rya. I didn''t expect you to agree to the challenge. So if you can drink one stein of ale, you''ll show us that you''re trustworthy," Hajdah said grinning ear to ear. "Hajdah can you use something smaller than a dwarven stein for Rya? Like a pint?" Quinus asked as he noticed how the dwarves'' eyes lit up when Rya mentioned drinking Dwarven Ale. "Hmm? Are you saying she lied about liking our ale Prince Quinus?" Hajdah asked with a glint in his eye. ''W-What the hell are you doing Quin!? Now they think I''m some sort of liar! And then they will demand I drink more... Which wouldn''t be a bad thing if I wasn''t a damn lightweight!'' Rya thought as she began sweating. Quinus sighed and shook his head. "No, it just-" "I''m a lightweight! Quin is just worried about me, that''s all. I swear!" Rya said as she stepped forward interrupting Quinus. "Hmm. Well... We still need you to drink one stein of dwarven ale for us to believe Lady Rya''s words, Your Highness." Hajdah said. Quinus wanted to argue but Rya stopped him and shook her head. "It''s okay Quin. I will show them how much I love dwarven ale!" Rya said, sounding a little too enthusiastic. The other dwarves cheered while some of them ran to get a barrel of ale. Vol.2 Ch.62 To Good Health! Quin still wasn''t convinced this was the best way to prove Rya''s trustworthiness to the dwarves, especially after seeing her become a slobbering mess after one mug of ale. "Quin... I''ll be alright. Just make sure that I don''t embarrass myself too much," Rya said while smiling at him. Quinus wanted to protest, but he didn''t have any other ideas at this moment. So he relented and gave her a nod. "Okay, Rya... I''ll be there for you," Quinus said before turning to Hajdah. The Crown Prince was pissed that the Guild Master didn''t believe that Rya wasn''t a threat to the Domain. "So, shall we go to the mess hall then?" Hajdah asked as he pointed down the stone path leading to the large palace building. "Yes, please lead the way," Rya nodded. As the group walked towards the mess hall, Hajdah explained the dwarven etiquette to Rya. "Oh, so there are rules for how you eat here in Ironside?" Rya asked as she looked around at the people eating. "Yeah. We usually sit on the floor here as it''s easier to keep the mess clean by mopping it up. But it also allows us to talk to each other without being interrupted by those walking through. Also, we have a separate area for nobles and knights in case they want privacy, which is more typical of a human setting. We''ll go there to see if you speak the truth about liking our ale, Dark One," Hajdah said as he gestured to a small door on the far side of the vast room. Rya followed Hajdah''s lead and sat down with the rest of the dwarves. "Alright, everyone! Bring out the Dwarven Stein! It''s time for Lady Rya to demonstrate her integrity and honor!" Hajdah yelled as he stood up and grabbed a stein from someone sitting beside him. He handed it over to Rya, who took the stein and looked at it. The thing was huge and easily held over two liters of liquid. It also had beautiful craftsmanship, as the silver and gold griffins were engraved into the stein. "U-Um... Wh-What should I do?" Rya asked as she glanced over to Quinus. Quinus sighed as he felt powerless to stop the dwarves from getting Rya drunk while Dalia gave her friend a thumbs up. Percy looked worried and wanted to help, and Sir George seemed very serious. "Well, drink it!" Hajdah said as he held out his stein to her. ''Great... There''s nothing quite like a bit of peer pressure to push me into doing something I know I''ll end up regretting... I thought I was done with this crap back in my early 20''s.'' Rya thought as she looked at Quinus again. He wanted to help, but his hands were tied unless he fought everyone. "Well, I guess there is no time like the present," Rya said as she found a seat before she started the challenge. The Dwarven Mage looked like he was sizing her up before he spoke again, "Aye, but we must toast first. I''ll let you be the one to decide what we toast to." She then looked to Hajdah and lifted up her stein, "To the good health of the people of Ironside." The dwarves were surprised and a bit impressed by Rya''s toast. They nodded their heads, and Hajdah smiled. The Dwarven Mage raised his stein and said, "To the good health of the people of Ironside!" They lifted up their steins and tapped them against hers. Then they began drinking their ales. A Dwarven Stein could easily hold more than four standard pints, and Rya had to drink the whole thing in one go. As the ale touched Rya''s tongue, she found it tasted as good as it had yesterday. It was refreshing, sweet, and smooth. Then, the warmth of the ale made her feel happy. *Glug. Glug. Glug. Glug. Glug. Glug.* ''This stuff goes down too easily.'' Rya thought as she continued to down the first stein. It took the Dark Elf about thirty seconds before she finished the stein. *Glap!* Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "Aaaah! Amazing! This is even better than I remembered," Rya said as she hugged the stein, and her cheeks became rosy. She glances over to Hajdah and the other dwarves, who couldn''t believe their eyes. An elf loved their beer, and she wasn''t afraid to admit it, like all the elves they''d seen before. "She does not tell lies. She speaks the truth," Hajdah said, unable to believe his eyes. He had heard his fellow dwarves talking with each other, and he knew exactly what they were saying. "Look at her. She loves our ale like she said she would. She is one of us!" Shouted another dwarf. "Yeah! Perhaps Dark Elves are a bit more down-to-earth compared to those haughty High Elves," Another Dwarf said. "I feel guilty for not trusting her," Whispered one of the Dwarven Mages. Hajdah watched Rya as her cheeks became rosier and saw the brightest smile on her face. Another dwarf gave her a new stein full of ale and said, "To the good health of the people of Ironside!" Rya took the stein and said, "T-o the goo-d heal-th of the people of Ironsi-de!" She was sloshed and could barely stand on her feet, but the dwarves were cheering for her, and she was enjoying herself. She lifted her stein and was about to drink it. But Quin came in and grabbed the stein away from Rya. "H-Hey! Q-uin!? That''s m-ine!" Rya said as she tried to grab the beer stein back. "You''re drunk, Rya... And I could use a drink," Quin said as he easily pounded down the beer and slammed it down on the table. He then intercepted another stein that was heading for Rya and chugged it as well. The Dwarven soldiers began to cheer Quinus as he pounded down the ales, while the Dwarven Mages began to look worried as they saw the Crown Prince glaring at them. "I have to agree, Quin. She''s had enough," Percy said as he stopped a few more dwarves trying to give Rya and Quinus more beer. "H-hey... Don''t I-I get a say i-n this?" Rya asked, hiccuping. Quinus ignored her and quickly downed the second stein in under 30 seconds, slamming it onto the table once he was done. "You''ve done your duty, Rya. Just take a seat and rest a bit," Quin said. "Aw-ww! How a-m I suppo-sed to b-b-uild a to-lora-nce if you *hic* take away my be-er!?!" Rya complained to Quinus as she tried to stand up from her chair, only to fall backward. "Whoa! I got you, Rya." Quinus caught Rya before she fell to the ground. He put Rya''s arm around him to help support her weight. "T-t-thanks Qui-n. I ca-n be-lieve how us-eless I get *hic* I''m sorry," Rya said while looking up at Quin''s golden eyes. Quinus shook his head and smiled, "It''s alright. You did great, Rya. I''ll help you build up your tolerance later. Come on. Let''s find a bed for you." Rya felt Quin''s hand petting her head, which made her blush. "MMmmm! Yo-u are spo-iling me," Rya mumbled while she closed her eyes and laid her head on Quin''s shoulder. Hajdah and the dwarves couldn''t believe it. The prince had charmed the Dark Elf when they thought it was the other way around. "The blood of his ancestor King Burell Meredydd runs strong in the Crown Prince. He''s tamed a Dark Elf with such ease!" Exclaimed one of the Dwarven Mages, standing next to Hajdah. "I''m glad he did because I don''t think we could take her on in a fight with magic. Her mana surges from within her, pulsating with such formidable power, almost rivaling that of the prince. I would have feared the worst if we had to fight her." Hajdah said to his fellow mages. "Are you serious?... And you withheld that information until now?" Mystic Laika stared at Hajdah, appalled. "She''s a Dark Elf, Laike... We didn''t know if she chimed the prince to take over the kingdom," Hajdah replied, looking back at the Mystic. "That is preposterous! Being cautious is one thing, but you refused to listen to the Prince when he said she wasn''t a threat, and you tried to force her to drink a full stein?... Didn''t you notice how distraught the prince looked when you threatened her?" Laika questioned him, her eyes narrowing. "Aye. I saw it in his eyes. He cares a great deal for her," Hajdah admitted. "And it turned out that he was speaking the truth, Master Hajdah. He didn''t look too pleased," Suhail, The Lightning Mage, said as he crossed his arms. Hajdah was starting to understand just how much trouble he had caused, and the weight of the situation fell on him. "It would be a wise idea for us to keep our distance until the Prince asks for our help," Hajdah advised. "Agreed. Until then, we''ll continue to monitor the Prince and his friends. Don''t try to upset them," Laika said. "Hey... Do you think we should see if the Dark Elf will join our ranks?" Akashia, The Wind Mage, asked. "I think the Prince would destroy us if we tried to do that. He''s the heir apparent to the throne. And he wants her by his side. Especially if she is as powerful as I think she is... The Kingdom just became much more powerful with her presence," Hajdah replied. "Then, we need to apologize to her and the Prince. She''s been very cooperative and kind so far... Plus, she loves our ale," Suhail said. "She''s a Dark Elf. She might have been trying to use the Prince to gain power... Haah... But you''re right, Suhail. We will apologize to the Dark Elf before the Prince gets offended," Kyan, the fire mage, said. The Dwarven Mages exchanged a nod before boldly approaching the Dark Elven woman, who was nestled in Quin''s protective embrace. "Prince Quinus! Lady Rya... We, the Ironside Mages Council, would like to offer our sincere apologies for our previous conduct. It was ill-mannered and uncalled for. Your presence here means a lot to the Ironside Mages Guild," Hajdah said, and then they all bowed their heads respectfully to the Dark Elf and the young Prince. "Hehehe! *hic* Q-uin th-e roo-ms spinn-ing?" Rya said with a smile. Quin looked at Rya with a surprised expression. "Umm... Hajdah. Rya isn''t in the best condition to accept your apology. We need a room for her," Quin said as he started blushing due to Rya nuzzling his neck. Rya giggled and snuggled closer to his chest. "O-Of course, young Prince! Right this way, we''ll quickly escort you and your group to your room! Come, follow us." Hajdah said to the Prince and the four other members. Vol.2 Ch.63 Baron Zellin Coldforge Once the group was in the room, Rya was given a bed and a warm blanket. She smiled happily when she saw them. "There we go. Now you can sleep comfortably," Quin told Rya. Rya could hear voices as her consciousness began to slip. She was just too cute that Quin couldn''t resist giving her a quick pat on the head before getting back to business. Quin had to pat her head briefly before returning to business. "Percy... Lady Dalia... I need you both to keep an eye on Rya while Sir George and I catch up with Baron Zellin. I''m counting on you two... Oh?... And no mating!" Quin said with a raised brow while looking at the two love birds. Quin didn''t want a repeat of what happened at the Inn this morning. ,'' wai until we can get our oroom,"c "Huh?... Oh fine! I promise to behave, Beta," Dalia said with a serious look. uin let out a sigh. He would have to talk to the two later on about the dangers of breeding and pregnancy. With that done, Quin looked back at Rya, sleeping comfortably in the queen-size bed. ''Hajdah had to pick on Rya just because she''s a Dark Elf. For a century-old mage. He''s dumber than he looks!'' Quin thought to himself, annoyed by Hajdah''s unnecessary and useless test. "Shall we, dear Prince?" Hajdah asked. Quin nodded and followed Hajdah out of the room with Sir George. After a moment, Percy and Dalia found themselves alone with Rya in the large bedroom. "I think Prince Quinus is angry with the Dwarven Mage," Percy addressed Dalia with an air of concern in his voice. "Yeah, you''re right. I could smell Beta''s anger in his body odor... I wonder what he''s going to do," Dalia answered. "We''ll find out soon enough. Until then, I''ll grab some food from the kitchen. Is there anything that you would like, Lady Dalia," Percy asked. "Okay. I''ll watch Alpha. OH! And grab me some of that wild boar I like so much. I could smell them slow-cooking one!" Dalia said as her tail wagged under her cloak. Percy smiled and nodded at Dalia before he left the room to get food for everyone. *** Meanwhile, Quinus, George, and Hajdah were walking the halls of the palace toward the Baron''s chamber. The silence was eerie, and Hajdah could hear the creaking of the floorboards under their feet. "Your Highness. I like to say how relieved we are that you came back from the Labyrinth unharmed. And I couldn''t help but notice that you also tamed a Wolfkin... If you don''t mind my asking, how did you tame such a creature? I''ve never heard of a wolfkin not being enslaved before," Hajdah asked casually. Quinus stopped abruptly, as did Sir George, upon hearing Hajdah''s inquiry regarding Dalia. The Prince was trying his best not to scream at the old mage, but he needed to let him know that he was displeased. e. Prince Quinus was very protective of the ''H-He''s actually furious! I need to do something to show that I''m loyal to the Prince. I can''t lose the trust of the crown!'' Hajdah thought as he took a few steps back from Quinus. "No, I was just curious why a wolfkin seemed to follow you all. Especially Percy, since he is not a wolfkin," Hajdah said with worry in his voice while trying to deflect the conversation. Quinus turned and walked closer to Hajdah. He glared down upon the nervous dwarf who didn''t know if he should defend himself. Hajdah gulped, then bowed his head and said, "My apologies, Your Highness. I will try to be more mindful of the trust you give me in the future." wasle foring and he should have known better than rince. Quinus sighed, "It''s fine, Hajdah. Please know that you''re still in my good graces. Just don''t disappoint me with another incident like this again." "Th-Thank you, Your Highness!... I promise never to question you again!" Hajdah replied nervously. The Dwarven Mage didn''t fully believe that he was in the Prince''s good graces. Not until he made it up to the person he had wronged. The Prince''s Dark Elf-friend, Rya. ''I must apologize to Lady Rya at once! If she accepts my apology and I help her with anything magic-related, then the prince will no longer be angered with me!'' And with that, they started walking again to the Baron''s chambers. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. *** The hallways of the Dwarven Palace were dark and quiet except for the occasional creak of the wooden planks beneath their feet. The ceilings were slightly lower than usual, and the walls were made of stone rather than wood. Yellow crystals lit the hallways dimly, unlike the bright white crystals that most humans preferred. However, the light reflected off the polished silver mirrors adorning the walls to add a bit more illumination. As they approached the Baron''s chamber, two big windows lit the area with natural light. A large door with a heavy lock was at the end of the hallway. This particular door was unique because the key to unlocking it was kept within the Baron''s personal quarters. As one would expect, the guards stationed outside of the door wore full dwarven armor and carried battle axes. It looked like both of them had seen battle, as each bore several scars across their bodies. As the Prince, Dwarven Mage, and Human Knight entered, the guards saluted and stepped aside to allow them entry. "The Baron is waiting for you, Your Highness," one guard said with a bow. "My Lord, Prince Quinus Meredydd of the Kingdom has arrived," the guard stated loudly. The Crown Prince saw the well-dressed Dwarven Noble seated at a desk with a book in hand. Upon hearing the announcement, the Baron quickly set the book aside and rose from his chair. Upon entering the room, Quinus, George, and Hadjah proceeded through the impressive doorway and positioned themselves before the desk of the baron. Zellin seemed to be deep in thought about something, and he waited for a moment to speak. He proceeded to move about his desk, advanced a few paces, and executed a profound bow in Quinus'' direction. "Your Highness! You''ve defeated the Dungeon Core that controlled the goblin stampede! The goblins are no longer in our lands, and we shall never have to worry about them again," the Baron said. "It wasn''t an easy quest, Zellin, but fate must have been on our side to defeat the Dungeon Core! Thank you for all the help you offered. I just wish more of our men could have lived to see this day," Quinus replied with an apologetic face. Zellin responded with a joyful smile. "What''s important is your survival... It is good to see you again, Prince Quinus. I''m glad that the rumors of your death are false. I heard that you were one of the few people to survive this suicide mission. Sadly, that''s what happens when a Labyrinth''s Core gets loose... Besides Sir George, who else survived, Your Highness?" "My loyal ranger, Percy, and two remarkable demi-human females provided invaluable assistance... I fear I wouldn''t be standing here without her help," Quinus answered. "Yes, my servants mentioned you came with a Wolfkin and a Dark Elf. I thought Dark Elves only seek power. Are you sure she''s not using you, Your Highness?" Zellin said with concern. Sir George cut in. "Not only did she save my life, Baron Coldforge, but she''s saved my lord''s life multiple times. Lady Rya is a purist and cares for everyone around her! Even if she insults my courting methods," Sir George said with a sad look. "I see... I do apologize for doubting your choice of companion! But how did you find these women anyway?" the Baron asked. "Rya was chased into the Labyrinth by the goblin horde, and we were able to save Lady Dalia from being impregnated by the goblins in their nest," Quinus explained. "Fated indeed! How did your cousin fare, Your Highness? I don''t see him with you, so I''m assuming the worst," Zellin asked. "It''s even worse than that, Baron. He and his mercenaries betrayed the prince when the Goblin Horde was attacking us in the dungeon! He deserved something worse than death!" Sir George spat out. "What!? He was mad enough to try and claim the throne!?" Zellin said in shock. "Yes. And that''s the last thing we''re concerned about. One of his mercenaries survived, and we think he made it out of the Labyrinth before we did. Do you know the whereabouts of the Black Rose Mercenaries? My cousin was only able to hire 20 of them before our quest, and I remember their commander was in Ironside when we first came through," Quinus asked. Hajdah jumped in, "100 Black Rose Mercenaries stayed inside the city five days ago, Your Highness. I believe they went northtoward Mount Skellige... Rumor has it that the main forces of the Mercenary Group have been spotted moving around the foothills... Which we believe is around ten thousand strong. It''s making us nervous, My Prince." "Are you certain they didn''t head east toward the capital?" Quinus asked with a worried look on his face. "Yes, I''m certain, My Lord... While the old mines may have collapsed over 500 years ago, there are still a lot of abandoned tunnels that they might be using to hide in, Your Highness," Hajdah answered with a reassuring smile. He hoped this would get him back in Quinus'' good graces. "Thank you, Hajdah. But I must say, I''m a little concerned that they didn''t go straight to my uncle so they could report about his son''s execution," Quinus said. "Your Highness executed the Viscount!? I can only imagine what Duke Alaric Revelia will do when he hears about this," Zellin said in shock. Quinus sighed, "I don''t know if I can trust my uncle not to ambush us if we try to go to the capital on our own. I might need a garrison of your men, Zellin." "I-I can, My Lord... But I thought you and your cousin were so close when you were children. How did it come to this," Zellin said in confusion. "Marcus was always good at putting up a facade when needed, but his heart is blacker than I ever could''ve imagined. I wish I didn''t have to end him in such a way, but it''s too late for that," Quinus said. "My Lord, should we deal with the mercenaries? Im sure they are up to something if they left the city before we arrived," Sir George asked with a hint of concern in his voice. "Yeah, I think you''re right. We''ll need to deal with them before heading to the capital with Zellin''s garrison as our escort," Quinus answered. "Well, I''ll send some soldiers to search the mountainside to see if we are lucky enough to find them, Your Highness," Hajdah said. "Sounds like a plan... And I have one last thing to ask of you," Quinus said while looking over to the Baron. "When was the last time you or your father smithed Liquid Ether?" Quinus asked Zellin Coldforge. "Well, my father was lucky enough to get a drop of Liquid Ether about 40 years ago. I believe he smithed it to create your father''s sword," Zellin said while scratching his chin. "He made my father''s sword with only one drop?... I wonder what you and your father can make with this," Quinus said while pulling out a glowing vial of Liquid Ether and holding it up. Zellin''s and Hajdah''s eyes went wide when they saw the vial of liquid light. The Baron''s hands were shaking slightly as he took the vial and examined it. His face was puzzled and stunned as he saw how much Ether, the Prince, had collected. "That''s insane! You''ve got that much Liquid Ether!? That makes you the richest man in the world!" Zellin said in disbelief while handling the vial carefully. "And what would you do with this gift, My Lord," Hajdah asked. "With this Ether, the possibilities are endless... I don''t seek wealth, but I desire weaponry and armor for both myself and my companions. I have a feeling that we will need all the help we can get," Quinus said as he watched the Baron stare at the vial of light. "We can do that, but it will take at least a few weeks or even a few months to forge what you want, My Lord... I''ll need to research what types of weapons my father and I can make for you," Zellin said as he handed the vial back to Quinus. "I would like for you to make a short sword for Rya first, then use the rest for me later... I could use some gauntlets or a shield," Quinus commanded while gesturing to Zellin to hang on to the vial. "As you wish, Your Highness," Zellin said as he pocketed the vial in his leather pouch. "Do we have any other business here?" Quinus asked. "No, Your Highness. We can try to send a message to your father and mother about your success if you like," Zellin asked. "Yes, I think that would be wise. Let us move on. What else do you have planned for the city?" Quinus asked. "Well, we are going to hold a Festival of the Goddess starting tomorrow morning. It''s an annual event where everyone throws money and offerings to their respective deities. With the goblins dealt with, we thought it would be a good time to hold it again," Zellin explained. "Sounds like a plan. I''d like to attend if possible, incognito, of course," Quinus said. "Of course, Your Highness. I''m sure the whole town will be festive, so you can blend in easily if you like," Zellin replied. "Hm. Well, that should be enough. I''ll be retiring to my room. Gentlemen, I look forward to seeing you during dinner," Quinus said. Zellin and Hajdah bowed to the prince as he walked away with Sir George in tow, and they left the Baron''s chamber. m " to e ap an Vol.2 Ch.64 Just a Hangover. Rya had been sleeping in her bed as best she could while recovering from drinking too much Dwarven Ale after Hajdah''s challenge. She woke up to the jarring sound of heavy knocking at the door as if someone were relentlessly hammering it with tremendous force. With her keen, elven ears, the noise seemed utterly overwhelming as the door swung open. But in reality, the knocking was barely more than a polite tap to a human''s ear. "Owww! God damn, my head," Rya grumbled, squinting her eyes to make out who was disturbing her. She battled against a brutal hangover from only a single ale. This would have been humiliating if her head didn''t feel like it was about to burst. "Alpha? Are you okay?" Dalia asked nervously as she peeked her head into Rya''s room. "I''m fine... Ugh... I just had a little too much. Ah, what time is it?" Rya replied, trying to ignore her aching head as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "You''ve been sleeping for about four hours. Do you need anything?... Like food or something?" Dalia asked as she walked through the doorway. "Food sounds good. Ow... And water. Thanks," Rya answered while rubbing her temples. The Dark Elf closed her eyes and leaned on her back, letting out a long sigh. The wolfkin nodded her head and wagged her tail before turning around and heading toward the kitchen. After a few minutes, Dalia came back to the room with Percy''s help. Dalia had a tall glass of water while Percy was struggling to navigate into Rya''s room with a large platter of various cooked meats with a side of vegetables. Rya''s eyelids slowly fluttered open as a tantalizing scent wafted into her nostrils, awakening her senses. The aroma of sizzling meat made her stomach emit a low, rumbling growl, reminding her of her intense hunger. Her mouth began to water uncontrollably. She cast a glance over at the two figures nearby and couldn''t help but stifle a chuckle at the sight of Dalia treating Percy like a makeshift pack animal. However, hunger overpowered her amusement, so she promptly sat upright, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the much-needed meal. ''She''s going to lose her mate if she keeps using him like that. It''s kinda cute, though,'' Rya thought as she slowly sat up in her bed. "Ugh! H-Here you go, Lady Rya. We have wild boar and root vegetables for you," Percy grunted as he bumped against the doorframe and regained his balance. "And I brought you water, Alpha!" Dalia chimed in with her usual chipper attitude. The Wolfkin outstretched her arm, holding the glass for Rya to take. The Dark Elf drank half of the glass before putting it down on the nightstand next to her bed. She sighed a bit as the cold water went down her throat. Percy was able to gently place the platter on a tray table near the bed and let out a sigh of relief. He wasn''t hurt, but he did have a few close calls. "Thanks, Dalia, and thank you, Percy," Rya said, picking up a piece of boar. She took a small bite and savored the flavor. She had to admit these dwarves knew how to cook meat. "Is there anything else you need, Alpha?" Dalia asked. "Yeah... You shouldn''t treated Percy like that. You''ll lose him if you keep doing that, you know," Rya stated with a straight face. Dalia''s expression turned into a blank slate as if her mind was struggling to make sense of the information. "But, Alpha?... Gamma took the large platter from me, and he insisted he''d do it... He said it had something to do with being ''gentlemanly.'' I told him that he was annoying, but he really seemed like he wanted to do it. I don''t think he''s going anywhere," the Wolfkin replied with a puzzled expression. Rya shot a quick glance at Percy, who appeared slightly embarrassed, before looking back at the puzzled Dalia. It was no secret that the wolfkin wasn''t known for her sharp wit, but Rya attributed it to cultural differences. Despite wanting to burst into laughter, the Dark Elf contained herself, letting out a small chuckle and shaking her head in a dismissive manner. "Anyway, is there anything else you need, Alpha?" Dalia asked again. "Yeah, you two can help me with eating all this meat... It''s a little too much for me," Rya answered. The dark elf forked another piece of meat and tore into it. Her teeth shredded through the meat, exposing the juicy insides. Her mouth watered as the rich flavor flooded her tongue. It was cooked to perfection, and the meat melted in her mouth. It was already helping Rya''s headache as she began to forget her hangover. Dalia and Percy looked at each other and grinned. They both picked up a slice of meat and began to eat along with the Dark Elf. The air was thick with anticipation as they savored each bite of the mouthwatering meat and crisp, flavorful vegetables. Once they had cleaned their plates, Rya''s gaze drifted to the window, where she noticed the sun hidden behind heavy clouds. In the distance, the majestic mountain range loomed, adding an intriguing backdrop to their quiet moment. "It seems like it''s gonna rain," Rya said. Dalia looked out the window and sniffed the air. *Sniff! Sniff!* "Hmm? Well, I do smell more moistness in the air than normal," Dalia replied. "Maybe it''s a storm coming in?" Percy asked. "That''s if the wind is blowing the clouds towards us... I hope it rains. I like the sound of it from time to time... Haah... Well, I''m feeling better, thanks, guys," Rya said as she stretched her arms over her head. "Well, it''s the least we can do. And you did well with Hajdah''s challenge, Lady Rya. I was a little worried when the Mage''s Guild surrounded us," Percy admitted as he winced at the thought of fighting the mages. "Huh? They were a part of the Mage''s Guild? I thought I felt something radiating from them. Was that their mana? I have never experienced that kind of sensation before..." Rya wondered out loud as she recalled the sensation she felt when the guild members surrounded them. "Well, that''s what mages say, at least. If someone is born with the ability to become a mage, then mages can sense other mages'' mana. They say it feels different from everyone else''s mana. But it feels all the same to me... Anyway, don''t worry about it. Only the mages can sense your mana. They are the only ones in the city who can tell that you are different from everyone else," Percy explained. "Hmm? So, are there multiple mages practicing their magical arts in this city? That''s quite intriguing... I wonder if they possess different spellbooks or mystical tomes that can expand my understanding of magic. Maybe there are some secrets that I haven''t come across yet," Rya muttered under her breath as her mind raced with new possibilities. "If you''re looking for books on the subject, I think you''ll be disappointed. Most of their books are made by other kingdoms from millennia ago, and we are unable to reproduce them ourselves unless there''s a magical scribe in the city. On top of that, they are impossible to read because they are written in dead languages from what I''ve been told," Percy answered. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ''I wonder if those stupid Goddesses gave me the ability to read dead languages? It''s the least those assholes could do! Who am I kidding? They would take away abilities if it amused them,'' Rya thought to herself with a grimace. The Dark Elf emerged from her thoughts and glanced around, only to realize that Quin and Sir George were nowhere to be found. "Hey? Where is Quin? Where''s he gone to?" Rya asked her friends. "Yeah, Beta came back from an errand earlier and was watching over you like a sick puppy! But the Baron asked him about sending a message to someone or something... I didn''t care to remember. Anyway, he should be back soon... I think," Dalia replied. ''Why would the Baron want to send a message? Maybe it''s a message for his parents? Whatever, it''s probably not important for me to worry about,'' Rya thought to herself. Dalia pointed to the door. Rya exited her bed, walked over to the door, and opened it to see a lavish office with a large desk made from exotic wood and a matching chair. There were shelves lined with books, scrolls, and other knickknacks. The desk had a quill, inkwell, and paper. There was a large round table in the middle of the room. Six chairs surrounded it, but none of them were made of wood. All were made from steel and cushioned with black leather. On the wall were two paintings of the late King Burell Meredydd and his wife. This room was designed for the Royal Family whenever they visited Ironside. ''Jeez, this stuff looks expensive!'' Rya thought to herself while taking in all the gold accents around the room. "Wow... I feel like I shouldn''t touch anything... Oh? That''s a big window," the Dark Elf exclaimed while admiring the view of the office. She sauntered gracefully to the window and gazed pensively outside, her eyes tracing the patterns of the busy streets below. As she peered downward, her gaze was drawn to a solitary figure seated at a secluded table in the corner of the palace courtyard. Recognition dawned on her as she realized that it was the same dwarven mage who challenged her when they found out that she was a Dark Elf after entering the palace grounds. It was Archmage Hajdah, The Fire Mage of Ironside, Headmaster of the Mage''s Guild, and an elder dwarf. "Uh... He looks familiar, but I can''t remember his name... Who is that?" Rya asked Dalia as her head started to hurt from her hangover. "That''s the dwarf from the Mage Guild. He''s been hanging around after you were in bed. I thought he was going to go home. I guess he isn''t," Dalia replied in an annoyed tone. "Well, someone''s finally awake. I hope your head is feeling better," asked the familiar voice that belonged to Quinus. Rya spun around, heart racing, only to find the Crown Prince standing before her, a warm smile lighting up his face. As Quin laid eyes on Rya''s stunning face, he misinterpreted her expression as one of panic or fear. In response, he awkwardly raised his hand to scratch the back of his head. "I''m sorry, Rya. I didn''t mean to startle you." Rya let out a sigh and shook her head. "It''s okay, really. I''m sorry for being such a mess after getting drunk again." Quin smiled and nodded, "Don''t worry about it. It''s not your fault. Hajdah was hell-bent on proving that you were using me. He was an idiot for trying to start drama between us. Don''t listen to him." Rya frowned and placed her hand on Quin''s chest. "Does he not trust me because I''m a Dark Elf? Or what?" Quin took Rya''s hand into his own. "Yeah. The weird thing is Hajdah has been alive for 120 years, and you''re the first Dark Elf he''s run into? It seems like most of the continent hasn''t run into the Dark Elves except the Alliance of the Divine Three?" ''Huh? Are Dark Elves a rare species? I thought they-I meant "we" were a pretty standard race in this world. I guess I assumed wrong. Then again, I am in a city of the Dwarves. Wait, what did Quin just say? He said that Dwarf was 120 years old?... Damn!? Well, he''s aged well. I wonder what the average lifespan for a dwarf is?'' Rya pondered. "Well, we''re invited to have dinner with the Baron tonight. Would you like to join us?" Quin asked. "Sure, why not? I''ve never met the baron before, and I don''t want to be rude," Rya replied. "Just try not to drink too much ale tonight. You don''t need another hangover," Quin said sarcastically. Rya laughed and nodded. "I think I had enough for one day. But I have to say that stuff is too good!" "You know I don''t care if you get drunk as long as you behave yourself," Quin said. Rya flashed a mischievous grin. "Oh yeah! There''s a festival for the Goddess happening tomorrow. It should be nice just to relax a bit," Quin mentioned. "Well, I wouldn''t mind checking it out," Rya replied. Dalia and Percy were excited about the idea of attending the festival. "Yeah, I''d like to watch the animal show if anyone is interested," Percy asked out loud. "Hmm? A human, dwarf festival? I''d see the main attraction, but I don''t really like to see animals in captivity. They are used mostly for fighting or performing, and it wouldn''t give me any pleasure. But if it were humans that were fighting in an arena, then I would be interested," Dalia said with a wag of her tail. Percy''s heart raced as he suddenly realized that he had promised to take Dalia, a former Battle Arena Slave, to see caged animals, mirroring her own past captivity. Uncertain of how she would react, he scrambled to make amends. "Ah!... Did I say that!? What I really meant to say was, let''s go to the game stalls, exciting rides, and get some delicious food. We''ll steer clear of the animal fights, Lady Dalia. Which are nowhere near as fun as those other things; ha ha," Percy hastily corrected himself. He prayed to the Goddess that he didn''t offend the woman that he loved. "Good, that''s why you''re the best little wolf in the world," Dalia said with a wink and a giggle. Percy blushed and nodded, not knowing how to respond. ''Oof! That was almost a disaster, Percy... Good recovery, though. But she''s gonna eat you alive if you keep making mistakes like that. Well, I better enjoy the show. Haha,'' Rya thought to herself as she stifled a chuckle. After she was done laughing at her own jokes, an idea popped into her head that might help the two of them grow their relationship. "You know, Dalia?... It''s like you''re going on a date with Percy?" Rya said with a grin, trying to tease the Wolfkin. But her ulterior motive was to push the couple together. Dalia''s tail perked up, and she quickly turned her head towards Rya. She had a puzzled look on her face. "But it''s not a date, Alpha. It''s just a simple trip to a festival. And it''s with everyone. So, there''s no way it''s a date, right?" the wolfkin asked, which made Percy look disappointed. "Hmm... But didn''t you want to know what a date is like with your mate? That''s a shame," Rya replied, shrugging her shoulders and putting a sad look on her face. Dalia tilted her head. She thought to herself about what Rya had said. "I''m not afraid of some ''date.'' I''ve been through so many opponents that these dates that humans go on will be nothing to me." ''Hehe! You better thank me for this, Percy, ''cause I''m about to set you up with the girl of your dreams!'' Rya thought to herself. She couldn''t contain the evil grin that was growing on her face. "Heh... Putting up a brave front, huh? Well, dating is one of the toughest battles that you can fight against," Rya said, her voice filled with confidence. "A battle? It''s just a human tradition. And humans are weak. So, their dates shouldn''t be difficult to overcome," Dalia said, sounding sure of herself. Percy''s eyes widened with excitement, but he kept quiet, not wanting to ruin the moment. Rya''s grin widened. She could almost hear the young man''s heartbeat. "Well, you see, it''s like a fight. But instead of fighting physically, you are fighting with your heart and mind. You have to use your words in ways to win over favors and gain your opponent''s trust. Then, you will slowly open up and allow them to get close. This process can take a lot of time, and some people may not be patient enough to stick it out until the end... Can a Wolfkin handle such pressure? That''s the real question." The wolfkin''s ears twitched. Her tail stopped wagging as she took in Rya''s explanation. Then, her eyes filled with fiery determination. "Fighting with words and opening your heart, huh? I am not afraid, Alpha! If it''s a challenge, then I''ll be ready for whatever it brings. Right, little wolf?" Rya beamed with approval as she glanced at Dalia. Then she turned to Percy, who seemed eager to descend to the Dark Elf''s feet and shower them with kisses for devising such a brilliant plan. Quinus observed the scene with amusement and held his tongue, not wanting to spoil the moment. "So you aren''t afraid then?... Good... Because you will be... You will be," Rya said ominously, raising her hand and pointing directly at Dalia''s heart. "Hmph. Just point that finger somewhere else. Because I will win," the wolfkin said, puffing out her chest. "Heh, very well, Dalia," Rya said, lowering her finger as the Wolfkin didn''t realize what she had just gotten herself into. Quinus finally chimed in after the amusing display. "Enough joking around everyone, let''s go meet the Baron," he announced. Rya looked at Quin and nodded. "Sounds good." With a confident stride, Quinus approached the door and swung it open. Gesturing with a sweeping motion of his hand, he signaled for everyone to make their exit. The group then made their way to the dining hall, where the grand banquet was already in full swing. Vol.2 Ch.65 The Banquet. As the group enters the room, a servant swiftly approaches Rya, gracefully taking her cloak as she strides in with confidence. The Baron looks up and smiles at the group. "Ah, welcome! So, this is Lady Rya, which the Prince was speaking about? She''s lovelier than I imagined." He then turns to Rya. "Pleased to meet you." ''Um?... D-Do I bow or something? I don''t know noble etiquette?'' Rya hesitated for a moment, then bowed her head slightly, unsure if she was doing it right. "Oh? Ha ha ha! you don''t have to bow to me, Lady Rya. We are equals here. Come! Sit down over here. We have plenty of food and wine!" Baron Zellin said with a smile. Rya blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed by the gesture, while she overheard Quin and Dalia sharing a quiet laugh about it. The rest of the Minor Nobles couldn''t help but notice the enigmatic Dark Elf and their curiosity was piqued. Despite their initial reservations, they were eager to engage in conversation with the Prince, each one hoping to win the favor of the future King of Fiafyr. Rya could hear Quin talking under his breath when he saw all the noble dwarves hovering around them. "Well, looks like tonight''s going to be a long night." "It''s not easy being popular sometimes. Hey, if you like, I can play the world''s smallest violin for you?" Rya whispered back to Quin, causing him to shake his head and smirk. w ''Man... I kind of know why some women hate chivalry, but I like it! Hehe! I wonder what else I could get Quin to do?... If he knew I was a guy, though, that would be a different story... Ah, whatever! I''ll enjoy it while it lasts.'' "Yeah... Well, the important thing is that Baron Zellin sent a messenger to my parents, and now that we are in the Baron''s castle, I feel a little better. If anyone attacks, then at least we won''t die in his backyard, so to speak," Quin said in a hushed tone. ". " Quinus mentioned this while staring longingly at Rya''s azure eyes as if he had found the person he had been looking for for a long time. She didn''t know what he was getting at, but she had a feeling he was hinting at something, or maybe he was trying to flirt with her to mess with her. Either way, Rya shook it off as harmless, but she wasn''t entirely sure how to react. was . "" ... It''s good to see you again," Rya couldn''t shake the feeling of unease as she noticed the intense and unsettling gaze of Lord Garlon fixed upon her. She tried her best to ignore him, but it was hard not to notice his constant leering. re w "y ''Is he blushing? Did I hear that right? No way, I must be imagining things. He''s just a good friend, nothing more.'' Quinus noticed Rya frown, but it looked more like pouting, and he had to hold back a chuckle. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. cided to redirect her attention to the captivating sights and sounds ofm. As Garlon continued to talk to the Prince, Rya''s keen elven senses caught the murmurs and laughter of the other nobles. It was clear that something was afoot, and Rya intended to find out what. "What''s so funny?" Rya asked one of the nobles while they were giggling. "Oh, it''s nothing." They replied in a hushed voice. "You know I can hear you, right?" Rya replied .r races like, so we were curious and intrigued," one of the dwarves said. '' "Ahem!" Hajdah cleared his throat, trying to get Rya''s attention. The Guild Master grimaced, but he couldn''t blame her for forgetting his name after everything he had done to her. He was quick to reply, "My name is Master Hajdah, Lady Rya. I-I came here to apologize." He stutters out. . ", I might be able to accept you apolog Hajda "Y Guild " teach you of my spells element you''re ed to. it fire, ice, or wind?" "I don''t see why not?... But we should start with the basics so I can get a better understanding of your skill level. What element are you most comfortable with?" he asked as he combed his fingers through his long white beard. "Dark Earth Magic. I feel I understand that one the best... What''s the element do you cast, Hajdah?" She asked the old dwarf. "Dead languages? That''s unfortunate. But I would be happy to learn a few spells even if I can''t read them. Do you know anyone who could help me translate the texts into... Um... Common?" Rya asks, hopeful that there might be someone in the city who could read the language. "Count me in! I''m feeling pretty hungry, too." Rya said as she started eating a bowl of stew, not waiting for Quin. Rya chuckled and said, "Go get ''em, tiger," making Quin smirk as he waved the next noble dwarf over. *** The night went on like this noble. he.lling to help the prince in any way possible after he stopped the Tomb of the Horde At one point, Quinus yearned to depart, but he found himself constantly ensnared by other nobles detaining him. ''Haha! Oh, looks like he needs my help to get him out of this mess.'' Rya thought to herself while getting up from her seat. She then made her way over to Quin. "Prince Quinus? There''s someone here who wants to speak with you," Rya said as she pointed to the door leading out of the dining room. Quinus glanced toward the doorway, but it was empty. However, he quickly grasped Rya''s intentions, and a smile spread across his face. "Well, I apologize for leaving, but I have some business I need to attend to, Sir Jevon," Quinus said to the nobleman standing next to him. "Oh! No problem, Your Highness. I''m sure we can continue our conversation later," Jevon replied. The Dwarven Lord bowed to Quinus as the Prince walked to the doorway with Rya by his side. "You are a lifesaver," Quin whispered to Rya while they made their getaway. "Yeah, I could tell you were in a bit of distress. How could I not come in to rescue you?" Rya laughed. "Laugh it up now because one of these days, I''m going to rescue you, and then I will have turned the tables on you," he joked. "I''d love to see that day. But honestly, I don''t think you could make it up to me after everything I''ve done," Rya laughs. "I like a good challenge. And if I do manage to win, you''ll reward me, right?" His words were accompanied by a warm, flirtatious smile. "e heis you He swiftly regained his composure and beamed with a wide, confident smile. "Well, if you do something that gets you in trouble, I''ll just have to come in and save you. Then, I''ll demand something reasonable from you as a reward for rescuing you," He said, giving her a mischievous grin. "e hoyou fors," Quinus said while looking at Rya. "Well, thank you for noticing... Anyway, I''m feeling it, and I''m ready to crash for the night," Rya told Quinus. "Alright, I''ll escort you to your room then," Quin replied with a nod. Rya''s face lit up with a smile as she shook her head, clearly amused. ''He can be too protective sometimes. Whatever, I''m not sure where my room is anyway, so let him act like a gentleman for once.'' She thought to herself while following Quinus'' lead. Upon arriving at their destination, Rya steps into her spacious room, which dwarfs the one they had occupied at the inn. The room is adorned with exquisite linens, adding an elegant touch to the decor. "Much more spacious. This will do nicely." Rya said out loud to herself while getting ready for bed. , As everything was finally arranged, Rya sank into the embrace of the plush mattress. Exhausted from the long journey, she anticipated that slumber would swiftly envelop her. The moment Rya gently shut her eyes, she succumbed to a peaceful and deep sleep. Outside Rya''s room in the hallway, Quinus sighed and then headed back toward his own bedroom.ins Vol.2 Ch.66 The Festival of the Goddess. The night slipped by swiftly, and as the first light of dawn filtered through the window, Rya awakened, feeling rejuvenated and ready to embrace the new day. Struggling to leave her bed''s comfortable embrace, Rya was startled by a sudden, persistent knock at the door to her room. "Um?... Who is it?" Rya called out. "It''s me, Alpha! Open up!" A familiar voice yelled through the closed door. Rya let out a sigh as she slid into her pants, which still felt uncomfortable to her when she transformed into a Dark Elf and then made her way to the door. As she swung it open, she was greeted by the sight of Dalia standing there, her tail wagging eagerly. "What are you doing here so early in the morning? Don''t you like to mate with Percy until 10 am?" Rya asked, surprised. Ever since Dalia took Percy as her mate, the two had spent more time alone in the mornings by the day. Rya would have to cover her elven ears in hopes of silencing out their moans and screams of pleasure. "Oh, my little wolf? He''s sleeping right now after our nightly exercise... B-But he was asking me about going to the festival last night before he passed out, and I didn''t know what to tell him this morning, so I came to you instead," Dalia explained with a bit of worry in her body language. "Oh, why are you nervous? You''ve already mated with him, and that''s the hardest part... There''s nothing to worry about." Rya said, reassuring the Wolfkin. "Hey!? But this will be our first date thingy! And I want it to go well! I''m worried that if I don''t act confident, I might mess things up... A-And he might leave me for another mate," Dalia said nervously. "Wow, you really love him, don''t you?" Rya replied with a big smile. "Gah! I-I don''t know!... Maybe I do. A-And I think I want to have his pups. But he''s human... Do you think he would want my pups?" Dalia asked shyly. Rya wanted to smile at the Wolfkin''s confusion, but she held back for the time being. She could tell that Dalia really wanted her help, and the last thing she wanted to do was tease her. "You mean you want to ''mate'' mate with him?" Rya asked again, but this time, it sounded more like a statement than a question. "I don''t know! Maybe down the road... All I know is that I don''t want to lose him," Dalia confessed. The Dark Elf flashed a warm smile and draped her arm over the shoulders of the Wolfkin. With just a simple reply, Rya understood the depth of her love for him. "I don''t think he''s leaving you, Dalia... From what I can tell, he''s head over heels for you, and he wouldn''t leave you because of that... My advice is to just be yourself when you two go out on a date, okay?... Now come on, let''s find the dining room and get something to eat," Rya said before turning around and heading down the hallway. *** Dalia nodded and followed the Dark Elf closely, and it was not long before they arrived at a set of double doors leading to the dining hall. They opened the doors and saw the room crowded with a few dwarven nobles who had been there since late last night, passed out from drinking too much, and the servants were trying to clean up all the messes left behind, but that was proving to be difficult with all the past out bodies strewed about the room. Rya sighed and shook her head. It turned out the dwarves in this fantasy world weren''t that much different from all the fiction novels back on Earth. ''Well... This is my life from now on,'' Rya thought as she sat down in an empty chair with Dalia grabbing the one next to her. After a few moments, a servant girl wearing a simple white apron dress came up and placed two large platters of food on the table. One platter had a bowl of porridge made from wheat and honey with a small dish of fresh fruit; the other had a plate filled with strips of roasted venison and vegetables. Both were accompanied by a mug filled with cold milk. Dalia dug in while Rya ate slower, savoring each bite. While the meal was delicious, the Dark Elf still missed some of the Earth foods, such as pizza or sushi, but she couldn''t complain. It was not like she would ever get the chance to eat them again. She would have to make them herself. Well, maybe not sushishe didn''t know how to make thatbut pizza and some other Earth foods she knew the recipes for. They started eating the food and discussing what they thought would happen at the festival. Dalia didn''t know much, and Rya had nothing but assumptions, but she didn''t tell her. She was still new to this world and didn''t want to get ahead of herself, so she tried to avoid making predictions that seemed far-fetched or out of place. Luckily, Quinus, Percy, and Sir George entered the dining room and joined them for breakfast. "So, what are you three planning to do during the festival?" Dalia asked excitedly, her tail wagging uncontrollably. "Yeah, I''ve never been to one of these festivals before, so I have no idea what to expect," Rya added. "I believe Baron Zellin will commence the opening ceremony to Goddess Iyomelka... If we finish breakfast early enough, I suggest we take a stroll through the market district before reaching the city square, where the musical tribute should start by noon. That should give us time to see everything we want," Quinus replied calmly while sipping his hot tea. "Hey!?... Will there be games at this festival?" Dalia asked as she became serious all of a sudden. The three men looked at each other with question marks over their heads. "Have you played some of the festival games, Lady Dalia?" Percy asked curiously. "Oh, no, I haven''t... But I''ve seen them outside the battle arenas when I was brought in for a fight... It annoyed me to see so many humans failing to win those prizes!... How can someone not get a stupid ring on a Hex-Horn? The beast is stationary, and it barely moves! If I see that game, I''ll show your humans how a Wolfkin does it!..." Dalia proclaimed. Rya looked over to the three males at the table and raised an eyebrow, "Well, that was a little unexpected... So, do you guys play those festival games too? If so, are you any good?" The three grimaced, and they didn''t want to break it to Dalia that those festival games were tougher than they looked. Quinus assumed that they were rigged against the player, but he had no proof. "I enjoy watching others try to play the games, but I have no intention of trying it myself. The last thing I want is to get laughed at," Quinus said flatly. Sir George shrugged, "I don''t see why not, but I''ll leave the games to you guys. When it comes down to it, I''d rather look at the merchants selling their wares." "I-I''ll try my hand at a few of the easier ones if Lady Dalia would like me to," Percy replied meekly. Dalia''s tail wagged when Percy agreed to play a few games with her, and then the Wolfkin said, "If you are worried about embarrassing yourself in front of me, then maybe I should show you how it''s done, Little Wolf!" ''Maybe Dalia will need to be consoled if she fails at those annoying games... Then I can swoop in and get her a kabob,'' Percy thought. "Well, if you all are done, let''s finish breakfast and get moving... We don''t want to miss the opening ceremony, do we?" Quinus urged the group. *** After indulging in a hearty meal, Quinus, Percy, Dalia, Rya, and Sir George left the grand palace and set off on a leisurely stroll toward the bustling marketplace. It was almost noon, and as they strolled together toward the celebration, their surroundings buzzed with infectious energy. The air was filled with anticipation, evident in the vibrant attire and elaborate masks donned by the revelers, some of which depicted the revered Goddess, Iyomelka. Rya observes the lively atmosphere as she notices people engaging in various enjoyable activities. She pauses to admire a group of performers, each showcasing their unique talents in captivating ways. In a serene setting, a graceful lady delicately plays a soothing melody on a flute while another talented individual gracefully draws the bow across the strings of a violin, filling the air with rich, harmonious notes. Soon after, a man dressed as a deity begins to sing a captivating song, a tribute to the goddess. As his powerful voice resonates, a mesmerizing group of dancers gracefully moves to the enchanting music, their movements reflecting the emotion and energy of the performance. After every mesmerizing performance, the fervent crowd erupted into thunderous applause and exuberant cheers. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and as the show progressed, the crowd swelled, and the electric energy intensified. Rya couldn''t help but notice the infectious joy spreading through the crowd as everyone became increasingly jubilant. Suddenly, a thunderous cheer ripples through the crowd. The band halts their performance, and all eyes swiftly shift in unison toward the giant stage in the city square. Before their eyes, the grand stage is arranged, with two figures poised and ready. One figure commands attention with his imposing stature, while the other is Baron Zellin himself. "Huh? The Baron looks so small compared to that other guy. I wonder who he is? Anyway, it looks like they want to get the party started," Rya whispers to herself while making sure her hood is still up to hide her ears. "Listen, people of Ironside! I bring great news about the Crown Prince! He and his brave comrades have thwarted the goblin horde that dared to attack our city! This is undeniable proof of the Lord of Fiafyr''s power, as the goddess watches over him and our people!" A thunderous voice booms across the crowd from the mountainous man who was standing next to the baron. The entire crowd of diverse individuals erupts into an overwhelming cacophony of cheers and jubilant shouts, creating an electrifying atmosphere that reverberates with uncontainable excitement and joy. "However, before we celebrate, let''s take a moment to honor the fallen who couldn''t be with us today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Let''s bow our heads and send our prayers to the brave souls fighting for us now!" The commanding figure roars once more. The crowd gradually falls silent as individuals lower their heads in a solemn gesture, observing a moment of silence. "..." "..." The stillness of the crowd sent shivers down Rya''s spine, creating an eerie hush that made her acutely aware of her surroundings. Even the softest sound seemed amplified in the atmosphere, and she found herself taken aback by the unusual solemnity pervading what was supposed to be a joyful festival. After a moment, the silence breaks when Baron Zellin hits the giant gong, producing a resonating, reverberating sound. "People of Ironside, today, we are here to celebrate the goddess Iyomelka and the brave warriors who defended our city. We will honor them by lighting a giant bonfire and giving offerings to the goddess. In addition, we will feast until our bellies are full and dance till the sun goes down! And I will personally ensure that all of you have a wonderful time!" Baron Zellin announces joyfully. The towering figure moved to the front, bellowing, "You heard him! It''s time to feast, drink, and make merry! Let''s honor the goddess and revel in the moment!" The air was filled with enthusiastic cheers and rhythmic hand clapping, creating a sense of excitement and celebration that reverberated throughout the space. "Alright, boys! Let''s show these folks something they''ll never forget!" The mountainous man bellowed at the performers in the rear of the stage. The hulking figure strode to the rear of the stage, and his arm outstretched toward the towering metal framework as he approached the commanding drum. With a swift movement, he removed the drumstick from his mouth like a magician and brought it down onto the drum''s surface. The reverberating sound waves filled the air, causing everyone to startle as the powerful beats reached their ears. "For the Lord of Fiafyr!" He screamed. The crowd erupts into wild cheers and deafening shouts. "Now it''s time for the most exciting part, our amazing dancers!" he exclaims. Two stunning young women gracefully take the stage, dressed in eye-catching attire and clutching glistening golden orbs. Every step they take is deliberate and captivating as they move across the polished wooden platform, commanding the undivided attention of everyone in the room. In an instant, the musicians leaped into action, igniting a whirlwind of sound. The music surged with energy, filling the air with an infectious rhythm. The drums throbbed with unwavering intensity while the flutes and bells wove a jubilant, captivating melody. The crowd soon became swept up in the celebration, adding their rhythmic claps to the lively tempo. The two young women locked eyes and exchanged a nod of mutual understanding. As the music filled the air, they swayed their hips in perfect synchrony, creating a mesmerizing dance. Rya stood in admiration, captivated by their graceful movements and effortless harmony. "How do they not fall over? If I tried to move like that, I would blow out my back or something worse," Rya said with a pained expression at first. Then she looked down at her hips and tried to sway them a bit to see if it was possible for her to mimic their movements. ''Huh?... It''s not that bad at all... Maybe it''s a thing that women can do, and not guys,'' she thought to herself. Quinus couldn''t help but have his eyes drawn to Rya''s hips. He had to will himself not to stare at them, but it was getting harder and harder to keep his eyes off of them. So he moved in closer to her. "Um... I don''t know. I think that you could pull it off... You should join them when you feel like it," Quinus replied sheepishly. Rya blushed and shook her head vigorously, "No way, I''m not a dancer. Besides, I can''t compete with those two beauties." She gestured toward the dancers, who were now spinning and jumping to the music, their lithe bodies twisting and bending with ease. "You give yourself too little credit, Rya... You were able to dodge multiple attacks coming from the hobgoblins and a Cave Troll... Doing that should be a walk in the park for you," Quinus said with a wink. The Dark Elf rolled her eyes and playfully elbowed him in the side, "You just want to make a fool out of me." "If it gets your hips moving like that, then you can be the biggest fool in all the realms," he whispered seductively. Rya couldn''t help but giggle at the remark and found herself feeling a bit flustered by his forwardness. ''H-He''s just joking with me, right?... I mean, there''s no way that he''s actually serious about wanting me to dance in front of everyone, right?...'' She thought. As they gazed on, the mesmerizing synchronicity of the two women''s dance captivated their attention. With each beat of the drum, the surreal and hypnotic movements of the dancers seemed to draw them in deeper. The music surged, infusing the air with energy, and the dancers responded with escalating speed and precision. Their movements unfolded with increasing intricacy and drama, captivating all those who were fortunate enough to witness their artistry. Rya waved off the offer with a laugh. "Nah, I''m good. I''d probably embarrass myself if I got up there," she said with a grin. Quinus gazed at Rya and attempted to charm her with a sad, puppy-dog expression, but she couldn''t help but snort and shake her head in amusement. ''Geez, man! Stop staring at me like that! B-But how can a guy look so damn adorable!?'' Rya thought to herself as she suppressed the urge to laugh. And the more Quin teased her, the more her loins started to tickle her. "Ugh, can you stop making that face? You look like a big goofball," she giggled. "I''m trying to convince you to dance, but you''re making this harder than it needs to be," he smirked. Rya gave him a playful punch on the shoulder and laughed. The two were interrupted by Dalia''s enthusiastic shouts. "Hey, Alpha! Do you want to play a game? Little Wolf pointed some out, and I want to try them!" Dalia proclaimed as she grabbed Rya''s right arm. "Huh?... What kind of game is it?" Rya asked curiously. "It''s the Hex Horn Ring Toss! I''m totally going to show these humans and dwarves that a Wolfkin can easily win this game! Ooh! And you should try it, too, Alpha! We can win gold for the prizes! You''re an elf, so we can clean them out!" Dalia replied as she tugged at Rya''s arm, attempting to pull her toward the booth. "Wait, wait! Slow down a bit! I don''t even know how the game is played. And where is it? I didn''t see anything like that during our walk over here," Rya inquired, confused by the sudden request. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "That''s because it was on the other side of the market! It''s past this alley! Little Wolf found it, and there are a bunch of people who are failing! Come on!" Dalia said as she tugged Rya''s arm again. "U-Um... Okay, let''s check it out, but you can''t get mad at me if we lose!" "Come on, Alpha! Just trust me! Ive always wanted to win these types of games, but I have never been able to! That ends today! I will prove to everyone that the Wolfkin are the best!" Dalia roared, pumping herself up. Dalia whisked Rya away, leaving Quinus, Percy, and Sir George behind, causing the Crown Prince to look at his friend with concern. "Percy, your future wife might be a bit wild at times," Quinus stated. "A bit!?... She''s a lot wild, but that''s what makes her special," Percy replied, chuckling a bit. "Well, we better not lose them, or they''ll probably cause some trouble," Quinus smirked. ****** The trio hurriedly navigated through the bustling crowd, trailing the pair as they sprinted toward the ring toss booth located beyond Market Street. Upon arriving, Rya observed the various prizes adorning the wall behind the vendor, many of which were colorful trinkets, toys, and stuffed animals. In the middle of the wall were also several liquor bottles, which intrigued her. But the area where the ring toss was held in the corner was filled with people watching, and those trying to win the game could be heard cursing under their breaths once they failed, which seemed like everyone was losing. ''Damn? So you have to throw a one-inch brass ring on that goat over there? And Dalia thinks this is easy? I don''t see how anyone can do this! Why would anyone try this impossible game...Oh?'' As they neared the booth, Rya couldn''t help but notice the allure of the game. Glittering on a shelf behind the counter were four bags of gold, each of a different size, enveloped in a shimmering force field to deter any would-be thieves. The sight made everyone''s eyes light up with excitement. ''That''s a lot of gold! But if there''s that much gold... Then is it even possible to win in this game?... This could be a scam. Well, I''ll watch Dalia try to play first and see if she wins or not. Then I can decide if I want to try or not. There''s no way I''m risking throwing away money I don''t have,'' Rya thought to herself. Dalia started tugging Rya''s arm in excitement, "Alpha, you see the stall where the game is? The Hex Horned Goat thing is behind that," she exclaimed. "Yeah... I can see it... What do you have to do to win one of the prizes?" Rya inquired. "Well, you just have to throw a brass ring on the horns of the goat, and you can get the smallest bag of gold!... And that''s it," Dalia answered. "You get a bag of gold for getting one ring onto the horn?... What do you have to do to get the grand prize?" "That''s the best part! All you need to do is get three rings on the Hex Horn''s horns with six tries, and you can get all the gold!" "Are you serious!?" Rya observed attentively as a fresh contestant approached the booth, eager to participate in the upcoming round. The booth attendant handed the contestant six shiny brass rings as he paid three silver coins. The contestant grasped the rings tightly and stared intently at the Hex Horn Goat. With a steady motion, the contestant began tossing the brass rings toward the goat''s horns. Rya watched with bated breath as the first ring sailed through the air, and he missed badly. ''Huh? Did that guy just throw the ring sideways? What the hell was that throw!? There''s no way he''s going to hit the horns with a throw like that! Geez, that was so embarrassing, man!'' It wasn''t obvious initially, but Rya noticed that the fly pattern wasn''t natural. It was like something was interfering with the throw. ''What the!?... D-Did they rig this game against the player?... Yeah... It doesn''t make sense to pay three pieces of silver to win a bag of gold, even if it is only the smallest prize. The odds of someone randomly getting one ring on the goat''s horn should happen at least once a day with this many players, but that doesn''t seem to be the case. The odds of winning are stacked against the player, but this is just wrong,'' Rya thought as she became suspicious of the ring toss game, as it gave her eerie vibes, similar to the carnival games she played back on Earth. "Dalia, I don''t think it''s worth trying to play this game. I don''t think you can get a ring on that~" "OH!?! So you think that I lack the ability to win? Is that it, Alpha!?" Dalia roared in a challenging manner, cutting Rya off. Rya raised her hands up defensively and replied, "H-Hey! Calm down! I didn''t mean it like that! I''m just saying that you''ll put Percy through financial ruin if you think you can~" "There you go again! I''ll show all of you why the Wolfkin are better! And Little Wolf! You''re paying for my rounds!" Dalia declared as she rushed up to Percy and took his leather purse from him before he could say anything. "D-Dalia!? You didn''t have to take my entire purse! I would have given you a few silver!" "You worry too much, Little Wolf... Come on, Alpha! Let''s show them how it''s done!" Dalia roared as she grabbed Rya''s arm, made her way to the counter, and slammed the purse down, causing everyone around them to cheer. ''Crap! Okay, okay... I need to see how they are rigging this game so I can stop them from stealing everyone''s money. Especially Percy''s money. That poor kid needs to be more assertive with Dalia before she steamrolls him. It''s not healthy for the relationship. Haah... Well, let''s get this over with.'' Rya followed Dalia''s lead and took her spot next to her while the vendor smiled at them. "A small donation to the Goddess. Please give me three coins for six chances at glory," the lady at the counter stated. ''Small donation? This isn''t a charity, lady... Okay, I''m not going to argue; I need to focus. Hopefully, my elven eyes can spot something that no one else can see.'' Dalia took out three silver coins and slammed them down on the counter, "I''m here to win it all! So hand them over!" "I see you have the determination, but do you have the skill to match it, Wolfkin? We shall see!" the vendor replied, handing the young wolfkin female the rings. "No one show ever question a Wolfkin''s skill!" Dalia boasted before glaring at the Hex Horned Goat with intensity. ''Is she serious? This isn''t a competition, Dalia, and no one is questioning your skill. Ugh, she''s going to get screwed if I don''t do something about this.'' The vendor nodded and said, "Good luck, and may the goddess aid you with victory! Let''s see if you can achieve what no one has yet." "Just you watch! The Wolfkin will triumph!" Dalia boasted, and her tail wagged excitedly as she stepped up to the edge of the booth and looked at the Hex Horn Goat that was tied up at the other end of the stall about ten meters away. The goat stood majestically, savoring its fresh hay as it chewed contentedly, seemingly unaware of the bustling world around it. Dalia''s eyes narrowed, and her face was focused and serious. As she held the brass ring up to the sky, Rya could sense the Wolfkin''s competitive spirit ignite. Rya was on the lookout, hoping to catch a glimpse of any mana lingering in or around this game that would prevent Dalia from having a shot at the prize. The Dark Elf was so focused that she didn''t notice Quinus and Percy coming up from behind them. Sir George was hanging back a bit, seeing if anyone noticed that the Crown Prince was mingling among the crowd. "HAH!" Dalia threw the brass ring with a fierce yell, and everyone around them went silent. The brass ring sailed through the air, spinning, twisting, and turning as it glided toward its intended target. Rya and Quinus both witnessed the ring hitting the horn on the mark, but it somehow bounced off. It was like the ring hit an invisible force that didn''t allow the ring to make contact, even though it looked like it did. ''Holy shit! It is rigged! I wouldn''t have known if I didn''t have these elven eyes! Dalia''s gonna throw a tantrum if she gets scammed like this! But I didn''t sense any mana coming from the goat or the ring... What are they using to prevent the ring from landing on the horn?'' "Damn, it! I almost had it!" Dalia cursed as she picked up her second ring. "Oh, that was a close one. Maybe the Goddess blinked before it landed? Hopefully, she will help you with the next go," the vendor said, trying to act as if she was sympathetic. Dalia let out a fierce growl, her tail lashing angrily as the crowd instinctively took a step back. Rya looked at Dalia, who was laser-focused on the horn, her determination clear as day. She was hell-bent on getting one of those elusive rings on the Hex Horn. "H-Hey, Dalia?... I think you are getting a little carried away with this. I-It''s only a game," Percy tried to calm her down, but it was useless. "SHHH!" Dalia cut him off and then waved him off, not wanting to be disturbed when she launched the second ring. Everyone went quiet as the ring left Dalia''s fingers, sailing through the air with a precision that could only be described as beautiful. Rya was sure that it would land, but once again, the ring bounced off the Hex Horn Goat''s horn by an invisible force that wasn''t noticeable by the naked eye unless it was Rya''s eye. "W-What!?! I swear that one was going to land on the horn! It bounced right off it!" Dalia exclaimed in confusion. "Oh, dear. You almost had it. If only the Goddess had blessed you a little more. It looks like you will need to work a little harder to achieve your goals," the vendor said. "I''m going to destroy this damn goat," Dalia growled as she grabbed her third ring, but she was stopped by Rya before she could. "Dalia?... There''s something up with this game... It''s not a lack of skill. Something is interfering with your throw. I''m not sure what it is, but they must be playing a trick on us," Rya whispered sternly. "Pff! No trick can defeat a Wolfkin! This is only a test to show my people''s determination!" Dalia whispered back with confidence. ''God, dammit, Dalia! She''s too gullible... Hold on... Let''s see if we can expose what''s going on. I just need to slow Dalia down first.'' Rya looked at the brass ring in Dalia''s hand and came up with an idea. "Hey, Dalia... Can I see those rings first? I wanna see if there''s any mana infused in them?" Rya asked, holding out her palm. "Huh?... Mana infused? But how can it be infused in a piece of brass?... Gah! Fine... But if you can''t find anything, then it was my fault for failing to believe in myself!" "Just give me the ring, and let me check it out, alright?" Dalia huffed as she handed the ring over to Rya. Rya examined the ring in her palm. There was no trace of mana or magic, but her eyes noticed something else. ''Huh? It''s faint, but something is going on here.'' Rya grabbed a second ring, and when she brought it closer to the other one, she noticed that the fields were pulling each other closer. ''Oh?... What is going on here?'' Rya grabbed a third ring and placed it with the other two, and she could see the brass rings being pulled together slightly. ''Holy crap! Are they magnetized?... Y-Yeah! They are magnetized! So I can see the magnetic fields because I''m a mage?... That''s crazy, but it''s good to know I can see such things... Hmm? Maybe I can get rid of the fields from them if I channel my mana through them," Rya thought as she manipulated her mana, causing the rings to vibrate a little as she demagnetized them, which caught Dalia''s attention. "What are you doing, Alpha? Are there enchantments on them?" Dalia asked. "N-Not an enchantment per se, but maybe it was my Imagination," Rya answered with a half-lie while ridding all of the brass rings'' of their magnetic fields. The vendor gazed at Rya with a mixture of surprise and curiosity evident on her face. Rya responded with a warm smile before returning the rings to Dalia. "Here, Dalia, give it a try now," Rya said as she placed the four rings back into Dalia''s hands. The Wolfkin gave Rya a bewildered look as if she had lost her mind. There was a point where Dalia worried that her Alpha would toss the ring toward the horn, claiming victory over her, but instead, she just looked at the rings and returned them. Dalia couldn''t fathom what her alpha was up to, but she happily accepted the rings back. "Okay? What happened?" Dalia asked. "Oh, nothing really. I just wanted to look closer at them before you tossed the next ring." Rya answered with a smile. "Really? Nothing?... I guess there was nothing wrong with them in the first place," Dalia said, turning back to the goat. "Yeah, it''s nothing... Just a figment of my imagination, Dalia." "Alright! Time to prove to this stupid goat that a Wolfkin doesn''t give up!" With determination in her eyes, Dalia readied herself for another try. Before she could make her next move, she stole a final glance at the gleaming rings. It was at that moment when Percy decided to speak up. "Shh! I''m trying to concentrate!" Dalia whispered harshly, her ears flicking in irritation. Percy''s face dropped, and he backed off as he mumbled, "S-Sorry..." "Hey!... I know it didn''t make sense, but don''t be mean to him... Or do you want another female marking him for her own?..." Rya whispered, causing Dalia''s tail to stop and her to pout. "F-Fine, Little Wolf. I-I''m Sorry... Just keep quiet until I''m finished, alright?" "Sure thing! Anything for you, Dalia," Percy replied with a warm smile, which made Dalia''s cheeks heat up as she tried to focus on the task at hand. ''That was so cute... I can''t believe I''m saying this, but they are adorable together... GAH! Get it together, Ryan! Stop acting like a girl!'' Rya thought. Dalia stared at the Hex Horn Goat, her eyes narrowed, and her brows furrowed as her tail stiffened, her whole body becoming motionless as she waited for the right time to strike. It was when the goat locked eyes with Dalia and her pupils constricted. "You''re mine," Dalia said, as her ears twitched before throwing the ring. "HAAAHHH!" The third brass ring moved through the air with purpose, and when it closed in on the goat, everyone watched with anticipation. As the ring got closer, the Hex Horn Goat started moving backward as if it had realized the danger of the situation, but it was too late. *CLINK!* The ring hit the horn, and a loud sound was heard as the brass ring slid down and wrapped around it, hanging securely. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Dalia raised her arms and cheered with the others while the vendor and goat were stunned. "Im-Impossilbe..." The vendor muttered under her breath. Dalia was stunned that she had actually managed to land the ring. "I did it!?!... Um... I-I mean, obviously, I did it!" she exclaimed, brushing off her stunned expression and triumphantly striking a pose as her tail wagged in wild celebration. Percy couldn''t believe his girlfriend won the contest, and he was just as excited. "Yes! You did it! Good job, Dalia!" "Thank you, Little Wolf! But I''m not done yet," Dalia said as she lined up another shot at the Hex Horned Goat. Quinus moved up closer to Rya''s ear and whispered, "What did you do to the rings?" "Well, I''m not sure you would know this, but I believe the rings are being magnetically manipulated. It''s hard to see from here, but all the horns have something metal inside them, and that''s how they manipulate the rings. They probably use a type of enchantment, but I don''t know for sure," Rya explained in a hushed tone. "Magnets, huh... That''s sneaky of them. Nice catch, Rya," Quin said with a slight chuckle. ''Quin knows about magnets? I thought there was a lack of scientific knowledge on Tertius. Or is he just making a joke?'' Rya pondered with a perplexed expression while gazing at Quinus. "What''s with the surprised look?" Quin asked with an amused tone. "Huh? Oh! I didn''t realize that you knew about magnets, Quin," Rya said, slightly embarrassed. "Well... Would you believe me if I told you I learned all about them in primary school?" Quin asked. "No. Not really," Rya replied bluntly, and Quin chuckled. "Well, what can I say? I''m full of surprises. Like maybe I was reborn in this world," Quin said, winking at Rya, who just rolled her eyes in response. ''There he goes with the jokes again... Well, I guess I underestimated the civilizations on Tertius. It''s more advanced than I thought. Who knew there was real science here? I guess I shouldn''t be too surprised. This world is teeming with magical creatures, after all,'' Rya thought, looking back to the ring game and just in time for Dalia''s fourth throw, which landed perfectly. That caused the Vendor''s face to turn pale as her smug demeanor shattered. "Oh? Did I do something wrong?" Dalia asked mockingly. "Im-Impossible! How did you do it?!" the vendor asked in disbelief. "A good hunter knows when to strike. Also, don''t forget the wolf''s determination," Dalia answered with a confident smirk. "T-That''s~W-Whatever! You got lucky, that''s all. You have two more chances to prove yourself!" the vendor yelled. Dalia smirked and readied the fifth ring. Rya watched all of this, and her heart started to race. She thought it was exciting that her friend could win the grand prize, but it was Quinus'' presence that made her feel a little excited. ''God, dammit, Ryan. Pull yourself together... Ugh... What is it about him? A-And why is he getting closer to me?'' Rya thought as she felt Quin''s body bumping against her back and his breath tickling her ear. "Q-Quin?... What are you doing?" Rya asked. "I just wanted to tell you that I''m very lucky I was born in this world, especially with you," Quin whispered, making Rya''s cheeks heat up and her heart beat a little faster. ''What''s up with him? I''ve never seen him like this before. This feels almost romantic, or is he messing with me?'' "Y-Yeah? And why is that?" Rya asked as she watched Dalia get ready to make the fifth throw. The proximity between them couldn''t escape her notice, evoking a comforting warmth within her. The moment the crowd erupted in cheers for Dalia, Quin wrapped his arms around Rya from behind. Rya''s heart skipped a beat, and she stiffened. "I wanted to repeat this... And I mean it from the bottom of my heart... Thank you for saving me, Rya," Quin whispered into her ear. Rya was melting into his arms and feeling like jelly as Quin hugged her tightly. ''W-What the fuck?! I-I told him that it wasn''t a big deal... Sure, it was a heart-pounding battle for survival in the labyrinth, facing off against a terrifying monster, but... UGH! Why does he have to act like this now?! And why the hell does it feel so nice?'' Rya''s mind raced; her heartbeat and breathing were erratic. "N-No problem... I was doing what needed to be done," Rya managed to respond, her cheeks flushed. Quinus'' smile widened as he relished the warmth of her embrace. Just as he was on the verge of playfully teasing her, the crowd erupted into a chorus of cheers. It was at that moment that Dalia successfully got the fourth ring on the horn, igniting an outpouring of jubilation. "W-What!?!" the vendor shouted, her face turning even paler than before. Dalia looked like she defeated a dragon while Percy hugged her. "That was amazing!" Percy''s praise caused Dalia to blush. "T-Thanks, Little Wolf. Let''s collect our reward," Dalia replied shyly. The vendor was momentarily dumbfounded before gathering herself and trying to put on a convincing act for the audience, but it was a struggle when the magical force field vanished on the biggest grand prize of gold. "W-We have a-a winner!?" "Of course we do!" Dalia answered proudly. "O-Oh, my~I-It looks like the Goddess of Luck was looking out for you after all! Congratulations on winning the grand prize!" The vendor said as she reluctantly handed over the cash prize to the Wolfkin. Dalia said happily, "Damn straight she does!" as she took the money. "I''m really impressed. I''ve never seen anyone win this game before," Percy exclaimed, eyeing the pile of gold in Dalia''s hands. "Haha! That''s because your wolf is all skill. We don''t lose easily, after all," Dalia said as she scratched Percy on the head. "Uh... Yeah... I''m glad you chose me as your mate... I''m the luckiest human alive," Percy said, giving Dalia a kiss on the cheek, which made her blush and her tail wag. "Come on, Little Wolf. Let''s go show off our loot," Dalia said with a sly smile. Quinus let go of Rya, who was blushing madly and still thinking about the hug. She was about to say something to him, but her elven ears picked up the vendor''s voice. She had walked back to the goat to take the rings off his horns while mumbling, "H-How did that mutt win? It should be impossible! Grrr! The magic on these rings must have worn off or something. I have to take these things back to that mage to recharge them," The woman said under her breath. ''So it was rigged. I thought it was just my imagination. I wonder how many people they have scammed out of their money?'' Rya thought as she giggled to herself. As Sir George made his way through the bustling crowd, his eyes locked on Quinus, who stood amidst the gathering. It was at that precise moment that their paths converged. "Is something the matter, Sir George?" Quinus asked as the knight stopped in front of him, his eyes scanning the area around them. "Aye. The Baron''s men spotted me and asked me to inform you that he needs your approval about some new trade route, My Lord," Sir George reported. "A trade route? Hmm... That''s weird. Maybe the Merchant''s Guild is demanding something more of the Baron. They are trying my patience," Quinus muttered. "I don''t know the details, Sir," the knight replied. Quinus let out a sigh before giving a determined nod. His gaze then shifted to Rya, Dalia, and Percy. "What do you three want to do? You can enjoy the rest of the festival, or you can come with me," Quinus said. Rya turned and looked over at Dalia and Percy. "Well, I wanted to go on one of those dates that my Little Wolf always talks about," Dalia said while she looked at Percy. "Y-Yes! I would love to go on a date with you, Lady Dalia!" Percy said eagerly. Rya recognized that this was her chance to test herself and show that she still was a man mentally. She needed to play it cool, but her mind kept going back to the hug Quinus gave her. ''Ugh! Get it together, Ryan! I can go to that brothel I saw yesterday. I''m sure I can get one of the ladies there to give me a little attention. Yeah, that''s right! Once I know that I can get turned on by women, then I can stop having these silly thoughts about Quinus and get back to my old life,'' Rya thought, determined, as she turned her attention back to the others. "Oh! That sounds like a lot of fun... I wouldn''t mind checking out more of the festival. See what else there is to see in Ironside," Rya said while smiling at Quinus. "Sure, but you can''t enjoy Ale without one of us here with you. We don''t want you getting lost while being tipsy," Quin said firmly. "Quin, I promise not to get drunk..." Rya said with a bit of embarrassment. Quinus looked at her with an eyebrow raised, and she rolled her eyes. "I promise. I''ll be good." "Okay, but remember: no drinking alone or I''ll have to punish you, okay?... Anyway, I have to go and do my business. Have fun," Quinus said as he walked past her and patted her head. "Okay, okay, Quin... I''ll be good. Don''t worry about me," Rya reassured him. Quinus smiled at her before walking away, followed by Sir George. Percy was excited to take Dalia on a date, but he felt bad for leaving Rya all alone. "Ahem, Lady Rya, are you going to be alright? I mean, we can hang out with you if you want," Percy offered. "No, you two have your fun. I don''t want to be the third wheel on your date. Don''t worry about me. I can take care of myself," Rya assured them. "Okay, but if you change your mind, we should be in one of the restaurants by the Diamond Street Market, or we''ll be by the food stalls," Percy informed her. "Alright. I''ll find you guys later. Enjoy your date, you two," Rya said with a smile. "Don''t worry, I''ll treat her well," Percy said proudly. "Hehe, I''ll be the judge of that, Little Wolf," Dalia said with a smirk. "H-Hey, I''ll be a perfect gentleman," Percy protested. "Yeah, yeah, sure. Now show me how you humans like to have a good time," Dalia said. "Yes, Lady Dalia!" Percy exclaimed. With a little laugh, Rya bid farewell to the pair and went on her way. With everyone and the crowd starting to disperse, Rya''s mind was racing, and her heart was beating a little faster. ''Okay! It''s time for me to prove that I''m still a man on the inside! Where was that brothel again? Oh, I think it was down this street!'' Rya thought excitedly as she weaved through the streets of Ironside to find the brothel she saw earlier yesterday. Vol.2 Ch.67 Bella’s Place. After an hour of wandering the streets of Ironside, Rya found the brothel. She was excited and nervous at the same time. She wasn''t sure what would happen once she was inside, but she was going to try to stay as calm and collected as possible. On the outside of the building, a large sign hung above the entrance. It read ''Bella''s Place'' in bold, red lettering. The building was large and seemed to be tucked in tight between the neighboring structures. She glanced furtively in all directions, searching for any prying eyes, but the coast seemed clear as she attempted to conceal her pointed, dark elven ears beneath the cover of her hooded cloak. ''Okay, the coast is clear. Time to show those goddesses that they can''t change me!'' Rya thought to herself with determination. As Rya walked towards the entrance, she couldn''t help but notice the cacophony of voices and music emanating from inside. The lively sounds only served to heighten her already mounting nervousness. She reached out for the handle of one of the large double doors but hesitated. ''I-I can do this! This is my moment to show myself that I am truly a man on the inside and that I am still the same Ryan I have always known!'' Rya thought as she pushed open the door. Upon her arrival, Rya was enveloped by the melodic strains of music and the infectious sounds of laughter. Stepping into the brothel, she was struck by the grandeur of the interior. The walls were adorned with luxurious red silk drapes, and the floors boasted a rich, polished hardwood finish. In a charmingly rustic setting, a well-stocked bar displayed an impressive assortment of wine and liquor bottles, while artfully arranged tables showcased an enticing array of cheeses and fruits. Rya had always wondered what a brothel would look like in a fantasy world, and this was nothing like the ones she had imagined. The brothel was a warm, welcoming place filled with cheerful people. It didn''t feel sleazy or seedy, and it didn''t look cheap either. ''Wow, this place is actually nice. It''s not like those creepy places I''ve heard about,'' Rya thought, her mind eased. Rya glanced around the room, observing the eclectic mix of individuals. The space was teeming with men in tailored suits and extravagant attire, some even masked, adding an air of mystery. In contrast, the women exuded elegance with their flowing locks and revealing dresses, creating a captivating and alluring atmosphere. Rya observes that certain individuals are casting longing glances at the girls while others seem to be directing their gazes in her direction. ''Ew! If I''m not careful, some dude might try and get me into a room with him,'' Rya thought, feeling a sense of unease. While she stood there in the foyer, a curvaceous, fine-skinned beauty approached her. She looked older than the rest but had a mature look that was alluring. Her long, dark hair flowed gracefully down her back, and her piercing hazel eyes conveyed a sense of wisdom. She was clad in a sleek black outfit and exuded an aura of authority, giving off the impression of being a person in charge. "Whoa, is that Bella? This place definitely has some interesting characters. I wonder how much it costs to hire an escort," Rya thought as she scanned the room, hoping to find someone intriguing, while the woman in black approached her. "Welcome to Bella''s Place. My name is Bella. I''m the proprietor of this establishment. Is there anything I can help you with?" Bella greeted Rya. She looked at Rya with interest. It''s been a while since she''s hired some new blood that was as beautiful as the hooded woman in front of her. Rya could feel her cheeks burn as she stuttered out her reply. "H-Hi...Um, yes. I was wondering how much it would cost for an escort?" Rya replied nervously. "Huh? I thought you were here looking for work... Interesting... Not many women like to play with players from the same team. Well, a girl like you would cost anywhere from 50 to 200 silver coins an hour... Are you sure you don''t want to work here, Miss? Your body type and face are just perfect," Bella said as she looked Rya over. Rya could feel the heat rising to her face and knew that she was blushing profusely. ''L-Like hell! I may have a vagina, but I''m still a man on the inside. Why would I want other guys to touch me when Quin is more than enough!? GAH! I mean... I just don''t want to be touched. This isn''t me!'' Rya thought, blushing hard. "I-I appreciate the offer, but I''m not interested," Rya replied. "Very well, then. Is there anyone specific that you''re interested in seeing tonight? Or are you open to anyone, Miss?" Bella asked, trying to mask her disappointment. "Uhh... My name is Rya. And no, I don''t know yet. I''ve never been to a brothel before." Rya said shyly. "Why am I feeling so jittery? It''s not like my actual name is Rya. I''m probably just overthinking it. I''ll chat with some people and see if I can find someone who really clicks with me." Rya pondered as she scanned the room, hoping to find another intriguing woman that she could hire for an hour or two. "No problem at all! We''ve got plenty of staff members who can assist you in selecting your escort. Feel free to take a look," the manager assured. Rya confidently nodded as she set off to find an escort. "I''d appreciate your assistance," she said with a determined look in her eyes. Bella smiled, "Well, you can follow me this way, Miss Rya." Rya followed Bella across the crowded room. As they passed through the throngs of people, Rya couldn''t help but notice how every man''s gaze seemed to linger on her. Her old self wanted to be disgusted by the attention, but now, she felt a rush of pride and a bit of excitement from the lustful stares directed her way. ''Ew! Just, eww! I hate that my new body is making me feel this way. Ugh... Why did I decide to come here again? Ah, that''s right! To prove to the goddesses and myself that I''m a man on the inside. Now, where are the fine ladies!?'' Rya thought, ignoring the perverts and scouring the room for any female escorts. After navigating across the room, they entered a softly illuminated lounge adorned with an array of plush chairs and sofas. Rya''s attention was drawn to a group of striking women, each adorned in alluring attire, engaged in lively conversations, laughter, and playful interactions with some of the patrons. "These are some of the girls that we have available. If you have any questions, just let me know," Bella stated, motioning toward the group. Rya couldn''t help but be enamored by the sight before her. The women were all incredibly attractive and possessed unique beauty. But she was having a problem. A major problem. ''W-Why am I not feeling excited? All these women are sexy! Maybe it''s because I don''t have a dick?'' Rya wondered with confusion and worry. Her eyes lingered on a gorgeous young woman who was dressed in a strapless, red corset that accentuated her voluptuous curves and a short, black skirt that left little to the imagination. And no matter how hard Rya tried to get aroused, her body wasn''t responding. ''What the fuck!? Come on! Do something! Anything! Damnit, I don''t understand! I was a guy not long ago! Why can''t I get excited!?... I need to calm down. There are many options here. I just need to pace myself and remember what type of women I was attracted to before I transformed into a female dark elf.'' Rya thought with frustration. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves before stepping into the company of escorts. The room buzzed with a diverse crowd of human and dwarf companions, each emanating a distinct aura. Rya couldn''t help but feel a twinge of self-consciousness as she surveyed the scene, searching for someone who piqued her interest. She observed a figure that stood apart from the crowd. The individual had her hair pulled back in a ponytail and was clad in a form-fitting white dress that accentuated her physique. Rya couldn''t help but notice the woman''s ample cleavage and exposed midriff. While her bust appeared to be of D-cup proportions or even larger, her thighs also seemed substantial. Under ordinary circumstances, this person would have been Rya''s ideal type, but for some reason, she didn''t feel the usual excitement. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. ''This should be the type of woman that I''m interested in! Why am I not getting excited?'' Rya thought while she was puzzled by her body''s lack of reaction. "Is everything alright, miss?" a voice asked from behind. Rya''s heart skipped a beat as she jumped. Turning around, she found Bella standing next to her. "Oh, y-yeah. Sorry, I was just thinking. So, I was wondering, is that lady available?" Rya asked, pointing toward the woman. Rya definitely didn''t feel the usual surge of excitement that typically accompanied the prospect of getting a partner. Instead, an overwhelming sense of nausea threatened to overtake her, but she summoned all her willpower to compose herself. ''Am I really this nervous? That has to be it. I''m just nervous because I haven''t been to a brothel before.'' Rya said to herself. The Dark Elf attempted to conceal her nervousness, putting on a facade of composure. She was keenly aware that any display of unease might arouse suspicions about her intentions. "I think I''m interested in the one with the ponytail," Rya said, trying to sound confident. "An excellent choice, Miss Rya... Miss Liria is well versed in all manners of pleasure and is a favorite amongst our clientele. Allow me to make the arrangements for your appointment. You can wait here, and she will be here soon," Bella said before walking away. Rya watched as the establishment''s proprietor strode confidently across the room, making her way toward the young woman. ''Why can''t I feel the excitement that I usually do when I see an attractive woman?... Maybe when I see her naked, I''ll feel different. Yeah, that''s right! If I see her naked, I''ll be turned on for sure!'' Rya thought, trying to convince herself. Rya stood nervously, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her escort. While she was waiting, Rya looked around to make sure she wasn''t being stared at. As she scanned the room, she noticed it was full of men and women dressed in fancy clothes. Some of the men wore suits, and the women wore short skirts. It was clear that the establishment catered to a higher class of society. ''Okay, calm down, Ryan. Just be confident and remember what you came here for, to prove that I''m still a man and enjoy fucking hot girls!... I can do this!'' Rya thought. In an attempt to appear nonchalant, she leaned against the bar counter, hoping to seem relaxed. After what seemed like an eternity, Bella returned with the woman with the ponytail in tow. "Miss Rya, I''d like you to meet Miss Liria," Bella said with a smile. The youthful woman with a sleek ponytail gazed at Rya with warmth and flashed a bright, friendly smile. Liria''s beauty was captivating, whether seen up close or from afar. Her long, lustrous black hair cascaded down past her shoulders, elegantly tied in a ponytail. Her almond-shaped eyes held mesmerizing yellow flecks framed by long, thick eyelashes. Her skin had a creamy tan hue, and her lips were smooth and soft. "Miss Liria''s rates are 200 silver an hour. We ask that you don''t kiss the girls while you''re inside the establishment, and she can say no to certain kinks," the manager said. Rya swiftly reached for her purse, the leather feeling cool to the touch as she fumbled for the drawstrings. With a determined tug, she revealed the glint of 200 silver coins nestled within. "That won''t be a problem," Rya said with a smile, handing over the 200 silver pieces. Bella counted the coins carefully and then tucked them away in her pocket before giving a satisfied nod. "Thank you, Miss Rya... Liria, take the client to room 11. And please tell one of the staff or me if you have any requests for food or drink. We want our clients to have the best experience," Bella instructed the escort before walking away. Liria nodded, "Yes, Mistress Bella. Miss Rya, please follow me." She led Rya to the back of the building, where all the private rooms were located. The hallway opened into a large room where dozens of women were. Each one was wearing lingerie that showed off their cleavage. If Rya had worn that lingerie, she would have put them to shame, as she was bustier and curvier than all of them, but Rya swore she wouldn''t be caught dead wearing one of those things. "Here are the rooms for our female clients. We don''t use them much, but they are as nice as any other private room within Bella''s Place," Liria said. As she stepped into the hallway, a hush fell over the room. It was as if time stood still, and every pair of eyes in the vicinity was fixed on her. She couldn''t help but notice the weight of their collective gaze as she absorbed the scene before her. ''Why are they all staring at me? Am I that ugly or something?'' Rya thought. Rya trailed behind Lirie as they made their way through the door labeled with the number 11 and entered a secluded, private room. The room was furnished with an ornate bed, a small vanity, and a cushioned chair. The walls were painted a dark purple, and the floors were covered with lush carpet. In the corner, a warm fireplace crackled, casting a cozy glow throughout the room. The flickering flames danced, accompanied by the soft illumination of several lit candles, creating a welcoming ambiance for all to enjoy. "Is this the first time you''ve visited a brothel, Miss?" Liria asked as she walked towards the bed. Rya lowered herself into the plush armchair and let out a deep, weary sigh. "I-It is," Rya replied nervously, averting her gaze. "You''re very pretty, Miss. I bet a lot of guys would love to be with you. What brought you here?" "I-I needed to figure out something about myself," Rya stammered, averting her gaze. "Is there anything in particular you wanted to do, or did you just want to get a taste of it?" "I-I don''t know... Hey? Why were all those escorts looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?" Rya asked, feeling slightly embarrassed. Liria chuckled. "No, you''re fine. It''s not because of anything you''ve done. It''s just that you''re here, and most of us are used to having male clientele, not female. But don''t worry about it. I''ll get you settled in," Liria said reassuringly. ''Ah, that makes sense. Oh, crap! I-I forgot that I need to tell her about my... race.'' Rya thought, blushing. "Wait!" Rya blurted out. Liria stopped short of reaching for the buckle of her own underwear and turned her attention to Rya. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, "Before we begin... I need to tell you something about me..." "Go ahead, Miss. You can tell me anything," Liria replied with a gentle smile. "I''m not a human. Will that be a problem?" Rya asked, averting her gaze and looking down at her hands. "Oh? So, you''re an elf. Are you a wood elf or a high elf, Miss?" Liria asked, tilting her head slightly. Rya shook her head, "Close... I''m a dark elf, and I just don''t want you to freak out and say I''m evil or something like that when you see my ears." Liria''s curiosity was piqued. She had never laid eyes on a dark elf, and the tales she had heard about them only fueled her fascination. "Really? You''re a Dark Elf? Can you take your cloak off and show me?" Rya let out a heavy sigh, anticipating the inevitable moment. With a resigned gesture, she pushed back the hood of her cloak, revealing her striking snow-white hair, warm brown skin, and elegantly pointed ears. Liria''s eyes widen in disbelief as she catches sight of Rya, but she quickly composes herself and snatches the cloak from her. "A Dark Elf," she murmurs under her breath, locking eyes with Rya. ''Shit. I should have known she would freak out and call me evil. Well, there''s no turning back now. She''ll probably want to stop.'' Rya thought. "W-Well, now that you know what I am, is this a problem? Because I can go," Rya said, looking at Liria with a bit of worry. Liria smirked, "I''ve never been with a dark elf before, but that doesn''t mean I''m opposed to it. In fact, I''m rather curious. Do you crave power, like all the stories say? Have you come here to seek the power of the gods, or are you a warrior of the old gods, seeking vengeance upon the light?" ''What? Is that the bullshit they''re spreading about Dark Elves?... Well?... I mean, I don''t know if that is true since I''ve only met Yoona and her elves about a week ago, but Nils and Nebulus don''t strike me as Goddesses who want their followers to be evil and conquer the world. Ugh... I need to find out who''s been spreading these stories.'' Rya thought. Rya''s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she gazed at Liria and asked, "What makes you think that?" "Well, the dark elves have always been considered evil. Many of us worship the goddess Iyomelka, who is known as the goddess of light, justice, and balance, and said that creatures like dark elves are evil and crave the power to unbalance the world," Liria replied, gazing at her inquisitively. Rya didn''t believe a word of it, but she couldn''t say that. "Is that part of the Church''s teachings? To hate Dark Elves?" Liria shook her head. "No, but many people believe it. I think it was a warning from a different race, but I''m having trouble remembering who it was," She said, rubbing her chin in thought. ''So it wasn''t something that was spread by Iyomelka... Well, that is good to know... But that means someone else is spreading the weird rumors about Dark Elves, which could be even more dangerous. But I shouldn''t think about that right now. I need to relax and figure out my new body. This is a brothel, and I''m not here to worry about things like this.'' "So, do I fit that description? Do I seem like an evil Dark Elf?" Rya asked. "I''m not sure, but you''re different. You don''t seem like the typical dark elf... Are you sure that you''re a dark elf? Couldn''t you be a wood elf with a darker complexion?" Rya''s face flushed with embarrassment. "Absolutely not! I''m a dark elf! Why would I deceive you? As a dark elf, I''ve always been puzzled by the rumors that paint us as evil beings. It''s quite the opposite - most dark elves simply prefer to live in isolation, including myself. Where did you hear those misconceptions about them?" Liria gave Rya a quizzical look before she really tried to recall the last time she remembered hearing these stories, "Hmm? We''ve been told these stories since we were children. I think those stories have been around for generations. They must have come from somewhere." ''Generations?... Of fucking course, these stories have been around for centuries. Or could they be lies? Is there a reason why someone created these lies? Whoever spread the rumors has done an excellent job of keeping them alive, but why would they care enough to do so? Grrr! You know what? It won''t be my problem when I return to my old human self. There is nothing I can do to stop this, especially when I''ve never heard any of them before. All I can do is focus on myself, and that''s to prove that Nils and Nebulus are full of shit! Time to get laid!'' Rya put this matter to rest for now and turned her attention back to Liria. "Well, let''s move on. Are you ready?" "Of course, Miss. But may I ask? Do female dark elves prefer the company of females?... I find it odd. Plus, I''ve never heard of a dark elf preferring to have sex with humans before. Are you sure it''s not a fetish or something?" Rya felt a mixture of embarrassment and irritation wash over her simultaneously. "Hey!? I don''t need your judgment. I just need to prove something to myself. Let''s get started. I''ve got you for an hour tonight." "Alright, but just remember that no one will judge you. Just relax, Miss." Liria sat down next to Rya and reached out for her hand. Her delicate fingers wrapped around Rya''s hand, sending a bit of anxiety surging through her. ''This is it. I''m going to have sex with a female human... I mean, a woman. Okay, relax, Ryan. It''s okay to be nervous, but just remember that this is just a temporary thing. I''ll soon return to normal. So, stop thinking about the consequences. And stop thinking about what people will say. Just do it. This is just another part of the process. Nothing more. If anyone has a problem with it, then fuck ''em!'' Rya thought, trying to psych herself up for the task at hand. Vol.2 Performance Issues. 🦴 The room that Rya and Liria had selected exuded a cozy atmosphere. Devoid of windows, the space was softly illuminated by a handful of flickering candles, casting a warm glow throughout. Dominating the room was a grand, plush bed cloaked in a rich, velvety crimson hue blanket and sheets. The bed was not only sizable but also inviting, with more than enough space to comfortably accommodate five or six individuals. Liria slowly nodded her head, "Alright, what do you want to do? Would you like my fingers or tongue to tease you down there?" ''Wow... Does my body look just as ridiculous as hers? I wonder if her lower back hurts because of those big tits... Speaking of which, I wonder if my back will hurt at some point in the future because of my boobs?... Ugh, why do I care!? Stop thinking about it and get turned on!'' Rya thought to herself as she continued admiring the woman. "So, what''s your fascination with women, if you don''t mind me asking?... Is it that you can''t find satisfaction with men, or are you just intrigued by human females?" Liria asked with genuine curiosity. ve t? "N-no, not at all. It was something that I needed to do for personal reasons," Rya replied, feeling more embarrassed. She lounged on the bed, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she took in every curve and contour of Liria''s body. Rya moved through the motions with the familiarity of her past self, as if she were reliving her previous life as a man. ''Shit, it''s not working! Why can''t I get hard? Like, doesn''t a woman''s clitoris get a bit engorged when she''s feeling it? Why aren''t my eyes watering at the sight of her?... Damn, I can''t believe I''m saying this, but why can''t I just be turned on? Maybe if I eat her out'' Liria gracefully walked closer to Rya. With every step, her breasts bounced and jiggled, and it was apparent that she was very confident in her body. She interrupted Rya''s train of thought by speaking to her. ermattr d iled nervously as she felt Rya''s soft hands on her bosom. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ed g ''Damn, her moaning is hot. I-I should get aroused at some point, right? Grrr! I''m still not feeling it... I know! I''ll get excited once I hear her climax... Yeah, that''s right. I need to be patient,'' Rya thought as she continued massaging her. in, and I can feel all your muscles... You''re a stunning woman, Liria "Mmm, it seems you are enjoying this. But I think you need more." Rya said as she lifted Liria''s legs and slid her finger deeper into her. l ''Come on! Shouldn''t I be wet by now!? But there''s nothing. Nothing is happening! Gah!... I swear my body gets weird when Quin compliments me. Like my nipples tingle, and I get damp down there, but this? Nothing!... This is so damn frustrating. If I was a man, I''d have cummed a few times by now.'' "Mmm, yes, I''ll keep going," Rya whispered as she continued playing with Liria''s clit. ''Aunh? Fuck! I-I''m not attracted to men! This can''t be right. It can''t be true, right? Why is this memory suddenly resurfacing?'' Rya was overwhelmed with chaotic thoughts, making it difficult for her to fully engage and enjoy her time with Liria. As her mind replayed memories, it was as if she was watching a vivid movie, unable to escape the scenes playing out in her head. usly tried to maintain a certain level of distance from Quin. She didn''t want to admit that her sexual preferences Her mind continued to race as she tried desperately to understand her new feelings for Quin. But now that she was in the middle of pleasuring an escort, she was struggling to clear her mind of him. She had no idea how much time had passed, yet she was determined to get off at least once, so she focused all her attention on the task at hand. Liria smirked at Rya as she was acting like an innocent maiden, "Then show me. It''s just you and me. Don''t be shy. Show me your gorgeous body, Mistress Rya. I''m sure you have nothing to worry about," she said while grabbing Rya''s hands and moved them away from her chest. Ch.69 Conflicting Urge 🦴 Rya felt embarrassed that a young woman like Liria was undressing her, taking off Rya''s black pants and then her shirt relieving her purple black lace bra and panties. "Wow! I see you''re wearing some nice undergarments and I must say I wish I had a body like yours, Mistress Rya. I feel inadequate in front of you." Liria said with a blush on her cheeks. "Liria, can you please stop calling me Mistress?" Rya asked as she felt uncomfortable for some reason. "Of course, sorry Miss Rya. Now let me return the favor." Liria said while undoing Rya''s bra. "Oooh, Miss! Your breasts feel so soft." Liria said before kissing Rya''s nipples while sliding off her panties. ''I-Is there something wrong with me? This feels nice... But I''m not sure why I''m not loving this?'' Rya thought to herself. When Liria was done undressing Rya, she pushed her back onto the bed and licked her lips when she started down at the Dark Elf. Rya was lost. She just laid there letting Liria pleasure her. When she realized what was happening, she panicked. She couldn''t get aroused like she normally would, but she was liking the pleasure that Liria gave her as she was grinding her clit into Rya''s soft pussy. "Miss, are you enjoying yourself?" Liria asked. "Y-yes... I think?" Rya said with a nervous tone to her voice. "Hmmm? Is the Miss really into women? Ha ha." The prostitute said in a condescending tone as she leaned forward and whispered in Rya''s ear. Rya panicked, "Of course I''m into women! I just don''t know... why I''m having trouble? Maybe you''re not good at this!" Rya lied trying to hide her embarrassment. "Hmm? Well, we can try a test to see if you are what you say you are. Turnover and rest on your stomach, Miss Rya." Liria ordered. "W-wait! Please don''t tell anyone about this!" Rya begged. "My word, you sound like such a novice. What happened to all that confidence you showed earlier?" Liria said with a smirk. "Please, I''m not like that! I''m just..." Rya stuttered. "You''re what, Miss Rya? You''re either a virgin or you have no experience with women. If you want to be treated like a lady, then I suggest you start acting like one." Liria ordered. Gah! I can handle women! Its just "I''m a virgin okay! I''m embarrassed to say it!" Rya said quietly. "Miss, I can help you, but I need you to trust me and be honest with me. So, will you?" Liria asked. Rya nodded as she turned on her stomach and laid there on the bed. "W-What are you going to do?" Rya asked nervously. "Well, I''m going to put my hand between your legs and feel if you''re wet for me to use a toy on you. And I want you to close your eyes and think of your ideal partner. You don''t have to tell me anything, just relax and let yourself go." Liria explained. Rya closed her eyes and tried to picture her dream girl again. "Lift your butt up and push your stomach down, Miss Rya." Liria instructed. ''This is weird. I don''t know why I''m going along with this?'' Rya thought to herself while doing what she was told. After a few minutes of Liria stroking her pussy, Rya let out a soft moan. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "Yes! Just like that! Your body is so hot, Miss Rya! Do you wish to keep your hymen?" Liria asked. ''Should I keep it?'' Rya thought to herself. ''I don''t want to be in pain. So, I should keep my charry.'' "Yes, please! Yes! I like to keep it!" Rya moaned. Liria smiled at her, "Okay, now focus on your ideal partner imagine what they would be like as they touch you. Let your mind drift away from here," Liria commanded. Rya felt her body go warm as she thought about the person, she wished to make love to. She imagined holding the beautiful woman at first but then the woman started changing into Quinus. As he stared at her in her mind. ''What''s going on? Mmmmhh! This feels amazing! But I''m a man!'' Rya thought to herself as Liria noticed Ryas pussy becoming wetter. Rya was desperately trying to clear her mind of Quin again. But no matter how she tried, Quin became more and more real to her. ''OH GOD! It''s happening! Oh God! OH GOD! MY BODY IS TINGLING! IT FEELS SO GOOD!'' Rya cried out in pleasure as her mind was taken over by Quin fantasies while rocking her hips back and forth. "Good Miss Rya! You''re doing great!" Liria praised as she started pumping Rya''s needed pussy with the short dildo. ''AUNGH! QUIN! QUIN!'' Rya screamed in mind as she rocked her hips faster and faster. ''Quin! I need you! Please! Fuck me hard!'' Rya was being consumed with a pleasure that she has never felt in all her years as a man. It was slow at first but she could feel it surpass anything she ever felt and she wasn''t close to the end yet. "AUNH! OH FUCK! AUGNH! HARDER! PLEASE! MORE! I NEED IT! I NEED YOU! FUCK ME! FUUUUCK!" Rya yelled out loud as her eyes were still closed imagining Quin was right in front of her. "You have taken a lot! I know it can get harder than this, Miss Rya. You may cum whenever you wish. Don''t hold yourself back!" Liria said as she slowly pumped in and out of Rya''s pussy with the toy. ''I-I CAN''T STOP THINKING ABOUT QUIN! WHY DOES THIS FEEL SO RIGHT!? I''M A MAN!? AUGH! OH GOD! MMMMM! I DON''T KNOW WHAT TO DO! I LOVE QUIN! I WANT HIM! I WANT HIS COCK IN MY MOUTH! I WANT IT INSIDE OF ME! I WANT TO BE HIS WOMAN!!!'' Rya cried out in her mind as her eyes rolled up while body shook from a powerful orgasm. And it kept washing over her being like never before. "QUIN! Ahh! Ahhh! Aughhh! AH! Oh fuck! OH FUCK!" Rya screamed loudly as she came one last time as her body tensed up and her legs almost gave out. After a few minutes, Ryas head began to clear up from the ecstasy. ''Why am I thinking about Quin? Why does this feel so good? Am I a gay now? Wait, no, thats not right. I''m in a female body. So, am I straight? Gah! This makes no sense!'' As Rya continued to rock her hips back and forth she noticed something that made her stop everything. Her body was covered in a thick layer of sweat and she was panting heavily. "Oh shit. What is going on?" Rya looked around and saw Liria looking at her with a smile. "I think Miss Rya has a man she likes? Maybe he is your new master or lover?" Liria asked as she pulled the dildo out of Rya''s pussy. "No! No! I''m not seeing anyone. I don''t even see myself dating anyone." Rya said as she got off the bed and stood up. Still in denial of her true feelings. "Well, it seems you''re lying to yourself, Miss Rya. I''ve seen that look before. You''re head over heels in love with a man. But I don''t know why you wish to bed with a woman if you''re not interested? Is it a Dark Elf thing?" Liria said as she sat back down on the bed and started playing with herself. "What''s that supposed to mean!?" Rya asked as she grabbed a towel and put it over her naked body. "You haven''t been interested in me at all, Miss Rya. Since the first moment you saw me, you weren''t truely interested." Liria said as she smiled. "But you were interested in me! You came when I fingered you! And you called me mistress!" Rya said as she turned red while going into defensive mode. "HA HA HA! Miss Rya, I''m a escort. It''s my job to make my clients happy. I will say you are better than most, but I prefer male clients. Im glad I got to meet you, but being a Dark Elf also doesn''t help much either. I like humans more, it''s nothing personal Miss Rya. Plus, males are just a little more fun and exciting to play with." Liria said as she pinched her nipple. ''She was faking it this whole time?... I''m losing it! I''m fucking fantasizing about Quin. I''m not getting aroused by females anymore and I feel like an idiot for doing this in the first place! What the fuck is happening to me?'' "Well Miss Rya your hour is up and if you wish to continue, you''ll need to pay another 200 silver." Liria said as she sat up on the bed. "N-No I''m fine." Rya said as she started walking past the door. Liria stopped her and grabbed her arm. "Miss Rya, that door over there leads to a bathroom. There''s a shower and some towels in there." Rya looked at Liria and saw a grin. "Thanks. I shouldn''t be long." "Mmm hmm! And one last thing Miss Rya you should trust your instincts. If you like this, Quin, you should go after him. Forcing yourself to become something that you''re not, isn''t healthy." Liria said as she kissed Rya on the cheek. "Yeah, maybe you''re right... Thanks." Rya said as she walked towards the door with a blank look on her face. ''I''m a straight female? Did Nils win? I don''t know how I should feel about this. I''m so confused!'' Rya thought to herself while rinsing herself off in the shower. *** Ch.70 Lost in Thought After cleaning herself up, Rya dressed herself back up in the clothes and cloak that she wore before. Then she left the room and went down the hallway lost in thought about what happened to her. ''D-Do I want Quin in that way? But he''s engaged to be wed with some chick from The Divine Three. I would just wage a big war on Quin''s people. I don''t want that.'' Rya said to herself as she shook her head. But no matter how she tried. Her heart ached at the thought of leaving him. ''Maybe I''m just horny... No that can''t be it. I mean I''ve accidently walked into his room while he was naked once, but that shouldn''t mean I want sex with him. Why am I fantasizing about him then? D-Do I have feelings for him? My heart is beating out of my chest. I''m really nervous right now. I haven''t felt like this since I was a kid. I think it''s because I''m a virgin again. Maybe I''m too inexperienced as a woman... I don''t know what to do anymore." Rya said aloud as she looked around the hallways trying to find the way out of the brothel. A few minutes later Rya found herself in the main reception room of Bella''s Place. "Ah Miss Rya. I see your hour is up. I hope everything was satisfactory?" It was the manager from earlier. "Huh? Oh.. Oh Yes, I''m satisfied, Lady Bella." Rya said as she smiled. "Hmm? You seem lost? What''s on your mind? Is there something wrong?" Rya lowered her head and blushed. "Ummm... I didn''t know where to go after my hour was up and I''m still very confused about what''s going on. I was hoping this would have fixed a problem I was having." Bella chuckled. "Well, I''m sorry to hear that. You know what, I''ll give you a parting gift. I hope it will help you in the future." "What''s the gift?" Rya asked. "It''s not much, but I will give you a potion. It''s a love potion. Come with me I have it in the back room. And you can leave out the back of the brothel if you want?" Leaving out the back room is not a bad idea. Someone might have followed me.'' Rya thought. "Yes, please!" Rya said. The manager led Rya to the back room as they walked. Rya noticed that the place seemed quieter than when she first came in. ''Huh? All those guys are gone. I''m sure they are having their fun with the escorts.'' Rya thought as she looked around. When they reached the back room and opened the door and walked in it looked like a storage room. The room was full of boxes, barrels, and other stuff. "Here we are. This is a love potion. It should make you feel desired for whomever you want after drinking it. Keep it safe, ok?" Rya nodded her head. "A love potion? Well, I''ll keep it safe. Thanks." "Any time! The door to the back alley is around the corner to the right." "Thanks again!" Rya said. Then she turned to leave the storage room. Rya was looking at the red liquid in the glass vial. ''This is probably an aphrodisiac. I shouldn''t drink this stuff~'' Rya''s thought was interrupted when she felt an object placed around her neck from the left side of her. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. *Click* ''What the fuck!'' Rya looked to her left to see a man wearing light armor that had a black rose on it. "Got her!" He yelled back to someone behind him. Rya on instinct slammed her foot to the ground to raise a three rock that smashed through from under the wood flooring as it floated about chest high before she quickly pushed it with the palm of her hand to it causing it to fly like a bullet into the guy the put something on her neck. *Smash!* "ARGH!" grunted the Black Rose Merc as he was sent flying into the wall 15 feet away in a blink of an eye. "JONES! You bitch!" Screamed another guy in similar garb as the first guy. He brandished a sword and charged Rya. *Swing!* *Swish!* Rya dodge under the oncoming attack with ease as she counters with a sweeping kick to his knees. *Thump! CRACK!* "AAAUUHHH!!! MY LEG!" The man screams as he falls to the ground. Rya rolled to her feet ready to run when she heard a commanding voice say, "Halt slave!" In that instance she felt an energy rush from the object on her neck and went through her body causing her to stop in her tracks. ''W-What the FUCK IS GOING ON!'' Rya thought as she stared at the two men in front of her. One of them she recognized. He was the Black Rose Merc that was Marcus''s hired bodyguard back in the labyrinth. "You weren''t lying Dietrich. This Dark Elf will be useful for us." Said a man with the same armor as the previous merc. He wore a crown on his head and had a blue robe covering his upper half. His lower half was covered in leather pants that were ripped up the thighs with silver jewelry hanging from his arms. ''NO! NO! NO! Nooooooo!'' Rya cried inside her mind. She knew who these guys were. She had just been captured by the Black Rose Mercenaries. "Yeah, there''s no way that weakling of a prince could defeat a Cave Troll with only a sword. This elf had to be the reason he''s alive." said Dietrich, the second man. He had his war hammer on him, but he wasn''t wearing his heavy armor. Then from the storage room came Bella out. "I-I''ve done what you asked, now let my people go and leave! I''ll tell them to never speak about this ever! We have nothing to do with the prince or the king of Fiafyr or your mercenaries for that matter," she begged them. "That''s funny coming from a whore that doesn''t care about anything but herself. Haha! You keep quiet and we''ll spare your establishment. You understand?" asked the one in the crown. Bella looked worried but kept her calm. "Of course. Anything to make it easier on you," she answered. "That''s a good little whore. Devin is Jones alive?" The man with the crown asked with a smirk. "H-He''s dead! You could have stopped her why didn''t-" Devin stopped when he noticed his superior was glaring at him. "You have a problem with me testing her? I can have her continue if you wish, Devin?" the man asked his subordinate. Davin gulped after realizing that his commander will let the Dark Elf kill him as his knee was still killing him after Rya kicked it. "N-No need Jeremiah, she''s good enough as far as I''m concerned. Let''s just get out of here before word gets around that we are here in the city." Jeremiah nodded his head and turned to Rya. "Slave! Bury the dead. We''re leaving." Jeremiah said as he put his cloak on. ''I-I can''t stop my body! RRRAAAHHH!'' Rya thought as she tried to will herself to stop. But the slave collar had full control over her body as she made the dead man disappear into the ground. "Are we clear to move out!" Dietrich nodded his head and walked over to Rya. He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the door. "Go on, we don''t have time," he ordered. She bit her lip but obeyed without a fight even though she wanted to with all her might. ''Why didn''t I see this coming! I''m a FUCKING IDIOT! Quin! Someone! HELP ME!'' Rya thought to herself as she walked outside with the three other cloaked men. *** Ch.71 A Great Injustice Earlier that day before Rya getting collared by the Black Roses, and the morning of the festival a wood elf comes out of her room at the Lost Monk Inn. "Haah... I lost her! If I dont find that dark elf soon, who knows what peril the city will be in?" Nieren said to herself as she got ready to search for Rya once more. ''I still can''t believe she was able to sense me when I was cloaked! She is very dangerous indeed.'' She thought to herself while eating breakfast. "Hey Nieren! Are you planning on taking a quest?" asked one of the dwarf adventurers in the common room. "I am afraid not today. I have something personal to take care of." She answered while chewing her bread. "Haah... I was hoping to get a six person party for this bandit quest. Well good luck with that!" He said as he walked away to another adventurer. Nieren shook her head and went back to the front desk. ''They wouldn''t be much of a help at all. This is something only I can do,'' she thought to herself before checking the bulletin board for any quests that interested her before looking for Rya. "Hmm. Nothing of note. Well, time to find her." She said to herself as she looked out the window watching the sun rise. *** As she searched for the dark elf, she couldn''t find her anywhere. Mostly because the streets were packed with everyone in the city. All because of the festival of the Goddess of Balance. ''Gods, I thought the festival was canceled? Stupid Baron! Doesn''t he know there''s a dark elf running loose in the city! NO! Of course he doesn''t and no one would believe me anyway! Her being drunk must have been the reason I was spared.'' Nieren thought to herself trying to not bump into all the people on the street. At some point she hears the Baron''s friend yell out to the crowd of people in the main square of Ironside. "My people of Ironside! We have gotten good news about the Prince! He and his comrades were able to stop the goblin horde that attacked our city! This proves that my people can never doubt the power of the Lord of Fiafyr as the goddess looks after him!" A large man shouts loudly. ''Man, Jacob is a large man. The Baron finds the strangest company.'' Nieren thought to herself as she continued to watch. He continued on about giving silent to those that have fallen in the Tomb of the Horde and finally started off the festival with the dancers and huge drum. "Alright, boys! Let''s give these people something to remember!" Jacob yelled. ''Yeah, you have fun. And don''t forget to tell them about how there''s a DARK ELF SOMEWHERE! Jeez, it''s like this city wants to be destroyed. Oh well, I''m the city''s only hope.'' Nieren thought to herself as the drums sounded louder and the music began, and the dancers were on the stage. This went on for some time until out of nowhere a Wolf-kin in a cloak was dragging along a tanned woman with azure eyes, also in a cloak, as they nearly bumped into Nieren. "Hey! Is this a joke to you?" Rya demands. "Of course it isn''t! Just trust me! Ive always wanted to win at this game and never have. That ends today, Alpha!" Dalia says with exactment as she leads the way. ''Whoa! Hey, watch where yo-'' Nieren stops her thoughts when she notices that the other woman is the dark elf. "It''s her!" Nieren was stunned. She never expected to bump into Rya so easily. ''What is she planning on doing?'' Just as she was about to follow, she heard two men behind her. "Percy, your future wife can get a little crazy sometimes." Quinus says. "Yeah, that''s what makes her special!" Percy says. "Well should we follow them?"Quinus asks. "Let''s see what happens!" Percy says. ''It''s that guy that helped her. She called him Quin? Yeah, that''s his name. They might be mind controlled by her. Just keep your distance, Nieren!'' as she thought to herself while tailing them until she came upon a booth with a Hex Horned Goat in it. "Gah! That stupid game! I can hit a squirrel through the eye from a mile away with my bow but I never could get one of those stupid rings on those Hex Horns. That game is rigid!" Nieren whispered to herself while watching Dalia try and fail to get the first two rings on the goat. ''Pff! Wolf-kins are suckers. It''s easy to do.'' Nieren thought to herself as she snuck up on them getting within 15 feet of them. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. "Hey! Dalia, can I see those rings? I wanna see if they have any mana on them?" Rya asks. "Sure!" Dalia says while handing the ring to Rya. ''W-What she is going to do!'' Hieren started to panic. ''Oh no! She''s gonna use the rings!'' But to her surprise Rya didn''t do anything nefarious with the one-inch brass rings. "Here Dalia, give it a try now." Rya said as she handed the ring over to Dalia. And with that the Wolf-kin nailed her target, getting one ring to land on the Hex Horn. ''HOW!?! How can a dumb wolf-kin get a ring on the Hex Horned Goat?'' Nieren thought to herself. "That was awesome!" Percy said to Dalia. "Don''t worry. It will be easy for you now. Just focus on your target and everything else will fall into place." Percy said with a smile. "Shh! I''m trying to concentrate!" Dalia whispered. Dalia went on to hit the next two horns. Nieren was too stunned to notice Quin flirting with Rya as she was getting angry that a wolf-kin with winning a game that she never won. "I need to win this game! I''ve been coming here every year since I was a kid and I haven''t gotten one ring on a Hex Horned Goat yet," Nieren said to herself before approaching the game booth. The Lady working the booth was panicking about what to do as Dalia was lining up her last shot and got her fourth ring to land. "YES!!!" Dalia yelled triumphantly. "W-We have a-a winner!?" The lady working the booth said in disbelief while reluctantly handing over the cash prize. "Yes we do!" Dalia said happily as she took the money. "I''m impressed. I''ve never seen anyone ever win this game." Percy said as he looked at the money in Dalia''s hand. "Haha! That''s because your wolf is all skill. You need to put your brain into it too." Dalia said as she scratched Percy on the head. "Ah... Yeah, I guess you''re right..." Percy said nervously. ''She won the four ring prize? I wanted to win that.'' Nieren thought to herself. ''I bet she''ll try to get the five ring prize now!'' But instead of trying the game again Dalia and Percy looked over to Rya and Quin. Nieren heard the lady working the stall mumbles under her breath while grabbing the rings off the goat. "H-How did that mutt win? It should be impossible to win! The magic on the rings must have worn off?" The woman said under her breath. ''I KNEW IT! Oh! I''m going to play this game and demand to use those four untampered rings! I''m going to get a damn ring on that damn goat if it''s the last thing I do dammit!'' Nieren thought to herself as she looked at the bewildered ring toss worker. As she pulled out 5 silver from her purse and slammed it down on the wooden reception desk. "I demand to play this game!" Nieren said angrily. "You want to play!? Ah, Yes! Thank you for the small donation to the Goddess. Here are your six chances at glory. May the goddess look down upon you," The woman said, surprised while giving Nieren six new brass rings. "Oooh no ma''am, I want those other rings in your left hand. I don''t want to waste my money here." Nieren said as she pointed at the rings that the lady was still holding. "What? Y-You wish to use these rings? But those ones are just as good as~" she was interrupted when she saw Nieren pull out her bow from her cloak as she had a smile on her face. "It would be best if you let me use the other ones ma''am." Nieren said as she aimed the arrow at the goat. "O-Okay! Here you go! M-May luck be on your side!" the game worker said as Nieren put away her weapon and grabbed the six rings while examining them. ''Hmm. These two have fresh stone scratches on them when they hit the ground. So, these four should be the ones that the dark elf fixed.'' Nieren thought to herself as she placed the two tampered rings down on the wood table as she took the first ring and focused on placing it onto the goat which was 15 feet away from her. Nieren let out a calm breath and closed her eyes as she tossed the first ring. It sailed through the air with ease as it landed perfectly on one of the Hex Horns making a beautiful ringing sound like a meditation bell gong getting slightly stuck. It was music to Nieren''s elf ears as she wanted to cry out in joy. She opened her eyes and gave the goat a look to see if it would move. But it didn''t budge. She tossed the next three rings in succession as they all landed on the Hex Horn at the same time on different horns. ''Everything is right in the world.'' Nieren thought to herself as if she found inner peace for the first time. But sadly, Nieren''s inner peace didn''t last long as the lady working the booth asked, "A-Are you going to try the last two attempts Ma''am?" Nieren looked up at the woman with an annoyed look while pushing the last two rings off the table and onto the stone floor. "Ugh! W-We have another winner but sadly the four ring prize is gone so I can give you the three ring prize instead." the woman said nervously as she waited to see what Nieren would do. Oh, I think I deserve the Six ring prize, don''t you think ma''am?" Nieren said with a tone of annoyance. The game worker looked at Nieren and her attitude. "W-Wait! How about the five ring prize! Here you go! Thank you for trying your luck!" The lady said as she handed Nieren the five ring prize. "Thank you. Now, if you will excuse me." Nieren said as she turned around and hugged her prize with a happy smile written on her face while rubbing her check on the bag of gold. ''A great injustice has been righted! My inner childhood has been saved by Rya!'' Nieren said as she held the five rings with a grin. "Huh? Wait a minute? Where did she go!" Nieren asked as she looked around looking for the dark elf. But she couldn''t find her anywhere or her friends. ''Ah! She must have known I was watching her and got me distracted by this game! She''s good." Nieren thought to herself as she quickly looked on the ground to see if she could find Rya''s tracks. While behind her the ring toss booth was being flooded by people wanting to play the game with those four untampered rings. "W-WE ARE CLOSE DUE TO TACTICAL DIFFICULTIES!" yelled the Lady in the booth while she was trying to close down the game. Nieren saw the fresh shoe marks on the ground two were leading to the palace while two went to the restaurant district as the last one was going towards the red light district. ''Is she going to a brothel? Weird? But it has to be her traces, I hope. And I won''t let you distract me again you cunning dark elf. I''ll catch up to you.'' Nieren said as she quickly moved away from the booths. *** Ch.72 The Kings Slayer She continued to follow Rya''s trail until she reached the red lighted district of the city. The area had many bars and establishments that offered entertainment for their clients. There were also many performers walking around doing tricks for patrons. When she followed the trail all the way until she arrived at Bella''s Place. ''Huh? She went into a female brothel? Do dark elves'' bed the same team? Or does she not like men? But she looked so cute with that Quin guy?'' Nieren thought to herself as she stopped in front of the door and cracked it open to see Rya standing in the reception area. ''She''s here!'' Nieren said as she slowly closed the door. ''Okay she''s hanging in there and I will wait for her to come out. Now where is the best place to find and observe her from?'' Nieren thought as she walked around the area looking for a good spot. As the sun set, Nieren decided to sit outside the building and relax while waiting for Rya. ''If she''s coming up with an evil plot and I stop it, would I become a legend? Hehe. That would be great!'' Nieren thought to herself as she sat down at the bench and leaned back against the wall. *** And then darkness fell over the city, but Nieren wasn''t worried about that. She knew Rya wouldn''t do anything stupid in the dark. But that''s when she noticed four cloaked figures sneaking around the back of the building. ''Who are these guys? Must be more dark elves coming to join up with Rya. You''re not getting away with whatever you''re doing!'' Nieren said to herself as she got up to go check what they were up to. As she was going around to the back of the building, she noticed a spell of silence was cast surrounding the area. ''What is this? A magical artifact?'' Nieren thought to herself as she approached the group. That''s when the four figures went through the back door. ''What the hell is going on." Nieren cast her cloaking and hind in the alley waiting to see who would be coming out. The artifact seemed to only work for 10 minutes as Nieren was still hiding in the shadows of the dark alleyway. And what seemed like another 10 minutes had passed when her ears picked up a quick battle was happening inside the brothel. ''A-Are they killing someone? What the hell are they doing?'' Nieren said to herself as she waited to see who came out. *** The door opened up as a man in a hood was looking around the alley to see if the coast was clear. ''Huh? Is that guy a human? So, he''s a spy for her?'' Nieren thought to herself as she saw the hooded figure going back into the brothel. "Are we clear to move out!" He said as he grabbed the arm of a woman. ''W-Wait that''s the dark elf? Why are there tears in her ey~'' Nieren''s thoughts stopped when she saw the slave collar around Rya''s neck. ''W-WHAT!? She got collared! What do I do! Do I help her? Help her escape?'' Nieren thought to herself while subconsciously rubbing her neck as stood there trying to make heads or tails of what was going on until she saw the last figure coming out of the brothel. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, ''T-The Kings Slayer! The Black Roses enslaved her. Oh GODS!'' Nieren was scared stiff when she saw Jeremiah. She''s heard of the stories of the Kings Slayer claiming the lives of nine Royals in his time with the Black Roses. She''s seen him in action before during the war with the wood elves when he killed the Elven King causing the wood elves tribes to separate and run. Since then, the wood elves standing in the world have fallen on the continent. The Wood Elven King was her uncle. She was there to witness his death that day of the collapse of her kingdom and knew that many of her people became enslaved by the human Kingdom of Marn which were the ones to hire the Black Roses. Her and her friends fled to the neighboring human kingdom of Fiafyr because they knew that slavery wasn''t allowed in their territory and there was the dwarven city with a dwarven Lord that they thought they could seek refuge. They knew it would be a hard journey but somehow Nieren and her mother were the only ones that made it to the city of Ironside 30 years ago. She may not have been living her old noble life anymore, but she was living in peace as best as she and her mother could. Nieren didn''t know why the Kings Slayer was here, but it can''t be a good thing. With the memories of her uncle''s death, she didn''t move nor took a breath as the four figures walked down the alleyway, away from her. She hid in her cloaked state for a few minutes even after the Kings Slayer was out of sight. After a while the cloaking spell wore off as she was crouched there in the shadows. Releasing her clenched fists that were making her palms hurt after when her fingernails started digging into her skin for gods knows how long. After calming herself down she realized that Rya was captured, and the Kings Slayer wasn''t there anymore. ''What should I do?'' Nieren couldn''t just leave her to the same fate as her people. She needed to find a way to free her. She may be a dark elf, but shes an elf nonetheless. She said to herself out loud as she finally came out of the shadows. ''I-I can''t just leave her to the Black Roses. But I can''t take on the Kings Slayer by myself. I must find her friends!'' Nieren thought to herself as she came up with a plan. "The wolf-kin! If I find her, she''ll get that Quin guy. Then I can break her out." She said to herself as she ran to the street. Nieren was going around the city trying to find the wolf-kin because there''s no other breast-kin in the city so she thought it would be easier for her to find. ''That Wolf-kin took that guy to the restaurant district. Please be there!'' She thought to herself as she jogged down the crowded streets where taverns were. ''Gods, why is it so busy!'' she thought to herself as she slowed down. As she looked around all over the place. ''If I won a lot of gold where would I go? I''d probably head to Bao''Hai to spend it?'' Nieren thought to herself while weaving through the crowds of people with ease. She saw a sign for The Bao''Hai, the best restaurant in the city. "This is her place!" She thought to herself as she rushed towards the door. She pushed the heavy wooden doors open and walked in. "Hello?" She called out hoping to see the wolf-kin. "Great! Now an elf wants to dine here. Bao''Hai must be falling on hard times," a voice said behind her. "What did you say?" Nieren asked, turning quickly to face a human male dressed in fancy attire. "Tsk! We have serviced your kind before. Just like that mutt that''s came in here making a mess of the VIP room. If she wasn''t with that young rich guy, she would have been kicked out. But you''re not allowed. Get out." He said with a sneer. ''She''s here and that guy too. I think his name is Percy? Does he think that Percy is rich?'' "I said get out!" The man yelled again, getting in Nieren''s face. "I''m with that rich guy. You know, he looks like a ranger?" Nieren said with a smirk. "You stupid elf! If you want to eat here th-" the man was interrupted by a dwarf in fancy attire from behind him. "Jacob! What are you doing berating a customer!" he yelled at his co-worker. "But she''s an elf! She shouldn''t even be allowed in here! This is a human and dwarf establishment!" Jacob argued back. "Enough! We are a GOLD establishment. And if she''s with Mr. Percival than she is welcome. Hell, Mr. Percival can bring in an Ogre if he has the gold. SO SHUT IT! AND GET USED TO THE NEW BUSINESSES HERE!" the manager yelled at Jocab. Jocab straightens up after getting yelled at. ''Wow! It''s like he was never rude to me.'' Nieren thought to herself. "Madam can you show us some proof that you''re with the young gentleman? Or else we''ll have to ask you to leave." The manager stated as he looked at her. Nieren panicked for a moment before realizing that she had the bag of gold she won earlier today. "Here you go. This is Mr. Percival''s gold," Nieren said as she placed the bag on the counter. The manager took the bag and counted it. "Huh... One thousand gold!" Jacob began to sweat a little when he heard this number. "One thousand gold?!" He yelled. "Yes! And there are still two more bags of gold!" Nieren said with a smile. Jacob and the manager both look at each other. "Uh um. My name''s Padera. I''m the owner and manager here. Please allow me to show you to Mr. Percival''s room," Padera said nervously. ''He seems nervous. Well servers them right for yelling at me,'' Nieren thought to herself while grabbing her bag of gold. *** Padera lead Nieren through the main area of the restaurant where everyone was staring at Nieren. They arrived at the end of the hall where they turned the corner to see a large door. "This is the VIP room. For now enjoy a free meal and then we''ll talk about payment later madam," Padera said nervously. "Thank you very much! But I came here for business. SO, I''ll take some duck to go please." Nieren said as she began walking down to the door. As she walked away Padera looked at the bags of gold. He has never seen such a high amount of gold! ''Jacob needs to stop yelling at customers with sacks of gold dammit,'' Padera thought to himself. Ch.73 A Dinner Date 🦴 While Nieren ran into the Kings Slayer, Percy, and Dalia were looking around at restaurants. Dalia was overly excited. She had been to places like these before, but none were as nice as this one. "Hey, Percy! Look at this place!" Percy looked over to see what she was pointing out. "It''s the Bao''Hai restaurant? Ah, I don''t know about that place, Lady Dalia. It''s a bit of a fancy place for someone like us?" Percy said with a worried tone. Dalia giggled. "Why do you think we can''t go in? Get because we''re poor? But what are we going to do with this gold," Dalia said with a big grin. "But I feel that a type of place that would look down at us? D-Dalia! Wait wait up! We need to find somewhere else to eat," Percy said as he quickly started walking in a different direction. Dalia followed Percy down the street and stopped him. "Come on Gamma! We are supposed to be on a date! And I want to go to Bao''Hai!" "G-Gamma? Um... Well, I guess we can give it a shot. You really are excited aren''t you?" Percy asked. Dalia smiled and nodded as she moved in to kiss Percy. "Now that''s my little wolf! Now let''s get to the restaurant!" Dalia said as she grabbed Percy''s hand. "Hey! Why did you stop calling me Gamma?" Percy asked with confusion. "Because I am now your Alpha and I will call you whatever I want!" Dalia said as she playfully punched Percy in the shoulder. All Percy could do was pout as he and Dalia made their way to the restaurant. *** Percy and Dalia arrived at the restaurant. Percy was holding Dalia''s gold bag in his hand as they walked in. "Welcome! To Bao''Hai..." The host noticed that the two weren''t dressed in the traditional clothing of a lord or lady. "Can I help you?" Dalia looks around the room. It wasn''t too crowded so they should have a good chance of getting a table. But she wasn''t used to everything being so clean. "My name is Dalia! I would like a table for two!" "We don''t serve your type here at Bao''Hai. Can you please leave, before things get unpleasant." the host asked. Dalia turned toward Percy and pushed him up to the desk where the host was. "Lady Dalia, what are you doing?" Percy whispered to her. "I am going to make sure that we get a seat. If we don''t then I will tell them exactly why they shouldn''t allow filthy humans in their restaurant," Dalia said with an angry tone. "W-What!" Percy began to panic about how bad things were going to get if Dalia didn''t get her way. Dalia pushed Percy all the way up to the annoyed host. She then took her bag off Percy''s hands. "Mr. Percival has been traveling for weeks without proper attire after the goblin horde destroyed our convoy, so if you would be so kind as to look past our appearance it would be greatly appreciated!" Dalia said to the host as she dropped the beg of 500 gold pieces on the desk. ''Where did this version of Dalia come from!?'' Percy thought to himself in a surprised state. The host looked at the coins and then back at Dalia. "Um... Yeah well um... That may be bu-." The host was interrupted by his manager who was a dwarf. "Jacob! Can''t you see this poor soul has gone through so much to come here! We need to show him some common sense and compassion. Don''t question him!" Padera said to Jocab. "But she''s a Wolf-ki-" Jacob was interrupted again. "Jacob! Haah! My apologies Mr. Percival please come with me to one of our VIP room as appreciation for braving the goblin horde to dine with us. My name is Padera. Come, this way Sir." Padera opened the door to the dining area. Dalia grabbed the bag of gold with a smile on her face and Percy followed behind the manager with a confused look. "Grrrr... Padera is too soft! Why would he let a Wolf-kin into our restaurant?" The host said to himself as he manned the front desk. Padera lead them down a hall and into a small room that was decorated beautifully. There was a long wooden table with chairs set around it. The walls were covered in tapestries that showed scenes of nature and beautiful landscapes. "Please sit and enjoy your meal. I will bring out your orders shortly." Padera said as he walked away. Dalia and Percy sat down at the end of the table. Percy couldn''t help himself but stare at Dalia. She was dressed in a beautifully off-shoulder mini-dress that clung to her form. Her body was athletic and toned with a perfect ass with a pair of big breasts that were showing off her cleavage. Dalia noticed Percy staring at her and gave him a wink. Percy blushed and smiled nervously. "Hmm. I think I can get used to human lifestyles..." Dalia said as she looked around the room. "You know Lady Dalia... You''re amazing when you want to be. That was quite a performance you did earlier," Percy said as he was trying not to stare. "Hehe! Gamma, I never thought in my wildest dreams would I think that I would fall for a human as my mate. Maybe I was meant to be human?" Dalia asked Percy. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "No. You''re special as you are. Don''t ever change." Percy said back. "Oh ho! So you want me to come over there and claim you?" Dalia said with a smirk on her face. "Yes!" Percy said as he was looking forward to having her on top of him. Dalia giggled and stood up, "You better watch what you wish for little wolf. You might get what you wish for." She spun around and ran towards Percy. Dalia jumped onto the back of his chair, turned around, and straddled him with her hands on his shoulders. Dalia leaned down and kissed Percy passionately. Their tongues intertwined with each other. Percy felt a hand slide across his chest and grab onto his shirt. It pulled him closer to Dalia. His hands slid under her dress and he cupped her ass cheeks. Dalia moaned and pushed herself against him. They broke their kiss. Dalia was panting and Percy''s pants were already bulging. They both stared into each other''s eyes as they played with each other. "Hehe. I think I can''t be without you little wolf. You''re so warm and hot. I wonder what it would feel like to have your cock inside me," Dalia said as she unbuttoned her shirt and slid it aside. "Mmm! Oh yes!" Percy moaned as his eyes were glued on her big tits. The bra that she was wearing was very tight and hard to remove. She slowly removed it from her breasts, revealing her round boobs in front of Percy''s face. Dalia reached behind her and unhooked her bra. Her breasts popped out and bounced a few times before she dropped the bra on his lap. "OHHHH!!!" Percy moaned as he stared at her breasts. They were huge, bigger than Bell''s. Her nipples were hard and erect as they pointed straight out. "I''m going to fuck you little wolf. Do you want that?" Dalia said as she let go of his shoulders as she opened his pants and pulled out his raging boner. "YES!!" Percy moaned as he grabbed Dalia''s waist and guided himself into her. "Nagh! Gamma! You''re so big! I''ve never been this full!" Dalia moaned as Percy kept sliding his dick into her. "Ahh! I love how warm you are!" Percy said as he started to move faster. "Gah! So good!" Dalia moaned as she wrapped her legs around Percy while feeling him pounding her inside with a vengeance. "Aungh! Fuck me harder!" "GHAHHHHHH!!!" Percy yelled as he felt the best he ever did. His cock was buried deep inside Dalia''s pussy. Dalia ran her hands all over Percy''s body, squeezing his biceps and grabbing onto his neck. Dalia started moving her hips and riding Percy like a horse, arching her back while pulling Percy''s head into her breasts. "Oh yes! Harder! Faster!" Dalia moaned as she bit her lip. "OHHH GAWD!" Percy moaned as he came inside Dalia. "FUCK YES!!" Dalia screamed as she also climaxed. Afterward, Percy fell backward, his arms holding onto Dalia. "Hehe! Haah... You are the best Gamma!" Dalia said as she kissed Percy on the lips. "You''re pretty amazing yourself," Percy said as he blushed. *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* "Oh, crap! Dalia, get your clothes on. Here," Percy said as he threw his cloak over her. "You''re so nervous about other people seeing our love?" Dalia asked, confused. "We''ll get kicked out!" Percy said as he stood up. "Jeez. Okay okay! This is one thing that bugs me about you." Dalia said as she got dressed. "What? Why?" Percy asked as he put his pants back on. "Because I would have fucked the hell out of you!" Dalia said as she laughed. "Dalia, please," Percy said as he blushed. "Okay okay! How do I look?" Dalia asked before they heard. *Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!* "Come in!" Percy said as he sat in his seat while Dalia sat next to him. The door opened to Padera and two other wait staff. They were carrying in trays of delicious food of all sorts. "Good afternoon, sirs and madam. What we have for the main course today is a chicken stew with vegetables and potatoes. For dessert, it''s a peach crumble with ice cream. The wine tonight is a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Fiafyr Mountains." Padera said while setting the tray down on the table. "Thank you." Percy and Dalia said as they both got up and grabbed their forks. Padera smiled and nodded, "Is there anything else we can do for you, Mr. Percival?" "No thank you. That will be all." Percy said as he grabbed a plate of stew for Dalia. "Very good. Please ring that bell if you need anything else, Sir." Padera and his waiters bow before leaving the room and closing the door. "Aww! This is what I smelled! It looks so good! Hey! Little what are-" Dalia started to ask as Percy cut her off. "It''s a hug! Just a little one! Do not worry about it," Percy said as he picked up Dalia''s hand and kissed the back of it. "Hehe! Gamma!" Dalia said as she blushed bright red. "Here, try this." Percy took a fork full of chicken and brought it up to Dalia''s lips. "Go on, try it." "I-I don''t know... Maybe..." Dalia said as she looked at the fork. "Just take a bite! The food tastes better when sharing it with someone that you love." Percy said as he pointed his fork at her. "Y-Yes!" Dalia said as she took a small bite. "Mmff!" Dalia moaned loudly. ''UH! It tastes like heaven! What did you put in this?'' "Whatever it is, keep doing it!" Dalia said as she took another bite and snuggled closer to Percy. "You are adorable when you smile like that," Percy said to Dalia as he bit into a potato. "Yeah? Well, you''re cute too! You''ve got that serious face thing going on!" Dalia giggled. "Oh, I think you might be wrong about that!" Percy said as he winked at Dalia. This flirting went on and on for the rest of the afternoon. After they were close to finishing their meal, Percy and Dalia heard footsteps getting louder when all of a sudden an elf came walking through the door wearing an adventurer''s outfit with a cloak on. It was Nieren and when she went through the door she came into the sight of a wolf-kin feeding a human mouth to mouth. ''W-What! What is she doing!?'' Nieren thought as she looked at the female wolf-kin kissing a human. The wolf-kin noticed Nieren looking at her and stopped her kissing mate. "Hmm? Who are you? Do you know who she is, Gamma?" Dalia asked Percy who was just as confused as her. "I don''t recall seeing another elf before?" Percy replied to his girlfriend. "My name is Nieren! And I have something urgent to tell you!" Nieren said as she walked up to them. "What is it?" Dalia asked as she got off Percy''s lap. "That dark elf! She got collared by the Black Rose Mercenaries! I don''t know what they are going to do to her!" Nieren said frantically. Dalia and Percy became serious when he heard the Black Rose Mercenary mentioned. "Are you telling us the truth about Alpha getting collared? How do you know this?" Dalia asked Nieren. "I-I was keeping tabs on her because she is a dark elf. But then the Kings Slayer came out of the brothel with Rya collared! We need to help her! Please! Help, we must save her!" Nieren begged. "I wish we can take your word for it, Miss Nieren. But we''ll need to see some evidence." Percy said as he stood up. "Take us to this place where she was collared. We''ll believe you once, sure us, blonde!" Dalia said as she started to walk towards the door. "Fine! But you better keep your word, dog!" Nieren yelled back to Dalia. "Ha! That-" Dalia began to say but was interrupted by Percy. "Lady Dalia. Please calm yourself. She could be telling the truth." Percy said as he placed 15 gold on the table. Nieren nodded. "Okay follow me! Don''t make me change my mind!" Nieren snapped back. Dalia gave Nieren a glare and followed her out the door. Ch.74 I got a Scent Once they reached Bella''s Place it caused Dalia''s nose to go into overdrive in the back alley as she could smell familiar scents and blood. "What do you think, Dalia? Was Lady Rya here?" Percy asked Dalia as they passed by the trash in the alley. *Sniff! Sniff! Sniff!* "Yeah, Alpha was here, and I can only smell that coward that escaped the labyrinth. The one with the hammer... I remember that stench anywhere," Dalia answered as she sniffed the air again. Percy''s face became angry recalling the man who tried to kill Lady Ryan and his Lord at the same time. "So, the fool didn''t heed our warning." Dalia was shocked by her mate''s anger towards his enemies. She thought it was hot and sexy. But she knew this wasn''t the time or place to flirt. So, she kept her mouth shut. "Miss Nieren, you said Rya came out of the brothel?" Percy while looking at Nieren. "Y-Yes sir!" Nieren answered as she pointed to the building known as Bella''s Place. Dalia looked back to Percy and saw his eyes were filled with controlled fury. "We shall ask this Bella what she knows about the Black Roses'' involvement. I would hate it if we need to get unpleasant." Percy growled. Dalia saw Percy''s wolf side coming out, a side of him that she loves, and she was ready to do anything to protect her mate. "Leave it to me, Gamma. Alpha''s is my friend and I''ll find out what we need to know." Dalia said as her cheeks flushed red. "No, Lady Dalia. We''ll do this together." Percy smiled. Nieren was watching the two of them working together. And couldn''t help but be a little jealous. ''Wow? I never knew how loyal a human can be? These wolf-kin were lucky enough to find such a loyal mate. Could I find such a mate?'' Nieren thought as she bit her lip. "Miss Nieren. Thanks for telling us about Lady Rya. We''ll take it from here." Percy said to the wood elf. "Huh? But what if I want to stay and help you?" Nieren asked as she looked at Percy. "But we have to post a request with the guild. We can''t pay you if you join us now, Miss Nieren." Percy said. "I don''t care about getting paid for this. I''ve seen too many wood elves get collared in my life and I''m tired of doing nothing about it. Even if Rya is a dark elf. If she''s helping you two than she must be good." Nieren said as she stared down Percy. "She''s more than a good person, Miss Nieren. She''s saved our lives. I''d do anything to repay her. We all would." Percy said as he smiled at Dalia. Nieren''s heart fluttered as she felt a tingle run up her legs. She did like Percy and the way he treated Dalia. "Plus, Beta would destroy half the world once he finds out about this." Dalia added. "Haah... Yeah, he would. We''ll need to see him after this." Percy nodded in agreement. "Really? W-Who''s Beta?" Nieren asked with a confused look on her face. "Well, if you plan on joining us you might as well know. He''s prince Quinus, next heir to the throne of Fiafyr." ''WHAT!? That''s amazing!'' Nieren thought as she remembered how cute the prince was when he carried Rya away to her room back at the inn. "Yeah, he''s my best friend and usually a calm guy but he''s in love with Lady Rya and will do anything to get her back. So, let''s talk with Bella and see what we can get out of her before we can make are next move." Percy said as he looked at Dalia as she started wagging her tail. "Okay, then. Let''s go see her!" Nieren replied as she walked towards the back door. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. *** Inside the brothel Bella was trying to help her injured employees that were trapped in a room. "Bella! You''re alive!?" A female voice called out. "Yes. I don''t know how we didn''t get murdered by Jeremiah. It was a miracle." Bella said as she walked over to see some of her guards dead on the ground with their necks slit open. "Haah... Did any of our bouncers survive?" One of the escorts asked. "I don''t think any of them did? How are we going to run the brothel with no protection?" Another escort asked. "Tck! Who would want to work here after knowing that they can be killed for no reason?" A third one asked. "Enough! We will survive like we always do. But we might need to move out of Ironside." The owner said as she continued to clean up the bodies. "Why?" One of the escorts asked. "The Kings Slayer has a powerful dark elf collared. And they''re talking about the Prince of Fiafyr being in the city. We need to leave before it becomes a war zone." Bella said with worry in her eyes. "What should we do?" Another one asked. "We can''t stay here-" Bella replied as she looked around the room and noticed three people she hadn''t seen before. One was a wolf-kin, one was a wood elf and the last was a human ranger that had royal markings of the kingdom of Fiafyr on him. "Are you Bella?" asked Percy. "Yes. Why?" She asked, looking at the young man with a questioning look on her face. "I''m Percy, retainer of the crown prince of Fiafry and I know Lady Rya has been kidnapped from here, by the Black Roses. What''s your involvement with the mercenaries?" Percy asked with a serious look about him. Like he was ready to fight if need be. Bella shook her head and looked at Percy, "He killed my guards and held the rest of my employees and myself hostage if I didn''t help them capture the dark elf... If I knew that she would have done this to my business, I would have turned her away to begin with." Bella said with sadness in her eyes. Percy, Dalia and Nieren noticed the dead bouncers laying on the ground. "Do you know where they were going? Or what the black roses are doing now?" Percy asked. "I heard one of them mention going to one of the abandoned mines by Mount Galfrei." an escort said, looking down. "Mount Galfrei? Are you sure?" Percy asked. The girl nodded her head, "Yea, there are a few abandoned mines there. I heard it from the guy that had a war hammer." "He mentioned that they were heading to one of the mine shafts?" Percy asked, looking for confirmation. "I think so. But I''m not sure." The girl said, shaking her head. While Percy was talking to Bella and the girls Dalia was checking out a spot that was covered in broken wood and earth. ''There''s a body down there.'' Dalia thinks to herself as she sniffs around the area where Rya killed the Merc. ''But it looks like someone was buried.'' Dalia starts digging up the dirt to see who was down there. It takes her a few minutes, but she finally discovers the body buried 5 feet in the ground. She lifts the body out of the hole and looks at it. It was a human male that had a hole in his chest. There is nothing notable about him except that his attire was that of the Black Rose Mercenary Company. Dalia looks up to Percy, "Gamma! I found a body! A human!" She says to Percy. "Who is it? Is it one of those damn mercenaries?" Percy asks, looking back at Dalia. "Yes, he is. But I don''t know who he is." "Let me see then," Percy said, walking over to the body that Dalia threw out of the hole and onto the hardwood floor. ''So Nieren was right about the Black Rose. I wonder?'' Percy thought to himself. He quickly checks the body making sure that he doesn''t feel anything that might be dangerous before inspecting it. "Yeah, he must have been killed by Lady Rya before getting captured." Percy said, looking at the body. "They must have ordered Alpha to bury him." Dalia said, pointing to the broken pieces of wood and earth surrounding the body. "Can you use his scent to find their hideout?" Percy asked Dalia. "Of course, I can!" Dalia said, looking at the body of the merc and cut his head off, with her claws, then put it in a bag. "Gah! Why did you cut his head off?" Nieren asked as she walked up to Percy and Dalia. "So, I can keep a fresh scent on him as we go searching for their hideout." Dalia said, looking at Percy. "Sure but why the head of all the things?" Nieren asked, confused. "I get a little bit of everything. Skin, hair, saliva, blood and other things that give off scents. So, if the scent is over 24 hours old, I''ll still be able to pick it up again and should be able to track them down." Dalia said as she looked at the headless corpse. "You can do that? Well, should we go after them, then?" Nieren asked Dalia. "We need to inform the prince before we can do anything. Do you wish to still join us Nieren? Things are about to get dangerous. Maybe you should stay here and wait for my return." Percy says looking at Nieren. "No. I''m an adventurer. I am going with you even if this is unsanctioned work." She says looking at Percy. "Alright then. Let''s go." Percy said as he helped Dalia out of the hole. "Miss Bella, thanks you for your cooperation. And I''m sorry about our earlier hostilities towards you. I didn''t know if you were working with the Black Roses." Bella and the survivors nodded their heads to Percy. The group of three leave the brothel and run to the baron''s palace as fast as they can. Ch.75 The Sleeping Giant Percy, Dalia and Nieren moved through the city as quickly as possible. Their destination was the palace of the baron which was directly in the middle of the city. The two moons that shone down on the land gave everything a darker look to it, making the night even more ominous. This was all due to the fact that there weren''t any streetlights in this part of the city. Just torches lining every street corner until they came closer to the palace. They rushed into the building, passing guards and knights. They found the throne room were Quinus, Zellin and some of Zellin''s counsel as they discussed the new trade route with the Kingdom of Marn. *** "Zellin, why would the Kingdom of Marn want to open a new trade route? My father isn''t on good terms with them, and I would have to agree with him," Quinus asked the baron. "I know your majesty. I find it peculiar that they wish to open trade routes through Ironside instead of reaching out to his majesty the King? But I wasn''t sure if we wish to get access to their naval pairs? Or maybe they have a plan to get the purple slag?" Zellin asked, looking at the council members. "We can''t trust them not to enslave the dwarven people of Fiafyr. I don''t like the smell of this. There is something fishy about these talks." Hajdah said as he looked at his council. "Haah... I''ll have my men look into it as soon as I can return to the capital." Quinus said, tucking a piece of hair behind his ear. "Yes, Your Majesty. We will do what we can to investigate this matter." Zellin replied. Quinus nodded his head, that''s when the doors to the throne room opened up to Percy, Dalia and Nieren. They all had serious looks on their faces. "What''s wrong?" Hajdah asks, stepping away from the table. "My Lord. We have a problem." Percy said as he looked to Quinus. Quinus felt a terrible omen when looking at Percy and Dalia. ''Where''s Rya? Is she alright?'' Quinus thought to himself. "Well, what is this problem?" Quinus asked, getting up from his seat. "Lady Rya. She has been collared. My Lord." Percy said, with no emotion showing on his face. The room went deathly silent as the whole room stood still. Quinus had rage written all over his golden eyes as he processed what Percy had said. While the Baron and his counsel started to feel the raw power of Quin''s mana leaking from his body that felt like the wrath of the gods. "..." "You''re Ma~" Zellin stopped himself before he spoke the words ''your majesty''. After making eye contact with Quinus for a brief second. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "..." Quinus looked back to Percy. "Who?" Quinus said, trying to keep his voice calm. "It was the Black Roses my Lord." Percy said, looking down. *Crunch!* The chair closest to Quinus was destroyed by his mana. The rest of the chairs around the round table were knocked over. Quinus tried reigning in his anger so as to not injure anyone else in the room. ''T-This is the toothless lion that all the nobles spoke of!? Prince Quinus could kill us all without batting a eye right now!'' thought Boran Zellin. "They must''ve followed us here. They captured Lady Rya and put a slave collar on her." Percy said, looking at the floor. "Zellin... I request that you raise an army as soon as possible." Quinus said, through gritted teeth. "I want them dead. Do whatever it takes." Zellin''s heart dropped to his stomach hearing those words. "Understood my Lord." Zellin said, bowing his head low. "The mages guild will be summoned as well your Majesty." Hajdah said as he lowered his head and left the room. The council members quickly left the room. Everyone except for Quinus, Percy, Dalia, Nieren and Zellin. "Do you know where they took her?" Quinus asked his retainer. "Word is they are hiding in a abandoned mine by Mount Galfrei, my Lord." Percy answered. "Mount Galfrei? I''ll send my troops there right aw~" Zellin stopped when Quinus raised one of his hands to halt the baron. "Lady Dalia. Can you track them?" Quinus asked. "Yes, I can. And I can find her, Beta." Dalia replied, her eyes filled with determination. Quinus nodded and smiled. "Very good. Who''s this Lady?" he asked, gesturing to Nieren. "Her name is Nieren. She was the one that witnessed Lady Rya''s abduction, my Lord." Percy answered. A grim expression crossed Quinus'' face. "So why didn''t she stop them from capturing her?" Nieren began to panic a little but summoned the courage to talk to the prince. "I-I witnessed the Kings Slayer, your Majesty. I-I''m a great archer but I''m no match for him." Nieren said to Quinus with a sad look in his eyes. It was at that moment that Quinus noticed her elven ears that were hidden under her hood. ''A wood elf? Haah That explains her fear of the Kings Slayer.'' Quinus thought as he knew about the history of the fall of the Wood Elven Empire. "You''re a wood elf?" Quinus asked, his voice sounding like it came out of a deep well. Nieren nodded her head as hard as she could. "H-How did you know?" Nieren asked, her cheeks flushing. "I saw your ears, Lady Nieren. Can you help me find Rya? I''ve heard that most wood elf are excellent trackers." Quinus said, looking down at Nieren with a smile. "Of course, your Majesty!" Nieren said with a nod. "Thank you Lady Nieran. If you find her, I promise you that the Kings Slayer will be no more." Quinus said with a small bow of his head. ''H-He''ll kill the Kings Slayer! I-I have to save her!'' Nieren thought to herself. He looked up to see Dalia standing in front of him, her eyes full of determination. "Find her Lady Dalia." Quinus said before turning back to Percy. "Send word to the rest of our forces once you locate the Black Roses. Ill bring the forces we need to Mount Galfrei." Quinus ordered as he walked towards the door. "Yes my Lord." Percy replied, following after Quinus. Zillen was the only one left in the room. ''Prince Quinus is going to be a King that no one should reckon with. The boy''s a sleeping giant! The nobles going against him will most likely beg for mercy when it''s all said and done. I doubt even the Kings Slayer will be able to stand against him!'' Zillen thought as he stared at the young prince before calling for his troops. Ch.76 Are the Black Roses Psychopaths While Quinus and the rest of the crew was preparing for their expedition to save Rya, there were four figures walking through the city of Ironside and stopping by a sewage grate on the street floor in a back alley of the red light district. "Open it" Jeremiah commanded Rya as the slaver item glows in his hand. Her body goes into autopilot and opens the gate with her magic. *Crush!* Goes the metal sewage grate. "Hahaha! She''s going to be fun to use." Jeremiah says as he pats Rya on the back. ''God dammit Ryan! What the hell were you thinking! No wait! I wasn''t thinking! What do I do!'' Rya thinks to herself. She stands in front of the sewer drain and starts to cry. "Let''s go. Sims is waiting to meet up outside the city walls." Dietrich commands as he walks past everyone and jumps down into the sewer. "What are you waiting for? Follow him." Jeremiah commands. Everyone follows Dietrich into the sewers of Ironside. It would be impossible for human eyes to see in the darkness of the tunnels if Dietrich didn''t have a strange magical lantern that was on his hip that lit up the area around him. "Damn this is cold. One would think the sewers would be warmer?" Devin grumbles as he continues to walk deeper into the sewers. "You should only speak when you have something useful to say." Jeremiah snarls as he walks behind Devin. Devin showed panic in his eyes as he turned around. "I''m sorry, I forgot myself." ''This Jeremiah guy seems to be an asshole.'' Rya thinks to herself. Jeremiah didn''t care what Rya thought of him. He was more concerned about his mission and that was to regroup with the rest of the Black Roses. *** After traveling through the sewer system for an hour they finally reached the outer wall of Ironside. There was a giant grate blocking anyone from getting in or out of the city. "I see the grate." Dietrich said. "Do you think she''s strong enough to open it?" Devin asks as he looks at Rya. The sewage grate looked like it was enchanted and reinforced with magic of some sort that kept the metal from rusting. "Looks like a tough task but I think she might be able to open it." Dietrich replies. "Only one way to find out. SLAVE! Open the grate!" Jeremiah commanded Rya. "Y-Yes Mas-ter!" Rya said. She tries to fight her body from bowing her head. But in the end the slave collar was too much for her to resist. She then starts to use her earth magic to destroy the stone surrounding the giant 25 foot grate. *Crush! Crush! Crush!* The Black Roses thought the sewage grate was just going to fall over but it was floating there. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Huh? What''s she doin~" Devin halted his speech when he saw Rya morphing the metal grate into a 50 foot staircase and placed it on the edge of the wall. ''Please someone see this thing!'' Rya thinks to herself hoping the city guards notice the staircase. Dietrich, Jeremiah, and Devin all looked at the black elf and the strange magical floating stairs hovering by the edge of the sewer opening. "Don''t try anything stupid bitch." Dietrich warned. "No sir, I won''t. Just making sure no one gets hurt," Rya replied in a nervous tone as she continued to focus on keeping the staircase stable. "She''s good! I can''t wait to take over this city and end that "Toothless Lion" life! If only he was a king, I would have added him to my collection!" Jeremiah said with excitement. ''Toothless Lion? Is he talking about Quinus!'' Rya thinks to herself. "We don''t have the city yet. Let''s get the hell out of here." Dietrich told Jeremiah. "You''re on my good side Dietrich. Don''t make me change my mind." Jeremiah said with a wicked smile. "Let''s go!" With that they all descended the staircase. It was still the dead of night when they reached the ground floor outside the city walls. The streets in the distance were empty and there weren''t any guards nearby. "That''s a lot of stairs!" Devin said surprised. "Yeah, there''s not that many mages that can do what she''s done. She''s pretty impressive," Dietrich said. "I''m impressed that she didn''t collapse from exhaustion at the top." Jeremiah chuckled. *** The group started walking towards a hill in the distance. They had their eyes set on finding Sims. They needed to find him so they could get him out of the city limits before anyone noticed them. "Where the fuck is Sims? Why is he such a dick?" Devin asked himself, annoyed. "He will show up. He''s just hiding. That''s what he''s best at." Dietrich explained. "Haah... He better have the horses ready." Devin sighed. "Calm yourself, Devin. We shouldn''t be too far from his location. Don''t worry." Dietrich said comfortingly. They kept walking until they reached a path leading down to a small river. "That''s where we''ll meet him. Go and tell Sims to meet us here by the trees." Dietrich ordered. "Yes sir!" Devin saluted and ran off. Dietrich and Jeremiah climbed down the steep cliff. "Come!" Jeremiah ordered Rya to follow. ''There has to be some kind of loop hole with this slave collar? If only I come grab that item in Jeremiah''s hand,'' Rya thought as she followed the two down the cliff. After reaching the bottom she saw several trees surrounding a small clearing. "Go ahead!" Jeremiah told Rya. She walked closer to the tree line and stopped in front of a large oak. After a few minutes Sims and Devin suddenly appeared and came riding up with four horses. "This way!" Devin yelled. "So, this is the dark elf you were talking about, Dietrich? Oh she''s a looker!" Sims said excitedly. "She is not for fucking. This one is more important than the others." Jeremiah said with a stern face. "But she''s hot! You know I''d be quick." Sims said smiling. Rya started panicking. She was horrified that she would be used as a sex slave. ''No! I don''t want to become an object.'' She thought. But she knew that she was going to be sold off to whoever bought her if she doesnt find a way out of this quickly. "SLAVE! If anyone touches you sexually you have permission to harm them." Jeremiah said coldly. Huh? I can protect myself? Ill take it. Rya felt a little relief. Sims looked annoyed, "Fuck! You''re no fun Kings Slayer." In a blink of an eye Jeremiah threw a dagger at Sims in who looked to be startled. Just as the dagger was about to strike Sims his body vanished like it was an illusion. ''What the fuck? How did he do that?'' Rya thought. Jeremiah turned back to the tree line and saw Sims walk out from behind one of them. "Fine. FINE! I won''t touch her unless you want me to." Sims said angrily. "One of these days I will kill you and your illusions, Sims. The day Rudolf finds you useless is the day you die." Jeremiah said menacingly. "Haha! Oh don''t worry about me, Kings Slayer. I''ll make sure no new member will have my set of skills," Sims replied with a shit eating smile. "I think we should leave now." Dietrich said. "Agreed." Jeremiah agreed. They mounted their horses and headed towards the forest. ''Fuck! Are all the Black Roses psychopaths!'' Rya thought nervously. Ch.77 I Wish to Keep the Deal After leaving the tree line they rode north towards the mountains on horseback. After a few hours they reached the edge of the mountain range and entered a ravine where a small river flowed through. Devin led them past the boulder rocks to the other side of the ravine. Where he pulled out some sort of pendant that lit up. At that moment some figures came out of the shadows. "Oy! You return!" Yelled one of the figures that was a Black Rose Mercenary. "Yes! We return with our prize!" Jeremiah said proudly. The mercenary laughed, "Oh! Never thought I would see a dark elf in my life." "You better watch yourself. The Kings Slayer gave her permission to defend herself." Sims said with a grin. "Really? That''s a shame." One of the mercenaries said as they approached. Like it matters. It seems this one prefers the company of women. Dietrich said to his comrate. Huh? Really? I aways knew dark elves were fucked up But that shou~ The merc was interrupted. Shes NOT for fucking Jeremiah scolded the man. They were soon surrounded by 5 men who stood about 6 feet tall. Their faces were covered with masks and their weapons were held tightly. Rya cringed at the thought of being touched by all these men. ''Fucking touch me! I dare you! You are all ugly sons of bitches!'' Rya thought angrily. "Is Rudolf awake?" Jeremiah said coldly. "Aye, he''s in the cave planning something. My guess is we are assaulting Ironside. He had the same look back when we invaded the Dwarven Kingdom." One of the mercenaries answered. "Good, with this combat slave. We should make short work of Ironside''s defenses." Jeremiah said as he and the others dismounted their horses. "Yea. I''m going to go get Rudolf and the rest. We can depart shortly." The leader of the group said before turning around and heading back to the cave. "Follow slave. You will be useful here." Jeremiah commanded. ''FUCK YOU!'' Rya screamed under her breath as her body moved against her will. She followed behind the mercs like a puppy dog. *** Rudolf was sitting in a dimly lit room deep within the caves of Ironside. He was talking to a man and woman. The woman seemed to be focusing on an artifact while the man was standing by as a bodyguard to the woman who was dressed in Duke Alaric Revelia''s robes. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. "How long is this going to take?" Rudolf asked impatiently. The bodyguard responded, "Keep distracting her and it will take longer. Or do you wish to anger Duke Alaric Revelia more after what happened to his son?" ''Tck! Dietrich, you better be right about this dark elf. My life will not end because of his failures!'' Rudolf thinks to himself as he wants to make it up to the duke by ending the prince''s life for his men''s incompetents. "Fine. Do whatever you need to do." Rudolf said annoyed. After a few minutes for the woman to finish whispering a spell as her mana enters the artifact, she places it down onto the table next to her. The artifact lights up in a blue glow and a figure forms in the particles, no taller than one meter. The figure looked like an older man who had a royal look to him. His face was slightly wrinkled from age, but his eyes still showed intelligence and anger. "Rudolf... What''s this about my son''s death and my pathetic excuse of a nephew surviving the Tomb of the Horde!" Duke Alaric Revelia said angrily. "I am sorry, Your Grace. It seems I was mistaken about the prince. He seems to have a dark elf that aided him in defeating the dungeon core and killed your son. If I''d known, I would have sent Jeremiah with~" Rudolf quickly cuts off when the duke interrupts him. "EXCUSES! MY SON IS DEAD! AND NOW MY INCOMPETENT BROTHER''S SON HAS WON THE FAVOR OF MOST OF THE NOBLES! HE IS ALL BUT GUARANTEED THE CROWN!" Rudolf tried to compose himself before speaking to the duke. "Your Grace, I am sorry. We are stealing the prince''s battle slave as we speak and if what my men say about her is true, we''ll use her to destroy Ironside and the prince. We''ll blame it on the goblins, so the current king is blamed for the failure. At least you will be on the throne when this all said and done, Your Grace." "How is all this going to bring back my son?" Rudolf thought to himself for a moment. "It will not, Your Grace. But if this dark elf is as powerful as we think she is. We''ll give her as a gift to you so you can take the throne." Rudolf said. "A gift? You still wish to be given lordship over Fiafyr lands?" Duke Alaric asked. "Yes, Your Grace. I have never been given a chance to rule lands and I wish to be one of your lords if you still wish to keep our deal." The duke shook his head. "I will be steading assassins after you if you fail to kill the prince... But I will consider keeping some lesser version of the deal if you do bring the prince''s head and give me this dark elf. Do whatever you wish to Ironside. They''re mostly dwarves anyway." ''Hmm? So, the duke might keep his end of the bargain? Well if he doesn''t I might have to use this dark elf on him if he thinks he can assassinate me.'' Rudolf thought to himself. He walked up to the duke and bowed his head. "It will be done, Your Grace. The Black Roses always come through in the end." Rudolf said. "You better Rudolf! Failure doesn''t look good on you." Duke Alaric warned. "If you require anything else from me, I shall do what I must to complete our deal." Rudolf said. With that the magical connection was halted as Duke Alaric vanished from the artifact. The woman in the robes opened her eyes and grabbed her artifact. "I hope you succeed, Lord Rudolf. It usually gets ugly for those that fail the duke." Said the bodyguard of the magic speaker mage. "Worry about yourself, I''m used to dealing with men of Duke Alaric''s ilk. You two should leave if you know what''s best for you!" Rudolf said. The speaker mage and the bodyguard looked at each other and nodded. "We better get going then." The mage said. "Aye... Lead the way ma''am." The bodyguard said. They left the room and walked down the corridor of the cave leaving Rudolf by himself. "Tck! So, the toothless lion has nine lives? Well, he''s not going to have any left after tomorrow." Rudolf thought to himself. Ch.78 Put her through the Ringer Rudolf Black the founder of the Black Roses, made a name for himself many years ago when he came out of nowhere to lead the last great war of the Five Kingdoms. Many nobles and kings were killed in the great war of the five kingdoms, which made Rudolf very famous. Most thought Rudolf was nothing more but a simple soldier in the Kingdom of Druwd. He hated being used by nobles and kings of the past. And one day he somehow came in contact with an enemy nobles and killed them without hesitation. That was when he realized that kings and nobles were no different from commoners. And ever since that day Rudolf vowed to kill all those who would try to control him. To this day he has never lost a fight against anyone who challenged him. Though many people think Rudolf is insane and like to call him mad. There is no doubt that Rudolf is one of the greatest fighters of all time during the war. When he freed himself from the army he built his own army of Mercenaries called Black Roses and went on a rampage on the four other kingdoms until the Kingdom of Marn became rulers of the northwestern part of the continent. Ever since the founding of the Black Roses Rudolf has led his men to become known as some of the deadliest mercenaries in all of the Agon continent for the last three decades. However, it wasn''t long before Rudolf started making enemies with his main employer, Kingdom of Marn. As the king started fearing for his life and started a war with the Black Roses. After much bloodshed and battles, Rudolf started killing off the members of the royal family for their treachery. However, he and his Mercenaries couldn''t stay in one place for too long due to the constant attacks from other kingdoms and found a safe haven in the kingdom of Fiafyr, via Count Marcus Revelia who wished to use them to get the throne from his cousin and got his father on board with the plan to become king. Rudolf wanted land of his own to rule over in his older age and decided to help Marcus out with his plans. That was until Marcus''s death and Rudolf now back to trying to find a new lord that would let him get land of his own. He wished to appease Duke Alaric Revelia, Marcus''s father, to take the throne in hopes to get his own lands. But his gut was telling him that it was a long shot. If he feels the duke will betray him, he''ll have no choice but to kill him and try again elsewhere. It wouldnt be his first time. *** "Rudolf. Jeremiah is back and he has the dark elf with him." The voice came from behind him. "Took him long enough to return. So what is the news?" Rudolf asked. "It seems one man died putting the slave collar on it. Luckily it looks like the collar is working." the Merc said. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Rudolf gave a sigh of relief knowing it worked. "Good. After spending all that money on it, it better work." "Yes, commander. What''s are next move?" Rudolf smirked and stood up and walked towards the door. "Next we see how strong this dark elf really is." *** Rya was walking through the cave corridor forced to follow the mercenaries as they made their way deeper inside the mountain. They seemed to be heading to some kind of meeting point where the mercenary leader. ''Dammit! I still can''t find a way out of this mess. Why did I ever go to that brothel! Just because I wanted to prove I was still a man? To get back at Nils? Fuck me.'' Rya thought to herself as she kept following the men. Behind her was Jeremiah and Dietrich. Both were silent while walking alongside her. As she continued her way forward, she noticed that the corridor looked like an old mine shaft. It was cold and damp, but there was light ahead of her and a lot of men dressed in Black Rose armor. ''There''s like a hundred of them in here alone. Are they planning an invasion or something?'' Rya thought to herself. She saw one of them walk by holding a sword in one hand and a crossbow in another. "Slave! Halt!" Jeremiah ordered. Rya quickly stopped and stared at Jeremiah. Jeremiah glared at her. "Did I tell you to look at me?" Rya looked away and sighed. ''Fucking asshole.'' When she looked around she noticed all the men were staring at her. Some with disgust, others with lust and jealousy. Rya has never had this much attention before in her life. And it made her uncomfortable. ''What the hell is up with all these creeps. I hate how they''re staring at me.'' Rya thought while feeling uneasy. ''I wish Quin was here. I-I miss him. God he must be angry at me for doing something so stupid... I don''t deserve him...'' "Rudolf is taking his sweet ass time," Dietrich said. "You should say that to his face," Jeremiah responded "Uh... J-Just pretend that I said nothing" "Spineless coward... Well I know how you were the only one to survive the Tomb of the Horde." Jeremiah smirks at Dietrich who was gritting his teeth in anger. At that moment the older man came out of his tent. He had full plate mail on and has a huge shield in one hand and mace in the other. His face has the look of a warrior from long ago. He also had an axe strapped to his back. He looks around and suddenly notices Rya. "Jeremiah, you''ve done well. Do we know what she can do?" Rudolf asked. "I haven''t put her through the ringer but she''s a earth mage, commander," Jeremiah answered. "We''ll test her. Who in this room wishes to fight this dark elf. If anyone beats her they can get to do what they wish to her." Rudolf asked. Everyone in the room cheered for their chance to challenge Rya. "Rudolf! Let me challenge her!" yelled Sims. Rya''s skin felt cold. She hated the sound of his voice, lusting after her. Jeremiah had a smile on his face. "Everyone clear the space in front of her." Rudolf ordered. Everyone backed up and cleared the area. Yelling and laughing could be heard. Sims came in close to Rya. "Don''t worry. I''ll take good care of you after the fight." Sims smirked. Rya looked up, ''I gotta take this guy down, if I can.'' Ch.79 Second-rate Illusionist "SLAVE! You may use whatever you wish against Sims." Jeremiah orders with a grin. Rya looked at the ground and then at Jeremiah. Her eyes narrowed and she looked like a predator ready to strike. "Go ahead, little girl," Sims said while holding his daggers. ''If I remember correctly, this asshole uses illusions. So he''s hiding like a snake. How do I get him to come out?'' Rya thought as she stomped on the ground making an earth spike appear in a blink of an eye hitting Sims in the chest, causing the illusion to disappear. The mercenaries in the cave were surprised by how fast Rya''s magic was cast. They could see the earth spikes move with incredible speed and power. "Ha ha ha! You''re a feisty one aren''t you?" Sims voice echoed throughout the cave. "You have know idea. Plus no matter how many illusions you create of yourself. You can''t hide the fact that you have a small cock that can''t pleasure a woman." Rya said in a matter of fact tone. Sims came out of the shadows and tried to attack Rya from behind. *Swing!* *Swish!* Rya ducked under Sims daggers as she countered with another earth spike that hit him in the stomach. ''Tck! So my senses tell me when I''m getting attacked but not when someone has a goddamn slave collar coming at me? What type of bullshit is this!'' Rya thought with a pissed look on her face. "Ha ha ha! Looks like you''re not happy when I attack your blind side, aye?" Sims said with a smirk. ''Oh this idiot... If only he knew how fucked he really is.'' Rya thought. "Attack me in whatever way you want. I''m not impressed with your pathetic tricks." Rya said with a serious look on her face. ''Lets see what his plan is.'' Rya thought with a calm countenance. Again Sims comes out of the shadows behind Rya with his dagger coming at Rya''s back. *Boom!* *Crash!* Rya created a rock wall behind her blocking Sims'' daggers. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. As soon as Rya felt the daggers hit the wall, she turned around and kicked the wall, sending it flying with theSims illusion towards the cave wall. *Smash!* The cave vibrates from the impact. The mercenaries that were watching were stunned again by Rya''s display of strength. "I''ve never seen Sims get stopped so easily before? Have you?" One of the mercenaries said while pointing at the broken wall. "No. His sneak attacks usually work perfectly." Another mercenary said with concern. ''So he''s been getting by on cheap shit all his life. Let''s see if I can''t get him a little pissed off?'' Rya thought with a smirk. "So you''re one of the best the Black Roses have to offer? Pff! I don''t know what Rudolf sees in a second rate illusionist like yourself. Maybe the Black Roses aren''t as good as they say they are." Rya said sarcastically. "Don''t talk shit about me, you whore!" Sims growled with rage. "Hehe... Well at least whores make money. What does a second rate illusionist bring? Disappointment, disgrace, and failure. If Rudolf sees value in you then I question how the Black Roses are even still alive." Rya said mockingly. "Fuck you!" Sims roared as two of him came from the shadows with their daggers ready for Rya. "Oh, you mean this?" Rya said as she turned around with her hands up in the air and threw two rocks the size of cannonballs right at the two Sims. *Boom! Boom!* Dust flies off the cave walls from the impact of Rya''s magic. The real Sims jumped back with a yelp and hisses from the pain from the debris. The mercenaries looked at each other with a worried expression. "Hey, you made two of you? What''s next, three Sims?" Rya said while levitating another cannonball size rock in the air. "Your mana can''t last forever!" Sims shouted. "Aw! What happened to all that cockiness you had before our fight? I thought you wanted to rape me? It''s almost like you''re a goblin?" Rya said mockingly. "You little cunt! I''ll show you how good of an illusionist I am! I will fucking kill you!" Sims said with fury in his voice. At that moment multiple Sims came out of the shadows with their weapons drawn. Rya was calm as she broke off a small piece of her levitating rock and shot it as fast as a speeding bullet towards one of the Sims. Striking it in the head which made delusion disappear. ''So these things can''t even survive a bullet sized stone? He''s fucked.'' Rya then rapidly fires off more magic bullets from the larger stone with ease. Masterfully striking one after another of the Sims. One of the Sims fell to the ground with a hole in his neck while the other was missing a leg and both had holes in their stomachs before they all vanished. "Second rate." Rya said with a smile. "Hah hah, maybe you''re better than I thought but I will get you! I promise you that you little cunt!" Sims said from the shadows. ''Huh? I think I see moisture particles coming over there? Is that where the real Sims is hiding?'' Rya thought as her eyes picked up on some mana infused moisture coming from a cloaked Sims. As Rya focused on that spot about 20 feet away she started hearing Sims rapid heart beat. ''Found you, you piece of-'' Rya''s thought was interrupted. "Jeremiah! Command her to stop! I''ve seen enough!" Rudolf ordered. Without hesitation Rya launched an earth spike attack in the direction of the cloaked Sims. "Wha- AAARRRGGGGH!" A scream could be heard in the shadows. Rya then used her mana to move the earth spike almost like a tree root to bring Sims closer to her. Sims was impaled on the earth spikes and Rya wanted to make an example out of him before she lost her free will again. "Who''s fucking who now?" Rya whispered to the dying Sims. "N-NO PLEASE! DON''T KILL ME!" Sims begged. Rya then quickly moved Sims in front of the crowd of mercenaries and blew him up from the insides sending his blood and guts flying towards them. Blanketed the mercenaries in red. Most of the mercenaries were mortified with the blood of their comrade all over them. All with the exception of one. Jeremiah. "I told you to stop her!" Rudolf yelled at Jeremiah. "What can I say? She was too quick." Jeremiah said with a grin. "That''s not funny! Sims was my best scout!" Rudolf asked. "We got something better than a scout. SLAVE KNEE!" Jeremiah commanded. Rya''s body started to move on its own. ''Oh fuck you Jeremiah!'' Rya thought to herself as she went down on one knee. Jeremiah walked up to her. "We are going to do great things, slave. Great things indeed." "Jeremiah. If you free me I''ll spare you. If you don''t. I''ll make sure it will be the worst decision in your life." Rya said with a glare. "You have no idea what you''re saying girl." Jeremiah said with a laugh. "Jeremiah! That''s enough playing around. Get the men ready. I want the prince dead by tomorrow morning!" Rudolf ordered. "As you wish. Commander." Jeremiah replied back. Rudolf then turned to the crowd of mercenaries. "The Dark Elf is our main weapon now. We are to kill the prince as soon as possible. And take over Ironside for our own! Are you with me!?" Rudolf asked. "YES COMMANDER!" The mercenaries yelled. "Good! Go get ready!" Rudolf commanded. Ch.80 Hot on their Trail Percy, Dalia and Nieren were on the trail of Rya''s captors which led them into the sewers of Ironside. "This is so creepy! Gah! They had to go through the sewers!? Really!?" Nieren exclaimed. "Yeah, it''s common for vermin like the Black Roses to come through the sewers trying to hide their scent from me." Dalia replied while sniffing the air, picking up the scent of Rya. "Gah! I don''t know how you wolf-kins aren''t puking your guts out from that foul stench? It''s the worst!" Nieren said while pinching her nose with her fingers. "Aw? The poor little Woody can''t handle a bit of odor? Hehe. I love it! So many fascinating smells are at my disposal down here. Like how one of the Black Roses pissed himself." Dalia said as she wagged her tail. "Oh my god! This is why I can stand being around beast-kins! You''re so gross!" Nieren said while covering her mouth and stepping back away from Dalia. "That''s funny? I don''t mind being around you Woody? You probably should get that checked out by a healer or something?" Dalia responded. "My name isn''t Woody! You F-F-Fuzzball!" Nieren complained. "Hey calm down you two. We need to find Lady Rya." Percy said. "Alright, alright, let''s keep moving. Maybe we can find some clues down here." Dalia said while letting out a sigh. She continued walking and smelling the sewer waters following the scent of the Black Roses. "Hmm? I can smell fresh air coming from that side tunnel now and their scent is coming from there." Dalia said as she pointed to a side tunnel. "Nice! Let''s check it out. Come on!" Percy said as he started to walk towards the tunnel. "Wait! Don''t leave me alone." Nieren said as she ran after Dalia and Percy. "Don''t worry, Woody! It''s not too far away." Dalia said with a smile. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. "Why do you keep calling me ''Woody''?" Nieren asked. "Because you smell like a tree. Duh?" Dalia responded while holding her hands up in the air. "It''s not that funny!" Nieren said as she pouted. "Dalia? Can you stop teasing Nieren?" Percy pleads to his girlfriend. "Okay Gamma. I''ll try, but I''m not promising anything." Dalia responded with a grin. "You''re horrible and adorable, you know that right?" Percy said with a frown. "Now come on." The three of them walked side by side into the sewer tunnels until they came to an opening in the sewers that used to have a metal grate that covered it to the outside. "Whoa! Where did this metal staircase come from!?" Nieren asked. Percy and Dalia looked at each other with a knowing look before looking at Nieren. "This is most likely Lady Rya''s magic." Percy explained. "S-She did this!?" Nieren asked with a shocked expression. "Yeah, Alpha is quite a powerful mage. She may be a dark elf, but she saved my life and I''m forever grateful to her for that." Dalia said. "Yeah she saved all of our lives. I wouldn''t be here and have the woman of my dreams if it wasn''t for her." Percy said while Dalia blushed. ''She saved them both!? What would make her save them? She''s a dark elf, so she must have a reason? R-Right?'' Nieren thought. The three of them descended down the stairs to the ground level outside the walls of Ironside. The moon was almost full and it was starting to get quite chilly. "Dalia, have you picked up their scent again? I can''t sense anything from our current position." Percy said. "It''s faint. It''s coming from somewhere towards the hills over there." Dalia answered. "You''re the best Dalia." Percy said as he pulled Dalia into a hug. Dalia blushes and looks down as Percy kisses the top of her head. ''H-He so cute! My mind is thinking too much.'' Nieren thought to herself with a blush. The three were hot on the trail of Rya and her captors as they ran towards the hills. *** After some time Dalia, Percy and Nieren came to a spot that had a few trees. "Look, horse tracks!" Nieren chimed in. "So, they had someone waiting? Hmm? Looks like they headed to the north?" Percy said as he looked past the forest to see some mountains in the distance illuminated only by moon light. "Is that Mount Galfrei?" Dalia asked. "Yes, that''s Mount Galfrei. It''s probable 2 hours away?" Nieren said. "Great. Lady Nieren, can you lead the way? My eyes aren''t as good as yours in this dark." Percy asked. "S-Sure thing Sir Percy." Nieren took the lead as Percy and Dalia followed. *** The three continued their march through the night for a couple of hours until they came across a ravine that had a small stream running through it by the base of the mountain. "Wait! Hold you two!" Dalia ordered. "What is it?" Percy asked. "I smell something ahead of us! It smells like humans." Dalia said with concern. "Humans? Nieren, tell me if you spot anything." Percy asked. "Okay..." Nieren answered as she sensed something in the area. "I hear footsteps though? I think they''re 50 feet in front of us? Behind that boulder." "Dalia with me. We need to grab some prisoners if they are with the Black Roses. Nieren, cover us with your bow. If there''s more than two of them, take out the extras, okay?" Percy instructed. "Y-Yes Sir Percy." "Hehe. Gamma and I will move around the edge and try to flush them out. We''re counting on you Woody." Dalia said as she readied her claws. "Hey! You just won''t use my name will you Fuzzball? I said I got you cover. So go." Nieren said in a cheerful tone. "Now you''re getting it! Come on Gamma! It''s time to hunt!" The three hid around the backside of a large rock near the hill. As they waited for the enemy to appear, Nieren cloaked herself and went over to find higher ground while Dalia and Percy waited behind some bigger rock. "Here comes one now...They''re coming from the north." Dalia whispered as she poked her head around the side of the rock. "Can you tell if they''re with the Black Roses?." Percy whispered back. Dalia focused on the figure until she spotted the man''s Black Rose uniform on his chest. "Yep. They''re with the Roses alright." Dalia said in a whisper. "Good. Let''s get him!" Percy said as he moved out from his hiding spot and leapt at the man. Ch.81 Taking a Prisoner Ten minutes early. "Hey Dan? What do you think Rudolf is going to do to that dark elf?" Sigmund asked his friend. Dan was the leader of the squad of four on night watch. "It''s not really my place to talk about what goes on with his business," Dan responded. "I bet they''re having his way with her. Man, I wish I could get me a fine slave like that. Nothing like having a beauty like that taking care of you. Am I right?" Czes asked, trying to sound cool. Dan just rolled his eyes and looked away. "Why don''t you three shut up already? I''m tired of hearing this kind of talk." Dan growled out before turning back towards the campfire. "Pff! What''s his problem?" Hagen laughed. "You know what''s his problem? He''s jealous. If you ask me, I think he''s got something for that dark elf and doesnt want to admit it." Czes suggested. "He wouldn''t be the first to have a crush on her..." Sigmund whispered. "If you three have time to talk then you have time to go on patrol. Now get going before I get angry." Dan said in a low voice. "Really? No one knows we are out here?" Hagen asked. "What does it matter? Just keep your mouths shut and do your job." Dan replied angrily. Sigmund, Hagen, and Czes were silent as they left their position and began to walk downstream of the small river to do a patrol of the area by the entrance of the ravine. *** "Salty prick, that''s what he is..." Hagen muttered. "Yeah, I agree with you there. Let''s just do it and get it over with." Sigmund mumbled. "Fuck. I told Dan no one knows we are here. It''s a waste of our time. Time we could be having with the dark elf." Czes complained. Sigmund stopped walking and looked down the path. "Shit man. Do you ever feel like everything is falling apart with this mercenary group? I mean we have been on the run for almost a year before coming to the Fiafyr Kingdom?" "Yeah, we lost a lot of friends fighting those fucking royals. Backstabbing bastards. Not to mention all the other battles we''ve fought along the way." Hagen added. "Well, I think Rudolf will get us riches and land like he promised us. No way the duke will back down from his promise." Czes said confidently. "I hope you''re right. I am getting sick of this life. We should find another group and see if they pay better if things dont pan out." Sigmund offered. "Rudolf better, he insisted that if we stick to his original plan well get paid big time. Plus, he hasn''t paid us last month because he had to buy that single slave collar. I didnt realize he would use it on a dark elf. I mean that dark elf is hot but how is he going to make all that money back?" Hagen stated. "Whoring her out of course. Ha ha ha ha!" Czes laughed. "I wouldn''t put it past him. Ah! Damn! I need to take a leak. I''ll be back." Sigmund groaned as he needed to relieve himself. Sigmund walked off the path and let out a sigh of relief when he relieved himself behind some bushes on the other side of a big boulder at the entrance of the ravine. *Step, step, step, STEP! PUNCH!* *Crash!* Dalia comes flying in, punching the back on the head of Sigmund. He flies forward and hits the ground hard causing his nose to break on impact. Dalia jumps out of the way of an incoming arrow fired from Hagen. "Sigmund! Where did the mutt come from?" Czes exclaimed. Sigmund rolled over somehow maintaining his consciousness after taking the hit to the head and saw Dalia looking up at him. "Tck! He''s still conscious. I pulled my punch! Gamma!" Dalia yelled as she got up and ran off. She was quick. Her speed was incredible as she avoided more incoming arrows that were aimed at her. Hagen and Czes began firing their arrows at the wolf-kin as best as they could. "The bitch is too fucking fast! I can''t even get close to her!" Hagen yelled. "Keep her busy! I''ll get Sigmund!" Czes said as he pulled his short sword. Hagen took aim and fired. The arrows flew true toward her chest, but she dodged them easily. "Hehe! You suck at being an archer, human! Can''t hit the broad side of a barn!" Dalia taunted. "SHUT UP!" Hagen yelled as he nocks an arrow and tried to fire. *Swing! Slice!* "AH! Fuck!" Hagen said as he landed on the ground and felt blood pouring out of his right shoulder. Percy flanked Hagen and cut into his shooting arm hoping to disable him. *Kick! SMASH!* Percy kicked Hagen in the face, knocking out some of his teeth. He then grabbed the bow from his hands and tossed it away. "You''re not much of a fighter, are you?" Percy asked. Sigmund got up and saw Hagen still alive despite his injuries. "CHEAP LITTLE SHITS! WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" Sigmund screamed as he got up with a bloody face. Czes was standing next to him. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "We''re here to take you in custody. It would be wise if you lower your weapons and surrender," Percy said. Czes looked around and noticed no one else was there. "This little shit and his bitch dog wants to fight some Black Rose Mercenaries? Trying to play a hero kid?" Czes said with rage in his voice. "You have it wrong. The Black Roses forfeit their lives when they kidnapped the crown prince''s mage and friend. There is only one way out of this if you wish to live." Percy said with a serious tone. Hagen, Sigmund, and Czes noticed Percy''s attire had the royal sigil of House Meredydd. "So, the Toothless Lion has to send his retainer to do his dirty work for him? Fine. Let me give you all a chance to surrender. Otherwise, we will have to kill you and your dog," Czer said with a grin. Percy gets annoyed when he hears the Merc insult his master and girlfriend. "I''m not going to sit back and allow you to insult the next King of Fiafyr. We are Fiafyr, and you have no right to speak to us like that, Merc!" Percy said. "Gamma! Behind you! Get down!" Dalia yelled out. Percy''s hair on the back of his neck stood on end when a sense of danger came over him. He instinctively ducks and rolls. *WHOOSH!* Percy barely saw the head of a war hammer pass him where his head used to be. "YAHHH!" Dan yelled as he continued to swing around his hammer to keep the momentum so he could strike Percy again. Dan''s body then began to glow with red light as he released the mana from his body into the weapon. He then charged forward and swung his hammer down onto Percy like he was a metal stake. "Dodge THIS!" Dan yelled as he brought his hammer down towards Percy. But before he could hit him, an arrow hit his shoulder changing the direction of his attack making him miss Percy. *CRASH! BOOM!* Dust and chunks of rock flew everywhere from the impact of the mana-charged war hammer with the ground. "DAMMIT! There''s a third one! I told you to be on guard!" Dan yelled at his subordinates as his arm started bleeding with an arrow sticking out of it. The Mercenaries lost sight of Percy as he used the dust as cover while moving towards Hagen. Within a matter of seconds, Percy made his way to Hagen as he came out of the dust cloud. *Swing! CLANG!* Percy''s sword struck Hagen''s sword. "SHIT! HE''S ON M~" Hagen tried to defend himself when Percy dual-wielded his short sword and dagger. *CLUNG! CHING! THURST! SPLAT!* Percy made consecutive strikes on Hagen until he lost his balance and impaled Hagen''s eye with his dagger, deep in the back of his skull. "Dalia! BRAWL MODE! NOW!" Percy yelled out to his girlfriend. "About time! I''m not good at holding back anyway." Dalia replied as she ran up to engage both Sigmund and Czer slashing at them with her claws with blazing speed. *CLING! CLANG!* "FUCK! This mutt thinks she can take the both of us!? YAHH!" Sigmund yelled as he swung his sword around trying to block Dalia''s attacks. Czer leaped forward and sliced at Dalia''s leg with her claws leaving a bloody gash in the flesh of her leg. "Is that all you got?" Dalia said unfazed by the cuts and blood dripping from her leg while striking Czes after he overcommitted to attacking Dalia. *CRASH! SLASH* *TEAR!* Blood gushes from both of Czes legs from Dalia''s mana-infused claws as they easily tore through his leather armor. "GRRRAAAAAHHHHHH!" Czes screamed as he fell to the ground. Dalia then gave him a kick in the stomach and sent him flying headfirst into a rock wall, breaking his neck. "NO! YOU''LL FUCKING PAY FOR THAT!" Sigmund yelled as he swung his sword at Dalia. "Come on! Come on! I''ll make it quick for ya!" Dalia said while slashing at Sigmund knocking his sword out of his hand after a few parries from his attack. She quickly slices her claws through Sigmund''s chest, cutting his heart out. "H-HOW!? How!?" Sigmund asked in disbelief as he looked down at his chest. "Hmm? Because you''re weak? Should have never angered my wolf. Because of that, I won''t give you the dignity of dying slowly." Dalia said as she raised his heart in her hand and ripped it apart. "Bit~!" Sigmund yelled as he felt his heart stop beating as he slid to the ground. *** While Dalia was fighting Sigmund and Czes. Percy just pulled out his dagger from Hagen''s skull. *THUD!* Hagen''s body fell to the ground dead with a loud thud. *STEP STEP! STEP!* Dan chased after Percy as he tried to dodge his incoming attack. "You think you''re so fucking tough!? You''re going to pay for this with your life, boy!" Dan said as he punched Percy in the stomach before he could dodge. *CRACK! CRUNCH!* "Gwah!" Percy yelled out as he doubled over from the blow. "You come here to kill my men! To kill me and my group!" Dan said angrily as he raised his hand up to strike Percy down. Percy parried the fist with his dagger and kicked him in the chest sending Dan back a good distance. "I''ll give you the option to live or die, Merc. The choice is yours." Percy said as he changed his stance and grabbed hold of his short sword. ''Tck! This guy is going to be a pain in the ass to take down.'' Percy thought to himself as he readied his attack. "Thought you''d run away boy! But you''re as stupid as you look! Now die!" Dan said as his body glowed red with mana while he charged toward Percy. ''Come on! Come ON!'' Percy was waiting for an opportunity to strike the charging mercenary. Just as the mercenary was about 10 feet away a strange white arrow flew towards Dan''s head striking him in-between the eyes. He rag-dolled forward to the ground in a lifeless heap as he slid about 5 feet before coming to a stop. Great. We didn''t get a prisoner out of this. Haah Well, at least we know where they are.'' Percy thought as he relaxed from his battle stance. "Nice shot, Lady Nieren! I owe you one." Percy said as he turned to see Nieren in the distance. "Oh, you better. I only had two of those Shyft Arrows left." Nieren said as she smiled while walking closer to Percy. "What do you mean?" Percy asked, confused. "Well, I put him to sleep." "Huh?" "I used one of my sleeping arrows on him. It should last about a half hour." Dalia came walking up to the two of them. "Dalia!? Your leg!" Percy ran over to her to help dress her wound. "Oh, come now, Gamma. I''ve had worse." Dalia said as she stood up and took off her cloak to reveal her long black hair and wolf ears. "I''m fixing your leg and that''s final! Now sit here and hold still!" Dalia lay down and looked at Percy with a smile. "You can be overbearing sometimes. But that''s why I love you. Hehe." Dalia said while giggling. Percy looked up at her and shook his head with a smirk while dressing her wound. "Hey, Nieren, can you tie up that mercenary while I take care of Dalia," Percy said as he was in the middle of cleaning up her wound. "On it, Sir Percy," Nieren said as she walked over to the sleeping mercenary. "There you should be good to go," Percy said while looking at Dalia. "Hehe..." Dalia said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks. You really helped me out there." Dalia said as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Don''t mention it," Percy said as he stood up and started walking towards the sleeping mercenary. Nieren tied Dan''s arms behind his back as he lay on the ground. "There! He shouldn''t be able to get out of this anytime soon." Nieren said as she finished tying up the mercenary. "Good, we need to hide the dead bodies and get this guy out of here. I''m sure Sir George is somewhere south of here." Percy said to the group. "I''ll deal with the dead," Dalia said as she walked over to the fallen body. "Nieren. Here''s a flare arrow to signal the prince. Use it when we''re clear of this area. I''ll carry this piece of trash." Percy said as he picked up the unconscious mercenary. "Yes, sir!" Nieren said as she got ready to give the signal. After some time, they made their way south for a few miles before shooting off the flare. Ch.82 The Interrogation Sir George was waiting on the hillside just south of the mountain range with a squad of men, half of them human, the other half dwarves. They were hoping to see the flare from Percy. Sir George was lost in thought of everything that has happened today while he was on leave. ''I''ve never seen my Lord so shaken and angered. I wish I could have been more of a help. I should have watched Lady Rya.'' Sir George said as he was thinking about what he would say to the prince. "Look! The flare!" One of the men yelled as they saw the light coming out of the woods. "Come! Percy needs our aid!" Sir George said as he started moving forward. The rest of the men followed suit as they marched through the forest to where Percy was with Dalia, Nieren, and a Merc they captured. "Glad to see you''re still alive, boy. What did you find out?" Sir George asked with a smile as he looked at the Mercenary. "We were able to ambush four Black Rose Mercenaries. We had no choice but to kill three of them. And we wouldn''t have caught this one if it wasn''t for Nieren." Percy said with a grin. "Aye. You three did well. Let''s bring this one to our Lord. I''m sure he''ll get the information we need. If not, well, he''s going to die." Sir George said with a smirk as he led the group toward the camp. *** As they reached the camp they saw that most of Baron Zellin''s soldiers had already gathered around Prince Quinus. Quinus was talking with the Baron and Hajdah. "So you were able to get 700 men together in two hours? That''s amazing. I was able to get six of our mages from the guild, your majesty." Hajdah asked with a hint of excitement in his voice. "I wish I could bring more men, but I fear that the Black Roses might be watching. I have sent an emissary to Kishin. I hope he can gather the remaining force needed to save Rya." Prince Quinus said with a sigh as he stared out at the camp. Then Quin noticed Percy, Dalia, and Nieren had returned with Sir George. "My Lord! We have a prisoner," Sir George said as he stepped back. Prince Quinus walked up to the man tied with rope. He looks like a normal human wearing the Black Rose uniform. Quinus looks at the man and then turns to Hajdah. "What do you know about him?" Quinus asks as he stares at the man. "He''s a squad leader. You can tell by the insignia on his chest. Other than that, I don''t think he''s a well-known Mercenary outside of being a Black Rose mercenary." Hajdah answered with a shrug. Quinus walks over to the man and looks him in the eyes. Quin''s golden eyes seem like they''re glowing in the middle of the night. "Who are you?" Quinus asks. "Tch! ..." Dan clicks his tongue and doesn''t answer. "What is your name?" Quinus asks again with impatience in his voice. "I''m not talking, Toothless Li- *PUNCH!* AAARRGG!!" Dan shouts as he falls to the ground after getting punched by Sir George. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "I don''t know what compelled you to insult my Lord. But I will show you what happens when you keep disrespecting him." Sir George says as he pulls out his sword. Dan is coughing before regaining his composure. "You''ll have to do better than that if you want info out of me," Dan growls. Quinus takes a step forward and places his hand on the man''s shoulder. His golden eye glows brightly with mana as he touches Dan causing a shockwave to pass through him. His body goes limp for a few seconds before the man returns to consciousness breathing heavily. "Hah! Hah! W-What was that? Was that some sort of magic attack?" Dan coughs and gasps for air. "I just discharged my mana through you as if you were my sword. So, I''ll ask one more time, what is your name, merc?" Quinus says with cold anger in his voice. ''The prince has that much mana!? He''s gone mad!'' Dan panicked after feeling the most painful sensation he has ever felt in his life while the cells in his body were still screaming in pain. "My name is Dan. I am a mercenary that fought under the command of Victor." Dan answers. Quinus looked to Hajdah because he didn''t know who Victor was. "Um. Victor was one of Rudolf''s lieutenants. I believe he died during the Royal betrayal from the Kingdom of Marn." Hajdah answered looking to Quinus. "I don''t care about that. We know that the Black Roses are hiding in the abandoned mine under Mount Galfrei. Tell me Dan, how many men are in the Black Rose Mercenaries?" Quinus asked. "Umm, I think it''s around 400. It may be more now since we''ve recruited a lot of new mercenaries in the past month." Dan gulped nervously. Quinus looked at him while taking in the information. "400 men strong. What is Rudolf planning on doing with Rya." Quinus demanded. ''Rya? Is that the name of the dark elf? He''s come for her?'' Dan looked up to see Quin''s face. That''s when Dan realized it. He''s seen that type of face on a man before. It was the same face that he saw when he saw some of his comrades raping a man''s wife in front of his face. A calm face that masked the fury and rage that was boiling deep inside. ''Rudolf. We shouldn''t have messed with this man. He''s not as weak as we think he is!'' Dan thought as he tried not to piss himself in front of everyone. "I...I don''t know. All I know is that Rudolf wishes to rule over Ironside and he was hoping the dark elf could be used to meet that goal." Dan said with worry. "He dares to invade my city!" Zellin roared in anger. "What makes him think that the King of Fiafyr would let the Black Roses rule over a city under my father''s protection," Quinus growled with rage in his eyes. "Because Rudolf has the backing of Duke Alaric. We were planning on helping him take the throne from you and your father." Dan replied with an expressionless face. "So, my uncle still wishes to betray my father. He wishes to push me to be a killer. Fine! Once I get Rya back, I''ll end my uncle''s life for treason and end all the corruption in the land." Quinus gritted his teeth angrily. "My Lord. You need to keep a calm mind. If you''re clouded with anger, you might make a mistake. If you fall here you will never be able to protect yourself and your people from the duke. Keep a level head, your majesty." Hajdah warned. Quinus slowly calmed down and stared at Dan. "Right. Baron Zellin. Prepare your men for battle. I want to end the Black Roses by noon." Quinus ordered. "Yes, Your Majesty," Zellin said with a salute. "Sir George. Hajdah. I''ll need you two by my side when the fighting begins." Quinus commanded. "Of course, my prince," Hajdah said with a bow. "You have my sword, my Lord." Sir George said with a smile. "Percy. Lady Dalia. Lady Nieran. Go to the abandoned mine where Rya is being held. I''ll need you to flank them if possible." Quinus ordered. "As you wish, my lord," Percy said with a nod. "Don''t worry Beta. We''ll get her back!" Dalia assured the prince. "Yeah, we''ll save Rya!" Nieren agreed. With that said, everyone got up and started preparing for war. Quinus then looked to Dan. "So. Do you wish to live or die?" Quinus said with a menacing tone. Dan gulped. "I wish to retire from the Black Roses and leave the country," Dan said with a serious face. "Let''s hope I''m in a good mood to pass judgment upon you after the battle. Someone take him away." Quinus ordered. A guard came forward and grabbed Dan. "Come. It''s time to go." Quinus said to Sir George and Hajdah. Ch.83 She a Healer!? Back in the mine under Mount Galfrei. Rya was ordered to wait in a room with Dietrich watching over her. ''Great, I''m stuck in a room with this fucking guy.'' Rya thought. Dietrich was sitting there reveling in the fact that he was out of the dog house after failing to keep his client alive. After sitting there for a half hour he wanted to poke fun at Rya''s misfortune. "Haha. Oh, how you save my ass, little miss slave. The only thing that would make things better is if I could have a little fun with you. You''re lucky Jeremiah doesn''t want you to be a sex slave." Dietrich said with a smirk on his face. Rya growled at the man. ''God I want to see my friends come in here and destroy you.'' Rya thought as she tried to calm herself down. "Oh? I know that look. Haha! You are imagining your friends coming in here and killing me in all sorts of ways, aren''t you?" Dietrich said with a laugh. Rya glared at the man. He laughed some more. Rya sighed and turned around. ''Dammit! The only way I''m allowed to hurt this guy is for him to get handsy with me. Shit, how I wish he would come over here and try. Tch! Makes me sick to my stomach.'' "Dreaming about your prince coming in to behead me? Or that old fart trying to smash his shield into my face breaking my nose? Haha. Maybe you''re hoping that kid would shoot me with one of his arrows? Haha! God is fun seeing you pissed off like this." Dietrich said with a smirk on his face. Rya didn''t move or respond. He continued, "Oh yeah, maybe you want that mutt of yours to use~" Dietrich stops himself as a thought occurs to him. "Where did you find that mutt anyway?" Dietrich asked with a puzzled look on his face. Rya remained silent. For some reason, Dietrich recalled the time when he along with Marcus went through the goblin nest and saw that sorry state of a wolf-kin. ''No, it can be. That mutt couldn''t have been the one from the goblin nest! She was impregnated! Unless?'' Dietrich thought to himself as he walked closer to Rya studying her. She was staring at the wall and not saying anything. ''She''s a healer!'' he realized. ''That''s the only way the worthless prince survived the dungeon! She healed him! And she''s powerful enough to save the mutt! Fuck!'' If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Dietrich felt shocked by his own revelation. He thought back to the day they were in the goblin nest and he saw the wolf-kin, and then the cave troll that should have been impossible to defeat. "D-Did you save the wolf-kin?" Dietrich whispered as he got close to Rya. She slowly turned to face Dietrich. Rya kept a calm demeanor but her eyes showed surprise for a brief moment. ''Shit! He knows.'' Rya thought. Dietrich picked up on the fact that Rya was surprised. ''FUCK! FUCK! I should have known! Gods Dammit! If I knew, I could have been emperor of the entire continent of Agon! How am I going to grab the slaver tool from Jeremiah? That asshole won''t give it to me! And no way Rudolf is going to let me near him! FUCK! This sucks! Now I need to steal it. I have time. I just need a opening. Damn, it all to hell!'' Rya could see the conflict going on in Dietrich''s mind. ''He''s not going to tell Jeremiah that I''m a healer? Does he want me all to himself? Th-This could work out in my favor. I hope he''s stupid enough to try and steal that damn slave device away from Jeremiah.'' Rya thought. As they stood there lost in their own thoughts footsteps could be heard coming towards the door. *Knock! Knock! Knock!* Dietrich was brought out of his thoughts as he heard the knock on the door. "WHAT!?" Dietrich shouted in annoyance. "Rudolf wants the slave ready. We lost one of our squads and he''s worried that someone is on to us." The voice said as a Merc opened the door to the makeshift holding room. ''Dammit! I have less time than I thought!'' Dietrich thought. Dietrich quickly grabbed Rya by the arm. "Alright. Quit lounging around, slave. It''s time to earn you paid." ''Dammit! He''s touching me but I can''t attack him!'' Rya was disappointed that Dietrich wasn''t sexually assaulting her. It was the only way to have free will from the slave collar to defend herself. Dietrich pulled Rya with him and stormed out of the holding cell. "You seem annoyed?" Rya mocked as she followed behind Dietrich. "Shut your fucking mouth! I need to think!" "Fine, just don''t think too loudly. Someone might hear you." Said Rya while she had a huge grin on her face as she walked next to Dietrich. ''I need this dude to do something really stupid if I want to get out of this place.'' Dietrich ignored her as they walked to a different room where Rudolf, Jeremiah, and his lieutenants were. *** When Rya and Dietrich entered the room. Dietrich stared at the slaver tool in Jeremiah''s left hand. "Don''t push your luck, Dietrich. You''ve done well to help us catch her but she''s not for fucking. Do I make myself clear?" Jeremiah said with a stern tone. "Crystal, Sir," Dietrich answered back. Jeremiah turned his attention to Rya and smiled. "Hello, slave. Welcome to the party." "Enough playing around! Dan and his men have gone missing. They haven''t returned since they went on patrol two hours ago." Rudolf said with concern. "So the scouts didn''t find anything?" Jeremiah asked. "My best scout was killed during the test! Don''t act dumb with me!" Rudolf vented his frustration at Jeremiah. "She was too fast for me to~" Jeremiah was interrupted. "Shut up! We don''t have a clue on who took out our men. Hell, it might be a monster for all we know." Rudolf said as he crossed his arms and looked at Jeremiah. "So you wish for the men to prepare for war?" One of the other lieutenants asked. "We have no choice but to assume that they have been attacked by the prince''s men. So we must take precautions. Prepare the men. I want to be ready in case these are the prince''s army that did this. If so then we will crush them like ants. I won''t lose to some punk!" Rudolf yelled as he stood up tall. "We''ll get the men together commander. The sun should be rising soon. We can start the march to war in the morning." With that Jeremiah started walking towards the door. "Come slave! We got work to do'''' Jeremiah ordered and Rya followed him out of the room. *** Ch.84 The standoff with the Black Roses Dawn was approaching. As Rya was following Jeremiah and the rest of the 450 mercenaries. As they march to war. Rya was wondering what was going on. She wanted to ask about it but decided against it. Why would they tell her anyway? Rya looked upon Rudolf who was sporting his plate mail armor. He was the strongest man in the army. His shield had a golden skull on top and the pommel of his sword had a dragon''s head with long fangs and horns. Jeremiah was wearing the same crown of a fallen king of the wood elves. It was made from gold and gems encrusted in the crown. There were small diamonds embedded in the thorns of the crown. His weapon was a wooden sword with a ruby set in the hilt. He wore a blue cloak that was decorated with silver and gold embroidery while chainmail covered his body. A black leather gauntlet covers his right hand. On his belt is a dagger made of iron with a dragon''s claw for the handle. A red stone was set in the center of the blade. Her gaze shifted to the other soldiers marching alongside them. All of them were wearing their Black Rose armor. Each of the mercenaries had a piece of their armor made special. It was a combination between a gauntlet and a bracer. All of the mercenary''s swords were unique. In fact, each one had a different design. Some of them had spikes, some had flames, and others had designs that were straight out of fantasy books. "Any signs of who took our men?" Devin asked as he walked beside Jeremiah. "Our scouts found three bodies that were burned and buried. Rudolf might be right about this being the prince''s men. For now, we need to assume that it''s them." Jeremiah replied as he looked up at the night sky with a warm glow coming from the horizon. "It looks like dawn will break soon. We''ll most likely see if they''re here." As Jeremiah said that a shadow came across the land. The sun was rising over the mountains in the distance casting a deep orange glow on everything around them. A group of riders rode towards them from the south. They went straight to Rudolf and his cavalry. The rider was a tall man wearing Black Rose armor. His head was covered by a helm that was similar to a knight''s helmet. "Sir! The prince has raised an army!" One of the officers yelled as he pointed south. Jeremiah turned back to Rudolf and smiled. "So the prince has come out to play? He may not be a king yet but I''ll add his crown to my collection before the day is done." "Yes, the Toothless Lion is braver than I thought. He''ll die like any other royal that comes against me." Rudolf said as he tapped his chest. "Let us finish him off once and for all." Jeremiah nodded and gave out orders to his troops. "Get ready men! A royal''s blood is going to be spilled today. When the sun rises we shall show them what happens to those who challenge the Black Rose. You may look down at your feet but know that I am looking up at you." Rudolf''s cavalry started to growl and snarl. Rya heard all of this, ''Like Hell! I wouldn''t let you touch Quin! Once this slave collar is off me, so help me God. I''ll be coming for you!'' she thought to herself as she glared at Jeremiah standing next to her. She looked him in the eyes and growled. Jeremiah smirked as he turned away. He ordered his men to start moving and they did. *** Quinus stood under the cover of darkness. If it was not for the warm glow of the horizon he would have been able to see nothing. Sir George was standing next to his Lord. Keeping guard. Quinus looked up to the mountain peaks as they started getting hit by the sun. "Sire, you should get some rest, the battle won''t start until dawn," Sir George said. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. "I can''t sleep, George. Not when I know she''s been enslaved. I''ve got to find her." Quinus said with anger in his voice. "Aye. You will, but not now. Your body needs to recover. You need to eat something. You look pale." Sir George said, looking at his lord. "I''m fine. I''ll sleep when Rya''s safe." Quinus replied with a glare. "You''re sure?" "Yes," Quinus said with a nod. Sir George sighed and shook his head. "I don''t like thi~" Sir George was cut off when Hajdah came over to them. "My Lord, our scouts found them. They seem to be headed east from Mount Galfrei. Just a bit further north from here." "Thank you Hajdah." Hajdah bowed then left them alone. "Well, it''s time to free Rya. Sir George moved the army into position." Quinus said with a smirk. "Aye, I''ll move the soldiers to the higher grounds of the Galfrei Plains. We should be able to find them easier." Sir George began to take action. "Alright everyone, let''s get ready! The Black Roses are on the move! Let us give them a good welcome!" *** The Black Rose Mercenaries marched towards the plains by the time they reached the open area and dawn had finally broke. Revealing 700 Ironside soldiers positioned on the higher ground of the Galfrei Plains. They were armed with swords, spears, bows, and crossbows. They wore leather armor made from iron and their shields were made with thick Iron plates. Quinus, Sir George, Hajdah, and Zellin positioned themselves in the front of the line of soldiers. They all had a frown on their faces. They knew what was going to happen. They also had the Captain of the Ironside Army, Reeve Wyntor who was in command. He also acts as the Captain of the City Guard. He is in his late 30s and is a human swordsman. He grew up in Ironside and joined the military when he turned 18. He served as captain for many years. Known to be fair, yet merciless if need be. And there were five other mages from the Guild. Starting with Laika is a dwarf mage. She specializes in Water magic. She likes to cut gems with her water magic. Hajdah was going to introduce her to Rya before she was captured. The four other dwarven members were Kyan, a Fire Mage; Suhail a Lightning Mage; Akashia a Wind Mage; and Dreshan a Earth Magician. Zellin also gave a very solemn look. "We will make these bastards pay dearly for enslaving your friend and dare try to take my city," Zellin said. "I agree. These scum deserve no mercy." Sir George said. Quinus had a pained look when he spotted Rya in the distance with the slave collar on. Standing beside the Kings Slayer. ''Rya!... George is right but if I can get everyone out of this without bloodshed then I have to take it.'' Quin thought to himself. "Yeah, they don''t deserve mercy. But if no dwarves have to die then I will give them one chance to release Rya. Let''s go and see how they wish to die peacefully in old age or here on these plains." Quinus added. Zellin and Hajdah were surprised that the prince would want to talk. They both looked at each other and nodded. "Your Highness. We, dwarves, will never back down from a fight with cowards. Do what you need to do, Prince Quinus." Zellin said with a smirk. "My Lord? What are you going to do?" Sir George asked with concern in his voice. "Don''t worry about me. Whatever may happen we will not fall here. No matter what." Quinus said with a smile. The Black Roses began to march forward and Rya stood there with the Kings Slayer by her side. They both stared at the approaching army. They were about 1 mile away before they both halted their march. *** Rudolf was looking over the Ironside army. ''Hmph! The prince thinks having more soldiers will help him win this war.'' Rudolf thought. He still believed he wouldn''t lose to such weakling soldiers compared to his mercenaries. "Commander! Looks like the prince wishes to meet with you. They''re waving the emissary flag." That''s when he saw the prince along with four other men riding horses coming towards the middle of the plains, halfway between the two armies. ''A meeting? So, he wishes to see the man that''s going to kill him close up first. Pff. The little boy thinks he''s a man. Fine, let''s see what this boy is going to demand from me.'' Rudolf thought. "Jeremiah, stay here with the asset! Dietrich! Zane! With me! We''re going to talk to the prince!" Rudolf shouted. The three men saluted and followed their commander. "How much do you want to bet that the Toothless Lion wants his toy back?" Jeremiah asked. "He''s a royal. They can''t be trusted. But I won''t mind seeing him cry to me begging for his life." Rudolf said before riding off to meet the prince with four of his men. *** Rya for the first time in her life couldn''t help but stare at Quinus. It felt like years since she saw him last. Her emotions were going all over the place. She was happy to see him, but the entire experience made her feel sick. It was all her fault that Quin was in this predicament. If only she wasn''t so stubborn in proving the Goddesses wrong about her not changing mentally into a straight woman. If she didn''t try to force things, everything would have been fine. Rya so desperately wished to save him and the army that came here mostly for her. She didn''t know what to think really. ''Quin! I swear I''ll make this up to you when I get out of this mess.'' Rya thought. Luckily her dark elven eyes and ears let her hear and see everything that was going on with the meeting with Quinus and Rudolf. *** "So, boy! What do you wish to talk about on this fine morning." Rudolf said in a cold voice. Sir George gritted his teeth when hearing Rudolf insulting his lord in the way that he did. But held his tongue. Quinus looked in the distance at Jeremiah first before looking at Rudolf and his men. "You know what I want. If you don''t release her, you and your men will not leave this battlefield." Rudolf scoffed. "What makes you think I''m going to even listen to some bratty boy who lost his toy?" "SHE IS NOT AN OBJECT!" Sir George roared. Rudolf raised a bow after hearing the outburst from Quin''s knight. "Your man seems t~" Rudolf was cut off before he could finish his sentence. "Make your decision, old man! I''m giving you a generous offer letting you and your men walk away from here with your lives. We know what youre planning to do, Rodulf. One of your men told me everything!" Quinus shouted. "I''m still not convinced that we should give her up to you. You know nothing about our plans," Rudolf stated. "Planning to take over Ironside. Then to help the duke kill the king. We know everything human!" Zellin yelled. Rudolf''s eyes narrowed. ''Hmph! So this kid does know our plans. All the reason to kill him and his dwarves.'' Rudolf thought. "Well, I guess there isn''t much choice then," Rudolf sighed. Rudolf and his men turned around and rode back to his army. *** "I thought that kid was going to be a little more fun to mess with. Maybe he''s going to be worth my time to kill him." Jeremiah said in a voice dripping with sarcasm. Jeremiah heard the prince yelling at Rudolf from half a mile away. "Don''t play with your food, Jeremiah. That boy is mentally sound compared to other royals weve faced. He wasn''t afraid of you and I like most other nobles would have been. Don''t take him lightly." Rudolf warned in his usual cold tone. "Got it. SLAVE! Protect the Black Roses!" Jeremiah ordered. *** Quinus was staring at Rudolf as he rode away. He was furious. He''s a spoiled, arrogant fool who sentenced his men to death for no good reason. He''s always getting his way and never had to face any repercussions. "So, this is how it''s going to be. Hajdah get the mages ready. Zellin get in the back of the formation and command the men. We need to find where they''re going to attack us next. We may outnumber them but they are battle-hardened compared to most soldiers. They might make things difficult for us." Quinus said as he turned to head back to their side. Zellin nodded. "Yes sir. Captain Reeve, come with me." Our magic will be ready, your highness, Hajdah said. With that, the stage was set. The battle of the Ironside was about to begin. *** Ch.85 The Battle Begins The Black Roses were the first to go on the offensive as 100 archers took their aim at the opposing forces. The archers shot their arrows at Quin''s forces, trying to push them back or hoping to split them from the rest of the Ironside forces. Hajdah and his five other mages use their magic to intercept the projectiles. Most of the arrows bounced off and flew back to the attackers. "Laika! Use your Water Wall!" Hajdah ordered his water mage. She began to chant while her mana made her eyes glow blue and a wall of water formed around the dwarven soldiers. The wall of water knocked all of the archers'' arrows backward, sending the projectiles flying back to the mercenaries. "Damn! So, the mages guild is with the prince as well! Slave! Destroy that wall! We can''t let them neutralize our archers," Rudolf ordered Rya. "Slave! Do as the command says!" Jeremiah ordered Rya with the slaver tool. ''My body is moving on its own! Dammit! I''ll aim higher so I don''t hit them!'' Rya cursed. "Rock Spike!" Rya stomps on the ground causing a cannon-sized rock to float in the air as she hits it with the palm on her hand sending the rock spike smashing into the wall of water making a huge hole in the wall. The water floods the area, soaking everyone and covering them in mud. *CRASH!* *SLASH!* "Get up! Get up! You''re not dead yet!" Yelled a dwarven soldier trying to pull one of his comrades out of the mud. "That was from the dark elf! How is she so powerful!?" Akashia the Wind Mage said in shock. "Shut it! She aimed high so we wouldn''t be hit! She''s trying to fight the slave collar but we shouldn''t wait too long! There''s only so much she can do!" Hajdah yelled. *** "LOOSE!" Rudolf orders his soldiers. The Black Roses archers continue to fire arrows that bounce off the water shield Hajdah created around him and a few of his mages as arrows rained down on the soldiers. "Raise your shield!" yelled a dwarf in the front line. The other dwarves quickly raised shields in front of them. *ZIP! ZIP! ZIP! ZIP! ZIP! ZIP! YAH! ZIP! ZIP! CLING! ZIP!* The second volley of arrows shot past the shield, hitting several soldiers in the shoulder. "Shields down!" Rudolf yelled. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. The third volley of arrows hit the shield knocking the soldiers back and into the mud. Quinus couldn''t hold back anymore as he drew his longsword up in the air. It began to glow red like a fire. "LET THE SUN SMITE THEE!" Quinus yelled as the sun flares out of his sword as he swings it in the direction of the Black Rose archer. *BOOM!* A bright light illuminated the battlefield as the Black Rose archers were blinded by the light. Most of their bows fell to the ground, unable to use them as a wall of flames was coming straight at them. "Slave! Protect us!" Jeremiah ordered as Rya put up a rock wall protecting Jeremiah and the men closest to her. ''Come on! Not a big wall!'' Rya thought as she tried to get a bad angle for the archers as they caught on fire from Quins attack. "Charge! Charge!" Rudolf commands his troops. The mercenaries start to charge forward. "Defensive position! Defensive position!" Zellin ordered his men. "Shoot!" Hajdah commands his archers. Arrows rain down on the charging Black Roses. *ZIP! ZIP! CLING! ZIP! AAAHHHH! ZIP!* The mercs slammed against the shield wall of the dwarves. A mercenary comes straight at Quinus and Sir George who are in the front line. "PREPARE FOR COMBAT!" Sir George said as he readied his shield and sword. "I got this one!" Quinus yells to Sir George. *CLANG!* *SWING!* *SPLAT!* Sir George blocked the blow as Quinus stabbed his sword into the man''s stomach. "You''re next!" Sir George yelled as he swung his shield knocking the man away. *SWING!* *SLAM!* "Not bad!" Quinus says to Sir George. "What?" Sir George asked, confused. "We need you to take care of the Kings Slayer and their Commander, Rudolf!" "I know," Quinus said, looking down at the dead body of his opponent before slashing down another one. *** "Keep moving! Weaken their front," Rudolf yelled to his men as he climbed onto the back of his horse. "Jeremiah! Dietrich! Lead the men and kill the prince! I''ll deal with the mages!" Rudolf orders. "Yes, commander!" The two mercenaries asked. Dietrich eyes the slaver tool in Jeremiah''s left hand. ''If Jeremiah dies, I can grab the tool and get the hell out of here with the slave. Play this smart Dietrich.'' "Back me up, slave!" Jeremiah orders. Rya comes running alongside Jeremiah as they make their way toward Quin as the battle rages around them. While running up Jeremiah unsheathes his wooden sword. He then lands a blow on a dwarf. He then slices another one across the neck. "GAAAHHH!" the dwarf screams as blood gushes from the wound. Jeremiah''s wood sword moves around like it''s a whip. It cuts through the enemy. ''How can a wood sword do that? I know magic is a thing in this world but come on!'' Rya thought to herself as she blocked some incoming attacks on Jeremiah''s blindside. "Hmm! Youre doing good, slave." Jeremiah says to himself as he stabs his sword into the leg of the dwarf in front of him. No...no! Fuck you, Jeremiah! Rya thinks to herself as she blocks the attack coming at Jeremiah''s back. "Haha! I could stop all those attacks if I wanted to but I needed to test your skills. And you''re performing admirably." Jeremiah said as he jumped over Rya and sliced the head off one of the dwarves that attacked him. Dietrich and Jeremiah move closer to the prince. "QUIN! Look out!" Rya yelled as she blocked a crossbow bolt aimed at Jeremiah''s back. Quin looked over his shoulder and saw the Kings Slayer closing in on him. *CLING! CLANG! CLONG!* Jeremiah and Quin were exchanging and pairing blows left and right. Quin felt a sharp pain in his side. His armor protected him from getting stabbed but he knew that the strange sword would pierce his flesh if he didn''t block it. "Ugh! Is that all you got Kings Slayer!" Quin shouts. "Putting on a brave face! I''m going to have fun with you indeed!" Jeremiah said as he unleashed a spinning kick against Quin. Quin dodged the attack and kicked Jeremiah''s leg out from under him. "You''re nothing but a coward that wears crowns that don''t belong to you!" Quin shouted as he swung his sword down at Jeremiah. The Kings Slayer was ready for it and caught the sword with his own. "Better men have tried before you! You may be strong, but you lack the heart to fight!" Jeremiah taunted. Quin was about to unleash a counterattack against Jeremiah but was faulted by Rya''s earth magic as a rock wall formed between them. "Quin! I can''t stop myself from protecting him! RAH!" Rya yelled as she blocked an arrow fired by a dwarf. "Rya!" Quin shouted as he was kicked in the stomach by the Kings Slayer. Rya couldn''t help Quin as she was controlled by the collar. "Interesting? You love her, don''t you? SLAVE, KILL THE PRINCE!" The Kings Slayer commanded. Quin took Jeremiah''s opening and punched him hard enough to send the Kings Slayer flying. "Haha! *cough* Let''s see you fight the one you love, Toothless Lion!" Jeremiah laughed as he landed on his feet. "NO!" Rya yelled as she came in, sending a stone spike at Quin. *CLANG!* "Rya..." Quin said as he blocked another strike of Rya. "QUIN! You have to kill me! I can''t stop myself!" Rya screamed as she threw a rock wall at Quin. Ch.86 I give my life to save you! *ZZ-SWING-ZZ!* Quin charges his sword as it looks like electricity was arching off the blade as he cuts the rock wall coming at him in two. "Rya! Try to fight the collar! If I can grab it, I can free you! You won''t have to die!" Quin yells. Rya looked up at Quin in desperation. "I''m sorry Quin. But I don''t think my body will let you." Rya fired off two more magic attacks while Quin was trying to get closer to her. "NO! I WON''T LEAVE YOU!" Quin growls as he blocks both of Rya''s projectiles. Quin runs toward her as she throws herself backward. "Rya! Don''t run!" Quin screams as he follows after her. Quin reaches her side but before he could reach her collar, she launched another earth attack that struck Quin on his side. "No! NO!" Quin yelled as blood started to seep through his armor. "Quin! There''s no way I can escape this collar! Quin you have to stop me!" Rya cried out. Jeremiah was absolutely amused by all the action going on before him. "HAHA! I think I should keep her, instead of giving her to the duke. I won''t need to lift a finger anymore with her around." Jeremiah laughed. Quin stands back up as he takes deep breaths. He turns towards Rya who was preparing another attack. "Rya... I''m sorry I never got to tell you..." Quin says as he readies himself for her attack. ''No! Don''t say it Quin! Not now!'' Rya screamed in her head. "Youre too important to me Rya I can never harm you because I love you..." Quin states as he prepares for her next move. ''FUCK! I HATE THIS COLLAR! FIGHT IT GOD DAMMIT!'' Rya screamed in her mind as her body continued to go after Quinus. Just before she comes into striking distance, a few arrows come her way. Earth walls formed everywhere around her to stop the incoming arrows. "Damn! She''s strong!" Jeremiah said as he watched the scene unfold. *Swing! Crush!* Quin just barely missed being struck by Rya''s attack. ''Why would Quin love someone as flawed as me! God! I''m so fucking stupid!'' "RUN!" Rya screamed as she charged at him. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Quin blocks two of her attacks and then slashes at her. The attack almost hit her, but she was able to dodge it. "I''m not running Rya! Im going to free you, even if it costs me my life!" Quin yelled back as he blocked her next attack which was a fist covered in a rock spike. "This isn''t fair!" Rya screams as she swings at his head with her rock fist. Quin dodges it but stumbled backwards onto his back. ''NO! Quin''s defenseless!'' Rya screamed in her mind as she swung again. Jeremiah smiled as he watched Rya about to kill Quinus. "Lady Ryan!" Sir George comes in front of Rya''s attack. Rya swings as Sir George holds up his shield to block the spike strike. *BAM!* *Slam!* A rock spikes and slams into Sir George''s shield knocking off his hand. "Gah!" Sir George felt the spike entering his stomach. "George!" Quinus yelled upon seeing his retainer and friend impaled by Rya''s attack. "No! George!" Rya yelled in disbelief. Sir George quickly hugged her so he could keep her in her place. *Cough!* "It''s o-okay, lad-y Rya. It''s n-ot your fault." Sir George said between coughs as blood started coming from his mouth. ''No! NO! Please don''t die!'' Rya begged. Sir George held her tightly as he could. *** About 15 minutes before Rya stabbed Sir George. Dietrich was engaged in a battle with some dwarven soldiers. Swinging around his war hammer he was able to take out two dwarves in one swing. "Weaklings!" Dietrich said as he turned his attention to Jeremiah and Quinus fighting. *** *CLING! CLANG! CLONG!* Jeremiah and Quin were exchanging and pairing blows left and right. "Ugh! Is that all you got Kings Slayer!" Quin shouts. "Putting on a brave face! I''m going to have fun with you indeed!" Jeremiah said as he unleashed a spinning kick against Quin. *** ''Come on kid!Iinjury that bastard so I can make my move!'' Dietrich thought as he swung around his war hammer. Just as he was about to deliver the final blow to another dwarven soldier. "Argh!" a dwarf screamed as he fell back from the ground with blood pouring from his mouth. ''Patience Dietrich. Once you get the slaver tool. You will be able to take over this continent. Hell, maybe the world if I can kill the dragons... No! Don''t get too cocky, you still have a lot to prove.'' Dietrich thought as he readied himself again. *** Dietrich patiently waited in hopes that he could grab the slavers tool from Jeremiah while fighting the prince. That was until Jeremiah sent the slave in to do his dirty work after getting kicked back by Quinus. ''Goddess be damned! That dark elf is more valuable than a weapon you moron!'' Dietrich thought as he turned to see Rya attacking the prince. It was at that moment Dietrich noticed Jeremiah was completely engrossed in Rya''s fight. ''Shit! This may be the only way for me to get the Slaver tool! I need to make my move when she goes in for the kill. Hopefully Jeremiah won''t see me coming.'' Dietrich thought to himself as he moved himself behind Jeremiah. Trying to not make it too obvious and alert him of what was happening. ''I''ll go for the tool... Goddess I wish I could backstab this mother fucker. But that unique skill of his will fuck me up if I try.'' Dietrich sighed in thought as he attempted to formulate a plan. When Dietrich moved into position. That is when the prince''s retainer came in the protect his lord from Rya''s attack, which was the perfect opening for Dietrich. ''Time to make my move. Hopefully this stupid ass doesn''t see it coming.'' Dietrich thought as he went after the slaver tool in Jeremiah''s left hand. "Hehe! This slave will b-Huh? What the hell?" Jeremiah said as he felt someone grab his left hand. "What the- Dietrich! You traitorous bastard!" Before Jeremiah knew it, he was in a tug of war with the slaver tool with Dietrich. "Goddess be damned! Fucking let go! The dark elf is mine!" Dietrich shouted as he tried to pry free the slaver tool from Jeremiah''s hand. "Oh! You''re a failure in every way Dietrich! And this is the final nail in the coffin." Jeremiah laughed as he shoved Dietrich away. "I''m not letting go, you prick! That slave is mine! You wouldn''t have caught her if it wasn''t for me!" Dietrich shouted as he struggled to get the tool out of Jeremiah''s hands. "ENOUGH!" Jeremiah as he swung his wooden sword at Dietrich. While Dietrich used his mana charged war hammer to intercept the attack. *BOOM!* Jeremiah''s powerful swing was blocked by Dietrich''s warhammer causing a mini shockwave pushing the two of them back about five feet. And because of that they dropped the tool because of the momentum. "Damn it! Why are things never easy for me?" Dietrich cursed as he looked at the slaver tool. "You''re a dead man Dietrich! I swear on my honor!" Jeremiah spat as he raised his sword in the air before charging at Dietrich. *** With Jeremiah no longer holding the tool. Rya wasn''t fully controlled by the collar as she eased up on Sir George. *Cough!* "It''s o-okay, lad-y Rya. It''s n-ot your fault." Sir George said between coughs as blood started coming from his mouth. ''No! NO! Please don''t die!'' Rya begged. Sir George held her tightly as he could. ''God! Fuck it, Nils! Please, stop me! I can''t bear to watch myself kill my friends! I don''t want to hurt Quin! So please! End this however you see fit!'' Rya pleaded as she eased up on her attack on Sir George. *WHIZZZ! THUMP!* Rya felt something strike her back. "RYA!?" Quinus said in shock as he saw a white arrow sticking out of her back. ''Huh? I-I feel my conscience fading... Am I dying? W-Why does it feel so pleasant......'' Rya thought as she felt her consciousness slowly fade. "NO! RYA!" Quinus screamed as he jumped up to Sir George who was hugging Rya. Struggling to stay standing as he was bleeding from his stomach. "George! I got you two! Hold on!" Quinus slowly lowered himself down next to them. As he placed a hand on George''s back and another on Rya''s. *Cough!* "D-Don''t wor-ry ab-out m.." Sir George coughed as blood dripped from his lips. "Shhh! You don''t need to speak. Just rest George. Just rest." Quinus whispered as he pulled Rya closer to him. George slumped over on his side and closed his eyes. "I''ve got you now." He said quietly as tears began to form in his eyes. ''I-I failed her! I failed to save...?'' Ch.87 I hate wasting energy! During the beginning of the battle between Quinus and Jeremiah. There were three figures hidden in the shadows by the tree line next to the plains. About two miles away from the full scale battle. "Gamma. We need to get in there and save Alpha and Beta." Dalia whispered to Percy. "I know we do but look at lady Rya. She is blocking everything that is being thrown her way." Percy replied as he was watching the fight as Quinus kicked Jeremiah in the stomach. "I-I don''t think I can handle watching another royal die at the hands of the Kings Slayer." Nieren said as she stood next to Percy. Percy and Dalia turned to Nieren. "Why are you so afraid of the Kings Slayer? I know he''s dangerous but not enough to make you scared of him." Percy asked as he looked at Nieren with a confused expression on his face. "I-I saw him kill my uncle when I was a child. He''s wearing his crown. Right now." Nieren answered as she looked down towards the ground. Percy and Dalia both were shocked and surprise. "Your Uncle?" Percy asked with a worried tone. "Yes, he was the King of the Wood Elves. Me and my mother barely escaped with our lives after he was killed." Nieren explained with tears in her eyes. "Hey... Woody. If you want to avenge him. We must find a way to free Alpha." Dalia asked as she wiped the tears from Nieren''s cheek. Percy nodded, "If Quinus can get his hands on the slave collar he can destroy it with his mana. Like what he did for Dalia." "He can destroy slave collars!? I''ve never heard of everyone having that ability before! Is it true?" Nieren asked in shock. Dalia smiled and nodded. Nieren suddenly became focused on the task on hand. Percy noticed the one white arrow in her quiver. "Wait... Didn''t you say that arrow can put people to sleep?" Percy asked as he looked at Nieren. "Yeah. The Shyft Arrow. That was the one I used on the guy we caught." "If Rya was hit by it. Could she die?" "No. This thing isn''t lethal... It doesn''t leave a scratch." Nieren stated as she looked at the arrow in her quiver. "We need to use it. Can you hit her from here?" Percy asked as he pointed to where Rya was fighting dwarves. "I could but it would be a eighty percent chance from here." Nieren said as she nodded. "We need a hundred percent chance. How close do you need to be?" Percy asked. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Nieren thought about it for a few seconds then nodded, "If I get within a mile, I can shoot a flea off her nose." "Look! Alpha''s attacking Beta!" Dalia said as she pointed to the fight between Rya and Quinus. "We need to move, now!" Percy said as he ran out of the tree line. "Come on Woody!" Dalia says to Nieren as she quickly follows Percy. ''I have a chance to avenge my uncle! I won''t miss this opportunity.'' Nieren thought to herself as she ran after Percy and Dalia towards the battle field. *** Quinus was hugging Rya with an white arrow struck in her back. Surrounded by a raging battle between the Mercenaries and the Ironside army. "I''ve got you now." He said quietly as tears began to form in his eyes. ''I-I failed her! I failed to save...?'' Quinus moved his ear closer to Rya''s mouth. ''She''s alive!'' Quinus noticed that there was no blood coming from the arrow from her back. And his heart beat faster as he realized what that meant. Jeremiah and Dietrich were looking at Quinus holding Rya close. "Look what you did Dietrich! Because of you I lost my weapon!" Jeremiah growled as he gripped his sword tighter. Quin''s golden eyes started to glow while he quickly grabbed the slave collar with his free hand causing cracks to form. Within seconds the collar shattered into a million pieces and Rya fell onto Quinus'' chest. *BOOM!* The slavers tool exploded into pieces, once Ryas collar was destroyed. "What the fuck did you do?!" Jeremiah roared as he pulled his sword up ready to slash at Quin. "Beta!" Yelled a distant voice of Dalia. She was coming in hot towards Quinus with Percy not too far behind. "My Lord! We can handle this fiend! You get out of-" Percy was cut off by Quinus. "You two! Get George and Rya out of here! I''ll handle this bastard!" "But my lord-" Percy tried to say. "Do as I command! Now go!" Quinus shouted as he placed himself in front of Jeremiah. "As you wish!" Percy said before he turned to Sir George who was lying unconscious from the blood lost while Dalia picked up a sleeping Rya. "Get them out of here! I''ll be fine." With that Percy and Dalia took off towards the back lines of the Ironside army, away from the battle with Rya and Sir George in their arms. Dietrich decided to leave as well. He wished not to be around once Jeremiah finished killing the prince. "Taking your dead away! Tch... Typical..." Jeremiah sneered as he raised his sword to strike. "Well prince! Any last words?" Quinus looked up at Jeremiah and smiled before he grabbed his own sword with both hands, making it shine even brighter than usual. "Funny? That''s what I was going to ask you the same thing?" Quinus replays with a smirk as he readies his sword for the attack. "Haha! You think you can beat me? Then come at me!" Jeremiah laughed. He then lunged forward at Quinus. *Clang!* Quins crossed his swords and blocked the attack with ease. "That''s it kid! Come at me with all you got!" Jeremiah said with a laugh. Quinus tightened his grip on his sword and unleashed a flurry of attacks at Jeremiah. *CLING! CLANG! CLONG!* Each time his blade connected, it created a spark which caused the ground to start to crack and crumble as if a giant hammer was pounding the earth. Quinus continued to dodge and weave between the swings of Jeremiah''s sword while he attacked him back. "Well not bad kid! Looks like your father taught you some things. But it''s time to end this! HIYAH!" Jeremiah yelled as he lowered his guard slightly allowing Quinus to cross his swords again. ''How has this guy killed so many Kings? His skills are good but he''s not to my level?'' Quinus thought as he parried another swing from Jeremiah. *Whooosh!* A burst of wind that threw Quinus backwards. The wind was so powerful that it knocked Quinus off his feet and sent him crashing into the dirt. "Got you now! Hahaha!" Jeremiah laughed as he pointed at Quinus with his sword ready to finish him off. "Tch! He''s nothing special." Quinus started to say before he jumped back to his feet while aiming his sword at Jeremiah. What Quinus didn''t expect was Jeremiah to not try to parry his attack at all. He actually seemed like he wanted Quinus to stab him. He even moved his arms out of the way to let Quinus impale him. ''Huh!? Shit!'' Quinus noticed that something wasn''t right and changed where he was going to stab Jeremiah at the last second. Quinus couldnt stop his momentum and instead of striking the chest Quinus stuck Jeremiah''s left shoulder instead. When Quin''s sword started to sink into Jeremiah a red light glowed from his shoulder as the tip of the sword sank in. "AAARRRHHH!" Quinus screamed in pain as it felt like someone was stabbing his left shoulder but no one was. "Fuck!" Jeremiah tried to slice Quinus with his sword but Quin jumped back before he could get him. "Dammit! Kid, why didn''t you just go for my heart like most people do? I don''t like wasting energy." Jeremiah yelled at Quinus who took a defensive stance with his swords in his right hand while blood was dripping from his left shoulder. ''What the fuck was that ability!? He was able to magically transfer any damage done to him and send it to me!'' Quinus thought with a grimace as he grabbed his left shoulder for a second. "Well kid, I''ll give you credit. You''re the second royal to not get killed by that." Jeremiah said as he launched himself forward towards Quin. *CLING! CLANG!* Quinus parried and blocked all of Jeremiah''s attacks. ''Dammit! I can''t attack him! Obviously he can use it at any time but he doesnt use it all the time. So, the Kings Slayer probably can only use that ability a few times. Otherwise he would have used it when I landed that kick on him earlier. But how am I supposed to know how many times he can do that! Fuck! All I can do is go on the defensive!'' Quinus thought to himself as he blocked and parried Jeremiah''s sword swings. "See! If you only tried to properly kill me. We wouldn''t be in this mess! I would have been able to be on my way! Tch," Jeremiah said as he thrust his sword forward at Quinus. ''What the hell am I going to do!?'' Quinus thought as he watched Jeremiah charge at him with a straight arm. "You''re making me repeat myself. Stop and die kid. You''re only prolonging the inevitable." Jeremiah said as he stared at Quinus with annoyance. Ch.88 Who you calling a idiot! Everything was dark. Rya thought she was dead after feeling something hit her back. "So this is death... Huh? Pretty boring if you ask me..." Rya said as she opened her eyes seeing darkness everywhere around her. She seemed to be stuck in a void. "George... I hope you survived. I wish I could heal you after what I did," Rya said to herself as she stared at nothingness. Rya looked around some more hoping for something to change, but it didnt. All that greeted her was the same darkness. "Dalia, keep Percy safe. I think he would be a lost puppy without you by his side And Quin..." Rya muttered to herself as she felt her body start to fade away. "Quin, I''m sorry I pushed you away... I was scared... I was scared of my feelings for you I was scared that Ive truly become a female thats interested in men... In you. Feeling that I don''t understand anymore. That are foreign to me." Rya thought to herself as her last words floated through the air. "I love you." "Goodbye... Quin..." Rya said with a sigh. A few seconds after she said those words, in the darkness a golden glow started to flicker her vision. "Huh?" Rya blinked her eyes and looked around. She saw a golden orb coming into view. "Don''t tell me! Nils!" Rya yelled out as she approached the golden orb. Just then the orb transformed into the Dark Elven Goddess. "Tch! So did you come here to gloat~" Rya said angrily but was cut off by the Goddess. "SHUT UP AND LISTEN! I have very little time to talk, you idiot!" Nils shouted at Rya with anger in her voice. "Idiot!? Who are yo~" Rya got cut off as Nils yelled back. "You''re an idiot for pushing away that prince! You''re an idiot for getting enslaved! YOU''RE AN IDIOT FOR THINKING YOU DEAD!" Nils screamed out at Rya. Rya was stunned by what Nils said and the worst part was, she wasnt wrong. "I-I''m alive?" Rya asked with confusion. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "YES! You''re alive! Useless idiot! Did you really think you were dead!? You''re asleep!" Nils shouted at Rya again. IM ALIVE! I need to save Quin as soon as possible! Then I Then I Rya couldn''t help it. Tears ran down her face as she was crying from happiness. "Stop that! You''re not out of the woods yet. I unlocked all the elements of magic to you, like water, fire and all of the earth magic. And to save everyone, use the dark earth magic gol~" Nils faded away before she could finish her sentence. "Nils!?" Rya yelled as everything started turning white. "NILS!?" Rya called out as a light came back to her vision. *** Within moments Rya''s eyes snapped open as she was laying on the ground looking up at the blue sky. Hearing the sounds of battle going on around her. "Alpha! You''re awake!" Dalia said happily as she came into view. "Dalia!" Rya said to the wolf-kins girl as she hugged her. "See I told you if we took out the Shyft arrow that she would wake up." Said a female voice that Rya didn''t know. Rya looked over to see a wood elf that looked familiar but she couldn''t remember who she was or where she met her. "Lady Rya! Sir George needs your aid!" Percy said as he was helping her stand up. "Percy? How long was I asleep?" Rya asked, confused. "About ten minutes. I tried to stabilize George but he''ll die if you don''t do something fast." Percy replied as he pointed to Sir George laying on the ground next to them. ''Shit! Hold on! Give me a second!'' Rya thought as she moved next to him and laid her hands on George''s chest. "Hang in there George. Rya will save you." Percy said to George as he put a hand on George''s shoulder. "What is she doing?" Nieren asked as she watched Rya work on George. "Shhhh! Alpha is a healer. Just don''t tell anyone about this, Woody." Dalia said quietly to the wood elf that followed her around. "SHE''S A MMMmmhhhh?" Nieren''s mouth was covered by Dalia to keep her quiet. Rya closed her eyes and concentrated. ''Let my mana flow into him. Take this and release it.'' Rya felt the mana flowing inside of her towards Georges wounds. Then she opened her eyes again and saw the hole in Georges stomach healed. ''SHE IS A HEALER! THE STORIES WERE WRONG! DARK ELVES AREN''T EVIL! SHE''S NOT! RYA ISN''T EVIL!'' Nieren screamed in her mind. "George!" Rya said as she helped him sit up along with Percy. *Cough!* "Haha. Oh! Ah... Well I feel much better now." Sir George said as he coughed. "I''m glad you''re okay." Rya said as she smiled at him. "Don''t worry about me. Save the prince, Lady Rya. He needs you." Sir George said as his face regained its color. Rya nodded and turned to look back at Quinus. ''Quin!'' Rya saw a battered and bleeding Quinus trying to defend himself from the Kings Slayers attacks. She was about 100 yards away from Quin with dwarves and mercenaries going back and forth at each other. Jeremiah swings his sword again and again toward Quinus. The last swing caused Quinus to block it with his sword. But he wasn''t able to avoid all the blows. The force of Jeremiah''s attacks send Quinus flying across the ground. "I''m getting tired of this!" Jeremiah yelled as he swung his sword down. Quinus used his blade like a shield and blocked the attack. He fell back but managed to stay on his feet. "Haa, haa, I can do this all day..." Quinus said as he pushed against Jeremiah''s attacks. "You can? HEYAH!" Jeremiah was able to knock Quin''s sword out of his hand, sending it across the battlefield. This caused Quinus to fall on his back. "Yeah! That''s what I thought!" Jeremiah said as he readied himself to give the killer blow to end the prince''s life. ''Rya... I failed...'' Quinus thought as he was too tired to evade the Kings Slayer''s final blow to end his life. Ch.89 Saving a Damsel in Distress When Rya saw Quinus defenseless, she felt a pit in her stomach. Time seemed to be in slow motion as Jeremiah was slashing his sword down upon Quin. ''NO! Why is this happening to me!?'' Rya was thinking. Than Nils voice echoed in her head. ''I know!'' ''I KNOW!'' Rya yelled at herself. Nils last sentence started making Rya''s mind click. "Earth Magic Golem?!" Rya yelled as she activated her mana. She instantly felt a surge of power within her spread out around her and everything seemed to stop. She could feel where everyone was and if felt like she could move the earth like it was apart of her body. ''Holy Shit! This is unreal! Okay there''s Quin and if I release my mana, then?'' Rya felt like she could hear Nils in her head. Rya took a deep breath and released her mana. Instantly, the ground in between Quinus and Jeremiah started to surge up and formed into Rya. This happened in a blink of an eye. *Swing!* *CLANG!* "WHAT! Where the fuck did you come from!" Jeremiah yelled in surprise as a naked Rya appeared in front of him and stopped his blade with her bare hand. ''WHOA! This is fucking weird!'' Rya thought to herself as she could see Jeremiah up close with her golem and she saw them from 100 yards away. "Rya! Get away from him! He has an ability to warp damage inflicted upon him back to his attacker!" Quinus yelled as he got up off the ground. "So, that''s his secret!" said the real Rya standing by Percy and George as she noticed that she didn''t feel pain holding on to the blade Jeremiah''s sword. "Fucking bitch! Let go of my sword!" Jeremiah yelled at he tried to grab Rya''s wrist. ''Great, it seems my golem can''t speak.'' Rya thought. *** "Percy, Dalia and new girl! We need to get to Quin! I don''t think my copy can use magic. George you stay here and recover." Rya said to everyone. "We''ll clear a path for you. Dalia on me! Nieren give us cover!" Percy ordered. Dalia, Percy and Nieren moved up to the front line and started to take down Black Rose Mercenaries. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. "A wolf-kin! She''s minAARRR!" A Black Rose Mercenary''s throat was slit clean by Dalia. Dalia and Percy were cleaving through the enemy like butter. "Here we go," Nieren whispered to herself as she started to pick off mercenaries with her bow. Her arrows hit their mark with pinpoint accuracy and her target fell dead on the spot. "I''m coming Quin!" Rya yelled as she avoided an attack from a mercenary. *** Jeremiah was staring down at the Golem Rya before him. He couldn''t free his sword from her grip. ''How the fuck is she doing this!? And why is she naked!? Fuck it!'' Jeremiah thought to himself he pulled out his dagger and stabbed Rya in the shoulder. *Swish!* *Cling!* Golem Rya caught the dagger with her other barehand. "Ughh! How are you not bleeding!? You''re a fucking monster! Let me go!" Jeremiah yelled as he kicked at Rya. *Pow!* It didn''t faze her one bit. As she looked down at the spot where Jeremiah kicked her. ''Oh! It doesn''t hurt one bit. Jeremiah is in trouble.'' Golem Rya thought before looking up at Jeremiah with a smile. "Huh?" Jeremiah said with confusion as he stared at Rya. Rya then kicked Jeremiah with all her might. "SHIT!" Jeremiah said as he used his mana to activate his unique skill that sends back the damage inflicted upon him. He felt the pain for a split second before it was sent back. *SMASH!* Dust and dirt goes flying from Golem Rya''s stomach. Rya and Jeremiah look down. Rya''s stomach had a part of her skin was missing and showed solid stone underneath. ''Rya can create golems? God damn she is an amazing woman.'' Quinus thought as he watched the fight. ''Huh!? So that''s how this asshole was defeating Quin. Too bad it doesn''t hurt my golem at all!'' Rya thought to herself as the damage started to heal itself. "What the hell!? A-A golem!?" Jeremiah said in confusion as he stared at Golem Rya. Rya looked at him again with a smile. ''I wonder what other bullshit you have hiding up your sleeve. I will enjoy breaking you.'' Golem Rya thought before pulling the sword out of Jeremiah''s hand. "Shit! I''m not going to be taken down by you!" Jeremiah said before jumping back and grabbing a thing that looks like a grenade. Rya gave chase. She is about to land a punch on Jeremiah but he used his skill again so Rya took her own damage. ''FUCK! That hurt! I don''t know how much mana I have left! Hopefully this bomb will have enough force to kill your ass!'' Jeremiah thought before throwing the bomb. The Golem dodged Jeremiah''s thrown grenade with ease but like a magnet it pulled towards her. *BOOM!* The explosion made a crater from the force of the impact. It was tough to see if the golem was destroyed from the bomb because of the smoke and dust. ''That should do it!'' Jeremiah thought to himself as he turned around. But when the dust settled there were some bits and pieces of the golem that were coming back together quickly. ''Whoa boy! I''m glad I''m taking you on with my golem! Now I need to end this quickly! Hit me with your best shot, mother fucker!'' Golem Rya thought before fully forming as she charged at Jeremiah. Jeremiah was surprised by the speed of the golem and knew he couldn''t dodge her. He then activated his unique skill before taking another punch. *POW!* "GAH!" Jeremiah said as he flew through the air and landed on the ground with a thud. His skill worked but his mana couldn''t take the stress of transferring the damage. And for the first time in a long time Jeremiah started to bleed from his wounds. ''NO! This can''t be happenin'' Jeremiah was interrupted by Rya. She didn''t want to let him get back up. *BAM!* The golem punched Jeremiah in the gut. "BLAHHHHHH!" Jeremiah yelled out as he went limp. The pain was too much for the man. ''I need to get out of here! I need to beg for my life! If I die, then I can''t become the greatest warrior in Agon!'' Jeremiah thought as he tried to stand up. *BAM!* Rya slammed her foot down on Jeremiah''s chest, pinning him. "Owwwwwww..." Jeremiah groaned out weakly. ''You''re the worst fighter ever!'' Golem Rya thought as she leaned down and looked at Jeremiah. By this time caster Rya showed up by Quin''s side along with Dalia, Percy and Nieren. "Quin! Hold on!" Rya said as she used her healing magic on Quin. "Haha Come to save a damsel in distress?" Quin smirked even though he was in pain. "Shut up! I-I can''t concentrate!" Rya said as she started casting her mana. "I''m in your hands, Rya." Quinus said as he laid there Jeremiah couldn''t believe his eyes as the once batter and brushed prince made a full recovery. ''I-I had a healer under my control? DIETRICH KNEW! No! This can''t be!'' Jeremiah thought in shock. Ch.90 A Plea for Mercy Some mercenaries fighting around Jeremiah noticed him incapacitated by the golem Rya. "The Kings Slayer is down! What do we do now?" One of the mercenaries asked his ally. "Hes finished!" The other mercenary replied. "We have to push through!" Before they continued their fight with the dwarven, human army. Two figures came into the scene with their sword and claws a blazing. *SWING! SPLAT!* "AAARRRHHH!" Yelled one Merc that took a hot from Percy''s sword. "Damn! We''re being flanked!" Another Merc yelled as he rolled around on the ground, holding his arm. With her claws, Dalia comes in for the kill, piercing the mercenary''s heart. "A WOLF-KIN! GAH! You bitch!" The Mercenary screams out as he died on the ground. Percy killed another Merc before Dalia finishes off the last one in this area. "Are you guys alright," Percy asked the Ironside soldiers as he wiped his blade clean and sheathed it. "Yeah! Thanks to you." A soldier said with a nod. "Damn! That guy was so annoying. We owe you a drink, Sire!" A few of the Ironsiders laughed. "We''ll take you up on that after we finished them. But now I think the right line needs you. Regroup with them as soon as possible. We need to be ready for the attack." Percy instructed the soldiers. "Aye! Let''s move out!" The soldiers all said as they ran ahead of Percy to re-enforce the front lines. Percy turned to Dalia. She was sniffing the air frantically. "What did you discover, Dalia?" Percy asked the wolf-kin as he knelt down beside her. "Smells like that guy who crossed us back in the labyrinth. He''s not far," Dalia said to him with her nose quivered. ''So, that Merc is nearby?'' Percy contemplated while observing their surroundings. ''Well, Rya has healed the prince and has the Kings Slayer under her control.'' "Gamma, what do we do?" Dalia asked her mate. Percy glimpsed Dalia straight in her green eyes. "We''re going to hunt, my Alpha." Dalia''s ears perked up at the mention of hunting. ''Hehe... I do adore this human. After this hunt, I''m going to reward Gamma.'' She thought while wiggling her tail. "Alright, we got a coward to locate," Percy said to Dalia as he stood up. "Keep your senses sharp, my Alpha." "I will, Gamma. You stay safe too, okay? I need to show you something after our hunt," Dalia responded to her mate. And with that, the two of them went towards the woods to track down Dietrich. *** Nieren couldn''t believe her eyes. She was a youthful child when she previously saw the Kings Slayer. A mere 21 years old when she witnessed the death of her uncle. She never knew she would get the opportunity to avenge him. In her mind, she thought that she would have to let Father Time take his life. But there he was, battered, beaten, and discolored being held under the foot of a mighty golem that was created by a dark elf. The same dark elf that was healing up the prince. ''Is this a dream? Has the tension of everything finally caught up to me?'' Nieren thought as she saw Rya healing up the prince. She stood in place not sure what to do. ''A dark elf that protects others not for her own personal gain? But rushes to the aid of her friends!? Why were we told that dark elves were wicked?'' Nieren thought in disbelief. *** After seeing how well the prince recovered he felt confident enough to get up. "Rya, you''re my idol you know that," Quinus said as he got back on his feet. Rya looked up at Quin with tragic eyes, "But people are dying because of" "Ssshhh! Don''t. We make mistakes, Rya. It''s what we do to fix them that makes us good." Quin smiled at Rya. ''God! Quin is right. I can worry about the fallen once we stop these assholes.'' Rya thought as she brushed away some tears. "Can you still cast your spells?" Quin asked. Rya nodded, "Yeah, it''s time to end this. What would like me to do with this one?" Quin looked upon the Kings Slayer who was struggling to liberate himself from underneath the golem''s foot. "Please! Let me go! I promise to leave this kingdom and never come back!" Jeremiah pleaded. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Gone was the prideful mercenary of the Black Rose. This man was desperate to save his life. Quinus and Rya looked unamused by his plea. "..." "..." Both of them stared at the Kings Slayer. "You''ve threatened to kill my allies, threatened to kill me and my family while enslaving my love. You sealed your fate, Kings Slayer," Quinus said. Rya blushed a little when Quin called her his love. "You''re going to hold that against me? I''m a mercenary. Friend one day, foe the next. It''s a job requirement so no hard feelings right?" Jeremiah said frantically as he grabbed ahold of the golem''s leg, but it wouldn''t budge. He grunted as he struggled. Quinus and Rya both shook their head before Nieren stepped in. "No hard feelings? Is this all you can say!? He murdered my uncle and enslaved my people! Prince Quinus, please don''t forgive him!" Nieren pleaded. "GODS! Not another fucking long-eared freak! They think they''re special or something because of a stupid tree. The whole world needs to die with races like you in it!" Jeremiah yelled loudly. Quinus glared at Jeremiah while Rya saw the tears streaming down Nieren''s face. Anger was taking hold of Rya as she could feel her magic building inside of her. "Rya, if I knew I could kill him without him using that ability of his I would have ended him a while ago. I hate to ask you but" Quinus said calmly as he looked at Rya in the eye. "It would be an honor, Quin," Rya whispered before her golem grabbed Jeremiah''s hands. "HEY! LET GO OFAAARRRGGGGHHHHH!" Jeremiah screamed as he struggled in vain before Rya crushed his hands. He was now trapped between the golem''s foot and the ground. The Golem then grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up from under the golem''s feet. "RAH! Now you will pay for what you''ve done, you freak! Gods damn it! You will be my SLAVE!" Jeremiah said bitterly as he glared at Rya. Her golem punch him in the stomach so hard that his armor flew off and made him puck blood. Jeremiah groaned as he saw Rya staring at him with a murderous glare. *Cough!* "You really do want to kill me, don''t you?" Jeremiah asked with blood coming out of his mouth. "Oh yes, I do!" Rya said as her golem rapidly fired punch after punch that fractured his ribs and broke his arms. Jeremiah was struggling to breathe as he felt the pain from his broken bones. "My name is RYA! And you are nothing but a mediocre man. I wish I could make you suffer for everything that you''ve done but I don''t have the time," Rya said as her golem threw Jeremiah back down on the ground. Jeremiah struggled to stand up and then collapsed back onto the ground. Quinus looked at the Kings Slayer with contempt and sighed before he nodded to Rya. "Rya, kill him," Quinus said calmly. "With pleasure! Let''s see how much you like having your bones crushed!" Rya said as her golem lifted Jeremiah and ripped his head off from his body. Her golem then threw his body away from them and walked back to Rya holding the head and the strange wooden sword. Rya looked at the head of Jeremiah which had a crown on it. "Uncle''s crown and sword..." Whispered Nieren as she stared at the head. ''Shit... This poor woman. Well, I should give these back to her.'' Rya thought as she took hold of the crown and wooden sword. Nieren was a little worried when Rya walked towards her. But Rya only smiled at her. "Here you go. I-I hope you get some sort of c-comfort out of this... It''s not much but..." Rya said as she handed the crown to Nieren. Nieren stared at it in shock before looking up at Rya. ''She''s giving me the uncle''s crown and sword?! No way! Rya is a good person! There''s nothing evil about her at all!'' Nieren thought as tears started to fall from her eyes. "Thank you very much! Thank you sooo much!" Nieren said as she hugged Rya tight. "Whoa! Um? O-okay? You''re welcome." Rya said as she was having difficulty breathing. Nieren pulled back a bit from Rya and wiped the tears away from her eyes. "How can I ever thank you enough?!" Nieren asked as she stared at Rya. B-By letting me breathe? Rya said as her head was being smothered in Nieren''s chest. Nieren laughed a bit before hugging Rya tighter. "You are my hero! I''ll never forget what you''ve done for me! Oh! I know! I will devote myself to you and become a big sister!" Nieren said with a big smile. ''HUH? A big sister? W-Well, maybe that''s not a bad idea. I mean I don''t have a clue about how female elves'' bodies work. Oh God, it just accrued to me that I''m going to have to deal with menstrual cycles! M-Maybe elves don''t get them that often? I''d like to think they do...? But yeah, it''s best if we find out.'' Rya thought as she looked at Nieren. "If that''s what you like then I''m fine with that... Your name is Nieren, right? My name is Rya. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Rya said with a smile. Nieren smiled back at Rya before pulling her into another hug. ''ACK! She''s going to suffocate me at this rate! If I was still a guy I would be loving this moment! AHHH! DAMN, YOU NILS!'' Rya thought as she squeezed her eyes shut from the embrace. Quin was watching this moment unfold as he couldn''t help but smirk but he had to finish off the leader of the Black Roses. And he wanted Rya by his side when he did. "Alright, Nieren. Could you release Rya for a moment? I think she''s going to suffocate soon." Quin said with a grin. Nieren pulled away from Rya and turned to look at Quin. "What? I would never do that Prince Quinus!" Nieren asked with a confused expression on her face. "Oh thank god! I can breathe! So this is what it feels like to be suffocated!" Rya said with a sigh of relief. "It''s nothing to worry about," Quin said as he walked up next to Rya. "We need to find Rudolf and stop him. Do you two know where he is? Or where he might be?" "I have no idea, prince. I was focused on the Kings Slayer." Nieren said with a disappointed expression on her face. "Hold on... I think I can find him." Rya said as she closed her eyes and did the same thing she did right before summoning her golem. *WHOOSE!* Time seemed to be still and everything looked black and white as Rya could see everything around her in a few-mile radius. ''Okay! So, it looks like the Black Rose Mercenaries only have around 125 troops left and the Ironside Army has over 300. Damn, that''s a lot of dead... Crap! Where the hell is- Oh!'' Rya exclaimed as she spotted Rudolf. Rya opened her eyes and looked at Quin. "Quin! He''s in the back line of the Ironside Army! Zellin and Hajdah are in trouble!" "I''ll be there in a minute!" Quin said as he ran into the crowd. "What do we do?" Nieren asked with concern in her voice. "We clear a way for him! We need to get to the back line quickly. I''ll summon a new golem to protect the baron!" Rya said as she started moving towards the rear lines while her first golem gives her cover. "Wait! You should stay here and keep your guard up. I can handle anything that comes our way!" Nieren protested but Rya shook her head. "No! You need to get the baron out of danger! Quin and I will deal with Rudolf!" Rya insisted. "Fine!" Nieren said as she took off to find the baron. Ch.91 Rudolf is coming! Back at the beginning of the battle, when Rudolf and Jeremiah started their assault on Quinus and Zellin''s army. Rudolf got on his war horse. "Jeremiah! Dietrich! Lead the men and kill the prince! I''ll deal with the mages!" Rudolf orders. "Yes, commander!" The two mercenaries answered. With that Rudolf turns to his calvary men. "Igner! John! Raise the flag for the cavalry! We ride to take down their mages! With them gone their numbers mean nothing!" "Understood!" Igner and John said as they both grabbed spears from their mounts. "Charge!" Rudolf yelled as he spurred his horse forward and rode into the enemy lines. *** Meanwhile, on the back line of the Ironside army, Hajdah and his mages were giving cover for their troops from incoming arrows. "Hajdah! Look! The Black Rose calvary is coming!" Zellin yells as he points to the west. "I see them! Let''s end this before they reach us and give the prince our aid! Mages focus on the lead horse!" Hajdah says as he pulls out his wand and casts the spell ''Fire Arrow''. Akashia used her wind magic to push the Fire Arrow faster and fed it more energy. It flew through the air and made contact with the lead horse. *** The Mage-Arrow flies towards the Calvary. Rudolf used his shield that created a magical barrier around himself to deflect the mage''s arrows. "Get behind me! I''ll keep those pesky magic off us!" Rudolf calls to the men behind him. *BOOM!* A large explosion goes off in front of Rudolf. He shields his face from the blast and looks up at what caused it. It was one of the magic arrows that a mage cast. It was stopped by Rodulf''s barrier but its impact still knocked some of his men off their horses from the shock wave. "You''re going to pay for that!" Rudolf yells as he aims for the front line of the dwarven soldiers. "Stop! Our enemies are close to use our magic! We''ll hit our troops!" Captain Reeve yells to Hajdah. "Brace your impact!" Hajdah warns the men beside him. Rudolf and his 50 cavalrymen were baring down on the dwarven infantry. "Alright men! Aim for the chest!" Rudolf yells as he rides closer to the enemy. Right before the spears of the dwarven infantry, Rudolf used his special barrier that emitted from his shield causing the spears to bounce back. *SMASH! THUD! POW!* The sound of steel colliding with steel echoed throughout the battlefield as the cavalry plows through the infantry. "This is why you should fear the Black Roses!" Rudolf yells as he uses his shield to block the next barrage of arrows that comes towards him. He then uses his sword to cut down the dwarf soldier that was trying to get past his barrier. "PIKEMEN! FLANK THEM! WE CAN''T HAVE THEM BREAKTHROUGH!" Captain Reeve yells to the men behind him. "Captain Reeve! I have three mages with me! We can stop him!" Hajdah shouts. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. "Don''t be stupid! You can''t handle Rudolf when he has that shield! Focus on their infantry, Hajdah!" Reeve yells back. Hajdah nods and orders his men to focus on the infantry. "Let me handle this!" Suhail yelled as he pulled out his wand and cast ''Lightning Bolt''. "BOOOOMMMM!" A thunderous boom went off in the distance striking some of the Black Roses infantrymen coming in. Rudolf saw his men get struck by lightning and their bodies burned instantly. "Fucking Mages! KEEP PUSHING THROUGH!" Rudolf screams out as he continued to ride forward cleaving Ironside soldiers. Suhail felt exhausted after casting one spell. "Suhail! Fall back and recover! I need you ready to cast another spell if needed!" Hajdah ordered. "Yes sir!" Suhail says as he falls back and recovers. "Dreshan! Get ready to use your earth wall if the cavalry breaks through our ranks." Hajdah orders. "Don''t have to tell me twice!" Dreshan replies. *** "I''m gonna focus on taking these bastards down," Rudolf says as he continues to ride his horse through the dwarves. "STOP HIM! GET OFF OF YOUR FUCKIN'' ASSES AND FIGHT BACK!" Captain Reeve yells as he comes up to Rudolf. "You don''t want to fight? I thought you were all a bunch of tough warriors," Rudolf laughs. "We are a group of brave men and women of Ironside. We aren''t cowards like you Merc!" Captain Reeve yells as he raised his sword. "Hahaha! Coward am I? I guess that''s why I''ve lived for so long!" Rudolf says as he points his sword toward Reeve. "You think I''ll go done easily!" Reeve yells. "Yes! Because you''re a man of honor! And men of honor die so easily compared to cowards. And I''ll show you what it means to fight a coward!" Rudolf laughs as he swings his sword at Reeve. Reeve ducked and rolled out of the way. "HEYA!" Rudolf yells to get his horse to chase down Reeve. *GALLUP! GALLUP! CLANG!* But before Reeve could react he was hit by a massive blow to the side from Rudolf''s shield knocking him off of his feet. Rudolf''s horse then reared on its legs and tried to trample Reeve. Captain Reeve rolls over onto his feet and swung his sword at Rudolf''s horse. *NEEEYA!* The horse bucked and dodged the attack. "Damned horse! I''m going to take you down!" Reeve yells as he drew his sword again. "Damn right, you will!" Rudolf says as he swings his sword back. Both swords clashed and sparks flew between them as Rudolf had the high ground, sitting on his horse. "Damn, I need to use my sword masters technique!" Reeve curses as he swung his sword around. "Hehe! You''re doing great!" Rudolf laughs as he swings his sword at Reeve. Reeve blocked the attack with his own sword and then quickly summoned mana into his sword. It glowed red and surrounded his blade as he counter-attacked and struck the horse''s neck in a blink of an eye. His horse went down with its head cut clean off. "Son of a~" Rudolf quickly jumped off his horse before he could have been trapped underneath it. *Step! STEP! SWING! CLANG!* "That was close!" Rudolf laughs as he blocks Reeve''s sword attacks. "You better watch yourself! You might be stronger than me, but I''m faster!" Reeve growls as he swings his sword at Rudolf. "Tch! You owe me a new horse! Or maybe I should destroy something important to you!" Rudolf says as he swings his sword at Reeve. "In your dreams!" Reeve says as he swung his sword back. *CLANG! CLANG!!* Reeve was moving with grace as he pressed the attack. ''This is it I don''t have enough mana to pull this off again!'' Reeve thinks to himself as he pushes harder as his sword beings to glow again. *GRUNTS! GROOOAAARRRSSS!!!* Both swords clash and sparks fly between them as they both pushed each other. Reeve felt like he was going to pass out, but he kept swinging his sword. "I... I can''t hold this much longer..." Reeve gasped as he fought against the weakness within him. Rudolf smirks as he sees Reeve''s sword coming in. *CLING! CRACK! BOOM!* Rudolf cast his magic barrier catching Reeve''s sword in the middle of it causing the sword to shatter into a thousand pieces. "NO!" Reeve screams as the magic hits him and knocks him from his feet. "It''s only fair after killing my horse!" Rudolf growls as he rushes over to Reeve and slashes his sword through his arm. "AARRRRR!" Reeve yells in pain as blood dripped down his arm. "What? That''s it?" Rudolf asks as he stabs his sword into Reeve''s shoulder. "That''s all you got?! I thought you were supposed to be strong?!" Rudolf growls as he pulls his sword out. Reeve falls after the pain gets to him. "Hah! What good is a swordsman without his arm? Now time to deal with some mages." Rudolf laughs as he walks away from the defeated Reeve. *Cough!* "I failed you Baron Coldforge. Gah! I''m sorry!" Reeve cries as he laid on the ground. *** Ch.92 Rudolf’s Rage Hajdah and his guild members saw Captain Reeve fall to Rudolf''s blade. "No! Reeve! No!" Hajdah yelled as he looked at his fallen comrade. *CRASH! CRASH!!* The sound of the battle rang loud in the air as the Ironside infantry finally finished off the Black Rose Cavalry. But not without a cost. *Cling! Clang!* Guess the sound of swords, spears, and hammers ringing in the air was a clue that things weren''t going well for the soldiers. "What do we do, master Hajbah? Their commander has that artifact shield that can cast that barrier!" Said Kyan the other fire mage. "Retreat is not an option, Kyan. How''s everyone''s mana? We need to keep fighting or our only chance will be lost." Hajdah said as he looked around. "We''re fine, master Hajbah. I''ve been casting my spells nonstop since the beginning of the battle." Laika replied as she was breathing heavily. "But I think the others are running low on their mana." Hajdah thought for a moment, ''Dammit! Laika and I are the only two with bigger mana veins. Kyan, Suhail, Akashia, and Dreshan could probably cast two spells in a row before the threat of mana exhaustion would possibly happen.'' "Laika and I will keep the Black Rose Commander busy. If any of you have anything left try a surprise him." Hajdah said as he saw the other mages nod in agreement. "Yes master Hajdah!" Laika said as she positioned herself next to Hajdah while the others spread out in a semi-circle formation around the approaching Rudolf "And to think that sword master of yours called me a coward? And yet here you lot are, shacking rabbits full of fear. Because you no longer can hide behind all your infantrymen. Like cowards," Rudolf said as he saw Hajdah and Laika approaching him. "Well, we weren''t meant to front-line frights, Rudolf! But that doesn''t mean we won''t go down without a fight! Be honored! Because not that many warriors get the chance to be up close to a mage''s magic!" Hajdah exclaimed as he readied his staff. "A Dwarf''s honor is as worthless as their ale!" Rudolf laughed as he drew his sword. "WHAT! I''ll make you take those words back before this day is done! You''re going to feel the wrath of the Mages Guild!" Kyan shouted from the right side of Rudolf as he started to chant his fireball spell. ''So, the weaker one wants to die first! I guess I''ll give him what he wants!'' Rudolf thought as he makes his move towards Kyan. "FIREBALL!" Kyan chanted as the ball of fire appeared in front of Rudolf. Rudolf charged forward, bringing his shield barrier up just to stop the magic coming his way. *BOOM!* Goes the first fireball that didn''t burn Rudolf. "DIE!" Kyan yelled as he fires off another fireball at Rudolf but it hits the ground where they stand. "KYAN! WATCH OUT! EARTH WALL!" Dreshan yells as he casts his own Earth Wall to protect Kyan. *SWING! SMASH!* Rudolf smashed his sword through the earth wall which slowed his attack just enough to let Kyan dodge his sword. "Now you''re really dead, maggot!" Rudolf said as he readied his sword. "GRRRARGH!!" Laika growled as she takes a few steps back and releases a barrage of water balls that were the size of baseballs. "BOOOOM!!!" The sound of thunder fills the air as Laika''s water orbs hit Rudolf and sent him flying backward. Rudolf lands on the ground and rolls a couple of times before getting to his feet. "Not bad little dwarf! This isn''t over though!" Rudolf said as he starts to charge. "Suhail! NOW!" Hajdah yelled as he readies his staff. "LIGHTNING BOLT," Suhail replied as he cast his spell. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Rudolf was waiting for their lightning mage to attack so he could reflect. The surface area is small. No bigger than a dinner plate. But, it''s not about the size of the space it covers. It''s about taking a concentrated attack like a lightning bolt and making reflect back is what makes it dangerous. If they used wider magical attacks then the chances of him getting hit would be much higher. So, he rarely uses it. He waited until the last second before he used reflect. "HA!" Rudolf said as he dived forward to block the lightning bolt. As he blocked the bolt he focused his mana to create the small reflect barrier in front of his shield as he aims it back at the earth mage first. *BOOM!* The impact shakes the ground and sends shockwaves all over. "AARRRRHHH!!" Dreshan and Suhail yelled as they got hit by the electrical shockwave from Rudolf. The shockwave was enough to knock them out and they fell to the grown once the magic dissipated. "TWO DOWN! WHO''S NEXT!?!?!" Rudolf yelled. "GET OVER HERE AND FIGHT ME LIKE YOU MEANT TO!" Rudolf stood there as he looked around the battlefield. "You bastard! FLAMEWAVE!" Kyan yelled as he uses his fire magic to ignite the ground beneath Rudolf. "NO! KYAN! YOU''RE PUSHING YOURSELF TO MANA EXHAUSTION!" Laika yelled. "We have no time! Akashia! Hajdah! Finish him!" "Hold on! Whirlwind!" Akashia said as she summoned a column of air moving rapidly around the flames as it helped to create a fire tornado that engulfed Rudolf in flares. "Dammit! REGNAR!" Hajdah yelled as he unleashed a large fire sword from the sky as it flies into the flame tornado where Rudolf is. *BBBOOOOMMMM!!!! CCCRRAAASSSHHH!!!* When the sword hit an explosion went off and it sent debris everywhere. It took a few seconds before the dust cleared. "Did we get him!" Akashia asked as she slowly approached the smoldering ground. "Kyan! NO!" Laika yelled as she and Hajdah ran towards Kyan who has fallen to his knees. *Cough! Cough!* Kyan was slowly turning to dust because of mana exhaustion. "No... Kyan." Hajdah said as he knelt down next to Kyan. "I''m sorry!" Laika said sadly. "Ha... Well, I always wanted to go out a hero''s death. *COUGH!*" Kyan said as he coughs up blood. "You did well old friend..." Hajdah said as tears begin to form in his eyes. "It''s alright... At least... you have..... less competition..... for who''s the.... best fire mage now....... Master Hajdah....." Kyan said as he smiles as his arms fall to his side into dust. "Thank... old friend.... Tell me if there''s good ale in the heavens....." Hajdah said as he cries. As his body fades away, Hajdah and Laika turn their gaze back to the battlefield where Akashia is. "Huh?" Akashia said as she noticed the golden skull on the shield of Rudolf laying on the ground. Just as she came close to the shield it suddenly moved up as Rudolf comes from the ground and bashes her in the face sending her flying away from him. "FUCKING MAGES!" Rudolf yelled as his armor was covered in soot. He charged after Hajdah and Laika with all his rage. "Hajdah! Look out! ICE WALL!" Laika yelled while casting a wall of ice to stop a charging Rudolf that was about to crash into Hajdah. The frost wall stopped Rudolf mid-step before he used his sword to cleave through it. Coming face to face with Laika and he uses his shield arm to bush her. *BLASH!* "Laika!" Hajdah yelled as he tried to summon Mana to attack Rudulf. ''I got to take out their fire mage before I can kill her!'' Rudolf is a very skilled warrior and has many battle scars he''s had to do many things in his life to survive. Many of the battles he faced were against other humans. Most of them were soldiers from other kingdoms and nobles which he despised. He would do anything and everything to kill his foes. And never has he been so angry in his life to be facing an enemy like a fucking mage! Using their foul magic to slow him down. If he wasn''t a Maji he would have been killed years ago. *SWING! CUT!* Rudolf was able to cut Hajdah''s staff causing him to stop his chant. "Guhhhhhhh!" Hajdah yelled as he fell back to the ground. The shock of being hit by a swing that fast caused him to pass out. Rudolf finally had the dwarf dead to rights as he was about to finish off Hajdah. *SWING! CLANG!* Out of nowhere came a dwarf with a smithing hammer that was able to block and dented his sword. "HAJDAH! I have him!" Zellin yelled as he comes to Hajdahs aid. "You dwarves are like cockroaches!" Rudolf yells. The Baron tried to hold back Rudolf but he was a politician, not a warrior and Rudolf was able to stead the Baron flying after getting smashed by his shield. "Enough game-WHOA!" Rudolf was grabbed from behind and thrown away from Zellin, Laika, and Hajdah. *Crash! Crash! Crash!* Rudolf rolled around as he crashed into the ground until he came to a skidding stop. "RRRAAAHH! WHO-" Rudolf''s anger was interrupted when he saw a naked dark elf standing there. The dark elf he thought was under control with a slave collar. And she had nothing on her neck not even the cocker necklace. "Lady Rya!?" Zellin yelled as he looks up to see a naked woman in front of him. After a moment Quinus, Nieren, and a clothed Rya ran to the three. "What is going on here?!" Rudolf yelled out in frustration. Ch.93 May your reign be long and prosperous. focus on !'' Rudolf thought as he took another step forward istens in the sunlight. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. in''s sword pushed through the barrier and cut deep into Rudolf''s hy don''t we end this now?" Rudolf asked as he w a h ed to al o die. him as heur re Rya smiled and walked up to one of the mages. Ch.94 Hunting down a coward. Zellin orders his men to prepare a burial for the fallen soldiers. It was Dwarven tradition to bury their dead with a stein of ale and some meat roasted on a spit. The dwarves did this to honor those who they lost. "We honor the fallen for Fiafyr!" Zellin said as he took a deep drink from his stein and handed it to Quinus. "To our fallen comrades, we shall see you again. In the next life." ''God, so many people died to save me.'' Rya thought to herself. She then looked over to Zellin and saw that his eyes filled with grief. He seemed to be holding back tears, but his face was etched with sadness. He then gave a small cough and wiped away the tears that had begun to form in his eyes. "To honor our fallen comrades, may the goddess bless your souls and welcome you home." Hajdah, Laika, and the surviving mages stood atop the hill overlooking the army below. "Laika, when things settle down I will need you to train Lady Rya water magic." She nodded in agreement. "She is already so formidable? I''ve never seen someone cast a spell like that before! The power behind it is beyond anything I have ever experienced. It felt as though the whole mountain shook when she unleashed her earth magic! She should be the strongest mage in all of Fiafyr!" Hajdah smiled. "Yes, yes she is. Those earth golems were something else. I''ve never seen a earth mage make identical golems twice, let alone four at once! That was quite impressive." "If she was this strong, why did we almost attack her when she came to Ironside?" Suhail said with a raised brow as he recalled the first time they met Rya. Hajdah, Laika, Akashia, and Dreshan all cringed at his words. "That was a mistake," Hajdah said. "I was out of line too. I was also blinded by the fact that she is a dark elf and I''m sorry for involving us in such a matter." Akashia nodded in agreement. "I have no excuses either. I was just as foolish. We will not make that mistake again, Suhail." "Yeah, we shouldn''t judge races on sight. We should observe them if we aren''t sure," Dreshan added. "We were lucky she is a good person deep down inside and deserves to be treated with respect." "Aye... That be true... Well, we should give Kyan a proper burial after his sacrifice." They agreed and began to walk back down the hill to attend his funeral. *** After everyone was done mourning, Zellin ordered his men to begin digging graves for all the fallen soldiers. Rya wanted to help but the dwarves told her it was their rite of passage and tradition which they would do themselves. "Rya? Are you okay?" Nieren asked as she noticed Rya was looking off into the distance. ''I know we were going to fight these mercenaries sooner or later. But did I make things worse? Fuck! Why did I let my guard down?'' Rya thought to herself. "Uh Yeah, I''m fine" She looked up and saw that the sun had started setting in the west. "Lady Rya, it wasn''t your fault." Sir George said when he saw the look of guilt on her face. "You shouldn''t need to fear being enslaved. No one should fathom the idea of being enslaved. I know that these words seem hollow, but that guilt you feel now is not yours to bear and we''re here to help you. You have our word that we are here for you, my lady." Rya gave him a weak smile. "Thank you, Sir George. Nieren couldn''t help herself as she walked over to Rya and hugged her tightly. "It''s okay, Rya. I know how you feel. Just let it go." Nieren whispered in her ear as she held onto Rya''s body. Rya looked down at the ground and felt guilty about what happened to the men of Ironside that gave their lives for her. "I have to earn this freedom. I don''t know how yet, but I will," Rya said in defeat. At this point, Quinus came back over to Rya after finishing his task for the burials. "What happened?" he asked when he saw her walking back towards them. "She has some guilt, my Lord," Sir George answered. Quin looked at her with concern. "Are you alright, Rya? We can talk if you want." Rya looked up at him. Upon seeing those golden eyes of his calmed her. "C-Can you pat my head too?" Rya asked timidly. He obliged and patted her head gently. ''Mmmmh... Quin has been there for me ever since I met him... He soothes my heart... He cares about me... Like I''m his girlfriend... Augh... W-Why doesn''t this bother me? Is it because I''m attracted to him?!'' Rya thought to herself. Quin reached out and took her hand in his own. "We''ll get you through this, Rya. I promise. Now let''s get ready to head back to Ironside." Then it occurred to her, "Where''s Dalia and Percy? They were with me after I woke up? But I lost them once we went after Rudolf." Nieren spoke up, "Oh. I think I saw them run towards the woodlands... I don''t know why they did that though..." "Hmm. They must be after someone. Sir George. Lady Nieren if they aren''t back by dusk. I want you two to find them. I can handle myself, but it would be best if we all stick together. Understood?" Quin asked both of them. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Both nodded, then followed him. They waited for the burials to be finished. *** Deep in the woods, a man was running through the dense forest as fast as he could. ''Damn! If only I got my hands on that slaver tool, I wouldn''t be running for my life!'' the man cursed as he continued to run while sweating profusely. After a few minutes, the man made it to a clearing where he hid behind a tree. It was Dietrich, one of the last Black Rose Mercenaries. Although he would have been killed for his betrayal if they caught him, he knew the chances of that happening were high if he didn''t make a run for it. They didn''t know where he was, so he decided to hide there instead until he could catch his breath. He checked his equipment to make sure everything was still intact. ''Okay, if I head south from here. I should be able to get to the Kingdom of the Divine Three. I should be able to start a new life there.'' Dietrich thought to himself. ''Fuck! Why do healers have to be killed so often? I could have had her! Damn, the fates!'' Dietrich cursed silently to himself. ''I''m not giving up yet though. I''ll-'' *SNAP!* Dietrich heard something step on a twig. "Who''s there?!" Dietrich called out as he readied his war hammer while looking in the direction of the sound. It was a darker part of the forest, which meant it was probably a monster tracking him. ''What could it be? I doubt it''s a goblin, we wiped them out. Slimes are uncommon in these parts. Is it migration season for direr wolves? Shit! It might be a ware bear! That''s the last thing I need right now,'' Dietrich thought to himself nervously. *SNAP!* Another twig snapped behind him and Dietrich immediately jumped to the side. "Who''s there?! Show yourself, you piece of crap!" Dietrich said as he growled. There was nothing but stillness in the woods. An unnerving amount of silence filled the air, causing Dietrich to turn around. He saw nothing there. His eyes scanned the area for anything suspicious. ''If it was a monster, it should have appeared by now,'' Dietrich thought to himself. Dietrich began to sweat as his heart raced in his chest. Suddenly, a cold breeze blew through the trees. *SNAP!* A twig broke underfoot. Dietrich reflexively turned around and drew his hammer. He had no idea what was going on, but he knew he couldn''t just sit there and wait to be attacked. "Fuck it! I''m running!" Dietrich yelled out as he ran towards the brighter part of the forest. He looked back once to see the shadows moving across the ground. He started to hear the sound of footsteps behind him. Dietrich kept running, his heart pounding in his ears. Then suddenly, he heard a growl coming from his right side. Dietrich froze in place and looked to see a shadowy figure that had wolf ears and green glowing eyes. The shadow had stepped onto a fallen log. The next thing Dietrich knew, the shadow leapt forward with claws aimed straight at his face. "SHIT!" *CLING! CLANG! CLING!* It was Dalia the wolf-kin that attacked Dietrich. "Trying to run from me, human? Ha! You won''t get far," Dalia chuckled as she swung her clawed hand down towards Dietrich''s head. Dietrich quickly dodged to his left. He then raised his hammer in front of him to defend against the oncoming blow. "This fucking mutt! Get off of me, you damned beast!" Dietrich exclaimed as he readied himself to strike Dalia. "DEEP IMPACT!" Dietrich''s hand moved faster than the eye could follow as he brought his hammer down on the ground to create a large rocks to jet out in front of him. Dalia was able to dodge the rock before it hit her. However, the force of the impact caused her to stumble backwards. She quickly got up and tried to attack again. "If that''s all you got, human, then prepare to die!" "Like I would ever be taken down by a fucking mutt like you!" Dietrich replied as he swung his hammer downwards to send a barrage of rocks flying at Daila. Daila narrowly dodged the first few rocks as she jumped around from tree to tree. "What the fuck?!" Dietrich shouted out as he realized he wasn''t dealing enough damage to her. "You''re not taking me down that easily!" Dalia laughed as she continued dodging the rocks. ''She thinks she can make a fool out of me!? She thinks'' *STEP! STEP!* *SWING! PIERCE!* "GAH!" Dietrich looked down to see a sword blade sticking out of his chest. "So, we finally got you, merc," said Percy as he flanked Dietrich. Dietrich looked up to see Percy standing behind him with his sword in his hand. "Y-You?" Dietrich said in disbelief as he looked at the blade that was sticking out of his chest. Dalia was wagging her tail as she walked up to Dietrich while Percy continued, "Remember what we said to you in the Tomb of the Horde?" Dietrich recalled the last words the kid said to him. ''I''ll personally come for you!'' *Cough!* *cough.* "Pl-ease, I''m sorr-y for w-hat I did. I don''t wa-nt to die!" Dietrich apologized as he hoped the kid would let him go. "Tch! Not so tough once you have a blade pierced through your body. It was unlucky that I missed your heart." Percy said with a straight face. "Personally, I would have killed you quickly. But you had to insult my girlfriend, my mate, again and again. So, I''ll let her decide what to do with you!" Percy pulled out his short sword from Dietrich''s back. Dietrich gasped in pain and tried to pick up his hammer. However, his hands were too weak now. Dalia couldn''t help but be excited about her mate defending her honor and giving her the kill. ''Hehe! Gamma''s words make me hot and bothered! Mmmh! I got to control myself!'' Dalia thought as she channeled mana into her claws. Dietrich looked up to see Dalia staring daggers at him. "Gahh! Please, I be" Dietrich yelled out as he held his stomach in pain. *SWING! TEAR! TEAR! TEAR! SWING! RIP!* Dalia showed no mercy as she sliced and diced Dietrich into pieces. ''NO! I CAN''T DIE LIKE THI'' Dietrich''s thoughts stopped as blood splattered on the ground dying it red. Percy looked at Dietrich''s corpse with disgust. ''Why are there so few decent people in this worl WHOA!'' Percy''s thoughts were interrupted when Dalia jumped on him and squished his face in between her breasts. "Ugh! Dalia? W-What are you doing?!" Percy said as Dalia hugged him. Dalia giggled as she kissed Percy''s lips. "You protect my honor! So you''re mine now! My wolf!" Dalia said as she licked the back of Percy''s neck. "H-Hey. That tickles!" Percy asked as Dalia kept licking his neck. "Awe! Is Gamma getting shy? It makes me want to tease you." "D-Dalia! I''m not shy! It''s-It''s just I don''t want this merc''s spirit to see a amazing woman. He does not deserve to witness such beauty." Percy said as he tried to calm Dalia down. "Hehe! Awe! You''re too cute Gamma." Dalia said as she squeezed Percy''s cheeks and gave him a kiss. "Cute? I thought I was handsome. Oh, right. I am handsome." Percy said with a wink and a smile. Dalia blushed bright red and laughed happily. "Alright, I''ll admit it. You''re handsome my little wolf. So, handsome that I am going to make it my mission to get pregnant with your children during this mating season." Dalia said as she stepped off of Percy and started walking. Percy stood up, dusted himself off, and followed Dalia. "Thank yo Wait! You want my children? This soon?" Dalia turned around and gave Percy a seductive look. "Hehe! It''s because you are so loyal and honorable. I want to have a family that will grow up knowing the value of hard work and honor. I would like you to teach our children just how good they can be in life. Plus, I love the idea of having another body to cuddle with." Percy swallowed his throat after hearing that last part. "A-Ah! I mean, um... I love you, Dalia," Percy said as he hurried behind Dalia. Dalia loved hearing that from Percy. He made her feel warm and safe. Things she never felt before during her life. Feelings that were my be foreign to her, but she embrace them with open arms. She couldn''t wait to show her mate just how much she loved him. ''I wonder how many beds we''ll be breaking tonight?'' Dalia thought as she looked at Percy. "Shall we meet back up with Alpha and Beta?" she asked as she looked over her shoulder. "Yeah, I''m sure Lady Rya and the prince are waiting for us," Percy said as he put one hand on Dalia''s hip. It took them an hour before coming out of the forest near the plains where the battle was. Noticing the human-dwarf army bearing the dead. "Wow! Did Lady Rya heal all the wounded? It looks like a one-way massacre than a battle. I mean I looked like the mercenaries were about to win before Lady was freed?" Percy said as he saw the bodies of the slain mercenaries. "She did. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become friends with a powerful dark elf. But here I am." Dalia said as she smiled brightly at Percy. They walked to where they saw the others standing together talking. Percy noticed that the prince was looking their way. Ch.95 Girl talk "Percy, Lady Dalia. Good to see you both." Prince Quinus said as he nodded his head. "Sorry, it took us so long to return, my Lord," Percy said, bowing his head respectfully to the prince. Quinus shook his head, "No need to apologize. I have confidence there was justification for you two to go and run off on your own." "Yes, Beta. There was. I caught the scent of the one that betrayed you and Alpha back in the Tomb of the Horde," Dalia said as she bowed her head to the prince. "Oh? Is this so? I''m assuming that he wasn''t on the battlefield," Prince Quinus said as he narrowed his gaze at the woods in the distance. Percy nodded, "Yes. He was hiding in the woods close by. We had to move quickly before he disappeared again." Quinus smiled as he looked at the two of them. "Lady Dalia. Percy. You two have become quite a formidable team. Thank you. And Lady Dalia, I would like to make you an official member of the Royal Guard. If you''re interested that is?" Dalia looked up at Percy. Then back at the prince. "Will I have to be away from Alpha?" "No. It will give you more authority within the kingdom. I want you to become Rya''s personal retainer," Quinus said with a smile. Dalia nodded her head, "But I already have a life debt to Alpha. Why go through all that trouble?" "Because I don''t wish for some noble or knight to push you around because they use their statue on you. When it comes to life in the capital, it''s not who is the strongest warrior. It''s about the court of nobles, positioning themselves to curry favor with the King. And if you''re a Royal Guard you only have to answer to me and Rya. I need someone I can trust to be by her side. And you are that person," Quinus said as he smiled at Dalia. Dalia blushed, ''Beta, is really good with his words. Alpha, needs to fully claim him.'' "I''m honored, Beta. I''ll become a Royal Guard," Dalia said as she bowed her head once more to the prince. Sir George and Percy smiled once they heard Dalia accept the offer. "So, we finally have a new member added to our merry band. Glad to hear, Lady Dalia," Sir George said as he gave a slight bow. "How many are in the Royal Guard?" Dalia asked as she looked at Percy. "A little over 100," Percy replied as he thought about it for a moment. "Maybe 150." "That seems like too many. I guess there are some important people here then," Dalia said as she smiled at Percy. "Well, we are the Prince''s personal Guard. And there are only five of us. We lost a few when we went after the labyrinth," Percy said. Rya was surprised that Dalia became her personal retainer. She wasn''t used to having this type of authority placed on her. ''So, now Dalia is my bodyguard? I mean it''s flattering and all, but I don''t want to put her in danger.'' Dalia noticed Rya''s discomfort. She turned towards the dark elf and spoke softly, "Is something wrong, Alpha?" Rya sighed as she shook her head, "I just have a lot on my mind... Thanks, Dalia," Rya said. Nieren chimed in, "Rya has been feeling guilty about how many men died. Because of being enslaved by the Black Roses." Dalia looked confused, "Alpha, come with me. We need some girl talk." ''Huh? G-Girl time? But Dalia knows I was a man. I''m not sure if I know what to do.'' "Oh, can I come too?" Nieren asked with a smile. "You want to tag along, Woody? Okay, why not! Hey! We''ll be back in a few!" Dalia said as she grabbed Rya''s hand and dragged her away from Quinus and the other men. "D-Dalia! You don''t have to pull me so hard!" Rya complained while being led away. Quinus started laughing, "I hope Lady Dalia can help Rya. I feel helpless right now." "What do you mean, my Lord? We''ve said everything the needs to Lady Rya. It''s post-battle jitters. It will pass." Sir George replied. Quinus glanced at Sir George before watching the girls walk off. ''No George. She''s an earthling like me. We are not used to having people die for our mistakes. Fuck! I wish I knew what to do... I just need to let her have her space. Be patient, Quin. She''s safe and that is what matters.'' *** After being led away by Dalia, Rya was taken to an unoccupied tent that was set up by the Ironside Army. Nieren followed close behind Dalia. "Okay, we''re along now. So, what''s bothering you, Alpha?" Rya sighed as she sat down on the floor of the tent. "It''s hard to explain..." Rya said. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. "Don''t worry about explaining anything right now. Just take your time and tell us what''s going on inside that pretty head." Dalia said as she sat next to her friend. Rya closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. ''God, Dalia is persistent. But she is one person I trust not to judge me. Hopefully, Nieren is similar.'' Rya thought before she decided to talk. "I-I can''t stop replaying the events of my enslavement. I can''t stop myself from playing the what-if game. If I didn''t go to the brothel then I wouldn''t have gotten over a hundred men killed... It-It''s my fault and I wish I could fix it. Even though I know I can''t." Rya said with tears rolling down her face. ''God, I need to get my emotions in check. How can I turn this around?'' "Hmm. I think you''re looking at this all wrong, Alpha." Dalia said as she put her arm around Rya''s shoulder. "Huh? How should I be looking at it?" Rya asked confused by Dalia''s statement. Dalia nodded her head as she spoke, "Alpha... What happened after you got enslaved?" "Um... Quin and all of you came to rescue me." Rya responded with a confused look on her face. Dalia smiled, "Not only that but Beta raised an army to save you within hours. Humans and dwarves came to rescue an enslaved dark elf. I''ve never heard of anything like that before." Nieren became dumbfounded by the wolf-kin''s logic. "S-She is right! It''s like a fairy tale! Other races don''t come to the aid of other races and the world sees dark elves as evil. But you have a human that''s a crown prince coming to free you from your slave collar? My people would say I''m insane if I ever dreamed of such a story." Nieren paused for a moment as she realized how crazy it sounded. Rya sat there taking in what Dalia and Nieren were saying. ''Huh? I know I''ve been on Tertius for almost three weeks. But I''ve never seen or heard about halfbreeds. Does this world''s races not like to intermingle?'' Rya thought to herself as she looked back at her friends. "You guys really think so?" The two girls nodded their heads together. "Alpha, I would have never trusted humans or elves if it wasn''t for you. And if I had a male raise an army to save me. I would give him so many life debts that he would be stuck with me even in the afterlife." Dalia said with a warm smile. Nieren tilted her head slightly, "I can''t argue with the wolf. Because I never would have trusted a beast-kin before or saved a dark elf. And for a human male. His Highness is surprisingly attractive... Hey, why did you go to a brothel in the first place?" Rya panicked, ''Crap! What do I say?'' "I-I... Um..." Rya was struggling to find the words she needed. Until Dalia came in to assist her. "Woody, how good are you at keeping secrets?" Dalia asked as the wolf-kin turned to the wood elf and gave her a serious look. "I-I''m very good at keeping secrets. Honest!" Nieren replayed with a nervous tone. Dalia raised an eyebrow as if she doesn''t believe her. Rya was sitting there waiting to see what Nieren was going to say. ''Damn. When did Dalia become so quick-witted? I''m glad she''s my friend.'' Rya thought as she tried to think of a plan. "Okay. I can tell you two secrets about me. Will that work? And please try not to repeat them anywhere else." Nieren pleaded to Dalia and Rya. Dalia smiled, "Sure! But don''t expect me to keep a secret forever." "O-Okay... Well, my mother and I are the last surviving Royalty of the Wood Elven dynasty on the Agon continent. And almost all my people have been murdered or enslaved by the Kingdom of Marn. And I lack the strength to save them." Nieren explained nervously. ''Nieren? God, now I feel like a asshole. I should help her at some-'' Rya''s thoughts were interrupted when she noticed Dalia smirking at her. "What," Rya asked. "Were you thinking about saving Nieren''s people?" Dalia asked with a smirk. ''Wow! Is she a mind reader? Or am I that obvious? Whatever.'' "Yeah, I was thinking about helping her save them. But I don''t know where to start." Rya admitted. "Y-You would!" Nieren exclaimed. Rya nodded, "Yeah, no one deserves to be enslaved. And I''ll do what I can to stop it... Anyway, you told me your secrets so I''ll tell you mine... I-I''m a summoned." Nieren was dumbfounded, "A summoned? You mean that you''re from another world?" Rya nodded her head, "Yeah, the Goddess Nils brought me here to Tertius." ''And she brought me here against my will.'' Rya thought to herself. Dalia was giving Rya a look to continue. "A-And I was a human male before coming here." Rya finished. "Huh! Oh! So, that''s why you went to the brothel. You''re interested in females." Nieren asks, trying to hide her embarrassment. Rya gave an awkward laugh, "Ha ha. Yeah, I was into females when I was a male." "Huh? So, you''re saying that you''re interested in males instead?" Nieren asked curiously. Rya blushed and shook her head, "I don''t know! Maybe?" Dalia shook her head and sighed, "Alpha, what''s wrong with liking males? Is there some reason you shouldn''t have feelings for one of them?" Rya paused for a second, "Oh course there''s nothing wrong with liking a guy, but if I do that means that Nils has won. She controls me, right?" "Does she control you? Did she tell you to save a wolf-kin at deaths doorstep? Did she tell you to help Beta defeat the dungeon core? Did she tell you that I should try having a relationship with a human? Did she tell you to help Woody to free her people?" Dalia says with a serious expression. "Uhh... N-No? I didn''t talk to her at all about those things. Besides, they only told me to rebuild the dark elves empi-" Rya cut off mid-sentence. "So how are they controlling you, Alpha? Besides changing you into a female dark elf." Dalia asks. ''Huh? I mean... I-I guess she''s making a good point?'' Rya thinks to herself. "Well... Well, hmm..." Rya ponders to herself. "Alpha, does it feel wrong to be beside Beta?" Dalia asks curiously. Rya looked out the opened tent door and saw Quin in the distance. Her heart raced, she wiggled her hips to see how they felt. She felt an odd feeling between her legs. It wasn''t painful or uncomfortable. In fact, it felt natural and it wanted attention. "No, I don''t think so!" Rya answers quickly. "If you want him then claim him." Dalia said, her hand on her hip. Rya blushed and smiled, "B-But how much does it hurt? I know wom- human females say it''s unpleasant for their first time. That''s not true though, is it?" Rya asked timidly. Dalia grinned, "When it''s with someone you care about, then it feels like the most wonderful thing ever. You might get swept away by passion and forget your pain." ''W-Well, I guess this is a way to know what a woman''s body feels during sex. It could be good research. O-Okay if Quin will have me I''ll give it a try! Yeah, it''s for research! Now I need to ask Nieren one last thing.'' Rya thought to herself. Rya looked to Nieren, "I have something I need to know. How often do female elves have their periods?" "Huh? What''s a period? Wolf, do you know what she is talking about?" Nieren asked curious. Dalia shook her head. Rya sighed, "It''s when a girl''s body releases blood from her womb and uterus. When a girl is fertile, she can get pregnant. Do you guys have monthly cycles?" "OH! You''re talking about menses. I mean I get one about every ten years or so." Nieren answered. "Oh, nice! So it''s highly unlikely that I''ll get pregnant right now! Okay, that one thing I don''t need to worry about!" Rya said relieved. Dalia wagged her tail, "So, are you going to go after him?" Rya stood up and looked at Dalia, "Yes I am, but I''m taking my time. I want to make sure he wants me too." "That''s fine! Just leave it to us. We''ll help you get ready for your first time if you want. It will be fun!" Dalia said excitedly. "No, no. I''m good. I''ve done it with a woman... Before I became a woman so I''m good. As long as I know I can trust him that''s all I need." Rya said as she walked out of the tent. "Alright, well we should probably get some rest, it''s been a stressful day," Nieren said. Dalia nodded, "Yeah, I think I''ll have fun with my mate when he comes along." Ch.96 Marching back to Ironside Rya and the girls meet back up with Quinus and the others. ''Huh? Is Rya in a better mood?'' Quinus thought as he saw Rya''s gloomy face lighten up. Quinus was surprised to see Rya happy again, "Anything wrong?" "Nothing!" Rya replied quickly. Dalia chuckled and smirked as she gave Quinus a thumbs-up behind Rya''s back. He noticed it right away. ''Lady Dalia, I don''t know what you said. But I''m eternally grateful for whatever you did. And for making Rya happier! Thank you!'' Quinus thought happily. Rya gave him a sheepish look, "Sorry, I didn''t mean to ignore you." Quinus waved his hand dismissively, "It''s alright. We are just waiting for Baron Zellin and his men to finish burying his dead before we head back to the city." "Is there anything else?" Rya asked. "Just be your adorable self. I know you can do it," he replied. Rya blushed, ''God, there he goes with the corny lines.'' "I don''t think one can act adorable. It''s something that should happen naturally." Quinus laughed, "You already are. When you blush like that, that is." Rya''s cheeks turned red as she glared at him, "Stop flirting with me! There''s a time and a place!" ''Oh? So, she is open to me trying to flirt with her? Well, I guess this is my chance! Let''s see if I can get her to fall in love with me!'' Quinus thought happily. "Um... May I ask a question, your highness?" Nieren asked politely. Quinus looked at the wood elf curiously, "Yes?" "Could I be a part of Lady Rya''s entourage? I''d like to become her guard." "Wait, what? You can''t be serious," Rya gasped. "I am. My only request is for my mother to come along as well." "So, are you willing to give up your adventuring career, Lady Nieren?" Quinus asked. Nieren smiled, "I only became an adventurer to become stronger in hopes to get justice. Sadly I froze up when I saw the Kings Slayer. And now he''s no more." Then she whispered to herself, "And my mother doesn''t like me begin an adventurer. She''s always telling me that it will never end well for me." If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ''We just met and she wants to be my personal guard or lady in waiting? I mean she is nice and all, but I feel she is making this decision too lightly.'' Rya thought with uncertainty. "Alright. Your request is granted," Quinus nodded. Nieren''s eyes lit up, "Really?!" Rya furrowed her brows, "But..." "It''s fine. Besides, we elves should stick together, Lady Rya." Nieren smiled. ''It''s been so long since I have been friends with another elf closer to my age! Even though she''s a dark elf. But the elders were wrong! She is a good person and I want to be her friend!'' Nieren thought. Rya sighed, "Fine, Nieren. But please, you don''t need to be my servant for the rest of your life. If a different opportunity comes up, then take it. I don''t want to be the one to hold you back, okay?" ''Awe! She better person than I thought! I will devote my life to my new friend! Hehe!'' Noreen thought happily while nodding her head. ''Um... D-Did she even hear a word that I said? She has a starry-eyed I''d look at me!'' Rya thought nervously. It wasn''t too long the Baron Zellin and Hajdah walked over to the group. "Your Highness. We have finished taking care of our fallen. We''ll be marching back to Ironside soon. Are you coming with us?" The Baron asked. "Yes, we will. Sir George prepare my horse, please. Everyone else, ready yourselves. We''re heading home!" Quinus bellowed. *** By the time everyone was ready to leave it was almost dusk. They marched through the forest in a line formation. Rya rode on Quin''s horse, while Sir George, Percy, Dalia, Nieren, and Zellin followed behind them. The sun began to set, casting a beautiful orange glow across their surroundings. The city was in the distance and they could see several soldiers gathered around the city gates, waiting for them. When the sun finally disappeared below the horizon, the moon emerged from behind the trees. It was full and its light illuminated the entire landscape. ''Man... Sometimes I forget that I''m not on Earth anymore,'' Rya thought to herself. Zellin rode his horse closer to Quinus. "Your Highness. We were planning on having a victory celebration in honor of defeating the mercenaries and freeing Lady Rya. Do you wish to join? I can call in all of my family members to attend this party," he asked. Quinus looked at him with a blank expression, "Sure. That would be nice to honor the men." "Then I shall go now and make preparations." Once Zellin left to return to his castle, Quinus turned back towards Rya who was sitting on his lap. "What?" Rya tilted her head confused. "At the party, you''re not allowed to have a pint of ale, okay?" Rya blushed in embarrassment, "I can pace myself just fine Quinus. Trust me." Quinus smiled softly, "Well, I don''t want to worry about you getting drunk like last time and doing something embarrassing at the party tonight. You know what happens when you get drunk, right?" Rya shook her head slowly, looking down at the ground. "I don''t remember much. But Quin! Dwarven ale just tastes so good!" Rya mumbled as she tried to explain her actions last time. Quinus laughed, "Alright then. How about this, you can have a sip of my beer. Okay?" ''Was I that much of a lightweight? God, I must have looked like a fool. Fine, I''ll accept his offer.'' Rya thought to herself. Rya nodded and continued to blush furiously. Quinus nodded in agreement. Then the two looked up to the sky as they heard hooves clomping away as they continued to march towards the city gates. "You have no idea how relieved I am right now," Quin replied with a smirk. "I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to worry you." Rya apologized. Quinus shook his head, "No, no. You shouldn''t have to watch your back every minute of your life. This world is not kind when you let your guard down. So please, don''t beat yourself up. Just learn from this?" Rya gave a small nod and looked up at him with curious eyes. ''Yeah, I guess I was spoiled being born a man in America. I need to accept that some people want to use me as a object. Haah... Well, I need to get stronger so no one can hurt me or my friends.'' The two continued to gaze upon the night sky unit the city gate was upon them. *** An hour later, the party had begun. Ch.97 May I have this dance They set up in the middle of the City Square where the festival of the Goddess was held. The festivities were all for celebrating the Goddess Iyomelka. People lined the streets and cheered as the party began. There were several large tents with tables laden with food, drinks, and entertainment. The surviving soldiers were treated as heroes once again and were given free run of the city. Everyone was in high spirits, especially those that escaped death thanks to Rya''s healing. It was a relief to be alive. Baron Zellin stood up and held his beer stein out to his men. "Gentlemen, Ladies, and Dwarves! Thanks to your warrior pride, we were able to show the world that we are indeed the strongest of the strong! To show the Crown Prince, Quinus Meredydd that we are his loyal subjects and will stand by his side in times of war! And to show the people that no matter how hopeless a battle seems, we will not give up! Let''s drink to the glory of our victory!" His men roared their approval. Zellin held his stein aloft, "To the Heroes of Ironside and the Kingdom of Fiafyr!" He downed the contents of his beer in one gulp and then slammed it on the table."Prince! Join us won''t you? Please, share your appreciation of the effort put forth by our brave men and women!" Quinus made his way towards Zellin and nodded. He took the offered stein and drank down the contents. Rya, Nieren, Dalia, Percy, and Sir George watch Quinus down the beer like it was water. "Gah! I can''t believe anyone drinks that stuff!" Nieren said with disgust. "Huh? How long have you lived in Ironside, Nieren?" Rya asked curiously. Noreen paused to think for a second, "Hmm... I think we have been here for 15 years now." "So, what did you do when someone offered you a ale?" Percy asked curious. "I would simply slip the beer in my cup into there''s without them knowing," Nieren replied with a serious face. "What do you like to drink then?" Rya asked. "Wine of course. Frankly, I can''t imagine why you touched the stuff in the first place, Lady Rya. It tastes awful." "So you''ve tried dwarven ale?" Dalia asked. Nieren shook her head, "No, I never have before. I mean, it smells horrible! Why would they serve something like that?" "Hold on. You have not tried dwarven ale yet? Oh, Nieren you have to give it a chance. It''s the best-tasting beer I have ever had." Rya said excitedly. "Hmmm... well, it does smell good. But why would anyone want to drink something so terrible looking? It''s like rotting water." Rya smiled at Nieren, "Well, isn''t wine rotten fruit juice?" "Umm..." Nieren gulped, "Yes... yes, it is. But wine is more dignified compared to beer!" "What if it was ale crafted by elves? Would you try it then?" Percy asked curiously. "Ahh, I-I..." Nieren was speechless. "Oy! Leave the poor woman alone will ya! If she''s not interested then leave her be!" Sir George said after he chugged down his second beer. "Thank you, Sir George. I''m glad there''s someone that will come to my defense," Nieren said sarcastically. They all laughed out loud at this. Then Dalia turned to Percy, "You know, I think it might be time for me to get some sleep. Do you want to join?" "You''re tired? Hmm... I appreciate the offer, Dalia. You should go then. I''ll stay here for a bit longer before joining you." Percy said as he gently kissed her cheek. "Hmm. I was trying to use one things you humans like to call, being discreet. So I''ll say it again. I want to have sex with you. Are you coming with me or am I dragging you, little wolf?" Dalia asked coyly. "Oh... uhm... I mean... yes! Yes, please drag me! No, I mean I''ll come with you, Dalia" Percy stuttered. Dalia giggled, "Good boy. Now let''s go and Alpha, claim your man. Or you might miss your chance." ''Huh? Jeez, she is persistent... Well, she is my friend. I guess I don''t mind it.'' Rya thought to herself. "T-Thanks Dalia. Just don''t beat up your boyfriend too much," "Hey! I can still hear you, you know," Percy said after finishing his drink. "Not at all, Alpha. I''m just going to tease him a little bit, right?" Dalia replied with a wink while grabbing Percy''s hand and leading him back to the palace. ''Awe, those two are cute together. I''m glad I got Dalia to hook up with Percy,'' Rya thought. "Tch! There they go again. I can''t believe Percy abandoned me and my teachings for her," Sir George muttered to himself. ''Oh boy, the love guru isn''t taking Percy''s love life with Dalia well at all. Maybe I should step in?'' Rya thought. "So, what''s on your mind, Sir George," Rya asked innocently while walking beside him. George pounding down a third beer. *Clunk* Was the sound of his stein slamming into the table. "YoU, waNT to Know whaT''s on mY miNd do ya? WeLl I''ll TelL yOu WhAT''s on my MinD. My AppreNTice hAS abaNDon me aND My tEAchiNGS thAt''s wHAt." Sir George said as he was getting drunker by the minute. "Wow, he does not look so good. S-Should we do something?" Nieren asked Rya worriedly. Rya shook her head, "There''s nothing we can do besides let him sleep it off. Come on George. You''ve had enough," Rya was about to take his beer stein away but he continued his monologue, "IF pErcy KePT witH it. He woULD hAVe bEen sWimmiNg in wOmen ANd goT his sWeet LiTtle Duell BaCk!" This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "I think you meant, Bell, Sir George," Rya said with cocked eyebrows. "ThaT''s wHAt I SAid! AnD aFTeR hE WinS thE hEaRts oF all The lasSes. WE coulD dO seminArs for kNiGhts havIng trouBLe finDiNg theIR TRue love. We''D bE fAmous and RicH! But NO! He HaD to fAll foR LadY dAlia aNd her aLPha waYs! EVerythIng IS RuiNEd!" Sir George said as he began to sob. "Uhm wow..." Rya was surprised by George''s outburst. She didn''t know he wanted to start a love training seminar company with Percy. "Why does he need Percy? Shouldn''t he just need himself to succeed to start this love training?" Nieren asked with concern. "Yeah, his methods to attract women are questionable at best," Rya answered nonchalantly. "Tch, iT''s beCauSE I''m nOT as haNdsoME anyMorE! THat''s wHy I need pERcy! HE''s yoUng anD HaNdsome! And COuld havE beEn moLDed inTO a dynaMo, riGht? AnD who could blame him? AlL thE lADyS in thIs world seem to be bElLS wiTH aLL the hANdles on thEm." Sir George was starting to get loud now. ''Christ! George needs to get fucking laid... Haah. I don''t know how much more I can take of his pity party.'' Rya thought. "Ah, I see that you''re not too fond of love, huh George?" Nieren asked. "Heh, yep, ''tis true!" George shouted back. "Well, I think you are a good-looking older man and you just need to be confident in yourself. Come now. You had enough of these- drink let''s get you to bed shall we?" Nieren said as she helped Sir George to his feet. "Um... Do you need help, Nieren?" Rya asked. "No, I''ll be fine. But I have to say it''s been weeks since I had to help walk home a drunken adventurer. Hehe. I don''t know why people like to get this drunk. Anyway, I''ll see you in the morning, Lady Rya." With that Nieren walked off with Sir George in her hands "YOu''Re a gOOd pErSOn! YOu tAkE cArE Of mE!" George said as they went down the street together. Heading to the place. ''I swear, I hope that thing gets fucked tonight...'' Rya thought to herself. It was at that time she heard the men cheer as the prince down another beer. "Damn! That''s his tenth one and the prince and he isn''t even drunk!" a dwarf shouted. "You''ve got to be kidding me! The prince doesn''t look like he''s going to pass out anytime soon!" another said. "Are we sure he isn''t a dwarf in disguise? That would explain why he''s so damn strong!" someone else called. "Nope! I''m a human, gentlemen!" Quinus shouted back. "HAHA! And a mighty one at that! You have my trust, my Lord!" a dwarf said as he slapped the prince on the back. "That''s right! My lord! Never forget it!" the others cheered back. "Haha, well I appreciate you all for your loyalty and friendship. It means a lot to me. Thank you. Now, let''s finish this and get some dance! Rya!" Quinus exclaimed as he turned to Rya and held out his hand. "Uh... W-What?" Rya asked. "Come on, let''s go!" Quinus exclaimed as he pulled her to him. "Whoa! Umm... I''m not..." Rya said before she was pulled into the middle of the Square. The men whistle and cheered for the two as they made their way to the center of the square. "Man! I wasn''t sure about going to war to save a dark elf but after seeing her magic and her being a healer. I get it! Damn! Maybe I should marry a dark elf too!" someone shouted. "Shut up! She healed my severed arm!" another shouted back. "Yeah! She is a Saint! Tck! Like you would ever have a chance with a woman of that caliber!" another yelled. "Oh, shut up! I wasn''t talking about her!" the man said. Rya was getting self-conscious after receiving so much attention from everyone. ''Nah! I-I''ve never been this popular in my life! I''m not sure if I can handle this!'' Rya thought to herself as she was led by Quinus. Her heart was pounding so hard that she could hear it beating through her chest. She felt warm and uncomfortable wearing the black poet blouse and trousers that age had been on since yesterday. The only things that felt good were her bra and panties. ''Augh! Maybe I should have taken a bath before the celebration! Nuh! And why does my shirt and pants, feel so uncomfortable?! Wait! I have no idea how to dance! I-I''m going to make a fool out of myself!'' Rya thought in a panic as she was led to the dance floor. Quinus tried to ignore what the men were saying to Rya as he tried to keep his eyes off her. ''Play it cool Quin. I know she is beautiful and she makes me want to do things to her that are inappropriate. Fuck! Get your head straight! She will lose all respect for me if I only want to make love to her. Win her heart! Prove to her that I''m a man worthy of being her partner... I just hope she likes dancing,'' Quinus thought to himself as he tried to focus on dancing. He started to worry when he noticed that Rya was staring at him. ''Why is she looking at me like that?'' "Quin?" Rya whispered. "W-What is it?" Quinus asked with confusion. "I-I don''t know how to dance," Rya confessed. ''Oh thank god! I thought it was me for a second. Haah... This is your time to shine Rya. Because I''m going to sweep you off your feet,'' Quinus thought to himself. "Rya. Do you trust me?" he asked "Y-Yes." "Then follow my lead. It''s easy. Just move with my body. I''ll guide you along. Okay? Alright!" "Alright... But don''t blame me if I trip over my feet," Rya said with hesitation as she followed him. He took in a breath and cleared his mind before leading her onto the dance floor. Quinus looked around the room to see if there were any others that wanted to join them on the dance floor but it was just the two of them. "It''s alright. We''re here now so we might as well enjoy ourselves," he said as she moved closer to him. Rya looked nervous as she took his hands, ''CRAP, CRAP, CRAP! I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I''M DOING THIS! GOING TO MAKE A FOOL OUT OF US! I-I should stop this now!'' But she couldn''t. So instead of stopping they moved forward, close enough that their bodies brushed each other. "Just relax and trust me. That''s it... You''re doing great," he said to her as she looked up at him. She couldn''t help but stare into those two beautiful golden eyes of Quinus. They were intense and soothing, and they made her feel safe in a way that no one else ever had. ''M-Maybe he''s right. MaybWhoa!'' Rya was interrupted as the music started and Quinus took the lead. As he guided her hand above her head and caused her to spin backwards while he followed behind her. It was surprising how gracefully it felt being spun like that. As he led her through the dance steps his hands traced light circles across her back, making her shiver from the feeling. ''Fuck! He feels good. I can feel every single muscle in his hand. Augh! I have never been led in formal dance before!'' Rya thought to herself as her breathing became labored as she tried to keep her footwork clean and smooth while moving along the floor. "You''re really good," Rya said to him with a blush across her face. "Thank you." Quin sped up the pace of their movement as if to prove her wrong. His movements were fluid and precise as he danced with her. "This is fun!" Rya admitted to herself as their bodies touched more and more. Their flowing movements exude grace and poise as couples glide across the dance floor even though Rya had no clue what she was doing. But she couldn''t help of feminine she had become as she felt her hips, butt, breasts, and hair shift with the rhythm of the dance. ''God! I never knew a woman could feel so amazing when dancing,'' Rya thought as she leaned into his body. ''No wonder my girlfriend always wanted to dance with me! It feels so, so sensual. I feel so desirable,'' she thought to herself as her heartbeat quickened while they moved together. Everything was going so well until Rya''s toe bumped into Quin''s and she began to fall. ''CRAP! Augh!? Huh?'' Before Rya could hit the ground Quin caught her in his arm which caused her to be leaning back like a professional dip position in dance. Her heart stopped for a moment as she was suspended in his arms. The effect of him holding her against him sent electric shocks down her spine as she felt all of her senses on fire. As he stared at her with a passionate glance. ''I''ve never felt this way about another person!'' Rya thought to herself as her chest rose rapidly. "Are you alright?" Quin asked as he held her closer. "Ugh... Y-Yeah... Thanks for catching me there," Rya replied to him nervously. "It''s my job." He pulled away slightly to look down at her. His hand reached out to touch her cheek, and his thumb stroked across her bottom lip. ''Augh? W-What''s he doing!?'' Rya thought to herself as she looked into his eyes. "Do you want to share my bed tonight?" His voice was low with a purr as his fingers caressed her cheek. ''Angh! He''s asking me to sleep with him!'' Rya thought to herself as a flush swept across her face. Dalia''s voice replayed in her head. ''Y-Yes! Ah! I-I mean yes. It''s for research. And it''s with a friend I trust. Plus, it''s not like it will change me.'' Rya lied to herself as she smiled up at him and gave him a nod. Quin blushed as he set her down on her feet. "Then let''s go," He said as he grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor. The dwarves and humans that witnessed the prince and the saint dance couldn''t help but cheer. "OY! Show her a good time Prince Quinus!" "Saints are meant to be loved!" "I''ll bet your sainted lover is moved by your rescue too, isn''t she?" Rya shook off her embarrassment and followed after him through the crowd. ''Hold did I forget that I was dancing in front of all these people! Am I losing it? Or am I just a little excited?'' Rya thought to herself as her cheeks burned red. Ch.98 His hands are so Strong! 🦴 After leaving the square everything seemed like a blur for Rya as they moved through the streets of the city. What seemed like hours was roughly 15 minutes of walking before, the pair came upon the castle at the center of Ironside. ''Am I really okay with doing this? A old part of me is saying I shouldn''t be doing this. But a larger part of me also is curious. Curious of what''s it like to let a man take me in the bedroom,'' Rya thought to herself as she stepped into the courtyard. Her heart raced as she heard the sound of horses galloping through the gate. The Guards saluted the Prince and Rya as they walked through the gate. And it took another ten minutes to get to Quin''s chamber where a butler was waiting for him. "Your Highness, I prepare" "Out please!" Quin said to the man as he waved his hand towards the door. The butler saw the rose cheeks on the dark elf and understood what was going on. "Ring the bell if you need anything, my Lord. Good night." The butler said as he left the room. Quinus turned around and looked at Rya. "Coming in?" He turned to offer a hand to pull her in. ''It''s okay. There''s no reason to be afraid. I''m just hanging out with Quin. If things start feeling weird I''ll leave.'' Rya thought to herself as she took his hand and allowed him to lead her inside. His guest chambers were decorated with bookshelves from floor to ceiling. Books lined the walls and sat on the tables scattered throughout the room. It was lit up by a fire burning brightly from the fireplace in the corner. "I take it you''re a bookworm," Rya said as she stood in the middle of the room. Quin smiled and nodded his head. "Yup. The Dwarves have quite a few books I haven''t seen before. I was hoping to find some in engineering when we got here a couple of days ago." Quin closed the door behind him and locked it. ''Okay Quin. Don''t scare her off. Just be yourself and wait for her to give me a opening'' Quin thought to himself while gazing at Rya from the door. Rya walked over to the opposite side of the fireplace and sat down next to the warm flames. The fire crackled as she placed her back against the stone wall. ''Mmmm, this feels nice, but my shirt and pants feel awkward. I never liked wearing these pants since Kishin. Maybe it''s the material? Or maybe I should wear something else?'' Rya thought to herself as she glanced towards the doorway again. "You can sit next to me if you want to, Rya. You don''t have to stand around all night staring at the door." Quin said while sitting down on the couch. Rya noticed a pitcher of water sitting on a coffee table next to a couple of glasses. "Um... My throat feels dry," Rya said as she walked over to the pitcher and poured herself some water. Quinus couldn''t help but admire Rya''s beauty as the warm glow from the fireplace lit her tan skin. ''Damn! She is so beautiful!'' He thought to himself. Rya gulped down the glass before taking another one. ''Oh, that was nice. But my shirt and pants still feel uncomfortable. Why does it bother me?'' "Rya. Would you like to sit with me?" Quinus asked with a hopeful smile. Rya put her empty glass on the table and walked over to sit beside him. "Thank you. That was much needed," Rya said as she leaned back against the couch. She then gave him a quick glance. ''He still staring at me. Aunh! It makes me feel funny. Like my vagina is getting itchy? Augh! I''m so hot right now.'' Rya''s nipples were starting to ache. She decided to look away from him. ''I need to get a drink of water or something before I do anything stupid,'' she thought to herself. "I''m relieved your safe, Rya. I didn''t know what to think when I heard about you being captured." Quin said as he took another sip of his water. "Yeah... That wasn''t my finest moment. Thanks for coming to rescue me," Rya replied as she looked up at the ceiling and crossed her legs. Her breasts felt heavy and full from all the blood rushing through her body. She couldn''t stop thinking about how nice it would be to rub them together. ''Why am I such a perv? Our my breast still growing? Because my bra is so tight.'' Rya thought to herself as she tried to ignore the throbbing between her legs. "I''m glad I could do that. But make sure it doesn''t happen again. I don''t think you can heal mental damage," Quin said as he smiled at her while wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Rya was shocked and embarrassed that she almost killed them all. She quickly turned red in the face and averted her eyes. ''What did I just do? What was I thinking? My mind went blank! Did I even blink?!'' Rya panicked as she felt a shiver go down her spine. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. But Quin didn''t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. He continued to stare at her. ''How can he not see me blushing?!'' she thought to herself. Rya was startled by how aroused she felt right now. She felt like all her senses were heightened. Her heart was racing faster than normal. And Rya could swear she felt her vagina becoming wetter. ''What''s wrong with me?! I''m I really attached to guys now? Or is this some kind of side effect from dancing?'' Rya questioned herself as she touched her chest and felt her nipple harden. Her breasts had become sensitive to the touch. Rya tried rubbing them together but Quinus put his hand over hers. "Do you need help with that?" he said as he gently removed her hands from her breast. "Sorry, I don''t know what I was thinking." Rya apologized as she looked away from him. Quin pulled her close to him and kissed the top of her head. "You have nothing to apologize for. Let''s relax for a bit." ''Relax!? How am I supposed to relax when you''re so closMmmmm? Ohhh! I-I think I can do tha-Ugh! His muscles are so big.'' Rya relaxed her body against Quinus. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his arms wrapped around her. Quin was happy to see Rya in this state. ''This is my chance! Go for it, Quin!'' As he musters up the courage. "Maybe we should try sleeping together tonight," Quin whispered into her ear. Rya froze at his words. ''H-He want me to sleep with him! What do I do!? I know I said I was going to claim him, but that was before...'' "I mean I wouldn''t mind if you would want to, but it''s up to you," Quin added. Rya took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Why do you want me to sleep with you? It''s not because of the dancing." Rya asked as she moved away from him slightly. Quin looked deeply into her eyes. "I''ve been attracted to you since we met back in the labyrinth. I''ve admired you and I fear that I''m in love with you Rya. If there''s any chance that I could be yours, then I don''t want to lose it." Rya felt her cheeks heat up. "Have you ever slept with a woman before?" Rya asked as she stared at him intently. "Not in this lifetime, no," Quin replied as he leaned forward. Rya felt her heart race even faster as she waited for Quin to kiss her. Rya held her breath as the moment finally came when his lips touched hers. Rya had kissed many times back when she was a man back on Earth. She enjoyed it but this time as a woman getting kissed by a man things were different. ''AUGH! Kisses never felt this electric before! Mmmmh!'' Quin''s kisses grew more passionate and aggressive. Rya felt his tongue push its way into her mouth and she responded by pressing her tongue against his. She moaned as she felt Quin''s fingers digging into her shoulder blades. Quin pulled himself away from her and looked down at her. "You taste sweet like honey," he whispered as he pressed his forehead against hers. "Quin? We shouldn''t..." Rya started to say as she tried to pull him back to her. Quin pulled her close again and continued kissing her neck and face. "Ohhhh, God!" Rya moaned as she pressed herself closer to him. Quin reached around her and grabbed her breasts through her blouse. "God, I want to touch your body so bad," Quin sighed as he squeezed her tits. "Mmmph!" Rya moaned as she rested her head against his chest. ''This feeling! It''s so different than when I was a man. This feels so good!'' Quin couldn''t stand it anymore and he moved his hand inside her trousers as her belt came undone. "QUINNNN!!" Rya screamed out as she felt his fingers slide past her panties. Quin''s finger slipped into her pussy and Rya bit her lip as she felt his manly hand touching her again. ''This is different from the time in the dungeon! Aungh! Has he gotten better!?'' His thumb rubbed circles on her clit while his fingers slid in and out of her pussy. Quin moaned into her ear as he stroked her wet slit. "Ohhh Godddd!" Rya moaned as she arched her back. *POP!* A button flew off of her blouse and landed on the floor as her cleavage became more visible. Quin stopped moving his fingers and he looked up at her. "Are you alright?" he whispered as he ran his hands through her hair. "Yes...yes, I am," Rya gasped as she pushed herself up and was about to cover her breasts. But Quin''s hand caught her wrist and stopped her and started moving it over her head causing her to fall back on the couch. "I''m sorry," he whispered as he leaned in and kissed her. He pulled back and smiled at her as he laid his head beside hers. "Now, let me see those beautiful breasts of yours," he teased as she slowly lifted her arms. ''Aunh! He''s so strong! And his touch...so warm!'' "Ahhhhhhhh!" Rya moaned as he cupped her breast and rolled her nipple between his fingers through her purple lace bra that looked like they were struggling to support her. Quin groaned as he felt her boobs tremble in his hands. "Ohhhhhh," Rya moaned as she pushed her chest against his hand. Her head fell back and her eyes closed. Her breathing became faster as her body responded to his touch. ''W-Why do I like being dominated? I never liked men before this. Why is it different now?'' She opened her eyes and saw Quin staring down at her. "Quin..." she whispered as her heart raced and her face grew hotter. "You''re so sexy," he said as he continued to gently squeeze her tits. "Mmmmmmmm," Rya moaned as she panted and smiled at him. Both her hands were being held by one of Quin''s hands. His other hand pinched her hard nipple, which started to ache as her shirt and bra did nothing to hide the way he was touching her. "Unggggghhh!" Rya gasped as she arched her back and pushed her chest harder against his hand. "Please, Quin," she moaned as her body went stiff. "Oh God, Quin...please don''t stop." "Please what?" he asked as he squeezed her nipple harder. "Squeezing my boobies." Her nipples were red and swollen. And they were so sensitive to the touch. She couldn''t help but moan as he rubbed her tits. "Oh, that feels good," she moaned as her cheeks turned pink. Quin groaned as he squeezed her tit harder as she rolled her eyes shut. ''I''m losing my mind! This is too much!'' His grip was firm on her tits and he wouldn''t let go. The pain was starting to turn into pleasure for Rya as she began to relax and enjoy the sensations. "What about my hand?" he asked as he slid his hand down her stomach. "Mmmmmm," she moaned as her body tingled from his touch. ''God, he''s so strong...his hands feel amazing.'' Quin moved his hand down her stomach and inside her open pants. "Ooooh," Rya gasped as she squirmed as his fingers brushed her pussy lips. "Shall we have some fun?" he asked as his finger rubbed her wet slit. "Yessss," Rya breathed as she spread her legs for him. "Are you going to be a good girl?" he asked as he slipped his middle finger inside her pussy. "Uuuunnnnnggggghhhhh," she moaned as her hips bucked up to meet his finger. ''YES! I WILL BE A GOOD GIRL! DO IT TO ME, QUIN!'' Rya screamed in her head He pressed his palm firmly against her clit as he pumped his finger inside her cunt. "AHHHHHHH!" she screamed as her body shook. "You''ve been such a naughty girl, Rya," he growled as he kissed her neck and let go of her hands. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to kiss him. Her tongue darted out to lick his lips. "It''s not my fault, how could I not be naughty when you touch me the way that you do," she whispered as she grabbed his hand and guided it between her legs. "Oh God, yes. Squeeze my clit for me! Make me into a woman," she begged as she rocked her hips against his hand. "Yes, Rya," he moaned as he continued to rub her pussy. ''Augh! His fingers feel so good inside me! And he''s making me feel funny!'' "MMMPPHHH!" Rya screamed as her orgasm ripped through her. ''NO! IT''S NOT FADING! AUNGH! THIS IS UNFAIR! NO MAN CAN KEEP THEIR SANITY WITH PLEASURE OF THIS LEVEL!'' Quin held her hips tightly as she rode his hand. His finger rubbed her clit faster as he sucked on her neck and licked at her ears. "I''m coming! Cumming!" she cried as her pussy tightened around his finger and her back arched. "Ahh, ohhhh," she moaned as her body contracted and then went limp on the couch. Ch.99 Quin is mine! 🦴 Her mouth hung open and her breathing came in gasps as her eyes fluttered shut. "Rya, words can''t explain how beautiful you look right now," he said as he leaned down to kiss her. His tongue darted out to taste her sweet juices on his lips. Then he slowly withdrew his finger from her pussy and stood up. "Now let''s remove those dirty clothes off you," he commanded as he turned her over onto the couch and ripped off the blouse and trousers with his mana. *RIP! Sizzle!* "ECK! Quin!" Rya was surprised to see her clothes disintegrate before her eyes. ''He made me squeal like a girl! This isn''t me! This isn''t ri- huh?'' She looked down to see her purple lace bra and panties disappear too. "Oh, that tickles!" she giggled as Quin removed her hands from her crotch. "Not yet, Rya. I still need my fun." Quinus said as he picked up Rya and brought her to the bed. Then he laid her on top of it and pinned her hands above her head. "What are you doing?" Rya asked as her heart pounded. "You seem to like having your hands held down and I like seeing you in this position. Because I think I can make you scream out my name." Quin smiled seductively as he began kissing her neck again. ''Huh!? H-He''s going to put it in? But it might hurt! No, no, no. He''ll hurt me!'' Rya began to panic as he kissed her ear. "Won''t you be quiet, Rya," he whispered as he bit her earlobe. "Quin... I''m a virgin. P-Please, be... Aungh!" she pleaded. Quin chuckled and began rubbing her nipples with his thumbs. "I promise, I won''t hurt you," he murmured as his fingers pinched her nipples causing them to harden even further. ''NUH! I''m at his mercy! This is wrong!'' Quin smirked as he spread her legs. Brought out his monster cock and rubbed it slightly on her slit. "Okay. Let''s take this nice and slow," Quinus said as he looked into Rya''s azure eyes. Rya whimpered as he began to push his member inside her. ''It''s going to hurt! It''s going to HURT! IT''S GOING TOHuh?'' Rya was expecting to feel pain. But it didn''t happen. Instead, there was a wet sensation as her pussy engulfed his 12-inch invader with open arms. "Aaah! Y-Yes!" Rya moaned as she felt his shaft stretching her open. ''No way! Is this really happening? He''s not hurting me!'' "Do you want me to stop?" Quin asked as he moved his hips back and forth slowly getting deeper and deeper inside her pelvis. ''Ooooooh! T-Thinking is getting harder! Ooooh! Oh! Ahh! I''m so full!'' Rya closed her eyes and moaned loudly as he thrust harder and faster. "Mmmmmmmm! MMMMM!" Rya screamed out as she was filled completely by Quinus'' massive member. ''It feels so good! So big! So tig-'' Rya''s thoughts stopped when Quin''s penis reached her uterus. This cause her to stop thinking about everything that worried her and focus only on pleasure. Her fear of being stuck on this planet, of changing and becoming a woman. All melted away at that very moment. "Ohhhhhhh! Mmmmmm!" Rya moaned as Quinus continued to pound her deep and fast. "Shit! Rya! You''re getting tighter," he said as he pulled out all the way then pushed back in again. "Yesssss!" Rya cried out as he began fucking her fast and hard. She wrapped her legs around his waist and squeezed tightly. ''I DON''T CARE! MAKE ME A WOMAN! FUCK MY CUNT WITH YOUR BIG DICK QUIN!'' Rya was running on instinct as she was lost in a surge of passion that Quinus was giving her. "RYA!" Quin exclaimed as he slammed his cock into her like a jackhammer. "Fuck! I''m going to cum soon!" "QUI-Aaaauuugghh!!!" "RYA! SAY MY NAME!" He groaned out as he buried his cock deep inside Rya. "QUINUS!!" She screamed as she climaxed and felt him throbbing against her cervix. "I FUCKING LOVE YOU RYA!" He could feel himself starting to twitch as he emptied his seed into her womb. "QUINUS! I LOVE YOU TOO!" Rya''s body tensed up as the orgasm took over. Her entire being focused on one thing. Sucking up as much of Quin''s seed as possible. "NOOOHHHHHHH!" Rya cried out as she came once again. Quin fell forward onto the bed as he tried to catch his breath. He lay there for a few minutes before he got up and took off his sweaty clothes. Rya lay there on the bed, lost in her own world. Trying to make sense of the tingles going through her body. She looked down at her chest as it grew larger and rounder. Her pussy was itching for attention, but she knew she shouldn''t touch herself yet. She sighed as she felt the heat spreading throughout her body. Rya opened her eyes and saw Quin standing naked beside the bed. His cock was still semi-hard from their lovemaking session earlier. "Rya, can I become your husband?" He asked as he kneeled down to look into her azure eyes. Rya''s heart raced. She couldn''t believe what was happening. ''B-But I was a man? Nuh! D-Do I even want to turn back? Rah! I don''t know anymore! And this tingling in my groin is making it hard to think! FOCUS RYA!'' Rya thought she was getting frustrated but in reality, she was getting excited. After a few seconds, she looked into Quin''s golden eyes. Eyes that were filled with love for her. A love that made the itching and warmth grow inside her. ''Is this what true love feels like? Aunh! I think I want to stay as a female! I-I love him! I''ve been lying to myself for too long,'' Rya thought as she smiled. "Yes, Quinus!" Rya said with a smile. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. They both kissed passionately and Rya wrapped her legs around Quin as they rolled over onto their sides. "Do you have another round in you Quin?" Rya asked as she looked into his eyes. "Rya, you can have me as many times as you want," He replied as he planted his lips onto hers. ''Hehe! I wonder how it feels to be on top. I''m going to rock his world.'' Rya smiled as she moved on top of his lap. The itching and warmth grew inside her. She slowly lowered herself down onto Quin''s thick shaft. Rya moaned as she felt Quin''s hands grab her hips. "Aunh! Yes, that''s it!" Rya cried out as she wiggled her hips down on Quin''s cock. "NOOOHHH! You''re driving me crazy!" Quin yelled as he grabbed Rya''s ass and pulled her tighter against his dick. Pushing it deeper inside her. Rya gasped as she felt Quin''s dick hit her cervix and she started to move faster on his cock. "Hahaha! I love you, Rya!" Quin cried as he thrust his hips up. "QUIN! Aunh! It''s...mmph!" Rya screamed as Quin''s cock pushed past her cervix. Rya felt her walls tighten around Quin''s cock and she shuddered from the sensation of having her womb filled with an erect penis for the second time. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she would love to feel a dick inside of her so much. Rya couldn''t stop herself as she rode Quin''s cock. Moving her hips up and down on his shaft, letting her pussy swallow every inch of it. "Quin! You''re amazing! Aungh! Fuck me!" Rya begged as she pushed her chest out towards Quin. "I love you, Rya! I love you! I''m going to fill you up!" Quin yelled as he slammed his hips up against Rya''s while sucking on one of her tits Rya cried out as she had a powerful orgasm. Panting as Quin continued to pound into her. She closed her eyes as she saw the bright light and heard the beautiful music playing in her mind. ''This is more amazing than anything I''ve ever experienced! AUGH! I never want to go back to being a man ever again! Quin is mine!'' Rya thought as she came again and again. "Aunh! Aunhh! Aungh! Ohhhhh!" Rya screamed as she came hard on Quin''s cock. "YEAH! THAT IT RYA! LET GO! FUCKING COME ON MY COCK! OH YAH! UGH! AH! AAHHH! YESSSS! MMMMAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Quin yelled as he came deep inside Rya''s womb. She could feel her insides flooding and she shivered from the feeling of Quin''s cum shooting into her. The warmth it gave off spread through her body. It felt oddly refreshing as the itch in her womb was satisfied with Quin''s essence. Rya lay there panting and smiling as she collapsed on top of Quinus. "You''re incredible, Rya," Quin whispered as he kissed her forehead and then her lips. ''Mmmmm, this is lovely. I just want to snuggle with him forever,'' Rya thought as she cuddled up to Quin. "You''re not half bad yourself, Quin," Rya said as she smiled and hugged him close. Rya opened her eyes and looked up at Quin. Her white hair was messed up from their lovemaking and her cheeks flushed red from the heat of the blankets around them. "Haha, I was worried that I wasn''t a good enough man for you, but you were amazing. Thank you for loving me." Quin smiled as he looked down at Rya. "Oh, you have nothing to worry about. You''re far better than any man I''ve ever been with before." ''He is even a better man than I was back then. He''s so kind and caring. And he loves me! I can''t think of anyone else I''d rather be with.'' "I love you too, Rya. I love everything about you. Even your secret." Quin grinned as he kissed Rya. "Huh? My secret?" Rya asked confused. Quin nodded and laughed quietly. "I mean I''m similar. In my first life, I was born on Earth. Like you Rya." Quinus said as his smile grew wider. ''Wait! Quin is a summoned!? He must have been reincarnated! I''m not alone!'' "No way! How did you find out?" Rya exclaimed as she hugged him tight. "Well, let''s just say that you talk a bit after drinking dwarven ale," Quin said excitedly. ''Dwarven ale? Oh god! The Lost Monk Inn! Nnnnoooo! This is so embarrassing. What if told someone else?'' "Hey? Are you okay?" Quinus asked as he looked down at Rya. Rya sighed and pouted. "Yeah, I''m fine." Quin looked away awkwardly. "Sorry, I tried hinting to you that I was from Earth but you seemed not to notice." Rya hugged him tighter. "It''s okay, I haven''t been my usual self since I was brought to this planet. I guess that might''ve made it harder to tell. Well anyways, what do you remember of your life on Earth?" Rya asked as she stroked Quin''s arm gently. "Well, I was 31 years old and I grew up in Germany. And I was a engineer. All I can remember before I died was falling off the end of my rope in the middle of a storm? I think I was on a climbing trip to the Greek islands? I-I can''t remember all the details though." "I''m sorry that happened to you. Here," Rya said as she gave him a kiss. They cuddled close together in each other''s arms. "Well, it''s not all bad. I never found a woman I truly loved until you came along and saved my butt." "Hehe... I was going to leave you guys back in the dungeon but I couldn''t keep my eyes off you. So I had to save you. When those hobgoblins jumped you." "I''m glad that you did, Rya," Quin whispered as he kissed her softly. "Hehe, yeah me too... Hmm. What was your name before being reborn here?" Rya blushed as she looked at him. Quin smiled and scratched his head. "Well, my name was Emil. But I like Quin better. How about you? What was your name before coming here?" ''Huh? D-Do I tell him everything? What if he freaks out that I was a man? Ugh! Why did I ask about his old name!?'' Rya looked at Quinus and the longer she looked the less nervous she became. ''Okay, I''ll tell him.'' She took a deep breath before speaking. "My name was Ryan. I didn''t die when I came here to this world. I was brought here against my will." "What? You''re alive?" Quin asked in shock. "Yes, I grew up in the United States and I was doing a morning run when I was chased by a floating orb. Actually, you see this orb on my choker necklace? This is what chased me." Quinus moved his fingers over the gold and red yin-yang orb around her neck. It glowed brightly for several seconds then dimmed down to its normal glow. "So, this thing brought you here?" Quin asked. Rya blinked and nodded. "Yep, that''s right! And... And..." "It''s okay," Quin interrupted her as he held onto her hand. "When the orb captured me, I fell through some sort of portal and ended up in this strange world. The next thing I knew, I was being told to kill monsters so the mana could change me into a dark elf. And I don''t know how you will react to this last bit... God..." Rya had trouble saying the words. "Is there something wrong? Tell me," he asked as he felt anxious. "I was a man. A-A straight man. At least then three weeks ago. Now I''m a female dark elf. A female that is attracted to you." Quinus closed his eyes to think, ''So that''s why she was so standoffish. D-Did I push her into this? W-Wait, does that mean...'' Quinus opened his eyes and looked at Rya. She stared back at him as he tried to come up with a way to say what was on his mind. "Rya? Did I force you into this? Do you want me to stop?" He asked nervously. ''Oh thank God! He''s not freaked out about what I used to be.'' Rya thought as she felt relieved. Rya shook her head and smiled as she squeezed his hand. "No, no. There''s no need to stop anything. Just because I am a woman now. And I was lying to myself when I first saw you. I am attracted to you Quin. And you made me realize what it feels like to be truly in love. You''re stuck with me now boy!" Quinus felt his heart flutter and smile at Rya. His whole body tingled and he couldn''t help but feel giddy inside. "Haha... So you want me as your husband then? Good to know," he said softly. "But I don''t know how your people will take the news of their next queen being a dark elf," Rya replied. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "We''ll deal with it. I''m sure some of my father''s council won''t be happy about this but fuck them. I''m going to have an heir with you and I don''t care what they say." Rya giggled and leaned into Quin''s embrace. But then she realized something. ''Wait! A elf''s menstrual cycles are ten years apart! What if I don''t get pregnant? Is this even possible?'' Rya panicked. "Um... Quin, Nieren said that elves have ten-year menstrual cycles. What if I don''t get pregnant?" Rya asked. Quinus blinked and scratched the back of his head. "Well, it means we have to make love every day from here on out. Which isn''t a problem for me." Quinus then started peppering Rya with kisses making her giggle as she grabbed his face. "Hehehe! Quin! You''re tickling me! Stop! Don''t stop! Ahhhh! Mmfph! Yesss!" Rya moaned between kisses. At some point, she stopped and looked into his eyes, "I love you, Quin. We''ll figure everything else out later okay? But we might need a plan to get you an heir if I can''t." Quinus nodded and nuzzled his face against hers. "Okay." "Hmmm... ECK! Quin! Mmmmmmhhhh!" Rya was surprised when Quinus went down on her. She gasped as he took to her legs and kissed them until he reached her pussy. "Mmmmm! Ahhh! Oh yeah! That''s good babe!" Rya moaned as Quin sucked her clit. Quinus loved how soft and smooth her skin was under his fingertips. It felt like silk. And when he licked her wet slit it sent shivers through her body. Rya grabbed onto his dark red hair as she pushed her hips towards him. "You''ve lit a fire inside me! Do something about it, QUIN! Now!" Rya growled as she bucked her hips. Quinus smiled and moved up along her body, kissing and nibbling his way up her neck. "Mn... Ahhhhhh! YES! Take me! Please!" Rya begged as she clawed the sheets. He couldn''t help but laugh at her begging. "Good little wife..." he whispered before licking her long ears, making her gasp. Then he stuck his tongue into her ear and made small circles around her hole. "Ahhh! Quinnie! Fuck! Yes! Just like that! Lick me there! MMMM! My pussy is burning! Ahhhh! Don''t stop! Ahhhhh!" Rya cried and squirmed. "Yes, yes, yes!" he smiled and teased her ear with his tongue as he positioned his cock towards her hole before pushing it inside. "AAAUUNNGGHHH! MMMMPPHHHHH! OOOOHHH! AH! QUINNNN! OH MY GOD! YESSSS!" Rya screamed as she came. Quinus kept thrusting and grinding against her thighs trying to drive himself deeper within her. His arms wrapped around her waist and held her close as they both rode out their orgasm. "QUIN! YOUR CUM IS AMAZING! DON''T STOP!" Rya panted as she pressed her body to him. He gave her a quick kiss as he pulled out and rolled over next to her. "Mm, you are a beast, Quin," Rya smiled as she kissed his chest. "Yeah, you drive me wild. I''m sorry I didn''t as last long." Quin sighed and kissed her nose. "I think I came as you put it in me. I can''t last a second," Rya giggled as she lay on top of him. Quinus thought that she was cute when she did that and he chuckled, "I don''t want this to end. But we need sleep, it''ll be another long day tomorrow." "Yeah, I know. We should probably get some rest then. I have to go to talk with the mages guild," Rya yawned and snuggled under the blankets. "Hmm. Goodnight Rya, my love." Quin smiled as he watched his future wife fall asleep. *** Ch.100 Being watched by the Goddesses again. As Quinus and Rya lay there in each other''s arms, she was already starting to drift off. ''Hmm... I''m not alone. And she''s a beautiful dark elf. We''ll protect each other, Rya. No matter what this world throws at us,'' Quinus thought as he closed his eyes and drifted off to some of the best sleep he has had in a while. *** High up in the clouds were two goddesses observing Rya sleeping in the arms of Quinus. Nils and Nebulus, also known as the Twin of Mournhold, are second-generation Dark Elven Gods of Tertius who were busy trying to complete the summoning ritual for Hiro''s soul. "She ovulating..." Nebulus said as she looked down at Rya. "Yes, we know. I''ve been monitoring her every move since she arrived here. It looks like she just got lucky today," Nils replied. Nils closed her eyes and started mumbling words that none of the other gods knew about. After a few seconds, Hiro''s soul went flying down to Tertius and straight towards Rya. Flying straight into her uterus. "Nuh! Mmmmmmhhhh..." Rya moaned as she slept. It moved so fast that no one could see it besides the gods. Then Nils opened her eyes and smiled, "I think I''ve done it. Now we just wait for the results." Nebulus was excited because the ritual hadn''t worked in 1000 years. "Sweet! I get my summoned back!" Nebulus cheered. "Well, mine is much stronger than yours. I guess you should have taken care of her better," Nils said as she gave Nebulus a smack on the head. Nebulus was furious but calmed herself before she exploded. "What are you even talking about? We both weren''t taking care of our summons, you jerk! This is all your fault!" Nebulus yelled at her sister. "Fine, I will give you the credit that you deserve. But I am still going to enjoy what comes out of this," Nils laughed as she floated up from the clouds. "Shut up! You''re were just lucky!" Nebulus screamed as she followed her sister. "Haah... Will you two be quiet? Your bickering is getting on my nerves," said the human goddess of balance named Iyomelka. "Iyomelka! I see that my summoned saved yours so everything should be square. No harm, no foul... Well, almost. Anyway, I hope this proves that we are on good terms," Nils said with a smile. Iyomelka looked at Nils with an annoyed look, "Humility is something you''re lacking in Nils. If I''m not mistaken you were the one who caused all of this trouble in the first place?" "Oh come on, Iyomelka. Everything turned out well! My summoned is alive and accepting herself now. Your summoned is alive and is in love with my summoned. Plus! She''s pregnant with your summoned''s essence and to top it off. We were able to use a resurrection ritual on Nebulus'' summoned! Win freaking win freaking win!" Nils said as she pointed at Iyomelka who looked unimpressed. "Well, your right. I''m interested in seeing how my summoned''s daughter will turn out. But can you answer me this? How are Yoona and your dark elves fairing these days?" Iyomelka asked. "Yoona and my elves? Ahh? I-I''ve been focused on Rya. I''m sure they are doing fine though," Nils said, not really knowing the situation with her demi-god and her elves. "Yeah! I''m sure our dark elves have been crushing it!" Nebulus added. Iyomelka still looked at them with an unamused look but raised one brow. "You know, it''s good to check in on your people from time to time," Iyomelka said. The Twin of Mournhold started to feel uneasy from Iyomelka''s statement. But they refused to show that they were nervous. "Oh yeah. That''s right. We were just about to do that right, Neb," Nils said trying to act casual. "Y-Yeah! We were just about to do that if you weren''t in the way," Nebulus agreed. Iyomelka shook her head, "I don''t know how you two have survived on your own. The fates must be looking out for both of you." "Excuse me? What the hell are you talking about?" Nils said as she became angry. "Iyomelka! Don''t make fun of us! We''ve survived quite well on our own thank you very much!" Nebulus said with a glare. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Iyomelka sighed and gave up on the two. "Then you should look at what''s been happening to your people the last two weeks," Iyomelka said as she disappeared before Nils and Nebulus could do anything. Nebulus was confused, "What the fuck did she mean by that?" "I''m gonna find out! I''ll go see how our dark elves are doing," Nils said as she flew southwest of the Fiafyr Kingdom. Within seconds the Twins were flying over the remains of the Sorellia capital. Which lay in ruins from the paladins of the Divine Three. "No, no, NO! This is all wrong! Why didn''t you tell me this was happening, Nebulus!" Nils yelled as she started flying fast. "ME!? You get angry when I try and help! You always told me to not get involved when someone asks for my help!" Nebulus shot back. They continued arguing for a few minutes before realizing they weren''t going to fix this problem by continuing. "I''m sorry okay! I shouldn''t have blamed you. I was selfish about being the one that everyone looked up to me as their goddess. I should have had you been seen by Yoona," Nils said with a sigh. Nebulus was touched, "Thanks. But what are we going to do? Those paladins have killed so many of our people and Yoona has abandoned the city with the rest of the surviving dark elves." "Okay! We just need to focus on fixing this. We''re going to need to find some help in order to save our Dark Elves," Nils said with a determined tone. Nebulus nodded, "Maybe we can communicate with Yoona and tell her to take our people to the Kingdom of Fiafyr? With Rya marrying the crown prince. The dark elves could take sanctuary there until the paladin war ends." Nils thought about it for a second, "That''s a good idea. But the Divine Three are trying to marry off one of their princesses to the prince. They might attack our people at the border of Fiafyr. Plus I can''t contact her after using up my primordial essence to resurrect Hiro. Do you have any primordial essence, Neb?" Nebulus shook his head, "I don''t. All of mine was used to connect to my summoned again." Nils had a pained look on her face, "Neb, I hate to say it, but we have only one option right now." "Alright. What''s that?" Nebulus asked with a worried look written over her face. *** Back over the Kingdom of Fiafyr. Iyomelka was happily meditating while sitting in the clouds and watching over her subjects. ''Heeeeh! My summoned has bonded with another summoned! I''m glad I gave him that passive ability to make any female he loves to start to ovulate regardless of race. It was worth the sacrifice!'' she laughed to herself as she saw a handsome man cuddling with the beautiful dark elf. ''Oh yes, there is nothing better than having a strong and loyal mate. Especially when you know your mate is willing to die for you. You are a lucky girl, Rya. Make lots of children with him okay?'' Iyomelka thought happily. Her happiness lasted for a brief moment when two annoying dark elf goddesses came roaring at her. "IYOMELKA! Iyomelka! We need your help!" Nils pleaded as jumped and grabbed Iyomelka''s left leg followed by Nebulus grabbing her right leg. ''Will I ever find a moment of peace! Why can''t they just leave me alone!'' Iyomelka screamed and closed her eyes tightly. A few minutes later, she opened her eyes and looked down at the dark elf goddesses staring up at her like crying, children. "What do you need now? I am currently enjoying a very enjoyable meditation in the sky. Perhaps you could ask that dumbass Qwilfish for help!" she growled while glaring at Nils. "We need your help to save the Dark Elves! Please! We''re sorry for not listening to your wisdom and for not giving you the respect you deserve! We''re sorry! Please help us! PLEASE!" Nebulus cried as he leaned against her legs. Nils was nodding her head in agreement with her sister. Upon looking at their sad pitiful faces, Iyomelka sighed deeply, ''Is this why you pitied them, Arias? By the void, they make it hard to abandon them. Fine!'' she thought to herself, ''I''ll help them within reason.'' She opened her mouth, "Very well. But this will be a one-time thing and I won''t use my summoned unless absolutely necessary. Agreed?" Both goddesses nodded their heads in agreement. "Thank you Iyomelka! Mother said you were the best and now we see why! We''ll never take you for granted again! Thank you Iyomelka!" Nils yelled and hugged her legs tightly. Iyomelka couldn''t help but smile seeing the happy tears in Nils'' and Nebulus'' eyes. ''You better not be playing me? Because I''ll show you what a real goddess looks like!'' she grumbled internally while keeping her smile. "So, what is your request?" she asked and waited for them to reply. After a couple of seconds, they both spoke. "Can you use your primordial essence to contact your summoned to relay a message?" Nils asked. "Yes, I can do that. But I don''t want to control my summoned''s choices in life," Iyomelka replied. "Isn''t there anything you could do?" Nebulus asked. "Well, I could contact you''re summoned through the fetus growing inside her? But the child needs to be at an age where the mana vein is developed so I can link with her," Iyomelka answered. "Oh right! Hiro''s new body is a halfling and is a part of your people as well as ours! Brilliant! Sister when you were morphing Rya into a dark elf did you keep the same one-in-half, to two-year birthing cycle as the other female dark elves?" Nebulus asked. "I changed it up a bit. She should be giving birth around 12 to 14 months?" Nils replied. "Okay, so I should be able to mind link with Rya in five months or so. When the fetus has grown strong enough," Iyomelka added, "Is there anything you two can do to help? I mean I will only be bringing you two along when we enter her dreams. That''s the amount of help I''m willing to give." Nils and Nebulus thought for a moment before Nebulus spoke first, "Well, I think Rya could borrow time-space magic from my summoned. I need some time to recharge a little bit of my primordial essence before I''m sure." Nils looked to her sister, "Your talking about the passive ability of shared magical affinities? That''s brilliant! That is something no God thinks to give to their champion! It would definitely make things easier for Rya to blink over to Yoona and the others! And then she can use her golems to pound those asshole paladins!" "It must not be easy to replenish your primordial essence with such low followers now. How long does it take to get enough essence to create a passive skill?" Iyomelka asked. "I think I''ll get enough in two mouths? Maybe three, worst case scenario?" Nebulus replied. "Yeah, hopefully, I can get enough to contact Yoona about Rya in that same amount of time too. It won''t be a long massage but it will have to do. I can only pray to the fates that Rya doesn''t kill herself or the baby," Nils said with a sigh. *** Rya was in her bed resting, when she felt a slight flutter in her womb. ''Augh! I can''t believe how hard and big Quin''s dick was. My pelvis is feeling it right now!'' Rya thought. Rya blushed a bright red as the fluttering continued. ''Augh! M-Maybe I should do something about it?'' Ch.101 Morning wood? 🦴 Rya was in her bed resting, when she felt a slight flutter in her womb. ''Augh! I can''t believe how hard and big Quin''s dick was. My pelvis is feeling it right now!'' Rya thought. Rya blushed a bright red as the fluttering continued. ''Augh! M-Maybe I should do something about it?'' She started to shift on her bed as she reached down between her legs. Rya rubbed her fingers on the soft skin of her inner thighs as she felt her pussy getting wetter. "Mmmmh nnuukk... Ahhhh..." Rya moaned as she kept rubbing her clitoris. ''Aungh! How have I become such a naughty girl?! I''ve never needed to masturbate so badly before, and Quin is sleeping next to me! And my body feels like it''s been stretched out again.'' Rya slowly lifted her leg off the bed and spread her legs apart. She leaned back on her hands as she opened up her pussy lips with her middle finger. Her clit was sticking out from between her lips and glistening in the candlelight as she played with it. ''OH FUCK! Naugh! When I was a guy! I could have climaxed quicker! Aungh! But in this body, I''m taking forever!'' Rya let out another moan as she continued playing with her clit. She closed her eyes as she imagined Quin''s large cock plunging inside of her. The tightness of her pussy around his shaft sent shivers through her entire body. ''Aunh! His cock is so much better than my fingers! Feels so good...'' Rya sighed as she began to rub her thumb across her clit. She opened her eyes and looked down at her hand. "Hmmm... That seems to be helping. Mmmmh, just a bit more..." Rya whispered as she ran her nails along her slit. She reached with her other hand and started groping her breasts, pinching the nipples between her fingers. Nipples were sensitive spots that made Rya feel all tingly inside. "H-Huh? Why am I doing this? Why have I become such a naughty girl? Mmmmh," Rya asked herself. Rya kept massaging her breast as she slid her other hand to find her clit and rubbed it again, harder this time. The wetness grew even more and Rya gasped out loud. ''Aunh! This isn''t fair! Aungh! I just need to cum! Augh! And I can''t! Augh!'' Rya couldn''t stop the flow of tears as she moaned louder. Rya was shaking all over, her breathing became heavy as her juices poured out onto her bed sheets. Quinus who was asleep next to her started hearing Rya''s moans. ''Hmm? It seems Rya could use a hand. Do worry babe. I''m here for you.'' Quin said as he moved his hand over Rya''s that was rubbing her clit. "NAUNGH!" Rya let out a gasp as Quin''s hand touched hers. ''Ohh! That feels nice.'' Rya didn''t realize what she had done until Quin gently stroked her clit. She felt like she was going to explode as he kept touching her clit. Rya''s face twisted up in pleasure as she squeezed his hand tighter. ''Ohhh! Ohhhh! Fuck meeeeee! QUIN! PLEASE! MAKE ME CUM!'' Rya screamed in her head as she arched her back on the bed. Quinus stopped rubbing her clit and instead pushed his finger deep inside of her. "AHHHHHH! Q-QUIN!? YOU''RE AWAKE!? AAAH!" Rya yelled out in surprise as Quin''s finger plunged into her. ''Mmmph! Aunh! Ohh! Ahhh! Yesss! Yes! Is that my G-spot?! Aungh! YESSSS! FUCK MY G-SPOT!'' Rya thought as her body shook with pleasure. Rya grabbed Quin''s arm tightly as she came hard, squirting out onto the sheets. "Aunh... Q-Quin? U-Urp... I... Mmph, uuuhhh... I think I''m gonna fall asleep now..." Rya mumbled as her body went limp. Quinus smiled as he pulled his finger from her pussy. "You can''t fall asleep. It''s morning." Quin said as he covered Rya with the blankets and then moved his hand to her stomach as he slid under the covers. Quinus gently caressed Rya''s belly before placing his head between her legs. ''Ugh! W-What is he'' Rya was interrupted when she felt Quin''s tongue licking her pussy. "AUGH! Q-Q-Q-QUINNY! NO!" Rya tried to push him away, but she couldn''t get enough strength. Quinus licked her pussy again and again as he slowly ate her out. ''Aunh! I-I always thou-UGH! it w-would be sexy to get head in the mor-OH!ing! But this is AUNH! Too much! Quin is too good! Augh! He''s TOO GOOD!'' Rya thought as she closed her eyes and enjoyed what Quin was doing. Quinus continued to lick her pussy as she felt herself getting wetter. After a few minutes, Quin ran his fingers down Rya''s slit as he began to rub her clit faster. "A-Ahhhhh! Aaauunngghhh? SO STRONG!" Rya moaned as she felt Quin''s fingers thrust into her tight hole. Quinus then grabbed one of her tits in his mouth and sucked on it. ''Arghhh! I''m at his mercy! My body is his to fuck! To use! To devour!'' Rya thought as her orgasm grew stronger. "Fuck, I''m coming! Ahhhhhh! YESSSS! QUI-AAAH!" Rya screamed out as she came harder than ever before. Quinus kept eating her out and fingering her even after Rya''s orgasm had ended. After several minutes, Quin decided to roll Rya over and lifted her butt in the air. "Q-Quin? Wh-What are you d-doing?" Rya asked as she looked back at him. Quinus grinned widely and winked. "I wanted to get a better view of your cute butt. It''s perfect, just as I expected." Rya blushed, which caused Quin to smile wider. "And I want to do it doggy style so you feel my cock go deep inside of you," Quin said as he began to push his hips against hers. "Wh-Why would you want t-to do that? Th-That''s AUNGH! Unn-natural position!" Rya cried out as she felt Quin push himself into her gate of her tight pussy. "You seem to like it. Look," Quin said as he grabbed Rya''s cheeks and squeeze them making them jiggle and sway as he groped them. He then pressed forward and entered Rya''s pussy from behind. "AUGH! UUUUUGGGHH! Y-You''re s-so big! A-ARGHHHH!" Rya screamed out as she felt Quin''s massive cock push deep inside of her. She was still sore from the previous times that Quin fucked her, but her body adapted quicker to his size. "I think you''ll enjoy this position more. You can see all the action from here, too." Quin said as he pushed his pelvis against her rear. Rya moaned softly and nodded, which made Quin smile wider as he reached around and grabbed her huge tits again. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. "Mm... I love feeling your breasts squish together in my hands..." Quin moaned as he squeezed Rya''s boobs hard. Quinus began to pump his hips up and down slowly as he rubbed her tits. Rya grabbed the bed sheets tightly in both of her fists and tried to ignore the pleasure that was starting to build within her body once again. "Oh, I''m gonna cum soon," Rya moaned quietly as she looked back at Quin. "Then cum for me, Rya," Quin whispered as he kissed her neck. "Y-Yes Quin. Cum in m-me, please! Pleeease!" Rya begged as she felt herself getting close to another orgasm. Quin stopped thrusting his hips and instead moved one of his hands down starting to rub her clit with his thumb. Rya gasped loudly as she felt her orgasm approaching quickly. The pleasure built rapidly inside of her as Quin continued to finger her. "Fuck! You''re clumping down on my dick so good, Rya. I''m about to shoot my seed." Quin warned, which only caused Rya to moan louder. "Augh! Yes! Yes! Please, give it to me! Your cum feels so good inside me!" Rya moaned as she felt the pleasure rush through her body. "Tell me that it will make you pregnant, Rya. Augh! And I''ll give it to you!" Quin begged. "Aungh! B-But there''s no guaranteeC" Rya stopped talking as Quin began to say. "Sshh! I know that, but I think it would be hot if you say it!" Quin stated as he kept rubbing her clit with his thumb while pushing his dick deeper into Rya. As she spoke, Quin heard Rya''s breathing deepen as she got closer and closer to orgasm. Rya moaned deeply and then whimpered before saying something strange. "MAKE ME PREGNANT! Make me pregnant with your babies! GIVE ME OCTUPLETS!" Rya screamed as she felt her pussy tighten up around Quin''s cock. "Ah! FUCK YEAH, BABE!" Quin grunted out as he began to thrust harder into her. "AHHH! YOU''RE MAKING ME CUM AGAIN!" Rya yelled as she threw her head back into the air causing her hair to fly around her. Quin felt himself begin to explode inside of her, causing him to grunt loudly. Quinus thrust his hips one last time into Rya and shot his load deep into her womb. Rya moaned loudly as she felt Quin''s seed fill her. She knew that it wouldn''t be enough for her to get pregnant, but she didn''t care. She couldn''t resist him anymore. "Mmm... MMMMPHHHHH!" Rya moaned as she felt her own orgasm rushing through her body. She threw her head back and howled, the sound echoing off the walls of the room. Rya kept shaking as she climaxed for what seemed like forever. Her whole body was covered in sweat, making the bed beneath her stick to her sweaty skin. After several minutes, Rya finally came back from her orgasm and saw Quinus looking at her with a smirk. "W-What? Did I do something?" Rya asked nervously as she sat up in the bed. Quinus laughed and reached forward to help her sit upright. "Octuplets? That a bit extreme?" Quin said with a smirk as he stood up. "I mean that was hot and I want to have kids, but I don''t think it''s healthy to push out eight in one go." "I-I know! I was caught up in the moment! That''s all!" Rya said as she looked down at her stomach where Quin''s seed was still oozing out of her pussy. "And I''m a dark elf. It''s not like I''m going to get pregnant any time soon anyway," Rya said quietly. As Rya thought about that, she could feel herself getting wet again. "Yeah, I haven''t looked into it yet. But maybe there''s an alchemist that knows how to make potions to make elves fertile? I''ll look into it at some point, maybe in a year or two when things settle down." Quin said as he looked at Rya. He stood up and walked over to a wardrobe and opened it up. "Huh? You would think a world of magic would have such things?" Rya said as she sat up in the bed hugging her legs as she pondered. Quinus smiled and pulled out two robes on hangers. He held one up and looked at Rya. "Here, put this on. We''re going to take a bath. I know I could use one too," Quin said as he turned and headed towards the door. Rya got out of bed and grabbed the robe. She put it on and followed Quin out of their bedroom. Once they made it to the bathroom, Quin closed the door behind him. "Whoa! This bathtub is ridiculous! How many people can fit in this thing? Is it even safe?" Rya asked as she looked around at the large bathtub. "It''s not a tub at all. It''s a hot spring, and you''re right, there''s enough room for a hundred people. The bathroom they were looking at was elaborate, and much larger than any normal bathing area in the castle. The floor was tiled in black marble. A large wooden table was set up with a bottle of wine, several glasses, and two wineskins sitting on top of it. Magic torches lit the room evenly to showcase the grandeur of the space. There was also a small fireplace built into the wall, which was covered in smooth stones to reflect the heat. A large crystal door was on the far end of the room next to a matching stone archway that led outside to the garden. "Yeah, the Baron loves his hot springs. His wife was always complaining about Fae-Baths being unnatural and not from the earth so he and his dwarves build this hot spring installed." "Oh... So what are these then?" Rya said as she pointed to two metal rings that were attached to the wall. They looked like the rings used to hang clothing up. But there was a drain on the floor next to the rings. "Those are showers but they dump a bucket of hot water on you from above. The baroness doesn''t like filth floating in the hot spring. It does the job though." "Ah, that makes sense," Rya said as she looked at the ring that was hanging closest to her. She tested it with her hand and gave a slight push. Nothing happened. ''Hmm? Maybe it''s a pull instead of a push?'' Rya pulled the ring down and saw a chain attached to it as the ceiling opened up and dropped bucket loads of water onto her. *SPLASH!* "Whoa!" Rya yelled as she jumped back from the falling shower. "You weren''t kidding! Geez, I should have taken my robe off first!" Rya said as she chuckled and took off her robe. *SPLASH!* "Ooh! Quin!" she yelled as another wave of water fell on her head because of Quin pulling the ring. "Sorry. I couldn''t help myself." Quin laughed as he pulled the ring again, and she got soaked once more. "Ugh, you little tease. You know I''m going to get you back," Rya teased him as she climbed into the hot spring. "I''ll show you the true meaning of teasing." Quin climbed in behind her and sat on the edge of the bathtub. "So, how''d you find me anyway?" Rya asked as she continued to soak in the warm water. "Nieren spotted you getting collared. And she found Percy and Dalia. She is a bit weird but she''s proven herself to me. The more people I can trust to watch your back the better." "Hmm... Really? I guess I need to thank her." Rya said with a smile as she leaned against Quin. "..." "..." "..." Quin and Rya sat there for a few minutes before either one of them spoke again. "So, you said there are alchemists that could make fertility potions?" Rya asked as she looked into Quin''s eyes. "Well, those creeps sure like to make aphrodisiacs. So, one of the should be able to make a fertility potion," Quin answered as he watched Rya''s lips move. Her pink tongue came out and licked her bottom lip. "That seems dangerous. I might use that to get back at you for teasing me," Rya said as she ran her fingers through Quin''s hair. "Yeah, I don''t think I need aphrodisiac to be tortured by your beauty. Push I worry that I would hurt you. Most aphrodisiacs make males into berserkers that can''t think until the potion wears off." "Oh... Hmm, then what about a love potion? Would that work?" Rya asked as she traced her finger around the rim of Quin''s ear. "I-I... Why would I need one? I already love you. I thought love potions were used to try and win someone over?" Quin stammered out as he felt Rya''s breath on his neck. "Mmmmh? I was just curious." Rya said with a soft giggle as she moved her hands down and cupped his balls. "Aww... You want me that bad, huh?" Quin moaned as he felt Rya''s fingers tracing circles around his sack. "Yes! I want you so badly my body aches." Rya moaned softly as she stroked his shaft gently. Quin shuddered as he felt her hand stroke him. His body responded instantly to her touch. "Are you trying to make me cum while we''re still in here?" Quin gasped as he tried not to moan too loud. "If you want? Just say the word." Rya teased as she continued to massage his cock. Quin''s breathing became heavier as Rya''s hand stroked him faster. His hips began to thrust up towards her hand as it rubbed along his length. "Rya... This isn''t fair. How am I supposed to focus on what we need to do with you doing this to me?" Quin gasped as he felt his pleasure building. "Hm? What do you mean?" Rya asked as she looked up at Quin. He was gazing down at her, panting heavily as Rya kept rubbing his cock. "Uhm, I mean... SHIT! Oh! Fuck!" Quin cried as he was close to coming. Just as Quin was about to climax Rya stopped. "Hah... Hah... R-Rya?" Quin panted as he looked at her with confusion. "That''s what you get for teasing me. Hehe." *Splash!* Rya jumped into the pool leaving Quin blue balled sitting on the side of the pool. "O-Oh! That''s not fair! I-I didn''t tease you like this." Quin protested as he sat up. "And I bet you were ready to cum weren''t you?" Quin blushed bright red. He couldn''t deny it. He was so close to orgasm that she made him lose control. "That''s it! You''re going to pay for that!" Quin growled as he stood up and walked towards the edge of the pool. "What? Are you gonna punish me?" Rya laughed as she swam to the middle of the pool. "No! Not yet anyway." Quin said as he glanced over at her. She was floating in the water, her arms spread out above her head. "Really?" Rya asked as she looked over at him. "I thought you would have already punished me for teasing you." Quin smiled and shook his head. "If I didn''t have things to do this morning I would totally take you right now." "Really?" Rya purred as she smiled and winked at him "You know, if you keep this up. I''ll have to get even with you later." "Like what?" Rya smirked as she floated in the water. "We''ll see." Quin chuckled as he leaned forward. He kissed her cheek softly before heading back to the bedroom. ''Hmm... It''s going to be fun living with Quin.'' Rya thought with a smile. But then reality hit her, ''Hmm... What are we going to do with his arranged marriage? He said she is from the Kingdoms of the Divine Three.'' She then had a flashback when she first came face to face with a paladin. ''I''m not as weak as I first was Claudius! I''m going to put you six feet under for killing Hiro and attacking me... It''s the last thing I can do for that annoying idiot.'' Then she remembered everything the paladin told her. "Well, I''ve got to think of something to do..." Rya got out of the hot spring and went to the bedroom to change into new clothes. *** Ch.102 Looking like a Noble It wasn''t long after that when the sun rose. The sun shone brightly through the window of Quin''s room. ''Hmm looks like Quin pick out a outfit already.'' Rya thought. She was lying on the bed watching him. Quin walked out from behind the door wearing a pair of short tight-fitting briefs and a black shirt. His hair was still wet from the hot spring and he had some soap foam dripping down his chest from washing off the lather. "What? You like the view?" Quin said with a smile. He turned around quickly, almost tripping over himself. "Haha! Your cockiness is going to get the better of you, Quin," Rya giggled as she grabbed his hand. "Oh yeah? Then why don''t you show me?" Quin asked as he pulled her close to him and kissed her deeply. His hands slid up under her rode and caressed her breasts. "Augh? You need to calm down Quin. Mmmmh! We just got cleaned up!" Rya moaned as he kissed her neck. "Ah... I''m sorry babe, but I can''t help it..." Quin gasped as he moved his hips against hers. "Mmm... Okay! That''s enough, Quin! Jeez... I get that I''m gorgeous but I need to meet up with Hajdah and Laika. Plus I''m hungry. How about this we can have fun later tonight?" Rya teased with a grin. "Are you sure?" Quin asked as he looked into her eyes. "Yes, I promise." Rya smiled as she leaned in and kissed him again. "Hmm, you''re lucky that I love you," Quin said as he smiled at her. Rya smiled as she shook her head while turning around only to feel a pain coming from her butt check. "Ouch! Hey!" Rya yell in surprise as she looked back at Quinus who just pinched her butt. "Couldn''t resist," he said with a wink and a grin. "Oh! You''re playing with fire my friend," Rya said as she grabbed a pillow and was ready to throw it at Quinus. Quin was still smiling waiting to see what Rya was going to do. ''Dammit! He''s trying to get me to play with him... I need to be the bigger woman here. Otherwise, we won''t be leaving this bed anytime soon.'' Rya thought. But then she stopped herself, sighed, and dropped it back on the bed. "Fine, I forgive you. But next time, I won''t show any mercy," Rya said as she pouted. Quin smiled as he looked like he was going to make a move, but was interrupted by a knocking on the door. *KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!* "What? Now?" Quin said in annoyance. "Sorry sir, I didn''t mean to wake you," the butler apologized as he knocked again. Quin swore under his breath as he went to answer the door. He unlocked the door and opened it to see the head butler and a few maids standing behind him. "My Lord. Lord Coldforge has prepared the dining hall for breakfast and wishes to speak to you. And I brought the maids to help dress her ladyship," The Butler explained as he bowed his head. ''Haah... I guess I have to stop playing with Rya.'' "Fine, come in. Please get Lady Rya dressed first," Quinus said to the head butler. "Of course, my lord." The Butler said as he turned around and motioned for the maids to follow him. Six maids came walking into the chamber and went straight towards Rya who was laying on the bed. ''Huh? H-Hey! Hold on!'' Rya thought as the maids pulled her up to her feet and disrobed her before carrying her to the bathroom where they helped clean her up. "But I already cleaned myself!" Rya pleaded to four of the maids. Two of them were humans while the rest were dwarves. "Sorry, Ms. Rya. Our master would not like to see you in such a state," One of the female dwarf maids explained. "I''m sorry, my lady. We cannot help ourselves," Another female dwarf maid added as she felt Rya''s chest. "H-Hey! What are you doing?! That''s so wrong!" Rya yelled as she slapped the hand away from her breast. "My apologies, my lady. I was just cleaning your front," The dwarf maid apologized with a red face. "I''m fine! Just leave me alone!" Rya demanded as she tried to push the maids off her but they wouldn''t budge. "We must be quick, my lady. After this, we have a couple of formal dresses that need to be prepared for you," One of the female humans explained as she rubbed her hands together. "Fine! Just hurry up! And try not to be so handsy." Rya ordered as the maids began to cleanse the rest of her body. ''My body is for Quin. And no one else! Handsy little maids! Huh? Weird... I guess I mentally am a straight woman?'' Rya thought as it was odd how much she''s changed. After the maids finishing up with cleaning Rya, they put on their aprons and moved her to the corner were they could dress her. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Rya stood there watching in confusion as the maids started putting clothes on her. Starting with her underwear which were a pair of pink panties and a bra. "Lift your legs, Miss Rya. If you don''t mind," The maid asked as she helped her step into the panties. Rya did as she was told and lifted her leg as the maid pulled the panties up her thick thighs until they were firmly against her crotch sending shivers up her spine. ''Aunh! Fresh panties feel so nice on me! I missed thisoooh!'' Rya''s thoughts were interrupted when another maid put a pink bra on her from behind. "That should work. I was worried that this bra would be too small for a woman of your stature, but it fits perfectly," The maid said as she adjusted the straps on the bra and made sure to tighten everything enough so that the material wouldn''t slide down. From there, the maids helped put her white lace corset on. ''Oh, God! The material feels so good on me! It''s almost as if my skin is being caressed by the fabric itself,'' Rya thought as she waited patiently for her undergarments to finish getting fitted. "A-Are you sure these are mine?" Rya asked as she looked at herself in the mirror. "Yes, Miss Rya. These were provided by the Baron as a gift. You look stunning," The human maid answered as she adjusted Rya''s hair while the dwarf maid finished with the corset. It was at this point two of the maids brought over two dresses, one blue and one black. Both of them were long gowns that went well past Rya''s knees. The blue dress was an off-shoulder A-shape design that had a slit that ran from the top right of her hip and ran all the way down to her ankle. The black dress was more conservative that would not show that much skin. It was more of a formal attire that wouldn''t make her stand out. "Which one do you like best?" The Dwarf maid asked as she held out both dresses for Rya to see. Rya couldn''t help but be drawn to the blue dress. ''Why am I drawn to the skimpier dress? D-Don''t tell me Dalia has been rubbing off on me again,'' Rya thought as she looked at the blue dress. The maid knew Rya wanted to wear the blue dress and smiled at her. "This will go perfectly with your hair and skin tone. Now please, try on the blue dress, my lady," The maid told Rya as she handed her a blue dress. ''Oh! This feels just as lovely as the corset!'' Rya thought as she felt the fabric against her bare skin. "Y-Yes... I''ll try this one," Rya replied as she handed it back to the maids. They then grabbed her long blue dress and started to slide it on her that was fitted tightly around her hips and breasts then flowed out slightly toward the bottom to cover most of Rya''s thighs while exposing her right leg because of the open slit on the right side. When they finally had the dress on Rya''s body, the maids started to adjust the buttons that were pulled up in the middle of her chest. ''Aunh! It''s so restricting and so exposing at the same time. Why does this make me so excited? Do I love dresses more than pants now? Mmmh!'' Rya wondered as she tried not to moan as the maids kept adjusting her dress. As soon as the last button was fastened, Rya''s cleavage popped out of the dress and she admired herself in the mirror. The maids started to tie Rya''s hair back with a small ribbon. "You can leave it loose, Miss Rya. Or you can wear it tied back like the rest of us," The Dwarf maid told Rya as she stepped in behind Rya and tightened the belt around her waist. ''Mmmh! Maybe I should try a new hairstyle. Perhaps some braids?'' Rya thought as she looked at the maids in front of her. "Can you braid my hair?" Rya asked the dwarf maid in a nervous voice. "I''ve never done it before..." The dwarf maid smiled at Rya and nodded. "Of course, Miss Rya. Come here," The Dwarf maid said as she motioned for Rya to turn around. Rya turned around and stepped forward as the dwarf maid took Rya''s white hair and wrapped it around her finger to get an idea of how much she needed to pull her hair back. Once the dwarf maid was satisfied with the amount of hair that she had pulled back, she took out a comb and started to tease Rya''s hair. "Now, this part is very important. You need to keep your head tilted down or else the braid won''t sit right," The dwarf maid explained before she started to add in some hair. Rya did as she was instructed and kept her head tilted low. Closing her eyes, enjoying the feeling of having her hair pulled back. The dwarf maid started to add more hair and added in another strand. ''Uhh! This feels so good! M-Maybe I should ask Quin to pull my hair?'' Rya thought as her anticipation grew stronger with each strand. "Hmhm! There we go!" The dwarf maid said as she finished wrapping Rya''s hair. "Please move your head back." Rya moved her head back and the dwarf maid took out a few pins to pin Rya''s hair down. Once the last pin was placed into Rya''s hair, the dwarf maid began to take the ribbon and start to wrap it around Rya''s hair. "Do you like it, Miss Rya?" The dwarf maid asked as she adjusted the ribbon. Rya looked at herself in the mirror. Stunned by what she saw. She looked so different from what she normally was like. Rya looked like a noble lady with her long white hair pinned up and tied off in a bow. Her braid looked similar to a French braid and it only came halfway down her back instead when it would go past her butt when left loose. ''What am I thinking? Am I becoming a fussy girl? Why do I enjoy this so much? Is this the new me? I mean, I know I''ve changed, but I don''t think I''m different mentally from when I came to this world,'' Rya thought as she looked away from the mirror while trying to hide her blushing cheeks. "Huh? Is there something wrong, my lady?" The human maid asked as she noticed Rya''s reaction. ''Oh no! Did I say something weird again?'' Rya thought as she shook her head. "It''s nothing, I''m just not used to dressing in such nice clothes," Rya lied as she stood there. "I see, well then, let''s get some shoes," The Human maid said as she motioned for Rya to look over at the dwarf maid folding a pair of pink high heels. ''Um? Are those 5-inch heels? How does anyone wear these things?'' Rya wondered as she felt her palms starting to sweat. But before she could refuse one of the maids grabbed her foot and slipped the shoe onto her foot and then the other. ''Whoa! Huh? I''m standing?'' "Here you go, now try walking in them," The Dwarf maid said. Rya was surprised by how comfortable they were. ''Um? Just take it to show Rya,'' Rya thought as she took a step forward. "Mmmh! They feel so good on my feet!'' Rya smiled as she took another step. "See, my lady?" The dwarf maid said as she clapped her hands together. "Aren''t they wonderful? They were crafted by a famous shoemaker in the eastern city of Tairal. They say you can sleep standing up in those heels. Magical right!" "You''re right, the shoes feel great," Rya laughed as she twirled around showing off her new outfit. ''I can''t believe I''m doing this...'' Rya thought as she continued to dance in front of the mirror. ''How silly of me.'' "Goodness gracious, my lady! You move beautifully." The Dwarf maid complimented as she walked towards Rya. "Hmm! Thank you... This there anything else we need to do? I would love to spend all day in this dress," Rya asked as she continued to twirl. "Usually we would do your makeup. But that''s to cover up one''s flaws. But your skin is flawless, so you should be fine," The dwarf maid said. "Ha ha! Yeah, I lucked out there," Rya replied with a laugh, "Hmm, well I guess I shouldn''t keep Quin waiting." "Yes, my lady!" Both maids said with a bow. As soon as Rya opened her door to leave, she heard someone call out to her from outside. "Wow! That dress looks like it was made for you, Rya," Prince Quinus praised as he turned around to face her. "Thank you, I wasn''t sure how this dress would look on me, at first," Rya answered him nervously. Quinus nodded his head in agreement, "Well, I think it looks amazing on you." Rya''s heart raced again. ''Calm down Rya! I need to grab some food then meet up with the mages.'' Quin was dressed up in his formal wear, wearing his royal black tunic with golden trimming along the sleeves. His hair was combed back and seemed to be held back with some type of grease. He didn''t seem to notice as Rya blushed. ''Don''t look at him too much, don''t look at him too long,'' Rya thought as she tried to keep her cool. "Ready to go?" Quin asked as he held the door open for Rya. "Y-Yeah!" Rya stuttered as she walked past him towards the stairs. Once they reached the top floor, they entered into the dining room. Ch.103 I Promise on my Honor The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Ch.104 Arathar the Blacksmith The group was getting ready to eat breakfast as Quinus sat next to Rya''s left while Nieren sat to her right. "Good morning, everyone! Breakfast is served!" A servant announced cheerfully as they brought out their plates. "You know, Prince Quinus, this is the first time I''ve met a human that I can actually speak to," Nieren commented. "Really? Did you only talk to the dwarves?" Quinus asked curiously. "Yes. I guess when my kingdom fell at the hands of humans. I started to fear them and so I stopped talking to anyone. Even when I met the dwarves I was reluctant to talk to them. But I decided to try again. So far, I haven''t been bothered by any of the dwarves either," Nieren explained. "Sorry to hear that Lady Nieren. Were there no other elven villages nearby?" Quinus asked sympathetically. "No. There were many, but none of the elf''s villages survived," she sadly responded. "I fear that most of the wood elves have been enslaved or are in hiding. My mother thought Ironside to be the safest place for us." ''Grrah! I''ll be there to help free them Nieren. I won''t rest until all the savers are dealt with.'' Rya thought as she was getting worked up from her own experience of getting collared. Rya put her hand on hers and squeezed gently. ''It''s okay, I''m here now,'' she comforted. Nieren was taken aback by the gesture and blushed. ''They all said dark elves were evil. They''re all wrong! Rya is the best! She''s going to be my best friend!'' Nieren thought excitedly. "Well, what will you be doing today?" Quinus asked politely as he picked up his fork. "I was going to tell my mother that I''m going to be Lady Rya''s, lady-in-waiting and retainer. I don''t know how she is going to take it?" Nieren replied anxiously. "Hmm? Well, if she''s fine with you working with Rya she can come with us. It''s never a bad thing to have a Noble elf to teach Rya in the ways of etiquette," Quinus said reassuringly. "Thank you, Your Highness!" Nieren said happily. "Hey! Do I really need to learn etiquette? I mean I''ve been around you guys and you didn''t seem to care about it too much," Rya joked with a smile. "Oh, I think the most important part of being a noble is knowing the proper way to act, dress, and speak when in public," Lady Fyrella said as she look at Rya from across the table. "What are you saying?! I''m not a noble!" Rya laughed. "Yes, you are! You''re going to be our future Queen and you need to act as such," Lady Fyrella argued. ''Damn! This old dwarf woman is going to make me behave like a noble! But I don''t care about this noble crap! Haah... Fine! I''ll do it for Quin''s sake,'' Rya thought as she started to get annoyed. "Okay, okay... I''ll try to learn the rules of etiquette. Although, I am not sure if I''ll be able to pass it since I already know everything," Rya replied sarcastically. "You''ll learn! Just trust me! Just follow your Lady in waiting''s advice and you''ll do great!" Lady Fyrella said smiling. Rya sighed out loud in annoyance. ''Yeah. But I''m not going to like it.'' Rya thought grumpily. Lady Fyrella smiled before... *BAM!* The door opened to a thunderous sound. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "What is the meaning of this interruption?!" Zellin shouted as he stood up from her chair and glared at the intruder. Quinus, Rya, Fyrella, Hajdah, and Nieren stopped eating to see what was going on. At the opened door was a older dwarf with a white bread, leather apron, gloves, and a few swords slung behind his back, while covered in soot. "BOY! That''s no way to greet your father!" Arathar Coldforge shouted angrily. "Father!? What are you doing here!?" Zellin asked confused. Arathar shook his head, "Tch! I don''t know how you''re into all this cleanliness stuff! If you want to impress me and your mother... then go and get a wife! I''m tired of waiting, boy!" Fyrella didn''t react to her husband''s outburst. Instead, she just took a sip of tea. Zellin responded, "Well, I''m working on that! And if you were worried about training the next great blacksmith, you should have given me a sibling or two! But it''s just me and you gave me the barony when I turned 50 years old. You shouldn''t have to worry about the barony." "Bah! Don''t be foolish, Zellin! I would never want to damage your mother''s perfect figure! We were playing with fire by her having you! She did her part and it''s up to you, to do yours!" Arathar retorted angrily. Fyrella tried to keep a stone face but she blushed when she heard her husband''s compliment. Hajdah snickered, "Well... This doesn''t get old... I wonder what kind of woman my son will pick out?" "ENOUGH! Why are you here, Father!? Tell us why you came out of your lair to the dining hall! I can''t stand these insults anymore," Zellin said in rage. "Why? I came to greet the Prince and to get measurements to fit a sword for the Saintess that I heard about." Arathar said as he turned his attention from Zellin to Rya and Quinus. ''Huh? When did everyone start referring to me as the Saintess? I guess that''s what I get for healing all those soldiers,'' Rya thought as she looked at the blacksmith Arathar smiled at Quinus, "I wasn''t sure about you and your father when I heard about the arranged marriage. But after what you did for my people these last couple of weeks. You''ve proven yourself worthy to me and for that, you have my forge at your disposal, Quinus," Quinus bowed, "Thank you, Arather. I''ll be coming by often to use your services." Arathar snickered, "You better! Especially if you keep giving me liquid ether to smith with! Hell! If I had a daughter I would have married her off to you!" Zellin yelled back, "Father! Show a little restraint!" Fyrella glared at Arathar for his bluntness. ''He''s going to kill our son by secondhand embarrassment.'' "Anyway, I came to thank the crown prince for all he''s done and to get some measurements for a sword that I need to be made. Thank you, Your Highness," Arathar said as he gave a formal bow to Quinus. ''Well, he''s a eccentric one? I wonder what he needs to get measured?'' Rya thought to herself. Arathar turned to Rya, "And who is this lovely creature you brought with you, your Highness?" ''Creature? I''m not a creature!'' Rya thought to herself. "Oh, this is Rya. She''s a powerful earth mage and a healer, she''s saved my life more times than I can count." Quinus said with pride. "She''s saved us from Rodulf. For a second there, I thought we were done for," Hajdah said as he nodded his head while looking at Rya. "Hmm... Who would have thought a dark elf would become an ally of the humans and dwarves," Arathar said as he walked around Rya. Examining her from multiple angles. ''What is he doing? I''m getting the creeps from this guy,'' Rya thought as she tried to ignore the man. "Alright! So you want me to make a sword for her with the Liquid Ether? Are you sure, Quinus? It''s not every day you get to make a legendary weapon for yourself." Arathar asked as he eyed Rya. ''What? This guy does think I can handle a sword? This guy can go fuck himself!'' Rya thought as she was getting annoyed with Arathar. "Father! Please, don''t anger her now. That''s the last thing we need right now," Zellin said as he noticed Rya''s temper rising. Hajdah scoffed, "You shouldn''t judge her, Arathar. Otherwise, you''ll have to deal with the prince as well as her wrath." Quinus was looking at Arathar. Wondering if he should reprimand him or not. "Haah... Yes, I want you to create a legendary weapon for Rya. And stop acting like she isn''t here. Rya doesn''t need my help to end you Arathar. So don''t push your luck." Quinus warned him. Arathar took a deep breath, "Alright! Fine!" He then looked at Rya again. "Alright then! Let''s see what you got!" Rya was confused as to why Arathar was acting so strange. "Go on... Stand up, now. I need to see you handle a sword so I can make you a fitted sword perfectly for your style of fighting." Arathar ordered as he gestured for Rya to stand. "Hmph! If I use one of those swords, I''ll destroy them all. I can''t trust these things to hold up." Rya said as she crossed her arms. "Oye! I like to see you try Lassy! And if you do break them, it''s fine. They''re meant to be a base sword for measurement purposes only. After I can see how you like to use a sword, I will make the perfect blade for you." Arathar said as he pointed towards the pile of steel swords. "Fine, whatever. Just don''t get mad after I break these weapons. I just know that I warned you," Rya said as she stood up and picked up a short sword. ''Hmm. I haven''t used Dark Earthly Blade in a while. I wonder if I can hit all the candles in this room? What can I do?'' Rya thought as she lined her sword up with the candles. "Sigh..." Arathar sighed as he watched Rya try to cut through the candles. "Dark Earthly Blade!" Said Rya as she channeled her mana inside the sword before swinging it. Ch.105 Make me a Sword *SWISH! SWUSH! SWIRL! SWISH!* The blade of the sword extended and flew around the room. Nailing all the candles on the walls to the ceiling, and all the ones on the table. It happened so fast that it was almost impossible to follow with the naked eye. Which caused everyone to stare in awe as they witnessed the sight. "W... Wow!" Was all the servants could say. Nieren, Lady Fyrella, Hajdah, and Zellin couldn''t believe their eyes. Quinus was smirking as he watched Rya. Rya was able to hit every candle with ease and precision. It was as if a force was guiding the sword. And she decided to give Arathar a scare as she aimed for his fleshly candle in between his legs. *CLING!* The candles fell to the ground Arathar screamed out loud in shock. "AHH! WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO!" Arathar panicked when he noticed the blade almost striking his manhood. "Oh, just showing you my skill. Your lucky I only wanted to scare you." Rya laughed as she moved away from him while the sword returned back to its original form. "Yeah, some people need to learn the hard way," Quinus said as he took a sip of tea. Arathar was stunned by what he saw. "Ugh... I''m sorry! I didn''t mean to yell at you, saintess!" Arathar apologized as he rubbed his crotch. "Don''t worry about it. Just don''t judge me again." Rya said as she watched the sword in her hand start to crack. "I won''t," Arathar said as he bowed his head down to her. Rya chuckled and gave the sword back to Arathar. He was in awe as his sword started to fall apart from the stress of Rya''s skill. "Damn, I see what you mean by my swords not being able to withstand your skill," Arathar said as he looked at his now useless sword. ''My sword just crumbled under her might. I need to make her the greatest sword in the world! If I do then my name will be known far and wide as the greatest blacksmith on the Amon continent!'' Arathar thought as he sat down and pondered on where to begin. "Ugh! I-I never seen a attack like this? Is that what Dark Earthly Blade can do?" Arathar asked as he leaned back from the shock of the powerful attack. "Yes, but remember I''m using a enchanted dagger from the dark elves that were able to withstand the stress of my mana. So use the best material possible. Also are you able to enchant the sword with some special properties?" Rya asked as she sat down in her seat. "With all that Liquid Ether I got? Sure... That shouldn''t be a problem. It just takes time," Arathar said as he got up and walked towards the table. "When crafting the sword can you apply an anti-magic field to the blade? That would help me greatly," Rya asked as she placed her hands in her lap. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "Huh? Anti-magic? I never would think a mage would want something like that..." Arathar said as he scratched his head in confusion. "Why would you want an anti-magical field, Saintess Rya?" Hajdah asked as he raised his eyebrow. "Well, I know I''m a powerful mage but if I run into someone or something that can stop my earth magic with magical barriers then I would want something that could negate their mana," Rya answered as she crossed her legs. "Haha! I like the way you think Saintess! I''ll do that and see what I can do about letting you use that skill of yours without worrying about the sword breaking," Arathar chuckled as he scratched his head. Then a thought acquired to him when he noticed his son sitting at the head of the table, "Hey, Saintess Rya! You''re a amazing woman. Even though you''re a dark elf, how about I give you my son''s hand in marriage? He''s not the strongest fighter out there, but he''s a good man, that''s shy." There was a clatter of silverware that fell on a plate. Zellin didn''t know what to do as he feared that his father just gave him a death sentence when he knew Rya was going to be married to Quinus. ''Goddess be damned! Is my father trying to get me killed!'' Zellin looked over to see Quinus. He was sitting holding his cup of tea. His face had a smile on it but his eyes were another story. The look in those eyes scared him so much that he shank down in his chair in hopes that no one would notice. Zellin was terrified that he would die before he even got a chance to taste life. But as far as he could tell, his father doomed him. Fyrella was worried that her husband was going to be cut down right in front of her. Hajdah had a blank face. He knew Arathar was blunt but he never expected him to make such a stupid statement. Nieren was curious about what will happen next. But she was ready for Arathar''s nonsense to stop. While Rya was trying to fold back her laughter. ''Oh, my God! He can''t be serious,'' Rya thought as she tried to conceal her laugh from everyone else. She noticed Zellin practically hiding under the table. ''Awe... Zellin''s embarrassed? Poor guy can''t catch a break. I bet Quin is Oh boy!'' Rya looked over to Quinus who was trying to hide his anger or rage, it was hard to tell. But his poker face was cracking. Rya quickly stood up from her chair and walked behind Quin as she rubbed his shoulders and pushed her chest on the back of his neck. "Hey... Quin, look at me," Rya whispered into his ear. Quinus sighed and leaned his head back to her and saw her azure eyes staring at him. She smiled and kissed his forehead. "Hmm... You''re scaring Zellin half to death. It wasn''t his fault he did nothing wrong. Now, do you feel better?" Rya asked. Quinus couldn''t help but smile in return. "Yeah, Thanks Rya," Quin said as he took a deep breath so he could relax. He then noticed only the top of Zellin''s head as the rest of him was hiding under the table. "I apologize for letting my anger get the better of me Zellin," Quin said. "You didn''t do anything wrong." Zellin''s fear was washed away with relief as Rya came to his rescue. ''Saintess Rya saved me from my father''s arrogance! I will serve her and never forget this moment! She is a Savior!'' Zellin thought as he stood up from his seat. Once Arathar saw what just unfolded. He slapped his hand to his face and muttered, "Tch... Of course my son would be too slow to ask her hand in marriage." "ARE YOU TRYING TO GET ME KILLED!? SAINTESS RYA CAME WITH THE PRINCE! I NEVER HAD A CHANCE YOU OLD BASTARD!" Zellin yelled at his father. Arathar shook his head in disbelief as he was disappointed in his son, "Excuses, excuses. Well, if she''s going to be the future Queen then that''s a better outcome... Prince Quinus! You''re a clever man to win the heart of a dark elf. I''m proud of you... Hahaha! Looks like we''re going to war with the Divine Three! I got to get to making our Queen''s sword! If all goes well I''ll have it ready in a month! For the KINGDOM!" Arathar grabbed all of his things and hurried out of the room before anyone could respond. ''Wait didn''t he say I was acceptable as a dark elf for his son but he was impressed that Quin won my heart? What''s with the conflicting statement? Haah... Whatever.'' Rya thought to herself. "E-Excuses!? Your Highness, I''m sorry for my father''s actions if there''s" Zellin halted his words when Quinus motioned with his hand to calm down. "It''s fine," Quin said. "Your father is a bit eccentric... I know he means well, but I have to do better myself." Zellin was relieved that the prince was reasonable. "Hehe, good boy," Rya chuckled as she stood in front of Quin and kissed his cheek. "S-Sorry about that," Quin said as he put his hand over the spot where she kissed him. "Well, hopefully, we won''t have any more interruptions. Because I''m starving," Rya said as she took her seat again and started eating her food. Everyone else joined her as they spent the next hour enjoying their breakfast meal. Ch.106 Dealing with a Hangover. The hallways of Ironside Palace were bustling with people working hard on various tasks. The hallways are narrow in some areas, but the main hallway is wide enough for several people to walk side by side. There is a lot of light coming through the windows and the sun shines brightly down upon the hallways. Rya, Quinus, and Nieren were walking towards the guest rooms wing of the palace where Dalia, Percy, and Sir George were. The Ironside guards follow behind. "We''re almost there," said Nieren as she was leading the group. Nieren was given a room next to Sir George''s. So, she was familiar with this part of the palace. They made their way past a few groups of people that were conversing with each other. Then came the end of the hallway where they arrived at the door to Sir George''s room. Quinus knocks on the door three times. "..." "How much alcohol did Sir George have last night?" Rya asked. Nieren shrugs and looks back towards the door. "He had too much sadly... I''ve only seen him get that drunk one time before this." Quinus said with a grimace look written on his face. "Sooo, do we wait for him?" Rya asks. Quinus sighed before opening the door and walked in. "Or we do that... Oof! Yeah, that the smell of alcohol all right." Rya says while covering her nose and Nieren followed suit. ''Damn! I sometimes forget how much stronger my senses are as a dark elf.'' "Hey, Lady Rya? I''m going to go to my room and gather my gear. It''s a little hard for me to protect you in formal wear." Nieren says as she walks to the next door down the hall. "Sounds good. I''ll see if Quinus needs a hand with Sir George" Rya said as she watch Nieren give her a nod before she went into her room. *** Rya followed after Quinus into the room and saw Sir George leaning against a wall next to his bed. He was still asleep while wearing his Knight''s gear. It didn''t look like the most comfortable position to sleep in. "Yeah, he''s not looking too good right now. He really put them down... All because Percy found love," Rya says from behind Quinus. "Yeah, it was the same thing last time, about two years ago, when one of his ''pupils'' got a wife and the same result. He needs to stop putting his beliefs on others. He''ll pull through but George might be useless for a day or two," Quinus says while sighing. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. It was at this moment Sir George muttered in his sleep. "N-No... N-o... Yo-u''re doin-g it all wro-ng... I''ll s-how you h-how......" Quinus sighed then kicked George''s foot in hopes to wake him. Sir George shakes himself awake after feeling his foot getting jarred and looks around to find Rya and Quinus standing over him. His eyes widened when he saw them. "I-I''m sorry, my Lord. Ah! My head! W-What time is it?" Sir George asks as he rubbed the sides of his head in hopes to relieve his hangover. "It''s around 10:30," Rya tells him. "T-Ten thirty! Ohh! Sssss! Ah! My head feels like I''m been pounded by a blacksmith''s hammer!" Sir George says between his coughs. "So, do you need to rest day George?" Quinus asked with a bit of disappointment in his voice. "Hmph. Just because I had a little too much yesterday doesn''t mean I can''t perform my duties. WHOA!" Sir George was trying to get up from the ground before falling over again. "Yeah, I don''t know about that George. You need to sober up first before you can do anything," Quinus said as he moved closer. "I''m not useless my Lord! I just need some help up and I''m good!" Sir George growled out in frustration. "Calm down, George," Quinus said while grabbing Sir George''s arm and pulling him off the floor and onto his bed. "Haah... Some knight I turned out to be..." Sir George grumbles as he laid back down. "Hey! Stop beating yourself up. And get a different hobby, George... This love guru thing isn''t something you''re cut out for." Quinus said with a chuckle. "You know what? Forget it. I''ll figure something else out later." George said as he laid back down. While the two of them were bantering. Rya couldn''t help but notice some strange red particles that were flowing through Sir George''s body. The particles seemed to be focused on Sir George''s liver and brain. There also was I hint of particles. ''Huh? C-Can I see George''s injuries? Maybe I can heal them? It''s worth a try,'' Rya thought to herself. She moved over towards Sir George and placed her hand on his chest. Quinus had a curious look in his eye when he saw Rya move over to Sir George''s bed. "W-What are you do" "SHHHH! I''m healing you. Now lay still," Rya interrupted Sir George. Rya closed her eyes and concentrated on what she was doing. Her healing magic began to flow throughout Sir George''s body. After a few minutes, the red particles vanished and there was no trace of any injury left on his body. Quinus was impressed that Rya could heal hangovers. Sir George felt better immediately as his complexion improved dramatically. "S-sorry about that... I''ve just had a rough day yesterday... I hope I didn''t make things difficult for you, Lady Rya," he said sheepishly. "Don''t worry about it, George. We all have been there in one way or another. But you should take Quin''s advice and start a new hobby," Rya said with a wink. "B-But I... Haah... Fine! I guess I''ll look into something else. But I swear I was close before you came around, Lady Rya," George replied as he got up from his bed and grabbed his sword. "George!?" Quinus said sternly to get Sir George''s attention. "Y-Yes, my Lord?" Sir George asked in return. "Rya may have been able to cure your hangover, but you still reek of booze. Take a bath and clean yourself up. You have fifteen minutes." Quinus said as he crossed his arms in irritation. "A-Ah... Yes sir..." George said as he bowed low and turned around a went to the bathroom in a hurry. "Well, we should check on Dalia and Percy. I think Nieren said something about them being up all night doing the nasty?" Rya said with a smirk. "That sounds like something they would do. Let''s go then," Quinus said as he followed Rya out of the room and went down the hallway until they reach their room. Ch.107 The Mating Moon 🦴 Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! couple fell asleep in each other''s arms as Dalia whispered into Percy''s ear. lf and smiled. "Oh! It looks like you''ve fallen asleep." After a few minutes, someone came to the door and opened it. *** Ch.108 Letting Go and then turned to Dalia and Percy d er Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. "ed n s ou Ch.109 The Gossip Girl If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ''Gods! I hope mom doesn''t flip out'' Nieren thought as she got ready to knock on the door. On the outskirts of Ironside in the poorer part of the neighborhood was a rickety old house. It looked like it was built a thousand years ago as it appeared to be made mostly of wood. The yard itself was filled with flowers and trees that gave off a soft shade of green. Yet the flower beds were a mess and needed attention. There was a small garden with vegetables growing in it though they looked a little overgrown and underfed. It was rare to see such a small garden in a city like Ironside but here it was. It all was created by a Wood Elf. Her name was Yuliana. She lived in this house with her daughter Nieren for over 30 years. She had been born into Wood Elf Royalty, but because of the death of her brother at the hands of the Black Rose Mercenaries. She grabbed the Elder Tree seeds and her daughter and fled. She wishes she could have brought her over to one of the hidden villages of a Noble Wood Elves that escaped the war. But she feared that they would take out their anger on her daughter, for she was half High Elf which is why she has her father''s blonde hair, instead of the wood elf green hair. And the surviving Wood Elves blame her father for abandoning the Wood Elf Kingdom in their time of need. Her husband ran away with his soldiers before the fighting started, leaving her and her daughter to die. The few times she tried to go after him, she was stopped by his guards. He claimed that he would send a message to her the High Elf King telling him what happened and then he would make sure they were safe. She knew he never sent the message, so she didn''t even bother asking him anymore. She knew she had no choice but to flee with her 14-year-old elven daughter to the city of Ironside. She heard about how the dwarven city came to be a part of the human kingdom of Fiafyr. And it was a kingdom that didn''t condone slavery of any type. It was a long shot but it was the only city on the continent that would be safe until her daughter comes of age and is considered an adult at the age of 70 years. It took her and her daughter a month of avoiding slavers and monsters to get to Ironside from the northwest. Yuliana knew she couldn''t tell the Baron''s men that she and her daughter were fallen Royalty. She couldn''t trust that word wouldn''t get out and have assassins come after her and Nieren. So they had to live as commoners and lie about their heritage. They were given the run-down house as refugees since they were fleeing from war. This house was given to her if she was able to help with agriculture in the town. Most wood elves were amazing at growing plants but she never did anything in agriculture but she knew this was the only way to get refuge and agreed to do the work. Yuliana was sloppy at first but was lucky that the Baron didn''t mind her sloppiness. As long as she produced rare foods for the city was all Baron Arathar Coldforge cared about. After a year of working hard, she made friends with some of the other farmers but tried to keep to herself as she feared that they would be discovered at some point. She also had a goal of growing a new Elder Tree from seeds she got from the palace on top of the old Elder Tree that was destroyed during the war. It was a Wood Elf''s greatest defense against all the other races and monsters but before the war broke out their kingdom''s tree began to die. The elves knew it was foul play but no Elf knew how the humans killed the Elder Tree. Yuliana knew the only way to save her people was to grow another one. And no matter how much she tried she couldn''t get it to grow. And as the years went by her daughter became interested in her bow and sword. Nieren was not good at growing plants like her mother and thought she could help by becoming an adventurer. Yuliana worried that is had more High Elf blood running through her veins than Wood Elf. And no matter how much she tried Nieren wanted to follow in her own footsteps. Yuliana gave in a little and let her go out under strict conditions in hopes to stop these urges to become an adventurer as she was still not of age to be alone. Years went by as she tried to grow the seedlings. But nothing ever came of it. And Nieren grew tired of farming because she wasn''t good at growing plants. After all, she wasn''t a full-blood Wood Elf and wanted to become an adventurer instead as she learned how to cloak herself with her mana. And Nieren went out on her own behind her mother''s back as an adventurer until she started becoming a household name in the city of Ironside. Yuliana was displeased that her daughter was putting themselves in danger but knew she needed to try and make a living for both of them but it was hard to make a good living on small amounts of corp yields, even if they were rarer plants and every time Nieren came back with a Quest rewards she was happy to help her mother. It was at this point Yuliana knew this was what her daughter was. But she still wanted her home every day so she knew Nieren was safe. And this went on for years until the goblin horde showed and things difficult between them. Nieren had been out adventuring for two years now and was getting really good at adventuring alone. But her mother didn''t want her to go out with so many goblins around. So she found a way to sneak off and leave a note for her mother. That was when Nieren ran into Rya. When Nieren helped the Crown Prince free the Dark Elf which helped defeat the Kings Slayer and Rodulf of the dreaded Black Roses. Yuliana didn''t know that the Black Roses were gone as word hadn''t reached the poorer part of the neighborhood yet and she was worried sick about her daughter. She knew all she could do at the moment was wait and try to get these damn Elder Tree seeds to grow. *** Ch.110 Well, that Escalated Quickly Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Ch.111 What’s the Catch? If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. "ve the en I sene he rent a hu Ch.112 Wordless Casting The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ," Liaka ed. ajdah returned with a fresh sheet of parchment and a pen. he ne s o h oud . Ch.113 A Briefing with the Duke The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. The people see the danger that comes with having a Dark Elf in the royal family." e he nce he Volume 2: Afterword So, we made it! Congrats everyone we somehow made it to the end of I Got Isekai''d, Well Shyt! Vol. 2! All joking aside, if you all made it this far into my book I just want to say. Thank you all for all the comments, the likes, and the support you have given to me. It feels like it was only yesterday when I started writing this story with all my continued grammatical errors and such. (I appreciate your patients by the way!) And somehow I was able to get you guys and gals a second book! Whoot! And I had the birth of my first child during the middle of writing this book. It''s been a crazy few months. Okay! Enough with the petting myself on the back. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. I want to say a special gospal for editing a lot of my chapters for me that I still need to go through and update. And I also want to say another special thanks to my patrons that like my stuff so much that they are kind enough to give some of their hard-earned cash to support me. You guys are awesome and I truly appreciate you! *** Now for what''s next on the series. Volume 3 will be focusing on the political side of things as Rya and crew finally make it to the capital of Fiafyr. There''s going to be a lot of scheming between different factions within the Royal circles as Quinus, Rya and King Cyndre try to keep the kingdom from going into civil war over the surprise engagement of Rya and Quin. Also, Rya and Dalia will be showing early signs of their pregnancy. And, oh boy, Dalia is going show signs of her pregnancy. And how can we forget about Lady Yoona and our other Dark Elf friends? Well, they won''t be making an appearance until Volume 4. So patience my friends, patience. They will come back at some point. *** And some other notes I''m planning on writing new chapters for Soul Mirror. I was so focused on I Got Isekai''d that I let it go to the wayside. So, keep an eye out for that. *** This is your humble author signing off. Paul Michaels Concept Art

So, I started prompting to get my concept work for my characters. In hopes that I can hire a artist in the future.

Love the generated batch with the exception of Rya''s shin not coming out tanner. I guess when to type in Dark Elf this is what you get as a result? Anyway, This is a concept I really love for Rya. Just add in your mind Rya''s skin being darker.

This was the results I got for Quinus. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. I really like the results for this batch.

Here''s a concept I like for Dalia. I feel her breast are a little big but love everything else and I like the playfulness in this image.

This is a generated image I like for Nieren. I want to generate one in her Adventurer''s gear. I''ll do that in the future. The Blah Blah Chapter This is the blah blah blah Chapter made to decrease a certain Analytics. I would like to thank all the readers who have followed me for so long and will continue following my story. I know how frustrating it is to come to a story you like and find that the author has been banned or censored and the story is no longer accessible, but I assure you that this is not a ploy. blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah 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blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah 924, 347, 428, 347, 536, 465, 354, 389, 438, 356, 391, 522, 468, 418, 547, 427, 355, 426, 346, 522, 433, 361, 348, 354, 383, 432, 541, 374, 353, 531, 443, 442, 357, 515, 408, 384, 351, 528, 368, 396, 355, 424, 438, 354, 419, 427, 427, 532, 533, 511, 431, 433, 419, 423, 395, 396, 351, 528, 366, 353, 433, 356, 394, 531, 428, 363, 529, 514, 353, 428, 533, 541, 522, 445, 432, 416, 356, 417, 356, 414, 531, 424, 541, 355, 348, 430, 417, 397, 413, 399, 361, 394, 398, 430, 397, 348, 397, 362, 531, 521, 427, 347, 349, 520, 347, 514, 351, 409, 347, 515, 541, 406, 394, 542, 396, 408, 346, 413, 350, 355, 418, 412, 430, 514, 415, 347, 434, 411, 396, 355, 530, 394, 924, 347, 428, 347, 536, 465, 354, 389, 438, 356, 391, 522, 468, 418, 547, 427, 355, 426, 346, 522, 433, 361, 348, 354, 383, 432, 541, 374, 353, 531, 443, 442, 357, 515, 408, 384, 351, 528, 368, 396, 355, 424, 438, 354, 419, 427, 427, 532, 533, 511, 431, 433, 419, 423, 395, 396, 351, 528, 366, 353, 433, 356, 394, 531, 428, 363, 529, 514, 353, 428, 533, 541, 522, 445, 432, 416, 356, 417, 356, 414, 531, 424, 541, 355, 348, 430, 417, 397, 413, 399, 361, 394, 398, 430, 397, 348, 397, 362, 531, 521, 427, 347, 349, 520, 347, 514, 351, 409, 347, 515, 541, 406, 394, 542, 396, 408, 346, 413, 350, 355, 418, 412, 430, 514, 415, 347, 434, 411, 396, 355, 530, 924, 347, 428, 347, 536, 465, 354, 389, 438, 356, 391, 522, 468, 418, 547, 427, 355, 426, 346, 522, 433, 361, 348, 354, 383, 432, 541, 374, 353, 531, 443, 442, 357, 515, 408, 384, 351, 528, 368, 396, 355, 424, 438, 354, 419, 427, 427, 532, 533, 511, 431, 433, 419, 423, 395, 396, 351, 528, 366, 353, 433, 356, 394, 531, 428, 363, 529, 514, 353, 428, 533, 541, 522, 445, 432, 416, 356, 417, 356, 414, 531, 424, 541, 355, 348, 430, 417, 397, 413, 399, 361, 394, 398, 430, 397, 348, 397, 362, 531, 521, 427, 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396, 355, 424, 438, 354, 419, 427, 427, 532, 533, 511, 431, 433, 419, 423, 395, 396, 351, 528, 366, 353, 433, 356, 394, 531, 428, 363, 529, 514, 353, 428, 533, 541, 522, 445, 432, 416, 356, 417, 356, 414, 531, 424, 541, 355, 348, 430, 417, 397, 413, 399, 361, 394, 398, 430, 397, 348, 397, 362, 531, 521, 427, 347, 349, 520, 347, 514, 351, 409, 347, 515, 541, 406, 394, 542, 396, 408, 346, 413, 350, 355, 418, 412, 430, 514, 415, 347, 434, 411, 396, 355, 530, 924, 347, 428, 347, 536, 465, 354, 389, 438, 356, 391, 522, 468, 418, 547, 427, 355, 426, 346, 522, 433, 361, 348, 354, 383, 432, 541, 374, 353, 531, 443, 442, 357, 515, 408, 384, 351, 528, 368, 396, 355, 424, 438, 354, 419, 427, 427, 532, 533, 511, 431, 433, 419, 423, 395, 396, 351, 528, 366, 353, 433, 356, 394, 531, 428, 363, 529, 514, 353, 428, 533, 541, 522, 445, 432, 416, 356, 417, 356, 414, 531, 424, 541, 355, 348, 430, 417, 397, 413, 399, 361, 394, 398, 430, 397, 348, 397, 362, 531, 521, 427, 347, 349, 520, 347, 514, 351, 409, 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Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Volume 0 Announcement (The following information down below was written when I thought I was going to be continuing Volume 3. I''m keeping it for prosperity''s sake) Hey all! I''m sure you have been asking yourselves: "Hey! Where the hell is Paul? Doesn''t he usually like to post new chapters of stuff once in a while?" Well to answer that question: Yes! I''ve been writing chapters for volume 3 of I Got Isekia''d. And I got six chapters out and getting ready to upload the seventh chapter once I clean it up a bit. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. And good news! If you all want to see these chapters, I have them posted on my Patreon and you are all welcome to take a look. And if you don''t have the cash well I still have good news! I''m only posting 12 chapters early access! So, hopefully within a week of this post. The first chapter of volume 3 shall be released! Thank you all for being so awesome! Ch.114 A Man Named Emil Emil was a man born in Germany. He was a 31-year-old engineer and an avid climber. And during one of his annual climbing trips to the Greek island of Kalymnos. He and his friend were in the middle of a multi-pitch sport climb when out of nowhere a storm came rolling in. It was so bad that Emil and his friend decided the best option was to try to repel down the route even though they were about 400 meters up the cliff face. Left with little choice they managed to make it down the first 100-meter repel. But the storm wouldn''t let up as they started getting waterlogged. "Shyt! Emil?! Can you tell if the rope is stuck on the wall? I''m having trouble seeing where the ends of the ropes went!" yelled Martin as he tossed down the rope out after getting the anchors set for the next 100-meter repel. "Nah! This damn storm is making it impossible to see anything! Should we try and wait out the storm?!" Emil yelled back to his friend as his voice was getting drowned out by the howling wind and pounding rain. Their harnesses and slings were the only things keeping them on the cliff wall. *THUNDER! BOOM!* "We can''t stay here and wait out this storm! We got to move! I can take the next repel!" Martin yelled over to Emil who was only inches away from him. "I''ll get this one Martin! You''ll get the next two repels! And you''ll be buying me a months supply of beer after we get out of this fucking mess!" Emil yelled back with the rain pounding down on his body. The storm picked up in intensity while Emil attached his belay device to the rope and detached his slings from the bolts in the wall. "Martin! Were the next set of anchors to the right of us?!" Yelled Emil. "Da! Yes! I believe that they were!" Martin replied back to his friend as he looked down at him. Emil nodded and started repelling down the rope fighting the elements as he descended down the cliff. He couldn''t see, thanks to the heavy rain and wind gusts. He got so distracted and battered by the elements that he lowered himself past the next set of anchors. Emil notice at the last second and stopped. "WHOA! FUCK!" Emil yelled as there was only 100 cm of rope left. ''I almost repelled off the rope! Shit! That means I when past the anchors! Dammit! I can''t see shit!... Wait... I see the anchors! But they are 5 meters above me! Maybe if I can swing into the crack I can climb back up there!'' Emil thought as he tried to swing over to the wall but the wind was making it hard to control himself. He took a deep breath and leaned over to the side to gain as much momentum as possible. He swung his left arm out to get his hand in the crack of the wall and then brought his right arm around to hold onto the rope. He felt the rope catch on something above him. ''I did it! I made it! Now to get up to the anchors andC'' Emil''s thoughts were interrupted as his left hand slipped off the wall and swung out into the air again as his belay device slipped down the rest of the rope until he repelled off the end. Falling the rest of the way down to his unfortunate death. *** Everything went dark for Emil. ''Well, shit. I guess I died doing what I loved. But I was hoping to live a little longer though,'' Emil thought to himself. Everything was so dark in the afterlife. He was surprised that he was still able to have cognitive thought as he floated in the void. ''Hmm? Well, it doesn''t surprise me that the afterlife is so pitch black. But I wasn''t expecting it to be so warm and liquidy. I mean, I''m glad I am still me and haven''t faded into nothingness or whatever is supposed to happen to the dead... But why am I the only one here? Maybe this is hell? Like I''ll go insane because of boredom? I guess I''ll find out sooner or later." Emil thought to himself as he was surrounded by darkness. In what seemed like days. As he floated there in the liquid void he realized something. ''Wait. Am I dead or alive? No... I can''t be alive!'' Emil said in shock. ''I can feel my limbs all of a sudden? But I feel like I''m stuck in a tight place? Damn! I can''t move!'' And that''s how Emil''s days went trying to figure out what is happening to him. At some point, he just thought this was what the afterlife was. Being stuck in a dark fleshy tomb somehow breathing in fluids. ''This is so freaking weird. I wonder if I''ll lose my sanity at some point... I''m weirdly still calm about all this, even after all this time. How long have I been in the afterlife? Pff! Only god knows at this point... I wonder if being stuck in here has given me inner peace?'' Emil wondered. After a few more weeks of being in the afterlife. Emil began to notice strange things happening around him. Like on occasion there would be some strange energy that would run through his body. Like he was being scanned by something and he could hear muffled voices from time to time. ''Yep! I think I''m losing my mind! Damn... and here I thought I found inner peace. Maybe I can figure out what I did wrong. I mean I got all the time in the afterlife.'' Emil concluded as he felt this will be the rest of his existence. After what seemed like months at this point. Emil was doing his new normal routine just hanging there in the dark, bored to death with nothing to do. Feeling like his own little world was beginning to get smaller by the day. When all of a sudden he felt the liquid drain out of the area he was in. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ''What the hell is going on?!'' Emil thought while he started to feel uneasy. That''s when he felt the fleshy walls enclosed around him. ''God dammit! I''m going to be crushed alive! Wait! But I died already!'' Emil''s panic started to kick into high gear now as he tries to fight back against the walls, but he was too weak to fight back. The fleshy walls went from relaxed to contracting to relaxed again. This went on for hours, as that process repeated itself over and over while the intervals seemed to be happening quicker. That was when Emil felt his head getting really clamped down on. ''Am I going to die in the afterlife? Is this hell? Oh fuck! My head is getting squeezed so hard! It hurts!'' Emil thought. As the squeezing continued on his body as Emil''s head pushed through this tight fleshy canal until his head was able to pop out of its tomb first. He saw a bright blurry light coming towards him but his body got stuck by the fleshy vice. Keeping him from escaping. ''Oh, God! I can''t breathe?! I CAN''T BREATHE?!'' Emil tried to yell as the blinding light made it impossible to see. He could also hear muffled sounds of people talking loudly and a woman screaming in pain. But he couldn''t focus on that as his body was being crushed. Just when he thought all hope was lost his body finally got pushed out as he felt something with huge hands catch him as Emil began to feel really cold and still couldn''t breathe. ''Someone! Anyone! Help?! I can''t breathe!'' Emil wanted to yell out but couldn''t because of the fluids in his lungs. That is when Emil was held upside down and slapped on the butt. Which dislodge the fluids in his lungs which made him scream like... a baby? ''Who are you?! What have you done to me?! Why is everything so cold?! Answer me?!'' was what Emil wanted to say but all anyone heard was. "Wwwwaaaaa! Wwwwaaaaa!" Cried, Emil. *** "Your Highness! It''s a boy!" exclaimed the royal doctor as he held the newborn prince in his hands. King Cyndre was overjoyed to see the new heir to the throne. After all the heartache of his wife''s miscarriages. She finally was able to give birth to a child who looked healthy. And was even a little more handsome than they had expected. "You have done well, Rianna. It appears our son will grow up to be a fine young man." King Cyndre thought as he took the baby from his trusted doctor. "Cyndre?! Let me see him! Please!" Queen Rianna demanded to hold her son as she lay in her bed. Cyndre smiled as he walked over to her bedside and handed the baby to his queen. "Here you go my love, your son," he said as he watched as the queen looked in awe at their son. "He''s adorable! *Sniff* I feared something would go wrong with the pregnancy but everything turned out perfect for us. The goddess heard my prayers!" she cried as she cuddled her newborn in her arms. "That wasn''t your fault, Rianna. Stop demeaning yourself... You''re a perfect woman, a perfect Queen, and now a perfect mother. Your son will grow up to be a great king for this nation just like his father," Cyndre said as he watched his wife hold their newborn. "I''m sorry, Cyndre. I shouldn''t dwell on the past. But I can''t help it sometimes..." Rianna replied as she stroked her son''s hair. "It''s alright, my love. We''ve come too far for that to define us. Rest now... The midwives will be by your side until you are ready to move around again. Your son needs you," Cyndre said as he kissed his wife''s forehead. "I know what I shall name him," Rianna said as she looked down into her son''s golden eyes. "Oh? So, you did have a name in mind. What is going to be the name of the next prince?" Cyndre asked as he smirked at his wife. "Quinus... His name will be Quinus..." Rianna said as she looked back to Cyndre. "It''s a fine name worthy of a king... Now rest my love. You need to recover yourself. Quinus will need his mother, so rest." He said. Rianna smiled as she laid back down and held her son close to her chest as she drifted off to sleep. The people who were there all have a sigh of relief as the Queen gave birth to the next heir to the throne. Emil was reincarnated into the world of Tertius. And he couldn''t comprehend what happened to him as he couldn''t see or understand the language anyone was speaking in. His reincarnation was something he didn''t consider as he still thought he was in the afterlife. That was until the second week of being alive did it occur to him that he was a newborn. ''I WAS REINCARNATED?! This is insane! I-I wish I could see something. But my damn eyes just don''t work! It''s sooo frustrating!'' Quinus thought as laid there in a bassinet. All he could do was what every other newborn could do, which was eat, sleep, shit, and cry. *** A few days after Quinus was born news spread throughout the city of Tairal. The city is known as the capital of Fiafyr. And in the Divalo Manor, which was located on the outskirts of the city, Duke Alaric was sitting in his study while reading through some documents. When all of a sudden one of his butlers came running into his room. "Lord Alaric! The news came yesterday! Queen Rianna gave birth to a boy!" He said with worry as he rushed over to his master. "What!? It survived?!" Alaric shouted in shock. "I''m afraid so, my Lord. I got word from one of our men on the inside of the palace." The servant then looked up at his master. "Impossible! That poison was supposed to make her infertile. That alchemist said that in a rare chance of birth, the child should be weak and deformed." Alaric asked as he sat back in his chair. The servant shook his head. "Not exactly, my lord. The queen gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She named him Quinus!" Alaric stood up as he paced around the room. "How is that possible? If Rianna gave birth to such a healthy boy then does that mean he''s a demi-god?" "My Lord, I don''t know the details. But it would be wise if his Lordship were to make sure that the prince isn''t as healthy as they say he is. After all, if he was born from a Corialis woman, then he might not be as powerful as we believe him to be." The servant said as he bowed his head. "It doesn''t matter that she''s a foreign noble, my brother''s blood runs through that child''s veins and if he has golden eyes like his father. Then my plans for the future of Fiafyr will change. Who do we have inside of the palace that could deal with the boy?" Alaric was the older brother of Cyndre. But he didn''t have his father''s golden eyes which made the royal court believe him to be illegitimate and unworthy of the crown. And when his younger brother was born the nobles chose him as the crown prince. Alaric may have lost the throne but he could get it for his son. It was his goal in life and now it was in jeopardy with the birth of Quinus. "I believe that most of your insiders are footmen and a few maids, your Lordship. Most likely the servants aren''t as skilled in combat. I don''t think we can sneak any guards into the palace without anyone noticing." "What about a wet nurse? If we can get someone capable enough to take care of a child, then maybe she can also watch over the prince. Then when no one is looking she can kill the child and Marcus will be the front-runner for the throne again..." "That is one possibility, your Lordship. I''ll look into it right away." The servant said as he bowed his head. The butler then turned on his heels to face the door and hurried to leave. As the door closed and Duke Alaric was left there only. And in a fit of rage, he grabbed his desk and flipped it over sending papers flying everywhere. "RAH! That alchemist failed me! If he had just done his job properly then the queen wouldn''t have given birth to a legitimate child. He has ruined everything! My plans for the throne of Fiafyr will go to hell because of this! Why must the fates always conspire against me!?" He stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him. "I guess I''ll have to get rid of the alchemist myself!" He yelled as he walked past the servant. Alaric went to see a surprised alchemist. He didn''t have a chance to explain himself before his head was separated from his body and tossed aside. *** Ch.115 The Last Ditch Effort to get the Throne It''s been a couple of months since Emil, now known as Quinus, was born into the world. The people of Fiafyr were curious about their new crown prince, many nobles came to pay their respects to him and the royal family. Duke Alaric was dumbfounded upon seeing Quinus'' golden eyes and healthy appearance. He hadn''t expected the boy to be so strong and healthy. He wondered why Rianna wasn''t affected by the poison like her last seven miscarriages. But there was Quinus being held in the arms of a smiling Queen Rianna. When Rianna saw the duke, she smiled at him and returned his greeting. "It''s good to see you again Duke Alaric. How are your children?" She then looked towards the side to see a grumpy 9-year-old Marcus, his mother, and two sisters standing next to the duke. "Fine as can be. I''m glad to see that you''re doing well, Queen Rianna. I just couldn''t be more pleased knowing that the future of Fiafyr is in good hands." Duke Alaric said. "Thank you, your Grace," she replied with a smile. King Cyndre came into the throne room after dealing with important matters. He greeted everyone with warm words and then sat down on his throne. "Alaric? I''m surprised to see you here. I thought you couldn''t be bothered with us commoners." He said with a smirk. "I''ve come to personally congratulate you, your Majesty. You are now a father for the first time. It isn''t as easy as it looks. Trust me, brother, I know." Marcus looked at his father with an annoyed look. "Hahaha! Well if you say so, Alaric. I''m sure my son will be just fine." King Cyndre said jokingly, but Marcus became angry and stormed off. "I''m sorry about my boy, Your Majesty. My son is not in a good mood as he knows at he''s not going to become the next king." The Duke said as he bowed his head low. "Hmm... I hope this isn''t going to be a problem for the future of our country. As long as you handle him right, Alaric. I wish for him to become a friend of Quinus." King Cyndre said while giving Alaric a worried glance. "Of course, your Majesty. I''ll do everything in my power to get my son''s attitude on track. Just give him a little leniency. He has my stubbornness. And you know how stubborn I was growing up. He will grow out of it eventually." Alaric said. "Good. Then we can all work together to keep Fiafyr safe from outside threats. Especially when I heard the news that young Marcus passed the mage''s test. What element was he gifted with?" "Wind," Alaric answered. "Wind? Well, that''s quite interesting. I hope he becomes the greatest wind mage in all of Agon. This could be a great opportunity for the kingdom of Fiafyr." King Cyndre said with a smile. Alaric smiled back at his king. "Yes, Your Majesty. He''ll be going to the mage''s academy by next year. I''m sure he''ll do well." "Very good, Alaric. It was good to see you and your family today. I will talk to you later. All right, you may go back to your duties. I know I''ve kept you from them for too long." King Cyndre said while waving his hand. "Thank you, your Majesty!" Alaric said and then left the throne room with his wife and two daughters as they went to find Marcus and depart the palace. *** On the ride home, everyone in the carriage was quiet. "Why does Marcus have to act like that?" Eleanora asked her older sister. Duchess Leandra answered her daughter before her sister could. "Because his birthright was stripped from him. He has every right to be mad, Eleanora." Eleanora hung her head down. ''Why must Mother spoil Marcus so much?'' She thought to herself. Marcus broke his silence and looked at his father. "You seemed cheery to see the new prince, Father. It was like you were happy to-" Marcus was cut off by his father. "Shut it, boy! I''ve done everything I could to make sure your position as the heir is secure. The fates are against us and we have very few options left! I have a few more plans. And if they fail then we will have to swallow our pride and accept that Quinus will be the next king! But until then, you will stay silent and attend your classes while putting on a smiling face every time you see your cousin! Got it?!" "Father..." Marcus said in a defeated tone. "I know what you want to say, Marcus. But you need to prepare yourself if things don''t work out the way we planned. Being a Duke is not the end of the world." *** That evening, Marcus stayed silent the whole night as he walked through the corridors of the castle. He couldn''t believe his father would say such a thing. ''It as if Father has stopped believing in me! Well, I won''t stop! I will do whatever in my power to discredit my little cousin and prove myself worthy of the crown!'' After walking past several doors, he finally arrived at his room. He opened the door and entered inside quietly. Once again, he was greeted with the sight of his mother looking at him. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. *** While back in Alaric''s study. Belial, Alaric''s head butler was informing the Duke about an assassin that could be sent to kill the young prince. "Your Lordship, we found a woman who might be able to become a Wet Nurse for the young prince. Word is the King needs his Queen to perform other duties so Her Majesty can''t feed the child. We were hoping to disguise this woman as a wet nurse and have her deal with... Him." Belial said and handed a letter over to Alaric. Alaric read the letter and then raised his brow. "Can she be trusted? If the royal court knows about her true identity, they''d want to know who hired her." "Yes, your Lordship. She can be trusted and she''s done some other jobs for us in the past. I believe she will come through just fine." Belial replied. Alaric nodded his head. "Good. Send her to my chambers tonight so we can discuss this further." Alaric said with a smile. *** The young female assassin who was known as Wina had been given word that she needed to meet up with her client. Wina entered the room with the duke and the butler. When she noticed the large pile of gold coins in front of her, she gasped in shock. "My Lord Duke, I am honored to receive such generous payment for my services!" She bowed her head in respect. "Enough of that, I wished to see you first before I decide on hiring another assassin." "Of course, my Lord!" Alaric smiled at the young woman. "Tell me, have you ever done a job where you weren''t in the shadows?" Wina gave him a slight bow. "This would be my first time doing something like this." "Would you be willing to infiltrate the palace as a wet nurse? You will need to take care of the child until the servants and guards trust you enough. So you can be alone with him." Wina looked at the duke as she thought about how long it would take her to achieve her goal. "I believe it could be done, but it will take some time before the staff decides to trust me. I think I can achieve that in three months if I''m lucky. But knowing that this child is the only child of the royal family. They won''t be quick to let down their guard." The Duke leaned forward on his chair and spoke in a serious tone. "Do you think you can do it?" Wina stood up straight and nodded her head. "All I need is time, my Lord Duke." It was at this time Alaric inspected Wina''s body. She had short brown hair that came down to the middle of her back. Her skin color was a light tan. She wore a navy blue dress that was designed for female assassins to hide their weapons while also wearing boots and stockings that covered most of her legs. A dagger was hidden in the right boot and a small knife was tucked away underneath her left arm. Her eyes were a deep brown color and her lips were red. She had good hips and ass but her breasts were small. Barely B-cup-sized breasts. Wina noticed the duke looking at her chest with a concerned look written on his face. "I-I have a maternal elixir that I''ve got from an alchemist. Worry not, Duke Alaric." Alaric nodded his head. "Good, you may take this gold as a down payment for whatever supplies you may need." Wina gave him a nervous smile. "Thank you very much, my Lord Duke." "You''re welcome." *** While back in the castle. Quin''s eyes finally developed enough to see things in black and white, with a lot more focus. As he saw his new mother for the first time. Originally, he thought he was being handled by giants. But he soon realized that they weren''t giants and instead, he was a baby. He held onto a woman''s breast to comfort himself. It was his mother''s breast, Rianna. She was holding him close to her as she was enjoying the embrace of her only child. ''Whoa! S-She''s beautiful! Is she my new mom? Man, this is weird. I can''t believe I am a child again!'' Quinus thought as he hugged his mother''s massive breasts. Rianna felt her baby hugging her boobs in a tight embrace. That made her smile and she kissed his forehead. "Oh? Is someone hungry? Well, lucky for you I have milk!" Quin looked up at his mother, "What language is she speaking? And why is she in a Victorian-style dress? Did I go back in time? This is all too strange." His mind was racing with questions until his mother undid the front of her dress to expose one of her breasts. ''Uuuummmmm! H-Her breasts look so massive! I-I just want to suck on them! Uuuhhhnnn!'' He leaned forward and started to latch onto the nipple. "Ahhhhhh!" Rianna moaned. "Oh, Quinny! You are so needy! You must be starving?" Quin continued to suckle her breast as he felt a warm liquid flowing into his mouth. It tasted sweet and salty at the same time. ''Oh, man... This stuff is hitting the spot! I need more of it!'' Quinus thought while continuing to suckle Rianna''s breast. "Mmmmmm..." Rianna reached around and stroked his hair. "Such a good boy. Don''t stop, Quinny. Drink up so you can get strong like your father." Quin sucked on the nipple harder and moaned as he felt his mom''s milk begin to flow inside his mouth. ''Hahaha! This tastes great! I thought this stuff looked disgusting back when I was a man. But maybe it''s because I have a newborn''s tongue? Gah! Stop thinking Emil! Just enjoy it!'' Quinus thought as he happily sucked on his mother''s tits. Quin continued to drink the warm milk until he heard a knock on the door. "Come in," Rianna said as she pulled her son off of her breast to adjust her dress. The door opened and a knight entered the room. "My Lady, we were sent to watch over the prince for the night shift. Is there anything else you need from us?" "Nope. Thank you very much. I''ll be putting the prince to bed shortly." Rianna said as she walked towards the crib in the middle of the room. Quin''s mouth was still full of milk and he began to drool. ''I don''t know if it''s a good thing that I can''t get turned on by my mother. Or if I should be worried about getting addicted to mom''s milk? Sigh! Yeah, it this probably for the best that my body isn''t getting aroused by her beauty. I don''t want to piss off Dad... Wait?! Is that dude wearing a suit of armor?'' Quinus thought as he noticed that there were other people in the room, including a man who was wearing armor and was holding a sword. ''Am I on Earth? I don''t feel like I''m on the same planet anymore. Just stay calm, Emil. There has to be an explanation for all this. I need time to figure it out!'' Quinus thought as he started feeling exhausted. A few minutes later, Rianna had laid her son down in his crib. She kissed him on the forehead before walking out of the nursery. "Good night my lady. No one will lay a finger on him. I promise," the knight said to Rianna as he escorted the mother out of the room. "Thank you, Sir Knight." After exiting the bedroom, Rianna stopped to speak with the knight. "Send word to me if anything happens to the prince, Sir Mathew." "Yes, My Lady. We''ll keep you informed." With that, Rianna returned to the main hall where her husband was. "How''s our son?" "He seems to be doing well. He loves sucking on my bosom." Rianna smiled. "Oh? Should I be worried that he will steal you away from me?" Cyndre said with a sarcastic look. "Hehehe! Really now? He just has his father''s taste in women. Besides, I''ve been told the more I nurse him, the stronger he grows. So, I''ll milk myself dry to make sure he becomes a powerful king one day." Rianna said with pride. "But you need to do your duties for the kingdom, my love. I don''t mind you doing most of the nursing but having a specialized servant won''t be the worst idea," said King Cyndre. Queen Rianna pouted at first, but then she broke into a smile. "You''re right, Cyndre. I will start looking into hiring a wet nurse to at least feed Quinus when I''m not around." Cyndre nodded while grabbing his wife''s hand. They walked down the hall to their private chamber and closed the doors behind them as they turned in for the night. Ch.116 The Elixir Isn’t Ready! It''s a beautiful day as the sun already moved past high noon on the busy city of Tairal. It has been almost a week since Wina took the contract from Duke Alaric when she was walking down an alley near the alchemist''s guild. She had used some of the gold to pay her own personal alchemist to make a maternal elixir. ''I hope Lucas found a way to make my breasts lactate. Otherwise, the duke will try and kill me if he finds out I told an untruth about already having a material elixir! Geez! When I see gold I can''t help but get excited!'' Wina thought with worry. Wina hadn''t heard from Lucas in a couple of days and she was starting to panic. So, she needed to visit him soon. She finally made it to the guild and headed straight for Lucas''s room. She listen closely to the door in order to hear if anyone else was in his laboratory. After listening for a minute she heard someone inside the room. She did her secret knock on the door and waited for him to open up. *Click! Creak!* "You''re early? I told you I would send word when the elixir is ready." Lucas replied as he opened the door slightly. "There''s been a change of plans. The royal family is hiring right now. And I can''t be the one to tell the duke that I lied about being able to make it inside the palace, so I need you to pick up the pace." "But it''s too soon for the elixir! It needs more time before it''s ready!" "Sorry, Lucas. You need to hurry up. I don''t know how long the royal family will be searching for a wet nurse." Wina said with concern. Lucas sighed, "Fine... But don''t blame me if something goes wrong... Come in I''ll show you what I got so far. Wina stepped inside the room and saw a bowl filled with red liquid. "What is this?" Lucas shrugged, "The maternal elixir. All the ingredients are set. We need them to ferment for twelve more hours." "Twelve... hours..." Wina repeated. "Yeah. And that''s assuming everything goes smoothly," Lucas added. Wina looked at the bowl of liquid and noticed a mist coming from it. "What would be the risk of taking the elixir too early?" Lucas looked at her in surprise, "Well? The issues are either nothing happens at all, or some unknown side effect takes place. And if by some chance it works as intended. You don''t want to eat anything for the next twelve hours because the elixir could get activated by another ingredient and change the elixir''s properties into a different unknown potion." "So there''s no other way?" Wina asked with a frown. "No," Lucas said with a sad tone in his voice. "I got to risk it, Lucas. I can''t let this chance slip, it''s the easiest way for me to enter the palace. I just need to not eat anything for twelve hours right?" "You took on a contract that failure isn''t an option, huh?" Lucas responded sternly. Wina sighed, "Yeah, the risk is worth it. So give me what you got. I only have an hour before they close the gates to the palace." Lucas handed her the bowl of liquid and Wina took it. "Down the whole thing in one go, Wina," Lucas instructed. "Alright. How long does it take before I see any results?" Lucas shrugged, "All the ingredients should be active within twenty minutes. If you drink it right now then you might start seeing effects as you walk through the streets." Wina gulped as she looked at the red liquid. "Alright, here goes nothing! Let''s go!" Wina said and downed the entire bowl of the elixir in one gulp. As the red liquid coated her throat and entered her body she felt a slight discomfort centered around her stomach. "Geez... I feel like I''m going to throw up..." Wina said with a grimace on her face, "Okay, I think I can keep this down..." "Well the best of luck to you, Wina," Lucas said. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Wina nodded, "Thanks, Lucas. I''ll see you around." She then turned to leave his laboratory. *** Wina went back to her inn and dressed in a wet nurse outfit that she purchased a couple of days ago, which contained a white shirt with short sleeves, a black skirt, and a red ribbon tied around the waist. She also wore thigh-high boots and hid her assassin''s tools under her skirt. ''Well, I look the part now. I can''t wait to get inside the palace!'' Wina thought to herself. *Grown!* "Oof! My stomach aches," Wina complained as she walked into the city. ''I hope this elixir works. Because I don''t have a plan B.'' Wina started walking down the street while the elixir worked its magic inside her system. The pain gradually went away and a strange ticklish sensation started forming inside her cervix. "Hmmm... What is that feeling?" Wina wondered. It was then she realized the ticklish feeling wasn''t from her stomach, but rather the tingling sensation was coming from her uterus. "Oh my... That feels nice." Wina said to herself. And as the last few minutes of the elixir passed by Wina felt a sudden urge to urinate. "Hm... That''s odd. Why am I suddenly getting urges to urinate?" Wina asked herself. Wina hurriedly made her way towards the nearest public washroom and used it as she quickly relieved herself. When Wina finished using the toilet she quickly washed her hands and returned back to the streets. *Grown!* Her stomach made another rumbling sound. "What is happening to me?" Wina exclaimed as she looked at her reflection in a nearby window. Her eyes were glowing a bright hazelnut color, and her hair had grown longer and was now reaching her hips. The tingling sensation started to grow stronger and Wina felt her clitoris swell in size. "Hm... This is so weird! The elixir must be trying to trick my body into thinking that I''ve given birth?" Wina said as she realized that her nipples are growing hard as well. Wina was using all of her assassin''s training to keep her urges in check, but it wasn''t working very well. Her breasts were still swelling up and her panties were becoming wetter. "I can''t believe how many changes I''m experiencing. This is crazy!" Wina said as she continued to walk through the streets of Tairal. Her small chest slowly started to grow larger and it became harder for her to hide her breasts. And as time passed by she noticed other things changing as well. "Why do my hips seem to be wider than before?" Wina wondered aloud. And as her hips expanded her butt grew bigger as well, causing the hemline of her skirt to rise up revealing more of her legs and the beginnings of her camel toe. "Ugh... I need to stop and buy a longer skirt... And a new pair of underwear." Wina said as she tried to hide her growing breasts behind her arms. What surprised Wina the most was her urge to want to have sex. She never had this urge before thanks to her training as an assassin and also being forced to mutilate the inside of her vergina. But it just came from nowhere. ''Damn! If it wasn''t for my assassin''s training. A lesser woman would have probably stripped naked on the street and begged to be fucked by anything with two legs!'' Wina thought angrily. But she knew that if she did something like that she would end up as a sex slave for the local thugs until she died. "Grrr! Lucas was right! My impatience got the better of me. I just need some new clothes and I need to hurry to the palace now." Wina said as she made her way to the royal palace. *** After Wina went to a tailor she bought a long flowing dress that covered most of her body. Then Wina headed towards the main gates of the royal palace. As she approached the gate guards stopped her. "Name and reason for being here?" One guard asked. "I am Wina Daz, and I am a wet nurse looking for the honor of serving her majesty''s son. Here are my credentials," Wina responded as she handed them a letter. The guards read over her credentials and nodded. "Very well Miss Daz you may enter the palace." The guard said. Wina smiled and gave them a quick bow. She then entered the palace grounds where she was greeted by several servants who pointed her in the direction of the royal maid''s office. "Please follow me milady." One of the servants said as he escorted Wina towards the maid''s office. *** After being escorted to the royal maid''s office Wina was met by five other applicants looking to be chosen as one of the wet nurses and nanny for Prince Quinus. "Welcome ladies. Please have some tea and relax while we interview you." A servant said as he gestured to the chairs provided around the room. The woman who took charge of the meeting was a middle-aged woman named Rose. ''Hmm. How can I get these women out of the running?'' Wina thought to herself. "So tell us about yourself, please," Rose said as she directed the first question at the first candidate. "What is your name and why should we choose you?" All the candidates began to introduce themselves. But Wina was not interested in any of them. She just wanted to make sure that none of them were a threat to win the job. So, she came up with a nonlethal solution. ''I have some of Lucas''s potions and poisons hidden away.'' Wina thought to herself. ''If I use a small dose of it, I could make everyone here sick without anyone realizing what happened... Huh? Crap! Rose asked for my name.'' "My name is Wina Daz," Wina said as she bowed her head. Rose looked at Wina and smiled. "That sounds lovely, let me see your credentials," Rose asked as Wina pulled out a piece of parchment from her purse and handed it to her. "Thank you, I will look them over. Now please join the others in the sitting room while I make sure everything is in order," Rose said as she rose from her seat. Wina was grateful for the break because she needed to come up with a plan for the rest of her interview and needed to deal with a few of the other women that were eyeing the job. "Let''s see..." Wina thought as she looked over the rest of the applicants. ''I can''t have all of them get sick. That would be too suspicious... Hmm... I have some of Lucas''s potions and poisons, but I don''t know how much to give them and who I should target. If I give them too much then they might end up dying from overdosing on them. I need to be careful. I need to use the minimum amount of poison so that they won''t die and have the staff suspect there''s foul play.'' Wina sat there thinking for a moment before she thought of other options just in case things go belly up. When... "Excuse me miss?" One of the applicants called out to Wina. "Yes?" Wina replied. "I''ve never seen you before, how long have you been a wet nurse? Are you qualified to take care of our prince?" Another applicant asked as she looked at Wina with suspicion. "Is that how you were treated when you were new to being a wet nurse? I thought this was a welcoming community. I guess my husband was wrong about the kindness of Fiafyrites." Wina said as she crossed her arms over her chest which were now DD-Cup-sized breasts. ''Damn! My boobs are so much bigger than I''m used to! That elixir must have had some side effects! Well, no time to worry about that! I need to think of something fast!'' Wina thought to herself. Wina looked at the other applicants who were staring at her with wide eyes. "No one has ever treated me this badly before," Wina said as she held back a smile while trying to keep up the act of being offended. "I am still new to the task of being a wet nurse. However, I do have experience taking care of children." "Treating you badly!? We have never seen you before and we don''t need someone like you coming in to try and steal a job that is rightfully for us to compete for. Not you! So you better be straight with us and answer our questions if you know what''s good for you..." Said another applicant. ''Sigh... It''s going to be one of these missions, aye? I hope I don''t get angry enough to kill them all. But I guess I''ll play along for now.'' Wina thought. *** Wina took her time answering questions from the competition and asked some herself. She wanted to keep the conversation going because she was trying to figure out which woman was the bigger threat to win the job first. And somehow she was able to win over a few of them. ''Okay. I know that three of them aren''t a problem. So, I only need to deal with those two and the job is as good as mine,'' Wina thought to herself. The one named Amber seemed like she knew exactly what she was doing and would most likely be hired by Rose if Wina doesn''t do anything. "Well, Amber. I can see why you should be hired. You seem to be the type of person that can handle a baby. I hope that you''ll treat Prince Quinus well," Wina said as she smiled at Amber. "Thanks! She''s not as bad as I thought!" Amber said happily. Wina walked around the room in order to grab a cup of tea. As she walked to a seat she stealthily sprayed a mist of poison in the air by Amber. The other woman Wina targeted was Kristan, who was one of the candidates for the job. Wina had already poisoned her drink when she was being challenged earlier, so she didn''t need to worry about her in a few minutes. As the women waited for Rose to return from her chamber, Wina kept her eye on them and tried to gather information. "Miss Kristan, why did you want this job?" Wina asked in a calm voice. Kristan gulped nervously and looked down at the floor. "Umm... I-I just love babies. They''re so cute and cuddly," Kristan said as she nervously patted her stomach. ''Meh... I never was into babies. But I''ll make this work if I have to,'' Wina thought to herself as she nodded in agreement with Kristan. Just as Kristan was about to start up another conversation, the doors to Rose''s chamber opened. Ch.117 Beating out the Competition Came a sound from her lower intestine. As it sounded like she was about to crap herself. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. na said with a smile. Rachel on the other hand was wondering why Wina lied about being married. But realized it was because they question her right off the bat. "She''s a quick-witted one," Rachel said while whispering to herself. her es. Luckily they didn''t mutilate everything as their master let them keep the pit of her stomach. Something she''d never experienced before. he ed ows he d he . Wina at he . anny. Isn''t that right, said teasingly gasped and looked behind her. Seeing that there was no one standing there. Miss Rose noticed that Rachel was a little mopey. Rachel shook her head as she couldn''t believe that the baby prince was going to decide who was going to be hired. "How''s the prince going to decide? He''s a baby? Whatever, I''ll win in the end," Rachel whispered to herself again. Ch.118 Unusual Fantasy for the Assassin🦴 Rianna nodded in agreement. "Indeed. I am very fortunate to have him. My older brother and his wife told me about their first child, and how he wouldn''t stop crying for 20 hours before he would eventually cry himself to sleep. Then their second child was fine as long as you held her in your arms, which was an improvement over their first. But his third daughter. She was a nightmare of a child. She screamed nonstop, woke up constantly, and only slept for 10 minutes every hour. The poor servants were run ragged by those three... But even if my Quinus were as bad as those three, I would still love him... But who am I to complain about having the greatest child in all of Tertius? Isn''t that right my little Quinny? Yes? Yes? Hehehe!" Quinus turned his head to see who had arrived and was surprised by the blushing face of Wina. Who''s dress showed off breasts that almost rivaled his mother''s. ''Holy shit! The women on this planet are beautiful, especially the one with the blushing face! I wonder who they are?'' Quinus thought as he stared at Wina while she closed her eyes and shook her head as if she was trying to regather herself. Miss Rose bows down to the Queen and said, "Your Majesty... I bring you the final two candidates for the position. I couldn''t select between them so I decided to let the prince choose his wet nurse, my Queen." Queen Rianna frowned at the choices of Rose, "So you wish for my son to decide which one is the better candidate?" "Yes, Your Majesty. All I ask is that you let the Prince have his afternoon feeding time be with the candidates. By letting him feed from them and see who he likes more," Miss Rose replied. Quinus was sitting on his mother''s lap as she spoke to the two candidates. "Which one do you prefer, my Prince?" asked Rianna. Quinus looked at each of them in turn before looking back up to his mother, as he didn''t know what she asked him. Queen Rianna smiled and giggled as she set her hand on Quinus'' forehead, "Well I guess we can let him try both of the candidates and see if he likes them." "Excellent, my Queen... Ladies? *Clap! Clap!* Please reveal your bosoms to the prince!" Rose said as she clapped her hands to get Rachel''s and Wina''s attention. Rachel looks at Rose and then at Quinus before lowering her top exposing her breasts. Wina looked at Rachel for a moment before she too lowered her top revealing her bigger breasts as well. Quinus was taken aback at the sight of two more pairs of beautiful breasts. ''WOW! Shit! How important am I to have my mother order these ladies to expose themselves in front of me? I mean damn, my Momma has a pair of knockers bigger than theirs! But that one on the left is looking really nice. Those nipples look as if they''re trying to escape from the fabric. I wonder what color they are? Man! When am I going to see in color again!?'' "My Prince, do you like either of these two ladies?" Rianna asks with a smile as she stood up from her chair. The Queen then walked up closer to the ladies. Quinus stares at the two women and then back to his mother. ''What''s the deal?'' Quinus thought before looking at the two ladies again. "Hmm? It seems the prince is having a tough time choosing, my Queen. Maybe we should let him try their milk? Maybe he will decide then," Miss Rose suggests. "I would be honored to go first, your Majesty!" Rachel quickly said before Wina could say anything. Wina looked at Rachel with an annoyed look while cursing herself for being off her game ever since she laid eyes on Mathew. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. H- nt ? PLEASE DON''T STOP!'' Wina thought as her whole body started shaking '''' to spread wider. Mathew said to her, "I''ll give you more if you say my name, Wina." ''M-Mathew...'' Wina thought as she tried to rais u "I can''t hear you Wina! Say it!" Mathew ordered as he pressed his thumb deeper inside her pussy. Wina gasped and moaned as she called out his name. Ch.119 Discovering Her New Self 🦴 This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. ''I spoke too soon,'' she thought. n impatient was putting up all these defenses. And the harder she tried to push him away the more intrigued and attracted he became ,? ere no Ch.120 The Wheels Keep Turning in the Background Back at the Divalo Manor. A footman from the royal palace came by in the dead of night. "I have a message for his lordship," The footman said as he handed over a scroll to the head butler, Belial. "Is there anything thing else to report?" Belial asked as he opened the parchment and read the message. "Everything is in the message, Mr. Belial." The messenger said as he bowed. "Very well. You may leave now," Belial said as he waved the messenger off. Belial looked at the message and began to walk to the Duke''s study. *** *Knock! Knock! Knock!* The Duke Alaric Revelia was reading some documents at his desk when he heard a knocking on his chamber door. "Come!" He said out loud as he sat there still reading. The door opened as Belial walked into the study with a paper in hand. "My lordship, I have a message from one of our men on the inside of the palace," Belial said as he handed over the message. The Duke didn''t say anything as he grabbed the parchment and began to read. After a few seconds, he looked up at Belial standing five feet away from his lord. "So she made it in. I guess the rumors about her are true then..." The Duke said as he took another look at the message. "Yes, my Lordship. But there may be some concern about her change in appearance. That maternal elixir might have altered her mindset as well. Especially after hearing rumors of her screaming out a Royal Knight''s name during a feeding time with the prince." Belial said with a bit of concern. Duke Revelia sighed and shook his head. "Or she''s trying to get this knight, who is tasked to protect the prince, to fall for her in order to get alone time with the prince. It''s what she''s known for in the Assassin''s Society." Alaric said as he folded the parchment and held it over a candle to burn it. "I don''t know my Lord. I didn''t like reading about her acting like a woman in heat. If anything, shouldn''t we have a backup plan in case things go south?" Belial asked as he stood there looking concerned for his master. Duke Revelia looked at Belial and shook his head. "No, she said it would take her three months at the earliest. So, I''ll give her three months. And if things aren''t going as planned then advise our people in the palace to use whatever discretion necessary to aid or encourage our little snake to complete her task. Is that satisfactory for you, Belial?" Belial nodded and said, "Yes, your Lordship." "Good. Now, let me be. These tax reports aren''t going to finish themselves." The Duke said as he dismissed his butler. "I can retrieve you a refreshment if you wish. My Lord." "No, I''m fine Belial. You may finish whatever you need and turn in for the night. We''re leaving tomorrow morning to collect taxes from my territories." The Duke said as he began to work. Belial nodded and left the study closing the doors behind himself. *** By this time word has spread outside the Fiafyr Kingdom into the surrounding human kingdoms. The Kingdom of Marn had an emergency council meeting with their king and queen in attendance. A room with 20 ministers and cabinet members was arguing amongst each other about how to deal with this matter. "Silence! I can''t hear any of you when you''re bickering like children!" King Arnaud yelled as he slammed his fist down on the table. Everyone turned silent as they stared at him. King Arnaud continued, "So the Kingdom of Fiafyr has their next heir! Yes, it is a surprise that it came from Rianna Meredydd and not from a mistress. However, the fact remains that we need to take some of their fertile lands. How do you plan on dealing with that?" The meeting exploded again as everyone was talking at once. Finally, someone pulled the attention back to them by saying, "The main issue is that their heir is legitimate! Their nobles would unite and stop us from taking their lands!" Yelled Counselor Hennif. Counselor Berthrand added, "Yes! If it was a mistress''s child, the kingdom would have been divided. I don''t know why the Fiafyr Kingdom''s parliament put a restriction on their king to only allow him to have one wife and no concubines. But regardless we need to do something about that child!" Many of the men nodded in agreement. Then Advisor Krenn spoke up. "If you''re wondering why their Parliament put that restriction on King Cyndre is because of his older brother Duke Alaric Revelia... Alaric promised not to go to war for the crown if his brother accepted a certain condition, which was to have no more than one wife. And Cyndre agreed." King Arnaud looked at Advisor Krenn. Then he turned to the rest of the advisers and asked, "What do all of you think? Do we risk sending assassins to kill this child and the threat of war?" Krenn shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don''t know my Lord. As I said before, I''m not sure whether we should just leave this alone or try to assassinate the child. What are your thoughts on this?" A few of the advisers began to talk about how dangerous it would be to attempt to murder this child, even an assassin. Counselor Hennif chimed in, "I think it''s worth the risk, Your Majesty. We are tired of giving our gold to the Fiafyrites. Flaunting their fertile lands in front of us! If we can get rid of this heir, then we can claim the northern half of Fiafyr before the southern nobles could react. Plus, if the child dies we can claim it was the Dark Elves doing and make them pay instead of us." You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Counselor Berthrand smiled when Hennif suggested this idea. "Yes! We just need to make it look like the Dark Elves did it. This way if it fails we are in the clear and avoid conflict with the Fiafyrites." King Arnaud looked around the room. He knew what Berthrand was thinking, but he also knew that his advisers didn''t want to admit it. He leaned over and whispered in Krenn''s ear, "Do you think it is an unwise idea? Do we risk war so soon?" "Our coffers have not grown in years because we need to spend it on their produce, Your Majesty. Yes, we are in a comfortable spot. But the Kingdom of Fiafyr is stronger than us because we buy most of their goods and we have nothing in trade that the Fiafyr Kingdom wants. Besides minor trades with their border cities. It''s only a matter of time before they are far stronger than our kingdom and they can push us around how they see fit." Arnaud nodded then turned to the others and said, "We can''t let it happen. So we need to contact the Assassin''s Society." Berthrand said, "Yes! We''ll need to send a messenger to request for someone to come." "But we don''t know where they''re located," argued Minister Kornel. "Of course, no one knows where they are, Minister. Otherwise, it would''ve been wiped out ages ago! But they are a necessary evil." Minister Kornel sighed. "I''m getting really tired of hearing that phrase, counselor." Counselor Berthain rolled his eyes. "It''s all about connections! Sooner or later a assassin will hear about our request and find us." "Then it is settled! Krenn! I will let you find an assassin for the job." Said King Arnaud. Krenn nodded and exited the room. When he was gone, Arnaud looked at the remaining advisers and said, "So is there anything else to discuss?" Hennif replied, "There''s nothing more, your Majesty! But I wanted to ask if we could increase the royal guard. Because as you know we need to protect ourselves from the other kingdoms!" "Hmm... That''s true. We might as well increase our guard. If that is all, you''re dismissed." After the advisers left the room leaving only King Arnaud and his Queen. He stood up and walked to the window. He looked out the window and saw that the sun had set. As he gazed out the window, he thought to himself, ''How am I going to find a killer?'' *** While southeast of Fiafyr Kingdom, where the Alliance of the Divine Three was assembling in the capital city of Istur. Which was in the Holy Kingdom of Chalced. The city was the birthplace of the Divine Three, who were Gods of purity, virtue, and wisdom. It was also the place where the Divine One, God Paul, created the perfect world in their image. A world where humankind was meant to cleanse the world of all its impurities and restore it to its purest state. Where men could live in peace once they became the only religion on Tertius. The Divine Order was ruled by a man that could hear the Divine One''s voice. This man would be a devoted follower of the Divine Three, and he would lead his followers to spread their message throughout the land. This man would cast away his birth name and take the name Prophet Paul, which meant prophet of the gods. And so began the Divine Order. *** As time went on the first kingdom to join the Divine Three was the Kingdom of Nordland. And then the Divine One''s word spread to the other smaller kingdoms and quickly created the Alliance of the Divine Three. And when the Alliance was formed they needed to crown a ruler to run the Alliance and name them the High King of the Divine Three. Prophet Paul was told to crown King Rolmund Aguilar I as the High King by the Divine Ones. King Rolmund was the ruler of Nordland and his line has taken the mantle ever since. As of this date, King Rolmund Aguilar III is the current ruler of the Alliance. The Alliance of the Divine Three was to be a union of small kingdoms that were dedicated to the teachings of the Divine Three. And purging the subspecies around their lands and the people within them that refused to follow the teachings of the Divine Ones. And so that was how the Alliance was formed to this day as they assembled in the capital of the Holy Kingdom. *** The Divine Order met up in the Temple of Paul where they needed to discuss the news about the birth of the next heir of the Fiafyr Kingdom. In the Temple, there was a room with tall walls and a high ceiling. It was filled with statues of the Divine Three and the Prophets that came before them. Each statue had its own unique quality that made them stand out among the rest. But what distinguished them most was the fact that they were all wearing their holy armor. Their paladin armor. Light shined in from the windows that sat above the doors of the temple. In the center of the room, there was a large triangular stone table surrounded by chairs. A white cloth was draped over the stone table and it was covered with many scrolls and documents. At the corners of the table sat the three rulers of the Alliance. The right corner sat the Prophet Paul, the left corner sat Prince Dreyand Stoneworthh, and the final seat at the top of the table belonged to the High King Rolmund Aguilar III. Prince Dreyand Stoneworthh would typically be a King of his kingdom if they weren''t a part of the Alliance. As well as the rest of the smaller kingdoms'' royals. But the Stoneworthh family had earned the right to be the third highest ruler of the Alliance after generations of loyalty and service to the Divine Ones. And in between the three rulers were the other princes of the alliance. There were three seats per side of the table. And each prince sat in the chair beside their rulers. The nine princes and the three rulers. *** When the last prince arrived and took his seat, Prophet Paul stood up and spoke, "Children of Light, we are summoned here by the Divine Ones. His word is absolute! And he has shown us a path to grow our flock..." "Which kingdom has the Divine Ones set his eye on?" asked the High King Rolmund Aguilar III. "Well, my King," said Prophet Paul, "It seems that the Fiafyr Kingdom has given birth to a child that shouldn''t exist. The son of King Cyndre Meredydd." "What makes this boy so special?" questioned Prince Dreyand. "The Divine Ones has told me that Rianna was infertile and shouldn''t have conceived. And because of this miracle, he is possibly a demi-god, my prince. And his children will most likely become demigods as well. And this will be our best chance for us to spread our enlightenment to the nobles of the Fiafyr Kingdom once his heir is born." Prophet Paul replied. "So the Divine Ones want us to take Fiafyr without bloodshed? Well, there''s going to be blood spilled in that city of Ironside and those heretics that will try and defy us. Meredydd''s ancestors were fools to side with dwarves!" said Prince Kaindle. "It''s not the fault of the people of Fiafyr that all their generations of Kings lacked good sense, Prince Kaindle. If at all possible we need to educate our kind before using force." retorted Prince Dreyand Stoneworthh. Prince Kaindle looked away and let out a snort, "We''ve been waiting for generations to convert the people of Fiafyr. They mock us to this day as they follow that false goddess of theirs. It sickens me just thinking about them worshiping a false idol that doesn''t exist." Some of the other princes nodded their heads in agreement with him. "I agree with the Divine Ones. We should use this to arrange a marriage with their prince and use his heir to join the Alliance. This way we can grow our followers," said Prince Terenthiel. Kaindle glared at Terenthiel and wanted to retort. Prophet Paul cleared his throat, "You all know that the Divine Ones are changing the world. The time has come to unite us against the coming threat. Of the subspecies in Tertius! Prince Keindle, we will need your guidance when we find the beastkins, dwarves, and elves. Please don''t strike down our people just because they are blinded from the truth." Everyone listened to the Prophet and nodded their heads in agreement. Kaindle didn''t want to but he knew he had no other choice. He bowed his head and let out a sigh. "So, it is settled then. We need to find out what this prince values in his women and we need to persuade someone in their royal court to arrange the marriage for us." King Rolmund stated. "I believe I have a cousin once removed who''s a minister in King Cyndre''s Parliament. I will contact him as soon as possible, my King," said Prince Terenthiel. "Good! Now all we need is a princess to send them. Dreyand, didn''t your wife just give birth to a daughter?" King Rolmund asked. Dreyand Stoneworthh glanced over to King Rolmund. "Yes, and if she fits the bill? Then she''s his to do as he wishes." Dreyand answered. "So, confident that your child will be pretty enough to entice the prince of Fiafyr?" questioned Prince Kaindle. "She''ll make a fine little bride," Dreyand responded. "What if my daughter is the one? What if her beauty is what they are looking for?" Kaindle continued to egg on Stoneworthh. "Then we''ll see if the prince accepts her or not. But until then, we''ll have to wait until the little prince gets older." Dreyand said. And with that, the Divine Order continued to discuss how to convince Fiafyr to join their cause without violence. Ch.121 It’s only the Frist Day! 🦴 open The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. She waited for a second before answering. wilindecent. And instead of trying to Tha Miss Wina *** After a few hours of work. e he hasn''t ont er . Ch.122 Mathew’s Punishment This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Ch.123 Hey! Let’s Start Over… 🦴 Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. coble att Well, if you say so. You know, I have never had a best friend before..." Wina replied with a red face as she looked up at Mathew and noticed he was taller than her by a poisos a spring to her step that she never had before as the other servants that were getting ready for their workday. Ch.124 Giving My Report Wina and Mathew started getting along with each other from that point on. As their days went by as they became good friends while serving the young prince. And for Quinus? He enjoyed life as a baby again while he switched between sucking on his mother''s tits and Wina''s boobs. He loved the milk from his mother''s tits a little bit more than Wina''s. But he wasn''t complaining. While feeding he felt guilty if he went the deviant route with his mother and would respectfully drink from her when she was there with him. Which was most of the time. But for Wina, he loved to tease her nipples by sucking on them hard while staring into her eyes. He enjoyed the look of bliss on Wina''s face and it gave him a sense of pride that he could make his beautiful wet nurse feel so good. She would usually whisper out a name he couldn''t understand when he did this. But he enjoyed teasing her while she blushed at him. He enjoyed it when he teased her like that. It was fun and gave him a sense of satisfaction as he wanted to see a beautiful woman make a blissful face. And her milk wasn''t half bad as it wasn''t full of sugar like some noble''s breast milk. And after weeks of this, he started picking up the language of this world as he had a great memory. And after he learned the language, he finally realizes he was born into royalty. Which blew his mind once he learned about it. ''I''m a prince!? I have to be the prince! And my new name is Quinus? I think I like it,'' Quinus thought to himself as he looked up into Wina''s eyes as she fed him her milk. ''And why do they keep talking about an Orc Tribe roaming around some city? Was I reborn in a fantasy world? Is their magic!? Wait! Do I have to fight Orcs when I get older? Oh God! D-Do I have to lead people to war!? I''ll just try and avoid it, with peace treaties or something! I just was reborn. And I don''t want to find out if I get a third chance at this,'' He reflected to himself as he kept drinking Wina''s sweet milk. He was thinking these things while he was at peace enjoying suckling on her breast when he got distracted by her voice. "Aunh! The Prince is going to be dangerous to every female on Tertius!" She groaned out. "Umm... what?" Asked Ingrid who was cleaning the prince''s crib while Wina was attending to the prince. "Oh uhh! Nothing! The prince just uses his tongue in such a way that is teasing me," Wina said as she sighed and looked at Ingrid. "Oh? So the prince has taken a liking to you?" Ingrid asked with a smirk. "Y-Yeah... And I think no woman will be able to resist him. He just won''t stop sucking on my nipples in a way that makes me- well, horny... It''s like he knows this makes me want to moan," Wina complained as she felt the prince suck on her nipple again. "I know it''s rude to ask such a thing... But how old are you?" Ingrid asked with a worried look. "Well, I was born in 1308 of the new era. So I''m twenty-four this year. Why do you ask?" Wina asked. "Really? You look way more mature than I would expect. But if you are right and he becomes a playboy. All the parents of Fiafyr will have to hide their daughters from the prince. Hahaha. It will be a disaster!" Ingrid said with a nervous laugh. "Playboy!? Don''t worry Miss Wina... I''ll make sure to set my boy straight. I can''t have my son abusing his rank as a prince," Said Queen Rianna as he walked into the room and looked at Wina with his smile. "Your Majesty? When did you come in?" Wina asked. "Just a few moments ago. I just heard your conversation from behind the door," The queen replied as she walked over to see her son. Quinus stopped feeding and looked at his mother with sad eyes. ''Mother thinks I''ll be a playboy? I-I was just having fun? I never intended for it to go that far. Or maybe I did... Aahh! I was hoping to spend my life in peace! But Mom''s right. I''m supposed to be a newborn, not a 31-year-old man.'' Quinus thought as he looked up at his mother. "Oh!? Did someone not like being called a playboy?" The queen asked with a smile. Wina and Ingrid looked at each other when they noticed Quinus''s facial expression as he fed off of Wina. Quinus was blushing when he realized he was caught and looked away from his mother. "D-Does the prince understand us?" Ingrid asked with a worried look. "Miss Ingrid, don''t be silly. You saw how young he is. He is probably just scared when I snuck up on him," The Queen said as she looked down at her son. Wina nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he probably just got scared when he heard you come into the room," Wina said as she stroked the back of his head and he leaned his head onto her large boobs. "Hehehe, oh my Quinny is adorable when he''s shy," The Queen said as she looked down at her son while she smiled at him. Quinus blushed and closed his eyes as he enjoyed being against Wina''s warm body while feeding from her. ''Okay... I''ll lay off of being a creep... Starting tomorrow. In the meantime I should try to learn how to read this language as fast as possible,'' He thought to himself as he thought about what to do. And with that, he turned his focus to reading and absorbing all of the knowledge he could. *** "Some people are born lucky," Said Mathew who was standing in the corner this whole time. "You need to get over it, Sir Mathew. He is a baby. It''s not like he''ll remember my bosoms in the future. And this is the tenth time you''ve complained," Wina said with a smirk. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! "I''m not complaining Miss Wina. But I would be lying if I said I wasn''t jealous. But I''ll get over it," Mathew replied with a sigh. "Sir Mathew? It''s not like there''s a competition between you and my son for Miss Wina''s hand. So stop it, would you?... But your jealousy is a little cute. And I''m glad you have warmed up to Sir Mathew. It''s good that you two have taken a liking to each other. Do you plan to marry after a year?" Queen Rianna said as she smiled at them. "I have not agreed to marry him, Your Majesty!" Wina said as she blushed when the queen mentioned them getting married. "Hehehe! Oh? So you plan to make Sir Mathew wait then? That''s not nice to do, Miss Wina. Hasn''t he done enough for you?" Queen Rianna asked with a teasing smile. "Y-Your Majesty! Please don''t tease me like that!" Wina begged with a red face as she looked up at the Queen. ''It''s one thing to get teased by the prince. But getting teased by his mother too is unfair!'' Wina thought. Wina regained her composure, "Ahem! He offered to be my friend first and that''s what I intend to do," Wina replied as she puffed out her cheeks. "Hahaha, so you accept his offer to be friends. How lovely," The Queen replied as she smiled down at her son and saw him nursing on Wina''s breasts. ''How am I supposed to marry him if I''m here to kill the prince... I-I never thought I would say this but I hate my job!'' Wina thought to herself as she kept feeding the prince. The more time Wina spent in the palace with her new friends the more she was hating the idea of completing her mission. But she must, it was the assassin''s creed. And if she broke it she would be hunted down by the other assassins of the society. "Oh, looks like the prince has fallen asleep. I''ll take him to his crib," said Ingrid as she scooped up the prince from Wina''s arms. "Yes, I''m glad he finished feeding. I''ll go to my room to sleep for a few hours," Wina said as she got up and walked out of the room. "Is something the matter, Miss Wina?" Mathew asked as he followed her to the door. "It''s nothing you need to worry about Sir Mathew. It''s just a bit of a headache. I''ll be fine," Wina said with a sad tone. "I didn''t know you weren''t feeling well. Go and take a break, Miss Wina. My maids and I will watch over my son. I''ll inform Miss Rose if she is looking for you," The queen said with a concerned voice. "Thank you, Your Majesty. But I''ll be fine after I get some sleep," Wina replied as she bowed and walked out of the room. She turns to Mathew, "I''ll be fine, Mathew. I''ll come to your room later tonight for some tea and one round of chess. It will make me feel better," Wina said as she smiled. "Alright then, if you say so. I''ll see you later, Miss Wina. Rest well," Mathew said as he nodded before he closed the door. *** Wina was walking through the hallways of the palace towards her room. Greeting a few of her servant friends along the way before she made it to her door. Once inside, she opened the side of her skirt so she could pull out an item off her assassin''s belt. It wasn''t a poison or a dagger but a ring that had a black obsidian gemstone with a white line going through the center. She put it on and channeled her mana into it causing the white line to glow and light up. A black fog surrounded her and when it dissipated she appeared in her assassin''s outfit which consisted of a black catsuit and a hood to cover her head and face. She pulled the hood over her head and pulled up a mask that concealed the lower half of her face. ''I guess I should check in with Duke Alaric''s people... I hate paranoid clients, but I''ll do what I must,'' Wina thought as she activated the ring once again causing the fog to appear around her as she snuck out the window and hid in the shadows. *** Two footmen that were loyal to Duke Alaric were waiting in a dark corner of the Palace Gardens for his hired assassin to arrive. The Duke wanted a monthly progress report on her situation and she''s a week overdue. It was nearly night time and the two footmen were talking with each other as they waited for Wina. "This is the seventh day. Do you think she''ll show? It''s going to be a pain if we wait until it''s morning again," said the footman on the left. "Then we wait, Gram. She''ll show up. The Duke said she was one of the best. But I agree, this is taking longer than I want. I can understand missing a few days but there must be a good reason. I hope," said the footman on the right. "And what if she doesn''t show? What then, Sebastian?" Asked Gram. "Then she''ll lose her payment and have to pay a penalty, that''s what. That woman is cunning, so I doubt she''ll risk it," Said Sebastian as he looked over at Gram. "If she''s so good why is it going to take her so long to take out the target? I feel like I could have done the job three weeks ago," Gram complained. "Please! You wouldn''t get the chance especially with Sir Mathew watching the kid. Stick to what you''re good at, Gram. Don''t question the professionals," Sebastian replied with a smile. "You''re one to talk, Sebastian," Gram replied with a scoff, "You''re as useful as a-" Gram was about to retort when he heard something behind them. "What the... Someone is coming," Gram said as he raised his weapon. They heard an annoyed female voice come from behind them. "So, this is a few of the Duke''s finest? I''m surprised that you haven''t been caught and tortured for treason yet," Wina said as she walked out of the shadows and stared down the two footmen. The footmen had their weapons in hand as they looked at her with surprise. "Tsk! We''ve been waiting for a week for your report and you have the nerve to" "Gram!... I''m sorry for my comrade''s lack of manners. But we''ve been waiting for you to show," Sebastian interrupted his partner before he got on the wrong side of the assassin. Wina just nodded as she stood before them. "Well then, I''ll give you my report. I''ve infiltrated the prince''s chamber but he always has one to three guards watching him and usually one to three servants. Sir Mathew is usually there as the main protection for the Prince as well as Sir William. They are both skilled and dangerous. So, I am trying to befriend Sir Mathew, since he''s on the day watch mostly and I hope at some point that he will let down his guard around me. Unfortunately, that''s not happening anytime soon. So my earlier optimism on completing the mission in three months seems unlikely," Wina said. "It''s been over one month and you can''t complete the job? What type of assassimmmm!?" Gram was cut off when he felt something sharp against his throat and he looked up and saw Wina staring at him point-blank with emotionless eyes. "I know your type. The client''s loyal dog that thinks they can accomplish what a professional can''t. Let this be my only warning to you. Don''t question me, my work, or my methods," Wina said as she glared into his eyes. Gram gulped and looked at her with an angered expression. "Sebastian, help me out here," Gram said as he glared at Wina. "And do what? Get myself killed by insulting her? No thanks," Sebastian said as he put away his weapon and crossed his arms. "We were sent by Duke Alaric to make sure the job is done as soon as possible. And I feel you''re dragging your feet. So, I''m here to take the initiativWhoa!" Gram was flipped in the air and smashed into the ground before he knew what hit him. Sebastian watched in shock when his comrade was easily pinned to the ground by Wina. "Do you think I like the idea of having to go this long to complete the mission? So, if I sense you coming in to do my job I''ll end you. So go back to your master and give him my report," Wina said as she stared down at Gram. "Yes! I-I mean No! I won''t bother you anymore! Just please don''t hurt me!" Gram begged as he cried on the ground. "You better lap dog. And I suggest you don''t waste my time. I''ll finish my mission when I can. And I don''t rush things. Understand?" Wina said as she lifted her foot up and Gram nodded as he cried why''ll Sebastian was just watching in shock. "I''m off. I''ll give you an update in a couple of months from now," Wina said as she turned and walked away. "I-I understand! I''ll tell the Duke not to worry," Gram said as he watched her walk away. Wina then had the dark fog surround her as she disappeared into the shadows. The two footmen looked at where Wina disappeared and then looked at each other. "The next time you want to try and get yourself killed. You can leave me out of it. Understand?" Sebastian said with a serious look. "Shut up! I-I was testing her! Nothing more!" Gram said as he tried to get back up. "And you call me useless. I''ll never understand you, Gram. That assassin was ready to kill us," Sebastian said as he shook his head. Gram then stood up and shook off the dust and dirt before he turned to leave. "Come on we need to give our report to Belial. But let''s avoid telling him about her overpowering me," Gram said as he put away his weapon. Sebastian shook his head as he followed Gram out of the garden. *** Ch.125 Marn’s Assassins It''s been another month since Wina last checked in with Duke Alaric''s people and while she worked to get the trust of the people around her. The Kingdom of Marn found a group of assassins willing to take the contract but needed to discuss the details first. They agreed to meet in a border city. So, five men wearing cloaks walked down a dark alley in the city of Zeltoble. Also known as the City of White Walls. It was built at the foot of a mountain range and was surrounded by a massive wall. The city was at the edge of the country and its southern half bordered a mountain range. In the east, across a great desert, lay the vast petrified forest. The five men had royal seals of the court of Marn hanging on the right side of their cloaks. One of the men had a pudgy face and a long braided beard, while the other one had long black hair that he wore in a ponytail. The pudgy-faced man spoke, "The meeting place should be around here. Ah! I see it," He said as he pointed at a building. "Yes, the Brick Stone Inn," said the long-haired man as he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they send to meet in the VIP room, Krenn. These assassins sure love to be cryptic. It took us weeks to decipher their stupid code," said the pudgy-faced man named Dentan as they all walked into the building and found themselves at a door. "I''ll go first," said the long-haired man named Eln who walked to the door and knocked three times. The door opened and the man from the other side looked at Eln and the others before he moved aside so they could walk in. Once inside the others saw a room full of people drinking, laughing, and eating. "So you lot are the VIPs? I only can take three of you to the private room," Said the man who had just let them in. "Eln, Dentan, with me. You two keep watch for trouble," Said Krenn as he pointed at the two men. The two men nodded as Krenn, Dentan, and Eln followed the man deeper into the building walking by all the people who looked at them with interested eyes. As the room smelled of vomit, piss, and cheap tobacco. The walls had old red wallpaper that was peeling off. It was lit by the lamps that hung on the walls and the floor had the old wooden boards that creaked with every step. Eventually, they arrived at a door with a red symbol that read. ''Private Room'' The man that led the three stopped and turned to them. "You lot better not start something you can''t finish... We don''t like the noble types in these parts, especially royal advisors," said the man before he opened the door and let them inside before he left them alone. They walked into a room with a table and several chairs. there are several candles on the table and they barely kept the room illuminating. Making the VIP room look dingy. The man looked at the three with a serious expression, "Wines on the table. Enjoy," He said as he shut the door before he left. Krenn nodded and moved to sit down at the table. Dentan went to pour himself a cup of wine and looked at Krenn who was sitting there silently with his eyes closed. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Advisor Eln moved and sat next to him as they waited for their guest to arrive. Dentan was about to drink the wine when Krenn opened his eyes and then spoke, "It''s probably not wise to drink that Dentan." "What? It''s fine. I''m sure it''s not poisoned," Dentan said as he went to drink the red wine. Krenn then picked up a glass and threw it at Dentan''s head making him duck as the cup went whizzing past his ear. Only missing him by an eyelash. "Au! What the hell was that for!?" Dentan yelled. "To protect you. We are meeting with assassins and you think you can detect their poison? You think that these assassins care who you are?" Krenn said as he stared at him. Dentan face was pale as it occurred to him that he almost put himself in danger. "If I didn''t you would be dead," Krenn said in a cold voice. "I-I get it. I won''t drink or eat anything that we don''t think is safe. I promise," Dentan said as he felt a chill run up his back. "That''s good. You better learn how to think, before you act, Dentan. So, keep your eyes open. They should be here any minute," Krenn said as he closed his eyes once more. Eln just sighed, "We can''t do anything but wait. Let''s enjoy the silence while we can." Dentan nodded as they continued to wait for their guests. A few minutes later a dark fog came from the shadows as three hooded figures walked out of the mist. "Ah, the VIPs of the court, how do you do?" One of the figures said as he removed his hood and revealed himself to be a man with pale skin and blue hair. The two others pulled back their hoods as they revealed a woman with brown skin and blue eyes and another woman with blond hair and purple eyes. "Greetings, Ash. I''m glad you made it. But why do I feel like you were late on purpose?" Advisor Eln said with a straight face. "Well, I had a bet with my comrades to see who would drink the wine," Ash replied as he looked at Dentan. "I was so close to winning. But, no matter." Dentan just gave a worried look as he realized he was about to drink poisoned wine. "Hahaha! We didn''t poison the wine. But it''s always funny when someone thinks we did," Ash said as he laughed. "Enough, Ash. We wish to hire you and your comrades for a request," Krenn asked with a serious expression. Ash stopped laughing as he looked at Krenn. "Of course. Who''s the target? Or rather, the target''s whereabouts," Ash replied with a serious expression. "We wish for you to kill the crown prince of Fiafyr," Krenn said with a serious expression. Eln''s and Dentan''s faces both showed a similar expression as they wanted to show the same confidence that Krenn showed. Ash''s eyes widened as he realized what they wanted him to do. "King Arnaud wants me to kill the future king of Fiafyr. Is that right? Well, it''s a long way to travel and the risks are high. We are looking at 10,000 gold?" Ash asked as he looked to his partner to double-check if the payment was correct. "15,000 with a half down payment," Gwin said as she stared at the three Marn advisors with her blue eyes. Dentan and Eln had surprised looks on their faces as they realized the reward was higher than expected. They did not know that hiring someone to kill a royal was that expensive. "Ah, yes of course. But we would prefer if you bring us the prince''s eye as proof. Rumor is he has the Meredydd family''s golden eyes," Krenn said as he pulled out a bag of coins from his cloak and handed it to Ash. "I-It''s a bad idea to leave any witnesses to your crime," Dentan said as he moved forward. Ash looked at him with gray eyes that were as cold as ice. "We never leave witnesses. If that''s all then I''ll take my leave," Ash said as he walked to the door and opened it. Krenn asked, "What''s your estimated time frame for completing your mission? I assume you need to study up on the Prince and his bodyguards?" The three assassins paused in their tracks before the woman with purple eyes spoke. "It will take us about two to three weeks to get to Tairal. Another two to three weeks of studying Mialuna Royal Palace, Prince Quinus''s room, and another two to three weeks to kill the prince. All together it will take about a month and a half to kill the prince. If things go to plan," Violet said as her purple eyes glowed slightly. "Then we''ll pray to the God of Darkness and Light for your success," Dentan said as he watched the three assassins disappear into a cloud of smoke. Krenn looked to Dentan as he spoke, "We must return to the king. Let''s leave immediately." Dentan nodded and looked at Eln who nodded as well. The three men met up with the other two and got to their horses to ride back to the capital city of Marn. As they were riding in the dark of the night. Dentan spoke, "Do you think the assassins can pull it off? I''ve never heard of assassins who are capable of such a feat." "There are a few that can. But I couldn''t reach her. But the feats those three have pulled off are beyond any other assassin I''ve seen in the past. I believe they have a chance," Krenn said with a cold voice. Dentan and Eln both gulped and went quiet as the rest of the ride back was done in silence. *** Ch.126 Dealing With Cruel Fates Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. My " Ch.127 Have You Heard about the Marriage Proposal? the Marchioness of Berger had invited the Queen If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. experinced she let her own carriage carry her through the city. *** . ak with the Queen Christan abella was already seated and waiting for him as she sipped on her wine. s Duval walked to All th Miniter Ch.128 Party Preparations This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. th child ed to around in the direction of her room, "I did. I do. I mean... I''m not sure Ch.129 I’ll Take Care of the Brat King Cyndre was meeting with five men from his counsel about the affairs of the Fiafyr Kingdom. There were his top advisors and generals. Cyndre was hoping to get this meeting over quickly so he could get ready for his son''s party. "Your Majesty... We have all the royal guardsmen on standby for the party and the Monster Culling Request issued last week to the Adventure''s Guild has cleared out quite a few monsters. The surrounding areas of the countryside should be safe for the Lords and Ladies that are coming to visit for your son''s first party," Lord Brice said as he looked over the report in his hands. "I understand that but what I''m more concerned with is the state of the soldiers on the western front. The labyrinth over there hasn''t had an expedition in over a month. I''m concerned that a monster stampede is going to occur if we don''t do something to mitigate it. The last time a stampede happened was over 60 years ago. I fear that it''s due to become a problem," King Cyndre said. "Your Majesty, you don''t need to worry. The Shadow Tombs have a good amount of adventurers exploring it now. And we can handle this stampede. It will be dealt with as soon as it shows," Lord Brice said with a smile. The King shook his head, "I was talking about the Tomb of the Horde that''s southwest of Ironside. It''s next to the frontier town of Kishin." "Oh? What''s so important about that tomb?" Lord Brice asked with a confused look on his face. "That''s an interesting story. All I know about the frontier town is that Arch-Duke Revelia has gotten favor with the minor Lord. I don''t know why your brother has spent all his time winning over so many of the minor lords of the kingdom. And not the lords of the nobles who have served the throne for many generations," Lord Brice said with a sigh. "What I''m concerned about is the lack of information on the Monster Stampede that was located near Kishin. It''s not a big town so getting good adventurers there is difficult," The King said with a deep sigh. "I''m not familiar with what type of monsters it spawns," Lord Brice asked with a questioning look. The King looked at Lord Brice, "From what General Kane told me. It''s a mano species dungeon. Goblins is what comes out of it. And it''s the only labyrinth in our kingdom that spawns them." Lord Brice frowned, "So it''s a goblin dungeon then? I thought they were simple to kill, Your Majesty." The King nodded while General Kane responded, "They are. But the spawn rate of the Goblin Horde is more common than any other monsters. And if they live long enough they become hobgoblins. And that''s the bigger issue. Their rate of population is higher than any other dungeon monster in the known world. And they use females to make the numbers grow faster." King Cyndre jumped in, "And that''s why I want you to tell the Baron to keep a close eye on it. I know he''s dealing with a manticore right now. But I need him to run point on this issue." The King stood up and walked to a window and looked out over the city. "Your Majesty, I was going to mention this later but I feel this is the right time now to inform you about the other news from Ironside. Arathar has advocated the Barony to his son Zellin Coldforge. He says it was time for his son to become a man. I don''t know what he means by that last part," Lord Brice said with a serious tone. The King shook his head, "That old Dwarven fool... So, you decided to pass off your responsibilities to your son and your people...? So be it." "Your Majesty? I don''t understand why you are upset with this development?" Lord Brice asked with a confused look on his face. "Arathar is your typical dwarf... All he wants to do is create weapons and armor in his forge. He never liked all the noble events or dealing with the political side of being a Lord. So, I guess his son, Zellin, has come of age and it''s time for Arathar to retire. That old dwarf has always been a little too independent. But, I still like him. I just wished he could have waited until that labyrinth was under control first," King Cyndre said. "Maybe he thinks it''s not as big of a threat as he first thought. I''m more worried about your brother''s influence on the minor lords of the kingdom. It feels like the Arch Duke is coming for your crown, Your Majesty." Lord Brice said with a serious tone. King Cyndre turned to his council and shook his head, "No... My brother isn''t after my crown... He probably was doing all of this because he thought Marcus was going to be crowned the next heir. Until my Queen gave birth to my son... No, Brice. He''s not doing anything that I would see as nefarious." Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Lord Brice and the other members of the council all looked at each other. They weren''t fully convinced by what the king said. King Cyndre noticed that they were looking at him. And knew that they didn''t believe his words. "I know my brother better than I know the back of my hand. He loves our kingdom so much so that he wouldn''t risk civil war in the court. He knows that he isn''t in line for the throne. And he thought his son was likely to be next and was preparing him in case of that possibility. My brother can be a stubborn man but I don''t question his loyalty to the kingdom. I just wish that he could be a little more open to the rest of us," King Cyndre said as he walked back towards his throne. He took a seat and looked at the other members of the council. "Your Majesty... We are just concerned that he might be plotting because he has been absent ever since seeing Prince Quinus a few days after he was born. We know he loves the kingdom, but we feel that he sees himself as the ruler of our lands and not you, Your Majesty." Lord Brice said with a frown on his face. The King shook his head and sighed, "When Marquess Duval thought that he was planning against me. Duval made a special treaty with seven of the major lords that stated that both Alaric and I would only be allowed to have one wife and no concubines. Otherwise, we risk forfeiting our positions as royals and nobles. Alaric signed it immediately, without hesitation. He is not trying to take my kingdom. He loves this country like I do." The other members of the council frowned when they heard about the special treaty that their King agreed to from Duval. They didn''t like the way the Prime Minister and his cronies came up with this treaty that could have weakened the royal family. "Was this treaty something the Duke came up with?" Asked Lord Brice. The King shook his head, "It was Duval''s idea. The Marquess may be a shrewd man but he doesn''t like conflicts that lead to bloodshed. He just wished for there to be peace among our Lords." Lord Brice nodded as he thought about the treaty and how it could have benefited the kingdom in the long run. "Well, we will keep an eye out just in case the Duke''s actions are more than what it seems. But we are at your command, Your Majesty," Lord Brice said as he stood up and bowed to the king. The others did the same and stood up and bowed to the king. "Thank you, gentlemen. I need to get ready for my son''s party. Lord Brice, please inform Lord Archibald of my departure. I''m traveling to Silverhaven Coast by tomorrow''s sunrise to assess how bad the damage was from the sea storms," The King said. "As you wish, Your Majesty. Good day to you and your son," Lord Brice said as the king dismissed him and the others from his council room. ''This is not a good omen for the kingdom. I pray that the barony is prepared for anything that may happen... Arathar, you old dwarven bastard... I hope your son''s up to the task if the stampede comes.'' Thought the King. *** In the city streets of Tairal a robed figure moves through the shadows as if it was one with the night. It moved silently and swiftly through the dark streets with ease. This figure went around a few turns before coming to a run-down building close to the north wall of the city. This was the home of the Mortis-ranked assassin group and their current hideout. And when the lone figure made it inside the building she made sure the coast was clear. "Is that you Violet? Anything new to report?" Said Gwin as she came out of the shadows to meet her. Violet looked at Gwin and nodded her head. "I finally found an opening in the palace''s wall a made it to the servants'' quarters. They are all busy making their last-minute preparation for the first prince''s ceremonial party. I''ll have to get closer and have another look before I''m sure about what''s happening inside the palace. But I know that they are having a huge party tonight," Violet said as she walked over to a table and took a seat. "I wonder if Ash has found anything yet," Gwin said with a frown. Violet pondered in silence for a minute before she shook her head, "I''m not sure. But he''s most likely doing his reconnaissance on the perimeter of the palace trying to spot where the brat''s room is. He has a weird nack in finding these things." Gwin nodded and leaned on the table before looking at Violet. She was about to ask her something when another figure snuck into their hideout. "So, you''re back... Violet found a way into the palace. Did you find where the prince lives?" Gwin said to Ash as he pulled down his hood. "Oh yeah... I know where the kid''s room is in the palace. I just don''t know what the rest of the interior is to make a proper map. So, I can''t tell you everything that''s inside the palace," Ash said as he walked into the room with a smile on his face. He then pulled out a rolled-up piece of parchment and unrolled it on the table. It was the beginning sketches of a map of the Maldura Royal Palace. The map had an outline of the layout of the outer building that made up the royal palace. It also had a detailed layout of the servants'' quarters. Gwin looked at the map and sighed. "So, do you know where the brat''s room is? I really hate this place. I want to get this job done and leave this backwater country," Gwin said as she looked at Ash and Violet. Ash nodded, "Yeah... I know where he sleeps in the palace." Ash took out the one last gold piece that had the Kingdom of Marn''s coat of arms stamped on the top and the royal seal stamped on the bottom. He placed it on the map of where the Prince''s room was located in the Maldura Royal Palace. "So, his room is on the fourth floor... Violet. Can you fill in the interior of the map of where you''ve been?" Gwin said as she looked at Violet. "Give me a moment," Violet said with a nod. She got up and walked over to the table and took a seat next to Ash while she got out a pen and started to draw out the map. Ash leaned over the table and stared at the map as Violet''s hand moved over it. She was only able to fill out most of the first floor and second floor of the royal palace before she stopped. "There, that''s what I''ve explored so far and I was able to sneak in through the storm drain over here," Violet said with a yawn. "What? Are you getting bored Violet? I thought you liked your job?" Ash said with a grin on his face. Violet just smiled as she looked at the young assassin, "I do. I really do like being an assassin. But this continent is too easy for me to kill. I''ve been wanting a challenge." "Hey, I''m all about easy contracts. And this one should help get us closer to Umbralis rank," Ash said with a grin. Gwin sighed, "So, since there''s a party going on in the palace do we go for the kill? Or are we just waiting around until we map out the whole map? Ash shook his head, "The job was to kill the brat. And I saw a lot of fancy carriages with noble seals on them arriving at the palace just now. The nobles will be in the palace to attend the prince''s party and that makes the job easier to do since most of the staff and guards will be drawn away from the kid''s room." Violet nodded, "If we want to do it then we should strike tonight." Gwin pondered for a moment. "So, the plan is to sneak into the brat''s room and wait for them to return before we strike, yes?" Ash nodded, "Yeah, just like the last contract." Gwin looked at Ash, "Okay if we do this. I need you and Violet to go after the guards while I deal with the brat and anyone else who tries to get in the way. Any objections?" "I got no objections," Ash said with a grin. Violet just nodded with a smile. "Okay, we''ll sneak in at sundown. I''m sure these Royals will stay up late just to show off this brat of theirs," Gwin said with a grin. The other two nodded in agreement as they sat around the table and started to talk about possible scenarios and how they would deal with them. After a few hours of planning, they got ready to head for the Maldura Royal Palace. Ch.130 The Party Begins ''How are you supposed to trust someone if they only see you as an object? It seems only half of these nobles genuinely care about seeing my mother, father, and I... Plus that dude is fucking staring me down like he wants to beat the crap out of me! Who the hell is he?'' This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Duke Alaric looked at the . a mage in the master tier!" Marcus said with a serious look on his face. eyes Ch.131 The Duke’s Friends Alaric just finished scolding his son and sent him off before heading back to the party. He looked around and noticed that many of the nobles were looking at him. "Have you had your fill?" Alaric asked everyone that was watching him and his family. He knew why they were staring and knew that there were going to be many whispering behind his back about his and his son''s conduct. So he needed to confront those who dared to speak ill about him and his family. When confronted by the Duke, the nobles couldn''t help but feel nervous and turned away acting like they didn''t see anything. They didn''t dare to come near him and risk upsetting the Duke. "That''s what I thought..." Said Alaric as he turned on his heels and walked away from the nobles. What he needed was some wine and his allies. So he went in search of some wine first. When he was out of the crowd''s view he just stopped and sighed and leaned against the wall. "He''s going to be trouble, isn''t he?" A familiar voice asked Duke Alaric as he turned to see Viscount William Lysander walking towards him. "He is but a child. But yes he''s going to be trouble... My son lacks tact and seems to be stubborn," Alaric said as he took a glass of red wine from a waiter who was walking by. "Well, he better be ready for when the time comes... I always have faith in you Duke Alaric. You are the rightful heir to the throne," Viscount William whispered with a serious tone. Alaric nodded, "Thank you. But I would be a fool to take the throne from my brother. That is why we must get Marcus his rightful birthright back and get him on the throne. As I have stated before we can not let Duval ruin this country. That fool will do everything in his power to avoid conflicts at every cost. Even if that means the surrender of our lands." "Tell me about it... Did you hear that the Divine Three contacted him... It seems those fanatics want to marry off one of their female objects to him as soon as they can," Viscount William said as he drank from his glass of wine. "I didn''t know but it isn''t unexpected. I would be surprised if they didn''t contact him sooner or later... Especially since Duval is the most well-liked noble in the kingdom," Alaric said as he took a drink of his wine. "He''s only liked by most of the major lords... And you are wise to get the minor lords on your side... Get the mob on your side and the kingdom is yours... They are loyal to house Revelia... That being said, do you have a plan? For you know who?" Viscount William asked with a serious look. Alaric took a sip of his wine and then looked at the Viscount. "I don''t know what you are talking about," Alaric said as he looked away. Viscount William looked at the Duke and smiled. He knew that meant he had a plan and didn''t need to be involved. Which was fine by him. "Very well... We should look for Baron Alistair before he makes a fool of himself in front of the entire kingdom. I''ll be going," Viscount William said as he took his leave from the Duke. The Duke nodded and watched the Viscount leave the room before going off in search of Baron Alistair. ''That assassin better come through. Otherwise, I will have to deal with the consequences...'' The Duke thought as he looked around and spotted Baron Alistair. Alaric smiled as he went in the direction of the Baron. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. "So, Alistair. I hear that you''ve had quite an adventure recently. Care to tell me about it?" Alaric asked the Baron. Baron Alistair smiled, "Duke Alaric! I wouldn''t know where to start! My journey was long and filled with perilous challenges that I faced along the way... But I must tell you. I''ve never felt so alive, since my youth!" "I see, so what exactly did you encounter in this perilous adventure of yours?" Alaric asked with a smile on his face. "Well... We were in the middle of our trek across the Maldura plains when I felt something was wrong with the sky. Everything seemed normal but everything was quiet and that''s when I noticed there wasn''t a bird in the sky... So, I decided to scout out ahead... And that''s when I saw it!" Alistair said with an excited voice. Alaric smirked, "Saw what, Baron?" Before Alistair could answer the question two of the minor lords sighed and shook their heads. "You shouldn''t encourage this type of behavior, my lord," said Lord Meriwell as he shook his head at the Baron. Lord Clifton nodded and frowned at the Baron. The Baron was flabbergasted by his friends'' remarks and turned to look at Alaric for help. "Your Lordship. My colleagues think I''m under some type of delusion when I say that I saw a Griffin flying around the Maldura plains!" Alistair said with a serious tone. "You see my Lordship. A Griffin... There''s no way a Griffin was flying in the Maldura plains. It''s impossible! They nest on the Southern tip of the continent where the Beastkin tribes are. Like I said full of delusions and grandeur," Lord Meriwell said with a sigh. "I bloody saw one in the plains you twit! It attacked me and I was able to defeat it all by myself! And it was big! I''ve never seen anything like it!" Alistair said as he looked at Meriwell with a frown. "Baron Alistair... I''m not trying to upset you but have you thought about why a Griffin would be flying in the middle of the Maldura plains? And why a Griffin would attack you? They are not known to attack humanoids unless they are provoked. I think you''re just seeing things my friend," Lord Clifton said with a sigh. "And if the Baron did defeat this Griffin like he says he did, then why doesn''t he have the beak or a talon? Hell, even a feather would do for a trophy and it shows you speak the truth," Lord Meriwell said as he looked at the Baron. Baron Alistair''s smile faded as he sighed. "That''s not fair Meriwell! I did fight it off and it was real. Not some made-up story just to get attention like my Menticor fib... I said that in jest to shut the both of you up about my hunting prowess... But this time I''m telling you the truth," Alistair said with a frown. The two lords looked at each other before looking back at the Baron. Alaric sighed as he listened to his nobles discuss Alistair''s story and chimed in. "So you fought it off and didn''t slay it, Alistair? That doesn''t inspire confidence in your claims." The Baron shook his head, "Of course, I defeated it! It was only a Griffin! I know how to kill them!" Alaric shook his head, "I thought you were the best hunter in the kingdom, Baron Alistair. How are we supposed to slay a dragon if you keep telling stories about your accomplishments, aye?" said the Duke in a teasing tone. The Baron sighed in defeat, "It seems I have no one else to blame but myself." "Indeed you don''t. And for the love of the goddess tell the truth about this Griffin you saw," Lord Clifton said with a sigh. "That wasn''t a lie Clifton... You just need to trust my word this time. If you don''t want to believe me then fine! I''ll show you that Griffin is real if you decide to visit my territory sometime this month. Unless you are too afraid," Baron Alistair said as he looked at his friends. They looked at the Baron and sighed as they shook their heads. "Baron... Even if the Griffin is really there in the plains. We have more important things to deal with. Like helping secure the minor lords'' support for the Duke''s campaign. I have a bad feeling about the heir. I thought it was impossible for the Queen to give birth. But now with the heir and this rumor about the Divine Three offering an arranged marriage. Marcus might have lost his chance to become the next heir. We may be facing an uphill battle. We need to come up with a plan," Lord Meriwell said as he looked at his allies. The Baron frowned as he looked at his friends. "Please... unexpected things happen all the time. The boy might not make it to age 10 when the trials to go into the labyrinths and prove his adulthood to the court... I find being patient is the best course of action my Lordship... Besides, we still have 11 years to get more nobles on our side and get your son as strong as possible before we should make our move," Baron Alistair said as he tried to reason with his friends. "Alistair... The fates have never been kind to me... I''m a patient man, but I will not rely on the fates to aid me when they never had... I have a plan for the boy... Hopefully, I will see the results in due time, gentlemen." Alaric said as he took a sip of his wine. "I must agree with Duke Alaric on this one. I don''t think we should make any sudden moves that could endanger Marcus or any of us." Lord Meriwell said with a frown. "I trust your plan my Lordship. But do we have a backup strategy if things fall through?" Lord Clifton asked with a concerned look on his face. "All I can say is I''m playing this one close to my vest, gentlemen... That is all I shall say on the matter," The Duke said with a smirk on his face. The other nobles just looked at him with worried looks. They knew what the Duke meant by that statement. They all assumed he hired a assassin and it made them nervous if word got out that the Duke was the one to order the prince''s death. Alaric looked at his friends'' worried faces and nodded, "You all need to enjoy the rest of the party and give my regards to the King and Queen.... Afterward, we will go to our territories and gather support from the lesser nobles... That will be all, gentlemen." The three nobles bowed as they took their leave from the Duke. Once the men left Alaric finished his wine and went to go find the rest of his family. He wasn''t going to be staying that much longer and wanted to make sure his son was fine before he left. ''I wonder how things are going to play out when the time comes... Hopefully, I will have the backing of the minor nobles, and the nobles who don''t support Marcus will fall in line...'' Alaric thought as he walked into the main ballroom and looked around for his duchess. He then saw her with his son and three daughters. The girls were staring at the dancing while Marcus was sulking. The Duke walked over to them with a smile on his face. "We should get ready to leave in a half hour or so... We have a busy day tomorrow morning," The Duke said as he kissed his wife. "Yes, of course, dear. I just need to make sure Marcus doesn''t make a fool of himself again," The Duchess said as she kissed her husband. And after 30 minutes the Revelia''s left the party that went on into midnight. The guests were shocked when they saw the Duke and Duchess leave the party. And many of the guests started to whisper among themselves about House Revelia''s sudden departure from the party. They all thought it was strange and didn''t know what could have happened to make the Duke leave so soon. Ch.132 Getting Knocked Down a Peg (A couple of hours before the Queen retrieved her son at the party) A few of Quinus''s servants were in a small room next to the main hall. They were there mainly if the prince needed assistance. The small room could fit ten people comfortably as there was a small square table in the center of the room. There were eight chairs around it and two were missing due to their being used outside. The room had a few trinkets around the place but was mostly bare except for some portraits of past royal members of the Meredydd royal family. And the best part of this room was the secret peephole that looked upon the royal family''s throne. And if someone were to try and attack the family the knights stationed inside this room would act. It wasn''t that royal guardsmen weren''t present around the main hall and other areas of the palace. But they were in ceremonial garb that was meant for fashion in public settings rather than combat. So the palace had knights dressed in their combat garb hidden inside smaller rooms all around the palace. Just in case someone tries to attack the royal family in their own home. The room that was closest to the royal family had six people hanging around out of sight, from the rest of the nobles. One of them was Sir Douglas who was looking through the peephole while the other five were sitting around keeping each other company. While they waited for the festivities to wind down in a few hours or so. And as they were waiting Ingrid brought out some tea and snacks for the group. "There we are... This should help make the time go by a lot faster," Ingrid said as she brought over the tea and snacks to the knights and Wina. She then sat down next to Wina who was sitting with Mathew. The other two men were squires. They were the youngest in the room. Wina smiled at Ingrid, "Thanks, Ingrid. You''re a lifesaver." Ingrid giggled as she poured the tea into everyone''s cups. "Which noble do you think is going to show up last? I bet it''s Viscount Lysander," Wina said as she took her cup of tea from Ingrid. Sir Douglas chuckled, "Yeah, that is a safe bet. But I''m betting on the Duke. He seems more secluded of late. I don''t know if it has to do with realm business or he focusing on his son''s coming of age trials." Ingrid took a sip of her tea and nodded her head. "Yeah, I heard that his son has been acting like a brat lately... I wonder if they thought he was going to get the throne?" Ingrid said as she thought of the Duke and his son. Wina held her tongue and sipped her tea. ''I should have never taken this contract... But then I wouldn''t have met Ingrid and Mathew... Gods! I don''t want to kill the prince... Alaric can go to the seven layers of hell, for all that I care!'' Wina thought as she took a sip of her tea. "Are you okay, Wina?" Sir Mathew whispered when he noticed Wina''s body language became calm. Mathew has been with Wina for months now and was able to convince her to go on a couple of dates during off hours. She would get all flustered when he tried to get close to her. And he found that adorable when she kept lying about her true feelings. And he started picking up her nervous ticks which involved her becoming super calm. Like she''s ready to take someone''s life if need be. No one else noticed this but Mathew and Wina started becoming cool and collected when Ingrid and Douglas brought up the Duke. Wina smiled at Mathew, "Of course, Sir Mathew... It''s just if I need to take care of the prince. I don''t want to make a fool out of myself or the royal family. Especially in front of all the other nobles... It wouldn''t look good for my future prospects." "I understand... But I''m sure you''ll be fine... After all, you''ve done this a few times before and never failed, have you?" Mathew said with a grin as he looked at Wina. Wina''s heart skipped a beat and she shook her head, "Of course not! I''ve never failed to carry out my duties. That would make me lose the respect I''ve earned." Mathew chuckled, "I''m sure you''re going to be fine..." Ingrid decided to chime in, "Please... The crown prince is the perfect child... I''ve seen my share of babies and some of them start off like the prince but become a little difficult when they get older. But he has always been an angel. He will never be trouble for the royal family or the kingdom. You have nothing to worry about, Wina." ''An angel!? Oh, Ingrid... You don''t have him feeding off of your tits every day! He was good for a while. But he started using his tongue again and it makes me so hot and bothered that I need to masturbate after every feeding! And the worst part is I can''t stop fantasizing about Mathew touching me inappropriately.'' Wina thought as she finished her tea and grabbed a treat to snack on. "You don''t need to worry, Wina. I know you will be fine... Nothing really happens during a royal party... Mostly we''ll hear some of them throwing petty comments behind each other''s backs or have a minor lord trying to bed their wives in secret. That''s about it..." Ingrid said as she took a sip of her tea. "Eww!... I don''t need to see old people trying to bed each other... That''s gross!" Wina said as she scrunched up her face in disgust. "Second!" Mathew agreed. Ingrid smiled as she shook her head, "Just because someone''s old doesn''t mean they can''t have fun. Wait until you get old... And say that again." Wina held up her hands in defeat, "Sorry! I didn''t mean to offend you. But it is annoying that you have to clean up their mess. That''s all..." Then the wet nurse looked over to the other young knights, "So, Sir Douglas... Who are these two kids? We haven''t been introduced yet." Sir Douglas turned away from observing the royal family through the peephole and smiled, "That''s right. I haven''t introduced them. This is George, and the one next to him is Robert. They are promising young squires that might become knights in a few years." Wina looked at them and gave them a nod, "Nice to meet you both." The young men gave her a polite nod back as they were staring at the gorgeous wet nurse in awe. They both were 20 years old and were wearing chainmail with a loose surcoat that had the royal family''s insignia on the left side. They had brown eyes and black hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. Then one of the squires turned his head and acted like he wasn''t interested in Wina while pulling out his purse and started counting his copper coins out in the open. Wina didn''t know what to make of this behavior and raised her brow in confusion. The other squire looks to his left to see his comrade flaunting his coin "wealth" in front of everyone. Robert frowned, "What in the Goddess''s green world are you doing?" "Shut up, Robert!... Can''t you see that I''m working?" George said as he gave his comrade a stern look. Robert frowned at his friend as he looked around the room. Wina noticed what was going on and smirked. ''Is he trying to impress me with his coin? Oh, this kid is going to grow up to be one of those guys... May the Gods have mercy on his naive soul.'' "Are you kidding me? Are you trying to test your moronic pickup skills right now in front of Sir Douglas and Sir Mathew? Seriously? Do you want to die?" Robert said with a sigh. George ignored his comrade and started to play with the coins with one hand as he looked back at Wina and smiled. Wina was rolling her eyes and Sir Mathew was trying to keep his anger in check. "What the hell is wrong with him? Is he really trying to impress me with his coin?" Wina asked Sir Mathew with a sigh. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Sir Mathew frowned as he looked at George, "I''m afraid so... I have no clue where this kid gets these ideas from..." Wina thought for a moment before she got a devilish idea. "Hey? Do you want to knock him down a peg?" She whispered to Mathew with a mischievous grin. Mathew smirked as he nodded, "Sure! What are you going to do?" "Just follow my lead and let me do all the talking," Wina said as she stood up and approached George. This wasn''t her first time seducing a man. Seven years ago she had a target that frequently visited Burlesque houses and he loved to hire escorts. He was a low-ranked noble who caught the attention of the other lords of similar rank and they didn''t appreciate the way he was trying to climb the ranks. It was a little too fast for their liking. So, those nobles in a small kingdom west of Marn put a hit contract out on him. It took her one day to finish the job, disguised as an escort. And here was this little squire acting like a wealthy merchant playboy but all he was, was a wanna-be. She came up to him and he was smiling at her. "So, you are interested in me, my lady? How about we go somewhere private to continue this conversation?" George asked with a flirtatious smile. Wina just ignored his advances and stared at him with an uninterested look on her face. "You really think a few coppers will woo me? Can that little purse of yours buy a glass of Walister sparkling wine? Because if not it''s just a waste of your coin," Wina said as she held back her laughter. The knights and the squire started to laugh when George started getting flustered. The young squire frowned and glared at Wina, "Tck! You women are all the same... Only looking for a purse full of gold... Good luck with that." "Oh? You have me figured out then? Let me tell you something... It''s not the size of the purse that will get you the woman you want. It''s your personality that needs to woo them... Because if you wish to treat me as an object then I will do the same to you..." Wina said as she crossed her arms under her chest and raised a brow in a questioning manner. "Hahaha! She got you, George! I told you that they don''t fall for that crap," Robert said as he chuckled. George frowned, "No! I tell you that it does work! I swear! I just need to correct my mistakes and she''ll fall for me in no time! I just need to use gold coins instead of copper... I was too impatient before executing ''Pillar of Statue''. I won''t make the same mistake again." "George! Get your head out of your ass! You''re not even on a knight''s salary! And she doesn''t want to hear any of that crap you keep spewing," Robert said as he shook his head. "Look! I know I can do this if I had more time... That''s why I''m using copper coins right now." George said as he started putting his copper coins back into his purse. ''Did he just ignore me? I''m standing next to him! Does this kid think I''m not here? He needs to be taught a lesson...'' Wina thought as she grabbed Sir Mathew''s hand. Mathew who was holding back on scolding the squire was surprised by Wina''s forwardness but kept silent as he was curious what she was going to do next. She looked back at Mathew and whispered, "Can I see your purse for a quick second, Sir Mathew?" Mathew nodded as he reached into his person and pulled out his purse which caught George''s attention. "See Robert! She''s taking Sir Mathew''s coin as we speak andhuh?" George''s whole ideology was turned upside down when Wina took a gold coin out from the skirt of her dress and put it into Mathew''s purse before returning it. "But... But... But..." George stuttered as he witnessed the wet nurse giving Mathew the gold coin out of nowhere. Wina smirked and smiled at Mathew, "Now let me get what I paid for." She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and Mathew smirked. "Well? I''m all yours this evening, Miss Wina," Mathew said as he looked at the squires. Sir Douglas shook his head, "You two can have your fun after the party." Robert started to laugh as he watched George having a mental breakdown in his chair. "I told you, man... You got to stop treating women like they don''t have a personality" Robert was interrupted by George slamming his hands down on the table before standing up quickly. "SIR MATHEW! TELL ME YOUR SECRET! HOW DID YOU GET HER TO GIVE YOU COIN AND A KISS!?" George demanded as he looked at the knight. Sir Douglas just shook his head in disgust as he looked at his squires, "GEORGE! Knock it off right now or so help me, Goddess. I will send you out of this room with a bloody nose!" Ingrid, Sir Mathew, and Wina looked at Sir Douglas before laughing at George who was looking down in embarrassment and shame. Wina smiled and looked at Mathew, "Well, hopefully, that knocked him down a peg... Let''s sit down and finish our tea. It would be best to get in the proper mood for after-hours tonight. I don''t know why but I want to be alone with you." "Oh? I''m looking forward to that," said Mathew as he smiled and nodded while guiding Wina back to her seat. They took their seats and finished their tea. While George sits there replaying the events over in his mind and trying to figure out where he went wrong. *** A couple of hours passed. "Haah!... Well, you''re right about the Duke being the last to show up Sir Douglas. Huh? Oh! Everyone! The Queen is taking the Prince to his room. It''s time to assist her," Ingrid said as she closed the peephole and everyone stood up and exited the small room to the main ballroom. Ingrid notices the Queen picking up her son from the highchair. The Queen smiled at everyone who was paying their last respects for the night and was ready to turn in for the night. Once she reached the doors behind the throne. Sir Douglas and Sir Mathew were walking beside her as she took a right and started walking down the hallway with the rest of her servants following her. Wina and Ingrid were able to walk next to the Queen as they made their way towards Quinus''s room. "Is there anything you need from us, your Majesty?" Ingrid asked as she looked up at the Queen. "Nothing in particular... I''m just taking him to his room to put him to bed... He seems to be finicky and I believe he is done for the night. Would you like to feed him, Wina?" Queen Rianna asked the wet nurse with a smile on her face. "I will try my best, Your Majesty. But he doesn''t seem to be hungry..." Wina said with a smile as she looked down at the Prince. "I''m sure he won''t complain once you show yourself to him," The Queen said with a chuckle. The Queen looked down at her son as he was smiling at his wet nurse and started to fidget when he noticed his mother was staring at him. "He''s going to be trouble with the ladies when he gets older... Isn''t he?" Wina said as she noticed the Prince starting to smile more. "Most likely... But I wouldn''t worry too much. I''ll make sure he is disciplined before he becomes a man. I''ll teach him to just find the right person for him to catch his interest," The Queen said as they made it to the staircase and went up two flights of stairs until they were on the third floor. Wina sighed as she looked at the Prince who had his eyes locked on her, "I guess we need to go faster, Your Majesty. The prince seems to want to feed from me right here and right now." The Queen smiled, "He''s just staring at you... That''s all." *** They made their way down the hallway until they got to the prince''s room. The guard on duty was waiting outside the door with a smile on his face. Sir Douglas spoke first, "The prince is ready to turn in for the night. Anything to report, Sir Sion?" The knight on duty shook his head, "No, there haven''t been any disturbances... As usual, the palace staff are on the ball as always." "Good... Robert, come with me, while George. Go with Sir Mathew. We just need to scan the Prince''s room before we can leave," Sir Douglas said as he entered the room with the other three men. It took them a minute before they gave the Queen the okay to come in. Ingrid, Wina, and the Queen walked into the room. The Queen gave her son to Wina and kissed him on the forehead. "Well, that wasn''t too bad of a first event. Right, Quinus?" Quinus gave his mother a happy squeal. "Aw! You''re so cute my love," Queen Rianna said as she turned to look at Wina and Ingrid. "Please make sure my son gets plenty of rest tonight and let me know if he has any problems," The Queen said with a smile. Wina smiled and nodded, "I will make sure I take extra care of him, your Majesty." "We''ll make sure everything will go smoothly, Your Majesty," Ingrid added with a bow. The Queen looked at her son one more time before leaving the room with Sir Douglas and Sir Sion. She was heading to her chamber. Wina and Ingrid bowed their head. Wina took Quinus to a chair in the corner and sat down. "So, do you want to have an evening snack, Quinny?" Wina asked the baby as he was staring at her with hungry eyes. "YEEEAAAAHHH!!!" Squealed the prince. Wina laughed and undid the top of her dress to allow the baby to feed. Sir Mathew, Robert, and George stayed behind to guard the prince until the party was over. And George''s eyes were popping out of his skull when he saw Wina''s massive tits. Sir Mathew noticed him staring at her and walked up to him. "See something that you like boy?" Mathew asked in an irritated tone. George stiffened up with shock as he slowly turned his head towards the knight. "Uhhh! I''m sorry, Sir Mathew. I just got something in my eye is all." Mathew glared at him, "Good! Keep your eyes and hands to yourself. Got it, boy? Or so help me, you will wish you were never born." George was sweating buckets when he saw the cold look on Mathew''s face, "Yes, Sir Mathew." Robert just shook his head when witnessing his comrade''s idiocy. ''Hmm? Maybe I can give that kid some of my non-lethal poison and watch him shit himself? Yeah! I like that idea. Hehe-AUNGH!? Quinus? He''s using his tongue on my nipples again! Oh, wow! This is... UGH! It''s too intense!'' Wina bit her lower lip to stop herself from moaning. *** It was an hour later when Quinus finished feeding from Wina and she handed him off to Ingrid so they could change him out of his clothes and put him in his crib. As Wina was adjusting her dress, she felt someone staring at her. She looked to her right and saw the squire George was still watching her. ''Oh, come on! What does it take for this kid to learn?'' Wina thought as she finished straightening her clothes. Wina then stood up and turned towards the crib in the middle of the room where Ingrid was heading with a sleeping Quinus in her arms. And when she was about three feet away from Ingrid she couldn''t help but feel like something was off. Like there was some dark aura surrounding the room all of a sudden. ''I feel so nervous right now! I wonder if I''m getting the creeps from that stupid squire who can''t stop staring at me. Or is this something else?... Maybe it''s my imagination?'' Wina thought as she approached the crib. She noticed Ingrid''s face had a look of discomfort and concern. "Are you okay, Ingrid?" Wina asked with a worried look. "Huh? Oh... I''m fine. I just feeling under the weather all of a sudden. But I''m fine." Wina nodded, "Okay... I won''t push the matter. But let me know if it gets worse... I can get someone else to help." "I''m fine, Wina. Don''t worry," Ingrid said with a smile. "All right, I''ll watch over the prince so you" Her comment was interrupted when Wina noticed that Mathew and the other two men weren''t looking so good either. They seemed pale and were having trouble standing. "Mathew! George! Robert! What''s going on? Are you guys okay?" Wina asked as she noticed them all struggling. That was when she smelled a faint fragrance in the air. ''Huh!?... Is that... Galebane Fumes? But I don''t'' Before Wina could register her thoughts about where this toxic aroma was coming from. Three hidden figures decided to jump out of the shadows. Making the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Ch.133 A Fight with Some Assassins The two of the three cloaked figures started to engage Mathew and the Squires while the last one came for the sleeping prince where Wina and Ingrid were in his way. "INGRID! PROTECT THE PRINCE! I''LL TAKE CARE OF THIS ASSASSIN!" Wina screamed as she turned and grabbed the arm of the assassin that was closing in on her, flipped him over her shoulder, and slammed him onto the floor before his venom-laced blade could scratch her skin. Ash groaned as he quickly got to his feet and attacked Wina, again. *SWING!* *THUD!* Wina caught the assassin''s wrist and stopped the blade inches away from her right eye. Mathew, Robert, and George had unsheathed their swords and engaged with the two female assassins. *Cling! Clang!* "A-Assassins!? Gah! George! Robert! Take these two! Wina is in trouble and the prince is about to get stolen by the third assassin!" Sir Mathew shouted as he fought against the brown-skinned female assassin. ''I got to protect the Prince at all costs. No matter what!'' Sir Mathew thought as he used his training and skills to fend off the assassin''s blade. Sir George was fighting the fair-skinned female assassin with violet eyes and was having the fight of his life. But the knight and the two squires were feeling sluggish because of the Galebane toxic that was permeating through the air. Mathew was getting winded far too quickly and was starting to slow down. "G-GAH! This is ridiculous. How is this possible!?" Mathew asked as he barely dodged another slash of the outstretched arm with her dagger. "Hmph! We should have waited for the toxin to set in. Tsk! You were impatient Ash," Violet said as she fought against the two squires. Ash growled, "Shut it! We''re making too much noise! We need to hurry and finish this!" "Then do it already!" Gwin yelled as she fought against Sir Mathew. Wina was able to hold the assassin off for a bit but he was getting the better of her because she couldn''t get to her assassin''s belt. All because she wore a normal dress instead of her tear-away battle dress. "G-GAH!" The assassin punched Wina in the gut and the blow knocked the air out of her. "WINAAA!!!!" Mathew and Ingrid yelled as they witnessed her falling backward and landing on her back. ''Dammit! I''ve gotten too complacent... How did I let my guard down!... But I will not die here... I can''t!'' Wina thought as she looked up and noticed the assassin''s dagger. Wina saw the assassin was about to drive his blade into her face. When Ingrid grabbed the arm of the assassin and yanked him towards her. "Ingrid!?" Wina yelled in shock as she watched the assassin turn around and stabbed Ingrid in the stomach. The pain in her eyes and the look of desperate determination on her face would be forever etched in her mind. For all of her years of assassinating people, she thought she had grown accustomed to seeing such expressions. But this one hit differently. Ingrid had become a mother figure to Wina. A mother that showed her compassion and a sense of belonging. This person who was in the same field of work was stealing Ingrid''s life away from Wina. And it was the first time she a ever felt this strange sense of anger coming from her core. Anger that was turning into pure rage and it showed on Wina''s face. Ingrid gasped and coughed up some blood. "INGRID!!!!! YOU BASTARD!!!" Wina grabbed the left side of her skirt and ripped it vertically so she could get her dagger from her assassin''s belt. The assassin pulled his dagger out of Ingrid''s stomach. And the older woman collapsed next to the assassin''s legs. "Fucking old woman, WHOA!" *CLING! CLANG! CLONG!* Wina came at Ash with such speed that it surprised the assassin. The two were locked and were nearly eye to eye as they were pushing against each other''s blades. "Gah!? Who''s this fucking human!?... She is supposed to be a wet nurse!" Ash asked with a look of annoyance and shock on his face. "You are a disgrace of an assassin... You dare claim jump my target... and sloppily killing everyone around you like second-rate amateurs!?... PATHETIC!!!" Wina exclaimed as her eyes turned cold and murderous. Wina was putting enough force against her dagger to knock the assassin off balance. And Ash was losing his footing. "Huh!?" Ash''s face paled when he noticed Wina''s dagger was that of an Umbralis-ranked assassin. The highest rank that is given to those in the Assassin''s Society. *** ''S-Shit! What the hell!? That''s impossible! The wet nurse is an Umbralis-ranked assassin!? No! There is no way! I need to end her now!'' Ash thought as his mind was racing with thoughts of fear and confusion. "You call me, pathetic!? You had ample time to end yourGawh!" Wina slammed her knee into his gut. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. *Thud!* Wina quickly performed a series of graceful strikes with her dagger and cut into his forearm that was holding his weapon. Then sliced his side and nailed the top of his quad. It was causing him to stagger to the ground. "Ah-AAAHHH!!!" "Nothing but a second-rate Mortis..." Wina mocked him. (Mortis are the second-highest ranking in the Assassin''s Society) "Grrrrr! I''ll show you who''s second rate," Ash yelled in frustration. *BANG!* Ash''s right hook connected with Wina''s dagger and he tried to twist the weapon out of Wina''s grip. But she held strong as they were locked in place the blade sunk into the middle of his fist. "Guh!" Ash gritted his teeth in pain. Wina''s face was inches away from the assassin''s. That''s when she noticed his wounds were starting to heal as a cloud of smoke was coming from his cuts. ''What the fuck is this?... He''s healing?... I know what you are you piece of shit!'' Thought Wina. She smirked, "You''re far away from the Nophtian Continent... My little Vampire." "WHAT!?" The surprise and shock were clearly evident on Ash''s face. "H-How did you?" "You can hide those fangs of yours but your healing factor is showing... Time for you to stay dead..." "Fuck off human!" Wina skillfully pulled out a seven-inch needle from her assassin belt with her off hand and twirled it in her fingers almost like she was using a butterfly knife and tried to stab him in the heart. "Gah! How is she so fast!?... This is an Umbralis-ranked human!" Ash screamed out in panic as he barely managed to dodge the strike and counterattack with his own. "Die, human!" Wina''s body moved in a strange manner like her body was made of noodles, as it contorted and bent in a way to avoid the blade. *SHINK!* She dug her poisoned dagger into his right shoulder leaving his chest vulnerable to her seven-inch needle. "A-AAHHHH!" *Thud!* "Let''s see how long your chest barrier can last?" *SLAM!* *THUD!* As the silver seven-inch needle was about to make contact with Ash''s chest. A magical transparent blood-red barrier appeared in front of his heart and halted its approach. "GAH! FUCK YOU HUMAN!!!" Ash screamed as Wina channeled her mana into the needle making it glow white causing his barrier to show glowing red cracks all over it. ''It''s breaking! Dammit! I can''t move! I should have listened to Gwin!'' Ash thought as his barrier continued to show more cracks from the needle piercing it. Wina was staring at him with her cold murderous eyes. "You will regret this day." The needle finally shattered the barrier and made contact with his chest. "G-Gawwweee!!!!!" "This is for Ingrid you piece of shit," Wina said through gritted teeth as she pushed her needle deeper into his chest until she pierced his heart. *GURTCH!* Wina was seething with fury as she twisted her needle into his heart. "GAH-AWK!" The Vampire gurgled up some blood as his skin slowly turned a grayish-blue and his fangs popped out. It took only a moment before he exploded into a pile of purple blood and bone ash. *Thump!* Wina removed her needle from the remains and flicked the blood from her weapon. *** (Moments before Ingrid stepped in to save Wina.) "Gah! My head is spinning!? These assassins must have put something in the air!" George yelled out to Robert as he shook his head. "Gah! George! Focus! You can''t afford to let your guard down!" Robert said in an annoyed tone as he parried another strike from the assassin with purple eyes. "You''re right, Robert. GAH! AGH! What''s wrong with my body!? It feels like my limbs are getting heavier." "Ugh! I don''t feel too good either," Robert said as his sword was shaking. The two squires were having trouble just keeping their weapons up as the toxin in the air was slowing their reaction time and movements. Violet thinks she sees an opening on Robert and strikes him. *CLING! CLONG!* "Damn, his armor is a lot thicker than I thought," Violet mutters under her breath. "Robert!" George panicked. "Don''t worry, George. I''m okay." Robert said while rubbing the spot on his armor. Thankful that it stopped the blade. "Dammit!" Violet yells in frustration. "I''m growing a newfound hatred for assassins" Robert comments. "Well, it''s time to end this," George says as he tries to keep his sword steady. "Not going to happen." Violet''s eyes turned a dark purple as she stared into his eyes. *Whoosh!* George''s body and mind instinctively parry her shadow''s swift strikes. *Clang!* *Cling!* *CLONG!* Violet couldn''t believe this kid could see through her technique. "Well, your no average squire, are you?" Violet says as she looks into his eyes. "Haha! Yeah! I''m going to be the youngest knight in Fiafyr history... Gah!" George was kicked in the leg causing him to go down on one knee. *Clang! Clong!* "Heh, well that doesn''t matter. You''ll never become a knight... I''ll kill you and the others before you even get a chance." Violet''s eyes shifted to her right as she saw her partner Ash getting grabbed by the older maid. ''Dammit, Ash, what the hell are you doing!? Kill those weaklings and help me kill these two annoying meat bags!'' Robert then came in and tried to attack Violet''s blind side but she was able to sense his approach and parried his blade with ease. *CLANG!* Violet jumped and flipped backward. "I''ve had enough of this game," Violet said as she took out a glass vial and charged in after the two. "Gw-Gwaahh!" George was hit in the chest by the glass bottle. *Crunch!* *Thud!* The glass broke on the plate mail and the contents inside the vial started melting his armor and burned George''s skin. "GWAHHH!!!! MY ARMOR AND SKIN IS ON FIRE!" George screams as he desperately removes his chest plate that was being eaten away by acid. Robert wanted to help but the assassin was right on top of him and the toxin was affecting him and slowing his reaction time. "I don''t think so, you little brat," Violet said as she zeroed in on him. "Gah! Ah-Gah-Ah!" Robert yelled as he tried to repel her. But the toxin had finally taken its toll and he was too slow to react. Violet''s blade knocked his sword away before she cut into his leg and tried to slice through his thigh as much as possible. "Ah-Gwaaah!" "You are done," Violet said as she grinned. "G-Gah-Ah." Robert sputtered out, as the blood loss and poisons in his system were taking its toll. Robert was able to parry one more of her strikes but was knocked down onto his back. Robert''s vision blurred and his body went limp. "ROBERT!!!!!!" George yelled out as his eyes were wide in shock. "Ahhh...." Robert muttered as his eyes began to lose focus. Violet smiled. "I guess it''s your turn now, meat bag." George''s face became pale with anger, sadness, and fear. His life seemed easy up to this point. Going through monsters, dueling his peers, and learning from the knights. George was now looking down the edge of his mortality and watching his friend bleed out on the floor. "I see my poison is finally setting in. That makes things easier." "Y-You''re a monster," George said as he was able to discard his melting armor and was holding his sword with a shaky hand. "I''ve been called a lot of things, meat bag. But being a monster is the best compliment an assassin could get," Violet said as she took a fighting stance. "I will make you pay for what you''ve done," George says with determination. Violet''s eyes widened. "Really? What is a weak little squire like you going to do? Your friends are already dying, and you''re next. You are no threat to me, boy." "We''ll see about that, coward!" George used what little strength he had left and lunged towards Violet. "Foolish boy," Violet said as she charged at the squire. *CLANG!* Their blades clashed as George tried to push the attack into her face but she parried his strike and counterattacked with a flurry of blows. "Ah-Gah-GAH-UGH!" George grunted as he felt the pain, in his hands from the assassin''s violent strikes, vibrating through his sword. George staggered back as he barely kept up with her attack. "You really are an annoyance," Violet said as she kicked him in his chest. "GAH!" Grunted George as he fell to one knee again. "Your body is already failing you... You should just give up," Violet said as she was about to cut his neck. But once again George''s instincts kicked in and somehow had enough strength in his body to swiftly swing his sword upwards connecting with Violet''s wrist. *Swing!* *Splat!* *CRUNCH!* "G-Gah!" Violet was unable to dodge his unexpected counter and her hand was lopped off. "HOW DID YOU DO THAT, YOU LITTLE BRAT?!" Violet''s eyes were wide open in surprise, anger, and confusion. And before she knew it George was able to pierce her in the gut with his sword. "It''s because I''m no average squire, coward," George said with a grin. The whites of Violet''s eyes turned red and fangs popped out. George tried to pull away from her but she grabbed his sword arm and pulled herself closer to him as the hilt of the sword made contact with her skin. "N-No way! You''re a vampire!?" George said in a panic as he desperately tried to get away from her. "I-I''m going to suck you dry, you little brat!" Violet sneered. George used his other hand to grab her by the neck to push her away but she then wrapped her legs around his waist and was coming closer to his neck. "GAH!" He falls on his back with the vampire refusing to let go of him and pursues his neck in hopes of biting him. "N-No! Get off of me!" George had lost his grip on his sword and it was still inside the vampire as she was slowly pulling herself towards him. "Now time for a snack," Violet said with a sinister grin and was ready to bite him on the neck. That was when they heard the death screams from Ash as Wina pierced his heart with a seven-inch needle. Causing him to explode into a pile of blood. *BOOM!* "ASH!!! NO!!!" Violet yelled out as she was distracted by the death of her comrade and let her guard down for a moment. George used his now free hand and punched the vampire in the face. *SMACK!* Violet was stunned for a moment but regained her focus. "Oh, I''m going to enjoy making you all suffer," Violet said as her fangs were inches away from his neck. George''s eyes widened. "NO! GET OFF ME, YOU COWARD!!!" Violet was ready to bite him in the neck but before she could do anything. Wina rushed over with blazing speed. "This is for Ingrid," Wina said through gritted teeth, as she skillfully threw her mana-infused needle into Violet''s back. Shattering her protection barrier with ease and striking her heart. *PING!* "NOOOOOOO!!!!" *POP!* Violet''s heart was pierced by the needle. Causing her body to explode into blood and guts. *SPLAT!* "GAH-Ah!" George exclaimed as he had a front-row seat when the vampire died right before his eyes. George''s whole being was covered in the purple blood and gore from the freshly slaughtered vampire. "Huff... Huff... So... Gross..." George was panting and shaking as his adrenaline wore off and he felt the full force of the Galebane toxic take hold. Making him feel tired. Wina would have liked to help George but she needed to focus on the last assassin. She lost one person close to her. She didn''t want to lose Mathew as well. Who looked like he was giving trouble to the last vampire assassin. *** Ch.134 The Lightning Rider Back at the beginning of the fight, Mathew parries off a poisoned dagger that was about to stab him. ''Whoa! That was a close one!'' Mathew thought as his adrenaline kicked in. *Cling!* "A-Assassins!? Gah! George! Robert! Take these two! Wina is in trouble and the prince is about to get stolen by the third assassin!" Sir Mathew shouted as he fought against the brown-skinned female assassin. ''I got to protect the Prince at all cost. No matter what!'' Sir Mathew thought as he used his training and skills to fend off the assassin''s blade. But this dark-skinned assassin wasn''t letting him go so easily to help Wina and the Prince. And with the Galebane Fumes still in the air, Mathew got winded far too quickly. He could tell the toxin was affecting him by the way his body was sluggish and he was getting exhausted as the sweat started pouring down his forehead. ''Darn! This poison is getting the best of me. I got to stay sharp.'' *Clang!* "G-GAH! This is ridiculous. How is this possible!?" Mathew asked as he barely dodged another slash of the outstretched arm of the assassin''s dagger. "I don''t think so, you are not leaving until you are dead," the assassin said with a smirk. "Damn," Mathew muttered under his breath. "Hmph! We should have waited for the toxin to set in. Tsk! You were too impatient Ash," Violet said as she fought against the two squires. Ash growled, "Shut it! We''re making too much noise! We need to hurry and finish this!" "Then do it already!" Gwin yelled as she charged at Mathew pushing him away from the Prince. "You''re not going anywhere," Gwin said through gritted teeth. Mathew could tell his reaction time was slowing. ''I can''t get to the prince in time!'' *Clash!* Gwin and Mathew were fighting each other but Gwin was far faster and was pushing him back with each strike of her dagger. And her fighting technique was unusual from any opponent he fought before. Gwin likes to keep a low stance. Almost like she was doing the splits while having her arms pointed downward with daggers in each hand. It was almost as if she was a snake. Waiting to strike her prey. ''Tsk! I need to help the Prince but if I die here, then the Prince would be killed without hesitation.'' Mathew thought as he had to be on the defense as Gwin continued to attack him relentlessly. *Cling!* "Grrrr! Get out of my way!" Mathew said with a snarl. Gwin was smiling. "Oh, you want to dance? I like a man who knows how to take the lead!" Gwin''s eyes shifted to a dark red color. Mathew''s eyes widened as he started to see the triples of the assassin before him. Almost like he was having double vision. But somehow his instincts knew where to block her attack. "How!? What is this trickery!? Are you some type of illusionist!?" Mathew shouted in frustration. "Sort of, I just love playing with my food," Gwin said as she struck at his chest. Mathew tried to block the attack but her dagger phased through his sword. *Cling!* "AHHHHH!" Mathew cried out in pain as the dagger sliced his flesh and was now bleeding. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "You''re lucky that was my shadow that struck you. Otherwise, the poison on my blade would have killed you in a matter of minutes... I wish this wasn''t a mission I would have made you my pet," Gwin said as her eyes had a hungry look to them. "What are you?" Mathew asked as his eyes widened with fear. "Just a hungry kitten," Gwin said with a smirk. ''Gah! Damn it! Is she a werewolf or a vampire? What the fuck are their kind doing on the Agon continent!? If they are here then we''re in trouble. They only come to a new land when there are no more lands or resources to conquer. We''re truly screwed if that''s the case.'' Mathew thought to himself. "I can see it in your eyes, human. You know what I am and are frightened." "I''m not scared of a bunch of monsters," Mathew said through gritted teeth. "We''ll see about that. Because you will be dead... Sooner or later... Once I''m done playing with you," Gwin said with a devilish grin. ''What? Is she some kind of succubus? No. She would have attempted to charm me... She and her friends must be vampires... I need to protect the prince. I need to save Wina... Oh, Goddess!? Wina!'' Mathew thought as he realized his the woman he loved was in danger. Gwin could sense his panic. "I don''t think so. You won''t be leaving until we are done with you, and you will watch your comrades die." Gwin''s eyes narrowed and her hands started moving so fast that her daggers became a blur and Mathew could barely see them. "AHHHH! AHHH! GAH! AHH!" "I told you, you are going to die here, human." Mathew was screaming in pain and falling backwards as he was getting cuts all over his body from Gwin''s shadows. That''s when he looked over towards Wina and saw her beating back the male assassin. ''Huh!? I didn''t know she could fight that well!? No, she''s not just holding her own. She''s pushing him back... I can''t let her upstage me! How will she ever respect me as a man if I need her to rescue me.'' Mathew grits his teeth and uses his mana to enhance his strength and speed. He uses a skill he rarely uses because of the toll that it puts on his body. "Lightning Speed!" *Shing!* His whole body was engulfed in lightning. Mathew''s eyes turned bright yellow before looking at the assassin coming after him. *BANG!* Mathew kicked Gwin and slammed her into the wall. Causing a dent to appear. "G-Gwah! How!?" Gwin was coughing up blood. "You made a big mistake facing me... I''m not going to enjoy tomorrow but you pushed me to my limit," Mathew said with a wicked grin. ''I have no idea why you are on Agon, vampire, but no more holding back.'' "You... You''re a Lightning Rider!" Gwin said as she had a scared look. Mathew''s smile widened. "Yes. I''m one of the last few in this world. And you are going to pay for all the cuts you gave me." Gwin''s eyes widened. "Shit!" *Cling!* "G-Gah! Ah!" Gwin said as her eyes were wide in surprise as her blades couldn''t match the speed of Mathew''s sword. She was lucky that he went after one of her shadows that kept shifting around. But sooner or later he was going to guess right and strike her with his sword that was covered in electricity. "This is what happens when you mess with a Maja that has lightning for blood," Mathew said as his yellow eyes narrowed on his target. "And you call me a monster, meat bag! You''re more of a monster than any of us. Your kind of human should have died out decades ago," Gwin said. "Tsk! That''s rich coming from you," Mathew said as his voice was deep. He moved quickly hoping to hit the real Gwin. *Zap!* But Gwin was able to avoid his slash. *SHING!* "Damn," Mathew said with a hiss. "You will pay for that, meat bag," Gwin said. "Humph! Like hell, I will." The two were dashing around the room. ''Gah! Where is the real Gwin?'' Mathew thought to himself. But his thoughts were cut short when he sensed something behind him. "Gotcha!" *PING!* "Ah!" Gwin had tried to attack him from behind with her venomous daggers but the lightning was protecting him. As a small amount of electricity shot through the blade and discharged throughout her body. *SHOCK!* "AHHHH!" Gwin was flung back as she was convulsing. "G-Gah... Ack!" Gwin was coughing up blood. She had no time to recover as Mathew was on top of her swinging his sword down on her. "GAH!" *SMACK!* Gwin had just blocked the blow but felt the lightning discharge through her body. *Cling!* "This isn''t the last you''ll see of me," Gwin said as she was bleeding heavily from her mouth, eyes, and ears. *WHOOSH!* Her body vanished. "Damn it," Mathew said as he was sweating heavily. "GAH-AWK!" Screamed the male assassin who was getting stabbed in the heart by Wina. ''She did it! She killed the vampire!'' Mathew sighed in relief as his lightning was flickering. His skill was about to fade and leave him vulnerable. "Huff-huff... I need to keep this one from escaping." He looked around trying to find the female assassin who was using her illusion trick to hide herself. ''I can''t see her, but maybe I can sense her presence with my mana.'' "Detect Mana," Mathew said and closed his eyes. As he closed his eyes. He was hoping to see a disturbance in the electric particles that his body was emitting. It''s a trick that he picked up from his father but never had to use this skill until now. Everything seemed so dark with his eyes closed. But the slightest yellow particles were floating around. He could tell these were his electric sparks dispersing through the air. ''I see a few signatures colliding with my mana. But they are too small to be Wina or George''s. There are a few over by the door and one is heading towards me.'' "There you are," Mathew said as he could sense Gwin was in the air to the right side of him. *Cling!* When he opened his eyes. Mathew swung his sword down and Gwin was shocked to see him parry her attack and quickly counter it as his blade made contact with her stomach. *SLASH!* "G-AHHHHH!" *SPLAT!* She was cut in half and the two parts of her body hit the floor. "D-Damn..." Mathew said as his strength gave out as well as his Lightning Speed ability. Mathew looked over to see how Wina was doing and noticed George was covered in purple blood and guts of the other vampire that Wina had killed. ''Oh thank goodness she''s alright!'' "Wina!" Mathew shouted as he sat there on one knee trying to catch his breath. Wina looked over to him and ran over. "Mathew!" Wina asked as she was worried about him. "Hey!... I''m fine... I just used my ability to overclock my body. Huff-huff... How''s the prince?" Wina looked back to the prince and noticed he was passed out in his crib. He was asleep for the entire battle but with the Galebane Fumes still in the air. He probably couldn''t wake up even if he wanted to. "He''s fine. But I need to give him an antidote for the Galebane Toxin." Wina was about to head over to Quinus when she and Mathew noticed the upper body of Gwin was moving. The assassin''s lower half was missing as it slowly tried to heal itself. But with an injury of this magnitude. She was going to need two weeks before she would grow a new set of legs. "Huff-huff... D-Damn it! Damn it all to hell!" Gwin was angry as she was bleeding heavily and was using her arm strength to move herself. "I think I need to take care of her first," Wina said as her face was grim. She needed to know who sent another assassin to jump her claim on the prince. She thought she was the only one who was sent to kill the prince. But there were three assassins here to kill the baby. "Y-You! How are you still alive!? The rumors about vampires are no joke," Mathew said with a growl. "You will... Huff-huff... never take me alive, you meat bags," Gwin said as she pulled out a vial that had a clear liquid in it. "Is that some sort of potion?" Mathew asked. Wina''s eyes went wide, "Crap! It''s holy water! She''s going to take her own life rather than face being captured." There wasn''t anything she could do to stop her and it wasn''t anything surprising for Wina. She was trained to do the same thing. But now that she had people who loved her. She didn''t want to throw her life away. Even if she was captured. "See you in the afterlife, meat bags," Gwin said with a snarl. *CRUNCH!* *Psssssssss* Wina watched as the vampire started to turn into ash as the holy water was melting her skin. "Fat chance," Mathew said with a snarl. *POP!* Gwin''s upper body and head burst open until she was nothing but a pile of blood and guts. Ch.135 I Have Something to Tell You This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Ch.136 Talking with the Queen *** But the servant couldn''t help but notice the Wet Nurse holding the sleeping prince. The servant was startled by the squire''s anger and finally started to cooperate. "What in the Goddess is going on?" whispered the servant. *** The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Ch.137 Getting a Plan in Motion Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! we speak, Ch.138 The Interrogation Meanwhile, in the east wing of the Maldura Royal Palace. Queen Rianna, Lady Nelumbo, Lady Wina, and the rest of the knights were waiting for the King and the others. Wina has put on her assassin''s ring but hasn''t used it to put on her assassin''s garb yet. "Your Majesty, Sir Douglas has requested all of the Servants loyal to Duke Alaric to arrive in the Burell room. There are refreshments for them, and they shouldn''t suspect anything. Sir Douglas said he would be back soon with the rest of the traitors." "Very well. I''ll send my maid to let the maids and butlers know," The Queen said as she waved over one of her maids. Then Lady Nelumbo look at Wina. "I hope you''re right about them outing themselves, Lady Wina. If they don''t then the King is going to be stubborn. And he''ll demand you tell him who hired you," Lady Nelumbo whispered. "Don''t worry... I know what type of man, Duke Alaric is. And the type of people he employs. He has too many who wish to take the initiative and make a name for themselves. I have a hunch one of them will slip up. Then King Cyndre will have to face the facts that his brother ordered and planned for his son''s death," Wina whispered. Lady Nelumbo looked like she was about to say something when General Kane came in with five more knights as well as the King, the Earl, and two of his council members. Queen Rianna, Lady Nelumbo, and Wina bowed. "Your Majesty," The Queen said. "My dear... Where''s my son?" The King asked. "He''s sleeping in the bedroom. He''s had a long day and he needs his rest," The Queen replied. The Queen was dressed in her finest red silk dress. Its design was that of the current fashion of the capital. And her hair was still curled and her makeup was still intact from the party. She was dressed for her battle and it seemed to bring out the strength in her eyes. "So, this is the assassin?" The King asked. Queen Rianna nodded. "She has done well for us, my husband. But I can still see doubt in your eyes," Queen Rianna said. "Yes, it''s not hard to figure that out," The King said. "My apologies, My King. I was ordered to infiltrate the palace and kill your son. I just wish I could have saved more lives," Wina said as she bowed. "I don''t doubt that you''re an assassin, Miss" "Lady Wina, my husband," Queen Rianna corrected her husband. "Lady Wina, what I do doubt is that my brother would go as far as ordering the death of my son. He loves this Kingdom with all his being," King Cyndre said. "Well, I have to agree with you, Your Majesty. Duke Alaric loves this Kingdom so much. It''s almost sickening how he''s willing to do anything to get what he wants. And your son is an obstacle to his goals," Wina said. King Cyndre glared at Wina. Queen Rianna and the others remained silent as they looked at each other. "Watch your words, Assassin," King Cyndre warned her. "I''ve always been told that I''m too blunt sometimes. And some people can''t handle that," Wina said. Queen Rina put her hand on Wina''s shoulder. "Calm down, Wina... I think you made your point," The Queen smiled. "Yes, your Majesty," Wina nodded and bowed. The General leaned over to Lord Brice and whispered, "I kinda like this woman." "Shh," Lord Brice hushed him. The Earl was watching from the side. The Queen cleared her throat, "Ahem!... So the plan is to have you watch the suspected moles from the knights'' room... It has that nice new artifact that projects the image and lets you hear everything that''s going on without them knowing that they''re being watched. So, I want you, Nathaniel, Brice, and Gawain to sit there and watch. I''m sure we are going to have a show." "Fine... But once this charade is over and we find out that my brother wasn''t the one who ordered the hit. Then I need you to tell me who your true employer is. No more lying. And I will give you the proper punishment for trying to kill my son," King Cyndre said as he left the room and the General took him to the knight''s security room. Queen Rianna took a deep breath. "This isn''t going to end well. Is it?" Lady Nelumbo said. "You mean that my husband is going to be heartbroken about the betrayal of his brother. Then I will have to agree with you... It''s not easy to have someone you hold so dear to you. Only to betray you in such a way. But we''ll have to deal with that later... For now, we have to show my husband the truth about his brother," Queen Rina said. After waiting for a moment. They heard some more footsteps echoing in the hallway until they saw Sir Douglas and Miss Rose. "My Queen... We are ready for you," Sir Douglas bowed. "Excellent," Queen Rianna walked forward as Lady Nelumbo, Miss Rose, and Wina followed behind her. *** The Burell Room was named after the late great King Burell Meredydd who was the last King to expand the Fiafyr Kingdom''s territory to what it is today. And with all the purple slag used as fertilizer and the introduction of the new breed of sheep. They were able to increase the yield of food and helped to stabilize the Kingdom''s economy. The room had a beautiful wooden floor, a marble fireplace, a beautiful golden chandelier, and a few paintings of the Kings and Queens before King Cyndre. And could comfortably seat thirty. And one by one the servants started coming into the room. "Huh? Gram? I didn''t know you were invited to the appreciation party," A young woman who was probably in her twenties and wore the black and red servant outfit of the East Wing. She had short curly red hair and blue eyes. Gram was a thirty-year-old footman of the Royal Palace. And is the most eager of all of Duke Alaric Revelia''s lackeys. "I was, I thought there would be more important people than you, but I guess not. Hehe." Gram said with a smartass smirk. "What does that mean?" The young woman asked with an annoyed look. "Please... Like I didn''t see you try and take all of my credit for those stolen documents. I was the one who snuck into Lord Gawain''s study. And I bet the Duke was going to reward me first. But don''t worry, I won''t let that happen again," Gram said. "Oh, I get it... You''re jealous. Because the Duke is taking more interest in me," the young woman smirked. "I''m not jealous... I''m not." "It''s about the results, Gram. And it doesn''t matter if you did most of the work, if the job doesn''t get done, then you''re going to have to take a backseat," The young woman said. Gram scoffed and turned his nose away from her. Then the two Servants were greeted by Sebastian. Another footman who is loyal to the Duke. "Gram... It''s been a while," Sebastian nodded. "Yeah, it has. And we''re not supposed to be seen together. What are you doing here?" Gram said. "I was summoned here... By Sir Douglas... He said there was going to be a staff meeting for the party and he asked me to bring some drinks and snacks for everyone. It''s not the first time. The Queen has a habit of doing things like this and rewarding the loyal servants... I might be getting promoted to a butler''s assistant." "You really want to be the butler''s assistant even though the prince hasn''t even been taken care of?... That woman, his lordship hired has been nothing but a failure... She is right next to him every day and yet he still breathes," Gram whispered with disgust. "Yeah... I''m starting to think that she isn''t up for the task... How long has it been since she became the Royal Wet Nurse?" the young woman asked. "Almost Five months... I''m starting to agree with you, Miss Ava. Maybe it''s time for someone else to take her place," Sebastian said. "It''s about time you two came around to my way of thinking," Gram said. Miss Ava, Gram, and Sebastian continued talking as more servants started to arrive. And it was Ava who noticed something was off when the next five servants that entered the room were their comrades, who were secretly loyal to the Duke. ''Miss Jolie, Miss Sera, Mister Eckhart, Mister Mullins, and Mister Jeeves... what''s going on?... Why are they all here?'' "Sebastian, I need to talk to you outside," Ava said in a hushed tone. "And lose my chance at getting promoted? It''s not going to happen, Miss Ava," Sebastian shook his head. "Please, Sebastian... It''s really important," Ava whispered. "Fine," Sebastian agreed. And just before they could leave the room. Ava saw the last two servants who were loyal to the Duke come walking through the door. Followed by Sir Douglas and a female servant, who was an upper-class servant named Miss Maris. "What''s going on?" "We are here to celebrate the fine job you all have done. Even the Queen wishes to give you all your praises for being the finest examples of loyal servants," Sir Douglas said as he closed the door behind him. Ava''s alert flags were going off in her head but Sebastian seemed to buy the Knight''s words. "That''s a fine compliment coming from the Queen herself. We have truly done a great job. Have you heard any word from her about getting my promotion, Sir Douglas," Sebastian asked. "Her Majesty never tells me anything about who gets promoted in the servants'' ranks... But I can guarantee you that your loyalty will not go unrewarded," Sir Douglas said as he smiled at the group. Ava looked around and noticed everyone had bought into Sir Douglas''s words. ''No... Something isn''t right... Did they find out that we were the Duke''s men? Are they going to torture us for information or are they going to kill us? No... the King would never allow such a thing. This must be a trick. There has to be a reason why they''ve gathered us here. But my intuition is telling me to run. But how can I run away? There''s knights standing in front of all the doors.'' "Miss Ava, are you alright? You''ve gotten awfully pale." Miss Maris asked as she offered her a glass of wine. "Um... I... Y-Yes, I''m not feeling so well right now and I was hoping to go to the restroom for a moment," Ava said. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. "You shouldn''t feel nervous, Miss Ava. I know the Queen can be intimidating, but you''ve done a fine job as a maid. Plus, she should be here at any moment," Miss Maris said with a smile. ''Oh, Goddess! They know!'' Ava''s eyes widened. "I think I might just step outside for a minute... Get some fresh air," Ava said as she stepped back. But before Ava could make a move. The two main doors opened up to the Queen, the head maid Miss Rose, Lady Nelumbo, and four more knights. "Good evening," The Queen greeted the nine servants and the fifteen knights. The group of servants bowed to the Queen while the upper-class servants left the room through the double doors. "Your Majesty," They all said. "I''ve called you all here because there is something that I need to discuss with you all," The Queen said ''It''s too late!'' Ava tried to keep her cool and was hoping she was wrong about her intuition. But self-preservation was starting to kick in and she wanted to leave the room and run as far away as she could. "I hope you all have enjoyed your refreshments. I had them brought in for all of you. But I''m afraid that''s not the only thing I have for you all. Right now I need you all to make a decision. A decision that will either let you walk out of here alive if you choose to confess the truth. Or you will have to face a severe punishment if you lie," Rianna said as she looked at the group. "I don''t understand what you mean, your Majesty. I hope we haven''t caused any trouble," Sebastian asked. "I''m sorry... I guess I wasn''t making myself clear... You see, there was a assassination attempt on my son''s life tonight. And luckily it failed. But we were able to find out that she had help... Help from inside Maldura Palace. Now, I don''t want to jump to any conclusions, but the evidence points at each and every one of you," The Queen said. Sebastian looked around and noticed what Miss Ava noticed. Everyone that was in the Burell Room was either a loyalist to the Duke or a Royal Knight armed with a sword and shield. "But your majesty... Surely, there has to be some kind of misunderstanding... We have worked hard for you. There has to be a reason," Sebastian said. "I''m afraid that you are wrong, Sebastian. There is no mistake. And the reason is that you are loyal to Duke Alaric. And you''ve been spying on me, my husband, and the Knights," Queen Rianna said. All the loyalists started to show signs of panic except for Gram. "If you say that we were traitors. Then why aren''t we in the palace''s hold!... You throw nothing but words and no actions. All because one assassin snuck through the Royal Guards defenses, Your Majesty," Gram said. ''Oh? So, it seems they didn''t know about the three vampire assassins... Looks like Wina was correct about them being hired by someone outside of the Kingdom... But this one let it slip about only one assassin... I wonder how he''s going to react when I call him out on this.'' The Queen looked at Gram with a raised brow, "How did you know it was only one assassin that infiltrated the Palace." Gram panicked about speaking too soon. "You''ve already made your case, Gram... You knew the assassin was alone... I''m curious to know how you got that information," Miss Rose said. "I..." "Tell the truth. We know that you are a spy. And if you don''t want to talk then maybe you can be persuaded," The Queen said as she looked at the knights. The knight put their hands to their swords and unsheathed them. "I-I only assumed that it was a lone assassin. It was the only logical conclusion, Your Majesty," Gram lied. ''Oh, is that what you''re going to stick with? Alright, let''s see if you can lie your way out of this.'' "Well, I must admit I haven''t been truly forthcoming. You see. It wasn''t only one assassin, but there were four of them... You at least have confirmed that your Duke didn''t hire the other three. Thank you, Gram," Queen Rianna said with a smile. Everyone in the room was shocked to hear the Queen say such a thing. Sebastian''s stone face expression was now one of shock and confusion. While Miss Ava and the rest of the Duke''s servants were starting to get nervous. Gram gritted his teeth and cursed himself, "Damn, this Corialis woman! She thinks she is so clever!" "We did no such thing!" Sebastian yelled. "So, you are denying your involvement with the plot to kill the Prince?" Miss Rose asked. "Of course I am! All you are saying is hearsay and if you had any real evidence we would be thrown in jail already," Sebastian said. "So you''re not working for Duke Revelia?" Miss Rose asked. "I would never work for the Duke. That man is a traitor and a coward who can''t do the dirty work himself. Plus, I''m glad you rid all of those assassins," Sebastian said. "Yeah! You don''t have anything on us, Queen Rianna!" Gram yelled. "I agree. I will not take the blame for this attack. You can''t prove I''m responsible for the assassination," Miss Ava said. The Queen just gave them all a polite smile before opening her fan. "Well, the funny thing is only three of the assassins are dead..." Queen Rianna said with a smirk. "W-What? How is that possible?" Gram questioned the Queen. "You see. We had a little bit of help. And it seems that the assassin you were working for. She has decided to show her true loyalty to me and my family. And she was the one who killed two out of three of the assassins who dared to attack my son... It was quite the spectacle. Would you like to see her?" Queen Rianna asked. "You''ve got to be kidding me. You''re bluffing!" Gram yelled. The Queen clapped her hands. Then the secret door opened and a hooded figure appeared with two more knights behind her. Wina had her black obsidian ring with the white line going through it on her right pointer finger and activated it with her mana. Which covered her in black fog and when it settled she appeared in her assassin''s outfit which consisted of a black catsuit and a hood to cover her head and face. The nine servants gasped in surprise. "Hello everyone," Wina said with a smile. Sebastian gritted his teeth and balled his fists, "I don''t know what tricks you''re pulling, Queen Rianna, but this assassin is obviously working with you." Wina pulled out a letter with Gram''s handwriting on it saying that she would be paid an additional 15,000 gold if she killed the prince before he turned five months old. Gram''s face turned pale as he was shown the note. "I-If you''re going to take me down then I''ll take you with me you damn Corialis witch!" Gram Yelled as he charged the Queen with a dagger hidden up his sleeve. "Stop him! He''s got a knife!" Sir Douglas yelled. Lady Nelumbo and the Queen reacted hastily as Gram came closing in fast as no other knight could get in there to stop him. "I''ll kill you, witch!" Gram shouted. ''He''s too slow... And too stupid to be an assassin.'' Wina thought as she was prepared for someone to attack the Queen. Before Gram could reach Lady Nelumbo, Wina used one of her favorite weapons to make an example out of Gram. She grabbed a spindle of translucent string that was the thickness of a spider''s web and tossed it out with her shadow magic at this wannabe assassin. The string wrapped itself around the Gram''s neck, legs, arms, and body then appeared behind him in a blink of an eye. Gram didn''t know what hit him as he felt a sharp pain in his neck, arms, and legs. He tried to move but couldn''t. ''W-What the? Why can''t I move? W-What is this?'' Wina smiled and pulled down on the thread which lifted him three feet off the ground as her arms and legs contorted with her threads. "I warned you lap dog... Being an assassin is not as easy as it sounds. There''s a lot more to it than just slitting someone''s throat," Wina said. "I-Is that supposed to be some kind of threat!" Gram yelled with a bit of pain coming out of his voice. "You don''t have a clue what this thread is. Do you?" Wina said with a smile. Gram was still trying to break free. "This thread is from an Arachne and I''m going to slowly pull it until I''ve cut through all of your nerves, muscles, and bones," Wina said as she continued to pull the thread tighter and tighter around his body. Gram''s face became even more pale as he felt his bones starting to break and his muscles starting to tear. "Agh!" "My Queen it''s going to get ugly soon. I suggest you look away," Wina said. The Queen was watching as the thread cut through his arm like butter. "I-Is that thread really made from the silk of the Arachne spider?" Lady Nelumbo asked as she watched Gram''s arm get cut clean off. "Yes," Wina answered. Lady Nelumbo closed her eyes. "Please forgive me for showing such a gruesome sight, your Majesty," Wina said as she yanked the thread, which sliced off Gram''s right leg from his body. "AARRRHHH! NO! NO! THE DUKE WILL MAKE YOU PAY FOR THIS TREACHERY! NOOOO!" Gram yelled as the Arachne string sliced through his leg. "That''s rich coming from a lap dog like you. Don''t worry, Gram. It will all be over soon. And you''ll finally learn how to listen," Wina said as her fingers snapped together which cut off the lower half of his body. "NOOOO!" Gram yelled. Wina''s threads sliced him into several pieces as he bled out on the floor. "That was a bit excessive, wouldn''t you agree," Lady Nelumbo whispered to the Queen. The Queen shook her head. "No... They wished for the death of my son. And this one thought about taking my life as well. It could''ve been a lot worse... But I have a feeling that she''s not done with the Duke''s men yet. So, I would suggest you step away for a moment if you don''t want to watch Lady Nelumbo," Queen Rianna said as she stepped forward until she was next to Wina. Nelumbo swallowed her fear as she stood by the Queen with her sword at the ready. Rianna looked at the last 8 servants and spoke in a commanding voice. "Now, it''s time for you all to make a choice. You can either confess everything you know about the Duke''s plans, his whereabouts, and the location of the people that are aiding him. Or you can talk to my most loyal assassin. And believe me when I say she is merciless. Your Duke hired her for a reason... So, what will it be?" The Queen said as she opened her fan and covered her mouth with it. ''I''m curious to see if any of them are willing to talk.'' All but one of the loyalists were scared and confused about the turn of events. Ava was looking at her comrades and pondered. While Sebastian was angry and gritting his teeth. "You can''t get away with this, Queen Rianna," Sebastian said. ''This guy... He is stubborn. I''m surprised. Most would''ve given up by now. Maybe I''ll let Wina have a bit more fun with them.'' Just as Rianna was about to order Wina to do whatever she wanted. Ava stepped forward and spoke, "Your Majesty. If you promise me that I can leave the kingdom alive. I will tell you all I know about the Duke''s involvement with the assassin. I just want to be left alone." Sebastian looked at Ava with wide eyes, "Ava! How could you betray us? After all the Duke did for you!" "No... The Duke didn''t do anything for me. I''ve been stuck in the lower levels for a long time and have done many things. And I''m not going to die for his cause," Ava said as she stared at Wina. And before Ava could respond three of the other footmen came after Ava with hidden knives. "Die, traitor!" "After her!" "We can''t let her tell the Queen about the Duke''s plan!" Queen Rianna, Lady Nelumbo, and the other guards watched as the three footmen ran towards Ava with their knives ready. Ava''s face showed panic as she thought her life was going to end. "I won''t allow that!" Wina said as she used the spindle of Arachne thread and flung it at the three men. The threads cut through the men''s necks and legs. "Agh!" "AHHH!" "Gahhh!" The cries of the servants lasted only for a moment until Wina pulled the strands. Which caused their bodies to rip apart. Wina looked at Ava, "You better be true to your word, lady." "I am, Lady Assassin," Ava said. There was only four of the Loyalist left and they were sweating and trembling in their boots. "Now. What will it be?" Queen Rianna said as she folded her arms under her breasts. The two women looked at each other and nodded their heads. "Fine! We''ll tell you everything! Just keep the assassin away from us, please!" One of the female servants pleaded. Mister Jeeves chimed in as well, "I''ll tell you everything if I can keep my life, Your Majesty!" "Good! I''m glad we''ve come to an agreement. What will you do Sebastian," Queen Rianna said. Sebastian was standing there feeling numb. ''What are we going to do now? With the evidence the Queen has, the Duke''s plan will unravel, and putting Marcus on the throne will fail. Damn, this is all the fault of that damned Corialis Witch of a Queen!'' Sebastian thought. Queen Rianna walked over and stood in front of the Duke''s servant. "You failed Sebastian... Now, if you tell me what I want to know, you will be rewarded with a painless death," Queen Rianna said with a stoic face. "Do your worst. I''m not talking," Sebastian said. "So, that''s your decision. Ladies and gentlemen. Let''s talk about this in another room, shall we? It is a little unpleasant in the Burell room," Queen Rianna said as she closed her fan and started walking out towards the double doors. Sebastian glared at the Queen and yelled, "Long live the true King! Alaric Revelia will bring down the house of Meredydd and take back the throne!" Queen Rianna didn''t give him a response and continued to walk out. While six of the Royal Knights escorted Ava, Jeeves, and the two women out of the room. Sir Douglas stayed behind and stared at Sebastian. "You''re a brave one, Mister Sebastian. I''ll give you that," Sir Douglas said. Sebastian stared him in the eye and then looked at Wina. "If you think you will get away from the Assassin''s Society that easily, then you are a fool, Wina. The Duke will make you pay, you traitor," Sebastian said. Wina just shook her head, "I have something to live for. You are as blind as they come, Sebastian... All this time you think that the Duke sees you as a person, but all you are is a tool to be used until your usefulness is over and then tossed aside." Sebastian sneered and scoffed, "And what are you to the Queen? A dog on a leash?" Wina just chuckled and took the thread off the floor then started wrapping it around her left hand. "She didn''t tell me what to do, you tool... I chose to kill your comrades because I''m a free being. I could kill you right now, but I don''t want to," Wina said as she turned on her heels. "Well, I can''t wait to see the look on your face when the Duke comes and makes you pay for betraying him. He always returns the favor," Sebastian said, mocking Wina. "If the Duke comes and tries to kill me, then I will gladly rip his body apart," Wina said. "He doesn''t try. He does. And you''ll find out the hard way, you cunt," Sebastian said. ''I''ve heard that line too many times little man." Wina left the room to Sir Douglas and the rest of the Knights who were ready to escort him to the dungeon. "Don''t worry about me, boys. I won''t escape. I know what will happen to me if I try. Plus, I''m too tired to put up much of a fight after losing my friends," Sebastian said as he looked down to the ground as the knights came closing in. Ch.139 Call for an Emergency Meeting Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Now I need to find a way to weaken Duval''s hold on the six of the Great Houses. I hate how that bastard has the majority to push out his agenda with very little consequence... Soon I will be Prime Minister and secure my son''s rightful place once that boy has been taken care of." Ch.140 There’s a Traitor Among Us *** *** This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Ch.141 Execution is Too Quick Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Ch.142 Paying for My Crimes Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Ch.143 Duval’s Mistake *** A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. "BYAHAHAH!" Alaric laughed again causing the three men to flinch. Ch.144 Mathew’s Recovery 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Mathew wakes up a day later after the assassination attempt. He and Wina have a heart-to-heart. Wink wink!
Preview:
Wina was reading a book while sitting next to a bed that had Sir Mathew sleeping soundly in it. He was still recovering from using his family''s bloodline ability, known to the world as a Lightning Rider. He pushed his body past his limit due to the Galebane Fumes. Putting far more stress on his body than he was used to. With everything Wina has done for the Queen and Quinus. She was given shore leave for the week. Especially, after Rianna told Wina the news of Duke Alaric''s punishment. ''Dammit! What the hell is the Prime Minister thinking? I wonder if I should leave the Kingdom. Just in case the Assassin''s Society pushes out a bounty on me. But I don''t want to leave this place. Haah... I''ll need to talk about this with her Majesty-'' She was interrupted from her thoughts when she felt a man''s hand grab her leg gently. Wina closed her book to see Mathew staring at her with a smile. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Well, isn''t this a nice surprise? Maybe I should get bedridden more often?" Mathew said half-jokingly. Wina took her book and playfully hit the top of his head with it. "You should be resting." "Ouch! Is that how assassins treat their patients? And here I thought you cared about my well-being." "Of course, I do, Mat. You have no idea how scared I was when you fell over because of your exhaustion. And I thought your heart stopped beating for a moment." Mathew''s expression changed. "I didn''t know that... I never meant to make you worry." "I lost one person close to me. I don''t know what I would have done if I lost you as well." Mathew smiled. "So, I''m that important to you? Haha... So all I needed to do was go through a near-death experience to find out how you truly felt about me. Aye, Win?" Wina''s cheeks blushed and she turned away. "You''re a real jerk, you know that." Mathew grabbed Wina''s hand and pulled her down onto his bed. She landed on her side next to him and he pulled her into a hug. "I know... I just need a badass woman assassin to keep me on the straight and narrow." "Y-You''re fine with me being an assassin? I''m just a monster... Why would you want to be with someone like me?" "Don''t call yourself that... I''ve killed men and women in the line of duty. Sure you did it for profit, but I know the guilt that you carry around with you... What is important is that we find a way to move past our mistakes and learn to live with the demons inside us." Wina felt the warmth coming from his chest. It made her feel at ease. "Besides, I like a girl with an edge," Mathew said with a wink. "Oh, shut up, you corny idiot. I don''t even know why I let you hold me." Wina said with a pout. Mathew moved his lips closer to her ear and whispered, "Because deep down, you enjoy having me wrapped around your finger." Ch.145 I Shall Take Responsibility🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Wina tries to go back to work as the Wet Nurse in order to get some space from Mathew. She doesn''t want to get him in trouble with the Palace''s rules of not being in a relationship with coworkers. But to her embarrassment and surprise, the Queen and the staff figured it out almost immediately.
Preview:
This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Ch.146 Get the Lifebloom Relic Things calmed down in the kingdom in the aftermath of the assassination attempt. Quinus wasn''t aware that his life was in danger that day. And he never did as no one talked about it around him. All he did was try to get his baby''s body up to speed, as he enjoyed drinking Wina''s and Rianna''s milk over the last six months. Wina was able to control her urges better after having three more days of mind-blowing sex and lovemaking with Mathew. She was able to come to terms with the fact that she loves to be tied up during sex. They tried to keep it hush-hush for a while. But since Miss Rose and the Queen already knew they didn''t see the point in hiding it anymore. Plus, they were going to get married anyway. They decided to not hide it and told everyone that they were engaged. Rianna and Cyndre were overjoyed that one of the best knights was going to marry one of the best assassins in the land. They couldn''t be happier for the couple and planned to give them a ceremony once the prince no longer needed Wina as a wet nurse. *** There was a little worry that Wina was going to be attacked by assassins sooner or later but after six months of nothing. They started to relax every day when nothing happened. So, Wina began to believe that Mathew was correct about the Duke leaving her be as she stayed by the Prince''s side. The Queen ordered the General to try and keep a watchful eye in the north where Wina told them that is where the Assassin''s Society likes to set up their secret meetings which usually involved them going in between different city-states and even a few smaller kingdoms in the far north. But they were good at hiding their tracks. So, even if things seemed calm, Wina and Mathew still needed to be ready to defend themselves and the Prince at a moment''s notice. *** Quinus was finally able to walk after he turned seven months old and was almost talking by the age of nine months. Everyone was stunned by the Prince''s growth. Which made everyone start to believe he might have a Demi-god ranked vein. Plus, he was far smarter than any child his age. Which only made Queen Rianna''s ego grow larger by the day. This was much to the dismay of his cousin Marcus. Who was trying to do everything in his power to upstage the Prince over the past six months. He was so desperate that he was starting to make waves in the court. And people were starting to question if he was going to try and stage a coup. Which started to make Marquess Duval Wrightwood become irritated and made the Duke panic that his son would get him in trouble. But that all ended when Duke Alaric sent his son to the Mage''s Academy located in the northern region of the Kingdom. In Baroness Ysandra Fairchild''s domain in order to calm the Marquess and his people. Alaric didn''t want his son near Quinus. He didn''t trust he would make the right decision after refusing him. Alaric tried to warn him that they needed to lay low and pay for his crimes. But Marcus''s refusal to accept this fact made Alaric worry that his brother, The King, who would change his mind and execute him and his son as traitors to the Kingdom. Even though Duval would have panicked about an uprising. So he sent his son to a Mage''s Academy also known as the Fairchild''s Arcane Institute of Magic. He also wanted his son to learn how to harness his magic properly and hoped he could make a name for himself. Even though Marcus had a support element that most nobles and even the common folk feared. He wanted his son to get a level head and hoped he could get humbled by this. But Marcus was too much like his father. He had Alaric''s stubbornness and pride but lacked the ability to lead and strategize. He was only able to be the leader of his friend group because of his title and the fact that he had no other competition. Marcus was furious when he was sent off to the Acadamy. He wanted to be near the capital. Not stuck at some backwater school. How was he supposed to show the court that he was the better heir than Quinus? If he was in the north of the country, how was he supposed to influence the people? But he had no choice in the matter and it felt more like banishment just as he turned ten years old. And his father promised to get him a tutor that was highly skilled. He didn''t have much faith in that. It was his father who failed to kill his cousin and now he was paying for his father''s foolishness. So, he focused on the only thing he could do. Which was to become the best mage he could be and try to find a source of income to hire his own army. *** By the time Quinus turned 14 months old. He was sitting with his mother in the dining room in the late afternoon. Rianna wanted to get a head start on his dining etiquette. So she brought Quinus to the second dining room which was smaller than the main one, which was five times bigger. Quinus was sitting in an infant high chair with many different types of food spread out before him. Miss Rose and Lady Wina were standing off to the side as Sir Mathew kept watch. There were a few maids going around bringing different food and drinks. Queen Rianna was trying to teach Quinus proper table manners. "Now, Quinus. You need to practice eating with your knife and fork. Here, I''ll show you." "Uuu." Quinus groaned with boredom. "Yes, it is difficult at first, but with enough practice, you''ll get it." Rianna continued. Quinus did as his mother asked. ''But I love drinking Mother''s and Wina''s milk! Stupid teeth! Ever since they came out. Mother won''t let me drink her milk! I would never bite her! Haah... At least Wina''s milk has been tasting even better lately. I''m glad she still lets me suckle her beautiful breasts.'' Quinus grumbled as he started learning how to use the utensils that he already sorta knew how to use from his past life. The only difference was there were five different sizes of forks, spoons, and three knives. Which he thought was annoying, to begin with. But the main reason why he didn''t want to learn was because he enjoyed the closeness between him and his mother and also Wina when he was breastfeeding. Queen Rianna knew that look on Quinus''s face. "Now, now, Quinus. You can''t suckle on me and Lady Wina for the rest of our lives. We both need to move on and focus on our future." "Humph," Quinus grunted. ''I-I don''t know why... But I feel like I get grumpy way too easily... I''ve been a grown-ass man for many years and now I''m acting like a child again! Come on Quin... Do it for Mother.'' Quinus thought as he tried to compose himself. Even though he was not pleased with his mother''s statement but did so as best as he could. And when Quinus was doing what his mother told him to do. She couldn''t help but be excited. "Oh ho! See Miss Rose! I am a fantastic teacher... I don''t know why you told me it was going to be hard to train children." "Y-yes... You are doing very well, Your Majesty." Miss Rose agreed with the Queen. But then she muttered to Lady Wina. "It''s easy to be a great teacher if you have given birth to the easiest child in history." Lady Wina tried her best not to snort at that. "I don''t know about the easiest... But Quinus is definitely above average. Especially after how fast he''s learned to speak and walk. But his etiquette and manners could use some work." Sir Mathew chimed in. Quinus heard him and turned to glare at the knight. "I just don''t understand why there are so many of the same types of silverware when one set is more than enough," Quinus said with a sigh. Everyone in the dining room looked at the Prince in surprise. Wina looked at Mathew and replied, "I think the prince has a point. Maybe the place setting should be simplified." The Queen was having none of it. "Quinus!... There are many good reasons why we go through this whole ordeal. But the main one is because the court is watching us. They want to make sure we are making the right moves and if they see us mess up, then they''ll try and pounce. And the second reason is to weed out those who are not serious nobles. So you know to be wary of them." ''I guess Mother has a point, but this feels like such overkill... I mean, sure, the nobles in the court could be watching but I have a feeling there are some that are just doing it because they think they should. Or because it is their duty. Or maybe it''s the pressure from their peers and parents... I guess in the end, it''s not worth arguing about right now. It''s not like they''ll listen to a one-year-old.'' Quinus thought with a sigh. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "I understand, Mother." He agreed to his dismay. "Good. Now, You did well your first time, but you slouch. Keep a straight back. We can''t have anyone think less of you." "Yes, Mother." Miss Rose was still stunned by how mature the 14-month-old prince was. "I have never seen such an obedient child. Especially at his age." "Of course. He''s my son after all." Queen Rianna said as a proud mother. "Now, let''s go again Quinus. I want to see you eat as elegantly as the rest of the nobles in the court." "Yes, Mother," Quinus said with a groan. And so Quinus continued to practice under his mother''s watchful eye. *** After an hour of practicing, Lady Wina started to look a little under the weather. But she did her best to hide it as she stood there at attention. "Now, we shall work on eating dessert. Just for being such a good boy?... Ladies?" The Queen nodded to Wina to have the maid bring over the sweets. The maid brought over a piece of chocolate cake and placed it in front of Quinus. Just before they were about to start. Wina got a sense of vertigo and stumbled. "Win!" Mathew said loudly. "Miss Daz!" said Miss Rose. The Queen, Mathew, Rose, and a few servants hurried over to her. "What''s wrong, Wina?" The Queen asked as she saw Mathew helping her steady herself. "I just felt a bout of dizziness hit me all of a sudden, Your Majesty." "Are you sure, Win?" Mathew asked with a bit of worry written on his face. "I''m fine. Thank you. Maybe it was something I ate... This nausea will pass." The Queen gave her a raised brow when Wina mentioned the word ''nausea''. "How long have you been feeling under the weather?" She asked. "Just a bit in the morning, Your Majesty. I''ve never had it happen this late in the day." "Hmm. When was the first time you felt this nausea?" "Maybe two weeks ago? But it hasn''t happened in a few days." The Queen gave her a quizzing look. "Miss Rose... Can you grab my family''s heirloom?" asked the Queen. Miss Rose looked at the Queen with a raised eyebrow. "You don''t think..." "I''m not sure yet. But we won''t know until we test her. Hurry." "Yes, Your Majesty." Miss Rose left the room in a hurry. And while she was gone, Queen Rianna ordered Wina to take a seat at the table. "Please, Your Majesty... You''re making this into a bigger deal than it is. It was probably something I ate. It happens sometimes. I''m a little sensitive sometimes. It''ll pass." Wina said as she tried to reason with the Queen. "That might be, Wina. But I want to make sure." Wina wasn''t sure what the Queen was getting at. "What are you-" Miss Rose came back into the dining room holding a small artifact that looked like a clam shell with a nice round crystal sitting on top of the shell. "Your Majesty. I have the Lifebloom Relic. How shall we proceed?" Rose said as she held up the artifact. Quinus was curious about this artifact. For all the time he''s been in Tertius. He hasn''t really witnessed anything magical. There were some small things here and there. Like the candles never seemed to burn out and the rooms never seemed to get cold. And the bathwater is always hot. But that just felt like modern technology but with a Renaissance aesthetic. ''Huh... Will this be the first time I''ll see something truly magical?'' "Hmm. Have Lady Wina touch the stone, Miss Rose." "What is going on here, Your Majesty?" Mathew asked, looking at the clamshell artifact. "The Lifebloom relic is one of the artifacts that is passed down from my royal family. It will glow when it comes in contact with a woman who is with child." Wina started waving her hands, "I appreciate the concern, but it''s just a bit of fatigue. You''re overreacting." "Wina, please, trust me. I''ve had this happen to me a few times before. And if it is as you say, then nothing will happen, correct?" Rianna said. Wina gave in and sighed. "Fine..." She took a breath and reached out and touched the crystal. The crystal lit up and turned green. Wina and everyone else in the room froze. Queen Rianna smiled, "I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl? I mean, either would be fine." Wina and Mathew were stunned. Mathew was the first one to come to his senses. "We''re having a baby!" Mathew shouted in excitement. Wina snapped out of her stupor, "We? I-I''m the one who has to push this thing out of me!" Mathew chuckled, "Yes, I''ll help you in any way I can." "Oh, this is wonderful news!" the Queen exclaimed. "I will send word to the castle seamstress and we will get started on a wedding dress and a suit for you Mathew. Oh, and a nursery, of course." Wina is still stunned, "Y-your Majesty... What if I''m not ready?" "Nonsense, dear, you''re going to make a fine wife and mother. But it seems you will have to step down as the Royal Wet Nurse." "WHAT!" yelped Quinus who had become accustomed to the warm and pleasant feeling of Wina''s breasts and nipples. "Now, Quinus. Don''t be dramatic. You are not a baby anymore and you shouldn''t act like one." "B-but, Mother!" "No, buts, young man. Wina and Mathew will have to focus on their baby. It would not be fair to take them away from their child. And it''s not like Lady Wina and Mathew won''t be by your side. They will still be your protectors until Lady Wina gives birth to her child." Quinus was happy for Wina but he felt stupid for not playing dumb and enjoying being treated as a baby again. But in his haste to see if he could use magic has outed himself to be far more advanced than any child his age should be. He sighed. ''At least I can use this as an opportunity to get Mathew to teach me more about magic. I need to use this to my advantage.'' Quinus changed his posture and stared at his mother with the most regal and mature expression possible. It made him look super adorable which wasn''t his intention. "Yes, Mother. I''m sorry. I was just surprised. But if I''m to lose my wet nurse then I wish to learn about magic. That way I can be ahead of schedule before I need to go to the Academy... That is your wish, is it not?" Queen Rianna was stunned that her son wanted to learn magic. "W-Well, that''s only if you are a mage, Quinus. And you are far too young to go off killing monsters. I will not have you risking your life." "Mother, I do not wish to go hunting monsters. I wish to learn the theory and how to harness magic. That is all. And Mathew is a skilled teacher. I''m sure he can keep me busy with other studies." Quinus said, doing his best to be as convincing as possible. Sir Mathew was confused by the prince''s request. He was a Maja and a knight. He didn''t have the ability to be a Mage. "I''m honored that the young master wishes to learn magic. But I''m a Maja. Not a Mage. I''m not skilled enough to teach you. Maybe Sir Cedric will be able to." "Sir Cedric is not a good choice. He''s not patient enough to teach children." Miss Rose said. Quinus was confused, "So you''re saying that not everyone can use magic? Only a select few can?" "Correct. The Mage''s guild would have to test you, to see what kind of element you can control. And not that many people can do that in the first place. So if you were not a mage, which is most likely, then you are most certainly a Maja like your father," Mathew said. ''I might be a Maja? I need to read up on that... It sorta sounds like a mage but I don''t know what the difference is... Whatever, I would like to get tested and see if I am a mage first. So, I can plan something else if I''m not.'' "Then I will go see the Mage''s guild and have them test me," Quinus said with determination. "No," Rianna said firmly. "But Mother. I-" "No. You need to slay monsters to grow your mana vein and you are too young, Quinus. And I won''t let you put yourself in danger. I''m your mother and I''m telling you no... I have spoken." Quinus took in this information. ''Hmm... Mana vein, huh?... Well, I still want to find out more about this world... But I can understand why Mother would be worried. Who in their right mind would allow a 14-month-old to go out slaying monsters? No one, that who... Haah... I need to be more patient... I wonder when I will be allowed to go see the Mage''s Guild... I hope it''s when I''m five?'' Quinus came out of his thoughts and saw his Mother staring at him with a stern look. "Yes, Mother. I apologize. I didn''t know." Rianna''s attitude flipped back to happiness once her son didn''t continue to argue. "Good. You will get your opportunity to slay monsters when you reach a proper age. Now, Wina, you''ll have to stay here for now and get some rest. Your duties of being my son''s wet nurse have been fulfilled and you may be his guardian until you aren''t capable. Then you can have time to prepare for the birth of your child... Does that sound satisfactory?" Wina looked at the queen with a puzzled look. In her life, she never imagined getting pregnant. Even though during love sessions with Mathew. She would say in her dirty talk that she wanted to have his baby. She knew it was just dirty talk and that it wouldn''t happen. It was fun to pretend. But now it was coming true. "Your Majesty. I... I''m not sure what to say... But, thank you, for giving me this chance. I won''t let you down." Wina bowed her head. "Good. I expect a healthy child. Hopefully a girl? We could use more women like you in this world," Rianna said, rubbing her belly. Wina didn''t like it when people touched her out of the blue, with the exception of Mathew. But it was the Queen. So, she put up with it. "If the Gods are kind, then it will be a beautiful daughter." Mathew chimed in. "Excellent... I think we had enough of an etiquette lesson for today... Don''t you think, my son?" Quinus quickly nodded his head. He hated sitting in this awkward high chair that was supposed to be a throne for him. ''Oh thank God! Now I can get back to reading more about what types of monsters are in this crazy world. Plus I should find out what Majas are too.'' Miss Rose had some of the maids help Quinus out of his chair. "Alright. I know that look in your eyes. Sir Mathew. Watch over my son. He wants to go to the library. Make sure he doesn''t do anything rash. And make sure he eats." "Yes, My Queen," Mathew said as he bowed. "Quinus, I want you back in your room and asleep in an hour." Quinus nodded before he hurried out of the dining hall and headed to the library. Mathew followed after him as he looked back and gave Wina a warm smile. Wina and Mathew both waved goodbye as the Queen watched Quinus run off down the hallway. "I think that went rather well," Queen Rianna said, satisfied. "It did," Miss Rose agreed. "But what do I do now?" Wina asked as she wasn''t used to resting. "For now, we''ll have you meet with the doctor. OH! You look so radiant Lady Wina. I can''t wait to see you in a wedding dress." Wina had never seen the Queen so excited about her getting married. "I- Thank you, Your Majesty." *** And with that, Quinus tried to learn as much as he could before his curfew. While Wina went on with her new duties and met the royal doctor. It was a few months went by as Mathew and Wina got married. Ch.147 She is with Child Duke Alaric was sitting in his study. Over the months he laid off one-quarter of his staff to put up the facade that he was struggling financially. But he had set up a few secret accounts years ago that no one knew about. He used to keep most of his minor lords on his side. He also arranged the marriage of his oldest daughter to a powerful noble family that was across the White Sea. The Noble Family was a part of the Kingdom of Gavina. It was a small island nation made up of two major islands that housed most of the population and five minor islands. It was a peaceful kingdom that was rich in agriculture. So it was perfect for his daughter. And the kingdom was far away, so if something bad were to happen to Quinus, she wouldn''t be close to the Kingdom of Faifyr to become the next heir. Marcus was the one who lost his right to be the next heir to the throne, but his daughter did. She was still considered a part of the royal bloodline. So she would have become an obstacle for her brother. So Alaric took care of two problems. But he had a hundred more to deal with. It was becoming a juggling act that would end his life if he made one slip up. So he had to be vigilant, especially for the next five years. And as far as the other Noble Families knew, he was showing them that he was in a tough spot. He needed to keep it that way until he could strike again. *** Alaric was sitting at his desk when he heard a knock on his door. "Enter," Alaric said. Belial the butler entered his master''s study with a message. "Your Lordship. I have news of that traitor. She''s getting married and she is also with child. Should we send word to the Assassin''s Society?" Alaric leaned back in his chair and brought his hands up as he intertwined his fingers together to think. "Hmmm... So she''s with child and getting married?..." Alaric muttered to himself while pondering. He took a moment, weighing out the pros and cons. "How long will the messenger take?" "It takes about three week''s ride to get there and back if they ride their horse into the ground." "Tck!... That''s too long... I doubt she''ll be going on a honeymoon..." Alaric said while shaking his head. "But she might be away from the Prince after she gives birth, My Lord." Alaric thought about it some more. "Maybe... But then again, my nephew could still be around her. And I doubt that she would leave the palace to give birth... It''s too risky, Belial. We''ll wait. For now, we need to make sure that the funding coming from the Kingdom of Gavina doesn''t get tracked by my brother''s people or the snake Duval. I need that money to keep the minor lords on my side." "Yes, My Lord," Belial said as he bowed. "Is that all? Good. I need to finish the ledgers. You''re dismissed." "Very well. I will see to the arrangements." Belial left the room and the Duke went back to writing his ledgers on the new taxes he needed to pay to the kingdom. "75% of our income is gone now..." Alaric muttered to himself. He did have his secret accounts but that would draw too much attention. And he could only use what money his brother knew about. And he knew it wasn''t going to be pleasant. ''Goddess damn it... Of all the things I need to deal with. Sometimes I wish I could use my gold to make life easier.'' Alaric was pissed off that his assassin turned on him and nearly got him executed by his brother. And his financial situation is the way it is, thanks to Marquess Duvel trying to bleed Alaric dry to weaken his support with the minor lords. But he was too naive and thought he could have control of the Duke and the kingdom. "I won''t let you get the best of me, Duval... You will regret letting me live. Mark my words..." Alaric grumbled as he continued to write. *** Wina''s pregnancy was progressing nicely and she was starting to show. Quinus was still reading up on the various beasts and monsters that roamed the continent. He found it odd that all these creatures that lived on the planet of Tertius were the same as the mythological and fantasy creatures written in novels and old texts back on Earth. Most of them were identical to the writings he read before his death, but there were some monsters with the same name but were slightly different from the ones written back on Earth. Like, one of the monsters called a Chimera. It was like the three-headed hybrid monster from the Greek myths. But instead of having a goat''s, lion''s, and serpent''s heads, it had a crocodile''s, a dog''s, and a bird''s heads instead. It was weird how close some of these monsters were to their counterparts back on Earth. ''Why is there such a resemblance? Was there some weird crossover between Tertius and Earth?'' He couldn''t answer the question. But he figured it was best to just not think about it. Or it would drive Quinus crazy. He was trying to focus on reading but his mind kept thinking of different scenarios. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ''Wait. What if the Gods came from Earth and decided to come to this planet? But then we would have had monsters running all over the place. Gah! Just stop trying to make sense of it!'' He thought while shaking his head. Quinus never thought he would be living in a fantasy world, especially one where magic and monsters are real. And now he was stuck being a 19-month-old kid''s body learning Royal etiquette from his Mother. Which was really frustrating because he wasn''t able to do anything without someone looking after him. Quinus looked over at Wina who was in the middle of her second trimester which made her curves even more voluptuous and she had the glow of pregnancy, radiating from her body. He had been admiring her body as she grew. Her breasts were swollen and had a nice full shape. They were soft and firm, and he would have loved to play with them but his Mother wouldn''t allow it. ''Ugh! Mathew is a lucky bastard. I wish I had a long-term girlfriend or wife before I got reincarnated to Tertius... Damn it. I won''t make the same mistake twice. I''m royalty now and I''ll make sure to find me a woman just as awesome as Wina...'' Quinus wanted to experience love and start a family. But he was now a man in the body of a child. He couldn''t do anything. And he could tell that his body wasn''t working as it normally would until he hit puberty again. He looked at her one last time while she was reading a book about childcare and pregnancy. ''Yeah, I need to be patient. She''s married and is going to have a kid. Plus I''m not 30 anymore. I may be older mentally but physically is a different story. I''d be making her a pedophile and that''s not fair to her... There are other women in the sea Quin.'' Quinus closed the ''monster compendium, volume 2'' and opened a book about the other races on the planet. There was an assortment of races. From Elves to Dwarves. And when Quinus opened the book from the middle pages. It opened up to a drawing of a female Dark Elf. She had dark tan skin with the body of a supermodel. Her ears were elongated and the tips pointed upwards. She was wearing a revealing outfit that showed her curves. Her face had high cheekbones, and her nose was thin. She had a beautiful face. Her eyes were dark purple and her hair was a raven black. "She''s gorgeous," Quinus whispered. Wina heard the young prince say something. "Hmm? I didn''t know you liked the dark elves?" Wina said with a surprised tone. Quinus was surprised when she spoke up. He didn''t realize he had said anything out loud. "N-No. It''s nothing. I was just reading this book and I opened it to the page that had the Dark Elf drawing," Quinus said, acting like he got caught watching a porno. "Ahh. Well, they are an attractive race. But they''re a secluded race. I think Agon is the only continent that has the last clan of Dark Elves. But I''ve never met one. Just heard stories from travelers. And I loved them so much that I wanted to learn their language and culture. So I learned the dark elven tongue and writing. I can teach you if you like, your Highness," Wina said, sounding enthusiastic. Quinus looked at her and couldn''t help but like the idea of learning another language, like the dark elven tongue. He wouldn''t mind learning the other languages, too. "Are you a scholar, Lady Wina?" "Oh, no. Not at all. But I can read and write a few languages..." Wina paused for a moment, trying to find the proper way to phrase her next statement in order to hide the fact that she was an assassin, "I-It''s a hobby of mine. My mother taught me how to speak and write the Elven languages. I also know a little bit of the Dwarven tongue as well... I learned that one for work purposes." Quinus likes the sound of that and with Wina as his tutor. He was sure he could pick it up in no time. "Interesting... I would appreciate that, Lady Wina," Quinus said with a smile. Wina was surprised that the Prince took her offer. If she couldn''t be his protector during her third trimester then she could at least teach him something to pass the time. "Hey Lady Wina? You said the Dark Elves are a rare race... Is it the same for the other races?" Quinus asked as he flipped through the pages and noticed that there wasn''t as much information on the Dark Elves compared to the other races. "Depends on the continent. But the most common races are Humans, Demons, Dwarves, Orcs, and High Elves. The uncommon races are Vampires, Wood Elves, Beastkins, Merfolk, Werewolfs, Angels, and Water Elves." Quinus was half listening while he was reading his book. "I see. So I''m guessing the other continents have other rare races?" "Most likely. It''s said that the Beastkins have a kingdom and live in harmony with the Dwarves in the Kingdom of Lothar. On the Reimus Continent which is far off to the southwest of Agon. The continent is covered in desert and is rumored to have an entire civilization underground." "I guess that makes sense... What are the rarest races then?" "That would be the halflings, who were almost wiped out by the Vampires centuries ago... Something in their blood made the Vampires go into a feeding frenzy. You can find a halfling as a trophy with some rich nobles. Or as a slave with a vampire." ''That''s awful... Wait! What the fuck! Vampire?!'' Quinus was reading about the Dark Elves in his book and missed the part about vampires being uncommon in the world. "Vampire?" Quinus asked as his voice cracked. Wina could tell that he was afraid and surprised. "Yeah... They can be a bit of a nuisance for us warm-blooded people. They''re very dangerous and they''re a pain to kill if you aren''t a Maja or a Mage." "I-is that so..." "Don''t worry, Prince Quinus. The kingdom''s Royal Knights are more than capable of handling a Vampire. Plus the Vampires find the taste of humans tolerable on average. So they won''t go out of their way to make us into cattle." "R-right... And are there any more rare races?" "That would be the Fairies and the rarest are the Dragons." "Dragons!?" Quinus panicked at first. ''Come on, Quin! Of course, there would be Dragons in a magical setting... I need to get used to this crap. I''m not on Earth anymore.'' Wina smiled. "Yep. Dragons are the rarest race, but also the superior race on Tertius. And the thing that makes them stronger than us is they don''t need to slay monsters to grow their mana vein. Where we need to slay monsters to grow ours... They can breathe fire and can be the size of a large mansion. They are majestic beasts that are both intelligent and powerful. They can speak our languages and even the beastkin tongue. But there''s one thing that most commoners don''t know." "What is it?" Quinus asked as he was drawn in and wanted to know the secret. "They can take the form of a humanoid and they almost look human. But you can tell the difference because they have a set of horns and a scaled tail. And their eyes are reptilian and their pupils are slit." ''Why is Wina telling me this stuff?'' Quinus thought to himself. ''She must have a reason for this... Right?'' "Is that so?..." "Yes... So, if you ever run into a Dragon in their human form. I would recommend running away, My Prince." Quinus could see the serious look on Wina''s face. "Why are you telling me this, Lady Wina?" "Because you could have a Demi-god mana vein. And if you get strong enough, a dragon will notice you, and who knows if it''s a good dragon or not? You need to know this, so if the time comes you''ll be ready. Because this world is not a nice place, My Prince. We humans forget that there are other races that can push us around. And you''ll have to be prepared." Quinus took this information in, to the best of his ability. "Thank you, Lady Wina. I''ll be careful." Wina nodded and went back to her book while Quinus did the same. He couldn''t help but be drawn to the illustration of the female Dark Elf. ''I wonder if I''ll run into one of their kind...'' Ch.148 Frustrations and Hanger Wina was watching Quinus as he read his book about the other races for 15 minutes before getting back to her book. He seemed to be interested in the Dragons and the Dark Elves. ''I know he''s young but he needs to know these things and it''s still too soon for him to start sword training. So, giving him knowledge is the next best thing. And besides, he''s not a normal boy. He probably has a Demi-god rank mana vein. That alone will bring a lot of attention.'' With that, Wina went back to her book and continued to learn as much as she could about being pregnant and what to do for childcare. She was about 10 minutes in before she started getting frustrated. ''Haah... Why are there so many different childcare methods? Some say I shouldn''t feed my child after a certain time, and some say it''s okay. There was this other book I read saying I shouldn''t smoke or I shouldn''t eat raw fish while pregnant... I mean, I don''t smoke, but still! Why is it that becoming pregnant means I have to sacrifice everything that has the possibility of hurting my child?! I like fun! And I feel like I can''t have fun anymore! Mathew probably thinks I''m fat! Doesn''t he!'' Wina was stressing out a little as she felt like a balloon and was feeling tired as her body was creating her and Mathew''s child. She still did exercises that were similar to yoga, but she wasn''t used to feeling like a house. The realization hit her when she sat down last week only to be greeted by her breasts resting on her belly. All of this was new to her. She was used to fighting and assassinating people. She didn''t know how to take care of a child, let alone a baby. And she was hoping that her child would be a quarter of what Quinus was during his infancy. And to add on top of all the new stress, she started feeling hornier as her hormones started kicking in at the beginning of her second trimester. ''Ugh. Why can''t I just take care of my needs myself? I-I know Mathew must think I''m fat... That''s why he''s always giving me space. I haven''t gotten any action in three weeks. And that was before I was really showing. I can''t believe he hasn''t said anything about my looks. I mean, yeah. I know I''m his wife. But damn, he doesn''t have to lie to me. I would rather he just told me straight out!'' "Grrraaa!" Wina grunted out in frustration as she closed the book. She was starting to get worked up and she couldn''t stop thinking about all the possibilities of why Mathew didn''t love her anymore. Quinus looked at Wina and could tell she was upset. He didn''t know why at first but then he recalled a time when his best friend''s wife snapped at him about how he wasn''t paying any attention to her when she was about as pregnant as Wina was. He remembered asking him how he fixed the problem and he told him that she was feeling ignored and unloved. Not just mentally, but she was also feeling ignored in the bedroom as her hormones were making her hornier than a teenage boy. Once his friend realized the issue, he made sure to fix the problem immediately. ''Hmm... I don''t think Mathew knows about how horny a woman in her second trimester can get... Haah... You are going to owe me big time for this, Mathew.'' Quinus closed his book and looked at Lady Wina who was lost in her own thoughts and didn''t notice him looking at her. "Lady Wina... Where''s Sir Mathew?..." Wina jumped when Quinus asked where her husband was. She didn''t notice the Prince was finished with his book. "H-He''s was training the knights by the palace barracks..." Wina replied. "Hmm. Was he doing a morning shift? Or am I mistaken?" "H-He is on the morning shift. He was doing a training regimen with the Royal Knights outside of the west wing." Wina answered. Quinus looked at the clock on the wall and it was about 12:15 pm. ''So he should be finished by now... He can''t keep a pregnant woman waiting. It''s bad luck.'' "So... He should be wrapping up his shift soon?" Quinus asked. "Yes. That''s what his schedule says... W-Why are you asking, your Highness?" "I have my reasons, Lady Wina," Quinus stood up and grabbed all the books he was reading and put them back on the shelves before heading for the door. "P-Prince Quinus. Wait! Y-you can''t just leave." Quinus stopped at the door and looked at her with a smile. "I''m not leaving the palace grounds, Lady Wina... Are you going to sit around all day or are you going to join me?" Wina didn''t know what he meant by that. "J-Join you?" Wina asked in a curious tone. "Yes. I''m going to find Mathew and invite him to eat lunch with us. I''m hungry and I would love to eat soon." Quinus turned the doorknob to open the door. Wina didn''t have time to think as she stood up and put her book away. Then hurried after the Prince. *** Quinus was walking through the hallways of the western wing of Maldura Royal Palace with Wina following behind him. Quinus''s tiny legs made him slower so it was easy for Wina to catch up to him. She was curious as to what the Prince was planning. She wasn''t happy about having lunch with her husband, but she wasn''t going to go against Quinus''s wishes. They walked past a few of the servants and a few of the maids. All of them bowed or curtsied to Prince Quinus as he walked past them. ''It''s still so weird to have everyone bowing and curtsying to me. It''s so formal. I don''t know what I did in my first lift to be reborn as a Prince. But I shouldn''t look a gift horse in the mouth. Anyway, I guess I have to get used to it at some point...'' Wina noticed that they were heading towards the entrance doors to the palace''s gardens. Which was right by the training grounds of the barracks. ''Why does the Prince want to see my husband? That stupid jerk doesn''t deserve to eat with us.'' Wina wondered as they walked. They walked down the hallways past the servants'' dining room and approached the exit. They could hear the sounds of clashing steel and the shouting of men and women as they were sparring outside. The closer they got, the more they could hear the sounds coming from behind the doors. The palace guards opened the doors and a blast of heat came through as the sun was shining down brightly. Wina followed the Prince and they were walking through the palace''s courtyard gardens. Quinus looked out and could see all the knights doing drills or sparring in pairs or groups of three. It didn''t take long for Quinus to spot Mathew putting away his equipment as he was done for the day. And Quinus also spotted Lady Nelumbo. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. ''Perfect! Hopefully, Lady Nelumbo has a few hours she can spare to be my bodyguard. Once I get the two lovebirds together again.'' Quinus didn''t say anything to Wina and he started heading down the stone steps and made his way across the courtyard. Wina followed him. Lady Nelumbo noticed the Prince first and she nudged Mathew''s side with her elbow. "Huh? What is it, Lady Nelumbo?..." Mathew asked. "His Highness is here. And so is your wife." "Eh? Really?" Mathew said in surprise as he turned around to see the Prince walking towards him with his wife in tow. Lady Nelumbo rolled her eyes at Mathew. "You really are oblivious sometimes, Sir Mathew." Mathew ignored her and started walking over to the Prince. While Wina looked at the ground, avoiding eye contact. Quinus could see the look of worry written on Lady Wina''s face. This was so unlike her and he knew this needed to be done. He walked over and stood in front of Sir Mathew. "I''m sorry, Your Highness... The King and Queen don''t want you to learn swordplay. Not until you turn-" "I''m not here for that." Quinus interrupted him. "Eh?" "I''m here to ask if you can go to lunch with me and Lady Wina. I''m hungry and I would like your company." Quinus said with confidence. "U-uh..." Mathew stuttered and looked at his wife and could tell something was off. "I can do that. Just give me a minute to stow away my equipment." "Very well," Quinus said, then turned to Lady Nelumbo who was only five feet away from them. "Ah... Lady Nelumbo! I have a request for you as well. That''s if you are free for the next few hours?..." Lady Nelumbo looked around to make sure she wasn''t mistaken. "Y-Your Highness? Are you speaking to me?" "Of course. Who else would I be talking to, Lady Nelumbo?" Quinus said in an annoyed tone. "R-right. Sorry, Your Highness." "Are you busy, Lady Nelumbo, or not?..." Quinus asked as he didn''t want to wait all day for her answer. "I wasn''t assigned to do anything this afternoon, My Prince. So, I''m available. What do you require from me, Your Highness?" "I''m going to have lunch with Sir Mathew and Lady Wina. And I would like you to come and have lunch with us as well. I believe I''ll need you to be my guardian for an hour or two. I don''t want to cause any issues if you have something else planned." Wina and Lady Nelumbo both had a puzzled look on their faces. While Mathew was confused too. But he would never question the Prince. "I don''t see a problem with that, Your Highness." Lady Nelumbo answered. "Good! I would hate for you to have a conflict of interest." "Conflict of interest?" Lady Nelumbo was confused by that statement. Quinus wasn''t even two years old and he was speaking like an adult. "Yes. I didn''t want to impose if you had other plans. And if you did have something in mind. I wouldn''t be opposed to having you do whatever you need to do and I come along with you." Lady Nelumbo looked at Mathew and then at Wina who was glaring at Mathew when his back was turned. "O-oh. I see..." Lady Nelumbo had an inkling about what the Prince was trying to imply. And didn''t know that someone so young was able to pick up on a lover''s quarrel. "Now, let''s head off to lunch. You don''t mind if we eat in your quarters Lady Wina? It would be more comfortable there, don''t you think?" Wina blinked when she heard the Prince asking her a question and nodded. "Y-yeah... It should be fine, Prince Quinus. If that''s alright with Sir Mathew?" Lady Wina responded kindly to the Prince before giving an annoyed tone towards her husband. Mathew didn''t know why his wife was being so short with him. He was trying to give her her space and tried to help around, mainly cleaning their room. But it seemed nothing he did was good enough for her. He wishes he knew what to do so his wife didn''t look like she was about to murder him. "Yes, yes. We can have lunch in our quarters. I''ll ask a servant to bring up some food for us. I believe they were slow-roasting a wild boar with root vegetables. I''m sure you''ll enjoy it, Your Highness." Mathew said as he put away his gear. Quinus nodded, "Very good! Let''s go and have some lunch then." With that, Quinus turned and walked over to the entrance to the palace. Mathew took off his gloves and followed after the Prince with Wina in tow. Lady Nelumbo didn''t know what to make of all of this. She was just going following orders but she didn''t know what to make of all these events. So she stayed quiet and followed the Prince, Mathew, and Wina back into the palace. Wina was still feeling a little down as her hormones were making her feel all sorts of emotions. And her empty stomach wasn''t helping matters either. Quinus, however, was calm and couldn''t wait to get some food in his stomach. They entered the palace and went through the hallways, headed up to the royal guest wing where Mathew and Wina were given a permanent residence to live as a wedding gift and a reward for saving Quinus. The servants and the maids bowed or curtsied when they passed them and it didn''t take them long to reach their living quarters. Which was way nicer than the servants'' quarters Wina and Mathew used to share. The four of them entered and Mathew and Lady Nelumbo removed their weapons. So they didn''t get in the way of eating. Lady Nelumbo was surprised that the Prince knew his way around the palace. Normally there would be a young noble or two that would get lost in the palace when they come to visit the King and Queen. Usually, they are five years or six years old when they get lost. But Quinus was different. He was one in a half years old and had a good sense of direction. "My Prince. It''s impressive that you know the way around the palace without guidance." "Of course, I would know my way around, Lady Nelumbo. I live here after all... Although, I haven''t gotten used to the layout downstairs in the basement. I know it''s mostly storage and is where the dungeon is. But it''s always good to know the lay of the land. Even if I only know the inside of the palace." "Oh... I see. Well sooner or later. You will be able to visit the city and beyond, Your Highness." "I look forward to it, Lady Nelumbo. Now let us sit." They all sat down and were waiting for the food to come. Mathew looked at Wina. "W-what''s wrong, Wina?..." Mathew asked not knowing what to do. "Nothing," Wina replied quickly and coldly. Mathew felt the tension between him and Wina was getting worse and worse. Lady Nelumbo sensed it too. She wanted to be silent but the mood was so thick and heavy that she felt the need to say something to alleviate it. "So, Lady Wina... How is the pregnancy coming along?" Nelumbo asked, hoping it was a safe topic. Wina perked up and her eyes sparkled. "It''s been better. My morning sickness has passed long ago... But may I give you a warning?... If you ever get pregnant, just know that things will become limited to you. For example, if you like to drink alcohol, or eat raw seafood. Well, that is out of the question. You also can''t take your normal exercise routine. Like running, lifting weights, sparring, or any form of swordplay. Even horse riding is out of the question." "Ummm." Lady Nelumbo thought the question she asked would have helped put Wina at ease, but now she wished she had stayed silent. "Then there''s this weird thing that happens to your body with everything becoming loose down there and you feel like you''re getting fatter. Even though I know I''m not getting fatter in the normal sense. But still, it gets in the back of your mind. Then your husband will start keeping his distance from you because he is so disgusted that he REFUSES TO TOUCH M-" *Knock! Knock!* Just as Wina was about to go on a tirade, a maid came into the room with a cart that had a large bowl with a lid and a few smaller bowls. While Mathew wanted to sink into his seat. Quinus didn''t seem bothered by it and Lady Nelumbo wished she didn''t accept the Prince''s order to have lunch with the three of them. "Your food is ready, Your Highness. It''s a roast pig with root vegetable soup and salad." The maid said as she placed the large bowl in the center of the table and set the smaller bowls in front of everyone. The maid put a ladle on the table and placed a small stack of plates on the side. She then distributed the salad and poured some dressing on the side. ''Wina needs some food in her. I think she is hangry on top of being pregnant. Maybe if she eats, things will turn for the better. Then I can fix things... I hope.'' Quinus thought as Wina grabbed the ladle and scooped up a generous amount of the roast pork and vegetables and put it in his bowl first. "Thank you, Lady Wina," Qunius said as he got a plate and started placing salad on it and then added the dressing. Wina gave him a smile and then scooped some up for Nelumbo and then herself. But Mathew had to get his own. "You''re welcome, Your Highness." Lady Wina said. The maid left and Mathew, Wina, Quinus, and Nelumbo started eating. Quinus was enjoying the meal and it was quiet and peaceful. Wina seemed to cheer up as she had a full stomach. And Mathew was happy to see his wife smile again. Nelumbo didn''t say anything as she didn''t want to set off Wina again. *** Ch.149 The Dog Days of Pregnancy 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Wina''s Hormones are all over the place and thinks Mathew isn''t attracted to her anymore as he has been keeping his distance. Can Quinus help them deal with their lover''s quarrel?
Preview:
Once everyone finished their meals, Quinus knew this was his shot to help Mathew with Wina. "Lady Wina. I noticed you''ve been distracted lately. You are my main guardian and I need you to be sharp. Is something troubling you?" Wina perked up when the Prince spoke. She didn''t expect the Prince to call her out on her attitude. "U-uh... I''m sorry, Your Highness. I promise to do better," Wina apologized, as she had become more distracted lately. Quinus shook his head. "That''s not the point. I think I know why you are so distracted lately and it''s not healthy. So I need you to follow my instructions this one time." "O-of course, My Prince." "Good. Sir Mathew... I need you to cooperate as well," Quinus said as he looked at the defeated Royal Knight slouching in his chair. "Of course, My Prince," Mathew said as he was curious what the Prince was going to do. He was hoping that he could help him with his wife. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "Good! So the first thing I need you two to do is to look each other in the eyes," Quinus ordered. "Huh? Why should I look him in the eye, Prince Quinus?" Wina asked as she was still grumpy with her husband. Mathew looked worried. He still didn''t know why his wife had a grudge against him. "Just trust me, Lady Wina," Quinus said as he smiled, hoping that would convince her. "Okay. But I''m only doing this once, Prince Quinus. If this doesn''t work, then I''m not going to be happy about this," Wina said as she looked at Mathew with a scowl. "Understood," Quinus replied. Wina glared at Mathew''s sad green eyes, while Mathew looked into her bright hazel eyes. ''Alright Mathew, don''t screw this up.'' "Now, Sir Mathew. Tell me, is Lady Wina beautiful?..." "H-huh?..." Mathew stuttered as he didn''t know how to answer the Prince''s question while Wina''s glare morphed into a look of confusion. "Is your wife beautiful, Sir Mathew?" Quinus asked again. "Of course she is beautiful. Why would you ask such a thing?" Quinus ignored his remark, "Do you find her attractive right now?" "Yes, of course. She''s always beautiful and she is very sex-attractive, more than she knows," Mathew said as Wina''s cheeks turned red when she heard her husband call her beautiful and sexy. "I couldn''t agree with you more, Sir Mathew," Quinus replied. "Now, why have you been avoiding Lady Wina?" Mathew gulped as he didn''t want to answer that question, especially in front of a child. "Sir Mathew?..." Quinus asked again as he leaned forward in his seat. Mathew sighed and gave in. "U-um. W-Well, I-I was told by my father that it wouldn''t be good for the baby if I got... intimate with my wife... You wouldn''t understand how I''ve been fighting every fiber of my being not to... get intimate with her. So I wouldn''t hurt my unborn child, Your Highness. So, I was trying to give her some space, so I didn''t lose control of myself. But, it seems that I''ve failed as a husband." Ch.150 Three Years Later Over the next three years, Quinus continued to play with the young Percy and his friends. Wina was still the nanny for the Prince and his secret bodyguard. She would take the children out to the city with a few Royal Knights. *** Alaric wasn''t happy about his nephew''s extremely fast development and how everyone was saying he was a genius. And to make matters worse, he kept getting reports about Marcus''s behavior. The boy was causing problems with failed stunt after failed stunt. The other nobles were talking about him trying to upstage his cousin. The one stunt that got House Revelia in the most trouble was when Marcus went into a labyrinth and got four students killed. Alaric knew that if something didn''t change then he would have to take responsibility for it. So he brought Marcus back to the capital to have a word with his son. *** They were in Alaric''s study. Marcus was 14 years old at the time. "Father." "Marcus." "Why did you order me to come home? I doubt that you want to congratulate me for my success in the Serpent''s Labyrinth." His father wasn''t happy about the way he handled himself, that much was clear. "I heard about your escapades in the labyrinth," Alaric said, trying to keep his anger down. "That? Oh, it was nothing, Father. I was lucky to have loyal comrades who chose to protect me. Besides, it was a lesson." Marcus said, playing ignorant. "A lesson?" Alaric snapped. "Yeah, a lesson for the weak. And a reminder of the strong. I am the strong one and the true heir to the throne, Father," Marcus boasted. "Oh! Are you, now?" Alaric said with annoyance. "Of course, Father. I''m the only one worthy. Unlike that weakling cousin of mine. That''s why I must kill him." Alaric stood up from his desk. "What?! Are you mad?!" "I''m not. I''m simply doing what''s right," Marcus said with a glare. "Those were our allies'', children, Marcus! If we lose the lower nobles then you can kiss any chance of the throne goodbye!" "Allies?! HA! Those were sheep. Sheep are meant to be slaughtered. Only the strong are allowed to survive." "Enough of your nonsense! I hoped you would learn some humility. But it seems you haven''t learned a thing." "I''ve learned enough. I''m keeping my fake smile in front of the nobles, Father. It''s not my fault that those other wannabe mages couldn''t survive the labyrinth. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I have things to do before I can head back to the Academy," Marcus said and was about to leave. "I think not," Alaric said as his hand reached out and grabbed his son''s wrist. Marcus turned and glared at his father. "Let go of me." "Not until you understand the gravity of our situation. I''ve been doing everything that I can to get back in the good graces of your uncle. And I can''t have you going maverick. We were going to be executed the day when three assassins tried to kill your cousin. It was a miracle that your Uncle, King Cyndre, was merciful enough to spare our lives that day, Marcus. Our only punishment was being fined and I was demoted to a Duke. But I''ve done well, I''ve kept the faith, and the support of the nobles, while regaining the trust of the King over these long four years. But he could change his mind and have us executed. Is that what you want?" Alaric said in a stern tone. While leaving out the truth about how the Marquess was the one to have saved them. "Like I haven''t been punished myself? I was demoted too Father! Don''t act like you were the only one!... Is this the reason you summoned me here? To yell at me and tell me about your failures?" Marcus said. "My failures? Do you know the sacrifices I''ve made, the risks I''ve taken, and the danger I''ve put my family in? All because I wanted what was best for you! You don''t think I haven''t tried to kill Quinus? That I haven''t tried to poison the Queen so she couldn''t bear children and tried to prevent him from being born? That I didn''t try to hire an assassin to kill him? I tried everything Marcus and we lost! If you want the throne you have to be smart and patient more than ever. Because your uncle will look for any opportunity to end us if he catches wind of our treachery. If you want to succeed, then you have to understand your limits and the limitations of your actions. So no, you will not go back to the Academy. Not until I can trust you to behave and not jeopardize the second chance we''ve been given," Alaric said with a glare. Belial was listening in on their conversation. ''Fine! I''ll show you, Father. I''ll show you that I can be more discreet and cunning. If I want the Kingdom under my control, then I''ll need to find a way to control them.'' Marcus thought to himself as he pulled his hand out of his father''s grasp. "Fine. Whatever. It''s not like it matters anyway," Marcus said with a scoff. "It does matter. Our lives depend on it. And there is another issue." "What?" "First, the nobles are beginning to question your leadership skills and abilities. They fear you''re too reckless. Secondly, it is your cousin''s birthday. So to quiet these rumors, I''m having you come with me and we''re going to be nice and respectful to all the nobles and that little brat. And if anyone questions you, you will tell them that it was all a mistake and that you didn''t know what you were thinking. And you will be friendly to your cousin. So your uncle and the other nobles can see that you are not a threat." Marcus looked at his father in surprise. He thought he wasn''t allowed to go near his cousin. But now he was going to go with him to the palace. That was one of the main reasons he snuck into the Serpent''s Labyrinth. He wanted to capture a Crystal Python. And what made them tricky to find was their natural ability to be transparent. The only way to see them is if there was a bright light which would make some of their scales reflect a little bit. Marcus found one and was able to capture it. The Crystal Python is an uncommon monster and they are a very valuable alchemy ingredient. But more importantly, they were venomous. Marcus had big plans to sneak the Crystal Python into the palace in hopes of having it attack the Prince on his birthday. ''Perfect! I can make sure my gift from the labyrinth can kill him. Now I can make sure Albert can sneak the Python inside the palace, without waiting to get an update from him. I just need to make sure this doesn''t get traced back to me.'' Marcus thought to himself as he tried not to smirk. "Whatever," Marcus said. "I hope you won''t disappoint me." "Like how you disappointed me? Tsk! Fine, I promise that I will be the model noble during my time at the palace... Now, will you let me go?" "I will. But don''t think I won''t have my men watching you," Alaric warned. "Whatever," Marcus said, annoyed as he turned and walked away. As soon as Marcus was gone, Alaric rubbed his temples. "Damn brat. I don''t know why I sacrifice so much for you," Alaric muttered. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. *** Quinus was training with Lady Nelumbo. She was teaching him the basics of sword fighting. Mathew only likes to train those who have mastered the basic forms of self-defense and can wield a weapon without hurting themselves before training them in mana channeling. "Now, remember, always keep your stance firm. Don''t lose your balance. Balance is important. Your Highness." Quinus was sweating and panting a bit as he was halfway through his training. "Yes, ma''am." "Good. You''re picking it up quickly. And you have good form. Remember to keep the tip of the blade pointed forward. It''s going to help you when you parry. And always keep an eye on your opponent. Don''t look at your weapon, don''t look at the floor, but look at their eyes and their stance." "Yes, ma''am," Quinus said as he did a set of exercises that involved him swinging his wooden sword three times before going into a defensive stance. "And always have your back straight. If you don''t, it will make you tired faster. It''s easy to let your form get sloppy when you''re tired, so never let your form slacken," Nelumbo instructed. Quinus was sweating a bit as his arms and legs were aching from the constant swings and the exercise. ''Fuck me! I wish I had done something in martial arts before I was reincarnated. This sucks,'' Quinus thought as his almost 5-year-old body was being trained by a 32-year-old woman who had the body of a fitness trainer. Once Lady Nelumbo was satisfied with this set she then instructed Quinus to do his cardio session with horizontal swings and then followed them up with vertical swings. He repeated it several times. "Don''t stop. Keep your feet moving. Move your hips as well. That will help you keep your momentum." But even with Quinus''s internal complaining, he was surprised by how natural it felt to him to wield a sword. ''Huh, I''m actually enjoying this. Maybe my body has a gift for swordsmanship or something?'' Quinus''s thought was proven correct as he found himself quickly catching on to the forms and stances that Lady Nelumbo was demonstrating, and he found it much easier to copy her. So he kept swinging his practice sword. As his form continued to get better by the minute. "Good. Very good. Now, let''s switch it up. Let''s practice on the wooden dummies," Lady Nelumbo instructed. "Alright," Quinus said, feeling the burning sensation in his muscles. Nelumbo walked over to a corner of the training room. She demonstrated how she wanted him to strike the wooden dummy. "Hmm, let''s start with the diagonal attack. Hiyagh!" Lady Nelumbo said as she struck the dummy, making it vibrate with the power and grace of a seasoned warrior. ''Wow, that''s a beautiful swing. She''s good,'' Quinus thought. "Now you try," Lady Nelumbo ordered. "Yes, ma''am," Quinus replied with a respectful nod before taking his stance in front of the dummy. "And... swing," Lady Nelumbo said and Quinus did his best. "Good. Keep it up, your Highness, but remember, keep your legs a shoulder''s length apart. You don''t want to fall over." "Yes, ma''am." Quinus swung his practice sword several more times and he was sweating a lot. ''It feels like I''ve been training for hours,'' Quinus thought as his dark red hair stuck to his sweaty forehead. "You''re doing great, Your Highness. You put our 15-year-old squires to shame," Nelumbo encouraged. "Thank you." "You''re welcome. Now, let''s switch it up. This time, practice the horizontal swings and vertical strikes on your target." "Yes, ma''am," Quinus replied and began attacking the dummy. Even though he was wearing gloves his hands were starting to hurt and felt like they were ready to blister a little. "Good, keep up the momentum. Don''t slow down." ''I can do this!'' "And... stop," Lady Nelumbo said after 10 minutes of him hitting the wooden dummy. Quinus collapsed to his knees and he was breathing heavily. "Good. You''re making progress. I have to say you might get a chance to go monster hunting in a year from now, at this rate, your Highness," Lady Nelumbo said as she gave him some water. "Thank you," Quinus said gratefully as he chugged the water. Lady Nelumbo looked at the child with an emotionless face. But on the inside, she was impressed by his stamina and his skill. ''He''s the fastest learner I''ve ever trained. If only the other children were this gifted. Then no one would dare try to invade our kingdom,'' Lady Nelumbo thought. Lady Nelumbo is the second daughter of a minor noble family. She''s one of the strongest female fighters in the Kingdom of Fiafyr and is an expert with the rapier and a long sword. She''s also the instructor for the female knights and some squires. No one was as advanced as Quinus was as a five-year-old boy and he was becoming her star pupil. She wasn''t expecting such high skill from a child his age and was starting to believe that he could have a Demi-god-ranked mana vein. It was hard to measure such things. However, the tall tail signs of having a stronger mana vein correlated with a better ability to learn and a quicker development of muscle memory. And Quinus was already showing these signs. King Cyndre came into the room to see how his son was doing. "Lady Nelumbo, what are your thoughts about my son? Do you believe he could be a Maja?" King Cyndre asked. Lady Nelumbo gave him a respectful bow and said, "In time, My King, I believe he could. We''ll see after he starts absorbing mana." "And do you believe he has the gift of an Elite mana vein?" King Cyndre asked with a bit of hope in his voice. "I don''t want to promise anything, Your Majesty, but from what I can tell the young Prince has the potential." Lady Nelumbo said in a confident voice. "I see. Well, you should finish up Quinus. You need to get ready for your birthday party. Or your mother will have both our heads," King Cyndre said with a smile. Quinus grimaced when he thought about dressing up for his fifth birthday party. For some reason, every fifth year of a child''s birthday they have a big party and a lot of nobles would be there to witness it. "Yes, Father." Lady Nelumbo nodded her head. "That''s enough for today, your Highness. Go and enjoy your fifth birthday. It only happens once... Tomorrow we''ll be focusing on hand-to-hand combat," Lady Nelumbo instructed and the young boy nodded. ''Well, this is my second time around, but who would believe me?'' Quinus gave his instructor a bow before following his father. "How are your studies coming along?" "It''s alright, father. I like learning about history, geography, and magic." "What about mathematics and economics?" "I''m... Tolerating it," Quinus said with a grimace. "Haha, well, just hang in there. When you''re older, you''ll have a better appreciation for it. I promise." ''Haah... I hated it in my first life. I doubt I''ll like it any better in this one. I hope that this world has calculators. Or I''ll have to hire an Artificer to make one,'' Quinus thought. King Cyndre chuckled. "You don''t look so happy about that," King Cyndre teased. "I understand the logic, Father. But I don''t like the idea of going through a mountain of paperwork just to find out someone was skimming money from me or a merchant was sneaking in merchandise to avoid tariffs," Quinus said with a disgusted look. King Cyndre patted his head. "Well, it may not be as exciting as going on an adventure or slaying monsters. But it''s important work," King Cyndre said. Quinus sighed. "No, you''ve mistaken me, Father. I don''t wish to go on adventures or slay monsters. I wish to be an architect and an engineer," Quinus said as he corrected his father. "Oh?" King Cyndre said with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah. I have ideas that can change the way we live and help the standard of living advance. Not just for us but also for the people of our kingdom. It''s going to be amazing." Cyndre was taken aback by his son''s answer. When he was around Quinus''s age he dreamed about slaying a dragon or conquering a revealed kingdom. Not solving the housing problem or the transportation problems that the kingdom was having. "He must have more of his mother''s side in him," Cyndre muttered under his breath. "What was that, Father?" "N-Nothing! I was just thinking that it sounds ambitious, my son." "It is. I''ve read some architecture books and there are things we can build. It can improve the standard of living and it can make our lives easier," Quinus said. Cyndre grimaced as he knew that being the King wouldn''t allow him to do those things. "That''s an interesting choice, but you need to focus on your training. You are my only heir and I would like for you to become a strong knight to lead our people in their time of need," Cyndre said. ''Is father trying to say that I won''t be able to be an engineer? I fucking knew it. Haah... Only if I had an older brother or sister then I could probably pursue my dreams. First-world problems, I guess.'' Quinus gave a defeated sigh and Cyndre smiled. "I''m sorry, my son, but that is the fate that has been given to you. I wish for you to become the greatest Knight and King in our Kingdom and unite our people. That''s what a king should do. Just hire someone to be the minister of infrastructure to build what you want my son." ''Why hire someone when I can do it better? Why can''t I be an engineer? Dad isn''t going to let me... FUCK!'' "Yes, Father," Quinus said while hiding his disappointment. ''I''m not giving up. There may be a chance. I just need to be okay with not getting it in this life. But I won''t give up. I love building stuff and Dad is going to have to deal with it in the future.'' "Good," King Cyndre said as a butler approached him. "Her Majesty is getting... a little impatient. I recommend you get ready, Your Highness," the Butler said. "Alright. Thank you... Well, we''ll have to finish this conversation later, my son," King Cyndre said as he ruffled his son''s hair. "Don''t keep your mother waiting and wear the clothes she picked out for you." "She owes me if I have to put on those ridiculous things," Quinus said. The royal family had to wear a certain style of clothes on special occasions. Cyndre chuckled. "Well, just think, this is the last time you''ll have to wear it until your 10th birthday." Quinus sighed in defeat as his father wasn''t going to help him. "Okay," Quinus said quietly. "See you at the party," King Cyndre said and went off to meet his wife. "Ugh," Quinus groaned and walked back to his room to take a bath and get dressed. Ch.151 Quinus’s Fifth Birthday Party He wasn''t bad. It just didn''t have the same impact when there were real mages out in the world that could put ''Criss Angel'' to shame. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Ch.152 The Sun’s Fury It took a couple of minutes before the line cleared up and Marcus finally got his chance to meet his cousin, the Prince. He put on his best smile. ''Showtime!'' Marcus thought. Sir Mathew was watching Marcus like a hawk. While Wina was having a stare-down with Alaric who gave her a polite nod even though his eyes said otherwise. That''s when Quinus finally noticed his cousin. And saw his fake smile from a mile away. Holding an elegant sword, sheathed in a beautiful red and gold scabbard. "Prince Quinus! It is I, your cousin, Marcus Revelia, Duke Alaric''s eldest son," Marcus said and bowed. ''The last time I remember seeing my cousin. He was staring daggers at me when no one was looking and now he''s playing up the charm. Why do I feel uneasy?'' Quinus thought. "Greetings, Cousin Marcus," Quinus replied. "Happy fifth birthday, Prince Quinus... I bet you''re excited by being the center of attention. I would be. Especially since you''re the next heir." "Yes... and no. I''m not the type who wants to force everyone for attention just because I''m the Crown Prince. I know there are some who wish to be somewhere else or do something else. I wouldn''t want to ruin the fun for anyone." "Ha ha! You''re too humble, my prince. But not everyone would see it like that. They would be fools to think that way," Marcus said and bowed. ''This is odd. Usually, my cousin doesn''t like talking to people and would much rather be left alone from what I remember. And the way he''s talking. It sounds so... fake. I don''t like it,'' Quinus thought. "Well, you don''t seem pleased to be speaking with me, cousin. But I wouldn''t call you a fool for that." Marcus looked up at Quinus with a weary smile as he wasn''t expecting his cousin to figure him out. ''Goddess! This little brat is reading me like a book. What the hell?! He''s just five. There''s no way. Right?'' Marcus thought before he recomposed himself. "Haha. You must be seeing things, your Highness. I''ve just been a little tired after rushing back to the capital to see you. It''s been a while since we last saw each other. I''m sorry if I gave off that impression," Marcus replied. Quinus wasn''t sure if his cousin was trying to play him. But his gut was telling him not to trust his cousin. ''I get the feeling that my cousin despises me. Maybe he was the next heir before I came along? I guess that could be it. But I probably shouldn''t be alone with him until I get older. I better end this conversation as soon as possible.'' Quinus looked at the gift in his cousin''s hand and thought this would be the best way to finish their interaction. "Cousin, you''ve been kind enough to come and celebrate my birthday. And you even brought me a gift. Is it enchanted?" Marcus smiled and held up the sword. "Indeed, my Prince. This is the Sun''s Fury. An artifact created by the Elven Smith Efkini. And enchanted with a Flame Smite enchantment. With a single swing, you can cause a massive fire explosion that is perfect for wiping out an army. It has the power of the sun. It is a perfect gift for a prince." Quinus was dumbfounded. His cousin was giving him a sword. And one that had the power of the sun. But what really struck him was the fact his cousin was smiling and was happy to be around him. King Cyndre was surprised as well. That sword was their Grandfather''s sword from their mother''s side. Cyndre''s mother gave it to Alaric as a gift after he lost the heir to the throne. "You''re giving my son the Sun''s Fury?! Alaric, are you really giving our grandfather''s sword to Quinus? I thought you loved that sword," King Cyndre said in awe. He never thought his brother would part with the sword even though he never used it. Alaric smiled and shook his head. "You are giving me too much credit brother. I wasn''t strong enough to wield it and I wanted Marcus to use it. But you know how mages are. He got this idea in his head that weapons of any variety are beneath him now." Cyndre gave his brother that knowing look of a parent who wished for their child to follow in their footsteps, only to take another path instead. "It is a pity. But at least he is keeping the sword in the family." Rianna looked at her husband with a disapproving look as Cyndra was warming up to his brother. She still didn''t like him. "Rianna? That was my mother''s most cherished possession. She gave it to my brother when he lost the throne... I know he disappointed us but maybe he has been trying to change. I don''t think Alaric is trying to hurt Quinus again." Rianna didn''t believe him and wanted to scold her husband but she needed to wait until they were in private. Alaric was doing a fist-pump in his head as he finally was making some headway to get his brother under his thumb again. Quinus looked at the sword and didn''t know what to think. The sword was very beautiful. It had a beautiful scabbard with gold accents, and the grip had an intricate carving that looked like an ancient elven language. Marcus was getting impatient as Quinus was taking forever to accept his gift. ''I''m getting sick of him. This was supposed to be easy. Just hand over the sword and he was supposed to praise me. Goddess! Do I need to put this stupid thing in his hands!'' Marcus started walking forward and was stopped by Sir Mathew. "I''ll need to make sure that it is safe for the Prince to receive. Please stay where you are," Sir Mathew said. "Tsk!" Marcus let out a noise of disgust. "What''s the problem, young master Revelia?" Sir Mathew asked with an annoyed look. Marcus froze, "I-I''m sorry! I just thought the prince would have been a little more excited about the gift." Quinus''s eyebrows went up in surprise. He had his guard up but he never expected his cousin to have such an ugly personality. ''Is he really that upset that I haven''t taken the sword from him yet? I mean, a kid my age probably would have been eager. But I feel like he was hoping to take advantage of me. He''s acting a bit too forced. I feel like he''s trying too hard. This isn''t like the other kids. Something is off.'' Sir Mathew unsheathed the sword from the scabbard and was awestruck by the beauty of the blade. "It is a beauty, young Lord. This is a masterpiece," Sir Mathew said. Cyndre smiled and nodded his head. "I''m glad it''s the real thing and not a fake." Marcus felt offended that his uncle thought of him as a fraud. "Uncle! How dare you. I would never disrespect the throne. Not after what happened. I know better than to try that." Rianna rolled her eyes. But she was grateful that her son wasn''t buying his cousin''s act. She was thankful that her son seemed to have her wit instead of his father''s obliviousness. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Mathew sheathed the sword and brought it to the prince. "Here you go, your Highness. We''ll let you have fun with it for today. But it will be stowed away in the Royal Vault until you come of age. When you''re ten, you''ll begin your training with your sword then." Quinus nodded his head. "I understand, Sir Mathew," Quinus said as he took the sword in his hands and looked at it in awe. ''I feel so powerful holding this sword. Like I could kill a dragon or even an elder dragon. The sword itself looks so regal. Gah! Get those silly thoughts out of your head Quinus!... I don''t know what it is about getting a weapon in one''s hand that makes the mind stir with fantasies about the impossible... But it never goes as one imagines. I learned that the hard way.'' *** Marcus was watching Quinus admiring the sword and had a smirk on his face. ''That''s what I thought. He''s just like any five-year-old. I can''t believe that I started to agree with Johan''s foolishness. This is so pathetic... Oh well, as long as the plan is going as it should. That''s all that matters.'' Then he looked over to finally see Albert, who was a 16-year-old son of a minor noble family. He was looking around aimlessly until he spotted Marcus. He was making his way towards the stage with a good-sized vase with a lid on the top. Marcus wanted to let out an evil grin but held back. ''Good! The Crystal Python must be hiding on the inside of the vase. Well done, Albert. There is hope for you after all. Well, I should probably get out of'' "I heard the Prince has been learning the basics in swordplay from Lady Nelumbo... Perhaps the prince can give us a demonstration. Don''t you think, brother?" Duke Alaric said with a cheeky smile. Marcus was confused. He didn''t know why his father would propose such a thing. The Queen, on the other hand, wasn''t excited about having her son perform in front of the court and the King was on the fence until his close friend, Baron Johnathan Dule, had a smile on his face and nodded his head. "Yes. Let''s have the Prince show us his swordplay. I''ve heard Lady Nelumbo has trained him well. I bet most of the court would agree," Baron Johnathan Dule said. "I agree. Let''s have the prince show us his stuff," Baron Alistair Dravenhart said. "I''m a little curious about his skill level as well," Count Sebastian Ingham said. Quinus looked surprised when everyone asked him for a demonstration. He wouldn''t mind normally but they wanted him to show his skills with the Sun''s Fury. Which was a long sword that looked almost like a broadsword with Quinus''s five-year-old body. ''Oh boy. Everyone is staring at me. What am I supposed to do? I mean this sword is too big for me to handle, right?'' Quinus thought. Marcus saw that the prince was hesitating. He thought his cousin was trying to find an excuse to back out of the request. ''Oh? Is my father trying to embarrass my cousin?... I''m starting to like the way you think, Father. You''re a genius! I never thought of doing that. This would be a perfect way of needling him and sowing doubt about him being the next heir. And I could use a good laugh,'' Marcus thought. The Prince looked over to his cousin who was smiling. "It''s not very noble to show a lack of confidence. Your Highness," Marcus said. Alaric smirked and nodded his head. Quinus took a deep breath. ''Fine, I''ll give it a go. Just remember what Lady Nelumbo taught you and everything will be alright.'' The Prince stood up from his seat and started walking down the steps from the stage. Rianna was worried as well as Wina and Mathew. But all the other patrons were excited to see what the Prince could do. Once Quinus reached the ground floor everyone stepped back to give him as much space as possible, almost like when a break-dancer is performing at a club and everyone has tried to make room for him. So, everyone was watching him in an ovalish semi-circle. Quinus had plenty of space running parallel to the stage where his parents were sitting but the crowd across from the stage was pretty tight. Sir Mathew was watching closely. As were Wina, Alaric, and Rianna. Marcus stepped back with a bunch of people as they were only ten feet away from the stage and five-ish feet away from the Prince. Albert was standing in the front row next to Marcus with the vase in his hands. Quinus took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He lifts the sword up and before he unsheathed it. He is surprised by how light it is. ''Hmm. I thought this sword was going to be too heavy. It feels like a feather in my hands. But it is definitely a sword made for a grown man. Hopefully I can handle it.'' *Ssshhhiiinnggg!* Quinus unsheathed the sword and the audience gasped in awe. Some of the people were expecting him to have trouble lifting the sword because he was just a kid. But what they saw was the prince handling the sword like a pro. While Quinus was studying the sword as he held it with one hand. ''It feels like an extension of my own arm. I don''t get it? It looked really heavy when Marcus was holding it and he is a teenager... I must look like an anime character holding an oversized sword like it was nothing. Maybe I''m a hidden expert. Hehe. I wouldn''t mind that. But I know I''m not. Lady Nelumbo said the first step of mastering a weapon is getting to know the weight and balance of the weapon.'' Quinus then put down the scabbard from his left hand before stretching out his pointer finger and placing it right above the hilt of the sword. On the flat part of the blade so he could see the weight balance of the blade. ''The blade''s center of gravity is right above the cross-guard. Which means the sword has a balanced weight distribution. So, if I can lift the sword with ease with one hand, then I should be able to wield it with two hands easily.'' The Prince then took the sword by the handle and went into one of his stances. He was holding the sword with both hands with the bottom of the blade pointed to the ground. The crowd was in awe and was shocked by his ability to wield a longsword with such grace. Quinus did some practice horizontal swings just to make sure he wouldn''t fall over. Marcus was dumbfounded. He didn''t think that his cousin could handle the sword so effortlessly. ''What the hell? I could barely swing that stupid sword without feeling exhausted or almost falling over. What is up with him? I''ve practiced the basics of swordplay for years before I found out that I was a Mage, and he''s already better than me...'' Alaric''s smile was twitching as he watched his nephew handling the Sun''s Fury like it was a toy. ''Is the Prince a natural genius or something? I thought he was supposed to be a novice.'' Rianna had a look of relief. ''Good. He''s doing very well. It is almost like he was born to use that sword. He''s not even breaking a sweat. I''ll have to reward Lady Nelumbo later." Prince Quinus felt the balance of the blade and started to practice with the sword in the stance that his Swordmaster, Lady Nelumbo, had drilled into him. The Prince then swung the sword upward. Then he spun around and did an overhead swing. Everyone was entranced by his fluidity and elegance as he moved. It was like the sword was a part of him. And with each swing the more confidence the Prince had as he started performing more advanced moves. ''Damn! I wonder if this is what it feels like to be a Jedi?... Just with a magical sword instead of a light-saber. Hehe. I wonder if I could pull off twirling the sword over my head. I bet I could.'' The Prince was starting to show off and performed a few flashy moves that some knights wouldn''t dare to attempt. As there was a high likelihood of getting hit by your own blade if you screw up. But the Prince was nailing his moves every time. ''Well, might as well have some fun with this,'' Quinus thought as he was swinging the sword. Quinus continued performing moves around the main hall with ease and he started getting lost in his own little world. That''s when he went into an overhand swing and on the follow-through of the swing the longsword sliced into the marble flooring like butter. Leaving a 4-inch deep by 4-foot long gash. ''Oh, crap!'' Quinus thought as he was sweating nervously. He started to worry about what his mother and father were going to say. The Queen was speechless as their son accidentally cut into the floor. While the King was excited seeing the strength of his son. The audience was stunned and impressed at the damage that was inflicted on the marble flooring. "I-I''m sorry for damaging the floor Father. I-" Cyndre just waved his hand at his son. "It was a mistake, my son. Please continue... But for the sake of our floor, try not to use vertical swings. Only horizontal ones." The Prince nods his head. "Yes, Father." With that, Quinus continued to show. ''Okay. Just need to remember not to swing the sword vertically. This is a lot easier than I thought. I don''t think it will be hard for me to show some other moves with horizontal strikes. I bet I can even beat a trained soldier in combat with this sword. This sword is awesome!'' He was doing some fancy footwork and showing off his swordplay while he started doing horizontal swings and stabs with the Sun''s Fury. But he felt the need to show off some more and decided to do some spins. Everyone gasped in shock. They were in awe. Marcus was getting jealous and felt his face flush with embarrassment. ''Why does the Prince have to be so good at everything? Even the nobles are in awe. They should be making fun of him, not praising him. Dammit!... No! No... Calm down, Marcus. The goal wasn''t to humiliate Quinus, it was hoping that the Crystal Python would kill him. It just would have been icing on the cake if he would have been humiliated. I guess I can''t have everything... Now the question is, do I want to be here when he gets the vase or should I get out of here now?'' While Marcus was pondering whether to stick around or not, a certain Goddess was hovering in the clouds above Maldura Royal Palace. She had an irritated look written all over her face as she looked upon another attempt to murder her summoned champion. Ch.153 Send Him to the Western Wall Iyomelka, The Goddess of Balance, was a Human Goddess who watched over the human realm. She likes to keep her presence as a deity as low as possible so her followers aren''t as fanatical. She has long flowing golden hair and her eyes change color depending on her mood. Iyomelka was in a sour mood as she witnessed the son of the Duke plotting to murder the hero that she summoned. ''Tsk! First the father and now the son... That Duke dared to poison the one woman who could bear a perfect child to become my champion. Then he hired an assassin... I thought I taught the Revelia family to leave my summon alone after I healed Wina''s womanhood when she drank that elixir. And helped her fall in love with the Lightning Rider. But I guess I will need to send a message to the young fool who didn''t take his father''s warning about the fates being against them... These two caused me to use more of my Primordial Essence than I have ever done in the last thousand years... This will not go unnoticed and there will be a price to pay.'' She examined the room, seeing the best way to deal with the Crystal Python while using the minimal amount of Primordial Essence. ''Well, I see the perfect option to kill two champions with one stone... Is that the saying mortals use? Hmm. Yes. I like it. Well, let''s get started.'' She raised her hand and closed her eyes as she channeled a very little amount of her power. *** Back in the main hall, where Quinus was showing off his skills with the Sun''s Fury. The crowd was watching intently as the Prince continued to handle the blade like a true master. Mathew was a bit nervous as Quinus was trying to showcase more of his showmanship that almost caused him to accidentally cut himself across his thighs while demonstrating a fancy spin. While Cyndre and Rianna had looks of pride on their faces as they watched the Prince. Marcus and Albert were in the front row of the crowd as they were the closest to the Prince. While the show was going on there were servants with trays of hors d''oeuvres or glasses of wine, who were walking around serving the guests. One of these servants was walking along behind the first row of observers and made sure to look as professional as possible to show everyone how good their services were while she offered drinks. She was a 20-year-old blonde woman wearing a black dress and her hair tied up in a bun. She was carrying a tray with wine glasses on it, stopping once in a while so a Noble could take one. She was walking towards an area where Marcus and Albert were standing. As she was walking up to a Noble, who wanted to grab a glass. The edge of a rug suddenly lifted up just enough to catch the toe of her shoe. She was caught off guard by the sudden loss of balance and started to panic as she tried to do everything in her power to not hit the Noble who was trying to grab a glass and was determined to keep the tray full of wine from falling to the ground. Her loss of balance made her swerve to her right until her shoulder bashed into the back of a 16-year-old who was holding a medium-sized vase. She somehow didn''t drop the tray and sighed in relief. But Albert wasn''t expecting to have a servant''s shoulder slammed into him. The force made him stumble forward toward a Prince who just happened to swing his sword right down the middle of the vase. Albert felt the breeze of the blade that just missed his nose. "Gasp!" "What the..." "The Prince''s aim was true." "Incredible." The audience murmured amongst themselves. Albert looked down to see the vase''s fate. It seemed like it didn''t break but it slowly started to split in two with one of the cleanest cuts ever. Everyone was surprised by the outcome as they saw the two pieces of the vase falling towards the floor in slow motion. Quinus was mortified that he almost hurt a child and his parents were stunned. ''Oh, fuck! Goddess, Please tell me that I didn''t hurt this kid.'' Marcus froze as he saw what looked like water spilling on the ground but in reality, it was the blood of the Crystal Python that he tirelessly tried to collect for the past year. All the plans and preparations were gone, all because a stupid maid didn''t look where she was going. He felt like his soul was leaving his body as he saw his life''s work evaporate into nothing. He wasted the lives of those four fools for nothing. ''Nooo! NOOOO! HOW!? HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? IT CAN''T BE!'' Marcus used everything in his being not to show the anger that was building inside of him. His body was shaking and he gritted his teeth. He couldn''t believe his bad luck. He turned his head slowly to his right and glared at the maid. ''Calm down! I can''t let the other Nobles see me like this. I will not give them the satisfaction. Just stay calm and think. I need to get out of here before I do something I''ll regret.'' *** Qunius looked at Albert and apologized. "I''m so sorry. Please forgive me. I didn''t mean to almost hit you. Are you okay?" Quinus said worriedly. Albert was shaking and sweating profusely. He was still holding his arms out as if the vase was still whole and in his hands but all he was holding was air. He was panicking so much that he started pissing himself. "I''m-I''m so sorry! I''m so sorry!" He was mumbling over and over again as he dropped to his knees. Quinus had a worried look on his face as he saw the poor kid. He was about to say something but was interrupted. All the Knights and most of the nobles noticed the strange liquid that was coming out of the vase. It was hard to tell as the scales on the dead Crystal Python were still bending the light with its natural camouflage. They were only able to make out that the watery blood appeared to have a slight purple and pink color mixed into the liquid. King Cyndre and Rianna hurried over. Quinus wasn''t sure why everyone was looking at Albert like he was the one that did something wrong. But it was his fault that he almost injured the kid. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. "Father? Why is everyone staring at this kid like he is the one who did something wrong?" Cyndre was too focused to answer while Rianna turned to Wina and Mathew. "The party is done for the day. Can you bring my son back to his room, please?" "Yes, my Queen." Wina and Mathew both bowed their heads. "Wait. Mother, it was my-ah... F-Fault? Ahhh... Ohhh." Quinus was feeling weird, like his body was absorbing some strange force into his body and it was turning him on. He started looking around the room and noticed that his sight started to linger towards any woman with a large chest. ''What is this feeling? Why does my crotch feel like it''s on fire?'' Cyndre noticed his son''s gaze falling on every busty young woman in the room. He felt somewhat prideful that his son was interested in the fairer sex. But at the same time, he was annoyed. His son inadvertently was absorbing mana from a strong monster, which was making him act like a dog in heat. They wanted to take things slowly with him like all children who had the potential to become a Maja or Mage. Usually, they would slay a slime or a rabbit-horn as the first monster to see how their body reacts to mana. And since they thought Quinus might have an Elite or Demi-god mana vein. They worried that he might get Mana Rush. Or how the uncivilized like to call it: "Mana Lust". They wanted him to absorb a small amount of the mana in order to curb his Mana Rush. But with this mystery monster that was slayed by the Prince, . Cyndre had a look of worry as he looked at his son. ''Damn... I should have given him the talk earlier. Well, looks like it''s my job to teach him how to court a woman... We will have to keep him in his room until he calms down. I just hope my son can figure out how to relieve himself from these urges. Goddess knows I don''t want to tell him how to do the act. He is still a child, for Goodness sake.'' The King was lost in thought as he recalled the first time he had Mana Rush and how embarrassing it was when his father tried telling him how to masturbate. Quinus was trying his best to compose himself as Sir Mathew sheathed the Sun''s Fury while Wina took the Prince''s hand and walked him out of the main hall. Albert still was sitting on the floor while everyone around him was looking at the slayed monster as best as they could. "It''s a monster with natural camouflage. I only know of two monsters that have that ability." Sir Douglas said as he looked at the boy who was pissing himself. "Hmm." King Cyndre rubbed his chin. "It is most likely a Crystal Python or a Frogspecter." "I''ve heard rumors that there is a Crystal Python somewhere in the forest near the mountains." Earl Nathaniel Valerian suggested. "But the question is how did this boy come to find one of these Pythons and why was he giving it as a gift," Duke Alaric said with a narrow gaze. Everyone was wondering the same thing. The Marquess decided to step forward and ask the boy. "Boy! What''s the idea of bringing such a dangerous creature to the Prince''s Fifth Year Celebration!" "Huh? Eh... I-I came across-" "Let me through! That''s my son, Marquess! Why are you surrounding him like this? It was the Prince that almost hurt my boy!" Yelled a Minor Lord as he tried to make his way through the crowd. "Albert! Get up this instant! We are leaving!" The Noble yelled. "I think not Mayor Yorick. Your son will remain here to answer questions. Unless this was your idea?" The Marquess demanded. "Who the hell are you to tell me what to do with my son, Marquess? He did nothing wrong. He was giving the Prince a vase and he almost got cut down. You have no right to demand anything from me!" "Then what was inside the vase, Yorick?" Alaric asked in an irritated tone. This Minor Noble was one of Alaric''s many allies but he was going to use this opportunity to further his influence with the court and get more on his brother''s side. Yorick was taken aback by the Duke''s tone. Then he looked down at the vase that was cut clean in two before noticing the liquid and saw how strange the way the light was bending. "I-I... I don''t know." He finally answered. "What was your plan, Yorick?" The Marquess inquired. The mayor''s son was still a nervous wreck and was looking around frantically. "Enough!" Cyndre yelled. "Everyone leave!" All the Nobles saw how frustrated the King was and quickly bowed before grabbing their children as soon as possible then they started to leave. Marcus was worried that Albert might rat him out but there wasn''t anything he could do to stop this and if he tried then it would bring suspicion on him. "Do you wish for us to stick around, brother?" Alaric asked Cyndre. "No... My Knights and I will handle this. You all can take your leave." Cyndre told the nobles. Alaric bowed before getting his son and wife. Duval was reluctant to depart but he knew when to leave the King be. The Nobles were all talking among themselves about the strange monster and the Prince''s skill with a sword as they made their way out of the palace. When the Nobles left the main hall. King Cyndre was left with Queen Rianna, the Royal Knights, Lord Brice, Yorick, Yorick''s wife, and the boy, Albert. Cyndre went up to the boy. "What is that monster you brought here, boy?" "I-I... I..." Albert was stuttering as he tried to gather his thoughts. "It''s okay, son," Yorick said, trying to help his son calm down. "W-Well... It''s called a Crystal Python. I came across it when a merchant came to town. A-And I thought the Prince would like it as a pet." Albert said, trying to stick to the script that Marcus told him to use if he ever got caught. Yorick and his wife both turned pale when they heard their son''s confession to the crown. All of them showed disapproval on their faces as they looked down at the Mayor and his family. "So... You thought giving an invisible venomous snake that can kill someone and make their body disintegrate. Would be a good present for my son?" "I-I-" Albert was starting to sweat. "Y-Your Majesty... My son seems to have lost his better judgment... He''s just a teenager... You know how they are. They''re foolish." Yorick tried to smooth things over with the King. "Foolish indeed... How do you intend to correct this... mistake." Cyndre said with a bit of venom in his voice. "W-Well. We can give you a thousand gold as compensation," Yorick answered. "You dare try to offer a thousand gold coins to cover up the fact that your boy almost killed my son?" The King yelled. "I-I." Yorick was at a loss for words. "He will forfeit his title," Yorick''s wife chimed in as she knew her son was going to be executed if they couldn''t satisfy the King. "Better but it''s not enough... How about he goes to the Wall to protect his people?" Cyndre suggested. "That sounds like a good idea, Your Majesty," Lord Brice said with a nod. "So, your title will be revoked. And you and your son will be stripped of your family name and become commoners." "Your Majesty!?" "Oh? So you prefer execution instead? Is that it, Yorick?" "No... N-No... W-We would love to serve our kingdom by sending our son to the Western Wall. Thank you for your kindness." Yorick was trembling. Cyndre and Rianna looked at the disgraced Minor Noble with a blank face. "Sir Douglas? Please take Albert down to the dungeon and get him ready to be transported with the others to the Wall." "Yes, Your Majesty." Sir Douglas said as he walked up to the boy. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am sorry for the foolishness of my son''s actions." Yorick thanked the King as best as he could. "You may leave... Lord Brice? Send word to the Western Wall and tell them they will have one new recruit within the week." "Yes, Sire." And with that, the King and Queen dismissed everyone. The party was officially over. Yorick and his wife walked out with their heads down as they went back to their city to gather their things. They would be leaving in a couple of hours and were going to be stripped of everything and would have to start from scratch. Ch.154 Congratulations on Your First Step Towards Adulthood 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Wina and Mathew hurry to take Quinus back to his room. They tell him that he is experiencing ''Mana Rush'' after slaying the Crystal Python by mistake. Once he is told this fact he hurries to relieve himself of this issue and finds that his stamina is way stronger than he''s used to as his manhood refuses to unload.
Preview:
Wina and Mathew were hurrying through the hallways of the Palace with Quinus in tow and making a B-line to the Prince''s bedroom. "Ahhhh... AHHHHHH... What''s happening to me? Uhhhh. AHHHHHHH." Qunis moaned. Wina wrapped her arm around the Prince''s shoulder as she helped him walk. "You''ll be fine, your Highness. Just bear with it for a little bit longer." Wina said. ''What are they not telling me? Gah! M-My body is burning up. I need to do something to stop this. But I don''t know what to do.'' It took them a minute before they reached Quinus''s room. "Ahhhh. W-What''s happening to me? Uggghh." "We''re here. I''ll get you into your bed and fetch you something to eat, my Prince," Wina said as he opened the door. "W-What aren''t you telling me? Ahhhhh. AHHHH. Ahhhhh." "I''m sorry. Your mother wishes to speak with you first, before telling you. It''s a family thing." Mathew said with an apologetic expression. ''Damnit. I hate this!'' Quinus thought as he started feeling sweaty. "Ahhhhh. A-A family thing!? Gah! J-Just tell me! It''s my body and I have a right to know." The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Wina and Mathew looked at each other while there were other servants in the hallway looking from afar. Staring at the Prince with concern. "Very well. But we shouldn''t have this discussion out in the hallway." Mathew said as he opened up the door for Wina and Quinus. The three of them walked into Quinus''s room, and Mathew closed the door. Wina helped Quinus to his bed and Quinus lay there sweating while hearing the beating of his heart through his ears. "S-So... A-Are you going to tell me about this family thing? What''s going on? W-What''s happening to me?" Quinus stuttered out. Wina looked at Mathew who had a stern look on his face, but that was just him trying to mask his embarrassment. "I believe it would be best for your parents to be the ones to explain what''s happening to you... But if you must know. You have slayed a monster that was inside the vase the young boy''s gift. And this has triggered a Mana Rush. Your Highness..." Quinus didn''t know what Mathew was talking about. He has never come across any literature about this and none of his lessons has ever taught him anything about a ''Mana Rush''. "I don''t know what you are talking about. There are no books on the topic and I''ve never been taught or heard of Mana Rush." Mathew cringed as he knew where this conversation was heading and he didn''t know if it was his place to tell a child about the urges of the human body. But seeing the pain in Quinus''s face made him reconsider. "It is something that occurs with those that have stronger mana veins. So, the good news is you are probably an Elite or a Demi-god, Your Highness." Quinus finally realized why everyone was looking at that boy with anger in their eyes. He didn''t know that he killed a monster that had a higher amount of mana. He was so focused on the teenage boy that he didn''t see the dead monster in the vase. Mathew struggled to continue, "A-And M-Mana Rush is when your body... Umm... starts experiencing a certain... U-Umm-" "MATHEW!" Wina scolded her husband for beating around the bush. "S-Sorry, my Prince. What I meant was that this is a normal thing. The first time you experience Mana Rush is when your body is exposed to a large amount of mana. And it starts awakening these urges within your body." Quinus nodded his head as he tried to keep calm. "H-How long does it last? Do you know?" Mathew looked like a deer in headlights as he was struggling with phrasing his words without being too crud. He didn''t know how to teach a kid about jerking one-off and how that would immediately help calm him down. And all of this was locking up his brain. Wina rolled her eyes. Ch.155 It’s Time for Your Maja Training The next day Quinus was doing his usual routine with the exception of writing ''Thank You'' letters to everyone who gave him a gift. The servants were all acting normal and the incident yesterday wasn''t talked about. "Hey, Quinus? Why are you doing this boring stuff?" Asked the 3-year-old, who goes by the name Percy. "Because, I need to write a thank you note for everyone that gave me a gift, Percy. It''s just something I need to do." Quinus said as he was quickly scribbling on another ''Thank You'' letter. "But you are five... Why would someone care? My parents always said ''thank you'' for our presents but I''ve never written them a letter. I think it''s dumb." Quinus looked at the boy who had his mother''s eyes and hair color and his father''s face. He was a cute kid and all, but sometimes it''s hard to tolerate a three-year-old. "It may seem dumb, but in the long run, these letters will help me build my reputation. The nobles and royals of this kingdom and others will remember how I treated them. And when the time comes I''ll have more allies to have my back." Percy furrowed his brow as a kid, it was hard to understand. "Oh, okay. Do you think we can spar soon? I want to learn from a master." Quinus smiled at the compliment. "Thanks. I will be happy to help you train in the art of the sword. But not until your parents say so. I don''t want to be the one to get in trouble." "Hmmm? Like when you get in trouble for being late for your sword lesson?" Percy asked. Quinus chuckled, "Yeah, Lady Nelumbo really hates it when-" He cut himself off when he realized that Percy was talking about being late right now. Quinus turns to look at the clock in a panic. "Ah! Lady Nelumbo is gonna kill me!" Quinus yelled as he ran out of the room. "I told you writing those letters was a waste of time," Percy said with a smirk. "Percy! You knew I was running late! Didn''t you?" "Well, you never want to train me? So, I thought it would be fun to see panic." "OH, you''re gonna get it! That''s if I survive Lady Nelumbo''s wrath!" As Quinus ran to his sword training he was praying that his teacher would have some mercy on him. ''Please, Goddess don''t let me die!'' As Quinus ran down the hallway, he noticed he was moving with great speed. It was a surprise since he was a kid''s body, but he was definitely running faster than when he was an adult back on Earth. "Huh, it must be the effect of having my mana veins awakened. Cool." Quinus said to himself as he ran down the staircase. *** Quinus burst through the door. "Lady Nelumbo! I am so sorry I''m late!" Nelumbo was standing there with a blank expression. "I-I''ll get to my warm-ups now." As Quinus did his warm-ups, he noticed that his stamina had increased. He was able to maintain his warm-up longer than normal. "So, I hope you have a good reason for being late." Quinus gulped, "Well, I was writing letters to everyone who gave me a gift and I lost track of time." Lady Nelumbo was studying Quinus''s movements, with the practice sword, a little more closely than normal. "I see. Well, let''s just get to work. You know the drill." "Yes, ma''am!" As Quinus got ready for his training, he heard a chuckle. That''s when he saw Percy walking alongside Sir Mathew. "Percy? Don''t distract His Highness while he''s training. He needs to focus." Mathew said with a stern tone. "Okay, Dad," Percy responded to his father and stood at attention. ''Sir Mathew is here? I wonder what the deal is?'' Quinus thought as he went back to focusing on his stance. "I have noticed you like to show off in front of a crowd, your Highness. You do remember the first rule about combat, right?" "Always be aware of your surroundings," Quinus said while in the middle of his swings. Nelumbo didn''t look impressed. "Exactly. If you remembered to keep that in mind you wouldn''t have struck the floor." "Yes, ma''am." After witnessing Quinus''s warm-ups Lady Nelumbo clapped her hands together to get his attention. "Alright, I want you to take a position in front of the dummies." Quinus nodded his head and did what he was told while Sir Mathew and Percy watched. "Okay, Your Highness, I want you to do a simple strike with your wooden sword." "Yes, ma''am." "Percy. Stand behind me, please." Mathew said to his son. Quinus didn''t know what the big deal was as he saw Percy looking at him from behind his father. Who were standing about 15 feet away from him. He tried not to pay any attention to them as he raised his sword and went into a battle stance before charging forward and performing a slash. This looked flawless as he was about to make contact with the wooden dummy. But just before the wooden blade was about to touch the dummy''s neck, a spark could be seen traveling through his sword, right into the dummy as they both exploded. *BOOM!* "ACK! WHAT THE!?" Quinus said as he covered his eyes from the dust cloud. Percy was in shock and awe and Mathew was covering his son from the impact of the blast. Lady Nelumbo didn''t look bothered as her hair blew in the wind. When the dust finally settled Quinus could see the wooden dummy was in splinters and his practice sword was nothing but a handle. "Wha-What happened?" Quinus asked in shock. Lady Nelumbo crossed her arms, "Well, this is what we were afraid of. Your mana vein is releasing mana and channeling it through your weapon involuntarily." Quinus dropped the handle and took a step back. "W-Will this happen every time I wield a weapon?" Lady Nelumbo looked over to Sir Mathew who shook his head. "No, your Highness. You will be able to wield a weapon... It''s just you aren''t used to controlling your mana. That''s why we wanted you to slay a weaker monster so we could gradually get you used to channeling your mana." Quinus calmed down and took a breath. "I-I see." Lady Nelumbo chimed in, "Well, the good news is we confirmed that you are a Maja with a potent mana pool. If you''re not a Demi-god. I''m sure you have an Elite vein at worst... Anyway, this was the reason I requested Sir Mathew to come here. He will be your master now." "What?" "Yes, your Highness. Sir Mathew is similar to you. He has a powerful mana vein and is one of our best Maja. He knows the ways of controlling the flow of mana. I will leave him to instruct you further." "B-But aren''t you a Maja? Why can''t you teach me?" Lady Nelumbo was quite touched by the prince''s statement. But she kept a stoic face. "It''s an honor that you wish to still have me be your instructor. But my mana vein is far too weak to guide you. You are a very talented fighter, my prince. I just lack the ability to show you how to properly wield your mana." Quinus understood what she meant by that. But he didn''t know why having a weaker mana vein disqualified her from teaching him. "But Lady Nelumbo, can''t you still teach me the way of the sword? I''m still a kid and" This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Lady Nelumbo raised her hand to stop the prince from continuing his statement. "And here I thought you hated my teachings. One thing you will have to learn is when to move on to the next lesson." Quinus didn''t know how to reply. Lady Nelumbo then bowed her head, "May your training be fruitful." She said before looking at Mathew. She spotted the 3-year-old hiding behind Mathew. "So, you wish to have me train your boy, Sir Mathew?" "Yeah, I think it''s time. Plus, I fear he''ll talk His Highness into training him and I don''t think His Highness is ready for that." "Huh!? How did you know Father?" Percy asked. Sir Mathew chuckled, "Because you have a big mouth." "I don''t have-" "Percy! Don''t bother your father. He has a lot of work to do and he needs to train the Prince." Lady Nelumbo stated. The little boy stood at attention as he looked at Lady Nelumbo. "Come with me, Percy. Your first task will be running four laps around the palace." "Four!?" "Well, you''re a fast runner, aren''t you? Now get going. Or do you need an escort?" "No! I can run laps myself." "Good, because if you are too slow you will have to run another lap. Now get going." Percy looked at the Prince, "See you later, Prince Quinus." He said before running off. Quinus waved goodbye and turned his attention back to Lady Nelumbo and Sir Mathew. "So this is it? I won''t see you anymore?" Quinus asked while getting sad for some reason. Mathew cut in, "Your Highness, Lady Nelumbo is one of our strongest knights but her specialty is in the physical arts. While her strength is unmatched, her mana is lacking and it will be difficult for her to properly train you. I will be able to teach you the way of the Maja, Your Highness." "I guess that makes sense... How strong are you, Lady Nelumbo?" She smiled when he asked her that. "No one can beat me one on one." "Oh." "Yes, her mana vein is almost a Master rank. So, she only has enough mana to strengthen her body to deal a fatal blow to anyone dumb enough to cross her. And even when she doesn''t use her mana she''s tough to defeat." Mathew said proudly. "That''s impressive." Quinus didn''t doubt that especially going through her training regiment. "Alright, Lady Nelumbo, I''ll leave it to you. Don''t be too hard on him," Mathew said before looking at Quinus and motioning him to follow. "It''s up to your boy if he truly wants to follow in his father''s footsteps." Lady Nelumbo said with a smirk. "Haha... You don''t have to worry about that. He wishes to be the Prince''s retainer. So he must learn how to handle the sword." "Very well." With that said, the three of them left the training room and went their separate ways. As Quinus followed behind Sir Mathew, he couldn''t help but notice a few servants looking at him with smiles on their faces. "Huh, I guess the rumors about me having a strong mana vein weren''t all that secret. But what if I can''t control it? Will they change their opinion about me?" Quinus asked while he was walking beside his new master, and he was a bit worried. Mathew stopped and looked down at the prince, "Controlling your mana is easy once you know how to feel it." "Feel it?" "Yes. Let''s do some mediation once we get to my office." "Uhh, sure." As the two of them made their way to Mathew''s office, Quinus had to ask a question. "Sir Mathew? Was the reason you didn''t train me at first, because you were waiting for my mana vein to be awakened?" "Hmmm... Yes and no." "Uhhh, what do you mean?" "I am one of the best swordsmen in the kingdom, but I am the best Maja in the knighthood. So I focus on training our recruits who have their veins awakened. And I trust Lady Nelumbo''s ability to teach the way of the sword. Plus, it was more convenient. But now that you have your mana vein awakened, I have no excuse." Quinus still was a little sad that he wasn''t going to be trained by her anymore. But he did respect the fact she knew her limitations and didn''t try to go beyond them. "I see." "Haha..." Mathew smirked. "What''s so funny?" "I had never seen one of Nelumbo''s former students get so attached before. Usually, they can''t get away from her brutal training fast enough. You''re different, huh, Prince Quinus?" "Brutal? Well, her training regimen was pretty intense. But it was the only way to get better. But I''ll miss her training." Mathew nodded before he sighed, "Listen, once you can control your mana flow. You can request to be taught by her again. Just don''t tell her that." "Huh, but why?" "Because she''ll have my head. She''s very particular about her way of teaching. So, let''s focus on getting you in control of your body first, okay?" Mathew said as he opened the door to his office. "Sure. Where do we start?" "Well, sit and we''ll go through the basics." As Mathew sat behind his desk, Quinus sat in a chair and waited for his new training while Mathew went through one of the drawers looking for something. "Ah! Here it is," Mathew pulled out some artifacts that looked like a lighter for starting a bonfire or a magical wand, but the handle was wider and the point had a sphere at the end of it. "Is that a wand?" "Haha... It would be nice if it was an Elemental wand. Then I could pretend that I''m a mage... So no... This is a focusing tool. It shows you how well you channel your mana. Usually, we would use this to help a recruit to learn how to control their mana. If they were struggling to channel mana into their weapon, shield, or armor. They would practice with this. But since you are already channeling your mana subconsciously. We''ll use this so you can practice to halt the flow of mana instead." Mathew then channeled a little of his mana into the artifact to show how bright it glowed, "This is the color of my mana, and once you grab this it will light up with the color of your mana. It will be a faint glow but that is normal. Now try it." Quinus grabbed the artifact and immediately it lit up. The light was so bright that Quinus and Mathew had to close their eyes. "Whoa! Maybe I should slay some Crystal Pythons if that''s how strong your mana is." Mathew joked around while using his hand to shield the light from his eyes. "What do I do?" Quinus asked with a bit of panic. "Try channeling the mana back into yourself. Just imagine the flow going in the opposite direction." "Uhh... But I don''t feel anything. I don''t know what it feels like." "Just calm your mind, Your Highness. Your situation isn''t unheard of, but it is rare. So, the fact you can channel your mana without thinking about it is amazing. Once you learn to control the flow, you will have no problems." "Okay, I''ll try," Quinus said as he closed his eyes. ''Just calm your thoughts, Quinus. You can do this.'' He thought while trying to visualize what Mathew said. After a few minutes, Quinus thought he felt something and tried to focus on it. It was hard to describe but it felt like an invisible force inside him and it was traveling through him. "Ugh. There is a weird feeling in my body. What should I do?" "Okay, just think of it as if you are stretching out your arm but it is calm and relaxed. Now contract your muscles." Quinus imagined his body was his arm and slowly he did the actions Mathew instructed. The artifact''s glow became dimmer but it was still bright. "I-I can''t stop it." "Yes, you can. Just keep doing what you''re doing." Quinus was sweating due to him straining his muscles to stop the mana flow, and after a while, the sphere began to glow brighter once again after he started to tire out and had to relax his muscles as they felt sore. "Damn it!" "Relax, Your Highness... On the bright side, you will have no problem using enchanted weapons and armor." Quinus dropped the artifact on the desk in frustration, which made the sphere''s light go out. "Haah... If I can''t control my mana how will I know if I''m not going to make my pen explode?" Mathew chuckled, "Well that''s a good point but that''s unlikely, Your Highness. Only if you''re under great stress or exerting yourself will your mana flare up and channel through whatever object you''re holding." "Really? Then what about the practice sword earlier? How come I didn''t feel any pressure?" "You were exerting yourself there. Even if you didn''t think you were." "Hmm. Okay, but is there no other way to stop the flow? I''m having a hard time just trying to feel my mana. I feel normal." Quinus complained. Mathew leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment. After a minute he thought up an interesting idea. He wasn''t sure if the prince was going to like it but it was the best idea he could come up with. "Alright, Your Highness. I have an idea." "What is it?" "If you''re having trouble sensing your mana then we can use a technique where I channel my mana into your body and have it interact with your mana. It''s not an exact alchemy. But if you are aware of your own mana, you will know how to manipulate it." "You can do that? Why didn''t you bring this up earlier?" Quinus questioned with a bit of irritation. "Well? This technique is used for interrogating prisoners who are against the crown. It''s also used to torture prisoners and make them confess their crimes." Quinus gulped and got a nervous look on his face. "So this is going to be painful?" "It most likely will be a bit uncomfortable and I''ll only be channeling some of my mana and making it interact with yours. Plus, this technique is more effective against those who don''t have a strong mana vein. It''s not a foolproof method to get a confession out of someone with a strong mana vein. But it''s better than nothing." Quinus nodded his head, "So, this should help me sense my mana? Is it really okay for you to do this technique to me?" "We won''t do this today. I need to discuss this with some people first, mainly your mother and father. But yes, I think this will be the quickest way to help you learn to control your mana. Since the feeling of foreign mana is much different than your own." "Hmm. Do what you have to do, Sir Mathew. I wish to get a hold of this as soon as possible." Mathew nodded and stood up. "Alright, let us go and talk to your mother. If we are lucky we might be able to do this today." Quinus smiled and walked beside his new teacher, hoping his new training would work. *** After speaking with the Queen she reluctantly agreed to letting Sir Mathew go through with his idea. With her approval, Mathew was allowed to go through with his plan. A couple hours later the prince was gritting through the discomfort of Sir Mathew''s mana which was entering his body when he grabbed ahold of Sir Mathew''s hands. The process took an hour while the Queen along with Wina and a few other servants watched on as the prince struggled with the pain. The whole process was very uncomfortable for the young prince. Mathew could sense the boy''s mana and it was the most intense mana he had ever encountered. "I-I can feel it! The weird sensation inside me. It feels like energy is flowing through my body." Quinus said in pain. "Good, you have done well. Keep your mind focused. You are in control now." Mathew said as he let go of the young prince''s hands. It took him a moment but he was finally able to stop the flow of his mana. The young prince felt a sense of accomplishment and joy. He didn''t know he could be so happy about stopping the flow of mana, but after going through so much trouble to just sense his mana it was worth the effort. Over the years Quinus was able to master his mana and his skill in the way of the sword, and after a while, he was able to master the spear as well. The young prince was known for his talent and skills. He was also very well respected among the soldiers of the Fiafyr Knighthood by the age of seven. Mathew was able to teach him a few Maja skills that didn''t need the use of a magical weapon. The most useful skill he taught him allowed the user''s weapon to become filled with energy that could almost cut through anything. Then the next Maja art he taught could make his weapon and armor stronger than steel. And the energy could even strengthen his body so he could dodge incoming harm. Mathew was able to pass down all his knowledge to the prince and the young man was thankful. As well as Percy who was almost as fast of a learner as Quinus. They would spar against each other in their spare time and were close friends. But not everything went smoothly for Quinus and Percy. Ch.156 Failing the Test As Quinus was about to turn eight years old, he had a visit from the Mages Guild. The guild sent three mages to test him and Percy. One came from the capital city, one from the north, and one from the west. Each of them was there to see if the young prince or Percy were possible candidates for becoming mages. "Your majesty, please allow us to test these boys," the leader of the mages, a human male named Darius said to the King and Queen. The King looked at the Queen and then looked back at Darius, "We thought you were going to come by sooner." "Well, we had a few issues with a few of the candidates from our kingdom, Your Majesty. So we had to delay testing them. It is not my place to say. But we are here now and it would be an honor to have these two young lads take the test," Darius bowed his head and the two mages beside him followed suit. The one mage to Darius''s left was the Mage from the North and she is one of the instructors as well as the Headmaster of the Fairchild''s Arcane Institute of Magic. She goes by the name, Saffron. The mage to Darius''s right was the Mage from the West and he was the head of the Mages Guild from Ironside. It''s the only city that has Dwarves, and Humans living together peacefully. He''s the dwarven mage who goes by the name, Hajdah. Hajdah stepped forward and spoke, "Your Majesty, we must warn you that there''s a high likelihood that neither of the boys will possibly pass the test. But it''s our duty to check and make sure they do have any magical potential." Darius looked at the Dwarf in a disapproving manner, "I''m sure his Highness will pass with flying colors, Sir." Hajdah turned towards the human and looked up at him, "I don''t want a noble threatening us just because they didn''t pass. So, we should let them know what to expect." Darius shook his head, "They are of the royal family, Sir Hajdah. They would not threaten the guild or us. And the Prince''s cousin passed the test and is one of our finest Wind Mages. It''s highly unlikely he''ll fail. His bloodline has a history of being excellent magicians." "What history? That Viscount is the only one who''s passed the test from the royal bloodline in the past 100 years," Hajdah said while glaring up at the human. Darius gritted his teeth while Saffron was trying to hide her laughter. "Gentlemen, this is getting out of hand. You are supposed to be our finest Mages in all the kingdom. But you are acting like children," the King said. Darius and Hajdah calmed down and bowed their heads, "Sorry, Your Majesty." "I don''t know, Cyndre. Our son acts more mature than these two," the Queen commented. Cyndre smirked for a moment before regaining his composure, "Well, he isn''t like other children, my dear." "Yeah, that''s because he has my wit," Rianna said with a smirk while patting her husband''s shoulder. Cyndre couldn''t deny how much smarter his son was compared to him when he was a similar age. "Your Majesty, we promise that we will give the Prince every chance to see if he is a Mage. If not I''m sure he will be an amazing Maja," Saffron said with a bit of amusement in her tone. Darius wanted to argue but he didn''t want to ruin his reputation. So, he held his tongue and waited. "Yes, and the other young lad will be given a chance too. Right, Master Darius?" Hajdah said with a smirk. Darius nodded and sighed. "Well, we shall summon my son and his friend. You can start with them, Master Darius. I''m sure the prince will be glad to see you," King Cyndre said. "Ah, yes. That would be nice to finally meet him." "I''ll go and get them," Lord Brice said and quickly left the room. *** Quinus and Percy were on the training grounds sparring against each other. Under the watchful eyes of Sir Mathew, Lady Wina, Lady Nelumbo, and Sir George. Sir George was officially knighted a year after the assassination attempt on the prince''s life. After recovering from his injuries, he went on to become one of the strongest knights in the Kingdom, after his exploits culling a few monster hordes that threatened the southern region of the kingdom. He also was one of the stand-out knights in the battle of the Red Mountain. Where a Marn Noble was using hired bandits to attack the kingdom''s towns and surrounding villages. Sir George and Sir Mathew fought off the main bandit leader who was a half-Orc, half-human. Sir Mathew killed the Orcs while Sir George fought and slayed the bandit leader. His feats were known by many, and the King had made him one of the Knights that was stationed near the castle. Sir Mathew thought he would be a perfect candidate to be the Prince''s retainer and started bringing him to Quinus''s training sessions, about a year ago. Percy and Quinus were sparring with wooden swords. Percy was using a basic sword style and was fighting defensively. While Quinus was using his usual aggressive style as he found it easier to control the flow of the battle. Percy had improved his swordsmanship over the past few years, as he trained hard, trying to catch up to the rest of the young nobles. Once the sparring session started Quinus would deflect Percy''s sword then bash his left shoulder to push into Percy''s chest so he would lose his balance and would swing his sword at him like he was chopping wood. "Oof! Whoa! Ha!" Percy grunted as he defended himself. "Ugh. Ha!" Quinus tried to land a hit but Percy''s defense was flawless once he regained his footing. Percy would try to counterattack but Quinus was like a bull charging in with such force that he would stop Percy''s momentum and force him to go on the defensive mode waiting for the prince to make a mistake. Percy was two years younger than Quinus but he was proving to be his equal in swordsmanship. He was a natural talent with the sword and was praised by all the knights. The Knights thought he might have a Grand Master mana vein and it was confirmed by his mother, Lady Wina. She would bring him out to the eastern forests to slay monsters in secret. She did this so her son could catch up with the Prince in order to protect him. She also secretly taught him assassin''s techniques to her son. Percy didn''t know that they were assassin''s skills per se, but under her guidance, she taught him how to move quietly and stealthily as well as when to strike an opponent when their guard was down. She wanted him to be the Prince''s shadow, while Sir Mathew wanted him to be the Prince''s Shield. After two years of training, Mathew had to admit that his son was better as a rogue than as a knight. He also had the mindset of a rogue thanks to his mother''s influence. Sir Mathew was proud of his son. But he was a bit disappointed. He hoped he would be able to make his son a Knight but being a retainer to the Prince was just as good. *** Back to the battle Percy was about to use his skill ''Fatal Rush'', and would charge forward and strike rapidly. Quinus was finally forced to go on the defensive now that Percy was coming at him with an unorthodox attack which made Percy''s movement more like he had cartilage instead of bones. Quinus had to step back while he blocked and dodged 15 strikes before he was able to counter-attack him. Just as Quinus was about to hit Percy''s torso. He used his skill ''Wind''s Embrace'' from a magical ring his mother gave him, which slowed the Prince''s sword and gave Percy another opening to strike. Quinus was able to use his mana to enhance his skill, ''Stalwart Stance'' which Sir George taught him to stop the effects of Percy''s skill and would go for a riposte. *Clack! Clack!* Went the sound of the wooden swords coming in contact with each other. ''Damn! Percy has been getting better... I guess I''ve been getting complacent over the last year. I better end this.'' Quinus thought and then shouted, "''Sword Aura''!" Mana surged through his wooden sword and created a yellow aura that covered his blade. Percy jumped back and got a nervous look on his face, "Oh shi-" Before Percy could finish his sentence, Quinus swung his sword horizontally and the aura extended his sword''s reach and hit him in the chest. "AH!" *Clack!* The force behind the strike sent him flying. He dropped his sword as he crashed onto the dirt ground and slid a few feet before coming to a halt. "Ow..." Percy mumbled as he lay there on the ground sweating and breathing heavily while the dust settled. Quinus looked down at his wooden sword and smiled, "You''re getting better, Percy." "You cheated, Your Highness. You used mana to enhance your sword." "And you use your magical ring... So, I say we are even." Quinus smirked. But the prince''s victory was short-lived when he heard Sir Mathew cut in. "Your footwork needs to be quicker. And stop using such wide swings. You''re not chopping down a tree," Mathew said with a frown. Quinus stood at attention and saluted him, "Yes, sir!" Quinus then ran over to Percy and helped him up. Percy groaned as he got back onto his feet. "Your Highness. You are getting lazy with your form. You have become too reliant on your mana to save you." Mathew scolded. Quinus frowned and looked at his feet, "Yes, sir. It won''t happen again." The Prince knew he was getting lazy and shouldn''t be relying on his mana all the time. He needed to take this criticism to heart or he would end up dying if he was not careful. Sir Mathew sighed, "Now, you and Percy are going to run twenty laps around the outer-" Mathew was interrupted when Lord Brice arrived. "My Lords and Ladies. My apologies for the interruption. But, the King and Queen have summoned you. The Mages Guild is here. They are ready to test the boys." Mathew''s eyebrows raised and Lady Nelumbo was the first to speak. "So the Mages finally made the time to come by and see the boys. I thought they would never come." "Well, I wonder if the boys will pass the test? It would be a shame if they no longer need to work on their swordsmanship," Wina said. ''I don''t understand why being a mage means that I have to stop learning the sword. It''s like their pride prevents them from using tools to help them. Why use a power drill if you can use a screw-driving, and muscle the damn thing. Sure it''s possible but it uses more energy and it seems so stupid to me,'' Quinus thought to himself as he put away his equipment. Percy whispered to Quinus, "It would be so amazing if I''m a Fire Mage. Or maybe an Earth Mage." This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "I don''t know Percy... I kinda like using a sword. Plus you''re really good with a bow. I have no idea how you can hit bullseyes from fifty paces while running. It''s like you could be an assassin or something." Percy smiled and chuckled, "You give me too much credit, my Lord. The dummies don''t move so it''s simple to hit. But there''s something about casting magic that seems so epic, that I wish to be one of them, my Lord." ''Christ, Percy? I know there''s mana in this world, but he still was running full speed while notching an arrow before hitting the target dead center. It is amazing. Why does he think otherwise?'' Quinus thought to himself as he shook his head, "Well, whatever happens, I''ll be glad you''re with me." Percy grinned, "Same here, my Lord." They walked together with the Knights and Lady Wina into the Throne room where the Mages were waiting. *** The Mage''s Guild has always been a group of scholars. They are the ones who study and research the magical arts and create new spells, and new uses for mana. There are a few Mage''s Guilds spread throughout the kingdom and each of them has their own rules and traditions in hopes of making a new breakthrough in the magical arts and then they meet up in the capital once a year to exchange their findings. The Fiafyr Kingdom''s Mage''s Guild was led by Grand Master Darius. He was one of the rare multi-elemental mages in all the world as he was able to control both Wind and Water. And the guild has been flourishing ever since he''s been the Grand Master. Hajdah was the strongest Fire Mage in the kingdom, and he had been looking for a disciple for some time now. He''s a gruff Dwarf and is known to be a bit blunt, even towards the nobility. Then there was Saffron L. Fairchild. She was one of the only few human mages to come from a noble family and was the younger sister of Baroness Ysandra Fairchild. She was the Headmaster of the Arcane Institute of Magic, and she was an accomplished Earth Mage. There were some other people in the room, that were either a part of King Cyndre''s council or a servant. When the boys entered the room, Darius stepped forward, "Crown Prince Quinus. It''s an honor to finally meet you. I am the leader of the Fiafyr''s Mages Guild. We are here today to test you, to see if you have any potential of being a mage." Quinus knew of Grand Master Darius thanks to reading about him in one of the books about the Mages Guild. He''s a well-known and powerful mage who helped thwart a griffin attack that occurred about twenty years ago in the northern plains. He was also an advisor to his father when there were strange magical phenomena that couldn''t be explained by the Council. Quinus smiled, "Grand Master Darius. It is an honor to meet you, sir. But are you not going to test Percy as well? I would like him to take the test alongside me." Darius blinked and glanced at the boy. Then back at the Prince. He was only being polite about testing this son of a knight. But he thought the prince would have left this matter alone and didn''t think the prince would bring up the other boy. "Of course, I shall. If he''s a royal squire, I guess he''s a prime candidate for the test as well." Darius said with a raised eyebrow. Hajdah smirked as he liked the Prince''s moxie, "Aye, lad. We''ll test your friend first to see if he has what it takes." Percy''s excitement shot through the roof when the Dwarf talked about him. "Ah, um. Thank you, Sir. I promise I''ll do my best." "Relax, young one. These tests are simple and will only take a few minutes," Saffron said. "But remember, there''s no shame in failing these tests. Having the gift of being a mage isn''t something that everyone has. Do you understand?" Hajdah asked while walking closer to Percy. Percy took a breath before nodding his head, "I understand, sir." "Then step forward, and we''ll begin," Darius said. The four walked up to the center of the room. Hajdah looked at Percy and held out his hands palms up. "Now lad, all you need to do is see if you can manipulate one of the four elements. If your mana can interact with these simple spells then you will have the potential of being a mage," Hajdah said with a soft tone in his voice. "You may feel a connection with one of the elements. Don''t force it, let your instincts guide you." Saffron said. "I''ll do my best, ma''am," Percy said with a nervous expression. "Good. Now, place your hands on top of mine," Hajdah ordered and Percy followed. Hajdah then said a chant and conjured a ball of fire no bigger than a flame from a candle and moved it closer to Percy''s hands. Percy watched and tried to focus his mana into his hands. He so wanted to be a fire mage like in the history books, that Quinus read to him. "Alright, lad. Channel your mana and let''s see if you have the gift with flame," Hajdah said with his deep Dwarven accent. "Okay, Sir," Percy said and closed his eyes. The flames moved closer and Percy could feel the heat from the fire as it warmed his hands. And just when he thought he had it, the heat left and the flame died. "Sorry, lad. No luck," Hajdah said as he withdrew his hands and the flame disappeared. Percy sighed, "I''m sorry. I thought I could feel the connection but... I failed." "It''s not because you lack mana, young one. It''s just luck. Here let''s see if you have the gift of earth," Saffron said with a comforting tone as she walked towards him. Percy smiled and nodded his head. "Good. Now, close your eyes and relax," Saffron said as she conjured a ball of earth no bigger than a pebble and hovered it next to his hands. "Focus your mana. Feel the connection between you and the earth," Saffron coached. Percy relaxed his shoulders and tried to feel the earth. Saffron cut off her mana to see if Percy could connect with the spell. But the spell died a few seconds later from her mana expiring and Saffron gave him a sad smile. "The earth hasn''t chosen you, Percy." "Thank you for the opportunity, ma''am. I am honored to be considered." Percy bowed. "It''s quite alright, young one. We''ll go through the water, then wind elements." Saffron said. "Alright. I''ll give these two a chance," Percy said in a disheartened tone because he didn''t care for water or wind. Darius took over the next test and he was using his ''Water Manipulation'' spell to show Percy the water. He hovered a ball of water in front of him and instructed him to channel his mana. Again Percy failed this test as well as the wind test. "Sorry boy, you are just a Maja. Now, shall we test the prince?" Darius asked as he brushed off Percy like he wasn''t worthy of his time. ''Who the fuck does this guy think he is?'' Quinus thought as he gave a side glare to Darius. ''I''ll deal with him later. I need to comfort Percy first.'' Quinus was standing there next to his mother and he could tell his friend was down about the results. "It''s okay Percy. I probably won''t pass these tests either." Percy didn''t say anything but he gave Quinus a nod. "Don''t say such nonsense, your Highness. You have at least an Elite-level mana vein, Maybe even a Demi-god-leveled vein. You will pass the test. You are destined for great things, and you must not worry about this boy. Now, stand there, and I''ll conduct the test," Darius ordered as he stepped in front of him. ''Does this guy think that I''m a fucking child? I mean I am in this child''s body but who does he think he is? He has no right to talk to me like that,'' Quinus thought with a frown. The Queen stepped forward, "Excuse me, Grand Master. I believe my son wishes to see if he''s a Fire or Earth Mage first." "Well, if he wishes to try those elements first, I guess I can humor him," Darius said. ''This guy is getting worse by the second. If he keeps this up I''ll have to deal with him... But for now, I will try my best,'' Quinus thought and stood there with his hands open in front of the dwarf mage. Hajdah walked closer and looked up at him, "Alright, Prince. You ready?" Quinus nodded, "Yes, sir." "Alright, let''s see if you''re a fire mage." Quinus failed the test. Hajdah was expecting to see the Prince throw a fit. But to his surprise, Quinus just shrugged. "I guess it''s not in the cards for me to be a fire mage." Hajdah''s eyebrows shot up. He''s never seen a noble take rejection so well. "It''s a shame, your Highness. Better luck with your other elements." Quinus smiled, "Thanks, sir. Let''s get this over with." Quinus tried Earth and failed. "Welp, thanks for giving me a chance, Lady Saffron... I guess I have two more to go." Saffron had a pleasant expression as she smiled and nodded her head. Darius had a happy expression. He was hoping that the Prince wasn''t in tune with fire or earth because he wouldn''t get the chance to train him and he was hoping he could get an exclusive contract with the Prince. If Quinus was as powerful as the rumors say he is then he is the perfect candidate for him to mentor and he could have him test out spells that he doesn''t have enough mana to perform. ''What''s up with that asshole''s face? I feel like he''s looking at me like I''m a piece of meat. Does he not care about what I want?'' "Your Highness, just relax and concentrate," Darius said. And to his dismay, the water spell expired a few seconds later. "That was quick," Quinus said as the water evaporated. Darius brushed it off and moved on to the last test. "Don''t worry about it, Your Highness. The odds are that you are going to be a wind mage like your cousin Marcus. So, don''t get discouraged." ''Pfft! Like I care that Marcus is a wind mage. I don''t want to be near that two-faced prick after that crap he pulled five months ago.'' "If you say so. But, what are the odds of that happening? What kind of percentages are we talking about here? Because I''ve been doing the math in my head and I believe I have a 1% chance of being a wind mage. Am I right?" Quinus asked. Darius''s lips curved downward, "No. You have to have a higher chance of being a wind mage. Just really try this time, Your Highness." Quinus raised an eyebrow in annoyance. "So you are saying that I wasn''t trying the first three times?" "I''m saying that you can''t get discouraged, Your Highness," Darius said in frustration. This didn''t go unnoticed. Everyone in the throne room looked at Darius in surprise. ''Oh, that''s some bullshit if I''ve ever heard it. He seems more desperate for me to become a mage than myself. I don''t know if I really want to become one at this rate.'' Quinus took a breath and calmed himself down, "Whatever, can we just do this test and get this over with." "Alright, Your Highness. Just focus on the wind element," Darius said as he conjured a small ball of wind in front of Quinus. The Prince channeled his mana and tried to connect with the wind ball. But he never felt any connection with it. "Are you channeling your mana?" Darius asked. "Yes. But I don''t feel the connection," Quinus replied back. "Just relax, and concentrate," Darius instructed and tried to ignore the Prince''s response. A minute went by, "Are you sure you know how to channel your mana? I mean, do you even care about becoming a mage?" Darius asked with an impatient tone. The King and Queen took offense as well as the rest of the court. Hajdah and Saffron didn''t know what was wrong with Darius. "That''s a bold statement, Grand Master Darius. What would make you say something like that?" Cyndre asked with an edge in his voice. "I''m sorry, Your Majesty. But it seems like he''s too young to understand how serious this is," Darius explained. ''Okay, I''m starting to hate this guy.'' Quinus thought as he decided to grab Darius''s right hand with his then in an instant Quinus channeled his mana through the mage''s body. "What the-" Darius''s eyes widened. "You know, Grand Master. You keep saying that I''m not taking this seriously. But I feel like you aren''t taking me seriously either," Quinus said as he continued to channel his mana into the mage to make a point. Darius was able to counter Quinus''s mana just by the fact that his vein was bigger due to all the monsters he slayed over the decades, but he was struggling to push back the Prince''s mana and he was feeling the pain up to his bicep. "Ah! What the!? Argh! Y-You dare- Agh! H-How can this be!?" Darius shouted in pain as he slowly pushed back Quinus''s mana past his elbow. Darius couldn''t believe that he was struggling to keep his arm from being broken. While Quinus was starting to understand what Sir Mathew meant by this technique only working on those with weaker mana veins. "What are you doing?" Darius shouted. Quinus smirked, "Oh, I just wanted to say that I appreciate your time... But I''m fine with being a Maja. So, don''t question my efforts, Grand Master Darius." With one last push, Darius was able to repel Quinus''s mana from his body and staggered back a couple of steps. "YouYou are just a damn Maja and you won''t amount to anything," Darius said in anger as he clutched his throbbing right arm. "And you are an asshole. But it seems that we have to deal with what we have," Quinus quipped back and the rest of the throne room chuckled "I''m not the one who wasn''t giving you a chance" "Darius!" Saffron snapped. The Grand Master''s eyes widened, and he looked at her and saw Hajdah shaking his head. "How dare you say such things to a member of the Royal Family. Apologize!" Darius clenched his jaw and gave Quinus a cold stare. He turned to the King and apologized, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for my disrespect." The King gave him a cold look, "Apology accepted. But know this, if you say something like that again, I will not be as forgiving." ''What the fuck? Is he only going to apologize to my father?'' Quinus thought with an annoyed expression. "Well, your Highness. It looks like you won''t be able to be a mage. It''s a shame, you have a high potential," Saffron said with a smile and a sympathetic look. Hajdah threw a verbal jab at Darius, "And here I was worried about the young lad making a big stink. But, I think I have to give the Prince his props." "That''s enough... We must leave now. Goodbye, your Majesty. Goodbye, your Highness," Darius said and walked out the door in a huff. Saffron followed suit and bowed to the royal family. At the same time, the dwarf gave Quinus a nod of respect before leaving the throne room. "Well, that was something else, huh, son?" Cyndre said with a smile. "Indeed, father. I''m glad that it''s over." "I don''t understand why he was acting like that. That was quite disrespectful. Especially to a member of the Royal Family," the Queen said. "I don''t know if this will justify things. But I''ve heard that Grand Master Darius has been seeking an apprentice. Maybe he was putting all his hopes into His Highness," Lord Brice explained. "Well, I don''t want to be a mage if it means I''m going to have him as my master," Quinus said with an upset look. "Agreed, son. I don''t think anyone would want him," Cyndre said. "Anyway we should wrap up and have dinner." Everyone nodded their heads and began to disperse from the throne room. Quinus and Percy went to clean up and get ready for dinner. Ch.157 Quinus’s Tenth Birthday Since failing the mage''s test. Quinus focused more on his swordsmanship with Percy over the past two years, until he finally turned ten years old. His birthday was celebrated for two days and there was a ball for the second day. The highlight was when his father announced that his son would go through the trials of adulthood and would be heading to the Labyrinth of Lost Souls. It was said that the Goddess created the ancient labyrinth and it was designed to test the worthiness of the youth to become an adult. There have been stories of people going missing thanks to the labyrinth changing its portals every two to three hundred years. But the kingdom would send adventurers into the labyrinth just to make sure that no child of a noble would get trapped if the dungeon core changed its portals or if some monsters wandered in and got trapped inside the dungeon. The Kingdom of Fiafyr was very strict when it came to their youth going through the trials. There have been rumors amongst the commoners of them using the labyrinth as a way to weed out the weak and stupid. This wasn''t true of course, because this labyrinth wouldn''t let anyone in unless they had a grown mana vein. If someone tried to enter the dungeon and didn''t have a mana vein, they would get teleported back to the surface. There were many rules and regulations that a child had to follow in order to go through the trials. The first thing is that they couldn''t bring a weapon into the labyrinth. They could only carry a basic survival kit. And they could only wear basic clothes and shoes. The second thing they needed to do was seek out an impure ether crystal on the fifth floor. These crystals only got as big as a six-sided die and didn''t have any monetary value but it shows that those who are able to collect them are worthy of becoming an adult. As everyone was applauding Quinus, the nobles started to talk amongst themselves about the upcoming celebration. "Are you not worried about sending your son, my liege?" Baron Johnathan Dule asked. "I put in the quest to the Adventures Guild and requested them to go through the Labyrinth of Lost Souls to clear out any monsters that might be roaming around inside the mazes as well as having them check out the portals. It''s only a matter of time before the dungeon core changes its layout. So, we are taking precautions." King Cyndre answered. "Seems like overkill if you ask me, Your Majesty," Marquess Duval Wrightwood said a little loudly. "I''m not letting the only heir to the throne of Fiafyr go inside a labyrinth without having some of the kingdom''s strongest adventurers clear out the place to make sure the labyrinth is safe," King Cyndre said with a stern tone. "I understand that my liege. But you''re paying triple the amount just to send in adventurers who have cleared out the labyrinth from years past. Isn''t that a bit overboard?" Marquess Duval said. "I can assure you, Lord Wrightwood. I''m not doubting the competence of our adventurers. But I rather not take any chances and I want them to be thorough... Besides, my son has his retainer Sir George by his side training him until he enters the labyrinth and he has the best tutors teaching him everything he needs to know when dealing with the dungeon. I have complete faith in him," King Cyndre explained with a smile. Marquess Duval didn''t look too happy about spending all that money to make sure the Prince was safe. Especially, since he''s been struggling to buy the support of the Minor Lords from Alaric. He was using way more money than he hoped and his treasury was dwindling down even with getting 75% of Duke Alaric''s income. The Marquess thought it was going to be easy to gain the loyalty of the Minor Lords. But the truth is, Alaric was the one to advise the few Minor Lords to siphon off as much funds from Marquess Duval as possible before declaring their loyalty to Duval. Alaric had been working behind the scenes for the past five years and he had the support of the Minor Nobles that Marquess Duval thought were loyal to him. And the Major Nobles who had been trying to stay neutral were thinking about joining forces with him as he showed how humbled he had become over the years after his punishment. Behind the scenes, Duke Alaric was known to be a ruthless man, but he was also fair. While Marquess Duval was only keeping those Major Nobles from leaving his side by bribing them and offering administration positions. This is why his treasury is running low and his power base is starting to crumble. Marcus on the other hand hasn''t stopped plotting against his cousin. But no matter how hard he tried his cousin would come up smelling like roses. And to top it all off, Quinus and Percy have grown into a very powerful team. Even before they went to the trials. In fact, a week ago, a group of bandits raided a village near the capital city. Marcus sent a couple of his men to try and get rid of his cousin. But to his surprise, Quinus and Percy not only saved the village, but they captured every bandit that attacked the village and turned them in. He had to make sure that none of them could talk and he paid for an assassin to poison them before they could be interrogated. This irritated his father to no end as he needed to hide his finances from the other Major Nobles. With his son demanding to use more money meant a higher chance of them being found out. Which would cause them to be thrown in the dungeons or be executed. The nobles were impressed when they saw the Prince and the Knight''s son fight each other. It was clear that the Prince was the superior fighter, but the squire had an impressive display of agility. "If the Prince is as strong as they say. Then I believe that this will be a very easy task," Earl Nathaniel Valerian commented. "Indeed. But, you shouldn''t underestimate the Labyrinth of Lost Souls, My Lord. If he makes a simple mistake and heads for the sixth floor then we may lose the Prince," Viscount Octavius Blackwood said. This is the main reason why this Dungeon is known as the Labyrinth of Lost Souls. The first five floors of the labyrinth were mostly safe with it acting like a hedge maze with portal traps strewn throughout the hallways. It wasn''t as dangerous as other labyrinths and almost anyone, regardless of their rank or ability, could get to the fifth floor with little to no issues. But everyone who dared enter the sixth floor has either: never been seen again or has been teleported back to the surface. The few survivors who were teleported to the surface weren''t warped by the entrance like those who didn''t have a grown mana vein. Instead, they were sent to the far reaches of the continent, some even getting dumped in the sea. They couldn''t remember anything after going past the fifth floor. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Past Kings have tried to clear this labyrinth to see if there was anything on the sixth floor but the mages weren''t able to dispel the magic in the portals and the kingdom didn''t wish to waste the lives of their people to see if they could make it on the sixth floor. "You should have more faith in His Highness," Baroness Ysandra Fairchild said. "Well, I do. It''s just that I think we need a backup plan if he ends up dying," Baron Alistar Dravenhart replied. The Marquess glared at Baron Alistar Dravenhart and Viscount William Lysander who wanted Marcus Revelia to become the next King, instead of Quinus. "And who would be the next heir if something happened to the prince?" Marquess Duval hissed. "I''m not bold enough to suggest his cousin, Marcus, become the next heir, Marquess. I''m only suggesting a backup plan. If we know who could be in the line of succession, then we will be fine," Baron Alistar argued. "Then who?" Count Sebastian Ingham asked with a stern look. Baron Alistar Dravenhart glanced over to Viscount William Lysander who smirked. "Well, we can have one of the elder daughters of House Revelia or the elder sons of House Valerian become the next in line," Viscount William suggested. King Cyndre cut in after he noticed the Major Lords talking about the line of succession, "Do not speak as if my son is dead! I will fine anyone who dares to bring this topic up again. Do I make myself clear?" The nobles felt a chill running through them as the King''s anger was emanating from him. It was clear that he was not willing to let anyone usurp his throne. He was going to do everything to keep his family safe. Even though his wife wasn''t happy with him because Cyndre was warming up to his brother again. "We are sorry, Your Majesty. We didn''t mean to insult the Prince or the Royal Family," Viscount William and Baron Alistar said at the same time. The nobles apologized for offending the King. "Good. Now let''s enjoy the party. This is a celebration after all." King Cyndre declared and everyone went back to their seats and enjoyed the rest of the evening. *** Alaric wasn''t chatting with the other Major Nobles at the time as he slowly approached a maid with glowing hazel eyes who was watching over the prince, as he was dancing in the middle of the ballroom with several young ladies. The maid spoke without turning her head, "Your Grace," Wina greeted the Duke coldly. "It seems you''ve truly gone down the straight and narrow path, haven''t you?" Alaric said in a huss tone. Wina ignored the comment and kept her attention on the prince, who was still dancing in the middle of the ballroom. "You''re lucky that I don''t turn my blade on you. For you''ve caused me a great deal of trouble," Alaric continued. "And here I thought you didn''t hold any grudges," Wina said with an apathetic tone. "Me? I might have a few. But you aren''t one of them," Alaric lied. "You lie as naturally as you breathe, Alaric... Now, why are you here speaking to a maid," Wina asked with an annoyed tone. The Duke didn''t like this assassin calling him by his first name. But he held his tongue. "I just wanted to air out my grievances over these many years. I would have done this sooner but I needed things to cool down... Luckily it seems the Marquess took a turn for the better and I didn''t want to give the impression that I was betraying him," Alaric muttered quietly. "You mean you have weakened the Marquess... Serves him right after sparing your life," Wina stated coldly. "Indeed... He will get what''s coming to him, in due time. But back to you... I''m disappointed in you. You''ve thrown away a promising career. And if you wanted a boy toy I would have given you as many as you wanted," Alaric commented. "You think throwing men at me is what made me switch sides? You''re an idiot if you believe that." "Well, I would have at least given you a nice place to retire and live a quiet life. But instead, you decided to be the prince''s hidden bodyguard. Soon you''ll be out of a job once the prince comes of age," Alaric said, giving her a suspicious look. ''Hmm? So, is he planning on outing me to the Assassin''s Society? Why would he do this in the first place?'' Wina thought to herself. "I have another position once the prince no longer needs me. Don''t worry, I''ve already planned ahead," Wina replied. "Well, I hope you enjoy your pathetic life as a maid, Wina Daz. I would have at least given you something worthwhile to do, but I guess you are nothing but a commoner now," Alaric stated. ''Commoner? He''s more of a child than I thought.'' Wina ignored the Duke and continued watching the prince. While Alaric just looked at Wina waiting for her to look at him but she never did. He shook his head and left her alone after not getting the response he wanted. *** As Alaric walked through the ballroom, he was stopped by several nobles and made small talk with them. Alaric then went outside for some fresh air and was approached by his younger brother who was holding a cup of wine. "You look angered... What is wrong?" King Cyndre asked. "I was just thinking about the past," Alaric said as he stared out over the city of Tairal. "You better not be thinking about-" Alaric raised his hands up in defeat. "I will never go after your son, brother. That is a promise. My days of going after the throne are long gone." Cyndre looked at his older brother to see if he was lying. But he couldn''t tell. "Good... I would hate to kill you, brother... You are the only one who I can talk to like this." Alaric chuckled. "Well, you''re my younger brother. You''re supposed to come to me with your troubles. Unless this is something that has to do with Rianna?" Cyndre sighed. "You know me too well, brother." Alaric shook his head, "Well, you should have executed me once my assassin turned on me." "Well, you are my only brother and you helped me with the marriage with Rianna," Cyndre said. Alaric sighed and took the cup of wine and said, "You''re too soft, little brother." They both took a sip from their glasses and looked out over the skyline. ''Brother, I may not be going after your son anymore. But my son, Marcus, is... and if he needs my aid then I will help him. The throne is his birthright and it will be his even if the fates are against us... Just wait a little longer brother. Then you will see that we are meant to rule this kingdom.'' Alaric thought to himself as he watched the skyline of the capital city. "I know in due time Rianna will forgive you. But maybe you shouldn''t be seen chatting with me all night. You have a reputation to maintain," Alaric said as he handed the cup of wine back to his brother. "Maybe tomorrow I''ll go and have a chat with her. I''ll even invite her for a picnic. Once Quinus goes off to the Labyrinth," Cyndre thought out loud. "Sounds like a good idea, Brother. Now go... Your people need you," Alaric replied. Cyndre gave a slight nod and left his brother alone as he went back into the ballroom. "You made a mistake listening to Duval, brother... It may take years but Marcus will get the throne," Alaric muttered under his breath. The duke looked over the city once more before heading back inside. Ch.158 Are you Nervous? Quinus was in the middle of the dance floor with a beautiful noble lady, her name was Lady Elise. She was wearing a white dress that matched her hair, and her eyes were as blue as the ocean. She was older than Quinus by six years and she was making some passes at him. Which made him nervous for many reasons but two stuck out in particular. The first was that she didn''t seem to care for Quinus as a person and seemed to only want him because he was a prince. The second was more of a moral issue. Quinus still hadn''t grown pubic hair yet and she was acting like she was ready to round second base with him. He was tall for his age but it felt gross that a girl who was six years older was being this aggressive. Unfortunately, all signs were pointing to her being a gold digger. And it was such a weird experience for him. Back on Earth he wasn''t rich or super good looking so women never made the first move. But here in this fantasy world where he was a handsome young prince, all kinds of crazy shit was happening that he was trying to get used to. "So, Prince Quinus, are you excited for the trials?" Lady Elise asked with a flirtatious tone. "Ah! Umm... I don''t see a reason to be scared. I''ve trained for this for years," Quinus replied nervously. "Oh, you''re so confident. Are you sure you''re not scared of dying or being trapped forever in the Labyrinth of Lost Souls? It would be such a shame for a handsome young man like yourself to die," Lady Elise said with a fake innocent voice. "No, I''m not afraid of dying. I have no idea if I''ll get another chance of getting reborn so I won''t let fear control my decisions, Lady Elise," Quinus said with a confident look. "Another chance of getting reborn?" Lady Elise asked. ''Haah... I guess I''m the only one who''s been reincarnated here,'' Quinus thought as he occasionally probed random people from time to time in hopes of finding someone who has also been reborn in this world. "Ah, sorry. It''s something that was mentioned to me in a dream," Quinus replied. "A dream? You sure have an interesting way of speaking," Lady Elise replied. Quinus wanted to shake his head. But he knew better. Instead, he gave her a gentle smile and said, "Well, I don''t know if I should take that as a compliment or not." "Oh, of course. It''s a compliment, My Prince. A man like you should have no problem in the Labyrinth," Lady Elise said with a fake flirtatious laugh. ''Haah... She is trying way too hard. I don''t know if she likes me or she''s just messing with me.'' Quinus thought. "Thank you, My Lady. I will keep your words close to my heart." Quinus said. Lady Elise gave Quinus a sly smile as she noticed his mother, the Queen, staring daggers at her. They continued to dance until the music stopped. "Oh, it seems our dance is over," Lady Elise said in a disappointed tone. "Indeed... Well, it was nice meeting you, Lady Elise," Quinus stated with a smile. Just as Quinus turned to leave a wave of girls came running up to him and started bombarding him with questions and some asking for a dance. "Ahh! Ummm... I need a little time to myself if you all will excuse me," Quinus said as he slowly pushed his way through the crowd of girls. "Come on, my Prince, just one dance," Lady Fiona asked. "No thank you, I''m tired and need a drink," Quinus replied. "Prince!" Another girl said as she tried to give him sad puppy dog eyes. "Please, just give me one more moment." said another young noblewoman with blonde hair. "We just want a dance." said a short woman who looked like she was in her late 20s. Quinus couldn''t move or breathe. He was overwhelmed by all the girls. It was suffocating him. "Alright, ladies. The Prince said he was thirsty. Give him some space," A knight said as he grabbed the Prince''s arm and dragged him through the crowd. The girls looked disappointed as the prince was freed from their grasp. Over the years Quinus was getting quite tall for his age and his golden eyes and red-brown hair helped make him stand out from the crowd. "Thanks for that, Sir George," Quinus sighed heavily. "No problem, your Highness," Sir George said with a smirk. "But if you need help getting more lasses, I can show you a few tricks." Quinus looked up at Sir George in confusion, ''Is he blind? I was swamped with women that don''t give a rat''s ass about me. And he thinks that I''m lacking in girls? Plus I heard his advice when he was training Percy. He doesn''t have a clue what women want... I better step in before Percy starts putting his ideas into action.'' Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. "Um... Sir George. I think I''m fine in that regard. Besides, I don''t have the time to chase after women, I have a labyrinth to conquer." Quinus stated. "Hmm, suit yourself, your Highness," Sir George said. As they both reached the drink table, Sir George grabbed a glass and poured himself some wine while Quinus grabbed a glass and poured himself some juice. Just as he was about to take a sip, Quinus heard a familiar voice coming from his right. "So, you''re not a wine person, your Highness?" Johan Dule asked as the 17-year-old came walking up to Quinus and Sir George. "I''ll wait until I''m 15 before I''ll try the stuff. How about you," Quinus replied as he looked at his cup of grape juice. Johan gave the prince a smirk. Over the years Johan started to despise Marcus as he kept treating him like dirt due to him being a weakling in his eyes. He was won over by Quinus when he rescued him during the raid of a village near the capital city. And even though Quinus was becoming a powerful Maja, he still treated him with respect. "Oh, don''t get me wrong, I can handle my liquor," Johan said as he poured himself a glass. "You''re only 17, lad," Sir George said to the young noble. "He was being sarcastic, Sir George," Quinus said, taking a sip from his cup. "Well, I can hold my liquor, your Highness. Just ask the ladies," Johan said with a grin. Sir George and Quinus shook their heads. They both knew Johan was just trying to prove himself. "Just try and take it easy. I don''t want you looking like Baron Alistar. That man is a drunk," Quinus joked. "Yeah... And he can''t stop running his mouth. He should keep quiet and just get his nose out of everyone''s business," Johan said. Quinus looked over to see Baron Alistar talking to several young noble ladies. While some were giggling, some looked annoyed and others were outright disgusted. "That''s why I don''t drink. If I want to make a fool of myself, I''ll do it on purpose, not by accident," Sir George commented. "I don''t think you need to drink to make a fool out of yourself, Sir George," Quinus said as he took a sip from his cup. ''Damn... I miss soda... There has to be someone out there who knows how to carbonate water and put flavoring in it. I wish I had a Coke. Someday...'' "Hey, are you calling me a fool, your Highness?" Sir George asked with a joking tone. "Only sometimes, Sir George," Quinus replied in a mocking tone. "Ouch, now that hurts," Sir George said. "Haha," Quinus and Johan laughed. "I never had the chance to say thank you for saving me a couple of weeks ago," Johan stated. "You don''t need to. It was the right thing to do. I couldn''t believe there were bandits bold enough to attack so close to the capital. Especially with the increased number of knights patrolling the roads," Quinus replied. "I couldn''t agree more. They came from nowhere. Do you know what group they belonged to? It would be good to know so we can keep an eye out for them," Johan asked. "They are a new bandit group called the Shadow Blades. Sadly, we couldn''t get any information out of them." Sir George said. "Hmm? Why''s that? Were they all killed?" Johan asked. "Yeah... They all caught some disease," Sir George replied. "They got sick? How is that possible?" Johan asked. "They seemed fine at first but some of them got sick during the trip. By the time we reached the capital, they had already died," Sir George stated. Quinus didn''t know that''s what happened to the bandits. He just thought that they had been executed. But catching a disease sounded too convenient. ''But they seemed fine when Percy, Sir George, Lady Nelumbo, and I captured them. So how did they suddenly get sick?'' Quinus thought. "Wow... That''s a bit unsettling," Johan said. "It sure is. I guess the Goddess wasn''t happy that they attacked her kingdom." Sir George said after he finished his wine. Quinus and Johan were stunned by his response. They looked at each other and then at Sir George. "The Goddess punished them? But Goddess Iyomelka seems like she keeps to herself?" Johan asked. "AH! That''s where you are wrong my boy... Goddess Iyomelka''s punishment comes when you least expect it. It may come swiftly and suddenly or slowly and subtly. But rest assured, it will happen," Sir George stated. "What are you talking about, Sir George?" Quinus asked. In all his studies he''s never seen any evidence of the goddess punishing anyone. Hell, he wasn''t sure if she existed in the first place. But there were other accounts of Gods or Goddesses interfering in the Mortal Affairs. "It''s something my grandfather told me, your Highness," Sir George replied. "And do you believe it, Sir George?" Quinus asked. "Of course, my Lord. He told me that you never cross a woman who becomes cool and collected. That''s when they become deadly and cunning. She may not seem like she''s around. But believe me, she is... You never want to mess with a woman like her," Sir George replied. "Are we still talking about the goddess or is this a personal experience, Sir George?" Quinus asked. "Hahaha, of course, we are talking about the goddess, your Highness," Sir George laughed. "Hmm... Sounds like a load of nonsense," Johan stated. Sir George stopped laughing and looked at Johan, "Do you doubt the words of your elders, young Lord?" "Alright... Enough of that," Quinus intervened. "Sir George, why don''t you go and make sure we are good to go for tomorrow." "Yes, your Highness," Sir George said as he headed off to talk to a group of knights. "So... You nervous about the test?" Johan asked. "Nervous? Maybe? I haven''t gone into a labyrinth yet, but I am ready," Quinus replied. "You are?" Johan asked. "It''s supposedly only five floors of mazes? And I''m not the only one taking the test. I think there are three other young nobles joining me," Quinus replied. Johan looked over his shoulders to make sure Marcus wasn''t around. Then he said, "I would watch out, your Highness... Your uncle and cousin have the Minor Nobles in their pockets and those three younger nobles are from a family of Minor Nobles. I''m sure one if not all of them are going to do whatever it takes to make you fail. I know the eldest one, his name is John. He''s a slimy bastard. Just stay on your toes and don''t let them catch you off guard." Quinus nodded his head. He wasn''t expecting that type of response from Johan. But he did appreciate his honesty. "Thanks, I will, Johan. Is there anything else I should know about them?" Quinus asked. "John is the only mage in the group. So he doesn''t need a weapon. I''m not sure what elements he uses but his father, Lord Edward, is a water mage," Johan replied. ''That''s good to know,'' Quinus thought. "Thanks again, Johan. I owe you one," Quinus said. "Anytime, your Highness. But remember, if you ever need anything. Just ask," Johan replied. And with that, the party ended without any more incidents. As Quinus went to bed. For he had a long journey north ahead of him. Ch.159 Traveling North On the morning of the Fiafyr Trials of Adulthood, Quinus was in his room getting ready. The night before, he was told what to pack. So all he needed was a few essentials like food, water, and a bedroll. Once he finished packing, Quinus sat down and started reading the book his mother gave him. The book was a collection of fairy tales and folk stories that his mother had loved when she was younger. ''I find it strange to read fairy tales when I''m living on a planet with magic and monsters. It makes it feel less magical to me.'' Quinus continued reading until he heard a knocking on his door. "Enter," Quinus called out. Lady Wina and three maids opened the door and bowed their heads, "Good morning, your Highness. We have brought you some breakfast." Wina wore her usual attire with her assassin''s gear hidden under her maid''s outfit. It was an outfit that exaggerated all of her womanly charms that Quinus struggled to look away from. "Thank you, Lady Wina. Please, let me get dressed and then we can have breakfast," Quinus said as he quickly threw a tunic on and some pants. "Of course, My Prince," Wina replied with a nod as the other maids got to work cleaning his room and putting fresh sheets on his bed. "You are all dismissed. I will handle the rest," Wina ordered the other maids. "As you wish, Lady Wina," The maids replied as they left the room. Wina was one of his escorts to the Labyrinth. Quinus thought it was a little too much to have his personal maid join him on his escort. But the Queen insisted and Quinus didn''t argue with his mother. "Please sit and enjoy your meal," Wina said. Quinus was given a plate of eggs, bread, and meat along with a bowl of stew. He started eating faster than normal due to him being a bit anxious. "Hmm? Is there something on your mind, your Highness? Are you nervous?" Wina asked. "I can''t help but feel a little uneasy. Even though I fought monsters in the southern plains with Percy and Sir Mathew. And dealt with bandits, I''ve never gone into a labyrinth... Everything I read about them seems like they are beings... Like I am intruding on a living entity and going through its home. It''s a bit unsettling..." Quinus sighed. Wina walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder, "You''ll be fine, your Highness... Danger is all around us no matter where you go. And if something does happen. We are here to protect you." "Thanks, Lady Wina," Quinus said. "It is my duty as your servant, My Prince," Wina bowed. Quinus felt a little more comforted by Wina''s words. But it still didn''t help him get rid of his nerves. "We are to meet the others at the north gate at 7 am. So we should leave in the next 15 minutes," Wina said. "Sounds good," Quinus said. After 10 minutes, Quinus and Wina were headed to the north gate where his parents, Sir Mathew, and Sir George were waiting. "I hear you''ll be coming back with a harem, Quin," Sir Mathew said. "Huh? Was that what Sir George told you?" Quinus asked. "Haha, no. My wife told me you needed rescue during the party yesterday," Sir Mathew replied. Quinus looked at Wina who looked away acting like she didn''t hear anything. ''Haah... My own maid betrays me... I can''t blame her... I bet I looked ridiculous.'' "Rescue is a bit of a stretch," Quinus said as he turned back to Sir Mathew. "If the Prince was truly in distress, he would have called for us, Sir Mathew." Lady Wina replied with a wink to her husband. "Well, it was nice to see the ladies are interested in you, Prince Quinus. But don''t take their affection for you at face value. You need to make sure it''s genuine," Sir Mathew said as he gave a wink back to his wife. "Huh? If a woman gives you attention then you have the upper hand! What''s more genuine than that," Sir George added out of nowhere as he interrupted the conversation. Wina''s face soured while Quinus put a hand up to his face trying to hide from secondhand embarrassment. Mathew looked at George exasperated as this was the hundredth time he''d commented on this. Quinus stepped in before the two were about to go into a debate again, "Sir George... If you are as well known for your ways with the women as you are with the sword, then you would have your own harem... How many are in it again? I lost count at zero," Quinus said, cutting him off. Sir George turned to Quinus and gave a look of betrayal. Then it turned to defeat as he wanted to counter the Prince''s claims. But he knew Quinus was right. "T-that is a low blow, Prince Quinus," Sir George replied. "You lack situational awareness, Sir George. You keep trying to counter Sir Mathew, but he''s married to a top-tier woman and has had a child with her. He''s the last person you should be disputing," Quinus replied. Wina was surprised by the Prince''s quick wit. She looked over at her husband who seemed happy by the compliment. "A top-tier woman? Well, I guess you''re right about that," Sir George conceded with some reluctance. Normally he would try to continue arguing but the prince always seemed to know how to hit him where it hurt. ''Haah... I guess I''ll take that as a win... For now.'' Quinus thought as he looked around to see if he could find Percy. "Hmm? Where''s Percy? He''s not here?" Quinus asked. Wina stepped in and said, "He''s training with Lady Nelumbo and couldn''t make it today." "So that''s where he is. Why didn''t you tell me that''s where he went, Win?" Sir Mathew asked. "You were busy getting everything together and I didn''t have the chance to tell you," Wina replied. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Hmm? Oh. Sorry, Win," Sir Mathew apologized. "It''s fine," Wina smiled. Quinus thought it was strange that Sir Mathew didn''t know that Percy was with Lady Nelumbo but in the end, he decided to drop it. "It looks like the rest of the escorts have arrived," Sir George stated as he pointed towards a group of knights coming their way. The knights were wearing the same armor that Sir George and Sir Mathew wore. None of them could join the prince in the Labyrinth but they will make camp at the entrance. Just in case they need to run in for rescue. They will also be tasked with keeping any monsters from wandering in and preventing or killing anyone who tried to enter the labyrinth during the trials without the permission of the crown. Quinus''s parents walked up to their son. "Are you ready, Quin?" the King asked. "I am," Quinus replied. "Quin, you know what''s on the line if you don''t pass this," the Queen said. "I know Mother. I won''t give them a chance to question my worth as the Crown Prince," Quinus said. "Just make sure you focus on yourself. I believe you are more than capable of handling these obstacles and challenges. The Goddess has already given you her blessing. Remember that," the Queen said. "Right, I will," Quinus said as he nodded. "Good luck, son. I will see you after the test," the King said as he patted Quinus on the shoulder. While his mother hugged him. After his parents gave him their blessings, Sir Mathew and Wina joined them. "Be careful out there. And protect my son, Sir Mathew," the King ordered. "Of course, your Majesty," Mathew bowed. "I won''t let you down, my King," Sir George also bowed. "Thank you all. And may the Goddess guild you," the Queen said. Quinus, Sir Mathew, and Wina bowed. "Alright, Prince. It''s time to get going. Everyone, mount up," Sir Mathew said. The knights mounted their horses and started riding towards the north gate. The Labyrinth of the Lost Souls was a three-day ride north from the capital city. *** As the Prince starts his journey up north. Duke Alaric was in the study of the Divalo Manor. *Knock! Knock!* "Come!" Duke Alaric said as he was still reading through his documents. The door opened to Head Butler, Belial. "My Lord. Your nephew has started his journey and that traitor is joining him... Should we recall the messenger?" Belial asked. "No... Things are stable around here and my punishment will be lifted soon. I wished to see her panic when I confronted her yesterday but she was too calm and collected to easily get a reaction out of her. She really does make a man want to break her down. But her death will be more than satisfying at this point. Even if the prince is caught in the crossfire then so be it," Duke Alaric said. "I''ll trust in your plan, My Lord. But what will be our contingency plan if things don''t work out?" Belial asked. "She will be continuously hunted by the Assassin''s Society... And she will be far away from the capital city for me to get blamed for this. Even if Quinus is caught up in the fighting. He most likely will come out of it unscathed... That bastard has fate on his side. But she doesn''t... At least she will pay for what she did to me and my family," Duke Alaric sneered. Belial smiled, "Yes, My Lord. And if there is nothing else, I shall leave you to your thoughts." Duke Alaric nodded and waved his hand to dismiss Belial. Once alone, Alaric leaned back in his chair. "I''ve waited a long time to do this... Wina Daz... You will regret the day you humiliated me and took my family''s honor. No one gets the better of House Revelia and lives to tell about it." And with that, the Duke went back to work going through his documents. *** The three-day trip was boring for the most part. Aside from a few skirmishes with monsters. They found a spot to set up camp beside the road for the night. Quinus was able to get some sword training in after dinner. Mathew was watching over him. "You''ve improved, your Highness. I can see a big difference in you compared to last week," Mathew said. "Really? I can barely tell," Quinus replied. "It''s tough to notice when you''re focused on the task at hand. But once you relax and take a step back, you''ll be able to see how far you''ve come," Mathew said. "Why do they not allow us to carry our weapons for this trial? I feel like a mage has an advantage when going into the trials," Quinus asked. "I''ve heard the rules for the trial are based on a story the Goddess told. The rules are simple, the challenger must survive the maze without any of their gear, and they can only use the skills that the goddess has gifted them," Mathew replied. "So, is it to level the playing field? But, mages don''t need weapons," Quinus asked. "If the trials were about combat. Then you would be correct. But the trials are more about endurance and wit. It is something all of us who can grow our mana veins must do to prove our worth to the goddess. The trials are designed for Maja and Mages, regardless of their talents. The trial is supposed to help people understand themselves and grow from it," Mathew said. Quinus sheathed his sword and sat down on a log near the fire as Mathew continued. "The trials are also a place for the people of the kingdom to gather together. To share stories, and have a drink or two." Mathew said with a smirk as he looked like he was lost in nostalgia. "You speak from experience, Sir Mathew? What happened during your trial?" Quinus asked. "Hmmm? Well, I remember the first three floors were boring but the fourth floor was when I stepped into a portal that teleported me into a dark place. But it was a room of illusions that triggered things from my subconscious. I was scared. I was angry. And I was confused," Mathew said. "Illusions? Triggered memories? That sounds a little odd. I was expecting something more... I don''t know..." Quinus replied. "It is a different experience for everyone. Some trials were similar. While others were vastly different," Mathew said. "So... What happened in your trial?" Quinus asked. Mathew looked off in the distance as he remembered the events of his trial, "I saw my family''s home burning. The fire spread out to the surrounding fields, and then I saw the bandits dragging my mother out of our house. I wanted to scream. But I was powerless until something unlocked in me." Quinus leaned forward as he wanted to hear more, "Then what?" "My body felt a surge of energy coursing through me. I felt stronger, and faster. As the lightning was awakened inside me just like my father. It was at that moment that I was able to stop the bandits. And save my family. And before I knew it. I was warped out of the room and was on the fifth floor," Mathew replied. "So the Goddess'' trial helped you unlock a hidden skill?" Quinus asked. "Not quite. I found out later from my father that I had awakened my bloodline," Mathew replied. "Awakened a bloodline? You have a bloodline, Sir Mathew?" "Yes, but keep it a secret. Bloodlines are rare and not well known," Mathew whispered. Quinus looked at Mathew with surprise and then it changed to a serious face. "Keep it a secret... I don''t wish to break it," Quinus replied. "Well... If you change your mind, ask," Mathew replied. "I will," Quinus nodded. As they sat on the log and looked into the flames of the fire. Two knights walked up and bowed. "Sir Mathew... Your Highness... We believe the village of Vandia is only ten miles away." One knight said. "We will reach it midday tomorrow," said the other knight. "Good... Thank you," Mathew replied. And both the knights left the Prince and Sir Mathew. "It''s been a long ride. But we are getting closer." Mathew said as he turned to Quinus. "We should get some sleep, your Highness. We will reach the entrance of the Labyrinth tomorrow afternoon and the trials will begin by the day after." "Right... Goodnight Sir Mathew," Quinus said. "Good night, your Highness," Mathew said as the two men turned in for the night. Quinus didn''t realize how tired he was until he laid his head on his pillow. It only took him a minute to fall asleep. The next day, they reached the Village of Vandia. It is a simple village of farmers, fishermen, and a blacksmith. Usually, Villages that are located by a Labyrinth would grow into a big town or a city due to the trade and farming of resources from the labyrinth. However, this village didn''t attract the same level of commerce and traffic due to the lack of valuable minerals and metals that came out of the labyrinth. Once in a while, an uncommon monster would wander inside the labyrinth and get trapped. But that seemed to happen once in a blue moon. Ch.160 Meeting the Keeper Once Quinus and his escorts arrived, they went to the Mayor''s home. The mayor''s name was Marlon. "Welcome, Prince Quinus. We are honored to have you in our village. How was your trip?" Marlon asked. "Long, but not unpleasant," Quinus replied. "Well, that''s good to hear. I believe the others are waiting by the entrance of the Labyrinth," the Mayor said as he led Quinus, and his escorts through the village. It was a little more crowded than usual, thanks to the King requesting the Adventures Guild to clean out the Labyrinth before the trials. The village was small, with a population of only 200 people. The Labyrinth was the biggest reason the village was even there in the first place. Luckily, the village was able to start growing crops in the rugged terrain thanks to a fertilizer called "Purple Slag" from the City of Ironside. It was a byproduct from smelting violet ore, also known as purple iron by the dwarves. It was mixed with the dirt and planted into the ground, and the crops would grow much faster. It also allows crops to survive in harsher conditions. It was a new method of farming that the farmers in the northern and eastern domains were experimenting with, thanks to the late King Burell Meredydd. As Quinus and his escort got closer to the entrance of the Labyrinth, they could see the crowd of people gathered around. Quinus looked around the village as they walked through the main street. He saw kids running around. A few shops sold food and weapons. As well as a tavern on the edge of the village, where people were having lunch. Most of them seemed like adventurers who were from out of town. A few guards were standing outside of the Mayor''s home and at the entrance to the Labyrinth, which was on the outskirts of the village. Marlon and Quinus made their way towards the entrance of the labyrinth. "Welcome! Welcome, Prince Quinus," an elderly man said. Quinus stopped and looked at the old man, "I''m sorry, but I don''t recognize you, sir." "Of course, you wouldn''t. I''m not a noble, nor am I an official from the court," the old man smiled. "Who are you then?" Quinus asked. "He''s the Keeper of the Trials. He makes sure that those who go in are ready for the trial, and he collects the crystal," Marlon whispered. "I see," Quinus nodded. The old man walked up and looked Quinus up and down, "You''re taller than I thought. Hmmm... and leaner too. Are you sure you''re the son of Cyndre?" "Uh... Yes, sir," Quinus replied. This old man was the only person that called his father by his first name. "Haha! Good! Good! You''re much more polite than your older cousin. He was a real ass. Always yelling at people," the old man laughed. "So, you were the keeper during my cousin''s trial?" Quinus asked. "Oh no no... I''ve been the keeper of the trials since the Kingdom of Fiafyr was founded," the old man said. It all of a sudden clicked for Quinus. This guy was the Eternal who judged the trials. He mainly confirms if the ether crystal you take from the labyrinth is your own. This man also doesn''t know his origin. No one knows if he was created by the goddess or if he even ages. But he always seems to come around once a month to judge the trials for all the ten-year-olds who have mana veins. "So, you are the Keeper of the Trials? You seem so-" "Normal? Ha ha! I don''t know about that. When you''ve been around as long as I have, you tend to lose touch with reality and I sometimes forget some things... It happens... But the trials are my job, and I take pride in my work. I just make sure you grab the ether crystal from the fifth floor," the old man interrupted. "Is that all you do, Mister?..." "Oh? Right! Well, I wasn''t given a name when I was created... Or maybe I forgot. Anyway... One of the earlier Kings gave me the name Rolf, so I go by that." Rolf replied. "How long ago was that, sir?" "Hmm... About a thousand years or so. I don''t pay attention to the passage of time like you humans do." This was only the third species Quinus had ever made contact with. The first was the dwarves from Ironside. The second was a beastkin who was freed from an illegal slaver when he was being transported in the southern part of the kingdom, where Quinus and Percy were hunting monsters to grow their mana vein. Dwarves didn''t seem like anything foreign to Qunius, as they seemed like shorter and stockier humans. But seeing the beastkin was surreal for him. It started to hammer home that he wasn''t on Earth anymore. This Eternal looked normal at first glance, but his white eyes. They had a little glow coming from them that made him look inhuman. "Oh? You seem unsettled by me. Is it because I''m an Eternal?" Rolf asked. "No... No. I just haven''t been around other species before. I''ll get used to it sooner or later." Rolf smiled and nodded his head at the prince. "You''re more accepting than most people. It''s a rare thing to find these days," Rolf said. "Acceptance is the basis of peace. Without it, we can''t move forward," Quinus replied. "Interesting? You remind me of one of the Great Kings of Fiafyr... Who was it again? Oh! It was Burell! I liked him! He always was thinking about the future and bringing in other races during his rule. He tried to get a tribe of Beastkins to join the Kingdom. But they were stubborn and declined the offer." Quinus was surprised that Rolf was speaking so highly of one of his ancestors. "Supposedly, he tried to get in contact with the Dark Elves and Wood Elves. But sadly that''s when he caught some strange disease." Rolf said as he was reminiscing. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. "Huh? What was so strange about the disease? Is it contagious?" Quinus asked. "Nah... You can''t catch the disease easily. But if I''m remembering correctly, I think it was a disease that comes from the Lumen Fae continent." "Wait? The High Elves continent? Why would he go there?" Quinus asked. "Hmm? Burell never traveled to their continent... At least, I don''t think he did. But some High Elves were visiting the Agon continent at the time. I think they were visiting the Wood Elves... Yeah, that''s probably how Burell caught it... It''s a damn shame. I really liked him." Quinus looked at Rolf in awe. If what Rolf was saying was true, it would mean the Dark and Wood Elves were close. But Quinus didn''t really know that much about his ancestors. Only the recent ones. He knew a lot about the last five kings and how they helped the kingdom. The only thing Quinus knew about Burell was him bringing in the City of Ironside to the Kingdom. Which had ten thousand Dwarves hiding behind its wall after being abandoned by their King following a catastrophe that killed most of the miners from the city. It had to do with a mountain that collapsed in on itself in the wake of getting overmined. ''D-Did the High Elves kill my ancestor? If true, it would mean they would have killed someone on a different continent without anyone finding out... That''s a terrifying thought,'' Quinus thought to himself. He decided that if he ever came in contact with the High Elves, he would make sure to keep his guard up. Marlon, Mathew, George, and the other knights had never seen Rolf so open before. Usually, he ignored anyone who tried to talk to him. He wasn''t mean or anything like that. He would act like a statue until all the ten-year-olds were ready for their trial and ask for their names. He would confirm the crystals and give them their rewards for becoming young adults. That was his only job. Marlon dealt with him far more than anyone, and he never could get the old man to acknowledge him for a second. Wina didn''t know anything about the Eternals so nothing seemed out of place to her. All she was worried about was if this old man had any ill intent toward the prince and he didn''t. "Well, we can''t sit around here talking about the past. Prince Quinus, the others are waiting by the entrance. I''m sure you''d like to get started with the trials, yes?" Rolf said as he stood up. "Yes, sir. I do," Quinus said. The old man chuckled, "Just call me Rolf. I''m not a mortal like you, so there''s no need to be so formal. Follow me," he said while walking toward the entrance to the labyrinth as Quinus and his entourage followed in tow. "Right... Okay, Rolf." Rolf led them down a path that was lined with trees and bushes, and eventually, they came upon a large opening that stood several feet above them. Quinus noticed a few other groups of bodyguards. Each group had one ten-year-old with them. ''They must be the other children from different towns in Fiafyr,'' Quinus thought. Rolf walked up to a tree stump and sat down. He looked at all the young ones that were here to undergo the trials. "SO! Is this everyone who plans on taking the trials," Rolf asked. Mayor Marlon walked up to Rolf and spoke up, "Yes, Mr. Rolf. These are the four children that are here to undertake the trials." Rolf didn''t bother looking at the mayor and instead focused his gaze on the children. "I will give you all a small reminder of the rules of the trials, so listen up. You have to make it to the fifth floor of the Labyrinth, grab the ether crystal, and return to the surface. There''s no time limit. But if you''re rescued, then you fail the trials and you won''t get the reward," Rolf explained. A boy raised his hand. "Yes?" "Does that mean we can''t team up?" The boy asked. "You can''t have the aid of an adult or a teenager. But you are allowed to team up with any of the other participants," Rolf answered. One of the other boys asked, " What''s the reward? If we succeed?" "Ah... That''s a surprise, young one," Rolf smiled. Sir George leaned down to whisper in Quinus''s ear. "He just gives you cryptic advice. It''s nothing important," Sir George said. "What did he tell you? I never asked," Quinus whispered back. "It was something along the lines of: ''The only way to achieve love is by listening. For words can hurt, but assumptions can destroy what you hope to create.'' it was complete gibberish to me." Quinus raised an eyebrow and looked at George to make sure that he wasn''t joking. But by the look on George''s face, said he wasn''t. Quinus just shook his head as he turned his attention back to Rolf. "Good! Now state your name so you may begin the trials," Rolf said. The first kid stepped forward before Quinus could. He wasn''t offended, but it did indicate that he didn''t respect him as the crown prince. ''Well, this kid must be in league with my cousin. Don''t they know this makes it easier for me to identify them as my enemy? I guess I should be thankful for them being stupid,'' Quinus thought. "I''m Thomas Reed," the first kid said. Rolf stared at the young boy, "May you find your path. Next!" Quinus was cut off again. "I''m Geralt Sturgeon." "May you find your path," Rolf said. Quinus didn''t try to step forward this time as the last boy walked up to Rolf. The prince was warned about this guy back at his party by Johan. "Johnathan Bluewood." Rolf gave him a stern look before he responded. "May you find your path and remember that not all paths are set in stone." Johnathan''s face became red and it looked like he wanted to say something, but he stayed silent. ''Was that a warning? Rolf must be able to see something in us mortals... I wonder what it is?'' Quinus thought. Quinus studied John as he started to walk away. He found out that John was a water mage just like his father before him. This will be troubling if he tries to attack him in the labyrinth. Due to not being able to bring weapons into the trial. Johnathan caught up to the other two and made their way into the labyrinth. "Are you alright, your Highness?" Wina asked. "Well, at least I know who not to trust," Quinus replied sarcastically. Sir Mathew, Sir George, and the other knights all chuckled at the comment. "Just remember, my Prince. You''re not trapped in there with them. But they are trapped in there with you," Wina replied with a soft smirk. Quinus smiled at Wina, "Thanks Lady Wina. Do you have any other advice, Sir Mathew? I''m not very experienced with mages." Mathew cut in, "If they use magic, then get close. Most mages stop learning how to fight in close encounters. Just watch your stamina." "Plus a mage can''t cast magic as easily if they can''t use their tongue," Wina added. ''Wow! That was dark... I bet Lady Wina could be a badass assassin if she wanted. But that would put her in danger and that would suck.'' Quinus thought while nodding his head. ''I hope I don''t have to use violence against them. I really am not up for this crap.'' Quinus walked up to Rolf, and the Eternal looked him in the eyes. "Your name please." Quinus took a big breath, "I''m Quinus Meredydd, the crown prince of Fiafyr and the son of Cyndre." "I will tell you this Quinus Meredydd, your ally is in the shadows. May you find your path," Rolf replied. ''My ally is in the shadows?... Does he mean I need to hide in the shadows? Or do I have an ally in the shadows?... No... That''s not right. It''s only the four of us and none of them are my allies... I guess I''ll figure it out once I''m in there,'' Quinus thought. Quinus looked at the knights behind him. "Everyone... Take care of yourselves." The knights and his maid all nodded. "I wish you the best of luck, my Lord," Sir George said. "Thank you, George," Quinus replied. The prince was the last one to enter the Labyrinth, and he took a deep breath before he walked in. Ch.161 It’s the Prince’s Job to Lead Wina and the Knights watched Quinus disappear into the labyrinth and once he was out of sight, everyone started making camp like the three other groups of guards who escorted the young nobles. While the Mayor left everyone alone as he walked back to his home. Wina was just standing around watching her husband order his men around. When all of a sudden Rolf was standing next to her without alerting her. "What the-" "Hmm? You never took the trials, have you... Interesting..." "You are very quiet for how old you are," Wina replied. "Hehe! Well, I was born this way," Rolf responded. Wina turned to face the Keeper of the Trials. "What is your purpose for talking to me, Eternal?" Wina asked. "I mean you no harm... It''s just you have a stronger mana vein than others and I wish to give you the reward everyone gets after they pass the trials. It''s tradition." "But I''m too old to do the trials, no?" "You are already an adult and have proven yourself as a skilled fighter and you''re loyal to the crown. So why not take the rewards?" "But you''re supposed to give that to the Prince." "That''s why I''m doing it now. The other young adults will be back in a few days. They''ll get theirs after." Wina just looked into his white eyes. She was trying to sense if he had any ill intent. But he wasn''t showing any. "Will this harm me?" Wina asked. "No." "Alright... Let''s get it over with." Rolf stretched his wrinkled hand out, and Wina gave him her right hand. "Ah... Yes. YES!... You have unshackled yourself from your cruel fate. But that was only a small victory. If you wish to be truly free from the shackles that wish to rebind you. Then you will need to defeat those who have trained you. May you find your path," Rolf recited. Once Rolf released her hand. Wina could feel that her mana was more stable. ''He strengthened my mana... Hold on? Did he mean that I needed to defeat the Assassin''s Society to become free? No. That can''t be right. That''s a suicide mission,'' Wina thought. Rolf spoke up once more, "It''s hard by yourself. But with the aid of the one that loves you most, only then you will be able to find the strength to defeat the shackles." Wina looked at him with suspicion and curiosity. "Who are you?" "Oh? I go by the name Rolf... Now, if you will excuse me. I have some earth to eat." Wina watched the Keeper of the Labyrinth walk away. He was scanning the ground for something. She wasn''t sure if he gave her a blessing or a curse. But she knew one thing was certain, she was going to survive no matter what. "What a weird man," Wina said. She thought about what he said but then just shook her head. ''Whatever. I just hope Nelumbo made it in time.'' After a half-hour the camp was finished and a female knight came walking up from the village. Sir George was the first to notice her. "Hey? Is that Lady Nelumbo? What is she doing here?" Sir Mathew turned around, "Huh? What are you doing here? I thought you were training my son?" Nelumbo walked toward them, "I was training your son. But the Queen wished for me to join you. Right after you all left. I believe you all had a half-day head start on me." Mathew wasn''t convinced but he had no way to refute it. He just nodded his head. "Well, we could use the help. And I''m sure my wife will be happy to have another lady around," Mathew said. Nelumbo looked around and saw all the Royal Knights and the other three parties. All of them were men with the exception being Wina. The bodyguards from the sons of Minor Nobles were wearing the crests of their respective houses. Two of the groups had only two guards each while the third group had five guards. The prince''s escorts had seven in total, not counting herself at the moment. "Is there anything you need me to do, Sir Mathew? Or should I just set up my tent?" Nelumbo asked. "Why don''t you keep Wina company? We already got a tent set up for the group." "Alright." Nelumbo nodded as she walked up to Wina who was standing on the higher ground overlooking the camp. Once she got next to her, Wina asked in a quiet voice, "Did everything go according to plan?" "He''s been trained well, Lady Wina. He''s been in since last night. Right before House Bluewood''s son arrived," Nelumbo replied. Wina gave a nod, "Well, I trained him to be the Prince''s shadow. Hopefully, he doesn''t have to kill anyone." Nelumbo turned to face the hidden assassin. "If those three other boys know what''s best for them, then they will stay clear of the Prince," Nelumbo said. "We''ll see..." Wina said as she stared at the entrance of the labyrinth. "So... How are things between you and Mathew?" Wina gave her a glance. "He''s a good husband. But he insists on having another child." "Really? What''s the holdup?" "The Duke... I can''t trust him not to make a move on me while we''re busy. Once I know there are no more major threats aimed at me or my family. Then I''ll have another baby," Wina answered. "Well, I can''t imagine having a kid. Not being able to train or drink wine for nine months doesn''t sound appealing." "I would have thought the same thing... But it wasn''t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. If you get the chance, go for it." Nelumbo wasn''t expecting that answer and just shrugged. "Well, I need to find the right guy. If he isn''t a high-ranked warrior then he''s not worth the time." "Really? Then why do you have a eye for Mr. Mitchell? All he does is write for Lord Brice." Nelumbo blushed slightly. "Well, he''s a high-ranked scribe. Nothing more." Wina smirked. "So, you have a thing for men with big brains, huh? Interesting." "What''s that supposed to mean? I''ll have you know that I detest a man who needs rescue from a woman. He needs to be able to save me too." "Well, maybe he can save you with his pen instead of a sword. I think you would be good with him," Wina said. Nelumbo blushed a bit harder as she looked away. "I''ll consider it." Wina looked away. ''She''s still a maiden at heart... I bet if he writes her a love poem, then she''ll fall for him. I wonder how good he is at poetry. I''ll have to ask him later.'' Wina and Nelumbo stayed silent until it was nightfall when they had dinner with the rest of their group. *** Inside the labyrinth it seemed more like a cave at the start. The walls and the floors were covered in stalagmites and stalactites. It would have been pitch black in there if it wasn''t for the strange lights coming from the ceiling. The light source was coming from these things that looked like roots growing out from the top of the ceiling and gave off a nice blue glow. The three boys could hear the wind whistling throughout the cave. "You need to relax a bit, John," Geralt said. "You don''t understand. Count Marcus told me that the prince needs to fail the trials," John replied. "Yeah. He''s been a prick lately... He is obsessed with the crown prince... What''s so special about him?" Thomas said out loud. "He''s a prince. And Marcus will make my life harder if I don''t get rid of him." John said with frustration. Geralt rolled his eyes, "What''s he going to do? Prevent you from getting into Mage''s Academy? Or take your title away? You''re a water mage... In no way is he going to take that away from you." "You''re an idiot if you think that he can''t. Listen, I was given a plan to deal with him. So don''t get in the way," Johnathan responded. "How will I know if I''m getting in the way? If you don''t tell me what your plans are?" "You don''t need to know..." While Geralt and Johnathan were talking. Thomas felt a presence to the right of him and looked down the dark corridor. He thought he saw someone or something hiding in the shadows. "Hmm? What''s wrong?" John asked as he noticed Thomas was looking off somewhere. "I think I saw something in the shadows. Do you guys feel like we are being watched?" Thomas replied. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "Not really... Maybe it''s just some rats," Geralt answered. John turned his gaze toward the shadows. Right where Thomas was staring at. He couldn''t see anything out of the ordinary. But he would rather be safe than sorry. "Step aside," he told Thomas. John stepped in front of his friend and waved his hand. A mist began to form into a ball of water in front of him. "Cannonball Shot," John whispered. The mist began to spin and became a ball of water the size of a head. John pointed at the corridor. "RAH!" The ball of water shot out towards the darkness. *Boom! SPLASH!* The force of the water ball cracked the stones and caused a loud crunching sound. As well as sending mist everywhere. Once the mist settled down, John and the others were hoping to see something but they didn''t see anything not even a dead animal. "Nothing? But I could have sworn I sensed something," Thomas said as he still was staring down the dark corridor. "I didn''t see anything. We''re in a labyrinth, Thomas. Of course, things will seem off," Geralt said. Thomas still wasn''t convinced but didn''t argue. "Yeah, I didn''t hear anything. You probably were just spooked. Like you usually are." "Shut up! I''m not the one that gets spooked by a rat," Thomas fired back. "Well, I didn''t sense anything so I have no clue if there was something or maybe the darkness is getting to you. And we''ve only been in the Labyrinth for a couple of hours. I don''t know how long we''ll be here. But I rather not waste my energy or spells if you get spooked every few minutes," Johnathan said. Thomas clenched his fists as he was trying his best to calm down. "I wasn''t spooked by a rat." "You sure? Cause you were about to piss yourself last time you saw one," Geralt snickered. Thomas looked down the hall again and still didn''t see anything. It was then they heard footsteps coming from behind them. They quickly turned around and saw the Prince walking towards them. Quinus stopped and looked at them with suspicion. ''What the hell are these three doing? Well, I better intimidate them.'' Quinus thought as he mentally prepared himself. "What... Are you three waiting to jump me? Well, you''ll have to get in line." Quinus walked past them and continued forward. The trio was confused. But they just followed after him. Out of the four of them, Quinus was the tallest and physically stronger. He almost looked like a fifteen-year-old as he was starting to look more like a man. While the three of them were more or less the same height and looked younger than him. "Hey... Why are you following me? Don''t you have a map or something? Plus, wouldn''t my cousin punish you for being this close to me?" Quinus asked. "We are just honoring you, my Lord. You are supposed to lead our people and us right? So lead us," John said with a glare. "Plus, the labyrinth changes its mazes and traps every week. So there''s no way for us it get a map, your Highness," Geralt added. Quinus raised his eyebrows and gave a smile. ''So, they want to play? Very well. I can use this... But they have to know that I''m not scared of them.'' "You know you didn''t answer my question, Johnathan." "Yes. Marcus wouldn''t like the fact that I''m working with you. But what he doesn''t know won''t hurt him and I just want to get out of this crappy trial as soon as possible." ''Hmm? Well, he''s blunt. But I can''t take his words at face value. He''s from a noble family that is allied with my uncle. They will always lie or twist the truth if they can benefit from it,'' Quinus thought. "Is that so? Then why did all of you cut me off when speaking to the Eternal? If you really were following me, then wouldn''t you have let me speak first?" Geralt and Thomas became nervous while John was trying his best to not show any reaction. "Ahh... Well, I thought you wanted to speak to the Eternal for much longer than us, your Highness. We were surprised to have run into you in the first place. We are sorry if we offended you. Is there anything we can do to make it up to you, your Highness?" Quinus could see through his act but didn''t say anything. ''He''s just a ten-year-old that has no clue what''s going on. I should let him off easy. But I''ll have to keep my guard up if they do decide to betray me.'' "Alright, Johnathan. Let''s keep going forward." Quinus walked ahead of them and they followed behind. After a few more hours of walking, they found the stone stairs that led to the second floor. "Huh? We found the stairs already?" Geralt asked in disbelief. "Yeah, Luckily there aren''t that many portal traps on the first floor. But that''s going to change from here on out," Quinus said. "Is it going to take a week just to pass this stupid trial? I feel like we''ve been walking for a whole day," Thomas complained. "We''ve been walking for almost five hours, Thomas. You''re too soft," John replied. "Johnathan... Back off of him. I know he''s been complaining this entire time, about something following us. But you taking cheap shots at him isn''t going to speed up the process," Quinus said. "Pfft! He''s not a child. He shouldn''t be so easily frightened," John answered. "Well, he''s right to be uneasy, because I felt it too. But all I can say is it doesn''t seem to have any malice towards us," Quinus said. "Huh? So you are saying there was something in the shadows?" Geralt asked. "Yes. I can''t be sure what it is... But I''ll tell you if that changes," Quinus answered. Thomas felt relieved that the Prince believed him and was keeping an eye out for him. He gave the Prince a bow. "Thank you, your Highness. I thought I was going insane." "Don''t mention it." Quinus led the group down the stairs and found themselves on the second floor. ''Hmm? This place looks a lot bigger and open. But the walls look smooth. And the ceilings are at least ten feet tall.'' Quinus thought. "Tsk! So, this is the hedge maze part of the dungeon. I thought it was supposed to be a standard cave for the second floor. How did we get the special maze floor?" John said with annoyance. "The dungeon core must have been bored or something. That''s the only reason why I can think of why we have this floor. The normal mazes should only take us a couple of hours or less if we don''t hit too many dead ends," Quinus replied. "Well, somebody''s optimistic? Lead the way, my Prince." John said as he stretched out his arm and hand telling Quinus to take the lead. "John. Why are you being such an ass? Stop it," Thomas said as he glared at his friend. "Whatever..." John was just playing his part as Marcus got him a map of the new layout of the labyrinth from one of the adventurers who cleared out the dungeon earlier in the week. Luckily the dungeon hadn''t changed its layout before Johnathan started his trial. Marcus also was able to pay this one adventurer to lie about clearing all the monsters on the fourth floor. Leaving one of the portal traps with a monster inside it. Quinus just shook his head as he began to walk down the maze. The group had walked a mile and a half until they ran into the first trap. "Hold it... There''s a portal... It''s hard to tell but I can see where it''s located," Quinus said as he squatted down and studied the ground. "I don''t see anything? Where is the damn thing?" Geralt asked. Quinus pointed to a clear area, "Do you see how there''s no dust or dirt in this circle area?" Geralt and Thomas followed the Prince''s finger and noticed that there was no dust on the floor in a perfectly circle area. It wasn''t obvious at first, but once the prince pointed it out they couldn''t unsee it. "Really? You are just seeing things, Quinus," John said. "Then why don''t you go ahead of me and walk right through it and prove to me that it isn''t a portal, Johnathan... Go on... I''ll wait here," Quinus replied with an annoyed tone. Johnathan knew the Prince was speaking the truth. But he had to keep up the charade. "It''s the Prince''s job to prove he''s worth his title. Not mine." "Well, I''ll avoid it. And I leave it up to you all if you think I''m wrong or not," Quinus said as he stood up and walked tightly against the wall to avoid stepping in the portal. Geralt and Thomas shrugged their shoulders and did the same thing. "Umm? What happens if you step in the portal trap again?" Thomas asked as he was halfway there. "You get teleported, you idiot. That''s the purpose of the portal trap. I swear if we survive this trial, then I''ll give you an education about dungeon traps and monsters," John answered. "That''s not what I mean, you ass! I mean where do the traps teleport people to?" "You''ll get teleported to another random spot on the floor. It''s why I''m avoiding it. I would prefer not getting turned around in this place," Quinus answered. "Yeah... I''m glad you brought chalk, my Lord. I never thought to bring some with me. I was taught how to navigate a cave but not a maze," Geralt said as he made it past the trap. John followed after them as the group continued for another hour. They occasionally took a few wrong turns and avoided a few more traps before they found the stairway down to the next floor. "The stairs? Oh thank the Goddess," Thomas said. "Yeah... That wasn''t as bad as I thought it would be," Geralt replied. Quinus was silent. "Is something wrong, your Highness?" Thomas asked. "Huh? Oh, it''s nothing. I wasn''t sure if we should continue or if we should set up camp for the night." "Oh, we should just camp and call it a day. It''s not like you''ll find another stairway before we get too tired," Geralt suggested. "Yeah, I think we should rest for the night," Thomas added. "What? Are you both insane? If we take the stairs now, we can reach the next floor. It''ll save us an extra day," John argued. "We aren''t stopping you, Johnathan. If you want to go. By all means, go ahead," Quinus said. Johnathan was about to argue but held back his words. He almost forgot his plan and he needed to stay by Quinus. "Fine, if you all want to stay a day longer in this forsaken place, then I can too." Quinus ignored him and went into his bag to take out his blankets and lay down on the ground. ''Of all the magical crap in this world. And all I have to sleep on is a wool blanket. And it''s a thin one at that... I need to figure out a way to manufacture sleeping pads. Because this isn''t going to cut it,'' Quinus thought. Geralt and Thomas set up their blankets and laid down. John sat up and stared at the dark ceiling. "We probably should go on shifts. Just to make sure nothing sneaks up on us," Quinus said. "Who''s going to take the first shift? Cause I''ll gladly sleep," Geralt said. "Well, since Thomas and I are the only ones that can sense whatever that thing is. One of us will have to stay awake. So, I''ll take the first shift with someone," Quinus answered. John stood up and turned to them, "I''ll take the first watch. I won''t be able to sleep tonight anyway." "Alright, Geralt. Thomas. You guys go and rest. We''ll wake you up in four hours. I''ll start the portable fire pit," Quinus said as he pulled out a strange-looking rectangular box from his bag. It had a lid and a small metal handle sticking out. He opened the lid and inside was a yellowish rock that almost looked like a piece of sulfur. It was sitting in the middle of the box. It was no bigger than a baseball. And when Quinus added his mana into it, it ignited the rock and the box lit up. "Wow, that''s a nice magical bonfire. Where did you get that one from," Geralt asked in amazement. "This one is one of my designs. I thought the ones that adventurers and knights use were a bit underpowered. Like you get a good amount of light from them but they don''t give off enough heat to cook with. I''m planning on selling these later on." Quinus replied. Geralt and Thomas became impressed by the prince. They never really got the chance to visit the capital and never got to see the prince during his fifth or tenth birthday parties. So they only got second-hand accounts about him through gossip. And the biggest source came from Marcus. "I didn''t know you knew how to make things? I thought that was a commoners thing," Geralt commented. "Yeah, that''s what my father says. But I like creating things and I know I wouldn''t be able to do that once I get the throne. So I want to make a few things while I still have the time," Quinus answered as he placed the box down. Thomas was staring at the strange fire. He wanted to ask the prince more questions but he was tired. So he laid back down and drifted off. "Alright. I''ll let you take the first watch with John. I''ll take the second shift with Thomas," Geralt said as he lay down and closed his eyes. Quinus sat down and watched the fire for a moment before he heard the sounds of water splashing around. That''s when he noticed Johnathan sitting against a wall playing with a water ball no bigger than a golf ball. He was spinning it around and bouncing it off his fingers as if he was playing with a coin. "You''re pretty talented... Which academy are you going to when we get back home?" Quinus asked. "Like you care," Johnathan muttered to himself. But Quinus heard him and he wasn''t happy. "I need you to give me a straight answer, Johnathan. Are we going to have a problem? Because if we are, then I''m not afraid of killing you to ensure my survival," Quinus said as his golden eyes glowed with anger. Johnathan had a shocked look on his face and his water ball fell onto the floor. "N-No... We don''t have any problem. I-I was just joking." Quinus glared at him while Johnathan felt sweat forming on his forehead. He''s never seen anyone glare at him before with such intensity and anger. Not even Marcus glared at him with such anger. ''This brat... He''s been giving all of us an attitude this entire time. He can''t be trusted,'' Quinus thought.''But at least he''s scared of me. That means he''s smarter than most and not a total idiot.'' "Just remember, Johnathan. This is supposed to be a simple trial... And we can''t afford to get lost in here. If you betray us. I''ll end you," Quinus said as his voice got colder and deadlier. Johnathan gulped as he was shaking in fear. "That''s fine with me, your Highness." "Good. Tell me if you notice anything out of the ordinary," Quinus said as he turned his attention back to the bonfire. Johnathan was trying his best not to let his fear show. He was cursing Marcus for forcing him to deal with the prince. Sure, he had an edge on him since he was a Mage, and Quinus was a Maja with no weapon. But if he killed the prince with his water spells. Then he would be tried for the murder of a Royal member. And he didn''t trust Marcus to help him out if he got caught. So he needs to push Quinus into the marked portal that has a monster in it. But his impatience got the better of him, and now the prince is suspicious of him. So now he needs to be on his best behavior until he needs to act. "This is going to be a long night," Johnathan whispered to himself. And that''s how the rest of their shift went until they woke Thomas and Geralt up for their turn. Ch.162 A Good Morning 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Mathew walks up to the smell of food and finds his wife still sleeping next to him. Thanks to their extracurricular activities. So, instead of getting up. He decided to have one more round of fun with Wina.
Preview:
Back on the surface, the sun was beginning to rise on the campsites outside of the entrance of the dungeon. Some of the Royal Knights were starting to cook up breakfast for the rest of their comrades who were just waking up. The smell of the food caught the attention of Sir Mathew, who was sleeping naked, next to his wife. He woke up and saw the beautiful bosoms of Wina. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. ''Mmm. How did I ever get so lucky? My wife is such a goddess, and she was acting so cute when she was trying not to scream out last night,'' Mathew thought as he began to rub his hand over her bare skin. "Augh... Mmm... Stop that," Wina whispered as she felt her husband''s warm hands rubbing her back. "But it feels so good. And you were just too much for me last night," Mathew whispered. Wina raised her head, which had her chestnut brown hair going all over the place. "I swear you are trying to get me pregnant again," Wina said with a smirk. "Well, if I do. Then that''s okay with me," Mathew said with a grin. She just shook her head and smirked at him before leaning over to kiss Mathew on the lips. "I love you." "I love you too." Mathew gave his wife another kiss on the lips and then moved his kisses to her neck. Ch.163 Making it to the Fifth Floor Once Quinus was done with his rest, he was woken up by Thomas. He quickly gathered his things and cooked up some of his food, which was mostly jerky and dried bread. "So, did anything happen while I was asleep," Quinus asked as he started eating. Thomas shook his head. "Luckily, it was uneventful," Geralt replied. "Yeah, but whatever that presence was isn''t there right now. Maybe it''s just an animal that left the maze?" Thomas suggested. "That''s what I''m hoping for," Quinus replied. John was being quieter than usual as he finished eating his food. After the group ate their breakfast, they gathered their things and walked to the stairway. "Alright, let''s get through the next two floors before the day is done. If we hurry, we''ll have time to grab the crystals and set up camp on the fifth floor before we start our ascent," Quinus said. Geralt and Thomas nodded their heads. "Yeah, it''ll be great. The sooner we get out of here, the better," Thomas replied. John stayed silent, and the group went down the stairs. They were greeted with another maze but could see more traps. ''Well, this will be annoying,'' Quinus thought as he navigated the maze. "Hey, what''s up with John? He''s been quiet since he woke up," Thomas asked Geralt. "Just shut up and focus," Johnathan cut in. Thomas rolled his eyes. "Never mind." The group traveled the maze and had to double back a few times before they made it to the stairway down to the fourth floor. Quinus was marking the walls with chalk so they knew how to get back to the surface once they collected a crystal. "Alright, so far so good," Quinus said. "Yeah, so far the mazes haven''t been too difficult," Geralt added. "Yeah, I almost wish there were some monsters in here just to break up the boredom," Thomas said. "Yeah? How do you plan on killing a monster without your bow, Thomas?" Johnathan said in an annoyed tone. "Hey!... W-Well, I guess you''re right. I guess you''re the only one who would have to deal with them? Sorry, John." "If I''m the only one who can deal with monsters then I''ll leave you all to rot... Because I don''t have infinite mana, you know." "It''s ok, John. I can deal with the monsters if you''re unable to," Quinus said. "Yeah, yeah. Wait! But you don''t have a weapon either. How can you deal with a monster?" John questioned. "Depends on the monster. But I believe I can escape from almost anything, I hope." John sighed and shook his head. He didn''t believe for one minute that Quinus could take on a monster in unarmed combat. He wanted to retort, but he held his tongue and continued to follow Quinus. They walked through the maze until they came to a three-way fork in the road. This was the fork where the adventurer had left a monster alive in the portal trap. John could tell by a rock formation that was drawn on the map that Marcus gave him and this was his chance to act. ''Now is my chance.'' He thought as he readied himself to do what needed to be done. "Your Highness? I think we should head down this direction," Johnathan said as he pointed to the right path. "Why do you say that? What''s wrong with the middle path," Quinus asked. "Uhhh, it doesn''t feel right." Quinus looked at the middle path and studied the area. "What do you two think?" Quinus asked as he looked at Geralt and Thomas. Geralt thought about it and shook his head, "I can''t really say, your Highness. All I can say is the air smells fresher from the left path. I don''t know if that''s due to a portal or not." "Huh... Interesting... Thomas, your thoughts?" Thomas was looking at the ground. His instincts were telling him to go down the middle path. "Oh? Uh, sorry. The middle path looks like the path of least resistance, your Highness." "Really?" "Y-Yeah. It''s more like a gut feeling... I wish I had a little more confidence in my instincts, though... I don''t fully trust myself after feeling that presence yesterday." Quinus was quiet as he thought about the choices. ''So, it''s up to me to choose where we''re going. Well, this is the first time Johnathan has spoken up so going down the right path doesn''t seem like a good idea. If it is the correct way then I''ll apologize... If Thomas was a little more convinced in himself then I would have chosen the middle path. But the fresh air coming from the left seems to indicate the presence of a possible portal trap that might kick us out of the labyrinth. Maybe we could sneak around it, if it is a trap? Yeah, we''ll check the left route but if it''s a dead end then we''ll go down the middle path next.'' "Alright, we''ll go down the left path first," Quinus answered. John wasn''t happy about that. "Are you sure, your Highness?" he asked. "Yes, we''ll try the left path and see where it takes us and if it''s a dead end then we''ll take the middle path next," Quinus said as he started writing on the stone floor with chalk. "But that way is a dead end?" John yelled out. Thomas and Geralt looked at John with surprise. Quinus glared at John, "And how do you know it''s a dead end? Do you have some information that you are withholding from us?" John froze in place. He quickly realized that he let his mouth slip. ''Fuck...,'' He thought. He had to come up with something quick. "A-Ah, I mean it''s so obvious that it''s a trap. You and Geralt said it yourselves. It smells like fresh air from that direction. So I don''t want to be teleported to the surface, only to run all the way back down here. Just because you want to go through a process of elimination," John argued. Quinus was a bit surprised by his statement but he wasn''t sure what his angle was. "Then why are you suggesting we take the right path? I like to know your reasoning, Johnathan," Quinus asked. Thomas and Geralt looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. They weren''t sure why John was acting like this. He usually never hesitates to answer, but right now he was struggling to come up with a reason for them to go down that pathway. "Oh... Uh, well the right path seems like the path because there isn''t any fresh air coming from it. Frankly, I would choose this path or the middle one just because they must go in deeper. And the less likely we''ll be teleported out to the surface." Quinus had to agree with his logic but he didn''t trust going down the right pathway so that meant one thing. "That''s an interesting argument. So I have to agree... We''ll go down the middle path first." Johnathan looked like the wind got knocked out of him. ''W-What? How did that not work?'' John thought. Geralt and Thomas looked at John with confused expressions. "U-Um, are you okay, John? You seem a bit nervous," Thomas said. Johnathan was trying to come up with a backup plan and he started to realize he had another shot of pushing Quinus into the portal after they start their ascent out of the labyrinth after getting to the fifth floor. Who knows, maybe he could get him to go down to the sixth floor and push him in there. But that was going to be a tougher sell. "I''m fine! Let''s just go!" John exclaimed. "Good, then let''s get going. It will be nice to set up camp once we get to the fifth floor. Because we''ll be at the halfway point," Quinus explained. "Ah! I wish it was the finish line," Thomas whined. "Well, luckily the Prince has marked all the turns and portal traps with the chalk so it should be quicker to get out of the labyrinth once we get the ether crystal," Geralt added. Quinus smiled at the two, "Yeah, that was my plan, and it''s not a foolproof method. So don''t rely on the markings too much. This is a Labyrinth and it''s rare for it to do this but it could try and pull a fast one on us by switching up its traps." Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Oh, I never thought of that," Thomas said. Geralt nodded his head, "I agree, your Highness. We''ll keep a lookout for the possibility." Quinus looked at John and noticed he was still annoyed. The Prince just shook his head and started walking down the middle path. "Let''s get going, Johnathan. You don''t want to be left behind," Geralt said as he followed Thomas and the Prince. Johnathan didn''t hide the annoyance on his face as he took a deep breath and followed the rest of the group. They walked down the middle path for ten minutes moving around a bunch of traps until they found the stairway to the fifth floor. "By the Goddess! Finally! Now we can relax and have a proper meal," Thomas said with relief. "Let''s go down the stairs first and find a place to set up camp," Geralt commented. "No arguments here!" Johnathan sighed. He was plotting what the best action would be. He concluded that when the group came to that intersection, he would use a spell called water wave to push the prince into the portal. And if Geralt or Thomas were in the way then it was their fault if they joined the Prince. One of the other problems was the spell took a lot of mana. So he would need to save his energy. ''Well, I need to be careful, but the spell is more than enough to push him into the portal,'' Johnathan thought. "Johnathan? Are you okay?" Thomas asked. John was brought out of his thoughts and he realized the others were staring at him. "Y-Yes! I was wondering what the reward is going to be once we get out of here. Sorry," Johnathan lied as he recomposed himself. "Yeah, I wonder what Rolf is going to tell me? Eternals are weird like that," Thomas said. "We can worry about that later. Let''s go down the stairs. And grab ourselves some ether crystals," Geralt said. They all agreed and went down the stairs which were like a spiral staircase that had steps. They walked down the long set of stairs until they were on the fifth floor. When they reached the fifth floor, the group was met with a different environment than what they were used to. It glowed with a bunch of different colors of ether crystals that were coming from these natural stone pillars that were everywhere on this floor. Most of them being no bigger than a six-sided die. "Whoa, so this is what ether crystals look like?" Thomas said while staring in awe of the pillars of crystals. "Well... They are impure ether crystals. Supposedly the pure ones are as big as a person and are worth a kingdom," Geralt explained. "Yeah, and they are usually protected by the Dungeon Core''s guardian," Quinus added. "Dungeon Core''s guardian?" Thomas asked. "Yeah, the Dungeon core''s guardian is the most powerful monster in the Dungeon and will protect the Core from anyone and they will try to prevent you from stealing its ether crystals. It''s said that ether crystals are converted mana of dead monsters and adventurers. But some say that it''s a byproduct of a world crystal," Quinus explained. "You read that boring ass book? I couldn''t make it past the fifth page," Johnathan said with disgust. "I can see why you would find the ''Alchemy of the World and Dungeons'' boring. But it''s actually quite interesting and has some information that could be vital to surviving a Dungeon," Quinus argued. "Psh, whatever. I just want to learn about magic. And not some dry history book," John said. "Then you''re going to the wrong Academy, John," Geralt commented. The group walked over the uneven ground, carefully picking their steps so they didn''t step on any of the smaller ether crystals that were growing from the ground. "So, which pillar are you going to grab the crystal from?" Thomas asked. "Well, there are a few possibilities. I think I''ll grab the yellow one," Quinus said. "Why is that, your Highness?" Geralt asked. "Matches my eyes," Quinus said with a chuckle. "Heh, well, I can''t argue with that logic," Thomas replied as he was looking a the pillar, "Then I''ll go with the purple one," Thomas said. "The blue one seems appropriate for me," Geralt said. Johnathan grabbed a green one that looked like it was the biggest. While everyone else quickly grabbed the ether crystal from the pillar. Once the crystal was pulled out of the pillar, they all seemed to lose a bit of their glow except for the Prince''s crystal. "Huh? It came out easier than I thought," Quinus said as he was studying his ether crystal closely. John was annoyed that his crystal lost almost all of its glow. "What the hell?...," John said. "Maybe the quality isn''t great?" Geralt said as he looked at John''s crystal. "Well, I''ll just take a few more just in case," Johnathan said. Thomas had a worried look on his face, "But the Eternal said to only grab one... What if the Dungeon becomes pissed and sends monsters our way?" Johnathan waved his hand dismissively, "Don''t worry. We''ll deal with whatever comes our way. I think that''s the best course of action. Besides, what''s the worst that can happen?" Quinus shook his head as he watched John quickly grab another crystal from the pillar. And once he pulled it out not only did the glowing light disappear, but the crystal started to disintegrate within seconds. "Ah, crap! These aren''t very durable," John complained. "No... It has something to do with having the ether of your first crystal getting channeled through your body and it will destabilize the new one... I found that info in the Adventurer''s Guild''s manual," Quinus commented. "You read that useless thing too? It''s a waste of time." Johnathan muttered as he pulled out another crystal. Only for it to disintegrate. "I don''t know, John. The Prince seems to be right about a lot of things... You should probably listen to him," Thomas said. Johnathan didn''t comment and tried pulling out another crystal. But as soon as it left the pillar, the ether crystal started to disintegrate. "Gah! So, I''m stuck with this pathetic rock. Damn it!...," John complained. "That''s what happens when you don''t listen," Quinus said as he started walking away. "Well, you can set up camp. I''m going to grab a few more of these, hopefully, I find one that won''t turn to dust and is better than my first one," John said as he started grabbing more ether crystals. Thomas and Geralt both sighed. "Let''s go before John gets mad at us," Geralt said as he turned to leave. Thomas nodded his head and followed the two to a flat part of the ground to set up camp. John watched them and once they were out of sight, he sighed. "Those idiots are siding with the prince? Well, it would be a shame if they got caught in a portal trap that had monsters in it," John muttered to himself as he continued pulling out crystals only to have them disintegrate on him. *** "This sucks...," John mumbled. It took him twenty minutes to grab all of the ether crystals from the pillar. And none of them stabilized as the dust fell to the ground. John was frustrated. He didn''t want to admit defeat but no matter how hard he tried, the crystals would always disintegrate. "Damn it... Why did I pick the biggest one?" John complained. "Hey, John! Food''s ready," Geralt yelled out to Johnathan. John grumbled as he started walking toward the campsite. "So, did you find a replacement crystal?" Thomas asked. "What do you think, idiot," John snapped. Thomas winced a little from the insult. "I guess not," Thomas replied. "No, I didn''t find a replacement. So, I''m stuck with a shitty crystal," John snapped again. "Geez! Calm down... It''s not like we keep the crystals after we leave this place. The Eternal uses them to tell us a fortune or something," Geralt said. John frowned and looked around. "Speaking of which. Where is the prince?" John asked. "Oh, the Prince is checking the perimeter. He wanted to make sure nothing was around," Thomas replied. John grimaced as he missed out on an opportunity to push Quinus down into the sixth floor. ''Fuck... I had to try and find a better crystal. Ugh, well, there is always tomorrow and that''s my last shot,'' John thought. That was when Quinus walked up to the group. "So... You''re back for dinner," Quinus said as he looked at a defeated ten-year-old boy. "Y-Yes," John said as he avoided looking at Quinus. "I''m surprised you didn''t clean out the rest of the pillars of ether crystals," Quinus said, poking fun at John''s expense. "I wasted enough time trying to prove you wrong... Your Highness," John replied. "Hmmm...," Quinus nodded as he sat down next to Thomas and Geralt. "Well, anyway, let''s eat. It''s been a while since we had a warm meal," Thomas said. "Yeah, dry bread and jerky can only do so much," Geralt agreed. "Thanks for sharing your hotpot," Thomas said. "My pleasure. I still need to come up with a way to make it lighter though. There''s no way I can carry it if I''m wearing my armor and weapons," Quinus replied. "That would be a great invention, your Highness," Geralt said. Quinus smiled, "Thanks. But, I can''t take all the credit. A lot of the design was thanks to the dwarven craftsmen. As well as having the help of alchemists, who created a special alloy. It collapses well, but the weight is the issue." "Really?" Thomas asked. "Well... technically yes. But the dwarven blacksmiths made most of the design. I just took their work and managed to downsize it," Quinus explained. "Huh... No one told me you were also a master blacksmith," Geralt said. "Oh, I wouldn''t say that. I just drew up the plans and hired people to put it together," Quinus replied. Johnathan was silently eating his stew. He didn''t really care about what the Prince was talking about. All he was doing was plotting on how to push Quinus into the portal. "So are we doing four-hour shifts again?" Geralt asked. "Yeah... We''ll do the same shifts. Once you two are done eating, get some rest. Johnathan and I will take the first shift," Quinus said. Johnathan looked up and noticed Quinus was giving him a stare. "Fine...," John replied with his usual tone of indifference. "Yeah, I can''t wait to get some sleep," Thomas said. "Heh... Same. I''m not used to doing such strenuous tasks. I guess my mother was right to say that my father was spoiling me," Geralt commented. Quinus smiled, "You''ll get used to it. It just takes time and practice." "Yeah! I never wanted to become a knight but this is making things interesting," Thomas commented. "Same here," Geralt agreed. John was getting more and more annoyed by their conversation. So he just ignored the rest of it and went back to eating his food. It took about a half-hour before everyone was done eating and cleaning up. Geralt and Thomas lay down in their blankets and went to sleep. Quinus sat there and started meditating. While John was playing with another water ball he conjured up. "Johnathan. You''re bad at hiding your feelings. But, I don''t want to talk about your motives. I will just say this, don''t mess with me and I won''t mess with you," Quinus said. "You don''t have to remind me... Your Highness. I am perfectly fine without your warning," John replied. Quinus opened his eyes and stared at Johnathan, "I hope you can keep that promise. Because, if you try anything, you won''t like the outcome." "Is that a threat?" John asked. Quinus chuckled, "Just a fact." Johnathan snorted and didn''t bother saying anything as the rest of their shift was uneventful before they woke up Thomas and Geralt. Johnathan fell asleep pretty quickly. But Quinus stared at the ceiling. "Your Highness, are you okay? You haven''t slept yet," Geralt whispered. "Yeah... I just feel like I''m all alone sometimes," Quinus said. "Really? I''m sure your mother and father love you dearly. And I''m sure almost every lady in the kingdom would kill to be your wife," Geralt said. Quinus chuckled, "That''s not what I''m getting at... But thanks." Thomas was listening in and grimaced. "It must be tough being the heir... Everyone has an agenda or they either want to be friends because he''s the Crown Prince. Or they hate him and want him dead," Thomas said. Quinus looked over at Thomas, "Well if I die... maybe I''ll be reborn in another world." "You''re talking nonsense, your Highness. Tertius is the only planet created by the Gods and Goddesses. We are the chosen people, remember," Geralt said. Thomas laughed a little, "Yeah... There''s nothing but chaos in the heavens if there were more worlds. The Gods and Goddesses would surely fight over who gets the other worlds. Or maybe they will create a new set of gods and goddesses." Quinus looked at the two and smiled. ''If only they knew... But I guess they are normal boys just like the rest of the people I run into.'' "Well, I''m going to get some rest. Goodnight," Quinus said. "Goodnight, your Highness," the two said. Ch.164 Strangers in the Shadows Night has fallen onto the camps outside of the Labyrinth of Lost Souls. Most of the Knights were still up, and the other three groups of bodyguards kept to themselves. Two of the groups only had two guards each. In contrast, Johnathan Bluewood brought five bodyguards. And of the five, two of them were new hires. They were both twenty-year-olds from a foreign land north of the kingdom. The other three were older, and they had experience working as private guards for nobles throughout the kingdom. "Oye? Are you two going to stare at those women all day, or are you going to get some sleep?" the commander of the bodyguards asked. "We''re only looking at the one woman, Master Ronin," one of the young bodyguards replied in a cold voice. Ronin was a forty-three-year-old mercenary turned bodyguard that has been a soldier for the past twenty years. He served a noble house for the first fifteen years, then worked as a Royal Guard for the Kingdom of Fiafyr. He was a seasoned warrior and knew his way around a battlefield. "Just keep your distance from the Prince''s people... Oye! Nikolai. Zephyr. Are you listening to me?" Ronin yelled. "Yes, Master Ronin... We heard you..." Zephyr said as he was studying all the Knights'' patterns and routines. "We''ll take the first shift if you don''t mind, Master," Nikolai said. Ronin didn''t know what to make of these two. They weren''t all that talkative, and they seemed cold. Like they were murderers, and his master hired them without his input. But it wasn''t his place to question his employer. "Fine... Just don''t bother anyone. Especially the Prince''s party. We aren''t on good terms with them, and we are outnumbered," Ronin replied. "Yes, sir," the two replied. Ronin just turned around and went to their tent. Once inside, he spots the other two guards sitting there on the ground, playing a card game. "So, are those two taking the first shift again?" Rylan asked his commander. "Yeah... Those two are a strange pair," Ronin replied. "Why did the Lord hire those two freaks as his bodyguards? It''s like-" "There killers, Rylan," Ronin interrupted. "I see," Rylan replied. Dante jumped into the conversation, "Do you know why they would hire killers to be our Lord''s bodyguards? They aren''t even from the kingdom. Their accents are very different." "I don''t know... Sometimes it''s better not to know," Ronin said. "Maybe they want us to fail," Dante muttered. "I wouldn''t worry about that. The Young Lord is a mage and is well-trained. He can protect himself... What I''m more worried about is how those two keep staring at the woman... The one that''s dressed as a maid." Ronin said. "Haha! Well, I can see two reasons why they are staring at her," Dante smirked as he played a card from his hand. "Pff! Only two reasons? I count more than that," Rylan replied. "You have a dirty mind, Rylan," Dante commented. "I know," Rylan smiled. Ronin sighed as he sat down in the chair, "Those two are not our concern. But I do worry that they are going to try something and we might need to throw them to the wolves. And that Knight Captain-" "Sir Mathew?" Rylan interrupted. "Yes... Sir Mathew and the others aren''t going to accept excuses. It''s best if we just keep them away from the group, and if they disobey... We''ll offer them up as a sacrifice," Ronin replied. The other two didn''t like that option, but it was a probable outcome. "Understood," the two replied. "Anyway, go get some sleep. Hopefully, we will be here for two more nights before the young lord finishes his trial. The faster we get out of here, the better," Ronin said. "Understood, sir," the two replied. They all got up and went to their bedrolls to go to sleep. *** Zephyr and Nikolai were standing there watching the prince''s camp for a few more hours as the twin moons moved across the sky. "It''s been a while since we were able to take our time, eh Zephyr?" Nikolai asked. "Hmmm, this is nice. But it seems we aren''t the only ones here..." Zephyr commented. "I only noticed Soren''s group. Did you spot another?" Nikolai asked. Zephyr nodded his head. "Yes, Zane''s group is here too," Zephyr said. "Hmmm... That makes things difficult. But it''s not unexpected... As long as we can get the head of that traitor," Nikolai muttered. "Yeah, it''s not every day that an Umbralis assassin betrays their client and the Society," Zephyr said. "Yes... I can already see us moving up the ranks already," Nikolai smiled. "So can I. Once we return, the Society will have to promote us to Mortis rank," Zephyr said. The two nodded their heads before they heard someone approaching from behind. "Well, you two are bold. I didn''t know you two liked to be bodyguards for a ten-year-old brat," a woman said. Nikolai and Zephyr turned around to see a woman in her mid-thirties. She had a dark complexion, brown eyes, and short brown hair. "Xenovia," Zephyr said. "I see you haven''t forgotten about me," Xenovia smirked. "So, where are your other two friends?" Nikolai asked. "They are dealing with the other two groups of bodyguards. We don''t need to have them interfering," Xenovia replied. "Leaving your marks on the dead is unwise. It will cause too many questions," Nikolai commented. "True, but we are taking on an Umbralis assassin. The fewer variables the better. And it''s not like we will be around this kingdom for a long time after this mission. So we''ll just have to take care of any loose ends before we start. And speaking of loose ends. Are you going to take care of those three sleeping in the tent? Or have you grown soft?" Xenovia asked. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. "Why dirty our blades when the Galebane Fumes can do the dirty work," Zephyr smirked. "Hoh? I see... And we are downwind from the camp full of knights... Maybe I should give you two a little more credit," Xenovia commented. "How flattering, I just don''t know if you''re planning to backstab us once we get the head of the traitor," Nikolai replied. Xenovia smiled, "No... We''ll let everyone else get their shot at taking down the traitor." "What do you mean?" Nikolai asked. "You''ve never seen an Umbralis assassin in the field before? Well me and my friends might lend you a hand if you haven''t done anything to weaken her. I like to live for another job and we can''t have traitors running free," Xenovia said. Nikolai and Zephyr looked at each other with a puzzled look before looking back at Xenovia. They were about to speak when two of Xenovia''s comrades joined her. "Xenovia... Everything is taken care of... Hmm? So you two are here. That makes twelve assassins in total," one of the two men said as they came out of the shadows. "Looks like it''s going to be a bloodbath," the other man said. "Yeah, just let the others engage her first. I don''t know how good she is, and I don''t want any surprises," Xenovia said. "Why have you divulged so much information to us?" Nikolai asked. "Because she is a traitor. And it''s more important to kill her than get the promotion... And I like having five of us going after her simultaneously... The others will be our cannon fodder, and hopefully, they will wear her out before we act," Xenovia smiled. "And we will take the glory and get promoted," Zephyr smirked. "Exactly," the three said. "Well, let''s get the Galebane Fumes ready. I''m sure our other companions will join us soon enough. Once they see the smoke," Nikolai said. Zephyr pulled out two vials filled with a green-tinted liquid. "It will be a few minutes before the effects of the gas start. Let''s remind her why you can never hide in the shadows with us," Zephyr said. "Agreed," Xenovia smiled. Zephyr walked towards the fire and threw the two vials. Once the vials were broken open the green gas started to pour out. *** The night seemed so peaceful as Wina was sitting next to Lady Nelumbo. The bonfire was keeping them warm from the cool, crisp, night air, while the knights were either cleaning up or practicing a little swordsmanship. "Hmmm... Seems like everything is fine," Lady Nelumbo commented. "Indeed, I always enjoyed nights like tonight... But I fear I won''t have too many more of these peaceful nights," Wina said. "Hmm? Why''s that, Lady Wina? Is it because Mathew wants you to have a second child," Lady Nelumbo grinned. "No... It''s something that the Eternal told me yesterday... I''ve been thinking about it, and I think I should leave the group once I''ve finished my mission here," Wina replied. "Hmmm... That''s a surprise... What is it that you must do? Are you going back to your old profession?" Lady Nelumbo asked in a quiet tone. "Sort of... But it''s different... I think I need to destroy the Assassins Society... There is no room for both me and them," Wina replied. Lady Nelumbo looked over at Wina in shock, "You''re planning on doing it alone! But what about Mathew? And what about your son? How will they react when you leave them?" Wina had a concerned look written on her face. "I''ll ask Mathew to join me. But I''ll understand if he doesn''t. But if he does, I would like you to watch over my son. I won''t be gone forever, but I''ll need you to watch him until I return or if he becomes a man," Wina smiled. "But I can''t... I can''t watch a child! I have no experience in raising children." Nelumbo started to panic. Wina laughed a little, "Hahaha, relax. It''s not like you''ll have to raise him by yourself. There will be others that can help you. Like-" "Sir George, Sir Richard, and the others... Hmmm. I guess they can help out." Nelumbo replied. Wina grimaced when Lady Nelumbo brought up Sir George. "Listen, you''ve trained my son. He trusts you, and he''s already eight years old. He''s closer to becoming a good man... As long as Sir George doesn''t try to teach my son how to pick up women with his terrible ''Love Sage'' advice," Wina said. Lady Nelumbo grimaced to, "Well, maybe the Queen can talk you out of this idea. You know the Assassin Society has a lot of members. How are you going to take them all on?" "I don''t know... All I can say is" Wina stopped talking once she smelled something familiar in the air. "Lady Wina? Is everything alright?" Nelumbo asked. "Galebane Fumes..." Wina said as she stood up and hurried to her tent. Lady Nelumbo was confused, but she followed after her. *** Mathew was watching Sir George sparring with Richard, who was one of the younger knights in the group. "Haha! I''m impressed by how fast you are, Sir George," Richard laughed. "Well, when you survive what I''ve been through, you become a lot quicker and wiser. Well, most of the time," Sir George said. Mathew smiled at the scene before him as Sir George was teaching Richard his special style of combat that utilized taking away one''s space to corner them. Things seemed normal until he noticed Wina was staring off into the distance by the bonfire. "I wonder what''s on her mind?" Soon he heard Sir Andrew and Sir Mitchell starting to cough a bit. "What the hell is going on?" Mathew asked himself. But then he smelled the stench of the Galebane Fumes. "Assassins," Mathew growled. Sir George was having too much fun sparring with the younger knight, so he didn''t notice the green mist creeping closer to them. But he noticed Richard was struggling a bit to breathe and was about to lose consciousness. "What the hell? Richard, are you oka-" Sir George was interrupted when he heard Mathew yelling. "EVERYONE! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!" As soon as Mathew shouted, Sir George saw the green mist and he smelled the foul stench that brought him back to the day when three assassins tried to kill the prince. "Galebane Fumes... Shit!" Sir George growled. "What the fuck is that?" Richard said in a hoarse voice. "Richard, cover your mouth and hide. It''s not safe," Sir George said. "Understood sir," Richard replied before ducking into a tent. Sir Mathew drew his sword and yelled, "Everyone to me! We have to defend ourselves. The enemy is using poison." As soon as Mathew spoke, everyone drew their swords and surrounded the tents. "Who''s attacking us?!" Sir Andrew shouted. "I don''t know, but it''s an attack," Mathew replied. But he knew who their target was. They were targeting his wife. Sir George rushed over to Mathew, "I can''t see Wina or Lady Nelumbo. We have to find them!" "Agreed. Everyone, stick together and watch each other''s backs. It''s best if we stay in the open," Mathew said. Everyone agreed and moved towards the middle of the camp with Mathew leading the way while George came up the rear with four knights in between. Luckily, Sir Mathew and Sir George have been exposed to Galebane Fumes in the past and their bodies have built up an immunity against the poisonous gas. But the rest of the knights in their party didn''t, and they were struggling to breathe. As Mathew was heading towards the bonfire where Wina and Lady Nelumbo were last seen, he didn''t see them. ''I hope you know what you''re doing, Win. If anything happens to you. I won''t forgive them.'' Mathew was trying to look through the green mist but it was hard to make out anything. "Sir, I don''t see anything," Mitchell said. "Stay close and follow my lead," Mathew ordered. "Yes, sir," Mitchell replied. It was at that moment Mathew and George started hearing footsteps coming from their right. "Who goes there?! Identify yourselves!" Mathew shouted. A silhouette appeared in the green mist, and then another two silhouettes appeared, and then another five more. "Shit... Looks like the Society sent their assassins. We can''t handle this many," George said. "No! We stand our ground and fight them. If we lose, then we lose everything. For the sake of the kingdom," Mathew growled as he went into a defensive stance. George drew his sword, "For the sake of the kingdom!" "For the sake of the kingdom!" The four knights behind them shouted as they readied themselves. The silhouettes were getting closer and then the sound of a whistle could be heard. "I just hope they aren''t vampires..." Sir George whispered to himself. Remembering how he almost got bitten by one, during the prince''s assassination attempt. The silhouettes came charging at them. Mathew was expecting a full-on assault, but the silhouettes split up. One went to the left, and the others went to the right, as they circled their party. "Sir, what''s going on?" yelled one of the knights. "They want the poison to do the dirty work. But the poison can only kill us if we are exposed for a prolonged time. So it''s going to be a battle of attrition. We will have to take care of the assassins as fast as we can, and then get the hell out of the camp," Sir Mathew yelled. "I''ll head right. You go left. It looks like the poison isn''t going to dissipate any time soon. We won''t have a lot of time," Sir George yelled. "Let''s get the bastards!" Mathew roared. "FOR THE KINGDOM!" the five knights yelled as they charged at the silhouettes. Soon the sound of blades clashing, echoed throughout the night. Ch.165 The Shadows Attack Sir Mathew ran towards the first silhouette in front of him, and he noticed the man was holding a dagger and wearing a black cloak. "Feel my might!" Sir Mathew growled as he charged at the cloaked figure. The assassin turned around and dodged the initial swing. Before launching an attack of his own. Mathew managed to dodge the attack and kicked the assassin in the leg, knocking him away. Wina taught assassin''s tactics to her husband and Sir George. And one of the things they learned was that assassins prefer to work in teams of two or more. Only the best of the best worked alone. Mathew knew that another assassin was coming from behind. Hoping to stab him in the back. So he quickly rolled away from the first assassin and got back on his feet. He then spun around and caught the second assassin by surprise. "W-What the?" the assassin muttered as Sir Mathew''s sword pierced the man''s chest. "Cheap tricks won''t help you," Sir Mathew said as he yanked his sword out of the man''s chest and kicked him away. Spraying blood on the grass and dirt. The first assassin wasn''t going to stick around for a fair fight and retreated into the green mist. "You can run, but you can''t hide!" Sir Mathew yelled as he chased after the assassin. Once the man was out of sight, Sir Mathew heard the sounds of someone choking and coughing. "That sounds like Sir Andrew," Mathew said to himself. Then a thought came to mind. ''These assassins are trying to use these fumes to do the dirty work. But they have to know that it won''t affect Wina. She has immunity... Or were they hoping to rid us so they can outnumber her? Either way, they won''t stop until everyone is dead.'' Mathew took a deep breath and went in the direction of the coughing. Once he got to his destination, he saw Sir Andrew, Mitchell, and Sir Richard struggling to keep the three assassins at bay. Their movements were sluggish, and they were barely holding on. "Sir, there are too many!" Richard shouted as he blocked an attack. "Just hold on!" Mathew said. Then Sir Andrew coughed up a large amount of blood, and the assassin that was fighting him took advantage of the opening and charged at him. "DAMN IT!" Mathew shouted as he tried to save the young knight, but he was too far away. "Pick on someone who isn''t poisoned, you weaselly bastard!" Roared Sir George, as he came through the green mist with his shield and sword glowing from his mana. He then bashed the assassin with his shield, pushing him back and saving Sir Andrew. He quickly stabbed the assassin through the heart and ripped his blade out of the body. "Andrew! Find somewhere to recover! I''ll deal with these cowardly bastards! Sir Mitchell and Sir Richard. Stay here and protect him. If things get too hot, get out of this mist! I''ll catch up with you later!" Sir George shouted. "Understood, Sir George! We''ll do what we can!" Mitchell shouted as he blocked a blow and tried to counter. Sir Mathew swiftly ran around the perimeter and did a horizontal strike from the assassin''s blindside helping Mitchell. *Swoosh!* The assassin was cut in half and his guts spilled onto the grass. "George! Have you seen Wina or Lady Nelumbo?!" Sir Mathew yelled. "I haven''t seen them! But they can handle" They heard a scream of pain that sounded like Lady Nelumbo. "Dammit! I have to go now," Sir Mathew yelled. "Go ahead. We''ll take care of the rest," Sir George shouted as he killed another assassin who was going after Richard. With that Mathew bolted through the mist heading towards the scream. ''Please don''t be too late!'' *** Mathew could feel his heartbeat as he ran through the mist, and then he saw a flash of silver. *Clang!* "How the hell did you deflect my blow?!" a man yelled. "Because I''m used to your cheap tricks," Mathew said. The man jumped back into the mist to conceal his presence. Mathew knew that it was the same man he first tried to engage at the beginning before his friend tried to backstab him. He also knew the assassin was trying to use the green mist to his advantage, and that was going to be his downfall. ''I don''t have time for this...'' Mathew quickly moved through the mist keeping his guard up until he came to a clearing. Six dead assassins were lying around Lady Nelumbo and Wina who were tied up in some type of trap. Lady Nelumbo was bleeding from her leg. "I told you to leave me! I''m slowing you down!" she yelled out. "I can''t just leave you behind!" Wina said as she was trying to remove the vines. "Hehe... This Umbralis assassin has grown soft... Good catch, Zephyr," a sinister voice laughed. "We haven''t killed her yet, so keep your guard up," Zephyr replied to his comrade. Wina looked behind her and saw five assassins approaching them. "Shit," she cursed under her breath. ''I should have been paying more attention. They used the others as cannon fodder, and they wounded Nelumbo before using her as bait.'' Wina thought as she was trying to come up with a plan. "Sever her head and be done with it, Nikolai," said a female assassin. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "Hmmm... With pleasure," said the male assassin named Nikolai. With that two male assassins came after Wina who was trying to free herself but the vines refused to be cut. ''Mathew! I''m sorry. I''ve failed you... Just know that I love you.'' *Swoosh!* Wina closed her eyes thinking she was going to be cut in half. *** Mathew saw the assassins coming down on Wina and a rage shot out of his core like never before as his lightning blood activated and made time slow down to a snail''s pace. His eyes lit up as the world around him became dark, and his vision went blue. His body and senses were heightened and the five assassins were outlined in a yellow color. "NO!" Mathew''s body was surrounded by electricity as he appeared in front of the two assassins. Nikolai and Zephyr didn''t know what happened as their body parts started falling to the ground. Mathew had sliced through both of them with three swings of his sword. "W-What the hell is this guy?!" one of the female assassins yelled. "He''s a Lightning Rider! Kill him" Mathew had already closed the distance before the assassin could finish her sentence. The next thing he saw was the yellow glow coming from Mathew''s blade. "Run! He''s too strong!" the last assassin yelled as he turned and ran. The other female assassin tried to counter, but Mathew was too quick and strong. He parried her attack and countered. Slicing off her right arm in three spots. "AAAAAHHHH!!!" she screamed in pain as her arm fell off. Mathew''s body was glowing brightly and the lightning around him was arcing. The woman tried to attack again, but Mathew swung his sword and cut the assassin''s head clean off. The remaining assassin kept running and didn''t look back. Mathew could feel his blood pulsating and his power growing. *Boom!* A lightning bolt hit the ground and a huge explosion erupted. Causing the mist to scatter. The blast was so powerful it destroyed the remaining tents and even destroyed a couple of trees. Wina and Nelumbo could see Mathew''s body engulfed in lightning and the air around him was shimmering. Soon the electricity started to dim, and then Mathew collapsed to the ground. "MATHEW!!!" Wina yelled as she got out of the vines and rushed over to her husband. Mathew was unconscious, but he was breathing. "Thank the Gods..." Wina sighed as she checked his pulse. "Is Sir Mathew alright," Lady Nelumbo said as she freed herself from the vines. "He''s alive, but he pushed himself. I have to get him out of here. Can you walk," Wina asked. "Y-Yes," Lady Nelumbo said as she tied a bandage around her leg to stop the bleeding. Just as Wina was about to lift her husband, a dagger was thrown by the assassin who was hiding behind a tree. She caught the blade with one hand and turned towards the assailant. "You should have stayed hidden," Wina said with cold eyes and a murderous aura. The assassin panicked and tried to run but after taking two steps he felt his body get tangled up in something that he couldn''t see. "What the hell?" the man said as he struggled to break free. That''s when he noticed Wina was only five feet away from him and she had her hand out holding something that looked like spider webbing. "W-What sorcery is this!? Let me go!" "Oh? So you''ve never seen Arachne Webs?... Let''s see how long it will take before your body gets torn apart," Wina said as twisted her hands and tightened the webbing around the man. "AAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!" the man screamed. Wina was twisting her hands while pushing down. Causing the webs to tighten around the man''s body cutting into his flash. The man''s screams soon became a gurgling sound as his own blood filled his mouth. "No one will ever harm my husband. Not while I''m still breathing." "T-This is what happens when an Umbralis grows too attached to a mark," the man sputtered out as his blood was starting to soak the ground. "You''re mistaken. This is what happens when an Umbralis finds her love and her true purpose," Wina said as she yanked her arm up, dicing the man''s body. "AAAAAGGGGHHH!!!" the man screamed one last time before his head was cut off. Once he was dead Wina looked around her surroundings and noticed only one assassin was fleeing the area and towards a cave where some Galebane Fumes were lingering by the Labyrinth. ''I''ll deal with him later. I need to make sure Lady Nelumbo can watch over Mathew and give the rest of the men the antidote.'' Wina thought as she turned to her friend. "Nelumbo! Do you still have the antidotes for the men? They''ll die if they keep breathing this in," Wina said. "Yes... What are you planning, Wina?" Lady Nelumbo asked as she pulled out a satchel full of antidotes. "I''m going after the last assassin. I need to make sure he won''t send any messages about our location... Go help the men and tell Sir George to watch over Mathew," Wina said as she disappeared into the darkness. Lady Nelumbo almost felt sorry for the assassin who was fleeing. ''Poor bastard. She''s going to tear him apart... But they had a choice and they must suffer the consequences,'' Lady Nelumbo thought. The last thing she wanted to do was face her wrath. She picked up her spear and walked towards the men who were struggling to breathe. *** "Fuck! Fuck! How am I the only one left?!" the last assassin cursed under his breath as he was fleeing the area as fast as he could. He knew the cave wasn''t that much further but the green mist was making it hard to find. The assassin hoped he would make it to the cave and barricade himself in. As he was running he saw a silhouette in the mist, and his instincts kicked in as he threw a dagger at the person. Hitting the figure squarely in the chest. "Ow? If you really wanted to get a reward, you didn''t have to attack me you know?" Said an old man sitting on a rock. His white eyes glowed in the dark. "Who the fuck are you?" the assassin said as he pulled out his sword. "Huh? People like to call me Rolf... But I''m just the Keeper of the trials," Rolf said as he poked the dagger that was sticking out of his chest. "Dammit! It''s the Eternal. I don''t have time for this," the assassin said as he was about to run. "Oh... Don''t be like that. Aren''t you curious about your reward?" The assassin stopped and turned around. "What reward?" "It will help you guide you through your future." "What the hell does that mean?... Never Mind! You''re wasting my time! I''m leaving!" The assassin started to leave, but the Keeper chimed in, "Well, this is interesting?... I can''t see your reward. I wonder why that is? Hmmm..." "What the fuck are you talking about old m," the assassin felt a sharp pain in his chest, and he looked down. There was a bloody hole, and a blade was sticking out. "That is very strange... But now I know why I can''t see your reward... Oh well. Have a nice trip," Rolf said as he waved his hand. Then the assassin heard the cold voice of Wina who was behind him. "Die..." Then a second later the man''s body was torn apart and blood was all over the grass and stone. Her face was still as cold as ice as she looked down at the pieces. "So? Have you decided to fight the shackles?" Rolf said as he looked at Wina. "So, this is what you meant... Yes... I will fight them... But I can''t do it alone," Wina said. Rolf smiled, "It''s good that you aren''t alone, Wina Daz." Wina smirked and looked at the Keeper standing there with a dagger in his chest. She was a little worried but Rolf seemed unfazed. "I take it that this isn''t your first time getting stabbed?... D-Do you need someone to help you pull the dagger out?" Wina asked as she didn''t know what he was going to do. "Oh? This thing? Thanks for pointing it out... When you live as long as I do, you tend to forget things," Rolf said as he looked down at the blade in his chest. He used one of his hands to pull the dagger out with no signs of pain and no blood. The hole quickly closed as he brought up the weapon and examined it. "So, Eternals don''t have blood. Interesting..." Wina said with intrigue. "Hehe... Nope. Never had the stuff... Hey? Is that Mathew guy, alright? I think he needs his loved one by his side," Rolf said. Wina''s eyes opened wide. She got distracted by Rolf and forgot her husband was unconscious. "How could I''ve forgotten! I''ll take care of him right away!" Wina didn''t bother with pleasantries. She ran back as fast as she could. Rolf just smiled, "Those two are something... I wonder what''s going to happen once they take over the shadows?... Meh... I need something to eat." He looked around the ground before looking at the dagger in his hand. "Well, this will do," Rolf said as he started eating the dagger. Ch.166 Trapped with a One Eyed Freak A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Ch.167 Made it to the Surface It took Quinus five minutes before he could calm down from dealing with Mana Lust. "Fueh... Fueeehh... Fueehhh!" Quinus was huffing and puffing as he tried catching his breath. ''Ah... Damn, being a pre-teen again is harder than I thought...'' "Fueh... Alright, no more fucking around, Quin. I have to find the other two and find a way out of here," Quinus muttered to himself as he could barely make out the outline of the dead Cyclops. Due to the last remnants of the magical bonfire burning out. ''Dammit, If I can get to my bag I can grab another magical torch.'' Quinus''s eyes started adjusting to the darkness again as he slowly started to make out the layout of the cave and spotted his backpack about ten feet away from the dead Cyclops. "There," Quinus quietly whispered to himself as he made his way over to his backpack. He blindly rummaged around until his hand found a glass container. "Bingo," he said as he pulled the magical torch out of his backpack and twisted the crystal to the left. *Tch* *Flick* "Haah, much better," Quinus was relieved that he could now see his surroundings. He got a better look at the dead Cyclops. "I''m glad I didn''t get reincarnated as a Cyclops... They are ugly bastards." He then turned and faced the path he thought Thomas and Geralt had run off to. He could make out a light up ahead about 500 feet away. "Well, hopefully, Ill run into them," Quinus said out loud as he started walking down the tunnel. *** Thomas and Geralt were stumbling through the cave. They were hiding as best as they could. "G-Geralt! Do you think the prince is okay," Thomas was scared that Prince Quinus had gotten himself killed. "I-I''m not sure," Geralt stuttered, "But I think the Cyclops is dead..." "H-How can you tell?" Thomas asked. "There was a bright explosion and then you heard that roar in pain. I think the Prince might have killed it," Geralt was confident that the monster was dead. "B-But I think I heard some groaning. Maybe we should have gone back to see if he''s okay," Thomas was worried about Quinus. "W-We can''t risk our lives. We don''t know if the Cyclops is still alive," Geralt argued, "If we were to go back, then we would have to deal with the Cyclops..." "But why would the prince be moaning?" Thomas didn''t understand. Geralt facepalmed and groaned, "Oh my god... You''re stup-" They could hear footsteps running down the tunnel. They tried to hide as the light started growing brighter and brighter. "P-Prince?" Thomas whispered. "SHHH!" Geralt hushed. Quinus came walking down the path with his magical torch lighting up the way. "Huh? Geralt? What are you hiding in?" Quinus asked as he spotted Geralt''s foot sticking out. "W-Wait? Your Highness?... YOU''RE ALIVE! OH, THANK THE GODDESS!" Thomas yelled and tackled the prince. "Oof," Quinus grunted as Thomas hugged him. "You''re alive. I was worried you got eaten by the Cyclops," Thomas said as his eyes were getting watery. "Yeah, I had a few close calls but Geralt? I think you''re hiding behind... fecal matter? Are you hiding in Cyclops shit?" Geralt was able to see what he was trying to hide behind. He could see bones and a large pile of poop. "BY THE GODDESS! IT''S CYCLOPS''S SHIT!" Geralt shouted and was trying to get the fecal matter off of him. "Eww. Ew. EW! IT''S ON MY LEG!" "Calm down! It''s gross but it isn''t poisonous. If we find some water you can wash yourself off," Quinus said. "You sure it isn''t poisonous," Thomas asked as he let go of Quinus and took a step back. "Yes. I''m positive. The Cyclops has a large amount of ether stored up in its digestive tract and it can break down almost anything... Come on. Hopefully, we can find where we are in the labyrinth," Quinus said as he started walking. "Hey, Prince Quinus? How did you kill the Cyclops? Was it hard?" Thomas asked. "A bit, yes. It shot its laser eye at me one time and almost got me a second time. I was lucky to damage its eye and use a boulder to smash his head." Quinus lied to the ten-year-old. "Wow, you''re so strong, Prince Quinus!" Thomas complimented him. ''It wasn''t me. Percy launched an arrow that damaged the eye and I had a special sword to end it. But it doesn''t matter.'' "Why was there moaning after you killed the Cyclops?" Geralt asked. "Um? Do you know about Mana Rush?" "No. What is that?" Geralt asked. "Uh? It''s complicated but when you slay a monster that has loads of mana it causes your body to react," Quinus tried explaining it the best he could. "Like what?" Thomas asked. ''Fuck! Now I know why Father was having such a hard time explaining it to me... So, how do I explain it to them?... Ah. Got it!'' "Well... It can cause someone''s body to go number 1 or number 2 out of nowhere. And it needs to be taken care of or you''ll be in pain," Quinus answered as he didn''t want to tell ten-year-olds the real truth. Even though he is technically a ten-year-old himself. "Ew. Why would that happen? Is it because of all the mana?" Geralt was disgusted by the idea. "I don''t know the alchemy behind it, but yes. It is the mana that causes your body to act out. All I can say is take care of it as soon as possible or you''ll be in hell." "Ew, okay," Thomas said. They walked for another twenty minutes before they found a tight tunnel that was barely 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. "Well, I can feel air flowing through here so there''s a high chance we''ll get out," Quinus said. "I hope we don''t crawl into something gross," Geralt said. "We''ll cross that bridge if we get there. Thomas, you go first, I''ll be in the rear. Geralt, you''re in the middle. Don''t want the two of you getting lost," Quinus said as he gestured his arm to the tight tunnel. *** The small tunnel went on for 45 minutes before it widened out and they could see a light at the end. "Thank the goddess," Geralt said. "I''m thirsty. Do you guys have any water?" Thomas asked. "I don''t have much. I''ll give you some once I can stand up straight," Quinus said. "Okay." The three boys were finally out of the small tunnel and they found themselves on a small plateau overlooking a vast chasm. "By the Goddess, that''s one heck of a drop," Geralt said as he peeked over the edge. "Yeah, don''t fall down there, Geralt," Thomas joked. Quinus was looking around. "I can see the surface from here... Hold on? Is that... Johnathan?" "What?! Where is that son of a bitch?" Geralt was pissed that John tried to kill them. "Over there," Quinus pointed over to the right. They could see the silhouette of a young boy running down a tunnel. "So, we must be on the first floor. I wonder if there''s an easier way down," Quinus was muttering to himself. "So, now what?" Thomas asked. "First. We should figure out how to get down to the next level. Do you guys have anything we can use as a rope? We can lower ourselves to the ground," Quinus suggested. "Oh. Thomas. You brought a rope right?" Geralt said. "Here," Thomas looked through his backpack and handed Quinus a 30-foot-long rope. ''I think we are 45 feet up... Well, it''s been years since I repelled down a rope... Let''s not die this time.'' "Thomas, Geralt. Do either of you know how to repel down a rope?" "I don''t know what you''re talking about. Can''t we just climb down the rope?" Thomas was confused. "No. It''s a term for controlling your speed when descending a rope. There are a few different methods and I think we can reach that ledge before we need to repeat the process. It''s about 20 feet below us," Quinus said. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Uh, I''ll try," Thomas volunteered. "Hmm, okay, I''ll teach you," Quinus said, "Here''s what you need to do..." Quinus showed Thomas and Geralt a technique for safely descending a rope. "Now, the key is not to rush and keep your hands on the rope at all times. You want to slowly feed the rope through your belt. If you aren''t paying attention you could repeal right off the end of the rope and you''ll have about a 30-foot deck. So, avoid that." "Um? C-Can you go first? I don''t know if I can do it," Thomas asked. "Sure, I''ll go first," Quinus said as he started to loop the rope around a rock pillar that was sticking out from the side of the cliff. He then tossed both ends of the rope over the edge. "Okay, it looks like the line is close to the second ledge. I''ll see if we need to jump for the ledge." "We''ll watch you closely," Geralt said. Quinus put his hand on the rope and slowly descended down. He stopped after ten feet and said, "Okay, here is where you need to feed the rope through your belt. Make sure you guys do the same or you''ll get burned." "Got it," Thomas and Geralt shouted. "I''m going to continue," Quinus shouted back. He slowly went down the last five feet before he made it to the ledge. "It''s safe!" Quinus yelled, "Thomas, it''s your turn." "O-Okay... I''ll try." Thomas grabbed the rope and slowly lowered himself down. He did the same as Quinus did. "Okay, I think I''m doing everything correctly." Quinus watched as Thomas fed the rope through his belt and he continued. He didn''t notice if Thomas was doing anything incorrectly. He wasn''t as smooth as Quinus but he slowly made his way down the rope. After a minute, Thomas made it to the second ledge, "Alright, Geralt... It''s your turn." He nodded his head before taking a deep breath and grabbing the rope. He slipped a few times as he was repealing down the rope. He was moving quicker than Thomas but he was not as controlled as Quinus. "Ah!" Geralt yelled as he was halfway down the rope. "Just relax, Geralt... Deep breaths," Quinus advised him. "G-Got it," Geralt slowed down his descent. Geralt made it down the last ten feet with no problem as Quinus grabbed him and pulled him to the ledge, "I-I did it! I thought I was going to poop myself" "Luckily, we wouldn''t notice," Thomas joked. "Shut up..." "Hey... Good job, man. But we aren''t out of the woods yet... Here''s the tricky part. I think the distance from this ledge to the ground floor is 35 feet." "But we have a 30-foot rope. Can''t we just drop the rest of the way?" "You saw me wrapping it around a rock pillar, right? It halved the length when we did that... It makes the rope stronger when you hold onto two lines. I can tie it off on its end but we need to hope that the knot can hold all of our weight." "O-Oh," Geralt said. Quinus looked down again trying to estimate the distance to the ground, "Yeah, I think the bottom is about 35 feet... So, there will be a five-foot drop off the end of the rope. It''s not bad but it''s solid rock... Watch your landing, guys." Quinus looked around trying to find the best rock pillar to tie the rope off to. "This one should do. Watch yourselves," Quinus kicked the pillar just to make sure it wouldn''t break off and fall. ''Seems strong enough.'' He tied the rope off before letting the other end fall off the ledge. "Alright, It''s not caught on anything, so we should be good to go... I''ll go first... I''ll holler up to you once I get to the ground. Okay?" "Got it." "Sure." Quinus grabbed the rope and fed it through his belt. He then stepped off the ledge and waited to see if the pillar was going to crack. Once things seemed safe Quinus started lowering himself down the rope. ''I hope the rope doesn''t fray and snap under our weight. I didn''t check it for damage.'' Quinus reached the end and let go, dropping the last five feet and landing on the ground. He felt the impact on the bottom of his feet but wasn''t too bad. ''I''m glad my body is young again. Or that might have hurt.'' Quinus looked up, "Everything''s good! Who''s next?" Thomas nodded his head as he grabbed the rope. He did all the same things Quinus did before he started his descent. Quinus watched as Thomas slowly made his way down the rope. "You''re doing good, Thomas," Quinus said encouragingly. Thomas was nervous and was sweating. His hands were becoming clammy and he couldn''t focus. "O-Okay," Thomas stuttered. Suddenly his hands slipped and he started falling. "AHH!" Thomas screamed. "Shit!" Quinus cursed. He moved below and held out his arms to catch Thomas. They both tumbled to the ground but they were okay. "Oof! Damn, Thomas... you''re lucky that I know how to strengthen my body with mana. Or that would have sucked," Quinus grunted. Thomas was in shock. He didn''t say anything as he was staring blankly at the ground. "I thought I was done for," Thomas muttered. "I don''t think this is any scarier than the Cyclops. But I guess that doesn''t make it any less scary." "H-Huh? Yeah... Yeah, you''re right. Sorry," Thomas said as he stood up. "It happens, man. Don''t worry about it... Hey, Geralt! You''re up!" "A-Alright," Geralt said as he did his safety checks before repelling down the rope. Thomas and Quinus were ready to spot him as he was coming closer to the end of the rope. "Almost there, Geralt," Quinus shouted. Geralt nodded as he readied himself to jump. Once he was about 10 feet above them he jumped and landed safely. "Good job, guys, we are finally out of that hell," Quinus said. "Yeah... I''m done with labyrinths," Geralt sighed. "Can''t agree with you more," Thomas said. Quinus could see the daylight peaking through the entrance to the Labyrinth which was over a thousand feet away. "Come on. Let''s head to the surface," Quinus said. The boys started walking and a few minutes later they exited the Labyrinth. *** They breathed a sigh of relief, once the three of them made their way out of the Labyrinth and felt the fresh air blowing across their faces. "Thank the Goddess," Geralt sighed. "It feels nice to see the sun again," Thomas commented. "Yeah it wasn''t sowhat happened out here?" Quinus paused his sentence as he noticed signs of a battle in the distance. "Did the knights fight a monster or something?" Thomas asked. "No, this is something different. Let''s go and" "You three came out not so bad... *Sniff* Well... Except for you... Why do you have monster poop all over you," Rolf asked as he popped up out of nowhere. "Gah!... Where did the Keeper come from?" Geralt asked as he jumped away for the old man. "From behind you of course... So, did you three finish the trials and collect your ether crystal? If you didn''t, I guess I''ll have to kick you out." "We have done as you asked, Keeper. We have passed the trial, and acquired the crystal," Quinus said as he grabbed a pouch and pulled out a bright yellow crystal the size of a six-sided dice. Rolf was surprised by this, "Well, that''s a bright one! How about you two? You got one also, right?" Thomas and Geralt pulled out a dull-colored crystal. "Excellent! Now, who would like to receive their reward first?" "How about Prince Quinus," Thomas suggested. "Yeah, he did most of the work," Geralt agreed. "Um... Sure. I don''t mind," Quinus said as he was caught off guard by this. The Eternal shook his head. "The Quinus is going to go last... Mainly because I want to savor his crystal," Rolf chuckled. "Why me?" Quinus asked in surprise. "Because it''s a big secret... So, which one of you two would like to go first?" Rolf asked. "Geralt can go first," Thomas said. "Sure. What''s my prize?" "Hand me your crystal and you will find out," Rolf smiled. Geralt handed over his dull crystal. And without hesitation, Rolf took the ether crystal and ate it. "Ahh, such a wonderful taste... Here''s your prize," Rolf said as he leaned over to Geralt''s ear and whispered something. Geralt''s face had confusion written all over it as Rolf continued to whisper. Thomas wanted to know what the Keeper was saying and started creeping forward before Quinus grabbed his shoulder. "What?" Thomas asked. "It''s for Geralt''s ears only," Quinus said. Thomas has a dissatisfied expression on his face, but he knows that there is no point in arguing against Quinus. Soon they heard Geralt say, "R-Really?" "Yep. Congratulations on passing the trial... Next... the Thomas," Rolf said with excitement. Geralt was lost in thought as he walked over to Quinus. Thomas walked over and gave the dull-colored ether crystal to Rolf. The Eternal once again ate the crystal. "Hmm, I think this one will go well with diamonds..." Rolf said as he was chewing the ether crystal like some type of hard candy. Making lip-smacking sounds before he swallowed it with a satisfied smile. "Oh! That hit the spot... I wish more of you humans took the trials, then I wouldn''t have to eat cheap rocks to survive." "Uh... Thanks," Thomas was confused by Rolf''s comment. "Here''s your prize," Rolf leaned in and whispered into Thomas'' ear. Thomas was excited and surprised, "Wait! R-Really!?" "Indeed. You have passed the trial. Congratulations. Now, let''s see what your prize is," Rolf smiled at Quinus. "These prizes seem like fortune telling... Why do you need the ether crystals? I heard from the scholars that these ether crystals are worthless to humans since they are impure," Quinus was curious. "You worry too much... All I can say is the ether crystal makes it easier for me to see your prize." "Hmm..." Quinus didn''t seem convinced, but he didn''t have any proof to argue against it. So he walked over while Thomas looked overjoyed and Geralt was still deep in thought. ''Well... Let''s see if it was worth all this trouble...'' "Here," Quinus handed over his bright yellow ether crystal. Rolf''s eyes sparkled as he stared at the crystal and licked his lips. "It''s been a long time since I have had a gemstone of this color. Usually, people have the duller ones," Rolf commented. "Um. That''s good?" "Very good," Rolf''s mouth was drooling, "I will be savoring this." The Eternal ate the ether crystal and his eyes rolled up as if he was in heaven. He hummed with delight as he stood there. Not chewing it at all. "It''s been a long time. Since I had something like this... I could stay here for weeks and be happy... Oh, right," Rolf remembered that Quinus was waiting. He then quickly chewed it up before swallowing. "Hmm... Well... Well... Well... You have a very interesting prize. More interesting than these two," Rolf commented. ''What the hell is that supposed to mean?'' "Here''s your prize," Rolf said as he leaned over to Quinus''s ear and whispered. "You are one of those who are special to the gods... And there are four others that have traveled to this world like you... In the future, you will find one of them, and they can bring peace to all the races if you and only you accept them into your heart." Rolf whispered into Quinus''s ear. ''What the fuck does that mean?'' "But seeing your taste... I don''t see that being a problem... That''s all," Rolf leaned back and smiled. Quinus had an uneasy feeling and was trying to decipher what he was told. ''There are four others like me? Does he know that I''m reincarnated or is there something I''m missing... And what does the part about them bringing peace to all races have to do with me?'' Quinus didn''t realize that he was standing there for a couple of minutes. Trying to make sense of his fortune. "Um... Thanks, Rolf. It was a pleasure meeting you. But I''m afraid we must be going," Quinus bowed to the Eternal. "No! Thank you... Prince Quinus. It was an honor having you and the rest of your party enter the Labyrinth. Feel free to come back any time." "Of course. And please take care of the Labyrinth." Quinus said "Ugh... I wish... But she won''t let me in there," Rolf pointed at the entrance to the Labyrinth. "Huh?" Geralt heard the Keeper and was curious. "Who are you talking about, Rolf?" Thomas asked. "What? Oh! I have to go... May you find your path," Rolf yelled out as he ran around a corner and disappeared. "W-Wait!" Thomas yelled. "What just happened?" Geralt questioned. Quinus wasn''t paying attention as he was still lost in thought. Usually, he was good at deciphering riddles. But he was having trouble with this one. "Prince Quinus... Your Highness!? Are you okay?" Thomas asked. "H-Huh? Yeah, I''m fine... I''m trying to figure out what the Keeper meant." "About what?" Geralt asked. "Don''t worry about it. It would confuse you more than it did me." "Um, okay," Thomas responded as he wasn''t convinced, but he didn''t want to push Quinus. "Let''s go. We need to find out what happened out here and find Johnathan," Quinus said as he started heading back. "Oh yeah! That jerk has some explaining to do," Geralt said. "Yes he does," Thomas agreed. Ch.168 This is Your Punishment. The group of three made their way back to the camp to find all the Royal Knights surrounding Johnathan. Sir George was giving him a death stare and looked like he was ready to behead him. There were three of the bodyguards who didn''t know what to do as they had their hands on their weapons, but they didn''t seem to have the willpower to pull them out. "What is going on here?" Quinus asked as he stepped forward. Johnathan looked up in shock then it turned into dumbfoundedness. He couldn''t believe that all of them came out alive. All the Knights looked relieved as they saw the Prince. Sir Mathew was the first to walk over, "Your Highness! Are you all okay?" "Well, we had some close calls, but we came out almost unscathed," Quinus answered. "Almost?" Sir George said with anger in his voice as he put a blade to Johnathan''s neck. "Gah!" Johnathan tried to move away, but the Royal Knights were all around him. "Stand down! The Prince is fine, and so are the Young Master''s friends," Ronin yelled out to George. "Tsk! I don''t know why we gave any of you three an antidote for the poison. When we should have just put you all out of your misery for protecting a traitor!" Sir George hollered back. "We will not go clawing back to our Lord with the death of his son. So, you can take your threats and shove it!" Ronin yelled back. "Enough!" Quinus shouted. Everyone went quiet. "What happened while we were in the Labyrinth?" Quinus asked. Sir Mathew took a breath and calmed himself, "Assassins attacked us... The boys'' bodyguards are all dead with the expectation of these three who belong to this boy." Quinus didn''t know how to react at first. He thought for a moment. "Do we know who they were targeting?" Quinus asked. Sir Mathew looked at Wina and she gave him a nod. Mathew sighed, "Yes, Your Highness... We know who their main target was." "Who is it that they were after?" Quinus asked. "I would rather tell you in private, Your Highness," Sir Mathew said with a straight face. ''Huh? Then they weren''t targeting me? Then they weren''t a part of Johnathan''s or my cousin''s plan to kill me... What in the world is going on?'' Quinus thought to himself. "Is this information I need to know now or can it wait until we are back at the palace?" "It will be better to wait, my Lord." "Fine... Then I need to judge Johnathan for his actions and pass down a punishment," Quinus turned to Johnathan who was trying not to panic. "J-Judgement? What are you talking about, Prince Quinus? Don''t I get a fair trial?" "I''m the Crown Prince who has passed the trials... But I don''t think you have, Johnathan..." "Of course I have... I just haven''t seen the Keeper yet!" "And he won''t show up... That''s because you lost your ether crystal," Quinus said in a cold voice. "I-I didn''t lose anything! And I can prove it!" Johnathan yelled back. "Then show me the proof," Quinus demanded. "I can''t. Not when I have a sword to my neck," Johnathan looked over at Sir George. George glared back and was getting ready to say something. "Sir George... Let him show us the proof... But keep your eyes on him." Quinus commanded with a calm voice. Sir George grunted, "Fine. But the moment you try something, I will strike you down, boy." "I-I don''t need you to repeat yourself," Johnathan was sweating profusely as he tried to pull out the pouch from his belt. ''He''s going to panic once he can''t find the crystal...'' Quinus thought to himself as he braced for the inevitable. Johnathan opened the pouch and reached inside while staring daggers at Quinus. He was trying to be intimidating. But his eyes quickly changed from anger to surprise, confusion, and finally fear as his hand started to move around faster inside the pouch. He was desperately searching for the ether crystal. "No, No, No. This can''t be happening," Johnathan said under his breath. "Have you found it yet?" Quinus asked. "I-It should be in here. Where could it have gone?" Johnathan started to look more panicked as he dumped the pouch''s contents out but to his dread, there was no crystal. "W-Where is it? I had it before we left the Labyrinth," Johnathan was frantically looking around for it. "You dropped it, Johnathan... I saw it happen when you ran around me and blasted all three of us into the portal trap. We were lucky that I was able to kill the monster before it could find Geralt and Thomas... That''s why Geralt is covered in Cyclops''s crap." Quinus said his partial truth. All three bodyguards unsheathed their weapons and glared at the prince and his knights. They didn''t look like they wanted to fight, but they feared they might need to. "I warn you... If you dare try to kill Lord Bluewood''s son. We will do everything we can to protect h-" "STAND DOWN!" Quinus yelled at Ronin and his two comrades. His golden eyes seemed to glow with power when he glared at them. The three didn''t dare to take a step forward as they felt an immense amount of fear. Making it feel hard to breathe. Quinus glare softened and he spoke calmly, "I have every right to pass judgment. You can''t deny that." Ronin took a breath and said, "You''re right, Your Highness... But we can''t-" Quinus held up his hand to signal for them to be quiet, "It''s fine. I know where you stand. And I will judge him fairly. As the law states." The three bodyguards put their weapons away, but they didn''t lower their guard. Quinus looked at Johnathan who was panicking more than ever. Now that his guards couldn''t save him. Quinus walked closer to him as did three of his knights. "Tell me the truth, Johnathan... Why did you do it?" Johnathan''s breathing was fast and short. "It-it''s not what you think! It was an accident!... Geralt! Tell him it was a misunderstanding!" Geralt was pissed, "It was a misunderstanding!? Are you joking!? This misunderstanding caused me to run for my life in pitch darkness... All so you can kill the prince? No, John... I thought you were being a jerk but now I know you''re a monster! If it was me? I would have never tried to kill a friend! Let alone the Crown Prince!... You''re lucky that the Prince saved my life as well as Thomas''. You''re the worst friend ever!" "Geralt..." Johnathan was stunned, "T-Thomas! T-Tell him that-" "Not happening, John... This is on you." Thomas didn''t even look at him. Johnathan was losing it, "I-It''s not what you think! P-please listen to m-" "Then tell me. Tell me everything... Was it you, or someone else who hired those assassins? What was your father planning?" Quinus ordered. "My father is a good man! He has no ill will toward you! And I have nothing to do with the assassins! You have to believe me! It''s a misunderstanding!" Johnathan was trying to tell everyone the only true thing. He didn''t have anything to do with the assassins. "A misunderstanding?" Geralt was losing his patience, "You used your water magic on us to let a monster do the dirty work!... How was that a misunderstanding?" Johnathan looked like he was about to have a panic attack, "N-No! I was talking about the assassins! You have to believe me! You have to understand!... It was... It... was..." He finally concluded that Marcus had played him from the start, like a pawn. He didn''t know why he was trying to protect him, but he knew that if he didn''t, his own life would be at risk. "It was Marcus..." Johnathan whispered. "I didn''t catch that. What did you say?" Quinus asked. Johnathan took a breath and said, "It was Marcus! Marcus Revelia was the one who told me to push you into the portal. I knew that led to a room that had a monster in it! He gave me a map and everything!" Quinus could see this ten-year-old boy was beginning to tear up. ''Haah... I knew it... When will Marcus stop with the bullshit! Someday... I''ll have to kill him...'' Quinus thought as he shook his head. "Was it for money or something?" Quinus asked. Johnathan hesitated, but he couldn''t hide anymore, "H-He was going to make my life a living hell at the academy... I-I didn''t want to do it... I didn''t know how far he would go to torment me... I''m sorry..." "And you didn''t think to come to me with this?" "He said he would become the next heir... and if I didn''t help him, then he would ruin my family and everything I cared about... I''m sorry..." The anger in Quinus''s heart was starting to fade but he didn''t want to show it. ''Haah... How the fuck am I going to solve this?'' "What will be your judgment, Your Highness?" Sir Mathew asked. Quinus took a second to think, "Can I have a sword please?" Sir Mathew nodded to Sir Andrew and he handed his sword over to the prince. Quinus took the sword before walking closer to Johnathan. Once he was three feet away from this scared boy. He stopped and looked back at the knights and then the bodyguards who were conflicted on what they should do. ''What''s the right thing to do...'' Quinus thought before looking down at the boy who was on all fours. Looking like a lost child. "Are you ready for your judgment, Johnathan Bluewood? Son of James Bluewood." Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Y-yes..." Johnathan whimpered out as he lowered his head. Quinus lifted the sword and started swinging it around with a quickness and precision that even a knight would have trouble keeping up with. Johnathan didn''t have time to react as he felt the wind of the blade. *Swing! Swing! Swing!" The sword was inches away from cutting Johnathan. And for a few seconds, Johnathan didn''t know what was going on. He opened his eyes to witness all of his brown curly hair was cut and lying on the ground. Quinus handed the sword back to Sir Andrew. "I have given you your punishment," Quinus said. "H-Huh?" Johnathan looked around and then back up to Quinus. "You can go home now." "H-Home?" Johnathan didn''t know what to believe. "My Lord? Is that such a wise idea?" Sir George asked. "You have your orders, Sir George." "B-but..." Sir George couldn''t finish his sentence as Quinus continued. "I''m letting you go, Johnathan. But let your shaven head remind you. That you were judged by the Crown Prince." Johnathan was still shocked, but he nodded, "I-I understand..." "Good. Then, I want you and your bodyguards to leave my sight immediately." "Y-Yes, Your Highness," Johnathan got up and ran. "But, My Lord! He might have lied about the assassins?" Sir George asked. "He told me the truth, Sir George... Leave them," Quinus said with a sigh. Sir George wanted to deal the death blow to that traitor but he held himself back, "Understood..." Quinus looked back to the remaining knights. "Let''s start a funeral pyre for the fallen. Then, we are heading home." "As you wish, Your Highness," The knights answered with a bow. Thomas and Geralt walked up to the Prince. "That... That was overly kind, Your Highness... Do you think it was wise to let John go free?" Geralt asked. "I was going to kill him, Geralt... But then I realized he was a pawn... A pawn that failed to complete his mission. And now he has to worry about Marcus... He doesn''t need me to pass a sentence on to him." Geralt and Thomas nodded their heads. "Then, what should we do now, Your Highness?" Thomas asked. Quinus looked over to Wina. "Lady Wina... Can you come here please?" Wina was confused. She didn''t know why the prince wanted to talk to her. "Yes, my prince?" Wina said as she walked up to him. "Thomas and Geralt lost their bodyguards, correct?" "That''s correct, my prince." "Then we will need to give them new escorts. Who can we assign to them?" "Well, I believe we can assign Andrew, Richard, Mitchell, and Carter to follow these boys." "Good. They can have two each." "You don''t have to do this for us, Your Highness. We can-" "It''s not just for you two, Geralt. It''s for your parents and me... If anything were to happen to either of you on your journey home. Then, I will have a guilty conscience... And I don''t want my friends to get in trouble with my father or your parents." Geralt and Thomas were stunned by Quinus''s kindness. "Now, let''s help them with the funerals." "Yes, Your Highness," Both the boys said in unison as they ran off. "You''ve grown, my Prince," Wina said. Quinus looked back at her. "I don''t feel like I''ve grown at all. But maybe going through life or death situations has changed me." Wina smiled, "It makes me glad to know you''ll be alright without me." "Don''t say that... You make it sound like you''re leaving me," Quinus pouted. Wina smiled, "Well, unfortunately... I must, my Prince." "Huh?... What do you mean? Where are you going?" "The assassins... They were after me, my Prince. And now I have to go." Quinus felt a little panicked, "What? No, no. You''re coming home with us, and then we will deal with them." "There''s no need, my Prince. I''ve been putting this off for far too long... I never told you this, but I was an assassin at one point." Quinus was speechless at first, "But... You don''t do that anymore. Right?" "I was hired to kill you, but... I fell in love with Mathew and I couldn''t betray you, my prince. And since I betrayed my former client. The Assassin''s Society is coming for me and they won''t stop until they have my head." "W-wait. W-what do you mean?" Wina smiled, "I have to fight my old shackles so I can be free, my Prince. It''s a dangerous journey, but I have to go. Or else you and the others will be in danger." "Then... I''m going with you!" "You can''t, my prince..." "I can''t have you fight an assassin''s organization alone. You''re not the only one who wants to be free." Wina was pleasantly surprised at how much her Prince had grown. "You''ve matured so much... But I can''t allow you to put yourself in harm''s way." "But you will put yourself in harm''s way?! And expect me to stay behind?" "I won''t be alone on this journey, my Prince. My husband will join me. He will be my protection." Quinus was getting upset for reasons he didn''t understand. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. "Why? Why didn''t you tell me before now? Were you afraid?" "I''m still afraid, my Prince... But I don''t want the people I care about to die because I was a coward." ''She''s worried about me... But Mathew will be with her... And he better protect her or else...'' "I know what you''re thinking, my Prince... He''ll protect me... And he''s the best man for the job... But I need you to do me a favor." "Name it." "When I''m on my journey, please watch over Percy for me... I love him, but I worry he''s been listening to Sir George too much. I fear that he''ll scare away his true love with that idiot''s ideas." Quinus couldn''t help but laugh. "Yes. Yes, I''ll watch over Percy and make sure that he doesn''t go down that dark path." Wina smiled and hugged her prince and her breasts pressed firmly into Quinus''s chest. ''Fuck! I missed these things! Goddess be damned! I was born too late! Mathew! You lucky son of a bitch! You better not fail her!'' Quinus yelled inside his head as he enjoyed the warm embrace of his former wet nurse. "Thank you, my prince. You and Mathew are two of the people who have saved me from myself. Please take care of yourselves. I will write to you when I can." "You have my word. Just promise you''ll return safe and sound." "I can''t guarantee that, but I will do everything I can." ''No problem! Let''s just hug some more!'' Quinus wanted to say it out loud, but he somehow held it in. Then they released their hug and stood there. For one minute... Then two more minutes... Then three m- "So, you''re going to be sticking around for a bit longer?" Quinus asked awkwardly. "Huh? OH! My apologies, my Prince. Me and Mathew will depart once we talk to your mother and father first. After we bring you back to the capital," Wina explained. "Oh, thank goodness! I thought you were leaving right now. Ha hah... I feel a little awkward, now," Quinus said out loud as he was scratching the back of his head. "You thought I was going to leave you right now, my Prince? Ha! How adorable," Wina laughed. "I know! I know... Ha hah..." Quinus felt really awkward, but he was a little sad to let go of his second favorite woman. Quinus stepped back from her, "I should go help the others. I will see you later." "As you wish, my Prince." Wina gave a slight bow before walking away. Quinus sighed as he stood there. He was both relieved and disappointed at the same time. "Wait? I forgot to ask her about who hired her in the first place?... Was it my cousin? No, he would have been too youn-" Quinus stopped once it hit him that it was most likely his Uncle who hired Wina. "Uncle... So, I''m gonna have to deal with you as well. I hope it''s sooner rather than later. Haah... Why does everything need to be a pain in my ass." "Talking to yourself again, Your Highness?" A voice called out. Quinus turned and saw Lady Nelumbo standing about ten feet away. "Huh? I thought you were on a mission?" Quinus was happy to see her, but also shocked. "I was, but then I was in the neighborhood and stayed to aid Sir Mathew." "You were around the neighborhood? What type of mission were you-" Quinus stopped himself when he realized it was her who brought Percy to the Labyrinth of Lost Souls. ''Oh yeah! Percy mentioned that when he came in and aided me. Well, it saved my ass for sure... Thank you, Lady Nelumbo.'' Quinus thought to himself before he broke out smiled. "So, are you planning on joining us for the trip back? Or are you heading somewhere else?" Quinus asked. Lady Nelumbo glanced over to the entrance of the Labyrinth and smirked. "I''ll stay behind for a little bit." Quinus shook his head, "Just get our friend once Thomas and Geralt leave. Alright." Lady Nelumbo was impressed, "I''m glad you turned out to be the clever one." Quinus smiled, "Not the smartest one?" "You need some more time before I''ll admit that. Maybe a few more years... Then we''ll see," Lady Nelumbo laughed. "Haha... Alright, well, I''ll help with moving the dead." "Yes, I''ll keep watch... I doubt they''ll be more assassins, but I''d rather be safe than sorry." "Alright. See ya." Quinus said while nodding his head. Quinus ran off and talked with all the knights and the boys as they gathered all the bodies of the dead. They separated the assassins from the guards before burning them. The fire caught the attention of the mayor. They explained everything to him before night came. Mayor Marlon offered his home to the prince and his entourage. So they can stay and sleep for the night, which Quinus agreed to. By the time they made it back to the village, the sun was about to set over the horizon. That was when an eight-year-old boy came sneaking out of the entrance of the Labyrinth. "Finally... The coast is clear. Now I can-WHOA!... Who are you?" The young boy asked as he was caught off guard by an old man with a long white beard. "So you were the one who broke the rules," Rolf said. "Rules? W-What rules?" "Sneaking in weapons? It''s against the rules of the trial and you''re not ten years old... Are you purposely trying to fail the trial?" "Huh?... Oh no! I wasn''t taking the trials!... I was watching over, my Lord. He was the one in the trial." "Oh, is that so? Then why do I smell an ether crystal on you? If you weren''t in the trial... Then why were you carrying an ether crystal?" "Oh, I forgot that I had it," The young boy said. "Really? Who forgets something like an ether crystal?" Rolf asked. "Y-Yeah, I took it from that Johnathan guy... I stole his crystal because I knew he was up to no good... He''s a jerk." "Hmm... Alright, well, if it were any other circumstance. I would''ve failed you... but since you have an ether crystal on you I''ll only punish you some," Rolf said with a stern look. The boy sighed in defeat, "Fine, I will accept the punishment. And I''ll give you the crystal." "Give me the crystal first, and then we''ll talk about yourWHA!" The boy pulled out one of the biggest ether crystals ever and it glowed bright. Not as bright as Quinus''s but bright nonetheless. "W-What was your name my child? I must know." The boy was surprised by the old man''s sudden change in attitude. "Um? My name is Percy, and I''m a son of Lord Mathew and Lady Wina Daz," Percy announced. "I see. Then, Percy... I heard you saved the prince who had the brightest ether crystal I''ve seen in a long time. Is this true?" "Y-Yes, it''s true." Percy agreed, not knowing what this old man was talking about. "Then, I will let it slide this one time!... But don''t tell anyone else I did this or I''ll fail you." "Huh? Wait? You''re not failing me?" "No... Now give me the crystal and receive your reward." Percy looked at the old man skeptically, "A reward? Like treasure?" "Ha hah... Something like that. Now hand it over," Rolf ordered. "Alright," Percy said as he handed him the ether crystal that was the size of a chicken egg. Rolf received the ether crystal and then grabbed Percy''s hands and held them together. "This is a day to remember! Now let me see your reward... Hmm... Hmm? Wow! Well, you''re in for a treat," Rolf said with a big smile. "I don''t understand." "Listen well, young Percy. You will come across a feisty woman whose beauty will rival the moons. She will have eyes as green as the forest, and hair as dark as night. She will give you many children who will be known for their bravery. She will also be the strongest and cunningest woman in all the land. So when the time comes. Make sure you have a strong constitution to handle her," Rolf said. "Um, can you explain in words a child can understand?" "I have spoken! Now... May the path guide you!" "Wait?... That''s it? That was my reward?... That was weird." Rolf wasn''t paying any attention to Percy as he slowly brought the crystal towards his mouth. "You''re not doing what I think you''re doing?" Percy was confused. Rolf didn''t reply. He took a bite of the ether crystal. It was like a sugar cube to him. ''What is wrong with him?'' "Oh ho! This is a day to remember indeed! Haha... Mmmmh," Rolf moaned as he ate the entire ether crystal in one bite. Percy was stunned. He couldn''t believe what he just saw. "You''ll be the luckiest bastard alive. Congratulations," Rolf said with a smile. The crystal was making his cheek bulge out like a chipmunk. He was going to savor it for as long as he can. "Thanks, I guess?..." Percy said as he furrowed his brow and walked away. It took him a couple of minutes before he found Lady Nelumbo. She was waiting for him in the field. "Well done, Percy. Your parents will be very proud," Lady Nelumbo said as she walked over to him. "Did you see that?!" Percy yelled as he pointed towards the old man. "Hmm? You ran into the Keeper?" "Keeper?" "Yes. The Keeper watches over the labyrinth. He runs the trials and is responsible for giving rewards. He''s an odd fellow. I try not to talk to him." "Ah... Got it... Can we head home? I''m starving," Percy said. "Very well. I have a room at the inn. Come with me." "Okay. Thank you." "No problem, kid." They walked towards the village and stayed in their own room for the night. Once the sun rose in the morning, everyone gathered their things and left for home. Ch.169 This is Farewell, For Now Quinus said his goodbyes to Thomas and Geralt before he parted ways with them. It took them three days before they arrived at Tairal. The capital city was buzzing as usual, especially when news of the prince''s success came through the grapevine. The king and queen were relieved and welcomed their son back with open arms. Wina and Mathew asked for a private audience with the King and Queen. They agreed to this and the four of them went into the King''s study. "I am very pleased with the results, Mathew. You did well," Cyndre said. "Your son did all the work, my liege. He''s grown into a fine man," Mathew said. "He is, indeed. However, why after all this time has the Assassin''s Society come after you, Lady Wina." Cyndre asked. Mathew and Wina knew the King was forgiving of his brother, but they didn''t expect him to be this ignorant about who was the main culprit. King Cyndre was trying to use some strange mental gymnastics to try to avoid the truth. While Queen Rianna wasn''t having any of it. "STOP PLAYING A FOOL! YOUR BROTHER WAS ATTEMPTING TO HAVE YOUR SON KILLED!" Rianna yelled at her husband. Cyndre jumped out of his chair, "I am not a fool, Rianna! My brother would never-" "AGAIN! Don''t try and play a fool, Cyndre! You are no fool, but you are a fool for thinking that your brother hasn''t been scheming against us for decades!... All of a sudden the Assassin''s Society has finally come out of the woodwork after all these years. Right after Alaric served his ten-year punishment." "Alaric would never do such a thing, Rianna! He told me he wasn''t going after our son!" Cyndre said. "THEN WHAT ARE YOU CALLING THIS, CYNDRE!... We both know that it''s Alaric who ordered the hit on Wina. He was probably hoping that Quinus was caught in the crossfire. And you seem fine with that." Cyndre stood silent. Mathew felt uncomfortable watching his King and Queen argue. But he sat silently, hoping for it to pass. Wina on the other hand decided to give Cyndre another blow to his fragile mind. "My Liege. If I may..." Cyndre didn''t respond. He didn''t even look at her. "I believe your brother is truthful about not actively going after, the prince" "See, Rianna! I told you-," Cyndre was interrupted. "But your nephew. Hasn''t stopped undermining your son... Prince Quinus didn''t want to tell you, but I will... Marcus used his power to force a ten-year-old child into an assassination attempt." "W-What?!" Cyndre gasped as he was hit with a truth that he was trying to avoid. "Surely, you must be mistaken. Mathew, tell me what truly happened." Mathew knew that Wina was correct about everything. And he didn''t like that he was being put in a hard place between his wife and his king. "She''s not mistaken, my Liege. And after further investigation from the Queen... We have a strong belief that the boy who tried to gift the Crystal Python. He was told by Marcus to give the monster to the Prince." "That can''t be... H-Hold on. You said you ''believe'', instead of ''sure'', correct," Cyndre asked while grasping at straws. "We highly believe it was your nephew who orchestrated the plan to give your son the Crystal Python." "But the boy gave his confession. He said he bought it from a merchant! Bring him from the western wall. Right now!" Mathew grimaced before he answered, "He was found dead after giving us his confession a few days earlier... There was poison found in his stomach." "N-No, no, no... Alaric wouldn''t allow his son to do such a thing." "CYNDRE!... Face it! Your brother is a snake who has been using us for his own gain," Rianna yelled. "There has to be some reason, some explanation. They would never do such a thing," Cyndre said while his mind was racing. Wina chimed in, "I believe Duke Alaric isn''t actively aiming for the Prince. But after working for him, I know he is cunning and has a lot of patience. I wouldn''t put it past him if he''s willing to wait decades before his revenge is served. And he believes that the throne belongs to his son... I wouldn''t bet against him for supporting his son again. He thinks it''s his rightful birthright." "So, he wants the throne, through his son?" "Yes. That''s why we believe Marcus is the one who''s been trying to kill the prince. And at some point, I believe Duke Alaric will become more proactive in helping Marcus..." Rianna then said, "And you refused to listen to your council when they said Marcus was gaining traction with most of the minor nobles. While Alaric is weakening Duval! Your inaction has put your only son in danger. You can''t keep protecting him like this, Cyndre. You know that he''s planning on using the people to take the throne from Quinus if they can''t kill him! We''ve been sitting here playing pretend with you, when you''ve known all along what your brother was up to." Cyndre fell into his chair and rubbed his face, "What do you suggest I do, Rianna?" "You have a choice, Cyndre. Your brother or your son," Rianna declared. "But I can''t just execute my nephew or brother. Not without a reason for the court to accept." "And that''s your failure to our son, Cyndre. Because he''s now been attacked three times we know about. And all those times, the perpetrators were supported by your brother and his son!" "Haah... I''ve made a mess, haven''t I, Rianna?" "And it took you until now to realize this. Yes, you have. I''m not going to stand by any longer and watch our son get murdered because of your incompetence. You have a decision to make, and if you choose your brother-" "I KNOW!... I''m not choosing my brother, Rianna... I''ll admit it, but... I don''t know how to move forward." Wina came up with an idea that she knew the King wouldn''t like, "May I have a word, my King." "Yes, what is it?" "If I may be so bold, I have a suggestion that can help the prince and you." "I have no reason not to hear you out... What is it?" Cyndre said in a defeated voice. "Back when I had a couple of missions that required me to destabilize a kingdom, I would always go for the citizens. I would make their life miserable and make it look like it was the Royal family''s fault. Because it''s the people at the bottom that make the Kingdom, your Majesty." Cyndre looked at Wina with a puzzled look and asked, "So, are you saying to make my citizens'' lives miserable?" "No... What I''m saying is, you should build a relationship with the people... And you should do that, by letting your son do more." "Do more? I don''t understand. Our son is still too young. I want to give him a few more years before he starts learning about the real world. Let him grow up first, then when he''s older, he''ll start taking his responsibility." "No. I''m saying you should let him build the aqueducts, the windmills, and his plan for a kingdom school to help educate the people... His ideas are ingenious. They are nothing I have ever seen before. I do not doubt in my mind that this will undermine the minor lords'' influence. As well as some of the major lords who oppose the crown... Because they see the citizens as nothing more than surfs." Cyndre had a pained look on his face. He tried to discourage his son''s interest in engineering. But Quinus had the heart of a tinkerer. Cyndre couldn''t change his son''s passion. "My King, I''m not telling you this as a Queen, but as a mother who knows her son''s potential and is willing to die for his dream. I know you want him to be a gallant knight who dreams of adventuring. But let our son have this. It will change Fiafyr. I promise you," Rianna said. Cyndre slouched into his chair and let out a long breath, "Alright, I''ll talk to the council and see how much it will cost and then have a meeting with my son to tell him the news... He''ll be happy, and that''s all that matters..." Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Rianna finally smiled at her husband for the first time in a long time. She had hoped this was the push he needed to make a change. "Thank you, my lov-" *Knock! Knock! Knock!* Cyndre sat up in his chair while staring at his wife''s smiling face, "Yes?" Lord Brice opened the door and peeked his head through, "Oh? I didn''t know you were in a meeting." "What is it, Lord Brice," Cyndre asked as he turned his attention to his advisor. "The baby shower for the fifth daughter of House Revelia is going to start in two hours... You asked me to remind you, Your Majesty," Lord Brice said. Queen Rianna frowned, "We are not going to be attending. Send our congratulations and our regards." "My Queen?" Lord Brice questioned. Cyndre cut in, "What she means to say is my son and my wife won''t be a part of the party. But I''ll be attending." "Cyndre?" Rianna asked. "It''s fine, my dear. I know I''ve been a fool all these years... But I need to see how my brother and his son respond to me. When I question them." Rianna relaxed, "Very well. Just don''t disappoint me or your son." "I won''t," Cyndre said. "I''m not sure I''m following what''s been happening, Your Majesty," Lord Brice asked in confusion. "It''s alright, Lord Brice. I''ll brief you later," Cyndre said as he dismissed him. Lord Brice nodded and left. "I''ll go ahead and start writing the proposal for the construction project. My son is going to be the happiest boy alive," Rianna said with excitement. "Indeed... Mathew," The King stood up from his chair and extended his hand out to him. "Yes, my King," Mathew asked as he shook his hand. "I hate to lose one of my best knights... But I know it will be for a noble cause... Lady Wina." "Yes, Your Majesty," Wina answered. "Please, don''t die on Mathew... I fear he''ll destroy half the continent if you''re not around." Wina chuckled, "I don''t believe that. But I promise, Your Majesty." "Good. I''ll pray to the Goddess to give you the strength and courage you need... May the goddess bless you both," The King blessed them before they left the room. Rianna stood up from her chair and hugged Wina. "You can always come back to us if you need help." "Thank you, my Queen. But I''m not going alone and this is something we need to do to free me." "Very well... Then let me know if I can do anything to help. I''ll be looking out for your son." "Thank you, my Queen." "Now, off you go," Rianna said as she shooed them away. Mathew and Wina bowed their heads before they left the room. They walked down the hall to the exit of the palace. "Let''s go and talk to Percy... I''m not sure how he''s going to handle taking the news." Wina sighed, "Yeah... I hope he understands that we can''t stay here." "I''m sure he''ll understand. He''s a smart boy. Just like his mother." Wina smirked, "You''re a charmer, aren''t you?" "Maybe," Mathew chuckled. The two of them walked out of the palace and made their way to the training grounds where Quinus and Percy were practicing with Lady Nelumbo and Sir George. "HA! You''re getting faster, My Lord," Sir George praised him. "Or maybe you''re getting slower? Either way, I''m winning!" Quinus boasted. Percy was panting while holding a short spear after sparring with Lady Nelumbo. He had a wide grin on his face while watching the prince fight his retainer. Lady Nelumbo was shaking her head, "This isn''t a tournament, My Lord. So, stop teasing your opponent." "Aww, come on! I''m just trying to have some fun. I feel like we all deserve some after going through everything." Quinus said with a smile on his face. Sir George laughed, "It''s nice to see you having fun, My Lord. But you do need to take things more seriously. Or?... Do I have to show you how a real man fights." "You can try," Quinus teased. Sir George smirked, "That''s it, My Lord. That''s the spirit." Sir George raised his shield as it started to glow with mana and charged at Quinus. The prince didn''t waste any time channeling his mana into the Sun''s Fury as he swung his legendary longsword towards Sir George and clashed with his shield. This caused the ground around them to shake. Quinus and Sir George kept trading blows with their swords. Both were trying to push their opponent, but neither was gaining ground. "That''s the spirit, My Lord," Sir George praised as he continued his attack. ''Damn! I think the Cyclops'' mana has strengthened me more than I realized.'' Quinus thought as he easily parried all of Sir George''s strikes. "Is that all you got? I thought the Shield Champion was supposed to be better than this," Quinus taunted. "You''ve become a lot stronger, my Lord. It''s been a long time since someone was able to push me this far. HA!" Percy was amazed at how much faster Quinus had become since the last time they trained. "He''s gotten a lot better," Wina said. "Yes, he has," Mathew said. "He''ll be a great ruler if his father will just let him be." "Don''t worry, Wina. His mother will see to that." Quinus was in the middle of performing an unorthodox horizontal swing with his sword, but he stopped when Sir George pounded his shield with his gauntlet causing a shockwave to stun him. Quinus was knocked on his ass and his Sun''s Fury fell out of his hands. "Not bad... But you still have some ways to go, My Lord... Because of that, I win," Sir George declared. Quinus chuckled, "Well, I would be disappointed. If my retainer couldn''t handle a ten-year-old... You seem to be sweating more than usual. Did I really push you that much, after one bout?" Sir George laughed, "My Lord is quite sharp. But you''re still not strong enough to defeat me." "It will be only a matter of time before I put you on your ass, you''ll see..." "Your technique is getting sloppy! Try not to do that in the real battle, Prince Quinus," Lady Nelumbo warned. "Haah... Yes ma''am." Lady Nelumbo nodded her head. She turned around and saw Wina and Mathew, "Lady Wina, Sir Mathew. You two are early. Is everything alright?" "Yes, I just need a moment with my son. That''s all." Sir Mathew answered. Lady Nelumbo understood what was going on and she nodded her head. "I understand. Come on, Prince Quinus. We''re done for today. We''ll resume your training tomorrow," Lady Nelumbo instructed the Prince. "Huh? Um... Okay," Quinus agreed. Quinus went over and picked up his sword and sheathed it. Sir George stowed his shield and followed Quinus. Lady Nelumbo looked at Percy and grabbed his spear before walking away. Percy was the last one to leave the training field and he asked, "Mother, what''s going on?" "Come here," Wina instructed. Percy ran over to his mother and looked up at her. "What is it?" Wina squatted down and hugged him tightly. "Mom?" "Percy, your mother and I are going away for a little while. And we''re not sure how long it will take for us to return," Mathew explained. Percy pulled away from his mother and looked her in the eyes, "Where are you going? Why can''t I go with you?" Wina smiled and brushed his hair out of the way of his eyes, "I never told you but I''m an assassin who betrayed the Society... They won''t rest until they kill me... So, we''re going to hunt them down. That''s why you can''t come with us." "I can fight! I can-" "Percy, it''s dangerous and you''re needed by the Prince''s side... He would have died if you weren''t there to aid him. I trained you to be his shadow and I expect you to protect him, understood?" Percy had a look of disappointment in his eyes. He lowered his head and said, "I understand, Mother." "Hey, hey. What''s with that look?... You''re not going to cry, are you?" "I''m not going to cry... I''m just going to miss you, Mom." "I know, Percy. And I''ll miss you too..." Wina hugged him as he started to cry in her arms. "Don''t worry. If I ever need your aid I will send you a message." "You will?" Percy asked. "Yes. But it will be hard for you to get here. So, I want you to focus on helping the Prince and getting stronger, okay." "Okay," Percy said as he nodded his head. "That''s my boy. Now, give your father a hug," Wina instructed him. "I''m not a b-" "Hug," Wina instructed him. "Yea, Dad," Percy said as he hugged his father. Mathew patted him on the head. He was proud of his son and would miss him dearly. "Percy, I have a gift for you," Mathew said. "You do?" "Yes. And it''s something you''re going to use often. Close your eyes." Percy closed his eyes. Mathew took out a short sword and placed it in his son''s hands. "Open them," Mathew instructed. "Whoa! A sword," Percy said. "It''s a magical short sword, so be careful. I got it for you." "Thank you," Percy said as he hugged his father''s legs. "Alright, go play. We''ll be leaving the palace in two hours," Mathew said as he pointed towards Quinus and Sir George. Percy nodded his head and ran towards the Prince. Wina watched him as he left. "I''m going to miss that boy." "We''ll see him sooner than we''ll think," Mathew reassured her. Wina took a deep breath and stood up. "Well, let''s get ready to go." Mathew nodded his head and the two of them headed to their room to pack. When they were getting ready to leave they were met by the New General Douglas, Queen Rianna, Quinus, Sir George, Lady Nelumbo, Miss Rose, Percy, and a lot of the staff and guards. "Are you sure you don''t need a couple of knights with you, Lady Wina?" Queen Rianna asked. "I''m sure, Your Highness. Sir Mathew and I will be just fine." "If you say so. Well, then. Let us pray." They all kneeled down and joined the Queen in prayer. Afterward, Queen Rianna blessed the two and wished them luck. They all said their goodbyes before leaving. They went north in search of the Assassin''s Society. It''s a journey that was filled with many dangers and surprises. But Wina and Mathew were prepared for anything. Ch.170 Cyndre’s Ultimatum The sun was high in the sky and the birds were chirping throughout the capital city of Tairal. The people were out and about enjoying a spring-like day. Some were heading to the markets while others were heading to the taverns for lunch. People were working in the fields and the knights were patrolling the streets. The Maldura Royal Palace was no exception to the joyous atmosphere. It was buzzing with servants and guests coming and going. The knights were doing their rounds and the guards were at their posts. The King''s carriage looked like a motorcade with knights on horseback up in the front. As well as having an additional two dozen royal guards and a couple of servants coming up the rear. They were traveling towards the Divalo Manor for his sister-in-law''s, Leandra Revelia, baby shower. Even with the beautiful day, King Cyndre''s mood was dark. He was worried about his brother and nephew''s loyalty. The King wasn''t sure if they were involved with the newest attempt on Quinus'' life. He didn''t know if he could trust them and deep down he wanted to, but he was determined to find out one way or another. "Your Majesty? Are you okay? You look stressed," Lord Brice asked. King Cyndre looked at him and sighed, "I have too much on my mind... I''m sorry I didn''t listen to you earlier, Brice. If only I paid attention, then we wouldn''t have gotten ourselves into this mess." "What do you mean, Your Majesty?" "Your warnings about my brother and his son''s behavior. I should''ve paid more attention, but I didn''t. Now, my son has been attacked again." Lord Brice''s eyes widened, "He tried something recently?" "His son did... At the Trials." "How do you wish to proceed, My Liege? Do you want me to summon them and interrogate them? It will cause a scandal, but it will give us answers." "No... Let me handle them... For now." "Yes, Your Majesty," Lord Brice bowed his head. Soon they reached the outskirts of the city. Lord Brice had something on his mind. "So, you had a private audience with Lady Wina and Sir Mathew... If you don''t mind me asking... What was the meeting about, your Majesty?" "They were reporting the attempt on my son''s life, as well as their own lives. It seems that my brother told the Assassin''s Society about her failure to uphold their creed... So, she told us that she needed to go on the offensive with Sir Mathew by her side. That means we are without two of the kingdom''s strongest protectors." "The assassins are hunting her?... How many were sent after her?" "Around twenty-five... Most were lower-ranked assassins. Lady Wina believes they''ll send higher-ranked assassins the second time around. And if she''s able to defeat the next wave, they''ll just send more and more. Until they successfully kill her... It''s a fate that I don''t wish for anyone." "Do they know that it was the Duke that sent them?" "It''s highly likely... But we don''t have physical proof. And neither does Wina... If I had that evidence, then I would have him executed." "You''re the King. You don''t need proof to execute him. He is a traitor to the throne. Even if it wasn''t him who attacked the prince," Lord Brice advised. "I gave him a soft punishment for his earlier crimes... I can''t retroactively change that unless we want most of the nobility to turn against me." "I see... You''re too kind, Your Majesty." King Cyndre chuckled, "Am I?" "I think you are, Your Majesty." King Cyndre shook his head. ''No... I made things worse for my son and the kingdom... I''ve made many mistakes...'' "I''m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn''t mean to upset you." "You didn''t... I''m just lost in thought. That''s all." *** It wasn''t too long before they arrived at the manor. The servants were greeting and helping all the nobles who were just arriving in the foyer before the King. Once the King''s carriage stopped his servants opened the door and helped the King out. Lord Brice followed him inside the manor and greeted the guests while the Royal Knights weren''t too far behind. They were both wearing expensive clothing, but King Cyndre''s were the most extravagant. He had a black suit with gold and red highlights. It had a long jacket and a pair of dark gray pants. The two of them made their way towards the party where everyone was enjoying themselves. Alaric was laughing and drinking wine with Viscount William Lysander and Baron Alistair Dravenhart. There was food and wine everywhere and there was music being played in the background. "It''s a wonderful party... How did he get enough money to pay for this," Lord Brice asked. "That''s a good question... But I doubt we''ll get a straight answer... Let''s wish Leandra and her daughter the best... Then I need to have a chat with my brother and nephew. Make sure you''re within earshot," King Cyndre instructed. Brice nodded his head. They continued to the top of the stairs and waited for The Lord Stewart to introduce the King. "Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen. Please welcome the guest of this wonderful event, His Royal Majesty, King Cyndre Meredydd!" The Lord Stewart shouted. Everyone looked to the King and bowed or curtsied. Cyndre walked down the long staircase greeting a few people here and there as he walked towards the Duchess and her baby girl. When he reached them he gave her a bow. "Congratulations, Duchess. I hope all is well for you and your child," Cyndre said. "Thank you, Your Majesty. And thank you for attending the party." "Of course, of course. I would never miss an opportunity to celebrate with the family." "I see you have made it, but I don''t see your wife or son-" "The Queen had something that came up. And my son is traveling, but they send their regards." Cyndre lied with a straight face. "I see... Well, I hope they feel better soon," the Duchess said. "Thank you, Duchess." "Please, help yourself to the wine and food," the Duchess offered. "I''m sure you do not want me to drink, Duchess. It might be bad for the baby," Cyndre joked. "Oh, you''re quite funny, Your Majesty." Leandra humored the King. Cyndre chuckled, "Enjoy the rest of the day, Duchess. And again, congratulations." "Thank you, Your Majesty," the Duchess bowed. Cyndre turned his attention to his brother and nephew. One was drinking wine with his friends while the other looked bored standing in the corner with young nobles trying to talk to him. ''I guess I''ll approach my nephew first... I''m sure my brother will come over once he realizes I''m talking to Marcus.'' Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. The King approached the young Viscount and greeted him with a smile. Marcus was caught off guard when his uncle showed up. He put his wine glass down and greeted him with a bow. The younger nobles scurried off leaving the King and Viscount alone. "Greetings, Uncle." "Marcus... I haven''t seen you of late... I hope you haven''t been too busy," the King said. "Not at all, Uncle... I''ve just been taking care of family business." "Hmmm. Well, I guess you dodged the arrow with having another sister in the family." "Arrow?" The nineteen-year-old asked. ''You can''t play dumb with me, Marcus.'' Cyndre thought as his gaze narrowed and the friendly persona disappeared. "Yes... I know how jealous you would be. Because they would have been the next in line if anything bad were to happen to me or my son. I guess your sister is lucky as well." Marcus wasn''t used to this line of questioning from his uncle and it threw him off. "Uh, right." *** Alaric couldn''t pay attention to the conversation with William Lysander or Alistair Dravenhart. He noticed that his brother was talking to his son first. After all these years, his brother would never go out of his way to talk to his son alone. It made him nervous. "Alaric, what''s wrong?" William Lysander asked. "Huh? Nothing, I''m sorry... But I need to go to my son. I''ll be right back," Alaric said. William and Alistar looked where Alaric was looking and they saw the King and Marcus. They looked at each other and realized the King was questioning him about something. "Is there something we need to know," Alistar whispered. "It''s probably nothing... Don''t worry," William said. "I can''t risk it," Alaric said as he finished his wine. The Duke made his way towards the King and his son. He could tell that his son was uncomfortable with the King''s questions. Once Alaric was within earshot he tried to listen at first, but he couldn''t make out what they were saying. So he summoned a smile before coming in closer. "Ah! Alaric... This is the first time I can remember that you came to me. Instead of me coming to you. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Cyndre said with an eerie smile written over his face. "Brother... I notice you talking to my son... And you know how uncomfortable he gets around you. So, I thought I would come over and save him," Alaric explained while still holding his smile. "Why would my favorite nephew feel uncomfortable? We were just catching up. Right, Marcus?" "Yes, Uncle," Marcus agreed with an unsure tone. "There you have it. Nothing out of the ordinary. Isn''t that right, Brother?" Alaric asked with a glint in his eye. "I''m not sure what you''re referring to?..." Alaric has never seen his brother act like this before. It was unusual. He''s always been the one to be the aggressor and now his brother was the aggressor. He could tell that his brother wanted to know more about something, but he didn''t want to press the issue in front of his son. "I heard Quinus left for the trials about a week back... I haven''t heard any updates of late... But he seems like a boy who could pass it with minimal issues," Alaric was trying to change the subject. "Yeah... I''m sure... He''ll pass the trials unscathed," Marcus added as he smirked. It looked like he was imagining the Prince failing the trials and dying to the monster. "Oh ho!... Well, I have good news, Brother." "Oh?"Alaric questioned. Marcus snapped back to reality and his face was filled with confusion for a brief moment. "Yes. Quinus has passed the trials and has made it home. My son is incredible, is he not, brother?" "Uh, yes. That''s amazing," Alaric said with a bit of annoyance. Marcus clenched his jaw and his hands balled up into a fist. He wasn''t pleased to hear that the prince had survived the trials. "It is, isn''t it? But it wasn''t all smooth sailing. Turns out that there was a monster that the adventurers missed. I probably should get some of my money back, but that''s another problem for a different day." Cyndre said with a smug look. "So he had to run away like a coward," Marcus hissed. Alaric''s eyes went wide while Cyndre turned to glare at his nephew. Marcus'' eyes went wide and realized he said that out loud. "So, nephew... You know what my son faced." "I-I-I... Umm. A monster?" "Haha... Of course, it was a monster. I just said that. But do you know what type of monster, nephew?" "A... Um... A giant wolf?" Marcus tried to lie. "That would be too easy. It turned out there was a full-grown adult cyclops." Cyndre said as his golden eyes started to glow with anger. "Then it would make sense that he would run away," Alaric tried to cut in. Cyndre smirked and shook his head, "No, brother... He slayed it with no weapons... It''s like the fates are smiling down upon him like a true Malduran king..." Marcus became angry while Alaric was starting to understand what was going on. His son had another plan to kill Quinus. And it failed... miserably. He was starting to worry about his family''s safety. But he thought he could calm Cyndre down like he always did. "A Cyclops?... He must be stronger now after slaying such a beast." "Indeed, he is, brother... It''s wonderful to know that no matter how many times someone tries to plot against my son... They will never succeed." Alaric couldn''t help but feel afraid at that moment. His normal stoic face was gone as he was sweating bullets. Marcus was starting to feel dread for the first time when he saw his uncle''s eyes which were filled with malice and hate. And his face was full of contempt. Alaric wanted to try to smooth things over, but he didn''t know if he could. "Brother... Are you suggesting something? Because if you are, I think you''re mistaken," Alaric said. "Am I, Alaric? Am I mistaken?" Cyndre said as his golden eyes glowed with fury. He moved his face close enough to Alaric that he could feel his breath. "Y-yes, brother... You''re..." Alaric couldn''t finish his sentence. "So, you didn''t lie to me? Because I remember you saying you would no longer plot against the throne... Do I have to worry about the people in this room plotting against me or my son? Do I have to worry about you killing anyone loyal to the throne?" Alaric took the hint that Wina was attacked by the Assassin''s Society. But he didn''t know whether she was alive or not. "I think you''re getting the wrong idea, brother." "No, Alaric... I believe I''m right! And I believe I might have been too soft on you... Ten years ago... When I gave you a chance to redeem yourself." Alaric calmed himself while having a stare-down with his brother. "So... Are you planning on sending the kingdom into chaos?" "Oh! Believe me... I would love to rectify my mistakes, but I think it would be way more fun to make you watch the kingdom become stronger than it ever has been, with my son''s rule and influence. Just to show you that it is our birthright, Alaric!" Marcus and Alaric were at a loss for words. Alaric was trying to process everything that was going on. And Marcus was thinking about how he was going to get out of his father''s fury. He didn''t want to explain to him how he failed to kill Quinus. "S-So you''re saying that you don''t have proof?" "Oh... I have all the proof that I need. Nevertheless, why should I stop your son''s plotting when everything he does benefits, Quinus... However, I will execute your son if Lord Bluewood''s boy somehow dies mysteriously," Cyndre warned them. Marcus''s blood ran cold, and his face was pale. "I-I''m sure there is a reason why Marcus would do such a thing," Alaric tried to defend his son. "You mean like his hatred for my son?" "..." Cyndre''s stare was starting to make Alaric break. "Let this be my final warning to the both of you... If you defy me or my son one more time, then I hope you can handle the consequences... Is that clear?" "Yes, Your Majesty," Alaric answered. "Y-Yes, Uncle." Cyndre glared at Marcus. "I-I mean, your Majesty." The stare-downs had been going on for so long that Leandra had to intervene. "Is everything alright, Your Majesty?" Cyndre stepped back and his searing glare changed to a gentle gaze. "Everything is fine, Duchess. I was just telling my brother how lucky he is to have a woman like you in his life. That is all." "Oh... Thank you, Your Majesty. I''m lucky to have him." Alaric and Marcus stood there in a daze. They weren''t able to comprehend what was happening. "Well, would you like some dessert?" Leandra asked. "Oh?... I wouldn''t want to be a bother... Would you like some, Brother? Nephew?" Marcus snapped out of his daze and shook his head. "No... Thank you," Marcus said. "I''m fine," Alaric muttered as he still had a look that was lost in thought. Everyone around them didn''t know what to make of this situation. They didn''t want to get involved, but the nobles were whispering about the whole situation. *** Lord Brice had watched the whole thing. He had never seen his King that angry before. And once he noticed everyone was looking at the three. He knew he needed to act. He looked around before quickly thinking up an idea of how to get his King out of there. Without raising any more suspicion. So he walked over to King Cyndre and he started whispering in his ear. "My liege, act like I''m telling you something important right now," Lord Brice whispered. Cyndre''s face turned serious, "I see." "Yes, Your Majesty. Now nod your head... And do it again..." Cyndre was following along with Brice''s instructions and it seemed to have worked. "That''s unfortunate... Well, my duties call. My apologies, Duchess. It seems I''ll have to grab some of your lovely desserts another time." "I''m sorry to hear that, Your Majesty." "Thank you, Duchess. And congratulations again. And please do enjoy the rest of your day." "Thank you, Your Majesty." Cyndre nodded his head to all the guests who were bowing and curtsying. He left the party and headed back to his carriage. Lord Brice followed him into the carriage before they took off to the royal palace. Ch.171 I Believe We Should Hire the Mercs Alaric was shell-shocked and his son didn''t know what to do after seeing his father in such a state. They knew they had to do something, but what could they do? ''My idiot of a son was careless again!... I told him time, after time to be patient, and let your enemy develop a false sense of security. But he couldn''t control himself and put our family in danger. We need to come up with a plan... No... I''m the one who needs to come up with the strategy.'' William and Alistar came walking up to Alaric who was standing there not responding to anyone around him. They have seen this look before. It was the same look he had ten years ago when his assassin betrayed him. When she sided with the crown. "Alaric, are you alright?" William asked with a bit of unease in his voice. He didn''t respond. Marcus took that as his queue to get out of there. He didn''t want to be near his father when he was like this. And when he was about to leave he heard his father''s voice. "Where do you think you''re going?" Alacir said in a deep voice laced with a hint of venom. Marcus''s face turned white. "Umm... I-I was going to take a walk..." "Come with me," Alaric ordered as he turned on his heels and started walking towards the direction of his study. Marcus gulped, "Yes, father." William chimed in, "Do you wish for us to join you?" "No... You and Alistair can keep enjoying yourselves. I''ll speak with you later once I have an idea of what to do." "As you wish," William said as he stopped walking beside the duke. Alaric walked away with his son towards his study. He was furious with his son, but he didn''t want everyone at the party to see him belittling his son out in the open. It didn''t take long before they arrived at the door to Alaric''s study. *** Belial was in the study cleaning things up since his master was at the party. He also got a few reports from his spies that he sent to watch what was going on, in the Northeast. There was a report that the Kingdom of Marn had been at war with the Wood Elves. That no one knew about. He was hoping to find out how that battle ended. Just as he finished straightening up the desk, he saw a raven flying through the window. "Well, what are the odds of you showing up now?" The raven landed on the chair that was in front of the desk and cawed. "Hmmm. Let''s see what message you have for me." He walked over to the raven and grabbed the small scroll that was tied to its leg. He unfurled it and read the letter. Dear B, I have found that the Wood Elves have been conquered by the Kingdom of Marn. Their people have been enslaved. For what reason, I have no answer yet. But they hired an infamous mercenary group called the Black Roses. It seems they are on the run from King Arnaud Dupont. Due to a fear of the Black Roses claiming the throne. The Mercenaries have been moving closer to the Kingdom''s borders. I''ll give you more details when I find them. -C. ''I see... They might be usef'' *Click!* Belial saw the door to Alaric''s Study open. Alaric was walking in while dragging his son behind him. Belial immediately hid himself. "F-Father." "What am I going to do with you?" "I-It was foolproof, father. I promise." "Shut it! Just shut up... How could you be so reckless?! You exposed us to the King... The KING!!" "I know, father... But" "But what?!" Marcus couldn''t answer that question. He couldn''t think of an answer. "I-I..." "Nothing! Absolutely nothing!" "I-I''m sorry, father..." "Shut up! I need to think..." Alaric paced back and forth for a few minutes while his son stood there scared and confused. "What am I going to do now, father? What about our families? Will we have to run?" "Cyndre doesn''t want a revolt at the moment but that could change... We need a plan that won''t make the kingdom go to war, but the plan should help us get rid of that cursed prince." "I''ve got an idea, father." "Another idea? No! I''m the one with the ideas... You''re the one that has undercooked plans that blow up in your face," Alaric hissed. Marcus gritted his teeth. He was furious with his father and more importantly, his cousin. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Belial was watching this and decided to make his presence known. "Pardon me, my lord." Alaric turned quickly to the voice. While Marcus''s face was filled with shock. "Belial? How dare you eavesdrop on me and my son. What are you doing here?!" "Forgive me, my lord. I didn''t mean to. I was simply finishing up some work and was cleaning this chamber." "Then why didn''t you leave?" "Well... One of my men set a messenger raven and it just came into the study right before my lord came into the room. I was planning on coming by the party to give it to you." Belial held out his hand that had the small piece of parchment. "Is that so?" Alaric said as he was eyeing his butler. "Yes, my lord." "And?" "I think it can help with our situation." "Tell me," Alaric demanded with impatience in his voice. Belial walked closer before speaking. "There is a group of mercenaries that are in need of a job. If I''m correct, we can use them." "How do you know about these mercenaries? And what do they have to do with this?" Alaric asked impatiently. "This group is the Black Roses, my Lord..." Alaric became interested immediately as the annoyance on his face turned into intrigue. "The Black Roses?... I thought they were fighting a war north of the Kingdom of Marn. What in the three hells are they doing down here?" Alaric asked out loud as he was pondering. "They were hired by King Arnaud Dupont to fight in a war with the Wood Elves... But it seems they have outlived their usefulness and he fears they will overthrow him." "Tsk! That sounds like Arnaud." "My lord?" "Continue..." "Well, the other reports I''ve been receiving have stated that a higher amount of goblins are coming out of the Labyrinth called The Tomb of the Horde... It''s by the city of Ironside... And at some point, the Dungeon Core will need to be dealt with..." Alaric started realizing what they could do. "Yes... Yes! That''s it!... You''ve done well, Belial. This is perfect. But we will have to make sure we can negotiate with Rudolf Rose... If we can''t get them, then this will all be for nothing." Marcus was feeling left out of the discussion and wanted to know what his father''s scheme was. "Father, what''s the plan?" Alaric looked at his son, who looked uncomfortable. "It''s going to be complex, but the main goal is to discredit the Royal Family and make them look incompetent in the eyes of all the nobles. We will accomplish this by finding the Dungeon Core and we will send you to destroy it." "Me? But I don''t know how" "Quiet!... We will hire the Black Roses to be your custodians and you will use them to clear the way. And if there''s a chance to kill Quinus then do so... But it''s more important that you beat him to the final floor. So you can destroy the Dungeon Core and bring shame onto the Royal Family." "So... You''re going to let me use the Eldrathil Dungeonseeker to find the Dungeon Core?" "Yes... But there''s a catch. If you fail me, I''ll personally execute you. Do you understand me?" "Y-Yes, father," Marcus quickly nodded his head. "Hm!" Alaric snorted at his son. Then the Duke walked over to his desk and grabbed a piece of paper. "Belial, do you have any idea on the time frame of the monster stampede?" "My sources say that it will happen within a decade. Give or take a few years." "Hmm. That''s enough time." "Enough time for what, father?" "We will start spreading rumors to the nobles about the royal family''s failure to protect the kingdom from foreign migrants and demi-humans. We also need to turn the citizens against them. But none of these rumors can be spread by anyone close to our faction." "Oh! I know one of Quinus''s weaknesses! He cares for the people. He thinks he can help them. That idiot could have used them to his advantage. But no! He''s weak! And-" "Marcus..." "Huh? Oh! Sorry, father." "Anyway... We can''t have the rumors spread by anyone from the inner circle... I''ll need some time to think on this... Belial, tell me when the Black Roses are close enough to the kingdom. We will make contact with them to negotiate the terms of service. Also, I want you to have your people keep an eye out on the city that is closest to the labyrinth." "I believe it''s the village of Kishin. I''ll send a message as soon as possible, my Lord." "Good. Marcus, I''ll speak with you later. And remember what I told you." "Yes, father." "Oh, and Marcus?" "Yes, father?" "You are not allowed to see or talk to Quinus alone until this plan is set into motion. And do not speak of this to anyone." "Y-Yes, father..." Marcus then stormed out the door and slammed it shut. Alaric was left thinking about his next moves and Belial was thinking about how the Black Roses will have no other choice but to accept this job. *** And so the years went by as Quinus was busy working on a few infrastructure projects to help the commoners. He started building an aqueduct system that was made by using a type of cement that he made from mixing ash, limestone, and volcanic rock. He started digging deep underground and had the mages create a mana well to produce water and the workers built a pipeline that led to the castle and the city''s center. The city was now getting more clean water for everyone to use. He also had some people gather up all the horse manure, compost it, and sell it to the farmers. There were a few minor nobles who were getting furious that the prince was spending money on the citizens, instead of them. Prime Minister Duval was able to secure an arranged marriage for Crown Prince Quinus in hopes of getting a peace agreement with the Alliance of the Divine Three. Duke Alaric was able to negotiate with the Black Roses, but they wanted something more than money for their services. Rudolf wanted to become a Baron of a territory. So, Alaric agreed they could have Ironside if the monster stampede was dealt with and Marcus became the next heir of Fiafyr. Rudolf wasn''t trusting of Alaric but he let Marcus have 30 of his better men to be his bodyguards. Quinus didn''t like the idea of an arranged marriage but he knew it was his duty to help his kingdom and he didn''t have a choice. Percy took Sir George''s courtship advice as he laid eyes on Bell. Percy thought she was the one from the Keeper''s prophecy and he needed help to get her attention. Quinus warned him but he thought Sir George''s advice was in his best interest and he thought the prince had it easy since he already had a fiance. So, he used all the methods Sir George taught him. And it only made things go from bad to worse. Bell ended up telling him that she wasn''t into boys and then she warned all the other young ladies to stay away from him because he was acting like a creep. It broke him that he failed to get the love of his life and never thought he would find true love ever again. It took almost a decade before the monster stampede was supposed to occur. It was just a matter of time as the minor nobles demanded that the Royal Family do something about it. King Cyndre wanted to go but the nobles wanted the crown prince to lead the army into the Labyrinth to see if he was worthy of being the next in line. The smear campaign against Quinus was working and the king was losing the favor of most of the minor nobles. But the smear campaign wasn''t working on the citizens. Through all his years of working and building things, Quinus was winning over the people with every new innovation he''s been building for them. Which resulted in improving their lives to such a degree, that the common folk started looking up to him and saw him as the next king. So, after a decade had passed, reports about a monster stampede occurring at the tomb were becoming a concern that not even the Adventurer''s Guild was able to handle the influx of monsters. The nobles wanted the prince to fix the problem. So, the crown prince, his cousin Marcus, 20 Royal Knights, and 30 of the Black Roses'' soldiers were sent to Ironside before heading to Kishin. The day has come for the Crown Prince to go on his first dungeon dive. Quinus knew it was going to be difficult and he reluctantly accepted his cousin''s help because of their family artifact that can find the Dungeon Core. He knew his Uncle and Cousin were plotting something, but he needed to save the people and that''s what was important. Quinus, Sir George, Percy, and his 20 Royal Knights rode through the village of Kishin before arriving at the outskirts. They were all in full plate armor and were prepared to fight off anything that was coming out of the forest. He was confident in his men and himself. He trained them all hard to make sure they were prepared for anything. So their journey to save Ironside and the surrounding villages and towns has just begun. Volume 0: Afterword Holly Molly! So, I got three of these things done! It still amazes me that we got through three volumes of my novel. Granted, it was a prequel book. Which I appreciate your patience with me. It came down to a point where I needed to flesh out the main obstacles for Rya and Quinus in the next volume. And I wanted to lay out the groundwork by letting in those who care about some silly plot in a smut novel. And who cares about the plot? Ha ha ha... ah... Well, I do. Joking aside, I like to thank all my Patreon patrons who donated and supported me. It helped me get better at editing my work to try to minimize the grammatical errors that were rampant throughout most of my first two volumes. Which I''m slowly trying to fix. But that''s a bit of a project in itself. (That''s what I get for not running my stuff through a voice generator to hear my mistakes. Crying on the inside.) If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. So, what is the plan for Volume 3? Well, it''s going to focus on Quinus''s arranged marriage, politics, a beastkin who loves making love to her mate, Rya learning how to create artifacts, a fallen elven prince whose fantasies are getting out of control, and pregnancy. There''s more, but where''s the fun in telling you everything? Anyway, if you guys and gals, who enjoy Cultured Works, wish to support me in my crazy endeavors. Please visit my Patreon to get access to my earlier chapters or my newly made Ko-Fi account which is more of a tip jar at the moment. Every little bit helps me to hire an editor in the future. I appreciate everyone who''s joined me on this journey! You are all the best! The BLAH BLAH BHAL Chapter The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Ch.172 The God’s Tear 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
It''s been over a month since Rya first visited the Mages Guild in Ironside. And a lot of things have been happening as she improves her magic and sends her golems to search for all the materials to create the Seer Stone.
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The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. elements," that didn''t include time magic Ch.173 A Nice Morning Chat Rya got dressed in an elegant pink dress with a black ribbon tied around her midsection that hugged her curves perfectly. She wore her favorite enchanted pink high heels that added five inches to her height. Her hair was tied up into a bun, with her bangs hanging down to cover her right eye. When it came down to it, Rya loved wearing dresses now. She tried to wear pants on occasion but she felt confined and constricted every time she put them on. Compared to elegant flowing dresses that had open backs and feminine designs, they made Rya feel free and she loved how Quin couldn''t take his eyes off her. Especially if she wore a low-cut dress that showed off her cleavage. It was like she was teasing him, and Rya was enjoying every minute of it. ''Hehehe! God, I can''t believe how much I love wearing dresses! I must have looked like such a tomboy after I transformed into a female when I first came to Tertius. Dresses feel so liberating! I never want to go back!'' thought Rya as she looked at herself in the mirror. She noticed Quin staring at her, and she knew he liked what she was wearing. "Are you going to stare at me all day, boy?... Can''t a girl get dressed in peace on this planet?" Rya teased Quinus with a sly smile. Quinus smirked at her in reply. "Of course, I''ll return the favor later on," he replied with a sly grin. Rya giggled, "Not during the day, Quin... I really like this dress and the last time you surprised me with a mid-day tryst. You ripped it into pieces and it took me forever to get dressed again." "Alright, alright, Rya!" Quin grinned, "You win... I won''t surprise you today." Rya smiled back as she slowly moved in and gave him a peck on the cheek before saying, "But don''t think that you''ll get away with anything later on." Quinus chuckled, "I''m sure I will, my Princess." Rya laughed, "No you won''t. And stop calling me princess! It sounds weird to me." Quinus broke into a full toothy smile as he wrapped his arms around Rya and held her close. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "You''re my princess and I love you, Rya... Plus you will need to get used to being called prince sooner or later." Rya blushed and smiled at him as she kissed him on the lips. ''God! He''s so hot when he smiles like that,'' thought Rya as their kiss began to deepen. Quinus''s hands started creeping down towards her big juicy ass. His fingers traced the smooth skin of her hips. Rya moaned softly as she reached her hand behind his head and pulled him closer. Their tongues danced in each other''s mouths for a few moments before breaking apart. "You make it difficult to get to work sometimes," said Rya teasingly. Quinus laughed, "And you do nothing but make things harder for me too, Rya." Rya giggled, "Well, at least I''m not alone... Anyway, I better get going and you better get dressed before Zellin starts worrying about you ditching him." Quinus chuckled at her joke as he stood up and hugged Rya tight. "He''s a worry wart. You are my priority. But I guess you''re right." Rya melted into his embrace, "It''s not like I''m going to disappear, Quin..." She sighed as she let go of him. "I''ll see you at lunchtime," she said with a warm smile. "Oh? Well, make sure you tell the maids to bring you breakfast. It''s essential," he teased. Rya winked, "You know me too well, Quin..." She turned and walked over to the door of the hallway. Quinus watched her as she made her way out of the room and then he shook his head. "And I want to eat your pussy again and I know you''re hungry for it too." Rya blushed and giggled at his naughty comment. She had never been talked to like that before in her life. "Quin? You do know that the servants are waiting outside our door?" Quinus smiled, "They can wait." Rya blushed even more and shyly opened the door. The servant girls looked at her curiously as they waited for her to speak as well as a few butler assistants were waiting to come in to help clean and dress the prince. The maids were saddened to see Rya had dressed herself again. ''Geez... You can''t fool me with those sad puppy dog eyes ladies! If you weren''t so handsy I would let you dress me. My body is only for Quin and Quin alone!'' Rya playfully smiled at the maids and opened the door wide. "Good morning! The Prince is ready for you all!" The maids and butlers bustled about the room cleaning and dressing Quinus. As soon as the last one left through the door, Rya waved bye to Quinus and quickly closed it shut. ''What a wonderful morning,'' she thought to herself before turning around to see two familiar faces standing in the hallway. "Well you two look energetic this fine morning," Rya stated cheerfully. Sir George was standing there with blushed cheeks and an annoyed look on his face while Nieren was trying not to make eye contact with Rya. "M-Morning, Lady Rya... It seems like you and the Prince like to be as loud as Percy and Lady Dalia... I would like to have one morning where I don''t have to hear the siren songs of a woman''s ecstasy," Sir George complained. "Are you complaining about hearing women''s moans again, sir?" Rya asked. "No... I think we should do something about it." Rya smirked, "Sir George you need to stop being jealous about me and Dalia having fun with our men and find a special someone that will allow you to fuck their brains out instead of being a creep and eavesdropping." "Umm... We weren''t eavesdropping, Lady Rya. You and Dalia''s voices seem to pierce through all forms of matter and walls. I haven''t had a normal night of sleep in weeks," Nieren said as her cheeks started to blush. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "Really? I didn''t know we were keeping you up all night. I''m sorry Nieren. I''ll try to keep my voice down from now on. I tend to get carried away sometimes when I am only with Quinus and forget that I''m not alone in this place," Rya apologized. "No! No! You need to do what you need to do so you can give the Prince an heir. And it''s not like I''m not sleeping," Nieren said with an embarrassed look on her face. "Wait! You apologize to Lady Nieren but not me!?" Complained Sir George. "I can understand why you''re upset, Sir George. But I offered to create a sound barrier artifact and you said no... So stop getting annoyed with me and Dalia!" Rya snapped. "Well, that''s" Sir George stopped himself and sighed in defeat, "I appreciate the offer about creating the artifact, Lady Rya... But if I use a sound barrier and something were to happen to you or the Prince. And if I wasn''t there to save you two then I would be a disgrace of a retainer and a knight of the kingdom. I wouldn''t deserve to live after failing you." Rya''s anger towards Sir George melted away into sympathy. ''Yeah, that makes sense that he would want to know if someone was trying to attack us in our sleep,'' thought Rya. "You know Sir George you can be a sweet man, sometimes," Rya sighed before she broke into a warm smile. "Don''t you start thinking that way too, Lady Rya! I''m a man of principles and procedures. I can''t have the other knights seeing me as weak and indecisive. Especially since I have a lot of influence in the ways of courting women. If they see me questioning my methods then it would undermine the authority of my position here," Sir George explained. Rya and Nieren looked at the knight with confusion. "What is he talking about?" Nieren asked. "He thinks he knows how to make women fall in love with him and used to have Percy as his student. And has felt left behind after I helped him hook up with Dalia... Plus, I wasn''t saying you were a sweet man, because of your pathetic ''Love Sage Skills'' Sir George. I was staying that because I find you reliable as a friend... You know how to ruin a moment," Rya replied in annoyance. "Huh? I-I sorry I jumped to conclusions, Lady Rya," Sir George said. Rya just shook her head and started walking down the hallway towards Dalia''s and Percy''s room. "You got to work on those insecurities of yours, Sir George. Let''s go Nieren," Rya ordered. Nieren just nodded and followed Rya. Nieren was wearing her new retainer outfit she received from Sir George and the Royal Knights, which is a short black dress with a gold belt around the waist. She wore black leather boots with a three-inch heel and her blonde hair was done up in a bun with red ribbons. She also had her bow and a quiver of arrows on her back. "So you said you haven''t had a good night''s sleep since becoming my retainer and lady-in-waiting? You should have told me sooner, Nieren. I could have tried to tone it down," Rya told her. Nieren smiled and shook her head. "Well, with my elven ears, it''s almost impossible for me not to hear you or Dalia. But I prefer to hear you and the Prince''s moans over the dog''s nonstop assault on Percy. Plus, I think she''s a little more bloated than usual," Nieren teased. Rya chuckled and shook her head. "Yeah, I think Dalia is pregnant for sure... I guess she''ll have to be downgraded to my lady-in-waiting until she delivers her kids," Rya chuckled. Nieren had a grimace on her face, "By the Gods and Spirits... I was hoping to only deal with one Wolfkin but she''s creating more... Gah! I don''t want to be smothered in slobber." Rya laughed and slapped Nieren on the shoulder. "Don''t worry, Nieren. Hopefully, they will have Percy''s personality, and not as much of Dalia''s," Rya reassured. Nieren shook her head, "I hope you are right, Rya. Usually, Beastkins give birth to five to ten kids in one go. I have no idea what I am going to do when Dalia has a litter of four or five." "Huh? They can give birth to that many?... And here I am worrying if I will be able to give Quin his children... Oh well, we''ll cross that bridge when we get there," Rya said with a sigh. ''I mean, I''m a little worried about the whole giving birth thing. But if my Dark Elven ovaries only drop an egg every decade then it''s going to be tough to get pregnant in the first place. So, it''s not like I''m going to pop out a kid here anytime soon.'' Nieren smiled and patted Rya''s hand, "It''s an Elves life, my Lady. Plus we were too young to worry about having children. I''m sure you will be fine." Rya looked at Nieren, "Yeah, but I worry that the royal court will be on our case for not producing an heir. Plus I''m sure that me being a Dark Elf is going to be a big hurdle as well." "I know what you mean, my Lady. I thought you were evil when I first saw you. I remember thinking ''Were you going to destroy Ironside'' But I realize that you are far from evil. In fact, you are my only friend that''s an elf. Even though you weren''t born one. But I can''t help but be excited having someone so close to my age," Nieren said with a joyful smile. "Hehe! I wish I could remember the dread on your face when you first met me... Sigh... Why does a pint of dwarven ale put me on my ass? I''ve turned into such a lightweight," Rya said as she stood up and stretched. Nieren chuckled, "I should thank the Dwarves for making it so you can''t remember my pathetic actions on that night... You were really adorable when Prince Quinus carried you back to your room..." ''Oh? There she goes with the dreamy look again... Huh? Didn''t she say she prefers to hear me and Quin''s moans over Dalia''s and Percy''s? I wonder?'' Rya contemplated as she walked around another corner heading to the guest rooms wing of the palace. Nieren followed after her. "Hey, Nieren? You said you haven''t had a good night''s sleep in a while right? Is it that you are having trouble dreaming? Or is it something else?" Rya questioned. Nieren nodded, "Well usually my dreams start off fine. Like last night''s dream involved me, you, Dalia, Percy, and the Prince. We all accepted a quest from the Adventurer''s Guild for a monster extermination request for a village, right... When we get there the town is abandoned and we split up into two groups and it''s just me, you, and Prince Quinus. So at some point, we traveled to the basement of the manor of the town and we ran into a strange Alraune. We fought valiantly to try and defeat the monster but you and Quinus got caught in its roots and I only had one chance to stop the creature from disrobing you both and I shot it in between its eyes. Saving you both..." Nieren said trailing off. Rya stared at her, "Nieren? I didn''t hear that last part. What happened? Did you wake up?" Nieren shook her head, "N-No... You and Quinus came over to me with that same excited look on your face and hugged me tight... Saying that I was the best retainer you two have ever had... And then you moved behind me and held my arms back and whispered that I was going to get a reward. Then Quinus kneeled down and reached his hands up and under my skirt..... I-I......" Nieren tailed off again as the tips of her ears started to turn red as well as her cheeks while having a dreamy look on her face. ''Did-Did she have a naughty dream about us? That''s kind of cute... Well, time to tease her.'' Rya thought to herself as she turned in front of Nieren breaking her out of her daze and noticed Rya''s azure eyes staring at her. "So... You had a dream about having a threesome with me and Quin?" Rya asked in a teasing tone. Nieren blushed even deeper, "Y-You! I-I would never dream of such a thing! I''m an elegant lady and I''m too young to be interested in relationships with anyone! Maybe you used some insidious magic to put those weird dreams into my subconscious!" Rya laughed, "No, I didn''t do anything. I just saw you looking at me like that and couldn''t resist teasing you." Nieren sighed and leaned back away from Rya, "It''s not fair... You tricked me into saying those things! I should punish you for what you did to my mind!" Rya laughed, "Oh, come on Nieren. I''m not holding this against you... But you did say Quinus without his title of prince..." Nieren looked at Rya with wide eyes, "N-No! I didn''t mean to! I don''t want to ruin my reputation as a lady! I promise to stop these dreams, my Lady!" Rya just smiled and reached her arm over Nieren''s shoulders. "Hey! It''s just a dream and it''s a little bit my fault for being loud enough for you to hear me. You''re one of my best friends and an awesome retainer. So don''t worry about it. Okay?" Nieren chuckled and felt relieved as she leaned into Rya. "T-Thanks Rya... That means a lot to me..." "But I''ll have to warn you though... If you try to take Quinus away from me... There''s going to be hell to pay." Nieren''s eyes widened in fear, "I would never! On my honor as a Royal Wood Elf!" Rya laughed, "Good. Then I won''t have to do anything bad to you. Now! Let''s go get Dalia and head to... the..." Rya''s and Nieren''s elven ears were twitching at the same time as they heard familiar moans coming from the room where Dalia and Percy were sleeping. Their faces both became annoyed as they walked towards the door where two dwarven maids were waiting with uncomfortable looks written on their faces. "Ugh... I need to start wearing earplugs..." Rya groaned as she walked to the closed door with Nieren beside her. "Yeah... They sure love going at it forever... Maybe you should stop healing her after every single love session..." Rya nodded her head, "You might be right... Hey, there Miss Ruby. How long have they been going at it this time?" Ruby sighed, "They just started about two hours ago, Saintess. We cleared up all the other rooms but this one. We can move on until we can get in there... but I''m pretty sure they aren''t going to stop anytime soon." Rya sighed and gave Nieren a look, "Do you think Dalia is going to be stubborn again?" "Probably... You might need to create 8R again to stop them..." Rya shook her head, "Well, let''s hope it doesn''t come to that." Then with a determined look written on Rya''s face. She turned to the door and knocked on it politely... The moaning stopped. Ch.174 Getting Rudely Interrupted 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Percy and Dalia are having their early morning fun. When they get interrupted by a knocking on their door. Dalia wants to have one last round of lovemaking with her man before going with Rya. But Rya isn''t having any of it.
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In the early part of the morning, just as the sun was coming over the horizon. A certain 18-year-old royal retainer was sleeping peacefully on his disheveled bed. He was covered with a layer of sweat from his normal boyfriend duties. He had a peaceful smile on his face as he dreamed about what happened in the early parts of last night. And while he lay there a mischievous Wolfkin poked her head up from the side of the bed staring at Percy who was stirring in his sleep. A smile broke on her face as she wagged her tail and began to purr softly. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ''My wolf is defenseless... Hehehe! It''s time for your wake-up call.'' And with that, Dalia got ready to jump on top of her mate. Her paws spread out on either side of Percy and was about to ride him. But before she could make contact with him, Percy reached up and grabbed both of her hands with the speed of a viper while rolling her over onto the feather mattress with a quick motion. So he could be on top of her. "Eeck! No fair! I wanted to be on top!" Complained Dalia as she was pinned down to the bed by Percy''s body. "I know... But if you keep trying to jump me in the morning I''m going to defend myself and tease you even more." With that said Percy kissed his girlfriend lovingly on the lips. Then, he looked at her with a grin on his face, "Now, let''s get some breakfast." He was about to pull away when Dalia grabbed a hold of Percy''s right hand and brought it up to her chest. She could feel her heart pounding with excitement as Percy looked over her body and smiled. "You know you''re too good to me, right?" Dalia blushed and nodded shyly to Percy. "Mmmhmm." "I don''t deserve you." Dalia let out a soft giggle and moved her hand back up to place it on Percy''s cheek. "But I deserve you." She said with a joyful smile. With that said, Percy pulled his hand back to give Dalia a kiss. As he did this Dalia felt the soft touch of his other hand on her thigh. She shivered in delight as she lay there with her eyes closed. Ch.175 Preparations in the Laboratory ''It sucks that they can''t read the old tome like I can. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ''And no one knows how to read old demonic tongue. That''s probably the real reason why there aren''t more of these things.'' Rya thought to herself. "What was that?" asked Dalia as she tilted her head in confusion. "N-Nothing!" Nieren responded hastily. Ch.176 The Seer Stone They each took a couple of candles and placed them along the edges of the salt circle. "Now, we need to stand around the pentagram and hold each other''s hands. Then add our mana to the candles," Rya explained. They all got into position as Rya stood in front of the point of the pentagram that was facing true north. "A-Are you sure this is going to work? I can leave if-" Nieren was interrupted by Dalia. "I thought you were an adventurer? Don''t worry, we''ll be fine. I''ve seen a lot of weird things in my lifetime," Dalia reassured. "I''m older than you!" Nieren said. "What does that have to-" "ENOUGH! You two need to focus your mana into your hands and I''ll take care of the rest, okay?" Rya said as she was able to get the bickering girls'' attention. "Okay..." Nieren reluctantly agreed. "Sorry, Alpha..." Dalia apologized. "Good... Now focus your mana into your hands... I won''t let anything happen to you guys. I promise," Rya said. Dalia and Nieren closed their eyes Once they all finished focusing their mana into their hands Rya started to chant the incantation. Then the mana flowed towards the God''s Tear and made it pulse to life before the mana lit the five candles on the edge of the pentagram with black flames. When the candles lit up, the pentagram started to glow a faint purple. After a few seconds, the gold and silver coins began to melt and flow into the pentagram. "What the heck is going on?!" Dalia screamed out. "It looks like the gold and silver are flowing into the pentagram! This is creepy!" Nieren exclaimed. "Shhhh! It''s almost done. The black flames are going to get bigger," Rya replied. After the last coin flowed into the pentagram, the lines of the rune turned bright red as the God''s Tear started to light up with rainbow colors while the pentagram started to shrink down and move closer to the egg-shaped crystal in the center of the table. After a few more seconds the God''s Tear began to morph into something they couldn''t make out as the pentagram glowed brighter and brighter until its blinding light forced the three women to close their eyes. The candles melted down into nothing and everything in the room went pitch black as the magical torches went out. "H-Hey, what happened? Are we cursed?" Nieren asked in a panicked state. ''Nieren! Your fear of curses is getting annoying... Haah... Whatever this thing is close to finishing.'' Rya thought as she controlled the mana flow inside the salt circle. "No, not yet. Just stay calm. We''re almost there," Rya said calmly. She then opened her eyes to the pitch black and looked at her friends. "Now, we have to close our eyes again, and when I tell you to, open your eyes." Dalia and Nieren both nodded. "Let''s try to keep our breathing steady and silent. If we do that, we should be able to calm ourselves down before we open our eyes," Rya whispered. Both of them closed their eyes and waited for Rya to start chanting again. ''I feel it! This is amazing!'' Rya thought to herself. At some point, the God''s Tear morphed into a demonic monocle with an intricate gold and silver frame. The crystal that turned into the glass looked pitch black and had a purple glow inside of it as the room became visible again once the magical torches were able to relight with its mana no longer getting interfered with. "That wasn''t so hard now was it? It''s safe to open your eyes, ladies," Rya said to her friends. They all took a deep breath in unison. When they exhaled, Dalia and Nieren slowly opened their eyes to see the monocle glowing with a purple hue. "Is that the Seer Stone? It looks like a demon''s eye!" Nieren exclaimed. "How do you know what a demon''s eye looks like?" Dalia asked curiously. "Well, that''s what my father told me that a demon''s eye looks like... well, that... Demons are evil creatures that can look into your being and know your weaknesses!" Nieren explained. "Didn''t your father tell your mother that Dark Elves were evil? I''m going to wait to pass judgment on them until I meet a demon in person," Rya corrected. "Well? I-I guess that''s fair," Nieren reluctantly said with a conflicted expression. Rya released Nieren''s and Dalia''s hands and reached for the monocle. She grabbed the artifact with her left hand and brought it closer to her glowing azure eyes so she could examine it better. "This is definitely the Seer Stone. So this thing should let us see everyone''s mana vein," Rya said in a satisfied tone. "Ooh! Ooh! Test it on me, Alpha! I''m feeling lucky!" Dalia said eagerly. "Sure thing. Let''s see how well this works," Rya replied. Rya held the monocle up to her right eye and focused her gaze on Dalia. Everything looked dark when looking through it but in the middle of Dalia was a strange light that looked like a glowing artery that was pulsing with mana. It was almost like looking through a thermal scope and seeing someone''s heat signature, but instead of seeing a full figure. Rya was only able to see this long vein or artery-looking thing was all she could see through the monocle. It went from the top of the heart and all along Dalia''s spine. ''Holy shit! It works! Okay! Okay... Let''s see... Her vein has a bluish tint to it... Which means...'' Rya then flipped a few pages in the demonic tome until she got to the part explaining which color mana vein correlates with what rank they are. "So? Is everything good?" Dalia asked nervously. "Wow! You have a blue mana vein. And it means your vein is ranked as Elite," Rya said calmly. "HA! I knew I was special! Take that Warkith!" Dalia yelled happily. "Who''s Warkith? I''m assuming that was someone you knew back in your tribe?" Rya asked. "Oh! He was the jerk Alpha of my tribe... He always said that females aren''t supposed to be strong and should submit to him during mating season! And he was constantly belittling me and my mother!" Dalia growled angrily. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "That sucks, Dalia... You know what? We will go monster hunting at some point and get you stronger so when we run into that jerk you can put him in his place," Rya said with a smile. "You would do that for me?" Dalia asked with excitement in her voice. "Of course! After everything you''ve gone through, you deserve it!" Rya said with a smile. "Alpha''s the best! Thank you! I promise I''ll repay you in full!" Dalia said cheerfully. "Good! Now, it''s Nieren''s turn," Rya said as she looked at Nieren with the Seer Stone in her hand. Nieren was now a little nervous. She didn''t expect Dalia to have an Elite ranked mana vein and didn''t want to be left behind when it came to absorbing mana from hunting monsters. "Huh... Nieren. Can you do a spin for me? There''s something up with your mana vein," Rya said firmly. Nieren nodded as she started to slowly spin around while keeping her eyes locked on the monocle. "Hmm... Your vein is a dark green... which means you''re a Grand-Master ranked vein but there''s these weird gray smaller veins that are protruding out from your main vein?" Rya said as she looked through the monocle. "What does that mean?" Nieren asked with a confused expression. "Well, it says in the tome that smaller veins that come out from the main vein are the elemental veins. They are what allow a mage to be a mage. Sooo, it looks like you should have been a mage but they aren''t flowing with mana? I wonder why that is?" Rya asked out loud curiously. "Hold on... You''re saying that I should be a mage," Nieren asked with a frown on her face. "Yeah, that''s exactly what I''m saying... Let me get another look at you, Nieren," Rya said as she held the monocle in front of her right eye again. ''... There has to be something that prevents her mana from flowing freely,'' Rya thought. After a few more seconds of examining Nieren. Rya finally noticed something and moved in closer to Nieren''s chest with the monocle. "Ugh... Ughh... Is something wrong with me," Nieren asked with a bit of concern in her voice. "Ahh... I think I found the issue..." Rya said as she focused her gaze on Nieren''s heart. "What is it?" Nieren asked with a bit of worry in her voice. "You remember that I can see damage done to anyone''s body and can heal it? Well, I''m seeing a similar thing going on with your mana vein," Rya said as she kept staring at Nieren''s heart. "Huh? You couldn''t see it before? How come you could see this now?" Nieren asked with a slight hint of confusion in her voice. "I can only see the damage on your mana vein through the Seer Stone. When I''m not looking through it you look perfectly fine... Plus the glow of the mana vein was making it tough to see the red particles... I-I think I can fix it. Do you want me to try?" Rya asked gently. "Yes! Please!" Nieren replied with a hopeful tone. Rya smiled kindly and then put the monocle up to her right eye while bringing her left hand up and touching Nieren''s chest with her palm. ''Okay! You got this Rya... It''s like healing anyone else''s wound... Just focus on fixing it!'' Rya thought while closing her eyes tightly and concentrating on the parts of Nieren''s mana vein that had the damage. She took deep calming breaths as she tried to concentrate. Suddenly, Rya felt a warmth in her hands as she started healing Nieren''s mana vein. Nieren''s cheeks started to blush red as she looked down. "S-Stop it! That tickles!" Nieren said as she pulled away from Rya. "Um... Are you alright?" Rya asked with a confused expression. "Y-Yes! I mean... Yes! I am!" Nieren said with a nervous smile. Rya had been focusing so much on healing the mana vein that she didn''t realize her fingers slid in between the buttons of Nieren''s short black dress and touched her bare chest. "Hahaha... Sorry about that." Rya said with embarrassment. Nieren blushed a bright red as she looked away from Rya. "D-Did you heal me yet? Did you get all the damaged parts healed?" Nieren asked as she peeked back at Rya. "I almost did until you stopped me... Try and bear with it a little longer. It''ll be alright. I promise," Rya said as she gave Nieren a reassuring smile. Nieren nodded and stepped closer to Rya while reassuring herself that everything would be fine as long as she didn''t move. Rya kept trying to focus on healing the damaged mana vein and placed her left hand on Nieren''s chest again. Her eyes were shut tightly as she focused hard on those red particles. Her breathing was slow and steady as she felt the heat from her hands increase because of her mana flowing through her fingertips and into Nieren. She kept her focus as she tried to repair all of Nieren''s damaged mana vein. Nieren flinched again when Rya''s fingers slid inside the front of her dress and touched her bare skin once more. "A-Ah..." Nieren gasped quietly as her body tensed up. "I-I almost have it..." Rya whispered as she kept her eyes shut tight. ''Something is trying to stop me from healing Nieren? It''s like a parasite or something... Whatever this thing is doesn''t stand a chance against me though,'' Rya thought as she kept her eyes closed. Rya added more mana to her fingertips as she continued to focus. When Rya opened her eyes, she saw her hands were now glowing gold. ''Now whatever the fuck you are, prepare to get out of Nieren''s body!'' Rya thought as her hand started to glow brighter. "Mmmm... Mmph... Mmmph... Mmf... Mmmph..." Nieren moaned softly as her vision started to blur. Then all of a sudden Rya felt something crack against her mana. That caused her to open her eyes and look through the monocle to see a few small runes that, glowed with an eerie red, were on Nieren''s mana vein in a few spots and started to light up before they shattered and disappeared from existence. ''What was that? Did someone place some spell on her? Like a debuff, or a curse?'' Rya thought as she blinked a few times trying to make sense of what just happened. Nieren was panting heavily and her eyes were still unfocused. Rya quickly sat up and placed her hands on Nieren''s forehead. Then she channels her mana into Nieren trying to heal her. "Y-You''re done..." Nieren said with a weak voice. Rya nodded while she stood next to her and looked down at Nieren''s chest as she was wondering what was going on with her mana vein. "How do you feel?" "I think I''m alright... Y-Yes, my head is spinning a bit but other than that, I don''t feel any different." Nieren said as she sat in a chair and leaned her elbow on the table next to her in order to steady herself. Rya felt relieved that Nieren was okay. "Alright then, let''s see if those smaller veins are flowing with mana, shall we?" Rya then looked at Nieren through the monocle again and witnessed those smaller veins lighting up and glowing with two different colors. "Hmm... looks like you can use two different elements Nieren," Rya said as she smiled brightly. "What!? Woody is a mage now? I would like to be a mage," Dalia said with a pout as she crossed her arms. "Oh please, we all know you like using your claws as your main weapon," Nieren said with a soft chuckle. "Sheesh! Don''t start with that! I would cast magic if I could," Dalia growled. "Calm down Dalia... Now Nieren, your element veins are the colors of dark green and pale yellow... Which means you are fluent in vegetation magic and light magic," Rya said as she looked through the monocle and saw Nieren''s element veins, which intertwined with beautiful deep greens and soft yellow colors that went throughout her body. "I can use Green Word!? So all this time I had my mother''s ability to talk to plants! But something was preventing me?!" Nieren exclaimed. Rya chuckled and shook her head. "Well... Nothing is stopping you now... And in a book I read at the Mages Guild said that light magic is a common thing with the High Elves. That''s cool that you can cast that now too... But I''m wondering why there were those strange runes on your main mana vein. Do you have any idea when you got those things cast on you?" "I don''t know..." Nieren answered. Rya then looked at Nieren. "Hmm? Well, it''s fixed now so no big deal," she said as she pondered a bit more about who might have cast those debuffs on Nieren behind her back. But no matter how much she thought about it. She wasn''t going to get an answer anytime soon. So, Rya just put it off to the side for now. "Hey, Alpha... Can I look through the circle thingy?" Dalia asked as she pointed towards the monocle. "Why not? Just don''t drop it, please," Rya replied as she permitted Dalia to use the monocle. "Hehe! This is going to be neet!" Dalia said as she took the monocle from Rya and looked through it. Dalia looked at Rya first and was stunned by the dazzling array of different types of element veins that came from Rya''s much larger golden mana vein. "Wooow! Alpha your mana looks so flashy!" Dalia said with awe. Rya had a small smile and nodded. "Yeah, I can only imagine. I can use so many different elements that I must look like a tree or something similar." "Daaamn! Your main vein is glowing with a golden light! I guess that means you are a summoned! You have so much mana too!" Dalia said as she continued to look through the monocle. "Yeah killing a couple of basilisks and the cave troll helped a lot," Rya said with a weak smile. Dalia looked back at Rya. "You never told me that you took down one of those overgrown lizards. I hate those things! I''m surprised that you are still alive." "I barely made it out alive myself, but their eyes were covered so that helped," Rya sighed. Dalia thought about that for a moment. "Yeah can''t turn you to stone if they can''t see ya''," Dalia muttered under her breath. Rya just nodded in agreement. "Well, that''s awesome you took them down, Alpha. I like to hear more about it after I take a look at Woody''s mana vein," Dalia said with excitement. "Yeah, you just want to gloat about you having an Elite ranked vein and tease me for having a Grand-Master ranked vein, don''t you Dog..." Nieren teased Dalia as she knew that the wolfkin was going to make fun of her. Dalia giggled and nodded, "It''s my duty as your friend, Woody. Now let''s see what yours... Looks... Like...? Um? Alpha... Didn''t you say, Woody''s vein thing was green?" Dalia asked with a hint of confusion. "Yeah? Why what''s wrong," Rya responded to Dalia. Nieren became curious, "What do you mean, Dalia? What did you see?" Dalia looked up at Rya and Nieren, "It''s blue... I think." Ch.177 Nieren? You are Experiencing Mana Lust 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Rya and Dalia are stunned when they see Nieren''s mana vein turn not only into an Elite-ranked vein but a Demi-god vein. And while Nieren gloats in Dalia''s face she can''t help but feel horny. All the mana from slaying the monsters and people over the decades has been released making her vein grow bigger. Whatever curse that was lifted on the wood elf was causing her to experience mana lust for the first time in her life. Can she fight these urges?
Preview:
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Ch. 178: Nierens Wild Fantasy🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Nieren''s attempt to control her mana lust fails and her fantasy starts to get lewd. How is it that an innocent wood elf such as Nieren falls into the clutches of debauchery? She blames Rya and her Prince for having such dreams.
Preview: Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
His lips were soft and warm against hers. Nieren began to feel herself relaxing while Quinus took charge. He took his tongue and slid it between her lips. Nieren gasped as the foreign invader started battling with her tongue. This was a strange kiss to her, but it was quickly growing on her. ''Aunh!? Why do humans love to use their tongues when kissing their lover?!'' Nieren thought as she tried to push back Quinus''s tongue. She was completely lost in the moment. She didn''t know what was happening to her. Ch.179 I Don’t Remember the Sweets Tasting this Divine! ld out a plate of roasted meat. h... " If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. he ''Rya thought to herself as she moaned *** Rya and Dalia nodded before sitting down. "She is indeed strong, I''ll give you that. . Dalia responded. wit o a before she could tell Lady Ch.180 A letter from the Prince Meanwhile in the capital city of Tairal. A messenger made their way towards the Maldura Royal Palace. It was noon by the time she arrived. The messengers were sent by Baron Zellin Coldforge on behalf of the Prince a couple of weeks after the Battle of the Roses. They were ordered to try and avoid anyone who was allied with Duke Alaric Revelia. This message was meant for King Cyndre Meredydd only. This messenger was a female dwarf named Jana. She was a veteran of the dwarven army. She was loyal to the prince and worshipped the saintess. She wasn''t going to let anyone get in her way and had strict orders to avoid contact with anyone other than the king himself. If she was discovered with the message, then she would have to fight them off. But luckily she never encountered any of Alaric''s men. After walking through the calm streets of Tairal, Jana finally made it to the palace. "What brings you to the palace, Dwarf?" Jana was questioned by the Royal Guards. It always annoyed her when the humans outside of Ironside called her by her race. She didn''t like the cold stares they gave her. "I''ve come here on behalf of the Baron of Ironside," Jana responded in a gruff voice. "Well, you can give the message to me and we''ll send it to the king. Or you can go back to Ironside," the guard said as he blocked her path. "No, I want to hand deliver my message directly to the king!" Jana told him. "Not without getting approval from the captain of the royal guards first," the guard replied. "You''re going to need to let me pass," Jana told the guard. "And why should I do that?" The guard asked as he stared down at her. She sighed and pulled out Prince Quinus''s royal ring. "Because this is the royal ring of the Prince of Fiafyr. You don''t want to anger the future King, now do you?" The Guards looked at each other not knowing what to do. At the time Lord Brice and a few of his men were coming back from lunch and noticed the dwarf standing at the gate. They stopped in their tracks as they saw the royal ring. "That''s the Meredydd ring!" Mr. Mitchell yelled. A look of realization washed over both the guards when the royal councilmen pointed out the ring. "She must have news about the monster stampede. We can''t let her go in there alone. Let us go with her," Lord Brice said as he walked right past the guards and approached Jana. "What''s your name, dwarf?" "Jana." "I''m Lord Brice. I''m the King''s head of council. Do you bring good news?" "Yes! I was sent here to deliver a message from the Baron of Ironside," Jana said as she handed the ring to him. Lord Brice looked at the ring for a second before nodding. "It''s the prince''s... Come. We need to bring her to the king immediately." The guards looked reluctant to step aside at first, but once Jana made eye contact with them they quickly moved aside. "Let us go," Lord Brice told the guards. *** Once inside the palace, they headed straight to the audience chamber where the king and queen were waiting along with the royal council. King Cyndre looked like he hadn''t had a good night''s sleep in over a month. Rianna wasn''t that much better as she was worried about her son. They''ve been waiting for over a month to get any news from the West. He stood up when he saw Jana come through the door which caught the attention of everyone else in the room. "Is she from Ironside? What does she have to say?" Jana took a deep breath as this was her first time seeing the King this close. She summoned her nerves before stepping forward. "I was sent here by Baron Ironside to deliver a message from Prince Quinus himself," she said while pulling out a letter sealed with the prince''s own seal. Brice also showed Quinus'' ring to the King and Queen. "If it''s a message from the prince, then we should hear it," the king said. "Here you go, my liege." Cyndre opened the letter and began to read it to himself. Mother, Father, I am writing to you now to inform you of the events that have taken place recently. I know that it took me longer than usual to contact you, but there were extenuating circumstances. I am safe and well, although I fear that I may not be able to return home until my fiancee has finished learning all the necessary skills so that she can defend herself. Cyndre''s face went from joy to shock in the blink of an eye. ''He''s engaged!? H-How am I going to explain this to Duval...'' Cyndre thought to himself as he tried to comprehend the fact that his son was now betrothed to a different woman. "Is something wrong, my liege?" Lord Brice asked once he saw the look on his king''s face. "L-Let me finish the letter," Cyndre responded. We fought against an army of goblins and we lost nearly every knight that joined me on this journey. The only ones who survived were Sir George and Percy. We were betrayed by my cousin and were ambushed by hobgoblins. But to our fortune, a talented and beautiful Earth Mage, Healer, came to our aid. She fell into the Tomb of the Horde and she helped us thwart my cousin and found the dungeon core while battling a Cave Troll. This woman is the one who captured my heart. Cyndre''s mood changed a little, ''He''s in love with an Earth Mage, Healer? Maybe this can lessen the blow to the arranged marriage. And he said she''s beautiful?'' Cyndre recalled all the women that ever caught his son''s eye and they all had a similar look to Wina. Quinus''s old maid and wet nurse, who was a secret assassin. She was his guardian before she had to leave the kingdom with her husband. The King looked at his wife. Even though she was almost forty. She was just as beautiful and full of life as the day he met her. She was a beauty in her own right, even when compared to her sisters. She was tall, voluptuous, and had fair skin with dark brown hair that she kept braided most of the time. And her bosoms didn''t get smaller after giving birth to his son. In fact, they seemed to have grown larger over the years. Cyndre''s cheeks became red and hot as his mind wandered into inappropriate territory. ''Well, I can''t deny that a woman with a large chest would catch Quinus'' eye. After all, he''s my son and I am influenced by the same trait... Plus, he''ll be twenty, and he''ll need a strong wife to rule beside him... I just don''t know if the princess from the Divine Three will cut it... They are the prudish types. Blaming women for their misfortune and such,'' the King thought to himself. "My husband," Rianna spoke, "is there something wrong?" "Hmm, oh! I got distracted by your beauty," the King said with a smile. Rianna glared at him, "I still haven''t forgiven you for your brother and his son''s misdeeds. You know what''s at stake. We have to do whatever we can to ensure Quinus'' survival." Cyndre''s expression dropped as he heard his wife''s words. He knew she was right and that he had no choice but to comply after letting Alaric off with such a weak punishment for attempting to assassinate their son. ''S-She will never sleep in the same room with me again unless I find a way to convince her otherwise...'' Cyndre sighed. He turned his attention back to the letter and continued reading. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. As of right now, we are staying at the palace in Ironside. We have the full support of Baron Zellin Coldforge. After we arrived at Ironside a mercenary group called the Black Roses tried to take over Ironside. It was a hard-fought battle and we saved the day once we rescued my fiancee from their clutches. "What?!" the King yelled out. "Is he okay!? That''s all that matters," Rianna said while holding her chest wondering what was wrong. "H-He says they are staying in the palace at Ironside," Cyndre said. Rianna sighed in relief, "Our son is alive and in a safe place." "Yes, but it seems he was busy fighting for his life the whole time," Cyndre said as his eyes began reading more of the letter. She was a key factor in saving Ironside, and in turn, I was able to stop the Black Roses from using her as a slave. But even with all this good news. There is the unfortunate bad news as well. I''m sure you can guess that my cousin is dead. I ordered his death after he was captured for treason against the throne. We should assume that Uncle is aware of what has happened and might try something. Whatever good feelings the King had left, disappeared in an instant. He knew that one day his nephew Marcus was going to get himself killed. He wished he could have postponed it for as long as possible. Until they could have gained the control and support of the majority of minor nobles who backed Alaric and Marcus'' ambitions. "He''s dead..." Cyndre''s voice was filled with concern. "Who''s dead, your Majesty?" Lord Brice asked. "Marcus... I tried to warn them, but it seems like it wasn''t enough..." Cyndre''s body shook. Rianna wasn''t upset at all, "How did he die?" "Quinus executed him for treason..." Cyndre responded in a soft voice. Rianna had mixed emotions. She was glad to be rid of such a thorn in her son''s side, but she also knew that this was a dangerous move that he made. "That means we have lost the support of the Revelia house. This isn''t good," Lord Brice said. "We never had their support, Lord Brice... But now we need to be more prepared for Alaric''s inevitable revenge," Rianna stated. "I hoped there would have been a better time to deal with them. But I fear there was never a proper time to do anything about their scheming," Cyndre added. Lord Brice looked around and saw the looks on the other council members'' faces. "Your Majesty, should we prepare the kingdom for a siege?" "No..." Cyndre said after a few minutes. "No!? Cyndre! Alaric will try to ambush our son!" Rianna said angrily. "I don''t think he will, my love," Cyndre said while looking in her eyes. "What makes you so sure?" "Our son has a healer on his side..." "You mean the Saintess!" Jana interrupted. Everyone looked at Jana. "I lost my arm in the battle of the Roses and the Saintess healed me. It was a miracle!" "Are you serious? A healer hasn''t been seen in over a hundred years. Are you sure that you weren''t seeing things? That can happen sometimes when a person goes through a traumatic experience," Lord Brice asked. "Don''t you dare question me. You have no idea what it''s like to think your life is over, then a moment later it''s restored. She healed all the survivors of the attack on Ironside. We are now loyal followers of the Saintess," Jana proclaimed. The King and Queen looked at each other. "If Alaric wishes to assemble an army to attack our son. Then their lives will be forfeit. As he would have to send a lot of his men into Ironside. And he would have to make the trip himself just to, maybe, have a chance to kill our son and the healer. He''s not going to throw his life away that easily," Cyndre said. Rianna looked convinced, "I suppose you''re right. But I want to send a few dozen knights to Ironside anyway." Cyndre smiled, "If that is what you wish." "Thank you." Cyndre continued to read. I know I''m probably making a mess of everything. And that father has probably lost his patience with me for this last part. ''Huh? How could I ever be angry with him? I''m a little upset, but that''s because I''m worried about his safety...'' My fiancee, Rya, is a dark elf. I know it will be a shock to you both, but she is the woman who has won my heart. Please do not think less of her because of her race. I know you''ll love her just as much as I do. Sincerely, Quinus Meredydd. King Cyndre''s right eye started to twitch and his hands slowly opened to let the letter fall to the ground. "Cyndre? What''s wrong? What did it say?" The king looked at his wife, "Q-Quinus is engaged..." "Yes, to the healer." "Who is a Dark Elf." Rianna''s jaw dropped. "That can''t be right. A dark elf!?" "Yes," Cyndre responded, his eyes looking vacant. "That means there will be a Dark Elven Princess in line to be Queen of Fiafyr! If the word gets out how will the Alliance of the Divine Three take this? We will be at war," Lord Brice cried out. "I fear the nobles will use this to sow dissent in our kingdom. I fear that Marquess Duval will do something brash," said the King. "She must have put a spell on him or" "Don''t speak ill of the Saintess! If anything it is the Crown Prince who''s put a spell on her!" Jana argued and interrupted the Queen. "How do I know you haven''t been put under her spell?" The Queen questioned the dwarf. "Pff! I''m not interested in women. Give me a proper dwarven man whose beard is fully grown and I''ll be happy. You have nothing to fear, My Lady." The Queen rolled her eyes, "That''s not reassuring, you know." "Listen, I know a woman in love when I see it. Saintess Rya is under the prince''s spell, not the other way around. And I don''t know why you human males are so attracted to tall curvy women like the Queen. If you ask me, the Prince is a normal young man who''s just following his heart," Jana stated. The Queen looked like she was going to yell at the dwarf again. But she was able to hold herself back, "What do you mean by curvy? My figure is considered an ideal figure for a noblewoman!" "Yeah, and Saintess Rya has the same body as you, my Lady... On second thought I think the Saintess is bigger in the bosom area... Anyway, I''m glad I''m not as big as human females. Those things would get in the way," Jana said with a laugh. Queen Rianna was hit with the realization that her son has always been attracted to women like herself. ''M-My son''s love for women with large chests... Will be the end of him... Oh, sweet Goddess!'' the Queen''s mind was a mess. "My dear, are you okay?" King Cyndre asked. Rianna walks up to her husband and whispers in his ear. "Am I... Fat?" Cyndre was surprised by the question, "What? No! You''re a beauty. My beautiful rose." Rianna blushed, "Then why does our son''s taste in women seem to be based on the same preference as yours?" "Is that a bad thing? I find it a good thing. Because our son''s future Queen will be a gorgeous woman. Just like his mother." "Flattery won''t help us with this problem," Rianna whispered. "Haah... I know... I don''t know what to do. This is a delicate situation. Not only has he proposed to a Dark Elf, but he has an arranged marriage to Princess Hilda. And even if this Dark Elf turns out to be a Saintess. We are still in a tight spot. This could cause a civil war. If Alaric and Duval are not already planning one. And she''s an elf... It''s going to be harder for her to produce an heir." "Like how I struggled to produce an heir..." Queen Rianna sounded sad after recalling all the miscarriages she''s had over the years. Quinus was her only child who survived birth. "Rianna..." "I will accept her. If she gains my approval, the people will have no choice but to accept her. Or they will face my wrath. And she better hope that she has the ability to carry a child to term or else," the Queen stated. Cyndre smirked, "So, you are becoming your mother." "I wouldn''t be if our son would have made a better choice." "Well... We need to get him home first. Then, we can assess the situation further... I''ll break the news to the Prime Minister... Duval''s going to lose his mind over this one..." Cyndre muttered. "What about Alaric?" "We''ll cross that bridge when we get there... Right now, we need to focus on bringing Quinus and his group back home." "And this Saintess girl... If she is a Healer and a mage, then we must be extra careful in our approach to her. I can''t imagine a Dark Elf who isn''t plotting... But I''ll give her a chance to prove her worth as a Royal... As for Princess Hilda..." Cyndre looked over to his royal council. "When was the Alliance Princess coming?" "Within the month," Lord Gawain said after checking his parchments. "That''s not a lot of time..." "For what, my liege?" Lord Brice asked. "To get my son back to the palace... Your name is Jana, correct?" "Aye, your Majesty." "Jana, could you relay a message to the prince." "As you wish, your Majesty." "Tell him that we''ll send royal knights to Ironside within two weeks. I wish for him to be back home and ready to depart before that time. We have much to discuss." "Yes, your Majesty." "Lord Gawain... I need you to send a message to Marquess Duval Wrightwood. I need to speak to him personally." "As you wish, your Majesty," Lord Gawain bowed. "Now leave... I wish to be alone," Cyndre ordered. Everyone bowed and left the throne room. Leaving Cyndre and Rianna alone. "Rianna... I wish I knew what to do... Our son has made things difficult." "I know, dear." "We can''t lose him, Rianna." "He has survived every encounter and challenge he''s been through... I''ll make sure this Dark Elf is who she says she is. If she''s lying or manipulating our son... She''ll pay." Cyndre took a breath, "Well... If all hell breaks loose in the kingdom... At least we can run to Ironside and live happily ever after." "Haha, my dear you can''t be serious. I don''t mind the dwarves but they are brash and crass people. Living there would be a struggle," Rianna laughed. "It''s a good thing that humans live there too." Rianna just shook her head and started to leave the throne room. "I''m going to have some tea... Would you like to join me?" Cyndre''s mood picked up when he saw the smile on his wife''s face. It''s been years since he was in the dog house with his wife. "Of course, my lady," he stood up and offered her his arm. "You know this doesn''t mean I have completely forgiven you, right?" "I know." "Good. There might be hope for you yet," Rianna grinned and walked away with Cyndre. Ch.181 The General has Arrived Back at Ironside inside the palace, Quinus was looking at a ring box. He was surrounded by his two retainers, the Archmage Hajdah, and Baron Zellin Coldforge. "I hope they like her," Quinus said as he was looking at a beautiful ring. He ordered it to be made by one of the best jewelers in the city. It was made with a special alloy that made the platinum metal glow and the large blue sapphire was flawless. "Me too," Percy said. "I don''t know if they would care if you brought a Dark Elf home," Sir George commented. "Like when you first saw her?" Quinus questioned Sir George. Only for him to look away and play dumb. Quinus shook his head and continued. "I''m hoping they''ll overlook her race... But I can see the Marquess having a problem with her..." "Don''t forget the people, Your Highness... They have been hearing all the same stories we have... They may think that you were bewitched," Baron Zellin Coldforge added. "If I was, then I''m glad to be under her spell." "Haah... This is going to be an interesting year... Well, the Mage''s Guild of Ironside has your back, your Highness," Master Hajdah the fire mage said. "Thank you." "And the dwarves will support you," Zellin said. "What are you going to do about the arranged marriage though? Do you think the Alliance is going to attack us?" Percy asked. "I hope not. I''ll talk to my parents once I get home. But I''ll probably have to marry both... I''m not sure that I''m going to like having a second wife whose only purpose is to produce an heir and peace... That''s not the way I want to start a family," Quinus looked depressed. "Oh boy. You''re going to have your hands full," Percy chuckled. "I think it''s you who''s going to have their hands full," Sir George commented. "Why''s that?" Percy asked with concern. "You really don''t know why?" Sir George questioned. "No, I don''t. That''s why I''m asking." "Percy... Your girlfriend is pregnant." Percy looked at everyone like they were playing a joke on him. But all their faces were serious. "What?" "Percy... She''s with child... Congrats, I guess," Sir George patted Percy''s shoulder. "But she said it was due to eating too many desserts and she told me that mating season was happening next month or so," Percy was confused. But deep down he knew something was off when she kept saying she was having a hard time losing weight. "Mating Season? Hahaha! That''s rich! Percy, a wolfkin female gets a little plump when they are pregnant," Quinus laughed. "And you didn''t notice the fact that her chest was bigger and more shapely?" Zellin added. "Oh course I''ve noticed. It''s hard not to. But she said that she had an ailment where her chest would get bigger and that it would go back to normal... Damn it... I should have known... All the signs were there... And I teased her about it," Percy looked dejected. "So... How are you going to break the news to her? She''s a demi-human and... You know? Your kids will be halfbreeds," Sir George pointed out. "Haah... I think she''s in denial... Lady Rya and Miss Nieren keep telling her that she is pregnant... But she doesn''t believe them," Percy said, "And it doesn''t matter if they are halfbreeds... They''re my kids and I''ll love them." "You''re going to have your hands full," Quinus joked. "Yeah... I was hoping to be a father in a few years... Once things settle down in the kingdom and with the Alliance. But... Things don''t go as planned." "Percy... They never do," Quinus chuckled. "At least you''re happy," Zellin stated. "Yeah... I''m happy. But I''m a bit scared. I have no clue what to do..." Sir George was going to chime in with a joke but was cut off by the prince. "You''re not a father yet, Sir George. So, you shouldn''t comment on the subject," the prince smirked. "Gah!... F-fair enough, my lord," Sir George replied. Just as they were about to have some more tea, a servant knocked on the door to Zellin''s study. "Come in," Baron Zellin called out. A servant opened the door, "My lords, his Majesty sent a platoon of Royal Knights. They just arrived at the Eastern gate. General Douglas has ordered me to inform you." "General Douglas is here?" Quinus was surprised. "Aye, your Highness." Everyone looked at the prince who was lost in thought. "Well, if he is here then that means my parents want me back in the capital... Haah..." "Let''s go see the old General. It''s been a while," Percy was excited. "We should probably change into something more presentable," Quinus stated. "I''ll greet the general while you three get ready. Take your time," Zellin got up and left his study. "Thanks, Baron. We shouldn''t be too long," the prince said. Everyone stood up to leave the study and went their separate ways. *** The Baron made his way to the palace courtyard and was greeted by a couple of dozen Royal Knights. He was surprised that the General was with the platoon. He thought it was overkill to have a man of his position with such a small force. But then again, the Kingdom only had one heir and a lot of knights died going to the Labyrinth. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Douglas was given the position of General after his work dealing with the traitors inside the palace''s staff. After the events of the first assassination attempt on Quinus'' life. He was a captain at the time and was the perfect replacement for General Kane, who retired five years ago. Even if he passed by a few other senior leaders who were expecting the position. They rode up by horseback and brought a big carriage that was being pulled by four horses. Normally, they would have brought the royal family''s carriage, with its extravagant gold trimming and red silk interior. But they did not, since that would bring too much attention as they returned home. "Baron Zellin Coldforge! It''s good to see you." Douglas said as he pulled the reins of his horse and brought him to a halt. Just before the rest of the knights and the guards stopped their horses. "Well, I see you are as punctual as ever. I didn''t expect you and the Royal Knights to get here before the end of the month. You''ve made great time, General," Zellin was impressed. "Ah, well, the Prince was a high priority. And..." Douglas was looking around. Making sure the Dark Elf wasn''t around. "And what, General?" Zellin asked. "And to make sure the rumors about the Dark Elf are true. If it''s not, then I was instructed to execute her. Right then and there," the general informed the Dwarven Lord. "I wouldn''t advise doing that, General. She''s a very patient lady... Surprisingly so... But the prince?... I think he would destroy half the continent looking for her. So, please don''t antagonize her. You''ll only bring trouble, not just to yourself, but everyone else... She''s done nothing to deserve this treatment," Zellin warned the human General. One of the general''s men was using an artifact and was pointing it at the Baron. It looked like he was using it like a scanner. "I''m not getting any dark magic readings, sir. Nothing suspicious either," the knight stated. "What''s this?" the Baron was curious. "A magic artifact that can pick up the effects of black magic like charmed, hexed, cursed, and mind control spells... So, it seems like you haven''t been charmed by her," the general said while keeping his guard up. Zellin was a little annoyed, but he knew that Douglas was doing his job. "As you can see, I am not under any spell or charm. Frankly, you''ll find out firsthand what makes her special. Just please be respectful to her, General." "I''ll take your advice into consideration, Lord Zellin." The knights dismounted and stood at the ready. They were waiting for the prince to show himself. "Well, let''s go inside. You all can rest and we can have a chat over some ale. My treat," the baron smiled. "Normally I would take you up on that offer. But we''re on a schedule. I would like to get moving as soon as possible," Douglas politely declined the baron''s offer. "I see. Then I''ll let the others know." *** Quinus quickly put on some royal garments and made his way toward the courtyard with Sir George and Percy by his side. They rounded the corner and walked by Lady Fyrella''s chamber. Quinus heard Rya''s voice and stopped in his tracks. "What is it, Your Highness?" Sir George asked. "I think Rya''s in Lady Fyrella''s chamber," he whispered. Then they heard Rya''s muffled voice coming from the door. "Yes, Quin. I''m doing my etiquette lessons right now." "Lady Rya! You don''t yell through the door. That''s rude," Fyrella scolded the Dark Elf. "My apologies... But my ears picked up on Quin whispering outside the door," Rya responded. Quinus grimaced when he heard Lady Fyrella scolding Rya. But he didn''t think too much of it. "Well, don''t yell through the door, dear. That''s unbecoming of a Lady. Walk over there and answer the door like a proper Lady," Fyrella ordered. "Yes, ma''am," Rya answered. Sir George just smirks at the prince. "Looks like you can''t have any other women in your life with how good her hearing is." Quinus glanced at George with an annoyed expression. "Don''t look at me like that, Your Highness. She has the best hearing in the kingdom and can easily tell if you''re cheating on her." The door opened and Rya glared at George, "Like you''re one to talk... Tell me how many women have you cheated on again with your girlfriend? Oh!?... What''s that? You''re a single virgin?..." George was speechless and humiliated. While Percy was holding back his laughter. Quinus smirked and looked at his girlfriend. "Rya. Let''s not talk about Sir George''s sexual escapades and focus on your etiquette training." Rya just walked over and hugged Quinus''s left arm tight to her big chest. She looked up into his golden eyes with her bright azure eyes. "And what will you do if I don''t, hmmm?" Rya said with a devilish grin. Quinus looked over to Sir George whose pride was hurt. He was trying his best not to punch the wall. "It was fun at first and I know he was in the wrong... But please, stop picking on Sir George," he pleaded. "Alright, fine. I''ll stop, for you, babe," she agreed and kissed his cheek. "Thanks." "But he''s still a jerk," Rya pointed out. Quinus just smiled and looked at George and shrugged. "That''s fair." Percy was chuckling. "Gamma? GAMMA!" Dalia yelled from inside the room. Percy looked and saw his wolfkin girlfriend coming straight for him in a hurry. "Oh boy," he whispered as the beautiful woman came charging at him before jumping in the air. Dalia''s black hair flowed through the wind and her green eyes sparkled with joy. She had cute ribbons in her hair that matched the color of her red dress. Percy braces himself as she jumps into his arms. "I missed you, Gamma," she said while she rubbed her face on his neck while her tail wagged back and forth. "Haah, I missed you too... Even if it was four hours ago," he replied. Lady Fyrella and Nieren came walking out of the room as well. "Lady Nieren... I don''t envy you for keeping these two from getting into trouble," Fyrella sighed. Nieren nodded, "It''s not going to be easy. But I''ll manage... I hope." "Hey? I was defending my honor... Back me up here Nieren!... If only you had my sense of hearing. You would understand," Rya said as she looked at the older dwarven noblewoman. "Sir George did say something inappropriate, Lady Fyrella," Nieren the wood elf admitted. "That may be, Dear. But, you two have an advantage that no one else has. You have to be careful not to abuse it," Fyrella told the two elves. "I''ll keep that in mind," Rya responded as she hugged Quinus''s arm. "Good," Fyrella smiled and looked at the prince. Sir George looked like he was going to cry when watching both Quinus and Percy being cuddled by their lovers. He was the only one single and he was the "Love Sage" of the Fiafyr Kingdom. ''Dammit, I want a hug...'' Sir George was mentally screaming and Rya noticed it. ''Hmph! Serve him right for implying that Quin should cheat on me with other women.'' Rya thought and decided to give George a break. She released her grip on Quinus'' arm. That''s when she noticed that Quinus was dressed in his Royal attire. "Where are you going?" she asked. "Hm? Oh, yeah... My father sent a platoon of Royal Knights to be our escorts to the capital. I hope General Douglas isn''t going to tell us to leave right away. But, since he is the one in command... We will most likely have to gather our things ready to go." "Humm... I thought I heard a bunch of horses outside... Is the general out there now?" Rya asked. "Yeah," Quinus responded. "Well? Should we join you or let you do your princely duty without us?" she asked. "I think it would be for the best if you came with me. I''m sure my parents want to make sure that the big scary Dark Elf hasn''t put a spell on me," he chuckled. "Yeah, I''m sure they''ll love me," Rya sarcastically replied. "Haah... We''ll get through this," he said as he kissed her cheek. ''Haah... I hope Quin is right.'' Rya looked at Quin and gave him a nod. Lady Fyrella sighed, "Well, I guess this is the end of your etiquette lessons... Dalia, try not to talk when your mouth is full of food. Rya, please try to be more assertive. And Nieren... Keep an eye on these two." "I''ll do my best, Lady Fyrella," Nieren responded, giving a little bow. While Rya and Dalia nodded their heads in agreement. "Alright, let''s get going," Quinus said. "Yeah, let''s," Rya responded. And with that, the group started to head for the entrance to the keep. "You ready?" Quinus asked her. "Yeah. Let''s get this over with," she responded. As they reached the courtyard, everyone was standing at attention, with the Royal Knights forming two rows leading to the front gate of the Ironside Barony. General Douglas was the first to see the group walk out into the courtyard. Ch.182 I Was Ordered to Bring you Home The General saw the crown prince of Fiafyr Kingdom walking next to a Dark Elf woman he''d been told about. But he also noticed a Wood Elf and a Wolfkin woman as well. He didn''t know anything about those two. And once the Dark Elf came closer into view. That''s when he noticed her pink dress with a corset that showed off her curves. He saw her big chest and her beautiful face. Her long platinum white hair was in a lovely braided ponytail. Her azure eyes were looking back at him. He also noticed her choker necklace that had a glowing orb in the center. It looked like a gold and red yin-yang symbol. He had never seen a woman like her before. She was gorgeous and had beauty that could rival the Goddess, Iyomelka, herself. ''I thought Dark Elves liked to wear black leather or purple robes... My ass, she hasn''t charmed the Prince. She has him wrapped around her finger,'' Douglas thought to himself as he wasn''t sure what this Dark Elf might do. He was going to give her a chance. But he was uncomfortable about what she might do. The other knights noticed her as well and had mixed reactions. Douglas noticed how the Prince was standing tall and proud. It''s like the weight of the world was gone from his shoulders. This was a side of the crown prince he had never seen before. Douglas looked over to Sir Richard, who was looking at a special artifact to see if she''d afflicted him with any dark arts. The knight looked confused and shook the artifact to see if it was broken. But nothing indicated anything was wrong. Richard could only shake his head when he looked at the General. ''So, she hasn''t done anything to the prince, aye?... Well, I''m still not sure she hasn''t done something. There''s no way a woman can look like that and not steal the hearts of men. She''s probably not wearing underwear.'' Douglas thought to himself as he had his own opinion of this dark elf. When the group stopped, Quinus stood next to Rya. "I was expecting Colonel Justice," Quinus commented. Douglas kept a stoic face but he cringed on the inside when the crown prince brought up the Colonel. "Your mother was the one who demanded the King to send someone with a higher rank, Your Highness." "So, does that mean we must leave as soon as possible? The Baron offered us rooms. I would hate to leave so soon after the Baron offered us a place to stay," Quinus inquired. "The former is correct, Your Highness. You and your party must gather your things and we will leave immediately. The King wants you back at the castle before the end of the week." Rya was listening in and noticed that Douglas was not very pleased with being ordered to bring the prince back. She looked around the courtyard and noticed how many people were present. Not only were the Royal Knights present, but so was the Mage''s Guild. With Master Hajdah, Mystic Laika, Akashia, Suhail, and a few others. "Well, this is a warm welcome. Isn''t it General? Did the King really have to send so many knights to come get them?" Master Hejdah said with a sarcastic tone. "You can never be too careful, Master Hejdah. Especially with the possible threats that may happen on our way to the capital. Even with a Dark Elf by our side." ''And what exactly does he mean by that?'' Rya thought to herself. She was getting slightly agitated whenever she needed to prove herself to people that she wasn''t some kind of villain. It''s been a month since she had to do that. Hajdah and the other mages were having flashbacks to when they first met Rya. They surrounded her the first time she entered the palace grounds, but after she proved herself in a drinking contest then she saved them from Rudolf Rose. She has gone far and beyond to earn their trust and she was someone they were proud to call a friend. "General, are you trying to imply that this dark elf has cast a spell on Prince Quinus and is controlling him? Because, if that is the case, then we all have a problem. She''s earned our trust," Hajdah spoke up. "Master Hejdah is correct, General. This dark elf hasn''t done anything to the crown prince, myself, or anyone else for that matter," Sir George spoke up to defend Rya. He may not like the fact that she keeps making fun of his dating advice, but he knows she''s a trusted ally. ''Huh? So, Sir George knows how to be a gentleman? Maybe there''s hope for him to find a woman after all,'' Rya thought. "I agree with them. Rya has been a valuable asset to the team. She has no ill will towards us," Percy added. "You can never be too trusting of a Dark Elf," sneered the only female knight in the party. "Hold your tongue!" Douglas ordered. Quinus was getting impatient with his father''s Knights while Rya sighed internally and looked around. Upon scanning the knights she noticed that all the males had mixed looks. "Are they all looking at me because I''m a dark elf, or because they''re checking me out?" Rya whispered to Quinus. Quinus sighed and whispered back, "Both." ''Oh? So, they are nervous around me because I''m a dark elf... But they''re checking me out!... I know those looks. I''ve made them in the past. Hmm... It''s still weird to be gawked at, and yet, it feels really good at the same time,'' Rya thought. She looked back over to the knights. Then she got a smirk on her face. Especially when she noticed the jealous female knight staring at her. She knew she would be able to mess with this knight. ''Maybe I should have a little bit of fun with this? And put this woman in her place... Wait! Why do I care about what she thinks about me? She''s a royal knight. It''s her job to protect the prince. I guess I can let it slide... For now.'' Rya thought as a new side of her came out when being challenged by this female knight. Rya ignored the jealous glares and whispers coming from the female knight and continued to scan the rest of the male knights before she spotted an artifact in the hands of Sir Richard. ''Wait? Is that an artifact? I feel like I''ve seen that before in one of the tomes back at the Mage''s Guild. It seems familiar... That thing is definitely giving off a magical aura, but what is its purpose?'' Her curiosity got the better of her and she wanted to get a closer look. But, she was pulled from her thoughts by a stern voice. "If you will follow me, I will take you to your carriage, Your Highness," the General spoke. "Yes. That''s fine, General. But we need to gather our things from our rooms first," Quinus responded. "Of course, Your Highness," the General responded with a royal salute. ''Haah, I guess I''ll have to call back 2E, and the others before we can leave. But I really want to get a closer look at the artifact... How does a hot chick act to get her way?... Gah! What did those two beautiful chicks do to me and my friends when they wanted us to buy them drinks again? Hmm... Oh! I remember.'' Rya tried her best to recall how those women acted when they were trying to get the men to buy them drinks. Then she tried to emulate it. So, Rya fixed her posture by straightening her back, which made her chest jut out. She then slowly swayed her hips and walked up to the knight. Richard did a double-take when he noticed her coming up to him. He couldn''t believe a woman like her would even notice him. While Quinus looked at her in amusement. He didn''t know why she was suddenly walking in a provocative way. That''s when Quinus noticed the artifact in Sir Richard''s hand. He was going to say something to her, but she stopped and smoothly turned towards him. She looked into his eyes and batted her eyelashes. "I''m just testing something out. So don''t interrupt me, love," Rya said to him in a sexy voice before winking at him. "It better be... Or I''ll have to punish you later," he responded. Rya blushed and nodded. Then she turned towards Sir Richard and put her right hand on her hip and leaned over a bit. The motion made her breasts bounce. Richard couldn''t believe what was happening, nor could the other knights. They were wondering if the Dark Elf was doing this for their entertainment. "So, Sir Knight, I couldn''t help but notice the artifact in your hands. May I get a closer look?" Sir Richard has been around many women who never gave him a second glance on a good day. But this was the first time a woman had approached him and asked for his assistance. The knight was speechless. "Um, uh, sure," he stammered nervously as he handed it over to her. He didn''t know how to handle a woman flirting with him. Rya noticed his nervousness, ''Wow! I never knew it was this easy to mess with a guy. This might be useful if I ever need to distract someone.'' "Thanks," Rya said seductively as she took the artifact. "I-Is there a-anything else y-you n-need?" the knight asked as he was trying to remain professional. But he couldn''t help but notice her big bosom bouncing and her shapely figure. "Hmm. You''re cute when you''re nervous, Sir Knight. What''s your name?" Rya asked as she smiled at him. "M-my n-name is R-Richard. W-what''s yours?" he responded. "My name is Rya. It''s a pleasure to meet you," she said, as she stuck out her right hand. "The p-pleasure is all mine," he said as he took her hand and tried to kiss it. "Hold on. Did you forget that I''m engaged? I was trying to shake your hand, Sir Richard." Richard froze at what he was doing. He didn''t realize what he was doing. When he felt her hand in his. He thought she was offering her hand for a kiss. The other knights snickered while the Wolfkin, and the Wood Elf shook their heads. Quinus was giving him a death stare and Douglas was displeased at his subordinate. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. "My apologies," Richard said, embarrassed as he let go of her hand. ''Oh, Jesus Christ... Did he really think I was flirting with him? Haah... Now I get it when women put up a barrier around random guys... I hope I didn''t create a stalker or a heartbroken man.'' Rya felt bad, but stopping the act might damage this poor guy''s ego. And that might cause more problems than not. "Mistakes happen... Just make sure not to do it again, Sir Richard," Rya said as she held her composure. "Yes, ma''am," he said, still embarrassed. Richard became bright red and turned his head. He was embarrassed by what just happened. He let his emotions get the better of him and his fellow knights were either chuckling at him or were super envious. While the one female knight just glared at all the men. Rya turned her attention to the artifact, and her azure eyes glowed as she examined it. As she looked at the artifact, she was starting to get an idea of its purpose. ''It is a truth-seeing stone. I see, that''s how they can see if someone is under a spell by detecting if any residual mana is still inside their bodies. It''s a very useful tool, but it''s useless against those spells with higher amounts of mana. The amount of mana that''s absorbed inside a person''s body can easily overpower the detection. If it was created with better materials or by someone with a higher mastery over the craft, then it would be much more accurate.'' She was deep in thought as she examined the artifact. Her eyes could see the small imperfections in the material. Then she started to think of the different ways she could improve the artifact. ''If I had made this, then the casing wouldn''t have gaps, and the inner parts would be seamless. It''s too rough and bulky... It''s obvious the maker wasn''t confident in their abilities. But I can tell you''ve been used a lot and have been cleaned and polished many times. If I had some time and the proper materials, then I could easily improve its functionality... God, this is so cool! I love that I know how to make artifacts!... Hold on? Why do they have an artifact that can detect dark magic?'' Rya wondered as she started to realize why the artifact was in their possession. ''Did... Did they think I charmed Quinus and the others like a succubus?... Haah... I forgot how much everyone distrusts Dark Elves... Why can''t people just get along with each other? Is it that hard?... I''m gonna change this narrative. People will accept me! One way or another. Even if I have to fight for my right to live in peace. I will show the world that not all Dark Elves are evil!'' Rya felt annoyed that they would assume she would be evil. She was starting to get worked up but the feeling passed when she felt Quinus put his hand on her shoulder. "Is there something wrong, my love?" Quinus asked. "Huh? I- No, I''m fine. Sorry, I just got lost in thought." Rya snapped back to reality and handed the artifact back to Richard and gave him a smile. ''I can''t blame them. Most people have been brainwashed by those stories from the High Elves. And they can''t see past the color of my skin. I can''t get mad at them, because they don''t know any better. That''s what I hate the most. Everyone has their own story. It''s up to me to change the status quo, and the first step is to earn the trust of others. To prove to them that not all Dark Elves are bad. Just like it will take time for people to change, and get over their fears.'' Rya thought as she looked up to the sky and felt the breeze on her skin. "Thanks again. I appreciate it." Rya said to the knight. Richard nodded and was about to say something when Quinus cut in and offered his arm for Rya to hold onto. "Thank you, Sir Richard. But we need to grab our things," Quinus said as he gave the knight a death stare. "O-Of course, Your Highness." Richard was frightened and he knew he was in the wrong. He didn''t know how to properly apologize for how he acted. The last thing he wanted was to get into a fight with a member of the royal family. Rya accepted the offer and held onto Quinus'' arm, and the two went towards the keep. Douglas was disappointed in his troops. But this was an extraordinary situation. Never in his career did he have a dark elf within his ranks. But he knew he needed to make sure she wasn''t a danger to the Prince or the royal family. ''She is a clever one... and what is a dark elf doing so far from her homeland in the first place? Something isn''t adding up... I hope she isn''t a spy. But, I''ll have to keep a close eye on her,'' Douglas thought to himself. The General watched as the group entered the keep. Once they were out of sight, Douglas turned around and faced his subordinates. "All of you should be ashamed of yourselves. We are the Royal Knights and you can''t act properly? I am extremely disappointed in each and every one of you," the general berated his troops. The knights were embarrassed and bowed their heads in defeat. *** Back in the basement of the palace. Where the forge was raging, Arathar was going through the last phase of creating Rya''s sword. The hammer was hitting the steel, and the sparks were flying everywhere. It was a sight to behold. But, Arathar was sweating heavily as he had been working on this project for a month now. Mainly because of the Liquid Ether. Stabilizing it isn''t easy, and the process revolves around having the correct temperature of the forge. Arathar had the temperature set just right. He had a mixture of coal, magic oak, and sulfur to create a level of heat to solidify the Liquid Ether. If it was too hot, then the Ether would evaporate, and if it wasn''t hot enough, then the blade would be too brittle. Arathar knew he was nearing the final steps and had to be cautious. After about five minutes, he saw the color change and he moved the sword out of the fire. He brought the blade into the quench tank and soaked the weapon in oil. Once the blade was out of the oil, Arathar took the handle and grip off the blade and began the polishing process. This was the most tedious part of the process. Polishing the blade was a long and drawn-out task, but the end result is always worth the effort. It was another half hour before the blade was polished and the runes engraved into the blade. Arathar took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief. "You outdid yourself this time, Arathar," the dwarf spoke to himself with a cocky smile. He went over and placed the blade into the sheath and put the finishing touches on the leather wrap. Once the job was done, Arathar was admiring his own work. ''This will be the piece that shows how superior dwarven smithing is compared to those damn high elves. Efkini''s name will be a thing of the past. And my name will live on with this masterpiece.'' Arathar chuckled, but he was cut off from his thoughts when he heard a bunch of clutter sounds coming from down the hallway. Towards Rya''s laboratory. "Hmm?... What the fuck is going on over there?... Don''t tell me that girl blew herself up or something. Haah... I better check on her." The dwarf grabbed the sword before he walked out of his forge and followed the sounds. He passed by Rya''s laboratory and was shocked to see four of her golems clearing out the place and putting everything in two wooden crates. "The fuck?... What''s with the commotion here?" Arathar asked. The golems stopped and looked at the dwarf and said, "General, here... Master, leaving..." "General?... Haah... I bet it''s Douglas... Well, I need to talk to that crazy girl. She better not leave without her sword." Arathar turned around and was about to head towards the staircase when he bumped into another golem. "Fucking hell! You golems need to watch where the hell you''re stepping." "Apologies," 9E responded as she was carrying a big box of Rya''s things. Arathar just shook his head as he continued up the stairs. He got to the top of the stairs and saw a bunch of the palace staff running around. He also noticed Yuliana talking to his son, Zellin. ''Huh? Yuliana looks like she''s packed up as well... I can''t believe I''m saying this, but I''m going to miss that wood elf.'' Arathar sighed, but he was still curious about why Rya''s golems were packing up everything from her lab. He knew they would be leaving Ironside at some point. It just felt so abrupt. ''Well, I better find out what''s going on,'' he thought as he walked up to the two. *** "So, I have moved all the plants into the greenhouse in the back of the palace and taught the gardener how to maintain them. But, if Rya''s theory is correct, then the plants will be capable of absorbing more sun''s light and producing a higher yield. We should get a surplus of food, and you can make a larger amount of potions," Yuliana reported. "Good. And have you checked up on the progress of the irrigation systems in the fields and the forest?" Zellin asked. "Yes, the prince helped us get the right equipment and the workers have completed the installations. And I''ve gotten reports from the villages that the crops are flourishing." "Excellent... It''s going to be different with you and your daughter leaving Ironside... And if things don''t go as planned... You''re always welcome back here." The wood elf smiled at the dwarf, "Thank you, Lord Zellin. That means a lot." "Hey! Why don''t you kiss her instead of talking her to death!" Arathar shouted at his son. "What?!" Zellin replied as he was a little shocked by his father''s sudden appearance. While Yuliana became embarrassed. "W-What are you doing up here!? Don''t you have some weapons to make, or is that old age getting to you?" Zellin replied as he was humiliated by his father again. Arathar frowned, "That''s a shitty comeback, son. Besides, I came up here to see why Rya''s golems are taking everything out of her laboratory. And now I see that our lovely gardener is leaving as well. Care to explain?" "Haah, well... Rya is leaving Ironside for Fiafyr, with the crown prince. The King''s men have arrived and they are demanding to leave as soon as possible," Zellin informed. "Tch, and I bet they just got here... The only man I know who is that anal with a stick up their ass is Douglas... Am I right?" "Yes, and it seems like the man has a personal issue with Rya... Because she is a dark elf." Yuliana said with a guilty tone. She was similar to Dauglas when she first met Rya. And as the days went by she realized that she was a very nice girl, even if she wasn''t refined in noble etiquette. Plus, she had never seen her daughter so happy since she was little. Rya had become her best friend and her daughter''s hero. "What did you expect? Most humans think dark elves are evil and are nothing but monsters," Arathar scoffed. "Yeah... I thought Prince Quinus was going to behead the general right then and there. But he managed to stop himself," Zellin added. "That boy is alright in my book... Anyway, Yuliana... I''m glad to have given you and your daughter asylum. You''ve done a proper service to my people and I''ll never forget that," Arathar said to the wood elf. Yuliana was surprised that the old dwarf still acted like the Baron of old before he retired from the position and gave it to his son. He had a warm heart inside the rough exterior. "Thank you, Lord Arathar." "Hmph... I''ll always regret not saving the wood elf kingdom from destruction... So, this is the least I could do... Anyway, I better give Rya her sword. I got it done a half day early," Arathar announced as he showed the elegant sword. "Y-you got it done? In this short amount of time?" Zellin asked in amazement. He thought his father was talking a big game. "Yeah, I got lucky and managed to stabilize the liquid ether in half the time. It''s like the fates were on my side." "Wow... F-Father, if you are looking for Rya. I believe she''s back in the front courtyard," the Zellin said. "Hmm, good... I need her to test out the sword before she leaves," the dwarf responded. "Ah, that''s true. Do you mind if I join you, Father? I would like to give Rya something as well." "Pff! You''re the Baron, boy! So act like it!" "Geez! I try to be nice to you and you go and bite my head off!" "Because you need to grow a backbone! If you did then maybe Yuliana would have stayed," Arathar said bluntly. "Shut up! You''re humiliating me! Every time I''m close to her, you seem to show up and ruin it!" Yuliana giggled as the father and son duo continued to bicker at one another while walking towards the courtyard. "Goddess almighty! You just need to take a woman to bed, then you won''t be so stressed... Then I could have a grandchild that can learn how to be a proper Coldforge smith! To keep the family tradition going... You hear me!" Arathar scolded. "Aghh! Maybe I would have a woman if you would stop sabotaging me at every turn! I swear, it''s like you are woman-repellant," Zellin was getting a headache from his father''s constant nagging. Yuliana giggled once again as she followed the two dwarves. ''I''m going to miss these two. But Zellin should try and find a woman who isn''t married, or his father is going to hound him forever.'' Zellin and his father made their way towards the courtyard. As they got outside, they saw a whole group of armored soldiers surrounding a carriage and a Dark Elf surrounded by her clones holding multiple boxes of her stuff. Ch.183 Twilight Dancer A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "R-Really? Okay? I''ll come up with something else," Rya said as she couldn''t believe Arathar shot down the first name. Ch.184 You’re Not the Sins of Your Father Dalia was smiling as she looked out the other side of the carriage. "I''ve never been inside a carriage like this before! Aw! I can smell sooo many scents coming through the windows! And it''s sooo soft! Is this silk? I''m so happy right now!" Dalia exclaimed excitedly. Everyone couldn''t help but chuckle and smile at her joy. ''She''s like a dog that is excited to be going on a car ride. Heh, adorable.'' Dalia was rubbing her face on the window sill as she continued to smell the different aromas from the flowers, people, and odors blowing in the wind. Quinus couldn''t help but comment, "This is nothing compared to the Royal Carriage." "Really? But this is the best! How could it be better," Dalia replied without taking her nose off the sill. Quinus and the rest of the carriage just laughed. Rya and Yuliana couldn''t help but look at Nieren who had been quiet the whole time. Nieren just shook her head and sighed, "You need to stop acting like a child." Dalia just smirked, "Woody? Aren''t you considered a child too?" Nieren growled, "What did you call me?!" "What? You still don''t like that nickname?" Dalia snickered. The wood elf growled even louder, "Call me by my name, you dimwit." Rya stepped in, "Nieren... Dalia was a slave. So she deserves to have a moment of happiness. I think you should let her enjoy this." "But!... Ugh..." Nieren noticed everyone looking at her with a little disappointment in their eyes and she sighed, "You''re right... Sorry, Dalia... Please continue," Nieren apologized. "Hey, don''t sweat it, Woody... I forgive you," Dalia answered with a wink. "Dalia... I... Forget it," Nieren gritted her teeth while keeping her anger in check. Rya just smiled at the interaction. ''They''re going to fight, but it''s like sisters arguing. Nieren needs to stop acting like she doesn''t like getting Dalia''s attention. I can tell that she''s a bit jealous of Dalia. But I don''t know what it is. Maybe Nieren wishes that she could be as open as Dalia. She''s the exact opposite of her. Maybe she''ll open up more at some point. I''ll try and help.'' After a few minutes of traveling through the streets of Ironside. Rya and the others were watching the dwarves and some humans going about their day. They made it out of the eastern gates and into the open plains. "Hmm." Rya hummed to herself. "Is something wrong?" Quinus asked. "No... Well, maybe... It feels like I''m leaving home... Even though I''ve only been here a month," Rya admitted. "Yeah... I feel similar... I''ve been living here most of my life, so this is my home," Nieren added. Yuliana shook her head, "If your uncle wasn''t killed and if our kingdom wasn''t in ruins, then we wouldn''t be calling Ironside home." "Was it a bad thing to call Ironside home?" Rya asked. "Yes," Yuliana responded immediately, "Irisi is our home. Our people need help. We need to go back and save them from the humans who are trying to enslave them." "Mom!" Nieren chastised, "The people of Ironside have been good to us. Why are you saying bad things about the people who took us in?" "It''s not a bad thing, Nieren... It''s just... Unfortunate that you had to live a life without being a Royal," Yuliana said. "Then why did our servants abandon us when they had the chance to stay with us? I thought there were a few hidden villages that survived the attack, but we came to Ironside," Nieren retorted. Yuliana didn''t want to answer her daughter''s question. She didn''t want to tell her that her father betrayed their kingdom and left them for dead as the human armies of the Kingdom of Marn. Nieren saw her mother''s hesitation, "What are you hiding from me, Mom? Please, I have a right to know." Yuliana looked her daughter in the eyes, "I-It''s too soon to say anything. I need to get in touch with my contacts first. Once we are safe in the Fiafyr capital, then I will tell you everything. Promise." Quinus was intrigued while Percy was confused. Dalia was too busy sniffing the air coming through the open window to listen to the conversation. "Yuliana... You should tell her," Rya suggested. "What?!" Yuliana questioned. "She''s old enough to know the truth. She deserves it. I know you think she''s still a child but she''s stronger than you realize," Rya argued. "No! She''s too young and I''m not going to be lectured by a 27-year-old child," Yuliana countered. "Mom..." Nieren interjected, "I''ll be 75 in about 20 years... I''m almost an adult. Please, I need to know the truth." "Nieren..." Yuliana pleaded. "Yuliana, if you don''t tell her then I will," Rya stated firmly. "You wouldn''t..." Yuliana growled. "I will," Rya repeated. Yuliana knew that Rya would keep her word. She didn''t want her daughter to know about her father, being a traitor. "Fine... I will tell her," Yuliana relented. Nieren leaned forward and waited patiently. "Before I say anything... I want you to understand that I didn''t know... And I wish I did... Your father betrayed our kingdom. He left us for dead when he fled back to the Lumen Fae continent with the other High Elves. There were a few servants who hid with us as we fled into the woods. The forest elves and dryads helped us survive. But once word came out about him abandoning the Wood Kingdom, the other elves and fae turned on... you... They didn''t want to house the offspring of a traitor... They left us. And then, the humans invaded and we had no choice but to flee to Ironside," Yuliana explained. Nieren didn''t show a single reaction as her mother told her the truth. "And... He might have poisoned the Elder Tree... I only found out once Lady Rya pushed out the poison from the last Elder Seed..." Yuliana continued. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Nieren''s expression changed. Some tears leaked out, but she remained strong, "I-I understand..." Nieren looked down and didn''t want to see the expression on her mother''s face. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Rya giving her a reassuring look. "You''re not the sins of your father. Don''t ever forget that," Rya said. Nieren nodded her head, "Thank you..." Yuliana watched in surprise and shock at how fast Nieren had recovered. She thought her daughter would lash out and cry. But the Dark Elf was a calming influence on her daughter. "How did you know that I needed to hear that?" Nieren asked. "I didn''t," Rya replied, "But I''ve seen plenty of people deal with a family member betraying the trust and love that everyone gave. You''ll get through it. And I''ll be here to help you." "Thank you..." "You''re welcome... Plus, I have to keep my promise to free all the Wood Elf slaves. I won''t go back on my word," Rya smiled. Yuliana heard Rya say that before, and her old self wouldn''t have believed the Dark Elf, but over this month she slowly started believing in her. It was an old habit that she had to break. ''I hope she''s right... I hope she can help save my people...'' "Well, if we do start to free them. Then we can have them stay in our kingdom until they can find a new home," Quinus suggested. Yuliana looked over to Quinus, "Do you mean it?" "Of course. You and your daughter have done me a great favor, so it''s the least I can do. Plus, we can''t send your people out into the world when they don''t have a home," Quinus grinned. "You have my thanks, Prince Quinus," Yuliana smiled. Nieren felt a strange jealousy come over her when she saw her mother smiling at the prince. ''W-Why is mom smiling at the prince like that?! Doesn''t she know that he belongs to Rya?'' Nieren''s mind thought. Quinus just shrugged his shoulders, "I''m only doing the right thing. That''s the most important thing. And I know Rya would want me to do the right thing." Nieren calmed down after hearing that. "Oh? Someone is trying to earn another solid?" Rya giggled. Quinus looked at his lover''s azure blue with a fierce passionate gaze, "Of course. I''m only trying to make my lady happy." Rya leaned closer to him and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "Gods and Spirits... She''s too young to be kissing a boy," Yuliana commented under her breath. "What? Can''t two lovers show their affection?" Rya teased. "You are younger than my daughter. An elf your age shouldn''t be doing those things," Yuliana replied. Rya just shook her head, "27 is old enough to be doing this." "And you are fine with outliving your love by thousands of years," Yuliana asked. Rya paused for a moment. It didn''t really hit her that for most of her life, Quinus would only be a memory. ''I-I''m not human anymore... But I don''t care... I''ll do everything in my power to spend my life with him...'' Rya shrugged her shoulders, "I''ll love him until the end of time." Quinus felt the weight of her words. "I''ll try to be with you even if I need to be reborn again," Quinus replied. Rya just nodded her head. Yuliana looked at the prince with a skeptical look. "You believe in a second life? That''s rare, especially for a human," Yuliana commented. "Well, I find that nothing is impossible. I''m sure someone out there has been reborn with the memories of their previous life," Quinus grinned. Yuliana had to agree. The gods are capricious beings who like to mess with the world, "That''s true. Especially if they are a chosen one from a God or Goddess." Rya listened to the conversation while she held onto Quinus'' hand. ''Yeah, Like those two idiot Goddesses... I haven''t seen them in my dreams since the battle fighting the Roses. Maybe they are bored of me and won''t show up anymore...'' Dalia opened her window a little wider and took in the fresh air before she stood up and crawled halfway out of the window. Her tail was wagging and hit Percy in the face, "This is amazing! I love the way the breeze feels and smells!" "D-Dalia! You''re going to fall out of the carriage if you aren''t careful," Percy said as he quickly pulled her inside. "Awww, I wanted to feel the breeze in my hair," Dalia whined. "But you were halfway out of the window," Percy retorted. "I can take care of myself," Dalia argued. Percy looked at her slightly bloated belly, "Not with a pup on the way. You need to be careful." "Not this again! I''m telling you all that I''m just a little bloated because of the sweets. I''m not pregnant!" Dalia growled. Percy wasn''t buying it, "Dalia, please, sit and enjoy the breeze from your seat." "Fine! But you have to make it up to me, Gamma," Dalia pouted. Rya was holding back her laughter. ''She''s so cute when she''s like that. But if Percy thinks she''s pregnant then maybe she tricked me into believing that she''s not... I don''t know why she is so adamant about her belly being bloated because of eating desserts. Does she not want to have children with Percy? You would think she would try and find out if she was carrying. I don''t get it.'' Rya shook her head, "Don''t overthink it, Rya." "What was that, Rya?" Quinus asked as he didn''t catch what Rya just said. "O-Oh? Sorry, I''m just talking to myself," Rya replied. Quinus didn''t know what was going on, but he trusted her to tell him in time. "Hey? Do you know how long this trip will take?" Rya asked. "Well, normally it would have taken a week or two to get back, but I''m sure Douglas will push his knights to the limit. We will be there in 5 to 6 days," Quinus estimated. "I see. I wonder how they are doing," Rya wondered. "Me too," Quinus agreed. *** Douglas was riding in the front of the convoy with Sir Richard to his left and Sir George to his Right. They were leading the way along the nicely made stone road. "When did the Baron fix the roads?" Sir Richard asked. "That was Lady Rya''s doing. She had her golems running around everywhere. She had them fix the roads, build a bridge over the river, and even build some small villages and towns. She had her golem guards protect them as well. Before the Baron could hire more guards to protect them," Sir George explained. "Lady Rya is very powerful indeed," Sir Richard commented. "Do not speak too loudly. Elves'' ears can hear better than ours. So, talk in a hushed tone, when they are around... But all things considered, I was hoping you would have some insight about the Dark Elf. Other than she''s in love," Douglas warned while looking at Sir George. "My opinion is that she is an ally and has given me a second chance at life. It doesn''t matter if she''s a dark elf, Sir," Sir George replied. Douglas wasn''t sure if the Knight was being honest, or hiding his disdain, "And what of her being with Prince Quinus?" Sir George sighed, "She has made a mockery of my Courting advice. But... She seemed frightened to fall in love with the prince, at first... Now, she''s like a new woman around him. And the Crown Prince seems to have a better head when she''s around him... It would be ill advice to break them up. I don''t have the luxury of dying so young." Sir Richard cringed at the thought of Sir George''s dating advice. He''s seen that man bomb many dates in the past. While Douglas wasn''t sure what he meant by "Not having the luxury of dying young." Did that mean the dark elf would kill them all if she broke up with the prince? "What do you mean by that last statement?" Douglas asked. Sir George just chuckled, "It means the prince would end me if I was to harm his woman. He loves her. More than he loves the Crown." Douglas was shocked. ''Prince Quinus is putting a dark elf over the kingdom?'' Douglas'' mind thought. Sir Richard wasn''t shocked at all, "It''s no different than his father loving his mother. Who was from the island nation of Corialis. I never understood the rumors about Corialian women." "Oh yeah? We know who started those rumors, Sir Richard," Sir George barked. "Don''t bring up his name. I have enough headaches at the moment and I don''t want to think about him. Especially since he''s been acting strange of late. And the King is worried," General Douglas said. "So... He found out that his son is dead, aye? Good! That bastard deserves more than that," Sir George said. Douglas halted his horse, "That''s enough from you, Sir George." Sir George just shook his head, "You don''t know, do you? His son left us to die. And we would have been Hobgoblin food if it wasn''t for Lady Rya. Marcus might have been the new heir if it wasn''t for her saving the Prince. The king is a fool if he can''t see that." Sir George''s comment shocked Douglas, "I know! Don''t you dare speak ill of the crown. Or I''ll have to discipline you, Sir George. You should have used some restraint." Sir George shook his head, "General, you weren''t there. Marcus was a traitor to the Crown. The prince gave me the order and I ended him. Now if I can only end his father and his lackeys, then I''ll be able to sleep well." Douglas felt disgusted by Sir George''s words, but the Knight wasn''t wrong. He had seen Alaric try to assassinate the prince when he was barely a year old and he heard the reports about the time when Quinus was ten years old and almost was killed in the trials by one of Marcus'' plots. ''Things are falling apart and the King is trying his best to hold things together. Marquess Duval is hell-bent on marrying Prince Quinus to the Princess from the Alliance and now Alaric''s son is dead. I have to get the King''s permission to look into Alaric. And see what he is plotting. With his son dead, he has to be vengeful...'' "We should keep moving," Sir Richard advised. Douglas was broken out of his thoughts, "O-Of course." He looked behind him and saw the convoy was stopped and waiting for his orders. So he signaled the convoy to start moving again as he got his mount to move. "So, what was that about?" Sir Richard asked. "We need to keep an eye out for any ambushes. Tell the others," Douglas said. "Aye, aye, sir," Sir Richard replied. They continued to ride through the countryside of the Fiafyr Kingdom Capital. Their first stop would be the city of Dorn, which is a part of the Eder Hills domain. Ruled over by Baron Johnathan Dule. Ch.185 Running into Johan Dule and His Unhappy Wife The journey was going well and there were no signs of an ambush, so the convoy continued to travel without a hitch to their first stop for the night. The city of Dorn. Dorn was a mid-size city in the western part of Baron Johnathan Dule''s Domain. Which is called the Eder Hills. The city was a hub for trading with Zellin''s Domain. Dule''s Territory went a little more north, running along a mountain range that separates the Dwarven Kingdom of Hjorleif and the Fiafyr Kingdom. There were only a couple of ways in and out of the dwarven kingdom. But there was no man''s land that divided the two countries. No one has gone in without someone dying during the journey through the valley. Thanks to the ogre tribes that live within the foothills of the mountains. So, the Kingdom of Fiafyr constructed a giant wall to prevent the ogres from coming south and killing the people of the kingdom. Dorn City was 200 miles south of the wall and was the third biggest city in the territory but the 50th biggest city in all the kingdom. Dorn had a population of 75,000. The city is a major hub of trade and distributes the purple slag throughout the rest of the kingdom due to all the different roads and rivers that intersect the city. Thanks to the deal with Ironside the city of Dorn has become a hotspot for business and it has grown outside its walls after all these centuries. The city wall was 30 feet tall and 50 feet wide with four massive gates on each wall to get into the city. There were four walls. Two outer walls and then an inner wall and another inner wall. Quinus'' convoy made it to the Western gates of Dorn and the gate guards waved them in when they saw General Douglas. Douglas'' party was escorted to the center of town and into the Noble Quarters of the city. Dorn''s noble quarter was a big place and was a maze to anyone who didn''t know their way around. This city used to be a frontier city over 500 years ago. So the buildings were designed to be maze-like as they made them out of stone. This part of the city was lined with houses and stores. Making everything feel claustrophobic. Douglas'' convoy reached the Baron''s third estate and entered the grounds which was one of the few places that had more space than in the other parts of the city. The grounds had a giant open space and had many flower gardens, fountains, and a hedge maze. The Baron usually came to Dorn once a month and liked to take the long way through the hedge maze to the entrance of his third home. "Welcome back, General," One of the guards saluted. "As you were," Douglas replied. "The Lord came to greet the prince, Sir," The guard informed. Douglas'' eyebrow raised slightly in surprise, "Really?" The guard nodded, "Yes, Sir." Douglas thought Johnathan Dule was staying put in his domain''s capital city of Springfield. But he guessed the Baron couldn''t help himself from meeting the Crown Prince. Douglas dismounted off his horse and his guards followed. The guards took the horses to the stables and the rest were taken to the carriage house. They stopped the "Royal" Carriage and opened the door. "Prince Quinus, the Baron has come to greet you," said one of the knights. "Really? I thought he needed to check in on the farm yields. He must have made Johan do it in his stead," Quinus said out loud. Rya was still in the carriage, "I''ll stay in here... I don''t know how he''ll react." "No, you''re not a prisoner, Rya. You''re my fiance," Quinus said. "I know but...," Rya was about to argue. Quinus leaned in and kissed her lips, "Now, no more of that. I want the world to see that I love you." Rya''s cheeks blushed red. While Yuliana, Nieren, Dalia, and Percy were just watching. "You make it hard to say no...," Rya commented. "Then don''t," Quinus smirked. "What am I going to do with you," Rya relented. "Good, now, let''s meet the Baron," Quinus said. Everyone in the carriage exited the vehicle and the group made their way to the Baron''s third residence. All the guards and servants were stunned by the sight of the four women exiting the carriage. ''The Prince has a harem?'' the staff thought. ''A Dark Elf? I didn''t think there were any left...,'' the guards thought. Rya held onto Quinus'' arm and was blushing bright red. "Are you okay?" Quinus asked. "Y-Yeah... I thought it was going to be easier for me," Rya replied. "I won''t let everyone look down on you," Quinus said. "Hey! I don''t need you to get in a fight every time someone opens their mouth... But it would be one hell of a sight," Rya smiled. They stopped outside the main doors of the mansion and a female servant opened the door for them. Quinus walked inside with Rya and everyone followed him. The foyer was a little smaller than the average noble''s manor. It had a nice red carpet with the symbol of the Dule Family on it. Douglas let his men take their leave and went to the barracks. Quinus, Rya, Nieren, Percy, Dalia, Yuliana, and the other two knights. They walked further into the manor. As they approached the foyer, they were greeted by a man in his 30''s with red hair, blue eyes, and was a bit short for an average man. The man greeted the prince, "Welcome to Baron Johnathan Dule''s residence, Prince Quinus. I''m his Head Butler, Lester. May I have your name?" "I''m Yuliana and this is my daughter," Yuliana spoke up. Nieren bowed, "Greetings." "This is Rya, and these are my retainers, Percy and Sir George," Quinus introduced. "Oh! And this is my fiance, Dalia. She is Lady Rya''s lady in waiting," Percy introduced the Wolfkin. "It is an honor to be in your presence, Prince Quinus, and Lady Rya," Lester bowed. "That''s fine, please lead us to the Baron," Quinus said. "The Baron isn''t here, your Highness," Lester replied. "Oh?" Quinus asked. Lester smiled, "But his lordship''s son is here." "Johan is here? Where is he?" Quinus asked. The doors opened to the living room and a young man of twenty-seven years came walking in with a smile. Just as he was about to speak his eyes caught Rya holding onto Quinus'' arm and the sight caused him to stumble. "Watch your step, Johan. Or will I have to get you a cane?" Quinus chuckled. "P-Prince," Johan bowed. "What brings you out this way, Johan? Aren''t you supposed to be with your father and sister?" "If I can get away from the farm fields. Then I''ll take the opportunity," Johan smiled. Quinus shook his head, "Does he really make you work out in the fields? Johan, you''re the lord''s son." "Of course not! But you know how it is. It''s all about the" "Paperwork, yeah, I''m dreading the day I take the crown," Quinus shook his head and smiled. Johan looked at Rya again, and then he noticed the two other elves and wolfkin standing behind Quinus. "It isn''t too bad, but it does take up a lot of time... But enough of that, it seems you made some new friends since the last time I saw you," Johan replied. Quinus smirked before introducing the group, "Where are my manners, first is Lady Yuliana and her daughter, Lady Nieren, and the lovely wolfkin is Lady Dalia. They are both of Lady Rya''s retainers... This is my fiancee, Lady Rya." Johan''s eyes went wide after hearing the news. ''Fiancee?... No wonder why the Prime Minister was losing his mind of late. Goddess be damned. How the hell did Quinus catch such a beauty... And a dark elf at that.'' Johan smiled, "It''s a pleasure to meet you." Rya was surprised by the warm welcome. She remembered her etiquette training and bowed slightly, "Likewise." Johan''s cheeks grew a light blush, "My name is Johan Dule, First son of Baron Johnathan Dule." Quinus chuckled, "She is quite the beauty." Johan smiled, "Indeed. You know how to surpass everyone''s expectations, your Highness." "Hey now... I was lucky enough to have her choose me," Quinus smirked. "Is that how it was?" Rya smiled. "Yep, and if you say otherwise then I think I would cry," Quinus smiled. "Flattery will get you nowhere, but since you''re cute I''ll give you a pass," Rya smiled. "Oh, you wound me, my love," Quinus replied. Johan didn''t know if he was happy for the prince or envious. He''s never had any luck with the ladies and the woman, who was arranged to be married to him, tolerating him at best. He hoped to change that, but he didn''t know how to. "I like her. I haven''t seen you this lively," Johan smiled. "Yeah, she has that effect on me," Quinus replied. "So, is your family here, Johan?" Rya asked. "Ah, my wife is here but I''m not sure if she will join us... My sister is not here," Johan replied. "How is your wife, Johan?" Quinus asked. Johan''s expression grew sour, "As good as can be expected." ''Oof! I know that look. She must be angry or something. It must be an arranged marriage thing. I remember things weren''t rosy during the medieval times when women were sold off for political marriages or dowries. Maybe I can find out what might be her problem... I like Johan so far. He''s one of the few people who didn''t look at me in fear or disgust. And Johan seems to be friends with Quinus so he should be alright... Yeah! I''ll ask her myself. And if she is rude to me, then I''ll give her a piece of my mind.'' Rya thought as she stood there quietly. Quinus patted Johan''s shoulder, "Maybe I can help out." The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Johan''s eyebrow rose, "Help?" "Don''t worry. I might be able to give you some advice, but what''s your wife''s name again?" Quinus asked. Johan sighed, "Her name is Tayna." "Tayna... Which family is she from? It''s hard to keep track," Quinus replied. Johan cracked a smile again, "So, you aren''t a master of everything, your Highness?" "Hardly, and please don''t start calling me a master of everything. It''s the last thing I need," Quinus rolled his eyes. Johan smirked, "Alright, then. Come!... You all must be hungry and tired from your trip. We can continue this talk while having a late lunch." Quinus nodded his head, "Yes. That would be nice." Quinus, Rya, Nieren, Yuliana, Percy, Dalia, and Sir George followed Johan through the manor. There were some nice vases, a few paintings of landscapes, and a family portrait of Johan''s relatives. The dining room was big. The table was large and could fit ten people on either side. The centerpiece was a crystal vase and it was filled with flowers. Johan gestured for everyone to take their seats and he sat at the end of the table. The maids brought out the food and placed the platters down in the middle of the table. ''Man! So, this is going to be my life from here on out. Hopefully, I can get used to the lavishness,'' Rya thought as Quinus pulled out her chair. Rya smiled, "Thank you." "Anything for my lady," Quinus smiled. Johan took the seat in the middle of the table while Quinus sat across from him. Rya was to his left while Yuliana sat to his right. Dalia and Percy were to the left of Rya. While Nieren sat to the right of her mother. Douglas sat across from Yuliana while Sir George stood at attention in the corner. He usually watched over the Prince. Just to make sure no one tries to harm him. "Please, eat as much as you like," Johan said. "I didn''t know the crown prince had arrived! Johan! Why didn''t you tell me," a voice called out. Everyone turned their heads and saw a woman standing in the doorway. She was a human in her twenties and had brown hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing a black dress with gold trim. She wore a simple tiara on her head. She was a pretty woman, but Rya noticed that she was wearing black gloves. Not because it was cold, but because she was hiding something. Rya could see that her left hand was missing a ring finger. ''Huh? I wonder how she hurt her left hand. It''s a big scar that runs up to her chest. And she used a lot of makeup to cover some scars on her face. If I wasn''t a healer, then I wouldn''t have noticed it so easily. I''ve only seen people who fought monsters or beasts to lose a digit, but with that much damage, I''m surprised she still has an arm... I''m sure she was raised as a noblewoman, so I wonder how she came into contact with a monster. Hmm, maybe she has a story to tell,'' Rya thought as she watched Johan stand up. "I''m sorry, my love. You told me to not disturb you," Johan apologized. "That is no excuse. I''m sorry for not greeting you sooner, Prince Quinus. I''m Tayna, Johan''s wife. It is a pleasure to meet you," Tayna bowed to the prince and gave him a perfect smile. Rya''s brow raised when she saw the fake smile on Tayna''s face. ''What is with this woman?'' Rya thought. Quinus smiled, "The pleasure is all mine. This is my fiancee, Rya." Tayna lifted her head and saw the striking woman sitting next to the prince. Her eyes widened when she noticed that she was a dark elf who was wearing a revealing pink dress that put her chest to shame. Tayna''s jaw dropped slightly. ''H-how?... Is this dark elf the prince''s lover?! How am I supposed to compete with that and get out of this marriage!'' "My lady, this is Lady Rya, and she will be the future Queen of Fiafyr Kingdom," Douglas said reluctantly. Tayna bowed to her, "It is an honor to meet you, Lady Rya." Rya stood up and curtsied, "Likewise, Lady Tayna." "May I?" Tayna asked as she gestured to the empty chair across from her. Rya nodded her head and took her seat. Quinus sat back down as well. Johan was surprised that his wife sat next to him, but he wasn''t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Dalia was glaring at the future Baroness with her ears pinned back. Tayna noticed that not only was there a dark elf but a wood elf and a wolfkin were also there. ''What in the hells? I''ve never seen so many subspecies in my life. What kind of group is the prince in? Who are these people?... Are these all his women?... Oh gods, is the prince a pervert?'' Tayna thought as she watched the wolfkin girl glaring at her. Rya could hear Dalia growling very softly. "What''s the matter, Dalia?" Rya whispered. "She smells... Strange." "Strange how?" "She doesn''t have her mates sent. That means she''s on the prowl for a new mate. And she can''t have Gamma!" Dalia growled. Rya looked at Tayna and noticed that she was trying to gain Quinus'' attention, but her husband didn''t notice. "No, she''s not interested in Percy. It''s the prince," Rya replied. "Huh? Well, that''s a relief," Dalia replied. Rya looked at Dalia with a skeptical look, "So it''s fine if she''s after someone else''s man?..." Dalia blushed, "Uh... Yeah. I don''t know anything about human mating. I''m a beastkin in a human kingdom. I don''t know if Gamma would leave me for another female... Would I have to accept him taking another mate and raise the children?" Rya smiled, "Dalia, he''s head over heels in love with you. There''s no way he''s going to look at another woman." Dalia looked at her, "Really?" Rya looked over at Percy who was happily eating his food, but his eyes were glued to Dalia. "Yes," Rya replied. Dalia looked down at her food, "Good! Someday I will have his pups. And we''ll raise them together." ''Yeah... It''s going to happen sooner than you expect. This Beastkin is so innocent,'' Rya thought. Johan was glad that his wife joined them for a meal. She hardly did that anymore. He wondered what changed her mind. "So, what house is Tayna from, Johan?" Quinus asked as he took a sip of water. "Oh! She''s from house" Johan was about to speak, but Tayna cut him off. "House Gilder. We are a small noble family that watches over the city of Bainbridge, in the southern part of the kingdom. We''re not important. Not like your family," Tayna said. "So, you''re from a minor noble family, who is under Marquess Duval in the Berger Domain," Quinus asked. ''Oh, she''s from a minor noble family... I should have studied more geography before our trip,'' Rya thought. Tayna was surprised that he knew where her family lived, "Y-yes. Your Highness. The Prime Minister is good to my family." "Well, that''s good to hear. I''m sure Marquess Duval wouldn''t like hearing about a small dispute. He doesn''t seem to be a very forgiving man. I''m sure he wouldn''t be pleased about me breaking the arranged marriage," Quinus replied as he cut his chicken. Tayna looked at the prince with hope, ''So, that is why he took this dark elf to be his wife. He hates the idea of being forced to marry a woman he doesn''t even love. And there must be a loophole about taking a different species as his wife to get back at his father and the Marquess. He''s brilliant!'' Tayna smiled thinking she knew what the prince''s angle was. "I understand your position, my lord. It is not an easy thing to be married off to someone you''ve never met. I can only imagine what it is like for a young woman to be given away like chattel," Tayna said sympathetically. Johan looked like he was hit in the gut with her words. Rya didn''t know what to say to her. It was true. But this woman seemed to be getting the wrong idea. Yuliana looked bored. She hates these human squabbles. She didn''t want anything to do with them. So she ate slowly while ignoring them to the best of her ability. Percy didn''t seem to notice. He was eating his food. And Nieren was watching the human woman like a hawk. "I was wondering why the Marquess was so erratic of late. It seems you have given him a heart attack, my Lord," Johan said while trying to shake off the discomfort of his wife''s words. "I think the Marquess will get over it. Arranged marriages break apart all the time. Besides, he''s a smart man," Tayna replied. Rya was watching the human woman who was clearly trying to find a way out of her arranged marriage. But Rya could tell that this woman was not in love with Johan. She looked unhappy being around him. ''She needs to get fucking laid! And I should find a way to do it. She''s an uppity bitch that needs to be knocked down a peg,'' Rya thought. "Sadly, I''ll need to convince him and my father to change their minds. It''s not going to be easy," Quinus said. ''I''m tired of hearing about this arranged marriage with the Alliance Princess. Those bastards tried to kill me and Hiro sacrificed his life to get me out of the citadel,'' Rya thought. Rya had a hard time keeping her emotions under control. She hated thinking about Hiro and his last moments alive. He turned to dust after exhausting his mana to teleport them away from the citadel. She couldn''t even bring back his body. Rya didn''t know how long she was lost in thought but she was brought out of her daze when Quinus put his hand over hers. "Are you alright? You spaced out for a minute," Quinus said. "I''m fine," Rya lied. Quinus could tell that she wasn''t telling the truth, and he assumed it was because they were talking about the arranged marriage. "You have nothing to worry about. I will do everything in my power to ensure that you are happy. I will never let anyone harm you," Quinus said. Rya just smirked. ''God... He''s a sweetheart when he''s worried about me... As if I would let him get hurt. No. I''m not going to allow it,'' Rya thought. "I appreciate it, Quinus. And I promise to keep you safe. No matter what," Rya said. Johan smiled. He could see that his prince was head over heels in love with his fiancee. ''I wonder what it''s like to be in love like that. I wonder if I ever felt that way towards my wife. I wish she would stop pushing me away. Maybe the prince can help me win her heart.'' Tayna wasn''t pleased to see the prince fawning over a dark elf. But she knew better than to make the prince angry. Rya looked at Johan, "So, you are one of Quinus'' friends?... And the next Baron of Eder Hills?" Johan smiled, "Yes. I am the next Baron of Eder Hills. Back when I was a child. I... Looked up to the wrong person. I''m just glad I didn''t follow the path I was on." "Really? Who was that? If you don''t mind me asking," Rya asked. Quinus cut in, "He wanted to be friends with my cousin Marcus." Rya gave Johan a "You gotta be joking!?" look. Johan had an awkward laugh and scratched the back of his head. "I-I wanted to be a mage. And Marcus was about to go to the academy... It''s rare to be a mage while having the power and influence that Marcus had. I was too blinded by his prestige when I was younger," Johan said. ''I get it. He was the cool kid that everyone wanted to be friends with. He had everything. Power, prestige, wealth, and fame. It''s easy to get swept away by the cool kids.'' Rya nodded her head, "I understand. We all make mistakes when we were younger." Johan was tickled by Rya''s response. "Yeah, I found out at an early age that he saw me as nothing more than dirt... All because I have no mana vein. I''m just a normal human with no potential," Johan replied. Rya''s ears twitched. "That''s not true. Just because you don''t have a mana vein doesn''t mean you have no potential. You''re a noble. You can help those in need. Help others find their strengths," Rya replied. Johan couldn''t believe his ears. ''No one has ever said anything like that to me except, his Highness. And I thought he was saying that just to be nice... Maybe they''re both right,'' Johan thought. "You have a very kind heart, milady. I can see why the prince is so smitten with you... Your personality matches your beauty," Johan said. "Thank you, Lord Johan," Rya said. Tayna looked at her husband with a raised eyebrow. ''I know Johan means well. But a noble without a mana vein is just a dressed-up commoner... If only I didn''t get disfigured by the damn slime monster. I wouldn''t have needed to take him as a husband. Why can''t he be one-tenth of the man the prince is? I wish I was his wife. He''s the ideal husband.'' It was a moment later that it occurred to him that he didn''t know what had happened to Marcus. "So, uh... Where''s Marcus now?" Johan asked. Quinus looked up at Johan with a stoic look while Sir George had a smirk crack through his professional demeanor. "He''s dead," Quinus replied coldly. Johan almost choked on his food, "What?!" "Marcus was executed by my orders. He left me and my men for dead in the dungeon," Quinus replied. "So he finally screwed up... Good. That man was the worst human being on the continent. If anyone deserved to die it was him. And if you hadn''t done it, I would have done it myself. That bastard was always cruel," Johan said. "I didn''t enjoy it... But he forced my hand... Now I need to worry about my uncle and the rest of his supporters," Quinus replied. Johan leaned back in his chair and looked Quinus in the eye. "What is it?" Johan asked. Quinus sighed, "We would need to speak in private about this, my friend. This information is sensitive. And not to be spoken aloud." Johan understood. "I understand. When do you wish to discuss this, my lord?" Johan asked. Quinus had finished his food and drink, "We can discuss it now if you are free." "Of course, my lord," Johan replied. "Who else is invited to this meeting?" General Douglas asked. "Sir George and yourself are the only ones who need to come. Rya and the others can stay here and have their meal. I''ll be back shortly," Quinus said as he stood up. "Hmm. Tayna? Can you do me a favor and host Lady Rya and her party until I return," Johan said. "I... I was in the middle of something. Can''t someone else do it?" Tayna asked. "The servants are busy. I can''t ask them to take care of our guests," Johan replied. Quinus looked at the noblewoman with a raised eyebrow. At the same time, Rya took this moment to pull out the Seer Stone from her cleavage. She brought up the strange-looking monocle to her right eye and looked at Johan. ''I know he said he doesn''t have a mana vein. But there has to be more to this story.'' Soon the darkness in the monocle showed a miniscule gray mana vein inside of Johan. Rya almost couldn''t see it at first. But luckily her elven eyes helped her spot the mana vein. Rya couldn''t believe her eyes, ''Why are there some strange brown particles floating around his mana vein? It''s similar to what was going on with Nieren''s mana vein, but the particles were a different color... I should double-check to see if it was only him. I''ll need to check all of his friends too.'' Rya quickly looked at everyone with the Seer Stone before she slipped it back into her cleavage. ''Damn! I almost went blind looking at Quinus'' mana vein. But everyone else is fine. They all have normal mana veins. And none of them have those particles around their veins. So it must be something that only affects Johan and Nieren. I need to study it later.'' Everyone Rya spotted with the Seer Stone was fine. Quinus had a bright gold mana vein just like hers, while Yuliana, Percy, and Dalia all had glowing blue veins which meant they had elite-ranked veins. Percy''s vein had a couple of oddities about it that made it more unique than a normal elite vein, and she was going to investigate it later. But nothing that seemed to affect his health. Nieren had her purple vein and George had a dark green vein. Douglas and Tayna had light green veins, which meant they were master ranked. Even though Tayna''s mana vein was thin compared to everyone who had been in combat. Then there were the servants, all of them had light gray which meant none of them had anything special about their veins. Gray was the most common ranked vein. It could grow if they slayed monsters, but it took forever and they didn''t have the strength to be a Maja. Rya didn''t know what those particles were, but they didn''t look good. They were brownish and were floating around the mana vein. "Well, it''s rude to spring things up on me without notice. I would have gotten better tea," Tayna replied. Quinus looked at the woman and spoke, "Be polite." Tayna turned to the prince and nodded, "Of course. I''ll do it for the prince." Johan was flabbergasted by his wife''s behavior, "Tayna!" "Fine. I''ll host them," Tayna said with a pout. "Very well. Shall we, my lord," Johan replied. Tayna sat there pouting while Johan, Quinus, and the others walked out of the room. Leaving Rya, Dalia, Percy, Yuliana, Nieren, and a few servants around to clean up the table. Ch.186 A Strange Tea Party Tayna looked at the four female humanoids and frowned, "Let''s go to the parlor. I''ll have the servants bring some tea and pastries." Dalia got excited about the sweets while Yuliana looked unamused. Nieren was trying to be the proper guest, and Rya stood up and said, "That would be nice... Percy, would you like to join us?" Percy looked at all the women standing up before him. "I think I''ll go exploring. Maybe talk to some soldiers. I don''t want to intrude on your time together. Besides, I''m sure you want to talk about things without a man listening in," Percy said. Rya rolled her eyes. ''Of course. Leave the girls to have some girl time. Typical... I hope I can control Dalia without him around... Who am I kidding? Dalia''s going to be Dalia... Well, let''s see what is up with this chick.'' "Fair enough. Go and explore. We''ll try not to get into trouble," Rya said. Percy saluted her, "Aye, aye. My lady!" "Hehehe," Dalia giggled at her mate''s behavior. Rya shook her head, and the party of five walked out of the dining room. They followed Tayna into a large parlor, where a couple of couches and a large table with four chairs were. Rya sat down on the couch. At the same time, Yuliana and Dalia took the couch across from her. Whereas, Nieren picked a chair next to the window. The servants came in with tea and snacks. Tayna took her time to sit in a chair across from Nieren and was in between the couches. Rya was to her left while Dalia and Yuliana were to her right. A servant came up with a freshly brewed pot of tea. "Ma''am, I chose the Corialis Green Tea with the Honey Citrus and the Lemon Curd Pastry." Tayna nodded her head, "Fine. Put the teapot and pastries on the table." "Of course," the servant replied. Tayna was still annoyed about having to entertain a bunch of people out of the blue. And she had to use her better manners because Rya was going to be marrying into royalty. "So... Tell me. What is it like to be a dark elf? All the stories I''ve heard don''t paint your kind in a good light from what I remember," Tayna asked as she took her cup of tea and had a sip. Nieren and Yuliana seemed to have a guilty conscience as they recalled how badly they acted towards Rya when they first met her on different occasions. Rya smirked and took her cup of tea, "What is it like to be a scarred woman?" "Excuse me?" Tayna said angrily. "You heard me. I''m a dark elf. And you are a woman with scars... Do you fear what will happen when the other nobles find out? You''ll be shunned and cast out... Unless your husband protects you. Or maybe you want someone else to protect you," Rya said. "Wh-what?" Tayna was shocked by Rya''s words. "You fear not knowing how someone will react to you. Will they treat you with kindness, disgust, or murderous intent? You have the same fears I do. But the difference is that I have the power to change people''s minds. And I have a powerful family backing me up... But here you are, insulting your husband... He seems like a good person from what I''ve seen. You''re a fool if you let his kindness go to waste. If I were your husband, I wouldn''t take this treatment...," Rya said before giving her a sly glance while sipping her tea. Yuliana and Nieren didn''t know how brutal Rya could be when she needed to. While Dalia was too hyper-focused on the sweets to care about anything that was happening around her. Tayna was shocked. Her face turned red. Her hands started shaking, and her eyes were wide open. She knew Johan didn''t have a mana vein. Meaning the nobles would see him as a commoner and wouldn''t respect him or worse, they would try to strip his title. And she was nothing more than a trophy. A damaged trophy. "If you think he''s so good then why don''t we trade places? Hmm?" Tayna asked. "Ha-ha. As tempting as that is. I''ll pass," Rya said. "Then I think you shouldn''t be so rude. Dark Elves are the enemies of mankind," Tayna stated. "Says who?... Yuliana, can you tell me who spread all these stories about dark elves?" Rya asked. Yuliana was nervous about answering that question. She took a cup of tea and sipped it before trying to change the subject, "Well... This is some lovely human tea. Where is Corialis again? I think I would like to buy some." "Yuliana?" Rya asked. "No. No. I''m fine. Don''t mind me, Lady Rya. Just enjoying this human tea," said the fallen Wood Elf Princess. "Come on, tell me," Rya demanded. Yuliana froze before replying, "I-It''s the High Elves of the White-Wing Kingdom. They spread rumors." "So... As you can see. Not only have the Wood Elves and the Dwarves been brainwashed into believing that all Dark Elves are evil, but the Humans, too. And since I have been hunted down by the Divine Three, I know how hard it is to escape from them. Luckily, I found the Prince and saved his life. And then he saved mine. He is more important to me than anyone else in this world... And if I can give him the support he needs to make this world a better place. I will. And I''ll make sure my family will be at the top of the food chain... Then I know I can live in peace with him and my closest friends," Rya stated. "So, you say the High Elves are spreading rumors? How am I supposed to know if you are speaking the truth with only your words alone? It''s nothing but hearsay," Tayna said. "Well, I just have to show everyone by my actions," Rya replied. "I still think you are lying. Dark Elves are not good. You''re all monsters. It''s written in history books. You are the offspring of a dark god," Tayna said in a bold manner. *Clink* Yuliana almost dropped her cup of tea. While Nieren glared at the human who was insulting her friend. Dalia cracked into a quiet laugh. "Hehehe... She''s a bold one or she''s dumber than a rock," Dalia whispered as she sat back on the couch wondering how Alpha was going to discipline this one. "Is that so... Tayna? Is it?" Rya said in a low calm tone. "Yes," Tayna said proudly while staring her down. Then out of nowhere two of Rya''s golems grabbed Tayna from both of her sides and forced her up with ease. "T-There are more Dark Elves!? W-What is the meaning of this!" Tayna yelled as she dropped her cup. The servants didn''t know what to do, and one tried running towards the door to call for help, but another golem formed from the ground in front of the door and blocked the exit. "Hey, cloney! It''s way funnier to watch someone else being handled by them instead of me," Dalia laughed while grabbing a pastry and scarfing it down in one bite. "What is the meaning of this? Why are they practically naked!?" Tayna yelled. "Lady Rya is one of the most powerful mages I have ever seen in my life. Those are her earth golems. I''ve seen them wipe out the Black Rose army with only a couple of them," Nieren informed the panicking woman. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Tayna struggled as she was brought closer to Rya. She didn''t expect Rya to be so powerful. "Y-You! Unhand me this instant!" Tayna yelled. Rya took another sip of her tea as 2C moved Tayna''s left hand closer to her. Tayna was confused about what was going on. Then she felt her left glove being pulled off and then the second one with the fake ring finger revealing her disfigured hand. "What is this!? What are you doing!" Tayna shouted. "Tell me, Tayna... How did you get these injuries?" Rya asked. "It is none of your business. That is private information. Let go of meAunh!" Tayna moaned in pain as she was forced to lean over the table. "Hmm. You made it my business once you insulted me. Which is also insulting the prince through me... So answer the question," Rya demanded. "No! Stop this!" Tayna yelled. "I can do this all day. Answer the question," Rya demanded. "Y-you!... You already humiliated me! What more do you want?" Tayna cried out. "An answer would be nice," Rya replied. Tayna couldn''t break free, and after a minute of struggling, she gave in. "Fine! I''ll tell you!" Tayna said. The golems eased up a bit, but she still was trapped in their grasp. "M-My brother... When we were young. He wanted to prove he could be a great warrior... So he ran out to the nearby forest outside the village we lived in. We were forbidden to go into the forest because of how many slime monsters would roam around there. But he didn''t care. And I tried to stop him before he could run away. But he got away and I was lost deep inside the forest. Before I knew it. I ran into a slime and it got my hand and it went up my arm. I screamed for help, but no one was there to help me. It took 20 minutes for the villagers to find me. When they found me, the slime was trying to eat me. And I had already lost feeling in my left arm... My family was disappointed in me... And I had to hide this arm from the world and make a fake finger," Tayna cried as she wished she could hide herself. Rya put down her cup of tea and looked at the woman. She could tell it was the truth and looked like someone who was pitied and shamed. ''So, maybe she acts the way she does, because of the pitying eyes of the others. She''s trying to act tough... But she''s fragile and is masking a lot of issues.'' Rya slowly reached her hand up to grab the acid burn hand of Tayna. "W-What are you doing!? L-Let me go!" Tayna tried to fight against the golems but it was no use. Rya grabbed her hand and before Tayna could say anything. She felt a tingling sensation that spread throughout her body. "Ah! Ah!" Tayna moaned as she closed her eyes. She felt a warmth starting to grow inside her while a calming wave swept throughout her body. It was like she was in heaven. And soon her skin started to repair itself. The missing finger was restored. She could feel the finger move and bend. Her face healed and her skin became softer. And lastly, some padding came out of the left cup of her dress as her breast was healed and restored. "Ahh!?" Tayna gasped as her eyes shot open. She saw her healed hand and the missing finger was now restored. And then her face didn''t hurt anymore. Her cheeks were smooth and soft. ''W-What happened?'' The golems released her and she was able to stand up straight. And then she felt her chest. Her left breast was restored and she pulled out the padding. She had a mix of disbelief and astonishment. ''How did this happen? Did she heal me? Or am I hallucinating?'' All the servants were dumbfounded at what they just witnessed. Nieren and Yuliana smiled at Rya''s kindness. While Dalia pouted in disapproval. The wolfkin thought this human needed to be punished for her sharp tongue. "H-How? Why?" Tayna asked. "Because I know how it feels... To be hated, judged, and bullied... But you better watch out, Tayna... I hear that Dark Elves are evil and will do anything to kill mankind," Rya said in a sarcastic tone. "But... How did you fix my body? I was told the damage was permanent," Tayna said. Rya smirked, "I''m a healer, Tayna... Now, how about you apologize to me and the prince... Hmm?" "Oh! O-Of course," Tayna said while nodding her head. Rya waved her hand and the golems moved back before they morphed into the ground. ''I was wrong about her... She''s merciful and a healer... Wait! SHE''S A HEALER!?!'' It hit Tayna like a brick and she looked back at her. She saw the smile on her face and couldn''t believe how lucky she was. ''She''s a healer. If the prince marries her then he will have access to healing magic and then he will be one of the most powerful people on the planet! She healed me! And I''ve been nothing but rude to her! You idiot, Tayna. What were you thinking?!'' Tayna got down on her knees and bowed her head to the Dark Elf. "Lady Rya, I am so sorry for my actions and words. P-Please! Forgive me! For I have acted foolishly," Tayna begged. Dalia''s ears perked up and she was amazed by this woman''s 180. "Oh my, Alpha. I guess you showed her who''s boss. I didn''t think that would work," Dalia joked. "Don''t needle her, Dalia... She''s been through a lot," Rya smiled. Tayna looked up at Rya and had a pleading look in her eyes. She really didn''t mean to insult the Dark Elf. But she was blinded by her ambitions to see the prince, in hopes of breaking her marriage. Even if it was a long shot. But now she wanted her forgiveness. "Don''t give me those sad puppy dog eyes... I get enough of that from Dalia," Rya teased. "Hey!" Dalia said. Nieren chuckled while Yuliana sighed in relief. Tayna felt a little better and the servants were still shocked that their lady was forgiving and healed by the dark elf. One of the maids walked up to Tayna. "M-My Lady?... Do you wish for me to call the" "No... It''s alright... Just a little misunderstanding on my part... Can you bring another pot of tea?" Tayna ordered the maid. "Right away, My Lady," the maid replied. The maid quickly went to the kitchen and came back with a new pot of tea and set it down on the table. "Thank you," Tayna said and the maid nodded and went back to her position. ''Now that I know the truth about Lady Rya. She''s a person to become friends with... And her power could be very useful to the Prince''s cause,'' Tayna thought. Rya poured a cup of tea and handed it to Tayna. "Here," Rya offered the tea to Tayna. "T-Thank you, my lady," Tayna took the cup and slowly drank the hot tea. "Oh, you can sit, Tayna... You''re welcome," Rya smiled. "O-Okay," Tayna replied and took her seat. "Wow! She''s so obedient. I wonder what tricks she could do," Dalia snickered while eating another sweet. Yuliana and Nieren furrowed their brows at the wolfkin''s comment. Tayna didn''t say anything, she didn''t want to offend Rya or her friends. "Oh? Then you could learn a thing or two from Lady Tayna, Dalia," Rya chuckled. "Hey! Don''t bring me into this, Alpha. She was the one who said it, not me," Dalia pouted. "Yeah, yeah. Keep eating," Rya replied. "Oh! I will do as you obey, Lady Alpha," Dalia teased with a wink. Rya rolled her eyes and went back to drinking her tea. Tayna was quiet and she felt a little awkward. "Gods and Spirits... Lady Fyrella would be scolding us for being so informal with Lady Rya," Nieren groaned while grabbing a cup and filling it with tea. "I fear this wolfkin will be the end of you, Lady Rya," Yuliana commented while sipping her tea. "Pfft," Dalia muffled her laughter. "Dalia? Behave yourself. This isn''t an etiquette class. And I think I will be fine. Maybe I was a bit forceful at the beginning but we are getting the hang of things," Rya smiled while pointing her pinky finger out as she took another sip of tea. "Yes, Lady Alpha. We are totally getting the hang of things," Dalia replied while cramming another pastry in her mouth. The more the others talked with each other the more Tayna started to feel comfortable. And she didn''t notice the servants whispering about her. ''This Dark Elf is like nothing I have heard. Maybe the other races were wrong about her kind. And if I can get on her good side then I can be her ally or better yet her friend. The prince would reward me if I could gain the favor of this Dark Elf. Both of them will surely see how useful I can be. And then we can rule this kingdom how we see fit.'' Tayna was scheming as she sat there, watching Rya and her group talk and enjoy themselves. "So, Lady Tayna?" Rya called out. "Y-Yes," Tayna answered. "You seemed displeased to be married to Johan... Care to tell me why? Is he a bad person?" Rya asked. "N-No... He''s a... Fine man and he is very... Thoughtful," Tayna said. "Then... You don''t want to be his wife?" "He... He''s going to be ousted... He can''t defend himself with no mana vein and odds are, our children won''t have the mana veins either. And it is not like anyone else will marry him," Tayna answered. "Then why don''t you become the alpha?" Dalia asked. "Huh?" "You''ve been healed. And you were born into a noble family. So get stronger and protect your mate," Dalia said. "But it''s unladylike to fight..." Tayna answered. "Who said? Women are allowed to fight," Dalia argued. "Dalia... She doesn''t have the drive to do what we do," Rya said. "B-But..." "Lady Rya is right, Dalia. Don''t force people into doing something they aren''t suited for," Nieren spoke. "Alright, WoodI mean, Lady Nieren," Dalia said. Rya looked at Tayna, "So your only issue is that Johan has a weak mana vein? Is that right?" "Yes, Lady Rya... I would find him acceptable if he had a stronger mana vein... But I doubt we could ever be compatible," Tayna answered. "Hmm. Understandable," Rya said before taking another sip of her tea. ''She''s a bit shallow... But I think I can make her fall in love with Johan. I''m sure he slayed a bunch of monsters while growing up. And if whatever is affecting his mana vein is similar to what happened to Nieren''s vein. Then he''ll have a case of the "Mana Lust". She''ll be fucked so well that she''ll be hooked... Hell! Maybe she''ll love him if we''re lucky.'' Rya was busy thinking up a plan. She was going to help these two even if she needed earplugs for the night. They were stuck together and even though Tayna is a bit of a shallow bitch. Rya was sure that deep down, Tayna wasn''t that bad. "Hmm, I''m sorry for all of that, Lady Rya," Tayna said. "We all make mistakes... Just make sure you learn from them and grow," Rya replied. "I will, Lady Rya," Tayna said as she looked at Rya as if she had a question. "Something on your mind, Lady Tayna?" Rya asked. "Yes... Someone had mentioned that you met Prince Quinus in his travels?... How did that go?" Rya smiled, "I don''t know if you have enough tea, but I could tell you the story..." Tayna smiled and was very interested in this story. "Please do," Tayna answered. And with that, the ladies began chatting away about how Rya met everyone over the past month. Ch.187 Tell Me What Happened This Past While the ladies were having their tea party. Quinus, Johan, and the others went to a sacred location. Johan took them to his father''s study. The place where Johnathan Dule would do his research and store his paperwork. Quinus was fascinated by the study and all of the books and artifacts that were stored there. "You can grab anything you want, My Lord," Johan said. "Thanks for the offer, but I don''t want to take your father''s things for my personal gain. It wouldn''t sit well with me," Quinus replied. That''s what Johan liked about Quinus. He was honorable and had a code that he didn''t stray from. He was the complete opposite of his cousin, Marcus. ''He''s going to make a fine king.'' Johan thought. "Well, you can still look around, my Lord," Johan offered. "Well, I''ll make sure to ask you. If I see something that interests me," Quinus smiled. "Didn''t you say that you wanted to speak in private, your Highness?" General Douglas asked while getting a little impatient. "Douglas, you need to enjoy the little things in life, before you have to deal with the bigger issues," Quinus said. "Your Highness, I will when this kingdom is safe. We have no time for such things," Douglas replied. "You are a very boring old man, Sir Douglas," Sir George commented. "Enough... Your Highness, you said there were details that you needed to discuss in private. And if it is a sensitive issue then you should hurry," Douglas said. "Ah, fine. Lester. Please bring us some tea, and your staff can go about your business," Johan ordered. "Yes, my Lord. We will prepare your drinks," Lester replied and bowed. He and his staff left the study. While Lester prepared the tea and snacks, he and the rest of the staff did their daily chores and duties. Once everything was to his Lordship''s satisfaction, he returned with the tea and served it. "Thank you, Lester. You and the rest of the staff can leave us now," Johan ordered. "Yes, My Lord," Lester replied. He bowed and left the study. He locked the door and stood there on the other side. Just in case, his lordship needed anything. "Good. Now we can speak freely. So, what happened in the labyrinth, your Highness," Johan asked. Quinus turned and looked at Johan. "I believe by the time we made it to the sixth floor. Marcus and I lost almost every one of our troops... The only members of my party that were still alive were Percy and Sir George. While Marcus had three of his mercenaries," Quinus said. "It''s not hard to believe. A Dungeon that was building up a monster horde in the lower floors couldn''t have been easy to conquer...," Johan replied. "Well, Marcus thought it was a good time to split up on the sixth floor when we were taking on a horde of goblins. I used Sun''s Smite to burn hundreds of them. And when we thought we were safe. Three Hobgoblins came at us from the ceiling... I thought my luck had finally run out," Quinus said. Sir George nodded his head as he recalled the moment when he thought they were all done for. "We thought that we were going to die," Sir George spoke up. "Yeah, those things were vicious. Their blades were poisoned, and they had no care for anyone''s well-being. The way they attacked. It was as if their sole purpose was to kill anything and everything in their path," Quinus said. "How did you defeat the Hobgoblins?" Douglas asked. Quinus had a glint in his eye and a smile crept on his face, "Well, it turned out that lady luck was still on my side. Because as the hobgoblins came at us, the earth under us started to move. And suddenly, multiple earth spikes shot up and pierced all of them, killing them instantly." "You''re telling me that''s when the dark elf came into the picture?" Douglas asked. "Refer to her as Lady Rya, General! I''m getting tired of you not giving her proper respect," Sir George demanded. Douglas was taken aback by Sir George''s outburst. If he wasn''t the Crown Prince''s retainer, then he would have reprimanded him. But since he was, he had to hold back his tongue. "I don''t trust the Dark Elves. No matter how many times you try to tell me they aren''t evil. I fear she''s trying to use us, and possibly control the kingdom," Douglas stated. Quinus squared off against his General. "You are my most trusted knight, Douglas. But you need to drop your prejudice towards the Dark Elves. They aren''t what you were told in your youth. They aren''t the same people as the ones from the Great War. And if you can''t put these childish feelings aside. I will find a new general," Quinus stated. "But, Your Highness... You can''t" "Don''t tell me what I can and cannot do, General. You are not my father and I won''t let you speak down to me," Quinus interrupted him as he moved in close to the General. Douglas looked into the Prince''s eyes and saw a fire burning within him. He''d never seen the Prince so serious before. He knew he was talented but he thought his personality was softer than his father''s. He didn''t expect the Prince to be this fierce. Douglas stepped back. "I just want to make sure she''s not using you, your Highness," Douglas stated. Quinus'' golden eyes glowed brightly. It reminded him of when Cyndre would become furious. But Quinus'' eyes burned far more brighter than his father''s when he was angry. ''His eyes remind me of a dragon''s,'' Douglas thought. Johan was getting nervous about what his friend was going to do. ''Is he going to kill Douglas?'' Douglas was a great general, and Quinus respected him in the past. He would never think about killing him, but if Douglas pushed him to the brink. Who knows what the Prince would do? "Your Highness?... I believe the General needs to know what Lady Rya has done to earn your trust," Johan said, trying to calm the situation. Quinus looked over his shoulder at Johan. Making Johan swallowed his throat when Quinus'' eyes looked at him. It was intense. Quinus thought for a moment before he looked back at Douglas. "Do you know what we have been through this past month?" Quinus asked. "I only heard bits and pieces, Your Highness... I only know that you succeeded and Viscount Marcus has died. I was also told that you chose to take... Lady Rya''s hand in marriage. And I should watch out for the Duke and his men. That''s all I''ve been told," Douglas replied. Quinus stared at the General for a few seconds before speaking, "I guess I''ll start at the beginning." Johan internally sighed in relief. ''Looks like the Prince calmed down... Thank the Goddess...'' "Well, after she saved us and after we found out that she wasn''t a brood maiden. She chose to help us find the Dungeon Core due to her ability to see the flow of ether in the dungeon. We didn''t need Marcus'' artifact with her by our side. "She found the illusionary wall. After we traveled down a few more floors. Then, we came across a goblin''s nest, General. Rows and rows of women who were unfortunate to become brood maidens." Quinus paused to let Douglas and Johan take in this information. "I''m sorry you had to witness that, Your Highness. It must''ve been hard," Douglas said. "Yeah, we found one brood maiden who hadn''t given birth to goblin offsprings yet. I was ready to end her life until Rya stopped me," Quinus paused and looked at the ground. "And then?" Douglas asked. Quinus looked up to face Douglas, "She asked us to wait because she wanted to save her." "It''s impossible to save a brood maiden. It would''ve been kinder to kill her," Douglas replied. "Yes. That''s what we all believed, but she showed us that she''s a healer, General... Rya went out of her way to save this woman. I was amazed at her ability to heal. I never seen anything like it," Quinus said. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Douglas was skeptical and Johan was a bit shocked. "I''m sorry, Your Highness. But did you say a Dark Elf could use healing magic? There haven''t been any healers in centuries," Douglas said. "Well, she is the first healer in centuries then. Because I saw this poor woman go from death''s door to walking out of the dungeon alive and well," Quinus stated. Douglas'' skepticism turned to amazement. "Really? Who did she save?" Johan asked. "She saved the wolfkin, Lady Dalia," Sir George said. "She saved that wolfkin? And she didn''t want anything in return?" Douglas asked. "She did it because she thought it was the right thing to do. And Dalia swore to serve her," Quinus stated. "So, the wolfkin is still loyal to her and she helped you all clear the dungeon. Then, what happened next?" Douglas asked. "Then... We ran into Marcus. I pressed the attack and pinned the traitorous bastard. Once the prince gave me the order. I executed that traitor with pleasure," Sir George stated. "So then you found the dungeon core," Douglas asked. "Not quite... There was a cave troll guarding the core room. At one point, Rya and I fell down to the final floor with the cave troll and the Hobgoblin King. She fought by my side and we almost died because the core was preventing her from using her earth magic. "She found the core and used all her strength to open up its hiding spot for me to strike the core just as the cave troll was bearing down on us," Quinus said. "How did you kill the cave troll?" Johan asked. "Once the influence of the dungeon core was gone. Rya quickly created an earth spike and smashed that bastard through all the floors until it reached the surface and died in the sunlight... She''s gone above and beyond in aiding me. "She is an excellent fighter and her healing ability is unmatched... Her beauty is unlike any other woman. Her smile and laughter can warm the coldest of hearts... I love her, General... She is my everything and I will not let you speak down to her." ''And she''s the only other person who''s from Earth. Just like me. I have to protect her at all costs. If anyone finds out about her or if I lose her. I don''t know what I''ll do.'' Douglas stared at his Crown Prince and felt his forehead beginning to sweat. Quinus'' eyes burned with determination and he wouldn''t budge on this. "Not only that, what happened in Ironside is what made me believe in her, Sir Douglas," Sir George chimed in. "What do you mean, Sir George?" Johan asked. "Well, out of Marcus'' party. One lone mercenary escaped from us during our fight with the Hobgoblin horde and the cave troll... This Merc knew about her earth magic and made it back to his group and stalked her. We didn''t know at the time, but she was collared with a rare slave collar that had complete control over her will. That wood elf with the blonde hair, Lady Nieren, was the one to witness her being kidnapped," Sir George said. Johan and Douglas looked at each other and then back at the two men. "You''re telling me, the Black Roses collared her and tried to sell her?" Douglas asked. "No, General... They tried to use her to conquer the city of Ironside. I requested Baron Zellin Coldforge to summon an army as quickly as possible and had my ranger, Percy, go in search of the Mercenaries. It was a mad dash to find her," Quinus stated. General Douglas heard the rumors about Rudolf Rose and his infamous right-hand man, Jeremiah. Also known as "The Kings Slayer." Who single-handedly killed many powerful Kings and Nobles alike. It was a mystery as to how Jeremiah was able to kill so many kings and nobles. But everyone feared him if he was sent out to hunt you. "You were able to assemble an army, my Lord? Was it large enough to stop the Black Roses?" Douglas asked. "We had them outnumbered. But with Rya under their control. The odds were not in our favor...," Quinus stated. Everyone was silent as they thought about the situation that was described. "How were you able to save her, Your Highness?" Douglas asked. But Sir George answered, "I knew, going into this fight. That if Rya was forced to use her earth magic, then we were done for... I decided to go up against her in hopes of restraining her so His Highness could free her from the collar... She was a terrifying opponent. Killing the Ironside soldiers with ease. But her face was that of pain... She desperately tried to will her body to stop killing our soldiers, but her body would not obey her... "When I faced her... She cried out and told me to run... But I needed to do my job. So she could be back on the prince''s side... Her face, General, was one filled with remorse, fear, and regret. It was the hardest thing I have ever done... And she somehow will one of her attacks just enough to miss killing me on the spot... She gave me the chance to kill her, but I just hugged her... Those tears... Imagine a woman like her crying over a man like me... She doesn''t have a damn evil bone in her body. She was the victim and was forced to become an executioner for the Black Roses..." Sir George sniffed while trying to do everything in his power not to shed a tear. Once he recomposed himself, he continued. "After that. It was all a blur. I woke up with her worried face as she healed me and then she saved the prince from Jeremiah." "She was hit with a sleeping arrow and I destroyed the fucking collar before I had to face Jeremiah... The Kings Slayer had a special Maja skill that transferred whatever damage done to him, to his opponent. I''m glad I didn''t try to stab him in the heart... When Rya showed up to save me. She used her earth magic to create her golems, which you saw loading the second carriage, and when they attacked him the damage was done to the golem, instead of her. It was only a matter of time before Jeremiah ran out of mana and collapsed after taking a real hit from one of her earth golems. Rya killed him and then slaughtered the rest of the Mercenary group as I dealt with Rudolf Rose... She healed all the survivors of the Ironside Army... We would have lost two-thirds of twenty-five thousand men. If not for her intervention. We were lucky that they didn''t know she was a healer. Otherwise, we wouldn''t be standing here right now," Quinus finished. Douglas and Johan were stunned. This was more than they expected. They were expecting the normal story of them going into the dungeon, killing the enemies, and retrieving the core. But the Black Roses'' involvement and the fact that a Dark Elf could heal and fight. This was a lot to take in. Douglas cleared his throat and spoke, "I appreciate what you told me here today, Your Highness. I didn''t realize the depth of this story. I will make sure the King and Queen know that Lady Rya has not used dark magic on you. And I promise to treat her with more respect until it is truly earned." Quinus nodded, "That''s acceptable, General. Thank you for hearing us out." Johan didn''t want to feel this heavy atmosphere and felt like he should lighten the mood a bit, "Well, with that cleared up. Now we can get to the more important questions I have for you, Your Highness." Quinus, Douglas, and George looked at the future Baron with confusion. "Like what?" Quinus asked. "Well, what I need is your advice. On how to get a woman, who''s more powerful than me, to fall in love with me? I''m asking for a friend of course," Johan said with a smirk. Quinus shook his head and smiled, "Is this about Lady Tayna?" "YES! She... She doesn''t want to do anything with me. She just wants me to leave her alone, but I think we could be so much more," Johan complained. Quinus and Douglas burst out laughing. Sir George shook his head, "It''s very simple. Have you ignored her? Or are you constantly annoying her?" "Ignored her? George, she ignores me!... So, I have no choice but to try to talk to her," Johan stated. "How about flashing your purse full of gold? Do you have a nice ring or two?" Sir George asked. "But she came with a large dowry when we were arranged to be married. Her noble father is a wealthy merchant and she gets a solid allowance," Johan said. "Hmm... Have you tried forcing yourself on" "George!... Are you trying to kill his marriage?" Quinus scolded the knight. "Sorry, My Prince. I''m trying to help him. So he doesn''t come back asking me for advice," George replied. Douglas shook his head, "You need to learn how to read the room." "Johan, you need to be patient with her. Maybe you can find something in common for starters. Then you could move from there," Quinus advised. "That makes sense... But I still haven''t consummated the marriage yet. And I... I don''t know what to do... down there... and doing all the things that are important to treat her right... I have no clue if she will let me join her in the same bed," Johan said shyly. Douglas didn''t want any part of this conversation and decided to stay out of it. Quinus sighed and rubbed his face. He then spoke, "Okay... So, the first thing is to find out how she likes to be touched. If she is a virgin then she might not know yet. This means you need to look to see how her body language reacts to your touch... If she goes frigid then she not likely it. If she relax and closes her eyes, then she''s into it. Or even better is if she bites her lower lip and her breathing because erratic. Once you see that then you know she likes what you''re doing. Which means you might be able to make the next move. But you need to listen to her. Just because she is warming up to you doesn''t mean you jump straight in and have sex with her. You still need her permission. So, if she says that you are hurting her or pushing too hard, then back off and slow down. She needs to trust you. Remember making love is a marathon not a sprint." Johan nodded his head while Sir George pulled out a small notebook and quickly started writing notes down. Douglas looked at him and said, "And why are you taking notes?" Sir George blushed and said, "No reason... Just a personal journal is all." Johan didn''t care about that and wanted to know more. "That''s fine and all. But where do women like to be touched, and what can I do for her?" Johan asked. Quinus raised his brow, ''Damn! I didn''t know Johan was this helpless. But, I''m the Crown Prince, so this is my duty to my best friend.'' "Well, every woman is different so there''s no foolproof method, but they have similar sweet spots. Usually the first thing you should do is get her relaxed. Whether that be kissing her cheek, playing with her hair, or rubbing her neck, just let her know that you''re there. Then, if the mood is right. Start kissing her on the lips, then do some heavy petting and see where it goes. Don''t push her too fast or she will get scared off. Remember, she doesn''t want to be an object, she wants to be loved by someone she can trust. So don''t just try to get your thing wet and leave her unsatisfied. If you do then she will never let you touch her again," Quinus stated. Johan nodded his head and Sir George furiously wrote down every word the Crown Prince was saying. "If things are going well then you can move on to the next part. Which is to focus on certain parts of the female body that are extremely sensitive to touch. The ears and neck are a good start like I said. So, kissing them can make her relaxed and excited, but the nipples and clitoris are a woman''s weakness. Usually when she trusts you she will allow you to tease them. Just don''t go hard on them, unless she demands it. So if she''s letting you touch her body at will, them my suggestion to tease her weak spots. For example, don''t grab a nipple and twist it. Rub it gently over the fabric of her dress, to make them erect. And when they are harden, then gently roll it between your fingers and give a light squeeze. If her breathing picks up, then you doing it right. But if you aren''t then she will tell you or you can ask her. "And you can do a similar thing to her clitoris, but don''t directly rub it. Rub around it. You''ll know when she wants you to touch her more when she starts opening her legs to give you easier access. But this is were I like to make her wait for the direct contact and let her feel the build-up. Usually she will demand you to touch her because she wants you to but is frustrated that you aren''t. And when you make her admit that she needs you, then go at it. She will love it and then she will ask for more when she is ready. Also, you can tease her buttocks or rub her inner thigh. These spots can help with the build-up," Quinus instructed. Johan nodded his head but looked liked he was having trouble following what the prince was saying and after a second he took a deep breath, "W-What is a clitoris, your Highness? I''ve never heard of it before." Douglas, face palmed while Quinus cringed at the question. "Ah, this is going to take longer than I thought, it''s located around a woman''s... Well, it''s... In the area around her vagina..." Quinus stuttered as he tried to describe the clitoris. Johan shook his head because he didn''t know what the prince was implying, while Sir George asked, "Where exactly on the female genitalia is the clitoris located?" ''S-Sir George doesn''t have a clue either!? Fuck me... Do I stop? No... That would make things even more awkward. Hoo boy, what did I get myself into,'' Quinus thought as he mentally prepared himself for the long haul. He continued explaining everything he could to Johan and Sir George. And after hours of talking, it was almost time for dinner. Ch.188 Prince Hilda Stoneworthh A half-hour before dinner. The two young men that were in the study, sitting on the couches with the door locked, were still talking away. While the older knight was busy going over all his notes he had just written down. "I never knew how complex the female anatomy is. That was a very eye-opening talk, Prince Quinus," Johan said with a big smile. "You''re older than me. Didn''t you read any of the books about the opposite sex?" Quinus asked. "Ugh... My mother and sister always said to wait till marriage. And they forbid me from looking at anything that they considered unhealthy," Johan said in a hushed tone. Quinus shook his head, ''Well, the information in those books is archaic at best. Talking about the humors in the body and other old ways of thinking. Not really helping much... Maybe I should write a book on the subject?... No... Who would believe a twenty-year-old man could know so much about a woman''s body and not think he''s full of shit...'' After Quinus finished his thoughts he noticed his retainer was still taking notes on everything he just said. ''Hold on? Maybe I can use my failure of a "Love Sage" as my frontman for writing my book. I can be the ghost writer and we will help the love lives of any man and woman in the kingdom... Yes, yes. I like this idea. But Sir George needs to stop his obsession with collecting women, like a dragon hoarding gold. I need to teach him the art of understanding women first and treating them as people before trying to court them. Then maybe he will stop getting slapped in the face by random women that he keeps insulting,'' Quinus thought as he grinned. Johan was about to say something, but then there was a knock on the door. "It''s time for dinner," Lester said from the other side of the door. "Really? What time is it?" Johan asked. "Six o''clock, my Lord," the butler replied. Johan was stunned at how fast time flew when listening to Quinus, "Wow... I guess time does fly when you''re learning new things." "Yeah, now that he''s mentioned it. I''m starting to feel hungry. Sir George! Are you coming," Quinus asked the knight. "Hmm? Huh... What?" Sir George asked while he looked up. "Are you coming or are you just going to sit there reading your notes," Johan teased. Sir George quickly put away his notebook and said, "Hold on, I''m coming!" After the three men got up from their seats they left the study and headed to the dining room. ''Hmm... I''m glad that we had our talk with General Douglas. It was annoying but in the end, it was worth it. He wasn''t so bad after all. He listened and was willing to learn. And I hope Johan learns from my advice. However, I think Johan should learn the art of flirting and teasing from Rya. She''ll really send home the message. Now, I just need to avoid Tayna trying to flirt with me. It sucks watching someone''s partner openly flirt with a man, and they are not even ashamed of what they are doing.'' Quinus thought as he followed the butler and his retainer. *** Elsewhere in the Kingdom. A carriage, with the markings of the Divine Three, pulled into the city of Tairal, the capital of the Fiafyr Kingdom. Riding in that carriage was a redhead beauty who was accompanied by her half-brother and one of the Council members of the Holy Alliance, who goes by the name Prince Terenthiel Marrell. Normally Prince Terenthiel would have been known as a king in his small kingdom. But ever since their kingdom joined the Alliance of the Divine Three, they have become a principality. With the exception being High King Rolmund Aguilar the Third. His grandfather and the Kingdom of Nordland were the first to cast away their old Gods to accept the Divine Ones. They were rewarded for their loyalty by becoming the ruler of the Alliance. It was an easy decision for King Rolmund Aguilar the First to join the alliance. After Prophet Paul cured him of a deadly disease, that no alchemist or doctor could cure. He prayed to his old Gods to save him, but his prayers went unanswered. However, a month later the ruler of the Holy Kingdom of Chalced, Prophet Paul, showed up at the gates of the city with his Paladins. And when he entered the palace the Prophet cured him with his divine healing powers. When King Rolmund was told by Prophet Paul that the Gods wanted his line to rule over the new alliance. He gladly accepts the role of the High King of the Divine Three. With Rolmund by the Prophet''s side, they spread the faith of the Divine Ones when they started invading the surrounding kingdoms. The Holy Kingdom of Chalced grew its forces when adding a third kingdom to its ranks and made King Adam Stoneworthh the third head of the Divine Three. His line was demoted to a principality. But they were given the authority to rule over the Alliance if the High King and Prophet were away. Within the first five years, the Holy Kingdom of Chalced was known as the birthplace of the Divine Three and was ruled by the Council of the Holy Alliance. Which had the three heads of the Order, the Principality of the Nine, and the Paladin Order. With the power of the Divine Ones, the Kingdoms of the North were easily conquered. They were renamed the Principalities and joined the Alliance of the Divine Three. The other Kingdoms in the South and West were harder to conquer. But with their combined efforts and the Paladin''s holy magic were able to push back their armies. And the other kingdoms eventually surrendered. In the South, the Kingdom of Lakora was the first Kingdom to fall. Followed by the Kingdom of Ebonia and the Kingdom of Tulvia. While in the West, the Kingdoms of Zurath surrendered immediately after the Alliance army conquered the southern Kingdoms. There were only two Kingdoms north of the Alliance that couldn''t be conquered by force. They were the Kingdoms of Kartoll and Fiafyr. Kartoll wasn''t a big Kingdom and could have been easily defeated, but the leader, at the time, of the Kartoll Kingdom, Queen Nefer, was a powerful Sorceress and was a force to be reckoned with. But she knew that she could only hold them off for so long. So she formed a formal alliance with the Fiefyr Kingdom. Which was the biggest and strongest Human Kingdom on the continent. So the Council of the Holy Alliance had to wait for the chance to take the two Kingdoms. Prophet Paul was told that these Kingdoms would not be easily taken. He told the Alliance Council that they must wait a few generations and try to gain the trust of the people by marrying off the daughters of one of the nobles. And so two generations of Prophets and High Kings have passed to the present. When the God, Paul the Wise, spoke to his Prophet, Paul the Seventh, about the miracle birth of Crown Prince Quinus Meredydd. They were to offer one of the Princesses to be betrothed to him. Prince Terenthiel Marrell was used as an emissary to Marquess Duval Wrightwood. Due to him being related to the Marquess as a cousin once removed. They used the proposal as a peace treaty, and Marquess Wrightwood agreed to the terms and would bring the other nobles on board. Duval just needed to tell them what the prince''s ideal type of woman was. Duval didn''t know they were going to use the prince''s offspring to take control of the Kingdom. If King Cyndre was to find out about their plot. Then there would be war between the two. So, this was to be kept a secret, from Duval and everyone else in the Fiafyr Kingdom. So, it came down to seven princesses that ranged from 14 years old to 22 years old. *** (Two years ago.) The sun was high in the sky and the heat was stifling, even in the shade. The Holy Kingdom of Chalced, a kingdom in the southwest region of the continent, had the most oppressive summers. And today was no exception in the Capital City of Istur. The city was busy as always. The streets were crowded and the sound of a hammer clanging on steel could be heard in every direction. While the Paladins patrolled the city to enforce the Holy Church''s rules. Which was unfortunate for the people of the Alliance who were forced to wear concealing clothing. To pervert the temptation from the eyes of men. The Holy Alliance Council had decreed that the dress code of the populace be changed per the teachings of the Divine Ones. And women weren''t allowed to wear anything that showed their cleavage or legs above the knees. The dress code for men was the same, but no one really cared if men wore tight clothes or shorts for work. Some of the women were unhappy about the changes, but no one complained, for fear of being arrested or worse. The city had an impressive Temple of the Divine Order. The Temple was made from stone and had the symbol of the Alliance. It was a white triangle that looked similar to the Tri-Force. It shined brightly in the middle of the sun, with three white rays of light pointing in all directions. This temple was dedicated to the Divine Ones, the Gods of the Holy Kingdom. The city was the birthplace of the Divine Three, who were Gods of purity, virtue, and wisdom. It was also the place where the Divine One, Paul the Wise, created the creed of the perfect world. A world where humankind was meant to cleanse the world of all its impurities and restore it to its purest state. Where men could live in peace once they became the only religion on Tertius. Inside the holy council room was a large triangular table. On the top of the table was the symbol of the Divine Three with light coming through the stained glass windows. There were a total of twelve members sitting around the table. Prophet Paul VII, King Rolmund Aguilar III, and Prince Dreyand Stoneworthh were sitting at the corners of the table, while Prince Terenthiel Marrell, Prince Kaindle Hull, and seven others of the principality sat in between each of the three leaders. They were looking at the seven girls who were kneeling in front of the three leaders. They were waiting for the decision of who was to be the bride for the future heir to the Fiafyr Kingdom. The room was completely silent and the tension could be felt in the air. "Terenthiel... What child of light does the Crown Prince enjoy? Does he prefer a woman who is gentle, and innocent, or perhaps he likes them more mature," the Prophet asked. "From what I''ve learned from the Marquess. He prefers a girl with a curvy body and a... healthy bosom. The Marquess also told me that he is interested in a woman who''s like his mother, Queen Rianna, Holy One," Prince Terenthiel answered. "Is that so... He prefers the sin of the flesh... That is unfortunate... But the Divine Ones will judge him when he passes on to the next plane," Prophet Paul said, and then his eyes turned towards the girls. All the princesses were wearing conservative dresses and had veils covering their hair. "Does he prefer them younger? Older? Or the same age as him," Prince Kaindle asked. "He prefers them in their late teens to early twenties... From what I''ve heard he had a crush on his wet nurse in his youth. She disappeared eight years ago with one of their best knights. There wasn''t much I could find out about her. Except that her son is the Prince''s retainer," Terenthiel said. "So he wishes to have one of a similar age," Prophet Paul said while stroking his short black beard. He looked over all seven of the girls. He noticed the three younger girls in the group, then glanced at the oldest one who was in her mid-twenties. "Princess Gwendolyn, Raven, Gloria, and Elizabeth. You are dismissed, you may leave," he said. "Yes, Holy One," the four princesses said. The four princesses got up from their knees and bowed, and then they turned and left the room. Hilda was nervous, she was the daughter of her father''s mistress. And would have been sent to the monastery if not for the birth of Prince Quinus. She was only five months older than the Prince and tried to do everything she could to stay out of the monastery. She would have been forced to become a nun, which did nothing but serve the priests and the Holy One. Her father was Prince Dreyand Stoneworthh and he is the third in charge of the Holy Alliance. His official position is the head of the Principality. Hilda barely talked to her father growing up, since he spent most of his time serving the Alliance. But he did make sure to see her at least once a week when he had the chance. Just to check in on her. He was a very strict parent and did everything in his power to make sure she was a possible candidate for Prince Quinus. He would tell her what her responsibilities were, and make sure she took care of her body in hopes of being chosen to marry the Crown Prince. Because if she wasn''t picked, then she would be sent to the monastery, and become a nun. Hilda had to learn the hard way that she didn''t have any close friends in the Alliance. She would talk to the servants, but the other nobles in the court didn''t like her. Some would treat her poorly because she was born out of wedlock, and she had to grow up with the constant reminders that she was the child of the prince''s whore. As she had her mother''s looks and her father''s hair. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. She would spend most of her time with her nannies and tutors to avoid ridicule. But her stepmother, Princess Aelene, made sure to put her down whenever she had the chance while keeping her children away from their half-sister. And her half-sister, Princess Gwendolyn, was the worst of them all. She had hated Hilda for being born and did her best to make her life miserable. Especially, when she found out that her half-sister was one of her potential fiancs. She would always bully her, and tell her that the prince would love her, just because she was the daughter of the Prince. Even though Hilda was just her half-sister, due to her being the product of an affair. But she wasn''t selected. And now that Gwendolyn was out of the running, she was going to give her a piece of her mind once the Holy Court chose the new bride for Prince Quinus. She was just happy that her half-sister was a failure of a princess. She had no magical talent and no useful talents. The only thing she had going for her was her good looks and the fact that she was a princess. "Looks like your daughter''s out of the running, Prince Dreyand. It''s a shame," Prince Kaindle Hull said with a smirk. Dreyand kept a stoic face and didn''t look at the prince. "Prince Kaindle... This isn''t a competition. And his daughter from his mistress is still in the running," King Rolmund said. "Of course, your Majesty. But this is an opportunity to give birth to a possible Demi-god. If the Divine Ones will it. Then the Alliance will become unstoppable," Prince Kaindle Hull stated, which got some nods from the Holy Court. "The Paladins don''t have mana veins and are just as deadly as a Demi-god ranked hero. The Paladins are the chosen of our Gods and can use their Holy Aura to purify the sinners. The Gods do not need the children with a Demi-god vein to fight their battles. They''re mortals, just like the rest of us. They''re no better than the Paladins and how would you know if Quinus'' child will have a mana vein stronger than our Palidins? There''s no guarantee that he will. "That is why Paladins are better than a mortal with a Demi-god vein. They''ve been chosen and it''s their devotion that makes them different, and that''s the only difference that matters," Prophet Paul said, in a cold tone, and everyone nodded in agreement. While making Kaindle nervous. "O-Of course, Holy One. It''s an old habit from my childhood, please forgive me," Prince Kaindle apologized. "It''s fine, child. Just remember to keep the Gods'' will first, and then your own wants second," Prophet Paul said. "Of course, Holy One," Prince Kaindle said with a bow. Prophet Paul looked to the final three women kneeling before him. "Disrobe your veils and dresses," he ordered. Hilda kept a still face even though she was shocked on the inside. She slowly reached up to remove her veil, and let her hair fall free. Her hair was venom-red and reached the center of her back. Her hair had a slight wave, and she had a heart-shaped face with purple eyes. The other two women did the same. One had blonde hair and the other had black hair. All three were hesitant to remove their clothing for it was a sin to show their bodies in public. "You will not be judged by the gods for removing your clothes in the presence of the Holy Court. For you are all pure and chaste," Prophet Paul said. With a heavy heart, the three women removed their clothing and laid them down next to them. The blonde who was 16, had a small bosom, but a round, plump ass. The black-haired princess was 20 years old. She had a modest bust and an okay ass, but her strongest asset was her wide hips. Hilda was thought to have a similar body to Princess Alexandria, who was the black-haired woman to her left. Hilda had the same wide hips but her ass was bigger and shapely. And her breasts were wrapped in bandages, making them look smaller than they actually were. "Princess Hilda, why are your bosoms covered?" Prophet Paul asked. "I am embarrassed by their size, Holy One. My sister says that the Divine Three would punish me for having them," Hilda replied while trying to control her blush. "Hmmm... Remove the bandages," Prophet Paul ordered. "Y-Yes, Holy One," Hilda replied with a stutter, and she reached up and started to remove her bandages. She slowly started unwrapping the tight fabric and was barely breathing due to her anxiety. She had always kept them bound when her body developed during puberty. Hilda had barely started unwrapping her breasts when all of a sudden her breasts sprang free from their restraints. It happened so fast that she didn''t cover them at first. The Holy Court watched as her breasts bounced around the air with such force that they swayed a bit before settling. Her breasts were pushing past DD-cup and they were surprisingly perky. Her areolas were dark brown, and her nipples were light pink and were about one inch long and a quarter-inch thick. Hilda tried to cover her breasts up with her arms. "Don''t be shy, Child," Prophet Paul said. "Y-Yes, Holy One," Hilda said in a quiet tone. She slowly lowered her arms and showed the fullness of her breasts. Her bust size was big enough to rival the Queen of Fiafyr, and with her wide hips and amazing ass how could any man resist. "Ohhh..." Prophet Paul gasped. "They are beautiful and big enough to feed ten children," King Rolmund said. Hilda couldn''t help but feel creeped out by all the men staring at her naked body. Even if they were the most powerful men in the Alliance of the Divine Three. She had never seen so many men stare at her without clothing. Some glared at her while others had lustful gazes. Kaindle gritted his teeth when he noticed that the Prophet, with everyone else in the room, was ignoring his daughter, Alexandria, for this girl of a mistress. "Who in their right mind would want to have a woman with such unwieldy assets," Prince Kaindle said with anger and envy but stopped when the prophet glared at him. "She isn''t being married to one of our flock, Prince Kaindle," Prophet Paul reminded the Prince, who just sat there with his mouth open. "My apologies, Holy One. But could the reports from this Duvel Wrightwood be correct? Are we sure that Prince Quinus is really this perverted of a man?" Prince Kaindle asked, with a snarky tone, which earned a few chuckles from the Holy Court. His comment made Hilda self-conscious and blushed with embarrassment. "He is a man born into a kingdom with a false Goddess. They don''t understand that they are damned to an afterlife of pain and misery," Prophet Paul said, as he turned his head back towards Hilda and the other women. "So, shouldn''t we save him by having him marry a proper woma" "Enough... We have come to a decision," Prophet Paul said while raising his hand to quiet everyone. To Kaindle''s dismay. While Hilda flinched in surprise. "Princess Alexandria, Princess Raine, you are dismissed," he said, as both women got up and gathered their clothes, before quickly leaving with tears in their eyes. "Princess Hilda. You may get dressed," he said, and the princess grabbed her clothes and began putting them back on in a hurry. Hilda sighed in relief when she was no longer naked. Her Father smirked once his daughter was chosen by the prophet. When someone''s bloodline gets chosen by the Holy One, then it is seen as a great honor. "Arguing with the Holy One is futile, Kaindle," Dreyand told the Prince. "Tch!... Who said I was arguing?" Kaindle scoffed. "The Divine Three don''t take kindly to liars and hypocrites. Do you wish to join the people who practice the false religion, Prince Kaindle?" King Rolmund said with a smile while making the Prince uncomfortable. "No, your Majesty... I know that the Divine Ones'' version is far grander than ours," Kaindle said. "I''m glad you''ve come to this understanding. But remember that the Divine Three''s forgiveness can only go so far," King Rolmund warned the Prince who bowed his head to the table. "But it had to be Dreyand''s child. It should have been my line to bring the Fiafyr Kingdom to the Alliance. Then I would have become the new head of the Principality," Kaindle muttered under his breath before raising his head. "I couldn''t hear you, Prince Kaindle. Can you speak up," Prince Dreyand asked while looking at Kaindle with a cold look. "I was reminding myself to check in on the farm yields in the north, once we are done of course... That is all, My Lord," Kaindle lied as the blood drained from his face. "Is that so... Well, may the Divine Three bless us with a good harvest," Dreyand said with a stoic face. Kaindle looked away from Dreyand and the King as he tried to calm his heart down from almost getting caught. At the same time, Prophet Paul walked up to Hilda after she was dressed. "Your body is a gift from the Divine Ones, and you must use it to bring life into the world. This will be the first step in bringing salvation to the people of Fiafyr," Prophet Paul said, with a serious face. ''Is that all I am to the Holy Order? A broodmare. An object to be used as a tool for the Gods,'' Hilda thought as she looked down at her feet. "Your body will be the key to unlocking the future," he added. "I understand, Holy One," Hilda said, her voice slightly cracked. ''I-It''s fine... As long as I don''t end up going to the Monastery. I can bear this burden for a short while. At least I have a chance of marrying Prince Quinus and saving myself from a life as a nun,'' Hilda thought, as she wiped a few tears from her eyes. "What is the matter, child? Is there something wrong?" Prophet Paul asked with concern. "N-No, Holy One... I was just crying tears of joy. I didn''t expect to be a part of a plan so grand and amazing," Hilda lied while forcing a smile. Prophet Paul smiled and nodded his head. "Good, very good, child. We will pray for your success," Prophet Paul said, and he turned and walked back to his throne. ''It will all be worth it in the end... I''m sure,'' Hilda thought. "We will have to update her wardrobe to match the Fiafyr Kingdom''s standards," King Rolmund said, and Dreyand nodded. "I''ll send a tailor to prepare her for the journey. And I will have her maid, Gretchen, join her as well," Dreyand said. "Who will make sure things go smoothly, once they reach the palace?" Kaindle asked. "I will send my son, Prince Zane. He will make sure everything goes as planned," Dreyand suggested. All the princes of the Principality nodded. "Then let us pray to Paul the Wise, Joseph the Pure, and Michael the Virtuous. For they will watch over our Princess Hilda," Prophet Paul said, as everyone in the Holy Court put their hands together and closed their eyes. "Let us pray..." "Amen," everyone said in unison. With that, all the Principality stood up and made their way to the exit. While Prophet Paul, King Rolmund, and Prince Dreyand remained on the raised dais. Hilda was still standing there waiting to be dismissed. "We will make preparations for offering the princess to the Kingdom of Fiafyr. But they won''t accept her until the Crown Prince turns Twenty years of age," Rolmund said, while the others nodded. "Such a strange tradition... If a woman is on her cycle, then she''s old enough to get married. But the heirs of nobility and royals have to wait till they turn Twenty years of age to marry. How odd," Prophet Paul said. "It was a law put in place by the First King of Fiafyr. So, their sons could grow to their full potential. They can marry a woman at any age. It just turns out that my daughter was born the same year as him," Dreyand explained. "Well, we will start the preparations in the morning," King Rolmund said as Dreyand stood up from his throne and walked towards the exit, but stopped next to his daughter. He didn''t look at her when he spoke. "You can go back to your room, Princess," Dreyand told his daughter. "Yes, Father," Hilda replied as she followed her father. They left the Prophet and the High King alone. "She will need a tutor on how to please a man," Rolmund said while thinking out loud. "That is unnecessary, Your Majesty. I''m sure her beauty will be more than enough for the young prince," Paul said. "And what if she isn''t?" Rolmund asked with a raised brow. The Prophet smiled, "If she can''t please a man, then why did the Divine Ones give her that body? She will not fail us. For the Gods will be watching her." The High King smiled and shook his head, "That''s not the point, Holy One. There could be outside forces that could harm the plan. We don''t need the princess becoming a laughing stock, just because of her inexperience." "If she''s unable to fulfill her role. Then we''ll send another," Paul said, as he walked to his private chambers. "It would be a shame to send her to the Divine Ones at such a young age. Regardless, I''ll have Terenthiel inform the Prime Minister about the peace treaty and we have chosen a bride," Rolmund said. "I will leave you to it, your Majesty," Paul said before he left the throne room. ''Let us see if the boy''s parents raised him right... It will make it easier for Divine Three to guide him to salvation. If not, then I wonder if we''ll need to purge them of their sins,'' Rolmund thought. *** Prince Dreyand walked through the open door with his daughter in tow. Just as they entered the room, an angered woman walked up to him. "I can''t believe you allowed her to compete," Princess Aelene said, while her daughter, Princess Gwendolyn, was glaring at Hilda. Hilda has never seen her stepmother so upset. "Silence!... You come to me and dare to defy the Divine Ones'' orders? She may have been born a mistake but she''s still my blood," Dreyand said, with anger. Hilda felt numb. But this wasn''t the first time her father had belittled her existence in front of her stepmother. "That mistake has prevented your true daughter from getting the attention of any royal suitor. I won''t stand for it any longer," Princess Aelene yelled out. "What is done is done, Aelene. I will not change the path the Divine Ones have laid out before me... She is not to be harmed and will be living with us until she has to leave," Dreyand said. "This is ridiculous! She''s a filthy commoner!" Aelene screamed out before Dreyand slapped her. *SLAP!* Aelene was hit so hard that her head turned, and she almost fell on the floor. "Do not forget your place, Aelene. I''m the one that makes the rules... And no matter how many times you try to call her a commoner, it doesn''t change the fact that her mother was a conquered royal... I grow weary of your complaining. Do not tempt my patience again," Dreyand said in a dark tone. Hilda was stunned. She has never seen her father this mad before. ''Is this what my life is going to be?... Stuck as a broodmare to the Divine Ones. I-I''ve been a fool...'' Hilda thought, as the tears came to her eyes. "And I expect you to support her, Aelene. Or do you wish to meet the Divine Three," Dreyand threatened. Aelene didn''t respond as she glared at Hilda. "I''ll do as you wish, My Lord," Princess Aelene replied, with a hint of sarcasm. "Good. Now take her home and get her fed. She will be learning Fiafyrian etiquette," Dreyand demanded. The Princess Mother bowed and left with Gwendolyn, who was also bowing to her father. Hilda just stood there, lost in thought. "What are you waiting for, Hilda? Get out of here. And don''t cause me any problems. If you do, I''ll toss you into the Divine One''s Monastery," Dreyand warned as his wife put him in a sour mood. "Y-Yes, father," Hilda said, not wanting to test her father''s patience as she walked towards the hallway where her stepmother and stepsister went. Dreyand rubbed his forehead and sighed. ''Why must women be so difficult? Aelene has been nothing but a problem since I brought home Hilda... They know their place but they keep trying to act like they are the same as men,'' Dreyand thought, as he walked to his room to be alone. *** Hilda learned to survive in a hostile environment over the past two years. Her stepmother and stepsister would take their anger out on her. At the same time, her father was too busy to stop them. Hilda had learned how to outwit her stepmother, as she was smart and crafty. And the more time she spent in the palace the more her stepmother resented her. This just made Hilda more calculating and cunning, which was a trait that her father loved about her. He knew she would need it to survive in the Fiafyr Kingdom. Hilda knew that her stepmother would try to sabotage her at every turn, so she had to plan ten steps ahead of them. Which was the best lesson her stepmother and stepsister had taught her. Even if that wasn''t their intention. She had become a formidable woman. But in the Alliance, she was just a woman who had to play a role. For they must serve men as foretold by the Divine Three. Ch.189 I Have a Unique Perspective Back in the present. ''If only my life could be different. Then I could be free to live my life,'' Hilda thought, as she looked straight ahead. Hilda was ignoring the world passing by the carriage''s windows as they went through the City of Tairal. She was no longer wearing the bland dresses that the order made all women wear. She was now wearing a white long-sleeved dress, which hugged her curves. It was considered risque back in the Alliance but it was on the conservative side in Fiafyr due to it covering her cleavage. Her red hair had a tiara made out of white gems and her face was now made up in the fashion of a lady. Her makeup was on the lighter side due to her natural beauty, the makeup was mainly designed to enhance her eyes. She was not wearing any lipstick or lip gloss. Her lips were naturally red and her eye shadow was blue, which really showed off her purple eyes. She didn''t even wear any perfume. The reason why she didn''t wear any perfume was due to the Order of the Three''s doctrine stating that any type of scent was sinful. Even with her change in appearance, Hilda''s personality had not changed one bit. Gretchen was sitting in the coachman''s seat as the horses pulled the carriage towards the Ecros Manor on the southern part of the city''s outskirts. This manor belonged to Marquess Wrightwood. She was accompanied by two people sitting across from her. One of them was her older stepbrother, Zane Stoneworthh, who was sitting to the front left of her. The other was Prince Terenthiel Marrell, who was the main contact to Prime Minister Duval Wrightwood. ''What am I going to do?... Father has sold me off to the wolves. And it''s not like I can run away. Where would I go?... If I were a man, I would fight for my freedom. But the fates are cruel... Why couldn''t I be born a man?...'' Hilda thought, as she finally looked out the window, seeing the city pass by. As they approached the entrance gate to the manor, the two guards stopped the carriage and the coachmen stopped the carriage. When the carriage came to a stop, Hilda was brought out of her thoughts of the past. "What business do you have with the Prime Minister?" one of the guards asked, as they stepped in front of the carriage. "You dare block the path of" "Sir Darius, we are no longer in Alliance territory. They don''t know about the Divine Three''s children. Let''s not cause any trouble..." Terenthiel told the Paladin. Darius relented even though he wasn''t happy about it. "We are here on official Alliance business. I''m Prince Terenthiel Marrell, the Fifth Son of the Holy Order. We are here to see the Prime Minister," Prince Terenthiel said from his window, while the carriage door was opened by Darius. ''Great... It''s these assholes again... The fucking Divine Three... I don''t know why the Prime Minister even deals with these creeps,'' the guard thought. "Of course, My Prince. Welcome to Fiafyr," the guard said and waved to the other guards in the post behind the wall to open the gates. The gates started to slowly open. Once everything was clear the carriage and its protection drove past it. The manor was about a 15-minute walk from the city wall. But the carriage made the trip in a quarter of the time. The manor was the biggest mansion that the party had ever seen. It was almost as big as a castle. The manor had four towers on the corners and each tower had a blue and white flag, which had the symbol of a turtle on it, blowing in the breeze. It was the Wrightwood family coat of arms. "Wow... That''s a pretty big place," Zane said, as he looked at the manor. "It''s nothing compared to the Castle of Light, the palace where the Divine Three reside," Terenthiel said. Hilda didn''t respond. She didn''t even bother to look. ''I wish this carriage would crash so I could escape and never look back,'' Hilda thought. When the carriage arrived at the manor, the guards were already at the entrance doors with several servants waiting to assist their guests. Darius'' holy armor glistened as he dismounted off his horse. The five other holy knights followed suit. He came around and opened the carriage door, so the Prince could come out. Zane and Hilda followed Terenthiel and stood next to the prince. Hilda wasn''t allowed to stand directly next to her stepbrother and Terenthiel because of the social differences between the two. They were waiting for the Prime Minister to make his appearance. It only took a few seconds before Duvel came hurrying out of the foyer. "Prince Terenthiel Marrell," Marquess Wrightwood called out while walking down the steps of the entrance. "Welcome back to Fiafyr. I was busy doing my daily duties when I was informed of your arrival. I hope your travels went smoothly," Marquess Wrightwood asked while greeting the Prince and his Paladins. "There is much to discuss, Sir Wrightwood. Please take us to your private study and we will discuss our business there," Terenthiel demanded. Duval''s poker face cracked a bit but he recovered back to its stoic nature. ''Do they know about the crown prince taking a different bride? That''s a Dark Elf?'' He looked at the one Paladin and his holy knights and noticed they were acting like their usual, stick up the ass, selves. ''No, they don''t know yet. Or they wouldn''t have brought the princess.'' "Of course. But before we head there, I was wondering if you wish to have dinner. I''m sure you could use a bit of" "I want to get this done with as soon as possible, Wrightwood... Take me to your study," Terenthiel cut him off. "O-of course, Prince Terenthiel. Right this way," Duval said as he led the way. He started walking back to the manor, and the group followed him. *** Back in the city of Dorn. Quinus, Johan, and Sir George were waiting in the dining room of the Dule Manor. They have been sitting there, waiting, for the last ten minutes and started wondering if the ladies were going to join them for dinner. "They''re sure taking their time," Sir George commented. "Yeah, I''m hoping that they are getting along with each other," Quinus responded. "What do you mean, My Lord?" Johan asked. "Well, your wife didn''t seem too pleased to throw a tea party for my fiance," Quinus answered. Johan looked a bit concerned. He thought the same thing after he asked her to host the future Queen. "Well, she didn''t know you were bringing a dark elf to our home. I mean, it''s very unlikely for someone to bring a different race with them, especially a dark elf. I''m glad she''s taking it as well as she has... It takes time to get used to another race that you''ve been told is evil. Frankly, I was surprised to see Lady Rya by your side," Johan answered. "And why is that?" Quinus asked, curiously. "It''s hard to explain. But it seems like she is out of your league, Your Highness," Johan answered with a smile. "Oh? You''re playing with fire, Johan. Don''t be surprised if your invitation gets lost in the mail for the wedding ceremony," Quinus said, jokingly. "Ah, please don''t take it seriously, your Highness. I just meant that she is a beautiful woman, and it''s surprising to see a Dark Elf by your side. Frankly, I''m also surprised that your retainer got a Wolfkin to fall for him. I''ve never seen a human take a different species as their partner," Johan replied. "Well, I think that was more of Rya''s doing. She saw something in both of them and put the idea in Lady Dalia''s head," Quinus replied. "Is she a Mind Mage?" Johan asked. "No, not a Mind Mage. But she would be a good matchmaker to help those in need of help in finding a partner," Quinus answered with a chuckle. *SLAM!* Sir George pounded the table with his fist. "Her!? A Matchmaker!? I''m not going to lie down and have her put me out of business!? Never! When there are troubled loney men in desperate need of love advice. Then they will come to me, Sir George the Gallant Love Sage!" yelled the old knight. ''Jesus, George... Now you''re gallant? I really need to change his views on flirting... But that''s for another day.'' Quinus thought as he held back the look of disappointment. "Hahaha. That will be a day. If you have such a following, Sir George, then I would like to get some free love advice," Johan replied. Sir George, the Gallant started losing his bravado when asked a simple question. "W-Well, I''m working on that, young Master. A-And once I do then you will be the first to get my advice. It shouldnt take too long, thanks to all the things Ive been picking up this last month. I''m sure I''ll be getting a following in no time, once I get a success story from a few students," Sir George said with confidence. Quinus laughed and he wanted to knock down Sir George''s confidence but the door opened to five beautiful women. Rya was the first to walk in, followed by Tayna, Dalia, Yuliana, Nieren, and a few maids. They were all happily chatting away as they entered the dining room. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. "That hedge maze was quite impressive, Tayna. How often do you walk through it?" Rya asked as she sat next to her fiance. "I usually walk through it once a day. When I want to be alone. Or when I need to think about something. But the best part of the maze is the middle. When the flowers are in bloom, it''s truly breathtaking," Tayna answered. Quinus and Johan were both stunned by Tayna''s change in attitude towards Rya. ''How the hell did that happen? They were at each other''s throats before and now they are having a friendly conversation as if they''ve always been friends,'' Quinus thought. "If I was staying here longer. I would have loved to grow some elven herbs. There are a few that only grow in a maze and a few that thrive on the forest floor. If we had both, then your garden would become truly whimsical," Yuliana said as the Wood Elf was always happy to talk about growing her plants. "Really?" Tayna asked with an intrigued expression. "Yes. But if the seeds are not planted at the same time. They could interfere with each other''s growth and overtake the rest of the garden. It''s ill-advised to plant them all willy-nilly. But I''m sure I could figure out a few ways to do it with less-than-ideal tools. Maybe there''s a few spells I can try to overcome those issues," Yuliana said as the gears started spinning. "Well, I''m sure once everything is settled in the capital. You can come back and have a look. And if you like, you can stay and help me plan out the rest of the garden," Tayna offered. Yuliana smiled, "You humans do surprise me with your love of nature. I would love to see how far the human race has come in understanding the forest." "Guh... I''m all for nature but who cares about planting things in such ways? Just let them be," huffed the Wolfkin who sat down next to Rya. "Huh? I thought a beastkin would care more about nature than that. I mean most of the tribes live in the forests or am I mistaken," Johan asked while looking at Dalia. "We love nature, but you all try forcing nature to your will. We would rather keep it wild and free so we can adapt to our surroundings," Dalia replied. "Well, I guess someone doesn''t want sweets anymore," Rya said with a smirk. Dalia became concerned, "W-Why would you say such a thing? What''s wrong with wanting nature to be wild?" "Well, it would be harder to find all the necessary ingredients if we didn''t try and cultivate some land," Rya replied. Dalia had a blank stare as she was lost in thought. "I suppose it''s not so bad to control a little bit of nature if it allows me to have sweets," she said. Rya chuckled at how quickly her friend''s convictions were broken. "Huh? What is so funny?" Dalia asked with a hint of annoyance. "Nothing. You just make life more fun, is all," Rya replied to her friend. Dalia looked a bit flustered and tried to hide her blushing face. "I''m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult," the wolfkin muttered. Quinus glanced at Rya who noticed him staring at her. "What?" "I''m just impressed with your ability to get along with others. Especially with her. How did you do it," he asked in a low voice. Rya smiled, "It''s my warm personality, babe. And I would love to give you some advice, but then you wouldn''t need me." "Hmm, that''s not true," he said. Rya leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, for being by my side, no matter what," she whispered back. Quinus just looked at Rya with a soft gaze. "I will always be by your side. Till the day I die," he said softly. The two looked at each other lovingly and forgot about the rest of the world around them. They were brought out of their trance when Percy hurried into the room. "I-I''m sorry! I got distracted, and it took me longer than I expected," Percy said. Dalia stood up and pouted, "Where have you been!? Aphla and the others have been teasing me all day. When I needed my mate to come and save me!" Percy looked a bit nervous. "S-Sorry! I didn''t mean to" Dalia grabbed Percy''s collar and pulled him into a deep kiss. Nieren, Yuliana, and Tayna were baffled by Dalia''s bold move. The two broke their kiss and Percy''s face was beet red. "W-We are in front of people. W-What would they think?" he asked. Dalia didn''t say anything, she just sat down and gave a smug look to the other four girls. "So, are we going to eat?" The Wolfkin asked as she started rubbing her hands together. "No one is going to take Percy from you, Dog!" Nieren tried to scold her. "Hmph, I don''t know that! So, back off, Woody!" Dalia barked back. "Stop calling me Woody! You are an annoying mutt!" Nieren growled. "What did you call me!?" "Enough! Dalia! Start acting like a proper lady or you won''t have dinner," Rya snapped. "B-But she started it," Dalia muttered. "Sit down and behave or you can go sit in the corner and think about what you did," Rya commanded. Dalia''s ears went flat as she sat back down and stared at the floor. "Hmph! Serves you-" "Nieren!... No, gloating... I can''t have you two fighting either. Just... calm down," Rya said sternly. "..." Nieren didn''t reply. Yuliana was surprised at how Rya was able to get control over these two. Especially her daughter. She wanted to ask for a few pointers from Rya in private. "How often do those two bicker?" Johan asked. "Agh... It seems like they argue every five minutes," Tayna cut in not realizing that she was responding to her husband, which made him happy. "They are lucky to be in a small party. I don''t think the nobility would look too kindly on them." The maids entered the dining room with a cart with all their meals. They saw that everyone was quiet and seemed to be waiting for them to be served as they placed their food on the table. "Thank you. Well, if you don''t mind. Let''s all have dinner, shall we?" Johan asked as he tucked in his napkin. They all nodded and started eating and talking about various things going on in the kingdom. The topic of the conversation switched to Johan and his marriage to Tayna. "How long have you two been married?" Rya asked. "About six years. It was arranged between my family and hers," Johan answered. Tayna remained silent. "I see... So, what was it like, being forced to marry a stranger?" Rya asked. "Hmm, I''ll admit that it wasn''t easy. But I was able to get along with her eventually," Johan said. Quinus leaned over to whisper in Rya''s ear. "His marriage is struggling. I don''t know if it''s a good idea to bring this up in front of Tayna," he warned her. Rya leaned in to respond, "I know, babe. Just trust me. Okay?" Quinus looked at her quizzingly as he wondered what she had in store, but he decided to not say anything. "So, are you two planning to have kids anytime soon? You have been married for six years. Seems a bit long for just a political marriage," Rya said. Tayna almost spit out her wine through her nose and looked at Rya with a confused look. "W-Well I know I would like that, but Tayna would like to wait. At least till we are comfortable with the idea," Johan answered. "Is that so?" Rya said as she gave Tayna a quick glance. Tayna was looking away and tried to focus on eating. "What''s your thoughts on the matter, Lady Tayna? Would you ever want to have kids," Rya asked. Tayna didn''t reply right away. She seemed a bit uncomfortable. "I told you at the tea party. I have no interest in having kids. If it happens, it happens. But I won''t go out of my way to do it," Tayna answered. Rya played along even though Tayna told them she was worried about giving birth to a noble child with a weak mana vein. "That''s understandable. You need to be romanced before you''ll let someone put a bun in the oven," Rya said with a wink. Nieren, Quinus, and Johan almost spat out their food. Tayna looked like she was about to die from embarrassment. "Yeah, that didn''t come out right... I was trying to lighten the mood, but it came off a bit vulgar," Rya said, awkwardly. Tayna coughed a bit before regaining her composure. "I-It''s fine. But that would be an odd thing to say to someone you just met," Tayna said. "Plus, I don''t want to rush things. I worry that I would push Tayna away if I did so," Johan added. Tayna looked at Johan with curiosity, but he didn''t notice. "I thought you said that you two didn''t have any romantic feelings for each other. Yet, you worry about her feelings and you don''t want to push her away if you get intimate too soon. That doesn''t sound like a person who doesn''t want to get close to their spouse," Rya commented. Tayna felt her heart skip a beat right when Rya spoke. Johan blushed a bit and avoided eye contact. "I-I''m not sure how to respond. It''s hard to explain. I do want us to have a strong relationship, but I also want to make sure she is comfortable with me first," Johan explained. Tayna''s heart was racing, and she had trouble speaking. ''W-Why am I acting so strange around him? I mean he''s not too bad on the eyes. But his mana vein is what''s holding us back. Now that I''m healed. I don''t need to hide myself anymore. So, maybe I can find a different suitor if things turn out for the worst.'' "Johan is right. We should focus on getting to know each other first. Then we''ll see," Tayna said while acting like nothing happened. "Alright, then. That makes sense. I don''t think it''s a good idea to have a child, without having a stable relationship," Rya agreed. "Yes, a healthy relationship is essential to have a happy home," Johan chimed in. "That''s very true," Tayna added. "So, why are you asking so much about our marriage, Lady Rya?" Johan asked. Rya just smiled, "Just curious." Tayna looked at Rya and knew that she was lying. She didn''t know what her angle was, but she didn''t like being toyed with. "What are you curious about, Lady Rya?" Tayna asked. "You really want to know? Fine, I''ll tell you," Rya said. Everyone''s attention was focused on Rya. She could see that everyone was on edge and that was exactly what she wanted. "Well... I think Johan is too much ''man'' for you, Tayna," Rya said bluntly. Tayna was shocked by the answer. While everyone else did a double-take. "W-What does that mean?" Johan asked with a stutter. Rya smirked as she got the reaction she was looking for. "Exactly what it sounds like. You''re too much man for her, Johan. And she''s not taking advantage of that fact," Rya said. "Huh!? W-What the hell are you talking about?" Tayna objected to Rya''s remark. "I''m just saying. You''re married to one heck of a man. It would be a shame if he went to waste," Rya said. Everyone had a perplexed look. "I-I don''t understand, Lady Rya. No one has ever thought of me in such a way. Not even my mother," Johan said. "And that''s why you are moping around the castle. Because you''re too busy worrying about other people''s opinions instead of your own happiness," Rya shot back. "I''m not unhappy. I''m just respectful," Johan defended himself. "Listen, I think there''s something holding you back, Johan. Something that keeps you from being truly happy. And once you realize that you are the one keeping yourself down, then you will have the confidence to reach for your dreams. Which in turn will make Tayna fall madly in love with you," Rya stated. "Pff! You jest!" Tanya scoffed. "It wouldn''t be the first time you didn''t believe me," Rya retorted while she smirked at Tayna before glancing down at her gloved left hand. Which was fully healed by Rya not too long ago. "W-Whatever. That was different. How would you even know that I''ll fall in love with him?" Tayna argued back. "Well, let''s just say I have a unique perspective when it comes down to knowing what men and women want. It''s a talent of mine. I''m a bit of an expert on the matter," Rya said, smugly. ''Tayna would lose her shit if she knew I was born a man from another world. But that knowledge is only for Quinus and my closest friends to know. Its not for the general public and it never will.'' "You''re just bluffing. There''s no way you can read people that easily, not even Mind Mages can do that. It''s impossible," Tayna shot back. "I guess you''ll find out the fun way," Rya said. Tayna blushed and looked away from everyone. While Rya just shook her head. "Well, I think I''m ready for bed." Rya stood up from her chair and when she did all the men stood up as well. ''God. I feel like I''m in the UK or something. I guess I''ll get used to it at some point.'' Rya thought to herself before she spoke, "No, sit down, guys. It''s okay." "Well, I''m tired too. Unless you don''t want me to join you, my lady?" Quinus said as he took her hand. "The charmer as always," Rya said. "Am I any other way?" Quinus asked with a grin. "Nope," Rya replied as they started walking. She stopped next to Johan who gave her a slight bow. "Johan, I appreciate you and your wife''s hospitality," Rya said as she held her hand out. "Of course, Lady Rya. We are more than happy to have you. You and your friends are welcome here whenever you like," Johan said as he took her hand and kissed her ring. It was a part of the Fiafyrian protocol that all nobility were taught from a young age. Rya didn''t waste any time channeling her void healing magic into Johan. ''You got this Rya. You saw those brown particles floating around his mana vein. I just wish I could use the Seer Stone on him to make sure everything is alright... Come on. I can feel it.'' "Thank you, Johan. You''re a true gentleman. You know..." Rya moved closer to whisper, "Don''t go too hard on Tayna. She''s not used to having a man like you." Johan was taken aback and looked over at Tayna who had a surprised expression on her face. "I don''t follow what you''re saying, Lady Rya." "Trust me, you will. Have a good night, everyone," Rya said as she winked at Tayna. Then Rya walked off with Quinus leaving everyone there with dumbfounded looks on their faces. They didn''t know what Rya''s deal was. After a few minutes of silence, some of them started to finish up their meals before calling it for tonight. Ch.190 Johan’s Unknown Confidence 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Nieren''s attempt to control her mana lust fails and her fantasy starts to get lewd. How is it that an innocent wood elf such as Nieren falls into the clutches of debauchery? She blames Rya and her Prince for having such dreams.Everyone starts to head to bed and leaves Johan and Tayna alone in the dining room. Johan was starting to gain a strange surge of confidence that he never had before and noticed that Tayna''s attitude towards him was warmer than usual. He decides to use the advice that Quinus has given him and tries to flirt with Tayna. It started out roughly at first but for some reason, she wasn''t turned off by his behavior.
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Dalia looked over at Percy, "I think I''m ready to turn in for the night as well, Gamma." Percy looked up at Dalia and saw the mischievous look in her eye. He gulped as he thought of the possible things she was going to try to do to him tonight. ''Maybe she just wants to cuddle?'' Percy hoped. "O-Okay. So you need me to escort you to your room?" Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Dalia gave him a smirk, "Yes, that would be wonderful." ''I know that look... It''s going to be a long night. You got this Percy!'' He thought as he stood up from his seat. Nieren glared at Dalia, "You! You need to keep it down! I can''t sleep if I have to listen to you screaming all night." Dalia rolled her eyes, "It''s howling, Woody... Just don''t listen. It''s not my problem if you can''t sleep." "I can''t help it that my elven ears are sensitive. Plus, I need to make sure that I can hear what''s going on with His Highness and Lady Rya''s room," Nieren defended. Dalia giggled, "So, you prefer to hear the moans of Alpha over me? I didn''t know you swing that way, Woody." Nieren shook her head, "NO! You don''t know what you''re talking about, Dog!" "Oh? Or is it Beta''s moans that you''re into? You''re a strange elf, huh?" Dalia teased. Nieren''s face turned beet red due to Dalia striking too close to the truth. "Enough! I''m tired of listening to your babbling, Wolf... Nieren, use these," Yuliana was growing weary with all this mating talk and handed her daughter some earplugs she specially made for her and her daughter. Nieren was reluctant to grab them, ''But how can I hear my prince''s handsome voice with these damn things blocking my ears?'' She thought while examining the earplugs. "Nieren. We are living in a human kingdom. And they mate almost as much as the beastkins. We can''t expect them to behave like civilized people." Yuliana chided. Nieren huffed, "Hmph. You don''t have to remind me, Mother." Everyone who was witnessing them shook their heads in disbelief, especially the servants. Ch.191 He’s Too Much of a Man 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Tayna is unaware of what is about to happen to her as Rya healed her after her charry was broken. All of a sudden, it''s like electricity is running through her body. She tries not to succumb into her new urges but with Johan''s mana rush. She gets swept away and falls for Johan. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
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Back to Tayna''s room, where Johan was still going. ''Gah! How is he still going? Aunh! At least this pain is helping me not think about Johan''s lips. I mean, he does look handsome. But, he''s not my type. Ugh! It''s hard to think with him ramming his penis into my womanhood.'' Tayna couldn''t see Rya''s healing magic slowly traveling across the floor coming straight for her feet. Soon it started flowing inside her body. Ch.192 I Think I Like Him The sun started to rise up from the horizon. The sounds of people waking up to get to work, mixed with birds chirping filled the air. Inside Tayna''s bed chamber lay two completely naked people. One of them was a very satisfied Johan and the other was Tayna who was sleeping on his chest. She had a content smile on her face as she slept. Tayna''s hair was messy, and her body was covered in love bites. And as the sun filtered into the room, Tayna started to stir in her sleep. ''Ugh... I-I feel like a horse and carriage ran me over. Maybe I had too much wine last night... And why did I have dreams about Johan having his way with me?... Haah... It must be that stupid dark elf''s fault for putting such lewd thoughts in my mind...'' As Tayna slowly started to wake up, she heard someone else''s breathing next to her. She looked to her right and saw Johan lying beside her. ''Johan?'' Tayna quickly snapped awake. She sat up and noticed her body was sore. She felt a slight pain between her legs. Her eyes widened when she looked down as she saw the many hickeys all over her body and the blood stains on the bed. ''Ow! Ow! O-Oh Goddess, what happened last night?! Why am I naked? Wait... Why is Johan naked!? No, no, no, no, no, no! This can''t be happening! It wasn''t a dream?!'' Tayna felt a wave of panic wash over her. ''W-We did it... We had sex... Johan took my virginity. A-And I liked it? No... That can''t be right. It was just a mistake... I was drunk... It''s not like I actually enjoyed it. Right?... But... I was the one who pushed him after the third time. A-And he''s a better lover than I expected...'' Tayna was trying to rationalize her feelings just as Johan started to moan and stretch out his arms. "Tayna?" Johan''s eyes cracked open. He saw Tayna sitting up and staring at him. She looked shocked. "What''s wrong, my love?" He said while rubbing her thigh. His hand sent a shiver down her spine. "J-Johan... We had sex... Y-You and me had... SEX!" "Yeah, we did," Johan replied and sat up. He noticed all the marks on her body and the dried blood. "Wait, are you alright? Did I hurt you, my love? I''m sorry." "No, I-I''m fine. I''m just a bit sore," Tayna said as she grabbed a pillow to cover her chest. "Do you need me to get you anything? Maybe a healing potion? Some breakfast? Whatever you want." Tayna blushed at Johan''s kindness. "J-Just a healing potion would be fine." "Alright, I''ll be right back," Johan said. He got up, and Tayna watched as his muscular ass flexed while he walked away. ''Goddess... His body is perfect... I had no idea,'' Tayna thought to herself as she stared at his muscular physique. He went to Tayna''s wardrobe and looking for something to wear. When he opened the door to the wardrobe, a mirror was on the inside of the door. Johan did a double-take when he saw his reflection. ''Whoa! When did I lose my gut? And what''s with the six-pack? Was it from all the lovemaking?'' Johan shook his head, ''It''s not important. Tayna comes first.'' Johan grabbed a couple of bathrobes and turned towards his wife. "Is it okay if I can borrow this? My clothes seem to have been ripped up." Tayna was broken out of her stupor. Her memories of her ripping open his shirt and pants came rushing back. "Y-Yeah, that''s fine. Just grab the pink robe." "Thanks," Johan said and slipped on the robe. He left the room and closed the door behind him. Something about him wearing her robe made her heart skip a beat. "Ow, ow, ow, ow..." Tayna winced as she got up and put on a white robe. She was having a tough time standing up and limped towards the mirror in her bedroom. She stared at her reflection and saw the many hickeys on her neck and chest. ''Damn it, Johan. Look at all these love bites. It''ll take weeks for them to fade. And my hips hurt so bad... How can a man be this strong without a mana vein?'' Tayna sighed as she took a seat on the sofa and waited for Johan to return. It wasn''t long before Johan returned with the potion. He was still wearing her robe. "I went into the emergency medical supply and luckily my father has a potion from the Famous Alchemist Raiden. The bottle had the mark of his company, ''Crown Pharmacy'', on it." Tayna didn''t know the Dule Family had a relationship with the Crown Pharmacy. "H-How much did that potion cost?" Johan grimaced, "Well? I believe it''s a twelve-hour healing potion that is fifty thousand gold coins, but it''s the strongest potion for sore muscles and minor wounds." "What?! Y-You don''t want to let me use that. Just grab a normal two-day potion." "No, no, no. It was my fault that I took your virginity, and I''m going to treat you the way a husband should treat his wife." Johan popped the lid open and handed the potion to Tayna. She sighed and grabbed the small vial with blue liquid. ''H-He really didn''t need to do this.'' Tayna chugged the potion down. "Mmmm..." The potion was bitter, but she quickly felt the soothing sensation flowing into her muscles. "So, the pain should be gone in twelve hours, right? Thank you," Tayna smiled. "Anytime. So... Are you okay? Was I too rough last night?" "A little, but I''m fine. I should be able to walk properly in an hour... I hope." "Yeah... I-I don''t know what came over me. It was like I was captivated by your beauty. I was mesmerized, and the next thing I knew, we were naked in bed," Johan blushed. Tayna looked at her left hand, which used to be scarred by a slime, but now it was healed by Rya. ''M-Maybe I wouldn''t have had intercourse with Johan if I still had my scars. Normally, I would have been repulsed at the idea of being close to anyone I don''t trust... Is this what it feels like not to have the fear of physical intimacy?'' "It''s okay, Johan. It''s my fault for teasing you. I-I was drunk, I think, and I couldn''t help but notice that you looked different," Tayna admitted. "What do you mean?" Johan asked. "W-Well, you looked... more defined. Your muscles are much bigger. It''s like you''re a warrior," Tayna said. Johan looked down at his body and he couldn''t help but feel awkward. ''Yeah, I don''t know what''s going on with my body either... Wait! Tayna complimented me! She must be starting to like me! Thank you, Goddess!'' "Um, well, thank you," Johan chuckled while he scratched the back of his head and looked away. He wasn''t used to her being kind. "S-So, is it okay if I can be around you more often?" Johan asked. Tayna''s right brow raised in question. "What do you mean? So, you can have your way with me again?" Tayna asked and folded her arms. "No, no, that''s not what I meant. It''s just, I-I was wondering if we can spend time together more often... L-Like having lunch or, or?... Um, maybe a walk in the garden." This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Tayna didn''t know why, but seeing a handsome warrior of a man blushing and stumbling over his words was adorable. ''This is strange... Why am I getting excited at the idea of spending more time with Johan? Am I going mad? B-But he looks so pathetic and cute.'' "I''ll think about it," Tayna said as a smile cracked on her face. Johan looked at her and smiled. "Thank you, my love. You don''t know how happy I am right now." "Well, can you be a gentleman and bring me some breakfas~" *Knock! Knock! Click!* Tayna and Johan got interrupted by Tayna''s personal maid, Kaya. "My Lady, I''m here to help you with your-ACK!" *Slam!* Kaya panicked when she saw the young lord in her Lady''s chambers. She got too good of a view of Johan''s behind as he was kneeling in front of Tayna. She quickly closed the door to hide his modesty. "W-W-What are you doing here?!" Kaya exclaimed and dropped the towels she was holding. ''I forgot that I told Kaya that I wanted a bath this morning... This is awkward. Why do I feel embarrassed?'' Tayna thought as she blushed. "Um... J-Johan was just leaving. Go on, honey. Let me have a bath and I''ll meet you in the dining room for breakfast," Tayna said to her husband. Johan felt awkward and didn''t want to leave, but he couldn''t say no to his wife. "Alright. If you need me, I''ll be waiting for you. Bye, Tayna," Johan said as he came up and kissed her on the forehead. ''Gah, his kisses are too sweet! What''s going on with me? I need to have a talk with my mother and ask her what''s happening to me.'' Johan walked towards the door that had the maid peeking through the crack. He opened the door and walked out. Kaya didn''t dare look at him as he was wearing only a bathrobe, and it was a pink bathrobe at that. Johan turned back and smiled at his wife, "Take your time, Tayna. I''ll make sure to have your favorite breakfast prepared for you." "Th-Thank you, honey," Tayna smiled. ''Why does this feel so weird, yet it feels so nice?'' She hugged the pillow in her arms a little tighter and she couldn''t help but smell it. ''His scent is intoxicating.'' Johan left the room, and Kaya closed the door. "M-My Lady, I''m sorry. If I had known he had entered your chamber last night. Then I would have helped you get rid of him... By the Goddess. What has he done to you? Are you okay? I didn''t hear any sounds of distress last night, but you have many hickeys. Are you hurt anywhere else?" Kaya was panicking as she looked over her mistress and checked for any signs of pain. Tayna blushed at the sight of her maid. ''Geez, calm down, Kaya. Don''t embarrass me.'' "Kaya, I''m fine. He was a little rough, but I''ve been through worse," Tayna said as she gingerly stood up. She felt a dull ache as she hobbled to the bathroom. "B-But, he forced himself on you. If I was here, then I would have given him a piece of my mind," Kaya frowned. Tayna shook her head, "He didn''t force me, Kaya. He might have been aggressive, but..." "But what, my lady?" Tayna was thinking of the best way to explain what happened last night. "It was... different. It was like, a side of him that I didn''t know existed. A-And it made me curious. I was still afraid of losing my maidenhood, but there was something that made me give in," Tayna said. "That sounds like he used some type of trick on you... Are you sure he didn''t use some type of forbidden aphrodisiac?" Kaya said as she helped steady Tayna. "We came straight to my chambers from the dining room. If he had lit an AphroAroma Wick, then everyone who entered the room would have been in an orgy. At least that''s what Lady Aaliyah warned me about." Kaya knew about the AphroAroma Wicks. They were used to stimulate arousal when someone breathes in its fumes. And if more than one person is breathing in the fumes, then everyone who is exposed to the fumes becomes a wild animal in heat. "Y-Yes, that''s true... But maybe he spiked the wine with succubus saliva? Or maybe the succubus blood was mixed in the wine." "Kaya! If a succubus was on the Agon continent, then there would have been large amounts of population missing from cities across the kingdom," Tayna frowned. "Y-Yes, or maybe a shady alchemist finally made a liquid form of-" "KAYA!... You are venturing into the realm of insanity. No form of aphrodisiac is liquid and not a pill or powder. If there was, then it was created by a succubus. And a succubus won''t make a straight form of an aphrodisiac. They will always make sure to take over the person''s mind with their aphrodisiacs and use them as a food source until they die." Kaya didn''t have an answer to that. Tayna''s brows narrowed in thought. ''Well? Maybe Rya was the one who made Johan more aggressive after talking about him being too much of a man for me... I-Is that even possible?'' Tayna just shook her head in frustration and gave up on trying to find an answer. "Let''s forget about that and have my bath." "Yes, my lady." *** Kaya started up the fae-bath before helping Tayna into the bath. "Owie! Ow!" Tayna squealed in pain. Kaya frowned and gently helped her sit. "My Lady, let''s have a quick soak and we''ll see what the doctor has to say." "I don''t need a doctor. Johan gave me a Crown Pharmacy potion. I''ll be fine in twelve hours," Tayna said as she settled in the water and disrobed her white bathrobe, tossing it to the ground. Kaya was amazed by two things, first was the fact that Tayna had no more scars on her body. She was at the tea party when Lady Rya healed her. And second, was the fact that the Dule Family had access to Crown Pharmacy potions. ''How did Lord Johan have a Crown Pharmacy potion on hand? It must have cost a fortune!'' "I guess it pays to be a part of a Major Noble house. I''m surprised that Lord Johan gave you a potion. Most men will leave their women to deal with the pain," Kaya said as she added bath salts and lavender bath bombs to the water. Tayna observed the water changing into a purple-pink color. ''But he didn''t... He worries about me. And if I wasn''t forced to marry him, then I wouldn''t have gotten healed by Lady Rya... Mmmmh... I-I feel like my heart is beating out of control. Why do I feel hot?'' Kaya noticed the look of confusion on Tayna''s face. "My Lady, is something troubling you? You are flushed," Kaya said as she leaned forward and touched Tayna''s forehead. Tayna flinched back. "Huh?! Oh, I''m fine, just a bit warm..." Kaya could tell that something was bothering her. It was a similar look she had back before she was married off to Johan. "My lady, is everything alright? Does the Lord hurt you? I can call your family''s guards and have him punished." "What? No! He didn''t hurt me on purpose... I-It''s just... Am I a terrible wife? I-I feel so conflicted." Tayna was looking at the ground and didn''t want to look up at her friend and personal maid. Kaya was confused, "Why do you say that? You were married into a terrible situation, my Lady. Even if he''s the first son of a Major Noble house. He still doesn''t have a mana vein to protect you or even himself. Once his father passes away, then his uncle would take over as the Head of the House. Then his uncle will be able to throw him away if he wanted to." "Kaya... I-I think Johan is stronger than I... we give him credit for," Tayna said hesitantly. "Oh? And what makes you say that?" "Last night... I didn''t know how handsome he was. Under his garments was a chiseled body. It''s like the Goddess herself carved him out of the finest stone. Not to mention the size of his... manhood," Tayna said as she started to blush. Kaya blinked in surprise, "Well, I didn''t get a good look at him when he left your chamber. Why was he wearing one of your robes and not his clothes?" Tayna cringed, "I-In the heat of the moment. I sort of... ripped his clothes..." "My Lady, are you trying to tell me that you stripped him? And you saw his naked body? Did he threaten you and force you to rip his clothes?" Kaya asked as she looked at her mistress with a concerned expression. "No... He didn''t threaten me. I-I climaxed my second time and he let me... be on top. Something came over me when I saw him gritting his teeth after I slammed my hips down on him. It stirred something inside me and I wanted more. Before I knew it, his shirt was ripped open, and his pants were torn apart. He looked so happy that he ripped my clothes off too... I-I don''t know how to describe what I was feeling, but it was exhilarating." Tayna had a smile on her face as she thought about last night. Kaya had never seen her mistress smile like that. "Well, my lady. Do you think he''s good in bed? Does he please you in that aspect?" Tayna''s face became embarrassed, "I can''t believe I just said all of that! It''s not proper for a Lady to talk like that. Please forget I said anything. We were discussing something else," Tayna said, trying to hide her flushed cheeks. Kaya chuckled, "Alright, we were talking about you being conflicted." "I know... Hey Kaya?" "Yes, my Lady?" "Am I a bad person for liking Johan?" Kaya blinked, "I''m sorry, my lady. What do you mean by ''liking'' him?" "I''m saying that I might... I want to stay with him. And it scares me. I know he doesn''t have a mana vein, but he''s friends with the crown prince and Lady Rya is a powerful healer that history books haven''t even recorded. The same woman who could kill all of us with a thought. Plus, I don''t think Johan''s weak anymore. There is something more to him. He''s different." "Well, it''s only been a day. And he did all this damage to your body in one intercourse session. So, I would have to agree that he''s not weak." "It was more than one session," Tayna whispered. "What was that?" Kaya asked, not hearing her. "I said that it wasn''t just one session," Tayna said quietly, not making eye contact with Kaya. "You''re saying that he... climaxed more than once?" Kaya asked in disbelief. "Y-Yeah..." Tayna replied. "Are you kidding me?! Most men climax once and then they are done. How many times did he..." "I''m not sure. I lost count at the fifth time." Kaya''s mouth became agape in shock. "And he didn''t leave you alone after that? I mean he did leave you to get the potion, but he came back later on to check on you," Kaya said, recalling when she opened the door to her mistress''s chambers. "He was in my bed all night." "All night?!" Kaya exclaimed. "Yeah... He stayed the whole time," Tayna said as a little smile appeared on her lips. Kaya just stared at her mistress and then she realized why she was smiling. Tayna didn''t just like Johan, she was in love with him. And the fact that he cared about her after last night made her happy. Kaya just nodded, "My Lady, let''s get you washed up so you can have dinner with your husband. And don''t worry, I''ll pick a dress out for you." Tayna just nodded and smiled. ''If this is the result, then I don''t mind marrying him again and again. I''m the future Baroness, Tayna Dule, Wife to Lord Johan Dule, and soon to be the mother of the next Head of House Dule. I wonder how many kids we''ll have? I think a few boys and a couple of girls would be nice.'' Tayna thought as Kaya was scrubbing her body and rinsing off the bath salts. Kaya finished cleaning her mistress. And they walked back into the bedroom. "Now, what type of dress are you interested in wearing today, my lady?" "One that can show off my figure. I''m a married woman now, and I need to make Johan look good." "Of course, my lady," Kaya said as she went to the wardrobe to pull out a few dresses that matched her description. "Hmmm... I''ll go with the dark green one." "An excellent choice, my Lady. Dark green will bring out the color in your hair and eyes. Plus, it matches the color scheme of the House of Dule," Kaya said as she set the dress down and brought out the undergarments. Soon the maid started putting on her ladyship''s outfit. Tayna was wearing a green dress that hugged her body, and the dress had a slit on the side that showed off her long leg that had black lace stockings on them. She was wearing a black bra with matching panties and the bra had some extra padding to help lift her breasts up. She was wearing green heels that matched her dress. And the last thing was her tiara which symbolizes her rank as the First Lady of House Dule. It was given as a wedding gift from her mother-in-law and it was the first time she had ever worn it in public. "Are you ready to go meet with Lord Johan, my lady?" "Yes, thank you, Kaya," Tayna said as she got out of her chair. The pain was slowly going away. But she still had a slight limp. Kaya followed her mistress out of her chambers and into the main dining room. Where everyone was waiting for her. Ch.193 How Many Pups Will You Carry? When Tayna was taking a bath. Johan hurried to his chambers, cleaned himself up, and dressed before Lester could walk in. After putting on his clothes, he walked to the main dining room. The table had several plates filled with food. A couple of servants worked around the room, cleaning the tables and chairs. "Where''s the Prince and his Lady?" Johan asked a nearby servant. "They are coming, milord. They should be here shortly." Johan nodded, "Okay." The servant bowed and continued to work. Yuliana and Nieren were the first to arrive. Yuliana was wearing a white dress and she was also wearing a tiara that signified her rank as a former princess. She was carrying a special satchel that had the three Elder Tree saplings. She had spent the last two decades trying to get them to grow to no avail. It was Rya who noticed that the seeds were poisoned by wyvern blood. And she healed them. Nieren was wearing her Fiafyrian retainer armor. Which was black leather and was designed for an archer. She was wearing her cloak, of invisibility, and had her bow on her back with a quiver on her left hip. She also had two knives on her thighs and her leather boots had metal tips on the toes. But her beautiful face had two dark spots underneath her eyes. "Good morning, Lord Johan." Yuliana said in a chipper tone. "Good morning, Princess and... Is your daughter okay?" Johan asked as he noticed Nieren bumping into a chair. Yuliana''s chipper attitude turned sour as she looked at her daughter. "Nieren!" She called out. Nieren just grumbled. "My apologies. She didn''t use the earplugs I gave her. I think everyone who was performing mating rituals had kept her up to an unreasonable hour." Johan started feeling bad for the young wood elf, for he was one of the culprits. "I''m sorry." "Why are you apologizing? You weren''t the only one." "Still. I can''t imagine what it was like to hear everything around you so easily. But I can understand someone being loud and keeping you up. It can be annoying." "Thank you for understanding, Lord Johan. But my daughter could have done something about it and she''s stubborn in her ways," Yuliana said with a smile. Nieren had sat down and had her head on the table. She was snoring softly. "Why didn''t she use the earplugs? If you don''t mind me asking?" Johan asked as he was concerned for the poor wood elf. "Haah... She told me that it was her sworn duty to protect Lady Rya. And she thinks she can''t do that with her ears plugged up... Sadly, I think she gets that trait from me," Yuliana shook her head as she looked at her daughter. "What do you mean?" "Well... When I was her age. I thought I knew what was best for my family. My father was the leader of our people and he would tell me to do things smarter and not harder. I didn''t listen to him and did something that made me look like a fool. But luckily I survived it." "You don''t have to tell me if you don''t want to," Johan said, not wanting to pressure her. "It''s in the past. Oh! Nieren! Watch out!" Yuliana yelled out. Nieren slipped off her chair and smacked her head against the ground, jolting herself awake. "Aaaahhh!" Nieren yelled as she jumped to her feet. "Ouch. That had to hurt," Johan said as he cringed at the sight. Nieren looked at the human and her mother and saw their concerned looks. "W-What''s wrong? What happened?" Nieren asked as she rubbed the back of her head. "Nothing happened. I just told you to watch out," Yuliana smirked. "Mom! It was important to listen for any possible danger," Nieren growled. "I don''t think there is any danger. At least not at the moment. Unless there is something we should know about," Johan said as he looked at Nieren. "W-Well, when Lady Rya and His Highness are done doing there... passionate love session. They seem to get in a slumber that leaves them vulnerable to attacks." "I see. So, you are just doing your job," Johan responded with a nod. "Thank you, Lord Johan," Nieren smiled. Her mother, though, wasn''t buying it. "Nieren, stop using Lady Rya''s relationship with the prince as an excuse for your actions." "But, Mom. She is vulnerable in that state. It''s my job to protect her. And if that stupid dog would just slow down then I could my prince''s moans bett~ I-I mean! His Highness and My Lady wouldn''t be at risk from an assassin!" Nieren shouted, as her cheeks were turning bright red. "Mhm. Well, whatever it is. Just stop it and take better care of yourself. Lady Rya would prefer if you were functional during the day," Yuliana said as she sat down next to her daughter. Nieren was mortified that she almost let it slip that she enjoyed listening to them. Especially hearing Quinus'' passionate husky moans. In the beginning, she thought it was disgusting that an elf, albeit a dark elf, was making love to a human. But now she can''t stop herself from fantasizing about the young man. And it was getting worse after Rya healed her mana vein. "Ugh. My head," Nieren grumbled. Johan just chuckled. He wanted to make another remark but he heard someone else coming into the dining room. He looked over as Dalia and Percy walked in. The wolfkin had a pout on her face while Percy had a big smile on his. "Oh? Is something the matter, Lady Dalia," Johan asked. "Hmph! I finally got the jump on... Gamma this morning but my stubborn stomach hit the corner of the mattress and I fell short. He woke up and proceeded to take the lead!" Dalia said in a huff. "I''m sorry, My Lord. She likes to be the dominant one during... mating," Percy said. Stolen novel; please report. "Is that so?" "Yes, and she gets disappointed when I offer her to be the dominant one," Percy said with a chuckle. "That''s because it''s something that is earned, Gamma! Not given! How are you going to respect me if I''m not strong enough to keep you down and ravage you? Grrr! Alpha''s right! I''ve been eating too many sweets! From here on out, it''s only red meat for me," Dalia stated with her head held high while taking a seat at the table. Percy shook his head, "Dalia, just listen to your body and what it needs. Your Alpha is fine with you having sweets every now and then. As long as you balance it with a healthy diet." "I appreciate your advice, but I need to draw a line. From here on out, you''ll all see a new wolf," Dalia declared, folding her arms across her chest. Just then a maid placed a giant platter of pastries, that looked similar to donuts, in the center of the table. Dalia''s nose twitched and her mouth watered. She glanced at the maid and snatched one up before the maid could put the tray down on the table. "Starting tomorrow," Dalia said as she took a bite out of the pastry, and then her eyes rolled up as she groaned. "These are so good! Why are they so good!" She moaned as she shoved the entire pastry into her mouth. She leaned back in her chair which showed off her tummy. Johan''s eyes went wide and he gulped. While Percy was just watching his lover stuff her face. He''s already seen her eat more than three meals and then some. And her body was mostly the same. But her baby bump had gotten bigger over the past week. "Dalia, please. Use your manners," Yuliana said with irritation. "Well, maybe you humans shouldn''t make such delicious food. I mean look at what it''s doing to my stomach," Dalia said, with her cheeks full. "The sweets aren''t the main culprit you silly wolf! You''re obviously carrying Percy''s pups," Yuliana said with a laugh. "Not you too! I''m still young and my heat is a long way off. Mating season isn''t until four months from now," Dalia said as she was trying to come up with excuses. Percy smirked before he put his hand on her tummy and rubbed her stomach gently. Dalia tried to get offended that Percy was touching her vulnerable spot but the wolfkin couldn''t fight it as she slouched in her chair. Going into a docile state while she was getting her tummy rubbed. "You''re adorable, Dalia." "N-No I''m not. I''m a tough wolf." "Yes, you are a very tough wolf. I wonder how many pups we''ll have." Dalia''s tail started to wag behind her. "A-As many as I can carry. A-And I will carry as many as I can. A-As long as it makes you happy, G-Gamma." "It would make me very happy, my little wolf," Percy said, smiling at his future mate. Everyone around her just smiled at the cute wolf girl. "Dalia, I know you''re not used to being the submissive one. But I promise to always protect you," Percy said, with his hand on her cheek. Dalia''s face was bright red and her ears folded back. "A-Alright, Gamma. I-I''ll do my best," Dalia said. Johan knew how fierce beastkins could be, especially the females. But seeing a female beastkin give into a male was a sight to behold. ''This mighty wolfkin was tamed by her partner''s love.'' "Hmmm. You sure are. I wonder what you''ll be giving birth to?" Percy whispered. Dalia''s cheeks turned pink as she imagined carrying her lover''s pups. She shook her head and slapped Percy''s hand off her belly. "Haha! I never knew how adorable a wolfkin could be," Johan said while observing the cute wolf getting flustered. "Hmph! Now everyone thinks I''m cute," Dalia grumbled. "You are cute, my love," Percy said. "Shut up." Johan and Yuliana smirked while Nieren was rubbing her temples and muttering to herself. "That damn dog is so pregnant... Why does she keep denying it? I know her sense of smell is better than ours but even we elves can smell your lover''s stench permeating off you. She stinks of his musk and the scent of her growing womb makes it obvious... Ugh, I need a drink. Or maybe... I should use the damn earplugs that mother gave me. Damn them and their loud moans..." Nieren mumbled. "Huh? Nieren, are you feeling okay?" Yuliana asked. "Yes, mother. Just peachy," Nieren grumbled. With that, the door opened to Rya and Quinus stepping in with rejuvenated looks on their faces. Yuliana, Percy, and Johan stood up to greet the two. Nieren slowly rose up, her eyes were a bit dark around the edges. "Good morning, my Lord and Lady," Percy, Johan, and Yuliana said. Dalia got up and greeted them, "Good morning, Alpha and Beta." "Morning... Sorry to keep you all waiting. But the bath was divine," Quinus said as he and Rya took their seats. Nieren yawned and rubbed her eyes, "M-Morning." Rya smiled, "So? I see you didn''t use the earplugs." "S-Sorry, Lady Rya. I-I couldn''t sleep well. S-So, I thought I would... keep watch," Nieren stuttered. Yuliana just shook her head while Rya glanced at her friend. "Nieren. Give me your hands," Rya said. "Huh? W-Why?" "I just want to see something." "Okay," Nieren said while complying. She put her hands on the table and Rya placed her hands on top of the Wood Elf''s. Rya summoned her void healing magic and channeled it into the Wood Elf''s body. Her eyes glowed a soft blue as her mana traveled through her and into her body. Nieren gasped at the warmth of her lady''s mana. Soon the dark bags under her eyes faded away and her face became more vibrant. She could feel the weight lift off her shoulders and her mood brightened up. Rya cut off the mana flow and her eyes returned to normal. Nieren smiled and was about to talk when her head came down and smacked the table. "N-Nieren!? W-What did you do to my daughter?" Yuliana shouted. "Yikes... Looks like she didn''t have much sleep last night. I just healed her, but I guess the discomfort was keeping her awake. I''m sorry, Yuliana," Rya said. Yuliana looked at her sleeping daughter. "She looks so peaceful. It is disrespectful but thank you, Lady Rya. Please forgive my rudeness." "There''s nothing to forgive, Yuliana. I should have taken her to a bedroom first," Rya said, with a sad smile. "My Lord, My Lady, breakfast is served," a maid said as she brought the food into the dining hall. Johan asked a few servants to take Nieren to her room. Breakfast consisted of steak, sausage, potatoes, bacon, and eggs. "Wow. That looks good," Rya said as she took a deep breath of the scent. "Yes indeed," Quinus agreed. He looked over to Johan and noticed that he looked better. His features became more defined and his face looked like that of a male model. Quinus softly elbowed Rya''s arm and pointed at Johan. "Did you get the chance to see his mana vein? He definitely looks different," Quinus whispered. Rya looked at Johan and slipped her fingers into her cleavage. It took her a second to pull out the Seer Stone from her secret hiding spot and brought it to her right eye. She looked through the demonic monocle and her eyes widened. "His vein is elite ranked," Rya whispered back. Quinus nodded as he looked at his friend, "Well, he''ll be happy to know that he can be a Maja warrior." "Well, he has a mage''s vein too... and it''s a rare color," Rya said. Quinus''s jaw dropped. "Are you serious?" he whispered. "Yeah, take a look," Rya whispered back. Rya handed Quinus the Seer Stone. "Do I need to do anything to make it work?" "Just channel a little mana into it. Not too much. The thing is sensitive," Rya explained. "Understood," Quinus said, nodding. He held the seer stone to his eye and was amazed at the sight. There was a giant blue vein running along Johan''s spine and then there were a bunch of smaller veins extending out from the glowing blue one. These veins spread throughout and connected to other parts of his body. These smaller veins were pulsating purple. "What type of mage is he?" "I need to double-check the tomes but if my memory is correct. Then he''s an illusion mage, a very rare one at that," Rya said while thinking about how those veins pulsated, "Yeah, his mage''s vein is a rare variant of illusion mage. I''ll check my notes just to make sure." Quinus lowered the seer stone and gave it back to Rya. Who slipped it back into her cleavage. "Well, I''ll give him the news later. I think he deserves it." Rya smiled and nodded. The group enjoyed their meal. Rya and Percy shared some of their food with Dalia. Which made the Wolfkin happy and her tail was wagging the entire time. And just as everyone was almost finished the doors opened to a limping Tayna with two maids escorting her. Ch.194 Indecent Exposure 🦴 Chapter Synopsis:
Rya decides to have fun with Tayna and healed her nether region, which makes Tayna really sensitive, just by sitting in her chair. And after everyone leaves the dining room to gather their things for the trip ahead. Johan notices his wife''s predicament and decides to act.
Preview:
"Sorry I''m late, My Lord, My Lady," Tayna said, as she bowed. "No worries. Please, take a seat," Quinus said. Johan was happy to see his wife. He was beginning to worry that she wasn''t going to show at first. Then his eyes wandered over her body as she was wearing clothes that weren''t her usual conservative fare. He admired the way her dress fit her figure perfectly. The way her hips moved with every step she took. And how her breasts would bounce with each movement, even though she wasn''t as graceful as usual, which was his fault. He could feel his dick stirring in his pants. She took her seat next to her husband and kissed his cheek. "Morning, dear." "Morning, sweetie," Johan said. Rya was giving Tayna a coy smile. Stolen novel; please report. "M-Morning, Lady Rya, Prince Quinus," Tayna said. "Morning, Tayna," Rya and Quinus said in unison. The maid cleared the table of some dirty dishes and left. "Tayna, you seem to be walking around gingerly? Did you sleep funny last night?" Rya asked with a hint of mischief in her voice. Tayna glared at her husband which made Johan''s smile turn upside down with guilt. "No, I didn''t. It''s just my husband was a little too excited last night," Tayna said. Johan''s face had started to sweat from his forehead. He was worried that Tayna was going to scold him in front of Quinus and Rya. "Why are you being hard on him? Did he not satisfy you?" Rya asked. "N-No, he was quite good. I just had trouble sleeping last night because he woke me up again." "Oh, you were woken up multiple times? Seems like he was a bit too much of a Man for" "I''m more than enough woman for him! And he''s mine! Eep..." Tayna covered her mouth after her outburst. Everyone at the table had their eyes widen from Tayna''s outburst. Rya looked at Johan with a raised brow, who looked back at her sheepishly. Rya giggled, "Good... You deserve a good man like Johan. I''m sure you two will be happy together." Tayna''s glare faded and her cheeks burned. "Thanks... Lady Rya. I won''t judge you ever again," Tayna mumbled. "Good to hear, because you have a very nice ass. I can see why Johan wanted to ravage it," Rya added with a grin. Ch.195 The Queen Wishes to see Rya. General Douglas, Sir George, and the rest of the knights were checking their supplies. Percy showed up with his and Dalia''s luggage. He gave it to the two dwarves who placed it in their carriage. "Sir Richard. What more do we have on our journey?" Sir George asked. Sir Richard is a knight with the rank of captain. He became the best swordsman in the Fiafyr army, once Sir Mathew left the kingdom with his wife. The only other knight that could challenge him was Lady Nelumbo. But she took the position of the Queen''s personal knight and bodyguard after she gave birth to her son. Sir Richard is a human male who has brown hair, grey eyes, a scar across his left eye, and a large muscular build. "We have a 2-day journey by horse to get to Eldermyst City and a 2-day journey from there to the next town within the Maldurian Domain." "We''re stopping at the town of Lomar? Why not continue the rest of the way to the Capital city?" asked Percy with confusion. "We are stopping there because His Majesty would like us to meet with the Queen," Sir Richard explained. "Huh? Why is the Queen meeting with us at Lomar?" Percy asked. "She will be taking a small entourage of soldiers with her to... Greet Lady Rya. She wants to ensure she''s not a threat to the kingdom. But I think she''s more concerned about her son... It''s probably going to be another interrogation for Lady Rya," Sir Richard sighed. "Interrogation? Are they going to torture her?" Percy asked, fearing the worst. "No!? She''s going to meet her in person. And since the General was the first step, she''s the second. If we show up in the capital with a dark elf. Then there might be a panic and who knows which nobles will want to start a war over a dark elf. But if we can prove that she''s not a threat and that the goddess herself has spoken to her. Well, the people will have no choice but to accept her," Sir Richard explained. "How will the Queen prove her innocence?" Percy asked. "That''s only a question she can answer," Sir Richard said. "Should we inform Lady Rya?" Percy asked George. "I''ll tell her and His Highness when we are about to depart," Sir George said. "I still can''t believe that I got to witness a dark elf. They''re far more pleasant than I was told. Maybe there''s a misunderstanding about their kind," Sir Richard said. "Yeah... It makes me wonder why everyone believes that they''re evil. When the only ones I''ve met have been nothing but nice," Percy said, thinking of the times he''s spent with Rya. She was the one to help him fall in love with Dalia. And he was forever grateful. Even though he''s been getting restless nights over this past month, but he kinda liked it. It reminded him of his mother''s training, back when he was a kid. His mother always told him that this type of training would help him become stronger, to protect himself and the prince. "Yeah... Queen Rianna isn''t going to know what hit her," Sir George laughed. "What do you mean?" Percy asked. "Percy... You seen how Lady Rya turns someone, who is hostile towards her and then they''re friends with her. Just like what happened to Lady Tayna," Sir George said. Percy nodded. "Yeah. I thought it was going to get ugly yesterday. And when Lady Rya offered me to join them for their tea party. I noticed how Lady Tayna wasn''t pleased at all and I didn''t want anything to do with that," Percy said. "Then at dinner, it was like that girl was a whole new person. She was chatting away with Lady Rya as if they were always friends," Sir George said. "She really is something. It''s like she has a natural charisma," Percy said while nodding. "Well, I''ll have to take your word for it. But we need to pack the rest of our supplies. The General has said that we are leaving in the next half-hour," Sir Richard said, walking away. Sir George and Percy continued to talk. "Go and get your girlfriend''s things. I''ll get His Highness''s gear and place it into the carriage," Sir George ordered. "Yes, sir," Percy said, rushing off. George went to his private chambers in the barracks and packed his items before heading to the prince''s guest room to grab his luggage. Normally the servants would do this. But with how "high stakes" things were, George couldn''t risk any chance of a spy ruining things for the prince and his Lady. *** Quinus and Rya were in the Prince''s room and having a discussion when Sir George showed up. "I thought you two would be finished. It''s almost time to leave," Sir George said, placing his bag down. "Sorry, we were waiting for Johan and Tayna to finish... Doing some private things," Rya said, giggling. Sir George sighed, "So, you are saying that Johan has found a way into Tayna''s private parts?... Dammit! I had the perfect plan for him to save his relationship. All that work I did overnight was a waste. Oh, well," Sir George shrugged his shoulders. "Huh? Did you really have a plan to save his relationship with Tayna?" Rya asked, curiously. "Yeah, I planned for Johan to get her nice and drunk then he would need to shower her with gifts and then he would need to ignore her so she comes to him," Sir George said, rubbing his chin. Quinus and Rya looked at each other, then back at him. "What?" Rya asked, looking confused. "George. You''ve had bad ideas in the past, but this one has gone to a whole nother level. Trying to use alcohol to get your way is bad. Really bad," Quinus said, shaking his head. "Huh? The idea isn''t to do everything to her in that state. The whole idea is to plant these things in the target''s subconscious and then act like you never did those things. It will cause them to come to you when you act like you''re no longer interested," Sir George said as if his idea wasn''t stupid. Rya shook her head, "George. Stop referring to women as targets. We''re not some kind of game to you. And even if your idea could work. The reason why Tayna was ignoring her husband was two reasons. First, she has some really bad scarring all over her left side thanks to a monster attack. Second, she worried about Johan not having a mana vein. And lastly, I think she''s gotten bad advice about intercourse. It''s a gut feeling, but she was a twenty-five-year-old virgin. That''s not by mistake." Quinus nodded his head, "Yeah, I read some of those books when I was a child. It''s archaic, to say the least. Saying men can only last for 30 seconds and we will leave them unsatisfied. While women only feel pain and discomfort the whole time. And that the only pleasure comes from poetry and gifts. Yeah, the writer had to be an unsatisfied woman." "That sucks," Rya said, sighing. Sir George looked at them with skepticism. "Well, I guess you win again, my Lady. But Mark my words, someday I will surpass you in the art of matchmaking. And I''ll be the one getting the credit," Sir George said. "Yeah, sure you will," Quinus mocked. Rya giggled, "George, we can''t be good at everything. Plus your methods might make predators, instead of gentlemen. Your ideas always sound great in your head, but maybe you should try to get a girlfriend first, before you go around trying to get all the single men and women together. Sir George just shook his head. That''s when he recalled Sir Richard''s warning about seeing the Queen. "Oh, by the way, the Queen is going to meet us along the road. She''ll meet us at Lomar," Sir George said. Quinus did a double take, "What does my mother want?" "Apparently, she wants to meet Lady Rya," Sir George answered. "Is she planning something?" Quinus asked. "She wants to make sure, Lady Rya is on the up and up. But with how skilled she dealt with the General and Lady Tayna. I''m sure she''ll pass whatever Queen Rianna has planned for her. It makes one wonder what her plans are. And it seems like the Queen isn''t taking any chances. She''s bringing a full escort of her knights with her," Sir George said. Quinus looked over at Rya, "Well, are you ready to meet my mother?" Rya looked at George then back to Quinus, "Is there something I should know?" "Yeah, my mother is a cunning woman. When she has her doubts, she will do anything to make sure she knows everything... And she may be a little overprotective of me after there was a few attempts on my life," Quinus said. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Rya gave a nervous laugh. "She sounds like a tough woman... Hold on!? You said someone tried to claim your life, three times?" Rya asked, looking a little worried for Quinus. "Your Highness... You forgot to add the last attempt in the Tomb of the Horde," Sir George said. "Ha... Ha... Y-Yeah, I forgot Marcus tried to leave us for dead in the labyrinth. It slipped my mind after seeing Rya for the first time," Quinus said as he gave Rya a wink. Rya blushed a little, "Y-Yeah, you were lucky that I was stuck in the labyrinth. A-And that I found you attractive." Quinus looked hurt, "So, you wouldn''t have saved us if I wasn''t good-looking." Rya rolled her eyes, "Jerk. You know what I mean." "Oh, and I''m the jerk," Quinus laughed. "Ahem, can we get back to the subject at hand?" Rya asked, turning her face away from him. "Which subject? My mother or the people who have tried to kill me in the past?" Quinus asked. "Both. Now tell me everything I need to know," Rya ordered. Quinus nodded, "Okay. I guess I''ll talk about the past so you can get an understanding of my mother and father. "First, my father was given the heir to the throne over my uncle due to him having my grandfather''s golden eyes. Which is a Meredydd family trait." Rya gave Quinus a questioning look, "So your uncle is the older brother, but he wasn''t chosen. Because your grandfather wanted the best heir for the throne. And your father was better suited?" Quinus shook his head, "It was the Major Nobles that made the decision. The majority of Major Nobles at the time thought that my uncle was the offspring of infidelity due to his gray eyes and gray hair. So, when my father showed up and was born with the Meredydd Family''s golden eyes and reddish brown hair, they immediately made him the heir to the throne. And my Uncle Alaric, who was the rightful heir, was pushed aside and was forced to take my grandmother''s maiden name." Rya was starting to put two and two together. "So your uncle tried to assassinate you, so he can have the throne, aye? And your mother is worried about a similar attempt from someone else in your family?" Rya asked, looking worried. Quinus sighed, "You''re close, but a little off, babe. First, my uncle was trying to get the throne for my cousin. Because my mother had seven miscarriages before having me. And everyone was worried that she couldn''t produce a proper heir." "Your father couldn''t take a mistress?" Rya asked. She knew about the history of nobility back on Earth taking mistresses in hopes of siring a son. Sir George chimed in, "It had to do with keeping the peace in the kingdom. I was a child at the time, but when King Armond Meredydd passed on. Alaric, with the help of his mother, was gaining support from the minor lords, and Cyndre, being the kind soul that he was, felt bad for his older brother. He agreed to a deal to take only one wife and no mistresses." "Hold on? Why did Quin''s father make this deal?" Rya asked. Sir George took a seat in one of the chairs and crossed his arms, "Well, the new Prime Minister that came into power was Marquess Duval. He tried to act as the neutral party but he was the one who wrote a proposal and he put in a clause saying that Alaric could only take one wife as well." Now Rya understood the predicament, ''So Quin''s uncle accepted the offer... But he had to know that Quin''s mom would most likely give birth to a child wait!?'' Rya broke out of her thoughts. She needed some information that she was missing. "Quin... You said your mother had seven miscarriages before you were born. How old was she?" Rya asked. "When I was born, my mother was in her mid-twenties," Quinus said, sounding worried. "And how common is it for women to miscarry a child at that age?" Rya asked, curiously. Quinus was silent for a moment before he spoke, "Very rare from what I''ve seen. But that''s not saying much." "Hmm? Did they arrange a marriage with a noblewoman who was known to have trouble conceiving?" Rya asked, getting an eerie feeling. Sir George thought for a moment and then spoke, "From what I''ve been told, the Queen is from the island country of Corialis. The women there are considered highly fertile and they have similar figures to you, Lady Rya." Rya was surprised that Sir George actually knew how to compliment her, but this confirmed her suspicions. "Thank you... There might be hope for you yet, George," Rya laughed. "Huh? I was just saying that because King Cyndre''s tastes in women seemed to be passed down to his son. The nobility seems to be attracted to your type of figure, my Lady," Sir George said. "Hold on, George... I indeed enjoy Rya''s beauty, but it''s her personality that drew me to her," Quinus said, putting his hand on his chest. Sir George shook his head, "Really?... Before Mathew left with Wina... He seemed worried that you were coveting his wife at the age of ten..." Quinus'' face turned bright red with embarrassment. It was true that his old wet nurse was his first crush, and he cursed himself for being too young at the time to pursue her. But that was in the past. Rya saw how embarrassed Quinus was and couldn''t help but laugh. "It''s not funny, babe," Quinus pouted. Rya''s face turned red when Quinus called her by her nickname. "I get it... You''re lucky that I''m not the jealous type, Quin," Rya said, giving Quinus a quick peck on the cheek. Quinus'' heart skipped a beat and he felt his cheeks getting hot. "Yeah, it''s a good thing. Plus, I don''t want to be Percy''s stepdad," Quinus laughed, making Sir George join in. Rya was confused, "You had a crush on Percy''s mom? Wow, Quin. I didn''t know you liked the mature type." Quinus looked panicked, "I like your type more, babe!" Rya smiled, "It''s okay, Quin. Maybe some of your father''s taste rubbed off on you." Quinus shook his head, ''No. I never cared for women with the body types like Rya, Wina, or my mother before I was reincarnated. I love Rya because she''s smart, and from Earth. B-But Wina was smart and my mother is...'' Quinus started realizing something, ''Well... When I was reborn I did have inappropriate thoughts about my mother. Before I knew that she was my new mom, Goddess, her breasts were so massive when I was a baby. I remember breastfeeding and I couldn''t help but get... GAH!? When did I care so much about women with big boobs!? I-I don''t even remember when my love of tits started, but it''s been going strong ever since I... was reborn?'' Quinus snapped out of his thoughts when Rya started shaking his shoulder, "Quin? You okay? You spaced out for a second there." "Y-Yeah. Sorry, I was thinking about how I would explain the situation to my mother," Quinus said, lying. "You sure?" Rya asked. "I-I''m fine," Quinus answered, trying to hide the fact that he lied. Rya shrugged her shoulders, "Alright... I still need answers... I have a feeling that your uncle did something to your mother that made her sterile." Quinus'' and Sir George''s eyes widened. They never thought of it before. "So, your father and uncle agree to this peace treaty. But when you came into the picture, Marcus lost the throne. So your uncle tried to assassinate you. Then, Marcus would be the next heir again, right?" Rya asked. "That''s what we believe, my Lady," Sir George answered. "And I''m assuming that none of Alaric''s daughters have claims to the throne, right?" Rya asked. "Yeah, they have a claim if there are no boys in the royal family," Quinus said. "Got it. So, Alaric wasn''t going for the throne himself. He was trying to get it for Marcus instead. I think he was happy to sign that treaty so he could easily right the wrongs in his eyes, without shedding blood... But you said he tried to assassinate you, right? How is he still in power?" Rya asked in confusion. Both Quinus and Sir George sighed. "It''s a complicated story that we''ve kept from the prince," Sir George said. Quinus had an unhappy expression, "What have you kept from me?" "Wina... She was hired by your uncle to kill you," Sir George answered with a bit if guilt in his voice. Rya''s eyes widened, ''What the fu~'' "Yeah, I know... She told me after I passed the trials of adulthood ten years ago," Quinus sighed. Sir George''s eyes widened, "You knew? And here I thought I was keeping this secret from you. You''re more mature than I give you credit for, Your Highness." "I had time to process what Wina had told me, and the more I learned about my uncle and cousin, the more it made sense," Quinus said. Rya was confused and wanted some details, "So, let me get this straight. Your uncle had the Royal Wet Nurse hired to assassinate you?" "No, she was an assassin who infiltrated the palace as a wet nurse," Sir George interrupted. "She was sent by Alaric Revelia and her goal was to kill Quin, but she didn''t? What stopped her?" Rya asked. Sir George gave a little chuckle, "Well, it wasn''t my charming personality." "No duh!... What was it?" Rya asked, wanting an answer. George looked hurt, but tried to hide it, "Well, she fell in love with the Kingdom''s strongest knight, Sir Mathew. He was the main protection for the prince and was with him most of the time. And Mathew mentioned something to me about her taking a lactation elixir that wasn''t fully fermented. It heal her womanhood or something like that... Anyways, the night of the prince''s first birthday was when a different assassins'' group came to assassinate the prince. "I was a squire at the time and I didn''t know the tactics of the assassins as I do now. They used a toxic in the air to weaken me, Mathew, and... Robert..." Sir George said in a somber tone. Quinus and Rya noticed the sudden change in his tone. "Sir Robert died?" Rya asked in a quiet tone. "Yes... I was young and cocky back then, and when we were ambushed by three assassins. I underestimated the one assassin that me and Robert were fighting. She threw a vial of corrosive acid and hit me square in my steel plate. I was scrambling to get it off when she got Robert... It''s the first time in my life that I''ve seen someone I cared about die. Robert was a great friend, even if he mocked my Courting advice..." Sir George said. Rya wanted to shake her head when George brought up that he still had this terrible dating advice back when he was younger, but this wasn''t the right time for it. "I''m sorry... I didn''t know," Rya said. Sir George''s sad look turned serious, "You don''t need to apologize, my Lady. It was a long time ago, and it was the assassins that were at fault. If I ever see a vampire again, they won''t live to tell about it." "Hold on? They were vampire assassins that tried to kill us?" Quinus asked. "Yeah, the assassins were vampires. I didn''t know it until I stabbed that undead bastard in the gut. That''s when she grabbed me and tried to sink her fangs into my neck. Luckily, Wina killed the assassin who was going after the prince. Then she came to my rescue as she threw her assassin''s needle into the vampire''s heart... I would have been relieved if I didn''t experience the most disgusting thing in my life," Sir George said, his face turning a little green. "What happened, Sir George?" Rya asked. "The vampire''s body started rotting on the inside out, then they exploded into a pile of purple blood and guts... I was lying on my back with her on top of me. I was covered in head to toe with her innards," Sir George shivered. "Ew," Quinus said while cringing at the thought. "Yikes," Rya said. "Indeed," Sir George said. "That is pretty bad... but wait? You said Wina was hired to kill Quinus and she saved everyone she could. So, how did Alaric find out that she didn''t kill the prince?" Rya asked. Sir George looked surprised, "Well, I was sent to the infirmary after we brought the prince to the queen. I only heard the details from Wina after the dust settled. But it turns out that Prime Minister Duval stopped the King from executing his brother on the spot. Instead, the Arch Duke was demoted to Duke and had to empty out most of his coffers. As well as, forfeiting over most of the taxes and tributes from his domain for ten years... I also think Marcus lost his title for the throne but that didn''t stop him with his scheming." Quinus frowned, ''Why didn''t anyone tell me this happened?'' "So, you are telling me that this Prime Minister is the main reason why Alaric is still running around? Why the hell is this guy alive!?" Rya shouted in frustration. Sir George was surprised by the future princess''s reaction, "I don''t know, my Lady... I-" Quinus held his hand up, "I think I know why he stopped my father..." Rya and George looked over at Quinus who had a serious look on his face. Vol.3 Ch.196 You Come from a World of No Magic? Quinus sighed, "My uncle has the backing of the minor nobles, while Duval has the support of most of the major nobles. My uncle could make the kingdom fall into chaos if he and the minor nobles took action and tried to start an uprising. But we have the numbers and could put down the revolt in a few months if it came to war. But I know that the Kingdom of Marn, to the north, and the Alliance of the Divine Three, to the south, are itching to start a war. And we''re the only thing stopping them from starting one. If the kingdom were to fall into a civil war, both nations would have the excuse they''ve been looking for. To invade us and claim our lands for themselves. "Duval didn''t want a civil war and wanted a peaceful solution to postpone the conflict. I bet he thought he could weaken my uncle''s support from the minor nobles with his funding cut off. But I remember my uncle seemed unfazed by all of this... he must have been bringing in some other funding by hidden means... I was wondering why my mother became overprotective of me the next day and my father seemed to be in the dog house... My father failed to properly punish my uncle and now we are paying the price," Quinus said. George raised his brow, "Pardon me for asking this, but you were a one-year-old and couldn''t speak... how do you know this?" Quinus didn''t realize that he had let it slip that he was a full-grown man reborn as a baby. "Ummm... I-huh?" Rya reached over and squeezed his forearm. "Quin, I think it''s alright to tell him the truth. We trust him, and it''s important that you have the support of the ones you can call a true friend," Rya said in a loving tone. Quinus looked at Rya and felt calm and collected. George was puzzled, "What are you two talking about? What secret?" Quinus took a deep breath, "Okay... I''ll tell you... How much do you know about reincarnations or transmigration?" "You mean when a person is reborn or transmigrated into another world? What about it?" George asked. "Have you heard of someone being a Reincarnation or Transmigrator with all of their memories from their past self?" Quinus asked. George looked at the prince as if he were joking, "You can''t be serious, right?" Quinus had a stoic face and didn''t move an inch. George started laughing, "You two are just trying to fool, poor old George for a laugh. It''s not funny!" "It''s true, George," Rya said. George''s laughter quickly ended, "You can''t be serious. How does that happen?" "I don''t know how I came to be here. But I lived on another planet called Earth. I passed away on a climbing trip and thought I was in the afterlife at first. Then, I came out of my mother and realized that I was reborn. It''s a scary experience feeling your whole body getting crushed before popping out into a new world," Quinus said, "Rya is also from the same planet." George kept looking at both of them, trying to see if they were joking, but the two didn''t crack. "So, the reason why you seem older is because you''re an adult on the inside? So, you had the body of a child, but the mentality of an adult?" Quinus nodded, "It took me forever to learn your language and understand it. Plus, my motor skills took forever to get right. But once I learned to walk and talk. I was able to understand the new world I''m living in." George was speechless, but he was still thinking about something. "You said Rya was from your home world as well? So, the dark elves are from your world, too?" Quinus smirked, while Rya blushed and shook her head. "N-No... Earth is a planet of 9 billion humans," Rya said. George''s right eye twitched, "So, there are no dark elves in your old world?" "Nope, not one. And our old planet doesn''t have mana or monsters running around," Quinus said. George''s brain was struggling to comprehend a world with no monsters or magic. "N-No magic!? So you didn''t have magical touches, fae-baths, potions, or enchanted clothes? You''re shitting me! How did you survive in such a primitive world!?" Rya and Quinus looked at each other and tried not to laugh at the knight''s reaction. "We didn''t have magic on our planet, but our society was based on science and technology. We made machines that made life WAY more relaxing than Tertius. In most ways... But, we did create the tools for our own destruction. Luckily, no sane person would dare to use nukes," Rya explained. Sir George had no clue what the hell they were talking about, "I''m sorry, but what is a Nuke?" "It''s a type of explosive weapon that could level a city, a thousand times more powerful than a dragon''s breath. The easiest way to explain science is, it''s a more accurate form of alchemy," Quinus said. George had a pleasant surprise slowly appearing on his face, "Ah, I see. So, your society had this technology in the place of magic and mana. How fascinating." "And the nice thing about technology is that it can be used by people who don''t have a mana vein. Like the magical torches are unusable by anyone, that isn''t close to a master-level mana vein," Rya said, "Plus, the weapons we created were much more potent and had better range than the bows and swords for common soldiers. "Hah! You jest, my Lady! Swords and bows are the superior weapons for us Maja. No fancy technology or whatever, could be more superior than a blade or a bow, or even a mage''s magic," George said, crossing his arms. Quinus chuckled, "If you saw an airplane, then you would change your tune." George gave the prince a doubtful look, "No technology or fancy metal bird is going to outdo a bow. I''ll have you know, that a skilled archer can bring down a wyvern or a dragon. I''ll take a bow over your plane any day." Rya shrugged, "Well, enchanted weapons being used by Mages or Maja would make things very interesting. But if we could create a rifle brigade. They could overpower most Majas. Maybe we could look into that, in the future?" Quinus nodded his head, "Yeah, I was pondering that myself. But I was worried about the cost and the time to mass-produce them. I could probably figure it out with my skills in engineering and mechanics. But the problem is the ammo, which is the biggest issue I''m running into. I''m having trouble with creating smokeless gunpowder." "So, you are saying that we can only make muskets," Rya asked. "Yeah, but we can rifle out the barrels and create a bayonet for close-range combat. The real issue is with the ammo, mainly we need a reliable supplier of sulfur, carbon, and potassium nitrate. And I haven''t found a mining town with those ingredients," Quinus said. "Maybe there''s a different type of element we could use in their place? I mean, Earth never had Violet Iron, White Obsidian, or Ether. So, maybe we can find a substitute?" Rya said. Quinus pondered, "True, we have access to different types of resources on Tertius. But it will take some time to get the research and development done. I was planning on starting a research department when I became king. But now with the news of my uncle planning something behind the scenes. I might need to get a head start on my ideas." George was feeling left behind in this conversation and decided to bring it back to something he could understand, "So, you two were both from the same planet before getting reincarnated, right? How did that happen? I''ve only heard that when the priests pray out to the Gods to bring them a champion, in a time of need. Is when a reincarnated comes to Tertius with the God''s blessings?" Quinus looked at George and had the same question, "Well, Rya''s summoning was different... What was it called?" "It was called a full Body Summoned. The only reason I know anything about this is due to the Dark Elven Goddesses, Nils, and Nebulus. Most Gods choose the method ''Soul Summoned'' because it''s faster to get their chosen one to Tertius. Plus, there are other benefits for the Body Summoned, like I can read, speak, and write every language. I also can absorb mana at an even higher rate than Quin," Rya explained. "Hold on? You were a human when you got summoned to the dark elves?" Sir George asked. Rya looked nervous. She didn''t know if she should tell George about her being a man before the mana started to affect her body. She had gotten so used to being a woman that she didn''t want to change back. But she didn''t know how other people would take the news. "R-Rya, was a human yes. And I think that artifact on her neck changed her race from a human to a dark elf," Quinus said, seeing that Rya didn''t want to reveal her secret of being a man. So, he was running cover for her. "U-Umm... Yeah, the dark elves seemed desperate... Because I wasn''t alone... There was someone else who was summoned with me and started turning into a dark elf as well..." Rya tailed off at the end as memories of Hiro popped into her head. The sight of him turning to dust before her very eyes because of mana exhaustion still haunts her. When she first met Hiro, she couldn''t stand him or his antics and hoped that he would die a terrible death. But when that wish came true due to him saving her from Sir Claudius'' attack. She couldn''t help but regret her wish. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. "You had a friend that was with you? We should get them and~" George stopped himself when he saw Rya closing her eyes, and a lone tear ran down her face. Quinus hurried to her side. That is when George remembered what she said back in the Tomb of the Horde, once they set up the camp. "Was this friend the one that sacrificed himself to save you from the Divine Three?" Sir George asked with a face filled with remorse. Rya looked up and nodded. Quinus hugged her. "I... I should have known... Every time I see one of those zealots. I wonder if they even care about their actions. And how it affects others," George said through clenched teeth. Rya wiped her eyes and cleared her throat. She looked at the Knight with determination, "That''s why I need to keep getting stronger. I know I''m not the strongest yet, but I need to protect myself and the others that are close to me." Sir George looked at Quinus and Rya with a newfound respect, "I must say, I''m glad I''m alive. Because you two are going to do great things." Quinus shrugged, "I''m not the King of Fiafyr, yet. Just the Crown Prince." "Don''t be a smartass, Quin. You are going to be a great King," Rya said. "He''s going to be a better King than his father... There''s no doubt in my mind," Sir George said. Quinus felt proud. He couldn''t believe that he would have the respect of the Kingdom''s greatest Knight. "Thank you, Sir George. That means a lot," Quinus said with a smile. After a bit of silence, Quinus was thinking about what Rya said earlier about the two different types of summoning. She talked to two Goddesses while he hadn''t even seen one God or Goddess, yet. "Hey, Rya... Do you think a Goddess made me a champion? I mean, the whole being reborn again on a different planet seems odd to not have seen a Goddess at least once in my twenty years of life, don''t you think?" Quinus asked. "Huh? Well, I don''t know much about the Fiafyr Goddess, but she seems way more hands-offish than the other Gods... It makes me like her more," Rya said. George raised an eyebrow at her statement, "Hmm? Isn''t it an honor to have a God or Goddess talk to you? Or am I missing something?" "Well, the Gods and Goddesses seem to think it''s okay to mess with people''s lives. That was the problem with Nils... Her and her sister wanted to see me crack. It was like a sick game for them... At first... But the last vision I saw of them seemed like they were in a panic," Rya said. "What do you mean by last vision?" George asked. "It was when I was knocked out by Nieren''s sleeping arrow during the battle of the Roses. I thought they were there to mock me but instead were mad at me for getting collared. That''s when Nils gave me the knowledge on everything about Darkly Earth magic. I knew how to create my golems and killed that piece of crap, Jeremiah. If she was worried about my own well being, then why did she put me through so much?" Rya asked. "Maybe, something has changed. And they need you to live... To fight the Divine Three," Quinus suggested. "I''ve been thinking about that, too. But the only reason they would worry about me dying was if they needed me. But they are gods and can easily replace a Champion when another universal equinox comes. They don''t seem like the type to worry about someone''s life." George frowned, "But you haven''t been on Tertius as long as Prince Quinus. I don''t know why you weren''t here twenty years ago like the Prince." "That''s one of the cons of the Body Summoned. It takes ten years to reach the planet with an orb then it takes another ten years to get back to Tertius. But with the Soul Summoned, it happens within hours... Unless Nils was lying to me about the Soul Summoned time frame. But that would be silly if she did that," Rya said out loud as she pondered. When Quinus heard this his body language perked up all of a sudden. "Rya!? What year was it before you were warped to Tertius?" Quinus asked as he kneeled in front of Rya holding one of her hands with both of his. Rya looked at him curiously, "It was 2023... Why?" Quinus'' face became determined, ''YES! She might know... B-But she''s an American... So don''t get upset if she doesn''t know, Quin.'' "R-Rya? Do you know if Germany won the World Cup by chance?" Quinus asked, trying to contain his excitement. Rya looked at him with a raised brow, "Huh? You want to know if Germany won a FIFA World Cup?" Quinus nodded vigorously with a serious look. While Sir George didn''t know why the Prince would ask such a strange question. "Umm... Well, there was more buzz about it in the States in 2022... And I think I remember them recapping the last two cup winners?" Rya said as she was trying to think back. "Who was in the finals in 2022?" Quinus asked. "Argentina and France... Argentina won," Rya answered, making Quinus panic a little. "A-And the World Cup in 2018?" Quinus asked. "It was France... Everyone was talking about them defending the title," Rya said. Quinus wanted to facepalm but he didn''t. He still had one chance left. He was excited for 2014. Everyone thought they had a good chance that year to win it. But he died in 2013. "And the one before that?" Quinus asked with fleeting hope. Rya was quiet for a moment, and then she looked up at him. "Oh! I remember now. The news wouldn''t stop talking about how Messi hadn''t won a World Cup yet and they came close in 2014," Rya said with a smile, trying to tease him. "W-Who won, my love? Who won the World Cup in 2014?" "It was Germany... It was a close one too. I believe the score was~WHOA!? QUIN!?" Rya was picked up off the ground and spun around. Sir George''s eyes went wide in surprise when he saw the prince spinning around with a huge smile on his face while a dumbfounded elf, who wasn''t sure if she should be scared or laugh at his actions. "GERMANY WON THE WORLD CUP!!!" Quinus yelled, spinning Rya around in happiness. Rya laughed as her hair was flowing in the wind. "Put me down, you crazy German!" Rya said while trying to compose herself. "Never! You''re the best thing to ever happen to me, and now I know that you''re from the same planet as me!!" Quinus said as he continued to spin her around. ''This is ridiculous... Was I ever like this when my teams won? I feel like I was more composed than this... But maybe I wasn''t? God... I feel like a child being spun around like this!'' "Okay, okay. That''s enough... Put me down," Rya said, but she couldn''t hold her laughter back. Quinus set Rya down and took a knee. He looked her in the eye. "Thank you, Rya... you''ve made me the happiest man on Tertius," Quinus said with a tear in his eye. Rya gave him a stern look, "So, I wasn''t good enough for you before now, huh?" Quinus panicked, "I-I-I-I didn''t mean it like that, Rya... I~" Rya smiled and started laughing, "I know, Quin... I''m just joking... I would be a hypocrite if I were to get mad at you for celebrating your team winning. I know the feeling so enjoy it." Quinus felt like crying, he didn''t think he would find someone from his planet that would be this perfect for him. He hoped he could talk about football with them or anything from his previous life. He got more than he could have hoped for. The only thing he wished was that he could have seen it in person, but this was just as good. And once the excitement of his team winning a world cup, from his past life, faded. He had another thought come to him. ''What if we started our own football league in Fiafyr? Yes, Yes! Why didn''t I think of this before!? There are those old battle arenas in the northwest of Tairal. We could convert them and use them as stadiums!'' Quinus thought, and then he had a bigger idea. ''Wait, why not bring over other sports, too? There were a lot of games that could be played on a large field. Then, hopefully, we can get rid of the gladiatorial events and replace them with our sports instead. I just need to come up with a good way to implement them into the public sphere.'' Quinus smiled as his brain went into overdrive. Rya was confused by Quinus''s expression. He was acting weird, and his facial expressions kept changing by the second. "Quin? What''s going on in that head of yours?" Rya asked. Sir George looked at him curiously, as well. Quinus snapped out of his thoughts and smiled at the two of them. "Nothing, my love... I''m just happy," Quinus said with a loving smile. He stood up and gave Rya the most passionate kiss he had ever given. ''Q-Quin!? Aunh! His tongue is~'' Rya was lost in the feeling of Quinus'' passion. She tried to break free at first, but her arms found themselves wrapping around his neck. Sir George looked away with a small blush, ''They''re really going at it.'' George cleared his throat, "Um, shall we be on our way then, Prince Quinus?" Quinus stopped kissing her but was still holding her face with his hands. Rya''s eyes were glazed over and a trail of saliva was coming from her mouth. "You''re beautiful, my love... Let''s get ready to go home." Rya could only nod, she was still recovering from the kiss. ''M-Maybe I should have told him that Germany won the other two cups... But I''m not sure how long I can take this kind of love,'' Rya thought. Quinus looked at George, "Sorry about that, Sir George. I let myself get carried away." "W-Well, it''s good research for my pillars of courting. But the kissing is a bit excessive. I''ll have to make note of that." "C-Courting?" Rya and Quinus said at the same time. "Yes, a woman needs to have a strong foundation for a man''s advances. Because she needs to have the strength to hold up the house of her future husband and children. If the foundation isn''t solid, the house will crumble. That''s why, Prince Quinus, is the type of man who needs a strong foundation. Lady Rya is by far the strongest woman I''ve ever met. You''re the perfect fit," George explained. ''D-Did George actually make sense? HOLD ON!? Why do I need to be the stronger one!? Quinus should be the foundation for me!'' Rya thought, but she still felt something was off. "Well... I''m glad we''re finally helping you, George," Rya said reluctantly. "Oh, don''t worry. I have different pillars for different men. Like Sir Richard, he needs to find a woman that he can use to satisfy his weak ego and build it up so he can get a better woman. And repeat the process until he gets the perfect wife," George explained. ''And there''s the Sir George that we all know and love,'' Rya thought while shaking her head. Quinus was smiling but inside he was feeling a bit awkward that George didn''t learn anything. "I-I see... Well, we should really be getting back," Quinus said as he turned to face the door. Sir George nodded, "Yes, and I''m finding out the best way to make a harem!" Quinus shook his head, ''I don''t mind a harem, but it''s not something Sir George should try to teach. Especially, if he can''t get a single woman to like him, without him having to buy a prostitute. I think I should warn him later.'' "Well, we''ll be heading to the carriage, Sir George. You can grab our luggage," Quinus said, dismissing George. "Very well, Sire." Sir George went back inside and grabbed Quinus'' and Rya''s luggage. Quinus held his hand out to Rya. "May I, my love?" Rya nodded and took his hand. Quinus walked down the stairs with Rya at his side. [author] Hey all! I just wanted to give you all a heads-up. I will only be releasing one chapter a week from now on until I finished cleaning up Volumes 1 and 2. Thank you for your understanding. And if you wish to read future first drafts then visit my Patreon. Cheers[/author] Ch.197 Let’s Tell Him the Good News Johan and Tayna were waiting outside, watching over the Royal Knights inspecting their horses and carriages. At the same time, the two Ironside dwarves were stowing away the last of equipment on their carriage for the party. "They sure are thorough," Tayna said. "It''s their job. They need to make sure everything is in order, and that nothing is amiss," Johan said. "That''s true. So, do you think the prince will have us join him on his travels around the kingdom?" Tayna asked. Johan thought for a moment, "I don''t think so... It seemed like he''s needed back at the capital. It''s a six-day journey if they push it. It wouldn''t be a relaxing ride, and the Prince''s reputation will be called into question once they see Lady Rya." "Hmm... You have a point." "We''re all ready, Sir," a royal knight reported to Sir Douglas who was looking over everyone. "Very well, we''ll be leaving shortly once the Prince and Lady Rya get here," Sir Douglas said. The Knight nodded and went back to his post. It took about ten minutes before Rya and Quinus finally showed up. Percy, Dalia, Nieren, and Yuliana were all following behind the two of them as they made their way towards the carriages. General Douglas came walking up to the Prince and gave him a salute, "Your Highness, we are ready to depart when you are." Quinus nodded, "Thank you, General Douglas. We''ll leave shortly. Once Sir George comes back with our luggage." "Very well, my Lord," General Douglas replied. Quinus looked back and saw his friend Johan standing next to his wife. He looked at Rya and whispered, "Well? I think it''s time to give Johan the good news." Rya giggled and nodded, "I agree, babe." The two of them walked up to Johan and his wife, Tayna. Johan saw the two of them approaching and bowed, "Your Highness, Lady Rya, it''s good to see you both. I hope you enjoyed our hospitality." Tayna curtsied, "It''s an honor to meet you, Prince Quinus, and Lady Rya." ''Well, she''s really calmed down after getting laid by Johan,'' Rya thought. Quinus smiled then looked to his right and saw a knight standing at attention about ten feet away. "Excuse me, Sir Knight. But can you grab a Focusing Tool for me, please?" Quinus asked. The Knight was a little confused but didn''t show it on his face, "Yes, Sire. It''ll only take a minute." The Knight ran over to the dwarf''s carriage and grabbed a Focusing tool from one of the crates. Johan didn''t know why the prince wanted a focusing tool, the prince was already one of the strongest Majas in the kingdom and he couldn''t light the thing to save his life. Quinus took the Focusing Tool, which looked like a lighter that you would use to light a bonfire back on Earth, and the tip lit up once Quinus channeled some of his mana into it. "Alright, it works," Quinus said as he halted the flow of his mana into the tool. Tayna and Johan didn''t know why the Prince was testing out a Focusing Tool. But they decided to wait and see what he was planning. Quinus handed the tool to Johan, "Here you go, Johan." "Ummm, I appreciate the offer, your Highness. But you know that I don''t have any mana," Johan said with a skeptical look written on his face. Quinus smiled, "Just give it a shot... You might surprise yourself." "O-Okay?..." Johan looked at the tool and held it. Nothing was happening as Johan looked at the item in confusion. "Just channel some of your mana into it," Quinus stated. "But I have no mana, Sire." Quinus gave him a disappointed look, "That''s because you''re not trying." "I have tried many times when I was a kid after slaying multiple monsters. I''m worthless on this front, my Prince. My mother didn''t have much mana, either," Johan explained. Quinus sighed, ''He doesn''t realize that his mana vein is working. I guess I was in a similar situation when I was younger, but I couldn''t stop the flow of my mana until I could feel it... Well, I think I have an idea of how to make Johan feel his mana. Let''s hope it isn''t too painful.'' he thought to himself, as the prince held up his right hand. "Give me your hand, Johan," Quinus ordered. "Why, my Lord?" Johan asked. "I''m helping you. Now, give me your hand," Quinus ordered again. Johan looked confused, but he obeyed the Prince and offered him his hand. Quinus grabbed his hand tightly and channeled some of his mana into him. Johan immediately started feeling a burning pain in his hand. "AAAHHH!! W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Quinus ignored him and channeled a large amount of his mana into him. Johan tried to pull away from him, but his grip was too strong. Rya watched with intrigue while Tayna was nervous. "Come on, Johan... Fight the flow of my mana. You can do it!" Quinus encouraged him. "B-But! Ahhh! I don''t have any mana to fight it with! Please stop!" Johan begged as his face grimaced in pain. Quinus smiled, "No, I know you can do this. So, fight it!" Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. The pain reached up to his bicep and continued to move upwards. ''WHAT IS HE DOING!? THE PAIN IS UNBELIEVABLE!'' Johan screamed internally. The pain kept moving upwards to his shoulder. Johan wanted to cry out in pain, but he bit his lip and tasted blood. It was right when Quinus'' mana almost reached the chest of Johan that it happened. Johan felt something stir inside of him. ''Is this?... Mana?'' He focused on the strange energy inside of him and started moving it against the foreign mana. Quinus smiled when he felt Johan''s mana fighting back. "That''s it, Johan. Concentrate! Push back with everything you''ve got!" Johan nodded and closed his eyes. ''I can do this!... I can do this!'' Suddenly, the flow of Quinus'' mana was getting pushed back, causing massive amounts of pressure within his body. "Yes! Johan! Keep pushing! Don''t let up! You''re doing great!" ''I''m doing it! I can feel the power!'' Soon Johan pushed all of Quinus'' mana back into his hand and Quinus let go immediately. Johan was breathing hard while staring at the prince with a shocked expression. "W-What was the meaning of that, your Highness!?" Johan asked in a shaky voice. Tayna''s eyes widened in shock when she saw the Focusing Tool in Johan''s other hand lighting up out of nowhere. "J-Johan? The tool... It''s..." She stuttered. Johan looked at the tool and his mouth opened wide. "W-What? How?" Quinus smiled, "You have to thank my fiance for this. She noticed something was preventing your mana vein from absorbing mana from the surrounding area." "B-But I tried everything! My father even consulted with many doctors," Johan said, still in shock. "This was something that no one could have seen but me. You were lucky that I noticed it," Rya explained. Tayna didn''t know if this was a dream, while Johan was still in disbelief as he looked at the Focusing Tool. "S-So you are saying that I am a Maja now?" Johan asked in disbelief. Quinus looked over to Rya with a smirk and she nodded back. "Not only that, but you are a mage," Rya said happily. Johan''s body stiffened up like a statue when he heard that he was a mage, he didn''t even blink. Quinus, Rya, and Tayna could see a vein pulsating on Johan''s forehead. "Johan? Are you alright?" Tayna asked as she was concerned for her husband. Johan didn''t respond as his body started to tilt backwards. "Johan?" Quinus asked. Quinus watched as Johan''s body fell backward and landed on the grassy ground with a thud. Cause dust to swirl up around him. "Honey!?" Tayna hurried over to her husband. "Oh, boy," Rya muttered at the sight of a 27-year-old man passed out on the ground. Quinus moved closer to his friend to see if he was okay. Some of the servants came over as well. Quinus shook his head, "Well I didn''t expect this reaction... That''s a first." "I guess the news was too much for him," Rya said. "Hey, hey, hey... Johan, are you alright?" Tayna was freaking out. Rya walked over and waved her hand in front of his face. His eyes were closed, and he wasn''t responding. "Huh... He''s not hurt, but he seems to be out cold," Rya said. Quinus scratched the back of his head and sighed, "Well, Johan really wanted to be a mage back when he was a kid. So much so that he idolized anyone who was a mage. Like my deceased cousin... Luckily for his sake, he accepted his fate of being an average human. But he looked devastated whenever one of his family members awakened their mana vein. He tried everything to awaken his vein, but nothing worked. Even after the doctors gave him a clean bill of health. They couldn''t find anything wrong with him and everyone thought he had nothing but a common-level vein." "That makes sense now. He was shell shocked by the news," Rya stated. A servant chimed in, "Should we do something about his lordship, my Lady?" Tayna looked up at the servant and was about to say something when Johan started to stir. "Uhhh... T-Tayna?" Johan mumbled as his eyes were still closed. "Y-Yes, honey. I''m right here," Tayna said as she stroked his cheek. "T-Thank the Goddess... I had the weirdest dream... First, you finally fell in love with me... Then my mana vein awoke and I became a mage," Johan groaned. Tayna looked over at the prince and his fiance and smiled. "It wasn''t a dream, my dear." Johan''s eyes snapped open. He saw his wife smiling down at him with Quinus, Rya, and three servants hovering around him. "What''s going on? Am I dead?" Johan asked as he stared at his wife. Tayna giggled, "No, you dummy. You fainted after Rya healed you and told you that you were a mage." "S-So it isn''t a dream?" He asked again, trying to get his mind wrapped around this revelation. Rya nodded, "Yep. You are a full-blown mage." Johan sat up and looked around him. The Focusing Tool was still in his hand, but the light was out. He concentrated on it and channeled some of his mana, causing the tool to light up. "This is real..." Quinus knelt down and offered him a hand, "It''s not a dream. I wouldn''t lie to you about something like this. You''re a mage now, congratulations." Johan took the offered hand and stood up. "I know. I can teach you some of the basic Maja techniques so you can defend yourself," Quinus said as he let go of Johan''s hand. "Thanks. I would appreciate that, your Highness... I wonder what type of element I can cast? Fire would be nice," Johan wondered out loud. "Hmm... Well, that''s going to be tough to do, since you are an illusion mage," Rya stated. Johan did a double take, "Did you say an illusionist?" Rya nodded, "Yep. I''m not an illusionist myself. But luckily for you, I have a few notes for some incantations and spells that illusionists can use." "T-This is real, right? This isn''t a dream?" Johan asked, still stunned. Quinus shook his head and slapped him on the arm. "Ow!? Hey!" Johan cried out. "Does that feel like a dream?" Quinus asked with a grin. "No, but damn, that hurts," Johan complained. "Then you are wide awake, my friend. Come on, let me show you a few things before we need to head out," Quinus said and headed toward some of the knights with Johan following closely behind him. They grabbed a couple of swords and Quinus was pointing out a few tips and tricks. Rya, Tayna, Nieren, Yuliana, and the servants watched them from a distance. Tayna was in a similar state as Johan was. She watched as her husband was able to use Maja skills for the first time. ''Is this really happening?... Everything has changed in such a short time...'' Tayna thought to herself. She looked over to Rya, who was enjoying watching her fiance train Johan. ''Everything has changed so much... If it wasn''t for her, I-I would have been a miserable scared wrench desperately trying to escape... I was ready to do something drastic.'' "I guess this is what it feels like to be free," Tayna mumbled. Rya was talking with Yuliana and Nieren when she heard Tayna whispering to herself. She smiled and continued the conversation. Tayna felt a weight lifted off of her shoulders, and her eyes started to get blurry as everything started to sink in. ''I-I''m crying?'' She touched her face and felt her tears. "Are you alright, Tayna?" Tayna looked and saw Rya looking at her with concern. "Yeah, I''m fine. Sorry. It''s just that I feel happy." "Happy?" Rya asked. "Yes, my lady. I haven''t felt happiness in a long time. This feeling is new to me," Tayna stated. "Well, I''m glad... Just don''t forget what I did for you, alright?" Rya said jokingly. Tayna wiped her tears away and kneeled before Rya. "Huh? Ummm... What are you doing Tayna?" Rya asked in confusion. "My lady. Please forgive me for not being grateful when you first visited. I''m truly thankful for you healing my husband and myself. I pledge myself and my family''s loyalty to you. My life is yours to do as you please." Rya''s eyebrows raised in surprise, while Nieren and Yuliana looked at Tayna with a hint of confusion. Rya looked down at this woman, kneeling before her. She had no idea what to do at first. ''Really!? I know she annoyed me at first and I wanted her to stop flirting with Quin... But this has taken me by surprise... Should I take her up on her offer or refuse?'' "Stand up Tayna," Rya said in a soft tone. Tayna got up and looked at the young dark elf. Who was shaking her head with a smile. "I appreciate the offer, but it wouldn''t sit right with me. You''re not my servant or slave, but if you want to make it up to me... Then, how about you become my friend." "F-Friend? Me?" Tayna was astonished. "Yeah, a friend. You are not a subject. Plus, it would be weird to have the future Baroness as a servant. If you are willing to be my friend, then we will be even. Deal?" Tayna couldn''t believe what she was hearing. ''She''s a saint... There is no way she''s a Dark Elf...'' "Deal. I, Tayna Dule, will be your friend, Lady Rya," Tayna said with a bow. "Good. Now stop bowing like that. It''s getting awkward," Rya stated while waving her hand dismissively. They both laughed, while Yuliana and Nieren exchanged looks. "She really has turned my opinions around on dark elves," Yuliana said. "I know," Nieren agreed as she smiled at the human female. They all turned their attention back to the training ground and watched Quinus and Johan sparring. Ch.198 Putting the General in his Place After minutes of sparring, Johan was starting to get the hang of channeling his mana into his sword and shield. Quinus was impressed with how quickly Johan was grasping the basics of controlling his mana, especially when he started at twenty-seven years of age. Sure he knew the basics of swordplay back when he was a child but that was all physical. In contrast, this was magical, which was far more difficult to master. "See! It''s like riding a bike," Quinus stated. Johan chuckled, "What''s a bike?" Quinus shook his head once he realized what he said. ''Hanging around Rya has made me slip back into Earth sayings.'' "Never mind that, Johan. Look, your technique has improved in a short amount of time. Is it starting to feel natural for you now?" "Not quite... I need to focus on the flow a bit more than I would like, but I think I''m getting the hang of it," Johan replied. "Well, if you are ever in the capital. Make sure you can come by the palace and practice with me," Quinus offered. "That sounds nice, but I wish I could learn some spells... It would have been nice if you and Lady Rya could stay here a little longer," Johan said. It was at that moment General Douglas walked up to them. "Excuse me, your Highness... But we''ve postponed it for long enough. We need to get back on the schedule or we will be late arriving in the capital. And it is already getting late in the morning," Douglas interjected. Quinus looked up at him and nodded, "I guess you are right." It was at that moment when Rya, Tayna, Nieren, and Yuliana came walking up. Percy and Dalia were by the carriage, and Sir George just finished stowing the supplies on the horses with the other knights. "My Lady. Did you enjoy the show?" Quinus asked Rya with a smile. Rya sighed with a bit of displeasure, "Yeah. I''m glad you could get some training in with Johan. But..." Douglas''s head snapped towards Rya as he felt that she was about to make another one of her demands. Which he was getting tired of dealing with. "But what?" Quinus asked. "Well, I was hoping to help Johan get a jump start on his mage training... So, if we have the space, I can teach him on our journey to the capital... That is, if it works for them, of course," Rya suggested. Douglas looked at the Prince with a glare, "Your Highness. Adding the young Lord and his wife to the party is a big risk. It will start stressing my men''s ability to protect you if we add more people at this rate. There is no telling who or what is lurking along the roads between here and the capital." Johan looked disappointed while Quinus gave Douglas a stern look. ''He''s worried about weakening my protection? Even after telling him, he still doesn''t have a clue who''s riding with him and his men. Rya''s a force to be reckoned with. Shit, man! I''m a force to be reckoned with and with Percy, Dalia, Nieren, and Sir George. I can''t see any medium sized army coming to attack us without getting wiped out first. Even Yuliana is a capable mage. This man has got to be the most stubborn person I''ve ever met. And it''s getting on my nerves..." Quinus thought. "Douglas... I told you what Rya and I are capable of, right?" Quinus asked him. "Yes, Your Highness. I do. But this is a serious matter. I cannot risk anything happening to you while you are under my protection." "So you doubt me then?" Douglas became silent and refused to back down. ''What a hard-headed ass...'' Quinus thought. Rya, seeing the two men staring each other down, decided to speak up. "So, are you saying that the Royal Knights of the Kingdom of Fiafyr are too weak to protect their Prince and his guest from a bunch of bandits or other threats along the way?" Rya questioned the General. All of the Royal Knights and General Douglas took offense to her question and started to glare at her. "How dare you suggest that the Royal Knights are weak! How dare you, a mere outsider, question our capabilities," Douglas snarled. "I''m not questioning you or your men''s abilities. But it seems like you lack confidence if you''re worried about protecting a few more people," Rya said with a smirk. The knights grumbled in response, and some gripped their weapons angrily. "We are only twenty-four strong and you expect us to protect not only the Prince but now the heir of the Eder Hills Barony and his wife as well. What do you think will happen if we have to deal with a hundred people? Then what are we supposed to do!?" The general questioned while trying to hold back his temper. Rya gave him an unamused look and was about to speak when the two dwarves and Sir George burst out with laughter. Dalia was smirking as well. "He says, ''What are we supposed to do!?'' Haha! I''ll tell you what we''ll do, General. We open a cask of ale and take bets on who will slay more. The Crown Prince or the Saintess," one of the dwarves roared in laughter. Douglas'' right eye was twitching while the other knights were taken aback. "You''re telling me that these two can take on a hundred men," the General stated. "No... Not one hundred. But twenty thousand," the other dwarf laughed. Douglas wanted to discipline those two dwarves. ''Who the hell do they think they are? Making a fool out of me in front of my men...'' "If you''re so sure then, how about a little wager?" Douglas barked back. Everyone was surprised at this. "What kind of wager, General," Sir George asked. "If Lady Rya can take on ten of my knights, then the Lord and his wife can join us. And we''ll see how you fair against true warriors," the General explained. The knights started to chuckle as they liked the idea of teaching this dark elf a lesson. Quinus walked up to Rya, "Babe? Are you okay with this? I can order them to back off. They are my men after all." Johan hurried over as well, "I-It''s fine my Lady. We can come visit you in a month or two. There''s no reason to-" Rya held her hand out and stopped Johan from speaking. Tayna was a little worried for her friend. Very few women fought on the battlefield, especially noble women. "Lady Rya. Please reconsider this. I don''t think a Lady such as yourself should partake in a knight''s training. It''s beneath you," Tayna urged. "Don''t worry. It''ll be fine. Plus, they need to learn a lesson," Rya winked at them. Tayna knew that look. It was the same one Rya gave her when she questioned her for being evil by nature. ''Oh boy! M-Maybe I should back up.'' Tayna grabbed her husband''s hand and pulled him a few feet away. "Huh? Tayna? What''s going on?" Tayna just gave him a nervous laugh, and said, "Don''t worry, dear. Lady Rya is going to need some space." "Huh?" Quinus noticed Rya giving him a wink. He sighed, "Alright, just make sure not to kill them by mistake." "Don''t worry. I''ll go easy on them." Rya walked forward with a grin and took a spot in the middle of the training ground. The knights looked at her with disgust. At the same time, the two dwarves looked over at Sir George. "Betcha one gold piece the Saintess takes them down in thirty notches," the one dwarf stated. "Really? You''re on. She''ll take them down in twenty-five notches. What about you Dalia?" Sir George asked. "Ou! Ou! Put me in for fifteen notches! Alpha is going to kick their asses," Dalia replied. Sir George and the dwarves chuckled. "I''m in for fifteen gold pieces, for twenty notches," the dwarf named Kyan replied, while his comrade pulled out a wooden object that looked like it was an incense holder and he placed a long thin stick with tiny bumps, running evenly along the length of the rod. "Alright... It''s ready to be lit," Suhail stated. Kyan nodded and channeled his mana into the tip of his dagger. He held it close to the end of the stick. He was waiting to light it once the fighting started. Rya was standing there waiting to see who her opponents would be. Sir Richard stayed out of it with thirteen other knights who didn''t want to fight her. While the other ten seemed too confident and wanted to take her on. General Douglas had an amused look on his face. ''The Young Lady Rya doesn''t know what''s about to happen. My men are the best in the kingdom. And she thinks she''s going to embarrass us by beating them. Well, she''s about to learn a hard lesson. I''m not going to allow my men to kill her, though. They''ll just knock her unconscious or cut off an arm. That should be enough to satisfy their honor.'' "You ten will fight her at the same time," Douglas shouted. ''Hmm, this should be interesting. So, I''m taking on these ten, aye? Well, this should be fun at least,'' Rya thought as she cracked her knuckles. "Should I hold back from using my magic?" Rya asked the General. "Of course not, Lady Rya. We can handle any spell you have. For Mages fear us," Douglas smirked. "Alright, if you say so." General Douglas ordered his ten knights and they formed a line facing her. They readied their shields and drew their swords. Rya took a relaxed stance and created a stone pole from the ground. She grabbed it and twirled it around. ''Hm! Nice balance. I''m getting better at creating earth staffs... Huh? Oh yeah, got to focus.'' Rya thought as she stopped twirling the pole staff and had it at the ready underneath her armpit. "Whenever you''re ready, General," Rya smiled. ''Tch! I don''t care what stories the prince and Sir George told me. No one can take on ten fully armored knights with their own enchanted weapons and armor. Not even the Hero of the Demonic War.'' Show her why the Fiafyrian Royal Knights are the best, men," the General roared. The knights roared and readied themselves for a fight. They rushed her and she was surrounded by nine men and one woman. ''Huh? I thought they would be as fast as Sir George? Interesting. I guess George is a cut above the rest,'' Rya thought as she waited for the knights to strike. Three knights came bearing in and started swinging their swords at her in a calculated fashion. *Swing! Swing! CLANG!* Rya nimbly bent her torso backward and was able to dodge the first two blades before parrying the third. ''Hahaha, sparring with everyone over the past month is really paying off. Well, time for the counterattack!'' Rya thought. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Rya spun the stone staff above her head and brought it down hard onto the third knight''s shield. *Clang! Thud!* Her strike knocked the shield out of the way so she had a clear shot at his face. "Ack!" She hit him square in the face. Breaking his nose and causing him to lose a few teeth. The other knights watched in shock as they saw Sir Glen, face plant into the dirt with ease. "She''s mine!" *Shing!* A sword grazed Rya''s neck as she bent backward and did a backflip. ''Hm! Not bad. He''s fast.'' Rya thought as she looked at the knight while in the air. And just as she landed on the ground. The earth shifted under her feet as she had a moving platform that let her come flying right back at the knight who grazed her neck. *Clang!* "Urk! Gah!" *Thud!* Rya slammed her stone pole against his chest, causing him to cough out blood before passing out. "Dammit! Don''t let your guard down," the third knight shouted. ''Shit! This bitch is fast.'' He thought as he lined up with two other knights. *Clang!* *Thud!* One knight swung his sword and hit the staff. While the other aimed for her legs. *Swish!* She was able to parry all three of their blades at the same time by twirling her staff and tried to counter them but their shields protected them from her attack. ''Hm! I guess his shield is pretty tough. But their shins are exposed.'' Rya thought as she spun around her staff, smashing it into the three knights'' shins. *THUD!* *Crack!* ''Damn!'' ''Shittt!'' ''FU-'' *Thud! Thud! Crack! Rya shattered all three of the knights'' shin bones, causing them to drop to the ground and cry out in pain. The five remaining knights looked at their fallen comrades in fear. ''No way. No one is that fast. I thought she was a mage. Not a warrior. What the hell is she? And how the hell is she moving so fast?'' "Don''t just stand there! Form up! We can take her down together," a female knight roared. The remaining knights quickly formed a line. Rya smiled as she moved towards them in a blink of an eye. Smashing her staff into the middle knight''s shield. *Clang! Clang! Clang!* She continued to strike him with the stone staff, causing him to slowly back up. "Urgh! Huff! Gah!" "Flank her! Flank her," the female knight roared. Two more knights joined in and tried to flank her. ''Hm! Time to change it up a bit.'' Rya thought. She slammed her foot down and sent the dirt into the three knight''s faces before smashing her pole into each one of their sword hands. Fracturing their arms while sending them to the ground. *Thud!* *Crack!* *Clang!* "Ahhh! My hand! Shit," one of the male knights cried out while holding his arm. He was about to get up but Rya slammed her staff down on his chest breaking his ribs, causing him to cough out blood and passed out due to the pain. The other two received a similar treatment as they too were knocked out into a bloody mess. "Bart! I got the front and" The female knight tried to regroup with the last standing knight but Rya used her wind magic to swiftly glide around the arena. Before the Knight named Bart could register what was happening, his body was being slammed into the dirt. Dislocating his shield arm. *CRUNCH!* *THUD!* Rya broke his left arm and leg before kicking him in the chest. "Ahh-Arrgg," he dropped his sword and fell to the ground holding his arm. "Gotcha," Rya said as she twirled her staff and swung it at Sir Bart''s head. "Wait!" *SMASH!* Rya''s blow knocked him unconscious, fracturing his skull. Rya sighed and shook her head. She walked over the body of the unconscious knight who was the last to fall as Rya focused her attention on the final knight who looked worried. General Douglas witnessed nine of his knights getting easily defeated by a single woman in under 15 seconds. ''No way. The Prince had to be spinning a tall tail about her. No one could be this strong! And how is she so fast? No one can be this fast.'' The female knight looked panicked at first before regaining her composure. "I won''t give you an opening. You''re fast, but you''re not faster than my blade," the female knight stated as she got into a defensive stance. "Is that so," Rya grinned before her azure eyes glowed. *Whoosh!* "Huh?" *Shing!* The female knight panicked as Rya''s staff was coming straight for her. She did everything in her power to avoid her attack. She contorted her body just enough for Rya''s staff to miss her face but it left her torso open. Once Rya saw the opening, she used the other end of her staff to hit her breastplate instead. "Gah!" *Clang!* Rya wasn''t done as she continued to launch a flurry of strikes on the poor knight. "Gah! Ah-gah-Gah-GAH-GAH-GAAAHH," she was battered with attacks. *Clang!* *WHOP* *CRACK* *THWAP!* The female knight''s sword went flying after Rya fractured her forearm and her body was covered in bruises. *Thud!* "Ough-Gah!" Rya''s last attack was a hard swing to the knight''s legs, sending her crashing to the ground with two compound fractures. ''M-My legs!?'' The female knight was sitting on the ground looking at her sorry state before looking up at Rya who still had her staff in her hands looking down at Lady Rachel with what she thought was a sinister smile. ''S-She''s a monster! She''s going to take over the kingdom and we will all die! No... I failed!'' Lady Rachel cried in her mind as the tears flowed from her eyes. Douglas and the knights that didn''t join in the fight didn''t know what to do. ''She''s killing my men... A-And I don''t know if we can even stop her! Should I order the rest of my men to go after her or stay and help the wounded? Why didn''t I listen, we are no match for her. Damn, you, Prince Quinus! This is all your'' Douglas'' cursing stopped when he saw Lady Rya reach her hand out towards Lady Rachel. ''This is the end!'' she thought as she closed her eyes and prepared for the final blow. Rya didn''t know the knight''s thoughts, but she saw the look of defeat in her eyes. ''Haah... I bet she thinks that I''m going to kill her. Well, there''s no point in torturing them, I won. So let''s heal them up.'' She channeled her mana into her hand just before she touched her head. ''Huh,'' Lady Rachel felt a gentle touch on her head and a soothing sensation flowing through her body. She cracked open one of her eyes and saw her compound fractures disappearing while her arms and legs straightened back in place. All the pain vanished in a matter of seconds. ''I-Is this healing magic? Can that be?'' She was in shock at the fact that the woman who easily killed all of her comrades was now using healing magic on her. ''What the hell is happening?'' Rachel looked up and saw Rya smiling at her. "You need to work on your stance. You need to fight like a woman, not a man," Rya chuckled before turning her attention to the rest of the wounded. Rachel didn''t understand. She was defeated. Why is she helping her? Why didn''t she kill her? And why did she say "fight like a woman" instead of "fight like a man?" Douglas couldn''t believe his eyes as Rya went from one knight to another, healing all ten of them without breaking a sweat. He then looked over to the Prince who wasn''t looking too happy for some reason. While one of the Dwarves was celebrating winning the bet against his friend, Sir George, and Dalia. "It was seventeen notches, shorty! I won!" Dalia protested. "Oi! You chose fifteen notches and it went over!" Kyan barked back at the wolfkin. "But I was closer! So it should count!" Dalia growled. "That''s not how it works, you dumb wolf! It''s not who''s closest! It''s about who doesn''t go over the time limit," Kyan countered. "That''s not fair!" Dalia cried out. "Dalia... It''s okay. Sometimes we lose," Percy said while trying to calmly diffuse the situation. "Humph! Fine. You''re lucky that my Gamma is here. Otherwise, I would have ripped your beard off your face," Dalia turned her head and stuck out her tongue. "Ha! I didn''t know wolfkins could be so funny," Suhail laughed. *** Douglas then looked back at Rya who was helping up one of his knights. All of them looked dumbfounded as they looked at Rya with wonder after she healed them all. They were struggling to understand the events that just transpired. ''Why didn''t she kill us?'' one of the knights asked in his mind. ''Why didn''t she torture us and leave us for dead? I thought that''s what dark elves did?'' ''S-SHE REALLY IS A HEALER! And a WARRIOR! I didn''t know anyone could do both.'' Seeing her helping his men made Douglas realize something. ''All the stories of healers from the past, always mentioned about how much it took out of them, depending on the wound. The emperors of the time always complained about not being able to use healers too much. Even though the healers themselves weren''t hurt, using their powers to heal others was exhausting and could cause them to faint if they overdid it. Yet, this dark elf didn''t seem to show any signs of fatigue at all. She was able to heal ten heavily wounded soldiers without a second thought. She''s not just a warrior. She''s also a healer, the best kind. And she''s not just a dark elf. She''s the legendary dark elf who is a master of all elements. I''m standing in the presence of a goddess... H-How did the prince tame her?'' He then looked at the prince and saw him glaring daggers at the Rya. He was clearly upset about her performance for some reason. Rya didn''t notice Quinus'' stare while helping out the last knight. "Ummm... Is something the matter, Your Highness?" Johan asked. "..." "Your Highness?" "She almost got killed when Sir Walfort came charging in and grazed her neck... I almost lost her once... And I''m not going to lose her when she''s standing in front of me," Quinus said with a cold tone. Johan gulped as he was sweating bullets from the prince''s fury. He''s never seen this side of Quinus before. Tayna didn''t know what to say to him either. "S-So what are you going to do, your Highness?" "I need to correct her defenses. I''m going to train her," he said before looking over at Sir George. "George! Get me the Twilight Dancer and Sun''s Fury," Quinus ordered. "Huh? Right away, my lord," Sir George ran back into the carriage and got the weapons that Quinus asked for. Quinus walked over to Rya who just finished healing the last knight. "Oh? Come to congratulate" "What is this?" Quinus said as he rubbed his finger over Rya''s neck where the blade of Sir Walfort almost cut her throat. "That''s not necessary. I''m perfectly fine," Rya was used to this behavior during sparring. It seemed like anytime she made a mistake, Quinus would try and correct her. "Rya... If you are sloppy with your training then you will pay the price in battle. This is serious," Quinus scolded. "I was holding back so I wouldn''t kill someone," Rya defended herself. When all the knights that fought her heard that she was holding back that entire time. They had mixed feelings. On one side they were disappointed that they didn''t put up that much of a fight. But on the other side, they were thankful that she didn''t just kill them. ''Holding back? That was holding back!?'' One Knight thought. ''Was she serious? Or is she making a fool of us?'' Another Knight thought. ''What a monster. Thank the Goddess that she''s merciful.'' "I know. And I appreciate that, but there may be a situation where you exhausted your mana, and all you have is your physical strength. And even then you should be able to hold your own. Take your sword and get in position," Quinus held out Rya''s sword to her. Rya sighed then took her sword and got in a ready position. Quinus then pulled out the Sun''s Fury and readied himself. "Now block my attacks." "Okay," Rya said as she was prepared to receive Quinus'' attack. "HYAH!" *Shing!* ''She still leaves her sides open. She''s too cocky,'' Quinus thought as he moved with blazing speed. *Cling! Clung! Clunk!* Rya was having trouble keeping up with Quinus. His attacks were coming at her so fast and so accurately that she started to give ground quickly. ''Damn it. How can he hit me so quickly? His attacks are getting stronger each time. I have to do something else,'' Rya''s eyes darted around as she tried to find an opening. But then Quinus'' blade parried her sword and knocked it out of her hand and then his blade was coming for her neck. ''Move back! Move back! Move~'' *Thud!* "Huh!?... Ack!" Rya didn''t realize that she was pushed back to the manor wall and bumped right into it when she was focusing on moving away from Quinus'' attacks. *Shing!* Her eyes went wide as her body became still when she felt the touch of cold steel on her neck. Quin''s blade was on the same spot where she was almost killed. But Quinus'' control over his blade was so superb that he had the dull part of the sword resting against her neck. The cold steel and Quinus'' scent sent shivers down her spine as she looked at his expression. Seeing his golden eyes stare down at her, like an apex predator who''s caught his prey, sent her heart into a frenzy. ''G-Get it together Rya! H-He''s not flirting!... But God damn. He looks so hot when he''s serious. Hehe, but if I play this right. I might be able to turn the tables on him,'' Rya smiled as her heart rate picked up. "Rya... Do you see the weakness in your form? You need to protect your vitals. You can''t rely on your mana all the time," Quinus'' tone was different from the usual playfulness he would have. It was serious and stern, but when he spoke, his face moved in closer to hers, their lips were only centimeters apart. "Y-Yes, Your Highness," Rya blushed as her body heated up. "Now... What have you learned today?" "U-Um. I know that my technique is not there... But I don''t know what I''m exactly messing up, babe... You''ve been training with a sword for decades, while I have only been doing this for maybe a month," Rya stated as she started to pant lightly. Quinus'' serious face twisted into a grimace before he let up on Rya. ''S-She right... I keep wanting to treat her like a seasoned veteran. But she''s still all new to this... Maybe I should have someone else teach her the basics... Maybe I can get Lady Nelumbo to train her? But then that would mean I would have to spend less time with her...'' "Babe? Are you okay?" Rya whispered. Quinus was brought out of his thoughts and noticed that Rya was blushing while looking at him. "Y-Yes. I was just thinking," Quinus answered. "Thinking? About what? What''s on your mind?" "W-Well, I was just thinking about getting someone else to train you the basics when we get to the capital. But then I realized that I would have to spend less time with you." Quinus'' honesty was refreshing and a bit shocking to Rya. But also a bit worrying. "Babe... You don''t have to worry about spending time with me. I would be happy if you could get me a teacher to teach me the basics. I know that you are going to be busy running the country and your time will be limited. But the training you already have given me has been a huge help. I don''t want to be a burden or take up your time," "You''re not a burden. I want to help you become strong," Quinus stated but then he remembered what Lady Nelumbo told him years ago. After his mana vein awakened he couldn''t control the flow of mana through his body. She said, One thing you will have to learn is when to move on to the next lesson. ''Yeah, Rya knows far more about using mana than me. And Lady Nelumbo knows far more about teaching basic techniques and swordsmanship than I do,'' Quinus looked at Rya. "I think it''s time..." "Huh? What do you mean, babe?" "Lady Nelumbo is the only one who could train you properly in the basics. She was the one who trained me before my mana vein awakened. I can still show you the ropes, but she knows more about teaching the fundamentals than I do." "Oh? Well if you trust her. Then I will trust her as well. Thank you," Rya hugged him tightly and gave him a peck on the cheek. Ch.199 They’re Coming by Land Meanwhile, all the knights and General Douglas were astonished by how easily Crown Prince Quinus defeated Lady Rya. The ten Royal Knights could barely touch her and she was holding back in the fight. Quinus also handicapped himself in his skirmish by not channeling his mana as well. He gracefully and precisely moved his weapon as if he were dancing while countered her without breaking a sweat. His attacks were so refined and his dodges so flawless that it made him look like he was in no danger. The whole skirmish lasted only a few seconds as Rya was pinned to the wall with Quinus'' blade on her neck, his face inches away from hers. They all saw how Lady Rya''s face was blushing and could see her breathing was becoming heavy. She looked like she was excited and was struggling to free herself, but they all knew it was no use. They were all speechless. They had no idea what just happened. The two just stood there, looking into each other''s eyes, even though the prince was trying to act like he wasn''t aware of her current state. ''How did he move so fast? We were barely keeping up with her and he was able to outmaneuver her. When did the prince become this skilled? I-Is this the true power of a Demi-god-leveled mana vein? How can any Maja compete against him,'' Lady Rachel thought as she watched the two whispering to each other. ''T-The Prince is that fast!? H-He''s almost as fast as Sir Mathew!'' General Douglas thought as the realization hit him. It was a shocking and exciting time for him. For the Kingdom to have their next heir with a Demi-god-leveled mana vein meant the other surrounding Kingdoms could be in trouble and need to think twice before invading them. Sir Walfort, who was on his knees and trembling, couldn''t believe what he had seen. ''N-No way... I''m the fastest in the Royal Guard. B-But the Crown Prince is even faster than me?'' All the knights were feeling a sense of defeat and admiration. General Douglas was the first to calm down from his stupor and that''s when he noticed Rya''s blushing face. The way she looked at Quinus was a woman in love. ''S-She''s like an innocent maiden... How was I so blind?... She''s been under Quinus'' manly charms all this time and I refused to believe, my lord... That means this marriage will definitely happen. If he could win the hearts of a dark elf then he can win the hearts of the other races. Hell! Even the hearts of the people of the kingdom at this rate! I just hope that his mother doesn''t do anything drastic to ruin this. I''ll need to tell her that she''s not a threat as soon as we arrive in Lomar,'' General Douglas had a bad feeling when thinking about the Queen. She was a smart woman but her overprotectiveness of her son could get in the way of his growth. "So, you finally realized it?" Sir George said as he walked up to the General, breaking him out of his thoughts. "Huh? I-I was wrong about... the both of them... When did the Prince become so powerful? And that young woman is not your average dark elf... She is a rare breed," Douglas asked while watching Lady Rya kissing the prince. "Aye, she is a rare breed indeed... One that''s merciful, kind, and dangerous when she needs to be... She''s made the prince a stronger man... Plus, wiping out hundreds of goblins and Mercs helped his growth," Sir George said with a chuckle. "Hundreds!? T-That many? I didn''t know the monster stampede was that bad... We should have sent the 10th Rangers battalion with them..." Douglas shook his head as he heard about the reports but never witnessed a monster stampede before in his life. He thought the Nobles were making a big stink about nothing. After all, it was just goblins. "Well, the prince wasn''t as strong when we left the capital and we lost three platoons worth of good men," George frowned as he remembered the blood and screams of his men as they made their way to the Tomb of the Horde. "It was a disaster, but we prevailed and gained much more from it. Especially her... She''s going to change everything we know." Douglas'' old self wanted to argue that but what he witnessed before him made him realize that the old ways needed to be changed. "Yes, you''re right. She is the future. With the Prince and her leading the charge, the Kingdom of Fiafyr will be the most powerful force in the world. The other nations will quake in fear and the people will know peace... Sir Richard!" Richard wasn''t expecting the general to call him by his full name. He jumped slightly and walked up to him then saluted. "Y-Yes, sir?" "Get a bigger carriage so we can accommodate Lord Dule and his wife... I lost this challenge... And I''m a man of my word." "As you wish, sir," Richard bowed and walked off to procure a bigger carriage. "Glad you came around, General," Sir George said while he patted him once on the back. "Yeah... But I''m stubborn sometimes," Douglas agreed *** Johan and Tayna couldn''t believe their eyes. As they watched Lady Rya taking down ten royal knights without breaking a sweat. Tayna never knew a woman, as beautiful as Rya, could fight so fiercely and gracefully as she did. Tayna could barely keep up with all of the dark elf''s movements during the fight. ''She asked me to be her friend and that''s what I''m going to do! She''s the best thing that has ever happened to this Kingdom!'' Tayna smiled and watched the two love birds staring into each other''s eyes. Johan was shocked by the dark elf''s fighting prowess. The way she used her staff was different from a normal warrior. But Quinus was even more impressive with his speed and grace. ''Damn... Note to self... Don''t start a fight with either one of them... Haha, the prince is more dangerous than I thought and I''m one of his best friends... I never thought my life would change so much by meeting him. I''m so glad I stopped trying to be Marcus'' friend... I could''ve missed this opportunity if I was stubborn,'' Johan chuckled to himself. "Well, I guess we should have our servants pack up our things, my dear," Johan said as he grabbed Tayna''s left hand and kissed the back of it. "Hmm? So we are heading to the capital? But what will your father think?" Tayna asked worriedly. "Orders from the prince are priority over anything else. Plus, Lester can collect this month''s taxes without us... I feel like my father sent us here, so my uncle wouldn''t try to belittle me in front of the family... After all, he doesn''t think I''m fit to be the next Baron of House Dule," Johan explained as he looked into Tayna''s eyes. She smirked, "Well, he''s in for a rude awakening... My handsome, strong, mage of a husband." Tayna pulled Johan close and passionately kissed him. ''Damn, she''s the best thing that has ever happened to me.'' Johan was lost in his wife''s kiss until a loud voice shouted from behind him, "Ahem!" The couple turned around and saw Crown Prince Quinus Meredydd, Rya, Nieren, and Yuliana staring at them. "So, you two get excited during a fight, huh?" Rya giggled, causing the two to blush. "T-That''s not true. We were just-" Johan stammered. "W-We were just excited for the future! That''s all! Tayna cut in. Quinus laughed, "It''s fine... But we need to get going soon. We''ve delayed the trip long enough." "Okay, Your Highness, we will be ready shortly. We''ll gather our things in order," Johan bowed and walked off with Tayna. "Do humans always show such affection in public?" Yuliana asked with a puzzled expression. Rya blushed and said, "Well... When you are in love... You tend not to care in the moment." "Hmph, disgusting..." Nieren muttered. "What''s gotten into you?" Rya asked. "N-Nothing... It''s just a lack of sleep. That''s all," Nieren looked away with blush on her cheeks. "I''m going to put away our swords and help with getting ready to leave. You can stay here as long as you want, before I call for you," Quinus walked off. "O-Okay, babe." Nieren watched Rya as she had a dreamy look on her face. She didn''t realize that she was making the same face when she was watching Quinus'' butt and back muscles. ''Why am I feeling this way... I just want to make sure that he is worthy of being by Rya''s side... H-Humans are cunning creatures... and I need to observe him just to make sure...'' Nieren thought to herself before it hit her like a bolt of lightning. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ''D-Do I like him!? W-What is wrong with me...?'' Nieren then turned around. ''I-I should go help as well...'' "Nieren? Where are you going?" Yuliana asked as she started to follow her daughter. "N-Nowhere. Just going to help is all." "Don''t push yourself too hard. Remember you''re still haggard from not sleeping," Yuliana placed her hand on Nieren''s right shoulder. "Y-Yes, mom..." Nieren rolled her eyes. Yuliana glared and hit Nieren on the head. "Don''t give me that attitude... You may be a retainer to Lady Rya but you are still a princess. And you should act like one." "Ow! S-Sorry, I-I won''t do it again..." Yuliana smiled, "Good... Let''s go help out." *** With that, everything was set when they swapped out a new carriage that had House Dule''s coat of arms and colors on the side. It could hold twelve people on the inside of it compared to their old one which could only hold six. Johan also grabbed four of his own personal guards to join them for the trip. They would be taking the quickest route to leave the city and head to the eastern gates of Dorn. The trip east would take a week before they would reach the capital if they pushed it. But with the extra protection they had now, they would be a little slower to their next destination. And so the convoy left the Manor grounds and weaved its way through the city streets. Once they reached the Eastern gate, they headed straight to the main highway roads that would lead to Eldermyst City in two days. Eldermyst City was the second biggest city in the Eder Hills Domain. Rya was sitting inside the carriage with Quinus, Nieren, Yuliana, Johan, Tayna, Dalia, and Percy. She was in between Quinus and Dalia. She had a smile on her face and she looked out the window. ''What a crazy couple of days... It''s starting to feel normal to be in this world...'' "What are you thinking about?" Quinus asked as he noticed her zoning out. "Huh? O-Oh, I''m just thinking about how surreal everything has been for me..." Rya said while placing her left hand on top of Quinus'' right hand. He smirked, "I know... But it grows on you." "Yeah... You''re right." And with that, the convoy started cruising down the open road. Just around 11:00 a.m. With nothing but a beautiful sky and the sounds of hooves galloping. They passed some people on the road but most of them had horses or carts with them. As they continued traveling they would occasionally stop for a break or lunch. But mostly they would ride on through the day and set camp for the night if there wasn''t a town they could stop at before sundown. Luckily they were planning on stopping by a town named Edermines City and resting at the inn. *** Back in the city of Dorn. Two men were sitting in a cafe right by the upper-class district. They looked like they were waiting for someone. One had his hood up while the other had shoulder-length black hair and a scar over his left eye. "Do you think we can get an Eldritch Bond Collar and enslave the Dark Elf? Just like how the Black Roses did it back in Ironside? It''s not like we can kill her, and if we pull it off, then we can become emperors overnight..." The man in the hood said. "That''s a fool''s errand, Doug," The other man said as he sipped his tea. "Really, Alac? Why is that? It happened once before and it can be done again, right?" Alac looked over at Doug with a smirk and said, "Firstly, do you know an Artificer skilled enough to forge Eldritch Bond Collar?" "Of course not. But how did the Black Roses get their hands on one?" Doug asked. "The rumors are that Rudolf stole it from King Arnaud. I believe Arnaud was hoping to use that collar on one of the Wood Elf females as a trophy slave. It was probably one of the reasons why the Kingdom of Marn hunted down the Black Roses. It was an embarrassment for the Royal Family and the Noble''s Guild," Alac said while drinking his tea. "So what? We just find another Eldritch Bond Collar and buy it. Problem solved. It can''t be that hard." Alac sighed, "You think they sell those things in any shop?... Besides, the only race that knows how to create them are the demons, I think... Then there''s a second problem. The Eldritch Bond Collars are extremely rare. This isn''t your everyday slave collar, Doug. I heard from a reliable source that only ten collars have been created and only seven are known. So, if you do find one. It costs more gold than a kingdom has... I have no idea how King Arnaud Dupont stumbled into getting one in the first place. He must have been luckier than anyone I know... Until Rudolf stole it I guess..." "Damn... Then there is no way to capture that dark elf for ourselves, is there?" Doug sighed. "Well... that''s the other problem. She was collared with the strongest slave collar known to Tertius. And it was destroyed while it was still on her. Which means she might be immune to getting collared again..." "Are you fucking kidding me!?" Doug stood up and slammed his hands on the table. Which got the attention of some bystanders. Alac glared at him and whispered, "Shut up, you moron. Or do you want to give away our position to the Prince and his group?" Doug quickly sat down and whispered, "Fuck... Okay... So, we can''t get our hands on the dark elf, even if we collar her with an Eldritch Bond, right?" Alac sighed, "Odds are it would slow her down at best. You could try to give her orders, but she will mentally resist and try to fight back. You can''t enslave a monster like her anymore... I would suggest just kidnapping her and ransoming her off to the Meredydd Family or the Fiafyr Kingdom. But we would have to restrain her with something that would disrupt her mana flow. It''s best not to dwell on it, Doug... We just need to track them for the Duke. And then we will get paid." "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I got it. I''m not saying we should try and take her. I''m just saying I''m upset that we can''t." Alac just shook his head and finished his tea. Just then a man came running up to them. "Alac, Doug, I have found the Prince and his entourage. They are heading to the Eastern gate and I think they are heading to Edermines City." "Dammit. I thought they would take the fairy and ride the rivers to the coast. This is a pain..." "Why does it matter, Alac? All we have to do is send a raven to the Duke." "It would have been easier to track them on the rivers is all. Now we need to put in more work... Is there anything else new you can tell us, Remy?" Remy nodded his head, "It seems the young Lord, Johan Dule, and his wife have joined the Prince on his journey." Alac was pleasantly surprised by this, "Really?" "What are you thinking, boss?" Doug asked as he placed one copper coin on the table before they started to walk out of the cafe. "His uncle is aiming to become the next Baron of Eder Hills. And he''s offering a reward to the Duke to have Johan Dule dead or alive. If we capture him, it could lead to the downfall of the Dule family." "Hmmm... I like that. But won''t we need to get his approval for kidnapping him?" Alac nodded, "Send a raven. While we gather some horses. If he doesn''t deny us this mission, then we will go and kidnap the young lord." "And his wife, boss?" "Leave her, we have no need for a damaged woman. I doubt her father would even pay ransom for her. He hoped to have an in with this barony but if Linus becomes the next Baron... Well, it''s a good thing that the Duke has the right to take Linus'' lands and titles away from him. If he ever tries to betray the Duke after giving him the barony." "So, it''s a win-win, situation for us, huh? Alright, let''s get this job done." Alac and Remy started making their way out of the cafe and to the stable. While at the same time, Doug wrote a message for the raven to send to the Duke. Once the bird was sent Doug met up with the rest of the party of nine and started heading east to catch up to the Prince''s convoy. They were hoping to get a response from the Duke by tomorrow so they could get ahead of them and set up an ambush. *** It was late afternoon at the Divalo Manor. The butler, Belial, was going through the rooms of the manor. Making sure that the staff was cleaning the rooms properly. It was a daily routine that he had. It was the only way to make sure everything was up to code. While walking around the second floor of the manor he noticed a raven flying by one of the windows. ''A messenger bird?'' He hurried to his office. Normally it would have gone to the Duke''s Study if he had the window open but he wanted his privacy and Belial knew it was closed. So the raven would go to his office instead and wait there for someone to collect its message. When he walked into his office and the raven was waiting for him on his desk. "Well, well, well. A raven? Who was the one that sent you, little one," Belial asked as he approached the desk. The raven looked over at him and then hopped on his right hand. The butler took off the small piece of parchment off its leg and the raven flew from his hand and landed on the windowsill. "Hmm, it''s from Doug? Oh, this is about the Prince..." He said as he unrolled the note and started to read it. "Well, well, well. Looks like the Young Master of House Dule is on the road with fewer guards than the prince. How interesting..." The raven looked back at him as if it was curious. "Stay here little one. I need to deliver a response," Belial said as he started making his way towards the Duke''s Study. Once he arrived at the door of his lordship''s study he took a breath then knocked a couple of times. There was no response for a couple of minutes before he heard the Duke call him in. When Belial came inside, he saw the Duke reading a book and drinking wine. "You better be here for a good reason, Belial," Duke Alaric said with a hint of annoyance. "I''m sorry to disturb you, my Lordship. But I received a message from one of Alac''s men. It seems the Prince''s convoy has decided to travel by land to come to the capital," Belial said with a slight bow. Alaric glanced up from his book with an unamused look on his face. "And what of it? I''m not raising my armies in hopes that I can kill my nephew and that dirty dark elf." "Yes, my Lord. But what''s interesting is the young Lord of House Dule has joined him on the Prince''s journey. And he only has four of his personal guards with him." Alaric was quiet for a few moments as he thought it over. "How many men does Alac have?" "Ten including himself, my lord. If they capture the young Lord, then we can give him over to his uncle, Linus Dupree so he can take the title away from Johnathan Dule. Or you can take their lands for yourself." The Duke thought about it some more, "How many knights are protecting my nephew and his whore?" "Twenty-four Royal Knights, as well as, General Douglas, two of the prince''s retainers, two wood elves, two dwarven Ironside soldiers, and a wolfkin. So thirty-two in total, not including the prince or his woman or the young Lord''s guards." "It is true that they are small in numbers... But with a healer by their side, it''s too risky..." "My lord? If the convoy is attacked they might think we are coming for the prince, instead of Johan Dule. If they can pull off a diversion, they might be able to kidnap him." Alaric just looked at his butler with a curious look, "You have something planned, don''t you Belial?" Belial smirked, "If Alac could send one of his men as a spy, we could easily attack the convoy before they reach the Maldurian Domain. The prince and his men will believe that we are coming for them, which would allow the kidnappers to take the Young Lord. We can blame the attack on bandits or highwaymen. And no one will be the wiser." Alaric thought about it some more before a small smirk appeared on his lips, "It is an interesting proposal... But I don''t know about kidnapping Johan Dule. I worry that the Prince might give Chase and capture our spies... I can''t have the minor nobles see my failures. But if you think they can kill the Young Dule and get away then you have my permission." "Yes, my Lord. I will deliver the news to our men as soon as possible. Your brother will lose a close ally within a few days." "Good, now leave me. I have to get back to my book." "Yes, your Grace," Belial bowed before he left the room leaving the Duke alone, once again. "I do not doubt that this plan of Belial will work. It has to... I need the major nobles to see how weak the prince''s leadership is. And if he can''t protect a pathetic excuse of a noble''s son from a major house... Then they will see how unfit he is to lead... Soon, I''ll gain more control over the Nobles and the Crown. Then I can have the king abdicate and make me the new ruler. And finally, I can kick out that spineless trash of a Prime Minister, then execute my nephew. Once, I get him to break up with that elf... Then I will have a proper heir who will lead my dynasty. Hehehe, The fates will bend to my will. Then I''ll be the one laughing in the end..." Alaric said to himself as he picked up his wine glass and took a sip. Ch.200 Trying Something New 🦴 The next day, as the sun begins to rise up from the horizon. Sir George and a few knights were watching over the carriages outside of the inn in the town of Edermines City. This town is just thirty miles northwest of the City of Eldermyst. The town is known for its coal mines, iron and steel forges, and the beautiful scenery of the Eldermyst forest to its east. As the knights stood there waiting for someone to release them from their shift, the rest of the convoy slept inside Myst Inn. Their journey to Edermines City was peaceful for the most part. The road was free of any dangers and the weather was perfect. Rya was able to teach Johan a couple of spells that worked for his mage vein. What made Johan''s Illusion Vein so unique compared to a normal Illusion Mage was that his illusion spells felt real to the touch, like they were solid objects instead of projections that you could just phase through. So, when a normal mage casts an illusionary wall, you could walk right through it like it was nothing but air. While Johan''s illusionary wall felt like an actual wall and it would stop you from walking through it. But these illusions weren''t very durable, they would shatter and fade if the illusion was hit hard enough, like swinging a big stick into it, which could cause a disruption in the illusion''s mana and make it disappear. Rya was still trying to figure out what Johan''s limit was and what type of illusion magic he could use. Luckily for him, Rya only had a few spells that he could use and the first one she taught him was Shadow Mimic. Johan was beside himself when he successfully cast his first incantation ever in his life and he was even more thrilled with how simple it was. It was his childhood dream to become a mage and now he was finally getting the chance to live it. And the best thing about the spell is that he could mimic non-living objects, like rocks, dead trees, or even a carriage. Sadly the illusionary carriage could only last ten feet before it would disappear after being pulled by a horse. But other than that, his illusions could last anywhere from five hours to ten depending on how big and detailed it was, as long as no one tried to disturb the illusion''s mana, like sitting on it or bumping into it, which would speed up the process and make the illusion disappear faster. But if no one touched it, then the illusion would remain in place until the mana ran out. Shadow Mimic was the perfect beginner spell for an Illusion Mage and the most popular incantation for this class of mages. So Rya wasn''t surprised with how quickly Johan learned how to use it. ncntation For Rya, when she first saw Johan''s successful cast of Shadow Self, reminded her of Ellianna, also known as "The Left Hand" of the Dark Elf tribe of Sorellia. At the time Rya was still a human male and was starting to feel aroused after her first day of slaying Kobolts, to absorb their mana. She didn''t know at the time that Ellianna was an Illusion Mage and must have been the rare version as well if she was able to touch Rya with all those illusions of herself. And admitting it she was happy to have someone who would be with her throughout the journey. It''s something she didn''t expect to happen to her on this trip through a fantasy world but now that she had the chance, she was going to take full advantage of it. So when the sun started creeping through the room that they were sharing. It made Rya wake up when the warmth of the sun''s rays caressed her skin and when she turned over, she saw Quinus sleeping naked under the covers, with a big smile on his face. It was an adorable sight to see and she wanted to do something nice for him as a way to show her gratitude. So, Rya quietly climbed out of their king-sized bed, making sure not to wake Quinus as she moved around the room. Once her bare feet touched the hardwood floor, she made her way over to the other side of the bed and pulled the covers slowly off of him. He was still naked from their late-night romp, but Rya noticed he had a semi-hard cock. He must have been dreaming of something dirty. A wicked smirk appeared on her face as she climbed onto the bed and moved her head between his legs. Rya gently grabbed the base of his shaft with one hand and slowly stroked his cock, causing him to moan in his sleep. ''Oh God! There''s no turning back now. I just hope it doesn''t taste bad.'' she thought as her lips opened before moving her head down his shaft and sucking on the tip. Rya was starting to get into the act of sucking his cock as she tried to take the whole thing in her mouth. When the tip touched the back of her throat, she gagged and quickly pulled her mouth off his cock. "Fuck!" Quinus cried out in pleasure, waking up instantly. He looked down at Rya, who had a smile on her lips. "Morning, babe. I didn''t mean to wake you," she purred. to do thing s. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Quinus smiled, "Please don''t stop on my account." Rya''s heart was pounding at the thought of sucking his cock again. ''W-Why is this turning me on?'' She wondered before moving her lips around the tip of his cock and licking the head, causing him to moan. She loved the taste of his precum and couldn''t get enough of it. ''He tastes amazing. A-And I feel like I have him under my control! F-Fuck! T-This is turning me on! Why am I getting turned on?!'' Rya thought, feeling confused about why she was enjoying this so much. "Goddess! Babe! That feels so good!" Quinus moaned out as he moved his hands on top of Rya''s head and grabbed her hair before pulling her head downwards, forcing his cock deep into her throat. Rya felt the tip of his cock hit the back of her throat and tried not to gag while some of his hot cum poured into her stomach. ''AUNGH!? B-But I was in control!? W-What''s happening?!'' Rya wondered, feeling a bit confused as to why she was getting turned on by having him pull her hair and fuck her throat. Rya thought she would panic at having his cock shoved down her throat, but instead, she found herself enjoying it. ''F-Fuck! I-I can''t take it anymore! I-I need him inside me!'' "HOLY SHIT! RYA! FUCKING GODDESS!" Quinus cried out loudly. His body shook as his balls emptied into her mouth. Rya''s eyes widened when she realized what was going on. ''H-HE''S GOING TO CUM DOWN MY THROAT! FUCK! GET READY RYA!'' Quinus held Rya''s head still as he continued to pump his load into her. "R-RYA!" He cried out once more, feeling his body shudder. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. he felt her clit pulsing with desire, begging to be touched, and when she couldn''t resist it any longer. She brought one of her hands down and began fingering herself. "Oh, Goddess! Thank you," Quinus panted. Rya slowly released his cock from her mouth and licked the head. "Mmm. T-That was something I never thought I would like," she purred, looking at Quinus with lustful eyes. Quinus'' cock started to stiffen as he watched Rya lick her lips. "Well, is there anything else I can do for my lady?" "Yes, there is," Rya smirked. "And what would that be?" He said in a coy tone. "Fuck me!" Rya replied, getting up and positioning herself so her pussy was hovering above his cock. She placed her hands on his chest and slowly lowered her pussy onto his cock. ''OH FUCK!... My pussy can''t get enough of him!'' She thought. "GAWD!" Rya cried out. She was amazed at how good his cock felt inside her. Quinus couldn''t believe how tight her pussy was. "Shit! I didn''t know that giving head would make you this tight." "I know. It feels amazing." Rya started moving her hips slowly. She wanted to savor the moment. Quinus grabbed her ass cheeks, squeezing them hard. "Aungh!? Q-Quin... Fuck! Your hands are so strong," Rya whimpered, loving how he squeezed her tan ass. "I-I''ve always wanted to do this," he grunted, thrusting his hips upward and burying his cock deep inside her pussy. "True but it never gets old," he smirked, moving his hands away from her ass and grabbing her large tits. "Augh! Y-Yes, please, squeeze my tits," Rya gasped, feeling her pussy walls clamp down around his cock. Her uterus always seems to flutter every time he''s deep inside her. "M-My pussy can''t get enough of you," she whispered, her body shaking slightly as his cock brushed against her cervix. "Neither can my cock. F-Fuck! All I want to do is make you feel loved and happy," Quinus grunted, his cock throbbing inside her. Rya leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her breasts against his chest. She buried her face into his neck, kissing and biting him as he continued to thrust away. "AGH!?" Quinus cried out, thrusting his hips harder, trying to fuck her faster. "Aungh! Q-Quin! O-Oh, god! Y-Your cock is so big! You''re making me so happy!" Rya whimpered, feeling her pussy quiver. She felt her uterus contract around his cock. "R-Rya!" He grunted, thrusting his cock in and out of her even harder, his balls slapping against her ass. "QUIN!" She screamed, her body tensing up as her pussy tightened around his cock. "A-Are you going to cum?" Quinus asked as his body was trembling. "Yes. I-I''m close. FUCKING UNLOAD EVERYTHING IN ME!" Quinus couldn''t hold back anymore. He was already on the verge of climaxing. "OH FUCK! SHIT! I''M CUMMING!" "QUIN!?" Rya cried out, her body shaking uncontrollably as her orgasm washed over her. "GODDESS!" Quinus grunted as he emptied his balls inside her. "AHH~?!" Rya moaned loudly, feeling his cum pour into her. "FUCK!" Quinus panted, his cock pulsing as he pumped his seed deep inside her womb. leaned down, placing h forehead against h panting "I don''t know what came over me. It just happened naturally," she giggled. "Haha... Yeah, I didn''t expect you to give me a blowjob... I didn''t hurt you, did I?" "No. I''m fine," Rya replied, kissing him on the cheek. "Good. I would never want to hurt you." Rya blushed slightly, "Well, maybe it hurt a little... But in a good way. Like I said, I didn''t expect to go down on you." "Well, thank you... Is this going to be an everyday thing? Because I''m up for it." He smirked. "Mmmm... We''ll see," she said while pushing him off to the side as Quinus rolled onto the bed. Then she walked towards the bathroom. Quinus sat up, watching her walk away, his eyes fixed on her perfect tan ass. ''Fuuuuck!... I would so like to go for another round. But that would get on Douglas'' nerves if we are late, and he doesn''t deserve that right now.'' "Are you going to watch me bathe or are you coming?" Rya asked in a playful tone. Quinus was brought out of his thoughts by her voice. "Huh? Oh, right." He climbed off the bed, grabbed a towel, and followed her into the bathroom. "You really like to stare, huh?" Rya smirked at him as she slipped into the tub. "Rya... You used to be a man right? If you saw your new self when you were your old self. Wouldn''t you want to tap dat ass? I mean damn." "Oh? That doesn''t sound like my Prince Charming talking," Rya teased as she looked at him. Quinus smirked and shook his head as he slipped into the bath next to her. "Well, that''s what you''ve done to me, my love. You''ve turned me into a sex-crazed animal. I can''t get enough of you. Every time we''re together, it''s like a whole new experience." Rya couldn''t help but laugh. "Mmmm... You''re right. And you do the same to me," she giggled. Quinus wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, resting her head against his chest. "This is the life... But I''m sure this is nothing but the calm before the storm... Do you think I can pull off being a royal?" Rya asked him. "I think you''ll do fine. After all, you are a quick learner." "Thanks... But the real question is can we make this relationship work in the eyes of the nobles?" "That is the question, isn''t it? However, I know we will succeed. We will make them see what a wonderful woman you are." Rya smiled and leaned forward, pressing her lips against his. They were like that for minutes before Rya pulled away first. "That''s not what I meant, Quin. I meant it as how am I supposed to conceive a child when I ovulate once every decade or so? I don''t want them to force us apart." "Hmm... Well, I''m sure we''ll come up with something. I mean, you were able to read those books of dead tongues, right? Maybe, there''s an alchemy book that has a potion or a spell to fix that." Quinus replied, stroking her hair. They were quiet for a few moments as they sat there in the tub. The two enjoyed each other''s embrace when Quinus spoke up again. "I know this is off-topic, but didn''t you say that you healed Nieren just like Johan?" "Yeah... It''s strange though. Her mana vein had some seals on them. It was like someone deliberately nerfed her," Rya explained. "Nerfed? What''s that?" "It''s a video game term meant for making her weaker on purpose." "Why would someone do that? Did they not trust her?" "Who knows," Rya sighed. "So, it''s a mystery then?... Well, that''s not foreboding at all... I guess there''s no point in dwelling on it for now. But I want to get back to the main subject. You said she''s a mage as well, correct?" Rya was wondering why he was so curious about Nieren''s mage veins. "Yeah... She''s a light mage and she can use the green word as well... Why are you so curious about her?" "Well, because I thought you were going to train her as well... But I haven''t seen you trying to teach her anything yet," Quinus replied, his expression showing some confusion. Rya looked at him with a smile and chuckled a bit, "Yeah... Nieren is an oddball. She told me to not bring it up in front of her mother... I think she is worried about Yuliana cramping her style or something. She told me to teach her everything I know once we get to the capital." "Ah, so she is embarrassed by her mother then? I can understand that," he said, nodding his head in agreement. "I think it''s cute... Anyway, do you think you can help me gain access to the Mage''s Guild in the capital?" "The Mage''s Guild? Well, I think I can arrange that. But I''ve never been a fan of the Mage''s Guild over there... The grand master there is a bit of an asshole," he replied, thinking about the man who insulted him when he failed the mage''s test at the age of eight. "Huh? What did he do?" "Well, let''s just say that he''s not the nicest person... And he really wishedNo... Demanded that I was a mage even though I was failing the test. He belittled me in front of my parents and questioned if I really had a Demi-god tiered vein," he explained, his eyes narrowing. Rya smirked and chuckled again, "Well... He''s right... You don''t have a Demi-god mana vein. You have a Summoned vein instead. Which is way better at absorbing mana than a Demi-god vein." Quinus nodded his head, "I guess you are right... But I don''t know why I haven''t heard from the Goddess who reincarnated me. You said that made you respect her more than the other Gods, right?" "Well, we all make mistakes," Quinus said, hugging her close. Rya smiled and closed her eyes. she replied, enjoying his embrace. They stayed like that for a few minutes before they heard a knock on their door. A Royal Knight opened the door slightly and spoke. "Lady Rya, Prince Quinus. We have breakfast ready down in the tavern. The general would like to leave within the hour," Lady Rachel stated. "Tell him we''ll be down soon, and thanks," Rya answered her. "Very well, Lady Rya," she replied, closing the door. "So, I guess our fun time is done," Quinus said, disappointedly. "Yep," she sighed. "Alright. I''ll get out first," Quinus said, standing up and exiting the bath. "Wait! I need to dry off too!" Rya said, climbing out of the tub and running after him. Quinus grabbed his robe and headed back to his room. "Well, I guess we should hurry and get dressed," he said, grabbing his clothes. "Right," she replied, drying herself off and grabbing a yellow dress with a black underclothing set. Quinus watched her put the outfit on, his eyes taking in her naked body. "Hey, perv! Quit staring at me!" "I can''t help it. You have a beautiful body," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "Stop being such a sweet talker," she blushed. "It''s true," he said, grinning. Rya rolled her eyes and continued getting dressed. Everything was going smoothly until she tightened her corset. It seemed a little tighter around her belly area, causing her to struggle. "Dammit... How is it this tight?" she grunted, pulling the laces harder. "Need help?" Quinus asked, smirking at her. "I''m fine," she said, straining. "Okay," he said, putting on his shirt. He had just finished buttoning it up when she finally managed to tie the corset. She panted slightly as she took a deep breath. "See, told you I could do it," she said, grinning. "Yeah, yeah. Just don''t hurt yourself. Or you''ll have to get a personal maid," he teased. Rya tried to laugh it off but in the back of her mind, she was worried. ''Dammit! Am I getting fat? Maybe I should cut down on the sweets,'' she thought. "You done daydreaming?" Quinus asked her, breaking her from her thoughts. "Yeah. Let''s go," she said, grabbing her cloak and walking out the door. Ch.201 You Can Use Green Word!? Rya and Quinus left the room and headed towards the tavern. As they were walking Rya made sure her Seer Stone was safely nestled in between her breasts. When they arrived, they found most of the party, waiting for their arrival. "There you two are. I was wondering if we would have to send a search party for you," Percy teased with a mouth full of food. Dalia wasn''t that much better as the wolfkin was inhaling her meal. "Were you planning on saving some food for us?" Quinus asked with a hint of sarcasm. "Nope, sorry," Percy said, swallowing. "Percy? You know you''re a human and not a beastkin, right," Rya joked, sitting down. Quinus sat down next to her and they both started eating. "Hey, don''t blame me. My mate is very passionate in our private time. And we burn off a lot of energy at night," he winked at Dalia while taking a sip of water from his cup. Dalia blushed, and she turned her head to look at him, "What''s that supposed to mean?" "Nothing," Percy grinned. "Uh huh," Dalia grumbled before she continued to eat. Rya had to ask, "So Dalia... Did you fail to get the jump on him? You seem poutier than normal." Dalia put down the piece of meat she was about to bite into and sighed before speaking. "Haah... I thought I had him this time but it turns out he let me jump him in bed! It doesn''t count if he just lets me win!" she explained, still feeling a little salty about her failure. "Aww, but that''s so sweet of him," Rya cooed. "Yes, it is," Percy grinned, kissing Dalia on her cheek. "Pff!... Some ''alpha mate'' I turned out to be. I have to have my mate give up his victory just to feel like a winner," she pouted, taking a swig of water. "Oh, lighten up. Besides, you were so happy when you had the jump on me. That smile alone was worth getting jumped on," Percy assured her, making the wolfkin blush again. "I suppose you are right... B-But I can''t get soft! I need to be better," she muttered before stuffing her face again to hide her embarrassment. Rya and Quinus just looked at each other and shook their heads. While six of the Royal Knights were impressed by how much food Dalia could pack away in one sitting. "Are all wolfkins like this?" Sir Bart asked Sir Richard. "Pretty much. Wolfkins are very competitive by nature. They''re always trying to get better at everything. That''s why slavers are always trying to capture them for the battle arenas. They have a natural desire to fight and win," he replied. "Does that make it right to enslave them?" Rya asked Sir Richard pointedly. "No, not at all. But it''s something you have to understand. They want to fight and will do anything to do so. They have a strong survival instinct and a drive to become stronger," Sir Richard tried to defend himself. As Rya slowly glanced over to Dalia who was succumbing to Percy''s head pats. Sir Richard grimaced when he followed Rya''s gaze and saw the mighty wolfkin melting in the hands of the young ranger. "I... I didn''t mean... That... is an exception!" he stuttered, realizing that the wolfkin next to them was proving his point wrong. "Sure it is," Rya rolled her eyes. Quinus couldn''t help but chuckle a little, earning a glare from Sir Richard. "Sorry... But it was funny," Quinus apologized. "I don''t understand what''s so funny. The fact of the matter is this. Lady Dalia is a special case. Most wolfkins are slaves. So, they fight for the entertainment of the crowds. That''s how they get stronger," Sir Richard tried to explain. "She''s not an exception, Sir Richard. She is simply a woman who''s a little forward due to her upbringing. But that doesn''t mean she''s incapable of being civil or showing kindness," Rya argued. Sir Richard wanted to argue but he then heard Dalia purring as Percy scratched behind her ears. "I suppose I was a little too hasty with my opinion. Forgive me, Lady Rya. I was mistaken," he admitted, not wanting to continue this conversation any further. Rya smiled triumphantly at him and then turned to her meal. The food looked like a shepherd''s pie with some bread and a side salad. "Mmm. Looks delicious," Rya said, grabbing a fork and knife. Her stomach was rumbling more than normal this morning and she needed to fill it with food. ''Gawd... This is embarrassing. I''m hungry all the time now. Maybe having all this sex with Quinus is making me burn more calories?... But my corsets seem to be getting a little tighter over this past week. Gah! I just wish the cravings would go away! Why doesn''t this world have ice cream... Maybe I can come up with a way to make some,'' she thought to herself while taking a bite of the pie that tasted similar to a beef casserole. "This is delicious," she commented after chewing and swallowing. "Yeah... It''s hitting the spot," Quinus agreed. The party continued to eat their meals and talked among themselves. Rya noticed Nieren sitting at the far end of the twenty-person table with her head down. ''Jesus! Did she not get any sleep, again? And there''s no food on her plate either... She must have stayed awake all night. She needs to start taking better care of herself,'' Rya thought while shaking her head after witnessing her friend''s poor condition. Yuliana came from her room and into the tavern with a pot of tea in her hands. The green-haired elf could only shake her head at her daughter''s state. "Good morning," she greeted the table. "Morning Yuliana," Rya greeted. "Hello, Miss Yuliana," Quinus added. "Good morning," the group said, acknowledging her presence. "Mmmm..." Nieren grumbled. Yuliana poured everyone some tea and sat down. She grabbed a piece of bread and buttered it. She then began eating her food. "How are you today, Lady Rya?" Yuliana asked politely. "I''m doing well. And yourself?" "I am feeling quite well today, thank you," she replied, smiling. "Good to hear," Rya smiled back before looking at Nieren''s sorry state. "Is Nieren going to be okay? She looks dead on her feet," Rya asked Yuliana. "I don''t know. She refuses to use the earplugs I gave her and now she has a horrible headache. She probably needs to use a potion to help rid it," Yuliana sighed. "Well? I can help if that''s alright," Rya offered. "Oh? That''s kind of you, My Lady. But if you keep coming to her rescue then I fear she will never learn," Yuliana admitted. "Maybe... But I can''t help but feel sorry for her," Rya said while taking a sip of her tea. "Naugh! I''m fine!" Nieren snapped her head up and yelled out before her fatigue caught up to her and slammed her head into the table with a loud ''thud''. Everyone stared at her in silence. Yuliana couldn''t help but cringe at the sound of her daughter''s skull colliding with the wood. "See? That''s exactly what I mean," Yuliana sighed. Everyone stared at the young wood elf and shook their heads. Nieren startled herself awake and sat up in her chair. Her body posture was stiff and rigid, and she had a scowl on her face. Plus the bump on her forehead was painfully red. "Ugh... Why does it have to be so noisy today?" Nieren mumbled while rubbing her head. "Because we are in a tavern," Rya sighed, shaking her head. "I-I''m fine. You''re all just paranoid," she muttered, waving her hand dismissively. "No. You are not," Yuliana chastised. "Yes, I am, mother... And I''ll be better once you bring me some tea," Nieren said while trying to look dignified. "Nieren? Your mother already poured you a cup of tea. It''s in front of you," Rya said with concern in her voice. "Huh? What? OH! Yes! T-Thanks!" she stammered, as she noticed the steaming cup of tea on the table in front of her. It was right next to a potted plant in the center of the table. Nieren weakly reached out for the cup of tea, but she accidentally grabbed the potted plant instead. And thanks to her sorry state, she mistakenly channeled her mana into the plant. The plant started to grow before everyone''s eyes. Yuliana did a double take when she saw a beautiful red flower bloom. She nearly dropped her cup of tea when she realized what her daughter was doing. All these decades of her daughter failing to use the "Green Word" to communicate with plants made her fear that she was a failure of a mother and a wood elf. But now that Nieren was able to use the green word, her hopes were renewed. ''That was a flower of love and passion... Could it be? Has she found someone? Wait! That''s not what matters right now. What matters is that she has finally learned how to speak with the plants. I can''t let her ruin this chance,'' Yuliana thought excitedly to herself. "Nieren! You''re using the green word!" she shouted happily. "Huh? Wah!" Nieren gasped and looked around in a haggard state. That was when she noticed that she was holding a potted plant. She let it go and it landed on the table with a thud. Nieren blinked her eyes rapidly before she realized her mistake. "I... I-It''s your imagination, Mom!" Nieren panicked and then she grabbed her tea and started drinking it while acting like she didn''t do anything. "Mmmmh... The tea is good! Thanks, Mom! Ha ha! I feel better than ever!" If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Yuliana didn''t care that her daughter tried to hide her talent. She had the starry-eyed look of a proud mother and it made Nieren nervous. "I prayed to the spirits for this day!" she cried out. "W-Wait! M-Mother!?" Nieren stuttered as she knew what her mother was going to do. "This calls for a celebration!" Yuliana exclaimed and jumped up and hugged her daughter. Pulling her head tightly against her large chest. Nieren was panicking on the inside but she couldn''t do anything to stop her mother. "Mom... Your boobs are crushing my head! And you''re just seeing things," Nieren said as her mother''s chest muffled her voice. "What was that, sweetie?" Yuliana asked, rubbing the top of her daughter''s head. The wood elf mother wasn''t letting her daughter go, no matter how much she squirmed. "Mother! I-I said-" Nieren stopped mid-sentence when she felt her mother''s grip on her tighten. "Mmmph!? Mmmf! Mm!" Nieren squeaked, trying to break free. Rya shook her head at Nieren''s weak attempts at denying facts. The cat was out of the bag and Nieren needed to accept that her mother now knew her secret. ''Jeez!... Poor Nieren... She''s trying so hard to deny the truth, but if she doesn''t admit that she''s a green word user to her mother. Then I''ll tell Yuliana myself. She deserves to know the truth. And maybe Yuliana will stop blaming herself for being a bad parent,'' Rya thought. After a few minutes, Nieren finally escaped her mother''s vice-like grip. "Gah!... Mother! I told you that it was a fluke," Nieren tried to argue. "No, it''s not, dear. You''ve used the green word, I saw it with my own eyes," Yuliana said, smiling at her. "Mom! I am telling you that I''m" "Nieren!... The secret is out. If you won''t tell her then I will," Rya cut her off. Nieren''s face became redder with embarrassment. "T-There is no secret! Don''t listen to her mom!" she tried to deny. Yuliana looked at Rya, then back at her daughter, and raised an eyebrow at her. "What are you two talking about? What is going on?" Yuliana demanded. "Rya! Please, don''t do this! You promised not to tell her," Nieren begged. "And I wouldn''t if you didn''t just use the green word in front of everyone," Rya scolded her. "Nieren? You''ve been able to use the green word all this time?" Yuliana asked with shock in her voice. "NO! Rya, don''t please!" "Yuliana... Nieren''s mana vein had some seals or curses placed on it. I was able to heal it. That''s when I saw her mage veins coming back to life. She had the ability to use the green word. But she couldn''t access it until I fixed them," Rya said, taking pity on the poor girl. Yuliana looked at Rya as her savior and her eyes filled with tears. She began to hug her daughter again, but it was even tighter as Nieren''s head almost disappeared into her mother''s chest. "Thank you! Thank you so much, Rya. I didn''t know. I had no idea. Thank you for helping my daughter," Yuliana cried while swinging back and forth while hugging her daughter. "Mom... I can''t breathe... And you''re embarrassing me," Nieren said with a muffled voice. "Oh, sorry," she said, letting her go, "Now you can stop playing the adventurer and become a proper Wood Elf Princess!" Nieren was mortified, and she wanted to die at that moment. She just couldn''t deal with the embarrassment. "Ugh..." Nieren groaned. Everyone at the table was feeling the secondhand embarrassment from Nieren, with the exception of Dalia, who was enjoying Nieren''s suffering. "Y-Yuliana? You do know that Nieren''s my retainer. And she needs to maintain her fighting skills, right?" Rya stuttered while coming up with an excuse to help her friend. Yuliana blinked and realized that Rya was right. Her daughter vowed to be her retainer and serve as her sword and shield. And Yuliana knew her daughter was serious when she said those words. "Oh... I suppose you''re right... But can''t you dismiss her from that duty? I''m fine if she continues being your lady-in-waiting, but she''s a princess and should be learning about diplomacy and other important skills. Not some adventurer that runs around in labyrinths," Yuliana asked, not wanting to give up her dream of rebuilding the Wood Elf Kingdom for her daughter. "Mother! You can''t ask her to do that," Nieren argued, but Rya had another idea. "I would have agreed to that, Yuliana... But you see, Nieren is also a light mage. And it wouldn''t be right if I took her away from her calling," Rya stated. "She is a light mage?!" Yuliana exclaimed. "Yes, she is," Rya nodded. Yuliana looked at her daughter in shock, ''She has her father''s gift of being a light mage!? But he said it would be impossible for her to gain it! He said that only full-blooded High Elves were capable of using the "white word"... Could it be that he lied to me about this as well?... N-No... He wouldn''t.'' "A light mage and a green word user? How can she be both?" she asked. "What do you mean?... She''s half-high elf, right?" Rya asked. "But full-breeds are the only ones that can use light magic. So how is my daughter able to use it? How do you know she''s a light mage?" Yuliana asked. Rya looked at her with a perplexed look, "Well, that''s not the case because I''ve seen her mage veins and she has two of them. It seems like it''s another lie from the High Elves, Yuliana." The older wood elf sighed as her old habit of believing everything from the High Elves resurfaced. It was second nature for her to believe them after four hundred years. But after everything Rya has done for her and her daughter, she knew she shouldn''t have doubted her. "That''s true. I''m sorry. But please forgive my stupidity, Rya," she apologized. "Hey, it happens to the best of us. I''m not offended. Just remember that you can trust me. I would never lie to you," Rya said before returning to eating her meal. Yuliana felt a sense of warmth filling her heart. "Yes. I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have doubted you," Yuliana apologized again. "You are forgiven," Rya smiled at her. Nieren seemed to relax when her mother finally let her go and stopped smothering her. That was until her mother chimed in again, "Oh! I need to get some pots for the seedlings! There''s so much catching up to do, Nieren. You wait here and I''ll be back," Yuliana said, getting up and hurrying out of the tavern. "Mom! No, don''t! I don''t need to learn..." *SLAM!* Goes the door as her mother went out to get some supplies. "Urk!" Nieren groaned and sat down with her head in her hands. "Aaand she''s gone! Ha ha! Woody''s going to be a planter," Dalia teased, laughing at the blonde wood elf. "Shut it, mutt! Or I''ll put a muzzle on you!" Nieren growled at the demi-human. "Oh! How scary! Flowers are way more dangerous than that bow of yours," Dalia laughed harder. Nieren clenched her teeth. Then a smirk formed on her lips, "Yeah, I wonder how many flowers I can put in your hair before you start looking like a cute defenseless maiden, waiting to give birth." Dalia stopped laughing and looked at Nieren. Her eyes went wide. "You wouldn''t dare!" "Try me!" Nieren growled. Dalia hid behind Percy, " Gamma! Keep her flowers away from me!" "She''s just bluffing. Nieren wouldn''t do that," Percy said. "You''re not helping, Percy," Rya groaned. "Huh? How am I not helping? Nieren has never done anything to harm her before," Percy stated what he thought was a fact. Rya and Quinus just gave him a look of disbelief. Nieren grabbed the flower pot and channeled her mana into it as more flowers began to bloom. "W-What is going on?!" Percy gasped as the plant continued to grow many flowers. Nieren had a sinister grin on her face as she held the pot in her hand. "Oh, Percy. You just sealed Dalia''s fate," Rya chuckled. "W-What did I do? Nieren is just bluffing... right?" he stuttered, turning to the blonde wood elf. "D-Don''t laugh, Alpha! H-Help me!" Dalia panicked as Nieren pulled out over three dozen red flowers. "Heh heh. It''s payback time, puppy," Nieren chuckled darkly. Dalia squealed and ran out of the room. Nieren chased after her, laughing maniacally. "You''re not so tough now, wolfy! Take your punishment!" "NO!" Rya laughed at their antics. While the Royal Knights were stunned by how the other races acted. It went against all the stereotypes they''d heard about other races. "S-Sir Richard? I thought you said Wolfkins are very competitive by nature?... Are you sure we have the correct species?" Sir Bart asked. "Of course, I am! I''ve studied all the known species of demi-humans in our world," Sir Richard huffed. "Well, maybe the studies are wrong? Because she seems to act almost like another human. Maybe a little more of a free spirit," Sir Bart questioned. "I would have to agree with Sir Bart. The demi-human has shown no signs of aggression, except if she''s provoked. But you could say that about humans as well," Sir James added. "I''m telling you that Wolfkins are the most aggressive out of the known species of demi-humans. We''ve fought them on several occasions, and their ferocity in battle is something to behold," Sir Richard insisted. "That''s only if you are their enemy," Percy interjected. "And what do you know, boy?" Sir Richard growled. "More than you do, sir. She''s my mate and I would appreciate it if you don''t talk about her like that," Percy warned him. "So, she''s your mate. I''m not impressed. You have no idea how hard it is to control the beast that''s inside of her kind. You will see soon enough that you''re in over your head," Sir Richard warned. With that, Dalia jumped into Percy''s arms with red flowers in her black hair. It made her look so adorable but deadly at the same time. "D-Dalia, are you okay?" "No... She almost got me. She was going to put these in my ears, so I ran here to hide," she said, clinging to him. "You''re doing a bad job at hiding, dog!" Nieren shouted as she came into the room with more flowers in her hand. "Eep!" Dalia clung harder onto Percy when she saw the wood elf zeroing in on her. "L-Lady Nieren! Please stop! Dalia is sorry for teasing you," Percy pleaded. "Oh, I''ll stop. But if you try and tease me again. I''ll make sure to put flowers in your tail, Dalia," Nieren grinned. "W-What?! You wouldn''t dare," Dalia said while peeking out from behind Percy''s shoulder. Her tail was wagging playfully. ''D-Does Dalia enjoy being chased? Huh... That''s cute.'' Rya thought as she witnessed the two of them. "Do you want to find out?" Nieren grinned evilly. Dalia shook her head no while whimpering, even though her tail wagged harder than before. "Then let that be a lesson to you, pup. I always win," Nieren said while walking back to her seat. Dalia''s ears drooped and her tail slowed down, "You''re no fun," she muttered. Percy just smirked and patted her head, "Well, you could ask her to chase you, you know." She blushed, and leaned into his hand, "Mm-hmm. It''s only fun if she tries to get me." Rya chuckled. ''I can''t believe Dalia likes to play cat and mouse. She''s so weird.'' Rya thought. Four of the Royal Knights were watching how affectionate Dalia was being to Percy. Then they all turned to look at Richard who was sweating profusely. "Um, Sir Richard? I think the boy has things under control," Sir James chuckled nervously. "Y-Yes... A-Apparently," Sir Richard gulped while rubbing the back of his neck. "I kinda want to have a wolfkin as a wife. They are quite lovely, wouldn''t you say, gentlemen?" Sir Bart laughed. "I can''t agree with you more, Sir Bart. They are quite attractive. If I were single, I would have snatched her up in a heartbeat," Sir James added. "So, once we return to the capital, I should tell your wife that you wish to replace her with a wolfkin?" Lady Rachel asked while finishing her meal. "Eh... I take it back. Bart... Good luck in finding a wolfkin," Sir James quickly replied. "I don''t need luck... Percy! Do you know where to find a wolfkin? I would love to give one a try as my woman," Bart shouted out from the other side of the room. Percy was surprised that one of the older knights asked him where to find a woman like Dalia. "U-Um, I don''t know, sir. Dalia was saved by Lady Rya in the labyrinth. And Lady Rya was the one to convince my love to give me a chance. So, I don''t know how to find a woman who wants to be in a relationship," Percy answered. "Haaa... Well, I''ll find a way. I''ll find a wolfkin woman and tame her. I''ll become a wolf''s alpha male!" Sir Bart proclaimed. "Oh!? You think you can handle a wolfkin of my caliber, aye? Hehehe! You can try, but it will end with you being a beta," Dalia taunted the older knight. "Ha! We will see about that. If I find a wolfkin worth her salt, then you will see me come back a conqueror of the fairer sex," Bart boasted. "Hmph! If there''s a free wolfkin without a mate. She will run away from you the first time she picks up your beta scent," Dalia stated. "Is that a challenge?" "Yes, it is. We, females, can smell weakness and we stay away from those who are weak," Dalia explained. "Oh!? Are you calling me weak? I will find a free wolfkin and she will be so in love with me that she won''t even remember her past lovers. Then I''ll bring her back and have her show off her devotion to me," Sir Bart countered. "Pfft. As if that''s possible. No wolfkin female would ever fall for a human male. Even a warrior, such as yourself," Dalia chuckled. "You''re going to eat those words, wolf girl," Sir Bart stated as he got up and left the table. Lady Rachel turned to Sir James, "Isn''t she mating a human? Why is she saying that wolfkin females won''t fall in love with a human male if that''s what she''s already done?" "I have no idea, Lady Rachel. I was wondering the same thing," Sir James said. "There you humans go. Overthinking things as usual," Dalia sighed. "Overthink things? How are we overthinking this, missy?" Lady Rachel challenged. "It''s simple. And if I need to explain it then you humans are too stupid to understand. I''m going to get ready to leave," Dalia stated as she got off Percy''s lap and walked out of the room. "Why you, little!... Come back here!" Lady Rachel demanded. "What the hell was that?" Sir Richard asked Percy. Percy was scratching the back of his head as he didn''t know what to say. So, Rya came to Dalia''s rescue. "Well... Dalia realized that she talked herself into a corner and refused to admit that she was wrong. She likes to push the blame onto others then she retreats to save face. Or embarrassment. It''s hard to tell when she runs away." Rya answered. "She lied to us? She is a coward then," Sir Richard said. "She may be clumsy sometimes but she''s a clever one. Plus she''s been through so much with her near-death experience. So give her some slack. She knows that she''s wrong but won''t admit it. So just roll with it please," Rya defended her friend. "I can''t believe you''re defending her. She''s a disgrace," Sir Richard huffed. Rya, Percy, Nieren, and Quinus glared at him, "How dare you," they said in unison. "T-That''s not what I meant," Sir Richard tried to defend himself. "Sir Richard... It''s best to know when one is beaten. And you are losing this fight," Lady Rachel sighed. "I can''t help it. All wolfkins are a nuisance. They are all the same," Sir Richard grumbled. "And I''m a Dark Elf... So am I a nuisance to you as well, Sir Richard?" Rya questioned him. "Personally, no... But it will cause problems with the nobility. You''ve shown me more than enough that not all Dark Elves are evil," Sir Richard explained. "Good. I was getting tired of proving myself. But you should start treating Dalia better. She may act all tough, but deep down she''s been through a lot. And she''s my lady-in-waiting," Rya stated. "Haaa... I''ll do my best, my Lady," Sir Richard sighed. With that everyone in the Tavern finished their meals before heading outside to meet up with the General, Johan, Tayna, and the rest of the party. Ch.202 Making a Scene. The sky was starting to become a bit overcast this morning while the rest of the party slowly made their way out of the inn. General Douglas wasn''t happy to see a crowd of locals hovering around them. He wanted to be incognito for the trip back to the capital. But his plans went up in smoke ever since he challenged and lost to Lady Rya. It was hard not to draw attention to the House Dule family carriage with their coat of arms on the doors. Sir George noticed how the General was looking at the crowd of miners walking by and waved at them. "It''s not so bad, General Douglas. I mean, the people are just curious about our party. It''s not every day that they have visitors from the Capital," Sir George reassured him. "I know... It''s just... when you have a perfect plan, and everything changes against my best interest for the prince... Well, it''s disheartening, to say the least," General Douglas sighed. The two dwarven soldiers came out to ready their carriage. This brought more attention to the group. "Whoa! What''s the deal with those dwarves? I thought they only stuck around Ironside and the surrounding areas," One man commented. "Yeah, they normally don''t travel outside of their mountain cities. They must be bringing something to the capital if they are with the Royal Knights," Another miner added. Douglas sighed again as the crowd grew compared to last night. It was nightfall by the time they arrived in the town of Edermines City. So the locals were indoors and they didn''t know the Prince was there. But since they were in a carriage with House Dule''s coat of arms, the local guards took notice and it was only a matter of time before they reported it to the mayor. Luckily, Johan met with the mayor of the town so they could keep the prince''s location a secret. And now that it was morning the townsfolk were starting to take notice that a noble was in their quiet town. "We need to get going when His Highness comes out. I don''t want to have a crowd of the townsfolk surrounding him when we leave," Douglas said to Sir George. "Yes, General," Sir George saluted. Just as they were about to finish their conversation, the door to the inn opened up, and a beautiful green-haired woman, wearing her dark green dress that didn''t hide how voluptuous her body was, came walking out in a hurry. Yuliana was looking around frantically, until she spotted the general and the Prince''s retainer and walked right over to them, with a purpose. "Sir George, do you know if there''s a nursery nearby!? I need to buy some potted plants immediately," Yuliana demanded. Sir George was taken aback by how assertive she was. Normally she was shy, or kept to herself, so seeing her act like this was a new experience for him. Being this close to a beauty of her caliber made it hard for him to think clearly and glanced over to the general for help. Douglas just raised his hands in surrender as the wood elf came barging out in the open with no cloak on. Thanks to the wood elf, all the townsfolk could see her pointy ears, and he knew they were done with keeping a low profile. Yuliana crossed her arms impatiently as she waited for an answer. The miners'' jaws nearly dropped when they witnessed her beauty and the shape of her voluptuous body. This was the first time any of them had seen an elf in person and the rumors of their beauty didn''t do her justice. They looked like they were hit by a frozen spell when she locked eyes with a couple of them and they became paralyzed out of admiration. She didn''t know what the deal was with these townsfolk. She just thought these humans were being weird and turned her attention back to the Knight again. Sir George shook his head and tried his best not to look at the elven woman''s chest. "W-Why do you need a nursery, again? And why do you want potted plants?" Sir George asked. "Because! My daughter can use the green word! And I need to train her before she tries to weasel her way out of it. That is why I need to visit a nursery, now please!" Yuliana stated. "I don''t know of any nursery stores around here, milady," Sir George answered. Yuliana turned to the General with sad pleading eyes, "General Douglas, please... I need to teach my daughter. It''s not safe for her if she doesn''t know how to use her birthright? I... I..." she said as she put her hands together in a praying motion. Douglas put up his best front. He wasn''t going to be swayed by this woman. He was the commander of the entire military for crying out loud! He wasn''t going to be bossed around so easily, no matter how beautiful she was. He stood firm and put his hands behind his back as he spoke. "Milady, I understand, but I don''t know of a nursery store in the area. I can send a man to scout one out for you, but I''m not letting you walk around this village. It isn''t wise at this moment," Douglas answered. But Yuliana started to tear up and his heart sank a little then she pouted, "Please, sir! Please..." The General was starting to break under her plea and he felt his iron resolve melt away. But he stood strong, "I can''t, milady. I am in command, and my mission is to escort the prince to the capital." Yuliana looked down sadly and let her arms fall to her sides. That''s when a couple of the townsfolk came in after they eavesdropped on their conversation. "Excuse me, Miss. Are you asking about a nursery?" A young woman asked her. "Y-Yes," Yuliana said quietly. "Oh, okay. There''s a plant nursery just two blocks away. It''s owned by the Sanchez family. And they sell flowers, seeds, and even potted plants," The young woman answered. Yuliana''s mood brightened and she smiled, "Really? That''s wonderful. I''ll pay a visit right away. Thank you." "Milady!... You shouldn''t go there alone," Douglas interjected. "No need to worry, I''m almost older than all of you combined. And I can take care of myself. Thank you again, Miss," Yuliana thanked her as she bowed. "Umm, no problem," The young woman was blushing as she spoke. As this was her first time talking to a wood elf. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. "Lady Yuliana... I don''t think you can make it to that store without being mobbed by the people here," Sir George informed her. "Huh? What do you..." Yuliana was so caught up in the moment when she saw her daughter using the green word that she completely forgot to wear her cloak to hide her hair and elven ears. As she looked around a sizable crowd was now hovering around the caravan. Only being held at bay by twelve of the knights. And they were all staring right at her. Yuliana wasn''t used to this type of attention. Even living in Ironside, most people wouldn''t give her a second look, as the majority of the city was full of dwarves and she stayed away from the humans that lived there to protect her daughter. So, she never got the same kind of attention like this. "I... I seemed to have made a mistake," Yuliana mumbled. "Yeah... It would be best to wait until the rest of your group gets out. Or I''ll send some of my men to get what you need. But we can''t afford to have the whole town follow us," Douglas stated. "R-Right! I will leave it to your judgment, General. I didn''t realize what I''ve done," Yuliana said apologetically. "Don''t worry, milady. This is my fault. I should have paid more attention. We''ll get you those pots and seeds. Once we are secure," Douglas reassured her. "Thank you, sir," Yuliana replied as she was flustered from making a mistake. The front door opened, and out came Johan and Tayna. She seemed to be walking gingerly again after a certain someone kept her up for most of the night. "Good morning, Sir George... General... What''s going on?" Johan asked. "Ah, Lord Johan. Good timing. We are just about ready to go once the prince arrives. If the mayor comes, can you handle him? I don''t think I can stand to listen to his ramblings," Douglas stated. Johan gave the General a sly grin, "I can, but that will cost you extra. After all, I was the one who got the Inn for us." Douglas looked at Johan with annoyance, "I do appreciate your help with keeping things quiet, but the people know of one elf now and things will get crazy once they see the prince." "And what if they see Lady Rya?" Tayna asked. "Haah... Pandemonium, milady," Douglas said with a sigh. "I can take care of the Mayor, but the rest is on you and your men," Johan replied. "Fair enough... I''m sure the Royal family will repay you for your services," Douglas nodded. "I hope so. We still have a long way to go, and the road to the capital is not as safe as the other roads going by the Eldermyst Forest," Johan pointed out. "Let''s hope the Prince and his fiance are true to their word about being able to take on armies. I''ve tried to send out the 14th Rangers to deal with the bandits in that area but robberies are still a problem," Douglas replied. Just then, the prince, Rya, Dalia, Nieren, and the rest of the knights came out and the town folk started murmuring among themselves. The three non-human ladies had their cloaks on as they came out. But that didn''t stop the townsfolk from noticing their beauty. "I-Is that his Highness? The prince? The future king of the Fiafyr Kingdom?" the young woman from earlier asked. "It has to be. No one else has those golden eyes," a miner replied. "And his party are the most beautiful women I have ever seen! And that one with the tanned skin must be an island princess," another man commented. "And the elven maiden. She has such a beautiful shade of green hair. She''s just gorgeous," a miner gushed. Nieren saw her mother looking guilty for not wearing her cloak and she hurried over to give her hers, "M-Mother! Here take mine. You should have worn yours." "T-Thank you, darling. I forgot," Yuliana mumbled as her cheeks were red from embarrassment. Nieren saw how all the townsfolk were looking at her and her mother, and it didn''t sit well with her. So she pulled her mother into the carriage so the townsfolk could focus on the prince instead. The prince and his party came to the General and Johan. "Well... This never gets old," Quinus stated when he saw the town folk looking at them. "I bet it doesn''t, my Prince," Johan agreed as he looked at the crowd, "Well, shall we go?" Johan asked the group. Quinus chuckled, "I suppose... Rya, Dalia, and Percy. Are you three good to go?" Rya nodded, while Dalia and Percy bowed then they entered the carriage before Quinus. The Knights started to prepare the horses when all of a sudden the mayor came running through the crowd with a couple of his staff trailing behind him, "Wait! Your Highness! I demand that you explain what''s going on here! If I''d known that you were in my town, I would have prepared a feast for you. And now you are leaving before I can do anything?" Douglas sighed as he pinched his nose in frustration. He knew the mayor would be coming out here and hoped he wouldn''t. But that''s how this day was turning out for him. "Damn, it''s Mr. Brown," Douglas muttered, "Lord Johan, you''re up!" The General said in a hushed voice. "I got this," Johan replied before turning to face the Mayor and his staff, "Mr. Brown. Is there a problem? I was told that you were fully aware that we were leaving today," Johan said politely. "But Lord Johan! You didn''t mention that His Highness was here. Or his party!" Mr. Brown exclaimed. "And what if I had? Would you have tried to hinder us somehow?" Johan asked with a knowing look. "N-No!? Oh course not... Hahaha, R-Right Jarvis? I wouldn''t try something like that, right?" Mr. Brown said sheepishly. Jarvis just rolled his eyes and nodded, "Yes, milord. He wouldn''t dream of it." The Mayor looked back at Johan with a smile, "You heard my man, Lord Johan. I wouldn''t dare." "Listen... Mr. Brown... I''m sure the prince would have loved to have a feast with the people, but he is on a very important mission and can''t afford to stay in one place for long. His Highness is needed back in the capital and he wished not to disturb your townsfolk. So, we didn''t inform you. It''s that simple. Now, we have a long journey ahead, and I don''t want to make it longer by arguing with you," Johan stated. "But we were hoping to get funding, for an aqueduct, approved by your father, within this year? We fear that it might be delayed until next year at this rate. But if his Highness could write him a letter on our behalf. I''m sure he will approve it sooner," Mr. Brown asked. "I told you that you will get your water project approved by next year. The farmers are getting them first," Johan informed him. "But your father isn''t here! A-And the prince is! I-If he could find it in his heart to at least think about it," Mr. Brown insisted. "Johan! Tell him that I''ll talk to your father in a month''s time! We have to leave," Quinus ordered from inside the carriage. "Hear that? His Highness will discuss it with my father and I will as well. If I were you, I''d start making preparations," Johan stated. "Thank you, Lord Johan and Your Highness. It is an honor to be blessed by your presence," Mr. Brown said happily. The mayor and his staff bowed as Johan hurried into the carriage. "Okay, His Highness is secure. We are leaving," Douglas roared to everyone and the driver took the reigns and led the carriages to the gates. While all the knights on horseback made a perimeter around the carriages. The crowd was slowly following the caravan as they started to wave to the prince. "Well, that went better than expected," Quinus said. Dalia sniffed the air, "Well, someone had a good night''s sleep." "Hehe, yeah. I slept like a baby," Tayna giggled as she rested her head on her husband''s shoulder. Rya couldn''t help but be happy about her handy work. This was the second couple she brought together. "General, we''re ready," the driver announced. "Let''s move out!" Douglas ordered. "Sir, yes, sir!" the knights shouted and the carriages moved on their way to the capital. They were hoping to make it to Eldermyst City by nightfall. *** As the convoy started to leave the town. Two hooded men were waiting to see when the prince''s convoy was departing. The older man had short brown hair, a trimmed beard, and a scar over his left eye. He was wearing a leather chest plate with leather bracers and pants. "Finally, they''re moving! Looks like they''re heading down Eldridge Road. Looks like they aren''t taking any detours," the older man stated. "Good! I''ll get the horses so we can meet up with, Alac," the younger man stated. He was tall with black hair and had a lean muscular build. "Aye, Cyril. I''ll stop at the next fork in the road and make sure they''re not splitting up," the older man instructed. "Got it, Mast. I''ll catch up with you after I report back to the boss," Cyril said before he ran off. The older man nodded and hurried to his horse, which was saddled up and waiting for him. He rode off to the next fork in the road to make sure the prince''s convoy stayed on Eldridge Road instead of taking a detour through Red Griffin Drive. For they needed to ambush the convoy to kill Lord Johan. Ch.203 A Storm is Coming The convoy was slowly moving along the dirt road. They had passed the forest and were crossing a large field. Ahead of them were sizeable foothills. The road they were on wasn''t well-maintained due to the rise of bandit activities in recent months, and the military couldn''t spare anyone to take care of it due to growing tensions in the north. Another reason for Eldridge Road, being less traveled, was the fact that it was the quickest and most direct route to Eldermyst City. However, this road avoided taking a detour south around the foothills that would have them going through two more towns, which offered a safer route since there was more traffic on it. But it would have added two to three more days to their trip. So, they decided to risk it and took the dirt road through the hills and forest. They were hoping to get to the city before sundown. Douglas and his men had ridden on ahead to scout the area as they stopped for lunch. Rya had gone into the woods to relieve herself, while Dalia and Nieren followed to stand guard. The wolfkin couldn''t help but notice how quiet the wildlife was. "You guys notice how quiet the woods are?" Dalia asked. "I mean, it does seem quiet but I wouldn''t know if that''s normal," Rya answered as she was finishing up. ''Hmm? Did I piss on my dress? No? I think I''m good... Man, I love dresses, but they do require a lot of attention. It''s not easy being a woman sometimes.'' "Woody? What do you think?" Dalia asked. "Maybe there''s a monster hiding around these parts. But I''ve never ventured this far east to know if there are any dangerous creatures in these woods," Nieren said. "So, we should keep an eye out," Rya concluded. "Probably. It''s best to err on the side of caution. That''s what I had to do when I was an adventurer," Nieren replied. "Were you a solo adventurer?" Rya asked. "Yes and no... I mostly quested alone so no one could find out that I was an elf. And if I did join a party, I tried to hide my ears and pretended to be a human. Then we would go on our separate ways after we would split up the reward," Nieren replied. "Well, if Dalia''s instincts are correct. We probably should stay on guard. Hopefully, General Douglas and his men can handle it. But it''s probably best to warn the others," Rya said. "Agreed. And I can smell rain in the distance," Dalia said. "Really? Agh... So, we are going to get ambushed, aren''t we," Rya muttered out. "Huh? Why do you say that, Rya?" Nieren asked. Rya shook her head, ''Because this has all the makings of an ambush. Dalia''s on edge, rain is coming, and Quin''s crazy uncle wants him dead!... This is so like a fantasy story. It''s kind of scary. Like a cliche. Ugh, this isn''t real, is it?'' Rya pinched herself as she cried out, "Ouch! Okay, it''s not a dream. Dammit..." "What''s wrong, Alpha?" Dalia asked. "I''m getting a sickening feeling that we''re being watched. And I was making sure that this wasn''t my imagination," Rya answered. "Why are you acting so strange, Rya?" Nieren inquired. "Nieren. When was the last time you felt like your life was a cliche," Rya asked. Nieren rubbed her chin in thought, "Well, maybe when I was a child running away from my fallen kingdom. I always wished that the stories I read came true. They mostly revolved around a handsome elven prince who would come to save me from my predicament. But once I started getting older and realized that I wasn''t going to be saved, I became an adventurer to help my mother with paying the bills... But what does that have to do with anything?" "It''s hard to explain but this feels like a situation out of a suspense movie or a novel. And it''s starting to creep me out," Rya said. "What''s a movie?" Dalia asked as she tilted her head. "Um... Sorry, I keep using terms that only Quinus knows. It''s like a play in a theater," Rya stated. "Oh, you mean like a performance? But I''ve only seen operas or dances in a theater. I don''t recall seeing any performance that involved a story," Nieren said. "Really? You don''t have plays or musicals that have a plot?" Rya asked. "W-Well, maybe they did? I was very young when I saw a play for the first time. And I never attended another performance since. Maybe it''s different in this kingdom," Nieren said. Dalia was looking at the two elves talking about a subject she didn''t have a clue about. "Uh... What is a theater?" Dalia asked. Nieren and Rya looked at the confused wolfkin with a blank stare. Rya thought about it and then smirked at Dalia which made her panicked. "Well, once things calm down after dealing with all the politics within the nobility. Then I''m sure there''s a theater in the capital of Fiafyr. And if there isn''t one, then we''ll create one. Then we can show you what a play is... How does that sound?" Rya asked. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Dalia blushed, "O-Okay? If Alpha thinks it''s something I should see, then I''ll go." "OH! Can I join too? I want to see a performance again," Nieren begged. "Of course, you can come along. The more the merrier. Besides, it''s a great way to bond and get to know each other better," Rya replied. "Oh, yes. That would be nice," Nieren smiled. ''Hmm... Nieren looks good when she smiles, I feel like she''s been holding back, lately. Maybe it''s her personality or she''s just not used to hanging around people, especially, Dark Elves. But she''s so cute when she blushes, though. I want to see how many reactions I can get from her,'' Rya thought to herself. "We should head back. I''m sure Prince Quinus will get worried if we stay here any longer," Nieren suggested. "Yeah. I''m getting a little hungry. Besides, the clouds in the sky are getting darker. Let''s hurry back," Rya stated. *** After the group of three returned, they were greeted by Quinus who had a worried expression on his face. "There you are. Looks like a storm is heading our way. It would be best if we got back on the road," Quinus said. "Agreed. And Quin?" "Yes, dear?" "Dalia says the wildlife in the woods seems quieter than normal... Do you think it''s possible that we''re being targeted," Rya asked. "It could be the storm coming in... But we can''t be sure. Either way, we need to move on," Quinus replied. "I''m guessing Douglas and his men found nothing," Nieren inquired. "He has some of his men searching the roads ahead, but the forest is quite large. So, I wouldn''t be shocked if brigands or monsters were lurking about. It''s giving me a bad feeling... But I could be overthinking things," Quinus answered. "Hmm... I''m sensing a similar feeling as well... Whelp! Nothing like getting ambushed in the rain, right? Just your classic surprise attack scenario," Rya smirked. "Yeah. Feels like we are in a storybook, alright," Quinus chuckled. "Well, you seem calm about a potential attack," Nieren muttered as she observed the two and thought it was strange how cool and collected the prince and Lady Rya were. "I would say, we''re both not that concerned about it after going through so many near-death situations. And this just feels like the beginning of a new adventure," Rya replied. "Well, I think you deserve a boring relaxing life at some point, Quin. You''ve been through so much," Rya replied. "Maybe, but I still have a war to win, dear," Quinus replied. "Oh? Well, I will make sure to do my part. Now, let''s get going," Rya stated. "Alright, I''ll advise the General before we depart. Make sure you don''t leave anything behind," Quinus said as he led Rya towards the carriage. Everyone else agreed as they made their way towards the caravan. And just as they arrived at the main carriage, General Douglas came riding on his horse. "Ah, General Douglas, did you find anything?" Quinus asked. "Unfortunately, we did. The scouts noticed some strange movement in the forest. They think it''s bandits," General Douglas answered. "How many men do you think they have?" Quinus inquired. "We don''t know... Should we double back and head south? It will add two days of travel time but we''ll be safer," General Douglas suggested. Quinus was about to speak up, but Rya intervened. "No, General Douglas. I know it''s hard to fight the enemy in an unknown territory, but we need to stay the course. And you have me and Quinus if things go awry. Besides, I believe in you and your men. Just do your best," Rya replied. General Douglas looked at Quinus who nodded his head. "If the lady says that she trusts in us. Then I''m going to prove myself worthy of such a high regard," General Douglas stated. With that, Sir George opened the door to the carriage. And they climbed inside. Tayna was waiting inside with a bored expression on her face. "I don''t know why you would go to the bathroom in the forest like that, Lady Rya," Tayna said. "Eh, sometimes you gotta go," Rya chuckled. "That may be a good point, my lady. But it''s uncivilized for us ladies to do such~ Oh? Did something happen? General Douglas looked a little worried," Tayna inquired. "Storm clouds are coming in. Hey, is there any food left?" Rya asked while trying not to scare Tayna. She was trying her best to act like it was no big deal. "Huh? Oh yes. I have some leftovers from earlier," Tayna answered. Rya reached out and took a few pieces of sliced fruit and some roasted nuts. "Mm, these are good. Want some, Nieren," Rya asked. "Wha!? Why aren''t you offering me any food, Alpha? That''s so unfair," Dalia whined. "That''s because it''s nuts and fruit... You told me that you hate both of them so I didn''t offer," Rya said with a confused look. Dalia flinched, "B-But... I''m still hungry, Alpha." Rya sighed and just ate her food. "I believe there''s some dried meats in the basket," Yuliana said as she pointed to the basket underneath Rya''s seat. "Oh Yea~ Hmm, this one''s nice. Here you go, Dalia," Rya said. Nieren was sitting next to Rya and was watching the wolfkin devour her food like a ravenous animal. "Does she always eat like that," Nieren asked. "Pretty much," Rya replied. "Oh, Woody... You''ll understand when you''re older," Dalia replied. "Don''t speak with your mouth full," Tayna scolded the wolfkin. Dalia blushed, "Sorry..." Rya smiled and turned her attention towards the window. She saw Quinus talking to Sir George, Percy, and Johan about being prepared for an ambush. They all nodded as Johan, Percy, and Quinus all came into the carriage and then took their seats. Sir Bart and Lady Rachel came over to the carriage with Quinus'' and Rya''s swords in their hands. "Thank you," said Quinus and Rya at the same time. "I have also brought everyone''s weapons, just in case," Sir Bart said as he gave Nieren, her bow and arrows. At the same time, Lady Rachel gave Johan, his sword. "Thanks... Try and stay dry out there," Johan said to the knights. "We''ll try our best, sir," Lady Rachel replied before shutting the door to the carriage. Tayna looked at everyone who had their weapons in hand. "Am I missing something? I thought it was just a storm," Tayna asked out loud. "Bandits may have taken notice of the caravan, and are planning an ambush," Nieren replied. "Eh!? B-But aren''t we going to be safe with General Douglas and his men protecting us," Tayna panicked. "It''s hard to say, Lady Tayna. We''ll have to see," Nieren replied. Rya could sense that the young woman was starting to get nervous. "Don''t worry, it''s probably just some cowardly bandits and they won''t be a match for the Royal Knights," Rya assured her. Tayna was trembling a bit, "R-Really?" Rya was about to reply when a flash of lightning illuminated the dark forest. Then thunder could be heard rumbling above them. "Yeah, we''ll be fine," Rya said to the worried woman. "T-That''s not reassuring!" Tayna stated as she moved closer to Johan. "Hehe... I love the sound of rain and thunder... Makes me feel sleepy," Dalia giggled. "You''re such a weirdo, Dalia," Nieren laughed at the wolfkin as the wood elf tried to make the atmosphere in the carriage a bit lighter for Tayna. "Hehe... Well, at least I''m not shaking like a leaf," Dalia teased Tayna. "HEY!? I''m not a warrior so shut it!" Tayna retorted. With that, the rain started falling soon after, and the wind picked up as the carriage started moving. The sound of thunder was heard after lightning flashed through the windows. Ch.204 The Ambush. ''Damn... I feel bad for them. Is there anything I can do to help?... Well, I think I have an idea.'' Rya thought as she knew of a new spell she wanted to use. So she started to channel her mana into her hands before motioning them with a series of gestures, forming a complex pattern that shimmered with arcane power. ''Flame Familiar'' Rya said in her mind as she used wordless casting. A moment later, the air in front of the knights started to spark and flicker before a fiery humanoid figure spawned in front of all of them. The knights were startled by the appearance of flame creatures but quickly realized that it was a familiar. "It''s alright. Lady Rya cast the spell," The General said out loud to his men. The knights sighed with relief before continuing to follow the General''s orders. They appreciated the extra protection against the weather that the flame familiars were providing. Rya''s gesture to the knights didn''t go unnoticed, most mages wouldn''t bother helping them in such a way. lf int ''It''s a nice change to see a mage helping the common folk like that... She''s proven me wrong in so many ways already, she''s nothing like what I expected... Quinus! You lucky bastard! How''d you pull off finding a gem like her?... Damn! Why can''t I find a woman like that?'' The General thought as his jealousy of his prince took hold for a brief moment. Luckily the rain was hiding his tears from the world. As the convoy moved through the storm, the Duke''s men were waiting down the road where the forest was thicker. Alac was looking over the road as the rain was beating down hard on them. They were lucky enough to catch up to the Prince''s convoy which stopped in the town of Edermines City. But instead of staying in the town, they decided to go ahead of them while leaving a scout behind to make sure they would take Eldridge Road which went through the forest. And luckily for Alac. He and his men stumbled across a sizable group of brigands. This group wanted to rob Alac and his men at first. But they turned the tables on them and once Alac took down a few of their leaders, then the rest of the bandits surrendered and agreed to Alac''s demands to become the new leader of their group. Alac knew it was a risky move to trust a group of bandits. But he had no other choice. He needed canon fodder to draw the knights away from the caravan. But to his surprise, this group knew a few other brigands in the area. They were all working together to rob the wealthy nobles and merchants that used these roads. "Shut up! The rain is giving us cover! This makes it better to ambush them. We can get the job done and be gone before they can get help," Alac growled. ll... S "I know, I know... Don''t worry. We''ll make our move when we see the dark el~ I mean when we see the mage focused on your group. Just make sure you really get her attention... Or this plan will go belly up," Doug said with a sinister look. Stolen story; please report. "I''m not underestimating her. So, you don''t have to worry about me. I''ll get her attention. You just focus on getting the job done. We don''t have time to waste. The Duke is counting on us," Alac said. On the northern side of the road, Alac watched as the convoy came closer, "Men! Get ready to spring the trap," Alac shouted. The Flame Familiars went out, as they were riddled with arrows. The knights tried their best to avoid the incoming volleys until the bandits exhausted their supplies. Alac ordered his men to charge at the convoy and the bandits who were hiding on the southern side did the same. The bandits on the northern side were the first to be greeted by these strange horses that they had never seen before. These earth horses had mud dummies riding on them and their bodies had these weird pyramid rocks lining all around their sides. Alac was the first to realize what these were but he was too late to respond. ''Golems! We''ve been tricked!'' Alac thought as the Mud Golems charged at the bandits. The rocks exploded into a hail of spikes that impaled dozens of bandits and vaporized ten of the closest men as a mist of blood filled the air. "AAAHHH!" "Shit! They''re attacking us with exploding horses!" another bandit yelled. The second golem charged at another group of bandits and it exploded, showering them with spikes. The last of the horses exploded, killing about forty more men and wounding countless more. The bandits were in disarray after feeling the shock of this strange trap. Before anyone could answer him, the bandits heard a few horses neighing in the distance. The survivors turned to witness their horror as they saw twenty knights on horseback staring them down with their swords out. . "That she is, sir," Sir Bret said. "Charge!" Sir Bret yelled. "Kill them before they get away!" Another Knight growled. "For the crown!" Hollered the rest of the knights. "Looks like Lady Rya and the Prince''s plan worked. Hah hah! Let''s finish off the stragglers, men! We can''t let Her Ladyship''s efforts be in vain," Douglas shouted. smashed into Most of the party was standing under a rock canopy that Rya created so they could stay dry while Rya had her eyes closed and held her arms out so she could perceive what her golems were seeing. The wolfkin wanted to argue but she knew that tone coming from Rya''s voice. She would have to wait to have this discussion later with her Chieftain. pouted ''This is hilarious!... I know this wolfkin is annoying most of the time, but I''m starting to understand why Rya is friends with her... Heck, I''m starting to take a liking to her myself,'' Nieren thought. "I would appreciate that, love," Tayna said with a smile. Johan just smiled before turning his attention back to the road. He wished he could see the battle but all he could do was listen to the conflict from a distance. And he could barely hear the skirmish through the sound of all the rain hitting the canopy. ''I wish I could be of more help,'' Johan thought as he looked down at his legs. He thought he was so close to casting Shadow Self. But he always did something wrong before casting it. ''Haah... Stop beating yourself up, Johan. You just found out that you were a mage a day ago. Not everyone gets it right away. You will get there. You just have to believe in yourself,'' Johan thought as he looked up. The group was all waiting for the sounds of battle to end so they could relax and return to their journey. Vol.3 Ch.205 Tayna Gets Captured. Three men in hooded cloaks were sneaking through the forest. They were the scouting party for Alac and the others. The one leading the group was Remy and the other two were Cyril and Mast. Of the three, Mast was the oldest of the group while Cyril was the youngest. The three of them were making sure that the Prince''s convoy wasn''t taking any detours. And to their luck, tracking them was a lot easier thanks to those flame familiars that were flying in front of all the Knights. "I still can''t believe those flame things are real," Cyril said with astonishment. "They''re not real. At least in the creature sense... They''re probably some kind of magic the Prince''s mage is using," Mast answered. "Well, should I run ride ahead and warn the boss?" Cyril asked. Remy thought it over and nodded, "Yes. Hurry back and let him know. We''ll keep an eye on the convoy." "Right," Cyril said as he dashed off to report to Doug. While Remy and Mast continue to observe the convoy from a safe distance. "Do you still think it is wise to be this close to the convoy, with three elves within their midst? They could hear us," Mast stated with a bit of concern. "I wouldn''t worry about them. But if you''re so concerned, then we can use the notebook and quill," Remy answered. "That works for me... I can''t trust that the rain will cover our presence," Mast stated as he watched the carriage that had the three elves in it. Remy went to grab the notebook and quill that was tied to the saddle on the back of the horse before he returned next to Mast. "Now. Let''s continue and keep a close eye on the Prince," Remy said. "Yes sir," Mast nodded. The two of them continued to follow the convoy as it got closer towards the ambush. The two of them could see the Prince and his company stop all of a sudden. They were almost a half mile out from where Alac''s men were waiting. "What the hell are they doing?" Mast wondered. "Maybe they are stopping for a break? It makes no sense to stop otherwise," Remy guessed. "In the middle of a thunderstorm?... Something isn''t right... Should we sneak in closer to see what''s going on?" Mast asked. Remy shook his head, "No. Let''s just continue to watch them and if we''re lucky, they''ll continue down the road." "I hope you''re right... The last thing we need is unwanted surprises," Mast said. The two of them watched as the Prince talked to the general. The General nodded to the prince and then the wolfkin came out of the carriage. She was sniffing the air like crazy. "What the hell is she doing?" Mast wondered. Remy started to panic when he realized it was the wolfkin and noticed the headwind that was hitting the convoy. That''s when everything started to click into place. "Goddess be damned... The ambush is upwind of them! That fucking mutt can smell them." "So, that''s why she is sniffing the air like crazy," Mast figured. "We need to make sure... Don''t speak... only nod and use the notebook to talk," Remy ordered. Mast nodded as he and Remy started to sneak towards the convoy from the southern side of the road. As they moved closer, Quinus, Rya, and the rest of the party who were in the carriage came out and moved to the front of the caravan. Rya made a canopy out of the earth as they started talking to the wolfkin. *** "What''s wrong, your Highness?" General Douglas asked as he dismounted from his horse and walked underneath the earth canopy. "Lady Dalia picked up something odd with her nose," Quinus said. "Something, like what?" General Douglas asked. "It smelled like blood and human waste. It also had the stench of iron mixed in... And there''s a lot of them. There''s more than a hundred humans," Dalia answered as she sniffed the air and the wind flowed through her hair. "You''re saying that there''s a hundred men nearby?" Douglas asked. Dalia shook her head, "No, the number is bigger than that. But the rain is making it harder for me to determine how many people there are." Douglas looked down the road. "Then, we have a problem. We probably can defeat them with His Highness and Lady Rya''s aid, but we might lose some of our men if they get the jump on us." "Should we try and go around them?" Percy asked. "We could... But I think I have an idea... Rya, can you create horse golems?" Quinus asked. "Umm? I should be able to but I don''t think they''ll look really believable or thorough. I don''t know the anatomy of horses well enough to make it look perfect," Rya answered. "That''s fine. We just need them to look and sound the part. Plus, I was wondering if you can make them explode like a grenade?" Quinus smirked. Everyone was confused and curious, and they didn''t know what the Prince was talking about, except for Rya who had a smirk written on her face. "Oh? That''s mean, Quin... But if these idiots are a part of your uncle''s plans, then they deserve what''s coming to them," Rya said as she turned towards the road and channeled her mana into the ground. Everyone watched as the ground started to shake and 20 horses formed from the earth, it took only seconds for them to shape. And on top of the golem horses were the forms of fake men. They were crudely made, but the golems looked and sounded like horses. Their ribcages were lined with a bunch of pyramid-like rocks that were meant to act as shrapnel when the golem exploded. The knights and soldiers were amazed by the magic they were seeing. Even the prince was impressed. "You really outdid yourself, Rya," Quinus said. "Humph. This is nothing. If you give me a week, I could make a hundred of them with ease," Rya smirked. "I''ll take your word for it," Quinus chuckled. General Douglas wasn''t sure what the Prince and Lady Rya had planned. "Your Highness? What exactly are we going to do with these... things?" General Douglas asked. "It''s simple, General... We''ll let these decoys take the lead and hopefully, they take the bait... Just keep your distance until they explode," Quinus smiled. The general looked at the golems before looking back at the Prince. "So you wish for me and my men to trail behind these" "You can call them trojan horses," Rya added. "Trojan Horses," Douglas repeated before he continued, "So, we wait for them to attack the decoys? That''s the plan?" Quinus nodded, "The moment the enemy sees the horses, they''ll most likely charge. At that moment the golems will detonate, like a fireball... So keep a safe distance from them... Be no closer than... 200 yards?" Quinus looked at Rya who nodded in agreement. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "Yeah, that should be good. Plus, I''ll have the Flame Familiars flying with the golems so they don''t look too suspicious. So just follow them," Rya said. The General kinda liked the idea of letting these "Trojan Horses" take the brunt of the attack and soften up the enemy for his men. "I''ll trust in you two''s plan... Your Highness... and Lady Rya," Douglas said with a salute. "Good, now let''s hurry and get this over with... Take as many men as you need, General," Quinus said. "Understood. I will have my men follow your orders, your Highness," Douglas saluted and bowed. "Stay safe, General," Quinus nodded. Douglas mounted his horse and rode to the front of his troops. "Alright men! There''s a possible ambush waiting for us! I need twenty of you to join me. The rest will remain with the Prince and his men!" Douglas ordered. "Yes sir!" The men responded as twenty of them took a position behind the golems. With all of that sorted the General nodded to Rya who commanded the Golems to ride ahead. Twenty soldiers accompanied their General down the road as they followed the Trojan Horses. Rya had the "Horses" speed up a little as the decoys continued up the road. "Now, let''s see if they will take the bait," Quinus grinned. Everyone hoped for the best. Meanwhile, Remy and Mast couldn''t believe their eyes as a large group of earth horses rode ahead of the general and his men. They couldn''t hear what Quinus or Rya were saying to the General thanks to the rain and wind. But they knew it wasn''t good. Remy scribbled away on his notepad and showed it to Mast. Can you get to Alac to warn him? Mast read the message and shook his head. He would need to sneak back to his horse and those golem horses, along with two platoons of Royal Knights, already had a head start on them. He could try to hurry back to Alac but he was so far behind them that it would be a miracle if he could catch up to them. Remy wrote on the notepad and handed it back to Mast. We need to try. Go! Mast didn''t argue. He nodded then he snuck back to his horse and climbed on. He spurred his horse on before he went off the path and tried to move around the convoy''s decoys, even if it was a fool''s hope. Remy watched as Mast vanished off into the woods before he turned his attention back to the convoy. He just hides there in the bushes looking for an opportunity for something. Maybe he could pull something off while everyone was focused on the "Trojan Horses". ''Think man! There has to be something I can do to turn this thing around... But what?'' It had been ten minutes since the Trojan Horses and the General''s men had moved down the road where Alac was waiting to ambush them. But it was Alac who was going to be ambushed and the sounds of fighting could be heard through the rain. ''Fuck! We were too late! We could have made a name for ourselves if that fucking mutt wasn''t in their party! I have no idea what that dumbass kid sees in the bitch... You''re supposed to use wolfkins and fucking throw them away! Not fucking fall in love with those stupid bitches... Gah! I need to calm down... Cursing our crappy luck isn''t going to fix this... Haah... Is there anything I can do to salvage this?'' Remy wondered as he sat there and listened to the sounds of battle in the distance. After five minutes, Tayna was being escorted back to the carriage with only one guard by her side. Remy saw this and an idea came to him. ''If I take her and leave a letter, telling that Manaless Lord to come into the woods alone, or I''ll kill the girl... Then maybe I can kill that weak bastard and we can save face with the Duke... Yeah, that should work... And if it doesn''t work, then I''ll just sell her to a brothel and make some money even if she''s damaged goods... But I do have to say... she does an excellent job of covering up her scars... It''s like she''s never been attacked by that slime... Whatever, I need to capture her,'' Remy grinned as he moved closer to the carriage, waiting to strike. *** Tayna was barely able to stay dry with all this rain. ''I can''t believe how much Rya and those three girls don''t mind the rain... But I guess they are not human after all... Dalia makes sense that she doesn''t care, but Lady Rya, Nieren, and Yuliana are not wolfkins, so it makes no sense to me that they''re not bothered by the rain... They''re elves, not canines... Why am I even thinking about that? Ugh, it''s so boring in here...'' Tayna sighed as tried not to step in a mud puddle with her nice shoes. But against her best effort, Tayna misjudged a step and her left foot landed right in a deep mud puddle. "Gah..." Tayna groaned. "Are you alright, miss?" The guard asked. "Ugh... Yeah, I''m fine. I am not really meant for the outdoors... I just don''t get how Dalia and Lady Rya are ok with the rain..." Tayna complained. "They are both Demi-humans. They''re different from us, Milady... There''s nothing wrong with it but they are more comfortable in the wild than the city. So it''s natural that they aren''t bothered by the elements," the guard explained. "But Lady Rya is a Dark Elf. They are a higher class of species compared to us... But then again, I guess it''s just like the Dwarves. Their race is known for their ability to handle the weather and live in the mountains," Tayna sighed. "Milady. We are not very far from the carriage. Let''s hurry and get you back so we can avoid any injuries, Milady," the guard said. "Thank you... Say, can I ask you a question?" Tayna asked. "Of course, Milady," the guard said. "What are your thoughts on Lady Rya?" Tayna asked. "Honestly? I don''t know what to think of her. Why do you ask? Are you curious?" The guard asked. "No... It''s just when I think I have her figured out, she throws me for a loop," Tayna admitted. "Is that so? Well, I would suggest keeping an open mind. She is strangely blunt, but she seems very loyal to her friends. Like her companions," the guard advised. "Yeah. She has done more for me than I could ever repay her for... If it wasn''t for her, I would have never seen how good of a husband my Johan was... He truly is a great man..." Tanya looked at her left hand which Rya healed. ''I just have to accept that she is a different type of woman... To be honest... I like a person who is so forward and direct... She is the most honest female friend I have... Everyone else hides their feelings... But Rya doesn''t seem to hide her thoughts. Even when it gets her in trouble... And her personality is so fun to be around...'' Tayna thought. She was deep in her thoughts when all of a sudden. A poisoned dart came flying out from the woods and it struck the guard in the neck before anyone could react. "Gghhh......." The guard tried to speak but his lungs stopped working. The rain hit her head as the guard dropped the strange umbrella he was holding. "Hey! What are you doing" Tayna turned to witness the guard''s face turning purple as he was clutching at his throat. "Ah!" Tayna yelped. Before Tayna could scream, a hand clamped over her mouth and pulled her off the road and into the thick bushes and trees. "Ghak..." Tayna choked as she felt a knife against her throat. Once Remy had Tayna under his control he tossed the letter at the Guard who was choking to death on his own vomit. *Thud!* Rya''s, Nieren''s, and Yuliana''s ears twitched in unison as they heard a loud thud. "Did you guys hear that?" Rya asked as she opened her eyes and turned her head to look behind her. "I heard it too. It sounded like something fell," Nieren said. "Like a person fell over, or a tree falling over?" Yuliana asked. "That was the sound of a person," Rya said. Dalia perked her ears and sniffed the air. "I can smell, Whiny''s fear? Somethings not right." Johan looked panicked as he, Quinus, Percy, Sir George, and three of Johan''s Person Guards ran back to the carriage. "What''s wrong, Dalia?" Rya asked. "Tayna is scared. Really scared," Dalia said as she looked into the dark woods. Rya turned and started hurrying to the carriage. "Rya, Wait!" Nieren shouted as she ran after her. "If someone is hurt then I''m going to heal them," Rya said. Nieren and Yuliana followed after Rya. Quinus and his men ran up to the dead guard. Johan felt a pit in his stomach and his legs grew heavy. "N-no! Tayna!" Johan screamed. Quinus kneeled next to the dead guard and he could see a note stuck in the guard''s hand. "Sir George, read this out loud," Quinus ordered as he handed the letter to his retainer. "Yes, Your Highness," Sir George took the letter and read it. Dear Manaless Dule, If you ever want to see Lady Tayna Aguilar again, You''ll have to come south into the woods. Alone! You have 10 minutes before she dies. Sir George looks back to the Prince who is deep in thought, like he was trying to come up with a plan. But when Johan hears the message. A rage that he''d never felt before took over his body. Quinus looked up at his friend just as Rya approached the dead guard. She couldn''t save him, it was too late for that. But she could help Johan. Dalia came running up with Nieren and she sniffed around the dead guard. "It seems that it''s only one human who is behind this. I can''t smell any other scents nearby. Just his," Dalia reported as she sniffed around the area. Quinus stood up before he spoke, "Johan... Do you want us to join you in the rescue?" Quinus asked. Johan didn''t answer as he clenched his fists. Rya chimed in when she saw Johan''s body language, "Johan, you''re not the defenseless man you used to be... You''re an Illusion Mage... It''s time to educate this idiot who thought that kidnapping Tayna was a good idea," the Dark Elf said with a grin. Nieren, Yuliana, and Dalia smirked as well, while Quinus and Percy nodded their heads in agreement. Johan took a deep breath and relaxed his hands. "But I haven''t mastered the spell, Shadow Self... What if it doesn''t work? And Tayna dies because of me?" Johan asked. "It will work... You''ve done it once and you can do it again... And if not then I''ll be waiting in the wings if either of you need my healing magic. Now go and save her," Rya said with a grin. "Johan, remember to trust your feelings... They will guide you. I''ve always believed that. And my intuition has never led me astray," Quinus added. He wished he could just go into the woods and help him but Johan would be in a better position to save Tayna than he would. Johan looked around him and realized that he had friends who were willing to risk their lives to help him. It gave him strength and confidence that he never thought he could possess. "Thank you," Johan smiled as a tear rolled down his cheek. It was tough to tell due to the rain. Rya nodded, "Now go, Tayna needs you." Johan nodded and hurried off into the woods. "So, do we join him?" Percy asked. "No. We should wait for him to return. We don''t want to be the cause of Tayna''s death. I trust in Johan to pull this off. So, we''ll wait," Quinus said. Everyone nodded in agreement as they waited for the outcome of the situation. Vol.3 Ch.206 Johan, The Illusionist. ''Please... Let me make it in time. I can''t lose her...'' Johan thought as he dodged a few low branches from a tree. ''I''ll be there soon, Tayna. I promise you that I will save you.'' Johan kept running and his heart started pounding as he thought about Tayna''s beautiful smile. He couldn''t bear the thought of never seeing her again as his anger started taking hold. He thought it was going to be a bad thing to let his emotions run wild. That was until he felt his mana flowing throughout his body. That''s when it clicked, Johan''s mana was in perfect harmony with his mind and body. ''Shadow Self... Please! Work! I''ll give anything to save her. So work dammit!'' Johan concentrated on his mana and chanted the incantation. The familiar sound of his mana came ringing in his ears. He remembered hearing the same thing when he successfully cast Shadow Self that one time by accident. ''But what''s the plan, Master Johan?'' The Illusion asked again. "Shut up! You''re my bargaining chip!... If things work out the way I want them to then I might show pity upon you and let you go free once this is all over. So, don''t talk..." "You''re not worth my time. And if you speak again," Remy pulled the blade tighter against her skin, "Then I will slit your fucking throat and watch you bleed out," Remy whispered in a threatening tone. Tayna whimpered as she stood there trying not to move while the blade was slightly cutting her skin. She had to comply with this man''s demands or she will never get the chance to see Johan again. ''Damn bastard took long enough... Now, it''s time to kill a noble and get out of here,'' Remy thought as he saw Johan coming out of the bushes and into the clearing. He looked around and saw Tayna being held at knifepoint. Remy smiled at how easy everything was going. But this could be a ploy to let his guard down. He needed to make sure this idiot didn''t try to do anything funny. Nothing was more annoying than someone thinking they were a hero and trying to be smart. Luckily for Remy, this fool was mana-less and even if he did try to do something, he could easily handle him. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. watched Johan standing there defenseless "Huh?" Remy was confused as the nobleman disappeared right before him. While he was in his stupor the real Johan was able to flank Remy from his right side. Johan didn''t waste any time as he swiftly sliced off Remy''s arm, which held the knife. The Rogue screamed out in pain and let go of Tayna, "AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!" "I wish I could torture you more for bringing my wife into this, but she needs my attention more than me getting my revenge. So I''ll do you this favor if you tell me why you tried to kill me and kidnap my wife... Maybe I''ll let you live if the information is good enough... Although, I''ll need a little bit of assurance," Johan said as he lifted up Remy with his sword still stabbed in his chest. ve bought heBut now that the danger was gone, she was crying uncontrollably. as the rain continued to fall. ''It''s over...'' Johan thought before he looked over to his wife and saw the bloodied rope still wrapped around her wrists. He rushed over and began untying the binds. It took a moment before Tayna kissed him back. It felt so good to feel his warm body against hers in the cold rain. Percy was curious, "What is your theory?" "Sorry, your Highness. My thoughts are running wild. I need to confirm a few things first before I can say for certain," Johan explained, "If I may ask, how is the General faring? Were there any casualties on our end?" Quinus turned to Rya as she began to speak. "General Douglas and his men are fine. They cleared the road, and I''m taking care of the rest of the stragglers," Rya said while her eyes were closed. She did this so she could see through the eyes of all her golems. It also made it easier to take direct control of one of them if needed. "She''s an amazing mage. I''ve never seen someone with such high magic affinity and control. It''s like she doesn''t even need to chant the spells, and yet her magical attacks are more powerful than the average spell," Johan muttered to himself. "Thank you, Milady," Johan said as he turned to leave. Vol.3 Ch.207 Tell Me Who Was Your Target. The rain seemed heavy as Alac, Doug, Mast, Cyril, and a few of the other thieves gathered up, regrouping for their next move. "That was a fucking slaughter. What type of fucking sorcery was that? How could that dark elf summon so many exploding golems?" Doug cursed as he tried to catch his breath. "I thought I''ve seen everything that a mage could do, but I never knew a mage could make suicide golem bombs. Those were not ordinary golems either," Mast said, wiping the sweat off his forehead, "We are lucky to be alive." "Where the fuck is Remy? He was supposed to watch the convoy and report if anything happened. Damn it, now we lost a good fighter because of this shit," Alac complained. "I don''t know what he''s doing. He knows where to meet up, if things went sideways. But he hasn''t shown up," Mast answered. "What should we do?" Cyril asked. "We need to get out of here and report back to" "AAAHHH!" one of the thieves screamed as he was pulled into brush and bushes. "Shit! Get the torches! They''re in the bushes!" shouted another thief. "FUCKING HELL!" screamed another one. Alac quickly grabbed a torch and held it up, "Don''t move! Show yourself, whoever you are! If you are one of ours, speak up now!" Silence filled the air while the rain kept pouring. No one moved or spoke until they saw blood streaming out from the bushes. "I-Is he dead?" Cyril stuttered. "I don''t know. Maybe," Alac replied. "This isn''t normal. I''ve never heard or seen anything like this before. It feels like the shadows are alive," Mast said, "Maybe we should split up and" They heard footsteps approaching them from behind and heard someone running towards them. They turned to witness a beautiful Dark Elf, wearing what looked like a bikini, running towards them. Normally this would have been an arousing sight, but this was a nightmare because it was one of Rya''s golems. "Oh fuck, it''s her! RUN!" screamed one of the thieves. "Fuck, Fuck, FUCK!" Alac shouted, "We need to get out of here!" They tried to run, but one of the other thieves got grabbed by the golem and was pulled into the darkness. "AAAHHH!" the man screamed while being grabbed. "We don''t stand a chance against her golems! Split up and regroup at the meeting place!" Alac ordered. The group split up into different directions and ran. Alac tried to find a way out of the woods but he found himself lost and running around in circles. He couldn''t tell where he was going or how far he had run. He didn''t know if anyone else made it out, or if the golems had gotten them already. He could hear three more screams in the distance, but he didn''t know who was screaming. Suddenly, he bumped into someone who knocked him down on the ground. He quickly looked up and saw that it was Mast, who was lying on the ground after colliding with Alac. "Ow, dammit, I think I sprained my ankle," Mast said while holding onto his leg. "Mast! What the fuck, man? You scared the shit out of me!" Alac said, getting up. "Sorry, Sir. I didn''t mean to. I just got caught off guard when I bumped into you," Mast apologized, "I''m having trouble walking." "Shit. Can you walk at all?" Alac asked, helping his subordinate up. "I think so, but it''s a bit difficult," Mast replied. Alac then heard something moving around nearby, and it sounded like something big was heading towards them. Both of them stayed quiet as they prayed that whatever was coming towards them wouldn''t notice them. But their prayers were not answered as a bloodied hand of the Rya clone grabbed Mast''s shoulder and pulled him away. "AAAHHH!" Mast screamed as he disappeared. "Shit! MAST!" Alac yelled he wanted to go after him but he knew he would probably get killed. "AAAHHH! AAAAAH!" Mast screamed as he was dragged away. Alac didn''t wait to be grabbed next so he decided to run in the opposite direction. After running for a while, he heard another scream and then silence. He was getting tired and exhausted. His heart was pounding rapidly as he ran through the rain-soaked forest. ''Did I finally lose her? Or is she following me?'' Alac wondered while staying still hoping the dark elf wasn''t following him. ''I can''t keep running forever,'' he thought as his vision started to blur and his breathing became heavy. ''I have to hide somewhere, anywhere,'' Alac decided as he found a hollow tree trunk and quickly crawled into it. The tree trunk was big enough for him to fit inside. He climbed into it, closing the opening behind him, and waited. He listened intently, trying to hear anything coming his way but all he heard was the falling rain hitting the tree trunk. He let out a sigh and then. *Pow!* A female fist punched through the tree trunk and grabbed him by his neck. He was then pulled out of the tree trunk. "Aaah!" he screamed as he grabbed his dagger. The golem ignored the wound and lifted him up. She then pulled him over her head and slammed him down onto the ground. *Crack* "Aahh!" Alac screamed in pain. He was slammed down so hard that he felt a few ribs break. He tried to get up, but the golem kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying backward and landing face-first in a puddle of mud. ''T-This can''t be the end! I-I can''t die like this! I still have so much I want to do!'' he thought, ''I haven''t even seen my kid yet! I have to live!'' His body hurt and was covered in mud. He was barely able to breathe, and his vision was blurry. He could feel blood coming from his nose and mouth. ''Please... Please, someone help me!'' he pleaded silently as his eyes began to close. Soon he felt his hair getting grabbed as the golem picked him up and threw him on her shoulder. Alac didn''t fight back. He was too weak to fight. Instead, he passed out and hung limply on the golem''s shoulder. *** Everything seemed dark and painful. A golem was dragging Alac through a forest, his hands and feet tied. The golem''s grip was strong, and her speed was incredible as she swiftly ran through the dark. It took about ten minutes before she stopped and Alac was dropped onto the wet mud. "Ugh..." "My my my? What do we have here," said a beautiful woman''s voice. Alac opened his eyes and saw the Dark Elf. She was sitting on a rock throne that she created. Also, the prince was there with his Royal Knights all standing next to her underneath a stone canopy as they were getting dried by her Flame Familiars. Alac gritted his teeth and stared at her. He was angry, and his body was in pain. He was tired, cold, hungry, and dirty. "Y-You... bitch! You will pay for this!" he growled. Rya ignored him and smiled as she waved her hand commanding her golem to grab him by the back of his collar and brought him up to his knees in front of her. "So you must be the leader of these pathetic thieves," she said. "Fuck you!" Alac cursed. "What''s your name?" she asked. "Go to hell, you evil witch!" "It''s funny... Early you had the look of fear in your eyes before 2E caught you. And now you''re all high and mighty," Rya said with an amused tone. "Fuck you, you evil bitch!" Quinus and the rest of the knights stood quietly as they watched Rya and the captured thief talk. She told them she had a plan to make the thieves talk and she only needed them to stand there menacingly. "You call me evil when it was you who sent over, one hundred fifty men to their deaths, and for what?... To kill Johan Dule? Who was it that ordered the Young Lord''s death?" Rya asked. Alac panicked inside. He was wondering how the Dark Elf knew that. ''She must have interrogated the rest of the crew,'' he thought, ''Damn it!'' "You''re a monster! Don''t any of you see it!? She''s a dark elf and she''s manipulating you!" The knights just smirked while Douglas couldn''t help but feel ashamed. He couldn''t help but feel like a fool after everything Rya did for him after he accused her similarly, just like this thief. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Manipulating? How exactly am I manipulating them? By showing them kindness and treating them with respect?" Rya asked. "You''re a dark elf!" "And you''re a human, so what?" Alac hoped to divide them, but his words didn''t affect them. "Well... if you won''t talk... Then perhaps one of them will?" Rya said as she looked past Alac which caused him to turn around to see three of his crew tied up and gagged behind him. ''No!... Doug. Mast. Cyril... No one escaped,'' he thought. His surviving crew wasn''t in good shape. Their bodies were covered in bruises and cuts. Their clothes were torn and dirty. She stood up from her throne and started walking towards Alac. With each step she took, the stone canopy grew and followed her, allowing her to stay dry as she approached. Alac turned towards her and tried to act bravely in front of the approaching Dark Elf. "Y-You!" "Yes?" Rya responded with a raised brow. "You won''t get away with this," Alac threatened with a shaky voice. "That''s rich coming from a pawn. Now... We can do this the easy way... Or?..." Alac was lifted to his feet as another golem grabbed his right hand. "We can do this the hard way," Rya said in a cold voice and stared at him unamused. "You won''t break me! I''ve been trained to withstand torture! I will not talk!" "We''ll see about that." *Snap* Alac screamed in pain as his index finger was snapped backward. "Ahhh! Ah ha! Ha ha! Is that all you got, bitch!" *Snap* "Ahhh! AH Ha Ha Ha!" *Snap* "ARG! Arrggg! Fuck! Arghhhh! Grrr! I only have so many fingers! Ha ha ha!" *Snap* "AAAARRRRGGGHH!" *Snap* "Grr! ARGh! Grrrraaa!" *Snap* "GRA! GRAAA! Ahhh! AHA! HA! HA!" Alac''s right hand was mangled and bloodied. All his fingers were broken, and his wrist was dislocated. "Hahaha! Looks like you can''t break any more bones," Alac taunted her with a cocky smile, "You have no power over me!" Rya just shook her head as her azure eyes started to glow. Soon Alac felt all of his injuries beginning to heal, and his hand was being reset. ''F-Fuck!'' Alac thought as a sense of dread filled him. "Oh... I''m not done with you yet... I was just getting warmed up," Rya said with a smile. *Snap* "ARrrggggrrraaaahhh! Ah ah hahahaha! Aaaaahhhh!" Alac''s screams of agony echoed through the forest, but nobody came to save him. *Snap* "ARRRAAGGGGHHHAHAAA!" He gritted his teeth. He never thought the day would come when he needed to use his suicide pill, but here it was. "I-I''ll tell you nothing!" "Hmm? Really?" "Fuck y-" *Snap* "AAAAAAAAHHHHHA!" The pain was getting unbearable and his resolve to use the suicide pill was beginning to strengthen. ''I-It''s now or never,'' he thought, ''If I can get my jaw open, I can crush the pill and bite it. This will poison me, and I''ll die.'' The pill was in his necklace. If he bit down on it, it release a deadly toxin into his body that would kill him in under a minute. He had to make sure she didn''t stop him from doing it. *Snap* Alac screamed once more as he was left shaking and convulsing. "Tell me, what is your name?" "Ala-Alac," he answered. "Alac? That''s it? What a simple name. Not even a surname? Or is that fake as well?" "No." "Alright, so, tell me, what are your orders?" "My orders were" Alac tried to move as quickly as he could and bite the poison pill. Rya just looked at him with amusement. ''At least I will die on my own terms,'' Alac thought as the pill broke open and the poison was released. He felt the most excruciating pain in his jaw and head, and just as everything was about to go black. He felt a warmth flowing through him as his body was healed again. "N-No! NO! WHY CAN''T I DIE?!" he cried as he stared at the Dark Elf in terror. "Hehehe, did you really think I''d let you off that easy?... Not after I learned your name... Now?" Rya pulled out a small bag from behind her. Alac didn''t know what was going on, but he was afraid of the contents inside the bag. Rya held up the bag and then she pulled out two little wood nubs. They had an elegant pattern carved into them. She took one in each hand then she put them in her ears. "W-What are those?" "Ear plugs. Nieren hasn''t been using them so I thought they would be useful." "W-Why are you putting them in your ears?" "Because I don''t want to be deaf after 4R peels your fingernails." "What?! No! Nonononono!" *Rip!* Everyone including Rya grimaced as Alac''s fingernails were slowly torn off and discarded. "GRA! Aaaah! Gaaaaaahhhh!" *Rip!* "Ahhh! Gra! Arrrrrghh! Ahhhhh!" *Rip!* "Argh! Argh! Aaaaahhhh! Stop! STOP!" *Rip!* "AAaaarrrghhh! Grrrraaaaa!" 4R was about to rip off Alac''s thumbnail. "Stop! I-I''ll tell you! Just stop! Please!" Rya raised her hand and 4R stopped but she still had his thumbnail in its grip. "Well... I''m waiting." "W-We were hired to capture or kill Johan Dule! His uncle is eyeing to become the new Baron of Eder Hills! And he would become an ally to the Duke!" Alac confessed. Rya looked like she didn''t believe him. "Really? With one hundred and fifty men?" Rya said as she tilted her head. Causing 4R to slightly pull on Alac''s thumbnail. "Araghhh! W-We witnessed your battle with the Black Roses! We needed cannon fodder for a distraction! And they were the perfect bait! We had no idea if they were capable of killing you or the prince! Argh! H-Hold on!... But we knew it was a long shot if either one of you died! Our focus was on the Young Lord! By the goddess''s name, I swear it''s the truth!" "Is that all?" Rya asked again looking into the pain-filled eyes of the spy. "Y-Yes! That is all we were tasked with! I promise!" "Hmm... So if the Young Lord didn''t join us on our trip. What would you have done?" "W-We were ordered to observe you all! I-I can tell you what the Duke knows! Please! Show mercy!" "Fine. What does the Duke know?" "The Duke knows about you being engaged with the prince! He knows that you''re a Mage and a Healer! He knows that his son is dead! And he''s planning on undermining the Prime Minister''s peace plan with the Holy Alliance by sabotaging the arranged engagement with Princess Hilda! He''s also planning a coup d''tat!" General Douglas and his knights couldn''t believe their ears. While Quinus, Percy, and Sir George didn''t seem fazed. "Well... I wouldn''t mind seeing Duval getting his comeuppance," Sir George muttered to the prince. "Yeah... But he''s one of the few people putting up a fight against my uncle and his Noble Faction," Quinus answered. Back to Rya who was deciding whether to let Alac live or die, was processing everything she was told. ''He did say a lot of useful information. But I can''t let him go or he will report back to the Duke... Unless he would be willing to become a double agent? Hmmm.'' Rya thought to herself. It took a moment for her to come up with an idea to turn him to her side. Hopefully, he will play along with her. But if not, she''d have to kill him even if she didn''t want to. "4R... Continue," She orders with a straight face. The golem nodded and grabbed Alac''s thumbnail. It started to pull the thumbnail slowly. "Whoa! Whoa! Hold on! I told you everything! I did! Stop! SToOOOoooop!" 4R slowly peeled Alac''s nail and stopped to let her creator decide his fate. "What?! Why?! Stop! STopstopstopstop! Why are you doing this!?" Rya walked over to Alac''s right ear and leaned in. "Because I think you''re lying about everything... All you''ve done is use your words but your actions have said otherwise." "N-No! I''m not lying! I-I have no reason to lie anymore! Please!" Rya stepped back and looked at the miserable spy. "Then what can you do to prove that you aren''t lying to me." "I-I''ll do anything! I can go away, I can stop my job!..." 4R started pulling his thumbnail again. "Stop! AAAAH! STOP! PLEASE!" "That isn''t helping your case," Rya said with a smile. "I''ll be a double agent! I''ll sign a damn blood contract! I''ll even order my men to sign it! Just please! I don''t wanna die! Not like this!" Rya was surprised that he offered to sign a blood contract. She had totally forgotten about them after she read up about how they worked back at the Mage''s Giuld''s library. Blood contracts sounded way more foreboding than they actually are. In short, it is a magically binding agreement. If the user breaks the contract, then the penalty is usually weakening a mana vein and the other thing was they weren''t permanent. Over time the effects of the Blood Contract would disappear and the person could return to normal. Plus it was hard to inflict those who had a strong mana vein with a standard or uncommon blood contract. From what she''s read, only the legendary Blood Contract can do any lasting damage to the recipient. But few people in the world have seen such a document. A rare and powerful contract could also force the victim''s mana vein to shrivel up to nothing and kill them. It was a horrible death. And it was called a legendary Blood Contract because not many were ever made and it was the rarest and most powerful contract. Frankly, it was simpler to collar somebody with a slave collar than to get them to sign a piece of parchment with their own blood. ''That reminds me. I wonder what Blood Contract Quinus used on Marko Aitken, back in the village of Kishin. If we ever visit him again, I would like to use the Seer Stone on him and see if the Contract is still active or not. Maybe I could learn a thing or two. Gah! Focus Rya!'' She thought. Rya stared at Alac for a while before she pulled out her earplugs. "Quin? Do you have any more of your Blood Contracts on you?" Quinus looked over to his retainer, "George take this key and open my case in the dwarves'' carriage. I have two of the contracts inside." "As you wish," the Knight answered. ''Huh... So, Quin does have more of them. I wonder why he has them in the first place?'' Rya thought as she looked over to see Quinus walking towards her. George left and was back in no time. "Here, my Lord," George said as he held out the case to the Prince. Quinus took the case and unlocked it. Inside were some scrolls, a book, and the two Blood Contracts. He used to have three but he used one when he first met Marko, who was the new Mayor of Kishin. Quinus poked his finger with the tip of his dagger and let some of his blood drip onto the contract. He signed the contract first and then brought it over to Alac who poked his finger. Alac signed his name underneath the prince''s name. After that, one by one of Alac''s crew was forced to sign the contract. After that was done, the contract glowed a blood red and the four men glowed as well. The parchment vanished into thin air, while the men felt something attaching to their mana veins. As this was going on, Rya pulled out her Seer Stone and saw the magic working its way into the men''s mana veins. Her eyes widened as he noticed a similar seal that was on Nieren''s veins before she healed it. Then the seals broke apart and floated around their veins with similar brown particles that were in Johan''s veins. ''What the fuck? Did Nieren and Johan sign blood contracts or something? N-No, Nieren was similar, but hers was worse than what happened to Johan. This just raises more questions!... I need to get a look at that last Blood Contract. Maybe I can tell how potent it is.'' Rya thought as she put away the Seer Stone. She walked up next to Quinus and looked down at the four men. Alac and his men soon felt their wounds healing up as the ground beneath their feet showed Rya''s healing rune. The prince and his knights watched as Rya was healing the enemy. ''This girl is full of surprises. But I''m glad she''s on our side,'' Douglas thought. Sir George and the rest of the knights started gathering their things as they were getting ready to move out. Quinus and Rya stared down at the men. "Now... I will contact you with a raven if need be until then keep my uncle occupied," Quinus commanded. "But... What should we tell Duke Alaric, my lord?" Alac asked. Quinus sighed and looked at Rya. If there was one thing he knew about his uncle, it was failure was not an option. And he knew that his uncle was not a forgiving enough man to let them walk away unscathed. He might kill all of them if he didn''t get what he wanted. Rya was thinking the same thing and smiled. "Simple... Tell him about my Trojan Horses." Alac looked at her confused, "You''re what?" "My earth horses... Just make sure you leave out the part about them exploding. We want him to feel a false sense of security. Right, Quin?" Rya said. Quinus couldn''t help but smile and nodded his head, "Yes... That''s a good half-truth... I will let you come up with the best way to keep my uncle off your trail. Now, step aside... We''ve been delayed long enough." Alac nodded, got up, and went to the horses. His men soon followed him. They took their time, as they waited for the Prince''s convoy to leave. Rya and Quinus were walking toward their carriage and once they entered, Douglas came up to the window and knocked. Quinus answered, "What is it, Douglas?" "My Prince, I just wanted to say we are just about ready to depart," the general said. "Good... Do you want my fiancee to summon up some Flame Familiars? Or will you be fine by yourself?" "If it''s not too much trouble, I would like her help," Douglas said. Rya popped her head out the window, "No problem. Just give me a minute." Soon twenty-four flame familiars were summoned and were floating along with the convoy. "Thank you, Milady... And if I may ask you one last question?" Rya was confused, "Uh... Sure." "Are you sure you aren''t evil? That was pretty brutal what you did to that spy..." Douglas asked in a sarcastic tone. Rya cracked a smile and shook her head. "Only if someone targets me and my friends. Otherwise, I''m as innocent as a little elf," Rya replied. Douglas chuckled and shook his head. "Somehow, I doubt that... But I can''t argue with the results." Douglas tipped his hat to Rya and walked away. "Well, looks like you made an impression," Quinus said with a smile. Rya rolled her eyes then she went back into the carriage and sat down next to the prince. Tanya was snuggling with Johan, while Dalia was resting her head on Percy''s shoulder. Percy felt Dalia''s tail tickling his leg but didn''t complain. Nieren and Yuliana just shook their heads. "Did you really have to torture the pathetic human?" Nieren asked. "Yes, yes I did... Because he was trying to kill me and my friends. They could have killed Tayna... He''s lucky that I didn''t kill him and the rest of the crew," Rya answered with a pout. Nieren had never heard Rya talk like this, but she could understand where she was coming from. She would have done the same if her mother had been a target. "Well, I wish I had those earplugs," Nieren said. "You never used them. And I made them for you," Yuliana stated. "That''s because they''re not useful for nighttime, Mother," Nieren argued. Yuliana just rolled her eyes. "Lady Rya... I''m glad you are getting some use out of my earplugs. Some people just don''t know how to appreciate good craftsmanship," Yuliana said. Rya smirked. "Well, thank you... I''ll put them to good use." Rya smiled and then she pulled out the last Blood Contract that was in Quinus'' case. She was examining it as the carriage started pulling away. Vol.3 Ch.208 I Miss My Mom. "Why did you want to look at that thing anyway? It''s just a regular contract," Quinus said. Rya was concentrating on the blood contract, as her eyes started adjusting to the magic particles floating through the parchment. "I want to know what kind of Blood Contract it is and its potency, Quin. I think you have a rare kind of Blood Contract," Rya said. "I highly doubt that. It was just a standard contract. Nothing fancy," Quinus said. "Why do you say that? Do you even know how potent this Blood Contract is?" Rya asked. "Of course, I know how potent it is... Back home in the Royal Vault, there''s a crate full of those same pieces of paper that you are holding. I don''t know much about the history behind them, but my ancestors used to use them a lot." "So, you don''t know where your ancestors got the Contracts?" Rya asked. "Well... There was an old kingdom in the east, that tried to invade Fiafyr during the early years of our founding. They lost the war and the east coast joined Fiafyr. My ancestors found the blood contracts from the conquered kingdom," Quinus explained. "Who created the blood contracts in the first place?" Rya asked. "Well, they... Um... You know? I don''t know to be honest... Does anyone know where blood contracts come from?" Quinus asked the rest of the carriage. Tayna and Johan just shrugged their shoulders. Percy shook his head while Dalia was asleep. Nieren looked like she was thinking, but wasn''t sure. Yuliana was the one who answered. "Blood Contracts are made on the Lumen Fae continent... T-They are created by High Elven Clerics... From what I was told..." Everyone''s heads shot up at this information. "High Elves?" Rya repeated. "Yes. From what I remember... A few high elves traveled to other continents and sold their services to the human kingdoms about a millennia ago. I don''t know if they still do. I-I haven''t seen a high elf since my husband left us before my kingdom fell..." Yuliana said in a quiet voice. Nieren looked at her mother with sadness and anger. Her father had much to answer for. Rya''s face softened, "I''m sorry... I didn''t mean to bring up any painful memories. But I need to ask... Did your husband use a blood contract on Nieren?" Yuliana''s head snapped towards Rya while everyone else who was awake stared at her. "I-I don''t know... I-I don''t think he did. Why are you asking, Lady Rya," Yuliana answered as she sat on the edge of her seat. Rya looked over at Nieren who looked confused. "Nieren... I think we should tell your mother about your mana vein," Rya said. Yuliana looked between the two women. "W-What are you talking about? My daughter is perfectly healthy. Is she not?" Yuliana asked. "Oh, no, no. She is healthy. But what I''m about to tell you all needs to be kept a secret. Can everyone agree to that?" Rya asked as she looked around the cabin. Tayna looked at Johan and nodded. Percy had a questioning look. "Have you kept this secret from His Highness?" Percy asked. "This is something Rya told me, Percy. I believe Dalia and Nieren both know as well," Quinus reassured his retainer. Percy just nodded. "Alright. But, my lady. How is this information going to help us? What do the high elves have to do with anything?" Percy asked. Rya reached in between her cleavage to pull out the demonic-looking monocle and held it out for everyone to see. "So I need to give you all a bit of a backstory before we begin. This is an artifact that I created with the help of Nieren and Dalia. It''s called a Seer Stone. And it lets me see what type of mana vein everyone has," Rya explained. The four of them couldn''t believe what they were hearing. "Are you serious?" Johan asked. "Yeah... That''s how I knew you were an Illusion Mage with an Elite ranked mana vein," Rya answered. "What!? What is my level, Lady Rya!" Percy shouted, causing Dalia to wake up. "Gamma!? I was sleeping," Dalia complained. "Ah! Come here, Dalia... I''m sorry, I wanted to know what level my mana vein was," Percy explained as he hugged her. Dalia looked at Percy''s eyes and could see that he was curious. She just sighed. "Alright, alright, but keep it down... I''m really tired for some reason," Dalia said with a yawn. "Don''t worry... Just go back to sleep, my love," Percy said. Dalia''s ears perked up when Percy called her his love. She nuzzled against him and fell back asleep. ''Aw! That was so cute,'' Rya thought. "Lady Rya?" Percy asked. "Right... Um, your mana vein is strange. I''ve never seen it before. But your mana vein level is an Elite," Rya said. Percy was excited to know that his mana vein was at a higher tier. But he wasn''t sure what she meant by ''strange''. "What do you mean by my mana vein is ''strange''?" Percy asked. Rya was a bit nervous, "Well... A person''s mana vein runs along their spine, and what makes a person a mage are these smaller veins that come out of your mana vein. They run through the rest of your body and this is what makes it possible to cast spells... But then there''s your mana vein, Percy. It sorta has those mage veins that are coming off the mana vein, but instead of having them go throughout your body it''s running along your mana vein and spine." "So, that isn''t normal? So does that mean I can''t use spells or am I only a Maja?" Percy asked. "I don''t know... You have two different sets of them wrapping around your mana vein. So I''m not sure if you can even use magic. But one of them looks like electricity is pulsing through it while the other has a dark shadowiness," Rya said. Percy was dumbfounded. "What the hell does that mean? Does that mean, I''m some sort of freak of nature?" Percy asked. "No... But it makes you a very powerful man, Percy... I''ll see if I can find out what you can do in the future," Rya said with a smirk. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Percy was speechless as he tried to process everything that he just learned. He really wanted to know what the hell was going on with his mana vein. Quinus on the other hand, had an idea of what one of the strange veins might be, "Percy? I think I know what one of those things might be... You know about your mother, right?" "About her being your wet nurse?" Percy asked. "W-What!? No!... I don''t mean that!... I meant... Your mother is an assassin. She was one of the best in Agon... I think the veins you have running alongside your mana vein are from her," Quinus said. Percy looked at Quinus with a questioning look as he tried to recall the last time he saw his mother and father. He was eight years old at the time and he was watching a sparring match between Quinus and Sir George. His mother told him about how she needed to travel north to destroy the Assassin Society. So they would stop trying to hunt her down. His Father was joining her and would be gone until they finished their goal. But that was ten years ago. "So you think it gives me some assassin''s abilities," Percy said. "Yeah... That would be my guess and for the other one? I''m not sure... Maybe it has something to do with your father?... I mean, he was the best knight in all the Kingdom... I hope they are doing okay... It''s been ten years, right?" Quinus asked. "Yeah... They have a lot to answer for when I find them... For all I know, they could be dead... But, it doesn''t matter right now. What is it about these, blood contracts that have to do with this Seer Stone and Lady Nieren''s mana vein?" Percy asked. Rya nodded and decided to get back on track, even though she was more curious about Percy''s parents. She will have to ask him at a later date to get some answers. "Okay. So when I tested out the Seer Stone, I noticed these strange rune-like seals on Nieren''s mana vein. And I couldn''t see them without the artifact. So, I was able to heal them and it took a lot of my mana to do it. And once it was removed, Nieren''s Mana Vein level went from being a Grand Master to a Demi-god," Rya said. Yuliana''s mouth dropped and she looked over at her daughter. Her green eyes looked starry as she held both of her hands together. "M-My Nieren... Y-You''re a Demi-god!?" Yuliana exclaimed. Nieren was shocked, she''d never seen this side of her mother before. "Um. Mom? You''re scaring me. Please calm down," Nieren begged her mother. Yuliana shook her head before she jumped up to hug her daughter. "O-Oh my! I-I''m sorry, Nieren... But my sweet baby is a Demi-god! A DEMI-GOD!" Yuliana shouted in joy. Nieren looked over at Rya for help, but Rya just gave her an ''I''m sorry, but I can''t do anything about this'' look. "If only I knew you could have saved our kingdom" Yuliana halted herself when she realized that her daughter couldn''t help at the time. Someone had done something to her daughter without her knowing. "Who did this, Nieren?" Yuliana asked as she grabbed the sides of Nieren''s head and looked her in the eyes. "M-Mom? What''s going on? Why are you acting this way? Why is everyone staring at us?" Nieren asked as she tried to get her mother''s hands off her head. Yuliana didn''t let go. "Mom! I don''t know! I never knew my mana vein was sealed!" Nieren shouted. Yuliana''s expression changed to sadness as she loosened her grip. "N-Nieren? W-Was I a bad mother?" Yuliana asked. The cabin became silent. "What!? No!... You are a little overprotective, but that doesn''t make you a bad mother... Why would you ask me that?" Nieren asked. Yuliana had tears in her eyes, "Why didn''t I notice someone had sealed your mana vein..." Rya was feeling uncomfortable seeing a 400-year-old elf cry like a baby. ''Ah, crap! This is too much! I need to say something. Or this is going to become a cliche from a drama in an anime or a TV show,'' Rya thought. "Okay. Enough! You are making it more dramatic than it needs to be, Yuliana. I was hoping you knew how Nieren''s mana vein got sealed because it prevented her from using her Mage Veins as well. That''s why she couldn''t use the green word or her light magic," Rya stated. Yuliana looked at Rya in shock. "Did you say Light Magic!? Nieren can use light magic?..." Yuliana asked Rya as she was making sure she wasn''t hearing things. "Yes, Nieren''s a Light Mage on top of being able to use the Green Word," Rya stated. Nieren noticed her mother''s body language and she knew what was about to come. "Oh no," Nieren muttered as she tried to stop her mother. "M-Mom. It''s not that big of a" Yuliana hugged her daughter tighter and started swaying her from side to side. "By the Gods and Spirits!... My baby girl is such a genius! You are the pride and joy of the Royal Family! This is the greatest gift we''ve received in decades!" Yuliana shouted causing Dalia to wake up again. The Wolfkin had a groggy look on her face after falling asleep. "Fricking, Wood Elves... Alpha! Can I use those earplugs?" Dalia asked with an irritated tone. Rya could tell she was pissed off more than normal. ''Damn? Dalia is way more tired than I thought. I better give her the earplugs.'' Rya nodded and gave her the wooden earplugs. Dalia thanked her and placed them in her ears. She then went back to sleep. Rya looked back at Yuliana who was smothering Nieren''s head with her large breasts. The blonde wood elf was glaring at Rya as best as she could as her face began to disappear into her mother''s cleavage. "R-Rya... You''remakingt-thingsworse!" Nieren tried to yell but her voice was being muffled by her mother''s large bosoms. Rya grimaced due to secondhand embarrassment, ''Yikes! W-Well, I failed to stop the cliche... But I''m glad I''m not in the spotlight. So this is how a mother''s love is portrayed. Damn! Wood Elf moms are scary.'' Nieren''s face started looking blue from her mother slowly suffocating her. "Um? Should we try and interfere, Lady Rya?" Tayna asked. "Uh... I''m not sure if I''ll make things better or worse, Tayna," Rya replied. Quinus looked away and felt really uncomfortable. It reminded him of his mother and how she would suffocate him in her chest whenever she was proud of him. He had forgotten how annoying it could be while at the same time how nice it was to have his head buried between a woman''s chest. But it was his mother''s chest, so it was weird. "Is that how I look when my mother hugs me?..." Quinus asked in embarrassment. Percy looked at his friend, "Yeah. You are a real momma''s boy, Your Highness." "Fine! Fine... I''m sorry I asked," Quinus said while waving his hands. After a minute of nonstop hugging, Rya knew she needed to step in and get Yuliana to let go of Nieren. "Excuse me, Lady Yuliana, but could you let go of your daughter now? You might not have one if you continue hugging her," Rya said. It took another minute, but she finally released her daughter. Nieren fell back in her seat gasping for air. After a few deep breaths, Nieren''s face returned to a normal color. "Are you okay, Nieren?" Rya asked. Nieren hurried over to the other side of the cabin and squished herself in between the wall of the carriage and Rya. She was using the Dark Elf as a shield from her mother. "Gah! N-Nieren!? What are you doing!? Get off me," Rya said as she was shoved into Quinus. "Hah. No. It''s safer over here. Plus, I need to be away from my mother," Nieren said as she hid behind Rya while her mother approached the two. "You... L-Lady Rya has done more for me and my daughter than anyone else. I-I owe you my life," Yuliana said. "Um. It''s okay, Lady Yuliana. I didn''t know that Nieren was a Light Mage until I healed her mana vein. I was just trying to do the right thing. You don''t owe me anything," Rya said. But that didn''t stop Yuliana from looking at Rya with admiration and respect. "How could such a young elf-like yourself have such kindness and beauty? Your mother must be proud of you," Yuliana said. Rya was going to brush off her comment until she thought about her mother back on Earth. It started to sink in that she would never get the chance to see her mother ever again. She had so many memories of her childhood with her mother and father. They were very close, and her mother would always give her words of encouragement whenever she needed them. And her father would give her the tools she needed to reach her full potential back when she was a man. Even though she had fond memories of her parents, they weren''t perfect. Rya still remembers the time when her parents fought with each other and almost divorced at one point in her life. She was in high school and didn''t know what to think when everything happened. Luckily for her, they stayed together and helped her and her brother through their teenage years. They made sure that he and his brother had a good education and were happy. Rya was grateful to her parents and wished that she could see them one last time and tell them how much she loved them and wished them all the happiness in the world. But that''s no longer possible for her. Rya''s face looked blank, and her eyes began to water. Quinus, Johan, Tayna, and Yuliana all saw the change in Rya''s expression. ''What happened? One minute she was fine and the next she''s sad?'' Quinus thought. "Rya? What''s wrong," Quinus asked. "I''m never going to see my parents again..." Rya whispered. Yuliana quickly hugged Rya, which surprised her. "Sshhh... You''re a brave child, Rya... I''m sorry, I didn''t know about your past, but it''s okay. We''re here for you," Yuliana said as she rubbed her hand over the back of Rya''s head. More tears started to fall from her eyes as she felt the warm embrace from the older elf. "I-I miss them so much..." Rya cried as she hugged Yuliana back. It was the third time she cried since arriving in this world. She was stronger now and thought she had left the past behind her. But she couldn''t stop the flood of emotions that were coming out. ''How can I forget them... They were everything to me... and I have to let them go... I want to go back home and see them again... Mom, Dad... I''m so sorry... If it wasn''t for Quin, I would be lost.'' Rya thought as the motherly hug helped her grieve over the loss of her own parents. Yuliana let her cry her eyes out and kept comforting her. While Quinus understood what Rya was going through. He wished he could have said his final goodbyes to his first parents too. But he was blessed to have new parents in this world that he was reborn into. Johan wanted to help but didn''t know what to do, while Tayna didn''t know that Rya had this side of her. This made her realize that Rya was more than just a powerful Dark Elf. She had feelings like everyone else and wanted to be her friend more than ever. ''If everyone ever talks bad about Dark Elves behind her back. I''ll be sure to teach them a lesson,'' Tayna thought as she saw how Yuliana was handling the situation. Nieren watched from her hiding spot behind Rya. She felt sorry for her but didn''t know what to say. Percy couldn''t see what was happening, but he had a good idea based on the reactions of everyone around him. ''God... Yuliana is a good mother... I feel like I could stay like this forever.'' Rya thought as her emotions started to calm down and her crying had stopped. Vol.3 Ch.209 I Can Adopt You? "T-Thank you, Lady Yuliana. I didn''t mean to let myself go like that," Rya said as she sniffled. Yuliana looked at Rya and wondered how someone so young had this level of maturity. She thought the Dark Elf was younger than her daughter but she didn''t know her exact age. "T-Twenty-seven!? You''re only twenty-seven years old?... You are nowhere near being an adult!..." Yuliana exclaimed as she examined Rya and thought for a moment. Quinus did a double take and mumbled quietly, "And here I thought I was the only one who couldn''t tell an elf''s age." The Older Wood Elf heard him and glared but then she had a eureka moment and smiled at Rya, " I know! If you want, I can adopt you as my daughter!" she . "Nonsense... She has done everything for us and having her be a part of a Royal Family should make things easier for the Fiafyrian Nobles to accept her as their future queen," Yuliana said with a confident smile, "Plus, I remember you bugging me for a younger sibling, Nieren... So this is the best of both worlds for us. I have a new daughter and you have a little sister. You two are the future of the elven race. We win, everyone wins." ''What the hell is going on?... I mean... It would be nice to have a mother figure. And if I was adopted, it could help me avoid some political problems. But... I don''t want to make things weird with Nieren. If she doesn''t want this then'' Rya''s thoughts were interrupted when Nieren''s eyes lit up with excitement. WAY more up for this than I ''Okay?... So those two don''t have a problem with this. But what does Quin think?'' Then Rya looked at the Crown Prince, "Hey?... What''s your thoughts, Quin?" "Umm... I don''t see it as an issue. It''s up to you if you want to be adopted by her or not, Rya," Quinus said. ''I-I can''t breathe! They''re so soft!... A-And if I was still a guy, I would have died happily!... But I want to live, dammit!'' Rya thought. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "Oh! I''m sorry, Rya," Yuliana said as she finally let go of Rya''s head. "Sorry," Yuliana said, sheepishly. "I''m so happy," Nieren cheered as she went in for another hug. "Haah, hahaha! Hahaha... Okay... That was a lot," Rya said while chuckling, "I''m a little exhausted, but now that we got that sorted out... I need to finish what I started." Rya stated as she picked up the blood contract from off the floor of the carriage. "No?... It''s something that isn''t easy to hide," Yuliana said, and then Nieren nodded in agreement. "R-Really!? You saw the same seals on the spies!?" Nieren yelped in surprise. "You think Johan''s parents were affected by one, Your Highness?" Tayna asked. "Maybe... The only thing I know is that Nieren''s seal was way more powerful than Johan''s... I had to use a lot more of my mana to rid it," Rya said. "Witchcraft?" Rya repeated Yuliana in disbelief. "As quickly as they rose to power was as quick as they fell from it," Yuliana said, "The Demons didn''t like how hard they were to corrupt and bend to their will, so the demons overpowered them in the end to rid a threat to their rule... If there are any witch covens left. They must be hiding themselves really well." "Not much. My father was always vague when I asked him," Yuliana answered, "All he would say to me is to stay away from it." Rya looked over at the parchment that was sitting on top of her lap. She picked it up and hoped her eyes could find something that would tell her how powerful this thing was like when she looked at an artifact. Maybe there was something she missed or overlooked. But she couldn''t find anything in the blood contract that could indicate what its potency might be. Rya shook her head, "Not yet... I''ll need to compare the different kinds of contracts and their potency to make sure I know what we are dealing with... For all we know, the witches could have created a unique spell that mimics a blood contract, or blood contracts are supposed to mimic their... Spells?... Curses?... Whatever they use to mess with someone''s mana vein." Quinus glared at Nieren making her heart jump. Nieren turned and looked out the carriage window as the rainstorm seemed to be letting up a bit. ''Maybe when we get to the capital, I''ll meet someone. Hopefully, it''s an elf. I don''t want some silly human. They don''t live that long... So there''s no point in falling in love with them...'' Nieren thought but then she saw Quinus wrapping his arm around Rya''s shoulder. She wished she could feel his muscular arms wrap around her. ''Agh! N-No! Don''t think like that! That''s my little sister''s man! She doesn''t even know you''re in love with him!'' Nieren chastised herself, ''Wait!?... Did I say love!? I-I mean... No! I just... Agh! I can''t even say it in my thoughts. Okay, I have to find a way to make my feelings go away. And fast!'' She sighed and she turned away. ''Who am I kidding? It would be a miracle to find an Elf in a human kingdom... Maybe I should try dating a human guy... J-Just to occupy my time before I find a real candidate. Yeah...'' Nieren thought. As the hours passed the storm finally let up before they made it to their destination, the city of Eldermyst, where Johan had to run cover for his friend, Prince Quinus, and Lady Rya. They stayed at Johan''s family estate so the Mayor wouldn''t cause any problems for the young lovers. Vol.3 Ch.210 Will He Stop Me? As the morning sun rose over the horizon, things went much more smoothly in Eldermyst compared to Edermines City. Thanks to Tayna for keeping an eye on the two wood elves from creating a ruckus like what happened in Edermines City. Rya had just finished breakfast and made sure to put on her cloak as she made her way to the carriage with Quinus by her side. At the same time, Johan was busy dealing with the city''s mayor and would meet them at the eastern gate before the convoy left. The rest of the party had gotten their things and ensured their horses were properly equipped for the journey ahead. The driver, the footmen, and the guards all got into their places as the Crown Prince came out with Rya by his side. She didn''t want the guards and servants to know that she was a dark elf, so she wore the hood of her cloak up while wearing a less revealing dress to keep her appearance under wraps. She found it surprising that she preferred to show more skin compared to her older self. Something about covering her shoulders, chest, and legs didn''t suit her. ''Ugh... It must have something to do with me being a Dark Elf... I don''t understand. First I stopped liking pants, now long-sleeved dresses... What''s next, no shoes or socks? Oh, wait...'' She looked down and moved her right foot forward just enough to see the tip of her foot, which had a purple open-toe high-heel shoe that looked fabulous on her. ''Yeah, I''m not going barefoot when I can wear these... Who knew I would love wearing heels!? I am relieved that these shoes are enchanted; otherwise, I wouldn''t be able to wear them for as long as I do without feeling uncomfortable... And I''m never going back to boots!'' Rya thought as she and the prince walked over to the carriage. Rya looked at her right hand, which was being held by the Crown Prince, ''Hmm... I hope things go well with Quin''s mom... Gah! Everyone says guys have it tough when they have to meet the father! What about the women meeting the mother!? If they dislike you, they will make your life a living hell! I have no idea what Quin''s mom is like... She''s had nine miscarriages, seven before Quin was born. He''s her only child, and she will be sooo protective of him. Damn, this is going to be harder than I thought. ''I just need to act like myself, right? "But she might assume that I''m attempting to charm him simply because I''m a "dark elf"... No, no, no! Stop thinking negatively, Rya. Sure, she might be tough on me at first. But eventually, I will win her over... Or at least establish a cordial relationship. Cordial is just fine with me... AH! Whatever! If she doesn''t believe I''m attempting to claim, Quin''s soul is a win in my book... After all, she''s just the mother-in-law, and I''ll be her daughter-in-law. She''ll have to accept that I''ll be with her son,'' the Dark Elf thought. Quinus observed Rya with a pensive expression, clearly engrossed in deep reflection. "Are you alright, babe?" Quinus asked, "You''ve been staring at the ground for the last ten minutes." Rya snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at her future husband. "O-Oh... Sorry... I''m just mentally bracing myself for the worst and hoping for a neutral outcome with your mom." "It''ll be alright. She''s not the best at socializing with people. But she has a good heart. It''s not easy being the Queen of a major kingdom. Especially when my father has made some mistakes with my uncle," Quinus said. "Yeah, I''d say... To think, you wouldn''t have needed to look over your shoulder if he had been punished for attempting to assassinate you... I have no idea how he''s escaped such a fate... Unless your father wanted him to escape punishment," Rya wondered. "I don''t think that''s the case... The Prime Minister also helped to prevent my uncle from receiving a death sentence... That didn''t stop him from losing his son, so that''s one less obstacle to deal with," Quinus said. "Or it will make things more complicated in the future," Rya replied. Quinus sighed because it might be true. However, Marcus was trying to kill him when he was younger. Luckily for Quin, his cousin was less competent than his father, Alaric, whose primary goal was to get Marcus on the throne. Now that Marcus is dead, Quinus doesn''t know what his Uncle''s new goals are. All he knew was that Alaric wasn''t going to take his son''s death lying down. He would surely seek revenge. But the real question was, how? Rya didn''t need to read his mind to know that the prince was concerned about his uncle''s next move. She couldn''t blame him. After all, Alaric was the reason for their current need to travel incognito. After making their way through the foyer, Rya spotted the carriage they had been traveling in these last couple of days. "Well, at least we won''t have any problems getting to the city of Lomar," Rya said. "Hopefully. Now that we have our double agents in place," Quinus said. "Yes. I think things will be better once we deal with your mother," Rya said in a worried tone. "You need to stop worrying about my mother... She''ll love you. I promise," Quinus reassured her, "Now, come on. Let''s get you into the carriage before the servants realize that four demi-humans are riding with the Crown Prince." Rya chuckled and nodded her head. They walked up to the carriage, and Rya let Quinus help her inside. Once she was in the carriage, he closed the door. Rya turned around and looked out the window. "I''ll be back. I need to make sure the General is ready to go," Quinus said. Rya nodded her head and watched him walk away. She leaned against the window as she continued watching her beloved prince. ''God... I can stare at his ass all day long,'' Rya thought as she adored Quinus'' muscular buttocks. The young girl was enchanted by an absolutely perfect sight. As the Dark Elf stared at the prince''s ass, she heard a cough. She turned and saw Dalia sitting on the opposite side with her head down. She wore a cloak similar to hers to hide her tail and ears. Rya noticed her fidgeting with her hands as if she were nervous about something. "Are you okay, Dalia?" Rya asked, "You look upset about something." "A-Alpha? Do you think Gamma will make me stop being a huntress?" Dalia asked. Rya''s curiosity was peaked, ''What the hell is she talking about?'' "I don''t follow? Can you go into more detail?" Rya asked. Dalia looked up and saw the confused look on Alpha''s face. She blushed and looked down again, "I-I mean, I know I''ve been playing it off as the sweets are what is making me fat... But I''ve been feeling extra tired... more than normal. And sometimes, I feel sick in the morning. And sometimes I get the sudden urge to eat certain foods I never liked before..." "Are you saying that you''re-" "Don''t say it... If I do, then my days as a brawler and huntress are over..." Dalia said. "So, you''ve been trying to deny it for a while?" Rya asked. "No, not exactly... I just don''t want my Gamma to tell me that I''m no longer needed in the field..." "I don''t follow, Dalia... I mean, I think I know, but there''s something that you''re leaving out," Rya said. Dalia closed her eyes and sighed, "D-Do you remember what I said about why I got enslaved? How I was sought after because of my grandfather''s bloodline." Rya recalled the time she rescued Dalia from the goblin nest while they were searching for the dungeon core. Then, when they arrived at the village of Kishin, Rya informed Dalia that she was a summoned. This led Dalia to reveal that her grandfather had also been a summoned, which resulted in her being captured into slavery. "Yeah, your grandfather was a summoned from another world. What about it?" Rya asked. "That''s not all..." Rya sat down in front of the Wolfkin and gave her full attention to her. "My tribe... sees strong females and wants to breed with us to have strong offspring. Mostly hoping to get males... My bloodline is mostly female, and I saw how my proud sisters became breeding wives for the males... Once they became pregnant, the male stopped them from entering the field. So they could raise their pups... Most of the time, the strongest male wished to impregnate as many females as possible to make a stronger pack. I was afraid of that. That''s why I ran away. And then I got caught by slave traders and sold to a master in the battle arena..." Dalia said quietly. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Rya was silent as she took in the information. It was making sense now: why Dalia originally wanted to mark Percy without him marking her, why she was in denial about her showing signs of pregnancy, and why she was afraid that Percy would try to prevent her from being a huntress. "Why are you so worried, Dalia? I don''t think Percy would want to stop you from being a huntress," Rya said. Dalia looked at Rya, "But Alpha, you have no idea what it''s like in my tribe. Once a female is pregnant, she becomes useless in the field. They must protect the young." "Okay, I get that. But it''s not the same thing here. We have the guards and other soldiers protecting the city. Of course, you''ll have to wait to become a brawler again until your kids are old enough to walk around and feed themselves at a table or something... But this shouldn''t prevent you from going hunting. You should just take it easy during the pregnancy. Plus, the guild will make sure that you have the proper training. And once the pups are born, you can return to hunting and fighting monsters," Rya explained. "So, Gamma won''t try to keep me from being a Huntress?" "Nope," Rya shook her head, "And if he did, well... He''ll have to answer to me." Dalia regarded Rya with a hint of skepticism as if she didn''t take her completely seriously. Then, the carriage door opened. She turned and saw Percy climb inside. He sat next to Dalia and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Everything is good to go... So, what have you two ladies been talking about?" Percy asked. Dalia looked down at her feet in shame while Rya looked at her and then at the young retainer who had noticed Dalia''s odd behavior. "D-Did I do something wrong, Dalia? Y-You didn''t try to jump me this morning like you normally would... Are you upset with me?" Percy asked as he was beginning to worry. Rya giggled, "Actually, it has something-" "NO! Don''t say anything, Alpha! Please!" Dalia pleaded. Rya looked at her friend with a bit of annoyance, "Dalia... I''m getting tired of this. Do you trust Percy or not?" "I-I... Do," Dalia replied. "Then why are you acting like this?" "B-Because Alpha... He won''t see me as a strong warrior anymore..." Dalia said. "Why would I not see you as a strong warrior, Dalia? Is it because you''re pregnant?" Percy asked. "H-How did you know?" Dalia gasped. Percy went silent as his eyes slowly drifted down toward her bloated belly, which was barely hidden by her dress and cloak. "I-It''s the sweets! I promise to stop eating sweets!" Dalia exclaimed. She thought that Percy had discovered her pregnancy and was about to punish her, so she pleaded with him. "N-No, Dalia... It''s not that... And why would I stop you from doing what you were born to do?" Percy replied. The Wolfkin''s panic turned into shock as she heard the words from her beloved''s lips. She stared into his eyes and saw nothing but love. "Y-You won''t?" "No. Why would I? You''ll be fine," Percy said as he gently caressed her cheek, "Besides, I don''t want to control what you can and can''t do. I love you too much to do that." Dalia couldn''t believe her ears. She stared at Percy and blinked, "You really mean that?" "Of course," Percy nodded. Dalia''s tail started to wag uncontrollably as her face slowly approached Percy''s. He saw the look in her eyes and realized what was about to happen. Rya just smiled and nodded with her arms crossed underneath her breasts. "I told you, Dalia. You''ve been worrying all this time for nothing-" "MY WOLF! MY CHIEF!" Dalia shouted as she wrapped her arms around Percy and embraced him tightly. She rubbed her cheek against his and began to nip at his neck and jawline, leaving little red bite marks behind. Soon, she took Percy''s head and buried it inside her cleavage as she wrapped her legs around his waist. "I know my wolf loves my breasts and my milk... I can''t wait for our first pup!" Dalia growled happily. "I can''t wait either," Percy said, his voice muffled by her bosom. Dalia squealed happily as she kept her mate close to her. At the same time, Rya looked like she was slapped across the face as she watched her friend dry hump her lover''s body. "Dalia!? What the hell are you doing!? This isn''t the place to do this!" Rya shouted. "You don''t understand, Alpha! I have to claim my mate so no other women dare try to take him!" Dalia shouted. Rya shook her head quickly as she watched her friend dry hump Percy''s lap while her hands were all over his head which was buried in her cleavage. "Dammit, Dalia! No one''s taking Percy! And no one has your nose to smell his scent except you!" Rya shouted furiously. "I still need to mark my territory," Dalia growled as her tail wagged. Percy lifted his head out of Dalia''s cleavage and gasped for air, "H-Hey! Maybe we should wait until we arrive at Lomar, my love!" Dalia stopped and pouted at her mate, "Why do we have to wait? I can''t wait!" "Because... I don''t want Rya or anyone else to see you naked. I don''t want anyone to steal you away from me," Percy said. Dalia''s pupils dilated, and her cheeks reddened, "Oh! My wolf! No one will take me away from you. But if you don''t want anyone else seeing me, then I guess I can wait." Dalia nuzzled her cheek against Percy''s, and her tail wagged. Percy''s heart swelled up, and he hugged Dalia, who joyfully squealed. Percy looked at Rya and gave her a reassuring nod. Rya''s eyebrows raised in surprise, ''Well, I''ll be damned... Percy is slyer than I thought. He knows how to calm Dalia down and make her do what he wants. Well, at least he''s not taking advantage of her. I''m glad she found someone who loves her.'' "Ahem. Now, if you''re both done. Dalia... If you need to mark him as your mate. Get him to buy you an engagement ring. A nice big one," Rya said. Dalia''s eyes widened with glee, "Really?! Human women will know that he''s mine with a ring?" "Of course. He''s your man. And you''ll be his woman soon," Rya smirked. Dalia looked at Percy with a new sense of confidence, "Gamma! Give me a ring." "Uh... W-We can do that when I get the money... A-And how big is big, my love?" Percy asked nervously as sweat started trickling down his forehead. Dalia tilted her head, "A big one?" Rya smirked, ''Maybe I''ll help him out. Plus, I''m sure Quin will spot Percy enough gold to get a decent engagement ring. Maybe a diamond one?'' "Dalia. I''ll take you to a jeweler later so you can get an idea of what you like," Rya said. Dalia jumped with happiness. Her tail was wagging like crazy. Percy smiled, shook his head, and then looked at the carriage door, which had just opened to Yuliana, Nieren, Tayna, and Quinus. Rya noticed that Nieren looked well-rested for the first time in a while. "Well, you seem better today, Nieren. I''m glad," Rya said. Nieren smiled and nodded, "Yes... Dalia finally decided not to give in to her animal instincts and gave it a rest. It was the best night of sleep in a month." Dalia stuck her tongue out at the wood elf, "Whatever! I can''t help it! I have a very good nose and must mark my mate''s territory. So that no other women will take him from me!" Nieren shook her head, "Oh, for crying out loud... Can you not have sex with your human lover every damned night? You''re worse than a goblin." Dalia growled, "No. My wolf and I won''t stop. Or you might take him!" "Ugh... I''m not interested in your human," Nieren sighed as she rolled her eyes. "I''m only interested in my prince-Ah! I mean! I am interested in myself at the moment." Percy and Quinus looked at each other while Tayna just shrugged. Yuliana could only sigh at how her daughter was reacting. She thought that her daughter''s head was in the clouds again. "If you say so," Rya giggled as Nieren sat to the Dark Elf''s right while Quinus sat to her left. Once everyone got seated, Sir George gave the all-clear to move out of the castle grounds. They moved through the city grounds of Eldermyst. Once they left the estate grounds, Rya whispered in Nieren''s ear. "Hey, you always said that hearing Dalia having... Well, you know... was keeping you awake. But Quin and I did it last night, too. Didn''t we keep you up as well?" Rya asked. Nieren''s cheeks turned beat red as she shook her head, "W-What? You two had a tryst? I-I didn''t notice! If you did, you two must be respectful or quiet lovers. That must be it." Rya giggled, "Yeah... Well, I''ll try not to be loud. I know it must be rough since you think those earplugs will interfere with your duties as my retainer." "Haha... N-No, you don''t need to change what you two are doing for my sake... You two are as quiet as a mouse. Especially His Highness. He''s... I mean, you won''t bother me," Nieren laughed nervously. "Are you sure? Because I swear we were really loud last night," Rya smirked. Nieren blushed hard and tried her best to stay composed, "S-Sis... You''re worrying over nothing. Your lover''s noises don''t bother me. I''m a respected former adventurer, and I''m a princess. I''m a woman who is used to being the center of attention. But, please, keep having fun with him." "Alright, but if you''re not sure, we''ll stop having fun in such tight quarters until we get to the palace," Rya said. "NO!... I-I mean to say if I don''t hear you two at all, then I will think that an assassin has snuck into the room," Nieren said, "Besides, you''re not the only ones doing... you know." Rya raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Yeah... Johan and Tayna go at it pretty hard as well. I need to thank Yuliana for making those earplugs." Nieren''s cheeks redden slightly, "Yeah... Luckily, they don''t last as long as you two." "Huh? But I thought you said you could barely hear us... I swear we were as loud as those two, and if you couldn''t hear us, then how did you know they were... having their fun?" Rya asked. Nieren looked a bit embarrassed and whispered, "Sis! Can you stop asking questions? It''s not loud enough to bug me, okay? I appreciate you being a considerate sister and not wanting to make me feel uncomfortable, but I''m not. Trust me, it doesn''t bother me." "O-Okay... And hey... Thanks for being understanding. I really appreciate it," Rya said as she hugged Nieren, "You''re a great retainer... And sister? I''m unsure if I can adjust to calling you sister just yet... It seems premature." Nieren was surprised by Rya''s sudden act of affection and felt happy. "You don''t need to force it, Lady Rya. I''m not going anywhere. You''re my sister now, and I''m here to protect you," Nieren said. Rya smiled and nodded as she continued to hug her friend. Yuliana watched as her adopted daughter hugged her older sister and smiled warmly. After an hour''s ride, they arrived at the east gate, where Johan joined them. With everyone together, the convoy made its way east towards the city of Lomar. It took them two days to reach the city. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the royal guards, who were there to escort them to the Queen waiting at the estate. Rya and her group were escorted by knights towards the gate where the Mayor of Lomar waited. He had a panicked look on his face. He was ordered to keep the citizens from discovering that a dark elf was coming into their city with two of the royal family members who needed to be protected under his watch, which made it even more stressful for the poor man. As they arrived at the gates, the Mayor was visibly shaking. Vol.3 Ch.211 Are You Ready to See My Mother? The city of Lomar was the third biggest city in the Maldurian domain. It''s known for its alchemist academy and is also a central trading hub, with an abundance of alchemists and other magical professions. The city, with a population of 700,000, is governed by Mayor Kowalski. He''s in his early fifties and has been the mayor for five years, having been appointed by the Royal Family to his current position. He was a retired member of the Royal Council after thirty years of service and is still a loyal friend of the royal family. He''s slightly overweight and shorter than the average human male, but he stood with his men in position as they observed the prince''s convoy approaching the city gate. He felt an overwhelming sense of nervousness, his heart pounding in his chest and his hands trembling uncontrollably. Despite the anxiety, he was determined to carry out his duty with as much composure as possible. However, the challenge was compounded by the need to maintain the secrecy of the Queen''s presence and the arrival of the Crown Prince. Regrettably, he was aware of an impending threat from a dark elf. He had to ensure that guards were positioned on the rooftops, poised to unleash a barrage of arrows upon the carriage upon receiving the signal from the General. Unfortunately, he couldn''t directly inform his men about the possible danger, so he had to be cautious in his directives. Once, the convoy came to a halt at the city gates. The mayor and the general saluted each other. General Douglas, Sir Richard, and Sir George approached the mayor. "Mayor Kowalski. How''s the city?" Sir Richard asked. The Mayor bowed, "G-Good, sir. W-Welcome. A-Are you here t-to escort the... u-um..." "Yes... Everyone is here... But you seem nervous... Is her ladyship... Displeased?" General Douglas asked the Mayor about the Queen''s mood. He knew they were a day behind schedule, and Kowalski must have been taking the brunt of Her Majesty''s displeasure. "N-No... She''s quite... happy... But she was worried when you didn''t show up yesterday," the mayor answered while looking at the carriage with worry. "Well, a little ambush happened three days ago. But it wasn''t anything we couldn''t handle," General Douglas said. Sir George shook his head, "It was Her Ladyship who did most of the work. But we did have a bit of fun." "Hahahaha... Yeah, I haven''t had that much fun dealing with bandits in a while... She''s more skilled than I could''ve ever guessed," Richard chuckled. "I have to admit that she''s a good one, alright," Douglas agreed, as they were trying not to divulge Rya''s race out in the public. "A-Ambush!? W-Who were the ones to attack you?" Mayor Kowalski asked. "A good sized bandit group... It was he who sent them. But we''ll talk about it later. For now, let''s head into the city," Sir Douglas said as he referred to Duke Alaric as "he" to the mayor. The Mayor nodded, "Well, I''m glad no one is hurt... But General... I-Is our... g-guest, friendly?" He asked the general in code if the dark elf was going to cause a problem. "No... I mean, she''s fine. I mean, she won''t cause trouble... I mean... Ugh... What I''m saying is she''s a good person. I trust her with the lives of everyone in the city," the General stumbled over his words. "O-Okay... B-But is there any reason why she shouldn''t come into the city?" Mayor Kowalski asked. General Douglas sighed, "Kowalski, I was just like you when I first encountered her... But everything I thought I knew about her was wrong... Tell them to stand down. I''ll inform our ladyship about her." "Yes, General!" Kowalski saluted Douglas as he walked away from the mayor, leaving the city guards confused by the mayor''s cryptic conversation. Sir George glanced up at the rooftops as he saw the archers taking position. ''Her Majesty isn''t messing around... But it''s all for nothing... Lady Rya is too skilled... If she wanted to take over the city, she could have already done so. But she''s a just person,'' Sir George thought. ''But if she ridicules my dating advice one more time... I swear to the goddess... I''m going to outplay her!'' The archers looked around the streets, waiting for a signal from the Mayor, but it never came. Sir Richard and Sir George followed the General to the carriage, where they knocked on the door. "Your Highness, and my ladies... Our escorts are here to lead us to the estate. They have already given their word that no one will harm her," the General said. "Thank you, General," the Prince''s voice was heard from inside the carriage. "We''ll get to your family estate in ten minutes, my Lord. Please stay inside the carriage until we reach the estate grounds. The streets are busy right now. Somebody might recognize you," General Douglas advised the Prince. "Of course, General. You may continue to lead the way," Quinus ordered. "Alright, let''s get going!" General Douglas shouted to the drivers as the horses pulled the carriage along. As the convoy made its way through the bustling streets, it weaved past vibrant merchants and busy citizens immersed in their daily activities. Plenty of soldiers were on patrol, watching over the people and keeping the peace. When the soldiers saw the General riding through the city''s main streets, they saluted him and his knights as they rode by. The convoy passed by the city''s alchemist academy, where they could see young students and teachers in the courtyard. After a few minutes, the convoy arrived at the city''s largest and most opulent area, which had the city hall and the Royal Estate, also known as The Seat of the Queen. This massive building dwarfed any other in the city. It was built for the late Queen Victoria Revelia. Queen Rianna used it to gather the Ladies of the Court for tea parties, balls, and other social gatherings. It was here where the Queen would get away from her husband from time to time, especially after failing to punish her brother-in-law''s attempt on their only son''s life. The Seat of the Queen had a large garden with several statues and fountains. It was a wonderful place to visit when coming to Lomar. It was located in the center of the city and had a large courtyard surrounded by a high stone wall. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Two guards wearing full plate armor guarded the main entrance. Typically, there would be ten times the number of guards, but it would raise too many questions if it were evident that someone important was there. The convoy came to a halt, and the two guards stood at attention as the General and his men approached them. "General! Welcome home, sir," the first guard said. "Thank you, soldier. At ease," the General said as the guard saluted him, "Does she know of our arrival?" "Yes, Sir! She is waiting in the audience chamber, sir!" the second guard replied. "Very good. We''ll see her shortly," the general said, motioning for the convoy to move forward. The general and his soldiers guided the convoy to the rear of the mansion, where they housed the carriages in the stables. They wanted to enter the estate incognito. Rya''s group stepped off and waited patiently as the horses were unhitched from the carriages. General Douglas walked up to the Prince and bowed. "Well, it''s been an enlightening trip, Your Highness. The Queen is in the audience chamber. If you and your party would follow me," the General said as he led the group inside. Quinus nodded and then looked at Rya, who was still wearing her cloak so the servants could not see her skin color. Her yellow dress was a little more conservative compared to her everyday dresses. This dress covered her shoulders, legs, and cleavage. The dress was more Victorian-style, with the skirt being longer and tighter. But no matter how much it covered her, it couldn''t hide her figure. Rya took a deep breath before looking at her fiance. "So, how do I look? Will your mother approve?" Rya asked Quinus. "She will... Even if she disapproves, she can''t stop us. I won''t let her," Quinus replied as he held her hand. Those words calmed Rya''s heart, and she smiled at him. "And don''t forget that we are all at your side. So, don''t be afraid. We won''t let anyone bully you," Yuliana said to her adopted daughter. "Yeah, that''s right. We''re with you no matter what happens. And don''t let anyone else say otherwise, sis," Nieren added. "She will have her biases, Lady Rya. But you will show her that she''s wrong to believe those thoughts in the first place. Like I did," Tayna said with a nod. "Thank you, guys," Rya said with a smile. "Any time, Rya... Now, let''s get our game faces ready," Quinus said. "You can do this, Alpha. The chieftain will have to accept you once she notices that both of you marked each other," Dalia answered with a nod. Rya nodded back before she took a deep breath. Then she walked with Quinus to the audience chamber. Yuliana and Nieren followed behind the two, and the rest of the group closely followed them. ''Don''t fuck this up, Rya... I don''t want my future mother-in-law to hate me because I''m a dark elf... But what the hell... I can do this! Yeah! I got this!'' Rya thought to herself. A servant noticed the crown prince, and he bowed, "Prince Quinus, you''ve returned. Welcome home." "Thank you. We''re here to see the Queen," Quinus replied. "Of course, My Prince. She''s in the audience chamber. Please follow me," the servant said as he led the prince and his entourage through the mansion. The servant was curious about the four cloaked women. He knew that the prince was secretly engaged with a different woman. But the Queen never mentioned who the new fiancee was. ''Maybe they''re her maids? No, I don''t think so. Why is House Dule walking behind them... The prince would''ve told me if they were special. Something is fishy about them,'' the servant thought as he led the prince and his group through the mansion. They arrived at the audience chamber, and the servant motioned for them to wait until they entered the room. *** (15 minutes before the prince arrived.) The audience chamber was a large, grand hall decorated with paintings, statues, and tapestries. Its large balcony overlooking the city had two thrones on either side. Queen Rianna Meredydd wore her finest clothes and crown, which consisted of a golden tiara. Her black hair was done up in a bun, and she had a regal air about her, but she was getting worried. She thought she would have seen him a day earlier, but something happened that she and her guards weren''t aware of. Her son sent a messenger from Eldermyst City so she wouldn''t have to worry about why they were a day late. But it did little to calm her nerves. Quinus had been gone for too long, and she wanted to see him safe and sound. ''My son, please be safe... I wish I could''ve been there to help you,'' Rianna thought to herself as she sat on her throne, waiting for her son to return. Lady Nelumbo was standing next to her queen. She was a former Royal Knight turned royal advisor to the Queen. Her long blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail, and she wore her knight''s armor, which consisted of a chestplate, gauntlets, and greaves. Her sword was at her side, and her shield was strapped to her back. She also had five more guards at the ready to protect her queen if needed. Nelumbo looked out the window, thinking about the prince. ''You better not have lost an arm, Quinus... It would look bad on me if one of my best students ended up injured or, worse, dead. The Queen would have my head if that happened.'' Queen Rianna turned her attention to her guards, "Lady Nelumbo, has the prince arrived yet?" "Not yet, my queen. But a spotter saw the General''s banner at the city gate about an hour ago. I believe they are already in the city," Nelumbo replied. "Very good, then. Inform me when they arrive at the estate," the queen said. "As you wish, my queen," Lady Nelumbo said as she left the room. Then Rianna''s head maid came over and bowed, "My queen, we can have the garden room ready for tea once the prince arrives." "Thank you, Miss Gretchen. That would be perfect. And have the cooks prepare some refreshments. My son must be tired from the journey. He has had a hard time. Especially with that Duke being such a bastard," Rianna said. "Yes, my queen. I''ll inform the kitchen immediately," the maid bowed as she left the room. The Queen leaned back on her throne and sighed. ''I just hope this dark elf my son is attached to is worth his affection. The last thing I need is to deal with a scheming bitch trying to use him for his title. He needs a strong woman to stand beside him,'' the Queen thought to herself as she stared out the window. Rianna had always worried about her son. Because he was the only child to survive childbirth, and she had miscarried more times than she wished to count. She loved him dearly, and she would do anything to protect him. ''My dear Quinus... I hope you know what you got yourself into. Please be careful, my son. I pray that the goddess has blessed you with a wonderful wife. I pray that you will have children. Many, many children. So you may continue the Meredydd bloodline,'' Rianna thought to herself. After five minutes, Lady Nelumbo entered the room and bowed, "My queen, the Prince has arrived at the estate. They are on their way to the audience chamber." "Thank you, Lady Nelumbo," the queen said as she straightened up. Nelumbo stood at attention. Then the queen looked at the guards and said, "Keep an eye out for the dark elf. We must find out what her intentions are towards my son." The guards saluted. Lady Nelumbo nodded. Then the queen looked at her. "Nelumbo, you are the best warrior in this kingdom. I trust you with my life. And I know you will not let me down. Do you understand?" "Yes, my queen," Nelumbo replied. The Queen smiled, and then the door opened as a servant entered. "Your Majesty, the prince and his entourage are here," the servant announced. Queen Rianna nodded, and the servant stepped aside. The Prince entered the room and was followed by four women in cloaks. Percy, Sir George, Sir Richard, Lady Rachel, and General Douglas also entered the room. Johan and Tayna stayed in the back to give the group their space. Upon seeing her son for the first time in two months, she wanted to run to him and hug him, but she remained calm and collected, as all royals must do. Rya looked around, and she couldn''t help but notice how beautiful Quin''s mother was. Even though Rianna was pushing 40, her looks hadn''t faded, at least not from what Rya could tell. In fact, she was even prettier than she thought. But there was something that was bugging Rya. She observed a significant number of purple particles in Rianna''s pelvic area. The particulars were similar to the ones in the Elder Seeds that Yuliana was trying to grow. ''Huh? Did someone poison Quin''s mom!? Why would they poison her!? And why is it focused on her lower body? Is that why she has no children besides Quin? I have so many questions right now. I''ll have to ask her about this later. If it''s a poison, then I might be able to do something about it... B-But I have to make sure she likes me first,'' Rya thought as she tried to recall all her etiquette training from Fyrella Coldforge. Vol.3 Ch.212 Challenging the Queen. The queen scanned the room and spotted the four cloaked women standing behind Quinus. She furrowed her brow, trying to discern which one was the dark elf her son had mentioned. ''Is that one the dark elf? Or is it the other one,'' Rianna thought as she glanced between Rya and Yuliana. ''Two of them are well-endowed, so one of them is this "Rya" my son wrote about, while the other two cloaked women are well-shapen, from what I can tell... But they aren''t at my level, so those two aren''t her. Hmm... Three of them must be Rya''s friends, but why are they wearing cloaks? What do they have to hide?'' ''Fuck... She''s staring daggers at me. Just breathe, Rya. Just remember that etiquette training that Fyrella did for me. You can do this. For Quin,'' Rya thought to herself as she took off her cloak and stood next to Quinus. Rya slowly removed her hood, revealing her white hair, azure eyes, and pointy ears. She could see the surprised look on the Queen''s face when her eyes landed on her. ''Huh? If it weren''t for her ears she would have passed as a human. A very beautiful human at that... Gah! My son is just like his father! He can''t say no to women with a body like mine! Cyndre is lucky that I''m kind and understanding. However, I have my limits. I will not have my son marry a hussy! I will not allow it!'' the Queen thought to herself as she observed Rya, ''She seems confident. But this could all be a rouge to make my son her puppet by using her beauty and curves to her advantage. She''s pretty, I''ll give her that. But she must prove herself worthy of being my son''s bride.'' Rianna observed Rya as she stood up, ''Hmmm... She has good manners. Hold on!? That last name is from a famous Wood Elf family... I remember! It''s from the Royal House of the fallen Kingdom of the Wood Elves! One of them survived?'' "Mother!? That is uncalled for!" Quinus interjected. "Yes, my queen. My intentions are nothing but pure. My feelings for Prince Quinus are true and honest. He''s the only one with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life with. And I will do everything in my power to keep him safe and happy. My only wish is to be the woman he needs and the partner he can depend on," Rya explained. "I was afraid to fall in love with your son, your Majesty. It was a love I never knew existed... And I learned a very valuable lesson when I tried to fight these feelings. I attempted to resist falling for him, but I couldn''t. His presence always drew me in deeper, no matter how hard I resisted. I wanted him... but I knew deep down that he would be better off without me. Especially when I was dumb enough to get collared... I learned the hard way how dangerous the ambitions of powerful people can be when they prioritize their own best interests. "They will sacrifice anything and anyone to get what they want... I had to watch myself kill innocent soldiers while my body was controlled. I almost killed a good friend and saw Quin at death''s door because of my mistakes... I also witnessed corrupt nobles using the civilians for their own gain. "When Quin freed me. I made sure that all of those who dared to hurt my love paid dearly. I made sure that the Black Roses were destroyed so they could never hurt him again. If my love wants to be with me, then I will destroy anyone who dares try to stop us, no matter who it is. I will do whatever it takes to be with him. To stand by his side and to support him," Rya said confidently, "Whether that be destroying the Kingdom of Marn to free the wood elves, fighting against the Divine Three and their false Gods, or even facing a God. If it is in my power, I will destroy them. If it is beyond my power, I will find another way to defeat them... And for Duke Alaric... I will turn every ally against him, I will cut off his funding, and I will weaken his influence to the point where no one will follow him. If it is necessary, I will even kill him myself. I refuse to let his insanity and anger poison the happiness of the person I love... Because Quin is my one and only. I refuse to let him go through life without me by his side." Rianna stared at the dark elf, ''What does she want? Hmmm, she seems willing to play along and do what is needed. Maybe she is not a lost cause after all... Still, this is not something I can agree to so easily. If I say yes, the church will throw a fit. Not that I care, but they are a major political power that can cause a civil war.'' Rianna looked her in the eye, "If you wish to be by my son''s side, you will have to prove yourself worthy of that position. And not just to me but to the Church, the people, and the Kingdom as well. You will have to go through the proper channels. First, you must visit our High Priestess, Mother Astra, in the capital''s Temple of Balance. If the Goddess shows you favor while doing the ritual before the Idol. Then, we can move on to getting the Prime Minister to accept you as a possible candidate, which is already an uphill battle because he is the main driving force behind signing a peace treaty with the Alliance. I''m sure you know about the arranged marriage with the Divine Three''s Princess. That can''t be broken without starting a war. But if you get a connection with the goddess, we may have a chance. But it won''t be easy." Rianna couldn''t help but start to like the girl, ''Well, she has a fire in her, that is for sure. But is that enough? And there''s the issue of her becoming pregnant. Female Elves'' reproduction cycles are extremely long and only happen once every decade or so. So, her chances of having a child with my son are improbable. That means we will have to rely on a mistress. That is the only way for my grandson to be born. Hmmm, but can she accept that?'' Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. "No, Your Majesty. I will not try to argue with you on the matter. I have thought about this, and if Quin wants me, then I will accept any condition, no matter what it is. A-And I know that it''s a long shot even to hope to have a baby, but if there is a possibility that we can have a child... Then, I will do anything to make it happen. Because I love him, and I want to have a family with him," Rya said with a gentle smile. Dalia hesitated for a moment but then summoned the courage to join Rya by her side. She revealed her identity to the queen when she pulled down her hood. She was nervous as the queen stared at her. "Nightshade? Could this be related to the Nightshade tribe?" Rianna asked. ''How did they get her to agree to take a human as her mate? Hm... I''m concerned that my son may have used a slave collar on her. It''s hard to see under that cloak, but that has to be the reason why she''s here, right?... Gah! It doesn''t add up, though. She seems genuinely attracted to young Percy,'' the queen thought. "No, mother. She is my wife''s companion and friend. She''s an adventurer and she fell for Percy," Quinus replied. ''There has to be more... Beastkins are notorious for being hard to tame. So there''s no way she submitted to humans without a fight... Unless they somehow earned her trust. Or my son has lied and used a slave collar. It might have been Rya''s idea to convince him to do such a terrible act,'' the queen pondered. ''She''s pregnant? And she looks no older than 18 or maybe 19 years old. Hmmm, this is quite surprising... So, she''s carrying Percy''s children!?... How am I going to explain to Wina that her son is marrying a wolfkin demi-human? It would be fun to see her reaction to the news if things weren''t so damn tense at the moment. Especially since the church will not like this,'' Rianna thought. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty. The High Elves abandoned my people in their time of need, and the Lesser Elders of the hidden villages would have taken my daughter away and killed her due to her father''s actions. So, I fled the forest and brought my daughter to Ironside. I needed time to rebuild the kingdom''s Elder Tree. But when my daughter became Lady Rya''s lady-in-waiting. It took me some time to process everything, but I realized that the only place she could be safe was by Lady Rya''s side," Yuliana answered. "Rya!... That''s her name!... I''ve held my tongue long enough as you refer to her as "the dark elf" and not her name. She''s my daughter, and I would appreciate it if you''d treat her as such," Yuliana snapped at Rianna, cutting her off. "Listen, Queen Rianna. I don''t know you, and I''m not one of your subjects. I do not have any desire to become one if this is how you will treat my daughter. Though she may not share my blood, the moment I learned about the hardship that this 27-year-old girl had endured after losing her parents, I was deeply moved. I made the decision that she could benefit from having a mother and a big sister. She accomplished more than you could ever understand. So, I adopted her into my family. She may have a different skin color than us. But she''s not a monster and deserves to be treated with respect. I can see that your son loves her, and I know that he''ll protect her. So, if you have a problem with that, you can keep it to yourself," Yuliana finished. ''She doesn''t act like a child to me... Maybe she''s been through more than I realized and that''s why she acts more like a 27-year-old human... I''m still not used to calling a 27-year-old elf a child though. But that''s elves for you... Maybe she still has her innocence... That''s why she fell for my son. I''m a fool for not seeing it before. Plus, my son is a good judge of character. If this is the woman that caught his eye, then I should try to accept her... But we still need to go through those stupid hoops in hopes of stopping any uprisings. We can''t have the kingdom tear itself apart, even if it isn''t her fault.'' Rianna thought. Rianna studied the young woman before her. She recalled the rumors about her and the arranged marriage. Johnathan Dule was having a hard time getting a woman for his son. Most of the women in the kingdom had refused him. So, he tried a different tactic and looked for a woman in the Minor Noble families. That''s when word got out that he married a poor girl who was injured by a monster at a young age. The Minor Lord assumed that no one wanted to marry his daughter due to all the scars, but when a House of a Major Family requested a betrothal. He jumped on the opportunity, not caring about his daughter''s opinion. Things weren''t good between them as Tayna refused to consummate the marriage, and there were rumblings about the end of a Major Noble House if Johan couldn''t get a child from his wife. So it was a shock to Rianna when she saw Tayna in the same room as well as traveling with her husband this entire time. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I''m absolutely certain that only the most wonderful rumors surround her. Isn''t that right, my darling?" The queen looked dumbfounded. ''What is happening right now? Did she really just call him honey? I-I definitely need to invite her over for tea soon. I really want to figure out how this all happened. And why does Johan look so... different? There''s something not right here. There''s something that I''m missing, and it''s bugging me...'' "Huh? Oh yes! You see, I can tell you aren''t fully sold on Lady Rya... I understand. When I first met her, I did the same thing. But she has done more for me than I can ever repay. She healed me, took care of me, and became my friend. She also healed my husband and told me that he was a perfect man for me, and I didn''t see it like the fool that I was. And it was all because of her. So, I owe her my happiness and my life. That''s why we''re here... So, give her a chance... She hasn''t failed anyone," Tayna finished with a curtsy. ''A dark elf saved her. And she''s praising her. Hmmm, she seems sincere, and Johan is a good judge of character. Okay, so far, everyone who has met Rya has only given high praise to her. Maybe Douglas has something to add. But I''ll ask him when no one is around,'' Rianna thought, ''I better wrap this up so I can speak to Quinus alone before I do the same with Rya at the tea party.'' After the meeting, everyone exited the room, leaving only Rianna''s guards behind. As Quinus prepared to depart with Rya, Rianna halted him and signaled for Rya to leave. The Prince observed the Dark Elf''s departure from the room, and as the figure disappeared, he made his way back to his mother. The heavy doors closed behind him, and a few moments later, Rianna signaled for Lady Nelumbo and her guards to withdraw as well. Left alone, the queen fixed her intense gaze on her son, filling the silence with unspoken thoughts. Vol.3 Ch.213 Some Alone Time with Mother. "Okay, Mom. What was so important that you had to wait until we were alone?" Quinus asked. Rianna hurried over to him and embraced him tightly. "Son! I missed you more than words could describe. You were gone for way too long. It''s a mother''s job to worry," the queen said while rubbing her cheek against his. Quinus couldn''t help but smile at his mom''s affection, even if it was a bit embarrassing. ''Huh! Looks like I ended up being away for a whole month longer than I had intended. Even though she''s royalty, she''s still a mom. I should have anticipated that she would react this way,'' Quinus thought as he wrapped his arms around his mother. "I''m sorry, mom. It''s just the trip took a lot longer than we thought. We ran into some issues," Quinus explained. "Sshhh! All that matters is that you''re home now. I missed you," the queen said. She pulled back and placed a hand on his face. She smiled brightly at her son. "Now, son, are you sure she didn''t charm you with some kind of magic? It''s not a crime if she did, but I could make her pay for tricking you. And don''t lie to me, Quinus. I know when a man who has been charmed when I see one," the queen said with concern in her eyes. Quinus stepped back, wearing an expression of bewildered surprise as he looked at his mom. "You''re kidding, right? A charm spell?... No, she doesn''t have that kind of magic, Mom... Now, I can understand why Douglas was acting the way he was when he first arrived at Ironside... You ordered him to be wary of Rya, didn''t you? But mom, she''s a good woman. And if it weren''t for her, I wouldn''t be standing here for you to hug me. You should know better than to accuse her of something you have no proof of... I won''t tell you again. Leave her alone, and let''s end this charade," Quinus said. "Son, she''s a dark elf. The same race that destroyed kingdoms. And she''s young, but she has a powerful aura around her. If she weren''t a dark elf, then I''d be happy for you. But that''s the race she is, Quinus... So, how do you think the kingdom is going to react? There will be a massive uprising if we don''t put a stop to it," the queen explained. "Mother, come on. This has been dragging on for days. Everyone in Ironside hails her as the city''s savior, revering her as the Saintess. I understand the need to quell any potential unrest, but we shouldn''t underestimate Rya. She''s much smarter than you realize... She already has plans to deal with the problem. We just need your support. Please, mom. Just listen to her. That''s all I''m asking for," Quinus said. He was about to say something else, but a guard walked into the room and bowed. "Your Majesty, I sincerely apologize for the interruption. However, we just received word that the King is set to arrive in Lomar by nightfall. It seems he''s concerned about his son and is eager to see him. The mayor won''t be able to conceal the King''s arrival from the public. I must inform the Mayor immediately so that arrangements can be made for an escort to welcome him," the guard said. ''Dad''s coming? This could be the perfect opportunity to resolve everything. Mom may have her reservations about Rya, but if Dad is supportive of her, then he could pull some strings with his council... Wait!... Who am I kidding? Dad''s been in the dog house for years with Mom... And if he''s coming all the way here, then it must mean he''s worried, which could lead to an argument between him and Mom. Damn it, things were finally starting to calm down. Now, there''s going to be an uproar over Dad''s sudden arrival... Haah... I guess the ball is in Mother''s court... I wish I knew what to say to persuade her. I know that she''ll love Rya, but she''s letting her prejudices cloud her judgment... Well, whatever happens, I''m staying by Rya''s side. And there''s nothing she can say to change my mind,'' Quinus thought. The queen stood there deep in thought. ''My husband''s coming. He''ll be able to get to the bottom of this. He''ll find out if Rya has some kind of hold on my son, just in case I missed something. I know she has an amazing ability to heal, and that''s how she has won over the people of Ironside. But I know her kind. She could turn on us at a moment''s notice.'' "Tell the Mayor to have the King''s escort ready. And make sure everything is perfect. This is a joyous occasion," the queen ordered. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will tell the Mayor right away." Quinus looked at his mother. "So, how have things been with Uncle? I''m sorry that things are a mess after I ordered Marcus'' death. But you have to understand. I couldn''t let him get away with treason, especially since he almost killed all of us inside the labyrinth. I know it''s not easy for you, Mom. But we did the right thing," he said in a somber tone. Rianna observed her son and bestowed upon him a warm smile. "Quinus, what''s done is done. I''m proud of you for making the tough decision, but it was necessary. Your uncle has been quiet lately, which worries your father and me. And the Prince of the Divine Three has arrived at Marquess Duval''s manor with Princess Hilda Stoneworthh. He''s waiting for your arrival in the capital and wishes to marry you to her immediately. That''s why I wanted to see you here in Lomarto make sure everything was okay with you first and to give you some warning about the Prime Minister''s intentions," the queen said. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ''Dammit... I was so focused on getting here that I forgot about the arranged marriage after everything we''ve been through. I''m going to have to meet the Princess in the capital, aren''t I... I better tell the others about this... I''m going to need their help to get out of this arranged marriage.'' "Well, it''s been a long trip, and I would love to relax a bit before dinner. I''ll inform you when we head for the capital tomorrow. I''m aiming to depart at noon," Quinus said. The queen was about to respond when the doors opened, and two maids walked in and bowed. "We''re here to escort the Princess and the Ladies of the party to the Royal Tea Room, Your Majesty." The queen nodded, "Very well, I will be there in ten minutes. I need to speak with the General first." "Of course, Your Majesty. We''ll cater to their needs." Quinus kissed his mother on the cheek, "I''ll see you at dinner. I need a change of clothes. These are a bit rank." The queen just smiled, "Of course, son. We''ll see you at dinner." Quinus walked out of the audience chamber and saw his companions waiting for him, as well as Lady Nelumbo, who was talking with the General. He walked over to them. "Douglas... My mother wants to speak with you," Quinus said. "Right... Well, it''s time to tell her that she can trust Lady Rya," the General said. "Good luck, Douglas... But my mother is more stubborn than you," Quinus said with a smirk. "That may be true, Your Highness... But your mother isn''t as dumb as me. So, it won''t take me long to reason with her," the General said with a smile. Quinus watched the General go into the room, and he turned to Lady Nelumbo, who was giving Quinus her patented judgemental stare. "You really know how to stir up a hornet''s nest, don''t you, my Prince," Lady Nelumbo said. Quinus just smirked at his old teacher, "What can I say... I''m a sucker for strong women." "Falling for a strong woman isn''t a bad thing. Falling for the enemy is. Don''t forget that, young prince," Lady Nelumbo said. "The dark elves aren''t our enemies. And isn''t that arranged marriage proposed by Duval doing the exact same thing as marrying our enemy," Quinus said with a coy smile. "That is a good point, but how sure are you that this dark elf can do what you claim she can? She could be an enemy spy, for all you know. She could be working with the enemy. Or, she could be a spy sent to gather information on us by another kingdom," Lady Nelumbo stated. "She''s not," Quinus said firmly. "How can you be sure?" Lady Nelumbo questioned. "Because I am... By the way, did you question Lady Wina this much when you found out that she was an assassin hired by my uncle? Because I remember you two were close friends, and yet you didn''t doubt her intentions. She even saved your life," Quinus countered. Lady Nelumbo was surprised by that statement. It was true that she was close friends with Wina. But she proved her loyalty to the Royal Family when she betrayed Alaric Revelia by saving Prince Quinus'' life. "You are a smart boy, my Prince. Maybe there''s hope for you yet," Lady Nelumbo teased. "I''ll take that as a compliment. And thank you," Quinus said. Lady Nelumbo just scoffed and was about to go back on duty when Quinus asked her another question. "Hold on. Lady Nelumbo? I have a favor to ask," Quinus said. "And what is this favor, my Prince?" "I''ve been training my fiancee in the ways of the sword. She''s good, but she needs a teachersomeone who can help her hone her skills, someone with the skills that only the Royal Swordmaster can teach," Quinus explained. Nelumbo gave Quinus a confused look. "She''s good with a sword? I thought she was a healer and a mage. Mages look down on sword fighting. So, I''m surprised," Nelumbo said. "She''s different from any mage you''ve met, that''s for sure. So, will you train her? I''m asking you because you''re the best, and I fear that I''m teaching her incorrectly compared to you," Quinus explained. Lady Nelumbo smiled, "You give yourself too little credit... But I can understand how you feel... My daughter doesn''t have the will to become a warrior like her mother. And I don''t have the same drive to kick her ass like my mentor before me. But, since you''re asking. I''ll teach her... But you owe me, my Prince," Lady Nelumbo said and gave him a devilish smirk. Quinus smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Lady Nelumbo. Maybe I can train your daughter as payment." "Hah!... That would be the day... No, she''s too much like her father," Lady Nelumbo frowned. "So she''s aiming to work in the Royal Council like her father," Quinus asked. "Yeah... She can read books and study politics, which is all she likes. But the girl can''t handle herself in a fight," Lady Nelumbo scoffed. "Don''t worry, Lady Nelumbo... It''s never too late. How old is she again?" Quinus asked. "Seven." ''Geez!... She''s still that young?... Maybe she''d be more interested in swordsmanship if her mother wasn''t such a stickler. I mean. I guess I''m technically 50 years old, and I didn''t start practicing until I was 35ish. So, it shouldn''t be too late for her.'' "Okay... It''s not that late. You just have to be patient and believe in her," Quinus said. "Thanks. But she''s too soft-hearted like her father. That''s what I get for falling in love with a man who was raised as a scholar," Lady Nelumbo smiled. "Well, they say opposites attract," Quinus said with a knowing smile. "True... I don''t know what it is about a man who can make a woman''s heart race with words alone," Lady Nelumbo whispered for a moment before shaking her head vigorously. "Gah! I should have fallen for a knight or a soldier... But I couldn''t get Mitchell out of my mind," she continued. ''Looks like our Lady Swordmaster has her own love life. Who knew that the cold, unflappable Lady Swordmaster had a soft spot,'' Quinus thought. "Rya is the same for me. She''s a good person, trust me. You''ll appreciate her work ethic and dedication. And I know she will do great things. And that''s why I''m going to protect her," Quinus said. Lady Nelumbo gazed at the Prince, astonished. She had never witnessed this side of him before. The boy possessed a remarkable sense of justice and honor, and it was clear to her that he was truly in love with the dark elf. "So, I guess there''s nothing more to argue about, then. Well, I believe it''s high time for my family and me to go on vacation before all the chaos brewing in the kingdom erupts. Once Lady Rya''s secret is out, there will be no stopping the Major Nobles and the power of the church. I hope she''s worth the trouble, my Prince, because the future of the kingdom rests in her hands," Lady Nelumbo said. "She''s worth it," Quinus said with a confident smile. "Let''s hope so," Lady Nelumbo replied. "Now, I need to watch over your fiancee... the Queen''s orders and all." "Got it... Thanks again," Quinus said. "It''s not a problem, My Prince," Lady Nelumbo said as she smiled at Quinus and left to attend to the ladies. Vol.3 Ch.214 The Queen’s Tea Party. The Queen''s astonishment deepened with every word the General spoke. He validated every assertion made by the dark elf and dropped even more shocking revelations. Despite the General''s confirmation, Rianna remained cautious around the Dark Elf, determined to ensure that Rya was indeed the suitable match for her son. "Douglas is really putting his reputation on the line for her? It''s still so difficult to wrap my head around the idea of her being able to do all of that... mending wounds that would normally take years to heal and effortlessly conjuring up golems. If it''s actually true, then she''s truly a force to be reckoned with... But I can''t take the risk of trusting her, not until I witness her actions in person. Only then will I feel comfortable having her around my son," Rianna mumbled to herself while making her way through the corridors, eventually reaching the opulent Royal Tea Room. The grand royal tea room was a vast and elegant space adorned with a delightful small garden featuring a tranquil stream of water and a charming koi fish pond. Adjacent to the garden, a quaint gazebo stood, and a table was thoughtfully positioned near the serene fish pond. Rya, Nieren, Dalia, Yuliana, and Tayna were entertaining themselves with a game of cards while having tea. "I''ll win this round. Just you wait," Dalia said with a competitive smile. "You''ve said that three rounds ago, Dalia. But yet I''ve won every round so far," Tayna taunted. "Someone is Brave to speak to the former battle champion in such a manner," Dalia smirked. "Dalia? What does being a slave and fighting in the battle arenas have to do with playing a card game?" Rya asked. "Uh? Well... Ummm..." Dalia mumbled while trying to come up with an answer. Just then, to Dalia''s great relief, the Queen swept into the tea room, causing the maids and guards to rise and bow in unison. "Greetings, Your Majesty," the maids chanted. When the sound of the maids reached Rya''s group, they all snapped their heads in Rianna''s direction and got up from their seats. "Sit down, please. And enjoy your game. I just wanted to see you all for myself," Rianna smiled. Lady Nelumbo gave her queen a nod and walked behind her. The group wrapped up their card game in record time, but Rya couldn''t help but notice something peculiar. As the Queen took a seat across from her, she couldn''t ignore the strange sight of purple particles swirling around Rianna''s lower region. It was as distracting as gnats buzzing around the corner of her vision, and Rya felt compelled to do something about it. "Haah... I fold," Rya sighed as she placed her cards face down, leaving Tayna, Dalia, and Nieren to continue the game. Tayna confidently folded her hand and leaned back in her chair, but Dalia remained determined to emerge victorious. "Hah! It''s just me and you, Woody... Let''s see what you" Nieren skillfully revealed her hand just as the Wolfkin was about to express herself. With a winning flush, the Wood Elf claimed victory in the round. "Read it and weep, Wolfy girl." The wood elf flashed a triumphant smile as she spoke. "What!? When did you get a hand like that!? I thought you were bluffing this whole time. Haah... Oh, well... Good game, Woody. This deck isn''t going my way, so I''m calling it quits." With a heavy sigh, Dalia conceded defeat and dramatically tossed her hand away. Queen Rianna elegantly savored her tea, her eyes locked on Rya, the Dark Elf. Her keen gaze assessed whether Rya was a potential threat or a valuable ally. Finally, after a moment of tense silence, the Queen broke the quiet with her voice. "I''ve heard so many stories about the famous dark elf from my son. I couldn''t believe it when I first read about them... So you''re a mage on top of being a healer? That''s amazing to hear. But I wonder how true they are," Rianna said. She heard all the stories, but she needed to witness some of Rya''s magic with her own eyes. "Well, I''m flattered," Rya replied, "But I don''t think it''s wise for me to create my golems out of the wood floors... When they get unsummoned, the wood becomes a pile of splinters... And I would rather stay on whatever good terms we have with each other. So, no magic," Rya explained. "Well, that''s kind of you to be worrying about damaging my lovely floors, but I know you can show me some magic... After all, I''m sure there is one spell that is not going to damage anything, right? Or is everything General Douglas mentioned about your capabilities a lie?" Rianna questioned with a straight face. Rya shot her a quizzical look. She fought the urge to glance down at her lower region where the purple particles were moving around, sensing that something was amiss with the Queen. However, she didn''t want to cause any embarrassment. "Well, I could make three simple balls of earth, fire, and water while flowing some wind magic towards you, Your Majesty... But that would probably be unwise in such a delicate setting, don''t you think? Plus, even if I did show you, I''m sure that it wouldn''t be enough to convince you that I''m telling the truth. If you wish, we can go to the training grounds where I could demonstrate some more spells... Or is there a reason why you want me to use magic now, Your Majesty?" Rya replied, hoping the Queen would drop the subject. The Queen took a long sip of her tea before answering, a mischievous smirk on her lips. "You''re very perceptive... I know we''ve been through this already. But how will you handle this line of questioning from all the major nobles when they want you to prove yourself immediately? After all, you''ll have to face them in the future, and you''re already at a disadvantage with your race alone," Rianna explained. "I will answer all questions I have to answer if it''s not a private question. And if it is, then it''s no one''s business," Rya said. "But I understand what you''re saying. It seems like everywhere I go, everyone I''ve met treats me as a threat or they fear me." Tayna, Nieren, and Yuliana couldn''t help but feel ashamed of themselves. They realized that they had all treated Rya as a threat when they first met her, mirroring the Queen''s current attitude towards Rya. Dalia was the only one who didn''t share this feeling of shame due to the Dark Elf rescuing her from death''s door. "We''re sorry, Lady Rya," the girls said. "No, it''s okay... I can''t blame you. You didn''t know who I was, and you were just protecting yourselves... But I did enjoy it when you all struggled with the reality of the situation when I completely turned your expectations upside down," Rya grinned, causing the girls to blush. The girls were embarrassed, but the Queen''s mood shifted as she witnessed how the group interacted with each other. She was still skeptical, but her curiosity grew by the second. "You have a lot to learn if you plan to join this court, but I can''t deny that you''re quite an enigma. Fortunately, I feel like I''m starting to understand you more. Tell me, what was it like when the four of you first met Rya? I''m quite curious," inquired Queen Rianna. The four women exchanged uncertain glances before Yuliana gathered her courage and decided to speak up, sharing her unique perspective. "Uh, well... At the time, we were hiding from the humans of the Kingdom of Marn, and I forbade my daughter from going out adventuring due to the goblin hordes that were roaming around the walls of Ironside. She didn''t listen to me, and she went out to help the people... She''s stubborn like that," Yuliana replied. "Mom! You''re embarrassing me," Nieren groaned. Rianna glanced at the mother-daughter combo and couldn''t help but relate to Yuliana''s worries, knowing full well how difficult it was to raise an only child. "She sounds like my son," Rianna muttered to herself with a sigh. Quinus was always thinking about how to help the people of Fiafyr even though he was the Prince. She never was able to speak sense into him when his mind was set on something. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "It''s not as bad as it sounds. She was just trying to help the people and help our financial situation. But she didn''t realize the danger she was in," Yuliana said, giving her daughter a stern look. "We would still be in Ironside if I didn''t go out to help. Mom''s too paranoid," Nieren argued. Yuliana could only smile and shake her head. "That''s true, but I''m a mother who just wants to keep her only daughter safe. But I guess adding another daughter who saved our Elder Seeds was a plus," she chuckled. Rya smiled back at Yuliana and gave her a gentle laugh, "I can''t deny that... But I''m glad you''re part of my new family," the dark elf replied. The Queen carefully observed Rya''s every move and gesture. Having faced skepticism from nobles due to her heritage, she was adept at sensing any signs of trouble. She was from a noble family in a foreign country, Corialis. It''s an island nation to the east of the continent. It was the biggest island nation that ships had to stop at if they wished to travel to the Elros Continent. Her father''s family, the Alvos Family, was a well-known Noble house in Corialis. They were a well-known military family. She had an older brother named Rolfe Alvos. The Fiafyr Kingdom offered a peace treaty with the Alvos family so they could trade with each other. Her father was the Duke, and he offered Rianna''s hand in marriage to the king''s second-born son. Her family was happy to offer her hand in marriage, but Rianna was devastated at first. She was only fourteen at the time, and she loved the tropical climate of Corialis, but she didn''t want to marry the prince. But when she met Cyndre for the first time, she changed her mind. He wasn''t that much older than her. And he was far more handsome than she expected. She found him attractive and charming. So, she didn''t hate her fate as much as she did before. Plus, she couldn''t help but chuckle as she watched Cyndre struggle to avert his gaze from her captivating figure. Cyndre was a true gentleman, making a valiant effort not to let his gaze linger on her curves and breasts for too long. Little did he know, she found amusement in his inner turmoil. Every now and then, she would playfully tease him, relishing the sight of him becoming flustered. It puzzled her why she took pleasure in this, especially when the attention of other men made her uncomfortable. And her relationship with the prince grew from there. And after a year, they got married. Then, the line of succession changed when the Major Nobles declared Cyndre the next heir to the throne over his brother Alaric. She thought she was only going to be a duchess. But she was happy when she was told she was going to be queen. She was just 18 when this happened. Now, at 45, she''s still as stunning and has maintained the same youthful figure she had back then. But her bosoms got a little bigger after the birth of her only son. The Queen was snapped out of her reverie as Yuliana recounted her cringeworthy first run-in with the dark elf. She described how she launched an attack with her plants, only for Rya to effortlessly halt them without using any force. "Sorry to interrupt, but let me get this straight... Did you really attack Rya just because she''s a dark elf?" Rianna asked, realizing she hadn''t fully listened before. "Y-Yes... I believed in all of those stories when I was growing up and even when I became an adult... And since we were in hiding, I thought the dark elves had found my daughter and followed her to find me and finish off the last royal bloodline of the Wood Elf Kingdom of Agon. I didn''t want to believe her even when my daughter was pleading with me. But I knew there was no other way she could''ve found us if we were hidden in a forest that was far from the border. The only thing that makes sense is that she''s a dark elf spy," Yuliana said with a sigh. Nieren started to laugh, "Mother was completely befuddled when her Writhing Briarthorns stopped their attack on Lady Rya. She couldn''t comprehend what she was seeing. She''s always so confident when it comes to her magic. She''s one of the strongest Wood Elf Mages there is... And even a Dark Elf can stop her magic without any effort. Mother didn''t know what to do." Yuliana frowned, "You don''t have to say it like that... I didn''t know that the stories were a lie, and she''s different than the stories." "I''m sure... But you shouldn''t have attacked her," Nieren said, "If she was the dark elf the stories talked about, then we''d all be dead." "Well? Alpha probably could kill us all if she wanted." Dalia''s words caught Rya off guard as she took a sip of her tea, almost making her spit it out in surprise at what the Wolfkin had just said. "Dalia!? That''s not true," Rya argued, trying to downplay her abilities. "But you''re the strongest person I''ve ever met. I don''t know anyone who can summon golems. Let alone fight off an army by yourself... I don''t think even Beta could stop you," Dalia countered. Rya scanned the room, racking her brain for the right words to dispel the suspicious gazes of the Queen and her guards. She couldn''t afford to have the Queen fretting over her. ''Goddammit! They are looking at me like I''m a criminal! Okay! Okay... I can''t believe I''m going to steal this line, but it should work. Here goes nothing,'' Rya thought. "Dalia... There''s an important saying I love to live by... ''With great power comes great responsibility,''" Rya quoted, "I have to use my powers wisely. If I were evil, then I wouldn''t be helping people or fighting off monsters." Rya hoped her words would make the Queen feel at ease, but her words had an unintended effect. The Queen looked even more confused than before. "God damn it... I failed you, Stan Lee! Ugh, that''s what I get for using a comic book reference with a group of people from a fantasy world where it''s more common to find Majas and Mages running around than someone who can''t use mana... I can''t win..." Rya cursed internally before she thought up another way to dispel the suspicion. "I know that I''m strong, but even though I am strong. I can still get hurt, and I will make mistakes. Like when I let my guard down and got collared. I''m not going to make the same mistakes of the past... If I lost anyone I care about, I don''t know what I would do... And I care for Quinus with all of my heart, Queen Rianna," Rya said, her eyes meeting the Queen''s. Everyone was shocked at the dark elf''s bluntness, but the Queen was even more surprised that she mentioned her son''s name. It was unusual for someone to mention a Royal''s name unless they were very close to them. And it was unheard of for anyone outside her family to speak to her so boldly. Rianna couldn''t help but be in awe of Rya''s fierce determination as she bravely stood her ground against the Queen''s scrutiny, all while being under the watchful gaze of the Royal Guards. The guards were perplexed by the enigmatic dark elf''s words and actions, and some of them even began to wonder if the rumors were true. Rianna might have even begun to feel a sense of camaraderie with Rya if it weren''t for the lingering discomfort caused by Rya''s persistent glances at her body. While Rianna didn''t typically mind being observed by another woman, the nature of Rya''s scrutiny left her feeling unsettled. "Indeed, Lady Rya, you make a compelling point," remarked the Queen. "The allure of power is strong, but as a formidable dark elf with mysterious abilities, you must tread carefully. Unchecked power has the potential to corrupt even the most steadfast of souls." Rya wasn''t convinced. "I don''t think that''s entirely true, my Queen," she countered, her eyes blazing with determination. "Oh, really?" the Queen replied with a smirk. "Power is not inherently evil. Its impact is determined by the intentions of the one who wields it," Rya emphasized. The Queen replied passionately, "I have witnessed countless individuals succumb to darkness as a result of their pursuit of power." "Or that''s when their true character shines through," Rya added with a knowing smile. The Queen fixed her gaze on Lady Rya. "True character? And what, pray tell, is your true character, Lady Rya?" "Have you ever thought about how you can truly understand someone''s character? Some say that you can strip away everything from a person and see what''s left, but that doesn''t really show the whole picture. When someone is at their weakest, unable to escape a tough situation, or even starving, their actions might not reflect who they truly are. If you want to see someone''s real character, give them power. It could be the power of money, influence, or authority. It''s what they do with that power that truly reveals who they are. Do they use it to control and dominate, or do they lift others up and help them succeed alongside them?" Rya explained. The Queen fixed her gaze on the Dark Elf, sensing a depth of wisdom that surpassed her outward appearance. The words she spoke carried a sense of deja vu, stirring something familiar within the Queen. ''Where have I heard those words before?'' Rianna thought. The Queen was lost in thought when Yuliana interrupted her. "My Queen... I''m curious. Why are you so worried about Rya''s character?" the Royal Wood Elf asked. Rianna blinked and then turned her gaze towards the enigmatic Wood Elf. "Princess Yuliana, I''m sorry, but I find it hard to trust outsiders so easily. Understanding the dangers of the outside world, I would expect you, of all people, to comprehend this," Rianna said. "Of course. But Lady Rya isn''t an outsider. She is now a part of my family. Which is the proud Royal House of Vellanax," Yuliana argued.
Rianna arched an eyebrow, her voice laced with doubt. "Just because you took her in doesn''t mean I can trust her. You may be a royal without a kingdom, but now you''re part of this human realm. You might as well be an outsider, but I''m not heartless. I understand your plight and have given you refuge within these walls. Besides, you''re friends with my son, who helped keep him safe. That''s the only reason I''ve allowed you and your daughter to stay. That''s the only reason you hold the title of Countess, Princess Yuliana," the Queen cautioned. Yuliana''s frown deepened as she prepared to argue, but Rya swiftly raised her hand to silence her. "Queen Rianna, I completely understand where you''re coming from. It''s natural to be cautious with strangers. I don''t expect instant trust, but I want to assure you that I''m here to make a positive impact and earn my place. Your trust means a lot to me, and I''m committed to proving myself," Rya said with a smile before her eyes glanced down to the Queen''s crotch once again. Riannas frustration grew as the Dark Elf kept sneakily glancing at a particular region below her waistline. She couldn''t comprehend why Rya was so fixated on that area and mistakenly thought it was flirtatious interest. This led her to question Ryas feelings towards her son and made her uneasy at the thought of Rya being interested in her. Rianna only feels sexually attracted to men, and the idea of another woman being interested in her feels unappealing and even revolting. It made her think that Rya had ulterior motives. "Tell me, Rya... Are you really attracted to my son? Or are you attracted to women?" The queen inquired, her expression revealing her lack of amusement. Rya''s blood turned to ice as she realized that the Queen had mistaken her looks for romantic interest. ''Oh, no!'' Rya found herself facing an unexpected challenge, and it was all because of those mysterious purple particles emanating from the Queen''s crotch. As she tried to focus, her gaze kept drifting back to the strange glow. Deep down, she knew she had to find a way to heal Rianna, not just for her sake but for Quinus'' as well. Vol.3 Ch.215 Removing the Poison. "Really now. I''ve heard rumors that you can heal someone without even laying a hand on them," the Queen challenged. "When it comes to minor cuts and bruises, sure, I can handle it. But when it comes to serious injuries or illness, the distance and complexity really affect how much mana and focus I need to put into healing," Rya elaborated. "So you''re telling me you see red particles floating around my womanhood? I can''t believe any of this nonsense. Are you sure you''re not trying to pull a fast one on me? And if I got hurt, you should have been able to mend me right where you are," Rianna countered. iana "I-I think I misheard you, Rya... What did you say again?" the Wood Elf asked with dread in her eyes. "Purple Particles are a sign of poison! Rya said she saw them in the Elder Seeds, and once she healed them, they sprouted saplings!" Nieren yelled. "Are you telling me that I''ve been poisoned!? By whom!?" Rianna questioned with annoyance. "That doesn''t matter until you are saved first! Rya, I''ll hold her down while you start purging the poison," Nieren declaredr. s R "Yuliana!? Nieren! S-Stop shaking me!" Rya complained, but the two elves continued shaking her. y''re making things worse It appeared to have done the trick as the two wood elves came to a halt. Rianna was completely caught off guard by the news. She found herself questioning whether she should trust the source, but deep down, she had a gut feeling that it was the truth. nr "Very well, Lady Rya. What do I need to do?" the Queen asked while sitting back down in her chair. As Queen Rianna vigilantly watched Rya for any signs of foul play, she unexpectedly began to feel a warmth spreading through her insides. She felt a little embarrassed when she felt her pussy begin to get wet. ''S-She must be trying to embarrass me! I-I won''t let her! I will resist! Aunh! I-I can''t let everyone here know that I''m feeling weird. This is just a test! Nothing else!'' Rianna thought while doing her best not to show the pleasure she was feeling. , and this elf was trying to heal her This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ''Huh!? I know I have all this poison centralized, but something is fighting me... Come on, Rya! If you do this, then your future mother-in-law has to like you. Just focus!... Gah! Fucking shit. These stupid purple things aren''t getting out of the womb. It''s like I''m being blocked. Time to use more mana.'' Rya thought, concentrated her mana into the palm of her hand, and released it into Rianna''s. The Queen''s irises slowly rolled up as she rubbed her legs together, and she bit her lip hard to stop her from moaning. Her legs were shaking uncontrollably, and she gripped Rya''s hand tightly. If the Queen were of the right mind, she would have sent a signal to Lady Nelumbo and her guards to arrest Rya. But this feeling was overwhelming, and her body was giving in. "Auunh!!" the Queen moaned softly, and the dam burst. ''I-I can''t take it anymore! I-It''s too much!'' Queen Rianna arched her back, throwing her head back in an act of pure ecstasy. Her body went rigid from the tsunami of pleasure that flooded her system. Whatever resistance she had faded away in an instant. She couldn''t stop herself from releasing the juices inside her underwear as her legs opened up. She felt her panties getting soaked by her cum which seemed thicker than normal. It was the most she''d cummed in her entire life. he Queen The Queen''s eyes narrowed as she hissed, "You were trying to make a mockery of me!" Her words cut through the tense silence, sparking a confrontation with the dark elf. Rya was taken aback. "What!? No, I wasn''t! I was trying to heal you! And-" Her retort was cut short as Dalia suddenly started sniffing the air, her expression quickly turning to one of revulsion at a smell that came from out of nowhere. The pungent odor made Dalia wrinkle her nose in disgust. "It''s a smell!... A bad one," she grimaced. "Smell? What smell?" Tayna asked, her curiosity piqued as she thought the Wolfkin was overreacting at first. Dalia pinched her nose in disgust. "The chieftain smells like rotting eggs, but worse," she said, making a gagging face. "Huh!? Rotten eggs? But I only smell the scent of flowers?" Tayna asked, confused. Rya was skeptical about Dalia''s claims until she caught a whiff of a horrifying scent emanating from the queen. "No, Your Majesty. I swear. It must be the poison I pushed out of your body. The smell must be coming from it," Rya responded. Rianna wanted to punish Rya for humiliating her, but she couldn''t deny the fact that she''d never felt this good in a long time. She hadn''t felt this amazing since her teenage years. It was as if her body had been completely revitalized. And it was all thanks to this Dark Elf. ''Did she really heal me? N-No. It''s my imagination. She must have played a trick on me! But if I throw her in jail, then I don''t know what my son will do,'' Rianna thought. She was trying to remain angry at the Dark Elf, but her womanhood was still buzzing and needed more attention. Her hands wanted to drift south to give herself more relief, but she forced them back onto the table. ht with frustration. Riannaing he Rya and the rest of the group rose to their feet, but Dalia remained seated, determined to shield herself from the noxious stench. The Dark Elf nodded her head and looked at the floor, "Yes, Your Majesty," Rya said obediently. The door slammed shut, and Dalia, Tayna, Nieren, and Yuliana turned to Rya, whose expression betrayed her shock. Rya gazed into the distance, her mind consumed with one pressing question: ''Did I fuck up? What did I do wrong?'' "Rya?" Tayna asked as she gently touched the dark elf''s shoulder, drawing her attention away from her thoughts. "Uh, yes?" Rya answered. "You alright?... You look a little lost," Tayna said. "Yeah... I guess... I feel so out of my element. I don''t know if I belong here," Rya answered with worry written in her azure eyes. Rya appreciated everyone''s comfort, but she sat back in her chair and then placed her forehead on the table. Then she bumped it into the table with a little force a couple of times as she groaned in frustration. "Ow... Guh... Thanks, guys. But... I think I really screwed it up with Quin''s mom... Fuck! Why didn''t I act like my usual confident self? I was acting like a scared child," Rya muttered as her forehead was still smushed up against the table. ''Yuliana doesn''t know that I was born a human on another planet... But it''s nice to know that she would defend me... That makes me happy,'' Rya thought as her heart warmed up a little. "Hey... You said you could smell a foul stench just a moment ago. But it seemed like no one else could smell it besides you four... Do you think that was the poison coming out of the Queen?" Tayna asked curiously. "But what type of poison only damages the woman''s, well?... womanhood? I''ve never heard of such a thing," Yuliana asked. "You got to admit my daughter has a way with people. And it''s pointless to argue because she''ll talk you into going, Lady Tayna," Yuliana replied. "But the Queen wasn''t-" Vol.3 Ch.216 The Queen’s Been Cursed 🦴 Rianna strolled through the grand hallways of the estate, her mind swirling with the recent events. Gretchen and Nelumbo trailed behind her, noting the unmistakable distress etched on the Queen''s face. ''What is wrong with me? I couldn''t even walk straight. My legs felt so weak and jelly-like... I hope no one noticed. I couldn''t embarrass myself like that. It would be a sign of weakness. And if any nobles saw that, they would take advantage of me and the Kingdom,'' the Queen thought, concerned as her clit was still vibrating a bit due to her womanhood being healed to its former glory. "My Queen, are you alright?" Nelumbo asked. "Y-Yes. I''m fine," Rianna fibbed, reluctant to confide in her two personal attendants. "You don''t look fine, my Queen," Gretchen added. "I''m just tired from the stress of work. That''s all," Rianna said, brushing the topic off as if it was a trivial matter, but her red cheeks said otherwise. As they got close to her room, the Queen''s clit was tingling and aching for her attention. But she resisted and waited until she was alone in her room before she could play with her womanhood and deal with her annoying urges. Entering the room, the three women accompanied Queen Rianna as she gracefully seated herself on the ornate bed. "Please leave me alone. I wish to relax," the Queen stated. Gretchen looked at Lady Nelumbo, who had a concerned look on her face. "My Queen, please tell us what is wrong. We have always been your closest confidants. Please tell us if we should contact the doctor," Nelumbo pleaded, worried about her Queen. "I''m okay, Nelumbo. Please leave now; I need some alone timeI mean, I need to rest," the Queen ordered firmly. Rianna desperately longed for solitude, aching to shield her inner turmoil from prying eyes. "Okay, my Queen," Gretchen replied, and she bowed to the Queen before leaving the room with Nelumbo. "We''ll be on standby outside if you need anything, my Queen," Nelumbo stated as she closed the door. Rianna maintained her regal composure, refusing to acknowledge them as she waited for them to disappear from view. She wanted to play with her vagina so badly that she almost started doing it in front of them. But her royal training kept her in check. After a moment or two, the Queen rose from her bed and strode purposefully to the door, securing it with a decisive click. Her face glowed with a blush, but it wasn''t the usual hint of shyness or embarrassment. This was a flush of passion and longing, an undeniable sign of her inner desire. . , No! ''I-It''s my stupid underwear! I need to pull it off!'' the Queen thought and started to pull her dress up. Then she ripped her undergarments off and dropped them on the floor. Her pussy was excited to feel the cool air on her sensitive folds. ed as ''W-What didn''t that witch do to me?!'' the Queen wondered, as she was breathing heavily and trying to stay in control. She was starting to pant, and her face was flushed with desire. "I-I must stay in control!" the Queen stated as her whole body was tingling. Her nipples were so hard that the thick material of her dress and undergarments were unable to hide them. It felt as though a lifetime of pent-up hormones was being unleashed all at once. She attempted to rise, but her legs buckled beneath her, causing her to collapse onto her bed, landing on her back. "Mmm~! No! I-I can''t do this! It''s wrong!" the Queen exclaimed as her body was starting to get hot. The Queen''s hand slowly moved to her stomach and down to her lower area as it lifted up her skirt. "No. Stop! Mm! This is wrong!" the Queen said, but her body didn''t listen, and she started to rub her swollen labia. "Mmm~! Why is this happening?! Ahh!" the Queen moaned as she rubbed her clit. Her hips started to thrust forward, and she began to move her hips up and down. Her other hand reached down to her chest and grabbed her large breasts. She began to rub and squeeze them through the materials of her gown, and the Queen''s body was now on fire. "Ahh~! Mmm~! I can''t believe this is happening to me!" the Queen moaned, but she couldn''t stop her hands from roaming all over her body. The Queen''s fingers were moving in a circular motion on her clitoris and vagina. "This isn''t me... I-I can''t stop," the Queen muttered as her body was becoming more and more aroused. ''What would Cyndre do if he saw me in such a state!? I''m supposed to be the Queen and a mother figure for our child! Not some whore! Why is this happening?!'' she wondered as Cyndre ''s face started to come to mind. It was like he was standing in front of her, enjoying the view. "I-I''m sorry, my love... I-I''m losing control," the Queen moaned as her hips started to buck wildly. "That''s alright, Rianna... You''re the perfect wife, and you need some alone time," the image of Cyndre replied. ''Y-Your voice... I can''t stop it. It''s making my body hotter and hornier!'' the Queen thought, her mind was losing control and her body was on autopilot. "That''s it, Rianna. Let''s get you out of these clothes and into something more comfortable," Cyndre''s image stated. "Y-You think you deserve to see me naked!? H-Ha! You''re still in the dog house for failing to stop your brother from trying to kill your son!" the Queen exclaimed. "Of course, my dear. But I''m here for you," Cyndre''s image replied, his hand now resting on her hip, which made her wiggle them playfully. "Y-You think you have the right to touch me?! You''re nothing more than a fool for not listening to me!" the Queen replied, but she couldn''t stop her body from shaking as the vibrations were making her hornier. "I know. And I''m sorry. But I want to make it up to you. I love you, Rianna," Cyndre''s image said. The Queen''s heart was beating fast, and she felt her cheeks heating up. She was arguing with an imaginary Cyndre. But it didn''t stop her body from becoming hotter. "Mmm~! Y-You''re a fool! A fool! A damn fool! Mmm~!" the Queen moaned as her fingers pinched her left nipple while the other was rubbing her clitoris. "You''re so sexy when you''re mad. And you''re right. I''m a damn fool. I''m a damn fool for letting my brother almost kill my son. I shouldn''t have listened to Duval," Cyndre''s image said. ''But why would he apologize now? I-It''s not like him,'' the Queen thought as she was moaning loudly. "Y-You''re a fool, Cyndre!" the Queen stated. "And I know it. And I''m sorry, my love. My love for my brother blinded me," Cyndre''s image answered, and he started to unbutton her dress. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "Mmm~! N-No, stop it! Y-You''re not him!" the Queen moaned as her body was getting closer to the edge. "Then who am I?" the Cyndre''s image asked. ''It''s an illusion created by the witch. She has made him the way I want him to be. He''s apologizing for his mistakes, and he''s trying to make it up to me. It''s making me want to forgive him,'' the Queen thought. "Mmm~! I-It doesn''t matter. I-I can''t let you see me naked! Mmm~! I-I haven''t forgiven~Aunh!?" the Queen replied, trying to keep her composure as the front of her dress opened and her breasts were seen in her bra. "Rianna. You know you want to forgive me. I''m here for you, and I''m ready to do whatever you want. You''re the only woman I''ve ever loved," Cyndre''s image declared as her dress was slowly sliding down her shoulders. "Mmm~! I-It doesn''t matter anymore, Cyndre. We both failed, and our son almost died because of us," the Queen stated, as her body was now getting hotter. Her fingers were twisting her nipples through the fabric of her bra. "I know. But I want to make it up to you," Cyndre''s image stated as the hem of her dress was pulled up and her pussy was visible. "Mmm~! C-Cyndre. Stop. I-I can''t," the Queen moaned as her body was becoming weaker and weaker. "Don''t worry, Rianna. I''m here for you. You can tell me anything," Cyndre''s image replied. "I-I''m sorry. I failed my son," the Queen muttered. "Rianna. You haven''t failed anyone. I''m the one who failed you. I''m sorry," Cyndre''s image said, and the Queen looked into his golden eyes. Her fingers plunged deep inside her cunt, and she began to thrust her hips, and her fingers moved inside her. "I-I can''t forgive you. I-I can''t forget what you''ve done," the Queen muttered, as her fingers were now pumping in and out of her wet pussy. "I''m not asking for forgiveness. I''m asking for you to give me another chance," Cyndre''s image stated, as his hands moved around her body. "Mmm~! C-Cyndre!?! I-I''m almost there! Mmm~!" the Queen moaned. "Let go, Rianna. It''s okay," Cyndre''s image told the Queen. "I-I can''t... HOLD ON, I''M GOING TO CUM!" the Queen moaned and her fingers began to pump in and out of her faster and harder. Her other hand moved to her clit, and she began to rub it with her thumb. She arched her back, which caused the clasp on her bra to come undone. Her bra came flying off as her massive breasts bounced free. "Mmm~! Y-Yes! Yes! Ooh~! C-Cyndre, please. Mm~! T-Touch me!" the Queen moaned as she looked up at the image of her husband. "As you wish," Cyndre''s image stated. He moved forward, and his hands cupped her breasts. She was lost in the sensation and didn''t notice that he had started to suck on her left nipple. "Mmm~! Y-Yes. Lick them! Mmm~! P-Please, keep going. Mmm~! I-It feels so good! Mmm~! S-So close. Mm~!" the Queen moaned, and she began to hump his thigh. "Just let it out, Rianna," Cyndre''s image said as his left hand squeezed her ass. "Mmm~! S-So Close! I-I''m almost there! Mmm~!" the Queen moaned as her fingers kept pumping in and out of her. "Let it all out, Rianna," Cyndre''s image replied, and his fingers pinched her left nipple while sucking her right. "Mm~! OH GODDESS! YES! AUNGH~!" the Queen screamed as her legs started to spasm and her pussy began to clench her fingers as her juices flowed from her vagina. She was cumming hard, and she began to hump his thigh even faster, which only intensified her orgasm. She hadn''t had an orgasm in such a long time that she was lost in the sensation. "Mmm~! Ooh~! C-Cyndre! Mm~! I''m so close. Mmm~! Keep going, C-Cyndre! Mmm~! Oh god!" the Queen moaned. "Don''t worry, my dear. We''ve got all day," Cyndre''s image replied, and his tongue licked her ear. "Mmm~! T-Thank you," the Queen muttered. She couldn''t control her body as her mind was blank, and she was in the throes of passion. She was completely lost in the pleasure of her own mind. After a minute, she finally calmed down, and she lay on her side panting. She arched her back, which caused the clasp on her bra to come undone. Her bra came flying off as her massive breasts bounced free. ''W-What did I just do? I-I can''t believe I did that,'' the Queen thought as she wiped some of her sweat away. "Oh, goddess. What have I done?" the Queen said as she sat up and put her head in her hands. She felt ashamed of herself for letting her guard down and succumbing to her desires. It was unbecoming of a royal. "What is wrong with me? How could I be so weak?" the Queen muttered as her hand moved down between her thighs and her fingers began to tease her lower lips. ''I-I shouldn''t be doing this. But this must be the dark magic of that witch. This isn''t like me. I need to resist the temptation. I-I can''t let this continue. But the pleasure was just too great. Maybe just a little bit more won''t hurt,'' the Queen thought as her fingers pushed their way past her folds, and she began to moan softly. Her black raven hair, which was done up in a bun, finally came loose, and her hair fell over her shoulders while her fingers continued to move in and out of her. Her body was getting warmer, and her fingers were pushing deeper inside her. Her other hand was moving to her left breast, and she began to squeeze her nipple. "Aungh~! O-Oh, goddess. Mmm~! I''m not going to last very long. What witchcraft did that dark elf do to me?" the Queen said, as her fingers pumped in and out of her. "Aungh~! F-Fuck. Mmm~! So Close. Aungh~! Mmm~! So Hot!" the Queen moaned, and her body started to shiver as her fingers kept pumping in and out of her. Whatever part of her that was trying to resist this had now vanished, and her uterus was working in overdrive thanks to the poison being expelled from her system. Rianna mistook this as some type of curse or spell, but it was actually a natural reaction to her body being fully healed after all these decades. She was completely unaware that her body was preparing for her to start ovulating again. She had no clue that she had been poisoned to make her infertile for the past two decades, and now her hormones were working overtime to make her fertile again. "Ooh~! Mmm~! Aungh~! F-Fuck. M-More. Ooh~! I-I can''t hold back. GAH!? M-My fingers aren''t enough! This stupid curse... I-I need more. Ooh~!" the Queen groaned, and her hands were moving up and down her body. At some point, her frustrations got the better of her as she inserted three fingers inside of her while her other hand played with her clit. "O-Oh, goddess. I-I need more! Ooh~! T-This damn curse has taken my self-control away. I-I have never felt like this before. F-Fuck... There''s a stupid itch deep inside me that is begging to be scratched. Mmm~! Aungh~!" the Queen muttered as her hands were working faster. As she desperately tried to reach her climax, she started to hump her hand, and her moans grew louder. "M-More... Fuck. F-Fuck. Aungh~! M-Me... Need... Cyndre''s COCK! Aungh~!" the Queen said, and her voice trailed off as her entire body started to convulse thanks to her G-spot being hit with her fingers. "Gah~! Aungh~! FUCK! AUNGH~!" the Queen exclaimed as her orgasm crashed over her, and her walls clamped down on her fingers. She never knew the walls of her pussy were so sensitive, and it only intensified her orgasm. ''W-What the fuck is happening? I-I''ve never felt anything like this before. W-What the hell did that witch do to me? M-My mind is going blank again! Aungh~! S-Still cumming. Oh, goddess, what''s happening to me?'' the Queen thought as her entire body was shaking, and her hips bucked uncontrollably. "OH, FUCK, MY GODDESS! AUNGH!? AHHHH! YES! AUNGAH~! C-CYNDRE! Y-YES!" the Queen yelled as her mind went blank, and she lost control of her body. She was unable to stop herself from orgasming again and again and again as she continued to scream for her husband after what seemed like an eternity. Rianna came down from her high and collapsed onto her bed, panting. "F-Fuck. I-I can''t move," the Queen muttered. Her body enjoyed the climaxes, but that itch deep inside her still remained. "Grrr! This is all that dark elf''s fault! When I get my hands on her, she will pay. I-I won''t let her get away with this," the Queen stated, and she looked down at her soaked fingers. "B-But first, I need to take a bath. I can''t be seen like this. Who knows who might be watc~Huh?" The Queen sat up in bed and spotted her discarded panties on the floor. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the large wet stain on them. The unusual yellowish-brown mucus-like stains made her freeze in shock. "W-What the hell is this? Did I shit myself? N-No, I couldn''t have. T-That''s not possible. But that came from me, didn''t it... W-What in the hells is this stuff?" Rianna muttered to herself as she cautiously walked over and picked up her soiled panties. She was disgusted and confused, and she looked around her bed to see if there was any more of this stuff that came out of her on the bed, but it was just her normal juices. "H-How can this be? This has never happened to me before. Did the dark elf make me lose control of my bowels?" Rianna questioned out loud as she looked at the panties to examine the substance. "T-There''s no mistake. This did come from me," Rianna said. Then she brought the panties close to her nose so she could smell them. When they were about one inch away, her nose caught the whiff of the foul odor. "B-Blek!? What is that smell? Ack, it''s so rancid. What the hell is that?" the Queen questioned, and her face was contorted in disgust. That''s when she remembered how all four of the demi-humans had a similar look written on their faces when the smell of the mucus hit their noses. A little part of her was starting to believe that Rya was telling her the truth. That she was poisoned for some reason, and she had no clue who would have done it. It was getting harder for her to deny it, but she needed to make sure that this stuff was a poison that was flushed from her system. Before she truly sided with the Dark Elf. ''M-Maybe she''s right. I-I can''t deny the evidence. I might have been poisoned, and she helped to flush it from my womb... But I need to be sure. This still could be a trick to get me to lower my guard... I wonder if Raiden is in the city''s Pharmacy. He should be unless he''s out collecting herbs. If I can find him, I can ask him for a quick diagnosis of this substance. I-I have to find out if the dark elf is telling the truth.'' The Queen looked around her room, found a small towel to wrap her panties in, and placed them into her purse. Then she went to her closet and grabbed a robe before she pulled a rope on the wall by the bedside. A moment later, Lady Nelumbo and Miss Gretchen appeared at the door. "You rang, my Queen?" Gretchen asked as she bowed respectfully. "I-I wish to take a bath, Gretchen. Can you prepare one for me and clean up my mess? I seem to have let my emotions get the best of me," the Queen responded, and Gretchen raised her head to see the Queen was naked except for a robe covering her body. "Certainly, my Queen. I shall prepare it immediately. Do you wish to have any scented oils, my Queen?" Gretchen inquired. "Yes, please, the jasmine and vanilla-scented ones. Thank you, Gretchen," the Queen answered. Gretchen bowed and left the room, leaving her guard, Nelumbo, alone with the Queen. "Anything else, my Queen?" Nelumbo inquired. She heard all of Rianna''s moaning through the door and wondered if she should bring up the topic. "I''ll be going out. Please gather ten Royal Guards and have them wait for me in the courtyard," the Queen ordered. "Going out, my Lady?... Is that wise right now? Are you sure that you are feeling well?" Nelumbo inquired. She was worried for the Queen''s health. "Y-Yes, everything is fine," Rianna said as she shook her head to get her mind straight. "And no, I don''t need Cyndre bothering me with his idiotic questions. I will go see him when I return to the estate. Just have the guards waiting for me, and I''ll meet them in the courtyard in fifteen minutes," the Queen ordered, and the guard bowed. Vol.3 Ch.217 Rianna meets with Raiden, the Alchemist The Queen painstakingly took twenty minutes to prepare herself before she made her way down to the Royal Courtyard. Her ten Royal guards were already assembled, standing at attention as she joined them. She intentionally decided not to tell anyone on the estate about her departure, wanting to ensure that her husband, King Cyndre, wouldn''t discover her absence when he eventually arrived at the estate. The incident with Rya was something she wished to keep from him, and her intended destination, the Crown Pharmacy, was to be a closely guarded secret. She feared that any disclosure of this information would undoubtedly lead to unwanted attention and potential leaks. ''Now, I need to ask Raiden if any poison came out of me. Let''s hope this doesn''t backfire. The last thing I need is a rumor spreading that I shit myself,'' the Queen thought, and she looked at her wrapped panties with worry. They were in her purse, and she hoped that Raiden would give her an answer. The servant''s carriage rumbled through the bustling streets of the city, weaving past people engrossed in their daily activities. Vigilant guards in the carriage kept a watchful eye on the passing buildings while Lady Nelumbo skillfully navigated through the throngs of people, ensuring a smooth journey to their destination. Arriving at the Crown Pharmacy didn''t take too long. The building, a modest two-story brick structure, defied the grandeur implied by its name. However, it was renowned as the go-to destination for the Kingdom''s most potent potions and effective remedies. The catch? Affording their goods was no small feat. The pharmacy was exclusive, catering only to those with deep pockets. Walk-ins were a rarity; reservations were the norm. It was a place that demanded wealth and stature, leaving the average noble out in the cold. The Crown Pharmacy is infamous for offering the most luxurious and exclusive products in the entire kingdom. "Absolutely! That''s an order. I refuse to be disturbed. Plus, we have no idea who from the nobility is present. Just do it," the Queen insisted, leaving Lady Nelumbo with no recourse but to comply. Lady Nelumbo was about to say something when she heard the Queen''s special knock coming from inside the carriage. The guard''s voice boomed, "Who the hell are you, and why should we listen to you?" Nelumbo confidently knocked on the carriage door, and it opened slightly. The guard glanced at Nelumbo, who was seated in the driver''s seat, and she gestured to him to take a look inside. Despite his skepticism, he peered into the carriage and was astonished to find the Queen herself sitting within. Rianna cut him off with a commanding voice, "Don''t speak! And listen..." "I urgently need to speak with Raiden," the Queen declared. The guard''s eyes widened in panic, "But he''s in the middle of brewing an important potion right now." "I''m calling in a favor, and I will accommodate him... so command your men to stand down and let me see him," the Queen ordered, and the guard had no choice but to obey. "Ahem!" Lady Nelumbo cleared her throat loudly, causing the guard to turn towards her. After a moment, he grasped the significance of her gesture and realized that the information was meant to be kept secret. "Excellent," Rianna said confidently as she firmly shut the carriage door. With a swift tug on the reins, Nelumbo urged the horses forward, quickly veiling them from the prying eyes of the bustling crowd. "I will. Let''s hurry and get this over with. I need to return before nightfall," the Queen said, and she followed the guard inside the building. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Raiden, the renowned figure in the alchemist world, was widely respected for his unparalleled knowledge and expertise. His reputation, however, faced a formidable challenge from Lucas, a mysterious alchemist who emerged two decades prior and had since established himself in the kingdom''s capital. Fueled by a relentless drive to outshine his rival, Raiden became somewhat aloof, showing minimal patience for those who dared to disturb him while engrossed in his work. His reputation for rudeness preceded him, and the Queen dreaded their upcoming meeting. However, she knew it was her only opportunity to uncover the truth about the mysterious mucus. "Alright, thank you. You may go," the Queen said dismissively. The guard hesitated for a moment, torn between duty and the fear of displeasing the Queen, before reluctantly exiting the room. "I hope so as well," the Queen whispered to herself as she fixed her gaze on the door, mustering up the courage to open it. In a chaotic room filled with scattered papers and books, Raiden stood, the mastermind behind Crown Pharmacy''s success. As he carefully poured a mysterious liquid into a bubbling cauldron, his intense focus and precision revealed the dedicated craftsmanship that made his business one of the most prosperous in the entire kingdom. As the door swung open, he almost let the instrument slip from his grasp. "What the hell?! I''m not finished yet. Come back later," Raiden said without even bothering to turn around. Raiden''s body tensed, and time seemed to stand still as the sound of that voice reached his ears. He recognized it immediately, and a heavy sigh escaped his lips as he carefully set an eyedropper back on his desk. "Tch... Making a deal with royalty was a mistake," Raiden grumbled as he paced around the lab, clearing a spot for the Queen to settle in. The Queen gracefully made her way over and settled into a rustic wooden chair. Raiden squinted and furrowed his brow, his gaze intense as he processed and absorbed the information. "Looking for something personal, are you? A secret potion that not even the King can know about?" Raiden inquired with a smile. Raiden''s curiosity was piqued. It was unusual for the Queen to visit this place, and she was known for her directness. Whatever the reason for her visit, it had to be of great significance. Raiden''s gaze bore into her, and he sensed her deception. Yet, he dared not defy royalty with further inquiry. He arched his eyebrow in a mixture of intrigue and skepticism as his gaze lingered on the peculiar yellowish-brown substances. His eyes then shifted back to meet the steady, unwavering gaze of the Queen. "Where did this come from?" Raiden asked, and the Queen kept up her royal facade. disclose the vents that led her here. "Like I said, I found it in a teacup. I was about to drink a cup of tea, and this substance was in the tea leaf," the Queen answered. "I see..." Raiden said as he strode purposefully to another part of his laboratory. The room was filled with glass tubes, each one emptied into a small container. He carefully placed the piece of fabric, which held a yellowish-brown substance, into the empty container that looked like an Erlenmeyer flask. Then, he picked up a glass beaker filled with a transparent liquid. Slowly and steadily, he poured the liquid into the Erlenmeyer flask until it reached the halfway mark. After ensuring that the amount was just right, Raiden sealed the flask with a snug-fitting rubber stopper. the yellowish-brown substance the clear liquidusing the once transparent flask to become hay as the "ing" R "Testing your sample, my Lady... See here?... The clear liquid has a special attribute that can isolate harmful materials. And once I start boiling it, the liquid will go through these glass tubes, and depending on how quickly the materials cool off will determine what type of chemicals are in this substance. One of those five empty vials over there will separate out the chemical composition, and I can analyze it," Raiden carefully explains the process as he attaches a glass tube to the rubber stopper already in place on the container. He then focuses his mana into a magical instrument resembling a hotplate, causing it to glow with vibrant energy. Rianna observed that the e tube ed to the flask earlier. "Wait, I''m a little confused about how the substances are going to move through the glass tubes. It''s hard to imagine how this setup will actually separate out the different chemicals into separate vials," the Queen inquired, watching as the hot plate began to glow and heat up the glass. "Ah... I understand," the Queen remarked, her gaze fixed on the mesmerizing sight of the amber-hued mixture coursing through the glass tubes. The liquid embarked on a captivating transformation, gradually splitting into an array of vibrant hues, each fluid stream flowing at its own unique pace. "This is truly an exceptional device,"beamed with pride. He was on the verge of boasting about his extraordinary potion-making abilities when the fourth vial began to fill with a strange substance, leaving both of them utterly astonished. This confirmation solidified the presence of poison in the substance. The liquid had taken on a vivid neon yellowish-green hue. If Rya or Quinus had been present, they might have mistaken it for antifreeze. Vol.3 Ch.218 Sterilith Bloom and Royal Blue. "That''s peculiar..." Raiden said as he examined the fourth vial. "What''s the substance? Is it poison?" Rianna asked with curiosity. Raiden inhaled deeply, contemplating how he would convey the news to the Queen. As his contraption continued collecting more of the yellowish liquid, he observed a blue-colored sediment forming in the fifth vial that really piqued his curiosity. "That''s quite peculiar," Raiden muttered as he quickly made his way over to one of his cluttered desks piled high with ancient tomes. He started looking through his books for answers. "Is it poisonous?" the Queen asked once again. "The yellow liquid is no ordinary toxin; it''s not deadly, but its origin eludes me. I could swear I''d encountered it before I arrived in this kingdom," Raiden muttered, flipping through the pages with a sense of urgency. "What about the blue sediment?" the Queen asked. "I have a hunch, but I need to make sure that the toxin is what I think it is. Just wait a little longer, please," Raiden requested, and Rianna got irritated. "Fine," the Queen huffed, crossing her arms in frustration. It took a few minutes, and the liquids stopped in all five of the vials. When it was all done, the fourth vial was almost full of the neon yellowish-green liquid. Raiden hurried over to the device and carefully took out the vial. "What is that toxin?" the Queen asked. Raiden examined the substance and then looked at his book on exotic substances. "Well... It''s an exotic toxin, my Lady," Raiden answered, and the Queen was interested. "What does that mean?" Rianna asked. "Poisons fall into two categories. The first type is standard poisons, which are easily detectable and can be countered with an antidote. The second type is Exotic poisons, which are much more challenging to counteract. It''s been many decades since I''ve encountered a toxin of this nature..." Raiden muttered as he lifted the vial into the light, and it changed to a neon yellow. "So it''s an exotic toxin," the Queen stated. "Absolutely, my Lady. When I was just starting out in the world of alchemy, I received an intriguing assignment to extract a unique toxin for a well-known brothel in the Marn Kingdom. This toxin had a fascinating impact on the reproductive organs of women. It was highly sought after by brothels and pimps as it rendered their workers infertile for a certain duration," Raiden revealed. Rianna maintained a composed facade, concealing her inner turmoil, yet a lump formed in her throat. The memory of Rya''s anguished countenance lingered in her mindthe moment when Rya divulged that she sensed a malevolent taint eroding Rianna''s very essence, a poison that the dark elf had purged from her with relentless determination. "Y-You said it can make a woman infertile for some time, correct? How much would... Haah... A business owner of that field need to use on a woman to ensure she remains infertile for a year?" the Queen inquired, her voice betraying a mix of concern and determination. ad out "Watch closely," Raiden whispered, holding up the Petri dish to the Queen. "This single drop has the power to render a female human infertile for about a year... Give or take a few months. The duration varies depending on the woman, some may be affected for longer, and some for shorter periods." Rianna fixated her gaze on the vial, observing the eerie neon yellowish-green fluid contained within. It was hard to fathom that such a minuscule amount of toxin had the potential to inflict significant harm on a person''s body. "H-How long would a female human be infertile with that much toxin?" the Queen asked, her gaze fixed on the vial containing the dangerous substance. Despite having a rough estimate, she felt a surge of unease and uncertainty bubbling within her. "This much!? Oh, geez..." Raiden muttered to himself, scratching the back of his head as he peered at the vial. Rianna caught snippets of his mumbled calculations as he pondered the contents. "A-hem," the Queen coughed to get his attention. "Oh, my apologies... I would need to measure it out for an exact number. But if I had to guess. That is enough toxin to keep a human woman infertile for ten or maybe fifteen lifetimes. Frankly, this amount of toxin might have killed a lesser person," Raiden answered. Rianna shivered as a chill raced down her spine, sending her blood running cold. The realization that so much poison had come out of her left her in disbelief, and now she was determined to uncover how she had ingested the toxin. Rianna inquired, "How exactly would someone consume this substance?" Raiden furrowed his brow and scratched the back of his head. "You see, this toxin, also known as Sterilith Bloom, can only be absorbed in the stomach. The catch is, it has a pungent taste that''s hard to miss," he explained. "Would the substance make someone vomit if they tasted it?" inquired the Queen. Believe me, just a sip of that pungent substance would make you want to spit it out, but it''s impossible to swallow it by mistake. hat''s whe the fifth vial comes into play," Raiden a small amount of blue sediment. "And what makes this blue sediment so interesting?" Rianna asked. Raiden strode over to the vial and gazed at the Queen. "You''re looking at a very rare moss straight from the depths of the Twilight Forest deep inside of the Demon continent of Faeo. It''s got a flavor that''s truly one of a kind, and its flavor is unparalleled," he explained, leaving the Queen utterly astonished. "Are you saying it would make a woman forget about the taste of the poison?" the Queen asked. Raiden shook his head, "No... It''s used to mask the flavor of anything foul or unpleasant to one''s tastebuds. I don''t know how you found this substance with both of these elements in it. But I don''t know if someone was trying to poison you with it." Rianna shifted her gaze to Raiden, who was intently peering into the Erlenmeyer flask, his eyes fixed on the cotton rag that once held the mucus. She pondered her response, then questioned him, "What makes you think that?" Raiden took the flask and put it into the sink. " Whatever this substance was, it was extracting or expelled from someone''s body. But I have not seen anything like this before. The closest thing was doing an autopsy on a human body that had been dead for a week. Or I would get lesser results with fecal matter from animals I''ve tested," he explained before looking at the Queen. "My Lady, do you have any idea who or what produced this mucus?" Rianna''s stoic expression didn''t waver as she nodded and said, "I have a pretty good idea. But I will keep that information to myself for now... If this moss can mask the taste of any poison, why hasn''t it been used more often to kill or poison others in power? Or at least royalty," she asked. "Well, do you know what the name of this moss is?" Raiden asked, and the Queen looked at him. "No... What''s its name?" inquired the Queen, her curiosity piqued. "Royal Blue," Raiden stated. Rianna raised her brow, "Royal Blue?" The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Raiden sighed, "If you''re asking about it, then you don''t know how hard it is to obtain. In fact, only a handful of people in this kingdom can get their hands on Royal Blue." Rianna frowned, "Why''s that?" Raiden gave a nonchalant shrug and began, "The legend of Royal Blue is shrouded in mystery. They say it all started when a majestic blue dragon perished eons ago, and from its remains, this extraordinary moss emerged...Now, I''m not staking my life on that tale, but it''s the only explanation for the rarity of Royal Blue that makes any sense, my Lady." "So, how expensive is the moss?" the Queen asked. Raiden gazed at a larger-than-life portrait of himself adorning the wall and slowly approached it. The painting concealed a secret compartment, which he promptly opened. Inside, he found a diminutive glass jar containing a powder of a serene cerulean hue. Its color resembled that of the fifth vial but possessed a softer tint. The jar seemed to contain only five grams of this mysterious powder. He strolled up to the Queen and declared, "Behold, the only remnants of the Royal Blue I bought many years ago." "I stumbled upon this treasure decades ago at an estate sale. The family selling it had no idea of its value, and I managed to snag it for just a few silvers. I''ve kept it hidden all these years. You see this tiny half-gram of Royal Blue on this paper is worth a staggering two hundred fifty thousand gold pieces! Can you believe I had no idea of its true worth when I first bought it?" Raiden''s voice was barely audible as he revealed the astonishing amount. stood frozen, heraingutter muscule laid out before her. She struggdcomprehend the unimaginable value contained within. This tiny quantity helpurchase a small "kidding me?" the Queen questioned, still in disbelief. Raiden nodded and presented the Queen with the shimmering powder, saying, "But it''s worth every coin, my Lady..." Raiden deftly seizes a copper kettle, its contents bubbling and releasing wisps of steam. With careful precision, he envelops the Royal Blue in a paper sheet, encapsulating it. He places the paper onto a specially designed teaspoon with a secure clamp and lowers it into the simmering water. As the paper makes contact with the hot liquid, a remarkable metamorphosis occurs. The previously inert powder magically transmutes into a vibrant green fluid, filling the air with the delightful aroma of ripe, sweet berries. After gently swirling the water in the kettle, Raiden retrieves two delicate teacups from beneath his cluttered workbench. Carefully setting them down on the worn wooden counter, he meticulously pours the steaming hot liquid into each cup, the fragrant steam rising and filling the room with its comforting aroma. "Close your eyes and inhale deeply. Can you sense the heavenly aroma?" he inquires. Rianna nodded her head slowly, her mind drifting into a hazy state as a wave of nostalgia enveloped her. She was certain she had encountered this familiar scent before, but despite her best efforts, she struggled to pinpoint where. "Y-Yes... It''s quite the aromatic scent," the Queen admitted. "Well, give it a taste. You should drink it while it''s still hot," Raiden insisted. Rianna''s gaze shifted from him to the delicate teacup resting on the saucer. She reached for the cup, lifting it to her nose to take in its rich aroma before bringing it to her lips. With a delicate sip, she savored the taste of the warm tea on her tongue. Once the green liquid touched her tongue, her eyes widened in surprise. She immediately recognized the sweet taste and scent. At the age of fifteen, she had just married Cyndre. Her sister-in-law, Duchess Leandra Revelia, had invited her to a tea party to celebrate her becoming the next Queen of Fiafyr. Leandra said her husband had purchased a rare tea leaf from the Lumen Fae continent, known as the land of the High Elves. Leandra had already savored a cup of her own before the party, and only one more cup remained. To the envy of the others, Rianna ended up with the last cup. Leandra promised to get more if she ever found the elusive tea leaf again. Despite Rianna''s persistent inquiries, Leandra never managed to lay her hands on the rare tea leaf once more. Rianna never knew that she was poisoned by her own sister-in-law that day. She never knew that she felt off because of the poison. All this time, she thought it was because she was getting used to Fiafyrian cuisine. All those times she miscarried, all the times she thought she was a failure of a wife for only giving birth to one child. It was all Leandra''s fault! Rianna then remembered how her sister-in-law smiled at her after she had drunk that cup of divine tea. She told her the tea was very special and made the person who drinks it very healthy. She also told her the tea would help her conceive children. The way Leandra looked at her while sipping that tea would always remain vivid in her memory. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place as her delicate fingers released their grip on the porcelain teacup, sending it crashing down to the floor, where it shattered into a dozen scattered fragments. Raiden jumped in surprise, "My Lady!? Is something the matter?" Rianna''s breath came in short gasps. "N-No... Nothing''s wrong, Raiden. I think I had a vision," she lied through clenched teeth, her eyes fixed on the shattered cup at her feet. Raiden raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "Oh, is that so? I guess that happens from time to time when savoring something so divine," he remarked. a strtykkrd "Yes, unfortunately. If there''s any supply of it on Agon, it''s definitely being kept under wraps," ''s mind was a whirlwind of contemplation as she carefully procsHer thoughts swirled as she absorbed the information, meticulously gathering every detail to craft a strategic course of action to confronteache gazed up at Raiden d. "Absolutely, my Lady. But I do hope to be compensated for the Royal Blue that brought you such enjoyment," Raiden replied with a nod. The Queen gazed at him with a glint in her eye, "Oh, but of course. You shall be handsomely rewarded for allowing me to savor the essence of Royal Blue." "Excellent. You may count on my loyalty, my Lady. You have nothing to worry about," Raiden said. "I''ll make sure someone from my husband''s Treasury Department will give you the money within the week," Rianna said. Raiden nodded eagerly, "Is there anything else your Majesty desires from her loyal servant?" You''ve been a great help, Raiden." Raiden grins, "I might not always express it, but it''s always a delight to see you, your Majesty." Rianna then turns to leave. Her jaw clenched tightly in anger, her knuckles turning white as she balled her fists. How could Leandra do this to her? Memories of the countless heartbreaking miscarriages flooded Rianna''s mind, each one a painful reminder of the anguish she had endured because of Leandra''s actions. Leaving the laboratory, she stepped out into the dimly lit hallway of the Pharmacy, her fists clenched in frustration. With determined steps, she made her way through the echoing halls until she finally reached the back door. As soon as she emerged from the doorway, Nelumbo and her guards were filled with panic. One of them swiftly draped their cloak over the Queen to shield her from view. Rianna was so lost in thought that she forgot to put on her cloak, which was still in Raiden''s laboratory. "Your Highness! It would be best if you weren''t going outside without a disguise," Nelumbo scolded the Queen. Rianna was caught off guard by her forgetfulness, "O-Oh right. Thank you, Nelumbo." "It''s my job to keep you safe, my Queen. Let''s get you out of here. I don''t want anyone else to recognize you," Nelumbo whispered to Rianna. The air crackled with tension as the Queen swiftly made her way into the servant''s carriage, flanked by eight of her loyal guards. With a resolute clasp, Nelumbo shut the ornate carriage door and agilely ascended to the top, riding in "shotgun" while another vigilant guard took the reins in the driver''s seat. The horse-drawn carriage gracefully lifted off, gliding smoothly down the cobblestone street. Nelumbo cautiously scanned the surroundings, relieved to find no indication of prying eyes. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she glanced over at the vigilant guards through the tiny window, whose watchful eyes remained fixed on the Queen. "Where to, your Majesty?" inquired the guard sitting in the driver seat. "Bring us back to the estate... I have an apology to make," Rianna declared as she reclined on the plush carriage seat. The guards remained silent, choosing not to inquire about the Queen''s actions. The horse-drawn carriage made its way through the bustling streets, finally arriving at the grand estate. The sun had not yet set, and it was a tranquil four o''clock in the afternoon. Overwhelmed by the day''s journey, she felt the urge to refresh herself before the upcoming dinner with her beloved son and his soon-to-be bride. Vol.3 Ch.219 Dinner with the Queen. Rya, Dalia, Tayna, and Nieren were all leisurely getting dressed, their hair still slightly damp from the relaxing bath they had just enjoyed. Yuliana, on the other hand, craved a bit more solitude and tranquility, opting to linger in the warm embrace of the bathwater. Sitting at the far end of the bath, she allowed the soothing water to envelop her, embracing the calm and stillness of the moment. Tayna was assisting Nieren with fastening her bra, and she was wearing a pair of white panties. Meanwhile, Rya was brushing her hair, clad in a pair of black panties and a dark purple bra. Dalia stood bare in the quiet of her closet, her skin illuminated by a gentle light, as she sought a pair of underwear amidst the hanging clothes. "Alpha, do you have a spare set of underwear I can borrow? I only have one pair, and they are a little tight on me," Dalia asked the Dark Elf. Rya gazes at the wolfkin and realizes that her body has matured, with her figure becoming more pronounced and her breasts appearing larger thanks to her pregnancy. "Here, try these on. They''re a bit tight on me, but they should fit you," Rya said as she strolled over to Dalia. She presented her with a perfectly coordinated set of black lace bras and underwear. "You''re the best, Alpha," Dalia says with a smile. She puts them on, and they fit her perfectly. Dalia''s bust appeared to have grown larger in the past few months. She is now filling out a full D-cup. The wolfkin slid on her panties and fastened on her bra that lifted and pressed her breasts together. "Wow, those are perfect for you," Rya complimented the wolfkin. Dalia''s face turned red, and she smiled happily. "Y-Yeah... But I feel like my balance is off. I don''t know how I can fight with these things. I''m used to my old ones. Plus, the extra weight is going to throw me off when I want to use my brawler moves. I need to be able to move quickly," Dalia complained about her big breasts. "Well, maybe they''ll go back to a normal size after you give birth. It happens to humans, so maybe it''s the same for demi-humans," Rya replied while tapping her chin. "Yeah... But if my breasts stay this big, I don''t think I''d be able to fight," Dalia said sadly. "You''re worried about them bouncing around? I can understand that... But I know a solution," Rya said with a wink. "Really?! What is it?" Dalia asks excitedly. "Sports bras... But I need to find someone who can make them... I''ll ask Quin about finding a tailor who can make them. Maybe a leatherworker could make them if nylon hasn''t been invented yet," Rya pondered. "Sports... Bra?... What''s a sports?..." Dalia tilts her head. "Huh? Well, sports are a game of physical competition. Sorta like your battle arena days, but from where I was from. They were way less lethal," Rya tried explaining. "I see," Dalia replied with a bit of confusion. She was beginning to understand the meaning, but the concept of a non-lethal form of combat seemed ridiculous to her. What was the point of fighting if not to kill? "Like there were races to see who can run the fastest or jump over hurdles around the track. There are also team games, and the best example would be a sport called soccer, or as they call it in their country, Football. And the goal in soccer is to use your feet to kick a ball into the opposing team''s net," Rya explained. Dalia never thought of a professional competition that didn''t involve killing your opponent, and the idea of competing purely for fun was a foreign concept to her. "So, you didn''t kill them when they lose?" Dalia asked curiously. "What? OH!? No, no, no... You don''t kill anyone in the sports games that I know of. And the winners and losers are not life and death either. They''re just to determine the best in a specific sport," Rya said, realizing that she had to be careful with her wording. It was at that moment that a light clicked inside Dalia''s mind. This wasn''t a fight to the death but rather a friendly competition. "So, it''s like when we spar together, and we aim only to beat the other without trying to kill them?" "Absolutely! That''s spot on. And then there are other non-combat sports where you earn points by shooting an object into a hoop or a net before time runs out," Rya exclaimed with a wide smile. Dalia''s eyes lit up, and her tail began to wag furiously. "That sounds like so much fun!" "It is... And that''s where sports bras come into play for us. Sports bras are created to minimize chest movement, providing comfort during high-impact activities like jumping and running," Rya affirmed with a nod. "You''ve caught my interest in these non-lethal games, Alpha... I want you to teach me about this game," Dalia asked respectfully. "You got it... And maybe these games can become popular enough to replace the battle arenas. It''ll be safer for everyone," Rya said. Dalia looked excited at the prospect of being able to play this sport that didn''t involve the shedding of blood. Dalia smiles, "I would love that." Rya gave a nod before turning her attention to Nieren and Tayna. She noticed that they had finished getting dressed. Nieren was wearing a striking red tunic, a black long-sleeve shirt, dark brown pants, and a pair of knee-high black leather boots. Tayna looked stunning in an elegant, floor-length white dress. The dress featured a stylish V-cut neckline and a tasteful slit on the right side, adding a touch of sophistication to her ensemble. "I don''t know why we didn''t request a maid to help dress us," Tayna complained. "And lose this bonding moment, Tayna? Come on, it''s more fun dressing each other. And besides, I feel like we won''t be able to have many of these moments together. So why not enjoy it?" Rya asked. Tayna was tempted to argue that it was beneath her, but deep down, she couldn''t deny how enjoyable it was to dress up her friends. "You make a good point, my Lady," Tayna answered reluctantly. Rya smirks, "Now, let''s find a dress for me and Dalia." Rya entered the wardrobe and pulled out a black silk dress and a pair of black shoes. ''God damn... These heels should be painful to wear, but they don''t. Freaking fantasy worlds, I guess... I still can''t believe how much I enjoy wearing these.'' "Hey, Dalia? Can you give me a hand with this dress? I can''t tie the back," Rya asks. "Of course, Alpha," Dalia replied. The wolfkin skillfully helps Rya into the stunning black dress, and she looks absolutely gorgeous. The dress features a captivating V-cut neckline that gracefully plunges down the center, showing off her cleavage. The short sleeves elegantly showcase her arms, while the hemline cascades all the way down to her ankles. Paired with a sleek set of black heels, she is radiant. "Here. You should wear this fur shawl. It''ll give you an elegant look," Tayna said, handing the white fur shawl to Rya. "Thank you, Tayna. And thank you, Dalia," Rya said with a smile. Stolen novel; please report. "Anything for you, my Alpha," Dalia smiled back. "Yes, my Lady," Tayna adds. ''Man... It feels like a lifetime ago when I resisted wearing this stuff... But now, I really don''t mind... And I love the feeling of being pampered... It''s so satisfying... I just hope I don''t get spoiled,'' Rya thought while looking at herself in a mirror. "Dalia, you''re the last one that needs to get dressed up. Come here," Rya said as she finished the final touches to her outfit. Dalia nodded and went into the wardrobe next to Rya. After a quick search, she pulled out a vibrant yellow dress with a flowing fabric and a short, flirtatious skirt. "I''m not too familiar with human clothing, but... I think this should work," Dalia said, pulling the dress out and showing it to Rya. ''Huh... She''s finally starting to enjoy wearing clothing... Way to go, Dalia. I should reward her in some way. But I''ll do that in the future.'' "Hmm... That should be perfect," Rya answered, giving her approval. After some time, all the women finished putting on their dinner attire before greeting the Queen. Ten minutes later, they are all dressed and make their way to the dining room. *** The dining room was draped in a hushed silence, broken only by the rhythmic clinking of cutlery against porcelain. The meal consisted of a humble serving of savory chicken soup accompanied by crusty bread and a glass of rich, velvety wine. Rya was seated between Quinus and Nieren, with Quinus positioned next to his mother. Percy and Dalia were seated across from Quinus. Tayna and Johan were seated on the same side of the table as the wolfkin and her mate. General Douglas was also there, seated at the end of the table. Rianna looked stunning in her elegant evening gown. Her rich, deep green dress caught everyone''s eye, and the bodice beautifully accentuated her figure. "My Queen, you seem to be in a good mood," General Douglas said, breaking the silence. "Why yes, I had a lovely conversation with the Baroness Ysandra Fairchild a few days ago. It seems like she''s becoming a grandmother soon," Rianna said. Rya hesitated, unsure whether to speak up, but she felt compelled to at least give it a shot without coming across as too eager. "That''s wonderful news. When is she expecting?" Rya asked, not knowing if she was interrupting the queen or not. "In a few months. Her daughter-in-law is about four months pregnant. But it''s been a secret," Rianna replied calmly. Rya was taken aback by the unexpected shift in the Queen''s attitude. It was almost as if their disagreement from earlier had never occurred. ''Is this because I saved her from being poisoned? Maybe after a few hours, she has realized that I wasn''t playing a trick on her?'' Rya ponders. "That is wonderful news, Your Majesty," Tayna said with a smile. "Indeed, it is... Which one of her sons is the father?" Johan asked. "Well... She didn''t specify, but I have an inkling that it''s her second son, Lord Jared," Rianna replied. "Lord Jared Fairchild? I thought he was busy running the academy... I guess he had more time than I thought," Johan said out loud. "I see... I hope her daughter-in-law''s pregnancy is a smooth one," Yuliana added while sipping her wine. Rianna smiled and looked at Rya, who was a little nervous but kept her composure. "Yes... And I hope to become a grandmother someday, too," Rianna said, staring at her son''s fiancee. Rya''s cheeks blushed red as she stared back at the queen. "Y-Yes, my Queen," Rya stammered. Quinus clasped Rya''s hand in his own and flashed a warm smile at his mother. "Lady Rya is doing her part, mother," Quinus stated. Rya felt her heart rate spike with embarrassment as her fiance revealed their intimate relationship in front of his mother. While Rya was open about their relationship with others, she hadn''t anticipated her fiance sharing such personal details in such a public setting. Rya couldn''t help but feel torn as she shifted her gaze back and forth between her beloved and the queen. She noticed a subtle smirk forming on Rianna''s face, which left her utterly perplexed. Instead of anger, there was a hint of amusement in Rianna''s expression, adding to Rya''s confusion. "Indeed... Lady Rya is doing her part as a fiancee. But remember... She needs to win the court and the people if she is going to be the next Queen," Rianna reminded her son. "I''m sure she''ll do fine," Quinus replied. "We shall see," Rianna replied with a smile as she savored her meal. "And when I say this, Lady Rya, I truly mean it... I long to become a grandmother. I cannot bear the thought of our family lineage ending with Quinus. You might have to make certain concessions in the future, but I believe it will be worth it," Rianna explained earnestly. "Yes, my Queen. I understand," Rya replied. Rianna and the others ate their meals in relative silence, with only the sounds of the clinking cutlery and occasional chatter breaking it. General Douglas finished his meal first, followed by Dalia, then Johan, Quinus, Percy, Nieren, and Yuliana. Rianna took her time finishing her meal, and Tayna and Rya finished last. "Well... This has been a lovely dinner," Rianna said, breaking the silence. "It has, your Majesty," Rya said politely. "Indeed, Lady Rya, it''s a delight to have you join us for dinner tonight. And Lord Johan Dule, your presence is truly appreciated. It''s clear that with your support, my son has a strong ally in the court, and that is something we warmly welcome," Rianna expressed with genuine gratitude. Johan flashed a bright smile and nodded enthusiastically in agreement. "Yes, your Majesty. Thank you," Johan replied. "If I may. I would like to ask one more favor from you and the general," Rianna asked. "Ask away, my Queen," Douglas replied. "Please escort my son and Lady Rya to the capital within the hour... The King is on his way to Lomar, and there''s no way to keep the eyes of the lower court from finding out about Lady Rya. We must keep her out of the public''s eye for as long as possible. Plus, with all the attention drawn here, it should make it easier to get into the palace," Rianna explains. "So, her Majesty wishes to use me as cover for the Prince and his fiancee? And she wants me to escort her into the capital city without causing any unwanted attention?" Johan summarized. "Yes, I know it''s an inconvenience. But it is a royal order, Lord Johan," Rianna states. Johan looked at his wife, and she smirked and then nodded to him. Johan turned back to the Queen. "It''s no inconvenience at all, Your Majesty. My wife and I will be honored to help out," Johan said. "Thank you, Lord Johan. General Douglas. The King will be taking the main road here. And is halfway through his travels. Also, make sure to take a detour before arriving in the capital city. We don''t need the Duke''s people seeing your arrival at the palace," Rianna explains. "Yes, my Queen. I''ll make sure that Lady Rya gets to the capital safely," Douglas said as he stood up from his chair. "And we''ll be there too, Your Majesty," Percy chimed in. "Oh yes, and Miss Gretchen will be joining you. She will inform the staff at the palace about Lady Rya''s race. They will treat her right and help her fit in," Rianna said. "Understood," Johan and Douglas said in unison. It felt weird how everyone was planning Rya''s life for her. While she felt an obligation to lend a hand, she couldn''t shake the feeling that it might be easier to just go along with their decisions. Quinus smiled at his mother, "You''re the best, mother." "Of course, my Queen," Rya expressed her gratitude. Quinus and Rya''s admiring gazes towards Rianna filled her heart with joy, yet she concealed her emotions because that is what a queen must do. "You''re welcome. Now hurry and pack your belongings. And don''t forget to wear a disguise when leaving the estate," Rianna reminded them. "Yes, my Queen," they all answered. The dining room quickly emptied as everyone departed to make their preparations, leaving only Quinus and his mother behind. "Are you okay, mother?" Quinus asked. "I''m fine, Quinus. Why do you ask?" Rianna asks. "Well, you are being nice to Lady Rya... And I was worried that you wouldn''t get along," Quinus explains. Rianna laughed, "Quinus, we are royalty. It''s not our job to get along with everyone. Our job is to lead and guide our people... But I think I''m starting to understand why you are so fond of her... But remember, I need a grandchild from someone. If it''s her, then that''s fine. But if she can''t, then you will have to take a mistress, or I''ll arrange a marriage for you. The royal line must continue," Rianna stated. Quinus sighed and nodded, "Yes, Mother... I understand. But I will do everything in my power to only have her as my wife," Quinus stated. Queen Rianna smiles and nods, "Very well, Quinus. You have my permission. But know that if she doesn''t give you a child by the time you are king. I will do as I said," Rianna warned. "Thank you, Mother," Quinus thanked her. "You are welcome, my son," Rianna said, hugging her son. As Quinus leaves the room, a sense of excitement fills the air. He has a trip to prepare for and eagerly sets off to get ready for the adventure that lies ahead. Rianna''s face lit up with a smile as she watched her son walk away, a sense of contentment settling in her heart. However, the feeling of joy at seeing him finally finding his place in the world was overshadowed by the impending turmoil that would soon unfold with the revelation of a dark elf''s presence. Rianna diligently prepared for any obstacles that might threaten her family. She was determined to ensure that those who opposed her would face the consequences. *** In less than an hour, Quinus, Rya, and the rest of the Entourage traveled with them. They all were on a carriage heading towards the Fiafyr''s Capital City of Tairal. The regal Queen stood stoically, observing their departure. "Good luck, my son. I will be home in a few days," Queen Rianna whispers as the carriage bearing House Dule''s coat of arms is escorted by the General''s Royal Knights, beginning its departure from the estate. As they passed through, the royal guards stationed at the gates respectfully inclined their heads in a show of deference. Queen Rianna''s face lit up with a warm smile as she observed her son''s entourage departing from the estate and making their way toward the main road. Vol.3 Ch.220 I Might Forgive You 🦴 As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the city, the first sliver of the twin moons began to appear in the darkening sky. The resonant blast of horns filled the air, signaling the long-awaited arrival of the King at the Eastern gate of Lomar. A palpable excitement rippled through the crowd as the King mounted on a majestic steed, made his regal entrance into the city. His subjects erupted into cheers and applause, their voices blending with the sounds of music and revelry that filled the air. Amidst the jubilant throng, Cyndre maintained a composed countenance, acknowledging the crowd with intermittent waves and smiles. However, his thoughts were consumed by the anticipation of reuniting with his beloved wife and, above all, his precious son. As the king''s convoy rolled through the grand gates of the Royal Estate, the polished armor of the royal guard glistened in the nightlights as he stood at attention, announcing the esteemed arrival with a booming voice that echoed through the majestic courtyard. "Announcing the arrival of His Royal Highness King Cyndre Meredydd," a voice announces as the King walks into the foyer of the estate. In the grand foyer, everyone bowed in deference. Cyndre''s gaze swept across the opulent surroundings, but there was no sign of his beloved wife or son. Frowning, he pivoted and locked eyes with the royal chamberlain. "Chamberlain, have you seen my wife and son?" Cyndre demanded. "The Queen is in her room, your Majesty," the Chamberlain answered. "And the Prince?" Cyndre asked. "I can''t say, your Majesty... All I was told was that her ladyship said she would tell you," the chamberlain stated. Cyndre furrowed his brow. "Is that right?" he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. "I''ll go check on my wife. Please see to it that my room is ready for me within the hour. I''m feeling a bit worn out," Cyndre requested. "Yes, your Majesty. I''ll inform the butler," the chamberlain said before going off. Cyndre and Rianna had always shared the same bed as a symbol of their closeness, but due to Cyndre''s poor decisions involving his older brother, his once-loving relationship with his wife became strained. Despite the distance between them, his love for her remained, and he was determined to repair their relationship. Then, the King made his way towards his and his wife''s chambers. Upon his arrival, he rapped on the door, and a servant promptly appeared to answer it. "Your Majesty," the maid greeted him with a bow. ''Huh? Where''s Gretchen?... N-Nevermind that,'' the king thought. "May I enter?" He asked. The maid turned to inform the Queen. "Yes, he may enter," the Queen''s voice called out. The door creaked open as the maid stepped aside, allowing Cyndre to enter his bedroom. As he glanced around the room, his eyes fell upon his wife seated in front of her ornate vanity. Her delicate nightgown draped around her, and she was gently running a comb through her flowing hair while avoiding her husband''s gaze through the reflection of the mirror. "Hello, my Queen," Cyndre greeted her with reverence. Rianna let out a sigh. "What is it, Cyndre? You know I usually like to sleep around this time," she explained. As she glanced in the mirror, she noticed her husband standing near the doorway. For some reason, he appeared especially dashing tonight. She brushed off the thought and tried to maintain her annoyed demeanor. "Sorry, my dear. But I couldn''t help myself. I missed you and the boy," Cyndre stated. Rianna raised her eyebrow at him before looking at the maid standing by the door. "Miss Edith, could you leave us alone?" Rianna asked. The maid bowed, "Of course, my Queen," Miss Edith left the room. As the maid departed and closed the door behind her, the King turned his gaze towards his wife. She was still engrossed in her reflection, delicately combing through her luscious, jet-black locks of hair. "Is something the matter, my Queen? You look troubled," the King asked. "Did you forget that our son has a dark elf with whom he''s in love with?" The Queen stated with a hint of annoyance. King Cyndre sighed, "No, I didn''t forget," he answered, "But I trust in your judgment, and if she was a threat, you would have dealt with her," Cyndre stated. "Y-Yes, I would have done what needed to be done," she said as the itch in her loins returned with a vengeance and got worse. All she could do to distract herself was quickly pick up the pace of combing her hair. She purposefully tried to avoid gazing at her husband, but her body had other plans. "I-I''m sorry... I feel like I messed something up again. But I don''t know what," he said as he looked at the floor in defeat. "You did, but it was a good distraction for allowing Quinus and Rya to sneak into the palace without anyone noticing," Rianna said with a hint of amusement in her voice. As Cyndre glanced up, he caught his wife''s gaze in the reflection of the mirror. Their eyes met, and a fleeting blush colored Rianna''s cheeks before she averted her gaze. "Rya? That''s the name of the dark elf, isn''t it... Well, if you are saying her name so easily. Does that mean you have accepted her as part of the family?" Cyndre asked. Rianna chuckled a bit, "Yes, and no... She is an interesting one. She needs to win over the court and the people if she wants to be the next queen," she stated. Cyndre sighs, "If you think that is best, then I will not interfere. Were you able to find out if she is a healer? Like Quinus said she was," he asked. Rianna''s body stiffened up as memories of her womanhood being healed by Rya made her fantasize about her husband. She couldn''t believe how she succumbed to lust so easily. It was unbecoming of a Queen. "Um... N-No, not yet... I didn''t have enough time to test her," Rianna lied out of embarrassment. "Alright, then. Well, I will let you rest," Cyndre said softly, turning around and heading toward the door. As he made his way to the door, he paused when he caught the sound of his wife''s voice. "C-Cyndre?" she stuttered out as her eyes stared at his fine behind. "Yes, my Queen." Cyndre turns his head to see his wife sitting there, blushing. "Y-You missed a spot... O-On my back, I mean," Rianna states. "W-What?" Cyndre responded in confusion. Rianna blushed harder, "C-Can you p-please check my back," she asked. Cyndre had never seen his wife so hesitant since the first time they were intimate. He approached his wife and positioned himself behind her, gazing at the nape of her neck. "Y-Your hands would feel nice right now, and my back is sore from all this stress... T-That mostly is your fault! Y-Yes, it''s your fault. B-But... C-Can you-G-Guh," the queen couldn''t bring herself to say the words she wanted to say. Rianna was feeling hot and wet between her legs as she felt her husband''s presence behind her. She could almost imagine his hands caressing her body and the things he would do to her. ndre''s hands reached up, and he placed them on his wife''s shoulders, giving them a firm yet gentle squeeze. Cyndre could sense her body tense up under his touch, and he couldn''t help but wonder if he was causing her pain. the King asked. " aced Cyndre enjoyed teasing his wife. He didn''t understand why, but she was more sensitive to his touch. It''s been years since he was able to touch his wife. He missed it, and he could smell her intoxicating scent, and the feel of her skin made his cock hard. He wanted to ravage her. Cyndre pulled back from kissing his wife''s neck, placed his lips to her ear, and whispered, "Is there something wrong, my dear," he asked, his hot breath sending more shivers down her spine, making her nipples erect and rubbing against her nightgown until the fabric tented outward. "N-No... I''m just..." Rianna paused and looked down at her own erect nipples. She had never seen them stick out like this, not even when she and Cyndre were intimate. ''T-They''re so big! M-Must be from all the milk I gave Quinus when he was a baby,'' the Queen thought. ''Has her chest gotten bigger?...'' He wondered. Cyndre ed s h his wife''s ands "Hmmm?..." Cyndre hummed as he gazed at his wife''s chest, his hands slowly making their way to her breasts. ''W-What is happening to me!?'' She thought. Her heart was racing, her breathing was labored, and she could feel her juices running down her thighs. She''s never been this turned on since the months before she found out that she was pregnant with Quinus. "Ah~!" Rianna gasped as she felt Cyndre''s hands move over her bosoms. She felt his thumbs rubbing over her hardened nipples. She covered her mouth with her hands to suppress her moans. Seeing her reaction, Cyndre started playing with her nipples a bit more. "I know... And I will do everything in my power to make it up to you, my love," Cyndre whispered in his wife''s ear, causing her to gasp again. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Cyndre then moved his hands down to her sides and pulled her closer to him. He continued kissing and sucking on her neck and gently bit her ear lobe. "H-How do you intend to m-make it up to me, Cyndre," Rianna asked, her voice a bit shaky as she was losing control of her body. "Let me show you," Cyndre said as he slowly undid the strings holding his wife''s nightgown together. He then pulled down the straps, exposing her shoulders. He started to kiss her bare skin while he continued to pull her nightgown down. Her skin started forming goosebumps. "A-Aah~," Rianna moaned. Her nipples were now visible. And Cyndre couldn''t help himself. He moved his hands up to her breasts and began playing with them again. He gently pinched and tugged at her nipples and rubbed his thumb over them. "O-Ohh, Cyndre," Rianna gasped. "Yes, my love?" "I-I need more," she whimpered like a child wanting candy. Cyndre chuckled, "Patience, my love, we have all the time in the world," he whispered into her ear. Causing her clitoris to twitch. ''T-This is a trap. He''s doing this to make me forgive him,'' Rianna thought. Cyndre moves his left hand down her side and grabs hold of her butt. "Aah!" Rianna yelped. "Mmm, I''ve always loved this ass," Cyndre said as he massaged her ass cheek. "Y-You don''t think it''s too big?" She asked, worried that her butt had gotten bigger after having her son. "Not at all... You''re perfect... And I''m blessed to have you in my life... I fear that I don''t deserve you," he whispered as he kissed her earlobe. Rianna''s legs began shaking. And she could feel her pussy getting wetter. ''T-This is bad... W-Why am I feeling so good?'' She thought. "T-That''s not true, I''m the one who doesn''t deserve you," she argued. She didn''t realize what she just said. "Mmm, but you''ve always been by my side through all these years," Cyndre said as he gently squeezed her other ass cheek. "Hnng! Aah~" "You are a good mother and an excellent wife... I don''t deserve your forgiveness, but I will earn it," he said as he continued to fondle her ass. Rianna grabbed his hands and brought them up to her breasts. "I-If you want my f-forgiveness, y-you must work f-for it," she moaned. Cyndre smiled. "As you wish," he said as he grabbed hold of her breasts and began to massage them. "Hnnngh!" Rianna moaned. She could feel Cyndre''s warm breath on her neck as he leaned in to place gentle kisses along her skin. His lips left a trail of soft, lingering caresses as they moved from her neck down to her shoulder, leaving her with a tender and intimate sensation. "Y-You don''t think my breasts are too big?" She asked. Cyndre couldn''t help but smile at the sight of his wife being utterly adorable. The Queen moaned loudly as she felt Cyndre''s tongue circling around her nipple. "er to her "Aah~," she moaned as she threw her head back "I also love your ass... Your body is amazing, but all of these physical features are nothing compared to the kind heart you have, Rianna. Or the wisdom you have shown over the years," he said as he kissed and sucked her other breast. The resolve she had to confine him to the dog house was crumbling, and her husband was keenly aware of it. "Haa~," she gasped as her husband''s words caused her to lose herself in the moment. "C-Cyndre... M-More," Rianna demanded as she opened her legs as wide as she could and leaned back, giving him better access to her pussy. ". ''T-This man is making me act like a horny teenager! A-All this talk about my bosoms and how much he loves me, it''s too much. I-I can''t control myself! W-Why is my body reacting like this?...'' As Rianna pondered, she couldn''t help but wonder why she had never experienced such profound emotions throughout her entire life. "I-I''ve missed you so much, Cyndre," she cried as tears rolled down her cheeks. "And I''ve missed you, my love," he said as he inserted another finger into her pussy, and slowly started pumping his fingers in and out of her. "Aaah! T-The itch is back! Aunh!? I-It''s deeper than before! D-DO SOMETHING!?" Rianna wrapped her arms around her husband''s neck and started grinding her pussy on his hand. "Yes... That''s it... Let me give you the relief you desire, my love," he said as he started speeding up the movement of his fingers. Rianna was enjoying herself, but the itchiness was just out of reach of Cyndre''s fingers. She wanted more. She needed more. "Aahn~ C-Cyndre... Please... M-More," she moaned. "Shh," he said as he kissed her neck. "GAH! CYNDRE!?! IF YOU EVER WANT ME TO FORGIVE YOU EVER AGAIN, THEN YOU WILL PUT YOUR COCK IN ME RIGHT NOW!... Huh? I-I didn''t mean to sayACK! CYNDRE!?" Rianna shouts as her husband lifts her, brings her to the bed, and lays her on her back. "As my queen commands," he said as he ripped open his robe and pants and pulled out his massive 13-inch cock. Rianna''s eyes went wide as she saw the massive shaft that was in her husband''s hands. She was already drenched in her own juices, but she couldn''t help herself. ''I-It wasn''t supposed to go this far. H-He''s just doing this to win me over. Maybe if he treats me right, then I mightN-No! H-He''s just a stupid, horny male. I can''t forgive him that easily... But his cock is so big... I forgot how big it was...'' Rianna thought as she eyed the massive rod. "You''re so sexy when you''re angry," Cyndre smirked. Rianna wanted to be mad at him, but she couldn''t. His words were too sweet. "I-I don''t care! Just give me your dick already!" she demanded as she spread her legs wide. Cyndre''s eyes widened, and he licked his lips. He wasted no time and crawled on top of his wife and positioned himself in between her legs. "As you command, my Queen," he said as he slowly inserted his dick into her. Once the tip of his cock rubbed against her pussy lips, her body began to shake. "AAH~," she moaned loudly as he slowly pushed his entire cock inside her. His cock was poking the itchiness in her womb. "Oh, goddess! Y-Youre so thick! Aahn~," she moaned. Cyndre didn''t answer her, and he just kept pumping his dick in and out of her pussy. ''Y-Yes! He''s doing it! Aaahn! His dick is rubbing the itchiness away!'' Rianna thought as her eyes rolled back. "M-More!" "Haa~ Yes, my Queen," he says, as his balls slapped against her ass. After years of anticipation, Cyndra finally has the opportunity to make amends with his wife. He wasn''t going to let this chance slip away. "Yes... Yes! More, Cyndre! Give me more!" Rianna had tears streaming down her cheeks, and her moans were echoing through the bedroom. Her breasts bounced up and down, and her ass jiggled each time he pumped his dick into her. ''Aaah... T-This is exactly what I''ve been missing... I-I can''t believe I''ve been without this for so long... I should have let Cyndre fuck me every night instead of just banishing him,'' Rianna thought as the pleasure consumed her body. "Oh yes! Oh yes! Keep going!" she cried as she wrapped her legs around her husband''s waist and pulled him closer. She could feel her husband''s cock reaching deeper into her womb as the itch was getting battered away. "Oh yes! This is what I''ve been missing!" She couldn''t deny that this was what she wanted. She had been missing the sexual pleasure that she got from her husband''s cock. And it was all thanks to Rya''s healing magic. "F-Fuck!" she cried. "You''re so fucking sexy, my love," he said as his balls slapped against her ass. "Deeper! Put it in deeper, CYNDRE! OH GODDESS! MY CLIT IS ITCHING SO BADLY!" she shouted. Cyndre was enjoying himself and was glad that his wife was finally letting him make love to her again. He thought she finally started forgiving him due to the successful return of their son. He was going to thank him later, but first, he wanted to make his wife cum. "I''m about to cum, Rianna! HNNG! Your pussy is milking my dick so well," he says, as his balls tightened, and he felt his orgasm building up. "Don''t say such vulgar things, Cyndre! I-I can''t take it any longer," she said, as her pussy walls clenched around his dick. "But it''s true! Your pussy is amazing! It''s been a year since I''ve been able to have sex with you. Aann~ and I''m gonna cum!" he moaned. "Cum? Y-You''re going to cum inside me? Aaahn~," she said, as her toes curled and her orgasm came crashing down on her. "OH, GODDESS! OH, GODDESS! OH GODDESS!" she screamed as her pussy milked his cock dry. "Fuck, I''m cumming, my love," he moaned as he pushed his dick deep into her womb and shot a large load of semen deep inside her. ''T-The itch is gone! It''s finally gone!'' she thought as she felt his warm seed flow through her body. "Aaahn~ C-Cum inside me... Don''t stop," she moaned as her pussy clenched around his dick. "Fuck, I''ll give you my everything," he moaned as his dick throbbed inside her pussy. Rianna''s primal urges were taking over, and she wanted more. "Hahhh... You''re so big... I''ve missed your cock so much... Please forgive me, my love," she said as she looked him in the eyes. "R-Rianna? Oh goddess!" he moaned as his balls twitched, and he unloaded another batch of his cum into her womb. "Mnn~" Rianna closed her eyes, and her pussy quivered. Her primal urges were telling her to procreate while her ovaries were releasing her eggs into her uterus. "I''m cumming, Cyndre," she moaned. e said as h she moaned as her whole body convulsed. ''T-This feels amazing! I-I haven''t felt this good in years! Ooohhh~ I want more!'' Rianna thought as she hugged her husband tightly. "Rianna, are you alright?" "Yes, my love. I''m fine. Just a little sore," she replied. Cyndre''s dick was still inside her, and he knew she was enjoying the sensation because she was wiggling her hips a little. "I''ve missed you so much, Rianna," he said as his penis slowly started hardening again. "I''ve missed you, too," she said as she looked up at him with her beautiful blue eyes. "Then allow me to show you just how much I''ve missed you," he said as he started pumping his cock inside her. "Yes, please. Give me your all, or I won''t ever forgive you," she said, as her pussy started leaking more and more juices. "Then I shall not disappoint you," he said as he began thrusting his hips, and his cock pounded her pussy. "OH GODDESS! OH YES! CYNDRE! MORE! FUCK ME! FUCK ME MORE!" she cried, as her whole body shook with pleasure. Her royal demeanor had been thrown out the window, and she was now a horny woman who wanted nothing more than to be fucked by her man. "HNggh, you''re so tight, my love," he grunted. "Yes! Yes! You''re so big!" "HNGH, Fuck, I''m gonna cum," he said, as his dick twitched inside her pussy. "OH, YES! DO IT! CUM INSIDE ME, MY LOVE! FILL ME UP!" she cried as her pussy tightened around his dick, and her juices leaked onto the bed. "AAHH, CUMMING!" he groaned as his dick exploded inside her womb, and her pussy milked him dry. "Ahh, I''m full," she moaned as her pussy walls clenched around his shaft. She''s never been so satisfied before. She could feel her body relaxing, and the itchiness that had plagued her was no longer there. "Haaa..." She sighed as the feeling of his dick inside her and the warmth of his cum flowing through her body made her feel relaxed and happy. "H-How was it, my love?" he asked as he pulled his cock out of her pussy. "Huh? O-Oh, it was wonderful, my love," she said, as her eyes lit up when looking into Cyndre''s golden eyes. "Thank you," he said as he leaned forward and kissed her lips. "Hmm," she moaned as her tongue danced with his, and her juices continued leaking from her pussy. She''s never felt so complete. Her husband was back. Her son was back. Her pussy was satisfied. Her womb was filled with his semen. Everything was perfect. "Well... I better not overstay my welcome," he said as he climbed out of the bed and started putting on his clothes. "W-Wait, my love," Rianna said as she tried getting out of bed but failed. Her body was sore, and she felt a little dizzy. "What is it, Rianna?" "I-I''m sorry, Cyndre. For the way I treated you, I was wrong," she said, as her eyes were starting to fill with tears. "No... It''s not your fault. If I hadn''t been so infatuated with my older brother at the time, maybe things wouldn''t have turned out like this," he confessed. Rianna gazed into his eyes and tenderly reached out her arms toward him, beckoning him to draw near. "Please come back to me, Cyndre. I-I want you to hold me and make love to me again. I''m so sorry for not understanding how you felt," she said as tears rolled down her face. He removed his garments and then slid back under the covers with her. "I promise I''ll never let you down again," he vowed, pulling his wife close with his powerful embrace. Rianna''s heart raced with joy like never before. She felt like she was a teen again. Her husband''s strong arms wrapped around her waist, and his big cock was inside her. "Mmnnn," Rianna moaned as her pussy tightened around his dick. "Mmm... That''s right, you''re mine, and there''s a lot more that needs to happen before I''ll consider us even," she declared, leaning in to kiss him. "A-Are you sure? I''m not sure if I can keep up," he said as the tip of his cock touched her womb, and she shuddered. "I believe in you, my king," she said, as her pussy contracted around his dick. "Mmmm... You''re going to make me cum if you know what''s good for you," she demanded, as her hips started moving faster, and she bounced on his cock. She showed a mischievous grin on her lips as she moved on top of him. "I don''t know what''s gotten into you. But I like it," he said, as one of his hands went between her legs while the other grabbed her ass cheeks as she was bouncing on top of him. "Aaahhh... You''re such a naughty boy," she moaned as her hands squeezed his pectorals. "You''ve aged so well... All the women of the court must be jealous of me," she said as her pussy quivered. "Haha... And all the men of the court are jealous of me," he said as he started rubbing his fingers along her clit. "Ohhh... Cyndre," she said, as her back arched and her hands gripped his pecs. "Ooohhhh... Yes... That''s it, my love... Show me how a real man does it," she as her pussy quivered around his shaft. "Mmmm, yes, I will," he said, as his lips found hers, and they started kissing passionately. Rianna couldn''t believe how passionate her husband was. It''s been so long since she''d seen him act like this, and she didn''t realize that she was doing the same thing. It didn''t take long for her to reach another climax. "AAAHHHH! YES, I''M CUMMING!" she cried as her juices sprayed all over his cock. "AAAHHH, I''M CUMMING, TOO!" he roared as his dick spurted his load into her womb. "Mmmm... That''s right, you''re making me yours again, aren''t you?" she asked, as her pussy continued to quiver around his shaft. "Yes, I am, my queen," he said as his hand went down between her legs and rubbed her clit. "HMMNNN... YES, MY LOVE, MAKE ME YOURS," she moaned as her juices started to leak out of her pussy. "Mmmm... I love the way your pussy feels, Rianna," he said as he rubbed her clit faster, and his dick pulsated inside her. "AHH, AHHH... YES... YOUR DICK IS SO BIG AND HARD," she said, as her hands grabbed his ass cheeks and pulled him deeper inside her. "That''s right, Rianna, your pussy is the best," he said as he kissed her. Vol.3 Ch.221 He’s Getting His Second Chance. 🦴 The morning sun cast a golden glow over the Royal Estate as the staff diligently carried out their customary tasks, setting the stage for another day of regal elegance. "Good Morning, Mr. Tiberius," one of the maids said. "Good morning," he said as he was getting dressed. "I heard from the cook that the King came into Lomar last night... But I haven''t seen him yet," she said. "Yes, he seemed tired from his trip. His Majesty visited the Queen''s chambers," he said as he finished getting ready and walked out of the room. "You think Her Majesty kicked him out again?" the maid asked. "Who knows... Rumors would have spread at some point if it did, but I haven''t heard anything yet," Tiberius said as he went downstairs. As Tiberius got closer to the foyer. He spotted the carriage with the Royal Council insignia on it. Tiberius saw that the first footman was already there to greet their guests. Tiberius then saw that the door to the carriage opened, and a tall and slender middle-aged man stepped out. He wore an expensive dark green coat with gold trim, black trousers, and a black cravat. It was the King''s Head of Council, Lord Brice, and he was followed by four others who were his aides. "Welcome to The Seat of the Queen, Lord Brice," the first footman said as the other servants bowed. "Thank you," Lord Brice greeted the footman before he glanced around the foyer, "Where are his and her Majesty?" Tiberius dashed out of the grand estate doors to welcome the esteemed Head of Fiafyr. "Lord Brice, the King and Queen are not prepared for your arrival yet," Tiberius informed with a respectful bow, "So they have not been notified." "Well... Coming here without any notice was definitely a mistake on my part," he admitted to the Underbutler. "That is quite alright, Lord Brice. It is always a pleasure to have you here. If you wish, I can take you to the dining room so you can wait for the King and Queen. I''ll see to it that Mr. Campbell will bring you some tea while informing Mr. Rogers, the Steward of The Seat of the Queen''s estate, that you''re here," Tiberius said. "Thank you, that would be wonderful," Lord Brice said. "This way, My Lord," Tiberius said to his staff, leading Lord Brice and his aides to the dining room. *** Rianna and Cyndre were wrapped in each other''s arms, nestled in the opulent Queen''s chambers. The room was disheveled, and the weariness of their night''s passionate endeavors was evident on both of their faces. A contented smile graced her lips as Rianna rested her head on her husband''s chest. The gentle, golden sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, dreamy glow over the peaceful scene. "Hmmm," Rianna murmured as she was half awake. She didn''t know if what happened last night was real or a dream. But it was the best night she''s ever had in a long time. "Dammit... Ever since that Dark Elf healed my body, my mind has been in a fog. It''s like I''m dreaming, but everything feels so real. I can''t believe I fantasized about Cyndre again and forgave him so easily. What''s wrong with me?" she thought. Cyndre''s chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath, lifting his wife''s head up and down. Rianna''s eyes snapped open, and she gazed up slowly, the realization dawning on her that what she was experiencing was not just a figment of her imagination. ''Oh Goddess! It was real!? I had sex with Cyndre, and I said all those things to him about wanting another baby!?... T-This is embarrassing! I can''t let anyone know about this! What would the Kingdom think if their Queen acted like a... like a... whore!?'' she thought. The Queen''s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she dwelled on the events of the previous night. Her thoughts raced until she felt the comforting sensation of her husband''s fingers gently running through her hair. "Did you have a restful sleep, my queen?" he asked in a gentle, soothing voice. Rianna''s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of crimson as she struggled to find the right words to respond to him. "Ah, I... I actually slept really well," she mumbled, still feeling the lingering embarrassment from the events of last night. "That''s good, my queen... Thank you... I know I haven''t finished my goals yet to regain your trust... But I promise to do my best to fulfill your request... I want you to know that I love you... And I won''t disappoint you," he assured her. Rianna''s heart pounded as she heard him say those words. How is she supposed to send him back to the dog house after he has shown his devotion and love for her? "Cyn... I..." she started, but his gentle touch on her neck''s soft, delicate skin cut off her words. Rianna was unable to resist as she leaned into his embrace. She let out a soft sigh, her body melting into his strong, muscular form. "I''ll try and do better... If I can make you happy, I will," he said as his fingers went down her neck and to her collarbone. His gentle touch sent shivers down Rianna''s spine. The Queen''s breath quickened as her excitement grew. ''N-Not again!... Nagh! F-Forgiving him is one thing... But falling victim to his charms a second time is another!... I can''t allow him to do whatever he wants with my body!... B-But, it feels so goodI need to get away from him before it''s too late,'' she thought. "I... I need to take a bath," she stammered, feeling overwhelmed by her emotions and desperate to get away from his presence before her body betrayed her once more. "Very well," he said with a soft chuckle as his fingers went through her hair and rested on her shoulder, giving her goosebumps. He noticed that her cheeks were flushed, and she looked embarrassed. "I-I will call for the maid," she said as she crawled over her husband toward the rope by the nightstand that rang the bell for her servants. Before Rianna could pull the rope, her husband gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her. She looked at him with a startled expression, her heart pounding. "There is no need, my queen," he said, as his other arm wrapped around her naked waist and pulled her towards him. "Cyndre?" she said, as her heart was pounding faster and her breathing was growing shallow. He then rolled her over onto her back and got on top of her. "Don''t worry, my queen. I''ll call for them... Once I take care of something first," he said, as his arms were on both sides of her. She could feel the warmth of his skin, and her heart was beating fast. Her mind was blank, and her emotions were going crazy. "Cyndre?... What... What are you doing?" she asked, as her heart skipped a beat when she locked eyes with him. "I''m just giving you what you desire, my queen," he said. "I-I can''t do this now. We have too much to do," she retorted. "That can wait. You are my priority, and it''s my fault that you are in this state... I need to fix it by satisfying my queen before we begin the day," he said as he brought his lips to hers. Her mind was screaming that this was wrong and she had to stop, but her heart and body were saying otherwise. Her body wanted him, and her heart needed him. As he kissed her passionately, her mind was clouded with lust. His strong hands roamed over her body, exploring every inch of her. She felt his hands reach her hips, and his thumbs traced her curves. She could feel his warm breath on her neck as his mouth trailed down to her shoulder. She shivered from his touch. ''This is wrong. I shouldn''t be doing this... But... It feels so good... Why does he have to make me feel this way?... Goddess! What is wrong with me!? I-I''m acting like a virgin all over again!'' she thought as his hands squeezed her soft, supple flesh. She couldn''t believe that she was letting him touch her like this. His fingers kneaded her skin and massaged her muscles. It felt so nice to be pampered by her husband. ''Damn him!... Why is he doing this to me?'' she thought, as her nipples were stiff and erect. She could feel the heat of his body against hers as his hands moved over her and her legs subconsciously spread for him. ''This is wrong. We shouldn''t be doing this! Not here! Someone might hear us,'' she thought as her face flushed and her body burned up. "Cyn-Cyndre... Stop," she moaned, as her mind was screaming no. "It''s ok, my queen," he said as he brought his face close to hers and kissed her gently on the lips. Her willpower was fading, and she knew she couldn''t fight back anymore. Cyndre positioned himself between her legs, and he pressed his hardened member against her lower lips. She felt his warm, firm hands caressing her sensitive areas as his fingers rubbed against her inner walls. "AHHH!" Rianna quickly covered her mouth with her hand as his fingers found her clit. ''Fuck! That feels so good! He''s playing me like a fiddle!... N-No... NO! I won''t let him control me anymore,'' she thought as she tried to push him away, but that just caused her to get even more turned on. His fingers were now moving slowly and deliberately rubbed her clit. Her breathing quickened as she could feel the pressure building up within her when his cock was pushing into her pussy. "UHHH!" she moaned as she closed her eyes and bit her lip. She couldn''t believe how good it felt when he thrust inside of her. "Oh, Goddess... This isn''t fair," she whimpered. "Shhh. You''re okay, my queen. Just relax," he whispered in her ear. ''Damn him!... Damn him and his amazing cock!'' she thought while her hips started to buck. His hard cock rubbed against her inner walls as his hands gripped her hips and held her down. His thumb found her clit, and he pressed down hard on it. "Mmmm..." she moaned, as she could feel her insides contracting around his shaft. ''Shit! This feels so good... I-I''m gonna come,'' she thought, as his fingers rubbed her swollen nub while thrusting at the same time. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. "Uhhhh!" Rianna screamed as she came hard on his dick. Her body shuddered and trembled as she climaxed. She could feel her muscles tightening and releasing over and over again. "Ahhhh!" she cried out as another orgasm washed over her body. "Good girl," he whispered in her ear as her legs shook uncontrollably. ''No, NO, NO! Not again! Please... Goddess! Make it stop!'' she thought. "Ohhhh... Ahhhh... I-I can''t... AHHHHH!" Rianna screamed as she orgasmed for the third time. Cyndre grimaced when Rianna''s pussy squeezed down on his cock like a vise, which made him halt his thrusting for a moment. He pulled his fingers away from her clit, and he moved his hands down to her hips. He lifted her up and started pumping her pussy, while holding her firmly by the hips. "Ahhhh! Ohhhh!... Ahhh!" Rianna cried as she could feel herself getting close again. "Yes, my queen. Come for me. Come for your king," he said as he thrust harder into her. ''No! Not again. I don''t want to cum. If I do, he''ll win and think that he''s forgiven! I don''t want to... OH Goddess, it''s happening again!'' she thought as she gritted her teeth. "Ohhhh! AHHHHH! NOOO!" she screamed as she climaxed once more. Cyndre kept fucking her through her orgasm, and her eyes rolled into the back of her head. "Ahhhh! Noo!" Rianna screamed as he continued thrusting into her. "Come on, my queen. Just a little bit more. Let me give you another orgasm," he said as he pumped his dick in and out of her cunt. "Ohhhhhh... AHHHHH! YES! OHHHHH! AHHHHH!" Rianna shouted as she came a fifth time, clamping down on his cock and making him cum with her. "UGHHH!" Cyndre grunted as his balls emptied into her pussy. The warmth of his seed filling her womb was what her body needed to stop orgasming. "AHHHHHHH! MMMMMMH!" she moaned loudly as she came for the last time and finally collapsed onto the bed. Cyndre slowly pulled out of her, and she whimpered from the sudden loss of contact. ''Damn him!... He''s won again! A-And why is it so hard to get mad at him?'' she pondered while she descended from cloud nine. She took a moment to catch her breath before opening her eyes. When she looked at Cyndre, he had a happy smile on his face. ''What? Why is he smiling at me like that? Does he think he''s won something?'' she wondered as she stared back at him. "Are you satisfied, my queen? Or do you wish for me to continue?" he asked. She felt a strong desire to say yes, but her rational mind cautioned her against it, warning that it would be unwise. ''I can''t believe I''m actually considering it,'' she thought. "Y-You''re not getting off so easy. That was a lucky shot. A-And this doesn''t mean we are even!" she yelled, trying to sound angry, but the truth was, her anger was melting away. "As you wish," he said with a nod and got off her. The sensation of her husband''s reassuring warmth, which was now absent, left her yearning for his return so that he could envelop her in a comforting embrace. ''NO! No, you don''t. He''s an idiot! I-It''s a trick to make you go crawling back to him! I''m not going to let him make a fool out of me!'' she cursed herself while fighting her urges to hug him. Rianna was on the verge of speaking when a sudden knock at her door caught her off guard and interrupted her. "Your Highness, I heard you scream. Is everything alright?" a female voice asked through the closed door. "I-I''m fine, Miss Edith... Um... Th-There was just a rat that tried to attack me. B-But the King took care of it," she said. Cyndre glanced at Rianna and raised his eyebrow in surprise. He was pleasantly taken aback that she wasn''t attempting to berate him to her servants. "A-A giant rat," she added as she glared at Cyndre, who was smiling. ''You bastard! Stop smiling!'' she thought, her heart fluttering in response to his adorable smile. "Oh, that is terrible. Should I tell Mr. Tiberius to hire some exterminators? Or do you need me to clean the room for you, Your Majesty?" Miss Edith asked with a bit of worry. "No, I-I don''t think that''s necessary. CynThe King can handle it... B-But thank you, Miss Edith. Also, once the King leaves for his duties, I would like a bath drawn for me," she replied to her maid standing on the other side of the door. "Of course, Your Majesty," Edith replied before walking away from the Royal Chambers. After the echoing footsteps finally faded into the distance, Rianna let out a long sigh of relief and collapsed back onto her mattress, causing her breasts to bounce. ''I can''t believe that almost happened! What would Miss Edith have thought if she saw me naked and my husband was standing next to me!? How would I explain that he''s still in trouble?'' she thought. "That was close," she muttered under her breath. Cyndre observed his wife with intense focus, captivated by her stunning beauty. He wished to continue teasing her but recognized the importance of not overstepping any boundaries. She let him back into the same bed as her. And they made love. That was more than enough to satisfy him, and he wasn''t going to take any chances and ruin the moment. "Well, I better let you have your bath, my queen. I''ll grab a few things and be on my way," he said, standing up and picking up his pants, shirt, and cape from the floor. Rianna quickly sat up in her bed and looked at him with worry, but then she shook her head and tried to glare at him. "Hmph!... Just so you know, this doesn''t change anything. You''re still an idiot, and this was a strange fluke," she huffed while her heart pounded. "I understand, my queen," he said with a smile and a wink, which made her frown falter. "And don''t think that because you''re getting some, I''m going to give in and let you do whatever you want. You''re still in trouble!" she scolded him. "But of course... I still need to deal with my brother, and I promise you that he will be dealt with," he replied with a serious tone that made her spine tingle. He looked so sexy when he was determined and protective. ''Damn him!... Goddess, how does he make it so difficult to stay mad at him!? He''s just such an idiot,'' she thought, her heart pounding in her chest. "W-Well... That''s good... And you''re still in the dog house... But... Good luck. I know you''ll get him," she replied with a smile. "Thank you, my queen. I will do my best," he replied. Seeing Cyndre leave would have been enough for Rianna, but a lump in her chest prevented her from letting him go. It was the same feeling that compelled her to call out his name the night before and prevented her from walking away the day after their wedding. ''What the hell is wrong with me? It was a one-time thing... But... But...'' "B-By the way, there''s one more thing," she said. "Yes?" he inquired, pausing with his shirt half-on. "You... You have my permission to use the royal bedchambers again, but ONLY because you''ve proven to help me sleep better... And it''s not an invitation to jump me every chance you get. So, if you try, and I''m not in the mood, then it''s off limits," she said. "Very well," he replied with a grin, making her blush and look away from him like she was a young maiden again. Cyndre found himself unable to stifle a chuckle at the sight of his wife''s behavior. She appeared incredibly endearing when she adopted a playful, mischievous demeanor, a side of her that he hadn''t seen in years. He recognized her comment about forgiving him for being a "bad husband" as a spontaneous and far from truthful remark. Luckily for him, this night filled him with hope that he could win her heart back. He was determined to outwit his older brother without plunging the kingdom into full-scale conflict. He had ignored his brother''s behavior for too long, and now it felt like his brother''s influence had become deeply entrenched, like a stubborn tick that refused to let go. "You better not be thinking about doing anything stupid!" she pouted again while crossing her arms over her chest. "I can''t promise that I won''t make a mistake, but I will promise you this. I''ll try to avoid doing anything that would put our people or the kingdom at risk," he replied and walked out of the room. "Hmph, that''s not good enough, you big idiot," she mumbled to herself. She couldn''t shake the feeling of being unusually moody. And to top it off, she was absolutely ravenousmore so than usual. Rianna had always been skilled at keeping her emotions in check, no matter what Alaric did to her son and husband. She never allowed her true feelings to surface, embodying the qualities of a strong and composed queen rather than a pampered princess like those in other kingdoms. It seemed as though her emotions weren''t entirely under her control, almost as if her hormones were out of whack. ''What is wrong with me?'' she thought as her stomach growled. ''Maybe it''s just because I haven''t eaten since yesterday. Yes, that has to be it. I need to eat, then I''ll be back to my usual self,'' she told herself while rubbing her lower abdomen, which felt slightly bloated thanks to Cyndre''s essence. After Cyndre exited the room, Rianna summoned her attendant, the same person who had previously knocked on the door. "Yes, Your Majesty," Miss Edith asked as she returned to the door. "Is there any meals ready yet? I''m famished," Rianna asked. "Yes, Your Majesty. We have the breakfast prepared for You and the King. Do you wish to dine in your room? Or will you be dining in the royal dining hall?" she asked. "I think I will take it here. I''m feeling a bit off, and I don''t want to be around too many people until I''m feeling better," Rianna answered as she sat up. "Yes, my queen. Should I send one of the servants to bring the food up?" Miss Edith inquired. "If you wouldn''t mind. It would be much appreciated," Rianna said. "Certainly, my Queen," Miss Edith responded and left the room. Rianna let out a heavy sigh as her gaze swept across the room. Her eyes came to rest on the torn nightgown lying on the floor. It had been Cyndre who had ripped it off her earlier, and now its presence served as a stark reminder of the events of the previous night. "Tsk... That damn idiot. I swear he''s going to drive me insane. I can''t go two seconds without thinking about him," she said aloud, and her face turned bright red. ''I really am acting like a love-sick maiden. Ugh... I hate this... I''m a grown woman... Sure, it was one of the most memorable nights of my life. But that doesn''t erase everything that has happened over the years,'' she thought. Rianna heard a gentle but persistent knock at her door. Without bothering to check who it was, she quickly grabbed her robe and wrapped it around herself before answering the door. "Enter," she beckoned. Shortly after, a youthful male servant entered the room, pushing a cart laden with an assortment of delectable food. "My Queen, here is your breakfast," he said and put the food down on her table. "Thank you. You may leave," she told him. "Yes, my Queen," the servant said and bowed before leaving her room. She walked over to her table and took a seat. As she looked at the food, her stomach growled once again. "Oh, this smells amazing," she said as she grabbed the bowl of soup. She dipped her spoon into the broth and brought it up to her mouth. The savory flavor was exquisite, and she enjoyed every sip. After finishing the soup, she moved on to the eggs and bacon. They were perfectly cooked, and the yolk was runny, just how she liked it. The bread was also delicious, and the jam was sweet and flavorful. She couldn''t remember the last time she had such a good meal. Once she was done eating, she sat back in her chair and rubbed her belly. "Mr. Brown has outdone himself. I have never had such a delicious breakfast before. Maybe I should invite him to the palace so he can teach the kitchen staff how I like my breakfasts," she mused aloud and then shook her head. ''No, what am I saying? We don''t need two head chiefs in one palace. It would only cause a stir among the staff,'' she thought. After satisfying her hunger, another knock echoed through the room, signaling a visitor at the door. "Enter," she beckoned again. "Pardon my intrusion, my Queen. But the bath is ready for you," Miss Edith informed her. "Thank you. I will be there shortly," Rianna replied. "Yes, Your Majesty... Oh! And his Lordship wanted to inform you that Lord Brice is here... It seems something of importance has come up. King Cyndre wanted to know if you wished to join him," Miss Edith informed the Queen. ''What is the Head of Fiafyr doing here? Has something happened back at the palace?'' Rianna wondered as she looked at her. "Please tell my husband that I will be down momentarily after my bath. And have the Head Chef make a tea for me. I don''t have the taste for coffee," Rianna answered. "Right away, my Queen," Miss Edith replied and left her room. Rianna untied the silk robe, letting it slide off her shoulders, and gracefully walked towards the bathing chamber, her steps echoing softly on the polished marble floor. As she entered the room, her eyes were drawn to a magnificent porcelain bathtub elegantly filled with hot, steaming water. The air was infused with the soothing scents of lavender and jasmine, creating a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. She eased herself into the comforting embrace of the bathtub, feeling the warmth of the water enveloping her body. As she settled in, she felt the tender release of all the aches and pains that had been weighing her down, both physically and emotionally, as they were gently washed away by the soothing water. She closed her eyes and let the soothing scent surround her. After spending some time relaxing in the bath, Rianna eventually decided to step out and make her way to her room. There, she knew that Miss Edith would be waiting to assist her in getting dressed. "How was your bath, Your Majesty?" Miss Edith asked as she dried Rianna''s hair. "It was nice. Thank you for asking," Rianna answered and closed her eyes as Miss Edith ran the brush through her hair. "I hope his lordship didn''t bother you too much," Miss Edith inquired as she placed a light perfume on her. "Not at all. He was a perfect gentleman," Rianna replied with a smile. Rianna''s response caught Miss Edith completely off guard. "So he was able to win you back?" Miss Edith inquired and finished the last touch-ups to the queen''s appearance. "Let''s just say that I''m willing to give him a second chance," Rianna replied, looking over her reflection. "I can''t imagine how difficult this has been for you. Sharing a bed with a man you no longer love," Miss Edith commented. Rianna''s thoughts came to a halt as she found herself picturing Cyndre''s warm smile in her mind. In the world of nobility, women often aren''t free to choose their own partners. Marriages are typically arranged, and they must learn to accept it. However, Rianna''s situation was different. She had fallen deeply in love with the King, and he had reciprocated her feelings. This love had brought her an unprecedented sense of joy and renewal that most people never experience. "It wasn''t as bad as I thought it would be. And it seems I needed a male''s touch last night... And there''s nothing better than a man who knows how to read a woman''s body," Rianna responded and giggled. ''I don''t know what came over me last night. I don''t regret sleeping with him. I might lift my ban on his visitation privileges. Of course, I won''t tell him... Maybe I could tease him and see how long it takes for him to break. He thinks he''s in the dog house, so he''ll hold back... It will be his punishment until he realizes that I need him... Yes... And he''s not quick enough to catch onto those hints. I''m going to have fun with this,'' Rianna thought and giggled at the idea. Miss Edith noticed a sudden shift in her mood as if she were embodying the persona of a young maiden experiencing love for the very first time. ''Yes. Yes! That''s it! I''ll tease him and make him work for it. I want to see how far he''ll go to earn my affection. Goddess, I feel like a teenager again. How long has it been since I last felt this excited?'' Rianna smiled at the idea of teasing her husband. Staying mad at him was too much work, and she didn''t have the energy to do it anymore. Not when she needs her energy for her extracurricular activities. "My Queen, is everything okay? You look a bit flushed," Miss Edith pointed out. "Everything is perfect. Please escort me to the room where my husband is," Rianna commanded. "As you wish, my Queen," Miss Edith said and curtsied. Rianna rose from her seat and gracefully trailed behind Miss Edith as they strolled through the sprawling estate, finally arriving at the grand dining room. Upon entering, Rianna''s eyes fell upon the imposing figure of the King engaged in deep conversation with Lord Brice. Vol.3 Ch.222 The Emergency Session. When the queen entered the room, Lord Brice and his aides rose from their seats and respectfully bowed in her presence. Rianna''s cheeks burned as she struggled to suppress the telltale signs of embarrassment. "I didn''t do anything differently. Excuse me," Rianna said as she brushed past them, heading determinedly towards the king. Lord Brice appeared bewildered as he observed Rianna taking a seat next to the king and reaching out to grasp his hand. Normally, the Queen would be reserved and would have told him off. He couldn''t help but notice the way her hand tightened around the king''s and how she looked at him, which made the old man''s eyebrows rise in surprise. Cyndre''s gaze shifted to Rianna, and a warm smile spread across his face. didsomething to get out of the dog housenow I need to ask him how he did it. But that will have to be for another time Both Rianna and Cyndre cast frustrated glances in the direction of Lord Brice, their expressions clearly conveying their irritation. "Lady Rya!" Rianna''s sudden interruption startled everyone in the room. It was highly unusual for her to interject in front of her husband''s council, but she felt an inexplicable need to defend the dark elf. Rianna was overcome by an intense surge of anger welling up inside her. She fought to keep it under control, but she needed to get her feelings off of her chest, so she stood up from her chair. "You will not hand over Lady Rya to the Alliance! Do you hear me? She''s a guest of the crown and under my protection," Rianna growled as she glared at the Head of Fiafyr. Brice had never seen the Queen this animated before. Unsure of what to do, he glanced at his aides for support. Cyndre rose from his seat and leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper, as he spoke into her ear. "Rianna, are you okay? I''ve never seen you like this. Is there anything I can do to help?" Cyndre pleaded, and Rianna calmed down after realizing what she had done. did heal me from that unknown poison in my body... And my son does love her... "I wasn''t a hundred percent sure. But I had a hunch after I informed him about Lady Rya''s race... My main reason for coming here was to see our son, but this was a happy accident," Cyndre explained. One of the things that captivated her about Cyndre was his unwavering honesty and his genuine concern for her well-being. She could feel herself being drawn to him once more, and she was so taken by the moment that she would have kissed him if it weren''t for the presence of Lord Brice and his aides in the room. "So my good moments are only rare, aye?... It seems I need to work on that," he replied with a self-deprecating tone and smiled. Rianna let out a light-hearted giggle and then made her way back to her seat. Cyndre couldn''t help but feel a surge of satisfaction knowing that his wife was starting to open up to him. However, he was also aware that he needed to assert himself when it came to dealing with Duval and his schemes. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. At first, Rianna couldn''t understand the significance of the situation, but as she spent more time in the kingdom, she delved deeper into the lore of the goddess. She discovered that, unlike other gods, the goddess never directly disclosed information to her followers; instead, she seemed to encourage them to seek out the answers for themselves. The aide was met with a sea of disbelieving stares from everyone in the room. "That''s what everyone said about me when I arrived in the Kingdom, right? What makes you think that she wouldn''t be worthy?" Rianna questioned the aide and pointed out the flaws in his argument. "M-My Queen... Do you all believe Goddess Iyomelka would be okay with an outsider performing the Temple of Balance''s ritual for her favor?... I know that our Queen worshiped a different Pantheon, but she is a human like the rest of us. And a Dark Elf is a creature of" Lord Brice and his advisors harbored lingering doubts, but they nodded in agreement nonetheless while Cyndre beamed at his wife''s unwavering assurance. Lord Brice was eager to challenge the statement, but he wisely chose to remain silent. He had witnessed the Queen''s behavior on a few occasions in the past, but he couldn''t recall the exact circumstances or reasons behind it. rice ... It must be a mother''s love, or maybe it''s something els'' Lord Brice pondered. After a moment of silence, Cyndre turned back to Lord Brice and asked, "Any word on how my brother plans to play this? He''s been silent, and it''s putting me on edge." "I see," Cyndre mumbled as he tapped his fingers against the table anxiously. Rianna found herself contemplating in much the same way as her husband. Rianna''s expression twisted into a look of pure revulsion as a vivid memory of her brother-in-law''s despicable actions came rushing back to her. She couldn''t shake the feeling of regret, wishing that Duval hadn''t intervened to stop Cyndre from carrying out the execution of his own brother after the failed assassination attempt of their only son. Now, 19 years later, Alaric was still scheming and plotting, and the bitter taste of missed justice lingered in Rianna''s mind. hinking about countering Alaric. Ah, yeMy Queen... Rianna''s fury flared up again upon hearing the words, but it subsided when Cyndre reached for her hand and clasped it firmly. The tension melted away as she tightly gripped his hand, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. "And if we can prove to the people that she has received Goddess Iyomelka''s favor, then his plan would be ruined. But we need to find out what else he has up his sleeve. I can''t see him giving up the fight so easily," Cyndre stated, and Rianna nodded. "We will do that, my Queen," Lord Brice said with a bow. Lord Brice smiled and bowed, "As you command, my King. We will speak to Mother Astra about the ritual and make sure everything is in order so Duval can''t weasel his way out of this request like he normally does. And we''ll see if we can find a loophole in the emergency measure to derail whatever he had planned for Lady Rya and the Crown Prince... Anyway, I''ll leave you with your wife, My King," Lord Brice and his aides left the chamber and left the King and Queen alone. "You better be right because if you''re not, then you can say goodbye to kisses like this," Rianna whispered once they broke the kiss. "Yeah... And it''s your fault for making me burn all that energy last night... That''s why I''m this way," Rianna joked. Cyndre chuckled, "I''m sorry, Love... You can punish me later. But let''s get you fed first," Cyndre said as the couple got up. Vol.3 Ch.223 Arriving in Tairal. Under cover of darkness, Quinus and his convoy arrived at the outskirts of the Capital City of Tairal after a series of events that had unfolded over the past eight hours. As the carriage rumbled along the road, Sir George rode his horse up to the left side and rapped on the window. Quinus promptly rolled down the window and extended his head out, taking in the passing scenery. "I will, thank you, Sir George," Quinus said before closing the window. He then looked over at Dalia, Nieren, Yuliana, and Rya, "We''re almost there. Once we''re inside, you four will have to keep your hoods up until we reach the palace," Quinus told them. "Wow, what a long day, huh, Dalia?" Quinus remarked, and she nodded in agreement. Quinus, Johan, and the other girls couldn''t help but giggle at the sight of the wolfkin. As Quinus, Johan, and the girls gazed out the window, they marveled at the breathtaking scenery unfolding before them. The outline of the capital city gradually emerged, captivating their attention. Rya''s elven eyes, with their superior night vision, allowed her to discern the details of the imposing, high walls and the grand gate, offering a glimpse of the immense size of the capital. She also spotted the massive structures nestled within the walls, their outlines looming in the distance. The buildings, seemingly taller than they appeared, were accentuated by the presence of a colossal hill at the city''s center. This sight evoked comparisons to New York City, yet the gothic and medieval aesthetic of the buildings lent the capital a unique and enchanting allure. ent than the last. Enchanted torches illuminated the bustling streets, casting a warm glow on the elaborate architecture and vibrant banners adorning the stone structurs. The guard nodded knowingly as he whispered the code phrase, "It depends on the night. The night may not always be a good time to return," he said. f the Royal Family was in need of secue passage through the conceale entrance leading to the Royal Palace. Quinus emerged from the elegant carriage, his presence immediately drawing the attention of the surrounding royal guards. Walking in his wake were his loyal companions - Rya, Dalia, Percy, Nieren, and Yuliana. Meanwhile, Johan and Tayna remained inside the comfort of the carriage as the group made their way forward. "I will," Quinus replied before looking over at General Douglas, who opened the secret passageway into the palace grounds. As the Prince''s group reached the hidden entrance, the dwarves bid farewell and followed Johan''s carriage, disappearing into the distance. Meanwhile, Quinus made his way through the passageway. After everyone was inside, the secret entrance was shut and securely sealed, leaving no trace of their presence. Rya marveled at the hidden passageway, feeling as though she had stepped into a scene from a movie as she made her way through the cavern. She couldn''t help but notice the enchanted torches that magically ignited whenever someone approached within fifteen feet of them. Quinus couldn''t help but notice Rya''s gaze fixed upon the flickering torches, and a soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Nah, that''s not what I''m marveling at... It feels like I''m in a movie... as if we''re on a special mission to save the princess and defeat the evil wizard," Rya joked. Quinus burst into laughter while everyone else looked on, a bit puzzled. felt a surge of twords slipped from her lips, revealingo. The last thing she wanted was for any of the knights to discover her secret. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Quinus stepped in to save the day "It''s like an EchoSphere. Where you can watch someone''s events repeatedly, but it''s mostly for entertainment purposes like plays," Quinus explained. "Are you serious? What''s the other reason?" Rya asked eagerly. Back when she was still on Earth, she couldn''t get enough of the vampire craze that took over in the mid-2000s. Now, in this new world, she couldn''t help but wonder just how different vampires were here on Tertius. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. s wa The room fell silent as everyone absorbed the information. It all made perfect sense, but Rya struggled to truly grasp the reality of it. However, there were lingering doubts nagging at her. Specifically, she couldn''t shake off the memory of when Hiro had expressed his desire to become a vampire shortly after their arrival on Tertius. Yoona had insisted that vampires were born, not made and that one couldn''t simply be turned into a vampire. Rya was uncertain whether Yoona had lied to discourage Hiro from his pursuit or if it was genuinely impossible to undergo such a transformation. The situation was complicated by the fact that they were already in the process of turning into Dark Elves, leading Rya to wonder if Dark Elves couldn''t be turned into vampires. Yuliana was taken aback when she heard Yoona''s name. There were legends about the Dark Elf who had bravely thwarted her father''s armies during the High Elves'' attack on Sorellia. Yoona was feared for her Demi-god-level Vein and her exceptional skill in crafting golems. However, upon reflection, Yuliana found Rya''s golems to be even more remarkable. "Did you meet Yoona, the legendary Slayer of Light? The High Priestess of Darkness and Death? And she didn''t try to kill you because she sees your potential to surpass her?" Yuliana asked, clearly surprised. Rya was shocked by Yuliana''s response, which made her realize that many people were afraid of Yoona. However, Rya''s stay in the citadel was brief, and she never witnessed Yoona''s actions. She had little information about the elf, only knowing that Yoona was involved in bringing her to Tertius. "Well... I''ve never actually witnessed her using her magic or seen her golems in action... But I have a feeling that she just didn''t care enough to show them off. It''s hard to say, but I remember a friend of mine expressing interest in becoming a vampire, and she actually talked him out of it. Apart from that, I haven''t had much interaction with Yoona," Rya revealed, carefully choosing her words to avoid disclosing the entire truth about her situation. Rya made a face before saying, "He was pretty clueless, to put it mildly." "Hey, it wasn''t me who wanted to become a vampire in the first place. That was all him! I just found it strange that I was lied to about how people become vampires," Rya said, defending herself. Quinus became curious, "What did this Priestess tell you about vampires?" he asked as they could see the exit in the distance. "Huh? Where did she lie to you, Ry? Because she''s correct. We Elves can''t be turned into vampires. Only humans can be turned into lesser vampires. All the other races would become ghouls, becoming mindless slaves of a master vampire," Yuliana explained, and Rya frowned. "You''re much wiser than I expected, Prince Quinus. Are you sure you learned all this from only reading books?" Yuliana complimented him again. He smirked and shook his head. "Like I said, I learned to read at an early age, and the library had a lot of good books on Vampires... I have never met one in real life, so I can''t really comment on them through experience. And I hope I never do." Sir George couldn''t help but shiver as he vividly remembered the chilling night when three deadly vampire assassins attempted to take his life and that of the young Prince, who was just a year old at the time. It was a harrowing ordeal, and he barely managed to escape with his life. Although Douglas was present in the palace during the attack, he only witnessed the aftermath of the fierce battle that unfolded that fateful night. "You were a baby, right?" Rya jumped in as Quinus almost let it slip that he was reincarnated and a fully conscious adult when he was reborn. "Well, what Sir George is saying about not knowing who hired them is partially true. We suspect that the Kingdom of Marn was involved, but we''re still in the dark about who exactly within their ranks hired them. We lack the evidence to confirm if it was one of their nobles or even their King, Arnaud Dupont," General Douglas explained. The entire assembly of Knights gazed at Rya with wide eyes and dropped jaws, their surprise evident in their expressions. The only ones who didn''t appear surprised were Rya''s friends, and Yuliana beamed proudly at her adopted daughter. The hushed atmosphere was shattered by the sound of Douglas clearing his throat, signaling his intention to speak. Douglas fell silent as he carefully considered her words. "Yeah... I would prefer not to kill innocent people. But their Kingdom will be destroyed, and the King will lose his head if I find out that he was the one who sent those vampire assassins after Quinus," Rya clarified. Quinus was grateful that she was willing to seek revenge on his behalf for the wrongs done to his younger self. However, he couldn''t help but wonder if she would actually go as far as to take Arnaud Dupont''s life if she discovered he was the one to hire the assassins. "I guess there''s no stopping a determined Dark Elf like you," Quinus teased as Rya grinned back at him. "That sounds pretty intense. Being pregnant for that long must be tough. How do you manage to stay sane?" Rya asked while Quinus smiled with amusement. I don''t want a child for at least 50 years," she declared, and Yuliana sighed. Nieren felt her cheeks grow warm as a subtle flush of embarrassment spread across her face. She stole a quick glance at Quinus, hoping no one would notice her blushing, and then quickly looked away. "I''ll have children when I''m good and ready. There''s so much I want to accomplish before even thinking about it, Mom," Nieren declared, her expression returning to its usual calm. As they approached the exit, Rya couldn''t help but notice the sheer size of the door. It loomed large before them, easily big enough to accommodate an elephant. Quinus approached the imposing door and paused, turning to face the expectant group gathered behind him. Rya stood in awe as two of the knights focused their energy, channeling their mana into the ancient door. The intricate mechanisms of the door began to shift and rotate as if coming to life. With a surge of power, the two halves of the door slowly parted ways, revealing the mysterious courtyard beyond. The knights then concentrated even harder, pouring more mana into the door to halt its movement, ensuring that the passage remained open for their party to enter. As the door swung open, it revealed the magnificent palace courtyard. A broad stone pathway stretched out, leading to the most stunning fantasy castle that Rya had ever laid eyes on. "It''s even more magnificent than I could have imagined. It''s nothing like the Elder Tree," Nieren admitted. "You''re welcome," Percy answered her as he helped her get back on her feet. Quinus watched as the others followed suit, and a warm smile spread across his face as he observed the happiness evident on Rya''s face. The group''s arduous journey back home has finally reached its conclusion. Little did they know that their next test awaited them the very next day when Quinus would receive word of the Prime Minister''s devious scheme. Vol.3 Ch.224 Alaric’s Preparations The day following Quinus and his companions'' return from their long journey, the Divalo Manor, situated on the western fringes of Tairal, bustled with activity as servants moved in and out of the grand mansion, carrying boxes, bags, and furniture. The grand entrance of the mansion was disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious figure cloaked in black. As he stepped inside, he theatrically removed his hood, unveiling himself as none other than Duke Revelia, the esteemed uncle of the Crown Prince of the Fiafyr Kingdom. His silver locks were elegantly tied into a ponytail, and his weary visage bore the weight of his experiences. Yet, behind his tired eyes, a fierce blaze of fury burned brightly. As he entered the room, he was met by Belial, the butler, who greeted him with a respectful bow. "Has the trip been fruitful, my lord?" inquired Belial. "Not here... Let''s talk in my study," Duke Revelia murmured, then swiftly departed from the entrance. "Absolutely, sir," replied Belial as the Duke disappeared into the hallway and ascended the stairs. After the Duke departed, Belial quietly trailed behind him, making his way to the study. Once inside, the two men closed the heavy oak doors and secured them with a firm lock. "Who would have thought that the Advisor to the King is actually a snake? Well, color me shocked," Belial said with a hint of sarcasm. elial inquired, catching the Duke''s attention as he glanced up. "Yes, I have heard that they can be extremely possessive. But maybe it would be even better if we could somehow get one of those wood elves to sleep with him. Dark Elves hate their cousins by nature. I am sure she would kill both of the Wood Elves if push came to shove," Belial pointed out. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "Like what?" he snapped back at his butler. Belial cast a quick glance toward his lord, who arched an eyebrow in response. Belial gazed at the sealed letter, its parchment adorned with the official seal of the Prime Minister. What caught his attention was the deep purple wax used to seal the letter, a departure from the usual red wax. This unconventional choice hinted at an imminent emergency session of the Major Nobles. Belial let out a heavy sigh as he made his way over to his lord. With a sense of solemnity, he extended his hand, offering the letter to his master. "Oh? Looks like there''ll be an emergency meeting. What are you afraid of now, Duval," Alaric mumbled to himself while he broke the seal and read the letter. Belial feigned disinterest as he carefully concealed his curiosity about the contents of the letter. Maintaining his guise as a servant was paramount despite his eagerness to know more. Duke Alaric''s expression brightened, and a wide smirk spread across his face, lighting up his features. The Duke''s eyes darkened, "So... My brother has learned how to be more tactical? But it doesn''t matter. The meeting has to commence within four days. What can he do by delaying the inevitable in a week''s time? Nothing, that''s what." "But what if they bring her to the Church of Balance, and Iyomelka''s idol lights up for this dark elf? It will be like what happened when Rianna knelt before the altar," Belial reminded the Duke. "Belial... Did you even hear yourself? Rianna was a once-in-a-century thing, and the idol barely lit up. No one from the Royal family or the Nobles has been able to get any reaction from the goddess besides Rianna. And you think the goddess will make her presence known to a dark elf? Hell! Even that zealot, Mother Astra, couldn''t get the idol to react, and she''s the damn High Priestess of the Goddess''s religion!" Duke Alaric reminded his servant. "Good, now leave me. I need to devise a plan for how to rid King Dupont after he served his purpose," Duke Alaric ordered, and Belial bowed. The butler pivoted on his heel, reached for the doorknob, and smoothly stepped out of the room, ensuring that the door was shut firmly behind him. Meanwhile, Alaric let out a light, amused laugh as he gazed down at the letter in his hand. "It''s about time you became useful to me, Duval... But I can''t wait to see your face once I strip everything from you. I''ll take your money, lands, and people. I''ll leave you with nothing but the clothes on your back and a small amount of food. nce he indo on ," Duke Alaric said, and a twisted smirk appeared on his lips. The Duke from his cross the room to the window, and ed out at the in the distanceuld be his in due time; all he needed to do was play his cards "It''s all finally falling into place... I will avenge the death of my son... I''ll make sure that your death will be a slow and painful one, nephew," Duke Alaric hissed to himself while watching his butler giving orders to his soldiers outside of the manor. Volume 3: Afterword Hey All! Holy moly! Another Volume is done. It still feels like yesterday when I started this crazy thing. I want to say thank you to all of you guys and gals who have been leaving comments, liking, and reading my story. It means a lot to me as I chug along and try to clean up my work over all this time. I would also love to shout out all of my Patreon and Ko-fi members! You guys and gals are helping me envision a possible career in this field after I get my kid into school so I can have more time for myself. If you have enjoyed my work over the years, I would be eternally grateful if you checked my Patreon or Ko-Fi page and supported me if you could. Now, what''s in store for the future? Well, we''ll finally get to see Rya and Alaric butt heads, and Duval will start losing his grip over the Major Houses while trying to hide the fact that a Dark Elf has entered the Palace grounds from The Divine Three Prince who has been staying in the Marquess'' Manor. And what will happen when Rya stumbles across a Paladin that reminds her of Sir Claudius from all the way back from Volume 1? We''ll have to see and find out! A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Unless you''re a Patreon member, then you can spoil it for everyone. See you all later!

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Princess Hilda Stoneworthh Vol.4 Ch.225 Duval the Spineless. It was three days before Quinus and his Entourage finally arrived at the grand Capital City of Tairal. Situated in the southern outskirts of the city stood the magnificent Ecros Manor, the ancestral home of the esteemed Noble Wrightwood family. This stately manor served as Duval''s residence during his frequent visits to the capital city of Tairal. As the Prime Minister of Fiafyr, Duval found himself drawn to the city often, and the grandeur of Ecros Manor provided a fitting abode for his stature and responsibilities. And the Prime Minister had special guests staying at his home. The distinguished visitors included representatives from the Alliance of the Divine Three, a coalition of kingdoms situated along Fiafyr''s southern frontier. The gathering at the Marquess'' residence comprised ten restless individuals, all humans, who were seated impatiently in the living room. In attendance were Prince Zane Stoneworthh, his half-sister Princess Hilda Stoneworthh, and Prince Terenthiel Marrell, who was also known as the Fifth Son of the Holy Order. Additionally present were the valiant paladin, Sir Darius, and his devoted squire, Sir Kaelin. The assembly also included a High Priest, several White Knights, and a few others accompanying Terenthiel Marrell. The reason for their impatience stemmed from their inability to secure an audience with King Cyndre Meredydd or his son, Crown Prince Quinus. They were aware that the prince had been dispatched to the west with a small contingent of royal knights to address a crisis involving a stampede of monsters, but this had occurred over two months ago. Adding to their concern, Duval received word two days ago that the Crown Prince had developed feelings for another woman. Initially, King Cyndre had been ambiguous about the identity of this woman, but it was only on the day of Prince Terenthiel''s arrival that he learned she was a dark elf. For days, they have been attempting to secure an audience with the King to discuss the future of the two countries and the impending marriage between Crown Prince Quinus Meredydd and his fiance, Princess Hilda Stoneworthh. Meanwhile, Duval has been frantically searching for a solution to rid the Kingdom of the Dark Elf. If the Divine Three were to discover that the prince allowed a dark elf into the Kingdom, it could nullify the peace treaty and potentially spark an open war in an attempt to eradicate the Dark Elf. Duval needed to find a way to persuade the King to either banish the Dark Elf or subject them to an even harsher punishment. *** "Why do you look so worried, Prime Minister?" Terenthiel asked in a bored tone. Terenthiel''s voice echoed throughout the grand living room, shattering the tranquility and causing Marquess Duval to jump slightly in surprise. He looked up to see the Fifth Prince staring at him with a frown. He was a handsome young man with long black hair tied in a ponytail, and he was his cousin once removed. Terenthiel was Duval''s only link to the Order of the Ones. It allowed the Prime Minister to contact the three heads of the Alliance: Prophet Paul, High King Rolmund III, and Prince Dreyand Stoneworthh, also known as the Third Son of the Order. Terenthiel was the fifth highest-ranking member of the principality. He would have been the King of his kingdom, but ever since his father joined the alliance, the royal family was stripped of its rights when they adopted their new Gods. He still had power and prestige within the Alliance, but he had to answer to those above him. Terenthiel was seated regally in his High Paladin armor, resplendent in a full set of gleaming silver-white plate armor adorned with intricate engravings. A pristine white tabard lay over his chest, emblazoned with the symbol of the Order of the Three. The symbol, a radiant gold sun encircled by three triangles reminiscent of the Triforce from the Zelda series, shimmered with an otherworldly brilliance. The old wooden chair emitted a low, ominous creak as Terenthiel shifted his weight forward. He fixed his gaze upon the Prime Minister, anticipation hanging in the air as he awaited a response. "I''m just a bit troubled," Duval finally answered as his throat was starting to feel dry. "Troubled by the fact that we haven''t been able to get a meeting with your King?" Terenthiel replied in a low tone. "Or are you troubled by the fact that you are wasting my time, which is more important than any King or Queen?" Duval''s body tensed involuntarily in response to the sharp and commanding tone that Terenthiel had used. "N-No! I am just worried about what the Duke will do, is all. He is the biggest obstacle for our two countries to continue working together," Duval answered with a half-truth because he feared what Terenthiel might do if he told the truth. "Duke Alaric Revelia? What about him?" Terenthiel raised an eyebrow. "He and his Allies are more hawkish when it comes to the Alliance. I just received news that his sole heir perished in the Tomb of the Horde. I''m on edge, wondering what his next move will be... And Alaric always seems to outmaneuver me at every turn." Terenthiel narrowed his eyes, "So you''re incompetence is showing?" The blood nearly drained from Duval''s face. His gamble on weakening Alaric''s influence throughout the minor noble families had failed, and his fear of an uprising caused by Alaric''s execution might have been an overcalculation on the Marquess'' part. "N-no! I just don''t want another war, especially since we are close to winning against the monsters. With the arranged marriage between Crown Prince Quinus and Princess Hilda, we can finally have peace. The alliance between the Divine Three and the Kingdom of Fiafyr was made possible by the treaty we signed. If war were to break out" Duval was interrupted. "We are already in a war," Terenthiel said in a calm but stern tone. "You just aren''t on the front lines fighting it." The atmosphere in the room was heavy with tension as the two men locked eyes. Duval could feel a lump forming in his throat, making it hard to swallow. Despite his efforts to stay composed, he sensed the mounting pressure inside him, like a coiled spring ready to snap. He took a deep breath before responding. "Prince Terenthiel... We don''t see the need to fight the dwarves or the beastkins. We are only worried about the ogres and orcs beyond the western wall. Do what you want on your borders. We will not stop you, but please" ." Duval felt his pulse quicken as his chest tightened. The Marquess knew he had no say in the matter, but he couldn''t help himself from speaking out. "But we can''t! My people wouldn''t stand for it. The Galfrei Domain may have dwarves living there, but they helped our kingdom grow strong," Duval countered. "You mean, weakened... Maybe we should help you with your problem." "What?!" . We will make sure she is dealt with and that the Divine Ones can watch over your kingdom. You will have the power of the Alliance behind you, and we will make sure the heretics are gone," Terenthiel said with a small smile. "All you need to do is allow us to set up one of our temples. A place where the people can worship the Three and bring their sins and grievances to the priests to heal their souls from the Goddess'' corruption." Duval felt a chill run down his spine as he reminisced about the day he arrived at Alaric''s grand manor nearly two decades ago. It was in the aftermath of the Duke''s conviction for conspiring to assassinate the young crown prince. King Cyndre had initially intended to sentence his older brother, Alaric, to death, but Duval managed to persuade the King to opt for severe financial penalties instead in a bid to weaken Alaric''s grip on the lesser noble families. Despite this, Alaric had somehow maintained his influence over them for years. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Duval had believed that Alaric had secured their loyalty through financial means. However, after a decade of receiving 75% of Alaric''s taxes and siphoning 50% of his coffers to the Royal Treasury, Duval found it increasingly challenging to sway the minor noble families to his side. He was forced to pour significant amounts of his own resources and wealth into prying a few of them away, all while struggling to retain the support of the major noble houses to maintain his position as Prime Minister. He found it perplexing why these lesser nobles remained loyal to Alaric no matter what incentives were presented to them. He began to wonder if they genuinely admired Alaric or if his influence and charm were simply too compelling. He recognized that he lacked such influence and that his continued hold on power relied on his subservience to the major noble houses. However, he sensed that their loyalty to him was beginning to waver, and he knew that if Alaric managed to unite the majority of noble families against him and incite a rebellion, his reign would be at an end. Duval was vehemently opposed to the idea of another war, yet the prospect of being completely powerless was equally daunting to him. He had never fully grasped the Duke''s warning until now. The Duke had warned him that the Alliance sought to seize control of the Kingdom and that launching a preemptive invasion into the Holy Alliance would be in Fiafyr''s best interest. The Marquess was deeply troubled by this, recalling ancient tales of powerful human civilizations banding together to form empires in order to protect themselves. In these stories, the empires ultimately fell when an external force invaded and subjugated them, leading to the creation of new, smaller kingdoms from the remnants. Duval''s apprehension grew as he contemplated the potential transformation of the Kingdom of Fiafyr into an empire. kingdom held significant power and influence within the Agon Continent, possibly even on a global scale. his realization fueled his deep-seated fear "No... Our people love the goddess, and bringing in new ones would anger them. We barely have any beastkins tribes outside our borders, and the Dwarves have lived alongside our kingdom for many generations, and they are good people." "Are they?" Terenthiel tilted his head slightly. "The dwarves are a greedy race that loves their rocks, and the beastkins are savage beings that are loyal to no one except themselves as they battle to become the alpha of their pitiful little packs. Those creatures would be better off dead than serve the Divine Ones." Duval remained silent, his thoughts consumed by his unwavering devotion to Goddess Iyomelka. The mere idea of a Temple of the Divine Three being constructed within his country left him grappling with the potential repercussions it could have on his people. "Prime Minister," Terenthiel spoke again. "We are offering you a rare opportunity to save your kingdom, but your hesitation is concerning. You should think very carefully about your decision to save your people." Duval found himself in a precarious situation, akin to a mouse ensnared by a snake. On one front, he grappled with the challenge of addressing the Dark Elf who had captured the crown prince''s affections while simultaneously maintaining his influence over the Major Noble Lords to maintain his position as the Prime Minister. Additionally, he faced the looming threat of an uprising from Alaric and his allies, all while being menaced by his sole link to the Alliance. His options were dwindling, and he felt a growing sense of desperation as he searched for a solution. ''I-I need to bring up an emergency meeting! I have to inform the major families about this dark elf! We need to prevent her from entering the capital, and if we must, we will have to eliminate her. But I need the backing of the Major Lords.'' Duval felt the urge to step away and instruct his aide to dispatch the messages, initiating the Emergency Session in private. However, Terenthiel maintained a stoic expression, seated directly across from him, clearly unimpressed. "Ahem! I will take it under consideration, for now, my prince..." Duval said after clearing his throat. The Prime Minister resorted to a diversion tactic, a strategy he often employed to shift the focus away from a particular subject when necessary. Duval looked down and stared at Terenthiel''s armor with a puzzled look on his face. "If I may ask, don''t you find it... uncomfortable?" "Hm?" Terenthiel did not notice Duval''s strange behavior, but then he realized he was looking at his armor. "It may be uncomfortable to wear this armor every day since I came here. But it brings me closer to the Divine Three," Terenthiel stated. Duval gave him a skeptical look, "But the heat is unbearable. You should make yourself at home, My Prince." "The heat is only a reminder of the Three''s love and light for their believers. It is a gift from the Divine Three, and the only thing I could ever want is their blessings, and?..." Terenthiel locked eyes with Duval, his gaze piercing through him like a predator stalking its prey. "And their protection." Duval could feel tiny beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead, a physical manifestation of his growing anxiety. "You need their protection? From what?" Terenthiel smirked, "Protection from my enemies..." Duval felt a new lump in his throat, "B-But we have a peace treaty" " "W-We will do everything we can to protect you and your men. You and your companions are our esteemed guests. No harm will come to you as long as you are under the Major Lords'' protection. I will personally ensure that you and your men are safe from any harm," Duval tried to keep his cool. "And we wouldn''t imprison you if we broke the treaty. We just ask you to leave, My Prince." Terenthiel smirked again, "I hope you''re true to your words, Prime Minister." Duval could feel the beads of sweat trickling down his forehead, unsure whether it was due to the oppressive heat or the chilling effect of Terenthiel''s words. He couldn''t discern if Terenthiel''s remarks were meant in jest or as a form of intimidation, but the intensity in the prince''s gaze left Duval with no doubt that there was no humor behind his words. "I''m a man of honor, Your Highness... And if you don''t mind... I have to use the bathroom for a moment... If you and your men need any refreshments, the servants will bring them out to you." "Thank you for your hospitality, Prime Minister. But what we need is to see the King..." "Of course... I will get that squared away as soon as possible. I will return shortly." Duval rose from his chair with a sense of urgency and swiftly left the room to prepare the necessary paperwork for an emergency session. As he departed, he knew that time was of the essence and he had a considerable amount of planning ahead. *** In the living room, every person present watched as the Prime Minister made his way out of the room. Duval made an effort to maintain his composure while Sir Darius cast a piercing glare in the Prime Minister''s direction. "Terenthiel, why did you push him like that?" Prince Zane asked. "Because he''s stalling... For what reason, I do not know," Terenthiel replied. "Tsk!... He is spineless and a coward... How did someone of his ilk come from the same family as you, Fifth Son?" Sir Darius asked. Terenthiel glanced over at the paladin, "He''s a distant cousin, Sir Darius. He lacks my faith and conviction. But don''t mistake his spinelessness with cowardice. When one lacks a spine, it makes them annoyingly flexible." "Annoying?" Zane asked with a raised brow. "Yes... You can try to push him and bend him all you want, but in the end, he''ll bounce back like rubber. He is from my family tree, so he has some conviction, but it''s weak. He will bend if you put enough pressure on him, and if you let him be, he''ll snap back to his original position when you least expect it. So, never go easy on him, understand?" "You should have pushed him a little harder." "No... We won''t push him any further for now, but if he continues to take us for fools, we''ll have to up the ante." Zane and Darius acknowledged the conversation with nods while Hilda remained seated in the corner, accompanied by her personal maid named Dori. Throughout the discussion between the three men, Hilda maintained a composed expression, showing little emotion as she listened intently. She didn''t say anything to Duval, but she could tell he was intimidated by Terenthiel''s appearance. ''So... This is going to be my life now... Just an object for political gain...'' Hilda found herself confined indoors, forbidden from venturing outside. As a result, she remained completely unaware of the customs and societal expectations within the Kingdom of Fiafyr. In this unfamiliar environment, all she had for company was her devoted personal maid, Dori, and her cherished collection of books. Despite having undergone extensive etiquette training and lessons, she couldn''t shake the feeling that it made little difference in her current surroundings. "My Lady, are you okay?" Dori whispered in her ear. Hilda was so lost in thought that she didn''t even notice her hand resting gently over her chest. "I''m fine... I think..." Hilda whispered back. Hilda remained oblivious to the fact that Zane and Terenthiel had both turned their attention in her direction. The two princes exchanged a knowing glance, indicating that they were thinking the same thing. ''She''s beautiful...'' They both thought. Terenthiel''s heart raced as he gazed at Hilda. She was truly captivating. Her long, flowing red hair cascaded down her pale skin, accentuating her beauty. Despite knowing that she had been chosen to be Quinus'' wife, he couldn''t help but feel a strong desire to claim her for himself, even though her allure was deemed sinful by the Divine Three. Zane shared the same sentiment. His half-sister was undeniably stunning and exuded beauty. However, he couldn''t shake off the words of his mother, who had warned him about her. She had described her as a product of his father''s unfaithfulness, implying that she couldn''t be relied upon to be a faithful wife. As a result, he felt compelled to maintain a certain level of distance. But the fact that she''s his half-sister and his father ordered him to make sure she consummated her wedding night made him wonder how far he could go. "Well, Princess... You will serve the Divine Three as a proper servant when the time comes, understand?" "A servant..." Hilda repeated. "Yes, a servant," Terenthiel reaffirmed. Hilda remained silent, her gaze fixed on Terenthiel. The way he looked at her made her skin crawl with an overwhelming sense of revulsion. Ever since Hilda emerged victorious in the trials to choose Prince Quinus'' future bride, Prince Terenthiel has been casting lingering, unsettling glances in her direction. "Princess, make sure you carry his children. For they are the key to this country''s salvation," Darius added. Hilda nodded slowly, her eyes downcast, hoping to divert their attention away from her. ''So I''m a servant to the Divine Three... How can Gods be so cruel... I don''t know what I can do... But I need to get out of this situation. Especially if the Crown Prince is as cruel as my father and brothers say. I need to get out, but how?'' She thought as Hilda felt helpless. Hilda sat in the dimly lit room, her heart pounding with fear and anxiety. She could do nothing but wait, her only wish being that someone would arrive to rescue her from this nightmarish situation. Vol.4 Ch.226 Has Quin’s Stamina Gotten… Better!? 🦴 Three days have passed, and the sun now rises, casting its brilliant light over the city. The temperature is gradually rising, signaling the arrival of a warm and sunny day. A gentle breeze drifts through the streets, adding a refreshing touch to the bright and clear morning. Everything seemed peaceful unless you were around the Prince''s chambers, where erotic moans could be heard through the closed door. witk-elven fiancee, Rya. She wanted a reward for making it to the Palace in one piece with her man, and when she saw his morning wood "Yes! Please, squeeze down hard, babe! Aaahnh!?" The Prince pleaded as he was getting closer to climaxing. Rya tried riding his cock with vigor, but the pleasure was beginning to be too much for her to handle. "Ugh! Hngh!" Quinus let out a grunt and thrust one more time before releasing a load into her womb. Rya''s entire being was waiting for this moment, and she felt the warmth of Quinus'' essence flowing through her. It made her feel happy. "Ahhnhh!" Rya let out a quiet but satisfied moan as her womb started to tingle. s ''F-Fuck! I-I''m struggling to last over a minute... I swear I could go an hour easily about two weeks ago. Why has my stamina been dropping?'' Rya thought. ''It looks like he''s still ready for more... Come on, Rya... you''re in a woman''s body now. I should be able to outlast a man.'' Rya thought as she looked at Quin''s golden eyes, which looked eager for a second round. With a sigh, Rya slowly moved off of Quinus and lifted her hips up to allow his cock to find her entrance, and she pushed down on it. She then began moving her hips, causing Quinus'' dick to slide in and out of her pussy, once more. "Aunh! Y-You say I''m amazing?... That''s a lie! Quin, your cock is insane! My old self''s doesn''t come close to yours! Your dick is too good!" Rya shouted out in ecstasy. Hearing her man''s request lit a fire inside of Rya, and she started moving her hips faster, making Quinus gasp in pleasure. "Gah!?" Quinus was breathing heavily as he watched his lover orgasm right in front of him. "Aaahhn..." Quinus was groaning in pleasure as his hips began bucking wildly. He was in complete control of her now as Rya''s body became limp due to exhaustion, and she could only hold on tightly to Quinus'' arms. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "C-Cum inside me! Please!" Rya begged. Quinus thrust his hips upward one more time. Then he engaged his back and legs so he could lift Rya into the air. Quinus finally stopped his ejaculation, and he collapsed backward onto the soft mattress, bringing Rya with him. ''Oh, goddess! Look at my stomach. It''s so big. Is this what it looks like if I were to get pregnant? Ahh... Maybe Quin''s cum is the reason that my clothes have been getting a little more snug. And I''m a Dark Elf now, not a human. So, is it normal for me to have my abdomen become bloated by my lover''s semen? Or is Quin''s cock and balls otherworldly. I mean, he had to unload about a gallon into me. That should be physically impossible! Haah... Fantasy worlds make no sense.'' "Huh? Are you sure? Because you look perfect to me." Quinus said as he examined her voluptuous body. Quinus scanned Rya''s body once again, and the only spots that he could see fat in her were her magnificent tits and that perfect round ass of hers. Sure, her abdomen was bloated, but it wasn''t fat. It was getting pushed out from behind her muscles, thanks to him overloading her womb with his essence. Rya had conflicting emotions about her body. Part of her was happy and excited that Quinus was pumping so much into her. But another part was worried that her figure was being ruined. She didn''t want to lose her perfect form for her man. Quinus noticed her anxiety and gently placed his hand on her stomach, offering a soothing caress. Rya was taken aback and felt the urge to shoot a fierce glare at Quinus, but he laid a hand on her stomach. "What was that, babe?" Quinus asked, trying not to laugh at how adorable she was being. "Well, that''s not a bad thing... Look, your belly is going back to normal. See. Just a little more massaging, and you''ll be back to normal. Then you''ll have room for me to give you even more," he said in a soothing tone. "Ahhn... N-No. It''s just that I''m already sensitive after having such a big orgasm. If only you knew what it is like to be a woman. How sensitive our bodies are. How every little touch can set us off. If you knew, then you wouldn''t tease me like this." "Hmm... I love how your breasts feel, babe. They''re so big, so soft, and they''re so sensitive. You know what it''s like to be a man, babe... Being around a beautiful woman that you want to please all the time... Your body lights a fire in me in ways that you would understand." "Q-Quin... I get where you are coming fromAUNH!? W-We''ve already had our fun! Aunh! F-Fine! One more time, okay!? It''s not like you can get me pregnant by fucking me all day! Aunh! I''m a dark elf now... It might take five to ten years before I might ovulate!" Rya tried to reason with her lover, but her body reacted to his teasing. "I know, babe... But we don''t know when you will, and we need to make sure we don''t miss an opportunity to keep my mother and father off our backs." Quinus continued to grope and massage her breasts, and then he began pinching her nipples. ''Aungh!? Rianna said I couldn''t marry Quin if I didn''t produce offspring! Augh!? My nipples! B-But I''m not sure if I''m going to enjoy carrying a child! I was a man literally over a month ago! Auugh! I-If it does happen, then I''m going to make Quin carry our kid in his guts! Sure, I want his kid, but I need time to mentally get myself ready and I think I will be ready in ten years... Or fifteen? WhateverAuugh! Damn him and his fingers! He knows I love it when he does this! I''ve truly become a woman, haven''t I!'' Quinus gently placed his hands on her bloated belly, massaging it with care before moving down to her thighs, where he continued to offer a soothing touch closer to her womanhood. Rya squirmed and moaned, unable to resist her lover''s touch. Quinus grinned, "You''re throwing insults now?... You''re becoming cuter by the day, babe," he joked while he continued teasing her womanhood. "Aunh!? C-Cute? That''s not fair! You''re a pervert and a jerk! Nngh! Auugh... W-Why can''t I get mad at you? Nngh!" Rya squirmed as she was getting flustered. inus wild. Vol.4 Ch.227 I Can’t Believe What I’m Doing! 🦴 . "Babe, let''s get a bath going. Then we can sleep." "Nnngh..." "Babe?" "Mmmph..." ''Is she sleeping?... Fuck, Quin... I don''t know what''s gotten into me. It''s like I can go for hours on end... I need to control myself better, or I''ll injure her... And I don''t know what I will do to myself if I ever hurt her...'' Quinus thought. Rya''s breaths came in gentle, rhythmic intervals, a testament to her calm demeanor. She exuded an air of tranquility, her body at ease despite the world around her. . ''Alright... Easy does it.''Quinus thought as he sat Rya down in the bathtub and began to wash her off. Rya lay unconscious, her body limp and powerless in the warm water of the tub. Quinus, realizing he couldn''t keep her upright with just one hand, carefully climbed in beside her. The water lapped gently against the sides as he shifted, using his own body as a support. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, steadying her against his side, determined to keep her from slipping under the surface. er. ''Oh boy... Yeah... I definitely came too much. I can''t believe she could hold all that inside her. I need to make it up to her.'' ''She''s so cute when she''s like this... And her boobs are so soft... Shit! Calm down, Quin... Let''s just snuggle. Y-Yeah... We can have our fun later tonight.'' Quinus thought while looking at Rya''s amazing chest. After a few minutes of sitting in the tub, Rya''s eyelids gradually lifted, revealing her sleepy gaze as the soft light of the room filtered in. The gentle ripples of the tub danced around her, and for a moment, she lingered in the stillness, savoring the tranquility before fully engaging with the world. "Good morning, my princess," Quinus greeted her. "Nnngh... Why are you calling me your princess?" Rya yawned. "Well, you''ll be my wife and the next Queen of Fiafyr, so I can call you whatever I want. Besides, you look like a princess right now." " ''Fuck... I know I have the ability to heal myself, but even with that... I won''t be able to walk straight for a week... But blue balling Quin would be a dick move... Haah... I can''t believe I''m thinking of this... But I''ll try it for him,'' Rya thought to herself as she turned around to face Quin and stared at her fiance''s crotch. "Haah... Sit on the edge of the tub," Rya ordered. "Just do it, babe. Or do you want me to change my mind?" Rya looked at him with an annoyed look. Rya was blushing as she got on her knees and looked closely at Quinus''s cock. onWell, it''s now or never.'' Rya thought to herself as she mentally prepared herself as she got on her knees and positioned herself in between Quinus'' legs. The Crown Prince''s brow raised as he saw Rya looking up at him with a seductive gaze. "I said don''t move... And yes... Yes, I do." "O-Okay," Quinus muttered as he looked at Rya and waited for what she was about to do. The Dark Elf cupped her breasts, moved them around, and added some water in between her cleavage. She then pressed them together and moved them closer towards the base of his cock. It was quite the sight to see, and Quinus'' breath hitched as Rya began to move her tits up and down his cock. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. n. ''Shit! He''s getting bigger! And he''s already leaking precum...'' Rya thought as she increased her speed. "Oh fuck... R-Rya... Y-Your breasts... Oh, fucking hell!" Quinus moaned as he closed his eyes and leaned back. "You like that, babe? Nngh!" Rya cooed as she kept moving her tits up and down his massive shaft. "Haa... I-I love it! Ooh fuck! Fuck!" . Quinus could barely speak as he felt the warmth of her breasts and the water around his cock. It was driving him crazy. Rya could smell his precum, and it made her start licking the tip of Quinus'' member, and her tongue swirled around his bulbous head. ''God! His precum tastes so good! I-I should give Quin boob jobs more often! Aungh!? I never knew this was such a turn-on for me. Shit! My pussy is so wet right now!'' Rya thought as her pussy was leaking fluids into the water. "R-Rya! Shit! I''m close! Oh fuck!" Rya could feel the pulsating sensation and knew what was coming. She moved her mouth around his tip and continued to suck on his cock while rubbing her boobs on his shaft. Her heart raced as she felt the blood pulsating throughout his member. "Haah! R-Rya... F-Fuck! Ahhh! N-No fair! Haa... Shit! Nngh! Ooohh! Fuck!" Quinus moaned as he was about to blow. Rya moaned as she felt the warm fluid squirt into her mouth. She was able to swallow some down but was unable to drink it all. She pulled her mouth off his cock, and the last rope of cum spurted onto her face. ''OH GAWD! THERE''S TOO MUCH! A-AHH! I-IT''S COVERING MY FACE!'' Rya thought as she tried to swallow his cum, but his cock wasn''t deep enough in her mouth for his cum to hit the back of her throat, causing her mouth to let go of his cock, and Quinus'' cum covered her face again. Rya thought she would hate to be covered in Quin''s seed, but the warmth felt nice and comforting. ''I-It smells so good...'' Rya thought as she continued to milk him, and he unloaded for ten more seconds before he was empty. Quinus was in bliss while Rya was busy savoring his delicious seed that was all over her face and breasts. After a few moments, he finally opened his eyes and saw Rya with her cheeks full of his cum. He couldn''t help but laugh a little. "Pfft... Did you have enough?" Rya blushed and quickly swallowed his cum. She looked up at him and nodded her head. "Haah... Y-Yeah..." Rya responded as she was still in shock at what she just did, and the worst part was she was horny. But Quinus'' cock finally softened after giving him a blowjob. "Haah... Here," Quinus channeled some more Mana into the crystal of the Fae-bath. "Let''s finish bathing, and I''ll wash you. Then we can get something to eat." "Y-Yeah... T-That sounds good." Rya was in a daze and didn''t know what had come over her. This was the second time she had given him her head, and she was beginning to like it. ''Shit... This is bad. I should try to avoid giving him a blowjob unless necessary.'' Quinus didn''t know how lucky he was, but he would find out soon enough. After he helped wash off Rya''s body and her hair. He got a whiff of her pussy. It was the smell of pure arousal. ''Wow... She''s really turned on. Maybe I can return the favor...'' Quinus thought as he looked at his fiance''s beautiful face. "W-What?" "Can you sit on the edge of the tub, babe?" "Huh? W-Why?" "Fine," Rya relented and sat on the edge. Her face was red as a tomato, and she was still embarrassed that she did that for him, and her vagina was leaking. The Prince had a serious expression as he nd in a blink of an eye, he lifted her legs onto his shoulders and moved his head closer to her crotch. "Q-Quin? Agh!? W-What are you doing!?" "I can''t just leave you with blue balls... That would be rude." "H-Hey! Wait, I don''t have balls! Aungh!" Before Rya could react, she felt a hot and moist tongue slide across her vagina. It sent a shiver up her spine. "Oohh! W-What the fuck are you doing?" "I''m paying back the favor, babe. Now relax." "B-But this is different than sucking your cock. Nnngh! O-Oh shit! Augh! Quin!" Rya''s back arched, and she couldn''t help but moan. Her body was getting hotter, and her legs were shaking. ''Holy fuck! H-His tongue is going inside of me! Aungh!? He hasn''t gone down on me in such a long time! Ahhh! Oh shit!'' "Q-Quin... S-Stop... I-I''m about to..." "Don''t worry, babe. Let it all out," Quinus responded as he kept going. He loved how engorged her clit was. ''Fuck... She tastes so sweet. I should go down on her more often,'' Quinus thought as he inserted a finger inside of her. "AUNGHAH!" Rya moaned and gripped the sides of the tub. She was trying not to fall off the edge as Quin continued his assault on her pussy. "Haah! Quin! O-Oh fuck! Nnngh! Oohh! Haaa! Shit!" She was starting to lose control and couldn''t keep quiet. She wanted to twist her nipples and play with her tits, but she needed both hands to hold herself steady. "Q-Quin! I''m cumming! Nnngh!" Quinus didn''t need to be told what to do as he went into overdrive and ate her out even harder. He felt the muscles contract as her vaginal walls started clamping down on his tongue. "Ahh! Fuck! Haaa! Nngh! Q-Quin! I''MCUMMING! AAAAAAHHHHH! AUGNHGAWD! YES!" Rya screamed as she orgasmed. Her whole body shook, and her legs quivered. She squirted all over Quinus'' face like a tsunami. Quinus didn''t expect her juices to be this strong. His face was soaked in her cum. He quickly gulped down her juices and then lapped up what was left. He could tell she was spent as she fell into the water. The Prince couldn''t help but smirk while wiping off his face. "You okay, babe?" "Uggh... Shut up... You did that on purpose to embarrass me..." "Why would I want to embarrass you? I think you did great." "Uggh..." Rya groaned and buried her face in her hands. She didn''t know why she was so embarrassed by the fact that he gave her a cunnilingus. But she enjoyed every second of it. "Haha. Come on, princess. We need to dry off and get ready." on her with Quin''s insatiable libido. Resigned, she exhaled deeply, the sound heavy with disappointment, her shoulders drooping as she suppressed the urge to speak. Quinus and Rya emerged from their refreshing dip, droplets of water gleaming like tiny jewels on their skin as they quickly dried off. They exchanged playful smiles, the kind that hinted at a shared secret. Normally, the Princes personal servants would be bustling around, eager to assist him in his royal attire, but today was different. Quin felt a spark of mischief; he had no intention of summoning them. Instead, he turned to Rya, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. He wanted her to help him get dressed, and even more, he was determined to adorn her in beautiful garments, transforming their intimate moment into a delightful game of fashion. After pulling on his crisp shirt and fitted trousers, he made his way across the room, his footsteps soft against the polished floor. As he approached Rya, a warm smile spread across his face, illuminating his features and reflecting the warmth in his golden eyes. "I have the perfect dress for you," Quinus said with a smile as he took out a dress from the wardrobe. Rya blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering like delicate wings, and raised an eyebrow high on her forehead, a mixture of surprise and intrigue dancing in her bright azure eyes. "Why are you so happy?" Rya asked. "Oh, it''s nothing, but can you close your eyes for a second," Quinus replied and grabbed the dress. Rya furrowed her brow. "Fine," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. With a sigh, she gently closed her eyes, shutting out the world around her. "Good. Now, stay still and keep your eyes closed," Quinus said as he walked up to her. Rya nodded her head as she waited, "Okay, what now?" "Now lift your arms up and hold them out," Quinus ordered. Rya did as he asked and held out her arms. Something soft wrapped around her body, and she could feel a corset getting tighter, which gave her goosebumps. "Alright. Now lower your arms," Quinus commanded. Rya let her arms drop to her sides, the soft fabric of the dress brushing against her skin as she heard the gentle sound of buttons being fastened, one after another. A delicate scent enveloped her, a mix of fresh linen and subtle floral notes, reminding her of a warm summer day. The familiar aroma wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, pulling her further into the moment. "Alright. Now open your eyes." Rya slowly opened her eyes, and as her sight adjusted to the soft light, she realized she was adorned in an exquisite black dress. The fabric hugged her figure just right, while a delicate red silk bow rested elegantly on her chest. Intricate red embroidery wrapped around her gown, proudly showcasing the Royal Meredydd crest and the emblem of the Kingdom, each stitch telling a story of nobility and grace. She gasped and looked down at her outfit. "I-It''s beautiful..." "Of course, I had it specially made back in Ironside... I wanted you to wear it for the first time in the palace. Just to show you off," Quinus stated. "Oh!? Who do you want me to tease?" "Everyone." Rya looked at him and couldn''t help but laugh. "Hahaha! You are so silly!" "I know. But you''re so gorgeous. I''m just glad I found someone like you," Quinus said and pulled her close to him. ''Aunh! I''m going to O.D. on his compliments if this continues.'' Rya thought and hugged him back. "Thank you. I''m glad I found you, too." "Haha. Well, now that you are ready, let''s get some breakfast," Quinus said as he reached out his arm. Rya glanced at it before accepting it. "Very well. But it''s probably closer to brunch at this point." "Then we can have brunch instead," Quinus said, smiling, and leading her towards the main door of their bedroom. Just as Quinus was about to grab the doorknob and open the door, Rya stopped him from doing so. "Huh? What''s wrong," Quinus asked and looked at his fiancee. Rya had a look of disbelief written all over her face, "She fell asleep against the door." She muttered. "Who?" "Just step back, babe," Rya said, placing a hand on his chest and moving him back. Quinus furrowed his brow and took a cautious step back. Just then, Rya reached for the doorknob, her fingers tingling with anticipation. She turned it slowly, then darted away as the door creaked open. To their surprise, a wood elf tumbled through the threshold, landing with a soft thud on her back, her long, flowing blonde hair fanning out around her like a halo. Vol.4 Ch.228 What is Up With Everyone? Nieren, Rya''s Lady-in-Waiting and older sister, was positioned on the ground in front of Quinus and Rya''s bedroom door. She had long, flowing blonde hair spread across the floor and was dressed in the Fiafyrian female retainer uniform. Ever since their mother, Yuliana, had adopted Rya as her new daughter just a week ago, Nieren embraced her new role with warmth and affection, eager to protect and support her newfound sister in their enchanting world filled with magical creatures and danger. Augh? Ow... Zzzzz... The weary female wood elf groaned, seemingly unfazed by her tumble as she slipped right back into a peaceful slumber, lost in her dreams. Rya let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes at the sight while Quinus stood there, caught between amusement and concern. His heart warmed at how endearingly adorable his future sister-in-law appeared, sprawled on the ground in a state of utter exhaustion from their long journey back to the capital. He couldn''t help but smile, yet a pang of sympathy tugged at himshe had certainly earned her rest. "Nieren! I told you to find a room to sleep in. You didn''t need to stand guard all night." Rya sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Nieren stirred and opened her eyes and saw Rya standing above her with her arms crossed and a slightly annoyed look on her face. "Huh? S-Sis?..." Nieren muttered as she rubbed her eyes. "Nieren?" Rya repeated and tapped her foot. "Ahhh!"Sorry... I-I wanted to protect you and the Prince," Nieren exclaimed and sat up, looking around the room. She saw that the door to the Prince''s bedroom was wide open. She was dumbfounded at first, then quickly jumped up to her feet and acted like nothing happened. "That''s sweet of you, but you need to take care of yourself. You have been up for nearly 24 hours," Rya stated and sighed. Nieren''s retainer uniform was looking a bit messy, and her hair was all tousled. She had some dark circles under her eyes from staying up late to "guard her adopted sister," though she had a few other reasons for staying up as well. She''s become accustomed to hearing Rya and Quinus'' activities, especially their sexual escapades. And the voice she was more attracted to was Quin''s. Every grunt, moan, and groan of his turned her on and made her feel funny. Nieren convinced herself that her actions were all about shielding her new sister and the Prince, but deep down, she was grappling with a blossoming crush on him. It was a truth she was too blind to acknowledge, lost in her own delusions. "O-Of course. I-I''m fine. Haah..." Nieren yawned, unable to conceal her exhaustion. "Nieren... Go get some sleep and fix yourself up. I''ll call you later, and you can come back." "What!? No, I''m fine. Besides, I need to make sure that you''re safe. It''s a new place, and every few people realize that a dark elf is in the Palace." Rya gave her older sister a skeptical look, "Nieren... You can protect me just fine when you are fully rested. Come on, let''s find you a room so you can get some sleep. Then you can come back and do your job." No! I''m fine, sis! This tiredness will pass," Nieren complained as she pushed away Rya''s hand. "You are being stubborn," Rya replied with a sigh. "I''m sorry, Sis. But I am not going to leave your side until I know that the palace is safe for you." Rya let out a weary sigh as she watched Nieren struggle to keep her footing. It pained her to see her friend so worn out, and the reason behind her own clinginess puzzled her. Dammit! She can barely stand, Rya thought, frustration bubbling inside her. It was utterly absurd how stubborn she was being. Glancing over at Quinus, she sought a silent plea for assistance. Picking up on her distress, Quin strode over to the wood elf, ready to lend a hand. He smiled brightly at the Wood Elf, who did a double-take, suddenly aware of his presence. "Nieren... I admire your bravery in protecting the woman I love," Quinus said as he grabbed her hand. Nieren''s eyes widened in surprise, a delicate shade of rose creeping across her cheeks as the dashing prince gently clasped her hand. Her heart raced, a wild drumbeat echoing in her chest, while her palms grew clammy with a surge of nerves. She gazed up at him, a mix of wonder and confusion dancing in her expression, captivated by the magnetic charm that radiated from him. "But Rya makes a valid point. You really need to take a break," Quinus urged gently, his voice laced with concern. "It would truly be an honor if you chose to stay in my room. We have an extra bed just waiting for you." He stepped forward, guiding her toward the cozy, inviting space that was connected to Rya''s and Quin''s room that was off to the side. Nieren didn''t know what to do or say. She felt butterflies in her stomach. But she didn''t understand why. "Uhh? M-My prince?" Nieren murmured, locking her gaze with his. A rush of emotion surged through her, her heart fluttering like a captive bird. Confusion clouded her thoughts, and the weight of her exhaustion pressed heavily upon her, amplifying the whirlwind of feelings coursing through her. Nieren couldnt shake the peculiar sensation overwhelming her. ''Why does my heart race like this? Whats happening to me?'' A flutter of confusion swept through her thoughts. ''Could Rya be onto something? Maybe hearing all that... passion is finally getting to me.'' She took a deep breath, trying to steady her frenzied pulse as she trailed behind the captivating human. Under different circumstances, she might have pushed back against this unexpected attraction, but exhaustion weighed heavily on her, and curiosity tugged at her like an irresistible force. Quinus gently guided her over to the empty bed and helped her sit down. Rya watched all of this with a dumbfounded look. How was it that Nieren was so stubborn with her, and yet Quinus'' simple touch and smile made Nieren meek and compliant? "I can see the concern etched on your face for my fiance, and its entirely understandable. Believe me, her safety is my top priority as well," Quinus said softly, kneeling before the weary Wood Elf. Nieren, fatigue weighing heavily on her, let out a long, unguarded yawn, revealing just how deeply this journey was taking its toll on her. "But please, dont sacrifice yourself in the process," he added, his voice filled with genuine care. Nieren tried one last time to protest, her words heavy with reluctance, "But... But, My Prince" Quinus let out a warm chuckle, his laughter filling the room and cutting through her words. "Just call me Quin. Thats what all my friends do," he said, a playful glint in his golden eyes. With a gentle touch, he nudged her toward the bed. "Now, get some rest, Nieren. You deserve it." The wood elf met his gaze, her heart fluttering slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, she nodded and settled onto the bed, comforted by his presence. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ''Warm...'' Was all Nieren could think as she nestled into the silken sheets, letting her eyes drift closed. Sleep claimed her in moments, and before long, she was lost in her dreams. "Phew. She finally went to sleep," Quinus sighed, gently tucking the blankets around the wood elf as she settled into a deep sleep. With a sense of relief, he rose and made his way toward the perplexed Dark Elf, whose eyes looked at her older sister with more questions than answers. "What the hell? I was trying to do all the same things you just did, and she wouldn''t listen to me," Rya whispered in astonishment. "Hmm? Well, she might have the big sister complex... I''ve seen that happen before. Sometimes, the older siblings want to be the ones to protect the younger siblings," Quinus whispered, leaning in close. "And maybe she needed to hear the same thing from someone else." ''Really? It looked like he was hypnotizing her. What the fuck is going on with you, Nieren?... Even since I''ve healed your mana vein, you''ve been acting stranger than usual. But it could just be the fatigue and lack of sleep...'' Rya thought as she sighed. "Hmph. Well, whatever it was, I''m glad she finally went to sleep," Rya grumbled. "Maybe I will ask her about it after she gets some rest." "Least not worry about her for now, babe," Quinus whispered and gave her a gentle peck on the lips. "She''s safe here," Quinus said while offering Rya his arm again. "Yes, let''s," Rya replied as she looped her arm around his and smiled at him. As the two strolled out, they were met with a startled servant whose eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of both the prince and the enchanting Dark Elf by his side. I... I... I had no idea His Highness was back! the servant exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. Please forgive me for not noticing sooner! Ill get right to cleaning your chambers! With a hasty bow, she hurried off, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway, eager to attend to their needs. "Hold on!..." Quinus called out, halting the servant in her tracks. "Yes, Your Highness?" the servant replied, turning to face the pair. She was trying her best not to stare at Rya and focus on the Prince. "I have a favor to ask," Quinus said. "Of course, my prince. What is it?" the servant replied. There''s another guest sleeping in my chamber. You can come back to clean my room in the afternoonunless that goes against your schedule," Quinus explained. "U-Umm. Well, yes. But it''s fine. I can adjust to accommodate His Highness," the servant answered and bowed her head again. "That''s alright, just wait until the afternoon. Oh, and I''ll send for another servant to assist you." "T-That won''t be necessary," the servant objected. "It is because this place could use a little more cleaning thanusual," Quinus countered. The servant''s eyes darted back and forth from the Prince to the Dark Elf. She knew that this would be a good time to impress her superiors. "Very well. If his Highness insists, thank you," the servant said as she bowed her head again before hurrying off. She kept glancing at Rya with fear in her eyes. ''Haah... Here we go again... Everyone is scared of the big bad elf... I should grab something to cover my ears so everyone can stop being so damn jumpy,'' Rya thought as she sighed. Quinus noticed the change in her mood and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Don''t worry about them. They will get used to your presence soon enough," Quinus assured her. "I know. But I''ll grab a shawl or a hood so people aren''t startled by me," Rya stated, her voice flat and tired. "Hang here, and I''ll be back in a moment." Rya sauntered over to the dresser, her eyes dancing over the array of accessories until they landed on a luxurious black silk shawl. It was the perfect companion to her new dress. With a graceful motion, she swept the shawl over her head, allowing it to cascade around her shoulders, elegantly concealing her long, pointed ears. She turned around a playful spark in her eyes. "So, what do you think? How do I look?" Quinus just stared at her with a brilliant smile, "Beautiful... as always." Rya flashed him a playful smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she sent him a cheeky wink. "Shall we?" Quinus inquired, a playful glimmer in his eyes as he extended his arm to her for the third time, inviting her to join him. "Yes, let''s," Rya replied, wrapping her arm around his. Then, they went on their way towards the private dining room. As they strode down the dimly lit hallway, the guards snapped to attention, their expressions impossibly stern. Rya felt a flicker of unease wash over her; there was something unnerving about the rigid formality that surrounded her. She''d thrived in the laid-back atmosphere of Ironside, where the Dwarves welcomed her with open arms and hearty laughter. Yet here, every detail seemed steeped in an archaic tradition she struggled to embrace. It was precisely this contrast that had drawn her to train under the formidable Fyrella Coldforge, the revered Baroness Dowager of Ironside. Rya had immersed herself in the nuances of Fiafyrian noble etiquette, determined to adapt. Still, the echoes of her old Earth habits lingered, making it challenging to navigate the stifling expectations of her new world. Quinus and Rya stepped into the bustling dining hall, their senses immediately enchanted by the vibrant atmosphere. Laughter and chatter filled the air as they spotted Quin''s loyal retainersthe young Ranger, Percy, and the ever-dutiful Sir Georgegathered around a long, beautifully set table. A few servants darted between the guests, carrying platters of steaming dishes that promised a feast fit for royalty. "Your Highness," Percy greeted with a bow of his head. "Morning, Percy," Quinus greeted back. "Your Highness, I trust you and Lady Rya had a pleasant morning?" Percy inquired with a smirk. "We did," Rya answered for Quinus. Percy just raised an eyebrow at the Dark Elf. "Oh, stop, Percy... Like you are one that can judge. I had to change rooms because you and Dalia were howling at the moons last night," Sir George stated with a glare. "And you''re just annoyed that your ''Love Sage''s advice still isn''t helping you pick up the ladies," Percy taunted. Sir George''s face turned beet red, and he quickly looked away. "I-I''m getting better," he stammered, trying to defend himself. "Sure, you are," Rya teased with a chuckle. Oh, I see how this morning is going to go, Sir George exclaimed, throwing his hands up dramatically. Just lets all pile on poor old George, the worlds worst matchmaker. Why not kick a guy while hes down? Well, Ive had enough! His eyes sparked with determination as he continued, All your teasing and taunting has only steeled my resolve! Im going to find the perfect girl or perhaps a disciple! And mark my words, I will become renowned for my pillars of wisdom and courtship! With fervor, he jabbed his fork in the air, first pointing at Rya, then Quinus, and finally, he turned to Percy, who could only grimace at Georges bold declaration. "Oh! A disciple, you say? Like young Percy? That sure helped him get labeled as a pervert, if my memory is correct," Rya asked, and Percy and Quinus looked at each other and smirked. "Of course not! He failed to understand my teachings... But You! Lady Rya! You may have had the upper hand in getting Percy together with Dalia. And you might have helped fix Lord Johan''s relationship with Lady Tayna... But I''ve been learning and taking notes on you and Prince Quinus'' methods. I''ve been holding this back until we''ve returned home, and I am here to tell you that I will master them and become a Love Sage that this world needs!" Sir George announced with his fist clenched. "So, what you are saying is that I''m a failure? And I''m here to tell you that I''m fine with that," Percy said, which caused the table to laugh. "No! No, of course not, Percy. You were just the perfect test subject... Ahem! Sorry... What I meant to say was, you are a great example of what not to do, my dear friend," Sir George corrected himself, which only made everyone laugh even harder. "Jeez... What has gotten into you, George? Isn''t being a Royal Knight enough for you? Or are you going to take up the life of a Bard now?" Quinus joked, and Sir George paused momentarily as he looked like he was lost in thought. And after a few seconds, he shook his head vigorously. "Bah, this is nothing. I was just messing with Lady Rya," Sir George retorted, trying to save face. "Is that so? You weren''t thinking of something else now, were you?" Rya asked. "What?... No, no... Nothing at all," Sir George replied with a nervous smile. "Oh? Is that so," Rya continued with a smirk. A sheen of sweat broke out across Sir George''s forehead, glistening under the sunlight that came through the large windows as tension mounted in the air. "Y-Yes... It''s nothing," Sir George stammered. "Oh, you were. Well, that''s a shame," Rya teased. Sir George tried to ignore the Dark Elf''s teasing, but his pride was making it difficult. He didn''t want to admit that he was getting older, and he didn''t know how much longer he had to find a wife and start a family. He felt his time was running out. "A-Ahem. I-I don''t know what you are talking about," Sir George said, and the others at the table couldn''t help but chuckle at the knight''s denial. "Alright, I''ll let you off the hook this time, George... But I won''t be so merciful next time," Rya teased the old knight one more time. "Let''s eat; I''m starving," Rya said as she grabbed her fork and knife. Everyone else followed suit as they enjoyed their meal, chatting amongst themselves. Vol.4 Ch.229 I’ve Come To Inform You. As they relished their meals, a few minutes slipped by, filled with laughter and delightful conversation. Rya took a bite of the roasted pig, its savory flavor exploding in her mouth, and she couldnt stifle a soft moan of delight. The rich, smoky goodness was simply irresistible, drawing her deeper into the moment and making her forget all else. "Mmhm. Delicious!" Rya exclaimed, savoring a sip of water that seemed to dance on her tongue. The past week had elevated her senses, sharpening her taste buds as her cravings for rich meats and sweet treats surged unexpectedly. She chuckled at the thought, attributing it to the rigorous training sessions with her magea whirlwind of spells and incantations. Plus, those late-night escapades with Quinus had surely been burning off her energy; it was only natural for her appetite to grow. Just some innocent hunger, she assured herself, nothing more. "I''m delighted you''re enjoying the meal," Quinus replied with a warm smile. "Its one of my favorites, though I have to admit, it doesnt quite match the taste of the wild boars we used to hunt in the woods." His eyes sparkled with nostalgia as he spoke, reminiscing about the past adventures they had shared. "I found it a bit gamey and tough compared to this. I prefer the pork," Rya hummed. She leaned in and rested her elbows on the table, the warmth from the meal radiating through her body. "Huh? Well, I find it to be quite the opposite. It has more of a rich and smoky flavor that is more robust and hearty," Quinus retorted, raising his eyebrows. "No way. Pork is so much more succulent and tender. It just melts in your mouth," Rya fired back, her gaze narrowing playfully. She didn''t understand why eating this food was making her feel so feisty, but she couldn''t deny the thrill of bantering with her partner. "Pork, eh? Well, you do have a point. The taste is more refined, though, so I suppose there''s no right answer," Quinus conceded. Rya felt a little bad for teasing her partner. She just loved the taste of pork and couldn''t resist the desire to eat more of it. But she swallowed her pride and apologized. "That''s fine... We all have our own opinions, Quin... Speaking of opinionated people... Where''s Dalia and Yuliana? I was expecting them to join us," Rya asked as she looked around the room. Percy grimaced, "My Dalia seems to be tired from our long trip and is still resting in our room... I was going to bring a plate of food to her before she wakes up." "I see... It looks like the early days of her pregnancy are really catching up to her," Rya remarked, a playful smirk dancing on her lips as she glanced at Percy. "I''ve heard that during the first trimester, human women tend to feel exhausted, but dont worrythings change after that. Once those hormones start kicking in during the next three months, they often find themselves bursting with energy!" she added, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Percy met her gaze, a flicker of panic flashing across his face. "M-More energy? B-But, she''s already been rather... frisky..." Percy whispered to Rya. "Yes, and I wouldn''t be surprised if you start sleeping with one eye open at night within a month or two... I know what you are in for, Percy," Rya teased and winked at the young ranger. "But I already do that... She is rather active and... well... She likes to be on top... a lot," Percy muttered as his face turned red. "Huh? But I thought you kept getting the upper hand on her and would make her cry out in ecstasy all night," Quinus teased. "W-Well, uhm... Yes, but... I''ve been letting her win on purpose," Percy admitted. Rya looked at the ranger and smirked, "You''re a sweety, Percy." "W-What? I''m not being sweet... I just... I want to make her happy," Percy protested, his face turning an even brighter shade of crimson. "Well, who am I to say anything? But that is sweet of you... It means you care," Rya said, and Quinus agreed with her. "Yeah, Percy, you are a good man," Quinus stated, and Percy blushed a bit. "I need to figure out her ring size, but I haven''t had a chance to do it yet," Percy said, and Rya smiled and looked at the young ranger. "I''ll see what I can do," Rya whispered. Percy''s eyes sparkled with excitement as a broad grin spread across his face, and he gave Rya an enthusiastic nod of agreement. "Speaking of, where''s Yuliana? Is she not joining us?" Quinus inquired. "She''s bugging General Douglas for potted plants to plant in her room. She wants to start training her daughter in the ways of the Green Word. So, I doubt she''ll be joining us anytime soon," Sir George shared with a hint of amusement, as he was sure that Douglas was getting driven nuts by the Wood Elf''s demands. "Green Word?... Well, she did jump the gun at Eldermyst City. All those townsfolk couldn''t stop staring at her," Quinus commented. "Well, her green hair and overall figure make her stand out from a crowd," Sir George said, and Rya narrowed her eyes at the knight. The Dark Elf raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "You''ve been gazing at Yuliana quite a bit lately, George. Care to share whats brewing in that curious mind of yours?" The question hung in the air, and Sir George found himself caught off guard, his thoughts scrambling as he froze in place. "I-Intentions?... Well... I''ve been trying to find a suitable partner for her... At first, I thought about getting Sir Richard, lieutenant of the Royal Knights, but... He has a thing about Wolfkins. But then, I had a second thought, and maybe I should be the one to... W-Well, I... I''m just looking out for her," Sir George explained. "George," Rya warned, "Don''t lie to me. I know she is not blood-related to me, but she adopted me, and I care for her as my mother." Sir George cleared his throat, "O-Of course... I wouldn''t dare think of doing such a thing." "Good... Now, let''s talk about how you plan on finding the perfect partner for Yuliana," Rya continued, her voice taking a playful tone that made Sir George sweat nervously. Quinus couldn''t help but smirk; his curiosity piqued as he opened his mouth to question whether Rya had a list of her own brewing in that clever mind of hers. Just as the words were about to escape, the door swung open, and a member of the Royal Council strode in, shattering the moment and commanding their attention with an air of authority. "Your Highness!? Thank the Goddess that you''ve returned unharmed," Lord Gawain said as he bowed before his prince. Lord Gawain stood as a pillar of wisdom and strength within the royal court, holding the esteemed position of the second-highest member of the King''s Council. For over forty years, he had devoted his life to serving the royal family, earning the respect and admiration of all around him. A devoted husband and father of two, Gawain balanced his family life with the demands of his role, always striving to maintain harmony both at home and in the kingdom. As the right-hand man to Lord Brice, he navigated the intricate affairs of the council with a steady hand, ensuring peace and order reigned whenever the king or queen was away. His presence was not just influential; it was essential to the very fabric of the realm. "Lord Gawain... Shouldn''t you be running around with Lord Brice? Surely, there cant be anything so pressing that it demands my attention right now?" Quinus asked with a bit of annoyance.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Your Highness, there is an~" Lord Gawain paused when he lifted his head and noticed the beautiful tan woman sitting next to the Prince. ''S-She''s the Dark Elf!?... I didn''t notice with that shawl covering her ears... It seems our prince has similar tastes to our King... Like Father, like son,'' Lord Gawain thought as he quickly regained his composure and bowed to the prince and the lovely lady. "Ahem... Your Highness... There is an emergency. The Prime Minister called for an urgent meeting. But since the King is away. The meeting can''t start until the King shows up or if four days have passed," Lord Gawain explained. Quinus, Rya, Percy, and George exchanged worried glances, each wearing a deep frown that spoke volumes about their shared concern. "Urgent? What''s wrong, Lord Gawain?" Quinus asked, now getting a bit more serious. Lord Gawain glanced over to Rya briefly and then back to Quinus. "The Prime Minister wishes to ban... your fiancee... from entering the capital... He doesn''t know you''ve returned so far, but the meeting won''t be able to start until the King is here, and Lord Brice has left this morning to head to the city of Lumor to inform him... He believes that your father will stay in Lumor until the deadline," Lord Gawain informed. Quinus ground his teeth, the tension visible on his face. Rya gently rested a hand on his leg, a soothing gesture meant to ease his growing frustration. "Very well... What are our options to stop this?" Quinus asked. "I''m waiting to get a messenger bird by noon... But, I can tell you that we have one option on the table and that''s to have... I-I''m sorry, but I didn''t catch your lovely fiancee''s name," Lord Gawain stated. "It''s Rya. You may call me Rya," she said, and the lord nodded and bowed. "Lady Rya... Thank you for protecting the prince... We''ve received a letter from His Highness explaining the situation, but some council members aren''t sure if it was an illusion or not," Lord Gawain informed her. "Don''t get sidetracked, Gawain... Tell me our one option," Quinus ordered. "Right... We could use the Church of the Balance... It''s a long shot, but if Lady Rya prays to Iyomelka''s idol, and if it lights up at all. Then the Prime Minister loses his argument that Lady Rya is evil," Lord Gawain suggested. "Huh? Why does it have to be me, and what''s Iyomelka''s Idol?" Rya asked, confused. "You are the Dark Elf, right? Have you ever prayed to your gods and had them answer you?" Lord Gawain asked. Rya felt a wave of disgust wash over her at the mere thought of facing her two insufferable Goddesses, Nils and Nebulus. These were the very beings who had yanked her from her world and brought her to Tertius against her will, weaving a web of lies along the way. If it were up to her, she''d never lay eyes on them again, not if she could help it. The idea of their presence made her skin crawl. "Well... I''ve done something similar, I guess," Rya answered and took a drink from her cup. "Good! So if you can get the Idol to react, then the Priestesses and Clerics will see this as a sign, and you will be under the protection of the church and can enter the city without the Prime Minister''s opposition," Lord Gawain stated, and bowed. Rya seemed pleased at first, but then she noticed the troubled looks on Percy''s and George''s faces, and Quinus narrowed his eyes at Gawain. "That is our only option!? You''ve got to be kidding me. My fiancee has saved many lives, and she needs the mercy of the Church''s protection!? Will Mother Astra even let us near that stupid statue?!" Quinus exclaimed. "W-Well, Your Highness, you see, this is the only option we came up with on such short notice... I''m sure Lord Brice will have another solution by the time we meet," Lord Gawain suggested and bowed again. Rya looked at everyone in confusion, "What''s the problem with this idol thing?" "The Idol is a religious artifact that the Goddess, Iyomelka, blessed... But the damn thing never lights up; even the High Priestess, Mother Astra, can''t get it to respond. It''s just something to buy us time and not much else," Quinus explained. ''Huh? It doesn''t light up? Then this plan is pointless? What the hell.'' Rya thought. "On the contrary, Your Highness. The Idol did light up once in the last twenty-five years," Lord Gawain stated. Rya shot him an exasperated glance, her brow furrowed in confusion. Quinus, shaking his head with a mix of disbelief and curiosity, leaned in closer and asked, Then who did that light up for? "I-It was your mother... Queen Rianna, Your Highness. I was there that day, and it was a sight to behold. The idol''s eye glowed only a little bit, and the High Priestess nearly made a backflip in the air," Lord Gawain explained. Rya tilted her head, ''That''s all they need to see to freak the fuck out over? If it takes that little to get the church on my side, I should probably try it. And maybe I can find a way to make it work with my Mana if praying doesn''t work.'' "And my mother has been the only one in a century to get that Idol to react, correct?" Quinus asked. "Th-that''s correct, Your Highness. But this could be the chance we need," Lord Gawain insisted. "Haah... We''re in a tight spot now," Quinus sighed, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "It''s a last-ditch effort, and honestly, I doubt anyone will buy into the idea that Rya can truly win the Goddess''s Favor just because the Idol''s eye is glowing ever so slightly. The nobles won''t be easily convinced and will likely double down on their efforts to get her ousted." "It''s better than nothing. At least it can buy you two some more time, Your Highness," Lord Gawain suggested. "I don''t like~" "Quin... It''s okay... I''m sure there are other options. But for now, let''s at least try it and see if the church is willing to give us an opportunity," Rya said, interrupting Quinus. Quinus turned his gaze to Rya, captivated by the fierce determination blazing in her eyes. Are you really sure about this? he asked, a note of concern lacing his voice. "I''m positive, my love. My eyes allow me to see how artifacts work... Maybe I''ll notice something," she responded, and Quinus couldn''t help but smile. Lord Gawain couldn''t shake off his astonishment as he witnessed Rya''s remarkable ability to sway the prince''s thoughts. It was as if she wielded magic, effortlessly transforming his stance with her insightful words. "Well, there''s one more thing I should inform you, Your Highness," Lord Gawain informed. Quinus arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Well, dont keep me in suspense. Go on," he urged. "The Prime Minister has the Princess of the Divine Three in his mansion. And he wants to get the arranged marriage pushed through. He plans to show her off to the Major Noble Families at some point," Lord Gawain said and bowed. This made Rya''s blood boil, and her hands were trembling. She knew about her from Quinus, but now that the bitch was in the city, it pissed her off even more. ''So... I have to defend my position to keep my man. That''s fine... I will not lose. And I never will,'' Rya thought. Quinus clenched his fist and narrowed his eyes, "Gawain... Make sure that bastard doesn''t push through the marriage. You hear me?" "I-I understand, Your Highness... If you wish, I believe the Prime Minister is in the West Wing of Parliament... Only half of the Major Nobles are in the capital, and he might be discussing his plan with them," Lord Gawain offered. Quinus stood up, "Gawain, send word that I wish to speak with Duval this instant." "But the law states~" Damn the law, Gawain! I will be the next king, and that meddling Prime Minister is overstepping his bounds. If he thinks he can defy me, then he can kiss his position goodbye. If he werent so consumed by his own agenda, we wouldnt have to endure these ridiculous theatrics! Quinus snapped, his voice echoing with fierce determination. Rya felt a rush of heat rise to her cheeks. She rarely witnessed this fierce side of Quinus, and there was something undeniably captivating about it. ''Damn, this is so sexy... But he needs to calm down a little bit. Otherwise, I might attack him.'' Rya thought and stood up, "We should get ready and head there." "I-I would advise against having Lady Rya attend this meeting. She would be a liability, Your Highness," Lord Gawain suggested. ''Fuck him!'' Rya screamed in her head. Rya is coming, Gawain, Quinus declared, his eyes alight with ambition. Shes destined to be our future Queen and will stand beside me on the throne someday. "I can''t shake the worry that he might try to toss her into the dungeon," Lord Gawain confessed, a frown creasing his brow. "Though we both know those old stone walls wouldn''t be able to contain an earth mage like her for long. But I still would feel more at ease if she were to hang back for now." Quinus paused, his mind racing with the implications. The thought of Rya taking down the Marquess'' guards sent a chill down his spine. Even if it were an act of self-defense, the consequences could tarnish her reputation. He knew the kind of scrutiny she would face, and the last thing he wanted was for her to be judged harshly for a situation beyond her control. "He''s right, Rya... I don''t want the Prime Minister to use some stupid trick to get the Nobles to side with him. Just stay here and let me handle this. It won''t take long. And I''ll have Percy stay behind to keep you company," Quinus suggested. Rya felt a surge of defiance bubbling inside her, ready to argue, but deep down, she understood the truth of his words. If she started taking out Duval''s people, she''d not just become a targetshe''d be declaring herself an enemy of the state. The thought sent a shiver down her spine; it wasn''t a path that would lead to anything good for her. "Alright, Ill agree, but I expect something in return," Rya said, crossing her arms and pouting in a way that made it clear she meant business. Quinus smiled, "Name it." Rya smirked and whispered into his ear, "How about we use ropes tonight?~" Quinus''s face turned bright red, and the image popped into his mind, making him feel hot. Rya pulled away and winked at him before going back to her seat. Quinus quickly calmed down and cleared his throat, "Percy, you stay here and keep Rya company. The rest of us will head out to deal with the Prime Minister." "As you wish, Your Highness," Percy bowed and then moved next to Rya. "I''ll see you soon, Rya," Quinus said and gave her a peck on the lips before leaving the room. "I can''t wait," Rya responded with a seductive smile. His heart was pounding as Quinus was leaving with Sir George and Lord Gawain. The idea of doing such a thing with Rya made him a little nervous, but he knew he could trust her. He knew this was just a way for her to distract him from his stress. And honestly, he was happy about it. He felt proud and honored that she wanted to do such a thing with him. Vol.4 Ch.230 In the Garden. As Quinus, Sir George, and Lord Gawain strode out of the dining room, Percy let out a heavy sigh, casting a sideways glance at Rya, frustration etched across his features. You would think that coming back to the capital would simplify things, but no it never seems to work out that way His voice faded, burdened by the heaviness of unmet hopes. Rya laughed softly, her eyes glinting with mischief. Oh, come on, Percy! When have we ever had a normal life? Percy shrugged, a slight blush creeping across his cheeks. I guess not... But honestly, if I get to share my days with Daliaand the rest of our crazy crewthen I can handle anything. Percy beamed at her, his eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you, Lady Rya. Honestly, I cant imagine where wed be without you. Your bravery in the labyrinth made all the difference." Sir George might be caught up in what they call the ''Sunken Cost Fallacy.'' Its that tricky situation where youve invested so much time, energy, and money into something that you start feeling an unwavering loyalty or commitment to it. This emotional investment can cloud your judgment, leading to some pretty irrational decisions," Rya passionately explained. He glanced up at Rya, a hint of urgency in his expression. He had been instructed to watch over Rya until the Prince returned, but the thought of Dalia waiting for him sent adrenaline coursing through him. Time was ticking, and he couldnt let her down.
"Go, Percy," Rya said with a playful glint in her eyes. "But remember this: youd better start honing your skills in kindness because I am destined to be your future Queen!" With a theatrical flourish, she sent him off with a grand gesture of her hand. "Now, off with you!" Th-Thank you, Lady Rya! I promise Ill repay you! Percy exclaimed, bowing deeply before hastily exiting the room, his heart racing.
"Well... now what?~" Rya mused, a playful spark lighting up her eyes as she rubbed her hands together. A moment passed, and then inspiration struck her like a bolt of lightning. Thoughts whirled in her mind, bursting with possibilities to pass the time and turn the mundane into something exciting. Rya glided gracefully toward the grand doors that led from the bustling dining hall, the soft echo of her footsteps reverberating off the polished marble floors. Sunlight streamed through the towering windows, casting a warm glow and creating intricate patterns that danced across the walls like fleeting memories. As she approached a richly adorned door, her gaze caught a small group of servants huddled nearby, their expressions a blend of nervous anticipation and profound respect. In a synchronized motion, they bowed their heads as she passed, a gesture that sparked both intrigue and a hint of unease within her. Um weve finished with the dining room. Youre free to tidy up, Rya said, her voice steady as she continued her path. Of course, your ladyship, one of the servants replied, the formality of the exchange hanging in the air. Geez this feels so strange. Is this really what Quinus has to deal with every day? R-Remember your training, Rya. Youre in charge here time to own it, she reminded herself, lifting her chin a little higher as she pressed onward, determined to embrace her role. As Rya settled into the bustling atmosphere of the main hall, she marveled at how effectively the shawl concealed her elven ears. Not a single servant cast a curious glance in her direction, nor did anyone question her presence. Relief washed over her. Its about time, she mused, stifling a laugh as she recalled the chaos that ensued whenever she walked around new people. Especially that one maid, wide-eyed and speechless, the very first time she spotted Rya. The memory made her chuckle. Her gaze drifted upward to a magnificent painting that dominated the hallan ethereal human woman with flowing white hair and striking purple eyes. Rya felt an inexplicable pull toward the portrait, as if the woman had a story to tell, just waiting to be uncovered. Rya knelt down, her fingertips gliding over the inscription as her mysterious eyes narrow andforeign words for her Quinus, older and just which ancestor could he be? Shaking her head, she chuckled softly to herself. No point in guessing. Ill ask Quinus when I see him next o her r. Rya turned her gaze to another statue and was captivated by the stunning figure of a high elf. The elegant form was crafted with exquisite detail, from the delicate features of her face to the graceful curve of her posture. Her long, flowing hair seemed to cascade like shimmering silk, framing a visage that radiated ethereal beauty. The elf''s piercing eyes, carved with precision, held an air of wisdom and mystery, drawing Rya closer as if the statue were alive with a story waiting to be told. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Rya was so captivated by the intricate details of the statue before her that she failed to notice a curious maid pausing nearby. Her gaze was fixed on Rya with a blend of intrigue and amusement. "Ah... just exploring a bit," Rya stammered, struggling to mask her surprise with a casual smile. Rya paused for a moment, her thoughts drifting towards the outdoors. "Actually," she replied, a hint of excitement in her voice, "could you direct me to the Garden? I don''t know about you, but I could use some sun." As Rya stepped outside, she took a deep breath, allowing the crisp, invigorating air to fill her lungs. The garden enveloped her senses, a tapestry of vibrant colors and fragrant blooms swirling around her. She hadn''t fully appreciated the enchanting aroma that wafted through the flower-laden spacethe sweet scent of roses mingling with the delicate perfume of lilacs and the earthy undertones of freshly turned soil. Each inhalation brought a new layer of olfactory delight, awakening her appreciation for the garden''s hidden beauty. Its truly a privilege, Lady Rya, Gretchen said, a warm smile gracing her lips. With a respectful bow, she turned to leave, the soft rustle of her skirts trailing behind her. May you enjoy this afternoon. Rya felt as though she had stepped into a grand European palace, caught in a delightful blend of English and French influences. The castle loomed majestically atop a rugged hill, reminiscent of the storied Castle in Edinburgh, its stone walls standing proud against the sky while casting a regal gaze over the bustling city below. Yet, there was an undeniable charm that evoked the elegance of a French chateau, with its sprawling architecture and soft, romantic contours that whispered tales of yesteryear. Surrounding the castle was an expansive garden, a vibrant tapestry of colors bursting forth from a variety of trees and blooming flowers, their sweet fragrances mingling in the air like a gentle lullaby. Fountains danced playfully amidst the greenery, their crystal waters sparkling in the sunlight, creating a serene ambiance that invited visitors to pause and enjoy nature''s handiwork. Tucked away within this enchanting landscape was a hedge maze, its towering greenery forming a labyrinth of twists and turns, promising adventure and mystery for those daring enough to explore its secret paths. The garden sprawled endlessly, an enchanting realm of beauty and mystery. At its heart stood a magnificent fountain, its waters dancing delicately amidst the lush greenery. Delicate blooms and vibrant plants adorned every inch of this verdant paradise, with some even climbing gracefully up the ancient palace walls. Yet, despite the garden''s charm, an air of intrigue lingered near the northern cliff''s edge, where something peculiar seemed to await discovery. ventured closer to the Ether Particles, from a hole in the ground no deeper than a softballe eerie toxic green ed in the labyrinthting n that drew her closer with every heartbeat. "It feels so different from the Labyrinth... and there''s no heat radiating from it at all," Rya mused, a frown creasing her brow. With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, she reached out and plunged her hand into the mysterious hole. To her astonishment, nothing happened. "I dont feel a thing," she whispered, her mind racing. "Whatever this is, it resembles ether practicals, but its something else entirely." Frustration mounted as Rya scoured her thoughts, grappling with the enigma before her. What could possibly cause these elusive particles to materialize? The question hung heavy in the air, leaving her craving an answer she couldn''t quite grasp. gently , her fingers brushing against her smooth tan skin until they grasped the Seer Stone. As she pulled it out, the monocle caught the light, revealing its striking, demonic-inspired design. The frame, a blend of shimmering silver and rich gold, twisted into an intricate pattern that seemed to pulse with dark energy. The lens itself was as opaque as the midnight sky, yet it emanated a haunting purplish glow, hinting at the mysterious powers it held within With focused determination, she channeled her mana into the Seer Stone, its surface shimmering in response. As she peered into the depths of the hole, something astonishing unfolded before her eyes. The Dark Elfs brows shot up in disbelief; a vibrant stream of energy snaked its way from all the lush plants in the garden, converging at this very spot. Below the opening, a swirling cloud of energy pulsed ominously, hovering about six feet down, beckoning her to explore its mysterious depths. Rya paused, her curiosity piqued. "Huh? Is someone crying?" she wondered, tilting her head toward the sound that echoed through the air. It was strange; her view was obscured by the dense hedge maze surrounding her, but her keen elven hearing hinted that the source of sorrow was a world away. "I wonder who that could be?" she murmured, a mix of concern and intrigue swirling within her. Determined to uncover the mystery, Rya began navigating the winding paths of the maze, her footsteps soft against the ground. After a few minutes of searching, she stumbled upon a secluded corner where a young woman sat alone on a bench, her shoulders trembling with quiet sobs. The woman possessed stunning red hair that cascaded down her back like a fiery waterfall, and her large, purple eyes glistened with unshed tears. Clad in a simple yet elegant white dress, she appeared to be around Quinus age. Her gaze was fixed on her hands, which cradled an intriguing objecta bracelet crafted from vibrant beads, each one as large as a marble and shimmering softly in the filtered light. It bore a resemblance to a rosary, but there was something unique about it, something that hinted at a story waiting to be told. Just as Rya was about to leave the redhead alone, the woman began sniffing again, causing Rya to wince in response. A wave of empathy washed over her, stirring an urge to reach out and provide comfort, but the words caught in her throat, leaving her unsure of how to bridge the unspoken gap between them. Vol.4 Ch.231 Three Hours Ago. Princess Hilda found a rare moment of solitude in the lush garden of the Maldura Royal Palace, nestled in the vibrant land of Fiafyr. Slipping away from the watchful eyes of her handlers, she craved a brief escape from the suffocating expectations of court life. In the grand tapestry of her royal duties, where emotions were masked and vulnerabilities suppressed, this serene spot was her own hidden sanctuary. With her chin tilted down and hands delicately cradling a bracelet gifted by Prophet Paul, Hilda stared at the intricate design. The trinket was meant to assist her prayers to the Divine Three, deities in whom she held no faithmerely a symbol of her position, a reminder that she was but a pawn in a game far larger than herself. Though clothed in the finery of royalty, Hilda carried the weight of unspoken thoughts and concealed sorrows. The fear of scorn kept her silent; tears were a luxury she dared not indulge in openly. So, in the embrace of the gardens blooming flora, she let the walls shed built around her heart crumble, allowing her tears to flow freely, away from the judgmental gaze of those in the court. For just a moment, she was not the stoic princess but simply a girl lost in her own quiet anguish. "Why?! How did it all come to this?" she pondered, her mind racing back through the whirlwind of events that had led her here. Memories flooded in, each one sharper than the last, especially the moment earlier that day when she had been set to meet her fianc. What had started as a normal morning had spiraled into chaos, and she couldnt shake the feeling that everything was slipping through her fingers. *** (3 hours ago) As dawn broke over Ecros Manor, a soft golden light filtered through the curtains, casting an ethereal glow in the room. Hilda, the radiant princess, admired her reflection in the mirror. She wore an exquisite white dress adorned with delicate frills that danced lightly around her as she moved. Her personal maid, Dori, an attentive brunette with sparkling dark eyes and fair skin, had just finished tidying her appearance. "Your Highness, the time has come," Dori announced, her voice steadier than her expression, which gave away a hint of the day''s gravity. Hilda let out a soft sigh, nodding with resignation as she rose from her seat. A flutter of nerves coursed through her, yet a spark of determination ignited within. Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned the ornate door handle, the cool metal grounding her. As she stepped into the corridor, anticipation swirled in her chest. Her gaze fell upon two imposing White Knights standing at attention. Though their faces were stoic and unyielding, their presence loomed large, signaling the days fateful events ahead. With a silent command, they began to escort her down the hall. The sound of their armor echoed softly, a reminder that Hilda was embarking on a journey far beyond the familiar confines of the Marquess'' manor. "Just play the role," Hilda reminded herself as she walked purposefully between the two white-clad knights. The cold marble of the manor''s halls gleamed under the flickering torches, their shadows dancing ominously on the walls. As they approached the meeting room, the heavy oak door creaked open, revealing an austere atmosphere inside. The room was dominated by a long, polished table surrounded by a dozen ornate chairs, and behind the table stood four elegantly lined couches, waiting silently for the proceedings to unfold. At the head of the table sat Father Gil, a striking figure in flowing white and gold robes. The soft glow of the candles highlighted his wise, weathered face, framed by a long white beard and tied-back brown hair. He exuded both authority and warmth, but Hilda felt a shiver run down her spine as she caught sight of her half-brother, Zane, kneeling at his feet alongside a formidable group: Sir Darius, the holy paladin, Sir Kaelin, his eager squire, and the highest ranking member of the Holy Order, Prince Terenthiel Marrell, the Fifth Son of the Principality. May the Three give us strength, Father Gil intoned solemnly, bowing his head as he united his hands in prayer. And may they grant us their blessing, the four men responded in unison, their voices a harmonious echo of devotion. Hilda felt herself drawn into the moment. Ah, Lady Hilda... Father Gil began, his gaze shifting towards her as he noticed her arrival. We just finished the sermon. Do you Youre late, Prince Terenthiel interjected sharply, rising from his position with a gaze that cut like ice. Oh, no, no... Your Highness, Father Gil interjected, his smile strained yet insistent. Lady Hilda was not late at all. In fact, shes precisely on time. Isnt that so, my dear?
"And why is that, my lady?" Terenthiel inquired, an edge of impatience creeping into his tone. Because it is the only way for Three to hear my prayers. Whenever I pray in your presence, it feels as though my pleas become mere whispers drowned out by the crowd, Hilda asserted, her gaze unwavering as it locked onto the prince''s. She hoped her candidness would satisfy him. "Hmmm..." Terenthiel narrowed his eyes, considering her words. "You make a fair point, my lady. But, regrettably, your father has decreed that you should be present whenever we gather." Of course, your Highness, Hilda replied, her voice steady but her heart racing. Terenthiel studied her for a lingering moment before settling back into his chair. The tension in the air was palpable. ''That was close. If he was not satisfied, I might''ve been punished for my insubordination,'' Hilda thought to herself and suppressed the urge to sigh. Just then, the door on the opposite side of the room creaked open, revealing Dreth, the ever-reliable butler, stepping inside with an air of formality. "My Lords... breakfast is ready for" he began, but his words were cut short. "Where''s Duval?" Prince Zane interrupted, his impatience palpable. Dreth straightened, his composure unshaken. "Im afraid, my Lord, the Marquess is not at the Manor. He has pressing matters to attend to." Zane''s brow furrowed. "Tsk! Sounds like he''s avoiding" But before Prince Zane could finish, Terenthiel raised a hand to halt his words. His gaze locked onto the butler, a mix of curiosity and irritation flickering in his eyes, making Dreth swallow hard. "We''ve been here for nearly a week," Terenthiel said, a steely edge to his voice that sent a chill through the room. "And still, no word from the King or the Crown Prince. Prince Zane''s youthful impatience is palpable, a reflection of his inexperience, but he''s not alone in his frustration. I came here under the impression that we were invited not merely as a political maneuver but as a genuine gesture of goodwill towards the Alliance. After all, we are allies, are we not? So I must ask, where is the Marquess?" Dreth offered a wry smile, his bow betraying nothing of the tension. "I assure you, Your Highness, the Marquess is not evading you or your people. He had an unforeseen emergency that required his immediate attention," he replied, his tone measured. "Rest assured, he will return shortly, and I will convey your concerns to him." The air between them thickened, a silent battle of wills as they navigated the complexities of diplomacy. Terenthiel rose from his chair, an air of authority surrounding him as he approached the butler with Sir Darius and Sir Kaelin at his side. Dreths heart raced as he stood his ground, sensing the tension in the room. The sound of the door slamming shut echoed ominously behind him as two imposing White Knights took their positions, sealing his fate. ''So, the door is locked. No escape...'' Hildas mind whirled with thoughts, her gaze fixed intently on the three men looming in front of Dreth. She felt bad for him, but there wasn''t anything that she could do. "Do you take me for a fool?" Terenthiels voice dripped with venom, his patience wearing thin. "I have shown remarkable patience, but every time my prayers reach the Three, their answer is the same. There is an insidious darkness lurking in this city, and it''s our sacred duty to purge those who interfere with the Divine Ones'' designs." His words hissed through the air, charged with righteous fury. "Your Highness, I implore you to trust in the Marquess," Dreth stammered, his voice steadying as he met the prince''s fierce gaze. "I assure you, he will return and shed light on all that has transpired." In a swift, menacing motion, Sir Darius unsheathed a portion of his sword, the polished blade glinting like a warning under the sunlight. "The Divine Ones have whispered to me that deceit lurks in shadows," Terenthiel hissed, his teeth clenched tight in fury. And I believe that deceit stands before me now... You have one last opportunity to tell me where that spineless coward of a Lord is hiding. The tension in the room was palpable as the paladin''s piercing gaze bore down on the butler, a weight that felt like an iron shackle. Yet, the butler summoned every ounce of his resolve, inhaling deeply as a spark of determination flared within him. "My Lord is no coward..." he asserted, a defiance lacing his trembling voice. Terenthiel''s eyes narrowed into slits, a predator sizing up its prey, causing beads of sweat to trickle down Dreth''s forehead. "B-But he is in the west wing of the Maldura Royal Palace... Hes engaged in a meeting with several Major Nobles... Im not privy to the details, but I assure you, it holds considerable significance," the butler confessed, bowing his head to mask his unease. To his surprise, a slow, enigmatic smile spread across Terenthiels lips. Sir Darius sheathed his sword, and the knights stepped back into the shadows, leaving the room free from the looming presence of the White Knights. "Is that so?... Then it seems we shall forgo breakfast here. Prepare the carriage," the prince commanded, his voice smooth as silk, as he and his men turned to exit, leaving a trail of tension in their wake. "Yes, Your Highness," the butler nodded and approached the door. He tried to go through it, but the white knights stared him down, refusing to move. Dreth cleared his throat, trying to remain calm. "Let him through," Terenthiel''s voice cut through the silence, the knights instantly moving aside to allow the butler''s departure. Once Dreth was out of the room, he quickly ran down the hallway, the thud of his footsteps echoing off the marble floors. When he was certain he was out of the prince''s sight, he collapsed against the wall, his legs wobbling, barely able to hold his weight. After a minute, he made sure to get Prince Terenthiel''s carriage ready. "Fifth Son? What are we going to do now?" Prince Zane inquired with a raised brow. "We will go to the Royal Palace and see what that idiot Marquess is up to. Come now, Lady Hilda... It''s time for you to see your new home," Terenthiel said with a chuckle as Hilda reluctantly followed them. *** The grand party swiftly made its way to the opulent foyer of the manor, the soft glow of crystal chandeliers illuminating their path. As they approached, Hilda was met with the courteous nod of a waiting servant. "Your Highness, Lady Hilda, and esteemed guests The carriage is prepared and awaits your presence outside," the servant announced, gracefully pulling open the door to reveal a cool evening breeze and the soft glow of lanterns lining the path. "Finally! Let''s get moving!" Zane shouted, a spark of excitement in his voice as he strode out into the sunlit courtyard, a sense of adventure in every step. "Yes, brother," Hilda murmured, her heart pounding slightly as she trailed behind him, feeling the anticipation crackling in the air. "Listen closely, Sir Darius. Im putting my trust in you to guard Lady Hilda and Kaelin. You must keep her within your sight at all times. I wont tolerate any delaysweve waited far too long for this moment," Prince Terenthiel commanded, his voice laced with urgency. "Of course, Fifth Son," Sir Darius replied, bowing low, the resolve in his stance affirming his commitment as he joined Terenthiel. The prince strode forward, flanked by Sir Darius, with Sir Kaelin closely shadowing them. "My lady," the knight said, offering Hilda a respectful nod, but she merely sighed, her thoughts elsewhere as she quickened her pace. Ahead, she glimpsed Zane waiting by the carriage, the sight of him beside the two armored White Knights waiting for her sent a surge of anxiety through her. The journey was about to begin, and she knew there would be no turning back. "Lady Hilda... After you," Terenthiel said and smiled, waiting for Hilda to enter the carriage. "Thank you, your Highness," Hilda bowed and entered the carriage. The Princess climbed into the luxurious carriage with Prince Zane in tow. A gentle breeze brushed her cheek, and the cool air was a welcome relief from the heat of the day. Prince Terenthiel was the last to enter, taking the seat beside Zane, his face etched with tension. "Are we ready?" Terenthiel asked. "Ready as we''ll ever be," Sir Darius nodded and signaled the driver. Hilda sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. ''Ugh... How could we forget Dori?'' Panic flickered in her chest as she glanced at Terenthiel, who was still fuming. ''Ill have to send for her later, once things have settled. I just hope shes alright,'' she thought, worry gnawing at her. So, sister... When are you planning to bless us with some nieces and nephews? Zane teased, a shit-eating grin spreading across his face. Hilda felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought of raising children with a man she had yet to meet. Attraction? That was a distant notion. Ill wait until Im married, my lord, she replied, her gaze drifting out the window to avoid his penetrating stare. Oh, come now! You should be thrilled! Your marriage is arranged to a powerful and incredibly handsome prince, Zane said, his pride evident. Yes, yes... A very powerful prince... A handsome and charming prince, Hilda droned, her voice dripping with sarcasm as the carriage lurched into motion.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. She caught a glimpse of Zanes face, his expression shifting from amusement to irritation, but it barely registered. The walls of the carriage felt like they were closing in, and all she could think about was the desperate need to escape this moment. *** The carriage glided silently through the bustling streets of Tairal, the rhythmic sound of hooves echoing against the cobblestones. For a moment, the atmosphere was serene, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy surrounding them. The buildings, painted in a kaleidoscope of colors, stood tall, their intricately designed facades adorned with hanging flower boxes bursting with blossoms. As the party observed the throngs of people navigating the lively thoroughfare, they noticed a distinct difference from what they remembered in the Capital City of Istur, nestled far away in The Holy Kingdom of Chalced. Here, the inhabitants wore expressions of contentment and joy, their laughter ringing through the air, unlike the downtrodden faces that often populated the streets of Istur. The aroma of street food wafted by, mingling with the sounds of merchants calling to customers, creating a vibrant tapestry of life that left the group feeling both intrigued and at ease. ''No beggars or starving children. No stench of piss and shit... No guards harassing citizens for no reason. These people seem so carefree,'' Hilda thought as she looked around. "What is it, Sister? I thought you weren''t a city girl," Zane snorted. Hilda gave him a sideways glance and ignored him as the carriage continued on. The ride was bumpy, and Hilda had to hold on tight to avoid hitting her head. She was not used to riding in these things. ''Ugh... I hate being cooped up like this. It''s hot and stuffy. Plus, there''s not much legroom with those two wearing their armor,'' she thought. "Don''t worry, Lady Hilda, we will arrive soon," Terenthiel said, a smile stretching across his face, though it felt anything but reassuring. "Yes, thank you," Hilda replied, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. Something was unsettling about the way Terenthiel gazed at herhe was one of the pivotal council members of the Holy Court, yet his lingering looks sent a chill racing down her spine as if he was a creep trying to undress her. Just think positive thoughts, she reminded herself. Were on our way to meet the Crown Prince, and then I can finally escape Terenthiels unsettling presence. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting her mind wander to thoughts of her future husband. What would he look like? The sketches she had seen were beautiful but didnt quite capture the essence of a person. Would he be charming, or would he possess a quiet strength? The anticipation mingled with a flicker of anxiety, as the carriage rumbled onward, each bump pulling her further into her swirling thoughts. Hilda stared into the distance, her thoughts swirling like a storm. ''Will he truly respect me?'' she pondered, a knot tightening in her stomach. It felt as if every man in her life had sought only to exploit her in some way. ''Is he just like the others, or could the whispers of his kindness hold some truth?'' Her heart ached as she recalled her family. ''Unlike my father, my stepmother, and my half-sister, who all treated me like a pawn in their games... Even the Holy Knights and priests of the Holy Church seem to see me as a means to their own ends.'' A deep sorrow washed over her. ''Its as if even the Gods look upon me as a mere tool to be used.'' She frowned, the weight of her loneliness pressing down on her tightly. Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a halt, the door creaking open. Hildas breath caught in her throat as she beheld the Royal Palace, its grandeur a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing in her heart. ''I suppose its time to meet my husband... Lets hope hes not too insufferable,'' she mused, stepping down onto the stone steps that led to the entrance. The sun hung high in the vast azure sky, its golden rays spilling across the land and enveloping everything in a warm, inviting glow. However, an undercurrent of tension rippled through the air at the grand gates, where the Royal Guards stood resolute, their armor gleaming and weapons at the ready, confronting Sir Darius. With an imposing figure and a fierce scowl etched onto his rugged face, Sir Darius took a step forward, his voice low and intimidating. "You will let us pass," he growled, the words laced with authority and impatience. The chief guard, steadfast and unwavering, narrowed his eyes at the imposing knight. We havent received any orders concerning an emissary from the Holy Alliance, he replied, his tone firm yet cautious. Now, I advise you to leave this place peacefully before we are compelled to take action. The tension thickened, a silent battle of wills unfolding between them, as the sun continued to bathe the scene in its relentless warmth, oblivious to the confrontation brewing beneath its rays. Hilda and Zane watched from a safe distance while Terenthiel and Sir Kaelin approached the Royal Guards at the Palace''s gate. "Are you sure that''s a good idea, Terenthiel?" Zane whispered. Just trust me, Zane. Everything will go as planned, Terenthiel replied, his voice steady, exuding a confidence that seemed to fill the air around them. As they reached the Royal Guards, Terenthiel stepped forward, his posture regal and unwavering. He took a deep breath and spoke, his voice resonating with authority. I am Prince Terenthiel Marrell, Fifth Son of the Holy Council Member of the Divine Three. We come seeking an audience with the Royal Family to discuss urgent matters concerning the Holy Alliance. He unfurled his cloak, revealing the intricate crest that shimmered in the sunlight, a symbol of their mission and a reminder of the gravity of their quest. The tension hung thick in the air as the guards exchanged glances, the fate of their meeting hanging delicately in the balance. "My apologies, Your Highness. But if we don''t have approval from the King or Queen, then you cannot enter," the guard replied. "But we were told that we were honored guests from the Marquess... Duval Wrightwood... Or is it that the Fiafyrian hospitality is lacking?" Terenthiel said and smirked. The guard shifted uncomfortably, his confidence wavering. "That may indeed be the case," he replied, "but without the royal family''s approval, you''re not permitted to pass." "STEP ASIDE! OR WE WILL FACE THE DIVINE THREE''S WRAITH!" Sir Darius shouted and drew his sword. The Paladin''s thunderous roar echoed across the sprawling palace grounds, sending a ripple of unease through the ranks of guards who instinctively took a step back. They gazed up in awe and apprehension at the formidable figure draped in a flowing white cloak. "Stand down!" one of the guards called out, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "This is the Royal Palace of Fiafyr Kingdom. We do not yield to threats!" He tried to project calm, but the weight of the Paladin''s presence loomed large, filling the space with an electricity that sent shivers down their spines. *** Meanwhile, General Douglas strolled purposefully around the opulent palace grounds, accompanied by his lieutenant, Sir Richard, and two stalwart Royal Knights, Lady Rachel and Sir Bret. Their measured pace was suddenly interrupted by the distant sound of commotion, drawing their attention toward the unfolding scene. "What the fuck is going on?" he muttered. "The Alliance is here?" Sir Bret exclaimed, his brow furrowing in disbelief. "I thought their arrival was set for the treaty signing ceremony!" "Honestly, what did I expect? The Prime Minister must have really messed this up," General Douglas grumbled, his voice low and tense. "I warned himthe Alliance can''t be trusted!" "We need to find a way to calm the situation before it spirals out of control, Sir," Lady Rachel interjected, her tone urgent. "Indeed... Sir Bret!" General Douglas turned sharply. "Inform the Prime Minister that his esteemed guests are going to be put in an early grave if he doesn''t hurry his ass up!" "Right away, sir!" Sir Bret replied, a look of resolve crossing his face as he took off at a sprint. Without wasting another moment, the three of them raced towards the gate, adrenaline surging as the stakes escalated. *** As the tense confrontation unfolded at the grand main gate of the Royal Palace, a beautifully crafted carriage emblazoned with the intricate coat of arms of House Revelia rolled into view. Its polished wooden frame gleamed in the soft light, drawing attention as it was escorted by four imposing Guards clad in gleaming armor, their expressions stern and watchful. Inside the carriage, the Duke of Revelia sat with an air of contemplation, his brow furrowed in thought. He was en route to the Royal Palace for the critical preliminary discussions of an emergency meeting summoned by Duval. Ordinarily, the Duke would have found Duval''s theatrical behavior quite irritating; however, today was different. He sensed the urgency woven into the situationit was a matter of safeguarding their interests ahead of the impending arrival of the Alliance. The clock was ticking down for the peace treaty negotiations, and the atmosphere was thick with tension. The presence of the dark elf was causing palpable unease, particularly for the Prime Minister, who was growing increasingly anxious as the minutes slipped away. The stakes were high, and the air crackled with the weight of impending decisions that could alter the course of their realm. Duke Alaric Revelia stood at a crossroads, torn by a tumult of emotions. For years, he had clashed with the Prime Minister, staunchly opposing his views. But today, he found himself wrestling with the unsettling notion that he might have to align with him. The thought made his stomach turna bitter pill to swallow. The prospect of the Holy Alliance taking over his kingdom through the offspring of this whore of a princess they sent to seduce his nephew was intolerable. But he found himself at an impasse, unable to harm the Dark Elf who had captured the heart of his nephew, Quinus Meredydd. Her extraordinary healing abilities were unlike anything the world had witnessed in a millenniumor more. Realizing he couldn''t overpower them through brute strength, he knew he had to turn to the subtle arts of psychological and political warfare to achieve his goals. The Duke was practically brimming with anticipation at the prospect of voting to expel the Dark Elf from their ranks. He knew full well that she would likely disregard any decree issued by the Prime Minister, believing herself above such authority. Yet, the unfolding situation held various possibilities for him, each more enticing than the last. This could very well tip the balance of power in his favor or create openings he could exploit to his advantage. The thought swirled in his mind, each scenario more thrilling than the last. The initial scenario unfolds with her adamantly rejecting the order, standing her ground against the Prime Minister. In a dramatic confrontation, she exposes his vulnerabilities, weakening his position to the point where many of the Major Nobles begin to waver in their loyalty. As a ripple effect of her defiance, the once formidable Duval would find himself stripped of his authority and influence, leaving an opportunity for the Duke to emerge as a new Prime Minister of the kingdom. In an alternate scenario, she may unleash a wave of aggression, attempting to eliminate The Prime Minister along with several key members of the Nobility. Such a violent outburst would thrust the Prince and the entire Royal family into the harsh glare of public scrutiny and suspicion. Seizing the moment, the Duke could rally support from the other Major Nobles, positioning himself strategically to usurp the throne and declare himself King. But the tricky part would be to get rid of her without incurring the wrath of both his nephew and her. As they were both monsters with unfathomable powers, the Duke knew it would be a fool''s errand to attempt a head-on assault. In the third scenario that Alaric envisions, the Dark Elf chooses to respect her sentence of expulsion and leaves without resistance. The news of her departure ignites a furious rage within Quinus, prompting him to forsake his loyalty to the kingdom and renounce his claim to the throne. This outcome would be nothing short of a triumph for Alaric, for it would not only strike a devastating blow to his younger brother, King Cyndre Meredydd, but it would also unravel the delicate threads of the peace treaty that Duval has labored over with the Alliance. The repercussions could spiral into chaos, potentially igniting an all-out war between the Divine Three and the Kingdom of Fiafyr, plunging the realm into turmoil and conflict. The Prime Minister''s reputation lies in tatters, a once-respected figure now marred by scandal and betrayal. The Royal Family, once the epitome of grace and dignity, stands humiliated in the eyes of their subjects, their royal lineage overshadowed by shame. Yet amidst the turmoil, a glimmer of hope emerges, as whispers of a true King ariseone destined to restore glory to the faltering kingdom. Alaric, with his noble blood coursing through his veins, is poised to reclaim his birthright. However, the path to his legacy remains fraught with challenges. To solidify his claim to the throne, he must secure an heir. If his beloved wife is unable to bear him another son, he finds himself at a crossroads. He contemplates a future where one of his five spirited daughters might ascend to power, even if they lack the cold ruthlessness and shrewd calculation that define their fathers leadership. In a realm where tradition looms large, Alaric must grapple with the unconventional prospect of a female ruler, determined to ensure that the royal lineage does not fade but instead thrives, regardless of how unconventional the means may be. The Duke would not settle for anything less than reclaiming his throne and kingdom. His sole purpose was to honor the memory of his son, Marcus, who was brutally murdered under Quinus'' orders. The Duke is determined to avenge his son''s death. Quinus''s very existence is an affront; he and his wife plotted to poison the Queen''s tea, ensuring she would bear no children. Their scheme was supposed to secure Marcus''s path to kingship. But fate intervened, and his sister-in-law defied their plans by giving birth to a healthy boy. Now, the Duke finds himself shackled to a reign that should never have been, forced to play second fiddle to a royal who has no rightful claim to the throne. "Alaric?... You''re daydreaming again," Duchess Leandra Revelia said. "My apologies, my dear... But I don''t know why you wanted to come along?" Alaric asked. "Well, if I''m going to be attending the meeting, and that dreaded sister-in-law of mine isn''t in the capital... It''s only fair for me to see if I can take something that has sentimental value to her," Duchess Leandra said and smiled. "Well, if you can... I''ll allow it. As long as you don''t get caught," Duke Alaric said, and he smirked. "Someday, she will learn the pain of losing a son, and she will feel the same pain as I felt. I hope it hurts her even more than what I experienced. For her, it will be even worse since she''ll be losing her son and her husband," the Duchess said, smiling wickedly. "I couldn''t agree more... But like I said... We need to play our cards right... With that Dark Elf by our nephew''s side, makes it nearly impossible for Rianna to witness her son''s death. We need to make sure the Dark Elf is either exiled or dead. That''s when we strike," the Duke said, smiling darkly. The carriage halted abruptly, which made Alaric frown. "What in the hell''s is Franklin doin" "STEP ASIDE! OR WE WILL FACE THE DIVINE THREE''S WRAITH!" Roared a voice in the distance. Alaric and Leandra exchanged bewildered glances, their brows furrowed in confusion. Just then, Alarics lips curled into a smile, breaking the tension and sparking a hint of curiosity in Leandras eyes. "Do you know who that is?" Duchess Leandra asked. "No clue... But I have an idea... Come, my dear... Let us witness Duval''s incompetence firsthand," Duke Alaric said, and he grinned evilly as he offered her his hand. Leandra arched an eyebrow, curiosity mingling with uncertainty, but she couldnt resist the captivating allure of her husbands words. She smiled and placed her hand in his, feeling a thrill course through her. Together, they descended from the carriage, a sense of mischief enveloping them as they made their way toward the grand gates of the palace, eager to see what awaited them. *** There was one more carriage that was on its way to the palace as well. It had House Dule''s coat of arms on the side, and a dozen royal guards were escorting the carriage. Inside were the young couple, Johan Dule and his wife Tayna. They were visiting the palace to see the crown prince and his fiance. Their journey took an unexpected turn when Quinus stopped in the city of Dorn. First, the Prince and his Fiancee helped his relationship with his wife. Then it turned out that Rya was a healer, and not only did she heal the scars and missing finger on his wife, but she also healed his mana vein that was being inflicted with some mysterious particles that could have been a curse from a blood contract. He was now a powerful and rare Illusion Mage who still needed training. Second, they joined the Prince''s convoy through Johan''s father''s domain, heading towards the Royal Capital. That''s when a band of brigands tried to target him and his wife. He was able to save her, and his bond with his wife has never been stronger. Now that they were in the capital city, Johan and his wife were staying at his family''s manor on the outskirts of Tairal. He couldn''t help but enjoy some passionate moments alone with his beautiful wife. She seemed determined to conceive a baby, and Johan was open to the idea of becoming a father. But the reason they came to the capital was for the peace treaty meeting. The Messenger had left a day after they arrived at the Dule Estate looking for his father, Baron Jonathan Dule. But Johan decided to go in his father''s stead until the Baron was in the capital. The messenger explained the situation and gave the official letter that Duval gave him while Johan told the messenger where he could find his father. And now that he''s arrived at the Royal Palace. He hoped that everything would go well. Johan? Can you hold me just a little longer? Tayna murmured, her voice soft as she snuggled closer to him. Of course, my love, Johan replied, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her into a warm embrace. A bright smile spread across Taynas face as she nestled against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Are you sure youre okay, Tayna? I-I was a bit too rough earlier, Johan said, a hint of pink creeping onto his cheeks. Mmm... Im perfectly fine, she replied playfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Besides, it was me who decided to tease you, remember? She giggled, warmth blooming in her cheeks as she met his gaze. Still Im not looking to hurt you, Johan said softly, his brow furrowed with concern. Dont worry, my love Im not some delicate flower, Tayna replied with a playful glint in her eye. Johan couldnt help but smirk at her fearless confidence. Besides, she continued with a teasing smile, Im thinking of asking Rya for tips on how to keep you on your toes next time. With a sultry flick of her tongue across her lips, she drew him in closer. "Well... Someone has become a naughty girl," Johan remarked, a playful challenge sparking in his gaze. Yes and its all your fault, Tayna said, closing the distance between them and leaning in for a kiss that promised undeniable heat. As they leaned closer, their hearts racing with anticipation, a sudden, thunderous roar shattered the intimate moment, echoing through the air like a distant storm. "STEP ASIDE! OR WE WILL FACE THE DIVINE THREE''S WRAITH!" "What was that?" Tayna asked. "Not sure," Johan replied. They heard a knock at the door and saw the coachman had opened the door. "My lord and lady, I am sorry for the sudden interruption, but there seems to be a commotion near the palace gate," the coachman said. "We noticed. What''s happening?" Johan asked. "There are some men with white and gold clothing," the coachman said. Johan grimaced as he knew who they were. "Do they have any holy symbols that are triangles?" Johan asked. "A Triangle?... Oh! Yes, they do. Do you know what''s going on, my lord?" the coachman asked. "It''s the Divine Three... Tayna... You need to find Lady Rya and warn her. Those zealots will attack her on sight," Johan said. "Wha? What are you talking about, Johan?" Tayna asked. "Demi-humans are banned from the Divine Three''s creed, and they would rather kill a dark elf than let one live. They will be the enemy and will try to kill her. I will do what I can to distract them, but I can''t hold them for too long," Johan said. "Okay... Johan. Please be careful," Tayna said and gave him a passionate kiss. "You too. I love you, Tayna," Johan said. "I love you, too, Johan," Tayna said. Johan stepped out of the carriage, his heart racing with anticipation as he made his way toward the tense scene unfolding before him. The Divine Three stood resolute, their expressions a mixture of defiance and determination, facing off against a formidable line of guards. The air crackled with tension, and Johan could see the unmistakable glint of armor and weapons glimmering in the dim light, setting the stage for the standoff that could change everything. Vol.4 Ch.232 The Fiafyrian Standoff. Sir Darius stood firmly, his sharp gaze sweeping across the ranks of the Royal Guards assembled before him. Their polished armor gleamed under the sunlight, reflecting hints of gold and silver. He noted the disciplined stance, the stern expressions, and the unwavering resolve etched on their faces. Each guard stood like a sentinel, exuding an air of authority and readiness that made the tension in the air palpable. The sounds of leather and metal shifted slightly as they aimed their weapons at the imposing paladin in front of them. With a voice as thunderous as a storm, Darius exclaimed, "I command you to open the gates and grant us passage!" His piercing gaze locked onto the Guards, who remained unyielding, their resolve as immovable as the walls before them. They stood firm, steadfast in their duty, denying him entry into the palace beyond. "This blade was forged for one purpose: to purge the world of sinners... So tell me, are you among the wicked?" The Paladin''s voice was a low growl as he tightened his grip on the gleaming sword, its edge glinting ominously in the sunlight. Johan felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard the tales of the Paladins otherworldly strength and feared what would happen if he were to step in and challenge that power. The air around him seemed to thicken with tension as he weighed his options, knowing that a wrong move could lead to dire consequences. "So! This is how the Alliance acts when they go through a little adversity... Quite shameful if you ask me," said the commanding voice of General Douglas, who backed up the Royal Guards with twenty of his Royal Knights. The General was a large man with a muscular build and an air of confidence. His dark blue eyes were narrowed in a stern gaze, and his jaw was set in a determined line. He looked like a bulldog ready to pounce. Prince Terenthiel gazed past the imposing guards, his eyes settling on General Douglas and his entourage of regal knights, their armor gleaming ominously in the sunlight. "General Douglas," he began, his tone laced with sarcasm, "I must say, this wasnt the welcome I anticipated. Surely, you know better than to draw your blades in the presence of guests." The generals lips curled into a wry smile as he met Terenthiel''s glare. "And why should I disarm myself when your hound is so keen to show its teeth?" he retorted, his eyes narrowing. "Watch your tongue, General," Sir Darius interjected, stepping forward, fury simmering just beneath the surface. "Or Ill be the one to take it out." "Oh really? And how would a boy like you manage that?" General Douglas retorted with a sneer. "I''ve taken down countless zealots just like you." "With an army that includes women? How fearsome can the Fiafyrian Knights be if you need them to fight alongside your men? I''m surprised they aren''t the ones guarding the gates," Sir Darius retorted, casting a quick glance at Lady Rachel, who stood nearby with a fierce scowl, clearly unimpressed. General Douglas took offense to his remark, his face flushing red, but he kept his calm. "If you think my female knights are any less formidable, then you''ve got another thing coming. I''ve been with them when we faced the worst of the worst... We''ve fought Demons and their Demon Lord... You don''t even come close to those horrors," General Douglas said in a low growl, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists. "Now, now... Let''s not jump to conclusions, General," Terenthiel said, a sly smile curling at the corners of his lips. "It appears there''s been a miscommunication. We come as emissaries for the peace treaty between our nations. Yet, it seems that in this palace, no one is eager to uphold their end of the bargain."
Johan couldnt help but admire General Douglas; few could withstand his steely gaze or unyielding resolve. The man had a way of standing his ground that demanded respect, regardless of the situation at hand. "General," Terenthiel began, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "My people and I have been ignored for nearly a week, left in the dark about the Royal Family''s intentions. Its beginning to feel deliberate." The Generals expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. "I haven''t received any notification regarding your arrival in our city. It appears a Major Noble has promised more than he could deliver," he replied, casting a glance towards Lord Johan and Duke Alaric, who stood observing from the other side of the gate as witnesses of the unfolding situation. "Indeed I may have placed my trust in the wrong hands," Terenthiel replied, his voice hardening. "But we''re finished with pleasantries. They''ve led us nowhere... Brother," he added, glancing at Sir Darius. Nodding in agreement, Sir Darius joined the Prince as they both stepped forward to deal with the guards blocking their path. The Royal Knights tensed, prepared for combat, and raised their weapons. Suddenly, a figure burst out into the courtyard, breathless and frantic. "STOP!" Duval shouted, his voice echoing off the stone walls as he dashed out from the west wing of the palace. "We''re done waiting, Duval... If the Royal Family wants war, then we''ll bring it to their doorstep," Terenthiel declared, his voice low and lethal. "N-No! They only desire peace!" Duval stammered, his eyes darting anxiously. "But they are not in the capital, and I''m doing everything I can to bring them back hereimmediately!" "You think us fools? You treat us like some misguided zealots who are a danger to your plans!" roared Sir Darius, his indignation cutting through the tension like a blade. "NO!... We have procedures that I assumed would have been processed sooner. But due to some unforeseen events, we have been unable to do so," Duval exclaimed, desperation tinging his voice as he faced the Paladin. "Unforeseen events, you say?..." Terenthiel''s brow furrowed, skepticism coloring his tone. Duval''s lips parted, ready to delve deeper into his explanation, but his voice caught in his throat as his gaze locked onto Duke Alaric, who stood nearby with an insufferable grin spreading across his face. The sight of Alarics smug expression triggered an immediate and extreme reaction in the Prime Minister, draining the color from his face until he appeared ghostly pale. Alaric, sensing the power he held in this moment, basked in the unfolding drama, his eyes glinting with glee as he noticed five other members of the House of Lords stepping out of the grand palace, their attention fixated on the unfolding scene and their faces lit with amusement or furrowed with curiosity. A wave of panic surged through Duval, his heart racing as the walls seemed to close in around him. Thoughts rushed through his mind like turbulent waters; he could not risk revealing to Terenthiel or the rest of the Divine Three the secret that was weighing heavily on him. The implications of Quinus choosing a Dark Elf as his fiance loomed like a dark shadow over his thoughts. If that information slipped into the wrong hands, it could spell disasterwar might become an unavoidable reality. Desperate to think clearly, he wrestled with the rising tide of dread as he fought to maintain a semblance of calm in the face of potential chaos. "Y-Yes! We... we have a situation brewing in the north," Duval stammered, a nervous edge creeping into his voice. He was doing his best to mask the truth, but the tension hung heavy in the air. But I assure you, were doing everything we can to address it. Terenthiel arched an eyebrow, studying Duval closely, while Alaric struggled to suppress a laugh. The urge to mock was there, but the presence of the Divine Three kept him in check. "Is that so?" Terenthiel asked, his tone laced with skepticism. "Indeed," Duval replied, forcing a veneer of confidence. "I sincerely apologize for the delay in our response. The Fiafyr Kingdom values its alliance and would never act in a way that could threaten it." Terenthiels piercing gaze bore into him, suspicion written all over his face. Deep down, he knew Duval was hiding something, but for now, he had no other choice but to accept the words that hung in the air like a fragile truce. "Fine... But we refuse to leave here until we get an audience with someone in the Royal Family... If that poses a problem for you, well then, I suppose the Divine Three will demonstrate precisely why we earned our titles," Terenthiel declared, a smug grin lighting up his face. General Douglas had a scowl on his face and wanted nothing more than to wipe that arrogant smile off his face. Duvals mind raced as he searched for a way to diffuse the standoff unfolding before him, but his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the smooth voice of Duke Alaric. Well, if its an audience you desire, look no further. I happen to be part of the Royal Family. The Dukes grin stretched wide across his face, a sharks smile that sent a shiver down Duvals spine, knotting his stomach with unease at the implications of his words. As the tension thickened in the air, Duval couldn''t shake the feeling that Alaric was on the verge of derailing his carefully crafted plans. His eyes flicked toward Terenthiel, who glowered at the Duke and his elegant wife, his expression a mixture of disdain and boiling anger. Ever since their first encounter, Alaric had taken every opportunity to mock Terenthiels deeply held beliefs, attacking the very core of his faith with calculated precision. Unlike others who might have faltered under the pressure of Terenthiel''s intimidating presence, Alaric appeared completely unfazed, relishing the challenge. The Duke was a serpent in a finely tailored suit, clever and charismatic but undeniably venomous. Duval felt a sense of foreboding; in the tangled web of their interactions, Alaric''s cleverness often spelled disaster for the Prime Minister, making the situation all the more precarious. "Duke Alaric Revelia," Duval managed to utter, his smile strained as if it were a fragile mask threatening to crack. "Prime Minister. How delightful to find you in such high spirits this fine morning," Alaric replied, a mocking tone lacing his every word. Duval silently pleaded to the Goddess, wishing for the Duke to simply tire of the conversation and let the weight of the matter drift away into nothingness. The General, on the other hand, had had enough of this farce. "What is your answer, Terenthiel?" General Douglas interjected, his voice steady but laced with tension. "We stand at a crossroads: we can either settle this with reason, or we can turn to force." "Your threats hold no weight here, General," Sir Darius chimed in, his expression as smug as a cat that had just caught a mouse, a confident grin spreading across his face. With a swift flick of his wrist, Douglas summoned his Mana, channeling its raw energy into the gleaming blade of his magical sword. A palpable tension filled the air, crackling around him like static electricity as he swung the weapon diagonally toward the paladin, who stood resolutely fifteen feet away, undeterred by the imminent threat. The moment stretched out, a breath held in the silence before the storm of conflict erupted. As the sword arced through the air, its blade came alive, releasing a surge of magic reminiscent of a Wind Mage''s legendary Razorphoon. The sound was sharp and fierce, a harmonious blend of elegance and brutality.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. *Swing! Fooosh!* The gust of wind unleashed was nothing short of extraordinary. It was so forceful that it cleaved through the sturdy metal gate like parchment, sending shards flying and creating a thunderous sonic boom that reverberated through the surroundings. The explosive sound momentarily stole the very breath of onlookers, leaving them in stunned silence. Only the General and the Divine Three maintained their composure, their eyes locked onto the spectacle with a mix of awe and anticipation. Sir Darius felt a warm trickle of blood sliding down his left cheek, the metallic scent sharp in the air. He raised his hand slowly, almost as if in disbelief, only to find his fingertips stained crimson when he pulled them away. "That was merely a warning," the General sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Remember, you stand alone here without an army to back you. You should consider yourself fortunate that I chose to show mercy today." A faint smile crept across Sir Darius''s lips. To the astonishment of those watching, the cut on his cheek began to knit itself together before their eyes, closing as if it had never existed. The paladin scoffed, arrogance radiating from him like a shield. "I doubt those tales of demon slaying you shared are anything but fiction. You may pride yourself with your mana vein and a few flashy tricks, but they pale in comparison to the might of the gods." General Douglas scowled, "I just wanted to see if the rumors were true... But I''ve seen someone far more impressive than you when it comes to healing..." Duval finally regained his hearing after the chaos unleashed by the General''s reckless assault. Anger coursed through him as he turned to confront the man responsible. "GENERAL!" the Prime Minister''s voice thundered, reverberating through the room. "ARE YOU SERIOUSLY TRYING TO START A" But he halted mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he registered the identity of which General standing was standing beside him. ''Douglas!?... W-Whats he doing here? I thought he was a few days away from theOh, no... She''s here!'' A smirk crossed Alaric''s face, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What''s wrong, Duval? You look like you''ve just seen a ghost." The atmosphere around Duval felt electric, a palpable tension that danced like lightning in the air, sending adrenaline coursing through his veins. His heart pounded wildly against his chest as a tumult of emotions surged within him, each one more overwhelming than the last. He found himself at a loss for words, a heavy silence enveloping him. The Prince had returned, a figure of authority and grace, and with him came the unsettling thought that the Dark Elf was likely lurking within the palaces shadowy corridors. This reality made Duvals situation all the more precarious; the knowledge of the Dark Elfs engagement to the Crown Prince weighed heavily on him, complicating any thoughts of secrecy he might have harbored. The stakes had never felt higher, and the walls of the palace seemed to close in around him, amplifying his sense of urgency. G-General... With a member of the Royal Family in attendance, I must insist that you grant Prince Terenthiel, Prince Zane, and Princess Hilda access to the West Wing under the Emissary Act, Article Three, Section Eight, Clause Two. You are to comply with their every directive, Duval declared, his voice laced with urgency. Sweat dripped down his brownot simply from the dash to the palace gate, but from the weight of the moment. Terenthiel, a playful smirk dancing on his lips, interjected, And Id like to add Father Gil to that list if you please. General Douglas shot a fierce glare at the Divine Three, who responded with knowing smilesthe kind that could unsettle even the most steadfast. What necessity does a priest serve on this visit? the General retorted, his frustration palpable. "I would rather discuss that with the Royal Family," Terenthiel said. "You will discuss it with me first because I''m in charge of the security of the Royal Family," General Douglas said with an iron fist. "I don''t believe that''s necessary, General," Duval interjected, his voice steady as he met the General''s fierce glare. The Prime Minister, sensing the tension, chose to step back, granting the General free rein. Terenthiel sighed at how spineless Duval was and decided to answer the General. "Very well... Father Gil stands here to unite the Crown Prince and the Princess in holy matrimony so the Divine Three can bless our nations with peace," Terenthiel explained, his tone measured yet firm. General Douglas''s gaze shifted to the Divine Three, their faces devoid of expression. The weight of the moment settled heavily on him; he knew he would have to seek the Queen''s guidance. "This peace treaty cannot be ratified without the King''s presence. If His Majesty is away, that means the priest must remain here," the General declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. "I will not" "You will," the General shot back, their eyes locked in a fierce standoff that seemed to crackle with unresolved tension. The air was thick with unspoken challenges as both men stood their ground, each unwilling to yield. Terenthiel let out a heavy sigh, his gaze drifting back to his brothers, "Fine... Well give in to this demand... For now." The paladin merely scoffed when his Prince backed down from these heathens, disdain evident in his expression, while the General turned his attention to the Prime Minister, a calculating look in his eyes. "Very well. You may stay within the West Wingonly the West Wing. Four of your security detail may accompany you. Do you accept these conditions?" In the shadows of their tense exchange, Hilda watched, her brow furrowed in confusion. Why did it feel like everyone was harboring secrets? The atmosphere crackled with unspoken truths, leaving her with an unsettling sense that something was amiss. "Of course, we do... The Divine Three will not violate any law or custom," Terenthiel said. "I truly hope you''re sincere in your words, Prince Terenthiel. Otherwise, the Goddess has a way of exacting her wrath," Sir Darius warned, his voice low and intense. Terenthiel merely laughed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, we are confident that the Divine Ones will be happy to accept you to the flock. They are benevolent and loving. Not petty and cruel like the Goddess you worship," he retorted, a sly smile spreading across his face. His words ignited a fire in the hearts of the Royal Knights, their faces darkening with anger, while the Divine Three stood unmoved, their expressions as unreadable as stone. General Douglas let out a heavy sigh; his brow furrowed with frustration. He stepped closer to Duval, leaning in to whisper sharply, "You best not make this any worse, Marquess... Or I wont hesitate to report you to the King..." Duvals throat tightened at the implied threat, but before he could respond, the General straightened up, turning to face the three leaders with a strained smile. "Let them through, and follow my lead. A guide will escort you to the foyer," he commanded his tone firm yet strained. The knights parted to create a path for the Divine Three and their entourage, who walked forward with an air of authority. Terenthiel couldnt help but smirk at the scene, waving his hands with an air of confidence. His White Knights quickly fell into formation, and he turned to Father Gil and Sir Kaelin. "I trust you both to hold the fort while were gone," he declared, his voice dripping with assurance. Sir Kaelin straightened his posture, saluting with conviction. "As you command, my prince," he replied earnestly, while Father Gil nodded in agreement, ready to uphold their duties in the absence of their leaders. Terenthiel gestured for Princess Hilda and Prince Zane to follow him, and, with a mix of curiosity and trepidation, they complied. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister and General escorted the Divine Three toward the grand foyer of the West Wing, where Alaric and Leandra observed the Alliance leaders'' entrance into the opulent Palace. A sly smile crept across Alaric''s face as he watched the unfolding scene. "So, what are your thoughts on Princess Hilda, Leandra?" he asked, his tone teasing. Leandra arched an eyebrow, her voice smooth yet sharp. "Shes inexperienced and quite naive in many respects But I see potential. I could certainly find ways to make her useful," she replied, a hint of ambition glimmering in her eyes. Alaric chuckled, admiring her cunning. "Oh, you are delightfully devious That''s precisely what makes you so intriguing. If everything falls into place as I envision, perhaps we wont even need her after all," he mused, an air of mystery surrounding his words. "Ah, Ill weave my magic soon enough She might just have her uses in ways we haven''t yet imagined," the Duchess remarked, her tone laced with intrigue. "Indeed... But if she becomes more of a burden than an asset... we could always remove her from the equation," Alaric responded, his tone cool and calculating. Leandra nodded thoughtfully, a conspiratorial grin creeping across her face as they strode purposefully toward the palace gates. As they walked, Alaric''s gaze drifted to the Young Lord Johan, who stood off to the side. His expression was a mix of anxiety and uncertainty as he regarded the Alliance. "Lord Johan! What a delightful surprise! I was beginning to think your father had stashed you away in Eden Hills for good," Alaric said, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "Huh!? Duke Revelia? I-I''m sorry... I didn''t notice you were there," Johan said. The Duke chuckled softly, an amused glint in his eye. No need to apologize, young lord. But I cant help but wonder, what has you looking so uneasy? Beside him, Lady Leandra studied Johan with a curious expression, her graceful hands clasped delicately in her lap. The atmosphere crackled with unspoken tension, drawing Johan into their gaze. ''Fuck! What''s he planning?... Stay calm... I''m not the same Manaless boy I was the last time we met. He doesn''t know that I''m a mage now. He''s just trying to get a rise out of me,'' Johan thought, and he took a deep breath. Nothing much, my lord, Johan replied, a hint of tension in his voice. Its just rather unsettling that the Alliance appeared out of nowhere. I cant help but worry theyll stir up trouble for the royal family and the Kingdom. It really makes me wonder why Marquess Duval was appointed as prime minister in the first place. His words hung heavy in the air, leaving the Duke with a look of astonishment and drawing a similar reaction from Leandra. Alaric observed the Young Lord with a keen eye, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "Hes far sharper than he appears," he mused, noting the boys potential. "If only he had a mana vein... then he''d truly be formidable. But perhaps thats a blessing in disguise. Without raw power, hes forced to rely on his wits, a trait rare in those born with privilege. Its a pity, though, that his uncle is scheming for his demise, all in pursuit of the title of Baron. This boy, if given the chance, could shine brightly in the world." He leaned closer, his voice lowering as he continued, "Remember, my young lord, its all about connections. Without them, youre just a whisper in the wind. But Im sure youll come to understand that truth someday." Johan stood silently, lost in thought, his expression unreadable. ''Well... It''s time to leave this boy be... For now... He may have survived one of my plans to kill him in the forest... But I will come up with another. I always do... Luckily for him, I need to deal with my nephew and his pet elf first,'' Alaric thought, and Leandra grabbed her husband''s hand. "We''ll be on our way then. Have a splendid day, Young Lord Dule," the Duke said with a courteous nod, and Leandra followed suit, her thoughts already elsewhere. As the Duke and Duchess strolled past the guards, their footsteps echoed softly in the stillness of the courtyard, an oasis of tranquility amid the bustling palace. It was halfway across the courtyard when Leandra broke the silence. "That Young Lord... he seems... different," she remarked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. The Duke raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Different? How so?" Leandra paused, searching for the right words. "He just exudes more confidence now, and honestly, he''s more handsome than I remember. It''s strange... it''s like there''s a newfound light about him." The Duke chuckled softly, a sly smile creeping across his face. "Ah, my dear, my spies have been busy. Word is that the young Lord''s marriage to that damaged woman has brought out a side of him weve never seen. It appears that hes stepping into manhood at last, and perhaps that comes with its own charm." Leandra thought about it and shook her head, "I don''t think it''s only that... Maybe I''m overthinking things... But he has an aura about him that I can''t put my finger on." Alaric let out a heavy sigh, his brows furrowing as he pondered his wifes growing unease. Deep down, he thought she was being a bit paranoid, though hed never voice that to her. Really, love, theres nothing to fret about, he reassured her, trying to keep his tone soothing. Hes just a commoner dressed in fine clothes. His fathers simply trying to shield him from the scrutiny of the other nobles, terrified as he is that his lineage might fade away soon... And honestly, hes not wrong to worry. Leandra cast him a sidelong glance, her expression thoughtful. Hmmm... If you say so, my dear, she replied, though a flicker of uncertainty lingered in her eyes. As they approached the grand entrance of the West Wing, the air around them buzzed with unspoken tension. "Now... Let''s watch Duval flounder about and make a fool of himself," Alaric said. As the grand doors swung open, the Duke and Duchess stepped into the West Wing, their presence commanding the elegant space. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting intricate shadows on the polished floors, while the soft hum of activity in the background faded into a respectful silence. The rich tapestries adorning the walls whispered tales of nobility, and the air was suffused with the subtle scent of fresh blooms from nearby vases, creating an atmosphere of refined sophistication. *** Johan raced back to his carriage, his heart pounding in rhythm with his hurried footsteps. Tayna and his guards awaited him, their expressions tense with worry. As he swung the door open, the sight of his wife''s anxious face immediately set off alarms in his mind. "What happened? Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern, eyes searching his for answers. Still rattled from his encounter with Duke Reveliasomething he now regretted, believing it safer to stay inside the carriageJohan took a deep breath to steady himself. "The Alliance is gathering in the West Wing," he said urgently, his mind racing. "I have to attend the meeting, but we must alert Lady Rya. Im relying on you, my love." The weight of the situation hung heavily between them, and he could see the determination sparking in her eyes. "O-of course, Johan," Tayna replied, and Johan nodded his head and planted a quick kiss on her lips before getting out of the carriage and making his way to the Palace Gate. ''Damn! Things seem to be getting more complicated by the day... But I''m not going to let Quinus down... And I''ll protect Lady Rya with my life. And if those damn Alliance leaders try anything, then I''ll have no choice but to act,'' Johan thought while he took a deep breath and motioned for the Royal Guards to let him pass when he showed them his family''s ring. Tayna glanced anxiously as her husband dashed into the west wing of the Palace, a cloud of worry settling over her. She pushed aside her concerns; her priority was finding Rya and warning her about the Divine Three that were inside the Palace. As her carriage rolled into the palace grounds, headed for the southern entrance, her heart raced with urgency. The servants swung the door open, and without a moment''s hesitation, Tayna stepped into the grand expanse of the palace, determination etched on her face. Vol.4 Ch.233 Don’t Cross the Duchess. Duval rushed into the grand Parliamentary Chamber, a sense of urgency propelling his steps across the polished marble floor. The air was thick with tension as a small assembly of Major Nobles gathered, their expressions a tempest of disbelief and simmering anger. "Prime Minister, what is the meaning of this!? Why did the Alliance suddenly show up and force their way into the Palace!?" Baron Thaddeus Windermeres voice rang out, sharp and accusatory, as he fixed Duval with an intense gaze that demanded an explanation. Raising a hand to quell the rising murmurs, Duval surveyed the room, his eyes darting over the five Lords present, their regal robes contrasting sharply with their furrowed brows. Duke Alaric, the last of their number, was slowly making his way to the West Wing, the sound of his heavy footsteps echoing in the background as he seemed lost in thought. The atmosphere was charged, each noble waiting with bated breath for a response that could shift the balance of power. The Parliament of Major Lords, a grand assembly steeped in tradition and history, was steadfastly ruled by the powerful Major Houses of Fiafyr, comprising an intricate network of thirteen Houses. Marquess Duval Wrightwood emerged as a masterful strategist, adeptly rallying a coalition of six of these thirteen Lords to his cause over thirty years ago, with Marquess Duval being the seventh member of his coalition. This coalition, forged through cunning persuasion and political savvy, granted him a substantial majority that allowed him to champion legislation with remarkable ease and face only minimal opposition throughout the years. Yet, amidst this political landscape, Duval found himself in a constant struggle against the more fragmented Minor Lords. These lords, primarily responsible for governing the vibrant cities and picturesque towns scattered throughout the Kingdom, held sway over public sentiment. Most of them chose to align with Duke Alaric Revelia, even during the Duke''s grueling decade-long Financial punishment, showcasing a loyalty that perplexed and frustrated Duval. Meanwhile, the commonersthe heart and soul of the Kingdomhad been drawn to the Royal Family''s earnest commitment to uplifting their lives. Crown Prince Quinus Meredydd took the lead on a series of ambitious projects, crafting a legacy that included engineering marvels, aqueducts that quenched the thirst of parched lands, schools that nurtured young minds, and infrastructure that connected communities. Duval, initially dismissive of the Kings expenditures on what he considered his son''s unorthodox initiatives, grew increasingly concerned as the tangible benefits of these projects began to reshape public opinion. The Kingdoms economy flourished, jobs blossomed in both bustling urban centers and sprawling countryside, and a sense of optimism took root among the populace. It was only when Duval faced the stark realization that he was losing the affections of the common people that he endeavored to thwart the Crown Prince''s momentum. However, this battle ended in defeat; instead of regaining influence, Duval only succeeded in creating a labyrinthine bureaucracy that rendered it nearly impossible for the King to access the Royal Treasury without the Parliament''s consent. As the gathered Lords convened, the atmosphere thickened with intrigue and ambition, each noble eager to stake their claim in the unfolding drama of power. Marquess Duval stood before a select assembly of Major Nobles who were fortunate enough to be present in the city when he dispatched the messenger ravens announcing the Emergence Session. Yet, the grand chamber felt only half alive, as many Lords were still tending to their far-flung territories. The Emergence Session demanded attendance from as many members as possible within the crucial span of four days to cast their votes on a matter of great significance. Thus, Duval had cast a wide net, summoning even those absent Lords residing far from the capital. Normally, the presence of King Cyndre would have expedited the voting process, but with the King away on affairs of state, the Parliament found itself in a precarious position. Time slipped through their fingers; if the King didnt return within the allotted days, the weighty decision would rest solely on their shoulders, poised to shape the very future of the Kingdom. Among the members of the Prime Minister''s coalition was Baron Thaddeus Windermere, a man of once-uncertain allegiance who had been drawn into Duval''s orbit by the tantalizing promise of a prestigious seat on his council. Windermere''s gold-trimmed tunic, adorned with family crests, hinted at both his wealth and the ambition that simmered within him. Beside him stood Baron Eamon Stirling, the epitome of pragmatism. With a shrewd gaze and a ledger filled with visions of prosperous trade routes, Stirling had allied himself with Duval primarily to secure his own position as Minister of Trade and Commerce, demonstrating how far a noble would go for the sake of title and influence. In this charged atmosphere, Count Sebastian Ingham emerged as Duval''s most trusted ally. His gray hair, framed by the elaborate robes of a seasoned diplomat, spoke of years dedicated to navigating the treacherous waters of foreign relations. Ingham''s keen insight and extensive experience lent a layer of stability to the Prime Ministers political stratagems, making him an invaluable asset amidst the swirling tempests of rivalry. Across the chamber, the Dukes coalition struggled to assert its presence, represented only by Viscount William Lysander. Cloaked in a deep emerald mantle that mirrored the lush lands of the Eastern Coast he controlled, Lysander was a loyal supporter of the Duke, entangled in schemes to obscure Alarics finances from the ever-watchful gaze of Duval. His influence over the lucrative coastlines of Fiafyr was a powerful card in the ongoing game of political chess. The third coalition, loyal to the Royal Family, was a much slimmer assembly, with only Earl Nathaniel Valerian present. Dressed in rich blue and gold, Valerian''s proximity to the throne was solidified by his lifelong friendship with King Cyndre. His fertile and abundant lands produced more food than those of any other noble, placing him in a position of significant leverage. The bountiful output of his domain made him a key player in any discussion of the kingdom''s stability and prosperity. Together, these factions formed a complex tapestry of alliances and rivalries, each thread representing the shifting currents of ambition and treachery that defined the ever-evolving landscape of power in Fiafyr. As the Emergence Session unfolded, the air crackled with tension, a palpable anticipation of the political maneuvers yet to come. Duval let out a weary sigh, casting a glance around the room filled with his fellow Major Nobles. Its all just a formality, my friends. Trust me, its under control, the Prime Minister insisted, though his words were met with skeptical frowns and low murmurs of discontent from those gathered. The tension in the air was palpable, and doubt hung over the group like a dark cloud, threatening to unleash a storm of dissent. "Enough of this nonsense, Prime Minister! If this is truly just a formality, then why on earth was the Royal Guard summoned to secure the Palace grounds? And what justification is there for allowing the Divine Three inside the Palace? Why are they being kept in the shadows?" Earl Nathaniel Valerian''s voice thundered through the Chamber, his frustration palpable. "That is quite enough! If any of you dare to mention the Dark Elf in front of" *SLAM!* The heavy doors of the Chamber swung open with a force that silenced the room. In strode three formidable figures of the Holy Alliance: Prince Terenthiel, the young Prince Zane, and their Paladin, Sir Darius. Each step they took echoed with authority, drawing every eye as tension thickened in the air. "Why are you speaking in hushed tones, Duval?" Terenthiel''s voice cut through the air, sharp with annoyance. Duval''s expression shifted to one of palpable anxiety. Y-your Highness, we were just discussing some recent events and whether they might reveal any state secrets in front of foreign guests If so, there could be consequences, Duval stammered, glancing around the room. Terenthiel remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the other lords, who instinctively bowed their heads in deference to their foreign guests, sensing the tension. Where is the Crown Prince? he asked, his tone shifting to one of impatience. Im not certain He should have arrived by now. But you know how princes can be, Duval replied, managing a shaky chuckle that barely concealed his anxiety. Terenthiel raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?... Well, I think it''s time we all have a discussion," the Prince said. "A-After we finish drafting up a decree for our emergency session... The details need to be finalized by present Nobles before the full session can happen in four days from now. Once this is done, then we can deal with the peace treaty, Your Highness," Duval said, which got the other lords interested. "Emergency session? What do you mean?" Viscount William Lysander asked with a smirk. He hated the Prime Minister almost as much as his friend Alaric. And he wanted to see how Duval was going to worm his way out of this. Earl Nath Count Sebastian Ingham, along with the rest of Duval''s coalition, remained tight-lipped, fearful of revealing their deliberations to the Divine Three. They were set to vote on a decree that would bar a dark elf from entering the Fiafyr Kingdom, a foreign entity wandering perilously close to the capital alongside the absent Crown Prince. The consequences of their decision weighed heavily on them. Duval could feel the sweat trickling down his brow as he hastily dabbed it away with a handkerchief, anxiety thrumming in his veins. The pressure was mounting, and with it, the stakes had never been higher. He needed to fabricate a different reason for ordering the Emergency Meeting. "Yes... as we speak, a shadow looms over the Kingdoma mysterious magical anomaly and time is of the essence. Our fears suggest it may be some sort of magical beast, and we must act swiftly before it escalates into a catastrophe. If only the King were present, we could convene with the available council and devise a plan, but for now, all we have is the Crown Prince," Duval declared, concealing the true motive behind this urgent meeting. Prince Zane and his Paladin exchanged skeptical glances, their sharp gazes fixed on the Prime Minister, while Terenthiel maintained an inscrutable expression. "The inner workings of your kingdom are of no concern to me. As long as you deliver what we desire, your worries are misplaced," Terenthiel announced with a cold confidence. The other nobles glanced uneasily at one another, then redirected their attention to Duval. "Hah! Of course If you prefer, you and your entourage can take a seat in the lobby" "Absolutely not! We will remain here in this chamber," Prince Terenthiel asserted resolutely. Duval and his allies exchanged looks of astonishment, grappling with the prince''s unexpected defiance. Duke Alaric, Viscount William, and Earl Nathanial exchanged uneasy glances, their enjoyment of the gathering dimmed by the looming threat of Prince Terenthiel and Sir Darius. Yet, a flicker of satisfaction sparked within them as the Divine Three finally seemed poised to put the arrogant Prime Minister in his place. Your Highness, this isnt appropriate, Count Sebastian Ingham interjected, his voice steady but edged with tension. He fixed a stern gaze on Terenthiel, whose defiance radiated from across the room. "I will not be sidelined for another moment... And I thought your kingdom was in peril? That''s why you called for an emergency session. To deal with state affairs, yes? If it is too much for you people to handle, then maybe we could step in to deal with your threat," Terenthiel countered, and Duval and his allies all stiffened up. ''Dammit, Terenthiel! Youre making my life more difficult than it needs to be!'' Duval seethed inwardly as he faced the royal figure before him. "We will allow you to join us after we''ve spoken to the Crown Prince. Its crucial that he isnt caught off guard by the presence of our esteemed guestsand his future bride," Duval stated firmly, hoping to maintain some semblance of order. Terenthiel crossed his arms defiantly, a storm brewing in his eyes. "I refuse to linger in the hallway like some commoner until you grant us your permission. I have as much stake in this as anyone!" "Right away," Count Sebastian Ingham said and turned to the rest of the nobles and started instructing them as they opened the double doors to the Parliamentary Chamber and entered the chamber. "Well, well, well... This should be interesting," Viscount William Lysander sneered at the Prime Minister and followed the others into the room. "Enough of your games! If you complicate this process for me, you''ll regret it!" Duval spat, his frustration bubbling to the surface. William merely grinned wider, stealing a look back at the Duke, who was barely suppressing his amusement at William''s bravado. Just then, young Lord Johan Dule stepped into the west wing, catching sight of the commotion. "Well, look who''s herethe Baron''s son, stepping in for his esteemed father. Are you prepared for some spectacular drama? I have a feeling were in for quite the performance," Duke Alaric laughed heartily, his eyes glinting with mischief. Panic flickered across Duval''s face as he realized that a split vote could shatter his carefully laid plans, the stakes rising with every moment. "Lord Johan Dule!? You really didnt need to be here for this," Duval exclaimed, his voice a mix of surprise and disdain. His eyes darted around the chamber, taking in the tense atmosphere. "These royal matters are best left to the Major Nobles, not a mere child." The implications sank in like a stone. If a Major Lord could not attend an Emergency Session, their heir could step in. But Johan''s presence was particularly troubling. As a close friend of the Crown Prince, he was likely to throw his support behind Quinus, which could tip the scales disastrously. Duvals heart raced; the stakes had just risen higher than he had anticipated. Johan glared defiantly at the Prime Minister; his brow furrowed in determination. "I''m 27, and I will represent House Dule in this session. My father cant make it, but I wont be intimidated," he declared, the weight of the moment hanging heavy in the air. He had heard the whispers about the strange circumstances that had brought them to this point, and he was intent on keeping things from spiraling out of control. "R-Right! You may be a man now, but trust me, this is a lot for someone your age to grasp," Duval retorted, a forced smile barely concealing his irritation as he tried to regain the upper hand. Johan rolled his eyes, turning his attention to the Prince, who stood observing the chaos with an enigmatic expression. "I don''t understand why this measure is so complicated. All youre asking for is a vote on whether to prevent the Dark" "The emergency North?" Duval cut in sharply, his voice rising as he interrupted the young lord. The tension in the room crackled, hinting at the weight of the decisions hanging in the balance. Johan blinked, taken aback by Duval''s sudden outburst. As the murmurs of the other nobles washed over him, he sensed the sharp glances directed his way, urging him to silence. Even Nathanial, usually so composed, made a subtle gesture for him to hold his tongue.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "Er... Yes, the emergency in the North," Johan stammered, scrambling to understand the dynamics shifting all around him. Across the room, Alaric couldn''t help but notice the depths to which Duval had sunk. After all the years they''d known each other, witnessing Duval pivot so desperately was surprising. It was clear to Alaric that his old rival was willing to do anything to prevent his carefully laid plans from unraveling. The stakes were higher than ever, and the game had taken on a new intensity. . "This should be a good show indeed," Alaric said with a smirk. "What''s so funny, Alaric?" Duval asked in a threatening manner. "Everything..." Alaric said as he walked toward the doors and entered the room. ''Alaric is planning something... But what!? Grrr! And Johnathan''s boy thinks he can come in here and mess with my plans!? I need to make it clear to this manaless boy that I''m in charge!'' Duval thought angrily and glared at Johan as this Young Lord was the only one he could physically overpower due to him being the only manaless Lord in the building. With a fierce glare directed at Johan, Duval felt a surge of frustration. Johan stood there, oblivious to the storm brewing around him. "Why are you glaring at me?" he asked, confusion etched on his face. In a swift, decisive move, Duval seized the Young Lord''s arm, squeezing hard enough to make his point clear. He relished the feeling of controlbecause in this game of power, he was not about to let a boy challenge his reign. Johan stood there, initially confused, but then it clicked: the secret of Rya''s healing remained hidden from everyone. He was now far stronger than a Royal Knight, yet the sensation coursing through him was anything but painful, despite Duval''s relentless grip. ''What on Tertius is going on?'' Duval pondered, his face twisting in frustration as he squeezed Johan''s arm with every ounce of his strength. To his surprise, Johan felt like solid steel beneath his grasp. Realizing he needed to maintain the illusion of weakness, Johan forced a grimace and let out a soft, pained whimper. At that, Duvals expression shifted, clearly satisfied with what he thought was a victory. "Your father isn''t here, so make sure you don''t mess anything up for me. Otherwise, you can expect serious consequences. Understood?" Duval whispered in a threatening tone, releasing Johan, who nodded while pretending to nurse his arm in pain. next to the Earl and Viscount. ''I''ll be watching your every move, Duval. I won''t let you hurt Rya or Quinus... I''ll make sure that you never hold the Prime Minister title again,'' Johan thought. Meanwhile, as Terenthiel, Zane, Sir Darius, and three white knights strode into the chamber, an air of anticipation filled the room. Hilda trailed behind, her footsteps steady and purposeful. Just as she reached the doorway, Terenthiel abruptly halted, pivoting to block her path. "My apologies, my lady. But where do you think you are going?" he asked, a hint of arrogance lacing his words. "I thought I was welcome to join you in this meeting," Hilda replied with a fake smile. Terenthiel almost had a disappointed look on his face. "This chamber is meant for men only. And a woman''s place is not in politics. Especially one from a rival kingdom," the foreign prince explained. Hilda''s eyes flashed with disbelief as she fixed a steely gaze on the Prince. "But I''m supposed to meet the Crown Prince," Hilda stated. "That is true, and you''ll get to see him in this chamber once he arrives. But until then, I''ll be taking a seat, and you should find a comfortable spot in the lobby to wait," Terenthiel instructed, and Hilda looked annoyed. Hilda''s annoyance deepened, and she fought the urge to unleash her pent-up frustration at the Prince. With a deep breath, she steeled herself. "Very well, holy one. I shall wait for the Crown Prince," Hilda said, curtsying with exaggerated grace before turning sharply to leave the chamber. Her heart raced with a mix of impatience and anticipation. "See? Was that so hard?" Terenthiel smirked, which made Hilda pause for a second. Hilda''s heart raced with the wild desire to escape, to leave everything behind and never return. The Crown Prince of this strange Kingdom was a mystery to hershe had no idea if he was a noble soul or a lurking monster. What tormented her most was the suffocating realization that her life was no longer her own; fate had seized the reins, and she was powerless to resist. The thought of marrying a man she didn''t know in a land that felt like a gilded cage filled her with dread. Above all, she yearned for the warmth of a family that she never had and the love of a partnerluxuries that now felt like distant dreams, slipping further away with each passing moment. ''I want to run away... But where would I go?'' Hilda thought as she walked into the lobby. Terenthiel looked at one of the three white knights, "I need you to watch her and make sure no one besides us can talk to her. Understood?" "Yes, your Highness," The White Knight said, who stayed behind as the other two followed the Prince, and then the Paladin closed the doors. "Well... We are finally getting closer to the finish line," Terenthiel said with a confident look. "It won''t be long now," Sir Darius added. "Indeed," Terenthiel replied. "It''s annoying that we have to give these heretics my sister''s hand in marriage," Zane stated, and the prince looked at the young man. "Your half-sister was chosen by the Three... Don''t defy them. It will be a grave mistake," Terenthiel warned, and Zane glared at the Prince. "Half-sister or not. She''s still a Stoneworthh, and I don''t like the fact that a heretic is going to become a Stoneworthh," Zane hissed. "You need to understand that the Holy Alliance is the most powerful political entity in the world. The Divine One''s word is absolute, and if the Three decide that she is to be the wife of the Crown Prince, then that''s final. You will do as you''re told. Am I clear?" Terenthiel ordered, and Zane clenched his fists and bit his lip. "Yes, Your Highness," Zane forced out, walked over to a chair, and sat down. Terenthiel looked at Darius, "He is emotional... Make sure that Father Gil uses his divinity on him to cleanse his soul. The last thing we need is for sinful thoughts to corrupt him and infect the flock." "As you command, Your Highness," Sir Darius bowed. ''This boy needs to be tamed. He''s too hot-headed and impulsive... He''ll ruin the Holy Alliance and the plan. All because he wants his half-sister for himself... How pathetic,'' Terenthiel thought. *** The White Knight escorted Hilda to the lobby and took a seat on the opposite side of the hallway while she sat in one of the chairs. The anger inside her turned to fear after she had a few seconds to herself. She couldn''t control her emotions, and tears started streaming down her cheeks. ''No... No... I''m scared. I don''t want to be married to a stranger. Please... Somebody help me...'' As the grand chandelier cast a warm glow over the elegant lobby, an older noblewoman glided in, her fine dress whispering tales of opulence with each step. Her keen eyes scanned the room until they settled on the lone figure of Princess Hilda, who sat on a plush velvet seat, ensnared by her own swirling thoughts. Duchess Leandra''s heart quickenedthis was the moment she had been waiting for. A sly smile danced on her lips as she whispered to herself, ''I finally found her Time to work my magic.'' With an air of poise and purpose, she began to cross the room, intent on weaving a connection with the unsuspecting princess. Unbeknownst to Hilda, who remained blissfully absorbed in her musings, the seasoned duchess was threading her plans for her family''s ambitious futurea future that hinged on winning over the enigmatic young foreigner sitting just a short distance away. ''Good! She''s in a depressed state... This will make things easier for me to gain her trust,'' Duchess Leandra mused, observing Hilda from a distance of about ten feet. Just as she prepared to call out to the young woman, a figure clad in gleaming white armor suddenly stepped into her path, halting her approach. "No one can approach the Princess," The White Knight said firmly. Duchess Leandra was taken aback for a second but recovered quickly. "Who do you think you are to tell me where I can or cannot go!? Don''t you know who I am?" Duchess Leandra asked in an angry tone. "You''re a woman... I don''t answer to anyone but Prince Terenthiel. Now back away, peasant," The White Knight commanded, and Leandra was shocked that this bastard didn''t know who she was and dared to call her a peasant. ''This cretin thinks he''s better than me! Who the hell does he think he is?'' Duchess Leandra thought and had the urge to slap the white knight across the face. But she refrained from slapping him and smiled at him while pulling out a bottle of perfume from her purse. She spritzed in the air in front of her face and his face. The white knight kept a stoic face as he stared her down. Leandra sighed and put away her perfume. "Listen here, knight... And listen well... I''m Duchess Leandra Revelia... And no one of lesser status can disrespect me and get away with it... You will be on your knees begging for my forgiveness... And I will revel in your demise," Duchess Leandra threatened and then turned to leave, but the white knight grabbed her arm, and she glared at him. "If I were you, I would leave before I''m forced to break a noblewoman''s arm," The White Knight stated coldly. The Duchess smiled once more, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she gently wrenched her arm free from his grasp. "Very well, young knight... I shall leave... for now," Duchess Leandra said and turned to walk towards the door. The tension in the lobby was palpable as the Royal Guards exchanged bewildered glances. They felt the urgency to intervene when the Duchess was suddenly halted, her graceful stride disrupted by the firm grip of the White Knight. Conflicted, they debated stepping in to escort her to safety, but their resolve crumbled as they watched her regain her composure and stride out unhindered. Hey, Zealot! If you dare cross that line again, Ill have no choice but to report you to the General! one of the guards barked, his words laced with bravado. Yet the White Knight remained unfazed, his steely gaze locked on the Princess, unwavering in his duty as a protector. The atmosphere thickened with a silent challenge, leaving the Royal Guards in a state of uncertainty. The White Knight shot a steely glare at the guard, his voice dripping with defiance. "Go on, report me if you dare. I''ve been given strict orders to allow no one" He abruptly paused, a pained expression flashing across his face as he rubbed his aching stomach. For a brief moment, the veneer of stoicism cracked, revealing a hint of vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior. After a deep breath to steady himself, he continued, "Not to allow anyone to speak to the Princess." His tone was flat, but the pallor in his complexion betrayed an inner struggle brewing just out of sight. The Royal Guards raised their collective eyebrows, perplexed by the knight''s unexpected shift in demeanor. One of the guards was tempted to question the White Knight about those mysterious orders, but the knight quickly masked his discomfort, returning to his fierce glare. ''What''s with him?'' the guard thought, bewildered. A sudden, resounding groan erupted from the depths of the knights stomach, halting the conversation and catching everyones attention. The once-heroic figure, now drenched in sweat and clutching his abdomen, was a far cry from his earlier, confident demeanor. Are you alright? one of the Royal Guards inquired, concern etched across his face. *BELCH!* Uh, Im perfectly fine, the White Knight replied, though his strained voice suggested otherwise. But if I were to... need a toilet, where would one be located?'' The four guards exchanged puzzled glances, shrugging their shoulders in unison. Theres one just two hallways down to your right, one of them eventually replied, his tone hinting at amusement. Much appreciated, the White Knight replied, his voice strained as he shuffled awkwardly down the corridor. The guards exchanged amused glances, stifling their laughter as they watched the spectacle unfold. With each step, his movements seemed more labored, deep breaths escaping his lips in slow, heavy gasps. Is he sick? one guard whispered, leaning closer to get a better look. Probably not, another guard chimed in, smirking. But Id bet my sword it was something he ate. In an instant, the princess found herself alone in the lobby, the echoes of chaos still hanging in the air like the last notes of a lingering melody. Huh? Hilda said, blinking in confusion as she realized no one was watching her anymore. Without a moments hesitation, she sprang to her feet and darted out of the lobby, heading for the door on the far side. I dont know what Im doing, she thought, her heart pounding, but I have to get out of here... or Ill surely lose my mind. As Hilda rushed through a series of twisting hallways, a stunning sight caught her eye: a sprawling garden, lush and alive. Wow, I had no idea this place had a garden this grand, she marveled, stepping closer to the entrance. Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the vibrant blooms and verdant foliage, an unexpected oasis that brought a moment of wonder amidst her turmoil. Hilda paused, a serene smile spreading across her face as she basked in the beauty around her. The garden was a riot of colors, each flower unfurling its petals like a delicate whisper. Inhaling the sweet fragrance, she was instantly transported back to her cherished garden at homethe one sanctuary where her stepmother and half-sister''s nagging voices faded into the background. It was a place woven with memories, laughter, and the purest joy. She could have lost herself in that moment, surrounded by nature''s beauty, if not for the sudden sound of footsteps approaching behind her. Her heart raced as panic surged through her. Gah! Run! You have to run! Without a second thought, Hilda dashed into the winding pathways of the maze-like garden, her feet flying over the vibrant earth. The thrill of the chase pushed her forward, a mix of fear and exhilaration propelling her deeper into the enchanting shadows of blooming life. ''Damn! That was close... And I''m tired... I-I just need to find a place to rest,'' Hilda thought as she caught her breath and continued walking through the maze. After wandering through the winding paths of the maze for what felt like ages, she finally stumbled upon a sunlit clearing, where a sparkling water fountain danced merrily at its center. ''Wow! Its absolutely stunning...'' She couldnt help but smile as she approached. Finding a sturdy wooden bench, she sank down and leaned back, soaking in the serene atmosphere. ''Its such a perfect day'' Hilda closed her eyes, letting the warm sun kiss her skin while a gentle breeze whispered through the trees, wrapping around her like a soft, comforting blanket. The world around her faded, leaving just the sounds of the fountain and the rustling leavesa moment of pure bliss. *** Back by the lobby in the West Wing of the palace. Duchess Leandra was waiting in the hallway outside of the lobby where Hilda was supposed to be. ''I wonder how long it will take before that insignificant little worm beings to puke his guts out?... Hehe! I made sure to spray an extra amount of my Vertigo Essence Perfume on him. I hope the poor fool has a bad reaction... Heh!'' Duchess Leandra thought with an evil smirk on her face. As she was lost in her thoughts, the door to the lobby opened abruptly, and four guards carried the white knight down the hallway towards the nearest restroom. "Oooh-BLECH-UGH!" The white knight moaned. "Don''t you dare puke on this floor, you arrogant ass!" One of the Royal Guards growled. "Yeah! Or we''ll feed you your own vomit!" Another guard warned. *URP!* "Damn it! He''s not going to make it! Hurry!" "Ugh!" The duchess looked at her own handy work with a pleased smile on her face. ''Good! He''s going to regret the day he ever crossed paths with me... Serves you right, insolent fool!'' Duchess Leandra thought and chuckled as the royal guards yelled and shouted at each other until they were out of sight. "Well, that''s enough fun for one day... Now it''s time to work my magic on that girl... hehe," Duchess Leandra murmured with a playful smirk as she rounded the corner, striding confidently toward the lobby entrance. As she stepped into the room, however, a wave of surprise washed over her it was utterly deserted, not a soul in sight. ''Huh? Where did that little brat go!?... Did she run? No! This is unacceptable! I need to find her!'' "Goddess be damned!" Duchess Leandra fumed quietly as she paced the empty lobby, her eyes darting around in search of Hilda. Frustration swirled within herno sign of the elusive brat. With a resigned sigh, she decided it was time to pivot. "Haah... all right, Plan B it is," she murmured to herself, a sly smile creeping across her lips. "And if I happen to cross paths with that troublesome girl, well, I can always revert to my original scheme." Determination fueled her steps as she made her way toward her sister-in-law''s room, a glint of mischief in her eyes. She envisioned the glittering jewels and exquisite silverware waiting to be liberatedjust a few petty crimes to satisfy her craving for a little chaos. The Duchess gracefully left the lavish lobby, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floor. She began her journey down the long, ornate corridor adorned with intricate tapestries and glimmering sconces that cast a warm, inviting glow. Each step took her deeper into the heart of the palace, heading towards Rianna''s room, which rested at the far end of the eastern wing, a realm that felt almost like a hidden sanctuary within the grand estate. The air was thick with the scent of delicate blossoms from nearby gardens, blending with the history that surrounded her as she ventured forth. Vol.4 Ch.234 The Fated Meeting. Rya couldn''t help but be entertained by Hilda''s flustered expressions. When their eyes finally met, she flashed a charming smile that lit up her face, drawing Hilda''s attention like a moth to a flame. "You must have been deep in thought for me to catch you off guard like that," Rya teased, a playful gleam dancing in her eyes. Hilda felt her cheeks flush, a warmth spreading through her. Nobody had ever approached her quite like this before, and it made her feel as if she were a child again, innocent and wide-eyed. "I-I might have been, but you didnt have to sneak up on me like that," Hilda stammered, her heart racing. Rya''s eyes sparkled with mischief, clearly enjoying the moment. "Well, I guess it''s just one of my little habits... Sorry about that," Rya replied, flashing a warm, disarming smile. Hildas mind raced. Was that sincerity she detected? She couldnt help but wonder, Why would someone from the Royal family apologize to someone like me, a mere nobody? In a world where she was accustomed to orders and commands, where respect felt nonexistent except from her maid, Hilda found herself taken aback by this unexpected kindness. The contrast was almost surrealhow could someone so noble be so approachable and friendly? "I-It''s okay," Hilda replied with a shy smile. Rya smiled warmly, her posture straightening as she caught sight of the vacant seat beside Hilda. "Is it okay if I join you?" she asked, her tone inviting. Hilda''s cheeks flushed as she blinked in surprise. She turned her gaze to the empty spot, feeling a flutter of nervous excitement. "O-Oh! N-No, I dont mind at all! P-Please, take a seat," she stammered, her heart racing. As Rya settled down, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, and she let out a contented sigh. "Isnt it a beautiful day?" she remarked, her eyes sparkling with the sunlight. Hilda tilted her head back, drinking in the vast expanse of the clear blue sky before turning her focus back to Rya. "Yes Yes, it truly is," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. As Hilda cast a furtive glance at Rya, a whirlwind of emotions twisted within her. The woman exuded an air of confidence and undeniable beauty, making Hilda''s heart race with a mix of admiration and self-doubt. She longed to approach Rya, to engage her in conversation, but the words felt trapped in her throat. Rya was not just any woman; she had ties to the Queen, which only amplified Hilda''s nervousness. Her eyes caught sight of Rya''s dressan elegant creation that boldly showcased her cleavage. A pang of confusion struck Hilda. She had always been taught to cover herself, to suppress any hint of allure, and yet here was Rya, radiant and unashamed. Hilda''s thoughts spiraled. ''S-She''s showing off so much skin... But why is she dressed like that? I thought it was bad to do so. But maybe it''s different for nobles in this kingdom. Wait... I-It''s a sin, Hilda. I shouldn''t be ogling her like a piece of meat, and I should be ashamed of myself.'' Yet, despite her internal conflict, Hilda found her gaze lingering on Rya. The way her curvaceous figure effortlessly captured the attention of those around herHilda couldnt help but be entranced. It was as if the world around them faded, leaving only the magnetic allure of Ryas presence. How could someone possess such charm and fearlessness? Hildas heart raced, caught between admiration and the conventions she felt bound to uphold. "Enjoying the view?" Rya asked playfully, a teasing smile dancing across her lips. Hilda''s eyes shot away as she blushed a deep crimson, flustered by the unexpected comment. "I-Its not what you think!" she stammered in a desperate attempt to reclaim her composure. Rya couldn''t help but grin wider. "Oh really? Then whats with the lingering gaze? You seem to be built similarly, so why not admire your own?" Hilda gasped, indignation flashing in her eyes. "How dare you speak to me like that!" she snapped, the embarrassment quickly turning into irritation. Rya burst into laughter, unable to contain herself. "C''mon, how would you react if you caught someone staring at you? You probably ask a similar question, no?" she replied, enjoying the playful banter. Hilda couldnt believe the words escaping her lips. Was she really being this rude to a complete stranger? Part of her felt compelled to defend herself, to stand her ground against what she perceived as inappropriate. Fine! I admit itI was staring at you, she blurted out, her voice sharper than she intended. I just dont get why someone would choose to wear such a low-cut dress. Its not something I understand. Rya cast a slow, scrutinizing glance in Hilda''s direction, her brow arching in mild curiosity. She couldn''t help but take in the sight of the striking redhead, whose white dress hugged the contours of her figure modestly. The high neckline framed Hildas delicate collarbone, while the skirt cascaded down to her ankles, lending an air of elegance and restraint. Although the attire suited her well, Rya sensed an underlying impression that Hilda possessed a certain prudishness, seemingly contrasting with Ryas own more daring sense of style. Wow, she might be a little prudish, huh? I''m getting the religious vibes from this chick... This could be fun, Rya mused, a playful smile gracing her lips. I have to ask, does it bother you? Rya inquired, her tone light yet curious. Hilda fell silent, her focus locked ahead as if the world around her had suddenly faded away. The tension between them hung in the air, thick and palpable. "Well?" Rya pressed, an eager smile tugging at her lips. Hilda turned toward her, a quizzical look on her face. What? Why are you asking me? Rya let out a soft laugh, her eyes shining with amusement. Because its obvious youre bothered by it, she teased. Hilda scoffed, dismissing the notion with a shake of her head. I am not bothered! Its just improper, she declared with a note of defiance. Rya raised her hands in playful surrender. Alright, if you want to know why, I''ll tell you... I love the feel of the open air brushing against my skin. And if you think this is too much, just be thankful you werent with me two weeks agothis dress is practically a fortress compared to what I wore then! she added with a cheeky wink. Hilda shook her head, her brows furrowed in concern. "B-But... what about the sins of the flesh? We cant just flaunt our bodies like this without consequences!" Rya erupted into laughter, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "And who put those ideas in your head?" Hilda crossed her arms defiantly, a hint of frustration in her voice. "My father and the Church, obviously!" Rya rolled her eyes theatrically, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, isnt that just typical? Is the Church really just another arm of the patriarchy?" Hilda''s high and mighty attitude vanished and was replaced by confusion. "Pati... what?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "Patriarchy," Rya reiterated, her tone a mix of exasperation and amusement. Hilda tilted her head, her brow knitting together as she contemplated the strange term. "What exactly is a patriarchy?" she asked, genuinely unsure, her curiosity eager for answers. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. D-Do you think your life would be better if you were born a man? Hilda asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid of the answer. Ryas face burst into a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling as they danced across the vibrant garden sprawled before theman enchanting realm of color and fragrance nestled within the palace grounds. The flowers swayed rhythmically in the breeze, inviting her into their mesmerizing beauty. If only she knew the truth Maybe its time to share a few secrets. If I told her I was actually born a man, shed probably think Im joking. But perhaps this will help ease her worries, Rya mused, a playful glint in her eyes. Well, she began with a teasing tone, there are definitely some perks to being a man, like, for instance, the ease of using the chamber pot! Hildas cheeks flushed a deep crimson. That is not funny! she shot back, trying to suppress a smile. Rya chuckled, her amusement infectious. "Any disadvantages we may face for being born women are largely relative to the culture we are raised in. Otherwise, these disadvantages are minor, with the sole exception of giving birth. In fact, the benefits of being a woman often outweigh the negatives." Hilda gave her a skeptical look, eyebrows raised. Benefits? With a mischievous grin, Rya replied, Oh, absolutely! "Honestly, I really struggle to see the benefits of being a woman," she confessed, her voice laced with confusion and raw honesty. Rya paused, letting the words hang in the air. *She has no idea... Yep, definitely a virgintotal lack of experience And no real sex education either... Interesting,* Rya mused to herself, her mind racing. She met the other girl''s gaze, a spark igniting in her eyes for just a moment before fading back to normal. "I know we just met, but would you mind if I asked you something a bit... personal?" Rya ventured, her curiosity getting the best of her. Hilda arched an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of suspicion. "It depends," she replied cautiously. Rya leaned in, her voice a playful whisper. "So, Hilda, have you ever been with a man?" Hilda''s eyes widened, and a bright crimson hue spread across her cheeks. "O-Of course not!" she stammered, barely able to meet Rya''s gaze. Rya chuckled softly, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Ah... That explains why you have never considered the benefits." "W-What benefits," Hilda asked, curiosity dancing in her tone despite her embarrassment. Rya turned back, an amused smile playing on her lips, clearly enjoying the moment. "Oh, lets just say there are all sorts of adventures waiting for you. Like the fact that our bodies can feel levels of pleasure that a man can''t." Hilda''s brow furrowed, her lips parting as she prepared to voice her thoughts. But just as her words were on the verge of emerging, Rya''s hand gently caught her arm, silencing her in an instant. Hilda was completely blindsided by this woman''s sheer boldness. A wave of disbelief washed over her, and she felt her throat tighten as she struggled to swallow her astonishment. Though the words spilling from the woman''s lips made little sense to her, Hilda found herself inexplicably drawn in, hanging onto each phrase as if it were a tantalizing secret waiting to be unveiled. Hilda turned her gaze away, letting out a heavy sigh that seemed to echo her mounting frustration. A dull throb began to pulse at her temples, warning her of an impending headache. ''Is it true? Is the church hiding things from us?... And the Gods... Why have they not spoken to me?... They only ever spoke to the prophet or my father...'' Rya noticed that Hilda was deep in thought. "Are you okay?" "I''m fine," Hilda snapped back, the cold tone failing to hide her inner turmoil. Rya''s eyes saw some red, particularly floating around in her head. ''Shit... I gave her a headache... I''ll fix it.'' With a gentle focus, Rya channeled her mana, releasing a soft stream of healing magic toward Hilda. The soothing warmth washed over her as she was still deep in thought and within seconds, Hilda''s headache vanished. ''It frustrates me! Why would the church do such a thing? What does the prophet gain from lying to the people? A-And... Agh... M-My head feels better... That''s strange... What is this feeling in my stomach? I''ve never felt like this before...'' "Y-Yes, actually. Thank you," Hilda said, sounding embarrassed. Hilda smiled, her eyes sparkling with a newfound sense of hope. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely rising above the gentle rustle of leaves. A playful grin danced on Rya''s lips, a delightful blend of joy and mischief. "It was my pleasure." The two women sat together, enveloped in the beauty of blooming flowers swaying softly in the breeze. In that serene moment, Hilda felt an overwhelming sense of tranquility, as if she could linger in this bliss forever. Yet, like a distant storm cloud threatening a clear sky, her thoughts began to intrude. ''But I need to know... I have to uncover the truth... Maybe she can help me,'' Hilda mused, her heart racing. She turned her gaze to Rya, who sat with her eyes closed, fully immersed in the soothing symphony of naturethe whispering leaves and distant chirps creating a melody that hinted at ancient secrets. ''How am I supposed to broach this? Should I dive right in or take a more subtle approach? What words will unravel the mystery?'' It took Hilda several deep breaths to gather her courage. M-Miss... do you think the Divine Beings really care about us mortals? she ventured, striving for a tone of casual curiosity. Rya''s eyelids fluttered open, surprise flickering across her features. Her heart tightened as unwelcome memories of Nils and Nebulus surged within her, battling against the urge to reveal her true feelings about the gods. "That''s quite a weighty subject, but if you ask me... it seems like the Gods are more like cosmic spectators, playing games with our lives for their own amusement rather than genuinely caring about our welfare." Hilda''s eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. Hildas eyes widened, disbelief painting her face. ''Is this woman out of her mind?'' "W-What makes you think that?" Hilda stammered, her disbelief palpable. Rya''s thoughts raced back to the moments when Nils had deceived her, the painful memories threatening to surface. She hesitated, not wanting to reveal her dark elven race in front of this curious girl. Lets just say Ive had my own encounters with a couple of goddesses who thought it would be entertaining to break me mentally, Rya replied, an icy edge lacing her words. They failed, of course. But trust me, their games were no joke. I came out stronger, but it wasnt easy. ''This can''t be true! How can she say something like this and not be struck down by the divine beings themselves?'' Hilda thought at first, but she felt like Rya was speaking the truth while still breathing. ''And yet, she sits here unharmed... What does this mean?'' Hilda had never entertained the thought that the gods might be toying with humanity, and now, it churned her stomach. What if shes right? she pondered, a wave of unease washing over her. Is that why the gods remain silent? Are we nothing more than mere pawns in their twisted game? How can they be so heartless? Rya noticed Hildas mind racing, each question sparking darker thoughts like a chain reaction. "Hey... Don''t think too hard about it... It''s just going to send you into a rabbit hole that will drive you crazy," Rya warned. Hilda sighed deeply, nodding as she tried to shake off the swirling thoughts in her mind. *Its a lot to take in, but maybe she has a point. I shouldn''t let it consume me,* she mused, attempting to calm her racing thoughts. "But how do you not think about it?" Hilda asked, her curiosity piqued. Ryas grin widened, "Well... Having trusted friends helps a lot," she replied, her tone lighthearted. Hildas smile wavered, a hint of sadness creeping into her expression. "Friends?" "Yep... It makes going through life a lot easier. Especially if they are the kind of friend who won''t stab you in the back," Rya said, trying to cheer her up. I... I dont think I have any friends like that, Hilda admitted, her voice barely above a whisper as it cracked under the weight of her loneliness. "Really? That''s hard to believe!" Rya exclaimed, leaning closer. "You''re so easy to talk to, and its clear you have a kind heart. You possess so many qualities that would make anyone want to be your friend." Hilda''s mood brightened slightly. Hilda felt a flicker of warmth at the compliment; her mood brightened just a bit. "I-I never considered myself that way... Thank you," she managed, a shy smile returning to her face "Youre welcome!" Rya replied, her voice softening. "Honestly, I find you really pretty, smart, and downright interesting. If you''re going to be around here for any amount of time, I wouldn''t be opposed to being a friend... That''s if you want me," Rya offered gently, her sincerity shining through. Hilda blushed, but her eyes shined brightly. "R-Really? Y-You want to be my f-friend?" "Yeah, I don''t see an issue with it," Rya said, returning her smile, a glimmer of kindness in her gaze. Hilda felt a rush of warmth bloom in her chest, caught off guard by the unexpected kindness. She was unaccustomed to being treated as an equal. "I-I would absolutely love that," she stammered, her heart racing. Hilda reached out to her right hand, which had the beaded necklace with the Divine Three symbols on it, which seemed to be glowing all of a sudden. "It''s a promise," Rya said, sealing their bond with a firm shake. "A promise," Hilda replied with a bright smile, "My name is" "PRINCESS HILDA!" Roared the voice of a furious man. Hildas heart dropped, her eyes widening in shock as the familiar voice of Sir Darius wrapped around her like a cold shroud. She froze, a chill running down her spine. Rya''s smile twitched as she learned the identity of this woman. This was the woman who had been destined to marry her man, and Rya felt a wave of humiliation wash over her for not seeing it sooner. The realization settled heavily in the air, thick with tension and unspoken emotions. ''It''s a fucking Paladin and his white knights... I''ve been waiting a long time for this day,'' Rya thought darkly. Vol.4 Ch.235 A Dance with a Paladin. Hilda''s breath caught in her throat, and she felt the color drain from her cheeks as Sir Darius suddenly appeared before her. "S-Sir Darius," she stammered, disbelief etched across her features. The paladin stood tall, a striking figure, clutching a radiant beaded necklace that glimmered in the dim lighta mirror image of her ownand its luminous beads pointed unwaveringly in her direction. ''Huh? Whats happening? My bracelet is radiating light! Did the Prophet gift me this to keep tabs on me?'' Hilda pondered, a mix of intrigue and unease surging through her. Darius had an angry expression, "You left the lobby without permission, Princess... You''re lucky that we aren''t in our homeland. Otherwise, you would be severely punished," Darius hissed. "Y-Yes, Sir, but I" "Shut up and come here," Darius barked, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. Hilda fell silent and quickly stood up for the bench, her gaze fixed firmly on the ground. She then made her way to her bodyguard, her steps quick and tentative. From her position, Rya observed the scene unfold. She could see the tumult of fear and shame swirling in the princesss eyes, but her attention was drawn more to the imposing figure of the paladin standing nearby. ''Yeah... Different man but has the same bullshit attitude. Just as bad as I remembered... I don''t know if I can hold myself back from killing these assholes. I wish it was that prick Claudius, but this Paladin will do... But what should I do about this princess? Rah! Leave her alone. She''s a victim of these assholes,'' Rya thought. Rya felt a seething hatred churning within her, yet she managed to maintain an icy composure as she rose gracefully from the bench. Darius shot her a disdainful glance, his eyes narrowing at the sight of her revealing dress. In his homeland, such attire would not go unpunished. Tsk! These Fiafyrian women really ought to know their place when it comes to approaching our Princess, he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. Come, Princess Hilda. It''s time we meet your husband. Rya felt a surge of anger rise within her as the paladin casually said that Hilda was going to meet her fianc. ''How dare he!'' Hilda turned to Rya, her expression a mix of hesitation and resolve. "Yes, Sir," she replied, casting a quick glance back at Rya. "Goodbye..." Rya barely noticed Hilda''s sorrowful response as she stood rooted in place, her heart racing. She watched them turn to leave, but she couldn''t let the paladin walk away without a word. No, not after that. Taking a deep breath, she readied herself to confront him. "Excuse me? But are you a paladin from the Divine Three?" Rya called out. Sir Darius halted abruptly; irritation etched across his features. He spun around, his expression darkening further. "Why do you wish to know, wench," Darius replied curtly, giving her a nasty look. Hilda''s concern deepened. She could sense the tension rising, and she feared that Darius might unleash something reckless in his fury. "Well... I''ve encountered your type before," Rya said, her tone sharp as a blade. "I didn''t want to assume you were like him, but the way you treat both your Princess and me leaves little doubt." Darius tossed his head back in a sneer, annoyance boiling beneath the surface. "I dont have time to chat with a sheltered wench like you," he spat, prepared to turn away. But Ryas voice slid in like silk, "Have you ever met Sir Claudius?" she asked, her tone laced with an enticing allure. Instantly, Dariuss irritation faded, replaced by a flicker of curiosity mingled with caution. Sir Claudius was a man of legendary renown within the holy order, revered for his righteousness during the purging of the unfaithful. Yet, he had vanished on a crusade against the Dark Elves, and whispers of his deeds had faded into myth as he and his paladins hadn''t finished their mission. How could this insufferable girl possibly know him? "Yes... He is the strongest of the order," Darius stated proudly. "If you have met him, then you are very fortunate." "Oh, yes, I was VERY fortunate to meet him... Where is he now?" Rya asked, wanting to know what that bastard was up to. "I don''t have the time nor the patience for this... Come, Princess," Darius growled and started walking off. "Is that because you are a coward or because you have something to hide, Paladin?" Rya''s voice cut through the air, sharp and challenging. Sir Darius, not one to back down easily, felt his temper flare as he turned to face her once more. But as he did, an unsettling realization washed over him. Her skin was a deep, rich brown, smooth and unblemished, radiating an almost ethereal quality. His gaze was drawn to her striking platinum-white hair, a stark contrast that only added to her allure. In that moment, unease settled in his chest. He couldn''t shake the feeling that this woman was not someone to be trifled with. ''That can''t be natural,'' he thought, ''And there''s something...off about her.'' Oh? I have your attention now, do I? Rya said, her voice smooth, a playful glint dancing in her azure eyes. Well then, tell me, what has Sir Claudius been up to since the last time I saw him? It must be over a month ago." "He''s on a mission from the Divine Ones... He''s wiping the planet clean of those who follow the dark ones," Darius boasted as his unease continued to grow, "He''s a powerful warrior and is the pride of the Order." Rya raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. Oh really? So he''s still out there hunting the dark elves, is he? He must not be as remarkable as you claim if he hasn''t returned yet The atmosphere crackled with tension as Darius locked his gaze with Rya''s mesmerizing azure eyes. The white knights around them were caught in a whirlwind of confusion, unsure of what was about to unfold. Darius, unyielding, slowly lifted his hand toward the hilt of his sword, a silent declaration that sent shivers through the air. Meanwhile, Hilda''s heart raced, and her worry for Rya''s safety grew, sensing the storm brewing in the space between them. Sir Darius? We should really leave her be Princess... Run... Now! Darius hissed, his voice low and urgent as he unsheathed his sword. Panic surged through Hilda as she sensed the tension crackling in the air. The fierce determination in Darius''s eyes warned her that a storm was brewing. The white knights followed their captains lead, swords drawn and ready for anything. Rya stood firm, a dangerous glint in her narrowed eyes as she summoned her mana, a swirling energy gathering around her. Whats happening?! Hilda gasped, her heart racing at the uncertainty of it all. Run, now! Darius shouted, his fierce gaze fixated on the enigmatic woman before them. A heavy air of danger hung between them, crackling with tension. Ive always wondered what Id do if I encountered another paladin like Sir Claudius, Rya replied, her voice laced with a dark amusement. Seeing you brings him to mind... You know, he slaughtered countless under the banner of your foolish gods. I was different back thennaive, perhaps. But Ive grown stronger, and I refuse to make the same mistakes. It seems Ill finally get a chance to test my skills against one of your kind, she added, her smirk deepening. Hilda felt her stomach drop. The warm-hearted companion she once knew was gone, replaced by a figure who exuded danger and a palpable thirst for blood. ''Whats happening? I cant make sense of this!'' Hildas mind raced, confusion washing over her. With deliberate slowness, Rya pulled back the black shawl that had veiled her head. Her long, silvery hair spilled out, revealing pointed ears that marked her as something otherworldly. Hilda''s breath caught in her throat, her face draining of color. You... youre a dark elf? she stammered, disbelief flooding her senses. "Yes... I am a dark elf, and I''m a survivor of one of your massacres. I think I''ll have a bit of fun with that Paladin and his two knights," Rya stated. "Like hell, you will! Get her!" Darius ordered as the three of them charged in her direction. Rya had a grudge against the Paladin and his ilk ever since they almost killed her, and she would have been if it wasn''t for Hiro sacrificing himself by using a teleportation spell that drained all his mana and turned him into dust. So she didn''t have to hold back anymore. She didn''t have any reason to show them mercy as her Azure eyes lit up from her mana, and she used her Darkly Earth magic to create a spike that pierced the Paladin through the chest, halting his charge. The white knights stopped in their tracks when they saw the tip of a rock-hard spike punctured through the paladin''s armor and then poked out of his back. Their eyes went wide with terror, and the air was thick with the metallic tang of blood. Rya t he wo "Sir?!" "What the" Rya didn''t even move a muscle as she cast a fireball in the direction of the knight closest to the paladin and engulfed the poor bastard in flames. "Ahhh!" the knight screamed as his white armor melted and turned him into a pile of ash. , he ''This is how powerful the dark elves are? I need to cleanse her from this planet before she can corrupt it,'' Darius thought as he summoned the strength to cut the earth spike with his sword and pulled it out, leaving a giant hole in his chest. Rya initially flashed a smirk, amusement dancing in her eyes, but her expression shifted as she noticed the uncanny sight before her. Darius chest began to knit itself together, the wounds mysteriously vanishing as if time itself were rewinding. She tilted her head, curiosity piqued, captivated by the surreal spectacle unfolding right in front of her. ''Huh? So, the paladin possesses a regenerative ability. No wonder they''re so feared... But just how do they manage to heal themselves like that? I always thought I was the only one with such powers,'' Rya mused as curiosity began stirring within her. The revelation sent her thoughts racingwhat other secrets did these holy warriors hold? "I won''t let you get away with this, you demon," Darius hissed as his sword started glowing. Rya was amused. "Oh, this is going to be fun," she whispered as she took a fighting stance. Suddenly, a blinding flash erupted from Darius'' sword, illuminating the clearing like a bolt of lightning. He emerged, poised to attack, but then he froze, confusion painting his features. in rootsthat sprouted from the very bushes and plants round him Rya smirk as she ed her heels into the ground, . he with he palm. " " Darius, filled with rage, leapt to his feet, his face flushed with fury. He brandished his sword and aimed a strike at Rya. But she was swift. Her movements were almost a blur as she utilized her wind magic, propelling herself with an agility that left him struggling to keep pace. The air around her crackled with energy, enhancing her speed and evading the deadly arc of his blade. "ngth " Rya sensed that the paladin was tiring and his energy waning, and she was determined to find out how his powers worked. "B-By the Holy Three! me your power!" Darius n theThe story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "e he hhe air .. his It was mesmerizing to behold, and she had no doubt that if Darius could harness the mana within his veins, he would be a formidable foe. However, his reliance on the gods made him vulnerable, which gave her an edge. t then a yellow particle from the that was almost blinding. supply of hat looking . ''What the hell is she doing? And what was she talking about?'' Darius thought as he struggled to his feet. His mind was hazy, and his body ached for a moment until the divine particles healed him completely. A slow smile spread across her lips, a sinister gleam in her eyes. Her hands moved rapidly, her fingers dancing in the air, weaving her spell. The space around her shimmered her mana flaring, its energy filling the atmosphere. Darius could see the dark elf''s aura pulsing, her mana flaring with a fury, unlike anything he had ever witnessed before. There was something otherworldly about it, almost primal as if she were tapping into some ancient source of energy. It was both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. !" sared tanelher f for he "," Darius roared as he raised his sword, which was glowing a blinding golden light. "No! No, please stop!" Rya begged in a panic. The once powerful and intimidating dark elf now cowered before him, tears welling in her eyes and her voice trembling. er pleas "This is the end! HIYAH" ''s "Are you okay, my love?" the Crown Prince asked, his tone softening as he held Rya in his arms and fixed his gaze upon her face. " "What''s the meaning of this!?" Terenthiel roared at Quinus, his voice filled with outrage and his eyes blazing with indignation. horror as the Crown Prince hacked and slashed at the paladin''s body. Rya Hilda ding as she witnessed the trueing power of the Dark Elf, ared , and now she was of innocence sen to steal the heart of th Handsome Brave Prince, who she was a loveless marriage va handsome features aed through Hildashe ould protect from the very that sought to his noble heart. Hilda t hee that even the es Paladins. She would need every ounce of cunning at her disposal to es reattaced Vol.4 Ch.236 Trying to Deescalate Things The vibrant chaos unfolding in the garden drew a crowd, capturing the attention of nearly everyone present. One group emerged from the stately Parliamentary Chamber of the West Wing, bustling with essential figures such as Duval, Alaric, Johan, Nathaniel, Sebastian, William, Eamon, Thaddeus, and Lord Gawain, their expressions a mix of intrigue and concern. Alongside them were Zane and the imposing Terenthiel, flanked by General Douglas and his devoted Royal Knights, each clad in gleaming armor that reflected the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. In contrast, another faction comprised of Rya''s Friends came from the Royal Quarters of the Palace. Yuliana led the way, followed closely by Nieren, Tayna, Percy, Dalia, Gretchen, and several other dedicated servants. Their crisp and neat uniforms stood in stark contrast to the disarray surrounding them. Positioned on the perimeter, a throng of palace guards kept a watchful eye, their disciplined demeanor maintaining a semblance of order amidst the unfolding scene. Among them was Duchess Leandra, who lurked in the shadows at the back of the crowd, her heart racing. She camouflaged herself among the guards and onlookers, desperately hoping to remain unseen after her meticulously devised plan to pilfer Rianna''s exquisite jewelry crumbled in an unexpected turn of events. The atmosphere was thick with tension and anticipation as whispers and gasps weaved through the gathering, and everyone was looking at the Dark Elf, who was shielding the Crown Prince. Rya cautiously peeked from behind Quinus, who stood protectively in front of her, sword drawn and poised with intent. His grip tightened around the hilt as he aimed the blade at Sir Darius. Despite the fatal blows he received just moments ago, Sir Dariuss wounds had miraculously healed, leaving no trace of the injuries he had suffered. However, his armor, battered and dented, was lagging behind in the recovery, the chipped metal glinting ominously in the light as it slowly began to mend itself, conveying a sense of urgency and uncertainty in the tense atmosphere. Terenthiel''s eyes went wide as he caught sight of the Dark Elf clinging tightly to Quinus'' backside, a mix of disbelief and rage flashing across his face. "An unholy being! We must purge her," Terenthiel yelled as he drew his sword. General Douglas sprang into action, his instincts sharp as a blade. "Men! Protect the future Queen of Fiafyr!" he thundered, his voice piercing the tension in the air. With unwavering resolve, he stepped boldly between Prince Terenthiel and his men, ready to defend what was at stake. The weight of his command echoed in the hearts of his soldiers, igniting a fierce determination to uphold their duty. Terenthiel s th t Douglas entiel, Terenthiel was oced on Quinus, who e couldnt . "s your Prince e will investigate Duval , but the sweat ing on his forehead and the ous twitch of his . jackass from the Alliance. " "They elled "No, Your Highness! their chance the Peace Treaty but if Terenthiel were to a the Crown Princeen Quinus against the Prime Minister and the other nobles the Foreign Princetion. As the Paladin regained his composure, he reached for his sword, determination blazing in his eyes. But before he could draw it, Quinus was faster, his blade glinting ominously as it pressed against Darius'' neck. "You''ll pay for killing my knights," Terenthiel said angrily at the Dark Elf. "Oh?... I like to see you try," Rya said with a smirk. Terenthiel clenched his jaw, a low growl rumbling from deep within his chest. Dark anger flickered in his eyes like a storm brewing on the horizon. "Enough!... Another word from anyone else, and I will throw you all in jail. Is that clear," Duval said in a commanding voice once again. Everyone was quiet. Alaric watched the whole thing and wasn''t happy to see how much more powerful his nephew had become. Worst of all, the toothless lion had become an apex predator in Agon. In Alaric''s eyes, Quinus is a shadow of the weak-hearted boy he once was, the boy who, just five years ago, devoted himself to helping the commoners of Fiafyr. Back then, he was known for his quirky engineering projects that often puzzled the townsfolk but were marvels that rivaled the dwarf''s technology, and his gentle nature meant he would shy away from any confrontation, preferring diplomacy over conflict. Now, however, the Crown Prince has transformed into a formidable Maja Warrioran unprecedented force within the kingdoms of man. Quinus has displayed remarkable strength and resilience, no longer the timid child, proving himself capable of standing his ground against even the mightiest opponents, including a holy paladin, as if he had always been destined for greatness. Alaric finds himself torn between the memory of his timid nephew and the formidable warrior he has grown into. Quinus'' surprising transformation complicates Alaric''s plans, making it increasingly difficult to imagine a way to rid himself of the young man who has become a force to be reckoned with.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Viscount William comes walking up to Alaric and whispers, "Seems your nephew has a similar type to your brother." "Yes... Annoyingly, he does..." Alaric whispered back. The Duke''s thoughts simmered with rage as he clenched his fists, the muscles in his arms tightening. ''She should have chosen my son,'' he seethed. ''Marcus would have been ten times the man that Quinus could ever aspire to be. Shell soon learn the folly of crossing a Revelia!'' His glare bore into the Dark Elf standing next to Quinus. The way she leaned into him, radiating confidence and strength, transformed the weak-willed boy into someone almost formidable. Alaric couldn''t help but resent the power she bestowed upon hima power he had never possessed before. "Do you think Duval''s going to change the itinerary?" William asked. "I''m sure of it," Alaric replied. "You know we should have had Quinus killed after the first failed attempt when he was a child." "Easy said than done... The fates have always sided with him, unfortunately. We can only hope his luck will run out, and then he will be easy pickings," Alaric replied as he watched Duval and the Princes still in a standoff. The Prime Minister was trying to get everyone to stand down. He''s been in a lot of verbal political scuffles, but he''s never dealt with a situation like this. He needed time to figure out how to defuse the situation, and then he needed to get the vote on expelling the dark elf from the kingdom. He can''t allow a dark elf to be free in the Fiafyr Kingdom. If word got out, it would destroy everything he has worked so hard for. "We all need to have cooler heads... Punishments will be served accordingly, but we can''t start a war over the death of two men," Duval said. "Two holy knights of the Divine Three are no mere men!" Terenthiel exclaimed. "Yes, I''m sorry, Your Highness... Now, please... Lower your weapons and come back to the palace. We will have a meeting with the rest of the council. The sooner we get a vote on the Measure, the better. But I do ask that you leave your guards behind... No weapons will be allowed," Duval said. "Did you know this unholy creature was inside the palace!?... She shouldn''t be allowed here... She should be killed," Terenthiel hissed. Rya, Quinus, and their group of friends cast intense glares at Terenthiel, while Duval''s expression was a mixture of regret and discomfort. "I found out about a week ago, and I was too slow to deal with it," Duval confessed, his voice heavy with remorse. "So you knew she was coming, and you hid it from me?... You''re as guilty as that traitorous bastard, Alaric," Terenthiel spat, his anger crackling in the air like electricity. "I''m trying to fix this, but you''re making matters worse. Now, please, lower your weapon. We will handle this," Duval said calmly. Terenthiel cast a sidelong glance at Alaric, noting the tension in his posture, then shifted his gaze to Quinus and the enigmatic Dark Elf standing nearby. The air around them crackled with unspoken words and anticipation. Taking a deep breath, he felt the weight of the moment settles heavily on his shoulders. With a deliberate motion, he slid his sword back into its sheath, the metallic whisper echoing softly in the stillness, a signal of his resolve to seek a different path forward, but he wasn''t going to be silent about his displeasure. "I grow tired of your failures, Duval... And you, Prince Quinus. Your treasonous actions will not go unpunished," Terenthiel threatened. "Your ideas of loyalty are skewed. My actions were justified, and your knights tried to assault my fiancee. They died by their own hand and no one else''s," Quinus said. His golden eyes glowed brightly with anger, and Dalia, Nieren, and Yuliana stood next to Rya. Terenthiel''s right eye began to twitch when he saw three more demi-humans come out of nowhere to protect the Dark Elf. "It seems like you''ve chosen war with us," Terenthiel said through gritted teeth. "Oh? So I shouldn''t let you live, then?" Quinus said as he prepared to strike down Terenthiel, Zane, and Sir Darius at a moment''s notice. "Prince Quinus! Don''t you dare!" Duval ordered. Quinus was about to move when Rya stopped him and shook her head no. "They''re not worth the trouble," Rya whispered, "Let him try to pull his political crap... We can outwit them." Quinus nodded and looked at Duval, "Whatever goodwill you''ve built up with me is fading... If this happens again, I will not be responsible for the outcome." Duval looked like he was about to have a heart attack, but he calmed himself and nodded, "Very well... We will have a meeting after everyone has settled down... Please follow the guards back to the West Wing... You may have your weapons." Quinus sighed and sheathed his sword, "Fine." Zane and Darius trudged behind Terenthiel, their faces twisted into deep scowls that betrayed their displeasure. The imposing figures of the royal knights flanked them, a precautionary measure to ensure that the trio wouldnt stir up any further trouble. The tension in the air was palpable as Johan, Percy, Sir George, Lord Gawain, and Sir Douglas approached Quinus and Rya. Tayna, Nieren, Dalia, and Yuliana lingered nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. "Well... That was tense," Percy said. "Yeah... I''m sorry for making things difficult... When I saw the paladin, it brought back those bad memories," Rya said. "It''s okay, Alpha! I''m just sad I missed you kicking his ass... But why did you look so scared when that human was coming after you? He''s not as strong as that Black Rose human," Dalia asked with a tilted head. "I heard everyone running towards the garden... I didn''t want the other nobles to get a worse impression of me, so I acted like I was scared," Rya admitted. "Hmph!... Sadly, that didn''t work out too well for the Prime Minister," Sir George said. "I think it worked on the Barons... But Duval has it out for you, babe... You''re threatening his peace plan, and I''m worried that he will get enough of the Major Nobles to agree with him to expel you... I don''t know how we are going to stop him," Quinus said with a worried look. ''Aww!? Babe is worried about me... Hehe... He''s such a sweetheart... Wait?... I never told Quin what my job was back on Earth. He''s in for a treat because I''m a goddamn Senior Consultant! Well, I was one... Whatever! I was so damn good that I was going to be promoted to Principal after the next cycle... I fucking eat State Bureaucrats for breakfast and shit them out without a second thought. Duval has no idea what''s coming to him. I''ll make sure my love gets the throne, and I''ll protect him and his kingdom,'' Rya thought as she smiled and hugged her worried fiancee, "Don''t worry, babe... Just bring me into this meeting and help me fill in the blanks on who''s who... You let me worry about everything else." Quinus was about to say something when Lord Gawain approached the group and said, "Prince Quinus, we should speak on strategy in private. Your Uncle is still lingering around us, and we can''t risk him overhearing our plans." "Alright, does everyone want to join us?" Quinus asked the group. "I''m not leaving my daughter alone with those devious humans... So yes, I''ll join you," Yuliana said with a stern voice. "I''m sticking with my Alpha... Even though I don''t like human politics," Dalia growled. "I got your back in there, my Lord," Johan said. "I''ll join the party. I don''t know much about politics, but I''ll watch the exits and help with distractions," Percy said. "Count me in. I''m getting tired of the Prime Minister''s antics. And if there''s someone to put him in his place... It''s Lady Rya and you, my Lord," Sir George said. Tayna, Nieren, and Douglas just nodded and waited for the others. Quinus nodded, "Alright... Let''s go to my father''s study... It''s the best place to prepare... Lord Gawain, lead the way." "As you wish, your Highness... Follow me," Gawain said as he led everyone back to the palace. The only ones left in the garden were Duke Alaric, Viscount William, Duchess Leandra, Princess Hilda, and a few servants who were whispering to themselves. "Hmm... Who should we side with during the meeting... Duval or your nephew?" William asked Alaric. "It pains me to say it... But we need to side with Duval... Having the crown prince''s ire focused on Duval could help hide our plans... But don''t speak as freely as we used to... The Elves'' ears can hear from a far distance," Alaric whispered. "Hmm... Yes, that would be wise," William said. "What about the Princess? Everyone seems to have abandoned her..." Leandra asked. Alaric and William looked over and saw Hilda lost in thought as she stood by the fountain. "It seems that Duval has forgotten the most important part of his plans... All the better for us... Work your magic, my love... She will be a good backup plan if things go awry," Alaric said with a wicked smile. "Well... I should get to work," Leandra said as she made her way to the young princess. "Good luck," William whispered as Leandra walked past him. "Leandra, make sure shes brought to the West Wing," Alaric murmured, his voice low and conspiratorial. "I want my nephew to feel her presence in that meeting. He needs to realize exactly what a treasure hes letting slip through his fingers." Leandra turned toward her husband, "I plan on making her the most popular girl in the court... Don''t you worry, my love." "That''s why I married you," Alaric said as he watched his wife head toward the young princess. Alaric then looked at his best friend and smirked, "Let''s go, William... We need to figure out what my nephew is going to do next." "Lead the way, Alaric," William said as he followed the Duke. The Duke and Viscount left the Garden and headed back to the Parliamentary Chamber before the meeting was going to resume. Meanwhile, Leandra gracefully approached the young princess, her heart filled with concern. She lowered herself into a respectful curtsy, the fabric of her gown sweeping gently across the ground. My, are you alright, young miss? she inquired, her voice soft yet filled with genuine warmth. The princess, with her delicate features and an expression that seemed both troubled and regal, looked up at Leandra, seeking comfort in her kindness. Hilda was brought out of her thoughts and looked surprised, "Huh? Oh!... I''m sorry... I was just thinking..." "Don''t worry about it. I was just worried for you. You''ve been here for quite some time, and your escorts seem to have forgotten about you... I''m Duchess Leandra Revelia... The wife of Duke Alaric Revelia, Your Highness," Leandra said with a sweet tone. "Oh! I''m Princess Hilda Stoneworthh... I''m sorry for my absent-mindedness... Everything has happened so fast that I''m struggling to take it all in," Hilda said. "I understand completely... No one knew a dark elf had gotten her dirty paws on our Crown Prince until now," Leandra said. Hilda looked confused, "No one knew? But the Prime Minister seemed to know everything..." "If he knew, then he kept it from the other noble families... My husband only received an emergency letter from the Prime Minister just this morning... He must have found out about the dark elf and was trying to rid her before you found out... This is most dreadful indeed... You are a much better woman for the Prince... The Dark Elf must have placed a spell on him or worse... Our kingdom might be in peril if something isn''t done," Leandra said with concern in her tone. Hilda was shocked, "A spell?!... You think this dark elf has put a spell on the Crown Prince?!" "Oh yes... I''m surprised you haven''t figured it out yourself... Did you see how she smiled after the prince came in to ''save'' her... She acted like she was in trouble, but how could she go toe to toe with a valiant paladin without even getting hurt... Something is very wrong here, and it needs to be corrected. My husband and his friends are planning on how to save the Prince... But we are unsure of how the Dark Elf has taken control of the Prince and his friends," Leandra said with an overly worried look. Hilda had a determined look in her eyes, "She is a monster... She killed two of the holy orders knights without breaking a sweat... And Sir Darius would have been killed as well if the Gods'' divine intervention didn''t happen... I saw that same look in her eyes as well... It was the same eyes that my half-sister had to get me in trouble when I was younger. That Dark Elf has placed a spell on the Crown Prince. She has to be stopped." "Yes. It seems she has... And the Crown Prince needs a true hero to save him... I believe you are the one to save my nephew from his destructive path... He has to be unaware of his situation," Leandra said as she offered her arm, "Please. Come with me, Princess Hilda. You are our only hope." "Yes! I''ll save the Prince," Hilda said as she hooked arms with the Duchess. "Good! We need to join the emergency meeting, huh? Why''d you stop, your Highness?" Leandra said with a curious tone. "We aren''t allowed into the chamber... Prince Terenthiel said women weren''t allowed inside. Only the men could go inside," Hilda said. Leandra shook her head, "Well, it seems that the Prince of the Holy Alliance has been misinformed. It''s fine if women are inside the chamber as long as the royal family isn''t discussing anything regarding the army or Kingdom secrets. And we know that dark elf will be in their... Sometimes, to confront a woman, you have to send a woman to do the job." Hilda nodded, "Okay. As long as we won''t be in trouble." Hilda gracefully trailed behind the Duchess as they approached the grand entrance of the palace, its towering doors intricately carved with regal motifs. Once inside, they wandered through the lavish hallways adorned with gilded mirrors and opulent tapestries, each step echoing softly against the polished marble floors. After a short journey, they arrived at the imposing council room. With a flourish, Leandra pushed open the heavy door, revealing a spacious chamber filled with an air of solemnity. The guards stationed at attention nodded respectfully, their armor gleaming in the soft light, as the two dignified women stepped into the room. Vol.4 Ch.237 Briefing Rya. In the opulent confines of the King''s office, situated in the West Wing of the Palace, Lord Gawain, Quinus, Johan, and Douglas were deep in conversation, their expressions a mix of urgency and gravity as they prepared Rya for the impending Emergency Session. The room exuded an aura of significance, its walls draped in vibrant tapestries and its polished wood furniture gleaming under the warm light. Every corner seemed to pulse with anticipation, capturing the gravity of the decisions that loomed ahead. Rya, her brow furrowed in concentration, listened intently to the details being shared. "So, Count Sebastian and the two Barons, Eamon and Thaddeus, are aligning themselves with the Prime Minister while Viscount William stands with your uncle, correct?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with concern. "Exactly," Quinus confirmed, nodding gravely. "And Earl Nathaniel, who has been a close companion of my father''s for many years, is likely to support our position." His conviction added a glimmer of hope amidst the political complexities surrounding them. "But the Earl hasn''t been brought up to speed on her ladyship''s background, Your Highness," Lord Gawain interjected, his brow furrowing with concern. "He might hold some less-than-favorable views about Dark Elves." Rya took a deep breath, her determination shining in her eyes. "Im confident I can change his mind... And besides, Johan is stepping in for his father. Does Quin have any say in this meeting?" Lord Gawain nodded thoughtfully. "He is indeed part of the Royal Family, but he can only cast his vote if his father is incapacitated or has passed away. In other words, Prince Quinus is free to attend any meeting, but when it comes to voting on House matters, hes sidelined. The only scenario where he can break the deadlock is if all the other members, including his father, vote in a way that creates a tie. Only then does he have the chance to step in and can cast a vote. So, for now, his best course of action is to sway the Major Lords to reconsider their positions." Rya nodded, determination sparking in her eyes as her mind whirled with strategies. The weight of a crucial decision hung heavy in the air, and she was resolved to sway some members of the houseif only to shake their faith in the Prime Minister and the Duke. She needed to dismantle their support for the impending measure. Rya stood with furrowed brows, her gaze ed on expansive map that led before her Kingdom of Fiafyrcanvas, each intricate line weaving together the vast territories ruled by one of the thirteen Major Nobles. Symbols littered the map, each representing a nobles stronghold, their significance heavy with history and power. As her finger danced along the borders and shaded regions, Rya envisioned the enormous influence each noble wielded. Every twist and turn told a story of rivalries, alliances, and shifting loyalties. Knowing their domains was not just a matter of geography; it was the key to unlocking strategic opportunities in her upcoming negotiations. With the stakes higher than ever, she steeled herself to navigate the complex web of politics, determined to outmaneuver her opponents with precision. Feeling the weight of her thoughts, Quinus placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Are you really sure you''re ready for this, Rya?" he asked, concern flickering in his eyes. Rya raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in her smirk. I might have agreed with you... but hes at a disadvantage now. How so, sis? Nieren inquired, curiosity lighting up his eyes. General Douglas answered hesitantly, He intended to kill His Highness to take the throne. While he thought he was speaking to the truth of Alarics ambitions, Ryas probing questions hinted at a much different understanding of the game at play. Rya continued, her tone sharpening, You would have been right... if Marcus were still alive. But he isnt. So The realization dawned on Quinus first as the pieces clicked into place. So, with my cousin out of the picture, my Uncles lifelong ambitions have crumbled. Hes left scrambling to forge a new pathone he hasnt quite figured out yet. Yuliana smiled at her adopted daughter and said, "You''re so smart for how young you are, Ry. I''m impressed."If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "Punched in the face?" Lord Gawain raised an eyebrow, intrigued. General Douglas chuckled, a twist of admiration on his lips. "I actually like that! Mind if I borrow it for my speeches to the knights? It captures the chaos of war perfectly." Dalia and Nieren exchanged knowing smirks as they glanced at Rya. To them, it was amusing how she seemed almost too humble, considering the immense power and strength she wielded. Her modest demeanor was a stark contrast to the formidable presence she commanded. Come in! Quinus beckoned, his voice echoing through the grand chamber. The heavy doors swung open to reveal a tall, muscular man clad in gleaming Royal Knight''s Armor. His presence was commanding, betraying the urgency of the moment. "Milord... The Prime Minister is set to begin the meeting in fifteen minutes. We should make our way to the Parliamentary Chamber before they secure the doors," the knight urged. Rising to his feet, Quinus straightened his attire, his demeanor shifting to one of determination. He surveyed his companionsDalia, Nieren, and Yulianaall of whom wore expressions of uncertainty. Alright, everyone, its time for us to step up. We are Fiafyr''s finest, and the survival of our kingdom hangs in the balance! Yuliana opened her mouth, struggle evident on her face. But we are from ai, O-Of course, we want to be a part of this kingdom! Dont we, Mother!? Nieren exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. Yuliana hesitated for a moment, her thoughts weighing heavily on her mind. Well... I suppose theres no harm in it... But I had hoped to restore the Wood Elf Kingdom for you, Nieren, she confessed, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and uncertainty. en Rya rolled her eyes at her friend''s bravado, but that was one of the things that endeared Dalia to her. The Crown Prince nodded, urgency etched on his face. "I agree, but we''ll need to address this in the midst of the meeting. Time is not on our side." Quinus walked with purpose toward the heavy oak door, his shoulders pulled back, exuding an air of command that captivated those around him. Rya stood beside him, her presence both supportive and fierce. As the rest of the group rose in unison, eager to follow, they halted at the threshold, confusion flickering in their eyes. Quinuss keen gaze swept back, realization dawning upon himGeneral Douglas lingered behind, rooted to the spot, an unreadable expression etched across his face. "Aren''t you coming with us, General?" Quinus inquired, his voice laced with urgency. The general shook his head, his expression steely. "Ill have my men prepare a carriage at the side entrance, should the situation escalate, Your Highness." Quinus nodded a determined glint in his eyes. "Thats reasonable... but I need you in the chamber with us. We cant afford to let Terenthiel and his Paladin feel too comfortable," he insisted, his tone commanding and resolute. A smirk tugged at the corner of the General''s mouth as he rose to his feet. "Very well, Your Highness. Ill find a way to slip in there, one way or another." Quinus and Rya exchanged warm smiles as they stepped through the ornate door, the rich wood polished to a shine. Behind them, Nieren and Dalia fell into step, their soft footfalls echoing against the stone walls of the candle-lit corridors of the palace. A few paces behind them, Yuliana and Lord Gawain walked side by side, their heads bent in deep conversation, their voices a hushed murmur amidst the bustling atmosphere. Sir George, Percy, and several stalwart Knights trailed closely, their expressions serious and vigilant as they assessed their surroundings, ready to defend the Prince and his Lady at a moment''s notice. The group navigated the wide corridor, its high ceiling crowned with elegant chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the marble floors. They ascended the grand staircase, each step resonating with purpose until they finally reached the imposing doors of the Parliamentary Chamber of the House of Lords, where a gathering of eager faces awaited their arrival. Vol.4 Ch.238 Derailing The Emergency Session. The Parliamentary Chamber was a beautiful room with dark wood and golden decorations. The ceiling had a large round skylight window in the middle, which had colorful stained glass around it. In the middle of the room, there was a large round table with many seats. Behind the table, there was a raised platform with ten cushioned seats for the advisors or guests to sit with whatever Major Noble House was presenting to the King and his Council. The last two nobles of note were Count Sebastian Ingham and Earl Nathaniel Valerian. Ingham''s face was stoic and uninteresting, and Valerian looked uneasyfor what reason? Rya wondered to herself as she took her seat. Hilda stretched her arms overhead, causing her large bosoms to push outward and giving Quinus a good view of them. His cheeks flushed, and he struggled to tear his eyes away from the beautiful sight. ''Goddess be damned!... Focus, Quin! Focus!... This fucking world has too many beautiful women... These stupid instincts are killing me!'' Quinus cleared his throat and redirected his attention to the Prime Minister. However, he noticed a dark elf glaring at him with an annoyed expression. "I know, babe. Don''t worry. No matter what happens, I''ll always be on your side," Quinus said softly. Rya smiled and gave her boyfriend a look. "I love you... But if you ever stare at her chest again... I''ll rip out your eyes and then heal you back to normal before I do it again. Do I make myself clear?" She grinned menacingly to emphasize her point. Yuliana straightened her posture and gave him a curtsy, "My name is Princess Yuliana I am the daughter of the former King, Faelindor Sylvanor, and his wife, the former Queen, Ceara Sylvanor. A collective gasp echoed throughout the room, a sharp intake of breath that sliced through the tense atmosphere. Whispers of disbelief rippled among the gathered individuals, for it had long been believed that the Royal Line of the Wood Elves had been extinguished decades prior, lost to the annals of history. Yet here stood a living testament to that storied lineagea surviving member, her presence a revelation that had been hidden in plain sight all along. Amidst the murmurs of astonishment, one figure remained strikingly quiet: Terenthiel. His brow furrowed in concentration, distant thoughts flickering behind his eyes like shadows in the fading light. While others were caught up in the unfolding drama, he stayed poised and contemplative, his silence a mystery amid the chaos around him. ''This cant be happening! If she truly is who she claims to be, shell give this Dark Elf the legitimacy needed to wed the Crown Prince! I have to act fast and sabotage heryou cant let this happen!'' Duval fixated on the Wood Elf, studying her intently. So, youre telling me you hail from the Royal lineage of the Wood Elf Kingdom? "Indeed, I am a Princess," Yuliana proclaimed, her voice steady yet laced with emotion. "I took in Lady Rya as my own after she tragically lost her parents during the brutal raids on the Dark Elf territoryno thanks to you," she added, her finger accusingly directed at Terenthiel. Terenthiel met her gaze, his expression a mixture of defiance and disdain. He refused to back down under the weight of her accusation. The air crackled with tension as the Divine Three were in the middle of purging the Dark Elves. d anIf you dare to make accusations, you better come armed with proof, Princess. How can we believe your claims of royal blood from the fallen kingdom of the Wood Elves? If you truly are the daughter of the former king, where is your crown? Your royal garments? Your fathers sword? A cruel smirk twisted Duvals lips as he leveled his gaze at Yuliana, challenging her to respond. Yuliana paused for a moment, the weight of the occasion settling on her shoulders like a heavy cloak. With a graceful wave of her hand, she signaled to Nieren, who promptly brought forth an ornately designed box and a long, slender bag that draped elegantly over her arm. As she opened the lavish box, a soft gasp escaped her lips. Inside lay her brother''s crown, a stunning piece that shimmered with an ethereal glow. With careful deliberation, she lifted the crown from its velvet resting place and placed it upon her head. The golden filigree, artfully crafted to resemble entwined tree branches, seemed to come alive as she adorned herself as if nature itself crowned her with its beauty. Next, she turned her attention to the slender bag. With a practiced motion, she unveiled their family sword, pulling it from its sheath. The blade was an exquisite creation forged from enchanted wood, its surface glistening under the ambient light. Its hilt shone with a luxurious gold hue, set with an emerald gemstone that sparkled with an inner fire. As Yuliana drew upon her mana, a warm glow enveloped the crown and sword, illuminating the space with an almost otherworldly light. Before her, the air shimmered, and her family''s sigila delicate white leafmaterialized before the crown, a testament to her lineage and heritage. Stepping forward with purpose, she set the enchanted blade in the center of the table with reverence. A collective gasp filled the room as everyones eyes widened at the sight, drawn to the display of power and legacy that radiated from her presence. l . King keep this from me? He''s openly trying to sabotage the peace treaty, isn''t he?! Well, he can''t stop me! It''s going to happen whether he likes it or not! I need to investigate further. But if the Black Roses are gone, does that mean the Kings Slayer is dead? No, there''s no way a Dark Elf could take down the most dangerous assassin on the continent. But this Wood Elf possesses the Crown and the Sword of her Ancestors... If she is who she claims to be, then this Dark Elf is a Princess, eligible to marry the Crown Prince,'' Duval thought as he looked at the Wood Elf, who glared back at him.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. The Prime Minister''s mind raced as he tried to understand how the King could conceal something as significant as the death of the Black Rose Mercenaries and the fall of their leader from him. He suspected it was related to the King''s efforts to derail the Peace Treaty. However, he would need to confront him later, as he had a more urgent matter to address. , he the ou Yuliana''s anger flared, but Nieren and Rya quickly sprang into action, grasping her hands with reassuring warmth. "Are we finally done interrupting this session? Excellent! Now, where was I? Ah, yes..." Duval''s voice rose, resonating with authority. "For the safety of our Kingdom, I propose we expel Lady Rya Vellanax from our lands! We cannot allow her presence to threaten the delicate peace between our people and the Alliance. Its time for her to seek her fate elsewhere!" A ripple of murmurs surged through the gathering, voices swirling with speculation and concern. Quinus narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the Major Nobles assembled in the grand hall. He could feel the tension in the air, each noble''s reaction a potential clue to the shifting tides of loyalty and dissent. I second that notion! Sebastian exclaimed, his voice rising above the murmurs of the room. With a decisive bang, Duval struck the gavel against the polished wood of the table, the sound echoing through the assembly hall. The motion has received secondary approval, he announced, his tone firm and authoritative. We will now enter into deliberation before proceeding to a vote. He lifted his gaze, scanning the expectant faces around the room. Earl Nathaniel Valerian, the floor is yours, Duval declared, gesturing with a nod toward the dignified figure seated at the front. Murmurs of approval spread through the assembly like a gentle wave, but Duval''s expression turned stern. The corners of his mouth tightened in an unmistakable show of discontent. He had never anticipated that Nathaniel would stand by his side, yet the unexpected solidarity only deepened his disappointment. The Earl, a figure of both authority and charisma, spoke up with a measured tone that carried across the chamber, What if we grant her a month or two? After all, she is his betrothed. Let her prove herself to the court, he proposed, his gaze sweeping over the gathered nobles. Quinus felt a swell of gratitude and relief settle in his chest. Earl Nathaniel, King Cyndre''s steadfast confidant and best friend, had come to his aid without a word of warning, a gesture that reflected the unbreakable bond of brotherhood forged over the years. Their growing friendship served as a sanctuary amidst the turbulence of court politics, a lifeline in moments of uncertainty. Meanwhile, Duval''s jaw clenched, the tension in his body radiating like a coiled spring. He masked his frustration with a veneer of stoicism, refusing to reveal even a hint of vulnerability before the Council. In this game of power and influence, showing weakness was not an option. Sebastian nodded with a composed confidence. "My esteemed Council members and Lords," he began, his voice resonating through the chamber, "before us stands a Lady of a particularly perilous raceespecially the female dark elves. They are infamous for their enchanting prowess, charming men to bend to their will. I propose we return her to her homeland, where she can reign as a Queen of the forest, far from our Princes influence. As his words hung in the air, a wave of support surged from Duvals aides, clapping and cheering with fervor. Duval felt a surge of satisfaction. It felt like the tide was turning in his favor. "Lord Eamon Stirling, the floor is yours," Duval announced, his voice echoing through the tense council chamber. Eamon rubbed his chin thoughtfully, hesitation flickering across his face. The weight of the moment pressed down on him. After a brief pause, he spoke up, Honestly, I struggle to know what more to say. I find myself in agreement with the Prime Minister. There remains uncertainty surrounding the prince''s relationship with this Dark Elf. Is he merely enchanted, or perhaps even cursed? He turned to Crown Prince Quinus, a hint of regret in his eyes. Forgive me, your Highness, but as a Lord in this House, I cannot cast my vote in favor of herespecially considering our promise to unite you with Princess Hilda Stoneworthh. Its nothing personal, I assure you. Quinuss hands clenched into fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. It felt as if he was fighting an uphill battle. "Its alright... I see your point, he replied, his voice surprisingly calm despite the storm within. But I swear she''s done nothing to me. What if she proves herself? One day, I will wear the crown. Dont you trust my judgment to make the right choice? Quinus asked, a note of desperation creeping into his tone. The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air as the council considered the future of their kingdom. His voice carried the weight of determination, and the council chamber fell silent. The stakes were higher than ever. Its not just about trust, Your Highness, Eamon replied, his voice steady but laced with urgency. The safety of our Kingdom hangs in the balance. Shes not one of us; shes a being beyond our understanding. Why would she care for a race that views her as nothing more than a threat? Quinus inhaled deeply, stealing a glance at his fiance, Rya. She sat with an air of calm confidence as though she had anticipated this moment all along. ''How can she be so composed? Quinus wondered, feeling a rush of uncertainty wash over him as he turned to his council for support. They exchanged uneasy glances, clearly lacking the resolve he had hoped for. He had believed he could sway Baron Eamon, but it seemed the baron remained staunchly opposed to Rya, with Baron Thaddeus poised to follow suit. Lord Thaddeus Windermere, the floor is yours, Duval announced, his voice cutting through the tension. Thaddeus, a man in his late thirties, was the youngest member of the House of Lords yet lacked a formal ministry position. His brow furrowed as he addressed the assembly. I''ve never been fond of dark elves, he declared, glancing pointedly at Rya. Im not sure what brings this Lady here today, but I cannot ignore the potential threat she poses. If theres even a whisper of a secret plot among the dark elves, we must act swiftly. And as betrothed to our future king, she wields considerable influencean influence we cannot afford to be undermined. You arent even a member of this Council, Lady Rya, he retorted, his voice laced with irritation. You shouldnt be here. Avoiding the question, are we? Rya shot back, her tone sharp. Quinus exchanged a glance with Thaddeus, a silent warning etched in his expression: dont say anything foolish. The Baron understood the unspoken messageRya wasn''t leaving anytime soon. Thaddeus let out a weary sigh, his gaze piercing into Rya. "We can''t trust you," the Baron declared, his voice steady as a rock. "You''re a dark elf." Rya leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Listen, I know I have my flaws, but everywhere I go, people love to blame me for things I havent done. Take this so-called Charm spell, for instance. If I really had it, wouldn''t I have used it on you by now? It would certainly make my life a lot simpler," she asserted, her voice steady. The Baron opened his mouth to retort, but the words faltered. He had no valid counterargument. Perhaps you have a point, he admitted after a moment, his brow knitting with concern. But I cant rely solely on your words; I need concrete proof of your trustworthiness. Rya tilted her head, curiosity glimmering in her expression. And what exactly would convince you, Baron Thaddeus? A smirk played at the corners of Thaddeus''s lips as he shook his head, a hint of admiration breaking through his guarded demeanor. Thats the million-gold-piece question, isnt it? Honestly, Im not sure what you could do to change my mind... But when you do, Ill be certain to let you know, Lady Rya. Then I accept the challenge, she replied, her confidence radiating like a torch in the darkness. Rya''s gaze drifted to William before settling on the intricate map at the center of the round table. The detailed carving depicted the Fiafyr Kingdom and its neighboring realms, bringing the territories to life. Her eyes fell upon the Viscount''s domain, a slender stretch of land labeled the Silverhaven Coast Domain. It evoked thoughts of the country of Chile back on Earth, with its elongated shape stretching precariously across the map. However, Silverhaven Coast was far smaller and comparable in size to the state of Vermont. Rya frowned slightly, grappling with the challenge of visualizing the geography without her usual points of reference. Yet, at that moment, exact measurements and comparisons faded in importance. All that mattered was her hope that the two Barons would recognize the merit of her plan to disrupt Williams deep control over the Kingdoms maritime trade. Rya turned sharply to face the Viscount, her expression challenging. "I dont see the appeal here. You boast about two port cities, yet Ive heard theyre languishing in neglect. If those ports cant even support the kingdom''s trade, what else do you bring to the table? And lets be honestarent your farmers seething over those exorbitant tariffs just for the privilege of using your ports?" How dare you! The Viscount sputtered, indignation spilling from his lips. I am a Major Noble Earl Nathaniel, Rya interjected smoothly, locking her gaze onto him. What do you and your farmers actually pay for shipping your goods out of your lands? Nathaniel''s lips curved into a knowing smile as he replied, Trade with the northern kingdoms is beneficial tariffs there hover around ten to fifteen percent. Yet here, were slapped with fifty to sixty percent just to access the Viscounts ports. Duval, taken aback by the shift in the conversation, glanced around the room, desperate to regain control. He needed to steer the discussion back on track and dismiss the Dark Elf, preferably sooner rather than later. William How do you vo Baron Eamon? Ryas voice rang out, interrupting the Prime Minister. I believe I heard from my fiance that you hold the title of Minister of Trade and Commerce. The nobleman lifted his gaze from the cluttered table, a skeptical eyebrow arching at the Dark Elf before him. "I am... Why do you inquire?" he asked, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. "What are the import costs flowing through William''s ports? And what volume of goods and resources are coming in from the other kingdoms?" Rya pressed, her tone sharp yet measured. "Id need to scour the reports for that," he replied, exasperation seeping through. "But mark my words, the Viscount has a knack for renegotiating agreements right as the ships dock. Were talking tariffs that can jump by thirty to forty percent overnight! Its utterly maddening when he pulls these stunts. Not to mention theres often a backlog of essential goods just waiting off the coast, all because he refuses to budge." "That''s absurd! Im merely adjusting for the market!" William shot back, his tone sharp. "As the minister of trade, you should recognize that we must adapt! If we slash tariffs and taxes, how do you expect me to keep the ports running?" "And if the market refuses to bend to your whims, you''ll be left with a restless populace, yearning for goods they can''t obtain," Rya countered, her patience wearing thin. "Pfft! As if I care what the commoners think! They should just do their jobsor return to the hovels they crawled out of." Rya felt a wave of disdain wash over her; Williams sense of entitlement grated on her nerves. Yet she sensed that the conversation was veering precisely where she''d intended. Duval shifted uneasily, sensing the tension in the air. He needed to get things back on track. Whose territory is this? Rya interrupted, her finger poised over a kingdom on the southeastern border of Fiafyr. It sprawled alongside the Azure Sea, its landmass comparable to one of Fiafyr''s own Domains. The map beneath them teemed with detailsroads, cities, and villages. Lord Gawain interjected, his voice steady, Thats the kingdom of Kartoll. A matriarchal society ruled by a powerful royal line of water magesQueens, to be precisewho wield great strength. Gawain nodded and said, "They have a peace treaty with us from when the Alliance formed all those years ago. Queen Nefer Aquarius the 5th is said to be as powerful as her late grandmother, who made the alliance with our great Kingdom. We would come to their aid if the Divine Three invaded their territory, and they would come to our aid if the Divine Three attacked ours." Alaric, enshrouded in a heavy silence that felt like an eternity, locked his piercing gaze onto his nephew, Quinus. It was as if his eyes burned with an intense fire, ready to ignite under the weight of his frustration. His jaw was set tight, and a turbulent storm brewed in the depths of his stormy gray irises. But then, just as the tension reached its peak, he turned his attention to the Dark Elf. At that moment, the realization struck him like a lightning boltshe was poised to harm one of his most invaluable sources of income. A surge of determination coursed through him; he had to intervene before it was too late. Vol.4 Ch.239 That’s A Lot Of Dough. Everyone in the chamber focused intently on Rya as she hurriedly wrote on the parchment, her quill moving swiftly with urgency. The soft murmurs of the audience receded into silence. Each stroke of her pen created an ink trail that mirrored her thoughts, adding a tangible tension to the atmosphere. "By the Goddess! She''s weaving a curse!" one of Duval''s aides shouted, his voice trembling with fear. "If you accuse my fiance one more time, I will send you to the dungeon... Do you hear me?!" Quinus spat as the man slumped down in his seat. "Earl Nathaniel... What are the market prices for your goods?" she inquired, her pen gliding swiftly across the paper. Nathaniel''s heart raced at the unexpected attention, shock flashing across his face for just a moment. Yet, he quickly masked it, determined not to reveal any sign of vulnerability. "The cost for a bale of wheat stands at 60 Fiafyrian silver, while a bale of cotton commands a price of 800 silver pieces," Nathaniel explained with a hint of pride in his voice. "We also grow some specialty crops that our farmers cultivate, but those are only sold within our own Kingdom." Rya nodded thoughtfully, her quill scratching fervently against the parchment as she absorbed every detail. "How much do you export in a year?" she inquired, looking up with keen interest. "Well, our fields yield an impressive 120 million bushels of wheat and 5 million bushels of cotton," Nathaniel replied, a smile spreading across his face as he considered the bounty of their land. Rya leaned in, curiosity piqued. "And how much of that do you manage to ship out through William''s ports?" Nathaniel hesitated, his brow furrowing as he weighed the numbers in his mind. Rya had a glint in her eye as she double-checked her math and entered a variety of percentages for using their neighbor''s port. She envisioned both a best-case and a moderate scenario. She was glad she had asked Zellin Cordforge how his domain generated its income. Rya''s day job back on Earth was as a consultant, a role she had assumed would define her career for the foreseeable future. However, after her unexpected teleportation to the vibrant and dangerous new world of Tertius, everything changed. In the bustling town of Ironside, the relentless demands of her former lifegrappling with BPRs, dissecting Value Stream Mapping diagrams, tracking KPIs, and laboring through endless spreadsheetsbecame distant memories. The tranquility of her new surroundings allowed her to breathe deeply, shed the weight of corporate jargon, and embrace a simpler existence. Rya never expected to enjoy returning to her old way of life, yet a small part of her had longed for the challenge. As a consultant, she could apply the knowledge she had gained from her work in a way that felt more meaningful, impactful, and far more interesting. She had never viewed herself as a businessperson, but the more she learned, the more everything seemed to fall into place. Plus, she didn''t want her MBA to go to waste, even though she no longer needed to pay back the loansor should we say she couldnt. Baron Thaddeus''s interest piqued when he heard Rya inquire about one of his cities, while Duval felt irritation that his emergency meeting was being overshadowed. He was ready to cut in on the Dark Elf until he noticed something unusual. As he scanned the room for clues on council members'' allegiances, he usually overlooked Alaric and his supporters, who constantly hindered him. However, from his peripheral vision, he observed Williams expression of concern or confusion, paired with Alarics evident discomfort. After a moment of scrutiny, Duval concluded that Alaric was attempting to undermine this discussion. Duval remembered only once seeing Alaric so defeated: when his assassin turned against him and eliminated all his spies within the palace. King Cyndre''s fury had erupted when Alaric tried to murder Quinus as a baby, leading him to contemplate immediate execution. At that time, Duval feared that executing the Arch Duke would ignite an uprising among the Minor Noble Families. He believed that a civil war would undoubtedly provoke an invasion from neighboring kingdoms. Thus, Duval devised a swift strategy to sway the King''s decision and punish Alaric by depleting his wealth and imposing a ten-year wage garnishment. He was certain that if Alaric lost all his fortune and title, the minor nobles would rally to his cause, and both Alaric and his son would forfeit their claim to the throne, causing Alaric''s supporters to gradually abandon him. Duval was convinced that his elaborate plan was impeccable, a carefully crafted scheme that would surely sway the loyalties of the Minor Nobles. However, to his utter dismay, a majority of them remained steadfastly loyal to the Duke, resisting the allure of the substantial bribes he dangled before themmoney drawn directly from Alaric''s own coffers. It became one of the most significant blunders of his life, an unexpected turn of events that left him reeling. In hindsight, he realized he should have anticipated this outcome; the Minor Nobles had always shown disinterest in his cause, preferring the stability and prestige that came with their allegiance to the Duke. ''Well. Well. Well... Is the great and ever-smug Alaric nervous about something?'' Duval thought to himself, trying his best not to smile. ''Maybe I''ll take whatever this Dark Elf has to offer, and then we can vote her out of the kingdom... I mean, the whole point of this emergency meeting was to prevent Terenthiel and the Divine Three from knowing that a Dark Elf was here in the first place... And the cat''s out of the bag now... So, I might as well let this detour run its course... and see if she can help me or not. In the best-case scenario, Alaric and his allies finally lose their leverage within the kingdom... And the worst case? Well? Kicking her out of the kingdom might just take a day longer.''Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. "You''re correct, your lordship. We used Gilduirn to store the purple slag and other raw metals that we ship to the southern Domains. However, we don''t have many agricultural goods stored there due to the food production in the Berger Domain. Still, I don''t think storing more goods in Gilduirn would be an issue," Young Lord Johan Dule said. Rya looked at the map again to locate Berger Domain. It was directly south of the Royal Maldurian Domain, which they were in. Rya was brought out of her thoughts when Nathaniel said, "That''s good to hear. Then, I believe the next destination for transporting the goods would be the City of Fidelia, located on the southeast side of the Silverglade Enclave. Fidelia has the Eder River running through it, and it is the biggest river that can support a ship carrying goods downstream through the Tharsult Domain to the city of New Larna." Rya paused briefly, allowing the weight of Nathaniel''s words to settle in her mind. She took a deep breath, before asking her question. "That''s perfectly fine, Thaddeus... But could you please show me a little more respect?" Prince Quinus said, his voice tinged with slight annoyance. disembark at New Larna, and then they will go through the Kartoll Kingdom to the seaport of Cresmond... This will not only be beneficial to the kingdom but will strengthen the relationship between the Kartoll Kingdom and us," Rya said as she finished scribbling down the numbers and estimated profits. ''Is he acting dumb, or is he just an idiot? All that jerk knows is how to pray and try to kill non-humans. If anyone is pitiful, it''s him.'' Rya pretended to be amazed when she heard that. "Sorry... I must be ignorant, but what''s the difference between a forced donation and being taxed?" "It seems you lack the ability to negotiate when no one fears you, Terenthiel. You came in here thinking you could push us around because of your Paladin. But now that everyone realizes we are stronger than you, that fear has vanished. Let me remind you that the only reason youre still here is that the Prime Minister allowed it. Otherwise, you and your Paladin would have been kicked out a long time ago," Quinus said in a bored and indifferent tone. Duval felt a tightening knot of panic in his stomach as the Crown Prince''s ominous words echoed in his ears, hinting at the onset of war with the Alliance. He had been anxiously watching, waiting for Rya to unleash her financial strikes against William, but now Quinus was poised to draw swords instead of coins. The stakes had never been higher, and the impending chaos threatened to engulf them all. Duke Alaric found himself in a perilous game, desperately seeking a way to thwart the Dark Elf who threatened to unravel his allys standing. William had been his lifeline, supporting him through the financial turmoil that followed after the disastrous assassination attempt on his own nephew. Now, Alaric understood that he needed to provoke Quinus into revealing weaknessenough to make the other nobles doubt the Crown Prince and rally against this insidious Dark Elf. His most potent leverage lay in a tragic secret: the death of his only son, Marcus. Alaric suspected that Duval and Sebastian were aware of his son''s fate, yet the other Major Nobles remained blissfully ignorant. So, he set to work, plotting a strategy to plant seeds of doubt within their minds. His goal was clear: to depict his nephew as an ambitious tyrant, a puppet manipulated by the Dark Elf. If he could twist the narrative just right, he might just turn the tide of power in his favor. And so Alaric finally saw his opportunity to strike. All he needed to do was get under his nephew''s skin and, in the heat of the moment, claim he had evidence to support his lies. He just needed Quinus to lash out to make him appear guilty, which wasn''t much of a problem since getting under people''s skin was one of his talents. Vol.4 Ch.240 Alaric’s Rival. Alaric leaned forward in his sturdy oak chair, the leather creaking softly beneath him. He narrowed his gaze at his nephew across the polished table. A tension-filled silence enveloped the room, heightening the anticipation. Their eyes locked in a fierce stare-down, and both men steeled themselves for the confrontation ahead. What has become of you, my nephew? Alarics voice dripped with disdain as he confronted the young ruler. Youve transformed in ways that send chills down my spinefor the future of our kingdom hangs in the balance. First, you allowed yourself to be claimed as a concubine by that Dark Elf, and now, youve taken it upon yourself to eliminate anyone you perceive as a threat to your throne. Your thirst for blood has spiraled out of control, and I can no longer stand idly by while you plunge us into darkness. Quinus'' head jerked towards his uncle, a fiery glint igniting in his golden eyes. "Bloodlust!? If you have something to accuse me of, Uncle, then speak it!" he snarled, the venom in his voice unmistakable. "So your cousin means so little to you that youve already forgotten you ordered his murder in the Tomb of the Horde?... You used the threat of the monster stampede that would have swept across the west of our kingdom to conceal the fact that you are a murderer, nephew. Not only did you have your new pet eliminate our spies, but you also ordered the death of those whose views don''t align with yours. Marcus has been nothing but loyal and kind, yet he was killed by your retainer out of baseless fear that he might be a potential heir to the throne? Tell me, my Prince, what are we supposed to believe?" Alaric said in an accusatory tone. Most of the major nobles who were unaware gasped at the accusation. Johan, Count Sebastian, Viscount William, and Marquess Duval were the only ones who remained unresponsive to the claims. Princess Hilda felt a knot in her stomach after hearing Alaric''s accusation. She knew she shouldn''t jump to conclusions, but her mind was racing through the worst-case scenarios. She was supposed to marry this man, and she didn''t want to be tied to a monster. But then an idea crossed her mind. ''It has to be the Dark Elf''s fault... That''s why the Divine Three chose me to marry him. I need to save him more than ever,'' Hilda thought. She couldn''t allow Quinus to continue on the path of a madman. She was prepared to do whatever it took to save the Prince, even if it meant committing a sin. This could involve revealing more skin, flirting, or even kissing him to ensure he understood he was safe with her. ''I''ll be the light to guide him away from the darkness of that Dark Elf! It''s up to me to save him before it''s too late.'' Quinus felt a surge of fury coursing through him, his eyes igniting with a fierce glow as Alaric''s words cut deep. The mention of Marcus stirred a tidal wave of resentment within hima man who had turned his back on Quinus and his loyal soldiers, leaving them to face a relentless onslaught of goblins and hobgoblins alone. This was a man who had sacrificed lesser nobles for his own ambitions, all in a twisted effort to rid himself of Quinus once and for all. The very thought fueled his rage as he prepared to lunge at his uncle, the weight of betrayal hanging heavily in the air. ''Yes!... That''s it, nephew!... Come at me with all your anger! I will put an end to this farce, and you will be labeled a tyrant who needs to be removed,'' Alaric thought eagerly as he waited for Quinus to lash out. Just as Quinus was about to unleash his frustration on his uncle, he felt a gentle squeeze around his right hand. It was Rya, her touch grounding him in the moment. He turned to face her, and there it wasa warm, reassuring smile that seemed to melt away his anger. "I love it when your eyes shine so brightly," Rya whispered softly, ensuring only Quinus could hear her. Quin inhaled deeply, and in an instant, the fiery intensity in his eyes softened. A mischievous smirk emerged, replacing his earlier fervor with a captivating charm. "Let me take care of your uncle," Rya murmured, her voice a soothing balm against the tension in the air. Quin met her gaze with an unwavering look, a quiet understanding passing between them before he nodded. Ryas hand found his, giving it a reassuring pat, and then her eyes drifted over to Alaric. His confident posture faltered just a fraction, a flicker of surprise crossing his face at the sight of his nephew so calm and composed. "Well, now... Those are mighty big claims, Duke... But is that the question you really want to be asking?... Isn''t there something that is plaguing your mind?" Rya asked in a sultry voice. Alaric locked eyes with the Dark Elf as he tried to figure out what was her game. ''She thinks she can outsmart me?... This little whore doesn''t know who she''s dealing with,'' Alaric thought with an internal smirk. "So you aren''t denying that the Crown Prince murdered my son!" Alaric said, trying to play up his anger. Rya arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips as she dismissed his claim with an air of indifference. She wouldnt allow him to spin this narrative, no matter how desperate he seemed. Are you curious about why I chose Quinus over Marcus? Rya asked, her gaze locking onto the Dukes stormy gray eyes, searching for any flicker of understanding. Alaric froze, his mind racing with possibilities, caught off guard by her unexpected challenge. ''She knows!?... No!... This little whore is trying to distract me from my goals,'' Alaric thought as he regained his composure. "Ive heard you have a way with words and people. I can see why Quinus likes you. Your looks are quite alluring, but I see through your charms, demon," Alaric spat out. Rya tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "My, my, my... I see the resemblance between you and your son... It''s unmistakable," Rya stated in a soft voice. Alaric''s blood pressure rose at the mention of his deceased son. She was one of the few people who could get under his skin with her wit and sharp tongue. Normally, his anger flared when his subordinates failed to complete tasks he assigned them, or when his plans unraveled because someone interfered with his schemes. But she was on an entirely different level. She wasn''t intimidated by him at all. She was a powerful mage, a healer, and she had the Prince''s heart in her grasp. She transformed the toothless lion that Alaric loved to taunt into a creature with teeth stronger and sharper than steel. If only she had chosen Marcus. If only she had chosen the true heir to the throne. If only his plans hadn''t crumbled, then Marcus would still be alive and better than ever. Marcus would have been named the next heir, and everything would have been right if she had only chosen him. And what is it that you see? Alaric inquired, his voice barely concealing a simmering anger. Rya, unfazed, leaned back in her chair, a cryptic smile playing on her lips. Everyone in the chamber was quiet as they listened to every word Rya spoke. "I thought it was a miracle that we survived, but I didn''t realize the effects of mana exhaustion... My friend turned to dust right in my arms... It''s a sight I pray I never have to see again... However, after I regained my composure, I realized I didn''t know where I was... Just stranded in a forest filled with goblins... It turned out that I was teleported right next to the Tomb of the Horde. After being chased by countless goblins, I somehow fell through a hole in the ground and landed in an underground lake, part of the labyrinth... My only goal was to escape the labyrinth and survive... But as I roamed the tunnels trying to avoid the goblins, was when I first witnessed the Royal Party sent to deal with the Dungeon Core... At the time, I was hiding in the shadows when I first saw Quinus and his two retainers, Sir George and Percy, in the front... And then there was Marcus with his three Mercenary Bodyguards... "Quinus and his men were engaged in battle against a relentless group of goblins, while Marcus and his crew appeared indifferent, merely waiting for something to happen. Initially, I was unconcerned, viewing them as a potential distraction for the goblin horde, allowing me to escape to the surface easily. However, as I observed the fight, everything changed when one of Quinus'' retainers was injured. This moment pulled Quinus'' focus away from the battle to protect his comrades right when Marcus chose to act. He abandoned Quinus and his men to face the horde alone, but Quinus proved his strength by wielding his enchanted sword to vanquish the goblins. The level of destruction he caused was unlike anything I had ever witnessed. His actions embodied bravery, loyalty, and kindness..." The room was quiet as the members took in the new information. "Quin and his men would have died when a few hobgoblins hiding in the stalactites jumped on top of them while their guard was down. I tried to tell myself to stay out of strangers'' problems, but I couldn''t bear to watch innocent men die. So, I emerged from the shadows and eliminated the remaining hobgoblins, saving their lives. It was the best choice of my life; I just didn''t know it at the time. Anyway, I changed my mind about leaving the labyrinth and decided to tag along with the party to destroy the core. It didn''t take long to catch up to Marcus and what remained of his bodyguards. That was when I got a good look at Marcus and discerned what kind of man he was. It''s similar qualities that I see in you, Alaric..."Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. The Duke clenched his jaw and tried not to make any sudden moves. "When Marcus and his only surviving bodyguard were disarmed, Marcus, with his Achilles tendon cut and his arm severed, looked at Quinus... begging for mercy... It was at that moment that I truly understood who he was... weak, cowardly, stupid, disloyal, and worst of all... a traitor..." Rya said, disgust evident in her voice. Alaric''s heart raced with a fury he had never experienced as he absorbed Rya''s words. The heat of anger coursed through him, and his vision blurred at the edges, the world around him fading to a crimson haze. "Marcus played foolish games, and he lost his head because of it... That''s why I chose Quinus. He''s a man of honor and loyalty. A man I can trust to be with me forever... Plus, I''m a sucker for a man with golden eyes," Rya smirked as she glanced at her fianc. Rya didn''t realize that her latter comment struck a deep chord within Alaric. That was one of the main reasons he lost his claim to the throne. He didn''t possess the Meredydd golden eyes that all Meredydds were meant to have. Instead, he inherited his mother''s gray eyes, and the court at the time considered him a bastard child. Once his younger brother was born with golden eyes, they swiftly declared Cyndre as the next in line and the true heir to the throne. The armrest of his chair creaked ominously under the pressure of his tightening grip, each crack echoing his rising frustration. He was on the verge of an eruption, a storm brewing within him, but he couldnt afford to let her claim victory. She would not triumph over him this time. Not ever. "What? Are you okay, Duke?" Rya asked in a teasing tone as Alaric looked like a steaming tea kettle. Alaric cleared his throat and tried not to give in. "I''m not fine," he said through gritted teeth. Rya raised an eyebrow, inching closer with a mischievous smile. "Oh? And whats got your feathers all ruffled?" "Because you claim my son is a traitor, yet you have presented no evidence to support this. My son would never act dishonorably," he said with conviction. Alaric... Where''s the evidence that shows he isn''t a traitor? The fact that you even have to ask is proof enough for me that he is a traitor..." Alaric''s right eye twitches uncontrollably, a subtle but persistent spasm that reveals his struggle to stay composed. The tension in his brow deepens, and he feels the weight of rage pressing against his chest, even as he forces himself to take a steady breath. "You can''t argue with facts. And the fact that you are a convicted traitor speaks for itself. You tried and failed to kill Quinus in the past, and your son failed in the future... The only difference is that you somehow still have your head attached to your shoulders, unlike your son... I don''t know how the fates haven''t caught up with you yet..." Rya said, tilting her head and smirking. Duval wore a nervous smirk because he was the one who had accidentally saved Alaric''s life all those years ago. Alaric finally lost it and slammed his hand on his desk. He was about to yell when Duchess Leandra had her own outburst. "You lying, little bitch! You murdered my son!" Leandra roared from the audience. "Oh, you are a feisty one, aren''t you?" Rya smirked at the noblewoman, who stood up from her seat, causing a commotion around her as everyone was murmuring to themselves. "Calm down, Duchess Leandra. Please, have a seat. We don''t need you acting hysterical in front of the court," the Prime Minister yelled while banging his gavel. "If it makes you feel any better, your son didn''t suffer," Rya said as she made Leandra look her way with a glare. "How dare you!" Leandra was about to walk down the steps onto the chamber floor, but her husband stopped her. "Now isn''t the time, my dear. Don''t play into her game. She wants us to lose our composure... The court has been waiting for this day. They want us to fall," Alaric said with an angry tone. "I hate this," Leandra said, her lip quivering. She yearned for revenge for her son''s death, and this Dark Elf mocked Marcus, even though his treachery was undeniable. "We can''t discuss it here with them listening. Elves ears are much sharper than ours, remember?" Alaric whispered to her. "You can say whatever you like, Duke. I won''t mind. I''ll wait till the end of the meeting to respond to your questions if it makes you more comfortable," Rya said as her smirk widened. Both glanced at the smiling dark elf and were shocked to see her ears twitch and her eyes narrow. They realized their whispered words hadn''t gone unnoticed, and if they continued, they would be providing her with the perfect ammunition for their downfall. "Go on... Your secrets are safe with me," she said mockingly. Leandra looked back at her husband and nodded. "Fine," Leandra said as she sat back down next to Hilda. Just as Leandra was about to sit, Duval finally found his gavel and hit it against the table. "Order! I will have order in this chamber! And if Duchess Leandra has another outburst like that, then she will be escorted out of the chambers. Is that clear?" he asked. Leandra looked at the Prime Minister as if he was an idiot. But she stayed silent. Terenthiel leaned over towards Prince Zane and whispered, "This is why women aren''t suited to rule the country." "I can''t tell if they are brave or stupid," Zane replied as he looked at Leandra. "Unfortunately, it''s a mixture of both... Tell them that they are fat, and they get angry, tell them they are skinny, and they get angry because they starve themselves... They''re unreasonable creatures that can''t be trusted," Terenthiel replied. Leandra was glaring at Rya while she turned her head to the other two wood elves in the audience. At first, she thought nothing of it. That was until she noticed how the blonde elf was looking at her nephew. It was the gaze of a girl who had fallen in love. "Now that Ive dealt with the concerns of one religious idiot and the traitor, let''s wrap up our discussion about the trade deal, shall we?" Rya interrupted the Prime Minister again, smiling kindly while being glared at by Terenthiel and Alaric. Duval felt a surge of irritation as the Dark Elf cut him off yet again. He was on the verge of bringing his gavel down with force when a voice broke through the tension. "Im quite curious about the numbers," Lord Johan interjected smoothly, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "What do you think, Earl Nathaniel?" As the Earl stroked his chin thoughtfully, he couldnt help but smirk at the sight of the Prime Minister, whose discomfort was practically palpable. Nathaniel reveled in the spectacle, enjoying the moment far too much. "I see no reason not to hear the rest. Lord Eamon, as the Minister of Trade and Commerce, do you want to discuss the trade deal?" Nathaniel asked. Eamon sensed the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him as he pondered the intricacies of the situation. His domain''s finances had stagnated alarmingly, a consequence of Duval''s steadfast decree forbidding him from taxing the goods flowing from the prosperous Berger Domain. This decision had led to a significant loss of revenuemoney that was desperately needed. If he couldn''t secure a new source of income soon, both he and his domain would face dire consequences. As he considered the prospect of a trade deal with the Earl, a glimmer of hope ignited within him. Such an arrangement could provide the lifeblood his domain so sorely needed to revive its faltering economy. He wondered: why shouldn''t he entertain the possibility of this alliance? Duval shot Eamon a piercing glance, an unspoken warning to abandon this reckless line of thought. But Eamon, resolute and undeterred, chose to follow his own path. Turning his attention to Nathaniel, he spoke with a calm urgency, "Let''s make this quick... We have other matters to discuss." In that moment, Duval felt a surge of despair, almost wanting to cry out in frustration as he watched his closest ally defy him, putting the fragile balance of power at risk for the sake of this fleeting opportunity. Vol.4 Ch.241 Changing Tides. Baron Eamon leaned forward, his piercing gaze fixed on Rya across the polished oak table. "Could I take a look at the figures?" he inquired, his voice steady and clear. "I prefer to understand how the numbers will impact our interests." Ryas lips curled into a knowing smile as she gracefully handed the document to Lord Gawain, who was standing behind her. He accepted it, then made his way toward Nathaniel, eager to have the calculations verified before the meeting proceeded further. The Earl grasped the parchment tightly, his brow knitting in concentration as he delved into the intricate figures sprawled before him. Despite the bright light streaming through the skylights, he leaned closer, a flickering candle by his side guiding his older eyes through the maze of numbers. The soft glow danced around him, casting gentle shadows that highlighted the lines of his face, revealing the intensity of his scrutiny. "Youre welcome to correct any errors if I miscalculated, Lord Nathaniel," Rya said, her voice calm and encouraging as she observed the Earls examination with an attentive eye. Engrossed in the task at hand, Nathaniel didnt notice her focused gaze. His attention was solely on the numbers, which danced across the page in a complex ballet of trade implications. He had to concede that the Dark Elfs diligence shone through in her calculations; every figure was precisely aligned, reflecting the intricate dynamics of the proposed trade deal. After a brief pause, a subtle smile graced the Earl''s lips, hinting at an unexpected intrigue. ''She was very accurate... Hmmm... It seems that this Dark Elf is not merely a power-hungry woman... No, she possesses an intellect that is quite rare. She could prove to be an invaluable asset to the Kingdom... I only hope that the Meredydd line does not wither away with Quinus,'' Nathaniel pondered, his thoughts swirling with the weight of his responsibilities. Gently, Nathaniel placed the meticulously written paper on the table, sliding it purposefully toward Lord Johan. The young lord caught the page deftly, his brows furrowing as he scanned the contents. "Does 3.5% work for your domain, Young Lord Johan?" Nathaniel inquired, his voice steady yet carrying an undercurrent of anticipation. Johan read the document meticulously, nodding slowly as he recognized the fairness of the offer. He felt a swell of confidence; his father would undoubtedly endorse this trade deal. "Yes. My father would certainly agree to this arrangement, provided the other Lords consent to the tax rate; then we would gladly accept the terms," he replied, sliding the page to his right so that Baron Thaddeus might examine it. Thaddeus''s eyes darted over the text quickly. At first, his expression was a frown, the weight of the numbers weighing heavily on him. Yet, as he delved deeper into the figures, surprise sparked in his gaze, causing his brows to arch upward in astonishment. With a cautious look, he raised his head to meet Nathaniel''s steady glare, only to be cut off by the Earl''s firm voice. "3.5% Thaddeus..." the Earl stated, his tone unwavering and authoritative. Thaddeus seated opposite him, felt the weight of the numbers pressing down on him, a hint of defeat flickering in his eyes. "But why won''t you consider a 5% tax rate like the other Lords in the north?" he implored his tone a mixture of desperation and hope. "Because I lack confidence in your ability to transport my goods to the Kartoll Kingdom," Nathaniel replied, his gaze steady and unwavering. His words hung in the air, thick with the implications of trust and reliability, as he continued, "This will be the first time I utilize your cities for this purpose." Thaddeus glanced at the document again with a pained expression. He really could use the income, but he wasn''t sure if he could handle the influx of goods coming into his cities. Rya saw the look, and she knew what could help Thaddeus agree to the terms. "Lord Thaddeus," she interjected, her voice calm yet persuasive, "If this partnership flourishes and your cities prove capable of housing and distributing the Earl''s goods, then it is highly likely that he will consider increasing the volume he sends your way. Wouldn''t you agree, Lord Nathaniel?" She turned her gaze to the Earl, seeking his confirmation. A glimmer of amusement danced in Nathaniels eyes, the corners of his mouth quirking up in a subtle smile. "Why would I increase the quantity of goods I ship to Kartoll, Miss Rya?" he queried, an eyebrow arched, intrigued. Her words hung in the air, filled with a palpable sense of possibility, as they all considered the future that lay before them. "Indeed, Lady Rya, you''re perceptive," he replied, his tone a blend of admiration and caution. "The Kingdom of Marn to the North is the only one still purchasing my goods at market value. However, theyve set a cap on their orders, clearly frustrated by how much of their gold flows into our coffers. Their discontent is understandable, especially considering their crops have struggled under the harsh, dry conditions plaguing their lands. This has only escalated the tension between our two kingdoms. But you are correct about the surplusI must find more avenues to move it." Ryas brow furrowed as she posed her next question, a dangerous glint in her eye. "If Lord Thaddeus can demonstrate that his domain can transport your goods with minimal losses, how much would you be prepared to dispatch his way?" Both Thaddeus and Johan leaned closer, curiosity etched across their faces as they awaited Nathaniels response. "Hmmm... That''s quite a complex question, Lady Rya," Nathaniel mused, his brow furrowing in contemplation. "If we encounter no issues for half a year... then I could consider increasing the output by no more than 100%. But that is the utmost I could promise." Thaddeus, caught off guard, felt his elbow slip from the tables edge and barely managed to halt himself from crashing his face into the polished wood. A look of astonishment washed over him. "Y-you mean double?!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with excitement and disbelief. "Yes, if you can handle the volume, then I will double the amount to 240 million bushels of wheat and 10 million bushels of cotton. And if I have no issues within five years of this agreement, then maybe I might reconsider negotiating the tax rate," Nathaniel answered. Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips as he considered the implications. "If I don''t have to pay the higher taxes to use the Kartoll port cities... then I could certainly manage a 7% tax rate, Prince Quinus," he replied, his tone measured yet confident. Thaddeus''s eyes widened in disbelief, and his sharp intake of breath was almost palpable in the air. "That''s over 193 million silver coins!?" he exclaimed, incredulity lacing his voice. That translates to nearly 193 thousand gold! Thats almost doubling my domain''s profits!" The weight of the numbers hung heavy in the room, and the potential for wealth shimmered like a mirage before them. Thaddeus felt a rush of ambition swell within him, his mind filled with visions of gold and opportunity. However, his reverie shattered like glass as Quinus''s voice cut through the air. Baron Thaddeus felt a momentary void of expression, his features frozen in contemplation as he absorbed Quinuss words. He glanced at Rya, Nathaniel, and the Crown Prince, assessing the unspoken tension in the air. Thoughts raced through his mind as he weighed his options, recalling the years he had spent in the shadows of Marquess Duval. The once-lofty dreams of wealth and power had slowly eroded into the stark reality that Duval''s influence, though still felt in the corridors of power, was waning. No longer the formidable leader he had once been, Duval remained the Prime Minister yet lacked the military clout required to inspire confidence or change. Thaddeus had hoped against hope that Duval would steer the kingdom toward a brighter future, but that promise seemed more like a distant dream. With a heavy heart, he realized that this was one of the most compelling trade offers he had encountered in years, a rare glimpse of opportunity amidst an unforgiving political landscape. He understood then that he could no longer afford to sit idle, passively waiting for a more favorable offer to present itself. The time had come for decisive actionthis was his moment, and he couldn''t let it slip away. With a deep breath to steady himself, Baron Thaddeus glanced at the Prime Minister, whose expression oscillated between fury and frustration, like a storm gathering on the horizon. "Prime Minister... I would like to recast my vote on the emergency session," Thaddeus declared, the gravity of his words slicing through the room. "I''m... I''m changing my vote to present." The chamber erupted in a cacophony of stunned murmurs and gasps as if the very walls of power had trembled under the weight of his decision. Quinus beamed with triumph, his eyes sparkling with victory. He stole a glance at Duval, whose face darkened, the color draining from it as realization set in. "Are you completely certain, Baron Thaddeus Windermere?" Duval said, his voice laced with an unsettling gravity. A deep frown etched across his forehead, casting shadows over his sharp features. "If I were in your position, I would ponder this decision long and hard, weighing every consequence with utmost care." "I have considered it thoroughly, Prime Minister," Thaddeus replied, his tone steady. "I wasn''t aware of Lady Rya''s actions or her resolve to safeguard our future king and kingdom. If she truly harbors nefarious designs, then I will certainly reconsider my vote... But for now, my ignorance compels me to refrain from committing to either side. For the moment, I choose present." Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "I''m merely intrigued by this document, Prime Minister," Eamon interjected smoothly, snatching the paper from Thaddeuss grasp. At first, Eamons expression conveyed boredom, but as his right brow arched and his left eye narrowed, he turned to face Thaddeus, who deliberately averted his gaze. The atmosphere in the room was charged, thick with tension, as he begrudgingly found himself aligning with Thaddeuss critical assessment of the precarious trade deal before them. Baron Eamon set the crinkled parchment down with a deliberate motion, folding his arms tightly across his chest, a physical barrier against the mounting pressure he felt. He wrestled with the weight of his decision looming over him like a dark cloud; the thought of approving the deal gnawed at his conscience. More than anything, he grappled with his steadfast loyalty to Duval. Years ago, he had promised Duval a prestigious seat in the Ministry under the belief that they would ascend to power together. However, that aspiration had become a Sisyphean struggle. He had bent over backward, negotiating fervently to appease Duval. However, with a decade of William undermining his every move as the Trade Minister, the profits for Duvals coalition dwindled to mere coppers. His attempts at safeguarding the Royal family and his own domain had left him feeling hollow and defeated. Around him, the whispers of dissent echoed like ghosts in the shadows. The voices discreetly murmured about Earl Nathaniel, lamenting the unjust stripping of his position when Duval claimed control. Nathaniel had done nothing to merit such a fate other than refusing to support Duvals ascent. In stark contrast to Eamons faltering leadership, Nathaniel had tirelessly improved the lives of his subjects, cementing his domain as one of the most powerful in the entire kingdom. Eamon had once believed he could surpass Nathaniel, but after two and a half decades immersed in a treacherous game of betrayal, insatiable greed, and the relentless quest for power, he now found himself ensnared in a predicament that seemed inescapable. He cared not to witness Nathaniels departure from the Kingdom, yet the looming threat posed by William ensnared him. Viscount William Lysander, once a figure of respect, had become a harbinger of disgrace, racking up scandals that tainted his reputation in the eyes of the court and even the Sovereigns. His actions were increasingly audacious; he would dry dock entire fleets, depriving the ship owners and their weary crews of their hard-earned livelihoods. He would hire laborers only to abandon them without a wage, casting those who dared to resist into the dank, shadowy prisons. And when their voices rose in protest, he would summon the guards, wielding his authority like a weapon, arresting those who dared challenge his tyrannical rule. The grip of corruption tightened around the kingdom, and Eamon found himself at the center of this storm, torn between loyalty and the desperate need for reform. The viscount was tarnishing the Fiafyr Kingdom''s reputation with reckless abandon, and no amount of intervention from Eamon or Duval could rein him in. William, with his grip on the only territory offering direct access to the sea, seemed to operate under a different set of rules. Meanwhile, the other viable port territory was in the hands of Baron Alistair Dravenhartan ally of Duke Alaricleaving the kingdom caught in a web of political turmoil. The King, foreign dignitaries, the Merchant Guild, and rival Noble Houses were all ready to lash out, their patience wearing thin. Then came William''s latest fiasco: a catastrophic fire ravaged a warehouse filled with expensive equipment and a stockpile of food destined for one of Duval''s foreign partners. The damage was devastating. In the past five years, the situation had deteriorated so much that Duval had imposed a demand on all Southern territories: no taxes on his agricultural goods entering their borders. Eamon suspected that the Marquess was quietly amassing fortunes while Duke Alaric endured his punishment, yet now Eamon was left bewildered, watching Duval bleed funds despite being the third wealthiest nobleman in the realm. It felt as if the Prime Minister had donned the rags of a cash-starved peasant overnight. And here was this enticing deal proposed by the Dark Elfone he felt he had no choice but to accept. To refuse would mean surrendering to Duval and risking the very fate of the Fiafyr Kingdom, for which Eamon felt a deep responsibility to protect. This feeling was amplified by his sense of impending war looming on the horizon, and Duval''s eagerness for a peace treaty with the Alliance only heightened Eamons unease. The Prime Minister appeared convinced that such an agreement would erase the Kingdom''s troubles. Yet, Eamons trust in him was dwindling, particularly after witnessing Duvals inability to maintain control during this emergency meeting against the very woman he aimed to expel from the kingdom. With a heavy sigh, Baron Eamon Stirling sat in contemplation. He recognized that his next move could cost him his ministerial position, but the evidence was irrefutable: Duval was an ineffective leader, and the Kingdom could not afford to falter due to his failingseven if it meant stripping him of power. Eamon felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, knowing that the future of their realm hung in the balance. The Prime Ministers words lingered in the air, briefly halting Eamon''s thoughts. Quinus seized the opportunity to steer the Baron away from the Marquess, knowing that one crucial fact weighed heavily on Eamon: his Domain was entirely dependent on the purple slag provided by the dwarves, which was essential for maintaining his farmers'' crops and population. The rugged terrain of his lands struggled to yield as the earth proved a stubborn adversary. However, with the purple slag supplied by Baron Zellin Coldforge and the dwarves, he had managed to initiate farming in areas once deemed impossible for cultivation, transforming his barren fields. Quin suspected that Duval had withheld news about Galfrei Domain''s near demise at the hands of the Black Roses from Eamon And if news of Rya, the revered Saintess, and Savior of Ironside, were to be cast out of the Kingdom, the Galfrei Domain could very well decide to forge its own path as an independent state. The easy flow of fertilizer that had fortified his soil would dry up, leaving Eamons domain even more vulnerable and dependent on the unreliable hands of Duval or Alaric. Quinus, with a glint of cunning in his eyes, recognized that this was his moment. He needed to exploit Eamon''s growing mistrust of Duval. As he observed the storm of conflicting emotions roiling in the Barons expression, he knew that this was the perfect opportunity to turn Eamon against his Prime Minister, setting into motion a chain of events that could alter the fate of their Kingdom forever. Baron Eamon, he began, his voice smooth and calculated, have you been made aware of the situation that unfolded in Ironside over a month ago? I know that Baron Zellin submitted a report to parliament, yet it seems there has been no response from our esteemed Prime Minister. Quinus watched closely, probing the atmosphere for any signs that his instinct was correct. Eamon, Thaddeus, and Nathaniel exchanged puzzled glances, their brows furrowed in confusion, while Alarics expression hardened as he turned to Duval, whose face had drained of color, appearing almost ghostly. The sight was bittersweet for the Duke; he relished every opportunity to witness the Prime Minister''s downfalls, yet it vexed him that this particular failure was orchestrated by his nephew and that woman he regarded as little more than a whore. A tumult of thoughts surged through the Dukes mind, but he struggled to conjure a scheme to thwart his nephew and his harlot, finding himself frustratingly empty of viable options. Meanwhile, William''s mind raced at breakneck speed as he grappled with the impending loss of his most significant source of income, each thought colliding chaotically with the next. In stark contrast, Count Sebastian maintained his stoic demeanor, the hint of disappointment shadowing his gaze as he observed Duval. His heart was heavy at seeing his friend so uncharacteristically panicked. Terenthiel and the other members of the Divine Three, however, seemed entirely unconcerned with the turmoil unfolding around them. Instead, they directed their collective ire towards Rya, their intense glares as potent as daggers, and they all looked like they were trying to make the Dark Elfs head explode, but it never happened. Rya simply smiled at them. Eamons voice broke through the unease. No, my liege, I havent heard of this... Is there something I should be aware of? His calm fa?ade wavered, revealing a flicker of concern. Quinus feigned disappointment, relishing the moment. Well, thats rather unfortunate. You see, the Mercenary Group hired by the Duke and my cousin attempted to seize control of Ironside for themselves. Thats one of the reasons for my extended absence from the capital The room erupted in murmurs and whispers, all eyes snapping to Duval, who could feel the tension coiling around him like a suffocating vine. Is this true? Eamon pressed, his patience thinning. I didnt receive this report or any form of communication from Ironside. I didnt send a report because the issue was dealt w Duval began, but his words stumbled, his mind racing to conjure a convincing retort. The stakes had never felt higher, and Eamon wasn''t taking it anymore. "You didnt think the near capture of Ironside warranted a report?! Or the involvement of the army?!?" Eamons voice rose, frustration boiling over as he locked eyes with the Prime Minister. A collective scoff echoed from Quin and Ryas group, disbelief evident in their expressions. Alaric had one of his patented glares, which he pulled out for special occasions. "Of course not! I hired some of them to be my son''s bodyguards and nothing more. I rid myself of their services once they reported that they failed to protect my son. So whatever they tried to do was of their own accord and none of my concern." The Duke lied. Eamon looked at Rya with wide eyes, a mix of admiration and disbelief, before turning his furious glare back at Duval. Meanwhile, Quinus met his uncle''s steely gaze, which he returned with equal intensity. A silent battle of wills raged between them. "Do you have something to say, nephew? If so, please speak up," Alaric said, his voice steady and commanding as he fixed his attention on the young Prince. A smirk crept across Alarics face, unsettling in its calmness. Bold words, nephew... But I am a loyal servant of the Kingdom. Surely you know better than to believe your dear old uncle would covet the throne for himself. Alaric stayed silent, and although Rya was bluffing, she was closer to the truth than she realized. This made Alaric uneasy about using the Kingdom of Marn to invade the north. If she was part of one of the Royal Armies, they would annihilate anything in their path. Everything he had planned must be put on hold until she was dealt with. Killing her was out of the question because of her healing magic. Breaking them apart was the best option. But that was in a field he was weak in. Alaric needed a woman''s touch, and no other woman could do the job better than his wife, Leandra. He needed to provide her with all the resources she would require to execute her plans. Alaric flashed a sly grin at Rya. "You two really are the perfect couple," he teased, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "It''s almost eerie how you both think alike." Rya shot him a withering glare, sensing the underlying message in his words. His compliment felt more like a cryptic jab, leaving her puzzled and on edge as if she were missing some hidden meaning behind his bemusement. Map of the Kingdom of Fiafyr This is the map of the Kingdom of Fiafyr and its neighboring countries. The Meredydd Royal family rules the Maldurian Domain, and the Capital is the city of Tairal. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Marquess Duval Wrightwood''s land is the Berger Domain. Duke Alaric Revelia''s territory is the Divalo Domain. Count Sebastian Ingham''s territory is the Celestria Hollows Domain. Earl Nathaniel Valerian''s territory is the Aurora Plains Domain. Viscount William Lysander''s land is the Silverhaven Domain. Viscount Octavius Blackwood''s land is the Gloomwood Domain. Baron Zellin Coldforge''s territory is the Galfriei Domain. Baron Alistair Dravenhart''s land is the Veridian Enclave. Baron Johnathan Dule''s territory is the Eder Hills Domain. Baron Thaddeus Windermere''s land is the Tharsult Domain. Baron Eamon Stirling''s land is the Silverglade Enclave. Baron Caldorian Montclair''s territory is the Greenhaven Domain. Baroness Ysandra Fairchild''s territory is the Frostweald Domain. I have the names of cities and major towns in all the domains. I''ll post them when they are relevant. Vol.4 Ch.242 The Turning Point. Eamon turned to Quinus, his brow furrowed in astonishment. "Are you saying that Lady Rya is a... Healer? Like those legendary figures from the history books, who could mend wounds with a touch and breathe life into the weary?" The Baron leaned in closer, captivated by the Crown Prince''s bold claims about Ryas extraordinary healing abilities. Legends whispered of healers long lost to time, their miraculous powers fading into mythyet if Rya''s abilities were genuine, the implications could shift the very fabric of their world. "Indeed... She is a legendary healer capable of mending even the most grievous of wounds, not to mention diseases and curses," Quinus proclaimed, his eyes alight with fervor. "Impossible! Such tales are nothing but myths!" Eamon exclaimed, skepticism lacing his voice. His brow furrowed as he tried to reconcile the fantastic stories with reality. A part of him longed to believe, but he hesitated to place his trust in what he thought might simply be a fanciful yarn. Rya stifled a laugh, amused by Eamon''s obliviousness to her presence. It was as if he had completely forgotten she was sitting right across from him, ready to demonstrate her healing magic. "You do know I''m here, right?" she teased, arching an eyebrow. Eamon flushed, caught off guard. "Oh... Um... My sincere apologies, Lady Rya..." Rya waved it off with a smile. "It''s quite alright. I can understand your skepticism. Not many would believe a healer when she claims to possess such giftsespecially when she''s a dark elf." "You''re far too modest, Rya," Quinus interjected, taking her hand and pressing a gentle kiss to its back. Rya felt a delightful warmth spread through her cheeks at the gesture while Hilda cast a sharp, disapproving glare at Quinus. In contrast, Terenthiel sat in a brooding silence, the wheels in his mind turning as he prepared a devastating retort that would expose this dark elf''s supposed treachery. "Of course, those sub-human dwarves would fall for the likes of you... You must have tricked everyone into believing youre a healer!" Terenthiel shot back, his voice dripping with disdain. "Only the Divine Three can perform true miracles of healing! You must be free of sin and surrender completely to their grace for healing to be bestowed upon you." He believed his words would finally dismantle Rya''s facade. But before Terenthiel could bask in his anticipated victory, Rya sprang to life, her wit quicker than he could fathom. "Oh, so youre saying Im a god?" she retorted, a twinkle of mischief dancing in her eyes. "Wow, thanks for the ego boost! I never thought Id hear that from you of all people. I guess its true what they saydont judge a book by its cover!" She flashed a teasing grin in his direction. "What!? Are you out of your mind? You''re nothing like a god!" Terenthiel''s voice rose, his forehead veins threatening to burst. "But hold on!" Rya continued, clearly enjoying herself now. "You just said, ''As long as you are free of sin and submit to their divine grace, healing will be bestowed.'' That implies I must be a god if I can heal everyone, right?... Well, lucky for you all, Im a benevolent goddess! For those who confess their sins might just find forgiveness through my powers. And trust me, I can be a real softie if the sinner truly repents," she said with a wink. "But don''t let my charming looks fool you; I can be as cruel as any dark deity if the mood strikes me. So, whats it going to be, Prince Terenthiel? Do I grant you forgiveness, or is it time to hand out a few punishments for your many sins?" Her grin was equal parts playful and ominous, the air thick with tension and anticipation. Terenthiel was seething with disbelief. How dare this witch twist his words so effortlessly? The gall of her to mock the Divine Ones! It was infuriating to see her turn his statements on their head, making it seem as if he were proclaiming her a deity. He could no longer remain seated; the time had come to teach this Dark Elf a lesson about respecting her betters. As he rose to his feet and grasped the hilt of his sword, a ripple of tension surged through the assembly. The Royal Knights, watching his every move, stood up in unison, drawing their swords with cold determination, their eyes fixed on Terenthiel. "Hold! What madness is this!?" Duval''s voice boomed, frustration etched across his face as he directed his ire at General Douglas, who remained unfazed, his gaze fixed on the foreign prince. "Prince Terenthiel... I advise you to leave or sit back down," General Douglas replied, his voice chillingly calm against the escalating chaos. "I will not be ordered around by the likes of a common soldier... You are only a knight! I am the fifth son of the Holy Alliance of the Divine Three!" Terenthiel''s defiance boomed through the hall, the arrogance radiating from him like heat from a flame. Douglas straightened, his piercing gaze unwavering. "I''m more than a mere soldier... I was a Royal Knight of the Meredydd Family. I am the General of the Royal Knights of the Kingdom of Fiafyr. And we will put you down even if it means our deaths," General Douglas replied, the gravity of his words hanging thick in the air. In a frantic bid to restore order, Duval fumbled for his gavel, his hands shaking with rage. Once he had it, he began banging it furiously, a desperate attempt to quell the brewing storm. "Douglas!... Your Highness!... Enough of this madness! This is Parliament, the sacred Chamber of Major Lords, not a battlefield!" Duval''s voice boomed, cutting through the chaos as he rose to regain control of the situation. "Why should we sit idly by when he dares insult the Crown Prince and his Fiance in front of all assembled?" Lord Johan shot back, leaping to his feet. His indignation was directed squarely at the haughty prince. "Silence! I demand ORDER, for the love of reason!" Duval yelled, the threat of his frustration palpable amidst the cacophony. "General Douglas, command your knights to stand down! And you, Prince Terenthiel, take your seat this instant! You''re jeopardizing our efforts to unite the Princess and the Prince. You risk tearing apart the peace treaty I fought tooth and nail to secure!" Duval''s words sliced through the room, his tone sharp and unwavering. But NOW!!! Duval''s roar cut through the princes protest like thunder. With a tense motion, Douglas signaled for his knights to lower their weapons. Terenthiel slumped back into his seat, a storm brewing in his gaze. Glaring daggers at everyone around him, the tension still electrified the air. Rya was reveling in the chaos around her, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. She had successfully provoked Duval into an explosive confrontation with his ally, Terenthiel, and that delightful spectacle made all the commotion worthwhile. More importantly, Duval''s fury had left him dazed while Eamon watched her with a mix of intrigue and fascination, as if she were a tantalizing puzzle begging to be unraveled. She was eager to showcase her healing abilities, and fortune smiled upon her when Eamon decided to put her claims to the test. Miss Rya, if you truly are a healer prove it, Eamon requested, an anxious tone lacing his words. Rya arched an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. Hmm?... How can I? No one here has a wound that will make you gasp in awe at my skills, she replied, glancing around the room. Eamon shook his head, determination brightening his gaze. It doesnt have to be anything drastic... Just something that reassures me of your abilities. Intrigued, Rya tilted her head and scrutinized the Baron. A smirk crept across her face as she noticed the flicker of red particles swirling beneath his skin, which wasn''t as simple to see at first glance. She needed a closer look to pinpoint his injuries, and it was being blocked by the table. Alright then Lets make this interesting. Baron Eamon, please stand up, she instructed, a playful lilt in her voice. Eamons eyebrows shot up in surprise at her directness, yet he rose from his chair, trying to exude an air of dignity despite the flutter of nerves in his gut. Rya''s gaze drifted to Eamon''s right knee, where a swarm of red particles swirled ominously. Well, that certainly doesnt look comfortable. I can''t help but wonder what happened to him,'' she pondered, her curiosity piqued. ''Well, that doesn''t look comfortable... I wonder what he did to his right knee to have that many red particles floating around there?'' Rya thought. As she met Eamon''s eyes, she noticed the glistening sweat on his brow, a sign of both discomfort and an inner struggle. A warm smile spread across her face as she stood up from her chair, her intention to offer comfort evident. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. How long have you been dealing with that knee injury? she asked, her tone gentle yet probing. Eamon blinked, momentarily taken aback. How could she know? After all, he had kept the scar of that day buried deep withinnever revealing the story of his encounter with the ferocious Raging Quad Horn, a monster that had wreaked havoc across his homeland. Seven years had passed since that fateful day when he had faced the creature. The memory was etched in his mind: the ground shaking beneath the thunderous hooves, his fellow soldiers rallying to fight back, and the heart-stopping moment when the beast had charged directly at him. His horse, a loyal companion, had been trampled mercilessly, and Eamon had been thrown to the ground. The beast''s front leg had come crashing down onto his right knee, shattering it and leaving him with an injury that would haunt him for the rest of his life. Despite countless potions and remedies, the damage had healed incorrectly, binding him to a constant ache that he masked with practiced ease. How did you know? he asked, vulnerability flickering in his eyes. I have sharp eyes, Rya quipped with a playful smirk, the lightness in her tone contrasting with the weight of his memories. Now, stand still and dont movethis might feel a bit strange. The Dark Elf, Rya, raised her right hand, her eyes fluttering shut as she summoned her mana, weaving it through the air like a delicate thread. Eamon fidgeted nervously, his heartbeat quickening. Wait a min Relax and dont move, she instructed her voice a soothing melody against the tension in the room. As her invisible aura brushed against him, Eamon felt a warmth bloom at his knee. It began as a gentle tickle but swiftly transformed into a remarkable sensation akin to a hundred knuckles cracking all at once. Then, just like that, the pain vanished. Stunned, he turned to Rya, disbelief etched across his face. The room was enveloped in a heavy silence; all eyes were fixed on the two of them, as most of the people wondered if she truly was healing the Baron or if it was some sort of trick. With a graceful movement, Rya opened her eyes, lowering her hand as she settled back into her seat. "There! Youre right as rain, Lord Eamon, she declared, a triumphant smile lighting up her face. Eamon could only stare at her in awe. The doctors had promised hed never walk properly again and might find himself confined to a wheelchair in a decade. Yet here he was, feeling as if a miracle had just unfolded before his eyes. "Y-You truly are a healer?..." Eamon muttered. Quinus chimed in, "Yes, Lord Eamon... If it weren''t for her healing, the Ironside army would have lost two-thirds of its men. She healed all the wounded, even those who had lost their limbs. They regained four-fifths of their forces in just two hours... That''s why the citizens of Ironside see her as their Saintess... If she were expelled by the Major Lords of Fiafyr, then I fear that the Galfrei Domain would leave the kingdom." Eamon felt a tightening pit in his stomach when the Crown Prince uttered those words. The prospect of the Galfrei Domain severing ties with the Kingdom sent waves of unease through him. Losing access to the precious purple slag, a vital fertilizer, would spell disaster for his agricultural endeavors. Without it, his crops would falter, leaving him more vulnerable than ever to Duvals whims. His domain already struggled to produce enough crops to sustain its peoplea precarious situation that could tilt perilously toward ruin. The writing was plainly etched on the wall: Duval was losing his grip, and his fervent wish to stave off war was rapidly becoming a distant hope. Eamon found himself at a crossroads, faced with a decision that bore the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders. On one hand, he could remain loyal to Duval, clinging to the fragile hope that the Prime Minister would steer the Kingdom back to stability. On the other, there was Alaric, who commanded the allegiance of most Minor Nobles, a faction that could ignite a civil war with the slightest provocation. Alaric was sharp-witted and cunning, often seeming to anticipate events even before Duval did. Eamon shivered at the thought of what Alarics rule might look like; the Dukes ambition was as unsettling as it was palpable. Then there was the Royal family and the Crown Prince, a figure who had always exhibited wisdom beyond his years. The rumors surrounding himthe whispers of a Demi-God mana vein coursing through himseemed to hold more than a grain of truth, given the astonishing speed at which he ascended as a Maja. He stopped the monster stampede and Ironside''s invasion with this healer''s aid. Eamons earlier perception of the Prince had been clouded by his innate kindness towards the commoners and lack of support among the nobility. But that view had shifted dramatically; the Prince had revealed an unexpected ferocity when those close to him were threatened, a fierce protectiveness that made Eamon see him in a wholly new light. Quinus, the Crown Prince, wielded strength that surpassed all others, bolstered by his burgeoning confidence in leadership and his growing rapport with the common folk. His charisma radiated like a beacon, outshining Duvals more reserved demeanor. And then there was the Princes enchanting dark elf fiance, a woman whose beauty eclipsed the stars. Her intelligence was sharp as a blade, complemented by her abilities as a healer. Eamon couldnt shake the feeling that the Prince had become a force of nature, more potent than any leader he had ever encountered. Yet, what gnawed at Eamon the most was the uncertainty surrounding the Dark Elf''s intentions. She claimed to be in love with the Prince, but Eamon couldnt help but wonder if this affection was merely a guise for a more sinister ambitionto usurp power after the Crown Prince succumbed to the ravages of time. As an elf, she would find it challenging to bear an heir, and if she did, would the people and nobility accept a half-elf royal as their next king or queen? This brought up another troubling question in his mind: if the Meredydd family line were to end with Quinus, who would challenge her claim to rule Fiafyr? Could anyone challenge her? The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon Eamons mind, a tempest of thoughts swirling in chaotic disarray. He knew he needed to gather the other nobles to discuss these mounting concerns. However, that would have to wait for the moment, as all eyes were fixed upon him, waiting for his next move. "I thank you for healing me, Milady. I owe you a great debt," Eamon said, easing himself back into his seat while delicately rubbing his right knee. A flicker of uncertainty danced across his face as he weighed his options. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, until Duval cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Lord Eamon," Duval demanded, his tone clipped and authoritative. "We cannot afford any more delays; end this farce." Eamon blinked, momentarily disoriented. "What? Oh... right. Its just... I have a lot on my mind," he stammered, diverting his gaze from the Crown Prince and his enigmatic Dark Elf fiance to the Prime Minister. "Why the hesitation, Eamon?" Duval pressed, tension etched on his brows, suspicion creeping into his voice as he sensed the Barons wavering resolve. Eamon took a breath, the weight of his decision weighing heavily upon him. "Its complicated... I refuse to endorse a deal that seems unfairly stacked against my people, considering the outrageous prices imposed by your tariffs. Lord Nathaniel, if you can assure me of your sincerity, I will consider the ladys proposal. But let me be clear: the moment you breach our agreement or overstep your bounds in any of our territories, this deal is off. Do you understand?" "Eamon! Call it off!" Duval erupted, frustration boiling over. "No, Duval. We cannot let the South suffer a food shortage. I... I wish to recast my vote on the emergency session" "NO! NO, YOU CAN''T! IF YOU DON''T THEN" "WHAT!... I''m doing Prime Minister, is what is best for the kingdom. I want it on the record that I vote present for the Expulsion of the Dark Elf. Let all the Major Lords be aware that I remain a loyal subject of Fiafyr. But I believe its unwise to act against her until we truly understand her intentions before doing something that may hurt the kingdom... And until that happens, we should find a way to test her loyalty before acting rashly..." Duval slammed the gavel down with a forceful crack, his frustration palpable as he shouted, "This Emergency Session is now in recess! Well reconvene in an hour!... Eamon!... Thaddeus!... You two, my office. Now!" The Foreign Prince, Terenthiel, shot an incredulous glance at Duval, disappointment etched across his face. With a low voice, he murmured to Prince Zane, "If this is what Fiafyrian Nobles have become... Then maybe we need to reconsider marrying Hilda and strike now before this Kingdom falls to the north... Zanes expression mirrored his concern as he fixed a steely glare on the Prime Minister. Or perhaps we should have bypassed him entirely and gone straight to their King. The Prophet is not going to take this lightly. Across the ornate table sat Duke Alaric, his eyes keen and calculating as he took in everything that just transpired. It was one of the few times he felt powerless, and he hated it. Next to the Duke was a visibly shaken Viscount William, who was gradually coming to terms with the unraveling of his once-unchallengeable grip on shipping. Alaric had long imagined this moment, dreaming of the day when Duvals allies would finally turn against him. But as he sat there, the reality was far from the triumph he had envisioned. It wasn''t his cunning that had pushed the House of Major Lords to the brink; it was his own nephew and that sly dark elf who had stolen the spotlight, bringing the chamber crashing down around them. Now, it was Quinus and his whore who were gaining the favor of the Major Lords, and Alaric couldn''t shake the gnawing sense of defeat. Yet, amidst the mounting chaos, a flicker of hope ignited within him. Strange as it felt, he knew he needed to maneuver Duval into securing the pact with the Holy Alliance. That would force an unwanted marriage on his nephew, throwing the royal family into turmoila chaos he could exploit. If he didn''t, then the dark elf''s meddling was unsettling that plan to get his revenge. His mind raced, plotting the next steps amidst the swirling tides of power. Whats the plan? William whispered, oblivious to the shifting tides in the House of Lords. We have to help him Alaric whispered, his voice barely audible while staring at a flustered Duval. What!? Why? William''s surprise was evident. "Sheath your tongue, William," Alaric hissed. "It''s not safe to whisper here. Just follow my lead Y-Yes, milord William responded, his hesitation replaced by a tinge of resolve as he prepared to journey down this uncertain path with the Duke. Duval was frantically gathering his papers and belongings, the chaos of the chamber swirling around him as his aides hurried to keep up. His frustration mounted as he prepared to storm out, the weight of the day''s discussions pressing heavily on his shoulders. Suddenly, the tall wooden doors swung open, revealing a gentleman with a neatly tied ponytail, his attire crisp and formal. Adorning his lapel was a pin emblazoned with the official seal of the King, its gold gleaming under the dim chamber light. Duval''s expression soured further at the sight of the newcomer. "Lord Brice... I don''t have time to deal with his antics..." he muttered under his breath, irritation creeping into his voice. The Head of the King''s Council had just returned from Lomar, where he had been in discussions with the King himself, and Duval had little patience for him as he was the only other person who had an encyclopedic knowledge of the bureaucracy who could really throw a wrench in his plans. "Well... about time you opened the chamber," Lord Brice remarked, a smirk playing on his lips as he stepped into the room. His eyes twinkled with curiosity as he heard the raised voices and heated exchanges through the giant wooden doors. He had been stuck in the lobby, waiting for the session to recess, as no one was allowed in when a session started. But now he could enter, carrying a vital letter from the Kinga missive that needed to be delivered to all the Major Lords without delay. Vol.4 Ch.243 The Royal Amendment As Lord Brice crossed the threshold into the grand chamber of Parlement, the air thick with tension and the echoes of hushed discussions, his gaze quickly found his colleague, Lord Gawain, moving purposefully towards him. Gawains approach was marked by an almost palpable mixture of relief and underlying anxiety, his features taut with the burdens of recent events. He was acutely aware of the looming threat posed by Duval, a dangerous game of power unfolding as he aimed to coerce Baron Eamon and Baron Thaddeus into shifting their votes during the impending recess. Thank the goddess, youre back, Gawain whispered urgently, his voice low yet laced with palpable tension. You have no idea the depths of murk weve had to wade through since you left the capital. If it hadnt been for Lady Rya and his Highness, the measure would have been passed by now." Brice chuckled softly; the tension in the moment briefly lifted. Yeah, I think I got a glimpse of it while I was cooling my heels in the lobby. Hearing the Prime Minister scream for a full fifteen minutes was quite the spectacle. I''m sad that I didn''t get to see it... I never knew Duval harbored such a fiery temper. Whatever provoked him must have truly hit a nerve. Gawain shook his head in disbelief, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing. Ive never witnessed anything like it. Lady Rya and His Highness actually convinced the Lords to give them a chance... Lord Thaddeus and Lord Eamon actually voted present on Duvals measure to expel Lady Rya, he relayed, his brow furrowed with concern as he knew that they needed to do something to keep Duval from talking to the two lords in private. Really? Brice responded, his tone melodramatically feigning shock. Thats rather unexpected for either of them. Poor Duval must be having a truly dreadful day to incite such rebellion among his trusted allies. A knowing smile played at the corners of his lips, even as the gravity of the political turmoil loomed over them like a dark cloud threatening to unleash a storm. He made sure to be loud enough to get the Prime Minister''s attention. Yeah, and thats not even the beginning... Gawain leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. It turns out the Princes fiance is quite the dynamo. Apparently, His Highness has inherited a taste for strong-willed and, lets say, stunningly curvaceous women as his father." Brices gaze flickered to the Dark Elf perched gracefully beside Prince Quinus, and he nearly stumbled, captivated by her allure. She was strikingly more enchanting than Queen Rianna, with a poise that drew the eye and left him momentarily breathless. It took all his restraint not to gawk in awe at her beauty; she exuded an air of confidence that both intimidated and intrigued him. ''The apple doesnt fall far from the tree,'' he thought, seizing the opportunity to direct his frustration toward Gawain, feigning indignation as if it were his companion who was trespassing into inappropriate territory. Lord Gawain noticed his colleague''s glare and felt embarrassed. "Ah! Um... Ahem! Well, she single-handedly commandeered the session and put Alaric firmly in his place, Gawain muttered softly to Lord Brice. He had no idea that the King had secretly sanctioned the bond between the Prince and Lady Rya. However, there was a certain condition attachedone that he hoped would sway the majority of the Major Lords to support the union of the star-crossed lovers. The stakes were high, and the fate of their romance hung in the balance. That was why Lord Brice hurried back to the Capital from the city of Lomar. Did she now? Intriguing... I think Im already a fan. But whats the other half of this mess? Brice inquired, curiosity piqued. The emergency measure is on ice until Duval can secure the vote... Hes hell-bent on banishing her from the Kingdom, come hell or high water. "But I thought this measure was to prevent her from entering the Capital?... Did you get the chance to look at the document?" Brice asked Gawain, but he was loud enough to stop Duval in his tracks. Lord Gawain noticed that Brice was staring at the Prime Minister with his skeptical, scrutinizing gaze whenever anyone tried to feed him a line of nonsense. He recognized that expression well, and he also understood that the Prime Minister had better come clean, or Brice would take his head off with his sharp words. Duval was about to make a break for it, but Lord Brice''s words stopped him in his tracks. "Um, well?... I don''t believe the Prime Minister showed the full document to anyone during these proceedings," Gawain said softly, realizing that he had forgotten to ask Duval''s chancellor for a copy of the measure since he only had the old version. "I was told she would be expelled from the Kingdom by the chancellor''s order," he added, his heart racing as he tried to mask his lack of knowledge. "I''m terribly sorry, sir. Please forgive me," the aide stammered, hastily gathering the scattered papers, his hands trembling as he stuffed the crumpled documents back into the bag. "I dont care if theyre crinkled or ripped! Just get the damn paperwork into the" Before he could finish, Brice''s voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding. "Prime Minister Duval Wrightwood!" he called out, a thread of warning woven into his tone. The atmosphere grew thick with tension as all eyes turned toward him. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. ''Haah... I really wish this chick would fuck off... Quin is mine, and she thinks this is what is going to make him fall for her?... Get real, honey! This guy is head over heels for me, and no one is changing that! Not even the gods themselves! Or a goddess... Hehe!'' Rya thought as a smirk grew on her face. Rya locked eyes with Quinus, a confident smile playing on her lips as a spark of resolve ignited in her gaze. You can try, she said, her voice steady and unwavering, But Im not going anywhere. "I know," Quinus replied, leaning in to kiss her softly, their lips brushing together in a moment filled with unspoken promises. Across the room, Hilda clenched her fists, fury bubbling within her as she watched. The urge to storm over and slap Rya was nearly overwhelming, but just as she prepared to move, she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. Dont give in to her games, dear, Leandra whispered, her voice a soothing counterpoint to Hildas rising anger. Shes only trying to provoke you. "B-But showing affection in public is" "It''s frowned upon, but it''s not a sin here, Princess... So what would the Major Houses think when a princess resorts to slapping her competition in public... I know it''s unfair, but that is how the world is sometimes. So we must be smarter than them, dear," Leandra explained. "W-What if she does something with him in the bedroom?... I must protect his chastity" "That ship has sailed, dear... She''s been with him for months in life-and-death situations... She''s spread her legs out for him to control him... She''s ensnared him with her body, and he can''t escape. You need to break her hold over him if you wish to save this kingdom," Leandra whispered into Hilda''s ear. "H-How?" "That is something that I will discuss with you later when the elves aren''t around... But for now... You need to be strong... And you need to make the decisions that will save the kingdom from a war," Leandra explained. "...Alright... I will persevere... F-For the people," Hilda replied. "Good," Leandra replied. Hilda was a little sad at hearing that Quinus had been defiled, but she could not show weakness; she would save him from this evil creature. She would do everything in her power to stop the marriage and then save her prince from Rya''s dark clutches, even if she had to pray to a different deity.