—------------ Three months later—---------------Giggadon empireRoyal palaceThe Seventh moon had dawned on the Giggadon empire. Bringing about cold and snow, Winter had begun.Inside the council hall, stood a large circular stone table in the middle of the room. It was crafted out of the most precious obsidian stones found in the empire, by the best stonemasons. The chairs that circled the table were made of fine mahogany wood, but one chair looked different from the rest. It’s made with cider wood; its rails were dyed gold, and the slip seat and splat had the royal family logo designed on them.At the four corners of the council hall, stood large pillars that had one beast claw sticking out of each of them. The claws held a round crystal that produced light. And lastly, in the middle of the hall above the table was a statue of a beast with large wings, sharp claws, and fire spewing out of its mouth. It was carved into the ceiling by the best stonemasons at the first emperor’s order
Giggadon empireThrone room.*Bang! *The large golden-colored doors shut behind Ralphye, after he enters the throne room. In front of him stood a dozen knights clad in silver armor. They stood beside the pillars, in pairs with their hands on the hilt of their swords.Ralphye could feel that if he made any sudden moves, they would cut him down in the blink of an eye. He started walking down the middle of the hall toward the throne, but as he got closer, he felt the surrounding air change. It felt dry and suffocating. Breathing had become difficult for him, and his heart began beating rapidly.What’s happening to me? I feel like I could die if I continue forward. Maybe I should turn back now before it is too late. Ralphye thought in panic. He tried turning back, but his body wouldn’t listen. His legs continued forward without his control.After arriving at the steps leading to the throne, he regained control. Causing him to fall on his knees. He tried standing up, but there was no resp
Giggadon empire.Valkyrie palace.Outside Helena's room*Knock* *knock*Nora knocks on the door while nervously standing silently, waiting for a reply. She received a sudden summons in the evening after she had finished attending to princess Helena. Nobody told her who summoned her. She was just instructed by a knight to go to the room at the end of the third floor.Valkyrie palace is divided into three floors. The first floor is where the maids, servants, and cooks sleep. The kitchen and storages are also on the first floor. The second floor is where the princesses bed chambers are. And the third floor is where the emperor’s mistresses live.A few minutes passed by, and there was no response. Nora wanted to knock again but stopped. If I knock on the door, for a second time, wouldn’t I come off rude… yeah, I can wait a few minutes. She thought.A few minutes passed by, but there was still no response. Nora gathered her courage and knocked on the door once again.*Knock* *Knock* *Knock
[Next Day]Valkyrie palaceHelena’s room*Knock* *knock* *knock*The knock interrupted Helena’s cultivation. “Come,” she said. While staring at the door.“My apologies, princess, but I cannot.” A male voice said from behind the door.The voice shocked Helena. She had thought it was Nora who was behind the door. She stood up from her cultivation stance, walked to the door, and opened it. “What!” she asked with an annoyed face.As soon as the knight saw Helena, who was still in her nightgown, he turned his gaze away from looking at her. “His- His majesty has invited the princess for breakfast.” He said.What’s wrong with this knight? He’s talking to me while staring at the ceiling. Helena thought in her mind. “Why are you staring at the ceiling…?” she asked.“It’s just… just it’s inappropriate for me to stare at a lady in her undergarments,” he replied.“... huh?” Helena looked down at her clothes and was confused. She wore a long white nightgown covering her body, so why was the man ac
*clomp* *clomp* *clomp* *clomp*Loud rhythmic footsteps resounded through the hall as the emperor walked towards his seat. It was the first time the princesses have seen their father after their naming ceremony, which most of them did not remember except for Helena.Even though they had heard stories about his beauty and accomplishments from their mothers. Their image of him could only pale in comparison to the real person. Even though they were excited and happy to see their father, none of them spoke a word as he walked past them and sat in his seat.The princesses stood up from their seats and greeted the emperor with a curtsy. “We greet father emperor.” They greeted in unison.“Sit.” the emperor commanded. He glanced around the table with a cold gaze and sighed. “Your names… tell me your names.” The emperor said as his gaze shifted to Mera. Maximus could not be bothered to remember the names of his daughters after he named them. It was insignificant to him.“My name is Mera, your
Giggadon empireRoyal palace hallway*clomp* *clomp* *clomp* *clomp*“Good morning, your majesty, lord Chamberlin,” the maids greeted with blushed faces as they walked past the emperor and the lord chamberlain in the palace halls. Though the emperor is known as a tyrant across the lands, it didn’t stop women from almost dropping their draws at the sight of him.Following behind the emperor were the lord chamberlain and two knights. After a few minutes, they arrived at the emperor’s office. The knights stepped forward and pulled onto the door’s handle, opening it. Emperor Maximus and lord chamberlain walked in and the knights closed the door behind them and guarded the door.The emperor’s office was more normal than expected. Contrary to popular belief that the emperor keeps the skull of his slain enemies in a glass jar, and places them in his collection in his office. Which was the rumor going around in the empire. But there was no shelf filled with glass-covered skulls. There was onl
Valkyrie palaceHelena’s room“Ugh…! That was terrible. I can’t believe I said those words. I feel like my twenty-plus years of life as a man just got crushed into dust.” Helena complained out of embarrassment as she lay on her bed with her face in her pillow, hiding out of embarrassment. Even though she said those embarrassing words to complete the system mission, she could not help but feel like crawling into a hole every time she thought about what she said.“Systemmmm…, you are such an ass for giving me that mission, you know that. Right?” Helena asked in a muffled tone. While rolling from the left end of her bed to the right.*Ding! *Host, how would you like to distribute your undistributed attribute points?The system notification sound shocked Helena while she was rolling on the bed, causing her to fall from the left end of the bed, but as she was about to hit the floor, she caught herself with her right index finger, performing a one-finger stand.“Woah…! That was close.” She
*Ding! *[Armor of Altair] has been locked. And will be available at LV15.“YOU MOTHER FUC***!!!!!” Helena yelled angrily.*Ding! *Host does not meet the requirements to equip [Armor of Altair]“Huh…??? What do you mean? I did not see any requirements when I read the item’s information.”The system’s words confused Helena because, while reading the item’s information, she never saw any requirement she had to meet to equip it.*Ding! *The host needs to upgrade the system to level 3 before you can see the requirements for equipping the items.After listening to the system’s words, Helena lowered her head and sighed. She felt disappointed because she was planning to farm EXP with the overpowered gear, but her plan came crashing down because the system gave her an item she cannot use.What is the use of having two systems when one has a bitching fairy attached to it and the other gives me items I cannot use? Helena complained in her mind.“System, what would happen if I equipped a highe
-----------------------------------------------------------------RAINBRIDGE ESTATE- CENTER OF THE BALLROOM.*SWISH**TAP*"I am still quite surprised you asked me for a dance, even though you have the option of picking many more beautiful noble-born ladies, who are dying to dance with you. My lord."Cyra said, locking eyes with Lord Phames. Their hands clasped, fingers intertwined as they twirled and waltzed in the heart of the ballroom, surrounded by the elegance of the moment."You are mistaken…"Lord Phames said, pausing momentarily as he skillfully guided the dance. With a graceful movement, he gently pushed Lady Cyra away.*WHOOSH*"What is he doing?!..."Cyra thought in her mind with a surprised expression after she was pushed. She realized her balance was thrown off by the sudden push and she was going to fall. Strangely, she wasn't scared, as she could still feel Phames's touch, through her gloves.Just As Cyra's fingers were about to slip from his palm, Lord Phames, with imp
—-------------------------------------------------------------------MISTY PEAK ROYAL PALACE - THRONE HALL"It's been ten days since I neutralized the empire's most powerful weapons from play. I expected the capital to descend into chaos and panic without the Emperor at its head. However, after locking down the capital, they are handling the situation better than I imagined. But I wonder how they will react to the present I have, prepared for them." Helena thought as she leaned back on the throne with a plotting smile.*BAM**CREAK*"…?"Hearing the loud sound of the Throne Hall's heavy stone doors opening, Helena turned her gaze to the hall entrance, to see Grace walking in."Grace?... It seems all her injuries have healed." Helena thought with a slight smile as she watched Grace walk towards her.*****************************************A FEW MOMENTS LATER.After a while, Grace arrived at the end of the throne steps and fell to her knees immediately, bowing her head.*THUD**WHOO
CH 76--------------------------------------------------------IN THE BALLROOM, SOMEWHERE AMONG THE GUESTS."Oh my, did you see that? Lord Phames actually kissed her on the hand!"Lady Fiora of House Merewind exclaimed in astonishment, while surrounded by a group of other noble ladies."How could that commoner's daughter simply stand there while he did that? She ought to be on her knees, showing gratitude for such an opportunity." Lady Justina of House Quickfire remarked, her tone dripping with disdain and disgust."It appears this commoner's daughter, needs to be taught her place." Lady Annelore of House Merewind added, glaring at Cyra with a malicious expression."I heard from my mother that when a nobleman gets close to a commoner woman, he becomes bewitched. They supposedly sprinkle love potions on their clothing, so that when the nobleman inhales it, he falls in love with them."Lady Thessaly of House Starfrost said."I heard the same from my elder sister. She said her husband
INNER CAPITAL WESTERN WING – RAINBRIDGE ESTATE*CLIP-CLOP**CREAKING* (sound of carriage)The loud sounds of horses’ hooves, striking a cobblestone path and carriage creaking wheels, resounded in the air as multiple horse-driven carriages, drove towards a grand building in the distance. And in one of those carriages, two sisters are in an anxious state, as it is their first time attending a high society party.“… it's been almost thirty minutes since we entered the Estate, and we still haven’t arrived at the ballroom yet…”Lily said in an anxious tone as she opens the blinds and gazed out the carriage window. What she saw left her in awe—an expansive landscape adorned with grand buildings and structures.“Wow... This is a duke's estate... it's so huge! It must be larger than two districts in the outer capital... I wonder just how much larger their estate in the Western territory is. if the one in the capital is already this massive!”Lily said with an excited tone and expression as sh
INNER CAPITAL CITY - SOMWHERE.“Be careful of your own shadow; for it might hide more than you realize.”Emperor Maximus said, as he emerged from behind Helena, stepping out of her shadow. His sword's blade, deeply embedded in her back, piercing through her chest.*THUD*“COUGH!!... How did you”Helena exclaimed, after coughing out blood. As she turned to Emperor Maximus, her face twisted in shock and agony.“Did you truly believe I could be defeated with such a meager display of power? That was nothing more than a mere shadow double.”Emperor Maximus said with a condescending tone and expression.“Even with an energy more powerful than mana and Aura, this is all your strength amounts to. What a waste… Don’t worry; I will be using your power to its full potential, after extracting it from your corpse… Any last words before you die?”Emperor Maximus asked.“Cough…Ha…haha… Did you think you’ve won!? HA-HAHAHAHA!”Helena exclaimed, erupting into maniacal laughter before her body dissolve
OUTSIDE CHAMBERLAIN EADULF’S DOMAIN. *CRACK*"Huh?!... It appears the battle's outcome is clear. Your Majesty, who do you think emerged victorious?"Master Zurrick asked Emperor Maximus after noticing Chamberlian Eadulf’s Domain began to dissipate.“From the pressure he released it would be difficult for Eadulf to win, but since he got into Eadulf’s Aura domain… well, we’ll just wait and see.”Emperor Maximus replied.****************************************************************A MINUTE LATER.Once Chamberlain Eadulf's Aura Domain had fully dissipated, Emperor Maximus and Master Zurrick were met with a startling sight. The hooded figure, previously ensnared by Eadulf's Domain, now stood unharmed, casually dragging an object with a single hand as they strolled forward.*SCRAPE! * [Sound effect of dragging an object]“I must say… he had a strong determination and will. But what use are those if you are weak!”Helena said as she tossed the object she'd been dragging, like trash, rig
SILVERWOOD MANOR’S COMPOUND.*SHOOSH**SHOOSH**SLASH*The air whirled into a frenzy, stirred by the astonishing speed at which Helena and Chamberlin Eadulf moved. Their forms could only be glimpsed as blurs, locked in a fierce exchange that painted a trail of destruction across the Manor's Estate.*SWOOSH**CLANG**BANG**WHOOSH*"How does his speed continue to outpace mine, even as I pushed my speed to the limit? Among the ‘Ten Aura Masters’ on the continent, I hold the title of the 'Lightning Sword' due to the unique characteristics of my abilities. Yet, here I am unable to match the speed of this unknown Hooded Figure. How frustrating… But, it’s not solely my speed that has earned me the Title of Lightning Sword!”Chamberlin Eadulf thought in his mind as he abruptly ceased his movements, coming to a complete standstill.*WHOOSH**HALT*“Huh!? Why did you stop? Are you gassed out already...?”Helena asked, her tone carrying a tinge of surprise. as she slowed down before coming to a
OUTSIDE, THE IMPERIAL PALACE’S GATES.As the post-celebration of the prince’s naming persisted within the grand halls of the imperial palace, a scene unfolded outside its monumental gates. Assembled was a segment of the imperial army, specifically the Silver Dragon Knight squad. Comprising of five hundred knights, each meticulously chosen by the emperor himself, the squad boasted a spectrum of prowess ranging from a fourth-class Grandmaster as the least powerful, to an eighth-class Grandmaster as the most formidable. The knights stood in disciplined formation outside the palace gate, organized into five distinct lines, with each group encompassing a hundred knights.*CREAK*A loud creaking sound of metal filled the air as the palace gates opens, revealing Emperor Maximus. He walks out with the air of a conqueror exuding from his body. With each stride he took, the surrounding air became heavy, affected by his Aura. Causing the knights guarding the palace gates, to fall to their knees
“AAAAAHHH!!”Tristen and Percival yelled in pain, covering their eyes as the intense light temporarily blinded them. The sudden and overwhelming brightness disoriented them, leaving them vulnerable and unable to see their surroundings.*WHOOSH*“Did you not know that in a fight, you should not take your eyes off your opponent? Kekekeke.”Cobra said in a mocking tone as he appears behind Tristan and Percival.“!!!”Tristan and Percival’s hearts pounded in fear as they heard the unknown voice behind them. Panic took over, and they instinctively turned around, blindly swinging their swords toward the source of the sound, hoping to hit their unseen assailant. Their actions were fueled by a mix of adrenaline and fear, but the lack of visibility made their attacks wild and unguided.*SWISH**SLASH**SLASH*“Whoops… Kekeke, how do you expect to hit your target if you don’t look at it?”Cobra jeered, his mocking laughter resonating through the hall. As he displays remarkable ease and agility,