As the carriage ventured deeper into the heart of the Capital city, Xander and Atheria were greeted by a bustling metropolis that teemed with life and color. The city was a living tapestry of architectural marvels, from grand marble buildings adorned with intricate carvings to quaint, centuries-old cobblestone streets.Nobles and commoners alike bustled about, dressed in their finest attire, a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. Noblewomen draped in luxurious silks and satin promenaded alongside lords in ornate coats and velvet cloaks. Their clothing sparkled with jewels, and feathered masks concealed their identities, an elaborate display of opulence.On the crowded pavements, vendors peddled their wares under colorful awnings. Market stalls offered exotic goods, from jewel-studded trinkets to aromatic spices and rare fabrics. Soldiers in emerald green armor marched in formation, a visible reminder of the kingdom's uncertain times. Their presence was a testament to King Roberts' anxiety
Atheria leaned in closer to Xander, her voice barely above a whisper amidst the lively chatter. "This is your chance, Xander. Mingle with the crowd, but keep an eye out for King Robert. Remember, we're here to get close to him."Taking her advice to heart, Xander picked up a glass of sparkling water from a passing tray and began to move through the gathering. He engaged in polite conversations with fellow nobles, listening to their discussions on various topics.As he conversed, Bloodhound's sinister voice echoed within his mind, a stark contrast to the jovial atmosphere around him. "All these nobles around you, Xander, they're all potential threats. Easy prey. They should all be silenced."Xander clenched his jaw and fought off the urge to entertain those dark thoughts. He couldn't afford to lose himself to that darkness, not here, not now.Amidst the nobles, conversations buzzed with topics of various kinds. One nobleman commented, "Did you hear about Sir Gregory's valor? Quite an i
Xander maintained his composure as he faced King Roberts, concealing the turmoil of emotions brewing beneath the surface."How's Kingdom Zania, by the way?" King Roberts inquired, his tone casual.Xander took a sip of the sparkling water, the delicate bubbles providing a momentary distraction from the intense conversation. "The same as always. But Zania is too peaceful for a businessman such as me."The king's laughter resonated through the hall, causing some nobles to glance in their direction."That is true. How can a weapons merchant survive with no war?" King Roberts chuckled heartily, his demeanor relaxed.Atheria observed the exchange, surprised by Xander's composed manner. He didn't seem nervous at all. Unbeknownst to Xander, there was royal blood in his veins; he was the true prince of Drakonia. It was a pity that even Xander remained ignorant of his true origins."Speaking of war, I assume you know about our little civil war in Mooncrest?" King Roberts continued, gesturing fo
As the sky gradually darkened, the gala came to an end, and the nobles began to exit the grand hall of Mooncrest Castle. Atheria let out a relieved sigh, her shoulders visibly relaxing."It's finally over," she remarked, her voice tinged with exhaustion.Xander stood leaning against one of the elegant marble pillars, his gaze fixed on the procession of nobles leaving the hall. The chandeliers above cast a soft, golden glow, illuminating the opulent surroundings. "Yes," Xander replied, his eyes scanning the departing nobles. "But our work is far from finished."He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him earlier. The ease with which King Roberts had agreed to their terms still troubled him, and he knew they needed to be vigilant in the coming daysAs Xander waited by the pillar, his thoughts consumed by the impending meeting with King Roberts, a young maid approached him. "Excuse me, my lord," she began politely, her voice soft and respectful, "the king is waiti
Bloodhound kicked the sofa with enough force to send it flying across the room, crashing into one of the royal guards and Velrian, knocking them to the ground. The remaining two royal guards shouted in panic, "Protect the king!""It's too late for that," Bloodhound mocked them with a wicked grin.He conjured the blood sword, a menacing weapon oozing with dark crimson energy. The blade pulsed with an otherworldly power, making it look even more terrifying.King Roberts, in a desperate attempt to save himself, ordered his guards, "Kill him!"Bloodhound wasted no time. With incredible speed, he dashed towards the two royal guards who stood before the king, his red eyes locked onto his prey.The king cursed under his breath, his frustration boiling over. "Kill him, you fools! Kill him quickly!" he shouted at the royal guards, who were desperately trying to fend off Bloodhound's relentless assault.As Bloodhound fought with unmatched ferocity, the sofa pinned down Velrian and the other roy
Bloodhound, with his feral grin, scoffed at Velrian's magical defenses. "Magic tricks won't work against me," he hissed, his voice dripping with menace.In a sudden, vicious strike, Bloodhound swung his crimson blade at the ethereal sword and shield conjured by Velrian. The sword and shield shattered into a burst of glowing specks of light, leaving Velrian stunned by the sheer power of the attack.Bloodhound wasted no time. With a burst of unnatural speed, he closed the gap between himself and the bewildered mage. His blood sword was raised high, poised to cut through Velrian's head in a single, deadly stroke.In a desperate bid to defend himself, Velrian cast another spell, summoning a powerful protective barrier. The barrier shimmered with an ethereal light, forming a semi-transparent, dome-like shield around him. It was a potent defense, radiant and formidable.Bloodhound, undeterred and exuding malevolence, growled with mockery at the shimmering barrier. "Is this all you've got?"
Atheria surveyed the gruesome aftermath of their battle, a shiver coursing down her spine. The once elegant room was now a chaotic mess. Broken furniture lay strewn about like the shattered remnants of some macabre celebration. Blood splatters painted the walls and floor in grotesque patterns, and the air was heavy with the metallic scent of death."This room must be soundproofed," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Otherwise, we would've been swarmed by the guards by now."Bloodhound, still wiping the last traces of the creature's blood from his mouth, grinned wickedly. "It would have been a grand feast, my dear Atheria, if they had come."Atheria's eyes narrowed as she scolded him, her anger palpable. "You and your bloodlust. It's disturbing, you know that?"Bloodhound chuckled darkly, his amusement unfazed by her scolding. "You might be the only one who dares to yell at me and live to tell the tale."Rolling her eyes, Atheria refocused on the dire situation. "We need
The eerie laughter still echoed through the hall, setting Atheria's nerves on edge. She couldn't pinpoint the source of the chilling voice. As she strained her senses to the fullest, she suddenly noticed a dark, flickering shape running like a shadow on the wall. Panic seized her as she realized that whatever this presence was, it wasn't human.Bloodhound, on the other hand, reacted quite differently. He seemed exhilarated by the hunt, his eyes glinting with predatory excitement. His lips curled into a sinister grin as he taunted the unseen intruder."Why don't you show yourself?" Bloodhound's voice dripped with menace. "I'd rather not waste time hunting you down. If you step into the light, I promise to make your death quick and relatively painless. Relatively."Bloodhound's voice oozed with menace, his lips curling into a sinister grin. "If you don't, I'll tear into your flesh, drink your blood, and stomp you into a paste when I find you."Atheria, standing beside him, rolled her ey