Two days later, within the castle…
Fiona prepared for the Academic Exchange, sipping tea in her room.
“Where is he?” Fiona inquired of the maid, taking a delicate sip from her teacup.
“He hasn’t emerged from his room for the past two days, ma’am. We have no information about his activities inside that room, but at times, we’ve heard loud noises emanating from it,” the maid reported.
“What kind of noises?” Fiona questioned, her expression puzzled.
“Noises like heavy metallic items being stomped on and the sounds of wood breaking. We’ve only gone to deliver food to the room every morning, noon, and night. He never permits anyone to enter,” the maid replied.
“Well, it seems it’s time to find out what he’s been up to for the past two days,” Fiona declared, rising and making her way towards Anon’s room.
“As you wish, miss. I’m also quite curious about his activities,” the maid murmured, her voice low, as she followed Fiona.
As the two walked through the corridors, they noticed something amiss – there were no servants bustling about as they usually did.
“Where are all the servants?” Fiona asked, a bewildered expression on her face.
“I don’t know, My Queen. It does seem unusual,” the maid responded.
Ignoring the situation, they continued directly to Anon’s room. Upon reaching it, they found a large gathering of maids and butlers standing outside, attempting to eavesdrop on something behind the door.
“Well, it seems this answers my earlier question,” Fiona commented, observing the crowd.
“Oi Cunts, why are you all standing here? Don’t you have work to do? You fucking Scumbags, get back to your fucking work.” the maid bellowed loudly, addressing the entire assembly of servants. Her commanding tone sent everyone scurrying away, even giving Fiona a slight scare.
“Her voice can still intimidate and repel potential threats for a few seconds. I wonder when I’ll get used to it,” Fiona mumbled softly. 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝘭.𝘦𝑡
“My Queen, please proceed,” the maid said, bowing and guiding Fiona towards Anon’s door.
“Very well,” Fiona replied, moving towards the door and knocking on it.
Knock-knock-knock
“Come in… It’s open,” Anon’s voice called from within.
Fiona promptly stepped aside, and the maid opened the door for her.
Upon entering the room, they were met with utter darkness, not a single ray of light to be seen.
“Open the curtains, Maria, I can’t see anything inside this dark room.” the Queen ordered.
“Yes, My Queen,” Maria replied, hurrying to the windows and drawing back the curtains. The room was bathed in bright sunlight.
Fiona surveyed the room and her expression shifted to one of shock.
The room was in complete disarray. Cupboards were broken, the metallic components of the beds were bent into strange shapes, and mattresses lay scattered on the floor.
White walls were shattered, bearing the marks of footprints as though someone had run vertically upon them.
“What on earth has he been doing in this room?” Fiona wondered aloud as she scanned the wreckage, trying to locate Anon.
“Mr. Jule, Where are you ?” She called out loud.
*Thud*
Suddenly, a piece of wood fell from the ceiling.
Fiona and Maria looked up in alarm, observing a piano, a large harp, and a massive copper wardrobe plummeting towards them.
“Ma’am, stay behind me,” Maria ordered loudly, creating a small mana defensive circle around both of them.
Fiona quickly took refuge behind Maria and closed her eyes.
Thud… Thud… BANG!
Everything crashed down, but Maria’s protective skill shielded them from harm.
*Tik-tak*
*Thud*
The pile of debris began to move and a hand emerged from it.
Maria summoned two gleaming golden swords, assuming a defensive stance.
“My Queen, please stay behind me at all times,” Maria instructed, her eyes filled with cold blood expression akin to a murderer.
Thud-thud…
Suddenly, Anon’s head emerged from the rubble, his gaze locking onto Maria and Fiona.
“Hmm… Were you standing right below me?” Anon asked, perplexed.
“Explain Yourself ? Why did you attempt to harm the Queen?” Maria demanded, pointing her sword at Anon.
“Hmm… But she’s standing perfectly fine behind you,” Anon replied, confusion in his voice.
“You just tried to harm her moments ago. If I hadn’t been here, she might be dead now. Explain yourself immediately,” Maria threatened with her intimidating voice, her golden sword poised near Anon’s throat.
“Okay, first of all, remove this thing from in front of my face,” Anon requested, flicking his finger on the tip of Maria’s sword.
“Secondly, I was merely doing push-ups with these items strapped to my body. Look, there’s the pole I was using for the push-ups,” Anon pointed towards the ceiling, stepping out of the wreckage Anon removed the thick ropes from his body.
As the ropes fell away, his eight-pack abs were unveiled to both of them.
Maria’s face turned crimson as she gazed upon Anon’s physique.
“What? You were doing push-ups with all these items strapped to you? Do you even comprehend the value of these items?” Fiona asked upon emerging from her hiding place.
“I was until you interrupted me by opening the curtains. Here’s the money for the compensation,” Anon replied, tossing a platinum coin towards Fiona.
Fiona was astounded by this, though she maintained her composure and acted as if she didn’t care.
“Well, I’m here to remind you about the event. Today is the Academic Exchange, if you recall,” Fiona said with a straight face.
Maria dispelled her defensive armor and once again took her place behind the Queen.
“Oh, it’s already been two days, huh?” Anon remarked, seemingly perplexed.
“Yes, now get ready. I don’t want to be late for the opening ceremony,” the Queen instructed.
“Yes,” Anon replied, turning and heading towards the bathroom.
Maria and Fiona left the room quietly. As Maria prepared to return her golden swords to their sheaths, she noticed something peculiar – the tip of the golden sword that Anon had flicked with his finger was cracked.
“But… This sword is made from the scales of a golden dragon?” Maria pondered, her confusion evident as she examined the sword.