The dark sky hung heavy over the Frost family palace, its grandeur dimmed by the unease that settled over it. Suddenly, the distant sound of hooves broke the quiet, growing louder as a swarm of soldiers, draped in golden cloaks engraved with a lion symbol on their shoulder plates, descended upon the mansion.
Soon the Frost family palace lit up as torches were ignited, illuminating the walls and casting long shadows over the courtyard.
Servants and guards scrambled to the entrance in a flurry of movement, while curious onlookers from the capital gathered just outside the gates, whispering among themselves. The once-peaceful night was now alive with murmurs and hurried footsteps.
Kent, sensing the disturbance, emerged from the palace to see what was happening. His eyes narrowed as he observed the golden-cloaked soldiers lining up in perfect formation. Their leader, a man with a white crown atop his head, raised a wand to his throat. His voice boomed across the palace grounds as he spoke, amplified by magic.
“King of Frost Nation,” the Crown Wizard announced, his voice echoing through the air, “A Royal Decree has been issued from Justice Hall. Accept it from the Royal Justice Guards.” He turned to address the gathered crowd on three sides of the palace entrance, repeating the same message each time with precise authority.
Soon King Ragnar appeared, moving swiftly from inside the palace, his expression hard and unreadable. He came to a stop before the Crown Wizard, standing tall before the golden-cloaked guards.
The Crown Wizard dismounted from his horse and, with a blood drop, unsealed a golden plate. The open mouth-lion head insignia stamped on it, along with the Emperor’s seal. King Ragnar bowed deeply, bending at the waist with perfect formality.
With a somber tone, the Crown Wizard held up the golden plate for all to see and declared, “The King of Doom Nation, Hoon Doom, has called for a justice gathering. A person related to Frost family has threatened the life of Princess Chuli. Justice voting will be conducted at sunrise tomorrow in the Royal Capital City.
You are hereby summoned to attend this justice call, along with the accused culprit.”
As he finished his announcement, the Crown Wizard placed the golden plate in King Ragnar’s hands. The moment the plate was handed over, the Crown Wizard turned and mounted his horse once again, riding away with his golden-cloaked soldiers without a second glance.
“The Doom family really crossed the line this time.”
“I wonder what will happen tomorrow.”
“More than half of the kings are on the Doom family side. There is no way King Ragnar could win this trial.”
Whispers erupted like a wildfire among the gathered onlookers. Some pointed discreetly at Kent, others exchanged knowing looks. The crowd’s energy shifted from mere curiosity to a quiet storm of murmured accusations and fearful speculation.
Lily, standing among the relatives, felt her heart sink. A headache pounded behind her temples as she realized the weight of the trouble Kent was in—and how her decision to bring him to the Seventh Realm had inadvertently triggered this royal calamity. She caught several scornful glances from relatives, their eyes filled with disdain as they shifted their judgment from Kent to her.
“Quiet!” King Ragnar’s voice cut through the growing murmur. With a commanding wave of his hand, he ordered the crowd to disperse. “Go back to your duties. This matter will be resolved soon.”
His gaze lingered on Kent for a moment longer, the unspoken pressure of tomorrow’s trial hanging heavily between them. Ragnar gave a final, unreadable look, then turned on his heel and disappeared back into the palace and he prepared to call all his allies.
Lily continued to stare at Kent with hesitating gaze. She didn’t understand whom to blame.
Kent stood there, alone in the flickering torchlight as the crowd slowly began to dissipate. The weight of the Doom Nation’s accusation and the impending justice trial settled on his shoulders like an iron shroud. The reality of what he would face the next morning took root in his mind.
Without a word, Kent slipped away from the palace and made his way toward the secluded back gardens.
Lily also silently left inside. She can’t do anything now. The emperor seal has been placed on tomorrow’s trail. Tomorrow, after hearing both sides, the Justice hall will take votes from all kings.
Thea passed the information to Madam Clark. But Madam Clark completely ignored the matter. She advised Thea to rest easy.
Kent stopped after finding a good spot in the herb garden. The garden was eerily quiet with night wind flowing peacefully. Here, away from prying eyes, Kent began his preparation for the honor fight that awaited him.
He first took out his Divine Quiver from soul space. He sat on lotus position and, one by one, began to make powerful Inheritance Astras, each physical arrow inscribed with powerful spells. Each Astra filled with magical energy, glowing faintly as they took their place in the quiver. The sky above him filled with dark clouds and purple lightning dancing excitedly in the sky.
After filling the divine quiver with hundreds of divine Astras, Kent turned his attention to his mana reserves. He crossed his legs and closed his eyes, letting his consciousness drift inward. Slowly, he began to cultivate, drawing in mana from the surrounding atmosphere, allowing it to pool within his core.
The hours passed as the night deepened. The quiet of the garden was disturbed only by the soft hum of elemental power radiating from Kent as he filled his mana reserves, pushing his limits further than ever before.
Sweat filled his brow and vegetation around him grew at great speed. Due to his natural elemental body, the vegetation and organisms around him received more life force which is very pure.
Ignoring the herbs that were flowering around him, Kent continued to think of tomorrow’s strategy for an honour fight.
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