In the quiet room of Thea, Lady Bomma, the 9th rank healer began to inch toward the door, attempting to make her exit without further confrontation.
But Lily’s gaze locked onto her, fury flashing in her eyes. “Don’t think for a second you’ll walk away from this, Lady Bomma. You almost killed her!”
Lady Bomma froze, her smug demeanour now shattered. “L-Lady Lily, please… It was an unforeseen complication. I had no idea she was that sensitive to frost elements.”
Lily took a step forward, her tone cold as ice. “Ohh… really! Then why did you start treating my sister without assessing her condition. I can have your head for the ruthless act you performed.” Lily spoke with gritted teeth.
“My lady, please show mercy. I never tried to cause harm to your sister. It all happened unintentionally. Please spare my life.” Bomma began pleading with teary eyes.
“For the sake of your family service in all these years, I’m sparing you today. And don’t expect any more patronage from the Frost Family.” Lily declared with a serious look.
Lady Bomma stumbled back, nodding quickly. She glanced at Thea once more before bowing and scurrying from the room, her pride in tatters.
After the healer’s hurried exit, Lily turned back to her sister, her heart heavy with guilt. “I’m so sorry, Thea. I didn’t… I thought she could help you. I never meant for this to happen.”
Thea shook her head weakly. “It’s… it’s alright, Lily. You were only trying to help.” But her voice was hollow, and her gaze drifted back to the door where Kent had left, her heart echoing with a sorrow that Lily couldn’t see.
Both sisters remained in silence, their thoughts consumed by the one man who had left them surprised, each lost in a tangle of emotions that would take far more than mere words to describe.
–
In the dim, turbulent skies over the Doom Nation, a massive, lion-shaped flying treasure cut through the clouds at incredible speed.
Lord Loki sat within, surrounded by his closest sub-commanders. They watched him cautiously, sensing the tension radiating from their leader as he downed goblets of dark wine.
“How could the emperor permit this? An outsider from another world—this Kent—comes here, sets up his own base of power, and even constructs a teleportation gate. And yet, no one stops him. This kingdom is practically inviting disaster!” His voice was thick with frustration and disbelief, each word laced with contempt. He swirled his wine, glaring as though the liquid itself held the answer to his frustrations.
The sub-commander closest to him poured another goblet, speaking with careful deference. “My Lord Commander, that island was given to him as a compensation from the Doom Nation’s king. Then the queen, in her gratitude for Kent saving her life, supported him in building the teleportation gate. And now…”
The sub-commander hesitated before continuing, sensing Loki’s growing impatience. “That gate operates autonomously, beyond the emperor’s authority. The city follows Kent’s rules, and he has complete control over the gate. Essentially, it’s become an autonomous city-state.”
Loki scoffed, slamming his goblet down onto the armrest of his throne-like seat. “Autonomous? Hah! This is utter foolishness. How far are we from this so-called city?”
The sub-commander inclined his head respectfully. “We’ll be there shortly, my lord. Soon, you’ll see this island city for yourself.”
As the flying treasure neared the island, the commanders fell silent. In the distance, a shimmering protective barrier appeared, encompassing Kent’s city like a dome of light.
Loki’s brow furrowed in anger as the barrier stopped their advance, a clear sign that this was no ordinary city they were approaching. “Break through it,” he ordered, gesturing dismissively as though the obstacle were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
The treasure ship’s runic weaponry whirred and hummed as Loki’s forces prepared to breach the barrier. But as powerful energy beams collided with the shimmering dome, the barrier absorbed the blows effortlessly, shimmering brightly before settling back into its quiet, unyielding state. Loki clenched his jaw, rage igniting in his eyes.
“It would take us at least a full day to breach this, my lord,” another commander noted grimly. “The barrier’s superior enchantments are… formidable.”
The frustration filled Loki like waves of heat as he stormed to the front of the treasure ship.
Just then, a group of beastmen guards appeared at the entrance to the city, dressed in meticulously polished armour. They carried long spears, their expressions neutral but resolute as they eyed the intruders with a stoic vigilance.
Seeing the city’s guardians, Loki’s expression darkened. “You there!” he bellowed at the beastmen. “Open the gates immediately.”
But the beastmen only glanced at each other. One stepped forward, standing tall and lifting his chin. In a clear, authoritative voice, he recited the city’s laws as though reading from a sacred text.
“By decree of our City Lord, none may enter these grounds without explicit permission from him. Any visitor must present a permission letter or swear a Heart Vow of loyalty.”
Loki’s eyes blazed as he took a step closer. “Do you have any idea who I am? I am Lord Loki! I could bring your lord and this entire city to ruin with a word. Open this gate, or I will bury you all beneath the very ground you stand on!”
The beastmen’s expressions didn’t waver. In fact, they barely seemed to register Loki’s threats. “Our apologies, Lord Loki. However, only those with permission from our City Lord may enter. If you wish to enter, you must abide by the rules. We do not make exceptions.”
Seething, Loki gripped the hilt of his sword, considering forcing his way through. But even as he gathered his energy, he noticed that, he can’t even make a dent on that barrier.
Beside him, Loki’s sub-commanders began murmuring. “Perhaps we should think this twice, commander. If we storm this city without cause, we risk inciting the queen’s wrath. Kent is under her favor—perhaps it is best to pursue a more diplomatic approach, at least until we know more. Also, we might be pursuing an innocent fellow.”
Loki shot them a withering glare but agreed finally. “Very well. Turn us toward the Frost Nation. I want to meet this city lord directly.”
As his flying treasure changed course, Loki issued an order to his men. “I want every piece of information we can gather on Kent. His origins, his alliances, his strengths… everything. I want to know exactly who we’re dealing with.” Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire
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