Inside the cave behind the waterfall…
The gentle flickering of firelight illuminated the stone walls. The firefly lady, Khoya, sat cross-legged on a rock, her glowing wings slightly dim as she waited for Kent’s answer.
“So, tell me, will you accept this deal?” Khoya’s voice was sharp and clear, cutting through the rhythmic sounds of the waterfall outside. “Go to the Kulu Nation, protect my sister, and I will protect your family. What is your answer?”
Kent sat in silence, his hands resting on his knees, his sharp eyes locked onto the fire as he weighed the options. His mind raced through possibilities, calculating risks, and the unknowns involved.
“Don’t think too much,” Khoya pressed, leaning forward with a faint smirk. “This is a golden opportunity for you. Let’s take a few years for each other. I will remain in your hometown, ensuring your family’s safety, while you go to the Kulu capital and enter the Royal Academy.
“I will give you an identification token to meet Princess Ai Ping. She will undoubtedly help you secure a spot within the Royal Academy, where you can obtain the finest resources and training. The sooner you ascend to the Advanced Immortal Wizard stage, the better your chances are against the Kai Emperor.”
Kent exhaled sharply, rubbing his chin in thought. “That all sounds too easy,” he finally said. “And I don’t like easy things.”
Khoya chuckled. “Oh? And do you prefer the slow, painful path where you eventually lose everything?”
Kent narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
Khoya leaned back, stretching lazily. “Fine. Take your time. Think it through. But I’ll need an answer by morning.”
Without another word, Kent strode out of the cave, letting the cool mist of the waterfall wash over him as he stepped into the moonlit night.
—
In the heart of Red Sword City…
Inside the grand golden palace of the Kai Royal Family, Emperor Sodhi sat upon his throne, his face dark with worry.
Before him, the court ministers, war generals, and the head of the royal soldiers knelt in a half-circle, their expressions tense.
“My daughter has been kidnapped by that bastard Kent and all of you failed to capture him.” the emperor growled, gripping the armrest of his throne. “What are your suggestions?”
One general slammed his fist onto the floor. “Your Majesty! We must summon experts to track Kent down and bring back the princess!”
“I say we slaughter the King Family one by one to threaten Kent!” another minister roared.
The emperor’s gaze turned sharp as a blade. “Fool!” he spat. “Did you forget? My daughter is still in his hands! If we touch the King Family, Kent will harm her!”
Silence fell over the court. A cold, suffocating silence.
Then, a voice rose from the back. Minister Satya, an old strategist, took a step forward, stroking his long beard.
“Your Majesty, I have a better solution,” he said, his voice calm and measured. “Let us seek aid from the Black Buffalo Nation. Their mages are highly skilled in tracking magic. With their help, we can locate Kent’s whereabouts without alerting him.”
The emperor’s eyes gleamed with hope. “Send envoys immediately,” he commanded. “Offer them treasures—anything they desire. We must bring my daughter back.”
With a wave of his hand, the court session ended, and the fate of the Red Sword City began to shift.
—
Inside a secluded manor in Red Sword City, the women closest to Kent sat together in a dimly lit chamber.
Sophia paced back and forth, her arms crossed tightly. “Why hasn’t he contacted us?” she snapped. “Something must have happened!”
“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Lucy replied, her voice steady but her eyes betraying her concern. “Kent is capable of handling himself.”
Maya, her fingers curled into fists, muttered, “But he has never ignored our messages before. Why isn’t he responding to our jade slips?”
“Because he’s in trouble,” Amelia, the calmest among them, finally spoke. Her violet eyes flickered with hidden worry. “Or he’s planning something bigger.”
The room fell into silence as the weight of her words sank in.
Finally, Sophia groaned and sank onto a chair. “I just hate not knowing…”
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Amelia rushed in, her expression unreadable.
“What happened?” Maya asked urgently.
“I have news,” Amelia said, her voice tight. “Kent is alive.”
A collective sigh of relief swept through the room.
“He sent a warning message to the Royal Family,” Amelia continued. “If they harm a single member of the King Family, he will ruin the princess.”
“That sounds like him,” Lucy murmured with a small smirk.
“But still,” Sophia muttered. “What is he planning?”
“We can’t know for sure,” Amelia admitted. “But one thing is certain—he hasn’t given up.” She looked around at the gathered women, her voice strong. “So neither should we.”
Everyone nodded, but despite their forced calm, deep down, they were all still plagued by worry.
And Amelia, though she appeared composed, felt her heart tighten in her chest.
Because she knew.
This was only the beginning.
—
The grand hall of the King family estate was dimly lit, the once-vibrant chandeliers now holding only a few flickering flames. \\
The oppressive presence of imperial soldiers outside cast a suffocating atmosphere over the household. A long wooden table stood at the center of the hall, around which sat dozens of family members—elders, warriors, and younger generations alike—all bearing tense expressions.
The house arrest had gone on for days, and the limited food supplies were beginning to take their toll.
Murmurs of discontent filled the air, escalating into full-blown complaints.
“Why hasn’t Kent returned the sword yet?” an elder huffed, slamming his fist on the table. “Does he wish for our entire lineage to be wiped out?”
“That boy has doomed us all,” another added bitterly. “The Emperor has no patience. Every day we remain defiant is another step closer to our extinction.”
A younger cousin, face gaunt with hunger, stood up shakily. “The soldiers outside mock us! They say we are starving because of Kent’s arrogance! If he has any love for this family, he should surrender the sword!”
Voices rose in agreement, their grievances growing louder, until finally, they all turned to the family patriarch—Patriarch Daku King. He sat at the head of the table, his eyes closed as though deep in thought. He had not uttered a single word despite the clamor around him.
[cont…]