[WARNING: This chapter may be inappropriate for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.]
[Katherine's Heart] (Days Later)
Multiple luxurious carriages escorted by their personal soldiers were currently attempting to pass through a massive wall known as "Katherine's Heart" to reach the Starian Capital City. In one of those carriages, a man opened his side window to look at the wall.
"*Whistle* Look at the size of that wall," Newen commented. "And with the other wall that we just passed through, no wonder they call this place the unconquerable city."
While Newen was in a relaxed state, his brother was not.
"..."
To break the awkward silence, Newen continued to talk.
"What's taking them so long to draw the damn bridge?" Newen asked.
"Brother..." the Viscount spoke. "Are you insane?"
The Viscount's face was pale as if he saw a ghost while cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
"Hm? What do you mean?" Newen asked.
Newen's calm but expressionless face stared at the Viscount with an unsettling grin.
"I can tolerate your... depravity... B-but this..." the Viscount choked.
The Viscount could not finish his sentence before his brother cut him off.
"It wouldn't have come to this if your rubes simply have done their jobs right," Newen smirked. "But at the same time, I must thank their incompetence for leading me here."
Just then, someone knocked on the carriage's window, startling the Viscount.
"My lord, the bridge is about to be drawn," the Count's guard said.
"Finally! Get ready to move," said Newen. "I can't wait to take a hot bath," he added.
The guard nodded and rode off.
"Little brother, there's no need to panic," said Newen. "All you have to do is follow my instructions. If you don't want to... Well..."
Newen paused.
"Don't worry... If I was planning on fleeing, I would've fled to the Valen Islands by now," said the Viscount as he glared at Newen.
The carriages began to enter the city once the drawbridge was lowered.
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[The Capital City of Star, Harboni]
Somewhere in the lower-class parts of the city, a certain blonde man has just woken up from his slumber.
"*Yawn* I feel refreshed," the blonde man yawned out aloud.
He then looked around his surroundings.
"What a crappy stable," he said out aloud.
He then stood up and slowly began to walk out of the stable. He then walked past a large pile of hay and briefly paused before looking at the floor. The bottom part of the hay was covered in a brown stain.
"Thank you for letting me stay here for the night," the blonde man bowed. "And thanks for the meal."
There was a bloody hand with some missing fingers sticking out of the hay which was gently pushed back in with the man's boot.
"Now that I regained my energy, I better prepare myself for today's special event~" the man happily whistled.
After walking past the pile of hay, he approached another pile and began to stick his arm into it. He proceeded to pull out multiple daggers from the hay pile.
"It doesn't hurt to stocked on supplies~," he thought.
He then pats himself on the shoulder as he happily counted all of the weapons.
"This should be more than enough," he thought. "I suppose it's time for me to move out."
Just as he was about to walk out of the stable, he stopped for a moment.
"Oh wait, I should probably finish my meal first," he talked to himself. "It's rude to leave leftovers, no?"
The man promptly walked back into the stable and walked into one of the stalls. It was where he used it as his personal kitchen for the night. He picked up a large pot that was nearby and placed it on top of a makeshift fireplace.
"Oh, I missed this smell..." he smiled.
He then glanced to the side and stared at what was left of a human torso as he waited for his meal to warm up.
"Ha... I wonder how loud will the little princess scream when I gouge out those beautiful eyes?" he wondered. "Guess I'll find out today."
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In an inn near the Gemstone Plaza, a certain old man was in his room, staring at his silver flintlock pistol.
"..."
He then lowered his pistol and picked up three pieces of paper that were on the table. It was the drawings of Dunha and her parents.
"Haha... To think that bald bastard would actually be helpful..." he chuckled. "Although I have to keep in mind that he clearly wants me to die here."
As he stared at the drawings, he pulled out his dagger and stabbed Henry's drawing with intense hatred.
"Tonight will be the night..." he murmured. "I shall repay our century-long years of injustice with your descendant's blood, Gregory Star..."
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[Royal Castle]
Henry and Blue were currently in a massive dining hall as they watched the servants prepare for the party.
"I can already tell that Omar's going to be bedridden tomorrow," Henry chuckled.
"Ha, I've seen what he's capable of," Blue replied. "I'm confident he can handle this."
"Aye," said Henry.
He then looked out the window behind him and saw several guards carrying away a large crate covered by a large tarp. When Blue also turned around and saw the guards carrying the crate, he gave Henry a bitter look.
"Do you really need that thing for your plan?" Blue asked.
"Not necessarily if I was his target. But since it's my only daughter who's in danger, I'm not taking any chances," said Henry.
"Ha... I guess it can't be helped then," said Blue. "As much as I hate the idea of using that thing, I guess I can tolerate it for your daughter's sake."
He then glared at the crate as the guards disappeared from sight with it.
"Don't worry, if the plan goes well, we won't have to use it," said Henry. "With Claire arriving soon, let's hope we can put a stop to this monster for good."
Blue silently nodded and continued to listen to Henry and his plan.
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[The Ancient Gardens]
In the gardens, Dunha was currently feeding her pet, Silendore, while her mother and aunt watched her from behind.
"Seo-Yeon, how in the world did you and Henry find a silver tiger cub for Dunha?" Ann asked. "I thought they went extinct decades ago."
"We didn't find the cub, Dunha did when she went to the forest with Blue," said Seo-Yeon. "When they came back, she showed us the cub and asked if she can keep it."
She then let out a small chuckle.
"Haha, at first we were going to say she can't but when she was about to cry, we just couldn't and let her keep it," said Seo-Yeon. "Under the condition that she doesn't let it loose inside the castle, of course."
"Your daughter's a lucky one. She's probably the only one in the world who has this cub as a pet," Ann laughed. "What's next? She's going to bring a dragon home?"
"I hope not," Seo-Yeon chuckled. "I don't think we'll have room for it here."
"Haha, it's a good thing they've all gone extinct centuries ago," Ann laughed. "The closest things to a dragon that I've seen were those giant lizards back in the Valen Islands."
"How many countries did you visit over the years?" Seo-Yeon asked.
"Seven," said Ann. "Once the Reddians forget about me, I'm planning on heading to the Far-West continent."
Seo-Yeon was surprised by the number of countries that Ann visited.
"If you do that, how long is it going to take you to come back?" she asked.
"The shortest would be 5 years and the longest would be never if I die during my travels," said Ann.
"Don't say that," Seo-Yeon warned. "That'll bring bad luck to you."
"Alright," Ann smiled. "Sorry about that."
She then quickly changed the subject.
"By the way, did your daughter give the cub a name yet?" Ann asked. "If she hasn't, I have a few ideas."
"She did. It's Silendore," Seo-Yeon replied.
Ann's eyes opened wide in surprise.
"Silendore?" she asked. "Did Henry suggest that name to her?"
"No, she named it on her own. Why?" said Seo-Yeon. "You have the same reaction as Henry."
"N... It's nothing..." said Ann.
Just as she finished talking, she noticed some guards carrying a large crate towards one of the towers. This sight greatly unsettled Ann as she stared at the crate.
"What are you planning, brother?" Ann wondered.
She then quickly snapped out of her thoughts as she felt someone touching her shoulder.
"Ann, what's wrong?" Seo-Yeon asked.
"Sorry, Seo-Yeon. I just... I'm not feeling well right now," said Ann.
She then got up from her seat.
"I'll see you at the party," said Ann. "I think I'm gonna go take a rest for a while."
"A... alright? I guess I'll see you tonight?" said Seo-Yeon in an uncertain tone.
She then watched Ann quickly walk away.
"That was strange?" Seo-Yeon thought. "Well, I guess it is about time that she should get ready."
As she began to stand up, several maids who were standing nearby approached her.
"Your Highness?" said the maids.
"Prepare the dressing room for me and my daughter," said Seo-Yeon.
"Yes, your Highness," the maids bowed before walking away.
Seo-Yeon then approached Dunha who was still playing with her pet and picked her up.
"Alright sweetie, I think it's time for us to go get ready for tonight," said Seo-Yeon.
"Okay..." said Dunha.
After saying their goodbyes to a saddened Silendore, Seo-Yeon began to walk back into the castle with Dunha.
"I hope no arrows come flying at us again," Dunha thought as she remembered the attack from a few months back.
As everyone began to prepare for the celebration party tonight, the skies began to darken. A storm was approaching.
[To Be Continued...]
2021/11/15