Although she hated the Central Palace as much as she hated her prince’s stubbornness, Layla once again found herself standing there. A long and silent hallway made of ivory marble was stretched in her eyes. This particular side of the palace was frigid and deserted. The sunlight shone through the stained glass panes, tinting the ivory floor with rainbows. Vases of flowers and greenery were placed neatly along the sides of the hallway. The wall and the doors were painted in an ivory and maroon accent. It was the very view Layla saw every time she visited the palace.
She just sat on a piece of expensive furniture, in between two big pillars, eyeing the warm vapour of her breath. It was almost the end of the year, and the temperature was cold. She couldn’t help but reminisce about her past. She used to visit her hometown every New Year, but she hadn’t been back in a long time. Not because she didn’t want to, but because she couldn’t.
“It’s getting concerning. Why would Prince Riga keep such a girl beside him?” A female voice echoed in the long hallway.
“Shhhh! Be careful with your mouth.” Followed by another female voice.
"Come on, she's rarely here."
Layla rolled her eyes and sighed. A big gust of warm vapour swished out of her nose. This was why she hated the Palace. It was full of jealousy and gossip among the attendances. Lately, the hot topic was her, the newly appointed Ultimate Priestess of the Empire. His Majesty the Imperial Prince Riga himself ordered the appointment. Soon, gossip started to spread, like forest fires during drought.
She knew people had been hating on her because of how the Prince had treated her. She too had agreed that she shouldn’t be the Imperial Prince’s personal priestess. She was an outsider, a girl born in another country. Her blood was different from the rest of the people in the palace. She wasn’t supposed to be right beside their beloved Prince Riga. She got the memo, yet she couldn’t defy the Prince's command.
Talk as much as you want. She thought to herself, suppressing her annoyance. If it was just about her, she could manage the negativity.
Her pendant glowed suddenly. As calm as she was, she hold it and waited for a voice.
“Calling to Prince Riga's personal priest.”
“Speaking.”
“Her Majesty the Empress Regnant is looking for Prince Riga. Please report to Her Majesty’s office as soon as possible.”
“Understood.” She cut the transmission signal.
She stood up, fixed her robe, and murmured, “I smell trouble.”
She made sure to square her shoulder before aiming at a balcony near the Prince’s chamber, not wanting the Prince to see her weak side. She walked past the vases for quite some time before making a right turn. The cold 17th month's air hit her face. A big door to the balcony was open. She could already see the Prince sitting down with his paperwork. His blonde long hair got messed up by the cold wind. The Prince didn't seem to mind the cold. Most of it was because of his expensive clothes. He was perfectly comfortable under the hug of his black and maroon uniform.
“Give me the lists of invited holders as soon as you can. We can't afford to lose the next Harvest Moon.” The Prince was holding his pendant when Layla poked herself into his view.
“That’s all. I’ll cut it.” The transmission was cut as soon as the Prince’s eyes met Layla’s. They had been together for a long time that a single glance could signal so much.
The Prince had understood those eyes. They meant business.
“My lord, the Empress is looking for you.”
“Can I do it later?” There he was again, pushing agenda after agenda.
"..."
Layla didn’t say anything. At time like this, she talked with her eyes.
“I really don’t wanna do it now.”
“…”
“Can you call her assistant instead?”
“…”
“Hah… She would probably slap me if I show up now. You know?”
“The Empress would never.” Her voice held stern. She chuckled internally at the idea. Layla perceived the Prince as being pitiful. The Empress, although bold, would never hit the Imperial Prince. That went without saying. She thought.
….
Smack! A cold slap landed on Riga’s left cheek. He held his posture straight, pretending not to feel the pain.
See. She slapped me. He hoped he could show Layla that. But he couldn’t. There was only him and the Empress in the Empress’s office.
“How many times should I call for you until you actually show up?”
The Provisional Empress Regnant, Carina Yugenheim was an ill-tempered woman. She was impatient and straight to the point. Since she was appointed as the provisional ruler, this side of her seemed to only get worse each day. Even now, she couldn't hold herself from smacking some sanity into her troublesome nephew's head.
Carina made a little tour around Riga before slumping back to her fluffy chair. A cheap cigarette in between her right index finger and right thumb. For some reason, she enjoyed it more than the expensive ones. It had a strong smell of tobacco, and she was all in for that.
The glint of fire at the tip of the cigarette flickered, enunciating the lines on her face. Carina was not so young anymore. Apparently, 55 years on Earth. But she was still as elegant as a maiden. Her black hair was rolled up in a bun. Not a single strand left the herd. Her long green dress cradled the floor. Her lips were red with rouge. She smelled of roses and cigarettes. Her servants said, you could tell where Carina was in the palace just by sniffing the air. It had become her identity. What most people didn't know, it had also become her frustration.
Smoking had chewed her healthy flesh. She coughed every so often. She was unable to sleep at night due to the discomfort in her lungs. Her high status was useless in the eyes of health. Sickness seemed to hit everyone in equal manners. To make it worse, healing skills only worked on wounds, not sickness. She could ask for the best healer, and still be sick.
Her doctors had begged her to stop smoking, but she was more afraid of stress than death. So, there she was, sucking her cigarette while darting her nephew with tiger's eyes identical to that of the Yugenheims'.
5 years ago, her older brother, Emperor Orion Yugenheim died, leaving his two sons. They were the first son, Riga, and the second son, Daniel. These children were the center of my miserable life. She thought while gritting her teeth after exhaling some more smoke.
"I told you to bring the 17th Sakka here. Why haven't I seen her?"
“She will be here by next month. Her body is under the effect of the eternal mana, Your Majesty. It is a presumptuous act to move her while she is unhealthy. She will be fine to stay in the Holy Church.” Riga said calmly.
“Now, you’re lecturing me???” But nothing was calm in Carina’s words.
“Your Majesty.” Riga voiced his concern. Carina heard it and smoked some more to calm her anger. These days she seemed to always be on edge.
“Has Daniel paid her a visit?” She continued.
“No, he has not.”
Carina clicked her tongue. “Where in the world is he?”
“His Majesty the Crown Prince is currently in the 19th district. There is a new report about our top-secret criminal.”
As soon as she heard that, she stopped sucking her cigarette bud. Her expression was in between anger and worry.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
…
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For Daniel, not a single life was as precious as his life. He was born that way and raised that way. The Crown Prince of Orrientera Imperium, Daniel Yugenheim was raised to rule. Everyone would agree that he, under all circumstances, should not put his life in danger. That was why when Sheena had her back on Akasha, he jumped away from the trouble.
He knew what Akasha was. He was a menace, the former Director of Orrientera Intelligence Bureau. As for Daniel right now, there was no chance of defeating him with only Edward as his card.
Daniel might be extraordinarily tough with HP reaching more than 500.000, slightly above the SS Class HP. But he didn’t have any magic strength or skills. All he had was his physical strength, two handguns, and a shotgun. His defence was wide open, and he knew he had to retreat.
The only thing that he didn’t know there was Sheena, a woman he had just met.
Sheena, without losing her balance, jumped and turned her body in the air, fast and beautiful. She had unconsciously used her physical strength to give her a boost to jump higher and farther. She had jumped out of planes and tall building countless times. There was no way she could not pull such a move.
Daniel’s pupils widened. That woman, she is a warrior.
Sheena’s figure gave him the impression of a feminine woman with a fragile body. A type of woman who was tender and high in taste. That was why he had given up on the idea of saving her when Akasha had targeted her. No chance, he thought.
Sheena, although shocked, didn’t lose her composure. The professionalism of the old Haiga kicked her nervous system. Her body moved as smoothly and sharply as she had always moved during missions.
“It looks like this young lady right here is trained.” Akasha grinned.
“Hey! This is bad. Let’s retreat.” Sheena jumped to Daniel.
“Yoro! How dare you lay there when my enemy is well aware of me?” Daniel shouted. If he was to retreat, at least, he should bring Edward with him.
“No need to worry, young master. I have no plan to kill you. Not yet.” Akasha stood and folded his arms. His face was amused.
“You,” Daniel scrunched his nose, “What’s your plan? Sending an ogre to create outbreaks.”
“I am on a test you know.”
“Test?”
“Turns out, your father’s head alone is not enough to get the title. So… I am on trial to see if I fit the title. You know what title it is."
Humma. Daniel thought to himself. Every time he said that, his heart throbbed a little.
"You've done so many sins, but the biggest of them all is what you did to my father! How dare you easily say that?" All this time, Daniel was businesslike with his words. But this remark of his was different. It was a scream of sorrow and resentment.
"You're still naive. Everybody is a sinner. No need to point me out. My sins are nothing compared to your father's anyway. Am I right or right? Tell me, my Young Master. What's wrong with me?" Akasha didn't budge. He grinned and laughed wholeheartedly before Daniel's eyes.
Nothing could set Daniel's patient on fire like Akasha could. He was too angry to say anything back.
“Because I care for you, I am going to tell you. About 2 weeks ago, a rat hacked into the system. A force entry. I was ordered to see what’s up. This is a part of my test.”
Fuck! Sheena cursed internally. She couldn’t get any right. She was confused, but she knew that the rat Akasha meant was her.
“Now that the 17th Sakka has arrived, the rat must be here as well. We all have been waiting for the one who cursed you. Haven’t we?”
When the 17th Sakka arrived, all the royals were overjoyed. Yet, only Daniel alone was left to know the truth. The one who cursed him was another entity unbeknownst to the system. When he was born, his mother, The Empress Consort Orfia Yugeinheim dreamed of a beautiful woman with green eyes. She was the one who cursed him. Her mother had kept a long writing describing her dream as she felt that it was necessary. In one of her writing, she wrote, ‘I will be here after the system’s 16th Sakka arrives. Let me marry your child, and he will be free.’
Yes. The curse breaker was not the 17th Sakka. It was someone else. That being said, whoever the system sent as the 17th Sakka would not break the curse. Only Daniel, his late father, and his late mother knew this. Yet it seemed like Akasha had somehow figured that out. It was because of people like Akasha that the information was tightly sealed.
“I need to find the rat before you do, young master. I don’t want you to get stronger.”
Daniel gritted his teeth upon the remark. “I’ll put you behind bars before you find her!” He roared.
“No. I will be leaving before then, young master. But I am going to bring this young lady with me.” When his skill failed on Sheena, Akasha couldn’t help but question her existence. She didn’t look like she was powerful enough to deny his skill. That was why he wanted to bring her. She was an anomaly in his eyes.
Hold up. This is a mess. I have no idea what is happening. Explain to me, Nobody!!! Sheena screamed for ‘nobody.’ Although she knew ‘nobody’ would not appear, she still hoped for some explanations.
Yet…
-Like I said, it’s complicated. - She heard ‘nobody’s voice inside her head, nonchalantly speaking.
Hey!!! All this time, you can talk to me?
Sheena froze. Seeing this, Akasha jumped and grabbed her. Almost at the same time, he cast a limited skill.
[Skill: Teleportation lvl 10] (Blink)
A bright pillar of light fell upon them in an instant, sending them to another place.
Sheena couldn’t see anything for a solid 3 seconds. The next time she opened her eyes, it was dark. She felt claustrophobic. If there was anything that the fearless Sheena was afraid of it would definitely be getting trapped in a small and dark space.
“Shit!” She shouted.
“How vulgar.” Shocking to Sheena, Daniel’s voice of disgust was heard from behind. He was taken aback. No one ever cursed in his presence. Until, Sheena.
“You?” She stepped backward in response. Then, she felt a warm body by her back.
“Move. What’s wrong with you?” Daniel whispered.
“My bad!” She whispered back, almost shouting.
Torches suddenly lit up from every corner. Soon, Sheena and Daniel could see where they were.
“Oh? Young master is here too?” A distant voice echoed. Akasha had only intended to bring Sheena, and Daniel knew he had to escape. Yet he couldn’t brush off the sudden feeling to follow the two. Thus, when Akasha activated his skill, Daniel jumped inside the magic circle just in the nick of time, almost unconsciously.
Sheena and Daniel instinctively looked up. Only then that they knew, how big the place was.
“Welcome to the Sacred Tomb of Mount Pelion. Where generations of monster kings were buried.” Akasha opened his arms wide as if preparing to hug. He was standing on the third floor. There were at least 50 more floors above him.
The Sacred Tomb was actually a dungeon made to bury the monster kings. It was directly deep below Mount Pelion. Weapons from generations were buried with their owner inside the tomb.
-You need to get stronger. - ‘Nobody’s voice was heard again. Sheena almost couldn’t hold her tongue to shout.
-This is as much as I can say. I have helped you with all I can. Good luck. -
Explain some more to me!
Instead of an answer, her screen popped up.
[You have finished the Independent Quest. Here is your reward: Right to weapon: Primordial Star]
What? How?
“It is a bad idea to be here, ladies and gentlemen.” Akasha continued, “Although I am on trial mode, I too can summon eaters.” He grinned with madness in his eyes.
“We’re doomed.” Daniel’s eyes were wide. He knew what would happen.
“Let’s see how strong you are, young lady. Someone who can deny my skill wouldn’t be bothered by some eaters. Right? And, since you’re here young master, let’s consider this your training. Don’t worry. I will not let you two die. But this may sting a little. ”
[Skill: Summon - Night Eaters lvl 10] (Humma’s Special)
As soon as Akasha finished his speech, the quartz floor grumbled. From the thin air, balls of purple light appeared. They took shapes of animals and deformed humans. All 50 of them, ranging from E to A class.
“AKASHA!!!” Daniel roared, sending energy bursts around.
“Hahaha. Enjoy. I’ll see you upstairs.” But Akasha only laughed. His body was turned into white smoke before it was gone into the air.
Both Sheena and Daniel suddenly were in team mode. They stood back to back, vigilantly observing. In her mind, Sheena was trying to find ways to survive with her little-to-no strength.
[Notice: Tutorial is available]
‘All requirements are fulfilled. The current condition is suitable for a tutorial.’
‘Now is not the time, Lian.’
‘This is the perfect time, master. Based on the rights given to me by the Ninth Protector, I will initiate a forced tutorial.’
‘What? Stop! I cannot afford a tutorial now.’
[Initiating: forced tutorial in 3…2…1…]
***