I walked down the staircase, with Lucina and Reya following closely behind. I know they had wanted to speak with me about the incident with Prince Barett Secela. However, I was more concerned with figuring out how to optimize my performance with Un’s powers.

“Master… I get that you’re excited about studying this, but you really should address their concerns before we reach the King.” Un spoke into my ear.

Don’t worry, from the layout we still have a lot more flights of stairs to go before we reach the bottom. Has that always been how you affect the system? It seems like a technique that’s easily copy-able.

Un tsked, and said, “Of course people copy it, but they can’t get the desired output of the system without building the requisite muscles first. There’s a built-in limiter to the technique. If you normally tried to exert your muscles to maximum output, the system believes that you'd undoubtedly injure yourself as you’d try to use more than what you had.”

So your version of it bypasses that somehow? Un nodded, and pointed to his own, ripped physique. “What the system ends up doing is using my own muscles as a substitute for your own. Ergo, the nanites enhance your durability and strength as if you had my muscles.”

Ah, so that’s what this pain is. I was wondering if soreness was a drawback of the power… I guess I’ll have to think carefully about when to use it then.

I was interrupted by a tapping on my shoulder, and when I turned around, Lucina’s eyes met mine, and she pointed to the portion of my field of view where the chat box was.

I sighed but indulged her, and opened my chat log to find an onslaught of messages, ranging from mildly annoyed with how Barett had treated me, to downright upset that I wasn’t responding to her.

I exhaled, and sent her a message while returning my attention to the soldier who was guiding us down the long stairway. Yes, Lucina? What is it?

‘Don’t think I won’t remember this.’ She replied, followed by an emoji of a tongue sticking out. I was slightly taken aback. Was this what she was like when she was being open with her feelings?

Thinking back on it, save for sex, I don’t think I’d ever seen her display any fragment of her emotions. Duly noted. So, what did you need to tell me so desperately?

‘Well,’ she began, ‘you should know what kind of environment we’re going to be going into. First, a question: do you know why we have only taken the stairs for the past twenty minutes, and no escalators, elevators, or transport arrays of any kind?’

My eyes narrowed as I considered her question. I hadn’t thought about it before, but it was strange that I hadn’t seen a single piece of technology, save for the aircrafts that took us from the airport to this castle.

Does… does it have to do with why they’re called the Primal Kingdom? I replied, and a small emoji with kissy lips entered my field of view.

‘I knew I chose right when I wanted to make you more than a sex friend.’ I had to restrain from face-palming, and continued reading, ‘That’s exactly it. This nation is known as the Primal Kingdom because of its values.’

That would explain the advanced age of some of the citizens. A smiling emoji flashed on my screen.

‘Exactly. Many people in this nation believe that the golden age of humanity has long since passed. The culture around here has evolved to viewing a natural death as the climax of life, and is cause for a great celebration. They believe that artificially extending your life belittles one’s own humanity.’

I stifled a chuckle, and replied, I fear what they would do if they learned about the Luong Empire’s Phoenix System.

An angry emoji. ‘Never, ever, ever mention that outside of your bedroom in the castle, or an audience with Emperor Hoshizora himself. You never know who could be listening, or what countries could be looking for an impetus to start a war.’

We exited the staircase, and entered a long, dimly lit hallway with red walls, made of the same material as the tower. Understood. So, who are we meeting this time? I waited for an answer, but only the clanking of Lucina’s armor as she walked responded.

Soon, that died down to a stop as well, as our guard halted in his tracks, and knelt towards the supposed direction of the throne room.

“Thanks, I’ll take it from here.” A woman dressed in white pants, and a red poncho walked into view. The poncho was embroidered with tribal patterns, and the pants were cut off at her knees.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Caramel skin the same color as Barett’s seemed to light up the dim corridor, and her long, black hair was tied in a ponytail that reached down to her waist. “As you wish, Princess Viina Secela.” The guard spoke, and, while still having his head bowed, backed out of the hallway, leaving the four of us.

“Hello, Viina. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” Lucina did a small bow towards the woman, and Reya seemed to bounce down the hallways towards her.

“Viina! It’s been so long.” Contrary to my expectations, Viina Secela didn’t smile, or laugh, or seem relatively happy in the least.

“This can wait, Reya.” She held up a hand to stop the crown princess’ momentum, and turned an icy green gaze my way. Although we were similar heights, she still tilted her head up at an angle to try to look down on me.

“So you’re the one who broke Barett’s hand?” Her gaze scanned me up and down. “What would you have done if he couldn’t have competed in the War Games?”

I tilted my head slightly, and responded, “Please. Firstly, your testosterone excessive brother started something he couldn’t finish. Second, I’ve seen what medical bays can do, especially those in royal possession. There’s no way he wouldn’t be alright.”

Viina frowned, her full lips arching down in discontent. “That’s not the point! We pride ourselves on natural strength, and would prefer that everything take its natural course! You’ve slighted us horribly by forcing our hand. Healing Barett via technology has shamed him.”

I rolled my eyes, and a cruel smile appeared on my face. “Blame your brother for being too weak. He tried to pick a fight with someone he knew nothing about. On top of being physically inferior, he’s stupid too. I feel bad for you, but I have to admit, I’m looking forward to seeing how you carry a failure like him through the war game.”

Her frown returned to a neutral expression, and she said, “Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing right now? You have no idea what I’m capable of, you hypocrite.”

My expression returned to neutral as well, as I replied, “I think I do. After all, if your brother was that easy to subdue, how much more difficult could you be, Princess Viina?”

“That’s Fourth Princess Secela to you.” She replied, venom in her tone. “Anyway, your audience with the Queen will be held shortly. Follow me.”

It was when we had started following the woman that something came to mind. Didn’t you say king earlier? I asked Lucina, who sent me a shrugging emoji. Great. Just great. Another unknown variable.

It was then that Un decided to reappear in front of me. “Master, I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but-”

I know. I told him, while staring at Viina Secela’s back. She’s dangerous, far more so than Barett. We’ll need to factor her into our plans heavily, if she is fighting.

---

“All be seated! Queen Secela has entered the room.” Viina Secela shouted directly into my ear.

What a childish way to get back at someone. Despite my personal feelings for Viina thus far, I decided to say nothing and make a good impression with the one actually in power: the queen.

The three of us from the Metron Kingdom took a seat, and I watched Viina kneel next to me. I turned my head away before she could catch me looking, and instead faced my head towards the empty throne.

The first thing I heard were the sound of boots echoing on the rock floor of the chamber. The next thing I knew, a short woman in a long, regal, red and white dress walked past us.

The dress trailed behind her as she walked, but was suspended off of the floor by some unknown method. She reached and sat on the throne, turning to face us in the process. Dark red eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, and tribal marks sat atop the woman’s sunkissed skin.

Her blue eyes seemed to pop from the contrast of her makeup. Her thin lips were set in a pout, as she rested her head on one hand.

“Welcome, heathens of the Metronian Kingdom. The Primal Queen greets you.” I didn’t know what to say, the woman’s aura was downright intimidating. Luckily, Reya stepped up to the plate.

“It is a pleasure, Queen Laina Secela. The crowned princess greets you, and continues to wish for our shared coexistence in the future. If you could answer a question: I was under the impression that we would be meeting the King. Where is he?”

“Dead, thankfully.” The Queen said, causing a shocked gasp from Reya, and made Lucina flinch. The Primal Queen, upon seeing their reactions, let out a small laugh.

“Of course, it wasn’t me. However, I do admit I wouldn’t have defended the man either. Who the hell would defend the man who pillaged their town on his way to becoming King, and took them as a wife after raping them.”

“Q-” Lucina got out exactly one syllable before a heavy feeling descended upon the room, and she instantly stopped talking.

“I understand, but I am okay now. The King was assassinated about two months ago, and we wanted to make it an internal affair while we investigated, so nothing has been leaked to the outside. You are the first foreigners to hear of the news, and we wish that you won’t share it carelessly.”

The three of us nodded, before the Queen’s gaze fell on me. She smirked, and said, “So you’re the one who kicked Barett in his pride? Good, that idiot son of mine was getting a big head after he won the under 25 martial arts tournament.”

“Mother!” Viina shouted in exasperation, but a quick hand held up silenced the princess instantly.

“Now, now, where are your manners?” Viina started to blush as her mother continued, “We do welcome you to the kingdom. Please feel free to explore the local nightlife, as well as the marketplace when it is open in the day. I think you’ll find that it’s quite a bit different to what you’re used to in the city.”

The queen stood up, and waved a hand in front of us, opening a document in our AR vision. “You’ll find that the negotiations between the Metronian King and myself have already concluded. I think you’ll find the last clause particularly interesting.”

Scrolling down, my heartbeat quickened as I read the sentence. ‘Should you manage to eliminate Paladin Cole from the game, he will be stripped of his title, and the Kingdom will pay 1.1 times the original amount of goods agreed upon to the winner.’

… fuck.