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Valkyrie's eyes widened as she noticed the man's sudden change in demeanor. His previously relaxed expression was now cold and calculating, his eyes almost daring anyone to challenge him.

'Who is this guy?' she wondered and studying him more closely. 'He's acting like he's the superior one here...'

As he locked his gaze on hers, Valkyrie could feel his intense scrutiny weighing down on her. Was he trying to gauge her strength? Did he see her as a threat? His demeanor had completely transformed into a cold, detached persona, devoid of emotion.

And then suddenly, his focus shifted to the woman standing behind Valkyrie. "Take off your helmet. Now." His tone was harsh and commanding, his voice echoing loudly across the chamber as he glared menacingly at the mysterious woman, who had been silently observing everything unfold from beneath the shadows of her helm.

But what awaited them was only oppressive silence. The air seemed to thicken with tension as Reinhold's orders hung in the air, unanswered. She still stood motionless, with absolutely no intention of doing what he said. Just as Armagus was about to intervene, a low, menacing sound echoed from within the woman's helmet—it was the sharp clinking of fangs grinding together.

Without wasting another moment, Reinhold pushed the blade aside and rushed forward, throwing a devastating left punch into her face. However, his punch was only enough to distort the helmet and push her back—not enough to finish the fight. 'Old man, what have you done to me?' he screamed inwardly.

"What the hell are you trying to pull here?!" Valkyrie demanded furiously, lunging towards Reinhold in an attempt to stop him from attacking her comrade. But he simply brushed her off like a pesky mosquito, his gaze still firmly fixed on the woman.

At this point, Armagus seemed to regain his composure and said, "Valkyrie, step back." His tone was calm but firm, indicating that he would have no argument.

"But..." Valkyrie shot him a questioning glance, but obeyed nonetheless. She then reluctantly followed his command and took several steps back until she was standing behind Reinhold, watching cautiously as things progressed.

The woman slowly raised her head, and Valkyrie gasped as she watched the helmet shift away from her face to reveal a horrifying creature underneath. Her skin crawled at the sight of the grotesque spider-woman hybrid beneath—its eight glowing red eyes staring back at her, two sharp fangs jutting out from between its pincers, and a row of serrated mandibles protruding from its mouth. The creature's fangs seemed to grow longer and sharper, causing the teeth in its twisted mouth to become even more grotesque. A thick layer of dark green hair covered its skin, glistening in the dim candlelight, giving it an eerie appearance.

'What the f-?! Is this some kind of monster? How did I never notice it all the way back here?' Valkyrie thought nervously, trying desperately to comprehend the situation. She instinctively reached for her sword but found that she was unable to unsheath it, her hands frozen by fear and shock.

Reinhold remained completely unfazed by the hideous creature in front of him; his eyes narrowed as he examined the abomination in front of him carefully. He recognized the same slimy fangs and twisted limbs as the monsters he had previously battled in Threhbor. And then, without a moment's hesitation, he lunged forward, delivering a powerful kick to its face. But to his surprise, the creature raised its hand and deflected the attack.

The beast let out a guttural growl, its razor-sharp fangs snapping menacingly at Reinhold's ankles as he dodged nimbly. He quickly jumped back with an uncanny sense of danger, and sweat dripped down his brow as he struggled to maintain his concentration. 'This is clearly no ordinary spider. Its reflexes far surpass those of others.' Reinhold wondered as he scanned the room for something to use as a weapon, but all he could see was the old man standing still and staring intently at the beast. 'What's wrong with the old man?'

Armagus still stood motionless in his spot, lost in deep thought as he observed Reinhold's struggles. His gaze remained fixed on the creature's movements as he watched the battle unfold before him with rapt attention. 'Defeating this monstrous thing would be no easy feat, especially in such a confined space where my spells were limited.' The old magician sighed and shook his head sadly.

'But more importantly, how could it fool me and get in here? Is it because my magic has weakened? Or have my senses betrayed me?' Armagus thought as he pondered his next action. 'Looks like I'll have to let him handle it. But that means this room will also be destroyed.' he concluded grimly as he sighed in resignation.

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"Deal with it, Reinhold. It's good to keep it alive because I have many things to ask about, but if necessary, feel free to kill it. However, be careful not to wreck everything in this room." His deep voice echoed through the chamber as he calmly addressed Reinhold. He leaned heavily on his cane and slowly lowered himself onto a nearby chair.

'It turns out this damn old man is wondering because he's afraid I'll destroy this lovely secret room of his? And he had the audacity to secretly seal my power under my disguise. Old man really always thinks too far ahead.' Reinhold cursed jokingly in his heart as he glared back at Armagus.

Using his cane to steady himself, he tapped twice on the stone floor and muttered an incantation. A blinding light flashed, filling the chamber and illuminating everything within a few feet. When the light faded, Reinhold's appearance had transformed into that of a regal king—long, golden hair cascading down his back like a lion's mane. His elegant, noble clothes added to his regal aura, a stark contrast to his weathered face.

Everyone's jaws dropped at the scene, including Valkyrie. "The King himself?" she exclaimed in disbelief as she looked at Armagus. Her beautiful face showed her shock and confusion. 'Could it really be him all this time?' she thought to herself, shaking her head in denial. Her mind raced with questions and doubts.

However, she was not the only one surprised by the king's sudden appearance. The hideous monster just a moment ago was aggressive and filled with murderous intent, but as soon as it witnessed Reinhold's appearance, it immediately stepped back and quietly observed. Its body language became more submissive, almost as if it knew better than to oppose him.

"I didn't expect that someone like me would one day meet the mighty King Reinhold in person. This is truly a great honor." As it spoke respectfully, it bowed deeply. "My name is Elissa Morningstar. I serve as an Executor for The Monarch of Arachnid."

Reinhold's eyebrow raised in surprise as he listened to the monster introduce itself. 'Morningstar, huh?' As he recalled this familiar name, memories flooded back to him. He had heard it before, but he couldn't quite remember where it came from.

"Executor?" he asked curiously, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Now, that and your house name sound quite familiar."

'Elissa', or whatever its true identity was, chuckled softly before explaining, "You seem to forget too quickly, my mighty king. I believe we have already crossed paths once before, a few months back in Threhbor." Its eyes flashed briefly, betraying a hint of anger and hunger. "But not eye to eye."

"I'm sure you remember it very vividly." As she recalled that memory, she paused and licked her lips hungrily. "You were so deliciously strong and determined, yet foolish and ignorant, like a lamb to the slaughter."

"Ah, now I remember," Reinhold said nonchalantly. "I crushed the head of someone whose last name was 'Morningstar'. He cried like a pathetic child as I plucked his legs one by one. It was quite funny."

As soon as the words left his mouth, a dark shadow fell upon Elissa's face. In an instant, her expression shifted from calm amusement to intense anger and disgust, but she quickly regained her composure and replied calmly, "That's correct. It was my stupid and ignorant younger brother that you killed. But know that his demise was well deserved."

Reinhold's sneer deepened as he taunted the monstrous woman, "Oh, so you're related? I wonder if you are half-retarded like your brother."

In response, her lips curled into a snarl and her red eyes glowed fiercely. She took a step closer to him, her red eyes glowing brightly as she gazed upto him intensely. "Yes," she spat, "we share the blood of the same mother." Her tone dripped with venom.

"And as such," she continued, "It is my duty and privilege to ensure justice is served. But today, that is not the purpose for which I came here."

"Justice?!" Reinheld laughed loudly and shook his head in disbelief. "Such a bold statement for those who don't understand its meaning."

Elissa's expression hardened even more as she stood her ground, waiting for his response.

"So... why have you come here, then? If not seeking revenge, what else could possibly bring you here?" Reinhold asked, feigning curiosity.

"I've come for her. She belongs to us. Give her up and I will leave peacefully." Elissa said as she pointed her finger directly at Valkyrie who stood behind Reinhold, who looked visibly shaken by the entire ordeal.

Everyone was taken aback by her sudden request and stared wide-eyed at Valkyrie. "What does she mean?" Reinhold turned around and asked Valkyrie. "I... don't know, Your Highness." Her voice trembled with uncertainty while her hands clutched each other nervously. But it was clear that she was hiding something, as her words faltered and her gaze darted frantically between Elissa and Reinhold.

'What do spiders want with a wood-elf? Why did they have to come all the way here to capture her?' Reinhold thought as he observed the exchange. 'Is this a mere coincidence? Or is something bigger behind it?' The king frowned and rubbed his chin thoughtfully, trying to figure out what exactly was going on.

'I myself am quite curious about her background. And what secrets was she hiding that they were so desperate to obtain? Are they planning something else? It's like the questions are getting more and more crowded, and I'm in the dark about everything on this continent.' He sighed and shook his head in frustration.

Just as he was wondering with questions flooding his mind, he met Armagus's eyes. The old man's eyes were filled with trepidation but also determination. It was clear that he didn't know any more about the wood-elf's secrets than Reinhold did, but he was not willing to hand her over to the spiders. The old man nodded slightly, and Reinhold immediately knew the answer.

A small grin appeared on his face before he turned back and looked at the hideous spider in front of him. "Well, I'm afraid she isn't mine to give. She's a free elf in a free city. And I have no right to interfere in her life decisions."

Elissa's expression darkened as she heard this, but then she smiled slyly. "Very well. If that's the case..."