The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 232: The other teams (3)

Chapter 232: The other teams (3)

"The countdown to the climax has started."

Asoll stared out of his window into the dark night. His shadow blinked at him with her rainbow-colored eyes. She never spoke. She was bound to the Crown Prince and was part of him as long as he lived.

Looking out his tower, Asoll watched the well-lit city below. The fame of the wineries and the restaurants weren’t limited to the capital. They attracted clientele from all over the southern reaches of the continent. The Crown Prince imagined the streets filled with people, dancing and enjoying themselves.

"My ancestors worked hard, spilled sweat and blood, to found this Kingdom. They went against powers unimaginable in this day and age. Even the Heaven bestowed them the right to rule. This land, these rivers, those mountains, all are ours."

Asoll’s calm voice remained even throughout his monologue. But his shadow swayed. She didn’t know why she moved. She couldn’t be able to feel but she did. She couldn’t explain it. The rage, the disgust, and the defiance of the Crown Prince coursed through her. She couldn’t speak. Nor could she soothe his hurt heart. So she swayed. But she didn’t sway gently. She swayed like a dark fire burning.

The wrathful dance of his shadow didn’t draw Asoll’s attention. Or it did and he ignored it. But he looked at the city and the clear sky above it. Even if it was dark. His eyes peered through it.

"Tonight, we take our Fate in our hands. There is no way we will allow someone else to take what is ours." Asoll’s eyes filled with fury as he looked at the sky. "Nor will we allow the Heaven to give to someone else."

His shadow retracted and climbed over his body, becoming one with him. Asoll’s dark blue eyes faded. The colors of the rainbow filled his irises. He looked at the city below.

The light faded, the noise disappeared, and the darkness shattered. Golden threads engulfed the sky, the land, and the people.

"So many have sacrificed to keep what is ours. Mother, Father, my brothers and sisters, tonight all our suffering will be rewarded."

...

"My lord, everyone is in panic. I fear they will storm the gates."

A group of high-ranked officials stood before Rayos, who looked out of his window at the distant sky. Gunlan stood at the front and spoke on behalf of the team. He did his best to hide the trembling in his speech but he failed to do so.

The distant rumblings of the sky struck like a hammer against his fragile nerves. On top of that, the sight of giant phantoms clashing worsened his fear.

The officials knew it was a matter of time before the shocked and scared masses would storm out. But the governor ordered the gates to remain shut. It was the first time the gates out of the ruins were closed. It didn’t take a genius to realize it couldn’t be a coincidence.

"So?"

Rayos didn’t turn but his icy voice caused Gunlan to shudder. He looked at the other officials but they shuffled back with their gaze on their toes.

"Your Majesty, if we don’t open the gates, there will be chaos. There is a chance they might attack us." Gunlan trembled at the mere thought of being trampled and pulled apart by an angry mob. He vowed to start a small farm up in the mountains if he managed to escape alive and well.

Rayos turned toward the small crowd in his chambers.

"If those dogs forget who their master is, they will be taken out. Don’t fret. This will be over soon."

Knock. Knock.

With Rayos’ permission the door opened. A petite figure stepped in, followed by a group of females.

"Ah. Just the people we needed," Rayos gave the visitors a broad smile and then turned toward the officials. "As you can see, the Star Sword herself is here. And these are the Oracles. With them here, we will achieve our goal and keep the tramps under control."

The officials only received a curt nod from the ladies. The Star Sword walked up to the prince.

"Everything is in place. As we discussed, I will protect you while you guys do your stuff. But I need my payment. Now."

She spoke in barely a whisper but Rayos heard loud and clear. The others didn’t notice his wry smile.

"Of course. Please follow me." He ushered the Star Sword inside his room. Paula followed behind. The others remained in the main chamber.

Rayos led them to a small safe in the wall. With a prick of a fruit knife, he drew out a drop of blood. When he smeared the blood on the safe, it lit up. With a click, the safe opened.

There wasn’t much in there. A shining orb, a small clear crystal, and an old, filled-with-tears notebook.

Rayos picked up the orb and gave it to the Paladin. She took it with a soft smile tugging her lips. She placed the orb against her forehead. The light of the orb flickered. Soon, she withdrew it with a genuine smile.

"I take it you are satisfied with the payment?" Rayos asked with a knowing smile on his lips. He was confident his payment was more than enough.

"Of course. A display of the Sword Arts by a Sword Sage is beyond rare," the Paladin replied. "Only the vaults of a royal family can have such a treasure lying around to gather dust."

"Well, treasures are the one thing we never lack." Rayos’ smile turned wider. He liked awing others with his background. He especially liked to awe beautiful ladies out of his reach with them.

"How are the others? Any idea what they are up to?"

The Star Sword looked up. Although Rayos didn’t mention any names, she understood him all the same.

"I don’t know where they are. That big block of wood is either praying or wandering around in some piece of the ruin. And the other, that pig, is perhaps gorging himself with more food."

Rayos frowned. He could ignore almost everyone. But not those two. The factions behind them were quite troublesome. One belonged to the Temple while the other belonged to a bunch of lawless madmen...and madwomen.

...

Achoo!

"I guess that bitch is badmouthing me," Gronke grumbled as he wiped his nose with his dirty sleeve. He munched on his snacks as he watched the battle between the powerhouses.

"This is getting way out of hand," he sighed. "But I can’t run away...not yet. The client has paid double the amount the boss asked. And if I fail, she will skin me alive, put me on a stick, and roast me. So, she said."

Gronke shuddered at the thought of his boss. He rather fight all those phantoms head-on than face her. So, he waited. Waited to do the thing he was hired to do.

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