Veilbreaker! Oops I Bleed Again
Chapter 42: The Queen

Chapter 42: The Queen

One month had passed since their arrival in Akhabara.

The village had completely transformed.

Groups of Verdants from different places had arrived, seeking refuge.

The once simple settlement had grown, with wooden houses replacing tents.

Draven, however, wasn’t satisfied.

"Everything should be made of concrete."

But there was one problem.

None of the Verdants had masonry skills.

Most had spent their lives hiding in forests, running from oppression.

Building a true fortress required knowledge they simply didn’t have.

Still, Draven didn’t waste time.

Over the past month, he had lifted the curses of thirty people.

Instead of focusing on fighters, he focused on those who could contribute to developing the kingdom’s structure.

Builders were trained to construct a strong fortress.

Carpenters reinforced the village structures.

Blacksmiths worked on weapons and armor.

Farmers ensured a stable food supply.

They also built an offensive weapon like a heavy-duty ballista that his Siege Architect made for every fortress.

This wasn’t just about survival anymore.

It was about building a future.

Verdant groups continued arriving.

Their I.D.s were carefully checked before entry.

The kingdom’s progress surged forward.

Everyone pushed their limits, working together tirelessly to raise the walls, reinforce defenses, and secure resources.

Scouts were sent to different layers of Grimwood Forest.

Two of them were Gil and Deka.

A group of captured Verdants was being transported to the towns outside Grimwood Forest.

The slavers didn’t see them coming.

Gil perched high, his [Hawk Eye] skill letting him see across vast distances.

From almost a mile away he drew his bowstring.

[Skypiercer Shot!]

The arrow tore through the air.

The first enemy dropped instantly, the others spinning in confusion.

"Where did that come from?!"

Even the Azure I.D. user who was leading them couldn’t pinpoint the source.

Scowling, he raised his hand.

Water swirled, forming a defensive shield around them.

Gil adjusted his aim.

One shot was direct.

Another shot was angled from above.

They fired simultaneously.

The direct shot was meant to distract the water barrier.

The second pierced straight through the Azure I.D. user’s skull.

Instantly, he dropped to the ground.

Before the slavers could react, Deka’s barriers snapped into place.

Each captured Verdant was sealed in a cubical shield, protecting them.

The battle was quickly over as the slave hunters ran.

In another place far from Gil, a different duo moved in to stop a slave-hunting raid.

Among them was Kael, short black curly hair, one of Draven’s new fighters.

The slave hunters were mid-raid, unaware of the storm approaching them.

Kael cracked his knuckles, exhaling cold mist.

"Tch. Let’s make this quick."

A hunter charged forward, sword raised.

Kael stepped once.

[Frozen Step!]

The ground froze beneath him, ice spreading outward.

The first hunter slipped instantly; his balance shattered.

Another tried to stop, but his foot skidded.

"Crack!"

He crashed into a tree.

More hunters panicked as the frozen terrain spread beneath them.

"Shit! The ground!"

Kael smirked.

"Too late."

With blinding speed, he closed the distance.

A hunter swung wildly, trying to regain control, but Kael didn’t dodge.

Instead, he used his skill.

[Glacial Veil!]

A thin frost barrier coated his skin.

The blade hit.

But the impact dulled instantly, numbing the attack.

The hunter’s eyes widened.

"W-What?!"

Kael’s hand shot forward.

[Permafrost Grip!]

His fingers wrapped around the man’s wrist.

And ice crawled up his arm, freezing it solid.

"AAAGH—!!"

The hunter screamed, his sword cracking apart.

Before he could react, Kael’s fist slammed into his gut, sending him flying into two others.

The remaining slavers stumbled, struggling to stand on the frozen ground.

Fear crept into their faces.

Kael rolled his shoulders.

"Anyone else?"

The hunters struggled to stay on their feet due to the slippery terrain.

With his boosted agility, Kael took them down one by one.

"Who the hell are you? Why are you helping these Verdants?!"

"I’m a Crimson I.D. We are a group that helps Verdants."

One of the slave hunters laugh.

"Then you will be cursed by God, just like them."

Kael snubbed him.

"Tell your higher-up not to dare hunt Verdants again! Or maybe... Should I just kill you instead?"

Fear overtook one of the slave hunters, and he ran away, slipping as he fled.

"Hey Kael, are you sure you’re going to let that man go?"

A voice came from the sky.

"That’s the boss’s order," Kael replied, looking up toward the source of the voice. "Did you see any other villagers, Kaner?"

A bald man hovered high in the sky, scanning the land for more Verdant people.

"No more! I think we’re done here."

They handed a map to the Verdant they had saved, marking a safe route for them to follow.

Then, the two of them turned to leave.

---

Mother Venice sat at the head of the long table.

To her right, Naisha sat silently.

To her left, Draven leaned back in his chair, looking as uninterested as ever.

Across the table, key figures of Akhabara’s leadership gathered.

Crixus, the Captain of the Guard, sat upright.

Garrick, the Head Builder, rested his rough hands on the table.

Tiara, the Herbalist & Healer, sat nervously, not yet used to these meetings.

Helga, the Supply & Resource Manager, scribbled on a parchment, tracking materials and food rations.

And at the far end, Gil, the Head Scout, kept his arms folded.

The doors opened.

Kael and Kaner entered, fresh from their latest scouting mission.

They bowed to Mother Venice.

"We’re back, Elder Queen."

Then, they silently moved to stand behind Gil.

Yes Mother Venice is the Queen of Akhibara.

And Draven had already made his decision.

---

A month ago.

Mother Venice offered him the kingship position.

"No, I will not be the king. I already told you."

Mother Venice’s brows furrowed.

"But we need a king."

Draven shook his head.

"You don’t need a king. You need a leader. And that’s already you."

Mother Venice stared, unsure how to respond.

Draven still sitting, his voice firm.

"From the start, it was always you. You dedicated your life to gathering the Verdants, saving them, giving them a future."

He turned to the others, Naisha, Gil, and the rest.

Their eyes gleamed as realization struck.

"You’ve sacrificed more than anyone. You are already the real leader. No. You’re the real queen of the Verdants."

Naisha nodded.

"I agree, Mother. You’re the right person to lead. A good leader."

Draven smirked.

"Babe, I don’t know... but that kinda hurt my feelings."

Naisha shot him a glare, but the decision had already been made.

Everyone agreed as they heard Draven and remembered what Mother Venice endured for the Verdants