"Princess Mich.e.l.le has arrived!" The guard shouted loudly as the crown prince was about to start the banquet. His eyes lit up after seeing the familiar figure of his sister.
He was the one who sent his sister to Border City in order to check the four-elemental saint. He was wary of the sudden arrival of Cale, thus, he sent Princess Mich.e.l.le to inquire about his ident.i.ty and his goal inside the empire.
Behind the princess was Zero and the others. When they went inside the banquet hall, they felt their connection with Cale, making their eyes light up.
"Look! Isn"t that his lords.h.i.+p?" Zarinvienne said excitedly.
"Yes, that is indeed him. But who is that woman standing behind him?" Nocturna asked with a frown.
Zero and the two other men glanced at the woman behind Cale.
"That woman... Isn"t that Lady Aurora who fought with Azazel?!" Brogen almost jumped in surprise after seeing the familiar figure.
A torrent of emotions a.s.saulted his heart. How could he not know who she was?
She was the human leader of Gallantos who fought against the demon race"s upper echelons. But even someone like her died in battle. After her death, humanity succ.u.mbed under the overbearing invasion of the demon race and the survivors became food for the lesser demons.
That was also the last time they saw their world.
Nocturna was also a native of Gallantos, but she was not able to see Aurora. It was because her Elven race was the first one to be erased in the history of Gallantos after the demons" arrival.
Only Zero and Brogen were able to see Aurora and her final battle with the Demon Immortal Azazel.
"Her strength... It appears to have regressed an entire realm." Zero said solemnly.
"Sigh! She was, after all, injured by Demon Immortal Azazel and was forced to seal herself. Who knew that she still died in the end..." Brogen sighed with remorseful expression.
"We were too weak back then, and we can only be considered as stronger cannon fodders. But now, his lords.h.i.+p gave us hope. Once he refines his nascent soul and steps into the Nascent G.o.d level, we will have the chance to exact vengeance for our destroyed world." Zero said while clenching his fists tightly.
"Are you guys fine? Why do you all look so serious?" Princess Mich.e.l.le asked them worriedly after seeing their expressions.
Nocturna smiled warmly at her and said.
"Your highness, don"t worry. We are just somewhat agitated to see our lord. After all, he went to the Cave of Endless Grievance."
Zero and Brogen forced a smile on their faces and nodded their heads.
"Young miss Nocturna is right."
Princess Mich.e.l.le no longer doubted them. She was even worried about Seira"s safety. Hence, she understood their feelings perfectly.
After hearing the great war a few days ago, she wanted to rush back towards the capital. But Zero and the others did not allow her to go. She reluctantly agreed to stay inside Border City after rea.s.suring her that nothing bad would happen.
Now, after the war, they rushed back in the capital to join the crown prince"s banquet.
"Big brother! Third brother!" Princess Mich.e.l.le hugged them excitedly and m.u.f.fled a cry. She was very worried about their safety that she lost her regal bearing after seeing them inside.
The crown prince and the third prince patted her back dotingly.
"Little sister Mich.e.l.le, aren"t we fine? Shh, don"t cry anymore." Elyon consoled with a warm smile.
"Hm, okay..." Princess Mich.e.l.le nodded her head slightly.
The third prince wiped her tears using his sleeves and patted her head with a smile.
"Big brother, start the banquet."
The crown prince patted Princess Mich.e.l.le"s head before he told everyone the beginning of the banquet.
"My lord, we are back." Zero and the others bowed their heads lightly at Cale.
Aurora"s eyes flashed for a brief moment after sensing the feeling of familiarity from Brogen and Zero.
"Are they..."
"Good job on protecting her highness. Oh! By the way, this is Aurora." Cale said with a smile while pulling Aurora"s hand gently.
"h.e.l.lo, Young Miss Aurora." Atlas smiled and bowed his head lightly. He already felt her extraordinariness from afar.
The others also greeted her with warm smiles on their faces.
Aurora nodded her head at them coolly.
The third prince was stunned after seeing Aurora"s dainty figure, but then he felt alarmed when he sensed her strength.
"Late stage Immortal-Cla.s.s level?! Who is this woman? Her strength is actually on par with mine. This is a bit troublesome. Tsk!"
Aurora frowned after sensing someone"s piercing gaze. She glanced at the third prince with an emotionless expression.
"This woman"s senses are sharp. Interesting! Looks like I have to lay low for now. Troublesome!" The third prince smiled faintly at Aurora after she glanced at his direction. He then went away and talked with the other n.o.bles.
"Aurora, is there something wrong?" Cale asked.
Aurora walked closer towards Cale and whispered silently.
"My lord, that third prince... He is not a simple man. I sense a feeling of danger from him."
Cale was a bit surprised that Aurora was able to sense the third prince peculiarity, but he just patted her head.
"I already know. Don"t mind him for now. It"s not yet time for us to move."
Aurora blushed and gently swatted Cale"s hand away.
The latter smiled at her before he stared solemnly at the third prince"s back figure.
Meanwhile, inside the central part of the Death Forest.
A cloaked silhouette can be seen standing calmly in front of several dozen thousand of ferocious-looking savage beasts.
There were all sorts of savage beasts, and each one of them was emitting strong auras that would make any mortals die in suffocation. But they were strangely subdued in front of the mysterious person.
"Ling Tian is gone. I can now call more beasts to join me. That Immortal level sword, only I, the Beast King am qualified to wield it. Even you Aventus Doomblade is unqualified to wield that sword. Hahaha!"
The cloaked silhouette laughed maliciously before he flicked his sleeves. After doing that, the several dozen thousand savage beasts dispersed in different directions.
"The beast tide this time will be much more fun than the ones before. Celestial Sword Empire, I hope you enjoy my gift for you. Hahaha!"
Inside the banquet hall, everyone was forming their own circles of people to talk with. They were either exchanging views on cultivation or delving deeper into talks about their territories.
The itinerant cultivators also formed their own sphere inside the banquet hall.
"Brother Wushuang, why do you think the crown prince invited us to join this banquet?" A middle-aged man wearing coa.r.s.e clothing asked while stuffing food in his mouth.
Wenren Wushuang furrowed his brows and said.
"I am not sure either. But it should be related to the war a few days ago. If I am not wrong, the imperial family will be recruiting some of us to join the army."
The other itinerant cultivators thought deeply and nodded their heads.
"It might be possible. Especially now that the empire lost many strong soldiers. But did they really think that we would agree right away? Tch!"
Wenren Wushuang remained silent after that.
"Young miss, do you mind if I dance with you?"
An elegant-looking young n.o.ble came forward and bowed slightly at Aurora. He was mesmerized by her beauty after seeing her once. Although her face was covered by a translucent veil, he knew that she was without a doubt a country-toppling beauty. Her bearing and temperament subdued his young heart.
Cale watched the entire scene with an amused smile on his face. This young man actually disregarded him and did not even inquire about his relations.h.i.+p with Aurora. This was a silent provocation to him, but Cale merely smiled.
Aurora did not even bother glancing at the young n.o.ble and just continued to stand with a cold expression.
The young n.o.ble"s smile twitched after having been ignored by Aurora. Who was he? He was the son of a marquess, a young genius who was admired by many people. And now he was actually ignored by a random beauty.
"Wait after this banquet is done. This little lord will kidnap you and we"ll see if you still wear that cold expression on your face. Don"t beg this little lord for mercy later. I will train you on how to become an obedient woman." The young n.o.ble smiled wickedly at his own thoughts.
"Since young miss is busy, this young lord shall take my leave." He smiled elegantly and returned to his seat.
Cale walked towards Aurora and smiled at her teasingly.
"Aurora"s beauty is truly eye-catching even if you wear that veil. And it looks like that young n.o.ble would make things difficult for us after this banquet. I"m a little afraid." Cale put on an exaggerated expression as if he was really fearful, making Zarinvienne and Nocturna giggle.
"My lord, look at his face. It was as if he had swallowed a fly." Zarinvienne giggled mischievously.
Cale smiled at the young n.o.ble and flashed a teasing smile at him.
"You dare ignore me? Hmph! Come bite me! Heh!"