Chapter 20

"Where should we go now Sir Yvetta?" "Damn it. They will not be happy about losing all those magical artifacts and the chain bastard in the lower floor."

"Sir." 

"...We need to go back to my home. I hate to use my very own money for them, but they won't let me go unless I pay them with something." "And the magic tools." "I have an idea on who can help us. Let's make our way to the strait between the mainland and this one."

Their conversation was interrupted by the magical explosions that were happening on his boat. Laney and the imperial were going toe to toe with one another. Laney attacks were not doing much to the imperials armor.

He's a brawler. Then that means he's also a. The imperial lands a blow on to my side. He's not giving time to think. I felt my pelvis was fractured. I am lucky that it was only a fracture. My defensive spell can only take maybe two more attacks.

"...How strange." 

"What is?" "You're a beast man aren't you." He looks at me strangely and then laughs at my question. "Do not lump me in with the same lowly races. His speed and attacks aren't like a human. But that strength is like Ivalyos. He seems to be a half-breed too. 

Now that I look at him. He doesn't have the features of a beast-men. The sounds of my sword were chipping with every attack and block I do. He relentless charges at me pushing be back.

"Aero sling!" A combination of wind and lightning magic. The attack was too fast for even the imperial to see. But the armor was black steel. It's not easy to cut. 

I step back a few feet to distance myself. I can't let him get a hold of me. I'll be finish if he does. On the side of his armor. Left was burnt from my attack. We both notice the commotion on the ports as knights stormed on the merchant boats and including this one.

He fights of the entire knights, but Tise was able to push back. She athletic type of fighter using her bow and sword while fighting. The imperial throughs an overhead attack. Tise uses her bow string to swing him over her shoulder with his neck.

"Hah! You're a talent!" His gauntlets upper knuckles move on its on pushing backwards and forward the moment he punched the floor of the boat. Causing the boat to capsize on itself. 

I run up the mast with the imperial in pursuit. He had grabbed my ankle and through me on to the dock. My mana field is going to break and as well as the enchantments on my body.

The dock had cracked when he landed in front of me. I thoughts a punch at me. Luckily I was able to block it with my sword. But the force pushed back. I was not able to stop myself unless something was in my way.

I run right through a building. I groan in pain from the crash. My enchantment had broken entirely. Those gauntlets. It's not a magical item.

I walk out into the open where he waited for me. "Heh. You're still alive." Screams from the boat were distant but clearly the slaves were dying. "If you think this is over. Your wrong. Besides those are just weaklings."

"You bastard!" 

Tise out of nowhere shots four arrows at him and casts a spell. "Luna star!" The arrows started to spin around each other like circle fusing into a giant green arrow of light mana. To our surprise he smacks his hands together and opens them up. 

"Hades eyes!" The ball of fire had sucked in the entire spell and burning it away. "Damn it." Tise in reaction to her spell being destroyed. "Tise that spell." 

"I know."

The imperial eyes focus somewhere else. He lowers his hands showing no more fight. "This was fun. But I have more important things to do. The name is Hargur Rhine. We'll meet again soon." A voice of women chants a spell that could be heard throughout the city. A lightning strike hits Hargur and gets absorbed by the lighting and disappears.

"You all, right?" 

"I think I just cracked my ribs...maybe even my shoulder." "Let me help. Hold my hand." "Oh...finally noticed my charms."

"Shut up and do it." Her hand was soft. My mana pool absorbs her own mana. Healing me. "Nice spell." 

"It's not a spell. It's just a reaction of my mana that has healing attributes. Nothing more." "I think it's great. Thank you."

"...Right. You need to rest." After the whole ordeal we went back to the castle. Though we did find the rest of the slaves. Many of them did not survive when Hargur broke the boat in half." Mia speaks.

"Half of the people on the boat survived. We were unprepared." "I am sorry your highness." "No Laney. We did not expect a powerful foe to be there. It's not your fault."

"What do we do now?" "You mean the imperials. Their powerful. They have completely disappeared. The sewers were cleaned out. They were not found. Every abandoned building. Nothing."

"Did they really leave?" 

"This is alarming. General Hen is the only person that could go toe to toe with them. And they know he's not here."

"He said they'll see us soon. It can happen anytime." "I said before. They care about the reptation of their empire and the internationally. There waiting. They might attack the castle when the armies of Lazare get here."

"Then we should be prepared." "Yes. We must make sure the castle is ready for an attack...but first. We should continue our original plan. The merchants were arrested, and their imports were taken."

"Wouldn't powerful people be mad?" "Yes, but they can't do much. I already got approve from a certain friend and as a witness. So, the goods are now ours. But we should still be cautions of outsiders. Powerful leaders will be trying to get back at us."

"Wait. Are you planning to let them in?" "Not now. After the war I will." "Mia." "It's fine Cairo. We have to anyway or else well be in another situation like this with our people."

"I get it. I'll set up a set of rules when foreigner come into our kingdom and search procedures as well. Of course, by your royal degree of approvement."

"Anything is all right Cairo. I trust you. But let's focus on keeping our people happy. Sort out the food and valuables and give out the food."

"Yes, your highness."

In a rundown village the imperials had made it their base of operations. Hargur appears in the camp with joy.

"You idiot." 

"Ah Peo." 

"Sir Kane is not happy Hargur." "Heh. I figured so. Well, whatever. I'll accept what happens to me." "Really."

"Ah speak of the devil. Oh wait. How fitting and ironic! Haha!" "There is nothing better than wanting to pull out your tongue and feeding it to you. But because I need your talents...I will overlook this. For now, stay here and don't leave like a good dog you are."

"..." He stares into his soul. Wanting to kill him. "Are we crystal?" 

"Heh. I received your orders...Sir Kane." 

"Good. Remember you only here because he wanted you here." "By the way. Just so you know. Your plan won't work. The people there seemed to come together now. Human and non. We might be here for a while. So, I'll get comfy here now."

"Sir Kane. Theirs a call waiting for you." "I understand...you. Stay here." "Like I said. I'll be really comfortable here. Thank you for worrying about me. Sir Kane."

"Sir."

"I'll be right there." 

I will kill him one day. "Who is calling?" "It's the dowager empress." "The emperors mother. Why would she call me of all people?"

"I already answer sir she is waiting for you." "...Sign."

As he walked in the mother of the empress and the most powerful women in the entire land of stars stood in her chair through magic mirror. "Sir Kane. It's been a while."

"I greet the grandmother of the southern empire. Why have you called your majesty?" "I have come to give news to you. Today the emperor has given approval of my engagement between you and the fifth princess."

"Oh...I thank you...your majesty." "That is all I wanted to say. As of today, you are now my royal son in law. And will be a part of the imperial family. I on behalf of the family are proud to have such a powerful person in our bloodline."

"I see. Thank once again."

"I'll leave you to your mission. If you need anything, please tell me. I will do anything to help my future son in law."

"I will."

"Good day than." 

"...Damn it." "Sir."

"We need to finish this soon. I need to get home. I need to cut that princess head off and stick on her father's statue outside her castle."

But first. I need to deal with Hen. As quietly as possible. "Get the Peo and Dostana. They have a mission. The first battle of this war will start soon and well take the chance to take out Henkeva. Once and for all."