Sophia's gaze shifted from the charred bodies of Gamon and Kamon to her mother, Rose. Rose's expression was a mix of confusion and coldness, waiting for an explanation for the chaos that had unfolded.
"Sophia, explain. Don't make me repeat myself. Why did you kill them? They held significant roles in the imperial palace," Rose asked, her arms now unfolded. The royal guards were busy dealing with the aftermath of the incident, removing the bodies.
"He intended to harm my precious son, Mother. How could I let that wretched man live after attempting to endanger my child's life? A mother must ensure her child's safety above all else," Sophia responded confidently, her gaze unwavering as she addressed Rose. The revelation seemed to shock Rose, her features displaying her surprise.
"He intended to kill my dear! That bastard... Who does he think he is? Trying to take my love's life away! That bastard!... But why did you kill Gamon? Does he also want to harm my dear?" Rose pressed Sophia for an explanation regarding why she had killed both Kamon and Gamon. She was well aware that Sophia wouldn't resort to such extreme measures unless there was a compelling reason.
Sophia nodded, acknowledging Rose's question, and proceeded to explain what transpires in the conference meeting after the Colossus death game, shedding light on Kamon's intentions and actions. As Rose listened, her eyes widened in disbelief. She found it difficult to fathom that someone had plotted against her beloved Xzson. Her anger flared, and her clenched fists showcased her intense fury, directed not only at Kamon but also at General Tojoner and the other officials who were involved.
"Where is Tojoner?" Rose's voice resonated with a mixture of anger and urgency as she sought out the guard standing nearby. The guard's initial panic was evident as he confirmed the Empress was addressing him. The other guards instinctively turned their faces away, hoping to avoid any involvement in the conversation. The guard who was directly questioned could feel the weight of the Empress's wrath in her golden eyes, and fear gripped him as he contemplated his unfortunate situation.
"Your majesty... I... I... Don't know-" The guard's stammering words were abruptly cut short as Rose swiftly took action, ending his life before he could utter more lies. The shock of witnessing such a swift and ruthless execution rippled through the other guards, rendering them speechless and wide-eyed. The tension in the air was palpable as Rose's anger radiated through the hall.
"Liar! Don't think you can deceive me. Tell me, where is Tojoner!" Rose's furious voice reverberated as she turned her attention to the remaining guards, demanding the truth about General Tojoner's whereabouts. The guards were taken aback by the brutal display they had just witnessed and realized that they could no longer contain the situation. Tojoner's orders to keep Rose and Sophia within the hall had crumbled in the face of their overwhelming anger and determination.
"Your empress... General Tojoner... He went toward the... Inner palace," one of the guards managed to stammer out, his voice quivering as he relayed the information.
Rose and Sophia's hearts skipped a beat as the truth dawned on them. The realization hit them hard, understanding Tojoner's motives for trying to keep them occupied during lunch. It had all been part of his calculated plan to ensure they remained within the hall, unaware of his intentions as he pursued his sinister agenda in the inner palace.
Rose and Sophia's faces turned anxious as they exchanged worried glances before both immediately sprang into action, running toward the inner palace. Their determination was palpable, driven by the urgency to protect Xzson and Sendra from whatever threat lay ahead.
"Dear, I'm coming. Please be okay. I won't let that bastard lay a finger on you," Rose's voice quivered with a mix of fear and determination as she whispered her plea to the wind, her heart racing with worry for her son.
"My son, Mom is coming. Please be okay," Sophia's voice trembled with a mixture of fear and determination as well. Her thoughts were consumed with the safety of her child, and she vowed to protect him at all costs.
=======
Meanwhile, in the inner palace, General Tojoner led a group of royal guards as they made their way toward the area where Xzson and Sendra were residing. Clutched in his hand was an Osmium sword, a weapon known for its immense weight and razor-sharp edge. The sword was a symbol of power and fear, reserved for those who held high positions within the dragon race.
The palace guards, armed with similar weapons, followed Tojoner as they marched with a sense of purpose. Their determined footsteps echoed through the corridors, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that had settled in the inner palace. The heavy silence was punctuated by the clinking of armour and the occasional hushed command from Tojoner.
As they neared their destination, Tojoner's eyes gleamed with a twisted sense of satisfaction. He believed that he was taking control of the situation, asserting his dominance and ensuring that his desires would be fulfilled. However, he was unaware of the storm that was brewing just around the corner, as Rose and Sophia raced to confront the threat he posed to their loved ones.
General Tojoner walked with a menacing stride, exuding an aura of power and authority. His demeanour was like that of a gangster, his presence commanding fear and submission. The soldiers who followed him maintained their positions behind him, their expressions a mix of tension and unease. As they moved through the palace corridors, maids and other soldiers who crossed their path quickly stepped aside, avoiding eye contact and any interactions. It was a common understanding that General Tojoner held significant influence and was not to be trifled with, ranking third in authority within the palace hierarchy after Rose and Sophia.
"I'm coming to make you suffer you lowly human for stealing my empress from me. I want to hear your painful cry when I cut off your limbs I will crucify you in iron nails all over your body and hang on the wall for eternity to hear your scream for mercy" General Tojoner mumbles in intense anger. The soldiers behind him are sure that the lowly human is going to die today for today.
The group finally arrived at a large door, behind which Xzson was residing. Tojoner's anger flared even more at the thought of an outsider being granted protection by his empress and staying within the inner palace. His grip on the Osmium sword tightened as he pulled it from its sheath, the blade emitting a satisfied hum. With a fierce determination, he raised the sword and swung it at the door, cutting through it with a powerful and deliberate strike. The door shattered into pieces, the sound echoing through the corridor as a testament to the force behind Tojoner's anger and resolve.
"Bang!" The sound echoed through the room as the door was blown apart, revealing General Tojoner's furious figure. His eyes were filled with a deadly intent as he glared at me.
Sendra, Luna, and I turned to face the disturbance, perplexed by the sudden intrusion. "What happened? What was that noise?" I asked, my heart racing as I saw Tojoner's enraged expression.
Sendra's voice cut through the tension, her irritation evident. "How dare you disturb our private time! We were having a peaceful moment, and you dare to barge in?"
Tojoner's voice dripped with venom as he addressed Sendra and me. "Step aside, women. I have no business with you. I'm here for that lowly human. Consider yourselves lucky that I let you go"
The guards at Tojoner's command drew their swords, ready to follow his orders. However, Sendra's demeanor shifted. A chilly breeze enveloped us, sending a shiver down our spines. The temperature in the room plummeted as if winter had suddenly arrived.
The guards exchanged uncertain glances, their confidence faltering in the face of this unnatural phenomenon. They had heard rumours about Sendra's ice queen, but now, seeing it firsthand, they were filled with doubt about the authenticity of those rumors.
Sendra's anger ignited, and she unleashed her icy aura with an intensity that made the air freeze around us. Luna and I felt the room turn frigid as the temperature dropped dramatically. "Heart freeze" Sendra whispered something under her breath, and suddenly, the guards were frozen in place, collapsing to the ground like lifeless statues.
Tojoner's disbelief was palpable as he witnessed his formidable soldiers crumble to the ground. He couldn't fathom how these powerful warriors had been brought to their knees by a force he hadn't anticipated.
"What... What have you done?" Tojoner's voice trembled with shock. He stared at Sendra in disbelief, realizing that his arrogance had led him into a dangerous trap.
Sendra's eyes were ice-cold as she regarded Tojoner. "I've shown you a glimpse of the power you dared to challenge. You were foolish to think you could threaten us. Your actions have consequences, General Tojoner."
As the realization of his mistake sank in, Tojoner's face paled, and his bravado evaporated. He found himself powerless in the face of Sendra's strength, and he now understood the gravity of his actions.