If their scepticism persisted, she would be left with no option but to execute every fallen leader in her presence and assert her authority over the remnants of their kingdoms. Though it was a task she longed to sidestep, but if circumstance left her no alternative, she would be compelled to claim their heads begrudgingly.
She doubted that there would be any resistance, and even if there was, it would prove to be completely futile.
Just as she was about to grasp the door handle, "BAM!" The door was flung open.
However, she was unperturbed. "What is it?" She asked. But still, her eyes were raised in suspicion at her guard's sudden entrance into the throne room.
Sothing was wrong, and she didn't need to be a genius to notice it. But to specifically know what it was ---
"MY QUEEN!" The guard addressed her and imdiately saluted. "There is a problem".
Her brows scrunched up in confusion. "Shouldn't Gideon be present to attend to any issues that arise?". Her reasoning was clear, for compared to her experience, Gideon -her butler has served the Kingdom for several years before she was even born, so his competence and skill in handling the Kingdom's affairs were much better than hers.
Though, unless it was sothing that he could not handle alone, it begged the question: What would make Gideon ask for her help while she was attending to the leaders of the Fallen Kingdoms?
"Master Gideon asserts, Your Majesty, that this is sothing that you see and decide by yourself" The guard responded.
Her face creased deeply. 'What is going on?' She thought. She turned and stared at the fallen leaders behind her. "I will have my guards escort you to the dining hall, and then instruct the chef to prepare a delectable al for your breakfast, before we proceed".
They all gave their assent. Despite the recent troubleso revelation and the pressing issue at hand, none of them seed to be in a hurry.
It was unde ---
"BOOM"
"BOOM"
"BOOM"
Three large, trendous earthquakes hit them, rocking the castle and shaking its foundation on the Miracle Mountain. Yet, everyone in the hall stood unfazed but suspiciously still as they each tried to discern the cause of the earthquake.
She snapped her gaze back at the guard. "What is the problem?". She asked. While her mind rushed for answers.
Were they being attacked?
Had she delayed too long in formulating a decisive plan, leaving the beast to now stand before her castle, poised to unleash a devastating attack?
Wait!
If it has already arrived here, then it has already gone through her cities….. Her Kingdom! Is ---
"Your Majesty" The guard responded, his words disrupting her thoughts. "….We are under attack".
Attack?
By whom?
By what?
What or who was assaulting her castle?
If she had been unable to control her emotions, she would have strangled the guard in front of him and forcefully dragged out all of his words at once. But, it was understandable, since this was how they were trained…. To be able to properly deliver whatever news they have no matter the pressure such news brought.
"By King Aal, and the remnants of the Azuiloth Kingdom".
At that mont, every leader in the hall, including her, had a look of disbelief on their faces.
The fallen Azuiloth Kingdom attacking the Miracle Queen's Castle!
A kingdom that lived on the back of its glory days that could not even withstand a few attacks from several ascendants of the Houya Kingdom should they choose to attack.
A kingdom ruled by a lethargic king who was even more docile than Knight Boris.
Her head snapped towards the Knight. Even before she had asked her question, the Knight readily responded.
"I swear by the gods that I have no inkling as to why King Aal abstained from the eting" He shook his head in doubt and confusion. "Nor can I fathom his reasoning for such a misguided choice".
His answer was simple and predictable if this was a joint attack since he and King Aal presided over the sa city. Nonetheless, she believed him as it was not.
Yet, no matter how hard she strained her mind, she couldn't comprehend the reason...why he had chosen to launch an attack against her, especially since she was even willing to extend to him a reasonable proposal -the sa way she had done with Knight Boris.
He was among the easiest individuals for her to control without any need for force. And now ---
And now ----
Queen Mavena took in a deep breath and breathed out in frustration.
Nevertheless, even in doubt, she steeled her mind and focused on what mattered the most currently.
"BOOOM!"
"Everyone, let's go and greet King Aal and hear his reasons for not accepting this Queen's invitation" She said, turning around and gazing at the fallen leaders that stood behind her.
"Very well" The fallen Grand Duke Liam responded with a nod. "I too wish to discover why the wise old man has suddenly decided not to make use of his sense of reasoning".
Prince Murdock nodded in agreent.
She turned to the Mad King, expecting him to make so snarky comnts that would be befitting of his title. Yet, his lips were tightly sealed and his eyes were fixed ahead with a blank, unruffled expression.
There was sothing wrong!
She declared. "Let's go". She marched forward, out of the throne room, with her guard beside her, and the fallen leaders behind her.
All of them were headed towards the top of the outer castle walls to witness the insanity of King Aal.
There was definitely sothing amiss, and with all her authority and strength, she swore that she would get to the bottom of it.
….......….
"WHO ARE WE?"
King Aal roared as he marched at the forefront of his troops - consisting of hundreds of n and won. Although he was an ascendant, he would have liked to take a horse or so land-travelling magical beast inorder to ease the journey for him and his people, but he couldn't because of the dreadful phenonon that made the availability of such things impossible.
Thus, he unleashed his magical energy, enveloping the 350 n and won behind him in an incomplete violet spherical barrier that sheltered their heads from the frigid snowfall of Miracle Mountain, while also warming their bodies to protect them from the harsh, icy weather.
"WE ARE THE AZUILOTHS!"
Their feet pounded the snow as they marched ahead, creating vibrations that shook the ground beneath them and even triggered earthquakes, causing several avalanches. Yet, he effortlessly redirected them and pressed on, unhindered.
However, one thing was certain - as they approached Queen Mavena's Castle, the tremors caused by their footsteps would not go unnoticed.
To be truthful, he desired it so. In that case, he wouldn't have to search for them.
"WHO ARE WE?" He roared again.
With a thundering roar that echoed across the snowy mountain, he rallied his people forward. Apart from 50 ascendants by his side, the vast majority of the 300 soldiers following him were but re mortals. As such, he understood the weight of his responsibility, to uplift their spirits and steer them steadfastly towards the enemy's lair, where their fates would ultimately be sealed.
A foolish decision, but one that he and his people would gladly take!
"WE ARE THE AZUILOTHS!"
And they roared back with unmatched fervour. Their steps never faltered nor slowed down as they arrived and stopped at the large tal gates of Queen Mavena's castle.
"BOOM -CLOMP!"
"BOOM -CLOMP!"
Despite being confronted by an army of ard soldiers and a throng of low-ranked ascendants, they stood steadfast, undaunted by the watchful gaze from above the walls of the castle. Not a flicker of fear appeared on their faces as King Aal confidently walked forward and gazed up the walls to address a man who was dressed in a grandiloquent black suit. A man who radiated higher magical signature far greater than that of the soldiers at his side.
"KING AAL!" The man in the suit thundered, "CEASE THIS FOOLISHNESS IMDIATELY AND RETURN HO AT ONCE... I SHALL INFORM QUEEN MAVENA OF YOUR CONDUCT, AND THE ROYAL COURT SHALL ARRIVE AT YOUR DOORSTEP TO IMPOSE THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACTION!!" His voice echoed like a clap of thunder in the crisp air, resonating in the ears of all who heard him
Despite having an inkling that the man was a significant figure within the castle, King Aal was unaware of his identity. Undeterred, with 350 remnants of his Kingdom, King Aal roared back.
"WE ARE NOT RETRACING OUR STEPS..... BECAUSE WE HAVE ARRIVED TO.... WAGE.. WAR".
His eyes pierced through the foggy snow winds, and he could see the emotions that were visibly written on the man's face.
Disbelief!
Incomprehensible shock!!
King Aal continued. "BUT FIRST, HELP CONVEY THIS SSAGE TO KING BOR OF THE SLOYWOTH KINGDOM; LET IT BE KNOWN THAT KING AAL AND HIS SUBJECTS HAVE ARRIVED TO SERVE HIM HIS JUST DESERTS".
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