Chapter 643: Royalty (1/2)

Chapter 643 Royalty

Everyone joined of course, too curious to meet the downright mythical healer that has come to so much wealth and power in the past years.

“Go on ahead, I will catch up with you,” Cecila Veyer spoke, the older woman gesturing forward.

Emmanuel didn’t react. He chose to show weakness by meeting with Lilith instead of letting her come to him, but neither did he have to rush. “We will meet her together. If she is cooperating with the Corinth Order, we’ll have a better chance to respond. Kyrie is gathering the remaining Kingsguard as we speak.”

Don’t ruin this Joel, he thought and suppressed a grin. Perhaps they were in luck. He may even make a good impression on an important guest for the first time in his life.

The nobles walked together, some of them veterans who had fought together. Julianna was by his side, allowing herself a quick squeeze of his hand. A three mark human, he thought, memories of the creatures they had slain going through his head. What kind of beasts has she slain to reach that power?

They reached the outer part of the royal palace, the dome just beyond the marble corridor they were in.

“Fighting,” Katarina said, magic starting to flow around her.

“Stop,” Emmanuel said, staying as calm as he had been before. Just as we expected, he thought, glancing at his wife. You’re gorgeous.

She stared at him, likely telling him to focus for once in his life.

He wanted to ask her if she remembered the abomination they had killed in the southern mountains. She had looked at him the same way back then.

Emmanuel Eilhart couldn’t help but feel just a little bit anxious as he turned the corner, his fears immediately gone when he saw the tense spectators. Joel Fiore, the arguably strongest member of the Kingsguard and a long time friend of his laughed as he fought an ash clad warrior wielding an obsidian warhammer.

They reached the dome together, exchanging glances with the two Paladins of the Corinth Order, a High Cleric wearing civilian clothing, and two entirely absorbed trainees of the Kingsguard.

Nobody interrupted the duel, everyone watching the impressive display of Joel’s magic. He rushed forward, a broad grin on his face, blue lightning flaring up on his body as his speed built. He vanished three times and appeared close to the ashen warrior, his charged fist rushing forward.

He’s not holding back. At all.

Lilith instead seemed casual, her stance barely suggesting that she was in battle, the obsidian hammer casually held with one hand. She stepped to the side, her horned head turning slightly to look at Joel. Lilith swung her hammer as if it were a mere toy, the heavy handle impacting Joel’s chest with a direct blow.

The armored man was flung backwards, rolling on the ground a few times before he skidded to a halt. His enchanted breast plate had a massive dent in it. Joel loosened the straps and ripped it off, spitting blood onto the thin layer of sand. He crouched low and charged his magic.

“Joel,” Emmanuel spoke up.

The man sighed, standing up as his chest healed, the deformation visible under his shirt. “It was just getting interesting.”

“You were about to get killed!” Julianna said and walked over to him. “Why can you not just sit out one fight!”

Joel raised both his arms. “I challenged her, and she accepted.”

Lilith turned towards them now, her ash armor receding to reveal a good looking young woman with long black hair and blue eyes, a cloak resting on her back. She wore casual clothing.

Emmanuel didn’t miss that the clothes seemed straight out of a tailor’s shop. Storage items, he thought, glancing at the necklace and bracelet, both partially hidden. She kept the hammer out, why, he didn’t know. Lilith fought with ash, her body, and mana intrusion. Not a warhammer. Another demonstration of power. She’s not even using her magic.

“Welcome to Halstein, Lilith of Ravenhall,” Emmanuel said.

[Battle Healer – lvl ???]

The woman seemed unsure about what to do, glancing over to the Kingsguard she had just fought. “Joel, what’s the process here? I’d like to avoid another incident.”

The man walked over, ignoring Julianna. “Bow deep, face touching the ground. You’re addressing royalty!”

Lilith rolled her eyes. “Even I can tell you’re fucking with me. Now tell me or I’ll beat the shit out of you again.”

“You’re reading my mind,” the man answered, spreading his arms as lightning cracked around him.

“I believe formalities are not necessary in this case, Lilith. Or should I say, Ilea?” Emmanuel asked.

The woman looked over. “Glad to hear that. Ilea is fine, if you already know that much. I assume you’re the King?”

She seems disappointed? Well I’m not a three mark after all.

“Indeed. Emmanuel Eilhart. I had hoped to invite you after your meeting with the Corinth Order. But it looks like that didn’t go exactly as you had intended?” he asked, gesturing to the Order members. “You may join us,” he said, addressing the three.

They looked tense, more so than the last time he had seen them. Was it just because of Lilith’s presence?

“You must be the Queen then?” Ilea asked, looking at Lady Veyer.

The older woman had a complicated expression on her face, one Emmanuel didn’t remember ever seeing.

“Interesting… magic,” Ilea said and smiled lightly.

“I’m the Queen,” Julianna said and joined Emmanuel. “Julianna Veyer. It seems our inquiries managed to uncover the truth after all.”

“Inquiries? About me?” Ilea asked. “Didn’t think I’d be that interesting.”

“No need to humble yourself. It would be wonderful to welcome you in our palace officially. Our cooks are preparing a feast as we speak,” Julianna said.

Lilith smiled. “I hope you have better poison than the Corinth Order.”

Katarina grumbled something under her breath.

“Maybe you should introduce yourself as well,” Emmanuel said to the others.

“Katarina Elyse. I believe you know my dearest brother,” the woman said, not making a secret of her dislike of the man.

“I’m familiar,” Lilith said, her voice cold.

Emmanuel felt his instincts scream for a moment, a cold feeling going down his back. It seems like Katarina isn’t the only one who has an issue with Michael. Never one for social skills.

“Cecila Veyer, at your service,” Lady Veyer said with a warm smile on her face.

“Nice to meet you. Are you interested in a spar Lady Veyer?” Ilea asked.

Why single her out? Emmanuel wondered. She was an experienced and powerful mage but there were stronger fighters here.

The woman chuckled and waved her off. “My prime is long past, young healer. I’m sure you’ll find more formidable training partners in this very dome.”

______________________

Dangerous, that one, Ilea thought and smiled back.

[Druid Healer – lvl 240]

She looked unassuming, wrinkles on her face showing her age, her long hair a pale gray. She carried a gnarled wooden walking stick or perhaps a staff of some kind, her back bent a little. Simple black robes covered her body, various pockets added for easy access of whatever items were within.

Something about her bothered Ilea. Identify suggested level two forty, Veteran told her the same. But when she looked into the woman’s small eyes, she felt something more hiding within. A worthy foe perhaps. Hiding from both of my skills? Maybe she has some kind of intimidation skill… but she’s acting the part of the old woman. Well, if she wants to hide it, that’s her choice. Just have to be careful around her.

The King and Queen looked young, around thirty. Looks were deceiving however. All it meant was that they reached the two hundreds in their early thirties.

[Fire Mage – lvl 265]

Emmanuel Eilhart looked good, she wouldn’t deny it. A chiseled jawline, short black beard, a well styled haircut and deep brown eyes. He seemed to be well trained too, an experienced warrior if the few movements she had seen suggested anything. The man wore a fancy gambeson in a deep forest green, golden embroideries decorating the chest and arms. He wore a few golden rings on his left hand and none on his right, a thin circular crown resting on his head.

She thought his title fitting. The Queen on the other hand looked glacial. She wore an armored black dress, linings of silver going through everything, forming complex designs and runes. Ilea could see the power flowing through the metal. Enchanted or she’s a silver mage.

Her hair was blond, a single perfectly done braid going down her back, her skin pale. The Queen’s green eyes seemed downright piercing due to the contrasting colors.

[Silver Mage – lvl 248]

Guessed right, she thought with a smile.