Chapter 553 - Rules of the Empire (1/2)
CHAPTER 553
RULES OF THE EMPIRE
Bit by bit, the Grand Hall was slowly being filled up. Lights from above lit up every corner of the majestic opening, people streaming in, gathering in small and large circles, chattering away in peace. It would be hard to claim a certain sense of uniformity within, as styles of clothing varied from the grand-standing, layered dresses full of fluff and decorations to seemingly low-brow, leather-capped vests, pants, and boots dyed in a dull brown. Hairstyles as convoluted as sculptures themselves, all the way to the bald heads, calm and exaggerated demeanors, it seemed more like a political gathering of dozens of different Kingdoms than an internal ball.
Yet, even with the surface-level differences, the distinctions themselves seemed to stop at that point; people, regardless of their appearance, mingled with others, with the same language echoing in and out, and a sense of belonging present in the shimmering eyes.
Rio and Xia, alongside Namia, Yun and numerous other, young Generals, mingled toward the leftmost corner, sporting their military garb and proudly displaying their ranks, the highest of which belonged to Xia, having been promoted to the Lieutenant-General, the second highest being Rio, Yun and Namia, Major Generals, with the rest being Brigadier Generals. The latter, especially, often glanced enviously at Xia's insignia strapped to her shoulder-pad, as she was now on par with some of the Empire's legendary figures in terms of rank, like Y'vol and Y'elleve.
Xia hardly minded their gazes, most of the attention drawn to Rio who was unashamedly sharing his 'heroics' with the young generals, his ego no doubt soaring at the moment.
”So, how does it work between you two?” Namia asked her suddenly.
”What?” Xia asked back.
”Does he have to greet you as a superior each time you guys draw the curtains over the bed? Like, saluting you each time he reaches for one or the other piece of clothing?”
”… no?” Xia tilted her head in confusion as Rio's eyebrows twitched.
”Jealousy is really an ugly bitch, huh?” he commented from the side, causing Namia to shift her gaze over to him and smirk.
”Aren't you embarrassed your girlfriend is a higher rank than you?”
”Why would I be?” Rio shrugged. ”If they ask me, I'd promote her to the General of the Army. That's how good she is.”
”… aah, don't even bother,” Yun sighed. ”These two are a weirdly odd specimen.”
”It's not that,” Rio chuckled. ”But, once you've experienced the disaster called the Emperor and his vile tongue, most others become… somewhat meek. Anyway, what about you guys? Will you retire or continue?”
”Continue,” Yun replied. ”If I retire, won't you shoot past me? That'd be enough shame to send me to an early grave.”
”What he said.” Namia nodded.
”—what happened then, General Rio?” one of the youngsters prompted Rio to abandon Yun and Namia and turn his attention toward the thirsty-eyed newcomers.
”Ha ha, let me tell you – I charged straight through the tunnel! Unleashing blasts of fire and ice, killing hundreds with each move! And then I…”
”… aren't you embarrassed by him?” Namia asked Xia who smiled contently.
”Let him have it,” she replied instead. ”He's deserved it.”
”Attention!!” a serious voice suddenly burned throughout the entire hall, causing all chatter to cease instantaneously. ”Duchess Alison and Duchess Lucky Olltor are entering!”
Eyes of those present quickly shifted over to the grand entrance to the hall where two women were currently entering; both, by now, were very familiar faces to everyone here as their portraits have long since been distributed throughout the localities. The former sported a sun-gilded hair let loose freely down her back, her glistening, sky-dyed eyes shining more brightly than the chandeliers above, entrancing all those who met them. She wore a bright-dyed dress, a mixture of silver and light-emerald, strapped loosely to her shoulders, arms exposed. Her appearance sent quick tremors, though everyone quickly swallowed them; nary a soul hadn't already learned of her actions during the Battle for the City of Sun which earned her the nickname of the 'Blade of the Thousand Suns'.
Lucky, on the other hand, lived up to her extensive rumors – even for the ball she dressed up in tightly-bound leather armor, several daggers strapped neatly to her belt, her black hair cut somewhat short, the piercing black eyes seemingly capable of draining life from those who dared stare at the for a second too long. Though far less was known of her than Alison, her name rang far more terror across the vast plane of the world, dubbed 'Death' herself, the silent, invisible sword of the Empire sharp enough to pierce the world.
”… tsk, these polar reactions really are grating,” Lucky clicked her tongue and commented, causing Alison to nearly burst out into laughter. ”Dudes look at you, their eyes light up as do their d.i.c.ks, no doubt. Me? They look like they aged a century at that moment.”
”Maybe if you didn't choose to proudly display weapons on a ball, people's opinions might change.” Alison kept her smile as she waved to the now-applauding audience. Their seats were placed on the highest table, one that rose even above the dancing platform, where the Empire's top figures would be seated, beneath a massive, crimson-dyed banner.
”Who knows if there might be opportunistic lurkers. I can't loosen my guard so easily.”
”Aye, there are sure to be a whole heap of dissidents in a hall filled with the world's most powerful people.” Alison said. ”Because anyone clever enough to have hidden themselves from us so far, certainly is dumb enough to try something today.”
”… oh shut it and keep walking.” Lucky rolled her eyes, taking out one of her daggers, beginning to twirl it through her fingers, causing many in the audience to swallow with a loud gulp.
The two quickly shifted past the dancing platform and onto their seats from which they could easily see the entire hall. The room stayed silent for but a moment before it was filled with chatter once more, only an occasional glance flashing their way.
”I told you we were early…” Lucky sighed, shaking her head. ”We're the only ones here.”
”Ah, remember that weird guy I was telling you about?” Alison asked suddenly.
”What weird guy?”
”The Vampire one.”
”Oh, yeah, the one who surrendered after you told him you had a wife?”
”That one.”
”Yeah, what about him?” Lucky asked.
”He's coming up.” Lucky shifted her gaze and spotted a well-dressed, rather handsome man walking up to the table, courteously bowing toward them, looking upward.
”This lowly one greets Duchesses and begs a minute of your time.” Jonttar said, barely managing to hide the excitement in his heart.
”Ha ha, what are you doing Jonttar? Come on up,” Alison chuckled and invited him. ”You always clamored about how much you wanted to meet my wife, no? Here she is, in all her glory.”
”Could you not treat me as a glassed display?” Lucky rolled her eyes, uncapping a bottle of wine and taking a gulp directly from it. Jonttar quickly, yet still elegantly, climbed the invisible stairs toward the platform and reached the two, though didn't dare sit down. His eyes veered past Alison and onto the black-haired figure seated next to her, his eyes lighting up.
”… it really is true…” he mumbled.
”It's one Legendary-tier weapon for a preview.” Lucky met his gaze and smirked.