Chapter 655: Empress of Alphia (1/2)
”Cat got your tongue, Lucifer's ex-companion?” a smug smirk had Kion flustered, a horde of ravenous ghouls, never mind the arctic cold, leaped for the white princess's neck. *Library of Nexsolium,* she spun, pages followed her icy glare, *Purge the undead,* three symbols in a triangle lit ablaze, *Clear Undead.* A beam of white burst out the street upward, a massive flow of light mana healed and cleansed the battlefield of a neighborhood. The corpses warmly burnt to pure-white ash, *Create Barrier – Protection level IX – Undead resist.*
”Is it over?” relief swept many o' faces.
”Be without fear, my people,” white wings sprouted, her hands clasped in prayer, a halo of divine proportion shone, ”-I, Princess Eira, next Empress of Alphia, shall protect thee with all my might.” The beloved princess returned and saved countless lives. The continent didn't spare a moment's time – from radio to shows and Arcanum, the news elapsed just about everything.
”Murder?”
”Who cares.”
”The sudden invasion of monsters?”
”Another one's problem.”
”What about the heroes who saved the musical festival?”
”Old news.” The clock struck 18:00, rescue operation reached completion. A complex barrier rested patiently at the creek, no matter how strong the ghouls were, the latter halted just about all. The dragons and other high-ranking entities were gone long before she appeared.
Later in the evening, whereby Igna had dinner in the company of Aceline, and the household, the emperor gave a public speech after quite a long time. At the helm on the majestic castle, a balcony of white and gold adorned with rubies and sapphires, stood the man himself, Sultria VI. Behind which, waited for the Imperial Family.
”People of Alphia,” he confidently grasped the microphone, ”-the prior events in our continent, more specifically, at Odgawoan, have been very sad. Aside from the lives lost by the hands of traitors, monsters invaded the town. Alas, we would have been lost, the hero known as Snowflake died a noble death, he jumped headfirst into battle and saved lives. My position prevents my movement. As most know, I was engaged to wed the princess of Arda. Due to political affairs, the matter was placed at a later date. I'm sad to admit, I wasn't able to forget her face and personality, and to this day… No need for dramatics,” the head shook, ”-I wish to say, Princess Eira of Arda, has accepted to take my hand in marriage once again. Her show of power saved far more lives of which I could have done alone. Conflicts between kingdoms and factions always leave a bitter taste. She's a true heroine, a lady who abandoned her family to stand by my side. With this I say, my dearest people, welcome her highness into our Empire with open hearts.” *Click,* the screen turned off on a single frame of Eira waving at the crowd.
”Why did you do that?”
”Because,” he ate the last bite, ”-her presence here spells bad news.”
”How so?” interjected Aceline, ”-wasn't she your daughter?”
”Was,” said Igna, ”-not anymore. The lass is definitely not an ally or relative of mine. She's the reason I died after all.”
”Igna,” said Thena, ”-someone's here.”
”I can feel it too,” added Nike, ”-a presence similar to ours.”
”Obviously,” he stood sharply, ”-I know of a single human abled to replicate my mana.” *Knock, knock,* the door opened softly from a friendly maid. The figure crossed the entrance and ambled to the dining hall, silvery-white hair swayed, ”-Good evening, cousin.”
”Not so great to see you,” replied Igna.
”Quit with the belligerent attitude,” said Eira, ”-oh, we have goddesses in attendance. Athena and Nike, color me impressed,” she sat opposite Igna. Vanesa took a glance and fell into her world of dreams, ”-the table is pretty empty.”
”What do you want?” asked he, ”-if tis a battle,” he smiled, ”-forget it.”
”No, nothing so undignified,” she relaxed, dinner and wine were brought over, ”-I came to visit my cousin.”
”Far as I'm concerned, I know of only two cousins. Julius and Lizzie Haggard, and yes, emphasis on the Haggard name, something thee don't bear any rights towards.”
”Whatever,” said she, ”-the food is good.”
”Éclair,” hailed Igna, ”-could you kindly escort Aceline, Vanesa, Thena, and Nike to the study?”
”As you wish,” a courteous bow emptied the room. The princess watched each figure leave. Briefly paused on Igna, she smiled and took another bite.
”Empress of Alphia, what brings such an elated being to such humble abode?”
”You really don't like me?” she snickered, ”-do you.”
”I wouldn't go so far, let's keep it at suspicious.”
”Always with the charismatic speech,” the meal ended, ”-very delicious.”