Chapter 286 - Unannounced Arrival

ROOOOOOOAAAAAARRRR!!!

Oli's silence and Korvik's eagerness were drowned out by a sudden roar from inside the palace. And before anyone could look and see what was happening, a booming, unfamiliar voice shouted from the palace as well.

"LORD TREEDA!!!" 

A deep tone of concern and desperation echoed through that voice. And the moment the crowd spotted the emerging figure come rushing out of the hallway was when everyone lost control of their thoughts.

"Ootrak?!"

Flapping his wings, the rushing Toxic-shadow Dragon charged the viewing platform below. He then humbly perched himself on the edge and bowed his head. "Mother, Father, we're under attack!"

"WHAT?!"

"We're unsure who the perpetrator is but they've arrived and demanded to challenge the prefecture seat," explained the Ootrak. "When we tried to question the challenger or explain your absence, he seemed reasonable at first. But when you didn't return at the expected time, he attacked without warning."

"Uutrai, we're leaving!" Treeda shouted, already knowing he would be tagging along.

In front of everyone's eyes, both Treeda and Uutrai shifted their forms. They grew and sprouted wings as black as night. Treeda was slightly larger but Uutrai's scales were slightly darker and his body was a bit longer. 

"Zelsh, you come too!"

"Of course!" Bowing hastily, Zelsh let his own essence explode outward with his exhaled breath. 

"GO!!!"

Treeda took off and rocketed into the expansive hallway without delay. Uutrai followed closely behind, along with Ootrak. Zelsh was last but he kept up with the dragons without issue. All four of them charged for the teleportation formation and vanished in seconds. 

Luckily for those in the hallway, they were expecting such a thing since the moment Ootrak had appeared in desperation.

As for those left in the colosseum, they didn't know what to do or think.

The kings were all speechless. They looked to one another with doubt and serious contemplation but didn't say a word. 

Those in the crowd were in utter shock. Not only had they heard such news but they had seen the raging transformation of their prefecture lord. Imagining someone that wished to attack the very beast that had just terrified them all with only a transformation, their minds were momentarily out of order. 

While Korvik and Oli were still processing what had just happened, another figure suddenly jumped into the arena. The man politely bowed before facing the kings on the platform above. "You're all welcome to stay the night, but you're welcome to leave as well. For now, I've been placed in charge of the palace and its security."

"Thank you, Donovan…" Jeminine replied, nodding to the man in uniform. "I think I'll stay… What are you thinking?"

Shaking his head, Guadel answered, "We'll be returning home. But I'll be on standby should my region's forces are needed."

"I'll be leaving as well," Fotain agreed.

"Then we'll make sure to accommodate you and your representatives, Lady Jeminine. I understand if it would be difficult after that scene, but you're also welcome to finish the feast." Donovan then bowed to Guadel and Fotain specifically. "We're prepared to send you back home immediately. Just say the word, and we'll make it happen."

"Thank you, then we'll be leaving now."

"And us immediately afterward."

Both Guadel and Fotain began gathering their representatives who had been scared sober. They speedily led them back to the hallway and began the march to the teleportation formation. 

In the arena, Kraz, Tilgron, and Vant all approached Donovan. Kraz then nodded and asked, "What are we to do?"

But Donovan only chuckled lightly. "Calm down, Little Bro. Dad will be fine. There's a reason he was taken over the other kings."

Realizing who they were talking to, Oli bowed his head and asked, "What about me?"

"You'll be staying with them. What else?" Donovan shook his head with a slightly sarcastic grin. "If you panic at a time like this, then you'd dishonor the Rot Region. Just do what you're supposed to and wait."

"But I don't know what I'm supposed to do…"

Kraz spoke up and placed one of his claws behind Oli. "This is only Oliver's second day in Bore City. Please forgive his confusion."

"Ohhh… Then allow me to apologize. I should've known better." Bowing his head, Donovan held out his hand with a friendly smile. "I'm Donovan, son of King Zelsh and the possible inheritor of the Rot Region. It's a pleasure to meet you, Oliver."

"It's a pleasure…" Oli took the hand, standing about as tall as Donovan. He could look him square in the eyes and hesitated to ask, "Then, what plane are you to have a human form?"

"Early-king," replied Donovan, starting Oli. "That's likely one reason they took my father since I'm here to hold the fort. But he was called upon before my ascension as well, so I doubt that's the major reason."

"Then it's more than just a pleasure. It's an honor to meet you!" Oli bowed fully, showing his respect.

"You guys should go and finish eating. It'd be a waste to throw away so much Jrabda…" Donovan insisted, trying to keep the mood light and keep the pressure off the young cultivators.

"Sure, we can do that!" Kraz nodded once more to his older brother before leading the group to the hallway, well after the two kings and their representatives had passed through. 

"Donovan!"

Looking back up to the platform, Donovan bowed his head once more. "Yes, Lady Jeminine?"

"How many times do I need to tell you? It's Jeminine."

"Well, Jeminine, how may I help you?"

"Oh… What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" Jeminine teased, hopping into the arena. She then looked at Korvik and stated, "Take them to either the banquet hall or their rooms. We don't want to get in the way of things at a time like this."

"Of course, Lady Jeminine!" Korvik bowed and took off, gathering his fellow representatives near the open hallway.

"To what do I owe your stay, Jeminine?"

"What's wrong?" Jeminine shrugged, stepping closer to Donovan. "You finally get your big moment to shine and I can't stay to see it? Is that how you treat your girlfriend?"

"Who said you were my girlfriend?"

"I did, and your dad accepted," claimed Jeminine, leaning forward. "Got any complaints?"

"Maybe… But I'll need to test your offer before the final decision."