"Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!"
Cale frowned after hearing someone knocking on his door.
"Come in."
The beautiful figure of Zarinvienne went inside his room. She looked visibly annoyed with something, and Cale found it amusing.
"My lord, someone wishes to see you," Zarinvienne spoke begrudgingly while pouting her lips.
"Again? Tell them that I want to rest for we have just arrived from a long journey." Cale waved his hands impatiently. He had lost count of how many people wishes to see him after hearing the news about him being a four-elemental Saint.
"My lord, the people that came this time are someone from the Doomblade imperial family," Zarinvienne spoke a bit seriously.
"Oh? Tell their representative to come inside my room." Cale smirked playfully while sinking deeply in his thoughts.
Zarinvienne bowed her head gently before leaving Cale's room.
He also heard the news about the emperor's failing health. During such a fragile time, he who was a four-elemental Saint suddenly appeared. The princes who were aiming for the throne would surely come to invite them in their factions.
They could not casually leave someone like him unattended since he had a boundless potential that may harm their plans. So the only option they found was to invite him to their factions. But was Cale someone who would just serve them since they were a prince?
Cale chuckled to himself while waiting patiently for the imperial family's representative. He was also curious as to who it was that wants to meet him.
Meanwhile, Border City's Fragrant Inn's dining hall. Zarinvienne walked elegantly towards the people dressed in luxurious clothing. Behind her were the massive Brogen and Atlas, their bodies covered by long black robes.
Zarinvienne removed the hood of her long black robe. Her long fiery red hair sprung loose and hung loosely behind her back. A fragrant womanly scent assailed everyone's nostrils and they couldn't help but search for the smell's source.
They saw a red-haired woman draped in long black robes. Her face was covered by a mask, but they knew that she was definitely a rare beauty. Such a pity her face was covered by a mask.
The people sent by the crown prince were also surprised. They glanced at her body which was covered by a thick robe regretfully. If only they could see her figure at least once...
Zarinvienne smirked derisively at their reaction. She was already used to those kinds of looks, but after being together with Cale for quite some time, she found it rather amusing.
"Wolf King asked for a representative to come inside his room." Zarinvienne's lovely voice traveled beside their ears like a bard's sweet melody.
The person leading the crown prince's people nodded her head. She was a woman with a beautiful figure. Her face was covered by a thin veil, but her deep blue eyes were visible. She was the only one who remained calm after seeing Zarinvienne's charming silhouette.
"The rest of you, stay here and wait for me." She spoke calmly while stepping forward, still maintaining her elegance.
"But your high-" The woman waved her hand gently, cutting off her guard's speech midway.
The guard hurriedly bowed his head while looking at the departing backs of Zarinvienne and the woman. He then focused his gaze on the massive silhouettes of two figures. He could not help but shudder in fear after seeing the ice cole gazes beneath those masks.
Zarinvienne led the woman towards Cale's room. She was impressed by the woman's elegance which was not any lesser than her own. Someone like her was obviously not just a prince's representative. She might even be one of the empire's princesses.
Zarinvienne knocked on the door while gesturing the woman to follow her inside with a nod of her head.
Michelle's face was calm outwardly, but she was excited to see the third four-elemental Saint that appeared in their empire. Hopefully, she will not be disappointed with her visit.
Michelle saw a man with long silver hair. Half his face was covered by a wolf mask, and only his lips were visible. She can also see the man's silver eyes which faintly glowed a trace of curiosity. She sized up the man who was sitting nonchalantly on a chair, and she was surprised since she could not feel any aura from him.
She had heard from the news that this four-elemental Saint was at the initial stage of the Saint-Class level, but after seeing him in person, she thought otherwise. She was also at the initial stage of the Saint-Class level, so how could someone at a similar rank hide their aura from her? Unless of course, if they were hiding their real strength or if they were using an Immortal level item to mask their aura.
The man smiled at her which caused her wary heart to waver for a brief moment.
"Please have a seat," Cale spoke warmly while gesturing Michelle to sit down on the chair opposite him.
Michelle sat down, but her eyes never left Cale's figure. The man was very mysterious and it was the second time she felt this kind of sensation. The first time was when she saw her third brother, the third prince. Both of them had an air of mystery, but she was more curious about Cale.
"Pardon my negligence. Let me get you a cup of tea..." Cale smiled and snapped his fingers. A bright ray of light flashed for a moment which made Michelle close her eyes. When she opened them, a cup of tea was already placed on the table in front of her. It emitted a refreshing scent that calm her nerves.
"So what does someone from the imperial family want from a mercenary like me?" Cale smiled faintly while staring deeply at Michelle.
Michelle picked up the tea with her dainty hands. She inhaled its refreshing aroma before giving it a light sip. She unconsciously moaned in delight after tasting it. She blushed in alarm while avoiding Cale's gaze.
"I am Michelle Doomblade, the only daughter of Emperor Aventus Doomblade. I am here to represent my brother, the crown prince to invite you to the banquet that he is hosting. All the young elites of the empire will be there." Michelle's regal air gushed out unconsciously. But it was of no effect on Cale.
"You can call me Wolf King... And this banquet. Sorry your highness, but the presence of a commoner like me might destroy the luxurious atmosphere of the crown prince's banquet." Cale shook his head with a gentle smile.
'Can you stop from smiling already?!' I can barely hold my heart...' Michelle thought to herself while looking at Cale's half-covered facial features.
"Then, can I meet with you later tonight? I want to discuss something with you." She spoke seriously.
Cale furrowed his eyebrows and thought for a moment.
"A beautiful princess wants to meet with a commoner at night. Your highness, do you want me to get killed?" Cale grinned teasingly.
"Ah, n-no... I... I will go here secretly." Michelle spoke shyly, her voice a tad fainter.
Cale chuckled lightly while nodding his head.
"How could I refuse someone of your status. Okay, later tonight, I will wait for you."
'Refuse my ass! Humph!' She berated Cale in her inwardly.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Wolf King. I shall take my leave now." Michelle stood up from her seat while flashing Cale a sweet smile. It was covered by her translucent veil, but Cale was still able to see it vaguely.
Cale stood up and opened the door for her.
"I will wait for you, your highness."
Michelle nodded her head and stepped out of his room. Cale saw her off with his gaze, the smile on his face was no longer there.
"Which side should I choose? Maybe I should really go to that banquet to see those so-called princes." Cale then calmly went back inside his room.
* * *
"Lord Lexus, we will arrive in Border City this afternoon. We should rest there for a night before we set off." The deputy spoke respectfully towards their leading general, Lexus.
Lexus nodded his head gently in affirmation. It might be their last moments here in the empire, so he did not mind giving them a moment of respite. He only brought the oldest soldiers among his army, while leaving the young ones in the capital. It was the only thing he could think of to preserve their force while also having a slim chance of getting the Holy Nourishing Crystal.
Although he felt that he had inadvertently stepped into someone's vicious plot, he still held on to the hope that he could save their emperor with the Holy Nourishing Crystal.
Hopefully, nothing bad will happen on their empire in his moment of absence. Or he would surely kill them even if they were part of the imperial family!
Lexus' eyes burned fiercely. He then urged his horse to move faster. Behind him were one thousand soldiers from his Dual Sword Army. All of them emitted a bloodthirsty aura, scaring off the bandits hiding in the shadows.