Chương 3: The Empress of Nara

On the way to Nara Empire, nothing really happened, there's some bandit that tried to rob Adam and Krisna. But with Krisna protection, the Bandit are disposed quickly, though Adam didn't really need Krisna protection.

After that, it's just a peaceful walk to Nara Empire. Occasionally, they would see caravan passing by them, some offered a ride to Nara Empire. But Adam rejected their kind offer because he want to enjoy the beautiful scenery in this world.

Comparing this place to Earth, the difference can be seen clearly. The air are much more fresher, the tree are much bigger and greener, no polution can be felt. Different from Earth where polution are pretty much everywhere.

Suddenly, a group of caravan showed up while Adam and Krisna are taking a rest. From the luxurious design and decoration of the caravan, it's obvious that this group of caravan belongs to a noble families in Nara Empire. The guard that surrounding them are also an expert. Even if Adam didn't know at what level they're, he can still guess their power.

The group of caravan stopped right in front of Adam and Krisna resting place. Krisna told Adam the place that they're resting right now are known as a rest area for caravan. He told Adam that there's not a lot of beast or bandits roaming in this area. So it's normal for a lot of caravan to rest here.

The door of one of the caravan opened. From there, a woman appeared. For a moment Adam are surprised. This woman are an absolute beauty. Her blue eyes and white hair gave her a unique aura. But Adam noticed something else--the woman have nine fox tails--damn, a Kitsune?

The woman with fox tails noticed Adam staring at her. She smiled at Adam. That smile almost made Adam lose himself. That smile are too sweet! How can a woman be so pretty!

Adam smiled back. He then averted his gaze to Krisna. As if Krisna know what Adam want, he started to explain who the woman is.

"If my memory serves right, that nine-tailed woman over there is Empress Liliana. The ruler of Nara Empire."

No wonder, she's an Empress! That explain why she has that noble aura around her. That's a surprise, he didn't expect to find the Empress here.

But that doesn't seems too important for Adam now. He's hungry, he needs to eat something now. Luckily, on their journey, they hunted some deer and rabbit meat. Even some fish too. It's going to be a sumptous meal with Adam being the cook.

Adam took out a stove and other cooking utensils from his storage ring. The modern tools from his world confused Krisna. He never saw this thing before, so of course he got confused. Even the Empress resting not far from them are staring curiously at Adam weird tools.

Turning on the stove, Adam started to prepare his and Krisna meal. He's planning to make a steak from the deer meat. His hands started moving in a fluid manner. It doesn't even looks like cooking anymore, but as a sort of art, a dance or some sort.

Even the Empress and her escort are entranced by Adam small performance. They continued watching after that. Not long after, a delicious smell came from Adam cooking. They never smell a food this delicious before, it made them want to bite the smell itself.

Adam just smiled seeing their reaction, Krisna and some of the escort of Empress Liliana are even started to drooling. Seeing this, Adam waved his hand towards Empress Liliana group, signaling them to come over and eat together. The guards looked at the Empress, the Empress nodded and gave the permission to join Adam and Krisna.

After given the permission, the guards flocked to Adam resting place and started to chat together. They also tasted the steak that Adam cooked. The Empress herself has also tasted the steak that Adam cooked. It's even better than the imperial cook in her castle, but she keep this to herself.

"Thank you for sharing your food with us, sir. I'm thankful for that." Said the Empress while smiling at Adam.

"No problem, Your Hgness. By the way, does Your Highness like my cooking?"

"Of course, it's even tastier than the food that I eaten before. How can you cook something like this?"

"Haha, this is just a small talent of mine. I did this because i'm bored. Beside, people said that woman like men that can cook, so why not learn to cook?"

Adam answer took the Empress off guard. Then she started laughing. The guards that are still eating are staring blankly at the Empress laughing.

The Empress are beautiful when laughing, yes. But they never saw the Empress laughing, not even talking to stranger before. They first are cautious towards Adam because he's a stranger, after all. But sensing that he doesn't have any malicious intent toward the Empress, they relaxed a little, though still being cautious.

"You're a funny man, may I ask your name?"

"Adam Hartfelt, Your Highness."

"Adam Hartfelt? That's a nice name. I'm Liliana, the Empress of Nara Empire. But if you can call me Liliana if you want."

"No can't do, Your Highness. I'm but a lowly commoner, there is no way that i can call Your Highness with that."

From the first time she started talking to Adam, she's secretly judging Adam personality. Unlike the nobles in her own empire or from other kingdom, Adam doesn't start flirting right away with her. He just talked to her normally. There's not even lust could be seen in his eyes. He's also polite with her. For the first time in her life, she started doubting her charm as a Nine-Tailed Fox Demi-Human.

"So, mister Adam, do you have any particular destination right now?"

"In fact I do, I'm going to the Nara Empire with my friend Krisna over there." Said Adam while pointing at Krisna sitting with the guards.

"We have the same destination then, but why are you walking? Don't you both have a caravan or at least a horse to ride with?"

"It's not that we don't have, it just we don't want to. We want to enjoy the scenery in this area. It's been so long since i see a place so beautiful. It calm the hearts and minds."

Liliana stared at Adam and then looked at the grassfield not to far from their resting area. She never realised how beautiful this place they were in before. Even though she always passed this area when going to other kingdoms or town, she never looked at the outside because she have a lot of paper that needs her attention. What Adam said made her realise her mistake for not enjoying the beautiful scenery.

"You're right... I never realised that until now. I'm always busy with paperwork. Never once i looked outside and just admire the view."

"Working for your Empire is a good thing, Your Highness. But do remember to rest yourself, overworking yourself is not good for your bodies. If Your Highness fall sick, who will take care of Nara Empire?"

Liliana remembered what Adam said. She must remind herself to not overwork herself like usual. Just like Adam said, it's not good to overwork herself, even though she have a strong bodies and not like the bodies of normal people. She still need to mantain her health.

"Thank you for your kind words, Adam. I will remember it."

Adam nodded as a response to Liliana words. Liliana then stared at Adam. Without her realizing it, a faint blush appeared on her face. She might not realized it, but her guards and Krisna did. They almost screamed because of her blushing face.

"The Empress just blushed! Did you see that!? Did you see that!? Is Your Highness finally will meet the man that she loves!?"

"Don't say that! I'm jealous of that man now!"

All kind of stuff are being said by the guards, but Krisna just stood there in silence. Damn, if the Empress knew how handsome Adam real face is, Adam probably didn't need to talk to made her fall in love. But fortunately, Adam didn't do that.

"Errr.... Your Highness, is something wrong with my face?"

Even though Adam are loved by many woman in Earth. He doesn't have experience with one. Because his handsome face always make woman falls head over heels to him. The thrill of conquering woman with your effort is gone with that. So Adam didn't even bother chasing girls because it's not challenging anymore.

Liliana face are getting redder when Adam noticed her gaze. She looked away for a moment but looked at Adam again. She's confused to herself right now, has she fallen in love with this man in front of her? How can that be? They just meet a moment ago, there's no way she can fall in love with him!

But the movement of her tail that swaying left and right slowly showed that she's in a good mood right now. She felt a sense of happines and security just by being near with Adam. No man can offer this kind feeling to her before.

"Um... Adam, can I... Sit closer with you?"

Liliana request made almost all guards squeal like a girl. The Empress that usually doesn't even bother talking to men from the nobles families are now taking the initiatives to get close to a man! And that man is not even from a noble families!

But they're happy seeing their Empress has found a man that she liked. They're jealous, but what can they do? They're only guards that swore to protect the Empress no matter what cost. So they can only watch from the distance and cheer her, perhaps give her some tips about approaching a man. Some of the woman guards are even started to get interested with how far Empress Liliana and Adam relationship gonna progress.

"Sure thing, Your Highness."

All of Liliana's tails stood in happines after hearing Adam's answer. She hurriedly moved to Adam side and hugged his right arm and rested her head on his shoulder. Adam are shocked by what Liliana doing. She said that she only wanted to sit closer to him! Not cling to him like this! But as a man, there's no way he's gonna reject a beauty that are leaning againts him, it's a rare chance for this to happen to him.

Adam looked at to where the guards and Krisna eating. There, he saw the guards and even Krisna giving their thumbs up to Adam. Some even said good luck to him. What are these guards doing!? Are they not afraid of him doing something nasty to the Empress!?

Adam sighed and glanced that are comfortably resting her head in his shoulder. He lifted his left hand and started to pat Liliana head. Feeling Adam's hand patting her head, Liliana closed her eyes and smiled in satisfaction. She never thought being patted in the head feels good like this. Is it because the man that she likes did it?

Every guards that saw this smiled and stopped watching Adam and Liliana. They swore in their hearts to protect Adam from now on. Because he held the potential to be the Empress husband. Even though they didn't know how strong Adam is.

They already tried to probe his power. But some strange power blocked them from doing so. So it's either Adam have an artifact that hide his strength level, or he's stronger than them.

While everyone are enjoying the beautiful sunset with their friends. Suddenly a group of people appeared far from their place. With Adam sense, he can feel their malicious intent in this group. They hustled their horses so they can reach Adam and Liliana groups resting place faster.

Seeing this, Adam stood up and a fierce looks appeared in his face. Liliana are surprised because Adam suddenly stood up and doesn't even tell her before. But before she can ask what happen, she saw that gaze filled with killing intent directed at the empty field in front of them.

She's confused at what's going on, but when she saw the groups of men heading towards them with their weapons held high. She also stood up and warned her guards.

"Ambush!"