Chương 140: Slums search
Dragon's Kingdom
"Open the doors now or we will burst in!" The clamor echoed through the slums as the royal dragon guards pounded forcefully on the entrance of a small, weathered house. The dragon man who opened the door wore a look of visible anxiety, his scaled hands trembling slightly as he faced the imposing presence of the Royal Knights from the Dragon Palace. Behind him, a dragon woman stood, her protective gaze fixed on a newborn child nestled in her arms.
As the guards stepped inside, the woman instinctively cradled the infant closer, her touch conveying a mix of fear and maternal protectiveness. Concern clouded her eyes as she couldn't fathom what transgression might have led to this early-morning intrusion.
The dragon man, stationed by the doorway, exchanged a worried glance with his wife. Turning his attention to the guards, he inquired with a hint of unease, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Speak! How many people live in this house?" demanded one of the guards in an authoritative tone, devoid of any discernible emotion. The others maintained a vigilant stance, hands firmly on their sword handles, poised to react at the slightest hint of suspicion. The tense air in the room thickened as the residents grappled with the unknown threat that had descended upon their humble abode.
The man opened his mouth, his voice shaky, "Me and my wife, with our newborn child."
Without waiting, the guards pushed the couple aside, their armored forms imposing as they methodically combed through the humble dwelling. Every nook and cranny was scrutinized, the air heavy with tension as the guards conducted their search. Despite the thorough inspection, they found nothing and departed without offering any explanation, leaving the bewildered family in their wake.
As the door creaked shut, the family exchanged glances, their faces etched with a mixture of confusion and apprehension. They ventured outside, only to find the entire slum in upheaval. Royal Guards, distinguishable by their regal insignia, were conducting intense searches on every dwelling.
"What in the world is going on in the Dragon Kingdom? Why are all the guards searching every house in the slums?" the man voiced his incredulity, observing the chaos unfolding around them.
"Something might be seriously wrong. Those guards aren't your usual military; they are the Empress's loyal guards!" the wife whispered urgently to her husband.
The guards moved with a singular purpose, methodically checking every house in the slums. Their meticulous search left no stone unturned, creating an atmosphere of unease and uncertainty as the residents anxiously awaited an explanation for this unprecedented intrusion.
"Hay you! Would you happen to know what is going on here? Why are the guards searching all the houses in the slum?" the man urgently asked a passerby nearby.
The person looked at him with a furrowed brow, "I don't know, but the Dragon Kingdom is in lockdown now, and the Empress is on the ground searching for someone."
"What?" "What?" exclaimed both men and women in shock.
"What lockdown, and Empress is searching for whom?" the man questioned, his voice filled with a sense of disbelief and concern.
"Don't know, but people working in the palace said our new Emperor is kidnapped," the passerby stated with a solemn shake of his head before briskly moving on, leaving the family in a stunned silence.
The family couldn't help but stare at the retreating figure, their minds racing to comprehend the gravity of the situation. The news of a kidnapped Emperor plunged the slum into an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear, leaving the residents grappling with the implications of the unprecedented events unfolding in the Dragon Kingdom.
Outside the slums, a recently erected luxurious tent commanded attention, guarded by royal sentinels who patrolled the area to prevent any unauthorized entry. The citizens, observing this unusual spectacle, were left in awe and confusion by the unfamiliar sight. Within the opulent confines of the tent, Dragon Empress Rose Hill's frustration erupted as she pounded her hand on the tables, instantly shattering them into splinters.
The attending maids, dignitaries, and onlookers were taken aback, their expressions mirroring the intensity of the Empress's erratic and exhausted state. For two days, Rose had forgone any sustenance, her anxious vigil persisting since the mysterious disappearance of the new Emperor, an event dismissed by the nobility as inconsequential.
"HAS ANYONE FOUND ANYTHING RELATED TO MY XZSON!" Rose's voice echoed with desperation, spittle escaping her lips in her fervent plea. Her once golden and delicate eyes had transformed into dark crimson pools, seething with a mixture of anger and anguish. Disheveled strands of hair framed her face, evidence of the sleepless nights that had taken their toll.
A high-ranking military guard approached Rose with trepidation, his body trembling with each step towards the distraught Empress. Rose fixed him with an irritated gaze, her voice cutting through the air, "Speak now! Don't waste my time. If you utter anything useless, I will end you right here." The ominous threat hung in the air, adding to the palpable tension within the tent.
His breath quickened as he knelt, stammering, "M-My Empress... Our search is still ongoing. We cannot say anything in haste. We require more time to check every house and building in the kingdom."
"How much time do you want?" asked Rose in a deadly voice. The dignitaries and other soldiers almost pissed on their lower undergarments knowing the gravity in Rose's voice. However, the atmosphere turned dire for the military guard speaking to Rose. He struggled to contain his fear, tears streaming down his face. Though he attempted to speak, no coherent words emerged.
"I wouldn't ask you again. Speak now, how much time do you require!" shouted Rose, her sword blade pointed menacingly at his neck.
"I-I require at least... 1 month to search every house, inn, and building. Our empire is massive; it would not be easy to-" The military guard couldn't finish his sentence before Rose beheaded him. His lifeless body crumpled onto the carpet, blood pooling around him. The onlookers stood in shock, their eyes averted, unwilling to meet Rose's gaze after witnessing the gruesome display. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, marking a brutal turn in the desperate search for the missing Emperor.
!
"One month! Do you think that I can endure that long without my love? He has not been with me for the last 2 days. I haven't touched his face nor slept with him. I can't control my body... I need to hug him, smell him, kiss him, look into his eyes, see his smile. I want to feel his warm hands caressing my cheeks, taste his saliva, make love with him... I want to do everything I can with him," Rose shouted, her anxiety reaching its peak. She did not restrain herself from expressing her deepest longings, her delicate hands trembling with terror and discomfort from the absence of Xzson over the past two days.
The noblemen present couldn't help but feel a mix of pity and envy for this lowly human who held such an intimate connection with their revered Empress. "Get out... Don't even dare to show me your faces until you find anything related to my dear!" Rose roared at the dignitaries and guards. They all nodded hastily and left the tent immediately.
Alone, Rose collapsed to the ground, her cries echoing through the luxurious tent. "I-I... should not have... left you alone. It's all my fault... That I let them get away from you. It's all my fault. I can't trust my loyal guards anymore. Tojoner also betrayed me. I used to trust him. He led my army in wars, conflicts, invasions, and everything else. But he ended up hurting you, my precious love. I can't live without you. You are my oxygen. I need you to keep me in your embrace. I need your warm breath. I need to tell you that I have your child in my womb. You are going to become a father." Rose's words poured out amidst her sobs, the weight of her grief and guilt bearing down on her fragile shoulders.
Rose couldn't help but cry, her tears flowing like a never-ending rain as she sat alone, murmuring a single word to herself, "Dear... dear... dear... dear... dear... dear... dear... dear..."
Exiting the tent, noblemen and dignitaries exchanged uneasy glances. One of them spoke up, "This is all happening because of that lowly creature. Why do we have to find that—"
"I agree with you, but we can't ignore and disobey the Empress's direct wish. We have to search for that lowly human quickly, or we will not be able to see the next moment after meeting with the Empress," a high-ranking soldier interjected with a defeated look, casting his eyes towards the others for agreement.
"Any idea who has enough daring to sneak into the Imperial palace and take our new Emperor away without being caught, leaving no clue behind?"
"I found this during my investigation in the room where that human resided last time before he disappeared," a dignitary stepped forward, revealing a few pieces of glowing white stone in his hand. The others examined the stones with a mixture of perplexity and interest.
"What is this? An artifact? It does look scarce. What kind of material is it made of?" The soldier asked as he stared at the stone.
Soon, one of the soldiers in sorcerer attire examined the stone and instantly recognized it. "Wait, I know this... It is a long-distance stone artifact."
All the people present were shocked by this revelation. "Wait, how do you know this? First, explain yourself!" one dignitary demanded.
"I'm an Imperial Palace's Royal Guard soldier who directly serves the Empress, and about this stone... these are specially made for traveling long distances in a short time."
"Wait, are you telling us that there is a possibility that someone from outside has taken our new Emperor hostage?"
Everyone's expression changed into grim realization, as if they had finally stumbled upon a crucial clue. "If it is true, then war will break out..." The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, and the ominous prospect of conflict loomed over the Dragon Kingdom.
"Then what will we fight for? That lowly human? We can't just start a war for that. Wouldn't it be better if... No, if we let this stay in the dark, we won't be able to find the answer for Her Empress!"
"Wait, don't jump to conclusions. We are not sure who they are and how they can do this."
"Could it be elves? They might have taken him hostage so we won't drain their mana."
"No, there is less possibility of elves. By the way, I admit that humans brought an elf weeks ago, but the Empress made sure that we won't harm her at the human's request."
"So if not elves, then... dwarfs?"
"I'm not certain about them, but they are masters in making weapons and artifacts. And, more importantly, their princess is going to get married soon. I don't think they want to invite any unnecessary war." The group deliberated, considering various possibilities while grappling with the potential consequences of their actions. The uncertainty surrounding the fate of the new Emperor cast a shadow over the Dragon Kingdom, leaving its future hanging in the balance.
"Human has started their invasion in the Haman kingdom and their land, They want to force them to join the alliance and marry Princess Haman to the prince of Human"
They looked at each other massed up minds some of them stretched their heading frustration. "Let's start with an investigation"
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