"Hittan! Sorry, we came late. But we were held up by an oppressive pressure just outside the Arena." Edan shouted as he and the others rushed in.
Hittan simply looked at the group calmly and waited for their arrival. As the group took a moment to recover from the overbearing pressure they felt earlier he continued to wait patiently. The girls simply watched him and with their new knowledge that he came from the Dragon and Phoenix Village then so was the rest of the group. They also waited to hear what he had to say with interest because the look on his face was rather stern and clearly that of their leader.
"How long did it take to complete the battle I assigned to you?"
Taking a step forward Sahar gave a report, "It took us about a 1 minute in our released forms. (Mythic Origin State) Edan and Falkner took on the bulk of the heavy attacks and rest of us made short work of those below 100,000 units."
"Mmh, good job. After liberty weekend I will arrange a week in the Flame Realm for you all. No, this is not punishment for arriving late. I know no other young group could have repeated your success in such a short time. Also, we all need more time practising in our released state. Which only became available to us at rank 10 and it is to be expected that we are somewhat inexperienced with it."
"We understand brother, but what do you want to do about Sang and the others?"
"Bring them forward."
"Yes. Samir, bring them forward."
…
"Sang, I understand that you were tricked into this little scheme. Mostly out of your dislike for me but also your naivety. Your actions could have resulted in the injury or something worse happening to the Princesses. I'm also sure you can understand the trouble you're in once this is reported back to the Alicorn Empire."
Fear grew by the second on Jager's face but Sang was still fuming at what took place. One could not truly know if he was upset that he had to depend on team New Hope to avoid capture or his inability to rescue the Princesses on his own.
"Also, to be clear, I am not a particularly patient person and suffering fools is not a strong point of mine. I admit this up front and I deliberately expressed the threats to a foolhardy person in my first lecture to the class. So I should kill you both to save me the hassle in the long run, a point I'm sure you both will agree with."
The faces of each person in the group had a look of shock for a variety of reasons. Team New Hope was shocked that Kaia and Kaija were princesses of the Alicorn Empire. With the exception of Edan, being a member of the royal family. Sang and the others were shocked at how calmly and casually he spoke about killing them and expected them to agree! This was the thinking of a person accustomed to killing! It was now that fear blossomed in Sang's eyes and he looked to Kaia and Kaija for help realising the danger he was in! This group of student warriors were not from some province under the Alicorn rule or some country town that had not heard of the Alicorn Empire!
It was a group from the Dragon and Phoenix Village! A village though not even half the size of the Alicorn Capital city has the strength to rule the planet if they wished to! Nothing or no one can stand up to them should they seek war.
The girls also realised that Hittan was not joking about killing Sang and Jager. They also knew the Village had the strength to disregard the likes of Sang's family and even their own father if it came down to it.
"Hittan, we know that this is a serious matter and we will definitely report it to our Aunt. But we are asking you not to kill them. Let them be taken back to the capital and deal with the disciplinary actions the Empire finds appropriate."
Hittan looked at Kaija a little confused and curious to her motivations in wanting to save Sang. Both girls saw this look and understood it for what it was, jealousy!
"Don't be like that, Kaija is simply saying that you don't need to complicate things with the Alicorn Empire. Especially if you wish to… achieve your goal with support from the Lords."
Hittan understood Kaia's meaning so he looked back at Kaija for confirmation and she only nodded and gentle closing her eyes. Hittan could even see a slight pink in her cheeks and was now overjoyed as it seemed they were warming up to him day by day!
"Okay, Sang and Jager your punishment will be decided by your people. I hope you're both grateful to the princesses in saving your lives. I'm sure the Captain of the Guards has seen enough and will be taking you into holding."
Suddenly both Headmaster Fahim and Elek appeared in the arena near the group!
"So you knew I was here the entire time?" Elek responded a little shocked.
"No, but it was when you made the attempt to step into the fight that I realised you were watching. As for Headmaster Fahim, I was unaware of your return."
"Well, I returned before they came to the market and along with Elek, I was observing the situation. So no one was in any real danger. But I must thank you for cleaning up the bad influences inside the Basilisk's chosen inheritors. His Godbeast weapon can be redistributed within his clan and hopefully, someone more worthy can be found." With that Fahim stretched his hands out and the sword flew to him from the hand of Aapo's corps.
Elek then motioned to Sang and Jager as they would be held in the guard's confinement room until Ragna's return. "Okay, kids enjoy what remains of the liberty weekend but you two will be coming with me." With that Elek was off with Sang and Jager.
"Hittan and team New Hope, we shall be returning to the village after you complete your time in the flame realm."
"They have agreed?" Hittan looked at Headmaster Fahim with interest.
"Yes, based on you and your team's performance in this matter they have agreed. I only hope the rest of you can focus on your training in the coming days. It is critical for the decisions that must be made."
"Yes, Headmaster Fahim!" The group responded in unison.
With that, the Headmaster took his leave.
"Okay, now that the business end of this outing has been completed. What about a tour of the city?" Hittan said as he looked at the princesses.
"Sure. Where do you have in mind?" Kaija looked at Hittan after she offered to go with him. It seemed she wanted to make it up to him for asking to save Sang's life. A point Hittan wondered himself.
"I remember there is a very nice gift shop a few blocks from here. Let's take our time to sightsee while heading there." With that Hittan and the group was off.
...
After a few minutes, the group naturally gave Hittan and the Princesses space to talk.
"Hittan, how strong are you really?" Kaia looked at him while batting her eyes playfully while asking.
"Haha, If I tell you will you promise to be mine?"
"Only, if you're really really strong!"
"I'm not that strong, at least not right now anyhow, so I'll tell you when I'm stronger."
"Humph! Meanie, at least tell me now so I know how long to wait on you!"
"It won't be long I promise."
"Can you two stop playing around so much, seriously. Hittan, we should talk about what our father as planned for us. Since we've made the choice to… depend on you. Then you need to be prepared, father as arranged for us to marry the sons of his two most loyal Generals. They both have achieved ranks in the Pseudo King Realm."
"Really? As it is right now I could barely be classified as someone who has touched that rank."
"So, you are that strong already, no wonder you rushed in to save us without any help." Kaia smiled as she eyed Hittan while praising him playfully.
"Even If I thought there was no hope in escaping I'd still come for you both."
"Is it pointless to ask you not to be reckless?" Kaija looked at him seriously after asking.
"It's not pointless, but let me be the one to judge if it is. What else can you tell me about them?"
"Well, my father has said that they are also inheritors of the Topaz Griffin and Emerald Xuanwu Clans.'
"Sister, I've also heard they are over 30 years old this year and already have numerous wives and concubines."
"You both are against the idea of sharing a husband?" Nervously Hittan looked the girls hoping for a favourable answer.
"No!" They both answered in unison.
*Gulp*
"Hehehe, look at him! He looks like he's dying. Hehe!"
"Stop it, Kaia, he's beginning to sweat. Haha" Kaija joined in while covering her mouth to laugh.
Hittan stood still for a moment and watched as the ladies walked into the most beautiful gift shop they had seen along the way. The shop was made of granite for all three stories and embellished with Diamonds, Rubies and Sapphires. The door itself was solid Emerald and windows made of Topaz and Zircon. Truly this store was for the wealthy and elite.
Seeing that the Hittan was stuck beside himself the girls turned around and walked up to him. They each took one arm and pulled him into the store. While the rest of the group had finally caught up and was about to enter the shop when they were abruptly cut off by a personal guard. The guard had seen the uniform and assumed they were normal Outer Core students, but before the group could respond a noble-looking young lady walked up. She wore a slender fitting white sleeveless dress with a ruffled layered bottom which complemented her green hair and fair skin. The group was slightly stunned by her beauty as she walked passed them and entered the store.
Hittan, Kaia and Kaija had not gone too far before a beautiful green-haired and green eyes girl walked in behind them. The girls immediately noticed each other. Kaia and Kaija saw her small button nose and small but full lips being bordered by her green eyes and hair, beautiful they thought and both paused for a moment. In a similar fashion, the unknown girl saw Kaia and Kaija and thought they were truly angelic with their white eyes and hair, slender nose and perfectly shaped lips and also stopped to stare.
Only Hittan seemed unaffected about who it was that had entered the shop after him and gave her a passing glance. Being held by both Kaia and Kaija was more important to him and this was a point that all three ladies saw clearly! For that, both girls were especially pleased and Kaia couldn't help but whisper in Hittan's ear, "very well done, husband. We can accept you wanting both of us because you are special to both of us. But another woman is forbidden!"