The hovercraft surged from Jing Tian Airport and toward Southampton City at incredible speeds, sending sonic booms across the forests it soared over. Monsters were knocked off their feet as they were buffeted by powerful shockwaves, their eardrums almost destroyed by the tremendous noise. Several airborne monsters screeched and launched themselves at the hovercraft, but a shimmering forcefield disintegrated them before they could reach even a few meters of it.
Southampton City was one of the major cities of the Global Federation, located within the Middle Continent. As the headquarters of the esteemed Stuart Clan, it also served as a political, military and commercial hub within the hundreds of Global Federation cities. Currently, it was the destination for the hovercraft.
"Your excellency, why didn't we just take a direct flight to Southampton City?" One of the men in suits asked. Seated beside the tanned guy in summer shorts and sleeveless vest, he served as the head of the crown prince's bodyguards.
"Because it's more fun this way. I want to see more of the Global Federation, not just the big cities. I heard that Jing Tian City was one of the cities under attack by the Dark Church, and I was interested to see how much they have rebuilt or restored the city." He nodded, impressed. "They exceeded my imagination. Is this what the wealth and technology of the Global Federation are capable of?"
"They cannot be underestimated, your excellency," the bodyguard leader reminded him. The crown prince grinned.
"Damn right they can't. That boy from earlier…have you found any of his information yet?"
"Yes, your excellency. I'll email them to you immediately." The bodyguard was consulting his notepad, and with a flick of his finger across the touchscreen, he emailed the information that his subordinates had managed to gather. "We've been compiling his data, but there isn't much of it at this point. Just his combat records and school activities."
"You're kidding, right?" the crown prince was laughing boisterously as he read the data. "You call this 'isn't much'? Are you blind? This guy nuked an entire horde of monsters numbering three thousand on his own!"
"No, I think you misunderstand me," the bodyguard leader said seriously. "That is exactly what is surprising. His records of note only stretches a year back at most. All of his impressive achievements were done during the last few months. Not unless you count his 100 defeats before his team-kill of Crowley's Grand Arcane Academy at the beginning of the year."
"Ha ha ha ha! What an interesting fellow. I see here that he participated in the defense of Jing Tian City as well…slaying a rank B monster with his comrades and rescuing the city council from assassins. Very interesting!"
"He also slew three rank B Crastrates by himself, and a rank A dragon during a school mission."
"With Strategic-scale spells, no less! Ha ha ha! I never thought there would exist such a person in the Federation! See, Brokin? It was worth making the trip to Jing Tian City, after all!"
Brokin said nothing and merely lowered his head in acquiesce. There was no reaon not to humor the crown prince when he was in such a good mood, after all.
At the same time, Cecilia Stuart was standing inside a large hall. Instead of her usual Crowley's Academy uniform, she was wearing a white, elegant one-piece dress with flowery lace. The silky fabric clung to her alluring curves in a mesmerizing fashion, with the long skirt accentuating her slender legs. She waited atop a lush, red carpet, her blue eyes staring at the outside sky in anticipation.
Her uncle, Sacha, and her cousin, Adrian, were nearby, along with distinguished executives and high-ranking leaders who managed the Stuart Corporation. After the deaths of so many executives during the Stuart Corporation Building incident, Sacha worked hard to replace the vacant slots with his own people. Obviously, he was far from stupid and incompetent, so he only placed people who were actually excellent in doing their jobs.
That was why Cecilia didn't do anything. She had no reason to countermand her uncle's decisions, not when these executives had proven themselves. Their only "fault" – if she could label it as such – was their loyalty to her uncle. Other than that, they managed Stuart Corporation more than adequately, and was the only reason why the multi-trillionaire corporation could recover so rapidly after such a calamity.
Even so, no one challenged her position as the successor and next in line for the Stuart Clan.
The Stuart Clan waited with bated breaths as the hovercraft landed on the aerial platform provided outside the main hall. The shimmering forcefield made it difficult for any of the non-mage executives to welcome their highly esteemed guests, but from what Cecilia knew, he wouldn't want them to greet him outside the hovercraft.
The crown prince of the Amazerian Empire, Roland Rothwell, was demonstrating his might and power – he was showing off the immense power and speed of his personal hovercraft. It was also a warning to any attackers. If they attempted to take a potshot at his venerable vehicle, the turrets lined along its hull would unleash a devastating volley of fire in retaliation. The hovercraft was bristling with exotic weapons.
That was why they could fly over the forest unscathed, scything down any monster foolish enough to raise a claw against them.
Despite the blatant show of power, Cecilia was not fooled. The Amazerian Empire and the Global Federation had often dealt with each other closely in the past, mostly in trades. The Global Federation required resources and raw materials, most of which could only be harvested in the untamed wilderness of the forests that made up most of the Empire's territory. In contrast, the Empire required advanced technology, especially those that was developed behind the safe, undisturbed barriers of the Federation's highly modern cities.
Even with the need for raw materials, there were still several factions in the Federation who opposed trade and forming relations with the Amazerian Empire. The Stuart clan was among those who strongly advocated trade and fostering relations with the Empire, and eventually they persuaded the other factions, and headed the effort of negotiating with the emissaries from the Empire.
As Sacha mentioned before, Cecilia was the only one who could handle the notorious crown prince of the Amazerian Empire, not only because of her intellect, but because she had also earned the respect of Prince Roland. The crown prince had seen her fight a couple of times, and was impressed with her combat record.
The military was highly regarded in the Amazerian Empire, especially since the majority of the civilian population depended on them for protection. Of course, it was for mutual benefit – not everyone could become warriors, and warriors needed food, shelter, clothing, armaments and equipment too. However, it was inevitable that some were more equal than others, and eventually a hierarchy was formed. In return for offering other citizens protection, the warriors took their responsibilities seriously and developed a culture of honor, courage and valiance. They would fight the monsters to the death to protect helpless civilians.
That led to the civilians revering and respecting the warriors, rather than revolting and resenting. I mean, seriously…if you did that whole "strong eat the weak" and "power is everything" or "survival of the fittest bullshit" where the strong treat the weak like trash and kill them on a whim, then they would eventually reach a breaking point and revolt. Since they were going to die anyway, why should they listen to the strong? Then the whole society would collapse.
An empire ruled by fear would not last long. The truly wise emperor would strive to earn the respect and loyalty of his subjects rather than intimidate and beat them into submission. As I said before, would you constantly whip a horse that you must ride everyday? The horse will either throw you off or die.
Cecilia stiffened as she watched the ramp lower, spilling out a small group of people. She surreptitiously glanced at her welcoming committee, which consisted of over a hundred honor guard, equipped with the finest weapons and pristine armor the Stuart clan could supply them with. Outside the building, surrounding the aerial platform and facing outward was a convoy of armored vehicles, as well as hi-tech mana cannons. In addition to the substantial number of staff employed for this event, the common civilians of Southampton City couldn't help but gravitate toward the main hall to witness such a major event.
Roland Rothwell was escorted by no more than twenty bodyguards. For some reason, he was dressed casually, in his summer-like clothing, not caring for the formality of the ceremony and all that. Sacha raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. Cecilia, on the other hand, knew of Roland's reputation and wasn't surprised.
Instead, she offered a polite smile as she bowed her head in greeting.
"Your excellency, Prince Roland. I am honored that you decide to grace Southampton City with your presence. Please allow me to represent the Stuart Clan in welcoming you to our humble residence. For you to take the trouble to make such a long trip here…I am glad that you continue to think so highly of our friendship."
"Ha ha. Cut the bullshit, Cecilia. You know I hate all this fake formality."
Roland instead gave her a roguish smile and a wink before stepping toward her. Before anyone could react, he threw an arm around her lovely shoulders.
"It's been a while since we've met. We have some catching up to do." He reached up and twirled a few strands of her long, black hair with his fingers. "You're still as breathtakingly beautiful as ever."
"And you're still as bold and audacious as ever," Cecilia replied evenly while sending a stare to the panicking honor guard to back down. Instead, she tilted her head ever so slightly, and the captain of the guard received the hint. Barking out some orders over the coms, there was a pause before the mana cannons fired. The explosive projectiles sailed high into the air before detonating into brilliant fireworks, producing a scene that had all the civilians staring at the evening sky in awe.
"I have to, if I want to capture a strong woman's heart." Roland grinned as he leaned closer. "How about it? Have you reconsidered my offer yet? I really wish you can become my queen."
Cecilia gently pushed the crown prince away and shook her head.
"As tempting as your proposal is, and as flattered as I am, I'm afraid I will have to decline. My place is here, in the Global Federation. I need to stay in Southampton City in order to lead my clan. As the successor to the Stuart Clan, I have the responsibility to maintain the image and prestige of my family and corporation, at the very minimum. I hope you understand my position."
"Of course, of course." Roland nodded sincerely. "I am in a similar position, after all. As the crown prince, I am expected to reign over the Empire one day. I cannot leave my home on a whim and marry whoever I want. And I know firsthand how powerful one's bond to one's homeland is. I cannot leave my people behind and selfishly act on my own desires. But…" he winked mischievously. "If you ever change your mind, don't hesitate to let me know."
"I'm afraid I will never change my mind."
"Never say never." Roland laughed, and then he smirked. "Speaking of marriage, if there is any man in the Federation worthy of your hand, I believe I've met him."
"How surprising." Cecilia raised an eyebrow, a little taken aback. "If you're going this far to say that about him, he must be quite the remarkable man."
"Indeed, he is." Roland nodded fervently. "He is quite the interesting fellow. In fact, I would be surprised if you haven't heard of him. From what I understand, he has been making quite the news in your Federation for a while now."
"Ho…"
Cecilia waited patiently for Roland's revelation. He didn't disappoint. Flipping his smartphone out from his summer shorts, he swiped the screen and called up a holographic screen.
"See? This young man here…he's the same age as you, even, but he has already learned and is capable of using Strategic-scale spells. Tell me, how many people of our generation has the ability to destroy entire hordes of monsters with a single spell? Or defeat a rank A dragon and live to tell the tale? Hmm?"
"That's…" Cecilia trailed off when she recognized my bespectacled face on the holographic screen. She sighed as recognition filled her eyes. "Richard Huang. Yes, I know him. And he has already rejected me."
"Oh, really? I see. Well, it's only natural that the daughter and successor to the Stuart clan has extremely high standards, after all. Even if he's capable of casting Strategic-scale spells, he doesn't have any background or bloodline…eh? What?"
Roland blinked for a moment, realizing that something was not right.
"Wait, you didn't reject him? He was the one who rejected you?"
"That is correct." Cecilia nodded simply. Roland's jaw literally hit the ground as he staggered back from shock.
"EH?!"