Nuu's eyes bore into Amon with a cold intensity that could make even the most fearless of warriors tremble. In response, Amon's hand flicked with an urgent motion, signaling to Mejo, who melted away into the murky depths of the surrounding darkness. However, not before deftly spiriting away the Baron and the others.
The final member to trail after Mejo was none other than Kirk, whose misfortune had left him without an arm and his trusted Barbarian.
Nuu refused to halt their retreat. How could he, after all? This was the Prince, a member of the royal family. To seize the goods without payment would amount to sheer banditry, and such reprehensible behavior would bring disgrace upon the House of Khan.
"You are certainly a bold one," Nuu sneered, his lips curling in contemptuous disdain as he accepted the payment in the form of a Black Crystalline Card, engrave with a crown to the far left.
[The Black Crystalline Card, a marvel of commerce, provided a solution to the age-old problem of carrying cumbersome chests brimming with gold. Its sleek, obsidian surface gleamed in the moonlight, a testament to its refined craftsmanship.]
Amon stood poised and collected, his composure akin to the tranquil chill of a winter's breeze. "Nothing of the sort," he replied with practiced ease, his voice echoing with the unwavering steadiness of a mountain stream. "The card reserves 3.1 billion ducats. Take it as a gift of friendship."
Nuu's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at the card in his hand. The weight of such wealth was almost palpable, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of greed as he imagined the possibilities.
It came as no surprise, really. The vast chasm that separated the Khan descendants in terms of their material fortunes had always been extravagant, regardless of whether one happened to be the ninth Prince or not. His net worth, mused Nuu, must surely exceed a hundred billion, at the very least.
Prince Amon's appearance belied the truth of his age, for despite his countenance suggesting a man in his forties, he had walked Yargo far longer than the reign of a mere few kingdoms. His eyes held a depth of wisdom and experience that could only come from centuries of life.
"Now, shall we turn our attention to matters more pressing?" the Prince inquired. His piercing gaze swept over Froh, who could feel his neck constrict as he did his best to conceal the map clutched tightly in his hand.
A pregnant pause hung in the air as the Nuu remained silent, his mind racing with the implications of the man's words. Finally, he spoke.
"I am listening," the Nuu replied.
Amon smiled knowingly, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "I have a proposition that may pique your interest."
"Tell me, Froh, do you truly comprehend the gravity of what you are attempting to veil?" Amon's words cut through the tense air like a sharp blade, directed at the accused thief.
Silence hung heavy in the air, as Froh refused to answer. But Amon persisted, his composure quickly crumbling under the weight of his anger. "Not only did you pilfer from your master's estate, but you coveted his possessions as well. Speak now, unless you wish for me to delve into the depths of your soul!"
Froh's eyes blazed with a fury that could rival the brightest inferno, as he hissed through clenched teeth. "It is all your fault," he spat, his words venomous as he regarded Nuu with seething intensity.
"You, a filth beast that sullies her honor. I curse you with every fiber of my being. Why must it come to this?"
Nuu stood with a calm, almost detached demeanor, his body poised for action, yet his expression betraying no emotion.
But Nuu was not one to be slighted. "Don't even think about it!" he roared, before swiftly rendering Froh unconscious once more.
The once-dignified man, daring to fight for a woman out of his league, became a pathetic toad and Nuu had lost all semblance of respect and interest.
Froh, as he was known, had devolved into a mere tool - a soulless implement devoid of any intrinsic value. No longer did his croaks elicit admiration or curiosity.
No longer did his sleek skin shimmer in the sun or his muscular legs propel him with grace through the water. Instead, he had become a mere object, something to be used and discarded at will.
Micah watched in stunned confusion, not daring to interject.
The vicious and relentless stomping of Nuu's boot upon Froh's skull created a horrific spectacle, leaving behind a crimson stain that stained the earth beneath.
The sound of the bone-crushing impact was nothing short of gruesome, as the teeth of the hapless victim were mercilessly embedded beneath the soles of Nuu's boots.
The repeated blows only intensified, each one punctuated by a sickening crunch until the very ground itself seemed to tremble in horror at the brutality unfolding before it.
At that moment, it was as if the world had stopped, and all that remained was the cruel and unrelenting violence being inflicted upon Froh.
"Lowly insect!" The words escaped from his lips with a venomous force, as a wad of spit left his mouth and landed unceremoniously on Froh's face.
Amon found himself involuntarily stepping back a few paces at the sudden outburst, the raw display of emotion and brutal force reminding him all too vividly of the 2nd Princess.
The memory of her fierce, unbridled rage was still seared into his mind, a testament to the sheer power and intensity of her personality.
"My apologies, Your Royal Highness," he said, his voice heavy with contrition. "Sometimes, a strong hand is required." And with those words, he retrieved the map, soaked in blood.
Meanwhile, the pieces of the puzzle slowly fall into place in Nuu's mind. The true motives of the Prince; the Royal Edict, and his presence in the South finally made sense.
"A scheme of the Royal House or the ambition of a madman?" Nuu pondered, realizing that he desired nothing to do with either.
Nuu, with his heightened sense of perception, could discern the map's origin wasn't simple, "Sr. Nuu, let us engage in discourse," proposed Amon, without any hint of subservience or command, as if coaxing a child.
"The weight of the object within your grasp, Sr. Nuu, is one of immense value to me. Its worth, however, pales in comparison to the offer that I am about to make.
Whatever your heart yearns for - be it vast tracts of land, a bevy of women to attend to your every whim, a title that proclaims your worthiness, or even the very town in which we stand - I am willing to bestow upon you."
Nuu's outburst had taken him aback, causing Amon to falter momentarily in his thoughts.
Nuu's laughter erupted uncontrollably, "Gu Gu Gu!" he exclaimed. "There's no need to go that far. Take it as a sign of friendship, I only request a few droplets of your blood." And with that, he tossed the map to Prince Amon.
Nuu understood his limitations, and he had no intention of relinquishing his life just yet. Though he possessed the Blood Spawn, its activation would only come once he had progeny or an entity of a similar origin.
If a conflict were to arise, he would not only lose his life but also jeopardize his future plans. A small loss here would not mar the grand design the brothers have constructed…
Nuu beheld with a keen eye the inconsistency that lay within his very words. How could the worth of this coveted map be deemed of lesser importance than the reward he had promised? The very thought was a paradox.
The Prince stood there, his heart racing with the fury of battle. His mind was made up, he would go all out and slay the insolent wretch who dared to stand before him.
He had even planned to make his way to Bervin City and confront Oga for treason, if necessary. But fate had other plans, for the unexpected happened.
The Prince was taken aback, to say the least, when Nuu handed over the map without so much as a question about its origin.
This turn of events left the Prince reeling, as he was not prepared for such an outcome. A newfound respect and cautiousness stirred within Amon's eyes as he gazed upon Nuu.
He had misjudged the man before him, for he was not the simpleton the Prince had presumed him to be, the need to revise Nuu's profile was a must, along with dispatching the informant.
"Oh, very well...are you planning to create a Flesh Pouch?" inquired Amon.
Nuu's request for the Void White-Eyed Snake bloodline aligned with Amon's thoughts, but the reason behind it was much deeper than what the Prince could imagine.
The Prince, his guard lowered, was blissfully unaware that a person of Nephilim Bloodline could harbor such a deep desire for his restrained blood.
His mind raced with the potential of Nuu's skills in reverse engineering his blood to craft a pouch or a mid-grade pendant.
The idea of creating a breeding ground from his essence was entirely alien to him; it had never even crossed Amon's mind.
As Amon cast his gaze upon Nuu, he couldn't help but acknowledge his apparent intelligence.
Yet, he never suspected that this man possessed the cunning and audacity to design a clandestine plane and venture into the uncharted territories of cross-breeding research.
How could he have known? After all, Nuu's illustrious lineage ensured their ascension to the coveted Breaking Dawn Realm.
As the Prince continued to ponder the possibilities of Nuu's machinations, he remained oblivious to the looming threat. If only he had been more vigilant, perhaps he could have foreseen the peril that lay ahead.
The history of the Khan Bloodline was a tale steeped in mystery and power. Their bloodline was revered for its otherworldly abilities to travel through rifts or foresee the future for a brief period. However, since Empress Mogu: The Unyielding Beast.
There had never been a member who could peer into the future. The common innate trait these Royals possessed was Spatial Rift, Farsight, Piercing Gaze, or Concealment.
As the minutes ticked by, The Prince's vow came to fruition, and in his hand lay not only three glistening droplets but an additional Flesh Pouch.
"Aah, your grace's benevolence knows no bounds. With this unexpected boon, House Thornbrick will flourish anew." Nuu declared, brimming with gratitude.
The night hung heavy around them as two men cackled with an intensity that left Micah trembling in his boots.
He stood there, feeling invisible, as though he were not present. The words of the men flowed around him like a river, their laughter a raucous current that threatened to sweep him away.
Suddenly, the Prince's face softened, and a warmth spread across his features, as a smile broke through the tension.
"It is but a small token of my appreciation for your unwavering loyalty to the Crown," he spoke, his voice gentle and soothing as though they have known each other their whole life. The Prince already considers Nuu as one of his people.
Nuu, who stood beside him, nodded in agreement, his face etched with fierce determination, but beneath the facade, Nuu's treachery lies hidden, "Anything for the longevity of House Khan," he declared, his words ringing out with righteousness.
"Alas, your dwelling has crumbled," Amon stated mournfully as he surveyed the debris and the now-roomless house. His gaze lingered briefly on Priscilla before he withdrew.
"What of staying with Roslin?" Amon proposed.
"Would that not be inconvenient?" Nuu asked.
"Perish the thought, my friend. You may consider this town your own," Amon declared.
Thus, the fate of House Roslin lay in Nuu's hands.
"Well then, do not mind if I do," Nuu chuckled. "Where will you be staying?"
As the 9th Prince prepared to embark on his departure, he turned to Nuu and spoke with an air of quiet assurance.
"Though our paths may diverge, should you ever find yourself in the Imperial City," he said, "My Spring and Autumn Peak welcome you…I shall ensure that Roslin provides whatever your heart desires. And my sincerest apology on behalf of Mejo, he's a fool that only knows how to follow orders."
With these parting words, the Prince took his leave, striding purposefully toward his destiny. But the promise he had made lingered in the air, a whisper of hope and generosity that would not soon be forgotten.
For in a world where treachery and deceit lurked at every turn, the simple act of offering hospitality was a rare and precious gift.
As the Prince's aura dissipated into the night, Nuu's tense body finally relaxed, and a soft sigh of relief escaped his lips. The evening had been eventful indeed, but the boon he had just received filled him with a sense of pride.
Nuu stood atop the hill, his figure silhouetted against the darkening sky, gazing down at the droplets of crimson blood.
As the minutes ticked by, a peculiar sight began to unfold before one's eyes. A stalwart figure, Nuu, emerged into view, his broad shoulders weighed down by a diminutive form - Berta, clinging onto him tightly. Priscilla, a faithful followed in his footsteps, matching his every stride.
However, the scene was not without its darker elements. Micah, the group's burliest member, lurched forward, his fingers clawed around the neck of an unconscious Froh, dragging the hapless man along.
Silence filled the air as Berta laid her eyes upon Micah. Nuu, however, knew that the tension brewing between them would eventually surface.
Two hours crept by and the darkness of night descended upon them. With growling stomachs and exhaustion setting in, a hastily prepared meal was consumed.
Priscilla and Berta found themselves secluded within the towering walls of the Baron's castle.
Roslin's demeanor underwent a drastic metamorphosis at the sight of Nuu. With all matters eventually resolved, Nuu and Micah departed from the opulent estate of the Baron at an ungodly hour of three in the morning, leaving Priscilla to comfort Berta.
Meanwhile, Froh met a fate befitting his treachery as he was thrown into the confines of a damp, cold dungeon until his inevitable return.
"Are you prepared, Micah?" he declared, his voice laced with satisfaction.
"As you command, master," Micah replied dutifully.
Nuu cloak billowed behind him like the wings of a giant bat. His eyes scanned the area for any sign of movement, but all was still. He had one more job to do, and it was one that he relished.
The death of Viscount Nathan. He had the right man for the job - "What are you waiting for? Do you require another beating?" bellowed Nuu, his voice echoing across the open field.
The air was heavy with a foreboding tension, a palpable sense of violence hovering in the stillness. Darkness had descended upon the traveling caravan, but this was no ordinary procession of merchants; it was the Count and Viscount themselves.
Nuu, with breakneck speed, had rushed to intercept these two before they crossed into Lady Vivian's territory. Beyond this border, any assassination attempt would be fruitless.
For this was the Baltic Prison, a narrow strait of land that led straight into the Imperial Sanctuary. From there, a Griffin would ferry the nobles into the Imperial City, situated high up in the sky.
As the ticking of the clock echoed through the stillness, a deafening explosion shattered the peace, rending flesh asunder with a force that left even the bravest quivering in fear.
Nuu ready his blade, time to take action.
On this night a massacre took place that shook the Khan Dynasty, leaving behind chard remains and vacancy.
________________________________
In the early hours of the morning, when the sky is still draped in the veil of darkness, a solemn sound echoes through the Imperial City.
It is the tolling of the bell, ringing out sixteen times in somber tones that seem to carry a weight of sorrow.
For those attuned to the moment, tears cascade down their faces as their knees buckle and hit the ground with a resounding thud.
Loud sobs of anguish pierce the heavens, filling the air with a mournful melody that echoes through the surrounding landscape.
[The 44th Emperor of the Khan Dynasty: Modu]
In the Year of Great Prosperity, Modu reigned supreme,
A wise and just leader, fulfilling his people's dreams.
The crops were bountiful, the skies clear and bright,
And his kingdom shone like a beacon of light.
Under his rule, the arts flourished and thrived,
And all who worked hard were duly recognized.
The land was safe, the people were free,
And all who lived there were filled with glee.
But Modu knew that such times don't last,
And that fortune can change all too fast.
So he prepared for the future, with care, and with skill,
And made sure that his people were always fulfilled...