Chapter 46
As I got inside the [Council Chamber] where the meeting is being held on, the atmosphere of the room then suddenly became heavy. I don't know whether it was because her majesty and both his, and her highness are staring at me with disdain? Or because some of the nobles were quite in tense as they stood? But I could surely sure that some of those heavy gaze is from the King himself, as he stood there with an overwhelming look
"Your majesty, may I ask your permission to further introduce everyone in here?"
Isabelle then spoke and broke those suffocating pressure coming from them. Everyone was surprised, a bit taken aback as Isabelle barge in, especially the King and the Queen. I then saw the Prince clenching his fist and almost gritting hsi teeth in frustration in front of me
'Now I see why'
".... You may"
As the King gave his permission as he stare at Isabelle dumbfounded, Isabelle then bowed to him and looked at me right after.
"Then let me introduce them unto you"
As she said that, Isabelle then placed her right arm behind her and stretch her left arm upfront as she started introducing the people inside the room, one by one.
"The man upfront is the one who reign and rules the [Kingdom of Entel], his majesty the King, King Antoinne de Monet Van der Entel. At his left was the her majesty, Queen Aurelie de Monet Van Der Entel. To his right is the heif of the kingdom, his Highness, Prince Peirre de Monet Van Der Entel followed by her highness, Princess Valerie de Monet Van Der Entel"
The king greeted me with a bow, though I felt it was quite respectful and half-assed. The Queen elegantly greeted me as she raised her dress hems a bit while the Princess and Prince seems to be against it but still bowed at me without any problem.
'It feels like their parents can't come up with a name and just randomly choose anything good and attached whatever they can come up with'
Isabelle then proceed to the people below the reigning royalties and introduce the nobles, or the pillars of this kingdom
"At the bottom right is the Duke Albert Centre Von Atria of the [Dukedom Atria], followed by the Marquess, Lord Castro Van de Monte of the [March Monte]. At the left side is the Mangrave, Lord Ronnel de Manchester of the [March Manchester] and Lord Lachey von Castantes, [Count of the County Castantes]. At the left is the Baron, Lord Lae de Manty of the [Barony Manty] and Viscount Mart Mon de Cartel which is at the right"
After she introduced them to me, they then bowed at me. Right after that, the King then gestured at me and my party member to take a sit, which we then gladly took. As seated and faced his majesty, he then spoke in a unexpected gentle tone
"Before we begin our discussion for the upcoming future, I would like to humbly and formally thank you for your aid to insure this kingdom safety"
He then bowed as he stood up. It was quite surprising act, even the people inside the room was quite taken by his abrupt action. I then smiled and spoke in a calm, and gentle tone
"His majesty doesn't need to"
As I said that, everyone's attention then went towards me, full of puzzlement and dubious look of bewilderment, even his majesty can't help but stare at me. Even how stern and stoic Isabelle was as she sat next to me, it seems she was still not that yet fully STEELED on to what I am doing, and glance at me before she faced upfront
"I only did what his majesty order me to do, and in fact, I alone didn't fully negate the whole situation. Without the aid of the other party and mine, and further assistance from the kingdom, I should be lying on the ground cold, and battered with the kingdom upfront being surrounded and lost"
(Isabelle's POV)
'Nice going!'
I thoughtly yell as I praise darling. The King did congratulate darling in behalf of the kingdom in such warm, and gentle tone but his actions were merely a disgust to what he wanted to propose.
The King told darling, and him alone on how brave and courageous he was during the battle which means that the King wanted to curry favor on him in a non-formal form. He is making darling special by calling him here and his party members then standing up as he bowed to fully imply how deeply move he was, as it is rare for a King to bow down to those below him. And secondly, he then stated that without him, the kingdom should have been fallen to the enemy's hand. If darling let the situation flow, the King could have asked something unreasonable and yet at the same time, profitable towards darling.
But darling swiftly cut off his majesty's act, though it might seems not that impressive, but doing so, the King can't personally THANK him in any means, it which denotes that any special requests nor any favorable treatment can't be done to darling alone. If the King or the kingdom needs to thank him, they should also thank the others also.
Additionally, none of the people here, except for the Prince knew or saw how menacing and powerful darling was, so the King can't possibly moved his hand on his own without further proof of the claim that darling really did manage to shoulder all the responsibility on his own. Lord Roland still unconscious today and can't satisfy for today or maybe a week, so in short, darling just made this situation into a fair play.
(Author's POV)
"And didn't your majesty already thanked us?"
"You mean the additional cost I gave than the usual contracted amount is should be giving? That isn't even a little bit of thanks but rather a appreciation for their response, and swift action in securing my kingdom and can be hardly called a thank"
The King retort towards Creeper's words
"But it still enough as a gratitude, especially if the King himself personally ordered it so"
"I see...."
Silence then once again engulfed the room as a heavy atmosphere visited them once more. None of the nobles dared to spoke as it might seems they might be rushing something and be quite rude to the one(?) that helped them. All the nobles were on their edge as they silently observed the situation before them. The royalties was on their seat, awaiting for their King to speak. Even the hot blooded prince was tight on his lips, as he was lost to what to do the situation that was forge in front of them. The party of Creeper was patiently waiting with their trust and loyal bound to them, they never misjudged neither would they as they let the matter be done by him alone. If they were here to be just his decorations, then it was their responsibility to act like a rarest gold and glimmering diamond.
And Queen and Princess was quite baffled to the man in front of them, they thought he was merely a flightless ugly sparrow that is being carried by a beautiful swan. And yet here they are, sitting on their seat, with their mouth shut and gaze fixed.
The King of the nobles and leader of the party gaze at each other without animosity neither any lingering hatred, and judgment, but merely fixing their sight towards each other's eyes, and see who among them shall fell behind.
Sigh
The King broke the passing atmosphere in the room as he sighed in defeat. He then lean his head to his left hand as he placed it to his seat. He then smiled and spoke, stating his compliment in a shocking tone
"Don't judge a cub by its race, judge it by how it raise" was what my father told me once, but it seems I was quite old to even remember his teaching, forgive me"
As he said that, all the nobles fixed their sight towards him and seemingly unknown to what the King is speaking. Even his wife and children was taken aback to his sudden change. The atmosphere in the room have now lessen and has gone stable, or to say, it became quite stagnant. It wasn't balance nor tipped, but if one of them dared to flip it, then the board will once again moved.
"It seems I can't win to you, how surprising"
As everyone heard it, they then turned their gaze towards Creeper, of course they didn't acted like an ignorant Brat who just woke up from the world, but they modestly still moved like what their title they hold, told them to.
But the Prince was the most shocked among them, it wasn't just how he was beaten in a single touch but now even his father raised his arms up to admit defeat, this humiliation seems not ending when this man is in front of him. Clenching his fist in tight grasp, he could only scorn in silence
"Such complimentary is wasted to this man, your majesty"
"Let us not waste ourselves to such theatrical play"
The King said as he waved his hand
"Your name is Creeper, or so Lady Isabelle told"
"Yes, I am indeed what she called"
"Then Creeper, we lost 4 of our men that are heavily sustaining the balance of my kingdom. The battle might not be your cause, but I have heard their death was yours to be claim"
"... Words may not suffice to how mournful am I to their death, but as your words seems not evident, then I shall state that I can't affirm nor deny such claim"
"Prince Pierre, my son, saw you handling your fist down to them, and even stated that you delivered one to Lady Isabelle"
The King spoke as he pointed his hands towards the Prince on his side. His voice may not be quite pressuring, but his demeanor of a king can be seen to how his words seems to be heavy and straightforward
"He saw you about to deliver a finishing blow towards the lady, so he took the initiative to defend her from your arms. He left his 2 escorting Knights and guard to pin you down, and took Lady Isabelle away from your grasp, and yet-"
He then gaze at him with a pressuring might
"And yet, 2 of the 3 was found dead, while the other one hanging on a thread"
"...."
A momentary silence came before Creeper responded to his statement. Isabelle was about to protest but didn't further spoke as he made a promise to him, so she endured it as she sat beside him.
"Possession"
Everyone's gaze abruptly change to a baffled look
"I was possessed by someone in the battle field, claiming my body to be his. In throughout the battle, I was merely a puppet, so to say that my action wasn't mine to be claimed but his"
"Possessed you say?"
The King then doubtingly spoke as he heard his words. He then gaze at his side, towards Isabelle who is among the people that he almost killed. Isabelle then slightly nodded to further state that his words were true. He then gaze back at Creeper and stated
"Then how are you able to be free?"
He stated
"The man I have heard was able to fought against 3 platinum ranked people with ease, and the battle didn't seems to last that long. I have heard your great achievement, but your feat seems to be below that man's arsenal, so how?"
"Can't say it was due to luck nor fate, but it seems he was quite a fragile individual"
"Fragile?"
As he raised his eyebrow in confusion
"For a man who took down an emerald rank beast all on his own to be called a fragile being, then I might have be a handed down tableware from the ancient time"
Snort
The Prince and Princess then silently giggled from their father's sarcastic tone but didn't shown such disgraceful attitude in front of many. The other noble tried to hold down their laughter as they put an iron mask unto themselves.
"His majesty might have misunderstood. The man itself is indeed quite parallel in terms of might and strength, but he was quite a delicate person deep within"
Creeper voice out in a calm manner
"As the two of us became one, I was able to glimpse all the memories he have stored within him. All the things that was shackling him beneath the ground he was standing. The man itself was merely a human who lost his way to the future he once seek, and now was walking towards the goal he didn't know the end"
"..... But it seems this man still able to end somebody's else future by your hands. Can we blame luck or fate in this matter?"
"I can't deny that those death wasn't caused by him, but unfortunately, I can't also affirm that it wasnt his either. In those times that I was inside him, I can't see what is happening outside, only the inside"
"Are you saying they died in an unknown cause?"
"Not also, I am just stating that their might be another cause to their death, while, if they were, fighting against him. Maybe an external cause?"
"....."
Isabelle inwardly yelled in joy upon her husband respond.
(Isabelle's POV)
Stating that he didn't know what is happening outside when he was trapped inside his body, while also impartially commenting about the death of those two is a perfect excuse so the King can't dare to ask any unreasonable demand to him.
'Nice going, darling! Keep it up!'
(Author's POV)
The prince hearing his word was boiling in fury, but even so he can't dare to barge in to this discussion even how much hatred he has within. Though he did saw his 2 escorting Knights and hidden guard confronting him, but he didn't clearly saw how the battle did turn out as he left in a hurry carrying the unconscious Isabelle in his arms. The only thing he manage to glimpses was Lord Roland unconsciously laying down with his battered body, and him trying to kill Isabelle and smashing his head on the building's wall. There were no indication of any scar nor wounds on him when he face them, stating further that the battle ended in a hurry, but also the fact that he might not be the enemy they faced with.
The King was also lost in thought. He did heard that the emerald ranked beast was killed, but none knows who did it. And to what his son, the Prince told him, he was frightening individual.
'I did asked him if he was the one who killed his hidden guard and Lord Fredrick, but even he wasn't sure if he did it or not. So if this man saying was true, then there are no further claims that I could tie him up'
"It did seems that we can't pin you down as the culprit in this mess, but you are still among the one we will take the priority to be questioned with"
Sound was then restrained as their only breathing can be heard, as the room then once again took on hold. Everyone was silently waiting for their king to speak once more, to finally put down what judgment should be called out for. (Note: ngl, I can really shorten this by saying 'the room has gone silent' but it's kind of, repetitive)
The King run his thought as he gaze him that was sitting down with an unfazed presence. But before he could state his word to end this argument, he then spoke
"Lady Isabelle"
He called. Isabelle then turn her gaze towards the King
"Yes, your majesty?"
"This man, what is he unto you?"
His words then suddenly took everyone's breath away, except for Isabelle and her party. The Prince was on his edge while the others was anticipating her words. The Duke, and the Marquess and Mangrave were quite taken, but unlike the other noble, they stood thier ground and tentatively listen. The Queen and the Princess were having a mixed feeling inside them, and was anxious to the situation, not for them, but for the Prince.
Isabelle didn't took a second to reply as she stated her claim
"He is my husband, and I am his wife"
And those words were like a lightning bold that struck everyone down, and among them, the Prince took the greatest blow.
"It wasn't official yet as we aren't married. My mother and father didn't tried to let us deny nor affirm our relationship, nor did they restricted us for it to be publicize. I took the initiative to not announced due to how pressuring the matter came"
"I see"
Though the King was surprised himself, unlike his son that was oblivious to the matter, he already have an inkling to what is going on between the two. No woman would dare to propose someone else, especially a man, to join an important meeting right in front of the King, and the Prince who is courting her. Not only that, but her unexpected visit, and the change of tone with she is with him or not further state how deep their relationship was. His son did also notice something, but quite headstrong to his resolve that he is much better than him.
"Though we can't prove your non-involvement in this case, we still need further information about you, regarding this case"
".... It will be my pleasure to assist"
"That would certainly appreciated"
As those words was left on the King's mouth, everyone seems to be against to how he parted with them in this case. Not only did they lose big time, but they didn't even gain any back.
As Creeper's party was about to live
"And by the way, do any of you notice anything amiss in the situation during this chaos?"
"His majesty meant?"
"2 of my guard that I have sent to locate the culprit in this mess was found dead just a distance from the wall, it seems they didn't even took that far from the kingdom's wall to be killed"
All the nobles was then shocked upon hearing it, as no one among them knew about this information.
"I was keeping this as a secret, but keeping something like this might bite me back one day"
"An excellent choose your majesty, but I am afraid that I don't know about this matter"
"I am also quite lost regarding this issue, as I was occupied by darling throughout the whole scenario, your majesty"
Hearing the word 'darling' from the mouth of his first love, the prince couldn't help but felt lost in his seat. Seeing him like that, the Queen and Princess was quite unsure to what to do, and only sigh in silent
"I and Natsumi was also occupied during the mess, and we two are quite afar from the wall to notice anything amiss"
"I see, very well then, this discussion has to come to close. If there are anything that you might want us to assist you, don't hold back and just asked, the kingdom shall assist you in any power we have"
The King spoke as he stood up
"If the day will come, I shall"
Creeper then bow down respectfully towards the King.
And that how the meeting between the two, came to end. But the sessing didn't yet came to close as nobles then came to asked
"Why did you let them go your majesty?"
The Duke asked, concern about the decision thier King decided
"Yes your majesty, we already quite lost a lot in this chaos, and didn't even earn a single benefits from it, letting them go is a wasted opportunity"
"Might be, but if we further press on unto this matter, it might seems that we trying to cage them to our hands, and that wouldn't end in a tidy one"
Everyone was left puzzled by his words and was quite unsure what be meant, so the King then added to misted out thier clouded thought
"If we still proceed to our matter to make him take the blame in this issue, not only we can't gain anything from it, but it will also be a good opportunity for them to use it against us.
Realizing what he meant is when did they shut their mouth up and didn't further argue.
"Do not forget that we have no solid evidence to claim that he was really at fault, not even the Prince himself was sure of it, and Lord Roland is still in his deep slumber. Making them stay here to wait for him to wake up will backfire at us. That man isn't naive neither does Isabelle. Remember also that we are in a tight spot after losing 5 valuable individual in this unexpected situation, further accusing them would only make us walked in a tight rope. Those adventurers we took in will just be an insurance not the full proof plan if another situation like this would occur again. So if we don't want to be left in a dire state, we should never dare to poke a nest we can't fight with"
...
After all the nobles were leave, it was me and my family was left.
"Father, was it really true that 2 of your guards was found dead?"
The Prince, my son, asked me. I then nodded to his inquiry
"Was it them?"
"Might be, but...."
"But?"
"But maybe they weren't also"
I then slouch my back to my seat and added
"I received a report from them, before I lost communication, about something outside the vicinity of the kingdom. I gave them permission to investigate it but never heard right after"
"Do you think it was the same personnel who unleashed that {Wrym}?"
My wife, the Queen asked me
"There is a possibility it was, but without further information about what happened, we can only assume"
"Then what should we do father?"
I sigh and stated
"Secure the perimeter of the kingdom, double the guards patrolling the wall, and always be vigilant of the surrounding area. We should anticipate another attack from them"
(Author's POV)
"Did they left already?"
"Yes your majesty. Lady Isabelle and His excellency, Sir Creeper, just boarded the ship towards the [City of Palawan]"
The last standing [Knight Legion Commander] stayed as he kneeled before his King.
It is been 5 days since the battle against those rampaging beast took place in this kingdom. Their slaughter still painted the ground and hunt the citizens of the kingdom, leaving them with anxiety and distress. The broken walls of the north area and south was now, almost done. Some of the ramparts was also fortified and heavily guarded.
The Knights were now fully vigilant to their surroundings, doubling their surveillance and training. Every merchants and peddler that come and go in Entel was now being escorted with 4 strong adventurers. With their shaor eyes and keen senses of danger, they were assigned to be on look out and bodyguard
"I see"
The King stated in dejected tone as he sat down his throne
"They said 'a disaster is a fortune of badluck and adversity of blessing"
He sighed as he stared at the distance
"But which among the two are we receiving now?"
.....
Just a distance from the [Kingdom of Entel], at the edge of the towering cliff. Standing as he look with two of his beauties by his side, he then stated in unusual tone
"What a blunder"
"What is it darling?"
The adult woman asked in a worried tone, looking at his lover with concern
"Something bothering you dear?"
The younger woman inquired as she caress his broad chest with enchanting touch.
Both women were wearing an almost named black wrapped cloth that was covering only the tip of their huge breast, and cloaking their alluring buttocks and hips while showing their long, beautiful legs. Both were covering their face with a black veil while wearing a black colored glass heels.
"Just a bit depressed that I wasn't able to have a night with hat woman"
"Muuu~"
The two then pouted in jealousy as they press each of their bulging chest to his side
"Even though you have us beside you, you still think of another slut. So meanie~"
"Is she that beautiful darling?"
"Not just beautiful, her ass were bigger too"
"Kyaaa~!"
"Ahhnnn~!"
The two then moaned in enticing tone as he grope their buttocks with tight grasp.
"But whatever, let us just go back, father should be worried about me and I can't wait to bed mother now"
He smirk in a daring glint as they turned around.
"Don't forget about us~"
"My my, how beautiful to have a son like you~. She should be proud mother to booth"
The three then left in silent, leaving no track behind as they vanished. But beneath the area they were standing, hanging atop of the cliff were 2 bodiless head, impaled with a sharp iron spear with hollowed eyes and clean cut neck.
....
(Creeper's POV)
"What is it?"
I asked as Natsumi then once again keep staring at me. She then averted her gaze from mine and buried her face on my chest.
After what happened to the [Kingdom of Entel], we then decided to go back to our place, [City of Palawan] to report to father and mother about what happened here. For almost 5 days of venturing the south area once again from the kingdom towards the port, we then boarded the same ship we rode during our first day. Taking out my [Traveler's Badge], we then went inside the ship.
As we get inside our room, the three then out of nowhere took me to the bed and ravage me all morning, and even in the evening for unknown reason. We only rest when we felt tired but didn't even stopped to eat once during those session, except during lunch break. And now, the three were just silently staying beside me as we lay down this comfy bed, naked, with Sheryl and Isabelle facing their back at me while Natsumi hugs me with a tight wrap below my armpits, and rested on my chest.
Sigh
Sighing, I then caress Natsumi's head and spoke in a gentle tone
"What is it?"
She then shook her head while being buried in my chest
Sighing once again, I then placed my hands on her head and gently but forcibly raised her head up to look at me. She didn't resist which didn't took long for her to look at me. Her face said it all, worries, agitation, and insecurity, which stings me to see. As our eyes meet, she then avert her gaze. I then smiled as I spoke
"I will tell you everything after we get back"
Her eyes then twitch as I said that, I could even senses the other two flinching beside me
"So when I do, can you tell m about yours too?"
I then gently caress her cheeks as I said that. Moment came after she then looked at me and spoke in an anxious tone
"Really?"
In a meek voice she asked. I then nodded to her words
"I promise"
And returned a comforting smile as I reassured her.
"Promise?"
I then nodded
"Of course"
She then buried her face once again on my chest and tighten her embace and muttered
"I won't let you go"
I then caress her head and stated with a smile
"I won't be leaving anyway"
"I won't let you go... Sniff.... I won't.... Sniff.... I won't... Sniff.... Even if you hate me, I won't ever.... Hic.... Ever let you go"
I then gently pat her head as she cried atop of me. Laying my head down, I then place both of my hands on Isabelle and Sheryl's shoulders which then the two responded as they touch mine with theirs
"I promise"
Our journey back to our hometown then continued.
(Volume 2 end)