-M29. 671. Falmart. Saderan Senator Room-
Pina couldn't fathom how Zorzal managed to capture their attention with such foolish arguments. She needed to act quickly to minimize any potential impact.
"Are you sure your choice is the best one, brother? You haven't experienced the true danger and power of the Imperium or Japan. You haven't even been to the Imperium of Man or Japan. How can you draw such conclusions?" Pina asked firmly. Her words were grounded in common sense, causing everyone present, including Raias, to fall silent for a moment.
"If they are so powerful, why haven't they attacked or subjugated us? It's the destiny of a great nation to conquer weaker ones," Zorzal scoffed, looking at Pina with a condescending gaze.
"That's because of their policies, brother. Japan itself is a peaceful nation, so aggression or conquest is anathema to them. As for the Imperium," Pina paused for a moment, searching for the right words. "The Imperium of Man has a policy of not using their military might to subjugate a primitive planet. To them, it's dishonorable, and such an act would forever be remembered as a tragedy."
Reactions to Pina's words varied. Those who believed every word Pina spoke would acknowledge that Sadera's civilization was insignificant compared to the Empire. But those who were skeptical felt their pride being pricked impolitely.
However, Zorzal burst into laughter. "Primitive?! They are truly foolish to consider us a primitive nation, showing just how backward and ignorant they are. We have everything a civilization needs. Poetry, magnificent buildings, disciplined armies. We have it all!"
Pina tried to hold back the sigh of exhaustion that threatened to escape her lips. The red-haired princess gazed at all the senators and observed their diverse expressions.
They displayed some of the expressions Pina hoped for, but not all reacted as she wished. As the war between Sadera and the Imperium continued, Sadera's future appeared bleak. Regardless of the Imperium's policy toward primitive planets, they would not hesitate to eliminate anyone who dared insult their nation, especially an insult to their Emperor.
"What kind of foolish emperor would boldly claim that any country other than his own is primitive?"
And there it was, the last straw that nearly made Pina faint if not for the psychic strength bolstered by Lord Malcador. The princess quickly snapped out of her shock, walking toward Zorzal with a gaze filled with anger.
"Brother, do you even know what you just said?" Pina spoke with a tone that left the veterans in the room frozen. But it seemed Zorzal remained unaffected.
"What? That the Emperor of the Imperium is a fool?" Zorzal repeated his statement, this time with a mocking and condescending tone evident in his speech.
Pina was genuinely torn between fear and rage. Both emotions were now raging inside her head. She knew the true nature of the Emperor of Mankind. A figure that can only be described as a god, a man who even the Imperial Citizens in the Imperium did not deny that the Emperor of Mankind is something they had as a god in human form. The Emperor of Mankind was a god-like figure who tried to convince those around him that he was an ordinary man.
Now she saw her brother foolishly insulting a figure as mighty as the Emperor and demeaning the name of the Imperium as if it were nothing. Pina truly wanted to slap her brother.
Before Pina's mental restraint could break, thunderous laughter echoed throughout the room. It was Raias's laughter. Unlike his usual laughter, this one carried a sense of amusement that made Pina raise her eyebrows.
"Prince Zorzal," Raias spoke with a deep tone, his transhuman aura adding an intimidating aspect to his presence. "I truly pity the Saderan Empire for having a crown prince like you."
"What do you mean, you bastard?!" Zorzal shouted, approaching with rising anger.
But that's where Raias fell silent, staring sharply at the mortal even shorter than himself. The transhuman aura continued to spread throughout the room at a speed that made some there struggle not to kneel. Solar Guardians were designed to be close to mortal beings, thus they were not created with the intense augmentation and soul-forging that transhumans above them underwent. Nevertheless, they remained transhumans on the forefront, the first and last shield of the Imperium against the horrors of the universe.
But Zorzal remained unfazed and continued with his arrogance. "Say something, you have no manners!"
Raias then simply laughed. His laughter was almost uncontrollable in the amusement he felt. "Truly ignorant and arrogant."
Pina slowly started to lose color in her face. She looked towards Raias with a growing fear as if she could see what lay behind the Solar Guardian's iron mask. She saw a wide grin that seemed to tear the cheeks of the transhuman. Pina fell silent as she looked at it. Now she realized that Zorzal had entered the lair of a dragon, and it was too late for her to save him.
Raias took a step forward, and with a powerful yet measured motion, he caused the floor of the senate chamber to shatter. The room fell into an abrupt silence, including Zorzal, who appeared to have belatedly comprehended the gravity of his actions.
Before the first prince could muster a response, Raias, utilizing his transhuman speed, moved with a grace beyond mortal comprehension. In an instant, he appeared behind Zorzal.
With great strength, Raias firmly gripped the prince's back. Though his hold was not intended to cause severe harm, it was more than sufficient to dislocate Zorzal's shoulder.
"Argh!" Zorzal cried out in pain.
Amidst the shocked senators who urgently summoned the guards, an unusual stillness pervaded the room. Curiously, their cries seemed unheard by anyone. Molt himself remained silent, a witness to the suffering of his own son.
"Fortunately for you, it is I, Raias Seloce, who stands before you today," Raias spoke with a composed tone, masking a deeper intimidation beneath his politeness. "Hence, you need not fear for your life, Prince of Sadera. Had it been another, I'm sure that death would have been your preferred choice."
Zorzal, who had concealed his true emotions behind a façade of arrogance for so long, now had that mask shattered, revealing his genuine feelings—fear. He cried out in terror, scrambling away from the imposing transhuman.
"The Emperor of Mankind, beloved by all, is one who has saved us and founded the Imperium of Man as a bulwark against heretics, horrors, and existential threats that loom over humanity across the cosmos," Raias continued with an air of contempt. "The Imperium of Man stands proud, serving as the bedrock for all of humanity to claim its birthright as a species. It is truly laughable to witness a figure such as yourself, who, with unwarranted arrogance, attacks weaker abhuman tribes and claims victory only through sheer numbers. Your achievements as a leader are nothing short of disgraceful, Prince Zorzal."
Raias spoke loudly with his transhuman voice, sending terror through every mortal in the room.
"Oh, and let's not forget the Japanese slaves within your borders. I'm quite certain that Japan will come to reclaim them as well." His final words dripped with a thirst for blood.
Zorzal was rendered speechless, facing an abomination unlike anything he had ever encountered. He had witnessed blood and slaughter many times before, but what lay before him now was an insurmountable mountain. The giant figure in front of him existed on a completely different level from anything he had faced.
"Princess Pina," Raias called out to the royal.
"Yes, Captain Raias?"
"I believe we have concluded our business here for today. Let us continue tomorrow." Raias's tone was eerily flat, resembling an emotionless automaton.
"Of course, Captain." Pina turned to face her father and the senators. "As part of my role as a liaison between the Imperium and Sadera, I cannot refuse the request of those who represent the Imperium directly. With that, we bid you farewell." Pina offered a salute with a slight bow and walked away with Raias leading the way.
Molt observed the unfolding events with a calculating expression. After a few moments, that expression morphed into a small, proud smile.
"You've come a long way, Pina," Molt said with a small smile.
---
Once they exited the Senate building, Pina and Raias walked in silence through the palace's corridors. Raias, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped without uttering a word.
"What's wrong, Captain?" Pina asked softly.
"You can step out now. Don't worry; I won't harm you," Raias said gently.
Pina's confusion peaked as Raias finished his sentence. However, she chose to remain silent, awaiting further explanation. After a few seconds of waiting, the sound of footsteps approached from behind Pina. The red-haired princess turned, and there she saw the figure of the white Warrior Bunny who had always been by Zorzal's side. Her name was Tyuule.
"No wonder you could sense my presence. Just as I expected from the people of the Imperium," Tyuule remarked with a small grin on her face.
Raias let out a small chuckle at their reactions, leaving both women perplexed. The chuckle ceased, creating a substantial question mark in the corridor.
"Thank you for your compliments, Your Majesty," Raias addressed the abhuman with a soft tone.
"Your Majesty? It's been a while since anyone called me that, Captain," Tyuule replied with a small smile.
Raias fell silent for a moment, observing the former queen of the abhumans with deep attention and sympathy. Slowly, Raias reached for his helmet, and from the metallic confines, a hissing sound broke the silence.
Both women gasped, astonished by what they saw. They beheld a face that sent shivers of awe and fear down their spines. It was that of a young man in his late twenties, with jet-black hair. However, it wasn't the man himself that drew their attention; it was a massive scar that stretched from his neck to his cheek. The scar marred his jawline, revealing the curvature of his neck and even parts of his skull. But what truly stunned them wasn't the scar; it was Raias's warm and friendly expression. An expression that radiated a supernatural charisma, captivating in its own right. Rather than fear, they felt a unique and mesmerizing beauty emanating from Raias's countenance.
"Could you remove your mask, Queen Tyuule? I'm doing this out of respect for you, Your Majesty, Queen, May I recieve your answer" Raias spoke gently.
Tyuule found herself at a loss for words, utterly moved by the authenticity radiating from the Solar Guardian. Raias's expression carried a warmth and compassion that seemed to emanate from the very core of his being. It reached deep into Tyuule's soul, making her feel truly seen and valued for the person she was underneath her hardened exterior. The former queen decided to let go of the mask she had been wearing for so long, her rabbit ears slowly drooping as she revealed an expression marked by the weight of suffering and exhaustion.
"So, you've known all along," Tyuule spoke in a hushed tone. "You were aware of my plans and the history of my people."
Raias didn't rush to respond to her revelation. Instead, he offered a gentle smile as he approached Tyuule, extending his hand toward her. The Solar Guardian's words were filled with sincerity.
"The Imperium of Man has heard your cries and witnessed your people's suffering, Queen Tyuule," Raias began, his voice carrying a soothing cadence. "We've long been aware of the heinous atrocities committed by Sadera against you and your kind. The enslavement of both humans and abhumans is an unforgivable offense in the eyes of the Imperium. Princess Pina and I stand here not only to empathize but to put an end to this madness." Reborn not only with physical and mental augmentations but also with a reforged soul to serve as a bridge between mortal humans and the hierarchy of immortal beings, Raias possessed the unique ability to draw and influence weaker souls, transcending the boundaries of race and augmentation.
Tyuule was taken aback, her eyes widening. This was the first time someone had extended a helping hand to lift her from the depths of despair. Since she had forsaken all her dignity and her crown to forgive her people, Tyuule had owned nothing except her loyal subjects. Yet, even that had been betrayed by Zorzal, who continued to kill and enslave her people. Tyuule had shed tears of bitterness, a bitterness that had slowly transformed into vengeance and a thirst for retribution. She had meticulously devised plans and tirelessly worked to undermine Sadera. Despite her efforts and accomplishments, Tyuule had remained alone, abandoned by her own kind.
The former queen had shed her own blood to achieve her ambitions, walking a thorny path toward that one moment when she could thrust a knife into the heart of the treacherous prince. But now, everything had drastically changed. Someone who should have been her enemy, an asset in toppling Sadera, now stood before her, offering redemption, compassion, and a safe haven for her and the Warrior Bunnies to return to.
"What do I need to do to obtain it?" Tyuule prepared herself for all possible scenarios. But she wasn't foolish enough to accept the offer outright. Zorzal had inflicted such deep wounds with his betrayal. But now, her circumstances were different. Even if she were to resist, it would all be in vain. The information she had about the Empire merely repeated one piece of information: "A Golden City That Soars to the Heavens." If this information was accurate, then she had no chance at all.
"There's nothing you need to give except for one thing, Queen Tyuule," Raias replied, raising one finger.
"What do you require, Lord Raias?" Tyuule spoke slowly, trying to hold back her emotions from overwhelming her expression.
"I only want you to swear loyalty to the Imperium and all its people. In return, the Imperium will help you reclaim the rights that rightfully belong to your people." The transhuman smiled gently with his scarred face.
Strangely, his scarred face appeared beautiful and captivating. It was an irony where a disfigured face could touch someone's heart as softly as a mother caressing her child.
"I'll think about it carefully," was Tyuule's response, but her tone had lost its sharpness and coldness, replaced by one that was weak and soft. A smile graced the former queen's face, accompanied by slightly moist eyes.
Raias nodded gently and began to put his helmet back on, moving with a deliberate slowness. "Consider your options carefully, Queen Tyuule. I hope that you and your trusted subordinates here can make the best choice."
With a solemn nod, Raias departed, and Pina quietly followed. As they walked away, leaving Tyuule alone in the corridor, silence descended, thickening the atmosphere. It was as if the mere presence of the departing Solar Guardian had a palpable weight.
______________________________________________________________________________________
"I had a feeling they would discover my presence," a voice emerged from the shadowy recesses of the castle. It was Bouro, the leader of the Haryo clan. Since Tyuule had formed a contract with them to bring ruin to the Saderan Empire, the Haryo clan had always followed her orders.
Initially, their collaboration with Tyuule had been aimed at undermining the overwhelming power of Sadera as saboteurs. Now, they had become Zorzal's espionage network, working against the Imperium and Japan. It had been a fruitful arrangement until suddenly, all their operations started to unravel. It was as if someone was intentionally orchestrating these failures, as though there was an unseen hand controlling every aspect of their operations.
"I've heard rumors about them, these 'transhumans.' Ah, they are truly terrifying. What do you think, Your Majesty?" Bouro inquired, but Tyuule remained unresponsive. This left the assassin perplexed. He moved closer to the former queen, finding Tyuule in tears.
"Tyuule?" Burou asked, taken aback by what he saw. It was the first time he had witnessed the formidable Queen Tyuule cry so openly.
Tyuule was unable to move or utter a word. She couldn't describe the beauty of the moment she had just experienced. It was the first time someone had reached out to her, offering herself and her people a path to safety.
"It seems that all our plans have been exposed to the Imperium, Burou," Tyuule said with a trace of huskiness in her voice.
"Yes..." Burou replied slowly.
"The Imperium of Man. Ah, I truly desire to witness what kind of nation it is. Is it truly as magnificent as I've heard from your reports?" The former queen spoke, a smile gracing her lips.
The moment Tyuule laid eyes on the Solar Guardians, she immediately grasped that the Imperium of Man was a realm far beyond her comprehension. A nation that towered above all others, symbolized by the twin-headed eagle.
A symbol representing strength and the freedom to soar to heights that no one else could reach.
____________________________________
As Raias re-entered the room with Pina, he let out a soft sigh. The information he had gathered from Lord Agral had compelled him to adopt the role of a conspirator within Sadera, disseminating seeds of conspiracy wherever he went. It was a role deeply aligned with his past, one he had embraced long before becoming a Solar Guardian.
The Solar Guardian ran his hand over his helmet, feeling a phantom pain from the centuries-old scar on his face. It was as if he had received that wound just yesterday, a constant reminder of his greatest failure in life.
"Captain," Pina began in a hushed tone.
"Yes, what is it?" Raias replied, turning his gaze towards the princess.
"May I ask you something?" The Falmartian asked gently, her arms wrapped around herself.
"Of course."
"What happened to you?" Pina inquired cautiously. "You already know so much about me. If you don't mind, I'd like to learn about you, as we make a good team."
Raias didn't respond immediately, taking a moment to reflect. Despite being a transhuman, he required a substantial amount of time to process his thoughts.
"Very well, perhaps it's time to share a bit about myself."