The Queen of the Hell Kingdom issued a command that cut through the tension of the moment. "Juliet, come out."
From the midst of the assembled forces, Juliet emerged and immediately knelt before the Queen. Her voice was humble as she responded, "Yes, your highness."
The Queen's gaze bore into Juliet as she spoke with unwavering authority, "This time, you will take the lead and destroy the first line of defense of the Xiao Kingdom. Remember this is your last chance. If you fail to do so, we will not be able to spare you from punishment." Her words were accompanied by a chilling aura of killing intent, leaving no doubt that she meant every word.
The Queen's anger was evident, fueled by the recent actions of Juliet and Romeo. The pair had attempted to infiltrate the Xiao Kingdom covertly through the Dark Forst but had been discovered by a member of the Xiao Kingdom at the Dark Forest. Their failure to eliminate this threat, coupled with the use of a precious summoning treasure to save their own lives, had infuriated the Queen.
The summoning treasure they had squandered could have been a valuable asset in the impending invasion. However, Juliet had chosen to use it to preserve her own life. Though she had managed to survive, Romeo had not been so fortunate. The pill he had consumed to survive had severe side effects, and it had ultimately claimed his life after they had reached the Hell Kingdom.
In his final moments, Romeo had found solace in knowing that he had fulfilled his duty by bringing Juliet out of the treacherous Dark Forest. He had paid with his life to save hers, and it was a sacrifice that had deeply affected Juliet.
Juliet, who had not shed tears since the age of ten, had wept for the first time when Romeo died in her arms. She had always considered him a mere puppet, a tool to be used as needed. Yet, at that moment, she had felt a genuine sadness for his passing. Although her tears had been few, they were a testament to the complex emotions that swirled within her.
She had rationalized that Romeo was just a puppet, but his willing sacrifice had momentarily shattered that perception. However, any fleeting sentiment was quickly overshadowed by her burning desire for revenge. In Juliet's mind, all the events that had transpired were a result of Asura's interference. If he had not discovered them or been present, Romeo would still be alive and fighting by her side in the invasion.
Juliet harbored an unrelenting hatred towards Asura, and she vowed to exact her revenge. As she thought of him, her sole purpose became clear, to tear him apart, piece by piece, and avenge Romeo's death.
Juliet's desire for revenge extended beyond mere physical harm. She yearned to inflict not only excruciating physical pain upon Asura but also a deep and lasting mental torment. She wanted him to endure a suffering that would sear into his memory, a pain that he would never forget.
For that, she had a surprise for Asura, and not just one, but two.
With a determined resolve, Juliet spoke, "Yes, your highness."
Jamtara was a place on the border between the Xiao Kingdom and the Hell Kingdom. It was the only location that provided a direct connection between the Xiao Kingdom and the Hell Kingdom. For any other route, one had to first traverse the Dark Forest to enter either the Xiao Kingdom or the Hell Kingdom.
King Xiao looked at the approaching Hell Kingdom army and frowned. He hadn't expected the Hell Kingdom's army to outnumber the Xiao Kingdom's army by one and a half times. Keep in mind that the current Xiao Kingdom's army included both the regular army and the members of the Xiao Sect, yet their numbers were still significantly fewer compared to the Hell Kingdom's forces.
However, King Xiao wasn't discouraged at all. At the same time, a person came and stood beside the king. The only person who could stand beside the king was the Headmaster of the Xiao Sect.
The Headmaster said, "Little brother, it looks like this is going to be a great battle."
King Xiao replied, "I know, and why are you addressing me as 'little brother'? I thought you had long forgotten to address me like that."
The Headmaster replied with a smile, "Very few people know this, but I was the eldest prince, and the present king is my little brother. I want to call you 'little brother' because I have a feeling that I may not survive this battle."
King Xiao said angrily, "Don't talk nonsense. Besides, you're only a few seconds older than me." It turned out they were twins but didn't share the same face. The previous King of the Xiao Kingdom had hidden the eldest child from everyone so that he could become a secret pillar for the Xiao Kingdom.
After King Xiao rebuked the Headmaster, the Headmaster smiled mischievously and replied, "I am just joking, joking. Why are you taking it so seriously? You're no fun at all."
It turned out that the Headmaster of the Xiao Sect had a mischievous streak. The king was still angry and said with a serious face, "From the moment I became the king of this kingdom, I haven't heard a joke. So, everything I hear, I take it seriously. Don't ever make this type of joke in front of me."
The Headmaster laughed heartily. The king asked, "Why are you laughing?"
The Headmaster replied, "It's been a long time since I teased you. After so many years, I finally had the chance, and I couldn't let it slip away."
The king glared at the Headmaster but didn't reply. He turned his head and focused on the first line of attackers from the Hell Kingdom. When he saw the first line of attackers, he was a little shocked because there was more than one strong cultivator present in the first line of attackers.
Who were they? We will find out in the next chapter.
Note: I have been busy lately, which is why the updates are slow. Please bear with me for a while. Thank you for your support.