"Hmph," Zash broke free from the flytrap that swallowed him, only to snort coldly seeing the thieves have already escaped, "You can run, but you can't hide!"
He turned towards the knights marching towards him, "You! Search every corner of the kingdom and find those thieves! Capture any who looks suspicious!"
"Yes sir!!" The knights echoed, giving a salute.
Zash turned around, heading towards castle. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of fear and anger, knowing that he will be the one who'll suffer from the wrath of the king.
Not to mention he lost the staff, he even let the thieves get away.
This is a failure at the levels deserving of death.
"Chief," a knight called out as Zash halted his steps, "The king demands your presence in the courtroom."
"I know." Zash spat out, resuming his walk, "And tell the others this; if they failed to find a trace of those thieves, they can say goodbye to this world."
The knight trembled, but he nodded his head, "U-Understood! I shall inform them right away!"
"Hmph." Once again, Zash gave a disdainful snort as he continued his walk towards the palace.
The whole city was silent, and the street was empty. And no one can blame them as the knights patrolled every corner of the city and capturing any civilians that look 'suspicious'.
Some would even break into civilian's home and ransacked the whole place.
Zash didn't care. The knights can do as they pleased as long as they bring him results, he was sure the king would understand as well.
Lost on his thoughts, Zash didn't even realize that he already arrived in the palace and was standing in front of the door leading to the courtroom.
"Lord Zash," just then, a beautiful young woman with light brown hair called out, "His majesty is waiting for you."
"I see. Thank you for informing me, lady Sonya." Said Zash as he pushed the door open and went inside.
With the woman, Sonya, deciding to wait outside and give the two men a chance to talk privately.
As Zash entered the throne room, his eyes immediately landed on King Animus who was seated on his throne.
After that, Zash immediately knelt down before him, and greeted, "Your majesty."
"Zash," Animus eerily calm voice resounded, "What is this I heard about you losing the staff you have just brought back?"
Zash flinched, but he still answered, "Y-Your Majesty, I swear I can get it back. I-If Lady Sonya can help us with her magic, then locating the staff will be easy."
Sonya has the ability to sense life energy or Ethernano with her Magic. She can even visually see the life force of people even through inanimate objects.
However …
"You want Sonya to deal with the mess you made? How bold of you, Zash!" Animus glared at him, "Do you want to end your life so badly?!"
According to the 'rumors', Sonya is the king's childhood friend and cared for her a great deal. With the king even once ordering the execution of a group of knights who exposed Sonya to harm's way.
"Zash, I believed that I told you that after you took the staff, you are to immediately head to the palace and give it to me, if I wasn't there, then you are to remain and guard it, so tell me, why didn't you?" Demanded Animus, "Do you take my words so lightly? Is my authority worth below than those whores you visit?"
Zash was sweating, his fear grew at that terrifying pressures exudes by the king that almost made him submit.
"A, A-Apologies, your majesty." Zash managed to squeezed out, "I, I just think that—"
"Don't, think." Animus narrowed his eyes, "Obey."
"… Y-Yes." Zash nodded his head.
Animus observed him for a moment, before declaring; "I will lend you a temporary authority to command the Three Stars, make sure to retrieve the staff, and hand it directly to me. If you still failed …I believe you already know the consequences, Zash."
"Yes, your majesty."
Zash was already satisfied having the power over the three stars; he can deploy them anytime he wants.
The Three stars are the strongest warriors in the kingdom below Zash and the King, they have the power no weaker than a S-class mage.
Normally, the Three Stars' job is to protect the king's aide, Sonya, never leaving her side. But on some occasions, like this one, they can be deployed and are allowed to temporarily leave Sonya's side.
However, after their mission, they must immediately return to their main duty of protecting Sonya.
"You may leave, do not make me see your face again before you can give me back the staff."
"Understood, your majesty." Zash swiftly stood up and left the throne room, and seeing Sonya just standing on the side of the door.
Sonya looked at him, and couldn't help but asked, "What did he tell you?"
Zash refused to answer, "Nothing of importance, lady Sonya." Was what he said, before continuing his walk towards the long hallway.
"You know how important that staff is, lord Zash." Said Sonya, "For our nation to survive, we need its power to stop the Stellariums from exploding. Or else …not even birds would be able to escape our kingdom. I hope you can understand his majesty's anger."
"I understand, lady Sonya." Was what he said as he was getting further and further.
Sonya stared at his back, before walking inside the courtroom.
Meanwhile, Zash couldn't help but grit his teeth in anger as he turned to a corner and clenched his fist.
'That fucking king!' He punched the wall, careful as to not break it. 'Just he wait, I will make you pay for this humiliation.'
It took him awhile to calm down, but even then he was still feeling frustrated.
Zash grinned, 'well, I guess I should go to my dungeon and relieve some stress.'
...…
...
…
"This should do," Natsu wrapped his scarf he has been hiding to the essence flame, storing it before deciding to leave the place.
Apparently, his scarf was special. And even something like Essence flames couldn't even burn it.
Natsu just thought of using his scarf since Igneel said that it was made from some of his scales and would protect him one day.
So since it was made from the scales of a fire dragon, surely it can handle an essence flame right?
Much to his shock, it worked.
With the flame wrapped in his scarf, he pulled it towards him as he hurried back.
He can't eat it here after all, according to Happy he was screaming in agony for days after he ate the Ten Thousand Beast Flame.
What if those people return and he was writhing in pain after eating this much stronger Three Thousand Burning Flame, wouldn't he be killed?
So he needs to find another place to rest and eat it there.
"I wonder if Wanda and Kaori are okay? I sure do hope they managed to escape the place and already went to the north."
He couldn't help but worry for his companions. After all, he kind of left them on their own while he took this chance to get this flame.
It was a bit selfish, but he really needs this flame if he wants to even dream of having his revenge on Acnologia for what he did.
If it wasn't for the first, everyone would've disappeared into the ocean, with them not even being able to recover their bodies, or what's left of them.
Natsu has experienced that feeling before with Lisanna. When they thought she had 'died', and they couldn't even find her 'corpse', it was heartbreaking.
Natsu has to hide his grief and pain just to cheer up Mira and Elfman who almost couldn't even function due to guilt they felt.
Mira at that time wasn't even eating and just stayed at Lisanna's grave for days.
It took him quite a long time to help his guild mates recover from their grief.
And this time, if Acnologia really managed to annihilate Tenrou and everyone there, Natsu doesn't know if he can still lift everyone's spirit up.
"I should probably leave this dungeon," Natsu muttered to himself, "Now, where's the exit."
He sniffed the air, tracking where he came from. This dungeon is like a maze, Natsu couldn't memorize the way. Thankfully he has a very powerful sense of smell and he can just follow his lingering scent to know where he came from.
He couldn't help but grin as everything was so smooth sailing.
This is too easy!
'Kukuku, all is well.' Natsu snickered as he increased his speed, hurrying towards the exit …or was it the entrance?
Doesn't matter.
He already got the flame. And he was sure that the staff was already on Wanda and Kaori. All they need to do is meet up and leave this country and the mission is considered complete.
What could go wrong?