**In the Halls of Frida Auger's Mansion in Sector A8:**
The inaugural ceremony had just concluded, and amidst the echoing applause, Amelia dashed through the grand halls towards Frida Auger's private quarters.
Her voice carried with urgency as she cried out, "Madam Frida Auger, Madam Frida Auger, it's an emergency!"
Frida Auger, her patience thin, responded with annoyance, "What is this emergency?"
Amelia, panting heavily, managed to explain, "Madam, Commander Kenzo Cadell is on his way here right now. He came straight here after the ceremony."
Frida Auger's irritation flared, "What is that barbarian up to now? Inform everyone that he must not enter my mansion. We shall leave immediately."
Amelia, her confidence unwavering, informed her, "Madam, I've employed
Frida Auger nodded in approval, "Very well, let us depart before that brute disrupts our plans."
As Frida Auger and Amelia discussed their escape plan, a thunderous explosion resonated from within the mansion. Startled, they watched as the door to Frida's room was violently blasted open, allowing two figures to stride in.
Commander Kenzo, the source of their troubles, entered the room casually and inquired, "Madam Frida Auger, where do you intend to go after I came to see you?"
Amelia couldn't help but wonder, "How did he arrive so swiftly? My Mana Surroundings have turned our mansion into a labyrinth; it should have taken him much longer to breach my defenses."
However, as Amelia glanced back at the entrance, she was shocked to see a colossal hole blasted from the entrance to Frida's chamber.
Frida Auger inquired, irritation seeping into her voice, "What is the meaning of this intrusion? Why are you here? Do you understand the gravity of your actions?"
Kenzo responded coolly, "Frida, that's hardly a suitable way to address your guest. But then again, I expect no less from the sorceress of swine. Frida.
During the ceremony, I noticed an unusual number of corrupted souls from the Auger family."
Amelia's mind raced with questions. How had Commander Kenzo sensed the presence of our soldiers amidst the vast gathering of hundreds of thousands of troops?
Everett, perceptive as ever, closed the gap between them and whispered softly to Amelia.
"I can see the curiosity in your eyes, Miss Amelia. You must be wondering how Commander Kenzo detected our soldiers amidst this sea of people. You see, every family employs a distinct soul-binding technique to ensure obedience among their members. However, this process leaves behind a subtle trace of the caster's mana in each individual, a scent so faint that it eludes most. Only a select few possess the ability to perceive these traces."
Amelia's thoughts began to piece together the puzzle.
"When did Commander Kenzo become aware of our soldiers' presence?"
She suddenly realized the answer. "It was right from the beginning, as soon as he stepped onto the stage. He must have employed that ability."
Everett cast an admiring glance at Amelia, impressed by her astuteness. In the midst of turmoil, she had managed to decipher a critical piece of the puzzle.
Kenzo interrogated Frida with a cold stare, " Care to explain?"
Frida Auger struggled to maintain her composure and retorted, "Our family sends the same number of soldiers every year. What are you insinuating?"
Kenzo feigned ignorance, "Playing dumb, are we? I know you're up to no good, as always. Your family has a history of endangering soldiers. Don't think you can pull anything while I'm here."
Frida Auger, her anger simmering, protested, "How dare you accuse my family of endangering soldiers! We have fought innumerable battles to protect our people. Have you forgotten 'The Sun's Wrath'?"
Amelia was jolted by the sound of a gunshot. To her astonishment, Kenzo was no longer standing where he had been, and the gun was dangerously close to Frida Auger's left ear.
Kenzo's voice, calm yet terrifying, filled the room as he warned Frida, "Don't you dare utter 'The Sun's Wrath.'"
Amelia struggled to process the rapid turn of events.
She questioned herself, "What just happened? Why is Commander standing near Frida Auger? When did he fire the gun?"
Everett, who had witnessed it all, marveled at Kenzo's abilities, "Impressive, Commander. You utilized Mana Surroundings to bridge the gap between you and Madam Frida in a matter of seconds."
The most surprised individual in the room was undoubtedly Frida Auger herself. She had been unaware of Kenzo's presence until the searing pain from the grazing bullet accumulated in her left earlobe. The pain was so intense that she couldn't help but cry out, her agonized screams echoing throughout the mansion.
Kenzo pointed the gun menacingly at her head and uttered chilling words, "This pain you feel is a mere fraction of what our ancestors endured and what my soldiers are enduring now."
Frida Auger's legs gave way, and her screams prompted servants to rush to her room to provide medical attention.
Kenzo stood resolute, declaring, "You may believe yourself to be the puppeteer of your family, but you are merely a pawn. Live a life that spares me from staining my blade with the tainted blood of your family."
Everett turned to Amelia and requested, "Miss Amelia, could you show us the way out?"
Unable to refuse, Amelia nodded, "Yes, Sir."
Everett offered an apology, "I apologize for my rudeness, but the layout of this mansion is quite perplexing. Commander was in a hurry, so I had to employ
Amelia quietly pondered the events that had just unfolded.
"I was certain it was Commander who utilized the Mana Wave technique," she mused, "but in reality, it was Sir Everett who employed it."
Amelia, quick to forgive, replied, "No problem, Sir. The fault is ours."
Everett inquired about her well-being, "Amelia, how are you holding up? I heard another of your siblings has passed away."
Amelia, her true feelings concealed, responded, "I'm managing, Sir. Thank you for your concern."
Kenzo, offering his support, added, "Amelia, I understand what it's like to serve royal families. I was once in your position. If you ever require assistance, do not hesitate to seek us out."
Amelia, masking her true intentions, replied, "I appreciate that, Sir, but I am content here. I may not have been born through a womb or felt a mother's warmth, but I have siblings who look up to me and provide the strength to continue with a smile."
Both Commander and Everett regarded Amelia with a gentle gaze. The trio exited the mansion just before Commander and Everett departed.
As they left, Everett affectionately patted Amelia's head and remarked, "You are strong, Amelia, stronger than the Commander was at your age, but not stronger than me."
Commander chuckled and reminisced, "Everett, what are you saying? Remember, you nearly met your end while sparring me at Amelia's age."
Everett reflected on their shared history. "I admit defeat, Sir."
He admitted, "but in doing so, it allowed you to grow in confidence, and it put me in your good graces. Little did I know that it would lead to me becoming your right-hand man in the Frontline Platoon. It's quite fortunate for me, isn't it?"
Kenzo playfully threatened, "Everett, you rascal, you're in need of a lesson to remember who you're speaking to."
Amelia watched nervously as the two men drew their swords, ready for a duel at any moment. There was nothing she could do but spectate in trepidation.
Amelia suddenly heard a voice calling out to Commander and Everett, "Enough of your bickering! You two haven't changed a bit, have you?"
Startled, Everett and Amelia turned their attention to the newcomer and immediately knelt before her.
They spoke in unison, "Madam Valerie Cadell, we are honored to be in your presence."
Commander Kenzo, with a slightly flushed countenance, addressed Valerie, " Valerie, why are you here?"
Valerie adopted a nonchalant demeanor and replied, "Relax, soldiers, and Kenzo. You still can't meet my gaze, can you?"
Amelia couldn't help but ponder, "Is Commander perhaps a tsundere?"
Valerie noticed Amelia's thoughts and offered a knowing smile, "You're correct, he is."
Amelia was taken aback, "How did she know what I was thinking?"
Valerie gently placed her hand on Amelia's chest and revealed, "Your heart told me everything."
Amelia felt a soothing warmth emanating from Valerie's touch, calming her racing heartbeat.
She observed Valerie closely and marveled, "A Stihian in her human form, a stunning embodiment of beauty and radiance, with flowing golden hair that seems to capture the very essence of sunlight. Her hands, warm to the touch, exude a gentle and soothing energy, while an aura of serene and peaceful mana surrounds her, making her presence truly enchanting."
Valerie acknowledged Amelia's silent admiration, "Thank you for your kind words, Amelia."
Commander Kenzo, unable to contain his curiosity, asked Valerie, "So, Valerie, why are you here?"
Valerie replied casually, "My mansion is nearby, and I came to see whether Frida has met her end yet. It appears you've only grazed her ear. You still can't bring yourself to harm a woman, can you, you big loaf?"
Amelia was perplexed, "How did she see all that? I had enveloped the mansion in Mana Surroundings. Nobody should have been able to see what transpired inside."
Valerie glanced at Amelia and offered a mischievous smile before suddenly clenching her fist and delivering a punch to Commander Kenzo's gut.
With a fierce expression, she demanded answers, "Kenzo, you rascal! Who is this Leo my daughter keeps mentioning?"
Everett panicked and made a hasty dash after witnessing Valerie's swift approach. She closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye, her demeanor determined.
"I've heard you dispatched my daughter to meet Leo today," Valerie inquired, her voice stern.
"Where exactly did you send her?"
Everett's heart raced as he contemplated the consequences of his response.
"Perhaps I've had a good run in life," he thought to himself, resigned to his fate.
Gathering his courage, he confessed to Valerie, "I genuinely don't have any knowledge of their whereabouts."
As Valerie prepared to strike again, Commander Kenzo, still nursing his gut, revealed, "Leon is Commander Cyrus's son."
Valerie turned her attention to Kenzo and remarked with a smile, "Why didn't you say so sooner? Come on, let's go visit him in Sector A7."
Everett, reflecting on the situation, thought to himself, "She grasped my thoughts about Sector A7 in an instant. What a formidable woman."
With a proud smile on her face, Valerie concluded, "Hee Hee," after hearing Everett's inner thoughts.
The three of them departed Frida Auger's mansion with the intention of meeting Leon in Sector A7.
As they left, Amelia couldn't help but observe the unfolding events and ponder, "Are all individuals from royal families this weird?"
Back in Frida Auger's mansion, Frida muttered with determination, "Wait and see, Kenzo. I will ensure that what happened to Cyrus will befall you and that young Leon."
Meanwhile, in another part of the city.
Zora was diligently explaining the rules and regulations of Sector A to Leon. She provided valuable information about his squad's position and training regimen.
Zora, with a chuckle, asked Leon, "Leo, do you understand everything I've explained so far regarding Sector A's procedures?"
Leon, feeling overwhelmed, scratched his head and replied, "Miss Zora, you mentioned one thing: don't engage with royal children and obey my superiors' orders."
Zora laughed and announced, "Ha Ha, that's enough for today. I have a craving for the café's new flavor they introduced last week."
Suddenly, Leon kept staring out the window while holding his heart, and Zora noticed Leon's distraction.
She said, "What's wrong? You don't seem interested."
Leon replied, "It's not that."
He drifted into his thoughts, wondering, "What was that loud noise, and why did my heart suddenly ache?"
Amidst everything, Zora insisted on going to the café.
Leon couldn't refuse her request, and he also couldn't express his desire to learn more about Sector A's rules and regulations.
**As Commander Kenzo, Everett, and Valerie embarked on their journey to meet Leon and Zora, Leon found himself unable to resist Zora's requests, and the enigmatic nature of Frida's schemes remained concealed. The future holds many mysteries.**
[End of Chapter]
***
About Auger family:
The Auger family is descended from heroes of the Sun's Wrath War and is considered one of the biggest and most influential families.
The majority of their members are soldiers, and they are known for dispatching mercenary groups to various planets.
They consistently seek to align themselves with the ruling factions, demonstrating a strong inclination for political power and influence.
About Frida Auger:
Rank: S
Soul: White
Species: Demi-Xiaos
Description: Frida Auger is known for her extraordinary talents, but her ambition is driven by a deep love for wealth, and she will stop at nothing to maintain her opulent lifestyle.
Her animosity towards the Cadell family is well-documented, and she has taken it upon herself to target Leon, posing a significant threat to his well-being and the family's interests.
***