The room fell into a stunned silence after the messenger's announcement. The gravity of his words hung heavily in the air. All eyes were on the Emperor, who was deep in thought.
After a moment of heavy stillness, the messenger, realizing the weight of the situation, lowered his head in embarrassment. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke again.
"I… I apologize for not being clear, Your Majesty."
Avantis's voice, usually calm and authoritative, was tinged with impatience. "I don't care. Repeat yourself, brat."
The messenger nodded quickly and cleared his throat, gathering his composure.
"So, we have confirmed that Lord Roy is still alive," he said, his voice more confident now. "He has already entered Kranel and is currently headed toward the Royal Court to inform you of his condition. That is all the information we have at the moment."
The room was utterly silent. The nobles, who had been chattering moments ago, now exchanged bewildered glances. The news of Roy's survival was beyond anyone's expectations, especially considering the previous rumors of his death.
Emperor Avantis's Thoughts:
This brat really is something. Not even an Emperor gets this many assassination attempts and survives each one. He has killed top-notch assassins every time. It seems my Supreme Commander truly is more than just a warrior—he's a force to be reckoned with.
The silence in the room was broken by the sharp voice of one of the royal guards.
"Your Majesty, Lord Puxian is requesting to enter. What should we do?"
Puxian Ralen was known as one of the most respected nobles and the Emperor's personal knight. He was also the youngest son of the influential Ralen family. His presence was always significant, and his opinion carried weight in the court.
Avantis thought for a moment before nodding his approval. "Let him enter."
The large doors to the Royal Court creaked open, and in walked a young man dressed in a green robe and traditional knight's armor. His handsome face bore a serious expression, and his presence commanded attention. He approached the Emperor and kneeled before him with the grace of someone used to such formalities.
"Your Majesty, I bring grave news," Lord Puxian said, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of urgency. "Should I tell you now?"
Avantis gave a simple nod of approval. "Speak."
Puxian's Report:
"I, along with my search party, ventured into the Eternal Forest of Darkness," Puxian began, his voice somber. "Our initial mission was to locate Lord Roy or, at the very least, confirm his death. But what we found there was far worse than we could have imagined.
"We discovered no less than thirty-seven dead assassins, their bodies littered across the forest floor. The entire area was soaked in blood, and the carnage was unlike anything we have seen before. We found pieces of Lord Roy's armor in the vicinity, but no sign of his body. Still, based on the amount of bloodshed and the way those assassins were slaughtered, I believe Lord Roy is still alive. A man of his skill and willpower could never die so easily."
Avantis's gaze narrowed as Puxian finished his report. He had heard stories of Roy's strength, but the reality was even more incredible than he had imagined. To have survived an attack from so many highly trained assassins, and to have killed them all, spoke volumes about the Supreme Commander's abilities.
Avantis leaned back in his throne, the weight of the news settling in.
"Indeed, he is alive," Avantis replied, his tone reflective. "I received word that he has entered Kranel already. That will be all,Puxian. You and your men are dismissed for today."
Puxian bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Your Majesty." Without another word, he rose and exited the room, leaving the nobles to contemplate the shocking developments.
All of you leave he pointed this word's at Nobels
As the courtiers exchanged hushed whispers, the Emperor sat back in his throne, deep in thought. Roy's return was not only unexpected, but it had the potential to shake the very foundations of the Empire. If Roy had truly defeated so many assassins and made it back to the capital, what would be his next move? And what did this mean for the power struggle between the noble families, particularly Riku Sugen?
Avantis's mind raced as he prepared for the arrival of the Supreme Commander. The future of Narzan was in the balance.