REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC104- Seduction
[Name: Alex]
[Age: 17]
[Str: 51] (Avg: 30)
[Spd: 72] (Avg: 30)
[Int: 81] (Avg: 25)
[Skill: Storage, Sword Arts, Rapid Regeneration, Heightened comprehensibility]
[Soul Energy: 3482]
[Upper limit: 500]
[Lower limit: 25]
…..
It's strange. Even though he used so many Sword Arts and the battle against the Vampire wasn't an official duel, his Soul Energy was like a thousand points more than what last he checked.
It was strange and goes against the law of Grimoire. Naturally, there could be nothing that could affect the Akashic Records then it must be Alex's curse that affected his Soul Energy.
'Not only did I draw strength from the curse, but my SE also elevated. Hmm…' It could be a blessing in disguise if only Alex could retain his sanity when using that power-up.
Although he didn't hurt anyone this time, other than the one who deserved to get hurt, Alex was still bothered about his transformation.
He was in a dream-like state, where he couldn't command his own body and was letting everything happen based on his instincts. The reason why he couldn't use any Sword Arts while being in his cursed state was because he never gained control over himself during that time.
"Is everything alright?" Alex was startled to hear Celestria's voice from behind.
He turned around and asked, "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the others?"
It has been three days since that incident and today, there was a celebration being held in the royal palace.
Alex was wearing the suit that Celestria bought for him and was having trouble fixing the cravat around his collar.
Celestria was dazed for a moment as she looked at her beloved.
The blue and white suit fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and slim waist in a way that made him look both regal and striking. His usual messy hair was slicked back neatly and tied into a short ponytail that added a touch of sophistication to his rough charm.
The tailored, ankle-length trousers hugged him just right, giving him an air of confidence and maturity that was impossible to ignore. Celestria's gaze lingered longer than she intended, her heart racing as heat crept up her neck.
Right now, he was the embodiment of allure, effortlessly captivating. Celestria found herself biting her lip, unable to pull her eyes away from the sight of him.
Alex raised his brows, "I know I look hot, but as a Princess, you need to restrain your wild side, Your Highness."
Celestria inched closer to him as she said, "Inside a closed room, no noble status works when the person is with the one they love."
Alex turned to look at her before encircling his hand around her waist and pulling the girl closer, "This is the second time you are trying to seduce me. You know, at this age, the line of resistance remains the thinnest, right?"
The way she looked at him, the way she bit her lips and her whole presence oozed with sensuality. And Alex wasn't a saint to ignore the charm of a young woman.
Celestria looked up at him, her eyes speaking more than her lips, as she stated, "I told you before, there is no point in resisting your urges if the other person is ready to give you their all."
Alex growled, his hand gripping her waist even more firmly, making Celestria moan softly.
Her soft and thin waist made her look fragile, giving him the sensation that she might break any moment.
Looking at her flushed cheeks and moist eyes, he asked, "You really test my tolerance, eh."
Celestria didn't reply and just stared at him with her lips slightly parted.
Alex was dazed looking at her. A spark within him has ignited because of her. And right now all he could look at was those red lips of hers.
It didn't help that Celestria closed her eyes and allowed him to do whatever he wanted with her.
Without much going through his mind, Alex lowered his face and planted his lips on hers. The kiss was not intense; he was just pressing his lips against hers, yet it felt quite intimate, sending a jolt down her spine as Celestria shut her eyes completely and surrendered herself in his embrace.
Alex was not satisfied so he just parted his lips and sucked on her supple ones.
The taste of her sweet lips in his grasp made Alex feel a sudden rush of heat traveling down. He held her shoulder and leaned slightly towards her.
Celestria clung to him since she felt her legs turning noodles under his restless assault, making her breathless.
She had never felt something so exciting and heart racing like this before.
Alex continued to kiss her until she grabbed his shoulder a little strongly, making him realize that he might have been too fierce.
"Haah…" As he parted his lips from hers, Celestria panted as she held him for support. Her face was flushed red as she took some time to stabilize her breathing.
Alex just hugged her lithe form and allowed her to calm down before he asked, "Was that okay?"
"Hmm?" She hummed in questioning.
"For me to kiss you…even though I have not reciprocated your feelings?"
Celestria remained silent for a moment, before she answered him, "My body and soul belongs to you…even if you don't reciprocate my feelings…I won't mind if you just use me for your desires."
Separating from him a little, she looked him in the eye, before stating, "Until you can allow me to stay by your side, I don't mind being used."
Alex could tell that…she was serious. And he didn't know how to react to that.
What did he did to make her so obsessed with him? He didn't know. However, there was something he was certain of,
"Give yourself more respect, Cela. You are not a thing to be used, so don't ever say that again."
Celestria shyly lowered her head and nodded, "...okay."
…
Not so long after Alex walked into the grand hall where the celebration was being held.
The ruler of Whiteden had departed the same day after he was insulted by two teenage guys. But Adolf didn't know about it, so he and others thought that the Emperor was shaken up, so he wanted to return home.
'Damn…this place is so extravagant…'
Laughter and music filled the air as a string quartet played lively tunes from the corner. Guests in elegant gowns and tailored suits mingled, their voices blending into a hum of excitement.
Servants weaved through the crowd, carrying trays of sparkling wine and silver platters. Long tables lined the room, covered with lavish feasts—roasted meats, fresh fruits, and delicately arranged pastries.
Alex looked around and found Edric and Amanda talking to people he didn't know. Most probably someone from the noble house trying to gain a connection with Edric. But seeing how Amanda was holding his hand, it was highly unlikely that any other woman would have a chance.
His eyes then went towards the royal family, and instantly, his eyes were met with Celestria, who was also giving him shy glances.
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'Look at her…being all shy.' Who could think that the same girl tried seducing a few minutes ago?
He took a glass of fruit juice from the nearest table and stood in a corner to look at the others.
He found Sarah surrounded by people to the point where he could barely see her. Near her was that annoying Priest, as well as some other people from the church.
'She is damn popular….' Alex heaved a sigh; in the past life, he seldom had time to see her, since he remained moving around the world regularly.
And in this life, it was her surrounded by people and barely having the time to look at him.
But well, until the Celestial Decree descends, this would continue. After that, the world would be focused on choosing their champions and the Saintess would have much more time to be with him.
"Bored?" He heard a familiar voice from his left and without turning toward her, he said,
"Kinda. What about you?"
Valerie heaved a sigh, "Father is busy with the security inspection. Mum is sick, so she couldn't come, and my siblings are already too busy in their respective jobs to come here."
Alex raised his brows, "Then why are you here? You could have left, you know."
Valerie nodded, "Yeah, I know. But mum said to not leave Father alone for the time being."
Alex could sense the deep emotion she hid expertly behind her indifferent facade.
Although he has never felt what familial affection seemed like, he could tell that the connection between Valerie and Aborne was quite strong. And seeing her father in that state would have been quite disheartening.
Heaving a sigh, Alex told her, "You know what could be the best way to cheer up your father?"
Valerie instantly turned her head in his direction, listening to him intently.
Alex turned his eyes toward the girl before, with a smile; he added, "Replace him."
Valerie was bewildered, but Alex didn't stay there to explain things to her.
If she could discern what he meant and focus her steps in that direction, then who knows, humanity might get another pillar of defense really soon.
—------**-------
A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC105- Dance
*Ting* *Ting* *Ting*
The eyes of the guests turned toward the source of the glass clinking sound as they turned to look at the person standing on the stage.
It was the Supreme Authority of Grimland, the King himself, gathering everyone's attention as he stood there with a smile.
Alex, who was standing alone in a corner, also looked towards the stage as he heard,
"I am delighted to have you all here, joining this joyous occasion. I would like to announce that the summit was a success and we are proceeding toward a better future with our joint effort."
A round of applause was heard from the crowd upon hearing that. The harmony between the human nations was quite vital from the point of view of humanity as a whole. As such, seeing Adolf being positive about the connection gave assurance to the people.
Once the sound of applause died down, Adolf added, "Now, we all know that an adversary appeared a few days ago, with evil intentions. At that time, when all the forces were neutralized and the hope to overcome the adversary seemed bleak, a brave warrior emerged and confidently assured that he would defeat the foe and protect the Hope of Humanity."
Alex rolled his eyes; what an exaggerated introduction. He was expecting something like this, that's why he was slightly uncertain if he should join this celebration or not. However, the way Sarah and Celestria seemed adamant about him joining, he was left with no other option.
As those words left the King's mouth, many people started wondering, and those who were aware began to glance at Alex with a smile. Discover more content at empire
The King smilingly called out, "Alex, would you join me on the stage?"
'No!' would have been his instant reaction if not for the hopeful and excited gazes he was getting directed from the two women whom he could not ignore.
Heaving a sigh he rested the glass on the nearest table before, amidst the applause, he walked towards the stage.
Standing on the podium, Alex felt himself surrounded by gazes and he couldn't establish his focus at all. The vulnerability he faces when so many people look at him is quite unsettling.
'Great...if someone has malicious intent among the crowd, I won't be able to notice...' Thankfully, the whole venue was surrounded by archers, and they were given permission to take down any suspicious entity without hesitation.
Adolf stood beside the silver head as he spoke, "Alex not only bravely stood against the danger, but came out victorious as well. I would like to add that the danger in question was inhumane, yet our little hero here gallantly accepted the challenge since the pride of the Saintess was at stake."
When he said that, people began to murmur, praising Alex to no end. The silver-haired youth turned his gaze towards the Priest who always sticks close to Sarah and God; that bitter expression on his face was so satisfying.
Adolf added, "For his brave act and the strength he showed, I would like to award the boy with the highest honor a warrior could attain." As he said, the King looked at the Prime Minister, before the other one stepped forward with a small case in hand.
Alex turned to face the king, before he planted his left hand on his chest and knelt with his head leaned forward.
Everyone watched in awe as the King took the Symbol of Gallantry and attached it to Alex's shoulder.
The badge was enough to give him the highest command in the military. If Alex wanted, after graduation, he would be immediately promoted to the rank of Commander if he decided to join the military.
Only Aborne had gained that Symbol before, and now, Alex was the second.
Once Alex stood up, he glanced at the symbol, and somehow he was feeling a bit overwhelmed. Well, maybe because of the responsibility the Symbol brings? Or was it overwhelming pride? He couldn't tell.
"Now then," The king once again glanced at the Minister before another display case was brought.
Alex raised his brows, as he heard the blond man say, "I couldn't believe you received your first Star just recently, and now, you are attaining this one,"
The Bronze Star rested on the tray, on which four lines were drawn.
Alex's eyes parted wide slightly...he was receiving his fourth-star? This soon?
Even Edric was three stars...
People began to clap at the achievement of the young man who hadn't even turned eighteen to receive such honor.
Adolf pinned the star on his chest pocket, as he said, "I was uncertain until now, but you indeed are a worthy partner."
"...." He forgot that this man was still finding the perfect match for his daughter because of the prophecy.
'Gotta make Sarah take her prophecy back...' Heaving a sigh, he lowered his head and said, "I feel deeply honored to receive this recognition."
Adolf nodded as he patted the young man on the shoulder, "Keep up the good work."
Once he returned to his corner, he was no longer left alone. People came and congratulated him or praised him for his dedication towards his people.
Now, Sarah and Celestria were bothered about the sudden popularity Alex gained.
Standing at her place, the Saintess watched Alex with a dangerous look. From behind the veil, no one knew where she was looking that's why she had all the freedom to ogle at her lover.
'He looks quite delicious today...' The formal outfit always looked good on him, even in this life.
"Don't even think about it," Suddenly a voice came from her left, making Sarah scoff,
"Can you stop me?" The Saintess asked. Although she couldn't lose her virginity, there are several more ways to please her man.
"We made an agreement!" Celestria glared at her, however, Sarah was unbothered,
"We did make an agreement but you crossed your limit by kissing him."
Celestria's eyes widened. The Princess was rendered speechless for a moment...how did she know?
Sarah answered her unasked question, "Although it seemed I was busy with people, my eyes never wandered away from Alex...and I know that you went to his room."
Taking a pause and fixing her gaze on the reddened Princess, she added, "The smudge of your lipstick and the slight bite mark...I know only Alex kisses fiercely like that."
"Y-You studied me that closely?"
Sarah shrugged, "You are my rival in love. Of course, I need to keep a close eye on you."
Celestria glared at the Priestess, as she said, "Now, I will also keep a close eye on you..."
Sarah smirked, "Best of luck with that."
....
Soon, the song of the final dance began to play, and mostly every man began to invite females to the floor for a dance.
Edric took a deep breath before turning towards his girlfriend.
Amanda raised her brows and waited for him to collect himself first.
Bowing his head and extending his hand, he asked, "Would you honor me the pleasure to dance with you, my lovely lady?"
Amanda's heart fluttered, and a smile blossomed on her face as she rested her hand on his before saying, "I would love to."
Many other people were getting invited, those who knew each other and some of them were requesting those women whom they saw this evening.
"Your Highness," What Celestria feared became reality, "Would you like to dance with me, " Standing there was the son of the Duke, someone who was among the possible grooms her father selected.
Celestria smilingly said, "My foot hurts, so I cannot dance at-"
"We would just move around a bit, and I promise there won't be any discomfort to your foot." The young man insisted, "Umm, my friends are watching, so please just walk with me to the dance floor, and that would be enough."
Now Celestria was struck in a predicament. She was thinking of a way to reject him, since even being seen with him didn't sit well with her.
It was then, "Why didn't you tell him the truth, Cela?" Alex arrived beside the Princess, making the guy frown, as Alex said, "She actually promised to dance with me, that's why to not make you feel bad, Sir Aston, she said her foot is injured."
Aston glanced at the connected hands of Alex and Celestria with a frown, but then, he nodded and said, "I understand. Excuse me."
Once he walked away, Sarah said, "Look at you, saving the beauty like a hero." The sarcasm in her voice displayed her annoyance. And why was she annoyed? Because she couldn't dance with her beloved like other people!
Inching closer to the Saintess, Alex said, "Don't worry, I will do something about it."
Sarah hmph-ed as Alex took Celestria to the dance floor.
Like others, they also began to move in rhythm, enjoying the music and each other's presence.
If it had been in the past, then people might have gossiped about how a mere servant's child was being all cozy with the Princess. However, now, it was seen as if the Princess was trying to reduce the distance between herself and the Hero.
"Your father has already accepted me as his son-in-law."
Celestria was shocked, "Did he say something?"
Alex twirled her gracefully, before pulling her close and answering, "He said I am worthy of his daughter. Might as well, he announces the engagement today."
Celestria frowned, "I will talk to him."
Alex smiled, "Someone might have misunderstood your words as your reluctance to be with me."
Celestria'd eyes turned round as she shook her head, "You know that-"
"Yeah, I know. However, Cela, you know that I cannot get committed to a relationship yet. Give me some time."
The Princess smiled, that smile which could melt the coldest of hearts, as she uttered, "Until you can allow me to stay by your side, I won't mind."
Alex heaved a sigh; stay by his side, eh?
'I feel sad for her already...'
---------**--------
A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC106- Mommy?
Sarah was upset. She had all the reason to.
In the past life although not regularly, when Ceaser came to meet her, at the very least, she had the freedom to roam around places freely without needing to hide from people. However, in this life, her status as Saintess has restricted her movements completely.
Shackling her as the Holy maiden and keeping her away from anything that involved romance. Okay, she accepts that as a Priestess, she has to retain her virginity, but that doesn't mean she has to keep herself away from the one she adores. And why everyone is always so focused on her? It infuriates her to no end. Ugh.
She was currently in her room, freshly out of the bath as she sat before the dresser and combed her hair which she dried using the special kind of hair dryers this world has.
Her long raven hair reached her waist and seldom gave her trouble in the morning. If not for Ceaser's preference for long hair she might have trimmed her hair long ago.
Her olive green eyes stared back at herself with a sense of annoyance in them, when suddenly they widened when she heard an unexpected voice,
"Quite displeased you seem?"
She turned toward him and found Alex sitting on her bed with a mischievous smile on his face. He was not wearing the coat anymore and with his shirt sleeve folded, he gave a very charismatic look.
But no! She can't let him know how his allure had her go crazy since this evening, as she turned her head away and looked back in the mirror,
"Dare to intrude in the room of the Supreme Grace?"
Alex raised his brows; so she wants to play it like this, eh?
Jumping off the bed he approached the woman and spoke in a pleading voice, "Please forgive me for this crime, but I want to confess my sin, Your Holiness."
Sarah narrowed her eyes as she looked at him through the mirror.
Alex stood beside her, kneeling before the woman and holding her hand.
Lowering his head, he softly uttered, "I have saddened the woman I love and had neglected her. How can I atone for my sin?"
Sarah scoffed, "How about you start with a kiss first?"
Alex raised his brows before he added, "But I fear that my woman may bite me if I try to kiss her. You see, she is slightly fierce, but very gentle at heart."
Sarah wanted to laugh at his fruitless attempt to save himself by adding that gentle part.
"Then tolerate it since you probably deserve it." Stay updated via empire
Alex heaved a sigh before he got back up and switched his place with Sarah.
The Saintess was bewildered to find herself sitting on Alex's lap suddenly and the silver head leaning in for a kiss.
For a moment she thought of just giving in, but then she remembered him being all intimate with the Princess on the dance floor, urging the Saintess to direct her teeth to his neck, and giving him a painful bite,
"Ou…that hurts, babe." He winced, but actually, it didn't hurt that much.
Maybe she heard his inner voice; the intensity of her bite grew as she continued to bite until there was a mark.
Parting her pearly bunny teeth, she marveled at the beautiful sight of his skin having a mark which she gave; almost like she was claiming Alex all for herself.
Looking at him with a stubborn look, she said, "You are forbidden from healing it or covering it until that Princess sees it."
Alex chuckled, "This is a blatant attempt to make her jealous."
"So what?! She also made me jealous by joining you for that dance."
Alex shrugged, "We can dance as well. Like right now." He got up with the lady in his arms.
Sarah was startled as she hugged his neck to prevent herself from falling.
There was no music, no lights, no people watching them nor did they wear any fancy dresses. Heck, they weren't even following the regular dance routine as Alex just swayed left to right while holding his beloved in his arms.
Sarah forgot about her displeasure and closed her eyes. Hearing his breathing and experiencing his warmth was enough to make her heart and mind attain the calmness that nothing else could provide her with.
"You know I remembered that night...when I came to the church on your birthday and we danced under the moonlight."
Sarah chuckled, "I remember you were all wounded but refused to get treated since you wanted to cut the cake first and sing the birthday song."
Alex shrugged, "Well, I never remembered anyone else's birthday but I had kept seven reminders for yours." Glancing at her, he added, "You should have already guessed how important you were to me when I wore that birthday cap for you."
Sarah leaned her head to the other side, her hair falling like a beautiful curtain as she added, "Sorry I made you wait so long. Won't you forgive me?"
In their previous lives, Ceaser and Sarah couldn't spend even a day as a couple since they both confessed the same day Sarah met by accident.
Alex hugged her close, as he whispered, "We have a lot of time in this world. Let's spend as much time as we want together."
Sarah looked at him, a tinge of concern visible in her eyes, as she asked, "Do we really have that much time left?"
Alex looked at her questioningly, urging Sarah to add, "The ascension contest, I have less than ten percent hope that our world would win. I am happy that you will survive, but that would be our farewell." After all, regardless of her fame and popularity, it was irrefutable that the saintess was not someone meant for battle. And bringing just a healer to the battle was pointless, given it would be a waste of slots.
Alex heaved a sigh and asked her, "Do you trust me?"
Sarah nodded, "Blindly."
"Then leave everything to me. I don't know how but I will surely win this. After all, I am aware of the strength and weakness of more than half of what we would be facing during the contest."
Alex didn't read the last volume in which the Ascension Trials concludes, but he read the introductory volume of the contest so he knows whom he could expect to face in the contest.
"Alex, are you really going to your birthland? I mean you don't need to, you know, feel guilty about your mother." Sarah heard things from Edric that made her believe that Alex's true motive was to liberate his biological mother.
However, "That's not it; my priority lies in knowing more about my curse and the seal. Whenever I look at Amanda and the uncertainty in her eyes to approach me, I am reminded that there is something inside me which I cannot control, and that gives birth to extreme insecurity."
Exhaling a sharp breath, he added, "What if my seal gets broken during the contest and I end up attacking an ally?"
Sarah lowered her eyes; she was aware that something happened back in Chainedvale that had shaken up his sister down to her core. And the reason for the change was Alex.
Sitting down on the bed with his woman resting on his lap, Alex added, "That's why I must go there and ask those people who placed the seal on me."
Sarah raised her brows, "So you are not going to save your mother? She got framed because it seems she was reluctant to let you get punished."
Alex hummed a bit, and pondered for a moment before replying, "If things seem to be under control, then I will definitely try to liberate her since I don't want someone to suffer because of me."
Sarah smiled, as she cupped his cheek and softly whispered, "Just a softie you are, that's why I always said that mafia isn't the right job for you."
Alex narrowed his eyes, "Who says I am a softie? Just feel it beneath you and you will know how hardy I can get." Sarah blushed slightly as she moved her waist back and forth, making his little prince stand in attention.
Sarah grinned, "So are you returning to your room tonight or plan on sullying the Supreme Saintess?"
Alex growled, "What do you think?"
Sarah raised her brows, "You know I have to retain my purity, right?"
Alex whispered, "I find the back door as sexy as the main entrance."
Sarah chuckled, "Can't believe our first time is going to be like this."
Alex raised his brows, "You don't want to?"
The Saintess sexily smiled, as she pushed him on the bed and said, "Lie down and let mommy show you the road to the heavens."
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A/N:- Well, I haven't added the R-18 tag so I am saved from continuing this scene. Thanks for reading and supporting the work so far.
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC107- Making friends(1)
[Dear Cela,
I know you must be hurt and probably would hate me for this but I am departing for Whiteden alone. I know you wanted to come along, to ensure my safety and protect me if the time comes. I really appreciate and feel fortunate to have you in my life, however, I cannot risk your life by taking you there. There are too many variables and I don't have a single clue what I would be facing and where I would be living. In such a situation I cannot bring you there.
So please, don't come after me if you love me and wait for me in the Capital. If you don't receive anything from me in the next fifteen days, only you can inquire about me.
-Your Alex.]
Tears welled up in her eyes, as Celestria ran out of the room and darted toward the room where Alex had been staying.
She refused to believe that he left her. She had faith in Alex that he wouldn't leave her behind, however, it would be a lie to say that in the corner of her mind, she didn't expect it.
'Why Alex…am I really a burden to you?' She couldn't help but feel herself being Alex's weakness, that's why he didn't take her with him.
"Ah!" Celestria exclaimed as she saw Edric coming out of Alex's room while holding a similar parchment and looking annoyed.
Noticing Celestria, he said, "He isn't in there. He left last night."
Celestria asked, "What did he write for you?"
Edric rolled his eyes before handing the paper to Celestria.
The princess ran her eyes through the letters, and was surprised to find,
[Don't even think of coming after me. See ya~]
"…" At least, Celestria received an apology from him.
"I am going after him." Edric made his intentions clear, "There is not a single ally he has there and there is a chance his father would recognize him even though he tries to hide his identity. We need to remember that the head of the Frostbate will be keeping a close eye on the contest they are holding as well."
Celestria muttered, "Then I will also come."
Edric looked uncertain, "Are you sure? I mean there a difference in my absence and-" Experience tales at empire
"If you don't take me with you then I will go all alone." She spoke firmly.
Edric was rendered speechless and it was the third person who jumped in, "Agree to her demand, or the Princess might as well exile you."
Amanda stood beside Celestria and asked, "You are crying?"
Celestria sobbed, "He broke the promise…he left me."
Amanda consoled the little girl, "First time?"
Celestria nodded as she wiped her tears, "We will find him, right Amy?"
Amanda looked at Edric and found him looking back at her with an assuring look, providing her with the confidence to say, "We will find him, and when we do, make sure to punish him."
Celestria clenched her fist as she muttered under her breath, 'I want you to know, Alex…that I am not your weakness…and for that, I am coming to find you…'
----**---
*Knock*
Sarah raised her brows as she heard someone knocking on her door.
She stopped folding her clothes and got up before approaching the door.
She sensed the person on the other side and couldn't stop herself from sighing, "Celestria." She said upon parting the door and seeing the blond Princess standing there.
"Alex left." She said and the response was quick,
"I know."
Celestria was surprised, "He told you?" Sarah nodded as she returned to the bed and resumed folding her clothes and packing them into her bag. She had a few days left for her vacation, so she wanted to spend them with her family.
Celestria was shocked, "Why didn't he tell me?"
"Because he knew you would ask him to take you with him and might as well cry…and Alex doesn't have much resistance against the tears of those whom he adores."
Celestria felt a strong lump in her throat as she took a moment of delay to ask, "And you didn't ask him to not go?"
Sarah couldn't tell her how much she had tried in the past but always failed. As such after a while, she started wishing him luck rather than crying in front of him.
"I asked him to take care. I knew there was nothing I could have said other than threatening him in the name of my life, to stop him. So rather than burdening him with mental pressure, I gave him the assurance that I would be waiting for him."
Celestria turned silent upon hearing that. Alex knew Sarah wouldn't try to stop him, that's why he told her.
Just as she thought Celestria was still not quite mature.
However, "I cannot remain calm and wait for him. That place is surrounded by those people who are waiting to execute Alex, and he cannot fight against a nation all alone. Not to talk, there would come a time when he would need someone beside him when the curse seal gets removed."
Sarah frowned, "Why do you think he would have the Seal removed?"
Celestria stated without much thinking, "As much as I know Alex I know he must be hating this seal on his body…to have an uncertain element on him."
Sarah had a frown on her face, "This is bad…"
Celesrtria raised her brows, seeing the Saintess suddenly getting up from her seat and approaching the bookshelf.
She went through a few pages of the book she had recently read when Celestria approached her and asked, "Did you find something about his seal?"
Sarah mindlessly muttered, "I recalled having studied a similar Seal in the past and realized I have a book related to it in the morning."
Celestria glanced at the book and saw the strange mark of a snake wrapping around a crown.
"What does it says?" Celestria asked, a tinge of concern written over her face seeing Sarah being so serious.
Sarah gestured for the Princess to sit down and the latter immediately listened to the wordless command, before Sarah began,
"The Curse Seal, known in dread whispers as the Brand of the Imposter, is etched upon the souls of those who have betrayed the Deities and defiled the sacred bearers of Soul Energy. It is not granted by mortal hand – the curse is either carried through bloodlines like a shadowed inheritance or emerges, unbidden and singular, as a mark of ultimate condemnation. No act of penance can remove it, and no force can shield those bound by its grip."
It was what she read in the book, but Celestria understood not much of it.
Sarah explained, "Those kinds of curses that change the personality of the being, enhance their powers, and make one question their origin are something which no mortal being, like us, should be possessing. The only being who was caught having this Cursed mark was…"
Sarah paused, urging Celestria to ask, "Who was it?"
Sarah took a strong gulp before revealing, "The first king of independent human civilization—Arthur Ashford."
-----**----
The weather around the Northern region is quite unpredictable since a moment of calm and serenity can never be a promise of a safe future.
Just like right now, the Royal Carriage was stuck in a snowstorm and was surrounded by Silver-scaled Tigers.
The carriage belonged to the person close to the patriarch of one of the three leading clans of Whiteden.
The soldiers were somehow trying to fend off the beasts so they could reach their destination in time. However, considering the situation it was highly unlikely they would be able to make it out alive.
"Eyes sharp!" Captain Harlow barked, his voice cutting through the storm. "They're out there."
A low growl rumbled through the blizzard. Shadows flickered between the trees. Then – a flash of white, a blur of scales. A tiger lunged from the snowbank.
"Contact!" Harlow roared.
Steel sang as swords left their sheaths. The beast slammed into the nearest soldier, knocking him flat. Its claws tore at his chest plate, screeching over metal.
Two more tigers burst from the snow, circling the carriage. Harlow thrust his spear forward, driving one back, but the other lunged at the horses.
"Protect the carriage!" Harlow shouted.
Arrows flew. One struck a tiger's flank, but the creature barely flinched. It twisted, eyes gleaming, and pounced at the archer. The two crashed to the ground in a swirl of snow.
"Fall back! Close formation!" Harlow yelled, gripping his spear tighter. The soldiers formed a wall around the carriage.
However, their efforts resulted in vain as suddenly numerous beings started running through the formation, biting and scratching the soldiers, causing them to kneel in defeat or fall back to save their lives.
Harlow gritted his teeth as he continued to fight and in just a few minutes, only he was left on the battleground to ward off the danger.
"What is happening, Harlow?" A shaky voice arrived from the carriage, urging the commander to say,
"Please remain seated, Princess, I will deal with this in no time." Although he said that, Harlow feared that he would not be able to continue like this for long.
'Here it comes!' He braced himself and turned to face the beast which was about to lunge at him…
*Shlink*
But then suddenly, something unexpected happened and the beast stopped moving altogether.
"Huh?" Harlow couldn't believe his eyes as he saw the head of the beast rolling on the ground and a being, enshrouded in a cloak, appearing before the Commander,
"Need some help?"
------**-----
A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC108- Making friends(2)
The three major clans of Whiteden are Frostbate, Dorhales, and Swortine.
The major difference between these three clans was their resources and military strength.
Frostbate clan has the most number of soldiers in possession and also, the Leader of the clan was himself a Five-star warrior.
In comparison to that, the Dorhales clan possessed fewer soldiers, but their wealth and the variety of fruits sold there made the northern country an attractive market for trading.
If ranking these clans Dorhales would come in second place, just because of their vast wealth in treasury.
And the clan Alex targeted was the same: Dorhales.
"Are you okay now, Princess?" Alex asked as he stood before the carriage inside which the second daughter of Patriarch remained seated.
It was widely known how the patriarch was quite close to his family members, and fond of his daughters. Even during this small excursion, she was protected by a hundred soldiers, but first, the carriage was attacked by assailants, followed by the tigers.
Such an unfortunate situation was the perfect opportunity for Alex to exploit. Admittedly, he had provoked the tigers and directed them toward the carriage, but since he ended up saving the soldiers, perhaps the scales of sin would tilt slightly in his favor.
"I cannot be any more thankful for you, my savior." The Princess smilingly spoke, "Can I know the name of the person who risked his life to save me?"
"Hermes, he is my betrothed." Suddenly a person emerged beside Alex and wrapped her hand around his.
Seeing the red eyes of the woman, Harlow was slightly startled. He had noticed this second person enshrouded in a cloak since she also saved them alongside Hermes.
Alex wanted to roll his eyes, however, he didn't create suspicion by denying her claim and played along, "We were heading toward Dorhales. Do you know where-"
"Perfect! We are also going there!" The Princess chimed as she finally lost her resistance and peeked from inside the carriage.
Her snow-white face and pearly black eyes were in stark contrast but that's what gave her a very innocent charm. Her dark hair matched the shade of the night sky at its peak hour.
Rebecca narrowed her eyes; not another Princess…
"Is that so," Alex raised his brows before turning toward Harlow, "Will you allow us to follow you, if that's okay?"
Harlow nodded without hesitation, "Undoubtedly. You have saved the Young Miss, surely I can allow you to do that much. And not only that, once we reach the Capital, I will inform the Patriarch about your deeds."
Perfect, Alex inwardly muttered, and outwardly, he said, "You are too kind. Then, let's go?"
Harlow nodded before he commanded his battalion, those who could walk, to help others and once again, they resumed their journey.
….
There was a reason Alex had to take Rebecca with him; he needed another person to participate in this contest. And second, she is the perfect person as a guide in the Northern region. And third, since he didn't have an attachment to the girl, he wouldn't feel burdened if something happened to her.
"How rude," Rebecca pouted, "To be so nonchalant about me. At least, mourn for me if I die."
Alex was surprised to see that she heard his inner voice. It seems he has become quite obvious these days.
"Although you don't matter to me as much as Cela (or Sarah—he couldn't reveal their relationship), it doesn't mean I would let you die. I brought you here, so you are my responsibility now."
Rebecca grinned, a face full of smiles Alex saw, as he heard her saying, "So you are going to take responsibility even if it wasn't planned, eh? I will remember that."
"..." This woman is crazy.
Walking through a cold snowy path, Alex exchanged a few words with the Commander while Rebecca remained mostly silent.
"So you used to live near the border region of Chainedvale?" Harlow asked, "I heard the ruler of that town is a cold-blooded mercenary?"
Rebecca narrowed her eyes, "Is that a problem?"
Harlow panicked, "No, no! In fact, I respect such strong warriors who have their names so widely spread across even Whiteden. It's just that the relationship between foreigners and Whiteden has not been good in the past few years."
Alex frowned, but his tone remained passive, "There won't be a problem for us to come with you, right? If you say, then we can go through formal procedure-"
"There are no such problems, Sir Hermes! Please don't burden yourself with such needless thoughts." The Princess immediately interjected and made it clear that Hermes and his betrothed were coming with them.
'Nice…' Alex suppressed a grin, 'It's going as planned.'
"Look at you, ensnaring Princesses here and there," Rebecca commented, a tinge of frustration in her tone.
She really doesn't want the competition to rise even more!
Alex heaved a weary sigh, "This is all but a play, so stop commenting over every single thing."
….
Their journey continued for three long hours before the grand entrance of the Capital came into view.
As they stepped inside, Alex looked around the Capital with his brows raised.
Tall stone walls carved with old patterns surround the city. Soft glowing runes on the walls keep the endless snow at bay, leaving the streets clear but still icy underfoot.
Inside, the city feels timeless. Houses with steep, slanted roofs line the cobbled streets, their dark wooden beams decorated with carvings that tell stories of the past. Smoke rises from chimneys, carrying the scent of burning wood and herbs. The air is crisp, every breath forming a puff of mist.
In the center of the city stands a massive tower, its frosty surface glinting faintly in the gray light. Around it, markets bustle with activity. Merchants wrapped in thick cloaks sell enchanted fabrics, glowing charms, and other magical tools to keep the cold at bay.
'It's not as extravagant and shiny as Grimland…' This place seemed more of a Nordic village where people lived in much more harmony and had a simple life.
There are no exaggerated advertisements, no fancy products, or lavish motels in view.
People were selling simple household products, chatting and joking around in a lively atmosphere around the market.
"That's the palace?" Rebecca asked no one in particular, but Harlow heard her and replied,
"Indeed, that's the place where the Patriarch resides."
The reason for Rebecca and Alex's surprise was because, instead of a palace, it was rather a traditional house situated in the heart of the Capital.
There were a lot of people standing before the entrance of the house, looking worried and impatient.
As soon as the carriage came to a pause, the Princess leaped out and hugged the woman who seemed to be her elder sister.
Alex and Rebecca were standing on one side, beside Harlow, waiting for the family to ensure their beloved's safety first.
The Princess continued to hug and weep the woman for another minute, whispering some inaudible things, before she turned her attention towards Alex and Rebecca, and said,
"They saved me, mama."
Alex was surprised, as he asked, "She…is your mother?" He looked back at the black-haired beauty again, feeling surprised to find her slightly older than the Princess. Find exclusive stories on empire
Although she looked mature, not anywhere near being a mother.
"Oh my, that makes me happy. But first," The woman stepped forward before she lowered her head, followed by all the servants behind, as the lady said,
"Thank you for saving my daughter. I couldn't be more thankful."
Alex sighed, "It was a coincidence that we were passing by when we spotted them. And as wandering warriors, it was our duty to protect those in need."
The lady smiled warmly, as she said, "Please come inside; although the magic runes are working fine, the weather is still quite harsh out here."
Alex glanced at Rebecca and found her glaring at the woman before he held her hand and escorted her inside.
The inside of the house was quite traditional; long galleries, sliding doors, bronze antiques, beautiful paintings.
In his last life, Ceaser visited various nations, and right now, he feels like he is visiting a Japanese yakuza-type person.
"You can rest here; I will send someone to provide you with blankets." The maid, who was escorting them, said after opening a door at the end of the lobby.
Alex nodded before he pulled Rebecca inside.
"Why are you swaying?" He asked; he noticed that the girl seemed quite disoriented and gave the impression that if he hadn't held his hand, she might have fallen.
Rebecca removed the cloak and sat down. Her face seemed excessively pale, her lips were turning blue.
"Hey, hey! What happened to you?" Alex didn't know what suddenly happened. She was not injured during the battle, he recalls, so did the cold overwhelm her?
'But no…Vampires have cold blood…then what?'
Rebecca finally revealed, "I…haven't eaten…since then…"
Alex's eyes widened; there was no doubt that the 'eat' here didn't mean that she hadn't consumed food.
"You didn't drink anyone else's bl-ah!' Then he remembered the things he heard about Blood Bond.
Heaving a sigh, he knelt down before her and revealed his neck, "You are hopeless."
—-----**------
A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC109- Crush her
"Why are you here?" Celestria couldn't help but ask the redhead who was unexpectedly following them to the North.
Valerie shrugged, "I thought it would be something fun, so I tagged along."
Celestria pinched the bridge of her nose as she said, "You know where we are going and for what we are going, right?"
Amanda wryly smiled, "Don't you think Valerie will be more interested in coming along when she hears about the contest?"
"Contest? As a battle contest?" As Amanda thought, Valerie's eyes sparkled hearing about it.
"Alex has gone there to find more about his real parents, and to make his wish come true he would be participating in some kind of contest." Edric added, "We are going there to back him up."
Valerie raised her brows in surprise, "Never thought Alex would be taking such bold steps on his own...and even leaving Cela behind."
Celestria grumbled, "He was worried about me, so he didn't bring me with him."
Valerie scoffed, "Or maybe you are just weak?"
Edric panicked seeing the tension rising between the two. However, before he could have said anything to mediate the situation, his lover jumped in,
"As of now, if we are talking about strength, other than Edric all three of us are deadweights. Our inclusion in this is actually not needed."
Amanda's words were blunt but true, that's why neither of them said anything, allowing Amanda to add,
"It's true that we are weak in comparison to Alex. However, we are not going to fight him there; rather, we need to ensure just his safety. So every person matters here."
The inside of the carriage turned silent after that. Celestria clenched her fist as she turned her attention outside.
Under her breath, she uttered a few words,
'This time, you won't face everything alone.'
--------**------- --------**-------
"You are hopeless." Alex sat down and unbuttoned his shirt; revealing his neck.
Rebecca's eyes glowed, her hunger was evident in her eyes, yet, despite all the desperation her body was showing, she resisted her urge and asked,
"Are you sure? This will only deepen the bond."
Alex heaved a weary sigh, "I can't have you participate in the contest like this or you would be nothing but a liability. So stop asking and start sucking."
Rebecca, albeit weakly, grinned, "That sounds like tempting in some other way, but I will settle myself for your neck, for now."
She inched closer to him and didn't hold back while nestling herself in his lap, purposely rubbing herself against him.
'Haah....smells so delicious...' Anyone who looks at her at the moment could tell how needy the woman was.
After clutching his shirt, she finally revealed the pair of sharp canines before stabbing them into Alex's neck.
Alex frowned as he felt the slight sting of her teeth. However, he didn't react, nor did he resist.
He could hear her happily gulping his blood, while her hold on him became firm. She was clinging to his warmth, feeling the closeness to her Bond better than before.
Rebecca's lips lingered, her breath hot against his skin as she drank deeply, savoring the intoxicating taste of him. The air between them grew heavier, laced with an almost tangible intimacy that neither of them spoke of.
While she enjoyed her meal, Alex was keeping an eye on his Grimoire, and found something strange,
[Name: Alex]
[Age: 17]
[Str: 51] (Avg: 30)
[Spd: 72] (Avg: 30)
[Int: 81] (Avg: 25)
[Skill: Storage, Sword Arts, Rapid Regeneration, Heightened comprehensibility]
[Soul Energy: 3276-> 3275-> 3274]
[Upper limit: 500]
[Lower limit: 25]
...
Every second a soul point gets deducted. Was Soul Energy a part of his blood? Well, considering the situation, it must be it.
After a few more seconds, Rebecca stopped consuming her favorite blood as she parted her teeth from his flesh and softly licked over the teeth mark.
Her body was feeling hot and re-energized after the bonding period, and feeling the poke beneath her butt, she could tell that Alex was quite bothered as well.
Looking at him with a mischievous grin, She trailed her finger down his chest and whispered, "No one is watching us, and no one will tell anyone what happened here."
Her voice dripped with lust and her current expressions could make even a saint doubt their oath.
Rebecca moved her waist back and forth, rubbing her ass against his hard one, as she said, "How about we practice our wedding night today?"
However, Alex soon held her waist and removed the girl from his lap, while muttering, "Don't cross your limits, Rebecca."
Rebecca pouted, "You could have at least shown some glimpse of your shy side. What's the point of being a teenager then?"
Alex rolled his eyes and got up. There was no doubt that he was horny, but he had enough self-restraint over himself to not give in to her temptation.
....well, if it had been a certain Saintess seducing him, then the matter might have been different.
"You know what we are here for, right?" Alex asked her while facing the window provided in the room.
The scenery outside was serene and gave his mind some much-needed peace.
Rebecca hummed, "To join the competition and win it without revealing our identities until the end." The Vampire Princess uttered the words she was told before she left Chainedvale.
However, there was something uncertain, "What in the world do you need from these people that you are willing to waste your time in some contest?"
Alex hesitated....not because he didn't want to tell Rebecca, but because he wasn't sure.
If he somehow gets to meet the Council Members before the competition and acquires the knowledge of his Curse Seal without needing to participate...then will he participate in the contest and risk having his identity revealed?
And even if he participates, what he would ask for?
'I guess I already know the answer to that.....'
Heaving a sigh, he told Rebecca, "I have multiple goals, but before that, I need to investigate a little." Turning to look at the woman, he added,
"I will be leaving in the evening. If someone comes to find me, tell them that I was feeling sick so I fell asleep."
Rebecca seemed worried, "Can I come along?" She was told about the animosity that the people of Whiteden possessed for foreigners, and that's why she was anxious.
However, "It would be better for me to go alone. And you need to be here so the Patriarch doesn't end up sending a search team for us."
----------**---------
After returning to his home, Eryndor has yet to sleep a wink. All he did after returning was to drink and think.
The upcoming contest and the warning the Saintess gave was one thing he should be focusing on, considering the future of his clan and humanity as whole.
However, after what he faced during the last day of his stay at Grimland, he couldn't find himself thinking about anything else.
That humiliation...
He couldn't forget that the brat, who was supposed to be dead, had the gall to mock him.
**Crack**
The glass in his hand, cracked under his strength as Eryndor stared at the wall across him with agitation.
He has never been so insulted before....a brat...that Edric dared to threaten him, huh? He, the one who slaughtered a hundred enemy soldiers, all by himself and someone who claimed the throne through his strength...was humiliated by a mere worm!
"My lord~" Suddenly, a woman, a familiar one, entered the room, making Eryndor frown,
"What are you doing here, Mace? Didn't I tell you not to enter my room?"
His overwhelming Soul Energy made the room suffocating, but the woman didn't hesitate to approach him. Why? Well, she has very good news to share after all.
"My Lord, I have something to inform you about your loyal Commander named Beatrice."
Eryndor frowned, but before he could have dismissed the woman, or worse, kill her, he heard her saying,
"She has gone to meet the person, her mother rescued all those years ago."
Eryndor's eyes widened upon hearing that. He couldn't be wrong about whom she was talking about.
So...Beatrice, just like her mother, was betraying the clan?!
"Zoreth!" His loud cry was immediately responded to as a hulking man with an axe attached to his hip appeared before Eryndor.
"My Lord."
Through his clenched jaw, he uttered, "Find Beatrice."
"What I should do upon finding her?"
Eryndor clenched his fist, shattering the glass into fragments, as he uttered, "Crush her right before that Cursed Brat and bring him here. I want no mistake in this one, understand?"
"Ha!" And like that, the man disappeared.
Mace grinned, as she said, "I am honoured to be helpful, my Lord."
---------**--------
A/N:- If you are wondering, she appears in chapter 41, failure. Anyway, this was the last chapter of 2024..I wish you all a very happy and blessed year ahead.
Thank you for reading and supporting my work. See ya~
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC110- Fool?
Alex had informed Beatrice about his arrival in Whiteden. She was the only source through which he could gather information about the Council and when he could penetrate the defense to meet those bastards.
As such, he has come to meet the woman who told him the truth behind his origin a few weeks ago.
It was on the western border of Dorhales where Alex stood under the tea stall, waiting for the lady to arrive.
While he sat, his mind went back to Grimland...and a specific Princess, bothered him quite a lot.
'She might have asked Edric to accompany her...' Alex has left a letter for Aborne that the Princess might try to escape, so he could stop her. He didn't write his name but just warned the man.
Bringing Celestria here would have been quite problematic. She is a nobility and can be used to
negotiate with Grimland for Whiteden's interest.
It was unfortunate that Alex was recently brought into the limelight, or this mission would have been much easier.
'Sometimes, I feel I have snatched the focus from Edric...' Heaving a sigh, he finished the tea when suddenly he heard the voice,
"I nearly didn't recognize you." There was no doubt who this person was.
"I hope you weren't getting followed," Alex asked as he didn't turn to look at the woman who was sitting diagonally next to him.
Beatrice smiled, "Unless someone purposely searches for me, I am practically a shadow."
That... assured him.
"Then? Have you planned on what you will be doing?".
"I will participate in the contest with a friend."
"Friend? Who is it?" The lady asked; unaware of Rebecca's presence in Whiteden.
"Don't worry about that and tell me....has Eryndor sent any team to execute me?" Alex asked, worried that the asshole might create trouble for Edric and the others.
However, "No...not that I am aware of. Although I have seen some certain changes in that man, considering he seldom leaves his room and liquor is sent to him regularly, other than that nothing noticeable has changed."
Alex scoffed, so he had taken quite a bit of damage to his pride. Nice.
After a brief pause, Alex asked, "Have you searched for the Council member's current location?"
Beatrice immediately responded, "In three days, they would be gathering in the Great Hall, situated in the Capital, to discuss things about the contest. They would be judging the championship after all. I think that's the perfect time for you to interrogate them."
Taking out a parchment, she was about to hand it to Alex, "Here is the list of those who-ah!"
However, the paper was suddenly snatched by a third person who appeared out of nowhere.
Beatrice's eyes widened upon finding the huge man with the axe standing there and reading the list,
"Heh~so you are indeed betraying the clan."
The air shifted, Alex's muscles tensed, as he clutched his ring, and instantly jumped toward the man, "Don't you move." He warned as a sword materialized out of the ring, with its tip pressing against the man's neck.
The people around suddenly began to get up and run away, noticing the commotion and how quickly it was elevating.
Zoreth grinned and before Alex's eyes, the man melted into shadows—faster than he could react, the man suddenly appeared behind Beatrice and slashed his axe without a single speck of doubt.
**SQUELCH**
Beatrice's head was severed from her body, and under Alex's widened eyes, the woman was....killed.
"Huh?" Alex couldn't believe how quickly this all happened and he had no way of defending the woman.
However, he was wrong on that part.
"Tch, this annoying skill of yours..." Zoreth clicked his tongue as Beatrice's headless body melted into muddy form, and the lady appeared beside Alex,
"He is fast ...and decisive." She muttered, startling Alex,
"Can you use illusions?" The lady nodded before she warned,
"Eyes to the front! We haven't defeated him."
"And like hell you two can." Zoreth snarled as he rested his huge axe on his shoulder and looked extremely casual.
Alex narrowed his eyes; there was no doubt that this man was sent by Eryndor and he followed Beatrice to here.
'I can't let Eryndor find out about my intention to come here...' In that case, he simply has to do one thing.
"You are dead." As those words seeped through his lips, Alex charged in with his Quicksilver, his form turning into a silver blur, as he broke the sound barrier to approach the man.
**SHLINK**
Alex's sword was met by thin air as Zoreth blended into the shadows once again since he could no longer trace Alex's movements.
"Quite fast you are," the man mocked, "But you can't win a battle just because of your pace!" Suddenly the big bull emerged from behind, jumping in the air with his axe raised above his head.
He brought his axe down, intending to stab Alex in the shoulder to incapacitate the boy.
However, Alex had enough time to tilt his body and dodge the attack.
Zoreth's eyes widened as suddenly his weapon missed the mark, and he was held by his collar.
"Agh!" Zoreth groaned as his neck was grabbed by the boy and was lifted off the ground
Alex's eyes were cold and emotionless; almost like he was dealing with a mosquito that was buzzing in his ear.
"How about the strength now?" Alex asked as his hold around the man's thick neck became more firm, giving rise to the slight crunch of his muscles.
Zoreth gritted his teeth and slipped through Alex's grip to blend in the shadows once again.
"Alex!" Beatrice warned, urging the silver head to turn towards the woman and find several soldiers marching toward them. They were border security soldiers of Dorhales.
Alex clicked his tongue; this was getting troublesome.
Zoreth exploited the chance to appear behind Beatrice and grab her by her head.
The soldiers halted, and so did Alex, as Zoreth picked the woman up and pressed his axe against her neck.
"Leave me, you bastard!" Beatrice flailed, but to no avail.
"Nobody moves or this bitch dies!" Zoreth warned as he stood in the middle of the two forces.
Alex clenched his fist; he should have killed the man right away. However, his greed to extract information has caused Beatrice.
'Cool your head, Ceaser...' Taking a deep breath, Alex turned towards the bear and said,
"You can take that woman back with you and inform your boss about my presence here. Okay?" Alex suggested, given he had no way of helping Beatrice and more so when the soldiers of Dorhales were here.
"Boss won't believe it until I take you with me! So be obedient and come along." The man warned as he pressed the axe deeper into her neck.
Alex rolled his eyes, "Even if you take that woman's life, I won't come. However, I can give you this as proof of my presence in Whiteden." Alex took out his badge of honour which was in the shape of a small star.
Zoreth frowned, "What the hell is that?"
Alex scoffed, "Of course, a mindless boar like you don't know the gallantry award. However, your boss knows that I was awarded this a few days back."
Zoreth scowled. He, an idiot?! Like hell.
"I know what that is! So just shut up and give it to me." He demanded. Bringing Alex along with so many soldiers already surrounding them was impossible. However, if Zoreth could bring the medal of honor, then surely Eryndor would believe that the Brat is here in Dorhales. As such, he might send forces later to retrieve the cursed brat.
Alex stepped forward, intending to hand over the badge, but, "Stop right there, you cheeky cunt! Throw me the badge!" Was the brat thinking of attacking him under the pretense of handing over the badge? Yeah, like hell Zoreth would fall for such an obvious trap.
Alex barely suppressed a grin. These huge men of Whiteden live up to their rumors of being knuckleheads.
"Okay, I will throw it to you." Alex rested the badge on his thumbnail and pressed the thumb with his index finger.
"Don't miss it~"
The world saw Alex flicking the badge, but what launched toward Zoreth was a dart.
The tempest dart.
**SQUELCH**
Under Zoreth's horrified gaze, something penetrated inside his head, and in the next instance, he lost his control over his body, falling back, dead and gone.
Beatrice freed herself from his grip and jumped toward Alex.
"Beatrice, run!" Alex told her immediately, thanking the shock of the soldiers that they hadn't rushed toward them.
"But Alex-"
"Don't say anything and run! You would be taken as a spy from a different nation and would be executed right away, so just run!" He pushed the woman, and thankfully Beatrice didn't hesitate to jump over the wall and exit the town right away
"Hands behind your head and kneel!" Alex heaved a sigh as he found himself surrounded by hundreds of spears.
Great start.
----------**---------
A/N:- Don't be a fool like Zoreth. Drop a comment and Happy New Year.
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC111- Dominate
Rebecca and Alex were brought to the conference room in the main house of the capital. Naturally, the secret of his identity was revealed the moment his silver hair came into view.
Now, standing before the patriarch were the two travelers who came here as saviors but now were being regarded as assailants.
"Tell me, the Brave One, did you desire revenge on your family by taking refuge here in Dorhales?" The patriarch of the clan—Godric Dorhales, asked Alex as he sat at the head position.
On his left were his councilmen, who were here to help him with the best judgment for the situation.
Alex heaved a heavy breath as he revealed, "My only purpose of coming here was to get myself a sponsor for the contest, so even if my identity gets revealed, there could be someone backing me up."
Godric raised his brows, "As such, you saved my daughter and wished to use me in this revenge mission you have?"
Alex lied, "It's pure coincidence that I was there when the carriages got attacked; I had a different method of winning your trust."
Godric narrowed his eyes, "And what was that?"
"By showing you my strength," Alex responded without hesitation.
Godric was aware of the fact that Alex, a teenager, just slaughtered a seasoned warrior and someone who worked as the henchman for the Frostbate's patriarch.
A brief silence descended as the patriarch rested his arm on the armrest pillow before asking, "You believed that despite knowing your identity during the contest, I would continue to support you? Do you not know about your wanted criminal tag?"
Alex scoffed, "It's not like anyone, but the Frostbate ever considered me a criminal. And during the contest, when I would show my strength, I doubt you would pull your hands away."
The older one snickered, "Quite prideful you are....but overconfidence is unhealthy, young one."
Alex shrugged, "If you think I am overconfident, then that's that."
The hall turned silent after that, for a few moments.
Godric turned toward the seven men on his left, before asking, "Gentlemen, share your concern."
The first one on the left, possibly the person with the most authority after the patriarch, asked,
"Is there no other lead that would allow the Patriarch of Frostbate clan to know about your stay at the Dorhales?"
Alex responded without much thought, "If your men stay silent and that body is burned, Eryndor will not know anything about my relationship with Dorhales."
Godric chuckled, "Look at you, being all casual speaking his name."
Alex didn't reply to that but didn't look guilty or regretful at all.
The second council member asked, "And that lady? Is she your betrothed?"
Rebecca narrowed her eyes, "Why does it matter to you?"
Her cold voice made the man flinch before he glanced at the Patriarch.
Godric's smile didn't falter as he said, "He is trying to obtain if you also have some secret motive here, little lady. So yes, tell them. Who are you?"
Rebecca glanced at Alex and found him nodding.
Heaving a sigh, she told him, "The daughter of Victor Steelhound. Rebecca."
"...!!!" The expression on everyone's face changed upon hearing that. Although they don't know about the origin of the Steelhound, the rumors of them being the most dangerous killers of Grimland don't allow the council to sit comfortably anymore.
Even Godric, who had been nonchalant until now, frowned as he asked, "Are you planning to massacre the Frostbate? Is it the way of your revenge?"
Rebecca scoffed, "Adding me into the mix means massacre, huh? That's quite an insult, don't you think."
Godric took a sharp breath upon hearing that, however, what he said was true. Bringing a Steelhound along means this matter wouldn't stop just by killing one or two men.
Steelhounds are infamous for their brutal hunting style, and the young miss of the family seemed to be the one who has taken after her father when it comes to mass killing.
Alex heaved a weary sigh, and told the man, "Respected Patriarch, I was hoping to get your support in this, but it isn't like without you, I won't be able to participate. It's an open contest after all. So if you are having so many problems with our origin and motive, then I will excuse myself."
"Stop right there!" Just as Alex showed any movements, the soldiers surrounded him, pointing their spears towards his neck.
But then, a domineering aura surged from nearby, making the soldiers tremble in dread, as they felt their blood running cold
Rebecca's eyes were gleaming with something far more ominous than a threat; she was inches away from massacring these humans for pointing their weapons at her beloved.
"Don't you dare threaten him!" Her words resonated across the hall, and the pressure she extruded, was enough to make the soldiers back away immediately.
Godric raised his hand and gestured for them to go out. The soldiers heeded their command before the patriarch finally spoke,
"I am ready to support you, but on a single condition."
Alex raised his brows, no longer intending to walk out as he listened intently, "What that might be?"
"You need to completely dominate the field and make everyone know that Dorhales isn't just a vault of gold."
Alex was curious, "How will that be useful to you?"
"Umm...patriarch..." Before Godric could have said anything, the second in command interrupted, showing hesitation if Godric should be saying it.
However, "It's okay, Adam, he is worthy to know about it." Turning his eyes back to the silver head, Godric voiced, "Through this contest, we gain the right to vote during the Joint clan meeting. For the previous seven years, Eryndor has been enjoying the majority of votes since during the contest, only his warriors participate even in the quarter-finals."
Alex hummed, so that was the case. Through Alex, Godric wanted to make his presence profound during the meeting.
But unfortunately, after half a month or so, the world would no longer be focusing on these things. Once the Celestial Decree descends, every faction would be focused on choosing the Champion who can save their world from its doom.
But well, not like Alex could or ever would tell him about that. After all, because of Godric's deed, he was gaining himself a backer.
"Understood; I will thoroughly demolish any enemy I would be facing in the championship."
---------**-------
After the long and tiring meeting with the Patriarch, Alex and Rebecca returned to their room.
Once Rebecca entered the room, she couldn't help but ask, "Why did you reject taking another room?" Although she asked that, the elated smile on her face told how contented she was with his decision.
Alex simply responded, "I still do not trust these people, so if I find some unnecessary steps being taken, it would be easier to run away if we are together."
Rebecca hummed happily, as she sat down on the futon and invited Alex beside her.
"I am not sleeping on the same bed," Alex told her before he took out a folded bed for himself.
"I was just asking you to sit down tho..." Rebecca's eyes turned sad.
Since it was getting cold and it would take time for his bed to warm up, he slid into her blanket, before asking, "Ask whatever you wanna ask."
Rebecca, with a face full of smiles, joined him in the blanket, before asking, "Did you meet your informant?"
Alex heaved a sigh, "I did...but she had to run away given we were attacked."
Rebecca's smile faltered as she asked, "Why is it...always a woman, Alex?"
The silver head raised his brows, "I feel someone has asked the same thing from me in the past...but well, does it matter? Man or woman, information is information."
Rebecca was about to say something when suddenly,
*Slide*
The door of their room was slid open, only to reveal the second Princess standing there, "Hello, Mister Savior."
There was a beautiful smile on her face as she walked in, "Were you resting just now?"
Alex was a little taken aback by her abrupt behavior, but he responded soon after, "Yes, I was a little tired."
The Princess looked at the intimate closeness between the two, urging her to ask, "I thought you two were pretending to be betrothed?"
Rebecca narrowed her eyes; the previous warmth vanished, and her demeanor turned frosty as she asked, "Why do you care? And just so you know, Alex and I are bonded by a relationship much purer and closer than a simple engagement."
Alex felt his brows twitching...what is this girl on about?
The Princess didn't stop smiling as she voiced, "Well then, I won't disturb you anymore. I just came here to deliver this letter."
Alex took the letter from her with brows raised, "Who sent it?"
The other one shook her head, "I have no idea. It was just stated to you so I brought it to you."
Alex nodded before he looked down at the letter. A frown appeared on his face, "There is no name on it."
The Princess smilingly said, "Flip it."
Alex did as she asked...and was shocked to find the name written on it,
--To Ceaser.
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A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC112- First hunt
There is only a single person in this world who knows his real name: Sarah. However, he has told her not to call him by his name and, most importantly, never leave a trail that could let others know about his previous life.
The first reaction he had upon seeing his name was, "It's not Alex written here...why do you think it is for me?" He asked the Princess, who had yet to stop smiling.
She casually responded, "I just felt like it was meant for you. Now excuse me, my mother is waiting for me." Without providing any believable response or waiting to let him finish, she got up and walked away.
Rebecca looked at Alex with a frown and asked, "What happened? Is the letter not addressed to you?"
Alex didn't reply to her instantly. Rather, he got up and said, "Let me read it first before I could tell." Rebecca didn't follow him as Alex walked towards the window and carefully tore the envelope from the head end.
He had a bad feeling about this letter, but he didn't delay in reading it,
[Yo, brat. How is it going?]
Alex's eyes widened reading those words, and that voice resonated along with those words.
'Old man... ' He cannot be mistaken...this voice belongs to the same petulant old man who taught him the sword arts.
His hands shook upon hearing that voice after a long time. However, he retained his composure and read it further,
[I know you must be shocked to find this letter in a world where you have attained a different identity. However, I knew you would end up there..that was your destiny from the beginning.]
A deep frown knitted his brows as Alex read those words.
The old man knew that Ceaser would be reincarnated into this world. How? And in the first place, how did that old man send this letter if he was still back on Earth?
...or was he?
[I know you must have many questions but I cannot answer everything. That's why I am asking you to do me and yourself a favor and meet this man, Andre Black, at the foot of Tiger Hills and ask him about yourself. If he doesn't respond, beat him to a pulp; you have my permission.] Continue reading stories on empire
Alex couldn't stop himself from smiling. This is so like him.
There was a slight break before the old man added,
[I am sorry for hiding so many things even though I know about your identity, the moment I found you. I was forbidden...so, don't kill me if we come across at some point.
---Old man, Hachi.]
Alex chuckled, that old guy never told his name every time he asked. However, he finally revealed his name through a letter. Or was it a mistake?
Nevertheless, his name wasn't his concern at the moment. Alex was focused on something else entirely.
His fate...his reality, the old man knew about it even when he was Ceaser, not Alex.
What the heck is this all about? Wasn't Alex just a wuss who died because of his own foolishness? Then why was he surrounded with so many mysteries?
"Alex, I am dying of anxiety here." Rebecca voiced, still glued to the futon. Since her darling didn't want her to read, she obediently waited for him to tell her.
"Ah...it's from an old friend. He was warning me about what I am about to discover."
Rebecca raised her brows, "If he already knows it then why didn't he share it with you?"
Alex scoffed, "A damned being he is, who likes to play word games and make everything look mysterious."
Rebecca smiled, "From what I could see, you are close to that friend."
Alex nodded, "Yeah...he is a great person. Someone I respect."
.....
Soon the dinner arrived in their room. Fortunately, they weren't called to have dinner with others.
While Alex ate, his mind remained converged on all the possibilities that connect him with the real Alex or what origin they share for the old man to be aware of him.
Is it related to the curse? Alex couldn't help but think that it was all related to the single variable which, as Ceaser, he didn't know.
Rebecca, who noticed his frown, asked, "Would it be a problem if you at least not think about it while eating?"
Alex heaved a sigh, "I am having an identity crisis here, naturally, I would be worried."
Rebecca twirled the chopsticks in her fingers, and said, "Then let me tell you a story to divert your mind."
Alex raised his brows, "Your first love story?"
"You are my first, you know. And this is about the first hunt of my little brother."
"Ark?" Alex asked, which urged Rebecca to ask,
"You know him?"
Alex shrugged, "He was on the same team as me during internship training."
Rebecca grinned, "Well, he must have learned something from you. Now, let's focus on the story."
Resting the chopsticks on the foldable table, she began, "It was at that time when Ark was sent for his first hunt, and I, as a hunting enthusiast, insisted on guiding him."
A fond smile lifted the edges of her lips as she said, "You should have seen him; Ark was such a crybaby at that time that even a crunch of twigs terrified him. However, since our family was always under the threat of being betrayed we couldn't have allowed him to grow up in that manner."
Alex heaved a sigh, feeling slightly pity.
The Steelhound family has always remained excluded from human society since the beginning because of their untrustable origin. Although they gained the assurance from the Vampire Monarch, Steelhounds always had the threat of humans.
After all, the animosity of humans against inhumane races was quite profound in the past.
"So yeah, I brought him to a forest, far away from Chainedvale, so we can hunt without worrying about anyone seeing us. For a few days, I and Ark had fun killing beasts here and there, and Ark also attained some confidence in his skills with time. But then...we ended up angering an Alpha Wolf of a pack."
Alex raised his brows, "How old were you at that time?"
Rebecca casually responded, "Around thirty, perhaps? Though, by human standards, I probably looked about ten. Back then, I hadn't even awakened my Blood Arts."
"..." Allowing two kids to go hunting? Yeah, something to expect from Lord Steelhound.
Rebecca took a deep breath as she said, "I remember how we were getting chased by that beast for a very long time. Ark nearly surrendered at some point, but I carried him and ran all the way to Chainedvale's borders—where Father was waiting for us."
Alex grinned, "Lord Steelhound must have grilled that pup." After all, Alex was aware of the fondness Victor carries for his family.
However, Alex was off the mark. Completely.
"...he didn't do anything to the Alpha; rather, he picked us up and went back into the forest. Not responding to our cries, he threw us inside the cave where the Alpha used to live with his pack."
"..."
"The only thing he uttered was, 'This is your first lesson: Never depend on anyone for your own life.'"
"..." Alex was rendered speechless. Although he knew the man taught them a good lesson, the method was a little brutal.
Rebecca heaved a long sigh, "Well, thanks to that, we both awakened our blood arts and were able to realize the advantage of being a Vampire."
Alex finally was able to say something, "...and what is that?"
Rebecca, with a smirk, added, "Until we have blood around, we are practically immortal."
Alex slowly nodded, now realizing why Rebecca and one other Vampire were chosen for the Ascension trials.
Being a Vampire has already given her quite many benefits in comparison to humans. In addition to that, she was trained by one of the strongest vampires and a good teacher.
And the most glaring factor of her being chosen over her father was her Blood Arts.
The ability to manipulate blood would allow Rebecca to achieve something that is nothing but terrifying.
"So, is your mood elevated now?" Rebecca asked with a hopeful smile on her face.
Alex chuckled, "To lift my mood, you chose such a bloody story?"
Rebecca crossed her arms under her bust, and complained, "It's a good story, everyone says, so I thought you would love it as well."
"And who is this 'everyone' in question?"
"...Eric...and housemaid."
"Figured." Alex shook his head, as he finished eating his dinner.
For a few moments, both of them didn't say anything, as Rebecca only continued to watch him.
Just as Alex was about to get up, Rebecca said, "Thank you...for bringing me here."
Alex was surprised, "Why thanking me all of a sudden?"
Rebecca shook her head, "You won't understand how precious these moments are for me...that's why, thank you."
The smile on her face was alluring, making his heart skip a beat.
The devotion and warmth her eyes radiated was something only a woman in love could possess.
After a momentary pause, Alex said, "You wanna go for a walk?"
Rebecca smiled happily, "Yes!"
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A/N:- I will shed some light on other main characters once in a while as well. Thanks for reading.
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