Varian's killing intent lingered around Baldur. No one else was able to percieve it save for the man it was targetted at.
'Big brother, I'm not trying to betray you! You still have those crazy clips of mine.' Baldur wanted to smash his head on the asteroid to prove his undying loyalty.
He'd have done so if only it didn't complicate the already complicated situation.
Composing his mind, Baldur's gaze towards the envoys hardened. "Prince of Pala Kingdom, the 4th candidate of the crown, I, Baldur, accept your humble greetings."
The atmosphere changed in a few words.
Baldur knew he was weak. So, he used his lineage and the merit recognized by the king himself to exalt himself.
"…Greetings, Your Highness."
"May your enemes have sleepless nights."
"Glory be yours."
No matter how begrudging they were, the three envoys lowered their heads, placed their fists over their hearts, and greeted him in a formal tone.
The Pala Kingdom wanted the best prince to take over. But it did not want an arrogant servant.
If it was a high ranker, it'd have been different. But all of them were new to the political landscape and only got this mission because they were loyal underlings. In other words, they had no immunity if they acted impudently against Baldur.
'Just because you are born with a good natal treasure, your status is higher than me. Even though I trained more, shed more blood, and worked harder.' Ashley's body trembled as anger filled her being.
She was better than Baldur in every aspect. She just didn't have a natal treasure—she wasn't born with it! It wasn't her fault!
"I will converse with my siblings when they arrive. Chief Varian, you may leave." Baldur said.
Surprised and pleased at the turn of events, Varian slowly got up. He used his aura to quickly seal the wounds from spilling blood.
If Baldur wouldn't be coerced by these guys, then the plan could proceed without any variables.
As he turned around and staggered to his spaceship, keeping up his appearance as a man inflicted with major injuries and not scratches he could heal in minutes.
"Hey."
A thick aura enveloped his limbs and locked him in place.
"You aren't pardoned off yet." Ashley's voice was cold, mad, and on the verge of exploding.
Varian didn't know what he did to piss her off.
Baldur frowned and looked at Ashley. "I told you to let him go."
"Your Highness, we are here on official duty. That man lied to us about your presence here. Lying to an officer on the king's decree deserves severe punishment. Killing him isn't even a crime. I'll be rewarded for my action." Ashley's cold blue spear glowed with a menacing light.
Baldur's eyes widened as he realized this lady was absolutely out of her mind. Stepping between Varian and her, he spread his arms. "Are you going to disobey my orders? Disobey a prince?"
"With all due respect, I am here under the decree of the king. You cannot obstruct me from my duties, Prince." Ashley's body blurred and she flashed forward.
Baldur was just a rank 4. Even though he tried his best, the rank 6 female warrior easily slipped past him and reached Varian.
Holding up his sword, Finar also joined the fun and the two envoys surrounded Varian left and right.
Before Baldur could say anything, the sword and spear glittered with brilliant lights.
"Stop!"
An arm flew into the air, severed right at the joint. Two bloodied lungs were ripped open. Blood splashed out like a flood breaking out of a dam.
A heavy iron scent reached his nose, causing Baldur to flinch.
"I said stop!" He ran to Varian's rescue but the envoys dragged him away and raised their weapons once again.
As they were about to deliver a killing blow, Varian decided to counterkill.
Just moments after he thought everything was going smoothly, the plan failed spectacularly. He'd now have to risk moving the entire population into Hortus and hope that the princes wouldn't find it.
If Hortus was found housing tens of billions of humans, no one would believe that it's just another special dimension.
The truth would be out and Varian couldn't even begin to imagine the hunt that would follow for a Synthetic World—a strategic treasure for kingdoms and the pride of topmost duchies.
Worse, Hortus was the only perfect world. If even such speculation came about, then forget kingdom, he might be chased down by the Alliance itself.
'Why do things always go so fucking wrong?' Varian's aura changed, the slivers' power began to activate in his blood and a dangerous aura started to bloom.
As he was about to cripple Finar and Ashley, Edison appeared and kicked Varian away.
'What?' Varian held back from lashing out and bore the attack.
Edison was trying to save him.
But why?
Edison, the 6-foot chubby purple man, looked at Ashely and Finar with a silent but strong gaze.
Ashley's rage cooled down and Finar also came to his senses. He wasn't really angry, but beating up Varian who humiliated him so far was so much fun.
As if they had come to a prior agreement, they began to attack Varian. Each attack was ruthless and inflicted tremendous pain.
Perhaps it was intended for him to scream out and beg for mercy.
Varian went through much worse with only a frown on his face but now, he had to groan in pain like a normal person would.
"Stop!"
Like sculptors, they chipped away his body—skin, flesh, bones.
"I said stop it!"
Baldur's screams were ignored. His attempts to rescue Varian proved futile.
"Please! Please stop it!"
Baldur kept screaming like a madman. At this point, he was less worried about Varian blackmailing him with that video.
He just shuddered at the thought that these bastards were about to kill Princess Isadora's husband!
If that really happened, not just these three, but their friends, families, backers—every related head would roll in the kingdom.
It'd be a bloodbath and might push the Pala kingdom into a Centaurus-like decline.
"I beg you! I beg you, please stop it! I'll do whatever you say!" Baldur lowered his head, covering his teary face, and conceded.
The attacks stopped.
Finar wiped the blood off his face but couldn't wipe out the nasty smirk. "But we are envoys. You are the prince. We cannot order you. It'd be blasphemy!"
Those words were filled with sadistic joy and sarcasm.
Just a few moments ago, they lowered their heads and now, the Prince lowered his arrogant head!
Edison looked on with a calm smile while Ashley's chest heaved up and down, a mad smile arching on her lips.
'Y-Yes! This is it! This pleasure, to see a good-for-nothing royalty like him kneel and beg in front of me...' Her wings spread open and vibrated as she reveled in unprecedented joy.
Ignoring her weirdness, Edison took charge of the situation calmly, saying the words he wanted in a way that wouldn't get him in any future trouble. "My Prince is worried about your health since you're traveling so much."
Baldur's face paled as he understood the implication but looking at the bloodied Varian, he gritted his teeth and nodded. "I'll be staying in the guest house of Pluto until this mission ends."
