While the Golden Dragon Palace experienced such commotion, it remained silent to the outside world.
However, the outside world was subjected to its own commotions.
With the passing of days, more and more people were arriving on Beast Emperor Star for the coming tournament. Most of these people took up residence in nearby cities to wait, but not everyone was the same.
One person decided that staying in the city wasn't enough.
Besides, she had a small connection to the Golden Dragon Royal Family.
With such thought in mind, she made her way to the palace and stood before the gates.
"I would like to request an audience with the Emperor," she stated to the guards,
However, she was met with immediate rejection.
"The palace is currently restricted for all our side personnel. You will be able to attain an audience with the Emperor when it comes time for the competition." The guard stated firmly.
The woman's eyes narrowed. She wanted to find a way into the palace to gain clues into the situation, especially since she was a woman whose victory wouldn't be valid even if she dominated the tournament.
After all, neither she nor Astoria swung that way!
Nevertheless, she wasn't too inclined to meet the Emperor.
She decided to give one more attempt before leaving it alone.
She took out an ancient emblem that she'd received from the Mystic Realm in the past and tossed it to the guard.
"Please show this emblem to your Emperor. If he still rejects my presence, I will leave peacefully."
Along with her words, she tossed a spatial ring filled with currency cards at the guards, immediately grabbing their attention.
"For such a courteous guest, we can at least do this much. However, if His Majesty still rejects, you must not cause a commotion," the guard warned as he withdrew a communication talisman and sent a recording of the emblem pattern to the main palace.
Within seconds, a response came back.
"You may enter," the guard proclaimed with widened eyes, handing her emblem back to her.
The gates were opened swiftly, and the woman was allowed into the palace.
She immediately felt the chaotic flow of mana, but since those escorting her didn't mention it, she also decided to ignore it.
Eventually, she made her way to the throne hall, standing before the Golden Dragon Emperor.
"Where did you receive that emblem?" The Emperor immediately demanded, his gaze solemn.
The woman bowed her head and cupped her hands in greeting.
"Responding to His Majesty, this one's name is Elena Pierce. I am a descendant of the Valkyries, and have been lucky enough to inherit their final will."
Her deep blue eyes shone in the golden splendor of the palace.
As the Golden Dragon Emperor looked her up and down, he truly couldn't see any qualities of a Valkyrie in her, however, the emblem she showed wasn't a lie.
The status of a Valkyrie could never be mimicked or imitated, and treasures of the Valkyries could only ever be used by Valkyries. This was an ancient law that had never been broken in the history of the universe.
"To think there would still be Valkyries remaining in this era…" the Golden Dragon Emperor muttered in reminiscence.
In the olden days, the Valkyrie Clan and Golden Dragon Clan, as two of the universe's greatest forces of justice and purity, had an inexplicably close relationship.
It was even said that the past generation's Valkyrie Queen and the Golden Dragon Emperor had a slight meeting of love in the past, but it was never known whether or not this story was true.
Nevertheless, seeing a descendent of the Valkyries enter his palace, the Emperor couldn't turn her down.
"I am assuming you have come for the Genesis Bead?" The Emperor mentioned.
Elena nodded her head. "Indeed. It is a peak treasure of Life that will be extremely beneficial for my path as a Valkyrie. However, I am aware that the current situation is incredibly chaotic. I will not ask for the Genesis Bead for free. First, I promise to aid the Golden Dragon Royal Clan in solving its current circumstances."
The Golden Dragon Emperor hesitated for a moment.
He'd already signed a Mana Oath with his daughter's tutor which promised him the Genesis Bead. Though a Mana Oath was something the Emperor could break without many personal consequences, it would heavily impact the fate of the Golden Dragon Clan, making it impossible for him to go back on his word.
However, he couldn't turn away a descendant of their sworn sister clan.
'Haa, how troublesome.'
"Currently, there are some issues and I cannot agree to your request. For now, I invite you to take residence within our palace. You may utilize the training areas and resources as you please to grow until the time comes when we can discuss the issue again."
Elena's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but she nodded regardless.
"Very well. I shall accept the Emperor's courtesy."
With another bow, Elena exited the throne room and followed a separate escort to her living chambers.
She entered the residence alone and collapsed on the bed, sighing to herself.
It had been a long time since she saw someone she knew.
'I wonder how they're all doing?' She thought as she reminisced on the old days
Her two sisters, the man she fell in love with, and all those in the Human Domain…
How were they doing right now?
She got into this mood often, thinking about the past.
After living several lonely years on her own, and spending even longer experiencing the lonely years of her predecessors, she felt that she was ready to try again with love.
Back then she left in a flurry of jealousy and misplaced compassion that, in reality, nobody asked for. With her current experience, she realized that walking the path she was currently walking, the path that Damien chose to walk, was incredibly lonesome.
It was hard to keep a sane mind in these circumstances even with people beside her.
Only that island of warmth that existed in the Human Domain could cleanse this loneliness.
But that island…
Elena shook her head, clearing her thoughts.
"Just how long will it be until I see your master again?" Elena spoke with an exasperated sigh.
"I only serve one master, and it is not the man you are referring to. However, I reckon it will not be too long before your wish is granted."
A feminine voice coalesced from the shadows nearby, soon followed by a figure.
This person was none other than Latia, Lucius' maid who Damien had assigned to protect Elena when she left all those years ago.
Her presence was both discovered and explained long ago, and ever since then, she'd been serving as Elena's attendant.
Even though she still took Lucius as her one and only master in this life, Elena's orders were only below his in her heart.
However, unlike Elena, Latia had lived in the Sanctuary for many years.
She remembered its scent well.
Nevertheless, in the current instance, she didn't say a word.
She didn't dare do such a thing without getting that terrifying man's permission first.
As she waited on the side, Elena rolled over into her stomach and buried her face in the bed.
For some reason, her reminiscent feelings were at an all-time high today.
Was it because of the upcoming Grand Assembly? Or maybe, now that she was finally away from Eien's terrifying battle atmosphere and the endless training of Valhalla's Mystic Realm, the feelings she'd been suppressing for so long were bursting forth.
"Haa…"
Elena sighed.
At this point, even the bed she was on started to smell like Damien.
'I must be going crazy.' She thought to herself as she tried to shake off the feeling.
However, just how would she react if she found out that her feeling wasn't just her imagination, but the true reality of the situation?
How would she feel if she realized that Damien had been staying in this room only a day prior, and the scent she was smelling was his residual aura?
Perhaps even the indifferent mind Elena had cultivated over all these years would collapse
Whether or not she'd ever make this realization, though…?
Only time could tell.
