Bashido, standing tall and imposing announced, “Your Majesty, we have brought Dr. Kintovar as requested.” The Elite Guard, including Bashido bowed in unison before their king.

  King Maizen raised his hand in response. “At ease.”

  The Elite Guard got back to their feet. King Maizen looked to his Elite Guard and began with stern tone. “Report on your st mission.”

  Muiler G spoke up, “Our mission was a success, Your Majesty. We elimihe Mystical creatures before they could breach the West and we’ve located the source of their formation within our barriers. It’s the shield of creation, one of the goddess items and we’ve narrowed down its location.”

  Kintovar couldn’t hide her surprise at the mention of the goddess item but she had to remain silent.

  Princess Anitiated for a moment before adding, “We’ve also discovered that the traitor who possesses the shield of creation only be one of our own soldiers. It must be someoh a high status. It could only be ae Guard or one of their Lieutenants.”

  Prince Vuldo chimed in. “Ihe traitor must be someoh access to cssified information and high clearance. We arrow it down further. There are a few possibilities.”

  Bashido decred, “Whoever the traitor is, I’ll crush their heads.”

  King Maizen’s smile never wavered, but he enveloped himself in a dark aura, and a pressure of his own energy effected everyohin the room, slowing down their regur movements, his Elite Guard included. Muiler G held a sadistic smile in the face of the king’s dark aura uhe others that showed signs of struggling.

  King Maizen’s dark aura slowly dissipated. “I know I didn’t o remind any of you of my power. You all know it well by now, but even so, sider this a reminder. I do not want to accuse any of you in this room.”

  His gaze swept across his Elite Guard. “Punishment for betrayal is death at the hands of the King. That will be all.”

  The Elite guard was dismissed; however, King Maizen’s said loudly, “Muiler G, you will stay behind.”

  Muiler G turned around and gave respectful nod. “Uood.”

  The rest of the Elite Guard filed out of the throne room, leaving only Muiler G, Kintovar, Roselle, Risebelle, Runebelle, and King Maizen in the grand chamber.

  King Maizen turned his attention to Kintovar and the others. “I apologize for the wait, Dr. Kintovar. Administrative matters be quite time-ing. I am King Maizen, ruler of the Westerory.”

  Kintovar nodded her head, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, King Maizen. I have with me Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle.”

  King Maizen aowledged them with a nod.

  Roselle offered a warm smile aurhe king’s. “It’s o meet you, King Maizen.”

  Risebelle’s nod was curter. Her gaze was cold with a hint of disdain

  Runebelle, in trast seemed overwhelmed by the grandeur of the throne room. She hung her head in her usual gloomy demeanor. Seeing this, Roselle gently moved Runebelle’s head up to meet the king’s gaze. With a gentle, encing tone, Roselle whispered, “It’s okay, Runebelle. Just give a nod.”

  Runebelle managed a small nod in response.

  The King smiled. “A pleasure to meet you all. I’ve heard about your ret as, Dr. Kintovar. Bailing out Juliana Kintovar, one of the top 10 criminals in our realm, is a rather ued move. What brings you to my castle today?”

  Kintovar met King Maizen’s gae and expined, “I seek your permission for Juliana Kintovar to leave the Western Kingdom and apao the Eastern Kingdom. I have a proje the East, and I believe her expertise could be valuable.”

  King Maizen leaned ba his throh intrigue. He then said, “Dr. Kintovar, do you realize that the Eastern aern Kingdoms are currently in a state of enmity? A war is brewiween our cities; however, due to the uping Annual Tour, the East has temporarily set aside their differences with us to allow our Western Kingdom to pete this year.”

  King Maizen’s face grew serious. “Releasing a top 10 criminal like Juliana Kintovar to the public eye is not a simple matter, Dr. Kintovar. The implicatioend far beyond our borders. It won’t be just the Eastern Kingdom my decision; the North and South Nations will also be watg closely.”

  He leaned forward. “By allowing Juliana to leave the Western Kingdom, we risk raising suspis and fueling tensions with other nations. Our allies, and potential enemies, will scrutinize our as. It could be perceived as a sign of weakness or an attempt to undermihe stability of the realm. Furthermore, the release of a top 10 criminal could lead to u within our own kingdom. These are serious risks that must be weighed carefully.”

  Kintovar aowledged the information with a nod. “I’m aware of the tensioween our kingdoms, but I believe the project I’m w on could be both Kingdoms. It is of the utmost importance, and I assure you, King Maizen, that I do not take this request lightly.”

  King Maizen furrowed his brow. “That’s very iing, but I need more details about this project of yours. otential bes does it hold for both kingdoms?”

  Kintovar respo an instant. “My project is tered on unlog the power of the goddess item, the 7 star crimso is believed to possess immense capabilities that could bring great advao your kingdom.”

  King Maizen’s face grew stern. His demeanor being more imposing. “That’s not good enough. I sidered your offer because I believed you had something of great value to present and because you are a smart woman. However, one single be—even one as potentially signifit as the 7 Star Crimson Bde is not suffit for me to justify the release of a top 10 criminal. Even if it’s the prize of the Tour.”

  He leaned forward. “You must uand that the stakes are high. The implications of such a decision require more than just assurances of potential gain. I need something more crete, more pelling, to justify this risk.”

  Kintovar met his gaze with resolve. “Very well, King Maizen. I uand.” She took a deep breath and murmured to herself, ‘Looks like I’ll have to pull out my trump card.’ Her thoughts turned inward and she mentally pictured Rawna within her mind. ‘I’m sorry, Rawna. This is the only way to make our pn work’.

  Kintovar took a deep breath and addressed King Maizen with newfound resolve. “If you are willing to sider my request, I propose my team entering the Annual Tour. All the goddess items are bound to be there, including the Spear of Destru currently owned by Rawna of the South. I will find a way to obtain that spear and deliver it to you.”

  A smirk slowly spread across King Maizen’s face. “The Spear of Destru, you say? With its power in my possession, I would have the means to solidify my authority and ensure no one questions my judgments again. The power it holds would be unparalleled.”

  He paused for a moment, pting. “However, there is the possibility that you could use the spear against us. I must take precautions.”

  King Maizeended his hand, and a circle of dark energy materialized around Kintovar, binding her in pce. Kintovar’s eyes widened. She felt the magical restraints tightening. She struggled momentarily but Maizen said, “I won’t be taken for a fool. Do not struggle. You need only agree with what I say, or disagree.”

  Risebelle’s eyes fred with anger. She summoned her on and directed the on at King Maizen.

  Kintovar, still struggling within the restraints shouted, “No, don’t do it, Risebelle! Please!”

  Risebelle’s growl intensified. She was tense for a moment but eventually, her face began to soften. She then lowered the on.

  King Maizen observed the se with a smirk. He began his questioning. “Dr. Kintovar, do you io use the Spear of Destru to destroy the Western Kingdom?”

  Kintovar took a deep breath. “No, I do not.”

  When she spoke, the dark bindings around her loosened slightly, a glimmer of relief. King Maizen’s gaze remained peing but he nodded slightly. “Very well. What about the Eastern Kingdom? Will you use the spear against them?”

  “No,” Kintovar replied firmly. The bindings rexed further.

  King Maizen’s eyes narrowed. “And what of your own motives? Are you seeking to further your own power or ambitions with this spear?”

  Kintovar shook her head. “No, my iions are solely to advance a project that could be both the Eastern aern Kingdoms.

  The bindings around Kinthtened. King Maizen’s eyes gleamed with satisfa. “It seems you may have ulterior motives after all. “O question: Do you io deliver the Spear of Destru to me?”

  Kintovar hesitated for a moment a minute while giving grunts against the pain of the magic tightening around her. Finally, she said, “Yes.”

  The moment her answer left her lips, the magical bindings around her vanished into nothingness. Kintovar exhaled in relief and rubbed her wrists where the dark magic was focused.

  King Maizen spoke while maintaining a ral look. “I am somewhat surprised. Most who promise to deliver the spear end up being liars, yet you have only told one lie. I respect that.”

  The King regarded her with a thoughtful gaze. “Now, what makes you so fident in your ability to secure the spear and fulfill your promise?”

  Kintovar met his gaze with resolve. “I have meticulously phis endeavor. I have three extraordinary entrants: Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle, whom I brought with me. They are not ordinary partits; they were created with advaeology and possess souls. They are the first of their kind and I guarahat they will not only survive but also dominate and elimihe petition at the Annual Tour.”

  King Maizen’s eyes widened with i. “Fasating. Your creations are indeed remarkable.”

  He leaned forward with his tone being more serious. “However, be aware that my Elite Guards will also be participating iour. It doesn’t matter who emerges victorious as long as your mission succeeds. Keep that in mind.”

  He paused for a moment before tinuing, “Given your assurand the uniqueness of your entrants, I will grant you permission to proceed. Deliver on your promises, or the sequences will be severe.”

  Before leaving, Muiler G spoke up firmly. “Their teology is iion, sir and o be examined by our teological specialist. Any robotic lifeform, regardless of type must be checked to ehey be medically repaired a our safety standards.”

  King Maizen nodded. “Ah, yes, I nearly fot about that. It’s a standard procedure for nanic partits. Muiler G, please escort them to Princess Anitina.”

  Kintovar raised an eyebrow. “Your princess is a teological specialist?”

  King Maizen chuckled lightly. “Princess Anitina has a remarkable talent for teology. She ehat all teological aspects of our kingdom are running smoothly and effitly. You’ll find her expertise invaluable.”

  Kintovar nodded with one hand under her . “Very well, if it’s part of the process, we’ll ply.”

  Kintovar, along with Roselle, Risebelle and Runebelle, found themselves in a well-equipped boratory. It rincess Anitina’s domain, where she ducted her work as a teology specialist.

  Princess Anitina was still dressed in her royal attire. She turo the group and spoke, “I have to ge into my work attire. Please wait here for a moment.” With that, she gracefully exited the room to prepare for the uping safety and patibility test.

  As Princess Anitihe room to ge, Muiler G entered, and Roselle excimed, “Look, its Elite Guard Muiler G!”

  Muiler G responded with a warm smile, “You just call me Mui. It’s what everyone knows me by. No need for formalities outside of the throne room.” She then g the group and added, “I heard one of you is named Roselle. It has to be you.”

  Roselle nodded. “Yes, I’m Roselle.”

  Mui’s eyes twinkled with i. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Roselle. It’s not every day we have someoh your talents visiting our kingdom. Do you io enter our practice tour as well?” She pced one hand on Roselle’s shoulder.” I’m looking forward to seeing what you do.”

  Roselle blushed, feeling some excitement and nervousness. “Um...thank you, Mui... And a practice tour? ”

  Risebelle interrupted, “Wait, how do you know about Roselle?”

  Mui smiled and said, “The practice tour is held every year before the Eastern Annual touro get hters prepared. It’s not mandatory, but it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills a some experience before the mai. That’s where your talents shine, Roselle.”

  Risebelle lowered her eyes and interjected, “Are you just gonna ignore me? Answer my question!”

  Mui’s smile remained warm. “OH, I hear things. People talk and when someone as talented as Roselle is around, the rumors tend to spread. Don’t worry; it’s all good things they say about you.”

  Risebelle raised an eyebrow. “Rumors, you say? But we haven’t even had a ce to do anything hy here in the West yet.”

  Mui chuckled. “Well, sometimes, people are just good at reizing potential when they see it, even before the big achievements happen. You ’t fault them for being perceptive.”

  Risebelle’s suspi lingered. She thought to herself, ‘Something is strange about this Mui woman. How did she really hear about Roselle?’

  Despite her doubts, Risebelle remained silent for the moment.

  Princess Anitiered the b with a stist’s outfit and greeted the group with a warm smile. “I’m ready to begin the safety and patibility test. Thank you for your patience.”

  She then noticed Muiler G in the room and remarked, “Oh, Mui, you’re here too. Is there anything I help you with?”

  Mui shook her head. “o worry about me, Princess. I was just on my way out. I’ll leave you all to your business.”

  Mui exited the room.“Alright,” Princess Anitina said. “It’s time to duct the Safety and patibility test. Please, follow me.” She gestured for Kintovar and her creations to apao the testing area, where the evaluation would take pce.