A large room, surrounded by sliding doors and windows made of a latticework wooden frame.
At the nod of it all, a figure was visible seated on a throne atop a floor made of tatami mats.
Although the semi-transparent curtains ahead of her obscured her face, it was easy to tell who it was based on the outline of the shadow.
While still kneeling in front of the curtains, Ruby muttered, "Step mother...".
There were two guards standing next to her, one of whom held a spear, the other one carried a sword.
Ruby was the only one in the room. The others had to get some clean fresh clothes so that they wouldn't get sick. So she came after getting them some clean fresh clothes.
While she was returning, she noticed the city became more vibrant as the horned ones passed by their homes.
Despite the fact that it was nighttime, once the people became aware that more fleets had returned, they all went to find their family members.
Even the nobles sent their servants to the docks to pick up their related nobles.
Both commoners and nobles lived in this kingdom; the nobles owned parts of their own land and even giant houses within the kingdom.
Commoners and nobles were not separated, but it was clear that a commoner wouldn't simply walk around a place filled with nobles, for many reasons.
For one thing, they just wouldn't fit in, and that could sometimes lead to... Problems.
Ruby was currently in the king's palace, where the king rested and dealt with kingdom-related matters.
It was also where Ruby grew up.
In addition to her, only her father sat in that throne, so naturally she had expected it to be empty once she returned.
It never occurred to her that someone would already occupy the throne.
"Curtains." Said the person sitting behind said curtains.
Standing at the end of the room, the guards pulled back the curtains, revealing a young lady seated on top of the throne.
She had great curves and a slim yet plump figure that suited her title as queen.
Greenish cyan hair and yellow slit pupiled eyes with a hint of orange around the edges. Her horns were red on top, but they were covered in golden jewelleries on the bottom, giving them a completely different look.
From golden necklaces to even a golden ring at the edge.
It was without a doubt, Ruby's step mother.
"Step-mother, what is the meaning of this?" Ruby asked
The lady gasped.
"Ruby... You're alive...? No wonder the palace has been going crazy all night." She muttered as she gestured her to come closer. "I'm so happy to see you...! You'll be able to help us execute the plan!" Said the queen.
"Thank you, however, mind letting me in what this plan is?" Ruby asked.
"Watch your language! You are speaking to the queen!!" Said one of the guards as he pointed his weapon towards her.
"It's fine, it's fine." Said the queen as she gestured him to lower his weapon.
The guard apologised and did as instructed.
"The plan? Isn't it obvious? We will go strike back at those vile hyumans and bring out our revenge. The nobles are all in accordance with this idea of course." Said the queen with an amused expression.
"Just because the nobles are in accordance, the kingdom cannot make a move without the decision from a king or queen." Said Ruby.
A confused expression grew on the queen's face.
"Naturally, but the decision has already been made. Not to mention, we thought you were dead Ruby, so as the queen dowager, I am the one in charge of making the decision."
With blood-lust all being emitted from her eyes alone, she glared at the ceiling and muttered. "This is the decision I've made... They dared to kill my darling after all."
She was referring to the King, Ruby's father when she mentioned darling.
But that completely went over Ruby's head, she was still stuck on the first sentence.
The decision was already made.
'Oh no...' She thought to herself. 'I can't let them...!'
"But step-mother! If all the nobles leave the kingdom and go to war, what will keep us safe from the other kingdoms? And what could possibly protect us from our planet as our father mentioned? What if another race invades our planet?"
"Protecting the planet...? Ah, right... Ruby, did you really think our planet was under threat by another? Our labyrinths have been inactive for countless years, we've already claimed all their valuables, there is no planet that wants our things." Said the queen.
"But he said-"
Ruby was interrupted by the queen. "By protecting the planet, he meant world-peace. With the other kingdoms invading earth, they would naturally get stronger after claiming their labyrinths treasures.
Once they returned, they would start a war with us and the kingdoms of the surrounding continents. That was probably what darling was referring to." She said.
'If that was the case he would have just told us... You're right but... Father isn't a liar, he told me personally that the planet itself was being eyed by another planet, just waiting for it to drop its defences.
If the older nobles head to earth, it will be destroyed... But at the same time, what would be left of our kingdom after we return?'
Ruby realised first hand bad the situation was, it wasn't just going to be heading in and claim the throne and then convince the people to change their plans.
The plan was already in action.
'Damn it...! I can't allow for this to happen... Not just for my sake, but Gray and the other's...!"
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[Mark Of The King 1st Stage: Activated.]
Let out a deep breath, his grip over his katana tightened as he leaned forward.
Countless druid wolfs leapt at him simultaneously, the pause field was no longer deployed as it drained too much of his stamina.
With nothing to stop him, they leapt at him.
As the closest one bit into his arm, confusion filled it's mind as it realised it was just a silhoutte.
Gray had vanished from the spot, appearing above the swarm of the wolves, positioned upside down beneath a platform parallel to the floor.
With a single draw of his sword, the nearest one was sliced into pieces.
The muscles in Gray's legs contracted and expanded in an instant, bursting him from the platform to the floor.
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