Immortal Kingdoms

It was yet another bloody evening in the depths of the Forbidden Domain. A region of death stretched as far as the eye could see from the energy ore deposits mines. A small encampment was built within the depths of a canyon, and this encampment was occupied by over a dozen mortal cultivators and a few saints with fearsome auras.

Other than the weeping winds carrying the unwilling souls of the fallen, heavy panting and thought-provoking moans weaved through the air. However, some of these moans were muffled, some broadcasted the bitterness in their cries, and some presented how pleasurable the experience is, albeit unwillingly.

Of the saints supposedly under Xavier's command, Anvil was the one with the worst temper of them all. While everyone else was silently meditating in their private artificial cave dwellings, he occupied one of the stone rooms of the military encampment.

Here, he could subvert the energy flow of the energy vein underneath the earth to scrape some benefits to himself before the remaining platoon of six saints and twenty-four mortals arrive. When the two groups convene and the entire planet descends into a planar war, their goal of coming here could be considered half complete.

However, no matter how he tried to calm himself down, he couldn't toss away this bad premonition that silently crept into his mind. He suspected it had to do with Xavier leaving early today, but no one knows where that guy went.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Suddenly, the muffled noise of four heavy impacts roused Anvil awake from his deep thoughts, only to be shocked to see his four saint companions knocked unconscious on the floor of his room. Before he could react, a wave of dizziness clouded his mind and thereafter he accompanied them in their slumber.

A small silver fox slowly materialized from thin air, her cold crimson eyes bore into Anvil's mind for a quick, clean, and efficient soul search. It was odd that all of their memories indicated the presence of one last person, but what gave her a headache was the fact that none of these saints knows the true identity of their masters.

It's like they've been raised like domesticated animals in the shadows to carry the dirty labor no questions asked. Whatever, perhaps presenting those five to the elven race could spark things up a bit, thought Aria.

She stretched her domain of will to envelope the five of them, casting a rather pitiable gaze over the bodies of the two female saints as she couldn't fathom what treatment they'd suffer from in recompense.

…

By the time Aria made it back to the palace, Leonardo was on his way to check up on Azalea in her bedroom chambers. It has been over a few hours since their meeting, and he trusted that she had time to calm down, take a warm shower, and collect her thoughts.

Although Leonardo had a good idea and could make an educated guess about the identity of those seemingly powerful saints, it was better to be sure. Nonetheless, he couldn't help feeling a bit apprehensive, anxious, and excited at the same time, even though his lifeless eyes betrayed no such feelings.

If he had inadvertently pulled a few of Nier's enemies into a windmill of death the moment they stepped foot into Arcadia, that would be something wonderful. Hence, he collected his thoughts and knocked on Azalea's door.

As he waited for permission to go in, he noticed Aria coming over from the corner of his eye, prompting him to turn around and welcome the little fox into his chest, rubbing her little head.

"Where do you go off to every now and then?" Leonardo asked curiously, with the full knowledge that this magical beast won't respond no matter what he said. Thus, one man and one animal stared down at each other's eyes silently until the door clicked open, revealing Azalea in a blue nightgown and damp black hair.

Her eyes were a bit red and swollen still, but her overall psyche wasn't as turbulent anymore. This was Leonardo's first time seeing this headstrong woman dressed in something so revealing, it almost felt like she was intentionally trying to seduce him by drawing his pity and compassion.

Although she was incredibly attractive, Leonardo had long since built some mental resistance towards the charms of the opposite sex at this time. Perhaps if she offered herself a year back when he was still inexperienced and curious, but he could guarantee now that no one could seduce him against his will when it came to this department.

"Are you feeling well enough for a chat now?" Leonardo asked in a flat tone, his gaze roving about Azalea's curves and presentable moist cleavage. Although he wouldn't touch it, enjoying it while he could was an option. However, this brazen act of his only serves to embolden and build a foundation of hope in Azalea's heart. Still, she couldn't help but look down on him as this attempted seduction was simply too easy.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Azalea clasped her hands between her thighs and bowed her head, taking her seduction game to the next level. However, Leonardo felt like he had seen enough, and thus, he merely walked past her without sparing the scenery a glance while responding, "Drop the formalities for now, tell me the most you can within as little of a time as possible instead."

Leonardo walked over to a sofa in the massive bedroom and sat down, glancing over toward the door only to find Azalea awkwardly bowing her head, too stiff with disbelief to straighten herself back up. That is to say, the view from behind wasn't that bad.

"Cough!" Leonardo decided to stimulate her absent mind by interrupting her chaotic thoughts. Only then did Azalea snap back out of it and stand straight, biting her bottom lip to sort out her emotions that went from an all-time high to an all-time low just like that.

She felt like she was treated like a cheap product that could be visually enjoyed but not physically touched. Although this was a stupid decision she came up with, her pride and self-esteem were still hurt because in her mind at least, Leonardo was just another ordinary man just like herself.

Furthermore, he was clearly way younger than a mature woman like herself. From his young appearance, he should be around that age where temptations are most fatal. However, despite that, her figure couldn't elicit much of a reaction from him whatsoever.

Although vexed inside, Azalea took a deep breath and retreated to sit on a sofa opposing Leonardo since he occupied a single-seat sofa. No matter how brazen she was, she wouldn't directly sit down on his lap.

"Go ahead and laugh all you want, I am the one bowing her head and groveling at your feet for protection after all," Azalea smiled self-deprecatingly as she reflected on her conduct. She couldn't help but curse at herself.

"It's fine," comforted Leonardo, "Our minds tend to nudge us into taking drastic measures during desperate times. Don't sell yourself short and cheap. Since I gave you a bed to sleep on and a roof to rest under, I naturally won't chase you away."

As he spoke, Leonardo stretched out his hand. With a bit of spatial fluctuations, an oversized white jacket left his spatial ring and hung on his arm.

Azalea hesitated for a bit before accepting the jacket and wrapping it around her shoulders, instantly feeling a bit of her dignity coming back to her. After being silent for a moment to collect her thoughts, she began to patiently elaborate on her experience after Leonardo left Valdmor…