CHAPTER 66 #6
"You and your pranks, Cass..." aniya, sabay iling.
Cassandra only grinned. "Relax. It's just a little welcome."
Tuluyang napalunok ang lahat nang maramdaman nila ang tatlong napakalakas na presensya na tuluyan nang huminto sa harap ng naglalakihang double doors.
She's finally back...
Her mana... it's more intense than before...
She's gotten ten times stronger...
Nakahanda na ang mga espada at punyal na lumulutang sa paligid ng entrance, ang mga talim ay nakatutok sa sinumang papasok.
Mabilis at marahang bumukas ang dalawang double doors. Unti-unting lumitaw ang mga anino ng tatlong pigura sa ibabaw ng pulang carpet, mahahaba ang kanilang mga anino habang pumapasok sa throne hall.
At bago pa man tuluyang makita ng mga Erenhal ang kanilang mga mukha, biglang kumilos ang mga espada at punyal.
Mabilis silang sumugod patungo sa tatlong pigura.
Ngunit sa halip na tamaan ang mga bagong dating, biglang nagbago ang direksyon ng lahat ng mga ito.
The attacks turned back toward the Erenhals.
Nagsimula silang umiwas sa mga espada at punyal na bumalik sa kanila, habang si Raquim lamang ang hindi inatake.
"What the fuck?!" sigaw ni Cassandra.
Mabilis namang nakaiwas ang mga Erenhal sa mga bumalik na punyal at espada. Isa-isa nilang inilabas ang kani-kanilang magic circles, bawat isa ay may iba't ibang kulay, bago winasak ang mga sandatang lumilipad patungo sa kanila.
Nang tuluyang maglaho ang mga espada at punyal, bumalik ang katahimikan sa throne hall.
Devi slowly lowered her hand, her expression cold as she looked at Cassandra. "Nadamay pa ako sa kalokohan mo, Cassandra."
Thaddeus, Lucius, and King Drakkon couldn't help but laugh. Their deep voices echoed throughout the throne hall, filling the dark hall with laughter after Cassandra's failed prank.
Raquim stood completely still when he finally saw the woman walking at the center of the three figures.
Ang isa sa mga kalahating erenhal ay hindi napigilang mapanganga nang tuluyan niyang masilayan ang isang pigurya.
That beauty...
The woman wore a fitted black dress with a high slit, carrying herself with an unmistakable sense of authority. Every step she took along the red carpet was calm and confident, while her heavy presence filled the entire throne hall.
Her long burgundy-red hair flowed behind her with every step, catching the faint light of the hall. Her hour-glass curves moved gracefully across the red carpet.
Behind her walked two more figures.
The first was Lucy Pearl, the Fallen Angel.
She wore a simple black dress paired with black stilettos, her long black hair flowing behind her.
Even without her wings and horns, she carried an unmistakable presence.
Her dark eyes and otherworldly appearance made it clear that she was far from an ordinary being.
Beside her walked Anastacio.
He was a tall man dressed in a black suit, his long orange-red hair falling behind his shoulders. His golden eyes remained calm, yet his presence carried the same authority as Rassia's.
He did not need to announce who he was. The sheer pressure of his mana was enough.
Habang naglalakad ang tatlo sa gitna ng throne hall, isa-isang lumuhod ang mga kalahating erenhal na nakahilera sa magkabilang panig.
Sabay sabay silang yumuko at inilapat ang isang kamay sa kanilang dibdib bilang tanda ng paggalang.
"We greet the return of the rightful ruler of the Erenhal Sartorias Empire, Rassia Saint Quentin, the Child of Fire! We greet the presence of the Fallen Angel, Lucy Pearl!"
The Half-Erenhals remained kneeling as the herald continued.
"And we are honored to stand once again in the presence of the Eternal Phoenix, Anastacio!"
Drakkon smiled proudly, like a father welcoming his daughter home after years of waiting. His ruby eyes remained fixed on Rassia as she finally approached the throne.
"Welcome back, Little Red."
Bahagyang napangisi si Rassia habang pinagmamasdan ang mga Erenhal na nakapaligid sa kanya.
"So this is how you welcome me after three years?"
Bahagyang tinaas niya ang isang kilay. "Very touching."
May ilang Erenhal na napangiti, habang ang iba naman ay pilit na pinipigilan ang kanilang tawa.
Cassandra immediately smirked.
"There she is."
Rassia glanced at her.
"Missed me, Cass?"
"Unfortunately."
Rassia let out a quiet laugh.
"Good. I missed annoying you too."
Dumapo ang tingin ni Rassia sa batang nakatayo sa tabi ni Drakkon.
For a moment, she simply stared at him. Raquim looked back at her, his ruby eyes quietly studying the woman he had heard so many stories about.
Then Rassia's expression softened and gave him a gentle smile.
Maya-maya, hindi na napigilan ni Raquim ang kanyang emosyon. Namumuo ang luha sa kanyang mga mata bago tuluyang tumulo ang mga ito.
"Mommy..." mabilis siyang tumakbo patungo kay Rassia. Agad namang yumuko si Rassia at sinalubong ito, at mahigpit na niyakap ang kanyang anak.
Raquim buried his face against her as he cried. Marahang hinaplos ni Rassia ang kanyang buhok.
"I missed you too, Raquim..."