The Guardian gods Chapter 846

Amidst their squabble, the once heavy atmosphere of the palace grounds was enlivened by the gentle friction of silk and the muted clatter of armored suits. A formation of palace guards, accompanied by a retinue of maids, emerged from the archways. Upon witnessing the Princess and her guardian return, albeit adorned with frost and wood splinters, they promptly executed deep, well-rehearsed bows.

"Welcome back to the palace, Your Highness," the captain of the guard declared, his voice maintaining a composed tone despite the unfolding drama.

Lunara and Nova momentarily ceased their argument, offering only a curt nod in return, a display of refined royal decorum they instinctively donned. The instant the guards straightened, the pair resumed their dispute, directing their steps toward the inner chambers.

The palace staff observed their departure, exchanging knowing, world-weary smiles. With a collective exhalation, the mages within the staff commenced a soft incantation. Effervescent waves of magic swept over the courtyard, sealing the fractured stones, dissipating the ice, and clearing away the residual debris from the concussive force. It was, quite simply, another ordinary day within their Godling Kingdom.

The remainder of the day dissolved into a haze, eventually yielding to the tranquil progression of evening. Lunara's footsteps resonated softly through the palace's vacant corridors as she paused, her gaze drawn to the distant horizon.

The nocturnal sky above was a spectacle that defied simple articulation. It felt as though a silent recompense was being offered; for enduring the biting gales and stark desolation of the Icy Expanse, the heavens bestowed a boon in the form of the aurora. Ribbons of emerald and amethyst light pirouetted across the starscape, casting an ethereal luminescence upon the frost-bound realm below.

Drawing her eyes from the window's vista, Lunara found herself positioned before the imposing doors of her brother's study. A moment of hesitation seized her, her hand poised above the latch for a fleeting instant, before she finally pushed the door inward.

Her brother was present, engrossed in his duties, his face almost brushing against a report he was meticulously perusing. As Lunara entered the chamber, her nostrils detected a subtle fragrance, sharp and familiar. Someone else had occupied this space mere moments before her arrival.

Offering her brother a deep bow, Lunara broke the quietude. "Brother, why did the Lady of the House depart so suddenly?"

Wulv remained focused on his desk, not lifting his head. "She was of the opinion that we required some private time," he replied in a level tone. His demeanor suggested a clear lack of shared sentiment.

Lunara drew a steadying breath, steeling herself. "I am here to brief you on the outcome of the mission concerning the Beast King. There are... certain observations I made. Matters I deemed it prudent for you to learn directly from me."

"And where is the formal report?" Wulv inquired. He finally raised his gaze, fixing it upon her.

Lunara shifted nervously, her fingers idly tracing the texture of her sleeve before she responded. "Nova forfeited a wager. Consequently, he bears the responsibility for the documentation this time."

"You resorted to deception once more, did you not?" Wulv posited. While framed as a question, his frigid, even tone imbued it with the weight of an accusation.

"I did not," Lunara blurted out by reflex. Realizing the gravity of her audience, she tempered her response. "I merely employed superior strategy," she added, tilting her head slightly, a spark of defiance glinting in her eyes.

"Hmph," was the sole utterance she received. The scratching of a quill resumed as Wulv recommenced his writing on the parchment. "You may dispense with the narrative of the hunt and evasion. Come to the crux of the matter: what did you observe that necessitates my attention?"

Lunara felt her inclination to elaborate vanish. Her desire to convey the exhilaration of the chase, the clang of weaponry, and the raw intensity of witnessing the two princes in action was quelled by the palpable, cold efficiency permeating the room.

Releasing a profound sigh, she raised her hand, conjuring a luminous magical duplicate of a signet ring. Wulv's gaze flickered over the projected image for a mere instant before returning to his documents. Despite perceiving his dismissive reaction, Lunara continued her account.

"These are the tokens provided by the Menagerie to the Beast Kings under their sway," she elucidated, her voice regaining its firmness. "However, recent occurrences indicate that their distribution protocol for these rings is woefully insufficient. It has transcended mere matters of prestige; it is actively instigating considerable diplomatic tension with neighboring realms."

"I am confident that a comparable situation is unfolding across the other continents," she pressed on, her tone adopting a sharp inflection of conviction. "Most critically, if our people are indeed to venture beyond our established territories to forge new settlements and expand our influence, this issue demands resolution. Their very security hinges upon it."

Lunara felt a surge of impatience at his prolonged silence, as if she were conversing with an inanimate object. "I propose we initiate direct communication with the Menagerie," she declared, leaning forward slightly. "An envoy should be dispatched to formally petition for an alteration in their distribution policy concerning the rings."

"Mmm," Wulv responded with a noncommittal sound, his pen still moving across the parchment. "That matter has already been addressed. Negotiations commenced the instant this developed into a systemic problem. The truth is, the Menagerie is occupied with its own internal conflicts, which explains why rogue Beast Kings are still at large."

He eventually ceased his writing but did not look up. "The Beast Kings currently wreaking havoc globally are those the Menagerie lacks the capacity to subdue. Consequently, they are compelled to depend on Godlings and human cultivators to rectify their failures."

Lifting his gaze to meet the Princess's eyes, Wulv's expression remained serene. "Was this the critical issue you were so determined to bring to my attention?"

Instead of responding verbally, Lunara's knuckles audibly cracked as she clenched her fists. A familiar, acrid sensation settled within her chest. Once more, she had been preempted, denied the opportunity to demonstrate her capabilities before she could even fully comprehend the situation. This was invariably how it unfolded; he acted swiftly and decisively, resolving crises before she could even grasp their full scope.

"My apologies for consuming your valuable time, Elder Brother," she stated, her voice strained. Offering a curt, formal bow, she turned to depart the chamber.

"Now that your concerns have been addressed, I have a matter of my own I wish to discuss with you," Wulv announced, his voice compelling her to halt.

Lunara froze, her hand hovering just above the doorknob. Her brother, initiating a discussion with her? This was an exceedingly rare occurrence. Typically, he issued directives or offered corrections; rarely did he present a problem for her consideration. A spark of genuine inquisitiveness pierced through her frustration as she pondered what could possibly be of such significance to warrant the King seeking her input.

Wulv retrieved a scroll from his desk and, with a flick of his wrist, sent it gliding through the air. Lunara intercepted the message in mid-flight, her gaze immediately drawn to the wax seal. Her heart gave a sudden, sharp lurch; the insignia was unmistakable. It bore the mark of the Silver Kingdom.

An inexplicable wave of apprehension washed over her, yet she compelled herself to break the seal and unfurl the document. As her eyes scanned the lines, a fleeting expression of joy crossed her face, only to be instantly replaced by a mask of cautious concern.

Wulv had finally laid down his quill. The scattered reports were nudged to the edge of his desk, and for the first time that evening, his complete attention was riveted solely upon her.

"What are your thoughts?" he inquired, his tone low and expectant.

Lunara looked up at him, then back down at the decree, her thumb tracing the edge of the parchment. "They are audacious," she murmured. Her hand drifted unconsciously towards the bloom adorning her hair, a subtle gesture Wulv's keen eyes did not miss. "Does Magnus know of this?" she inquired, her voice barely exceeding a whisper.

"You are not in a position to pose inquiries, young lady," Wulv interjected, his demeanor shifting abruptly from detached indifference to a sharp, commanding edge that rendered the atmosphere noticeably heavy. He was visibly incensed, a storm of suppressed fury brewing within him.

Leaning forward, Wulv rested his forearms upon the desk. "Inform me, how did the Silver Kingdom become privy to our classified expansion strategies? How do they possess knowledge of our preparations for potential integration with the humans?"

Lunara remained frozen, the parchment quivering almost imperceptibly in her grasp.

"Are you aware that this strategy is confined to the knowledge of a select few within our innermost circle?" Wulv continued, his voice descending into a dangerously low, resonant cadence. "Yet, somehow, the Silver Kingdom has gained insight into it, leading me to suspect that the People of Björn are likely privy to it as well."