POLITICS AND WAR 2

At the border of the Kingdom of Voice, the stronghold stood tall and imposing, surrounded by sturdy stone walls that stretched as far as the eye could see. Guard towers dotted the perimeter, manned by vigilant soldiers keeping watch over the land. The stronghold itself was a grand structure, built with sturdy stone and adorned with intricate carvings depicting tales of valor and triumph.

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"Hey, Nox, you look tired," another knight remarked.

"Well, I asked Dora for a date, but she rejected me," Nox replied with a sigh.

"Well, that's natural. Do you not know how many knights propose to her? She is the captain of the Silver Knight Legion, which is considered the second strongest in the Kingdom."

"Not only that, she is very beautiful too, even though she is a knight. So, don't get depressed, buddy."

"Shut up, Nova," Nox replied tersely, glaring at him.

Nova raised his hands defensively, "Hey, just trying to lift your spirits, Nox."

Nox rubbed his temples, frustration evident in his expression. "I know, I know. It's just hard, you know? I thought maybe there was a chance."

"Well, at least you had the courage to ask her out. That's more than most of us can say," Nova said, trying to offer some encouragement.

Rox nodded, though his disappointment still lingered. "Thanks, Nova. I appreciate it."

Nox took a swig from his flask, the bitter taste of rejection lingering in his mouth. "Just a simple 'no'," he muttered, more to himself than to his companions.

Nova patted him on the back sympathetically. "Sometimes, that's all it takes. But hey, at least you tried."

Rox nodded, his expression reflecting understanding. "Exactly, Nox. You put yourself out there, and that's what counts."

Nox forced a nod, his mind still replaying the moment Dora uttered that single word. He couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment, but he knew he had to move forward.

Just then, another knight approached them, clapping Nox on the back. "Hey, chin up, Nox. There are plenty of other maidens in the kingdom."

Nox managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Valen. I'll keep that in mind."

"Thanks, guys," Nox said, mustering a small smile. "I'll bounce back. Just need some time to process."

Valen clapped him on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, Nox. We've got your back, always."

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As Nox, Nova, and valen conversed, the atmosphere around them suddenly shifted. Nox's gaze darted upwards, his finger instinctively pointing toward the sky. His voice carried an urgency as he interrupted their conversation, "What's that thing?"

High above, a mysterious figure, humanoid in shape but with wings, hovered ominously, its eyes fixated on the stronghold below. Before anyone could fully comprehend the situation, the creature extended its paw towards the stronghold, a sinister red energy coalescing around it.

In stunned disbelief, Nox watched as the energy condensed into a dense, football-sized sphere of destructive power. His mana-enhanced voice boomed across the stronghold, a warning too late to prevent the imminent danger. "We are under attack from the sky!"

The energy ball hurtled downwards with alarming speed, its impending impact heralded by an ear-splitting explosion. Nox's heart raced as he realized the impending disaster, but even his swift warning was insufficient to avert the imminent threat.

With a thunderous boom that echoed through the stronghold, the energy ball collided with a protective barrier. A blinding light engulfed the area as the barrier strained against the overwhelming force, crackling and splintering under the intense pressure.

For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though the barrier might hold, but the sheer power of the energy ball proved too much to withstand. With a resounding crack, the barrier shattered into a shower of shimmering fragments, leaving the stronghold vulnerable to the impending onslaught.

As the remnants of the barrier faded, the mysterious creature vanished into the sky, leaving behind a sense of dread and uncertainty in its wake. Nox and his companions braced themselves for the chaos that would surely follow, their resolve steeling as they prepared to defend their home against the looming threat from above.

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The tower loomed above them, its pinnacle shrouded in mist, an imposing structure that seemed to defy the very heavens.

"It's been 5 days since we returned and gave them that herb to research, but all the researchers are saying it's impossible to recreate or produce," Ruby remarked with a hint of frustration.

Genevieve nodded in agreement, her brow furrowing with concern. "So that man was telling the truth," she mused aloud, the weight of their recent encounter still fresh in her mind.

The two princesses stood together, their conversation punctuated by the towering presence of the enigmatic tower, its secrets hidden within its impenetrable walls.

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As Ruby and Genevieve sat on a bench, Ruby remembered the events of yesterday.

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"Ruby noticed Norma's tense expression as she entered the room, her brow furrowed and her lips drawn into a tight line. Concerned, Ruby approached her friend, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone floor.

"Hey, Norma, is everything okay?" Ruby asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Norma looked up, her eyes reflecting a mixture of worry and resignation. "I'm just... dealing with some things," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ruby could sense the weight of Norma's words, the unspoken burdens that seemed to hang heavy in the air between them. She reached out a comforting hand, placing it gently on Norma's shoulder.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Ruby asked, her tone gentle and reassuring.

Norma sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as she leaned into Ruby's touch. "It's nothing you can fix, Ruby. Just some family issues back home," she explained, her voice tinged with sadness.

Ruby nodded understandingly, her heart going out to her friend. "Well, if you ever need to talk about it, I'm here for you," she offered, a warm smile playing on her lips.

Norma returned the smile, gratitude flickering in her eyes. "Thanks, Ruby. I appreciate it," she said, her voice softer now, the tension beginning to ease from her features.

As they sat together in quiet companionship, Ruby couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. She knew that whatever Norma was facing, she would stand by her friend's side, ready to offer support and solidarity in her time of need.

Remembering Ruby asked Genevieve, "Hey, do you know why Norma looked so tense yesterday?"

Genevieve, thinking for some time, replied, "Well, it's not public right now, but the Kingdom of Voice was attacked two days ago. Also, heavy casualties happened, and looking at their state, a Voice Rebel is also possible anytime." That's why Norma looked tense."

"That's why she's going home, huh? Why don't we help her?" Ruby asked, her gaze fixed on GENEVERE's piercing blue eyes.

GENEVERE sighed softly, her gaze thoughtful. "We can't just go with her. We're not only her friends; we're also princesses. If we help her by going with her, it means we're involving our entire nation. Besides, we don't have that much power," she replied, her eyes meeting Ruby's emerald green gaze.

"Also I don't think KingDom voice is that weak so it unlikely voice will lost "

You're right. The Kingdom of Voice is quite powerful, so it's unlikely that it would easily fall or be lost. Their strength and influence would likely play a significant role in maintaining stability and repelling any threats or attacks.

"I hope everything will be ok with her," Genevieve prayed.

As they were talking, a woman wearing a crisp white lab coat emerged from the building. Her sleek black hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves, framing her face with an air of sophistication. With each step she took, the fabric of her coat swayed gracefully, accentuating her slender figure. Despite the seriousness of her profession, her warm smile welcomed those around her, offering a sense of comfort and reassurance. The badge pinned to her lapel gleamed in the sunlight, indicating her authority and expertise in her field. As she approached, her piercing gaze swept over the surroundings, taking in every detail with a keen observation that spoke of years of experience and dedication to her craft.

Genevieve rose from the bench with a respectful nod and a warm smile. "Good morning, Professor Anaya," she greeted, her tone polite and friendly.

Ruby followed suit, standing up to join Genevieve in greeting the professor. "Good morning, Professor Anaya," Ruby said, her voice cheerful and respectful.

Professor Anaya returned their greetings with a nod, her expression kind and welcoming. "Good morning, Genevieve, Ruby," she replied, her voice gentle yet authoritative. "How are you both today?" she asked, her gaze shifting between them with genuine interest.

Ruby sighed softly, her disappointment evident as she spoke. "Well, we're here to ask about the progress of the herb research, but unfortunately, there hasn't been any," she said, her tone tinged with regret.

Professor Anaya's expression mirrored Ruby's disappointment, her features adopting a sympathetic look. "I understand, Ruby. It's been a challenging endeavor," she acknowledged, her voice gentle.

Genevieve nodded in agreement, her brows furrowing with concern. "Is there anything else we can do to assist with the research?" she asked, her determination shining through.

Professor Anaya smiled gratefully at their offer of help. "Your support means a lot. We'll keep exploring all avenues and keep you updated on any developments," she assured them, her tone hopeful.

Though disheartened by the lack of progress, Ruby and Genevieve left the meeting with renewed determination to support the research efforts in any way they could. They knew that even in the face of setbacks, their commitment to finding a solution remained unwavering.

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