24 The Beginning of the End

Without much fanfare, Hokuto had attained full completion of the <Primordial Orchid Body Art>. In conjunction with the constant exposure to nature, the Dust of Gaea was rapidly supplementing the things the body art failed to temper. Namely, Hokuto's internal organs and nervous system. When she stepped out of the Lily Garden, Hokuto felt a form of liberation. She idly threw a punch forward which caused a small boom of air to launch from her petite fist.

Hokuto smiled at herself and stretched proudly. The entire time, Astraea was waiting for her outside. The [Rose Sword Saint] had anticipated that with the sheer absurdity of the Dust of Gaea, practicing the body art to full completion would be a piece of cake. She was very proud of Hokuto's progress and admitted that she would definitely surpass her in the future if she was nurtured properly.

Unfortunately, something would happen this day that was entirely out of the prediction of anybody in the North Blossom Kingdom. It was the calm before a raging storm. Hokuto and Astraea met up with King Ren and Queen Tyris later that day as the sun was setting down in the courtyard of the castle. Clearly, the king and queen were interested to see Hokuto's progress after her one year of intense training.

Astraea was notably more sensitive towards worldly energy than either King Ren or Queen Tyris so she was easily able to discern the high receptivity towards it that Hokuto possessed. However, the other two found it difficult to tell. Regardless, they had a feeling that by looking into Hokuto's eyes she had grown significantly since the training began one year ago.

While this was going on, the Council were about done making their preparations. With the information given to White Tiger and the surveillance done by Green Lion and Blue Frog, Black Deer was able to cleverly deduce the entry point for their Single Route Teleporter which they had finally completed after weeks and weeks of intense work. Red Crane was looking forward for their plan to succeed.

Black Deer knew that to launch a full scale attack with the Single Route Teleporter was a huge mistake as it would cause unnecessary chaos. Furthermore, it would give time for the North Blossom Kingdom to launch a counter offensive. It would be a lot smarter to simply just directly teleport into the location of the King and Queen and use operatives to capture Hokuto afterwards.

Blood Lotus and Black Deer were both working on a console terminal nearby the Single Route Teleporter - the former was watching the monitor while the latter was typing rapidly on a makeshift keyboard. He was keying in coordinates for the castle of the North Blossom Kingdom which was deduced based on information given to him by White Tiger. White Tiger conspicuously did not describe the manner in which he received this information, merely saying he got it from a friend who was working in the inside.

Black Deer did not question White Tiger because he knew that White Tiger was one of his most loyal Councilmen and had a very good judgment. The plan that Black Deer had quickly concocted was soon going to be carried out. Muttering under his breath as the Single Route Teleporter suddenly started emitting blue electrical lights - "The beginning of the end has come for you now." he watched as he called over for Blood Lotus, Red Crane, Purple Owl and five other cloaked figures to stand by him.

In the courtyard of the castle in the North Blossom Kingdom, Astraea was talking to the royal family about her next moves regarding Hokuto's training. "What about the North Star Lily Sword Art?" King Ren was inwardly panicking. He really wanted Hokuto to inherit this sword art. Just as Astraea answered her, a portal to the void appeared as Court Vizier Seraphina unceremoniously walked out to disrupt the conversation.

"Your Highness! Something terrible is about to happen!"

"You look awful, Court Vizier, what's going on?"

As Seraphina was about to explain, the roaring sounds of thunder suddenly rang out. A blue portal suddenly appeared a ways away behind King Ren and Queen Tyris. Figures walked out of the blue portal casually. They were, naturally, Black Deer, Red Crane and Blood Lotus as well as the five cloaked operatives from the Council.

Seraphina gasped as she stared at Black Deer, who looked back at her and seemed to realize something.

"I see we must have interrupted an auspicious occasion," Black Deer cackled. "You want to know what's going on? We're here to take your precious daughter, and then end your miserable lives. Remember this, the thing which will take over your North Blossom Kingdom is none other than the Council, reborn from the ashes of the Abyss Temple!"

King Ren's expression blanched. "Impossible."

"Your Dark Moon Guild operatives are amateurs. Our spy network has already mapped out your entire kingdom and has your Sunset Hamlet on lockdown. We will take over peacefully after getting rid of you and taking your daughter!" Black Deer was so confident that he was comfortable with sharing his goals.

While he was babbling on confidently, Astraea was toying with a blue crystal behind her back while a cold sweat ran down her back. While she could confidently handle everyone there, she saw a lady standing close to Black Deer, this was naturally Blood Lotus, and felt a horrifying weapon from her.

King Ren drew a short sword from his waist.

"I won't let you demons get a hand on my daughter! It'd better be over my dead body!"

Hokuto shuddered - she was simply too young for this.

"What-- What's going on!?"

Court Vizier Seraphina had moved by Hokuto's side at this point and whispered to her.

"It's the beginning of the end. We grew complacent and this is the result..."