Valkyrie's Performance

"Why don't you listen to my performance first...

The voice comes with an ethereal beauty that instantly captivates everyone's attention. She gracefully moved and took a seat beside Rasoul. A magnificent Zither materializes in her hands, immediately spreading warmth to those with no ill intentions. However, the ten Sages can't shake the feeling of impending doom.

An inner instinct urged them to flee, but before they could react, Valkyrie struck a single note, swiftly erasing that thought from their minds. A subtle smile graced her lips as she spoke in a gentle tone.

"Be sure to grade my performance.

Having said that, Valkyrie started playing her Zither. Delving into her 'Dirge of the Damned' ability, she instantly activated 'Zephyr's Whisper,' the first effect. Immediately she did, ethereal notes floated through the air with a chilling presence, causing the Sage to shudder. The notes floated and intricately wove their way into the minds of the sages, planting seeds of unease.

While the others heard the same notes, its negative impact seemed exclusive to the ten Elven Sages.

As 'Zephyr's Whisper' intensified, the sages felt an urgency to put an end to her performance. They were aware that allowing her to continue playing would lead them into an inescapable situation.

However, right as they were about to make a move, Valkyrie tapped into 'Ephemeral Torment,' instantly distorting their perception and plunging them into a tormented illusion.

"AAARRRGGGGHHHH..." Screams of pain flooded their minds instantly. Their agonizing cries echoed throughout the entire capital, sending shivers down the spine of those within proximity of the unfolding events. Writhing on the floor, they screamed at the top of their voices.

A wicked smile crept across both Rasoul's and Valkyrie's lips. Observing this, the citizens shuddered; the smile that was meant to convey cuteness painted a different and unsettling picture.

Observing this from somewhere in the palace, Lara smiled and muttered, "Never knew music could be this painful."

Valkyrie heightened her performance without mercy. She was well aware that the ten sages before her had committed far worse deeds. So without hesitation, she tapped into the next effect of her ability, 'Spectral Chains.' The notes emanating from the Zither transformed into ethereal chains, swiftly traversing and entering the minds of the ten sages.

It was at that moment their nightmare truly began. Though Rasoul could have seized the opportunity to assassinate them, the warnings from both Old Monk Kane and the Master of Eternity resonated in his mind. He believed the Sages deserved prolonged suffering before kicking the bucket.

The chains wove and pierced through their minds. Intensifying, their screams grew louder, and blood began streaming from their noses and eyes as the music escalated. The chains mercilessly strangled their thoughts and emotions, ensnaring them in torrents of torture. Their minds surrendered all forms of resistance. There was no room for resistance; all they could do was continue to wallow in their torments.

Valkyrie continued for another 10 minutes before delving into the final effect of her 'Dirge of the Damned' ability – the 'Cacophony of Desolation.' The chains tightened, squeezing their consciousness. One by one, the Sages succumbed to the overwhelming power of Seraphina's music. Their faces contorted in agony as the cacophony reached its peak.

As she started playing the last effect, a burst of dark energy erupted from her body immediately making its way into the minds of the 10 sages. The vicious force consumed their consciousness, extinguishing their lives in an instant. The ending was brutal, with blood continuing to seep from their eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. All ten sages lay there, life snuffed out.

Valkyrie stood up, turned to the people, and curtsied slightly, indicating that her performance was concluded.

Rasoul observed her quietly, left with only one thought: 'She is too ruthless.

Without issuing a command, the system teleported the three ladies back to the hall. Vira remained unconscious.

Seizing the opportunity, Rasoul removed the hood covering their faces, revealing the truth to everyone. The entire capital fell silent. They couldn't believe what they were witnessing. 

"You can all see now that your former king has been deceiving you all along. His intention was never to open the ruin for the entire kingdom; he merely coveted it for himself. He used it as an excuse to eliminate the Princess. He wasn't a fitting king but a tyrant who sought everything for himself.

"I don't know who you'll select as your next ruler but I believe Princess Vina should be our queen." After speaking those words, he turned and casually waved his hand, causing all 10 bodies and cores to vanish. He then approached Princess Vina, "I will be taking Vira back to Orange Field City so she can receive proper medical attention."

With Lara by the Princess's side now, he took Valkyrie, and unconscious Vira back to Orange Field City.

He knew he had done his best, but the ball was now in their court. Whoever they chose as their next King or Queen was none of his business. Even though the system might punish him for failing a quest, he could stay in the kingdom for five years. After his cultivation had been restored, he would embark on new adventures.

Immediately upon their arrival in Orange City, Rasoul turned to the System.

'What's wrong with her?' he asked.

[She has Mana Poisoning. She would have died if she had used her Mana during these past three days.]

'Can you cure her?

[Yes I can]

'Good, take the required Fire points and cure her...Rasoul instrcuted.

[It will take 24 hours so make sure she is not disturbed during the process]

'Ok

He then turns to Valkyrie..."Stay with her until she wakes up. Call me if anything happens.

After saying that, he left the room and went to the peak where he and Old Kane (Monk) had their last conversation. He sat on the bench there, and before he realized it, he had fallen asleep, a slumber that lasted for three days.

He hadn't had a good night's sleep for almost a week.

However, before he could derive more enjoyment from his sleep, he was awakened by a gentle tap on his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he found a cheerful Valkyrie and a revitalized Vira standing before him.

"Why so cheerful?" Rasoul directed his sentence to Valkyrie. He then turned to Vira. "I hope you are fine now. No residual effects or whatsoever?"

"Thanks for assisting the Princess in becoming the next queen of our Kingdom," Vira expressed with gratitude, wearing a thankful expression. "And I am doing well now"

"Has the princess been chosen by the people as their next queen?" Rasoul inquired with a curious yet content tone. While he anticipated it, he wasn't certain it would be that straightforward after the whole rokus caused by the king a few days ago.

"Yeah, we got the news yesterday while you were asleep. I didn't want to disturb you, so I waited until Vira woke up," Valkyrie mentioned, explaining the cause of her previous joyful and cheerful demeanor.

"This is fantastic. Let's head to the capital now," Rasoul declared, rising from the bench.

Vira's face lit up with a mix of emotions upon hearing Rasoul's words, however, her expression turned gloomy the next second. Observing this shift, Rasoul asked, "Is there something bothering you, Vira?"

"I failed her. As her maid, I should be the one worrying, not the other way around," Vira confessed, wearing a guilty expression.

"I'm not so sure about that, Vira. The Princess regards you as more than just her maid. I bet she wouldn't hesitate to jump into a volcano to save you," Rasoul reassured, attempting to comfort her. However, these words only seemed to add to her already substantial guilt.

"Exactly. I should have remained just her maid so she wouldn't have to worry if something happened to me. I got too close to her and caused her pain," Vira confessed, tears threatening to surface as she continued to blame herself. Sensing her perspective, Rasoul decided to try again.

"Don't see it that way. As a Princess, she shouldn't trust or be friendly with just anyone. She's supposed to maintain a certain royal image. But the fact that she went out of her way to form such a strong bond with you is noteworthy. The Princess likes you. so instead of blaming yourself for something so trivial, become strong so you can protect yourself and her from any threats, because, whether you realize it or not, the princess will never break the kind of bond you two share."

"She genuinely cares about you, Vira, so acknowledge that and don't break her heart. Keep being with her and strengthen your bond even further."

Vira lightened up a bit after hearing Rasoul's speech. She has to admit, she needed to hear that.

When she woke up a few hours ago, she contemplated setting some boundaries on her relationship with the Princess. She understood that they had surpassed a typical master-servant dynamic, and because of that, the Princess always fretted about her instead of focusing on her well-being.

"Thank you, Rasoul. I needed to hear that, and I will make sure to get stronger soon," Vira replied.

"You welcome...He replied.

"So, when are we hitting the road?" Valkyrie inquired.

"We'll teleport, but before we go, I have to bring some oranges to Sabrat. He's addicted to these oranges," Rasoul stated as he moved towards a couple harvesting their oranges. After a few minutes, the three of them teleported back to the capital.

====

At the same time, the six kingdoms began mobilizing their soldiers who would be participating in the invasion of the Sundance Kingdom. The soldiers were high-spirited, and morale was soaring. Despite the mutual dislike between some of these kingdoms, they were more than willing to unite and obliterate the Sundance Kingdom.

They all harbor a collective animosity towards the Sundance Kingdom, making it seem like a more logical approach for them to unite against a common enemy.

The late king made enemies far and wide, and now that he is no more, the next queen must confront those adversaries directly if she wishes to save her kingdom. It won't be easy, but she has to do it; after all, her people view her as their savior, and she must become one for their sake.

====

After Rasoul, Vira, and Valkyrie teleported to the capital, they were escorted to the palace where an urgent meeting was about to take place.

The capital, however, is still brimming with joy after their selection for the next queen. The citizens are more than pleased with the decision of the elders. For the past two days, the celebrations have continued, and they plan to let it extend throughout the whole week.

As Rasoul and the two ladies were about to step into the palace, Sabrat's voice entered his head, carrying a grim report.

"Cole, the Princess's Kingdom is in huge trouble..."