Outlands, Serisis.

9:40 a.m. 18th Banem 1092.

A cold breeze blew past the cracked earth as a heavy chill descended on the plains. Three parties cautiously eyed each other, hesitant to engage one in fear of the last party taking the opportunity to launch a deadly attack.

The three parties consisted of Ragnaf, Rudega and Durst in one party, Brilith Loneheart's gang, and the final being the patrol team of about 50 soldiers led by Serisis' fiery princess, Chu Ling.

Considering Chu Ling's bombastic personality, there was no way she would wait for either party to respond. With a loud snort, she drew tugged on her bowstring as she approached Brilith and Ragnaf. "I asked for your name," Chu Ling chided as she glared at GrizzlyDiamond. However, she shook her head before he could even respond and asked, "Which of you caused those earthquakes?"

"Earthquake?" Brilith murmured with a frown. No one in her party had the ability to cause an earthquake (directly). Plus, she hadn't felt any earthquakes, so that meant it had occurred far outside her range of detection. If she thought of the people present, the only one capable of such a feat...

"It was you, wasn't it." Brilith said as she glanced at Rudega. Everyone followed her gaze to the weak-looking dwarf, disbelief in their ears.

"A small trick," Rudega replied with a tight smile as he glanced at the woman who led the troops. Just from a glance, he could tell she was plenty strong. However, as to whether she was strong enough to handle these monsters called Summoned, he had no idea.

However, he had literally gambled all his mana to produce small earthquakes nearby and ensured they grew weaker towards their position, in the hopes that someone perceptive would follow and seek out the source. All he could do now was wait and see if his gamble would pay off.

Rudega brushed himself off, and walked in front of Ragnaf. He bowed to Chu Ling who maintained an eqaul distance of about 10 meters between both parties, forming a strange triangle. "Esteemed miss, my name is Rudega Farvulia, of the dwarven Farvulia household. My companions and I are refugees from a scheme to start a war in Daggerfall. We wish to temporarily seek asylum in Serisis. Is it possible to have our wishes related to the King?"

Chu Ling frowned and looked at Durst who still lay on the ground. "What's wrong with him?"

"He has been poisoned," Rudega stated.

"Poisoned?" Chu Ling repeated in disbelief. "Even an orc can be poisoned?" She said, looking at Ragnaf. Her shock was justified. Orcs were notorious for the tough physiques which could not only heal from basically any non-life threatening injury, but were also highly resistant to most poisons and disease ailments.

"I don't know how," Ragnaf responded to Chu Ling's questioning gaze. "I've never seen an orc fall to poison."

"It should be a special poison crafted by the wisben," Rudega explained as he looked at Brilith. "He's been in a coma for several hours now. He is in desperate need of a healer."

Chu Ling nodded and then turned to examine Brilith's party. "Seem's you're the ones responsible for this? Identify yourselves. I don't recall the presence of such powerful Summoned in our country. What's your purpose?"

"This damned..." GrizzlyDiamond spat in rage as he brandished his sword, causing the soldiers around Chu Ling to similarly draw theirs. "Even though you're just a bunch of 1's and 0's... You're all acting too cocky..."

"1's and 0's," Chu Ling muttered as she handed the bow to one of the accompanying soldiers and dismounted. She pulled out a dazzling red sword from the saddle and frowned as she pointed it at GrizzlyDiamond. "I do not know why, but those words really offend me. I've changed my mind. You can tell me who you are after I beat you all into submission."

GrizzlyDiamond snorted as he took a step forward. "With just you? You're not capable enough."

"Whether or not I'm capable..." declared Chu Ling as a tremendous fiery aura exploded forth from her, swiftly raising the temperature in a mile radius to boiling points. The warrior princess' ki took the form of a raging phoenix as it spread its wings behind her, its burning red eyes locked onto the insignificant ants before it.

GrizzlyDiamond gritted his teeth. Shit, this woman was much more powerful than he initially thought. Just looking at that monstrous energy caused sweat to pool on his forehead. He did not know when, but at some point, he began to lose his grip on his sword due to sweat.

However, it was at this moment, faced with this insurmountable challenge, that the gamer pride within GrizzlyDiamond surged and showed its unreasonable crazy head. "So what if you're a little stronger than me," GrizzlyDiamond laughed as he took a step forward. "It won't be the first time I've cross-level challenged."

Unfortunately, just when GrizzlyDiamond was about to launch his attack, a thick 5-meter tree root shot out of the ground and blocked his path. The man looked back in confusion at his guildmaster, whose cold eyes were fixed on Chu Ling.

"You must be Chu Ling, younger princess and second-in-line to the throne of Serisis," Brilith said with an light smile. "I heard you were a powerful warrior who dedicated her life to the frontlines. It seems the rumors did not do the real person justice."

"What the hell are you talking about now?" Chu Ling spat, unsatisfied with this roundabout way of speaking that was so common with nobles. "Are we fighting or not? If not, explain yourself. Why are you chasing these two men?"

Brilith maintained a passive smile as she softly replied, "The matter involving these two is a one of state secrets. I am not at liberty to tell you that. However, I can tell you that my name is Brilith Loneheart. As for my authority, I am a Veridium Seeker from Gorun, capital of Ederwood." She took out a platinum badge with a strange tree engraved on it and tossed it to Chu Ling. "See for yourself."

Chu Ling's eyes narrowed when she inspected the badge. It was indeed real, no doubt about it. She might not be well versed in mana, but even she was sensitive enough to feel the unique mana imprint reserved for items created by Ederwood's political craftsmen. This imprint could not be forged as it was unique to each craftsman. Therefore, there was no way this badge was fake.

Which meant this woman who called herself Brilith Loneheart was truly a Seeker. Now, this was troublesome.

Who were Seekers?

Seekers were a group of high-level elite task force sent out by the council of elders in Ederwood to handle various political matters. There were many ranks to these Seeker roles, and Chu Ling was not sure about all of them, but she did know that the highest rank was called Veridium, named after a rare tree that only grew near the capital.

Meeting a Seeker was equivalent to meeting Ederwood's Council of Elders. If you found favor with them, by proxy, you also found favor with the Council. Likewise, if you found trouble with a Seeker, the council would seek vengeance.

Chu Ling did not know how this Brilith managed to become such a high ranked Seeker within just over a year (assuming she arrived at the same time as the first batch of Summoned), but the reality was before her. If this matter was not handled properly, it could lead to a war between Ederwood and Serisis.

A few months ago, Serisis would have welcomed a war. It would give them an excuse to plunder Ederwood's resource-rich forests. However, ever since Rosendun came forward with their deal, a new path had opened up for Serisis. Right now, food was no longer a major concern for the country, and by the time Rosendun's transportation devices were completed, the nation would completely change.

Although the citizens had not yet been informed of the specifics, they had already begun to see the future potential in the food distributed to the many villages in those cold boxes. The country's mood was on the rise right now, and a war would utterly shatter their hearts.

Serisis would join the warfront one day. Chu Ling had no doubt about that. She might not be the best politician, but as a princess, she could sense the changing tides on the continent. However, this was not the time.

Even so, if Chu Ling were to roll over and allow the wisben to do as she wished out of fear, she would not be the notorious fire princess. ""A Seeker, is it?" Chu Ling said as she nonchalantly returned the token with a casual toss. "I understand your position, but you should understand mine too." Chu Ling's brows furrowed as frightening aura burst out from her. "This is not your country. This is Serisis, and I am her Princess. A visitor has personally asked a favor of me. Do you expect me to willingly send them to their deaths?"

Brilith smiled, but those who gazed at that smile felt their blood freeze. There was a large amount of venom hidden behind that smile. "Visitor, you say. Am I not a visitor too? Do the wishes of a Seeker not matter to Serisis' princess? I am not asking you to do anything. Rather, just let us handle this between ourselves. We will take these two back to Daggerfall to face the price of their crimes."

"You said it again," Chu Ling chided with a harsh sneer.

"What?"

"Seeker," Chu Ling elaborated with a forwn. "You keep saying that word like it should scare me or something. Ah, you know what, I'm pissed off!" The princess scratched her head, glared at Brilith's procession and then roared, "I've changed my mind. Get your asses the fuck out of my country!" Before Brilith could respond, the princess sneered, "Ah, don't worry, your highness. Serisis won't aid these fugitives. They will pass by and go to Rosendun. You can do whatever you want in that country. But for now, can you guys kindly fuck off!?"

"Fuck off?" For the first time, Brilith's smile stiffened. "Do you have any idea what you're doing right now? You dare speak to me like that?"

"Ah, no wonder they call you Seeker. Clearly, you need to seek out some brain cells," Chu Ling snapped. At this point, she had shed all pretense of a noble princess. "I want you all," she said, pointing at Brilith's party, "to leave my country the way you came. Is that too hard for you?"

The soldiers, seeing this Chu Ling, nodded their heads in acknowledgment. This was how their princess should be. That earlier nice, diplomatic girl act had been giving them shivers.

Rage flashed in Roro's eyes. Unable to bear the insultive comments any longer, she prepared to take a step forward. However, an arm cut across her chest, preventing her from moving. The little assassin looked up the arm to its owner's chilly expression.

"Not now Ro-chan," Brilith whispered in a stiff tone. "We'll deal with these people after we've fully taken over the Council of Elders."

Brilith's eyes narrowed as she looked at Chu Ling. "Thank the heavens for your heritage. If you were anyone else, you would no longer count among the living." Without giving the enraged princess a chance to reply, she turned her attention to Rudega. "Well played, dwarf. You have managed to keep your lives thanks to your gamble." A hint of a terrible smile spread at the edge of her lips as she lookedpointedly at Durst. "However, that one will not be so lucky. There is no cure for the poison in his blood. You orcs might be strong, but even your regeneration has limits. I wonder how long he can hold out for. The record during our experiments was 5 days."

Ragnaf's eyes instantly reddened. "Expreminents!?"

Rudega, sensing the orc's rage, quickly ran forward and hugged Ragnaf's right hand. "Do not engage. That is what they want so they can take us out in self-defense."

"What a smart dwarf," Brilith teased. "Do not worry, we will meet again soon." With those words, she nodded at Roro, who then blew on a whistle.

Moments later, Rudega stared in shock as a 20ft long Thundergrowth Candor swooped down and landed in front of Brilith's party, its beatuful blue and white wings glittering in the sun.

Brilith jumped onto, and then sat down on the beast's back. She was joined by her companions, who casted malevolent glares at the remaining parties.

"Serisis' princess Chu Ling," Brilith greeted as the humongous bird took the sky and flapped its wings. "We will soon meet again. At that time, I will have you pay for your words."

Chu Ling snorted as she watched the bird disappear into the clouds. "Spoken like a true cliché villain. Even the village kids have better lines..." Chu Ling shook her head and then turned to look at the quiet Rudega. "Who you are; where you're from' why you really came here; how you got here; We have a lot to discuss."

Rudega humbly bowed. "Yes. Yes, we do princess."

VIDEO OF THE DAY

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