Chapter 188: Rush
Kaelith could be seen rushing back to the castle at full speed, her long crimson hair whipping behind her as the wind tore past her face.
Her brows were knit together, her jaw tense. The words she had received from Layson echoed again and again in her mind—
*’The elven nation is being targeted by your dear friend Cravanvor. I’m sure you won’t just sit around and watch, would you?’*
No—she wouldn’t. Kaelith couldn’t.
The Queen of the Elves wasn’t just any ruler—she was Hades’s mother-in-law. If Hades were to hear about this, he would storm into the battlefield without hesitation, burning everything in his path to reach them.
Kaelith clenched her fists. She couldn’t let that happen. This wasn’t just an attack—it was a trap, perfectly baited for him.
Last time, Cravanvor had been forced to retreat only because she had arrived on time. But this time... he would not come alone. This time, he would have his army, his generals, and his cruel patience.
If Hades went there, he wouldn’t come back unscathed.
No—she would not allow that. If the elves needed protection, then she would be the one to stand for them. She would shield that nation with her own hands.
Her boots echoed sharply against the stone floor as she entered the castle courtyard, her presence radiating urgency. The guards straightened immediately, sensing the storm in their queen’s expression.
Avalin, waiting near the entrance, felt the pulse of her lady’s agitation long before Kaelith even arrived. "My Queen?" she called softly, concern lacing her voice.
Kaelith didn’t respond. Her eyes were fixed ahead, her steps fast. She strode straight through the corridors, climbed the spiral stairs, and entered her office.
Avalin followed quietly, closing the door behind them.
Kaelith walked to the wall and tore down the large map pinned there. Her eyes darted across it, tracing the borders, the routes, the choke points. The elven kingdom lay in the southern expanse—just beyond the forest ridges and mountains that divided realms.
"Their borders connect to the east," she muttered, mostly to herself. "The same one Hades used once before."
Her gaze moved higher—to the northern edge of the map, where she marked the point of Cravanvor’s last retreat.
That was the route. That’s from where the enemy would strike again—but the target is different this time.
"How long will it take for our army to reach this position?" she asked suddenly.
Avalin stepped closer, her eyes following Kaelith’s finger. Her brows stree closer. "The Elven territory... is it under attack?"
Kaelith gave a short nod. "Yes. And we’re going to help them."
Avalin hesitated. Her hands trembled slightly before she gathered the courage to speak. "My lady... there is something you should know."
Kaelith turned sharply toward her, her crimson eyes narrowing. "What is it?"
Avalin pointed at the southern tip of the map—very close to the region where Kaelith had been recently in the Death Well. "Here," she said gravely. Then she pointed again, this time at the northeast. "And from here... Halcrest’s army is advancing toward us from these two sides."
Kaelith froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Why wasn’t I informed until now?"
Avalin lowered her gaze but spoke steadily. "Because they don’t intend to attack us directly, my Queen. The territories they’ve occupied so far don’t belong to Aethernox’s rule. They’re... waiting."
Kaelith’s fingers tightened on the edge of the table. "Waiting for *me* to move."
Avalin nodded silently.
Kaelith clicked her tongue in frustration. "Tch... Xelrath. So this invasion of the elven nation... he’s behind it too."
Avalin’s silence confirmed it. The realization made Kaelith’s stomach twist.
Xelrath—one of the Apostles of the Primordials. Ruthless, cunning, and far more calculating than Cravanvor ever was. If he had aligned his plans with Cravanvor’s, then this wasn’t just a random act of war.
This was a layered trap—one that forced her into a corner no matter what she chose.
If she sent her army to defend the elves, Xelrath would strike Aethernox from the other side. But if she didn’t... Cravanvor would burn the elven nation to ashes.
Her teeth ground together. "So that’s how it is," she muttered under her breath. "They want me divided."
Avalin looked up, worry clouding her eyes. "My Queen, what will you do?"
Kaelith stood silently for a moment, her hand resting on the edge of the map. The candlelight flickered across her face, half-shadowed, half-fierce.
Then, she exhaled sharply. "Call Evangelion."
Avalin instantly nodded before rushing out.
Not so long after, a flustered pink haired woman who resembled Ava a lot...or the other way around, entered the room.
"My Queen," she gave a bow.
Kaelith asked, "Can you contact the soldiers stationed near the border?"
Evangelion possess Lunar magic which was known for long distance communication with those whom she has connected with in the past.
And one of the soldiers stationed at the border was someone Evangelion knew.
She closed her eyes and focused...but after a few moments, she informed, "He is dead, my lady."
Kaelith clicked her tongue, "Someone must be guarding the border."
The pink head grew worried, "Should I try contacting the Generals, my lady?"
Kaelith thought for a moment before shaking her head, "Try to connect with your daughter and when you do, tell her to return home with Hades as soon as possible. Tell them that I have fell from the stairs and have incurred severe back pain or something. Just bring them back."
While Evangelion didn’t know what was the reason behind her panic, she didn’t question her and instantly closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, Kaelith turned towards Avalin and said, "Call Vulcan. I am leaving Aethernox in his care."
Avalin’s eyes widened, "B-But my lady...that man might as well attack Xelrath’s force on his own."
Kaelith snarled, "Let him do what he deems right. Just call him."
°°°°°°°°°
....
Luciana was confused.
While she was baffled about why her father suddenly agreed to resolve this situation without using violence, there was something else which greatly confused her.
It was the warrior she fought and fell for back in the arena.
Back then, he never stopped talking. It was either before the match or after, he always chatted. First, he boasted about his achievement and when he was defeated he revealed that he was actually sick, that’s why he couldn’t fight to his full extent.
Whatever the time, he never stopped talking
Yet, that same person was currently sitting there silently.
And not only that, she could tell that he was actually quite scared.
’Is it because of my father?’ The girl wondered with a tilt of her head.
*CLANG*
Just then, a maid accidentally dropped the cutlery, and Devon suddenly flinched, nearly jumping to his feet.
That got her concerned, that’s why, she asked almost on instinct, "Umm...are you okay?"
Everyone turned towards the girl and realized that she was actually concerned about Devon.
Raarka huffed, "Even though he insulted you so much...said so many things, you are still worried about him."
Hades frowned. "Miss Luciana... is it true that he badmouthed you?"
Luciana’s gaze dropped, her shoulders sinking as she nodded softly. "Yes... Sir Devon said I wasn’t worthy to stand beside him because of my skin color and my hair."
Luna gasped, glaring at the boy. "How disrespectful."
Every woman in the room felt her heart ache at the sight of Luciana’s downcast face.
Quintessa’s eyes hardened as she looked at her son. "I feel ashamed as your mother today, Devon. You have a sister at home too, yet instead of respecting women, you say such things..."
Luciana quickly shook her head. "No, please don’t scold him. It’s not his fault," she said quietly. "We all see different races in different ways. Many beastkin don’t accept humans as partners either... so maybe I was being too hasty."
She smiled faintly, her voice weak. "Besides, I’m not even beautiful enough to dream of someone as charming as Mister Devon."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Raarka’s eyes widened in disbelief, his expression darkening—but before he could speak, another voice cut through.
"Who said you’re not beautiful?" Hades said firmly, a frown on his face. "And what racial difference? I don’t see anything ugly in you. You don’t deserve to be insulted like that."
Peri nodded quickly. "Yes! Don’t put yourself down, Luciana. It’s his fault for not seeing how lovely you are."
Luciana’s lips curved into a small, grateful smile. Their words were so kind.
Trevon spoke next. "My son was wrong. He disrespected someone and walked away without apologizing."
Raarka narrowed his eyes. "And that’s why I’m here—to make the judgment."
The air grew tense in an instant.
Trevon readied himself, prepared to step in if the Orc Lord decided to attack his son.
Luciana glanced nervously between them, wishing more than anything for the argument to end.
Just then, Ava spoke up. "Umm... young master, may I say something?"
Hades blinked, then nodded. "Go ahead."
Ava turned toward Raarka. "When two sides disagree or argue," she said, "we beastkin have a traditional way to settle it."
Raarka’s brows furrowed. "Blood Reckoning."
Peri’s ear twitched. "So... a duel, in simple terms."