"I didn't expect it to be her. Truly unexpected!"
Through EDITH, Duke caught sight of the visitor and was momentarily surprised. But thinking about it, it wasn't so strange after all. With Qiyana's personality, it would be out of character for her not to step in and meddle.
What Duke couldn't understand, however, was where she got the kind of confidence to look down on the entire outside world.
If it were Duke in her place, he wouldn't dare act this arrogantly.
The waters of the Rune Continent ran far too deep. Even without mentioning the far-off threats, the Void lurking beneath Icathia alone was already a massive problem.
If not handled properly, it could truly bring about the end of the world.
And beyond the Void, there were the mysterious, unfathomable Watchers—existences beyond comprehension.
Even someone as powerful as the Dragon King could be fooled by mortals.
So where exactly did this little girl get her boundless self-assurance?
While Duke was pondering, Qiyana glanced back one last time to confirm that the secret passage she had opened on her arrival was now completely hidden within the jungle.
"Now, let's be on our way!"
Swinging her ring-blade with confidence, Qiyana strode forward proudly. Her servant, Beyar, hunched his shoulders and asked, "Respected Yuen'alai, shouldn't we check the surroundings first?"
"As my servant, I don't need you telling me what to do!"
Qiyana shot him a lofty glance. "Do you think I came here merely to drive out a few intruders?"
"No. I've come to bring them a massacre—a massacre that will proclaim my greatness and strength!"
"I will make them witness the power of Ixtal, and witness me!" Qiyana spun her ring-blade, her voice dripping with pride. "The might of the Elemental Empress, Qiyana!"
"You need only bear witness to my valor and watch as the surviving elders kneel in gratitude before me!"
"Enough—what's the point in explaining so much to you?"
She turned away and marched toward the village square. "You have one job—don't make me sweat."
"Well, I suppose I can't expect too much from dull-witted underlings like you."
Qiyana entered the village and went straight to the central square. There, just as the messenger officer had described, strange mechanical devices sat brazenly along the edges. Groups of people clustered around each one, whispering as if conspiring.
"Yuen'alai, they're over there."
Beyar hid behind Qiyana, pointing toward the survey team at the edge of the square. The sight of this strange master-servant pair drew curious stares and hushed comments.
"Is this the envoy from Ixtal's capital?"
"She's awfully short."
"My daughter's taller than her."
"But her figure is quite… elegant."
"Still too short. Some people with certain tastes might like it, but not me."
"Those jewels she's wearing are exquisite."
"Just prying off one would keep us fed for life."
"Provincial or not, that jewelry is the real deal."
"Quiet—Duke is coming out!"
At the sight of Duke emerging, the surveyors fell silent, ending their gossip.
Qiyana too noticed Duke stepping out with Pride at his side. Jinx, wearing her Mad Tower getup, walked on Duke's left, her "Boom-Boom" launcher in hand, eyeing Qiyana up and down.
Neeko crouched on Pride's shoulder.
"Duke, this one's shorter than me!" Jinx immediately latched onto her newfound height advantage.
Qiyana's face darkened. "Insolent wretch! Before you stands the great Empress!"
"How dare you speak to me so flippantly? Are all outsiders so crude and lowborn?"
Jinx raised an eyebrow and looked ready to teach the little shorty a lesson with Boom-Boom, but Duke placed a hand on her shoulder and stepped forward.
"Mmm…"
Duke looked Qiyana up and down. She really was short. Though she looked about twenty, she wasn't even one meter fifty. Was it environmental, or just genetics?
Elsewhere, most people were over one seventy, and warriors could easily reach two meters.
Well—except Yordles.
"This…"
Before Duke could finish, Qiyana cut in sharply. "Call me Empress!!"
"All right, all right," Duke replied in the tone one might use to humor a child. "Your Majesty, may I ask what brings you here?"
"Of course—to drive you outsiders away!"
"Drive us away?"
Duke spread his hands and stepped aside so she could see the elders behind him. "We haven't harmed a single blade of grass here. We've come in peace, seeking to establish relations with Ixtal."
"Establish relations?" Qiyana twirled her Orel Taal ring-blade and scoffed at the much taller Duke. "Rude, savage outsiders think themselves fit to deal with Ixtal?"
"Any who dare set foot on Ixtal soil will be dealt with harshly!"
"But we came in peace."
Duke shrugged. This little shorty clearly intended to look down on them from the start. That wouldn't do.
Keep this up and I will hit you.
"Also, I must ask—do you truly have full authority to handle this matter? I've heard the current Yuen has no intention of passing the throne, and as envoys, we haven't even met your ruler. Isn't it a bit improper to be turned away like this?"
Though Duke still wore a smile, his eyes were no longer warm.
"My father sent me here specifically to deal with you!"
Lowering her stance into a fighting posture, Qiyana's ring-blade shimmered with the three elemental lights—water, stone, and flora.
"But rest assured…" She looked Duke up and down. His attire and bearing were clearly different from the rest—tall, well-built, and handsome. Far better than her timid servant.
Recalling the daily scheming with her nine sisters back in the palace, Qiyana thought: if she completed this task and took him as a prisoner—a trophy—
And if that prisoner were a foreign noble?
Everyone would regard her more highly, and her sisters' haughty retainers would pale in comparison before him.
Perhaps, after capturing him, she could offer him some… favors.
After all, even a mighty queen needs a boy toy to please her.
And this well-dressed man was a perfect candidate.
"I'll let you live—if you kneel and lick my toes."
Her smug expression was in full bloom. Jinx pretended to gag. "Duke, this little shorty's got a big mouth."
Duke clicked his tongue and calmed Jinx. "She's just a spoiled little princess from a hidden kingdom. A bit of Pride is to be expected."
If Duke knew she wanted to make him her boy toy, he'd hang this shorty upside-down right here.
"So, in other words, no peaceful talks?"
Duke spread his palms. Qiyana smirked. "We can talk—after you defeat me!"
"All right."
"As long as I beat you, we can talk?"
"Yes. But…" She spun her blade, confidence blazing in her eyes. "You don't stand a chance!"
"That's not certain, Your Majesty."
Duke folded his arms. "I'm quite confident in my abilities. You're the one who doesn't stand a chance."
"Are you insulting me?"
She stepped forward, her elemental lights flaring wildly.
"Oh? Is the Elemental Empress of Ixtal so thin-skinned?"
"Can't handle a little criticism?"
"Or is everything you say just bluster?"
Duke smiled provocatively, using the simplest goad. With people like her, the best tactic was to crush their pride in every field they thought they excelled in.
"If you want to taste defeat, I'll oblige!"
She lifted her chin proudly. "But if you lose, they all die!"
"But don't worry." She eyed Duke's face. "I'll make you my boy toy and spare your life!"
"Father, I want to hit her," Pride muttered to Duke.
"I do too," Duke said, tilting his head, "but for the sake of the bigger picture, let's endure for now."
Once Pride was pacified, Duke asked Qiyana, "And if we win?"
"I'll let you leave and pardon your crimes."
Duke's mouth twitched. This girl seriously needed to leave the palace once in a while. If she didn't change that personality, she'd be in big trouble one day.
"Is that all the magnanimity an Elemental Empress has?"
"What do you want then?" Qiyana twirled her blade impatiently.
"If you win, I'll be your boy toy. Fine. But if I win—you take me to Ixtal's capital."
"I want to meet the current Yuen face-to-face and discuss diplomatic relations."
Qiyana studied him for a moment, then chuckled. "Your courage is laughable."
"But as the great Empress, I accept your wager—my future boy toy."
She winked at him, licking her lips.
She could hardly wait to use her victory to cement her glory.
(End of chapter)
We're still in the early chapters fam! and to everyone who's joined the Patreon, thank you so much! 🙏Your support truly means the world. You're the reason this story keeps growing, chapter by chapter, world by world. I promise to give it my all! more content, more depth, more epic moments, to make sure your support is always worth it. You're part of the foundation that keeps this universe alive.
🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead
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