Boom!
Boom!
Nux stood steady amidst the storm of whispers and eyes, not a flicker of fear on his face. His body didn't even sway; his golden gaze was calm, cold, unwavering.
The one who had been muttering and mocking beside him—jealous laughter dripping from his lips only moments ago—was suddenly sent flying by a single devastating kick. A flash of snow-white leg had cut through the air like lightning, and before anyone could even blink, the man was already crashing across the courtyard floor.
His body scraped against the stone, clothes tearing to rags as blood splattered from his lips. He rolled and tumbled far, leaving a long trail behind him. His expression froze in disbelief, mouth trembling.
"You… hit me? Why… why did you hit me?!" His voice cracked, his earlier sneer still hanging stiffly on his face like a mask he couldn't take off.
The crowd stirred uneasily, confused by the sudden turn. Even Nux raised a brow in mild surprise.
The figure landed lightly from her strike—Hera. Her golden hair fell like a cascade, strands gleaming as she combed them back with her bare hand. The graceful curve of her snow-white neck caught the sunlight, yet her pink fox-like eyes burned with glacial cold. She looked down on the crumpled man with disdain, her delicate features sharpened by contempt.
"I've endured your buzzing long enough. Did you really think no one could hear your disgusting mutters?" Her voice rang sharp, each word like a blade of frost. "Here's the truth—don't interrupt what doesn't concern you."
She then raised her chin and pointed boldly at Nux.
"This one's words may sting, and he may speak bluntly, but at least he isn't obscene. At least he carries himself with some backbone. That, I can respect. You, on the other hand, are nothing but a jealous cur yapping in the shadows. Filthy, petty, and utterly beneath contempt."
Her voice echoed, cold and resolute—the voice of someone who brooked no profanity, a saint who showed neither hesitation nor mercy.
The fallen man trembled, unable to meet her gaze. Fear carved through his bravado. His mouth opened, then shut again, and in the end, he scrambled to his feet and fled in disgrace, not daring to glance back.
Nux's eyes gleamed faintly. This woman… she has spirit. A sharp temper, and the courage to act.
As for the coward who fled? Nux had heard every insult earlier, but he hadn't cared. Trash was still trash—why waste attention on it? Yet Hera had stepped in, striking without hesitation. That, he found… intriguing.
"Enough gawking. Scatter!" Hera's cold glance swept across the gathering.
The crowd flinched, hearts trembling under her aura. Like birds startled from a branch, they dispersed within breaths, leaving only Nux and Hera behind.
Her War Soul faded as she strode toward him, her foxlike grace giving way to an expression of annoyance. "You bastard. You've been spouting words all day, but not one of them has been the truth."
Nux smirked, lips tilting. "I really don't have a War Soul. Don't believe me?"
She let out a sharp laugh. "Oh, please. If you've got the guts, let me test it myself. If you truly have no War Soul, I'll stand by you and call you father in front of everyone. I'll swear it on my status as the saint of the Soulforge Citadel."
Nux waved lazily. "Forget it. I'm still young—I've no desire to become a father so soon."
"Pfft!" Hera's face flushed red, eyes wide. "You shameless liar!"
"You said it yourself. But one thing's certain—I'm not anyone's father today."
"You—ahhh!" Hera's nails twitched, the urge to claw him half to death plain in her glare.
And yet… her eyes softened, glittering with a spark of curiosity. "What about being friends? You're mysterious. I… think I'd like to know more."
Nux's smile was disarming, almost gentle. "No need. If fate allows, we'll meet again."
She huffed, lips curling. "Hmph. Smooth tongue. You're just rejecting me politely. 'Fate,' is it? Ridiculous. I spend all my time locked away in the Soulforge Citadel—I almost never step outside. You'll never have a chance to find me again."
"We will meet again," Nux replied, tone calm but certain.
Hera tilted her head, pink eyes skeptical. "Impossible. You think seeing me is easy?"
"Why not?" Nux said softly, as though amused.
"You have no idea. Disciples of the Soulforge Citadel aren't people you can just 'see' at will!" She pouted, her voice tinged with a subtle resentment.
He only chuckled. "If I can see the queen whenever I want, why not the saintess?"
The words landed like thunder. Hera stiffened, immediately darting glances around them, her heartbeat spiking. She lowered her voice, sharp with warning. "Are you insane? Do you want to die here? To speak such disrespect toward the queen in Soulforge Citadel—are you courting death?"
But Nux only smiled, calm as ever.
She clenched her fists, turned with frustration, and began to leave. Yet when no voice called her back, she stopped, teeth grinding. Against her own will, she spun around.
"Hey! Why are you here in Soulforge Citadel?"
Nux shrugged. "Nothing much. Just keeping a promise. Once, a woman told me she'd marry me someday. I came here to see if her words still count."
As he spoke, his gaze grew distant, recalling a figure—majestic, sorrowful, beautiful. That helpless girl of yesterday… now the queen who reigned supreme over Spirita.
Hera froze, jealousy prickling sharp and hot in her chest. Her lips parted. "That woman… who is she?"
Nux's smile was faint, secretive. "Doesn't matter. You wouldn't believe me anyway."
"Try me!" Hera demanded, stamping her foot. "Say it! I dare to believe."
He leaned closer, voice playful. "What if I told you I'm the one person who stands above all in the Soulforge Citadel? Would you believe that?"
Her mind stuttered. The first person in the Citadel… could he mean… the queen herself? Rose?
Her breath caught. Then, as though realizing how absurd it was, she stared at him like he'd lost his mind. "You're insane. If anyone else heard you blaspheming like this, they'd throw you into the dungeons and tear you apart piece by piece!"
Nux spread his hands, unbothered. "See? Told you. No one ever believes the truth."
"Bah! Stop spouting nonsense! To speak so casually about the queen—you're digging your own grave. Shut that mouth of yours before it gets you killed."
But Nux only sighed, amused. So even the truth sounds like madness to others.
Her expression softened despite herself. "Listen. It's strange to say, but even though this is our first meeting… I don't hate you. So let me warn you—be careful. The queen is iron-blooded, ruthless. She's never shown affection for any man. Even a powerhouse of Spirita who dares to confess to her is doomed. If you keep talking like this, you'll invite death."
Nux chuckled. "Strange. In front of me, she's gentle enough."
"You—!" Hera's heart leapt, fury and disbelief mingling. "You really don't know how to value your life."
She glared, her tone sharp. "I'm her disciple. I know her better than anyone. She would never—never—be tender to a man. Don't slander her with your nonsense."
"Maybe," Nux said, his voice steady, "you don't know her as well as you think."
Her breath caught. "What? You're saying you know her better than I do?"
"Most likely," he answered simply.
The certainty in his tone shook her. Hera's chest rose and fell quickly, her emotions a whirl. How could this man… possibly know the queen better than me?
At last she shook her head, exhaling sharply. "Forget it. I won't waste my breath on you anymore. Just… don't say such things where others can hear. Even if your words are unreliable… I still—"
She bit her lip, turned quickly, and left. Yet deep inside, she whispered to herself, I still… want to see him again.
Nux watched her go. Her long legs, her graceful sway, her snow-white calves vanished into the distance. A faint smile curved his lips as he turned toward the towering silhouette of the Pope's Palace—the queen's Palace.
Soon… we'll meet again.
His words carried softly with the wind, uncertain whether they were meant for Hera… or for Rose, the untouchable queen herself.
The soft-boned charming rabbit in his arms shifted slightly. Syra's pink eyes shimmered like dew, her delicate body shivering under his absentminded caress. His palm was gently rubbing her long ears—sensitive places for her kind.
She bit her lip, nervous. Should I tell him to stop…?
But then, her heart melted. Forget it. If it makes him happy… let him.