novelraw Chapter 229 - 228 - Invitations
Chapter 229 - 228 - Invitations
Several months had passed since the fall of Altair. The territory it once occupied was now more heavily visited by scholars and some experts in Relics to examine the less used ones that littered its landscape.
Darkmoor took all the profit from opening up the area per Lind's suggestion. One of several reasons they accepted his idea as their resource flow actually increased compared to before.
In the white imperial palace of the Lotus Empire, the Emperor was ending one of many meetings trying to relay messages to Lind Frey. He was a bit harried at that point but his retirement was ever closer.
"Here, Father." A steaming cup of tea was offered by his son, Etrigan, walking up to him in the carpeted hallway leading to the royal quarters. His son's bright blue eyes were a bit more subdued but the glow of youth was clear in them. His amethyst hair was vibrant but the Emperor knew that would fade with time and stress.
"How are my grandchildren coming along, son?" Etrigan nearly stumbled before glaring at his father. I light punch brought some joy to the Emperor's long day.
"Your grandson is quite healthy and Leah has recovered completely. We are enjoying time with our baby, however, so just wait!" The Emperor roared in laughter. Many smiles had come since the little ones started to be born. They had healed his scarred heart much as his own children had when they were born.
"Sister has been spending time with Sethan, I noticed." The smile vanished from the Emperor's face as he grumbled suddenly. Etrigan seemed to find far too much enjoyment in that moment but then both became serious as a woman in pale crimson robes was waiting for them.
One of their stewards was next to her in violet and black robes.
"Majesties, a messenger from the Frey Clan has come." The Emperor nodded but let Etrigan take the scroll the woman held. She bowed low but both could tell she was near high Sand Tier from what they could tell.
Why was such a relatively powerful cultivator being used as a messenger?
"Father, he is getting married." The Emperor needed no name to know who his son referred to. Only 1 person would make the stewards bring the messenger straight to them.
"Who, exactly, is invited?" The Emperor could not come for obvious reasons, but his son was just as busy yet they could set aside time for him to go if needed. Etrigan was smiling strangely at him instead and holding out the scroll.
[Grand Master Frey invites her imperial highness Astrella plus 1 to the wedding of Lind Frey to Lady Cynitlla, Lady Shoti, Lady Qing, and Lady Annabelle. Please relay an invitation to Cassandra Zephyr and Leah Zephyr if they are able to attend.]
It was short but effective and sent a subtle message to the Emperor. Lind Frey did not want a large group or envoy, only friends to come if they could.
"I suspect you will be going with your wife, my son?" Etrigan actually shook his head.
"My sister-in-law would kill me if I made a ruckus at such a wedding. My wife can go as a representative if she wishes but I suspect she will stay with our son as well." Etrigan was about to take back the scroll when a cough drew their attention.
"My Lord sent a birth gift for your new baby, your majesty." Etrigan took the storage pouch but then nearly fell back in surprise. The Emperor was concerned but then his own senses let him feel shock.
Detailed theory on Soul and World Realm elemental relationships with elixirs grade 1 through low grade 4 fur all possible issues aside from tempering.
"He also said to let you know when they break through to please let him know the elements." The Emperor felt dizzy. His grandson would fly past him in cultivation!
"I am deeply grateful, more than words can say. Truly!" Etrigan was misty eyed as for the Lotus Empire, elixirs were very hard to come by.
"We will send a response promptly. Please relax in a suite until then." The Emperor nodded to the steward who bowed and guided the woman away. Messages were sent to Astrella and Leah. Cassandra was now back home with her family but was already on her way to see her new nephew.
The Lotus Empire became very active the next day.
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"About time!" Tyr was reading a similar scroll at the main headquarters of the Heavenly Maiden Sect. Her rotation was about to come to an end but she would not miss the wedding of those 5 for nothing. The teasing she was formulating was coming to her quickly.
She saw a few other Elders were named and she happily contacted them in Cimmeria while she began to plan exactly how far to push the newly weds on their big day. Her giggling made many acolytes and disciples quickly move on before they could become targets for her teasing themselves!
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"That traitor will be getting an earful from me!" Solon was standing in the training arena at one of the main cities in the Divine Sword Sect. He had been found easily not only by the messenger but by Callisto months ago!
She had not been kind to her brother in arms. Lind had betrayed him!
Master Bord had laughed it off and dove right back into missions for the sect. The benefits reaped from the agreement with Lind raised his stature in the sect.
Solon was nearing the peak of the Gold Tier but had been required to recuperate or he might have faced his Diamond Tier tribulation by then. Callisto had shown no mercy and ordered him to stop talking about her to others.
She was surprisingly shy about the strangest things.
Solon was also happy that the naive boy had grown into a decent man. He was also marrying the vixen! He truly wished them happiness although the old scar on his heart flared a bit. He also was not going to forgive just because some low grade 4 elixirs were gifted to him for his 'troubles!'
"Still, what was he thinking inviting me?" Solon brushed off non-existent dust off his shoulders as he smirked at all the hearts he would break. Many of his fellow sister disciples knew what the smirk meant and rolled their eyes at him.
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Crown Prince Ryu felt his eyebrow twitch as the looked at the scroll in his hands. Unlike several others, he was explicitly forbidden from attending!
[I am well aware you would want to fight me as part of the celebration but I want to be with my soon to be wives in full health and they are the centerpiece of the day. I will absolutely turn you in to your fiance if you try to come!]
"He would not dare!" Ryu tore up the scroll with his full power but then saw Callisto was indeed holding a scroll in one hand and her sword in the other. The fire in her eyes all too clear as she waited for him to try and head south!
"I feel like this will be a great challenge, my love!" Ryu felt shivers up his spine and knew he had lost in trying to set out. Callisto may love battle but interfering in her new friend's marriage was asking to be killed by the woman he wanted to marry!
Ryu could only placate her with a true fight, the same as when he won her heart. He had always believed he was a true battle fanatic but his fiance left him far behind.
"You are not going to get your chance to fight Lind either, Crusher." Ryu smirked at the 4 following behind to watch his next battle with Callisto. Shuri was consoling Crusher while Gorn and Volt only smiled at him. He noted their smug looks for later.
He would happily have them face Callisto once more and see how much they had improved!
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"That is not a small favor, Master Frey." Viola was in her ornate quarters in the massive palace of the Blood Empire. Stone the color of dried blood was appropriate but the carpets and drapes were equally dark red almost black. Her furnace was cooling after her recent works were finished as she held a jade slip sent to her via the Sapphire Auction House.
Lind had asked her to keep Yor busy and unaware of what was happening. How he knew she was the Imperial Crown Prince's woman was not difficult to tell. Why else would his Highness even bother with a subordinate to the extent he had?
"We will be even after this, Master Frey. Mark my words, it will not be easy to keep him distracted for that long!" She sighed as she smiled at the gift he sent. Perhaps a bribe would be more appropriate.
He had included his new understanding of demonic Qi at the World Realm. It was not as advanced as his mid Iron Tier cultivation but it showed his terrifying ability to learn and adapt in such a short time.
It sparked some ideas in her and perhaps that too could help distract her dark prince from rushing back into unfriendly territory. It was also almost time for him to challenge his father.
She doubted it would make any difference this time around but the 2 demons seemed to enjoy the bloodshed and danger the fights brought. Viola also felt her own heart rate increase at possibly seeing Yor fighting at full strength again.
If the Emperor won this time, the world might shake from a new threat of war, but no one knew how far he would push it. The last war had left the Blood Empire reeling from the true power of the Heavenly Maiden Sect. No one wanted to trigger that result again.
"Perhaps the upcoming battle for the Inheritances will cool some heads." She put her mask on and hummed as she left her workshop area to find her Prince in the training area. No doubt more advisors were learning the price to be near the Prince was a little high.
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Lind relaxed in his rooms as he taught Little Shi all he knew and Fey practiced her alchemy nearby. His mother and future wives were busy preparing and he had been kindly asked to find something 'useful' to do.
"Uncle Lind, when is the wedding?" Shi had been wondering as the days went by when the ceremony would happen but Lind merely glanced around the rooms before he sighed and looked back at her.
"Based on what I can see, another week at least. Fey, when do you have to go?" The sudden call to her nearly made her ruin the grade 3 pill! She stared at her Big Brother but then checked the date.
"I have to go to Master tomorrow." She looked a little sad but Lind hugged her and her bright smile spread out to infect the room. Lind laughed and told the 2 stories from when he was young but Shi seemed to know a few things he really did not want her to know.
Lind relaxed and enjoyed his last few days of what could be considered a vacation. After he wed, he would have to decide what his next steps were but the wedding came first. He hoped most of his friends could come and his arrangements for the 'annoyances' would hold.
The bright sky made the Frey Clan complex warm and happy as the festive mood continued to build to the coming wedding of their most treasured member.